there is only one peach for me

have you noticed in the last year or so how everything has completely changed ~ as in 100% different than 365 days ago ~ or is it just me?
ok, perhaps the wild ride of my life is doing the flip-flops more than most, but i have absolutely no complaints.
although some things have been the most challenging i've ever faced, others have been the most soulful enlightening and awesome experiences i've ever been blessed with. i'm in complete awe that one year ago today i gave birth to alesia marie. i've been emotionally overwhelmed for the last 24 hours with my thoughts consumed by the incredible memories and delightful realities all around me just because of one little girl.
and so today, as an ode to my beautiful, vivacious, flirtatious, cautiously curious, head strong and very loving daughter, i'd like to show off some delightful peachy goodness.

{super delightful etsy finds ~ peony headband & peony hat by pretty baby bowtique. peachy dress by my sweet chickadee . crocheted hat by sparkle berry crafts. shoes by gracious may. peach clippie by sweet bitty bows. bloomer set by 3 lil muses. burp clothes by buttercup forrest. leggings by mama runs with scissors. }


{up-and-away & retro posies prints by crimson peachy art}


{peach ginger icecream cakes & sorbets by whimsy & spice ~ i'm sure even more yummy to taste than to look at!}



{these lovely table setting photos are from peach is the new pink ~ a design*sponge wedding idea post today, of all days!}

you've come a long way in one year baby, and i'm forever grateful for being there with you. happy first birthday peachy star!
oh and thanks to the ever-amazing jenni for this awesome video tribute to the peachette!

august rush

it's the beginning of harvest time & many wonderful things have ripened around here, so we're scurrying to get them put by for future enjoyment. not to say we aren't enjoying them while they're fresh too. we've been gobbling-up peaches, berries, beans, peas, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber, garlic, figs, pears, and corn....a serious bounty this year! this is the time when all our hard work in the gardens starts to pay off ~ and so far everything is delicious! but my heirloom tomatoes are by far my favorite treat out of my garden so far.
the figs were divine, and have become one of alesia's new favorite foods. especially with creamy chevre {goat cheese}!

one of my favorite breakfasts this time of year is fresh cut peaches, blueberries & cream:
our family likes garlic. a lot. so we grow quite a bit in our garden and tie it up for use all year round. here's our harvest of italian & elephant garlic this year.....time for some olive oil & pasta!

we turned these bartlet beauties into spiced pear deliciousness to use throughout the holiday season. yum!
ok, now i'm getting hungry again!

trying to catch up

new post, new post!

oh my, how did an entire month go by without me updating my swellspring?

what with christmas, visiting family, new years, road tripping from oregon to san francisco, getting laid off {while on maternity leave, imagine that!}, designing myself a website and raising a newborn, my blog has kind of taken a back burner. so this is just a triage post, to let you know i'm still alive, and to try to get us caught up.

so what's new & noteworthy.....

{alesia's new quilt made by her grandma....and she's 3 months old now, by the way}

{a new addition to my family: a mini cooper in peacock teal! ultra-fabulous! i took this photo at a look-out point on highway 101 on the oregon coast with one of my most favorite spots in the world in the background: heceta head lighthouse}

{alesia's 1st tango lesson, with none other than my favorite tango teacher, ney melo, at his studio tango vida. also note jennifer bratt's incredible collection of come-il-faut shoes displayed in the background....jewels for your feet!}

{speaking of feet....i'm able to wear hottie heels again, and am loving it. oh and i've only got about 5 more pounds to go until i'm back at pre-pregnancy weight. phew!}

{my first manhattan since getting pregnant. it was a long time comin' and i loved every sip!}

{i got a new queen mattress set & alesia got a new bumbo.... moms if you haven't heard of the bumbo baby seat trust me and go get it right away. it is the best baby docking station i've found so far. so now both alesia and i have new comfy places to chill ~ ahhh!}

{vicente wolf's book "crossing boundaries, a global vision of design" is a new favorite that i highly recommend ~ lots of design eye candy and gorgeous photographs from all over the world, madagascar to myanmar}

what's new with you? goodness gracious i've missed blogging, and i've missed you!

