Cottage Girl

The forth coming week-end

2012-02-10T22:04:00.000-05:00

I'm on the hunt for a new Mason jar for my sun tea. The lid on this one finally gave up the ghost.

Also plan on finishing up season 1 of Sherlock (there are only 3 episodes, so no, I have not been watching TV non-stop).

Plus, I have a bit of a "waiting list" craze going on here at the moment. All three of the books that I'd had on hold at the library came in within a week. Oops. Now I have to read all three super quick since they will have to go back and there won't be a chance for renewal. Feels almost like college, but I actually want to read these books. I finished A Million Suns tonight. Review to come soon.

Got to make something this weekend. Create. Most of my creativity has been going towards writing (yes, I know...not here so much, huh?), but I'm ready to do something else with random supplies I have laying around the house. Paint, photos, fabric, who knows.

Lovely weekend to you all.

2012-02-09T16:00:00.001-05:00

(at the Magic Kingdom, sitting on the street, after the Electric Parade, waiting for the fireworks to start)

Happy Birthday to my own very amazing Daddy-o.
Yes, I still call my father Daddy at the age of 34.

Love you, Poppa.
I'm so blessed to have you as a wonderful example of my Heavenly Father.
Kind, funny, compassionate, caring, gentle, knows how to fix everything.
Hope you have a lovely birthday.

Love,

Your oldest

Uh-oh

2012-02-07T09:11:00.003-05:00

Have you seen it yet?
Only one episode in and I'm already hooked....

In other news:
I'm off to my alma mater for a few days.
Super excited!

choice

2012-02-05T22:36:00.001-05:00

I chose to skip the second half of the Superbowl and watch Downton Abbey instead.

Wise choice?

100% y-e-s.

Mr. Bates beats football any second of any day in my book.

What is says about me

2012-02-04T22:32:00.000-05:00

My Pinterest Homey-home board has apparently un-earthed my love of modern homes. I was looking through it tonight and noticing how my style seems to have narrowed itself down.

(source)

I like clean lines. LARGE, open windows. The more windows.....the better.

(source)

Include also very minimalist style decor. Whites, earth tones and lots of light.

(source)

Add some vintage in there to soften everything up and voila. That's my style to a T.

What is your Pinterest board (or inspiration file) saying about you?
Have you noticed your style narrowing down?
That's one of my favorite things about Pinterst.
Filtering through the 1,000's of photos and being able to identify what "clicks" for me.
I'm finally getting to the point that I can put into words what I like.

2012-02-03T20:17:00.000-05:00

Because he turned 5 yesterday.
FIVE!
How is that possible?
I know I should hate that he's getting older so quickly, but honestly I love it.
We can have real conversations on the phone now.
We can have adventures in the backyard.
He can tell me what he's feeling and thinking.
And he can roll around Disney World all day like this....

Brand new spyglass purchased at the Pirates of the Caribbean gift shop in hand.

Happy Birthday, Lukey.
Oh my, how I love you!

Love,
Auntie

Sometimes this is better than words

2012-02-02T21:23:00.001-05:00

hold please

2012-02-01T17:30:00.000-05:00

If you have been around Cottage Girl for any length of time, you know about my love of YA fiction. It's tried and true. It borders on obsession.

Here are the books that are currently on my "must read" list. (which is also the "hold" list at the library because I can't afford to actually pay for the amount of books that I read on a regular basis. Nor do I have the space to store them.)

1. The Tempest by Julie Cross. Found while walking by B&N's window display. Read the first two chapters while sitting in a chair in the store. Can't wait to read the rest. There are no vampires or werewolves. And this is the author's first book. Always want to support the newbies.

2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. This book has been all over the place this month. EW Must List, Pop Candy and a few other places. He's a big time YA writer, but I actually haven't read any of his other works.

3. A Million Suns by Beth Revis. I happened upon this one on a different trip to B&N last week. It stopped me dead in my tracks because I didn't think it was coming out for a few more years. I read Across the Universe last year and while it wasn't may favorite book of the year, it was entertaining. And I definitely want to know what else will happen in the world she created. The premise of that book was one of the most creative I had read in quite a while.

All these books came out last month.

Good month for YA fiction, I'd say.

I'm currently reading The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. It's alright. It's going to get thrown to the side when I get home with #3 tonight. ("your hold item is now ready") I may pick it up again. I may not. That's the beauty of the library. No guilt in not finishing a book just because I paid good money for it.

I'm also reading If I Stay again because I love it so...and because it's an ebook library rental on my iphone. It's just as good the second time, in case you were wondering.

And now, I must know....what are you reading?

treasure hunting

2012-01-31T11:13:00.000-05:00

I hit the jackpot at my favorite local antique store the other day. This rarely ever happens for me. So when I found 2 things I loved and that fit in my tight budget, I gave myself a pass to get them. Kinda makes up for the 15 other times I have gone and have been good about not buying that one thing I really loved but couldn't really afford.

Will you just look at these beauties. Truth time....I saw Rachel from Smile and Wave with a tall ship necklace that she got at thrift store and have been looking for one similar to it ever since. Basically I fell in love with hers and have been dying to have one. You may remember my slight tall ship addiction. When I saw these in the glass case at the shop, I about fell over. Not only that, but they were affordable. Not super-thrift-store cheap, but well within a decent amount. I practically ran to the counter to ask the lady to open the case so I could get them.
I'm planning on putting them on a chain to wear as a necklace cause earrings aren't really my thing. They are the perfect size for a small delicate necklace (my favorite). I wish you could see them in real life because they are just adorable. Light. Delicate. Detailed. Perfect.

And then there are these two. Oh, my. Another favorite obsession. Silhouettes. When I was talking to the lady at the shop, and I told her that this was the other item I wanted out of the locked case, she said, "oh that is quite a find. This booth owner probably has them marked down really well too." And she did. So the instant they touched my hands, and I saw they were hand cut originals (!!), I said, "I'll take them." (not the norm for this indecisive girl, let me tell you.). Those oval frames. And the fact that they aren't in perfect condition. The frames are scratched and slightly dented and there are marks on the white paper which is slightly yellowed like they have been hanging somewhere, loved for years and years. Each detail makes me love them more. Can't wait to put them on my wall.

It was one of the golden (no pun intended) days where the thrift store and antique store blessings were abounding. Ever have those days were something clicks and it's like the Lord just leads you to the right shelves at the right times and it's like you were meant to find those things? They are rare and far between, but I think that's what makes them all the more magical.

Peppy

2012-01-30T19:05:00.000-05:00

I can't get Peppy Miller's look out of my head.

So here is an obligatory post full to the brim of her delight.

Why can't girls wear hats like this any more? Why? Imagine all the bad hair days we could hide.

I do think I need to tie more scarves in my hair. It gives her the slightest look of whimsy mixed with sophistication.

And this dress....don't get me started.

It's 1920's perfection. Fringe skirt. Sparkles.

Have any of you seen The Artist?
What did you think?
Were you surprised by it like I was?

Sunday review

2012-01-29T22:33:00.001-05:00

Made a new outfit out of old clothes in my closet. After not having most of my clothes for 3 months it feels like my wardrobe has doubled overnight.

Heard from the Lord in amazing ways at my church this morning. It's good to be back.

Went to see "The Artist." Yes,
all the hype is true. It really is that fantastic. I fell in love with Peppy's hats and 1930's hair.

Ate normal meals. First time since Wednesday. Goodbye nasty virus.

Got to sit and chat with camp friends about the upcoming summer. First time in a long time.

Had a great reflection time, journaling and processing. My head always feels less crazy and jumbled when I can get the words out.

Listened to Dario Marianelli's beautiful compositions from the Pride and Prejudice soundtrack as I went to sleep and marveled over the delicate beauty of the piano and the violin.

Goodnight, Sunday.
You've been quite lovely.

Cottage Girl

Eee-gads, I got an iphone

2012-01-28T23:10:00.000-05:00

I've had this little devil for about 2 weeks now.
And yes, it's just the wonder that I thought it would be.
And more.

I know. I know. I'm about 7 years behind the rest of the computer savy world.
My own little protected bubble of obliviousness.
I like it here.
It's cozy.
And denial is sold like chocolate sodas at Whit's End.

Moving on...
I'm sure you've noticed my strange postings the last few days.
They've been completely from my phone, which has been wonderful because actual computer time has been quite limited. (thank you, dear desktop that is still giving me lots of headaches...)
It's been a life saver, and I can see it becoming quite the time waster/life interrupter, if I'm not careful.

But for now, I'm l-o-v-i-n-g it.
And I joined Instagram the second I turned it on.
Come follow me (@cottage_girl) and say hi!
We can be photo friends.

***I found this shirt in the depths of my parents linen closet (which I cleaned and organized while I was living at their house because I'm OCD). It's legit vintage from England. My aunt and uncle brought it over about 25 years ago. Still in the packaging. Score.

85%

2012-01-27T23:12:00.001-05:00

Feeling about 85%.

And checkout the Brigadoon view this morning.

Oh and I'm finally caught up on Downton. Best show of this season? I'm gonna say yes at this point. I could watch it again and again and again and still be in awe of all the beautiful details.

Blah

2012-01-26T20:42:00.001-05:00

My great big welcome back to the Cottage last night was about as bad as it can get.

Sick, sick, sick.

Been in bed all day.

Hoping to return to the land of food eaters and vertical living tomorrow.

Miss you already

2012-01-25T22:06:00.001-05:00

One thing I am desperately going to miss at the end of this 3 months is my morning swims.

Morning swims with the old folks especially.

Empty lanes.

Water aerobics music blasting in the corner.

Locker rooms full of 60 year olds talking about how many Facebook friends they have and what their newest ailment is.

All at the amazing indoor pool 5 minutes from my parents house.

I had to snap a picture of it as I left for the last time today.

I'm thinking it may be my favorite escape on future days off.

Mixing Bowl

2012-01-24T22:39:00.001-05:00

I love the fact that we have a traffic snarl called The Mixing Bowl. Silly, I know. I also love the fact that I didn't get stuck in The Mixing Bowl today.

Side note: I'm headed home tomorrow. To my own bed. My own Cottage. My own roommate. And my computer is just about back to normal. Photoshop here I come.

It is settled

2012-01-22T18:31:00.001-05:00

I'm moving here.

The question is....where might this be?

Guess

2012-01-21T21:09:00.001-05:00

A peak at where I was today. Any guesses?

Listed

2012-01-20T21:03:00.001-05:00

#1. I love hotdogs.

