Photo a Day Challenge: April

So this is my last Photo a Day post for at least a week.

And, since I can't seem to find much blogging time during the week lately, it may be my last post all together for at least a week.

We'll see.

So here's the last week of April and the first 2 days of May.

I wanted to include all 4 pictures from our camping trip.

So many good memories--these are just a snippet.

Here's to another week of making sweet memories.

April 23, 2012

Vegetable

April 23 was James 8th birthday.

I made him all kinds of the foods that he liked.

For breakfast I made cream biscuits from my favorite breakfast cookbook.

We smothered them in butter and apricot jam.

And, because it was his birthday, there wasn't a vegetable in sight,

all day long.

Happy Birthday, James, my little food lover and vegetable hater.

April 24, 2012
Grateful

The kids and I went to Gum Grove park for the afternoon.

It is one of our favorite places.

In spring, Gum Grove is incredibly beautiful.

We walked up this hill completely covered with wildflowers.

I asked them to stand together so I could take a picture of them.

They said, "Moooom, we want to get to the rope swing."

And as they complained about me taking yet another picture of them,

they stood together like this.
Just on their own accord.

Oh yes, I am so grateful for these 3 little people.

Thank you, Jesus, for making me a mother.

April 25, 2012
Looking down

I love when I look down at Davy now,

he looks up at me and waves.

"Hi Davy-boy," I smile at him.

He smiles back and waves.

He's trying so hard to say hi, 

and sometimes he gets it.

But that little waving hand is sweet enough.

Gosh I love this darling boy.

April 26, 2012
Black and white

Before breakfast, the boys set up this battle scene.

The dominoes made the walls and fortresses.
Pawns and rooks made the cannons.
Knights and bishops were the soldiers.
The king and queen were closely guarded, of course.
I love the way they plunge into enjoying their day from the moment they wake up.
It's a stark contrast to me,
who keeps saying things like, 
"do you all have to be so loud?  I just woke up!"
Perhaps if I went to bed at 8 I might have a bit more energy in the morning too.
Maybe tomorrow.

April 27, 2012
Somewhere I went

This is a total cheater photo.

This Friday was date night.

It would have been the perfect day for this challenge.

Alas, I forgot my camera.

So this picture is from somewhere I went on Saturday.

My book club.

And even though we read a book I don't like,

I do love my book club.

Books, talking about them, and good food--

what could be better?

PS.  Don't you love that chair?

April 28, 2012
1 PM

At 1 pm on Saturday,

I was sitting in my neighbor's front yard, 

watching my kids bounce in the bounce house,

mentally checking my camping to-do list,

and dreaming of heading off to book club.

Or reading society, as we like to call ourselves.

Wuthering Heights was the pick.

Not a favorite the last time I read it.

My opinion hasn't changed in 15 years.

Still not a favorite.

But then, I'm not much of a Bronte girl.

I like Ms. Austen much better.

April 29, 2012
Circle

Our first night of camping.

After a 3 hour drive (dang LA traffic!), setting up camp, 

and a long walk on the beach at sunset,

we were all ready to sit around the campfire.

Is there any better smell than a campfire?

April 30, 2012
Something that makes me sad

I chose this picture because it looks sad,

but it's really pretty funny.

Can you believe those 2 boys, 

standing there,

just looking at their sister as she struggles to climb the tree?

Don't feel bad for her.

Because, even if they offered, she'd just say, 

"I can do it all by myself."

And she would.

She is the most independent child I have.

It's a blessing and a curse.

And sometimes it makes me want to curse.

OK, a lot of times.

But I still admire the heck out of her for the way she gets things done.

Oh that Lilly.

May 1, 2012
Peace

After a gray and cloudy day,

the sun came out.

We walked down to the beach in the golden, afternoon light.

Lilly on Aaron's shoulders, 

the boys throwing rocks and picking up sticks,

Davy, strapped to my chest--

all of us together.

Peace.

May 2, 2012
Skyline

This is the California coastline,

looking north from El Capitan beach.

We were standing on the bluff watching whales swim by on their way to Alaska.

We saw whales every day of our camping trip.

It was amazing.

I've seen some beautiful skylines: Paris, San Diego, Florence, Hong Kong.

But this is my favorite kind of skyline.

Happy Monday, friends!

Love from,

Greta

Easter Colors

Easter has the best colors.

And oh how I love color!

Sometimes I don't realize how color saturated our house is until I am in another home, like this one.

