my vbac birth story

Little Ollie, our little man.

I've been wanting to tell this story of how Oliver was born for a long time. It was an amazing time for me, and also I think there's some good information here for other women who might be considering VBAC, which stands for vaginal birth after Caesarean section in case you didn't know. Oliver turned four the other day and there is little chance I will have any more birth stories to tell in this lifetime, so here goes it. It's a long one, so click on "read more" below to read more.

martha stewart american made awards + papel SF

WHO: Me and my paper art business, papel SF

WHAT: Martha Stewart American Made Awards

WHEN: Right now until midnight Friday, September 13, 2013

WHERE: Click HERE to vote for papel SF

HOW OFTEN: Six times a day, every stinkin' day!

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As you may or may not know, I am riding on the coattails of the overwhelmingly positive response to my giant paper peony piñatas, and have decided that I would LOVE to spend the next few years making them, as well as exploring where they could lead as a business and as an artistic endeavor. I am applying for artists' grants that might let me start to blossom (no pun intended) into some more expressive forms of art, and am going out on a limb to see if I can get involved in academia. My newly developed paper skills combined with my art and architecture background must be good for something, right?

In the meantime, if you would consider voting for me and my newly christened business, papel SF, in the Martha Stewart American Made Awards I would be so honored. I am saddened that it is more of a popularity contest than a competition based on merit, but that's the way it is. You can vote six times every 24 hours from today until Friday, September 13th at midnight when the voting closes. I will post daily reminders on my corner blog Facebook page.

HERE is that link again for voting. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. If I were to place in this competition, or even catch Martha's attention for a minute, it would mean the world to me!

Thank you! xoxo

vacation slides

A case of astronaut ice cream for the road; gorgeous Hwy. 12 through Utah; my wrist.

It's a funny thing, sharing your vacation photos online. It's like the dreaded vacation slide show. Who really want to sit through all of that? For now, I'm just going to hit you with some more pretty pictures from our road trip. Instagram plus the palette of the southwestern landscape are a marriage made in heaven.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week! xoxo

Sundress weather; beer and quicos for motel happy hour; the amorphous bris de soleil at Site Santa Fe.

Four states at once; the sky over Austin, NV; iced coffee at the Kiva Koffeehouse. 

The amazing food; my 4th trip to Bandelier National Monument; un lápiz de color pimiento caliente.

Georgia O'Keeffe, before her husband died and she "took control of her image"; a mid-afternoon cuddle puddle;

Ollie being a grouch in the morning.

Haggling (amongst themselves); The Pantry in Santa Fe for great carne adovada; a Frito pie.

Motor lodge living; wooden ladder at Bandelier; the sky above the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian.

Special breakfast in Corrales; nighttime at the El Rey Inn; dressing up.

The BEST travelers; evening in Santa Fe; a circus at Tinkertown Museum.

At the giant meteor crater we didn't see; a hilarious night; the last night.