Pictures Of Things + Le Love List

February 28th, 2016 - filed under: Furthermore » Feedback

Ice Queens (photo by Clovis IV)

YOU GUYSSSSSS!!! How long has it been since we’ve done one of these?? Too long, I say. Wow. SO long.

Life has been crazy, nonstop, overflowing, filled to capacity and then some. I think about this blog, and all of you out there, every single day. I really do. I have been working on this one post, bit by little bit, for literally weeks. Weeks! Between parenting and graduate school and teaching and the shop and the wine bar and all this other madness that life keeps throwing at me, it’s taken me that long to get this next post out. But here it is!

And I’ve missed you all. Here are some pictures of some of the silly things that have been keeping us happy lately. I wish I could see all of your pictures as well. Actually, maybe I can! Leave your Instagram handle in the comments and I’ll find you there, and maybe everyone else will, too. I would love to connect our community together that way!

As for me? Okay, here’s what life has looked like this winter:

At the end of a looooong day in November, after both of us working all day and then both of us working the Wine Bar all night, we finally got home a few minutes before midnight — with just enough time left to open a bottle of bubbles, to celebrate the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of our first small business together, Still. ♥

These two creatures are a constant source of joy. I basically just want to be cuddling a purring kitten, all day, every day.

Well geeze, I like you a latte too, kid.

Look up!

Our whole family together on Christmas morning. ♥ ♥ ♥

A sage smudge for cleansing our space on New Year’s Day.

And our annual New Year’s Day hike in Ojai. With much light saber battling involved, this year.

Juice fun for the whole family.

In mid-January, 15 friends invaded the Montana snowscape for a 5-day bachelor/bachelorette extravaganza. It was epic and amazing and so, so needed. And that ^^ picture up there? Perhaps not my greatest decision-making moment . . . that is me running across a frozen (hopefully frozen) river. Hey, the spirit of adventure was upon us! (photo by Clovis IV)

Exploring the icy tundra. (photo by Clovis IV)

And skiing! My first time skiing in literally 20 years (!!!), but luckily it’s just like riding a bike.

And of course, outdoor hot tub means the requisite snow bikini pic.

Back in Santa Barbara, we finally moved to a new house (finally!), and one afternoon Waits and I spent a few hours exploring our new neighborhood . . . and Urban Foraging of course. This was some deeeelicious lavender lemonade that we made from foraged fruits and flowers. ♥

Nothing like a luxurious dip in the Japanese soaking tub.

Going to court is NEVER enjoyable, but playing dress-up like as if I was a real grownup or something? Pretty fun. (Jeremy was like “Um you look good but EW WEIRD it’s so not you take it off!” haha). I get it – it definitely felt like a costume. I can’t believe people dress like that every day!

And we’ll finish off with these two, because I mean jeepers. My heart.

~~~

And now, it’s time for the one, the only, I-missed-it-so-much-and-I’m-so-glad-to-have-it-back, Le Love List!

Our new house!!! Hardwood floors and lots of light and more space and an adorable new neighborhood. We’re still half living out of boxes, but it’s all coming together and there’s so much more potential. It feels like a fresh start. ♥ // Teaching labs to intro bio students. // Ginger (especially fresh ginger in hot tea). // “Leftover salads“. // Ordering seeds and starts for the coming spring. YOU GUYS I GOT A PINEAPPLE PLANT! // Adulting like a boss. // This winter I’ve been completely obsessed with Tom Kha soup. O.b.s.e.s.s.e.d. // Late night conversations with Jeremy about the kind of parents we want to be and the kind of parenting we want to practice. Troubleshooting together. Holding each other accountable. Learning from one another and making our family stronger. // Prioritizing play. // Learning about native plants and planning how to incorporate them into my new garden. Gardening in a new space is so exciting!!! // Centering myself around my values. Without religion, without spirituality, without external forces to guide me, I’ve been thinking about the principles that I hold most dear. What are the pillars of my belief system? What will I teach my child above all else? What will people remember about me after I die? Integrity. Authenticity. Empathy. These are the my most cherished principals. ♥

~~~

Alright guys, now it’s your turn! I would so love love LOVE it if you would leave your own Le Love Lists in the comments below. I’ve missed hearing from all of you and I sure would love to catch up!

And as always, I hope you have a wonderful week ahead!

♥

lysette

It has been a long time, however understandable given you are wearing more hats at one time than I probably will in my life time! ;) That light sabre battle in Ojia is epic as is the Japanese soaking tub, so many good things to fill the days with. I also just saw an article about pineapple leaves being used as a leather substitute, maybe another experiment when your plant grows strong.

