Gypsy*Lov'n

Ember Quinn

2012-11-30T09:45:00.000-08:00

TIME!
Whoever has some please share...

Our bundle of sweet joy was born three MOoNs ago on the seventeenth of August, 2012. She is growing before my eyes, literally, I can never put her down dost she protest! I know this time is fleeting so I try not to mind that my shoulders ache, I get kicked all night, I am a personal milk maid and there is never time to take a shower. Ember Quinn our sweet baby, and sweet is an understatement, as long as mommy is holding her or in the same room that is. I am a big believer in letting the child teach you how to mother them( to a point of course), and I am pleased to listen. My two youngest have been so different in their infancy, one thing that remains the same is my utter amazement in their perfection and the knowledge that LoVe is infinite as is our hearts ability to hold it. This child oozes a kindness and a goodness, I am honored she chose me as her mother...

7lbs 15oz and 21inches

First family photo

Great Grandpa Frank and Ember have the same birthday!

So new...

So in love...

Pregnancy Photos

2012-07-30T22:09:00.000-07:00

Ember Quinn
and her Mama...

I am so very ready to meet our little girl, only about two weeks to go! I am finally settling into the waiting game now that my pre-baby checklist has reached a near completion...deep sigh. I look forward to posting pictures of the completed nursery but until that happens I hope you enjoy my pregnancy pictures taken last week. I was lucky enough to be able to ask an extended family member to take the pic's and not pay an arm and a leg, she is only fifteen years old and has some great ideas and mad photography skills! Thanks again Sabrina I am beyond pleased with the results, you have a bright artistic future ahead of you. We got most of the ideas from the internet mostly pinterest and some were impromptu decisions made on location or the creativity of Sabrina. Please feel free to pin the ideas and poses from this shoot to re-create of you and your bump! I do however ask you please link back to me if using any of my personal photos or content for your own blog I like to know where my photos are posted. Thanks!

Dylan, Ember and Rowan our three little ladies...

This was my favorite re-create from a pin I saw!

Sabrina brought the telephone props, so cute!

Rowan loves her sissy!

The whole family

The resolution in some of these posted a bit funny, seeing as how I am not very computer savvy I am
leaving it be. Sorry. Hope you enjoyed, we had allot of fun!

Lack of Engagement

2012-07-15T17:31:00.002-07:00

I sit here today very frustrated at my sheer lack of engagement with humanity...have I retreated do to this endless pregnancy with its ups and many downs? Or is it something else? I feel so un inspired, not only with this blog as I have obviously not posted in weeks but in almost every area of my life. My body aches, my head hurts I am medicating not only gestational diabetes but high blood pressure...whats next? I dont usually feel this pessimistic but today I do, I want to feel inspired by life and by those around me. But as usual it feels as I retreat the people in my life do the same so it seems at times like there is no safety net no point of light to dimly follow no North...I have a propensity to always make it known when I feel any shadows, down moods etc.. that life is not actually the reality in which I feel when down. My life is beautiful and I am so very blessed. I always feel I risk offending or seeming ungrateful maybe it is the Libra in me, the people pleaser either way it gets sort of annoying to not just complain without adding in the "but"... Yet there always is a light to the other side of the dark and I know I will get there again. I'm feeling better already after writing this, so thank you for those who took the time to read this. Hope your day,week, month, life is filled with more ups then it is with downs...

Peace and Love,
- Gypsy Lov'n

Let there be LIGHT!

DIY with Doilies!

2012-06-06T09:51:00.002-07:00

This is one of those DIY's where I will have to come back to keep updating my projects because there are so many of them I want to try! I have seen a handful of neat ideas over the years with doilies but it seems like over night they are making a real come back, it is getting harder and harder to find them in thrift stores and at yard sales. This weekend scavenger will not give up however, there is just something so enticing about delicate lace; so feminine, so beautiful. Here are several wonderful Doily inspired DIY's I have come across on my search to soften my world and satisfy my creative urges. Keep scrolling for at the end of the inspiration piece I will include three items that Dylan and I have created with the simple addition of cotton lace doilies.

Lovely! from Trash to Couture this woman has amazing ideas, I will probably link to her time and time again!

