Purple Flowers

Look at this beautiful flowering bush outside my parents' home. I wish I knew the name. It was a delight to me today and I had to stop and take a picture. It was also delightful that I was dropping off two of my children for my sweet & generous mother to babysit. Thanks, Mom!

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SwaddleMe

Having a four week old newborn, sleep is at a premium around our house lately and Baby Roland, like many babies, sleeps best when wrapped up tight. Unfortunately, I have traditionally been the worst swaddler around, with Aaron a close second - although he seems to be developing mad skills lately. I've seen blankets specially designed for this in various parenting magazines and we went out searching. We purchased a cute little swaddling blanket with velcro and whatnot from Target. I said, "we'll try it out on him for 10 minutes and see if we like it enough to keep it." Two minutes later Roley spit up all over it. After subsequent washing and several more trials - we were not thrilled with this blanket. It seemed too big, the velcro parts didn't match up, baby's legs popped out a lot, etc.

Then I was at a specialty store here in Mesa, Baby, Mom, & More, when I spotted this blanket by Kiddopotamus - which is actually the one I've seen in the magazines. And I was pleasantly suprised to find it was only $13 and actually came in different sizes. I bought it to try out and am addicted! I don't think I'll be able to live without it anymore and will be giving this as a baby shower gift from now on. It has a better feet pouch, including a slit to slide through car seat/bouncer/swing straps, and it fits my baby, which means the velcro hits in all the right places and keeps his arms in. Hallelujah, sleep for all!

This Daily Delight sumitted to

Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.

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Balmy AZ Winters

With temperatures climbing over the 75 degree mark in the afternoons - I am delighting in balmy Arizona winters! I am oozing with thankfulness that I can throw my 2 monkeys outside for significant portions of the day. I know some of you are covered in snow - but another couple months and we desert dwellers will be cooped up inside. If you venture out in June or July you can melt the soles of your shoes and that swingset can cause 2nd degree burns when touched. So we romp while we can.

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Monkey Music

This has been playing in our house very consistently over the past 6 months. If you haven't heard it you're missing out - buy or download it right away! Especially if you have kids. The movie is pretty good too.

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Glasgow Rose

I love the design from the craftsman era of the early 1900s. I would love to have a little bungalow home of my own - but keep working to give my 1970s ranch the craftsman feel. Someday this will mean a complete exterior overhaul, but luckily I can work on my interior bit by bit. Some influential designers from the period (and other closely related styles) include William Morris, Greene & Greene, Frank Lloyd Wright, Gustav Stickley, Harvey Ellis, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh - whose Glasgow Rose design inspired the above artwork. This is actually a wallpaper frieze by Bradbury & Bradbury, Arts & Crafts Wallpapers. I think it is so beautiful and would love to have just one panel framed and adorning my living room

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Romeo's

Aaron & I found ourselves toddler-free for Valentine's Day and decided to go out to dinner, newborn in tow. We made reservations at Romeo's Euro Cafe, a long-time favorite of ours. This is no chain restaurant and serves delicious Mediterranean/Greek fare, with a menu that reads like a book. Aaron loves the gyros and we both love the many appetizers. My favorite is the pita bread and feta dressing. Good old Romeo (actual owner & cook) makes the BEST feta dip/dressing ever! And I love feta. And thankfully you can take this tangy goodness home in a jar. Which I do every time we go. The only thing better than the feta dip is the pita bread. Which Romeo buys rather than makes. And you can take them home too. These are not the kind of pitas you split open and fill the pocket with stuff. They are the soft pillowy kinds served around gyros and those Taco Bell Chalupas (but better). So everyday since last Thursday I have been enjoying a pita with my feta dip as a pre-lunch snack. I can't imagine how much fat & calories are in them, especially the dip - but do I look like I care? Oh, I forgot to mention the unbelievable pastry counter. Maybe another post. And the baby... slept through the entire dinner under the table.

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Not So Big House

Sarah Susanka has written a whole series of books based on the philosophy of quality, not size, when it comes to homes. This is the first and the others are all based on the "not so big" ideas. It's all about customization and figuring out what things work for you; spend your money are perfect details instead of just bigger houses. There are a lot of built-ins, custom storage features, and unique details to make things beautiful. I wish I could remember all the aspects, but no one has seen fit to gift me with this item from my wish list. The books are beautiful and in full color and go through a bunch of houses that I would love to live in (most of them). I check these books out at the library regularly.

I love this whole philosophy and luckily Aaron agrees that we don't need a huge house, which seems to be the trend with people our age. Our 1500 sq. ft. is great right now, maybe we'll bump up to 2000 some day. We can spend the extra money on cool design, and great details.

