avila valley barn

aka. the craziest, busiest place on the central coast during the month of october!!

we went with ben & kristen & avery and chris & melissa!

doin' homework

today & the b-ya

Here's Evie doing her famous (at least at our house, thanks to Bella) "WHAT?"

She is as silly as they come.

And here's Em the Grace, making a face, which she is also famous for, while playing

"the pacuter" (one of her very favorite things to do.)

....lately!

Once again, it's been forever since I've posted! I am so sorry, especially to the grandparents and fam who always check in for the latest photos! We love you! I am going to get better at sharing our pics!!! :) So here are some of the latest....

Emma the Tiger/Lion (is it a Liger!?), she helped do a skit

for Kids Church of Daniel and the Lion's Den

Evie's B-day, she turned two & got lots of baby stuff! She is a little mommy now :)

And here's a little pic of Ab's cast. I need to get a better one before it comes off in a week!

Bella at school, she was advanced on her proficiency test last year,

so she got to participate in a little award night

Port San Luis

Isn't it incredible? This is a great place to live.

cute fabric

Aren't these cute fabrics? Not that I have them in my hands.... I found them on a "Stuff from Japan" etsy site. Still only like $9 a yard which isn't too bad! I was thinking the girls would look pretty cute in a green elephant skirt... or maybe a little tote for all their goodies. Hmm. Might need to place an order!

The "OK-I-haven't-blogged-in-ages" post.

Is anyone still here? I am a blogging bore this month. It so annoying! But life has been busy... and then there's facebook... oh, and twitter. Micro-blogging seems to be more my style lately! But I think I might start blogging again. Maybe. I always need the first "OK-I-haven't-blogged-in-ages" post to get the ball rolling after my vacations from blogland. So here is said post. I think it might work... I think it might. Just maybe.

your team wears dirty socks

Today was the last day of softball mania. They played 3 great games, ending in the championship. They took second overall and we all had a hot July day full of fun. The best part is that Bella got a hit! She'd been freezing at bat the past couple games, but when she swings, she hits!! She even batted in a run. So exciting!

All night we've been singing softball cheers and making up our own words. Here is my favorite:

"Your team wears dirty socks (How'd ya know?)

I saw you take 'em off! (How'd ya know?)

You put them in a tree (How'd ya know?)

You killed a bumble bee (How'd ya know know know know how'd ya know!)

Our best lines were:

Your team wears dirty socks...

We saw you take 'em off...

You threw them in the sky....

Those socks make babies cry!

And this one that Bella made up:

Our team wears clean socks...

we all just took them off...

put them in the machine...

our socks are squeaky clean!

Pretty pretty funny.

Here they are:

and here are some of the rug rats, aka lil siblings (Emma is sad b/c someone just hit her- aren't I a great mom? I'm all it's OK, Emma, smile for a picture!!):

And another trophy for these awesome girls!!

She really wanted the big trophy, but this one is good, too. :) With dad's glasses.

and done

jam and muffins... all in about a half an hour!! Yay! Now off to softball!

on the list

...of things to do today is to make some muffins from these bursting-with-juice berries we picked at the barn yesterday. Looks yummy, right?

Berry picking yesterday was like a treasure hunt because, I don't know if it has something to do with the dryness of the winter or some other reason- but the berries are not exactly ready yet, and when we did find them, they were few and far between. Nonetheless, we found enough for a recipe of Olallieberry Muffins and maybe even (yet another) small batch of jam. I can't wait!

peachy

Whenever I think of making jam, I think work. Tons of fruit or berries, lots of jars, giant pots of boiling water.... but last week, my beautiful friend Yensi gave me a great idea. She brought me some peaches from her garden, just enough for a small batch of jam! I just boiled the peaches with some sugar and it only took a little bit of time! Now we have a jar and a half of yummy peach jam to throw in the fridge. Just enough! It feels great to make something special and yummy with such little effort. And it's so cute! :)

Goleta Tournament 8U Div 2 Champs!

They did it! It was a crazy game! Santa Maria vs. Ventura! It began with "Blue" making a REALLY bad call, when the girl was a foot from first on (what should have been) the 3rd out and the ump called her safe!! Meanwhile, another girl scored- one to zero.

