LuLu & Co

my friendship with January....

2012-01-24T09:38:00.004-05:00

Sourc: via luluco on Pinterest

It's time I have a talk with January!

January you are tricky

complicated

a bit misunderstood!

I begin this month with so much excitement...

a brand, spanking new calendar just waiting for doodle marks...

to~ do lists, schedules, celebrations...

all the happenings of the Co to be scribbled down!*!#@!

I spend the first few weeks focusing on the goals I want to achieve in 2012

I fine tune the details on my bucket list...

I'm bubbling over with excitement for what's to come

I toss in my wishes, hopes and prayers for the adventure ahead!

I embrace the freshness, the challenge to make it a great one

I feel ready to tackle it all...

I start each day with joy, energy, enthusiasm...

I'm doing the work

I'm doing my part...

but, I have a tiny complaint about our friendship.

You are making it very tough to keep my energy level H I G H

this friendship is turning very one sided...

I am giving

you are only taking

you are down right draining me

zapping me

crushing the enthusiasm I showered upon you on the 1ST

There I said it!

I got it off my chest

it's out in the open now

Phew

This by no means means I'm giving up!

Quite the opposite...

i'm taking this as an opportunity to dig deeper

fight harder

I will bring the color and warmth that is missing outside my window into my life myself!

I will continue to Choose Joy

so, you just better get on board!!!

Here's to working on our friendship, tweaking January and fighting for JOY!

xoxo,

P.S. If your friendship with January is complicated too feel free to stop on by...

the lattes are brewing!!!

kitchen baubles & jewels...oh my!

2012-01-16T09:54:00.005-05:00

via luluco on Pinterest

I am consumed with thoughts of faucets!

Faucet style

so many to choices

Faucet function

so many preferences

Faucet price range

gulp, gulp, triple gulp ....

But, sometimes it's the details that capture my heart

once captured I'm hopelessly in love!

Faucets are the jewelry to a kitchen...

the bauble that sparkles

that shine

via luluco on Pinterest

The question is how is a girl to pick between so many gorgeous gems?!!!!

xoxo,

Winner and faucets....

2012-01-10T11:07:00.004-05:00

Source: Pinterest

I have the lucky number that won my giveaway!!!

I had it yesterday, but I've been a bit preoccupied over finding the perfect kitchen faucet...

I have been overly researching, driving myself nutty...

trying to find the one faucet that has everything I am looking for!

Now, I am obsessed about them!

I really didn't need another thing to obsess over!!

But, lets set that topic aside for a today and get to the winner of my giveaway!

Congratulation

Amy ~ Number 8

You WON!!!

Send me your email address and I will pass it on to Jenn.

I'm off to finalize my faucet pick...

I'm down to 2

better yet, maybe I should have you all help me pick!

I'll be back with faucets in hand!

xoxo,

latest morning favorites and a giveaway...

2012-01-05T09:59:00.014-05:00

Starting this New Year has me energized...

so I thought what a better way to begin the year by sharing my latest morning favorites

and celebrate January with a giveaway!

Having a great mug filled to the brim with piping hot goodness starts my morning with a satisfied smile

gives me a calming bliss amongst the hectic, chaos swirling around me

it's the perfect pampering I need that gets me focused for the day ahead!

My holiday morning splurge has been the...

Fruit Cake I ordered from williams-sonoma.

I know what you may be thinking...

Shocking!

gross

Oh my goodness, I thought the same thing until I tried a piece and now I can say proudly that I eat fruit cake!!!

The fruity, rum, nutty, spice flavor, plus moistness has my taste buds dancing!

Especially with your favorite hot cup of goodness... is bliss!!!

It's a new year, give it a try...you just may like it!!!

Next up...

I love paper goods!

This year I want to be better at taking the time to write notes...

I want to step up my gift wrapping!

Taking the time to wrap a gift, accessorizing it with the perfect tag shows the recipient how much you care!

So, when Jenn from the covered porch designs contacted me about showcasing her designs and offering one of my readers a giveaway I was thrilled!

She sent me my own note cards and gift tags.

I love them! Thank you Jenn, they are absolutely wonderful.

Jenn is offering you your pick!

To enter:

Take a look at her designs

let me know what you would pick

you can tweet/facebook about the giveaway for another chance to win

just let me

I will randomly pick a winner on Monday!

Source: thecoveredporchdesigns.com via luluco on Pinterest

thecoveredporchdesigns.com via luluco on Pinterest

: thecoveredporchdesigns.com via luluco on Pinterest

Here's to starting the day off with an extra pinch of sweetness!

xoxo,

Merry, Happy, Joyful, Hopeful, Colorful Hello

2012-01-04T08:51:00.007-05:00

via luluco on Pinterest

Happy New Year!!!

Our holidays were fast, hectic, funny, wonderful and memorable.

But my highlight was Christmas Eve mass.

I watched my children participate in mass at our church

each had a special roll

I looked over to my husband

our eyes met

we smiled at each other

and passed unspoken words of

"can you actually believe this"

our children are usually smashed in between us... this year it really hit home...

all our children are changing in their own way

getting bigger, showing their independence

practicing their faith in bold, bright glory

showing us that they are strengthening their self-esteem, finding their wings

without a nudge from us...

That was the ultimate Christmas gift tied up in a big red velvet bow!

I sat their and wanted to weep big fat tears of joy

for my blessings

for the year...

all the events that took place

for the memories we made

the lasting imprints they will have on our hearts, lives

for our faith

for the role it has in making us a stronger family.

I continue to pray it will guide them on their journey

where ever it may take them

to watch over them

to protect

to love!

It was the perfect ending to 2011!

And had me more than ready to welcome 2012

with excitement!

with hopes!

with dreams!

with joy!

ideas! projects! paint chips!

with a colorful bucket list

So, buckle up because here we go!!!

Wishing you a very Happy New Year and I can't wait to share it with all of Y O U!!!

xoxo,

good morning & a winner...

2011-12-14T07:34:00.002-05:00

Rise and shine!!!

I am so excited to announce the winner of my giveaway...

I love surprises

but what I love even more...

is surprising other people!!!

Would you like to know who won the 30" Colorado Mountain Spruce wreath that I randomly generated by using random.org

So put down your coffee mugs, tea cups or wine glasses

{depending on your time zone or what kind of day you had yesterday}

jump up and down

dance around the breakfast dishes

clap loudly

for

Number 4

Laura

Laura, contact me with your address ASAP so Balsam Hill can deliver a bit of Christmas joy to your home!!!

And in the spirit of giving

I will be announcing another giveaway right after I have my much needed latte!!!

until then,

xoxo,

feels like a giveaway day....

2011-12-13T07:39:00.002-05:00

In the spirit of my unfortunate delayed start to decorating for the holidays this year

I decided that it's never too late to spread Holiday joy to everyone!!!

So without further ado lets have a wreath giveaway today

brought to you by the wonderful company

Balsam Hill

who so kindly is offering one of my readers a

30"Colorado-Mountain-Spruce-by-Aspen-Christmas- Wreath!!!

This will be a one day giveaway due to the time crunch...

but no worries friends

it's simple

Christmas goodness....

2011-12-08T12:05:00.005-05:00

luluco on Pinterest

Today I'm enjoying all the little things...

the extra kiss from my little boy...

as he very excitedly hopped into his daddy's car to be driven to school

it pulled at my heart strings to see his reaction over this...

this is a very rare occurrence in our home because of his daddy's job

the extra long squeeze from my 8 year old as she whispered in my ear...

"i will miss you on my field trip...hopefully the next one you can go with me"

two seconds latter off she went with a bounce in her step as she climbed into the car wearing her mustard yellow rain boots, hat and scarf

for an all day field trip outdoors without looking back!

Today is a big, messy, loud, messy, big, loud, messy kind of day

and it's not going to end today....

but it's all okay because the Christmas spirit is alive and running through my veins

it's in the hearts of my chickadees

it's focus is on the reason of the season

it's just not visible by my decorations....

yet!!!!!

Why on earth not you ask?

A month ago... November 4 to be exact

I discovered a horrible, this really can't be happening discovery...

our dishwasher was leaking

pouring gallons of unseen water out

being happily absorbed into our hardwood floors!

base of our kitchen cabinets

ceiling to our basement

It's been a month of estimates, research, quotes what needs to be done... and so one...

The wood floors were destroyed

when I heard that bit of news I gasped but handled it fairly well

until, they told me my entire custom kitchen island needed to remove

taken completely apart

granite removed

bead board

legs

the entire elephant in the room must be...

removed

in order to rip the floors out!

gasp....

Today, it's in pieces

today I see sub floors where I once saw wood

Today you will see a toilet laying in my grass for the reindeer's to use or for Santa

depending on how fast they can repair the damage!!!

Today, I feel extra blessed!

I am grateful for everyone who touches my life.

For the latte my husband brought me after taking our little ones to school before he dashed off to work

For having a friend who will help me transport my chickadees from school without hesitation.

For the friend who just called me and told me she picked up a box of vintage ornaments she knew I wanted!

For the early morning phone calls from another friend that starts my every day!

It's truly the little little things that warm my heart

and light up my world!

That having me singing Christmas songs amongst the noise

This is the Christmas goodness you can't wrap and put under the tree!

But, don't think for a minute that I'm not decorating

not to worry my friends

there will be a Christmas tree

there will stockings

garland

lights

angels

ornaments

presents wrapped with care and love

there is still time!!!

Santa has not left the North Pole yet!!!!

xoxo,

from me to you...

2011-12-06T21:42:00.004-05:00

Source: bonjour-celine.blogspot.com via luluco on Pinterest

Close your eyes...

make a Christmas wish!

May all your wishes and dreams this holiday season come true!!!

xoxo,

Let the Christmas cheer begin... I'm ready!!!

2011-11-29T09:33:00.003-05:00

source: pinterest

The great thing about being a mom is that I have learned to adjust, adapt, think on my feet, change things up, throw caution to the wind, try new things, laugh often, sing out loud and call it a great adventure!

The past two weeks things were a bit on the "out of sorts" times that life likes to surprise you with...

but thankfully I was thinking clearly

I refused to surrender to feeling overwhelmed by the holiday

I simply could not see myself cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal with a kitchen out of service!

I knew when to pick up the phone and book reservations at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner

then I texted my darling husband, who was in Dubai, and told him my brilliant idea

I ran upstairs to tell the chickadees that we are going to be wild and crazy...

we are go out for dinner

I did get a few puppy dog looks from a certain chickadee

sweet words that melts a mothers heart....

oh I'll miss your sweet potatoes

I rewarded her with a twirl hug and praise that I am raising a brilliant child

I did have a bit of teenage grumbling from another

she was rewarded with a double twirl hug....

teenagers need lots and lots of hugs...

they can't grumble and be hugged at the same time

it's impossible

pinky promise it works every time!!!

and not to be lost in all the twirling that was going on

I received two cheers of joy from my littlest two because I used the word adventure in describing our Thanksgiving meal!

They were properly rewarded with double D...

that's code for double dessert in our house for going above and beyond in having outstanding behavior, acts of kinds, having helping hands...

all that good stuff that makes me sing louder, twirl longer and thank God for my four blessings!

