The Burkett Family

Prince of Peace

2011-12-24T21:14:00.000-06:00

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor,

Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas 2011

2011-12-19T19:46:00.003-06:00

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

2 Corinthians 9:15

Holly Jolly!

2011-12-14T18:09:00.004-06:00

Lately . . .

2011-12-06T20:07:00.001-06:00

After school, we play and eat organic oreos. It's hard to beat!

2011-11-28T17:10:00.001-06:00

It's nearly December. There is an ornament on the kid's tree that happily ticks away the days until Christmas. It's reading something insane like twenty-seven days.

November was good. There were, as usual, some blips on the radar. But it was still good. And I am so thankful.

I successfully hosted thanksgiving. As a first timer, I rather despised the frequent {eleven total} trips to the grocery store. The food was wonderful {Mom gets credit for the dressing . . . to die}. My dining room was so pretty, sporting it's Blue Aves china and my great-grandmother's white linens. I completely cheated on the turkey--bought rotisserie and put it in the crock-pot. It was amazing. Coco & Dustin & Paigers came, too, so it was a full house. Ben couldn't believe I didn't make corn. He insisted corn was an integral part of any Thanksgiving feast. Next year, Ben, I promise you corn. I just could not go to HEB again.

One of the aforementioned blips is that my parents have decided to move back to Midland, their former stomping ground of nearly forty years. The two years with them here have been nothing short of magical. As their child, I would like very much to throw myself at their feet and scream and cry until they give in and decide to stay. As Ben & Cameron's mother, however, I must put on my brave face and set a good example and remind them that we'll visit. Lots.

Currently four little monkeys are scampering about the second floor of this happy house. Two sweeties from next door frequent us, begging only for company & cookies. We happily oblige.

I am sitting in my office, the Christmas tree is completely lit up next to me, and dinner is already made. For this, I am thankful. For the record, we've assembled the tree this early one other time in our nearly eleven year marriage.

There remains much to be done, from laundry to life-lessons. Blogging is somewhere on the list. Just quite a bit lower than laundry.

Back soon . . . After all, it's my list-making season, and it's cold outside. Generates lots of hot-coffee drinking, blogging and pinning time in the study with the sparkly tree.

Thankful, grateful, happy & blessed.

Ben in 10

2011-11-01T20:36:00.000-05:00

One. Ben lost his first tooth {naturally, the real first tooth loss was trauma-induced} with the help of his teacher, Mrs. Davis! Classic teacher moment . . . at lunch she explained perfectly how one might loosen their own tooth. She asked Ben if he could do it, he nodded, and politely pulled out his tooth and handed it to her!

Two. The other day I explained some mundane fact to him. His eyes lit up and he said, "Mom, do you know all the things?!!!!?"

Three. This child of mine LOVES babies. LOVES, LOVES, LOVES babies! We went to a birthday party the other day and there was a little fifteen month old baby girl. Ben got the biggest smiles from her--by speaking Spanish to her--which she understood perfectly!

Four. First shiner. Had a serious run-in with a bookcase in the classroom. The bookcase won by a landslide. These pictures are eight days post-injury.

Five. Halloween was kind of a bummer for my Benjamin. A yucky cold {mine}, a crummy cough {Cam's} and a cold/cough combo {his} put a serious damper on Halloween festivities. He was so happy to dress up, have his picture taken, and pass out candy to the neighborhood kids. He answered the door like a pro, and told the sweet trick-or-treaters that he was giving them candy with red dye in it, because if he ate it it made him act crazy!

Knight in Shining Armor {Halloween 2011}

Six. I'm thinking about investing in a mouth-guard. He knocked the enamel off the front of his lateral incisor by leaping from the top of a ladder when he heard the bell signalling the end of playground time. He came home and rather proudly showed me the "new hole" in his tooth. The nerve had already begun to die, thankfully. No pain, no treatment needed. The first week of school he knocked two bottom teeth lose {also on the playground}. I'm really counting on Ben's second set of pearly whites to last.

Seven. Soccer. He loves it. Upon scoring a goal, he runs like a wild man, high-fiving anyone and everyone. I just want him to have a mouth-guard when he plays!

Eight. We practice some letter sounds during dinner sometimes. One night we were working on “P”, and trying to get Ben to figure out what letter “potato” began with . . . It took him awhile, but eventually he got the hang of the game . . . He came up with “A Princess ate sweet Potatoes that were Puffy and Pink and she Played with her Puppy until she had to go Poo-Poo and Pee-Pee on the Potty.” Then, naturally, as only a little boy could do, he literally laughed so hard he fell out of his chair.

Nine. He is like a cat with nine lives. He continues to run everywhere. He runs to brush his teeth. He runs to get a sip of water. He runs to the restroom {I'm okay with this}. I think this is why he looks like a string-bean. He has bruises and cuts and scrapes all over the place. He is TOUGH. It takes a serious injury to bring on tears, but kisses and Angry Bird bandaids get him back in the action.

Ten. He's so big. But he's still little. Can't pronounce "L". He wuves me. Wuves his family, wuves his blue blanket, wuves to snuggle on the couch, wuves his widdle sister.

More soon on the boy who holds my heart captive.

Life with boys.

It ain’t for the faint of heart.

Boooooooo-hoo

2011-10-31T13:39:00.000-05:00

This Halloween is proving to be scary for this little momma. I'm sick. Ben is sick. Cameron is sick. SCARY!!!! But, in keeping with the Halloween spirit, I photographed Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl, complete with lots of farm-fresh freckles. And she did look mighty purdy. Next up, gonna teach her "don't squat with your spurs on."

Love those {faux} freckles. She loves them, too. As in bathtime will be tramautic tonight.

Looking to see if it's dark outside . . . She's ready to hit the streets.

WHAT? If I'm sick I can't go trick-or-treating? HOW WILL I GET CANDY????

Wish me luck. My little cowgirl holds a mean grudge. I told her she could dress up and hand out candy to the neighbors {from the confines of the front door}. That went over like a lead balloon.

Mom Duties

2011-10-12T16:51:00.000-05:00

It's been a month since I blogged.

I can't keep up.

I'm the girl who's shaving her legs in the shower, dreaming up smart and catchy blog titles, while my daughter stalks me outside the shower door.

I'm the girl who night after night falls asleep, once again, without getting it all done.

I'm the girl who wastes precious time on Pinterest, because it's mindless and fun.

I'm the girl who volunteered to be Room Mom. And is completely overwhelmed, but is loving every minute of it.

Same girl juggles wife, mother, cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, laundress, gardener, book-keeper, hair-dresser. These things are all do-able. Some simultaneously. But add in fingernail-trimmer, bed-maker, blankie-finder, kid-flosser, Barbie-dresser, book-reader, blogger and grocery-store shopper and things start to get fuzzy.

I'm the girl who forgot to pack Ben's snack two days in a row {I paid dearly}.

I'm the girl who hears her husband pull into the garage and panics over what to make for dinner.

I'm the girl who forgets important dates, arrives late to pre-school, hasn't balanced the check book since June, and forgets to water her cherished flowers.

I'm the girl who wants to blog, but is living life to the fullest. I would promise to do better, but I would fail.

And it's almost dinnertime, and I have no idea what we're having for dinner, so I've gotta run!

Cheers!

nine twelve

2011-09-11T10:48:00.000-05:00

I'm wrapped up in the news today. I've been watching every shred of coverage I can find. I do this every September. I think that we owe it to those who need to tell their story. I think we owe it to our soldiers.

To remember.

But, also, to look ahead. To hold in our hearts and prove with our actions that we are, indeed, a great nation. To recall the events of nine twelve. In the light of that day our great nation banded together.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

My roaring lion!

2011-09-08T08:11:00.002-05:00

This little bit of a girl went to school for the first time yesterday. She had the best time! Cutting & pasting, napping & playing, reading & writing!

She is a Lion, and already loves her sweet Ms. Audrey & Ms. Beth {we're smitten, actually, with her precious teachers}.

She's growing up so quickly.

Must run . . . We're off to ballet, to learn first position and make some new friends!

PS Her new nickname courtesy of Coco--Cameron Scissorhands. Tuesday we learned the valuable lesson of cutting paper, not one's own hair!

Love Bug & Linen

2011-09-02T11:52:00.015-05:00

So, I'm just going to admit that I'm terrible at blogging these days.

Life took over.

Ben has adjusted beautifully to the new kindergarten routine. His teacher is a doll! We live right around the corner from his elementary school, and are eagerly awaiting some fall walking weather. Cameron & have big plans to pick him up via scooters as soon as the outdoor sauna-style temps let up.

Both monkeys got flu vaccines on Monday. Both monkeys were sick by Tuesday afternoon. Today Ben is back in action {I seriously think I heard him screaming wildly on the playground this morning--we were gardening}. This Love Bug and her box of Kleenex are my constant companions. A box of twistable Crayons {thanks Coco--you were right} helped bring a smile to her face today.

A long hot shower helped her disposition a bit. Annie's bunny snacks helped her disposition a lot. If you see me at HEB with a very sick little girl, it's because we ran out of bunny snacks.

Subject change! My sweet chairs {found them on Woodlands Online in February} came back from the upholstery shoppe last week! I. COULD. NOT. LOVE. THEM. MORE!

Ready for a serious before & after?

These wingback chairs were a beautiful scale, and in perfect condition. I love wingback chairs. They have such pretty lines, and add height to a room. My living room is two-story, with clerestory windows. It's a small room, but feels large with all the light & volume.

AFTER! I am so pleased. I took tons of fabric and a little sketch to my upholsterer {Ken Arnold, Arnold Furniture Studios}. I wanted traditional-meets-updated. The waterfall skirt detail gives the chairs weight in the room, and the 1/2" welt is a detail I copy from Charles Faudree, a favorite designer of mine. I think they turned out beautifully!

