this was Monday.

Emma planted a vegetable garden. In the living room. And then she tended to it with a dedication that was quite admirable.



Annabelle got dressed up to the nines. She looked quite fashionable, if I do say so myself. I assume she was going to brunch, or something equally delightful and fancy. Where else does one go in a flowered nighty and high heels?



Rosalie smiled. And made my heart melt.



We all visited a dear old lady who used to go to our church before she moved down south to be with family. She recently lost her husband of 67 years, and it was so good to visit with her and remember him. We love her. A lot.




I sewed some burp cloths for a friend of mine whose shower was tonight. She's having a little boy in August... a boy! fancy that!


I also watched Emma and Annabelle run through the house in their undies-- they were pretending to be "jungle kids". Apparently jungle kids like to have sleepovers, wear braids in their hair, and speak Spanish. And apparently, all you must do to speak Spanish is add "o" onto everything... "food-o", "chocolate-o", "sleepy-o"... you get the point. Anyone can be bilingual in The World According To Emma And Annabelle.

Thank you for being so nice to us, Monday.

Happiness lies in the home.

I really do believe that the happiest place on earth is one's home. And because I believe that, I take great joy and pleasure in making it as lovely, warm, inviting, and home-y, as I can. I know for a fact that most of you out there enjoy doing exactly the same thing (and are quite good at it, I might add), so I know you won't mind if I share with you some of most recent projects and favorite things. :) (many of you have already seen some of this, since some of it has been here in my house for a little while)

Decorating and home-making is best done on a budget, if you ask me. There is something so fun about looking at a blank wall and thinking "hmm, I really need to hang something there", and then setting about to see just how little you can spend in doing so. It's a challenge, a wonderful, fun challenge! And almost all of the favorite things in our house are the things which I have been inspired to do or make by myself... or those which used to be old and busted (and CHEAP) and were made new and fab in some way. You can't beat the thrill that comes with a good bargain and creativity, can I get an amen??

"B" is for Boo-yah (not really, it's the first letter of our last name, in case you didn't know), because this first project cost me all of $12!

I found the wooden frame at an antique store for $7 and the wooden letter at Urban Outfitters for $5, and simply painted them both with left-over paint from other projects that I had in my garage. And thus a decorating dream was fulfilled, since I'd always wanted a big letter to hang on my wall.

I found this nifty little lamp at Goodwill for $8, and painted the yucky brown base with the same left-over paint I used on the "B". It works great, and turned out to be the perfect piano lamp-- another something I'd always wanted!


It's quite possible that I've shared my entryway table with you all before, but look! A new lamp shade! I find myself quite drawn to natural, botanical things lately, as well as the color green, so I just loved the print. And the fact that this one was only $4.95 on clearance at Target certainly didn't hurt either...


Remember this? My steal of a cabinet sat out in our garage for quite some time, but finally, a month or so before Rosalie was born, I spruced it up a bit with some fresh yellow trim paint and a good scrub-down so it could come inside and be the perfect addition to our dining area.

Originally I was going to give it a completely new coat of white paint, but the more I thought about it the more I loved the old, beat-up look of it. All those imperfections give it so much more character.

Old things are the best, it's true.

While we're in the dining area, here is my as-of-yet-small collection of vintage plates. My plan is to fill this entire wall around the mirror (it hangs over my blue dresser) with a variety of different and unique plates. Old dishes make me happy.

(by the way, this mirror? I got it out of a dumpster years ago at the apartments in which we lived. I'm actually quite proud of that, thankyouverymuch)

Speaking of the blue dresser, here's a little something which has found a home on top of it. My sweet sister-in-law Jessica gave me this beautiful frame with the hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer" (one of my favorites) printed out and placed inside. She told me I was to add whatever I wanted to the plain sheet of paper, so that is exactly what I did after scavenging through my paper scraps and stickers. A gift that kept on giving, since I had a lot of fun doing it!


For the longest time we had no curtains on our master bathroom window, which happens to be right next to our shower-- there really was no need, as it was simply empty dirt lots behind us. And then the construction started, and houses started to take shape. And then I saw construction workers on the roofs of those houses. Time to sew some curtains, most definitely!!

This fabric had been in my stash for some time-- bought at Wal-Mart on super clearance for $1 a yard. I was more than happy to find a use for it.

On one of my excursions to Goodwill I happened to spy this brand new white frame for $4. In the same trip I also came across this old piece of sheet music for $3. And I knew they were meant for each other! The sheet music was a bit stained and had a couple tears in it, so I added some pretty scrapbooking stickers in strategic places... and there it was, instant wall art. I love the colors in the illustration!


Last, but definitely not least...

I painted our coffee table brilliant green.

