It has been absolutely wonderful to be here in Dallas! I've learned so much, have all sort of ideas brewing for our humane education program at Tree House Humane Society, and met many inspiring people!

As mentioned yesterday, I'm headed to Dallas this morning for APHE's National Conference.

I am excited to get inspired about humane education!

I love the Institute for Humane Education's definition: 

"Humane education is a lens, body of knowledge, and set of tools and strategies for teaching about human rights, animal protection, environmental stewardship, and cultural issues as interconnected and internal dimensions of a just, healthy society. 

Humane education not only instills the desire and capacity to live with compassion, integrity, and wisdom, but also provides the knowledge and tools to put our values into action in meaningful, far-reaching ways so that we can find solutions that work for all."

Here's a video of Zoe Weil, the founder of the Institute for Humane Education:

And this is another inspiring video-

Who Matters?: Megan Pincus Kajitani's TEDx Talk

Last night was the opening of Niall's play, Griffin Theatre Company's Golden Boy. It was so cool to see the progress since first preview. I loved it both times, but it's grown a lot in the last week and a half. Smoother transitions, more powerful.

This is what today looks like-

I am getting ready to go to the Association of Professional Humane Educator's National Conference in Dallas tomorrow. Getting prepared and excited!

Niall gave me the coolest coloring book for Valentine's Day. It's called Outside the Lines: An Artists' Coloring Book for Giant Imaginations. It's curated by Souris Hong-Porretta and features work by contemporary artists like Keith Haring, who created the above piece. I had forgotten how much I love to color. It's so relaxing and freeing.

Niall's photos of Cassius never get old to me.

Tonight I got home to Cass in one of his favorite spots, tucked inside a pillowcase. 

Niall and I often talk about how Cassius must take classes during the day to perfect the way he has of breaking our hearts wide open.

Pretty soon I'll be here - gardening with my neighbors again. 

It's exciting to watch the slow transformation to this-

Yesterday there was a new warmness to the air and it was incredible to be outside for a little bit.

Rainy day. Niall's at his show. It's nice to come home to Cass at the end of the day.

We went to Cozy Noodles and Rice today. It was fun - so many things on the walls to look at!

The view from our porch never gets old. Today we had a big thaw. 

Our view from our kitchen this morning.

A street corner by our apartment last summer.

I'm thinking about this helpful quote from Wendell Berry today, 

"Be joyful though you have considered all the facts." 

It's time to settle in for the evening. Good night.

I saw Niall's show tonight - Golden Boy. It was beautiful and heartbreaking. It was about push and pull and conflicting dreams. It was about love, art, work, money, family, and relationships. The story centered on a new boxer who has other dreams and struggles in his heart. I loved it.

Here are some rehearsal photos of Niall's -

I highly recommend it - go see it if you can!

I got to work from home today. I enjoyed sharing space and time with Cass - though he slept most of  the day underneath this blanket on the couch.

It's so sweet to look over from the study and know he is burrowed over there.

I'm still dreaming of sunny times...

I love watching veggies grow. 

I love outdoor dates with my love.

Yet, winter is beautiful and sacred in its own way and it makes those warm months extra sweet.

I love the hot water bottle Niall gave me. It's the best thing ever on these cold nights.

Niall and I went to our favorite romantic restaurant this afternoon - to celebrate Valentine's Day, as we won't get a chance on Friday. La Creperie is a sweet, sweet place. They almost closed for good after a sad death in the family, but the nice pub down the street from them, Duke of Perth, purchased them and kept everything the same. 

I don't care that the only vegan things I can get is the ratatouille (without the crepe) and a salad. That's what I had today - along with a hot cider, complete with cinnamon stick. These items are delicious and it is a perfect place, full of fond memories.

I absolutely love conservatories. 

I visited the Lincoln Park Conservatory today. It was a much needed reprieve.

I'm thinking of warmer days in my neighborhood this morning.

Our wedding day in the park next door - June 22nd, 2012.

The same park today - February 10th, 2014.

I really want to grow sunflowers in our garden this year. We'll have a plot again with The Peterson Garden Project. I've been daydreaming about what to do with it.  

I love the change of the seasons - though it can be hard on the spirit to trudge through these cold days. Everything is temporary. Sometimes remembering this and planning for greener, warmer times helps with the seemingly endless chill in the bones.

Niall's taken some great photos of Cass the past couple of days.      I love my little family dearly.

It was a good night to get take-out from our favorite neighborhood Thai restaurant, Summer Noodles and Rice and curl up on the couch to watch a movie. 

We watched 20 Feet From Stardom. Amazing documentary about back-up singers. So inspiring - all about what it means to be a great artist. I discovered many brilliant singers I didn't know about too!

I just made easy peanut brittle. I got the recipe from a cookbook a friend had, though I can't recall the cookbook's title.

It's quite good and not healthy - the real deal. I don't think using a microwave in cooking is the greatest way to go, but sometimes it feels necessary.

Peanut Brittle!

-1.5 cups unsalted peanuts 

-1 cup sugar

-1/2 cup corn syrup

-1 tsp vanilla

-1 tsp margarine

-1 tsp baking soda

• Combine peanuts, sugar, corn syrup.
• Microwave for 4 minutes.
• Remove and stir.
• Microwave for 3 more minutes. 
• Add vanilla and margarine.
• Microwave for 2 more minutes.
• Stir in baking soda.
• Spread on oiled cookie sheet.
• Cool until set.
• Break into pieces. Enjoy!