RANSOMSOUL®

ENTITLED: (LOVELINES)...

2012-01-14T08:53:00.000-08:00

WIR LIEBEN DICH

2012-01-09T08:58:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY'S BEST...

2012-01-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

HANGING OUT...

2012-01-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

LOST LOVES...

2011-12-23T21:59:00.000-08:00

HAPPINESS...

2011-12-22T21:52:00.000-08:00

LOOK INTO MY EYE...

2011-12-21T22:03:00.000-08:00

COFFEE ROW...

2011-12-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

5 MORE DAYS!!!...

2011-12-19T20:01:00.000-08:00

CAN YOU PLEASE SPARE A QUARTER ?...

2011-12-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

We usually just pass them by but we had to give this little gypsy kid some change.

TYCHO 'DIVE' (LA)...

2011-12-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

SANTA: THE EARLY YEARS...

2011-12-04T20:29:00.000-08:00

PERFECT SUNDAY...

2011-12-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

VISIONARIES...

2011-12-02T17:25:00.000-08:00

AIR TRUST...

2011-12-01T20:23:00.000-08:00

ENTITLED: (UNBOUNDEDNESS)...

2011-11-23T19:31:00.000-08:00

BROTHERS' LOVE...

2011-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Kai was very happy to have no school today. However, it was overshadowed by the joy he got from knowing the adventures to come he was going to have with the little one.

LET THERE BE LIGHT...

2011-11-16T19:31:00.000-08:00

After a long journey to find the perfect chandelier, the adventure has come to an end. We have yet to name the piece but I am leaning towards Jazz Hands.

SUNDAY GROOVES...

2011-11-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

ENTITLED (CIRCLE OF THE SUN)...

2011-11-12T07:35:00.000-08:00

THE DREAM IPHONE.....COMING 2020!

2011-11-10T19:36:00.000-08:00

GERMAN MINIMILISM...

2011-11-10T08:38:00.000-08:00

KAI*OLIN

2011-11-07T20:21:00.000-08:00

Mr. Smooth has added another talent to his long list of skills. Today he walked in this beautiful violin and played some very unique sounds from it. He claimed it was twinkle twinkle little star but it sounded like so much more!

ORGANIC IS GOOD...

2011-11-02T22:01:00.000-07:00

I tend to be one that passes on sample stations in Whole Foods. However, there was a new sample station with a very generous helper that made it very easy to stop and created some difficulties with 'walking' away.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIKI...

2011-11-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Biscuit base

2 1/4 cups digestive biscuit crumbs (pulse biscuits in food processor)
1/2 cup melted butter
3 tbsp sugar

Toffee filling

1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 10 oz (300 ml) can sweetened condensed milk

Banana cream topping

2 cups whipping cream
3 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 ripe bananas, sliced

SALT LAKE CREEK GRILLE SALUTE...

2011-10-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

It is amazing how many times we have driven by Salt Lake Creek Grille and have not stopped for a meal. This is of course common to abuse the local hotspots for the wonderment of other towns options. Today we decided to make the mile walk down for some Sunday jazz in the bar and replenishment for our bodies. It made for a perfect getaway and confirmed that we need to leave the keys on the table a little more often.

VIRGIN GALACTIC = COOL...

2011-10-17T21:22:00.000-07:00

OKTOBERFEST...

2011-10-02T08:04:00.000-07:00

NOTHING COMPARES 2 U...

2011-10-01T19:36:00.000-07:00

Fortunately, my welcome home had some additional love from the sun.

SAN FRANCISCO LUNCH...

2011-09-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

CARMELVILLE...

2011-09-22T04:22:00.000-07:00

PARKVILLE...

2011-09-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

RAIN POLICE...BONUS

2011-09-10T13:05:00.000-07:00

RAIN POLICE...

2011-09-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATISSE-CIEL...

2011-08-27T15:31:00.000-07:00

UNBREAKBLE......

2011-08-26T21:36:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS...

2011-08-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

With most restaurants having long lines for dinner, it is nice to know that we have a standing reservations in Ransomville.

ROUGHING IT...

2011-08-23T21:40:00.000-07:00

THE NIGHT IS YOUNG...

2011-08-17T20:28:00.000-07:00

Finally the running legs are back in motion. It has taken some time but I feel healthy and have already taken on some body adventures. My favorite is this newly discovered trail through the Strand. It provides a nice 3 mile run with ocean as my main view. It does not help my legs move but it is a nice treat to the eyes.

LONELIEST COURT AROUND...

2011-08-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

Wish I could read the basketball diaries for this spot. I am sure over the years there were some good games and times shared here. Unfortunately, in it's current state, this has been little more than a walk by on your way to the harbor.

WELCOME BACK....

