April 6, 2018

I LOVE LISTS

If you have a fiddle leaf fig and need help
I’ve been doing this with Casey and Cooper since 2008.
I should have Cooper do this.
If you’re overthinking…
We watched Real Genius the other night and I had no idea Val Kilmer is battling cancer!
#100DayProject I’m doing it!!! Or trying to at least.
These travel sketchbooks are perfection.
The diverse life of a ping pong table in Germany.
Sports Reminiscence Therapy for dementia.
The best advice, really.
Do you have a tattoo you regret?
Can’t say I’m not intrigued.
Hahaha. I got Virgo. Not that far off.
Authors celebrate 90 years of Maya Angelou’s life.
These cats are spoiled.
The most incredible view. Ever.
This is sooooo creepy.
Smartphones are wrecking the planet faster than anticipated.
Doughnut fries…practically churros.
What’s up with all the collagen these days?
We’re all just voyeurs if we pay more attention.

My paperwhite kindle. I took it on vacation with me this week and I’ve been up late at night reading while everyone else is snoring.

Have you ever scrolled through the new items at Trader Joe’s? Tell me if you’ve tried that falafel mix.

On my trip, I’ve been enjoying these refillable brush pens! It means I don’t have to lug around a jar of water and constantly rinse it out!

These bags have been a savior on my trip (and any trip for that matter!).

Inspiration

April 2, 2018

Currently: March 2018

Currently March 2018

March was kind of a doozy. We had a lot going on! So many emotions too. Birthdays, anniversaries (my parents would have had their 49th anniversary on the 16th). I’ve also just been feeling really low emotionally. I’ve had some major epiphanies this month. It’s now really sinking in that I’m the only female in my family. Also, my biggest advocate (my mom!) is gone so I’ve really had to figure out how to Mom myself.

There were a few things that happened this month that would have felt easier if I could have talked to my Mom about it. She was always there to listen and offer me solid, thoughtful advice. I wonder if I’ll ever find that intimacy level with anyone in my life again. So, that’s running in the back of my mind while I try to carry on with my work & life.

The warmer weather between the rainy days is giving me hope. I am grateful for sunshine!

my everyday life, Photography

April 1, 2018

My Everyday Life: Week 13

Here’s what this past week looked like My Everyday Life Week 13

Some treasures I found while looking through our storage cabinet.

My mom’s girl scout badges, a beautiful picture of her smile and the stained glass she made when she was my age.

I felt like she lured me in there and I’m so glad she did.

#keepgriefweird

Also a little gem from my grandpa….

My parents are the cutest.

Foggy day on the coast!

Family adventure down to Pacific Grove!

First things first.

Also, family time is puzzle time!

All the seafood, please.

LISTS

March 30, 2018

I LOVE LISTS

I love a good morning bun.
100% NO
My buffet choices make me a peacekeeper
We’re all filled up on protein here.
We’re also going to be signature-less here soon.
Cats are liquid.
This gives me hope.
Something yummy for coconut lovers.
These cake make me so uncomfortable. I want to blend in all of the frosting!
Do audiobooks count as reading?
Will Ferrel vs. Conceptual Art
Some amazing stuff in Smithsonian’s 2018 photo contest
Who doesn’t love a clever sign??!
For anyone who loves a good diorama, LOOK AT THIS!!
Ooof. Facebook is really blowing it, huh? also, prepared to be creeped out.
What does a Wes Anderson movie sound like?
Pink city nights!
These naturally dyed eggs are BEAUTIFUL
Anthropologie dresses I covet: One / Two / Three
If you have some leftover Cadbury eggs, make these cookies!
Spike Lee’s Essential Films list
Oh, this movie looks really good!!
Airbnb vs. New Orleans
What to do when I’m gone.

This funny looking thing is a great way to remove any unwanted facial hair. Hello, I’m 38 and it’s really creeping up all of a sudden.

Going through a black licorice phase. This back lives in my car. I’ve been reading that eating licorice before you have a meal (or anything bitter!) helps digestion. This licorice is my current favorite. If you’re a black licorice lover, what’s your favorite? I wanna do a taste test!

