![Untitled](<a%20href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicholechigoy/8473745188/" title="Morning full of ❤. Happy Valentines Day everyone! by nichole@livefree, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8473745188_bd188e4840_o.jpg" width="612" height="612" alt="Morning full of ❤. Happy Valentines Day everyone!"></a>)
Happy Valentine's Day to all! I'm stopping by to quickly post a smorgasbord of photos from the past week. There seems to be a Valentine(y)/February theme to them, don't you think? Love, sunshine, flowering bulbs, sweetness, cuteness, etc.
All is well in our parts despite the running lists that never seem to shorten in length and nightly 4am awakenings, due to the very indecisive house kitty (ehem), and my racing mind.
We took a trip to Houston last week to visit Byron's parents and had such a lovely time. We squeezed in a trip to visit The Natural Science Musuem and (drumroll, please) Trader Joe's. You see, several years ago, when we moved to Texas from Maryland, I went through a mourning phase for that place. I truly felt at a loss without it for a long while, even though we had the flagship Wholefoods and a plethora of other health food grocery stores. In my world, none were as worthy as Trader Joe's.
Over the years, (thankfully) I've adapted and I've grown to love certain grocery stores for certain items. I've all but whittled away my need for Trader Joe's, but it was nice to reunite, and to remember the people we were and the lives we were living when we shopped at Trader Joes in Annapolis. I stocked up on just a few items that we were needing: soap, shampoo, pistachios, and granola bars. I also splurged on a bouquet of tulips and daffodils. Oh, how I love bulbs! One day, I will see, in person, the patchwork fields of tulips blooming in the early spring. I will. I will. I will.
On the home front, the little one is as exuberant as ever. She's been really stoked about celebrating Valentine's Day with her little school friends. They are so dear together. They all get along so well and truly do love each other. It's such a treat to watch them grow together. This is a fun, fun age. Besides, her school friends, Beatrix is loving fossils (and even read the word 'fossil' today). She's growing up way too fast. She is also loving a gifted leotard and creating spontaneous afternoon dance routines in the living room. Her expressions and form are something to see y'all. For reals.
She is also rediscovering the So Many Fairies stories from Sparkle Stories. When we first subscribed last year, they were a little to deep to hold her attention. Now, she is soaking them in with a newfound peace and attention. So Many Fairies are truly such delightful stories. As is the trend when it comes to me and Sparkle Stories, I'm enjoying them just as much as she is!
Lastly, I am dreaming of more rain, green grass, damp soil, and a certain little one's 4th birthday which is quickly approaching. Lots of plans for these next few months.
Life is good.
very sweet photos. I WILL make those little hand pies. I will, I will, I will.
Posted by: amanda (sweetpotatoclaire) | February 20, 2013 at 10:11 AM
what a rosy week! I love sparkle stories, and I was disappointed that they didn't quite hold my little ones' attention so well, but I have hopes that they might feel drawn to them more as they get older... +Chelsea
Posted by: Chelsea Slaven-Davis | February 25, 2013 at 09:03 PM
I totally went through a TJ's mourning process when we moved here too! Your photos are beautiful! I need to find out what lens you have. I just got a tip from someone to get a 50mm/1.4 lens, so I'm going to check that one out. I'm a serious dslr amateur!
Posted by: amy jane | February 26, 2013 at 05:32 PM
Ohh...you got a camera! Yay! Have fun with it. I have the 50mm and I like it except that on my camera it doesn't auto focus, which can be problematic if I taking pictures of moving subjects...like Bea. I also have the zoomy zoom lens (55-200mm). Hope you are doing well. I ran into someone this weekend at a school fair that lives in your neighborhood and knows all of you....Small world! XO.
Posted by: Nichole | February 26, 2013 at 05:43 PM
Sweet photos, my dear. Love the way your home looks.
In answer to your question, the blossoms are from an ornamental plum tree. They are very popular here in Southern Cal, it seems. We've had them at this house and our last. The pink flowers are awesome, and they turn into little dark magenta leaves. Our last trees like this gave off little tart plum-like cherries, not sure what this one will do.
Posted by: ladycordelia | February 27, 2013 at 08:51 AM