#2. Hotdogs are bad for you. This is well known.

#3. I seem to forget this every time I eat one.

#4. Milkmaid braids are one of the easiest ways to fix your hair.

#5. I found photos of my grandma in the 50's in milkmaid braids.

#6. My eyes are barely open.

#7. Why is this the norm for me?

#8. I slept in my own bed last night.

#9. First time in months.

#10. I woke up in the middle of the night and didn't know where I was.

#11. Our local CW channel pre-empted Vampire Diaries last night for a basketball game.

#12. My roommate and I are now officially in a feud with the CW.

#13. I'm headed to the big city tomorrow.

#14. Ferris Bueller day is what I'm calling it.

Yum

2012-01-19T23:53:00.001-05:00

Oatmeal has become my favorite winter breakfast. Plain, boiled on the stove with my favorite mix in's. Today's were cranberries and bananas. No sweetener needed. So delicious.

drawn

2012-01-18T22:26:00.001-05:00

I watched HP #7 Part 2 today. Decided to be totally lazy and sit down and watch it, start to finish. Mostly because it was a free rental on Amazon Instant and it was about to expire. But second mostly....I've been wanting to watch it again after being disappointed by it the first time in the theater. While it still wasn't my favorite one of the bunch (Order of the Phoenix is it for me, of the movies at least), it was a little better the second time. Still not enough character developement. So many small moments that were much better in my head or the emotions were conveyed differently than I would have done it. And still hated how they did the epilogue. Oh, how I hated it!

Anyway....rambling in HP world, sorry......I jumped online to find this pin to post.

(I have searched high and low for the source and can't fid it any where. So sorry, amazing artist who drew this)

It has been stuck in my head since the moment I found it online. Just loved the way it conveyed the whole tone of the epilogue that I loved (and not the one in the movie).

As I was looking around online, I found another amazing artist (Viria13 on deviantart [be warned: deviantart can be risque, so click with caution!]) with the most incredible work. Seriously. I've been looking at her drawings all day. I'm obsessed....

Harry and Ginny

The HP crew

The death of Fred

Harry and Ginny

"Never Like This" Ginny, George (and Fred) (don't you just love how George looks kinda sad and happy at the same time)

Hermione, Harry and Ron

Oh, there are so many more, but I'll stop there. If we're friends on Pinterest, I'm sure you are sick of all my HP pins from today, but I just couldn't help myself. Her drawings captured me today. Thank you, Viria.

I'm completely jealous of anyone who can draw like this. To be able to get on to paper the worlds that are floating around in my head....that would be such a gift. And to be able to draw them like this? Wow. I so, so wish I could.

With him

2012-01-17T18:31:00.001-05:00

A few more. This time of the boy himself. And the scenery too, of course. I like to squeeze him in to show the immensity of the surroundings.

Canyonlands. Please excuse the dust on my lens. It was kinda windy up here. We were literally standing on the very edge of a huge cliff looking out over the canyons. Notice he is taking a photo with one camera while another is slung over his left hip. Because one camera is never enough in our family.

Arches. You can pick him out by his mustard yellow coat. So tiny in that big archway. This place was incredible. Absolutely awe-inspiring.

All hipster. Headed to Nancy. Two cameras again. Always two cameras. And please note that back drop. Um, wow.

Canyonlands. With his sister. On that cliff edge again. We were joking that our sister would have peed her pants and ran away the moment she happened upon this cliff. She doesn't do heights. We, on the other hand, sat there for a while with our feet hanging off the side tossing rocks over. It was ridiculously humbling to be so small there.
*note to self. get rid of those old ugly yoga pants, please.

My favorite. He had been longing (and mentioning about 5,000 times) how much he wanted to climb. He's big into rock climbing right now. So anytime he could scramble up a rock or two, he did. And I, of course, took that opportunity to capture the moment on "film."

This spot was icy cold. It's funny because when my mom saw this photos, she was saying that when they were there several years ago it was 98 degrees outside and they about melted and had to run from the sun. We actually ran to the sunshine just so we could feel our fingers again.

Yes, I still have more photos.
Also, these are mostly SOOC.
I bumped the contrast a bit on one of them, but other than that they are 100% the way God made it.
Except for that darn dirt on my lens.

Because I've been thinking about Utah all week

2012-01-16T20:48:00.000-05:00

Sundance starts Thursday.
The Bro is working major overtime prepping everything for the festival.
All I can think about is how much I miss him.
Him and how much fun the Festival is with him.
I'm going through Festival withdrawl this week.

So here are some photos to take the edge off....

More to come...
In the mean time,
Utah, I miss you and that kid I adore that's working at the Festival headquarters right now.
And selfishly, can I ask that all the movies be mediocre this year so I won't miss out on much?
Please?

This fine evening

2012-01-15T18:38:00.001-05:00

I am sitting on the couch watching my favorite awards show...the Golden Globes. Anyone else love watching all those pretty dresses? I can't even imagine how beautiful they are in person.

Also, staring outside at this beautiful sky and saying "star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight."

Still very busy

2012-01-14T21:51:00.001-05:00

See...

No excuse

2012-01-13T22:38:00.001-05:00

I have no excuse for not posting.

I've been busy, but not so busy I can't squeeze in a sentence or two or even a photo.

Oops.

Bad Cottage Girl

Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta get back to "Tron Legacy" on my parents new Roku.

See...real busy.

free fallin'

2012-01-11T20:21:00.001-05:00

My family is a roller coaster loving family. Truly. Since I was tall enough to get the top of my head to that "taller than this" line, I've been riding them. My first memory was the Super Duper Looper at Hershey Park. I think my parents said I was about 4 years old. "Start them young" was my their motto. I must admit that my siblings and I are grateful now. We can't get enough of them.

So while on this trip, we had to go on as many as we could squeeze in with 3 kids in tow that were too short to ride and a brother in law how doesn't care for them (what?!!). I think the Manta in Sea World was the best coaster. Yes, definitely. It's a "lay face first looking at the ground" roller coaster. It feels like you are flying. It.was.awesome.

I also love Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. Kraken in Sea World is pretty sweet too. We did Rockin' Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios, the Hulk and the Dragon Challenge (HP World) in at Islands of Adventure. We tried Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (hello 2.5 hour wait), but it made both my mom and I motion sick. I'm sure there are a few more I've forgotten, too. (No Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain this time though because the lines were so long. Sniff-sniff.)

I think our favorite though wasn't an actual "roller coaster," but has the same idea. Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios (does anyone else still call it MGM?). It's a drop ride where you free fall several times. The day my parents and I had a spur of the moment need to go back to Disney, we rode that thing 3 times. Two of those times being back to back because there was no line and my mom just had to go on it again and how could my dad and I say no for goodness sake.

There is something so kid-like in screaming your head off and laughing hysterically at the same exact time. It only happens on rides like that. There is a certain glee that they bring that nothing else can compare with. I love that feeling. The terror of how "scary" it is and how absolutely funny it is to be weightless for 2 seconds when you are falling. I'm smiling now just remembering it. And I want to go back and ride it again this second.

Dear roller coasters,
We love you.
We hope to see you again really soon.

What about you?
Are you a roller coaster fan?
Or are you more the "safe on the non-moving ground" type of person?
Did your parents make you try them when you were young?

pretty, pretty

2012-01-10T21:13:00.001-05:00

(source)

I haven't been able to get this quilt out of my head.
The colors are perfection.
No, really.
The colors.
The colors!
And then the chevron.
And don't get me started on the other side.

Thank you Pinterest for making me obsess over something I have no skill to create.
Thank you.

Nobody...is ever gonna bring me down

2012-01-09T23:32:00.000-05:00

I've returned yet again.

I sang lots of showtunes in the car.

I think roadtrips require Broadway sing-a-longs.

Don't you?

Is there anything better than belting out "Defying Gravity" while you are sitting in rush hour traffic?

Well, of course there are better things, I suppose, but would anything else calm your need to break all the traffic laws and just drive on the shoulder.

Speed by all those annoying people who chose to drive on the same exact road that you are at the same exact time.

The nerve of them....

But singing...
"Masquerade,
Paper faces on parade,
Masquerade."

Yes, that feels much better.

Thankfully, all those people can't hear my silly singing voice.

They can, however, see my face as I really get into the words of the songs.

See it because we've now been driving next to each other at a 10 mph crawl for the last 20 miles.

Yes, these are the joys of showtunes in the car during rush hour traffic.

I want to go to there

2012-01-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

Who's excited for tonight?!!

I admit I discovered the gem that is Downton Abbey later than most. It was when it won the Emmy for best mini-series last year. But the moment I did, I was hooked. Absolutely smitten.

The set and the costumes. The lighting. Oh, the lighting is so very delicate and perfect.

The dark downstairs and candle lit rooms upstairs.

And Maggie Smith who is always perfection. She makes me laugh out loud with her comments on Americans (they live in wigwams, you know).

And then there is Downton herself. I could take a million photos of that building and still find hidden corners of charm and delight. I'm sure of it.

And because just one or two photos aren't enough, here are a few more....

Here's to new Downton Abbey and the feast for the eyes that is sure to abound!

ps...you can still watch season 1 online or on Netflix. And if you haven't seen it, you should.

You most definitely should.

souvenirs

2012-01-07T10:04:00.000-05:00

The kids got to pick out a toy at one of the parks we went to. My nephew got a stuffed dolphin from Sea World (his favorite park. He loves sea animals). My niece chose these from Disney World (her favorite park because she got to meet Tinkerbell). How sweet.

I'm not much of a souvenir girl anymore. My take-homes are my photos. I just need to be better about printing them out and enjoying them in front of me. That a goal for this year. Printing out photos in various forms to enjoy them. Then I can have gems like this one sitting around to make me smile when they catch my eye.

Pool and notes

2012-01-06T16:21:00.001-05:00

I've been thinking about our perfect Florida weather this week while I've been in the cold, cold land of long winters. We had the weather I would ask for if I was placing an order at a drive-thru. The warm sunshine. The slightly cool breeze at night. The almost-hot-enough-to-make-you-sweat, but not really too hot. I think it will be the temperature in Heaven. But then again, I love it hot, so it could be 90 degrees and I'd be perfectly happy.

We had a little pool at the house my parents rented for the week. To say the kids loved it would be a gross understatement. But I guess we all kinda loved it. There's something that makes you feel almost devilish, swimming in the middle of the winter months. Well, I guess that's true for those of us that have cold winter days to endure for 5 months of the year. We used that pool quite a bit even with our long days at the parks.

