Bucket List

Everyone should have a bucket list, that way if you're dying and some rich celebrity asks how they can make your dreams come true, you won't waste a single moment considering. Here's my list as of now:

1. Live in England for some period of time, even if it's only a month

2. Travel abroad more

3. Finish and publish my Sherlock Academy series (5 books in all)

4. Sport a more daring hair-style

5. Meet someone inspirational and powerful

I'll stop there, but I may add to this list as time goes by, and who knows if I'll be able to check some things off anytime soon?

Nesting Omen

We've had a little addition to the Manor this week. A mother bird has decided to build a nest in our front door wreath! The past few days she's been nesting there, and we've been hearing strange noises at night. Last night I took the wreath down, thinking I had better save it inside. As I lowered it, I saw a tiny nest weaved in it! Not only that, it was packed with very very newborn babies! They must have just hatched, for they were SO tiny, packed together cozily, and were not even chirping yet. I carefully replaced the wreath without touching anything. I hope Mama Bird returns to care for them. Be gentle knocking on our front door the next few weeks!

We're hoping this is a good omen of things to come for the Shaws. Most people know we've been trying to conceive for awhile. We're itching to make our own nest for a little one. Perhaps this Mama Bird was sent by God as a friendly reminder that a baby is in our future soon!

Either that, or it's a sign of the bad economy, that even birds are hard up to afford their own house. They have to mooch off of civilization!

Highlights

I've been adventuring all over California the last few weeks. I don't want to make anyone read a long account of my adventures. Rather I'll give you all little snippets...

So-Cal with the Drazin clan:
Mom's new guest room (courtesy of Noelle moving out) is darling

My cousin Jessica's nine-month old babe is so smiley and friendly--he literally climbed into my lap the first time I said 'hello'

Mimi marched in place and waved a mini US Flag while we all sang "She's a Grand Ol' Flag"!

Fourth of July at the Manor:
Our front yard proved again the best spot to watch city fireworks

Michael did his traditional crazy gnome dance around the street fireworks

Adelaide wasn't too keen on all the noise

Anniversary in Carmel:
Lunch at Antone & Michel's was worth the year-long wait

Every gallery owner pegged us as rich art connoisseurs and tried to sell us art

We got addicted to Cake Boss on TLC--may be our new fave TV show

Lake Tahoe with the Shaws:
We discovered a thrift store called "Funky Junk" and loved hearing 2 year old Christopher say "I wanna go to Funky Junk!"

Michael and I fell in love with a new artist at a local gallery and purchased our first piece of expensive fine art!

I laughed and argued with the rest of the Shaws during a game of Scattergories--funniest moment was when Jason and I both put down 'Bed Bath & Beyond' for an entry, hoping to get 3 points! We were quite bummed we both had that