I sort of love it. A lot.
(to see what it looked like before, you can take a peek here)

What is it about decorating that I love so much?? After thinking about it a bit, I realized that the amazing thing about decorating is that it ties into almost every aspect of my life and who I am. I see decorating and home-making as a part of being a wife, because I am making our home a pleasant place for my hard-working husband to come home to, to relax and enjoy his family, a place of rest and peace. I see it as part of being a mother, since I am striving to create a place where my children can grow and make many happy memories surrounded by an atmosphere that will stay with them for many years to come, even as they leave our home and go out to make their own. Home-making is a part of being a friend and a family member, since one of my sincerest desires is to have a house in which loved ones of any age or acquaintance can feel welcome and at home. I am happy when this place is filled with the people we love and I can see they are enjoying their time within our walls.

But most of all, I see decorating as a part of who I am as a person who has been created in the image of God. God Himself was a creator, THE creator... and not only did He create, but He did so with the purpose of making things beautiful and good. And He gave us, His children, that ability to create too! I know that any creativity or talent I may have comes directly from Him, and that in using it I am glorifying Him. What an amazing gift.

God made this world a beautiful place for us to live in because He loves us... and I am so glad, glad, GLAD to have the opportunity to make our little home in this world a place of beauty for the ones that I love, too.

Lovely Little Lady

This is one of my most favorite Rosalie pictures ever. Taken by her loving daddy.

That's what her Auntie Jessica calls her from time to time (and I love it). Our little love is THREE months old now! If time flew any faster it would get pulled over for a major speeding ticket and possibly arrested, that's all there is to it.

Life with a three-month old is great-- we're definitely past that newborn stage and have found a routine that works. And while Rosalie has her moments, as all babies do, I can't complain because she really is a happy little baby. I'm simply in love with her. We all are!

Rosalie is quite the little chunk, with rolls and dimples all over in just the right adorable places. She weighs 13 pounds now, which is more than double her birth weight. However, she's not a long baby, so people are always surprised at how heavy she feels when they pick her up. She's solid. :)

We've dicovered so much about her personality and her likes and dislikes. One thing I quickly learned about her is that she is NOT a "floor baby". She hates to lay on a blanket on the floor for any length of time and gets quite frustrated if you leave her there. No, she'd MUCH rather be up and standing! Thus, we introduced her to the walker! Of course, she doesn't GO anywhere in it yet, and her teensy feet barely touch the ground, but she simply loves it. It keeps her happy and entertained.

we've also discovered that this is her favorite toy. She doesn't actually play with it yet, but she'll coo and talk to it in the cutest way.


Our little girl is quite the people person. As long as someone is in the room with her, able to be seen and heard, she's fine. And if you talk to her, really give her your full attention, she'll reward you with the most adorable coos, goos, and baby squeals and smiles.



We've also found out that she loves blankies-- especially one in particular, a little fuzzy bear blanket.

Annabelle was a blankie girl too (STILL is, actually), so it's neat to see this trait in Rosalie. She can be fussing and restless, but she'll calm right down as soon as I put her blankie up to her cheek. She grabs a handful of it in her fist and holds on tight until she's fast asleep.


I am quite happy and thankful to report that she is sleeping through the night, going to bed at about 10:30 or 11 and making not a peep until around 7 in the morning. Hallelujah!! :) She's a napper too, wanting to take at least two good three-hour naps in a day. My child loves to sleep... don't hate me.

When it's time for her to go down, I put her in her swing to get her asleep. She adores her swing and falls asleep almost instantly if she's tired.

Are not baby feet the cutest things ever??

Have you all heard of the Bumbo? No? Well, if you have a baby, GO GET ONE. Seriously, they are amazing. It's almost like having an extra pair of hands. I put Rosalie in it and set it up on the kitchen counter while I'm making lunch and dinner so she can watch me; I set it on the bathroom counter while I get ready in the morning; we set it on the kitchen table while we eat. Rosalie loves it, because she can see everything and feels like she's right there with us. We heart our bumbo!!


So that is our three-month old, who is daily a joy and a blessing to us. I'm squeezing every drop of joy out of her babyhood that I can, because I have a feeling that one day I'll turn around and she'll be a year old, toddling around like a big girl. *sniff*

Just look at that face. I can't even pick her up or look at her without smooching all over her yummy cheeks and rubbing her soft fuzzy head.

Smoooooooooch.



Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about my other lovely daughters. I plan on giving them their own special posts soon too :)

How does my garden grow?

"Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil, getting dirty without feeling guilty, and generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity."

"There can be no other occupation like gardening in which, if you were to creep up behind someone at their work, you would find them smiling."

"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view. "

"When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside, too."

"Half the interest of a garden is the constant exercise of the imagination."

"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides."

Truer words were never spoken! (thank you Google, for a wealth of wonderful garden quotes) Gardening makes me smile. It brings me joy. I love the smell and feel of dirt, and even the way it looks as I dig it up to place something new into the ground. It is one my favorite things to visit my plants in the morning or the evening, when the light is just right for loving the outdoors, to see how they have grown and whisper encouragement to their green leaves. It fascinates me to watch the slow unfurling of fresh new tendrils on a vine as it winds its way up a trellis. I want to jump up and down and clap my hands when I find a new bud about to burst forth in flower on my rose bushes. (sometimes, I do. Don't judge me.) Gardening is therapeutic to me. I pray when I garden. I think. I imagine. It's peaceful.

