pancakes (and mimosas) for dinner!

I have such wonderful friends! They all have cute homes, too. Here's a peek at Andy & Lindsey's adorable pad.

sunday breakfast

I've been really busy lately. I'm not quite sure where the time goes, but i always manage to find myself lacking it. I've been tired and stressed out and really just wanting to retreat. The weekends are such a relief, a tiny vacation, and a chance to become sane again. Within these little pockets of free time, I take comfort in things as simple as an un-rushed workout, a walk with my pugs, a movie with my husband, or a breakfast that didn't come out of the microwave and toaster.

This morning we made the kind of breakfast that requires a skillet and stove. There's a beauty in the work, the rhythm of eggs and flour being whisked in the bowl, and the pitter patter of my dogs' claws as they skitter across the floor. Today I did something I haven't done in a while. Something that makes me feel happy and whole. I picked up my camera and documented a mundane, beautiful, and wonderful everyday task. I will do this a whole lot more from now on.

(happy Sunday!)

halloween weekend

smith manor halloween party :: the setting

At the old Smith Manor, we are pretty enthusiastic about Halloween. We pretty much go all out. Here's some pics of our fourth annual Halloween bash. This year we themed it based on a haunted mansion.

The invite.

glitter skull on the table setting.
creepy bedroom set-up. We had some pretty convincing audio going on, too—like a little girl singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider", and yelling for "Mommy".
Eyeball truffles and "guacamoldy".
All the pre-party doings wore out poor Gomez.
Cooper didn't miss a chance to get dressed up.
The menu.

smith manor halloween party :: the guests

We have some pretty amazing friends. They're pretty creative, too. I'm sure you'll see that in their choice of costumes.

Mrs. Peacock & Colonel Mustard.

"Sexy" Big Bird (the Sexy part is arguable) and Daria.
GI Joe.
The maid wants to drag you down with her!
The Lord and Lady of Smith Manor.... Vampire and Lycan love. Who says it can't be so?
Lucy and LegoJake.
Lost characters. The best part of this costume duo is that there really isn't a baby in that belly!
Ghostly 40's folks in the best photobomb ever.
Because it was that intense!
Vampire and flapper #4 (it was a popular theme this year).
Mrs. McDaniel, the maid of the manor.
The Geico pig! Weee Weeee Weeeeeeee!
Thanks to all you guys who came and made our party awesome! Seriously, you guys rock.

last night of summer

I got the official word last night—I have a broken sternum. I managed that slick maneuver while working out at the park. The doctor's orders go something like, "no exercise of any kind". As a result, my new favorite hobby is walking. Lots of walking. I have a wonderful husband who will accompany me on said walks.

Tonight we bid farewell to the summer with a long walk across town. We headed out for some sandwiches but in the process took a walk through the graveyard (which is an arboretum and not nearly as macabre as it sounds), took in the scenery, and stopped in a music store so Rodger could play a little on the grand piano.

The other doctor's order was, "no lifting of any kind". I think my DSLR would complicate matters, so I carried along my light weight little iPhone and documented the stroll with my ShakeIt (polaroid-like) app.

I think it was pretty a magical evening.

(click on the images to see them larger)

randoms

jellybeans from my birthday.

I'm sure you can see how much Rodger loves having his picture taken.
....and the sexiest cat alive!