An Intervention

About six months ago, I was in a rut.

A hair rut.

Having had long hair for most of my life,

the possibilities may seem endless to some,

but for me,

it was the same old thing.

Then, by a chance series of events,
I met a hair whisperer.
Then there was an intervention--

a serious intervention.

In fact, I have been so pleased with the results that I wrote

this

after my first intervention.

Yes, some things are news worthy.

And I keep going back for more,
because I can't get enough.

Here is the most recent transformation while under the scissors:

BEFORE

AFTER

Here is a shot taken the day of.

This one was taken almost a week later.

This one, too.

Bonnie wanted to rid of the picture with the stop sign and instead added my little girl. Because every girl wants their picture taken, right?!

If you need an intervention, and are in or around Vancouver, Washington, visit Salon Reifine! You'll be happy you did. That's a fact.

Last three photos courtesy of Salon Reifine

serious comfort food.

Is the rain getting to you, too?
Feeling like comfort food restaurant-style?

Here's a recipe that will knock your socks off
while you watch the American Idol finale tonight!

I knew I had to get the recipe for these nachos, after my sister took us to Mambo's, an Italian eatery in Missoula, Montana last year. Unfortunately, Mambo's does not like to share the secrets to their goodness on the web, so I had to find an alternative.

Here is a copy-cat version of Johnny Carino's Italian Nachos:

serves 4

1 pkg. wontons (found in produce section), cut on the diagonal to form triangles (Pita chips might be a great option, too. I'm going to give those awesome chips a try next time).

1 pkg. ground sausage, sauteed until browned

1 6 oz. pkg. grilled chicken pieces (found in salad or meat section) or you might use rotisserie chicken or cook up some chicken from the freezer (you want it seasoned).

1 jar pepperochini peppers (I use mild)

shaved Parmesan for garnish

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

jalapenos (optional)

For the cheese sauce:

4 Tbsp. butter

1 tsp. garlic, minced

3 Tbsp. flour

2 1/2 C. half and half

2 1/2 C. grated Parmesan cheese

1. In a heavy, medium saucepan melt the butter over low heat. Add the garlic and then flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium and whisk in the half and half little by little. Cook until thickened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat; add 2 C. grated Parmesan. Season with salt, pepper and stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth. Cover and set aside.

2. Heat a heavy saucepan or deep-fryer to medium. Cook the wontons until light brown. Watch carefully! This only takes a few seconds per side. Set aside on paper towels to drain.

3. Pile the wontons on a large serving platter, or individual plates (like I prefer). Drizzle with warm cheese sauce. Add sausage, chicken, tomatoes, olives and peppers. Top with shaved Parmesan.

4. DEVOUR!

This recipe and image was taken from Divine Domesticity, minus a few of my tweaks.

Remember!! Linking is love.

A wish list {part 2}

Warning:

After reading the entirety of this list,

you may feel the urge to move to Washington.

If so, do yourself a favor--and move already.

It is the greatest place on earth.

6. A backpacking trip with Husband

7. Meet her finally.

She's the reason I believe in kindred spirits.

8. Visit my alma mater

(for the first time since graduation, and a first for Husband, too).

9. A concert in The Gorge. Kings of Leon, Dave, Jack?

The venue is reason enough.

10. A day hike & fishing at Mt. St. Helens, Washington.

Click here to see {part 1} of this summer wish list.

image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

falling words

Today, I chewed off all my nails while reading drafts of a very personal piece of writing that I am working on.

I am not sure why today it was hard to read, or if it was harder to read than to write.

Regardless,

the words seem to fall out of me.

down.

onto the page.

They want to be there, between the lines, so they are. Whether I can stand them or not.

It's my life as a writer.

I didn't necessarily choose this life. It was given to me.

What's your passion?

image via times are hard for a dreamer

Big News and Another Giveaway!

Hello there!

I have big news! My Etsy shop is in full effect! Pop on over to my shop, Between the Lines and see if any of those treasures makes your heart skip. I'd love to hear your feedback, and ship some off, of course!

I have enjoyed creating them and would be delighted to help you bring your perfect treasure to life! I do custom orders.

Also, my sis, Amber from A Little Bit Biased, a delightful quilting blog, is hosting a giveaway of one said treasure. Poke your head around her blog. She is an amazing quilter! Click on over, take a look and see how to enter!







May your weekend

be sunny

and bright in all ways.

-cbm

A wish list {part 1}

With summer just around the corner, I've been putting together a wish list of sorts for all the things that I'd love to do over the beautiful coming months. While I was thinking of this timeline, it dawned on me that my birthday is in the fall, so I could make it a list of things to do before my birthday on September 12.

So it is.

A wish list

of things to do

before my 28th birthday.

