Home Sweet Home.

Well, Hello there stranger! It’s been too long since my last post. I thought I’d take a minute to let you in on the madness of my life recently.  I am reluctantly enrolled in 13 units this semester, my photography passion is turning into a money making hobby and my home has been like a three ring circus, seriously. We have had every service man and their brother in our home over the last few weeks… contractors, cable guys, carpet installers you name it, they’ve been here. I can’t complain though, my home has never looked better! With the new carpet and dry wall.. I think our house is finally turning into a home.. 2 years later! Beggars can’t be choosers, right? :)

With everything going on lately, I have decided to give myself a break this weekend. From everything. I will enjoy Whiskey Flat Days with my family and recharge my body and mind. Dannng, I feel better already.

 

What are your plans for the weekend? Comment. I’d love to know!

Mochas + Mallards

My friend Lindy and I had quite an adventure today. Neither of us had out kiddos so we planned on a afternoon of  thrift shopping but our favorite thrift store had just closed when we pulled up, luckily we had a great time anyway. We got some yummy Starbucks Holiday Mochas then headed up to Kernville, a town about 20 minutes from both of us. As we sat along side of the river, I wished out loud for the small group of ducks would come closer so I could take pictures.

One started making his way over to us.

And then another…

Before we knew it, we were swarmed by ducks! It was awesome!

We decided to be more prepared next time and bring our friends some treats.

 

What an amazing experience it was.

I love unexpected adventures, don’t you?

Cousins + Cartwheels

Before Liam got sick last week, I took him and his cousin Zoey to the park for a day of fun. Not only did they have a blast but they pretty much ran the show. I always tell them, “I must look like a jungle gym to you.” but that day- due to the presence of an actual jungle gym, I got a short and sweet break ;)

Zoey ran around doing cart wheels, jumping off of the monkey bars and pumping like a pro in her swing while Liam waddled behind and pretty much dangled helpless in the swing while I took pictures, poor little guy haha.

It such a beautiful and quiet day and the kids were being so surprisingly cooperative that I decided to take them to the bowling alley before we went home for a bite to eat.

It was a great day with the little ones but let’s be honest, everyday with them is a blessing and good thing we soaked up the sun and the last little bits of Fall because two days later we woke up to snow!

 

 

P.S. What have YOU been up to?

One + A Quarter [Liam’s Fall Photo Shoot]

My little guy turned 15 months old today. 

He has grown into an such an independent and curious little boy; so full of life and eager to learn. This little man is the sunshine of my life. I love my handsome little Liam Bear <3 

Happy year and a quarter, son. 

[All photo’s taken by Tia Schnell in the Kern River Valley]

The Traveling Masterpiece

Today was a great day. I have been feeling so inspired and blessed lately. I came across this huge traveling masterpiece after painting class this afternoon and thought I would share it’s fabulousness. I’ve never seen a more awesome bus in my life!

Hope you guys are all having a great week so far.

Oh, and don’t forget to enter my first giveaway. It ends next week!

XO, Tia

Nestling into Fall

 

Last week my painting teacher and I were talking about how beautiful abandoned or broke down buildings are. We both know of this old building near both our homes and school campus. She asked me to snap some photographs of it if I had some time and bring them in for painting inspiration.

Here is the one that I like best. I thought it was more than appropriate to share with Halloween a few weeks away. I know I wouldn’t want to be any closer to that thing than I had to be, especially on a spooky Fall night! ;)

Hope you are all nestling into Fall nicely. I know I am!

XO,

Tia

Do you find old or abandoned buildings to be interesting??

If you have photographs you would like to share on SewCal Mama email me at sewcalmama@yahoo.com

Color Palettes: Summer

Summer time is right around the corner- can you believe it? It really started setting in while attending my niece’s last day awards ceremony on Thursday, with the smell of sunscreen and the sound of little flip-flops flopping- it’s hard to miss! It comes so fast here in the valley, and when it does, OH BOY, you better brace yourself! We’ve already hit 90+ degrees. 

Guess that means it’s time to take the boat out and get our backyard bonfire in order! 

Lots of fun get-togethers, baby play dates and just-because-i-was-in-the-neighborhood visits (my favorite.) 