The change was just what we needed....

I'm absolutely ready for Christmas

the decorating has officially begun

shopping is well underway

meal planning is in the works...

I will be cooking for Christmas!

Can I get a triple grande extra hot skinny latte for that!!!

I'm determined to work my magic and make sure my kitchen is back up and running

I'm a believer!!!!!

Here's to spreading good cheer and I look so forward to sharing my holiday's with all of YOU!!

xoxo,

grateful to all who served

2011-11-11T12:21:00.009-05:00

Source:

Happy Veterans Day

Thank You for your dedication

for your service to our beloved country!!!

xoxo,

Wallpaper, tile, laundry, oh my!

2011-11-08T10:31:00.011-05:00

it's so good to be back...

I did not forget about you!

really, I didn't!

I have been a bit busy with the unexpected discovery of a major water leak...

eeeeks

oh NO

this can't be happening

water damage

wood floor damage

really

now

good grief

the source...

my dishwasher!

Friday night I tossed the lid to the tub of frosting into the trash and dug right into fluffy acceptance that my kitchen will be a bit torn up.

Anyhoo, lets not dwell on that and get to the pictures of my laundry room shall we!!!

I still need to attach the french door back onto the hinges...

I had the best time hunting for the right wallpaper!

I knew what I wanted

I searched and search...

when I saw this pattern by the fabulous

Thibaut

~my heart did a cartwheel~

it was love at first sight

my sweet Ibex and Mr. Elephant

Hook happiness from Anthropologie!!!

I love how they blend into the paper.

This room is now my absolutely favorite room in the house!

This morning I escaped the noise coming from my torn up kitchen for a sip of hot goodness...

it's here where my son found me...

he quickly jumped right up to join me!!!

Here's to finding happiness and sweetness and a bit of quiet in small spaces!

xoxo,

a cupcake kind of day

2011-11-03T19:43:00.007-04:00

Source: Pinterest

Today was a cupcake kind of day!

It all began at the crack of dawn...

5:30AM to be exact.

I awoke to the sound of what I interpreted as the loch ness monster erupting from our pool!

After a bit of investigation

flash light in one hand

portable phone in the other

I headed out into the dark

to confirm the nose was indeed coming from our pool

{which as of 5:30AM we had not officially closed for the season}

placed a frantic call

fast forward three hours later

my favorite pool guys arrived to rescue my morning!

Have a cupcake!!!

Fast forward to half hour later

in walks my next favorite guy...

my wallpaper man arrived to hang my wallpaper!

{not to worry friends....my darling husband already read my text I sent in....which read...

I'm crying over wallpaper, it's that beautiful and by the way, I almost hugged the wallpaper man after he hung my Anthropologie hooks!

Have a cupcake while drooling over wallpaper!

So the moral of this story is...

when you think you may hear the loc ness monster coming from the depths of your pool...

have a cupcake

be sure to say thank you 10,000 million times to all the favorite people who rescued your day!!!

thank you 10,001

xoxo,

P.S. come back tomorrow for a second cupcake and my pictures of the wallpaper will be posted after I lick the frosting off my fingers!!!

small spaces shine

2011-11-01T09:18:00.004-04:00

It's not about square feet...

Of course I love to dream, design, spacious laundry rooms/mudrooms.

It's fun to save, pin inspirational photos for the so called next house and so on...

The reality is I am blessed with a 6 x 7 foot laundry room that also functions as the passageway to our garage...

basically, I live in this room.

Between laundry and comings and goings

me and this space are BFs!!!

The most rewarding part about redoing this space is how it was transformed without knocking down walls.

It's what you do with the space you have that makes a space shine!

The tile project that I have been talking about, dreaming of officially came to completion!

The wait was worth it!

I am absolutely thrilled with the end result.

My laundry days just got a whole lot brighter!

I used white subway tile from Lowes to cover 54 square feet with white grout.

Then I followed my heart and used white octagon dot tiles with gray grout for the floor.

I have adored this tile

I have been madly, deeply in love with octagon dot tile for sometime...

now

I'm obsessed with it.

You will now find me sipping my latte while sitting on the floor just to be near it!

Be still my beating heart!

Some celebration call for flowers

I thought this celebration called for a pumpkin in the most gorgeous shade of gray!

While I was designing this space

thinking about how I wanted it to look, feel...

I decided to go all gangbusters...

Why not design a space using all my latest obsessions, my loves, my passions!

You may be asking what else I could possibly add to this small space?

{besides reinstalling the washer and dryer}

drum roll please....

Wallpaper

yep, I have been wanting to use wallpaper in my house for awhile now...

yes, I heard gasps

my sanity has been questioned

I do know it's not for everyone

I've been told how hard it is to remove

etc etc...

but sometimes you just have to be brave and go for it!!!

And I'm going for it!

The remaining walls are going to be cover in wallpaper and if everything goes according to plan it should happen this week!

Here's to following your heart and working with what you've got!

saying a "Big Hello" to November!

xoxo,

In stillness...

2011-10-28T16:25:00.006-04:00

Source: farm1.static.flickr.com via Beth on Pinterest

I spent the week watching

Watching the pattern I've dreamt of for the past few weeks finally appear

my laundry room floor slowly came to life

one tile at a time

my once painted walls transformed right before my eyes....

I now see new walls

sporting a strong coat of armor...

white shiny subway tile

put together like a puzzle

by an artisan

who has definitely mastered his craft!

I'm fairly certain I thanked him with each tile he placed

I clapped from my perch

sitting on the staircase

looking through the spindles

eager to see

to watch

it unfold before me.

The beauty of watching

is what you learn in being still.

In my stillness I was able to appreciate the talents of others

how each one of us brings our many different talents we are blessed with to share with others

to teach

to learn

to inspire

to appreciate

to grow

to support

I didn't see just tile looking oh so gorgeous on walls or a floor to a laundry room

I saw a strong coat of armor that is resilient

ready for messy times

joyful times

it's ready for loads of whatever life deals us..

and it may chip and the grout will age

but with love, care, faith

it's going to last.

I watched the weather change before my eyes

winter is teasing fall

this weekend it will feel more like winter then fall

but after

watching my 6 year old son walking out of school with the most enormous pumpkin

grinning from ear to ear

holding on with all his might not to drop

the most enormous pumpkin a 6 year old could possibly carry

I clapped for him in my drivers seat

I rolled down the windows to shout my words of motherly encouragement

I watched his grin get bigger

I watched his little arms raise the pumpkin higher

I saw his strong coat armor carry that pumpkin to the car

laugh in relief when sweet Ms. K came to assist the last little lift safely into the car

I saw Fall

a cozy night

tucked in with my loved ones

to welcome the official first cup of hot chocolate season

to watch the leaves in all their glory swirl around the yard.

Wishing You a weekend of watching, appreciating, loving the ones around you

to marvel at their talents

to appreciate what they do.

happy Weekend to all of you...

my amazing, talented, strong friends!

xoxo,

G + L = L o V E

2011-10-24T09:50:00.007-04:00

October 23, 1993

October 23, 2011

18 years of believing love is the heart of the world!

xoxo,

from me to you...

2011-10-20T09:17:00.002-04:00

good morning

sunshine

xoxo,

unexpected find...

2011-10-18T10:27:00.004-04:00

I stumbled upon an unexpected find on Sunday at a local flea market...

We dropped the chickadees off at CCD class and decided to dash over for the last day of the sale...

hello!!!

who knew what I'd find!

I spied this bench tucked underneath a table

out of my reach

two rows away from me

I only saw two legs and a smidgen of fabric

that's how easy I am!

that's all it took for me to

leap

gasp

ohhohhohh

and maneuver my way as quickly as possible for a better view

I let out a fairly loud

Sweet victory song and dance

it took just one look

from the bench to my darling husband...

He knew we were coming home with this bench!!!

Here's to life's unexpected finds and just one look!!

xoxo

love my latte moments...

2011-10-14T09:22:00.008-04:00

via

Some weeks call for slow and steady!

It's funny how we can never plan for those weeks or days...

they just happen

spontaneously

unscripted

surprisingly wonderful

it took me till Friday to realize this!

I spent a good part of the week wanting things to move faster...

my laundry room had something to do with my restlessness

"lets get this started"

passed my lips a few times

waiting for someone else to complete a project for me is never easy...

I'm a~ start today~right now~kinda a girl

staring at the stacks of tile

running my hand over the smooth surface

visualizing it completed

had me contemplating getting my glue gun out a few times!

I ended up doing the right thing...

walking away from the glue gun

right to my espresso machine...

to savor the now

the peacefulness that

slow and steady brought to my life!

Here's to savoring the beauty this week brought all weekend long!

happy Friday sweet friends!

xoxo,

happy Friday...

2011-10-07T10:19:00.003-04:00

This is Bella...

we share a latte together every Saturday morning...

for two hours I talk...

she listens...

we're friends!

Wishing you a weekend filled to the brim with goodness!

xo,

heLLo October...heLLo wellies!

2011-10-02T12:32:00.003-04:00

via

Hello October!

official fall weather rolled in just in time to welcome October with a favorite cardigan...

wellies!

Yesterday was soooo busy

that today you will find me doing this!!!

P.S. Just don't tell my family where to find me!

xoxo,

hooked on hooks....

2011-09-28T10:58:00.004-04:00

Well, I did it again!

One thing has lead to another.

It all began with rush hour...

{aka:getting four kids up, fed, dressed and in the car on time five days a week}

with bookbags, lunches, everything signed and of course, lets not forget the search for the lost shoe that some how found it's way into the washing machine....again!

What I love about chaos is good things can happen!

And that goodness is the redoing of our 6' 10" x 7' space a builder calls a laundry room/mudroom...

I don't even need to comment about what I think of the builder...

it would be unkind and unproductive.

Instead, it gave me a decorating challenge

which I am known to never turn down

especially when it involves changing things up...

finding the absolutely perfect hooks for our keys!

source

Thank you for reminding me to follow my heart...

I made the commitment ...

I ordered the white hexagon tile that will be sharing the same room with my Ibex and Elephant!!

P.S. Wait till you see the wallpaper I picked out....

I'm taking the plunge and following my heart big TIME!!!

xoxo,

tile drama... oh my!

2011-09-26T09:36:00.004-04:00

via

I've been desperately trying to fight the attraction I have for my latest passion...

my heart has been saying...

yes

oh, YES!

It wasn't very hard to fall head over heels in love with white hexagon tile!

It had me at hello!

their is a but, of course, in any good drama there has to be a tiny but!

The but is...

can my relationship with white hexagon tile~gray grout stand the test of time!

Will we still be madly deeply in love when I'm thinking of using it in my...

laundry room/mudroom

and it's how we enter the garage.

Do I listen to my heart?

do I turn my back on my latest passion and console my broken heart with a pumpkin spiced scone?

Here's to passion and the drama of tile and pumpkin scones!

happy Monday sweet friends!!!

xo,

Dancing in the Rain...

2011-09-20T11:30:00.004-04:00

{via}

Over the weekend I read something that has now officially changed me...

