Farewell two thousand and fourteen

It's been a while.  Just acknowledging that so you don't think I just didn't realize that it had been 6 months since I've posted on my blog.  I knew it.  I would go and even check the blog myself to see if I had posted anything.  Me.  The dummy who writes this thing.  

Because, you see, this entire year has felt very much out of body.  And mostly not in a good way.  I feel battle scarred and bruised.  Limping across the finish line.  No.  Crawling and moaning is more accurate.  

2014 was a year I will never forget.  It was full (to the brim, I might add) with hard, life altering lessons.  Brutal truths and hard moments followed by glorious wonder and provision.  It has been lesson after lesson in seeing God more clearly than ever before, but with the knowledge that that sight usually comes in the darkest of times.  

I have seen Him do miracles this year.  Provide where there was absolutely nothing that my human eyes could see or reason. I've seen Him grant mercy and grace.  I've seen Him show love and kindness. However, each of those things had to be granted in the darkest of hours in the most challenging of moments.  I'm learning how much brighter He shines when the darkness threatens to swallow me up.

Life was hard in 2014.  And I am very VERY glad to kick it to curb and leave it behind forever.  I've been longing for December 31st for months.  Not that a date change on the calendar really means much, but it sure does feel good.

So as not to end on a horribly depressing note (hello, pessimism, my old friend), I decided to pop in on the last day of the year to list a few things that I have actually enjoyed this year.  Because I know you want a list from this "really cool girl who is happily snuggled in her pajamas at 8:30pm on New Year's Eve."  I'm sure that girl has mountains of advice and recommendation you want to hear, right?  

Thought so.

 

Here we go:

Books I've enjoyed:

* Unfamiliar Fishes by Sarah Vowell

* Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas (and you MUST listen to Kristen Bell read it aloud to truly enjoy every second of this gem)

* Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

* Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by The Countess of Carnarvon

* Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

* 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker 

* Harry Pottter #1,2,3,4 (I'm re-reading [and listening to Jim Dale read] these gems in order from the beginning again.  And can I just say they are just as enjoyable and perfect)

Movie/TV shows that I enjoyed:

* Last Days in Vietnam  (I saw this movie in January and am still thinking about it constantly.  One of the best documentaries I've seen.  Ever.)

  

* I, Origins

* The Walking Dead (the end of season 4 and the first part of season 5.  Good gracious, YES.)

* The Good Wife (season 5 was simply the best thing on TV)

* Veronica Mars (I Kickstarted the movie and it did not disappoint. In fact, I've watched it about 16 times since it released in March)

* About Time (surprised me in all the best ways)

* The Theory of Everything

* Mockingjay Part 1 (thank you for being so much better than the book)

* The Imitation Game

* Parks and Rec (continues to be the best comedy on TV)

* Downton Abbey (I can't help but love and re-watch every season)

* Sherlock season 3

* Broadchurch (please don't watch the horrid American version, Gracepoint, and think it is the same thing)

* Homeland season 3

* Short Term 12 (maybe my favorite of the whole year)

* The Way, Way Back

* Saving Mr Banks

Random others:

* HONY on Instagram (It is simply the best thing/idea/creative endeavor/little corner of the internet.  I adore it)

* VSCOcam app.  (the best photo editing app got even better this year)

* iphone 6 (I'm ashamed to admit that I can't live without it)

* DSLR SnapShop (Ashley Ann's online class was incredibly helpful and full of lightbulb lessons for me.  Highly recommend it)

* Kauai (it is the most beautiful place on the planet and the fact that I got to spend a few days there this year made me insanely happy)

* David's Tea (for all its delightfully addictive flavors)

* Essential Oils (It was the year of full emersion in EO's for me.  I'm a convert and now use them multiple times a day)

*  She Reads Truth (beautiful devotions and lovely design)

*  Moleskin unlined journals w/ black Sharpie pens

* movie (instrumental) soundtracks (they still continue to be my music of choice)

It's always good to focus on the blessings and fun/good things.  

Puts things in perspective.  

Goodbye 2014.  

I won't miss you.  

I'm glad you are leaving.

2015, let's be friends, okay?  

Be kind, won't you please?

Current obsessions

These are the things that are "it" for me right now...

The Newsroom. Currently re-watching the 1st season (after having just watched it for the first time 2 months ago).  It's just as good, almost better with each re-watch.  The characters are some of my favorites ever.  Sometimes I manage to find a place to watch an episode of season 2 (currently airing on HBO).  Kinda like a treasure hunt to find a friend who has On Demand.

Wish I Was Here.  Zach Braff's new movie is currently in filming in LA.  How do I know this?  Well, because I'm a Kickstarter backer for the movie.  Every week I get a playlist with new music and a ridiculously well made video highlighting a different person on the crew and what their job entails.  Can I just admit that it is one of the coolest things I've been a part of in the online world?  Zach is so appreciative and generous with his backers.  We get tons of behind the scenes scoops and info.

Mint Julep tea. Or any tea really. I can't stop drinking it.  A cup in the morning.  And one again at night too.  It's bad.  I don't need the caffeine.

The National.  Listening to Trouble Will Find Me on repeat.  Over and over and over again.  I'm of the opinion that one should listen to a piece of music until you are entirely sick of it and can't hear it one more time.  It's how I roll.

Writing.  Whether it's on pen and paper or typing away on a computer screen. I'm obsessed with getting the words out.  It feels good.  Honestly, it's been a while since writing has seemed appealing. I've missed it.  Intensely.  I've been a scribbler since I was in elementary school.

Reading.  I recently finished Life As We Knew It, and I can't stop thinking about it.  It's about a girl and her family and their story of survival when the moon gets hit by an asteroid.  The story was alright, but the idea behind it and what the family goes through when the earth's weather changes was fascinating.  As I was finding the link for the book, I found that there are 2 more books in the series.  I had no idea.  Awesome.

Now, I'm almost finished with Kisses From Katie.  I've been reading her blog for years, so it isn't really anything new.  However, her story and how she loves Jesus and lives her life is something that is always good to be reminded of.  When I start to get frustrated that I can't afford something I want, I think about all the children that she helps who have no food or clothes or parents.  Good for perspective.


What are you obsessing over lately?

online favorites

During the summer months, I spend very little time online.  

This is mostly because I still don't have reliable internet at home.

Despite the limited time, there are a few sites and apps I still check in with often.

These are my "go-to's" when I happen to get online.

1. Feedly

I read a lot of blogs.  Just love them.  They are like mini auto-biographies.  Mini-idea factories.

After the news several months ago that Google Reader was being discontinued (boo), I began looking around trying to find something that could take it's place.  After trying one or two that just didn't work for me (really didn't like Bloglovin'.  not user friendly for me.  also, the Pulse app.  it was fine, but you had to manually add all the blogs/sites you want to follow.), I started googling the best feed readers.  I saw a few people mention Feedly on various message boards and gave it a try.

Best things about Feedly, for those of you who read a lot of blogs....

I transferred my entire list of feeds from Google Reader in about 5 seconds.  I didn't have to manually add all of the sites that I follow.  Major bonus.

It's very user friendly with lots of options to set up the layout how you want it.

Beautifully designed and well maintained.

I actually started using it even before Google Reader died because I enjoyed the interface better.



2.  Twitter

Why Twitter?  Well, it's Comic Con weekend.  Duh.  I have loved getting the Nerd HQ play-by-play.  Plus, it tends to be the way I keep up with the news of the world at the moment.


3.  The Nerd Machine channel on YouTube

Nerd HQ panels stream live.  It's the next best thing to being there.  I've caught a few panels just as they started and have laughed right along with the audience that is there.  One day I hope to make it to Nerd HQ live-and-in-person.  As for now, thank you Zachary Levi for your live feeds and for the fun that is Nerd HQ for those of us who can't go.  So much fun.


4.  Amazon Cloud Player (app especially)

It's pretty much the only way I've listened to music as of late.


5.  Instagram

Because it's still my favorite social media site out there.  I'm addicted to photos. I have just passed 1,000 posts.  What?!




What apps or sites are you loving right now?  What are your go-to sites during your limited time online?

24 hours off

(sometimes I can't stop staring at the clouds, especially when they look like this)

I don't have much time online these days.

Mostly because I don't have internet at home and leaving the property (camp) during the week proves challenging sometimes.  I haven't left since last Sunday.  Today is Saturday.  Almost an entire week.  Nice.

Anyway, I read this post the other day when it popped up in my Twitter feed.  It was too good not to share. Such beautiful sentiment.  I especially loved this part:

"It's all about realizing - Love doesn't happen when you arrive in a certain place.  

It happens when your heart arrives in a certain place - wherever you are,

right where you are, dirt road Africa or side street America."

