Creating a "Sunny Escape" for Our House Guests
Scott and I had the pleasure of hosting house guests for the long weekend. It was late summer and the weather was picture perfect for poolside lounging and some outdoor fun in Chico. My sister, Dorie, and her guy Michael, were up from Newport Beach for the weekend and I wanted to create a “sunny escape” for my special house guests. My first step is to prepare the guest room. Freshly washed linens, fluffy towels, candles and fresh flowers are a must. For this visit I added some lovely dark calla lilies to the mirrored bedside table.
Scott and I had the pleasure of hosting house guests for the long weekend. It was late summer and the weather was picture perfect for poolside lounging and some outdoor fun in Chico. My sister, Dorie, and her guy Michael, were up from Newport Beach for the weekend and I wanted to create a "sunny escape" for my special house guests. My first step is to prepare the guest room. Freshly washed linens, fluffy towels, candles and fresh flowers are a must. For this visit I added some lovely dark calla lilies to the mirrored bedside table.
I always like to have some snacks and beverages prepared for the arrival of the road trippers. In this platter I prepared a variety of imported cheeses, olives, marcona almonds with rosemary and veggies with dips. I especially like the gorgonzola-pecan and white bean hummus dips from Trader Joe's specialty market. I turn on a favorite playlist from Pandora--like "Chilled Cream" and "Bliss"--for setting a relaxed mood.
Dining al fresco is a must for warm summer evenings in northern California. I've learned to keep the menu simple: Scott grills steak or chicken and I add fresh salads. On this evening a baby greens with goat cheese/pine nuts salad, a watermelon/feta salad and grilled asparagus were on the menu. We topped it off with sorbet floating in limoncello.
Cheers to family and summer evenings together!
As much as we love time together with house guests, it's also good to give them a little time to relax. We always prepare the coffee pot the night before ready for the early risers or those who want to sleep in a bit. When we finally gather in the morning there is such a relaxed vibe to the conversation and catching up time.
Following a leisurely morning at home, it's good to mix it up, so we headed downtown to the Chico farmer's market for some fresh produce.
We ran into several long time friends, including a retired colleague of mine, Sally (right), who grows and sells her produce from Green Cedar Farm in Berry Creek. Here she is pictured with her intern from France. The apples were absolutely fantastic! Thank you Sally! xx
Beautiful blooms at the market.
We opted for lunch out at one of our favorite, healthy spots, Tea Bar and Fusion Cafe. Soon enough it was time to get home for some lounging by the pool.
Michael--getting his float on!
At one point Dorie grabbed her new fancy new camera and encouraged me to let her take some photos. As bloggers we know it is good to have some decent head shots, but it can be so awkward to have your photo taken. I feel like I am terrible at it--especially photos of me taken alone. With Dorie's design school background, and career as a fashion designer with St. John, she has participated in many fashion shoots over the years. I definitely trusted her to take good photos; it was me I worried about. When I say she took hundreds of photos, I'm not kidding. I still haven't looked through them all. As with any photo shoot there can be many awkward shots--and a few good ones. Either way, we had a ball and laughed a lot!
This is me, stepping out of my comfort zone....
I like the background and it seems to blend nicely with my straw-colored hair. ;)
Dorie has a thriving business in Orange County, Broadway Botanicals. She specializes in succulents, floral design and now residential landscapes. For more on her beautiful designs Broadway Botanicals. I'm always so inspired by her unique creations.
I hope this weekend was a sunny escape for Dorie and Michael. I know it was for us!
Have you entertained company recently?
What are your favorite tips for welcoming house guests?
Mother's Day Bouquets Made With Love
I always look forward to Mother’s Day weekend. I get to celebrate my favorite women, far and near, and there is usually a flower graced springtime brunch involved. Our tradition is that my family comes to our house in Chico for the day, and it’s such a treat to host.
