WW: Resilience.

“A good half of the art of living is resilience.” -Alain de Botton

Thank God, no for real y'all, thank you Lord that little children are resilient.

Cooper is walking now, though I use that term loosely; he prefers to crawl, but he can walk. He can also clear our staircase in under 15 seconds. And he falls. All the time. Mostly on the bum but a lot of times head first into sharp objects. Like this door stopper, hypothetically speaking.



The other day he tumbled- literally did a front roll (slash flip) off of his little chair. NFL style, y'all. Each of the times he tumbles I think, my gosh this is it; THIS is the time I'm going to have to call an ambulance or rush to an emergency room. But every time, he just gets right back up and keeps playing. He is so resilient.

[caption id="attachment_1409" align="alignleft" width="300"] Please note: this is not the actual flip, but a good example on how this flip could occur. Hypothetically.[/caption]

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance.” -Jodi Picoult 

Watching the news and coverage on the bombing at the Boston Marathon has been heartbreaking. I know you agree. With the news this past year I now have a fear of Cooper going to the movies, a public organized event and if I'm being honest- school. It's horrifying and dark. When I lived in New York City I was just a few blocks away from the World Trade Center site. Another terrible event of loss of life, yet the people of Manhattan had such strength and resilience. They almost became more determined to live "life as usual" because they weren't going to let terrorists take any more away from them. People seem to innately find it in them to survive the most horrific of situations. People are resilient.  

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." -Helen Keller

 I'm not saying that tragedies aren't tragic and heartbreaking, obviously I prefer that innocence be preserved and that bad things not come our way. But they do and it sucks. I'm just grateful that we were created with a "get-back-up" attittude, that I've learned- starts at a very young age.

"Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." -Christopher Robin to Pooh

I am so grateful for the resiliency of the human spirit and continue to keep thoughts with those that are in a place of suffering today.

Cheers, Lauren

Spring!

I don't mean to brag, but my husband and I recently got back from Mexico, SANS child. I know right? The vacation was relaxing and we enjoyed the beautiful, warm sunny weather. It was a bit of a shock to come back to 7 degree temps and snow. I mean, really Colorado?

Alas, today we are back in the 60's and spring has sprung is finally springing in Denver, y'all! I quickly learned the planting rule-of-thumb here, which is to never plant anything until after Mother's Day - because snow could fall and temps could drop below freezing up until that date. Strange concept for a Texan who's used to spring starting end of February.

I'm especially excited for this summer because the short guy can actually enjoy the yard! This year I'm going to pay more attention to our Outdoor Spaces, dress them up a bit. If there is one thing we love about Denver it is the summers - warm days, cool nights and NO MOSQUITOS! We eat dinner outside almost every night in the summer and clock countless hours outside.

With spring finally knocking on the door with some warm weather, it brings with it a fresh lighter feel, and you want your house to follow suit. Here are my (p)inspirations for the yard:

1. Hanging flower basket. If you've been to any ski town you see these lining the Main Street and brightening up the town. I want one.

[caption id="attachment_1369" align="aligncenter" width="310"] Please disregard the woman in this photo. No relation.[/caption]

Here's a great tutorial on how to create this beautiful hanging basket.

2. Porch decor. We have a pretty big deck off the back of our upstairs Master Bedroom, it faces West towards the mountains. It's a beautiful view and currently sits empty. Unacceptable. Love the black and white and hanging flower pots.

[caption id="attachment_1373" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Upstairs porch-living.[/caption]

3. Whiskey barrels. I find the use of old whiskey barrels very farmhouse chic. I love the way this barrel is used as an outdoor ent-table. I plan to replicate and bought an extra barrel for planting. Which brings me to my next point...

[caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="664"] End table barrel.[/caption]

4. Vegetable gardens. The green-thumb gene did NOT fall anywhere near this tree. Gardening is not my thing, but I want it to be my thing! I love the idea of picking fresh vegetables from the yard. So this year I decided: START SMALL. I am going to plant one tomato plant (and maybe one other item) in a large whiskey barrel and my mother-in-law picked up these adorable planters in Glenwood Springs, which I'm going to use for herbs.

[caption id="attachment_1393" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Herb pots.[/caption]

If this proves successful, I might go for something bigger in the future, like a true garden, y'all. I found this great article about Gardening for Beginners. If I even get to this point.

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Beginner garden.[/caption]

5. Dwarf fruit trees. Random right? But I'm obsessed with these little fruit trees! If only I lived in California. These dwarf trees retail for $50ish, so I figure, what the heck, I'm going to try them. They are even sold on Amazon, which continues to be the greatest invention of all time.

[caption id="attachment_1371" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Dwarf fruit trees.[/caption]

So there you have it. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it! Now the next challenge: getting organized and making it happen. What do you have planned for Spring?

Cheers!

Lauren

 

Spring!

I don't want to brag, but my husband I recently got back from Mexico; WITHOUT my child. I know right? The vacation was so beautiful, perfect sunny weather. It was a bit a shock to come back to 7 degree temps and snow. I mean, really Colorad? STILL snow?

