six impossible things before breakfast

New Year's Resolutions and A New Blog

2010-12-26T12:35:00.000-08:00

So it has been a goal of mine for a while to become a better blogger, and with this NEW goal and my NEW "life", I decided to start over with a NEW blog. You can now find me at www.coasttoast.blogspot.com.

good times at the pumpkin patch!

2010-10-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

Economy Hair Part Deux

2010-09-23T22:43:00.001-07:00

I am lucky enough to have REALLY dry hair. And by lucky, I mean not at all lucky. It was in desperate need of a mask and instead of buying one, I made one. I found a recipe online that called for olive oil and eggs (yummy). It's simple. 5 TBS of olive oil with 2 eggs. Give it a try! Oooh, another benefit to eggs and olive oil is apparently it has great hold and can create a look to rival the Bride of Frankenstein. Hair and Halloween tip all in one!

Sometimes I need a little pick me up . . .

2010-09-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Best Part of Living in Santa Barbara

2010-09-20T08:48:00.001-07:00

These are the two brothers I never got to live with, growing up because I'm soooo old.

It's so fun to get to now!!! They are the best.

Viva La France - Paris

2010-09-19T08:10:00.001-07:00

I was getting ready to send a list of "Favorites in France" to my aunt and uncle who have just moved there for a year and thought it would be fun to share. This list is primarily recommendations from friends of mine who lived in Paris for two years. I still think France wins as my favorite country I've been to, and I think it was because we had such great recommendations. We did almost everything they suggested. So here are a few favorites and tips from my friends. Her comments are the bulk of the post, and I make a few notes in parens throughout. I will follow up with a post on what we did in the rest of France as well. OH, AND PLEASE ADD ANY FRANCE SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS SECTION FOR MY AUNT & UNCLE.

SHOPPING AND NEIGHBORHOODS

Don't waste too much time actually shopping on the Champs Elysees. It is all chain stores like Zara, H&M, Gap, etc...still you get a thrill just being on the street, but opt to spend time there having a hot cocoa at an outdoor cafe in the evening (some of the cafes even provide blankets and outdoor heaters!). The trees are lit this time of year (we went in November), and it is beautiful. I would do that and go to the Arc de Triomphe, especially at rush hour. Watching the cars on the Charles de Gaulle Etoile is ridiculously fun.- If you want to see the first class shops, Hermes, Chanel, etc...hit Rue Faubourg-St. Honore. Shop after shop of high end couture. Just fun to window shop if you are into that kind of thing. And I think everyone should get an Hermes scarf!

Champs Elysees

If you will be in Paris on a Saturday or Sunday, I highly recommend, HIGHLY recommend, going to the Marche aux Puces at St Ouen. They are "flea markets" but more like antique markets, crafts fairs, etc...everyone we ever took to that place had a delightful time. I found the most amazing fashion magazines from the late 19th century with beautiful prints PERFECT for framing. There really is something for everyone. The place is HUGE! The best metro stop is Porte de Clingancourt on Metro line 4. Make sure to have a map! You will need to walk toward the freeway and go under the underpass. There is a true flea market before the underpass and a few people have mistaken that as the place. Don't make that mistake. (I did this and LOVED it. Found some great little treasures, but if you aren't interested in antiques, don't bother with it)

The Marais

The Marais neighborhood is also a MUST for boutique shopping and for just soaking up the environment. This is one of my favorite neighborhoods and worthy of some time wandering around. If you are interested in a walking tour, check out http://www.paris-walks.com/ the Marais and Montmartre walks are great, and take you to neighborhoods you will LOVE. We really recommend these. There are Marais and Montmartre tours on Saturday and Sunday. Check their schedule, you don't have to reserve in advance, you just show up at the meeting place. Really easy, really great. (DEFINITELY, definitely go on a "paris-walk". They are a great way to get to know the neighborhoods and hear all the interesting stories and history of the place. The Marais was easily my favorite neighborhood.)

EATING

You have to, have to, HAVE to eat a macaroon from LaDuree. They aren't macaroons like Americans think of, they are something totally different, not coconut. Also, the palmier cookies are quite nice (but only get them if you are also getting macaroons). The raspberry, pistachio and the salty caramel flavors are our personal faves. There are two locations in Paris, one on the Champs Elysees and the other on the corner of rue Royale and Faubourg-St Honore (this is often the best and easiest to get to-- just by the Madeleine and Place de la Bastille). The lines later in the day can be long, but move and are worth it. If you want to eat there, you don't have to wait in line-- just go in, there is a hostess on the right as you enter. Don't be shy, only tourists wait in line if they are eating inside. You can order a meal, or just a drink and the macaroons. (We went back to LaDuree three times I think. We couldn't get enough of the macaroons OR the ambience.)

Window of La Duree

Look for the "Le Routard" sticker on restaurant windows. This is like Zagats, but for the backpacker. It is less expensive, but divine. Truly, I have never gone wrong in a Le Routard recommended restaurant or shop. I attached a picture of what he looks like so you will know when you are out and about. We even ate at these places in the south, and they were awesome! (You'll see these on the windows but you can also look them up online or buy the book. It's a great way to eat well but cheaply in France.)
Falafels in the Marais. If you are already in the neighborhood especially, They are on rue de Rosiers (if you do the tour, you should go right by this).

Falafels in the Marais

Crepes! Try to find a creperie where you can sit down and eat. The choices there will be awesome. Try a salty caramel one if you get a chance, you won't be disappointed.

GENERAL TIPS

MUSEUMS: If you must do the Louvre, consider doing it on a night when it is open until 10pm (Wednesday and Fridays). If you have the Rick Steve's guide, his Louvre tour is the best (perfect amount of time and the real highlights), unless of course you were an art history major, you won't spend more than 1.5 hours there. If you must chose, go to the Musee d'Orsay, the top floor has the impressionists and most of the art work that many of us really enjoy looking at. I personally think the Orangerie, Rodin, and Picasso museums are better than the larger more popular ones, but with only three days, most people want to hit the big names.-Consider buying the Museum Pass, it will get you into almost all of the big ticket places, including Versailles, but not the Eiffel Tower. Check it out at: http://www.parismuseumpass.com/

VERSAILLES -- If you make a trip to Versailles, go early! It will take up most of your day. After touring the palace, consider renting a golf cart to cruise around the grounds. They are enormous, and you will be cold. You must maximize your time. You can rent them just after you enter the gardens before you begin to go down hill. Again, you will be cold. Take lots of layers that day, don't forget your umbrella, hat, scarf, and your most comfy walking shoes (I say this because we had 36 visitors and none of them ever were dressed comfortably there!). Try and get to Marie Antoinette's Hamlet (Le Petite Hameau). I think it is the best part!

METRO -- Buy a carnet on the metro (said car-nay). It is a set of ten tickets, cheaper than if you buy individually and you don't have to stand in line to buy a ticket every time you get on again.

THE MARAIS -- I recommend doing the Marais on Sunday since it is the Jewish quarter, almost everything is open there, where other neighborhoods tend to be a bit dead. Church is also located in the Marais.

NOTRE-DAME -- Go to Notre Dame on Sunday morning because they have church service you can attend. Fascinating. I just happened upon it and then went to the Paris ward from there since it's not too far on the metro.

the view from my school!

2010-09-16T20:35:00.000-07:00

um, I'm just sayin'

$7 Hair Dye and a Little Luck

2010-09-15T08:16:00.000-07:00

As wonderful as my new adventure is and as excited I am about it, there are a few sacrifices to be made when you kick your income to the curb. So with an income of zero and my roots growing by the minute, I thought I'd give dying my own hair a try. With the help of Katherine, who called her hair stylist friend to tell me what to get, and Cubbie who actually did the "do", here I am in all my glory. What do you think? Can I get buy on with $7 hair for a while?

Saying Goodbye to the Tuxedo T-Shirt

2010-09-09T10:22:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago I was talking to a friend and the subject of my age camp up. He said “You know, 34 is a good age. It’s like a tuxedo t-shirt. You’re classy because you’re a tuxedo but you’re still fun because you’re also a t-shirt.” I thought it was a surprisingly good description. 34 is a little bit like that – you’re a full card-carrying member of adulthood but can still get away with an occasional youthful outburst.

But I turn 35 today – I can’t believe it. And now, as I sit here, a newly minted 35 year old, realizing that I’m closer to 40 than 30, closer to retirement than to the beginning of my life – I wonder what comes after the tuxedo t-shirt. Definitely not the bikini t-shirt, but I’m also not quite to the sweatshirts with printed animals stage yet either.

35 could have meant more suits, bags and shoes that cost too much, longer hours at a job I disliked, stress making me older, faster. But instead, 35 finds me sitting in a community college classroom. The suits and shoes have been replaced with the old Celtics T-shirt I’m wearing today and new braces, sitting awkwardly on my teeth. So if 34 is like a tuxedo t-shirt, will 35, for me, be like a Celtics t-shirt and braces?

Could be.

What it will be for a while is living with my parents and going to community college – hanging out with my 10 year old brother Jack on a Friday night – doing yoga in the backyard with my mom and aunt – studying anatomy – going to high school football games to watch my brother Tommy – volunteering at the hospital – applying to graduate schools. And what it will definitely be is finally, FINALLY being brave enough to wear a swimsuit without shorts in spite of thighs that are a little too white and definitely too fleshy.

So I think maybe I'll hang on to the tuxedo t-shirt for a while – along with the old Celtics t-shirt and braces, the new bathing suit hanging in my closet, and even occasionally still the shoes and suits.

This year on my birthday, come find me on the beach. Just look for the 35 year old girl, with a pair of pale, fleshy, happily liberated thighs, looking blissfully undefined!

Carole King Sang it Best -- "Back to California"

2010-07-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

So after 10 wonderful wonderful years in Northern, Virginia, I'm headed back to the land of my youth. California. I leave in two weeks to make the drive across the country. It'll be 10 days of high adventure on the road and then I'll be back to the homeland.

Look, I went to Switzerland and Italy!

2010-06-21T13:26:00.000-07:00

I would be in Ireland right now, but . . .

2010-04-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Easter Dinner

2010-04-11T13:43:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful Easter Dinner, complete with a hot crossed buns, ham with a blackberry rum sauce (AMAZING), strawberry bunny cake, lemon meringue pie, great friends and food comas.

BEST.SEATS.EVER!!!

2010-04-08T07:11:00.000-07:00

So we got a special treat yesterday. In opening week of the baseball season, I was offered the BEST.SEATS.EVER at Nats Ballpark -- first row, right behind the dugout. I took Jimmy and my friends Christy and Bryan, who are also siblings. SIBLINGS night at the ballpark!! We were in conversation distance (or yelling distance in Bryan's case) of the ball players. Jimmy went early for batting practice and when we showed up, this is what he had aquired for himself. He is such a great brother. He not only gave me one, but he also gave a little kid one as well, only keeping one of the hard-earned balls for himself.

Bryan, who is the hugest Phillies fan ever, brought us all t-shirts to wear -- and even got a ball for himself that had been flipped over the dugout after beeing "touched by all of [his] favorite players".

A few more pics from the night.

"I LOVE THIS TOWN"

2010-04-02T08:23:00.001-07:00

My friend Rachel and I went for a walk/run yesterday and these are just a few of the pics I took with my little camera phone. In the illustrious words of Winston Zeddemore, the 4th and last of the Ghostbusters, "I LOVE THIS TOWN".

The Cure for What Ails You!

2010-03-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

I think I've just discovered baking therapy. Last night I got home from work, a little beaten down and worse for the wear. I pulled out my mixing bowl and pans and proceeded to make a huge batch of chocolate banana bread, peanut butter chocolate cupcakes and coconut chocolate cupcakes. And VOILA, I felt renewed and had dozens of baked goods to show for it. The best part is that I'm allergic to wheat so I can pawn them off on everyone else!!

So for any of you looking for a cure for the blues, here's a perfectly amazing recipe to try.

CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD

1 cup margarine, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
6 bananas, mashed
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup lite sour cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease two 9x5 inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, cream together margarine, sugar and eggs. Stir in bananas and vanilla. Sift in flour, baking soda and cocoa; mix well. Blend in sour cream and chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of a loaf comes out clean.

A dining room I like . . . and other small victories.

2010-03-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

So I PROMISE not all of my posts will be about my house projects, BUT I've been working hard on them and wanted to share.

After 2 years of looking for the right table, paint color, chairs, etc., I'm finally happy with the dining room AND even ended up saving money on the deal thanks to craigslist! I love Craig.

HERE ARE A FEW OTHER FAVORITE THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE.

This is a cardboard sign courtesy of my creative genius sister, Cubbie. It hangs prominently in my basement in honor of her brilliance.

Two favorite things -- art and books.

I searched for a huge map for my kitchen forever and finally found one at Ikea. It even matches the colors in my kitchen, although not really that table cloth.

Mysteriously WONDERFUL Wednesday

2010-03-24T10:30:00.001-07:00

So I just got called down to the front desk to find this waiting for me . . .
And this was the mysterious card. I'm a HUGE Friday Night Lights fan so it must be someone who knows me well enough to know that. Hmmm.

Any guesses?

Nickle & Dime-ing!

2010-03-23T20:28:00.000-07:00

I think it might be in my genes to love all things garage sale, antique shop, free-from-the-side-of-the-road, etc. So here are a few of my favorite “finds”.

One of my first purchases. A $25 chair from an estate sale, where I had to throw a few elbows to capture this gem.

I LOVE this lamp. $2 from my old roommate's garage sale.

A Luckett's Store find. It was being pulled off a truck and I snagged this baby for $10. I sanded down the trim and painted them, and voila!

This was free! I painted it and changed the knobs. They're cute little clocks now.
A craigslist purchase, changed from gray paint with black industrial knobs to cute yellow with flowers.

Garage sale post!

A pair of matching garage sale chairs for a total of $5 with homemade pillows.

A gift from my friend Jill from a garage sale in Amish Country, no less. Scandalous and AWESOME!

Now, who's excited for Garage Sale Season to start?!!!!

Get me on that Streetcar Named Desire

2009-11-11T12:35:00.001-08:00

I am going to the Kennedy Center tonight to see Cate Blanchett in "A Streetcar Named Desire". I'm so excited!!! I love this play and I'm slightly obessessed with Cate Blanchett because she's perfect in everything she does.

Old Photos

2009-09-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

I love old photos, especially this one of my grandparents, my mom and two of her brothers.

I need a work room

2009-08-27T14:19:00.000-07:00

After trying for months to keep my life clutter-free as I take on project after project, I have given up. As long as I am pursuing my creative projects, I am going to have to put up with some clutter. Someday my goal is to have a beautiful project room like these . . . but until then, let the craziness continue.

Eastern Europe

2009-08-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

So my lovely cousin Denise and I are headed to Eastern Europe and Austria over Thanksgiving. If anyone has any suggestions for our trip, please let me know. We've decided on Prague for sure, but that's about it.

My Best Shower Favor Yet

2009-08-24T19:07:00.000-07:00

I made these cute favors for my friend's baby shower. They are sugar cookie mixes, which is the big brother's favorite kind of cookie. I was very proud of myself.

The Prodigal Daughter Returns

2009-08-03T18:09:00.001-07:00

I have been absent from the blogosphere for a while. Here's a quick recap of the most exciting part of my summer!!!! GREECE!

Butterfly Beach!

2009-05-26T14:01:00.001-07:00

For our last night in Santa Barbara, a bunch of us went to Butterfly Beach. It was heaven. Look at all of these beautiful people!

Celebrating Grandma!

2009-05-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

My Grandma Helen passed away last week and we gathered in Santa Barbara to celebrate her life. It was so wonderful to be with the people I love the most, and while it was bittersweet, we celebrated our Grandma in the way she would want to be celebrated -- with lots of laughter, tears, a family dance, talent show and many trips to the beach. LOVE YOU GRANDMA!

My mom and her daddy! The brothers!
The family -- part of us at least!