Doily table cloth, I love this look! There is no DIY for it but it is as simple as overlaying different doilies and hand stitching with a matching embroidery thread onto a muslin like material of your choosing.

This doily dream catcher from Calico skies is so sweet and delicate, I cant wait to try!

This creative gift wrapping would work well for every season, I must admit with so many other uses for doilies I might have a hard time giving it up this way. I might do the paper version here or spray paint over the paper version to leave a soft lace imprint...hmmmmm.

Delicate yet bold necklace, you might have to have a larger frame or long neckline to pull off this beauty...I think this or a lace broach in the same fashion would make a great holiday gift!

Embroidery hoops and doilies, I think this would be the way to go if you wanted to preserve a family heirloom. I can Imagine a wall with sweet black and white photos of grandma or great grandma (also in embroidery hoops, maybe printed onto canvas) amongst various sized works of her hand craft preserved this way.

Swoon! That is how I feel when I see this beauty from Ruby Chic Originals on etsy. Original indeed, I must give this artist props, I saw this dress long before the doily craze begun, sadly it is sold but isn't it just perfection!

I am having a hard time linking to the original post from where I found this easy little DIY, just like the table cloth this would not be a very challenging project. If you have an existing pillow case with a hidden zipper you could remove and hand sew the doily on or make your own custom pillow case then sew.

Doily table runner from Ucreate is so sweet and so simple. It may eat up your whole vintage doily stash, but the end result is worth it!

This was another I could not link back to, I found it on pinterest. I mostly added this last one because of the baby onesie. You could add this sweet detail to so many simple onesies, shirts, dresses, the possibilities seem endless!

Alright after that sweet eye candy here are the Lace Doily projects Dylan and I created...

First I went "shopping" in my closet and found this sheer skirt I was rarely wearing. I really wanted something cute I could wear for the rest of my pregnancy that would also be practical for the summer heat. I also pulled out the scrap material you see on the right to later make straps with.

I then hand pinned not sewed down my doily to the dress in various sections. The straight pins were not seeming to hold well enough and I wanted the lace taught along the shoulders so taking the extra time to hand pin before I sewed with the machine proved vital to the success of the dress!

I then pinned down my border and straps to the dress and connected to the doily.

I was nervous about taking the machine to such delicate piece of cotton lace, but seeing as I was going to wear this many times over the next 3 months it seemed like the smart thing to do. I was careful and methodic with this part of the process and sewed the edges down well. I also went in with the machine and did a couple of stitches in the center.

Being home alone and impatient I had to take pic's in my messy poorly lit bathroom, but you get the gist. The end result was exactly what i wanted; pretty, comfy and most importantly breezy!

The back is obviously my favorite part! What do you think?

This next project Dylan went about on her own and didn't record it with pictures but it was very simple and with great results.

Love the oversized look!

This next project is almost exactly like the one Dylan did above except I used a rectangle and she used a circle lace insertion.

Before

I first took in the sides knowing the shirt would get a bit too large after the lace insertion.

I pinned the lace over the top of the shirt and then sewed across the top and down the sides. In this picture I had already sewn down the furthest edge and was sewing down where you see the pins to reinforce the shirt.

After sewing I turned the shirt inside out and cut out the material that was left in the center getting as close to the edge as possible without cutting the lace insert. I also went ahead and trimmed the bottom so it would be only a little bit longer then the shirt. I took those trimmings and made lace straps, and there you have it!

After

I look forward to after pregnancy when this shirt hangs loosely, I think the silhouette will be more pleasing. =)

I have more lace doilies just waiting to be used, I think the next project will be the table runner or maybe...

Peace
-Gypsy Lov'n

Homemade no cook Play Dough!

2012-06-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

I have been looking at several play dough recipes and wondering which one would be the best, in the end I decided to make my own recipe and low and behold it turned out perfectly the first try! So many recipes call for allot of one ingredient like two cups baking soda, that is a whole box! No thank you... I couldn't have figured this out of course without reading and adapting from about five recipes, all of which were mixed by hand where as in I used my kitchen aid and dough hook. I think it proved to be a useful tool albiet not completely necessary but helped I feel in the overall consistency of the dough. The ingredient list is as follows, I purchased basic non organic ingredients as this is a non edible project;

