Disneyland!

Last week we had to have some extensive work done on our cabinets (a long story) which meant we needed to be out of the house for the whole week. We had known about this since June, but had not totally committed to where we would go for the week. We tossed a few ideas around but for one reason or another none stuck. So on a total whim four days before we needed to be gone we booked a trip to Disneyland, breaking all of our own Disneyland rules (I swore I would never change a diaper in Disneyland).

We didn't tell Audrey until the morning we left. She was SO SURPRISED!

Needless to say we had an amazing time.

Audrey just reached the 42" mark so she was able to join the adults on the "big kid" rides. She's a brave little girl and was game to give them all a try.

Owen was fascinated by all the excitement. He spent a lot of time watching the boats and feeding the ducks.

And the flowers, oh my! Disney definitely knows how to plan and plant beautiful gardens.

I took way too many pictures of all the flowers as "research" as we plan our front and side yard landscaping.

Unfortunately we came home to a lot of unfinished work that left us "homeless" for yet another week. We are just now back in our house and trying to get the aftermath of the work cleaned up. Disneyland was a lot of fun, but it sure is nice to be home. 

Nursery Inspiration

If you've been around for awhile you know that it took me over a year to decorate Audrey's nursery, well true to form Owen's room is seriously lacking any sort of decor, and he's 15 months old. It seems like maybe it's time. I've been looking for a bit of inspiration and found these beautiful rooms.

Credit: Ten June Blog

Credit: Project Nursery

Credit: Project Nursery

Credit: Mandy Busby Creative

I love the neutral, vintage look to them all and I am obsessed with the last one from Mandy Busby Creative, she could come decorate my whole house and it would be fine by me. I still have a long way to go in Owen's room, but did get a little bit done this weekend. His walls are now sporting a beautiful gray/blue paint by Miller Paint called "Ocean's Crest".

After the first wall was done I wasn't so sure about the color, but with two coats I am in love with it. It is so light and fresh. Now to finish the rest of the room. Hopefully I'll have some "after" pictures very soon.

Almond Butter Granola

Over the years I've used several different granola recipes. They've all been good, but none have stood the test of time and I have always eventually moved on to find a different/better recipe, until now. This is hands down the best granola recipe I've ever tried and we LOVE the results. I always make a big batch and we eat through it too quickly. I even crave it when we run out.

This is a pretty no frills recipe, but I like it that way so you can add whatever suits you. Bryce enjoys it best as is with a little milk. Although Owen and my favorite way to eat it is with a little yogurt, toasted coconut and fresh fruit. And Audrey always likes to add some sort of dried fruit to hers. However you eat it though, it is delicious.

Almond Butter Granola

6 cups old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups chopped almonds
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup ground flax seed
4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
3/4 cup honey
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Spread out onto two bakings sheets. Bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, then continue to bake another 5 to 10 minutes checking and flipping often until golden. Let cool and enjoy!

Staying Cool

It's been pretty hot here lately. We've been flirting with triple digit temperatures everyday, but the kids don't seem to mind too much because it just means more swimming.

Do me a favor and just pretend these photos aren't blurry, they're courtesy of my phone.

Onions!

For the first time I tried my hand at growing onions this year. I planted them in October and overwintered them with hopes of a spring crop. I wasn't sure if they could survive the winter especially considering we had a week of frigid temperatures (lows of 0). It appears though they did more than fine. I'm quite pleased with our first crop.

I think the blossoms are just beautiful. 

After we dug them up I laid them out to dry on the counter. Now they are all cleaned and trimmed and waiting in the pantry for whenever I need one. From what I've read if they are stored properly they can last for up to a year, but I think I'll be lucky if I don't use them up by the end of the month.

The Pumpkin Patch

Audrey is the pumpkin farmer around here and she is very good at her job.

The pumpkins are growing like crazy right now. There are already several cantaloupe or bigger sized pumpkins on the vines.

She planted these by seed earlier this spring. There are actually two plants growing quite close together here, which is what you get when a three year old picks where to put the only two seeds you handed her. Thank goodness I didn't give her more than two, we would be overrun by pumpkin plants. 

And this is a volunteer from a pumpkin that rotted on the vine from her plant last year. Or quite possibly several volunteers all growing close together, I'm not sure, but it is definitely thriving.

At the rate they are all growing Halloween might just come early to our house this year.

Photo Friday: Picking Up Where I Left Off

It's been awhile. As in over a year since I posted regularly. I think I'm ready to come back, maybe. I'm ready for something, an outlet if you will. So I'll start here and see how it goes.

I can think of no better way to start back than to introduce Owen; our super cute, super happy, 7 month old (as of today) little boy. We couldn't be more in love with him.

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend, and who knows maybe I'll even be back next week.