Friday, September 28, 2012

Big Sky

Montana - on our mind.   The vastness, the wide open space, sheer beauty.  One day, Big Sky, one day....


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Thursday, September 27, 2012

32 Weeks!

September, where'd you go??!  I worried in the beginning that these 9 months would crawl by, too full of anticipation while we watched the minutes tick by.   But that hasn't been the case AT ALL.  In fact, time has flown and is flying!   We've kept ourselves very busy and still have a lot to do before your arrival.   I'm confident it will all get done and by the time you join us things will be just the way we hoped.

Hard to believe we've only got 8 weeks left!   Could October possibly zoom by with the same speed as September?   Only time will tell....

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Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Window Box

One of these years, I am going to actually get around to sprucing up my yard a bit.  We have sad, empty window boxes and what I'd give to fill them with a pretty little fall arrangement like this one!  

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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Monday, September 24, 2012

Do as I do...


“What you are shouts so loudly in my ears I cannot hear what you say.” -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
  
My boy, I hope we live a life you are proud of. I hope we treat people well, not only in your presence, but always. I hope you learn from us the power of dreaming big dreams and relying on yourself, not anybody else, to chart a course to achieve them.

So often in pregnancy you hear people say what they want their child to achieve in life - whether it is happiness, success, healthy relationships.... without stepping back to realize that we will be our children's greatest teacher and they will learn more from what they see us DO than any other source.

Yesterday we celebrated my dad's birthday. He is a man that taught us to be generous, compassionate, moderate ...and to take a calculated risk now and again. I have been so blessed with great parents who set firm examples, in their actions, not only their words. I believe that is how you teach children. So, in addition to prayers for a new child, I will continue to ask for strength for ourselves ---- so that each day we put in the work to be the type of people - in all ways - that we hope our children will grow to be.

(2012 Olympian Oscar Pistorius - image)


    

Friday, September 21, 2012

DVF via Goop

I'm a sucker for interviews but I particularly loved this line from Diane Von Furstenberg as told to Gwyneth in yesterday's Goop.

Q: What are the three top qualities you look for in a female friend and why? 

A: Confidence, because insecurity is a waste of time...honesty because there is no point in being told everything is great all the time. A woman needs friends who will tell her the truth. And a sense of humor is so important.  

Thank you for saying this. It's a lesson I've really learned as I've grown and matured. And confidence is not arrogance or vanity or narcissism.... Confidence is a true inner peace with who you are, what you want and how you're getting there. Without it, people are jealous, petty, fearful and a slew of other less favorable things that make an honest and positive friendship nearly impossible.
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Thursday, September 20, 2012

31 Weeks

> Belly has grown a lot in these past few weeks.  A tangible, physical reminder of all the growing you're doing inside.  Keep up the great work, lil' guy.
> Still feeling good - busy as ever, enjoying the pace of my days.
> Thankful for some truly great friendships
> Loving the sense of camaraderie in our house
> Enjoying the lack of humidity and the cool September mornings
> Happy that tomorrow is Friday and we're yet another week closer to your arrival! 

(image via etsy)

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Baking for the Non-Baker II

I've mentioned my lack of interest in baking before but sometimes it's good to know how to make a few easy treats.   I had these over the weekend and thought they were just right.  Mini S'more bites.  And the recipe looks pretty painless:

S'more Cups via Pampered Chef

7  whole graham crackers (1 cup finely crushed)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
4 bars (1.55 oz each) milk chocolate candy, divided
12 large marshmallows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place graham crackers into a large resealable plastic bag. Finely crush into crumbs. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and butter in a small bowl.

Place 1 tablespoon of crumb mixture in each cup of a mini muffin pan. Firmly press crumbs to form shallow cups. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling. Meanwhile, break two of the candy bars into rectangles. Remove pan from oven; place one rectangle into each cup.
Cut marshmallows in half crosswise using shears dipped in cold water. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup. Return to oven 1-2 minutes or until marshmallows are slightly softened. Remove pans from oven to cooling rack; cool 15 minutes. Carefully remove cups from pan. Cool completely.

Break remaining candy bars and place in small microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 20 seconds. Dip the top of each marshmallow in melted chocolate. Turn top-side up and let stand 40 to 60 minutes or until set. Makes 24 cups.

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Friday, September 14, 2012

Notes

I try not to fill this space solely with things I want to buy, wear, own etc.  Sure - there are plenty of things on my radar screen but it can become such a bottomless pit of wanting that I try to stay clear of that.  Instead, I gravitate towards blogs and online pieces that might share a tidbit of wisdom, a nice thought, a provocative excerpt etc. and try to do the same here.  