On another note: I'm finishing up Legend currently. It's a slow start, but an interesting story. Don't know if it will make the favorite list, but it's been a fun read.

Second note: I missed Vampire Diaries last night and am cursing the ridiculous CW for not putting their shows online the day after they air. Who waits a week to show an audience their show? Who?!

Final note: I'm beginning the grieving process about not going to Sundance this year. I think it's finally hit me. Oh, I'm going to miss it and miss spending that fun week with my brother!

Crooked little chimneys

2012-01-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

The crooked chimneys.
They kill me.
Kill me.
The whimsicalness of them.
The way they look old and weathered.
How they seemed to lean in toward you like they were trying to let you in on their secrets.

I have so many photos to share from HP World. Okay, not so many, but quite a few. But I just can't stand to edit anymore without Photoshop. They deserve the best. So, I shall wait.

And I still haven't really worked out how to word what seeing it was like, so the words shall have to wait as well. Until then, I'll just keep staring at those crooked little chimneys. Staring and happily sighing each and every time.

365

2012-01-03T10:36:00.000-05:00

As if I need one more reason to have an iphone, I found this on Photojojo. Don't you just love that calendar full of images?! Phone photos are just so easy. I take so many, but my awful camera on my phone just drives me crazy most of the time.

I'm itchin' to try out one of these 365 projects again. You can see my first attempt here. I still love going back through those photos, seeing the everydayness of them.

One day....one day. I'll be Instagramming and Photo365ing.

2012-01-02T09:01:00.000-05:00

I've packed my bags for the 4th time. Heading out to the frozen tundra to the abode of my sister and her munchkins. A long, long drive, but worth it. Definitely worth it.

I'll be adding the 5th state (places I've stayed at least one night or more) to my sabbatical list. And I'm now entering the last 30 days of my 3 month adventure. Can't even believe it. How has it gone by so fast?

I'll pop in when I can (read: when my sister lets me borrow her laptop). Here's to long road trips with Harry Potter #7 (for the 27th time), Mark Driscoll and Matt Chandler sermons on the Zune.

ps...I love this black and white version almost more than the color.

pss...I still miss Photoshop. So very much. So...very...much.

Aim to reach

2012-01-01T18:24:00.000-05:00

(source)

Happy New Year to each and every one of you!

A brand new year. With no mistakes in it. No disappointments or heartaches. Yes, they may come but so may the glee-filled, gasp giving ones too.

As I was thinking today of what I want from this year, what goals I had, what things I wanted to accomplish. The Lord kept quietly whispering to me things that are pretty much summed up in this verse,

"Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

Be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, 'Seek my face.'

My heart says to you,

'Your face, Lord, do I seek.'

-Psalm 27:7-8

He has basically been saying that goals are good to have, sure. But what He really truly wants for me is to seek HIM, not the things I want Him to accomplish this year. Not a list of options for Him to give me. (Lord, I'd really like to write a book this year. I'd really like to travel to a new place this year. I'd really like to fall in love this year. Those types of things.) He wants me to just seek Him. Seek His face. Delight myself in HIM. And this is His promise:

"Delight yourself in the Lord,

And He will give you the desires of your heart."

-Psalm 37:4

Those desires will be what He wants me to have because I am seeking HIM. I'm running after HIM. I'm laying aside the "wants" and "needs" for a God who loves me and longs to GIVE me those wants and needs.

So that's my goal for this year. Seek Him. Know Him. Become a woman who longs to be more like Him. It's a lofty, high goal, but one that I aim for with my greatest effort.

Here's to a brand new year, friends!

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

What are you doin'

2011-12-31T10:26:00.001-05:00

I couldn't help but post this. It's adorableness was just begging to be shared. And if you've already seen it, it's ok to watch it again....or maybe 7 more agains. I know I have.

Happy New Years Eve, everyone!

up to

2011-12-30T15:12:00.004-05:00

(*taken by the Bro while in Utah)

I'm re-formatting my broken computer today. Hopefully all will be well by this weekend. (Photoshop, here I come!) Just in time for me to leave again. Off to the next state for more family time.

What are you up to?

Favorites of 2011: places on the web

2011-12-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

(source)

Another tough list to make.
I read A-LOT of blogs.
Kinda an addiction of mine along with TV, so choosing among them is always tough.

Anyways, these are some of the best/the ones I read every day/the ones I miss when I'm away from my computer for days at a time.

1. A Beautiful Mess For years and years now, it has been one of my favorites. This year, Elsie had one of her best blog years yet.

2. Casey Wiegand A new one for me. I enjoy hearing Casey's thoughts on art and God and family. And the beautiful photos are addicting too.

3. Rockstar Diaries Been casually following this one for a while, but it made its way into my reader this year. Now I'm completely hooked. Her Fort Bridger posts were my favorite of almost every blog this year. The photography has been a constant inspiration for me this year.

4. Pioneer Woman Sometimes I'll leave her for a while, but I always get sucked back in. Those recipes. Oh, those recipes! When I need to make something, she is the first person I turn to.

5. Cakies Too many reasons to list why I love this blog. Photos, vintage, crafty, Godtalk. It's one of the best.

6. Tara Whitney One of the first photographers I fell in love with years ago. Her blog was one of the first that I ever started following. Her photography style is one that I aspire to.

7. A Place Called Simplicity This family's story was totally a God story this year. I'm constantly encouraged and convicted when I read Linny's words.

8. The Image is Found (personal blog too) They are the standard of amazing photographers for me. The tip-top of the best.

9. Kelly McCaleb's blog Totally random and delightful. I love how open and honest she is.

10. Ali Edwards Yes, it maybe a scrapbooking blog, but I just love the way Ali tells stories. She is inspiring in so many more ways than just paper and photos.

11. Ni Hao Y'all Stefanie's family's journey to Poppy this year literally had me in tears several times. What a beautiful story of God's love for the orphans of the world.

12. Twitter I know it's not "technically" a blog, but kinda. I mean, how else would I have found out that Zachary Levi was at Disneyland the same time I was at Disney World? Or that Zach Braff made a Christmas video with Donald Faison? Oh, Twitter, I love you!

So that's the short list. There are about 200 other blogs I enjoy and read several times a week as well, but these are the cream of the crop for me right now. Funny to see how most of them have been on the list for years now. It's fun to watch people grow and change and transform.

i miss you PS

2011-12-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

I miss my Photoshop and actions something fierce.

And by that I mean that every time I open a photo I know exactly how I want to edit it/how I want it to look. Then I realize that my computer is dead, and I'm not home. That means that I have to edit everything in Picnik which is fine and dandy, but not Photoshop in the most elementary of senses.

I know. I know. One shouldn't depend on Photoshop to make their photos perfect. One should be able to make their photos perfect with the click of the shutter.

Well, I'm getting there. I'm further along than I used to be. But I used my tiny point and shoot for most of the photos I took while on vacation. That means they pretty much never look the way I want them too. The value of a pocket sized camera that can be slipped in and out of my back pocket won out this trip. So, came back home to find a bunch of ok photos. They just screamed to be edited.

Aside from all that, here are a few that caught my eye at first. They are without people/munchkins/family/glee-filled smiles, but be assured each of these were present. And there will be many photos with those subjects to come.

Until then....

Oh, and this one that has had me staring at it dreamily for a while now.

I decided to lug around my SLR this day.

This photo made it worth it...

*all photos edited in Picnik on my parents computer while listening to Bon Iver.

ps...please note the beautiful clear sky in each and every photo. We had not one drop of rain and 80 degree days. It was heavenly.

pss...I didn't buy one single souvenir. Not one. Because these are my souvenirs, and they are much more valuable to me 20 years down the road.

Favorites of 2011: Books

2011-12-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

(source)

Favorite books. There were several others I enjoyed, but these were the ones that I still think about and mull over.

1. If I Stay by Gayle Forman This is one I need to buy. I still think about it constantly. The storyline just grabbed me like nothing else this year. It's my favorite this year by a mile.

2. Where She Went by Gayle Forman The sequel to #1. It wasn't as good as the first, but still that whole story is soaked into my brain for a long time. I loved how it continued the storyline with a different voice.

3. Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith Who would have thought a vampire book would worm its way onto my favorite list for this year. Not me. But the fantastical mix of history and fiction was exactly the right recipe. Makes me want to read Gone with the Wind again.

4. Decision Points by George W. Bush Sometimes the truth is even more interesting than the craziness of fiction. This was one of the best autobiographies I've read in a while.

5. Bossypants by Tina Fey Funniest book I've read...probably ever. She knows exactly how and where to find the funny.

It's a movie!

2011-12-27T15:54:00.000-05:00

I know everyone has seen this by now, but it would just feel wrong not to have a record of how excited I am for this little movie to come out. I know it won't be as good as the book, but by golly, I freakin' can't wait!

And I will say that I think Jennifer Lawrence could be a perfect Katniss. Her performance in Winter's Bone actually reminded me of Katniss. And Donald Sutherland as President Snow....he was what I imagined in my head when I was reading.

Come on, March!

Favorites of 2011: TV shows

2011-12-27T14:28:00.001-05:00

(source: Banksy)

My favorite time of year. Lists of favorites from the past year. Here we go....

First up: TV shows.

Oh, boy.

This one is always tough for me.

I have so many I get hooked on each year, but there are always a few that I just can't wait to see from week to week (or disc to disc).

1. The Vampire Diaries Once I started, it became an obsession. Thank you to everyone who suggested I dive into the world of Mystic Falls. I'm totally hooked. I started this summer with season one on DVD and have enjoyed every single episode. It's been one of the most intriguing stories of this season too.

2. Friday Night Lights. It finished just as it began. Perfectly. They had one of the most perfect series finales ever, ever, ever. Those characters are stuck in my brain. I still re-watch because I miss Dillon Texas. And when Kyle Chandler won his Emmy....the icing on the cake. It was one of the best written shows that has ever been on TV. Right up there with West Wing, although it maintained it's excellence throughout the entire series and WW was pretty lame by the end.

3. Grey's Anatomy. Again, I can't believe this show has wormed its way back onto my DVR after years of being gone. But last season and this season have been 2 of the best. I can't even believe that I love Meredith's character, but I do. Her storyline has been one of my favorites.

4. The Amazing Race. This last season was probably one of my favorites ever. It was devastating when the snowboarders lost. But they were such an absolute joy. Their testimony was so cool to watch.

