Happy Birthday Lisa.

I think of you today as you run a half marathon through the wineries in Sebastopol. And again tonight, as you transform into Lady Gaga (pokah face). thanks for always keeping life interesting. i love you sistah.
Photo taken by dad circa 1978 at an Irvine pumpkin patch. 

five- oh!

My middle school turned fifty this year. What better way to celebrate than a 50's inspired party. Booths, food, games, music, and lots of proud alumni joined in the fun. I locked up teachers and students in the "jail house rock". A fun night for all...and who doesn't love an excuse to get dressed up?

red alert.

Red Ribbon Week.

Dear Mr. Beckham,

       I'm not sure if you saw me last night.  I was sitting in section 237.  You see, my son is a big fan of yours.  Last night was a really big deal to him, coming to your Galaxy game and all.  So there are a few things I have thought about that I would like to share with you that could have made our experience at the Home Depot Center that much better...

     First of all, it would have been okay if you would have let the security at the front gate know that I was coming with a zoom lense in my purse.  You could have told them to let me in with it, so that they would not have measured it at the gate and made a big scene.  Then they might not have made me take it all the way back to the car.  You could have let them know that I was harmless and not paparrazzi.  That I just wanted to take good pictures of my son as he walked in the Parade of Champions down on the field.  That is all I wanted to do.  You could have told them that for me.



      Secondly, lets talk about that Parade of Champions for a minute.  There sure were alot of "champions" in that parade.  We really thought it was going to be a more personal experience. 

      It would have been okay if you could have ran over to that soccer team, you know the one,  in the green and black stripes, and gave them each a high-five.  That would have made their day/ year/ perhaps life, even.  Especially number 7 on that team, he would have been over the moon!



      The next item I would like to talk to you about, Mr. Beckham, is the prices of your jerseys.  Fifty four dollars is a lofty amount for a nine year old boy to pay to adourn your number on their back, don't you think?  I can think of a lot of things that cost that amount of money, but $54...really?  It that necessary?



     And speaking of jerseys, it would have been okay if yours got caught on something, causing it to tear.  Additionally, it would not have hurt anyone's feelings if you had to then take said jersey off and change it. 

On the field. 

In front of the crowd. 

No problem at all. 

     And lastly, Mr. Beckham, it would have been the topper to my night if this cardboard cut out of you that I posed with, would have magically come to life when it was my turn to take a picture.  You could have turned to me at that moment and said, "Thanks for bringing Hunter to the game, Sara".  It would have been okay.

     Congratulations on your win over San Jose, Mr. Beckham.  I like your new beard.  Thank you for taking my suggestions in to consideration.

Sincerely,

Sara
(Hunter's Mom)

saturday morning.

It may seem like alot.  The week nights are always so busy.  There is rarely time for pick up or cleaning.  I used to bark orders at the kids.  Listen to them whine and complain and sometimes even cry.  Now I just hang them up.  The lists that is.  Every Saturday morning they are taped up in the hallway.  Once a chore has been finished it gets crossed off.  As soon as the list is done, you are done...that's the system. 

Loud music helps.  Chocolate chip muffins for breakfast help.  I think they like being their own bosses.  Whatever it is, it works around here. 

not an amateur.

amateur: defined as taking part in activity for pleasure; not a job. 

Davin is no longer in this category, as I had to bribe him with $1 to lay down in our over-grown backyard so that I could experiment with a borrowed lense and these wishful dandelions.  I can't blame him. 

I am begging Dusan not to mow for a few more days.  These "weeds" are begging to have their picture taken.

garrett davis.

smells like fall.

Nature's Wick Candles. Located at Target on the end cap near the candles. $12.99 for the smallest ones. Pumpkin Cheesecake burns in my entryway as I type. The wood wick makes a "wood crackling in the fire place" kind of sound. These candles are more than a scent. They are an experience. Pick one up for yourself. Pick one up for a special teacher or friend. Ambiance with a capital "A".

coveting.

Found here.  and oh-so-out of my price range. but i can drool, i mean dream.

carving.

guts.



roasting.

lighting.

How i love our Sundays.

toasted pumpkin seeds, my way:
clean seeds.

a little oil- olive or vegetable
a lot of soy sauce
a lot of garlic salt

350 degrees for 20 minutes.
Warning: the house will smell divine.

picking.

Cal Poly Pomona Annual Pumpkin Patch.  One weekend only.  5 pumpkins for $20.  Can't beat it.  a gazillion choices.  short stem.  long stem.  no stem.  orange ones.   pink ones.  white ones.   everyone picked the exact one they wanted.  we headed home with a very heavy wagon in tow.