The two littlest grandaughters.
The sisters!
Cubbie & Jack
The older grandaughters. Grandma loved flowers of any kind and her house was filled with tons fake flowers to go along with her flowered wall paper and flowered couches. Grandma never did anything halfway! :) Cubbie had the idea to have all of the girls wear these small pink roses in our hair in honor of Grandma. Grandma was laid to rest with one in her hair as well. Grandma's View!

Something I Love Today!

2009-05-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

creative inspiration for the day

2009-05-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

Rachel Papo is my creative inspiration for the day. I love her photos.

SO HAPPY TOGETHER!!

2009-04-29T09:34:00.001-07:00

Ding Dong the Bells Are Gonna Chime!

2009-04-28T07:33:00.000-07:00

I attended two weddings this weekend -- my brother Sam's and my cousin Kendra's. It was such a party! More pictures to come, but here are a couple to wet your appetite.

The truest expression of a people is in its dance and in its music. Bodies never lie. ~Agnes de Mille

2009-04-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

So dance just happens to be my favorite thing ever ever ever. I love to do it, see it, watch it, etc. -- even when it expresses itself in cheesy dance movies that follow the same plot EVERY time. I can't get enough.

My sister gave me this amazing print for my birthday. I love it so much, and it combines two of my great loves -- art and dance. It's going up in the freshly painted dining room. Thanks Kate!!!

It's just so pretty, Shuttlesworth!

2009-04-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY re-painted my dining room! What do you think?

2009-04-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

I have been in hate with my dining room for a while and just repainted and put a different table in there. I'm so happy with it.

BEFORE
(sorry don't have a better picture, but you do get to see my lovely sister.)
AFTER
(next task is to get something on the walls)

sisters!

2009-04-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

I was just reading an excerpt from the book "Perfectly Imperfect" by Lee Woodruff about her sisters. I feel the same! "My sisters are my bones. They finish my sentences, instinctively hear the warning signs in my voice. We still giggle over stupid things — generally, at all the wrong times, like in the middle of a church sermon or a solemn gathering."

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T17:31:00.001-07:00

Family + Friends + Easter = "OH HAPPY DAY!"

"look at the cute baby -- he's so cute"

2009-04-13T17:18:00.001-07:00

. . . and his mom. lucky baby.

Unravelling

2009-04-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

So I just bought my first "big-girl" SRL camera and am working on learning the manual functions per my cousin Brit's advice. Brit is my very cool photographer cousin who takes beautiful pictures and has inspired me to dabble. You can check out her work here. Not to mention my other lovely cousin, Heather, who also is a lovely photographer. Check her out here.

So in my effort to "dabble", I discovered this really cool online course called "Unravelling: Ways of Seeing My Self". Take a look here. It's an online photography course with a twist. It's focuses on life/self discovery through photography, which just sounds fun. AND I get to do some writing too. It's perfect.

photo by Susannah

In Support of Creativity

2009-04-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

I was recently watching some clips from the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference, a creativity/innovation conference held each year that attracts leading thinkers/leaders from around the country. I thought, Elizabeth Gilbert's, author of Eat Pray Love, speech was really cool!

"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." --PICASSO

I can't wait!

2009-04-01T09:29:00.001-07:00

something I love today!

2009-03-05T09:31:00.000-08:00

So I'm not advocating the drugging of children, but THIS is hilarious! My favorite part is that this guy took his son to his work so they could see how funny it was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWjj4XD1KEs

go together like a horse and carriage . . .

2009-02-27T11:20:00.001-08:00

Something I love today is the fact that I get to see my whole extended family at the end of April for two family weddings -- my brother Sam's & my cousin Kendra's. Can't believe these cute little punks are old enough to be getting married.

Freddie, Kendra & Sam

something i love today -- old family photographs

2009-02-25T20:10:00.001-08:00

Look how adorable my parents were.

Obsessed with Making Heart Pillows

2009-02-24T20:11:00.001-08:00

something i love today -- and everyday!

2009-02-20T09:19:00.000-08:00

I mean, get serious!!! Can you even handle him?!

something I love today!

2009-02-19T13:37:00.000-08:00

As an antidote to the apocalyptic panic I feel as the news plays behind my head ALL DAY at work, I have decided to focus on the positive and share one thing I love "as needed".

