Monday, May 31, 2010

{ F.C. Frenzy }

Farm Chicks is just a hop skip and a couple days away.
It's my first time. And I am really excited to go shopping with her + her , her and her. At her booth and her booth, before I look anywhere else. Hoping to bump into this lovely lady while wandering the blissful .
And really glad + excited and that this sweet friend is able to fly in with her suitcases spilling over with vintage crafting goodness.
 Also, David and I are delighted to be having dear friends of ours come from clear across the state to spend the weekend with us and attend this much talked about and anticipated event. While we girls are at the show, the men have plans to go out in the woods and do something he-manly while we girls enjoy scenes from the vintage/domestic enthusiasts heaven on earth. 
The following is a list of what I aim to have my eye out for at the show:1.)  A galvanized wash tub: especially since I already have the perfect little squish-able, toe-headed boy to sit on top of it...



2.)  Vintage drinking tumblers, covered in a bright primary print, or polka dots
3.)  A bright + cheerful solid colored pitcher
4.)  Various Frames to paint and chalk board
5.)  Assortment of plates + prints for the dining room
6.)  Whatever strikes my fancy (within budget of course )
6.)  Most of all I want to take home inspiration and DIY ideas galore.

I will end this post with you a picture, for your inspiration.
I am currently really in love with this color palette.



                                          { Image source }

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Quote from this mornings sermon.

"The sin underlying all other other sin is not finding joy in Jesus."
This morning in church, those words hit me hard, and resonated. And they have stuck with me throughout the day. 

Also, I wanted to share with you two blog posts that are penetrating my soul this week. You can find them here and here.



" We die daily. Happy those who daily come to life as well. "

-George MacDonald

Saturday, May 22, 2010

{ Settling In }


( image source )

Things are happening around here.


There is a picket fence being built in the back yard. And it's really lovely
We finalized on the exterior paint colors for the house. And we couldn't be happier with our pick.
The floor for my craft room is being installed as I type.It's a pretty fleshy pink marmolium with tiny black specks and silver sparkles in it. Reminds me of a worn out ballet slipper. Annabelle is enamored with it.
Next up, paint the craft room a soft, springy, vintagey green.


I am letting my self go ahead and think about decorating the rooms and walls of this gorgeous big old house.
Because it looks like we are going to be here for a little while at least.
Long enough too make it just a little more us...so I am dreaming up some pretty finishing touches + projects. Here's a little wish list I have put together so far of prospective ideas and inspiration...







Wanting to maybe do something curtainish with this sweet little quilt bock in my craft room
                                                   ( image source )

Loving this little color scheme...

Crushing on this pair of wellies from Target...and a pair for Anniebelles so we can match.
.
I like this Anthropologie Bedskirt

I Really want to frame this print and this print of hers.

Silhouettes for above the mantel.

Tutorial for the Anthropologie ruffled shower curtain.


Also, I am ready and motivated to re-stock my Etsy shop to try and earn money for these big-ticket items:

1.) a cordless drill ( because today is David's birthday )
2.) a sewing machine ( because so many of my projects can't be started without one 
3.) a bbq ( for you know who fathers day...shhh. )
4.) a camera, I have my sights set on a Canon Rebel right now. ( and it's killing me not to be able to take pictures of the kids and the house progress, and the  )
5.) a bicycle ( because we already have the perfect trailer to tow the kids behind in. )

 
  And I really, really want to plant a flowing red quince bush in my back yard. And I have visons of bright zinnias and pots overflowing with nasturtiums in our yard this summer. And oh I wish you could see/smell the purple lilac bush that is showing off in my back yard. You can smell it half a block away...and even on chilly days I can't help myself, I have to open my windows up, hoping we might just catch a waft of the bliss inducing perfume .


  Ambitious, I know.  It's just that  am still so blown away and inspired by this splendid old house. It's truly a dream to get to call this place home. And I am happy about and so thankful for the space and beauty for entertaining the house provides. In the coming months we hope to be throwing a Very Merry Unbirthday Party, a shower for this precious Mommy of a sweet baby boy to be, both of who I am, who we all are... quite taken with, and a House Warming Party once we are finished with the majority of the house and yard. Also, I am so excited I can hardly stand it, for the Farm Chicks Show, and the friends it will bring out.

  Annabelle just ran in to tell me that Daddy's  happy birthday movie is over. They were watching Popeye. It's really funny and cute to peek in on them watching cartoons together. It's time for our happy birthday to daddy marshmallow roast out in the back yard.  We discovered this week that they now make flavored marshmallows...and we have been looking forward ever since we put those two bags of fluffy goodness in out shopping basket,  to getting to try strawberry and carmel + vanilla flavored marshmallows. Care to join us?

