Flower-Power.

Can-you-even-believe-these-flowers?

The-blooms-were-found-in-the-

gardens-of-the-Los-Angeles-Temple.

For-me,-it-was-love-at-first-sight.

Grey.

I visited the Temple today,
and truly felt peace and happiness.
Although the rainy, Los Angeles weather cast
a grey hue over the city,
there was endless
light and sunshine inside
the temple walls,
and within my own beating heart.

Wily Coyote.

Yet another tale from my running;
Oftentimes, I'll run into Coyotes.
Griffith Park is filled with the little guys.
They're in search of tasty, leftover snacks
and good company I suppose.
Have you ever ran into a wild animal?

Flower Run.

I found this sweet,
tiny flower on my run yesterday.
Perhaps it was a weed...
like in Alice in Wonderland.
But I too am a weed,
so that's just perfect.

Old Friends.

Last week I really thought a lot about my alarm clock. This is one of the few objects that I own, that has seen me through the best and worst moments of my life. My step dad bought me the little guy when I was nine years old. He was present when my little sister was born and brought home from the hospital. He saw me through my parent's divorce. He played Color Me Bad when I needed a pick me up. He traveled with me to college all the way to Missouri, and endured a sticky summer of theater in Iowa. Then he traveled with me back to Arizona, and woke me up the day of my wedding. And now, years and years have past and he perches happily where he has always remained; next to my bedside. He too loves it in Los Angeles. He wakes us up each morning, and gladly plays music for our puppy Soba while Bryan and I are away.

Last week he was dropped hastily to the ground. His neon, trusty digits ceased from flashing. Bryan and I held our breath. We knew he was gone. In truth, I was devastated. But, like any good M. Night Shamalan movie, there was a surprise twist. He started blinking 12:00 repeatedly a couple of hours later. And I felt such relief and happiness. What a dear, old friend. Please never leave my bedside again. We have much more to experience together!

Love Your Companion,
Ashley

French Toast Mastered!

French Toast has forever been the breakfast dish thorn in my side. But, after much research I found that the secret is in the bread. According to my sources, the best bread to use is either French bread (go figure) challah bread, or an Italian bread. I went with an unsliced French bread from my local baker. {Because the bread is thick, it doesn't dissolve in the egg mixture as other breads often do.} Next I let it sit out over night to get stale. The following morning I cut thick slices from the loaf, and tweaked my BETTER HOMES AND GARDEN'S recipe.

Ashley's Frenchiest of French Toasts:

4 Eggs Beaten
1 Cup Milk (I use the full fat)
2 TBSP Sugar
2 tsp Vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Bread sliced
Powdered Sugar
Syrup
Butter

optional:
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Mixed Berries

1. In a shallow bowl beat together wet ingredients. Dip bread slices into the mixture coating both sides.
2. In a skillet or griddle, melt 1 tsp butter over medium heat. Add bread slices cooking 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Serve warm with tons of powdered sugar and mixed berries. Try sliced strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Watch your guest's jaws drop open with delight.

Graffiti: Spotted Down Town Los Angeles.

My dear friend Cindee and I went on a date last Friday.
I haven't laughed that hard in such a long time.
We went to Wood Spoon Brazilian restaurant for dinner.
Then Baby Cakes for amazing vegan cupcakes!

Between our travels we found the above.
I know I shouldn't love the middle finger crossing light,
But it surprised me, and made me laugh out loud.
And I think it was pretty darn creative!

Bleed Blue.

The games will begin soon.
I've never had as much fun at a baseball game,
as I did rooting with insane Dodger fans last year.
The fans are absolutely dedicated to the death.
{And no, they don't sell soy Dodger Dogs at the Stadium!}
We definitely looked into that.

Graffiti: Spotted In New York.

Behold the incredible graffiti that my best friend Amber spotted.
I absolutely love it.

Do you think perchance that he's supposed to be a loving Father Time?
What's the significance of the "heart on his sleeve?"

Thanks for playing my silly game Amber!
If anyone else stumbles upon unexpected treasures; do share!

V-Day.

I-can't-wait-for-Valentine's-Day!

P.S.-My-space-bar-is-broken.

image-source-unknown.

The Caged Bird Sings.

The above is what my table top looks like as of yesterday evening. Centerpieces and table decor are my new obsession. I change them several times a week, it just keeps things fresh! The lovely dome was a treasured gift from my dear friend Cindee. The vintage, aqua votives were $0.50 at a flea market in Quartzite, California.

Procrastination Station: Valentine's Garland.

I dolled up my space with a Valentine's Garland.

It makes my heart oh, so happy every time I look at it!

What I used?
1. Fairy Lights
2. Doilies
3. Pretty Polaroids
4. Cut out Hearts
5. Wooden Clothes Pins

New Work.

These stolen pictures are from Bryan's latest creative submission.

I'm forever interested in seeing what he'll come up with next.

I think he's pretty darn talented. I'm biased, I realize, but he's brilliant.

I am perpetually inspired by the creative undertakings of my husband.

He exposes me to what I normally wouldn't uncover for myself.

As always: DO NOT tell Bryan that I showed you this!

{click on images to enlarge.}

True Love.

Last week was incredibly stressful and filled with anxiety. I felt particularly grateful to my Bunnie, who strengthened me. He was helpful, kind, and loving to not only myself, but my family. I love him increasingly more with each passing day. He is positively my rock.

Planned Graffiti: West Hollywood

My obscene lust for graffiti continues.

I took this snapshot from my car during traffic.

A rare moment of gratitude for the L.A. gridlock!

Surprise in Bloom.

While walking to an appointment in Beverly Hills,

I happened upon sundry amounts of cotton-candy-pink Camellia.

After a week of torrential downpours in Los Angeles,

the walks were littered with the gorgeous wonders.

I gathered the blooms and shaped them into a cornucopia.

The sight was truly something to behold.

Update.

For the past five days I've been in Arizona spending time with my sister and family. Last week was literally the epitome of stress and anxiety. Later in the week {when we could exhale} it was filled with laughter, gratitude, and tears of joy. My sister went from the Intensive Care Unit, to Trauma, to the Physical Therapy Ward. Chanelle is doing much better after one week and two days post accident.

Her current prognosis; she still has the pool of blood on the left side of the brain. This will take some time for the brain to completely absorb. This injury caused some damage, and manifests itself with her altered humor, temperament, taste for food and drink, and short term memory. Her clavicle is broken, but the pelvis is fractured. She is working with amazing physical therapists daily. The goal being to get her coordination and strength returned, while working her joints and preventing atrophy from bed rest.

Sister also works with an occupational therapist to flex her brain. They ask her numerous questions, critical thinking situations, and have her solve riddles and puzzles. In short, she's exhausted. But we remind her that she keeps asking to go home, and her only ticket is through following the strict regimen. She's working very hard on doing what the physicians ask of her, and I'm sure she'll be out of the hospital as soon as feasibly possible.

I want to thank the fifty people that have visited my sister and family at the hospital. Thank you to the people who have sent flowers, cards, brownies, balloons, and delicious meals. Thank you to the kind nurses, doctors, therapists and support staff. And least of all, best of all, thank you to each of you that have sent their prayers, good thoughts and encouragement to not only my family, but myself. I am deeply touched. Four friends candidly told me that they don't even believe in God, and or aren't religious, but they were going to pray to a higher power on our behalf. I was completely in awe. Please accept my honest gratitude for all that you have done, and continue to do.

Love,

The Yazzies, Pennicks, and Mattices

Image via powodzenia