Winters at the beach

Quote

2009-03-25T18:58:00.004-04:00

"We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name--liberty. And it follows that each of the thing is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names--liberty and tyranny."

Abraham Lincoln, 1864

Thirty

2009-03-06T15:26:00.008-05:00

Today is a milestone and I am enjoying every minute of it. In my humble, yet "experienced" opinion, 30's Lexi is so much cooler than 20's Lexi. I found this quote a couple days ago and it has stuck with me, hence the reason I intend to embrace the "fool" inside of me this weekend and beyond:

"I must learn to love the fool in me--the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my fool."
-Theodore I. Rubin, MD

If you'd like to help me celebrate, we'll be serving up a roasted pig (bbq pork sandwiches, of course) along with an ice cold keg tomorrow. Sunshine and warm weather is included.

Living the Dream

2009-02-26T09:46:00.003-05:00

After weeks of work, Greenprint Photography has finally gone live! It is such an exciting feeling to have spent so much time on my little website and to now be getting such wonderful feedback from my circle of friends and family. I just keep telling myself, little by little I will make this dream a reality...and already I feel like I am there.

http://greenprintphotography.com/

All Along

2009-02-19T12:06:00.007-05:00

Found this beautiful quote on Lex and the City [love the name!] and had to post it if only to keep a record of it forever. I had the best Valentine's weekend with my husband. I keep reminding myself not to dwell on it being over so quickly...we have a lifetime of weekends ahead of us.

The minute I heard my first love story, i started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along.

-Jalal-Uddin Rumi

A Valentine Story

2009-02-13T08:55:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, by mistake (or chance), I opened a piece of mail that was intended for someone else, but with our address listed. Inside the envelope there was a small card saying that a prayer had been said for this person, with a handwritten message at the bottom that read "May God bless you, as you let God control your life and marriage!"

Last night, while my husband serenaded me with his other love, I told him how I still sometimes wake up thinking that our love is too good to be true. How could two people be so blessed (not 'lucky'--he always corrects me) to find such a love? I never imagined it possible, but sometimes prayers really are answered.

Along with the card was a copy of the Beatitudes for Marriage, which I found appropriate to post as we anticipate Valentine's Day tomorrow. Plus, it makes me feel a little less guilty that I intercepted such a thoughtful package.

The Beatitudes for Marriage

Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate, considerate, and loveing after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends.

Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another.

Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the Lord.

Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer.

Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."

Blessed are the husband and wife who work together for the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of adjustment without interference from relatives.

Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the control of both.

Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being unselfish, loyal and loving.

Canine Photographer

2009-02-10T08:19:00.005-05:00

I stumbled on Erin Vey's blog via the Pioneer Woman and couldn't resist sharing her here. What a brilliant concept! I am still drooling (pardon the pun!) over her professional website photos.

Now I am thinking that I might just add another category to my photography website...

Dexter's Slice of Life

2009-02-09T20:43:00.007-05:00

I have become addicted to watching tv on dvd. My most recent indulgence: Dexter. Back when I used to pay for premium channels and DVR I followed a few of the early episodes, so when my favorite brother-in-law (Love you, Sean!) showed up one weekend with Seasons 1 and 2 in hand, I knew my stack of Netflix dvd's would be on the back burner for a while.

If you haven't given Dexter a try yet, consider this my nudge. In the meantime I will be on pins and needles waiting for season 3 to be released. (Jen...Mad Men is next in my queue!)

Lens, Baby.

2009-02-04T22:04:00.005-05:00

I splurged. My 30th birthday is still a month away, but it was the perfect excuse to treat myself. My new Lensbaby and all her beautiful accessories have been keeping me and the Nikon busy. Lately all I keep wishing for are more hours of sunlight in the day. I guess I still have something left to wish for when I blow out my candles.

Planning Mode

2009-02-03T08:33:00.002-05:00

I've been getting organized around here. Between working, designing my own photography business website (almost done!), and keeping up with my homemaking, I decided it was time to get myself a daily planner to help me keep it [my sanity] all together.

My little red Moleskine daily planner was waiting for me when I got home yesterday and I can't wait to start scribbling in all the tasks I've been trying to keep together in my head.

My ideal Super Bowl halftime show

2009-01-29T16:16:00.001-05:00

Led Zeppelin
What? A girl can't dream? I say dream big or GO HOME.

Lady Gaga.
A more realistic choice, even though it exposes my addiction to pop/dance/electronica music. What can I say, I love a woman with balls and originality.

Vote for Marley!

2009-01-29T08:41:00.004-05:00

My sister entered the photo that I took of her "Baby Girl" into the Bissell Photo Contest. Would you take a minute and cast your vote for her? Pretty please?

A Child of God

2009-01-27T08:54:00.006-05:00

Yesterday my mailman delivered this wonderful little print that I ordered from Etsy seller Persimmon and Pink last week. I can't wait to frame it and put it somewhere that I will see it each day. It is such a beautiful reminder...

Grateful

2009-01-16T11:57:00.002-05:00

Today is a good day. I am grateful to be alive. Grateful for all of the love and beauty all around me. How blessed I am, and how blessed WE ALL ARE. Especially to have Nie back.

God bless NewNie!

Light Italian Wedding Soup

2009-01-12T20:23:00.008-05:00

I served up my first attempt at Italian Wedding Soup tonight and it was a huge hit! My husband even deemed it "restaurant worthy!"

Ingredients

1 pound ground dark-meat turkey (93 percent lean)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes in juice
2 heads escarole (2 pounds total), cored, trimmed, and coarsely chopped

Directions

In a bowl, combine turkey, garlic, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Using 1 tablespoon for each, roll mixture into balls.
In a large pot, heat oil over medium. Cook onion, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add broth and tomatoes (with juice); bring to a simmer. Add meatballs; cook, without stirring, until meatballs float to surface, about 5 minutes.
Add as much escarole to pot as will fit. Cook, gradually adding remaining escarole, until wilted and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Thin soup with water if desired; season with salt and pepper. Serve soup sprinkled with more Parmesan.

National CHOMPions!

2009-01-09T08:34:00.006-05:00

Today I'll be basking in the glow of the Gators big win last night. Tebow really is Superman!

Also, I'm gearing up for the first of three photography classes I signed up for that starts tomorrow. I may look like I know what I'm doing, but really I'm just having fun!