Working on a tableskirt to go between the chairs. I want a gathered cream linen, something soft & plain. I found several yards of a hemp trim for the base of the skirt. I'm crossing my fingers that my mother and I can spend a morning at High Fashion soon.

There is still much to be done in ~~this room~~ this house. But I truly enjoy these projects . . . I'm blessed to have a husband who enjoys this home also, and appreciates the pieces that warm my heart! I know I'll greet many mornings in these chairs, hot cup of coffee in hand, while I prepare for another day with my little family.

Tessie {the Third}

2011-08-17T09:07:00.004-05:00

Introducing the newest King Charles Spaniel, Tessie {yep, third one, my parents just can't let go}. She joined the clan about a week ago.

Benjamin & Cameron are in heaven, and beg daily to go visit the new puppy. She's all things puppy--wriggly and mischievous, topped with a curly tongue and the unmistakable smell of puppy breath. She's a little sweetheart, and already holds captive our hearts.

What a doll. She's kind of a bossy little thing. Growls at my mother during frequent moments of discipline. She has big paws to fill. I have faith in her ability to rule the roost and warm our laps, as these spaniels are known to do.

Cam's excited about the newest imp. Takes a bit of the pressure off her own tiny shoulders!

Strength

2011-08-15T20:23:00.004-05:00

This is a post I've wanted {and needed, desperately} to write for months now. Life takes over, you know, and a blog can take backseat when you least expect it. Priorities shift.

Please know that even as I type, the words seem so inadequate. The story is so personal, and I am not a warm-fuzzy kind of girl.

I'll get right to it. Cancer a four-letter word in my book. My own mother is a survivor. Hearing the diagnosis, then journeying with a family member . . . well, it changes a person.

A little over two years ago my mother-in-love, Diane, was diagnosed with colon cancer. A new chapter began, in an old unwanted book. The fight was long and hard. And just when we thought {for sure, I might add} that she'd licked it, it was back. So, late this spring, she jumped in feet first to fight for her life. Literally. And I was reintroduced to strength.

Strength by definition:

"Strength, power, force, the capacity to do something. Strength is inherent capacity to manifest energy, to endure, and to resist. Also potency, force, brightness, vividness."

Cancer draws out strength. Wild, untamed, unyielding strength. The strength of God, witnessed by our very eyes. And guess what else? His grace is sufficient. And His power is made perfect in weakness {2 Corinthians 12:9-10}.

Diane and Goofy {Spring 2010}

Would you all join us in praising God for Diane's most recent pet scan? It revealed to our human eyes that God is indeed healing Diane. She has under her belt five rounds of chemo, three more to go. Will you pray with us? That she would continue to have "good weeks", in between treatments? That the doctors and nurses would celebrate the miracle with us? That other patients would also be encouraged by her strength, by her faith. Specifically, would you pray for the remaining tumor in her lung to be nuked!! And also, for any side effects from the chemo to be resolved.

Diane with Jacob, Matthew & Caitlin--grandchildren {Summer 2011}

Greg & I thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for your prayers. Our whole family thanks you!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. he will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding, no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Summer Salad

2011-07-21T15:13:00.003-05:00

Made this a few weeks back for Father's Day {maybe?}, and have been meaning to put it on the blog. The recipes on pinterest are amazing. If you haven't gotten into pinning, it's a fantastic way to spruce up your recipe file.

Corn & Avacado Salad
-4 Ears Corn, husk removed, steamed, remove corn with sharp knife
-2 Avocados, diced and sprinkled with lemon juice to prevent browning
-2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
-1 zucchini, skin on, diced
-1 Small red onion, finely diced

In large bowl, mix above ingredients, refrigerate.

Cilantro Vinaigrette
-5 T EVOO
-2 T Sherry vinegar {I used balsamic, it's all I had}
-3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-10 grinds of fresh ground pepper

Mix all of the above ingredients in small glass jar {with lid}. Shake really well. When ready to serve salad, add the dressing and gently toss. Serve cold.

Original recipe {and a gazillion other wonderful things} found here.

real life & an update

2011-07-19T20:34:00.010-05:00

I noticed {yesterday} a sweet local store was putting out fall and holiday decor. That puts me like four to five months further behind than I realized!!

And lastnight {at nine o'clock} our new fridge was delivered. Still unsure as to why it wasn't delivered today, during it's scheduled window between ten and two. The delivery man was kind enough to get it to the front porch, and then he bailed! We broke brother-in-law's dolly attempting to get the fridge in the house. And, to make things a wee-bit sticky, it's about a half-inch too tall for it's custom niche. The carpenter should be here soon. Rats, rats, rats.

The service-engine light came on in the car. Yuck.

I let the kiddos eat pizza yesterday for lunch, and I'm paying dearly for it. Cameron never takes it as hard as Ben does, but both are in a dye/preservative food fog today. Brother's Pizza is now on the black list {and I should have known better}.

A snack we all love, love, love is this Darrell Lea liquorice:

We love it in mango and green apple, too. Sold at Cost Plus World Market. Or amazon.com in bulk!

Back to real life . . . I'm going to need a triente {sp?} Starbucks today. Green tea and lemonade, here I come.

I am still addicted to pinning. Pretties, pretties everywhere, and happy beauty-seekers {like this cutie} meet me there regularly! I'm still working on this sweet house. I'm still busy, busy, busy chasing after Ben & Cam. I'm not in the garden, it's just too hot.

So this is our mantra, and I am really working on the "grace" part:

When the dust settles {it's flying now, the carpenters are here with about seventeen power tools}, and I've gone through a box of Swiffers, I'll post new pics.

Christmas will just have to get in line!!!

-

a full plate

2011-07-01T21:14:00.006-05:00

look at that kid! he is so serious!!! my ben plays with conviction, and he's been getting some serious play-time in lately.

have i mentioned lately how busy he is? he runs everywhere. never stops moving. and, lately, has developed strong liking for hanging out in my pantry. he's eating me out of the house, although none of it sticks to him! i'm going to have to start making peanut-butter-banana milkshakes . . .

lately, too, he goes down to the kitchen in the early morning, and he pours his own milk. i love that!

his little sister is up to her own shenanigans. she's forever tying herself up, and then re-enacting a scene with rapunzel and moo-gene. a wee-bit cooky, but happy, and i wouldn't trade for the world!

this post is all over the place . . .

too much to do, too much to do . . . we leave tomorrow for a one-day jaunt to dallas, to celebrate my grandmother's 90th.

in preparation, i got a mani-pedi {second time ever}, and i feel pampered and pretty. also packed up a bunch of dye-free snacks for the little people to indulge in, and my sweetie picked up some new leapster games. the car ride should be a piece of cake. i'm already thinking about the giant starbucks and the easy conversation.

i'm hoping this studmuffin will let me drive some on the trip. his driving is a wee-bit scary to me. please, g, can i have a turn behind the wheel?

aforementioned hubs bought me a brand-new fridge on eBay!!! it's not here yet, but i won't have any problem committing to a wait-and-see-when-it-gets-delivered day next week. stay tuned for pics.

and . . . this post gets more jumbled by the second . . . here are some {not great} pics of my freshly painted {super great} doors.

did you spy it? my little bistro towel bar with french linens hanging from it? it's the newest addition to the island, and i still need to work on 'staging' it just so . . . maybe in september??? i always think i'll get around to everything in september . . . but back to the pretty doors!

i think there are twenty-eight doors to do {total}. downstairs i have two left. upstairs i have eighteen!!! yikes!! twenty more do go . . .

which means i need to stop blogging . . . bye for now, back with more soon!

Tess

2011-06-19T18:47:00.003-05:00

My mom's little cavalier Tess passed away suddenly this morning. She was born on the fourth of July, last year, and made fast friends with every one she met.

She laughed with her tail, she frolicked with the clouds . . . She loved to watch television {especially the hunting scene in Bambi}. She could be counted on to chase Ben for hours, and I think, had she had a little more time, fetch might have become their favorite game.

I don't know if you've ever been hugged by a dog, but Tessie hugged you hello every chance she got. This hug she gave {nearly indescribable} involved a slow crawl up the torso until she reached her victim's neck. Before one could even protest, those skinny spaniel arms would tighten their grip and she'd kiss every spot she could reach, all the while her entire body wagging with enthusiasm.

She burst through my dad's newspaper every morning, after running full throttle through their house, only to land on his head and cover him with hugs and kisses. Every. Morning.

We will miss you, Little Imp.

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion. -Unknown

Details

2011-06-14T11:02:00.007-05:00

I love details. Big and small.

I love gimp trim and paint colors. Polished nickel and unlacquered brass. Hand-blocked linen and paper lampshades. Cotton woven rugs, aubusson pillows, caned seats and the like. I happily study the online shelter publications {Lonny, TradHome, Rue, High Gloss & Matchbook}, and when Traditional Home makes it's way to my mailbox I'm down-right giddy.

Gazillions of little details were custom ordered in my former life. And while I don't flood anyone's inbox with very specific purchase orders any longer, I still love custom details!

Last weekend I created a little construction dust. Some sandpaper, primer and flat enamel mixed with a LOT of elbow grease, followed by three coats of Minwax Special Walnut breathed new life into an old favorite. This piece of furniture was a gift from Courtney and my parents, a piece I'll love forever.

Here's the before. Pretty, isn't it? It has lovely carvings and a is very nice scale. The doors are beautifully shaped, as are the legs, the hardware intricate with a soft patina.

French Country Buffet {before}

And here's the after! It took about two days {maybe six to eight hours total hands-on time, but some drying time was necessary between coats}. The finish is actually egg-shell to satin, but my flash insisted on going off, so it looks shinier in the photographs.

