Weekending!

September 9, 2013 by Summer

This weekend we took Ellie to visit the Stearns Wharf Aquarium in Santa Barbara. We saw little sharks that we were able to touch, fish, local to our oceans, and a really neat little jellyfish exhibit. The aquarium was pretty small but it was geared toward younger littles which we liked. Ellie seemed a little taken aback by the fish and being so close to them, but by the end of the day she was comfortable enough to climb through some of the exhibits (they had aquarium tunnels)! We will definitely be back to visit again.

I’ve also been steadily filling my days with bits of reading, moving, writing and meditation (for my Soulful September).It’s been difficult actually; a lot more so than I thought it would. I will give a full update sometime this week. If you are joining in a 30 day challenge, how are you doing?

* joining Amanda over at The Habit.

Weekending: Labor Day Edition!

September 2, 2013 by Summer

A scattered set of pictures throughout the weekend. Jeff and his sister (and Linus our shepherd mix) returned from their camping trip up north just in time for the three-day weekend. Our days have been rather lazy and chill (well, as chill as can be with an almost 13 month old). Hot days with the fans blowing. Lots of time in the kiddie pool, sun tea, yard sailing (I scored those lovely pottery pieces at an estate sale as well as several great books for our home library). Fantastic early morning skies and coolish morning walks. There were visits to new coffee joints and lots of reading books (both alone in a basket and with family). Ellie is practicing her walking any chance she gets. And we had my parents over for an impromptu Labor Day dinner, complete with grass-fed tri tip, potato casserole, broccoli and baked beans. I made some peanut butter fudge and fudgey corn flake balls for dessert and we ended the night with a wagon walk to help a certain someone fall asleep. It’s weekends like this one that remind me of the beauty in the every day. I am grateful for days like these… How was your weekend?

-joining Amanda over at The Habit!

Weekending!

August 25, 2013 by Summer

It was a quick, sunny, nice weekend. Jeff and his sister went to the Red Sox/Dodgers game so we spent the day with Gramma and Grandpa. They of course spoil their little grand baby rotten (i.e. new push car toy)! We had such a nice day with them! We discovered “noses” this past week and finding everyone’s (including the dogs’). I got Ellie’s hair pulled back in two pig tails for the first time and oh my, she is darling with pig tails! I think she thinks so too. Sunday was a lazy day with walks downtown, cookies and iced chai’s in the afternoon and a tired-but-happy-she-got-to-go-with-us bulldog. The house is in ruins and laundry is piling up. I have a long week ahead of me. But thank goodness for lazy weekends. How was your weekend?

-joining the lovely Amanda over at The Habit!

Weekending!

August 19, 2013 by Summer

It was an artsy weekend! The weather was dreary again in Ventura so we headed north looking for some sun and found it in Santa Barbara. We decided to spend a morning at the Museum of Art since Ellie had done so well at the Natural History Museum. And once again, she seemed to enjoy every bit of the museum experience. We didn’t get to take too many pictures in this museum (museum rules) but she would point to different pieces of art, “neighed” at the sculptures of horses and looked on, wide eyed at the strange modern and installation pieces. We even got to add her name to a children’s sculpture in the children’s art exploration area (and no, there is no 5 in Eloise. I stamped the wrong stamp).

We also enjoyed a nice afternoon at a local art walk (plus the sun was out in our neck of the woods finally)! There were all types of artists working on chalk sidewalk art, live music and other art vendors. A nice ending to our artsy weekend. How about you? How was your weekend?

-joining Amanda for weekending!

Weekending!

July 29, 2013 by Summer

This weekend was filled with good friends, lots of car travel, morning surprises to see hot air balloons and preparations for a very special someone’s birthday next weekend. One of my very best friend’s in the world was in town (he’s living in NY at the moment). Most of us hadn’t seen him in several years, so we decided to have a special brunch. He got to meet Ellie for the first time and we got to spend a wonderful few hours brunching with him and my best friends and their families. We’ve all come a long way since high school (some of us friends since elementary school) and it’s always neat to get together now. Mimosa’s and coffee are scattered between sippy cups and organic puffs now. It’s less about getting to chat and more about keeping babies busy and catching up quick as we can before melt downs occur. We are so much like family though, when time whizzes by and we finally do get together, like we did this weekend, it was as if no time had passed at all. A fun day was had and we’re all hoping we get to see more of each other on a regular basis soon.

We also wanted to make this somewhat local festival but missed it with all the hoopla going on. So early sunday morning we jumped in the car and made it to see one last balloon. I was disappointed there weren’t more but seeing the look on Ellie’s face when she saw that hot air balloon rise was worth it just for that! It was a bit of magic for a chilly, foggy, sunday morning.

How was your weekend?

joining Amanda with weekending.

