Short Years

This week in the Campbell house we've been up to a lot of this:

And baking for sweet neighbors and friends with new babies,

And a WHOLE lot of this...

He loves golf as much as his dad. And he especially loves when his dad plays it with him!

And I wrote a new freelance article. If you want to read it, click here. I keep hearing the quote "The days are long, but the years are short." James is getting big so fast and I just want to pause it right now with all his dancing and kisses and all our happy happy long days. It's been a freezing, snowy week in Chicago. Hope you are staying warm wherever you are!

A Beautiful Day in Chicago

And Jordan wondered why we hadn't had any visitors in January...

Winter Recipes

Sorry for the lack of posts this month - we have been busy. James dropped his morning nap which has been a bit of a transition for both of us; Jordan is taking two night classes and working at a fund in Chicago a couple days a week; and I have taken on a new freelance assignment writing education articles for a Chicago neighborhood newspaper.

But I did want to post some winter recipes on this blustery cold January day. We have done lots of entertaining (since it's too cold to go out!) and wanted to share some recipes with you all. It's fun to cook when you have so much help in the kitchen!



First, winter vegetables. Have you tried oven roasted brussels sprouts? They are delicious!


I picked up a whole stalk at Trader Joe's which is my absolute favorite grocery store - if you have one near you, lucky you! Trader Joe's sells only products with no artificial flavors or colors (which is the Campbell Family New Year's Resolution) and it is great stuff at very reasonable prices.


Then we washed them and roasted them at 400 degrees for 20 minutes with some olive oil and cracked pepper.


Other delicious recipes are this one for White Bean Chicken Chili from Paula Deen and this one for Cast-Iron Skillet cornbread to go with it. Happy Winter Eating!

Snow Days

The theme of our winter this year is snow. It has followed us every where we've gone and lately Chicago has had tons of it. Hope all my friends in the Southeast are enjoying their snow this week too!

Staying Put

After our recent trips to Texas, Colorado, and Alabama, we are ready for a couple months of staying put in Chicago. In Alabama, so many of you encouraged me to continue this blog - I had no idea so many people read about this little life of ours. Thanks for your encouragement!

As we settle in for the winter, I have been meditating on a devotional from my favorite devotional book, "Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon. He writes about the Lord creating the winter and how it can be a sign for us of His covenant with us. "My soul begin this wintry month with thy God. The cold snows and the piercing winds all remind thee that he keeps his covenant with day and night, and tend to assure thee that he will also keep that glorious covenant which he has made with thee in the person of Christ Jesus."


Staying put does not mean that we are not staying busy with this active 14 month old! We have activities scheduled to get some energy out all winter from book babies to play group, Kellogg Kids, a music class and lots more. And, so I don't have a completely James-free post, here are a couple funny pics. Enjoy!

Jordan and James watching ESPN