After spending the last week on bed rest in a hospital in L.A., Jason's sister, Julie, welcomed her two sweet baby girls over the weekend. Arriving just in time to wish their daddy a happy birthday. Can't wait to hold these two bundles next month. Congratulations Julie and Aaron. Welcome to the world Lily and Penny!
These die cut jigsaw puzzle stools. Functional and versatile and simply stunning. Fit together for a coffee table, impromptu seating or just a place to toss your keys. I asked Jason if he could whip these out next weekend and he told me I'd have better luck asking that spazzy dude I had a crush on ten years ago from TLC.
During the event at the Glass Museum on Saturday night I had a wonderful conversation with the wife of one of Jason's coworkers about documenting your life. Keeping track of your memories. And making a conscious decision to live a memorable life. She shared an idea she's planning on doing to kick off turning the big 40: A Ten Year Journal. 365 pages, ten entries per page. Short and sweet. So with the passing of each year you look back and reflect on what was going on in your life on the same day the years prior. Then she talked about doing it with her oldest son who is about 10. I thought that was brilliant.
This led to a discussion about the the book I just finished reading for my bookclub. In it the author has a friend who writes down everything he ever remembered. I don't have the energy for that, but there were many things in the book that struck a chord with me. Creating a meaningful life. Living a good story.
Tonight I put this on backorder.
Off on a road trip. Headed north for an overnight with old friends who we haven't seen in far too long. Then on Saturday we're attending a fancy event here where I get to change out of my yoga pants for a night and attempt to apply eye shadow.
Snack bag packed with Veggie Booty and string cheese, fresh magazines stacked for reading, iPod loaded with the Road Trip Mix. Check, check, check. Look forward to kicking back, latte in hand and relaxing for the next three hours. After Carson gets Yankee Doodle! out of his system.
I hope Jason realizes he'll be doing the driving.
She can rev an engine like nobody's business and readily offers up the coveted Mcqueen when asked nicely. Plus she learns new tricks like retrieving cars from across the room. Baby sisters are cool.
On a recent rainy afternoon Carson, Hadley and I made a batch of granola. They helped measure and mix and by the time I placed the pans in the oven it was way past nap time.
After tucking them in with the promise of a bowl after they woke up, I went downstairs to work as the smell of baking oats, sunflower seeds and coconut wafted throughout the house.
They both took marathon naps and as it grew dark outside and dinnertime approached I decided to wake them up. Carson asked for granola the second his eyes popped open and with no plans for dinner I decided to make it a meal. I reached in the fridge for their favorite yogurt that we now purchase in 64oz. tubs.
"Breakfast for dinner! That's silly," said Carson as he asked for a second bowl.
Or brilliant, I thought as I rinsed out the bowls and cleanup was done.
Last week we had the opportunity to be included in a photo series by talented Portland photographer Amy Vining. She gave us a sneak peek of a few of the photos on her blog, and tomorrow we have a viewing to see the rest. She captured some great moments despite dealing with two very jet legged subjects. Hadley decided to greet the day on east coast time at 4am the morning of the shoot. Fortunately I fished a half empty bag of M&Ms leftover from the plane from the diaper bag and squeezed out a few tear-free shots. Then we all went home and took a long nap.
We didn't have heat but oh how the sun did shine. A full week spent relaxing. Sleeping in and daily runs, catching up on reading and home-cooked family dinners. A lovely girls afternoon with Julie and Jen. Papa Ron and Grammy scooted Jason and I out the door to enjoy a few date nights while they bonded with the kids.
The day before we left it warmed up enough to feel the sand between our toes. Carson searched for seashells, while Hadley covered herself in sand. Wanting to stay all day.
We're enjoying fresh local treats like orange ice cream this week as the temperatures dip into the 30s and 40s. Pretending this unseasonably cold weather doesn't bother us while we're vacationing. In Florida. While it's warmer back in Oregon in January.