This is the inspirational quote that captured my attention and has me chewing on the the meaning for the past few days~

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain

source: unkown

I silently keep chanting this quote over and over...

throughout my day!

I can't say it enough

I want the words to seep into every fiber of my being

I never, ever want to forget it!

It made me take pause...

it's already reminded me to think before I react...

especially when reacting seem so much easier

Life is already colorfully busy

there are days that feel "stormy"

but now I see it so differently

it's not about just making it through the busy days

and falling into bed saying thankgoodness the day is done...

it's so much more...

it's how I accomplished it

with a calm voice

gentle heart

joy!

So, last night as I scrapped all four bowls of veggie chile into the trash can

I was chanting my new quote...

the phone rang

i picked up the phone to hear my husband's voice on the other end...

he asked me how my day was, the chickadees day, school etc, etc..

I could help but smile

I was able to see the joy...

I began to laugh thinking how busy everything is especially when he's away

so I said,

I'm dancing with a bowl of chili

I'll be dancing around the kitchen with a pot of veggie chili

all by myself for an entire week!

xoxo,

sweet September

2011-09-12T12:34:00.006-04:00

Source: ohhellofriendblog.com via

September has, is and always will be my favorite month!

For me it's the best month

the weather is glorious....

I admit it's been a bit wild this year

from Hurricanes to unbelievable amounts of rain

but when the storms settle

calm returns

I can't help but smile

because September is one long celebration...

of Thanks

for the summer we've had

for the memories we've made

for the family vacation

for the pool days

for the wet foot prints I followed down the wood hallway

for the countless heaps of pool towels i picked up from being discarded so effortlessly onto the floor

September is also about embracing the new...

a fresh start to a new school year

new growth

reaching new heights

mastering the new schedule...

this year I'm in the car

a whole lot more

parked,

waiting,

in the car...

but I've already discovered a silver lining about the increase of car time...

I'm finally finding the time to read...

a book

not my phone

{well trying to limit my phone time...I'm a bit weak...

but at least I'm making the effort to pick up a book}

September begins a shift in the weather

a tease

it dips up and then down

it brings back a beloved treat to my day..

Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks is back...

this means one thing...

fall is fast approaching

which has me working fast and furiously

I'm tackling everything I couldn't do during summer break or while I was away kayaking in the Pacific Northwest!

I've been on the purge the house kick

tearing my way through closets

the pantry

drawers

garage

nothing is off limits

if its not tied down and absolutely positively loved it's finding it's way to our local thrift store

Fall is all about giving..

so why not start in September I say!!!

while I've been donating I've been planning my next decorating challenge...

I've been bitten by the...

wallpaper bug!
Gasp

drop your latte

shocking i know

but I can't believe how fun the hunt has been for the right print!!!

And how fun it has been trying to pitch my brilliant idea to darling husband...

So, here's to celebrating sweet September.. saying a long stretched out farewell to lazy summer days

and hello to the Pumpkin Spiced latte!

xoxo,

a mothers love

2011-08-29T08:49:00.004-04:00

{via pinterest}

Last week was one of those weeks that had me questioning my mothering skills.

Last week had me constantly searching for the right words...

right when they left my mouth I found myself second guessing myself.

Could I have articulated them better?

Did they boost my children up?

Did they fall flat...

unhelpful

uninspiring

When it comes to being a mother aren't I suppose to be helpful?

Aren't I suppose to have all the right answers?

Last week was the first week of school

guess what?

Mothering and starting a new school year doesn't seem to ever get easier...

but after an earthquake and a hurricane

my focus is sharper

I realize I was over thinking everything

because I wanted to make everything

perfect

And perfect is everything I don't want to teach my children!

Challenges are teaching moments.

Obstacles keep us sharp.

Strong core beliefs~faith keep us centered on what is truly important.

A strong inner voice is your best friend!

and a family that is always there will help lift you back up...

set you on your feet

let go of your hand

yell from the highest mountain top

so it will echo over and over again

so you will never forget to just

BE
YOU

xoxo,

Rain, wind and a latte....

2011-08-27T12:50:00.006-04:00

{via pinterest}

What's a girl to do when a Hurricane named Irene approaches...

make sure my sweet family is

bathed

laundry is d o n e

vacuum twice...

maybe three times just to be sure

run to the store countless times

top off the car with a bit of gas...

buy gourmet cheese

{perfect at room temp}

have a great bottle of wine on hand... double check the supply

unroll the sleeping bags for the camp out in the basement

fluff the pillow pets

unwrap the book lights for the long lost novel that has been waiting a few months for my fingers to pick up

blow off the fine coat of dust that has accumulated....

before the lights go out

make a

extra hot skinny vente cinnamon dolce latte

walk the dog!

Here's to all of us holding tight to all of our loved ones who are in the path of Irene!

xo,

happy Friday

2011-08-19T18:21:00.002-04:00

I'm all worn out for words today...

it's amazing how quickly calm waters turn choppy...

my voice is plum tuckered out

but

on days like today...

there is goodness

there is light that fills my heart

the goodness of today are the blessings of family & friends...

who let me talk their ear off...

who helped carry my load of worry

make the toughest of day

G R E A T

Here's to friendship and having a safe strong place to land on when days are turbulent!

xo,

summer

2011-08-18T08:21:00.011-04:00

Why must vacations come to a close?

As we bid our sad farewell to the magnificent scenery

deeply inhaled the fresh air

tilted our face to view the clear blue sky...

said a big thank you to the Pacific Northwest for being such a fabulous host

for showing my children all you have to offer....

dipped our toes one last time into the lake

returned the kayaks to the sandy shore...

motored our way via wave runner across the sparkly water...

laughing

racing

circling a few times before docking

not wanting the ride to end...

As we shook off sandy towels

packed up our gear

drove back to my parent's house...

I love going home

I love seeing my children in their grandparent's home

I love seeing everyone gathered around their kitchen table

eagerly awaiting breakfast treats

with tousled bedhead

We didn't want our trip to end...

saying,

"see you soon"

"we will be back"

"come see us"

love YOU

Love you

thank YOU

Thank you for everything!!!

saying goodbyes to my parent's, sister and her sweet family is always so hard!

We live so far away...

trips back home are never often enough!

As we buckled up

taxied down the runway

soared higher and higher

I felt such peace

very blessed

so thankful for the love of family

This trip was just what I needed

what we needed

Here's to vacations, family, love, memories and coming home!

P.S. School supplies were quickly purchased

backpacks are somewhat ready

so we can enjoy the remain days of summer before the first school bell rings next week!

xo,

headed to Pirate Cove...

2011-08-06T11:19:00.007-04:00

Not only has our vacation been a beautiful getaway...

but full of adventure!

Right before my very eyes

my 6 year old son hops into a kayak

for the very first time

a solo voyage

mastering the skills effortlessly...

off he went to Pirate Cove

searching for a bountiful treasure!

Our return trip home is fast approaching...

so we are digging deep

capturing memories

with the precious time remaining

Here's to a weekend full of new adventures, laughter, new firsts and unexpected surprises!

Be back soon from vacation {Aug 10}, rested,recharged, sun kissed and ready for regular blogging posts...

until then...

wishing you sun kissed days!

xoxo,

lake thoughts

2011-08-03T10:38:00.004-04:00

calm waters

sparkling reflections

quiet talks

Wishing you a fabulous day!

xo,

Happy Friday

2011-07-29T16:33:00.006-04:00

Source: myidealhome.tumblr.com via luluco on Pinterest

Thinking of you

while

relaxing in the Pacific Northwest!

xo,

happy place

2011-07-26T08:05:00.006-04:00

Welcome!

have a look around

make yourself comfortable...

I'd like to introduce you to my fresh, new blog!

She's been completely revamped

organized

fluffed

pampered {while i've been under the weather}

reworked

by my truly amazing blog designer...

Ana

who took my words...

my ramblings

my countless emails

laughed with me at how truly clueless I am about the language of blog design

who stood by me in poor health

waited patiently

with understanding

kindness.

We worked together to create what I lovingly call...

Lulu and Co.

my happy place

the place where I share my inspirations, loves, dreams

I look forward to sharing them with all of

Y O U

my readers who take the time to visit

leave words of encouragement... giggles... understanding

you leave behind

a little bit of you

Let the new and improved and healthy begin!

thank you for all your well wishes and concern last week

the surgery really did a number on me...

i couldn't have made it through without my hubby and kids by my side

Today, is a big day

blog reveal

off bed rest

just in time to load my family onto an airplane

for our long overdue family vacation!

p.s. my new URL is http://www.luluandcompany.net/

you will be redirected

so no worries!

xoxo

happy friday

2011-07-22T17:57:00.003-04:00

wishing you a good one!

caught off guard....

2011-07-19T11:02:00.006-04:00

I was taken my complete and utter surprise last week...

I was moving right along

feeling what I call "a little off"

but not enough to stop me...

I mean really...

who has time to stop when it's summer time

I've four chickadees at home and darling hubby is away

this is not the best time to feel "a little off"

plus, change is in the air and that always has a way of making me feel better

remember I told you Lulu and Co. {the blog} is under construction!!!! yippee

my remedy....

was an extra latte

well, the extra latte tasted good

but

unfortunately it was not the cure!

anyhoo, do you wanna know what took me down...

to the ER

all the while thinking my kidney was about to rupture

a baby I did not know I was expecting was about to come out my back...

yep friends...

i have a Kidney stone

a silly, a complete pain and causing a major ruckus in my normal happy go happy life!

I'll be back soon

right side up

hopefully with a new look!

Wishing you a sunny day that has you dancing by the seashore or some body of water!!!

xoxo,

sharing a secret

2011-07-08T12:35:00.009-04:00

Come closer....

a little closer

little more...

I've a secret to share

to whisper in your ear...

this is big...

really big

you know by now I'm a paint brush yielding gal with a latte dangling from my pinkie

when inspiration hits

I'm ready to

jump

without a second thought

a trail of paint chips are left in the dust

Well my sweet friends...

change is coming

I'm sooo excited

okay super excited is more like it

it's something that I've been thinking about for a while

but actually had some self control and held off

for just a little longer

til' the time felt right

guess what?

It feels right

right now

Summer time goodness has me feeling

energized

I'm ready to

J u m p

ready to change things UP

Can you guess what I'm about to change?

I'll give you a hint....

It's one thing I haven't changed in 3 whole years...

{yes, i did say 3 years!!!!}

can you believe it...me not change something for 3 years~ heeehee

that's huge!!!!

Have you guessed yet?

I'm just going to whisper it to you....

before I jump

Lulu & co

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

s p l a s h

happy weekend,

xoxo,

{source pinterest}

Quiet Confidence~

2011-07-05T08:54:00.005-04:00

Part 2

I love being behind the camera documenting this new adventure and how it's shaping my girls.

For an hour and a half there I am capturing their experience ...

to my surprise I'm learning too!

What I'm learning is that my children are strong.

They are eager to learn

not hesitant

or timid

They are quiet.

The setting is peaceful

The only words spoken are the instructions from their teacher...

the tone is soft

their attention is sharp

they absorb her words

and

execute the instructions.

