Today…

Outside my window: it is most definitely winter. We had a warm snap (as in, 40 degree days) that would have been nicer if the dense fog and dreary skies and rainy weather had not been present. Now the skies are clear again, but it’s back in the 20’s that frequently feel like single digits. We’re huddling inside for the most part, but have ambitions of heading out to library story times, etc. in the near future and have a coffee shop play date tomorrow that will require bundling up.

This weekend : was another long weekend as Dan took off NYE. We had a lot of fun and were even fairly productive, but two long weekends in a row was probably plenty as I think we were all looking forward to getting back to routine today. We celebrated NYE with our new neighbor friends across the hall (which I already blogged about here) and spent New Years Day touring some of the new buildings at daddy’s office (pictures here).

We also: tried Woodmans, a new to us grocery store this weekend since Aldi was closed. We’ve actually been to Woodmans once before, about a year ago, and hadn’t liked the warehouse style mixed with the almost too vast selection that felt overwhelming – but having given it a second try we think we might actually love it and after comparing a trip there with an average week where we go to Aldi (for cheap prices) and then Copps (because Aldi never has everything we need or like) we found we ended up spending approximately the same amount of money and only had to go to one store. It will definitely take some getting used to as their layout is so different and the store is so big, but it just makes more sense, especially in the winter not having to go to multiple stores will be a godsend.

Last night: we played Rivals for Catan (2 player card game based off popular board game Settlers of Catan) which I got Dan for Christmas. We played it on Saturday also but having never played before, we spent most of the first game figuring out how to play (no easy feat!) – so last night’s game ended up being a lot more fun. We’ve also been playing a lot of Skip Bo lately, another new game for us, given to us by our Wisconsin Besties on Christmas night.

I am reading: The Virgin of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard which is the first book club pick for 2011. It’s a murder mystery set in a small town called, you guessed it, Small Plains. It has tendencies to verge on the too graphic, but the characters and the plot keep me coming back for more. All in all, I’d say I’m enjoying it.

Bored and trapped inside? You should check out these links:

• This idea from Ohdeedoh to make a recycled cardboard doll house has been sitting in my mind for awhile now. I’m impatiently waiting for the new IKEA catalog to come out so I can give this one a whirl.
• These strawberry cupcakes at Annie’s Eats looks so delicious – I’d gladly devour a dozen.
• Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog has been counting down her Top 10 posts from 2010. I am eying #3 : Wax Paper Skating as a fun idea to do with the kids soon.
• Don’t order take out – make this fake-out orange chicken recipe from Smells Like Home. I’m planning to coerce the husband into making this for me soon.
• Let’s Explore just posted 10 fun ways to play in January which I promptly printed and stuck on my fridge for inspiration. Seriously considering trying out #1 soon.

One last picture to share before I go: here’s another cool shot from our New Years Day at daddy’s office. I took this one with no flash while walking, which led to utter coolness and I just had to share: