acupuncture for the soul

MY SECRETS: Chocolate-Dipped Technicolor Marshmallows

2012-01-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

And now for something EASY!
These were soooooooo easy, a monkey could make them. All you need are:
*marshmallows
*chocolate chips (I like the Ghirardelli dark chocolate chunks)
*rainbow sprinkles
Now, melt your chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl in the micro for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until they are melted and smooth. Fill a shallow bowl with rainbow sprinkles. Dip each the top half of each marshmallow into the chocolate, then dip into the sprinkles. Place the marshmallows, chocolatey-sprinkle side UP onto a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Keep going until you have as many amazing technicolor marshmallows as you wish and then FREEZE! At least an hour (I let mine sit overnight). Make sure you take them out 5-10 minutes before serving so they can thaw out a little. Finally, stuff your face full of them until they are all gone!!

MY SECRETS: Tissue Paper Pom-Poms

2012-01-25T14:38:00.000-08:00

Oh, Lord... these just about were the end of me. I had many trials in the desert of tissue pom-poms. I guess the thing that nobody told me in all of the tutorials I read, was that you need a lot of layers of tissue paper. Mrs. M. Stewart's tutorial says you only need eight, but she is a liar, that woman. You need at least ten. Twelve would be better. Fourteen would be ideal. And when they said, peel apart the layers and fan it out, they weren't speaking to someone who is O.C.D., like me. They really want it to be messy. I didn't get that memo. I peeled apart my layers quite perfectly, until I watched this video tutorial:

Can you tell that the one hanging from the ceiling above the cake was the first one I made? Err... well, that was after I took it apart and added even more tissue paper. Still it was not enough. (I'm not kidding about using truckloads of tissue paper, folks).

So, the moral of the story is... if you're going to attempt these suckers, use warehouses full of tissue and don't be O.C.D. about it, like me, and yours will be gorgeous!

Salem is TWO. (Rainbow Birthday Party!)

2012-01-23T16:21:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true! Our little girl is two years old today. On Saturday, we had a small party for her... rainbow style!

Today, we are having a much more low-key birthday day, ending in a pre-bedtime swim at the community center. Here is my birthday girl today:

I can't believe how much she has grown from that day I met her for the very first time...

The Thoughts Inside a Mother's Kiss

2012-01-20T15:49:00.000-08:00

Mother's Kiss - Mary Cassatt

Am I doing this whole mom thing, right? Sometimes I wonder.

I am constantly having to purge my idealistic view of how I was going to raise my child. Turns out, tactics don't work the same every time. Turns out, it's not a cute puppy-person I'm training to do tricks and not pee in the house, it's actually a real human being--another person, complete with individual thoughts, opinions, logic, understanding, imagination, likes, dislikes... the list goes on.

Did I know this before Salem came into my world? I don't think so. I heard moms talk about these things and nod and agree and complain and tell stories together, and I thought I knew better. Oh, they're just too impatient. They complain too much. When I'm a mom, I won't be like that. That's exactly what I thought.

But each day, my beautiful little girl teaches me that being a mom is more about teaching and training me than it is her. I can't just scoop a small serving of whatever I have a fancy to make for dinner and expect her to eat every bite without a word. I can't even make her do that. Believe me, I've tried. And when I've had a long, exhausting day and can't wait to just sit down and do something non-child related, I can't just put her in bed, shut the door, and expect that she will go to sleep. Sometimes, I have to lay next to her and rub her back and sing songs for an hour or two before I can leave. And sometimes, it doesn't even work.

What I'm trying to say is that being a mom is not easy. It's not always fun. But it's good. And I know that what I'm doing is important. Because when that little girl grows up, perhaps she will be a little less afraid of trying new things because she had a mom who invested hours trying to convince her that broccoli was not a bad thing. Maybe she'll have a child of her own and when they can't sleep, she'll lay down next to them and sing those songs she didn't always understand, but knew every word and tone like it was born inside of her.

Maybe she'll be able to look back at those times and forgive me for all of the other times I hurt her, and know that I really did love her. Maybe she'll be able to forgive herself when she falls short of being the perfect woman or mom, herself.

Walking for Photos

2012-01-20T11:37:00.000-08:00

Before all this nasty weather started, it was started to look like spring. There was hope. I guess there still is... and I know us Portlanders are known for complaining about the rain, even though we should be used to it by now... but it really can be disheartening. Which is why we need to reminisce of dryer times of light and flowers trying to bloom. I went photowalking with my sister a couple of weeks ago. We were experimenting with more unique filters (you may remember my trying this in this post). This time, we used a crystal necklace to create light and frame to the photos. Here is my best one with the necklace filter and a few others from the walk...

Today's Drawing

2012-01-17T13:31:00.000-08:00

Sweet Slumbers

2012-01-11T15:06:00.000-08:00

It's very rare nowadays that I get to watch my little girl sleeping. She usually wakes up before I do and has been playing and putting her boots on long before I open her door. This morning, she woke up asking for a banana at 6:30 am (waking up hungry has become a regular thing now that she is determined to not eat her dinner). I gladly picked her up and let her eat a banana in my lap, praying that she would go back to sleep afterwards. "Mama's bed?" she asked when she was all done. Now, normally I don't let this happen... mostly because she usually never goes back to sleep and instead pulls at my lips and pokes my eyes and sings until I give up all hope for more sleep. But today, she was so snuggly and I didn't want to let her go. "Okay. But we're going to sleep, okay?" I laid her on Sam's pillow, crawled into the covers next to her, and we both very easily drifted back to our dreams. I awoke around 9 am to a very peaceful little spoon in front of me. I think it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. She was so soundly sleeping that she didn't even stir when I snuck out to take these pictures.

Creative Mamas: Karen

2012-01-10T16:25:00.000-08:00

It's time for another creative mama interview!!

This month, we hear from my lovely friend, Karen--all the way in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea (say that five times fast! ...or once?)--of Our Little Joy Spot. She is a beautiful woman with two lovely daughters living in a world completely foreign to them and thriving.

Creative Mama No. 2:
Karen, 27.
Daughters: Hailey, age 4, and Lilah, 8 months.

What do you love most about being a mom?
Picking the one thing I love most about being a mom is not as easy as it sounds. I'll give you a few things that I love equally and you can pick from that.. I love waking up in the morning to baby kisses and beady little eyeballs peaking up over the top of my bed. It's the best way to wake up. Don't quote me on this at 7:30 AM though, I may have a different opinion. I love doing something that's bigger than myself. I'm raising the next generation of world changers and that's enough motivation for me to wake up with a smile on my face. Proverbs 29:17 says, "Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire." I love seeing scripture played out in my kids. I don't like to discipline Hailey but because I do, I am able to delight in her to the fullest. She's at an age where all the disciplines that I hated doing when she was a toddler have paid off,and now I can just sit back and delight in watching her play or dance. I look at her with awe because I helped create that.

What does an average day look like for you?
I set my alarm every morning for 7:30AM. Around 8:30 I crawl out of bed and stumble to the stove where I heat up some water to make myself a nice fat cup o joe. Hailey knows not to mess with me until my first sip of coffee. She's learned the hard way...poor kid. Anywho, I make Hailey and I eggs and usually some fruit or a muffin. After breakfast Hailey and I sit down and do homeschooling. She's doing preschool curriculum for now so it's mostly reading and crafts. All the while, Lilah is just chilling in her high chair or bouncer. She's super happy in the mornings until around 10:30 when I put her down for a nap. Once the baby is down and Hailey and I have finished her schooling we generally pick an activity to do together. Wednesdays are library and ballet days but every other day, Hailey get's to pick what she wants to do. Her choices are bake, play with dry rice/beans, paint, play dough, park(on a nice day), or game. I may or may not have something else planned but mostly we stick with those things. After that we eat lunch and Hailey takes a nap. If i'm lucky (like today) Hailey and Lilah will take naps at the same time. Hailey usually wakes up around 4 and she helps me make dinner or entertains the baby if I need that. At 5:30 TJ get's home and he takes over with the kids while I finish dinner. Family time is important in our family so once TJ get's home we generally read together or play a game. On special nights we watch a short movie but mostly, we just enjoy being with each other. Hailey goes to bed between 7:30 and 8 and Lilah goes to bed anywhere from 10 to 1am...yeah, we're still working on that.

What creative things do you do with your kids?
We love different seasons so I try to do seasonal things with Hailey. Around Halloween, for instance, we cut out little ghosts, bats and black cats and decorated them with glitter. They don't look scary since they have pink glitter on them but they're super cute. We also made tin can lanterns. Basically we hammered holes in tin cans in the shape of Halloween creatures. Then we put a tea light candle in them, turned the lights off and told scary stories.

What things do you do to keep your sanity?
Oh boy. This is a tough one for me right now because I have a 8 month old that want's to be touching me every second of every day. I get to recharge in small doses right now. For instance, going pee without a herd of kids following me to the bathroom is heavenly. Library time is always recharging for me. Hailey will run over to the kids section and plop herself down on the floor with a stack of books while Lilah and I head off to look somewhere else. Our Library is really small so I feel comfortable enough doing this.

Where have you found encouragement/inspiration in motherhood?
Other moms hands down. This is going to sound horrible but it's nice to know that I'm not the only one sleeping on spit up/breast-milk stained sheets. I love getting together with other moms to swap our horror stories. My husband also plays a huge roll in who I am as a mother. I would be a completely different mother if I didn't have him telling me every day how great of a mother I am. He's like my own private life cheerleader. I also find a lot of comfort in scripture. Whenever i'm feeling inadequate as a mother, I just read the scripture and allow God to give me a pep talk about my parenting skills. I always walk away feeling like Super Mom.

What does "creative parenting" mean to you?
lol! I feel like I'm back in my college english class and may teacher is trying to get me to think deeply about something I've never thought about. When I read "creative parenting" I think of all the different times I've had to switch up a punishment with Hailey because she wasn't learning anything anymore by putting her nose against the wall. The best one to date has been making Hailey wear her "ugly" shirt to the store with me. The shirt isn't ugly at all but Hailey thought it was which then turned into her punishment shirt for a while there. If you know my daughter at all, she's been a fashion diva since she could dress herself. She didn't get this from me! Wearing something "ugly" really messed with her head. This can be applied to anything though, not just punishment. I think creative parenting means knowing your children and doing things with them that caters to them. Whether that means creative punishment, crafts, reading, outings you name it. I do the things that I do with Hailey because I want to cater to who she is as a person and I want to encourage her to be who she wants to be. Hailey is a pretty little flower who loves to color and paint and really really hates wearing ugly clothes. Actually, getting her to wear something other than a dress is darn near impossible!

Share a craft, a creative tip, a recipe of your own, a timesaver, or an activity!
I checked out this book from the library so many times that i finally decided to buy it. It's called Crafting Fun. (Click on the picture for the Amazon link...)

I said up above that we love doing seasonal crafts and this book tops all the other ones I've read. The book has a handful of crafts to do with your kids for every season of the year. They are fun, cheap and creative. Plus they look great around the house. There's nothing like home made decorations for the holidays. They also have Cooking Fun also which is just as good. (A side tip: Go to the library as often as you can and read read read to your kids. They love it and it's free! Hailey loves books and I think it's because we take her to the library at least once a week if not more and have since she was a baby. We read as a family every night and just finished The Chronicles of Narnia then watched the movie. Now we're reading Anne of Green Gables and plan on watching the movie once we're done with that.)

Thanks, Karen! I love your love for your family and ability to laugh at life's quirks. It's a pleasure having you on the blog!

A rainbow in the forecast...

2012-01-06T14:21:00.000-08:00

Working on crafts for Salie's upcoming birthday makes me smile. Can't wait!

Ps. If you're wondering how to whip up these little fabric roses, there's a tutorial here.

it might as well be spring

2012-01-05T16:47:00.000-08:00

It was beautiful today. I can still smell the cold puddles of winter warming in the sun. I took a few shots outside my house to remember it always.

Christmas Morning Magic.

2012-01-03T21:35:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share a special moment. After watching this video over and over about a bazillion times, I guess I can see why my parents always liked to videotape us coming out and seeing our gifts on Christmas morning. That doesn't mean I didn't hate it... especially when I got older and didn't especially want documented proof of my puffy morning face. HOWEVER. I can see their hearts. I love watching Salie run out and start drawing on her easel. Best moment all day for me. :-)

A Christmassy Update

2011-12-30T23:40:00.000-08:00

THE END.

(or as Salem would say... "Amen!")

Oh, Christmas Tree! (ROUND 2)

2011-12-22T15:15:00.000-08:00

Timberrrr!!!

So, did I ever tell you about the time our Christmas tree died? I'm not sure why that cheap-o plastic piece-of-crap tree decided to crap out on us, but it did. Perhaps the damage had started much earlier, is what I suspect, but what did it in was an ornament tug from Salie and down she went. At first, I thought it just fell over, but when I tried to stand it upright again, it was to no avail. I let it take a snooze on the couch while I removed the presents and surveyed the damage, which was as follows:

MUERTO.

The search for the new tree began. In desperation, I threw out the idea of picking up a live tree from a tree lot... the hubs quickly shook me back into our that-is-too-freaking-expensive reality. I took this opportunity to confide in my husband that what I've always really wanted is a white one. At that, we jumped in the car and went to the walmart, where we learned they were completely out. We called every other walmart in the state who also told us, "Heavens, no! We've been out of those for a month!" Thanks, lady. Then we called the targets. Then the fred meyers. Then the michaels. Then we stopped into the michaels, just in case. No luck. With my head hung low, and our bellies hungry (and attitudes grumpy-ing), we headed back home. For some reason, I decided to check the walmart online store, where I was surprised to find a beautiful 6.5' white artificial pre-lit Christmas tree for only $19.99 plus shipping! The best news: it would arrive BEFORE Christmas! Hooray! I quickly fed the walmart online store my debit card number and the anticipation began. Meanwhile, back in the living room...

Needless to say, after many no no no's to toddler tree-hugging and ornament-stealing, our tree of white arrived yesterday! Pleasantly, it worked out that Salie was asleep while the hubs and I pulled it out of its box and brought it to life. We decided to go with less ornaments this time. The lighter the tree, the better, I figured. My parents surprised us with a tree-warming ornament, in honor of my favorite animal.

duh.

My sister came by as we were finishing it's trimming and exclaimed, "Ohhh! It's so pretty!! I looks so happy in here with a white tree!" To which I agreed wholeheartedly.

Salie was super thrilled to wake up to the new addition. "New kissmas tee!!" she said as she pointed to it. Since their introduction, she has been caught singing "Oh, Kissmas Tee..." to it at random intervals, with her face super, super close to its branches.

But no one loves it as much as I do.

♥

Merry Christmas, everyone!

As of lately...

2011-12-21T10:44:00.000-08:00

This week is definitely full of anticipation (if you didn't know, I hate to break it to you that it's Christmas this weekend). I have been busy busy, especially since last weekend was full of birthday events. Now it's crunch time. I've been finishing up lots of Christmas presents, which I cannot show for obvious reasons. I did whip up this little doggy-paw stocking for Piper the other day. Salie helped me glue on the pawprint. Thanks to pinterest for the idea.

I decided to do my hair like Merrill Garbus the other day, except with pins and not a razor... :)

Ps. Aren't those twinkle lights magical? I think I might just leave them up all year round.

Like I said, birthday events. Salie helped me to blow out the candle and it's been the talk of the week.

We went to my friends Jessie & Brennan's Christmas party and I played rockband! The event of the night, however, I think was when the Hubs sang a rendition of "I feel good" by James Brown and made us all laugh hysterically and screw up our own parts.

Sam and I went to Jam (the best breakfast place in PDX!) for my birthday breakfast and almost ran into Robert Pattinson, who turned out to be some random guy that was a dead ringer for Robert Pattinson... but I sure had a lot of people going!

We went swimming at the community center and the Hubs took Salie on the "biiiiig side!" Check out the video! Sorry they are so far away, but you know I wasn't about to hop in the water to video them...

Christmas Tree Lighting in Pioneer Square 2011

2011-12-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

Did I ever tell you about that time when we went to watch the tree lighting downtown? Probably not because for some reason the holiday season and blogging are not getting along very well this year. Oh well.

Once again, we had a wonderful time singing carols and waiting in anticipation for the lights. We remembered how cold it was last year, so we brought blankets to sit on and bundled up... I might have pulled a Christmas Story mom move and bundled Salem up a little too much. I think she was sweating. But at least she could move her arms. Check out the photos in the slideshow:

I cannot begin to describe the atmosphere of this event and the warm Christmas feeling it brings. Luckily, this time I took a video! Check it out, and be sure to notice the utter shock on Salem's face when the tree lights up.

Run, run as fast as you can!

2011-12-13T16:09:00.000-08:00

I decided to start a new tradition with Salie this year making gluten-free gingerbread men. I am pleased to announce that she loved it immensely, and that she found her true passion--taste testing! Not just the batter, friends, but all of the ingredients as well. She wasn't too sure about the molasses, but when I wasn't looking she dug her fist into the bag of brown sugar and shoved as much as she could into her mouth. We both wore our aprons and made a glorious mess. I could tell she was excited, because she repeated each one of my instructions and started telling ME what to do. "Wight dere, Mama!" She giggled with excitement each time the cookie cutter pressed out a fresh gingerbread man. She watched them bake in the oven window and told me they were "Weally hot!" I decided to decorate them myself during her nap... somehow, I didn't see that whole operation going over functionally well with a toddler. I think they turned out quite nicely. I have to say, with all the mess and redirection, this was one of the best times I have had with my little girl. I can't wait for Salie to wake up and try a "tookie."

If you're interested in trying this GF recipe yourself, here it is (thanks to jenncuisine.com)...

Ingredients

(enough for a gingerbread house and some cookies):

3 c. almond meal

6 tbs. cornstarch

3 pinches of baking soda

3 tsp. ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp. xanthan gum

9 tbs. salted butter

6 tbs. light brown sugar

6 tbs. molasses

around 1 1/2 – 2 c. millet flour, plus extra for rolling

Directions:

1. Mix almond flour, cornstarch, baking soda, ginger and xanthan gum in a large bowl. Make sure mixture is well mixed.

2. Add butter, brown sugar and molasses to a small pan, and heat on medium stirring occasionally just until all is melted and smooth. Pour over the dry mixture and mix together. I mixed with my hands.

3. Add in millet flour gradually, incorporating it into the dough until the dough is thick enough to roll out – for me this was upwards of 2 c. Roll dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and let chill in the freezer for about half an hour.

4. Preheat oven to 375F. Place plastic wrap on a smooth surface, coat with some millet flour, lay down about 1/2 of the dough, and cover with plastic wrap. Roll out until about 1/4 ” thick (yes, these will be very thin cookies). Trace your gingerbread house plans or press in your cookie cutters and very carefully (I used a floured spatula), transfer to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until nicely browned.

Tis the season to... what exactly?

2011-12-06T19:00:00.000-08:00

There's something in the air, my friends. Something other than chill and frost. It's the Christmasness that comes around this time of year that makes my eyes like a child's again. I see things through Salem's eyes and remember the wonder I felt as a little girl, scouring the night for more Christmas lights. It's so strange to attempt to meld this perspective with one of adulthood--of electric bills, messes, and doubt. I question the intent of the carols I so carelessly sang with all of my heart in childhood and yet I hope for their truth all the same. I try to instill the right sentiments for the season in Salie, but I often struggle with clarity as to which are those right ones in a world full of blow-up-Santa-holly-copters and every-friday-is-black-friday-sales. I guess this Christmas, for me, is a time of searching for truth. So let me ask, what is Christmas to you? Really?

photo via

Don't you love cute little Christmas Canines?

2011-12-05T22:06:00.001-08:00

I do...

Engagements are the best!

2011-12-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing an engagement session with some good friends. I can't tell you how happy I am that these two get to spend their lives together. They are such wonderful people, and even better together (cue Jack Johnson music, now). We wandered about the breathtaking Columbia River Gorge for these shots. I had such a great time listening to their stories, admiring their adorableness, and capturing it with my trusty Nikon. I can't wait to do their wedding! Here are some of my favorite shots from the day...

♥

Thanks, Brooke & Shane!

*All images © Rae Snyder. Do not use my work without my permission on any website, blog, or for personal use. *

THANKSGIVING RECAP

2011-12-01T19:00:00.000-08:00

Traditions are hard to break, especially when you're still getting used to the holidays with two families. Usually, we spend Thanksgiving at my folks house with my mom's side of the family, but this year decided to spend it with the Snyders. Though the change was difficult for me, we all had a lovely time.

Salem was really happy to hang out with everybody, especially her Uncle Nate. She doesn't get to see him very often because of his army job three hours away, but she sure thinks he's a riot. Just look at that smile up there on the right!

I tried to teach Salem how to press the button on our camera to take pictures. I would hold it and she would press the button. She's not too shabby, you know. Perhaps a little photographer in the making, who knows?? These are some of her shots...

Steve (the hubs' daddy) made a DELICIOUS meal. Turkey, apple & pecans, cheese stuffed cauliflower with a tomato/garlic sauce, etc... Not to mention the gluten-free, dairy-free pumpkin pie that was SCRUMPTIOUS. I was in food heaven. I may or may not have been sent home with the rest of the pie, because it may or may not have made it home before it jumped into my mouth. Crazy, I know.

Salem's favorite part of the meal was, of course, the olives. She has refined taste, you see. Oh, and the pie.

A hubsy had a birthday!

2011-11-28T18:56:00.001-08:00

My darling hubs was born last Wednesday, twenty-four years ago. Boy, am I glad that happened!! He is such a wonderful hubs and daddy to our little girl (and dog). It was a joy to celebrate him the first-half of the week.

Monday, I took him to a surprise concert to see tUnE-YarDs... which he figured out because he is a part-time detective and figures everything out! Grr... However, the awesomeness of the concert way exceeded the snoopiness of the hubs. We were seriously blown away at how talented this Merrill Garbus girl is. She is a one-woman band! Throw in a bass player and two saxophonists/trash-can-bangers/goofy-dancers and you have a heavenly earful of BAM! I somehow managed to snag us a couple of seats in the first row of the balcony, to save our weary feet from standing-room only at a sold-out show. I was a little bummed after being scolded for using my camera, so no great photos to share. Here's the best one I could conjure up...

And here are all the people leaving afterwards...

It was quite packed. But if you heard this girl, you'd know why. Well, why I don't I share this music video to give you a little taster of what this Merrill can do?

So, on his real birthday, we had a little lunch at home on his work break...

And a family dinner at his parents house later that evening (which I don't have pictures of...?). The day after that, we went out to our favorite little classy cocktail place. Can you believe it, three days of birthday celebration! It was a grand ole time! And now my hubsy is SOOO much older than me! 24, sheesh! I bet he can't even remember what it was like to feel as young as 23!

;)

Creative Mamas! Interview #1

2011-11-27T19:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, y'all! I hope you all had a beautiful Thanksgiving and ate lots of deliciousness, as usual. It was a lovely Thanksgiving week vacay from the blog-world for me and, now, our Christmas tree is up and decorated, decorations are up and bringing cheer, and homemade gifts are getting a turbo-warp-speed charge! What more could a girl ask for??

I would like to start this season off with our first Creative Mama Interview! I know so many creative mamas out there, I thought I would take a bit of time to feature one each month here on the blog. I love learning from them and swapping ideas with them. It's so encouraging to share our experience as mamas together! To kick it off, here's some two-sense from my lovely friend...

Creative Mama No. 1:
Alexis
Daughter: Emma, age 3 1/2.

What do you love most about being a mom?
Hello everyone! It is so hard to nail down one thing I love most about being a mom...but I think one aspect that stands out is that I feel so privileged to mold a little person. To deposit the love, acceptance of others and obviously creativity too into her. It is overwhelming at times but I think that's normal.

What does an average day look like for you?
A normal day for me:

*We start by eating breakfast together.

* Have our fabulous daily argument over what she wears for running errands. After tears, negotiating and fits, we are ready to argue about shoes.

* After errands we eat, do 'school', I take out my creative things (for her, me or both) and we spend the rest of the day doing activities. Whatever project I do I try and incorporate her into it. We both cut fabric, paint, cut coupons, bake and make craft projects together.

*BLESSED NAP TIME. I take this time to email, blog, take pictures, meal plan, make phone calls, read and craft if I have the time.

*school time later and a walk outside if she wants to. (which more arguments arise about outside clothes. It's a rule in our house that if it's cold outside she needs to wear pants or tights. We're obviously cruel to not let her wear her flip flops and ultra thin princess dresses)

*When I make dinner she gets to play in her room alone- which she loves.

*Project time when we come back. Involving anything.

*Family time after dinner usually involving hot cocoa, a movie and daddy reading her books.

What creative things do you do with your daughter?
Some creative things we do together is cooking, painting, making play dough, making planets/suns and a green house out of an egg carton. She is very familiar with hot glue guns and why you shouldn't touch the end. :/

What things do you do to keep your sanity?
I craft, edit pictures and blog. It is such a fun outlet for me. Sometimes I'll take a walk alone or go to Starbucks and write a short story or a poem. I am also apart of a book club and that adult woman time is golden.

Where have you found encouragement/inspiration in motherhood?
I've found encouragement by the friends who surround me. They are so quick to give me encouragement when I let them know how I'm feeling. (but I need to maintain the 'realness' with them) I've also found inspiration from other blogs, Etsy and yes, beautiful Pinterest. It's eye candy and a serious shot of inspiration when my days seem to blur together and I'm in a rut.

What does "creative parenting" mean to you?
It's important to me that we do creative things that don't always involve our hands. That creativity is more than just crafts. That's why we make up silly songs, think of stories and then make the books with paper, make forts/castles, acting out books or imagine clouds looking like animals. I think imagination is the sister to creativity. Also, and equally as important is that things don't have to look perfect for it to beautiful. HUGELY important.

Share a craft, a creative tip, a recipe of your own, a time-saver, or an activity!
I love bath time. A lot. I take this time to sit besides her and do what I love to do all the while being there if she needs me. I have accomplished so many tasks siting next to her: cutting fabric, doing yoga, reading a book, surfing online, etc. When I feel like I have lots to do but know she's in the mood to play I declare it bath time. Not only is she clean afterwards, but I probably accomplished lots while she was in her own little world in the water. :)

Thanks so much, Alexis! I don't know about you guys, but I'm sure going to be getting some things done during bath time, now. What a fabulous time-saver! We will do this again next month, but until then... leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Lady Gaga and I

2011-11-18T19:00:00.000-08:00

original image credit: bauer-griffin

Me, oh my, do I dream some fabulous dreams sometimes! Last night, I dreamt I met Lady Gaga at my friend Jessica's wedding and, boy, did we hit it off! We talked eye-liner, and pink lips, and she gave me a private makeup lesson, that Lady G. She's really down to earth, you know. We went shopping and I gave her my advice on some gauchos with suspenders (a big YES PLEASE, I said). We sang some great duos in her limo and she was so impressed with my vocals that she invited me to open up for her that very night! Me, Lady G?? But she was very certain. So as I was getting ready, I used her makeup tips, which looked incredible. Sherri Dupree was my stylist and I asked her should I wear the green dress with the peter-pan collar or the gray secretary dress? THE GRAY SECRETARY DRESS, OF COURSE!, she said. It did look quite stunning with my fabulously long hair and pink lips. My performance was a smash hit, and the rest is history because that is when my Salem woke me up and I said a quiet thank you to Lady G for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Tune in on Monday for our first

Creative Mama Interview!

Love,

Rae

C. Family Photos

2011-11-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

I did a large family session last weekend with a very beautiful family. The setting was also beautiful in Happy Valley, Oregon. Some of the individual families, some of the large extended family together. Here are some of my favorites...

R. & M.

R., M., & B.

B.

R. & B.

R. & B.

N., A., A., & E.

N., A., A., & E.

N.

Gram & Pops

B., S., K., & A.

R. & C.

G., J., & T.

C. Family

C. Family

I figured out that I am a sucker for kissing and laughing shots. I am so okay with that.

Sick again...

2011-11-16T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry for my absence. It seems the fates have decided that one week of sick was not enough. My throat is feeling very nasty, like it got sunburned or something, and I'm pretty sure I'll be heading to the doctor soon enough.

In the mean time, I'll be sharing some recent photos with you. These I took in my yard of the black walnut tree, before all of the yellow leaves fell to the ground. It was majestic.

Cat Eyes

2011-11-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to be bolder with my makeup. I'm so shy sometimes, I think it will help me to break out of my shell a bit. I envy women who are so bold and express themselves freely. It's beautiful. I want to show off my style and be more... me. Perhaps this is the makings of a good self-challenge?

The future...

2011-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

My dad shared with me this video Microsoft produced giving the public an idea of what Microsoft projects the future to look like in 10 years, as far as technology. It's pretty cool, if you ask me. If they are right, this will be a nice sneak peak into Salem's world.

Down with the sickness.

2011-11-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

This weekend, we had a house full of sickies, which means whole lot of doing nothing like it was going out of style. Signing time. Blankets. Snuggles. Movies. Footie pajamas. Tea. Sniffles. Soup. It was quite the storm of energy-robbing tornados up in here. I braved Saturday morning outside my house and ventured to my sister-in-law's baby shower. It was nice to be around family and visit with people I don't normally get to see. Salem was so well behaved-- it sort of blew my socks off. She loved all of the hugs, high pitched voices, and seemingly endless amount of ladies to narrate her farm animal book to her. She even got to take home a ballon (actually, she swiped it, but don't tell anybody)! We gladly came home to a glorious pile of couch/blanket/coziness, and while Salie slept, I did what a good wife should do and watched The Godfather Part III with the hubs. (I know, I deserve a medal, right?) The hubs was feeling so gross from wallowing in sick all day, that he dressed up in a suit to go to the grocery store. I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure he was thinking in an Italian accent at that point. He might have even taken care of some business in the back room of the store, who knows. What I do know, is that he came home bearing gifts of non-stick stainless steel pans, and there was much rejoicing! A glorious batch of scrambled eggs were easily cleaned out of those pans Sunday morning, my friends. Perhaps they were laced with white blood cells, because we are all feeling a little better now, and the pans are that good.

Daddy's girl

2011-11-04T19:28:00.000-07:00

Cute?

Furniture are turning into monsters...

2011-11-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

NEWSFLASH!!

please see video...

...it's true.

Happy November / Costume photos!

2011-11-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy November, friends!

Is it me, or did October just fly by in light-speed time? I loved every ounce of it, I did. But November is just as wonderful. This month is the beginning of birthday season for us (the hubs in November, me in December, and Salie in January)! 'Twill be a joyous month in are jovial celebrations, including the Thanksgivingness! Today is Dia de los Muertos! Do not forget to think of your loved-ones passed and share in their memories. Today, our candles are lit in their honor!

How can I let this day go by without giving proper due to the end of last month? Would you like to see our silly costumes?

Salie: Madame Butterfly!

Me: Black Swan!

The Hubs: 1970s Native American!

What a troupe we were. Salie spent the evening with Grammy & Papa visiting Aunt Kellie. She made sure to tell me this morning all about the spooky "hats" she saw, or masks as we call them, and a doggie that was also dressed as a butterfly. Sam, Autumn, and I had a grand time listening to our friends in Violet Isle (the whole band dressed up as a mariachi band!). They played an awesome cover of the Ghostbusters theme leading into Psycho Killer by Talking Heads, at which point we were in dancing heaven! I hope you all had a safe Halloween, and before I forget-- it wouldn't be November without our monthly list of upcoming holidays!

1st & 2nd: Dias de los Muertos (the 2nd is also Marie Antoinette's birthday... let us eat cake!)
3rd: Housewife's Day! Recognizing the importance of stay at home wives & moms, oh yeah.
5th: Book Lovers Day and Guy Fawkes Day
6th: Saxophone Day
8th: Cook Something Bold Day
11th: Veteran's Day
13th: Sadie Hawkins Day
14th: Claude Monet's birthday!
15th: Clean Your Refrigerator Day (bummer)
16th: Button Day and Have a Party With Your Bear Day
17th: Take a Hike Day and World Peace Day
19th: National Adoption Day and Meg Ryan's birthday (give her daisies, they are her favorite)
21st: World Hello Day - greet ten people for peace!
23rd: The Hubs' birthday!!
24th: Thanksgiving
25th: Black Friday and Buy Nothing Day (ironic)
28th: Red Planet Day
30th: Stay At Home Because You Are Well Day

It is also Aviation History month, Child Safety Protection month, International Drum month, National Native American Heritage month, and National Peanut Butter Lovers Month!

Spooky ghost cookies!

2011-10-31T18:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween, everyone!

We have been feeling the spirit over here, for sure. For my family and some gluten-free friends, I made some frosted almond ghost cookies and I do think they turned out pretty darn cute. :) Today, we will be trick-or-treating and tonight Sam and I will be hanging out in costume at our friend's show downtown!

Be safe everybody, and stay tuned for our costume pics tomorrow!

Davis Graveyard

2011-10-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Just in case you were wondering where the awesomely spook-tacular place is featured in my blog yesterday, I will tell you!

Davis Graveyard, my friends...

via

This little annual yard display is creeping people out right in our backyard in Milwaukie, Oregon. Directions are available on their website. Oh yes, they have a website. They have a facebook page, too. They are very serious about their halloween decor, folks, and have been for the past ten years. They hand carve each of their tombstones, props, etc. Making its debut this year, is the abby in their driveway they constructed over the summer.

The lights are on every night, but the projections and animations are only turned on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and, of course, Halloween night, when the street will be closed for foot traffic only! Be sure to check it out while it's up!

I'm feeling the spirit now...

2011-10-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

No words can describe this night.

(so I'll just let the pictures do the talking)

♥

Another outfit post...

2011-10-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

I feel so good in this ensemble. I love how simple it is. Simplicity, oftentimes, is best. Our look can easily be overstimulating with too many patterns, jewelry, or accessories. Sometimes, the best thing we can do for our look is to pick one piece to shine, and everything else to serve as a frame or backdrop for that piece. Today, my piece is this gorgeous southwestern vest I rescued from a thrift store.

Check it out...

vest: Willow Ridge

necklace: vintage

ring: my husband on our wedding day ♥

shoes: the goodwill outlet

socks: stolen from my mama

Squash Hunting.

2011-10-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

It was a cold, fall day--the first welcoming in the east wind for the season--and my daughter wanted to play outside.

(Imagine that!)

I consented, figuring it would help her to be more ready when nap-time rolled in. We layered up and opened the door to a world of possibilities and enchantments in Salie's eyes. She got to work right away, kissing all the pumpkins by our door and scaling the yard for special tree-fallen treasures. I sat down to keep an eye on her while snapping pictures here and there, and doing other very important things like pinning hair chalking tutorials and acrobatic breastfeeding photos. Time passed, and soon it was time to go inside to snack on bananas. Turning towards the door, I suddenly realized the squash was missing from our pumpkin/squash porch party. "Where's the squash?" I looked at Salem. She tried to avoid eye contact, like all adorably guilty almost-two-year-olds do. "Salem? Where's the squash?" I tried to used sign for "where" to communicate the importance of the question. Still, nothing. "Salie? Can you show mama?" Instantly, she turned, blankie slung over her shoulder, and headed around the corner of the house (quite Linus van Pelt of her, I must say). Very curious, I followed her to find this...

Outfit Post

2011-10-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

Just an old fashioned outfit post coming down in three part harmony!

...?

I am feeling silly. I watched the Paul Williams episode of the Muppet Show with Salem today and now I have that song in my head. Those darn muppets always give me the sillies! Do you know that one of my dreams is to have a muppet made in my likeness? We'll see.

Moving on...

This outfit is brought to you by those who love their clothes enough to let them go. Most of the things I'm wearing were clothes given to me by friends, or picked up at thrift stores. Clothes are best when previously loved, sometimes. It saves me the trouble of buying something new that will turn out to be a mistake, never to be worn and sent to the back of the closet. Clothes from friends make me appreciate things that wouldn't normally catch my eye. I feel like I am giving these clothes new life and love.

shirt: J. Crew | given to me by my lovely friend Jess
vest: Wet Seal | cousin hand-me-down
necklace: gift from my mama
jeans: GAP | rescued from the bins (goodwill outlet)
ring: gift from grandma betty
moccasins: Minnetonka | re-homed from Salvation Army

New prints in the shop!

2011-10-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

Two new ones in the shop today. You can click on the photos to view them in the shop. Some of my little things, I guess you could say. I was itchin' to get some new ones up and I am ever so pleased with how these turned out. The feather I found with Salem on a walk through the park. The cat calaca was made by me in memory of my childhood cat Rajah. RIP.

♥

Of Wings and Lighter Things.

Dia de los Muertos.

The last coastal hurrah.

2011-10-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

I bet some of you are wondering where I was on Friday and Monday.

I will never tell.

But I will say that we were much too busy collecting things,

exploring,

practicing penmanship,

walking silly,

being pampered,

watching sunsets,

building fires,

and spending time with loved ones...

Lemon Jello Cake!

2011-10-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

"I was thinking for my birthday, you could make me a lemon jello cake!"

It's what he says every year, my friends. So why, after 49 years of annual deliciousness, should my dad change his birthday cake flavor decision? The story goes that his mom used to make it for him when he was a kid and he has been happily in love ever since. I actually kind of love that I get to make it for him now. I've never tasted it myself, because I have yet to make a gluten-free version, but I'm not so sure I want to--the praise from birthday celebrating tasters is plenty satisfaction for me. Each year, I switch it up a little bit, but it generally stays the same. It's incredibly easy to make. The hardest part is the icing, which involves juicing and zest-ing two lemons. Without further ado...

Lemon Jello Cake

cake ingredients:

1 (18.5 oz) package of yellow cake mix
(Here's where I switch it up, folks. Some recipes call for lemon cake mix, but I think that's too lemon-y! This year I used a french vanilla cake mix! booya!)
1 (3 oz) package lemon Jell-O gelatin
4 eggs
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil

icing ingredients:
2 cups sifted powdered sugar
(If you don't have a sifter, just use a whisk to aerate it!)
2 lemons, juice and zest of

how to:
1. Mix cake ingredients for 4 minutes.
2. Bake in 9x13 inch pan for 35 minutes OR follow baking instructions on cake mix box
(This year I used two 9-inch rounds).
3. While cake is baking, whisk together icing: powdered sugar & lemons (grated rind & juices!)
4. After removing from oven, use a toothpick to poke holes all over cake while hot.
5. Pour icing over cake immediately while still hot from the oven.
6. Serve warm or cold.

See? I told you it was a piece of cake!
(Corny humor in honor of my dad's birthday)

A little max photo shoot.

2011-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, the best photos I can get of my Salie and I are on the train when she has no choice but to sit next to me! Here are a couple of my favorites from our max photo shoot...

The Pumpkin Patch!

2011-10-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

The hubs finally granted my pumpkin patch wish last weekend. (I know, it's only the second week of October, but I have been wanting to go since fall first made an appearance in September!) We painted Sauvie Island red, my friends (or... orange?), and hit up The Pumpkin Patch! This is the big one, you see... the one everyone dreams of going to... the one with the annually anticipated corn maize and haunted maize with ornate designs! It was worth the drive, which was quite breathtaking I might add--38 minutes of our beautiful city turning into lush countryside. Sam got a great parking spot up front. "Yea, but did you see my pah-king spot??" He said in his best George Costanza voice.

After visiting the animals in the animal barn, we took a hayride out to the pumpkins. Salem was so excited to ride on the tractor, but as soon as we set her up on the trailer full of hay bails, a look of terror came upon her face and she started crying, "No! NO!" We tried to console her and distract her, but she was very certain this was not what she wanted to be doing.

It's a good thing it was only about a two minute ride. She calmed down when we dismounted and all of the pumpkins in the patch were at her reach.

The hubs went hunting for our perfect pumpkins while Salie and I roamed around in the mud and greenery. She hugged almost every pumpkin she came across, kissed a few, and made sure to declare all of the smashed or rotting pumpkins "Yucky!" It was so fun to let her be content to explore.

The hubs came back with two absolutely terrific pumpkins, and let me find my wonderfully short and fat one.

The tractor ride back was a whole lot better for the little miss. She cried a bit at first, but then her daddy and I pointed out all of the beautiful surroundings (corn, trees, etc.) and the excitement was just too contagious to resist. We paid a very reasonable price for our pumpkins, people. Then we picked up some very inexpensive Fuji apples in the market and a pumpkin sucker for Salie.

On the way home, Salem's favorite word to shout aloud in the car was, of course, "tac-tor!" It feels good to a mama when her daughter conquers her fear. It also feels good when your entire little family makes memories and traditions together, learning to love and encourage each other when things are scary or difficult, all the while keeping our sense of humor.

Memories and spooky things.

2011-10-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

Random bits of holiday things. Halloween and Dia de los Muertos, of course. I have added a few new calacas to the collection, which is extremely bittersweet. I never would have imagined I would be adding my childhood family dog and dear Aunt to the group of immortalized personas. As much as I miss them, it is sweet to see them daily and wrap their memories around me. The bats I cut out by hand and hung in each section of our front window. The purple lights were free leftovers from a neighbor's garage sale. I love free things! That's Salie's pumpkin, or "pum-pin" as she calls it. It's only about four or five inches in diameter, but it's perfect size for her. Every time she sees it, she gives it a kiss and says, "Awww, pum-pin!"

Humbled.

2011-10-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'd love to say that we never struggle to put food on the table, but I'd be lying.

Last weekend, Sam and I payed rent, a few other bills, and surveyed the week, wondering how or what we were going to eat. We prayed and asked God for help, tried to encourage each other that it would be okay, and struggled to believe it. I think it was in a moment of desperation that I sent out a plea on facebook to friends and family for extra canned foods unneeded in their pantry.

The response we got was unbelievable.

At church the next morning, a family member greeted us with a bag of food. When we got home, we found an envelope in our mailbox with money for groceries. My uncle drove all the way from Sherwood to bring us costco-sized packages of food he wasn't in need of. Two days later, some friends dropped off a cooler full of delicious food. Then, my cousin brought over two bags full of produce and things for lunches.

Please, excuse us if we have not been terribly ourselves... but it's hard to, when our mouths have hung open and our eyes are watering. We have been so blessed by your generosity and love toward us. Our fridge was empty Sunday morning, and now we couldn't possibly fit another thing into it. Thank you. Thank you for caring.

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs."

Isaiah 41:17-18

photo via

"Outside?"

2011-10-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

This little girl has been my motivation lately.
Normally, when fall settles in, I like to likewise settle into the couch and a nice warm blanket and be content to view the outdoors as if through an aquarium glass. Not this little one. She wants to dress accordingly and walk about in the rain and the cold. I commend her. She is brave, reminds me of being a child and not caring about my shivering body, if only I could explore a little longer! She has such an eagerness to know the world--to touch it and taste it. I hope that she carries that with her always, and that she doesn't let the hardness of it taint its beauty.

May you always be a vessel of wonderment, Salem Coral Fay.

.

Walk to Defeat ALS 2011

2011-10-04T19:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you, thank you, to everyone who walked and donated to the Walk to Defeat ALS 2011--what a success it was this year! Everyone came together to raise

$432,050.57!!!

Can you believe that? What a blessing it will be to fund research and provide services to those battling this terrible disease.

It was awesome having our own team this year: Betty's Troops! We braved the rain and wind (I think it was the war-paint that helped). It's so cool to be on one side of the river and still see people walking on the opposite side... there were lots of us!

I can't explain to you all how much your support in this has meant to my family and I. My grandma Betty has had anything but an easy life, and it's so hard for her to face this at a time when she feels weak physically and mentally already. We want to do everything we can to help-- not only her, but all people whose lives have been turned upside-down by ALS. Each year, we are that much closer to relief. To peace of mind. To a cure.

Once again, thank you.
You are truly life savers.

.

OCTOBER, baby!

2011-10-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

via

Hello, beautiful month... it's been much too long since I saw you last!
This month I get to start working on our Dia de los Muertos altar! Oh, and I can't wait for you all to see our halloween costumes this year. They will go down in history! What does October have in store for us?

3rd: Techies Day
4th: National Golf Day and St. Francis of Assisi's birthday
5th: Do Something Nice Day and World Teachers Day
7th: Bald and Free Day
10th: Columbus Day (and my daddy's birthday!)
11th: Take Your Teddy Bear to Work Day
14th: National Dessert Day and E. E. Cumming's birthday
16th: Bosses Day
17th: Wear Something Gaudy Day (you know I'll be celebrating!)
21st: National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
22nd: National Make a Difference Day
25th: Punk for a Day Day and Pablo Picasso's birthday
28th: Frankenstein Friday
30th: National Candy Corn Day
31st: Halloween and Carve a Pumpkin Day!

It is also Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Cookie Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Pizza Month, National Vegetarian Month, and National Sarcastic Month (of COURSE!).

Happy OCTOBER!!!

.

Playtime in Salie's Room

2011-09-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Oh, hello! Welcome to Salie's Playtime!...err... okay you can put your barf bags down now, I'm not going to do a cheesy blog segment, I promise. I was just sitting in Salem's room the other day with my camera, snapping photos while she played along ignoring my presence, and I think they are worth sharing.

#1: Salem jumping on her bed.

#2: Salem talking to herself in the mirror.

#3: Salem brushing her baby's hair (backwards).

#4: Salem reading a book to her baby.

and
#5: Salem talking on the phone.

I have to say, I am quite enjoying her blossoming imagination. It's adorable to watch and it sure helps keep her occupied so I can get stuff done around the house!

Happy weekend, everyone!

October is tomorrow--hooray!!!

xoxo,

Rae

a camping we will go!

2011-09-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

A couple weeks ago, the hubs and I took a nice retreat to the beach to go camping while Salie stayed with grandma and grandpa. It figures, the weekend we decide to go camping is full of rain! But we are PORTLANDERS-- do not mess with us! Instead of complaining, we spent a half hour problem-solving how to set up our tarp without string and were victorious, of course. We are just awesomely resourceful like that.

We had fun with our furry daughter, the Pipes. She was overjoyed to be an only child once more and to be at her favorite place in the world. We all made many discoveries. I collected shells for crafting purposes. Piper found a lot of dead things washed ashore like this loon and crab...

The hubs and I discovered this awesome driftwood tree and it's beautifully Van Gogh-ed root system...

The island we camped out on was a nature park with lots of trails for us to explore. There were so many beautiful things growing and waiting to be photographed, of course.

