Abel Finch

Arizona

2012-02-08T13:57:00.002-08:00

Abe and I took a much needed road trip to Arizona last week to visit some very missed friends. It was nothing short of a seriously amazing time ghost-towning, rock admiring/buying ( by the way, desert folks take their geodes and rocks pretty dang seriously), horse watching (or lusting), and being pretty much amazed to find a man on a tractor and a women on a horse on a main road. Oh, and staying up way too late with my dear friend!
Aside from the great trip, Abe was fantastic in the car! He told stories, daydreamed, slept, read, and pretty much didn't make a fowl sound the entire 14 hours I spent in the car with him. Actually, it was much more pleasant and easier than my daily interaction with him. Guess I'll need to make another road trip to AZ soon!

Switzer + Griffith park

2012-01-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

Hiking and picnic at Switzer

hiking around Griffith park

A few of his costumes

2012-01-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

All Star Lanes

2012-01-04T07:59:00.001-08:00

Welcome twenty twelve!

2012-01-03T21:00:00.001-08:00

Happy holidays

2012-01-03T17:57:00.000-08:00

Arkansas

2011-12-10T15:40:00.001-08:00

{in winter, along with reenactors on the battle field}

We had an early Smith clan chrsitmas with the whole gang. All SIXTEEN of us! Check out all those stockings! It's gonna be unreal when more babies pop up.
And wholly smokes! cloves stuffed in tangerines is the smell of full on christmas goodness (along with fresh baked bread and molasses).

Thanksgiving in wine country

2011-12-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

{aka, the good life}

It was a holiday of epic eating (toothsome foods of coarse), wine tasting, and fires made by the menfolk. ahh, It was a fantastic trip. Or as Abel says while he lays back in the bubble infused bathtub, "ahhhh, this is my life." To be mistaken for "ahhh, this is THE life", which usually exits my mouth every time I taste humbolt fog cheese or sip on champagne.

Desert Camping

2011-11-07T18:38:00.001-08:00

Anza-Borrego Desert

All Hallow's Eve

2011-11-01T21:15:00.000-07:00

Robinhood and Oscar the horse

2011-11-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

...and baked apples

autumn + candlelight

2011-10-27T14:23:00.000-07:00

Two of my favorite things about autumn; steam from soups on windows at night, and the glow of candlelight. Oh, and all things apple and baked (like these apple pie cookies).

{ This is Abe saying, "May I please be excused?" The one before it is Abe asking for the umteenth time if he has to eat the whole thing.}

autumn + garden

2011-10-27T14:09:00.001-07:00

One decade, tomorrow

2011-10-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow N and I celebrate our ten year anniversary! A decade down the road, and this man impresses me more and more. I have to say, we're having an awful lot of fun together. Although, life would be EVEN better if that were our red farmhouse in the background, and that barn housed a horse named Sadie.

Gracias por las fotos, Amanda!!

freaky fake eyes

2011-09-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

first day of preschool

2011-09-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

We bid our adieus

2011-09-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

...to the summer months

Our first batch of Elderberry syrup!

Look at that form!!! Even with his eyes closed, he's quite good!

The Movies

2011-09-07T14:57:00.000-07:00

This was his expression through the entire Winnie the Pooh movie.
He looked as if his world had just opened right before his eyes. He also said that is was the biggest computer he's ever seen.

Riding Bikes

2011-08-26T13:03:00.000-07:00

Our car was in the shop last weekend, which left us with a moped and 2 bikes for transportation. It was so nice to be carless for a bit. We now have a (unofficial) carless weekend rule in our family.

Mountain Home State Park: Frazier Mill

2011-08-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

[Sequoia National Forest]

We finally busted out Erin and Joe's homemade peppers from last Christmas. I have to say, it was well worth the wait. They went quite nicely with our soup and fat tire!

I love this picture of Noah. It makes me think of a Walt Whitman quote; "Stuffed with the stuff that is coarse, and stuffed with the stuff that is fine."

Meadows and Redwood groves

2011-08-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

We tried to look up this mushroom in our Audubon book, but couldn't find it listed. We couldn't stop starring at how perfectly geometrical it was. It really made us want a meringue pie too!

Noah attempted to take a really nice picture of me, and this was the result. He got me swatting a bee and stopped there.

