Altering

Altering

A few weeks ago, I had the entire interior painted Benjamin Moore’s Balboa Mist and I swear my blood pressure has lowered. It’s glorious. Restful and calm and beautiful. Light enough to look white but not as stark. I also had them paint the bannister black, which looks crisp and sharp. (Plain oak is the enemy!)

When the painters were here I was STILL frantically getting down wallpaper in the kitchen so they could paint. (I’m one of those people who literally needs a fire under my ass to get things done.) The result is nothing short of miraculous. Well, maybe not miraculous, because shit’s not totally done (kitchen) and the fruit tile still taunts me but a HELL of a lot better. I was terribly proud of myself for not half assing the area behind the refrigerator and just letting them paint over the paper, because “no one sees it.” I joked that now we can pull out the refrigerator and have drinks back there because it looks so good!

Peter and I even pulled down 3 cabinets and replaced them with LACK shelving from IKEA for open shelves!

This whole process of rethinking and refining our space has been incredibly liberating and creatively fulfilling.

Karrie was here a few weeks ago and I’m still mourning her departure. She’s one of those people you love being around because, in addition to being funny, smart, super creative and loving, she makes you feel like a better version of yourself. I love to hear her opinion and her take on things. It’s always colorful (literally and figuratively), thoughtful and interesting.

How killer are those chairs? We picked up two of them with the gray seat and paired them with the IKEA Docksta table in the kitchen.They are art, I tell you. Sometimes I just pull one out and run my fingers along the smooth wood and stare at the intricate webbing of the seat while whispering sweet nothings. Love does not even do a good enough job of describing how I feel about these chairs.

I’ll post pictures tomorrow. I’m currently laying on a heating pad in bed. I’m flaring like a mofo and NOT happy about it. It’s been going on for weeks. Plus, my children are on Fall Break. Crappy combo.

Karrie has a few posts about her visit and some fabric choices on her blog, Happy Habitat.

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The Hustle

The Hustle

I think most people don’t get that you have to work at being happy. You have to DECIDE to be happy and then work at it. You do have a choice.

One of the Old Sames (E) sent me many cards during the whole breast cancer business. One of them said “Keep Hustling to Keep Happy”. I loved it and had it taped up on my bathroom mirror for the better part of a year.

The minute I saw this temporary tattoo from Tattly, I loved it.

Can’t wait to put that sucker on. I’m also going to order some for the kids. They’re so cute!

Extra special shout-out to the animal loving girl who makes killer fudge. XO

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3+8

3+8

My birthday was glorious. Lots of love. SO much of it. I continue to be surrounded by love and light, which feels pretty good. How did I get so lucky?

I felt as if I had been celebrating my birthday for a while after having such a wonderful Asheville trip and then various loveliness sprinkled about (brunches and lunches with fab friends) before the actual DAY of my birthday. So when it arrived I wasn’t prepared.

The most fantastic PGP made THE most beautiful and delicious dinner for my birthday: Broiled Blackened Tofu, Butternut coconut brown rice, and jerk asparagus. (all recipes from Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s brilliant cookbook “Appetite for Reduction”)

Then…THEN, he also made a vegan birthday cake, that I swear tasted better than most regular cake I’ve had.

E was with us that evening for dinner, which made the dinner extra celebratory.

I kept squealing with delight throughout the meal, that all of this fabulousness was made for me. Throughout this whole “eating for health” journey of mine, Peter has been nothing but supportive and sweet, when he could easily roll his eyes and turn up his nose. I admire that and appreciate it more than he could ever know.

I maintain that my dear husband is my most favorite gift of all time.

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Where’s he been?

Where’s he been?

That line from Raising Arizona popped into my head when I starting writing this post. Remember that scene where relatives Gale and Evelle Snoats are visiting Hi and Earl H.I. and Ed and they read the sign that says “WELCOME HOME SON!” Then they turn to H.I. and Ed and say “Where’s he been?”  It always makes me laugh. What in that movie DOESN’T make me laugh? Such a classic. (Edited later: Many thanks to “Anonymous” who corrected names for me. I prefer to call him “my brother” though, instead of “Anonymous”, it just sounds better.)

I haven’t blogged in many moons. What can I say? I got sucked up into summer and any spare minute is spent doing nothing or everything. I have also felt extremely pedestrian and like nothing I’m doing could possibly be of any interest.

