After the ice storm earlier this week, it’s finally starting to warm up around here and I couldn’t be more ready for sunshine.

Instead of our usual Sunday dinner, we’re planning a campfire for today – the first of the year. The kids are asking for my campfire mac and cheese and I can’t wait to cook – and eat – out in the fresh air. There isn’t a speck of green in the forest yet, but my rhubarb is popping out of the ground and that is the only indication of Spring I need for now.

In case you’re curled up with a cup of coffee, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite links around the web for this week. My boys decided to have a pillow fight at five-thirty this morning, so I’ve had plenty of time to browse and read. Enjoy!

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We’ve just landed back at home, travel-weary, but feeling revitalized after our winter adventures in British Columbia.

I spent the time offline, for the most part (cell reception on the side of a mountain isn’t exactly reliable), and that was a much-needed break. The rest, the immersion in the quiet woods, the thrill of hurtling down a slope on skis  – it all brought inspiration, and I have a lot of kitchen adventures in the plans. I’m eager to jump back into work this week.

For now, here’s a round-up of links I’ve been reading in the airports while in transit. There’s still a bit of the weekend left for us, and for the rest of you, consider this your Monday motivation. Enjoy!

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There is a landslide of school supplies taking over our family room floor. Classes start on Tuesday and it’s time to sharpen our focus for another school year.

I’ve never been the mum who gleefully abandons the beach pails and picnic baskets to greet the school bus with cheers. I adore having the children around all summer, despite the challenges of juggling work (me) and play (all of us) for weeks on end, so the end of August is rather bittersweet.

This fall will be extra poignant, as Clara – teeny, tiny, little Clara – will be heading off to kindergarten. It seems like she just turned one not long ago, but that goes to show how quickly they really do grow up.

It’s been an incredible summer though, hasn’t it?

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It’s a small miracle: the house is still quiet at eight-o-clock in the morning on this beautiful sunny Sunday.

We’re all recovering from yesterday’s birthday festivities and all the excitement that entailed. The birthday boy, Mateo, had set his alarm for 5:15am, and woke up instantly revved up for the day.

He ended up going for a four kilometer run with his father just to burn off some steam while I prepped his birthday breakfast. Nine is so adorable. My, they are all growing up so fast.

So here I am with my coffee; reflecting on the fact that February is nearly over. You’ve all been so kind to stick around while things are fairly quiet on the blog. I’ve been juggling exciting new projects with my cookbook edits in addition to the usual work that comes with raising three children, and well, blogging occasionally falls through the cracks.

That said, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite links from the web – recipes, articles and kitchen inspiration – for your reading pleasure…

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