Weekending

July 15, 2013 by Summer

We celebrated my brother’s birthday this weekend at my parents house. We spent time with family and good friends. We moved around some furniture. We prepped for Ellie’s upcoming first birthday party. We went grocery shopping. We took walks. We listened to new (old) vinyl. We danced to jazz and Disney. We made french toast with maple syrup. We threw balls around the house. We ate curry pork chops and sweet potatoes for dinner.

Ellie and I are getting ready to go on a little trip next week to visit my Grandmother (Ellie’s Great-Grandmother) in Seattle. I may or may not be here in this space next week. We shall see.

Hoping you all had lovely weekends! I’m off to pack!

-joining Amanda for Weekending!

Weekending!

July 8, 2013 by Summer

The long weekend started out fun. We went downtown and met my parents, to see the Fourth of July parade and street fair. There were a ton of people but it was fun getting out and seeing all that red, white and blue. But, by the time we got home, Jeff had come down with the dreaded bug that Ellie and I are still recuperating from. He got hit hard and was down for the rest of the weekend. Ellie and I stayed up into the wee hours that July 4th (local fireworks and her coughing kept her up) and Daddy went to sleep very early. We left Jeff to rest up for part of the weekend and went down to visit with my parents at their place (which we don’t do very often because Ellie still is not a fan of car rides). It was a nice day for Ellie. She just loves spending time with her grandparents (and I don’t think they are too bad either). We went out to lunch, we took a long walk and we visited the bookstore. The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning, doing laundry , a little gardening here and there and just lazing about, trying to get everyone healthy again. How was your weekend?

-joining Amanda at The habit.

Weekending

July 1, 2013 by Summer

The weekend started off nicely. We had dinner downtown. I was still congested but getting better from a long, tough flu bug (first bug since I was pregnant!). We visited the farmers market and Ellie tried out all sorts of good summertime treats. We stumbled upon a great yard sale (fabric and a new basket- always good finds!). We had my best friend and her family stop in on Saturday for an early dinner. I got a late Birthday present, the most beautiful, soft and cuddly and my very first woven wrap. I’m in love with it by the way and it very much came in handy this weekend because Ellie came down with her very first fever and a full on head and chest cold. The rest of the weekend was a rough one. Lots of nursing, lots of snuggling, lots of drives up the coast to try to get our little sickie to sleep and lots of reading books. It was so hot too that we spent parts of two nights down stairs in a nest we made with blankets. And after seeing this in a couple different places online, I knew we had to have one in our yard this weekend too. Gramma and Grandpa came to visit the little sick kiddo and cheer her up yesterday and we all tried our best to stay cool and relaxed. Hoping for a speedy recovery this week. I already feel like we’ve missed so much of summertime! It’s July 1st! AHHHH!!! (and rabbit, rabbit, rabbit).

-joining Amanda over at The Habit.

Weekending!

June 24, 2013 by Summer

Summer Solstice weekend. I had high hopes for the solstice but plans fell through and I got sick with a yucky head cold. Despite much pouting (by me) and disappointment, we managed to have a very nice weekend. I have one incredible husband and the best parents a girl could ask for. These three people helped create a great solstice dinner on saturday night (a great recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks), kept Miss Eloise busy and happy when Mama needed some rest, kept me well hydrated with plenty of warm, soothing tea and just are all around the greatest. I managed to get a Solstice Sun Softie made for Ellie and my mom surprised her with a beautiful dress she made! This will definitely NOT be the only dress she makes now that I know she can make them! I’ve put in my orders. In fact my two sisters and I all want matching dresses. My mom will certainly be busy this summer! I’m hoping with all the tea and liquids and cuddly baby and husband love I’m receiving I will be better in no time. I hate being sick, I don’t like resting and it’s officially summertime – I’m ready to play! Maybe next weekend.

How was your weekend?

-joining Amanda for weekending.

Weekending: Father’s Day Edition

June 17, 2013 by Summer

What a glorious weekend! Lots of sunshine! Lots of love and fun! Lots of beer!

Homemade granola, heavy baskets from the farmers market this week(we’re having company this week), and an oh-so-fun picnic in the park with friends. The strawberry shortcake in a jar was made with TLC by a lovely Mama, due to have her first-born any day now. Saturday ended with the regular bath hour and stories with Daddy.

Jeff’s first (official) Fathers Day. Ellie and I made him a book from this place. And Mommy wrote Daddy a note reminding him of all the things I love watching him do with his little girl. We had tea for breakfast and yogurt and homemade granola and then set out for a lovely morning walk/hike along a local beach path. Brunch was breakfast burritos and shakes from another local dive and some play time at the park for Ellie. We even got to visit the local brewery for a special Fathers Day beer.

We had my parents and sisters over for steak and potatoes (Daddies choice) and the joy led into the evening with chatting and play time in the yard. A beautiful Fathers Day Weekend if I do say so myself!

Cheers to all the Dads!

-joining Amanda for Weekending!