Here it is folks!

This is Stefan. My husband. The German. But that wasn't really what I wanted to show you...

;) hehe

My creation.

That's right! I, DaMonqiue, made that!


I'm so proud I could cry.

Didn't realize I was so talented did you?

The Classic Cheeseburger Smile

I'm so totally basking in the moment.

Como Zoo

I looked forward to going to the zoo for a month, honest. The night before I went through all of the kids stuffed animals, holding them up and quizzing them if they knew which animal it was, seeing how Max doesn't really talk yet Estell was winning by a longshot. She was good, she knew the zebra, giraff, elephant, turtle, and bear.

The morning of the zoo trip was hectic at best, I'm a bit of a spazz and we had to turn around twice because once I forgot my cell phone (did anyone call me? no) and once because we forgot sunscreen. It was the most beautiful day ever. Once we actually made it on the road it was smooth sailing the rest of the day.

The Conservatory was gorgeous. Someday I will have something similar at my home, probably on a much smaller scale. Or maybe I will have to something similar to the Japanese gardens in Portland. Either way an indoor greenhouse is a must.

Estell was petting the fishies. hehe

Most of these trees were between 35-60 years of age, unbelievable. I want one of these too.

A pet flamingo? That would be fun, wouldn't it?!

Or how about a monkey? As long as there's no poo-flinging I'm in.

Shortly after we saw the giraff's Maximus found a toy giraff that he then continued to carry around with him for the entire day and then slept with for several days afterwards until it was lost indefinitely.

Fun Under the Sun

Sew Fabulous

My name is DaMonique Rudolph. I am married to a German man, Stefan, who likes to eat braunschweigger (yuck!) and whose many shannanigans amuse me and keep me from getting bored. He never ceases to amaze and astound me, topping all expectations and desires... Together with our two children we are striving to build a self-sufficient lifestyle for ourselves. I have no doubts in my mind that this is an eventuality so in the meantime I plan to enjoy every single moment along the way.

Among the many many new loves in my life (like yoga, running and cooking-- who knew?) Sewing has taken a part of my heart unlike any other... I'm talking about that real life satisfaction, my calling, my purpose, it's like that feeling after a wonderful meal or great sex-- you just can't get enough. I think of nothing else. I am obsessed. And slightly dramatic...

Most recently I took several pairs of my husband's and my son's pants and turned them into shorts for summer. I am very proud of myself for saving us some money, my son would've outgrown those pants by fall anyway, and it was great practice for sewing hemlines. I'm still a sewing newbie. So welcome to the beginning...