Blessed Each Day

twenty twelve

2012-01-22T22:52:00.000-08:00

Oh how I am filled with excitement for this year!
So much to strive for.
So much to live for.
So many people to love.
Big changes are coming.
I can feel it.
Opportunities for growth
and new found wisdom are awaiting.

Will there be trials?
Without a doubt!
Will there suffering?
For sure.

Yet...
I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all the marvelous things
you have done.
I will be filled with joy because of you.
I will sing praises to your name,
O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

...and peace will be mine.

Wishing you joy and peace in this
new year from our family to yours.

xoxo

baby love

2011-12-11T09:12:00.000-08:00

November 2010

How does one year produce

this much change,

this much beauty,

this much growth?

December 2011

feeling blessed more and more

each and every day.

A year already?

2011-11-30T22:10:00.000-08:00

Time is flying by and I'm trying to soak up

every little morsel of goodness that

our little peanut brings into our lives.

She it going at turbo speed now

and into EVERYTHING.

The house looks like a tornado

has swept through and left every

room completely Josiefied.

She is all about mama

(which makes me even more smitten)

but doesn't really ever have stranger anxiety.

She will go to pretty much anyone

(although I haven't tried Santa yet)

and be a content little lady.

Her first teeth are finally coming in

on top and all at once.

Our little peanut is a sweet heart and

a firecracker all at the same time.

She's fun and frisky and a tad bit feisty.

She has captured our hearts in this

first year of life and

brings us pure joy each and every day.

We had a little evening celebration for

our sweet babe while we were in Austin.

Big J and little J

Happy Birthday little love!

Full of Thanks

2011-11-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

The girls and I made a tree of thanks
last month to remember
and appreciate all that
we love about fall.
Of course pumpkins made the cut
and we had a fun time
visiting the pumpkin patch.
I am so very grateful
for these girls.
They fill my life with magic.

And this guy here...I'm thankful for him
every. single. day.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Halloween ghoul & his girls

2011-11-10T21:41:00.000-08:00

Mr. N won the prize for best googly eyes

and definitely the scariest looking

ghoul in the house

The little peanut was hands down the

sweetest little ladybug around

while her little-big sis was

a beautiful ballerina

I went all out and dressed up

as a mom of three

and my beautiful Bri stayed home
(being grounded stinks)

and played the role of cinderella.

It was really our first Halloween at home.

We hurriedly carved pumpkins

early in the evening

before the little ones

got dressed up.

After knocking on doors

halfway up the street,

the little miss decided

we could hit the other side

and be done.

She prefers giving the candy I guess.

We had a pretty good turnout
of visitors and eventually ran out of candy
(which I was grateful for).

I think we'll be doing Halloween at
home again and again.

She's on the move

2011-11-06T22:24:00.000-08:00

and well protected

Our littlest peanut started walking
last month
and has just begun cruising
the whole house
this last week.

We don't really keep this helmet
on her all the time,
just while she's awake...haha.
We're hoping to get her
into a bike seat soon,
but the helmet is gigantic,
and she's just really teeny-tiny.
And we love her that way.

A little more than two weeks
til our sweet babe is one.
CANNOT believe it,
but believe it I must.

I have written absolutely nothing
down about this little one's first
year of life,
which I so regret,
still....
just trying to soak up
the moments
each and every day.

summer bounty

2011-09-08T23:21:00.000-07:00

mr. man and our little miss planted

only one tomato plant this summer. i don't

even think they got it into the ground until

july but boy did it multiply!

we've harvested at least 24 tomatoes

from this baby and most of them are bigger

than my fist with still more to come.

they are so beautiful and tasty to boot.

i love watching my husband and girls

taking joy in the harvest of our little garden

of zucchini, cucumbers, mint, basil,

sage, parsley, oregano & strawberries.

we are getting excited to pick the rest

of them so that we can start our fall garden.

not only did the mr. plow the earth this summer,
i was also able to get dirt under my nails
planting some of my favorite flowers.
little m got her annual butterfly garden going
and i started a new flower patch to enjoy
dahlias, gladiolas, foxgloves, delphinium and more.
it did better than i even expected and makes
me smile every time i go out the front door.

feeling blessed to have a yard and a garden
that provide many moments of beauty.

hope you're enjoying the beauty of summer's end.

xoxo

A lil bit'o country

2011-09-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago my party partner (Julia) & I

put together a cowboy baby shower

for my sweet cousin at her ranch out

in the soft rays of August sunshine.

The guest of honor sported her

baby belly beautifully (especially

considering she gave birth the

next day:)

We adorned the table with

sunflowers and spurs

and the little burlap bags held

favors of Udder Cream (hand lotion).

This woman was made to birth babies.

She delivered her little man 24 hours

after this photo was taken.

Total time in labor:

less than two hours.

And I thought I was fast

at a whopping four hours.

It must run in the family.

Here's the newest little man

and his older brothers one week

after the shower.

Such beautiful boys.

beenawhile

2011-09-02T00:16:00.000-07:00

summer has come and gone and i've missed
this blog so much, but just haven't found
the time to fit it in.
so very, very much to share that i
don't know where to begin.
i'll have to go wayyyyy back and
try to post a few times a week.
hmmmmm, can i commit?
yes, by golly....
i think i can.
i think i can.
i think i can.

no real reason for this photo
except i think it's adorable.

eight months

2011-07-23T00:43:00.000-07:00

since this little beauty was born.
time is going by way too fast.

our littlest peanut is crawling, standing

and loving the exploration of

this big beautiful world.

i started her on solid foods at six months
and before i knew it
she was rolling over,
sitting up, crawling,
and standing within weeks.

i love seeing her excitement over
all things new.
she is so very edible right now
and i'm trying to resist
eating her all up.

i LOVE being a mama.

the only man for us

2011-07-14T23:39:00.000-07:00

our littlest peanut at six months

sporting some daddy love

here's our father's day banner.
the girls made little tags telling
their dad why he is so cherished:

you love on us

you take us for ice cream

you read stories to us

you take us surfing

you play games with us

you dance with us

you care for us

you are always smiling

you cook for us

you listen to us

you take us to school

you give us hugs

you take us shopping

you give us snacks

being around you makes us happy ....

especially
when you drive us places

oops.
how'd that one get in there.

happy unbirthday my loves

2011-07-12T21:31:00.000-07:00

I'm zero for three this year on my family's birthday posts.

Bummer.

So hears a quick update

(more for me to reminisce

than for anyone else's benefit.)

For Mr. Man's birthday, we went up to Mammoth and
enjoyed the sun/snow/rain. We explored places we
had never been by foot and horseback.
It was a beautiful time of year to go...
sooooo much water.

For Bri's birthday we kept it mellow,
gave her some sweet little gifts and lots of love.
And of course a birthday meal of her choice
including her fave...lemon bars.

For the little miss we kept it low key.
She opened gifts (a new boogie board and
two new dolls...more on that later).
After school we took her out to lunch,
gave into ear piercing (after a year of begging),
and watched her take her first horseback riding lesson
followed by her favorite dinner and cake.
It was a really fun day.

Whew!
All caught up now and
feeling slightly less guilty for my negligence.

xoxo

Independence Rocks

2011-07-08T22:39:00.000-07:00

how beautiful is this flag?

And the rock stars on wheels?