So, there you go. Grand-total was $26, the cost of primer, three new paint brushes and two packets of sandpaper. And I owe Greg a new undershirt {needed something soft for applying the walnut stain}. Feels like I got a brand new piece of furniture!

I hope to have another major paint project finished in a couple of weeks. Benjamin Moore HC-105 is going to have a big impact in my house. More on that soon . . .

Back to the summertime . . . There's a big old pile of chlorine-soaked towels begging for my attention!!

Pin addiction

2011-05-31T16:36:00.004-05:00

This is a confession.

I can't stop pinning.

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard, a bulletin board, if you will, for us computer junkies. Pinning means all my favorite ideas are happily tucked away inside my trusty laptop. No more torn magazine pictures littering my filing system. There's even an iPhone Pinterest app! What could be more fun?!!

Here's a teeny-tiny sampling of some of the lovely images I've tacked to my boards:

So, here's a formal invitation to find pretties for your very own pinboards! Click on the little red button {it will serve as your invitation}, then set up an account, and finally, grab your pin-it-button for your browser.

In case you aren't totally convinced, here's a little more eye-candy!

So, happy pinning! And please don't blame me if you find yourself afflicted with a similar pin addiction!

P.S. If you're not a design-junkie, know that among my fellow pinners you will find wildly creative crafters, photographers, chefs, art lovers and more!

Garden Love

2011-05-18T20:20:00.017-05:00

While living in Denver, I worked for an incredible interior designer. Our shoppe was based out of the charming greenhouse on her grounds, overlooking her amazing gardens. Melinda introduced me to midnight gardens. Designed for twilight, or a full moon, such gardens features all white flowers and variegated foliage, which seem to glow after the sun sets itself. Illuminated by the stars themselves, these gardens are magical.

Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I have imitated her midnight gardens. And her signature pony-tail. And a classic watch, worn daily. But back to the great outdoors . . .

A new favorite of mine is this lime green coleus. There are over one hundred varieties of coleus, but I think this is exhibition limelight. It is full, happy and seems to thrive on neglect. It has been growing steadily since early March, and while it should fade with the first frost, I'll gladly replace it next year. I don't mind container-gardening with annuals.

Coffee. Garden. Coffee. Does a good morning need anything else? -Betsy Garmon

These limelight licorice plants are new to the garden. They are a mixture of pale grey-green and milky chartreuse. They survived a serious trampling by the tree-man who came and ground up our thirty-two stumps. The squirrels love to bury their treasures amidst these velvety leaves. Hardy to twenty degrees, I hope these endure. Arbor Gate is a long drive for more!

This is peacock ginger, a perennial, one of few plants here when we moved in. Self-spreading, but not obtrusive, these 10" leaves uncurl themselves to reveal tiny lavender flowers in the summer.

My sweet roses! They're giving me a hard time. Lost one a few weeks ago, and two more are looking questionable, but I love them. The sweet white blooms are breathtaking. Early spring and late fall weather bring out their best.

God made rainy days so that gardeners could get the housework done. -Author unknown

The happiest potato vine I've seen! It just grows and grows, meandering about, trailing over the rock edge. The lavender blooms are completely hidden, preferring the cool shade of the large gothic-hued leaves. Normally an annual, these returned this spring, a pleasant surprise!

Admittedly, it's hard to have a favorite in the garden, but this may be it. Escapade White Plumbago. These grow and grow, lasting well into the winter months. I had white blooms for Christmas last year!

Whirling Butterfly {Guara} also called Apple Blossom Grass . . . Aren't they darling? Guara is a sunlover, happy even in hot Texas sun. It's actually a Texas wildflower that has been propagated. There are multiple varieties, but I'm sucker for the white.

Be still my heart. I love these so. Agupanthus, or Lilies of the Nile, are simply delicious. These are about to explode, and I can hardly wait to see the enormous blossoms unfold!

The best place to seek God is in a garden. You can dig for him there. -George Bernard Shaw

Fox tail ferns are a staple in my book. I love them in mass plantings. They just get prettier and prettier, filling out over the years. Seems I grab about three more every time I visit Lowes!

I cannot recall the name of this tender plant. It was given to me by my mother, which makes me love it even more. Doesn't it look like a flower? It's a shrub, but all new growth on it is white. It then turns a pale green before maturing to dark kelly-green. I may have to go pick up one more {Arbor Gate, of course} just so I can figure out it's name!

So this is the small beginning of my midnight garden. I haven't heard any nightingales yet, but I'm just getting started!

I have reached the end of the woodland path. The overhead breeze returns, clearing the sky of clouds and revealing the bright July moon once more. The white flowers glow again, illuminating my way back towards the house. The garden has taken me in, subdued and seduced me for a moment of midnight, and as I leave it to its secret nocturnal activities, I am ready to sleep. The leaves close in behind me, the flowers nodding in whispered acquiescence, and the moon smiles sleepily on all. -Alan Ilagen

Summer List

2011-05-18T12:46:00.010-05:00

Eat your greens!

2011-05-16T15:52:00.004-05:00

Delicious, delicious, delicious. And easy!!

Asparagus with Balsamic Tomatoes (Cooking Light)

1 pound asparagus, trimmed
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook asparagus in boiling water 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and garlic; cook 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar; cook 3 minutes. Stir in salt. Arrange asparagus on a platter; top with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and pepper.

*I omitted salt & pepper and didn't miss them!

Rapunzel & Moo-gene

2011-05-03T09:03:00.005-05:00

Have you seen Tangled? We have. About ninety-nine times thus far. And it's a happy movie, so I'll gladly watch it again!

Cameron is a little bit obsessed with Rapunzel's big hair. She tells me she wants a "big yellow hay-uh from Target". It's in the mail, en route, and I can hardly wait for her to see the new Rapunzel dress-up wig her daddy found for her online.

In the mean time, she continues to rob every bathroom of it's much-needed toilet paper. She wraps it around a headband and happily dances about. I find myself frequently hollering from the loo, "Rapunzel, let down your hay-uh." She doesn't like to lend her locks to her mother, and doesn't consider theft of Charmin a punishment worthy crime.

Some days we settle for lots of beautiful ribbons. Lots and lots. Inspired by these lovely locks . . .

Can you see the resemblance?

Cameron's favorite part of the role-play is when big brother Ben assumes the role of Eugene, whom she calls Moo-gene. He's a plays her love interest with conviction, and always dresses the part.

I hope there's someone with Rapunzel hair or at least a Superman cape in your life this morning!

Easter Sunday

2011-04-24T18:20:00.003-05:00

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
John 11:25-26

i heart calacatta gold

2011-04-19T08:58:00.010-05:00

The reno continues!! I have, courtesy of my hubs, a brand spankin' new island!

After spotting a pretty piece in Traditional Home, I knew we had our basic concept. Translation: hand pretty picture to Greg, wait five minutes, and he magically produces detailed drawings to scale! I just love being married to an architect.

The new counter is calacatta gold with a 3cm square edge. I had the marble honed. Our poor installers brought us the slab polished originally. I smiled my biggest Southern smile then refused it. I'm happy to report they brought my marble back to me honed the following morning! Honed marble doesn't etch or lose it's polish . . . much easier to maintain.

Next on my never-ending list is a polished nickel towel bar for kitchen linens. I found this one at Restoration Hardware. And it's going to need an Anthropologie kitchen towel or two!

Maybe some accessories from Wisteria? I love that Wisteria sells hand-made products, true one-of-a-kind treasures, pieces that transcend time. A set of French bowls, sure to be utilized and admired. Or maybe a cookbook stand . . . My mother put that idea in my head the other day, and I can't stop thinking about it!

We're not done yet. See that big old energy-guzzling refrigerator? When we bought our sweet home the fridge came with it. We are pining for a fridge in the garage. Hosting Christmas with one fridge/freezer ain't for the faint of heart!

As you can see, there's always a punch list. I've learned from my previous life, and now from working on our home, that crossing the finishing line is tough. We had to order two more bin pulls for the sink-side of the island. I've also learned that we typically go about 10% over budget on these projects. Oftentimes, the extra expenses are small-ticket items like electrical boxes, small bits of hardware, extra paint. Lots of little items do add up!

I'll leave you with a close-up. It's almost too pretty to put anything on it. Almost!

Greg, I love my kitchen. Thank you for loving this house like I do. Thanks for letting me buy it without you even seeing it!! Thanks for thinking that my cooking is worthy of such a kitchen. It's not, but I'm so happy you think otherwise!

Birthday Cake

2011-04-15T21:11:00.003-05:00

In my our book, there's only one thing better than birthday cake. Chocolate frosting!

Birthday Girl

2011-04-14T19:49:00.003-05:00

Spent the evening looking back at her first year. She was a difficult subject to photograph. Certainly, she was beautiful beyond imagination . . . However, she was my Siamese twin for the first year, which made it near impossible to take her picture. If I so much as attempted to dislodge her tiny grip and set her down, I paid. Dearly, I paid.

My little Cameron still flies to my side, every opportunity to be with me she readily accepts. She is my biggest fan. I know just how she feels.

Can't believe she's three tomorrow. Still can't believe she's mine!

A new day

2011-04-05T19:07:00.005-05:00

I haven't really used this blog for personal posts or soap-boxing.

Today is a new day.

We've had some hard months with our oldest. Discipline issues have been the norm, not the exception. My sweet guy has been angry for months. We've had constant battles, yelling {mine and his}, crying jags {mostly his}, and tantrums, terrible, terrible tantrums. So often I felt like there was a brain fog, clouding his bright eyes . . . I was forever saying, "Earth to Ben", only to receive a scowl or a frown.

