The Life

Little montage of my favorite four-legger.

Often find her sleeping in a diving-position

diagonally off the cushions of the couch.

As comfy as can be.

She teaches me daily to just BE.

Such a little fur ball of love.

Passion Fruit

I honestly can not believe how amazing this flower is- blooming right in our own garden! My brother-in-law is a gifted and experienced gardener/organic farmer. This is the first bloom on the Brazilian Passion Fruit start he gave me exactly one year ago. We are in absolute awe of this thing! I can not even capture it on film. So intricate like an orchid with fuchsia polka-dots... uh-mazing. I can't wait to see what happens next. Love experimenting in the garden.

Love Note.

Love notes in front of my sewing machine make me happy.

Dads.

I see a lot of moms.

Working with kids, the community, schools, etc, this is common.

But for some reason today I saw a lot of dads.

Which made me think of mine.

Made my heart ache for that day in Seaside

when I decided I was too old

and 'too cool'

to hold his hand in public.

I actually didn't accept his outstretched hand.

Either that, or I let go of his big, loving palm.

Not sure.

But other than that-

I remember the day vividly.

The tree we were walking by, the people, the beach.

It is etched with sadness in my heart.

Of course I'm with the 'love and live with no regrets camp',

but if I could be

seven (?),

eight (?)

again...

I would have never thought myself

too cool

to hold the warm hand of my father

while walking down the public street-

or ever.

I met a dad today.

There was an uncomfortableness in the room when this man first walked in.

Unease.

This often happens when it is Dad's first time in his child's environment.

Sometimes dads spend all day every day at the office,

but one day leave early to check out their child's art class.

They walk in the studio with the

'ehhh... don't get paint on me-is it okay that you're smooshing that glue with your hands?-I hope I'm doing this right- look.

Basically fish-out-of-water.

But this time it was different.

It wasn't uncertainty I was reading on this man's face.

Perhaps it was pain.

I do not know much about this man.

But I do know his sweet, sparkling, six year old daughter.

And I do know that her mother got very sick.

And recently passed away.

I also know the pride on that girl's shoulders

when she sat down with Dad

at the big table

scattered with supplies

to create together.

To show him a space that has become hers.

The place she goes once or twice a week

and just creates her little heart out.

There was a tiny tug at my heartstrings when I caught him

out of the corner of my eye

sitting in the teeny child-size chair,

pushed in to the table,

side-by-side with his daughter....

glue brush in hand.

I wish I could show you a picture

of what he painted

(he painted!)

at the easel-

but to be honest,

I have no idea what his picture was...

I was not paying attention to that.

I could not get past the joy in his daughter's eyes

as she watched her Daddy paint.

The special sparkle

that only can be seen in the heart

of a father and his little girl.

I know that sparkle.

They worked on clay together.

She made the usual pattern with beads.

The one she is into at the moment.

He made an animal (?)...

We put a glue glaze

to keep it strong when it dries

and sent it home with him.

The way this father and daughter worked quietly connected,

on project after project,

said so much without saying a whole lot.

Today I witnessed-

between a wounded father

and his tender daughter-

The healing power of art.

Pink Box Kinda Mornin'...

Was grabbing some treats this morning for the girls to celebrate our dear friend's return from Italia. Which got me thinking.... Is there really ever anything better, more joyous, sign-of-a-good-time than a bakery-pink colored box? I think not.*

*Unless it's a Tiffany-blue colored box.

Authentic.

Yes. This pesto is straight off the boat (plane). From the Cinque Terre (motherland of pesto). Delivered with love by my dear world traveller friend. Thank you, A. Enjoyed it. Even saved J a taste.

Being Present.

Our last few weeks have consisted long work hours, five and ten minute conversations, texting, twenty minutes in the morning before the long commute, chatting in bed before saying good bye to the day. My loving husband has been working so hard to support our lil fam and his craft. We miss him at home, and thank God for little T to keep me company. We are a perfect little pair, and both get rather excited when we hear the unlatching of the gate each night. Our precious moments where our family is complete.

We decided we deserved a date night on the town, no matter how tired we were. (Of course Jordan even had to rush home from work to make it on time... poor guy)! It was such a fun evening, and we were more than happy that we stuck to our plan.

