The Princess And The Jedi

This year my kids knew exactly what they wanted to be for Halloween.  Forever a princess fan, my daughter opted for Rapunzel.  My son, after watching some of the Star Wars movies over the summer, decided Luke Skywalker was the look for him.  


I didn't make their costumes this year as I have done in the past, but I sure had fun styling their hair/wig to help them really play the part. 

Rapunzel is sporting a layered dress fashioned out of sparkly tool and sequins.  Her long corn silk locks are tied back in a single braid and her bangs were plastered (rather forcefully) with several coats of hairspray.  

Luke Skywalker here is technically wearing Obi Wan Kenobi's jedi garb.  Perhaps Luke's robes got stolen by some Tuscan Raiders and Old Ben has some extra clothes to lend him.  At least he still has his light saber and in good working condition.  Don't mess with this knight, he uses the Force!

Whew ... the things a parent will do to ensure maximum trick-or-treating fun.  But their happy faces (and ample supply of chocolate for mama) are worth it.

It's So Much Fun It's Spooky!

What do you get when you combine a few robust pumpkins and a man with an extensive collection of power tools?  Some rather fun characters!

Fearing that time was running out to carve pumpkins, we hurriedly began the process at 7:45pm the night before Halloween (the kids go to bed at 8:00!). We opted for a happy face since we don't do scary around here. Seeing the curved lines I was drawing, my husband muttered something like "Oh man ... not the curvy lines!" and went out to the garage to fetch a tool.  He returned with an electric jigsaw and began cutting away.  I have to say, it did a great job and saved us a lot of time!  Plus it's a great story to tell.

Oh, but he didn't stop there! This morning he created this not-so-happy face with ... yup you guessed it ... a blow torch. 

And THAT'S how it's done around here, folks!

Where We Dined Like Kings

Imagine: a cool autumn afternoon, you are sitting at a patio that is perched high on a hill, overlooking a valley of lush green grape vines; you are sipping fine wine and dining on fresh regional cuisine; and a faint smell of lavender fills the air as you enjoy conversation with loved ones.  Sounds dreamy doesn't it?  Well ... it really was!


Over the weekend I had the pleasure of going to King Estate Winery with my mom and sister.  It is located a short drive from downtown Eugene, but its beauty makes it seem worlds away.  1,033 acres of land includes orchards, vegetable gardens, flowers, and of course 430 acres of organic vineyards! 

The drive up was so pretty.  I admit that I was pretending to be in the French countryside.

A lovely pic of my mom, sister and I near the patio where we dined, overlooking the vineyard.

The panoramic view from the winery is really something to behold with neat rows of vines go as far as the eye can see.  We took a tour of the facility which led us through the process of getting wine from the vine to the glass, then at the restaurant we got to taste their product.  I went home with a bottle of their Acrobat Oregon Pinot Noir 2010, which I plan to bring out for a special occasion some time.

 The barrel rooms had beautiful arched ceilings and smelled strongly of, what else, oak.

 I felt very blessed to have the opportunity to jump out of the car and snap some shots of the grapes on the vine.  These bunches will soon be harvested.

Good wine, good food, good company and good laughs all made this a very memorable adventure.

Even though I still long to go to the wine country of France, it's a comfort to know that a similar experience is never too far away from me.

Saturday At The Patch

Fall really is my favorite time of year.  And every year I look forward to taking the little ones to the pumpkin patch for our annual pumpkin hunt and family photo.  This year was even more fun than usual.

Now that we are living in a bigger town, there is more to choose from in terms of pumpkin patches.  We chose a farm that featured a petting zoo, hay rides and a country store ... why not go all out, right?  We went with some friends and it was a joy to watch all of the kids feeding the goats and marveling at the giant sunflowers.  There was a huge variety of pumpkins and fresh produce too.  

So much fun was had, I'm kinda thinking I might like to go back this weekend!

I Shall Call It "Disco Beach"

For the most part, I don't think often about my fingernails.  I don't think often about my toenails either for that matter.  Except occasionally when I have a special event or just don't want my feet to look gross.  So, I was rather surprised recently when I decided to venture into the nail art world.

Truthfully, I didn't do anything too spectacular or out of my comfort zone.  I added glitter.  That's it.  But the result is quite pleasant and special looking.  I've decided to call this look "Disco Beach"; it sparkles, it dazzles, the glitter looks like sand, and it would look great with a bathing suit or even a leisure suit.

What I used:

Base color:  L.A. Girl Matte in Matte White

Clear top coat: O.P.I

Craft glitter: Martha Stewart in White Gold

Small paint brush

What I did:

1. Apply two coats to nails in a light or neutral color.  I chose this off-white matte polish that was super cheap.

2. Dip a clean paint brush into a clear top coat and then into the glitter, and apply all over the nail.

3. After allowing first coat to dry, dip paint brush into top coat again and pick up more glitter, then apply to the tips of the nails only.