Frustrated mommy, inconsolable son. We both felt defeated.

It was time to make changes.

We stopped spanking. It was happening too often, and I felt like Ben was constantly on the receiving end of a "bad kid" message.

We set up a reward chart. This has become a really great way for Ben to see all the things he does well. He is so good at so many things. He's a hard worker, and his work is paying off! Greg gets to be involved in holding Ben accountable as he's the sticker-man. Ben loves telling his dad about the good works he did during the day. The charts are a win-win!

We eliminated dyes in our food. This has CHANGED our lives. This one small change has breathed new life into our day. It's revolutionary. Suddenly our days weren't filled with discipline, but laughter. Ben wasn't struggling through homework, he was grinning ear to ear and getting all the answers right! There was happiness, and it was written all over his face. He was hearing me and listening. We had eye-contact. Communication. I have to confess, we were having fun.

Do your little ones fall apart over insignificant details? Are they angry and upset? Are they physically out of control? Are tantrums the norm? Do you wonder constantly if they're listening to you? Do they have a hard time keeping up at school? Are they out of control? Are play-dates a nightmare?

I stumbled across a blog about three weeks ago. I'm sure her darling blog was somehow linked to one of my favorite design sites. The title was "The Way We Eat". I devoured the information, and emailed Linsey immediately. She was a God-send! Suddenly I knew I hadn't stumbled across anything. God prepared the way, I chose to follow the lead. I read words like "frustrated, moody, impulsive." It was like looking into a mirror.

Dyes are in everything. And they cause serious damage. Asthma, eczema, allergies, cancer, hyperactivity, motor tics. We've discovered them in our kid's toothpaste, gum, cereals, Nutri-grain bars, waffles, pumpkin bread mix, yogurt, frozen fruit pops, and nearly all of our kid's medicines. We're learning that artificial flavoring and petroleum based products {seriously, oil by-products in our food?} are serious behavioral triggers as well.

We're new to this. We're still learning. But we're seeing major results with very little effort.

Yesterday Ben ate one piece of Super Bubble Gum. I knew within about an hour that he'd eaten something with dye in it. I googled the ingredients, there it was, BHT & Artificial Color Red 40. He's still coming down from the awful reaction. I'm praying his food-dye fog lifts soon.

Go visit LLH Designs. And then check out Food Dye Diaries.

You won't believe the information!!! I'm off to do some more research. I already know we're gaining so much more than we're giving up!!

Our new rainbow is heaven-sent. Literally!

Friday's Child

2011-03-30T19:05:00.013-05:00

On this birthday eve, I can't stop thinking about the night my Ben made his debut. He was a Friday's child.

I'm dwelling on the memories. Remembering that I was instantly Mama Bear, proud and ~~over~~-protective. I never let anyone babysit {grandparents included} until he was nearly nine months old. But this child, this sweet boy, well, he had my heart.

Almost every afternoon we napped together. We did very little sleeping at night. He still sleeps with that blue blanket . . . A soft, tattered reminder to me, a familiar comfort to him.

What I wouldn't give for a do-over with this happy guy. He was full of grins, so happy and easy. He was hungry {still is, commonly eats 2+ sandwiches at lunch}. He was FUN!

Fast forward several years . . . My boy isn't a baby or a toddler any longer. He's a boy! He actually has hair growing on his legs {and a serious hair on one big toe}!!

Ben loves dogs, transformers, chocolate milk and his blue blanket. He rides his scooter endlessly about the cul-de-sac with his little sister in tow. He loves to take things apart. He's energetic, enthusiastic and easy-going. He hates thunder and lighting. He really hates green beans and carrot salad grosses him out. He runs everywhere. Not. Kidding. Runs. Everywhere.

Happy Birthday Ben. I love being your mother.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

Rocco

2011-03-28T20:11:00.003-05:00

We ~~have~~ had a turtle!

Story goes something like this:

Greg empties pool baskets and discovers tiny turtle trapped!

Rescue and naming ceremony {"Rocco Jon Burkett" courtesy of Ben}.

Mad dash to pet store for tank and recommended supplies.

Adorable Rocco and newly acquired reptile tank make residence in the kitchen {a good place for observing--the children--not the turtle}.

At this point a little instinct kicked in, and I took to the web for some turtle research. The little darling was a Red Slider Turtle, and a baby one, at that. He needed some serious equipment in order to survive his expected thirty-five years. Upon reading that a major necessity was a 100-gallon tank with a UV-B light and sunning perch, I started typing in google searches such as "reptile rescue" and "turtle rehab".

Fast-forward to this afternoon. Picnic blanket in hand, we journeyed to the pond and had a turtle-release ceremony complete with cupcakes.

Shortly after taking to the water {pretty sure Rocco is an Olympic swimmer}, five adult turtles swam over to make their introductions. The kids and I were positively pumped! We promptly decided that Rocco's new family would take good care of him and show him the ropes.

Fare-thee-well tiny turtle. It was cool meeting you, Rocco.

PS We're headed out tomorrow to buy fish to replace the hole in our hearts!!

Paigers

2011-03-07T19:29:00.004-06:00

This little niece of mine is growing like a weed. She can belt out any Taylor Swift number, and does a somewhat Marilyn Monroe-ish version of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. She's the only human alive who talks more than Ben. Make that a lot more. She is all girl, and rolls happily with Cameron during her frequent visits. Ben loves that he gets to torture two victims.

Paige was a preemie. Her first official weigh in topped the charts at 3 pounds 13 ounces. She spent her first five weeks at the NICU in Odessa . . . She was a trooper from the very beginning. I doubt if there's anything Ben could throw her way that she couldn't handle.

Now Paige is five-and-a-half with two loose teeth. A modern day miracle, evidence of the hand of God, wrapped up {knit together} in a package of curls, sugar & sass.

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. John 1:16

Aglow, again!

2011-02-24T18:39:00.004-06:00

Delighted. I am delighted. Amy, you are a rock star! Thank you. Thank you for this gift!

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad. Psalm 118:24

Sneak Peak

2011-02-23T19:02:00.003-06:00

New pictures coming soon . . . Remember my post about family pictures {as in, Cam was nearing two, and we didn't have any}? Having Amy {Aglow Photography & Design} take our pictures was a dream. And the images she captured are even dreamier.

Round Two of family pictures coming soon . . .

Amy-girl, I'm going to offer to keep both of your kids so that you can get to work on editing!! Truthfully, I can hardly wait to see more!

BJB

2011-02-17T19:55:00.002-06:00

Melts my heart, this boy does.

Green

2011-02-09T08:48:00.010-06:00

I'm green with envy! I need a crowbar. And for Greg to take the morning off. I want this woman's pantry.

Her beautiful blog is called "For the Love of a House", and I'm one of her ~~stalkers~~ admirers. Her kitchen is divine. The fireplace is perfection.

She and her husband found themselves in a tiny town in New Hampshire, transplanted from Dallas. Truly, her blog is filled with photographs and all the wonderful details of transforming an old, neglected farmhouse into a work of art. Never fails to delight!

I'm trapped inside today, the stomach bug has hit my youngest, while a cough consumes my eldest.

Greg, Sweetie?? Will you please bring us home some laundry detergent and a crowbar?

His & Hers

2011-01-26T20:32:00.010-06:00

One little girl's room. Actually, this is the third version of her boudoir. The first was her tiny nursery {at our previous home}.

The little tole bedside lamp is older than I am. It used to hang between twin beds in my aunt's room, when she was a young girl. It has been avocado green, barn red, and is now a soft cream with gilt details, courtesy of a very extended project that took over my breakfast room table. It was so worth it! I still need to find a fresh linen lampshade for it.

The headboard is my favorite piece in her room, I think. I fell in love with this one from Serena & Lily. It was about $1000 over budget. Thankfully, I had leftover fabric from her rocking chair cushion, and a dear, dear upholstery man in mind. Both came together beautifully.

Today's version is happy, filled with her beloved "stuff". Almost every blanket once belonged to my niece Paige . . . There are books everywhere, this tiny girl devours books. Not shown in these pictures, but always present for snoozing are Jessie, Bullseye, a sippy cup, four blankets, Minnie Mouse, Froggie, Piggy, a green flashlight and her chocolate brown polka-dot pillow. Sometimes Buzz & Woody join the entourage.

This bunny table has been a constant in her rooms. This little table used to be my mother's, and is poured concrete, intended for outdoor use. The lace drapes came all the way from our first townhouse {in Denver}.

I am hunting for an antique angel to go over her bed. Coco, any ideas?

Her big brother's room is up next . . .

I love his room. It's B-O-Y, and I love it all. Ben's bed was a splurge. I sold a piece of jewelry to buy it for him {I was pregnant with Cameron, Greg's lucky I didn't sell his baseball card collection and refurbish the entire house}. His nursery is shown here and here. His first big boy room was blogged about here.

Probably won't be long before I have to replace various items with big boy stuff. I'm trusting PB Kids to provide plenty of attractive boy stuff! Will it be Star Wars, baseball or Optimus Prime? Sponge Bob is banned.

Ben's closet is full of transformers. FULL OF THEM. I'm not sure what I'll do if his collection of autobots and decepticons grows any more! Someday I'll probably move him to the bigger room at the back of the house. But for now, he's just down the hall from his little sister.

And his Mommy.

Turkey Meatloaf

2011-01-24T19:56:00.004-06:00

Turkey Meat Loaf {recipe from Real Simple, ages ago}
-1-1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
-1 onion, chopped
-1 bunch fresh spinach, thick stems removed & leaves chopped {about 4 cups}
-1 cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
-1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
-2 tbsp Dijon mustard
-1 large egg white {I used the whole egg}
-salt & pepper
-1/4 cup ketchup

Heat oven to 400. In large bowl, combine turkey, onion, spinach, parsley, bread crumbs, mustard, egg white & 1/2 tsp of salt & pepper, each. Form loaf, spread with ketchup. Bake until cooked, 45-50 minutes.

