For the love of pears....

Last weekend I took the girls up to G's ranch for another try at canning. Unfortunately Matt couldn't be there to share in the fun, but we had a nice visit with friends and soaking up nature. The fresh ranch pears are amazing. Can't wait to break into a jar of them but trying to resist until the fresh ones are history.

xoxo

All lit up

Yesterday (after eating by candlelight since Christmas of last year) we had a chandelier installed above our dining table which caused me way more excitement than I expected. As romantic as eating by candlight sounds (and is for the first couple months), I prefer it as a luxury rather than a necessity. I so enjoyed our first meal under the glow of our self made dining room even if we were dining on burgers and fries and can't wait to enjoy a real homecooked meal with family and friends in our new space. The house is getting to feel more and more like us all the time and I love the feeling that comes with putting our mark on the place we gather to every day as a family.

P.S. Thanks Amy for the gifted chandelier...it looks beautiful!

On another note, I've decided after a major attack from my coffee mug yesterday that my coffee drinking days are over. I placed my travel cup on top of the car while attempting to put Miss M in her seat when it slid off and smacked me mid forehead before dumping my sweet concoction all over the interior of the back seat and my not-so-sheek mommy gettup for the day. The trama of it all has left me with a knot on my forehead and a sticky car (which I will clean soon honey I promise). At that point I took it as a direct sign from the powers-that-be that maybe I just need a break from the brew for the time being. No more coffee for me!

At least until next week:)

After my little mishap I went to the farmer's market (not only a saturday ritual, I often get a wednesday fix as well) to fill up my bags with colorful beauties and just couldn't resist sharing my findings. How blessed I feel to have access to such nurishing and delicious foods!

Hope your week is free of falling objects and full of happy moments.

Seven Years...

Today I am remembering all the love lost,

families broken and lives changed seven years ago.

Today I am remembering the emptiness,

the sorrow, the silence, the stillness seven years ago.

Today am remembering the kindness,

the patience and the empathy extended toward

strangers on the street seven years ago.

Still Rockin

Saturday was a treat in every way. Not only did we get to sleep in to our heart's content, we went out for one of the best breakfast feasts I've ever tasted (chilaquiles to die for and pancakes so big they didn't fit on the plate) before heading home to get ready for a night with Willie...Nelson that is. We went for a scrumptious pizza dinner at an authentic Italian pizzeria with my mum and dad in-law, fit in a walk on the beach and ended our evening watching Willie rock the stage. Old he may be, but played out he is not. It was a fantastic show to end our lovely day.

Mr & Mrs Jones

The view from my friday morning walk with Miss Maya

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Jones

Yummy wedding cupcakes

The Jones' gettin wild

Me & my Mister

Last Friday we had the opportunity to celebrate love and marriage. The day started with a morning walk, then on to a little dress shopping, and a visit with grandma and in-laws before escaping with my husband to a wedding for the Jones's. The ceremony was very sweet and the party afterward had to have the best looking guest list around as it was packed with firemen and their wives. It was a fun evening that allowed Matt and I to get a night away from the kids and time to enjoy one another's company. I love little gettaways like this...they are so refreshing!

Market love

I had to post some photos of my favorite Saturday morning destination. We have a local Farmer's Market that displays a beautiful smorgasbord of produce, flowers, breads, honey, fresh cut herbs, coffee, kettle corn and warm tamales. It's my weekend ritual to stop by and stock up for the week. I love the sense of community I feel when I'm there. It brings me such joy.

xoxo

High School Daze

First Day of School

So, Bri started high school and as excited as I was and still am for her I drove off from the parking lot with a tear in my eye knowing that she's growing up. Don't get me wrong, I love who she's growing into. I love her thoughtfulness, her determination, her laughter and her smile. She's mature, responsible, outgoing, athletic and very friendly. She's pretty much awesome. Bottom line is I am mourning the fact that I can never go back in time to hear her tiny voice ask "what's a beeth-oven" (Beethoven) or hold her hand as we walk to her first day of kindergarten. She will no longer be my "little" girl, but I gladly embrace the beauty~full young woman that she has become.

Longhorn Leo's 1 year old!!!

Earlier this month we celebrated little Leo's first year of life. Everyone had a blast including the little cowboy himself. Happy Birthday little cousin.

xoxo

Canning day.......(strike one)

So last weekend I took the girls (and Bri's friend) up to G's beautiful ranch where they swam, played, pet miniature donkeys, sunbathed, picked mulberries and explored the great outdoors. It's such an amazing place to just go and relax, so that's just what we did. G, Andrea & I had a blast sipping wine, picking berries and watching the day unfold.


We made a plan to can those berries for jam because they are so stinkin delicious. It was lots of fun but our jam turned out more as a syrup and don't think the jars were quite sterile. Maybe we should read up on canning before we attempt our next batch. Can't wait to try it again.






Maya made a new friend in the field


Dusk by the pool

It was a fun and memorable day with the girls that filled me up with joy. Looking forward to another one soon.

Whoa...where did the time go?

Ladies showing off their guns

A day out on the beach (definitely a workout for all of us, except grandma)

Peace lovin gals

This trip to Target was too darn funny as my grandma poopooed the idea of riding in a cart (that was for old people, not my 90 year old grandmother) until I talked her into trying it and she sped around like Mrs. Andretti almost taking out everyone in her path. She's dangerous behind the wheel. So glad she's not driving her car anymore...that would be scary.

I'm so excited to be posting again. Feels like it's been weeks (only because it has) and I have missed out on so much sharing with everyone. Things are great for us and the kids are back in school again, yay!!! We just got back from a benefit for Heal the Ocean where we got to sit 6 feet from a stage where Jack Johnson opened the event....wooohooooo, that was fun. Then we had an amazing dinner followed by an auction, a raffle and more dancing and music. It was a fun night out with friends. Thanks G for a great time!

The past few weeks have been full to say the least. My grandmother was transplanted up to our house for a week along with my mom and our sweet little Chinese friend, Amy (who stayed with us for three weeks). She was a joy to have and it was fun sharing our family traditions and learning from her. My grandma is now living in an Assisted Living facility (which she loves) right up the street from me and everyone else has returned to their loved ones.

Now it's back to a normal pace and I can't wait to get back into my groove. Hope you all have been well and enjoying your sunny summer days.