Out of the fog

I look at other women and wonder where they get their get-up-and-go sometimes! Flu? Meh, they're cooking 5 course meals the day after. Family in town? Their houses are perfect, and they host a baby shower the next day. I seem to just be a little slow on the up-take with such things. =) I had the flu twice in the last 6 weeks after not having had it since college, and a lovely flat-on-the-couch cold got sandwiched in the middle for good measure. So with that and having family in town in between the cold and the flu (and actually overlapping a bit), I feel like I'm finally coming back from wherever I was.

In spite of it all, we've had some wonderful days here and there, and I'm enjoying my favorite months of the year. Jan-Feb-March are just the best here. Torrential rain, then beautiful, sunny skies and snow-packed mountains. Do we go to the snow or the beach today? What a decision! I need to "summer" in Seattle or something, because "winter" here is such a delight.

And now I'm ready to hoe-in and start sewing again! Why? Because if you hadn't yet heard, we just found out we are having a BOY! (See here for "the reveal.") So I've got burp cloths to make, a new diaper bag, changing pad covers, and if I really get ambitious, a hospital gown instead of the uggo stuff they have at the hospital. I plan to head to the fabric store on Tuesday and then hole up at a friend's during play group and sew-sew-sew as fast as I can!

Here's a glance at the last few weeks through the fog...

Blossoms beginning to peek out...
Steve with Lucy and my niece at the Getty... apparently bronze naked men make her shy.
The three cousins checking out the lily pads.
There's my pregnant belly peeking out at you... nice excuse to eat a little extra Valentine goodness.

The cousins celebrating Emma's NINTH birthday!
Our traditional Valentine's Day Mrs. Fields cookie cake with some wonky script on it. It was supposed to say "FDIC Insured." Oops. =)
And a quick trip to Down-town Disney, which Lucy thinks is just as good as Disneyland! A ride on the tram and a visit to ply-wood Mickey, and we're all set!

Weekend becomes a Monday

We had a busy weekend... two birthday parties for three kids (one party was for my favorite set of twins!), then Bible Study on Sunday, then girls' night out for me tonight. Oh, the fun! I'll let the pictures show you. =)

Lucy's new favorite ever thing is bounce houses. I can see why! There is a Tigger in all of us, I think.
The second birthday party included a real (retired) firetruck ride! Lucy cried most of the ride... but hey, firetruck!


And a little party for me! See my "party in a glass"? There was a fake ice cube that lights up blue, making it the best ever fun drink that I have paid way too much for.

Jenny is smiling

I freakin' love my birthday. It's a chance to celebrate things I love, to indulge a little and relax a little and have some fun. Friday was Birthday Part One. Lucy was at "playgroup" and so I went and got a pedicure, something I haven't done in years. As I told my mother, I "relaxed the hell out of it." (Then my mother promptly reproved my language.) Then off to my new very favorite ever store, Ann Taylor Loft to spend my squirrelled away pennies (some of which came from my recent opportunity to work a bit) on updating and replacing some dying wardrobe items. Oh, what fun! And 20% off to boot! After a lovely time at Bible Study and gift opening at home (Wii Fit takes the cake!!), we went to bed to prepare for Birthday Part Deux...

Oh, San Diego, how I have missed you!
The Bud Clidgesdale with our little family.
Waiting to watch the sea lions do "Thriller."
This looks like something out of Hilights magazine: "What's wrong with this picture?"
This never happens... clearly she had eeked every ounce of fun out of the day possible.
This one is worth clicking on to see the original picture... I love my camera!
We ate junk all day (shared ice cream, popcorn, churros and lemonade), and then ended with burgers from Islands with Rybear and "Shaaaaayell." What a wonderful, perfect weekend. Only one more Birthday Fun item to go: The traditional birthday cookie from Mrs. Fields, free this time because our Valentine cookie was so bad that they gave us a gift certificate for the next one!