We're off on an adventure. Looking forward to spending time with Hadley and Carson's east coast grandparents for a week at their new place in Florida. It was due to be a sunny and warm adventure, an escape from these dreary January days in the Northwest, but thanks to a cold front (coldest temperatures in 25 years!) it will only be a wee bit warmer than it is here. This weekend they're expecting lows in the 20s. It's a bummer but I'm trying to look on the bright side. Like... um, I won't need to splurge on a pedicure or deal with all that sand in the car... or worry about slathering the kids up with sunblock every few hours.
On the day we return it's going to be in the 70s and beautiful. Which makes me so glad for all the wonderful people who will be arriving at the airport on that day. I'll hear them say things like, Good thing we didn't come last week or Wow, we arrived at the perfect time. And I'll try really hard to be happy for them as I'm wearing my wool coat that I couldn't fit into my carry on.
*I'll be back to regular posting upon my return. This week I'm unplugging as I plan to spend quality time with family and catch up on my reading while lounging by the pool sitting in front of the fire.
Our friends Amy and Dave hosted a sushi celebration on New Years Eve. Jason gave a quick lesson, and for the most part everyone caught on quickly. It was apparent I need a bit more practice and a new rolling technique. Carson was excited to try the fish since he accompanied Jason to the market to pick it out, but when the moment arrived he stopped after one bite of a tuna roll. He filled up on edamame and noodles while Hadley ate her weight in soy sauce. Amy was quite prepared, even equipping them with kid-friendly chopsticks.
With rubbing eyes and jammies on I thought for sure all the kids would be sawing logs in front of the Pixar movie come midnight, but when the clock struck twelve they were wide awake, dancing and banging pots and pans on the front porch. Which is apparently a Midwest tradition since Amy and I were the only ones who knew about it.
Here's to a healthy and happy 2010!
No White Christmas this year, but plenty of traditions. And happy memories.
The dress Nana made Hadley during last year's storm turned out to be a perfect fit (and in her 17th month she finally started walking). Seafood dinner at Papa and Nana's on Christmas Eve. Bacon wrapped scallops? How is that not a Christmas staple. Candlelight church service (albeit interrupted with many snack breaks and "walks"). Everyone together in the pew for the closing hymn of Silent Night. A quiet Christmas morning spent around the tree, just the four of us. Santa coming through with the ambulance and stuffed alligator. Jason feigning surprise when opening the pancake flipper Carson told him he was receiving last month (lesson learned: don't trust a three year old with Christmas secrets). Bread pudding baking in the oven. Afternoon mimosas at the Wakefields. Then over the river to a Christmas dinner at Gaga and Papa's. Hooray for Secret Santa presents. And unexpected gifts. Like my grandmother's apron. Here's hoping it will improve my baking karma. Homemade potpourri sent from an old friend simmering on the stove for three days straight, enveloping the house with sweet cinnamoney goodness. Until next year...
I hope your holiday is filled with lots of laughter and love, spreading of Christmas cheer and all the magical things this season embraces. Until next week...safe travels and sweet sweet memories.
After this week the kids are out of school the remainder of the year (yikes!). I've been thinking about a few projects we can do together to fill the days. I love the simple ornaments we made last year and still have a handful hanging on our tree. We'll be taking a crack at these since we already have everything on hand. All you need: a magazine or other colorful paper and thread.
How-to photos and instructions found here.
A big box arrived from New York this week. The gifts from Papa and Gammy that came inside will be opened Christmas morning, but the box has provided hours of fun. The first day it became a pirate ship, and the last few nights Carson has taken to sleeping in it.
It's a special treat! Who gave it to me? he asked.
Papa Ron and Gammy Julie.
For Christmas! It's my surprise!
That's right. Papa and Gammy gave you a cardboard box for Christmas. You must have been a very good boy.
I've been seeing this amazing wall calendar all around blogland created by littlebrownpen:
It was a day devoted to honoring holiday traditions and creating new ones. Upon the recommendation of a friend, we discovered a new tree farm just outside of Portland. There were high school boys eager to saw down your noble fir and haul it up the hill for you, a ginormous tunnel slide, and a crackling fire where we sat around post tree hunt sipping hot chocolate and cider. I think we'll be back again.
