the train

took the train from Union Station to Arroyo Grande.

It was lovely to have some alone time and enjoy the beautiful train ride.

I read

enjoyed the spectacular scenery

and sewed.


Im having the most wonderful time with the Bartles. Life is good.

not again

so the thought of starting school again has me a bit on edge.
I don't want to go back.
there I said it.
It's not that I don't like it.

hmmm...
well maybe it is.
you see.
I love to learn.
I really do.

it's just the classes.
oh the classes.
the are not my cup of tea.
some of the students make me crazy.
and I'm not to fond of the assignments we have to do.

but if I'm being honest I find these classes far more enjoyable then when I was at university.
School is part of life.
at least it is here in America.
I see it's benefit and will continue to strive to do my best.
I don't need to love it
but you know what
I shouldn't complain about it.

My education is a gift
it truly is
I really should treat it as one.

Praying that my mind doesn't think so negatively about school.
I'm trying to be more positive.
Who knows maybe one day I'll want to be in school again.

night
xo
-esther

breaks almost over :(

craft
work
sew
that's what my day looked like.

I'm trying really hard to create while I still have time.
It's going pretty well.

I can't believe I start school in less then two weeks.
Not to excited about that.
It's so nice being on break.
I have so much more time to do the things I love.

Things can get so hectic when school starts... :(

On Saturday I'm heading up to Arroyo Grande to visit my dear friends.
It will be so nice to catch up.
It's been a real long time since we have actually got to spend quality time together.

I can't wait.

night
xo
-esther

room redo

have I mentioned I'm planning on changing up my room.
I'm thinking plain white walls and I'll be sure to use lots of colors in my decor.
That means more pretty maps to hang on my wall. The United States one I have hanging isn't enough. I'd like one of England too.
Also I want to hang some pretty framed photos and art.
Perhaps some plates too.
Right now I need to tidy up the room so I can get started on these changes. I was actually planning on working on this last month but life just gets so busy.
I've order some Cath Kidston fabric to make some big giant pillows for my floor.
I think a nice little corner to sit in will be lovely.

Well I better finish cleaning my room.
xo
-esther

create

feels good to sit and create.

unfortunately when my school starts I know I won't have the time to do so.
such a shame it will be.
Well I suppose that isn't entirely true.
I will most definitely be creating delicious desserts to eat in class
but will no longer have the time to sew and crochet.

Perhaps I should practice prioritizing and time management.
I really need to plan out my days before they pass me by.

I'm trying to enjoy my last couple weeks before school starts in a couple weeks.
I just love being on break. If only I had more time. So much needs to get done.

Night
xo
-es

inspired and exhausted

boy am I exhausted.
pretty much all I did this weekend was eat, sew, and sleep.
It was fantastic.

We saw some spectacular quilts at the show.
The one below was my favorite.

oh the detail....
so amazing.
unfortunately I didn't get a good photo of the entire quilt. But it was absolutely stunning.

Some people are so very talented.

Im working on a nice little simple quilt made with vintage fabric scraps from the thirties, forties, and fifties. I'm really excited about this one. I've never made a quilt like this before and can't wait to see how it turns out. I'll be sure to post photos of it.

night xo.
esther

quilting

How lovely it's been to getaway to quilt.
I just finished sewing the binding on one.

Pictures to come tomorrow.
I can't wait to put it to good use.

goodness it feels good to create.

keeps me sane.

night
xo
-es

Ahhh

It's just about midnight and I have yet to pack my clothes for my quilting weekend away.
Why do I always do this?
I'm just going to do it tomorrow morn cause I'm exhausted.

Argh. So much to do.
I was busy all day today.
It will be so nice to getaway for a bit.

Well Nightie night. I better hit the hay. We are leaving at eight thirty which means I'll have to wake up real early to get everything ready.

simple photo

I absolutely love taking pictures.
by far my favorite thing to photograph are people.
I prefer candid.
those always seem to turn out the best.
They freeze time
real time
they are not staged or set up.
they are the perfect photos to document life

I love photos like the one below. The ones that make you remember who you were
what you liked

this is Sam
16
broken wrist
infatuated with Peter Pan
hence the stuffed animal
and leather bands
bright green nail polish
mismatched socks
pretty brown hair
spirit hood

in a few years she will not look like this.
time changes everything.
even when you don't want it to
its nice to capture a piece of it.
at least I think so.

Night
xo

real talk

frustrated and
slightly annoyed.
sometimes we want things to be perfect.

but they are not
learning to deal with the reality of that is not always easy.

I kind of just want to wrap myself in a bunch of blankets and lay in bed.
That sounds lovely.

But no.
I'm going to get out of bed.
Go to church
and then spend time with people I love.

It will be nice.

I'm going to try to be joyful.
everyday is a gift and id like to treat it and cherish it as one.


xo
-es

happy birthday precious

I gifted sweet little Liv this dress I made. I'm pretty sure she liked it. She's a sweetheart. I think she looks pretty darn cute in it.