Good (okay, GREAT) News

2009-01-08T08:17:00.005-05:00

Nie is back! In just 10 days (and 5 months after her accident) Nie will be blessing us in the blog world again!

My heart is happy.

And what a beautiful post by big sister C Jane.

"In due time I couldn't help but notice
that the more I heard her voice
the less of her voice I needed to be."

Today is a day of thanks.

Blog Crush

2009-01-03T20:12:00.004-05:00

I have a new blog crush on The Rockstar Diaries. If you're a hopeless romantic like me, you might love Josh and Naomi, in love in NYC, too.

Image via The Rockstar Diaries

A New Year of Happiness

2009-01-01T22:35:00.003-05:00

I thought about compiling a list of resolutions for the new year, but after two years of failed attempts and disappointments, I have decided instead to make only one resolution.

Pursue my passion.

I won't bore you with the details, but believe me, the queen of details has many plans in the works.

Also, above all else, I resolve to be happy. (Okay, so make that two resolutions.)

Duchess of Carnegie

2008-12-30T08:59:00.011-05:00

Did you read this article about Editta Sherman, the 96-year-old photographer who has lived above Carnegie Hall since 1947? The studio space she has been living and working in has been rent-controlled and she only pays $650 a month for it!

via www.rossbennettlewis.com

Here she is with her 100 year old format view camera with a portrait she took of Andy Warhol hanging in the background.

via www.rossbennettlewis.comwwwrossbennettlewis.com

Poladroid

2008-12-29T18:56:00.003-05:00

Have you seen the Poladroid project? It takes your photos and makes them look like they were taken with a Polaroid camera. One word: Genius!

Whether you have a Mac or use Windows, you can download it...wait for it...for free(!) here.

Dazey Christmas

2008-12-27T20:05:00.007-05:00

I caught a nasty cold and have been enjoying the holiday with my honey from our couch. The view isn't so bad. I hope your holiday has been just as cozy.

Banana Oat Smoothie

2008-12-20T11:48:00.004-05:00

I'm sure all of my friends are sick of hearing me talk about my new favorite smoothie, but it's seriously so delicious. I make one for breakfast almost every day.

Ingredients

1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 banana, cut into thirds
1/2 cup fat-free milk
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a blender, combine oats, yogurt, banana, fat-free milk, honey, and cinnamon; puree until smooth. Serve immediately.

Create

2008-12-18T16:56:00.004-05:00

"Woman was born to create...in creating she becomes herself, accomplishes her destiny. Her whole life is only an initiation into creative power. To create is not merely to produce a work...it is to give out ones own individuality."

Jeanne De Vietinghoff

I decorated our Christmas tree tonight. I love all my vintage ornaments!

(Lexi Loves) Adie Loves Polly

2008-12-17T17:54:00.004-05:00

I really love reading 4-year-old Adie's blog, Adie Loves Polly. She takes pictures with her Polaroid, Polly. Her mom, photographer Jenifer Altman, has a blog, too!

Sunday Soccer

2008-12-16T22:04:00.005-05:00

Sunday we cheered on my little brother and sister in their soccer playoffs. My sister Becca brought her new Labrador, Marley, who might be one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met.

White Balance Lens Cap

2008-12-16T08:20:00.007-05:00

This new White Balance Lens Cap via the Photojojo store is all kinds of genius. Replace your old lens with this one and snap a photo with your camera in custom white balance mode to create a perfect profile of the actual lighting in front of you. Perfect light every time and no more gray cards to cart around!

Other great items on my wishlist:
The Gorillapod SLR
The Bottle Cap Tripod (for the point-and-shoots)
The Super Secret Spy Lens
Eye-Fi Wireless Camera SD Memory Card

If you haven't already signed up for Photojojo's awesome weekly newsletter, you can do so here.

Earmark

2008-12-16T00:29:00.002-05:00

I have a new favorite shop on Etsy. I even love their logo..."Create Happiness." These are a few of my top picks, please.

*All photos taken from Earmark on Etsy.

Winter Songs

2008-12-15T08:32:00.004-05:00

Need a new twist on some holiday music? (I know I did!) Check out The Hotel Cafe presents Winter Songs, chock full of beautiful cozy tunes from some familiar and not-so-familiar artists. I've been listening to it all morning and it is a great remedy for a case of the Mondays.

*Happily discovered on Black Eiffel.

Coco's

2008-12-15T08:21:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend I took some family pictures for my cousin and his family. Working with youngsters is quite the challenge, but it forces me to work fast and roll with the punches. Once again I had to contend with a noon-day sun, so I'm still hoping to shoot some more when the sun is at it's lowest.

You can view some more of the final proofs here.

Dan Winters

2008-12-11T22:36:00.004-05:00

Although we're not related, I still love Dan Winters. His portraits are amazing.

Hydration Vessel

2008-12-11T08:28:00.005-05:00

I'm the kind of person who carries my water bottle everywhere I go, so when I came across this new (BPA-free) "hydration vessel" I ordered one up on an impulse. (I guess they are too fancy to be called a water bottle!) It was time for an upgrade, no matter how much history I have with my beloved Nalgene bottles.
Needless to say, Mr. Wharem would now like one of his own stuffed into his stocking this Christmas.

Actions (Part II)

2008-12-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

For those of you who are Photoshop junkies like myself, be sure to check out and download (for FREE!) The Pioneer Woman's Action Set 2 here. And if you missed out on the first set, you can still find it here.

This is my beautiful Mother, demonstrating the new 'Seventies' Action, which I love!

Family Photo Shoot

2008-12-09T08:04:00.003-05:00

I lended my not-so-professional photography services to a friend over the weekend and squeezed in a family photo shoot before the SEC Championship (GO GATORS!!!). The only time slot we had to capture the whole group together was in the middle of the afternoon, so I was a little worried about lighting (just a little Florida sun). All in all I think they turned out well.

Sunshine

2008-12-03T15:13:00.004-05:00

The minute I spotted these little beauties on say YES! to hoboken I knew exactly who I wanted to gift them to (Mama & Becca, and maybe one for me too!) Unfortunately I was a bit too late to the Etsy shop...they are sold out. I think I could make these myself though, no?

Favorite

2008-12-02T22:08:00.003-05:00

We went up to Bok Tower Gardens this weekend, about a three minute drive from our house, and I shot some photos. I really like this one.

And that is the story of how it was chosen for this month's masthead.

KitchenAid Mix-a-lot

2008-12-02T20:59:00.003-05:00

Guess what my beautiful mother-in-law bought me for Christmas? Cookies coming soon...

Dwellicious

2008-12-02T20:32:00.009-05:00

I didn't think I could love Dwell Studio any more than I already do, but I was wrong. And I conveniently still need a new duvet for my guest room! Now..., which one?

Soup

2008-12-01T18:24:00.003-05:00

With all of the cool weather we've been getting here in Florida, I've been craving soup like never before! My local lunch spot serves a different soup each day, and I simply can't resist a cup! Pea soup, sherried tomato soup, lima bean soup, and today...cabbage soup. It was so much better than I was expecting!

Much to my delight I came home tonight and checked in on one of my favorite food blogs, the Smitten Kitchen, only to discover a delicious recipe to recreate my new favorite soup!

:: Image via the smitten kitchen ::

Flats

2008-11-19T23:26:00.005-05:00

I recently fell in love with (and bought) these new sueded Mary Jane Crocs.

But I've been dreaming about these whimsical (overpriced) flats from Marc Jacobs.

Maybe I could make my own?

Juicy

2008-11-17T21:08:00.005-05:00

I got a new toy.

This morning's breakfast:
3 carrots
2 apples

Celebrity

2008-11-11T18:54:00.003-05:00

Guess who made it into the local paper last week? Our mischievous little buddy, Red.

A big thanks to our neighbor Tommy for bringing it over for us!

Making sense of it.

2008-10-29T23:43:00.002-04:00

Media's Presidential Bias and Decline.
by Michael S. Malone

Lately

2008-10-22T19:11:00.003-04:00

I've been too busy to blog. I keep telling myself that I will be better after the election, but I'm done making promises.

Also, I have decided that Voting is one of my favorite things.

photo via flickr

Nie in the NYT

2008-09-06T14:50:00.005-04:00

Life continues to roll on, yet Nie is still near and dear in my heart. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one.

After Blogger’s Plane Crash, Virtual Becomes Personal

God Grew Tired of Us

2008-08-22T22:47:00.006-04:00

We recently watched this amazing documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan called God Grew Tired of Us. It has truly changed the way I think about life forever.

Click here for the trailer.

Calm Before the Storm

2008-08-19T19:51:00.005-04:00

I took this shot last night as we were preparing for Fay. She was a pretty weak tropical storm by hurricane standards...I even had to work today. It's still raining and whipping around outside even as I type, but the worst of it seemed to come right around 5pm when I was getting home from work. I sat in the car for a while hoping it would let up, but I eventually gave up and ran for it. Umbrellas weren't even worth using because of the wind.

In much worse news, one of my all-time favorite bloggers on the web, Stephanie of The NieNie Dialogues, was involved in a private plane crash along with her husband on Saturday. They are both in critical condition and they have 4 children under the age of 8. I've never met Nie in person, but I have followed her charming blog for some time and I greatly admire her passion for family life, so this news makes me very sad. I can't stop thinking and praying for Nie and her family, and this has been yet another reminder of how quickly life can change and our faith can be tested.

Missing out

2008-08-08T18:18:00.003-04:00

I'm a total Olympics nerd. Whenever they came on tv, from the time I was young, I was glued. This year? Not so much. So I'm drooling over these photographs from the opening ceremony today instead. They are truly incredible.

I know we're saving money and finding better things to do with our time, but I miss my cable.

Speakerphone

2008-08-07T22:26:00.007-04:00

This summer has been flying by, but I have been taking each day one at a time. Not having cable anymore has definitely helped me free of some of the time I was wasting, but I'll admit after a month without it that I am starting to itch for it a bit. But I am not going to give in. Not this time. I've been paying more attention to life around me, the stories of those whom I barely know, the ones I know too much about, and all the smaller details in between that are exposed over evening nature walks and nights around the kitchen table. Big things and small things, I am just taking it all in and trying to just be in the moment, because they go so quickly, especially the older I am getting.

I am slowly making progress on my online photography course material, and I'm learning so much. Like, all the things I've been wondering for so long about how to use my camera--it's so fun! I have only taken a few shots lately, but mostly because it's been like a sauna outside and inside my home the lighting sucks. I'll get more adventurous soon. The photo posted above was taken last weekend after leaving Sunday night dinner at my mom's house. This was the day after Grandma found her peace, and it makes me happy.

I've been doing a whole mess of cooking. Hitting up the produce stands leaves me inspired to try new things, both sweet and savory. One of my favorites, and sure to be a repeat, are these Blueberry Crumb Bars I spotted on the Smitten Kitchen. Three letters--OMG. They were as perfect as the pictures look.

My brother-in-law has been staying with us for a few weeks which means lots of guy-flicks and "man-town" talk, so I've been escaping into my itunes and listening to a bunch of new stuff. One track that I've had on repeat ever since I downloaded it is Kylie Minogue's Speakerphone. It's infectious and it makes me want to dance and sing out loud everytime I play it. Kylie rocks.

Thanks for the nice comment about my masthead, Julie. I like it too. I have a slight obsession with taking shots of birds on a wire. Birds fascinate me to no end.

About the Masthead

2008-07-18T07:01:00.003-04:00

This month's masthead is a picture I took a few nights ago while looking out my front screen door during one of our daily rain storms. Ever since we were hit with all those hurricanes about five years ago our summer storms have dwindled and the lakes have slowly been going down, but this year rain is making a big comeback. Most days start off nice and hot and sticky, but by mid-afternoon the heavens open up and we have been getting drenched. Other days start off dark and rainy and stay that way all day long, which just makes me wish I was in bed with a good book and a hankering for a dreamy nap.

On the agenda this weekend? A hot date with my hubby tonight to see The Dark Knight, and the Rays game tomorrow night where we will be featured as the 'eHarmony Couple of the Game' on the Kiss Cam. Expect embarrassing pictures to follow...

Hiatus

2008-07-16T20:27:00.004-04:00

I've always liked the word 'hiatus'. I tend to loose my steam at the keyboard during the middle of the summer, and this year's been no different. Now that I'm working during the day again, outside of my home, I've had even less desire to "git 'er done" after hours.

No biggie anyhow, life's just been chugging along and all is well in this home. I've been cooking more often, lots of vegetables and juicy, ripe fruits. In fact, my smoothie phase is still in high gear this year and I've been experimenting with lots of blueberries and frozen bananas. Even watermelon and ruby red strawberries. I love summer fruits!

