July 27, 2016

Currently July 2016

Currently I am:

Hoping that my Mom is OK. She had to go to the hospital this week. Please keep her in your thoughts!

Cooper has poison oak ALL OVER his body right now. It’s so bad. We are on day 5.

Btw, he’s been with me for almost 3 weeks straight. It’s been fun/interesting/awesome/crazy. Figured out day 2 that we needed structure. Like…..SO BAD. We made a calendar. We’ve revised it a million times since. We have a loose structure. But, it’s been good. We both thrive on structure….but I’m reeeeeeeally trying hard to find a good balance of getting my work done and it’s not been easy. As a result, I’ve been drinking more coffee and pondering how there are people out there who have the patience to homeschool their children. Like… with more than one child! Homeschoolers, I salute you. I am enjoying waking up later in the mornings, though. Silver lining times 1000. Also….how am I ever going to wake up early for school next year?

Watching Chef’s Table while I work at night. It’s been a really good thing to have on in the background. Sometimes music stresses me out when I’m trying to write. Wait. Everything stresses me out when I’m trying to write. Meanwhile, Casey’s been working with episodes of Beverly Hills 90210 in the background. I’m not sure how he’s getting anything done. #donnamartingraduates

Googling/researching/watching youtube videos how to make my own raw cat food. The only thing that’s been working for both Ella & Rosie is Rad Cat but between the two of them that is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much money. Does anyone out there make their own raw cat food? Please tell me what you do!

Amazed at how loving Cooper is with the cats. He’s learning how to be patient. Still unsure about picking them up. We’re working on it. Though, he keeps telling me how he prefers Rosie over Ella and I tried to tell him, “Well, sometimes that just happens, but it’s not something you need to talk about (ALL THE TIME). Like, I’m sure people have a favorite child but they don’t say anything because that would hurt someone’s feelings. His response,”You don’t have a favorite child. You just have me.” That’s when I blurted out, “YOU’RE MY FAVORITE CHILD!” I thought that was the end of the discussion until he told me five minutes later that Rosie will always be his favorite. Ok, then.

Dipping my toe back into the bullet journal system. I gave it up for a few years back because I got distracted with a binder system that I couldn’t keep up. Now I need something new…. UGH. But now I am struggling with the size. Do I want my journal to be 7.5×10 or 5×8.25? Do I want it to be ruled, have graph paper, dots or just be plain white paper? What’s your favorite size? Also, I realize that I have so many dang notebooks that I’ve never finished. Notebooks and lipsticks are both things I have too many of…but I think I gave up my hope of ever turning into a lipstick fan because I’m not even sure when the last time I bought lipstick was. #carmexbeforebedandthatsit

Went through Cooper’s closet like I had planned to on my Summer Bucket List. this month. He’s keeping it clean. We’re working on it together. This is good. This is really good. I hope we keep it up.

Eating a version of this salad all summer. It’s too hot to cook.

Painting our laundry closet right now. It’s going to be a dark gray (big surprise!) with white accessories. I hope to have it done so I can show you next week. Meanwhile, I’m compiling images on Pinterest to help me figure out our master bedroom.

Been looking for an in between tote bag & a pouch/clutch. I ordered this one on Etsy. It had been on my wishlist for years. IT IS AWESOME! I love the pouch because it’s good to grip onto, but sometimes when I’m out shopping and I have things in my hands, I can’t easily put my phone in my bag and it’s all a clustercuss. So I’m loving this one. Although, just watch. It won’t be big enough one day and then a new search starts.

Resisted Pokemon Go for awhile. Downloaded it and then freaked out the whole time that my kid was going to drop my phone. We haven’t opened the app (that takes FOREVER TO LOAD) in a week. Does that mean I can delete it now?

Thinking about getting a travel steamer. I blame Joy.

Daydreaming about our Tahoe trip soon. I think we’re going horseback riding this year. I hope my horse’s name is Buttercup.

Crafting my summer playlist. I still can do that, right? We have all of August to enjoy it. Here’s the thing about me and music. I don’t listen to music like most people do. To me, I find great comfort in listening to a song over and over and OVER again until I get sick of it. Then I don’t want to hear it again for another 5 years. Current songs I have on repeat: Disparate Youth | Eyes | One Dance | My House (do those links even work?) (I think you have to have spotify) What are you listening to?

-JULY 2016

Feel free to type up your currently stream of consciousness in the comments.

It feels good…like a nice brain massage for people who love lists.

July 26, 2016

Spicy Mango Chile Wraps

A few years ago, my friend Laura put together a wonderful raw/vegan dinner in San Francisco. I helped out a bit and during that event I was introduced to these amazing Spicy Mango Chile Wraps. I was sad that I could only have 1!

I’m so glad they made their way into Laura’s book- Raw Vegan Not Gross!

Now I can have as many as I want…which is all of them.

