my lucy > oreos, popsicles and milk...before bed

...yes, she ate that entire popsicle from the ice cream truck

my lucy > a fall walk

I want to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving ~ This year I am thankful for so many things.  The big move to California has given us a new perspective on life. So today I give thanks to family near and far, new friends and old friends still keeping in touch, helpful and friendly neighbors, warm weather, a maintenance free pool, and my hubby's incredibly handsome haircut! 

 

Oh, and for this little cutie pie who can turn a couple blocks into an hour long walk ~ xo

live > pearl jam @ oakland oracle arena

Tribute to Lou Reed.. xo

           

I felt like I relived my youth at this concert last night. I have wanted to see Pearl Jam for as long as I can remember... It was everything and more. 

my lucy > milk kisses

I put blueberries in her cereal today - She thanked me in kisses... xo

order up > taco salad! with a let's do this clean up

 Thanks to the Pioneer Woman, I came across a slew of easy recipes to try and all of them tasted great! I actually said after the beef stew that I truly feel like a "mom".  I hated beef stew growing up, and here I was making it for my own family.  Lucky for me, everyone liked it...even Lucy.

But my favorite was the taco salad.  I ended up making it for the family, then again the following weekend when my brother's family came to visit.  I highly recommend it, not only for the ease of preparation, but for the yummy taste!!  So here is my finished product - visit the Pioneer Woman's blog for full recipe and how to.  

(I swear I don't remember my brother not liking his corn touching other foods...This was a slight issue until his wifey told him to shut his eyes and eat it)!  Thanks Casey! The grilled corn was the best part!!

But.....To my dismay, I looked in the mirror later that evening and saw (da, da, daaaa)! Oil Spots all over my shirt!  Not only was it just a shirt, but it was a shirt I received in the mail that very day and Had to wear! Now ruined.  So I did what most people would do and washed it praying the oil comes out. I dried it too.  And the stains stuck.  You can see the stains better here in black and white (kinda):

So I Googled it - and found that even after washing and drying dish soap would get it out...So I tried it.  Rubbed dish soap on the shirt, then threw it in the washer once again.  To my surprise, it worked!!!!

So if you happen to fall upon an awesome recipe that may squirt oil...don't fret! Use dish soap! Maybe wear an art smock too?!

move me > let's go brush our teeth!

Thanks all for your patience in me not posting for the past week.  I can't give you a solid answer or explanation.  Fear no more, we are back! And brushing our teeth as reached a new level....

my lucy > feeding wally with yiayia

in the moment > new train on the window bench

replay > donovan

sneak peak > a very fairy wonderland

Thanks Elise for showing Lucy such a good time.  You two could go All Night!

my lucy > doing laundry

Happy to be home with daddy...

in the moment > lucy chasing wally

 Or should I say > wally running from lucy...

move me > ...stand by me

It's even better watching her find this video on the phone.  She lights up and dances everytime...

my lucy > thoughts of summer while in chilly wi

my lucy > an afternoon at betty brinn

move me > walkie talkies

Missing Daddy.....

in the moment > house boat

our phones > week recap

let's do this > thank you cards

This weekend I am going back to Wisconsin for a Double Baby Shower! My two cousins are expecting!  With a large group expected to attend, the family has taken on different rolls to help out.  I was put in charge of Thank You Cards.  As a mom-to-be, who wants to be hunched over writing out all the addresses on thank you cards?? I thought this would be easy.  Buy Thank You cards, put on return addresses, and have the guests write their address on the card at the shower.  Easy.  But then realizing the 45 guests (Doubled)! would be quite an expensive thank you... So handy dandy Michael's (shout out) has thank you cards for $1.50 for a pack of 8.  A 50% discount made it even better! But they needed some sprucing up - So why not some bunting!!