what the 10 year olds taught me

You may see a tiny bit of fear in her eyes, but in all actuality she was terrified to hold those sparklers.  Terrified!!  We made her hold them anyway:/  Oh and that smile at the end...it's fake.  Because I told her to smile!  That's what crazy parents/big sisters do for a cool photo of their girl on her 10th birthday.  It's kinda cruel.  But in the end no one got hurt and now she can say she did it afraid and lived to tell about it right?!!  Geesh!  Slide that five minutes of fun over onto the list of birthday stressors. 


Every year as one of my girls birthdays approach I get an anxious feeling.  I want it to be SOOOO special.   Oh the pressure!!  I think part of it stems from some mommy guilt.  I work at home.  I'm busy a lot.  Distracted too much. 


But I never...NEVER in a million years want to downplay their special day, so I stress a bit.  It's all those tiny little details. And I'm NOT a detail girl.  I want the whole day from beginning to end to be beautiful and dangit I'm not a party planner.  I'm not good at meal planning.  I'm not the mom that makes baked goods after school and has tea parties;)  Wink to my Sasha girl!!  I wish I was.  I admire that effort I really do.  Because I know it's a choice...but I digress.

On her actual birthday we met her down at the bus stop and walked her home.  We had balloons on the mailbox, flowers on the table and in her room.  She opened her gifts from us, and when it was time for her to read Big Chick's card it completely startled me that the tears came flooding.  I wasn't expecting it.  But the words, the sentiment and meaning, is what she needed more than anything:)  Man I love those girls.  What a gift they are to each other.

For dinner we went out to Texas Roadhouse.  The girl likes her steak;)  And then it was home for bed.

The mom who hates to plan, who isn't into the details, decided that an at home party was the way to go this year.  I had just went to that fun Timree Gold painting party out in Newport Beach, so I had a vision of how the table would be set up.  I had a run down on the way she led the class.  I had a gum ball painting all ready and painted.  We were set:))

And honestly the girls loved it.  They all turned out different because of ability etc...  Which is the best part in my mind, because that's what art is all about.  Individuality and self expression:)  BUT when given the choice to do different colors for their machines no one had the courage to break away from the pack.  I think that's a 10 year old thing.  Conformity is safe.  No one wants to stand apart.

This need to be IN with the others and to think alike was also very apparent with the hand raising.  Tamara was there helping me...GOD BLESS HER!  And she picked up on it right away.  Who loves the color yellow?  Hands up.  Who thinks dogs are better than cats??  Hands up.  Just an example;) Then I said who likes me and it was lightning fast...HANDS UP!  Hmmmm...interesting.

What does all this mean?  So many thoughts are swirling in my mind at once.  I'm sure some of it's developmental and social, but what is really mind blowing to me is that as women we obviously still struggle to find our way in this same area. 

 

We still feel the need to be like everyone else.  Because heaven forbid if we don't like to cook, decorate different, weigh more or less, don't belong to a bible study, can't craft to save our soul, don't blog or Instagram, homeschool etc...then we just don't measure up.  We don't quite fit in.  Our hand is DOWN.  And no one wants to be left out or be labeled different or sit on the sideline.  AND apparently this started when we were 10 or so!!  YIKES!! 

 

It's always been a wish of mine that I could get into and enjoy things like cooking, gardening and making beautiful tablescapes etc...  Not that I can't learn, but it's really not my natural gifting.  I have to go with the things that bring me joy and walk in the ways the Lord made me:)  He has a unique calling on all of us.  A unique flavor to our being.  I may have a little more sugar than spice or vice versa, but when it's all blended together we each bring something very special to the table or to the canvas for that matter;) 

 

 

So hands up if you are a uniquely made, beautiful woman of God! 

HANDS UP:))

 Be a blessing.

 

my little chick who blesses me with her tender spirit

this girl who spent her Saturday serving and loving...

sweet fergie who made it through that traumatic day...may many crumbs fall her way

to all the little friends who will come in and out of our girls life...may we be light to them

a cupcake bar!!

