“She is like a little troll sparkling in the sunshine. There is brightness and glitter around her, and bubbling and tinkling laughter. There is giggling, and there is no sorrow wherever she goes.” Carl Larsson, of his little daughter
I’m hunkered down in a hotel with my baby girl. She’s such a sweet thing, and no trouble at all. Not at all. Quite the opposite, she’s a delight and a joy to me (and, her Papa) in every way.
She’s currently over in the corner of the room in a playpen, sound sound asleep, under her much-loved blankies. Looking like an angel
Rich helped me figure out how to get online here at the hotel so I am able to blog this morning. 
Our homeplace (our entire town, in fact) is still without electricity after this past weekend’s snowstorm. So many people are staying in hotels as we wait for restoration. I am deeply thankful that my other six children are able to visit their Grandparent’s house/farm in NY. Although I miss them very much, I spoke with them all this morning and they are happy and having fun. They love it at Grandma and Grandpa’s house. School is cancelled all week long, so they are truly on a vacation.
Rich has done an outstanding job taking care of us, and went back to work yesterday. He is there today, too, after a nice breakfast together at the diner next door. How thankful I am for my strong husband. (words can’t say).
I have my camera with me and have been amusing myself by taking plenty of photos of my little dear.
She’s so so cute. The hair, the tooth (remember, her other one is now a nub?) that special smile just for me, the dress I fell in love with and had to have (matches her eyes), funny gray tights, tightly clasped hands, and her pretty black shoes.
She’s a wonderful sleeper; so content.
She absolutely adores her baby, and any baby at all.
Rich had the vehicle yesterday but Sarah and I were still able to venture (walking) across a very busy street, to some quaint shops across the way. I had no stroller, and was in no hurry whatsoever, so we took our merry sweet time outside, on the walkways between the shops, in the sun. Sarah’s feet went tap, tap, tap.
We stopped to visit the ducks (“What do ducks say? quack! quack!”)
I thought it was so sweet that they designed the fence so that little ones could see through to the water below. Even the tiniest child could stand and watch to their heart’s content.
We visited a kitchen store. Sarah found a plastic orange pepper and said, “APPLE! APPLE!”
I bought a string bag. Because it reminded me of Beatrix Potter’s Jeremy Fisher book, in which Jeremy’s friend the tortoise, brings his salad in a string bag. It reminded me, also, of my talented cousin Erika, who crochets her own string bags.
Our favorite store was the Scandinavian store. I loved browsing through the pretty things, and looking at the books and stationary.
Sarah found some red round candles and said, “APPLE! APPLE!” She saw a pretty red heart dangling from the ceiling and said, “Moon! Moon!”
I selected some Carl Larsson art books. He and his wife were both artists and had eight children. They loved their home and family so very much, and his art work celebrates both so beautifully. It is delightful to study each detail of the tender paintings.
And, I chose (not the brown ones), but the RED ONES!
Next, Sarah and I found a little coffee shop. I had the most delicious pumpkin spice latte, it was so wonderfully COFFEE like–dark and fresh and deeply flavored compared to (other places). Sarah enjoyed a cup of cold milk and a muffin, and I had a orange/cranberry scone. She sat on my lap in the warm little shop, and I wondered –who could ask for a better companion (besides, of course, my beloved husband, who was very much missed).
I was heavily laden with bags and baby, so I chose a safe looking couple and asked them for a ride back across the street to my hotel, and they were happy to help me out.
Sarah was so tired, she pulled her blankies to the floor and relaxed.
I brought her to bed with me.
We had a tea party;
We read books;
We did nothing;
And then, she took my shoes!
Good to be Home 
What a lovely day spent with your little girl! I love that quote at the beginning… it brought such a smile to my face, and it warmed my heart 🙂
she is so cute! and, you’re still without power!? wow. that is a long time for so early in the year…hoping it’s restored soon and you all can be a family again at home!
Shanda this storm has given you a vacation!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How lovely and I love the red shoes:) Enjoy yourself and baby…you deserve a little break
I love the words. the picture. the music. 😉 Enjoy your quiet time…. ❤
What a wonderful vacation day for you and Sarah! I hope, though, that the power is back on very soon so you can go back home together.