2 cups white flour
1 c. salt

2 tbsp cream of tarter

2 tbsp corn starch

2 tbsp cooking oil

1/2 c. baking soda

2 c. boiling water

Food coloring(we used neon colors)

Just mix all the ingredients in your kitchen aid with the dough hook attachment (or bowl and hand mix). I mixed mine continually scraping down the sides for about 7 minutes on low to medium speed. I then separated the dough into five balls and placed them one at a time into a zip lock bag where I mixed the colors by hand kneading. Once the dough was mixed well enough to not stain my hands I removed from the bag and finished hand kneading. The consistency is amazing, I dont ever recall purchasing a dough this smooth and pliable, it holds it shape so well without being too dry or sticky! It is such a fast and inexpensive project that can be done with very young children, my daughter is almost three and was able to manage most the tasks on her own with very little assistance. Mommy did of course pour the boiling water!

Ingredients

Her favorite part is to pour and touch everything!

Oops the cornstarch didn't make it into the ingredient photo, she loved the feeling of it!

Checking our consistency, we are almost there...

Finally just right!

Putting our dough into the zip lock bag, I started with the lightest color to avoid crossing colors I didn't want crossed, then wiped out with a paper towel in-between colors.

We were very pleased with our colors!

Now the fun begins!

I should include that we stored our dough in one large Rubbermaid container with a tight fitting lid. My plan is to switch over to smaller containers for individual storage and to hopefully keep some from being completely smooshed together. Ya right, like there is any chance of that, half the dough is already a rainbow of combined color.

Have fun!

-Gypsy Lov'n

University Falls

2012-06-03T22:33:00.001-07:00

Ask and you shall receive!
I recently posted onto Facebook a day trip the family and I took and everyone keeps asking the same question, where is this at? The answer, University Falls outside of georgetown Ca, the place is epic to say the least. That is if you like natural rock slides, a healthy walk, beautiful clean water and a little adventure! It is a bit of a hike in and a bit more of a hike out, but if you are moderately fit it is well worth the 5 miles round trip. This is no secret spot and if you arrive after 11am you will surely be a witness to that, the peaceful setting quickly turns into more of an amusement park atmosphere. When I was a little kid the cat wasn't fully out of the bag and you could spend the whole day enjoying the rock slides with only a handful of other people, but alas the internet and people like me blogging about that "secret spot"...sharing is a good thing, right? Well with all that being said if you pack it in you pack it out, and while your at it maybe bring a plastic grocery bag with you to fill up other peoples trash. My awesome husband picked up every piece of trash he saw on the way out, way to be a steward of the earth babe!
Alright already how do you get there? First you have to look at our documented experience. =)

My favorite shot of the day, Dylan looking pretty in contemplation of the descent.

Ready, set...

Go!

Splash!

My 10yr old sister was the first to brave the slides, go girl!

Where did she go?

Dylan prepping herself...

Katera realizing how cold the water is!

A view of the first and second slide, my dad the birthday boy and I are sitting somewhere up top in the shade watching the fun.

The second slide or third, I didn't hike down...

My little sister

The third slide I believe...

At the very bottom, this last "slide" is not ridden, Quincy hiked down the hill to get some of these shots.

Our photographer and my sweet husband Quincy

My dad and three of his eight children

The husband and my pregnant self, I did not participate in the slides this time, just soaked in the chilly water and enjoyed watching the girls.

Feeling very pregnant and nervous about the hike up the 1200 ft ascent, oops did I forget to mention the climb out? Consider yourself warned! =)

Quincy found a bird nest during the hike back, it was empty, dont worry no birdies were harmed.

Directions:

University Falls is 30 miles (50 minutes) from Auburn, Ca. Head to Auburn on I-80, then take Hwy 49 south to the town of Cool. Go east on Hwy 193 to Georgetown. Go left onto Main St pass through town and keep going straight; this turns into Wentworth Springs Rd. Take this about 12 miles. Just after passing through the town of Quintette(there is only a small sign, basically look for a turn out where cars are parked on the left, if arriving before crowds just be aware of the yellow access gate after the big turn) From here, allow 90 minutes to walk in. Walk past the bright yellow gate; continue straight on the fire road. Go left at the next fork (sign "12N67B"). Go right at "the bend" (look for blue arrows on the rocks). Follow this trail down and make a hairpin right onto the trail that follows the Pilot Creek water canal(this is such a pretty part of the hike; continue about .5 mile. Look for the obvious side trail that descends to the left and take it. After 100 feet, go right at the first fork (look for blue paint on the tree). This descends to the falls.