My love list can be summed up by a heart felt note written in red sharpie left by a cousin I hadn’t seen for a long time thanking me for making dinner the night they visited. Just a simple chickpea soup, kale salad and bread with cashew spread. Then curling up in my brothers arm chair listening to records -John Carpenters Lost Themes & Witchcross. The perfect kind of night xo Insta – lysvarg
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Found you on Instagram! And that Love List sounds completely perfect – both the dinner and the thank-you. Thanks so much for sharing. ♥
http://thegreenpenn.blogspot.com LIndsey at TheGreenPenn

So happy to see you back on the blog. With everything you’ve had going on, I can see why it’s been a while. You are a Wonder Woman, for certain. The Love List is always a favorite… a little reminder to stop and appreciate the small things. I can’t wait to see what you do with the new house and garden. And Waits is growing into such a handsome young man, full of personality, and sweetness just oozes from him.
My love list seems to have a theme: getting back MY life, the individuality that I seemed to have lost when I became “mom”. I’ve spent three years living every moment for the life of another, and lost myself a bit along the way. I think entering yoga teacher training and spending those two weekends per month on my own have been a game-changer. I’m spending quality time with other amazing women (and a couple of pretty neat guys) who share my mystical, wonderous love for the earth and all those beings on it. I’ve reconnected with an old friend who I’d put on the back-burner, and we’re making a point to spend time together every wee, laughing until our bellies hurt. I’ve finally reconnected with who I am, and I feel it’s made me a better, stronger woman, mother, and wife. It’s been the hardest six months of my life, but in one month, I’ll be finishing classes and on my way to building the career I’ve dreamed of. You can probably take some credit for that… inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone and go for it! And I thank you for that.
On Instagram, I think you’re already following me, but its “TheGreenPenn”. Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon.
Robyn Groves

your encouragement lead me down a path of finding joy in the little things. because of that, i have a list!

finally feeling better after years of battling with a consistently upset tummy (so.many.avocados.) / knowing every moment is another chance to breathe a little deeper / learning about the miracle that is my body and how it moves, restoring myself through movement / being in the kitchen more and knowing my people can feel the love i put into their food as i’m making it / my rumbleberrypurrbucket of a giant cat / finding a new, welcoming home space / discovering how gadsdang delicious pecans are / creating a jungle of plants on our deck is so, SO refreshing–green everywhere.

i freakin’ miss you. wine. soon?
Bianca

Lavender lemonade! Snow bikini pics! Frozen rivers! This post is full of awesomeness! Happy one-year business-aversary!

Here’s my list – finding more time to binge-watch shows on Netflix/ mandalas/ crystals/ hula-hooping/ Ben & Jerry’s new vegan ice cream/ Leap Day!
Rebecca Carnes

Yay! I was so happy to see a new blog here:) The snow in Montana looks soooo beautiful and fun! Of course love the light saber hike pic too.
Your kitten pictures make me miss my Kitty Miley!! So my Love list is dedicated to him:) My sister very graciously has watched over him for the last 4 years ( I couldn’t keep him when I was pregnant). They recently moved back from AZ & watching Phoenyx cuddle and love on him made me soooo very happy! I love watching his gentle nature around animals <3
Amanda

So great to see you again! I’m @shessomickey <3
Shawnna

I’m on Instagram as Oakparkveggie

So glad to see a post from you, congrats on the new place and your 1 year in business! I’m loving snow days with my 2 kids, walks in the snowy woods with my teen, yoga, and lemon ginger home brewed kombucha ❤️
VeggieNextDoor

My parents live in Florida and every time they buy a whole pineapple from the grocery store, they cut the top off and plant it in the ground. It takes three years to make a fruit but they have at least a dozen planted in various stages so we get a few each year!

And my Instagram handle is @veggienextdoor :-)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

OMG that’s amazing. I don’t know how pineapple will grow in SoCal, but I am crossing my fingers. Florida is so incredible for growing fruit!!

Followed you!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Awesome, followed you on Insta! Thank you for the congrats, and yay for your snow days! I love SoCal but I really do miss that snowy, for-reals really-real winter. There’s nothing else like it, especially for the kiddos. Enjoy it! ;-D
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Followed! Yay!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Yay, hi Becca! I’ve been following you and P on Insta but it’s great to hear from you here as well. Love the Love List and I know just what you mean — it’s so dang sweet to see those little boys loving on their animals. And I’m so happy to hear that you have your kitty baby close to you again. Yay!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Great to hear from you here, Bianca! And thank you for leaving your Love List. Hey – I follow you on Facebook, but are you on IG? It’s my fave social platform and I would love to follow you there! ♥
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

oooooh I miss you too! Seriously we are due for wine and long sunny afternoons and meandering conversations and did I mention wine? We are on for an afternoon in March, right? I’m really looking forward to that. ♥

Also looking forward to meeting your beast of a cat someday! =D
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Oh Lindsey I love this comment! And I have loved following your journey on Insta. I know you backed off your blog a few months ago and I totally understand that, you have so much going on! I relate and resonate SO much with what you have written here about regaining some of your independence. I remember when Waits was that age, and that is right where I was at back then. It’s bittersweet, but really quite sweet. Returning to ourselves as stronger women — mother women with all that mother wisdom — well, I found it to be incredibly powerful. It sounds like you are in a similar place and I am SO happy for you! ♥ ♥ ♥
Gem Wilder

