WE HAVE OUR TANNING BED

for sale.... Email me for details if you are interested....

SUN + SPRINKLE FOUNTAIN = FUN

We had a fun little outing with friends.

They were all having so much fun I wanted to get in too. Maybe....

MORE OF THE LEVERAGE SCREENING!

These three photos of the Leverage screening were on Steph's camera.
I just had to post them because we are still on a high!
This is in the screening room with our t-shirts that read "Sometimes bad guys make the best good guys" and our signed 8x10's....

Here we are with Christian Kane and Gina Bellman...

And again in the screening room.

See more here and here and check out Steph's blog here...

LARRY AND JOSH HAVE BEEN FRIENDS

for 24 years and counting.....
We were fortunate to get together with Josh and other out of town friends at the park with our families...

Of course there was longboarding on grass and concrete...

Wrestling....

and "moves"...

The children had a great time playing and becoming acquainted...

Landon might have eaten the filling out of 11 Oreos.....

We had SUCH a great time...

Hopefully we'll be able to get together again before another 10 years goes by....

HERE'S MY 8X10

that they gave us last night to get autographs on....And yes, this is definitely a framer!

I'M GOING TO HAVE TROUBLE

sleeping tonight because I am on a Leverage high!

My sister, Stephanie, and I went to Hotel Delux to see the screening of Season 2 (front row!) and got to meet Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Timothy Hutton, Aldis Hodge and Beth Riesgraf...

Remember the "you're adorable" episode?

(Steph has a some photos on her camera that I will post later).

We got autographs, photos and a t-shirt. It was such a great evening! So fun!!

MY BROTHER IVON INTRODUCED ME

to Metromint waters.
I tried the peppermint water and oooooh lala is it good and refreshing...Pure. Simple. Mintwater. No sweeteners. No preservatives. No calories.

Have you tried it?

OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY WEEKEND

got off to a
slow start with
a road closure due
to an accident
involving
3 cars and a motorcycle.

There were serious
injuries but thankfully
no fatalities...

When we finally arrived in Lincoln City, we had a lot of fun with the family.

The boys had a blast with with their cousins, the tent, the beach and lots & lots & lots of fireworks...

How was your weekend?

I AM VERY HONORED TO HAVE A

heritage of veterans, traced back even to the Revolutionary War, that have fought for the freedoms of this country that we now enjoy... I hope you have a flag that you fly proudly and that Independence Day is more than fireworks and bbq's.
Veterans, thank you for your service!

WE'RE HEADING TO THE COAST

for some vitamin D, family fun and fireworks...

Images by Kendra Smoot

Can't wait!

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

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MY BABY BROTHER DEREK IS

in town for the weekend and my boys think it's P~A~R~T~Y~T~I~M~E...

The house is like a frat house...

I HAVE A PROJECT I WANT

to do. Do you have a couple of sad office chairs like this... so I can make a bench like this...

I love this project!

I am on the hunt for those chairs....

Found on Design Sponge

AS A PRELUDE FOR THE 4TH

of July celebrations, CLICK HERE for a listen of a beat boxing flautist....

16 YEARS AGO LARRY AND I

were married....

Happy Wedding Anniversary ! I love you!!

CHUCK NORRIS WHERE ARE

you when we need you?
My in laws arrived at their beach house today to find out that it had been broken into, ransacked and missing many, many items...

Cartoon Robber found here

Unfortunately there are no suspects. Too bad we aren't in the movies where Chuck Norris would remedy the situation with some skills....

WE CELEBRATED THE

Yaya's 9th anniversary tonight with a tapas theme, spanish music and perfect weather...

I brought my new favorite recipe - Fiesta Wheat and Bean Salad and tortilla chips. Here's the recipe...

