The kids and I often dance in the kitchen while I am cooking or cleaning up from a meal. As soon as I turn the music on, they come running … it’s so much fun.

Whenever I turn it on, it buzzes at me and the power and lights flicker on it. Scary stuff. So that effectively killed my plans for roasting sunchokes and baking brownies.

But, you know what? That’s okay. Today is a wonderful snowy day. The flakes keep falling, collecting on the branches in that oh-so-beautiful way that makes you stop and take back all the unkind things you’ve said about snow recently. I have to say, snow-enrobed branches are one of my very favorite outdoor scenes … and the pristine whiteness of everything is so calming.

Sure, it’s cold outside – it’s snowing, after all! But no matter, this is a day to enjoy. The kids and I bundled up (I employed the techniques I learned recently while researching an article on bundling up that I wrote for SheKnows) this morning and headed outside.

With big flakes falling around us, today is a perfect sledding day, so Will and I took advantage, making run after run. It was so much fun … and something we ought to do more often (weather permitting, of course).

Meanwhile, Paige set about to clear snow off the slide and swingset. She loves playing outside, but wasn’t so fond of snow on her gloves. Will didn’t when he was her age either.

All in all? A wonderful day … though I pray my oven troubles are quickly and easily resolved.

When I was peeling carrots for dinner the other night, I came across this nobbly fellow in my bag from the farmer’s market. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo …

So, what do you see?

Rainbow cupcakes.

’nuff said.

We are having a summer without air conditioning here. It’s not because of the mild weather though — it’s because I am trying to cut down on the electricity we use (summer is our peak usage time) and thus save money. It has the fringe benefits of also being a little kinder to the environment …

… And one that I hadn’t thought of before: we spend more time outside. When you take away the shock of cold air inside and hot air outside, the hot air is way more palatable. Who knew?

Hope you are enjoying your summer too!

Nope, I didn’t make this. Virtual Frolic made it as a special surprise for my birthday (which is later this week). The colors were so alluring and vibrant — it’s almost too pretty to eat! Flavored with lemon, it was both refreshing and satisfying. It made for a delish dessert after strawberry picking.

Mmm. Good cake.

(Want the recipe? Head over to Virtual Frolic’s blog and let her know! Hopefully she will post it soon.)