It's almost spring!

Less than a week, and winter ends. But outside, leaves haven't grown back on trees, and the critters seem to be in hibernation still. I see only one robin, and at any one time just one squirrel scurrying across the backyard.



Thankfully, the weather's let up some -- it's cold but not that cold, with temperaures slightly above freezing, for most part of the day at least!

Indoors, our only two surviving pots of primrose are faring better. And here's the first fruit of that chilli plant I grew from seeds!

The first fruit of our first chilli plant, but in the absence of bees inside the house, the husband -- who's the one with the green fingers -- becomes the "agent" to the pollinating agent, to take one flower to rub against the other!

Unconventional, but look, it works! And I'll let you know if there are more buds!

I'm trying to pack away our stuff, some at a time, admist the day-to-day activities and chores. And there were a couple things that were nice to do, that I got to squeeze in last week, in-between the usual must-do's.

Like an hour of catching up with a fellow mom, we've been trying to meet since half a year ago! Taking Ben for a developmental screening under the neighbourhood "Parents As Teachers" programme. And being with Jon throughout the full-day chess tournament yesterday, when he'd rather I be there to lend my support, not just drop him off. It worked out well, giving Ben the one-on-one time he always craves, and enjoys, with his daddy.



But it is a stressful period for Vern, and I try to get the boys out of his hair, and not bother him with anything if I can help it. Except to lug our heavy loads of laundry up and down the basement, and it's nice when he takes the trash outside. Anything more, and my dear husband has asked, "How did our grandmothers do it?" (I don't know, I just roll my eyes, and continue to salute all grandmothers! ;p And I appreciate and mustn't take for granted, what a great help Vern is with our boys).

Then, when the sun came out, just before the showers hit by week's end, I jumped at the perfect excuse to drop my chores for a bit. Made a detour on the way home, after going with Ben to pick Jon up from school. Where did we go?

To the library, because it has a playground just next to it! That way, the boys could get some playtime before and after Jon got his homework done. And while Jon did his worksheets and reading, I entertained Ben with more books on those creatures that once roamed the earth, that our little dinosaur aficionado picked out himself.

So there we were, at the playground, two days in a row...

Jon and Ben sit on the swings. One of the days, they are munching these microwaved popcorn, that are a cinch to prepare for a light snack.

And then I give them each, "One Super Deluxe (swing) coming up!"

"It feels like flying," exclaims Jon, "except we are upside down!"

And Ben goes, "Higher, higher!".

We hang our heads back, and stare at the lovely blue sky! And take in that warm sunshine!

Ahhh... sun! Ahhh to moments like these -- to sit back and relax!

This may sound odd to some of you, and never mind that I don't sing well, but being on the swings has a way of making us burst into song. It was, "Our God is an awesome God!", on both days, an all-time favourite with Jon and Ben. Often, I'll ask the boys to pick a song, too, for us to sing together, as countdown to when they'll jump off the swings, before we head home!

It's a new week... hope you find some time to watch the clouds, too! Have a great one now! =)

Not exactly Spring Chicken, but here's one chicken that my boys will eat again and again. I use a soya sauce based marinade with practically everything: salt, pepper, sugar, oyster sauce, either rice vinegar or rice wine, and I prefer maple syrup to honey because it always turns out sweeter somehow!


But I haven't figured out what's the best way to roast it. Sometimes I flip the thighs and drumsticks midway. Sometimes I change to the "broil" mode towards the end, but if I leave it on for too long (without covering the chicken with foil), I've triggered the smoke alarm... no kidding!

What's your secret to a perfect roast? Do share!