1 orange or red pepper, diced

1 green pepper, diced

1 small red onion, diced

1 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 small jalapeno, cored and diced

juice of 1 lime

3 cups cooked wheat berries

1 (16oz) can corn, drained

1 (15oz) can black beans, drained

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 TBSP sugar

1/2 c vegetable oil

1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients, toss and chill at least an hour. Eat with tortilla chips and everywhere you would put salsa. It's delicious! I found the recipe at I Dare You To Eat It

DOESN'T THIS CHAIR

look so comfy? I likey....

Found via Brown Button

FOR RUBY TUESDAY

If you would like to participate in Ruby Tuesday, post a photo you have taken with red. A little or a lot, it is up to you. Then click here and follow the easy instructions.

COUPONING ROCKS MY

world and I had a good shopping trip tonight....

3 Gallons of milk
3 Half gallons of milk
4 Darigold flavored milk
12 Jumbo pkgs of Oscar Meyer Jumbo Hotdogs
3 - 4 packs of Activia yogurt
4 Easy Macs
2 bottles Taco Bell sauce
4 Ken's Salad Dressing Spritzers
1 Capri Sun
2 pkgs Pop Secret Popcorn
2 Baby Ray BBQ Sauce
2 pks Gold Fish
2.5 pounds nectarines

It all would have come to $116.81 and

I paid $13.17

I love a coupon high!

I HEARD A GREAT WAY

to beat the heat is to use Gila Window Film....
It doesn't block the light, but it rejects up to 70% of the sun's heat saving about $100.00 on energy bills.
I'm alway looking for ways to save money, have you used it?

WE HAD AN INCREDIBLE TIME

at Pat's Acre Racing Complex in Aurora. It was SO MUCH fun doubling with the Despains...

And we went to PF Changs and ate like kings on their half priced appetizers.

Awesome afternoon!

DO YOU WANT TO HAVE

some random fun? Kelly from According To Kelly is having her 3rd Annual Favorite Things Swap and everyone is invited...

I heard last year there were over 300 participants and that it was a hit!

You have until July 3rd to sign up, so check it out.

Click here for more information on how to participate....

Found via A Room Somewhere

I AM DIGGING

this couch by Teo Jasmin...I think it would look awesome in our shop but Larry thinks it's too girly and too British because we are Made In The USA.
I agree this couch is a smidge girly and British but it's awesome! I love it!
If it was in the shop it would probably be covered in sawdust anyway....

Found via Marley & Lockyer

LARRY AND I SAW RENT TONIGHT

and it was amazing!
We saw it the first time eight years ago when it came to Portland and we loved it!
There were more F-bombs than I remember but RENT was just as amazing as we had remembered it being...
Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp were insanely brilliant in their roles...

FYI: This musical is not for children. We were surprised to see some younger folk in the audience. Ummmm, no.

I'm on the hunt for an edited CD. The music is

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

GOOD-BYE TO PLASTIC MARKERS

Check out these gorgeous porcelain garden stakes from Pigeon Toe Ceramics...

Found via sfgirlbybay

WHEN THE WEE ONES HAD

their bath tonight, Lach was the first one out, per his request.
A few moments later Landon was calling for me...

Lach had changed his mind.

These boys are hilarious!....

I AM THE HUGEST FAN

of Living with Ed.... Ed is amazing! And together, Ed and Rachelle rock! I'd love to be their neighbor.
Are you a fan too?

IF IT WAS OKAY TO LICK

plates out in public.....

We just might have done it...

WE HAD A SMALL FAMILY PARTY

for dad and celebrated his turning 61 with cake, presents and more cake....

Above is his favorite present (that he wrapped and gave himself).

He's such a crack-up...

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

celebrate my father's birthday.... My dad is kind, funny, a troublemaker, a peacemaker, interesting, loving, generous and thoughtful.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

AND.....

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO

The love of my life...

And our dads. We love you!

WE WENT TO A BOOK SIGNING

at William Sonoma Home for friend, Chris Marley, owner of Form and Pheromone, who is an absolutely incredible artist....

Check out his book here and here

While we were there Landon made a new friend. We could hardly tear them away from themselves...

