Falling into the season

I was hoping to get a Maid Simple tip out yesterday but due to my family and I being held hostage by the stomach virus (flu monster) all last week and into the weekend, I was playing catch up on a lot of things that needed to get done.
Besides, the only tip I would've given was don't let your whole household get the flu at once... ever. So see you didn't miss anything.

I did however, put up almost all our fall decor while all three of my loves were sleeping off their sickness. I could only sanitize and disinfect EVERYTHING so many times and so in between cleaning I would put up a few things here and there and that by the weeks end the Ensor household looked and smelled Fall-tastic!

Our Mr.Scarecrow greets you as you enter our home. He has been in our family since our first year of marriage. The funny thing is all these years I thought I bought him aat the Claremont Village Craft fair only to discover a TJ MAXX sticker under his shirt this year... so much for my memory.

Redecorated our Mantle for a more woodsy look and while picking sticks from the back yard was attacked by a swarm of bees... ya that was lots of fun.

So there are still a few burlap banners to hang and Yarn Wreaths to put up but our house still feels warm and fallish.

Some pics during our week in purgatory...

I think Don understood he was under the weather and let him pull and tug on him for a long time. As you can tell by Don's expression he is not very happy.

This is what the boys did on their recovery day

oh and I received another birfday giftie in the mail from my brother Greg. Meet our newest addition, Don #2. I've had my eye on this ceramic Bassett Hound for a year now and am so excited he now sits on my shelf 

p.s... it's my birthday week, and yes I have had a Pumpkin Spice latte everyday since last Tuesday. Don't judge me.

Feeling the Love

Received my first birthday gift.

From my sis-in-love Tanya in Michigan. I would say it is from my brother Bear too but I know this was all his precious wifey's doing.

 I absolutely love it.

Oh and it's a locket too.
So thoughtful, so lovely. Thank you Tanya (and Bear)

Memory Lane

This weekend we were able to take a trip down my memory lane when we visited my Grandma Vera in San Pedro. She recently sold my Nana's (great-grandmother who passed away last Christmas) house this month and was gracious enough to let us inherit quite a few family heirlooms including my Nana & Papa's dining table and buffet. I grew up eating Thanksgiving and Christmas meals at this table, as did my Dad and so did his parents. I am so looking forward to enjoying holiday meals at this table and creating new memories with my family. We were thrilled when we got it home and saw how perfectly it fit in our dining room.

Look at the scalloped edging on the table and vintage hardware on the buffet. LOVE!

We also were given this side table that we put in between our reading chairs. 

This was my Aunt's rocking chair as a child.

 She gave it to us... are you freaking out over this as much as I did when I first saw it? Can't wait to reupholster it for my kiddos. 

 As well as her old school desk, which we will clean up for Elsie.

Out of everything we inherited this was my absolute FAVE! This will always stand out as something I will remember from visiting my Nana's house. This little gem was up year round there. I know most think she is hideous and as a small child it freaked the heck out of me out but as I grew up, it grew on me. She was always present sitting atop of the microwave welcoming all who visited. I remember one time in high school coming over and she wasn't anywhere to be seen so I asked my Nana where the ugly witch was and she said, "Well seeing how it's Springtime and she is a witch, I thought I'd put her away." I was like ummm, she has been up year round as long as I can remember why would you put her away now? She just laughed and with no remark went to get it and placed her back in her rightful spot. So when my Grandma called to tell me she had found her, let's just say I was beyond excited. She is a perfect addition to my fall decor but I'm pretty sure will remain a year round piece at our house as well.

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There are so many fond memories I have of my Nana and that house. She is the one responsible for my See's Chocolate obsession as well as my addiction to Peach Cobbler. Her warm smile and long hugs will forever be missed. I am honored to have such precious items in my house that were once hers and can only hope I can use them to share my love as well as she once did.

My Sunshine(s)

Today it is gloomy out. A subtle reminder that summer is coming to an end and the new season will be rolling in. But let's face it, I live in Southern California and this glum weather will be over in a flash and we will be laying poolside come mid October. I have mixed emotions about the weather. I love Fall and all it's goodness and am kind of biting at the bit to decorate for it, but have this tiny twinge of sadness to see summer go. I don't feel I really took advantage of it this summer like I usually do. Did I lay out enough? No. Did I go to the beach enough? definitely not. Did I eat enough ice cream with Elsie? Maybe. I'm just not sure I soaked up enough sun is all... 

With today being overcast I automatically went into cuddle and kind of blah mode. The babies have been so precious this morn and are my little bits of Sunshine. Who needs the sun when you get these smiles to warm your soul.

I think today is a take the kids to the library and get myself a Pumpkin Spice Latte kind of day.

Hope you all find your Sunshine today.

The Beauty of Breakfast

Before I married Micah I wasn't much of a breakfast person. Even after that it took me a few years to come around. Now I can't go without it. If I do I'm basically out of fuel by lunch and can never get my energy back up to where it would've been if I just started off the day right. I normally try to have a healthy  breakfast packed with a punch, but there are days that this girl just wants something sweet. This morning was one of those especially because it was my breakfast with Micah. We try to have breakfast together once a week before he goes into work and I thought he deserved a fun breakfast today. Well it really came down to me needing to use my blueberries before they went bad and happened to have a few other key ingredients to make this delicousness.

The best part is I found the recipe on EatingWell.com  so it's actually still pretty healthy. I made my own variation using the multi-grain pancake mix I had and they still came out so yummy! They were so light and fluffy that didn't leave either of us feeling sluggish for the rest of the day. So if you have any lemons and blueberries on hand I strongly suggest you try this goodness.

