Monarch Sanctuary

Last month we visited the Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary in Pacific Grove. The little garden is quite a special place, and its neat to learn about all of the special characteristics about the Monterey Peninsula that bring over 10,000 monarchs to the area, like a mild temperature that is neither too cold (freezing temps kill them) or too warm (the warmer the weather the harder they have to work to fly), and an abundance of eucalyptus trees that bloom in the winter, providing them with a food source. All monarchs west of the Rockies come to various locations on the California coast in the winter, but Pacific Grove is one of the largest overwintering sites. Its really quite neat!

At first glance it might not seem like there's much to see at this park, but if you look closely you'll see hundreds of butterflies nesting in the trees, and almost routinely, they'll come together and sweep and swirl overhead. Magical, I tell ya.

We had a great time visiting a special locale on the Monterey peninsula and watching Curran enjoy all of the beautiful monarchs----

The Blue Piano

Its been jussssssst about a year since we did this project, and we're not even in the same house (or state, for that matter) anymore, but I've been meaning to share it this whole time because I just love it to pieces---what's not to love about a bright, happy, colorful piano?

So. This right here, is our piano. We found the listing and accompanying photo on Craigslist the week we moved in to our Washington home. I don't play and Joey hasn't in a long time, but we want our kids to have the option later down the road, and you can't beat a free piano--seriously! FREE! I was so nervous it was going to arrive with no keys or something. But as far as the actual piano part goes, it was in great shape; she just needed a little makeover.

We used this chalk paint tutorial, and I can truly say it went on like a dream. I definitely recommend it if you're going to refinish furniture, especially with minimal-to-no sanding.

The gold accents were actually an afterthought to the initial all over blue. I was nervous it would be a little too liberace for our suburban home, but I'm so glad we went with it. It really finished the piece, and even just last night Joey and I were sitting on the couch talking about how much we love it and can't believe we almost left it plain.

I reupholstered the bench as well with some funky tone on tone zebra twill I snagged in the clearance section and like the gold paint, is one of my favorite details too. 

Curran's quite a bit older now but his love for tickling those ivories hasn't changed a bit, except that now he can lift the cover all by himself and play away whenever he is so moved. Hopefully that interest will stick around as he gets older! 

So there you have it, folks. Our floors have changed and the top is styled differently, but our piano is as cheerful as ever. A year later and we are as in love with it as you can be with furniture. If your home needs an oversize dose of happiness and joy, I wholeheartedly recommend a colorful piano for you too.

Curran is 18 Months!

Our little love bug is a year and a half old today! 

Its truly mind boggling how fast the last 18 months have gone, and how much Curran has grown. This time last year he was just a little shrimp with big round cheeks that scooted around the floor on his bum. Now he's 20lbs of joy, strong-will, love, and silliness. He runs and climbs and chats up a storm. He is so mischievous sometimes but he's also so loving and happy. He never fails to make us laugh---I can't get over some of the ridiculous things he does that just kill us, like his squinty French Stewart impression or attacking us with dozens of kisses. He loves cooking and as soon as we start working in the kitchen he pushes up a chair to the other side of the bar so he can watch and stir with his own little spatula and bowl. We're really excited to see how his interests and gifts develop as he grows older. His personality is already so full! And life with our little hurri-curran is only getting better and more wonderful. 

18 Month old Curran sure is on the move a lot, but I did get a couple photos that pretty much sum up our bright, happy, loving boy. 

[Curran gives us the BEST smiles. Can't live without them]

[He hung around for a couple minutes in exchange for the lens cap]

[This kid has a funny awkward smile that he does sometimes (usually when people are trying to get him to do something) and it just cracks us up]

[That hair. It grows way faster than I can keep up with it but boy, I love it]

[We are in the full toddler tantrum phase! He is one strong-willed kid which might be great later, but for now it leads to many meltdowns a day. This one started because I wouldn't let him put the lens cap on the camera. This is the life!]

Curran, my love bug, you are so awesome. Life is crazy with you sometimes, but we wouldn't imagine it any other way. We're so glad we get to see your cheesy, beautiful smile every day!

Halloween 2015.

Happy halloween from the Mad Hatter, Alice, and the White Rabbit!

We've got some not-so-crisp photos going' on here but I don't care because I don't stand a chance against Curran's grins. 

We're keeping that hat forever because I'm not ever making another one.

A little part of me wishes he could wear rabbit ears and a fluffy tail every day. I die. 

Now get out there and trick or treat yo' self!