Thursday, September 16, 2010

the good life.

life...it's moving lightening fast and i'm afraid to blink. i try to make decisions with the big picture in mind, but maybe it's the small pictures that eventually make-up our big picture or our masterpiece.

either way, i have to say that i am guilty or blessed, depending on who you speak to, to live each day as authentically as i can, even with the house and all of the responsibilities it begs of me to complete each day.

one day i am cleaning out and organizing a closet like a crazy person and the next day, i am baking muffins with my little guy with amazing leisure and enjoyment! read with peyton or bleach the sinks. dude, i always go the opposite way of house duty and do something fun with the kids if the opportunity presents itself. lately though, i am trying to be better balanced at all of it and that's been tough. i'll keep ya posted on my progress! ha!

it's life, full of all the intricate details that make up what 'real life' is all about, but it's been really good. certainly not because my laundry piles have inched down in size, because they haven't, but because the new season is upon us and with it comes the same variation of a 'to do' list that makes it way to my desk each and every year around this time...and it motivates me.

in between all the mundane stuff... halloween and thanksgiving are almost here! i'm already scouting out the pottery barn mags and taking all their shiny and creative ideas to target and tj max, so that i may be inspired to 'fall-ize' my house in style and on a budget. more to come on that, but all's i have to say is...i've picked up TWO cinnamon brooms at publix (#1 sign that we are about to embark on the 'chili' season), and a bunch of waxed leaves to adorn my copper top buffet table with.

i. love. this. time. of. year!

peyton and beckham's birthdays are coming up and this year we are doing a joint celebration. yes, plans are underway for a small, fun and responsible party smack dab in the middle of pumpkin patches, mulled cider, and colored maple leaves.

so, in between the belt crunching, lunch making, clothes folding (unending), toilet cleaning, homework, and the stuff that's not much fun-it's comforting. i'm glad for the responsibilities and for the little people that have a habit of messing up a room like a hurricane can a whole state. we have been just doing what we can to enjoy every minute and yes, i need a nap soooo badly.

not complaining. not one little bit!
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*my grateful list...
*a date with my little girl.

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"mommy, can we have a girls' day today?"
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she asked if i could put my camera on a timer so we could get a picture together.
i laughed with proud tears as i didn't even realize that she knew what a timer was, let alone using a timer on my cam.
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my girl. i love you so!!! you amaze me everyday.

*baking
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(okay, i would have included the recipe for this peach upside down cake, but...how do i phrase this? It sucked, so i can't share and trust me...you wouldn't want it. it was boring and blase' and lacked anything special. still glad i tried it though. when i get it right, i'll pass it along to you guys! still, it's pretty!

*some of my work published in parent's magazine & *kelle & nella's story shared with so many more people. it has been such a beautiful and profound experience and the photos in the mag bring back such emotion and meaning.
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*beckham crafting in his pj's while i have my first cup of coffee...
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*isle of capri...
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*my husband, for being so ready to do something like this, and for letting me sit on the beach and take in a south forida sunset.

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and when the sky transforms into purple and orange fire...
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we break out our cameras and take advantage of the holy light...the good stuff. golden and sandy and perfect...
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*her eyes...
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*family that is not ours, but still kinda is.

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these kids love each other and that makes up for the pretty pink cupcakes that tasted like...
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...well, it wasn't good! but my floured and sugared up kitchen begged to differ on the quality of our cupcakes. the value of the fun had in that kitchen...gold.

*i'm grateful for captured moments like these...
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apparently, becks and lainey had a couple of children and were taking them for a walk. they looked like a married couple and beckham, my little baby looked so protective.

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*static hair...
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and the happiness it brings to these two.
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*my new battery operated, remote powered candles from costco. set of 11 for $29.99 and i'm loving them!
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*friends that bring out the goofy in peyton.
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*my new tea cup, just for me, and the ceremonious routine that yields me the perfect cup of chai each morning.
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(thanks, jenn. xoxo)
worthy of note...lancome's free with purchase for the next couple of weeks. spend $35 and get to choose 6 goodies!!
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*being caught in the rain and then dancing in it...
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*random moments & good light...and my camera charged and ready.
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savannah, took this one! beautiful.

*new recipes.
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adapted from cooking light, 5 ingredients & 15 minutes.

this dessert looked so delicious and i have absolutely no experience with figs... of any kind, so i tried it because it was so easy and i loved the idea of serving this with toasted pecan halves and thin wedges of gruyere or fontina cheese. so fall. so chic. it was really good but would have been better if i had chosen figs that were a tad more ripe, so keep that in mind.

