30 September 2013

sunday stills. photo 39

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A single photo once a week.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo.

On this Sunday: Even though the week was hectic, we are feeling under the weather and we have yet another hectic week ahead, we still manage to laugh and play.

Once the school years arrives, I feel like each week is hectic and filled to the brim. Between school, homework, my yoga and spinning classes, music classes, piano lessons, soccer twice a week, games on saturday and cub scouts we are worn out! Did I mention that we've taken on a few house projects? Because, you know, we have so much spare time in our lives. I'm determined to finish the upstairs hallway, and Jon re-tiling the bathroom has turned into removing the wallpaper, refinishing the vanity and updating the fixtures.

As I type this post, with my green tea cradled in my hands, my house smells of homemade chicken noodle soup, always a cure for the common cold. We are cozied up in our wool socks and sweaters hoping to beat the sickness, although mine has been lingering since friday night.

I hope your week is off to a good start and it stays healthy!

25 September 2013

feeling FABulous with FAB Kids.

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Every day I drive past this old abandoned gas station and every day in my mind I say that I would like to stop and take photos. But those thoughts are quickly brushed to the back of my mind.

The other day we stopped.

I pulled the car up next to the old building and slowly turned around to watch the cars rapidly drive past. I always wonder if someone will see me, if someone will wonder what I am doing. "Why, I'm capturing memories" is what I would say. Perhaps one day when Jess is in high school (oh, I can't even think that) or college she will stumble across these photos hidden away in a shoe box. Perhaps she will say, "Hey mom, remember that day we stopped at an old gas station with graffiti on the walls?" And I will respond, "Yes, and we took photos, and laughed and danced. And after we finished we went for hot chocolates."

This was a good day. We created memories. Memories that I document, like I do, and perhaps will tuck away in a shoebox for another day down the road. And on that day, when we dig through our memories, we'll be creating even more memories.

I wonder if I'll document that moment too.
I have a feeling I will.

*This post is sponsored by FabKids and clothing is c/o FabKids

FabKids is JustFab's newest fashion club, started by a team of parents including mom and actress Christina Applegate. FabKids is a convenient way for busy parents to shop. It's an outfit club -- so parents get monthly selections of super affordable, high-quality fashions personalized for their kids.

Check out more of their fall fashions, for boys and girls, at Fabkids.com

23 September 2013

38/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: My handsome son on picture day.
Joshua: My litte music maker on his first day of piano lessons.
Jessica: My daughter, winning me over with her eyes. Again.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this series.

There were so many photos I enjoyed from last week! I could hear laughter radiating from this photo, the soft tones in these photos, precious moments found here, personality found here, amazing light captured here, fabulous black and whites here and pure love embraced here.

22 September 2013

sunday stills. photo 38

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A single photo once a week, but this week two photos that go hand in hand.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo, this week two.

On this Sunday: We are desperately trying to hold onto the last droplets of summer, but unfortunately, we know that season has passed. We welcome autumn with open arms, we embrace the breeze that blows through our hair, the leaves that gradually change with each day and the air that seems to be growing cooler with each breath.

Enjoy your Sunday! I'm looking forward to a sunny September day where I can finally open the windows and enjoy the cool breeze. We started our morning off with a batch of crêpes and mango scones, a sure sign that today is destined to be good, at least good in a productive kinda way. With a new season brings change and the desire to get something done. I finally started to strip the wallpaper in the upstairs hallway, and let me tell you, what a task I have taken on. This is the most stubborn wallpaper I have ever seen. Let's just say my arms are sore just from typing this post.

But off I go, I am determined to get this done!

*Don't forget Em has weekly stills up on her blog too.

18 September 2013

sipping horchata and welcoming fall.

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Over the summer, while on our trip to Friday Harbor, we stumbled across a quaint Mexican restaurant tucked quietly away off the main street. We happened to like it so well that we made it back a couple more times. Yes, possibly for the freshly squeezed margaritas that beckoned you to order a second, but also for the authentic food blended with a modern twist. The one item off the menu that caught my eye, but that I never tried, was the horchata. I had vaguely heard of this creamy Mexican drink that combined rice and almonds with a hint of cinnamon. But when I saw it being served, over ice, my eyes grew wider and my mouth more curious.

I knew I had to make this drink.

