In Real Life: Week 7

Happy Sunday, everyone! Here’s a look at week 7…

Jack came home on Monday to find a cute Valentine from Grandma and Auntie Nene. I told him to hold up his card and say cheese so we could send a picture to say thanks, and this is what I got (with lots of giggles, of course).

I’m glad I had the forethought to freeze the bone-in chunk of our Christmas ham, because it made some excellent ham beans this week.

Finding Jack’s paw patrol stickers all over the house makes me feel like I’m living in an episode of Blue’s Clues sometimes.

I mean, if I could fit I’d probably sit there to read too.

Cats and kids… “if I fits, I sits.”

I burned so much sage this week. I needed all the good juju I could get.

Many things feel very up in the air right now, and I’m struggling to find peace with it all. I find that a little ritual and reflection helps me feel better sometimes.

I had a BIG interview this week – like, dream job, big. I felt like it went well, but we’ll see what I hear next week.

This was my side table during my interview (Zoom, of course).

I love that he’s learning piano at school!

Music is so important to me, and I’m glad that recent events have reminded me of that.

Doesn’t he look like he’s posing for an awkward school photo? “Cheese!”

Trying a big body pillow and a weighted blanket to help Jack stay asleep in his own bed all night. So far we’re having mixed results.

A little me time.

More candle-making adventures! I made these on Friday and my house still smells like hippy heaven today. This patchouli is STRONG.

I repurposed these jars for candles and they are perfect!

#sofocused

I made a birthday cake for a very special someone this week.

I love this little mischievous face.

May we all remember to find beauty in the small things.

Have a great week 8, everyone! Can you believe February is already almost over?

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2017: Week 7

2018: Week 7

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In Real Life: Week 6

Welcome back, friends! Are you ready to take a look back at week 6?

A good night to myself.

Deidre gave me a bunch of plants that she didn’t want to keep anymore. They were all in need of a good drink, so into the sink they went! Hopefully I can keep them all alive.

This has been a difficult week. I’ve been pulling a card from my affirmation deck each morning, and it’s been a little crazy how spot-on they’ve been with just what I need to hear.

I bought this cute little chair for my office. Oliver did the honors of breaking it in for me.

It’s kinda my favorite little spot right now.

These guys have been thriving on benign neglect this winter.

I’m a little surprised at how much they seem to like all the rain we’ve been having.

I almost killed this little purple one last summer, so I’m glad to see her doing so well.

My quarantine uniform has pretty much been leggings + tunic top or a cotton skater dress with or without leggings. I have to come accept that this is just who I am now.

Homemade diner brunch.

It’s a low bar we’ve set for ourselves here in America.

I want to be a well-kept housecat in my next life.

I hope your Valentine’s Day was happy and full of love! Have a great week 7!

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2017: Week 6

2018: Week 6

In Real Life: Week 5

Hello, friends! Week 5 was kind of a boring one, but let’s take a look at it anyway. 🙂

Oliver loves my new lady den almost as much as I do.

I made a couple of really bomb Italian salads this week. So good!

Bath time sillies!

I also made chicken soup this week, with a twist – I added lemon.

Liquid gold.

Someday I will write an ode to soup-making. It is therapy.

This little guy was sick for a couple of days this week.

We did lots of snuggling.

And we did lots of coloring to keep ourselves entertained.

We sent this card to Grandma and Auntie Nene this week.

Always stealing my spot.

My string of pearls has been thriving on benign neglect and lots of winter rain.

Somebody is feeling better! Silly goose.

Where’s Jack?

I tried my hand at making candles this week!

It was actually super easy! I recreated some crystal candles that I had ordered on Etsy using the pretty pieces leftover from the originals. I’m quite happy with how they turned out!

Another culinary adventure with B&J! This time chicken piccata with spaghetti squash for me (linguine for him) and sauteed mushrooms.

And I’ll leave you with this gorgeous sunset from the other night.

Have a great week 6!

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2017: Week 5

2018: Week 5

In Real Life: Week 4

Happy Monday! Let’s look back at the last week of January 2021.