I've signed up for an online course in digital photography through the New York Institute of Photography and I'm eager to get started. I'm hoping it will help me understand how to use the beautiful, expensive piece of machinery that I am playing with. Maybe I'll even feel a little more 'professional'!

Right now I'm sitting here with my husband, my brother and a friend, who are all playing guitars and singing Tom Petty. It's been rainy all day and I think the moment is just perfect.

It feels good to be me.

Tuning Out

2008-06-19T20:45:00.003-04:00

I've been working more, but not necessarily on the things I wish I was working on. I finally admitted to myself that if I could go back I would have picked a different career path. But whatever--doesn't everyone go through this at some point? Either way it still makes me feel old. I mean, older.

So yeah, I got my fine ass new camera and I haven't really been playing with it a whole lot. (I'm not sure what's up with me.) I did snap a few shots of Sox yesterday after I tried to chase down a shot of the ice cream truck that stalks our neighborhood every evening.

We cancelled our cable so the house is a lot quieter and I love it. Playing more music is another obvious plus. Maybe I'll even get on the ball again and publish a new playlist.

California Dreamin'

2008-06-09T23:57:00.008-04:00

Some highlights from my trip include:

1. Hotdogs and pretzels at the ballgame between the Oakland Athletics and the Detroit Tigers.

2. Cool weather and (good) bagels for breakfast.

3. A sunny walk in Sausalito and a killer view of San Francisco.

4. Seeing a mama and baby deer in Muir Woods.

5. Waking up in the middle of the night by my first (and second) earthquake. They were 3.5 and 3.0 magnitudes, with an epicenter only 3 miles from where we were staying.

6. Lunch overlooking the 18th hole at Pebble Beach.

7. Cruising around the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

8. The drive along the coast to Carmel.

9. Watching the sunset on the Pacific Coast.

10. Yummy thai food in the city shared with (amazing) old friends.

View the slideshow on my photostream here.

Still Going

2008-06-08T21:18:00.007-04:00

After taking the red eye home Friday night I was too tired to tear into the little box that UPS left for me while I was gone...until today. I have no idea what I'm doing with this beautiful new camera, but I can't stop playing with it. It's giving my feet a chance to rest after all the traveling this week, and I have to admit that it's nice to be home again.

I spent today at my mom's pool with some friends and I couldn't resist taking a few shots of my friend Holly's children, Hunter and Hayden. They are little replicas of their parents, personalities included.

ONE

2008-06-02T10:34:00.002-04:00

One year ago today I married Chris Wharem, my big hunk of burning love. We make each other smile and laugh every day, and I hope that never goes away.

Camera Envy

2008-05-22T11:43:00.004-04:00

I know I just ordered a sweet camera that I've been coveting for months (okay, maybe years), but Jen at My Polaroid Blog is making me wish for a trunkload of different, fun cameras! A girl can dream, right!? And since when did Polaroids make such dreamy photos?

You can view the rest of Jen's photo sets here.

I'm still here

2008-05-21T09:53:00.005-04:00

I've been a horrible blogger lately, but I was in need of a little break. I picked up some more part-time work in the afternoons and I am actually enjoying getting out of the house a bit more. It makes my quiet mornings that much more enjoyable, in a weird way.

I recently finished the post-processing on a set of boudoir photographs I did for a friend that is getting married and I wish I could post them in full to share because I am actually quite proud of how they turned out, but I don't want to "overexpose" my model. She is using an online publisher to put them together into a book for a wedding gift to her husband...such a brilliant idea that I wish I had come up with it myself! The photoshoot was a blast and it hardly felt like work at all, which prompted me to give this idea of "Photographer" some serious consideration. Not that I haven't been considering it for a long time, but this time I knew that if I was going to be serious about it that I would need to upgrade from my current digital point-and-shoot to a fancy, schmancy digital SLR. So I bit the bullet and ordered a beautiful new toy--the Nikon D80 with an 18-135 mm lens. The only catch? It won't be shipped for another week and I've already been waiting for two. TORTURE!

In the meantime I have been keeping sane by tackling projects here around the house (cleaning out closets, going through stacks of magazines, etc.), as well as trying new things outside the house (golf, kickboxing, modest gardening). All in all life is good and I am learning to slow down and find peace in the moment. I may even finish that book I've been working on for the past month...now that would something!

All Grown Up

2008-05-07T08:55:00.004-04:00

Over the weekend one of my best friends got hitched in a beautiful ceremony across the lake from my house. Not only did we grow up playing little league softball together on the same team, but Lorilynn, my sister Becca, and I were roommates throughout our college years in Gainesville and those are memories that will bind us together for life. It was such an honor standing up as her bridesmaid and when "Here Comes the Bride" began and the church door opened and I saw her face all lit up and smiling a rush of emotion came over me and in that moment I felt so grateful that the three of us have found such love and happiness in our lives.

Sights and Sounds

2008-04-30T14:23:00.005-04:00

It's a dry, warm day so I have the windows and doors open and thought I would share a little video in an attempt to capture the birds singing and the slight breeze through the trees. I was even lucky enough to catch the church bells at the beginning and a shot of some of my newly planted herbs that are helping to brighten up my otherwise drab yard. It makes me sad to think that soon it will be too hot and humid to really appreciate all this, except from inside an air-conditioned home or submerged in a nice, cool pool (I got about half way in this weekend, but it's still a tad too cold for this Florida blood.)

Also this morning...I discovered that we have a little critter living in one of our trees. I haven't decided what to name her, but I'm thinking of 'Hilary'. Just because I can.

Spring is in the Air

2008-04-29T12:58:00.004-04:00

I was so excited when the UPS guy dropped off my coveted duvet that I couldn't be bothered with washing out all those creases before I put it on the bed. As I post this the birds outside are chirping away and I couldn't be happier. Ever since Amaya informed me that birds are symbolic of family members watching over you, I knew in my heart that this comforter would be mine one day.

Now I have to work on those Charlie Harper prints I want to go with it...