Real Simple has great recipes, but this meatloaf is amazing. If you're from The Woodlands, you've probably heard of Hubbell & Hudson. If you haven't yet visited their new Kitchen location {Gosling & Research}, you're seriously missing out. Which means more H&H for me, but I digress . . . My dad is a Foodie. An Epicurean. He adores all things H&H.

He thinks this meatloaf beats H&H's apricot version. I think he's right!

The Blues

2011-01-24T15:03:00.004-06:00

I have two sick little ones & a semi-sick husband.

It's dreary, rainy & cold.

There are twenty-something samples of paint up on the exterior of my patch-work house, and no hope of glorious painter-friendly sunshine.

I have the blues.

Blue happens to be my favorite color. And you're probably thinking that I'm sad. Nope. I am one happy girl. An early a.m. visit to my favorite pediatrician confirmed liquids were needed, not antibiotics. The dreary weather is indicative of staying in and camping out with blankets and popcorn on the couch. And the sick hubs gave me this rockin' blue present over the weekend!

That's the inside of my perfectly pretty cobalt blue convection oven. Be still my heart.

This means that Phase Two of our kitchen overhaul is officially complete {minus one little drawer pull and a bit of touch-up paint}.

Phase Three {aka island & fridge} is a long ways off. But that's okay with me, because today I have the cobalt blues!

Crush

2011-01-15T09:53:00.003-06:00

A recent Saturday morning conversation with Ben . . .

Ben: Mommy, you're my most favorite girl in the whole world.

Me: {melt} You're my most favorite boy in the whole world.

Ben: Well, there's a girl in my school that's my real favorite girl.

Me: {crushed, trying to hide my disappointment} There is?

Ben: Yep, the girl with the ponytail like yours.

Me: {hopes getting higher} Just like mine?

Ben: Yep. But she's my real favorite. I forget her name.

Me: {I could spot this girl's ponytail a mile away, it's amazing. Do you sense jealousy?} Is it Macie?

Ben: Yes, it's Macie! But she doesn't love me. I love her, and she just doesn't love me.

Me: Well, that's okay. Mommy loves you best of all {hoping for a big hug now}.

Ben: Guess so.

Me: And when Macie grows up, she'll come around {but no one will ever love you like I do}.

The greatest love is a mother's, then a dog's, then a sweetheart's.
~Polish Proverb

House Parts: Kitchen Part Deux

2011-01-13T21:35:00.007-06:00

The second round of our kitchen overhaul seemed a bit more stressful than the first. Might have something to do with the fact that we began a week before Christmas.

Our master carpenter began with the venthood. Then new doors & drawer fronts replaced the old plastic covered cabinetry. A quick fitting confirmed all the new shaker style fronts were "just so", and then off to be spray painted. Leo, the world's greatest painter, worked his magic both on and off site. Upper cabinets were painted a crisp white, while the base cabinets were painted Benjamin Moore HC-105 Rockport Grey.

Greg spent most of last night installing the hardware {thank you, Beloved}. The kids and I stumbled across some pretty hardware at Home Depot the other day. After reviewing the price {and doing a happy dance on aisle twelve} I chose these for the doors and these for the drawers, both in polished nickel.

Due the end of the month is a fancy convection cookie-maker and his convection microwave companion.

Until then, this is what's left of the construction this round. Eventually we'll replace the fridge with a sleek & trim counter-depth KitchenAid. I'm thrilled to do so, as I will finally have a back-up fridge/freezer in the garage.

We're already planning the island, but won't likely work on it until next Christmas. I want something open . . . Am thinking rustic, distressed wood base, open for the most part. I definitely want drawers and a honed marble top. Stay tuned, there's always a project in the works!

In the meantime, I'll be practicing something simple, like Baked Alaska. Sherry, do you have a fire extinguisher?

House Parts: Kitchen Part 1

2011-01-13T16:27:00.007-06:00

Before and after is easier to do when one has documented the before. Bare with me as I bare my kitchen soul.

Here's my best before shot, taken shortly after moving in. Prior to moving in we tore out the wallpaper and textured/painted the walls. We pulled out both a pot rack and the brass-flying-saucer-chandelier. White Corian, glazed peach tile with Malibu-Barbie suntan colored grout and yellowing {formerly white} thermofoil drawers/doors. I loved the functionality of the space. Fortunately, the kitchen didn't need a complete overhaul, just a face-lift.

Phase One included installation of the following:
-Honed black granite counters with a 3cm square edge
-Blended travertine subway tile, honed & tumbled
-Kitchenaid gas cooktop & dishwasher
-Blanco single basin undermount sink
-This faucet in polished nickel, the bling and my favorite part of the remodel thus far!
-Custom open shelving for display & new shelf at the window

My favorite part was watching Greg demo the counters and backsplash. We bid adieu to the flesh-toned past. Happy trails to the old vent-hood, cook-top, sink and 1980's faucet.

Bet you want pictures. So do I. I took one shot before my camera died.

Phase Two took place over the last few weeks. More on that tomorrow . . . Until then, here's a preview.

Bean & Bacon Soup

2011-01-04T10:11:00.002-06:00

Really simple, really good!

-4 strips bacon
-2 large carrots, chopped {about 1 cup}
-2 stalks celery, chopped {about 1 cup}
-1 medium onion, chopped
-2 cloves garlic, chopped
-2 15 oz. cans great Northern beans, drained
-2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
-1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

*Original recipe calls for 1-1/4 tbsp salt, which I omit, and don't miss a bit!

Cook bacon, set aside to drain/cool. Over medium heat, saute carrot for 5-7 minutes. Add celery, onion & garlic and cook, stirring well, for 3-4 minutes. Add beans & 2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover and then reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Mash {with potato masher or large slotted spoon} about 1/2 the beans to thicken the soup. Stir in the parsley, pepper & chopped bacon. Serve hot.

Recipe serves four. Total time about 25 minutes.

The Journey Home

2010-12-23T21:12:00.003-06:00

Greg's grandfather passed away today. Our hearts are so heavy. And yet we know. We know. He's home. He's healed. He's whole.

I've treasured an article written about Clarence, and his life-long sweetheart Anita. I want to share it with you . . .

Clarence Burkett still remembers the words of his Navy buddy, Bruno: "I'll introduce you to a nice girl, provided you'll be good to her."

Fair enough, Clarence thought. But the introduction would have to wait. It was 1943, World War II was raging and both men were sailors aboard the USS Pennsylvania, a battleship that had survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The "nice girl" that Bruno had in mind was a young woman from his hometown of Renton, Wash. Anita Qualiotto was her name, and she was also friends with Bruno's girlfriend, Cleo.

Bruno provided an address. And sometime in late summer of 1943, Clarence, a country boy from Paintsville, KY, began writing to Anita, whom he had never met and knew little about.

She answered each letter.

The correspondence continued for months as he saw duty in Hawaii, on the West Coast and in the Aleutian Islands.

"We just kept writing," Anita says. "Evidently, something clicked."

Details of those thoughts have been lost to time. The letters are gone.

Clarence left the battleship after a bout of appendicitis. In January 1944, he found himself stationed in Bremerton, Washington, just across Puget Sound from Renton.

So he hopped aboard a ferry boat to visit Anita for the first time.

"It felt like we knew each other," she says, then adds with a chuckle: "Naturally he fell in love with me immediately."

"She chased me till she caught me," Clarence says. Then he admits he never went steady with anyone else.

They married in April 1944, just three months after meeting.

--Written by John Johnston for the Cincinnati Enquirer in November, 2006.

Tonight he's with my angel-baby, my first, who was due this very day, December 23, five years ago.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Christmas Card {Blogger Style}

2010-12-19T20:50:00.005-06:00

If I had my act together, and I do not, but if I did . . . I might use this picture for a 2010 card. I love that he has his arm around her. I am, however, a perfectionist. It would drive me crazy that her arm is blurry.

Second contender. I love how she's looking up at him. I love this moment. Might have to re-crop it a bit. Lose the sidewalk. Perfectionist at work here!

This one gets it right. She's a pint-sized drama-queen. He's holding his little sister's hand, looking at her the same way her daddy does . . .

Truth be told, no card this year. I am just too ~~broke~~ busy. But more than any of the previous excuses, I am soaking up these precious few holiday moments. So Merry Christmas to each of you!!

"I bring you good news of great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger." Luke 2:10-12

Happy Thanksgiving!

2010-11-25T12:20:00.003-06:00

Happy kids. Happy Thanksgiving.

Blessed . . . and thankful!

2010-11-18T18:29:00.002-06:00

Ben-meister

2010-11-14T20:13:00.001-06:00

All Dressed Up

2010-10-31T20:59:00.003-05:00

Meow-meow and her hero-of-the-night, Ironman are sound asleep. The candy high wore off quickly, thank heavens.

Sadie & Tessie Two

2010-10-30T20:02:00.003-05:00

We've been busily scampering after these two . . .

Sadie is the Tricolor, and Tess is the little Blenheim. As sweet as they are pretty, both spent countless hours in our (mine & Greg's) laps during the last few days.

Both are young, and both are escape artists. These two traits combined are indeed trouble. I won't elaborate, but will instead conclude with gratitude for their safe return on both occasions.

i heart cameron

2010-10-26T18:31:00.004-05:00

Squeaky Clean

2010-09-07T21:44:00.002-05:00

Funky Town's newest residents

2010-09-04T08:27:00.003-05:00

They're not armed, but they're serious.