Another two runs from the other team in the next inning put us at 3-0. With 2 outs and just one inning left, we were feeling a little sad! Just then, our last batter made a base hit!! And then they just kept swinging! They scored 3 that inning!! We tied it up 3-3! After extra innings and doing the "International Tie Breaker" rule, putting a runner on 2nd, we scored to win!!! And it was a great play! (Don't you want to hear it?!) There was a girl on 2nd and one on 3rd. The batter hit a base hit, they threw it to home to get the runner out, then tried to throw it to first to get the hitter out! Meanwhile, the one who started on 2nd scored!!! It was so exciting/nerve-wracking in the stands. The parents were SO into it! And they won!!! The girls were so excited. And they are happy with their trophies!

funny girl

Evie got herself all dressed this morning in Bella's uniform- including the sock! She came out of the bedroom all proud of herself. Pretty pretty funny.

full

This week has been a whirlwind of grace and hope and love- mixed with the chaos of life. We had such an amazing time on Wednesday night with our college group at GenChurch- and my girls had such a fun time hanging out with the 30+ people who came over after. Jesus promised full life- that's what we've signed up for, and that's what we have. After this crazy week of bonfires, softball practices, dentist appointments, piano lessons, laundry (it's all done!!), dishes (they were all done yesterday!), goodbyes, youth group, out-of-the-blue coffee with friends, parties... tears, hugs, hope and healing.... I am feeling full.

And now we're off for our tournament-filled weekend! 3 days of games in lovely Santa Barbara! I really hope we WIN!

accidental gourmet

UPDATE: Basil Chicken, Mixed Grain Quinoa with Kale, Roasted Root Veggies with homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette. I like to call it the "accidental gourmet". And my kids like to call it gross. Well, they liked the chicken.

snips and snails....

I unloaded all of the fresh veggies from our CSA subscription (btw, you can check out their blog on my sidebar, Blosser Urban Garden!!) onto the counter and went about to prepare dinner. We get turnips each time and I guilt-ily throw the greens away every week, though I am sure they are good to eat or at least use in Veggie Stock. This week, I decide I may keep them! So I was busily cutting the turnips, when to my surprise, I find a visitor on the greens!!

I guess this is what you get with an organic farm veggie subscription!! A large snail munching on my counter!! I screamed and the girls ran in to see what it was all about. Abs rescued him out to the yard and I am pretty sure I will be tossing the greens.... even though I know that these little guys probably crawl all over them when they are growing in the ground. I just don't need to see it!

And the turnips are actually smelling really good as they are cooking up right now in the oven. Of course, it may also just be the smell of the Balsamic Vinegar!! Mmm.

This week we got a great bag of stuff. Strawberries, Lemons, Artichokes, Potatoes, Zucchini, Lettuce, Carrots, a very large onion... along with the irregular regulars: bok choy, turnips and kohlrabi. We'll see what kinds of yummy things we come up with!! The girls tried artichokes the other night and they loved it!!!!

three. more. days.

Every day this week I have tried to come up with some reason that my girls need to stay home from school. Or get picked up early.  The truth is, with only a few more days of school, everything in me wants to just be DONE already.  And they are ready too.  Abigail was in tears the other day, ready for vacation- and I am missing them more and more.  I am counting the minutes until I can pick up Bella today so we can come home and have some fun together on a non-school night.  Do we really have to send them for the last 3 useless days?!  But then there's something about closure.  And saying goodbye to friends for the summer.

Some days I really miss homeschooling.  I miss the family time, the family-focus.  I miss being a team 24-7, on the same team- with an outward focused goal.  I miss the projects and the lessons, the outings and the free time.  I am hoping that summer will shake me back into reality- that we will get our fill and be ready for the new school year.  Nonetheless, we are ready for summer!  Here are some things I've been stewing over:

*  Weekly beach day with some of my favorite people.

*  Sewing projects are floating in mind (dresses... for me!  and maybe the girls too).

*  Re-vamping the AMEN blog and going craft-blog crazy.

*  Mac projects!  Movies, podcasts... (regular updates from the girls!!).

*  Decorating!!  (I need some change, I need ideas!!)

