#FridayFlowers4u : Camellia

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Camellia

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u : Hydrangea

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Hydrangea

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u: Zinnia Elegans

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Zinnia Elegans

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

A Beautiful Sunday...

A Beautiful Sunday to me...

• Baby is napping.
• Dishwasher is running, kitchen is almost 100% clean and waiting to start loads of laundry.
• Watching baseball and pre-season football while reading a magazine.
• Waited 65 minutes to eat a cooked to perfection Marie Callender's pot pie with a spork.

That is all.

What is a beautiful Sunday to you?

#FridayFlowers4u: Floral Variety

#FridayFlowers4u

Floral Variety

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u: Osteospermum

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Osteospermum

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

Did you know? The name 'osteospermum' derives from the Greek for bone (osteon) and seed (spermum).

Information Credit: http://www.oakleafgardening.com/plants/osteospermum-whirlygig/

#FridayFlowers4u: Leonotis Leonurus

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Leonotis Leonurus

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

Did you know? Leonotis leonurus, also known as lion's tail and wild dagga. It is known for its medicinal and mild psychoactive properties.

Information Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonotis_leonurus#cite_note-mbc-2

#FridayFlowers4u: Lantana Camara

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Lantana Camara

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

Did you know? Lantana camara can survive in a wide range of climatic conditions, including drought, different soil types, heat, humidity and salt. It is also relatively fire tolerant and can quickly establish itself in recently burnt areas of forest.

Information Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lantana_camara

#FridayFlowers4u: California Tree Poppy

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: California Tree Poppy

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Did you know? The California Tree Poppy was nominated for the 

honor of California state flower in 1890, but the California poppy won the title.

Information credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romneya_coulteri 

#FridayFlowers4u: Apple Blossom

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Apple Blossom

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

An apple blossom is the flower of an apple tree.

#FridayFlowers4u: Nasturtium

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Nasturtium

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Fun fact: Nasturtium is an easy-to-grow annual whose leaves and flowers are edible. 
Information credit: https://www.almanac.com/plant/nasturtium

#FridayFlowers4u: Fuchsia

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Fuchsia

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Quote: Ben Okri

"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity 

to create, 

to overcome, 

to endure, 

to transform, 

to love and 

to be greater 

than our suffering"

-Ben Okri

MOOD: Determined // PIT STOP: Popsicle® Sugar Free Tropicals // UP NEXT: Bedtime ZzzZ

Other quote posts:

1. https://areflectiveperspective.blogspot.com/2018/03/quote-mother-teresa.html

#FridayFlowers4u: Iris

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Iris

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u : Hibiscus

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Hibiscus

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u : Agapanthus

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Agapanthus
Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

#FridayFlowers4u : Poppy

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Poppy

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Location: California

#FridayFlowers4u: Heart

#FridayFlowers4u

Photo Credit: Rebecca A. Wall

Quote: Mother Teresa

I love quotes and I always have. I find them to be inspiring, thought provoking, topic engaging and often times succinct in getting a specific thought or feeling across. I have been collecting quotes that stand out to me since I was a little kid and I look for them in books and magazines, on television,  during conversation and I strive to create them myself. Sometimes I analyze them, sometimes I don't. No matter what though I always take the time to listen and try to understand, out of respect for the person who wrote the quote and for myself as I interpret it. 

I am excited to share the quotes that I love and I am especially looking forward to pairing them with original photos that I have taken. Enjoy and please comment if you'd like to dialogue about anything that stands out to you!

"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway..."

-Mother Teresa

MOOD: Exhausted // PIT STOP: Bai Molokai Coconut // UP NEXT: Sunday nap

PRO TIP! Try the Bai Molokai Coconut mixed with ice cubes and milk, it's delicious!

#FridayFlowers4u: Butterfly

#FridayFlowers4u

Juicing 101

Juicing 101 aka I have no idea what I'm doing, but let's try! I made orange juice today and it turned out good! The Breville juicer I have is super easy to use and clean. The hardest part was peeling all of the oranges by hand haha. I'm looking forward to making more :)

MOOD: Accomplished // PIT STOP: Orange juice // UP NEXT: Relaxing

Spring Cleaning & Training!

It isn't officially Spring yet (...not until 3/20 at 9:16AM!), but Spring training for baseball has begun (Go Giants!), so I'm getting a head start on my Spring cleaning. 

...Starting with clothes and shoes! I'll be completely honest when I say that pretty much NONE of my jeans fit me and let's be real, the struggle is real. I held onto them though and I'm really glad that I did because these are my absolute favorite jeans and they inspire me to (literally) get my butt back into shape so I can fit back into them. Hopefully just in time for the summer!

Have you started your Spring cleaning? 
What have you done and what do you still need to do?

