In The Pipeline: April

Happy Spring Friends!!

Daffodils are creeping up all over Aberdeen. The shops are full of bright blossoms.  The sun is hanging around longer and longer. Soon there will be fields of yellow.

I am a big fan of spring!

The coming of a new season and the resurrection of life out of the darkness of winter reminds me that lots of changes are in store for our family in the coming months.

Most of them are still a mystery. (Even to us!)

I was reading this morning from my favorite devotional author, Sarah Young, and I underlined this:
Change always involves some loss.

I know change is good (even exciting),

but change also brings mourning.

Letting go.

Sometimes I think that the seasons exist only to teach me the same lessons again and again. That the darkness will pass. That new life will come. That the unknown future will not swallow me whole.

So on we march, friends,

into spring and mystery and all things new.

Onto some links for you!

Did you know that today is the beginning of a worldwide campaign to write letters for a month?? #write_on is all about sending some real live snail mail to make people in your life smile. Add some big love to the world and join in!

On repeat >>> The best song about spring that has ever been written. (IMHO)

I finished blogging about Paris this week (until the next time I go), but if you’re thinking about a visit, Anna Hartley explains why right now is a great time to go. (She wrote this piece in January but I think it still applies.)

Also, if you just can’t get enough of our trip to the City of Light, here’s Our Paris Google Photo Story.

We stayed in a great airbnb apartment while in Paris and I’m using airbnb again this month for the kids’ spring break. (PS If you’ve never tried airbnb, you get $20 off your first stay.)

If you are hoping to stay in a YHA soon (hostel in England or Wales), you can get 25% off your stay if you book in the next few days.

Um, so Trip Advisor. Not such a trustworthy advisor.

Andrew Peterson has long been one of my favorite musicians, but did you know he also writes children’s books. I’m re-reading them to Simon right now since he was a baby on our first read through. Also, there is an animated version currently in its final Kickstarter stage. If you’re new to the Wingfeather Saga, you can even read part of the books or get the whole set as a supporter perk! Such. Good. Stories.

Sometimes I think it would be cool to do things like work on a fishing boat or be a shepherd, but then I actually read about them and I’m like welp, that sounds like work.

One of the most well-loved apps at the Chino House is DuoLingo, a language learning app.  We have a fairly intense (but friendly) DuoLingo competition going on around our house these days. What’s fun is that we can compete even though not everyone is learning the same language.

I’m not sure who is winning at the moment. OH WAIT! LOOK! IT’S ME! 😉

Oh, the walking I still have left to do in Scotland.

I needed this reminder “to thrive instead of barely survive.”

Also, this video of people who were challenged to stare into each others’ eyes for four minutes. Super sweet.

I’ve been cooking this week from Theo Randall’s new cookbook. Minestrone verde is my new easy weeknight dinner.

I’ve finally found good corn tortillas that can be ordered straight to my doorstep in the UK, so we can now have carnitas for dinner. And fish tacos. Bless.

I hope your weekend is full of spring flowers and enjoying the ever lengthening days.

XO

Alison