I'd even go so far and call it magical....

the confidence a rider needs to feel about their horse

and the horse needs to know the rider feels secure

it's

magical

The nonverbal communication is beautiful.

Their lessons are back to back.

As one rides

the other sister watches

quietly

in the 90 degree heat

with blazing sun beating down on their sweaty faces...

their focus remains on the lesson at hand

on how each other is doing

without competition.

When their individual lessons are over

they work together

unsaddle

unbridled

brush

quietly together...

I see two girls...

two individual

two personalities

different ages

who have different strengths

different likes/dislikes

I see two girls who have a passion for animals

who love to laugh

who share the same love for this quiet time

who are leaders not followers

I see two girls who I am blessed to call daughters

who call me

mom

series to be continued...

xo,

riding into July...

2011-07-01T16:00:00.006-04:00

via

Wishing you a very blessed 4TH of July weekend!!!

xoxo,

bursts of joy

2011-06-30T08:11:00.006-04:00

via

I knew I could count on you...

your words of wisdom

advice

had me smiling

swimming

giggling

hello

~ painting a door is like hair dye~

you can always paint it back~

more giggles

Your comments are like juicy blueberries...

little pops of joy

that burst in my mouth

they are brilliant shades of blue that color my day!

xo,

P.S. btw.... i'm so painting a door...all because of you

let the picking of the right color begin!

and don't worry...

you will be the first to know when the right color appears!!!

on my mind....

2011-06-28T08:53:00.002-04:00

I'm feeling the need to paint...

a door

multiple doors!!!

What's a girl to do?

Does anyone have thoughts, advice for me?

Should I just go jump in the pool?

xo,

weekend wrap up

2011-06-27T08:00:00.006-04:00

A touch of Paris landed on my doorstep

I was greeted with a...

heart stopping smile

standing on my tippy toes kind'a hug

gifts of

Brie De Meaux

~ simply heaven on a slice of baguette

Longchamp

~received a gasp, a happy dance and a call to my sister

{sisters call over fabulous bags in our home}

chocolate coins

~that were happy eaten within 3 minutes of landing on our kitchen table

by 4 kids

In return for receiving such treats...

I cooked

we feasted

enjoy!

I'd say it was just the perfect weekend that has me skipping this Monday morning!!!

Wishing you a hop, skip and a jump to your week,

xo,

Quiet Confidence

2011-06-24T08:44:00.005-04:00

I've two girls who have been patiently waiting for today to arrive...

they've had a wish

I had an idea

put those two things together

a quick Zappos order....

{cause I couldn't let an opportunity go by without being outfitted in the proper shoe attire!!!}

Today, begins their Horseback riding lessons!

Meet sweet Sadie...
Standing back watching them take it all in...
listening intently to all the ins and outs of getting your horse ready
to give them their wish...
to be there to witness this connection between my girls and this magnificent animal
her calm, quiet personality
the gently look in her eyes assured me they were going to be best friends!

They have a month to let their friendship develop

to build their own unique connection

to care for

to learn

to communicate

I am going to document their time together
through my lens...
in a series called:

Quiet Confidence

Here's to this new adventure, personal growth, budding friendships and the possibilities it has to offer...

all the while enjoying the ride along the way!!!

Wishing you the best ride possible,

xoxo,

Diving into SuMMeR....

2011-06-21T07:41:00.004-04:00

Good Morning my sweets...

How are you?

Can I pour you a glass of Orange Juice?

Would you care to have a pot of tea?

Espresso, maybe

I, myself, need my first sip of hot tea

awww, so much better...

okay then

now, that we've got the drink orders out of the way...

lets make ourselves comfy out on the deck to enjoy the morning air and chat the early morning away!

Nothing screams summer like lazy mornings spent sipping a hot/cold drink of choice outside

without the hustle and bustle of getting out the door!

via

I've been receiving messages about my lack of postings...

I'm so very sorry.

For the last couple of weeks I had one focus...

wrapping up the school year....

trying not to forget where and when I needed to be somewhere

for what child

Award Ceremonies

class play

class picnic

Kindergarten class ice cream social

5TH Grade Promotion Ceremony

if that was not enough

kiss darling husband Au Revoir before he jets off to Paris for 7 glorious work days

turn right around

dive head first into SUMMER!

I've oodles and oodles of ideas, plans that have been slowly building

I purposely set them aside to soak up the warmth the past weeks have blessed us with

now that they are toasty warm

and I had a chance to exhale

enjoy my morning tea outside verses in the car

I'm more then ready to

get this party started!!!

Welcome Summer 2011....

let the memory making begin!!!!

Feel free to stop by anytime

we are on summer hours here

~that's code for casual, barefoot, no fuss attire!!!!
xoxo,

little bit of this, a little bit of that...

2011-06-04T16:48:00.004-04:00

Hello June!!!

Here's to the little bits in your life that make you smile!!!

Happy Weekend my friends,

xo,

morning chat...

2011-05-26T10:33:00.009-04:00

For the last few weeks my emotions have been in a tizzy...

it happens every year

always around mid May

when the school buzz wrap up starts to hit...

I feel the shift in the air

school treasures begin to trickle home

my chickadees start dropping hints that another year of learning will be taking a hiatus

this is our last list of spelling words

really?

we just finished the Social Studies text book

really?

their journal books are full

i told them i was more then willing to staple empty pages in them so they can continue on...

really it's not any trouble at all!

a little bird told me they were running low on glue sticks in their classroom..

I quickly made a mad dash to Target and happily sent in glue sticks for all the kindergarten children in my son's class...

so they can continue crafting, gluing till their hearts content!

I feel torn because i love summer and my kiddos being home

I love the the carefree spirit that summer brings

I love the slower mornings

the late night swims

our home turns into a B&B

to all our friends, family....

for all to travel to our Casa for some much need R&R

I stock the fridge with plenty of lemonade, ice tea

the freezer is always filled with an assortments of Popsicles,

the smell of sunscreen will once again be a permanent aroma throughout these months of warmth

wet bathing suits will find themselves littering my bathroom floors

but it also means...

my kindergartner, my baby, will be a First Grader

gulp

it means my sweet second grader will be a Third Grader

gulp

it means i will be a parent of a middle schooler

we will have yet another school to learn about, new friends to meet.... it's much, much bigger

gulp, gulp

she will be doing it without the side by side comfort of her sisters and brother

gulp, gulp, gulp

it means I will not have a Freshmen any more....

in 3 weeks I will have a

High School Sophomore

really

wasn't it just yesterday...

that i was watching her begin her Freshmen climb

I'm here to tell you there are no words that can begin to describe how proud I am of her

not only has she done the work

she's done it with excellence

dedication

courage

integrity

what it really means....

is that my children are thriving

they are growing~ intellectually, spiritually

i'm a sappy mess!!!

thanks for being there for me to sap away...

BTW, I just had to show you pictures of my latest passion

for vinyl!!

You see, I reupholstered by kitchen chairs in

vinyl, which i ordered from Fabric.com without a swatch....

4 yards and 6 chairs later

I couldn't be more thrilled!

Cheers to YOU!!!!

xo,

A spot for everyone....

2011-05-19T22:14:00.009-04:00

As I sit here tonight listening to the familiar nightly sounds...

drizzling rain hitting the deck outside the window

the hum of the air conditioning

the churning of the dishwasher

the 3 beeps of the dryer telling me the latest batch of laundry is done...

{do i fold now or wait till morning.....hmmmmm, i say later}

As I turned off lights throughout the house to settle in for the evening

I stepped over backpacks that are lined up by the door for the morning rush....

I couldn't help but think of how everything runs so much more smoothly when everything or

everyone has a spot...

a spot for rest

for work

for drawing

for play

lets just say it sure helps for family harmony!!!

Here is the second "zone" I promised you in our basement!

I present to you the

TV Zone

family movie night

where the popcorn bowls line the coffee table

this is where Mario Cart is mastered

in my case

I crash

constantly

{secretly I crash on purpose... so I can watch the facial expressions of those around...

it's quite hilarious the amount of concentration that is expressed on the faces of my gang}

I created this area for my husband...

work is a constant

now he can be physically present

while he hooks up his laptop and does what he needs to do....

it gives him a great view the pool

play referee

I had to find the perfect spot for my favorite vintage school desk...

plus it makes another great spot for doodling time...

the ikea rug pulls the color scheme of the two sitting areas together

So, there you have it....

two zones for our family of six

to spread out

or

squish together!!!

Next up is....

the homework zone.

It's the hub

it's where you see the braincells hard at work!!!

Wishing you a weekend filled with sunshine, giggles, and good 'ol relaxation!

I will be celebrating the birth of a spectacular little boy...

my son is turning...

6

let the drippy ice cream cone eating

squishy toy frog toss

pirate party

begin!!!

xoxoxo,

come on down...

2011-05-18T11:09:00.007-04:00

This door is constantly in motion...

open

depending on the day

or hour...

or who's home!

This door takes you down to the basement

the space that my chickadees claim as

their space...

heads turn when i encroach on this territory...

eyes follow my every step

questioning me

their words are sometimes laced with hope that i don't make them clean up their latest masterpiece

turn down the volume

It's their everything space...

homework

Wii

dancing

reading

building

creating

talking

sleepovers

friends gather

storage

you name it

this is where it happens!!!

This spring i decided it was time for the basement to receive a fresh new look

one that I hope will build upon their memory making childhood

a space that they find comfort in

joy in hanging out

a place to bring their friends

a place to curl up with their latest book

and engage in serious Wii competition!

The basement is shaped like a L

Today I am showing a part of it....

grab your ice tea and follow me...

I created 2 sitting areas...

i can't believe it took me this long to figure this out...

previously we've only had one sitting area

it was always an issue

who sat where

who got the floor

now i created zones so to speak

this is the talking, reading zone

where they can gather without being in the way of the TV or hit by a Wii remote...

Our guest room is down here as well

so it was really important to me to create an atmosphere for all ages to enjoy

feel at home

The ceiling light fixtures are on my list to change

I "think" I know what i want

but i'm taking my time just to be sure...

you know how that goes!

In this shot I'm standing in the second area i created...

I'll show you that next, promise!

Stop by anytime, the ice tea is made and I always have time for visitors!!!

xo,

I'm ReAdy....

2011-05-13T17:19:00.002-04:00

to soak up the weekend...

make every hour count

family fun

good food

and

in order to kick start the weekend

i gave myself a little moment to recharge my batteries....

awwww

sigh

delicious

it's daily little moments

like this

that has me

ready

to tackle a full weekend!

it's Friday

Hoot hoot hurray!!!

xo,

blooming faith....

2011-05-10T08:48:00.002-04:00

I find myself experiencing a unexpected morning treat...

one that has me sitting in my kitchen with a fresh cup of tea

enjoying the change in my typical carpool schedule that has me home in the AM

once my gang departed

I ran inside

left the door open to let the morning light flood my kitchen

grabbed a fresh cup of tea

plopped down at my kitchen island

turned on my computer

to begin uploading the billion of pictures I've been taking but haven't had a chance to

sort

edit

I'm thrilled that today

i have been given this extra time

savor the images...