We shared our campground with a giant scooter gang that showed up and took four or five campsites...

At the end of the day, the hubs showed off his manly fire-making skills and we roasted smores!

Libby (and her beaux, Eric)

2011-09-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

I had a wonderful time last weekend with my dear friend Jessie (remember her from this post?) shooting the lovely Libby. This girl is a work of art herself, so it was very fun to photograph her. She brought her love Eric along to jump in some shots with her, too. Here are my favorites...

Rocky Butte!

2011-09-27T18:00:00.000-07:00

There's nothing like a spontaneous trip to Rocky Butte to look at the city lights in the twilight!

The hubs and Salem had fun monkey-ing around.
Salem decided to do a little bouldering, as you can see. She has no fear, this girl.
Can you see those raindrops in the photos? Oh, fall! I love thee!
I am still sweet on the rain, friends (ask me in January and I will tell you otherwise). For instance, the hubs and I set up a covering over the uncovered portion of our patio today, so now we can sit at our patio table and listen to the rain without getting wet. Genius! And Sunday, we walked all around the waterfront in the pouring rain! It felt warm and revitalizing. It's just good to feel those drops on your nose and watch them run down windows.
Anyway, back to the butte--I dared the hubs to climb atop the cement....thing...? "Dare ACCEPTED!" he said, and he was already up! Salem was trying to figure out how she could get up there with him. She looked around every nook and cranny of that cement thing looking for a way, but to no avail.
I was just happy to watch my kids enjoying themselves. It quite warmed the cockles of my heart!
On the way home, Salie made up her own songs and paused every once in a while for us to cheer for her. Check out the video (you have to cock your head sideways to watch it):

Rae Snyder sells stuff.

2011-09-22T18:00:00.000-07:00

Rae Snyder sells stuff, didn't you know?
(Oh, by the way, that's me!)

I like to take photos of pretty things, add pretty effects or silly illustrations, and sell them on Society6.
It's not too early to start Christmas shopping, people... all I'm saying, is keep my shop of loveliness in mind this year :)
If you're not in the market, dear friends, promote!
It always helps to get good feedback on those pieces you like best.
Thanks!
xoxo,
Rae

poetry lately...

2011-09-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

via

untitled

this morning

you flew by the

tree

outside my

window as i

sipped english tea

for breakfast.

cream.

two lumps.

i only saw your

silhouette

through slats

of mini-blinds,

but your spirit was

warm down

my throat like

the tea,

keeping the emptiness

from freezing.

my heart was secure

as a walnut

hanging

from that tree

when

you sought to

make home

a branch

close by.

i was afraid

that you saw

me--right through

the hull

surrounding

me.

i braced myself, but

you gently

broke

me open and

freed

me from decay.

Free things to do in the Portland Summer: Oaks Bottom!

2011-09-20T18:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, I know this is pushing it, as last week was pretty rainy and very much fall weather, but today the sun is shining and you've got to know about Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge! Salem, Sam and I went there on a whim a couple weeks ago. Everyone was in need to get outside and experience some nature. We searched around and found this wildlife refuge complete with hiking trails right around our neighborhood by Oaks Park! It is a beautiful marshland home to hawks, quail, ducks, woodpeckers, and so much more. We even spotted a blue heron hanging out by the water.

Salem was very excited to say hi to all the ducks and to point out how dirty the water was (if you don't know, marsh water is very stagnant and green). Most of the trail was in the shade, which was a nice break for me, since I carried Salie on my back half of the hike. We trekked from one trailhead (starting at SE 7th & Sellwood Blvd) and ending at another (Se Milwaukie Ave, just south of Holgate) and then back down Milwaukie Ave back to Sellwood Park, which ended up being about 3.5 miles. The view coming back on Milwaukie Ave was beautiful--a perfect view of the city and the green that surrounds it!

But did you know that part of this marsh used to be a landfill for construction waste material? I would never have guessed, but you know the hubs is in that construction stuff and he hears these things. The Portland Parks & Rec website corroborated his story. Apparently, when the city acquired the property in 1969, they layered the landfill with soil, wanting to preserve one of the only marshlands in Portland. Now, it's quite beautiful. It was pretty dry on our visit, but I think it would be much more marshy now after a few days of rain. It seems to me that Oaks Bottom would be beautiful anytime of year!

the yarn wreath, part dos.

2011-09-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Remember my yarn wreath post last week? Well, the madre finished hers and here's how it turned out...

Don't those flowers look delicious?

And by delicious I mean they look like icing flowers on a cake and I want to eat them!!

(I would have a mouthful of felt, however... yuck.)

Jump!

2011-09-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

Here's a warm summer memory

to get you through your

cool weekend!

xoxo,

Rae

I love my neighborhood.

2011-09-15T18:00:00.000-07:00

photo via my dad!

One of the things I love most about living in our neighborhood is the lengths the city and members of the community go to in order to get everyone together. On labor day, several local organizations put on a "Day at the Park" festival at Lents Park with music, games, etc. My dad took this family shot of us, which I think is great of Sam and I, but our girls seem a little preoccupied. Piper was very concerned about the bmx bikers and skateboarders doing tricks nearby. I'm not really sure what Salem's up to here...? Nevertheless, I love these community celebrations! Yesterday, we went by our local library branch to pick up a few holds. We opened the door to beautiful live Chinese music! A volunteer informed us that they were celebrating the Chinese Lunar Festival and asked if we would like an almond cookie. After politely declining (we're all gluten-free these days), we continued on to tables set up for making chinese lanterns with kids. Salem and I made one together and now it hangs happily over our dinner table. There's so much diversity in our neighborhood. I grew up in suburban east Gresham with a predominately white population, so I love every bit of culture I can experience and learn about. I know there will be less of these outdoor events now that summer is ending, but I'm excited for community holiday festivities!
What about you? What sort of community things does your neighborhood do?

beef & cheese chocolate??

2011-09-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

image courtesy of pinkwhitebrown.com

There are many great things about having connections in local patisseries, let me tell you.
This is one of them.
My cousin, Rachel, is the head of the pastry/dessert department at one of our local New Seasons Market stores here in PDX. Rachel brought over a bowl-full of these goodies to our September craft night last weekend, and I was in love at first taste.
Have you ever wanted to eat a beef and cheese chocolate truffle?
Okay, maybe not... but what about lavender? Rose-berry? Triple cherry? Ginger sticks? If none of those flavors have your mouth watering, just head over to pinkwhitebrown.com to discover more of the creatively decadent concoctions of Neapolitan Printing & Co. Their specialties range from chocolate mustache on a stick to choc-o-bama, their "tasteful salute to the 44th president." They collaborate with local artists, chefs, designers, farmers, fabricators and friends, as their website explains, to come up with these flavory concoctions.
Jump over here to find out how you can get some of these treats for FREE!

Lady in the Water: children's book review!

2011-09-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

Did you know that I have the best pen pal ever? Her name is Jess and she keeps the postal service alive! Oh, how I love my friend Jess. We used to make mail together in college to send to other people, but I've never really been on the receiving side of her mail projects. Recently, she sent Salie a very special book. Lady in the Water: A Bedtime Story by M. Night Shyamalan. For those of you who are unaware, I am a very big M. Night fan (not too sure about his last two movie choices, but hey I don't judge). I was so excited about this gift, people! Lady in the water is one of my favorites of his movies, and I knew that he had made up the story for his kids.

The illustrations by Crash McCreery are magical--beautifully eerie, which harmonizes with his full-time work as a creature designer and visual effects artists in films including Jurassic Park, Pirates of the Caribbean and Terminator. M. Night's writing style is reminiscent to Mercer Mayer's in There's An Alligator Under My Bed--the narrator is aware the story is far-fetched, but his innocent confidence persuades the reader to belief. It's an alluring story that will lull your child into fanciful dreams.

photos via

Yarn Wreath DIY

2011-09-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have been up to some craftiness, lately, you know. It helps the sanity. My mama came over the other day and decided we were going to make ourselves some yarn wreaths. Sounds silly, but if you've seen them before, you know they are oh so crafty chic. We picked up some wreath bases at the JoAnns and got to work. Wrapping. Wrapping. Wrapping. Gossiping. Wrapping. Just kidding, we don't gossip ever...
Would you like to see how mine turned out? I knew you would!

We were guided by a splendid tutorial over at Take Heart. Check it out! I dare you to make one yourself--they are super easy. If you do, send me a picture and I'll put it on the blog! :)

Free things to do in the Portland Summer: Director Park!

2011-09-09T15:29:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... school's started for most, but that doesn't mean it's not summer! It's hot outside and a great place to cool off for free is Director Park downtown. It's new and fresh and the 19th block in the contiguous park blocks (in between Yamhill and Taylor). There are lots of tables and chairs in the shade, and a great wading pool for kids of any age to splash around in during the summer. To be honest, it gets pretty packed most of the summer, but post labor day is the best time to go (all those not so conscientious older kids are in school!).

Salem and I went there with my sister today during her lunch and I adored watching them play in the water together...

I like autumn (my sister, too, but that's not what I mean).

2011-09-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

My Madre bought me some new towels... aren't they purdy??
They make me oh so excited for autumn to start falling! This is the first full week of September, my friends, and though it may be in the 90s outside, do not be fooled. I reminded the hubs just yesterday that the ALS walk is on the 25th of this month and last year it was cold and rainy (surprise, surprise). Do not underestimate our city's ability to change from summer to fall faster than you can say Don Lockwood!

Personally, I am stoked about getting into my fall clothes at the back of the closet--it's like Christmas in September! All of the beautiful colors of the leaves (and ugh, sweeping/raking the leaves)! Okay, so fall isn't perfect, but it is beautiful, right? What are your favorite and least favorite things about fall?

Water Baby.

2011-09-07T19:00:00.000-07:00

If you know my daughter at all, you know she loves water. It's her favorite part of our max trip downtown to have lunch with Auntie Autumn or go to the zoo. As soon as we get on the train she says, "Water??" and I sigh and half roll my eyes because I know it's going to be a while before we go over the bridge. The whole way there she keeps reminding me. "Water!!"

She loves drinking fountains, puddles, rain, faucets, bathtubs, hoses, cups... in short, she loves water in all shapes and sizes.

So would it surprise me that she will jump into our arms from the ledge of the pool? Not at all. Nor does it surprise me that she does not wish to be held for a second longer than she has to after the jump, but instead must get back on the ledge to do it over and over again. She's very determined. I don't know where she gets that from.

Check out the video (courtesy of my dad)...

wookie dog.

2011-09-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was at the park the other day with Salem, when this little dog ran up to me. Now, I wasn't sure to shriek or laugh... it was quite a hideous dog, I have to say.

I decided to laugh. Then, suddenly, visions of the Star Wars franchise danced in my head and I couldn't help myself. I laughed all the way home. I certainly laughed when I changed our desktop wallpaper to the photo I took of this dog and watched the hubs jump back in his chair when he opened the computer. I especially laughed as I delved into the true photoshopped identity of this dog and wookie dog was born.

Yes, I already know that was a great use of my time.

Thrifted things :)

2011-09-05T19:00:00.000-07:00

I love thrifted things. Did you know that? Digging through tons of crap to find the one treasure in the mess? What an adrenaline rush! I like my things to have a history, you know. Even if it's baggage they've got, I'll take em. I will welcome them home to love and take care of. These are my new/old shoes. Do you like them? They are all real leather and remind me of huaraches. I'm pretty fond of them (thanks, mom!).

What about you people?

Do you like to thrift?

What's your best find yet??

Stuffed Zucchini!