And then I come home and I look around and I think, "wow.  Our house is bright."

We have a turquoise front door.

We have a red kitchen floor.

And turquoise counter tops.

Our living room has a bright green wall and orange chairs.

There are turquoise frames on the walls.

We have a bright yellow lamp.

And an orange one.

We love color.

Our house probably makes some people nervous.

But I wouldn't have it any other way

Because all the color in my home makes me happy.

It energizes me.

It inspires me.

I suppose it could also feel chaotic and overwhelming.

Perhaps that is why I am so careful about clutter.

I balance the bright colors in our home by keeping clutter to a minimum.

I think without that balance I would not find my home a place that felt relaxing.

But it is.
I love walking in the door and feeling that sense of calm wash over me.
I'm home.
If every surface is covered in clutter, then I don't feel that way.
And I don't just mean that pile of junk mail that needs sorting. (I actually sort it the moment it comes in the house and chuck it right away.  Cause I'm serious about clutter like that)
That kind of clutter makes anyone nervous.
I'm talking about visual clutter.
I edit down the items atop my shelves and dressers often.
Too many things, even the things you love best, can be too much.

Besides controlling the visual clutter, another way we've used color in a controlled way is with our wall color.
Most of the walls in the house are paler versions of the bright colors we use as accents everywhere else.
We used a very pale green in the public rooms and hallways.
In the bedrooms we used a slightly brighter turquoise.
Those 2 colors are used often in the rest of the house.
So the backdrop of those same colors, in a less bright version, makes sense.
I know every design article says you should have white walls and just add shots of color with your accessories.
But I'm here to tell you that you can have color on your walls and color on your things.
You just have to be smart about it.

All these bright Easter pictures got me thinking about color.
These are some of my favorite pictures from the myriad I took at Easter
You can see the rest and read all the stories on my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers.
My kids got an insane amount of candy.
And they organized it all.
They are so my kids.

So, what colors are your favorites?
Do you find color to be overwhelming or invigorating?
And speaking of color, this is one of my favorite color blogs.
Mr. Bazaar really understands the power of color.
He always inspires me.
I know it's a bit late, but Happy Easter!
Love from,
Greta
PS. I just redid my Facebook page for this blog.  I'd love it if you head over there and give it a like.
Also, if you want to see all the colors in our house, take our house tour.  You can find it here.
Thanks!

Greta's Birthday Gift Guide (and stuff you'll probably like too) Part 1: ART

My birthday is this week.

I don't really like my birthday much.

I haven't in a long time.

Not that I care about getting older because, really, I don't. (at least not yet)

I feel young and I know that if this were the Middle Ages, I'd be lucky to have made it this far.

So, even though it is weird to be looking at 35, and it does sound mature, I'm OK with it.

I'll be fine at 35.

What am I talking about?  I'll be awesome at 35!

It's not the number, it's just the birthday.

Every year I think I'll throw a party or do something fun and different for my bday.

But I am often beat (4 out of the last 7 birthdays I have had a newborn) or everyone is sick, or something like that.  

So this year I decided to do something that required minimal effort.

I am sharing a bunch of my favorite things with you--my birthday gift guide.

You'll be sure to find things you like, for yourself or others.

I will share something different each day for the week.

Today's offerings: ART.

Enjoy!

If birthday wishes came true, I'd wish for the ability to paint and draw.

Until then, I'll just admire the work of people who can.

Like this poster.

You can see the poster here.

And the whole collection here.

They have amazing stuff.

Next up, this poster from Land of Nod.

Oh how I love this poster.

I have for ages.

Perfect for a little boy's room.

Or a master bedroom because I think the sentiment is very sweet and romantic.

Don't you?

You can find the poster here and the rest of the collection here.

I would actually like any from this collection because I love this artist's work.

Then there's this map.

I looove maps.

This is one of the best I've seen.

You can find this map here, and the rest of their collection here..

If you can't actually get on a plane and go, you can at least look at the world and dream of going, right?

Last up are these birds.

Aren't they beautiful?

They are made of porcelain and hang right on the wall.

I can picture them flying across a wall in my house.

You can find them here and view the artist's pottery and other work here.

That's all I have for day one.

Come on back tomorrow for another installment of Greta's Birthday Gift Guide.

Love from,

Greta

Oh, Oh, Oh--We're on Ohdeedoh!!!!

To say I'm excited is a bit of an understatement.

Our kids' room tour is on Ohdeedoh today!

You don't know Ohdeedoh?