Marsala-Poached Figs

1/2 cup marsala
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
3 black peppercorns
2 tablespoon honey
6 fresh Black Mission figs, halved. be sure they are soft and ripe.

combine the first four ingredients in a saucepan. bring to boil and cook for 7 minutes or until syrupy. add the figs and cook for 2 more minutes.

plate two halves on a plate, spoon the reduction over them and serve with cheese and toasted pecans.

{when choosing your figs, remember that fresh figs are in season twice a year: the first crop is available from june-july and the second crop is from early september through mid-october.}


***

big picture, small picture...
i guess we are constantly learning how to navigate our way in work, marriage, and parenting.
we are in a perpetual state of growth... it's one of my favorite parts of getting older & i'm grateful for it because when there are challenging days that come that make me want to curl up in ball and 'draw the drapes,' i can validate it and move on and try to make the next day better. and knowing it will be.

my only hope is that our "theoretical canvas" is splattered in a kaleidoscope of colors and mediums. that every inch of our masterpiece includes both well thought out experiences as well as the spontaneous. our picture won't be perfect, but it will be to us.

ha. okay, emotional rant done.


g'night!
xoxoxoxo

~i have been receiving many questions on photo editing and software lately. i will post the links to the previously posted q&a's next week!

53 comments:

Patti said...

wow, that was a PACKED post!! How in the world did you have time to live the life in all those photos AND edit/upload them all since your last post??
Heidi, seriously- you are exotically model beautiful. Not fair!!
I love the light in the last of your pictures..can you recommend any good books or websites on photography? And a good beginner's camera? My daughter and I are trying to learn more about photography..she is looking at a Rebel..
My fav picture is the one of Beckham with the golden-orange light on his hair...soooo sweet.
Congrats on your photos in Parent's!!

Maria said...

Heidi~beautiful post, beautiful life. The pictures-stunning. The look on Carin's face in the first one with Nella-pure love. Chills. And I must say that Becks & Lainey do make a gorgeous couple! Sweet Peyton - a mini you. How precious. I enjoy your blog & am happy I came across it in blogland. Thinking about starting my own as I too am into photography & kids & loving life. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love,
Maria

Terri said...

I adore your posts and you!! Parents Magazine, that is so cool. I have that issue, on my desk and was planning on reading it tomorrow during our drive up to Saginaw, I would have flipped if I noticed that before you told us!
The cupcakes looked fabulous, I haven't ever made anything with figs but might have to try that one! congratulations of the picture!

Anonymous said...

What a full post, so much beauty and love! Thanks for sharing, I've been having a crappy week and it's nice to see someone enjoying all that is around them!

April said...

I just had a feeling there was a new post brewing! Good one, Heidi. I am right there with you ... in a great place with the now. It is a wonderful feeling, one of peace!

Happy, happy day! It is ALMOST the weekend ...

PS - How I'd love to get together, jammied up and all, to chat and let our kiddies run wild!

Molly Melnick said...

I am so excited for your "Parents" magazine gig..
You do such a great job sharing all your fun stuff with us. You make me want to live in Florida...I grew up there...but not in a place like you live in. Great post!
Lisa

Rebecca said...

I love the rain photos! We could've done that here yesterday but we all would've been sick since the chill has landed along with the goodbye to summer!
So, so happy for you! Your pics and Kelle's story, it's thrilling!!! I love it all, and now I have to go fold laundry! ha xoxo

Amie said...

Whew! That was a LOT to take in! We're settling into a routine here, as well, and are ready for fall. Chili!! Yum! Love your photos as usual-including the ones for Kelle in Parents. Such an emotional journey.

J Scheppl said...

Gotta admit- I LOVED your emotional rant- as well as this post, your list and all the amazing pictures!! You ROCK!

Kelly said...

Heidi....the pics of Beckham and Lainey are just too adorable!

What I would do to snuggle with little Nella on the couch like that! That baby is heaven, total perfection.

Congrats on the mag...so amazing.

When I fly my family out to stay in one of Rik's houses in Naples for a week, you MUST take family shots...must!

Kelly
kellywhite@rogers.com

Loosy said...

love. love. love it all.

INSPIRED.

Daniele said...

Your blog is such eye candy, the pictures are just beyond gorgeous. Congrats on your beautiful pictures in the magazine.

Rhonda said...

Momma and Babe pictures are my favorite!!! And you and your babes take perfect one!!!

Those pics of being caught in the rain...LOVE THEM..and what a rain it was!!!..I do this all the time too when we have heavy rain...I love seeing my little guy walking around with his umbrella..it makes me laugh, no matter how many times i tell him to drop it and soak it all up, he prefers the bumble bee umbrella... ;)

Sarah said...

oh wow...beautiful photos. I wondered if the PARENTS magazine meant you were published. The picture of Kelly's sister with Nella really, really touched me to the point of tears. Something so sweet about gazing deep into the eyes of a baby in general, and one who has created and brought out so much love and goodness in others in particular.

