I have been having a hard time finding the words to come up with a proper blog post. Instead, here is a list of things I am happy about. Feel free to list your own in the comments, I would love to know what is currently bringing others joy.

* Growing vegetables. Everything is still months away from harvesting, but the little green sprouts poking out of the ground make me so excited.

* Getting organized. Okay, this is something that I think will always be ‘in the works’ with me, but today I spent a good chunk of time organizing my embroidery floss. Not only does it look pretty, but I am much more likely to do something creative when I can find the color I am looking for.

* Spring time. Technically over a month away still, but it feels as if it has begun here in Southern California. I can’t wait for warmer weather and days spent outside!

* Cooking. Thanks to some wonderful cookbooks from the library I have re-sparked my love for cooking. I had gotten into quite a food rut, but have recently tried extra hard to step outside my comfort zone and make things I wouldn’t normally make. I feel like my cooking and imagination when it comes to food has greatly improved.

* My family. Obviously. They are pretty much the most amazing things ever.

Lucy started walking last week. As if that weren’t exciting enough, today she started cleaning. What a sweet girl.

The title says it all. I think I have had some pretty good thrift luck lately.

It’s funny, each stage of development in Lucy has caused exactly the same reaction in me: absolute terror. It starts out nicely enough, but as the days go on I become increasingly worried that I am not doing enough as a parent, until ultimately I feel like I need to Google the cause of concern, only to realize my worry in the matter was absolutely absurd.

I go through the same sequence of thoughts:

“wow, omg, omg, grab the camera, I can’t believe she is about to ______”

“she looks cute, but shouldn’t she be doing it this way?”

“oh my god, I am the worst parent ever, I can’t even teach my own child to ______ the right way”

I am finally realizing that I just need to get over it, and get used to these feelings. For some reason I got it into my head that there is a right and wrong way of doing things. I then realized it was silly to feel that way, and I should ignore those feelings. Then I realized that I was originally right, there is a right and a wrong way of doing things–for me and my baby. I forget that while other people have experience with there own babies, they don’t have experience with mine. I can listen to others advice and try to apply it to my situation, but ultimately I have to listen to what my gut tells me.

This parenting thing is hard.

PS. Thanks for the votes! I am not usually comfortable asking for votes on something like that, but I have met so many amazing people through the site and would love the opportunity to meet some more.

Hey friends! Mind hopping over to top baby blogs and giving me a little vote? They just reset the counters, and I want in on the fun!

We spent the weekend building vegetable beds. The larger bed is 12′x4′ , and the smaller bed which will rest against the wall (as you can sort of see in the picture) is 10′x2′. I am building a trellis against the wall for vining plants, tomatoes in the Summer and shelling peas for the Winter.

When I say we I mostly mean Russ. I tied Lucy onto my back (for the first time, she has only been worn on the front!), and did a little digging.  Lucy loved being outdoors and ‘helping’ us work but the extra weight made it hot and difficult to work for long. Russ tilled the yard and built the boxes. I entertained and fed the baby and kept a steady flow of beers coming from the fridge.

And then it was Monday again. Weekends never seem to last long enough.

Umm….hey there.

I have been feeling terribly uninspired when it comes to blogging, though I promise to change that soon. I miss my blogging friends.

I have been reading a ton. I have finished nine books this month alone. NINE. I think that is more than I read all of last year. (By the way, is anyone else on Good Reads?)

Lucy is growing so, so quickly. She will be nine months next week. How did this happen? Nine months is almost a year. My little newborn is almost a toddler. She is just days away from walking, has seven teeth (number seven poked through last night), says mama, dada, key (kitty), and knows many other words. She loves reading, chasing cats, bananas, and exploring. She has a ton of energy and some days I struggle to keep up with her.

Things are good.

One of the most exciting things about our new condo is that we have outdoor space. It really isn’t much (really, it is only 18×11 feet of earth), but it is enough to grow some veggies. Last week I picked out and ordered a bunch of heirloom seeds from Seed Savers Exchange; broccoli, cauliflower, leeks, onions, shelling peas, spinach, kale and beets. I already have some carrot seeds which I am going to plant as well.

Next weekend we are going to build a huge raised vegetable bed, so I can get these cool weather veggies in the ground and growing.

Have you all seen this yet? I can’t wait.

(animals that Lucy received for Christmas)

I have been laying a bit low from the computer lately. To be perfectly honest, this is the first time I have turned on my computer since the New Year. I may have been on sooner, but I bought a Kindle last week with my Christmas money and have been reading for days. I started and finished the Hunger Games series, which I absolutely adored. I would love to hear what you are reading, or read (and loved) recently. I really need some suggestions.

Up until the New Year I was thinking about whether or not to make New Years resolutions. Last year was the first year I have made them, and honestly, it was kind of pointless. I am always trying to improve my life for the better, why make resolutions specifically for the New Year? So, I didn’t make any. I do have plans though, I want to spend even more time loving and laughing with my family, maybe whip out a few paintings, read lots of books, cook more, etc, etc. I wouldn’t call those resolutions though, they have been on my to-do list forever.

Happy New Year to you!