2011-09-02T19:00:00.000-07:00

Why, hello my friends!
I have another scrumptious recipe for you, oh yes! This can be served as an entrée or appetizer, depending on your meal plans. I found this tasty stuffed zucchini recipe over at Kay's lovely blog, Kayotic Kitchen. I made a few substitutions, mostly for dietary purposes (dairy-free sour cream, cumin instead of curry powder and parsley instead of thyme... because I was out!) We had it for dinner the other night and I think it was a winner.
It really is very delicious, though and quite a sinch to make!
So, just in case you didn't catch that link, here it is: Stuffed Zucchini.

A new month.

2011-09-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

Happy September, folks.
There are many splendid things about this month. It is the beginning of academics for many, it is the first whisper of fall, but did you know what else September holds? I thought I should clue you all in on important September dates!

4th: the Isle of Manhattan was discovered by Henry Hudson (1609)
5th: Freddie Mercury's birthday and National Be Late for Something Day and Labor Day
6th: National Read a Book Day
9th: Teddy Bear Day
11th: 10 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks and Grandparents Day
16th: Mexican Independence Day
19th: International Talk Like a Pirate Day
21st: International Day of Peace and Autumnal Equinox
22nd: Elephant Appreciation Day
23rd: Native American Day
28th: National Good Neighbor Day and Ask a Stupid Question Day

In the US, September is National Preparedness month, Classical Music month, Hispanic Heritage month, Fall Hat month, Blueberry Popsicle month, Courtesy month, Piano month, Chicken month, Baby Safety month, Little League month, Honey month, Self Improvement month and Better Breakfast month. Whew! Oh, I almost forgot that it is also International Square Dancing month.

Whatever you choose to celebrate, say you remember dancing in September(never was a cloudy day)!

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Blackberry Pear Cobbler!

2011-08-31T19:00:00.001-07:00

ingredients:
1/2 cup smart balance
2 cups blanched almond flour
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp xantham gum
pinch of salt
2/3 cup almond milk
1 egg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3 cups blackberries
1 can pear halves (15 oz)
lemon juice

how to make the magic:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt smart balance "butter" and pour into 2 quart casserole dish, making sure to spread onto the sides as well. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, xantham gum, salt, milk, egg, cinnamon and nutmeg in medium mixing bowl. Mix well. Stir blackberries and pears together in separate bowl. Add a couple squirts of lemon juice, about a tbsp of sugar, and another 1/4 tsp of cinnamon into fruit and mix well until sugar has coated the fruit. Pour fruit mix into casserole dish evenly. Spoon batter atop fruit and spread evenly (or drop in big spoonfuls if you like). Bake for 30 minutes until topping starts to brown. Cool and serve!

Free things to do in the Portland summer: Bicycle Mom!

2011-08-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

One of the things I love about warm weather in Portland is being able riding my bike (and not worry about slippery roads, of course). I used to ride all the time before Salie was born, and now she is at the age where I feel comfortable taking her with me. This is probably the best city to do it in! There are so many biking resources, even online bicycle maps! However, riding a bike with kids can be pretty intimidating, so I have gathered together a few tips on biking with kids:

* The best time to start biking with your child is when they can hold their head up on their own and can fit into an infant helmet!
* Tether sippy cups, clip on pacifiers, etc. Trust me, we lost a few pacifiers on Foster.
* Try to use bike paths which are separate from roadways. Portland has so many of these! 205 bike path, Springwater trail, etc.
* Make sure to bring everything you need! A drink for both of you and a couple diapers/small pack of wipes if you need them. Don't overpack! I like to pack my stuff in a drawstring backpack.
* Extra weight = more time! When you're hauling an extra 30+ pounds, it's going to take a little longer to get up those hills. Make sure to account for this on trips!
* Practice before you get out on the road! You want to make sure you feel comfortable and safe biking around with the extra weight. I've heard people putting bags of rice or sand in their child seats to get the feel of it. I put Salem in the first time, but made sure someone was right there standing by and we just rode up and down the sidewalk to get used to it.
* Be patient! Your child might cry the first few times getting into the bike seat, like Salem did. But as soon as we were moving with the wind in our hair, she was having a blast! Make games out of it. I call Salem's helmet a hat, so she is more comfortable with the idea of putting it on. When we are riding, I point out things we see to her that I know she will recognize, so that we will both get a good experience out of the ride.

2011-08-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Folks, it ain't easy being a mom.
Not that I ever thought it would be. I was around twelve different little ones all under the age of 6 when I was in Michigan, and not for one moment did I think being a mom would be a breeze. No way. Now, don't get me wrong, I love my little girl. For the most part, she is absolutely wonderful... but we are entering these terrific twos, you know, and I sometimes feel like I am stuck in a level of chip's challenge running over and over into a brick wall.

THE TANTRUMS. She is so pleasant when she is not having them. She is so unpleasant when she is having them.

I do honestly think that they would be worse (or more frequent) if she did not know sign. She often communicates easily what she wants because she can combine sign and words. The tantrums mostly come not out of an inability to communicate, but of an inability to have what she wants. This can be hard because my observant logic tells me that if I give her everything she wants, she will never have a tantrum. But, people, children cannot be brought up on mere logic! Wisdom, my friends. Wisdom is the hard part. The part that doesn't get instantaneous results. Wisdom will not stand by and watch logic let her eat an entire bag of tortilla chips. The battle is a battle of outcomes... do I want to avoid a tantrum, or teach my daughter healthy eating habits? Maybe this sounds silly to the general public out there, but I know you other mothers get what I'm saying, right? But we all do this in our own way and maybe that's why these tantrums get to me so much-- we trade the lesson of value, of what we know is right, for the thing we can get this instant.

Right vs. right now. Should I pay my bills and save a little, or buy that bigger tv? Should I go out for a walk or ride my bike, or sit on my computer? Should I give of my time to help someone out, or do my own thing? Should I have a needed conversation, or avoid that person entirely?

I think you get the idea now. Being a mom is not easy, but it sure does teach me some valuable lessons which challenge my growth as a human being... as a child of God. And when things are hard, I can look on my dad's flickr and find beautiful videos like this one that fill my heart up and help me to see how much she is growing and learning.

Home Tour, part five.

2011-08-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last stop,

HUSBAND AND WIFE ROOM
(room of refuge)

This final room is very wonderful indeed, because it is the place the hubs and I get to go into and shut the door. OUR OWN ROOM! I highly recommend it for every married couple. Can you guess which sides we sleep on? You probably guessed wrong. We tend to switch sides every other night. It keeps things fresh, you know? Let's see, well there's the bed of absolute comfort. It's got a two-inch memory foam topper on it.... sigh. The photo behind our bed was taken by my sister of the space needle in Seattle. The black shelf pictured is on the wall to the left of the bed. It's our wedding shelf, I guess you could say. On top of it rests my bouquet, our unity candle, communion cup, engagement photo, and a shadowbox of our invitation made by a friend. As for storage, the closet that came with the room is mine and the armoire was a $50 steal at IKEA. We like that store. Do you see Sam's Timber's scarf on the window? He's very proud.

I also have a dresser (every girl needs one, you know). My dad and I found it at an estate sale for $7. It was very beat up. We sanded it and painted it and gave it a second chance. On top of the dresser are happy things: the vintage jewelry box my bridesmaids gave me on our wedding day, massage oils, a paper cut print of bleeding hearts my mom picked up at shop in Mariposa, CA, a fabric rose hair clip from modified style, a photo of me at my prima ballerina stage, my grandma's perfume, and some other odds and ends. Don't you love my rake-head necklace holder? What a great idea I found on this pin! I found it at a local antique mall and I love love love it. I might even use another one to hold our wine glasses in the futue, who knows. Here's my newest addition...

I needed something to balance the off-set of the rake, so I whipped up this paper circle chandelier. I love sewing paper. It's one of my new favorite things to craft, and it's so easy!

So that is our home, folks. I hope you enjoyed the tour. Don't be strangers now, ya hear?

Home Tour, part four.

2011-08-25T19:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome, welcome to...

SALEM'S ROOM
(room of peace)

I absolutely love how Salem's room came together. It was the first room I worked on when we moved in. She just has so many people who love her and it shows everywhere you look in this room. That's the reading chair she's in at the bottom right. The quilt and owl pillow on it were made by my cousin ("Auntie Lacey") while I was prego. The shelf above has lots of lovely trinkets on it, including paintings done by dear friends, a wooden swan from Grandma Betty, vintage toys, and a sock elephant I made before Sam and I were hitched. The mobile above the crib is the "bat-mobile" I made while I was pregnant, along with several other things in the room. You remember the rug she fell in love with, right? The giant shelf/storage piece was FREE on craigslist. It's my best find yet, I think. We're still filling up the shelves, but more on that in a minute.

The dresser was my mom's baby dresser. She had it stripped and stained when she became an adult and it survived through my sister and I as well. The paintings above it, as well as all the doilies in the room, were gifts from my mom, also. My Bekahfriend made the height chart for Salie's first birthday. Now, you can see the special pictures on the giant shelf. Left to right: baby me, Sam and pregnant me, Sam's grandma Coral (Salie's first namesake), my grandma Fay (Salie's second namesake), and baby Salie. There's actually real coral next to the photo of Sam's grandma, and the cardinal was given to me by my uncle at the hospital when Salem was born. It was a reminder of the story I told him about seeing one for the first time in Michigan and how its beauty left me speechless.

There are so many other wonderful stories this room holds, I couldn't begin to tell them all. It's a perfect place for a growing little girl. Oh, I almost forgot to mention... solar system!

Tomorrow you might just get

a peek at my room!

Home Tour, part three.

2011-08-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Please walk down the hall for a potty stop. Those photos on the wall are of friends and family. My sister gave me the black-framed collage as a gift, to the left of that is an old photo of Sam and his sibs, below that is me and my Isabella Rainy, to the right of that is my uncle Willie feeding his buffalo, to the right of that is my Lily bug licking ketchup off her fingers, and above that is Salie. Whew! Don't look in that room at the end of the hall yet!! Bathroom break! Remember??

BATHROOM
(home of the bath)

I love this room. Do you know why? There are so many reasons... partly because it is not in my bedroom... or perhaps because it still has a medicine cabinet hidden behind the mirror... but mostly because it has a bathtub. If you were not aware, there was no bathtub at our old place. This was complete torture during my pregnancy! Those days of crying like Tobias in my tile shower, wishing for to soak my plump self in a tub are OVER! When we first moved in, I took epsom salt baths every week! I have slowed down a bit, but I'm not the only one who is in love. Salie's favorite time is bathtime, I think. If she hears the water running in the tub and does not get to climb in it, she is one unhappy little lady.

The bathroom features some other lovelies, like my dragonfly shadowbox (yard sale find) and Rick Beerhorst original Owl wood block print. The Paris lamp was recently re-homed to this room. It's perfect for creating a less alarming light for middle-of-the-night bathroom visits. The shower curtain is from Target. I bought it when we still lived in our old place (where we had sliding glass doors and didn't need a shower curtain), but I knew someday I would have a bathtub!

Come back tomorrow to see

that room at the end of the

hall I told you not to

peek in!

Home Tour, part two.

2011-08-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

Next, I believe, is the

DINING ROOM and KITCHEN.
(it's where we dine and kitch)

Behold, our tiny table. Most of our chairs are currently off display (my dad is re-gluing them for us so they pass safety code). We have hopes to eventually get a bigger table, but for now this does just fine. The basket was a gift and, yes, it is hanging in a macramé plant holder... why not? The mirror, I think, was a garage sale find and had long been disconnected from its dresser parter.

The S was a craft project of mine. I think the hubs thought I was crazy when I brought it home in its boring brown paper mache state. But he likes it very much now that I have given it a Portland map makeover. (By the way, those lilies are from the hubs. He likes us to have fresh flowers in the house because it reminds him of his grandma, and I don't complain one bit).

Walk into our kitchen, please. It's nothing spectacular, except that it is an entire ROOM of kitchen. Oh, we have come so far! Atop the stove are some lovely things, like a photo from our wedding and a hamburger timer. Did I mention we have owls hidden throughout our house? They must like it here, or something.

