I love her belly.

when she first told me she and tony were expecting I was, of course, thrilled and full of warm excitement for them but my second thought (which, is often the case) was, what is she going to look like when she's 8 months pregnant?! it's always difficult for me to picture people I know pregnant, but once the time comes it always just seems to fit. well....she's 'there' and she couldn't look more beautiful. just stunning actually. the shower was great and amber was full of smiles, which, made me very very happy. I'm full of fun anticipation to meet their little one when he arrives.

interesting state of denial.

I am desperately trying to convince myself that it is, in fact, not snowing but that the air is filled with millions of little white flower petals blowing all around. so many of them that they're actually shading us from the sun. I guess I need to get with it and just come to terms with the fact that it is freeeezzing outside and that today is not a day that I will get to wear sandals, sunglasses and fun light cottony clothes. it's time for me to embrace this unusual experience of snow in march here in portland...it is beautiful after all.

even so, I can't help to close my eyes and think about my dear dear friends over in maui. candis and joe, from chicago, are over visiting candis' parents (who, we adore) and they are doing all sorts of fun sunny warm things. I guarantee they are wearing sandals, sunglasses and light cottony clothes. I'm almost tempted to call on the magic carpet again, BUT, I won't. I'm co-hostessing a baby shower for another dear friend of mine, amber, and I'm very excited about a few of the little activities we've put together, which, I'll photograph and share here probably tomorrow.

magic carpet take me away...

...to the land of pastels, incredible architecture, big fabulous sunglasses and wild humidity hair.

elements of therapy.

it is always challenging for us to come back down to earth after a long stretch of craziness, as evidenced by this week-end. I find that we're both a little more irritable, detached and self focused. however, I did manage to find myself in some simple practices of therapy, which, have helped me through the week-end, so I'll share:

1. pulled together a few blog entries, here and here.

2. made it to two of my favorite yoga classes down at yp yesterday and today. I practice under the same instructor on both days, which, I love and I find that she makes an effort to connect the two classes and she always has a certain element of focus. this week-end's classes were all about grounding through your feet...couldn't have been more perfect.

3. took some pics.

4. enjoyed finding the space between my thoughts during pre-yoga meditation.

5. prepared dinner for greg and I. burgers with all the fixins and sweet potato fries on the side. simple and tasty. I know this may sound ordinary, however, if you know greg you know that I don't do the cooking. I think cooking is his #1 passion so it is not often that he isn't in the mood to take charge in the kitchen. I saw a little window of opportunity and took it.

6. pulled together some fun little vases and arranged a lovely bunch of flowers that I picked up at the market.

7. oh, lastly, one word: coffee.

happy easter!

for me, easter has always been one of those holidays that I didn't quite understand the religious meaning (I was raised in a free spirited environment). however, what it did mean to me was family, friendship, food (I grew up in an italian family so EVERY gathering involved food...really, really, good food), togetherness, wildflowers, and being outside (weather is wonderful this time of year in northern california). all of these elements brought a sense of peace, clarity and warmth. we would always get together with my cousins, aunts and uncles, great aunt and uncle and when I was really young, grandparents and great grandmother rosie, who we all called nonie. nonie moved to northern california from northern italy when she was a young girl and I was so fortunate to know her for the first 12 or so years of my life. she met my great grandpa larenzo (pop), who, was also from northern italy, and the rest is well, history, present and future. nonie was a devout catholic, which, is probably why we gathered for easter. she was amazing in the kitchen and was very proud of her home country and her family. I will never forget the smell of rosemary and garlic in her home and I will never forget her beautiful accent nor her strong hugs and big kisses.

so, this day, I am sending wishes of family, friendship, togetherness, comforting food, peace, clarity and warmth. oh...and strong hugs, big kisses and lovely wildflowers. xxo.

and I'm off...

to take on saturday. if I only had a very cool looking bike with a basket full of neatly organized goodies to ride around and park places and show off. we'll leave that for a summer day. I have the bike, just need to get the basket. anyway, today is going to involve a few great cups of coffee, some serious yoga practice, sunshine, good food, a little picture taking, flower arranging, and lastly sitting down to revisit the list.

spring is here...well, kind of.

the first day of spring brings us blustery wet rain here in portland...er...spring showers we'll call them. nonetheless, spring arrived around 10:45 last night and I know all of it's goodness is soon to follow! some of my favorite pieces of spring in portland, other than bringing me one step closer to the sweet sunshiny warmth of summer, are the blossoming dogwood trees and the daffodils. I just love them and these thoughts of sunshine, woodsy tree blossoms and bright yellow bouquets of goodness bring a smile to my face. growing up in northern california, spring meant warm sunshine and lots and lots of wildflowers. my cousins and I would make the sweetest little bouquets.

anyway, the arrival of spring has me craving warm evenings, grilled food, cold beer, painted toes, sun tan lotion, sun hats, linen, flip flops (slippers for my hawaiian friends), margaritas, chips and salsa, windows open to catch the breeze, wine tasting, blue skies, ripe tomatoes, all sorts of delicious fruit, oh, I can go on and on and on but I think you get the point...I've got summer on the brain.

happy bokeh wednesday!

I almost forgot, happy bokeh wednesday!

missing my little blog.

I've neglected the blog for nearly a MONTH, but for good reason, I've been BUSY with travel, work, life and family so it's been good.

I've been taking pictures though so I can share what I've been up to:

1. had a great visit with my dad and libby and took him to the aviation museum for his 58th birthday.

2. fell in love with miami and the keys for a short long week-end and can't wait to go back...

3. finished reading this excellent book.

4. drove down to southern oregon to hang out in ashland and to attend my cousin jodie's baby shower.

Now, I'm just looking forward to some of the old, hanging out with greg, getting back into my blog so that words and thoughts flow like wine, revisiting my list (with all of this busyness I've neglected it a bit as well), looking forward to spring and maybe swing by the photo booth to participate in miss hula's recent challenge.

Lastly...I have to send a big congratulations to my new and lovely friend. she and her husband have recently shared with the world that they are expecting their first child. yaaay!