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

{ looking back on 7 years }

     Love, you are lovely
You have put the stars to shame
I have lost my senses and you're the one to blame
Bluer than the sky above, closer than my skin
Tonight our love begins
Now we are dancing
We spin like falling leaves
Hold me tighter darling
I never want to leave
As we move across the floor it starts to sink in
Tonight our love begins
You are mine beloved
I am yours to keep
Take my heart forever
You have captured me
God is singing over us, we hear it in the wind
Tonight our love begins

-J.J. Heller




This is one of the miracles of love: It gives a power of seeing through its own enchantments and yet not being disenchanted.
C.S. Lewis


  Our anniversary came and went. (insert a nice long sigh of happiness here) And we had a lovely picnic among the lilacs, thanks to the housecleaning/babysitting/ angel/auntie that frequents our home.  Reminiscing over the last seven love-filled years, pouring over the scrapbook that I made for David that included blog posts...pictures...and our notes and cards to each other. We came came home with our heads in the clouds...uncertain how, because it's truly been although not always easy, that sweet...and with a  deep longing to top the last seven years, in the next seven. Our hearts cry, is that You Jesus would continue deepen our love and our marriage and that in our home and that we would daily bring You glory + delight.
  David gave me more of her music as a gift for our anniversary...and this song so perfectly describes what I feel for this man that I am so dearly in love with. 


{ Image by the amazing artist: Nikki McClure }



Monday, May 17, 2010

{ belt it out }

Do you ever leave church on Sunday morning to wake up and  find yourself still singing a certain song on Monday morning. Because you can't get if off your heart?  I love it when that happens.  Here's what we are humming to Jesus this morning, over stinky daiper changes, secret anniversary preperations,  yogurt with granola, and finger painting. How about you?

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.


When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.


Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me


Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace!


One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

If you read this all the way to the end...

  Since we moved, exactly two months ago we have had a nonstop friends and family traffic here at our new/old house. It's been such fun to serve meals in the pretty dining room by candlelight or sit around the dining nook table over a cup of tea and good conversation, to show friends and family to their room, the one with the pretty robin-blue walls and wake up to the smell of coffee brewing and a bowl of my homemade orange/cranberry granola ( it's my current culinary obsession ) in my bright + cheery kitchen, to have so much laughter filtering through the halls and rooms of this big old house.

That being said, I would be the first one to admit that it does get a little bit exhausting with the never ending cleaning, to be always in charge of making sure meals happen at or around mealtime, always fixing company-worthy meals and don't forget about dessert, keeping the laundry from taking over and the dust bunnies reined in. 

All that to say our time in California, with these dear friends, could not have come at a better time for us. Even while David is in the thick of trying to get his own paving company up and running. We had the most restful, no-stress, drama-free, happy, fun time with the P's. And I felt instantly at home... to the point where I would put off my shower and doing my hair until late in the day, just like I do at home.
  Leslie and Nick have done an amazing with their home. It's welcoming + full of character and what makes it even more amazing is that they've literally decorated it on a dime. It's a visually a total treat, and has such a playful aesthetic to it. It's warm and bright and really beautiful.

During our time together we just kept commenting on how "easy" it was. Surprisingly easy. I don't know about you but 10 days is a long time to host company for.  Of course we had our finger crossed that our children and husbands would get a long as well as we do. And they did. They really did. Cause it would have been a long ten days, if we were having to break up a fight ever 10 minutes, or if the guys had felt akward around each other. Everyone had there very own " friend." 

David and Nick spent many hours in the garage drywalling, telling stories and listening to music that isn't allowed in the house. Oh and and drinking nearly daily milkshakes from In + Out ( a California burger joint) . David was really into the strawberry ones. And did you know that at In + Out they have a scripture verse written at the bottom of every cup. Isn't that cool. And David did a really spectacular job drywalling their garage. I was impressed. They seemed impressed. Even David was surprisingly please with the outcome. So thank you Rylan, for flooding the entire upstairs of your house. That worked out nicely for us in the end. And who wouldn't be happy to drywall a garage in return for 10 days with such delightful company, food, a trip to Disneyland, and time to just relax. Easy for me to say, I wasn't the one out there working.


  We got in the daily garden analysis in the back yard, as a giddy Nick checked for new seedlings by flashlight  ( David says Nick really should have been a farmer ) in their square foot garden beds and grinned over Leslie's squeals, exclaiming over new sprouts with joy. I loved getting to hear her "vision" for this room or that. She's got a head full of amazing ideas. But I am sure that comes as no surprise to any of you. 

  And we ate. And oh was the food ever good. So good. Big breakfasts.  Delicious panini's for lunch. And we were able to sample their two favorite dishes from California Pizza Chicken right at their own table which was a total treat!  But my favorite meal of the whole10 days was the night we put all the kids to bed first and Leslie set one of her infamously pretty tables and introduced us to the utter bliss of Pioneer Woman's spicy shrimp and sweet potato fries and corn on the cob...oh so good. And then there was the well-stocked (gallon) candy jar. We were obviously spoiled. And the music that gets plays at their house is really happy I might add.
The simplest things brought the most pleasure. Seeing all four kids in our line of vision, or camera-lens, throughout the day. Hearing their little voices all intermingled. Watching them interact together. It was beyond sweet.

  Jack-Jack thought California was swell, on the account the nicely fenced in back yard. He loved getting to roam in and out independently and was seriously the easiest/happiest possible little chap the entire time. And he and Cade were such good ( for the most part) + cute stroller/cart buddies. And Jack had his first birthday while we were there. Which was incredibly special. And deserves it's very own post. ( coming soon )

   And Annabelle couldn't get over the rolly-pollys and adored all the special things she got to do with her friend. Glittering in the back yard, water-balloons, lots and lots of dress-up, playing pony's, pretending in the car that they were on a roller coaster, having a daddy/princess tea party, singing silly songs, swimming in the pool, making pancakes with Mr. Nick, all the enchantment of Disneyland and exploring it hand in hand with her little friend, slip-and-sliding shrieks and giggles and jammy swapping with Rylan at night, and being fairies, and putting on a happy birthday puppet show for Jack. It was all so special.

  We fell really hard in-love with each others kids. These four little people who we have prayed for, loved from afar, written and shared all the sweet + funny ( and not so sweet and funny ) little things they say and do over, since the day they were born. So to finally get to be family friends well it was just such a  dream come true.

 And for myself, getting to yard sale in Ladera with Leslie ( treasures found included: a whole pile of swim-suits for Ryaln, wooden toys for Jack's birthday, a pair of pink JCrew cords, a extra chair for the craft room, See Kai Run leather shoes for Jack a "dragon" top,  some sweet things for this dear pregnant with a baby boy friend, and a vintage pillow case that Leslie turned into a pretty little tunic for Annabelle), browsing through target with the big, four kid cart, getting to experience the thrill of my first trip to M + L Fabrics, Home Goods and Pottery Barn Outlet...the mommies slipping a way for a (long) hour and  finding new shirts of the same brand and were totally us, and that we loved for our family photo shoot (  big thanks to Nick + Southwest airlines  for picking up that suitcase for us so I could haul all my treasures home/ and to the airline for being so generous with the of luggage they let you check for free ). Remembering the night we drove out a little ways into the "whoop whoop" for a spectacular golden setting for our little family photoshoot. I always love seeing Leslie and Nick too, in action. They both shine. I even got to get behind the camera and take a few shots of their sweet foursome...which was both surreal and a highlight of the day for me. And I loved our late night/early morning heart to hearts...getting to look through all her scrapbook albums...brainstorming sessions in the craft room over a certain little someone's birthday parties and room decor and photo shoot prop ideas, and maybe even future books? Listening to sermons and Steve's Songs on YouTube. Playing with fabric. Scheming up a little something for a friend were were missing so much that week.  We had fun with a little attempt at a May Day basket for the guys. We had to tell them to chase us...but they caught on quickly to that.

 
  Playing the bean game that first night was hilarious.  And then we taught them dutch blitz and had a ball with that. I can still hear Leslie saying in bewilderment " you people, are stressing me out!"  I loved watching the competitive, not as nice side of each one of us come out. It was a scream. I  couldn't believe the insults that flew back and forth between David and Leslie...so brutal. And I am ashamed to admit  that I slugged Nick in the arm, that last night. Hard.  It was the same night Nick started calling David something I refuse to repeat on this blog. And I am afraid we were just getting warmed up.

Now for the whole the bummer part of the trip: going home. And once home realizing just how too far away the northwest is from So. Cal.

  I told Nick at the airport that David and I would like to think we are the type of company that is missed when we are gone, instead of the type where you shut the door look at each other,  sigh a huge sigh of relief, and mutter under your breath " finally, there gone! "


But meanwhile in closing of this novel sized post, dear P's we do totally apologize for the following:

1) The state of your house during our time there.
2) For our early-birds waking your sleepers up every morning.
3) For any part Annabelle played in influencing  Rylan and her recent crib escapades.
4) David's refusal to let any one else win at D.B.
5) Anything else we might have over-looked.

We can't wait for our turn to host you. Really truly can't wait.


And phew friend! If you read  all the way to the end of this long-winded post of mine, I am more than flattered. You deserve a medal of some sort.

Monday, May 10, 2010

{ Motherly Reflections }



It was a balmy glorified spring morning. The sky dappled with streaks of sunshine, as apple blossoms sprinkle down from on high , and lilac clusters perfume the air... I delight in the bright warmth on my face and in the little girl and little boy peels of laughter that call out to me from across the pure green lawn. As the man that I love,  scoops them up together in his strong but tender arms, he is the one who I share this journey, gift and these children with.  And I cannot fathom it being any other way. I smile, wide. I can't help myself , watching this girl and this boy who make me a Mama...and my heart fills up with an kind of intense gratitude, the kind that you can feel physically, like an weight or and ache in your chest.  And in that moment I felt acutely alive. Like Wilder says, “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” And in that moment if you'd asked me, does life get any better then this? I would have told you with deep sincerity...
" Right now, I could not be happier. Not even one little bit."

Thursday, May 06, 2010

I have a lot to blog about.

Like this little conversation over lunch:


Mommy to Annabelle:  "hey Sugie, I was just curious about something. Does water really taste better if you drink it out of a pink cup?
Annabelle to Mommy: ( without a moments hesitation ) " Yes!!!! "
Mommy to Annabelle:  " Why?"
Annabelle to Mommy: " Cause it tastes prettier Mommy."

 
And the rest will have to wait for a little later.
But stay tuned. I will be back.

And for some really really sweet peeks into our life of late take a little looksie over here.