I bordered our kitchen walls with strands of silk flowers... which have become my arch nemesis. No matter how many times we re-pin them, they keep hanging down! These are the daily battles, my friends. No matter. Can you believe the size of my sink? It is quite grand. Two basins, no less!

The counters shelf our utensils, containers, recipes, and--oh, hello!

This kitchen has so many cupboards, I don't know what to fill them with! Storage galore! And it is a nice home to our family calendar. I am very much an organizer, if you didn't know that already. Just ask my dry-erase pens.

Shh! Don't look in that corner!

Tomorrow...

more home!

Home Tour, part one.

2011-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Now, this is the moment you've all been waiting for, right? A peek into my humble abode! (This doesn't mean those of you who haven't come by to pay us a visit are off the hook, alright?) It took a while for things to be hung on walls, put away in their proper places... you know, I'm sure. It's still a work in progress, but having said that, perhaps I should disclose that I am open to decor ideas that you may have for me. Alright, so here is room numero uno:

THE LIVING ROOM.
(it's where we live).

Come in, come in! Don't be afraid of our pooch-- she is certainly more afraid of you. But she will be your best friend if you throw a frisbee or a stick for her. Honestly. This is our entryway... we call it that because it's the way people enter our house. Very creative, I know. We like to keep our carpets clean, so dirty shoes must go in the basket by the door. Thank you. Alright, alright... moving on...

So, this is it--the first room of the house. I think it's rather cozy, don't you? The piano is the old upright grand I learned to play on, starting when I was four. It is has wonderful character and a beautiful full sound. I will never sell it.

When you come through the front door you will notice those two red-vinyl-seated chairs to your right. They were given to us, courtesy of our neighbor's curb. I am rather fond of them. They are wonderful for adding more seating when we have a group of some sort over. The table between them is actually an old sewing machine table from craigslist. It conceals all of my sewing storage (fabric, thread, notions, etc.). Unfortunately, my sewing machine doesn't connect to the table that holds it inside, but someday it will. It also doubles as a display for photos of friends and family.

I am proud to declare that most of the things in our house were either gifts, free, mostly free, or handmade (with a few exceptions, like our terribly awesome shag rug from IKEA). The books on our bookcase are hopefully not pretentious. Sam and I have gone through several book-purging marathons to cut down our collection to only the books we have actually read and love. It feels so nice to be able to look at the titles and remember all of the worlds we have lost ourselves in at one time or another. All of our art is either vintage or by local artists and friends. The painting above our couch is by my sister. I'm not sure what its official name is, but I call it "the dreamer" because it's a depiction of daydreaming and night dreaming. I begged her for it.

The things on top of the piano are mostly sentimental and vintage. Two of the three paintings were done by me (the one of Mt. Hood on the left was a gift to Sam and the guitar mosaic on the right was just for fun). The Peace sign is in the middle was given to me by one of my dear friends and old Michigander house-mate, Jen, when I moved back to Portland. Other things atop the piano include: cards given to me by loved ones, my Modified Style trophy, a family photo, a paper mache bird given to me by my cousin (and maid of honor), old hymnals, and feathers I've collected on walks.

That's the living room, for you. Tune in tomorrow for more of our home!

.

To Dig A Hole.

2011-08-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

The sand at the Oregon Coast never gets old...

photos taken by my dad! (click on them to see his flickr)

Tune in next week for....(drumroll)...

our home tour!

xoxo

Rae

A questionable gift for high school graduates?

2011-08-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was at urban the other day and something made me laugh. Now, you can't take it seriously (obviously) or you will furrow your eyebrows and roll your eyes and get all party-pooper on us. So, here is the thing...

It is a book entitled, How to Make Friends in College.
I was very curious about its contents, so I opened it up...

Little mama in training

2011-08-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

I found this little African American water baby at a thrift store several months ago, but just recently, Salie adopted it as her own. She went swimming with it the other day in her little pool. The baby must not have liked the water very much, because Salie spent a long time holding it, patting its back, and shushing it. She even gave it a little kiss. Oh, she is such a good little mama.

hair question.

2011-08-16T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about growing my hair out and perming it again like this...

...what do you think?

A place I long to be...

2011-08-15T19:00:00.000-07:00

There's a little place that starts with an "i" and ends with a "taly" where I would really like to be right now. I ran across some old photos from my visit their during my freshman year of college and I am seriously aching to be right in them again. "I can't believe those alleyways are water!" said the hubs when I showed him. Isn't it marvelous?? We'll just hop on a gondola to get from here to there, or play the game my friends and I played when we were there--pick the furthest church steeple you can see and we'll try to find it!

Then maybe we'll stop at a cafe for an 80 cent macchiato with cacao powder on top and people watch. We won't need to talk, because if we did it would be in English, and the Italian passersby are much more romantic to listen to. Besides, what words could describe the beating heart of a place so full of history and soul.

Oh, Italia!
Let me come to you and take back my heart!

The Hubs Headliner

2011-08-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

What do you do when your dog rips open your soccer ball?

Happy weekend, everyone!!

xoxo

Rae

Hitchings...

2011-08-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

So, my lovely friend got herself hitched last weekend and I had the pleasure of shooting her ceremony. This was one of the most fun weddings I've ever been to. Sam and I had a blast dancing the night away while Salem was having a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's. I wish it could have gone on a couple more nights.
Against my discretion, I have decided to share a short video with you purely so that you can laugh at me (courtesy of my dad). You have to hold your head sideways to watch it, though.

Silliness aside, it was beautiful and I had so much fun capturing it. Here are some of my favorites...

Our third summer this year is a success!

2011-08-10T19:00:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that the warm weather has prevailed (I think). Now that it is staying warm, I am finding myself taking up a lot of room in Salie's kiddie pool. Praise the Lord, the hubs and dad installed the window a/c in our living room (here's to less arguments during hot weather!). But when I am out walking around, how on earth am I supposed to cool off? I'm afraid this is just too much for my deodorant to handle!

So how do you do it? Tell me your favorite ways to cool off in hot weather! What's your secret? Pool? Grocery store a/c? Ice cold beer? I want to know!!

photo credit: Victoria Henderson

18 months.

2011-08-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd share the rest of the photos from our little park photo-shoot. I've been getting used to a new lens, and Salem is a very apt model. She is 18 months now, did you know?

Hanging on.

2011-08-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough week, for sure. I'm doing better, I guess. It's hard knowing that some people think grieving over animals is silly, but most of my friends have been super encouraging and I don't know what I would do without them. My family is helping me heal. Salem keeps me busy, so I can't sit and think about it too much. She's been my adventure buddy this summer. Her favorite place to venture to, however, is still the park or somewhere with water.

She's getting so independent. Right after I took this photo, she went down the slide all by herself without me even giving her a little push at the top. She slid into my arms laughing and I was very proud. I love watching her daily accomplishments. For a while, she would struggle getting down from the end of the slide without help. She'd lower herself backwards, waiting for her toes to touch the ground, and right before she was about to touch, she would give up out of fear and crawl back up. After seeing her do this, I walked over and pushed her gently. When her toes touched the ground a look of surprise and satisfaction came on her face. After that, she was sliding quickly off the end without a care.

It made me think of myself. Oftentimes, in my struggles I will so easily let fear consume me and give up right before my toes were to touch the ground. Sometimes, I need a little push. I need to be shown that I'm so close. Then, in realizing this, I have confidence to persevere. Oh, but I protest the push so much more than Salem does. She is so pure and full of trust. If only I could have faith like her...

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My only post this week.

2011-08-02T12:02:00.000-07:00

I just thought you all should know that Kobe was strong and brave until the very end.

Last Monday evening, mom was playing with the dogs outside (as she usually does) when, in mid-run, Kobe stumbled and fell to the ground. He could not get up on his own, so we knew something was wrong. The vet was called and told us to watch him overnight, that he might have sprained or broken something. I helped mom take him into the vet the next morning. He was in good spirits, but obviously in pain. They x-rayed his hips and legs and found no break. The vet told us he probably just sprained his hip and prescribed pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicine for him. She said it would probably take him about 6 weeks to fully recover, but that he should be a lot better soon if he is resting and only trying to walk on his own.

We took him home and took good care of him. He wanted to be with us all the time. If we went into another room, he would try to make his way toward us, but would only get a few feet before he couldn't go any further. We carried him outside to go to the bathroom and to sit with us in the grass. He wagged his tail whenever we'd come near him.

Last weekend, however, he took a turn for the worse. His walking had not improved at all, but only got worse. He was breathing very heavily and labored. We took him off of all the medicine after he had two seizures. Seizures weren't an unusual thing for Kobe, but they were terrible for him to go through. We didn't want to give him medicine that would possibly induce them. This seemed to be more than just a sprained hip. The vet talked with my mom for a long time and told us to bring him back Monday.

Sunday night, my mom noticed some purple/red bruising on his lower stomach/abdomen area. By Monday, the bruising had spread to up his chest. We were very concerned. My dad took off work early and we took Kobe in to the vet. She talked with us a long time about all of the possibilities, but there really wasn't enough for her to give a diagnosis unless more diagnostic steps were taken. The bruising pointed to some sort of a blood cell problem, so we agreed to a blood test.

We waited a very long twenty-five minutes for the results. When the vet came back, she told us that Kobe had absolutely no white blood cells and that his red blood cell count was very low. She said that he either had some sort of bone marrow cancer, or leukemia. Our hearts ached and our heads hung. He obviously had to have been fighting this for a long time in order for him to have absolutely no white blood cells, but he never once complained. He couldn't tell us, so he just kept living and loving and playing--just last week, he was jumping through hula hoops.

We knew that we couldn't hold on to him any longer and we did not want him to suffer. Now that his hip was injured, his bones were so brittle, and his immune system non-existent there was no way he would recover and be able to walk on his own again, let alone be able to go to the bathroom on his own. He was so brave. We all talked with him and petted him. I went to Dairy Queen to get him a doggy dish of ice cream and we fed it to him in the vet's room, along with some peanut butter we brought with us. We told him how brave he was and we knew he was so strong to fight for so long.

My mom and I stayed in the room when the vet came in to give him the euthanasia. I held his head and rubbed behind his ears just the way he liked, and told him what a good boy he was. As soon as she gave him the shot, he gave a sigh of relief and slowly laid his head down. He seemed so peaceful, for those few seconds he was still with us. Then, I knew he wasn't there anymore.

I kept holding his head and petting him, even though I knew he couldn't feel it. The vet cut some of his hair for us to take. She was so wonderful throughout the whole thing, as hard and puzzling as it was. Arlo, her assistant (who had also been extremely kind and friendly to us), helped us carry him out to the car. My mom told him that people had come to visit him this week when they heard he wasn't doing well. Arlo said he had never heard of that before and that he must have been a very special dog. He laid him gently in the car and patted his head. "He's not suffering anymore." he said.

When we got home, our neighbor Kevin came up to help my dad bury him. We chose a nice spot in the back of the yard by a tree--the place where my rosebush used to bloom. They wrapped him in a cloth and laid him there, filling in the grave and placing heavy stones on top, so that no animals would disturb it.

We sat there in the grass watching, thoughts trying to connect the dots--like one does at the after a mysterious movie, restarting it from the beginning to try to understand the end. It all had happened so fast.

Kobe was a friend of many, a lover of people of all kinds. He was eager to play and herd, but also to love and cuddle, and he was always there with his paw on your knee when you were going through a tough time. He had many great experiences and a very full life. He will be missed by countless humans whose hearts he won.

I don't know if it's true that "all dogs go to heaven," but I know that it is written:

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now." Romans 8:18-22

C.S. Lewis once wrote, "It seems to me possible that certain animals may have immortality, not in themselves, but in the immortality of their masters." If this is true, then I do expect to see Kobe again. For I have not known another animal that was so loved by so many, and they will carry him with them into eternity.

