dream come true [domino mag]

i am soooo super excited!

 domino

 my favie mag that was ever in print released a new issue! 

1. the new domino mag release & i just ran out & picked it up. (this is it on the check out belt).

2. my old domino mag collection from when it was in print years ago.

if i was the coveting kind...i'd totally covet my precious domino mag collection!

3 & 4. exciting sneak peeks! i'm already cozied up under a blanket on the couch with Stinky Little Brown Dog ready to savor each page!

* i have no clue what blogger is up to, but me no like-y & it's not working for me...thinking it's time for a change very soon.

gardening & free ranging chicks [spring]

               marshmallow our skittish newly laying hen.   hot chocolate is THE snuggliest rooster ever!

               she's coming around slowly with lots of         he follows us around & squawks, squirms &

               in hand treats & patient lovin'.                    squats down so you can hold him.

a few weekends ago we had a really nice break in the weather.

we decided it was the perfect time for our chickens 1st day free ranging

& also to clean up our

[severely neglected & horribly over grown] garden beds for spring.

that way we could stay close & keep an eye on them.

 

they were both pretty hesitant at 1st.

but came around eventually & were soon running & flapping their wings with joy .

surprisingly Hot Chocolate the rooster had a little seperation anxiety if M left his side.

he would search for her, squawk out a nervous squawk & panic a little.

totally un-rooster meanie like, but super cute!

`

spring must have really been in the air

because even grumpus bun bun Carmello joined us.

He helped nibble away at the clover while the chickens discovered insect delicacies.

which really is one of Carmello's favie bun bun things to do, he just really hates the leaving his hutch & being touched & carried over to the beds part.

country girl brownsugars

there were lots of other garden critters helping us too.

snail girl - "poking him in the eyeballs is fun, but i really want to lick him!!!" *sigh*

blue belly lizard girl - "what a beautiful creation!"

* yesterday we spent the day at our favie garden nurseries...stay tuned!

coffeeshop. treats. new favie book!

[yes we rushed out the door & i forgot to do my poor brownsugar's hair & i didn't realized it until i saw the pic]

yesterday after completing & turning in K's worksamples

(meanies having worksamples due the week after springbreak!),

the brownsugars & i hung out at our fave local coffeehouse.

to treat ourselves

i had a delish vanilla chai lattes

(instead of the reg spiced chai latte)

& the brownsugars shared a super yum

blended creme brulee.

so we sat, sipped & read.

us bookworms were surprised & giddy even to see their kiddie book basket was full of great new books!

 not only did we each find new favie drinks,

but we found a new favie book!

not only was the character a super spunky & stinkin' cute brownsugar girlie,

but we LOVED the message of the book

 against the attitude of throw away wastefulness & cherishing things that are special to us.

 also a very good example of a capable, resourceful & creative mama...who in the end broadened her girlie's way of thinking differently about things & also inspires her.

Open up a fresh and stylish story about growing up and keeping hold of your favorite memories. As the year passes, the narrator’s favorite dress goes through a series of creative changes, from dress to shirt to tank top to scarf and so on, until all that’s left of it is a good memory. Assisted by her patient and crafty mama, the narrator finds that when disaster strikes her favorite things, she doesn’t need to make mountains out of molehills—she “makes molehills out of mountains” instead! Structured around the days of the week, the story is also illustrated to show the passing of the seasons, a perfect complement to the themes of growing older and keeping hold (and letting go) of special mementos.

please read this review !

Medieval Festival

March 30th our homeschooling co-op
put on an amazing Medieval Festival. 

it was such a fantastic living history day with so much going on, but i tried to spare too many pix, so this post doesn't near do the event justice.  

peasant mama with my knight & fair maidens.

the peasant mamas worked hard behind the scenes cooking, cleaning etc...to help pull this eventful day off for the kiddies.

in one room we had a huge variety of educational info & activities.

the kiddies had their castles on display.

the Canterbury Players backstage before their performance of Scarborough Fair.