Monkey

2010-08-30T16:01:00.003-05:00

My Ben is a monkey, through and through.

And his mommy is a mess.

But we like it that way!!

First day of pre-school for Ben was today. I was so proud of myself for bringing a fully charged camera. About three seconds after I pulled it out and started clicking away, the lens fogged up. This the best picture I got!

He calls his sweet teachers "The Yellow One" and "The Pink One". Their brightly colored polos are surely to blame. I think instead of working on his coloring homework, we'll work on name-memorization.

Happy School Days!

Hiatus

2010-08-03T15:52:00.003-05:00

Blogging has taken a major backseat in my book . . . Summer activities are full force. Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons with Papa, a quick trip to Dallas, and more . . .

I feel like time spent here in blog-world is wasted, and the to-do list just gets longer and longer. Maybe when the fall weather hits I'll be inspired to stalk my kids from behind the camera {I know, that's the end of October in Houston}. Either way, stick around, I'll be back at it before you know it!

In the mean time, a picture of my funny girl. She is funny. Quirky, spirited, spunky. She reminds me so much of my grandmother, Bessie Mae. Big things come in small packages.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T11:09:00.004-05:00

news in ninety seconds

2010-04-20T20:11:00.002-05:00

i didn't take pictures of my little darling on her second birthday. i will make it up. somehow. someday.

greg fell down the stairs {for the umpteenth time, as he's too macho to hang on to the hand rail}. he suffered the most horrific injury i've ever seen. his left {ahem} cheek has a black/purple/royal blue bruise the size of a ruby-red grapefruit. not even kidding. he asked me if i thought he could get a blood clot from it. if that thang starts to move he's going to have a massive stroke. i've begged to get a picture, but he knows me well enough to know that my mother, sister, girlfriends would receive text images within minutes . . .

both kiddos are great. they make my heart smile. until it hurts.

no current {fun} projects at chez burkett. we're waiting to see if a new roof is in our immediate future.

i think ellie is nearly deaf. she's still my honey. my little dog, a heart beat at my feet {someone brilliant and famous said that, not me}.

that's all. i'm exhausted.

more soon, i hope . . . if not, know at least i'm living it {not capturing it} to the fullest!

Ben Jammin' Turns 4!

2010-04-02T00:04:00.002-05:00

And my mommy forgot to post something.

Just messing with ya. I should preface this by saying this is Ben's dad (Greg) writing and not his mommy. Of course, that is pretty evident considering this is my first time ever to blog and Amanda is already a pro. However, even she is human has been totally swamped with... well, everything so I thought I'd give her a break. With that said, I didn't want Ben's birthday to go by without wishing him one last.... Happy birthday Ben! I love you, buddy, and hope you enjoyed your day!

Love,

Daddy

(One last thing, these pictures are from my cell phone and no where near the quality of what ya'll are used to getting from Amanda. But, they came from me and I think that's part of what blogging is about.)

Birthday Eve

2010-03-30T20:58:00.004-05:00

We've nearly made it another year . . . Another amazing year with this heaven-sent boy. If I type away about this year with this boy, I'm sure to get sappy. Instead, I give you pictures!

From the camo-bandaid to the missing front tooth, he is boy through and through. He took to his new bike like a duck to water {thanks Big Dad & Kate}. Ben, kiddo, thanks for teaching your momma to love dirty fingernails and monster trucks. Happy 4th Birthday!

PS Cameron recovered from the unveiling of big brother's new Rip Rider nicely, thanks to her Minnie Mouse backpack {courtesy of her Mimi, thank you Mimi}.

a quick note from the magic kingdom

2010-03-18T14:54:00.010-05:00

Live from Disney World! Two tiny people have soaked it up, the sun, the characters, the junk food! The bigger people are sporting fever blisters and are running out of clean socks. Jim & Diane lovingly invited us and the Bulcroft clan to join them, and we have partied like under-aged rock-stars! A gazillion laughs, tons of Purell, and magical memories sum it all up!

More soon. Well, probably not soon. The mere thought of laundry is taking up free time as I type . . .

Picture this . . .

2010-03-08T14:28:00.003-06:00

Sweet, happy children, rested and energetic. Three grown-ups ~~yelling~~ directing. Tons of brilliant, beautiful sunshine. Did I mention one of the grown-ups is none other than the talented Allison of Blue Mutt Photography {lovely sister to the lovely Michele}. This was, without a doubt, my lucky day.

These pictures stir my soul. I grin happily at the faces in them.

Allison, thank you . . . these pictures are a cherished gift.

a documentary {in pictures} of a happy girl and her bed-head

2010-03-05T14:42:00.006-06:00

Kim, if you're reading this, I stand corrected. No amount of Noodle and Boo anything can fix brillo-pad bed-head. I think Vaseline may be our only hope!

Laughter is the best medicine . . .

2010-02-09T13:18:00.001-06:00

The tooth fairy came . . . about two years too early!

2010-01-23T21:12:00.005-06:00

Other appropriate titles for this post might be "My Snaggle-Tooth Sweetie" or "Benjamin and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day".

A perfectly happy Friday afternoon turned sour unexpectedly. After surviving three days of non-stop 102-104 degree fever, Ben finally woke up well. It was so good to see him full of energy, talking non-stop, back to his busy-little-boy normal self. After a week cooped up in the house, some sort of an excursion was fast-becoming a necessity. We high-tailed it to see Daddy at the office, a rare and special treat. While happily bopping in and out of his dad's office, Ben tripped. Not the kind of trip where you gasp and catch yourself. This was more in keeping with a major league baseball player diving into home, face-first. And his pearly whites made direct contact with the leg of a chair.

I knew he was hurt. His mouth was hanging open and he wasn't making any noise. I scooped him up and began the trusted whispers of 'hang on' and 'it's okay, baby', but Greg was behind me frantically telling me to look at Ben's mouth. CRUD. It wasn't good. We ran down the hallway to the bathroom and started trying to put cold wet paper towels in his mouth, but this was a serious injury. Paper towels weren't really helping. At all. Greg took over in the bathroom and I called my precious dentist who told us she'd stay on the phone to walk us through pushing the teeth back into place. Um, WHAT???? We decided we'd meet her at her office. Nothing beats five o'clock traffic on a Friday with your traumatized, screaming child in the backseat and a super-cranky one-year old who wants her milk. Never mind the fact that I was now hysterically sobbing {I suffer from major dentaphobia}.

The next part gets a little fuzzy. Some of the details include me holding a terrified child on my lap while the dentist tried to push the tooth back into place. I distinctly remember the tooth flying through the air and lots of blood. Ben was screaming. Something was said about part of the tooth still being way up in there . . . I promptly excused myself to the ladies room, where I laid down on the bathroom floor and put my feet up on the toilet. More hysterical crying on my part . . . Lots more, actually.

We're probably not entirely done with this bump in the road . . . Two more teeth are question marks . . . Root canals may be necessary. X-rays will help to determine if his permanent teeth might have been damaged. I seriously wish we had dental coverage.

The best part is my Ben. He's okay. He was okay long before I was okay. Tonight he's checked out his new gap in the mirror about seventeen times. And he's just darling with the new window in his smile. He looks a wee-bit more of mess to me, but I'm his mother, and I'm allowed to think that.

Aunt Coco checked on us this morning and wanted to know how we were going to spend our day. I told her we'd probably just play on the drive-way {we love to do this, it's a huge driveway, and we haul out all kinds of ride-on toys}. Coco said, "I think you should stick to the grass."

My precious friends have cheered me. My family has supported me. I've never felt so loved. It's going to be okay.

Pictures soon of the little darling.

What's old is new again . . .

2010-01-21T09:16:00.008-06:00

This sweet old rocking chair was in my nursery. My mother refinished it some thirty-something years ago, while awaiting my arrival. I'm told often that I was a ~~bad~~ colicky baby, and that my mother rocked me non-stop for the first year of my life. After spending several years in my parent's attic, and then several more in my garage, it finally received it's long awaited make-over.

Somehow I managed to stuff the chair in the front seat of my car. I sped over to The Collection so Gretchen {owner and master painter} could work her magic! I adore Gretchen and her two lovely daughters. I also adore their store! Paint, distressing and glaze made the old chair look farmhouse-old. Sweet, soft linen from Calico Corners was chosen to go with Cameron's soft grey walls . . . Once the paint dried I hauled my little rocking chair to the upholstery shoppe for some fake down and a corner-pleated flat welt cushion.

Voila! It was finished & delivered Christmas Eve's Eve. Perfect timing to go under the tree, a little bit of family history for my Cameron-Girl. We've already logged some serious snuggle time together, rocking happily away in her sweet room.

Big Daddy & Kate, thank you for saving this lovely chair. Thank you too for Cameron's Christmas bucks, which paid for it's new look. I think it just made heirloom status.

A spoonful of sugar . . .

2010-01-19T19:56:00.000-06:00

103.2 is not fun. Sweet Benjamin has only just recovered from a round of the crud. The runny nose {his and hers} and late-nite coughing {mine, all mine} is behind us. A round of antibiotics cleared up an ear infection. Sadly, a nasty new virus showed up today.

This is Ben's constant companion. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to play monster trucks or hide-and-seek. A perfect 98.6 degrees.

R&R is hard to come by with Cameron by one's side! I think their expressions say it all!!

Old favorites & a new look

2010-01-18T19:25:00.000-06:00

Keep calm and carry on!
-The Queen of England

We lived very simply but with all the essentials of life well understood and provided for: hot baths, cold champagne, new peas and old brandy.
-Winston S. Churchill

Be pretty if you can, be witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you.
-Elsie de Wolfe

May the warm winds of heaven blow softly on this house. May God bless all who enter here.
-unknown, but may soon find it's way into my home, traced softly on the stairs . . .

Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength, pleads no excuse of impossibility... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things, and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down. Love is watchful and sleeping, slumbereth not. Though weary, it is not tired; though pressed, it is not straitened; though alarmed, it is not confounded.

The expression we live by . . . The one that best reflects spilled milk, cookie crumbs, lost keys and more . . . C'est la vie!

My mother and I still talk about writing a book of favorite quotes, bits of wisdom, cherished words otherwise stored in our minds. Maybe we'll accomplish that goal, cook all the recipes, and stay caught up with the children and their laundry. Maybe not! That's life!

Double Trouble

2010-01-13T18:56:00.001-06:00

Try my patience. Melt my heart. One right after the other.

They're trouble, these two, and they're usually two steps ahead of me!

The Odd Couple

2010-01-06T15:31:00.000-06:00

She'd dance the night away with Rocky if her big brother would let her . . .

Deep Thoughts by Benjamin James

2010-01-04T15:20:00.001-06:00

Greg enjoyed nearly two weeks off over the holiday. We've gotten very accustomed to having him around . . . Monday morning Daddy left us, much to our dismay.

Me: Ben, today we begin Daddy Detox.

Ben: I think we're going to need some walkie-talkies and some chocolate.

Recently, hanging out in the kitchen with both kids, we had the following conversation:

Me: Ben, do you know who I love?

Ben: Um, who?

Me: Well, I love you & Cameron & Daddy. And Ellie! Oh, let's not forget Kate & Big Daddy, Coco & Dustin & Paige, Mimi & Papa, Aunt 'Lissa, Uncle Bread, Ca-Cay, Jacob & Matthew. I love Jesus & God, too. And I love Sadie and Tessie.

Ben: Well, I love you and Daddy and Cameron and Ellie . . . And Mommy?

Me: What Ben?

Ben: Cameron, well, she just loves herself.

This past week Ben whacked his precious friend Sam in the head. Sherry {Sam's mom} overhead the altercation, and walked into the room to find Ben kissing poor Sam and saying, "You know Sam, I wouldn't hit you if you didn't make me so mad."

A Clean Slate

2010-01-04T13:59:00.001-06:00

2010 will be busy. But I think it might have a little more room in it for some of my big dreams than it's predecessor.

Design. So many ideas with a shoe-string budget. Soft linen window treatments for the living room and study. I'd love to go ahead and get a seagrass rug for the dining room. I adore my living room seagrass, and I also dig the price tag. The utility room is begging for a giant message board, complete with a lovely linen fabric and some nailhead trim. I want to repaint {well, for Leo to repaint} the exterior of our home. I want to change the front door & the doorbell hardware. Greg wants new interior door hardware, and I want to paint all the doors a soft dove-grey. Still need to find that fireplace screen. The kitchen deserves it's own post, so I'll save that for later . . . Big changes & little changes for this sweet house.

Personal goals . . . Read the Bible more. Pray more. Love harder. FOCUS. I really need to work on my patience with the little people who love to try it. Blog more. Take more photographs. Long walks with B & C. Cook from scratch. Write letters. Be on time. Make sweet tea, from scratch, with the help of the sunshine. Garden with my children.

There are things I don't want to do . . . Stress so much. Yell {I hate yelling}. I'm cancelling any magazine I take with four-letter words. This list should be my longest, so I'll have to keep working on it!

I love fresh starts. I'm a girl, so a happy ending holds sentimental value. But there's nothing like a clean slate, a new beginning, a blank piece of paper. 2010, here I come!

In the Spot Light!

2010-01-04T07:52:00.002-06:00

Prince Charming really outdid me on Anniversary No. 9 this year.

Before I post any pictures, I'm going to get personal {sorry}. I love design. It's a big part of who I am. I know that when God planned me, knit me together, He knew I'd love beautiful things. And while I do, very much so, love beautiful things . . . I am so blessed to know that they are, in fact, just things. So please know, when I go on and on about paint or hardware or lovely little garden gems or anything French, it's just a great love of mine. The greatest love is Him. I also happen to be pretty sweet on the gift-giver mentioned above.

Okay, her long-awaited debut . . .

I loved this house the minute I walked in the front door. I loved the windows and the light. The living room has two-story ceilings. The previous {original} owner never put a chandelier in the room. It was boxed/wired, thankfully, so I seized my opportunity!

To Greg and Uncle Bread {Brett}, and of course Ms. Michele for the van transportation and Mr. David for the truck-loan, thank you for all your hard work. Benjamin wants to say thank you for bringing a twenty foot ladder to his home {he's alone in his gratitude}.

I love it. I think it's perfect. Rock on, Ms. Italian Wooden Chandelier, rock on with your bad self!

Catching my breath . . .

2009-12-29T07:50:00.001-06:00

Whirlwind!! That describes Christmas around these parts! So do the words wonderful, cozy, family-filled. Three kiddos, three puppies, six very ~~hungry~~ happy grown-ups {myself included} made for a house bursting at the seams with JOY!!

I only took seventeen pictures. But I had a blast. Usually I'm behind the camera. This time I was in front of the kitchen sink so much, that when I found the break I craved, I jumped right in, camera happily forgotten!

Christmas Eve candlelight service, lasagna frozen through after an hour of cooking, a Christmas tree loaded with goodies, Santa's many fun surprises, stocking for the big kids, too. Most of all, the gift of forever in heaven with our Maker.

Coco, Dustin, Paigers, Kate & Big Daddy . . . Thanks for making the long trip South. It was the best Christmas ever!

Gerg Schmerg

2009-12-19T11:35:00.001-06:00

Sorry Ladies, he's taken.

And he just became a lot more desirable.

He's officially an architect!!

Anybody need custom house plans?

Bonnie's Apple Walnut Salad

2009-12-18T14:05:00.001-06:00

There is nothing like Bonnie's Apple Walnut Salad. It's perfection. And the red is so pretty on a holiday table. Super easy, super special . . .

1 egg

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup buttermilk

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp flour

several red apples

walnuts

Combine flour & sugar, add egg, add vinegar, add buttermilk. Cook until thick, while stirring. Cool. Pour over diced apples and walnuts.

Darling Bonnie and her family are so very dear to me. They've been friends of my family for many years. Their son Stephen passed away yesterday. Please cover Bonnie & Red's family with your prayers.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Power Cookies

2009-12-06T16:57:00.001-06:00

Power Cookies

2 c. brown sugar
2 c. white sugar
¾ cup butter
1 c. shortening
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
3 c. oats, uncooked
2 c. coconut
2 c. craisins
1 c. choc chips (I use more like 1-1/2 cups)
1 c. chopped nuts

Cream the brown sugar, white sugar, butter and shortening together. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Combine four, salt and soda; beat into first mixture. Add remaining ingredients and knead into first mixture. Drop by heaping teaspoons, 2 inches apart, on greased baking sheet. Bake in 350 oven about 10 minutes or unit browned. Let cool about 1 minute before removing from cookie sheet.

If dough is cold I cook an extra couple of minutes . . .

*Can roll into logs, wrap, chill/freeze then slice and bake.

Duck, Duck, Goose!

2009-12-06T16:53:00.001-06:00

There were lots of ducks, much to Ben & Cameron's delight, at the little Shadowbend Pond on Thanksgiving afternoon. Cameron was the only goose!

Another "After"

2009-11-29T18:38:00.001-06:00

The stone is complete! I'm pleased as punch with how it turned out! The game plan is to lose the glass doors, and get a pretty fireplace screen. I'm currently drooling over the following . . . Another project I'll be working on is getting my youngest to sit on the sofa, not the coffee table.

Thankful

2009-11-26T09:34:00.002-06:00

I am so thankful. All of this, every good thing, gifts from my Father. I am so thankful.
-James 1:17

Before and after . . . Almost!

2009-11-23T15:40:00.000-06:00

Picture taken from MLS listing . . . As in, before we even moved in.

I knew the mantle would have to go as soon as I entered the room.

I took this picture during inspection. It doesn't really capture the early 90's feel of this glossy orange oak mantle and slightly peachy flesh-toned tile. The giant TV space to the left of the fireplace had more of the glossy orange wood above it. The cheery yellow paint clashed perfectly!

Still trying to figure out the best solution {not to mention least expensive} to the lovely glass doors with brass and oak trim. Take out the doors? Paint the brass? Remove the old mesh screens currently covered with dust?

Today the paint is dry! And not a moment too soon. About an hour after Leo {my fabulous painter} left Benjamin put his sweet little hand print right in the middle of the new satin finish on the bookcases.

Stone surround and hearth go in tomorrow morning. Construction dust is happy dust!

It's going to be pretty just in time for the holidays!
Stay tuned, more pictures soon.

House Notes Part Two

2009-11-20T20:57:00.001-06:00

The hideous family room fireplace is GONE!!!! Wet paint today and tomorrow. Pictures by Monday, promise.

We're good. We're great! Survived short but miserable colds. Cameron survived another round of teething. We may even get out the play-room Christmas tree this weekend.

More soon . . .

In the mean time, here's my handy-man and his make-shift tool belt.

Aunt Coco can't believe he's already stuffing his undies!!! Aunt Coco doesn't have a boy!

Trick or Treat!

2009-10-31T21:08:00.002-05:00

Happy Halloween to all my favorites . . . Buzz Lightyear, Bumblebee, Ladybug, Dinosaur, Super Why and Woody. May you eat all your candy and not rot your teeth out!!

Just Ben

2009-10-23T21:06:00.001-05:00

He's as fun as he is handsome. He's as fast as he is tall {current clothes sport a size 5/6 tag}. His growing feet continue to eat into my personal shoe budget.