LIFE = RISK

Click here.....

I'D LOVE TO RELAX AND WATCH THE

setting of the sun with my boys on a perfect summer evening.... Katherine Field is magical. I wish I could afford to have her design my yard...

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

If you would like to participate in SkyWatch Friday, post a photo you have taken and click here to follow the easy instructions.

A CATALOG OF LOVE

An antique wooden library card catalog, now holding chapters of a life together...

"...faux Dewey Decimal catalog cards, where the book number is replaced by milestone dates, chapters of our love overwrites book titles, and important locations substitute publisher cities. One day, when we are both old and wrinkled, I hope we will be able to fill the box completely with our life’s chapters together."

I'm in awe! What a romantic gift. Grace Light is a romantic genius...

Found via Marvelous Kiddo and Design Sponge

FALLEN PRINCESSES BY

photographer Dina Goldstein.....

I love this project!

It's so genius, so thoughtful, so moving, so real.

Found via A Cup of Jo via Cupcakes and Cashmere

A PEEK INTO CAMRYN'S PHOTO SHOOT...

She was darling!!

YOU KNOW ME WELL

if you know I love, love, love family history, ESPECIALLY the old photographs...

Check out Geneartology, an online service, that will put your ancestral photos into a beautiful family tree template. They print it and deliver it to you ready to be framed.
This is at the top of my To Do Wish List....

Found via Design Mom

HAPPY WEDNESDAY...

The weekend is right around the bend...

A FUN EVENING AT THE PARK

with family and friends and great weather...

Watching the kids have so much fun; what could be better than that?

I'M IN A FUNK, I'D LIKE

to go somewhere...

Photo found here

Photo found here

Photo found here

Photo found here

LOOK AT THE UPHOLSTERY ON

these car seats. I love it!

Via absolutelybeautifulthings

I'M LOVING THIS CHROME PHONE

from Retro Showroom...

Via Rubypress

ON JUNE 23RD, AN ALBUM, 8 YEARS

in the making will be released...

Listen is a collection of 15 original songs, written by children who stutter, and recorded by iconic artists including Carly Simon, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Duncan Sheik, John Forte, Mandy Patinkin and many others.

Our Time is a non-profit organization centered on a one-of-a-kind Arts program that provides children who stutter with an environment of unconditional acceptance…a creative forum, where they can express themselves through art, music, writing and theater, slowly and without risk of being shamed.

Click here to learn more and to listen to an audio sampler.

Click here to enter a giveaway at Marvelous Kiddo for an advance copy...

LAIRD HAS GRADUATED FROM

Elementary School...

Class of 2016 here he comes....

MY FRIEND NEYSA SENT ME AN

email of ads from the 30's...

From here

This was one of my favorites....

I'M LOOKING FOR BEAUTIFUL FAST GROWING

privacy trees that could be planted in a row along a fence in zone 8...

Any ideas? I'm thinking maybe Lombardy Poplar Trees?

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

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MY FAVORITE FLOWER IS A WHITE

peony and that was my Grandma Betty's favorite too.
My parents have some of her bushes and they are in full bloom and absolutely gorgeous.
I think of her whenever I look at those huge, ruffly, sweet smelling blooms..

In the fall my parents are going to split the bulbs and I am so excited to get some to plant for my own...

TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY

to celebrate the birthdays of my brother Michael and my nephew Michael. Father and son, same name and same date of birth. How cool is that?....

Michael is a great father to two beautiful daughters and doting father to Mikey. He is fun, hardworking, a superman fan, kind and loving.

Little Michael aka Mikey, is so cute, fun and ADORED by Landon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL SQUARED

ENRICHMENT WAS TONIGHT AND THE THEME

was My Favorite Things.

Decorations were awesome and inspired by Jordan and Martha.

Food was incredible! Darcy made chicken dumpling soup, strawberry salad, fresh lemonade and flourless chocolate cake with raspberry puree and fresh whipped cream...

