My current home studio is still packed up in boxes (with the exception of my computer and desk). I have nowhere to put my files or office supplies. I was spoiled with my incredible built-ins in the old house and I'm trying to figure out my new storage system. A talented client friend is coming over next week to help me out and I can't wait to hear her ideas.
In the meantime I've been eying vintage lockers. Stacked on shelves they seem perfect for holding files and notebooks. Jason's not so sure. Too exposed, too shabby chic?

 Or something like this (with a coat of paint):

We went to Vampire Weekend at The Edgefield last night with some friends. It had been far too long since we attended a grown up concert and the pouring rain only added to the fun. Fortunately I found my wool hat buried in a box five minutes before we stepped out the door and made the call to wear our wellies. Our friend Carrie had the good fortune of scoring free parkas on site.

As the rain dripped down my face during the encore I hardly noticed the dropping temperature or soggy clothes sticking to my skin. I was 20 years old again, jumping up and down. And fist pumping.

We stopped by the old house to pick up a few final belongings and drop off a welcome gift for the new owner. It was the first time Carson saw the house empty.  

The house is sad, he told me.

I explained the new owner will be bringing her own furniture and pictures soon to fill it up.

This house will be loved and very happy, I explained.

But they're not here now.

He thought a hug might help.

Do you want to give it in your room? I asked.

No. On the outside. So the whole house can feel it.

Tomorrow is moving day. And while I'm bursting with excitement looking ahead at all the possibilities, I'm feeling a bit nostalgic bidding farewell to what feels like an old friend…

Eight years ago I walked through your front door. You were going to be our "starter house." Our three to five year house. Newlyweds. I never imagined we'd have kids here but here we are, almost a decade later, our little family of four + dog.

2002:

2010:

I'll be honest and tell you it wasn't love at first sight. By the time we found you we'd already made five offers on other houses and lost them all. I learned not to get attached. Or be too particular. After walking in and realizing you didn't reek of cats, spot any visible mouse droppings, and weren't located on a four lane street or next to a gas station, turned to our realtor and said, It has built-ins and no wood paneling. Let's make a competitive offer. We raced down the street to the coffeehouse to write it up knowing you weren't going to be around tomorrow.

We ended up losing you anyway. But a week later the phone rang asking if our offer still stood. The one with the cinder blocks in the backyard, metal siding and asbestos floors? Hooray! We'll take it! We were elated.

Pulling up in the U-Haul, we looked beyond your cobalt blue moldings and saw potential. A little paint (every room at least once, remember that awful eggplant? Sorry about that), some sweat, and endless trips to Home Depot. And slowly you became ours. Our lovely, tiny beautiful home.

We fell in love with your little spaces.

Over the years I've grown to know your every nook and cranny. Exactly where to step when checking up on the babies in the wee hours as to not creak your floors.

As the hour grows near to saying our final goodbyes I'm realizing the quirks I've complained about are perhaps the things I'll miss most. Lack of a formal dining room meant crowded and lively dinners around the kitchen table. A tiny footprint allowed for a larger backyard where toddlers could frolic and play. Harvestfest! Carson and Hadley sharing a room meant bonding over late night chatter, mischief and upside down good mornings! over the top bunk.


I wonder what Carson will remember about Our Brown House, as he calls you. As time passes his memories will meld with photographs and stories. Hadley probably won't remember you at all. But I'll remember.  I'll tell them all about picking blueberries through your garden gate, their first wobbly steps across the hardwoods, and how they loved to have impromptu dance parties around the kitchen.

Goodbye old friend. You've been good to us.

xoxo

At my friend Jo's house today she handed me a glass of cold rosemary tea she made the day before. I took a sip and quickly wanted to gulp down the entire jar. It was super refreshing. She preferred to have her glass heated with a touch of honey and gave me a taste as well (sweet cleanliness is how I'd describe it). On her front porch sat a jar of peppermint tea brewing for later. She explained how easy it was to do with a variety of herbs so this afternoon Hadley and I ventured out to the garden to gather herbs and make our own brews while we still have a garden to call our own.

Lavender, Sage and Mint:

They're very soothing as a warm tea, but in hot weather I prefer a tall glass chilled right out of the fridge.

How to Brew Herbal Sun Tea:
– Use a large glass jar with a tight fitting lid.
– Harvest and rinse your favorite fresh herbs.
– Use roughly 3/4 cup of herbs per 16 ounces of water.
– Place the herbs in a jar and add water.
– Shake.
– Place the jar in a sunny spot for about six hours (shake every two hours).
– Strain
– Enjoy!