So many thanks for the well wishes. I think it's funny how I always forget that birthdays come with love from others, too. I'm glad God put you good people in my life!

Project Playhouse

Oh, what a grand day out we had! Project Playhouse is a once-a-year event in which architecture and building firms put together play houses that make our houses look like shacks. We had a blast checking them out and wishing that we had them in our backyard, all lined up in a little village. I've wanted to bring Lucy down to see them since I found out I was having a girl 3 years ago. Boys would like it, too, I think, but somehow I think girls especially seem to connect with playhouses. At any rate, seriously GO THERE to see the pictures...it will make you drool. It was down at Fashion Island, so we had a blast checking out the fountains and the carousel, too. Lucy's first time on a carousel!!

The "Wee Green House"
One of the may Fashion Island fountains... "bloop!"
Our favorite one... inspired by the tides!
Should I be scared that everyone in this picture has the same expression?
My little beach house... I'm moving in tomorrow. I'm pretty sure all I need is a book and some flip-flops. Oh yeah, and a smaller butt to fit into the tiny chairs.

We finished the day at Kean Coffee, which was a serious treat. The founder of Diedrich Coffee popped out this fantastic place as sort of his dream coffee house. It's just amazing, amazing coffee. Steve actually got to meet and chat with Martin Diedrich!! That's like meeting, say, Mike Holmgren or something. But while I would normally go there for the coffee itself, you may remember that there is something else there that speaks to my heart in its very own dialect... sipping chocolate. If you are my Facebook friend, you know that I believe that sipping chocolate is how I know that God loves me and has a wonderful plan for my life. Hours later, I still felt warm and happy. I'm starting to wonder if it's actually just chocolate, or if it's "special" chocolate. Oi.

Summer Wrap Up

Doesn't Labor Day signal the end of summer? In Bosnia, apparently after a particular date (is it Oct. 1?), they all start wearing jackets and scarves wherever they go, regardless of the weather. I think our stores are all taking cues from them, as shorts and swim gear are long gone. I still either sweat through the afternoon or grudgingly turn on the A/C, watching the meter turn 'round and 'round in my mind. But hey, if the retailers say it's Fall, it's FALL! Thankfully we've had a very mild summer, and I am singing the glories of an August version of June Gloom. Ahhhhh....

So before I get too excited about oven-roasted vegetables and baked bread, candles in the house, NFL and sweaters, here's a quick recap of the end of summer...

Running through sprinklers at Parnell Park...

A quick weekend in Santa Barbara with friends who live there... this restaurant was right on the beach, so our girls could play in the sand while we had lunch. Ideal!
A Superhero Party! This was about the cutest idea I've ever seen. The masks and capes were made as favors by dear friend Kristen for her son's first birthday party. They were a HUGE hit! She had a friend set up a photo back-drop, and the kids all got pictures of them flying through the air... it was fantastic! I figure I can post this picture of other peoples' kids here because they are incognito!
Overheard at the party: "Super Lauren is off to save the day, but Super Colin can handle the job, too!" Somehow when a 4-year-old says that, you actually start to believe it. =)

I'll have to scan and post Lucy's picture that she took in front of the backdrop... she looks like Napoleon.
And more nectarines! They are one of nature's most wonderful fruits! No fuzzy peach skin on your teeth, not as mealy as a peach, sweet with a bit of tart for good summer measure... Big thanks to Dad for sending us THREE boxes this summer! We've been misers and shared very few of our precious nectarines. By the way, if you're anywhere that you can actually find out the variety, buy Honey Kissed (or any of the Honey varieties) in June and July, and Red Jims in August (Red Jims are named after my grandfather!).


And on one other small note, I have dearly loved catching up with old friends on Facebook this summer. Somehow Facebook softens the formality of an email, and makes casual reconnecting so much easier. I feel like I'm running into these people in the Cafe or at Starbucks or something, but getting a chance to hear just a wee bit more about how they are doing. It's been this amazing reminder that God has surrounded me with amazing people all my life.... though a bit of my life flashing before my eyes. =)

One more for the road...
The straw before the straw that broke the camel's back... or rather just sent it into muscle spasms landing him in the E.R. =)

It's August WHAT?

Wow, I have no idea how we got to the middle of August already, but I ain't complaining. The more we move along, the closer we get to Autumn, glorious Autumn! I'm such a whiner. =) There have been events, big and small, good and otherwise, that have pushed along the time, and I'm working to enjoy the things of summer (like the pool!).

I also thought I ought to report that the summer meals I set out to try were big hits! We didn't end up trying a couple of them, and I'm not even sure if I could tell you quite why. Trouble finding ingredients for the right price, not having the right ingredients at the right time (i.e. poor planning), etc. But the ones we did try were fantastic! Quick run-down of the big winners:

(Rating system in our house: 1 = I'm getting myself a grilled cheese instead; 5 = best meal ever, ever, ever. I'm generally pretty happy when I get a 3 from the fam, and I'll even serve 2.5's as staples when needed.)

*Antipasto Salad (idea from Everyday Food)
- Lettuce, salami, fresh mozzarella balls (cheap at Fresh and Easy!), prociuto, olives, roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, shaved parmesian.
4!!

* Tortellini Salad (Thanks, Susan!)
Added chopped raw zucchini instead of tomatoes... we're not a tomato family.
4!!

* Mini baked potatoes, stuffed with goat cheese & bacon, with grilled Steak sandwiches (Inspired by both Everyday Food and Rachael Ray)
4!!

* Lemon Chicken with Pesto Dipping Sauce (thanks, Jamie!)
4!!

* Chicken Pasta Salad w/ Fried Shallots (Rachael Ray, Summer 08)
4!!

* Shrimp Quesadillas w/ avocados (RR, Su 08)
4!!

* Bacon, Avacado, and Turkey sandwiches on homemade whole wheat bread (using Artisan Breads in 5 minutes a Day)
3.5 - Sadly the whole-wheat I made was a bit too much for this sandwich. A bit brick-ish.

* Southwestern Chili Mac Salad (RR, Su 08)
4!!

Sundry

Just a couple of fun pictures. It's been a seriously odd week (everyone enjoy the earthquake?), and these are my favorite images that came out of the week.

First day of "organized play group"! (Pre-school!) In her right hand is a plastic bowl full of foam stickers, which acted as the "comfort item of choice" for the morning.

Chillin' at the end of the day with Daddy. Look at those awesome smiles!

A bib I made for a shower on Friday. The printed fabric is "vintage sheeting" from Steve's childhood. I'm inspired now... uh-oh!

Refreshing!

Don't you love the incredible endorphine rush you get when you've spent the entire morning cleaning?

And then you remember you live with a 2-year-old. =)

Hooray for Sprint, Verizon, and Time Warner!

Can you believe I just said that? Check out this NPR story here--they're taking active steps to block child p0 rn sites. We pay bills to all three companies, and I am going to write a note of thanks to all of them.

Happy Birthday, Dad! Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Of my nuclear family, today only Bud doesn't get honored. =) He was a gracious honorer... he bought me a mother's day big fat cookie. Yum Yum!!! And Steve did a fantastic job of giving me a restful day where I felt loved and appreciated. That is all I could want or ask for. Love you, babe!

A very, very happy Mother's Day to my mom, who continues to be my best friend. How could God have known that we would love each other so much??

Today, however, is also my Dad's 60th birthday! I'm sure he's glad that I'm broadcasting that... =) My big project for the last few months has been putting together a book for him to be printed via Kodak. I asked many people from his childhood and from his work to contribute. I am bummed that I missed a few people, and I'm not sure how, but I think it still did what I'd hoped to do, which is honor my father. I see his life as such a story of grace. My dad's mother died when he was five months old, and he was raised until he was 8 by a very special aunt and uncle. That time of his life gave him an incredible foundation of godliness that I see in his life today. To hear people that he respects talk about how they respect him was a gift to me. I learned of people I've known forever who came to know the Lord, not because my dad preached at them, but because he lived his life in a godly way. I've attended two funerals recently, and it drove it home to me that I want these things to be said to the people who are special to me during the fullness of their lives, and not after they are gone. I am so proud of my Dad, and so grateful that we are such incredibly close friends!

