Dried Cranberries

So I went to Crate & Barrel for the first time in my life.
I know...what took me so long. Nevertheless, I have been exposed to the wonder that is Crate & Barrel...and I will never be the same. And though I wanted to, I didn't go into a buying frenzy. But I must say they have kitchen and tableware that I have not seen anywhere else. And then the furniture upstairs...Oh, if I had money to throw away I'd completely give myself over to the likes of Crate & Barrel furniture....so magnificent.

But instead, I managed to walk away with none other than this little white bowl and spoon. Pretty generic and nothing that screams, "I'm fabulous and I look like I came from Crate & Barrel!!" but I really think it's going to be a useful prop. ...funny how I buy things not for social gatherings and meals, but only as quiet models.

Oatmeal Cranberry Pecan Cookies

How yummy is this. I recently went prop shopping and whoo-whee am I ever having fun! I found this fabulous wood cutting board at Bed Bath & Beyond and the napkins were on clearance at Target. You know what I love more than pretty kitchen items?
Pretty kitchen items on clearance. WHOOOOO YEAHHH! I loooove me some clearance.

Napkin Rings

Just a few shots from a collection I've been working on.

Beautiful Dumpster

Vancouver, British Columbia, July 2008

"Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in." --Ricky Fitts played by Wes Bentley, American Beauty, 1999

The dumpster above reminded me of one of the most memorable, beautiful and profound movie clips I've ever seen. I was in high school when American Beauty came out. I watched it at home with my brother since we didn't see it in the theater. Back then, I was a lot younger (obviously), vibrant, creative and a lot more "artsy" than I am now. So fresh and brimming with excitement for what I was going to become in the world. It seems time and life has a way of numbing all those firing synapses. It's too bad, really. But I know it doesn't have to be that way.
Likewise, a friend of mine recently enrolled in a book making class saying, "I wanted to do some creative stuff with my hands again..." Yes, he too felt the pull of his creative roots and decided to do something about it before it got buried by the weight of work, family and everything else in life.

To my disappointment, the "Embed" function from the best YouTube clip of this scene from American Beauty has been disabled so I can't embed it here, but you can still watch it by clicking on the hyperlink. I love this scene. Others may think it's completely out there or too fartsy...but I still love it.
(At the time of this post, the linked clip does not contain any violence, nudity or graphic nature of that sort.)

Portland Cityfest 2008 w/Chris Tomlin

I'm a month late in posting the pics from our time at Portland Cityfest on August 22, 2008. I wanted to see the amazingly talented Chris Tomlin since I've never seen him in person before. What excitement when he finally took the stage and sung his well-known and inspiring songs.

Below: No Tomlin concert would be complete without "How Great is our God". Which he expertly sang. He's sounds just as good live.

Below: "Your Grace is Enough"

I love watching the crowds huddle after events. All the little groups.

A shot of legs and feet. Ever since my talented friend, Justin Clemons, shared with me his affinity for shooting feet, I've started noticing legs and feet too...Thanks, Justin, for letting me jump on the bandwagon. I promise not to take feet photos as cool as yours.

Sunday Morning Serendipity

I had a hankering for eggs and veggie bacon strips on Sunday. To my utter delight, out popped not one, but two gorgeous egg yolks from my beautiful brown egg. What a stroke of luck! Honestly--I resembled a child as I gasped with my eyes wide before immediately breaking out in an awe-filled smile. What can I say? Simple things please me so. It was a beautiful morning. The air was crisp, the breakfast aromas were mixing with the fresh morning breeze, the sun was pouring through the window...ahhh...so very nice. All I needed was the sound of coffee brewing and the fantastically heady smell that comes along with it.

homemade pizza anyone?

Tasty Little Things

For my birthday I had two things of which I don't normally have:

1) A fantastic Twix bar (which I haven't had in FOREVER. And by forever I mean years.)
And
2) What I call "Birthday Cheetos!!!" A completely delicious Family Size bag of crunchy Cheetos. So good. I'll buy another bag in 6 months or so. Good stuff. It'll probably take years off my life...but...oh well.

Honey Lemon Ginger Tea w/Mint

My favorite homemade tea is made from fresh ginger slices boiled in purified water. Once the ginger's boiled and steeped, I add tons of lemon and honey to my cup with a bit of mint. I think it's super yummy and absolutely love it, but others tell me it's too spicy. Depends on how long you boil the ginger.

Ummm...that spicy ginger coupled with tangy lemon, then swirled with honey to sweeten and reign it all back in...Yum! I've yet to find a pre-packaged tea like it. But who needs pre-packaged when you can make it fresh and it's so easy too.