-Ann Voskamp

I also (finally) finished Searching For God Knows What.  Loved the last chapter so much.  He was paralleling the Romeo and Juliet with the love of Christ with the Church.  I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.  And now I want to watch Luhrmann's version, which is my absolute favorite.  

Lastly, been loving reading through the parables in Matthew right now.  I've realized, in the last few years, how I am so much like those people that Jesus was sharing the stories with.  I learn through stories.  I see through characters.  Our Savior was creative and artistic.  He used stories and laughter and miracles to teach life changing lessons.  He knew it would be hard for us to listen to a list of rules and do's and don'ts.  I'm just starting to understand how beautiful that is.  

Now, we are all taking a deep breath and relishing in an entire day off tomorrow.  Twenty-four hours.  I can't even...wow.  We have 3 weeks completed.  It's hard to believe.  

back again

A new MacBook Air has recently come into my possession (the battery life is crazy good).

Posting shall once again be a thing that I actually do.

May take a while to get back into the swing of things, but I'm so happy to be back.

Hopefully on a more regular basis.

ps…I haven't used a Mac since 1999.  I think I need to go to the dummy class at the Apple store.  

Radar

Here's a few things on my radar lately...

Society6 is my new favorite thing.  I already ordered two prints from one of my favorite photographers who I found on Flickr years ago and now follow on Instagram.  It was hard to whittle my choices down to two.  But now that I've seen the print quality, I will happily order more.   I also love this, this, this and this from various other artists.

My brother posted this video on FB the other day.  And now Big Sur has moved up 3 more spots on my "must go there" list.  Right after Iceland and China.

The Veronica Mars Movie Kickstarter reached $5 million!  That deserves an exclamation point.  They also broke the record for most backers.  My roommate and I got in on the action the day the Kickstarter was announced. (We constantly re-watch, quote and still adore that VMars.)  It was so fun to watch the numbers climb and get excited with all the other marshmallows.  It's over now, and I must say I'm going to be so sad to not have that counter to watch.  What a fun month.  LoVe forever.

Kickstarter in general is a favorite of mine and has been since before the VMars movie deal.  I personally love the app and am constantly looking at all the creative and fun ideas.  So many creative people.

I'm currently reading and loving this.  What a fascinating human being, that creator of Apple was. Crazy, but fascinating.

Just finished Matched. It was good.  I wanted to know what happened.  But it was no Divergent, by any means.  And I must admit that I've seen it for years and haven't picked it up because the cover seemed so silly to me.  Then I read what the story was about and decided it give it a try.

Iron Man 3 comes out in about 3 weeks.  I'm just slightly excited.  Okay, maybe I've been counting down the days since they started filming last year.  And this picture that Gwyneth tweeted last week...awesome.

Speaking of Gwyneth, I spent a good long time going through her new cookbook in the book store the other day.  So many of the recipes looked delicious.  And the photos were so beautiful.

I'm still obsessed with Dr. Quinn.  Constantly re-watching episodes.  Today was the classic season one episode where Sully gets beaten up and temporarily paralyzed.  Dr. Mike nurses him back to health and convinces him not to kill the man that tried to kill him.  That show is like comfort food.  It's so silly and predictable, but I love it so much.

I've about finished up one year with Amazon Prime, and I will happily sign up again.  It has been well worth the money for me.  I order from Amazon often and love the free 2 day Prime shipping.  And then there are all the Prime Instant Videos that I've watched, now that there is an app for iphones.  And I've read a few books for free from the Prime Kindle lending library.  It's been a great investment.  I highly recommend it.

I made this delicious (found via Pinterest) treat a few weeks ago.  A not-so-terrible-for-you sweet that is actually delicious!  I added a bit of agave because I'm not a big fan of honey.  It was a big hit with friends too.

And lastly, I turned 36 this weekend.  Gulp.  To celebrate, I spent the day antiquing with my mom.  She was super sweet to buy me some of the treasures I found.  It was such a lovely day, and we got chocolate!

Goodbye, week

(by the fantastic Nan Lawson.  A forever favorite artist of mine.)

I'll be glad when this week is over.

Anyone else?

Just one of "those weeks", you know?

Here's a few pieces of randomness for you on this Friday...

>>>  I've been watching It Happened One Night again, hence the above artwork.  

>>>  Joss is doing a big ol' bus tour with the cast of Much Ado on their way to SXSW.  Love it.  Can't wait for the movie.

>>>  The new Divergent book comes out in October.  Oh-so-long-to-wait October.  I've been thinking about Tris lately and wondering how this story will end.

