Sparklehaus

Go Outside!

We had a lovely beach day on Sunday. It was a perfect day on the West Coast. I couldn't think of anywhere else I would of liked to spend my day! We were really lucky to have planned ahead and committed ourselves to this trip. If we would of just thought to go on Sunday we would of never made it. It was crowded but still very nice.

Yesterday I went on a hike/walk through Runyon Canyon. It was a beautiful but hot day. I took some photos....and I am sad because my camera died right after this. I have many things to photograph for my craft a day project...but my camera has committed suicide. It has gotten too much sand in it and it also has been banged around by me for about 5 years now. So maybe it is time for a new one. As soon as I am equipped with a new camera I will begin posting some of my works in progress!

My Mini-Tour of Texas

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I thought I would share my photos from my most recent tour of Texas. Peter and I went to Austin and then to San Antonio where his family lives.  We had a great trip minus the flu that I came down with in Austin. I was very bummed out about this since I was pumped up to listen to tons of music and really explore the city. Needless to say I spent about 2 of the 4 days in bed. I did not get too many pictures but I will share what I have.

This is the Capitol Building. We walked past this so many times but this is the best photo. It is huge and very pretty. There is some crazy underground building too. Peter quized me on Texas history every time we walked past it.

This is a monument to the Confederacy in front of the capitol building.

This is a glimpse of 6th Street where you will find a lot of the bars and live music.

One thing I like about Austin is all the old signage. A lot of buildings still have a retro feel. I like that.

Graffiti Art on a telephone poll. I could totally relate to this feeling when I had the flu the day before!

We came across this interesting interactive sculpture on the UT Campus. It is a bunch of surgical tubing suspended for you to walk through. It was very cool. Very weird feeling!

That is me...barely alive after a day in bed.

There is Peter...happy to be outside and not taking care of me sick in bed.

Speaking of beds these were our delightful hotel beds. Nice linens and like 4 pillows each! Delightful!

I believe this is a fancy downtown Austin Hotel. I am not sure though. I just thought it was a pretty building.

This is a cool old house in downtown. Pretty Awesome.

This is an early evening shot down Congress St.

This is what a lot of neighborhood streets look like in Austin.

Peter and I met the cutest puppy on earth! Can anyone identify what kind of puppy it is? The owner told us but we were in puppy petting frenzy and I can't remember what he said!

This is the best salad I had in Texas. It might be the only salad in Texas. Let me tell you about it. It was from a retauraunt called Stix on Guadalupe St... I think.  Delicious.  You order skewers and they are matched up with different sides. I got the spinach salad with chicken skewer. The salad had blue cheese,spinach, candied walnuts, cranberries, raspberry vinegrette and topped with grilled pears. The grilled skewers had chicken, bell pepper, artichoke hearts, and zuchinni. We make this at home now and can't get enough.

We had breakfast at this place one day over near Barton Springs I think. It was a cute little coffee shop restaurant. Very laid back and lots of coffee refills!

This is one of my favorite shots from Austin. Clear skies, rolling clouds, and nice tree. This was in the Barton Springs area.

Driving over the bridge to the South Congress (SoCo) area.

My dream come true! A cupcake airstream trailer in the middle of a random parking lot. I had a carrot cake cupcake. Austin hasa lot of random stuff like this.

This was a cool little area of vintage shops. There are a bunch of little vintage stores that are all connected. There is also a record shop attached that had great prices on lots of cool old records.

After Austin we headed over to San Antonio to stay with Peter's mom and visit with the rest of his family.

Peter's sister Katie gave him an awesome sword from her travels in Morocco. Hmm...you think he likes it?

Walking the dogs with Peter,Pauline, and his sister Mary.

Dog Crossing!

A beautiful Texas sunset.

On New Years Eve we went to the Riverwalk. There was a festival going and it was very fun to walk around and drink beer. Drinking beer in the streets is always fun! It was freaking cold.

Here we are celebrating! I look like a librarian. Peter has been dressing as a 70's detective lately.

Here is Peter's mom Pauline freezing death while watching fireworks!

This photo of Pauline and Peter is adorable.

Ahhh...Texas! I think this photo sums it up!

Yes...that is me spinning in circles with a Beluga Whale. Thanks to Mary we all got to hop in the water and take a spin with Luna!

Home Sweet Home! Well almost....this is a beautiful Burbank, CA sunset. This is where we are moving. I really hope we can find a place soon. That will be one ounce of stress relieved!

