Holly In My Hair

My poor hubby has a hard time with the sun. These make me laugh :)

I heard a quote this week that really applied to me..."Never give up on something you think about everyday".

Traditionally our nephews Ethan and Tommy came to help decorate the tree. These boys are just amazing, I feel privileged to know them and share life with them!!

Some of my favorite Christmas ornaments. Mr. Frog was given to Trent as a child by his grandmother. Naturally Vader is on our tree. Jane Austen given to me by a fellow enthusiast. Owls from Pottery Barn.

The first ornament Trent & I got after getting married. He is still my prince charming.

The babies first Mickey outfits! A gift from Aunt Cassie and Uncle Stephen from their recent trip to Disneyland.

What Love looks like. My dream boat niece Edith.

My little mommy Juniper, this girl has the most amazing imagination, I think she'll be a writer someday.  Love her so much!

So far this pregnancy has produced some not so good days and some really happy ones, this was a happy one :)

Edith

Buzzy Baby Bee

My Beautiful new niece Edith Posy

Baby Owl :)

And I'm Melting!!!

Uncle Trent's in Love Again

Uncle Andrew indulging Junpier with her Princess Puzzle

Cousin Tommy

Sleeping Beauty

Cousins Juniper, Tommy and Ethan in a common occurrence wrestling match!

The many faces of Joon

Sisters

Juniper just loves "her baby"!!!

Uncle Trent is the kids puppet, hee hee.

This girl loves her Fruit & Veggies!

Emily and her Edith

Welcome to the world Precious One :) I love you SO MUCH!

Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you. ~Walt Whitman

~DOUBLE CLICK TO ENLARGE IMAGES~

These books were my best friends this semester. I had the privilege of taking a class on J.R.R Tolkien’s works. It was really neat to be in a class with fellow enthusiasts. Together we covered in detail, The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and other works. It’s already two weeks into summer and I’m already missing that class and all the papers that I complained about. My final paper was on Aragorn’s journey towards kingship. The hours I spent poring over this paper paid off. This is part of an email that my professor emailed me that almost had me in tears. "You marshaled an impressive array of research about kingship and got in more of the background of Aragorn than I have ever been acquainted with, so it was an enlightening piece for me. The most interesting and analytical part of the paper is about how Aragorn's kingship results in the "physical and spiritual restoration of the realm." I like the clarity of the writing, and you taught me a new word: "pridian." Actually two: "restaurare" was the other."

Enjoying warm outside time. Bottom left is Willowmina's Vampire face that we've been trying to capture forever now. It's actually kind of scary at night when her eyes are dilated. I work at a zoo and come home to a zoo, I love it, I love them.

Artichokes from earlier in the season, thank you Laura Panfilio! Chamomile from the Farmers Market makes the best tea. Steal cut oats is our new morning thing, with strawberries from our garden.

Now that the weather is fab, we've been enjoying meals outside.

Another Gnome door by Trent. This one was for his mom for mothers day, she loved it.

I get to come home to this view everyday, I love where I live!! Fresno is like a big town with little towns in it. Fig Garden is a little town of it's own, and one of my personal favorites! I have Whole Foods, the Chipotle with the best vibe in town, and my awesome church all a quick bike ride away! And Little Tim the friendly squirrel, see him?

The Season of Love

The evening view out my living-room window.

Kate Spade goes Jane Austen

I have never owned an expensive designer purse in my life. I never thought spending that much money on a brand was worth it. However, I came across this purse the other day and thought if I ever made an exception it would be on this one. In reality I will never actually buy this purse, but I like to imagine that someday someone will buy it for me *heehee*. This is a Jane Austen inspired Kate Spade, and a limited edition beauty. The design is very unique and creative. If there ever was a worthy purse, it's this one! Here is a link in case you're interested in purchasing it for me :)---> Emma Purse

Our Ninja Turtle & Some Other Stuff

We let Shadowfax out a couple times a week to stretch his legs, didn't know this was a possibility! He was still climbing while I took the picture. Of course Dusty thought this was very interesting. My animals are super hero's!!

Organic produce from the farmers market around the corner. We are blessed to live in such a fertile Valley.

Trent tilled up the soil, preparing it for this season. Dusty found some onion sprouts, still good.

I've been obsessed with grapefruit this month! Luckily my parents have plenty of grapefruit and oranges in their backyard :)

We drink LOTS of tea around here. This is one of our favorite brands. The tea comes in these silk bags that let you see all the goodness that's inside.

http://www.twoleavesandabud.com

Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

I first read this story when I was 21, and it had such an effect on me that I've never forgotten it! This is my all time favorite short story! It just so happens that it's mildly based on Bob Dylan's song "It's all over now baby blue", which is my all time favorite Bob Dylan song too!

I had my sister read it when she was in high school and it made her scared to sleep at night for a while. It's not that it's a scary story, it's just that it evokes a sense of restlessness in the vivid reader (which my sister and I both are).

I came across it the other day and read it again for the ump-teenth time, and again it blew me away. Their is so much to be said about the plot the characters and theme, but I won't say it because I want you to read it! And please, let me know what you think? Good, bad, not sure? Do tell!

Story Link:
http://jco.usfca.edu/works/wgoing/text.html

...are we writing yet?

Writers all need motivation, I know I do! I saw this video on another writers blog and it really inspired me. These are some big names in the writing community. It was nice to hear their encouraging words, especially Alice Hoffman, because I love her!