Peck Life

February Garden

Lately, I feel like I’ve been living in a world of gray and brown depression – it’s been dark here, cloudy, gloomy, rainy, and sad. Definitely not picture taking weather. But thankfully, day by day, little by little, life is happening and color is coming through. I get that these pictures aren’t very exciting but among the obvious despair is a little bit of growth; fuzzy hairs, vibrant lime green, emerging folds, and piles of soil that are slowly swelling –do you see it?? Three months from now and this will look like a totally different world, I can’t WAIT!

This is a euphorbia in case you are wondering. There are so many varieties and they don’t require much care. They also spread to form a nice ground cover, yet they aren’t TOO invasive. One of my favorites!

I have no recollection of planting this ground cover but the other morning, I found it blooming in our front yard! What a great surprise!! As soon as I figure out what it is, I’ll be buying 10 more to plant around the yard. February blooming plants are few and far between!

During the January snow storm, we lost a big juniper shrub/tree under our front window and Josh has been outside chopping and shredding. It was scraggily anyway but the time finally came to chop it down. The laurel bush next to the cedar tree will also be removed here very shortly! I hate that thing and it’s choking out the tree. This front area is next on the garden agenda {actually it’s a tie between this and planting seeds…}, there is much weeding clearing, and re-planting to do. I think we might move one of the hydrangea's in the back to this front spot.

Another completely different variety of euphorbia, this one is lime green! It’s kind of prehistoric looking…lanky with jungle leaves….but it really helps brighten the mood early in the year when not much else is happening.

Lastly, our camellia. Sigh, usually it gets tons of buds and then it snows or freezes, they turn black, and we never see any flowers. I’m really hoping that changes this year!

Jenny Lind Bed Makeover

Remember when I got this beauty last summer off craigslist for a cool $15?

Well, after months of prep and a prompt from this month’s colour me happy project, we finally finished it! I say WE because Josh had a huge part in seeing this to completion. I did the prepping, sanding, and priming and he did the painting and sealing. Go team! Another crucial component was all the wonderful guidance provided by Centsational Girl. Without her, I would have stood on the spray paint isle…for probably, hours.

In case you care, here is a quick step by step of our process:

1. Wipe dirt and grime off bed. Sand like crazy…but not too much!

2. Prime. Sometimes priming isn’t always required but I wanted to give myself the best odds. The primer acts like a bonding agent for the spray paint and makes it nice and smoooooth. I used a Zissner oil-based formula.

3. Paint. As long as you follow the instructions on the can, you’re golden. Make sure it’s not too cold when you are painting! To avoid cracking, bubbling, or peeling, it needs to be between a certain temperature range. For this, we went with a gray/blue color – Slate Blue by Rustoleum.

4. Seal. To protect your paint job and give it a long life, a polyurethane spray, like Varathane, will do the trick.

DISCLAIMER: I am not an expert furniture re-finisher so would highly recommend doing your own research as well based on what you want to paint!

This bed will soon be in Sky’s “big boy room” which we are working on little by little and I can’t WAIT to share sometime in the coming months!

Friday Randoms

There’s a lot on my brain this week. Since there isn’t really an elegant way to put it in some sort of coherent format, why don’t we just grab a cup of coffee and have a little chat?

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It’s been hard lately to keep up {and finish} big projects around the house so I’m finding it imperative to celebrate the little things. For example, a dry erase board we made with extra burlap and a frame from the Goodwill, and a clothes drying rod in our laundry room created with a wood dowel and a couple of hooks from Lowes. Many thanks to Josh who helped me draw straight lines on the frame {I’m horrible at that kind of stuff} and did the clothes rod 100%. Such a good husband!

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Are there certain technology products you use in your day to day routine that you think have drastically changed or improved your life? It’s kind of a loaded question, right? Even though I often feel like the internet, smartphones, YouTube, and the gazillion other sites we all engage in every day might be diminishing our quality of life, ultimately, the pro’s outweigh the con’s {at least for me}. Today, I’m feeling happy for Windows Live Writer and Google Reader– 2 of my favorite things that I can say with 100% confidence, improve my life and make blog reading and writing/editing blog posts possible. Where would I be without them?

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By far, the most “active” item on my Pinterest boards lately is baked Kale chips. Seriously? I know they are good but I literally get emails daily saying this ONE ITEM has been pinned about 50 times by different people and anytime I get a “new comment”, it’s always on this! haha, I just think it’s so funny….and odd? All hail the mighty kale chip!

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When I was cleaning out files on our computer, I found a copy of my first ever blog post from 2008 and thought I would share. No pictures or details….just a simple paragraph:

August 16, 2008

We finally have our own website! How exciting!

We're looking forward to blogging and posting pictures for you all! So far, the summer has been eventful. Emily's best friend, Fallon was married on Friday 8/8/08, and that concluded 10 long months of anticipation and planning. Hmm, now what to do with all this free time?? I can't wait to see the pictures! I'll be sure to post some for you all to see. Josh has been busy working and recovering from his fractured foot. We both took time out over the 4th of July weekend (and additional weekends unfortunately) to paint our entire downstairs - what a project! It always takes longer than you think - but it looks good and we shouldn't have to move the furniture down there again anytime soon...maybe...I think. In between all that, we've been trying to get the yard in shape. The weeds are ginormous and seem to grow back a week later. I'm trying to be nice to the earth and not use any chemicals so I plan to cover the ground with 6 inches of mulch to put the weeds into their final resting place before fall comes.