And so this week, with autumn air that looms about, I decided to dive in and attempt to quench my curiosity. I searched online to get an idea of the recipe and then, as I most often do, I walked into the kitchen empty handed with an idea on my mind. I'm not really sure if you can call this idea horchata or not, but it satisfied my curiosity and my thirst. You certainly can't go wrong when it comes to mixing almonds and vanilla.

Mexican Horchata
makes 4-6 cups

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup almonds
1 cinnamon stick
5 cups water, divided (3 cups hot, 2 cups cold)
1/3 cup raw honey

Preparation:
Blanch the almonds by tossing them into boiling water for about a minute, then drain under cold water. After blanching, give them a squeeze and the skins should slip right off. Once the almonds are blanched, skinned, and dried, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly brown.

Add the almonds and cinnamon stick together in a glass jar (see if you can get your hands on a mexican cinnamon stick) and stir in 3 cups of hot water, allow to cool to room temperature then cover and let stand overnight on the counter.

The next day:
Transfer the mixture into your blender, add the 2 cups of cold water and blend until smooth.

Strain the blended mixture slowly into a pitcher. I used a fine mesh sieve with a layer of cheesecloth. You may want to repeat this process, my horchata ended up being a bit on the grainy side.

Add the raw honey and whisk to combine. Feel free to adjust to your sweetness level.

Refrigerate and serve over ice.
Garnish with cinnamon or a cinnamon stick.
Enjoy!

16 September 2013

37/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: The sound of a child's laughter in open woods is enough to heal the soul.
Joshua: They spread their winds slightly and fly wildly into the day.
Jessica: Silent in thought, observing each moment.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this series.
Last week I enjoyed the soft green tones in this photo, a child's imagination from this photo, the dream like quality reflected here and the setting sun caught in this photo.

sunday stills. photo 37

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A single photo once a week, but this week two photos that go hand in hand.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo, this week two.

On this Sunday: We have created a tradition for our Sundays. We change the sheets, we jump on beds, we giggle in our rooms and dance with scarves. This sunday, every sunday.

12 September 2013

film photographs.

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These photos are from a roll of film that I took a couple weeks ago. See, the thing with me and film is you never know how they will turn out. I have captured a few great photos on film (a shot of the coast of maine, Jonas drenched in sunlight as a newborn) and then there are endless rolls that become wasted paper. Or maybe they become a lesson. Maybe they have helped me on my journey with my camera.

I like to think they have meaning and truly have taught me a lesson.

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This week has been a quiet emotional time that has weighed on our hearts. It is never easy saying goodbye to a loved family member and during these times we realize that life is very fragile and much shorter than we like to think. I'll be taking the rest of the week to soak up my family and drench myself in their presence.

“We the mortals touch the metals,
the wind, the ocean shores, the stones,
knowing they will go on, inert or burning,
and I was discovering, naming all the these things:
it was my destiny to love and say goodbye.”
-Pablo Neruda, Still Another Day

10 September 2013

Warby Parker. Fall 2013 Collection

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Today, Warby Parker launches their new Fall 2013 Collection. Think back to the early sixties, an age where the youth of America were finding their voices, where conservatism of the fifties was rapidly fading and where real creative change was beginning to unfold. These exciting years that mark America's history happen to be a few of my favorite. Literature became a clear reflection of what was happening socially and politically in our country and some of America's greatest authors buried their roots deep in history during this era.

The collection debuts five new frames in a mix of materials— bold acetate in rich, autumnal colors at the brow and nose, and stainless steel-rimmed lenses. Each name— Ames, Ripley, Rowan, Holcomb and Ellison— is a reverent bow to some of the most influential literary references of the time. The 15 options, featuring sunwear and optical, provide midcentury style without the flea market goose chase.

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While fashion certainly plays a large role in our day to day lives, I strive to find meaning in the pieces I choose to wear. This new fall line roosts an excitement for change and a passion for intelligence. Visualize a crisp autumn afternoon, the fire softly glows in a distant room, the rich aroma of coffee lingers in the kitchen and there you sit tucked tightly into the corner of an old leather chair. You carefully reach across to the wooden coffee table and lift the tortoise shell glasses to your face. Words suddenly become clear and meaningful. Your heart begins to beat slightly faster as the pages of your book create a subtle sound, as you finally land where you left off and as you become lost in literature.

I yearn for this moment. And in the moment I can picture myself in the Holcomb frame or the Ripley frame and most certainly reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Silent Spring or To Kill a Mockingbird, once again.

What is your story?
What do you visualize?
What glasses do you envision yourself wearing?
What literature reels you in?