Mother's Day Bouquets
I always look forward to Mother's Day weekend. I get to celebrate my favorite women, far and near, and there is usually a flower graced springtime brunch involved. Our tradition is that my family comes to our house in Chico for the day, and it's such a treat to host.
My mom, Jeri, is a flower arranger extraordinaire in my mind. Over the years she has collected several photographs of her creations. Recently she had the images printed on notecards, with high quality envelopes, and gave them to family and friends as gifts. What a perfect way to remember all those beautiful bouquets, and Mother's Day bouquets, made with love.
These notecards are a gift in and of themselves.
I've never mailed one, the collection is a keepsake for me.
It's been a rough week here. I spent the first two days grief counseling at a local high school, following a tragic lunchtime car accident where a 17-year-old basketball star died. His friend was life-flighted to UC Davis Medical Center and is in a medically induced coma. This kid was popular, yet kind to everyone, and a true leader. The heartbreak on campus is palpable with some dealing with loss this close for the first time and others being triggered with a multitude of previous traumas. As a lesson in forgiveness, the father of the student who died, met with the parents of the driver, to offer his comfort and forgiveness before it was even asked. I'm still so close to this story that I have tears rolling down my cheeks as I write this. Hug your children tightly and remind them to wear their seatbelts. The fine art of forgiveness is truly a life lesson.
In many ways we all do some mothering in our own right here and motherhood is a gift here. If your path to motherhood was/is difficult, as mine has been here I share your journey. If you are a stepmom, like I am, here, I know it's an entirely different form of mothering. For many of us, motherhood is a complicated journey, but a blessing here. If you, or someone you love, are needing a little dose of hope today or a smile here.
As we celebrate mother's day this year, let's remember those among us who are missing a mother, or a child, just now. To each of you, and especially a few of my dear friends who are feeling the loss this year, big hugs to you. Reach out in love today.
Happy Mother's Day to you!
My Mother's Wedding Video (Happy First Anniversary Jeri & Hal!)
My radiant Mom, Jeri, on her wedding day, with my beautiful sister, Heidi, and me last September.
There is nothing that makes a daughter happier than knowing her mother is enjoying life and love to the fullest. My mom, Jeri, and my new Step-father, Hal, have enjoyed an uncommonly rich romance, a heartfelt and memorable wedding celebration, and a European honeymoon in the last two years. It's safe to say, this daughter is extremely happy for these two, especially as they celebrate their first wedding anniversary.
This is the wedding video....it will make you cry happy tears!
Video credit to Jensen Films
For a peek at the wedding last year in A love story and a wedding,
the lucky in love story of how these two met in Love is just mean to be, and wedding planning in
A Sparkling Day Sneaks Up on You.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Hal!
We are blessed by welcoming this warm, wise, loving man, Hal, and his family, into our family.
Your love story is truly an inspiration for ageless love.
Scott and I could not be happier for you both and we love you dearly.
Cheers!
xx,
We're savoring the golden days of summer at my here!
New arrivals from Spain and Portugal!
Motherhood Day and Celebrating Us
Happy 'Motherhood' Day to all! If you have birthed a baby, adopted a baby, fallen in love and became an 'insta' stepparent, been a nurturing auntie, or stepped in as a grandparent to care for your grandchild, you are part of the motherhood in my book. Motherhood can encompass all kinds of nurturing and care. I see it everyday as a school psychologist. I am surrounded by an army of nurturing, caring teachers, clinicians, nurses, administrators and staff.
Happy 'Motherhood' Day to all! If you have birthed a baby, adopted a baby, fallen in love and became an 'insta' stepparent, been a nurturing auntie, or stepped in as a grandparent to care for your grandchild, you are part of the motherhood in my book. Motherhood can encompass all kinds of nurturing and care. I see it everyday as a school psychologist. I am surrounded by an army of nurturing, caring teachers, clinicians, nurses, administrators and staff.