On April 30, my third daughter received her First Holy Communion

witnessing her faith take root

sprout

bloom

right before my very eyes

is a beautiful thing...

to capture of snap shot of her giggle as her daddy smooches

calls for a triumphant morning dance around the kitchen!!!!

Wishing you a day with a little unexpected free time to dance around your kitchen!!!

xoxo,

A girl and her kite....

2011-05-03T20:32:00.004-04:00

Something completely and totally unexpected happened to me during April...

something that I did not expect

something that actually caught me completely off guard

and because it was totally unexpected

I was not prepared for it

which caused me to

stumble

loose my footing

and temporarily lost a very important ability

the one skill that I rely on dearly....

the one thing that keeps me on my toes

my ducks in a row

runs my household

my schedule

my projects

my painting bliss

I temporarily lost my ability to....

multitask

And I've been chasing it ever since.

It was like the string on a kite that was teasing me...

dangling just within reach

and every time i believed things were finally settling down

a gust of wind blew in my direction and swooped my kite up into the sky again

just within arms reach

leaving me to chase after it all over again....

The good news is that i learned a very valuable life lesson...

one that i have always known but temporarily forgot

and these little reminders are always good for the soul.

I had to be reminded to know when to let go

to step back and watch my kite take flight

enjoy the scenery that was unfolding right before my very eyes

let the unscripted events just happen

listen intently to the little voices that want to share their day with me

their story

given them my time

take each event

each celebration

the unexpected illnesses

over scheduled chaos

one day at a time

even though my feet where itching to run

to grab hold of the sting

reel in my kite

so i could regain my ability to multitask again

to right my tilted world....

I firmly stayed rooted where i was

to let go of what i couldn't control

believed it would all right itself when the time was right....

I am happy to report

the

time

R I G H T

LuLu & co. is back!

xoxo,

let our break begin....

2011-04-19T11:51:00.004-04:00

My chickadees are officially on Spring Break!

Can you hear the relief in my voice...

i was ready for a break in our routine

slower mornings

carefree evening

What perfect timing to share little tidbits of things around my home...

A vintage wine barrel made into a lazy susan...

has me spinning in circles of happiness!!

Look up and to the left...

do you spy a kitchen chair?

One without a seat cushion?

It's a bit treacherous trying to eat in our kitchen at the moment...

pretty much standing room only!

All 6 chairs are freshly painted grey...

Revere Pewter to be exact.

I'll show you a closer

up close and personal image as soon as their

new seat cushions arrive

{fingers crossed they will be ready this week}

Now, lets move into the family room

shall we....

My coffee table received a precious gift...

from my sweet friend

who know my taste to a

she arrived on my doorstep for a morning coffee and girl chatting with

this awesome lantern!

Coffee Time is now always on me

she found me the missing piece to the coffee table vignette puzzle!

Thank you for stopping in for a visit!

I'm off to take a certain daughter of mine to the Ortho for her braces to be removed!!!

I see an evening celebration over this special occasion in our future!!!

Wishing you a great break in your routine....

to change things up

to enjoy the moments

catching a quick breath

to gather your thoughts

ideas

so when the time is right you will be ready to hit the ground running!

xo,

Ferris wheel life....

2011-04-14T10:05:00.005-04:00

via

Spring presented me with a ticket for a lovely trip on a ferris wheel...

but it came with a hitch....

the ride never stops!

It's been a continuous around and around

up again

down again

thinking I'm finally getting off....

As the ride begins to descend

I'm thinking

what a relief

I think I'm feeling motion sickness

and

I desperately want my wobbly legs to feel the ground under my feet

to saunter around

pick a fresh bloom

sit on a park bench

ponder the most complicated decision of the day

being

do I have a latte before or after lunch?

should i be wild and crazy and have 2 in one day!!!

I adore April

the season

the many celebrations it brings

from the very first spotting of daffodils

to my red tulips that dance in the spring breeze

their vibrancy brings images of swim suit season that is fast approaching

i can already smell the scent of sunscreen on my children's bodies

seeing their brightly colored swim suits floating along the waters surface

but it is also my

busiest time of year

in fact my Christmas season looks like Groundhogs Day compared to April.

So please forgive my absence

I've just needed Wi~fi to stay connected before I jumped on the ride that doesn't want to end...

but don't worry

I see myself parachuting off this ride very soon

and

I will share it all with you....

from 6 chairs that are now painted a soft velvety gray

to my new love for vinyl

yes, vinyl!!!!

just wait to see what i doing with it!

an Ikea rug that is just as good as an ice cream sundae with extra fudge...

and

I now officially have a 15 year old and an 11 year old

it's been a non~stop birthday celebration

one cake after another

i haven't been able to take a moment and write a post about them

but i will

of course Easter is fast approaching

followed by

a sweet little girl about to receive her First Communion on April 30

oh my!!!

Hope April has showered you thus far with lots of sunshine, beautiful blooms and some chocolate goodness!!

xo,

let there be light...

2011-03-30T19:26:00.005-04:00

via

I'm finding a particular pattern around my home when it comes time to celebrating birthdays...

birthdays and a little bit of trauma are going hand in hand....

it smacks me in the face {oh so gently}

knocks me on my bum

has me desperately searching for the band aides to place gently on my heart

for being a mother takes me to the moon and back

twists me into knots

has my heart bursting with love it actually aches

gives me more joy then I thought ever imaginable!

This week has me an emotional mess...

fluctuating from pure worry over a stomach bug that has attacked my little guy

to reliving the day...

I officially became a mom

i'm thinking about the last 15 years of my baby's life

15.... really my girl is turning 15 in a few days....

i vividly remember my first night holding her... all night...afraid to put her down

wasn't i just plopping her into a dolphin floaty with the most adorable inflatable palm tree

as we vacationed in sunny Ixtapa, Mexico

now I'm watching her navigate her way through her first year of High School...

All these thoughts are swirling around my head as i hold the small hand of my son...

my hand, for the time being, is still bigger....

but it's just a matter of time.

So, I'm completely savoring the bright and dark

swirling it together to create a beaut~i~ful canvas of life!!!

P.S. Note to darling husband, this lamp is currently for sale at the lovely Layla Grace... as i stubbed my toe racing our little boy to the bathroom in the dark I could help but think about this lamp! Every all nighter... nursing sick children ... needs a beautiful lamp~ don't ya think?!

xo,

rolled right into my life...

2011-03-26T07:50:00.004-04:00

I'd like you to meet my latest crush...

it was pretty much love at first sight

casters, fabulous weathered wood and if that wasn't enough...

it says,

BT Tub Bench~ patented 1923

Beatty Bros. Limited Ferous Canada

We've been inseparable ever since!

Wishing you a weekend filled to the brim with goodness and has you ready, rested and eager to roll into a fresh new week!!!

xo,

feeling the spring in my step....

2011-03-23T14:13:00.006-04:00

via

The first week of Spring is off to a very good start...

good friends

good shopping

fresh paint

healthy chickadees

happy chickadees

a darling husband who supports all my crazy ideas!

Here's to the beginning of a very fresh season full of hope and possibilities!!!

xo,

SprinG!!!

2011-03-20T08:41:00.002-04:00

heLLo lovely, delightful glorious...

S p r i n g

I'm so happy to greet you with open arms this lovely sunny Sunday morning!

xoxo,

thoughts & happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-16T20:52:00.005-04:00

I didn't mean to be away for so long...

thank you for all the wonderful well wishes

support you all gave me last week...

i hunkered down with my chickadees

to take a deep breath

hold it

exhale

recharge

even picked up a paint brush to relax...

think

it always clears my head

Just what the doctor ordered...

as i took in the rest of the week

I turned on the TV to hear about the devastation that is taking place in Japan

a place that we once called home

we have such special memories...

i can close my eyes and remember driving my pint size car along the coast

with my then 3 year old strapped in the back...

i adored our Japanese home located a block from the sea wall...

it breaks my heart...

after such a week of unexpected events

i savored the sights and sounds around me...

saw L I F E

moving

progressing

memory making at it's finest...

i witnessed pure joy in the little eyes of my son

while he was creating the...

"most awesome"

Lephrecaun trap

As the Lephrecaun climbs up the yellow ladder to enjoy a piece of glittery chocolate...

we are hoping he'll want to take a nap on the nice soft grass...

gently fall into a box of glittery marshmallow heaven!

*this is a friendly Lephrecaun trap.... if trapped they well dine on corn beef and cabbage and sent on their way with a snack and a few gold coins!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day,

xo,

LiFe

2011-03-08T21:12:00.009-05:00

5 days ago i was spending the day baking a birthday cake

5 days ago the phone rang while baking

~very reminiscent of 10 m0nths ago... i was baking a birthday cake...the phone rang...

it was the school nurse informing me my then 7 year old broke her arm

5 days ago i was told my son collided into another child during recess and bumped his head....

i rushed to school to assess the situation...

i brought my son home to nurse a very large goose egg on the left side of his forehead...

4 days ago the extra long birthday celebration was continuing...

with after school play dates

pizza delivery

left over cake eating....

sleeping bags

pillow pets lined up for an evening of movies

4 days ago i sat on my 14 year old daughter's bed

and we talked

as I helped her pack for her three day field trip to NYC....

her first school trip away from home ...

my girl in NYC without me

as i watched her gather her items i saw a glimpse into my future & I felt the years biting at my heels...

i painted her nails

i memorized the shape of her hands

i remembered them being so tiny at birth

now they are my size

i gave her my list of...

don't forget

my mom reminders...

wash your hands

wash your face

brush your teeth

don't leave your belongs unattended

get some sleep

take a ton of pictures

have fun

are you sure you don't want a scarf...gloves

maybe you need some water bottles

3 days ago i watched my oldest depart at 5:15AM for her first big adventure

3 days ago my son awoke with a very swollen black eye

3 days ago we wrapped up the celebration of our daughter's 8Th birthday with a promised day trip at the Baltimore Aquarium

yesterday my son came home from school sporting 2 black eyes that had me panicked...

this led to a quick call to his pediatrician...

seeking reassurance that this is normal after a hard hit to the head

half hour later I was given a direct order...

head directly to the ER

last night i sat next to my little guy who charmed the ER doctors for having the

gnarliest

biggest

black, red, purple, yellow, gray and all shaded in between goose egg knot

darling dark black eyes that just made his baby browns beam brighter

i spent 2 hours of witnessing

docs high five my ninja worrier

asking what the other guy looked like

he giggled

i spent 2 hours with my hand clutching hand wipes for fear of germs

which elicited more giggles and teasing

i spent a good half hour thanking everyone for being so kind to my son, for what they do

and for all they do & who they do it for

let me tell you...

Monday night ER rooms are a bit...

how do i say this

scary

after a thorough evaluation

we were given the A~okay

no skull fracture

and

informed it'll get worse before it gets better

he hopped off the hospital table wearing his green Hunter rain boots

waved to everyone as he led the way toward the

brightly lit EXIT sign

as he strapped himself into his booster seat he said,

"that was fun!"

tonight I feel tired

i made a batch of brownies

just cause!

i read 2 extra long books curled next to my son

to reassure myself!

i laid on the floor of my daughters room to listen to them talk as i stared mesmerized at their light fixture

waiting for the phone to ring

to hear my husband's voice to give him the latest updates

now i sit, savor sounds of nighttime

waiting for the arrival of my daughter

she's arriving home late tonight!