Gyros and dolmas at the Mad Greek Deli. Watched Carson polish off all the olives in my Greek salad. Said our goodbyes to Gaga and Papa then headed home for our family tree trimming.
We opted for a tiny tree this year. Much more fitting for our lil' house. And it's so cute! The kids selected and hung most of the ornaments (with only one casualty). Carson declared the train with the missing wheel his favorite. Fondue for dinner, followed by shortbread and pomegranates. Gluvine simmering on the stove.
Christmastime is here.
I love this simple and easy holiday decor idea using what I already have on hand. Aside from the Rubbermaid bins containing our childhood ornaments Jason and I don't have a lot of Christmas decorations. Although I have been holding on to a stack of Christmas tea towels with embroidered santas and candy canes and have yet to display them. Just got an idea for my next white elephant gift.
All you need:
Mason jars (we have an entire shelf sitting unused since we didn't do any canning this year), votive candles or tea lights, and Epsom salt. Cluster on the mantel, as a centerpiece or line your walkway for holiday guests.
photo and idea via The Inspired Room
It's been a quiet four days. We took a break from hosting HarvestFest this year and spent the day up at my parents' home. For our contribution we made Julie's wild mushroom sweet potato gratin. Third year running. With such a small gathering we walked away with a boatload of leftovers (which was Jason's plan all along).
The past few days have been a blur. Somehow we managed to accomplish yard work and finish the Christmas card between our tryptophan-induced naps. On black Friday I stayed in pajamas and fired up my computer to make a few etsy purchases. During one of the sun breaks we contemplated going out for a family run. That didn't happen, but we agreed it was a very nice idea. We reached for one of our Netflix instead. Our only contact with the outside world was last night when we met up with a few friends for the tree lighting ceremony on Mississippi.
All in all, a very relaxing weekend. I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving with family and friends. I'm off to see what's left of the stuffing and pumpkin pie (unless someone already beat me to it).
Anyone who has been a dinner guest at our house knows Jason does the majority of the cooking. And recently Carson has taken note. But I'm determined to earn back a little kitchen cred and be more than The Smoothie Maker.
Last night I tried out this recipe, torn from the pages of this month's Real Simple. I took out the food processor we received as a wedding gift and set it on the counter. Carson pulled up a chair to assist and watch me work. I've only used the gadget a handful of times and when he saw it he said, "That's daddy's."
"It's both of ours," I replied.
I started fidgeting with the buttons. I always struggle before I remember how to use it. Everything needs to be clicked into place before it will turn on.
"Daddy knows how to work it," he informed me.
"So does mama."
"Because you TRY and THINK you CAN?" he asked.
I've been making a lot of Little Engine That Could references lately when Carson says he can't do something.
"That's right." And then I took it apart and unplugged it and tried to line it up again.
"I have a good idea!" he shouted with enthusiasm that made his entire body shake.
"What's that?"
"We can call daddy!"
"We don't need to call daddy. Mama's figuring it out."
Then I heard a click and watched the ingredients mix and shred in seconds.
"You did it! Good job to mama!"
I'm so happy today kicks off a brand new week. The last one was quite miserable.
Jason started the sick train running with a case of strep throat, which I promptly caught the following day. Hadley came home from school with a fever and by mid-week we were at the doctor to treat an infection for Carson. On Friday he passed the baton back to Hadley and she put in a strong finish with a double ear infection.
But now we're on the mend and I'm very thankful it happened last week and not now. Toss the antibiotics aside and bring on the turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie!
A quick trip around blogland revealed these adorable 2010 calendars available for download. The perfect teacher gift and stocking stuffer (or thoughtful last minute hostess present). All priced around $5 (and you can print as many as you like!). To view the full calendar or purchase, just click on the images:
1) don't worry, be happy | by naomilynn