Happy Friday!

dreamer

Gah I'm always daydreaming. Thinking about the places I've been and the places I have yet to see.

I desperately want to see the world.

For the past few years all I seem to think about is traveling.

England continues to be on my mind.
sigh...

The things I would do to get on a plane and explore the world a bit more....



Oh and water fountains in Spain.

well now I'm going to have a sweet slumber about all the pretty places I want to see.

night
xo
-esther

Blessings

I tried to count my blessings but I couldn't. There were too many.
A home
Freedom
Clean water
Healthy body
Creative mind
Good food

The list goes on and on.
I mean really, it does not end.

You know what's absolutely crazy.
I still complain.
It's sad.
Quite pathetic actually.
When you live in America you often forget how good you have it.
I mean here even the poor can get a education. Water is free and hope is high.

I think of other countries and want to cry. How can I complain about little things like traffic or my meat being overcooked when there are people sick, hungry, and dying.

My prayer is that when I want to complain my heart remembers how blessed I am.

Thank you Lord for your endless blessings let them be used to glorify your name and bless others.

sister time

Here are a few silly shots of the sister and I.

even though the photo below is crooked and blurry I still really love it.
It makes me happy.


Thank God for sisters.
xo
-esther

San Elijo

I was so kindly invited to a spur of the moment overnight beach trip. The weather was absolutely spectacular. Clear blue skies during the day and a gorgeous sunset in the evening. Ahhh I love sunsets.

They of course call for silhouette pictures. I just can not resist a cartwheel or two on the beach. So fun!

This was my second unplanned beach trip in a span of three days. Gosh the the pacific sure makes California a great place to live. Santa Barbara on Friday and San Elijo on Sunday. Perfection.

Happy Monday.
xo
-es

Kid

dj from Esther Carrera on Vimeo.

This makes me happy.
I love him.
xo
-esther

Saturday

Spent the day with one of my dearest friends. We went to the projects with the Dreamcenter. It had been such a long time since we both went together. After we went to vegan house. They have some really great lunch specials. Now we are brushing up on our spanish skills while watching La Misma Luna. Swell day.

sister time

Coryn and I spent the day in Santa Barbara. It was simply wonderful. The weather was perfection.

We ate, shopped, and relaxed by the sea. The sky was so blue!

It was swell.
I just love getting to spend the day in Santa Barbara. It's such a lovely little city.

night
xo
-es

future

As of late their has been quite a bit on my mind.
I've been thinking about the future and how I don't know what it holds for me.
But you know what.

That's okay.

I believe in a God who loves me and want's the best for me.
Im still trying to learn to give him COMPLETE control of my life.
It's not always easy.
So often I want to be in control of everything.
I worry and cause myself a great deal of stress.

There are things in life I want so badly (many travels and a family of my own)
These things can consume my thoughts.
Oh the constant wondering.
Will the Lord provide these for me.

Honestly as MUCH as I want those things I know I can be content without them for the time being.
My God is in control.
such peace it brings my heart.

Im learning I must enjoy my single hood and time in California.
Every day is truly a gift.

I am blessed.
I thank my sweet savior for that.

-esther

Starbucks and a drive

Today Gabby and I went to starbucks and then on a drive up Glendora Mountain Road. It was lovely. We had a nice long chat and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on this sunny January day. We talked about life and how much we both have grown and changed. We grew up playing dolls together and now we are both in college. Ahhh it's crazy. It was so nice to catch up. I missed her.

Southern California is such a pretty place to live.

Excuse the grainy photos they were taken with my laptop.

Well I better get ready for work
xo
-es

Ugly?

She is sooo ugly she's cute. Sometimes im embarrassed to admit the amount of joy she brings me. But let's be honest who else whimpers when she wants to be with me or pees out of pure excitement when I come home? I know! Gross,right? She loves me. She really, really loves me. And you know what. It's nice to be loved.

syblings

Isn't it funny how the people you love the most seem to be the ones who often drive you crazy. Gosh I love these two so very much but boy oh boy can they get me grumpy. They sure now how to push my buttons.

But life would be pretty dull without them. They sure are precious to me.

Happy Monday
xo
-es

2012

Happy New Year dear friends!
I can't believe it's already here.
2011 was an absolutely fantastic year. The Lord blessed me with many amazing opportunities.
I think my favorite thing was getting to go Spain to serve the Lord. It was an wonderful experience that I will cherish forever. I would just love to go back.

I hope everyones 2011 was just as lovely as mine.
Below is a little video I made for Thanksgiving. It's pretty basic I'm hoping to learn how to record better video. I really don't know too much. But its sweet to have these little movies to remember past years. Enjoy a peek into a Carrera Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2011 from Esther Carrera on Vimeo.

xo
-esther