This method gives a lovely gradient or ombre effect.  I've seen examples where someone will take a color and find glitter to match for a dimensional look. And while there are glitter nail polishes out there that might be good for this, craft glitter is cheap and very sparkly.

So there you have it - a fancy nail how-to from yours truly.  In case you were wondering, my toes are painted Big Apple Red and have some white gold glitter that dazzles in the light.  I think I shall call that look "Twinkle Toes".  


{giggle}

Springing Into Summer

We got ourselves a trampoline!  Not only is it fun and a great thing to do with the kids, but it has tremendously helped my son (who has low muscle tone) with his balance and core strength.  In fact, it's probably working too well as the other day he was caught climbing into the car ... through the WINDOW!

At The Market

Today was yet another gorgeous day.  The temperatures had reached 70° by 11:00 this morning as my son and I headed to the local growers market.  It was our first time seeing what our local farmers, artists, and bakers have to offer.

It was a colorful gathering with pots of fresh herbs, hanging baskets of flowers and the smell of fresh doughnuts wafting through the air.  We took our time, weaving back and forth between tents, stopping to look at the loaves of fresh bread or the latest picking of snow peas.  We gladly enjoyed an apple turnover and sipped decaf iced coffee.  There was even a man making balloon animals for the kids.  He was probably the most uncharismatic balloon man I ever met, but my son was quite pleased with his purple balloon sword anyway. 

I made note of a local producer of yarn, who raises her own goats and llamas, and kettle dyes the most vibrant yarns.  Hmm, I think I'll have to buy a skein or two for a lovely winter scarf, someday.

By the time we left, my market basket was filled with all kinds of goodies.  A pizza crust, almond pesto, snow peas and a bundle of iced sugar cookies.  A modest haul, but next time it will be much bigger I'm sure!

And even though it is Cinco de Mayo, we feasted on homemade Mediterranean style pizza (made from our findings at the market), Hefeweizen and sugar cookies. 

And it was SO good.

Backyard Raceway

With a third of an acre and most of it being grass, it just made sense to buy a riding lawn mower.  Little did I know that it would turn our backyard into a raceway, provided oodles of fun AND getting the massive lawn cut.  A very worthy investment if you ask me.

It's All In The Details

Imagine how a seamstress would feel without her sewing machine, it's not ideal and she may feel a little lost, but ultimately she can make do.  That's how I feel as a graphic designer without use of my computer.  While my computer is out of commission for some updating, I've been using the "kids'" computer for all of my internet dealings and I'm feeling a bit out of sorts over it.  But I'm making do. Like doing my photo editing without my beloved Photoshop.  I've been using Picnik this past week, but the computer is slow and I don't know my way around it very well.  Still, I was able to work on some photos that I'm happy with.

I went to a wonderful bridal shower last weekend that was full of surprises.  In a little blink-and-you'll-miss it house in a Portland suburb, lies a world of wonders.  You would never know by the outside that the rooms are so rich with old world details and European charm.  Each room had something that pulled you in whether is a see-through fireplace, vintage furniture, cozy nooks and even a backyard pub!  Seriously, a garden shed was converted into a pub complete with banquettes and low-hanging chandeliers. Pretty much it was the perfect place for a girls' afternoon of showering a loved one with gifts for her upcoming wedding.

Bouquets with peach roses adorned nearly every surface.  Candles were lit everywhere, bringing a sense of warmth in the dreary weather.  A glass table was covered in pub style delights including Bangers & Mash, homemade Irish soda bread with potted cheese, miniature Guiness pot pies, and the most unbelievable desserts.  If I could have I would have gobbled up all of the little toffee pudding cakes in a blink of an eye!  And not only were we treated to such deliciousness, but we got to take home a book featuring many of the recipes of what we had at the shower - what an inventive idea!  

So, as I try the Dubliner Cheese Tart or whip up a batch of the Lemon Curd, I will remember that day.  I will remember the women, the laughter, the wine, the food and the blessings of being there.

Playing Catch Up

It's amazing how useless I feel without being able to download and edit my photos!  So, I shall now play catch up and share a few things from the past week or so ...

Before we moved, my husband snapped some shots of my son wearing a sailor outfit that my husband wore when he was 2 years old.  Shooting from the chest up it looks great on him.  However, from the chest down the ensemble is clearly two sizes too small and his exposed midriff makes him look like a member of The Village People, so ... only from the chest up it is!

Isn't this felted toadstool ornament charming?  I found it at my favorite store Prize, the night after we moved to our new town.  The store was having a holiday party, and for the first time after three years of longing to go, I was able to attend.  Party-goers were dressed up as they perused the enchanting items at the store.  Champagne sprinkled with pomegranate seeds was passed out.  And trays full of petite goodies like cupcakes and sugar cookies enticed shoppers.  I felt very at home at this event and couldn't resist purchasing a few "prizes" to take home.

By a great miracle and the grace of God, I was able to get my Christmas cards out this year!  I even designed them myself and sent them out before we moved.  Really, I can't emphasize enough how amazing this move has been.  I only had one brief emotional break down, then I was over it.  The Lord never ceases to amaze me!