*  And thrifting.  I really want to get back into this, one of my favorite past times!! :)

So many things to do!  Too many.  But I am expecting that after our long-awaited vacation the week after next, we will be in full summer mode, and ready for some fun projects.  Am excited!!

Abigail likes to sing.

a little music

Oh how I love Over the Rhine songs.  So creatively inspiring.... and beautiful.

dun dun da-da-da-da dun dun da-da

(that was a circus song... if you didn't get it :)  Last week we went to the circus!  It was really, really, really, really fun.  If you can't tell, we had a great time!  The girls LOVED every moment, especially laughing like crazy at Alex the clown.  And he was so so funny.  I love the circus!  It wasn't even spooky which I was expecting a little.  It was just magical and sweet and amazing.  Thank you, Carson & Barnes!!

once in a blue moon....

We had a nice and restful weekend.   Saturday began with a first scrimmage for Bella's new team (which is no longer called "Santa Maria 8U All-Stars but is now officially called the "Santa Maria SHOCK" - yes, like a lightning bolt).  She was tired and unimpressed, sleepily meandering in the outfield.  But it was still fun, and she did great.  And it was fun for us to see her new team in action and meet all of the parents. (More on this at a future time)

We then hit In-n-Out and were complimented on the well-behavedness of our girls (which- it's always nice for people to notice & mention it at that moment... never letting the pride set in for the readiness of the fall.  But it is amazing for those precious times when we can really appreciate our awesome kids).

After that, we went home for FAMILY NIGHT!  Our kids get SO excited for family time.  We all cuddle down on the couches, make popcorn and watch a movie we all enjoy.  (Pretty normal but, oh so enjoyable!)   I went old school and made popcorn like my mom used to, on the stove and with real butter.  I had to ask the guy at the store where it was though.  Here I am: "Do you have popcorn?  Like, the kind you actually pop?"  Nice :)  And we watched Bedtime Stories, which is so funny.  Of course, it wasn't really night, because the movie had to be over by 5:30 since the Cavs game was coming on.  And they lost, so sad.

And then today.  It was another great and relaxing day!  We went church, came home and ate lunch, then to the barn, fed the animals, ate some samples, played with some old fashioned toys... went to Pismo, walked through the stores, stopped & got coffee, got some Mo's BBQ sauce... came home and BBQ-ed, relax, relax, relaxing.  And now it is 9:30 and the house is quiet.

Once in a blue moon we have a completely plan-free weekend, and this was one.  And we made it proud by fully enjoying it.  Now, we're ready for a busy week, hectic weekend of first tournament, and then the last couple of weeks of school!  And then summmmmmmmmer!

Softball Update

Here are the coaches for the Bad Girls!  Someone was behind on laundry, or Todd would be in "uniform".  This was our last game of the year!!!

Emma has enjoyed my team mom duties as she gets to hang out in the dugout and try on helmets or catchers gear or whatever she can get into!

Here are the Bad Girls!  Plus or minus a few.... Jaida, Emma, Angel, Alexia, Gizelle, Abi & Kristel.

Bella's up to bat, Bella's up to bat... If I were you and you were me I'd scoot my booty back, I'd scoot my booty back!  (Those cheers are really catchy?!)

Paying close attention with her teammates: Cristina, Makayla, Andrea, Jailynn & Alina.

Closing ceremonies are this Saturday!  It went really fast this year!  Abigail is already ready for next season!  She'll move up from TBall to the next division- that will be crazy.  And also, Evie really wants to play too!  She walks around the house with a helmet on, holding a giant bat and carrying a ball.  I have to remind her she is not even 2 yet!  Pretty funny!!

bucket o' inspiration

I have a friend named Eva.  And we like to be creative in agreement... to collaborate on projects and just hang out.  Coffee is our main ingredient and around midnight, the creative anointing likes to fall.  And we have this bucket.   This bucket is full of our favorite stamps, pens, ribbon, ink- whatever is our favorite, it's in there... "The Bucket o' Inspiration" is what we like to call it.  BUT.  During craft fair season, we used it to keep all of the essentials: the receipt book, the rubber bands, the safety pins... you know, the pens, business cards.  Things we'd need quick as we're setting up shop or making sales. (Yes, those things require red spray-painted safety pins).

It kinda turned from "Bucket O' Inspiration" to "Bucket of Not Very Inspiring and Kind of Draining".  If you get the picture.  BUT.  And it has been a long time, BUT. (drum roll, please)  The bucket has made a come-back.  Thanks to my newly cleaned garage (thank you, very much) and the scourging of the craft fair mayhem, the bucket has been liberated from it's essential duties and is free to inspire once again.  And I can feel it.  

There is a cup of inspiration brewing... and I am ready for it.  So, to get it started (as I like to tell my girls... just get it started! I say) So. To get it started.  I linked up a new blogroll.  Bucket of Inspiration, Part 2.  So some creativity can rub off of these highly creative people onto lil' ol' me.  And maybe you. Check some out, over on the sidebar. And then. Get it started! 

funny things said.

I was on the phone with my friend the other day, when she paused to talk to her boys.  "Hey, can you please get the Steamroller off of the bed?" and later "No!  You cannot be a Gorilla.  Please leave your clothes on!". These things make me laugh all of the time.  I have said some funny things while on the phone also, and I was thinking... I wonder what could be done with these funny quotes- besides blog about them? ...Make a list?  ...Scrapbook them?  And then my partner in handmade-crime told me about a blog she saw on (almost) this very thing.  Check it out on Amy Karol's blog- she has put together a couple of pretty cool sewing & craft books.  Her idea for funny things said, handmade (on your computer) cards!!  Go See!

I love handmade.

Buy Handmade Video from Etsy on Vimeo.

the opposite

Today... I want to be creative.  I need to make something.  I need to take hold of some idea and bring it to life.  

The trouble is... and this is going to sound funny.  It is that my garage is a disaster.  Yes, I know.  But that is where all of my crafting items are.  And they are in disarray.  Major disarray.  So I actually need to clean the garage first, or at least my area of the garage.  But that is not very inspiring.

And there is where the problem lies.  Organize.  Then create.  But the two seem so opposed.

And I do not even want to clean the garage today... so my solution.  is...  Do what I don't want so that I can eventually do what I do want.  Yikes.  I see a life lesson brewing.

Didn't I just tell the Kindergartners that yesterday?  Why are these simple lessons so hard to learn!!?

Well...

the cold wind from last week has definitely calmed.  It was been hot!  Actually, Friday it warmed and since then we've been warm, even at night!  It feels like summer. 

Abigail made the plan in her head at school yesterday that when she got home, she would have ice cream.  She had a cookies n cream ice cream cone.  Then at her softball practice, her coach brought more... her second cone of the day.

And we brought OtterPops to Bella's game... Abigail had 3.  I'm thinking she's getting a little spoiled with the icy cold treats!  Ah well.  It's not every day, I tell myself.

But we are having fun.  We are loving it. Tonight we'll BBQ and I am going to make lemonade.  So summery!  

I love Spring.  It's spring!  Don't you love it?  AND it must be strawberry season.  The air smells like strawberry jam... and the truckers are lining our streets.  Shipping the strawberries all over the world!  And we got some fresh picked ones in our veggie subscription yesterday!  Yummy!!

OK, now I am rambling.  Hope you have a great week!   I hear this weekend is going to be WARM and SUNNY back east!  Enjoy it!!  :)

another day

Thursday, and almost the end of Spring Break!  This has been a week of staying home and cleaning house and being together.  Mostly it has been great- minus the fact that somehow the house is still a mess and the girls are weaving in and out of getting along and fighting like crazy. 

We are on to the upstairs,  moving around the sleeping arrangements and (hopefully) getting rid of stuff we don't need. (We have SO many toys!)

And I am making a wintery split pea soup to warm us up since the cold strong wind has been blowing us over all week!  

And by the way... I removed the music player!  Are you glad?  I am.  I hate it when music loudly starts on a page because my volume is turned up... and before my player had the autostart option turned OFF, which is way better.  So anyway.  Music player gone.  I can hear you already saying (good riddance!).

painting fun

We needed a little creativity today.... or at least I did!!  So we got the paints out!  The door made a perfect canvas (I hope it comes off?)  I totally saw this in an H & M catalog.  So fun!!  :)