Friday Favorites: beautiful things

always.

find inspiration, think deeply, be grateful and write things down once in a while.

[journals: here]

focus on what is really important and invite your friends over,

even when your house is messy and your fridge is empty.

that vanity. that curtain. I'm in love.

you're smart, Alice Waters.

Happy Friday!

five friday favorites

It's been forever since I've done a friday favorites post and I've been finding a lot of fun stuff on pinterest lately. I have so many ideas floating around in my mind to make our lives a little better, but it's always tricky actually putting the ideas into motion and getting stuff done. One step a time though, for now I'll just stick to pinning and sharing my ideas here.

one | breakfast pizza
this looks amazing, I don't know why I haven't made it yet. maybe because Steve has been making breakfast every day for us and I don't want to mess with his groove/I'm lazy and love eating food that someone else cooked.

two | bunk/crib combo

Steve and I have scoured pinterest for ideas of what exactly to do in the kids rooms to open up a little more floorspace (we want to get/make the kids a play kitchen but there's no room right now) and have finally decided on something like this, that both kids can sleep in for years to come. As soon as Steve is done with the shed outside I'm hoping he can start working on making something very similar to this before he has to go back to working normal hours. 

three | quinoa avocado spinach power salad

this looks like something Steve would love and he's always asking me to make food like this so when I saw it in my Pinterest feed I had to add it to my savory board. we have some chicken drumsticks that would probably be great alongside this salad...

four | Emerson poster

I just love this little poster/print so much. I want to get it for the kids' room, I think it would match the 'theme' in their room just fine. Actually who am I kidding, there's really not much of a theme in there.

five | cozy evening fires

probably the worst thing about our house is that there's no fireplace. all winter long Steve and I both wish we could cozy up to a warm fire after the kids have gone to bed. someday.

currently {vol. 9}

m a k i n g
I spent this week organizing the photos from 2014 on my computer...oh my gosh that was a lot of work. I'm resolved to do this monthly in 2015 so I don't have to spend two full days at the end of the year deleting, filing and backing up the years pictures. Now that they're all cleaned up, I'm working on our 2014 part two photo book. I use shutterfly to make photo books with all our family photos instead of printing them out and manually putting them in albums, it works great! I also print out my instagram photos in books using chatbooks. 

l i s t e n i n g   t o
The dryer and washer are both running, KSKA (PRI's The World, to be specific) is on the radio in the kitchen, and Riggs is telling me everything he's thinking about as I type this. The soundtrack of my life, haha.

h o p i n g
A lot of my houseplants desperately need to be repotted and I'm really hoping I can find some cheap but not hideous pots at the thrift store in Palmer. Maybe the subtitle for this should actually be dreaming as I've never had the best luck at this particularly thrift store.

r e a d i n g
Slowly making my way through David Starkey's Six Wives. Every paragraph in this book is packed with historical information making it nearly impossible to read when the kids are awake. Since I haven't been able to commit to any fictional books lately I decided to read some history instead and learning all the actual details about Henry VIII's wives and marriages to them is really hitting the spot for me. 

p u r p o s i n g
I took so many pictures of Riggs with my real camera when he was a baby (see my 365 projects from 2012 here and 2013 here) and I've been feeling a little bit guilty lately about how many I've taken of Raina (not very many). So I'm purposing to keep my camera out and handy so that I can grab it instead of my iphone when I want to capture a special moment in her life. I wish that I would I have started an actual 365 project with her from day one, but I didn't and I can't go back, and late is better than never, right? I might actually have a photo a day of her since she's been born, but definitely not using my real camera.

Here are a few I've taken lately that really capture who Raina right now:

and one of Riggs and Tutka, I couldn't leave them out...

currently {vol. 8}

t h i n k i n g  a b o u t ...  how much I miss this space. I so wish I had just two more hours in the day so that I could spend more time editing/organizing pictures and writing blog posts. I have so many ideas and things that I want to write about and they just seem to fall to the wayside as the days and weeks pass in a blink. I'm working on setting up one day a week where I have childcare for two-four hours so that I can work on personal projects, but it's also the worst time of year to try and add one more thing to our schedule.

l i s t e n i n g  t o ... the washing machine run. Other than that there is purposeful silence so that I can listen for Raina waking up. Both babies are sleeping in their room for naptime now and so far it has worked out pretty seamlessly. Even when Raina has woken up sooner than Riggs I've managed to sneak in and pluck her out of her crib before he wakes up.

