We're back!

We're back from our whirlwind adventures.  We had such a great time... We danced til our feet hurt... and then danced some more. Our little 1-year old traveled like a rock star.  We admired the changing colors of fall leaves.  We drank in some cool autumn air.  We made new memories with old friends and family. We watched my brother and sister-in-law say "I do". Babies were passed from lap to lap.  Brothers, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins were loved on. Good times were had by all. 

And now we are home.  Home sweet home.  The Texas heat has finally given in and succumbed to some cooler temps.  I love this time of year.  And while loads of laundry have taken over my house, it feels good to be home.  To get back to the normalcy of my life. A hot cup of coffee followed by a long morning walk.  Naps on schedule.  My favorite spot on the couch that fits my body just right.  Falling asleep in my own bed. Yep, it is good to be home.

Photo via Mary Ruffle

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Guest Post: What I am loving

Hello!  This is Jessica from Literaria.

What I am loving these days... I am loving the Bonfire Nights candle that Colleen, David, and Little B brought me on their trip to Dallas last June.

It smells like fall even when the nights are still so warm.  And the wick crackles like a real fire.  It puts me in a September mood and warms my heart with memories of my dear friends.

I can't wait until they come visit again!!

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Guest Post: Traveling with baby

Hello there, this is Pansy from Origami Bug.

Colleen, I trust your trip is going swimmingly. I trust this because I know you. I also know that my baby is a champion traveler when a plane is involved.

I know Little B will love her new adventure. She will love traveling so close to her mama and daddy. She might also like taking sneaky photos of hipsters wearing a “helmet” made from metallic fabric.

I love traveling with the exception of packing. I wrestle with “pack light” and “always be prepared”. Whatever I am, I just like to REALLY be that. So balanced packing is difficult for me. Since the baby has arrived, raise that to the tenth power. M loves to pack. Let me rephrase, she loves to unpack and finds joy in watching me over pack, unpack and repack.

Since you are headed north, you just might get to experience a bit of fall earlier! You and I are both fall lovers and you know what that means:

Just kidding, it means dressing your baby in more layers of ridiculousness. Is it Fight Club or is it Muppet Mania? Regardless, it is certainly fall.

Here are some tips that help me when I travel:

Check a bag. With baby stuff, don’t even try to carry all on. This will add years to your life. Just take the bare essentials on the plane. They weight a good 60 pounds anyway. Carry no liquids and no gels other than hand sanitizer and medication. If you want a breast milk backup plan. Just buy milk at Starbucks or bring single serving shots of formula. Change the diaper just before boarding the plane. Even if you changed just a half hour ago. It might save you from having to perform the contortionist act of changing baby in the smallest space in the world... while moving 500 miles an hour. Buy one new toy and one new book. You are not above bribery. If there is crying, worry only about the baby. The majority of the people on flights are parents; they have all been there. But, the outspoken people tend to get more press. Just remember the make up of B’s target audience: people who don’t mind. The others are more annoying than any baby crying. If all else fails, find a good friend and have one of these. Works every time.

Congrats to the family and cheers to your first big trip with Little B!

May the skies be friendly and your family safe!

See you on the flip side,

Pansy

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One year ago

Little B,

Hooray!!! Today is your birthday.  You are now 1 year old.  I remember when you looked like this.  So small.  So cute.  So brand spankin' new.

I think back to that day when you were born and so much of it was a blur.  I remember when my water broke the night before, I just looked at your daddy with a huge smile on my face and said "It's go time."  We were so ready for you.  My body had been waiting 9 long months, but my heart had been waiting forever.  I get teary-eyed writing this because I remember how badly I wanted to meet you, my very own little girl.  I could not wait to see what you looked like, smelled like, sounded like. 

And when they put you in my arms, the world stopped.  Everything and everyone around me became a blur.  I only had eyes for you.  We just stared at one another, soaking in the moment, knowing that we belonged to one another.  I never believed in God more than I did in that one moment.

And now, 1 whole year later.  My chubby girl of delicious energy who rolls her Rs, has the most wonderful silky curls, is constantly laughing, and has the most breathtakingly beautiful eyes I have ever seen... How did I get so lucky?

We made it, kid.  We made it 1 whole year.  And not only did we make it, we had one awesome time of it. We have had some great adventures in this past year and I can not wait to see what fun we will have next.

So cheers to you, Little B.  Happy Birthday!

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Birthday, wedding, a giveaway... oh my!

Tomorrow is my baby girl's birthday.  I am mess of emotions - Sad that she is not a little baby who needs me as much as she used to. Happy to see this independent, cute 1 year old standing before me.  I wonder if all her birthdays will be this sentimental or if the first one just packs a punch.

