Happy Halloween!

Caeden and I carved his pumpkin last night. My first attempt since ... I was a girl, I suppose. I probably should have read up on how to do it, as I just armed myself with a sharp knife and basic understanding of facial anatomy. No matter, Caeden loved it. ;)

Have a happy, safe, and spooky Halloween! We're planning on hitting as many houses as Caeden can muster the energy for. And, if you happen to visit our house, please do not be offended that the lights are out. Wayne will be sleeping ...

Image: My friend Kellie's talented daughter, Darian, carved 2009 Pumpkin.

Her message holds true for so many!

This is It

TODAY is Wayne's last day of chemo. Last day of this protocol. Last day. From here on out, for 2 or 3 month chunks at a time, Wayne is on break. Break. Which he really, really deserves.

It has been a long road for him. For us, too. But our family unit has never been stronger as we are all standing beside Wayne, wishing we could fight this for him, but only being able to offer strength, love, and tenacity. However, in all truth, it is Wayne that has shown us steadfast strength. Courage.

I think about his initial diagnosis, when they found the mets in his lungs, and as badly as we wanted to believe it was some sort of crazy repository problem, we knew better. When they had him in the MRI machine for 45 minutes - laying on his hip - we knew they had found something. When he called me from the hospital, with a carefully masked "Hi Honey! Could you come to the hospital as soon as you can?" question, I knew. I had never broken so many traffic laws in one stretch as I did on my way to him. I could not get there fast enough, and swore I would never leave him again.

I will forever hold onto the conversations that ensued over the next weeks. Crying, praying, stunned conversations, trying to figure out what was next. Where do we go? What do we do?

Cancer.

The open heart surgery to remove a tumor that had found it's way into his heart. Open heart surgery. Right before he went down to the surgery floor, he had the kids crawling all over his lap, talking to them and telling them everything was going to to OK. And it was. He recovered (he was unbelievable. He took the pain and never complained - instead he was grateful. Grateful they found that tumor that could have (and would have) broken off and caused a stroke. One hurdle down.

I think about his first round of chemo and how sick he was. We couldn't get his nausea under control, he was hallucinating, and so so sick. I called his Dad, telling him I didn't think I could do this alone. We were told chemo was bad, and having no idea what "bad" was - we thought hallucinations, loss of gross motor movement, and extreme sickness was part of the package. It wasn't.

From then on out, there were hospitalizations for neurotoxicity, countless blood draws, doctors visits ... our worlds have been turned upside down since March 8th. I will never view the world the same. I know he won't, either.

EIGHT rounds of chemo. Lasting 7 hours a time. (He is the first one there and the last to leave and the only one there all 5 days a week. Think about that.)

Flushing his CVC line every night.

Worrying about blood counts, infections,  fevers ...

DONE for at least a few months.

When I think of someone brave. When I think of someone steadfast - I think of Wayne. He has explained that he doesn't feel brave, he just feels like he had no choice but to endure, so he does. But for all of you out there who do not see him daily, there is no other word to describe him. He takes each thing in stride and with such grace.

Grateful. Grateful is a word I use today to describe our entire family. We are so grateful to all of you out there who have helped us through. Your calls, cards, emails, words of encouragement ... they are what got us through. Thank you for taking care of us when we couldn't. Thank you for being so good to Dave and Donna. To Nikki & John. To all of us. We love you all.

He needs to get through the next week (counts go down to zero, so we need to keep him healthy as possible). And then his break starts. His well-earned and much deserved break.

So if you could, please comment or send him an email (he isn't much for talking on the phone right now) and tell him congrats. I know he would love to hear from you.

XO

Val

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

(Dave with the snowblower ... taken with my iPhone, wearing no shoes. What I do for the blog ...)

We live in Colorado. We expect snow. We aren't complaining. Just wanting to show you what we're got so far ... we are guessing 2 feet so far, with more to come today. Read more here.

The snow blower was one of the first purchases Wayne made when we moved here 3 years ago. The first year it was never used. And I might have complained about the waste of space and money it was. And then we got a HUGE storm that stopped the city for 3 days. I started to warm up to the blower.

And today, I am so glad we have it! Dave plowed through the snow like it was nothing, and off to chemo they went. Everything is closed today ... except for the hospital. Bless them and their staff. 

The kids and I have not gotten out of our jammies in 2 days (except to bathe, of course) and we've been cooking up a storm in the kitchen - soups, a roast, carnitas, muffins ... Yes, I went to the store to stock up (but forgot to go to the liquor store, which, lets be honest, being locked in the house with 2 kids ... I should have stopped there first).

