Happy Birthday Baby

Happy birthday to you.... happy birthday to me...... Happy birthday to us...... Happy birthday dear Oni.... Happy birthday to you.

Today marks 14 years since we welcomed this gorgeous creature into our lives.  Our miracle baby- the one we had worked so hard for and prayed so long for. She was finally here.  

Oni is my heart- {her sister Gabbi is my soul}....  so vital to my existence and for so many wonderful and different reasons.  I'm so blessed to chosen as a momma!

I wish for you today Oni ~ a day full laughter and learning, hope and strength for tomorrow and joy and contentment forever.

I love you my not so little {anymore} one!

xoxo Momma

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I made a video post a few years ago for her birthday if you would like to view it click on the link:

http://didi-mycrazycrazylife.blogspot.com/2011_01_01...

Halloween

If you know me personally or have been to my home- you know that  I dig decorating for the holidays.... 

ALL  OF THEM..... as a matter of fact.

Halloween is my number one favorite,  followed closely by Christmas and then Easter-

The other 3-4 decor looks are default because I can't NOT decorate.....{pardon the double negative}  but Halloween has a special place in my heart- and holds as many bin spaces in my garage as my Christmas decorations!

My birthday narrowly missed Halloween by just a few minutes - so pretty much every birthday of mine has had a Halloween theme- and I'm totally fine with that- because ever since childhood- my birthday is actually two days of celebrating and who doesn't like to have a two day party???

Seriously- oodles of candy followed by birthday cake and yummy fall comfort foods...

Uhmmmm.... hell yeah!

I am crazy late in posting these- and I really scaled down my decorations this year

{YES- this is the scaled down version} just because I'm trying to crank out everyone's fall images.

But I did want to share a few shots with you all. 

I'm anxiously awaiting next weekend so that I can re-create my home and put up the Winter Wonderland....

Stay tuned!

xoxo Didi V

My daughter Onika giving me her best 40's babe look

My youngest daughter Gabbi strutting her peacock princess look

Even the powder room and kitchen get some spooky love....

 And if it stands still long enough- it gets draped in something.....

 

Move over Martha...

That's right- I said it.... Move over Martha. 

Ok- I'm not really that crafty anymore- altho- I did turn out some pretty darned cute hair pretties for some darling girls for portrait sessions this spring, and I cooked up a storm this weekend...and not just my easy go to basics... I actually- wait for it...... used a recipe this weekend!  I know,... I know- my family was stunned... and rewarded... the braised beef short ribs in a garlic-red wine-balsamic reduction over heavily garlic-buttered smashed potatoes was dare I say- criminal... it was ridiculously good.

Tonight I turned out stuffed pork chops and pan fried zucchini w/ buttered bread crumbs, sprinkled w/ parm s&p, and a dollop of ranch sour cream dip... comfort food to the inth degree on this cold cruddy wet day.

I spent some needed down-time resting and relaxing with my family this weekend- we were sad that Oni's basketball tourney was canceled for her age bracket but happy to have some rest.  We've snuggled, laughed, watched movies, hung out with friends and took a deep breath.. and it was a very good thing.*wink*

And this photo montage- really is my house- inside and out- if you've missed it somewhere in all of my ramblings... I L.O.V.E to decorate for the holidays.....ALL of them actually....  My friend Alicia laughed at me yesterday on a quick visit and told me that she no longer needs to buy a calendar- she just needs to drive past my house to tell what month it is... (I think this is a good thing...)

Anyhoo........I hope you take a big breath and hang out with your family- really listen to your kids and kiss your spouses this week. Keep checking back- I promise to be bringing you all sorts of new photos to oogle and hopefully write something that will make you smile.  Till next time Cio! xoox Didi V.

Room Re-do

You know- there are some days when I question my sanity...ok- let's be honest- there are a LOT of days when I question my sanity.... 

But when I tackle a monster painting project...  and wonder somewhere in the 9th or 10 hour "Who the hell was I kidding -'it'll be quick'...?????"

I totally want to kick my own arse for taking it on- but once involved.. you can't just stop either... so I then push myself to the verge of physical  illness and and a nervous breakdown! (I keep the makers of Advil and my favorite chiropractors in business... so really- I look at my redecorating spells as economic stimulus!) 

All joking aside tho- there is something so liberating and comforting about completing a room re-do.... for the cost of a couple of gallons of paint, and maybe some new linens you can totally transform your space- and the overall feel of your home.

I'm sure there is some deep seeded emotional need for change and fresh starts this year... but I'm just going to go with- 'because I felt like it'...