I made sure to make extra for when the Pearl woke up and they are definitely Elsie approved! 

Enjoy!

Mondays Maid Simple:Beauty is fleeting

So as you know from my previous post we had a wonderful family getaway at a serene Big Bear Lakefront cabin and loved every minute of it, well almost every minute of it. I failed to mention one minor detail, well kind of major actually, my HIVES! Before our trip I was still dealing with a reaction from (no idea) from the weekend before. They seemed to be spreading to a new place everyday and I was beyond frustrated with the thought of having them during our vacation, I mean hello NO PICTURES WHEN I'M UGLY PLEASE! I think my exact words to Micah were "Umm, if these hives don't subside before we leave I don't want to go ugly." See I'm not vain, not the slightest.

gotta get me one of these mmm-kay

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Not only were they awful looking but extremely uncomfortable. It was the Itchy & Scratchy show over here. Well hives and all we still went on our vacation and upon our arrival the situation went from bad to OHMYGAWD I LOOK LIKE A MUTATED CHIPMUNK! Like no joke. I woke up Friday morning and could barely see out of my eyes. My whole body was sore and I couldn't figure out why until I walked into the bathroom to wash my face and BAM staring back at me was a disaster. I didn't even wash my face I walked over to Micah and let him know I was going to Urgent Care to fix this mess so we could still enjoy the rest of the trip. I woke up Vernon, fed him and was well on my way to a hopeful recovery.
One hour and one steroid shot later and then back to relaxation.
So here is the thing. The hives didn't get better. In fact I became swollen all over and was hideous all weekend. I wasn't in pain (thanks to the shot) but I was painful to look at. But in all my hideousness life went on. It proceeded to be the best vacation I have ever been on, lumps and all.
I realized my dog loved me, babies loved me, my husband loved me and my God loves me no matter how gross I looked. There was no reason to worry about getting done up when all we were doing was loving and cuddling. It was a real eye opener for me because I realize that is basically everyday life for me. Raising my loves is my life. I don't have to get dressed and done up for an office job anymore, I can just be me in pj's with unbrushed hair and my kids will still love me.

(Micah if you're reading this post, I want this...bad)

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Now don't get me wrong. I love everything pretty. I love getting dressed up and putting on make-up to go out but I realize now that it isn't important as other things. Instead of rushing to get my face on to run a quick errand, I can take my time getting the babes ready and not be all frazzled. Instead of trying to get cute to go play at the park I will just wear what is easiest to play in for my kids. I needed this "transformation" weekend as a wake up call. While there is nothing wrong with wanting to look pretty I need to make sure it's in balance. There is a time and place and cleaning house and being a mom isn't one of them. Well sometimes it is. But seriously, do you get what I'm saying? It is so easy to get caught up in the idea society is shoving down our throats to be "HOT" all the time even in motherhood that true beauty can get lost along the way.
My tip today is not a make-up or household tip but one of the heart. Check it.
I bet we can have a lot easier day or even week if we stop and really check our hearts. Before you start putting so much time and effort into your looks this week why not give a friend a call, write a sweet note to someone, take time to love on your kids, take time to talk with your husband, sign up for that volunteer gig you been putting off, help someone in need, pray for your friends, family & country... the list can go on and on. Remember that taking time to be a better person is worth far more than taking time to be pretty. Physical beauty will fade over time, but true beauty (virtue) is timeless.

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Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

Our Family Retreat

We had been trying to get away all summer on a mini family vacay but so many things happened from the time Vernon was born that prevented such a trip. I love being home with my babes and soaking up as much life together as possible but I have to admit this was the longest I had not gone somewhere since the time Micah and I said "I do". Our last trip was to Vermont... last November... while I was still pregnant!! I know to many that is no big deal. I mean heck a lot of people don't even like to travel so me saying I was having issues with not flying anywhere for almost ten months sounds crazy, but for me it was CRAZY! Before this I think the longest length between a time of travel was 3 months... maybe.
What can I say we love to visit family, see new things, get away from the hustle and bustle of Southern California. So though we didn't fly anywhere, this lakefront cabin in Big Bear Lake was just the ticket this family (me) needed to recharge and rejuvenate. It became our home within the first few minutes. I mean I literally got the luggage out to dress Elsie and I in our bathing suits and out to the little sandy patch and dock were we for the rest of the night.

 checking out our view

 most of our time was spent here

 lounging on the dock

 Elsie loved feeding the ducks that were only steps from our deck

 helping daddy fish

 grilling and our view

 We all loved being out on the boat

 snacking and taking in the mountain view

 She just soaked in the rays while cuddling into me. My favorite part.

In the morning Micah and I would rise before the babes and sit on the edge of the dock, him trying to hook a fish, me swooning over past months magazines I never got around to reading, all the while soaking in the beauty of the lake and quietness of this place.
There were so many wonderful moments this weekend that I literally am so sad to leave. Fishing, renting a boat, grilling on the deck, lounging on the dock, playing in the sand, reading lots of books, play doh, cuddling (lots of cuddling), wearing only pj's and bathing suits will be dearly missed but mostly the serenity  here is what I will be longing for when I return home.

I can't explain it, this place, having no agenda, no rush to clean up, nothing to get ready for, just being...us. This was the most amazing vacation I have ever had. It is exactly what a vacation is supposed to be. I have tons of stuff to do in my everyday life, places to go, people to see, so coming to a place where there is nothing but quality time and memories being made was a dream.
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend as well.