Here's to the unexpected life moments that stop me in my tracks...

that are a reminder that unpredictable things happen no matter what....

they are the little reminders of how fragile we are

so embrace what you've got

sing loudly

dance around the kitchen

laugh often

thank people for their acts of kindness!!

Sleep tight!!!

xo,

dear G,

2011-03-04T09:08:00.015-05:00

You are...

like a rainbow, you bring color to ordinary places. Like a sunset,

you add brilliance. Like a river, you know the way. With the patience

of the forest, you wait for your dreams to grow. And like the most

special flower in the garden...

you grow stronger and more beautiful

everyday.

You have a generous heart

your compassion for others shines brightly

your words are thoughtful and kind

you are quick to laughter

and quick to tears

for your feelings are always visible ready to be shared...

that is such a blessing

for it means you are being true to yourself

Last night as i tucked you into bed after a day

of celebrating your birth

03~03~03

celebrating all things Y O U

our eyes locked onto each other

I told you how amazing you are

i said a prayer of thanks for the gift of hearing so I can hear you call me

your momma

for the gift of sight

so I am able to witness you grow

for in this world,

there is only one

Y O U

always remember...

Y O U are so

L O V E D

xoxo,

your momma

blooming light

2011-03-01T12:06:00.002-05:00

Late night giggles

bedtime reading

just got a whole lot

brighter

I've been on the hunt for the right over head lighting for my daughters room

I must admit when I saw it while standing in Ikea I made a small scene...

my daughters immediately made a mad dash away from the crazy lady making all sorts of gasping, clapping, oh oh oh noises over a light fixture!

happy March 1!!!

xo,

so long & hello

2011-02-28T10:55:00.002-05:00

Today means I'm saying a fond thank you to February

for a month filled with pink heart shaped confetti

candy hearts,

gifts of the heart

take~out meals of Thai and Indian food that had my taste buds bursting with happiness

for the most part February gave me

easy going weeks that felt so welcomed with a house filled with a bunch of

schedules that keep me on my toes

and it also gave me

enough creative energy to keep me going strongly

into March...

and

now has me saying

hello

my season of cake baking

fingers dipped in finger licking frosting

candles

wishes

party hats

March launches me onto my road to celebrating my

4 children's birthdays!!!!

March

April

May

boom boom boom boom

Let the party planning, baking, classroom special treat delivery & gift wrap frenzy begin!!!

P.S. I can't forget to add in a big dose of Lysol wiping, extra hand washing for all...

we've a case of strep that we are hoping

~the kind of hoping that has me crossing my fingers and toes

extra hot rinse cycles on everything~

does not make the rounds of my home....

that's one pesky bug that is not invited to the party!!

xo,

family time

2011-02-23T13:21:00.006-05:00

I finally picked up the camera long enough to snap a couple pictures

of our family room...

I've meant to get this post up before now, so sorry for the delay

I kept getting side track with another idea

one more quick change

just a small tweak

while the idea was still fresh...

i must admit once I get an idea

it's really hard for me to shake it...

kinda like a dog with a bone...

I'm not letting Go!!!

Anyhow, who've all been so patient...

waiting to see my completed rooms...

and I thought we'd start with

the family room

come on in and have a look around...

My goal was simple

work with my furniture pieces

slipcover one chair in durable, fabulous duckcloth

basically give it a

clean

fresh

airy

space

for

family time

...

I feel as if I've achieved the feeling
now I get to tweak the accessories
here and there
but for the most part
i call it...
completed

Wall paint is Manchester Tan by Benjamin Moore in eggshell finish

Here's to hours of family time spent in a fresh new room!!!

P.S.
i just could help myself....
another idea began to brew Friday night...
i mulled it over
tossed the idea around during my girls day out on Saturday
broke the news to darling husband upon my return...
his nod and why am i not surprised was the green light
all i needed
to rock my paint brush
as soon as i sent my family off for the day!

So, stay tuned

there's more to come!!!

xo,

S & P

2011-02-17T16:29:00.006-05:00

heLLo,

if you visit me often

you will already know this...

ummmm,

i have a

weaknesses for

Shoes

Paint

{oh, and lampshades, ironstone, brown transferware, wine... etc....}

i just can't help it if a new pair of shoes & finding the perfect shade of paint

has me feeling a bit light headed!!!

by the way you are looking at the 6Th color I'm adding to my new color palette...

it's going to be the new and improved color for our basement

i'm really excited to get that huge project underway in a few weeks

but

i just couldn't help myself...

i had to see it on a piece of furniture

I'm also really spontaneous

and have no problem swiping a paint color on a wall

or in this case a perfectly fine piece of furniture

just to see what it looks like

{my poor family never knows what they are going to come home too...

i say it's living life full of adventure without having to bungee jump or sky dive}

haPPy Thursday!!!

xo,

better than roses

2011-02-15T17:15:00.002-05:00

My husband knows me

he knows exactly what to say that will have me bursting into laughter

he knows my thoughts without me having to say a word

i'm fairly transparent

my joy is obvious

my bummer days are evident

he knows that i have a serious case of OCD at 3PM

I'd like to introduce you to a surprise I found on my counter...

my new 3 PM latte mug

it's heavenly

the handle fits perfectly in my hand

the rim is the perfect width

the numerals....

have my toes curling

now my 3PM latte break just got a whole lot sweeter

with the arrival of my newly reupholstered bar stools.

I've officially finished painting my main level...

which prompted the little redo of my barstools...

Now i need to put down my paint brush and pick up my camera to snap away!!!

Here's to celebrating the magical gift of LOVE everyday!!!

xo,

my loves

2011-02-11T10:48:00.007-05:00

via

My heart melted into a hot chocolate mess late last night...

it left me holding my hands close to my mouth

to conceal my whispers of

oh oh oh

my feet wanted to leap

my arms wanted to embrace

words of love

thank you

praise

wanted to leave my mouth

to shower down on my 4 chickadees

but i willed them to stay into place as not to wake a sleeping household

instead I turned to my husband

who was standing right behind me

witnessing this sight with me

we embraced

our eyes expressed our emotions

as we stood in our lightly lit hallway

You see....

last night we had a black tie affair to attend...

as we made a mad dash out the door

balancing on one foot to place my other foot into my 3 inch heels

words of don't forget to wash your hands after dinner

brush your teeth

sign all your Valentine cards

delegating reading time

here's our cell numbers

be good

listen to your sister

be kind

don't get wild

you know your bedtime...

it's a school night

we drove out of our driveway with my oldest in charge feeling breathless...

words of wondering what we forget to tell them

taking guesses when one of our cell phones would ring...

filled our car.

Once whisked away to our destination

all thoughts of "parenthood worry" vanished

we thoroughly enjoyed our evening

engaged in wonderful conversation

a lovely meal

a speech that lifted the whole room

As we drove into our driveway

opened the door

we were greeted by our happy tail wagging dog

silence

as I was taking off my heels I walked up the stairs

down the hallway

to peak into my children's rooms

i came to my little son's room first...

cracked open the door

found an empty bed

i first gasped

quickly turned

dashed to the room my 10 year old and 7 year old daughters share

opened the door

looked inside

to find...

my two daughters snug in their twin bed with their little brother

snug in a sleeping bag with his pillow pet

sound asleep on the floor between their beds!

My daughter took charge

gave comfort to a sad brother who missed us at bedtime

figured out a solution

that made

her 3 siblings

feeling secure

h a p p y

I can't think of a better Valentine's gift then seeing my children showing compassion, love,

giving comfort, being helpful, working together &

using the values that we are trying daily to instill into them!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Valentine's weekend that will have your heart melting & rejoicing!

xoxo,

My Colour Palette

2011-02-08T15:20:00.006-05:00

Let me introduce you to my new colour palette...

I didn't realize it at the time,

but the minute I changed my dining room last fall...

the seed for fresh new colours took root

after much research

examining

testing

evaluating the "feel" I wanted

this is what I've come up with thus far....

these are the colors I've been spending my days with...

Summary:
Dining Room~ branchport brown & linen white
Living room, upstairs hallway & staircase~ carrington beige
entryway, kitchen & sunroom~ bleeker beige
family room~ manchester tan

This week I've finally found the last 2 colors that will be adding to this palette...

i'm so excited....
it's all coming together

if i had my way I'd be in the car this minute
heading to Benjamin Moore to pick up my 2 new color picks...
but something about putting my entire main floor back together
so my family doesn't have to climb over furniture
or sit on the floor
needs to be done first...
before
I crack open a fresh can of paint!!!
Note to self: work fast

xo,

rainbow day

2011-02-07T12:48:00.002-05:00

via

Wishing you a

Monday filled with...

coLor

joY

Laughter

xo,

behind the scenes & motherhood...

2011-02-03T09:18:00.006-05:00

I've been known to tackle a project here and there...

typically I put together the finished room before i head straight into a new one...

well, this time I'm full speed ahead

swinging my paint brush from room to room...

then I'm going to go back and add the furnishings...

the wonderful pieces that bring the room to completion!

At least that's my plan as of this week...

i'll keep you posted if it changes...

so without waiting any longer I thought I'd show you my upstairs hallway in its unfinished state...

but you'll see where i'm going...

that started this crazy painting spree i'm on...

the colour is

Carrington Beige by Benjamin Moore

it's the same colour i used down my staircase

it has a touch of green undertone, which I love

and when i placed my vintage mirror i found against the wall...

my plans for my redo

fell right into place!

It's funny how somethings work so easily and other things take a lot of effort...

so much like parenting...

the range of ages that i'm parenting have me on my toes

doing back flips

changing gears...faster than I can think...

lately I've been known to say "yes, when I meant no"

my 5 year old came home from school...

whipped out the crown he made in kindergarten...

proudly showed it to me

placed it on my head

told me the letter of the week is

he immediately began resighting words that begin with Qu...

I sat there listening and thinking about the crown sitting crookedly on my head...

and its spelling....

i went completely

totally

blank

______

typically when he comes bounding in from school

his work of art matches the letter of the week...

for the life of me I couldn't figure out how Qu related to C R O W N

silently I was trying to begin C R O W N with Qu....

i know what you must be thinking...

i've lost all my braincells...

i had a moment of panic

thoughts of a stroke crossed my mind...

my night and shining armor arrived home at that precies time..

i walked right up to him...

stepped on my tipy toes to get as close as possible

and whispered in his ear,

"please spell c r o w n for me"

he looked at me with twinkling eyes....

his mouth curved into a smile...

he slowly spelled it for me

reassured me that he didn't think i had a stroke

{even though he's not an MD i trust him}

he whispered back to me,

"Qu stands for queen and every queen needs a CROWN"

ooohhhh, i get it now.

happy LOVE month....

xo,

monday DreaMing & cleaning...

