So I normally do not get into the Christmas decorating spirit. Christmas lights? Yeah, can I have a higher electricity bill and another thing to remember to turn off before I go to bed? No thanks. Christmas tree? Yes, please, because I would love to clean up even more puke puddles from Lily Mae, even if they smell like pine. But something came across me this weekend... Maybe it was the ornament Sue bought for Jeff and me for our first Christmas together (married), maybe it was me missing Jeff and wanting to make the house all homey and warm for him to return to. Either way.... I got crafty.
This is my take on an artsy christmas tree. It hangs our ornaments, was free (I snapped branches off a tree from our front yard), and I challenge Lily Mae to try eating it. 
If you look closer, you can see ornaments that I made from leftover wedding fabric scraps, a squirrel ornament my mommy made me, the ornament that Sue got us, and my cholo Bob's big boy ornament. 
Because the sticks don't really smell (good), and I'm like my dad, it doesn't feel Christmasy until I'm hit with a strong smell of pine. Pine-sol won't cut it for me so I bought a wreath. Trader Joe's, deal and a half. I went to Armstrong's nursery and they had the exact same ones on sale for $24.99, twice as much as TJ's. Psssh... Lily Mae was watching me from the stairwell the whole time I decorated. If only I could put those opposable thumbs of hers to work...
Happy Holidays!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Yay for Crismis!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
And a happy sanksgeeving it was...
Hi everyone! We had such a lovely time up in the Bay Area for the turkey day break... my brother Jan drove Jeff and I and Mandy and Seth up on Wednesday night, braving the REALLY crappy traffic, so that was one thing to be thankful for (my brother driving, not the crappy traffic). A second thing- having the back seat of the Odyssey to myself so I could sleep for half the trip. Score! We had a lovely family dinner on Wednesday and went to Sue's house for pumpkin pie to round out the holiday. Friday we went up to San Francisco for my friend Jen's party at her awesome flat in Bernal Heights, so we got to see a few friends and eat too many smokehouse almonds. All in all a wonderful little vacation filled with good times with family and friends. Now for pictures!
We can't afford regular sized instruments...
Thanksgiving dinner at the Trondsens:
This is our 18 year old kitty, Lucie. She gets a spot at the table, and a glass of wine.
Jen's party in the city, so festive!
Jenny's new boyfriend Noah! And Jenny looking classy...
Jeff giving the camera "hungry eyes" and Max trying to figure out if he's actually enjoying Jeff on his lap. I think he did.
Jen's babushka dog Chloe, she won Survivor Dog of the Month at the vet after she leaped out of the third story window!
Family pics!
Jeff, Jan and I with Molly and Riley...
Hope everyone else had a very happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Our weekend
We're coming home soon! My brother Jan scored us a sweet Honda Odyssey to caravan Jeff and I, and Mandy and Seth up to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving. Cross you fingers for us getting good traffic and no rain for the drive!
Jeff and I had a fun weekend... I had Friday off so I crafted and made Sue a pillow! It's made with felt made out of recycled plastic bottles, and filled with a bamboo pillow. Eco-friendly! Here is a close-up:
Mandy, Jana, Matt and I went to the LA flower mart on Saturday morning to get ideas for Matt and Jana's wedding next October. I bought pretty roses.
Then Jeff and I drove down to Fallbrook to visit our good friends Matt and Joie and their baby Gillian. They took us to an amazing sushi dinner and then we rocked out to Rock Band. I learned that Jeff is a terrible singer, and I have no drumming rhythm. Go figure.
Then yesterday was Jeff's Open House at the Art Center. This is the third time he has taught the Comic Book class at the Art Center for kids, and again, it was an awesome show. The kids collaborated on this huge mural AND each did their own individual comic books. This is our friend Sue with Jeff. She helped Jeff teach the class.
After the class, we were invited over to an Art Center professor's house for a glass of wine. His son Milo was in Jeff's art class, and when we got to their amazing house in Altadena, Milo introduced us to their pets: a 21 year old tarantula, a rat, a sweet yellow lab named Zeba, and a sphynx cat! The sphynx is the granddaughter of Mr. Bigglesworth from the Austin Power's movie! For reals! They have to oil her every night to keep her moisturized. I wanted to put her in my purse and take her home with me. Jeff said no. :(
We're looking forward to being in San Jose and SF for the holiday! Give us a call if you can meet up with us!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Nola and Libby!
A few weeks ago two little kittens showed up to our doorstep and melted our hearts. They looked abandoned and not spayed so we knew we'd have to take them in and do something with them. They were the sweetest and most affectionate little monkeys we've met and had a pretty tough time deciding what to do with them. Jeff immediately wanted to keep them, but after thinking it through and realizing our kitty Lily Mae would not be thrilled with the idea, and the responsibility that more cats than humans in a house entails, we felt that we had to find them another home. They love each other so much though and we were afraid a shelter would split them up, but then our friend Erika put us in touch with her friends from Santa Barbara who just so happened to be in the market for a pair of totally awesome kittens. Jesse and Leia braved the smoky roads and made the trip down yesterday and instantly fell in love with the kitties. We in turn fell in love with them over dinner, and we're thrilled to bits that the kittens found such good and loving new parents. Time for pictures!!
