Here are a few more photos from our Day of the Dead celebration.  This pinata was the third I’ve made and I think it was the best of the three.  I used the cooked wheat paste recipe from Amanda Blake Soule’s Handmade Home, and it was really nice to work with.  It was far stronger [...]

The party was a smashing success!  I now understand the power of the potluck.  It was so nice to not feel the burden of cooking all of the food myself, and there was a fantastic spread! Here’s just a peek at a few of the amazing dishes we enjoyed:
Roasted tomatillo salsa, made by me.

Fresh chicken [...]

No matter how many outfits we have in our dress-up trunk, I always enjoy making more.  Halloween this year was a busy and fun-filled day.
The Girl went as a fairy.  As much as I tried to persuade her otherwise, she insisted upon pink.  (I was rooting for aqua blue.) The dress and wings are from [...]

I had been wanting to celebrate Michaelmas with the kids since I first read about it, thinking it would be a great fit for The Boy, who has always had a passion for all things knightly.  Since I learned my lesson to not try to cram it all into one day like I did with [...]

We are finally coming out of the Month of Sick.  Last week was Spring Break, and at the beginning of it I was wondering “how am I ever going to make it through this week?”  I could not see past my own misery and sickness.  Illness in the lungs = not fun.

But I made it [...]

Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving. -Khalil Gibran
I’ve been trying to keep this quote in my heart and my mind for the past few days.  I have been so grouchy in the mornings lately, especially since it’s so cold and dark in my house when The [...]

Here are the valentines The Boy and I made last Sunday while The Daddy Monkey and The Girl napped. It was a team effort, with Art Direction by The Boy.  Construction paper, glitter, and glue.  What could be better than that?
Wishing you a warm St. Valentine’s Day, filled with love and chocolate!

Wishing you and yours a very wonderful holiday!!
(See the Monkey Family cards of past here.)

Happy Winter Solstice to you!

The gingerbread house is done.

Cookie production is in full swing.

The last candle on our Advent wreath was lit tonight.
And the temperature is dropping, finally!
A wonderful, beautiful, cozy Sunday spent at home.