The thing I love today I found on my lovely cousin, Amy's blog. She's a graphic designer and posted this very cool, letterpress poster of the Salt Lake Temple by Cameron Moll. It's sold out so I'm in serious covet mode, which I know is wrong. Thou shalt not cover a picture of a TEMPLE of all things. Enjoy!

Pillow Talk

2009-02-16T18:37:00.000-08:00

Been a little craft lately.

Valetines Day Baking Extravaganza

2009-02-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

So I went a little nuts with the baking for Valentines Day this year. I made my sister Kim's heart cupcakes . . .

. . . and also had some friends come over and we decorated cookies for about 2 hours. I took the leftovers to work because they were having a bake off and I WON! The title of my submission was "What Happens When Your Friends Help You Decorate Sugar Cookies". And this is what happened . . .

The Celtics BIG THREE!!!

There was some general unhappiness about the holiday that made itself known through the artist expression of cookie decoration!

Bryan's Self Portrait

PHOTO HOMAGE TO MY MOTHER

2008-12-19T13:33:00.000-08:00

It will probably take me a couple of months to finish blogging about France. I'm slow, but here is a quick little series of photos from Paris, which represents my attempt to fulfill my mother's wishes not to take a picture without a person in it. She thinks it's boring. So while I ran around Paris by myself, this is how I took photos. :) Love you Mom!

picture of the Seine and Musee Orsay and my face.

picture of the Louvre and half my face.

picture of the the Sacre Coeur and yes, my face again.

Outside of the Louvre

Christmas Lights on the Champs Elysees and ME

Provence -- Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Gordes

2008-12-07T06:47:00.000-08:00

We spent the next couple of days driving around Provence -- Kudos to Mary Ann for her skilled driving. The view from Gordes

The amphitheatre in Arles

Arles again.

Next Stop -- Les Baux-de-Provence

2008-12-05T05:04:00.000-08:00

We traveled from Avignon to Les Baux, a stunning hilltop town in Provence that was recommended to us by many people. THANK YOU! This may have been my favorite town -- www.lesbauxdeprovence.com. Besides being beautiful, the history is deep.

VIVA LA FRANCE!

2008-12-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

So France was amazing. Love it. Want to move there. Been depressed all week that I'm home. Sign of a good trip I think. We started in Provence and ended in Paris. I'll do this in pieces so here is the first one . . .

AVIGNON -- the first stop. We flew into Paris and took a train directly to Avignon -- gateway to Provence. We were exhausted, but we managed to get our car, get lost, and eventually find our hotel, which could not have been more perfectly located. It was the Hotel de L'Horloge and I would definitely recommend it. We visited the Palais des Papes, but mainly just wandered the adorble streets and tried out our terrible French. We also went to church here, which was such a cool experience. The people were amazing. Here are a few pics of Avignon.

AUR REVOIR

2008-11-19T11:06:00.000-08:00

I'm on my way to France on Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Three days in Provence. Three Days in Nice. Three days in Paris. If anyone has any recommendations of places to go, eat, things to do, etc., I'm all ears. I'll post pictures upon my return!

A Special Treat for a Monday

2008-11-17T13:52:00.000-08:00

OBAMA! OBAMA!

2008-11-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

I feel hopeful!

I thought I'd share this article I read yesterday. My favorite line in it is from I love this quote from Rama Yade, France's black junior minister for human rights. She says, "On this morning, we all want to be American so we can take a bite of this dream unfolding before our eyes."

Free Halloween Card from The Black Apple

2008-10-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

I discovered this artist, Emily Martin, on one of my favorite websites, http://www.etsy.com/. I have these cute little bandits hanging in my kitchen.

Emily is generously offering this free Halloween greeting card to everyone for download. Go here to download. You can explore more of her work on her blog: www.theblackapple.typepad.com

Pumpkin Cake!

2008-10-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

I made this pumpkin cake, using two bundt cakes, for my friend Sarah's pumpkin-themed birthday party. I'm not much of a baker, but I was pretty proud of this little number.