Here we have our local 4th of July Parade

where the entire town marches & rolls down Main Street.

Such a fun tradition

And lastly I must share the most
bomb-diggity party on the west coast.
Hosted by the crazy talented Dellars.
Yep, we were there.
And it was fantastic.

What a blessing it is to celebrate and enjoy
the freedoms we have in this country.
Yaaaahoooo.
I love America.

Hello Summer

2011-06-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

The clouds have finally broken.
The sun is kissing our skin
and summer is officially here.

Some break out the swimsuits
and beach toys,
for others the barbeque
and horseshoes,
but for us in this season of life...
we're going straight for the
cheap beer and mimosas.

Whatever your pleasure...
Happy Summer!

Yesterday

2011-05-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

it feels like i just took

these photos on the girls'

first day of school in august.

my beautiful bri starting her junior year

and the little miss entering kindergarten.

yet here we are with a new lovebug and

the school year coming to an end

and as usual i am wondering

where did the time go?

what a blessing it is to have photos

to help us remember when...

and relive the little things.

fairy love

2011-05-23T09:11:00.000-07:00

the little miss lost tooth number two last week,
making her little gap even wider.
and this time around she had her tooth pillow
to give and receive tooth fairy goodness.
mama is slow these days,
but eventually things get done.

eat her up...i could

2011-05-12T09:19:00.000-07:00

i know, i know, i haven't been posting at all lately...
and when i do, i'm usually gushing all over
this little creature.
i just can't help it.
i'm so in love
with each of my children
more and more every day.
this morning though, this little beauty
just takes my breath away.

my (sad) little pony

2011-04-06T23:18:00.000-07:00

it's been a year and a half

since i shaved my head.

surprisingly, i loved having it bald.

it was such a freeing experience

that made me feel confident, strong
and strangely feminine.

i've been keeping it short

ever since and have so enjoyed

the ease and fun look of short hair

but decided to start growing it out

again when i was pregnant.

my hair however, is taking it's sweet time

leaving me at that akward

ugly hair stage (for way too long).

so i thought i'd see if i could

pull off a little ponytail.

not so much.

i'm really looking forward to the day

when my little pony is more

representative of this sweet mane.

and until then....more hats.

yosemite 2010

2011-04-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

last year in march i learned i was pregnant after
taking a test at home. i was so excited, but needed
some time to process the reality of new life inside me.
mr. man and i already had made plans to drive up to
yosemite for a little weekend getaway at a b&b
near the park, so i savored the moment for myself
for a couple of days before we left.

i hadn't been sleeping well at night, so decided to
set up a little game to tell husband the big news
during my hours of insomnia
the first night we were there.
i had packed some blank recipe cards and
a few extra tidbits for our stay since
i knew i wanted to tell him in a creative way.
i filled out six recipe cards each with a
different "recipe" relating to children
and in the ingredients section i gave a clue
about where to find the next card
(each in a different room of the b&b).
i woke him up bright and early to hunt for
the clues before breakfast. the last card was back
up in our room under the covers attached to a
little wooden box with a positive preggo test inside.
he was really surprised, shocked and excited.

it was such a fun way to share the
excitement with my love.
the rest of the trip was spent
enjoying the beauty of yosemite
~ the snow, the rivers, the flowers ~
and trying to wrap our heads around the idea of baby #3.

fairy delay

2011-03-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

the little miss is soooo excited about
the small gap left behind after
she lost her first tooth today.
i can't help but be excited with her,
yet at the same time there's that
little sting of reality
reminding me how quickly she's growing.
i've been promising to make her a
tooth-fairy pillow all week
with the expectation that it would pop out soon,
but here we are ~ and no pillow.
wish me time and patience for
pillow making tonight.

happy monday.

fresh air

2011-03-22T23:22:00.000-07:00

the mr. and i have been hiking
a bit lately and enjoying all
the vibrant flowers coming to life.
each hike is a fun new adventure
among mountains, creeks, and meadows.
and it gives my man and i some
one on one (plus baby) time together,
which is always a bonus.
pure beauty this world is.

recycled fun

2011-03-16T23:30:00.000-07:00

our house. garden and all.

the little miss and her classmates
created a whole town from recycled goods.
there were so many fun businesses
plus the fire and police stations.
little miss had a business called
the "dog spot" where customers
would pay play money to walk dogs.
no ~ not to have their dogs walked,
but to walk dogs from the "dog spot"
which was in reality...the pound.
too cute.

green eggs and...

2011-03-13T01:14:00.000-08:00

haven't actually tried them with pork thus far,
but we sure have enjoyed them
every other way possible.
scrambled. hard-boiled. egg salad.
quiche. baked goodies.
have i missed anything?
do you have a great egg recipe
that i must try?
please share.

it's a joy to walk out and
collect the bounty from our
young ladies in the backyard.
although not everyone may agree.
between pooping and digging
they make plenty of extra
yardwork for the mr.
he's a gem to put up with me.
and them.

feverish

2011-03-11T21:37:00.000-08:00

a couple of weeks ago the little miss
was not feeling so good.
with a temp of 104 she was pretty sedentary.
makes me grateful for her
bouncing~off~the~walls
energy when she is well.
i just adore this girl.

sleeping beauty

2011-03-10T23:13:00.000-08:00

it seems that i haven't had much to blog about lately,
so i've decided to post some photos at the very least.
i may post something from my day,
a photo from the past,
or maybe something that reflects my mood.
or maybe it will be something that's just too stinkin sweet not to share...

big hugs to you all.

sweet escape

2011-03-09T23:03:00.000-08:00

last month the mr. and i went on a mini vacation
where we soaked up the sound of the sea,
hiked in the mountains and
watched the sun melt away
leaving the most beautiful canvas of color.

we were blessed to stay in a beautiful house

with a backyard view of dolphins and seals.

we brought our littlest lovebug with us

since we are attached at the ~~hip~~ breast,

and introduced her to beach life.

as busy as life has been lately,

it's been so nice to take time to stop

and breathe in the day and all that is held in the present.

hard to resist

2011-02-17T10:16:00.000-08:00

i'm really bummed that i haven't posted for a month. there's always lots to share, but i find myself a little busy these days. our little peanut is growing like crazy and keeping me occupied. could you resist spending every moment with this little lovebug?

Spoiled

2011-01-15T22:33:00.000-08:00

Welcoming my 35th year with a smile...

Yesterday was my birthday ~ something that I always look forward to, but this year the day was especially magical. It started off with bacon & eggs scrambled by my biggest girl. She made me the sweetest card and gifted me with a delicious bottle of lavender honey perfume. The little miss wrote me a little birthday greeting before heading off to school while protesting that she shouldn't have to go because my birthday was "more important than school". Mr. man came home with red roses and a new lens for my other new baby (more on that later). He and I then headed up north for a gorgeous, butt-kicking hike with our dear friends J&D. It was Miss Love's first hike and she was asleep for 97.5% of it...perfect. Went for a quick lunch at the Garden Market (sweet lunch spot) where the D's gave me the most beautiful earrings. Next stop...home ~ where a yummy little cupcake morsel was waiting on my doorstep (left by Lady Wicky). We picked up the kids, some beach gear and headed for the big blue where our friends and their families joined us for dinner and a bonfire as we watched the sun set. The kiddies stripped down to their chonis while playing in and getting pumelled by the waves, dancing on the beach and having a blast. Guess maybe I should mention that the weather was... well... PERFECT. As we soaked in the sound of joy from the kids, Miyo spotted some dolphins surfing the waves swirling toward us. It was breathtaking...

