Storage Solutions

Everyday I trip over all the shoes in the laundry room/mudroom as I enter and exit from the garage.

Everday I think about what I should do to contain the mess that multiplies by the  hour.

Everyday.

So, I did a bit of research for ideas to contain the mess, and came up with nothing for the laundry room, but something very cute for the playroom. Go figure.

Claire has a closet, but what I like about this "closet" in this picture is how cute a little display like this would be for baby doll clothing or 'dress up' clothing for your kiddo. I like it out, so you can see all the fun fabrics and patterns.

I am sure I have shared this picture before, but just incase you missed it, these crates would be very easy to make yourself. Caster wheels can be found online in fun colors or at your local hardware store if you want black or silver.

My uninspiring solution for shoes. Something everyone has and totally not blog worthy, but whatever. The first two redeem this one. Found at Target, Container Store, etc.

Down South

My Mom & Step-Dad, Ken, are moving to Abingdon, VA on Thursday. The moving company will be here this week to pack them up ... and there's lots to do before they go.

And lots to do once they get there. SO.

I'm flying out with Mom on Thursday morning and staying until the following Wednesday to help her house hunt, discover the area, find the best: neighborhood, grocery store, hair salon, yoga, place for breakfast, best place for "nesting stuff," etc. etc.

So far I have found a few things to note:

1. We fly into Knoxville, and it's the closest major city. It is, however, not pronounced Knoxville. It's NOX-VULL.

2. They do BBQ there.

3. In the Spring, pink Dogwoods bloom all over the region, making for a sea of pink goodness that I cannot wait to photograph. I wonder when Spring happens there?

4. Traditional homes with lots of built in detail will make house hunting fun.

(We'll leave the abandonment issues for another day.)

Inspiration

Anthropologie for $998.

I think I could make my own, though. After living in Parker for three years, I have found the secret shop in Castle Rock (15 minutes from here) called The Barn that carries all sorts of vintage goodies. Maybe an old dresser that needs some love?

Bet I can make my own number dresser for under $50.  Bet I can.

Sharing Blog | Web Goodness

Burlap place mats and table runner.

 

Fabric flowers on a headband/ponytail holder.

Both from Craftaholics Anonymous.

Making it Lovely is a blog full of humor and really good style.

 

Clips to girlie up your shoes (in lots of colors).

Found here. I'd put them on flip flops.

Also these headbands.

Perfection.

This picture is sold by this artist, Abby, on Etsy. 

I love the vintage feel her work has. 

Last but not least, a friend of ours from Kansas City is an extraordinary artist who uses oil paints to create magic. 

Mary's website found here.

By the Numbers

25. The number of years my little sister has clocked since her birthday yesterday.

3. Number of lemon drop martinis I drank while celebrating with her.


0. Productivity today.

Quotes & Play List

Marianne Williamson 

I have always loved this quote and feel so empowered when I read it like I did today on another blog.

I updated my SORRY workout playlist. It was the same play list that I used to run to in Kansas (Hi Lisa Lou! I miss our runs!).

Here's my new one.I am quite confident it will get me through ... I'm up to 3 miles and am trying to not walk in between each mile (walking .25 miles between runs).

I'm Bringing the Mustache Back.

Found a pack of mustaches at a little shop and instantly knew they had to come home with me. Hil-Ar-Ious! You know my super fun mother in law (aka Mom), Donna.
I'm not going to lie. She rocked the stache'.

A bit scary that John looks so comfortable in his. I think he secretly wished it was his own.


It's time to bring the mustache back... Yeah! 

Those other boys don't know how to act... Yeah!

I don't have a picture of my father in law in his - it was gray and awful. I found it on the floor the next morning and thought it was a dead mouse. I screamed like a little girl.


Good times.

Horoscope

I don't read mine, nor do I even know my children's "signs."
But, somewhere today I came across my 2010 statement:

Kinda sums me up. Strange to be reduced to 5 sentences so completely.

Granola Recipe from the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills

I think I found a way to reconcile my love affair with cook books and cooking magazines while losing weight. Bon Appetit just published a yummy granola recipe from the Four Seasons that a reader had requested. I made a batch last night to try this morning. Served it with vanilla yogurt and pineapple. Yum!

Honey-Cinnamon Granola

Makes 11 Cups

4 C. toasted whole grain cereal with almonds & dates (like Mueslix)

3 C. old fashioned oats

1 C. chopped walnuts

1 C. chopped almonds

3/4 C. chopped hazelnuts (I used pecans)

1/2 C. honey

1/4 C. vegetable oil

1/3 C. dried blueberries (I used 1/2 cup because the granola looked naked)

1/3 C. dried cranberries (I used dried cherries)

1/3 C. golden raisins

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.

Mix whole grain cereal, oats, and nuts in a large bowl. Bring honey and oil to boil in small saucepan; drizzle over dry mixture and toss to coat evenly. Spread mixture onto large rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown and dry, stirring every 15 mintues, about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Scatter dried fruit over. Sprinkle cinnamon and mix.

