Giddy

This morning during playgroup I went to M&L fabric in the Anaheim/Cypress area, and came home skipping like a schoolgirl! I have to share my excitement with you all because my poor husband, while definitely encouraging and supportive, will probably never skip with me about fabric. M&L is amazing... seriously huge selection, and it's a warehouse, so the prices are phenomenal!

I chose this dark teal corduroy to make my diaper bag, and the striped one next to it for the lining. I like a bright lining so you can actually FIND things, but it's nice to have some variegation to minimize stains and spots. I thought of posting the design I'm going to use, but I will wait until you can see the finished product. It's got just enough frill so it's not too industrial looking, but still works for a boy.



I chose these 3 flannels to dress up my burp cloths. Had to get new ones because my old ones have all become cleaning rags. =) Here's the awesomest thing about buying these... they were displayed for almost 8 bucks a yard at the front, but I dug around in their $2.97 section and found the SAME PRINTS! Had to be careful not to do the fabric jig in the store. The off-white/tan behind there is terry cloth for my changing pad, since I only have one changing pad cover and it's actually a little too small for the pad I've got. Again, choices were $8.00/a yard and found this for under $3!
And now for some home decor. Remember this fabric I was coveting awhile back? It was something like $12 on-line. Then I couldn't find it on-line. Then I found it today for less than $4 a yard!! This will become a fabric board to replace this sort of camouflaged wreath above the fireplace.

This isn't new fabric, but I got it at the same place awhile ago for $2 a yard. I finally got around to re-covering my pillows to incorporate the brown of Steve's leather chair into the room. The quilt over the back there was my sister's contribution. It's really gorgeous and totally original! I should lay it out so you can see the whole thing.
And lastly, one more pillow to round out my love of the blue and brown in my living room.

Okay, thanks for letting me vent all that... I was pretty beside myself. =)

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!

The truth comes out

(Kudos to The Bud for being the most well-informed/sympathetic single man on pregnancy that I've ever met.)

The days are long but the years fly by!

A very happy birthday to my baby girl! My little sweetheart entered the world 3 years ago today at 4:19 p.m.


Age 1...

Age 2 (and a bit)...
Age almost 3!
She is such an incredible joy to our family! She's a funny kid, smart and curious. She's slow to trust people, but intensely loyal to the people she comes to love. She loves "math," books, Little Einsteins, stuffed animals, letters, Christmas and birthday (all year long), hamburgers, fries and shakes. She is tall for her age, but also pretty clutzy like her mom. =) She doesn't ever ask why, but she's interested in lots of things. She's generally a homebody, but once she gets out tends to love wherever we've taken her, especially the beach. She's a challenging kid to discipline, very strong willed and quick to fall to pieces over things she can't have. She doesn't like to stand in front of people and perform... or do anything especially conventional. She's interested in instruments and music (Mom says hooray!). She is an introvert that is doing an amazing job learning to be polite and kind to people. She's a fantastic eater. She's not the best sleeper. She has two small little dimples that show up when she smiles. And she's my best girl. I love you, Lucy Elizabeth!

The Golden State

I love my state. I love, love, love California. Go on "Soarin' Over California," and see why I get all teared up. The stark, craggy northern coasts, the grand redwoods, the striking deserts, the rolling valleys, the alluring Sierras. I always worry about the seminary students who come to Talbot and think that California is just the land of unending strip malls. I plead with them not to judge California by the suburbs of L.A.! Please, I beg, if you do nothing else you must get to Yosemite (in the Fall or Spring, of course).

So to those of you far away, through the madness of the crazy publicity that you always hear about, never forget that's not all it's made of.

(These are all my own shots, and I'm no photographer, so it's really the beauty of California shining through!)

Central Coast
San Pedro
Hill country near the Sierras
The Central Valley
San Jacinta
Tioga PassSanta Barbara
Central Coast
Santa Barbara

Joshua Tree

And of course, the crown jewel, Yosemite (this photo does NOT do it justice!)

Good Choices

The other day, I realized that about 8-9 years ago, among the myriad of small, lame decisions, I made some lasting choices, and I'm still really happy with all of them.

