Halloween...a perfect excuse for some Tim Burton

I really love Halloween. It's such a fun holiday in our little neighborhood. We ride around in the Ranger with a trailer attached and hand out candy to the neighborhood kids. And take the littles here trick-or-treating too.

But I also love that this time of year is a great excuse to have a Tim Burton marathon. So many great choices....

This year, I caught part of Corpse Bride.

I am just blown away by the animation.

So many details that I catch each time I watch it.

And every character is so distinct.

I'm always in awe of how long it takes to do stop motion.

And how is just doesn't even compare to anything else.

I still need to watch this one.

The trees. I stare at all the crazy shaped trees every time.

And the beautiful costumes.

And the lighting and mist.

Oh, my. So delightfully creepy in a good way.

Over and over I wish that I could adequately get things on paper and on screen as they look in my head. Tim Burton is one of the best at that. He's amazing.

because I love Cary Brothers

And because I worked 12 very, very long hours in the camp kitchen today, and I can barely complete a coherent sentence.

fashion week runway

I super excited for the Project Runway finale tonight! Oh, my, I can't wait!

It's been one of my favorite seasons since Christian won. So many great things on the runway. I'm loving the hour and half long episodes too.



My pick is Mondo. Has been since the beginning. I can't get enough of his designs. LOVE them! Can't wait to see his entire collection. And half the fun is just seeing what he himself wears...

Watching this show makes me want to go to school for clothing design. Really, truly. I contemplate it often. I'm such a picky person that I think I would benefit from just making what I want to wear.



In any case, I will happily be glued to my TV for tonight with my pal, J. We'll be drooling over clothes and throwing insults at the designs we hate. And I'll be seething in jealousy over people that can make clothes like that.

Anyone else watching tonight?! Who do you want to win?

What are you up to tonight?

I'm doing a little of this...




While listening to them....



And praying over secret dreams....



Pretty much a perfect day off.

legacy

Today was an incredibly encouraging day for me and those of us that work here at camp. We were honored to have a few of the "past camp people" return to share stories of the days of old. Many of these folks have been connected to camp since it began in 1941. Camp has changed quite a bit since they were here, but the passion to share Christ has not.

We got to hear stories of how the building were built by volunteers with donated supplies. We heard how kids were brought to camp from the city streets. We were again blessed by the stories of the man, a pastor in Washington DC, that had a passion to build a camp and share the gospel with children. We heard about Jesus over and over from the lips of these amazing men and women, who now in their 70's and 80's are still serving Christ.

I swallowed back tears several times as I heard one dear sweet lady say, "I love my Jesus" and "Now, it's your responsibility to carry on His work here. Our time is over, but we trust that you will continue on the legacy we left behind for you." How very humbling and inspiring all at the same time.

I was again reminded of what an honor and privilege it is to serve here. It can be so overwhelming and exhausting to constantly give and give and give a little more. But I needed that reminder that this place is not about me. It's not about any person. It's about Jesus. It's about sharing His love with whomever He sends to us. It's about seeing His plan fulfilled, being excited over how the vision He gave to a pastor 70 years ago is being lived out daily.

Great day. Humbling day. Fulfilling and exciting day.


ps...I loved this version of "In Christ Alone" by Owl City. Thought you might enjoy it too.

pss...The Bro introduced me Owl City about 2 years before OC was played on every radio station in America. He always finds the cool stuff way before everyone else.

silly question

I get asked this question often....

"Is it hard now that most of your bestest friends are married and have kids?"

What do you think?



I always, without hesitation answer an emphatic "no way!" There is nothing better than bunches of nieces and nephews to love and hug and snuggle and play with. I mean these friends are pretty much family anyway. Their kids are some of the coolest human beings in the world.

I love, love, love all these precious little ones!

Today(ing)

(source)

Feeding.
Washing.
Wiping.
Cleaning.
Sweeping.
Vacuuming.
Walking.
Chopping.
Filling.
Sorting.
Counting.
Talking.
Smiling.
Setting.
Tossing.
Warming.
Mopping.
Folding.
Listening.
Laughing.
Cutting.
Learning.
Praying.
Begging.
Contemplating.
Missing.

geeking out

I'm sorry to do yet another TV post, but I can't stop geeking out over this.