We have a lot to celebrate this weekend - a 1st birthday, a wedding, lots of family getting together.  It is going to be great!

But before I go catch a plane, there's a giveaway winner to announce!  A jar of scrumptious lavender peach butter to make fall mornings that much sweeter.

Jess from Good Girl Gone Glad
Happy Blogaversary! Your little girl is such a doll!

My list: My 3 sweet babies, who I can't get enough of.
Creative time I got to have over this past
weekend
sweet tea =)

Have a great week!

Congratulations Jesse!  Please email your info to knight.colleen@gmail.com.

Photo via Bottom of the Ironing Basket

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Martha Stewart October Issue

Rumor has it that the most anticipated magazine of the year (at least for me) is on its way to my house.  Yep, that's right.  It is the time of year for the Martha Stewart Living October issue (aka - Halloween issue).  As crazy as Martha is, I have to respect a woman that loves Halloween as much as she does.  I wouldn't say that we could ever be friends, because she kind of scares me.  But she could definitely live on my block and I would go trick-or-treating at her house.

I can not wait to get my hands on this issue.  David and I already have an understanding.  When this issue shows up on my doorstep, he is in charge of Little B and everything else while I sit somewhere and enjoy uninterrupted time to read this magazine cover to cover.  And with Project Spooky Baby Shower in the works, I hope to steal some amazing ideas that only Martha Stewart could come up with.

In anticipation of this next great October issue, check out some past year's covers.

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Book Desk

Look at this heavenly photo that my friend P stumbled upon.  A desk made out of books.  I bet this desk has that glorious smell of old books.  That smell that Barnes and Noble would have if they did not cover it up with the smell of coffee.

Thank you for sharing this with me, P.  Yes, I do enjoy it.  Very, very much.

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Nutella Ice Cream

We all know that Nutella is one of the best things ever invented.  And over on Sassy Radish, they agree and have decided to take Nutella to the next level with Nutella Ice Cream.  Can I get an "Amen"?!  I can not wait to try this recipe out.

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Happy Birthday sweet blog

Today I have been blogging for one year.

One year ago today, I was 5 days away from having my first baby.  I was swollen, huge, feeling sorry for myself, had forgotten what my toes looked like, and could barely do anything... except write.  And so that is what I did.  I started this blog as a way to keep sane while I was on hiatus from my normal, active, moving-around-a-lot activities.

What one accomplishes in a year.  I have fallen in love again with writing.  I became a mother.  I have learned that the simple things are what will make you smile the biggest.  I have been challenged to focus on the good, which in turn brings more good.  And I have created so many new friendships both online and off.  Life is good.

This blog has served as my daily check-in on all of the random thoughts brewing in my head.  Very cathartic in that way.  And when the world gets rough, because it just does that every so often, I come back to my sweet blog, my notebook of goodness that makes me smile, and remember all that I have learned in this one year.  And I think to myself, "focus on the good because it is always waiting right around the corner."

But the biggest cherry on top with this little, sweet blog...  People (outside of my family) actually tune in to read what I write about.  That blows my mind. I'm not interesting.  I am just like everyone else - I have bills to pay, a dishwasher to unload, and a baby to chase after.  It is very humbling.  What started as something just for me to document our lives and capture those small little moments with words and pictures has become so much more.  The fact that I can connect and have a conversation with someone that I have never met and lives thousands of miles away is just pure greatness.  It makes me feel like the world, in all its craziness, is still pretty dang wonderful.  So I guess what I am trying to say in my rambling way of doing things... Thank you.

Thank you for reading.  Thank you for all your great comments.  I love reading those.  Thank you being a follower. And thank you for your kind emails. They all make my day, put a smile on my face and an extra bounce in my step.  For I feel as if I find kindred spirits in those little connections.  And kindred spirits all around... well, that is just what makes this life worth living.

And in honor of my 1 year blogiversary, I am offering a gift.  Nothing too fancy.  Just a little something to say thank you for dropping by.  So here is how it will work: Leave a comment on this post and tell me 3 things that are making you smile this week. Then I will randomly select a winner. I will post the winner and that winner will email me their address so I can send them a jar of Lavender Peach Butter.  And let me just say, this Lavender Peach Butter is dip-the-spoon-directly-into-the-jar-good.  My husband is not very happy about one of these bad-boys leaving our home.  But hey, I am all about sharing.  He will get over it.

My list of smiles this week are:

• The comfort and security of holding my husband's hand, knowing that no matter what, we are in it together
• Lavender peach butter (c'mon, you saw that coming)
• And loving on this one so much that it hurts

See how easy that was!  I can't wait to read yours.

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Dear mother nature...