Right before Steve and I got engaged, I bought these great blue couches. When I was looking, a salesman at the J.C. Penny Home Store was so completely snotty to me and said, "Um, I really can't understand what you're looking for." Obviously I found them elsewhere. Now the blue couches I was looking for are all over the stores and magazines (see this month's Real Simple!). Go figure. I re-covered them a year ago with the same color because I still loved them--they just needed sturdier fabric (and needed the stuffing not to be popping out). I love that I'm still happy with them.

(Sorry, best picture I could find with my couches... but isn't my dad cute with Lucy?)

My china! We chose a pattern called Beresford 2000, and I still love, love, love my china (the actual receiving of the china is a whole other story for another day!). I pulled out my tea cups to serve coffee and tea to the moms of our playgroup this week--because why not use them!
(Wish you could see the subtle pattern around the outside.)


My wedding ring. I still would choose this ring if I could pick out any ring in the world. It seems to fit me perfectly.

And my husband... would still choose him any day. He's vintage--he keeps getting better.

Comfort Food

When I was 8 or 10, we drove up to Oregon for Thanksgiving to be with my dad's cousins. The matron cousin who was hosting is such a dear... had she lived closer, I would have adopted her as a grandmother. I remember waking up before everyone else and wandering out to the kitchen, and there she was, buzzing about the kitchen before anyone was up. She sat me down and offered me the most incredible bran muffin, hot from the oven (really the only way to eat these, though the microwave works exceptionally well, too), and asked if I wanted tea. I'd never had tea before, and I felt so grown up being given a steaming mug of Earl Grey. It was cold outside, but I was snuggled up and cozy with my muffin and my tea, and this lovely grandmotherly soul. It's one of my favorite memories. I try to recreate it once in awhile by making my own.

I made this last night... it's a "Boppy" cover for a shower on Saturday. The problem at the moment is that I don't have a boppy to fit it to. I'm borrowing a neighbor's this afternoon to see how it goes. I have a feeling it's too big. Better too big than too small, though, right? I'll let you know what I think. The pattern is here.

Have a lovely day, all!

Blink

Is it just me, or does Christmas really just fly sometimes? It was so odd to go to Target today and see all the Christmas stuff off the shelves. So strange that the season should feel short, because it seems like they start putting it up in July these days.

The in-laws have been here this week to help out with some home projects, and then go to the Rose Parade. They did it right--got the La Mirada package where you ride a bus up to Pasadena and the tickets are all included. Sounded like a really sweet deal.

Mimi and I went out on an errand one night and saw this over at the Biola track... seems they were rehearsing for the Rose Parade just yards from my house!


Now on and forward into January. No resolutions this year, other than my perpetual resolution, which is to do better with birthday cards. I'm mostly feeling a maddening desire to clean out every single closet in the entire house and toss every other thing I touch. Not going super great, as I already started with cleaning out the toy box and threw out only a handful of things. Can't cure a pack-rate, can you.

Pre-school Playgroup starts back up next week, and will be held at my house this Spring, so I've been trying to figure out what to do with myself from 9-1 every Tues/Friday. This means I'm very open for lunches! =) The plan at the moment is to only do my grocery shopping on those days, and to have little projects I can do camped out at Starbucks or the Eagle's Nest. I need to work on Lucy's baby book (yes, I'm a bad parent), and a few other things like that. So onward we go!

Christmas

We had a fantastic time on our tour through Central California. Lucy had a grand first time in the snow. We thought she'd be all done in 5 minutes, but she was out for more than 90 min and wanted more.

I thinks he likes it. =)

Geeky Cracker hats at Christmas. =)
At Aunt Amy's on the trampoline on Boxing Day. =)

Sadly Lucy picked up a flu bug from her cousin and was sick last night. She's totally fine now, but today was my turn. I still feel pretty lousy, hoping that a night's sleep rights the world. I must take a moment to praise my husband up and down... since Lucy first got sick, he has been uncomplaining, cheerfully picking up the slack and then some. I had the day pretty much to myself to sleep and recover. What a good man!