Anyway, I'm babbling a bit, but I just wanted you good folks to know how appreciative I am of both my parents. I don't know why God chose to bless me with them, but I am grateful every day that he did.

This was when my mom was pregnant with my older sister. How is it possible her legs look that good while pregnant?? =)

Scrubs, eat your heart out. This is the real deal. My mom says my dad came out of his first day of surgery rotation as a student, and they really made him work. He came home and told my mom, "This is absolutely what I want to do." My dad has touched so many people through his work as a doctor. Not only is he consistently the best doctor in the large group in which he practices, but he is the most caring doctor I've ever met. He does it because he loves people and cares about their health and lives.
Don't you totally love the 'stache?
Mom, you are just too cute!!
Not my best picture ever, but I will sacrifice because everyone else looks so cute. We have really been a close and happy family. I always hear people say they don't want their kids to be far apart in years because they won't be close, but my brother is five years younger, and my sister is three years older and we are all close. I think that is because my parents were so deliberate about creating an environment where we could be close. I'm so thankful for that.

This is what life should be like

How I spent the New Year

The original plan was to go to bed at 9, so I'd get a good 8 hours of sleep before I left the house on New Year's Day at 5:15. This was not to be. Lucy didn't nap that day, then fell asleep on the way back from the park, not to be aroused by anything short of Gabrial's trumpet. This meant a cranky and late bedtime. This then meant she was up from 11:58 to 2:00, screaming like a banshee, the likes of which I have not seen for a year. So up I got at 4:45 after my meager night of sleep, and managed to have a delightful time at....

The Rose Parade!

This was for my Mom's 60th birthday. She totally doesn't seem 60 to me. She's fit and fun and healthy and busy, no different than when she was 50. We had a great time at the parade. We were packed in like sardines, and the 3 furthest seats from the aise, so we were squished up against the bars of the grandstand. Now, let me tell you, I took precautions. I went to the bathroom before we left the house. I went to the bathroom again before we went to our seats. I usually have a bladder of steel. Yep. Had to go. BAD. So I got up during a bit of a break--in fact, just before a float broke down, so no one missed anything anyway. And guys, I totally worked the crowd. I said things like, "Well, you all look like nice people, let's see how nice you really are!" and "Let's make friends now, because I have to come back this way after I'm done!" and "I'll be you were looking for a good excuse to stand up and stretch, weren't you!" You know the phrase that God gives the grace you need? Well, I think he lent a bit of charm to me that day, and on the way back, I had about 25 new friends. =)

The parade was super fun, and something I would totally recommend. Next time we will go to the float display the day after and see them up close.

Aren't we geeky! I love how I have, like 5 chins, and EXACTLY the same square smile as my dad! Oh, and the "roll out of bed and clip my hair with bleary eyes" hairdo.

So begins Christmas

Is it just me, or is this NOT what a Christmas forecast should look like?

But hark! In the yonder distance, a chance of rain! Hooray! Pray for rain!


In other news, this is sad, sad, sad. Beaten by my husband, who no longer cares about Fantasy Football...

And finally...
If you don't know who this is, you can ignore this. If you do know who this is, you know what this means!

Off to make apple crisp for my sis-in-law for post-Thanksgiving. She was one of the hard-working souls who give up holidays to keep us safe. Thanks, Jen!

A lovely day

A few shots from our day...

Lucy having a pre-festivities tea party

Grammie's pretty table

We felt very fancy serving a cheese board.
My sweet things.

Lucy testing out what appears to be playground equipment.