Sometimes I hate September.  While the rest of the US gets ready for cooler temps, dusting off their fall jackets and watching the leaves turn colors, Texas has another month of brutal summer temps.  And September, to me, kind of likes to rub it in my face.

The stores bring out their fall clothes, autumn wreaths start popping up on doors, and you even start to see Halloween costumes on display.  It makes me want to whip out my vanilla cookie candles and fire up the stove to make pot roast and chili.  But September in Austin, it is still too dang hot for that kind of talk.  And for that reason, I find that I get into a kind of funk during September.  It is this weird limbo between summer and fall.  Every day I wake up and watch to see if this will be the day that a glorious cold snap will come and let me celebrate fall properly with the rest of the nation.

Last September, our glorious cold snap came the evening that my water broke.  Little B was on the way.  Cold snap, water breaking... related?  Heck yeh.  So while I was huffing and puffing, pushing a baby out, everyone else was dancing in the streets drinking their pumpkin spice lattes.  Okay, that might be a little dramatic.  People probably weren't dancing... but they were happy and they were drinking pumpkin spice latte while wearing their really great, fancy brown fall boots.  What I am trying to say is that I feel like I missed out in all the fall fun.  And for the rest of the fall, I was heads down, completely absorbed with a new baby.  A meteor could have hit the earth and I probably would not have known.

I know what you are thinking... "C'mon Colleen, you had a bright, shiny new baby."  You are right, absolutely right.  I would not trade Little B for a cold front or anything else for that matter.  But all I am saying is that I have been waiting a while to enjoy my favorite season of the year.

And I so ready for it.  I am ready to put a pumpkin on my porch without worry that it might cook while sitting out there.  I am ready to drink pumpkin spice lattes without breaking a sweat.  And I am ready to be able to take Little B to the park in the middle of the day without fear that she might have a heat stroke.  I am so ready.

So Mother Nature... pretty, pretty please.  Can you send a cold front my way a little sooner that usual?  I have been a very good girl this year.  And I will make you the best pumpkin bread you ever did taste as an offering, if you just do this one little thing.

Photos via la douleur exquise, Starbucks, Country Living, Censational Girl

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Pantry love

So as I mentioned before here and here, I am on an organization kick these days, especially in the pantry. There is something fabulous about knowing that you have the makings to feed an entire marching band or whip up a wonderful dish to serve the President should he happen to drop by one day.  You never know.  It could happen.

Anyways, I digress.  Check out these lovely pantries.  Don't these inspire you to clean off that coating of dust off of that can of tomato paste that you have had for 2 years?

Photo credits: Womans Day, Container Store, Country Living

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Adventures in canning

The canning inspiration bug has hit me hard.  And there is only 1 person/blog to blame... Dig this chick.  I think I may actually have a girl crush on her.  She is like that super cool senior that is so pulled together and hip and can do no wrong, while you are sporting stringy hair and the ugly pale brown corduroys that you mom makes you wear.

Anyways, I digress.  Back to the canning adventure.  So after reading Nici's blog, I was inspired to try my hand at peach butter.  White peaches were on sale for 58 cents a pound...awesome!  Oh yeh, I got some plums too.  But more on that later. After packing up the mini cooper with peaches, dusting off my huge stock pot, and giving myself a "you can do this" pep talk, I fired up the gas stove and got to work.

First I hot flashed the peaches in boiling water, followed by an ice bath, in order to easily remove the skins.  Then I removed the pits and threw the peaches into a pot.  So far so good.  I am feeling confident.  Then you are supposed to bring to boil and add sugar.  I added a little extra something too... lavender.  Anyways, after it boils, you bring the heat down to a simmer and let the peaches cook for 10 minutes, puree them, and then let them cook for an hour or so more.  So I did all this, but at an hour, my peaches were still very runny.  Delicious, but runny.  So I turned up the heat and let cook for another hour and a half.  I finally got a good consistency.

But holy smack, the house was hot and both Little B and I were sweating like crazy.  And I am not talking about a little bit of cute perspiration.  Oh no, we were disgusting.  Note to self, canning is rough business in the Texas heat.  And the kitchen... well that looked like a peach tornado hit it.  Little B probably had little pieces of pureed peach in her hair.  But hey, at least she smelled good and had something delicious to munch on while watching her mom make a total mess. 

So we wrapped up the job... sterilized the jars, loaded them up with peach buttery goodness, and put them into the boiling water canner.  I felt so proud as I heard each of the lids pop signaling canning success.

Look at these beauties.  I am so excited.  I feel like I has just been initiated into a super-exclusive, kick-ass canning club.  Maybe my stringy hair isn't so stringy today.  And those brown corduroy pants, well, maybe I actually look pretty fabulous after all.