I ended the evening with a bonfire under the stars, listening to waves, making smores and enjoying the company of my friends and family.
the. day. could. not. have. been. better.

I'm so thankful to God for my beautiful life.

Don't know how I deserve any of this but truly I am blessed.

meet the nanny

2011-01-04T23:39:00.000-08:00

After a day at school our premier chef/au pair
cooked us up a dish of
tortellini with chicken and homemade pesto
with a spinach salad and parmesan rolls for dinner.
It was outstanding.

She then decided to hold the little peanut
so that I could clean up the kitchen
(that's the deal at our house,
you cook ~ I clean and vice versa)
so she strapped miss love on
and decided to do some light reading.

It's so beautiful to watch my
sweet Bri growing into a talented,
multi-tasking (you have no idea until
you see a teenager maneuver the incredible
world of technology) woman,
but I especially treasure this view~
my first true love nurturing her younger sisters.

2011

2011-01-01T22:02:00.000-08:00

I love January.

I love that Christmas (as lovely as it is) is

ready to be packed up and put away for another year.

I love the feeling of a fresh start.

I love making new goals for the coming months

(even if they're not always accomplished).

I love that January welcomed me into the world.

I love that there is a chance to snuggle into

a scarf and warm coat for a few weeks.

I love that many special people were born this month.

I love greeting a new year.

Hoping that 2011 is filled with inspiration for you and your loved ones!

Our girls

2010-12-16T23:58:00.000-08:00

I've been wanting a new camera for ages now and my sweet friend Becky let me borrow her Canon Rebel for a few days to try it out and capture the newness of the little peanut before she turns into a coconut. I was really happy with the shots I got of all my girls and thought I'd share after a little nudging from mama wicky. I had so much fun using her camera that I've put it on my Christmas list to Santa with the hope that I haven't been too naughty.

My time has been pretty used up these days with nursing, swaddling, rocking, diapers, storybook reading, and trying to get a few extra winks in from time to time. Friends & family have been incredibly thoughtful by bringing us meals, helping with the little miss, and sending gifts of love. We are grateful to be surrounded by our little community of friendship. You are all a blessing to us.

The littlest sister

2010-11-25T20:55:00.000-08:00

Sweet Josie Love joined our family
on Sunday, November 21st at 3am
in the comfort of her daddy's arms.
She was born a healthy 6 pounds and 12 ounces
at home while her youngest sister slept.
Her biggest sister was an incredible help
throughout the labor and birth
and stayed up with us until dawn
welcoming our little peanut.

Josie's birth story:
The "due date" for our baby was said to be November 20th which we were skeptical of as the other two girls were born ten days and two weeks later than the projected date. Needless to say I was a bit surprised (although excited) by the contractions that started around 4am on Saturday the 20th. I asked Matt to call in sick as I was sure the baby was coming. He did. And within 3 hours the contractions had stopped almost completely I was so disappointed. We went on a walk around our neighborhood, visited friends at a birthday party, and laid low for the day. Matt debated going in to work that afternoon since there was no sign of labor, but stayed home at my request. By 10:30pm the contractions started coming much more
regularly and with more power than before. Bri got out of bed when I told her I thought the baby was coming that night and kept me company until around 1am when I decided to wake the Mr up.
It was not a friendly wake-up. It was a "why the hell are you sleeping while I'm suffering" awakening.
Needless to say he was slightly dazed and confused by my crankiness. I wanted to know when the heck he was going to call the midwife cause the contractions were coming fast and furious. The next couple hours were somewhat of a blur. My daughter, husband and midwife were readying the room while I concentrated on getting through the contractions. They took turns assisting and comforting me between preparations. At 3am our little girl made her entrance with my oldest daughter and husband by my side. Mr. N held her as she came into the world and announced to me that we had another little girl. I looked up at Bri who had lost the color from her face and looked like she was about to drop on the floor. She was helped to a chair where she could regain her stomach. Josie was wrapped in a towel and brought to my chest immediately. My Mr woke Maya to meet her new sister. We were left alone as a family to enjoy our beautiful new gift.

I loved having our little Josie at home.
I loved being in my own room, in my own bed.
I loved the sweetness of our time to enjoy
our little beauty and embrace her new life as a family
in the warmth of our nest.
I loved the peacefulness that surrounded us
from the moment I went into labor,
throughout the birth and after she arrived.

I love my little Josie.
She is yet another blessing in my life.
I am thankful beyond words.

Nesting

2010-11-20T00:39:00.000-08:00

{our pre-pregnancy nest}

{our little nest now}

My sweet Mr. has been working away

to carry out my every desire in preparing our home

for the newest little addition

and he has left nothing undone.

He has built, sanded, scrubbed & painted ~

feathering our nest to my heart's contentment.

Just adding to the many reasons I LOVE this man!

I've still got some wallspace to decorate,

but oh how I am enjoying my new restful space.

The time is drawing near and I'm feeling ready

to embrace this new little life with arms wide open.

the baby~moon

2010-10-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

The Mr. and I went on a
little getaway to Cambria last week
for some "we" time
where we soaked up the solitude & quiet.
No whining.
No arguing.
No chauffering.
No attitude.
No entertaining anyone but ourselves.

We spent our time walking by the beach,
eating fabulous food at Robin's
(my new Cambria favorite~thanks Amy),
listening to the waves crash from our sweet little room,
reading,
yoga,
surfing,
just being.

It was wonderful.

A big thank you to my in-laws for allowing us to take time
for ourselves before we venture into babyland.

We loved it!

Showered & Blessed

2010-10-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend my sweet cousin through me a party
for the new life growing inside.
Regardless of the gloomy weather,
some of my favorite mothers joined me in a sweet celebration.
We dined on a freshly catered french meal
set before us on a table dressed for royalty.
I felt utterly spoiled and loved.

After our amazing lunch~friends and family
blessed me with words of love, support and kindness
while I just sat and savored the treasure of their friendships.
It was truly a beautiful experience that I will always remember.

"Labor" day is fast approaching (a month away)
and I am getting prepared for our new little life outside the womb.
We've decided to wait on finding out the sex
of our sweet new journey, but will know soon enough.

Hoping to start posting a bit more before that day comes.

So long

2010-10-08T14:50:00.000-07:00

to our favorite summer treat...the root beer float.

we will miss you as fall approaches, but are looking forward to
our winter friend...warm apple cider.

do you have a favorite summer or winter treat?

A little tart

2010-09-09T23:21:00.000-07:00

is the best description i can muster of how i've been feeling...emotionally. this pregnancy stuff sure gets my hormones headed in every direction except the sane one. the lapse in posting has really only been due to every day busy-ness and stress of life. that and i really haven't had any words that seemed worthwhile.

but here are a few anyhow:
teenagers are meant to drive you to tears and push you so far over the edge
that the empty nest fear becomes more of a countdown
(NEVER thought i'd say that).
of course i'm joking. kind of.

tantrums at five and a half years old should really be illegal.

making housing and health care decisions for the elderly who didn't plan in advance
for old age causes the gray to come in quickly.

paypal is just way to easy to use...and can really get one into trouble.

etsy floats my boat.

a couple of hours with good friends
feels like seeing rainbows in their brightest hues.

chickens are really dumb. cute. but dumb.

i love the fact that whether my mood is sour or sweet, i wake up to the precious sound of my children's voices, the sparkle in their eyes, the caress of the man i adore and a growing faith in God.

xoxo

Got away

2010-08-08T22:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend my mum and I got away for a wee little girls trip to Seattle then off to Orcas Island to explore the charm and beauty of island life. It was truly magical. From our sweet little boat shed (with the outdoor shower), to the amazing food, and the scenery...just breathtaking. Most of all I enjoyed some one~on~one time with my beautiful mama ~ laughing, shopping, hiking, feasting & sharing precious time together.

Today, I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to go on travels that fill my life with happy memories.

A little break from reality

2010-07-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

This is where you may find me in the next couple of days ~ exploring, reading, eating, relaxing. Looking forward to a few days away for some girl time. Be back later next week...

Happy August.

the beach party

2010-07-26T22:53:00.000-07:00

Sweet Bri's birthday was last April, as was her party. I was just thinking back on what a fun time it was and since I never got around to posting photos, thought I'd share a few. The party was held at my cousin's beautiful beach house. The kids had a laid back beachy day that was spent playing games, munching on dentist~friendly goodies, surfing and gathering around the bonfire. It was an "awesome" day.

The slide

2010-07-25T06:14:00.000-07:00

Do you love the orange goggles?

Little Miss has been taking swim lessons for the past few weeks and has progressed so well. It's really exciting to watch her swimming on her own. She is still lacking some confidence in her abilities so it was fun to see her teacher push her a little this week past her comfort zone. Little M was really not sure that this was a good idea and kept trying to put it off to the next lesson, but Mrs. Pauletta insisted (kindly) that today was the day and went down the first couple runs with her.

Of course she loved it. And went again and again.

Seeing emotional growth and confidence building in my children really is such a joy.

wonder.full.friends...

2010-07-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

play dress up nanny with your four year old with gusto. This is no amateur we're talking about, this woman's got professional drama skills when it comes to getting down an dirty with the baby dolls. Honestly. She could teach a class on tapping into the imagination of children of all ages. The best part is, she lets the little miss know that she takes this playtime seriously while she sports that pink boa! It makes little M feel oh so special.

Not only is she a great playmate to my little one, she is my partner in crime when it comes to thrifting. Nothing is better than finding your frugal shopping soul mate!

Thanks Julia for being such a wonderful friend to me and my girls. We love playtime with you!

sundress & cupcake day

2010-07-22T23:56:00.000-07:00

My first pregnancy photo (at 23 weeks) taken by the little darlin on the right. We decided to do a photo shoot in the hallway today sporting our summer dresses and one unhappy little potato head. Don't know if it's just me, but it looks like the baby's coming next month and not in November. I know they say with every pregnancy you get bigger sooner, but really. I look like I'll be giving birth to a horse. As large as I am, I have no complaints. Pregnancy has been good to me and I love feeling the life moving inside.

Maybe I should just lay off of foods like this:

Don't these just look too fun to pass up? We spent our morning baking muffins for breakfast and cupcakes in honor of grandma's 92nd birthday. I think she enjoyed the pink beauties, how bout you?

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Good to see you can have your cake and eat it too.

My heart is aching

2010-07-12T21:21:00.000-07:00

I was just lead to take a look at Daisy Love's webpage after her 6th birthday and return from vacation to read that she has another large tumor. I am just so devastated for the Merrick family and ask that you join me in prayer for them in these coming hours and days.

Updated: 07/14/2010

I had previously posted that Daisy's cancer had returned, but adjusted it to read that she has another tumor (which has now been biopsied ~ pathology results to come). Daisy Love is the daughter of my church pastor. Little Daisy has been through more than I can fathom since she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cancer last September. She has undergone surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and unimaginable pain yet through it all has remained strong and brave with the support of her incredible family and their faith in God.

I continue to pray for sweet Daisy and the healing of her body.

Happy 4th Friends!

2010-07-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

Just a little view of how we started off our day of independence. We headed down to our local red, white and blue parade then made our way home for a bbq potluck to welcome friends and watch the kiddies jolly~jump to their heart's content. Oh, and by far the coolest part of the day....not having to drive anywhere and watching the fireworks from our backyard with good friends and full tummies.

Hope you're day was full of happiness in all the freedoms we are blessed with.

Celebrating Summer

2010-07-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we ventured out to the Santa Barbara Summer Soltsice Parade. It's always full of eye candy, rythmic sounds and plenty of toys. I'm constantly impressed by the effort that goes into the floats, costumes and performances for display on State Street. After the parade there's a huge party at the park with live music, a drumming circle, vendors of all sorts, food and great entertainment for the kids. The little miss decided to try and fit the theme this year at the dress up booth while her big sis was shakin her hips at the hula hoop booth.

Hope your summer is off to a good start!

Settling in

2010-06-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

Life has been crazy busy around here between all the critters and childhood drama...mama needs a vacation. But since we're buckling down here for the summer (the Big Miss is taking a summer school course) we'd might as well get everyone cozy. The "girls" got there very own coop donated by our sweet neighbors. It will need some extra work, but is perfect for now just as it is. We are so grateful to have a new home for the chicks, since they were sneaking their way out of their box in the garage and leaving little brown gifts for us everywhere. Blehhhh.

Our ferocious beast of a dog has taken well to all the critters and they are pretty bold with her to. I had one slip so far where I left the house for about 30 minutes with chickens and the dog loose in the back. Once I realized what I had done, I raced home dreading the possibility of feathers and blood strewn in every direction. Luckily she hasn't aquired a taste for raw chicken yet, but I'm hoping not to make that mistake again (at least until they're big enough to give her a fight).

Hoping things slow down a little bit so we can relax this summer but until then, we'll just enjoy the company of our happy little friends.

Sweet blues

2010-06-14T22:57:00.000-07:00

A day filled with delicious blueberries for the pickin and watching the chickens dance is not one short on smiles.
There really is so much to love about summer.

xoxo

Livin country in the city

2010-06-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

To add to our ever expanding household I have temporarily gone insane leading to the 4 pooping chicks in our garage and 6 rambunctious kittens in our bathroom. All this on top of the dog, fish and two young humanoids sharing our seemingly shrinking space.

The kittens are temporary. They are. I found them at the feed store when going to acquire the 4th and final chick that I'm probably not supposed to have. They were in a small unsheltered cage outdoors. One had already escaped. They were all starved and had only dog food pieces set out for them so large that they couldn't get their little mouths around it. Apparently someone had dropped them off the day prior leaving the feed store to "care" for them. I knew that if I left them there some of them would not make it. So, here we are all cozy with a mini farm living in our home. Luckily, I found an animal rescue that will adopt them out once they've been spayed and neutered (hopefully no more than a month away). We are fostering them until that day comes meaning feeding every 4 hours (except at night between 10 and 6 at which time I will only leave my bed to pee or to feed a newborn child).

All we need now is a goat and a pot-bellied pig so we can start charging for the petting zoo.

Told you I had gone insane.