Sometimes in the ins and outs of every day life, you can forget about the importance of doing something out of the ordinary, special, together. These dates are the glue that hold us together. (Even if it is just a date to wake up early and make coffee together).

Last night we ventured out to Culver City to try Akasha Restaurant. I had heard lots of talk about this gem- as they support small family farms, local and organic growers and ingredients. This support of sustainable, fair trade, and artisan food making is not only in accordance to our values and interests- it can be tasted. So good. We loved it and will definitely be back.

I always fight the good battle between keeping my camera in my purse and being in the moment vs. capturing the moment forever on 'film'. Usually capturing the moment with my camera wins, as I try to feverishly snap a few shots and carry on with 'being present'. It's kind of become a joke at this point, as we know I just can't resist.

How cute is this skillet macaroni and cheese? My mom thinks I should perhaps write a Mac n' Cheese Blog, highlighting the reviews of our 'purveyor-ship' of the mac and cheeses we have been known to sample around town (and far and wide)... Perhaps that'll be my next venture. Keep an eye out.

A great dinner, stroll through town, and many laughs and good talks ended with a good ole wrestle on the floor with our favorite furry one, Matilda. A good night, indeed.

Speaking of Inspiration...

I've been MIA around these parts lately.

You may have seen me over here.

I've been a busy bee creating, just like I like to do.

Currently, I am coming down from a lovely weekend with my parents in town.

Is always such a wonderful time,

and usually takes me days (weeks) to get back into my groove.

It is as if they literally fill me up, bring that piece of me (my roots) I left in Oregon, complete the me that has made southern California my home. They are like that missing ingredient. The missing spice. Sure, you can make the cake without it, but when you have it on hand, the cake just tastes so much richer... more complete. They carry with them bits of my past, my future, my DNA, my joy, my memories (both forgotten and not)... basically: my home.

They inspire me to be a better person.

To fix things that are broken.

To take care of myself.

To walk.

To start traditions.

To enjoy this moment.

To work hard every day.

They have always (subliminally and not) taught my siblings and me the importance of building a strong, loving nest. I feel this just by being with them for a few days. They take such great care of what they've got. Including us.

They inspired me to scrub my vintage pots (who knew they were copper under there).

To bake zucchini bread.

To vacuum out all the dust and dirt in our house.

To clean the entire house; top to bottom.

To make dinner for my husband.

To buy treats for people.

To exercise.

To tend to my garden.

To enjoy the sunshine.

To move confidently towards my future.

To replace the lightbulb that was burnt out.

To learn how to use the barbeque.

To treat myself now and then.

To spend time just enjoying life.

To drink coffee in the night time.

To laugh.

To keep fresh flowers in the house.

To not be afraid of the future, or growing older.

So much more..

My Mother: This woman can literally make the most beautiful lemon muffins out of the most sour lemons life gives her. And she will not just make them for you... but for your friends, friends of friends, friends of friend's friends, etc... Just her energy inspires me to not sit on the couch and watch life pass.

My Father: This man can pretty much fix or repurpose anything he can get his hot little hands on. He reminds me not to live in fear, and to boldly enter each day as it comes. His energy just makes me want to laugh, be jolly, not to take life so seriously. (Love how he calls our dog "Till"... the name has stuck)!

There is a sense of wholeness that I receive from my parents presence.

I have no unanswered household tricks (like how to unstick two glasses that are stacked and stuck and that dryer sheets are bad for your dryer), and have more tax info than I know what to do with.

They are also the best dang baby/dog-sitters around. (Who knew they could love a dog)?! They will sit up all night, watching the love story movie marathon on TV because they don't know how to change the channel (and actually enjoy it!), waiting for us to get back from a night on the town... and it will not even phase them. They will go to bed at 2am like teenagers (because we stayed out so late), and will be up and at em again the next day, early bird style, ready to take on the day.

I hope to bring even a portion of that grace and beauty to my future.. I just need to soak it all it. I learn so much from being around them, and enjoy these times together so dearly.

Thanks, Mom and Dad.

Thanks for counting us as your vacation. Forfeiting your week-long, tropical vacation at "Sandals"... for us. For the countless trips to Trader Joe's, the best home-cooked meals we could ask for, the "do you want it? let's buy it for you.." mentality. For stocking our fridges, shelves, hearts, and even cool light displays for our garden.

I could not ask for more.