5. The Good Wife. After hearing all the hoopla about this one I had to give it a try. Wow. I never thought I could enjoy another law drama. This one is saved from "new case every episode" boredom because of it's fantastic characters. Kalinda may be my favorite of the entire year. Archie Panjabi steals every scene she is in, no matter if she has dialogue or not.

6. Parks and Recreation. It's so rare that comedies make it onto my lists, but this one is just about as adorable as it can be. It's so funny I find myself re-winding and re-watching parts all the time. "Treat you'self" to some Parks and Rec, if you never tried it. It's a gem.

Honorable Mention:
Smallvillle Had a great last season, but wasn't the amazingness that was season 9. Not enough Chloe and Oliver..

Modern Family Still funny, but not as great at the end of last season. This season has been back on track though.

Revenge A newbie, so it's hard to know if it will end as great as it began, but as for now....it's on my "must watch immediately" list.

Book review: history mixed with crazy

2011-12-26T23:25:00.000-05:00

On the drive down to the land of magical wonder, I read this fascinating book, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. I had read an article about the author in an Entertainment Weekly a while ago (along with the news that Tim Burton is producing the upcoming movie) and put the title in my "to read" list.

I know, I know. Another vampire book/movie/TV show. And yes, I can agree with that. It's a bit ridiculous. But I've always been fascinated by the great Lincoln and the Civil War too. Mix that together with a vampire hunter and I couldn't help but be intrigued.

My little review:
I really, really enjoyed the way it weaved true history and events around the whole vampire hunter thing. The details are really fun. The grief he encounters is staggeringly painful. The characters are well rounded and engaging. The whole idea is pretty crazy until you start reading, and then it almost seems completely believable. And the ending....oh the ending. There is nothing better than an ending that you want to re-read 10 times before you close the book for the last time.

I haven't stopped thinking and pondering this fun story. Lincoln has randomly popped up in conversations or on TV lately, and it's all I can do to not start talking about this book with anyone nearby. It's almost like a mix of National Treasure and Buffy. A fun vacation read.

Christmas greetings from the road

2011-12-25T15:10:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas, everyone!
I'm sitting in a moving vehicle somewhere on I-95. That means that vacation time is now over. Sad Face.
However, yesterday was a delight of a surprise. After dropping off my sister and her crew at the airport in the mornin' my parents decided on a whim to forgo driving 10 hours and head back to Disney's Hollywood Studios for an extra day. This little Cottage Girl was happy as a clam. We watched shows (Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid and stunt cars and Fantasmic) saw the amazing Christmas lights (Disney blows everyone else away, although Sea World was pretty beautiful too) and rode lots of rides (Tower of Terror 2 times in a row to finish off the night). It was quite a shiny way to spend Christmas Eve with 50,000 other people. That place just makes me happy.
I'll be back to regular posting this week. Lots of photos to share, of course. Most are snapshots with the tiny point and shoot because who can be bothered with a huge DSLR when there are rides to ride and kids to push in strollers.
I do hope you all have a wonderful Christmas celebrating Jesus.
xoxo,
Cottage Girl

look down

2011-12-23T11:53:00.000-05:00

I looked down to take a photo of my feet like I've done 5,000 other times and found this happy sight.

Three pairs of Chucks in a circle. And his little black hi-tops were identical to mine.

Friends forever.

2011-12-22T07:44:00.000-05:00

(at the bottom of the Delicate hike. the moon was just rising and reflecting in the pond. i stopped and stared for a good long while here)

Anyone else excited that the shortest day of the year is finally here and now we get to start gaining daylight?

Well, I sure am.

As much as I love twilight, it sure would be nice to be friends with it at 9pm rather than 4:30pm.

2011-12-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I just have to sit back in wonder at the places I get to go on this earth.

I was blessed with a very healthy love of travel.

Passed down from several generations, as I have found in the old journals and photos I have been going through recently.

I love discovering new places, hidden corners, tall trees and wide open spaces.

There is something about it that excites me more than anything else on earth.

2011-12-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes there is no need for photo editing.
Even with crumbs on the table.
Even with peanut buttter all over the face.
Even with cheeks flushed from a feverish cold.
The cuteness is 100% sooc. (straight out of camera)
An every day moment captured.

I am missing those kiddos all the way over in Seattle something fierce.

make/watch

2011-12-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

Making my favorite cranberry muffins,
while watching a favorite Joss show
(search the picture carefully to find which one).

I say that's a lovely way to spend a morning, don't you?

Only problem with this little combo of watch/make is that
a favorite show can be incredibly distracting.
I forgot the baking powder in the first batch.
Oopsy.
They still tasted delightful.

fly

2011-12-15T19:12:00.000-05:00

So the last day I was in Seattle, R and I had a girls day. The kids were going to be in school or with grandparents, which meant we had most of the day to ourselves. Bliss!

We threw around a bunch of ideas (hiking in the downpouring rain got a big NO from me), shopping (been there done that), movie (nothing worth seeing). We were starting to get frustrated when R mentioned that ifly Seattle just opened a few months ago. And then her hubby mentioned that he had buy one/get one free coupons. That settled it. We threw caution to the wind and managed to get in to the last spot in one of the last flights of the day.

I've always, always, always wanted to try one of these. Skydiving too, but that's way more expensive and intense. But this....this was too much fun for words. R was really nervous the first time (we got 2 one minute flights), but for some reason, it wasn't scary at all to me. Maybe all those years at camp strapped in a harness climbing 50 feet in the air have helped. This requires no saftey equipment other than a helmet and goggles. Other than that, it's just flying fun.

You go step through a doorway into a giant vertical windtunnel. The instructor is in there to help you get your body in the right position so you can actually fly and away you go! There is no "falling" feeling. It really does feel like you are flying.

We both immediately wanted to do it again. And again. And again, so we could get really good like the instructors and fly vertical like superman. That's my new goal. Flight.

Dear HP World,

2011-12-14T16:17:00.001-05:00

We have a date together, friend.
I hope you have prepared some fine weather for my visit next week.

Also, I would love to have a butterbeer or some pumpkin juice, if you have any to spare.

I plan on sending an owl or two with messages for friends.
Will there be any available?

And finally, I'm sure to be completely giddy with excitement when I arrive.
Please don't take my gaping mouth and stunned silence the wrong way.
These are only mere clues to the absolute glee that is bubbling up inside me and trying so desperately to show itself.

I remain your faithful, Muggle friend,

Cottage Girl

Exciting news

2011-12-13T16:23:00.003-05:00

This little adorable munchkin is Janie.

I've been sponsoring her for a few years through 2 different organizations.

And now *cue the excited squeals* she is available for adoption!

If this little face melts your heart, then go to An Orphan's Wish website to get more information.

beckon it to return

2011-12-12T14:26:00.003-05:00

(taken by The Bro. Please note the snow capped mountains in the archway. So beautious.)

When I went to Canyonlands and Arches, we did Canyonlands the first day. And, I kid you not, I had an early onset of Alzheimer's. We woke up the 2nd morning in our hotel room in Moab. We had done Canyonlands the morning/early afternoon before, ending the day in Arches at Arches at Turret Arch and the Windows at sunset. I could not for the life of me remember Canyonlands. Not a single thing. It was freaky.

Sometimes I think that when I spend too much time behind my camera, I don't truly enjoy the view in front of me. It is only remembered in those photos I take. I don't take time to breathe in the air or really look around me a soak in the view.

Thankfully, now, I have vivid picture in my head of Canyonlands. I can picture the plateau we drove on with the canyons on either side. I can picture this arch, Mesa Arch, and smell the cold, clean breeze that was there that day. I can see the visitor center with my introduction to the pit toilets (fancy porta-potties, if there is such a thing) which are the only restrooms in the parks. I can see those amazing, larger than life, deep, rust colored rocks on my right side as we drove up to the Canyon. I can picture sitting on the rock ledge with my feet hanging over ledge (1,000's of feet to the bottom of the canyon). I can see my brother looking excitedly out the car window saying "I want to climb that so bad!" about every .25 miles. I can feel the excitement in seeing something new and completely unlike anything I had ever seen before.

It was a great reminder to put down the camera every once in a while and drink in the world around me. Live in it before I try to remember it. Have a memory with these photos other than just snapping away, trying to feverishly capture everything permanently before I forget it. Create those mind stamps that will stick me forever and come back to my mind the moment I beckon them to return. The sights, smells, feel of a moment that can only be recorded because the Lord chose to give us memories. Remember.

"A memory is not strictly mortal in its nature, either. It is a strange thing, after all, to be able to return to a moment, when it can hardly be said to have any reality at all, even in its passing. A moment is such a slight thing, I mean, that its abiding is a most gracious reprieve. "

-Marilynne Robinson Gilead

What I'm up to tonight....

2011-12-10T19:24:00.004-05:00

"I used only the good notes."

Christmas isn't complete without a parade of Christmas movies to watch. This one is an absolute favorite, especially if I can fast forward through Cameron Diaz's storyline. I got a weakness for Kate Winselt's perfomances. She's a top 5 favorite.

I've also checked off: Little Women, It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. Up next: Holiday Inn, Miracle on 34th Street(new version) and Elf.

What are some of your favorites?

press delete

2011-12-09T19:15:00.003-05:00

It's been a little over a month now since I've been on my great adventure.

I feel like I've had writers block here. Truthfully, I have been writing quite a bit lately. Just journaling more than blogging. One little experiment I wanted to try during these 3 months was journaling every day. No matter what came out. Just get it on paper. Maybe it would lead to a grand idea that would require more writing (a book, screenplay, short story, etc).

For some reason, when I sit down to type out a post I end up spending more time deleting the paragraphs I write than actually writing them. Just this post, I've deleted about 10 times already. Seriously. The reason could be because I'm watching an old episode of My So Called Life on the Sundance Channel. I'm constantly being distracted by the writing (which is still so good after all these years) and the Sundance commercials (I'm still mourning the fact that I will miss it this year). At the moment, I completely distracted by Jordan Catalono and Brian Krakow's conversation about a book report and Angela's totally 90's plaid dresses. That show is still one of my all time favorites.

_________________________________________________________________

Another deleted paragraph. Okay, this must stop. I'm signing for tonight. Maybe my little brain will be able to make coherent sense tomorrow.

**photo taken by my little brother with his IR camera. It's super cool.

two kids

2011-12-08T13:39:00.000-05:00

Tonight, on my treasure hunt through my family's past, I found a box of negatives that my grandfather took, mostly in the 1940's. There were even a few glass negatives of my grandparents' wedding photos. Ah-mazing.