Like any swimming spot exercise caution there are no lifeguards on duty and this is the sort of place where injuries could happen quickly. The first three slides are the safest most commonly used with the fourth being dangerous and unnecessary. There is a sign posted warning it will take emergency crews 1hr to get there after being reached, I did not have cell reception so be aware of yourself and the people around you. But above all enjoy yourself and this epic location!

Pinterest LOVE!

2012-05-30T11:17:00.000-07:00

My love for Pinterest runs deep, I am a creature who seeks all things aesthetically pleasing, I am a Libra after all... Today when perusing through some of my pin boards I was taken aback by the beauty in some of the photographs. But which ones to share? This may have to become a weekly or at least monthly post, call it my pinning and pining...he, he, he or not. That is a bit of a tongue twister. Hope you enjoy a look into what makes me swoon...

All the links back to either original artist or place from which I pinned can be found on my pinterest boards, under Inspire...Creativity...Beauty or My Style Pinboard.
We live in such an amazing world, full of so many brilliant and creative souls, I thank and applaud you ALL.

Peace
-Gypsy Lov'n

Swim Suit Season

2012-05-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

I recently bought the little one a swim suit that she has almost out grown completely, I had it only two months! The endless cost of growing children got me thinking, make your own stuff, well at least some of it...I am no seamstress my any measure, what little skill in that department has come from trial and error and a few wise words from grandma.

It seemed a little crazy though to make a swim suit when I lack proper material and know how, but I decided the heck with it and I must say I am pleased with the outcome. I'll go ahead and include a couple of pictures of the process, I dont exactly feel ready to go full fledge tutorial on you...yet. So here it is two swim suits for my girl!

I began with a pair of ugly old pants from good old Salvation Army, they consist of 90% nylon and 10% spandex. I cut them open down the inner leg seams to get a larger piece of material.

I then grabbed a pair of undies that I didn't mind cutting to make my pattern, I traced around them leaving about a half inch allowance for the hem.

I then pinned up my half inch allowance on all sides, this is when the project got a bit awkward, my sides weren't matching and I could tell the suit would sag in the front. I preceded anyway figuring I could guess my way through it.

Then I hemmed...

After hemming I knew I had to do something to tighten up my suit, I didn't have any cute edging so I cut up a pillow case that was missing his mate. I used the trim of the pillow to then trim along my hem, I ran into more problems when I realized sewing around the entire bottoms with my non stretchy lace edging made the suit too tiny. I wasn't planning on side ties for my almost three year old but I didn't have another option...so I snipped and added side ties.

For the top I just sewed a tube, hemmed and added the lace edging around the front, my camera battery at this point was dying so what you dont see is the straps I then added to keep the suit from shimming down! To my surprise the suit worked and the little one LOVES it!

I decided I hadn't tortured myself enough so I made another, this one is a bit more modest which I prefer and even cuter if I do say so myself. ;-)

I made the legs too tight so added the detail to stretch out the thigh, it photographed funny but looks good when taut against the skin.

I think my model likes this one even more then the two piece, yay!

Sadly I did not get pic's of the process but I went about it in a very similar way...trial and error. So what do you think?

Dylan liked what I did so much she decided to get in on the fun, we came across a brand new Victoria Secret bikini at a garage sale for five dollars! Yep you read that right, it was just one of many scores of the day. She loved the simplicity of the white suit but longed for more, this is what she came up with, I love it and so does she.

Dylan's before, sweet and simple...

Another pillowcase bights the dust!

Trimmings

Here is the after of the front and bottoms, she hand pinned each section so she wouldn't lose the elasticity in the suit. It is still simple and sweet but now has a touch of personality.

She also went ahead and pinned in the sides since the suit was a bit big in the bottom, great job Dylan!

Hope you enjoyed the post, thanks for stopping by...

