Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Weekend Getaway

After 2 weeks of 100 degree Los Angeles heat, a refreshing weekend away was DEFINITELY needed.  With Evan and Miller loaded up for their man weekend visiting family in Fresno, my Mom and I headed south to San Diego to visit my sister.

What a refreshing difference 20 degrees, a couple of antique shops*, delicious fish tacos, and cocktails! cocktails! cocktails! made.  :)
Walking with their treasures :)
Wouldn't this be lovely to have only a block away!
After a fun gals weekend, I was glad to be home to load these faces with lots and lots of snuggles.  Who wouldn't!?
 
*Speaking of antique shops, a few more things are about to be added to the shop this week.  And a sale too.  Get ready, folks!

Meet Erin Elizabeth Photography, as if you haven't already!

I love that she is my oldest and dearest friend.
I love what an amazingly talented photographer she is.
I love that she has a blog I can stalk and she puts up adorable pictures of Miller playdating with her niece.

Check her out here.  And here.
I know you'll love her too!

(photos courtesy of Erin Elizabeth Photography)

Monday, August 30, 2010

"Hip Hip Hooray"

(*Disclaimer: my browser doesn't support "iframe" so this little widget is not quite loading onto my page as awesome as planned. I deeply, deeply apologize)

What I don't deeply apologize for is the album itself. Please do yourself, the children in your life, and the cause this benefits a favor and buy this album.  (It's on itunes now- "Do Fun Stuff, Volume 1")

Ryan Marshall from Pacing the Panic Room is spearheading this bad boy and he has created such an fun collection of kids' music that deserves so much listening (and dancing!) appreciation as well as catapulting the cause it fronts into a wider educational endeavor.

Buy it.
Love it.
Help share it.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

One minute is a loooooong time when you are 13 months

Timeouts started this week after a frustrated Miller decided to communicate to us in screams and hits.  Also started were head shakes when we ask (read: threaten) if he'd like one.  He's a quick learner.


Here's a happy shot of him reading with Evan later that day too  :)

Monday, August 23, 2010

Our Apartment Gets Africa Hot in the Afternoon!

Therefore come dinner time, the last thing I want to do is turn on an oven.  Or move. 

I will, however, peel myself off the couch for 3 things:  Miller attempting to stick forks in the outlets, a peach slurpee, or to make this gazpacho over and over again.

A little bit of heaven with a sour cream dollop.
I combined about 3 recipes from epicurious, and played with a few other bits I had lounging around.  You can't really mess it up.  Too much anyway.  And although this is a super simple recipe, it does need AT LEAST 3 HOURS (or more) for the flavors to marry in the fridge once it's made. (This makes about 6ish servings or about 8 cups worth.)

In a large, non-metallic bowl mix together:
2 cups peeled, seeded and diced cucumber
2 cans of sodium free stewed, diced tomatoes (feel free to dice 3-4 cups worth of tomatoes instead, but be sure to save the juices as well as add a small can of tomato paste to the "whisking" part of the recipe)
1 cup cooked, chilled corn kernels
1 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/2 of a red onion, finely diced
3 stalks of celery (the lighter the better), finely diced
1 tablespoon fresh chopped italian parsley
1 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme

In another non-metallic bowl whisk together:
2 cups veggie broth
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice from 1/2 a lemon (add more to taste)
2 minced garlic cloves

Stir juices into produce.  Salt and pepper to taste.
Remove 2-3 cups of the chopped bits and set aside.
Puree the rest to a more salsa-like consistency in a blender or food processor.
Stir back into the original bowl along with the reserved chunkier part.

Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.
Remove from fridge and garnish with sour cream, scallions, sides of olive oil toasted crunchy bread and a crispy cool glass of rose if you feel so inclined.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Mud Run, Done & Done!

Pasadena Mud Run 2010!

I sidelined that s*%#!
But my friend, (also named) Amy, Miller and I were the best sideliners EVER!
First place!

Oh, and Evan was super awesome too.  :)

Pre- mud
Watch out!  Crazy hula hoop tunnel obstacle ahead!
Getting ready to throw some beachballs
Check out that hottie in the red shorts!
Good thing he drilled holes in his runners!
Well hello there!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

You Know I'm Obsessed With the TV Shows. And the Shopping Too.

And because Evan's out at Seven Grand enjoying some whiskey...
And because "Bad Girls Club" isn't something I can really theme up and search for on etsy... yet!
And because today my gals and I discussed how Don Draper looks like a Ken doll (and that's quite alright with me)


Here's a little "Mad Men" inspired window shopping trip for us to enjoy!

Blue Tricycle
Open Eyes Press Vintage
Skippy Designs
Vintage 50's Eyewear

Sharing is apparently NOT caring

"NO!, you cannot lay in my tent!"
"NO!, you cannot press my farm animals' sounds book!"
"NO!, you cannot have my measuring cup!"

"And NO!, I do not have too many toys!"

Friday, August 13, 2010

Monday, August 9, 2010

Why am I so late to this Mumford & Sons game????

I dare you to listen to this song and not want to shed a tear.
Or 10 minutes worth of tears.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

And breakfast?  And lunch?  And midnight snacks?
With some (much appreciated!!) birthday cash, I finally felt like a grown up buying my new (long coveted) KitchenAid stand mixer (Architect Series- with a bread hook!).

It greets me each morning with a smile. 
One of these days maybe I'll actually get around to using it.

I'd love to know what your first "I'm a real grown up" purchase was?  Do tell!

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Take a Breath and 2 Aspirin

Caused by hormones, a hangover, reading talented voices, nostalgia
I sit here... sit here... sit here...  
Why am I so content with sitting? 

"Claim it!"- A chant I so often advise, but, really, what am I claiming today?

I need night. 
I need breeze. 
I need stars.

Tomorrow I will stand. 
Encouraged.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Speaking of Wedded Bliss

Here's to seven years of late night giggles, kissable pink cheeks, bathroom habit annoyances, held hands, movie theatre popcorn sharing, flip flop stealing, big dreaming love.

I still know we have a lot more to learn in this life, but I'm so happy I get to soak it all in next to you.

This is the very first picture from our wedding day.  Just Evan, me, the photographer and a whole lot of nerves. Evan had just been instructed to open his eyes, and there I stood, waiting.  (P.S. There is a "1" marked onto my dress because this is a copy of the proof photo.  I was too lazy today to scan the actual photo.  Plus pulling a picture up from a CD is way more stealth with Evan around.)


LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails