Lisa Leonard Designs

Archive for the ‘an everyday moment’ Category

hello monday {walking in morro bay}

March 11th | an everyday moment, hello monday

Hello friends. After a restful weekend in Fresno, our family is coming home reflective and thankful. Steve attended a memorial service over the weekend. It was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, celebrate a life well lived and consider how we are spending our moments and days. We’re starting this week with a renewed perspective and softer hearts.

I’m sharing pics today from an afternoon walk in Morro Bay. I took the boys a few days ago, we soaked up some sunshine {before the fog rolled in} and ate ice cream. For some reason, I have to convince the boys to go on these adventures–I practically have to force them into the car. But once we’re there we have lots of fun and we never regret going.

How about some hellos for a new week?

Hello sunshine. I’m loving the warm rays after days of rain.

Hello Matthias. This is his ready-to-ride face. That kid can get some serious speed on his scooter.

Hello walking. We’ve been leaving the stroller behind and giving David more opportunities to talk. It also involves me giving up control and I when he drops to his knees I have to wait patiently until he’s ready to walk again. We’re both being stretched by this process–and it’s good for us.

Hello exploring. Hello 10 year old who craves independence.

Hello brothers. Hello melting heart.

Hello texture. I think texture inspires me as much as color and sunshine.

Hello chocolate malt. I told myself I would only have half–and then I sipped all the way to the bottom of the cup.

Hello fog rolling in as we got in the van to come home.

Hello list of big projects. I’m trying to make progress a little bit at a time.

Hello Blissdom. It’s coming quickly–will you be there? I’m speaking Friday afternoon about telling your story. I’ll also be at the handmade market. I would love to meet you. Please find me!

Hello grocery store run. We need food for dinners–otherwise I’ll be ordering pizza. Every night.

Hello brand new week. Just a few more sips of coffee and I’ll be ready to face you!


friday love {instagram}

November 30th | an everyday moment, instagram

It’s Friday–and that’s a good thing! I’m linking up my cell phone pics with Jeannett from Life Rearranged. If you’re on instagram, you can find me under lisaleonard. Are you using the new afterglow app? It’s so wonderful!

Our church meets in an old 7th day adventist building with gorgeous windows. Love.

We have a very happy, energetic and silly David on our hands!

The porch is decked out for Christmas. I love coming home to this.

Thanksgiving weekend we went on a twilight walk in Morro Bay. It was magical. More pics soon!

Morro Rock after sunset. Sigh.

These feathers are from our friends’ Greg and Kimberly’s wedding a couple weeks ago. So inspiring.

This picture makes me smile. I love these two!

David isn’t supposed to be on the computer after 5pm but he’s constantly breaking the rules ;)

This little television set with a winter vignette is so adorable. Spotted at Hand Gallery, downtown.

I picked up this furry vest at TJ Maxx and I’ve been layering it on every day. So cozy!

Winter flowers–so much color.

We had our holiday open house this week and it was a huge success!

Silly, silly, silly.

This kiddo is growing up so fast. He has the sweetest heart, the shortest attention span and big, big dreams. I just love him.

My mom is coming this weekend and we are so excited for some time with her. I see some thrifting and eating out in our future! What are your weekend plans?

hello monday {hello harmony}

October 15th | an everyday moment, san luis obispo

Yesterday we took a drive up the coast to stop at a winery and pick up a gift for family. We leave for England on Wednesday and we can’t wait! On our drive we stopped in Harmony. It’s a tiny town {population 18} just north of Cayucos and just south of Cambria. There is a pottery shop, candle shop, blown glass shop and wine tasting. It’s beautiful! I bet everyone gets along all the time in Harmony. You just can’t be grumpy or disagreeable in a town named Harmony! Now, how about some hellos?

Hello tiny town with pretty things

Hello warm fall days on the coast {we loved having a few rainy days last week!}

Hello washing clothes and packing for our trip.

Hello passports and getting activities for the airplane.

Hello to a happier David. He’s feeling better–not 100%, but better.

Hello to hoping he’s himself when we are on our trip.

Hello cleaning out the fridge and tidying up the house before we leave.

Hello figuring out cozy clothes to pack for rainy English days.

Hello to making memories with friends. We had some sweet time together over the weekend.

Hello sitting and talking for hours. I love that.

Hello getting blog posts ready so I can relax a bit while we are away.

Hello work study for Matthias. He has to keep up with his schoolwork on our trip.

Hello to seeing new things and experiencing the world.

Hello to meeting new family members. We love you already, Phoebe!

Hello coffee cup. We ran out of coffee beans–emergency!

Hello quick stop at starbucks.

Hello fun things coming together in our workshop. I can’t wait to show you!

Hello holidays quickly approaching! How is it mid-October already?!


Hello Monday! It’s a fabulous, brand new week!


pumpkin patch love

October 11th | an everyday moment, san luis obispo

We made a trip to our favorite pumpkin patch! It’s one of my favorite things to do in the fall. Wanna see our visits in 2011 and 2010, oh my and 2007?! Ah, memories! I love traditions, don’t you? when I look back at these pics it makes me so nostalgic!


Our friends Max and Gracie joined us. All of the kiddos pulled wagons, ran around, picked pumpkins, changed their minds and had a blast! Off to eat some candy corn–want some?

hello monday {first full week of school}

August 27th | an everyday moment, hello monday

The boys started school on Thursday last week. It’s kind of nice to have a couple days and then a weekend. We have to get used to early mornings again! How about some hellos for this week?

Hello to 3rd grade and 5th grade. It’s hard for me to believe!

Hello to brand new {awesome} teachers.

Hello trying to get to bed on time.

Hello trying to get up on time!

Hello chalkboard placemats. Love! You can find them here.

Hello doodling sweet messages for a new year.

Hello tablecloth found at a thrift store.

Hello sunflowers–perfect for fall.

Hello chicken tacos and spaghetti with meatballs on our dinner menu this week.

Hello making lots so we have leftovers.

Hello crock pot. I’m getting inspired to use you again.

Hello new recipes to try.

Hello new dark hair. I’m not sure what I think yet!

Hello wearing scarves in my hair. Fun and easy.

Hello brand new week. Hello new beginning. I love a fresh start–don’t you?


a change of plans

July 24th | an everyday moment, david

Yesterday I woke up, posted ‘hello monday’ to my blog, made my to-do list and I was ready to have a productive day. Early afternoon I noticed something unusual about David, called the doctor, rushed to the ER for more tests, prayed and prayed he wouldn’t need surgery and 4 hours later we got the great news–we get to go home! Antibotics should solve the problem and after giving him his third dose this morning, he already seems to be perking up. Thank you Lord!

Days like this are a reminder that I am not in control. I can make my to-do list, I can plan my days, but it is God who decides what each day holds and how each moment will go. Yesterday I felt the full range of emotions, fear, frustration, and peace. Did I mention fear? Ugh. I hate that feeling.

Today I’m making another to-do list but trying to hold to it loosely. I need to remember, I’m not in control.

I wonder what God has planned today?

hello monday {thrifty’s ice cream, yum!}

June 11th | an everyday moment, food & goodies

It’s Monday, friends! The beginning of a brand new week and a fresh start. And it’s our last week of school before summer–so that’s cause of smiles and happiness! We stopped by Rite Aid to get some Thrifty’s ice cream a few days ago. Every Friday night as a kid we got Thrifty’s ice cream. Good times. David fell asleep in the car so Matthias and I ran in to gather everyone’s favorite flavors. Yum! 

Hello last week of school.

Hello saying good-bye to teachers we love so much. I’m choked up just typing that!

Hello summer! Hello sunshine! Hello lazy mornings!! Hello happy!!!

Hello Rainbow Fish play that Matthias’ class is putting on–can’t wait!

Hello to my sister and her family visiting. So fun!

