Moonshine Junkyard

next one to be blessed with teeny and her family's radiance?  lucky ole me!!! tina, steve, oscar and mia came to placerville and i truly feel more lucky than i could have even guessed that across all these miles we got to meet in real life. she was exactly like i thought she would be, funny and sunny and smart and wise and thoughtful. but on top of all that, she just has a certain radiance and magnanimity that encircles her rad little family and everyone she meets. it was so great to be around them for a day and show them our little town.  they got to check out zack's little art shop and each kid even picked out a print. placerville artists represent in new zealand, wahoo! we had snacks and coffee in the shady plaza. we could have sat and chatted for days. there is so much to talk about and so little time!  and the kids fell for darin just like they did for another certain papa !  maaannny many hilarious portraits happened ...

fully ripe solstice mama. being a summer girl, through and through, i celebrated summer's beginnings for a few days in a row! with..... a lot of this: (still love that view. she hangs out a lot on the right, so belly is kinda lopsided) and then some of this: got some flowers planted, and our little garden greenies are doing pretty well. an overnighter to my sister's house in nevada city to take care of their cats and garden while they were away. addie left me a hand drawn map for watering the garden; it felt like a treasure map:  her garden is prettily bewitched by butterflies, wildflowers, busy bees, and little treats sprouting up everywhere: grabby-cat with the flowers i picked for my milla-inspired crown: mine turned out rather slapdash, but what else would you expect from me? i wore it all day until it wilted away into nothing. people thought i was coming from a festival or someth...

now i understand the expression "big as a house." i AM a house, for this little baby who rolls and shrugs and shimmies and shakes inside me! at 36 weeks i am still feeling great. i feel lucky and joyous to be able to report that. i love love love being pregnant. my sturdy legs feel so capable carrying me around. my round face and arms don't bother me because they are signs of nice supportive weight (translate: strength and energy) to help me birth and mother this child (my friend rebecca says it is healthier and more helpful all along to gain a little extra weight rather than restricted weight gain). the muscles in my back are holding strong, i sleep well and so cozy at night with my two fans and body pillow, and i get lots done all day long. i feel like this baby inside is giving me the best productive energy in the world and i am soaking it up like my bright california sunshine. now people look at me differently. "you must be so hot,...

on saturday we had a june picnic to celebrate our coming baby! the weather was perfect, the lavender lemonade was flowing, the cupcakes were scrumptious and everyone was in a whirlwind of baby delight. we had the baby party at Jack Russell Brewery because they have nice grassy picnic grounds, great fresh brewed beer, corn-hole toss games, plenty of room, and a brand new winery/meadery... plus they're kid friendly during the day! here's the general scene:  people brought the yummiest food ever, pesto potato salad, cheese platters with dried apricots, fruits, breads, homemade hummus, pasta salad, artichoke dips, melon slices, organic salsa. i had a hard time leaving the food table ;) monique and chelsea brought an organic apple pie that just killed me. addie planned the party for me and made the most adorable invitations. rebecca, doniella, and carolann also showed up early to help set up. and of cour...