An Afternoon in the Gardens

February 18, 2014 by Summer

Jeff took the day off of work, so after nap time we decided to go somewhere we had never been before. We picked up Nana and Papa on our way and headed to the Santa Barbara Botanic Gardens. A lovely place for all of us to explore. Ellie enjoyed it very much, insisting on being barefoot and hiking down the rocky dirt paths ahead of us. This child loves the outdoors.

We were only there for maybe fifteen minutes before my camera battery ran out. Of course. So, half of these photos are iPhone photos. I was very bummed, because the beauty of this place made me itch for my regular camera. I was glad to have my iPhone though to at least document my silly girl enjoying nature.

It had been socked in with fog all morning down by the beach, but by the time we made it up to the hills of Santa Barbara, it was a beautiful, sunny day. The gardens had a lovely main meadow full of poppies and other California wildflowers and a path that took you through a coastal redwood forest.

It was like Disneyland for this little one. She wanted her shoes off so she could experience every sensation. There were rocks (and benches like this one) to climb and dirt paths to run along. When the trail got a little tricky she was not thrilled with Mama or Daddy when we tried to help her by carrying her. She wants to do it all by herself, all the time.

We will definitely be returning to the botanic gardens again. There was so much more we didn’t get to see before dinner and a long drive home came calling. A lovely afternoon in nature.

Weekending!

February 17, 2014 by Summer

This Saturday we made our way back to the beach again with Nana and Papa and Auntie Lindsey. Ellie was in her element, scooping sand between her fingers and running along side of us down by the water. It was chilly be the time we made it down there but Ellie didn’t seem to mind in the least. We took a walk through the local marsh, hoping to spot some ducks and found pebbles, pretty flowers and interesting birds a long the way. Before heading back to Nana and Papa’s apartment, we did a little bit of antique-ing and shop browsing. Jeff found an old banjo record.

Sunday the weather was beautiful. The day started off rough when we attempted to eat out for breakfast and an 18 month old little person had other plans. But after a well needed nap, we enjoyed a beautiful day with the in-laws again, playing outside in the sensory tubs, taking a little bike ride (Ellie rode in the trailer we borrowed from a friend), dancing to some family banjo and guitar practice, folding linens and finishing the evening off with delicious homemade lentil chili.

How was your weekend?

– joining Amanda over at The Habit.

Portrait Project

February 15, 2014 by Summer

7/52

eloise: My funny valentine. I never knew I could love someone so very small, so very much. You have my heart sweet girl!

-joining Jodi for the 52 project!

{this moment}

February 14, 2014 by Summer

“A single photo. No words. Capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

– joining SouleMama

Happy Valentine’s Day to each and everyone of you!

Making + Listening: Valentine’s Edition

February 13, 2014 by Summer

MAKING: There has been lots of making and listening around these parts. Now that Ellie is feeling better we’ve had some painting sessions…

And some afternoon walks where we collected sticks for another Simple Things Notebook inspired nature craft. Ellie did the stick collecting, I did the hot glueing.

And the big project I’m working on is putting together something special for the blogger swap. After spending an evening visiting all of the blogs involved in the swap, I can tell you I am a little worried my contribution won’t match up. These bloggers are AMAZING at what they do! I started working on a set of hand-sewn coasters to begin with. I’m excited about the fabrics. A couple of them are from the Downton Abbey collection which I find just lovely. I hope my blogger swap partner will find them lovely too.

LISTENING: Little Bird has been on repeat for many days now, but we have also managed to have some classical playing in the evenings with dinner. I had picked up a lovely french classical c.d. on my honeymoon in Paris. It used to reside in my classroom and was played often in the early mornings upon the children’s arrival. Now it’s come full circle. Playing in my own home for my own daughter to enjoy.

-joining Dawn for Making + Listening!

