Strawberry season

This week we was all about strawberries. We went to our favorite Alstede Family Farm in Chester, NJ and picked up few pounds. Alstede Farm is family owned, open year round and  it has a fun petting zoo with friendly goats, cows, rabbits, ducks, chickens and even one very graceful peacock. They sell organic produce, but best of all they let you pick your own, which is a fun activity for the whole family. My daughter was interested in picking berries for the first five minutes, and then she found other things to do, but I'm glad she had a chance to experience how they grow and eat some fresh from the bush. Nothing tastes more heavenly! The hayride back was a fun and very welcomed addition to the whole experience, since the sun was pretty intense and we got tired quickly. Will be back to pick some raspberries later this summer!

Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there! You have a great honor and a great responsibility to shape our little ones into happy, loving  and fulfilled human beings It can be difficult at times, but when in doubt, just be there, and let them know they are loved. Always, even when you don't think they know it just yet. There is no time in a child’s life that doesn't count The bond you make with a baby sets the foundation for a lifetime. As the kids get older, they’ll need you in different ways but they will always need you. I could not possibly be happier with my baby's daddy, he is doing a wonderful job so far!  Here is a two of them bonding at a local park.

My office

My work space, currently too messy to photograph. But I keep my art supplies neat and organized.
Did I mention I adore aqua? I think it helps my creativity.

Natirar Park

Natirar Park near Peapack Gladstone is probably the neatest park we've visited this summer. I really enjoyed our afternoon picnic there. The meadow is breathtaking, perfect for flying kites, I shell remember to bring one next time. I need to go back and take a class at  the  Ninenty Acres Culinary Center the building looks so inviting, it made me feel like I was transported to the English countryside.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers, Mother Earth included. It's such a privilege and honor to be a mother, and I happen to realize this truth pretty late in my life. For the longest time I was resisting the idea, worried that I won't be good enough, that it is not my calling. To my surprise, I turned out to be a natural. Motherhood is by far the most rewarding and challenging thing I've done in my life and I am so glad I had a chance to experience it.
I came across this lovely quote on one of my favorite blogs written by  Jodi.

"The most difficult part of birth is the first year afterwards. It is the year of travail - when the soul of a woman must birth the mother inside her. The emotional labor pains of becoming a mother are far greater than the physical pangs of birth; these are the growing surges of your heart as it pushes out selfishness and fear and makes room for sacrifice and love. It is a private and silent birth of the soul, but it is no less holy than the event of childbirth, perhaps it is even more sacred." - Joy Kusek

                         Waiting for the breakfast that daddy is preparing. I wish it was Mother's Day every day! 

Flor tiles

We have this long and wide hallway with ugly while ceramic tile (the worst possible kind), that is constantly cold.
And we happen to love walking barefoot. So we had to do something about it and fast. I wanted something sturdy and easy to clean and most of all something that our baby girl will not trip over. I looked at a million runners and carpet tiles and finally decided to try Flor. Is there anyone who did not hear of them? I've been getting their lovely catalogs for years, and never really had a need to use them. But this amazing mosaic that I was able to come up with together with one of their in store designers totally blew me away. It happens to be two tile wide and colorful tiles were cut on the diagonal, so we could create this fun pattern. I absolutely love it.

Long Winter

This winter was ridiculously long and I'm so glad it's over. I just found those cute pics of my daughter, all bundled up. We so deserve a long and sunny spring this year!