Big Sur

I just returned from a vacation in Big Sur. Big Sur is my favorite place in California. Everything about it from the rugged coastline to the canopy of trees and quiet streams indulges my senses. When I am in Big Sur I can breathe. Traffic on the highway barely exists, people are friendly, and everything just slows down so you can feel it. There is this very slow and harmonious pulse that beats beneath the surface. It connects you to the life in everything surrounding you. The condors, the rough ocean, the jagged cliffs, the wise old trees, and tiny creatures that poke their heads out of brush all come together.

I grew up in Los Angeles. I am a product of sunshine, boogie boards, and hustle and bustle. Before I turned 25 I do not think I ever could of lived somewhere slow and quiet. I was so used to feeling like I was falling behind everyone else, that a slower paced life would force me to confront stillness. I have spent most of my life afraid to confront that place where I am good enough,pretty enough, thin enough, rich enough, happy enough, and not trying to keep up. Somewhere between turning twenty five and thirty I found a better way to live. I have slowed way down. If my pants do not fit then I grab the bigger pair that week. Who cares. If my bank account is thin, I eat lots of tater tots. Spending time with a few friends really connecting is so much more important to me then trying to fit everyone in one day. I think that slowing down my life has allowed me to connect with people and myself more effortlessly.

Having a wonderful boyfriend who is my best friend has helped. He has seen me at my best and at my worst. He has followed my ups and downs with steady support and positive encouragement. We are both creative people and I think he understands how much that effects the quality of life I want to have. He has been this great support system that has allowed me to see clearly in the moment. It is hard when you are having bad moments. I guess he doesn't judge me...at least not out loud. That is what enables us to connect and share over and over again.

Big Sur reminds me that I do not have to catch up to people around me. Things are always changing in people's lives.  Who we love, where we work, where we live, having kids, getting sick and so much more. Why try to push forward so forcefully when tomorrow anything could happen to change our plans. I have recommitted to staying true to passions while challenging my fears....without driving myself crazy!

Deep breathes, good times with friends, connecting with all my families, learning to find that important sense of freedom and aloneness in love, and eating delicious cheese are my current points of focus. Also... lots of sushi.

Point Lobos State Reserve

Those are Elephant seals at San Simeon!

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park

Coachella 2007

At the end of April we went to the Coachella Music Festival in Palm Springs. We had a beautiful house with friends in downtown Palm Springs. I truly believe that was the funnest part. The festival sold out way earlier then it usually does and now it is three days long instead of two days long. We attended only one day and that was enough for me to get my fix. We saw some great bands but it was so crowded everywhere that you could not really enjoy it. My favorite was Jarvis Cocker, the lead singer of Pulp, he had a very perfect set. We got to go to the Filter Party on the Thursday before the shows...pictured first on this post. It was fun and I enjoy getting free t-shirts.

This was our awesome house. It was right at the foot of the mountains. It was super hot...about 101 degrees and we enjoyed every  burning second of it. Except when I almost sliced my toe off walking in the kitchen.  Other then that it was a great weekend of fun in the sun!

Brad, Peter, and Hugh Partying!

Brad, Amie, and Erin enjoying the Festival!

Carol and Peter enjoying the sunshine!

Meeting of the Moms!

Peter and I recently had a visitor! It was Peter's mom Pauline. This was an exciting visit because she is the first of member of Peter's family to come out and visit us! It was exciting to show her how we lived. Being from Texas, she loved all the smells we have here in California. I guess sometimes I take for granted the cornucopia of flowers and foliage we have growing out of cracks in sidewalks. She loved the produce selections as well. We went to Farmer's Market in Santa Monica and loaded up on local produce! We had these chili=lemon pistachios that were so good! MMmmm...and the strawberries were great too.

The other exciting part is that Pauline got to meet my family. We had German food, compliments of my grandma and we got to go to Santa Barbara one day. Our mom's got to hang out and eat clam chowder. Everyone got along great which is a huge relief. The last thing I would ever want is a bumpy road ahead with families in our future. Who wants that?  So this means that we can happily continue on with our love with no known animosities! Our parents are both so nice that it would be hard to imagine them not getting along. Hooray for love!

Here is a photo of our moms!

Here they are with Peter looking at the Harbor!

Beautiful Day

When Peter and I got back from Texas we went on a walk to the beach. We sat by the jetty and walked to the lagoon that is home to many ducks and geese. I thought these guys were cute. They were very loud:

 

 

That's my Peter getting some sun.

 

Sitting at the water.

I am kinda going backwards here. I just found some photos from our Christmas in Texas.

 

That is also my adorable boyfriend Peter.

Here are his funny sisters wearing everything that was given to them for christmas:

 

And then it was Happy New Year!

And to go back even further...it was Peter's birthday and we went to Korean BBQ with a ton of people:

 

Sorry Vegetarians...but it was delicious.