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!

*my grateful list...

*a date with my little girl.

"mommy, can we have a girls' day today?"

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.

my girl. i love you so!!! you amaze me everyday.

*baking

(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.

*beckham crafting in his pj's while i have my first cup of coffee...

*isle of capri...

*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.

and when the sky transforms into purple and orange fire...

we break out our cameras and take advantage of the holy light...the good stuff. golden and sandy and perfect...

*her eyes...

*family that is not ours, but still kinda is.

these kids love each other and that makes up for the pretty pink cupcakes that tasted like...

...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...

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.

*static hair...

and the happiness it brings to these two.

*my new battery operated, remote powered candles from costco. set of 11 for $29.99 and i'm loving them!

*friends that bring out the goofy in peyton.

*my new tea cup, just for me, and the ceremonious routine that yields me the perfect cup of chai each morning.

(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!!

*being caught in the rain and then dancing in it...

*random moments & good light...and my camera charged and ready.

savannah, took this one! beautiful.

*new recipes.

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!