Mom with the beautiful flower arrangement she created last Mother's Day
As I look towards celebrating my mother and sister on Mother's Day this Sunday I realize that this day is not without a mix of emotions. I think of the women around me, my mothers, sisters, sister-in-laws, aunties and friends who are beautiful moms and raising incredible, talented, responsible children. They are in the role of a lifetime and it warms my heart. For some of us the road to motherhood is quite complex. Like many of us, I am a stepmother who wanted to be a mother in my own right here but miscarriages ended that dream. I was thrilled to have experienced the joy of my stepfamily life coming full circle this last year here. I am an adopted daughter who has seen both the joy and pain experienced by two wonderful women surrounding the gift of adoption. It is a story that is deeply personal and yet one that I want to share when the time feels right. I always end up in tears in the card aisle a week before Mother's Day since it bring up a well of emotions. We will also be tipping a toast to Scott's dear mom, Margie, who is no longer with us. A day of celebration, merriment and a few tears.... isn't this often the bittersweet balance of life?? It is a joy to celebrate our unique journeys.
As I was contemplating a gift for my mom on Mother's Day I realized I could never truly top the gift we gave her on Mother's Day two years ago. began as a family portrait with a photo of mom, ended in a proposal and a wedding last fall. Seeing my mom happily married and enjoying life more than warms my heart on this Mother's Day weekend.
Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Jeri, and sister, Heidi, and all of us sharing motherhood this Sunday.
How are you celebrating motherhood this year?
xx,
Curated Lifestyle Collections at my here!
A 'Surprise' Branch of My Family Tree
Last weekend Scott and I made our annual trip to Newport Beach to see a surprise ‘branch’ of my family tree. This side of my family, the Swansons, are my birth family. I am the oldest sibling, adopted to another family at birth. Rod and Dorie are my full-blooded brother and sister and were raised by their parents never knowing there was an older sister. A number of family members knew about that first baby-but not these two.
Surprise!!
Dorie always thought she was the oldest sibling (nope!). I think that makes us even more alike-two first born sisters. We’ve never had a fight, though she laughs and says maybe we should “just to say we did”.
Last weekend Scott and I made our annual trip to Newport Beach to see a surprise 'branch' of my family tree. This side of my family, the Swansons, are my birth family. I am the oldest sibling, adopted to another family at birth. Rod and Dorie are my full-blooded brother and sister and were raised by their parents never knowing there was an older sister. A number of family members knew about that first baby-but not these two.
Surprise!!
Dorie always thought she was the oldest sibling (nope!). I think that makes us even more alike-two first born sisters. We've never had a fight, though she laughs and says maybe we should "just to say we did".
Lovely Marcia (my birth mom/Dorie's mom) and Dorie's daughter Rylee (my niece).
We are just goofy...and just have so much fun together. I can't even tell the difference between our voices (neither could my mom, Jeri, the first time she spoke to Dorie on the phone). I had never met anyone with my genetic makeup and it's really a trip to see such similarities in an entire branch of the family.
Rod, Heather and Dorie-the 'sibs'- I am a surprise branch of my family tree.
Rylee, my only niece, was just a toddler-with a big white bow-
when I first met the family.
I have not written my entire adoption story in full. Dorie calls it an 'Oprah' moment. I believe I will share it someday.........when it feels right. Suffice it to say, the gift of adoption, is always inspiring to me. I was incredibly blessed to be adopted by my wonderful parents, Jeri and Curtis, at 3 days of age. Along with my younger sister, Heidi, and they are my family through and through. I was doubly blessed to find and meet this 'surprise' branch of family at age 36.
As I always say, you never, ever know what can happen around the next corner in life...... it may be an amazing adventure.
It's always a whirlwind when we hit Newport Beach. From soccer games to out on the town to cozy dinners and beachfront bites and lots of time to catch up. Cousins joined us to make it even more of a family reunion on Friday evening. Ryan and Martina, our rock star cousin, (next to me) who has beaten breast cancer three times, and is a warm and fuzzy bright light in our world. I'll always remember she about knocked me over with a huge hug the first time we met 17 years ago.
