gobble gobbled..

i am very thankful first off for a phone call from my dear lara 2 nights before thanksgiving..

lara- "so i have been cooking all day and am exhausted.."

me- (sipping on my glass of wine) "really? why? i am just going to cook it all thursday morning..it will be a cinch.."

lara- "are you crazy? you need to prep, saute, assemble and be ready BY thursday"

me- "ok."

so... this was wednesday..

4, yes 4 hours of prepping....

this was me..or ehh-hemm this was makena thursday...

basting the turkey..

everything was delicious if i do say so myself, and it went sooo smooth...

here is the only picture i took and it isn't everything but i meant the cooking part went smooth..

 the where do i sit and what do i do with the kids and where is my plate part..

not so smooth..

but we figured it out and we had a feast...

it was my first homemade thanksgiving with my amazing lovable crazy family..

 and i loved it..

all of it..

i am hosting thanksgiving and am really worried..

i am making everything by scratch because i am loco
(not the pie, i am crazy but not THAT crazy)...

appetizers-
cranberry chutney and goat cheese with crackers
carmelized onion dip and veggies
cheese platter

beverages-
cranberry slush (think fizzy cranberries and ginger ale)
hansen's soda
apple cider
wine

main course-
20 lb all natural turkey
andouille sausage and cornbread stuffing (lara's recipe)
cranberry/orange relish
mashed potatoes and gravy
mashed sweet potatoes with thyme
green bean casserole
baked macaroni and cheese

dessert-
pumpkin pie
snickerdoodle coffee from henry's (thhhhhheeee best)

sooo, should i be worried?
ya, i think so too..
i am starting today to prep..
wish me luck..
please!!

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!

me and mine

it is rare to see a picture of myself, i am always behind the camera.
i came across this today as i was going through photos to order prints for frames.
you know a picture you can hold in your hand..
anyway..
i love this picture of me and my oldest..
:)

weekend project!!

i am always soooo excited when i have project! i wish i had a GIGANTIC house so i could fill it with project after project...
i do have one this weekend that i am sooooooooo excited for.
stay tuned for the result!
it's a good one :)

instant gratification.

i am sure you are aware of my obsession over the summer with the polaroid. but sadly, i have no more film because it is not made anymore and my lonely polaroid camera has been retired along with the many other vintage cameras i collect and cherish. i am not a hoarder in the least bit but i do have a few things vintage i collect. pyrex, tablecloths, jewelry and cameras to name a few.  i do have a fab vintage watch that is one of the nicest things i own (thanks dad) that might of started it all..
anyhoo- this is the new fuji film instant camera that is replacing polaroid! it is an instant camera that shoots out credit card size pictures! i love my big fancy camera but this little guy is perfect to replace my summer obsession! you can get it right here :0)

our first play..

our little baby girl had her first ever play..
*sigh*
am i really watching her in a kindergarten play?
yes sir.. i am in that phase of our life already..
well..
she was the most amazing "four little indian"..
she smiled and sang in her beautiful voice..
i am one proud mama bear...

aria..

this is my niece aria..
she is 1..
she is adorable..
she is walking..
she is gibbering..
she does not like sand..
she does not like shoes..
she loves yo gabba gabba..
we love her.

sisters..

they laugh.
they chatter.
they skip.
they run.
they play.
they push.
they shove.
they shout. (chloe)
they kiss.
they hug.
they love.
they are sisters.

a day with the fam..

we had a great sunday in newport beach this weekend..
a lot of candy..
a lot of food..
a lot of love...
a lot of walking..
i love family...

I can't stop thinking about her..

isn't she dreamy..            

they really bring back that magic...

do you remember how exciting it was to dress up and go trick or treating?

do you remember counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until it would finally be dark..

do you remember all the magic in the air..

giggling as you ran up to each house..

 knocking at the giant door....

"trick or treat!!"

it really is wonderful to feel that magic again..

happy halloween!