However, today we are back in the 60s and spring has sprung is springing here in Colorado y'all! The rule of thumb here (I quickly learned), is not to plant anything until after Mothers Day, because snow could fall and we could drop into freezing temperatures until then. Strange concept from a girl who grew up in Texas when spring begins in February.

Now that Cooper can actually enjoy the yard, I am excited to make use of our Outdoor Spaces- dress them up a bit. If there is one thing we love about Denver summers, it is cool nights, dry air and unlike my homestate, NO MOSQUITOS! We eat dinner in the backyard almost every night in the summer and clock countless hours outside.

Jeff and I live in a Victorian style house built in 1914, so much charm, but most of these houses are small square footage and even smaller backyards. As luck would have it, the yard we ended up with is on two lots, so we have a rather large side-yard and a backyard. It's like meant for a different woman, y'all, I am underserving of the space and have no idea what to really do with it!

The beginning of Spring brings a fresh, lighter feel, and you want your home and decor to follow suit. Here are my inspirations for our yard:

1. Hanging flower basket. If you've been to any ski town you see these lining the Main Street and they brighten the town. I want one.

[caption id="attachment_1369" align="aligncenter" width="310"] Please disregard the woman in this photo.[/caption]

Click here for directions  if you want to try to make a hanging basket.

2. Porch decor. We have pretty big porch off the back of our Master Bedroom upstairs and it looks West towards the mountains. It is a beautiful view and currently sits empty. Unacceptable. Love the black and white and hanging potted flowers.

[caption id="attachment_1373" align="aligncenter" width="479"] Upstairs porch-living.[/caption]

3. Whiskey barrels. I love the idea of using old whiskey barrels. I especially love the way this barrel is used as an end table. I plan on replicating and I bought an extra barrell for a tomato plant. Which brings me to my next point...

[caption id="attachment_1370" align="aligncenter" width="664"] End table barrel.[/caption]

4. Vegetable gardens. The green-thumb gene did not fall on this tree. Not my thing, but I want it to be my thing!! I love the idea of picking fresh vegetables from the yard. So I say, start small. I decided to plant one tomato plant (maybe one more small item) in a whiskey barrel, and my mother-in-law also picked up these adorable planters in Glenwood Springs (thanks Joyce!), which I'm going to use for herbs.

 

If this proves successful, I might got for something like this in future. I found this great article about beginners gardening on Pinterest too. In the event I get to this point.

[caption id="attachment_1372" align="aligncenter" width="288"] Beginner garden.[/caption]

5. Dwarf fruit trees. This may be odd, but I'm obsessed with the idea of fruit trees! If only I lived in California. I found these dwarf trees that retail for $50ish so what the heck, I'm going to try them. You can even order on Amazon, which continues to be the greatest invention of all time.

[caption id="attachment_1371" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Dwarf fruit trees.[/caption]

So there you have it. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it. Now I need to get organized and make it happen. What spring plans do you have?

Happy Friday!

Lauren

 

Weekend in-review.

Did y'all have a good weekend? I sure hope so. Hello, April.

We had one of those weekends where I kept thinking to myself life is good. We spent 90% of our time outside, which gets me even MORE excited for what is to come...summer! Warm weather, like all the time, y'all.

[caption id="attachment_1321" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Coop and his friend Thomas at the neighborhood Easter Egg hunt.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1322" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Boys and their mommies![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1325" align="aligncenter" width="490"] The boys.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1326" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Riding my favorite little roller coaster, thanks Auntie Caroline![/caption]

Sunday brought the holiest of Christian holidays, Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I know y'all, contrary to society's marketing efforts, it's not all eggs and bunnies. We as Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah that Jews had long been waiting for, and he was beaten and killed by the Roman government, buried, and than resurrected to life, appearing to many followers and Jews afterwards.

² There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. ³ His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. ⁴ The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

⁵ The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. ⁷ Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” -Matthew 28:2-7

[caption id="attachment_1334" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Our little family at our church's outdoor Easter service.[/caption]

After church we went back to the house for brunch and Easter basket fun. I loved planning our table decor and menu, it's the event-planner in me, I get a little excited. I was hoping to be more agressive and print some adorable Party Circles from Hostess with the Mostess- I mean how precious is this?

[caption id="attachment_1357" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Free Easter printables.[/caption]

But in the end, with only three guests, I kept it simple. Here was our table setting and menu:



[caption id="attachment_1336" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Menning mimosas.[/caption]





For brunch we made a Tortilla-Crusted Goat Cheese-and-Asparagus quiche, one of Rachel Ray's recipes, and y'all it was delish! I cut out the mushrooms (because ick) and doubled the recipe. I even think we could have cut back on the goat cheese. We served it with good ole out-of-the-freezer potatoes, and Menning Mimosas, which basically is a mimosa with a bit of Grand Marnier and lime juice topped off with mint for garnish. It was lovely, y'all.

And, as always, joy these days is just doubled with Cooper around. He looked oh so dapper in his Easter tie, and just continues to melt my heart with one unprovoked tongue-kiss.

[caption id="attachment_1350" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Mimi came for Easter![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1349" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Daddy with his mini.[/caption]

I hope your Easter holiday was filled with special moments...and wet kisses. 

Many blessings,

xox

Lauren