I have been noticeably absent from the blog lately, so instead of prolonging the silence I wanted to report that I will be taking somewhat of a blog staycation. I will still post, but with less frequency than previously and my posts will be smaller (quick little snippets of design, pet, products I love, etc…). So things may look and feel a little different!

Little Miss Lucy likes Mocha’s bed … well, Sweet Pea does, too, actually. I couldn’t help but grab this shot of the goofy little girl hanging out in Mocha’s bed this morning. She likes to jump into Mocha’s bed, dig around with her nose, and arrange it to her liking. It is too cute!

Luckily, Mocha is okay with sharing (shocking, yes! but true!). After our visits in January, February, March, and April, Mocha finally gets it – Lucy is her cousin and she is here to stay! (More about that here, here, and here). It really is fabulous to have them get along so well. Lucy, Pea, and Mocha are co-habitating in relative harmony. And, we (Jonna, Lucy, Pea, Mocha, and I)  all got to go on a trail run this morning in Papago Park this morning at 5:30AM and 90 degree heat. Ha! 90 degrees at 5:30AM. We are truly in the desert.

I wish I took more photos (and GOOD photos) to share with you, but alas, I am a terrible photographer … as you know, most of the shots on here (like the one above) are taken on my cell phone.

We are enjoying Phoenix (as always) and still have today and tomorrow here. YAY!

Mocha says Phoenix is much too hot to sleep at night!

Yesterday, Mocha picked us up in Silverton after the Iron Horse.

John fell asleep on the ride home.

So, remember how cute my Mocha is riding in Midgey?  Well check out this pic from Saturday when I was following Mocha and John into our garage…

On to other topics, for a baby shower I am planning for a friend, I am thinking I will make individual bundt cakes as opposed to having one big cake…  the other kicker is that the cakes must be gluten-free because the Mama has Celiac’s.  For some reason, citrus almond olive oil cake popped into my head … I googled it and a recipe from Giada De Laurentiis popped up.  It sounds right on the money for what I was thinking but I will have to make some serious modifications to make it gluten-free and healthier (baked goods can be delicious AND healthy!!!).  I am definitely replacing the all-purpose flour with almond flour and I may use Meyer lemon-infused olive oil from the Durango Olive Oil Company, but I am thinking these will be my other modifications:

I plan to do a test-run of my version this week sometime so I will let you know how it turns out!

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John has a 1972 MG Midget — this super-cool and adorable little convertible — we affectionately call her Midgey, or at least I do.  During the Spring, Summer, and Fall John likes to drive it as his daily driver and in the Winter Midgey stays safely tucked away in storage.

Sometimes we take a drive in Midgey just for the heck of it, John, Mocha, and I.  It is only a two-seater, so Mocha has to sit behind us near the roll bars.  It is a little akward, but we all get comfy and it works.  Then we cruise around.

Well, yesterday evening we (all 3 of us) went to get Midgey out of storage.  I had to follow John home in our other vehicle, so I let Mocha take my place in the passengers seat.  She borrows the passenger seat from time-to-time when it is just John and her tootling around.  Well, I have to say — they looked so darn cute.  I have seen them in the car together before, but I don’t usually have the opportunity to snap photos.

This time, I did get to snap some photos… Mocha had just the most fun little adventure.  She like to lean to the side so the windshield doesn’t get in the way of her sniffin’.  And, the exhaust makes her sneeze.  When we got home, Mocha just went right to sleep (it was only 8pm); I think her little adventure wore her out!

Look at those smiles!  This is my little family.

Mocha is a little unsure about the sounds the engine makes, so she is just making sure John is coming back.

Mocha’s looking a little concerned as she realizes I am not going with them in Midgey.

Her hesitation about leaving me behind is soon forgotten as the wind blows through hear hair.

Just a guy and one of his girls driving along. The furry brunette is riding shotgun and the blonde is following in another vehicle.  If you saw this scene humdingin’ down the road, wouldn’t it just make you smile?

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I created the following piece for my current class, Design and Typography.  This class has been pure bliss for me, since I love typefaces.  Learning about the structure and anatomy of type, as well as the proper typographic way to work with typefaces has been great; I have been eating it up! For this assignment, we were required to illustrate a saying or maxim using text (no graphics or shapes were allowed).  So below is my typographic illustration of “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”; an adage I do not believe, mind you (I teach my 8-year old chocolate girl new tricks all the time!).  Of course, my Mocha was the inspiration for this project to being with, as with so much creative pieces that I do.

Note: the ball is made of text, although the jpg does not allow you to see this very well.  Below is an alternate version that I created so that it would be obvious that the ball was made out of text.  I do not like the second version near as much as the above, original version, though.

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Pardon my glowing eyes, but notice my new Mimi Green Candy Apple Flower on my collar.  Chloe was too busy today to do a post so I thought I would jump on here and put up a quick post to show you all my new flower.

Hugs,
Mocha

An all-too-common conversation between Chloe and Mocha, had while Chloe drives and Mocha rides in the cargo area of the SUV, where Chloe can see Mocha in the rear-view mirror.

—start conversation—

Chloe: Look a pigeon!

Mocha: {looking around in a mildly frantic way with a concerned furrowing of the brow}

Chloe: What do you think about that, Mocha?

Mocha: {still has not seen the pigeon; looks at the back of Chloe’s head, ears alert, head cocked to the side}

Chloe: Does the Mocha like pigeons?  Do you like pigeons?  Or does the Mocha say, ‘Pooey, pigeon smidgeon?’

Mocha: {intently stares at the back of Chloe’s head and listens (?), cocks head to the other side}

Chloe: I am glad we had this talk.

Mocha: {circles, plops down, and sighs}

—end converstaion—

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Last night I put on my pajamas … and put some on Mocha, too. (Well, I put a t-shirt on her.)

At first she seemed a little unsure about it, but soon it become inconsequential to her. And she was done for the night.