I did (finally) order a video monitor for their room because I want to be able to go in my room or even outside to do chores during their nap without worrying about them. And it makes me feel better safety-wise once they share the room during the night too. Riggs wouldn't mean to hurt her but I have these awful scenarios pop up in my head from time to time, like stuffed animals or blankets being tossed into her crib and covering her face while she sleeps. So...video monitor it is.

w o r k i n g  o n ... editing pictures from a 'session' I did for my bff and her new little family of four. I'm trying to work on my photography and editing skills (the latter needs the most work, editing is sooo time consuming and I become a mega-perfectionist and I have no actual training whatsoever, I'm just sort of learning as I go) and taking pictures for friends is a great start. I'm loving the pictures so far, the lighting was just gorgeous, as evidenced by the photo I included above - and for those of you non-Alaskan's that was taken at about 11am. We have barely any daylight this time of year, which can be challenging for taking natural-light photos, especially inside.

h o p i n g ... that I can keep up on eating better and running 2-3 times a week. I've done a pretty good job over the last two weeks but every day it's like a giant test of self-control (convincing myself I really don't need to eat and entire bag of peanut butter m&ms) and will-power (convincing myself it will be worth it to bundle up both kids, pack them in the stroller, get cold weather gear on and the dog leashed up, to run for 30 minutes while also praying I won't have to pee five minutes into the run or worse - you other mamas probably know what I'm talking about...). Luckily it has been worth it every single time I've forced myself to get out there.

This weekend Steve and I hiked in Girdwood on the Winner Creek trail (which is four miles round trip) during most of which both kids were in packs. Riggs walked about a mile combined on the way there and back but Steve and I were really wanting to go at our own pace to get an actual work out in. We talked a lot about wishing we could have run the trail and how we want to make it a priority to get out and hike every weekend.

currently {vol. 7}

c u r r e n t l y

t h i n k i n g  *  we have a lot going on this week and so all day I've had thoughts, ideas and to-dos swirling around in my head. I have a whole lot of list making I need to do tonight after our babies are in bed. Good thing I love making lists!

I've also been thinking a lot about my fitness goals and how much I've not been making them a priortity lately. One of my goals is to run two to three times a week and so this morning I forced myself to pack up the kids, lace up my shoes, and head out into the cold, dark morning. It's such a great way to start the day but at the time feels like so much work. I'm so glad I went!

d r e a m i n g  *  some of those jumbled thoughts I talked about earlier are all about winter and the upcoming holiday season. I've been dreaming about snowy days and snowy nights. skiing adventures. weekend getaways with family. christmas carols. pine boughs garlands on my front porch. finding the perfect tree with my love. pinterest craft parties. cookie baking marathons. It's a Wonderful Life. picking out the perfect Christmas card design and then addressing each envelope with warm thoughts for each recipient. 

the list goes on and on. I've been trying to hold off on pinning Christmas-related things but this week I finally caved in and pinned something Christmas-y. Sorry, not sorry haha.

o r g a n i z i n g  *  in the hopes & plans post I typed up last week I mentioned getting ready for winter. I'm still working on it, including going through our snow clothes and figuring out what each of us needs this year to make it through the winter. 

I also did a little stroller DIY today to keep my babies extra warm and cozy while we stroll about this winter. We went on a run this morning and I realized how irritating it is to drag a blanket in and out of the house for them to sit on. So I cut out some sherpa I had and made little seat covers for them. I based it off the one you can buy for your BOB stroller, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. now I'll just have to see how it holds up...

l a u g h i n g  *  about all the little things Riggs has been saying lately. he's my entertainment for the day. I'm trying to remember to write down the funniest things he's said in the little journal I have for him. It's so easy to forget things, especially now that I have two babies to keep track of!