New Years?! Has it really been that long since we’ve heard from you? Amazing photos, amazing adventures.
My Love List ~ Lovely next door neighbours who deliver treats to our door ~ Working with inspiring, clever, funny, wonderful women ~ Pub Quizzes ~ The endless incredible summer here in Wellington ~ Creative collaborations with talented artists ~ Having a supportive family nearby who are happy to take care of my grizzly 4yo daughter for a day when she’s sick & my partner and I need to work ~ Finally getting a dining table that we can sit at for family dinners ~ Seeing 150 amateurs dance a half hour choreographed routine to open the International Festival of the Arts in NZ ~
If any of you are interested in my instagram feed that is full of my life here in Wellington, you can find me at GemWilder
stephie137

I gobbled up your post and then lingered over the list to make it last :) So happy for you that life is so full!

My list: working with good people, in a career I find fascinating; even after 12 years there is still so much to learn. I don’t think I could ever get bored. The three kiddos – real good at feelings and knowing what their hearts need and being able to ask for it, even though they are so young. A great hardworking partner who is always up for some fun, and supports through actions every day. Longer days.
Robyn Groves

oh.my.goodness., YES. an afternoon in March is just what the doctor (aka me) ordered. wine and conversation and, yes, you did mention wine, but let’s do that again…WINE.

the cat is a beast, that is true…but i must meet your kittens, too!

hearts for daze–> wishing you the best day of EVAR!
Shannon Mulligan-Mayernik

YAYA! I am so happy the LeLoveList is back! I have been following you for years (and was sooo sad when you took a bit of a hiatus—but totally understand) and I love the blogs you’ve been putting up. I just caught up with them all and love them! Thank you for being so open and honest about your life. It’s not always flowers and great cups of coffee—sometimes it down right sucks…and everyone goes through it. I’m here to listen to you vent and to see the journeys you go on! I’d love to connect on IG: @mayernikkitchen! Keep bloggin’…I love it girl! xo
http://windycityvegan.wordpress.com/ Monika {windycityvegan}

Oh lady, I love your list – especially that last bit. And also – I can’t believe how big Waits is getting!

My list: planning my gardens – they have been neglected since I started law school, especially last summer when I decided to take an extra class. This year, there will be a new asparagus plot! fig trees! sooooooo much lavender! passion flowers! several new-to-me vines! (you get the idea. I’m pretty stoked.) // sharing 80s pop culture with the girl, and reciprocity on her end in the form of all that’s shiny and new and current // fresh nail polish, after a few hours’ of typing, when it just barely starts to wear from the tips of my nails, leaving the faintest white line of keratin // my Petit Vour box, and how it feeds my skin care product obsession while reigning in the previously unchecked skin care product spending // The Rational Vegan podcast // sunshine!!

My IG: @windycityvegan
http://www.one-sonic-bite.com/ Jennifer

My instagram is onerawbite

Your courthouse photo makes you look like your some sort of fashion blogger and posh as fuck. XD Funny how clothes can make people look totally different? Glad to see your photos and le love list again!
katta

I’m sayanarakat on instagram :)

Seems like you’ve had one hell of a year already x
Ashley

my name is pinegreenblue !
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Followed!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Hey I know you! ;-) But apparently I wasn’t following, so now I am! yay!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Followed you! Yes, clothes really do make a difference, eh? And OMG I’m jealous of your Ben & Jerry’s haul! I haven’t found them in SB yet . . .
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Yay for all of this! Asparagus!! (I’m planning a small plot as well!) Fig trees! (our new house has a big one in the back yard!!!) Lavender! (I dream of growing my own and making my own balms and bath salts!) And what kinds of vines??? I definitely feel the stoke. I am right there with you! Such a fun time of year. =)
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Thank you so much Shannon, and yay – just followed you!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Okay I basically just stalked your entire Instagram. Can we just be best friends already? =D
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

Awesome, thank you Stephie and thanks for leaving such a lovely Love List!
http://bonzaiaphrodite.com/ Sayward Rebhal

I know, New Years! Great to hear form you though, and yay for the love list! I can’t believe I’m not already following you on Insta — just fixed that. ;-)
http://angieeatspeace.com/ Angie

I am loooooving your bikini snow picture! Empowering!
Instagram is @angieeatspeace <3
Courtney

After reading that, I have a certain refrain from Hamilton running on a loop in my head now: “Look around! Look around at how lucky we are to be alive right now!” :)
Julie

I really appreciate the way you juxtaposed this post with the following one. It’s so raw and honest, and so true that our online personas can leave out so much of our lived experiences. Social media can be a double-edged sword, for although it can make us feel inadequate, it can also provide us with a unique form of social support. I hope it’s doing the latter for you. Thank you for your honesty!
Instagram @jgkvedar :)

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