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Etched Cuff Bracelets

Aaron and I went to Cost Plus World Market last Saturday when our older 2 monkeys were off with grandparents. We love this store, the cool food & drinks, the furniture and home decor, and almost everything else. We bought another chunky glass mug, which we keep in the freezer for cold beverages. I bought a rug for our kitchen for only $20 a few weeks ago. Aaron bought more of his special herbal tea. And I found some beautiful napkins that I am thinking about sewing into valances for the sliding doors in our dining room. They weren't on sale though, so I am planning to watch for them in the ads. But, when I was home later and searched for a Cost Plus website, I couldn't find the napkins, naturally - but I did find these beautiful bracelets! I love cuff bracelets and these come in gold or silver tone (because they're not really gold or silver) for the bargain price of $10.

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TiVo

My life has changed dramatically since Roley was born. I spend half of the night sitting in our lazy boy, either nursing or rocking the baby. And my TiVo is there for me through it all. I discovered the joy of this little box last summer, when we spent 3 weeks with our friends, the Moores: TiVo owners. Aaron found a smoking deal on our TiVo and got it for my birthday in the fall. And I have loved it ever since!

For late-night feedings I watch a plethora of high-quality programming: Project Runway, What Not to Wear, Design on a Dime, House, Law & Order, Cashmere Mafia, and Mash. Some new, some old, some in between. And it keeps me happy. If I can't be sleeping - neither can my TiVo.

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Little Black Dress

I know Victoria's Secret has a bad connotation for many people, and I agree that the catalogues are too risque and I wouldn't want my husband or boys poring over them. But lingerie aside, VS also carries a lot of great clothes. I have been buying their clothes for years and been very happy with the results. I only wish they had a brick and mortar store rather than online and catalogue only. VS carries petite and tall, 0-14, shoes & accessories, has great sales and clearance items, and often has free or discounted shipping. Plus the inventory is gargantuan! I found great long shorts before they were in every store. They have some cute modest swimsuits (in addition to all the immodest). I know a lot of their clothes are too short/revealing but often categories are sorted by sleeve length or style, which helps you find appropriate items. I love this little black dress, which has plenty of coverage and cute details. And since I'm short - I think it would be plenty long for me. And that wide belt might have a chance of disguising my post-baby tummy. Maybe. Unfortunately it costs $119, but I'll watch for it to go on clearance.

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Sweet Gift Wrap

Anyone who knows me well knows I love presents. I love to receive presents on any occasion - even if it's not something nice or expensive. Although I love those presents too. I also love to give presents. The holidays are wonderful because I get to shop tons and buy presents for people. And then... I get to wrap them! Most people seem to hate wrapping gifts but I love using pretty or cool papers to hide my thoughtfully chosen trinkets. I pull out my big container of paper and ribbon and spend quiet evenings watching movies and wrapping gifts.


I love this wrapping paper from the website Paper Source, which I read about on someone's blog somewhere. It is perfect for Easter and spring - it puts me in the gift-giving mood. Paper Source also has lots of other beautiful products - stationary, calendars, cards, papers, and all manner of crafty paper stuff.

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Ice Cream

It's only apropriate that I follow the daily delight of my scale with one for my new favorite treat. On sale at my local grocery store: Shamrock Farms Arizona Favorites. On the outside they have names of AZ towns, landmarks, sports teams, etc. And on the inside they have good ice cream! I tried this one a few days ago and am hooked already. Peanut butter is a favorite of mine. And of most smart people I know.

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My Scale

I know it is very odd for me to delight in my scale - but right now it's telling me good things! I have lost 25 pounds in the last 2 weeks! Amazing, huh? All you have to do is expel another human being from your loins. I always get down to my pre-baby weight within weeks of delivery. But then the fun starts. I find myself ravenous all the time! I blame it on the breastfeeding, and certainly that's part of it. I have vowed to change this time though. I just need to eat healthier foods while I am stuffing my face during 3 am feedings. Somehow carrot sticks and low-fat crackers pack on less pounds than brownies and milkshakes. Who knew?

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My Husband

The only possible pick for my first Daily Delight is my husband, Aaron. I have always known he is wonderful, but the past six months or so I have been increasingly aware of just how extraordinary he is.

As I have gone through this pregnancy, he has been so supportive, helpful, and sensitive. Aaron takes over with the boys as soon as he walks in the door from work - saving me during that very tearful period between 4pm and bedtime. He rubs my back every night to soothe my aches and pains. He listens to my vague pregnancy complaints and never patronizes me.

Aaron is a great Dad - the boys love him! He plays on the floor with them endlessly. He takes them to lunch anywhere they have a play place. They play with Lucky, eat snacks, and visit friends.

Aaron has done very well in his career - managing to keep that delicate balance between work & family, while maintaining his health too. He is about to start a new job that will be a great opportunity for him (and brings home more money too). He has always supported us comfortably and somehow overlooks all but the most gross of my overspending.

Plus he is dashingly handsome! What else could I ask for? Happy Valentines Day tomorrow, Aaron!

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