We talked about fun favorite things and then Ann Papworth was our keynote speaker. She talked to us about learning to recognize and enjoy favorite things and being grateful. From the smallest and simplest to our ever changing interests and talents and having them be a source of joy and comfort through our different life experiences.

"In every thing give thanks..." 1Thessalonians 5:18

"...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalms 30:5

It was an incredible evening!

FOR RUBY TUESDAY

If you would like to participate in Ruby Tuesday, post a photo you have taken with red. A little or a lot, it is up to you. Then click here and follow the easy instructions.

I'M OFFICIALLY AN EGG FAN,

a pedegg that is.... I received one for my birthday and it's awesome! Do you have a pedegg too?

MY FAMILY HAD A PARTY FOR

me with some birthday love and my favorite cake - angle food cake with fluffy white icing with strawberry puree...

I'd tell you what I wished for but I want it to come true....

TURNING 45 ISN'T

going to be so bad... Doesn't this photo remind you of this activity?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

I WAS THRILLED TO RECEIVE A PRESENT THIS

morning. Remember this? It was my turn for a Discovery Flight with Leading Edge Aviation...

(If I don't say so myself, I think I did a great job.) Patrick is a fantastic instructor and I didn't want my lesson to end.

Lach will be in kindergarten in 4 years, maybe I'll go back to school. Helicopter school that is. It was that amazing. I LOVED IT!!

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

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I'M SO HAPPY

Burn Notice is back. Yay!!

IT WAS YAYA NIGHT AND WE

celebrated Kathy and my birthday Strawberry Shortcake style....

We got dizzy with a strawberry pinata...

Cindy made a delicious strawberry and cream cake...

I got perfect presents (and so did Kathy)...

And I celebrated with the best people (we missed you Jamie!!)

I love that I get to celebrate my birthday with my Gemini sister Kathy every year. We always have so much fun!

Adrienne, you planned a perfect evening!

WHO EVER CAME UP WITH THIS

idea was a genious! I wore a clip-on everyday at the Redwoods and I didn't get ONE mosquito bite.....

CAMPING IN THE

Redwoods was a BLAST...Kim and Jay and family joined us and we stayed at Elk Prairie Campgrounds. Small sites but they patrol often and provide bear boxes (which was great especially since a bear came to visit our campsites Saturday evening) We loved it there...

The commercials lie - we had NO service....

We ate the best food - BBQ corn, coca cola chicken, eggs, bacon, hot chocolate, quesadillas, smores, etc....

Landon got a HUGE crush....

We had a lot of fun around camp....

We hiked Fern Canyon...

Drove through a redwood...

We went on hikes...

We went to the beach...

You just have to longboarded in the Redwoods...

We climbed the biggest trees we've ever seen...

And Landon enjoyed being with his girlfriends...

It was such a fun weekend in the Redwoods!

TODAY IS A WONDERFUL DAY

to celebrate my sister-in-law Jill's birthday....
Jill is beautiful, loving, strong, interesting, a great example, funny, kind, a wonderful mother and sister.

Happy Birthday Jill!

WE ARE BACK FROM CAMPING IN

the Redwoods....What a fun weekend we had! We even had a bear outside our tent Saturday night...

Black Bear photo found here

I'll be posting photos from our camping trip later today...

ELK, MOUNTAIN LION AND BEAR, OH MY!

We're off to the Redwoods...
See you in a few days....

IT WAS SUCH A FABULOUS DAY, THE

wee ones and I went across the foot bridge for a walk, gorgeous scenery and rock throwing...

I love days like these....

HAVE YOU SEEN THE BAGASSE

tableware from greenhome that can go in the compost bin after a meal? I'm so curious to check them out...

FOR RUBY TUESDAY

a red barn door....If you would like to participate in Ruby Tuesday, post a photo you have taken with red. A little or a lot, it is up to you. Then click here and follow the easy instructions.