Panini press

scary sparklers

self expression

acceptance of ourselves and grace with others

life is sweet...the OC trip

 

If you don't like looking at other people's vacation pictures you might wanna move on;)  Just sayin' this one is obnoxiously filled to the brim:))  HA!!!  Okay so girls I feel like I've been to a far away planet.  One filled with strange beautiful creatures, lush plants, over the top restaurants and shopping that just doesn't seem possible...of course that foreign land is actually LA and Orange County and if you haven't been there you really need to see it with your own eyes.  It's so very much like what you see on TV but magnified 100 percent. 

As I was sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to take off I was mentally counting how many times I've been to Cali.  TWELVE!  I've been there twelve times!  And as much as I love the weather and the unbelievable amount of things to do and see I always, ALWAYS feel a little out of my element.  Like I just don't belong.  Maybe on the 13th visit it will feel like home;)


**Little side note...stalker Becky comes out the second my feet hit the LAX airport.  I become "tuned" into all things celebrity and make eye contact with every person I see.  It's weird.  Can't help it.  My dorky side just comes out guns full blaring.  This last time I didn't see anyone that I recognized, but two "important" people got off the plane at the gate I was sitting at.  I didn't know them, but I could just tell they were different.  There was an air.  Anyhoo...they had a driver at the gate!  That means they actually had to pay for him to get past security.  Can you imagine??  Okay so the important people get off the plane and immediately drop their carry-ons without so much as a hello to this poor servant person and walk on ahead with the guy scrambling to grab the bags and catch up.  Can you say rude?  It was slighty disgusting and very much what I imagine is the norm for a lot of these famous people.  Just had to share.

My girlfriend Tracy who lives out there picked me up and she showed me the town while we waited on Lissa to come later in the day.  We walked Rodeo Drive (gawking at the valet drivers)...ate at Sprinkles and then she took me to Pink's.  Pink's Hotdogs is a local legend.  I read about it years ago.  It's a hotdog stand that's been there forever.  People stand in line for long periods of time to get one of their crazy hotdogs.  Imagine avocado and caramelized onion and chili and sauerkraut and all sorts of weird things on a bun.  That's what it was.  I got mustard, ketchup and onion.  I'm boring like that.  It was good.  Different, but good.  The casing was firmer than normal hotdogs.  Okay enough about that;)

After our LA tour Tracy took me home.  This is her sweet place. She loves cloches, crowns and lots of sparkle.  She has a great style, and I have to say she's way up there on my list of best hostess'.  I had chocolate covered nuts by my bed and a bathrobe and slippers to wear.  I felt very pampered. 

And her sweeeeet dog HANK! Oh how he made me feel right at home too.  Kinda fell in love with him.  He would sit right by your arm and keep nudging you until you petted him and when you stopped he'd do it again...and again.  I miss Hank;)  Then he'd curl up on the couch and cuddle with his momma.  Beyond sweet!

Late that first night Lissa finally came.  Come on girl!  She'd been at Disney all day with her parents.  How much fun would that be?  Anyhoo by the time she got there I was TOAST.  I'd been up since 4 am EST...which means 21 hours with the time difference.  That first night was short.  But the next morning more than made up for it.  Tracy took us to the Ramos House in San Juan Capistrano.  Talk about a picture perfect, all things California restaurant AND we got to meet Tracy's beautiful momma.  If you ever get a chance go there!  Beyond good.  GO THERE!

We also went antiquing...she loves me.

 

 

Tracy kept asking us throughout the weekend what our favorite part was and even though I have lots more to show you THIS was my favorite.  One night we just got cozy. 

 

 

Tracy showed me how to make her delicious caprese salad.  We popped some wine and had our own little tasting.  We lit candles and shared what God had been doing in our lives.  It was beautiful and intimate and very very special.  It's really what the whole weekend centered around and I'll never forget that night.  I love these girls.

The next day we hit Newport Beach.  Think mansions and cottages and lots of moolah all on the bay.  Absolutely stunning beauty.  My favorite memory is singing Chicago's Being Without You at the top of our lungs with the windows down.  Oblivious to all the bikers and walkers:)  Oh and Lissa sitting in the back with her sad mopey I'm freezing face;)  Good times!
 

