Sunday, February 27, 2011

Project 365: {55/365}


Waiting for mama to finish breakfast, she had tired of emptying the cupboards. Is it possible I fall a little more in love with her everyday?

Project 365: {54/365}


Mimi's word-of-the-moment is "dog-dog". On our walks each day I chase after her as she runs after every poor animal yelling in her husky voice. She was enamored with this squirrel because it was "talking" back to her. 



I am loving her age, she is so fun to hang out with and she is constantly surprising me with new vocabulary. This morning when she sneezed she said, "dis-do" {bless you}. Yet another melty moment. :)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Project 365: {53/365}


Meirabel signed "I love you" to me from across the room last night for the first time. {At first I thought she was pretending to be spiderman, true story.} :) When I finally figured out what she was doing I got so excited and started to praise her. She ran across the room and planted a big kiss on me. Melt-moment! 


Today on our walk I kept asking her to show me her "I love you" sign and I barely caught it in this frame. ♥

Project 365: {52/365}


I have always dreamt of having a little girl to play dress up with. It really struck me today the capacity at which that dream came true. It thrills my heart she already loves to play dress up, have tea parties and twirl in her dresses. Uncle Tyler brought her home the Minnie Mouse ears from his latest visit to Disneyland. And of course, Mimi loves them. ♥

Friday, February 25, 2011

Project 365: {51/365}


Today I made rice torte. It was a staple in our house growing up and since Mimi likes it we will be eating it often. It makes a great snack for a busy toddler and packs well when we are on the go. Enjoy!

Rice Torte

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice
1 10 ounce package frozen broccoli or spinach {I do half and half}
4 green onions finely chopped
1 cup jack cheese
5 whipped eggs
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 cube of butter
Salt and pepper

Preparation:

Mix all ingredients together and spread evenly in the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*This is a no-fail recipe. You can add different veggies and cheeses and the end result will still taste great! Personally, I love it paired with a green salad.

Project 365: {50/365}


Today it seemed there were more messes made than usual. I thought to capture a couple. 




Don't you know... Any "good" mess becomes a "great" mess when you fling it all over to ensure it has a far-reaching effect. {At least the foil and plastic wrap stayed in the drawer this time.}



Raining dish towels and washcloths!


She pretended she was in a tug boat for all of two minutes before she headed off on her next escapade. Before I know it I'm going miss the days I followed her to clean up these messes. 


Monday, February 21, 2011

Project 365: {49/365}


Nap time with her "pack-pack". It's this weeks obsession, thank you Auntie Kara. :) 

Friday, February 18, 2011

Project 365: {48/365}


Late morning we headed out so Mimi could check out the falling snow. {It did not stick at our house until late afternoon.} I adore this photo, Mimi and her Grammy were blowing kisses to each other.


She was more enthralled with the puddles and leaky gutters than she was with the white stuff falling from the sky.


Love the raindrops on her face.


You should have heard her shrieks of delight as she ran through the gutters. 


There was so much water and it was rushing so fast, she was delighted.


The snow began to stick while she was down for her nap. When she woke up she was running around the house freaking out saying, "Oh, mama", and pointing as looked out of the windows. It was amazing. :) Her first look. {Can you tell we are not accustomed to the snow by the lack of waterproof clothing.} 


Poor flowers. A week ago we were watering and pulling weeds and now this. :( Gotta love California weather.


Scrunch face = pleased and excited.


Poor guys. I hope they make it.


Chilly face from eating snow, she loved it.


So pretty, I wish it snowed more than once every few years.


I just delight in her. My heart is full.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Project 365: {47/365}


I've started reading The Supernatural Ways of Royalty for the fourth time and I am finally "getting it". :) Rather, I am in the right mindset and right place in my life to "get it". I find I'm spending a lot less time on the computer and a whole lot more time with my face in a book. I'm loving it!

Project 365: {46/365}


Bethel's new album came out today and it is amazing! I read a book and listened to it during my "mini vacation" today. {aka Meira's nap} 

Project 365: {45/365}


Happy Valentine's Day! This is Meirabel's valentine from me. I sure have grown fond of hearts now that I have my own little lady. Sadly we had to miss our Valentine's party this year so we could get my mom ready for her next round of chemo. Mimi and I made Chicken Parmesan for dinner and had heart shaped brownies and ice cream for dessert.

