Bella Wish

August Break ~ Day 31

Jimmy is currently serving as Juror #2 and this morning we found ourselves with a couple hours to spend in Bunker Hill downtown as a family.

It was a beautiful breezy morning playing with Isabella and watching her soak in the excitement and energy of downtown, enjoying sandwiches from this oh-so-yummy place and thanking the sleeping faeries for sprinkling their magic pixie dust on a slumbering Mia.  She slept the entire morning snuggled soundly and peacefully against me in her carrier so I could indulge in a bit of iPhone Hipstamatic play.

For me, today was the perfect way to end August Break. I was in a place internally where I am at my most happiest. I was circled by water, earth, architecture and the three loves of my life. I find art and inspiration in lines and curves, made by nature or made by hand. I see art in the angle of hard edged building as it stands proudly against the softness of white clouds, in a lineup of bright yellow taxi's or in a tiny gray pebble as it's reflected in the stillness of water.

It is in these moments where I am truly connected with peace. It doesn't have to be a certain or ideal location, but rather just waking up to what is in front of me. I am realizing that capturing these views in tiny squares as a way to invite the world into what I see is what heals me.

Thank you, Susannah for putting such a fun community project together. Throughout this month, I was feeling like my photos were a bit monotonous since it's not easy for me to be as spontaneous with my camera these days or venture out on many photo walks.

But today reminded me once again how important, not to mention beyond fun, it is to live like a tourist in your own town. I am always driven and inspired to continue to capture the tiny views of my life whenever possible.

For more of my Hipstamatic LA shots you can view my Flickr page. I will eventually have all my Hipstamatic Life List photos here.

August Break ~ Day 30

Jimmy has been playing guitar for Isabella, and now Mia too, ever since she was in my womb. Sometimes at night when I am working from home I am soothed hearing them sing and strum in another room.

Now she has reached the point where she is no longer content to have Jimmy play for her, she wants to learn. Yesterday they wrote a song together. I took some photos as they played it for me... something about pasta. It was sweet.

Jimmy recorded a video of her playing after this photo was taken. If I can figure out how to upload it, I will. It's pretty funny. And by pretty funny I mean pretty awesome.

The girl has got some mad skills.

twenty one weeks

explorer

click photo for larger image

Yesterday morning while enjoying a warm summer breeze our deck became a savanna where we embarked on our safari.

The handle off a broken paint roller was transformed into a monocular in which to explore our terrain,

and Isabella navigated us through the tall grass to fantastical faraway adventures on the distant horizon.

August Break ~ Day 26

Mommy needs a nap so Jimmy and Isabella take over August Break today after some night time fun with the computer camera.

Vegan Wednesday ~ Hummus with two snaps and a twist

I love starter dishes. They are my favorite part of any meal and are usually more interesting to me than an entree with side dishes. On the rare occassions when we go out to eat, Jimmy and I will often just order a variety of different starters and share everything. It's my favorite way to eat.

Who doesn't love finger foods? They are fun, usually easy to throw together, allow me to eat while holding a baby and oftentimes are exactly what is needed at the end of a long day, glass of wine already in hand.

Whenever I think of the film Mermaids, I think of that line Charlotte Flax says near the beginning: A word about Mrs. Flax and food: the word is "hors d'oeurves." Fun Finger Foods is her main source book and it's all the woman cooks.

I laugh everytime I think of Cher's character in that movie when it comes to feeding her family. I often wonder if that will end up being me when my girls are older and I am still serving them fun finger foods for us all to share.

So while this dip isn't a meal at all, or even that interesting of a starter to be honest, I will somewhat embarassingly admit that I would eat this dolloped on toasted crostini, perhaps even crowned with a pine nut or two if I had any, arranged on a fun platter along with whatever raw veggies might be around and happily call it dinner for myself.

There are dozens of starter dishes I love and make. The reason I am sharing this particular dip is simply because I needed to use what I had already here and I wanted something easy and quick. I was thinking initially that I wanted to use white beans as I usually make a similar dip using cannelini beans and parsley, but since I had neither one of those ingredients on hand, but rather some lovely micro-greens and a can of chick peas, this essentially became a hummus with a bit of a kick.

I love how greens make me feel so I am always looking for new ways to get them into my body. The key here is to really kick up the garlic and lemon juice otherwise the greens will make this dip too bitter.  I'm not usually drawn to spicy foods, but when I was tasting the hummus it needed something and the tabasco sauce was definitely it. Its job is more about rounding out the flavors rather than turning up the heat.

As an added bonus, this is a great way to serve a bit of greens to those who normally shy away from them.

Hummus with two snaps and a twist
1 can garbanzo beans, partially drained
2 cloves garlic
2 Tablespoons tahini
juice from one lemon
a few shakes of Tabasco sauce
a healthy handul of micro greens
1-2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt to taste

Place all ingredients except for olive oil into a food processor. Turn on processor and drizzle olive oil through the top until and continue to process until pureed. Taste and adjust flavors to your liking. I usually drizzle more olive oil on top because I like it that way, but it's certainly optional.

Serve with toasted baguette that has been rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkling of oregano, toasted pita chips or whatever raw veggies you have on hand.

home

I am deep in the process of redefining the space in our home. I woke up this morning to discover part of our newly created living space was claimed for another who is also seeking to redefine their home.

Looks like we have a new roommate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

... on a somewhat related note, I am honored to have a guest post up at the beautiful Gypsy Girls Guide today. It appears that my first draft was posted rather than the final version so please forgive all the typos that appear.

twenty weeks

The world in daddy's arms...

my current view

She said

kirsten

"I carry you with me into the world
into the smell of rain
& the words that dance between people
& for me, it will always be this way
walking in the light, remembering being alive together."

~Story People~