I tackled our master suite last Friday- and took a warm & cozy (albeit tired) olive and caramel colored Asian/Balinese inspired space to something that feels like I threw some French Country and Montego Bay/Carribean in a blender!  It works tho-  We have heavy black furniture, and a pretty big master suite- so I decided to go with something bright and fun- and how can you go wrong with a box from Tiffany & Co? right????  I shopped around the house and pulled old artwork and books, etc out of retirement and made a space that feels like a vacation.  With the breeze fluttering through the new sheers and a little bit of sunlight- it's so cool and refreshing.  I crave being in there now.

Change can be a very good thing... go outside your comfort zone today... you might be brilliantly rewarded!

xoxo Didi V.

Blue Christmas

I'll have a blue Christmas without you, I'll be home for Christmas, Silent Night, Silver Bells.... and the Ave Maria... all traditional holiday favorites. And certainly some of mine to sing and memories of mom and I singing them together as we would decorate the tree....

But this year as I break out the egg-nog and decorations and spin the Christmas carols.... it's bitter-sweet. Of all the years since I moved to Washington.... it took my mom's passing- to bring me back home last year. (I am struck with irony and regret on that point....) I am ready to enjoy the holidays- do fun things with my family and sing songs... but a little part of me is feeling overwhelmingly blue...

This week we turn over the calendar to December- to baking and decorating, singing, parties, craft bazaars, shopping, holiday mass.... and to the month where I lost my bestest girl friend ever... my mommy.

I can't believe how fast this year has turned over!.... After losing three of the corner stones of my life in the last year, along with other unexpected peer losses this year.... I'm amazed that it's already time for the holidays again.... and sort of relieved that 2010 is coming to a close. It definately makes you take stock of all the good things in your lives! May 2011 be a fresh start- and may the luck, love and blessings in my life continue.... for I am a very lucky girl!

I'm also reminded again of the quote, "That which does not kill us- makes us stronger..." I was pretty sure that my mom's unexpected death would bury me as well.... how would I survive without my best friend? My biggest cheerleader- my protector and my confidant? I miss her so much- and still reach for the phone to call her.... and then I feel so silly- like how could I forget that?

I decided to decorate for Christmas in her honor.... blue, white and silver- with lots of glass, beads, sparkle, glitter and glitz.... I think she'd approve... it's so not me- but it's definitely her! And if you're a believer of signs..... the big flashy neon sign moment came for me at Target the other night..... I was looking for a couple of things to complete the decorating (as royal blue- not really in my rainbow- that was all momma) and to my astonishment - the one ornament that stood out a me....was ONE, SOLITARY, bright blue peacock ornament.... if you knew my mom- (and she referred to herself as one) she was the biggest peacock ever! If it was bold color, flashy-sparkly, beaded and enough to drive my poor dad crazy..... she'd wear it! And she rocked it too! So I bought that silly ornament and he's sitting proudly near the top to preside over the tree.

That silly ornament was also a signal to me to live in her honor... to live colorfully- and to live out loud. We have to remember to make the most of our everyday.... don't wait to burn that pretty candle... or wear that expensive pair of earrings... or hug & kiss those near you. Life is short- make it a good one!

I wish you all a brilliant December- be safe- and have a phenominal holiday season!

Hauntings and Happenings.....

Just popping in quickly with some of my own hauntings and happenings here at Che Miles.... fall is absolutely one of my favorite times of year... the color and crispness, trips to the pumpkin patch, spiced cider, Carmel apples and pumpkin spice lattes!!! Crisp fall air, fallen leaves, the smell of a wood fire in the fireplace.... mmmmmm....... And I L-O-V-E to decorate for fall and Halloween- as you can see my house is dripping in it... inside and out!

We've also had an inordinately large amount of salamanders, snakes and frogs this Autumn... which makes my kids ridiculously happy... {did I mention that I live with Dr. Doo-Little I & II}

So life here at the Miles house rolls in and into basketball and book reports and pondering who will be what for Halloween.... I'm snapping away like a woman with her hair on fire trying to take advantage of the weather before it goes to... {well you know what I was going to say} winter mode.... I may make it out of hibernation from behind my monitor soon....and come out and be social.... but 'til then- have a great day- make the most of it! Mwah! xoox Didi V.

God's Country

It's what my mom always called the Camas Prairie, where we were both born and raised- and so were her parents and grand parents.....it's home. It always has been. It always will be. And it doesn't matter how many years I've been gone- it's still home. Time marches on- and the faces are bit rounder and have a few more wrinkles- but they are still the same friendly and familiar faces I've known my whole life. There is such comfort in knowing that you can always go home.... even if it's not your home anymore.

I didn't waste much time trying to get away from my little country town once I had graduated high school. I had a job that took me away from farming and ranching the day after graduation. and when the summer closed- I moved four hours away to the big city of Boise to enter the great big world of university. There's a lot of miles and water under the bridge that have brought me to where I sit today.... I'm a long way from where I started, that's for sure.... but it's not so far that I can't go back.