However, here I sit, ready to regale you with bits and pieces from the land of Suburbia. In a list, of course, which is what I seem to be doing lots of lately. List-making that is. I have 5 going right now with all of the things that must be done before we can leave for Asheville, NC on Wednesday. This family needs a good dose of Grammy and Bompie and to relax with the rest of our family. This town rules. It really is so fantastic. I’m looking forward to doing LOTS of nothing.

This summer I vowed to do more with the kids and I’m freaking exhausted. I have a love/hate relationship with summer. There are aspects of it I love: lazy days, more light, berries, swimming, picnics, having nothing that we HAVE to do, driveways drinks with my neighbors. But the part I fear and dread is being a full time camp counselor. And believe me people, I have been one this summer. And I think I’ve been a pretty freaking good one. I’m tired. Quite honestly, I’m tired of them being here all of the time. I’m tired of the house never really being clean because they are always here. I’m tired of not having one minute to myself, unless it is the time between when they go to bed and when I fall asleep, which is roughly 45 minutes, and no, that does not count as quality self time.

Rant over. I love my little sun kissed wombats. I really really do. But I wouldn’t be too terribly upset if the school called and said “Mrs. Provost, it’s an emergency! We need the children back immediately!”

Oh sure, I would fake disappointment for their sake, but inside I would be planning out my first few days of freedom.

Things that have been making me happy lately:

• Peter. In all of his Peterness.Lovely small surprises sprinkled throughout a week can make one’s heart sing, you know? It’s the small things. 
• sneaking out on my life one night last week alone, going to my fave joint for a black bean burger and then taking myself to see Midnight in Paris, which deserves a post of its own. I absolutely loved it. Combine my love of Paris with my love of literature, art and quirky creativity and voila: Midnight in Paris.
• Mango popsicles
• New Fleet Foxes
• Deep breathing
• Jon Stewart
• the first few sips of a refreshing cranberry/vodka are unmatched after a sweaty, action packed day.
• Meeting my most lovely mom to see the movie Beginners yesterday. I loved this as well. It was quiet and perhaps dragged a bit but I was along for the ride and enjoyed the story and creative filmmaking.
• cows. I’ve come across a few recently and have melted. Fascinating creatures.
• reveling in the awesomeness of my friend E’s new baby girls. Every time someone I love has a baby, it’s like I’ve never seen one before, like I haven’t had TWO myself! I am just in awe of a new little person fresh to the world. I’m also delighted at how it all just comes back to me…I think “Oh, I don’t know what to do with a teeny baby!” And then BAM! You’re in the thick of it: the holding, the diapering, the feeding, the burping. Just like riding a bike. Such a sweet time. Exhausting as hell, but sweet.
• VEGGIES! I had an artichoke for dinner a few nights ago and Peter laughed at me because I just kept moaning about how good it was. And it was.  

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Thursday Loves

Thursday Loves

Sister and I were having one of daily chats when we started talking about whether we’re introverts or extroverts. I know people see me as an extrovert, and I am, but I’m also quite an introvert. Meg said ‘You’re an extroverted introvert”, you get energy by being alone to fuel your extroverted-ness.”

I like that.

So, now just as I envision a car filling up with gas when I’m eating really well, I now do the same when I’m alone. (I’m all about visualization.)

Peter is in Seattle until tomorrow and while I miss his sweet beardy face and can’t wait to hug and squeeze him, there is something to be said for having time apart. (He works from home and is in a tie with my brother, A, as the loudest talker in all of the land.)

He arrives home tomorrow on the day our sweet rare bird turns 9. NINE. As in, I have a 9 year old daughter. As in, my nine year old is a total tween. WHA? Oh sweet Lady Jane. Where did the years go? I’m hoping she is a late bloomer and continues her love of all things creepy, arty and eccentric. The mean girls swarm but so far HJ has been immune to it. Shine on, you crazy diamond.