2011-08-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

It may not be as long as it once was but Matisse has official reentered the ponytail club. Claudia is very happy with this news - she felt that he was looking too old with it down. The kid is 3 and he already has to worry about looking 'too old'!?!

GUTE NACHT MEER...

2011-08-07T20:27:00.000-07:00

THE BRAVE ONES...

2011-08-06T07:18:00.000-07:00

When the idea of sleeping on the roof came up, it was no surprise that the house was split on how viable it was. To my surprise, Kai was actually on the side of 'Let's Do It'! Along with Kiana, they actually challenged the night and beat it without a scratch.

Both seemed to really enjoy the adventure and asked to have a chance to take on the night again once it had recovered from this beat down!

LA JOLLA COOL...

2011-07-31T17:58:00.000-07:00

LA JOLLA RETRO...

2011-07-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

EMOTIONAL SUNSET...

2011-07-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

DANA HARBOR PARK BLUFF...

2011-07-19T18:20:00.000-07:00

MY FAVORTITE M&M'S CONT...

2011-07-18T17:57:00.000-07:00

Just before stepping onto the street to make the crossing light, I asked Mika to turn around for a pic...from their reaction you can tell this is not a rare request coming from me. I followed with asking "one more"...but they had food on their minds & jetted to the restaurant!

ART IN THE STREETS...

2011-07-15T20:34:00.000-07:00

ART*SWAG....

2011-07-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

Great adventure in LA catching my boy Jo Lee's art exhibit. Amazingly neither Kai nor Matisse tore down any pieces and I think we may even be welcomed back!

THE TREE OF LIFE...

2011-07-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

BETWEEN THE SECONDS...

2011-07-08T20:43:00.000-07:00

Matisse's new favorite thing is to blink when I pull the camera out. Trick is to catch him right after the blink. Usually get a really honest shot.

DANA POINT HARBOR AT A GLANCE...

2011-07-07T05:14:00.000-07:00

KAI*CROSSE...

2011-07-05T13:34:00.001-07:00

We are all pretty jazzed with Kai playing LAX. He selected the sport on his own last year and has really taken to it. No we just need to keep Claudia in check, so she does not become the screaming mom on the sideline.....KAI.... KAI...SHOOT...COME ON REF- THAT'S A CLEAR FOUL!!!!

MORNING OCEAN....

2011-07-03T05:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks for always being there for me.

WEEKEND OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED...

2011-07-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

SUMMER LOOK OUT FOR THESE TWO...

2011-06-30T10:05:00.000-07:00

It looks like the R7 Boys are ready for the summer. They have started their last few days with a focus on having fun until we drop attitude. With summer just underway, I am not sure if they are going to be able to maintain this pace. Both have reassured me that the summer does not have a chance!

OC GANGSTA...

2011-06-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

THERE GOES THEM RANSOM BOYS...

2011-06-27T14:59:00.000-07:00

PERFECT COMBO...

2011-06-26T19:01:00.000-07:00

LAST VIEW AT DOHENY...

2011-06-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

YEAR 2 GO...

2011-06-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida, though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father’s kingdom and her mother’s life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark, ancient curse to set things right.

PRINCE 2.0...

2011-06-21T20:16:00.000-07:00

Matisse continues to maintain his high level performance training. After seeing a new Prince concert he feels he may have falling behind with his quest to take over the world through music. I told him he has plenty of time but he says that is silly talk when you wanna be the best!

SCISSORS ARE BAD...

2011-06-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

Someone is not sure about his recent haircut. It was suppose to be a trim and got a little out of control. We will not be rocking the ponytail again for the rest of this year for sure. Hopefully by 2012 we will be able to put it in action again.

HARBOR LOVE...

2011-06-12T17:41:00.000-07:00

After jumping on planes, staying in hotels and being away from the family, Dana Point Harbor is always a nice way to unwind over the weekend. Add some wine with good music and it does not get too much better than this.

DREAMS COME TRUE...

2011-05-31T06:42:00.000-07:00

The request for a desk has been in the air for some time. The wait is finally over with the assembly taking place this weekend. The girls received it in a surprise fashion and the smiles were pretty big.

This additionally piece was the icing on the cake. Claudia promised me that it was worth the purchase and from their reaction, I can confirm that she was right.

MIDDAY TRAIN 2 GERMANY...

2011-05-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

REASON TO STOP TOUR...

2011-05-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

SALES RACK SPECIAL...

2011-05-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

While at the store, I was amazed at all of the deals on display and found myself collecting a decent amount of gear to try on after only a few minutes. Just when I thought I had discovered all that this store had to offer, I came across the best deal in the house.

Even though the price tag was way too high for my wallet, I signed up for a nice payment plan. In just 16 months I will own him outright!!

REASON 4 SUGAR & BUTTER...

2011-05-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

BIG props to Inga Pschaidt of IngaDesign for this amazing decor and gorgeous display of yumminess.