2011-01-31T10:32:00.003-05:00

via

This Monday morning I'm taking a moment to...

meditate

center myself

close my eyes

deep breaths

in and out

pretend...

that when I open my eyes

to tackle the mountains of laundry that has appeared on the floor

in front of my washer and dryer ....

the room they are in really looks like this!!!

Now, I'm off to light a candle...

think happy thoughts

turn on my favorite music

to set the mood for some serious elbow cleaning!!!

So, here's to digging deep...

and daydreaming about laundry rooms that would have me washing clean clothes...

just for f u n!!!!

xo,

going biG...

2011-01-27T20:29:00.009-05:00

When I picked the word

"full potential"

as my inspirational word for 2011 I didn't have any preconceived ideas of exactly how I was going to use it....

as the new year began

and the days became weeks

it became rather clear to me of how I was going to get started...

My home spoke to me

the walls were whispering to me....

breathe fresh life into us...

I had my first goal for 2011

revamp

refresh

with the power of...

p a i n t

and

with the labor of love I have for accomplishing it for my family!

I have gently broken this news to my husband in stages...

blog posts...

little surprises as he has arrived home from his constant travels...

the staircase was the beginning

{haven't forgotten to post pictures...they're coming... i promise}

I have my vision...

my notes have been fined tuned...

my swatches have been thoroughly evaluated, researched, discussed....

minor anxiety attack...

which was quickly resolved by a quick phone call to my sweet friend during our snow storm last night....

she braved the snow & slush for a quick drive down the street

to have a peek...

pour a glass of wine...

as we sipped wine we stared at my walls...

I told her my plan....

okay

who am i trying to kid...

p l a n S

i had a moment where i questioned myself

what i had gotten myself into

did i jump too soon

was I being too spontaneous

too rushed

{it's only January after all}

the answer we came up with was

heck

NO...

full potential means...

going

B I G

As i go about this process and move from

room to room

with a different paint can as I go...

I will document my picks

my whys

my vision

my thoughts about the colour

my boo boos

{they will happen....}

Today, as we were all home bound, schools closed, I dug in or should I say..

tore apart!!!

So, here's to freshening up one room at a time!!!

xo,

the gift of giving....

2011-01-24T07:56:00.006-05:00

via

I've got a couple surprises up my sleeve...

and it's all because of

January

I have January to thank for giving me the gift to work my way out of the winter doldrums

for reminding me that there can be sunny days even with gray skies

for giving me some doozy decorating dilemmas that have now set the course for this year

this extra mental work has turned into a very sweet reward....

I believe I need to make a heart shaped cake with fluffy pink frosting and extra rainbow sprinkles scattered on top....

actually the cake I make should be shaped like a paint can...

with the frosting dripping off the rim...

better yet, I would rather order a cake from Laura

now that would be a treat!!!

Here's celebrating the month of January for giving me a gift that keeps on giving!

xo,

happy Monday

my canvas

2011-01-19T19:37:00.006-05:00

I see my life as a big giant canvas

a picture book

a blessing

that allows me the freedom to create

to express myself through colour

style changes

phases

there's a season for all things...

it's much more then adding colour to a wall

it's the creative thinking process

the planning

the trouble shooting

it's jumping in with both feet

taking chances

overcoming obstacles

growth

milestones

remembering life's lessons....

that it's your canvas to create

your style

faith

your independence

so go for it

with big bold strokes

create a canvas that will have your heart singing

that will leave a lasting imprint on the lives you touch.

Opening the lid on the paint can last week was just what I needed

I could hear a big sigh of relief

murmurs of...

she's add it again

I felt my groove kicking in...

coffee and croissants with my friends was just what i needed

to get me going

helping me see the bigger picture that sometimes can get cloudy...

the skies immediately cleared...

my direction was back on track...

and as my husband turned the lock on the door

he stepped into the house...

and said...

I read your blog...

I know what you did!!!!

I ran into his arms

feeling my heart exploding with love from the affirmation that

he totally understands me.

Love Sweet Love

My staircase and hallway are freshly painted in

Carrington Beige by BM

it feels great!!!!

More hallway pictures to come....

mirror to hang

gallery photos to select...

it's all coming together!

Here's to creating your own one of a kind canvas
with big bold strokes that will tell a story of your life!!!

xo,

navigating my way through January...

2011-01-13T09:33:00.009-05:00

{Country Living}

I find January to be a very tricky month...

and this week has been full of challenges...

from freezing cold, snow, icy, windy weather conditions

to gloomy skies that are begging for color...

have left me without a direction

feeling stagnant

my desire to create, paint something is begging to be released

for some strange reason it's the one thing that tends to help me find my way

i have found myself in a dilemma

a creative space dilemma

because I'm so eclectic

i can't decided on the so called "look" i want

{Coastal Living}

it's left me feeling

frustrated

the kind of frustration that has me walking in circles

questioning the cohesive look

will it unit the home or only divide the space....

now that i've released what's bothering me

I've just diagnosed myself with a severe case of cabin fever...

i haven't been blogging this week

all because i've been walking my hallway

staring at the walls

looking into rooms

sitting on my staircase

wiping the dust bunnies with my fingertip

writing

S O S

in the dust that continues to collect no matter how much i dust

because I'm a doer

i couldn't take it any longer

i did the only thing i could think of doing

one that gave me a flashback to art class in grade school

when the teacher assigned a art project telling you to create anything you want...

that assignment always left me with a blank paper because i have so many

loves

ideas

i felt frozen

it always felt like i was going to make a mistake

and as i've aged

became a parent

i'm always telling my children to

take a chance

go for it

draw outside the lines

challenge yourself

go above and beyond because don't you want to see what's there

you are bigger then your own imagination

with those thoughts running through my mind

6:30 PM when

dishes were stacked in the sink

bathwater running for 2 kiddos

piano practice could be heard down the hall

a tug of war going on between our dog and my daughter over a sock

grabbing the phone to hear my husband's voice telling me the weather conditions at his location...

wondering if snow will have him delayed or home on Friday....

i said my goodbyes...

be safe

went to the laundry room

grabbed my favorite paint brush

the first can of paint i saw

{and i have many}

opened the can

walked back upstairs

in all the commotion

mayhem

that 6:30PM brings

i dipped my paint brush into the can

and painted outside the lines....

down my hallway

down the staircase

a continues line

of a random color

it felt

liberating!!!!

My teenage age daughter called me "weird" that's code for i love you...

that pretty much sums up my week...

how's your week going?

P.S. I've now called in my close advisory team of girlfriends over for coffee tomorrow morning to show them what i've done & over chocolate croissants, coffee, diet coke for my favorite brit help me find a very good explanation to come up with of why i just colored on my walls before my husband's flight touches down Friday night!

....

P.S.S

and hopefully i will have picked a color!!!

xo,

full disclosure....

2011-01-07T10:47:00.006-05:00

Six days into the new year i lost any sort of will power i thought I had starting a new year...

during this month you will find me

cleaning

storing Christmas decor

attacking the chickadees closets

i find it therapeutic sorting all their clothing so they are all grouped in sections...

i check sizes....

then add sweet items that they've outgrown to the donation pile

send them onto friends

typically these activities keep me home nesting...

until

i run out of milk....

you all know by now i need my daily 3PM latte fix

which calls for 7 1/2 ounces of skim milk

so after I do the school drop off...

wish everyone a fabulous day

do your best

rock your subjects...

i decided to purchase my milk at....

Target

I quickly grabbed my fresh chilled gallon of skim milk

then did a little

pause...

detoured through the lighting area

just to see

have a peek

at any new

lamp shades that may have appeared while I've been tucked in closets...

and wouldn't you know it

right there and then

i lost any will power i thought i had built up during the first 6 days...

i caved

even called my friend

telling her i had no restraint

asking her to talk my out of it...

she laughed

rationalized it with me

{that's what good friends do right?}

I have a passion

some may say addiction

to...

lamp shades!

Am I the only one who changes lamp shades the way you would change your flip flops for boots when the season changes?

Is this weird?

Is there a cure for such a passion?

Is so my husband would like to know the cure...

why

i'm not sure...

So, with the first week of the new year coming to a completion

with a weeks worth of cleaning bliss completed

new recipes that have re~awakened my love for dishing up delicious meals

toss in some passion

i'd say...

we're off to a great start

don't you?!!!!!

h a p p y F r i d a y
xo,

Lentils & Full Potential....

2011-01-04T09:23:00.005-05:00

Let me begin by saying...

haPPy NeW YeaR!

I love welcoming in a fresh year

I find it rather exciting to think about what the year has in store for...

my family

I spent New Years Eve & day thinking about my

goals

hopes

dreams

and as I soaked in family time with everyone home for one week

where

keys were left dangling on hooks

coats half hazardly tossed where ever they landed from the latest snow outing

the hum of the latest load of laundry was running it's cycle...

I reflected on the year

the ups

the downs

thought of who I had to say goodbye to & miss very much...

a trip that took my breath away

and left me feeling exhilarated...

eager to travel more

what had been accomplished

what fell through the cracks

I did the...

woulda

coulda

shoulda

for a few minutes

then quickly

said

H E L L O

2011

it's so nice to see you!

After all that I was left with two words running through my head

in big bold letters

that said...

F U L L P O T E N T I A L

I first ignored it

went about my day

let the activity swirling around my home engulf me

but as i fell into bed each night

closed my eyes

I'd see it again

F U L L P O T E N T I A L

still just as big, just as bright

but now flashing!!!!

Okay, it may have taken me 3 days to finally figure it out

but I finally did!!!

Over a very hearty bowl of

the most delicious Lentil Soup I've ever tasted!!

I had never made Lentil Soup

until this year

January 3, 2011

Not only did I love it

but

my children did too!!!

That's all it took for the pieces of the puzzle to fit into place

for the words I'd been seeing for the past 3 days make perfect sense...

I haven't been using my

full potential

it that moment I was totally brutally honest with myself

and realized rather quickly that I coulda, shoulda made this soup before

but for some reason

I hadn't...

w h y

and then it quickly opened the box of what else have i missed

questioning on my part.

The good news is I had my answer

this year my word for myself is:

potential

for me to USE

to it's fullest

to stretch my boundaries

test my skills

challenge myself

I want to feel myself standing on my tippy toes balancing

arms stretch high

I want to fall into bed each night

knowing I gave the day my all

I realistically know some days will have speed bumps

little hiccups

...that's life...

but I know now that I just need to down shift over the bump

then hit my foot to the pedal to reach maximum speed.

I cannot end this post without a warm loving thank you for the Lentil Soup recipe

to my friend Tara big xoxo for a recipe that warmed the bellies of my chickadees

that had this momma happily washing my favorite buffalo china bowls that were...

empty!!!

Here's to a fresh new year, new discoveries

using my full potential!!!

xo,

savoring the moments....

2010-12-30T10:58:00.003-05:00

Everything arrived in such a rush

Whether I was ready or not

for some reason I was running after the Polar Express train the entire time

some years it's like that i guess...

ready or not

but

no matter what

it's still been magical

before it all fades to just memories

I've been savoring the sights and sounds of this Christmas....