Breakfast of champions

2010-06-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

expecting mamas.

One more little one will be joining us in November.
Life is good.

play day

2010-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the little miss & I went for a visit to see our dear friend J and check out the amazing artwork at I MADONNARI. I couldn't help but stand in admiration of the talent and commitment it took to finish these beautiful pastel paintings in a matter of three days knowing all the while they will be washed away within weeks by weather and footsteps. There was so much life in these pieces and each seemed to tell it's own story.

Just gorgeous.

There was a section of concrete dedicated just to children and I loved the vivid colors that blanketed the blacktop.

This one in particular fit me perfectly right now.

After a day spent taking in the sights in SB we had our friends over for a little playtime. The girls played "family" and watched a movie while the mamas worked on sewing projects (well one of us did). Miyo made this sweet little dress for her daughter while my project was much less involved. Since mine is a gift I'll just give a little glimpse of what my hands were making:

I definitely like the little sew-op we had and am hoping there's many more to come.

Smile makers

2010-06-01T08:47:00.000-07:00

Love letters between sisters. Rare and beautiful.

(Those are exclamation points in the middle of the words~
I guess she really means it)

Time in the backyard with our newest family members.

Scrumptious fish tacos by our chef~in~training.

Neighborly love in the form of strawberries.

We have made a point of sticking around home on Memorial Day weekends to avoid the insanity of traffic on the roads, and have realized that we quite enjoy it. Picnics at the park, barbeques with friends and time just enjoying the simple pleasures of home settled nicely into our days.

Of course, most important were the thoughts and prayers
for those serving past and present on behalf of all of us.
Grateful I am.

Being five

2010-05-28T22:33:00.000-07:00

Please, everybody, look at me!
Today I'm five years old, you see!
And after this, I won't be four,
Not ever, ever, any more!
I won't be three-or two-or one,
For that was when I'd first begun.
Now I'll be five a while, and then
I'll soon be something else again!

~Mary Louise Allen

The Little Miss woke up a year older today. Her smile was like a little ray of sunshine as she walked into the kitchen. We had dutchboy pancakes for breakfast, opened a few gifts from family and made cupcakes for her friends. Little buddies came to play, eat and sing. Three baby chicks made there way into the house to oooh & ahhh over. There was a minimum of pouting, and a lot of smiling. We went out to dinner for the birthdays girl's mac'n cheese and finished the day off with a movie.

Being five is good. Really good.

We survived!

2010-05-26T22:16:00.000-07:00

We rode.
We spun.
We laughed.
We indulged on tasty fried goodness.
We saw royalty, pirates and castles.
We traveled around the small world (singing all the while).
We passed up the aroma of a freshly made waffle cone filled with mint chip ice cream, sigh.
We drove home with toothpicks holding our eyelids open.
We collapsed.

Exhausting it was, but worth every minute.

Here we go...

2010-05-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating our little big girl's 5th birthday this
week with a trip to the happiest place on earth.
We've been anticipating this fun day for weeks
and can't wait to spin, roll and ride all over the place.

Hope you're able to get a few moments in your own fantasyland today.

xoxo

Ahhh, spring

2010-05-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

I'm loving the spring flowers in our garden.

Some of my favorite hours are spent watering, trimming and breathing in the fragrance.

Now if I could only get my vegetables planted....sigh.

Hope your enjoying all the beauty of spring.

xoxo

Words are not enough...

2010-05-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Daisy from Reality on Vimeo.

to encompass the scope of emotion I feel for this little one and her family. Their trials have been shared so openly and their unwaivering faith has been a true inspiration in my life. Her story is a blessing in the truest form.

For mum

2010-05-09T08:14:00.000-07:00

the ability to make fun out of any situation,
silliness,
complete abandon,
long talks,
the smell of horses,
freedom to be me,
forgiveness,
tractors & chainsaws,
arabians,
lemon meringue pie,
dutchboy pancakes,
understanding,
lodgepoles,
animals of every shape and size,
helicopters,
beauty,
flowers,
red,
pioneer,
neverending love,
home away from home

thank you for being all of this to me and more. i am so glad to call you mom.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Things you probably really, really, really wanted to know about me...or not.

2010-04-30T00:02:00.000-07:00

So I realize it's been a while since my last post and it probably would've taken me many more moons to add something fresh to the blog, but my friend Miyo tagged me and has brought me out of my bubble and into blogland for today. So here's some tidbits in 3's about little old me:

Three names I answer to:

Darlin

Mommy

Aubrei

Three jobs I've held:

Sales associate (men's department)

Medical assistant

Mom (most challenging & by far, most rewarding)

Three places I've called home:

Sacramento

Santa Barbara

Wrightwood

Three drinks of choice:

water

Warm chai latte

Sparkling Italian soda

Three favorite TV shows:

I don't watch TV, but if I did I'd probably be hooked on

HGTV

Dancing with the stars

That Nanny show where the lady comes into crazy family warzones and tries to teach the parents how to guide their children, NOT be the children

Three places I have visited:

Massacheusetts

France

Italy

Three places I would like to visit:

New Zealand

Alaska

Haiti

Three fave retro TV shows (am I that old?):

The Cosby Show

Seinfeld (retro?)

The Golden Girls

Three foods that make me happy:

Sushi with veggie tempura, miso soup and a side of edamame

My mr's chicken and dumplings

Black bean enchiladas from Nature's Grill

Three things I am looking forward to:

This weekend at home with my family (and friends)

Summer - beach days, camping, picnics

November (more on that later)

Three people I am tagging:

Julia

Becky

Kristen

thought maybe I'd inspire you three to post something new, too.

xoxo

Sweet

2010-04-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

Dearest Bri~
Today you turn sixteen,
and the words I have are few.
It's not because I have little to say,
but because I barely know where to begin
or how to fit it all into one post.
So this will have to suffice:
Your life has been an amazing gift to me.
Each day I am honored to watch you
grow into the young woman you are and will be.
I love to hear your voice, your laughter, your desires.
I love who you are.

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY MY SWEET!

Wonder-full

2010-04-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

A sunrise walk in Poipu with my favorite guy.

Since I'm still not functioning at full mainland speed,
this photo is all I can muster for now.

Kauai was beautiful, peaceful, refreshing.

Welcome spring

2010-04-10T00:18:00.000-07:00

Around Christmas last year, I saw this tutorial on MADE and decided to give it a try. We collected the acorns from a neighborhood tree that had dropped these gems by the thousands. I hung it for Christmas with a red ribbon but knew I wanted to give it a makeover for spring. I finally got it up the day before Easter and hung it with a piece of burlap. I love the way it happily greets our friends and neighbors.

Are there any spring projects you've been working on?

Fun to be one

2010-04-07T00:11:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we celebrated one year of life with little Caitlin Rae and her parents. The little miss was in paradise with baby farm animals to pet and cuddle, cupcakes with ice cream and the honor of helping unwrap all of the baby's new toys/clothes. What a score. I think she was so happy with the whole thing, it may as well have been her big day. Bri loved the animals too and got a little snuggling in with them herself. They were so sweet we I was tempted to bring some home with us. Mr man...not so much.

It's always fun to catch up with old friends and gather in appreciation of their growing family.
Truly a blessing in life.