Now that I have my computer up and running, I'm sure to have more tidbits to share.  Whew, it's good to be back in business!

Feeling Festive

Before heading out to do some Christmas shopping, we paused to capture a moment in our festive gear. 

Ho, ho, ho!

An October Tradition

Whew!  I honestly didn't think we were going to make it this year.  We just had to, it's tradition!  We FINALLY made it out to the pumpkin patch on October 31st, and we were cutting it close.  It had been raining a lot last week, so the mud was abundant.  But fortunately for us, so were the pumpkins and great lighting for photos.

The goats provided great entertainment, especially when the mama goat would move in toward the camera for her closeup.  

My son in particular had so much fun that he is already asking to go again.  Sorry my boy ... October is an entire year away.

I'll Tell You A Tale Of The Bottomless Blue ...

"Mom, I just love to dress up as something I could never be" she told me as I applied pink shimmer to my little girl's cheeks.  This is why I love to be a mom on Halloween.  I don't care for the scary.  I don't take my kids to haunted houses.  I don't always get around to carving Jack-o-Lanterns.  But dressing my kids up in fun costumes and taking their picture as they show off their new persona is an absolute joy!

This year I was not able to make any costumes as I have done in the past because my sewing machine is packed away while we are trying to sell our house and move.  So, we kept it simple this time and bought them.  My daughter immediately gravitated toward, as you may have guessed, a sparkly pink Barbie mermaid costume!  It's got glittery scales and frilly fins.  We even got a long blond wig to go with it, and I spent 15 minutes spray painting hot pink highlights into the golden locks.  She feels beautiful.  She looks beautiful.  And makes the perfect mermaid if you ask me.

Then there is my son.  This is really the first year that he was able to choose his own costume.  His first choice was to be "Woody" from Toy Story, and while that would have been SO cute, there were no costumes in his size.  Then I saw a "Mario" outfit that appealed to him as well.  Can I just say that this boy looks great in a mustache?!  When I first put it on him his eyes got as big as saucers as he saw himself in the mirror.  But, shock eventually gave way to excitement and I knew we had a winning look.

We had a trial run on the costumes as I took the kids to my daughter's school Fall Carnival.  Little girls admired the mermaid's pink and blond tresses and everywhere we went people would shout "Look!  It's Mario!"

So, if you see these two joyful characters on your doorstep come Sunday ... won't you toss a bit of candy their way?  It will be guaranteed to make their smiles grow even bigger!

It's A Jeep Thing ...

 

As the weather is starting to cool down and give way to autumn, it's a must to get in those last rides in a convertible.  Grab a buddy (preferably one who has his own Jeep) and go for a cruise about the neighborhood!

Car maintenance is very important ... and as well as a group effort.

Wrangle up some fun before the Jeep will be put away for the winter.  Going off-road is optional!

The Everyday Princess

 Around here, you don't need a special occasion to pull out that sparkly pink princess dress and twirl about the garden.

Letting Go

It is now the end of the butterflies' life cycle.  And since it has been warmer at night, it was time to let the last living five go.  We took the pavilion out into the backyard and unzipped the top hatch and waited to see which ones would fly out on their own.  Two went by themselves and three needed a little help.  The last one had a bit of a gimpy wing and hung around the yard a little while, providing great photo opportunities and a chance for the kids to hold it in their hands.

Being the good butterfly mama that she is, my daughter insisted that we put the butterfly down on a chive flower so it could drink its nectar.  Good idea!  As its proboscis probed down into the bloom, the butterfly enjoyed its snack before taking flight.

Even my son wanted to get into the action.  He carefully held out his little paws and allowed the butterfly to wander around for a few moments before it flew out onto the grass.  Over time, the butterflies' wings begin to break down, making it difficult to fly very high or far. 

The butterfly "nursery" we thought would be better placed outside, near some plants so that the larvae would have something to eat when they hatch.  The eggs are such a beautiful shade of cyan, don't you think?

It has been a wonderful experience for us to see these insects from start to finish, to start again.  And that made it so much easier for us to let them go.

Love Is In The Air

The butterflies have certainly been a great source of entertainment lately.  All ten chrysalids successfully hatched and it has been a joy to watching the butterflies flutter about their pavilion.  It is almost the end of their life cycle now and two have just expired (causing grief for my tenderhearted six year-old).

And it would seem that said pavilion is an amorous environment because of all of the hanky panky going on!

WARNING: the following photograph is for mature audiences only ...

Yup, this is what mating butterflies look like.  My daughter thought they were "cuddling". 

I actually got to see the chase, the wooing, and the winged union of this couple.  Mating butterflies stay in this position for up to several hours as the male passes his sperm packet to the female.  There were many intimate encounters going on over the course of the last few weeks; and with great excitement, I announce that we now have a "nursery" in the habitat as hundreds of tiny green eggs have been laid.  I still have to do some research on what to do with the eggs and what to feed the caterpillars, but for now we are all beaming with pride.