The highlight of this week was taking a little road trip to historic Coloma and Placerville.

Having not grown up in California, I previously new very little about the gold rush of 1849. So it was very neat to get to see the place where gold was first discovered in California, starting it all.

Our first day was cold but clear.

There were lots of neat old things to photograph, which made me happy, of course.

Like the ruins of the old jail…

…and cool replicas of old buildings…

…and even a couple of original buildings, like this one that served as a Chinese market.

There were even some nods to the Native American history of the area.

This giant rock (behind the trees) was used as a grinding stone. There are still holes in the rock where the Native Americans would pound grains and herbs (and other things, I’m sure), mortar and pestle style.

Just outside of town there was a fascinating old pioneer cemetary.

It was sad but unsurprising to see how many graves were simply marked “infant.” Thank god for modern living and modern medicine.

After exploring Coloma, we drove a little further and got to see real snow!

I grinned like an idiot the entire drive.

I missed the snow. Though, honestly, I’m glad I don’t have to live in it anymore.

There are Apple Hill stands all over in the Placerville area. It made my white girl heart happy.

This stand had all kinds of delicious locally-made stuff, including honey, jams, sauces, and pies.

I got this blackberry dumpling with some hot cider and was in heaven.

We stayed at this cool old hotel, which apparently has the second oldest still-working elevator west of the Mississippi. (We stayed on the third floor but weren’t brave enough to test it.)

It had all kinds of neat old features, like this amazing stained glass.

The hallways definitely had a Shining vibe, though.

Old downtown was a treat.

So many cool old buildings and features.

Placerville was well-known for its public hangings back in the day.

So much so that the town’s second name is actually Hangtown.

An adorable little plaza behind our hotel.

Hers and his.

A transplant for sure, but I’ll accept it.

Night moves.

We weren’t gone long, but Oliver still missed us.

I’m not sure what it says about me that the only souvenirs I brought back were local honey and good tea, but whatever it is seems accurate.

Spending some creative energy. Any guesses what we have here?

Look into the fire. (Also, I have like 6 different versions of this… it was a blast to edit.)

Got my office/exercise room basically finished this week. Now I really must accept that I have no excuses not to exercise… or to write… or to make art…

I’m not sure I have enough art supplies.

Hey inspiration… I’m ready for you anytime you wanna show up.

This guy has been so snuggly this week. (Also so much cat hair all over everything.)

This isn’t my picture, but I had to share it anyway… I love how much Jack loves these two.

I could eat these stuffed mushrooms until I die.

I also definitely need to recreate this bomb Italian sandwich. /drool

And with that, I shall wish you a happy February and a happy week 5!

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2017: Week 4

2018: Week 4

In Real Life: Week 3

Happy Sunday! Shall we take a look at this week?

No school on MLK Day meant some good extra mama & Jack time.

It was a gorgeous day, so we spent a good chunk of it outside.

Sometimes it hits me that he is definitely not a baby anymore… he is all little boy.

I took an afternoon nap with the window open and it felt so good.

Dinner.

Bedtime altar vibes.

Four going on forty…

Inauguration day was such a relief.

And what a momentous occasion… our first Latina Supreme Court Justice swearing in our first female (and first person of color and of South Asian heritage) Vice President.

I didn’t expect to get emotional, but I basically bawled through the entire inauguration. I don’t think I appreciated how much of a balm this day would feel like after the chaos of the last four years.

Feeling flirty.

Cozy kitty.

A fraction of my indoor jungle.

I realized the other day that I hadn’t worn jeans basically at all since quarantine began. No regrets… dresses for life.

Watch out for Joe Cool over here…

B and I had the brilliant idea to make Bahn Mi from scratch at home. The results were epic.

We also ate the pork over this Asian salad with rice noodles… /drool.

This is what happens when you pass out for the night at 5:30pm, then wake up super early… I took this photo at around noon, and after I moved him to bed he slept til almost 3. Talk about hung over!

And that’s all, folks! Have a great week 4!

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2017: Week 3

2018: Week 3