Newport came with a whole lot of excitement.  Tracy signed us up for Timree Gold's painting class.  I'd never done anything like that before.  SO MUCH FUN!!!  She walked us through step by step and at the end we had our own little...BIG masterpiece.  I think we nailed it. 

That night we hit the uber swanky Javier's.  Uh can you say fabulous!  This is one of the places that made me feel out of my comfort zone though.  Very adult.  Posh.  Fancy people.  Fancy food.  It was so beautiful.  SOOOO luxurious.  They even had a bathroom attendant!! 

 

Is it just me or is that a super weird job.  I can grab my own towel thank you:)  Having someone do something for me that I can easily do myself...like a Valet holding the door open...or two servers at the table at once is uncomfortable.  Is that just my Midwest upbringing coming out?!  I appreciate the attention, but it makes me feel awkward. 

Sunday pretty much blew my mind.  For years I've had the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea on my bucket list.  I'd seen so many shows on HGTV filmed there and I knew celebrities walked the aisles and I'm a dork I know, but I just HAD TO GO!  Tracy kindly obliged.  It didn't disappoint.  Within five steps in I found a belt gal that literally had leather that I was swooning over.  It was incredible.  I spent more than I would have if I'd done all the thrifting myself, but the leather was gold.  You guys will DIE!  I went not expecting that at all.  Talk about a major blessing.

The only downside to the flea is that most of the vendor only accept cash.  I didn't know that.  And since I never use an ATM I couldn't figure out which card and how to do it.  So I had to bum money off Lissa.  I hated doing that.  I was like WHY GOD WHY...I'm at the flea and I can't spend freely.  This is torture.  But it all worked out.  Trust me.  I found my treasures.  The ones I was supposed to get and nothing more:)  And it was a good thing because nothing more would fit in my suitcases.  My carry on (which was filled with belts) alone weighed 42 pounds.  He knew when to cut me off;)

Oh and right after we hit the Luggage Room (SO GOOD) for lunch and drove by the Father of the Bride house!!!  How fun is that!!! 

 

One of my favorite parts of visiting a friend is seeing the familiar, the intimate...cue momma's house.  This is Tracy's childhood home.  Needless to say she gets her beautiful style from her sweet momma:) We also got to drive by her brother's home and her old house in Pasadena. LOVE!

Okay so last day finally.  If you're still with me you deserve a macaroon...just sayin;)

We had to drop Lissa off for an early flight (cue sad face:/), so we hit the amazing Bottega Louie in downtown LA for brunch while we waited for my flight.  Again another impossibly beautiful restaurant with amazing food and gorgeous waiters.  It was straight up out of a movie.  Very French.  Best breakfast I've ever had!  No lie.  That top left picture was a potato cake with buratta cheese, prosciutto and basil.  Sounds weird, but it was perfection on a plate.  Add a little lemon ricotta pancake on the side, and roasted potatoes with asparagus and this girl who really doesn't think about food much at all is all of a sudden a major FOODIE;) 

So there you have it, a beautiful weekend all tied up with string.  Beyond grateful my honey lets me travel.  These occasional mini trips are like an oasis for this homebody farmgirl.  I've been so blessed to spend quality time with my far away friends, to see some amazing things I'll never forget, and to experience Gods goodness in the most unlikely of ways.  Now it's back to work...I've got some CUFFIN' to do!!

Be a blessing.

 

 

 

 

 

**to see more pics of the weekend find
Tracy @lvngprtythings and Lissa @hawaiimama808 on Instagram

 

 

 

Chicago lyrics

avocados, heirloom tomatoes and buratta cheese

laughing til it hurts

sunshine and palm trees

jo Malone orange blossom cologne

treasure hunting

leather GOLD

getting pampered

stories of God's handiwork in a dark cozy living room

HANK

friends who listen to you dream

luggage that made it home

 

memory picking:)

 

The weather matched my mood today.  After a week plus of bright sunny skies we had our first dark rainy day.  It seemed fitting.  I sifted through pics with the lights off in my studio, the house pin drop quiet, thunder rolling in the distance.  The solitude magnified because my folks just left. This afternoon I curled up on the couch and watched Grey's Anatomy for two solid hours.  I never do that in the middle of the day.  It was nice.  I needed the downtime.