Hudson, Holden and Beck (my nephews).
Fun at Soccer...such sweet boys!
A Mix of Emotions for Mother's Day
It happened again this year. Foraging through the greeting card aisle looking for just the right Mother's Day cards for the women I adore. I'll admit it, Mother's Day is not a simple holiday for me. It is a one that fills me with love and gratitude and grief.....all rolled up into a 45 minute roller coaster of emotions that leaves me fighting back tears, biting my lip and taking a deep breath when I'm done, in the card aisle no less.
It happened again this year. Foraging through the greeting card aisle looking for just the right Mother's Day cards for the women I adore. I'll admit it, Mother's Day is not a simple holiday for me. It is a one that fills me with love and gratitude and grief.....all rolled up into a 45 minute roller coaster of emotions that leaves me fighting back tears, biting my lip and taking a deep breath when I'm done, in the card aisle no less.
How do you find the perfect card to say thank you to the abundantly loving, generous, stylish, talented mother, Jeri, who adopted me at 3 days old and took to mothering so naturally from that first moment in the hospital? Thank you is never, ever enough for this endless gift of love.......
How do you find the perfect card for the optimistic, fun loving young woman, Marcia (my birth mother) who struggled and grieved her own path through an unplanned pregnancy and the painful adoption of her first born? Thank you is never enough for her courageous choices.
I realize, with fresh pain, that I will not be able to find a card for my mother in law, Margie, who passed away just over a year ago. She was loving, talented and lots of fun and oh, how we miss her.
I am reminded of my own losses and the devastating miscarriages that rendered me "not the mom" I had always dreamed of becoming (Why is that lady crying in the aisle, Mommy?). Sigh......it happens to me every single Mother's Day.
I see some rather lame cards for 'stepmothers' down on the lower shelf and, though, it is so touching to be acknowledged as a step-mom, it must feel a little bit awkward for my 3 step-daughters. Thank goodness for texting and I'm grateful for some sweet ones that have come my way on Mother's Days past. I'm also grateful that Briana, Lauren and Annika have a loving mom and lovely grandmother in town and that they will be able to celebrate together, as all 3 of the girls are living back in Chico this year.
I see cards for Aunties and I pick one up for my special Aunt Yvonne who lived near me a year ago but is now living back in Southern California. I'm grateful we had a couple of years of frequent visits over lattes and lemon bars.
I see cards from "your pet" on mother's day. Hallmark-you'll try anything, right? And I laugh out loud as I remember the card that my loving husband, who deeply understands my mixed emotions, brought to me with coffee in bed last mother's day......embellished and personalized.......
(Yes, I've been holding out on you.....I do have a child, a rather large, very furry one, named Jack. I'm really not even a cat person, but what can you do? He's hysterical...and quite the looker).
And finally, I smile and maybe even laugh out loud again when I think of my sisters and their healthy, happy, bouncy, beautiful, smart, energetic and adorable kids, ranging from ages 3 to 24. To Heidi, my adopted sister who I grew up with, made mischief with, fought with, love and absolutely adore. Thank you for inviting me to be there for your firstborn, Jordan's, birth. It meant the world to me. Dorie, my full biological sister, who I met 17 years ago, and Andrea, my brother's wife, who have both been so good to me and made me feel like a very special auntie. My deepest thanks for sharing your wonderful kids with me. I do adore being an auntie and you girls did a wonderful with the babies!
And I remember, with a sigh, as do we all do........that you can't have everything. Just having some perfect slices of life means something, and we so we carry on.
Cheers,
Heather
When I have a bit of time for planning, my favorite card giving always comes from Greeting Card Universe, my cousin Mindy and her husband Nasser's company. I love creating my own photo cards or having an artist create something special for me. It's the best.