Spring break

2010-04-05T12:21:00.000-07:00

Today we leave for the beautiful island of Kauai to seek days of family fun, adventure and relaxation. I've thrown a couple more posts in for the week while we're away eating our shave ice so I don't completely neglect the bloggy-blog. Sending you hugs from an island afar.

Aloha!

Easter hugs for mom

2010-04-04T13:29:00.000-07:00

Some flowers bright and cheery for you,

and the eggs we colored in beautiful hues,

we're sending you smiles from far away,

and wishing you a love filled Easter Day.

John 3:16

Happy Easter Mom!
Happy Easter friends!

Gotaway

2010-03-31T15:29:00.000-07:00

to this. last weekend.

Yosemite was our playground last weekend and we enjoyed every moment together ~ just me and mr. man. We stayed at a family run B&B about a 1/2 hour outside of the park, waking up to a huge and beautiful breakfast each morning before we headed out for the day's adventures. We enjoyed each moment skiing, hiking, exploring the area, eating ALOT and soaking in a huge jacuzzi tub before the night's end. It was good. Really good.

I think my mr. would agree. Except for maybe the last hour driving home, when I suggested that I should take over the wheel due to his seemingly close proximity to the car ahead of us. That put a slight damper on the mood in the car at the tail end of our trip. I'm sure most of you already know this, but just in case you need a reminder: best not to comment on your husband's scary driving tactics whilst he is at the wheel...unless you don't mind walking home. Luckily, he loves me regardless of my unwanted outbursts of defensive driving advice and didn't put me out.

Hope you're enjoying the last week of March.

please, oh please

2010-03-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

artwork by Sarah Jane

This tiny card is hanging up in my little one's room. It's the sweetest reminder of how quickly time is flying by and for me to cherish the little days because in the blink of an eye, they will be over. It happens overnight as you sleep, you know. The fast forward fairies will sneak into her room, sprinkle their magic fairy dust and I will wake up to a high schooler who is gearing up to get her driver's permit, going to dances and thinking about college. I have proof. They've already hit my house once. I shant let it happen again.

Any suggestions on fairy traps?

Calling in sick

2010-03-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

I've been knocked out with some kind of sinus monster-cold the last couple days, so I decided to call in sick today. Oh wait, I can't call in? My mr's sick too? How can this be? Creative entertainment to the rescue! Since my man was completely bedridden today with the gunk and I felt slightly perkier than yesterday (i.e. able to stay in a vertical position for more than ten minutes) I took the reins and we had ourselves some fun at home. All day long.

After our morning on the couch with Cinderella, the little one and I played Monet and did some happy concrete artwork, followed by some solo sandplay (time for me to rest) then straight into the outdoor shower for a little rub-a-dub in the tub. The little one LOVED bathing in the bucket, her only complaint..."I wish it was big enough for both of us". Me too lovebug. After lunch we had a round of naps and finished the day with a little pedicure. Maya's first ever. She was so excited about having pink toenails that she exclaimed "I feel like I'm a mom!" I never knew being home sick could make me smile so much.

As much fun as it was I'm looking forward to a healthier day tomorrow.

Beauty awaits

2010-03-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week I was determined to get out for a hike in the mountains, but I felt like all the signs were saying STOP before the hike began. We got out late, the sunscreen was a gooey mess of oil, and the little miss started the hike kicking and screaming....but then it happened. We escaped into a world of beauty and wonder. We stopped to admire the abundance of bright green clover whose delicate leaves were all shaped as hearts. We marveled at the teeny-tiny pine cones that covered the earthy fragrance beneath our feet. We soaked in the sweet music of the forest. The chirping of the birds, the rush of crystal clear waters, the clicking of life in the canopy of trees above....pure nature.

No matter what kind of day I'm having or what hellish mood I may be in, the outdoors holds a beauty that transforms my soul (and the spirits of my little one, too). We walked and ran with curious eyes in awe of God's creation. It blessed us beyond words.

Then I fell. Going down hill. With Maya on my back. She came out of it unscathed (thank goodness) but my walk has been slightly altered since the crash. It didn't ruin the hike, but certainly has made the last couple days seriously uncomfortable on my otherwise healthy body. With a bum knee and a twisted ankle, I still say...nothing beats a walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Just be sure to watch your step.

Oh, and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Waking up

2010-03-13T08:19:00.000-08:00

to my new favorite:
Organic plain yogurt
Organic maple syrup
Madagascar bourbon vanilla bean paste

It's better than ice cream plus I get to have it for breakfast....wahoooooo!

Happy Saturday friends

Meet our new chef

2010-03-12T08:01:00.000-08:00

Madame Bri will be cooking for us once a week to work on her culinary skills. Last monday's menu was pesto chicken pasta and salad. It was delish! Since this was only her second time cooking a real meal from a recipe on her own I quickly realized that she's going to need a sous-chef for the first month or so to keep the family from eating raw meats or dining on each course in half hour increments. I am so excited for this journey with my sweet young chef as we prepare food, dance around the kitchen and taste some fun recipes together.

It's crazy to think how quickly she will be ready for life in the real world ~ without us by her side for every decision, every tear, every accomplishment. Savoring the days for now.

Whirlwind

2010-03-09T14:21:00.000-08:00

Last week I drove down for a night to meet my man in San Diego with the little miss. It was fun walking around by the bay, meeting new people and visiting family. I was so worn out from walking the whole day I thought my legs were going to collapse. Loved the visit, but have to stay longer next time because this trip was really just a big fat tease.

What's your favorite activity in San Diego or better yet where would you be willing to drive to for one night's stay?

Productivity...smile

2010-03-02T14:17:00.000-08:00

I'm back in the driver's seat this week with some positive energy (even if the rain rolls in) and plans for change. Don't know about you, but disorganization makes me cranky. I don't think clearly, don't feel motivated and worst of all my mind is just cluttered. So starting last night I'm being deliberate with how my time can be spent getting organized and decluttering my house, my life and my mind.

I have collected so many recipes over the years by friends and through the internet that have seen splatters, spills and general cooking abuse. They've been randomly shoved into a folder and it always takes me way to much time to find what I'm looking for. So to kick off my organizing marathon I decided to put them into sheet protectors in a binder and label the sections like a regular recipe book. Had to draw a cute little cover for it of course. This may seem like common sense to most, but in my mish-mash brain it was a serious revelation.

Hope to be posting more of my decluttering excitement soon. I'm sure you'll be waiting on the edge of your seat.

Happy March!

Monday blues

2010-02-22T22:27:00.000-08:00

got a great view of dozens of dolphins this morning by the beach

you don't want to know how I took this photo. really.

the view of the hills near our house as the clouds rolled in.

I love the shades of blue we saw this morning.
They reflect my mood over the past few days though...which I don't love.
Cloudy with unexpected showers pretty much sums me up,
maybe even some thunder storms blowing through.
Praying for a sunny forecast tomorrow.
For everyone's sake.

Sending you love

2010-02-14T18:19:00.000-08:00

from Napa, Californa.

Have a happy love day!

love notes

2010-02-09T14:38:00.000-08:00

I recently ordered these little note cards from my friend Jenn over at Ambrosia Girl. I just love the lace borders and vibrant colors. She has some great stationery and fun prints in her etsy shop. If we were ever graced with a little boy, I am certain the car print below would look awesome in his room.

Have a lovely day!

