Santa Barbara though Mom's Eyes

Here are some more photos from the trip. They aren't the story telling kind of photo. More of the artistic, experimental kind. And basically, the ones that I really like.

I Madonnaria

This weekend we went to Santa Barbara. It is a beautiful town. The ocean, the palm trees, the colorful coastal flowers and the hills. I loved everything about it. The only bad thing, is there isn't much to do with a family. But luckily, this weekend the Santa Barbara Mission had their I Madonnaria festival where artists come to draw chalk art in front of the mission. It was colorful and so artsy! They even had a section for kids to get their own square of concrete and chalk and make masterpieces of their own.

Hannah did a great job of drawing lines and circles and mom and dad added our own drawings. The best part for Hannah was smudging her artwork with the palm of her hands and blending it all together. (the picture of her masterpiece is before the smudging began). Oh, and throwing the pieces of chalk on the ground and watching them break into pieces. Mom and dad had fun helping out too.

I will add more of our trip (little by little) as I get the pictures edited and up. But for now I hope you enjoy these!

Have A Great Weekend

We are off to Santa Barbara for the holiday weekend. We need to get away and we have never been there, so we thought we would go check it out. Then I get back and the next day it is off to Kentucky to see my parents and for them to see their grandchildren and to meet Ella for the very first time. It is always great whenever I can go and visit my mom and dad. So, you won't be hearing from me at least until next week sometime, but I will be up and sharing again in no time. Have a great holiday weekend. Relax, have fun and enjoy!

Favorite Part of the Week

Here are some pictures of Hannah at dancing class. She loves it. Every time she comes out for their break between tap and ballet, she always tells me "I obey my teacher". They are learning their recital dance which is in about a month. I can't wait for that. These girls are all so cute in their little leotards and tutus.

Just a note, I was experimenting with my camera again, but the lighting was so bad that they didn't turn out. I turned them to B&W to try and save them. They are that great technically, but you at least get the picture. (no pun intended :-)

Think On It

I got this month's National Geographic and its headline story is about global warming. I have to say the more I learn about where our earth is headed, the more nervous I get and more willing to do my part. This story is yet more evidence that our "poor" earth is in big trouble. If you haven't paid attention, it is time to do so.

Chris and I often talk about going to Alaska soon, so that we can say to our children, we went to Alaska when there was snow and ice. And show them pictures of what "it used to be like."

Things are changing so drastically, that we all have to do our part (however big or small). I have just started buying the energy efficient lightbulbs. You can get them at Costco 3 for $4.26. At that price, why wouldn't you! And one bulb saves you something like $90 a year in energy cost. I am constanly looking at ways to do my part (usually small ways, because I am not an extremist (yet :-), but even the smallest measures will help.

Recipe Sharing Time

I sort of made up this recipe. I took the idea from other corn and shrimp salads and added a few thing of my own to create this yummy Shrimp and Corn Salad Tostada dish. So, if you are looking for something easy and different to make, try this little creation.

I Love my ABC's

I have a love for ABCs. I don't know what it is, but I just love anything that displays the alphabet. Whether is it a puzzle, a quilt, flashcards or blocks. There is something about a picture attached to each letter that I just can't get enough of. Maybe it has something to do with the stage of life my daughter is in right now. Everything is "A is for apple" and "Z is for zebra". Well regardless, I love it, so I wanted to share some cute ABC's I have found. See if you don't agree, there is something for everyone. (the Simpons' is for my brother :-)

More Outside Fun

Here are so more pictures of Hannah playing outside the other day. Just thought I would share.

Much Anticipation

I am very excited for the LOST season finale. I just got into this show this last season. I feel excitement each Wednesday night for the newest LOST episode the same way I felt about 24 in its first two seasons. My husband and I both like the show, but he is unwilling to invest so much time without some kind of resolution (at least three more years). I understand, but at least it is a well done show with good acting and writing, so I am willing to invest. I hope tonights show is as good as all the hype they are giving it. To be realistic, I am expecting a lot more questions, than answers... typical!

