Snapshot #1100: Embryo Transfer

July 18, 2014.  San Ramon, California.  Oh, hey, look what we did today.  Fingers crossed. 

Snapshot #1099: House Hunting

July 17, 2014.  Camas, Washington.  Sunday night I decided I wanted to go house-hunting for a home in our new destination, so Monday morning I upped and went.  The Schnell family was extraordinarily gracious to take me in.  Hazel was a real trooper four days straight on the road!  

Snapshot #1098: Grillin'

July 12, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  Grillin' with friends, because we can.

Snapshot #1097: Hills and Valleys

July 5, 2014.  Santa Cruz, California.  We decided to go camping this weekend in the Santa Cruz hills and finished the weekend on the beach with friends.  Ahhhh, so refreshing!

Snapshot #1096: Summertime in Idaho

June 20, 2014.  Wendell, Idaho.  One of Hazel's books is all about going fishing with Grandpa...which got me to thinking we needed a special little trip to Idaho just to do some Idaho things with Grandma and Grandpa.  We were not disappointed.  Uncle Nelson took Hazel fishing; she got to play in Grandpa's waterfall; we went four-wheeling with grandma and grandpa; and to top it off we picked berries in Grandma's strawberry patch.  Pure Bliss.

Snapshot #1095: Busy Bees

June 18, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  I'm doing my best to organize little projects to keep Hazel busy while I start packing for The Move.  Cloud Dough--the bottom photo--will never do that again...what a mess! 

Snapshot #1094: The Home Where We Became a Family

June 9, 2014.  Sunnyvale, California.  Dave has accepted a job offer in the Portland area.  Leaving  sounds terrible and terrific all at the same time.  We are really going to miss this house where we first became a family.

Snapshot #1093: Children's Discovery Museum

May 31, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I guess we can't get enough of this place.  This trip was extra special because Daddy came with us.

Snapshot #1092: New Horizons

May 24, 2014.  Portland, Oregon.  Dave took this picture on a flight home from an interview in the Portland area.  New Horizons could be coming our way...

Snapshot #1091: Love for Babies

May 21, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Hazel is no longer jealous of babies...now she loves them.

Snapshot #1090: Let's Play TV

May 20, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The Children's Discovery Museum has a new exhibit, Storyland.  I didn't think that much of it, but Hazel got a giggle out of being on TV.

Snapshot #1089: Sewing a Car Organizer

May 19, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Sewing every spare chance that I get and thoroughly enjoying this project.

Snapshot #1088: Begin Project--Car Organizer

May 17, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm trying to knock projects off my to-do list; can you tell?  This canvas will..hopefully soon...look like the photograph.

Snapshot #1087: Peppermint Foot Scrub

May 16, 2014.  San Jose, California.  This was super easy.  I combined Turbinado Sugar with Almond Oil and a little Peppermint Essential Oil...voila!

Snapshot #1086: The Gift of Vitamin D

May 15, 2014.  Santa Cruz, California.  We gave Dave the gift of a little Vitamin D today for his birthday and spent the day at Natural Bridges State Beach.  We breakfasted at Linda's Seabreeze Cafe in Santa Cruz...scrumptious omelets!

Snapshot #1085: First Piano Lesson

May 14, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I haven't really started piano lessons.  But I thought I could start with letter association by moving a puzzle she's familiar with to the piano, and see if she takes an interest.

Snapshot #1084: Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub

 May 13, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I found this recipe for Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub on my mother-in-laws pinterest board and decided to make it for her, for Mother's Day.  I made a little extra for myself...delish!  Here's how:

Ginger Lemon Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub:
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon ginger, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cold-pressed oil (tea seed, jojoba, sunflower, or almond oil)
3/4 cup granulated or turbinado sugar
1/4 cup kosher salt
1-4 drops essential oil (I used lemongrass)

In a small saucepan over low heat heat the coconut oil and ginger pieces. Continue heating for 5-10 minutes until ginger scent and juice has transferred into the oil. Remove from heat and press through a fine mesh sieve or through a coffee filter.

While the oil is still warm, mix together with cold-pressed oil. Stir to combine and allow to come to room temperature. Stir in sugar and salt. Scent with essential oils as desired. Pack into a container.

Snapshot #1083: Cloud Dough

May 12, 2014.  San Jose, California.  This morning's experimentation is with Cloud Dough.  I'm hoping to get lots of deep cleaning done while she's entertained.  

Snapshot #1082: Pathways Run/Walk

May 10, 2014.  Los Altos, California.  I did the Los Altos Hills Pathways 5K Run/Walk this morning.  My first time wearing a number.  

Snapshot #1081: No-Knead Bread

May 9, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I'm making this no-knead bread for dinner.  It's delicious hot out of the oven.  Thanks for the tutorial last week, Tierney!

Follow-up:  The bread was mmm...mmm good!  See my pic above...makes you want to come over for dinner...huh!

Snapshot #1080: Music Makers

May 8, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We are blessed.  So very, very blessed to be part of such a wonderful mommy-and-me network.

Snapshot #1079: Mommy's Little Helper

May 7, 2014.  San Jose, California.  We use the term "help" very loosely around here.

Snapshot #1078: Curiosity

May 6, 2014.  San Jose, California.  The San Jose Children's Discovery Museum; I LOVE this place.

Snapshot #1077: Strawberries from my Garden

May 5, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Where's the best place for an elephant to hide?  Why, in a strawberry patch, of course.  Have YOU ever found an elephant in a strawberry patch?

Snapshot #1076: Wildcat Loop Trail

May 3, 2014.  Cupertino, California.  Our reward for hiking the full Wildcat Loop Trail at Rancho San Antonio earlier this week.

Snapshot #1075: Homemade Bread

May 2, 2014.  San Jose, California.  I instructed a couple friends today on the art of making bread--starting with grinding our own wheat.  A day in the kitchen is always more fun with friends!

Snapshot #1074: Foam Blocks

May 1, 2014.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's favorite spot at my YMCA is the table with foam blocks.