In all honesty, we're warm, cozy, and feeling blessed that Wayne's chemo treatment is able to continue through this crazy, crazy storm.

Half Way There

Wayne is on Day 3 of chemo - and still feeling good. His skin has a bit of a pink tint to it due to the Doxirubicin. He is eating well and is still up and around.

We are getting hit by a big storm today and the hospital is trying to close the clinic at 3:30. Wayne usually has chemo until 4:30, so my guess is they are going to push the chemo faster?? I worry about tomorrow. We're supposed to be getting up to 18" of snow in some areas and I wonder if getting to the hospital tomorrow is possible...

Both the kids are asleep (colds) and the house is quiet. Off to do some photo session editing and drink some (more) coffee.

I'll leave you with information for the top image ... it's an Etsy find ... a handmade address stamp ... I love her writing! Found here.

And this clever idea ... using silicone ice cube trays to make crayons ... or personalized ice (duh) ... or brownie bites ...

Found on the this blog: The Haystack Needle

Worry.

I worry about Caeden. I worry he pays too much attention to getting more than giving/sharing. I worry he doesn't eat enough vegetables. I worry he isn't paying enough attention to learning at home (writing, sounds of letters ... totally boring to him). I worry about normal Mom stuff. Like you Moms out there know. We worry, right?

This morning I worried as we pulled up to the hospital and Wayne got out of the truck to say his good bye's to us. Caeden started to cry and said, "Daddy I worry about you!"

And my heart broke. And Wayne's did, too - it was written all over his face.

The way to the hospital we talked about normal things, like what he needed to do for work, who he was going to call (old friends/colleges/relatives) to catch up and say hello to. We talked about his Dad flying in this afternoon, about just normal stuff.

We didn't talk about the things that keep us up at night. The things we worry about.

But Caeden. Little Caeden Koop has worries all his own that we can't explain away. And his worries must be so scary to him. I know he was thinking about dropping his Dad off at the hospital and what usually comes along with that - a high strung Mom, nights of being tucked in by just me and not his Dad, a Dad that doesn't feel so hot ...

Sometimes I can really make myself sick with the things I worry about. But, I am always able to figure it out, calm down, and move on. It's so hard to think that I can't do that for Caeden. For as many times as we explain what Wayne's "generator" (Caeden's word for Wayne's chemo pump that he wears 24/7) does, or how the chemo is killing the cancer bugs, Caeden still holds onto worry all his own.

And that is the way it is, isn't it? We all live in our own bubble of worry.

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it.

Chemo and Recipes (usually don't go together ...)

Wayne is officially hooked up and having his last round of chemo. Friday will be it for this protocol and then his break begins. His Oncologist said on Friday that she'd like to follow up with him in 2 to 3 months; his Oncologist in Houston said 2. So, he is free of hospitals, medication, and Doctor's appointments until at least January (besides a trip to Houston in November ... sigh.).

Anyway. He's alone today, but my Mom and sister are dropping by this afternoon to bring him lunch and keep him company for a bit. Then tomorrow his Dad flies in for the rest of the week (just in time for a big snow storm tomorrow night).

Speaking of snow, I went to the grocery store and stocked up for the week. Thought I would share a few recipes that I am making - just in case something looks good to you.

White Chicken Chili ( my friend Melissa's recipe) *a family favorite*

1 Pound skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1 medium onion chopped
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1T vegetable oil
3 cans 15 1/2 oz each of great northern beans, rinsed
1 can 14 1/2 oz chicken broth
2 cans 4 oz each of chopped green chilies
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion, garlic in oil until chicken
is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasoning. Bring
to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Remove
from heat. Add cream and sour cream.

***I usually cook the chicken, onion, and garlic then throw everything
but the cream and sour cream in the crock pot. I also add 2 or 3
potatoes cut up.

Spicy Pork for Tacos (Amy's Recipe) *do yourself a favor and make this*

This pork is awesome...but it really has a kick to it! We put it on small tortillas, squeeze lime on it, and topped it with guac, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, cheese, etc.


All Purpose Spicy Shredded Pork

In a 3 ½ or 4 quart slow cooker, combine 1 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2 inch chunks;one 8 oz can tomato sauce; ½ c water; 2 small chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (they are in cans); 1 tsp cumin seeds; 4 cloves garlic, minced; and ½ tsp salt.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8-10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours. Remove meat; cool until easy to handle.

Strain and reserve cooking liquid. Shred meat; stir in enough strained liquid to moisten.

