lately...

morning

kitty drawings

my dad

Three days. 

Summer lovin'...warm humid morning air, then it feels like summer for real.

Dad's three birthday celebrations... (since we couldn't all get together on one day). This year it was with a mocha ice cream cake, an afternoon walk, Five Guys and lots of love. Dad is truly the very best dad, he could be celebrated every single day. When Dad was little he dreamed of raising baby skunks. I think if he could he would have an owl, skunk, crow and Hermie farm today. xo

Comic Con...it has grown way beyond the comics, we are so lucky to have it in San Diego. I saw stars (yay!) and costumes, parades, art, and people everywhere, too many really...by the end of the day they are just annoying, ha ha. 

{7.21 to 7.23}

hermie monster

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tuesday

I was invited to display my work at the San Diego Association of Bridal Consultants meeting. Erin Hall
of Hall Events was organizing it and had a great idea to showcase local Etsians.

Amidst the sunshine, lavender and gorgeous surroundings sat my table and wares.

It was a lovely event, I met so many people and am looking forward to working with them on future projects.

It was an early start this morning...a little honey mint freshness for a pick me up and a nap later!
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sloppy bun

L O V E

...a little something I ordered from this clever shop, when not in your hair they are cute on your wrist!
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week's end

morning run, Hermie kisses, family bbq, fresh plums plucked from the tree, sunday walk, new pendants, brushed kitties, world cup!, homegrown tomatoes with dinner, couch lounging, trip plannning, and olive oil rosemary cake...a deliciously relaxing weekend

{7.16 to 7.17}

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pamela stephanie

                                                                          german chocolate birthday cake

This morning I took a walk with Dad and Hermie. I asked Dad about today, the day my older sister, the firstborn came into the world...her birthday!

Dad was in the Navy at the time and heard by telegram. He said he was so happy and excited to meet her
and shared his news with his Navy buddies. I like imagining Dad the day he found out he was a father. He would have to wait several months before he met his redheaded sweet perfectly beautiful baby.

Luckily Mom had dear friends to be with her while she settled into being a new mom. Most of Pam's early baby photos have sweet notes and dates written on the back from Mom to Dad. She would take pictures of Pam napping, stretching, napping some more...and send them to Dad.

Thinking about Mom capturing sweet newborn moments and tucking them into envelopes sealed with love makes me happy and teary-eyed at the same time. 

Tonight all of us were under one roof, just as we once lived so long ago. I took a few polaroids and as they developed Mom wondered aloud where the time had gone, how did it go by so fast...



I don't know, but it just keeps going faster and faster.
Sometimes I just need it to slow down so I can soak it all in, before it is gone.

Happy Birthday Pam!!! xoxo

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summer days

                                                                       a tiny souvenir from a day at the shore

{7.12 to 7.14}
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sending you

                                                                                     Moonlight Beach

                                                                                         Balboa Park

                                                                 evening with friends + Balboa Park trails

postcards from home...

...

{7.09 to 7.11}

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happy

                                                              my strawberry popsicle

friday

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snickerlicious

little snicker pieces atop caramel ice cream with a graham cracker crust...yum

I found this recipe on the Real Simple website while Googling "snickers ice cream pie."  It is very simple as the magazine indicates and a perfectly wonderful treat in the heat...more please. 

A few notes: Line up the Snickers pieces so it will slice easily once frozen, I did two layers. Put the ice cream on, then line up pieces of graham cracker to be the bottom. I think chocolate cookies would be good here, too. 
...

i spy

new cards and images to be added to the shop soon...

ice cream bars dipped in chocolate and sprinkles

shells, driftwood and views from the shore

open windows and doors...

a hot dog sleeping in the the summer heat, a long weekend, ripe tomatoes, fireworks, family and Jaws.

{7.02 to 7.06}
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field day

I've been looking for this dreamy place to photograph for quite some time . . . and then there it was.



With three willing participants (their beautiful mom was there, too) we ventured out into the unknown
in our socks, sneakers and boots. No wild beasts or tiny ticks were found (thank goodness) and when
I came home I was literally smiling the whole time as I did the initial browsing of the day's images.

These two cuties have been my subjects for many years...I think the year I officially decided to start my business she was only crawling, I remember because there was an amazing one with her in a purple
sunhat at the beach.

My best friend from fifth grade is the lucky mom, she gets to tuck them in, listen to their secrets, hold frightened hands, remember what they may forget, breathe in their sweetness and see herself in them.
That's my dear friend's smile in the hugging one, I saw it the second I snapped it.

It is an amazing gift to photograph someone's heart...


Whilst in the field I felt inspired to find a big flowery well-loved quilt for shoots, the plaid one I have is
good for fall and winter, but it is time to get a spring summer one.

Which led me to have a few ideas working around quilts...still figuring those out but in the meantime I spent some time with these ones at my Mom's. The square patched one was made by Mom's grandma, some of the pieces are from my mom's childhood clothing.

 Bummie...a little cross-eyed and a lot cute, Dad's kitty

This afternoon in the sunlight soaked room she pointed out the purple and blue ones, those were hers.
We remembered all the kitties who've slept on this quilt and how wonderful it is in its tattered condition.

{6.30 to 7.01}
...