I want to share some inspiring Summer color palettes this morning. One thing I love about Summer is the yummy fruits and veggies that are in season, oh and I can’t forget those yummy mixed drinks, poolside BBQs and straight up gorgeous sunsets!

What are some of your Summer inspirations?

River Day

This past Saturday was fun. My sister-in-law Megan and I took Liam down to Brown’s Cove, it’s a hidden little spot that’s within walking distance from my house.  It was the first time he had been in any kind of fresh water and he absolutely loved it  :)

Flowers were blooming all over the place and the butterflies were insane!

 After a while both of our fiancés showed up (Megan’s fiancé is my older brother), which was a very nice surprise! They watched Liam for a bit while we walked down the river and talked girl stuff, the water was only about a foot or two deep at the most but it was still very refreshing and calming.

We felt like adventurers and decided to climb over this little dam thing  and continue our little journey down stream..   :)

 

This is what was waiting for us around the next bend- There were just as many calves and there were cows, it was adorable and worth the adventurous climb :)

It was a much needed and beautiful mini vacation for two busy mommies.

What are your favorite ways to spend a gorgeous Saturday afternoon?

Sunday, Funday!

 

Daniel and I have been needing some time alone, life has been so hectic lately. We decided to drop the little one off with Nana and Papa and go for a ride… We rode all over the hills behind our house.. We stopped once for a little break, the explorer in me came and and I walked around a bit.. Until I started thinking about the signs that have been posted around my area saying that they have been several “BIG FOOT SIGHTINGS!” I speed walked back to Daniel and the quad. Near where we parked, I found this nice little note on a rock (below).. I have to say, I do agree!  We kept riding until the tank was nearly empty, it was a lot of fun and I got a little sun..

We were pretty hungry and we still had some time to spare so we got lunch and headed to a small bridge close to our house, it was the perfect idea! We sat and ate lunch on the bank of the river (until we were swarmed by little buggers!) I was hoping the two mallard ducks would show up there because this is where we encountered them the other day.. even though they didn’t it was still a good time and were going back soon(just with repellent this time)

 

We love our Jones Soda <3

Daniels Cap: “Do not make any hasty decisions.” Mine: “Be an angel, save a life.”

Do you remember otter pops? If so, That’s what the blue one tasted like- a blue otter pop! It was yummy (and daniels.. so I had to sneak some, hehe)

This week is a pretty special week here at SewCal Mama-  Lots of new and cool stuff happening! Check in regularly to see what’s new! I have amazing GIVEAWAYS lined up so don’t forget to follow me on here and over at bloglovin.com :)

Hope everyone has an amazing week!

Tune in tomorrow morning for our first ever Craft Challenge- Plantable Paper Making.

Silence…

I don’t even know the meaning to the word, not that I am complaining because I would much rather be too busy than bored. Let’s start with my son, he is officially mobile and the world better watch out because he is CRAZY, he is actually yelling at me from the other room as I type. We took our first quad ride yesterday, L loved the wind blowing in his face, that is until we ran out of gas! Good thing daddy is so strong (and our destination was downhill) because he had to push us home!

My ETSY shop is in it’s 2nd and is doing nicely. Yay Sew Cal Mama Shop!!!! I finished a case yesterday for a nice lady in SC and I am planning on doing 3 more over the next week. I hope this works out for me because I love working from home and being my own boss. Maybe then I will not boss my hubby so much! He would love that      

My fundraising efforts are working.. my team has raised nearly $1000 for the March of Dimes! Our walk had to be rescheduled due to crazy Cali weather so we changed our event location and date. I love the cause don’t get me wrong but I now remember why I have little to no “girl”friends, besides the handful of ones I have had for years, they are to much drama usually and I choose to not deal with that. But one good thing that came out of it was reconnecting with a childhood friend.. She is just like me, Thank God! We have stuck together the whole experience and I am so happy to have her help and hope to continue to stay friends throughout our lives.

Spring has sprung here in the Valley. I like to visit the local bird sanctuary which is luckily about 5 miles from my house, it is so gorgeous this time of year- Don’t you think?