Text.

Thought it would be fun to share some instant message pics. It's all the behind the scene stuff. The daily stuff. The random stuff. One week's worth of life...

(All with iPhone, of course. So, no judging on picture quality.)

Claire's first hair cut.

Sushi Den (the best in Denver, imo) with Linz and Jordan and Wayne.

What we do outside when we can stand the heat.

Claire rocking Matilda Jane. Adorable.

I eat blueberries, strawberries, and any other berry all summer long.

That and coffee.

And a little granola and yogurt.

Breakfast, lunch, and a lot of times, dinner.

I remember watching my mom get ready in the bathroom when going out ...

And here is Bear, fresh from the bath, putting on makeup. 

So sweet. 

Flat tire resulting from large bolt left behind by construction on our street this week.

Me sending this picture to my sister and girlfriend to see if headband was too much.

Nope it wasn't.

So I wore this to Fruition for date night.

Caeden said, "Mom, my darling love (his name for me), you look beautiful."

Made me glow all night.

Toy store in Cherry Creek (Kazoo) is a favorite place to go for something fun.

Bear just plays with toys and is totally content leaving empty handed.

Caeden? Not so much. 

That is half of a spider that landed on my face one morning this week.

(That is the inside of my pajamas.)

The other part was smooshed on my neck. 

And part on my cheek.

This spider just kept giving. Nice.

C Bear reading a magazine. I was too slow to capture her when she was holding it upside down and had it up to her face. Darling.

She reads to herself and it goes something like this,

"Yes! Blue! Four, Five, Six. Bunny!"

Horrible pic of the best hair cut Caeden has gotten to date.

Trust me, it is killer cute. Just a bad pic.

This boy can make conversation with the best of them.

Yesterday while talking to stylist,

he told her all about his Grandpa's lawnmower. 

Had the whole place cracking up. :)

That's our week in a nutshell. Some of you have seen some of these pics (because, of course, they were all taken with the intent of txting) but still thought it would be fun to share all the behind the scenes stuff I do (and I freely admit I am hopelessly addicted to txting).

Berries & Watermelon | Salad from Farmer's Market

Watermelon and strawberry salad with ginger syrup
Serves 4

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 2inch peeled piece of fresh ginger
1/4 watermelon, in cubes
3 cups strawberries, hulled and halved
fresh mint

Start with the syrup.
Bring sugar, water and ginger to a boil in a small saucepan.
Let it simmer for 5 minutes, cool.
Discard the ginger.
Place watermelon, strawberries and fresh mint in a large bowl and ad the syrup, mix well, cool and serve.

(recipe via sweet paul.)

Now this one ...

Found this image and recipe online this morning and 

have absolutely no idea where (closed window like an idiot).

Basically you toss toss, beans, and potatoes together with a little butter and salt and pepper and call it dinner.

Yum.

 

 

In other news,

you know that brilliant friend of mine who seems to have all the answers? Hi Michelle ... 

She emailed me a great idea about recycling containers.

She made a recycling stencil and used yellow paint to denoted her large trash can as recyclables only. Isn't that brilliant?

Working on that this afternoon.

Second, we're making homemade peach jam Sunday (Colorado Peaches are starting to arrive!) before I leave for Montana on Monday. I'll post the recipe and pictures when we're done.

A Little of This. Of That.

We are in the throws of summer. So hot. Everything is drying out.

Thank goodness for a little stream to keep things cool.

And sand to keep boys and girls busy.

 Not sure why I have a love of images like this, but I do. 

Little feet.

Sister keeping up with her brother.

Not a care in the world.

Who needs to see a face to know that?

Well. Wait. 

Faces are good.

Very good.

In other news. I remember looking at the clock at 7:27 this morning and thinking:

1. Have laundry almost done (got up dang early today)

2. Had a very large spider land on my face while laying in bed.

3. Need to find a recycle bin as large as my trash can. Seem to have more recyclables than trash these days (so proud of us for that!)

4. Wondering if I can justify new dress for date night tonight.

5. Found a new machine at gym for cardio: Sort of like elliptical but not.

Doesn't bother my leg at all (still nursing running injury and treadmill is out).

6. Already time for another pot of coffee (small addiction happening here).

7. Caeden already had craft time.

8. Bear asked me to squirt whipped cream (for her berries and waffle this morning) directly into her mouth. She obviously has an older brother to learn this stuff  from.

9. 7:30. Time to get moving again...

Montana

So next week I am headed out of town for a photography workshop in Montana.

If you wonder why a professional photographer would need to go to a workshop ... the answer is quite simple.

I never want to stop learning. 

If you want a peek at my teacher, and some of the shots she got during last week's workshop, 

Click Here.

Here's my favorite sample image that Barb posted:

I cannot even tell you how excited I am.

Shooting whimsical, fresh, and unexpected is what I have always tried to do. 

Working with kids & families are my favorite 

(but you know I love a good engagement shoot - so fun)

and I hope to come back inspired and full of business savvy (I would MUCH rather shoot than talk about branding or marketing ... although both are very important, obviously.).

Anyway.

Wayne is recovering this week and we've made dinner reservations at a couple of places that we've never been before ...

Root Down

and 

Fruition (impossible to get a reservation here - so excited!!)

I plan on dressing up. Being out past 6 pm. 

People watching... and really talking to Wayne.

20th High School Reunion | Sturgis South Dakota | Class of 1990

Wayne made it to the reunion (well the Saturday part)...

...and found his way to the ladies. :)

And then (reluctantly) to his buddies.

 

Weekend Update.

This little berry colander comes in at least 5 different colors at the store and has 3 online. I have some for all the berries I end up washing everyday (and then just put the whole thing in the fridge. The air holes allow the cold air to circulate and you will have icy cold berries and no mush).

Even when not in use, just seeing them stacked in my cabinet makes me happy. That blue shown above is my absolute favorite color.

via anthropologie

Thought this hanger was a brilliant way to display the ever changing art that we produce around here. 

via Poppytalk


Want to vacation here:
via Simple Song

My good friend Michelle brought over a plate of food (and the best pineapple bran muffins; if I can get the recipe I will share!) last night that I have to replicate. She is always cooking up something fantastic (and like me, likes to cook as healthy as possible). I might be making this salad to eat again today. It was that good.

Found it here:

The lemon dressing is soooo good with the feta cheese. 

Seriously, put this on the menu this week.

Salad Link via Martha Stewart

The greek yogurt dipping sauce is soooo good, as is the marinade for the pork.

Pork Link via Martha

Wayne and Caeden are having a great time in Rapid City. Wayne tells me he feels fantastic.

Claire and I have been busy:

Farmer's Market for cherries and tomatoes

Church for the inside.

Gym for the outside.

Going for walks (for time with my daughter).

Napping (I have been napping and sleeping when she does. Wow. SUCH a luxury.)

Enjoy your day!

Making It.

Wayne got a transfusion today. Feels great. It's amazing how quickly he can turn around.

In fact, he is hopping on a plane tonight and going to 

South Dakota to catch his 20th Reunion. So happy for him!!!

He's making it...

Claire Bear and I are chilling here this weekend. Maybe baby pool and lots of pictures ... :)

Made some ice cream tonight that I wanted to share the recipe for (via Sweet Action Ice Cream in Denver). I tweaked it a bit (omitting liquor) ...

Colorado Peach Ice Cream

(serves 4)

Peaches:

2 C. Peaches, finely chopped

1 1/4 C. Sugar

2 TBSP. lemon juice

Ice Cream Base:

3 C Heavy Cream

3/4 C Sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (I added a tad more ... yummy)

Allow peaches to macerate in the sugar and lemon juice for at least 3 hours.

While peaches are sitting, mix cream, sugar, and vanilla in saucepan over medium heat until sugar is dissolved (uh ... I boiled milk because I wasn't paying attention. Still turned out.)

Drain Peaches (do not use juice)

Combine peaches and ice cream base, pour into ice cream maker and churn.

YUM! 

Update On Wayne

Wayne has been spending his days in the hospital and coming home at night to sleep.
Tomorrow he gets a blood transfusion and it should make him feel much better.
His appetite is finally coming around.
There's no way he can make his reunion but the outpouring from his friends has been tremendous. Each and every text, email, Facebook ping ... means the world to him (calling is not so good).

Thank you for checking in...

38.

We are supposed to be in Rapid City today.

Wayne is supposed to be celebrating his 38th birthday with smiles, and hugs, and presents.

He is supposed to be celebrated. To feel like being celebrated.

But that isn't how it is happening.

Yesterday he was in the hospital here in Denver.

A fever, dehydration, and total nausea had his Oncologist wanting to admit him to stay there.

But he wanted his own bed. 

His pillow.

The smells and comforts of home.

His kids.

He wanted to come home.

My kids were split between two girlfriends (to whom I will always be thankful for)

so that I could get to the hospital.

And I took him home.

In the meantime, his parents raced down from Rapid City to be with him. With us.

They are here now.

His Dad, unlike me, is able to get Wayne to eat.

His Dad brings a silent strength to the house and it instantly eases Wayne.

His Mom scoops the kids up, holding them tight, not as a substitute to Wayne, but as close as it gets to Wayne for her. She loves on them and plays with them. And they her.

And Wayne.

He turns 38 today.

I have known him for more of his life than I haven't known him.

And today he didn't have the strength to open his cards or presents.

Today he walked out the door, back to the hospital, with his Dad.

And the candle ... that he did manage to blow out ... still sits on the table.