Flickr Favorites

2008-04-29T08:08:00.003-04:00

(Click to enlarge)

1. "I want to be ur favorite hello & ur hardest goodbye<3", 2. Dogwood Pattern, 3. Still sleeping?, 4. Once Upon a Time, 5. Arti-tecture Work, 6. Australia, 7. To early, 8. Colores..., 9. Springtime nostalgy, 10. DSC08782, 11. Birthdayflowers, 12. last days of april **2, 13. sketchbook, 14. joie de vivre, in green, 15. HBW!, 16. Untitled, 17. World of Wonder, 18. Springasprung, 19. Untitled, 20. rest, 21. diffuse gold, 22. campo dei fiori, 23. desde la torre eiffel., 24. Sun + Flowers = Sunflowers, 25. 042408 pink tunnel, 26. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, 27. Walk the Line, 28. Insomnia cure, 29. It's Nearly Time, 30. My mind is 'a racing, my heart is prepared somehow, 31. Tulip Festival - 2, 32. [1st game - 1912 World Series at the Polo Grounds, New York (baseball)] (LOC), 33. power lines, 34. A Gap in the Clouds, 35. adie & the hunters, 36. Kev

Golf Actions

2008-04-28T09:43:00.004-04:00

Saturday morning I participated in a golf tournament with my sister and our friends Holly and Natalie. Most of the experience I have in golf is limited to the Putt-putt course, but after a few tips and tweeks I managed a couple of good shots and we finished the scramble with an 85 on 18 holes--not bad, right? WRONG. We came in second to last, by ONE point, and if we had come in last we would have scored free lessons from some college guys.

I've decided that golf could be my new favorite sport. Seriously--Bloody Mary's and beers were consumed after the first hole and when you throw in golf carts, exploding golf balls and F-bombs, a good time is had by all.

An old guy who was taking photographs for the tournament kept following us around (yes, our very own paparazzi) and when his partner wanted to hit one of our balls off the tee, Holly told him "Well, we don't normally play with weiners, but go ahead." I thought the old guy was going to fall out of the cart.

PS...I ran a couple of the Pioneer Lady's Photoshop Actions on my snapshots just for shits and giggles. You can download the actions set here if you are a Photoshop nerd like me.

Let's just blow this party off

2008-04-25T11:55:00.005-04:00

Thank goodness it's Friday. It couldn't have come fast enough! That's what she said.

Via A Cup of Jo

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

2008-04-24T10:52:00.003-04:00

Last night we went up to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex with my dad and my little brother and watched the Rays defeat the Blue Jays. It started to rain a couple of times, but luckily it held off and the cool, windy weather was perfect for a night out at the ballpark.

Stairway to Heaven

2008-04-22T16:49:00.003-04:00

I really, really, really like this stair detail. My father, grandfather, and great-grandfather are/were all carpenters who built their own homes, so I've always felt a deep connection to wood and it's beautiful details. I'm tucking this idea away for future inspiration. One day...

Via Design*Sponge and Hogarth Architects

Blogette Playlists

2008-04-22T13:56:00.005-04:00

I've been following the McCain Blogette for a couple of months and while I really love her behind the scene takes on life out on the campaign trail with her dad, what I really love is her taste in music and her awesome playlists! I created my own blogette playlist based on her recommendations (many of which I resurrected from my music library) and I've been jamming to it all day. Is it presumptuous to assume that we could totally be best friends?!

Just Bee-cause

2008-04-21T11:51:00.008-04:00

Last week was plagued with some slightly annoying mishaps, including an attempted cat-napping and a painful bee sting for my little Red, bridesmaid dress drama, and locking myself out of the house. My poor hubby caught the brunt of it when I unleashed a PMS-induced breakdown on him Friday morning just before he left for work. After my eyes had been sufficiently drained of my worries I spent the rest of the day with my mom and sister enjoying lunch, pedicures and some retail therapy. When I arrived home in the afternoon to my patient husband I was greeted with a kiss and a dozen long-stem roses--enough to make me feel like a queen!

Before we got married last year we had to attend the standard Catholic pre-marital workshops. We received a folder full of reading material and advice, but the one thing that stood out to me at the time is this list of '21 Suggestions for Success' by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. I posted it on our refrigerator when we moved into our home and it has been a constant source of inspiration and wisdom for us. I thought it only appropriate to share on this day that I am giving special thanks for my greatest blessing, My Putz.

21 Suggestions for Success

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.

3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6. Be generous.

7. Have a grateful heart.

8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12. Commit yourself to quality.

13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14. Be loyal.

15. Be honest.

16. Be a self starter.

17. Be decisive even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.

18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the ones you did.

20. Take good care of those you love.

21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make you Mom proud.

Going CRZY

2008-04-14T12:14:00.007-04:00

My little brother and sister teach me so much about love and being strong. They have had to endure more than most kids should over the last three years while my stepmother has been sick. Now that she has received a donor liver she has been recuperating in Jacksonville for the past few weeks while the hospital carefully monitors her progress. I can't imagine living without my mother for as long as they have, especially since she really hasn't been herself for close to two years.

Ethan wrote his mother a letter and it breaks and warms my heart all at the same time. I know I am bias, but he truly is a special kid. Here's what he wrote, if you have a hard time with the 2nd grade handwriting:

To: Darla
From: Ethan

Mom I mis you a lot. I wish I could see you. Do you wish you could see me? Remember I love you. I now you love me don't you. I am going CRZY about you. I want to see the new you. I bet you will still look Butiful. I am get beter just like you. Were starting times in school it is very hard. We are geting yust to everything. But it isn't ezey. I lerne more stuff evry day. Mis. Toune is nice. I am reading and writeing a lot faster. I am doing well in baseball. I hit hard but I get out. Kids still hiting me and making fun of me but I am geting uste to it so it dose not bother me eny more.

Love, Ethan

The Dark Side

2008-04-11T15:51:00.006-04:00

I've been debating doing something different with my hair for a long time now, but today I finally decided to go for it. It's still not as dark as I want it to be, but another rinse of color next week will do the trick.

I love starting fresh with something completely new and different--it's so liberating!

Simply Breakfast

2008-04-09T12:08:00.002-04:00

I'm a big fan of Simply Breakfast, so I decided to copy her today. On the menu: a warm bowl of Farina with a spoonful of (brown) sugar on top. And a tall glass of delicious Florida orange juice, or course. So yummy!

Photobooth Album

2008-04-08T14:16:00.006-04:00

Jordan has the best ideas. This one has to be my all-time favorite. She created an album using only pictures that they take in old photobooths. I used the handy photobooth locater and found out there is only one in Florida. Fortunately it's only about an hour away, so I'm thinking about kidnapping my honey for a little adventure and starting our own tradition.

