Meet Olivia

She's 12 weeks old...fuzzy...sweet...rambunctious...cuddly...playful.

Playing Catch-Up

I've been a little busy. I've been a little sick. I've been working a few extra hours. But I've still been taking pictures :) So I'm going to play blog catch-up...in photos.

autumn in the northwest

Happy Thanksgiving!

happy birthday, Peanut!

opening the Christmas season

Life is moving so fast, but we are blessed.

Favorite Things - Fall Edition

I read that Oprah is airing her much talked about "favorite things" episode, which inspired me to put together a list of my own favorite things...specifically relating to this time of year. So here it goes:

* My husband and my kids. But wait. They are favorites year round!

* My new camera lens. What's up Canon 50mm/1.4! You are dreamy.

* Eggnog chai and white chocolate peppermint mocha. Can you say candy cane in a cup? Yum!

* Speaking of white chocolate and peppermint...candy cane hershey kisses...divine!

* Lucerne's special edition pumpkin spice cream cheese. So good on a toasted cinnamon swirl bagel or even spread on a graham cracker as a simple snack. It's a fall staple!

* Hot & Spicy Cheez-Its. Once I start, I can't stop. I try to pass by in the grocery store because I know it's a problem for me. But they were on sale this week. For a buck eight-eight. How could I resist?

*Honey Crisp apples and Cuties oranges. Best. Seasonal. Fruit.

*Comfy, cozy sweaters. My friends and family will testify. I am a sweater and jeans girl.

*Knit beanie hats. Warm, functional, and a go to fix for bad hair days :) Isn't this one by Max & Melody cute?!?

* Scarves. If it's knit or fleece, it's for me. The eight (or so) in my closet probably gives that away. But don't worry. A scarf is easy to store, so there's always room for more!

* Laying in front of a toasty fire. Our new house has a gas fire place, and many evenings I have found myself stretched out on the floor in front of it, soaking up the heat. It's one of the perks in our new place.

* A cute pair of boots. I wanted boots forever, and I finally got a slouchy, brown pair last year for my birthday. It was a good choice. Now I think I need some black ones...don't you? Oh, and a pair of rain boots with a fun pattern. I do live in the Pacific Northwest afterall!

*Being creative AND being productive...

 Which means I need to stop compiling this list and remove myself from the computer! I could go on for a while, but this is a great start. I am a blessed, privileged woman to have so many wonderful things to enjoy.

What Is It About Kids And Gum?

It is a grand treat every time!

Intentionally

I sat down tonight (even though it is far too late) to intentionally write this post.

Because that is what has been rolling around in my head lately. Living life intentionally.

Not the tightly scheduled, every moment planned, no room for spontaneity type of life. No. I could never be that way. It's just not how God created me.

What I'm thinking of is a life that is rich in meaningful relationships...because connecting with people was purposed, every day, as a top priority. And in this intentional life, one would never wonder, as they lay down to rest at the end of the day, where that day went and why it feels as though nothing considerable was accomplished. Yet rather, as their head touches the pillow, the one living the intentional life would exhale in contentment; from a day well lived, with opportunities taken. Not as a spectator. But as a contributing author to the grand story that God has written for each individual.

I want to live more intentionally.

To be that person - every day.

No regrets.

I Do Enjoy A Lazy Saturday Morning

It's true. I enjoy a lazy Saturday morning. Cup of coffee. Check. Comfy pajama pants and over-sized hoodie sweatshirt. Check. Free time to browse blogs and photography websites. Check and check. A beautifully foggy autumn landscape outside my window. Yes indeed. The only thing that could be better? A laptop so that I could enjoy all these delights snuggled under my down comforter and propped up by several puffy pillows in bed. But that's okay. Four out of five isn't bad. I'll gladly take it!

why...hello autumn!

Expanding My Horizons

For me, one of life's simple pleasures is a tasty, hot beverage in hand. There is something so comforting about holding a warm mug...sipping the steaming hot liquid. I seem to be in the habit of starting and ending most every day that way. In the morning, I am all about my coffee. The day just doesn't seem like it has truly begun until that first drink of sweet, creamy coffee. As the day progresses, I try to be good and drink my water, but I find many days (as the afternoon/evening rolls around) I go looking in the kitchen for a mug to fill. Now, as much as I love my coffee, my body loves it in moderation. So I started keeping packs of apple cider around the house as a hot beverage alternative.

Then it occured to me that I am omitting an extremely popular and varied option...tea. I have tried it here and there over the last year or two, but never really fell in love with it. I finally decided that it was time to try in earnest. Over the last couple of months I have bought and tried about five different flavors of herbal or green tea, finding two that aren't too bad. Just last week at the grocery store, I picked up some new flavors to try: gingersnap (with a hint of lemon) and peachy ginger. They sound so fallish - how could I resist? I am, afterall, expanding my horizons AND my taste buds!

In the end, I hope to have a couple tasty, new, caffine free beverages that I love. Perfect for those evenings when I want to just curl up on a corner of the couch and unwind after a busy day.

what do you do...

I know it has been weeks since my last post. Weeks. Sorry. I don't like to go that long between posting, but I guess moving will do that to a person. Ahh, moving. Filling up boxes, only to empty them again. Arranging and rearranging furniture. Realizing that in your new house you have too much of one thing and not enough of another. It's a process. One that I'm not even done with yet. AND it's the reason why I don't really have anything thoughtful to post today...other than "hi" and to say I've been missing my creative outlets. Like my camera and this blog. *sigh* All in due time, I suppose.