Supercalifragilistic weekend

2010-02-08T23:22:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I gathered up my girls and drove to my in-laws house for our much anticipated outing to the musical~

The show was nothing short of fantastic. From the stage props, to the costumes to the talent involved it was such a fun time to experience with the girls & my mum-in-law. What a wonderful gift it was (thank you mum)!

After our day at the theatre, mr. man and I got a night out sans kids. We had dinner at Malo and then decided to check out the Griffith Observatory. The view from the newly remodeled building is spectacular! Entry to the observatory is free, but we decided to watch a show in the planetarium which did not dissapoint. Since I didn't have my camera on hand (and I'd never do it justice anyway), I found this stunning photo online and had to post it. I randomly found the photography blog for Della Huff and had to share.

As great as Saturday was, the fun didn't stop there. Sunday morning I rose to a hike with my dad-in-law in Griffith Park up to the observatory again. The air was crisp and clean from the latest rain and the view of L.A. was phenominal!

Since I knew I would want to get some photos on the hike I stopped specifically to buy batteries for my camera because they were low. On my way out of the store I opened the package, took the new batteries out in one hand, the old batteries out in the other and got distracted (this happens so easily with me). When I realized I didn't know which were old and which were new I put some in and it looked like I guessed right...that is until we got to the amazing view when my camera abruptly said to me "you're not so bright, are ya?" Did I consider putting the other set of batteries in my pocket? Of course not. Consequently, the picture above is the only decent photo that was taken before my camera gave me the bird and went to sleep.

After the two hour hike with my FIL, Bri and I went to see a movie that I had heard about. To Save A Life is like no other teen movie I've seen. It's message is powerful and positive unlike most movies that are directed at this age group. It recognizes and addresses some of the major issues that teens are facing with a rawness that gets your attention and then demonstrates that through thoughtful choices and behavior we can save not only others, but ourselves from the slippery slope that only leads downward. If you know a teenager who hasn't seen this film, I highly recommend it. It's not playing everywhere, but you can find the closest showing here.

We finished off the day with the last half of the superbowl and pizza. Not usually my style, but I enjoyed every minute.

Spending time with family is always a gift. But THIS weekend was simply magical.

more rain = more hearts

2010-02-05T15:43:00.000-08:00

I've found a new joy in hand sewing and

embroidery as the rainy day washes through town.

These mini heart pillows are so fun and easy to make

although I haven't really figured out how I want to use them yet.

Any ideas???

I leave you with the polka dot trio
who jumped, slid, air hockeyed and bickered
to their hearts content this morning
before getting their spotted slickers on for the ride home.

Dog vs Child

2010-02-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

and the winner is...

Little M "queen of the dogbed"

♥~ing February

2010-02-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

The heart garland on the window is made from Maya's artwork that comes home from school.

The other is a garland that I made out of fabric last valentine's season.

Aren't they so happy?

Oh yes, and Oscar the Couch is still here.

Turns out he has formed a special place in the hearts of our family after all.

Plus, he's just too comfy.

What's on your table?

2010-01-30T23:42:00.000-08:00

Last week our family watched Food Inc, a movie (we ordered from netflix) that had a great impact on me. Not to say I wasn't already an advocate for organic locally grown foods, but this movie has rocked my nutritional outlook even further. The saddest thing about it is that not everyone can afford organic local foods, because the major food corporations have made a science out of how to sell nutritionally void, illness inducing, mouthwatering tempations that cost merely pennies. It really broke my heart to see a glimpse of what the food industry has become and what the american people are (many unkowingly) choosing to eat morning, noon and night.

The scariest part about it is that it really isn't much of a choice for many. Those who are barely getting by have to buy what they can afford and they are truly getting what they're paying for, but even worse is the increasing major health problems that just keep growing as the illnesses get doused with more and more medications. As far as buying any type of meat, the choices for local or organic options are few and far between. Call me granola, but I like to think that the food I'm eating hasn't been showered with pesticides, genetically altered, pumped with steroids and antibiotics or treated inhumanely. Maybe I'm being unrealistic, but my hope is that more and more people will make the choice to eat local. Eat organic. Choose humanely raised meats. And in doing so, increase the demand and lower the cost of these foods for all.

Ok, I'm done with my ranting. If I've lost you somewhere along the way, but you're interested in what spurred this long winded post you can read more at hungry for change or the Center for Food Safety or cspi.

Princess D

2010-01-25T22:55:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we spent some time celebrating little misses sweet friend...princess D.
I have never seen a child who loves playing dress-up and princess more than she.
So for her fifth birthday we thought we'd present her highness with a crown.
Is she worthy? Most definitely, she is.

Happy birthday precious D!

Pouty-pouts

2010-01-24T22:16:00.000-08:00

This is the little miss.

This is the little misses best pout.

Some of my favorite sayings from this child when things aren't quite going her way are:

"Mommmmmm, don't you want me to have fun?"
&
"It's tough being four"

And she says these with all the don't-you-pity-me-ness that she can muster.

Adorable it is. Adore her. I do.

Love. Rain.

2010-01-22T17:45:00.000-08:00

We have had the most beautiful storms passing through our city this past week and I have loved every little drop of water that has fallen. As grateful as I am for the mild climate we live in, I really do miss the way my senses come alive with the change of seasons that are common in most other parts of the country.

So thank you stormy weather for showering us with water and excitement, we've been needing it.

Hope your enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods.

Scrumptious

2010-01-18T21:31:00.000-08:00

January is a busy month around these parts as we celebrate birthdays left and right.

Last week I celebrated the birth of my cousin and good friend G along with several other girlfriends.

She invited us over to dine on some fine french cuisine created right there before our eyes.

Every bite was delicious and the company divine.

On the menu:

Seared Ahi Tuna, Shrimp & Scallops (no scallops for me/unless I wanted to hug the toilet all night) on a bed of bright and beautiful sauteed veggies

Shitake mushrooms and stuffed quail salad with a white truffle vinagrette

Perfect lady-like portions of new york steak and a filet with a delectible cheese sauce, gratin potatoes, asparagus and incredible roasted tomatoes

Creme Brulee to die for

It was good. So good.

Thanks G for the amazing night, what a gift that was...isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

.......................................................................................................................

I forgot to mention that the meal was prepared and served by an amazing french chef Gaël Lecolley who you can read more about here

The beautiful table setting was laid out by Miss Sheila Callahan. Wish I would have gotten some better photos of the table. Simply put the table was elegant with a bit of french flair. This woman lacks nothing in the way of creative table settings for any type of event. She's incredible.

Fashionably late~

2010-01-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

is usually how i greet everyone ~ and i didn't want to disappoint in the new year. wouldn't want anyone to think i was going to make any MAJOR changes as that just hasn't been my m.o. any~who, thought i would add some of my desires for 2010.

get messy & enjoy art and creativity with my girls on a regular basis

take notice of the beauty around me and all of my blessings. every. day.

continue preparing fresh and local foods to nourish my family

make silhouettes of our girls to hang in our home

more beach days with my family

hugging my girls every chance i get

to stop and listen to the birds singing. watch them soaring.

pause to see the little things that could easily be overlooked

laugh at myself more

take life less seriously

prioritize my time & focus.focus.focus.

planning to post more often. really. i am.

xoxo

first evers of 2009

2009-12-31T23:20:00.000-08:00

from left to right

1. recycled t-shirt dress 2. bald me 3. self~made apron 4. home~made Christmas tree 5. tea~ party 6. helicopter ride 7. trip to Europe with my sweet girl 8. handmade advent chain 9. my very own surfboard 10. beautiful homegrown garden 11. made from scratch wedding cake 12. baby-blanket recycled elephant 13. candy cane drive 14. child-free trip with mum 15. homemade wreath....whew!

