A day for us

I'm always amazed by how much beautiful wedding inspiration there is on the web these days. It almost makes me wish I could have a second go at mine. I didn't even own a computer when I was planning ours ( can you imagine ! ). Really though, at the risk of sounding cliche, it was a perfect day for us, and I wouldn't change much about it. We married at The Parador, here in Houston. It is a beautiful and historic building near the Museum District. So beautifully restored to its original glory. Our first view of the space was from the parking lot, through a garden gate. I took one look at the garden and said, "I don't care how much it costs, we have to get married here". And we did ... In case you weren't there ( and chances are, you weren't ), here's a look back.

Screen Door Love

I love old screen doors. I love the rusted screens and chipping paint. I love that long creak as the door gets pulled open, and the dull bang, bang, bang as it closes. I'm forever on the lookout for one to grace our back door. Until I find it, this idea from Design Sponge just might keep me sated. A chalkboard in an old screen door, why not? Now, I've only to find the wall space for it.  I think I might have better luck by using an old window frame instead ... hmmm, wheels turning.

From Design Sponge

Sound Escape

Do you know Pia? If you don't, you should. She has a new series of soundscapes on her web site, and they are not to be missed. They are keeping me calm and centered, even despite all of the turmoil that is hovering overhead ( from so many sources ). Listen for yourself, and let them take you to your own quiet place.

To hear them, just click here : Soundscapes

  

Voting for da pwesident

What an exciting way to start the day.  We all went to "vote for da pwesident". 

We didn't have to wait too long for our turn.

We had some playground time after we voted, just to celebrate the occasion.

Now, I'm going to hunker down, ignore all the news, ignore all the nastiness, and hope for the best ( for everyone ).

Love Strength Peace Hope

Someone very close to us is gravely ill. We are going to spend our days sending love, strength, peace, and hope his way. If you're reading this, please send some good thoughts and positive energy out into the universe. It makes a difference.

* Update *

Our loved one is making a dramatic turn for the better. Thanks so much for all of the good thoughts. We felt them !

Photo via NCSU

Kitchen Envy

I came across yet another great home tour on the Cookie Nesting blog today. I was especially drawn to the kitchen. It was so simple. Not fussy. Just sweet and cozy. Give me that any day over something generic and pricey. 

Later in the day, I checked out a favorite blog of mine, Door Sixteen, and she had seen the same kitchen ... and had the same thoughts too. I love it when that happens. I would love to make a cup of tea in any of these spaces.

cottage living magazine

cookie magazine

marie claire maison via Door Sixteen

marie claire maison via Door Sixteen

Minivan Confessions

I let my little girl go to the grocery store in her pajamas today.

My dream morning

Yves Montand - Les Feuilles Mortes

PS : The end of days must be upon us. If one does a google image search of Paris, more photos of Paris Hilton (GAG) come up than the city. So sad.

photos from rita crane, simon crebellier, mmp26, on flickr - and realbadfriend.

Birthday-A-Go-Go

Well, our little Evangeline turned 4 last Friday. We opted not to have an official party this year. Instead, we spread out the fun over a couple of weekends. The first one was spent riding the train with Granny & Granddad (here if you missed it). Then, this past Saturday, Mimi & Pops celebrated with us. We went to a restaurant called The Aquarium, we ate, we watched the fish, and rode more trains. For my little one, trains = a great time.

She helped make her cake, and generously offered to clean up the chocolate too.

If it looks like it might be dark outside those windows, that's because it was. Yes, we are the kind of parents who let their kid open all their birthday presents at 6:30 in the morning. Which isn't too bad for us, considering we were up and opening Christmas presents at 5 in the morning last year.

Wow, big reaction for the fake cookies ...

... and not quite the reaction I expected for the princess dress.

She got over it, and proceeded to wear this for 3 days straight.

Dueling picture taking with Mimi.

On the train, in the shark tunnel.

This thing jumped out of the water and scared the you-know-what out of everyone on the train. I worried that it would freak Evangeline out, but no, it made her laugh hysterically.

She was dying to go on the giant ferris wheel. I told her that Daddy would love to take her on it.

Her first, and assuredly not last, carousel ride.

FYI

Not too long ago, I added a few new blogs to my "Blogs I love" section, so be sure to check them out.

If you haven't been reading Annie's posts over at The Bunny Bungalow, I highly recommend that you do. Some of her most recent posts have just blown me away. So moving. Written so beautifully and thoughtfully that, at times, I get choked up reading them. Her words are so full of heart and wisdom. They're still floating around in my head days after reading them.

Also - if you need an apartment in Austin, AT has a cute one for you. Check it out on her blog, Keeping Austin Weird.

Petite Marie

Marie-Therese that is ... Marie Antoinette's only daughter, and the inspiration for one mom's Halloween costume masterpiece. Kind of amazing, non ?

You can read about it on her blog, Grosgrain .

Cinderella would be jealous

From Hallmark Magazine, found via Kirtsy

Ipod Shuffle - first 10 songs

1. My Favorite Things - The John Coltrane Quartet

2. Paris - Yael Naim

3. Simple Gifts - Yo-Yo Ma & Alison Krauss

4. Dear lonely Hearts - Nat King Cole

5. Somebody's Crying - Chris Isaak

6. Hello Hello - Dan Zanes & Friends

7. Real Live Bleeding Fingers - Lucinda Williams

8. Drivin' On 9 - The Breeders

9. I'll Be Seeing You - Rickie Lee Jones

10. Emanon - Dizzy Gillespie

Paris - Yael Naim

Hello Hello - Dan Zanes

Easy Money - Rickie Lee Jones

Somebody's Crying - Chris Isaak

Things I learned on Thursday

1. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to make your daughter a red birthday cake. An entire little bottle of red food coloring only got us to " dark pepto-bismol ". Live and learn.

2. When you forget to buy anything to decorate your daughter's birthday cake with, you can cut the tops off of marshmallows to make polka dots.

Best Costume Ever

Some super cool parents over at Nested, dressed their toddler girl up as Gallagher for Halloween ! I'm definitely putting that in the idea file for the next kiddo. 

PS : Her name is Penelope . Love it .

One down

This blog has been ellipsis free for 7 days. It's been a challenge for me, because my right ring finger really wants to go dotdotdot. I'm trying to improve myself, one bad habit at a time. I might have that one kicked. What's next? Oh dear, where to start. Aaagggh, I almost just did it again !

Where I need to be

That's it honey. Pack your bags. Load up the animals. Cancel the paper. We're moving to Fredericksburg, and we're going to live in this house. This 1880's stone farmhouse, with 18 inch thick limestone walls. It's dreamy.

My ( uh, I mean, the ) house sits on eight acres. I think that's just the right size for us to have a cow named killer, some cute chickens with a bright red coop, and some pygmy goats to keep the weeds in check. 

PS : If you've never seen a pygmy goat, feast your eyes on this. They are just about the cutest things on the planet. Only about the size of a smallish dog, so I ( uh, I mean, a person ) can have lots of them !

House can be found here, and pygmy goat info can be found here.