What the Picture Says

I am constantly amazed at how awesome my friends are. Thank you for coming to visit, for sending amazing surprise packages, phone calls, awesome emails with important facts, good music tips, giving great advice, and being the most awesome-est group of people anywhere ever. xo

Love Sweet Love

I really like Valentines Day-- mainly because there's so many people I love in this world, and it's always nice to get to tell them so. A few things that I'm especially loving today:

Heart Shaped Boiled Egg (all natural!!) from Anna the Red

Source: annathered.com via Emily on Pinterest

Heart Shaped Umbrella (found via fieldguided)

Source: umbrellaheaven.com via Emily on Pinterest

My Roomy sent me these-- so cute!

Source: kelseyskitchen.com via Emily on Pinterest

I love this. So. Much.

Source: shannoneileenblog.typepad.com via Emily on Pinterest

This book is amazing. Olivia gave me a copy a few years back, and I treasure it. Make sure to read this story by Mark Twain. The line " Wheresoever she was, THERE was Eden" gets me every time.

Source: amazon.com via Emily on Pinterest

My heart BEETS only for you. You know who you are.
Also, I find safety gear and technology incredibly sexy. Don't you?
Happy Valentine's Day. I love you all

Good Old Fashion Friendraising

Lane gave me the idea of having a friend-raiser after the move to Seattle. Valentine's making turned out to be the perfect occasion. We made pretty things and ate pretty things. But only if they were red, white, or pink.

"you're 16, and you're no e.e.cummings"

I can't remember who exactly said this-- maybe Chi? When we were in high school in response to some pretentious attempt by someone (not me) at poetry writing. It's always stuck with me. As has my love for e.e. cummings. I grew up with my dad reading me "in just" every spring. I love, LOVE, this poem Angela posted. And hey, it's valentine's.

sappy february

Love this video (it's an ad, but still.) and especially the song by Soko. Actually, it's a pretty anti-sappy song. But still sweet.



via oh joy!

Yellow + Gray

1+1=1!

I took this diy chalkboard paint project from Martha and this chalkboard globe project from Design Sponge and voila... chalkboard globe of my dreams (almost).
A few tips-- I think it really would be easier to do two colors. I suggest using a white paint marker with a flat tip over the chalkboard paint to trace in the continents. I left a few of the ornate details uncovered and they look decoupaged. I talked my roomy into a quicker version with spray chalkboard paint in black and fluorescent pink spray paint for the stand. Also awesome. The only downside of this project is that it is not helping me curb my globe buying habit.

Muzak

I love these guys. And it's true.. l.i.f.e.g.o.e.s.on. for real.

Mmm,.. Pop!

I love sugary power pop. Both these songs currently have me bopping my head as I'm working away.

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Ooey, Gooey!

Oh.. that ooey gooey deliciousness? Mozzarella cheese that I made, thanks to an awesome Christmas surprise, courtesy of M. Add it to the things I'll do for you when you visit me in Seattle. Home. made. cheese. I'll even do organic if you want.

The Joy of Game

From page 454 of my 1964 edition of the Joy of CookingInstructions for cooking bear, raccoon, opossum, muskrat, woodchuck, beaver and venison. Yum!

Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

We woke up Christmas morning in Jackson to hoarfrost. Magical.

Not a bad way to start out 2011!

Ch-ch-changes! 2011

Happy 2011!

It's no secret I LOVE starting a new year with lots of resolve. Things I'm going to do this year include running a 1/2 marathon (eep, any tips for that would be helpful!), take a photography class, put my waffle iron to good use, be productive at work, and go on some awesomely big adventure.

I recently read the Happiness Project (and immediately bought copies for lots of people I love). Right before that I read Nudge, Switch, Mindless Eating, and Predictably Irrational (all of which I highly recommend). Things I've gleaned about making resolutions that work (and add to your happiness) are that:
1- little changes matter, and add up over time
2- write it down and tell people what you're up to
3- if you don't want to do it, you won't
4- you have to be able to measure it

Nothing revolutionary, but trust me, those are the magic bullets that behavioral economists, and lots of other smart people have studied.

So, for me--the first thing is to start simple. I'm working on a theme for this year that will capture what I want out of 2011. One of my favorite themes from a few years ago was "consume less, produce more". I'm going to continue checking these blogs for tips and motivation (and entertainment).

p.s. giving is a proven way to make yourself happier-- donate to two of my favorite causes here and here


*image from Francesca-- I love the idea of a year of living Ghandi's wisdom

The Sounds of the Season

Lots of incredible mixes here. My favorite of the Christmas mixes is "All I want for Christmas is You". It's true, I do. Merry Christmas!
via Hi + Low

Holiday Hack #2

First off, if you can afford to buy anything from amazing etsy crafter spinthread you absolutely should. But say that love love this necklace but need a quick and cheap fix.
Grab a thrifted needlework piece (make sure you can bear to part with it) + some double sided interfacing + some pretty fabric for the back side (I used raw silk) + some gold chain. Fuse the needlepoint to the interfacing and then to your backing fabric. Cut out a pretty shape-- it will be nice and stiff and shouldn't fray too much. Go over it with the iron on both sides just to make sure. You can also stitch through it all on (I used my sewing machine) to make it extra secure/ prevent any of the embroidery from coming out. Attach the chain and voila!
You can't tell, but the back is really pretty and bright. * *apologies for the photos-- was in a rush so they're from my phone. Busy doing holiday projects!

Holiday Hacks

Instead of this pretty (but pricey) bauble

Buy these bubbles (for 1/10th the price)


And make this
*thanks to Liz for modeling the results of our craft nights

My Holiday outfits

May involve each of these things. All are vintage except the tights. I just loved seeing them all in a pile!

Christmas Ships

In December ships deck themselves out with lights, and cruise Lake Washington. The mother ship has a choir and a loud speaker on it. They stop at a different point each night, and serenade people on the shore.

Thankful!

So many things in my life . In no particular order, I'm glad for the world wide web, my incredible family and friends, music, making things, a job, and YOU.

Picture from here