Erika, Mandy, and the kitten formally known as Meezer/Vanessa (now Nola):
Seth and the kitten formally known as Fluffer (now Libby):
Being rascally:
New parents Jesse and Leia, going home with the furballs:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Obamabats!
Yesterday was a pretty amazing day. Jeff and I have very similar political views and feelings so we were both ecstatic that Barack Obama was elected to be our 44th President of the United States. We were also thrilled that Prop 2 passed but heartbroken that Prop 8 did as well. I think Prop 8 is the definition of unjust and cruel discrimination and I had hoped we were advanced enough to never let that pass. It made me sad that it even made it to the ballot. Hopefully the fight to bring this issue to the Supreme Court will force people to think more about their own civil rights and what it would be like to be denied them, and to allow themselves to be more tolerant.
On a more exciting note, free Obamabats! It's a free font of dingbats which you can get here.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Happy Halloweeeeener!
Because Halloween was FINALLY not on a school night, Jeff and I decided to get crazy this year. Jeffy went as Steve Martin (his idol) and I dressed up as an evil garden gnome. We looked silly.
Mandy and Seth classed it up and went as The Gettysburg Address and Abe Lincoln. They made their costumes too! Well, Mandy made their costumes. Seth made his beard I guess. 
Hope everyone had a safe and fun one! I'm going to go work on my cavities now by eating another pound of smarties.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Happy Birthday Jeffy!
I've so neglected our poor little blog... I'd like to say it's because I'm sooo busy attending parties and social events but mostly it's just work that's being the master time suck. But I have a bunch of pictures and things to say so get ready for some major posting!
Here's the whole group at a sushi bar later in the night. This was our pit-stop before the dirrrty comedy show.
Matt and Jana!
These are our new friends Jerod and Karen! Jerod is a new addition to my work group and he and his wifey live in Long Beach too so now we carpool to work! They are completely awesome, and it was so great getting to jump them into our gang.
Max and Erika having a tender moment.
If Jeff ever posted on this blog, I know he would say thank you to all of his rad family and friends for making his birthday a happy one. Mine's next! November 26th! Wednesday, October 1, 2008
jeff jeff jeff, all she talks about is jeff...
Okay, last post about Jeff's show, because believe me, I'm sick of it too. Just kidding! Can't get enough of my husband's celebrity (as he cringes while reading this). I just found another little ditty on Jeff at the SlamXHype blog which is appartently the blog of all art blogs. Check out Jeff's introduction, it's like his coming out party to the art society (cringes some more). :)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Jeff's show at Suru
Hi everyone! Jeff's solo show at the Suru Gallery in LA this past Saturday was a big hit! A ton of people came through and a bunch of pieces sold. Yay! Our parents came down and we had one big happy household for a few days. It was my dad's 61st birthday too so we did a birthday dinner at Pizza Paul's right before the show. Huge thanks to everyone that came out to support Jeff, with extra special thanks to the rents, Jen and Kate for coming all the way down for the show. You made us feel all warm inside. :) Here are some pictures, courtesy of www.thegluttony.com 
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Maintenance for Inhabitants
Jeff's show is this weekend! I can't wait to post pictures of all of the pieces... I am continually amazed at what my husband comes up with and can paint. I am so very proud of him for accomplishing this solo show after all that happened this year, and can't wait to celebrate with our family and friends on the 27th when the show opens. Here's the flier for the show if you are in the LA area and can make it out:
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Coming home!
Hi everyone!
Jeff and I are flying home to the San Heezy this Saturday for our friends Jennifer and Jason Cordone's wedding! I'm telling you, 2008 is an AWESOME year for weddings. We're staying until Monday evening so if you want to meet up with us (meet up with US, not us meet up with YOU. We need a break from the traveling...), give us a call! We'll bring the DVDs of the wedding film with us too so let us know if you want one. You know you'll treasure it always...
xo,
*Liv
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Happy Birthday Erika!
This past weekend we finally got the chance to use about 68% of our wedding gifts with a lovely little dinner party and sleepover and brunch in honor of our good friend Erika's birthday. We were wavering between a "Soul Night" theme and "Paella Party" so birthday girl made the decision. Paella it was! Here are some pictures of the fun night (and photo credits to Mr. Seth Haak who took most of these pictures. Jeff was also in charge of photography but didn't do so hot. So thanks Mandy and Seth!!)
The birthday girl!
Erikal made the sangria, AND transported it all the way from LA without spilling in her car!
Mandy made this salad, it was deeelish!
Our two paellas, one with seafood and one without so we wouldn't kill Gina.
I made this beehive bundt cake and lavender honey ice cream. Not too shabby if I say so myself!
We ended the night with a rousing game of Cranium, boys vs. girls. They totally beat us. This was the best part of the game, Matt trying to hum and whistle "Like a Virgin". Even though Seth was obviously concentrating, the boys failed to guess it. Point scored for the girls...
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