mother of mine

The most important thing this weekend was celebrating Mom's birthday. Celebrating Mom...who takes care of all of us and doesn't ask for anything in return only to delight in seeing us happy. In her sixty two years so far she has finally let us look out for her a bit and doesn't seem to mind having three daughters who act like three mothers sometimes. This year she had quite a scare with her skin cancer and I'm so grateful I got to take her to her appointments and support her when she was frightened by what could go wrong. Luckily it all went right.

Mom is truly my best friend, having a uniquely special relationship with each one of her girls. I can share any secret with her. She knows if I have a headache or if something is wrong within two words of a conversation, this always amazes me. She encourages me to create and continue to grow. I am me because of her.

Mom lets me know every single day how much I am loved and that is a gift I hold tightly to my heart.
Happy Birthday Mom! xo


10.07 to 10.09

...that's me!

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}

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

...

kadee-did

Happy Birthday to my sister Kadee! She is preparing for a big exam that medical students take between their second and third year, it is pretty serious because she has taken a vow of studying until the big test. We get to see her if we bring Sprinkles cupcakes or offer to do the dishes.

Her life is about to change in a big way, not just because she is going to begin that third year toward doctorhood but because she's getting one of these tonight!

Kadee collects quotes the way some may collect seashells or buttons. They are on her fridge, shelves, mirrors, computer desktop, inside books, under the bed...this one was on the back of driving directions she wrote out for me one day, then later she wondered why I had her quote on my fridge.

Well, I found it inspiring for one but more importantly because I had a little bit of her right there with me everyday when I go to get my orange juice and I love that.


After a long day of studying we get to celebrate with her! We will eat tuna and noodles, sing, eat chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, watch her open presents, maybe go in the spa...wrap her up in comfort before she must leave to sleep then study some more.

Oh how I love her. 
...

sugar + a wish

This morning Case woke up one year older than he was when he went to bed. But not too old for fruity pebble treats to share at work, a garland with sweet notes (one for each happy year), lots of happy birthday wishes, a polaroid of his birthday self, cards arriving in the mail, his desk decorated in streamers, and later...dinner out, presents and a banana cake with milk chocolate frosting and walnuts

Happy Birthday Case!

♡

♥♥
yesterday

autumn said a very dainty hello.

{9.22 to 9.23}

boo


Hermie curled right up in my lap and heart five years ago today.

In celebration, today has been full of Hermie's favorite things...chopped up carrot on his breakfast, snuggling, a car ride, a new harness, laying in the sun, kisses, an apple carrot cupcake and an evening walk.

Happy Birthday little guy!

*the apron giveaway is still going on until 9.28, good luck*

last bites...

{matcha green tea kit kat and lemon birthday cake 8.23}

...

...

on sunday

our walk took us by a cemetery plot piled high with pastel flowers, doves, ribbons and banners... tears, love and sadness... {8.22}

...

...

love + family

surprises + kit kats

beach + pringles

polaroids + flip

burgers + fries

kitties + cake

star candles + a wish

singing + presents

a beautiful birthday!

{8.21}

handmade

gift . . . Happy Birthday, Tracy!

...

{recently taken images + a few Martha Stewart craft products}

love at first sight 8.24..Today I unpacked my new mixer (thank you, Mom and Dad!). I was taken aback by tremendous joy when I opened it on my birthday, so much so that I cried a little, it felt strange to shed tears of happiness for a mixer... but I love to bake, it wasn't something I was expecting at all, it is the most gorgeous of colors, and Mom and Dad just knew the perfect gift.

......

......

l.a. heat 8.23..Sunday in Los Angeles at the Mini Market sharing a booth with the lovely Sasha Bell, plus Mom and Kadee helped with everything (thank you!!). It was a day of meeting wonderful people, both customers and artists and trying out some new items. The day was a hot one, I could've taken three showers when I got home, but I only had the energy for one and that would've been a waste of water anyways.

......

......

up all night 8.22..No matter how much I think I have done I am always up til the wee hours the night before a show, tonight was no exception...new items being created for the Unique Mini-Market, soon to be added to the shop for fall.

the birthday girl Happily celebrating this wonderful day all about me!

......

: : : Thank you for such sweet birthday messages! : : :