Riggs talks so much right now and has his own way of pronouncing quite a few words. Some of my favorites are 'baboon' for balloon, 'gargage' for garage, 'gorgot' for forgot, 'debotions' for devotions, 'winkle' for twinkle, 'howt' for heart, and so many more.

r e a d i n g  *  lots and lots of children's books. lots and lots and lots. Riggs is so into the Berenstain Bears and Little Critter right now, and I'm happy to read as many books as many times as he asks me to (most of the time haha). I would love to read a book for myself but I have so much else going on and no motivation to go out and find something interesting. It's sad.

linked up with Hannah for Currently at Joyful Life blog

hopes and plans

I'm taking a break from the currently link-up this week (past weeks, here) to list my hopes and plans for the next couple of weeks. I have quite a few things I want and need to do, so I figured listing them here would help motivate me to actually get them done!

o n e  |  c h r i s t m a s   p r e s e n t s: I'm sorry if this is too early for some of you, but I am planning some homemade gifts including photo books and a few sewing projects, so I need to get started soon on this! I also need to decide what to get Riggs for Christmas and his birthday. I hate that they're so close, but what can you do? I want to get him some stuff that he'll love and get a lot of use out of.

t w o  |  w i n t e r   p r e p a r a t i o n s: I need to put away summer stuff/toys and prepare chicken coop and yard for winter. this is nearly done but there's still more I need to do, including getting skis waxed and bikes put away. also getting storage solutions figured out for halloween/fall decorations and for more Christmas decoration. I also need to get more decorations, especially for our front porch. I want lights on our garage this year too!

t h r e e  |  f i t n e s s  g o a l s: I'm almost at 4 months post-partum and need to get my butt in gear to fit back into my clothes and get things tightened back up, if you know what I mean. especially with all the holiday feasting coming up. I was doing good running in the morning for about a week, need to get back at it! It's definitely harder to squeeze it in with both kids, but it's really important to me, so no excuses!

f o u r  |  f a m i l y  p i c t u r e s: I'm waiting to get them done till there is (hopefully) more snow and so that Raina can really 'pose' and smile for the pictures. I also want to get our photobook of pictures for the first half of 2014 ordered and one for Raina's early babyhood ordered too. 

f i v e  |  s e w i n g: I have quite a few sewing projects (mostly quilts) that need to get finished up and more that I want to get started on, like dresses for Raina, afore-mentioned Christmas presents, and some more wool leggings for Riggs.

So.  That's quite a bit of stuff and there's quite a bit more that I'm forgetting. I'll be checking back in a few weeks to see what I've managed to check off and what still needs to be done. 

currently {vol. 6}

t h i n k i n g  |  about the things I need to get done with the rest of my day after Riggs wakes up from his nap. my list includes a trip to town, figuring out what to make for dinner and then actually making it, and laundry. there's always laundry. also hoping to get some more sewing done tonight after the babies are in bed, but I'll probably just end up snuggling on the couch with Steve, which is probably better anyway.

m a k i n g  |  the fall urge to craft has come upon me once again and I've been knocking out sewing projects right and left. I also have some plans to crochet a few more scarves (for me and Riggs and also for some friends) and am toying with the idea of making a few things here and there as I craft for my babies to list in an Etsy shop. this stroller quilt would be one of the items I would have available for preorder...thoughts?

w e a r i n g  |  oh Hannah why did you have to include this one?! you guys, I seriously wear workout/lounge clothes all day, every day. I only wear jeans to do outside chores and for special nights out on the town. also, I would wear skirts/dresses more too if I could find some that I loved. it's tricky to nurse in most dresses. 

also I still don't quite fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans (I can get them up and even button them, but it's not a pretty sight haha) so that's a problem. maybe I'll go work out after I finish this post, except that I probably won't. sigh.

a n t i c i p a t i n g  |  and planning for the upcoming winter months. we've been making plans with both sides of the family for fun weekends out and about around the state and I can't wait. I'm trying to brainstorm fun actives and delicious foods for us to eat while on our adventures, and so pinterest has once again become an evening hobby as a result.

t h a n k f u l   f o r  |  the way all the little pieces of my life have come together to make it what it is now. my heart is so full everyday, despite the struggles that come naturally with being a wife and a mom to two babies. At nearly twenty-eight years old, I feel like I'm doing what I truly want to do and free to be myself, to really be myself. It's amazing to realize and as we enter the season of holidays that focus on giving thanks and spending time with the people we love, I feel incredibly blessed to have such a full heart and fulfilling life.