Here is the first installment:

1. A date with Husband at dawn.

2. Finish my Americana quilt.

3. Visit a lavender farm.

4. Have dinner in the midst of fields.

5. Enjoy an evening of family stargazing.

I will place my growing wish-list to your right, on my side-bar. There I will have the list in its entirety, including links to each wish come true.

Checking off a list has never been so fun!

If this list inspires you, then join in! Make sure to cue me in, because I'd love to hear of your summer wishes.

Wish lists are good for the soul.

Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Hooray #2!

It amazes me how quickly this:

two years ago...

turns into this:









(this one deserves a post in itself)













Then, suddenly, this sneaks upon us:

and we've made it.

unscathed.

alive.

and well.

Here's to another great year Big Boy!

No one makes us smile and laugh like you.

We love you Asher!

Happy 2nd Birthday!

happy mama

This last weekend was more joyous than I could have imagined! The weather couldn't have been better, nor the moods of each family member the entire weekend!

Here is the weekend round-up, because it was that good!

Friday, we picnicked at Cottonwood Beach.

Saturday was just as beautiful as the day before. The skies were robin egg blue, and the temperature was perfect for a jaunt down at the Camas Mother's Day Plant Fair.

I could hardly believe my eyes, when we arrived and found practically the entire downtown area shut down to accommodate space for the many, many gardeners and growers presenting the fruits of their labor.

There were bonsai plants, trees, hanging baskets, herbs and a plethora of green and colorful bunches of earth exuding color for sale.

What did I buy, you wonder?

Not plants for my bare pots,

or hanging baskets to dangle from my porch to welcome visitors.

Not a bonsai to add culture to my largely traditional decor,

and not fresh herbs to enjoy over the many summer moons.

So, what did I buy, you ask again?

This:

A kit, of all things.

To do it myself.

Funny how that works, and often, it seems--

that I opt to give it a whirl myself before I spend money on the ready-made versions.

Delighted with my purchase and my willingness to dive in and plant the seeds with my bare hands, I barely notice that something is off.

Unsure about what I just did, I ask Husband for confirmation as I walk away, "Did I just spend $20 on seeds and wooden sticks?" Ironic how that works when you opt to "do it yourself," with half the purpose being that you think you can save money.

Lovingly, though, his response was "it'll be more fun for you this way."

What can I say? I'm a sucker for crafty talent and an A+ in presentation.

One herb kit sold!

Upon my arrival home, after my sheepish discovery of my lack of frugality in certain areas, Husband sent me on my way to find flowers for my pots elsewhere. Shhhh...the fair was over-priced! I hate to say that, especially when I like to give back to my community, but c'mon?

Thanks to a certain nursery expert, I returned home with a beautiful combination of flowers and vines. I can't wait to see them in full bloom!

Sunday was just as beautiful as Friday and Saturday. I woke early to my little ones scampering around my room. Forgetting that it was Mother's Day and not Father's Day, I headed down stairs, grabbed my Spark (No, not Sparks the alcoholic drink. It's a non-carbonated energy drink packed full of vitamins and minerals), whipped up a batch of banana pancakes and eggs and hurried to have them ready before Husband woke. He seemed confused at the sight, but kindly let me finish what I started.

We spent the rest of the day attending church, picnicking on the lawn with strawberry banana smoothies in goblets, lounging around the house, and leaving quite the mess in the kitchen. I also spent some time creating more bookmarks for my shop (yes, shop!--details to come).

It was one special Mother's Day weekend.

My girl and I.

Mother's Day 2010

(My sweet boy was sleeping, and the photograph that was supposed to happen, never did. Bummer.)

a hop, skip and a jump

Feeling adventurous earlier this afternoon, I packed the kiddos and the makings of a picnic and headed down toward the water. Lucky for us, the Columbia River is just a hop, skip, and a jump from us! It's 70 degrees today, so there was NO way we were going to miss this break of sunshine. C'mon. You can't take these things for granted here in the northwest!

We headed just a few short miles away to Cottonwood Beach, where the kids got to play in the sand, dip and kick their feet in the water, and ride their bikes on the dike. But, poor Asher! His plastic four-wheeler took a lot of work to ride! He had to push and push to get that thing going. He didn't seem to mind that much, or maybe it was just that he doesn't know what he's missing out on--you know, pedals? But I sense a brand-new trike in his future.

Oh, yes! His birthday is right around the corner!

Of course, I am crossing my fingers for as many more sunny days that the skies will allow! Especially since tomorrow I'm hoping to hit up the Camas Mother's Day Plant Fair. I'm looking for flowers for my hanging baskets, a tree for my big pot near the front door (since I killed the beautiful one from last year), some flowers to plant outside my kitchen window, and some herbs--maybe peppermint, basil, oregano and rosemary?

Have a great weekend!

Especially all you mothers out there!

p.s. Do you know of any place that I can find a cute picnic set?