I AM VERY HONORED TO HAVE A FATHER,

brother, grandfathers and a family history full of ancestors who have fought for the freedoms of this country...

Happy Memorial Day!

Photo Google Images

IF YOU HAVEN'T

seen Star Trek yet... don't walk - RUN to the theater.

You'll be glad you did....

SINK ME!

Fruit smoothies and The Scarlett Pimpernel; what a brilliant idea for a girl's night out....

Kim pouring the fruit concoctions....

Sarah and Stephanie sharing some sisterly love...

Thanks Kim for a fabulous evening!

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

celebrate Heather's birthday.

Heather is inspiring, kind,

beautiful, thoughtful,

interesting and funny.

We ate lunch at Spoons,

which was a first for me and

the Turkey Pesto Sandwich
did not disappoint....

Birthday Girl Heather and Rhoda

Heidi, Me, Wendy

Happy Birthday Heather!

I'VE BEEN TRYING TO STAY AWAY FROM

sugar, but seeing this cake from vanilla sugar...

I just want to dive right in. Oh my....

via a cup of joe

VISITING STEVE IN ALASKA ROCKED...

Day 1: We ate breakfast at Gwennie's which is an old brothel turned restaurant.
We ate normal food, while Steve ate reindeer sausage...

The weather was cloudy and rainy and so beautiful. We drove out to Seward..

and the cute and tired wee ones had fun in the hotel tub....

Day 2: We checked out of the hotel...

And watched The Steve run a 10K....

He did a GREAT job. We were very proud of him!

Oregon has $5 Footlongs but Alaska has $7 Footlongs...

I loved this sign....


We went to the Seward SeaLife Center...

Jellyfish photo by The Steve

We hiked to Exit Glacier, where an official park sign read "...Brown Bear: Play dead unless it starts to eat you, then fight back..."

Put our feet in glacier water, brrrrr was it ever cold!

Saw a lot of moose poop....

And talked with "phone rocks"....

We went to the Animal Reserve off the Seward Highway...

Bear photo by The Steve

Fox photo by The Steve

Landon liked the "marshmallows" and pretended he was a smore....

Day 3: We went to the Reindeer Farm in Palmer....

Now we know where Santa keeps his reindeer....

The boys slept in the car while we drove to Matanuska Glacier...

And Steve drank glacier water....
Lach discovered how fun it is to slide cracker sticks between his toes....

Steve and Landon slept in a tent in the living room during our stay.

We loved eating dinner in the tent, especially pizza from Moose's Tooth....

Day 4: We went to the zoo...

Otter photo by The Steve

We hiked a little bit of Flat Top Mountain ...

It was fun to see the moose on the roadside...

Goofing off in the living room tent...
And having our Biore strip bonding....

It was sad to have to say goodbye, but we'll be seeing our Stevie-Poo at Christmas...

THE WEE ONES AND I ARE LEAVING

for Alaska...We'll be back in a few days...

HELLO, MY NAME IS SCARFACE

but you can call me Al...You should see the other guy...

LARRY USED TO HAVE HAIR,

long hair and at one time it was at past his shoulders...

This was about three weeks before our wedding. We drove to Utah to see my cousin Jill get married.
Look how young we were. Awe....

WE ARE SO EXCITED WE

just got the GoPro Helmet Hero Wide in the shop...

Perfect for Father's Day!

The world's smallest, wireless helmet and gear mountable video camera for outdoor sports and waterproof up to 100 feet.
With separate accessories it can mount inside a car, on handle bars, a surfboard, etc...

So fun!

IT'S A GREAT DAY

to celebrate two birthdays....

My niece Alivia who is so cute, kind, an incredible artist and swimmer, thoughtful and loving. I was lucky enough to be there for her birth...

And my beautiful cousin Jill, whom I consider a sister. She is hilarious, has the best contagious laugh, thoughtful, loving, kind and is sooooo groovy.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LIVI & JILLY WILLY

FOR RUBY TUESDAY

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LANDON WENT UNDER THE PEW AT CHURCH

today. When we got him to come out he had pen marks all over his legs and face... He told us there were chickens under there and they had poxed him...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!