-Gypsy Lov'n

1000 Page Views!

2012-05-28T22:47:00.000-07:00

Wow I am feeling the LOVE! I have just reached 1000 page views!!! Thank you so much for your support, this started and continues to be a creative outlet of sorts though is starting to feel like it could become more...THANK YOU! In order to make this blog a bit more then a hobby I need the incentive of public followers so come on out of the shadows and show your Lov'n! =) I have some fun posts in mind for the following weeks so stay tuned. SO MUCH LOVE!

Peace and gratitude
-Gypsy Lov'n

Square Watermelon!

2012-05-25T20:01:00.003-07:00

SQAURE WATERMELON!!!!

Is it just me or is this one of the coolest things you have ever seen?

So COOL!

This is not genetically altered in any way, just grown in a box, well cube rather. I want to try this, I am just now planting my watermelon so why not? I found this here...I don't know how it has not taken off and done commercially in the USA, it probably wont be long until we see them in our local super market! I'm sure you could grow a variety of food in many shapes, do you find this strange or intriguing? As for me I am intrigued...Enjoy!

-Gypsy Lov'n

Cookie dough dip!

2012-05-23T12:08:00.001-07:00

In the Kitchen

Cookie dough dip!

I'm always looking for ways to incorporate healthy foods into treats, recently I have been craving cookie dough...hmmmmm, how to make that healthy? I started googling and came across a couple of recipes and then found one that had me really intrigued. I have adapted it to make it my own, what would you add to make it healthier or tastier?

Recipe:

1 1/2 cups chickpeas or white beans (1 can, drained) (250g)
1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup nut butter
up to 1/4 cup milk of choice, only if needed
1/3 cup agave, brown sugar may give it a more traditional cookie taste, but I found it to be plenty sweet
1/3 cup chocolate chips or as many as you want ;-)
1/4 cup oats
2 tsp hemp seed or flax would work
1 tbsp coconut oil

I haven't attempted baking this but I imagine if you added baking soda and baking powder you would have success. If you try baking them let me know if it turned out! The original recipe that I adapted from can be seen here.

Not pictured is the coconut oil, it was a last minute decision that I am pleased I made.

Tasty!

The little one approved =)

We ate with graham crackers but apple slices would be even healthier!

Enjoy!

-Gypsy Lov'n

Solar Eclipse

2012-05-18T22:41:00.006-07:00

The Ring of Fire

This Sunday we will be fortunate here in Northern California to see 92% of a solar eclipse, the last time we had the opportunity was in 1994, our next annular eclipse will be seen on June 1, 2030. It is a pretty amazing event not to be missed, in order to view it safely one must never look directly at the eclipse with the naked eye, this includes; binoculars, telescopes, sunglasses, camera's etc... Special filters for those items must be used, however viewing is still possible with these tips and tricks, these include but are not limited to; pin hole projector, eclipse shades and # 14 welders glass. To view this spectacular event my family will be making the simple pin hole projector, to follow the DIY and make one for yourself follow the pin hole projector link , I will post our pics after the event. Here is some viewing information if you live in this area of Northern Ca... Sacramento: 5:15 pm start, best viewing 6:31pm ,finishing at 7:38 pm with 92% coverage.

Enjoy!
-Gypsy Lov'n

Alright, I am back as promised with a visual follow up from yesterdays solar eclipse...

Quincy built our amazing pin hole viewer, thank you so much babe!

He had a bit of help from his little assistant

Being the brilliant man he is, he made it in two sections so it would fit in the car!

Making sure it work...yes, success!

Checking out the sky through the ipad, it is called sky walk and can be found here.

The viewing through the app was a little off but cool none the less...

Checking out all his effort

Fixing last minute glitches and working out positioning

Friends =)

Taking turns

My turn!

We enjoyed an amazing solar eclipse feast compliments of Justin and Stephanie, thank you!

Shadows

I snapped this shot without a filter(not looking through the lens), bad for the camera I was told, oops!

More shadows

Explaining what is happening to the little one

She kept saying "it's the moon!"

Stephanie's pretty solar shadows

The view...

Close up

Everyone had such a fun evening, it was so magical watching the light change...

This lovely lady Selena playing the singing bowl can be found at her blog Three Corners Designs and also on her Etsy...she makes pretty amazing jewelry!

All in all the evening was such a success, I am grateful to have such amazing friends and family!