K during her first ever & solo guitar performance.

we decorated the room (garage) & banquet tables the day before.

the paper maiche center pieces were made by one of the moms.

even the huge hippogryph (in front of the table) that was the size of me, was made out of papier mache.

after morning activities

& the performances we had a Medieval 12 course meal:

(not in order)

1. leek soup
2. biscuits
3. quiche
4. meat pies
5. boiled carrots
6. sausages
7. salmon
8. salad
9. chicken
10. cheese plate
11. pizza
12. cheesecake

these pix are completely out of sequence because they happened before everything else...BUT blogger is being evil.

we had a live hawk that hunted named Tony of course.

 a real life knight & squire who were full of educational info & demos for the kiddies.

after the knight & his squire showed the process of suiting up in a knights suit of (authentic!)amour they had an exciting sword fight.

each of the kiddies got a chance.

* so thankful that our co-op has such great families that are super dedicated...which makes events like this so super amazing!

back to it!

{instagram @brownsugarhoney}
we've enjoyed our 2 weeks of spring break.
got to go see fam & take a break & just kick back.
back to it today though!

weekending {bike. taproot. me. tidbits.}

oops! this was supposed to post Sunday!

{saturday}

i finally got to ride my bike!

with Him working every weekend & rain on top of it,

i haven't been able to make any group rides for months,

but this weekend He arranged his work schedule so i could get out there for a bit.

i didn't get to do the full 25 miles that i wanted,

but i was so happy with the 18 miles i did get to do.

the coffee shop at the coast is the 1/2 way break point.

we stop, get a little drink & chit chat.

i got a 4 berry smoothie with a soy protein boost.

*happy girl*

{sunday}

i've been WAITING!

i got my 1st eagerly awaited issue of

 taproot magazine 

earlier in the week.

the girlies grabbed the mail & for a couple of days i didn't even know it was here until later in the week.

i saw it sitting open on the kitchen counter while K was reading it!

it is such a beautiful magazine!

it's surprisingly different in substance than what i expected, but in a very good way.

i got a few quiet minutes in the morning to enjoy a little bit of it with my cup of coffee.

it was another full weekend with many activities.

yes, the girls & i did projects, crafting, cooking & made some neat discoveries even,

but i wanted to share a few of my personal tidbits.

i'm always posting kid/family stuff

(which honestly i need a break from),

it's nice when i get to focus a little attention on myself

& how i get to enjoy being me.

the last few weekends made me realize how necessary it truly is to take time to take care of me 1st sometimes.

& there aint nothing wrong with that.

i'm noticing i'm not the only mama needing some me time.

{tid bits}

*i finally got to sit down (fully distraction free) & watch

Food Inc. & Food Matters.

unbelievable both documentaries.

re-inforced alot of my food based decisions.

*one of my fave routines was starting every day with my fave news programs on NPR during my morning tea or coffee.

i think i just gave up because either i did not want to bum the girls out with what's going on in this crazy world.

& it was never quiet enough to listen anyway.

but they are older & more aware now & i can actually listen.

nice to be back to it. 

Encinitas day 3 {gar'den.ol.ogy}

i want this couch & cushions!

grey, linen, creamy white, orange & navy

gar'den.ol.ogy

such a fantastic store it gets it own post.

oh my goodness!

there were so MANY beautiful things.

after days 1 & 2 of our Encinitas mini beach vacay

 the girls were completely bored & over the shopping stuff, 

but i could have spent hours & hours in this shop.

& could purchase one of everything!

i love the earthy neutral color palette

(greys, linens, whites...)

with bursts of color accents

(oranges, greens, yellows...)

the layers of natural textures & fabric

(linens, cotton, flax, glass, raw wood, metal, greenery...)

& if this makes any sense...

the tasteful,

understated ambiance paired with 

beautifully simplistic luxury.

in other words

just enough sparkle & fluff for me.

{happy girl}