Although it’s definitely still winter here, I’m glad that March has arrived. We’re taking a break from school next week… I’m sure I’ll share about it in next month’s “favourites” post. For now, here are some recommendations you might like.

Read

I remember having The Secret World of Og read to me as a child, so I was excited to find a copy at the library sale for 50 cents and had great fun reading it to the kids. The characters are based on Pierre Berton’s children and they matched our kids in term of three girls, then two boys, so that was extra fun.

I love Barbara Reid’s illustrations more than shelves love books, so I Love You More was another serendipitous find.

Eat

For an at-home date night I made smashed hamburgers with caramelized onions from Modern Comfort Food.

Last year I forgot about our family tradition of Pie Day on the fourth Friday of February, but this year I made chicken pot pie (with squash and sauerkraut!) and lemon meringue pie.

Do

We continued with swimming lessons and family swims at the YMCA and the kids did swimming, games, and crafts at the Friday night Kid Zone a few times.

A friend from church took it upon herself to find skates for the kids and take them to an arena to practice, which was so kind of her. Then twice our whole family was able to go skating (once outside at Harrison Park and once at the rink attached to the YMCA).

We were invited to such a lovely tea party on Valentine’s Day, with fresh scones, heart-shaped brownies, and strawberries, along with two kinds of tea. The kids had fun with games and toys afterwards and the ladies were able to chat a little (while also playing a kids’ card game!).

In the middle of the month Andrew pampered me with a weekend break from cooking and cleaning. He took the kids shopping, drew me a bubble bath, and even made Kahlua truffle brownies. Yum.

I put up (thrift store) shades and curtains for the girls — buying curtain rods, using the drill and level and measuring tape, and I only had a tiny bit of help from Andrew. 🙂

Watch

Andrew and I tried out several different TV series from the library (we’re pretty picky!) and settled on The Paradise… we’ve only watched two episodes so far though, so can’t vouch for the “dark secret” that “threatens an empire.”

The kids have been loving short stop motion Lego cooking videos, like this one.

Listen

Here’s a fun music appreciation activity, based on Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5, that my mother-in-law shared with me.

Here’s a song some of you might find amusing!

Meditate

O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah – Psalm 3:1-4

Do you have any February favourites to share?