Strawberry scented memories

I recently requested storybook suggestions from my friends so I could expand the peanut's reading list. I've been overwhelmed with the response and have a wonderful list of titles to keep in my pocket for future library trips. But as I pored over the titles and filled in missing author names, one certain book popped out of nowhere into my mind after laying dormant for oh I don't know, 28 years?? One thing led to another and I find myself spending my afternoon digging up crazy images of things long forgotten from childhood days in my search to find it. Does anyone else remember this?: Oh how I loved Strawberry Shortcake. Many of these were part of my own collection once upon a time. Childhood is a crazy thing. How is it that I haven't thought of this book in almost three decades and yet once I remembered it I can still clearly see some of the pictures in my mind? There's a copy available on Ebay right now and it's taking all my willpower not to order it. I think part of me worries the reality of the book won't live up to the memory in my head. I've never felt more pressure to expose the peanut to great books than now. "Impressionable" has a whole new meaning for me this afternoon. I wonder if Miss Shortcake still smells the same, too. . .

Labor of Love

An impromptu game of quilt wrestling just exploded in my living room. As my playful husband chased the peanut around the coffee table with my fresh-out-of-the-dryer quilt and wrapped her up for some tickle tackling, it occurred to me that this is why I take the time to quilt. Seeing my tiny girl all wrapped up from head to toe in a blankie that I labored over with her face all lit up with delight was enough to make my heart swell. These blankets are going to be the background of her childhood and will still be with us when she's grown far too big for me to even imagine right now. I can't wait for the arm chair games to come.

A day in the life of Peanut Blossom

Today is my "Day in the Life Of" Photo Blog day. I've been carrying around my camera since approximately 7:30 this morning in an attempt to document a typical day. The point of the project is to take notice and appreciate the small moments that make up our lives and find beauty in the everyday. My project definitely got off to a slow start and finding a unique way to present eating breakfast and our morning rituals was more challenging than I remember from the 2008 project. I found that documenting these moments actually made my day drag on far longer than it normally feels. I guess it's exhausting taking time to stop, smell, and photograph all those roses! I just loaded all the photos I've taken thus far onto my computer. Seeing them collectively on the big screen has made me excited to cull out my favorites for sharing. But, the day isn't over so I need to go load up some more batteries and get about my evening business. Here's just an appetizer for the final presentation:

"A Day in the Life Of" Photo Blog

Next week I'm participating in the second annual "Day in the Life Of" photo blog project. While trying to organize this event on a grander scale with my friend and partner Zina, I looked through last year's project to find my best sample to attach to the instructions. It took my breath away to compare the difference in my little peanut over the last 12 months. I found a photo of her clinging to the open dryer door for stability and now she's simply running circles around me. I'm so excited to participate in this year's event and see all the fantastic submissions from the other photographers. But I'm mostly looking forward to documenting another set of everyday moments to look back on next year.