It's the all things kids blog that is part of the blog, Apartment Therapy.

I am a big fan of both blogs so when I received an email from Beth, a writer for Ohdeedoh, asking me if I would consider letting Ohdeedoh post our room tour on their blog, I was pretty ecstatic.

I emailed her back in 1 second.  Or less.

Because we are anticipating arrival of Baby any day, I quickly sent her photos and answered the room tour questions.  It was so much fun to think about how and why we have decorated the room the way we have.

Also, I was really surprised to find out how small that room really is.

I guess living in a 600 square foot house for 8 years gives you an unique sense of space.  

Anyway, here's the link to the post on Ohdeedoh. 

Please go take a look and share my excitement!

AND, yesterday the art I created for the Baby's corner was on Shelterrific, another one of my favorite blogs!

Megan B. wrote the nicest things about my blog.  It made me cry.

I know, not hard to do right now, but still.  

It felt pretty dang good.

Thank you Shelteriffic for sharing my ideas on your blog.  

You can see the post here.

It's been a big week for my little ol blog.

Now I just have to concentrate on getting baby out.

Maybe I'll take tomorrow off from blogging and take some nice long walks.

Or sit on the couch and eat ice cream.

Happy early Friday.

Love from,

Greta

What I Wore Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday, and.........

(I don't know why I posted this on this blog.  It is more in line, content wise, with my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers, but I guess I wasn't thinking clearly at 5 am when I began writing.  For more of my life as a mom, head over there)

......................................................

If you read blogs much, you have surely stumbled across a What I Wore Wednesday post.

If you haven't, allow me to explain what it is.

The idea behind WIWW is to give some fashion accountability to a mom who is spending her day running around after kids and might end up spending day after day in her comfy pair of sweats.

It's a chance to add some style to the mommy days, even if those days consist of swimming lessons, school drop-offs and play ground dates.

It's a chance to think about your own outfits and not just your kids outfits.

At least that is my understanding of it.

Now this is not a fashion blog.  (in case you haven't figured that out yet.  ha)

If I get out the door in a cute (read: not mom) pair of jeans, something besides a tee-shirt, a cardigan and some ballet flats, I feel like I have made an effort.

If I manage to add in a cute, maybe even funky necklace, my uber sale Anthropologie jacket, and a craft fair pin, I have pretty much achieved super model status.

I'm speaking in terms of outfits, of course.

I am just not a high fashion girl.

I like clothes as much as the next person, but truthfully, I'd rather shop for home decor, or read Bon Appetite than read Vouge.

So taking part in WIWW has never been my thing.

I really don't have much to offer in the style department.

In fact, I once wrote a post about my whole struggle with getting out the door looking halfway decent, plucked eyebrows and all--you can read it here.

But when I read my friend Katie's WIWW post (applause for her bravery to do it for reals) I couldn't help but think how funny it would be for me to do a WIWW post now.

Now as in, 7 and a half months pregnant.

I wear basically the same thing every day.

And when I'm home, I wear sweats.

A lot.

It ain't pretty, it ain't sexy and it ain't inspiring.

But if you've ever been 7 months pregnant and running after the other kids in your life, you'll get this.

If you haven't, then just stop reading now because this will scare the poop out of you.  You don't want to know what your future may hold.

Here goes.

Day 1: Taking the kids to swimming lessons.

Top: Gap Maternity--on its 3rd pregnancy.  Horizontal stripes=bad idea

Jeans: Gap Maternity--on their 3rd pregnancy (more about them in a minute)

Shoes: You can't see them, but they are yellow Converse, scored on clearance at Target for $10.  

Guess not that many size 9s want to wear yellow converse.

But they are slip-on.  At this moment in time, I am ALL OVER the slip-ons.

The jeans.  
Like I said, they are on their 3rd pregnancy.
And that cute elastic band, pink floral instead of ugly blue nylon, is totally ripped.
Nice.

Ripped on both sides.  See?
Really nice.
But these pants are comfortable and they still fit well.  I am not buying a new pair of jeans at this point.
I just can't.  As is so often the case with me and clothes, practicality wins.
So I still wear them--a lot-- and cover up the rips with a belly band.  (did you non-preggos look at that link?  sooo cute, right? i know you wish you had one.) It works since the pants start to fall down after a while anyway.
How's that for some hot pregnancy style?
Don't. Be. Jealous.