My grandma was a war bride. They met in England and he brought her back after their first child was a few months old. Because my grandfather was a photographer, he has tons of photos from back then. I even found a few color negatives with her grandmother in an amazing blue 40's dress, pin curls and rose red lipstick.

So, as I was looking at those negatives tonight, I was thinking about this photo that I wanted to post yesterday, but ran out of time. Two little kids (not really, but it feels like that when we're together) with cameras plastered in front of their face. Two kids that no matter what new place they go, those little black boxes are positioned right at eye level with the shutter clicking away. Making time standstill for a frame or two. Trying to capture the light and scenery as exactly as it appears.

I was also reminded that I need to print out some of the 30,587 photos that I have locked away on hard drives. Then maybe one day, our grand kids (more like neices and nephew) can look back through our photos and follow along on our adventures. They can laugh at the clothes we wore. They can see the old cars and ancient cameras and cellphones we used. Our past will be a bit more alive to them.

swimming

2011-12-06T17:57:00.003-05:00

I went swimming today.

And loved every minute of it.

No, that doesn't have anything to do with this picture.

I just loved this photo.

And those little munchkins, whom I miss quite a bit.

passed down to me

2011-12-05T23:06:00.003-05:00

I spent the day today buried in the past.

I discovered that my obsession with journaling and writing is very much an inherited one.

Piles and piles of journals.

Some dating all the way back to the 1880's.

Ridiculous details of everything imaginable.

Post cards. Stacks and stacks of them.

Paper over 100 years old.

Photos full of history.

My mom let me go through the first of boxes and boxes of family stuff. It's embarrassing how much I enjoy a good organization project. Add old photos and journals on top of that? This was like an early Christmas present. Reading my great-great grandfather's journals. His post cards to the girl he loved and the ones she wrote back. My great uncle's MIT college scores. Old secrets revealed in letters. Postcards from my grandfather when he was at summer camp as a child. They didn't throw anything away, it seemed.

I can see, as well, how much journaling is in my blood. And photography. And travel. All these things were very prevelent in the scraps they left behind. Post cards from Hawaii in the 40's. Photos of cross country trips to the Grand Canyon by car in the 40's. (Those photos are incredible, btw.) I am quite the product of my family passed down from generation to generation.

If only I also got some of those genius genes too....

charming

2011-12-04T20:49:00.003-05:00

I was completely charmed by this movie today. Read about it in a magazine and knew that it was going to be on my "movies to see" list this month. And I wasn't disappointed.

It was superbly cast. Each person shined in their role, especially this young guy. He was fantastic.

But as good as he was, he doesn't hold a candle to Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. She's got to get an Oscar nod for this one.

Her performance was a beautiful transformation. All the hype you hear about her in this role is accurate. She is a wonder. I was mesmerized for the entire movie. All the way down to her makeup, hair, clothing and mannerisms.

It was a simple story, but if you're a fan of old Hollywood and Marilyn (like me!) than you will enjoy it. And will you just look at the color palate in these photos. It's just a small bit of the beauty that is in this little charmer of a film.

2011-12-03T18:01:00.003-05:00

If you're gonna do a hike, you wanna make it a good one, right? That's the way I think, at least. I like a good hike. I love a good hike actually. I would rather hike for 50 miles than run for 2.

So when my dear brother told me that this was the hike to do, I said "yes, please." Even though it was 1.5 miles straight up. It was tough, but not hard/exhausting. The way down was a piece of cake.

As long as hiking isn't a race, I'm game. I like to take my time and enjoy the scenery as it goes by. Stop every once in a while and look behind me. And I like to have something to look forward to at the top. A big reveal, if you will. A huge sweeping vista or a waterfall or a hidden beach.

Anyway, I loved this photo because it shows how far we came. And how high up. See....

Under that big blue arrow is our tiny, tiny car. Those little white dots are the cars in the parking lot. And this wasn't even at the top of the mountain. It was about a quarter of the way down.

It was so neat to hike on the red sandstone. It's not like the rock faces on the East Coast that are super slippery. You can walk straight up and down these red beauties, even in tennis shoes. It's rough face is kinda like sandpaper. Fantastic.

The desert is there is so beautiful. Not as pretty as a tree filled forest (in my humble opinion) or the amazing evergreens in Seattle or the beaches of Hawaii, but beautiful in it's own way. I have about 578 more photos to share of it. Hope you don't get sick of them....

I miss you and you and you and you and you and you

2011-12-01T21:31:00.004-05:00

People are often shocked when I tell them that I love (LOVE) Seattle.
"It's rainy!" they say.

"It's gloomy!"

"It's grey and drab!"

My answer is always (at least in my head),

"But you don't know the Wilson's who live in Seattle. None of that matters when you are with them. It could be a monsoon outside and you wouldn't even notice."

They are the reason I dream about Seattle at least once a day. They are the reason that I MISS it there so desperately. They are the reason that Seattle is a happy, joyful, sunny, bright place full of laughter (even if it really does rain quite a bit).

There are too many miles between the East and West Coasts. Too many long, long miles. They should live right across the street so I can run over and play kickball in the backyard with the kids. They should live across the street and then I could have tea at night with R & R and watch New Girl after the kids go to bed at night. They should live across the street so I can read books to the 2 littles while their sibiling are at school. For a million other reasons, they should just live across the street.

I miss you, friends.

I miss you.

Return from whence I came

2011-12-01T18:26:00.003-05:00

I have returned.

Back from an unbelievable month on the West side.

I have about 1,000 photos to sort and share.

Wow.

I've been gone so long that i don't even remember everything I shot.

It will be like re-living the trip all over again just looking at them.

This particular shot (above) was taken by The Bro.

He has a totally covet worthy wide angle.

Covet, covet, covet I am over that thing.

Good think it's a Canon mount....

Oh, and this is 100% SOOC (straight out of the camera/no editing).

See....jeal-ous.

Anywho,

I'm missing my sweet friends and family that I had to say goodbye to.

After 3 weeks with my R, I'm going through some serious withdrawl.

The airport goodbye wasn't pretty.

There have been multiple texts back and forth since I left a week ago.

And then there were 5 glorious days with The Bro.

He was a peach and took me to Arches and Canyonlands.

I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly beautiful it was.

A different kind of beautiful than I have ever seen.

He's been 2 times before, but he knew I would love to see it.

(Our family has always been kinda in love with National Parks.)

He took me to all the cool places and made sure I did the best hikes.

Like this one in the photo above.

1.5miles straight up the side of a mountian to see this sight.

150% worth it.

Especially at sunset.

Well, goodness me.

I have so much to say that I'll just have to stop now.

The stories will trickle out as the days pass.

Are you ready?

I'm back!

It's been a while, hasn't it?

2011-11-27T09:58:00.001-05:00

Here's a peak at where I've been.

Any guesses?

Ps...I'm missing blogging like craaaazy!

Guess where I went today...

2011-11-21T00:14:00.001-05:00

Ballard campus.

Live Driscoll right in front of me.

Luke #100 (the last in a 2 year series).

It was all kinds of awesome.

Naptime

2011-11-16T13:18:00.005-05:00

Naptime means photoshoots in the backyard. It felt so good to take photos again. And my old college roomie is quite the model, isn't she?

Mom of four? She sure is. And she just got her hair colored this really amazing red/purple/black. It's incredible in the sunlight.

Last night we spent a good 45 minutes (which is like 4 hours in a kiddie filled life) talking about the Bible and other such important matters. That's what makes her the bestest kind of friend in the whole universe.

Leaving after 3 weeks of living life with her again...it's going to be torture. Tears, for sure. But I am so incredibly, over the top thankful for these days. They have been rest for my soul and joy in my heart.

Our hearts were stapled together all those years ago in a college dorm room filled with laughter and long talks about life. It's really crazy to think that we only spent two short years together. The rest of our friendship has been lived on opposite sides of the country. And we're both awful at phone calls. But put us in a room together and it's like not time at all has passed since we've seen each other. Fantastic.

In other news:

Me, Rach and her hubby have gotten hooked on New Girl. It's the funniest new show in years. Are you watching?

And speaking of Zooey, did you know that she has songs on the Winnie the Pooh movie soundtrack? Me either till a few days ago when I heard her voice as the kids were watching the movie. Now, I can't stop listening.

Sonia Kushak concealer. Where have you been my whole life? Best make-up find in years.

We had some crazy snow this weekend. In the mountains. About 4-5inches, out of nowhere. The only shoes I had....Chucks. Not the best snow shoes, let me tell you. Lots of slippin' and slidin' as we had to trudge up the hilly driveway because the car couldn't make it through the snow. But it was insanely beautiful on the tall, tall evergreens.

I'll pop in again soon.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

11/11/11 update

2011-11-11T11:57:00.004-05:00

I was missing you, dear little blog.

Here's an update for you....

Been spending lots of time with the littles here. With 4 running around, there is always and adventure in correction or laughter. They are such good kids. Fun. Make me laugh. Snuggle with me. Run to great me at the door when I've (or they) have been gone. Good morning hugs and love. It's crazy to think that they may not even remember how I stayed with them for a few weeks. Sad. But I'm so thankful to get to know each of these dear little souls.

Best friends are the best thing in the world. I've loved every minute I get to spend with R. We are lucky if we get to see each other once a year, so this visit has been like the best vacation ever. We were talking the other night about me being here. I constantly ask her if I can help in anyway or do anything. Don't want to take advantage of her and her hubby's amazing hospitality. Anyway, she kept saying, sweetly, how me being here has been so nice. Someone to help with the kids and talk to her during the day when they are going nuts. And she reminded me that we've already lived together. And LOVED it. Two years in college that flew by so quickly. She tells me that we were meant to live together. And staying would be the best idea I could have. Staying for a year (or more) that would be the best thing ever. Silly girl.

I adore the trees here. There is something about them that gives me chills like the water/river/ocean does. The tall, tall evergreen tops, pointing straight to the sky. (and the other trees are a mix of gold, scarlett and orange...wow) We don't have evergreen trees anywhere near that tall on the east coast. And mix those trees with a glimpse of Mt. Rainier on a clear day....I'm done. It's too much beauty for me to handle. I love how God gives us simple things that wow us everyday. Trees, mountains, water, sunsets. Don't let anyone ever tell you that Seattle is dreary and dull and rainy. It's so, so beautiful that you can't even believe it.