This may have been the farthest distance I've had to run for my 10 second camera timer. I'm still kinda impressed that I successfully pushed the button, ran that distance, and jumped into a massive tree in time.

Sunset Point

2011-08-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

[Bedrock Mortars & Bedrock Basins: Sequoia National Forest]

These mortars are believed to date back to A.D. 500 (until European contact). Supposedly, sugar pine and pinyon nuts were used in these mortars.
Not too far from the mortars were basins, or "Indian bathtubs". Abe loved pretending to bathe in it.

Hidden Falls

2011-08-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

[Sequoia National Forest]

We hiked down to this beautiful waterfall, which turned out to be freezing cold snow runoff. As cold as it was, it was just too beautiful to not get in. Even Abe braced himself and went for it.

Camping: Blue Ridge

2011-08-18T15:56:00.000-07:00

[Angeles National Forest]

Abel's Portraits

2011-08-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

Tia ( my sister, Erin)

Daddy

In our kitchen

2011-08-10T19:09:00.000-07:00

Pickles and bagels! A great combination.

Sunday at the Museums

2011-08-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

LACMA

La Brea Tar Pits

Backyard Camping

2011-08-01T10:20:00.001-07:00

We had a backyard campout for Justin's birthday. They live in a beautiful farmhouse in Altadena with loads of trees, grapevines, wisteria, citrus trees, and tons and tons of grass and space for kiddos to play. It was a little slice of heaven to wake up in that yard, hearing the neighbor's roosters. That feeling wore off once i realized it wasn't even 6 am. Then I just wanted to throw a shoe at the roosters and give Abe some benadryl.

The Birthday Beast

2011-07-27T17:16:00.000-07:00

Funderland!

2011-07-27T15:40:00.001-07:00

Disneyland really doesn't compare to this 1940s amusement park with really terrible illustrated refreshment signs and the worlds creepiest sailor clown-octopus ride. It's a magical place.

Naomi and Oliver came with Abe and I to spend the weekend at my parents house in Sacramento. We had a pretty incredible time. Swimming, poker, wine tasting, a picnic in a vinyard, amusement parks, and lots and lots of really freakin' good food. Thank you again, Mom and Pops!

Teepee

2011-07-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

These two spend lots of time in this teepee. I often find Abel in there reading books to Oscar, while Oscar chews on his deer antler bone. One time I walked in the playroom and saw some of my yarn stretched across the room with Oscar's deer antler tied to the end, and Oscar's nose not far from it. Abel would slowly give it a little pull from inside of the teepee, in hope to lure Oscar in. His clever tactic worked!

En la playa

2011-07-05T11:06:00.000-07:00

(Manhattan Beach)

I haven't had my camera around much lately, but thankfully Noah has this fancy pants phone. The thought of lugging around a SLR just seemed like too much work. That's how relaxing our weekend was!
After loads of company, busy work hours for N, and not much money to show for those busy work hours, we were in much need of some relaxation. And what better way to relax then to spend 2 days on the beach, eating fish tacos and building sand castles?

Forth of July BBQ

2011-07-05T10:59:00.000-07:00

The Watts Towers

2011-07-05T10:40:00.001-07:00

After living here for almost 9 years, we finally made it to see the Watts Towers. It's quite phenomenal!

Clarks and Christensens in town

2011-07-03T15:06:00.000-07:00

We had quite a bit of family in town this past weekend; My parents, aunts, and my cousin and his family (who are visiting from Malaysia). We were packed in like sardines for a bit, which is just our style. We had such a great time. Thank you all again for visiting! Next time, lets pack in like sardines in Malaysia!

my pretty mom, and handsome dad...

Our First Dodgers game:
We stayed long enough to scarf down a dodgers dog, drink a $12 beer, spill a $12 beer, bake in the hot sun, and pretty much sit in confusion at why I don't understand the spirituality behind the game. Then we took my sick, fever-ridden child home. Meaning...we stayed for 45 minutes.

Emma

Noah making music with (my) Noah..

Three!

2011-06-28T14:42:00.000-07:00

three years ago...

Today, my little guy turned three years old! I can't believe it! As every parent says, time just slips by ya. It seems so very recent that Abe came blazing into this world, fast and early, and he hasn't slowed down since.
I feel quite blessed for the past 3 years with Abel. We've had moments (or some long periods) of adjusting to awkward changes a little one brings, chaos and tears, family adventures and travels, so so many dear memories I hope to hold onto for the remainder of my life, and lots of laughter and love. Most of all, love.