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Travelogue: Seattle (2006)

Seattle is one of those places that David and I put on the list of "other places that we could live".  It seems to have a similar vibe as Austin in that the people are diverse, there is a love of outdoors, and the city can be a little quirky.  The climate is very different, but that is not such bad thing when dealing with a hot Texas summer.

The last time I was in Seattle, it was November and I went to visit my friend, Sara.  Sara and I have known each other since high school when I plopped down next to her in Spanish AP class and realized that we were the only two fair girls in the room.  We both had that innocent look, but also had a mischievous personality that got us into quite a bit of trouble.  We became instant friends and have been close ever since.

The trip to see her was awesome.  The whole time the weather was misty and overcast... and I could not be happier.  The rain did not  stop us.  We grabbed our hoodies and checked out all that this great city had to offer.  We hiked and kicked up leaves that were as big as my face. We visited Pike's Place to see the fish be thrown and check out all the cool little shops.  We enjoyed a long, wonderful evening of dinner and wine at an amazing seafood place right on the water.  Nothing better than great conversation watching the boats go by as the sun sets in the background.  And of course we drank our weight in coffee at a number of the local coffee shops.

I was sad when it was time to leave Seattle.  The trip was great.  And whether it was great because of our adventures, the stunning scenery, or that I was with one of my best friends, or maybe the coffee was just that amazing, it does not matter.  I found a kindred spirit in a city that weekend.

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Be my guest

 

As I mentioned in my previous post, we are off to soak in some family time very soon.  And so, I will be away from the blog.  But you don't think I would just leave you high and dry.  Of course not.  I would never do that to you.  So with that said, I am now accepting guest bloggers for when I am away. Email me with your unique, lovely idea for a guest post.  

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Travel angst

The to-do list is in high gear this week.  Very soon, we are traveling to see my last brother get married.  We are so excited to hang out with family, pass babies from lap to lap, retell funny family stories that we have all heard at least 20 bijillion times already, watch Little B be the most awesome flower girl ever, and, of course, watch my brother say "I do".

But right now, I am a busy bee trying to get us all packed.  And in addition to that, I am having a bit of angst.  This is Little B's first trip on an airplane.  I have heard horror stories about screaming babies, car seat checking nightmares, diaper blow-outs, and crazed moms that could burst into flames at any moment.  I don't want to be flameable.  So what is a girl to do?

I need your words of wisdom.  What are your tips and tricks that will keep me from hyperventilating with a demon baby strapped to me?

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No fun for anyone

Oy!  Let me tell you something, teething is a doozy.  Not only for the little one that is directly affected, but also anyone that is in close proximity that to that little one.  This is what teething looks like, my friends.   It is no fun for anyone.

So to all you mommas out there, I need your tips, tricks, and crazy voodoo chants as what will work to bring a smile back to my baby girl's face.  Leave me a comment and let me know what has worked for you.

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A laid-back weekend

This weekend will go down in the books as a good one.  We did not have much going on.  But sometimes those weekends are the best.  It was nice to not have an itinerary.  No visitors to entertain.  No places that we have to be.  To just hang out and wait and see where the days take us.

Now that is not to say that we just sat around.  No way.  We were busy, getting little things done here and there.  Marking items off the to-do list, followed up by being bums on the couch.

First stop, the Farmers Market.  Even though it was crazy hot, it proved to be a successful outing.  We stocked up on eggs, zucchini, honey, swiss chard plants, and a huge box of ugly tomatoes that will be perfect for homemade spaghetti sauce.  Austin Farmers Market is pretty cool.  You can get anything from soap to art to tomatoes to fresh baked bread. There is always live music.  A face painting station is set up for the kiddos.  And the people are super nice.  I can not wait until the weather cools off a bit.  It will be so nice to spend a morning there walking around with a hot cup of coffee in my hand.

Apparently, the Farmers Market was just too much excitement for Little B.  But she sure did look cute in her little sun bonnet and mouth wide open.  I think at one point I saw a little drool coming out.

My mom and I tried our luck at making peach butter for the first time.  And I can proudly say that we now have all of these glorious jars of yummy peach butter tucked into my pantry.  More on that coming soon.

Of course, we watched some football.  That is a given on any good fall weekend.  But you already saw evidence of that.

We spent loads of time chasing after this one.  She is everywhere these days.  And when she sees you coming, she speeds up.  Who needs the gym when you have a baby around?  Her favorite new activity... opening and closing the doors.  Hours of entertainment have been spent opening and closing a cabinet door, just to realize that the towels are still inside.  It is fun to watch her get excited about those dang towels every single time.

And finally we are rounding out this lovely weekend with hamburgers on the grill, iced cold beer, and homemade brownies.  Yep, this weekend was a good one.

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