Places toTake a Warm Nap

Just wanted to say hi.  We hope you get to take a nap today.

From,
Lilly and Milo

Last Day to Sleep In

Today was our last day to sleep in this summer.  The life of a teacher is a charmed one.  But we must go back to work tomorrow and my feet are surely dragging.

 We have done a lot this summer, in fact, I think we have played harder this summer than ever before.  Perpetual barbeques bleed lunch into dinner, one day into the next.  Waterskiing until we are sore, frisbee for Jon and running with my girls for me.  Kitchen remodel and visits home.  Kayaking and paddle boarding in the lagoon.

And sleeping in.

This was the view in our summer bed today, trying to hold onto the last threads of both the season and the sleep. 

I am extracting the dread and infusing the joy as I go into Fall; may I enjoy this year as much as I have enjoyed this lovely, lovely summer.

Surprise Visit

I have a friend who sometimes blogs, with a wink and a smile, about all the wonderfully embarrassing things that happen to her in her less than mundane life at home with her two adorable girls.

The Fluffy One likes to lay out too...and share my pillow

Here is my nod to her:

Step 1: Don itty bitty bikini that no one but the walls in the back yard ever see me in.
Step 2: Hammock and Psychology lecture on iPod.  Turn it up, zone out.
Step 3: While listening to the various stages of consciousness and sleep, be vaguely aware that the dog is barking somewhere inside.  Ignore it.  Again.
Step 4: Furiously scramble to cover myself, twisting, turning and flailing. Readjust said bikini in areas where it's been inched back to allow for fewer tan lines, but do this in the most graceful and expedient way a hammock will allow, eventually being spilled on the cement, along with my iced tea.
Step 5: Excuse myself, not at all awkwardly, from the pest control man who just rounded the corner and likely got the surprise of the day.

Note to self: Remember when it's bug spray day.

A Full Retrospective

 

Goodbye 2010.  You were a very full year.  Full of love and romance,

God provided for us, in His timing, a new house to call our own,

And to fill to the brim with sunshine, love, and too much stuff.

Lots of crafts were made...paper, stitched, crocheted.  Too many to count, in fact.

While we weren't yet blessed with little chicks of our own, we've cuddled many a good substitute.

Spring brought a new song to our hearts, full of optimism and merry-making.

Being back in Oceanside to stay meant we could act like tourists in our own town.

Arts and culture were sandwiched in between good restaurants and the good ole Coastal Lifestyle we love.

July meant discovering Portland, and rediscovering most beloved family.

August was filled with too-short days of foreign-family visits. (Seriously, too short...always is.)

I spent our summer (and our money) decorating our bedroom and I quite like the results!

Not nearly enough time was spent painting.  Lilly and I were both a bit exhausted from other responsibilities.

School means back to the grind...where even parties are work.

This girl had a milestone birthday, ushered in with a non-surprise party which ended in smiles and rollerskates.

The year ended with my first ever Christmas Eve dinner hostessing.  (It was a smash hit.)

Lilly says...

Merry Christmas!
And candy canes are AWESOME!
And dressing up like Santa is not.

Me and the Fluffiest Around the Neighborhood

"Let's go on a walk!" I said. "We'll introduce ourselves to the new neighborhood."The little fluffy one said, "Ok, I've been feeling the need for some wind in my hair. Let's go."
"Look at those giant green leaves," the fluffy one said, "and the sun coming through them like that!""Yup," I said, "it's because we live closer to the beach. Can you smell the salt water? Feel the ocean breeze?""Oh, yes!" Said the fluffy one. And we sauntered along, admiring the beauty of springtime near the beach.
"What's that?!" shrieked the fluffiest puppy. "Oh, don't worry, that just means you know we live in California. Think of it as art."
We continued on our way, finding lots of treasures, new and old.
Amongst all the flowers, we even found some made of glass. The fluffy one tried to smell them, but they did not smell like the rest.
"Phew! That was awesome. Let's do it again tomorrow," she said.
"Ok."

What does your neighborhood look like right now? Now it's your turn to take ME on a tour!

Pixie, Painting, and Pretenders

Please tune in on Thursday for my 100th post and a tiny, musical GIVEAWAY!Well, who of you have the guts to do this? I didn't, but Kelli and I have an agreement that she can use me as her guinea pig any day and I'm game for whatever. So this short 'do is the result of this devilish pact and the jury's still out for me. Don't get me wrong, it a fabulous cut and Kelli is amazing, but I'm not sure this cut matches how I view myself. Still, it's super fun for summer, and my hair grows rather quickly...Miss Aimee would be proud.

And remember when I went to paint at San Clemente? Here's the result. I couldn't post if before now lest my sweet newly married Jess might have seen it before it was all wrapped up in a big wedding bow.

And I just had to post this. What would you call a band that consisted of one skinny drummer and one really hairy scream-o lead singer? If this duo goes big time, Lilly will need a stage name.

EDIT: Oh, and today I'm being featured at Pennyweight Online for my So Cal casual fashion *tongue in cheek*. Check out my sweet friend Elise's great blog and fall in love with her as I have.

Feathers All A-Fuzz

Lilly and I took a walk to the neighboring cove this morning and sat on the dock. As soon as we made ourselves at home, a Duck with an attitude came swimming over to us from a good hundred feet away and with a giant, sharp "QUACK," she put us in our place.Spring Duck by Akashapeace

She then ran back over to the dock across the way and out came 7 little ducklings, feathers all a-fuzz, not quite swimming in single file. Mrs. Duck led them all over to us, as if we were on display, showed the kids the funny lady and the furry lap dog. Only 4 made it to us without distraction, the other rebels found a docked boat far more interesting.

Tilly's Journey by AmberAlexander

Mom left the obedient 4 and sweetly called the others and they all made it to the zoo (although Lilly and I weren't behind glass; we could have easily jumped the barrier and made their outing far less fun).One loop around our dock and they were on their way. I think Mrs. Duck was complaining as she left about her old man doing the slalom course out in the middle of the lake with his homies. Don't laugh, I saw them. It was like ducky X-games out there!

Have you been outside yet today? If not, what's your excuse (not sure there's a good one out there)?

A Puppy, a Park, and a Purse

This is the cutest and best puppy you'll ever have the occasion to meet. This is Lilly. I posted Mowgli already, and by request of my dad, here's Lilly. She is my best girl and while she does have a sweater on, I must defend her: I promise it is only for warmth in our freezing house.
Lilly and I go on walks to the drought-resistant garden every day. She loves it and so do I. We walk through the garden down to the dock where we either bird/duck watch, or I do my Bible study, or we sometimes just bask in the sun. Today I found another old bag I made and brought it along for a photo shoot. It came from this magazine, but I don't know which issue...it's all packed up right now. Maybe later I'll make an edit and let you know.
It was gray and stormy today, but had some sunny spots. Lilly took this one of me, and I think she did pretty good for having no thumbs! See her over there on the left?