Peace,

-Gypsy Lov'n

Tree Houses

2012-05-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

I have always loved the great outdoors, whether it be camping, hiking, biking, backpacking and of course my favorite swimming in the river. Though as I get older I crave the comforts of home in my outdoor space, for example: I will finally be getting a blow up mattress for tent camping this summer! More then that I am wanting my outdoor home space (also known as my yard) to be a place of comfort and peace, a no bug zone that has shade and a cozy place to lay my head....ah sounds good, right? It got me thinking, and the answer TREE HOUSE! A tree house not only provides the aforementioned things but also allows space for creativity, child play, impromptu "camping" and if large enough a place for meals to be eaten as a family. Again I run into the problem that we do not own this space we currently reside in so I am thinking to the future, nothing wrong with being prepared and maybe I can inspire a home owner or two to get creative in their outdoor space... Enjoy the view, thanks for stopping by, hope you have a wonderful weekend!

This is a genuine tree house that would require some pretty sturdy pines, if you are lucky enough to have in your yard then get busy building this so I can come and play. ;-)

Almost any sized yard could accomodate this little beauty, I would have a hard time sharing this with the kiddos!

So serene and magical, probably why it is blowing up pinterest...

Sleeping Beauties cottage is what I think of when gazing upon this sweet and beautifully done tree house, I want!

I picture for myself and family something more like a yurt. Up on a deck platform with a climbing wall attached to the side, a slide to descend down, a swing set under the deck...Yep it paints a pretty picture alright, someday it will be more then a pretty picture it will be a reality, it will also make a nice guest quarters!

Peace,
-Gypsy Lov'n

Mother

2012-05-12T23:50:00.001-07:00

Happy Mothers Day ladies!
Mothers come in so many forms, mine in the most traditional of ways, but mother means many things so I struggled in what to say. I am a mother, biologically speaking to a beautiful little girl with another daughter on the way. But I am also a mother of the heart to my amazing step-daughter whom I love as my own, though I did not raise her when she was young I feel a connection to her that transcends biology. I myself have a blended family with a step-mother and step-father, my husband was reared and loved mostly by his father and grandparents with his grandmother taking on the role of mother. This is just the variation of mother existing in my small sphere, yet so many more remain; a sister who raised her siblings, a god-mother, an Auntie, a friend, adoptive mothers, mothers who neglect and abandon, fathers left to embody both roles of father and mother and so on... I wanted to compile a few poems and Quotes based on Mothers and I am sorry for those forms of mother which may be neglected in this post. First I should start with a little bit about what mother means to me or better yet what my mother means to me...

I cherish many things but mostly lullabies on warm summer evenings, waiting for my turn to come as one by one each child was sung to while having their back tickled and rubbed. I remember hikes in the canyon and late night family swims, parades and picnics, kite flying and aerobics around the coffee table. I remember being cheered on at soccer and swim team, football games were a family favorite in which we all cheered together and shared in my parents memories of times before us. I fondly remember pigs in a blanket and ants on a log and frozen grapes...my mom lovingly had a snack waiting for us everyday when we came home from school and dinners were shared around the table. She was youthful, energetic, playful and fun. A child could not of had a better mother, us four children were simply blessed.

I am now a mother, my circumstances are different then hers and in a way I am more prepared to be a mother. Sometimes however preparation can lead to over thinking and planing and less living in the moment, my mother was a child herself when she started having children, I was not. I sometimes wish I had that same child like abandon she possessed when we were young. I am grateful however for my own set of circumstances; I am raising full time; a teenage daughter, a toddler and have a child on the way, though I may lack some of my mothers youthful abandon I am being set up for a certain structure in my parenting that will serve me through every stage in their development. I am so in love with motherhood, more and more each day, it has its struggles surely but even the struggles come with their own rewards. I love passing down the nightly ritual of lullabies and back scratching, I love watching my youngest daughter as she learns something new each day, I love watching Dylan blossom into the woman and potentially future mother she will become and I love the thought of what my third daughter will bring to our family. What a beautiful and challenging journey motherhood is..cheers to those whom I share the trenches with, it may not always be easy but it will always be worth it. Happy mothers day ladies, keep up the good work!

Me and my wonderful Mother.

My beautiful and talented daughter Dylan

My sweet little girl

My family, all five of us! =)

These last pic's have been added after the post, this was my surprise on Mothers Day, thank you Dylan you are amazing!!!

