This is neat

A 107-year old woman from Australia starts a blog

http://www.allaboutolive.com.au/

I like her. And I think I'll keep her linked.

Dakota's first hike

The morning was bright and clear and I decided right then that the woods couldn't wait any longer!

It was a bit chilly at first until we got our blood moving. After his 6oz lunch and a big belch Dakota was very alert and full of smiles.

His eyes widened in awe as we stopped by the stream. They gazed in wonder as I put his little hand on the bark of a tree or a pile of moss. The air was crisp & sweet (just like my apple chips - kidding) and the morning birds delightful.

It was wonderful and so exciting to see him repond to everything, but I suppose with a name like Dakota Jack this kid was born to love the woods.

the Engstrom girls

I suprised Skye with a visit the other day. She and her tiny Seville seem to be doing really well all cozy at home. Oh her baby was so cute. I couldnt get over how small! at one month old she was at Dakota's birth weight!










Sending you wishes of strength and comfort for the next couple months or so until she sleeps through the night ~

Spring has Sprung

I woke up to the most lovely surprise.

My orchid blossomed!

I've had that plant sitting dormant in my bathroom for two years now and watered it regularly even though I thought it might be dead or past revival.

Well what a happy delight this was to me.

Just goes to show that if you stay dilligent and allways do good, even when you dont see a point or you're not sure why,

you'll be rewarded in the end

:)

Baby Blessed

We finally Blessed our baby boy Dakota Jack Neaman this sunday.

It was lovely. Both Grandpas drove down to take part

and all the family members took up a whole row at church!




Big thanks for a beautifull day :)

XOXOXOXOXOX

Et Cupid le petit Daquote

(funny background on the picture: After changing him I left the room to put on some red lipstick. When I came back in and approached the baby he gasped; eyes wide with terror and wailed like I had never heard him before. I guess it wasn't my colour..... This in the end was the happiest shot I could get.)

Happy Love Day

and honey, It's all about the love. I don't mind blue&purple flowers....... really,,,, it's okay :)

Chef Love serves it up right

Tonite's lover's special will start with a fresh strawberry spinach salad with homemade redwine poppyseed vinagrette.







Our main course will be a suculant Filet Mignon with a rich balsamic & red wine glaze with a side of rosmary roasted red new potatoes and crispy seasoned green beans. To drink there is a light pomagranate juice.
















For dessert I have prepared a special two layer dark chocolate & a raspberry white chocolate mouse delight. Topped off with a tintilating raspberry faux champaign.



bon appettite!

Idle hands are the devil's workshop

and somehow he possessed mine to make the tackiest thing I have ever created!

I innocently I thought I'd turn a twig wreath into a festive display for under $3. And to my horor I didnt realize until that last ugly fake rose was glued on what a tacky, hideous piece of trash it was.

...Oh the shame

Jet Blues

Tonite we will be together again

Getting to know each other and our new life as a family

Thoughts on Valentine flowers

A dozen red roses is cliche
but two dozen is classic
White roses are boring
but a mix of pink and red can imply a more genuine meaning of "i love you and want you"
Tulips are nice if you want to be different
daisys are a garnish
Lillies dont seem right
and orchids are pretentious
If you are thinking your woman would rather have something besides flowers, well she may, but not instead of flowers.
(and dont forget the chocolate
-never forget the chocolate
even if she's dieting. especially if she's dieting. Not giving chocolate is like calling her fat.
Just give her dark and dont say a thing......)

What are your plans / expectations?

the end is in sight

25 hours after getting home from Hawaii I was once again at the airport dropping off my hub. New York City this time and fortunately the very last interview! It has been a long lonely many months and come this sunday I will start having another adult human to talk to at night.



And guess who he got to have lunch with yesterday?????
Our very own darling Tamara! (i gave him my camera just for the occasion but he forgot to take pix) Hopefully I'll get to see her when she stops into Portland for a quick visit. And then I can give my personal assesment of her mysterious boyfriend that we have heard so little about...

Mahana you ugly!

Well we survived our trip to Hawaii and back again. Parts of it were fabulously beautifull, wonderfully entertaining, and delightfully luxurious. At other times it was a bit stressfull, draining, and too busy.
Highlights: Getting to know our way cool friends "the Harmon's", spending 2 days alone with my hubby, being warm, and pineapple
Lowlights: driving too much, demanding baby in tropical paradise, last 4 days had a pounding head/toothache.
Overall it was very nice and fun. I was so impressed by the houses we stayed in. The first 5 days were in Oahu at Keith's uncle's home the second 5 days were in Kauai at Keith's Aunt's house. It was incredible (we slept in the same bed that Matt Leblanc {Joey from Friends} slept in with his wife!)







There are more pictures in the "PHOTO" link to the right---->

This is looking out from the lanai of the Oahu house where we stayed for the first 5 days