Let us know what you think of the site and if anything can be improved!

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I’ve found myself thinking a lot about Martha this week and this post. I don’t really have anything eloquent to say or know how to express the jumbled thoughts in my head but all I know….is that she is brave. Very very brave.

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I’m super excited to share a fun furniture makeover with you next week!! It’s been a long work in progress. Let’s just say it has something to do with this post.

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Do you watch Bethenny Ever After? It’s funny…I’m not a huge fan of the Real Housewives {even though I’ve probably seen all the shows at least once} and I actually did NOT like Bethenny when she was on that show. But, the more I watch her on her own show, the more I like her and can’t stop watching…sigh. I don’t really watch any TV other than Project Runway so I’ll have to make a decision on if this is going to get my one hour a week.

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So, there you have it. My ping pong thoughts! Do you ever have days where it just feels better to write it all out so you can stop thinking about it? I sure do {obviously}! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Sweet Finds: Claudia Pearson

I’ve got garden planning on the brain so it’s easy to see why I instantly fell in love with Claudia’s work. Her style of illustration suits me, it’s beautiful and detailed, yet still simple and vibrant. More fun designs, including an interesting recipe for sour cherry soup, can be found in her Etsy shop. Enjoy!

Food Lately

We’ve been enjoying some yummy grub over the past week! Thanks to a few new recipes I discovered, Valentine’s Day, a friendly neighbor, and an impromptu dinner with family, the noshing has been in full force! Let’s begin!

On Valentine’s Day, we made Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Apple Grilled Cheese based off a recipe I found at Jen Loves Kev. It was so yummy and hearty! A welcome change from plain ol’ grilled cheese for sure. We topped it off with fancy strawberry pop in honor of the holiday {Sky had milk}. Overall, a SWEET dinner, but gooooood.

The very next day we heard a knock at the front door and it was our neighbor {probably the nicest most “normal” neighbor in our cul-de-sac}, giving us freshly homemade tamales to sample and asking if we’d like to buy more as a way to raise money to send her son to New York. They were so good that we ordered a dozen and have been stuffing our bellies with them all week. There are 2 kinds; chicken and pepper/cheese. I can’t get enough!!

Another scrumptious recipe, also found at Jen Loves Kev: African Sweet Potato Stew with Red Beans. Sometimes these things look intimidating but it was actually very easy and quick to make! It was loaded with vegetables and was so warm and delicious. Add a little cornbread and you have the perfect dinner! You can see Sky’s “mini-version” above along with his assortment of fruit, which seems to be a staple for him. He also requested slivered almonds.

Lastly, we had a special dinner with our special cousins, Heidi and Ben who are visiting from out of town. Ben has magic hands and can create anything on a whim…he’s just a natural. They brought over some fish and also “whipped up” a simple salad of radicchio, tomato, beans, onion, and garlic topped with avocado. It may have been the best thing I ate all week, simple, dynamic, and amazinnnnnggggg. We paired the fish with couscous, more green salad and of course, wine. It was the best dinner among even better company. I love them. Seeing them multiple times within the last few months has been such a treat!

{Linking up with mini-meals at with two cats!}

Eat, drink, and be merry

It’s fair to say the entire weekend has been centered around food and gathering. It’s the perfect thing really….eating, talking, visiting, eating more, drinking, dessert. I’m a happy camper.

Saturday night, I met up with a few of my favorite bloggin’ girls for dinner at Z’Tejas in Bellevue, followed by frozen yogurt, which led to mall standing {it could probably be a pastime} and roaming through Forever 21. Part of me felt like I was in high school all over again. Oh, and PS….the mall was so crowded! Bellevue, hello?! Remember when you were tiny? I LOVED seeing these ladies and we had such an awesome time commiserating about life, blogging, raising young kiddos, working, target, colored pants…all of the important things.

Left to right: amanda, jill, chelsey, fiona, chelsea, melissa, mandy, amy, ashley, mandy, me, stephanie, and kiara.

This is Chelsea. She makes me laugh hard! She has a cute daughter named Lily {just like our doggie} and another little bun on the way. You should check out her blog because she’s adorable. <3 {Linking up with Mandy at Harper’s Happenings! On me: pants/kohls {again}, shirt/marshall’s, shoes/ruche}

Aren’t these hats the best? You can get your very own at Forever 21! We got shoosh’d for taking pictures, ooops!

The merriment continued on Sunday for a brunch spectacular at Salty’s on Alki. I’ve always wanted to try it so as a final 30th birthday party celebration with all our family and a couple close friends, it finally happened!