Get creative and add spices (ginger, anise, fennel seeds, cloves) or citrus peels.

From Sunriver we headed to the coast for an extended weekend with Jason's family. Julie and Aaron flew up from LA with the twins and Nate and Amanda made the short drive down 101 with baby Calvin in tow. We all bunked at a cottage just steps from the sand (thanks Nana and Papa Dave!). The weekend also acted as a final farewell to Papa Dave, as two days later he packed up the U-Haul east coast bound, driving to the Big Apple where he'll don a professor hat and teach college kids the 411 of business the next few years.

Happy trails, Papa Dave! (although with five grand kids and summers off, I think Nana and Papa Dave may be racking up the frequent flier miles).


On the boardwalk:

Everywhere you turned, babies (and super cute ones, too)!
And beer breaks:
 Followed by bonfires, brats, s'mores, sparklers, and of course, the beach:

This is the easiest breakfast to put together if you're expecting a large gathering. Everyone gets their own omelet made to order, eats at the same time and no flipping required! We made these omelets one morning in Sunriver and they were a real crowd pleaser.

1) Gather fresh ingredients to please a variety of palettes:

Tomatoes, basil, spinach, bacon, sausage, leftover grilled asparagus, mushrooms, feta and cheddar cheese...

2) Drop the eggs in a blender. We used about two eggs per person. Blend.

3) Using a quart sized Ziploc bag, combine a 1/2 cup of egg mixture (3/4 for a three-egg omelet) and the ingredients of your choosing. Write your name on the bag with a ballpoint pen and remove any excess air:

4) Place the bags in rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes (no more than eight bags per pot):

5) Remove the bags using tongs. Open your bag and the omelet should roll easily onto your plate. Piping hot. Enjoy!

While in Sunriver we visited the Lava Cast Forest one morning and hiked around the trail. It was the perfect distance with a four and two year old in tow (about a mile loop). The kids loved discovering the many casts of ancient trees and we started a game to determine who would best fit inside each mold:

This looks like a bunny hole:
Just my size:

Dad's falling into the earth, we have to save him!

Earlier this year we started a tradition with some good friends of ours. First Saturdays. A guaranteed get-together when we all lead such busy lives. This past weekend we toasted the last First Saturday in our little bungalow. While a part of me will miss the crowded quarters, I'm welcoming all of us sitting around the same table the next time we host. Although, the kids' table does have its benefits.

We'll be moving to our new home in a little over two weeks and while I really should be busy packing, I'm getting sidetracked dreaming up ideas on how to design the new rooms. Now that the kids won't be sharing, Hadley will have space for a little sugar and spice on her bedroom walls. Some possibilities I've collected in my design file:

Loving the whimsical images at Cici art factory:

The canvas prints at petitcollage:
Possibilities are endless with wall decals from dezign:


Or perhaps commissioning a custom portrait of her beloved pink Bunny from Custom Toy Portraits {surprisingly affordable}:

I'm back home now, catching up on emails and diving in to work projects but I wanted to post a little recap of our time away. Get your popcorn ready, here's part one of my Summer Vacation Photos! We spent a week at a gathering house in Sunriver with my entire family to help celebrate my parents' 45th wedding anniversary.

We packed a lot in, but the best part by far was watching the four cousins bond over juicy watermelon and sidewalk chalk, freeze tag and grass angels:

Growing up in 70s, my mom would put together "Waetjen Family Fun Nights." She was eager to bring back the tradition for the grandkids. Talents included Uncle E & Carson's Joke Jamboree, Hadley's Somersault Extravaganza, Garland Family Circus, but the highlight (or at least Most Effort Award) went to the opening act:

Everyone under the age of five was super impressed by my amazing growing arm trick:

After six months, Carson's still Steppin' In Time:

Boys back from a flyfishing trip:
Ping Pong Tournament. It was seriously competitive –  Jason even put together a round robin spreadsheet to keep track of the games.
And oh my, the food: Uncle Blair made some of the best fish tacos I've ever tasted, my mom's famous blueberry pancakes, blender omelets (recipe to come), grilled lamb skewers, homemade ice cream, blackened salmon... good thing for all the bike trails and morning runs!

Even when the only thing on the agenda was to relax, a week just didn't seem long enough...