Nella's Story

I'm obviously partial to people with tiny ears, almond eyes and big hearts.

This story is so honest and beautifully written.

Just a warning, it will make you cry your face off, so be prepared.

My favorite part is right after Nella is placed in her arms, Kelle writes...

"I will never forget my daughter in my arms, opening her eyes over and over...she locked eyes with mine and stared...bore holes into my soul.

Love me. Love me. I'm not what you expected, but oh, please love me.

This was the most defining moment of my life. That was the beginning of my story."

The Giant Peach - Dining Room

I've always thought most dining rooms to be wasted space. The G.P.'s dining room is nicely placed next to, but not part of, the living room. We feed the kids breakfast and lunch at the kitchen island, and save the dining room for family dinners. It's a nice place to be away from the kitchen mess and we tend to hang out at the table a little longer than we did before.

The best part of my new dining room is the CB2 Envelope table and chairs that I scored on craigslist. What did we do before craigslist?

Veggie Tacos

Oh, these tacos are super yum. My kids liked them almost as much as the soup.

A few changes I made...

Ditched the tofu. Not a fan.

Pico de Gallo salsa, and I added it into the skillet with the corn.

Used crumbled feta instead of goat cheese

Added fresh chopped cilantro at the end.

Warm the tortillas in a skillet instead of oven for extra crunch.

The Giant Peach - Attic Bonus Room

I knew the G.P. had to be mine when I saw this bonus room. It's tucked away on the top floor and has three little nooks for office, sewing and guests.

A cup of espresso, my laptop and a closed door. Heaven.

Easy Valances

My rental windows needed a little help.

Color + cover mini blinds = velcro valances.

Here's my quick velcro valance tutorial...

1. Choose print fabric and cotton backing. I like bottom weights for the back because they are thicker and make the valance lie flat.

2. Measure your window width. Add one inch to the width for seams. I like an eight inch length, so I cut my fabric at 9 inches.

3. Lie your fabrics right side together, cut out desired size and pin around the valance.

4. Stitch around valance with 1/2 inch seam. Leave 3 inch opening on one side for reversing the fabric.

5. Check valance seams against your window opening before turning valance.

6. Turn valance inside out.
7. Use scissors to fully push out valance corners. Pin the opening closed.
8. Iron seams flat and straight. Iron body of the valance.
9. Stitch around valance with 1/4 inch seam.
10. Use industrial strength, sticky back velcro. Cut into 1 inch pieces. Adhere 4 pieces across the top of the valance, and one pieces at each bottom corner.
11. Remove velcro backing and press firmly on all four corners, and mid-valance.

Soup Your Kids Will Eat

My dinner cooking goals these days...

1. Things my 7 year old doesn't say "that's disgusting!" to

2. Includes some type of vegetable

3. Takes 1/2 hour or less to make

Here's our new favorite soup, Asian Dumpling Soup with Shiitakes and Edamame. 5 stars from all five of us. It even tasted great with vegetable broth, button mushrooms and no watercress. I added a little extra soy sauce and ginger.

Here it is at Real Simple.

Image via Real Simple.

Snack Jars

A simple way to avoid the after school snack drama. Three choices. They change frequently, but are always things that my kids like. We're not talking broccoli or brussel sprouts, but at least they're low in sugar and fills them up till dinner.

Bear still thinks crackers are cookies, so I'm his hero.

Jars courtesy of Target, snacks via Trader Joe's.

The Giant Peach - Ben & Bear's Room

One of my favorite things about our new place is the location of the boy's room. It's right across the hall from the living room...perfect for Ben to travel from room to room.

We've set this room up as the playroom also, and so far the toys having stayed corralled. It has great natural lighting and a large closet for more toy storage. I love the window seat that we've filled with toys to avoid little people climbing in places they don't belong!

Byrdie Graphics

I'd really like some cool wallpaper in our next home, but I'll settle for fun vinyl art for the time being. Check out these fun designs from Byrdie Graphics.

I'm thinking the big blooms would look awesome above my headboard that gets a fabric face-lift every six months. Maybe the animals for the boy's room?

Images via Byrdie Graphics

The Giant Peach - Kitchen

There's something about a sunny kitchen. This one is brand new, with a french door out to the deck and windows overlooking downtown. The island is my favorite spot to sit with my coffee and laptop.

I love the new art I acquired from Brooke.

I'm cruising this clock at Faire Houre.

If you come and sit with me at the island, I'll make you treats.

Cute Compost

Yes, I'm officially a Californian. I compost.

But as least I do it in a cute way thanks to World Market.

It's veggie time.

The Giant Peach - Living Room

The living room feels like being in a treehouse...it's bright and comfortable.

I especially love the window seat, leaded glass windows and dark wood floors. Our furniture fits like it was made for this room.

Our new favorite space to be together as a family.

The Giant Peach

Front street view
Our side of the porches...front and back.
Ah, the joy of moving. Once again, we packed, tossed, sold, bought and hauled our way to a new house. We're affectionately calling it the giant peach. (which my mom promptly said is incorrect because the house is yellow. what?) Anyways, the attempt to save money in a cheaper rental has turned into an unexpected treat.

We are loving our new nest. We have the top two floors in this 100 year old Victorian in Golden Hill, overlooking downtown.

This week will be Giant Peach week on the blog. Tune in for more pics daily.

Be Mine

Found these treats on Etsy this morning. (John, if you're reading this, you'll have to order today) Happy Valentines...

1. Lovely scarlet teardrop necklace

2. Robots in love t-shirt

3. Fiery Autumn Print

Trunk Show

My mom is in town which called for a girls' morning out on Saturday. Treats at Starbucks and time at the Handmade Revolution's trunk show. Found lots of unique treasures, but my favorite was this picture for my kitchen made by Brooke of Fire and Flowers. Perfect to look at as I do my dishes...

Check out the Handmade Revolution here.

CB2 Envelope Table

After much looking and debating, we finally bought a dining room table and chairs. Found a new condition CB2 Envelope table and chairs on craigslist and snapped it up. It seats 6, 8 or 10, depending on which leaf you put in, and the leaves tuck away inside the table. We have it in our new dining room up against a window seat, but someday I'll find a bench that looks perfect with it.

Time for a dinner party...

39

My man is 39.

And currently 15 pounds lighter (way to go, honey).

He was a muscle machine on moving day, along with Miguel and Juan.

A better birthday was deserved, but unfortunately his big day fell on the day after moving day.

We had a rough start. Surrounded by boxes, crying kids and no hot water.

Things started to turn around in the late afternoon.

Box-free zone in the living room, dining room and kitchen.

Hot shower supplied by San Diego Gas and Electric.

Bottle of Petite Syrah by Bogle.

Kids bathed and in bed at 7:30.

Friends, sushi, and more wine till 11pm. Ahhh.

Happy, Happy Birthday babe.

Comic Relief

After a grueling moving day, we all needed a few laughs. Promptly supplied by Harrison at lunch yesterday. Like father, like son. Will do anything for a laugh!