The amount of food is out of control. Anything your heart desires…it’s there. Crepes, omelets, pasta, tons of meat, oysters, crab, shrimp, pancakes, bacon, eggs benedict, 50 million desserts….enough to keep you full forever. Sometimes I get a little weary of buffets…because there are a lot of hands on the same pair of tongs..but really, this was completely fine and the food was soo soo soo good! They even bought us warm towels to wipe the germs with!

We reserved a private room downstairs and I’m SO GLAD WE DID. The main dining room was packed, like standing room only! It was so wonderful, we had tons of space, a gorgeous view of Seattle, our own private deck, and the kiddos could run all over without disturbing the peace. Such a perfect way to lounge while you stuff your face.

This is my best friend, Fallon. I love her a lot…that’s why we make hearts, yo!

Aside from all this consuming and quality friend/family time, the last 2 days of festivities was topped off with a very VERY special birthday gift:

I am like, indescribable, over the moon excited. Not only is blogging one of my favorite things in the entire world and I’m super giddy to learn, hear great speakers, and be in the presence of people I’ve followed and loved for YEARS, BUT….New York City, man. It’s been a dream for as long as I can remember. The one thing I need to do before I die, the pinnacle, the PEAK! I can’t even think about it without getting butterflies. I am SO SO SO excited.

Friday Favorites

1. My favorite post of the week!

2. I heart typography so this made me really happy.

3. Possible Idea for Sky’s room? How about a huge letter “S” ?

4. I love everything about this colorful, casual, vintage wedding.

5. How was your Valentine’s Day? I thought these natural hearts were pretty.

6. This might be my next obsession now that cupcakes are {supposedly} waning.

7. I can’t WAIT to get this book.

8. Some freebie digital vintage labels for you!

I can’t believe Friday is finally here, what a long week it has been! I’ve been a bit tired and lax on computer time but hope to be back with some great posts next week. There are adventures to be had this weekend! Xo!

On turning 30.

{Print via Studio Mela – just one of many many amazing pieces of art}

Today is my 30th birthday. It’s a big one, for sure. Lately I find myself filled with a mix of emotions that always seem to surround these high-profile milestones. There’s so much hype and everyone has a different opinion on what it means to age. I’ve been feeling like I’m supposed to feel passionate about it, like because it’s THIRTY, I’m expected to go crazy, have a mid-life crisis, wish I was still 20, or mope over the fact that I’m getting wrinkles.

The honest truth is that I’m happy for this day. It’s finally here, I’m embracing it, and I don’t really feel bad about getting older. With each year comes more layers, more learning, more growing – like rings on a tree I tell you! I feel like I’m officially an adult now! Of course, there are also drawbacks; I can’t stay up super late and be able to function the following day, the music the “kids” are playing is too loud, and I’m not sure if I should still be shopping in the juniors section. Does anyone know? How about Forever 21?

Like I mentioned in my 2012 resolutions, change is in the air. There will be new challenges and new experiences this year, I know that for sure, but it will be awesome and I say bring it on! I will know myself better than I ever did in my 20’s. I wonder if I’ll be saying the same thing about my 30’s when I turn 40?

Cheers to a new decade!

Mushy Gushy

Happy Valentine’s Day dear family, friends, and readers!

Burlesque me baby.

In honor of my upcoming 30th birthday, I gathered a group of friends for a Saturday night on the town that started with dinner at Wild Ginger, followed by J’Adore – A burlesque Valentine at the Triple Door, and ending {at least for Josh and I}, at Hotel Monaco in downtown Seattle. We decided to splurge and not make the hour drive home at midnight {it was TOTALLY worth it btw}! Dinner was kind of “eh” compared to previous visits to the same restaurant and the show was….comical….but still fun and entertaining. I’ve never been to a burlesque show before – the amount of PASTIES they must go through, eeeek! {Linking up with Mandy at Harper’s Happenings! On me: shirt and pants/kohls, tank/target, shoes/ruche}

{don’t mind my squinty eyes, not sure what’s going on with my face!}

A few highlights and low-lights for you {and so I can remember too}:

SWEEEEEET

• Valet parking included with our hotel stay!
• A peach bellini at dinner, delivered from afar by my best friend, Fallon, who couldn’t make it.
• All the wonderful friends/family that came with us to celebrate!
• Post show Purple Café drink with Clint and Malia!
• The BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH EVER at the Library Bistro. Let me just tell you….HOMEMADE HOT APPLE FRITTERS covered with CINNAMON AND SUGAR, served with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. I DIED. Then, I had shredded CORNED BEEF covered with a layer of POTATOES, covered with 2 giant POACHED EGGS, covered with HOLLANDAISE SAUCE. And then I died again.

BLAH

• I don’t really have any good photos, nothing was in focus and I was scared to use the flash.
• I will always associate this hotel with “where I was” when I found out Whitney died.
• Watered down drinks at the Triple Door.
• Wanting just a simple chill night out with all my close girl friends but instead it turned into a bit of a planning nightmare and not everyone was able to make it. I learned my lesson and it will probably be a very long time before I attempt this again.
• I’m old – going to bed at 2 am and waking up at 7:30 is NOT A GOOD IDEA. No more for me.