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

Photo a Day Challenge: April

More photos from April.

I can tell I'm feeling inspired by spring this week--there are 3 shots involving flowers.

Everything is blooming outside and it is glorious.

I love summer an awful lot, but spring time holds a pretty special place in my heart, too.

April 16, 2012

Flower

These roses grow in our backyard.

The bush is a climbing rose, planted by the previous owner.

Someday, when Aaron builds the new patio cover,

these roses will climb all over it.

But for now they just climb as high as they can in the flower bed,

and then fall over with the weight of their flowers.

The kids pick them for me almost every day.

I love them.

April 17, 2012

Something I don't like

I do not subscribe to the theory of 

"let them play and clean up at the end of the day".

I subscribe to the theory of

"clean as you go".

So when books are read, and left unshelved, 

when art supplies are left scattered on the floor,

I must resist the urge to grumble under my breath,

and pick up after them.

Instead, I remind myself that I am teaching them a valuable life skill.

And then I yell, "pick up your stuff, (you dang kids!)"

Mom of the year, right here, people.

April18, 2012

Hair

James had tons of hair.

He had a cut at the barber's when he was 8 months old.

William had beautiful golden curls.

Lilly's had a big chunk of hair in the front,

perfect for cute, little, pink bows.

Davy's hair is so blond it's almost yellow.

It's thinner on top and thick in the back.

He has these long wisps that grow over his ears and look kind of silly.

But really, I think he looks just perfect.

April 19, 2012
Orange

Nasturtiums are some of my favorite flowers.

I love the way, if left unattended, they will spread and climb,

until they create a carpet of blue-green leaves,

and beautiful, bright flowers.

Nasturtiums are one of the best parts of spring.

April 20, 2012
Something I drew

I wish I could draw.

But I can't.

Like, really, really can't.

I so admire people who can.

And I am kind of jealous of them too.

Perhaps that is why I encourage my kids to spend 

as much time as they want drawing.

Right now, all 3 of them love to draw.

I hope they never loose that,

and can grow up to be like their daddy,

who can draw anything he wants.

But I take better pictures than he does.

(well, most of the time)

So there's that.

Good photography takes skill.

An eye.

And yeah, it's not just having a good camera.

April 21, 2012
Bottle

Do you  know about Dr. Bronner's soap?

We love it.

We've been using it for at least 9 or 10 years.

It's fabulous soap.

And the bonus is, if you're ever bored in the shower,

 you can read the thousands of words printed all over the bottle

and be thoroughly entertained.

He's pretty crazy.

But you can't beat his soaps.

April 22, 2012
The last thing I bought

So James wanted a "stacked" cake for his birthday.

That's a layer cake for those of you not in the know.

I went with my favorite yellow cake recipe,

and even sprang for the cake flour to make it even more perfect.

Between the layers, I put whipped, chocolate gnache,

and then frosted the outside with it too.

It was amazingly good.

I may grow into my dream of being an accomplished cake baker, yet.

One more week to go for April.

Have any of you been taking part in the Challenge?

If so, let me know so I can take a look at your pictures.

Love from,

Greta

Photo a Day Challenge: April

We're home from camping.

I was longing to go again the very next day, as the kids and I unloaded the car of all our gear.

James said he was camping sick.

Me too.

I have a lot of pictures to share and stories to tell.

We were only gone for 4 days, but we crammed so much goodness into that short time that it felt like much, much longer.

That's the sign of a good trip, don't you think?

Amidst all the laundry and cleaning up, I haven't had much time to go through all the pictures and sort them into post ideas.

So I'm finishing up the Photo a Day Challenge for April.

I am really trying to stick with this project because I'd love to have a year's worth of pictures to print into a book at the end.

It will be a really fun treasure--if I can manage to keep up with it.

So far I have.

Here's more from April:

April 9, 2012

Younger You

I love this picture of my mom and I.

I think it was taken in Santa Barbara when I was just under a year.

Aren't those plaid pants great?

And that white sweater?

I have a thing for babies in sweaters.

Now I know where got that from.

April 10, 2012

Cold

Spring weather is so unpredictable.

I prefer warm days, but a few of these cloudy, blustery days

do feel very spring-like.

And then I'll take some more sun, please.

April 11, 2012
Where I ate breakfast

Enjoying a leisurely breakfast is high on my list of :

most favorite things to do in the world.

Unfortunately, my present life 

doesn't accommodate many leisurely breakfasts.

Every now and then, though, I do manage to sneak one in.

It usually means eating at 10, when the kids are having their mid-morning break.

I know I'm not supposed to eat breakfast at 10, 

but it's worth the wait for 15 minutes of quiet,

a hot cup of coffee, a comfy spot to sit and a new magazine to read.

I try not to mind too much that Lilly comes in every time and asks,

"can I have a bite of that?"

April 12, 2012
Stairs

A friend recently brought us this doll house.

It's an A-frame.  (squeal!)

It's got all sorts of wonderful mid-century design touches,

like the paint colors and the big stone fireplace.

The kids love it.

So do I.

Obviously.

April 12, 2012
Something I found

Our first blackberry!

It's not black yet, but a promise of things to come.

I'm hoping we have enough for jam this year.

In keeping with the traditions of this house.

Is there anything better than growing food in your own backyard?

April 14, 2012
How I feel today

That cold spring weather was hanging around.

Aaron and I went on a date and it was so cold and windy,

that I was sporting my uber stylish winter hat in the car.

I dress to impress on date nights, don't I?

Hey, sometimes you have to sacrifice looking good for feeling good.