Asian Flank Steak (serve with Rice and Green Beans)

Baked Oatmeal

(I think I posted this last winter? It is delicious, healthy and so yummy! Serve with yogurt and fruit) ...

½ C Vegetable Oil (I use 1/4 c. applesauce/ 1/4 c. oil)
¾ C Sugar (I use 1/2 cup)
2 Large Eggs
3 C quick cooking oats (not instant)
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 C Milk
1 Apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1 C Raisins (optional)
1 C Shredded Coconut
1 C dried Cranberries (I leave this out and add blueberries or pears)

Mix oil, sugar, and eggs and beat until yellow and glossy. Add remaining ingredients except for fruit. Beat until well mixed. Stir in fruit. Pour into greased 8x8 pan” baking dish. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve warm in a bowl.

Reheats well ....

Weekend Update

Our basement is just about finished. We spent the weekend moving furniture downstairs and decorating. If I do not emerge from the basement for a week, that is OK with me. It is SO CUTE and looks nothing like a basement. As soon as the sun starts shining (it is snowing right now) I will take and post pictures. So for now, we are all still in our p.j.'s hanging out down here and LOVING our new space.

Wayne starts chemo tomorrow. His Dad is coming down Tuesday ... and it's the final round.

If you are interested in my latest photo session, my sister and Jordan, take a peek here...

More soon!

I wish I had a Picture

Met my dear, beautiful friend for coffee this morning. She comes wearing a chic white scarf and smells of goodness. And then there are her children. Bold brown eyes, both of them. Impossible eye lashes and manners that would make any Mama proud. They swoop in, welcoming Caeden in their world with talk of barbies, cars, coloring Books, and playful bantering.

T. Lynn & I talk about life. About love. Kids (like how hers can read thanks to her and her alone). Then we chase kids, resettle them, and we talk some more.

It's snowing outside but we're warm in the coffee shop.

Two hours (or close to it) whiz by in a flash. On our way home, Caeden tries to nail down a play date. When will Malik and Omari (except he calls her Mar - familiar with her enough to give her a nickname) come over? Can they come tomorrow? The next day? When??

We arrive home and Caeden shows his Dad the cars that Malik gave him (which I still cannot get over...what 8 year old does that? He is something special, I will tell you that much). Now his favorites.

Although I had a tough time juggling everything today (why do things have a way of piling up all at once?), my soul was lifted - the gift of friendship does wonders for a girl. Do you ever have that feeling, like "Man, I really need this today..."

T. Thank you for everything. I wish I had a picture of you in all your fierceness to post.
Come over and teach Claire to dance, ok?

XO

Val

Itty Bitty Sneak Peek | Parker, CO Photographer

Three super sweet kids. Beautiful, beautiful souls and personalities. One is the nurturer. One is totally bored the entire time, and one is larger than life. All three were so fun to hang out with it.
Mom - you outdid yourself with outfits. Your attention to details made the session spectacular. And yes, we are going out for a margarita SOON!

Enjoy this not-so-serious sneak peek. I will be posting a more thorough peek in the coming days ... I cannot wait to show you how amazingly well you all photograph. Made my job so easy!

XO

Val

Weekend Update

We went to Breckenridge Sunday ...mountain excursions are something we don't do enough of. The drive is 2.5 hours flat - definitely a pleasant Sunday drive.


We walked up and down main street. It's full of ski shops (duh), boutiques, and restaurants. I came across this photography studio and had to take a picture for laughs. The name Altitude Photography cracks me up at how lame it is ... and then makes me laugh because { In the Moment } isn't any better.


Stopped into a particularity cute store and got the kids some souviners. A Bla Bla doll for Claire, and a guitar t-shirt for Caeden (who, ironically, hates music). *(And it's not the one shown here.)


However, I love music, and so I will dress him in Rock n Roll fashion until he either: learns to read and figures out who AC/DC is and what guitars stand for, or starts buying his own clothes.


Here's the man of the hour. We've got some chemo news. His bone marrow is still not generating the way it should and his blood counts are still too low for chemo. So, he was sent home again this morning. We're both feeling ambivient about it. On the one hand, it is nice to have him feeling good and functioning well. On the other, an 8th round would be nice - for piece of mind that we exhausted this type of chemo, for the insurance it provides, and for closure for Wayne. He sees his Oncologist on Friday and he'll have a game plan then...

