Enjoyment - Round 2

We're heading to Yosemite later in the week and I am both excited and nervous.  It's going to be 60 degrees which is cold for this self proclaimed wimpy girl from Southern California.  But the campground looks very promising and I am looking forward to a 4 day break from work, computers, homework and housework.  The families that we are traveling with have split up meals so I don't even have to cook most days!  Reason enough to celebrate :)  I have a few guest posts lined up that I hope you'll enjoy.  In the meantime, here are some shots of life around our house of things I've been enjoying...

This is not my bathing suit, but I kinda wish it was.  A birthday gift for Taylor, but I've been drooling over the bright and cheery print and colors.  Blues, aquas and oranges=perfection. 

I have officially bypassed Art as the chocolate chip cookie making champ.  I don't know what I did, so who knows if I can replicate the taste next time around, but this batch came out GOOD!  Art was thoroughly impressed and admitted that they were better than his :)

Ah, just something about spring time linens that makes a bed look so inviting.  I only keep 2 sets of sheets on hand and 1 set finally ripped after 10 years of use, so it was time for a new one.  Instead of the standard cream set, I took a walk on the wild side and bought stripes! Thank you Target and your $36 sale sheet sets.

My nightstand drawer is an embarrassment and I waste 5 minutes of my day trying to dig through it looking for an accessory.  I finally decided I needed a tray to display watches, rings and bracelets on, but didn't want to spend any money.  In keeping with Shopping My Own Closet, I shopped my own house and discovered this crystal dish my Aunt gave me for a bridal shower gift twelve years ago.  It suits my simple room just perfectly.

Pretty beads all set for a fun DIY necklace project.  Full post coming soon with tutorial...

And finally, seeing my children turn into little jewelry making apprentices made me smile.  I knew I saved all of my beading supplies from high school for a reason.  I have a stash of beads I collected for years that the kids found amazing.  Between the two of them they made about 6 necklaces.  I love finding new projects for us to do together that help spark creativity.  Makes my heart sing.

Have a wonderful week friends.  I hope to check in once more before I leave!

I'm linking up to Heather's Life Made Lovely
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He Used A Coupon

While Christmas 2010 will be remembered by many things, including the year Taylor got her first pair of roller skates, and Syd received his first remote control car, it will also be forever idealized because of the handiest little gadget I could have ever received, a milk steamer/frother.  For a coffee lover like me, it was the perfect gift and I have already used it several times since yesterday. 

This morning I took my cup of coffee up a notch by making some simple syrup.  I split the batch in two and added peppermint extract to one cup, and vanilla extract to the other (1/2 tsp of peppermint and 1 tsp of vanilla per 1/2 cup).  The results were heavenly.  While the sweetener that they use at regular coffee chains is quite rich, causing me to usually request half the number of pumps they normally add, this simple syrup is nice and light and just adds a hint of flavoring to the coffee.  I made a peppermint mocha and a vanilla latte for myself, and a regular mocha for Art.  To get more of that rich espresso flavor, I also added an extra scoop of beans to the coffee maker, which worked out quite nicely.  The frother that Art bought is made by Keurig, and although a little expensive, it works like a charm and is ridiculously simple.  Turns out he bought it at Bed, Bath and Beyond too.  It took all the strength I had yesterday morning to not go all Kate Gosselin on him and ask if he used a coupon.   I nonchalantly asked him a few hours later though and it turns out he did in fact use a coupon.  Good man.

Enjoyment

I'm feeling especially emotional today.  And I don't think it's a result of hormones or sleep deprivation.  As I was driving home from the grocery store this morning I got all teary eyed.  I was thinking about Art and his business, and how today his 2nd "official" employee starts.  It made me feel thankful and blessed, and not in a flippant "life is good" sort of way.  But I truly feel fortunate that we've made it this far through so many ups and downs.

Art quit his job of 9 years and started his business over 5 years ago when I was 8 months pregnant with Taylor. To say we were scared is an understatement.  Four clients that he had known from his previous job jumped ship and went with him because they trusted and had faith in him.  Since then he's grown that company from a home based business to one that required 500 sq. ft. of office space, to 900 sq. ft. and now to over 1800 sq. ft. with over 25 clients strong.  He's never taken out a small business loan, which is nothing short of a miracle.  We've fought over many things involving that business and it's taken a toll on our marriage at times.  It's been a bumpy road these last 5 years and I wish I could say that I always had the same faith that those first 4 clients had, but I'm human and I've had my doubts.  But here he is today, and I couldn't be prouder, and I know I don't say it enough.  I'm proud of myself in many ways too because I went back to work 4 months ago with focus and intent and we had our eyes on this prize.  As much as I am ready for 2010 to be over because of the many stresses and challenges it has brought, I also can't neglect the many ways it has blessed us.

