Murder Mystery Bash

I've put on my party dress more than usual in the past month for some great shindigs. This murder mystery party was in celebration of our friend Andrea's 31st birthday. Andrea (the rockstar party planner that she is) put this thing together in a week. This is no small feat for a girl with two steady jobs and a social life to manage. We all had roles to perform (some in drag), 1920's lingo to learn and people to interrogate, steal from or bribe. At the end of the game/mystery we all tallied up our moneys and who we thought was the killer. I guessed it right!!! (just picked the least obvious person) along with about seven other people. I couldn't get over the costumes, wigs, feathers, fake cigs...people went all out. Andrea...you truly outdid yourself. Happy 31st year my friend!

P.S. If you click on the photo collage Andrea is the one looking gorgewa in the blue satin ensemble top center.

xoxo

Pardon our mess

Here's a photo to prove how completely hideous our house is looking right now. I keep thinking a demolition crew is going to mistake our home for their next tear down. As much as I love the new look we've got going, I'm excitedly awaiting a new front yard and paint redo + new shutters. I'll post again with progress (hopefully very soon). Meanwhile, I'll be avoiding blank stares from snickering neighbors each day. Really....who cares.

Forced my hand

I've been feeling less than interesting lately, but since I've been tagged by Jenn (one of my favorite reads) I'm hoping this post will spring me into blogging action once again. Thanks for inspiring me to write again Jenn...

7 things that make me..........well.me.

* I would love to live on a piece of property one day between 1&5 acres with a couple of horses and a vegetable garden.

* I make a habit of buying the junk of others to embelish or refinish and make treasures for my home therefore constantly filling the garage with projects, sorry husband.

* I regularly set fire to any and all wooden cooking utensils when using the stove....I just can't stop laying the darn things next to the burner.

* My brain is constantly filled with so many ideas and to-do lists that I frequently get bogged down just by waking up in the morning.

* I LOVE root beer floats, Bri's homemade choco-chip cookies, and a new favorite...Papa Bill's sour cream apple pie, ohhhhhh & dancing.

* I am married to THE MOST incredible man on the planet.

* On most days I believe there is a GOD who loves me.

I'll try to think of something else to write about soon. Promise.
Meanwhile ~ Julia and Andrea are the lucky tagees.

xoxo

happy to be healthy

Now that the virus had made its rounds through our house, I'm happy to report...we're back to our healthy version of life. Hope you can keep the germs out of your house this season ~ it's no fun having sick babies!

Time for soup

Bri has had a wicked cold for the past few days, so as a family tradition I made chicken soup (for the soul if nothing else). As I was cleaning and preparing this little bird I thought about the life that it once was and how grateful I am to be able to feed my family organic & free range foods. We are so blessed by the access we have to all types of food which I admittedly take for granted sometimes.

I'm hoping this homemade soup will bring health and energy back to my sweet girl in the next few days so that I can see her glowing smile again soon.

xoxo

And the winner is............

Excitement doesn't quite cover how I feel about this day.

Decision Day

How bout you?

In Character

We were surrounded by plenty of little characters this Halloween who were grinning from ear to ear once the concept caught on. It didn't take long. We took our little tiger over to give a roar to grandma while little Charlie Chaplin spread his charm then headed out to a parent and toddler trick-or-treat shindig. The loot will be quickly forgotten, then POOF will never be seen again. Magic...I know.

Our eldest has decided she'll never be too old to go door to door, hence the borrowed '20s gettup she sported for the evening. The kid loves dressing up no matter what the day, but to bring home all those finger licking gooey treats~it's her icing on the cake.

Three days of goodness

We got home safe and sound from our journey up in Northern Cali to visit my mum (and a short visit with dad, too). It was just the little getaway that I needed...a break from the everyday routine which gave me a new energy and perspective. We crammed a lot into our little visit with plenty on the list to do next visit. We managed a drive to tahoe to see me dad and mama rhonda, a full day at Apple Hill indulging on all things apple~yum, tractor rides, horse-lovin, a rinse in the river and shopping to boot. Three days just doesn't cut it up in the mountains, but does leave me eager for our next trip up hopefully with my man as captain of the ship....I missed him so, plus that drive is a bear! Thanks mum for all of your love, support and oh-so-wonderful hospitality. I am better for having spent some time with you and your zoo.

xoxo

Girls gone north

A couple of photos from yesterday's hike before

we head off for a girls trip to Nana's house to seek

some laughter and adventure.

Happy Trails

xoxo