Special Delivery

Yesterday was an exciting day around here. The kids got a package from Aunt Nikki & Uncle John in the mail. The outside was decorated with stickers, and inside ... well inside was like a birthday and Christmas all wrapped into one. Cards, toys, candy (Caeden's favorite), bubble bath (so cute!), funky glasses (so my favorite thing ever!), and a dancing scarecrow atop a pumpkin (Claire's favorite) ... and great tissue paper. Nik is awesome with details.

The picture of Caeden makes me laugh each time I look at it. How could you NOT laugh?

Have a great weekend!

This & That

You are looking at Wayne's new thing. Juicing. It's all thanks to our neighbor Kim. She brought over a tall container containing juice of: kale, grapes, oranges ... (and more, I am sure). It's something Wayne is almost allergic to (fruits and vegetables). Well, not allergic but something he has avoided most of his life. Weirdo.

Anyway, imagine my surprise when not only did he try it, but he liked it! Off to Costco he went for a juicer. Yesterday it was spinach, apples, and grapes. And you know what? It was really good. Even Caeden liked it.

It goes without saying (but I talk a lot so I will say it), I am very, very happy he is finding a way to get fruits and veggies into his system. If you know him at all, or have ever eaten with him, you know what a big deal this is. It's like getting a 3 year old to eat brussel sprouts.

Next: Ornaments. The only person who may appreciate these pictures is my brother in law. He loves the holidays as much as I do, and embraces it with gusto. Love that. Anyway, one of my favorite blogs is Apartment Therapy. The link to a subset of their blog is listed on my side bar (Odeedoh). Anyway, today they listed these ornaments from Ballard Designs. They are so clever for a child's tree (I decorate one in the kids' playroom as well as one in each of their rooms. Totally overboard to some, but I love the feeling of walking into a room illuminated with a twinkling tree during Christmas time.). Anyway, the beauty of this is that Ballard is totally overpriced ($69) and I can tell you how to make them on your own. Cuz' you know I will.

Get yourself some mini cream (or whatever color you like) Christmas ornaments, some alphabet stamps or a package of mini rub ons, and some staz-on ink (all found at craft stores and scrapbooking stores). Stamp, stamp, stamp.

Staz-on is a special ink that will not come off. Don't use normal stamp ink as it will smear. If you need some online suggestions for getting these things, just let me know.

Some other fun ideas would be numbers, or names (I did this a couple of years ago for gifts), special dates, sentimental sayings ... sky is the limit.

I think I will do cream with brown ink, and then tie them on the tree with red ribbon.



But I love white and black (especially with this type).

And back tracking to fall, look at these pumpkins. Darling!
You can find them here: Olive Juice Co.







Last but not least: Let me introduce Caeden's very first friends. The boys were all introduced before they could even roll over. During playdates, they would ... uh.. lay there, and my girlfriends would talk about everything under the sun. I loved those days so much. And miss them so much! Yesterday I got this picture via email from Kelly, and the subject line said, "We miss you!" So I sat at my computer with a lump in my throat, staring at these sweet kids all growing up ... and missed them, too. I would really like to get back to KC someday soon and see everyone. It would just be good for the soul. Except Wayne might have to send a search team out to find me to bring me home. I love Denver, but KC is still home. Still home.
Smooches and love to you guys!

Cookie Monsters

How do you get ready for the single most gluttonous (...is that word?) play date ever?
You start with place mats that have silly recipes printed on them from other children.






Little Green Things Pizza seemed very fitting for the Halloween theme...




Then add 5 different colors of icing. Colors not shown: Grey (eww!), Orange, Purple, & Blue.
Make this recipe: the icing stays shiny.


Then, go to the candy store and spend gobs of money on sugar in as many forms as you can find. I also added in Trix and Cocoa Puff cereal ...


Promise your little boy that this afternoon will be a ton of fun ...



And watch him get everything "just so" for his friend Kaija.


Here's Kaija. Not loving the camera. What?! Who doesn't love the camera in their face?!



Here's one of her creations. Seriously, isn't that a work of art? And yes, your teeth will fall right out of your head if you attempt to eat it. (That's a warning for her Dad.)



Here's Caeden's creations. He made 6 and then decided monster cookies were dumb, boring, and soooo last year.

Instead he chased Kaija around the house forever while Michelle and I tried to figure out paint colors for the basement.


And I leave you with a recipe for your breakfast in the morning.

Lovely

Getting her to not lunge after the camera and smear her fingers across the lens is quite the challenge. But a worthy challenge.

I love her messy hair, her headband that she loves to take off and put on again, her sweet cheeks and that skin ... that skin.