From the Homestead

Vacation finally begins once we all get settled in at Grammie's house. It is probably my favorite vacation destination. Good food, good company, childcare, a place to just be lazy and comfortable. It has been beautiful here because of the rain--blue skies and autumn leaves and green.

Let me back up, though. We did our "get one free" trip to Sea World the other day for Steve's birthday. Perfect day! Gorgeous weather, no one there, well-behaved kid--doesn't get a whole lot better than that! I stinkin' love Sea World--that Shamu never fails to impress. This is Lucy looking at a heron standing on a Walrus' back.

Back up to Tuesday, this was Lucy's "Christmas program" with her pre-school playgroup. They all lined up against the door at Mrs. Katie's house and recited Psalm 23, then sang "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing," and "Heark, the Herald Angels Sing." Correction: the other FOUR children did all this lined up nicely against the door. Within seconds of this picture, Lucy bolted from the stage. But then she couldn't resist reciting from the sidelines.

It was a very long, very busy week which included the memorial service for my college friend, Jason, who was killed in a car accident a few weeks ago. So needless to say, it is just delightful to get to Grammie's house and be with her and "Grumpa."

Yesterday we visited with my grandfather and Aunt Cindy before Grandpa Mick and his wife headed out to AZ for Christmas with her family. We had a nice time, but I have yet to forgive my Grandpa for giving Lucy a harmonica for Christmas.



Today we are thinking of a quick trip to the snow, if we ever get off our duffs, so that Lucy can see some real snow. Tonight is a get-together with my amazing best friends from high school. Then hopefully we will get to see my dear cousins for aebleskiver before we head to San Luis Obispo on Christmas Day.
Merry Christmas, all!

Joy and Sorrow

This Christmas season has been so strange and surreal. It really has been one of much joy and much sorrow. So much joy--a friend who miscarried earlier this year is now pregnant and doing great! Another friend accepted a referral to adopt a son from China! Another friend has two days to go before their court date to adopt their two precious children from Ethiopia! Great joy!

And great sorrow. A friend from college was killed in a car accident last week, as a young driver evaded the police and led them on a high speed chase. The car smashed into Jason's car, ending his life instantly.

And then updated news that a friend from high school is losing his wife quickly this week. She has battled cancer for 23 months. They discovered it just as she was about to deliver their third child. She delivered early so that they could begin treatment right away. A year later, they celebrated his birthday, and the end of her treatment. Only days later, she began to lose feeling in her right arm, and discovered that the cancer had spread to her spine. It looks like this is likely the week they may lose her.

And at home my dad's friend and field boss who worked on our farm for years and years lost his senior-in-high-school son to a car accident only days after his son's best friend was killed in a car accident.

But in the midst of all this I think I have never been more aware that God is who he says he is. Sovereign. Good. Unfathomable.

And in the midst of it all, one of my great joys is watching Lucy delight in the Christmas season. She has been a fan of all things Christmas throughout the whole year, and to watch lights going up and decorations making appearances has lit her up! We go as a family to Home Depot just to look at all the Christmas kitch. Most wonderful to my heart, though, is hearing her little voice singing "Heark, the Herald Angels Sing." Glory to the newborn King indeed!

Home again, Home again

Oh, so wonderful to be home! I won't say "in my own bed," because we had a SWEET bed up north. My in-laws parked their trailer out front and gave us their room--they have one of those amazing Sleep Number mattresses, and MAN it was nice.

I was so delighted to get home and head to our last Mugs of the year (that's our moms' group at church). I brought a fantastic potato casserole (thanks, Mandi!), and just enjoyed the company. The next few weeks are surprisingly open. Lots of little things sprinkled in, but thankfully not super packed. It just felt good to put my suitcase in the garage for awhile. =)

I can hardly believe we all were smiling in this picture! Don't you love the little black jumpsuits all the little girl cousins have?

JJ on the floor with ALL of the kids! What an aunt!

The girls having brunch together.

This is pre-Thanksgiving at a Potty Reward outing. Notice the double-fisted spoons.