Looking forward to a joyful 2010 and the firsts that are yet to come.

I present to you...

2009-12-30T22:27:00.000-08:00

the shortest vacation in family history

This is the view driving up to June Lake around 1pm December 27

The beautiful sight from our room overlooking the lake the morning of Dec 28 after a full night of sleep deprivation due to the sudden onset of fever, coughing and discomfort by our four year old.

A look at Mr. Handsome starting the descent from our 14 hour stay in the glimmering white mountains. After a brutal night of helping to nurse our youngest and the decision that we needed to say goodbye to our snowy dreams he repacked the car and we headed for home.

A glimpse of the snow we longed to play in.

We'll be back.

And next time, we may need to leave the kids at home.

Frosty fun

2009-12-27T09:24:00.000-08:00

We're off for some cold adventures over the next few days. It's becoming our holiday season tradition. Can't wait to romp and play in the snow with my family and am looking forward to greeting the new year when we return.

Sending happiness to you as you finish out 2009.

A Merry little Christmas

2009-12-25T20:43:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since my last post, I know. I filled my time with holiday preparations and the all~consuming task of pondering what kind of gifts I might make...making them right up to the last day. Although this is not the way I like to spend the weeks before Christmas, I find myself doing the same thing each and every year. The resulting gifts though were worth the effort. In the end, our day was beautiful~spent with family and an appreciation for life and all creation.

Sending you wishes of joy, peace and love this Christmas and all year long!

See you again in 2010!

Wintery magic

2009-12-06T21:10:00.000-08:00

Since there will be no snow ball fights, no white flocked pines and no sledding anywhere in sight this Christmas ~ we brought some sparkly snowflakes indoors to remind us of our favorite winter powder...supersized.

These were the easiest things to make and so much fun! Bri and I cut the snowflakes out of white copy paper (a little flimsy is the only drawback) then used spray glue to attach the glitter and hung with ric-rac. My favorite part is the dancing snowflake shadows they make on the wall...beautiful!

There is one girl in our house though who won't be fooled by our home snipped snow...

Sorry girl, we'd love to get you out to your favorite playground sometime soon.

What was I thinking...

2009-12-02T21:47:00.000-08:00

...always waiting well into December to decorate for Christmas? I've got the bug this year and am loving all the fun we are having making our own merry decor. First up is the advent chain that I read about on stitch/craft. It took a few days to get it completed, but we are excited to check a link every day to find out what fun awaits. Every link has a numbered button sewn on for each day until Christmas with an activity taped to the inside. So far.... drinking hot cider and taking a family photo. I think tomorrow we get to pick out a new Christmas movie. Yippee!

This could also be done with any kind of sturdy paper and the kids will surely love it (except when you get to the Christmas caroling day, which will probably make your teenager cringe ~ but hey, what fun is being a parent if you can't embarrass your kids once in a while?).

Next stop, snow flakes...

Sweet buddies

2009-11-30T21:55:00.000-08:00

The little miss has a wide variety of imaginary beings in her life including her friends Vanilla Twirly Whirly Vanilla and Chocolate Ice Cream (whose daddy I refer to as Mr. Fudge). Since I've been trying to figure out what they might look like for the past several months, I decided to do a sketch of how I imagined them and what do ya know...the little miss confirmed it, I was right on.

They come over every week for a few days at a time to play, eat dinner and have slumber parties. They really are the easiest houseguests ever and I just love having them over. I'm diggin the beehive style they've got and am tempted to try and create some chocolate and vanilla dolls for the fun of it.

Thanks girls for being such good friends to my little miss!

2009-11-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

for all the beauty...

and blessings that surround my life every minute of every day. What a gift this life is.

Wishing you a day filled with gratitude and happiness.

xoxo

Birdie birthday

2009-11-22T18:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we were invited to celebrate another birthday child, but this time with birds all aflutter. There were birdie cupcakes, paper birds to decorate, bird-watching binoculars and little feathered creatures perched in the trees watching over the festivities. It was a thing of beauty, but most beautiful was the birthday girl as she enjoyed her day.

Happy, happy birthday little friend!

A little R&R

2009-11-18T21:36:00.000-08:00

Last weekend our friends Kim & Ben invited us to a big sleepover at their house along with another couple that always keeps us in stitches. Their house is around a hundred years old and has a third story room that would satisfy any teenage girl's slumber party dreams as it is equipped with three built in full size beds, has vaulted ceilings and a window with a view.

We had such a great time eating apple pancakes, going to the farmer's market, the park, hiking, playing bad mitten, eating homemade pizza, staying up late discussing our incredibly important opinions on life, parenting and religion, celebrating a birthday child and soaking up the Santa Barbara sights, oh and eating some more. It was such a fun and relaxing time.

Thanks guys for sharing your new home with us! Looking forward to our gathering.

xoxo

A preschooler's loyalty

2009-11-18T20:30:00.000-08:00

The little miss has been a mama's girl as of late and prefers not to let me out of her sight. So last night when I wanted to go for a run with Bri, the protests and whining began.

LM: Mommy I want to go with you (as she permanently attaches herself to my leg)

Me: You are going to have dinner with daddy and then go to the library (in my excited~it's going to be so much fun~kind of voice)

LM: But I want to go with you. wah, wah, wah....

Me: (Lightbulb moment) But you and daddy get to have a date night. You can dress up for dinner and we'll light candles and you can have a special dinner just with daddy.

LM: (Running back to her room in a flash). Yeah, yeah, yeah! I'm gonna dress up and have a date night!

Me: Happy sigh as I lace up my shoes.

Mission accomplished.

Date night

2009-11-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

(photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil website, click to view)

at Cirque du Soleil.

Last night my main squeeze invited me out for a date filled with wining, dining and jaw dropping entertainment. After a wonderful dinner at JiRaffe we headed down to the big tents on the beach for some acrobatic action. I had never been to a Cirque du Soleil performance before and really didn't know what to expect. It was phenomenal! Each act left me astonished at the talents these performers have. From the high wire to contortionists to incredible balancing acts to the live band throughout ~ I was in awe from beginning to end. I walked away with a new appreciation for physical discipline of the human body. The way these people moved there bodies was, well....inhuman ~ but so inspiring to watch.

Ironically, the name of the show was Kooza which also happens to be the name our little miss gave to her first "baby". I figure she'll be some kind of marketing genius when she gets older. That or she'll just have children with really scary names.

To my Mr:

Thanks for treating me to such a fun night! I am so lucky to be traveling through life with you and am grateful for your loving spirit.

Candy shmandy

2009-11-01T15:20:00.000-08:00

These girls are all the treat I need.

What friends are for...

2009-10-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

someone to wash your hair~

to have pajama parties with~

enjoy a good flick together~

to hold each other when things get scary~

Good buddies make life so much sweeter.

Thanks for hanging with us K/D/L