I had the opportunity to go back to Grangeville over the 4th of July this year. (and for once this year- it wasn't for a funeral....)

It's been a forever standing rule that you just know- that every decade- your class reunion is on the 4th of July- right in the middle of Border Days- which is Idaho's oldest (and one of the oldest in the NW) rodeo. Our tiny little town swells from about 3,500 to about 12,000. It's crazy and silly and a righteously good time. There are parades and street games, great street/fair food vendors- some have been there every year since the dawn of man I think, rodeos, art in the park, class reunions, family reunions...... it's crazy- and it's weirdly comfortable all at the same time. Time sort of stands still over the 4th- I had several moments where I could flash back and be 8,12,16..... it was a great walk down memory lane, so to speak. It was also crazy fun to be reunited with the majority of the folks I spent at least 12 years of my life with in school . Our reunion was great fun- tons of laughs- and I'm so glad I went!

I also had the chance to show with my dad at his art show- this was really the first time I got to be his peer- not just his kid... another sort of gold-star moment. But it was also the first time this show had happened without my mom..... and it was definitely felt- by everyone who knew us and came in to see us- there were lots of tears and kisses and memories. I was widely reminded again at how loved and appreciated she was- and that is always a good thing.

I was walking around the house one evening- and walked out behind the woodshed. I don't remember this cross being there before.... but with great irony.... at the foot of it- were pure white Shasta Daisies.... which have always been her favorite- and exactly where I used to park my old '52 Chev that we had named 'Shasta.... (cause she hasta have a lot of fixin up.....). I knew my mom's spirit was all around me that week- and it was good.

So I leave you with a few shots of the classic small town parade and symbols that says Grangeville to those who've lived it- and 'Americana' all over it.... and I wouldn't change if I could. Enjoy- and remember to live simply today- and do small things with love. mwah! xoox Didi

Post Cards from Home Tour

I'm not sure I even had time to mention in all of the chaos that has been the last couple of months that I was invited to show with my famous daddy over the 4th of July in Grangeville!

He was holding his 23rd Annual Geis Bronze Show at US Bank on Main in Grangeville. I and Mallory Silversmiths from Enterprise, Oregon were the guest artists. We had a great 3day indoor event with constant foot traffic- and we all did very well. :)

I feel like my first show was a success- I sold several framed prints, cards and calendars that feature my work. I called my exhibit Post Cards from Home. It features the images that are significant to me about my life growing up in Idaho County- and they were aged out- as if looking back nostalgic... and they become more vivid in color and contrast as you moved toward where I was sitting- in the present- in my crazy and colorful world in Seattle.

I have since received more requests for the calendars since arriving home.... for the images of Idaho County.......so in this first grouping- you can get a glimpse of the feel of that calendar. The next two sets feature the color and feel of the other calendar that I also have stock on hand for, the 2011, 'A Walk in the Park'. The calendars are gorgeous satin finish 10x13 heavy stock papers- on a double spiral binding. {$22.50}

And I also have prints in simple elegant glass only frames (w/ minimalist silver clips ) @ {$25 & up} and 10 packs of cards with my images on them {$15} for the perfect gift! (or treat yourself....)

Rainy day post

Just in case everyone thought I had fallen off the planet.... I assure you, I have not- I've just been swamped with work, editing, company, sports and volunteering and fundraising. This is a huge busy weekend and then- things should level back out again. For those of you waiting photos- I appreciate your patience- the end result will be worth it- promise! :)

I leave you with a couple of shots from last week- when the girls convinced me to flat iron their hair (no small task I might add..) and give them a trim. I personally love their curls just the way they are.. but they love having it 'like everyone else's...' of course it was damp and rainy out- so it lasted all of about 15 minutes before it curled right back up. :)

And they look so much older with it straight.... :( not so sure I like that at ALL......

Hope you all have a great weekend! xoxo D

Post cards from home....

Postcards from home....

I look at some of the photos I've shot on my two recent trips to Idaho and I see quick glimpses of country- home- a simpler life and time.... gentleness and peace....

I had wanted to photograph my mom's service and her gorgeous urn- because that's how I usually do things... I go with my gut.... and I catch life through my lens- But I didn't do that- and now I regret it.

I try so hard to find beauty in the unexpected..... but I also figured that people would think I've finally snapped and cracked like an egg! So for Papa's service- I aked my family if I could do this and they all agreed it was fine....

And I'm also preparing for my first art exibit- I'll be showing with dad at US Bank on Main in G'ville over the 4th- so I needed some cowboy stock.

So here are a few shots from last weekend. I miss you Mom and Pappa!