Here are some things that are making me love life:

• TWO of my girlfriends are having twins. It’s has been so exciting thinking about it and anticipating the arrival of four new, fantastic humans. And I often find myself in AWE of these women with TWO babies wriggling around in their wombs. GAWD.
• Almond butter on banana. Perfection.
• the weather here in CO the last few days. Unbelievable soul and mood fuel. 65 and SUNNY. It makes me miss the 1976 CJ7 Jeep I drove in my teens. That car was perfect for days like these.
• Boulder Veggie bowl with gluten free teriyaki and brown rice at Tokyo Joe’s. Mmmmm…serious goodness.
• Coming Clean…Things I never told my parents made me laugh out loud. It reminded of a time when my Dad and I went out to breakfast when I was about 22. We were laughing reminiscing. For some reason I decided to tell him that one day in high school when they thought I was at school, we had really driven to Taos. He wanted to be pissed but he couldn’t. We laughed and laughed. (The really hilarious part of the story is that I called, like a good daughter, and said that I was at A’s house and A’s phone wasn’t working so I would talk to them the next day. (um, good one, dumbass) My dad said “Nah. You can come home tonight. Be here by 7pm.  You did not say “no” to Roger.  It was like Noon or something so I knew I had to hustle. (we ditched school to drive to New Mexico that morning) So, I freak out and A and I drive from Taos home to Denver in totally shitty weather. (Meanwhile, the only money I had was my parent’s Phillips 66 gas card. Serious dumbass) When I get home, ready for all hell to break loose, my parents WEREN’T EVEN HOME. They had gone to a dinner party!  Jerkfaces. My Dad thought THAT was hilarious.
• Sharpening pencils. There is something oddly meditative about it.
• My bed, or as I now call it, “the command center.” 

      

• love this pic by Nathan Coley

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Thursday Loves…

Thursday Loves…

• My massage this morning. This aching bod thanks you magical J!
• Taking myself out to lunch, alone.
• Thinking about this recipe CONSTANTLY. Must make SOON. It had me at “cake batter.”

 

• Thinking about Morning Glory muffins CONSTANTLY too (are you sensing a trend? sweets anyone?)
• Family dance party to Supertramp last night. Then a yoga session with Finn while Peter and Hadley jammed on the piano to REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Stop Loving You”. THEN, Finn fell asleep while I laid with him listening to Peter, Paul and Mommy. Oh, music. The love affair is stronger than ever.
• I supremely dig being a part of my favorite foursome. Tis an honor.
• Wheatgrass shots first thing in the morning
• A stack of delicious new magazines
• Going to the dentist. I would go once a month if I could.
• Colorado weather the past few days. GORGE!
• Reading all about NY Fashion Week and perusing collections. I love clothes but hate shopping. Explain that to me.
• Seeing great friends from out of town + their new babe
• Reading creative vegan blogs and feeling inspired to cook
• B for leaving a slice of vegan chocolate tart on my doorstep today (!) 

Happy early weekend, turtle doves.

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Thursday Loves

Thursday Loves

• Music – specifically Cat Stevens, Tennis, Fleetwood Mac, The Weepies
• Feeling light and zippy (yup, I just said “zippy”)
• brunches and lunches with people I love
• Daydreaming about vacations
• my sister’s post about her recent vacation to Tulum
• Oliver spooning with me at night under the covers like a nursing infant.
• RuPaul’s Drag Race
• Feeling grateful. Every day.
• The look on Peter’s face when I gave him a snow blower for his birthday
• This girl’s photostream on Flickr. That blue hair is perfection. I love the shot called “WINTER.”
• Planning a baby shower and HJ’s birthday party. FUN! The fun part for me is the invites and choosing where to have it. (Baby shower = French restaurant, bday party = funky art workshop for kids) Then I just delegate. It’s too stressful for me any other way.
• Still alive and cleansing like a mofo. It’s Day 4 and I’ve had some minor missteps along the way but I’m being decidedly chill about it. This isn’t about self-flagellation. It’s about learning what works for my body and about being healthier.

I will say that I’m much more of a juice kind of girl. I love that vibrant green!

Yesterday morning I decided to make a smoothie. I put in some romaine, raspberries, an avocado, a cucumber and some coconut water. It looked so beautiful before I turned on my mighty Vita Mix. After that it was just brown sludge. I literally choked it down. And I was sad because I LOVE all of the ingredients. It tasted pretty good but I just couldn’t get past the texture and color of it.

I feel really really good though. My stomach issues have been non-existent since I started. I don’t know if I can attribute that to the cleanse or the fact that I also started taking Probiotics. Either way, it’s fabulous. Lupus has been relatively quiet as well. Big ups to my friend B, who is kicking arse as well!

Happy almost weekend to you, sweet people of the interwebs.

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Rough Re-entry

Rough Re-entry

We’re back.

Sigh.