In my box waiting for me when I returned from LU reunion weekend 2010 was the newest issue of Entertainment Weekly. (Yes, I subscribe. A few years ago I stumbled on this incredible deal where I can get a whole year's subscription for $10. Heck, yes, I'm still doing it!) The Reunion Issue its called. It's magic.

The Reunion Issue (on stands now) is dedicated to reuniting casts of iconic movies and TV shows. Some of my very favorites were included.


I still pop in seasons 1 and 2 of Alias in the DVD player when I need a pick me up. So fun and crazy. It's really hard not to love Sydney Bristow.....and Michael Vaughn.

Is it sad that I still miss Gilmore Girls every Tuesday night? Still. Not even kidding. At least I have Parenthood to help ease the pain.


I was (and still am) a big sucker for the behind the scenes stuff from all the LoTR extended versions. I've watched them more times than I can count. And don't get me started on the cast commentaries.... Great, now I need a spare 10 hours 'cause I'm dying to watch them again.

The issue is on stands now. You can see it here. And the videos are lots of fun too.

TV gushing ends here....for now at least.

the return and processing

I'm back from my long weekend with my true blue friends.

Suffering from a bit of BFF detox/loneliness.

It was amazing.

I have much to share. Photos, thoughts, etc.

So much to process.

So many things I'm now thinking about because of great conversations with two of my besties. Good things that needed contemplation and an outside point of view. Advice given with love and compassion and wise Godly counsel.

Stories and thoughts will spill out here when it's time.


ps...Mad Men season finale. I loved. Not shocking and crazy, but delightfully well written and so, so beautiful. I wanted to have a still photo of so many shots. I'm hating the thought of 9 long Mad Men empty months.

sweet reunion

Ok, I've been trying to contain my excitement over what is about to happen this weekend. Mostly I've been ignoring it and not letting my self get excited. But today is here and I'm done with being adult about it. I'm giddy and happy and bouncing off the walls.

Two of my bestest friends from college. My college roommates (1 for all 4 years and the other for 2 years). The girls who helped teach me what friendship is all about in life. We are ALL going to be together this long weekend. 6 whole days. I'm smiling like a crazed person just typing that.

These girls mean the world to me. They get me. They are amazing Godly women. We laugh together. We cry together. We can not see each other for years and instantly pick back up where we left off. Friendships like that are pure gold.

So, I'm signing off for a few days to bask in the wonder of friendship.

xoxo,

a very happy and excited Cottage Girl

above ground

Was anyone else glued to their computer watching this story today?

Now everyone is above ground and safe. Thank you, Jesus!

ps...did anyone else almost have a panic attack just watching the men appear in that tiny capsule? No? Just me? No one else was mentally freaking out at the incredibly tight quarters they rode in for 20 minutes? Well, I was. Every...single...time.

Randomly found. Instantly loved.

What have you been watching lately?

If you've read Cottage Girl for any amount of time, you will know that I'm a pretty big TV and sometimes movie person. I love stories. I love movies and shows with well written characters.

Anyway, I saw two really great movies this weekend. Just wanted to share the love.

The Social Network was fantastic. Aaron Sorkin has always been a favorite of mine, and he didn't disappoint in this one. I know that the facts aren't all exactly right. Yes, I know. But the movie was great. Worth $8. Jessie Eisenberg and Justin Timberlake are really great.



And then, I watched a movie that has been sitting in my Netflix queue for a long time.


The Oscar winner from 2006. The Departed. Dear goodness. Loved it. I think it may be the first Scorsese movie I can say that about. I just love Leo. Can't help it. And that movie poster may be one of my favorites....ever.



ps....I'm also absolutely loving Parenthood right now. I'm dying for more at the end of each week's episode. Crosby is pretty much my favorite, but it's hard to choose.


What have you been watching and loving lately? Do share, please!

"Get stuck in my head" songs

We all have them. Those darn songs that get stuck in our heads. Mine are also the songs that turn my bedroom into a dance party. I can't help dance around like a fool when I hear them.

Enjoy (or cringe). And I apologize before hand for the melodies that you will be humming for hours.

wow

Creativity like this astounds me.

On a completely unrelated topic....

"My only love sprung from my only hate!
Too early seen unknown, and known too late!
Prodigious birth of love it is to me,
That I must love a loathed enemy. "

This quote was running through my brain when I woke up this morning. Why? No earthly idea.