Last night we went to a movie night at the two oldest kid's school. Cars 2 and 75 kids all in one tiny gym. I've noticed how that doesn't even phase me. Kids in large numbers. That is totally normal to me. I also realized that I would rather be faced with a room of 75 kids to wrangle than have a one on one with someone I don't know very well. I'm the worst at small talk, but playing large group games with kids...easy, peasy.

Today is 11/11/11. Let's just think about how fun that is for a moment, shall we? Does that mean we can make 11:11 wishes all day?!!

Lisps spoken from little kids is the cutest. And you can't help but talk with a lisp too when you are around them.

I'm an outdoor loving person. I forget this until I'm not at camp, and I'm craving fresh air. I need to be outside. Even if it's just a walk to the office or the mailbox. I spend so much time (for the most part) outside at camp (except in the winter) that it's second nature. I long to be outside in the sunshine, the warm breezes, the open sky.

Gotta run.
Little people calling my name.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

play

2011-11-07T13:07:00.004-05:00

Just some grainy phone photos to prove that I'm still alive a kickin'. Grace, Rach and I went for a walk/run down a trail and found a playground along the way. And who can resist and playground when you are seven. (yes, she's 7. And only about 1 ft shorter than me.) I, of course, had play too cause that's what fun aunties do, right? The spinning around on the tire swing just about did me in, but I tried to be brave. Spinning makes me super queasy. Yuk.

We've been having very fine weather lately. I've been blessed every time I've come to this little corner of the country. The old wives tale of rain, rain, rain doesn't hold true most of the time. Grey? Yes, at times. But not too bad. Just a drizzle of rain here and there. Yesterday was bright and sunny. Love that. Outside time, even when it's in the 30's.

Yesterday was Rachel and her hubby's anniversary. 12 years ago, I was standing up next to them when they said their vows before God and man. Now, all those years later, they are still happily married with 4 littles to make life more crazy. And I'm so thankful to still call them my dear friends who let me invade their lives for 3 weeks, play with their kids and laugh together. What a blessed day it was that Rach and I became roommates and our friendship was sealed. God sends us blessings far beyond what we deserve, doesn't He?!

Back to snuggle time with the munchkins. They all say hi!

Hello, Seattle

2011-11-04T12:27:00.004-04:00

Hello from the land of evergreens and rainy days. It really is just so beautiful here. The mountains. The water. The trees which are so different from the East Coast trees.

Yesterday, I sat next to a guy on the plane that seriously could have been Charlie from lost. He had his hood on the entire trip and slept. He didn't have tape on his knuckles though...and he wasn't as funny as adorable Dominic Monaghan.
And while we're on the topic of airports....is there anything more heartwarming than airport arrivals? People hugging and happy and laughing. It's joy all over. Love it.

Just wanted to pop in a say hi.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

commence to start

2011-11-01T06:19:00.003-04:00

(source unknown)

The big 3 month adventure starts today.

"Let the great experiment begin!" as Tobias Funke says.

I have a giant laundry list of ideas/projects/things to do/lessons to learn. And I'm hoping I can accomplish at least half of them. I always plan more than can be realistically accomplished. Aim for the stars, right? Let's hope the adventures include a giant tulle dress like the one above....

Promise to pop in when I can. Expect lots of cell phone posting from this point on. And don't forget to leave me a note or two so I won't miss you so much.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

2011-10-31T14:20:00.003-04:00

(source)

A gem, isn't it?!
The Commons.
It's a treasure trove, I tell you.

Happy Halloween everyone!

ps...I'm filling my Zune up with lots of new podcasts to listen to on my trip. Any suggestions? What do you love to listen to?

I miss writing

2011-10-28T17:03:00.003-04:00

(taken in DC back in August when the fam was here)

The worst part about not having my computer (yes, I'm still whining about this) is not having photos. No taking them and playing with them in Photoshop. No uploading them to Flickr. No looking at them (which I do, often). It's been hard, and it's only been a few days.

I realize that I don't need my computer to enjoy life. I don't have to have my camera attached to me at all times. But when it's the habit, it sure it hard to break. And when writing and photography are my main creative outlets, I guess I didn't realize how much not having them would affect me. Wow. I just miss writing.

In the plans for the next 3 months....

Buy a journal for the particular purpose of recording as much as I can. Writing daily. Keeping it simple, but effective to show how I'm learning, growing, thinking, planning. I love, love, love having a new journal to fill for a particular time period in life or a "this subject only" journal, too. I'm already mentally planning pages and layouts for it and what I want to be sure to record. It's ridiculous how giddy it makes me.

Maybe take some video. I've been wanting to make a little compilation video lately. Get back to my college major again. A good song and some good footage. Something that will represent what life is like where I am in life right now.

Live a little more in the moment. Make plans at the last minute. Change plane tickets. Go on an unexpected trip. Stop planning so much and just live.

Paradise

2011-10-27T15:10:00.004-04:00

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

From the moment I heard saw this on Friday, I knew it was going to be an instant favorite and constantly on repeat. Much like Yellow, Fix You and about 15 other songs of theirs. There is just something about Chris Martin's voice....

Computer update: My computer is toast. Dead. Ka-put. Yeah. Not great timing. Thankfully, I have everything backed up. Annoyingly, posting is extra tough. No photos. Sorry, everyone. Don't know when (or if) I'll be back up and running before the great 3 months begins.

2011-10-26T18:15:00.005-04:00

I seem to be cursed in the computer department lately. Not only is the internet still being psycho temperamental, but now I have a virus. A bad one. Like it won't open programs and has made my virus protection not work either. Grrr. So frustrating.

And my computer technician (other wise known as my kind and patient brother) lives in Utah. That's a bit to far away to call for a house call. Double grrrr. Maybe I should call the Nerd Herd....

And then Pinterest has been acting crazy lately. Won't pin things. Won't open pins. Anyone else having this problem? I wouldn't be surprised if you say no with the way things have been going.

So, I'll post for a quick second before I leave work. Just because I have wanted to, but haven't been able to.

First up: have you been watching The Amazing Race this season? My roommate and I are smitten with the snowboarders Andy and Tommy. They are the cutest, sweetest, kindest boys. And then this Sunday's episode they were talking about how much they love Jesus (you can read part of it here). Heart melting. And they were saying, as they were at a temple in Thailand, "this is beautiful, but there is only one true God and we worship him alone." I know! It gives me chills when I see people proclaiming their faith out loud on TV for everyone to hear.

You should watch. It's a great season and the places the teams have been going have been crazy/amazing. You can still see all the episodes online.

Um...what else....
Well, Halloween is just about here. Can't wait! It's my favorite holiday here at camp. We get to hand out candy to our neighborhood kids. It's so fun because so many of the kids come to camp during the summer. Love it!

Finished Night last night. It really was so horribly sad. Depressing. Hard to read. I can't even imagine living through the horrors that he did. I'm sure those stories will haunt me forever.

Inspired by this post on Elsie's blog, I've been experimenting with oatmeal. My favorite so far has been mixing in a bit of all natural peanut butter and putting a spoonful of Bonne Maman cherry preserves on top. Oh, my gosh. It's divine.
This morning I mashed up a half of a banana and mixed it in with the oatmeal while it was cooking, along with some Craisins and tiny bit of agave. It's was quite tasty as well.

Coldplay AND She and Him have new CD's out this week. Yesssss. Two of my all time faves in one week! She and Him's new one is a Christmas album and it's only five bucks on Amazon right now. Sa-weet.

And that's about it.
See you again when the computer decides to play nice again.

Cottage Girl

compared

2011-10-24T15:57:00.003-04:00

Was reading this book last night.

Anyway, I was struck by how very dark and hopeless it seemed. Now, yes, I know that the Holocaust isn't a happy subject. I know it's one of the darkest times (if not the) of the 1900's. But it wasn't the subject matter.

I was so very sad for Elie, and it wasn't because of the horrors that were forced upon him. Those were awful. It was because of the way that he felt God had abandoned him. He was hopeless, even that God would ever even exist for him again. I'm curious, but not excited to see how the story ends.

It got me thinking about one of my very favorite books, which also happens to be about the Holocaust.

Amazingly, a sad story as well. Death, pain, destruction. But, also, so much hope. In fact, I have read this one several times and each time I'm reminded how hope-filled this story is. What an amazing difference it is to be a child of the King and to be loved by Him. The circumstances were equally as horrible, but how beautiful the story of hope and love and redemption. Jesus doesn't necessarily change our circumstances in life, but He does give us hope and love. Much more necessary than air, it seems at times. A hand to hold. Someone to take care of us. A perfect, holy, omniscient God.

Have you read either? What did you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts, too.

quoted

2011-10-23T20:37:00.003-04:00

Read this quote tonight and just had to share.

Don't know about you, but I need that constant reminder to live with a kingdom mindset. I constantly have to stop and remind myself to hold my life with open hands. Everything is a gift from my Abba Father.

Selfish wants

2011-10-22T00:07:00.001-04:00

I so very much want:

To write a post, but the internet won't work. Grumble. Grumble.

An iphone. I need to stop obsessing over it.

To have unlimited funds to travel. I hate having to tell people I can't come see them just because of ticket prices.

A pair of boots for the winter.

To spend all day Saturday being lazy with an old friend. Oh, wait! I get to do exactly that!

Signing off on my hobbit sized phone keyboard,

Cottage Girl

cabbages, cabbages, yum, yum, yum

2011-10-20T17:54:00.004-04:00

At the apple orchard a few weekends ago, we stumbled upon some cabbages as well.

The first thing I thought of was....wow, that looks just like a Cabbage Patch Kids patch.
Am I a child of the 80's or what?

I so remember the mad rush at toy stores to nab one of those prized dolls.
People would trample each other and get in fights.
It...was...nuts.

I also remember the Christmas I got one.
Glee. Joy. Giggling. Screaming.
Snuggling with that treasured doll.

Those were the happy memories that instantly came back the moment I snapped that photo of a silly little cabbage.

ps...did anyone else have the Cabbage Patch kids cassette tape/record? My sister and I wore that things out. I still remember all the songs. And I know my sister is now singing along with every one of those videos. Aren't you, sis?

rand-om

2011-10-19T20:25:00.000-04:00

Doing a post of randomness today. Inspired by PW.