Cool completely and store for up to 2 weeks.

Joining The Masses

1. Ate cheerios for breakfast (and probably lunch).

2. Surfed the web for new workout clothing that I have no intention of buying.

3. Worked out so hard that:

a. I can hardly lift my arms to type.

b. My legs buckled when I (finally) got up off the floor from doing lunges like a lunatic.

For Them.

Earlier this afternoon I posted a blog entry that maybe I was ready for a blog break. Nothing extreme or permanent, but just a break. 


A couple of friends (you dear friends you) posted in response to NOT take a break. While that was sweet, and I love you for it, it would not have stopped me. I can be stubborn (but you know that already).


I thought about it this afternoon when Claire repeatedly called me "Daddy." You see, she does not call me Mommy. She never has. It is always "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." And while I think this is sort of cute, it would be nice to know that she knew who I was. I pleaded with her, "I'm Mommy, Claire. Can you say Mommy? Mommmmmmm-eeee."


"Daddy," she would say. But even louder than before.


Tonight I was looking through some old pictures of my family and I came across the one posted here tonight. It was a warm, sunny day in the middle of the summer. Wayne was going through another round of horrible chemo but mustered up the energy to go to ice cream with us at Bonnie Brae. It's an old, local ice cream shop that sports a red and white awning outside and old fashioned black and white tiled floors inside. While the flavor choices change, they always have multi-colored jimmies for the kids.


Wayne, not feeling good, came along anyway. And that's when I got this shot.


The "melted-ice cream-still-on-my-lips-pout" that I never want to forget.
The "I only want to snuggle with my Daddy" look.
The "I got a bit too much sun" flush on her cheeks.
The sweet way he talks to her is right here for all to see.


And I realized that is why I blog. I blog because I don't ever want to have pictures like this lost forever in my hard drive. Because I do not have time to scrapbook, and I am not the type to develop photos to put into albums ... 


This works for me - to tell my story. Their stories. Ours. 


And this story is essentially this:


Claire adores her Daddy. Prefers his lap to mine in the mornings when she wakes up. Toddles into his office, holding a book, chanting, "read, read." - And most days, no matter what else he is doing, his world stops for her.


And someone needs to say that. To witness that. And sometimes I really question my memory. It's horrible at best, and never - ever, ever, ever - do I want to chance losing moments like this.



And that's why I deleted my "taking a break entry" as there will be no blogging break.

Plus, the day she finally calls me "Mommy" you'll get to see a picture just as sweet, but with me included, too. Chances are, I will be flying high.


Happy New Year sweet friends and family. 
Love to you all.

Photography Class

I started my path down this photography road when I took Karen Russell's class last year. I learned so much about my camera, composition, and other technical aspects that have made the world of difference in my abilities.

She does not talk about advanced techniques or photoshop, but she gives the best information to get you started. The binder is THICK with info. Looking at it, I estimate it's about 6" tall with all the printed information in it.

She just announced people are now able to AUDIT her classes without the wait list (which is over 1,300 so far. Getting into her class is a very big deal.). Auditing means you have access to all the info, but you are not able to ask questions. It's a bit less expensive, and the major bonus is there is NO wait.

Just wanted to pass it along because it was a fantastic class.

More information here: Snapshots Class Info.

The Night Before Christmas

 

 

 

We Had Ourselves {A Merry Little Christmas}

It was filled with two little kiddos. One of which could hardly stand the count down to Christmas.

Who played non-stop with all his visiting relatives.

Who ripped open his presents.

Who experienced Christmas in such a way that made it all the more magical for the rest of us.

Our Christmas was filled with sugar cookies and chex mix.

And booze.

Lots and lots of booze.

 

 

We had someone in the kitchen who, with his sous chef (not pictured), whipped up beef stew with horseradish mashed potatoes and blueberry bread pudding (both now are tradition).

Gifts of dolls and toys. Books and movies. Games and clothing.

All gifts from the heart.

And more food.

There were stockings and greenery.

And more booze.

There was laughter and lounging.

Playing and visiting.

Bonding and more booze.

Ice cream in 10 degree weather (magnetic and SUCH a hit!)

Crowns and smiles.

Prayer and Thanks. Blessings and happiness.

In all this, not for one second -- not for a moment, did we take it for granted.

It was everything Merry, joyful ... and more. Much more.

Weekend Update

I have no idea how the weekend whirled by as fast as it did. But it did!

1. Friday Wayne came home from Seattle. That night I went to a Christmas party in my Mom's neighborhood. She has the funnest neighbors!

2. Saturday morning took engagement pictures of Andrea and Jake. Beautiful couple who were so fun to hang out with! Getting married in June. Makes me hug Wayne a little tighter. All together!

Awwwwww...

3. After pictures, went to Anne Be to watch my little sister try on wedding dresses!!! She looked gorgeous and amazing in most, but it wasn't until she put on a veil that I cried. The veil is not her at all, but it looked so ... so ... innocent and pure. She looked like love feels.

