Our ahhhhhhhh day

Today we got to celebrate our anniversary with the help of my irreplaceable parents via marriage. While they stayed and played with our girls, Matt and I got out for a day in the sand, surf and sun.

We started out with a stop to collect some new toys. Matt hooked me up with a softboard & wetsuit and while we were there he couldn't resist the 9'6" Patagonia board that was calling his name. Once we were all outfitted we headed for the waves. It's been about 6+ years since I've even attempted surfing, so I was happy to have actually gotten up on a wave, especially with my arms feeling like cooked spaghetti after all the paddling.

Next stop was up the highway a few miles at one of my favorite beaches where we spread out the blanket topped with Bellinis (champagne and peach juice), curry chicken salad sandwiches, stuffed grape leaves, the best kalamata olives on the planet, quinoa salad and fresh pineapple. We soaked up the sun until it put us both into napping bliss with only the sound of crashing waves as our music. This in itself was an anomaly as there is absolutely NO napping when on the beach with a dog or the kids.

After we got our beauty rest we were off for a hike in the mountains. This was no ordinary hike. This trek took us up the very same trail where we shared our first real conversation alone together. It was the one moment in my life when I had THAT feeling of knowing he was the one. Wish my memory had recalled the trail itself cause it kicked my a@# today and made me realize what a difference a few years makes. Definitely need to hike more.

The day couldn't have been more fun, more relaxing, more perfect.

xoxo

happyness X 5

Top 5 reasons why this man still makes my heart go pitter~patter:

1. No matter how rough his work shift, no matter how little sleep he's functioning on ~ he always walks in the house with a smile on his face.

2. He puts toothpaste on my toothbrush for me when he gets ready for bed. Every night.

3. When I am at the end of my rope, tired, mentally extinguished ~ Matt will shoo me out of the house and take care of any and everything that needs doing at home...kids, dinner, cleaning, chauffering, visiting my grandma. Come to think of it, he helps me with all of that no matter what I'm feeling like.

4. He shows our daughters how a man ought to love, respect and care for a woman.

5. The man could be bringing in bucks with his own calendar... I tell ya.

Happy 5th Anniversary!

Angelic...when she's sleeping

This is what the little miss presented to me after 1 & 1/2 hours of screaming, crying, stuffy nose ridden resistance to her afternoon nap. How could this be the same child who was writhing in massive tantrum agony fifteen minutes prior? Even on her worst of days, she gives me a thousand reasons to smile...one of today's ~ peaceful, quiet, wonderful sleep. What a beautiful gift she is in every way.

Hoping you savor your precious moments this weekend.
xoxo

5,475 days to celebrate

Today my first born child turned 15 (and yes, for the record and to be announced on a bullhorn to everyone I encounter ~ I know I look too young to have a fifteen year old daughter, but it's true and not just something I like to say for effect). From the day she was born she has blessed my life with her laughter and her love. Seeing her grow into such a kind, happy and playful young woman brings my heart such comfort and pure joy. So today we celebrated with her favorites........friends, chocolate and movies.

The dinner menu was simple...

Barbeque chicken salad with cheesy garlic bread & sparkling lemonade

The dessert menu was a little more involved...

mini hershey's bars

chocolate covered peanut butter cups

chocolate peppermints

chocolate wafers

chocolate chip cookies

chcolate truffle brownies

chocolate covered strawberries

chocolate cake

The girls feasted on chocolate until they could devour no more then finished up the night with some guitar hero (this deserves it's own post) and movies. Needless to say we've got a lot of chocolate treats waiting to be finished off, so if you're in the neighborhood stop by and I'll put together a choco-bag to indulge in...ahem...jenn.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRI!!!

Easter Smiles

This Easter was a beautiful day complete with grateful hearts, children's laughter (with intermittent fits of screaming), treat-filled baskets, sunny skies and love for life. We started off with fresh blueberry muffins, eggs scrambled with smoked gouda, and bacon-a rarity in our house ~ went to a packed Easter service and finished off the celebration with my grandmother sitting at our table enjoying a delish dinner. Peace to you this Easter and always...

Grow your own

Just as I was about to stop my Sunset subscription they decided to tempt me with the best issue yet. This month's mag is full of inspiring gardening stories and ideas on making the most of the space you have for planting edibles.

Just looking at these tomatoes (compliments of sunset) makes my mouth water for the tasties I am nurturing in my own front yard. Can't wait for harvest time!!!

Here is the garden box my incredibly talented husband made for our compact veggie garden out of recycled split rail fencing from my cousins old fence. It looks awesome and being in the front yard it gets the neighbors out and visiting with us more than ever.

These are what I dream of having in my own backyard one day. Not sure how the neighbors would like it, but maybe if I offer them some fresh eggs they'll cut us some slack. I guess if they put up too much of a stink I can always use them as ammunition in the driveway. For now, I am blessed by the generosity of my thoughtful friend Julia who delivered these beauties from her own backyard.

One of my favorite plants that came with the house....a meyer lemon tree. We love all the juicy jewels on this tree and enjoy sharing them with friends and neighbors.

Growing our own food is such a fun journey for the whole family to share. As much as we love growing food for ourselves it excites me even more to have the opportunity to share our crop with others. I've got a plan in my head to start a neighborhood food co-op so that the whole street can benefit from all of the food that is grown and often wasted in our area and hoping to get people on the band wagon this summer.

Wish me luck.

April Fool's...Baby

Yesterday little Miss Caitlin Rae Curley made her entrance into the world embraced by two ecstatic parents at a healthy 8 lbs, 10oz. You can see by the look on her little face that this is no laughing matter. She wants to know when the joke is up and who the heck turned those stinkin lights on???

Congratulations sweet Curley trio. You have begun the most rewarding, fulfilling, inspiring, frustrating and challenging journey of a lifetime. You're going to be great at it it!

xoxo