It's a forced "semi-rest" when they come.  I say semi because we are on the GO the whole time.  Doing fun things, but still it's running.  I love it.  For a homebody/workaholic like me a little running is like therapy...a very nice break. 

They were here ten full days this time:)  When they come I step away from the cuffs, and the computer and try to unplug a bit.   We ran all over creation.  We ate at little diners.  We drove for miles to explore every antique store we could possibly find.  We played dominoes and mom made dinner.  We watched the Voice.  It was good.  It was family time.

While they were here we went over to Charlottesville. I love that town.  We had apple cider donuts, and tromped through the orchards with little chick on a mission;)  We nabbed bags of Jonagold apples and promptly came home chopped them all up, and stewed them in the crockpot on low all day.  Talk about warm sweet apple goodness.  These were a little tart, so we sprinkled in cinnamon and sugar.  We even splurged and bought some vanilla ice cream and poured the warm stewed apples over it.  So yummy!

The rest of the week was filled with treasure hunting and projects.  We are moving my studio down to the basement.  It's time to spread out a little.  I was hunting for a dresser to turn into a bathroom vanity and found this beaut!  She screamed green to me...so Eden green she became:)  I promise to show the end result.  It may take a bit.  We've got plumbers, electricians and sheet rock people to work around...but I promise it will be worth the wait;)

We also got spray paint happy and finally took down some chandies we've been wanting to change.  I love the pop of color it added to the dining room. 

We celebrated little chick's birthday early.  Making cupcakes with woodland creatures;)  Cutest little toothpicks ever.  

This visit I hit old things gold and found a sweet little blue VW bug and red vintage clock.  I think my thermos collection is now complete...inspiration came from Megan.  Loved the rusty green lunch pail...reminds me of my daddy:)  My Canvas People prints came!!  Oh and see that awesome HUGE globe I scored?  I had vowed not to buy any more, but it was just too good to pass up.  And last but not least...the happiest little milk truck ever.  I had just finished doing my scary thing, and felt like a reward was in order.  That's better than a cookie right?;) 

Remember that talk I was supposed to give??  Well I did it!!!!  And the Lord completely met me in that moment and it went great.  Seriously best feeling in the world.  What I imagine running a marathon might feel like.  Crossing that finish line.  Whoosh!  I videoed myself practicing and spent a long time trying to figure out how to put it on here and finally gave up.  If I figure it out I'll let you see it.

 

Someone commented on Instagram this week and said that I should be an American Picker;)  Oh MAN!  First of all I LOVE that show.  I could spend hours watching them drive all over, meeting new people, learning the history behind their finds.  What an amazing job!  But here's the kicker...I don't think I could let my "treasures" go.  I'm sentimental to the core.  You put a hunt, with a story and a memory tied to it and I hold it close.  Maybe too close as I look around my house with all of it's little collections. 

I know one thing for sure.  I treasure my people.  And that's a good thing.  These visits I don't take for granted.  These memories we make going here and there mean the world to me.  I guess I'm just a good old fashioned memory picker!  And that truly IS the best job in the world:)

 



Just in case you missed these...

a few of the heartfelt blog posts I've read lately.

Sasha's decision to go gray.

Alicia's heart laid bare.

Tiffini stepping back.

Jackie bravely facing the C word.

Jeanne speaks out.

 

**So I'm taking off on Thursday to visit some friends in sunny Southern California!!!  I am so SO excited.  It's a trip we've talked about for years.  If you want to follow along on Instagram my name is farmgirlpaints.  See you in a week or so.

Be a blessing.

lovin' from papa

dominoes with Grandma Dixie

Lissa and Tracy here I come!

gorgeous weather...leaves painted and getting ready to FALL:)

a full house!