4. Chips and Guac with the girls after that.

5. Sunday I hosted a cookie exhange party. Everyone brought dough with baking instructions instead of baked cookies. Less to do for all of us, and brilliant because now we all have a freezer stocked full of cookies ready to be freshly baked in a moment's notice. LOVE this.

6. We drank this cocktail:

1 1/2 C. POM Juice
1 C. Pear Juice
1/4 C. Orange Liquor

Topped with champagne and finished with a cranberry cocktail garnish.

YUM.

7. We ate this dip from Melissa:

Cream Cheese
Green Chilies
Artichoke Hearts
Mayo
Parmesan Cheese

Bake at 400 until hot and bubbly.

AMAZING. I want to make it tonight. And lick the bowl! (And I HATE, LOATHE Mayo.)

8. We made mini sleighs out of candy (posted this idea last year).



Woke up this morning and realized I have some sort of ear infection. Guests will all be here tomorrow and I have no menu planned for the week. Nothing.

And there it goes.

XO

Val

A Message From Santa

If you haven't seen this, you REALLY need to check it out. Coolest ever. Thank you to all of you who sent the link to me. Caeden cannot stop smiling.

Let Santa send a message to the ones you love.

{ Happy Weekend To You }

How are you displaying your cards? I am totally doing this as soon as I can find some twine.

My Mom cut apart a real garland from Costco and put the boughs all over her front porch.

I'm thinking (if they have any left) I might staple some to my mantle (using plywood underneath).

Just mist with water daily to keep fresh.

How about these canvas'? How cute in a playroom or bedroom.

Use paper and modge podge for an easy DYI project.

 

Not for my Southern friends, but these colored ice blocks are genius.

Or, if you don't want to go to the trouble of the blocks, remember you can just use food coloring in misting bottles for loads of fun. Just don't eat the yellow snow.

All ideas, "how to," and photos were found here.

Last but not least. My favorite wreath "how to" idea ever. I wish I had found this 4 weeks ago!

This is the result from using a wire hanger (reshape as a circle) and stringing ornaments onto it.

Clever and beautiful. Found here.

Overload Paused.

I just read my favorite (non-friend/family) blog: Snapshots. (She was my photography teacher.)

How her blog entry today rang so true. She talks about expectations. The expectations she has of herself, of her children, and of her family. How she wants things to be Norman Rockwell and if they aren't, she is disappointed and irritated ... and defeated.

Some days I feel like that, too.

In fact, I have been like that most of my life.

Lately I have been going to the gym and getting back into running. The weight machines intimidate me, and as much as I KNOW I need to use them, I don't know how and I get flustered and self-conscious and just end up running. Anyway, it has helped me manage my expectations a bit better. And my stress.

Wayne was gone in Kansas City (which I am still jealous of), went to Vegas, and then spent the entire last week in Seattle. Not one time did the kids and I have a melt down. - Usually Caeden gets hungry, Claire gets tired, and I am stressed out at the exact same minute and all hell breaks loose. Usually me telling them (like they can understand) that, "Do you know how long it has been since I have taken a shower without someone interupting/needing me/having enough hot water because everyone else goes first?" Or, "Can't I just have 5 minutes without someone needing me? Just five??" -- Yes, I get stressed out and easily feel sorry for myself a week or two into parenting alone.


So anyway, all the while Wayne has been gone that has not happened once. Not one time have I felt overwhelemed or stressed out or too tired.

We've played, we've laughed, we've had a lot of fun together and I think it's all because I am exercising everyday. It's the thing I do for myself and it is making all the difference in the world! The kids are picking up on it, too. I am more "there" for them and funny how when that happens, they need me less (By 'they' I mean Caeden. Claire is a honey and needs me at all times. :)

My expectations are this: I will work out everyday.  I will not let the little things become the big things. I expect that everything will be OK.

I say this just as the holiday ramps up.

Talk to me next week when I am stressed out and wonder who this irritatingly optimistic and motivated woman who wrote this entry is.

P.S. The picture is a completely non-related. Thinking of this wall color for my dining room. What do you think?

Denver Engagement Photographer | Denver, CO In the Moment Photography | Valerie Koop Engagement and Family Photographer

Posting of many more engagement pictures can be found on my photography blog: peek at your moment

Congratulations Lindsay & Jordan!

... Let the wedding planning begin!

{She Said Yes}

Yesterday Jordan and Lindsay became more.

More than the sum of two years.

More than commitment.

More.

They became everything promises are made of.

The future.

Visions of family.

Of happily ever after.

She said Yes.

I have a million pictures to edit and post and I really want to tell the story. But it's not my story to tell (I did, however, document every little thing). I'll see if I can get them to write it. Maybe a "he said she said" piece. With more pictures. More everything.

Let me tell you this, there is nothing like seeing my little sister in love. Seeing her happy and swept off of her feet.

Nothing like it at all.


XOXO

Val