That I have a whole batch of Everyday Pancakes in my freezer for to help make some special weekday breakfasts quickly.

Cooper at 9. He’s such a sweet boy. He ran into the gas station to buy himself a treat (with his own money!) and came back with a treat for himself and one for me (with his own money!).

Inspiration

March 28, 2018

What to Eat in Spring!

Now that the weather is changing here in the Bay Area, I’ve had to put away some of my winter clothes (yay!). My body is also craving change. It’s the time of year where I start ditching heavy foods for lighter fare. But first, I have to remind myself what is in season during Spring so I can exploit all the fresh produce at my farmer’s market!

Let’s dip into the Shutterbean archives and figure out What to Eat in Spring!

Shortbread Strawberry Crumble

One of the simplest recipes! We’re starting to see strawberries pop up here in California and I am so excited!

Roasted Strawberries

Your house will smell amazing.

Strawberry Chia Seed Jam

This jam is not cooked! It’s made in a blender and it’s so delicious.

Ricotta Pancakes with Roasted Strawberries

Weekends go well when pancakes are involved! These ones are light & fluffy.

Strawberry Fruit Roll-Ups

Bust out your blender and make some fruit roll-ups. Be a kid again!

Rhubarb Coffee Cake

This is the time of year when rhubarb SHINES. This is a good coffee cake to put in your arsenal.

Spicy Mango Wraps

I didn’t realize it was mango season! YAY! These wraps are bonkers. You’re going to love the sauce.

Mango Lassi Popsicles

Cooper loves these guys. I’ll have to make a batch soon!

Mango Apple Salad with Sugared Lime Zest

This is a salad to have in your back pocket. That sugared lime zest will make you want to put it on EVERYTHING.

Shaved Asparagus Prosciutto Pizza

ALLLLL the good things on one pizza.

Creamy Asparagus + Bacon Soup

If you have asparagus to use up, make soup!

Sweet Peas Shells & Alfredo

These shells are a creamy dream.

Bacon Pesto Potato Hash (with Peas!)

Breakfast lunch or dinner it’s allllll right with me.

Bacon Pea Pizza with mint

The mint and the squeeze of lemon -whoa nelly! YUM.

Creamy Spinach Artichoke Pizza

Imagine artichoke dip….ON A PIZZA

Cream of Artichoke Soup

Husband’s favorite soup. Next time I’m gonna hollow out a bread bowl and serve it in one!

Lime Ginger Broccoli Salad

Hello, flavor explosion. This dressing is BRIGHT! The almonds are a nice touch too!

Broccoli Cheddar Rolls

Hello, comfort food.

Broccoli Pesto Polenta

Another comfort food! And that egg!

Roasted Broccolini with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Grilled Shrimp & Pineapple Skewers

It’s time to start thinking about grilling!!! Pineapples are amazing grilled.

Roasted Pineapple with Yogurt & Pistachios

Pineapples are also great ROASTED with yogurt and pistachios too.

I hope this helps inspire you to get in your kitchen and make new things this Spring!

While you’re at it, maybe Spring Clean your kitchen?

LISTS

March 26, 2018

Intentions for the Week

Hello, Monday.

Did you know that Mercury is in retrograde right now?

That explains why my website was down all day yesterday.

If you weren’t able to check out My Everyday Life, Week 12, here’s a link.

It was a pretty week.

If you’re wondering what Mercury in retrograde means, here’s what I’m talking about.

Let Susan Miller educate you!

Also, a very important website that I always check when nothing seems to be going right:

Is Mercury in Retrograde?

(you’ll get a big fat YES right now)

Communication/technology gets really weird during this time so be careful. Also, you’re not supposed to by any new electronics or sign major contracts. Consider yourself warned.

Other than that, The Benjamins are in baseball season now which means our weekends are booked for the next few months. I have to start getting my packing rhythm going for each of the games. There’s so much to think of before we leave the house these days

This week I need to get my head in the game. I’ve been in quite a funk and I’m slowly working my way out of it. Sunshine will help. Exercise will help. I don’t have my Mom to remind me to take care of myself so I gotta do it on my own now. Ok so let’s dip into my intentions for the week.