16 fall books to read with your toddler

I think we all know how amazing fall is...the blogosphere is just filled with posts dedicated to just how great and cozy the season is. As far back as I can remember I've loved the anticipation that comes with ushering in each new season and getting excited for all the special activities that come along with it. I want to encourage that same magical excitement in my kids, and aside from decorating, one of the best ways to do so is to read seasonal themed books. 

Riggs loves to read, so this is an easy one for us. We have way too many books, so we usually check out most of the seasonal books from the library. Of course we do own a few of our very favorites, but I make it a habit to put away all seasonal books once the season has passed so they're extra special each year when we pull them out. 

I thought I'd share our top sixteen favorite books about autumn and all the fun things to do during this amazing season. I'm not really including any halloween-specific books in this list, because a lot of them are still a little scary for Riggs. We do have the Little Critter halloween book but that's really it. Some of the books I've included do mention halloween briefly, and I prefer that to books just about witches and gouls, ect. 

our fall favorites: 16 books to read with your toddler this autumn

 1. Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell: this is a short little story that describes a visit to a local farm to pick out apples and a pumpkin. It also covers carving a jack-o-lantern and dressing up for halloween. 

 2. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur: An acrostic poem for each letter tracks the passage from end of summer to winter. This book has beautiful illustrations and is a good way to incorporate poetry into your child's literary 'diet'.

 3. Bear Has a Story to Tell by Phillip C. Stead: This is a sweet story about animals getting ready for winter. I'm a sucker for beautiful illustrations and this one is full of them!

 4. By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert: After the last harvest is over a magical fall wind stirs up the leaves and the leaf people arrive to celebrate under the light of the harvest moon. 

 5. Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills: Riggs is obsessed with Duck and Goose so this was a must for us. It's another cute Duck and Goose story, this time about searching for a pumpkin. 

 6. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson: This is a sweet story about Fletcher, who learns that it's ok for the leaves to fall and for winter to come. 

 7. From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer: I love these "let's read and find out science" books and this is another great one, following the life cycle of a pumpkin. 

 8. Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher: Another story about what happens under the light of the harvest moon. Riggs loves any story about the moon so this is one of his favorites. 

 9. Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson: We have this in the board book version and it's a sweet little story about Mouse learning about fall. 

10. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell: Owls, who doesn't love owls? These baby owls are waiting for their mama to come home from hunting for them.  

11. The Busy Little Squirrrel by Nancy Tafuri: Squirrel is getting ready for winter and doesn't have time to play with his friends. This is a cute one and especially good for us because we have our own busy little squirrel that Riggs loves to watch out in our little forrest. 

 12. The Fall Festival by Mercer Mayer: No booklist of ours would be complete without a Little Critter book. Riggs just loves Little Critter and I love the simple way they're all written and the cute illustrations.

 13. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White: This is a great story about learning to make the best out of what life gives you. And it's about pumpkins, which we are a little obsessed with right now.

 14. We Gather Together by Wendy Pfeffer: I love this book, it's a great way to introduce a variety of cultural traditions relating to harvest time to even the youngest kids. 

15. We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger: Sound familiar? It should. If you love 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' you'll love this one. Riggs loves books like this that are easy for him to memorize and 'read' to himself.  

16. Woody, Hazel and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow: I love this book. Two of the cutest little acorn children you ever read have quite the adventure after they are blown away by a brisk autumn wind. This might be a little too much for younger toddler, but Riggs loves this one and listens intently to the entire story.