Weekend Recap

2008-04-07T11:59:00.007-04:00

In chronological order:

1. Ree's Marlboro Man Sandwich made with love for my hubby.

2. Karaoke and beers at the infamous Dave's Bar. You can't get more redneck than this place, I swear.

3. April showers begin!

4. Began season two of Battlestar Galactica, my new favorite tv show. Okay, so I'm ~~slightly~~ really obsessed.

5. Boat racing on the lake that sounded like REALLY LOUD buzzing bees. All. Weekend. Long.

6. More rain.

7. Firetrucks, EMTs and police in front of our house to assist two cars that collided on the corner.

8. Hurricane force winds, rain and HAIL.

9. Date night at our favorite local steakhouse followed by a cuddle session on the couch with more Battlestar Galactica and the sound of rain and thunder outside.

10. Air hockey with my little sibs and baseball watching with my dad. Oh, and lots more RAIN!

Drawing the Line

2008-04-04T10:53:00.005-04:00

Paul Arden, the author of one of my all-time favorite books, died yesterday. My hubby gifted me with "It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be" for Christmas last year, and it has been a constant on my desk ever since. No creative mind is complete without it.

Here are a couple of my favorite pieces of advice from the book:

Rest in creative peace Mr. Arden.

The Color Code

2008-04-02T11:43:00.004-04:00

I just took the Hartman Color Code test and it turns out I'm a WHITE. No big surprise there. I must admit that my personality profile is pretty much DEAD ON.

WHITES are motivated by PEACE. They seek independence and require kindness. They resist confrontation at all costs. To them, feeling good is more important than being good. They are typically quiet by nature, process things very deeply and objectively with great clarity. Of all the colors, WHITES are the best listeners. They respect people who are direct but recoil from perceived hostility or verbal battle.

WHITES need their "alone time" and refuse to be controlled by others. WHITES want to do things their own way and in their own time. They ask little of others and resent others demanding much of them. WHITES are much stronger than people think, but are not often seen for their strength because they don't easily reveal their feelings. WHITES are even-tempered, diplomatic, and the voice of reason; but can also be indecisive, unexpressive, and silently stubborn. When others interact with you, as a WHITE you respond to them best if they are kind, accepting and supporting of your individuality, and if they look for non-verbal clues to understand your feelings.

Understand that no two WHITES are exactly alike. Although you share the same core motivation as many others, your personality is still unique to you alone.

What color are you?

Silver Lining

2008-04-01T12:03:00.005-04:00

I'm having a crappy day and I wish I could say it was all a big April's fools joke, but alas, it's just life. I just keep repeating the Serenity Prayer and I know I'll be back to my usual happy blogging self soon.

As for that silver lining, I am so happy and thankful to report that my step-mother, who has been battling cirrhosis of the liver for the better part of three years, finally received a donor liver and is doing wonderfully. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to those of you who have kept her (and the rest of us!) in your prayers.

Modern Day Pioneer Woman

2008-03-28T14:19:00.003-04:00

I know I've written about it before, but Confessions of a Pioneer Woman has quickly become one of my favorite daily reads. The Pioneer Woman just launched her new site that incorporates her photography, cooking, ranch life, and more all into one perfect package where I can lose countless hours dreaming about living out that pioneer dream of mine.

If you want to escape to the ranch life for a few minutes I strongly recommend checking out the Pioneer Woman's photography slideshow. It'll make you want to throw on your boots and move out west!

She & Him

2008-03-27T14:15:00.006-04:00

I have discovered yet another reason to love Zooey Deschanel and it's called 'She & Him'. You may remember her singing in the movie Elf, but now she's teamed up with M. Ward and laid down some lovely indie-rock/country tracks, most of which she wrote herself. Their new album is titled 'Volume One'.

I think her voice has something magical about it, and when paired with M. Ward's arrangements it creates a perfect set of songs that make me want to smile.

A Frontier Woman

2008-03-27T10:31:00.007-04:00

Last night I stumbled onto a wonderful documentary on PBS chronicling the life of Evelyn Cameron, a British woman who settled in Montana with her husband after they fell in love with it on their honeymoon in the late 1800s. She was a fiercely independent pioneer who proudly boasted to her family back home that she had no servants because she firmly believed that "manual labor is what will really make a strong woman." Amen to that!

Evelyn picked up photography and began her own business as a way to bring in money for her and her naturalist husband. Her photographs, along with her meticulous daily diaries, cover decades of her life on the Montana prairie and help to tell the tell of what life was truly like for the early settlers.

What I most admire about Evelyn, aside from her independence and creative resourcefulness, is that she found true contentment in her life in Montana. Her photographs bring to life the struggle to make one's life their own and reminds us of how special it is to be able capture a moment in time that will speak to generations that come after us.

Evelyn once wrote that she "wanted to live a life worth looking back upon." As someone who grow up reading the 'Little House on the Prairie' books, I've always secretly dreamt of what my life would have been like had I been born a century earlier. I'd like to think that I might have been a lot like Evelyn. Strong, independent, creative. Content.

All photos via Official Home of Evelyn Cameron Frontier Woman.

Fleetwood Mac

2008-03-25T09:28:00.008-04:00

I was always a Fleetwood Mac fan, but when my husband came into my life a couple of years ago he opened up my world to their earlier stuff with Peter Green and I've never looked back. Two of our all-time favorite albums are the 'Live at Boston Remastered' set recorded in 1970, which showcases their three guitar lineup laying down some seriously good blues tracks. So, it came as a pleasant surprise last week while we were watching 'My Name Is Earl' when "Oh Well", a track off of the second disc, was cranked up during one of Earl's crazy scenes. Hoorah for the old-school shout out!

I highly recommend both albums, but if you're just looking for a taste check out disc two's version of "Rattlesnake Shake". It's a 24-minute ride of guitar interplay that I never tire of. If it leaves you wanting more you can check out disc one here.

Stuff White People Like

2008-03-24T08:38:00.004-04:00

One of the funniest blogs I've come across in a while is Stuff White People Like. It's describes itself as "a scientific approach to highlight and explain stuff white people like. They are pretty predictable."