Each cabbage leaf carries a few spoonfuls of an amazing crunchy/spicy/sweet almond walnut spread as well as carrots, red peppers, jicama mango and cilantro. My meat eating husband was surprise how good/filling these were. The best part is that I didn’t have to turn my oven on and everything is so incredibly fresh, satisfying and most importantly- healthy! That nut spread is definitely going in my meal prep rotation.

my everyday life, Photography

July 23, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 29

Here’s what My Everyday Life Week 29 looked like:

Cooper’s self portrait at almost 8 years old.

A little trip to Bolinas.

Bolinas is a neat little town. Lotta hippies. Lots of interesting things to look at.

How Casey beaches.

Fog + kite

He’s growing up right before my eyes.

A beach full of feathers. Here’s one.

I watched the two people in the background stand there, holding hands for about a half hour.

I don’t think I’ve held someone’s hand that long, let alone both hands.

Man bun.

After a night cleaning session, this is how my family room looks. Ahhhh.

Cat bowl. Don’t worry, I don’t use the bowl.

I mean if I ever did, I would wash it like a mofo.

MEOW.

July 22, 2016

I love lists

Welcome to I Love Lists. Let’s surf the internet together!

A thought provoking photo project.
This cake intrigues me.
A library I would love to see in person one day.
I would like one of these paintings over my bed.
Sorry not sorry.
Dream vacation home material.
Supermarket Fails are hilarious.
Waves that look like brushstrokes.
Wanted in my home.
Favorite food recipes of famous photographers.
If you need some good mantras….
Looking forward to getting this bag in the mail soon!
If I lived by myself, my house would probably look like this.
Kitchen makeover one and two.
So good so good.
This DIY cocktail ring looks awesome.
What’s the right age to give your kid a smartphone these days? I think 18. HA.
My friend Megan just launched her new site design and it’s beautiful.
Staying away from pools now….AHH.
Thought this photo was beautiful.
Build a better cheese plate. Dude. These plates are LOADED.
Funny…. I saw the word HUNGRY first.
How to Sell Your Kids on Vegetables

recipes

July 19, 2016

Berry Cereal Milkshakes

Everyone has a different relationship with cereal. I ate a lot of it growing up. Well, at least I tried to. My mom was the type to avoid buying sugary colored cereal. It wasn’t because of the high fructose corn syrup, the dyes or wheat. She bought us sugary cereal sparingly because whenever she brought home a box of junk cereal, we pounced on it like savages. My brothers would split a regular box of cereal between the two of them in minutes in the morning. Can you imagine how fast sugary cereal would go? All this meant for me is that I had to fight for cereal. If I missed the window, I didn’t have any. But I did know which bowl in the cupboard to use. It was one that looked small but was actually quite deep. I’ve always tried to fly under the radar…..

Today I’m the mom that doesn’t want to buy my child all the crazy sugary cereals mostly because I don’t want to deal with my son hopped up on sugar. I also stay away from cereal that have high fructose corn syrup and synthetic colors because I don’t see the point in them being in my kid’s cereal.

To follow in my mom’s footsteps, I am the mom who will randomly splurge my kid with something indulgent to surprise him. I like to give Cooper those moments of OMG WHAT IS MY MOM THINKING? At least that’s my goal- ha!

So, the other day after we spent the afternoon at the library reading, we came home and I treated Cooper to this cereal milkshake. Dessert before dinner? Mom was definitely having a moment. You gotta keep them on their toes!

recipes

July 18, 2016

Quick Tomato Basil Pasta

We went to the beach yesterday. It was a last minute excursion because I needed to get out of the house and away from alllllllllllll the dishes I had to clear out of the sink.

Now, Casey isn’t a beach person like I am. Where he sees ALL THE SAND and how it sticks to EVERYTHING, I see adventure and a chance for me to clear my head.

He went out of his way to go to the beach because I needed an adventure, so I made up for it with this Quick Tomato Basil Pasta when we got home. An even trade for a beach adventure? Suuuuure. Why not? We’ll go to the beach like every single week now, right Casey?

It’s all the flavors of bruschetta stirred into hot pasta. No need to cook sauce! A #meatlessmonday dinner that’s #simple #fresh #delicious and can be pulled together in less than 15 minutes. Exploit tomato season and get on it! Or just make the tomato part and top it with crusty grilled bread and maybe some fresh mozzarella? YES.

around the home, my everyday life, Photography

July 17, 2016

My Everyday Life: Week 28

Here’s what My Everyday Life- Week 28 of 2016 looked like:

Make a really big wish.

It’s golden here in CA. This is the season when I try to hike as much as possible.

This week I went on three big hikes.

The point where one neighbor liked a certain red.

This is Joe. I walk by his house a lot but I only just met him. I’ve always admired his hat collection and how he lines up his tools. It reminds me of my grandfather and how organized he was. I saw him pruning his hedges (also immaculate) and I went up to him and told him how much I appreciated his organizing skills and he gave me a tour of his hat rack!