09 September 2013

36/52

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"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Jonas: Touched by a feeling of success.
Joshua: Touched by happiness.
Jessica: Touched by independence.

Thank you Jodi for hosting this series.
Last week I enjoyed the realness of these photos, the soft breeze caught in these photos, the smiles captured here, the light trickling through in this photo, and the faces of happiness and silliness in these photos.

**The winner of the Albion Fit Giveaway is Susan DeVaux, I will email you shortly. Congrats!

08 September 2013

sunday stills. photo 36

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A single photo once a week.
To capture my emotions, to sum up the days.
To collect my thoughts and hold them in my hands.

Every Sunday, one photo.

On this Sunday: A time for rest.

06 September 2013

hello weekend.

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There is a cool breeze in the September air. As we made our way to sleep last night we left our windows open wide so we could hide beneath the warmth of thick blankets. When I rose this morning the tile floors were cold against my bare feet and my hands slightly stiff with an autumn chill. When I touched the boys to wake them they stirred with a sudden jolt, my hands felt frigid against their warm skin. The leaves are changing and some have even found their way to the ground. Today Jessica and I pulled out our boots, buried deep within the closet, and quickly slipped them on.

I hope you enjoy the September sun this weekend and make the best out of your days.

A FEW LINKS TO READ OVER THE WEEKEND.

This is currently on my night stand and I am so close to finishing it.

I'm on the search for a good (healthy) zucchini bread recipe. I made this one and it's pretty tasty.

I am absolutely in love with this site.

I checked this cookbook out from the library and I am thoroughly enjoy it.

So many great recipes on this blog.

I have discovered so much talent on Instagram. My favorites right now are one, two and three.

And I am loving these blogs: one, two, three and four.

Lastly, we are working on a new cocktail menu for the restaurant. If you're local come down and check it out. Think classic drinks with a modern twist.

Tonight's First Friday in downtown so make sure to come out and celebrate. Don't forget to support the local arts community and your local businesses!

05 September 2013

playing in woods and FabKids

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The stillness of the woods called our names. Soft light trickling through trees gently danced above our heads. We become lost children, magical fairies, colorful butterflies, glowing fireflies.

We became luminescent, phosphorescent.

We breathlessly danced, swirling to our own beat as if magical drums fluttered in our heads. Silent at first, then louder and louder until our voices carried the sparrows away.

We became lost in our imagination.
A gift my children have taught me.
They have taught me to dance in open fields,
to sing into the trees, to shout in silent woods.
They have taught me to release myself.
They have taught me the secret of finding joy that hides in the corners of life.

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*This post is sponsored by FabKids and clothing is c/o FabKids

FabKids is JustFab's newest fashion club, started by a team of parents including mom and actress Christina Applegate. FabKids is a convenient way for busy parents to shop. It's an outfit club -- so parents get monthly selections of super affordable, high-quality fashions personalized for their kids.

Check out more of their fall fashions, for boys and girls, at Fabkids.com

04 September 2013

labor day weekend.

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This weekend I realized the importance of friendships and that some friendships you are bound to for life. The kids and I packed up and drove down to Columbus for the weekend to spend some precious time with friends. My friends Shannon and Emily are some of the most amazing women I know and I am honored to call them friends. In fact, our roots go back to freshman year of college and through the years we have only grown closer. Unfortunately, with families, busy jobs and living in different cities and states, we don't get to see each other as often as we would like, but the bond is there.

This weekend I realized the importance of family. Of surrounding ourselves with the ones we love and the ones we share our lives with on a daily basis. I found simplicity and happiness sitting in my parents living room chatting the night away and listening to my children and their cousins play.

This weekend I enjoyed sitting in our backyard surrounded by the darkness of night and listening to the music dance through open windows. The air was hot and muggy, but it made me feel like summer was lingering and that fall was not yet around the corner.

This weekend I indulged in good food. Food I usually shy away from, but food you just need to eat sometimes. Especially with friends and family. Smoked pork, ribs so tender they fall off the bone, roasted vegetables and fresh garlic tossed with EVOO and sea salt, pho drizzled with a heavy dose of sriracha that made your mouth sing and water, coconut cream pie, blueberry pie and sweet ohio corn. And of course, I can't leave out the Chardonnay, Rosé and Cabernet. So many special treats this past weekend.

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I hope you enjoyed your long weekend! It's back to the routine for this family, which deep down, I don't mind at all.

*The photos above are from our trip to Columbus and dinner at my parent's house.
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