anniversary suprise

our neighbors mel & fred are the most intriguing.  Fred is a violin maker, of the highest regard. Mel is an environmental lawyer.  They both are in their late 40's and fond of long boards, skate ramps, motorcycles and all things eclectic. 

Fred has gifted us homemade pickles, weird fruit from southern california and just plain being wonderful neighbors and friends. Fred heard it thru the grapevine that i have always wanted to learn the banjo...and low and behold when i came home last night, i heard a strummin' from deep within the house. 

Bob was stroking a banjitar.  a guitar mash up with a banjo.

here are some desperate self photos taken with maria's canon. 

Dad....recognize the strap?????????????? 

photo stealin' that's what friends are for

awhile back Luke and Maria had gifted Bob and I some pretty sweet guatemalan friendship bracelets.  Well, time went by and bracelets fell off, got lost or remained on the gear shift in Rico.  I decided to gift us all a set of itchy, dirty, home woven friendship hats to replace our loss of bracelets.  pics compliments of Maria, and here we sit in their new pad uptown after a long day of painting and eating veggie dogs, chips and beer.  it's um, always, um pretty sweet to hang out with Luke and Maria ~ I WANT THAT!

sweet baby momma

my friend Karyn sent me these photos last night and i was just amazed at how each time i see her she just seems more beautiful than the last. 

Lil Jonah is about 7 weeks old and we have had the luxury of seeing him grow and witness the love and affection given to him by karyn & jason. 

in addition, we were blessed with a full month of visits with Karyn's mother Caroline & brother Adam.  Afternoon tea and knitting, chatting about the weather and staring contests with Adam and finally...a surprise evening with karyn's sister Alissa and their father Randy! A hailed celebration of Stillwells, Joys, Temples and a buffet of desserts from respective lands.  A beautiful family that is always a treat to spend time with.