Have you guys heard about the Oxford American Magazine's annual Music Edition? (Oh, I know you have) I only did this morning, after hearing this story on my local public broadcasting station. Apparently, they have been publishing an annual issue for 12 years that celebrates Southern music, and for the last few year they choose a different state to focus on. This year it is Alabama. They cover an amazing range of music (soul, blues, country, rap?) from over the decades. It comes with a CD of course. I can't wait to pick up a copy for me and Ben.

Helloooooo!

You know how sometimes I come back from a trip and say "oddly I didn't take many photos"...? Well, not the case here folks. I went through four rolls of film. Not to mention a hefty stack of instax with Carinna. But I do need to develop and scan them. And then I will tell you all about the trip. (Don't worry, I will edit down the photos to just my favorites.)

In the mean time, catching up on google reader has me all excited for Christmas! You guys are starting to pull out all the stops. Trees and decorations are going up, ornaments are being bought, gifts wrapped! I can't wait to catch up! I am tempted to buy baby's first ornament. (I seem to have an unintentional lion theme started out for the nugget.)

So now. Getting ready for the holidays. Settling into a routine with the new work Cactus & Quail is bringing (!!!!!!) preparing for a new year (and baby!) and reflecting on the previous (29 things review!). Resuming some normal posting.... All that. And finally, how sweet was Celia's post yesterday. SO SWEET.

I asked the awesome Celia to do a little guest post today, and share a fun secret that she and I have together, along with any other thoughts she might have about the subject. Here is what she had to say. Thanks, C!!!!

Jamie and Ben came up to the bay area for a weekend this past spring. On our way home from mexican food and margaritas one night, I distinctly remember a conversation we had about the excitement, yet fear, that comes with starting a family and whether or not jokingly telling your spouse you're going to kill them when they're getting under your skin is still appropriate when you have a small child living in your house. I'm not sure we ever came up with a suitable answer for the latter. Joe, my husband, had definitely made his feelings clear about wanting to have a baby, and Jamie and Ben seemed to be ready and willing too. I, however, felt like the odd man out. Sure, eventually I wanted to have a baby, but it felt a little like we were still babies ourselves... thirty-something babies perhaps, but still babies. I was certain that Jamie was on her way to baby-making status long before I would be. Then about three months later, the unexpected happened... I got pregnant. And the somewhat expected also happened... Jamie got pregnant too.

We had been holding onto our huge secrets for a couple of weeks when we got the opportunity to anonymously share our news. It wasn't long before we figured out that we were the ones with babies in our bellies. Not only that, but very soon after, we learned that we were both due to deliver these babies on April 14th, 2011. I've never been one to believe in fate or destiny, but this immense coincidence was certainly rocking me to my core. It was absurd, perplexing, but most of all, incredibly exciting! All of a sudden, this big and scary thing seemed not so big and scary at all. Here I was, lucky enough to have a partner in crime to figure out this whole baby-growing process right beside me. And, you really can't ask for a better partner in crime than Jamie.

We've spent the last four months sharing the joys and battles (mostly, my battles) of our pregnancies, listening to tiny heartbeats, dealing with the downfalls of health insurance, getting excited about ultrasounds, discussing names, planning matching baby outfits and so much more. Maybe this sounds entirely ridiculous, but in many ways it feels like my baby has found a special friend in Jamie's baby. It's as if all the changes and adjustments that we are going through coincide with all the developments and growth spurts that our babies are going through too. It's hands down as cool as it gets. I'm anxious to see what the next four and a half months and beyond brings us. If the last four months are any indication, it may not always be smooth sailing, but I know that it's going to be sensational. And for those of you who haven't had the pleasure of meeting them, Jamie and Ben are the cat's pajamas, and their baby is in for a life of pure awesomeness.

Polaroid of Jamie & Celia from the very night in April (one year before before our babies are coming!) that Celia mentions in her story. Snapped and shared by the lovely Meg.

Thank you so, so much for all of your well wishes & sweet words during this huge week. You guys are the raddest, and totally blow my mind with your support.

And I want to give a huge thanks also to my rad buds for the all the Cactus & Quail love on the web:

A Practical Wedding
Various Projects
Peonies and Polaroids
Tending To It
Sweet Emilia Jane
Steady Happy
Lovely Morning

Talk about a big week. And it doesn't end yet.

Tomorrow morning we are packing up The Little Car- full of amazing groceries, my husband, some of my favorite girls, and heading out to the desert.

We will be staying 2 nights at this fan-freaking-tastic house outside of Joshua Tree. (I know.)

There will be Pappy & Harriets, there will be desert hikes and desert shopping, tofu sandwhiches from Crossroads, there will be Apples to Apples, and there will be the celebrating of turning 30 years old over a home cooked meal (with lots of cheeses, and a variety of beverages). Maybe even some quail spotting.



We won't be home until Monday evening, but be sure to check in anyways as I have arranged a sweet little guest post for that day.

Have a great weekend!!!!!!!!!!!

I am still recovering from the excitement of yesterday, so can we all just sit back and look at some Plant Porn?

Britt has done it again with another MilkWeed. She has managed to post every one of my favorite plant varieties. (All ones I have managed to have and love, and, sigh, kill.) Go see more!

Guess what today is!!!!!!!!

Cactus & Quail official launch day!

Please, have a look! Please let me know what you think, feedback= so important!. There is a Custom Gallery, a Flea-market, and a Ready-Made Shop. I will probably tell you all about it in more detail in future posts, but for now, here it is.

Also, thank you all, you rad rad rad readers, friends and conspirators. I would not be here without you!!!!! ♥