Because a cold Greta is a cranky Greta.

And cranky Greta is no fun on date night.

April 15, 2012
Sunset

We went on a sunset hike at Bolsa Chica wetlands.

It was one of those times when I looked around at my family,

and my eyes grew wet with tears of happiness.

Wild mustard was blooming everywhere, birds were calling, 

bunnies hopped across the trail, and the setting sun made everything glow.

It was, to me, a little glimpse of heaven.

More April photos to come.
And then, I hope, camping pics!
Until then, enjoy the weekend.
Love from,
Greta

April Photo a Day -- Week 1 (and some musings on creativity)

I'm on a roll here.

I guess it's feast or famine.

Actually, what I find happens to me and my creativity is that it ebbs and flows according to my output.

When I am in a creative groove, finding the time to take and edit pictures and write posts, then there is an actual need to do more.

I feel like I can't get enough.

Ideas spin round in my head all day long.

I long to write.

I actually enjoy editing photos.

But then, life gets busy and I fall out of my groove.

For the first few days, my fingers still itch to type.

I am still trying to find a minute in my day in which to write.

Then another day passes in which I can't get a moment to write or work on my photos.

Then another.

Until enough pass that I feel my creative juices start to dry up.

It's awful.

My motivation wanes.

So much so that if I suddenly find myself with free time, the last thing I want to do is write.

Eventually I make myself, and then, the floodgates open again.

And I remember how much this feeds my soul.

And I'll do it as much as I can until I get thrown another curve ball and loose my mojo.

Does any of this sound familiar to you?

How do you keep your creative juices flowing?

Besides Pinterest.

Because I am the one girl in the entire known universe not addicted to Pinterest.

I mean, it's fun and all, but I just don't have a lot of extra time in my life, and for me Pinterest just seems like a time suck.

I use it for special occasions.

So besides Pinterest, how do you get your creative juices flowing?

These photos are one thing that have really helped me.

Although there have been days when I've been in a slump and I can't come up with a single, creative idea for a photo.

But mostly, these prompts have been encouraging me to think outside my photo box and to be creative.

It's fun!

So after all that, here's my first week for April.

April 1, 2012

Reflection

We have had Aaron's computer set up in the living room since all the kids had influenza.

Fevers up to 104.

Moaning.

Tossing and turning.

And a Davy sicker than I had ever seen him.

It was a bad time.

On the weekend, the kids usually watch some Netflix on the laptop.

They so love their weekend tv fix that they don't care how tiny the screen is!

But when the whole lot of them are sick, then all bets are off.

TV rules go out the window.

And we brought in the big, ol computer to watch heaps of movies on.

I can't believe how dirty it is.

Just  like every other window, mirror, wall, door frame and finger-printable surface in my home.

Kids.

April 2, 2012
Color

Long ago,

when I was a mom to just 2 babies,

I bought 4 Easter buckets.

I was pretty sure we'd have 3 kids,

so I had to be prepared.

I bought 2 blue for the boys, and then a pink and another blue,

for the mystery 3rd child.

How funny that 3 blue and 1 pink are just what I needed.

Although James now prefers the hideous blue camouflage Easter bucket 
someone gave him.

This year he didn't carry his darling bunny rabbit one.

Oh well,  the boy is 8 now.

He might be too old for a bucket as sweet as this one.

No matter.
I'll always remember and love these pink and blue Easter buckets.

April 3, 2012
Mail

We have a mail slot.

It's right in the middle of our front door.

It used to be an ugly brass eye sore in the middle of our ugly green door.

But when Aaron painted the door, he also painted the mail slot.

Because it is all in the details, my friends.

April 4, 2012
Someone who makes me happy.

Blue jays are a dime a dozen.

But this little guy, smaller and infinitely sweeter than the jay, 

is harder to spot.

Bluebird.

Just the name is sweet.

Whenever I see him or his friends, 

I am happy indeed.

April 5, 2012
Tiny

Lilly changes clothes many, many, times in a day.

From dress up to play clothes, to her nicest ones, 

to all sorts of combinations in between,

she's got it going on in the fashion department.
She also likes to accessorize.
She went outside in this getup and climbed the tree.
I think she's the perfect blend of tomboy,
and girly -girl.

I looked at her this day and had a glimpse of the future.
My tiny girl,
but not for long. 

April 6, 2012
Lunch

Roasted squash, roasted mushrooms

and a salad.

This is a nearly perfect lunch.

I love vegetables.

A lot.

April 7, 2012
Inside my wallet

First off, I love this wallet.

It's an Orla Kiely.

And I love Orla Kiely.

LOVE.

But I cannot afford Orla Kiely.

Because and Orla Kiely wallet like this one costs about $100.

Sooo, when I saw this one at Buffalo Exchange,

and discovered it was only $12.00.

I gave a little squeal of joy.

Think I'll ever find one of her purses for such a steal?

I'll keep hoping.

April 8, 2012
Shadows

In the afternoon, the sun shines through the avocado tree in our backyard.

And it makes these lovely shadows on the white wall behind it.

They dance about, every time the wind blows through the leaves.

They look like a filter for your intsagram photos, 

but they're not.

They're the real deal.

I think they're so beautiful.

I never tire of watching them.

I think they're a little bit magical.

I'm pretty tired now.
I've fallen asleep, sitting up, twice now.
And had to erase the nonsense that I wrote.
Seriously, I startle myself awake and look at the things I wrote and they make no sense whatsoever.
It can be funny.
My creativity is waning due to extreme fatigue.
Hoping I can keep this ball rolling.
Love from,
Greta