This week at pre-school he learned the sweetest little song "God Our Father". Sung to the familiar tune of "Are You Sleeping", his version is a bit different than the original . . .

God our Fauder

Once again

Thank you for our Blessings

Thank you for our Blessings.

Oh Man!

Candid Cameron

2009-10-23T20:44:00.002-05:00

Cameron-Girl and I had a little one-on-one time this a.m. After we dropped Ben off at pre-school we scooted over to East Shore to play. I could have stayed all morning, but it was too chilly to be out without a jacket . . . And since Cameron still doesn't sport much hair, I felt guilty lingering too long. And then of course there was the whole security guard issue, but I'll save that for another post.

The butterfly proved much easier to photograph, but wasn't as fun to chase!

Be still my Cameron. Be still my heart.

PS Eighteen month check-up . . . 21 whopping pounds {7th percentile}!

She is . . .

2009-10-20T19:52:00.001-05:00

She is . . . captured by her brother's antics.

She is . . . SILLY!

She is . . . serious as a heart-attack. Committed to the task at hand.

She is . . . a quick study.

She is . . . feisty!

A firecracker.

Noise-maker.

Rump-shaker!

She's a million different things, all wrapped into one.

To think some day I'll get to be her friend.

She is . . . already mine.

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

2009-10-11T19:43:00.001-05:00

"Imitation is the sincerest flattery."

-C.C.Colton (1780 -1832)

I'm supposed to be original. I suppose I am much of the time. This time, however, I down-right copied a brilliant young woman, mother of three, who's blog I just love.

Have you guys ~~stalked~~ discovered this darling Darby? What about her sister Erica? Whether I want to find a good recipe or the perfect school-house pendant for my kitchen, one of these two savvy chics can be counted on to deliver!

I unabashedly admit to copying the fabulous kilim rug she put in her family room. It's easy-on-the-eye and the family room got cozy just in time for the cool temps! Wish I could copy her loosely-upholstered sofa and custom curtains. Just lack a little time and a lot of money!

Disclaimer!! Still need to sand the coffee table, wax it and paint the sweet baskets below. Need some umbrellas and a couple of walking sticks for the umbrella stand, but am waiting for the wee-ones to get out of the weaponry-stage!

Mr. Potato Head

2009-10-11T19:40:00.002-05:00

House Notes

2009-10-05T15:39:00.002-05:00

This sweet house is still a work-in-progress. This house and the people I share it with are among my greatest delights. I love the way sun shines in through the second floor windows. I love the view from my kitchen window. Love, love, love the sound of Ben and Cameron happily trotting down the stairs, one behind the other. We've been working hard in the yard, and it's starting to shape up. It's starting to come together. But we have a looooong ways to go . . .

We've had a couple of plumbing disasters. And a couple of weeks ago we noticed downstairs was seasonably warm. As in the A/C downstairs was cooling to an inside temp of 88. So last week we got a brand new air conditioner and furnace!! I can assure you, I'd much rather have some new furniture, a chandelier and of course there is the looming kitchen remodel that I can't stop thinking about. All in good time, right?

Here's one finished project. My parent's old headboard had some new life breathed into it by the adorable owner and artist of The Collection. I love the way it turned out.

Stay tuned for more . . . There's a sweet old rocking chair in my garage that's going to get a big face lift just in time for Cameron's big girl room. Or maybe I'll set a loftier goal and have it ready for Christmas. Think I'd better go get started . . .

So long, Tagalongs!

2009-09-18T14:34:00.001-05:00

Anyone else out there obsessed with Tagalongs & Samoas? Gotta love those Girl Scout cookies, but it's a little hard on a craving when something can only be found for a measly three weeks a year . . .

We have a new-found substitute in our house. The great news is that the Walmart brand wanna-be's are every bit as good as the original. The bad news is that they are every bit as good as the original, and available year-round. To my super-cute skinny jeans hanging in my closet, I may need a vacation from you!

We opened the package last night about eight o'clock. There are five cookies left . . .

Make that four.

All Aglow!!

2009-09-09T14:29:00.002-05:00

Did ya'll know we finally have a family picture again? As in, my darling daughter is nearing seventeen months and there isn't a single picture with the five of us {we count Ellie} in existence? I've turned into "that girl". You know, the one who's late, sporting dirty ~~hair~~ clothes, running late, craving coffee ten minutes before dinner . . . I digress . . .

I give you, with much excitement, new family pictures! My darling, darling friend Amy blessed us with this gift. The gift of captured memories, of talent, the gift of simple grace. I will treasure these photos forever . . .

I highly recommend that you scoot on over to check out her new site, Aglow, and promptly book your own shoot with this clever gal. She'll capture your heart with the images caught on her camera.

Sticks and Stones

2009-09-07T19:35:00.001-05:00

Coco, Big Daddy and I took the little ones down the river one morning in Ruidoso . . . Where Ben found a stick he especially liked. After throwing some river stones from a toddler-safe distance, Ben decided to test the water . . . Nevermind that we had cautioned him to "be careful by the water or your sneakers will get soaking wet" . . . Ben jumped right in! Feet first, naturally.

The pictures aren't necessarily spectacular, but the fun most definitely was.

Dress Code

2009-08-30T20:21:00.000-05:00

A precious divinely-talented friend took photos today {more on that in a future blog post} . . .

She lovingly lent Cameron the pink tutu. The purple driving moccasins are mine.

The style, however, is all Cameron's.

Work. It. Girl.

I scream, you scream.

2009-08-29T20:19:00.001-05:00

Because

nothing

beats

ice cream.

See-Saws & Spinners

2009-08-27T13:32:00.001-05:00

There was no shortage of fun on this vacation. Ben and Paige made the most of the park . . . First it was spinning, then off to the see-saw. Then back to the spinner again. Thankfully all this occured before lunch, an important detail when dealing with small spinners and their stomachs.

Midland, Ruidoso, then Midland again. Benjamin, Cameron & Paige. Sadie & Tess {two month old King Charles Spaniels}. Deer & a rattlesnake. Paige's birthday party. Nine days of non-stop fun.

More pictures soon. Well, as soon as I get caught up in the laundry room.

Boy Toy

2009-08-27T13:28:00.000-05:00

This kid digs airplanes. Kate digs this kid.

Thanks for the cool toy, Kate. He's still taking it to bed every night.

Busted!

2009-08-12T19:27:00.000-05:00

Caught him, Sunday, quite literally hanging out in his bedroom window. This was his choice of activity instead of resting, or better yet, napping. THAT BOY OF MINE!!!!! Ya'll, he is fun. He is mischievous. He is fast. These traits combined have convinced me that one day I'll be happily doing the dishes {okay, maybe the happy part is a stretch} at my kitchen sink, gazing out at the pretty pool just in time to see Ben do a cannon ball from his second floor window. First on my agenda as soon as we return from our Ruidoso trip, new no-risk-for-strangulation window treatments. Michele, get ready, I plan to put you to work and wear out your sewing machine.

PS Can you see the fear in his face upon being caught? I LOVE THAT!

Squirrel Hunting

2009-08-02T19:41:00.000-05:00

Ellie has long held this post {Squirrel Patrol} in all four of the homes she has lived in. Cameron is giving her a run for her money.

Squeaky Clean

2009-07-29T20:20:00.000-05:00

Just plain sticky

2009-07-11T20:18:00.000-05:00

Summer is sticky in this house. Sticky fingers, sticky spots on the floor . . . Sticky faces post-meal time are pretty much a guarantee. So I stock the top kitchen drawer with wipes, and when I get the kiddos to bed early {usually due to a nap deficit} I clean the floors. Tonight, the floors are clean thanks to dining alfresco. Ain't nothing better than a mozzarella pizza dinner in the warm, damp heat chased by raspberry popsicles.

Master Benjamin showed off his tongue skills, his fat lip and his eyelashes post-dinner.

This child takes nothing seriously. He's the life of the party every night. EVERY night.

Sweet old Ellie, she rarely makes the blog. She faithfully makes it to her perch at the table every night. She doesn't eat rejected fruit & vegetables, but happily eats everything else, and contributes greatly to the cleaning of the floors.

This girl never misses a meal. And she digs the aforementioned mozzarella pizza.

More swimming. Always more swimming. Love this water ~~baby~~ boy.

As much fun as this sweet, sticky day has been . . . The high-light was when this boy braved the floors, sticky spots included, and installed my killer-new KitchenAid dishwasher. And to think I used paper plates tonight!

A Designer at Heart

2009-07-03T09:48:00.000-05:00

Morning, ya'll.

I've got my cup of French Vanilla. Cameron is tucked in for a morning power-nap. Ben is happily chatting away to his daddy about all things Sesame Street related. I've stolen away to my pretty new study {which is still a TOTAL work in progress, but the progress makes me happy}.

Did you know I used to be a designer? Deep in my heart I still am, but I'm missing the current ASID label as I haven't paid my dues in three years (I'm also missing the free subscription to Southern Accents, a favored perk). Anyway, if wishes were horses, I'd have a chestnut thoroughbred in my back yard and a flourishing design company AND a gigantic room filled with fabrics from Bennison and rug samples from Elizabeth Eakins. I spend hours on these favored websites to scratch my decorating itch . . . Cote de Texas, Urban Grace Interiors, The Lettered Cottage and more.

Which leads me to the new house. I just love it. It's coming along. Slowly. But I'm having the best time. A couple of pictures of the little rooms that are feeling more done. Yep, I'm giving you a picture of the utility room floors {a big improvement from the yellow and green striped CARPET that was there prior to move-in}.

Back soon with more pictures. And who knows, maybe I'll start mixing design posts with cooking successes {rare, but it does happen here} and, of course, pictures of my sticky kids.

Bashful Benjamin

2009-06-30T21:33:00.000-05:00