We've hunkered down

poured more refills of hot chocolate

gone through 2 bags of mini marshmallows

quite a few lattes for hubby and i

we've needed them to keep up

I bundled them up...

sent them out...

to played in the snow

i watched

i've cooked

washed

wiped a very runny nose for one little guy

nursing a few coughs that have decided to make themselves at home

enjoying family game night...

every night!

mastered Mario Cart Wii

wanna race?

laughed over

a few rounds Would Ya Rather card game before bed....

uncorked a few bottles of wine so i could sit back

rewind the day

just to hear the laughter

to recapture the joy i see

in the eyes of my children

to imprint the image over and over again...

because

time is going by

fast!

I'm going into New Years feeling recharged
&
ready!

Thank You for sharing this past year with me
it's been such a blessing!
Happy New Year to Y O U...
may you welcome and enjoy every moment
as the New Year unfolds its many promises and new beginning to Y O U!
with much love,

Touches of Christmas....

2010-12-21T12:07:00.007-05:00

I present to you a touch of Christmas

that comes with an abundance of Christmas Spirit!!!

Sometimes

waiting

very exciting!!!

I still have ornaments to hang

gifts to wrap

but

it's going to need to wait....

I have an important date

to spend the rest of the afternoon

with a bunch of 5 year old kids

It's craft day in the Kindergarten Class room

this mom

going!!!!

I couldn't think of a more perfect gift to give myself....

time together

crafting

seeing the joy in his eyes as I arrive at his door

meeting his new friends!

xoxo,

Part 2 more Answers & All i want for Christmas....

2010-12-17T08:29:00.008-05:00

{Country Living}

~what is the piece you most regret selling?
One of my favorite pieces I painted and can't believe I let it go was a large narrow desk that I painted black and would have used for our flat screen TV in the basement..... It was a fantastic size and had the greatest storage for Wii games, DVD etc
~what is your favorite movie?
I'm still trying to think of my favorite movie... gosh I don't think I have just one.... let me get back to that one... I know I have to have one!

~Favorite cookie?
I have 2... Oatmeal Raisin and shortbread chocolate chip
~how do you stay so positive?
I really don't know..... it's the only way I know how to think. I am a firm believer in this is "it, my life" and I really want to make it good.... I also believe in daily acts of kindness improves life.
A month ago I was in the car with my oldest daughter. I had just picked her up from High School and she was telling me about two new friends she had made and they were talking about their families..... She turned to me and said, " I told them about you!"
Oh what did you say? { so curious what my teenage daughter would say about me, I mean really.... my heart started fluttering, cause let me tell you teenagers are different!!!}
She said, " I told them to picture the happiest... I mean happiest person in the world... and is really genuine about being that crazy happy.... that's my mom.
I had the biggest lump in my throat...
had to keep the tear back because my daughter will close up if I show her how I really feel...
it's the teenage thing...
in that moment I thought she just gave me the most incredible gift of a life time...
a life affirming gift of how I live my life...
and that it's not about the cooking, cleaning, even the painting I do...
only my daughter can strip me down to the basics and desribe me without any fluff...
When all is said and done.... that's how I want my children to remember me.
~what made you start to blog?
I was really bad about documenting my projects, what changes I had done to our home and I would tell my sisters about my latest new redo and they'd say email me them pictures....well, i'd get caught up in daily life... oops...& forget.... so my sister talked me into starting a blog so she could see my projects and then it just began a life of it's own. I still remember sitting at the computer not knowing what to say and what to call my blog.
~What kind of camera do you have?
Just a simple Canon Power Shot SD890 IS.... I'm a simple just shoot and go kind of girl... plus I am really terrible about reading directions, so anything more complicated then that I don't think I would be able to use it properly.
~Do you love it?
Not being a camera expert, I really do.
Or,if you don't, what would you get if you could pick anew one?
Not having research the latest camera's on the market, I would buy the new version of the one I have.
~so what makes a day hard for you?
When I just can't help it but have to over schedule a day with multiple appointments.... have nothing planned for dinner and a sick child in tow, with the addition of a huge school project to help with.... that's a hard day.

~how often do you get yourself a starbucks?
It depends on my schedule and if I have a lot of errands to run... if I'm out and about then I stop in about once a week.
BUT I make myself a grande non~fat latte Cinnamon dolce or vanilla everyday at 3PM.... I have an espresso machine, I buy my bag of whole beans and syrup bottles from Starbucks... and in the comfort of my kitchen grind my beans fresh everyday and make one. I'm a little OCD about it... it has to be at that time of day. I will have more in one day if friends are coming over for a morning coffee gab fest!!! And i offer them to anyone who visits!!!!! It's a specialty I've mastered!!!
~daily routine with all those kiddos?
Monday thru Friday it's all about juggling 2 school schedules.... after school is right to the homework before anything else. Paino lessons are on Monday, that's my crazy day... it gets us home right at dinner time and that causes one tiny problem.... no one was home to make dinner.

~exercise routine?
Daily life {giggles} I know it's terrible.... I really should hit the gym, and do cardio for all the good health benefits but right now just juggling life that keeps my heart racing, and the weight off. But, I am really picky about the food I buy and let my kids eat. It's all grains, lots of veggie, for the most part with very little meat.
Come summer time though.... we live in the pool and i pretend to be the pool aerobics instructor!
where do you get your ideas for those fabulous birthday parties?
I just think of what kind of party I would like to attend if I was a kid again.... or wish I could have!
~When can I come over?
NOW!!! Really, anytime and i'm keeping my fingers crossed that 2011 brings you to my home for a fabulous girls weekend!!!!
~How do you do it all....cook,clean, kids..keep everything together?
For me is boils down to loving what I do. I'm not the type to look back and wonder if...
I really believe I have the best job on earth... being a mother feeds my creative brain and watching my chickadees grow up is such a blessing. I married a man that encourages, applauds, supports, laughs often, finds humor is my next project {for the most part}, loves me for being simply me.

Thank you for all the fun questions....

it got me thinking about my life

how it all seems to works

i couldn't think of a more perfect time of year

for

reflection

now what I'd like for Christmas is good health for my chickadees & very loved husband

having him home in time for Christmas!

Here's to wrapping things up

with big shiny bows

cranking up the Christmas music

sitting by the Christmas tree

pour a mug of hot chocolate & make sure to have plenty puffy clouds of magic floating on top!!!

xoxo,

Part 1....answers

2010-12-14T19:15:00.008-05:00

via

I've had such fun reading through the questions.... I thought I'd answer them in a 2 part series. So without further ado let the Q & A begin....

~If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, who would you take and where would you go?

I've always wanted to go to Australia. I've spent many childhood days daydreaming about traveling to Australia. I married the best traveling companion. He has mastered the art of traveling, so it's so easy for me to just follow his lead!

~If you had unlimited $$ and could buy anything/do anything, what would be the 1st thing you do?

The first thing I would do is secure my childrens college funds.

~What is the hardest thing you've ever gone through?

I think it would be giving birth!

~What is the most favorite room in your house?

I'm actually stumped on this one.... i think I'd have to say my kitchen/family room area... it's just where you will find us all the time!

~Piece of furniture? I really love to style my home with all my favorite pieces, so I can't pick just one.... they all have a story, evoke a memory and create an eclectic mix of me!

~and if I were to come visit you for a weekend (I'm not entire sure this WON'T ever happen in the future...!) - what would you take me to do/see/etc?

I'd love to have you visit!!! Of course some vintage shopping would have to be on our must do list! I'd have to take you on a few day trips Annapolis/DC/Alexandria winding up with a stop at my favorite local restaurant CD Cafe... followed by spending the rest of the time sitting around my kitchen island whipping up margaritas and guacamole to chat the day away....i know we have lots to talk about and my sister Anne would be calling every 5 minutes so jealous that you were visiting me!!!

~What's your morning routine? I'm awake at 6:15AM {if not earlier... with 5 other people in the house someone is waking me up!!} Jump in a hot shower to help wake me up, dress for the day... downstairs by 6:45AM to whip up breakfast/pack lunches. Heat the water for a cup of English Breakfast Tea.... it's a must...I never start the morning without my tea.... I grab a hot cup of tea that I juggle without spilling as I dash out the door at exactly 7:15 with my 14 yr old daughter to pick up her friend... and I drop them both off at High School...finish my tea as i drive back home.... to get my other 3 children ready for school, make the beds, unload the dishwasher pile them in the car and drive them to school an hour later!

~What makes you laugh out loud?

It's a tie between my husband and my kids!!!! They constantly make me laugh!!!

~how do you stay in shape? I'm constantly in motion... between my kids, house, and all the painting projects... add those all together and somehow it works!

~how many states have yall lived in being military and all. We've lived in 4 states... Southern California, Virginia, Japan, Northern California and now Maryland.

~what is your fave color? Y E L L O W

~starbucks drink? Grande Non~fat Cinnamon dolce Latte no whip extra hot!!

~what is your most wonderful memory??

The birth of my children... it brings me to tears just thinking of their birth stories, all the details... hearing them cry for the first time, having them placed in my arms, seeing the look on my husband's eyes when he has looked at our children.

~how do you balance it all? It's a constant juggling act... but the one thing that keeps me centered is a routine... I need a routine, thrive on a schedule, even though I have fun shaking it up a bit by adding projects to my day I like order. I have to have my home in order to think straight! I'm always trying to find a better organizational system for paperwork, the toys, pantry items etc for my house to function better. I also try not to over schedule. I also have a firm bed time routine for my children... all year round it stays the same... that way it gives my husband and me time in the evening to catch up on our day without interruptions, or just watch one of our favorite shows we've DVR. It's us time!

I'll be back tomorrow to answer the rest of the questions!!!

Sleep tight!!!

P.S. You know it's the holiday season when you are heading the doctor's office in the AM

yep, I have a sad, sick little boy....poor guy... which make me a tired mom!

xo,

LuLu

Q & A

2010-12-10T15:47:00.005-05:00

The ringing of my husband's blackberry awoke me this morning at 4:30 AM

followed by my son calling my name at 5:15AM

after i carried him to my room for him to fall back to sleep

I found myself wide awake

my body wanted to fall back to sleep

but

my brain has a mind of it's own...

thoughts immediately began flooding my once sleeping mind

thinking

wondering

which then made me think of my blog and all the wonderful friendships I've made

how much I've learned over the course of the year

how I've laughed out loud of reading posts

prayed for friends

often wished for a real meeting with fellow bloggers to "chat" the afternoon away while the kiddos were at school

on just random stuff that makes us who we are

the layers that make us, us...

favorite things, dislikes, silly traits etc...

So, being Friday and all I thought what a great day to ask away....

Go ahead if you've got a question

I'm answering them!!!

I'm ordering 2 large thin crust pizzas to be delivered

and chopping up a crispy Caesar salad

I've already selected the wine for relaxing evening

putting my feet up

and

congratulating myself on the Christmas box i decorated and placed on our coffee table!!!

I'm all about celebrating baby steps!!!!

Wishing you a warm cozy weekend!!!

My answers will be in my next post!!!

P.S. the pinecones you see in my picture is my attempt of being crafty....

i don't think i should quit my day job to take up crafting as a business!

xo,