On Father's Day

2011-06-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wishing Noah and my sweet Pops a Happy Father's day!

Abel and Tennessee's birthday party

2011-06-15T21:02:00.000-07:00

This year, we had a joint birthday party for Abel and Tennessee. It's hard to believe we're celebrating 3 years of their lives. It doesn't seem that long ago when Abel came into this world (and Scout was there in the delivery room greeting him!)

This party was pretty insane. We had a giant bounce house, a fish pinata, bubbles, balloons, cake, chocolate covered bananas, and presents. Abel said it was the best day of his life! His birthday isn't actually for another week and a half, but I don't think Abel minds having his birthday spaced out a bit!

Abel attempting to trade a sucked on sucker for Claire's wrapped candy. She didn't take the bait.

I asked Scout what he would be if he could choose from anything in the world. He replied confidently with, "a tiger". So, I made this tiger costume for his birthday.

Walkie Talkie

2011-06-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

For Abel's birthday, his grandmommy gave him a walkie talkie.

A visit from Grandmommy

2011-06-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

Abel spent lots of time with his grandmommy playing cowboys and finding rolly pollies outside. He was awfully sad to wake up and not see her this morning. Thanks again for the visit, Judy. We love you!

The Woods

2011-06-07T14:18:00.000-07:00

My soul needed a month in this, although I was grateful for just the weekend.

Sequoia National Forest

2011-06-07T13:51:00.000-07:00

Fishing

2011-06-07T13:29:00.000-07:00

mi pescado a la sal

2011-05-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

(my fish baked in salt)

Outdoors

2011-05-26T21:07:00.000-07:00

akin

2011-05-17T14:45:00.001-07:00

June

2011-05-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

We planted a tree and named her June. She's a beautiful plum tree!

Springtime

2011-05-16T14:17:00.001-07:00

La Bicicletta

2011-04-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

(phone pictures from a bike ride)

Easter Sunday

2011-04-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

Abe and his gal, Claire after church

After 2 eggs hunts, we had a really lovely Easter barbecue with some friends. The weather was just about perfect for grilling outside and lounging in the grass. Abe was pretty darn excited about Easter. He woke up bright and early at 6:00 am and yelled out as he ran into our room, "Happy Valentine's Day, Momma!" Close enough for a 2 1/2 year old with chocolate on the brain.

Egg dying

2011-04-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

au natural...

overdyed with PAAS...

Noah came home for lunch and saw our various shades of mauve, fog, and toasted sesame, and nearly barfed at how boring Abel's bowl of eggs looked. So, after wasting a prized bag of frozen blueberries, 3 onions, a head of cabbage, and enough tumeric for my chana masala this week, we walked down to Super A for a 97 cent box of PAAS. Once I dropped those pellets in the water, Abe went nuts over the bright pinks. Although they all ended up back to browns once Abel was through.

Cambria, California

2011-04-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

San Simion National Park

Over the weekend, we camped at San Simeon Nat. park just outside of Cambria. Our friend Zach (uncle Beast to Abe) met us, the day after flying in from Spain. It was a really amazing trip. California is just so beautiful; especially this time of year. We even had oysters and champagne by the beach!

Noah was super sweet to bring cupcakes for a birthday dessert, but forgot candles. After singing happy birthday Noah threw a handful of wildflowers in the air. I think that might be a new tradition for the Smith family. It was so much sweeter than a candle!

Elephant Seals

2011-04-19T13:38:00.000-07:00

I turned thirty!

2011-04-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

-a card from Noah

Also, an inspiring Nina Simone interview

The Stables

2011-04-13T15:32:00.000-07:00

I love my Wednesdays. That unpretentious barn covered in spider webs and pigeon poop is now becoming home to me. I'm always greeted by 12 dozen hens, roosters, chicks, about 30 feral cats, and the mangy stable dog named Mouse. I always look forward to hanging my bag on the antique horse hook right next to Bonnie's stall. If Abel were reincarnated as a mare, this would be the horse. She's sweet as pie and a rogue at the same time.

