some kind of wonderful

First, let me say how wonderful it is to start the day with an English muffin slathered with cream cheese and homemade strawberry jam! The jam was a gift from Kari&kids, and it is seriously the most freshest jam (yes, it deserves TWO superlatives) I've ever eaten. It's like you put it in your mouth and your tastebuds say "Well, hello there...where have you been all my life????"

We had a great time for M's 17-month birthday! We don't usually celebrate the months but I figured, "Why not?" In fact, why don't we all celebrate the months? It's a wonderful idea! So...my next month-birthday will be next week...lavish gifts can be sent to....

The day started with a b-day candle in his banana...a gig we had to repeat at least a thousand times:

The big blow:
We trekked to the mailbox for some key&lock free-for-all, which means M got to spend all the time he wanted putting our mail key in every lock he could reach. Pure bliss! Later we stopped by the store for some new kicks since he has already outgrown his summer shoes!!! Finally, we ducked into the hardware store for the big treat: a bolt w/ washers and nut...and paint samples!

Don't worry, the hardware is too big for swallowing...but fun for his little fingers! And the paint samples....well, he LOVES them. M will take paint cards and one by one hold them up on the wall while all the time jabbering away. I like them because it's a fun way to talk about colors.

SPAGHETTI SAUCE UPDATE: ok...we tried the sockarooni and, while the taste was good, it was a little (OK, a LOT) too chunkalicious for us. I pretty much cut the jar in half when I strained out all of the chunky whatnot. But next time we are trying the recommended Paul Newman's Marinara!!!

You've Got Mail

Matthew and I often walk down the road to the mailbox, and today I took my camera along. I don't have time to upload all the photos, so to view them please click here and click on the "you've got mail" album. There is even a "rock" photo by Matthew!

RE: the foyer. The foyer would be excellent if I hadn't used the blue painter's tape. I have NEVER used it in the past but, since I have virgin walls, I decided to be extra cautious. Well, due to our super duper textured walls, the tape must not have stuck correctly...paint seeped through...so now I have to do trim work. BUMMER! The color turned out nice. It looks different throughout the day and actually runs the gamut of green-gray-brown. But now the house looks really funny since it is all white except for the foyer! I'll post a photo soon.

The weekend is over....

Photos from behind our house:




What you really came to see:

We chilled out this weekend. Scott & Matthew watched the Masters, and I actually started painting the foyer! Yes, the "white house" now has a smidge of color. A smidge of Ralph Lauren Cobblestone in matte. Little paint samples had been taped to the wall for some time now, so I figured I might as well just make it official and actually buy some wet paint. Of course, with a baby in the house you can only paint like 1 square foot at a time...but it's getting there!

Painting Party!

We bought a new home with much more wall space then our last. I'm not gifted in interior design...I know what I like & don't like, but I can't walk into an room and picture it fully decorated. It's like I have two left eyes or something. And I have trouble committing to art on my walls...it has to mean something to me or I get bored with it quickly. At my friend's suggestion, I bought blank canvases, acrylic paints, and invited a few friends over for a "painting party." After I filled their stomachs with goodies, we sat down to create our masterpieces. It was such a fun way for everyone to tap into their creative side...each gal's piece really reflects her personality! Now I have art on my wall that is original AND very special to me.

One of the friends is actually an artist...a beautiful person and a beautiful artist. We have sheep (that we LOVE) in the field next to our backyard, and she willingly took on the assignment to paint them for us. I have also included a painting she did of her dog. If anyone is looking fro a unique gift, you may consider having her paint an original for you!

So here are photos from the party and of my friend's work.