The Neighborhood Gang

The other day when we were out blowing bubbles. It was so funny to watch the neighborhood boys start to assemble. At first it was just 2, then 3, then 5 then 6, until they all showed up and of course started a game of baseball. The fun part is that they gather right in front of our house and play there too. It is fun to see them get together. It is a nice reminder of what summer is all about. And Hannah likes it too. She loves to watch (and play when they let her).

Gotta Try It

I was grocery shopping and saw all the Ben & Jerry's on sale, so of course stopped to take a look. They had the new 2007 flavors and one in particular caught my eye. Cinnamon Buns Ice Cream. Oh, my good! It is all about caramel and cinnamon - my two favorite flavors. The funny thing is that I can't even eat ice cream right now (thanks Ella), but I bought it anyway, just because it sounded so good. Who's kidding who, I will probably sneak a bite, here and there. It is that good, I am willing to risk the outcome.

Kitchen Couture

This entry is for my sister. She has a new love for aprons. And now that she has pointed it out, I can totally see why. Aprons are so much fun. They come in such cute fabric and styles. If only you could wear them daily and out and about, so you could own more than one or two and it would be worth it. But I found these adorable aprons by Jessica Steele. I wish I could justify spending $40 for the "carmen" one. I never wear aprons, but maybe I will start.

Bubble and Outside Fun

The weather has been just perfect here the past week, so we went outside to enjoy and blow bubbles (since Hannah got a few cute ones for her birthday). She had so much fun and once the bubbles went flying all the neighborhood kids had to come play too. She had a blast! Here are some pictures (and again this is me trying to understand me camera better).

Side Note - bubbles have come a long way from when we were kids. Now they are motorized and bubbles are constant. It is pretty fun and easy for kids that haven't mastered the blowing thing. And they are slightly less messy. So everyone wins.

Doing it Disney Style

Well in case you haven't heard, Disney has created its own line of wedding dresses inspired by their princesses. I know a few people that would love to get married in these gowns (purely because they are Disney), but once you take a look at them, you too wouldn't mind it I'm sure. They are quite beautiful. There is at least one from each line that I am in love with. So, check it out and see which princess you would be on your wedding day.

Let's Play

I noticed the other day, that we have a nice little collection of games. Hannah and I probably play at least one of these at least every other day. I have to say my favorite is probably CandyLand. Where I think Hannah's favorite is Hi Ho Cherrios! Thank heavens for fun games that teach and help us have fun together.

Beaten to the Punch

I hate when somebody beats me to the punch. So, as many of my friends know I kinda like to throw parties and make them all coordinated and fun (kinda like Hannah's Curious George Party). Well, I was thinking the other night as I was going to sleep that I need to make money off of this. So, I was trying to come up with a way to do it - packaged parties. Kinda like parties in a box, but more classy and original. I was thinking of different ways to do this and of course needed to find the time to commit to ie, But then today, lo and behold, I come across my idea. Somebody else is doing it. Hostess with the Mostess . But I have to say this site is fantastic and so cute and right up my alley! I Iove it. Such cute ideas. This doesn't mean that I won't do something like this someday, but until then, use this site, i know I will.

Also, check out their blog. They did a whole week highlighting cute stationary. Oh, my goodness, first of all I love stationary, can't get enough of it. They feature such cute stuff. I could spend hours on each stationary site. So enjoy that too, I know I will during nap time.

Privacy Please

This is the pose Ella strikes when I feed her at night. It is so funny, she does it every single time. It is like she is protecting herself from anyone that might be trying to sneak a peek at her while she is feeding. I love it, so I had to get a picture of it, so I could show her later on in life.

A Tale to Tell

There is a publisher of books that i just love. They are called Tiger Tales. Hannah receieved her first book from an aunt and uncle "Little Bunny's Bathtime". Then for her birthday, her friend Joseph and Sarah gave her another book "Twinkle, Twinkle". Both books are just great. Why you may ask? Well, first of all they are both soft cover books. And second of all the illustration on both are just fabulous. So, I went to their site to check it out and I love all the books. I love the titles, the illustrations and the stories. If you are in need of great books, check these out. Oh, and by the way, go to half.com, to get them really cheap.