Until said time, let me just leave you with this little pearl of wisdom from my life as a preschool teacher: What do you do when you have spent way too much time on crowd control and good listening manners for one morning, only to have two children bonk heads (because they weren't sitting and listening as they should), causing one child to dramatically whimper and be on the verge of tears??? Do you interrupt class again? Do you give a lecture, reminding them that if they had been sitting as they were told it wouldn't have happened? None of the above. Instead, you mentally acknowledge the fact that the injured child is just feeling tired and overly sensitive after a busy morning, you quickly acknowledge their pain and tell them you are sorry, then you sing. Yep. It goes something like this..." oh, you bonked your head. I'm sorry. You know that makes me think of a song I know. A song about monkeys jumping on a bed." *begin singing here* "Five little monkeys jumping on a bed. One fell off and bonked his head..." 

You know what? It worked. The tears stopped, and the injury was forgotten. Seriously. Feel free to try it some time :)

A Big Sigh Of Relief

We're moving. I think it's pretty well official. Contracts have been entered into for both buying and selling, and closing day is descending upon us rapidly! I have a steadily growing pile for the Goodwill, and cardboard moving boxes have begun to pop up in the office and living room. We find ourselves catagorizing our earthly belongings into what we need on a daily basis and what we can live without for a few weeks so we can get a jump start on filling those moving boxes. We are in transition...

And that transition has been so much more than a simple changing of address over the last couple of weeks. I (and mine) have experienced both conclusions and new beginnings, being stretched outside of our comfort zone, moments of extreme self doubt, navigating unfamiliar and crazy schedules, mountains of paperwork, personal loss, hellos, goodbyes, unexpected malfunctions, tears, and glimmers of hopefulness.

It is those glimmers - those moments of hopefulness - that I choose to cling to. Because the wearing events have been softened by God. A mighty God, who looks down and sees little ol' me, and cares enough to provide a new home. To fully honor a prayer whispered fervently for our kids. To encourage me with a devotional that spoke to the exact circumstances of the day. All gentle reminders that He will see us through.

My heart sighs with relief.

Fall Already?

I am feeling a little robbed. I'll admit it. Summer took a long time to arrive this year! And all during those dreary, drizzling days of June I consoled myself with visions of an indian summer...early fall days, still running around in shorts and t-shirt. Sqeezing in some extra days down at the river or enjoying barbeques with friends and family. Yet in the last two weeks, we have really only had two truly warm days. All the rest have seen us wearing jeans and the occasional sweatshirt. Most years I relish getting out my cozy sweaters, watching the leaves change, and feeling the nip in the air. But right now it all seems premature. I'm still looking for sunny, blue sky days and the smell of sunscreen on my kids!

The extended forecast? Not any better. Sixties. Some days with a chance of rain. Whether I'm ready or not, seems like autumn may be here to stay.

sun+water+splashing=fun

Our kids like the water. They like to run and splash and float and swim...anywhere. They will take a three foot, couple inch deep baby pool or the Pacific Ocean. It doesn't matter to them. There is fun to be had, regardless!

I love these splashy days of summer :)

Blackberries!

It's blackberry season!

 Living in a rural area, you are usually "blessed" with blackberries whether you want them or not :) We have eradicated a good portion of the blackberry plants on our property, but there are a few mounds on the edge of the yard that are out of the way, and are therefore left to thrive and produce.

And when the berries grow heavy and dark, the kids can be found happily sampling, fingers stained purple from the sweet juice. It doesn't take long for their imaginations to travel through the possiblities of baked goods involving the bounty at hand, and so they come looking for a bowl to collect the harvest.

Our first recipe of the season? Blackberry custard pie; an instant favorite! 

Limeade

Growing up, I never gave much though to limes. Lemons were good. I enjoyed lemon in my water or as a flavor of birthday cake . But limes? Well...they weren't even on my radar.

Oh how I missed out! Limes are an amazing ingredient in cooking, make a fantastic garnish, and are key to some very tasty beverages. My new favorite this summer is sparkling limeade. So refreshing and delicious!

So when I stumbled across a recipe for homemade lemonade (on a photography blog I follow from The Youngrens) I happily made plans for my own limey variation :)

Sparkling Limeade:

1 C. sugar

1 C. water

1 C. fresh squeezed lime juice (approx. six limes)

4-5 C. Seltzer

Combine sugar and water in small sauce pan and heat gently until sugar is dissolved. Then combine with all remaining ingredients in a pitcher, stir, and serve over ice. (You may want to tweak amounts slightly to come up with your desired flavor of tartness/sweetness.)

Hope you enjoy this summery treat as much as I do!

Random Thoughts

I am not blessed because I deserve it, but because God delights in giving.

And how many blessings have I missed because I've been focused on the negative or too busy comparing my life to someone elses?

There is much to be thankful for.

One of My Favorites

I want to have a moment of appreciation for one of my favorite summer flowers...the hydrangea...

They are just beautiful to me. If I had been a summer bride, I'm sure you would have found them in my bouquet!

Crawl On

Life can be tough. Sometimes it knocks you off your feet, and you can't find the strength or ability to get back up and walk. It's okay to pause a moment and rest, but don't let circumstances rule over you. Being down is not the same as being out. Don't focus on your inability; because if you try, you can find a way to move forward. Maybe you can't walk...but you could crawl...and that counts, too.

Crawl on! This life is meant to be lived!

Happy Birthday, Little Man

Happy birthday to my little man. You are such a special gift. You are silly, sweet, and affectionate. You can melt me with your big brown eyes. You are my snuggler. You are impulsive, but never complicated. You always choose the company of another person over solitute. You love math...and peanutbutter & honey sandwiches. You never turn down the chance for fun. You question and test all areas of your life, but your heart has a great capacity for faith. I love you and I'm so glad God gave you to us!