I always look forward to seeing Joe Romano. He's an 86 year old Italian who lost his wife 6 years ago. She kept a horse there, and since her death, he wanders up every now and then out of habit. Every time, i hear, "Well, hello. I'm Joe Romano. Like the cheese. Wanna dance?" Then he grabs my arms and waltzes with me around the chicken poop and horse manure.

As if my time at the stables weren't soul cleansing enough, I get to see Abel's big grin when he smells my hands after the stables, and that wide eyed look he gives me when I tell him about my day, and hear of his.
These days are so good.

The reason for the picture of my boots is only to remember the joyful and comforting feeling I get when i glance over and see these stables boots waiting for wednesdays to roll around.

Superheros

2011-04-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Ollie is really into superheros now, which means that Abel is REALLY into superheros now. Since we don't really have any action hero type gear in our house quite yet, pillow cases suffice. They run around now yelling, "Abel and Ollie to the rescue!!!" I asked what they were rescuing, and Abel said rolly pollies. Unfortunately, the rolly pollies he finds aren't at all rescued, but die a very slow death, suffocating in his pockets or sweaty fists that latch shut for hours.

water tub

2011-04-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

These moments...

2011-04-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

...I hope to never forget.

Abe and his bike

2011-03-28T14:20:00.000-07:00

He often requests to have one pant leg rolled. (Such an urban bicyclist)

As much as he loves riding his bike, this is often the posistion i find his bike lying in. He easily gets distracted with running squirrels or spotting rocks to take home for his rock collection. In this last picture he dropped his bike and just starred at the birds for a bit then decided to climb the tree.

this time last year

2011-03-22T14:20:00.000-07:00

Rajasthan, India

In loving menory of Eric Christensen

2011-03-21T20:58:00.000-07:00

In honor of my cousin, Eric (stage name Eddie Dane) the burlesque and protestant world joined hands for a New Orleans style funeral.

Overnight trip to Santa Barbara

2011-03-21T20:50:00.001-07:00

I don't know if there is anything cuter than a little boy's suitcase.

First day of Spring!

2011-03-21T16:28:00.001-07:00

I started off the season with a trip to the flower district!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

Guinness and green milk. It doesn't get much better than that.

views from where I lay

2011-03-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

Noah turns 32!

2011-03-10T20:26:00.000-08:00

On top of noah having a crazy work week, I've spent the past 6 days on the couch or in bed with pneumonia. Thanks to dear friends, Abel was juggled around for a few days while noah finished his work and took care of me.
Thanks to dear, sweet Amanda, Noah didn't have to eat my left over soup for his birthday dinner. Thanks for the cake too, Amanda! I ventured outside for the first time in 6 days to have a birthday picnic (that really only lasted about 7 minutes for me). Thank you friends, for all your help. We are truly grateful.

Salvation Mountain

2011-03-01T14:31:00.001-08:00

This is Abel's rendition of Salvation Mountain...

Camping At The Salton Sea

2011-03-01T14:19:00.000-08:00

baby Jackson Waylon

little Pearl

We camped with some dear friends at the Red Hill Marina, Salton Sea. Across from the campsite were humongous salt flats that the boys rode their bikes on and found loads of golf balls. Abel is just now starting to get the hang of the balance bike. After acting googly-eyed over Finn's superior bicycle riding skills, I have a feeling Abel will be trying to master that bike. That boy really looks up to Finn. I think he even tried to prove his manhood to Finn by grabbing a cactus. Needless to say, it did not prove his manhood, but hurt like hell. And left about 100 needles in his teeny hand.

Abel's Sleeping Bag

2011-02-28T13:48:00.000-08:00

Abel is quite proud of his new sleeping bag. Today, this sleeping bag has magically transformed into a train, boat, space ship, tunnel, submarine, a freeway with only motorcycles, a sled, and a snowboard. It's one amazing sleeping bag! He even naps in it now.

Noah sketch #2:

2011-02-18T13:15:00.000-08:00

This was Abel's reaction to his tetanus shot. No tears, just questions.
Also, Abel is now referring to himself as Abel Finger Smith.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-15T14:12:00.000-08:00

Surprisingly, Abel really loved his knitted red valentine. He said, "Ahh, thanks mama. I wuv it!" and immediately ran around the house pretending to be a monster. Poor Noah didn't get a knitted valentine (i guess i could have knitted a pair of underwear!) I do have a scarf for him in the works.

breakfast converstion

2011-02-08T12:51:00.000-08:00

a Noah sketch: one of Abe's more tame battle of wills

Moon Canyon

2011-02-02T13:52:00.001-08:00

This last picture is the face Abe made when we heard an owl in the tree next to us. We were all really excited; he was terrified. Now he asks me NOT to take him to moon canyon. Too bad...it's beautiful.