Hello to Steve performing a wedding this weekend for some of our friends. So special.

Hello to a baby shower for this girlie. Can’t wait to celebrate with her.

Hello single scoops costing $1.69. I remember when they were 15 cents. Yep, I’m that old!

Hello not minding paying $1.69 because the ice cream is so tasty!

Hello last day to get your order in for Father’s day! Click here to shop. 

Hello Monday! It’s going to be a full week–with lots to do and lots of time with friends. Hooray!



hello monday {and handstands}

May 14th | an everyday moment, hello monday

Hello friends! Matthias has been working every day on perfecting his handstand. Personally, I’ve never been able to do a handstand–but at the rate he’s going he’ll have it down in another week. Let’s share some hellos for this week–and link up your own ‘hello monday’ post too!


Hello feeling loved after a very special mother’s day {church, a delicious lunch, a nap and a trip to Anthropologie!}

Hello sniffly David. We are going on two weeks now. Grrr.

Hello summer sun–it’s still spring but this warm weather is making me very happy!

Hello long skirts and dresses with sandals. Perfect.

Hello new stuff. We are working on some fun things to share with you this week!

Hello superheros–we are still all about the Avengers over here.

Hello movie renting. We watched The Vow this weekend–so fun.

Hello yum. This recipe from Rubyellen of Cakies is easy and delicious!

Hello happy. It’s the start of a brand new week!

Share with us! Leave a comment with some hellos or link up your individual hello monday related post. Please link here from your blog so your readers can share in the fun!


friday love {instagram}

May 11th | an everyday moment, instagram

Hi friends! I’m linking up cell phone pics from the last couple weeks with

Jeanett over at Life Rearranged! You can follow me on instagram @lisaleonard. 
I have found a few vintage ’4′ signs at antique and thrift stores. They are just right for our sweet family of four!

I spruced up this wall display. It feels happy and ready for summer.

Busy, busy David. I pulled this guitar out of the closet and he loved it for a couple days. But now he’s bored with it again. I need to rotate his toys to keep things new and fresh.

Seriously gorgeous tulips at the grocery store.

Chocolate chip pancakes are a Saturday tradition around here.

David made this chick at school. The wings are traced from his hands–so that’s why one wing is smaller. I love it!

Matthias drew this picture for me. When I saw how busty I look in the drawing, I cracked up. He is so funny!

Pinwheel flower=pretty


Loving these wedges. So comfy {They’re from Dana Buchman for Kohls}

Yum, fresh blueberries.

David had a nasty cold, but on Saturday he started feeling better. So glad to see him smiling!

On Saturday we also went to see the Avengers. Matthias had been counting down for the last couple months. It was a big deal!!

I am a blessed mama!

Matthias gave me a wish. So sweet.

We went swimming with friends on Sunday. Matthias didn’t want to try to slide, but once we convinced him, he was hooked!

I have a knack for getting the wonky cart at the grocery store. Seriously–every time!

I was getting my toes painted and saw a review of Kelle’s book in People Magazine. Go Kelle!

Matthias drew this picture for me–a real departure from his super heros with bulging muscles and massive weapons.

A sandy, happy, messy David. Love.

“Hang on mom, I just need to send one more quick email before bed.”

Front tucked shirts–it’s the latest thing apparently. And super comfy.

We registered for fiestaware when we were engaged and 13 years later, I still love it!

Skittles, yikes, I have no control.

And that’s what’s going on around here. This weekend we are heading to Fresno to spend some time with Nana. What are your mother’s day plans?

david and the sandbox

May 9th | an everyday moment


David loves playing the sandbox–LOVES it!  I love it too, because he’s not destroying the house or Matthias’ newest lego creation. And apparently, he’s building up his immunities with a little sandbox snack time. Can you see that little smile on his face? He was so proud of himself! Guess what he wanted to do when I found him all sandy like this? Give me great big kisses! And of course I let him–right after I dunked him in the bathtub.