MOOD: Inspired // PIT STOP: Dust Cutter Peach Tea Lemonade // UP NEXT: Waiting for baby to wake up.

#FridayFlowers4u

I can take credit for the photo, not the actual flower arrangement. Isn't it cute?! :)

#FridayFlowers4u

#flowers

#hithere

#FridayFlowers4u: Magnolia

I started #FridayFlowers4u a few weeks ago as an opportunity each week to post an original picture of a flower that I took to encourage photography and also as a way to learn more about plant identification. Nature is SO important to me and to our overall well being. May this brighten your day today and always. Enjoy! :)

#FridayFlowers4u

#Magnoliaxsoulangeana

#SaucerMagnolia

#FridayFlowers4u: Rose

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Rose

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Location: California

Currently Reading: Never Be Sick Again by Raymond Francis

I finally started reading again! 😀📖

Never Be Sick Again: Health Is a Choice, Learn How to Choose It 
by Raymond Francis

View all my reviews






This book is a great read so far and I'd HIGHLY recommend it for anyone and everyone because the principles are universally applicable.

Check out goodreads! I signed up for an account awhile back and used to be more active with it. I love being back and I am looking forward to exploring again and making more updates!

#FridayFlowers4u : Sunflower

#FridayFlowers4u

Flower: Sunflower

Photo: Rebecca A. Wall

Location: Michigan

BANANAS!! && Bottles... The formula dilemma.

My child LOVES bananas! I buy at least 5 bunches at a time and she's through with them in 4-5 days. I mix them with EVERYTHING and she just can't get enough. Good times.

Today we started mixing in Similac formula. I did some research online and this brand seemed like a good one. I bought the liquid and powder versions to try out. I've been on the fence about formula since before I knew I was having a child because I always wanted to take the most natural approach to providing food and nutrients for my baby. I was immediately introduced to the formula dilemma once I actually had a child and it felt like my Mommyhood was on the line if I couldn't produce my own milk for her. I think there is a built in pressure for Moms that can lead to Mom-shaming regarding whether someone can produce or not, either projected from one Mom to another and/or projected onto onself. Neither are productive and neither feed a hungry child. I am so grateful that I have been able to breastfeed until now and Emily is 9.5 months. Pretty dang good if the goal is 12 months! And now we introduce formula. I've cried about this before and I am moving on. It's not worth it for me to put an extra pressure on myself, to feed into the formula dilemma and/or to shame myself for not being able to provide milk anymore. Plus, she has teeth now and that doesn't work out too well when you're trying to breastfeed. It's been a good run and I am proud of both Emily and I. My little baby is growing up... countdown until her 1st birthday is 10 weeks!

MOOD: Reflective // PIT STOP: R.W. Knudsen Mango Peach juice // UP NEXT: Getting organized.

#FridayFlowers4u

#FridayFlowers4u

Baby Food

I'm constantly making baby food and I love it because it is the healthiest option I can provide for my 9 month old Daughter. She loves bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados, butternut squash, peas and carrots in as many combinations as we can come up with! Here are some pictures with a few basic recipes.

1.5 bananas

1/2 large sweet potato

1/3 cup baby cereal

1/3 cup water

1 drop vitamin D (for babies)

In progress...

Recipe above makes approximately 8 ounces

MOOD: Busy // PIT STOP: Numi Classic Mint Iced Tea // UP NEXT: Preparing banana and peas food mix

iSpy...

. . . iSpy with my little eye . . .

. . . GOOD TIMES! 

I was looking for a pin to put on my backpack and had quite a bit to choose from in my grab bag of goodies! I've collected these gemz over the years and each are special to me, both individually and collectively. So many special memories and good times over the years. 

What stands out to you?

What do you see?

MOOD: Accomplished // PIT STOP: La Croix Coconut // UP NEXT: Monday Morning

Dolphins & Hot Chocolate

I've always loved dolphins and they were my favorite animal as a little girl growing up. Have you ever heard of an hourglass dolphin? I saw a picture and thought they looked so unique, so I wanted to share. They are also known as Lagenorhynchus cruciger and they are very rare. In addition to the hourglass dolphin, there are 36 species within the dolphin family. Check them all out at: http://us.whales.org/whales-and-dolphins/dolphins

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hourglass_dolphin#/media/File:Hourglas_dolphin.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lagenorhynchus_cruciger_1847_-_cropping.jpg

Also, on an unrelated note... I heard a little girl say she caught a cold from her cat yesterday. For some reason that is hilarious to me. Anyways, it's been cold and hot chocolate is always a plus! At the bottom of each blog I've been listing my mood, a "pit stop" based on something that refuels me and gives me an energy boost, plus an "Up Next" look into what's to come. Cheers!

MOOD: Fulfilled // PIT STOP: Hot Chocolate // UP NEXT: Bedtime