Balance...

There's a lot of new going on. I can't go into detail, but yesterday was rough. I was on a level 12 tired. The scale is only 1-10 by the way. I realize I'm in need of some R+R, and maybe an attitude adjustment. It's  just rough for me to say, "Ana take a break.", especially when the dishes need washing, the clothes need folding, the James needs loving and watching and feeding and changing, and the Teddy needs pooping. Ahhhh! Level 12, you guys. I realize this post is mostly me venting, and I'm sorry you have to read about it (or not, that's OK too), but I'm grateful for a place I can be honest and relate to a few of you out there.

Where do the days go? The hours? The MINUTES? I look at the clock and it says 9:30am, then I blink and it says 5:30pm. Am I right?!

Balance.

It's all about balancing. I was at a friend's house a few months ago and I peeked at her cork board and she had the days of the week posted with a different task each day. Just one task per day. For example:

Monday: Laundry
Tuesday: Grocery Store
Wednesday: Sweeping and Mopping
Thursday: Vacuuming
Friday: Dusting
Saturday + Sunday: Whatever

GENIUS. She takes it one day at a time, no need to rush and get it all done in one day EVERYDAY, just one task a day. That's it.

So I guess you know where I'm going with this. I'm taking it one day at a time. I think I'll go with the example I posted above. If I forget something, I'll add it later. But since tomorrow is Friday, I'm going to get out my little duster and can of polish. Be afraid Ikea Billy shelves. You're getting dusted.

Around the home...

It's finally starting to feel like my favorite time of the year!

Our hand picked apples on my favorite autumn placemats

a new pumpkin candle to burn in the evening while we listen to Billie Holiday, especially this song

and of course the faux foliage, can't forget the foliage!

For Sale...

Have you been looking for that perfect chair to complete your home decor? Or perhaps you've been looking for a few chairs to make your space stand out? Well you're in luck because we are selling some of our mid-century vintage chairs!

These are Knoll flat bar chairs & are pretty amazing, enough said! 

This child's mid-century shell chair is complete with funky decor! Not feeling the groovy lines? Check out this tutorial from Apartment Therapy + transform this little guy to your liking!

 These mid-century danish lounge chairs are so fun! We are sad to part with them, but know they are going to a good home where they will be loved and appreciated...

*Teddy not for sale*

If you're interested in any of these chairs, please email me for more info!

Photo recap...

What a great weekend!

God is good y'all.

Happy Autumn...

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” -George Eliot

A Green Thumb?

Nope. Not this lady. I have never had a plant (other than a Homer Simpson Chia Pet) survive longer than a few weeks. 

So you can imagine my surprise when tiny buds on my flower bush began to bloom, which ultimately transformed into this...

What the what? My thoughts exactly. The crazy thing is, I paid $4 for this plant last summer when it had only a few blooming flowers, and I haven't watered it or taken it into the shade or given it special attention at all! 

Thanks Mother Nature, I owe you one!

 My succulents on the other hand...

are shriveling up and looking yellow. SUCCULENTS! 

I'll end my post now, as my head hangs in shame.

Welcome Home...

There has been lots of fun and joy here lately, as well as:

Lots of illumination...

Lots of art (best lookin' bears I've ever seen)...

Lots of yoyo mastering...

Lots of love...

We have lots to be thankful for. 

Vintage shopping is my new fave...

What can I say...we love, love, love Portland, Oregon. 

Yes, the Fierro's took a nice trip up to the city of roses for a whole week, and it was heavenly. 

While we were there we visited a vintage shop and even an estate sale where we found these gems...

Please say hello to fancy salt & pepper glass shakers  & grandma & grandpa's fork & spoon combo on the kitchen wall. 

I think this may be the most eclectic year of my vintage shopping life.

Pumpkin Carvin' Time 2010!

So 2008 was great and 2009 was a lot of fun...but I LOVE my pumpkin this year!

Do you remember GOOSEBUMPS? You do! Me too...

I really like Mitch's good ol' fashioned pumpkin. His inspiration was taken from here.

Happy Halloween! 

Our home...

so thankful.

Our New Home...

This is just a bite size look into our new home. More photos to come...

We are excited & thankful to boot. 

Psalm 136:1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever

Coconut Macaroons...

Not only is 'macaroon' fun to say,

they're also fun to make. -Me.

Ingredients: 7 oz coconut, 2/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour, 1/4 tsp salt, 3 egg whites, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate

The How-To: 

1) preheat oven to 325*F, flour the cookie sheet (or use parchment paper).

2) mix: coconut, sugar, flour & salt

3) with a wooden spoon, stir in: egg whites & vanilla

4) by rounded spoonfuls, put coconut mixture on cookie tray 2 in apart

5) bake for 20-25 minutes

6) transfer to wire rack to cool

Cocoa drizzle:

1) in a saucepan, melt the 2 oz of cocoa until melted & smooth

2) dip 1/2 a cookie, or drizzle on top!

Makes about 30 cookies :)

The mixture!

Teddy chewed up our wooden spoon, so good ol' scraper had to do.

The rounded spoonfuls...

almost looks like a countryside with hay stacks...

Coolin' on the wire racks...

2 cubes of the Baker's cocoa = 2 oz

I felt like Jackson Pollock drizzling the cocoa on the macaroons... so I signed my artwork

ps-listening to Emilie Mover will make baking even more enjoyable.

18 Days...

Until we move into our new home.

This home will be ours for 1 year.

We aren't sure what comes after that.

But, we are excited.

Breakfast a la Mitch...

There's just something about your husband making French toast that makes you want to squeak with delight!

Is it Spring yet?

Today feels like Spring, so in honor of this great season, I am posting photos I took of the Spring wreath I made. That's right...I MADE it! Mitch (my encourager) took me to Michael's, paid for all the supplies & said, "You can do this." I'm so happy he told me that because I love this wreath. I've never made anything like this before & the best part is I was reminded, yet again, that I have the best husband ever.

Spring wreath

Momma Bird

Baby Bird & home

ps-this little guy fell off, our roomy Frankie knocked him down accidently. So if you see this little guy, please return him, thanks.

Baby Bird #2