Colorado

2011-01-31T13:56:00.001-08:00

Arkansas

2011-01-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Sheep farm and abandoned house

2011-01-22T19:49:00.000-08:00

Edy & Abe

2011-01-22T19:43:00.000-08:00

and Hattie Anne Hall..

Snow in Arkansas!

2011-01-22T19:33:00.001-08:00

horse stables

2011-01-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

Along with riding a horse bareback today, I landed a job at a local horse stable; grooming, feeding, and riding the horses 1 day a week (and saturdays if i want to ride). I met the 34 new members of my family (horses) and already fell in love with the place. They have about 40 hens and 20 roosters roaming the place. I imagine we'll have lots of eggs now! I was introduced to one of the milder mannered horses whom Abel will get to ride in the next few months. 3 mins on the trail, and you're off running into the pacific crest trail. Oh, this is heaven. We surly won't be moving anytime soon!

Rain and Ramen

2011-01-05T07:51:00.000-08:00

There's nothing like a big bowl of shoyu ramen in little Tokyo to battle off a nasty cold. Or just playing in the rain with a nasty cold (mother of the year).

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

Mt Baldy

2010-12-29T20:27:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-26T14:49:00.000-08:00

Buche de Noel

2010-12-19T11:37:00.001-08:00

Our first Yule log!

Some Christmas Cheer

2010-12-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

We've been quite busy these days. Lots of making; gift making, Ornament making, cookie making, making our first Advent calendar. Opening those teeny boxes every day is seriously what Abel looks forward to the most.
This is a pretty magical time of year!

Abe & Oscar's Fort

2010-12-11T14:54:00.001-08:00

The Imaginarium of Abel Smith

2010-12-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

This boy's mind must be a beautiful place. I love catching glimpses of him off in his own world. Occasionally I'll see a look of pure wonder in those sweet blue eyes of his, and it brings me to tears. Usually tears of joy, but occasionally tears for allowing my mind to grow old. Every day we thank God for Abel and his sweet and often intense ways of changing us.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

pan de animal

2010-11-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

After showering this morning, I was greeted with an amazing breakfast, and these animals that Noah and Abel made out of the bread heels. My boys are fantastic!

his muse..and archnemisis

2010-11-15T21:40:00.000-08:00

This afternoon, I noticed an unusually long period of silence behind Abel's closed door. That usually means something good is going on, so I peeked in with my camera to see this... A portrait of Oscar being made.

I wish I could have caught Abel's face on camera; he looked like an embarrassed deer in head lights. And Oscar just sat there ashamed of the circumstance. I still can't believe Abel found my tripod, and figured out how to use it! I love that he draped a blanket over the bottom half of Oscar; like a Renaissance painting!!!

Pop's Birthday

2010-11-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

Dia de Los Muertos

2010-11-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

...Along with Election Day
And yes, Abel wore his fox mask to the polls.

Halloween

2010-11-01T10:42:00.001-07:00

Abel's quilt

2010-10-27T13:36:00.001-07:00

Abel said "thank you" when I put his finally completed quilt on his bed. He's such a sweet boy! He watched me work on that beast over the past few months, and even helped tie and cut the knots; which really wasn't helping speed up the process any.

Musee Mecanique

2010-10-11T19:49:00.001-07:00

...musee cont.

2010-10-11T19:36:00.000-07:00

While we were in San Francisco, we went to the mechanical museum next to Fishermen's Grotto. I could have spent the whole day there!

A-frame cabin

2010-10-11T15:13:00.000-07:00

Lake Tahoe

2010-10-11T15:02:00.001-07:00

San Francisco

2010-10-11T14:29:00.000-07:00

Guy Clark at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival...icing on the cake!

number nine

2010-10-11T13:48:00.001-07:00

Celebrating 9 years of marriage!

(a photo booth at Fishermen's Grotto, San Fran. Oct, 2010)