Here are a few posts that I got a kick out of (and could identify with):

#1 Coffee
#6 Organic Food
#9 Making you feel bad about not going outside
#11 Asian Girls
#14 Having Black Friends
#16 Gifted Children
#23 Microbreweries
#28 Not Having a TV
#40 Apple Products
#41 Indie Music
#42 Sushi
#44 Public Radio
#48 Whole Foods and Grocery Co-Ops
#49 Vintage
#54 Kitchen Gadgets
#60 Toyota Prius
#69 Mos Def
#76 Bottles of Water
#87 Outdoor Performance Clothes

For a full list of What White People Like click here.

A Little League Adventure

2008-03-21T10:40:00.007-04:00

I rode along with Becca and Rich to see Ethan and Elysa's baseball game the other night, and boy was I glad to have brought along the camera. There was just too much good redneck-ness around to be wasted.

Some things I spied on our adventure:

1. Lots and lots of orange trees. We took the back roads and I swear every single road we took was flanked by miles of groves. Too many of them are for sale for development.

2. Did I mention the orange blossoms are in bloom right now too? Rich even cut off a few branches for me to take home and now my house smells sweet and delicious!

3. Hot pink helmets, bats and cleats. Where were these when I was a little leaguer?!

4. Mullets, tattoos and American flags.

5. My Dad...still the same competitive coach he was 20 years ago, just a little less yelling than I remember.

6. A glorious sunset.

Who Loves Grandpa the Most?

2008-03-19T11:31:00.012-04:00

Today would have been my Grandpa Joe's 85th birthday. This is a photo that I took of him about eight years ago on our annual family vacation in Marco Island. This is exactly the way I will always remember him--a big, round belly that bounced when he laughed, a Yankee cap, and a thumbs-up. He always seemed to be at his happiest when he was with his family at the beach.

One of my favorite memories of him is a game that he always played with us (his grandkids) called "Who loves Grandpa the most?" He would blurt the question out really fast when we least expected it, and whoever yelled "ME!" first was the winner. I loved how he would do it over and over again until everybody had won at least once. Then, just when he got us all hooked, he would yell out "Who wants to go to bed?!" I usually fell for it hook, line and sinker, yelling "ME!" at the top of my lungs. Even the big kids (aka adults) would get in on the fun after a few rounds. The love was contagious when you got around Grandpa Joe.

The number one thing he always told us was that "Family is Everything." He was my hero.

I miss you Gramps. Happy Birthday!

Eye on the Ball

2008-03-18T10:25:00.006-04:00

On Sunday we headed down to the baseball field with my little brother and sister in tow and joined in on our psuedo-weekly family baseball game. I decided to take along a camera and play with the telephoto lens from the sidelines, but the one-time softball player in me kept wanting to yell out teenybopper cheers and coaching fundamentals.

Keep your head up and your eye on the ball.

Follow through.

Stay focused.

Then I realized how all those talks about being centered and staying in the moment in order to see the play unfold were really just lessons in life. Who knew?

Plainly Jen

2008-03-12T14:14:00.005-04:00

My old college buddy (and fellow Landscape Architect) Jen started her own little blog, Plainly Jane, about her life and her new addiction to vintage fabrics and sewing. When I got married last year Jen even made me a small quilt, which I adore, and some little bundles of vintage fabrics that she bound with thread and some big buttons. I love them so much I keep them out in my home studio.

I was browsing her Etsy shop this morning and I am amazed at her creativity! She has even landed her first commercial sales order after some of her adorable stuffed animals got noticed...Midge the Pigeon an Merle the Squirrel. I really love the whimsical nature of her work.

Her Little Lunchbox Love Notes are going on my wishlist, along with a few others.

Congrats, Jen! You rock.

Flickr Favorites

2008-03-11T12:52:00.007-04:00

A new batch of my current favorites over at Flickr. On a side note, I've decided to start a stashing the money I make from my side projects into a savings jar until I have enough to purchase the fancy digital camera that I've been drooling over for quite some time. Little by little...

1. Bellagio, Italy, 2. Riomaggiore, the road less traveled, 3. The Pulpit for the Most Holy of Cardinals, 4. The Fashion Manhole, 5. February 28, 6. back to the fall, 7. Wash Up, 8. The Summoner, 9. Dinner with Three Horses, 10. Untitled, 11. (h)omoljica I, 12. Winter Tale, 13. Yellow Sea, 14. bokehbokehbokeh, 15. happy bokeh wednesday!, 16. Yellow, 17. Happy Heart Day, 18. train., 19. ., 20. Lost, 21. The epitome of grace, 22. dirty, 23. Bird, 24. Something about superhero's, Muppets™, whiskey, stuffed animals and pink slippers (062/365), 25. Who's got your tail?, 26. My Australia !~, 27. Sleepy, 28. I opened my eyes and found Spring..., 29. the elbe, 30. Obama cookie, 31. slippery when wet, 32. Love!, 33. 365::23 Iced, 34. STS - scavenger hunt - playing cards, 35. Friendly giant's, 36. Rooster King

Looking Forward

2008-03-11T11:00:00.012-04:00

Lately I've been having a hard time communicating, whether it be here on the blog or in person. Usually that just means that I'm avoiding something, hoping it will just work itself out or go away all together. You'd think I would have learned by now that in life all things come full circle anyway, so if I could just face my demons head on I might just progress a little faster. Too bad I've always been pretty stubborn about facing the inevitable, especially bed time. You'd think rest (figuratively and literally) would be so much more appealing, but I resist, resist, resist.

I turned 29 last week. March 6th to be exact. In many ways it feels like this is a year for me to do some cleaning out of the closet in order to ready myself for the next chapter of my life. When I look back on my twenties I feel happy and content. I am always amazed at how many changes occur within just a few years, but at the same time I find it exciting and rewarding to see how life continuously keeps molding us.

Over the weekend I watched "Into the Wild" and I came away from it thinking about two quotes that hit close to home.

"I read somewhere...how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong, but to feel strong."

It is my goal over the next year to focus my energy on doing more things in life that make me feel strong, whether it be through interacting with the outdoors or channeling my creative energy into new projects. I want to face change without fear and know that it is necessary and GOOD.

"Happiness is real when shared."

Dear God

2008-02-25T11:45:00.008-05:00

These Dear God letters make me smile on a Monday morning.

Miss Mary

2008-02-21T15:19:00.015-05:00

I've been obsessed with that new Mary J. Blige song. Work That. I think it was featured in an iPod commercial a few months ago. Yep, here it is.

It's just so groovy.

