the birthday boy

Today is my sweet husband's birthday.   

Happy birthday, Love!

I am reminded again today of a line from Rilke that we stole from my friend's wedding program and put it in ours, as we loved it so....

I'll pursue solitary pathways

through the pale twilight meadows,

with only this one dream:

You come too.

-Rainer Maria Rilke

mashup

I first saw this over at DesignMom and thought it was really interesting.  The guy who did this particular video goes by the name DJ Earworm.  Here's how he explains his work:  

"Basically, what I do is take a bunch of songs apart and put them back together again in a different way.  I end up with tracks called mashups, which I post to this website."

they just don't make them like they used to...

On my way to get groceries the other day, I passed two of my all-time favorite cars.  An old Saab and an old BMW.  Both times I had the same reaction.  Sigh and smile.  I can count on nearly one hand the number of cars on this planet the illicit that response from me.  All are vintage, all have been replaced with models that now resemble every other car on the road.  

Thus the sigh.  

But these little gems can still be found scootin' along on the road.  They haven't been sent off to die in museums just yet.  

And thus the smile.  

{images:  Jeep 1: bcostin's, 2,3: jeroen020  Mercedes 1: Pieter Musterd's, 2,3: alratag's  Bronco 1: otdrafting's, 2: mazda miata's  Landcruiser 1: Rudy Malmquist's, 2: skicolorado's, Saab 1: sonek321's, 2: Paul Manzano's, 3: maistora's, BMW 1: duchoa93's, 2: David Guimaraes', 3: verner_oscar's}

pecans

So E. had a GREAT first day of school, (and second, and hopefully third - I'm about to go pick her up...) But I digress.  On this first, great day as she's getting into the car she is telling me how she loves pecans, they are so yummy!  Really? - I am thinking.  I've tried to get you to eat pecans lots of times to no avail. 

Turns out that the kids went outside to pick pecans from the trees on the school property.  She told me, several times, not to eat the outside.  Only the inside part is yummy.  She also showed me how to open them and get the good stuff.

I love this school.

{image from SusanV}

child's pose

I just got back a bit ago from my Yogalates class.  Isn't that just fun to say?  We were in the middle of doing the child's pose (seen above) when I had an interesting thought.  I was thinking about how this is the position that I am typically in while I am praying.  And then our instructor said the name again: child's pose.  Isn't that the perfect name for our posture during prayer?  Humbled, relaxed, trusting, coming as a child.  The pose in itself read to me just likemy prayers:  "Father, I am so small and so utterly incapable apart from You.  Please take over on my behalf." And in that time He transforms my weakness into strength.  

And that was today's Yogalates meditation. 

{image from purlingplan's}

so this is what E.'s lunch ended up looking like...

Do I have to say 'just kidding'?

I have this dear friend, Mindy, who is like a white Japanese person.  Not only is she fluent in the language (she teaches it) but she adores nearly all things Japanese.  I remember her telling me how the Japanese are very big into making a beautiful presentation.  It really doesn't matter what the item is, they want the delivery to exhibit beauty. Bento boxes are such a great example.  The way that the Japanese serve their meals, even a 'sack lunch' is mind-blowing. Though I will never (nor could ever) take it to this level, I think there is great inspiration here. Finding beauty in the basics. 

{all images found via the sushi queen}

HGTV Dream Home - swoon

I have never been one to turn up my nose at any of the HGTV dream homes.   So it may not be exactly my architectural style or my ideal location.  That's okay.  I'm flexible.  I can make it work.  Ya know?  But I just now took a look at the 2009 Dream Home, and, well,  it's just feels right.  like, maybe meant to be.  First off, it's in Sonoma, California.  Ummm?  Yes, please.  And it's a farmhouse.  Ummm?  Yes, please.  And then there were lots of others details that maybe made my toes tingle.  If I needed to be I could be packed and ready to go tonight.

You can enter here, if you must. 

lunchtime art

My sweet little E. starts at her new Montessori school tomorrow.  For the first time she will be at school for lunch and it has just now dawned on me that she may need a lunch box.  I just took a quick look online and came across these pictures.  This dad draws these lunch sacks during his lunch break the previous day.  That's pretty fun.  I'm sure these bags (and probably the dad too!) are a huge hit at school.  Sadly neither I or my husband has the time or skills in this lifetime so I will be buying something far less exciting and creative.  Unless of course I just have E. decorate her bag for the following day...she is a pretty good artist for a 4 year old.  Just sayin.

daily Bread

My mom ordered me a copy of this daily Bible and it just arrived in the mail.  It's starts at January first so I have a little catching up to do.  The cool thing is that it is organized chronologically, which I am excited about because as much as I love the Word, sometimes a fresh perspective is all you need for it to kick you in the teeth once again.  I use the term "kick you in the teeth" as a good thing here. 

Mom bought it here. 

Happy New Year!

So, I realize that this is a little late but man it is hard to post from another person's home.  And alas, we are home.  so...Happy New Year!

I love, love fresh beginnings.  New calendars, clear journals.  Endless possibilities.  Limitless hope.   

And I am not someone that balks at resolutions.  Sure, we may not meet them all perfectly.  Sure some may fall quickly to the wayside but is that a reason to have no goals, no aspirations.  No hope to be a better you.  Perhaps with each resolution we take a baby step forward, and that is at least, something.

Here are my big 3 for the coming year.

1.  I want to pursue real and lasting health this coming year.  I want to make choices that contribute to, rather then steal from my and my families health.   

2. Walk in true joy that is not tied to my circumstances.  

3. Be present in the moment.  Not let technology or entertainment or even future dreams take away from what God has given me - right now.  

What are your resolutions for the coming year?

{photo from Antiquish's}

Jonathan Adler faves

We live in the middle of nowhere and don't have too much culture around us. There's lots of things that I will glimpse online but I rarely have the chance to see in person. So though all things Jonathan Adler may be the norm in some circles, they are not in mine and I was excited to get to see the store. Though lots of his stuff is not my style, there is plenty about his aesthetic that intrigues me and enough items that I really adore. Both Sean & I ended up liking the store more then we anticipated. I had to drag myself out of there to leave empty handed.

Here are the top 5 things that made me swoon:


1. two of these Morrow slipper chairs, please:

2. this chandelier:


3. these sconces for the kid's room:


4. We wanted to get an "E" and "S" for our bed. The backside is black with white needlepoint.


5. I liked this little cozy to get my new iPhone safe and warm. Santa surprised me with this great phone. I didn't know how much I should have wanted it! (I know, I know, it's not exactly back to the basics. Sometimes I lose my way...) If it helps, I don't think that I'll be purchasing this cozy but it has inspired me to make my own.