My Grandpa

2008-10-16T08:13:00.000-07:00

My mom found this great old picture of my cousin Grant and I with our grandpa. I love it. Grant and I were his first grandkids so he's only in his 40s here. He is one of my heroes, and some of the fondest memories of my life are with him as a child -- trips to Goleta Beach or to the Club or to UCSB to go swimming in the pool. We share a love of books, politics and music, and I feel so lucky to be his granddaughter. He is still very involved in his community, writes book reviews for the local paper, and provided impetus for his city government to lower carbon emissions and to make the city more "green". In short, the man is wicked awesome!

photo tribute to october. i love october.

2008-10-12T09:30:00.001-07:00

art on wednesday!

2008-10-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

I love Wayne Thiebaud's art. It's inspired by his youth -- his mother was a baker and his uncle, a cartoonist. I was talking to my cousin Brit about him the other day and then came across this children's book, "Counting with Wayne Thiebaud", and thought it was so so cute. So on this Wednesday, I am sharing with you my love for Wayne!

Here are a few of my faves:

BRILLIANT SHOWING OF NONPARTISANSHIP

2008-09-15T06:55:00.000-07:00

you say it's my birthday!

2008-09-08T15:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday and my family and friends made it an amazing day -- or days rather -- of celebration. Growing up in the Nelson home,your birthday wasn't just one day -- it usually lasted at least a weekend if not a whole week. A HUGE thank you to family and friends, near and far, for making me feel so loved on this "prime" birthday of mine. From the yummy Ledo's pizza to the delicious turkey dinner -- the Cajun Dancing to the performance of "you say it's your birthday", it was all so amazing! LOVE YOU ALL! Here's a little picture chronicle:

A marvelous Mom-esque cake by Cubbie Nelson!

Present opening! You guys shouldn't have!

Bryan's distraction plan prior to blindfolding me!

see?

Blindfold removed, but eyes still closed.

Eyes finally opened to small portraits of yours truly. Please note that the artists were not allowed to look at their papers while drawing. Here are a few favorites.

I'm so pretty!

The note on the back of this one assured me that I was actually prettier than this. :)

This one was my favorite courtesy of Jenica.

I don't know if it was compassion on me or worry that they'd burn the house down, but they scaled down on the number of candles they used. Thanks guys.

Friends!

More friends!

Ben was so excited about my birthday he could hardly contain himself!

Blue hair and blond curls courtesy of mommy!

and not to be outdone!

And the highlight of the evening! My very own performance by these lovely ladies! Sorry the video quality is poor, but you'll get the idea.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!

Come Fly With Me

2008-09-05T14:10:00.000-07:00

Where my flatware has gone, I'll never know, but it has become necessaryto replenish. I found, via Domino's website, this great vintage airlineflatware from www.fishseddy.com. It's adorable! I know - how excitingcan knives and forks be? Well, I'm easily pleased.

See? So cute.

food SHOULD taste good!

2008-09-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I have recently discovered that I have a gluten-wheat-dairy allergy. Bummer, right? When I tell people, after they recover from their horror, they always ask, "what CAN you eat then?". Well, I CAN eat these chips. I was at Costco the other day and came across some Mutigrain Chips from the Food Should Taste Good brand (love the brand name). They have an olive, mutigrain, jalepeno, sweet potato, buffalo, the works, and a CHOCOLATE chip and they are all certified gluten-free. HAPPY DAY! They're so good I would recommend them even to all of you who still can enjoy the joys of gluten. Lots of fiber, flax, etc. YUM-MY!

AMY, ANDREW & ALLISON

2008-09-03T11:20:00.001-07:00

I went to go visit my friend and former roommate, Amy Hughes Webb a couple of weeks ago. It was a great visit -- she's amazing! We made gluten free pizzas with goat cheese, which is the only cheese I can have and I met Baby Andrew for the first time. He is adorable, and we totally bonded. But I wanted to make everyone aware of two things: 1) her totally awesome blog www.mommyandbeyond.blogspot.com. She has great ideas and is so creative! 2) She's starting an etsy shop and as soon as I know the name, I'll let you know. YAY AMY!