A First

Everyone made plans for this week. Wayne worked like mad on projects to make this week a bit easier for work, Dave took time off and flew down last night, Kellie requested leave and bought a plane ticket to fly here Wednesday.

Wayne mentally prepared himself for 5 days of chemo that lasts 8 hours each time. He took his nausea medication, hugged the kids tight, and headed to the hospital early this morning.

And his treatment was denied because his blood count is too low. Too low after not having chemo for 4 weeks. It has taken us all by surprise. It's the first time this has happened.

We are scrambling to un-do our (mental) chemo week and trying to plan for next week instead.
Trying to figure out why in the world his blood count is still so low...

We talked about it this morning and Wayne said, "You know, I am not really that surprised because I can still smell the chemo (very distinct smell) on myself." - And so could I. We wonder if the chemo has built up so much that his body is still processing it.

Wayne is taking his Dad to Fort Collins so that Dave can catch a ride home to Rapid City today.

It's a first (the delay of chemo - not the chaos that comes with it).

Did You Know?

...There is a Facebook application that strips out all the games and crud ... and lets you just read people's comments? www.lite.facebook.com

...That butternut squash is delicious as dumplings? We went to a wonderful restaurant last night, Table 6, and had the BEST time. Table 6 is a small, cozy, and romantic place situated off of Wash Park. Might be my favorite restaurant in Denver.

...Wayne starts his last round of chemo tomorrow. To make sure Wayne is taken care of (since the infusion center doesn't love {i.e: tolerate, allow, or even ponder the idea of} kids running around chemo patients), Dad is flying in today from Rapid and leaving Wednesday. Then, just as he leaves, my dear friend Kellie (Culberston) Burns from AZ, is flying in Wednesday and staying until Saturday to help me juggle the kids and Wayne. I am so grateful.

photo credit: Elsie Flannigan

... Caeden and his friend Kaija ( and me and my friend Michelle) are creating Monster Cookies for Halloween on Wednesday. This will be our 3rd annual event. The cookies are way too sweet to eat, but they are so fun to make!

... Anthropologie makes the most amazing scented candles called "Volcano."

... We started bribing Caeden with stickers (to put on his chart) to mold his behavior. Apparently promising stickers for toys and dangling that over his head works like a charm. Who knew?! Created and printed his October Calendar here.

...The Red Laser is an awesome app for your iPhone. Scans the barcode of whatever you want to buy and finds locations and price lists for it. Wayne found a toy for Caeden at Target, scanned it, and instantly found out it was $20 cheaper at Target than Toys R Us.

Be Still My Heart

I was reading Cookie's Blog and came across their feature about these kitchen beauties.

The Big Chill is a genius of a company. They speak to all things vintage...



I adore, adore, ADORE these. Wouldn't match my house at all, but oh do I love them.

The link is there if you want to see more colors, dishwashers, and photos from inside people's kitchens. Fun stuff.

Bigger | Better Photographs

No more "click on picture to make larger."
No more pixilated, grainy pictures when they really aren't.
Very pleased with my HTML skills! :)

We're excited to have the bathroom tiled today-weekend. Doing white vintage, hexagonal tile on the floor, white subway tile around the tub, a curved shower curtain, pedestal sink ... I'm on the lookout for a piece of furniture to put in the bathroom to house curling irons, lotions, etc. It takes real estate to be a girl, you know. I envision something with a glass front, legs, and OLD.

We're thinking about trying round 2 of family pictures tonight, even though we have SNOW on the ground.

All I think about is the holidays. I love, love, love this time of year and have been pouring over magazines, taking mental pictures (watched the Office last night, did you?) of what I want to do this year ...

And that's about it.

Have a great Friday!

Take 3.

So, no sympathy from the last post. That's OK. I got some keepers after all.

Take Two

I thought it would be the perfect night to get some pictures of the family since it's going to snow this weekend...

So. Let me just say this. Photographing my own family is nothing like photographing a client. Clients listen to you. They pay attention to directions. They are aware.

Not this clan.

By the time it was all done (about 5 minutes from start to finish) I was proclaiming "Let's just forget it!" And, "Let's just go HOME" (very dramatic of me, yes?).

No one seemed to mind that I was irritated, disheartened, or disappointed. They were bored, cold, and not really caring about the vision of loveliness I had planned.

I was pretty quiet on the way home. Caeden noticed. "Mommy, did they turn out perfectly? Will you play with me after you put baby Claire to sleep?" -- He would have said anything to get me to loosen up.