Today, as I sit around the house with the kids on my first day of vacation and look around me, these are the little things I see and am enjoying on this rainy day.  I hope you too are finding some enjoyment in the little things that life brings our way.

 {grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup}

 {bedazzled horses}

 {sanding sugar for cookie baking tomorrow with the cousins}

 {impromptu art projects}

 {the JOY that reclaiming an old wreath can bring when you just add some scraps of ribbon}

 {pretty poinsettias}

 {Oh Deer - we have 2 men down}

 {the tree watering spout that allows me to add water without getting on my hands and knees}

 {cozy and festive beds that make me want to forget the dishes and take a nap}

 {cozy socks}

 {mercury glass trees}

 {pillow making fun}

 {rain, rain, don't go away.  we like you a lot}

 {no other time of year allows for your home to be so unabashedly shiny and sparkly}

{Christmas cards aplenty}

New Traditions - Lovely Classics

{weathered copy of Little Women}

My father started a Christmas tradition when I was about 10 that sadly only lasted a couple of years.  He started a collection for me of special and unique editions of hardbound classic books that I had loved reading.  It began with Little Women, then The Wizard of Oz, and stopped when I was 13 with The Chronicles of Narnia.  I'm not sure if he just forgot to carry on the tradition, or if he was so irritated with my pubescent teenage mood swings by the end of the year, that he gave up.  In either case, I cherish those few special books I have.  Last month Taylor discovered my copy of the Wizard of Oz and has now adopted it into her own collection.  Reading that book prompted her to change her Halloween costume from Sleeping Beauty to Dorothy.  Take that Disney.  

When I discovered that Penguin Books had released a collection of special edition clothbound children's classics in beautiful rich hues at Anthropologie, I knew I had to pick up where my dad had left off, and start a special collection of classics for my own children.  Hence, a new tradition has been born in our household.  

I chose Robin Hood for Sydney, The Secret Garden for Taylor (a personal favorite from my childhood), and Anne of Green Gables for a family friend.  I have not read the proper full length version of Robin Hood so I am excited to read it to Syd, although he is still a bit young for chapter books.  Taylor devours them and even though these copies do not have illustrations, I don't think she'll mind.

  The covers are so beautiful with bright colors and deep embossing

They look so pretty all lined up and stacked, ready to be loved.  I so look forward to a departure from the kid's usual selections of Junie B. Jones and Lightning McQueen.  Anthropologie carries 6 books, but in reading the reviews on Anthro's site, I noticed that the collection also includes The Call Of the Wild, another personal favorite of mine, and Black Beauty, Taylor's favorite story.  She already owns 2 copies of it, but my little horse lover would surely love a 3rd copy don't you think?  I've got to track those down to add to our collection, perhaps for their birthdays.

Are there any special Christmas gifts that you give every year?  I love hearing other Christmas traditions that families pass on.  Happy Friday everyone!

Enchanting or Strange?

A few posts back I introduced you to this intriguing little girl featured in the Saks Fifth Avenue holiday windows.  Some commented that she was a little creepy, others that she was fascinating.  I myself cannot make up my mind.  Her sleepy eyes, when looking right at you are a little disarming and cause a case of the shivers to run up and down my spine.  But when covered up with rhinestone goggles, she is rather cute, with her spunky pink hair.  Come along as we join this strange little girl, obsessed with snowflakes and bubbles, the theme of this year's holiday windows, on her magical adventure.

Blowing Bubbles

Driving around in her futuristic bubble car

Braving the throws of a feisty octopus

And deep sea diving with that same temperamental octopus

Sea Captain on her maiden voyage

And conquering flying trout (I think this one was my favorite because she was so tiny in this display)

At the circus taming a rowdy elephant

Getting swept away by a huge net of bubbles

And finally, capturing magical butterflies in the bubble forest

I don't know, this girl sure can rock a stripe like no other doll I've seen.  Lanie doesn't stand a chance when going head to head with this one.  Haunting eyes and all, I think I like her.  I just don't want to take her home with me.  I would have some serious nightmares imagining myself waking up to her standing over me with that giant net of hers.

What do you all think?