I love you!

WE HAD A FAMILY P~A~R~T~A~Y

for Larry with presents, laughter, a lot of noise, a lot of candles, air guitar and dancing by the wee ones and a three layer french vanilla cake with strawberry preserves and cream cheese frosting....

IF YOU WANT A GREAT LAUGH,

watch this 2 minute Mother's Day video (click here)...

Thanks Katie B. for sending it my way; I'm a fan of Barats and Bereta!

LARRY RECEIVED HIS FIRST PRESENT

this morning. I scheduled a Discovery Flight with Leading Edge Aviation so he could fly a helicopter...

He was very surprised! When we got into the car I told him I made him a spa appointment to get a mani & pedi and his back waxed.

It was such a great morning! My birthday is in a month and I know what one of my presents will be. We made the appointment before we left....

LARRY IS ANOTHER YEAR OLDER

today... He is a hard worker, talented, kind, thoughtful, funny, focused, loves his boys, loves his family and loves me, he gives the best back rubs, is a great cook, loyal friend and an amazing father and husband.
He's the creme in my creme brulee.

Happy birthday Love!

FOR SKYWATCH FRIDAY

When it hasn't been raining, we have had gorgeous thick clouds the past few days....

If you would like to participate in SkyWatch Friday, post a photo you have taken and click here to follow the easy instructions.

IF YOU HAVE

never eaten here, you are missing out...

Everything is so scrumptious; I can't even tell you....

I'M NEW TO CANNING AND I

want to can apple pie filling and applesauce....

Jar Photo here and Pie Photo here

If you have a fabulous secret family recipe, I'd love for you to pass it my way...

I'M CONSIDERING THIS

tangerine door. LOVE IT!

Via Full House

I'M COVETING THIS PORCH

of this Bahama house owned by India Hicks....

Via Swish and Swanky

After reading her article I have want to have a new mantra: "there are three key ingredients to being a happy, hands-on mum: space to run, a passport, and plenty of SPF 50 sunblock."

An island escape is calling my name.....

I'M TAKING VANILLA VANILLA CUPCAKES

to a luncheon this afternoon....

DOORS MAKE ME HAPPY

and I love these...

Via SixxDesign

FOR RUBY TUESDAY

My first batch of strawberry jam this season.
Fred Meyer is having a great sale on strawberries....If you would like to participate in Ruby Tuesday, post of picture you have taken with red. A little or a lot it doesn't matter then click here and follow the easy instructions.

WHO KNEW A BIC PEN COULD

be so impressive...

Recycled Bic Pen Vase found via Re-Nest

WE HAD A FUN DOUBLE DATE

with dinner at yummy PF Changs and a movie....

If you like suspense thrillers, you'll like State of Play...

WE HAD A DELICIOUS DINNER

at Kwan's to celebrate our 6 month anniversary...

Time flys when everyone is feeling grrrrrrreat!

WHEN MY BROTHER DEREK WAS IN TOWN

we did a silly photo shoot for his sweetheart, Erica. These are my favorites....

Don't you just love second photo with the George Costanza pose?

MIDNIGHT MOVIE RELEASES WITH

Larry, my sister and friends are the best...


Movie tickets, $9.50...

Seeing the crowds and people dressed up, priceless.... Wolverine and Gambit, always a good thing....

HAVE YOU SEEN

the happy posts on Rockstar Diaries? Inspiring!

10 Things That Make Me Terribly Happy:

1. Holding hands
2. When our 4 boys are not fighting. It's great to see them have fun together!
3. Belly roll laughing
4. Getting a massage
5. Biore strips
6. Granny B's Cookies
7. Getting awesome deals. I love coupons and sales!
8. Freshly bathed children and freshly cut grass
9. Sunny 75 degree weather
10. Going to new places

What makes you happy? I'd love to hear.