So we came home and played trains. Now he's in bed and I'm looking at these pictures - pictures of kids crying, running away, husband not paying attention or listening, and the unperfectness of it all... and think tomorrow I will think it's funny.

But not tonight. Sigh.

Nothin'

I've got nothing for you today. Or yesterday. You can tell it's been lame-ville around here.

*Spent too much at the grocery store on healthy food and mealing planning that I hope we actually cook and eat (P.S. who goes to the grocery store, and buys $200 worth of food and NONE of it was meat?!)

*Going to talk the kids and Wayne into a family photo session tonight but waiting for the right time to bring it up...

*Visited my "I need a laugh" go-to site, and found this text between Mom and Daughter:


When you need someone to say the right thing, always call (or text) your Mom or Sister.

And this:

The last one reminds me of something I would text my sister. She keeps me in the loop. I remember last summer, when Justin Timberlake had a huge hit out ... can't remember off the top of my head which one ... and I thought it was a GIRL singing instead of him. So I called my sister and asked her what was up with the girl? Who was it? Etc., etc. Needless to say she had a good laugh about it (me).

I can be such a dork.

Anyway, back to my lame-o day.

Cancellation

To all my Rapid City clients - I am so bummed about the weather! Especially when it is going to be gorgeous next weekend! Thank you all for being flexible. We'll get your portraits taken well before the holidays, I promise. When I spoke with a couple of you, I think I heard relief in your voices when I suggested that 30 degree temperatures may not be the best idea for a portrait session.

So, can you believe we had the truck packed, we were on the 470 - 4o minutes into our drive when Wayne casually asked what the weather was going to be like in Rapid this weekend. I hadn't even checked! So after making phone calls, post-poning photoshoots, and deciding to stay put, we turned around and came home.

I am looking around at the mountain of camera gear, clothes, toys, and junk I now have to unpack and put away. Or maybe I should just take a nap instead? ;)

We hope to have everyone rescheduled shortly. I might open up another day for sessions since the first ones sold out so fast. I'll post more as soon as I know the schedule.

Weekend Update

1. The colors of the trees are so beautiful. Red, Yellow, and ... well, that's it. There's a shrub planted here and there in yards that I just love. It has the brightest red leaves I have ever seen. Just gorgeous. Thinking about sneaking into a yard with my camera so I have a reference when I go to the nursery.

2. Caeden and I baked cookie bars. This event happened just about 2 hours into my "no carb" diet. I believe chips and salsa also found a way to sabotage me. Dang diets. I think I am throwing all that to the wind and will just punish myself on the treadmill. So much easier.

3. Heading to Rapid City tomorrow for my holiday mini sessions. I am so excited and have so many ideas of things I want to do. I just hope it all works out as the temperatures look to be in the 40's. Brrrrrrr.....!

4. Caeden's fall festival was this weekend. Pumpkin patch, maze, firetruck, llamas, caramel apples, craft booths ... SO much fun. I was impressed! I had a booth to showcase my photography and met a bunch of great families. My favorite was a Mom who had a Nikon (I shoot Canon and it's always something I notice about other people) around her neck who casually kept walking by, peeking at some of my examples, but never making eye contact. Cracked me up. I do the same thing!

Back to laundry, house cleaning, and packing for our trip tomorrow ... SD here we come!

Shabby that Isn't ...

I was so sad when Shabby Chic filed for bankruptcy a while back. I have always been a fan of Rachel Ashwell's amazing bed linens, sofas, and style. It isn't often when someone doesn't comment on the comfort of their bed when they stay with us. I learned to layer, to be mindful of the way fabric feels, and to make sure - above all else - that comfort is met.

I remember for a birthday long ago, Wayne asked what I wanted. More than anything I wanted to visit one of these stores. So, off we went to Chicago. It was cold night in November. We drove straight from the airport directly to the store. By the time we arrived it was pouring rain, dark, and so cold. We ran inside and I promptly starting sketching custom pillows that I wanted to have made. I think the store help was a bit bewildered - wondering if I was a secret shopper or something ... as I walked around the store - owning it. :) My pile of sheets, pillows, and duvet covers grew as I added to my vision of the perfect bed.


To this day, when I make it all up and Wayne crawls into it, he will comment on how good it feels. It feels good 8 ... 9 ... years later. Good enough for a GUY to say something.

Anyway, I was thrilled to hear that she is back in business. Two stores - one in Santa Monica and one in NYC are open once again. Her latest blog post has tons of eye candy as far as sofas and furniture go. If you are into that sort of thing ... take a peek.