Thus far my gardening progress has been much trial and error. I've found several plants that thrive (hello, lavendar bush that has grown to gargantuan proportions), and some that simply gave up and died for whatever reason (goodbye, beautiful bouganvillea, I know not what happened to turn you into a bunch of dry sticks, but I shall miss you). But that's the fun of it all! It's like the unfolding of some exciting story, just waiting to find out what is around the bend. And when one of my little green friends, planted with such love and hope, survives and thrives, it makes me as happy as a great ending to a wonderful story. I'm learning as I go along... and I wouldn't have it any other way.

This gorgeous weather we've been having has made me want to do nothing else but garden. And so I have been! My newest green endeavors include ferns...

(Disclaimer: I'm pretty sure my focus is kind of off in most of these pictures... these were all taken with my husband's camera, which I am trying to learn to use)

impatiens...


a couple of hydrangea bushes-- oh how I do LOVE hydrangeas (this one is looking a tad crunchy, but I'm hoping it makes a strong comeback!)...


creeping fig (climb, little vine, and cover my front stoop with glorious green-ness! Make my house look like an English cottage!)...


a trumpet vine...


and an orange tree (I am so excited at the thought of eating oranges from our own backyard)...


I've also planted jasmine, as well as some morning glory seeds along our back fence. Now I'm simply waiting for the day when I see those first snippets of green poking their heads out of the soil.

Also, remember that honeysuckle vine I planted in front of Rosalie's window? It's HUGE now. I'm definitely a fan of honeysuckle!


Just look at the roses on this bush, which is planted outside our front window. The colors are so gorgeous and varied, and the blooms are profuse. I LOVE this rosebush...

...and judging from the loveliness it has shown me so far, I'm pretty sure it loves me back.

Happy Tuesday!

So, I'm a bad blogger. Blame it on projects. Blame it on summer. Blame it on a lack of motivation. Blame it on life. Whatever it may be, my little blog and all of you have been sadly neglected lately. These days, I'm on the computer long enough to update my facebook status once in a day, and that's pretty much it! And you know what? I'm kind of ok with that. :) I do, however, have grand plans for blogging this week, and for catching up with everyone... we'll see if it actually happens. I make no guarantees. But I'll try!! (you're all darling dears for putting up with such empty promises and sporadic-ness (oh yes, it's a word) from me of late. Please just keep being my friends. I'll be sad if you don't and will probably cry a little.)

Anyway! This is just one of those silly little catch-up posts, with lots of rambling from me and a few cute pictures of my kids thrown in to make it all better.

Last week, we had Vacation Bible School (VBS) every morning in Shafter (a town about twenty minues away from us, for those of you who don't know it-- we have a sister congregation over there). And while it was a challenge for me to get all of us ready and out the door by 8:30 every morning, it was totally worth it. Emma and Annabelle had so much fun with the lessons, crafts, and music, and getting to spend all week with their friends. Rosalie was pretty much a little champ and behaved beautifully while we hung out at the church all morning and I helped out with crafts and snacks whenever I could. On Friday at noon there was a program to close out the week, with the kids singing the songs they'd learned over the past few days. It was SO FUN to see all those kids up there singing so joyfully and enthusiastically-- I couldn't help but smile the whole time as I listened to our young ones praising the Lord. And they all looked ADORABLE. Here's a snippet of video I took. (The way they do the action on "amen" is my favorite part. hehe)

VBS 2009 from Talia Bridgman on Vimeo.

I have a nice bit of info for you local girls: my good friend Ashlei (sister to Kourtni, best friend to my sister) is starting work at the Cutting Edge Salon (over there by Me n' Ed's) at the Marketplace. She does facials and waxing (at 50% off right now, through August, woohoo), and she does it well. Not only does she do an amazing job, but she's a complete doll and I'm pretty sure you'll love her to pieces. I know I do!! (no, she didn't ask me to post this-- I just really want her to do well in her new place. So go be a dear and support her if you can... let me know if you need any more info)

There's not really a whole lot exciting going on lately... mostly just normal every day life, especially now that VBS is over and done with. But somehow there is always something to be done, somewhere to go, or busy-ness of some sort. The days are slipping by before I can really grasp hold of them, it seems. I've been a busy little bee with sewing, house projects, gardening, running here and there, piano lessons... I love it, and I can't wait to share some of it with you all! What about you? How's your summer going so far?

As promised, here are some of those cute faces:

My baby is a super-chunk. And Annabelle needs a comb, badly. But how much do you love this picture??


Awwww. Sisterly love is always a great thing.


Is there anything better than an adorable baby in a striped hat??


I think not.



Be back again soon... I promise!! Er... um, maybe. :)