                                             view from our house

Post vacation blues are a bitch.

I’m coming out of it slowly, but the return to my life was bumpy. Change is hard. I wanted to sell everything and move to Sayulita. Immediately. All sorts of crazy things were churning through my brain.

Luckily, Peter has become adept at taming my crazies and sweetly brought me back to planet earth.

We don’t have to move there. We can just go again.

Duh.

Sayulita was magical. That word sums it up. The house was beautiful. Being with my besties was effortless and rejuvenating. The kids were great. The food was beyond fantastic. I FELT GOOD. Alert the presses. Aside from mild fatigue, my body felt great! It was the best vacation ever.

Our house was really beautiful and perfect for 4 families. Aside from the fact that we were up the hill from a Rooster farm (those fuckers cock-a-doodle-do constantly. It’s not just in the morning. Do NOT missing hearing that) everything was superb. We had a great walk into town, including a huge hill so a workout was built into the day, which I loved, as I have to be tricked into working out.

I also loved having my kids experience the laid back vibe of Mexico. The dirt streets with chickens and stray dogs meandering around. A constant smattering of Spanish in the air. Different food. Different culture. More than anything it made me want to travel more. To show them more of the world. Not everyone lives like they do. In fact, most of the world does not.

Life was so much simpler there. I didn’t get online the entire trip. 6 days. I didn’t want to. I did yoga by the pool a few mornings, breathed in the salty air and was grateful for this time spent with people whom I love so much. These girls are like my sisters. There was no drama or tumult. Just togetherness. Free and easy.

We were a little village with 8 adults and 5 kids. We looked after each other and our little offspring. I will say there is something deeply DEEPLY fantastic about having self-sufficient kids who spend the majority of the time in the ocean while I lay under a shaded chair with cocktails.

I drank more beer and ate more meat than I have in the last few years. Explain that one to me?

             Finny, HJ and the Reidy boys, Gavin and Henry in our driveway

our little surfer girl

most pics of Finn are like this. The child does not pose. Too many exciting things going on.

The big house had a little apartment attached to it, where we stayed.

stairs up to the big house

the pool behind the house. Unfortch, it was a little too chilly most of the time to swim.

The morning after we arrived, I saw these little footprints. They had just painted a wall and I assumed a cat had walked in the paint and down the stairs. So sweet. 3 days later, searching the property for the laundry room, Emily and I discovered twas not a cat at all, but an opossum. It was late at night and dark outside, I saw something move and said “Oh, that must be the kitty.” Em said “Nasty. That’s not a cat.”

Teeny paw prints are still cute.

HJ with the most delightful Camille. There was much crafting and playing and coloring.

Camille and Peter TOTALLY bonded, which Peter loved, as most little kids are freaked out by his beard and bald head. He could not get enough of her.

It probably goes without saying that this little girl had everyone wrapped around her finger.

Peter and JR relaxing by the pool.

This is what the boys were doing most of the time, when they weren’t fully immersed in episodes of Scooby Doo.

I wasn’t really a good picture taker, which I regret now. I don’t have a picture of all of the adults or myself and the girls. It takes a lot of effort to constantly be taking pictures,etc and I was just lazy.

self portrait. I’m rocking a huge hat, long sleeves and tons of sunscreen.

Adios Sayulita. See you again soon. XO

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Be Still My Beating Heart

Be Still My Beating Heart

Lots going on with my busy heart.

It swells with pride and joy one day at my blue eyed devils, who are so excited for our vacation this week that they leave bits of excitement and delight in their wake. (Sayulita, baby!)

It soars and gets bigger at the magical news of a friend.

It sinks the next with the devastating news from another.

In all three cases, I feel it in my gut, on my skin, in the flush on my face and in my heart.

So many ups and downs in life, sometimes in one day.

It’s hard to catch your breath.

But you do.

Been thinking a lot about my Dad lately too. Not in a melancholy way at all. Well, perhaps a little. The RMP piece of my heart will always be missing. But more in a “what he left behind” kind of way. In a way that makes me smile and feel so grateful for the time that I did have with him.

He left me loving and participating in life, laughing at little ridiculous things, being good to other people, trying to be interested and interesting, and always “checking my equipment.” He also left me an endless mental catalogue of “his music.” (Mario Lanza anyone?)

So, I’m pensive today, thinking about so much.

And sending out my most genuine, heartfelt love to anyone and everyone who needs it.

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