How amazing is this surprise, way better then breakfast in bed!

Very Gypsy Lov'n!!!

Rowan thought it was all for her...

Best kids ever, I can't wait till their sister can join in the fun!

Thank you Dylan Mae, you bring so much light and love to my life, I love you...

“Even if i'm setting myself up for failure, I think it's worth trying to be a mother who delights in who her children are, in their knock-knock jokes and earnest questions. A mother who spends less time obsessing about what will happen, or what has happened, and more time reveling in what is. A mother who doesn't fret over failings and slights, who realizes her worries and anxieties are just thoughts, the continuous chattering and judgement of a too busy mind. A mother who doesn't worry so much about being bad or good but just recognizes that she's both, and neither. A mother who does her best, and for whom that is good enough, even if, in the end, her best turns out to be, simply, not bad. ”
-Ayelet Waldman

“In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.”
-N.K. Jemisin

“Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.”
-Robert A. Heinlein

“The great motherhood friendships are the ones in which two women can admit [how difficult mothering is] quietly to each other, over cups of tea at a table sticky with spilled apple juice and littered with markers without tops.”
-Anna Quindlen

“Was it the act of giving birth that made you a mother? Did you lose that label when you relinquished your child? If people were measured by their deeds, on the one hand, I had a woman who had chosen to give me up; on the other, I had a woman who'd sat up with me at night when I was sick as a child, who'd cried with me over boyfriends, who'd clapped fiercely at my law school graduation. Which acts made you more of a mother?

Both, I realized. Being a parent wasn't just about bearing a child. It was about bearing witness to its life.”
-Jodi Picoult

The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.

-Rajneesh

Outdoor Lov'n

2012-05-10T11:20:00.003-07:00

The garden is planted, finally! It felt like so much work this time around; first off I'm pregnant, secondly I let the weeds get CRAZY out of control and thirdly I have a smaller budget to work with this year. Alas it is done and I feel good about the outcome of this, my second attempt at growing food for my family... Now my goal is to transform our yard into the family friendly space I envisioned since moving in a year and a half ago. This being a rental I need to get creative and stop dreaming of permanent structures and start working within my financial and rental parameters. I have been pinning some ideas that I thought I would share that are renter and financially friendly, enjoy!

I love all of this but what I I love the most are the basket lights, maybe a future DIY. I found this on: http://www.villavonkrogh.com/2012/04/romantico.html

This may not work for every rental without permission but my fence has holes in it already and I have an awesome landlord that lets me have allot of free reign. Found on:
http://shannoneileenblog.typepad.com/happiness-is/

Isn't this garden something to swoon over! I see so many pretty gardens on the internet but something about this one just pleases me aesthetically! Found on: http://www.goinghometoroost.com/2012/organic/inspiring-garden-spaces/

I really love this DIY and will hopefully be posting directions and pic's as soon as I complete this project. What I love most about this besides the ambiance and keeping mosquitos at bay is the fact that it is safe for the kiddos. I love my tiki torches but this seems a bit more stable, our fences are really high and out of bonking or little hands reach. Found on: Pinterest with no link

Lastly Peace Poles, aren't these great! I think these would be a really fun family project, I'm thinking of incorporating wood burning into mine. They would also make really cute veggie markers in the garden! Found on:http://www.woodfireandpaint.com/wood-art/peacepoles/

I'm feeling inspired, how about you? Happy gardening and beautifying your space!

Peace and Love,
-Gypsy Lov'n

A new twist...

2012-03-08T22:30:00.001-08:00

This non existent blogging of mine, why cant I find the time or enthusiasm to write and post here? Well I finally have the answer! I need to journal here for me, if Dylan wants to add anything great, if not that's fine too! This is now a journal of sorts, for ME and for her when she finds time/desire...I had this epiphany moments after feeling my newest little bug move or rather; pop.pop.pop inside me! I went to grab a pen and journal and realized I dont feel as connected to that form of communication anymore...I mourned the loss and moved on, I can surely print and paste to my journal anything I want from here in the future. Back to my pop.pop.pop! What a gift that was, lying on my right side in bed hand on newly emerging tummy listening to Quincy talk about his upcoming (and first, yay!) marathon and there it was, a familiar but distant sensation. Could it be? Yes it could and it is! Tonight is a full moon, I am almost 16 weeks the timing makes sense for a second time mama, but I have been so caught up in fear(will I lose this baby too?) so the pop.pop.pop came as such a surprise and relief! Yay for feeling you my sweet tiny little bug, mama loves you so much...keep on popping and growing!

