{ My MiNuTia }

Leader of the Pack

 She broke her own record Saturday. She loves it when she pr's. She was leading the relay with a generous lead and then out of nowhere she was passed and ended up coming in 2nd. Argh!!!

And she hurdled. It was so freezing cold out. I just love hurdle shots. It's like they are floating through the air.

He hurdled, too. The only freshman at the meet. 3rd place! His proudness overtook his shyness as he showed us his medal last night.

I'm sorry, but you are all just going to have to get used to looking at my kiddos sports photos. It's Spring. It's what we do.

P.S. Little guy is feeling better today. Yay! Thanks for the great comments and concerns in last post. I'm sure it was that lunch that made him all better.

What to do when your little people won't eat

because they are feeling sickly. But you know they need to eat. First you build up the anticipation by saying "I'm going to make you an extra special lunch that will make you feel better". He will doubt you. But you have a plan. You create a teeny tiny lunch.

 

It's not bento, but it's little! He didn't drink the juice box, but I threw it in there hoping he would and so you could see the teeny tininess of it all. He even smiled when he saw it! And he ate it. All of it.

 

Then he asked for more.

 

I'm telling ya, it works!

Today is full of cool things

Like the post over on the Silver Bella Blog announcing the amazing instructors for this year's Event!

I've been holding that in for a while....couldn't stand it anymore! Soon their workshops will be up and available for peeks, too. Amazing stuff! They've all been so great to work with and that means so much when you are on my side of the fence. It's going to be a great Event!!!!

 Maybe you recall a few weeks ago, I announced a Guest Designer Contest for the Cottage Bella E-Zine. Well, the Guest Designer has been chosen and her adorable tiara is featured on the E-Zine today! Her name is Ann-Denise Anderson and her tiara is so adorable. So is her photography. A big congrats to Ann-Denise!

Seriously, it was really tough picking just one Guest Designer. So I picked two! The other lucky lady's work will be featured on Monday!  

The last cool thing...Fish Fry tonight. Oh boy. I'm looking forward to the good company I'll be with way-hay more than the fish I'll be poking at.

California, Continued.

Sunday morning Pam, Amy and I woke up early and ready to take over the Santa Monica Flea Market. I don't think we even noticed the wind, freezing temps and raindrops that were falling from the sky. We were on a MISSION!

The rain stopped as we approached the flea, but it was ever sooooo cold. We were miserable. So was the flea market that day. We were so bummed. Most of the vendors didn't brave the temps and who could blame them? So I only bought one thing...a fabulous fob from England. Amy bought a couple things, too. Here she is looking bummed.

We ventured elsewhere, not letting the weather get the best of us! Luckily the sun came out and we found other places on our "must see" list.

Ahhh, this is the California I was hoping for...

We enjoyed Pom Pom very much. Both stores! Kim Caldwell and Kim Hesson met us here. The 5 of us had fun shopping, getting inspired, and then enjoyed a yummy dinner together.

There's a cool raised table thingy and huge floor mat in this store that I'm still dreaming about. Big sigh....if only I didn't have to pay freight charges....

Monday Kim C., Jessi and I went to downtown L.A. for a bit of shopping and then to much delight we went to Tender Greens in Culver City for lunch. Fab-u-lous!!!

  I wish we had this restaurant here!

P.S. I'm 99% sure that tomorrow (Friday) I'll be posting the Silver Bella 2009 Instructors! I can't wait!! The Silver Bella Blog is about to get exciting!

While I was away, they were doing this

He made the varsity team! All of the sudden his legs look longer. I think they stretch them toooo much during practice. My baby .... sigh. I think I'll nickname him Daddy Long Legs.

And Momma Long Legs...seems to float over the hurdles effortlessly, while pondering what to buy at the mall tomorrow. I really think that's what she was pondering, too.

  She was in 4 races during this meet. That's bananas...

so much to say

How about if I start here? The La Petite Maison Blanc, Kim Caldwell's Event was this past weekend in L.A. It was such a fabulous and beautiful day! I snapped a few shots of some of the day.