So today, I'd like to share one with you.  If you plan to host an Annual Party of any kind - BBQ, Halloween, Holiday etc. I *really* recommend taking notes for yourself the day after the event.   Jot down what worked well, what could have gone better, how much food/drink you had - was it enough, too much - etc.   You might think you'll remember but you won't...

We're hosting an Annual Event for my husband's business this weekend and last year on the Monday after I took my own advice and wrote down a whole slew of notes while it was crystal clear and fresh on my mind. Fast forward a year, and I cannot begin to tell you how much time and effort it has saved!  Not to mention, hopefully a considerably more smooth day.   So that's that.  Livin' and Learnin', Friends.   Have a great weekend!  

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Thursday, September 13, 2012

September Shuffle

Oh, September.  It's always a bit frantic.  I generally embrace the cooler air and the crazier pace of my workday.   I have always felt I do better in a bit of chaos.   With that said, some words from the always eloquent, Soule Mama


As I embrace all the exciting new things ahead for all of us  this season, I gently remind myself that I needn't run at the apparent pace of the calendar. That in fact, my job as Mama is to do just the very opposite of that. To stay strong and steady, to breathe deeply, to walk slowly through these wild and full days. To be the anchor of home, as I can.

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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Emotional Freedom

"Feelings are much like waves, we can’t stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf" – Jonatan Martensson

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Monday, September 10, 2012

And if you ever ask...

Sweet boy, one day you will grow up and you might ask what it was like when you were in my belly - here's what I'd have to say to you (at 29.5 weeks):

  Your dad and I had one of the best summers we can remember.  We spent so much of our time prepping the house for your arrival.  We enjoyed every moment of it.   We laugh a lot in our house.  We dance and play music for you all the time.  There's a Brazilian song by Adriana Calcanhotta, Fico Assim Sim Voce, which your dad plays for you almost every night and swears it's your favorite!  You dance to it more than you dance to any others.  You have been very active, little one.  At night you don't seem to stop.   We think you're happy being in bed with mom & dad.   The three of us....

Time is flying and we know when the moment is just right, we'll get the honor of meeting you in person.  I'm filled with gratitude and overwhelming happiness for how things are.   You've brought so much joy already.

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Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday


"You are the books you read the films you watch, the music you listen to, the people you meet, the dreams you have, the conversations you engage in. You are what you take from these. You are the sound of the ocean, the breath of fresh air, the brightest light and the darkest corner. You are a collective of every experience you have had in your life. You are every single second of every single day. So drown yourself in a sea of knowledge and existence. Let the words run through your veins and let the colors fill your mind."

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Thursday, September 6, 2012

A Moment for the Big Things...

Often times we're reminded to find pleasure and gratitude in the small things.  A cup of coffee, a nice walk, realizing something you love is on sale ;)    But sometimes it's important to take a moment to reflect and recognize the big things.   Today was one of those days...

My husband was sworn in as a US Citizen today.   The ceremony had 350 new citizens representing 79 countries!  They were old and young, men and women, some dressed in suits, others in formal garments of their presumably home countries.   It was a priveldge to be a part of this day.  Not only was it a great honor to share such a happy and pivotal moment with so many deserving people but it was also a great reminder of the wonderful gift so many of us are granted when we are born in this country.

Election years always leave me with mixed emotions.  The parties seem to be increasingly polarized. Everyone has something to gripe about and someone they want to blame, dislike or oppose.  It's easy to lose faith.  Perhaps we all should attend a Naturalization Ceremony to be reminded of the *gift* it is to be here.  The priveldge we all share in enjoying our freedom, our peace, our Constitution.... 

I congratulate my husband on his special day and I sincerely believe that our country gained a great man today.  I hope that we continue to remember that we are ALL more alike than we are different.   I hope that we continue to remember how fortunate we are to get to call this great country our Home.   I hope that we remember to vote to protect the rights of all people, always. 

Today, I'm taking a moment for the big things...  

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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Liani

One of my all time favorites:

I forgive, heal and release anything that consciously or unconsciously could delay or block the complete evolution of my being - Mario Liani 
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Graham Glider

Luckily my super talented designer friend pointed me in the direction of this glider for the nursery.  It came in this weekend and is perfection!  It's super comfortable, has a great shape and color and was delivered in only a week (some of the baby stores quote 8-12 weeks!  Not to mention, we couldn't find one that really looked like "us" in those stores).

So it's here.  And I found myself just sitting in it yesterday.  Soaking up the sweetness of the room and what's to come...

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