...as i see it

wii fit cracks me up...

this is not an unusual scene in my family room. does it make you smile too??

 

 

 

have a great weekend.

namaste...
 

two heads are better than one...

there was some question as to whether or not the dogs would get along. they are pretty different on all fronts. size, age and temperament.

but after living together for just a few days, they have become fast friends. here they are trying to have the same dream snoozing beside me while i work on my computer.

aren't they sweet?

 

AND... i have big news, people! my new website is in the works. yeah! i am hoping to go live by wednesday. i'll keep you posted...

 

feeling the love...

thank you so very much to all of you for making me feel like a princess on my birthday.

so far, it has been a really good one. filled w/ first thing in the morning hugs and kisses, homemade cards, friends, flowers, paddle and puppies (i have TWO now, you know).

the flowers are amazing (for real). i love fresh flowers anytime of year, but there is something very special about gorgeous fresh flowers on your desk in january. thank you!

the FB stream of happy birthdays is pretty cool, too.

i am looking forward to spending tonight with my very favorite ever people. some pizza, some tiki topple**, maybe even a movie rental. my cup runneth over...

xoxo

 

 

 

my TWO puppies. ok, the little one isn't really mine. (we're dog sitting.) but i like having two puppies. hey, that gives me an idea...
 

**in case you are unfamiliar, tiki topple is a very cool game (thank you katie and brad) that we have been playing a lot lately. you can buy it here. 

it's love...

i had the pleasure of meeting up w/ these two lovebirds this morning.

lots of good lovin' going on with them. you know, the i really love you and can't wait to marry you kind. so much fun...

a few snaps:

 

 
 

E is for ELLA

i love these fun templates. i am thinking about spelling her name + printing them on canvas squares + hanging them in her bedroom (for a special valentine's day surprise). they are also really cute for thank you cards, or birthday invitations. 

you can buy them here.

what do you think?

 

milo hilton (aka: runs with deer)

everyday our neighbor feeds and waters the local deer population. and everyday, milo parks himself in front of this window to watch.  i'm pretty sure he is trying to earn his indian name... runs with deer. 

if only i would open the door at just the right moment. 

hope you had a great weekend.

 

and just like that, he is 12.

 12 years ago he was born as the sunshine filled the delivery room. not a little bit of sunshine... i remember the doctor remarking that it was SO bright for a january morning. 

and ever since, he has continued to fill our lives with his special brand of sunshine. (and it's really good stuff, people.) happy birthday sweet noah. may all your birthday wishes come true.

 

and happy birthday to you...

happy birthday mr. sunshine! i can not believe you have been lighting up my days for 12 years. lucky lucky me.

(more on this 12 year old tomorrow)

 

snowed in...

what to do on a very snowy weekend in pittsburgh? (sans steeler playoff game)?

eat, naturally.

what did you do?

 can you see the snowflakes that have frozen on his eyelashes?

yummy mediterranean veggie wrap. lots of chickpeas and sundried tomatoes. all rolled up in a piece of oven heated naan. this is good, people. you might want to try this one. you can get the book here.  just so you know, i don't think this cookbook is particularly simple, or everydayish. but this recipe is quite simple (hence, my making it on our snow weekend). 

 wash it all down with our new favorite cocktail. fill glass w/ lots of ice, add this yummy orange flavored sparkling water + a splash of cranberry juice + a slice of orange, just to be a fancy pants. 

 for the carnivores... the perfect pot roast. you can find the recipe in this book. very easy. i'm told it was quite yummy. i served it with mashed potatoes. boys say it's a keeper.

 what is this? dessert, folks. it is caramel popcorn. it is crazy good. i'm not kidding. i didn't even think i liked caramel popcorn. you can find the recipe on her blog. also, her book is fantastic. i loved it. you should buy it. (i must be feeling a little bossy today).

 

then... we headed out to hartwood acres' dog park. 

wait for me you stinkin' boys!!!

it is SO beautiful here @ hartwood. another reason to be thankful for my dog. because he makes me come here (often), and i'm so happy i didn't miss this day and the snow and the shadows... 

unprepared...

when ben was born, i felt a lot of things. i felt thrilled and thankful. elated and nervous. tired and overwhelmed. but mostly i was just in love with him. in love with him and, well... unprepared.

i guess that's the way it is with a first baby. no matter how much you read or hear about being a mom - it's just not the same as when the hospital sends you home with the smallest, bestest bundle you could imagine. (and no owner's manual)

we were very lucky because the mister and i really went at it as a team. and we had lots of help and support from our family. and gram was, after all, our next door neighbor...

but still. 

he was so small and so big @ the same time. i SO wanted to do a good job - be the best mom i could be. 

who would have thought i would still have the same feeling fourteen years later? the teenage landscape is new. we will blaze the trail together, i guess. i still SO want to do a good job. SO want to be the best mom i can be.

one thing hasn't changed. i'm still mostly just in love with him. in love with him and, well... unprepared.

14 here we come are!

 

 

**** AND... happy birthday to you, brad. we think you are terrific and wish you a very happy year!!!

birthday boy and his beautiful family, november 09