Such a precious girl and sweet day! I see “Pat the bunny” is still the favorite. There seems to be a market for more books like that! It is always a favorite. So glad that you are able to use these days as a rest and lovely time with your sweet little one. I love seeing her in her darling dresses, the cute way she wrinkles up her nose when she smiles, and the way she holds her dolly close. I have enjoyed Carl Larson’s paintings so much, and sometimes have had a card for a long time propped up to enjoy. You always inspire me, Shanda! I will look up some of their books at the Library. Did Parker go to Grandparents house too? And the chickens? Hope your power is restored soon, but so glad for you and the kids that the situation is able to be a bit of a vacation Thankful for your dear hubby too.
Sometimes we need a break in our “routine” to gain a new appreciation for the things we love. Your daughter is precious!!
What a wonderful break from routine ~ for all of you. Hope you get the power back soon, though ~
I can’t even imagine, time with just my littlest in a hotel room for days… Enjoy!
I bet it’s a vacation for you as well with your cute girly! got your sweet note in the mail the other day…thanks!
Fantastic shoes. I love, love the red. Very envious! Sarah, of course, is adorable as always.
I just love your joy in the little things in life and how you are able to express it it pictures and your writings. We all need to slow down and take it all in. Beautiful pics!
love it all! i am happy that you all are doing just fine and enjoy the one on one time with Sarah. praying that your electricity is restored soon.. also.. husband are wonderful aren’t they? 🙂 much love
I LOVE this post! So fun! So warm! Such love! :)Thanking God for joy in the midst of trial…~Hugs~
such a darling!. she just makes me smile. 🙂
They are all my favorite pictures – but the one where Sarah is wearing your red shoes is my most favorite. 🙂
I know you will be glad to get home again, but glad you are enjoying your “vacation.” Love the red shoes…..especially on Sarah!
What a beautiful, happy girl. Who still looks just like a baby when she is sleeping. Precious. Those Carl Larsson books look very contagious. Like just looking at them makes me want to get some. Hope you have a restful time in this surprise “vacation”. 🙂
there’s no place like home, that’s for sure. but i am glad that you are making and having such a sweet time with your littlest love. 🙂
Sounds like the perfect way to spend a mini-vacation away from home!
What a wonderful week for all of you. Such blessings have come from the snowstorm!I just love Sarah in her little dresses and tights…she is so sweet.And red shoes…LOVE them!Enjoy your time, how special. I’m sure Sarah loves having all that attention. =)
I am happy that this time in the hotel is much less stressful than last time in the hotel 🙂 SO nice that the kids get to visit with their grandparents!!
I have been looking for a pair of shoes JUST LIKE YOURS for so so long! They are so cool! It sounds like you are having a vacation as well!!! I am sure you will always remember these slow sweet days with Rich and your baby! Her dresses are so cute!
lsn’t it amazing, how things work out (with a little Divine intervention in the form of an unseasonable snowstorm?) Just a few days ago, you were in distress and stressed, and now you’re relaxing and decompressing in a hotel. You probably would never have planned it, and see how it all worked out? It might be a stretch to say that the Lord sent a snowstorm and hampered all of New England just to give you a break….but it’s not a stretch to say “all things work together for good”, is it? Your older children are having a wonderful vacation with grandparents, and you are having time to rest and be quiet. Perfect. P.S. Love Carl Larsson’s artwork. My daughter married a half-Swedish guy — his grandmother came to the U.S. from Sweden. So two of my granddaughters have this lovely Swedish legacy. The colors are wonderful.
I was beginning to wonder about you since your latest posts didn’t show up on my “feed” but when I came to see when you last posted I see that you are all warm and cozy with your little jewel and hubby and everything is ok — so happy to see that! Hope you are home by now or at least will be soon. We only got a dusting of that snow in our area — your pictures are beautiful! Hugs to you friend!
I’ve read a bit about how long it’s taking to get power back up there. I’m sorry! I hope the mess waiting at home is not too great! Hugs and prayers. I do hope that some of those hours were spent resting.
Oh, oh OH what precious pictures of you and you littlest love!!!I love how you count your blessings with photos and sharing on Xanga…and I adore your red clogs and Carl Larssen books (One of my FAV illustrators)You have become such a talented photographer
The precious little ones will grow up before you know it enjoy each moment.