golden

everything seems just right today. basking in the light.

night and day

p.m.


a.m.



we had a wonderful weekend. the weather has been amazing. instead of heading to the beach - which is what my heart wanted - we checked some major items off "the list" - which is what my head needed. it feels good. and there is a new momentum in the house!

follow it here.

::

for us.

for my wonderful family - d and the girls.

family near and family far.

and for friends who have become family.

family defined in a large and beautiful and all encompassing way.

for this amazing community that surrounds us.

happy thanksgiving.



{just home from the most amazing feast created with talent and love.}

i am going to take a break now, and enjoy it all!

xoxo

::

for our house of dreams.

our little cottage in the woods.

"our island".

for always knowing we will be heading there soon.



winter 2008


summer 2010

::

for slow strolls home from school.



we are so blessed to have our girls at our neighbourhood school. the walks to school in the morning are always a little rushed. but the walks home are my favourite time of day.



we talk. and we listen.

::

for meals together.





and a husband who makes the best pancakes ever.

::

growing up pea shoots were a sign of spring. here in socal they are a sign of the wonders of a winter garden.

thankful for the bounty the winter brings us.

i'm going to try and post each day this week.

so much to be thankful for.

a perfect ending.

happy friday.

like candy.

a perfect morning.







a walk. looking up and down.

i just read an article about endorphins that are released when teenagers hear the "beep" of a text message arriving. like candy.

and i think the leaves changing color. when we notice.

loving fall.

::

my camera was finally returned to me late last night. (d went to the fedex depot to get it - i was so excited.) i can't believe it took me so long to send it out. (it quit on me in august!) i was extremely pleased to learn that the repair was at not charge - and it was returned to me within two weeks of sending it off. (yay canon!)

i ran around the house while the girls were still asleep this morning clicking away.





nothing great. it was actually more difficult than i remembered to capture what i wanted. i think i am just trying too hard.

in many things actually. with the holidays around the corner i am committing to not letting this year's festivities get out of control.

keep it simple.

hey California!

participated in an inspiring session of camp educate this weekend.

wish i'd been able to stay for more... but we are ready.

join in the fight for public education here!

p.s. and yes - that is Valerie Bertinelli you hear!

today.

11.12.11



12

years that is.

of our timing being perfect. and sometimes it being just a little off.

but - even with that - of always making beautiful music together.


happy anniversary. i do love you cowboy. xo thanks for the song.

November 08, 2005

E was 4. K 1. (I was - gasp - 35.)

It seems like ages ago. And only yesterday.

While blogging has waxed and waned and waxed some more - I am so happy to have carved out this little space to record our own comings and goings.

Hard to believe (and easy too!) that it has been six years!

Thanks for sticking around ;)




Pics from a 11.05 trip with friends to Disney Concert Hall

lessons learning

it was a fantastic fall socal day. rain. and sun. and more rain.

i shot a whole roll of film with my old pentax k1000 up at the griffith observatory. it must have been 10 years since i last picked it up. it felt very very good. the first few times i actually looked at the back of the camera for the image. the kids were fascinated by the mechanics of it all. now to decide where to have it processed.

and i finally sent my digital out for repair. relief. i need to be better about stuff like this.

because of the rain the girls didn't ride today. instead they had a lesson on horse anatomy that culminated in labeling "Sprite" - a particularly good-natured steed - with chalk. they had a ball.

i stole away with my mother-in-law for a cup of hot chocolate and some catching up at a favourite spot. need to do that more often.

i am still under the weather. i know i need to slow down. but there is just so much (good stuff) going on. my dad used to say that you can be sick for a week in bed, or sick for a week and get things done. i used to believe it - but this time i am thinking some time in bed might have done me good. hoping for a mellow weekend. starting it with this tomorrow. need to pick up another roll of film!

we are all constantly learning new things. i just forget to notice sometimes.

it feels good to notice.

happy friday.

Happy Hallowe'en!

yes - we made it. bronchitis threw a wrench in the plans - but the neighbors stepped up and our 4th annual Eastwood Estates :: Corbin Palms Halloween Parade went off without a hitch.

and I managed to sneak out and snap a quick (and blurry) pic of my favourite witch and angel/devil before heading back home to watch this and this, with a glass of wine and some (good) chocolate while they cover the neighbourhood with their posse.

Happy Hallowe'en!

finally cooler!

and this

Broccoli-Basil Mac and Cheese
via 101 Cookbooks

was as good as we thought it would be!



i did use the delicata and it was delicious! we didn't have any brocolli - so used a handful of kale. and the tomatoes i had on hand.

break.

this week looks to be a crazy one. the countdown to halloween is on. and work is picking up.

i may check back in with a crafty project - if i get my act together - but if not, see you next week - in costume please ;)

happy monday.

Pierce College :: Parade of Breeds

k and my youtube debut ;)



we really do love having this amazing facility so close to home.

good stuff :: and some questions...

the challenge has me finding all sorts of goodies as i clean through boxes stored long ago.

d's mom gave me a stash of quilt bits and bobs when she last moved. i'd forgotten about them. i think they would date back to the 40s and have been done by d's great grandmother on his grandfather's side. but need to confirm. (they were alongside this piece - looked at so very long ago!)

i should know more - but wonder where this one is in the process of becoming a quilt. i love the colors and think it will end up at the cottage or on one of the girls' beds.





can you see how the back is tied off with yarn? is this the last step - or is there something more to do here?

this one obviously needs to have a backing and be quilted.





the jewel tones are great. e has her eye on this one. any ideas (local?) where i could get it quilted?

*****
so the 21 days of the aforementioned challenge have officially passed - i am still on 18 - though have done a bit of 19 inadvertently and likewise need to return to 15. i gave myself a pass on a few days that were just too busy. feeling good about it over all.

::

I have discovered forgotten fabrics (and books and clothing and...) as I cleaned out my closet as part of this challenge.



I thought about making this thrifted bit - a map of denmark - into a big pillow, (I think it was likely originally for a table top) but I fear it's too big. (It measures 35 inches square.)

napkins?

placemats?

any other ideas?

Miss Moxie apparently likes it. Perhaps a dog bed?