Curious Bird

:snaps from the weekend:

Over the weekend...

six sturdy stalks of bamboo - for a project we're working on - were collected from a neighbor and slowly driven home on the roof of our car.

F discovered a wooly bear out back and talked to it sweetly as I stood nearby with a proud mama heart.

sleep was fitful at best due to some pesky one-year molars. poor Romy. poor us.

most of the summer plants were either cut back or tossed to make room for mums and pumpkins. 

I tried drying basil and parsley in the oven. it worked just fine. 

a chocolate cake was baked for a potluck we attended on saturday. it was just okay.

I finally cashed in my mother's day gift (a massage!) and it was such a rejuvenating thing to do.

meals were planned. 

halloween costumes were discussed. 

walks were taken. 

time was spent with my people. which is exactly where I wanted to be.

more soon, 

leya 

:lately. life captured with my iphone:

The photos below show some of what we've been up to, as captured with my phone. Sometimes I start to travel down the road of being sad about not using my dSLR as much as I once did, but then I look at all the sweetest little bits of our days that I was able to catch with my phone and I let the sadness go. Most likely I just need a good day out and about with my trusty nikon. Need to make that happen soon. For now I'll continue to reach for my phone. 

The days here are beautiful. Gosh, I sure do love the autumn sun. It makes for such a pretty afternoon sipping coffee out on the back porch. The cardinals and tufted tit mice are fun to watch out there. I think about how the basil needs to be cut back; some dried and some made into pesto. I also think about how my make shift sandbox might not have been such a good idea. Sand EVERYWHERE!  But the sun, in all its soft, shimmering glory, keeps me still for a few more minutes. I need that right now. 

I'm working on very little sleep this week due to a teething baby who also has a yucky cold, so I'll keep myself from rambling any further and just hit post. Hope you have a great day out there. 

Take care,
L.  

:a day in the country:

We took a drive out of town yesterday and spent the day with some good people/friends on their farm. It was the PERFECT day to do it. The weather was outta sight in the best possible autumn-is-here kind of way. 

The day was full. (So full I barely took any photos. Only three to be exact, and one was blurry. Waah. Waah) We shared brunch on the big screened-in porch and then watched kids frolic until they had to be loaded in the car for a good nap on the drive home. There was a trip up the road to see the cows and pigs, a container filled (by Felix) with dirt and worms, lots of rocks overturned in search of bugs (and more worms), some hammering (again by Felix!) and several very funny expressions from Romy to the wandering hens. Also, Roman didn't much care to have his face licked by the friendly, but quite affectionate farm dog, Tess. He was peeved to say the least. 

It was such a great day. Looking forward to doing it again sometime soon. 

Also, autumn in North Carolina, you're a keeper. 

More soon, 
L. 

:all hands on deck:

Hi there, 

After a week off, I'm back to my doing-a-pin-a-week project goal. This week I managed to complete a nifty little embroidery project I pinned ages ago. I knew I would eventually get around to doing this project because I loved what a sweet and simple representation of family it was. Well, I finally got around to it. I'm telling you, this Pinterest project goal thing is kinda working for me. 

Of course, if I had my act totally together, I would have this new project framed and hung. But...I DO NOT have my act together (there I said it).  And, like the project itself, it will happen eventually.

Hope you have a great weekend. Fall is in the air. Hip hip!! 

:just a few:

Film was recently processed. Here are a few of my favorites.

(oh, that face coupled with a hug and big brother back pat! I was likely saying, "gentle" right about now)

(this is his smile for photos these days! this silly boy of mine is something else.) More soon, Leya p.s. typepad is doing strange things this morning...I'm just going with it.

:once upon a time:

I bought two bunches of beets. One was golden and one was red. They were cleaned, wrapped in foil, roasted until the skin peeled off with ease, and then cut into wedges and added to arugla, goat cheese, and almonds, becomng the best beet salad I've had in a long, long time. Maybe ever. 

Ina Garten's Balsamic Roasted Beet Salad

I will be making this salad again very soon. You should give it a whirl. If you like beets, I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed. 

:celebrating in the sun and sand:

We spent the last several days celebrating Roman's first birthday on the North Carolina coast. Dustin's parents flew in to spend the days with us. It was a treat. We soaked up the sun (the September weather was perfect), ate like kings, and discovered what an excellent playground the sandy beach can be for little ones. Roman loved running on the shore (oh, those little footprints!) and Felix was right at home digging and collecting and playing in the waves. My baby boys are growing up. {Gulp!}

With everything going on in the world right now (and always), I am so grateful to have the opportunity to take such a wonderful trip with my amazing family. Being together is what it's all about. That, and loving one another. 

Be well, 
L.  

:our baby boy is one:

Our sweet baby boy turns one today! ONE.

Just like that and we've already traveled 365 days from the day we met and held him close for the first time. I will never ever forget the first moment I saw him and heard him cry out. It was truly one of the most joyful moments of my life. 

This boy of ours is so brave and curious. He walks and claps and smiles the sweetest, toothy smile. He loves his big brother, watching his every move and yearning for as much of his attention as he can get. He wants to be as close as possible to his mama most days but screams "Daaaad-Deee!" upon seeing his dad come through the door. 

We are so grateful we get to know you, Roman Elias, and we cannot wait to see who you become. 
Happy 1st birthday, sweet golden-red haired boy!

May the long time sun shine upon you. 

Love always, 
Mama+Daddy 

:six:

Six years ago today I married my favorite person.  

Then we spent the evening celebrating with many of the people we love, and who also love us back. There was a whole lot of love spiraling around in that tent that night in New York.  

It was perfect. 

Thanks for all of the love and adventure, sweet man of mine. 
I'm so glad I found you. 

-Leya 

:this moment:

A Friday ritual started by SouleMama. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  

Have a great weekend!