Project 365: {44/365}


Today was Mimi's first time using big kid markers and a glue stick. I think she ate more glue and drew on her arms more than she did on her daddy's valentine. :) 

Project 365: {43/365}



Today I went in to Sugarplum Cottage to interview the owner and snap a few pictures. I have been asked to write for a new magazine out of Chico that will launch in April. I can't wait to share more about it. :)

Project 365: {42/365}


They are predicting today is the last of the sunshine for quite some time. I went out to pull some weeds and trim back flowers, of course my helper was in tow. 




She sure makes tasks take 10 times longer but a whole lot more fun. 



It's getting increasingly difficult to get a picture of her since she is in "run" mode constantly. I love her zest and passion and am loving seeing everything through the eyes of a one year old.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Project 365: {41/365}


Caught her! I have been trying to sneak and take a picture of her without her knowing. She sits at her desk and reads books and plays. Everyday I marvel at how quickly she is learning and growing up.

Project 365: {40/365}


My sister and I's crazy clan... One day I hope they can take a decent picture together. Until then, we will get a good laugh at the ones we get. 




A rare family dinner out.




Some crazy balloon fun. {You should see the video, it's hilarious!} And yes, that would be ranch she put in her hair that made it stick up.

Project 365: {39/365}


Glow sticks in the bathtub. Yup, she loved it. :) 

Monday, February 7, 2011

Project 365: {38/365}


I just finished reading Heaven is for Real this afternoon. An easy read that caused me to cry at least a dozen times. It is the true story of a four year boy who during surgery made a visit to heaven. The story is told by the little boy's father and is incredibly heart warming. Pick up a copy, you will be glad you did.

Project 365: {37/365}


We played dress up today in some of the gifts she received for her birthday. A vision in fluffy, girly goodness... *Sigh*, I love having a girl. 






She already loves to twirl. :)




I cannot believe the daffodils are in bloom already! I keep waiting for the rain to show its face again but with the tulip trees beginning to bloom and the freesias sprouting I am beginning to doubt a little. Whatever is going on we are loving it!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Project 365: {36/365}


What a crazy, busy day! I had tons of shopping to do to get everything in order for my mom's next round of chemo on Monday. Mimi only got a quick nap in the ergo in Trader Joe's so she crashed out on her evening walk. She loves her sunglasses especially this heart pair. Thank you Target dollar section. :)

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Project 365: {35/365}


Today was a lazy, lay-on-a-blanket-in-the-grass kinda day. {I would not mind if Redding was this temperature year round.} We ate our meals outside, cuddled and played all day. 


It warms my heart that Mimi loves her babies. {Thank goodness I saved my childhood doll house and my trunk of dolls.} I thought this was precious as she was pretending to have her baby "suck" her thumb. Her baby on her chest just like her mama has always done to her. ♥

Friday, February 4, 2011

Project 365: {34/365}


The next generation of ya-ya's. {minus a few} Love each of these ladies, how fun and what a privilege it is to watch them grow up. 




This is a typical day on Carli's homestead. Never a lack of children, food, laughter or tears. Where eclectic attire and imaginations run free and dreaming and relaxation are a requirement. 







A little hammock love in the sunshine.


This is the reason Mimi & Mum did not get her post yesterday. "Mum" went and enjoyed some wine and live music with these lovely ladies. {plus Carli S} 


It was my first time leaving Mimi. {she was only 4 blocks away} She lasted a couple hours and I did better than I thought I would. :) All in all it was a beautiful day that let my love tank feeling very full. ♥

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Project 365: {33/365}


It's true. I held her a little closer as she fell asleep tonight. This evening was one of those reality check moments. 


Mimi's daddy came to visit so I passed her to him so I could finish dinner. As I was taking her dinner out to the playroom I looked up hoping to catch a glimpse of the sherbet colored sunset from the front window. Something else caught my eye, flames. I had to do a triple-take to make sure I was seeing right. Sure enough, the hedge that borders the front of the property and the trunk of the huge pine tree were on fire. I rushed to the playroom and all I could say was, "Michael, fire." We both rushed outside and quickly worked to put the fire out. Crisis averted, Michael saved the day.


I hate to think what 5 minutes more would have looked like. Even in the couple minutes that lapsed between me spotting the fire and it being put out it had flared and taken off. The dry pine needles on the ground and the sap from the tree were perfect fuel. Thank you Jesus it played out as it did. There is no way I could have put that fire out on my own had it happened during another part of the day.



Forty-five minutes prior to the fire we were out playing with sidewalk chalk and Mimi was "chatting" with the neighbors. 






A little taste of the chalk is always necessary. :) 


All in all, it was another beautiful day of sunshine. I made Pasta alla Vodka for dinner and a frittata and cookies for tomorrow morning's ya-ya breakfast. Yay for ya-ya time. :)