Work That
There's so many-a girls
I hear you been running
From the beautiful queen
That you could be becoming
You can look at my palm
And see the storm coming
Read the book of my life
And see I've overcome it
Just because the length of your hair ain't long
And they often criticize you for your skin tone
Wanna hold your head high
Cause you're a pretty woman
Get your runway stride home
And keep going
Girl live ya life

I just wanna be myself
Don't sweat girl be yourself
Follow me
Follow me
Follow me
Girl be yourself
That's why I be myself
And I'm gonna love it

Let em get mad
They gonna hate anyway
Don't you get that?
Doesn't matter if you're going on with their plan
They'll never be happy
Cause they're not happy with themselves

Na na work what you got
I'm talking bout things that I know
Na na work what you got
It's okay show yourself some love
Na na work what you got
Don't worry bout who's saying what
It's gonna be fine
Work what you got

Feelin great because the light's on me
Celebrating the things that everyone told me
Would never happen but God has put his hands on me
And aint a man alive could ever take it from me
Working with what I got I gotta keep on
Taking care of myself I wanna live long
Aint never ashamed what life did to me

Wasn't afraid to change cause it was good for me

Girl don't hold back.
You just be yourself.

A Treehouse Retreat

2008-02-21T10:31:00.010-05:00

I'm in love with this dreamy rustic retreat featured in Domino this month. Linda Aldredge dreamt it up and then built it with her own two hands and a few handy friends, the way a true treehouse should be made. Her blog features more of the building process and other fun details, including photos from the "Weehouse" music festival. Isn't her poster brilliant?

The idea of a hideaway up in the trees is so romantic and dreamy. I could finally live out my lifelong fantasy of becoming a recluse with Mother Nature. A girl can dream, right?

Morning Wake Up

2008-02-20T09:34:00.006-05:00

As I was eating my cereal this morning I heard a big boom and my whole house felt like it had just been hit by an NFL lineman. Upon further inpection I learned that it was just the space shuttle Atlantis landing at the Kennedy Space Center.

I love starting the day off with a bang.

The Hitch in Hitchcock

2008-02-08T09:11:00.000-05:00

I'm loving this new series from the current Vanity Fair issue that recreates famous Alfred Hitchcock movie moments with modern day actors. I've always had a thing for old movie posters and these definitely evoke that old classic Hollywood nostalgia.

Here are a few of my favorites. Do you recognize all the actors?

The Flossy, Flossy

2008-02-07T15:35:00.000-05:00

Funniest shiz I have seen in a while...and oh so appropriate right now.

via TastesLikeTV.

Feeling Proud

2008-01-29T16:40:00.001-05:00

It feels oh-so-good to do my civil duties! For the first time in a long time I am really excited about politics. Every time I cast a vote I am reminded of what my ancestors gave up in order for me to be an American. I am so thankful and so proud.

The L Word

2008-01-28T20:01:00.000-05:00

This is my husband. Tonight, after witnessing a commercial for "The L Word", he declared "That's me! I'm a Lexbian."

I love him.

Self Portrait

2008-01-28T10:16:00.001-05:00

I've been under the weather all weekend. A bug seems to have made its resting place in my tummy and I am not happy about it. During one of my bored spells Saturday night I snapped a couple of self portraits just for heck of it. The black and white one kind of scares me a bit, but I think I'll just call it my "Goth" look.

Black and White

2008-01-27T17:37:00.000-05:00

I needed a little break from blogging. I am focusing on some other projects, but I'll admit that I've been a little lazy as well.

I went rummaging through my hard drive and rediscovered some photos I took during a trip to Charleston in 2006. I decided to do some post-processing on them, mainly because I've been on a black and white photography kick lately, and I like how the set turned out.

Washed Out

2008-01-17T13:18:00.000-05:00

I woke up this morning to a wet, gloomy day, but I don't mind it so much. It's one of those perfect days for lounging in bed with some good movies because it looks cold and wintry outside, only in reality its not cold at all and because you have to work it's only really good for taking breaks to snap a few photos.

You can view the whole set here.

S-C-R-A-B-U-L-O-U-S

2008-01-17T11:30:00.000-05:00

Who knew that Scrabble could stage such a comeback!? If you ask me, the original game's coolness has never been in question, but I must admit that I've become quite addicted to Scrabble 2.0, otherwise known as Scrabulous. If you're on Facebook be sure to get in on the action, otherwise you can check out the official website that allows for online playing and play by email.

Care to challenge the undefeated master? I just dropped the word J-I-G-G-Y for 42 points!

An Illustrated Life

2008-01-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

There's something about Charley Harper's illustrations that I love, especially the way they bring me back to my adolescence yet seem so new and grown-up at the same time. Charlie Harper: An Illustrated Life is beautiful, but big and a bit pricey. I'm thinking that a few framed prints of his lovely birds might satisfy my craving.

Flickr Favorites

2008-01-15T09:47:00.000-05:00

I still can't figure out why the Mosaic Maker always leaves a few spots blank.

1. Swan at Bok Tower, 2. 2oo08, 3. The thin ice, 4. not in the mood for flying, 5. Day 345/365.............one more day and I'll be in the teens of 365, 6. laguna beach, a.m., 7. darkside of the moon, 8. HBW, 9. heartmadeofsound, 10. ITSAWONDERFUL-WORLD.com, 11. dwelling (in colour), 12. West Africa, 13. i like honey., 14. masako onsen, 15. 8/365, 16. nature's bokeh: ice crystals 4, 17. Snowy Tracks, 18. one, two [underground], 19. inside, 20. Pequena Lu Mello, 21. I'm magic, 22. the water action team, 23. Swinger, 24. IMG_10723, 25. The night before---, 26. Orange on Gold, 27. Town Crier, 28. Heartfelt words....., 29. Metamorphosis, 30. Sleepy Feet, 31. Ciao 2007!, 32. Heat Waves, 33. 40 weeks, 34. class IV computation, 35. let it snow!, 36. Untitled

P.S. I Love You

2008-01-15T07:40:00.000-05:00

When Mr. Wharem's brother and his wife were in town over New Year's we had a double date at the movies. They boys went their way (I Am Legend) and us girls went our way (P.S. I Love You).

I didn't know what to expect other than Hilary Swank, so I was pleasantly surprised by the ensemble cast. I laughed and cried. It was a good movie. Sad, but good and worth it.

Did I mention that I had already seen I Am Legend?