 

Here's Amy, and  Pam, and I with our lovely hostess Kim smiling for the camera. At the end of the day, even! Maybe this was after the cupcakes and tea. It was really good seeing old friends there, too...Kim H., Natalie, Alice, Gina, Holly, Jenny Doh, Sue McP., and boy I could go on and on...

I taught a milagros workshop using tin. There were so many variations created! I gathered a few quickly for a quick photo:

 See what I mean? So many great pieces.

Despite being sickly the first 24 hours, I managed to survive. Had some sort of vertigo thing going on, which was only worsened by the L.A. cab drivers. Oh, I get dizzy just thinking about it! So I'll move on quickly. That sweet Scrappy Jessi, was my traveling partner.

She seriously saved me several times during our trip! Thanks, girl! Jessi made me laugh, almost cry, and was a great hand holder when little surprises came up. She's so cute I just want to pinch her!

I have more pictures to share and stories to tell. Such an adventure! But I've been editing photos for 3 hours now (for ezine and this), so I'll show more soon!

This is more for me than for you, but thought you might like it, too.

(quote from my desk where I journal each morning)

Milagros Making

It's almost time! Here is the tin based Milagros all ready to be shipped off for the upcoming weekend festivities.

Of course there will options for several variations, because everyone is an individual and likes to put their own spin on things. Some fun techniques to be introduced, too. Can't wait for Saturday in LA! Amy and  Pam have created some amazing workshops for Maison Blanc. It's going to be a great day of creating together.

Today's project over on the The Cottage Bella E-Zine came together so nicely. It's about collage building and using personal imagery. I began the canvas thinking I knew exactly what I was going to make. Then somewhere along the way, blessing began falling from the landscaped sky and it almost made me cry. I love when surprises surface while creating. It can take your breath away....greatest feeling. Anyway, the paints we so pretty together I thought I'd put a photo of them here, too.

Lastly, I just gotta say that it's going to be really nice here this week. It's feeling like SPRING! I bid farewell to you, my darlings...

You served my tootsies well. Mr. and Mrs. Ugg, I will see you again in the Fall. I'll miss you.

Allie on Ice

It's official, track season as begun. Here's to an amazing season! This gal had some professional conditioning for the past 2 months. It was her Christmas present, actually. It's paying off already...even though it doesn't look like it in this photo!

I'm still here, really

Just getting a few things ready for La Maison Blanc in L.A. next weekend. I've been putting things together for the sold out Event like kits for the sweet ladies coming to create. These little ladies will be making the trip with me:

They will be some of the things on my little vendor table. As per usual, I want to make more and more and more. I've enjoyed creating them, and I confess I'm loving these scented sweet dollies. Bringing their personalities to the forefront is the best! These three are the most lively in the bunch.

 Take a look at this pie stand that arrived this week. I guess you can't see the bottom because I covered it up with that napkin, but it's a vintage pie plate! You could do a million things with it but for now it's on the kitchen table. Will be great to put on the table on the deck soon...hint hint in case Mother Nature is reading this.

See the doorknob on top?

I ordered it here. You could seriously get lost for hours over there, in a good way!

Earlier this week the The Cottage Bella E-Zine kicked off. It's been full of spring themed projects so far. Here's a peek at an upcoming project: 

There is a really great giveaway for the E-Zine soon. People are still signing up for the E-Zine, so I've been holding on to the giveaway so they get in on the fun. I think I mentioned earlier that is a Guest Designer Contest with this E-Zine. Well, submissions have been coming in, and I'm really excited about it. Some of the most darling projects-each in their own way. I need to respond to the gals who have submitted projects for the Contest, and I will. Just been really busy prepping for next weekend.

Off to lunch with my son! He's out early today! I told you he's taller than I am, right? He's 5'9" now! I need to find a pair of 4" heels to "out tall" him. Oh, that's not going to happen. I surrender....he can be the taller one and I'll be the little momma. Enjoy your day!