making friday fresh with beatrice peltre

beatrice peltre is the author of the award-winning food blog la tartine gourmand and she works as a freelance food writer, food stylist and food photographer. she has a fantastic eye for making beautiful images and her passion for her work is evident in her myriad successes. i adore her work and find it incredibly inspiring.

in her own words "as a photographer and stylist, i am a fond observer of the beauty found in life, nature and the natural shapes of food. my work witnesses my attachment and interest in art under all forms." and her talent is instantly addicting ~ the more i see of her work the more i want to see.

i have a dear friend who is going through some serious soul searching to decide what course she wants her life to take next. she's been a school teacher for many years now but the lack of funding, growing restrictions & tensions, and lack of support from parents & administrators alike has taken its toll and yet another fantastic public school teacher in california is ready to call it quits. but what to do instead? where to turn? one must make a living. . . . . but how can that be done while also adoring what you do?

i think the answer lies within beatrice peltre's fine example. she loves art, she loves to travel, she loves photography, she loves food, and she loves sharing beauty. plus she's so gosh darn talented she can't help herself but to be admired. hmmm. . . . that sounds familiar. this perfectly describes my teacher, soul-searching friend. to a t. and we can all learn something from this actually ~ let's feel encouraged to pursue our passions and not give up trying to earn a decent living while we do so. it is possible. if beatrice can then so can you.

hope you have a pursuit of passions weekend my friends!

party perfect

i've discovered a new blog to enjoy and another kick-ass lady to admire. party.perfect is just that ~ a perfect place to visit for anything & everything party inspired. a former marthastewart art director, sara hicks malone, is the blog's author. this very talented lady does much more than blog & mommy in nashville. she is also a fabulous graphic designer & stylist. her line of cards can be found at the paper cafe {among other places} and a nice little blog post about her lovely home is on designer's library. sara collects tons of fun ideas & information on her fabulous blog. . . . . definitely worth getting to know.

{thanks to oh happy day for introducing me to sara}

oooo baby it's hot outside

hope you have a refreshing and delicious weekend!

buon weekend

i hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with happy adventures! here's a hint as to what mine will entail....but don't worry, i'm just the designated driver. ;o)

{top two photos by me in sonoma; last photo from the far niente website of the oldest known bottle of wine in california}

hey honey, lend me some sugar

i am completely smitten with a sacarine infused blog i've just discovered {altho it's been around for ages now}: sweet paul.
the photography is superb, the ideas are fantastic, and his words are a joy to read. go take a peek, you won't be disappointed.

san francisco treasures

well it's wednesday and i'm finally getting around to sharing my weekend adventures with you. i suppose two days isn't all that late, and hopefully you'll agree that it's well worth the wait.

{the majestic & awe-inspiring grace cathedral was our first stop on saturday morning. we got to listen to organ practice and take in the calming ambiance. we've walked the labrynth before so we didn't do it this time, but we did make a few nice purchases in their adorable gift shop.}

{we had lunch at a lovely french restaurant in the presidio, called la terrasse. it was sunny but windy, so we sat just on the border of their outdoor patio. everything we tried was great, but the very best part was the fantastic cheese plate ~ we loved every selection on it}

{we ventured over to sausalito & tiburon for the afternoon and then took a nice, but windy, ferry ride over to angel island. i've lived here for 5 years and this was my first time visiting the island. it was beautiful and fascinating ~ a lot of interesting history to be discovered throughout. i highly recommend taking the ferry over and spending a full day. you can even camp there over night, if you book far enough in advance.}

{and we had an incredible meal at san francisco's famous buddhist fine dining restaurant: greens. my parents have been vegetarians for over 30 years so they love getting the special treat of dining here. i do eat meat but i never miss it when i'm there. the food is exquisitely prepared and the unique flavor combinations annie creates are like nothing else. i've never had anything there i didn't love, and i bet you'll feel the same. plus the view is wonderful and everyone who works there is the nicest person you'll ever meet}