Momma's day

Happy Birthday, Momma. Wish I was there to give you a big hug and make you something chocolatey and delicious. I love you!


Post #1,500. Wow.

Hey, ladies

A few more wedding pics for those of you (Gina) who have been hounding me for them. I really didn't take very many at all. It was hard to squeeze them in while being in the wedding and posing for the real wedding photographer. Plus, I really just wanted to enjoy every moment and sometimes that hard to do when I'm stuck behind my viewfinder.


Here are all of us girls. This was not at all planned. We had actually just gotten to the reception site and were going inside to put down all of our stuff so we could take photos. One of the girls noticed how perfectly we were arranged and asked one of the boys to take this.

Those dresses...oh, my. Strapless dresses are just awful. Not at all comfortable. The color was great for all of our skin tones though. And thankfully, they were extra long, so we could take off our shoes (which were impossible to walk in) and slip into something more comfy at the reception. Had to have some proper dancing shoes on!



There is always that one invaluable bridesmaid that makes everything run smoothly. Tobey was amazing. Running here and there and making sure everyone was where they needed to be. She gave me lots of rides around Lynchburg to and from the multitude of different places we needed to be. So giving and kind and thoughtful. Loved her!


I went to college with her older brother. Jenny was the matron of honor. Mom of two. And this was her second matron of honor-ship in 2 weeks. That's right. One right after the other. Yikes!


With the beautiful bride during photos. The light was absolutely perfect when we arrived at the reception site. It was so beautiful there!


In the Hummer limo on the way to the reception. It fit all 16 of us easily with room to spare. No joke.



And Jacquelyn. I went to Scotland and England with her back in the day. I watched her grow up at camp when her dad (who also married the bride and groom) was the director at camp for years. She and her "little" sister (who is now about 2 ft taller than me and in middle school) were the highlight of the reception. Dancing all over the place. It was hysterical.

These girls made the whole experience extra fun. We had such a great time together celebrating Ashley's big day. And the reception and dancing was so much fun with them.

Such fun memories!

really thinking

What I'm really thinking right now:

It's 10:41 and I still have to do my Beth Moore homework for today. Late night bedtime.

Pondering the Oprah/J.K. Rowling interview episode. It was highly inspiring. Wow.

I really want another dance party. Saturday was so fun.

Camp is hard right now. So, so busy, and has been for months.

I get to see my college roomies/dearest friends next week. Both of them at the same time.

Orphans in China. Truth be told, they are pretty much on my mind all the time.

Heat. Ours is broken, and it's going to be in the 40's tonight.

I truly hate, with all my being, the cold.

Sleep...it's time to say goodnight.

magical to me

(source)

This photo on Big Picture this week made me stop dead in my internet surfing (ha!) tracks. I've always had this weird love of surfing images. There is something about a person lugging around that huge, weird shaped board that is magical to me. I was almost giddy over this image that I captured when I went to California a few years ago. It was one of those split second moments that just happened to work perfectly.

I also love surfing documentaries. Step Into Liquid, Riding Giants and The Endless Summer to name a few faves. I've seen them over and over and over. Time to find some new ones to love, too.

I really, really want to learn to surf one day. Oh, I dream about it all the time. I think I'd like long board best. It's looks so crazy slicing through the waves.

Do you have something like that that just captures you without making logical sense?

Friendship doesn't have age requirements

She taught me that friendship doesn't have age requirements. And it can also pop up in unexpected places.

She taught me that kindness and compassion are a gift from a heart that loves Jesus.

She taught me that laughter is the best way to spend time together.

She taught me to not take myself too seriously.

She taught me that love can be shown in small ways like the dozens of hand written notes that I still have from her years later.

I could go on and on about this amazing girl. I'm blessed beyond measure by having her in my life. I was honored a thousand time over to be a part of her big day. It was one of the best times I've had in a long, long time.

I'll be living on these fun memories for a long, long time.



Here she is with her new hubby. She was literally glowing.

Sllleeeeeppppyyyy

My hair was curled and pretty.

I danced, danced and danced till my feet hurt.

I laughed with dear friends.

I stayed IN my dress all night. Even while dancing. And that was no small feat.

And now I'm curled up in my king size bed all to myself watching "The Blind Side" on cable.

If I can ever come down from my fun high, I might even fall asleep.

Xoxo,

Cottage Girl