Here's another thing about WIWW posts: how do these people get good pictures of themselves?
I stink at it.
I asked James to take some, and usually he's pretty good.
That day he was not at the top of his game.
But you can kind of see my shoes.  And Lil looks cute in her swim cover-up.

Next up, Friday night date night.
Date night?  Dressed like that?
Listen people, I don't have a lot to work with.
Cute, sassy, flirty, isn't in my vocabulary at the moment.
I feel like a house boat.
I am not the pregnant girl who can wear skinny jeans and I try very hard not to despise the ones that do.
Details.
Top: Hand me down from a previously pregnant friend.  3rd time around.
Scarf: H & M kids department.
Jeans: Ummm, same as above.  
Shoes: Red Converse. clearance at Target for $7!  
Again, I guess that not many size 9s want to wear bright red Converse tennis shoes, but hey, why not add a little clown to my look now and then?
I actually really love these shoes even if they do look ridiculous.

Easter Sunday.
This is the killer, folks.  
I didn't manage to get in a shot of me solo, so you'll have to see a family shot.
And yes, I am wearing jeans.  To church.
On EASTER.
For the record, they are not the jeans with rips.
But still.
I hate to wear jeans to church.
But again, I couldn't bring myself to buy an outfit that I would wear once just for Easter Sunday.
So I wore my new tee shirt (it's embellished!--thanks Mom!) a cardigan (remember that's my go-to style) and some jeans.
I Eastered it up with that bright cardigan for a pop of color, a necklace from Target, funky earrings from a craft fair and some funky shoes that you can't see.  (ok.  full disclosure.  they were flip flops.  but they are leather and my feet are getting too swollen for ballet flats now.)
Next year, I promise to wear a skirt.

Last day.  
And that brings up another question regarding the WIWW posts: how do these people manage to find the time to take a picture of themselves before they walk out the door?
I am usually applying a dab of makeup as I am getting everything packed in the car, running back in for my coffee and giving myself a quick glance in the mirror before I head back outside to kids already strapped into the car.
And sometimes I am going out without a morning shower, or I forgot to brush my teeth, put on deodorant or put in earrings.  (but the dishes are done!)
I don't have much time for a photo shoot.
I think I am not very organized.


And if I wait to take the picture until after I come home from wherever I've been, with my 3 kids, I look like a train wreck.
See?

Jean capris: Target Maternity--2nd pregnancy
Tank top: Old Navy--not maternity AND size medium.  Heck yeah!
Hat: to cover the fact that I left the house with wet hair.
Shoes: none because they were too sandy and wet to wear in the house.
To be fair, we had spent the morning hiking and wading through a creek.

Climbing over and under branches, trees and rocks.

It was great fun, but yeah, not so great for the "I'm an all put together Mom" look that I think I am supposed to be going for.

If you are a WIWW poster, don't be offended by this post.  
I am not making fun of you in the least.
And maybe in a year when I get out of nursing bras and my "still fat" jeans, I will look to you for inspiration.
But for now, I can't help poking a little fun at myself and the reality of what 7.5 months pregnant looks like in my life.
I hope you can laugh along with me.
Because sometimes, just getting something on before you walk out the door is a victory.




Happy Wednesday friends.
Tomorrow, the artisan bread post.  I promise.
Love from,
Greta


Hopefully she won't be offended by my joking tone, but I am linking up to Pleated Poppy's WIWW post.  After all, this is my first WIWW so I am milking it. Go here to see people who wear jeans without rips in them.

Showered With Love

This weekend my husband and my sister-in-law surprised me with a baby shower.
It was wonderful, amazing and a total shock.
I am still crying every time I think about it.
Head over to Lilly and the Brothers to see some of the magic.


And those booties--handmade by my soon to be sister-in-law, Karen.  
They are so very sweet.
Sometimes I still can't believe there is really going to be another pair of tiny little feet in my life.
I can't wait!
Happy Monday.
Love from,
Greta


PS.  I'm linking up The Kitchen Post to Life Made Lovely.  Because I've been showered with love in a whole lot of different ways lately.  And, yes, I know I am a very lucky girl.

Go Check It Out

It's home schooling week over at my other blog, Lilly and the Brothers.
I'll be running the series, This Home Schooling Life, for about a week.
Go check it out.
Even if you're not a home schooler, you will find practical tips to use with your family.
After all, we are our children's first teachers and the ones they have the longest.
You can read the first installment here.


And check back here for lots of new content.  After 2 weeks away, I have much to share!
See you soon.
Love from,
Greta