Look at this adorable bag she made!

BAMA!

2008-09-02T21:10:00.000-07:00

We just got back yesterday from a visit to Alabama to visit my sister Kim and her family and to meet my new nephew Henry! I miss them already! Thanks so much, you guys.

Playing with Uncle Jimmy!
Pretty mommy!
Aunt Cubbie Loves Baby Burrito

Henry's favorite hold courtesy of Uncle Jimmy.

Just one of Sam's many tactics to keep the boys occupied.
Best baby! Seriously! He's so amazing!
Cuddling with Daddy!
Sam, Luke and Dad in the fort made out of our air mattresses.
They look so sweet, don't they? :)

Auntie Kass!

Henry Loves Grandma!

good at some things -- bad at others!

2008-09-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

So turns out that I’m not good at blogging -- not a total surprise, but I am going to try to redeem myself with some tales (mainly pictures) from the “road”.

1: "Wear An Eye Patch, Brett" -- First thing you should know is that my mom has an entire storage room dedicated to “dress-ups”. My family loves costumes and will jump on any opportunity to get decked out – for airport pick-ups, movies, parties, etc. Halloween is practically a religious holiday for us. We all love it, but my sister has become queen of all costumes. I think she wins every costume contest she’s ever been in and has enough costumes to dress an entire party, which she practically did at her “wear the funky funky eye patch”, David Bowie themed party. David Bowie. Dancing. Abba. And lots of blond wigs – recipe for success?? I think so.

This might be the best picture EVER!

Hmm, maybe it's a tie . . .

David Bowie, The Famous Purple Dress, and Complete Ownership of an 80s Power Dress.

The only thing not great about this night was that this kid, aka my little brother in the orange wig, left me the next day. LOVE YOU SAM!

#2: Liz Has a Birthday and Then Ditches Us for BYU -- you're forgiven but just barely because I'll see you in a month! That other girl is my sister, who is also in trouble for leaving me. Aren't they adorable??

Jim actually took the opportunity to relive his hair braiding days -- not bad at all! This is the type of training that comes with having 5 sisters.

#3 Tim's First Going Away Party -- Anyone sense a theme here?!

#4 The Final Blow -- Katherine Leaves Me: I was so lucky to have my sister Katherine with me this summer. It was the best! Sadly, she had to go back to BYU. Waaa! I can't go on!

THE TRUTH!!

2008-06-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

I have so much love in my heart for this guy right now. The Celtics were amazing last night, and Paul Pierce is pure heart and soul!!

KICK UP YOUR HEELS FOR FRIDAY!!!

2008-05-30T13:33:00.000-07:00

it begins . . .

2008-05-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

So I've joined the rest of the world and have started my own blog. I've been told I need to “share” more so we'll see if this blog can get that done. Don't want to jump right in to the inner-most workings of my soul so to begin, I thought I'd share a few things that have been occupying my time recently. Here goes:

The anticipation of BASS LAKE. My extended family gets together every summer for a week at Bass Lake in California. It's always the best week of the year. Just a couple of months away!!!" Don't we look lovely? That's what days of sleeping outside and swimming in a lake without a shower will do to you. Good times!

Have you ever worn these Saucony Jazz sneakers? BEST. SNEAKERS. EVER. Truly. Like walking on pillows. Red's really not my favorite color either, but it sure does "pop".

I just got back from the Outerbanks in North Carolina, where we played on the beach for the entire weekend and stayed in this beautiful house, named "Hook, Line and Sinker". I was quite "Hooked, Lined, and Sinkered" by it. heh. heh. So very bad, I know! :)

THE BOSTON CELTICS. So the Nelsons have been big Celtics fans since the beginning of time, but during the finals this year, we've become BIG BIG BIG Celtics fans. I mean, even my sister Katherine and I have gotten crazy about it. I think I'm going to have to start wearing a shirt that says "Paul Pierce is my homeboy". "That's right, Kobe, whadaya gonna do know?!"

So You Think You Can Dance" is back. Let's here it! a "5, 6, 7, 8 -- HURRAY!!!" four words. mia. michaels. wade. robson. Need I say more? That's right.