Wait for me, friend. We will sit atop the hill side-by-side and gaze into a valley redeemed by grace.

Oh, Summer...

2011-07-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have been enjoying so many summerful things.

Like Pacific City...

and Tillamook Cheese...

and beautiful baby belly henna...

and drying clothes outside...

and pretty sisters...

and doggy adventures...

and swings...

...so, yeah... this summer rocks!

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Instant Hammock!

2011-07-26T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday, it was beautifully, wonderfully hot.
Oh I was not complaining, no way... not this Portland girl, who nearly drowns every year in all the "summer" rain. I wanted to enjoy the heat, because it could have disappeared any instant. So, I put my swimsuit on and went outside to make a hammock.

Now, I don't know if you know this about me and my little family, but we are for sure NOT rich... we have a car, so I cannot say that we are poor, because 75% of the world cannot afford a car. But I cannot surely go to the nearest REI and pick up a $60+ hammock for the three days of summer I will be able to enjoy it in! (Rolls eyes). Fortunately, for those of us who are on a tight budget and do not see the sun often, we can improvise with a long piece of rope and a large blanket or sheet.

As much as I would love to take credit for this wonderful idea, I cannot. Would you like to try it out yourself? Then visit this ehow and relax your day away!

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Am I right??

2011-07-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

She is getting cuter
and
cuter.

you missed out.

2011-07-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

This month's craft night was hosted by yours truly.
It was pretty swell, if I do say so myself.
My theme?
INDIA.

My living room was transformed into a craft harem, as you can see.

We had quite the spread--naan, pistachios, teas, chocolates, dips, soups... Rachel & Lacey made a birthday cake for Kailey (happy birthday!!).

I made Dal Makhani from scratch...

Funny thing about that Dal Makhani...
I went to our local Mediterranean market to get the ingredients and didn't think about covering my tattoo. The owner, who was very politely helping me find what I needed, suddenly noticed it and asked, "is that Hebrew?"
   "Yeah!" I said, like I usually do... but then I remembered he was from Pakistan and I realized why he asked.
   "Like... Israeli?"
   "...yeah." I said, not sure what was coming next.
   "Oh." He averted his eyes from mine, awkwardly. He was very quiet after that. It made me sad to think that a detail like that could change the way a person treats a stranger. I'm not Israeli, but my background is deeply rooted in their history. I felt sorrow of these prejudices that go back so many years.

The whole reason I wanted to do this India-themed craft night, is because I want to embrace other cultures, respect, and understand them, and I want to encourage my friends to do the same. Although my city tends to be rather multi-cultural, unfortunately, that is not the attitude of all who reside here in Portland.

Henna was our group craft.
We celebrated the beauty in the craft of this area of the world and had a blast doing so. Everyone was a little intimidated to try it at first, but as soon as they got their hands on those cones and started doodling, they realized how fun it was and the excitement slowly melted the fears away.

What a treat to have so many crafty ladies in my home.
I love this tradition and I can't wait to see what our next host comes up with for August!

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A plug for my sister.

2011-07-19T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you have all heard me mention my sister before (or read?)...
she's quite the talented little lady with her
illustration
and
photography.
What you probably don't know about her, however, is that she recently started a pretty awesome fashion blog, highlighting women of petite stature. Won't you check it out?

SHORT HOUSE

(www.shorthouseblog.com)

On our morning walk...

2011-07-18T19:00:00.000-07:00

On our morning walk,
we see
and hear
and smell
a lot of things
(my Salie and I).

The "climb-up-us" purpley purples
smile and wish us a well walk--
but only briefly,
they are busy with lots of news to talk about.

Mrs. Neighborly's daisies
lean in as we walk by,
they are such eavesdroppers.
I'm sure they tell her everything they hear,
but isn't that what daisies are for?

A rather loud lady in a quiet blue house
explains to an unknown listener
how she pays her taxes every year
and they can kiss her...
Suddenly, we are out of earshot.

Salie asks me, "Mama?"
And I know exactly what she is wondering,
because I have been wondering the same thing.
"You're right, Salie. When are they going to
spread out those piles of new bark-dust
for us to play on?"
Swiftly, we discover
that someone has been waiting
for us to move on.

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Can you solve this riddle?

2011-07-14T19:00:00.002-07:00

Want to know who I'm going to see tonight?
(scroll down for answer)

"His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a black board,
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the dark lord."

eek!

via

(J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)

I'm growing up.

2011-07-13T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sort of.

I shot a wedding last weekend with the hubs ("with cameras, not bullets" as he says).
It was my first time shooting one as lead photographer. Usually I'm my sister's assistant. This time, hubs was my assistant and I got to call the shots (literally). It was strange, but wonderful. I realized how much energy it takes, how much thinking, and how much flexibility. So, I guess I'm a big girl now. Yeah?

Would you like to see some shots?
okay :)

I give you, Beth and Peter...

And who could've asked for a better assistant (and hotter)?

Free things to do in the PDX Summer: Powell Butte!

2011-07-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

A Powell in the Butte...

Last week, hubs, Salie, and I went to Powell Butte to scope out some good photo sites for the wedding we shot during the weekend. If you have never been to this 600 acre nature park just off of Powell Blvd at 162nd Ave, I strongly suggest you check it out. There are hiking trails, equestrian trails, biking trails, running trails, wheelchair access trails... you can pretty much do everything but drive around (except for on the road leading up to the parking lot, of course).

We had a blast trekking to the mountain views and being in nature. Even though it was cloudy, it was incredibly beautiful.

We even made a little friend...

Life's a BEACH.

2011-07-11T19:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Oregon coast,
It's about time I came to visit you.
I'm sorry that it took me so long.
I have been busy growing a little girl,
waiting for her to be old enough to appreciate you for the greatness that you are.
Now, I know that she does.
Thank you for embracing her in your warm sand
and for inviting the sun to come along to play.
Thank you for letting me nap on your shore
and helping us all to feel a little more free and live.
You have quite outdone yourself
in hospitality.
Sincerely,
Rae

(check out more photos in this slideshow)

red, white, and blue lips...

2011-07-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Well, a belated Happy 4th to you all!
   We had such a relaxing time at my folks house hanging with the fam and some friends. Both Mom and Dad outdid themselves with dinner--Dad barbecued a teriyaki ginger Salmon, and Mom grilled gouda topped pears on toast for appetizers and created a pear/hazelnut/grand marnier reduction sauce over vanilla ice cream for dessert!! (Is your mouth watering yet?) I made some Martha Stewart inspired fireworks cookies to add some patriotism to our buffet (except mine were deliciously gluten and dairy free). The whole way to my parents' house, Salem kept asking, "Cookie? Cookie?" and sometimes adding, "Please!" because she saw them on my lap in the car.
   "We're going to eat the cookies at Grammy and Poppa's house." I'd try my best to explain.
   "Ohhh." She'd say, matter-of-factly. Then twenty seconds later, "Cookie?"
   When we finally got to my parents' house, she knew it was time for cookies. I gave her a small one and she was quite elated. The evidence was all over her face.

Even though this is technically her second 4th of July, I think this was her official first because it was the first time she was able to truly enjoy it and watch some fireworks. Her favorite were the snakes (the ones that grow and catch fire, lol). She kept telling her daddy that it was "hot!" with sign and words. Each time a firework would go off, she would come running over to our group sitting on blankets and dive head-first into her blankie, laughing. I'm still trying to figure out if the excitement from the fireworks or the sugar from the cookies was responsible for that (probably both).

She fell asleep in the car on the way home and, after carefully transferring her to her bed, hubs and I climbed the roof to sit and watch the fireworks show at the city park a block from our house. We had rum & cokes and talked and laughed as each mortar exploded beautiful colors into the sky. It was terribly romantic.

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Walk to Defeat ALS 2011

2011-07-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again...

consider this the kickoff for the 2011 Walk to Defeat ALS fundraising!

The official walk will take place September 21st, which means we've got 86 days to raise money towards research for finding a cure for ALS as well as helping those who are battling this terrible disease.

For the second year now, I'll be walking to support my grandma, Betty Culp. You may remember my mentioning this last year. She still needs our support, now more than ever, and I know that with your help we can kick ALS in the you-know-what! If you'd like to join me and walk on the morning of September 21st (it's a pleasant little walk around the waterfront), please visit this link and click on the "JOIN TEAM" button. Pass along the info to all your friends and family... every bit helps! Even if you can't make it to the walk, you can still help by donating on the secure website. While you're at it, check out my personal page to find out a bit more about why I'm walking and what ALS is. To check out pictures of last year's walk, click here!

'Tis the season to be gettin hitched.

2011-06-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

Since we really only have two months of summer here in Portland (July & August) and July is still a little iffy when it comes to precipitation, it is tradition that all of the weddings in the entire city of Portland & surrounding area fall in the month of August.

How do I know this?

Well, my sister photographs these weddings and has actually had to turn away several brides for days that she already has booked in August. Most of them (if you can believe it) are getting married on August 6th (could someone enlighten me as to what is so special about this particular date!?!?). But the reason she cannot book these weddings on August 6th is because our very very dear lovely friend is getting married on August 6th!

Meet Jessica (aka Jessie Sunshine):

This is a photo of Jessica and I when we were freshly graduated from high school. She's pretty much been one of my best friends in the whole world and partner in crime for quite some time. I am so stoked that she hooked up with this guy:

That's Brennan. He's a pretty cool guy (and not just because he wears full body spandex suits). It's quite mushy and cute, you see, because they've been friends for a very long time.

They even went to prom together Junior year. They are all sorts of adorable together.

(all these photos via their facebook profiles or taken by my sister)

You get the idea. So now, they are to be lawfully wedded and I am lucky enough to help out a bit with the shindig. Jessie's asked me to make her garter, and I'm having wayyy too much fun with it. I made a birdcage veil to match for her to wear to her shower and rehearsal, so I thought I'd give you a sneak peak...

(Photo credit to Jessie herself. Check out her and Brennan's company, RedFred Productions!)

OMSI time!

2011-06-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

The hubs has been working a lot.
By "a lot," I mean overtime, weekends, late nights, early mornings... you get the idea. This is great for all our savings/financial plans and goals, of course, but terrible for my spending-time-with-the-love-of-my-life plans and goals. He is such a hard worker and I love him for it. Which is why it is absolutely necessary to do something in the above-average-fun category of things to do when we have time to spend as a family. This time, it was OMSI.

I had some free passes (part of my prize package for taking second place at the Modified Style Fashion Show) and so we followed the maze through industrial east-side to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. It was quite different than I remembered. I hadn't been there since high school and Hubs hadn't since grade school, so I guess you could say things looked a lot smaller, but still cool nevertheless!

We payed the extra $2 per person to check out the temporary Narnia exhibit. I was disappointed, to be honest. I had expected a much more magical experience from the promo photos and advertisements, but there were still worthwhile parts of the exhibit. Like, for example, the pieces collected from C.S. Lewis's house including his very own wardrobe that inspired the chronicles and his first edition copies of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Salie's favorite part was the Science Playground, which is geared toward toddlers like her. There was a fun cave with flashlights hanging from the walls for kids to grab and use to explore the hidden items in the cave, a replicated eagle's nest to climb into, fossils, sand, puppets, balls... basically, a toddler's paradise, now that I'm thinking about it.

Salem enjoyed spending time on her daddy's shoulders. We ventured outside to check out the submarine (though we didn't tour the inside because it costs extra!) and the Willamette River.

I'd say OMSI isn't quite as fun (for kids AND parents) as the zoo, but it's still definitely worth checking out, especially if your kiddos are into science.

And anyway, I got to hang out with the love of my life :)