1. We had a flock of Monarch butterflies come through a few weeks ago.

2. They are crazy/amazing up close.

3. Today was the kind of day that required Buffy episode Pangs.

4. More accurately, the fall weather makes me want to watch that Thanksgiving episode.

5. Pretty much every year. Tonight it was half-watched while making dinner.

6. The beach on the first few episodes of Lost makes me homesick, but I've never been there. It's so pretty that it hurts. Ever feel like that before?

7. The internet is playing a bit nicer tonight.

8. I made my mom's meatloaf tonight with mac'n'cheese.

9. It makes me feel like I'm in elementary school again with braids in my hair.

10. I wore braids in my hair 3 days ago.

11. I can't get over the dots on the Monarch's bodies. So incredibly intricate and delicate and beautiful.

12. Small things like that make me super excited for heaven. If God can make something so beautiful on earth, imagine what that perfect place will be like...

13. A sweet friend in coming into town this weekend. Just a quick visit, but, by golly, I'm super excited.

14. We laugh a lot together. We get each other. Friends like that don't come along every day.

15. Nighty-night.

16. Off to bind off my knitting project.

Thank goodness

2011-10-18T22:35:00.002-04:00

Thank goodness there is no Urban Outfitters around here.

If there was I would spend way too much $$ on things like this....

A Fantastic Mr. Fox sweater,
that for some reason I just love even though it's totally not my style.

This bracelet is absolutely fantastic.

Gulp...that jacket.

The Antoinette Fainting sofa in the most perfect yellow? Yes please.

I also love these fringe boots and this Abraham Lincoln mug.

There are dozens of other things, but the internet is still achingly slow. It's taken me over 45 minutes just to post this. One day, maybe I'll have an actual internet connection. One day....

Annoying and decisions

2011-10-17T12:45:00.005-04:00

(from The Commons)

The intreeenet has been all kinds of annoying and difficult the last few days. I have photos to share, but can't upload them. And I couldn't even get it to connect long enough to post. Grrrr....Argh. So forgive the absence, please, oh please?!

We are enjoying very fine weather here. Truly. As much as I loath Fall because of the impending doom of Winter that is on its tail, I do love these beautiful days. The color in the leaves. The cool nights with windows open. It's so lovely.

This week involves lots of planning and prep and some airplane ticket purchasing. Super excited about that! I have 2 more working weeks before I have to try and entertain myself for 3 months. Looking at this end of my sabbatical, I wonder if I'll be bored out of my gourd by the end of week one. I don't ever, and I mean ever, have long stretches of time with nothing to do. A day? Yes. A week? Maybe once a year for vacation. But 3 months? It's kinda intimidating. I don't want to waste it. And I don't want to be completely consumed with myself either.

Decisions, decisions. I'm happy to have a long line of friends and family who have graciously asked (begged) me come and stay and visit them (be a nanny). I'm more than happy to be able to say yes to many of them. I can't wait to go and be the friend/family that I haven't been able to be with my crazy camp life. It feels like a huge gift to be able to do that with each of them.

Anyone else have exciting plans this week?

***when I saw that photo on The Commons, I instantly knew I had been there. That clock is so distinctive.

2011-10-14T12:50:00.005-04:00

(old player piano scrolls. taken at an antique shop a few weeks ago)

It's Friday.

Unfortunately, this particular Friday is just the beginning of another working weekend for me.

Not only that, but I came down with a cold, all of the sudden.

Lovely.

So, instead of be-moaning a sick/working weekend, let's look at some fun things, shall we?!

Like a Pin board full of projects to try:
I've been pinning like crazy this week. Way too much time on Pinterest....oops.

Or this cute video....

Seriously. How adorable is that?! Gotta admit that I still get super excited to go to Disney. It never gets old to me.

This dress from Anya on Project Runway. She's my pick to win.

Pretending I'm on a vacation in Hawaii by watching season 1 of Lost again. Sometimes I just need to see those mountains and waves.

(source)

(side note: I forgot how good Lost was back then. If only it ended as cool as it began....)

There we go. Even I feel a little bit better.
aaaachooo.
sniffle/sniffle/sniffle
Never mind...

missing you

2011-10-12T20:28:00.004-04:00

Anyone else already desperately missing summer?

Dear Old Man Winter,
Please let your stay be brief this year.
And if you don't want to bring your old friends Snow, Wind and Ice...
I'd totally be okay with that.

Signed,

Your reluctant acquaintance
Cottage Girl

OCD

2011-10-11T16:41:00.003-04:00

I'm OCD sometimes.
When I get something in my head, I completely obsess over it.
At the moment, it's knitting.
This is the way it usually goes with knitting for me.
I don't want to have anything to do with it.
My yarn and needles will sit on the shelf for months and months.
Then something will click, and I won't be able to put it down.
I started a new project on Sunday and have spent all my free minutes knitting away.

So tonight, I have errands to run.
Getting my oil changed being one of them.
Of course, I threw my yarn in my purse (btw: I'm loving having a big purse right now).
I might have a few minutes to finish a few rows while waiting.
Then I have to go back to the store to get more yarn because I didn't find enough of this type to finish this project.

Other current obsessions:

iphones (Sprint has them now. Uh-oh)

Revenge (Favorite new show this season by far. And it kinda weirds me out how many people are on that show that have been on other shows I like.)

The Good Wife (almost done with season 2. I'm totally addicted)

This song has been on repeat today.

New Fall clothes. (I'm usually pretty good about buying clothes. But the fact that I'll be living a life outside of these 23 acres this winter and not wearing camp clothes everyday has me reconsidering everything I own. I usually wear jeans, a camp t-shirt and sweatshirt everyday. Not gonna work if I'm out in the real world)

Are you OCD too?
If so, what are you obsessing about lately?

spotted on the road

2011-10-10T21:49:00.002-04:00

This weekend, the road was kinda like the the Twilight Zone. I was out and about running errands, going to church, living life as it were. And for some reason several things stood out to me.

1. I saw the Delorean that lives on the peninsula. I caught a photo of it once (above). It's embarrassing how excited I get when I see it. Sightings usually involve screaming. I mean, it's a Delorean! How can you not?!

2. A Lamborghini just like this one...

....pulled up next to me at a red light. There was a young woman, probably younger than me driving it, if you were curious. Unfortunately, expensive sports cars aren't that uncommon around here. I think they are so ridiculous.

3. There was a 2 mile back-up on the back roads to church because of the Renaissance Festival. People take that thing seriously, you guys. The weather was probably the most perfect Fall day in the history of the world. It appears that everyone in the tri-state area decided to go to the Ren Fest that day. Thankfully, I was leaving church, having gone to the early service. I'm sure everyone was late getting to the late service though. Renaissance Festival on the same street as your church = amazing (when you want to go) / awful (when everyone else wants to).

4. I spotted a LU sticker on someone's car. I get ridiculously excited when I see one. I want to go along side of them and wave and nod and hear their LU stories. I don't see them very often at all, it being a small (relatively) Christian university and all.

5. Not 1, but TWO speed traps on my short drive to church. Thankfully, I was playing it safe and staying well within the law at the time. Whew.

6. I can't even believe I'm typing this, but I seriously saw, with my own two eyes, a giant garland/streamer/bunting/whatever you want to call it of bras. Yes, bras. Strung together clasp by clasp, several feet long. Along the railing of a bridge. No joke. It took me a while to figure out what it was. And apparently the state highway people were called to take it down. It was pretty crazy. Bright, colorful, polka dotted and stripped bras lining the railings of a 4 lane highway bridge. Yeah.

Weird, Twilighty Zoney. Yet, cool at the same time.

equals

2011-10-09T23:08:00.003-04:00

(source)

Homemade sushi
plus
a Cottage full of friends
equals
an evening spent laughing and chatting instead of blogging.

A perfectly, lovely way to end a relaxing weekend.

found

2011-10-08T19:40:00.004-04:00

I found 2 new delicious treats for the cold winter months.

I don't know how they did it, but it really does taste like vanilla and caramel. An off the wall choice for me, but I really love it.

This is sinfully delicious. After reading the packaging (does anyone else do that constantly in the grocery store?) on multiple types, I realized how very little chocolate was in most "hot chocolates." Lots of dried milk and corn syrup. Gross. This one was actually chocolate and other ingredients I could pronounce. And it's beyond yummy. Maybe cause you make it with milk, but still. Oh, my deliciousness.

Random question: Do you sweeten your tea or do you like it straight? I like a hint of sweet. Agave is my favorite.

Shared

2011-10-06T20:15:00.004-04:00

I'm gonna tell you a little story. One that I haven't shared here yet, but those of you that live life side by side with me, well, you'll already know it. I feel like something must be said here though because it may change things on this ol' blog here for a while.

A little over a year ago, I started feeling overwhelmed with life. Just doing normal day to day things here at camp was hard. And not just hard like "it's a tough day and I can't wait until it's tomorrow" hard, but "how in the world am I going to make it through another day." I had never been this frustrated with my camp life like I was then. I dreaded everything. Everything felt overwhelming and hard. The littlest things seemed to set me off. And I wasn't liking the person I was. I didn't want to be around myself.

In October of last year, the Lord dropped the most amazing blessing in my life. One that had a totally different outcome than what I was expecting. My two bestest college pals and I had a girls weekend. It was glorious. I was away from camp. I was living my own life. I was having a personal life, something I had begun to wonder if it even existed.

One of the last nights I was there, my girls sat me down and had a good long talk with me. I love them so much not only because they make me laugh and we have so much fun together, but because they are never afraid to ask me the really hard questions. They are blunt. They love me and want the best for me and I trust them because of that. I feel safe with them and can open my heart even when it's hard and I end up crying, which I did. I explained to them all the things I had been feeling. I began to realize how trapped I had been feeling. How exhausted. How burnt out. How done I was.

Their advice was so wise. Something I see now, more than I did a year ago. Take a break, they said. Get away. Don't let this steal your joy. Don't let it ruin you. Get away and find out if this is really where God still wants you. We know it will be hard. We know you will do your best to talk yourself out of it. We know that you will think you are letting other people down. But you have to. You just have to. We are looking at this from the outside and seeing things you don't.

I promised them I would pray about it. And I did. I also talked to several other near and dear people and asked for their wise council. I asked them to look from their point of view and tell me what they saw. (Sometimes it's hard to judge reality when you are so wrapped up in yourself, isn't it?) It was quite a time of soul searching and prayer. God was gracious and patient with me. And He guided me lovingly.

At the end of this month, I will be stepping away from camp for 3 months. It's not a bad thing. I'm not losing my job here, nor do I want to. I'm not walking away forever. I'm not burning bridges and running. It's a 3 month sabbatical. And I'm blessed to the heavens that after almost 11 years of being here full time, I can do this. I'm super excited to see what the Lord has for me.