We hope he is better this afternoon, and that he can let us celebrate him.

But if can't, we know there is tomorrow.

And we are all holding out for a better tomorrow.

Wide Open Spaces

(Posted this image on Facebook already, but it's all I've got at 5:30 in the morning)

This morning we are on our way to Rapid City.

Wayne's birthday is tomorrow.

Will probably celebrate it in Deadwood like we did last year.

His 20th Reunion is this weekend.

He's really looking forward to it (so am I).

Photoshoots this week to keep me busy.

I'll be taking lots of pictures and will post them along the way...

P.S. Just a random little something ...
Claire still only has 6 teeth.
Trying not to think that is strange ... but it IS strange, right?

Pretty Things & Ideas.

Came across this free download. Absolutely love this idea:

Print graphic and frame under glass...use a dry erase marker to write your meal plans.

Download here via Ollibird.

I love this sweet and simple idea for dining outdoors. A flower chandelier.

via Sweet Paul

And finally, a sweet image I am going to totally recreate up in South Dakota this week.

Except going to try and get Claire in front of it with her baby doll ...

I get spoiled in SD because I can just walk outside the house and shoot 

in locations that look like this. Love that.

via Design Mom

Pride.

This morning I explained to Caeden about the symbolism of fireworks and why the 4th of July is special. He took it a step further. And it went a little something like this:

C: So, I am proud to live in America. I am proud to live on the earth. We should take care of it and pick up litter!

So that's what we did. 

After eating donuts (a weekend tradition at our house) we headed outside to the field directly behind the house to pick up litter. 

Seriously. I could not be any more proud of my son. Love him. 

And here is C Bear rocking her Matilda Jane outfit of the day. I think I have a close up of her so you can see her chocolate frosting donut stains on it ... 3 minutes after getting dressed. :)

Oh yes. Two of them. That's how we roll, people. 

Is he not the cutest little man? This outfit is his favorite, and I have to wash it daily so he has it to wear. So funny. But really, don't blame him. His t-shirt is limited edition Matilda Jane and is super, super soft. You would think I owned shares in MJ the way I talk about it, huh? But I adore everything about that company. The owners are visionary and as genuine they come. 

So that was our morning. 

Supposed to be at church right now, but Claire couldn't wait for bed ... up at the crack of dawn, that girl.

So, to all of you who attend SE Church, did you know you can  

download their sermons on iTunes? 

I have eight downloading as we speak ... so cool!

Timing.

1. Wayne is done with chemo for a week. It falls at a good time for him because we've got the 4th, his birthday (38th), and his 20th High School Reunion next weekend. 

Perfect timing.

2. Yesterday Caeden spent the day with his new buddies, N and E. They came over for a play date and we had a blast. They managed to team up on me and show me no mercy. Baseball bat, water guns, etc. were used to make me surrender over and over. 

They were so cute ... but hostile! :)  

N said a prayer before lunch and it was one of the sweetest prayers I've ever heard. I could listen to him say, "Miss Valerie," over and over. Such a honey.

These pics were taken with my humble iPhone, but you get the idea of what they were up to.

Where the water fight started ...

(no helmet to fit her so she just pushed it around)

Band aid covering a scratch somehow obtained from riding in the motorized truck.

This pic was taken just as I told Caeden that he was invited to go along with N and E's family to a baseball game (his first ever) and watch fireworks. They jumped around and hugged because they were so excited. Even made a secret hand shake. 

Melted me.

N asking what would happen if he ate a fly. Looks like he was really thinking about it, huh?

And of course, the truck. 

3. A couple of weeks ago I became the recipient of a running injury. Sometimes it is so bad that I cannot walk (but have found Vicodin and it helps so much), or involuntarily cry out when I step on my leg. It's pretty bad. I have been going to PT and it seems to be helping, although running is completely out of the picture. So I have been walking on the treadmill instead ... and watching as everyone else runs ( I am the loser "working out" at a snails pace - I promise never to judge a walker at the gym again!! - Not that I ever did, mind you...)

Bad timing with so much going on (Miss you Jami! Wish you were all here!!)

4. C-Bear has been styling in her Matilda Jane outfits 

(came home with a suitcase full of goodness for her). 

Doesn't matter where I take her - the grocery store, Target, just out and about at the gym 

... I get stopped and asked where I get her outfits.

You, too, can dress your daughter in MJ ... 

and you might want to get some on the 7th when they have a 40% sale!!

Click here for all things good at MJ

Great timing, wouldn't you say?

Funny, I stick this pic in when Claire is NOT wearing MJ. Still funny though, cuz all this sweet little chub wants to do is eat. LOL

5. Headed up to Rapid City on Tuesday. Photo shoots, old friends, new friends, Grandma and Grandpa, Lucy Goosie Bad Dog, Deadwood, Sturgis Reunion ... we will be there soon!

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!