Little Birds

February 12, 2014 by Summer

Ever since those regular beach days we had a few weeks ago and chasing sea gulls over the sand, Ellie has been noticing birds a lot more. While she was sick we you-tubed some Elizabeth Mitchell music videos and one of them was this one. She loved it so much we downloaded the album (I, myself am a big Mitchell fan so downloading the whole album was no big deal) and Little Bird, Little Bird has been on repeat ever since. I have also been wanting to replace the hot air balloon residing in our master bedroom (we have three from Ellie’s birthday, placed all over the house) with something a bit more natural looking. I loved Dawn’s Alphabet Glue migration birds and I thought it might be something my 18 month old and I could work on together. I cut out some card stock birds using the pattern from Alphabet Glue and let Ellie paint away (this child surprises me every time with her painting skills. She knew to stay right on the birds and did a marvelous job).

And during an afternoon nap one day this past week, I was able to sneak away long enough to paint two of my own little birds. I used our Western Bird Field Guide as inspiration and decided to try for a sea gull look inspired by Ellie and my favorite beach visits.

My pictures do not showcase the light, airy colors Ellie and I both chose. It’s hard photographing a mobile.

But, I’m enjoying it hanging in the bedroom next to the nightstand. It gives the room a natural feel with the beachy stick we found on our weekend seal walk and it makes me happy to think that Ellie and I both worked on it. Ellie smiles and signs “bird” every time she sees it.

Happy Mail

February 11, 2014 by Summer

It’s always so nice getting things, other than bills in the mail. Today some birdies flew in from Northern California and Kansas. I think I mentioned the Birdie project a few weeks back but let me elaborate since they are now seeming to be flying in to my mail box weekly. I have this wonderful group of Mama’s from all over the world who decided it would be fun to show our love and support for one another and make something for each other, a kind of chain mail project of sorts. We all make 14 birdies, keep one for ourselves and then send out the other 13, one for each Mama. I will hopefully end up with 14 birdies of my very own from all over the world in just a few weeks. We loosely used this pattern. Once we get all of the birdies it will be up to us how we decide to hang and display them.

Here are all of the birdies I have received thus far, including my own birdie.

It’s a joy receiving these little birds in the mail. Each one hand-made with love from a mother just like me, mothers I have been conversing with for over half a year through the internet. Mothers that have become dear friends to me. Each bird has come with a handwritten note and sometimes an inspirational quote. Something to lift me up for that day.

This week, I not only received these lovely birds but one of the wonderful, sweet Mama’s sent a whole care package, complete with birdie, chocolate, an original piece of art she had done and even a book for Ellie. It made my heart swell just to see it all!

I am certainly feeling the love. Happy Mail, indeed.

Weekending

February 10, 2014 by Summer

We are very much on the upswing of this bug. Only the cough seems to be lingering now. We all stayed well hydrated this weekend and finished up Daddy’s homemade chicken soup. Nana and Papa spent most of the weekend with us. Papa and Daddy fixing up the car that my In-laws will drive while they are in California. Ellie and Nana playing and reading and enjoying each others company. Mama catching up on laundry and dishes and cleaning. Sunday we felt Ellie was well enough to spend an afternoon down by the beach. She was overjoyed being outside again and not cooped up in the house. We then took a walk down to see the seals in the town my In-laws are staying. One seal had just given birth and there were several more nursing their little pups. It was really neat watching them. We got to watch the train go by as well. One of Ellie’s favorite things to do these days.We ended the night with Thai takeout and a nice drive home with a happy baby. A lovely, fun evening for all of us.

-joining Amanda at The Habit.

Portrait Project

February 8, 2014 by Summer

6/52

eloise: I didn’t take many photos at all this week. You came down with the worst cough and cold you’ve ever had. It’s been a very rough fews days and nights. This photo was one I took for your 18 month shoot. You can see the cold already creeping up in your glassy eyes and rosy cheeks. Get better soon little one.

-joining Jodi for the 52 project.

{this moment}

February 7, 2014 by Summer

“A single photo. No words. Capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.”

-joining Soulemama.