The day after

Oh, the yummy goodness that is Thanksgiving. I'm so grateful that our family enjoys each other, and gets along. On both sides, too, which I think is rare and wonderful.

So today we are all still around, with the exception of an on-call brother-in-law, so the kids are playing in various parts of the house while lazy adults sit on our hineys. Presently I am tucked into bed to keep warm (it's freezing here! What a nice change!), while Lucy is playing with Steve's grandmother's dollhouse. I love hearing the little stories that come out of her mouth while she plays.

I am wondering if I will ever be hungry again. The moment there seems to be an ounce of room, I seem to find some bit or piece of something yummy. Cold dark-meat turkey, a slice of summer sausage, a bit of the roll that I left half of last night, some apple cobbler. Apparently I am grazing and preparing to hibernate. This is when I wish for a detachable stomach. Kind of like a vacuum cleaner bag. Just pop a new one in and continue to inhale. =) I'm hoping for a nap-time for Lucy so I can get a little nap. I still haven't quite forgiven her for waking up at 6:00 this morning--or for the head butt that landed squarely on my nose.

Getting ready to go North

We head out tomorrow early, early. Looking at Google traffic, I'm glad we made this decision. It was RED all the way from our house up to the Grapevine, which means a 6 hr. drive would've taken more like 8 or 9. So tomorrow we should have smooth sailing if we leave early. We've done it once before, and it's nice to just fly. That said, we are trying to pack up the car and get the house in decent shape before we leave. Sadly I feel less than industrious, so I'm hoping I still pull it all together in time to get to bed early.

Baking in the oven is my favorite apple crisp. I'm a little bummed because I had quick oats and not regular old fashioned oats--the latter really makes a better crisp. But it's also hard to go wrong with brown sugar and butter. It's my sister-in-law's favorite dessert, so I am bringing it for Thanksgiving. I've never been a huge fan of pumpkin pie, so I'm glad there will be something yummy there for Jen and me.

I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving. I am always sad when I hear of people who don't like turkey. It's just one of my favorite meals (if the turkey is made right--dry turkey is icky). I love the stuffing and turkey and rolls especially. The green beans are good. Everything else is ancillary. And leftovers are part of the wonderfulness of it all. I always read these magazines that tell you what to do with leftovers, like casseroles and stuff, but I'm like, dude, you just EAT them. Super yum 2nd time around.

Out of steam! Goodnight, all!

Much better

Wow, I was cranky last night. MUCH more ready to be thankful this week! Starting with the unbelievable smell coming form my oven. Chicken roasting with peas, onions and mushrooms. And on the side (give it a chance, now): brussels sprouts sauteed with bacon and onions.

I cheated and pulled out the Christmas tunes today, because it was overcast and is supposed to rain soon. To me that is the beginning of "winter."

Here's something I'm especially thankful for this year:

The week's air quality

This was what the air looked like last Sunday when we got back into town. You can't see all the ash all over the parking lot from this shot. It's kind of washed out.

This is what it looked like on Monday morning. The wind was blowing everything beyond us out into the ocean. The rest of the week was somewhere in between these two as the winds died down.

This week is full already. I'm finding myself committed to lots of small things that are causing me to head in lots of directions, so this week is a busy one, and not sure how it will all play out. I'm trying to get my house in order in the midst of it all, as we have people staying at our house while we are gone for Thanksgiving. They are gracious and wouldn't care if the house was messy, but I like to have it clean (or at least cleaner than it is presently). Plus, I prefer coming home to a clean house after being gone. Oh, to have the days back when I hired a Biola student to clean twice a month! Maybe someday. Just feeling behind on lots of things when I'd been working to get ahead.

Ugh, not a promising way to start out a week devoted to being thankful! I promise, it's there under the griping. It'll come out this week, I think.

But otherwise, Palm Desert has been...

... quite fun! Always delighted with how much fun it is. Here are a few quick pictures.

Hiking--that's right kid, work off that energy!


Painting a VW bug at the Children's Museum.
Playing in an Indian shelter at the Living Desert.

The sign behind her says, "Animal Temporarily Off Exhibit." Not so sure about that.

Last year, same location (totally miss that outfit!).