What will I be doing? Well, there are so many things. Traveling to see friends. Going to see family. Having fun. Reading. Sleeping. Writing. Doing. Being. Most importantly, I will be spending lots of time in the Word, talking to the Lord, seeking Him. Three whole months. I don't even really know what that means. I do know that I don't want to waste it. I want to come back refreshed and renewed. And I want to stop being so "me" focused and absorbed.

As for my little bloggy-blog, well, I don't own a laptop. That presents a quite a predicament in the area of posting. (I won't be living in The Cottage for those 3 months) In a way, I think the lack of computer time will be good for me. In fact, I know it will. On the other, I will miss writing so desperately. And all my photos? Oh, that just makes me sad. Photography is one thing that I'd love to spend more time doing and learning. But at this time, it looks like things will be hit or miss here for November, December and January. Don't get me wrong. I will jump on when I find a computer to borrow. I will. But now you'll know why I'm in and out.

So, there's my little story. One of woe and heartache and joy and adventure all rolled into one. I'm excited for what's coming. I hope you'll come along and join me because the best adventures are those that are shared.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

Apple picking day Pt. 2

2011-10-05T16:22:00.002-04:00

Just a few more.
Hope you don't mind.

Little hands full of giant apples are just too cute to resist.

Photographic proof that I attended this little shindig as well.

She kept grabbing them and taking HUGE bites.
If we didn't watch close enough, she'd even get the bruised, bug infested ones off the ground.
Little apple muncher.

Apple orchards really are lovely.
Those long rows of short trees with pops of red everywhere.
I'd love to do a trash the dress session here.

It was a delicious treat of a day.
Next year, let's hope for sunshine and blue skies, shall we?

Apple picking day Pt. 1

2011-10-04T21:57:00.003-04:00

It wasn't the perfect fall day we were hoping for. In fact, it was misty, cold and grey. But we still had a grand ol' time. Here's a peak....

More tomorrow.

Post Script: I'm loving wide angle shots at the moment. And grey days sure do make for some pretty beautiful colors in photos.

whilst in the dentist chair

2011-10-03T17:36:00.003-04:00

I went to the dentist today. I was sitting in the dentist chair waiting for him to come in. The fancy new chairs at his fancy new office all have flat screen TV's hooked up to the individual chairs. Fancy, fancy.
Well, I had to wait for a few minutes, and it just so happened that Ken Burn's new documentary Prohibition was playing on PBS. It took me a few minutes to figure out what it was. I was just captured by all the photos and video from the 20's.

That whole era is fascinating to me. The clothes especially.

How cool are those dresses? And those scarves on their heads. And their hats. And the shoes. And the socks with the dress shoes. That's style is back apparently, too.

And this photo, which just made me laugh. Now those are some puffed sleeves, Anne Shirley.

Prohibition is still running on PBS. You can watch it online too. It was fascinating to see how the Christians/church was influential in getting the law passed. And the how politicized the whole thing was with the war too. I learned a ton just from the 10 minutes I saw in the chair this morning.

***Side note: the hygienist came in while I was glued to the TV and changed the channel. I was like "what?!" Then she said, "Is that better? Or would rather what was on before?" To which I quickly answered "What was on before is great." I think she thought that The Today Show was more likely to interest a woman of my age and means, I suppose. But no thank you, mam. I'll take a documentary over just about anything.

thought for the night

2011-10-02T22:10:00.002-04:00

(found on Pinterest, but no source was named)

And in song form....

lost and found

2011-10-01T18:10:00.003-04:00

I had a lovely day, despite the rain and mist and bone chilling (ok, it was only about 48 degrees, but still) cold that has enveloped the land around me. I'll have apple orchard photos to share soon. It wasn't the day that we were all hoping for, but even a miserable weather day shared with friends is still a day to treasure just because of their company.

On a totally different topic, Grey's Anatomy was full of great music on this week's episode. The song below immediately captured me. I was listening so intently to the song, that I had to go back and re-watch the moments again so I could figure out what was going on in the story.

Turn it up nice and loud and enjoy. I'm on my 4th repeat listen in a row at the moment.

Anyone else still watch Grey's? I watched up until season 3, I think, and then quit. Then I got hooked again around season 6.

survived

2011-09-30T18:40:00.004-04:00

Whew.
For a little while there, I didn't think I would make it to today.
I think I actually uttered those words aloud yesterday.
Several times.
Especially when I began work at 6am and didn't finish until 10pm.

But....here it is.
Friday night.
And a weekend of freedom.
I had 2 of the craziest, most exhausting weeks I've had in years.

And now, I'm so ready to jump back into writing.
I start to feel a little pent up, if I can't write something.
Even nonsense.
Just a few sentences every day.

Anyway, fun plans for the weekend.
Apple picking with friends.
My camera is begging to be used in the orchard.
Church.
Maybe a movie.
I've been wanting to see 50/50 since I first saw the previews months ago.
Love a good cry fest.
And love that Joseph Gordon.
Then, let's see...
There's a few crafty, fun things I haven't had time to start yet.
Grocery shopping.
Yes, I know.
You're jealous.
Of my grocery shopping.
And I may squeeze in some time to empty out the DVR.
I think I have about 15 hours to watch.
Most exciting thing on the agenda...
....no work.

And so, my friends, I have missed you.
Quite a bit, actually.
I will do my best to fill this space again.

Cheerio,

Cottage Girl

My week...

2011-09-25T21:10:00.002-04:00

(Me and Lukes have matching scars. Chin stitches. Twinsies)

....is gonna be a bit like this.

Uh, yeah.

Here's hopin' that we all make it though, eh?

Forgive me if I'm a little absent this week, will you please?

cabled

2011-09-23T21:06:00.003-04:00

(source)

I can tell that the cool fall weather is soaking into my very being. I'm suddenly attracted to every knitted and crocheted beauty I find.

(source)

I'm still resisting the cooler weather with every ounce of me, but the thought of warm cabled things does make it better.

(can't find original source)

Something warm to cuddle up with. Maybe even a granny square.

(source)

And wait until you see what my sister made me for my birthday earlier this year. It just about cool enough to pull it out. Exciting.

(source)

I'm still not entirely happy about you being here, Fall. But I guess I'll look for the silver lining and take the good with the cold.

win/win

2011-09-22T19:23:00.001-04:00

(taken at the Natural History Museum when the fam was here)

Well, golly gee wilikers. (we had a counselor this summer actually say those words in complete sincerity several times. it never got old.)

It's been nuts around here with no end in site until NEXT Friday.

Thankfully, there is huge helping of friends and laughter to balance out the long hours and early mornings. And lots of fun music to sing along to with those friends while we are washing dishes and chopping various food items.

I'm trying my darndest keep a good attitude during our 2 weeks of insanity. I want to enjoy my life and not dread stressful times. I'm learning to focus on just the day in front of me and not freak out about about the 8 more after it. (OCD/planner downfall) I'm trying to be thankful for small things like Hershey bars with almonds at snack shop; Arrested Development and Modern Family on Hulu while we tab and label 6,377 (actual number) newsletters; 60's and 70's hits on Pandora while we work in the kitchen. Being so tired that it's almost funny; Boat rides, even if I do get sea sick.

So, yes, it stressful and busy. Yes, I'm getting up earlier than I would like for more days in a row than I would like. But that's life. And it's still an adventure. It's still fun when you share it with friends. And I still have 30 minutes to blog every once in a while. I say that's a win/win.

comics and nail polish.

2011-09-20T21:12:00.005-04:00

Disclaimer: This isn't my idea. I got it from a friend. And it's all over the internet right now.

Newspaper nail polish. I loved the look and decided to try it out with a little twist.

I used comic books instead of newspaper because, well, I love the illustrations, the font and the speech bubbles. This was an old Justice League comic that I had bought for a quarter at a thrift store.

Comic book nail polish. Easy as pie. Here's how:

1. Paint nails in a light color nail polish. 1 or 2 coats. I did one this time.

2. After nail polish is dry, submerge finger tips in rubbing alcohol or 10 seconds or so.

3. Cut comic book into small squares and put on nails. Press for 10 seconds.

4. Slowly peel off comic book paper, making sure not to mess up the nail polish.

5. Add top coat. Something clear and shiny.

Easy as pie. And super cute "t" double "o."

Over and out,

Cottage Girl

Emmy loves

2011-09-19T17:43:00.004-04:00

Her dress. Hellllo. I love Kate. Her hair and make-up were perfect too.

Kaley's dress. It was my personal favorite. I would love to see it in real life because it just WOWed me through the TV. That lace....ugh. It's adorable.

When Coach won his Emmy. I was jumping and squealing with glee.
Such a wonderful surprise.

I can't stop thinking about the dress Amy Poehler wore. That color...I never knew fabric came in that most perfect of shiny blues. I LOVE how simple it is too. Love, love, love.

And this whole thing. Oh, my goodness. Of course, it was Amy Poehler's idea.

I know.
I know.
Enough with the TV posts, Cottage Girl.
Let's talk about something else already.
I will.
Emmy just gets me all TV excited!
I can't help myself.
And Friday Night Lights freakin' won two!
T-W-O!
It was Christmas morning in my TV world.

The end.

random Saturday list

2011-09-17T18:38:00.004-04:00

Just a few things:

This is my view on my walk to work each day. I still can't believe it most days. When the water sparkles, it's my absolute favorite. It makes me stop and stare for a good long time.
I read this story last night in the paper. You need to read it. In fact, the whole series is incredible. But this particular story is so well written and so heartbreaking at the same time. Often, I feel like the Pentagon is forgotten in the 9/11 remembrances.
I may have been completely impulsive and bought the very last of this adorable skirt yesterday. I've been thinking about it since I saw this post of Elsie's months ago. My clothing rule is that if it's really expensive (and I'm super cheap so more than $20 is expensive), I have to wait a few weeks and see if I still like it. It was still available and I was still thinking about it, so I was bad and I bought it. I also love this one, but it's just a bit out of my price range.
Has anyone else watched the Vampire Diaries season premiere about 5 times since Thursday? Nope? Just me? Eh, I'm not surprised.
TV update: I really liked The Secret Circle and Up All Night. Ringer was okay with potential to get better.
Tomorrow is going to be amazing. Church. Then Renaissance Festival (!!!). Then Emmy's. Wow.
Happy Saturday, All.