Moon to Moon

2011-12-10T19:14:00.000-08:00

I found an ever so delightful blog today called Moon to Moon, instead of taking pic's and snipit's I thought it best to just share the link http://frommoontomoon.blogspot.com/
Enjoy!

Peace,
Gypsy Lov'n

Dreaming of the Sun

2011-12-08T22:26:00.000-08:00

"Here come the sun do do do do, here comes the sun and I say it's all right da na na na na na..."

I love seasonal change and always have but lately I have been missing the sun and the warmth! So I starting googling the sun(why is it when I say googling I always feel silly?) Anyway, I stumbled upon these lovely pic's while I happily googled away. ;-)

These last two are of Dylan and I, we decided on a ever so typical whim to both dye our hair the other night when Dylan had the idea we should do a mother/daughter photo shoot. With our new red hair we threw on clothes and make-up and called Dylan's cousin Sabrina to see if she would take our picture, she agreed so we hopped in the car and started chasing the light. We had such a great time and loved working with our photographer!

More pictures to come...

Be warm and be well!

Peace,
Gypsy Lov'n

No Grey Areas

2011-11-09T12:21:00.001-08:00

No Grey Areas by janitamae21 featuring Haberdash House brooches

the light of the eye -By Dylan Page

2011-11-04T11:50:00.001-07:00

the light of the eye by janitamae21 on polyvore.com

Lips

2011-11-03T11:49:00.000-07:00

Lips that form sweet sounds and passionate kisses...

Amazing Regina Spektor singing Blue Lips

LIPS
~o~
Warm lips that form a perfect cupid's bow,
that hold the morning sun within their smile.
Lips whispering to me in darkness low
and linger on my cheek the briefest while.
~o~
Pale lips that bring forth words from heav'n and hell,
that fills my heart with joys and with pains,
that takes me to the clouds where angels dwell
and curl around my heart like iron chains.
~o~
Cold lips from which the words of anger float,
then quiver with the thought of what they said.
Those cold harsh words that formed within your throat,
cold words once spoken can not be unsaid.
~o~
Hot lips that drip with passion of the night,
that begs for usage in the darkened room ,
that whisper to me ere the moon takes flight
and offer me their sweetness to consume.
~o~
Red lips like petals of the passion flower,
that part to breathe the honeyed breath of love.
Those lips that my lips gladly would devour,
whose honey I would taste again thereof.
~o~
Sweet lips that greet me with a loving smile.
Lips brushing mine with gentle sweet caress.
Those lips that frame the brilliance of your smile.
Those lips that to me ever more impress.
~o~

Sartor

Here is the link from where I borrowed this beautiful poem: http://jpicforum.info/forum/emotional-romantic/lips-2412.html

Nothing is original...

2011-10-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

The law of production...

2011-10-18T21:51:00.000-07:00

THE LAW OF PRODUCTION - BY David Wolfe

The Law of our Fate

We choose our Wealth

Love brings Love

And Wealth brings Wealth

Like produces like, an effect resembles its cause.

Things produce after their kind,

Its one of the basic laws.

A smile brings a smile,

Peace brings peace;

and never will

this spiral cease.

As you sow,

So shall you reap,

Carefully choose

which seeds you keep.

Abundant seeds

In the soil spread.

Fertile plants

will grow when fed.

Things do follow

After their type.

You'll reap your crop

When the time is ripe.

For a future is found

In every seed.

Its "Cause and Effect"

..... with godspeed.

The Law of Production

The Subtleness of mind;

Success breeds success;

Each creates its kind.

http://www.ringingcedarsrevolution.com This was found here =)

Music is Life-Dylan

2011-08-31T20:28:00.001-07:00

Music is Life by janitamae21 on Polyvore.com

Beyond -Megan Page

2011-08-31T08:21:00.001-07:00

Beyond -Megan Page by gypsylovn on Polyvore.com