back to the grind...

It has been a while since a normal blog post has come from this keyboard.  Many thanks to all my readers who sent very sweet notes of prayers and encouragement as you read about my grandmother passing away. Unfortunately, two weeks after posting that note, my grandfather also passed on.  It has been an emotionally charged month and I am still working out some of those details in my head and the ramifications for my life.

But I will say that I am so thankful to be striving for a normal blogging schedule again and hoping to be here more regularly.  I am excited to write and catch up on all my reading that I haven't been able to sit and do with family affairs and illnesses going on (oh, and did I mention that my whole family got the flu right after coming back from taking care of my grandfather's affairs?).

And if you haven't heard it before, I'm going to tell you again.  Don't sweat the little things.  We live in a world that has unseen events and circumstances right around the corner.  Whether they are good or bad, it is never too soon to tell someone you love that you still love them.  Again.  And again.  Enjoy.  Love.  Dream.  And enjoy.  People, places, good cups of coffee, baby kisses, and corn mazes.

1) Corn maze with my mom, sister, and cousins (currently behind the camera)
2) Grandma and Hito walking around the pumpkin patch
3) And a moment of mom and kiddo just enjoying...

Have a beautiful day.

temperatures are falling and I'm freezing!!!

It is that time of year when this born and bred Hawaii girl starts unpacking.  Unpacking the boxes of sweaters that have barely gotten put away before they are needed again.  Sound a little crazy since I live in Southern California where the weather rarely gets below 40 or 50 degrees on the coldest days or nights?  Yeah.  It is pretty crazy.  My first year of college here, I was the laughing stock of the campus because 1) I went to a small school and 2) I wore about three thick layers of clothes every day the weather got any where under 70 degrees.  =P

I've gotten a little better...a little.  =)  I have acquired some fantastic layer-able sweaters/tees/dresses but I am (still) always looking for something else to layer with.  One of my favorite accessories are scarves.  I can't help myself.  I really do love scarves and how it keeps me warm, accessorizes, and covers parts of my body I may sometimes be less than secure about (usually I wear scarves for the warmth factor but once in a while I have a bad day and use it as a cop out for my insecurities).

a lovely scarf from this shop

I am also in love with open cardigans.  Partially because it is easy to breastfeed while wearing and also because they are just easy to layer and accessorize.  If you don't own one, you are missing out!  I'm thinking I need another one of these beauties from Target.  I already own one... =P

the color isn't quite right in the picture but it is the loveliest pumpkin orange in person

What do you like to wear as the weather gets cooler (or rainier if you live in Hawaii)?

cold hands, warm hearts, and holidays around the corner!!!

Happy Thursday, folks!

I hope you are having a happy Thursday.  Or at least a productive one with the weekend in sight!  I just wanted to share a quick post of a few different things going on.

First, it was cold in Cali this morning!!!  So I made myself my (decaf) coffee and decided that a hot hard boiled egg sounded good.  Don't ask me why...I guess my cravings are back with a vengenance now that I'm not pregnant anymore.  (I actually had less cravings while I was pregnant than I did before...or after)  =P

Second,  it's time for the Cold Hands, Warm Hearts Swap again!!!  Two of my favorite bloggers (who actually inspired me to keep working on my blog and keep inspiring me with yummy recipes, D.I.Y ideas, and fantastic outfit posts) are hosting this wonderful swap again!  You really do need to check it out and get to meet a new friend and get an early Christmas present!!!  I had a wonderful time talking to my partner, getting to know her, reading about everyone else's experiences, and generally sharing the experience that I am very excited to do it again! (I already signed up.  You should too!!!)

Thirdly,  Sense and Sensibility Designs is slowly getting her holiday act together and there are new items in the store!  You should check it out and keep coming back because the fun (and new products) will be coming over the next few days!  I hope you like them!  (**Teaser alert! Keep coming back to the blog too because there are going to be some deals and special products for the holidays that you won't want to miss!**)

Have a beautiful day, everyone!

Thankfulness Is What I Long For

Yesterday was a "normal" Thursday.  I woke up a little later than normal (around 8 a.m. versus my normal 7 a.m.), I did my morning blog reading, and got a post of my own pumped out.  (This is really pre-mature but I believe that one of my New Year's resolutions will be to attempt to get a blogging schedule established and implemented.)  After all of the aforementioned activities, I babysit/nanny for a family of four children, one of whom has a disability.  For their privacy, I will call them the "Browns".  The Browns are a wonderful family with children ranging from 6 to just under 1 year old.  I love these kids - we have an amazing time!  Today, we played with lots and lots of wooden trains (a personal favorite of mine from my childhood!) and played outside on the swings that they have in their enormous tree.  I had to share these pictures from yesterday with you all!

These are Browns #2 & #3.  =)  Suffice to say, I sincerely wished I was small enough to use their swings too!  Swings were always my favorite playground equipment but today was a beautiful, mild, clear autumn day and they looked so care free and happy!  They both loudly and emphatically declared to me that "they were flying!"  My life isn't difficult or oppressive by any means but this just made me take a breath, pray, and realize that God has blessed me so very much in ALL and EVERY way.  I am His and I am content with that today.  

Forget Thanksgiving Day being on November 25th.  It is every day.