REASON TO STOP TOUR...

2011-05-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

Even being under the gun to make an appointment, I had to take a second to capture this image. What is not told in this image is the guy who almost killed me crossing the street. Obviously he was not into capturing anything other than the next light.

ISLAN±D LIVIN±G...

2011-05-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

KIKICOOL...BONUS

2011-05-11T14:55:00.000-07:00

ART OF THE WEEK...

2011-05-09T05:22:00.000-07:00

FERRIS WHEEL BREAK...

2011-05-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

Matisse loves to go on the 'BIG WHEEL' as he calls it and wave at all the cars on the freeway. After the third time around I tend to wave at the controller to 'Get Me Off This Crazy Thing'!

KIKICOOL...

2011-05-04T07:25:00.000-07:00

STILL OF THE NIGHT...BONUS

2011-05-03T21:24:00.000-07:00

STILL OF THE NIGHT...

2011-05-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

BEAUTIFULLY JUXTASPOSED...

2011-05-02T05:18:00.000-07:00

SOMEWHERE IN TIME...

2011-05-01T11:49:00.000-07:00

Fortunately for Matisse, his mother enjoys a cup of coffee at Starbucks from time to time. The fortune comes from the fact that on these visits he tends to score a special treat. Matisse calls them 'Donut On A Stick' and it always brings him a lot of joy. During a stroll to breakfast on Coronado Island we passed a Starbucks - Matisse noticed that Claudia was not moving in the right direction, so he looked up and said "Momma You Need Coffee - Come With Me". Hard to say no to that kinda cuteness..

After breakfast (+ donut on a stick) Matisse was feeling like:

'King Of The World'!

We made sure to take a different route back to the car - just in case :)

BLINGTASTIC REWARDS...BONUS

2011-04-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

BLINGTASTIC REWARDS...

2011-04-28T20:54:00.000-07:00

ART OF THE WEEK...

2011-04-25T05:25:00.000-07:00

SUPER POWERS...

2011-04-22T22:01:00.000-07:00

MAN*CAVE OFFICIALLY OPEN...

2011-04-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

WAITING IN THE WINGS...

2011-04-09T08:38:00.000-07:00

There has been a decent amount of grief lately from the lack of photos going on the blog. Between work and life it has just been a little tough to get my camera game going. So much so that Matisse has asked if he could assist me until I can get my rhythm back.

Outside of managing the weight of the camera, I think he is more than ready. My only fear is that he starts to take better pictures than me and I won't be able to get my gig back!

HAPPIEST GARDENERS IN TOWN....

2011-04-06T17:42:00.000-07:00

Kai & Mika have decided to launch a new business in lawn care. Currently their name is Kai & Mika Lawn Care: G..A..R..D..E..N..I..N..G. Try and envision Kai with his arms out wide singing the name. Simple but with a catchy tone to it.

If I would have known they enjoyed the soil this much, I might have funded their company a few years ago. They have requested some help on making flyers and plan on walking the street tomorrow for business. I would advise you to look into working with them now before the prices start to rise in the summer.

OSTEREIER AUS DEUTSCHLAND...

2011-04-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY SOUL...

2011-04-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

WOCHENENDE = ZEIT FUER STIL

2011-04-01T17:36:00.000-07:00

ART OF THE WEEK...

2011-03-28T05:30:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY ADVENTURE...

2011-03-27T18:27:00.000-07:00

MISSING DEUTSCHLAND...CONT

2011-03-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

MISSING DEUTSCHLAND...

2011-03-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

RANSOMVILLE MANGER...

2011-03-15T19:23:00.000-07:00

Kiana asked me to take this picture and call it : 'Baby T-Sus'... :)

WELCOME BACK....

2011-03-10T21:04:00.000-08:00

Claudia was under the weather for almost two weeks but she seems to be finally entering into the world of feeling good.

Amazingly even with Claudia operating at less than 50%, there was no casualties in the house. We have all lost weight and the house looks kinda crazy, but NO ONE DIED HONEY! :)

PERFECT LUNCH...

2011-03-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Apple-Cinnamon Beignets with Caramel Creme Fraiche

Pretty sure we had some other dishes but I am having a hard time remembering them after the beignets.

Too Sexy For My Shirt...

2011-03-09T05:04:00.000-08:00

Ladies are you sure you are ready for this?

Look at these guns - I am amazed myself!

My gift to you...and you...and you...and especially you :)

COZY 101.... PT II BONUS

2011-03-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

COZY 101.... PT II

2011-03-05T11:44:00.000-08:00

It it so easy to just turn on the heater during the early morning chill. However, there is something special about sitting in front of a nice warm fire. It was cool to see the boys can still appreciate a fire and it not be one of the many 'Fire Apps' on the iPhone.