Holy stomach flu.

You may or may not have noticed my recent absence from the blog, and social media in general.

Last Sunday night, I started feeling sick.  I credited it to eating too much too close to bed.  Over the next several hours, I was convinced I had food poisoning.  For the next two days, Jason and my mom helped take care of Katherine while I was bedridden.  Seriously.  Thought I was dying. 
On Wednesday I started feeling better, but was still weak and dealing with dehydration.  On Thursday Jason came down with the same symptoms I had had, leaving him quarantined to the spare bedroom with a laptop and Netflix.  On Friday, my mom fell victim to the illness, leaving me to care for them both, as well as Katherine, all on my own.  While everyone else was in bed, Katherine and I actually got to enjoy a nice warm day.  It's amazing what some fresh air can do.
To say it has been a rough week is an understatement.  So far, Katherine has not gotten sick.  Thank goodness.      

This week is looking a lot better than last week so far.  While on a t-shirt run at Goodwill, I scored this Tory Burch sweater (in my size!) for $6! 
I'm hoping there's no more sickness in this house.  Katherine's birthday is only a couple of weeks away and there's a lot to do!

This week has been lovely, complete with a Valentine theme throughout the house.  (See the Valentine's garland here.)  It was Katherine's first Valentine's Day and she loved it.

{Valentine straws}

{Heart sprinkles on hot chocolate}

{Heart shaped red velvet pancakes}

{Chocolate Valentine cookies}

{Valentine's for my little Valentine}

{Checking out the goodies}

{Nothing like a relaxing afternoon of Mickey Mouse}

{All smiles for my first Valentine's Day}

Katherine had a great first Valentine's Day.  It's her last "first" holiday, which makes me a little sad.  I don't have time to be too sad because I'm in full birthday planning mode.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Oh winter. 

This year our first snow storm came the first week of December.  I feel like we've had a winter storm every week since then.  Normally, I like winter.  I mean, I don't hate it.  Winter is usually a welcomed change from the summer heat and autumn allergies.  Most years, I enjoy a nice snow day or two.  This year I can't count the number of snow days we've had.  I literally lost count. 

{There's a pond under there somewhere.}

Once again, St. Louis was blanketed with several inches of snow this week.  Each time it snows, it's been too cold to actually go outside and enjoy it.  I'm beginning to think we'll never get over this cabin fever.  Ever.  The snow barely melts before we get covered with more.  But when life gives you lemons.....actually when life gives you snow, make snow cream.

There are many different snow cream recipes online (Pinterest).  This time I used about 1/2 a cup of half and half, about 1/4 a cup of sugar, and a splash of vanilla....give or take.  I added snow until I got the consistency I wanted. 

{Fresh snow}

{Snow cream}

At this point, we've had enough snow for me to open a snow cream stand in the front yard.  It's a tempting idea. 

Saying I'm ready for spring is an understatement.  Until then, we'll stay inside counting the days.