The kids are away...

including husband.
They're on their way to the beach to cheer Uncle Jon on in his Hood to Coast relay run that ends this afternoon. It ends at Seaside Beach in Oregon, so they plan to give him high-fives and then jaunt over to Grandpa's property to say hello, and maybe even take a tractor ride.

So what am I going to do while my babies are away, you ask? 

Well, before I made any sudden jumps, I had to remind myself of how rare the opportunity. 

So I quickly tossed out my initial ideas of how I might spend this day: 

clean house from top to bottom
(including the marker on Asher's wall and the diaper ointment slathered on his blinds)

insert business invoices
grocery shop

Then it came to me.

The Camas Vintage Street Faire starting in 30 minutes!
I must fly upstairs and fix this mess pronto!
I'm expecting oodles of beautiful finds and treasures beyond my hearts content,
and I'll be armed with my Nikon!
If I make a purchase, or two, or three, I will share them with you.
Never mind the if, this is my day, and I am prepared to shop!

Other events on today's list:

a lake run.  (My back is feeling MUCH better.  Hoorah!)
decorate the sweet cookies for tonight's baby shower (show & tell tomorrow, Monday?)
AND
enjoy the quiet.

Everyone needs quiet.

Here's to a fabulous Saturday!

the evolution of fresh blueberry pie.

Really, much needn't be told when there are pictures like these...but I'll give you a few details anyway.

This was my family's first trip berry picking!  Since Amber was in town last week, she came with us to join my sister-in-law and my niece and nephews at Valley View Blueberry Farm.  It was way too much fun, and I think I'd like to try and do again soon.  It was perfect for the kids, and apparently the owners don't mind that little fingers eat at least a handful or two in the meantime. 

Do you find yourself feeling overcome with addiction while you pick berries, too?

There were various types of blueberries. 

Taste-testing was a pleasure while hunting for the perfect picks.

My visiting sis, Amber

My SIL, Jeannie and I

Asher

My niece, Olivia

Brooklynn

Asher and his cousin, Hunter

Now for the assembly of blueberry pie:

The fruits of our labor in golden delicious shape.

Just wish I was feeling this way about my body after all these treats.

Oh, yeah.  I forgot to mention we made homemade vanilla ice cream to go with it.

In my family, it's homemade

or bust.

Doing any berry picking?  If so, how do you plan to use them?

mini crisis, fine dining and goodwill steals

It has been the busiest two weeks of my life. I finally positioned myself mentally to get a grip this morning, so I am back at it. Back to the day-to-day but hopefully without the mini-crisis every couple hours. I think its been a mix of my strained back interfering with my exercise routine, a whirlwind of summertime festivities, while being dragged back into our business scene. I was almost freed from such obligations when we hired outside help, but the help turned out to need my help. I never could get too far from the office, so now I am back in the books. I will deal. I will.

Last week I had the most fun in a long while. My sister, Amber came to visit! Sometimes when I am around my sisters, I see a reflection of myself, and/or my mother. It is quite interesting at times, but isn't it great to be around people who you have so much in common with? In mannerism, interests...and looks? It is always such great bonding time. I just wish we all lived in the same vicinity. As I said on Face Book after I dropped Amber off at the airport, I think it should be against family rule to live in different states. Seriously.

Ambs and I had a delightful time together. Over the next couple posts I'll show you what we were up to. We are happenin' girls, so the week we were together was overflowing with ideas, places, and activities--from blueberry picking, and sewing projects galore, to fine dining and Goodwill steals. Top that off with some homemade vanilla ice cream and blueberry pie and a sweet visit to Saint Cupcake. It's a tradition that I take each visiting family member to Portland's very best cupcake shop.

Hope things are going well in your neck of the woods!

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

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.)