I love your words, your photos and your spirit mixed with your honesty about trying and living the good life. Have a fabulous weekend. I keep hoping for Fall up here in Virginia even though it is still 80, so if you in Florida can fallize your house, I should be able to do it, too. I'm wondering if mums even are out there for you down there?! That is my favorite way to Fallize a house:) cheers...Sarah

Anonymous said...

I can totally relate to the war between cleaning house and making precious memories with your kids! And even if you spend 3 hours cleaning house (which I did while my kids were in preschool), it takes all of that much time for them make it look like you haven't done a thing in weeks... so I admire all your cupcake and peach cobbler making and crafting instead of cleaning! It's DEFINITELY way more worth it! :)

I loved the "grateful" list. You and your family are so beautiful. And the pictures of Nella on the couch with Kelle's sister were heavenly. Oh my! OH MY!

By the way, Happy belated birthday! I was so disappointed when I realized how much time had passed since you'd posted your birthday post and I never commented... May you have a year full of happiness! :)

xoxo! Liz

Heidi said...

Hi Heidi, Those pictures of Lainey and Beckam are adorable. They are building a friendhip that will last a lifetime; it's great that you are recording these moments in photographs and creating these memories in their hearts. I love the way you take ordinary pasttimes and turn them into something magical. I look forward to your posts, thank you so much for sharing:)

J said...

Thanks for the big picture/small picture reminder. I love reading inspirational blogs like yours to refocus my own life. You are so REAL. I love it. Thank you for that!

Anonymous said...

Hey! I'm reading all the way from Singapore. Your blog is Beautiful! I like every snap shots of yours, including cups and many others.

Sallinger said...

We playdoh'd at 8:30 this morning, gotta start early if you're gonna get it all in :) I feel the same way about being balanced with house and kids. Who wants to clean when the kids are ready to play? But, who wants to play in a dirty house!? Balance.

For some reason I have thought about you a few times this summer and had a little chuckle because you posted at the beginning of the season about your new summer cup. I thought it was so funny! I love that you have a new fall cup :) It's the little things!!

Tammy B said...

I am so in for a sleep over with you and April and the kids. Bring Kelle too :) Wouldn't that be awesome??? When are you guys coming up?? How about a stopover on your next road trip to MI? We are right on the way :) Let's do it!

K. Your post was awesome. Give me some more cooking light recipes. And I? Am trying hard to live in the moment, and not stress about all the "what ifs" that are out there. It is a hard thing for me, but I am working on it.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

xoxo

Kate said...

Your post always truly touch my heart. There are so many precious photos I almost can't take it all in. Just beautiful and what my soul needed. Bless you Heidi, sending you my love from Cali!!

What an amazing woman you are!!
xoxo
Kate

Kelly Hutcheson said...

WOWSA! How can I ever pick a favorite!!?? They are all so amazing and heartwarming! Just like you! What a beautiful life! xoxo

Kiki said...

Wow amazing photos!

The one of Beckham and Lainey is just too sweet, he really does look protective!
And that one of you and Peyton on your "date" is so stunning!

Jen Biasi said...

Heidi-girl,
Another great post. Great pix!! You're hawt, you're a super talented photographer, blah blah. I sound like a stalker. I mean, I AM your personal stalker (I know exactly what what you were wearing yesterday, and what time you pulled in the driveway. Just kidding. ...or AM I...), but I don't want to come ACROSS as one to others. So. There's that...
I'm very proud of you, my published friend. I truly hope you're going to get that spread professionally framed or something. Cuz that's good shit.
Let's hang this week.
xo
Jen

Bugg's mama said...

Really, really wonderful post! Your photography is packed with talent. You are such a beautiful mother.

Love, Bree

Bugg's mama said...

Really, really wonderful post! Your photography is packed with talent. You are such a beautiful mother.

Love, Bree

Heidi said...

patti! ha, thank you. you are so sweet...i'm not sure about the exotic model part...lol. you should see right now. just in from the sweltering heat...swinging with beckham. i almost cried when he asked me to go;)

i will post the link to my photog q&a, i think i answered some camera questions, but i have heard good things about the canon rebels. actaully, i think canon just put out a new one of those. i'll look.

i shoot with the canon 50D and i love it!

understanding exposure is a great book! you can find it on amazon.

** you ladies are so kind! xoxoxo

Patti said...

Thanks, Heidi! Going to look for that book soon.
I'm anxiously awaiting your next post...it's like a lil' Christmas present waiting in my blogger updates box when I see a new post from you:)

Kenzie Rice said...

im always excited to see what your next post is about.. you take beautiful pictures! plus your kids are stinkin adorable ;) love love this blog! post more! hehe

April said...

Missing you!
Happy fall ...

XOXO,
April

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