>>>  David's Tea.  Oh, good gracious.  I could spend way too much $$ on their deliciousness.  My current favorite it Read My Lips.  It came as a sample with my order and now I need more.  It's crazy delicious.

>>>  Finished Bunheads and now I must wait like the rest of America for the new season to start.  It definitely fills that Gilmore Girls hole.  I love the dancing.  LOVE.  

>>>  Loved this post from Elsie about lifestyle photography.  I find myself gravitating to this style 90% of the time.  Very few moments that are posed or "look at the camera".  I like the little moments and details, the bits and pieces that catch my eye while life is happening.  

>>>  I've found myself looking forward to Tuesdays thanks to You Are My Wild.  Several photographers post 1 photo of their kids from the past week.  I want to soak in all the light and perfection in each shot.  This is crazy inspiring to me right now.  

>>>  Speaking of inspiring...does it get any more inspiring than a shoot like this one from the great TW?  For years now, I just drool over the light she paints with in her photos.  

>>>  Another post from a blog I follow.  The third photo...I want to live inside those perfect colors.  

And so on and so forth....

What's caught your attention lately?

Dear, Spring...

I am very ready for spring. By that I mean that I'm already sitting in windows on warm(er) days to soak in every second of bright sunshine.  I also mean that I'm contemplating pulling out my summer clothes even though the highs are still in the 40 degree range here.  I finally mean that I am missing running.  That's right.  I said it.  I miss my morning runs.  But I cannot make myself run when it is in the 30's outside.  I spend the rest of the day coughing because of the cold air.  No thank you.

So, Spring.  Yes, you, desperately missed friend...you feel free to come at any time.  It is March 1st, you know.  March seems very appropriate for your arrival.  I vow to bring flowers to announce your presence.  I vow to get rid of all the winter leftovers such as weeds and brown grasses and pale, covered skin.  I vow to use the sunlight and warm weather to its potential with gardening, outdoor games, beach walks, morning runs, hiking adventures.  

We'll be friends, dear Spring.  We will.  We will enjoy each other's company, I promise.  I won't take you for granted.  I'll be thankful for every day. And you will be the reason that I will make it through the insanity that comes to life when one lives on a camp schedule.  

So, please.  Please, won't you?  You must be ready for all of this too, right?!

Luna and the Color Run

(amazing artwork by Viria)

Without reliable internet at home, I feel like my blogging has dwindled down to nothing.  

Sighhhh....

Makes me so sad, but it's just such a pain to take hours to post just one little thing.  

Anyway...

What I've been up to lately:

Watching the Harry Potter movies again.  How brilliant are those stories?  I mean, really.  I know we've all heard the pomp and circumstance over them a thousand times, but I'm still in awe when I rediscover them after a while away.  I just re-discovered my love of Luna Lovegood (and the absolutely perfect casting of her character in the movies).  And then there are the Weasley's.  I can never get enough of them.  

Instagramming it up.  I'm obsessed.  I think it's been my "blog" for the year.  My sweet little iphone has been the only consistent place that I can get internet access, which means Instagram is about the extent of my online-ness (besides some email and a little Twitter).  

Running.  It's a love/hate relationship we have.  I hate doing it, but love that I have done it when it's over.  I do think having a goal to work toward is helping immensely.  Oh, right....my goal....The Color Run.   I can't freakin' wait!! Lately, I've been listening to Pandora's 80's Cardio Radio while I run.  So many great song.

Still missing camp.  It's just so quiet around here.

Getting super excited for the Renaissance Festival, which starts up soon and very soon.  It's my favorite tradition of the Fall.  The food, the shows, the people watching.


So for those of you that have been asking (my sister included) where I've been, there a tiny post for you to read.  You're welcome.

haunting

(photo found here.  Story behind the photo found here)

I posted this exact photo back in 2010. 

It still haunts me. 

Tacked onto the forefront of my brain forever.  

I think about it every American holiday like today or the 4th or Veteran's Day.  

Just seemed appropriate that I should post it again, 

since I haven't stopped thinking about it all day.

I am so blessed to live in this country.

Never want to forget that my freedom comes at a great price.

Thankful for the millions who have sacrificed.  

Today, I remember them....

Where is my Flynn Rider?

My hair is ridiculously long right now.
Too long, in fact.
Because it is so baby-fine, long = too much weight.
It's needs a trim, like bad.

One of the perks though is that I can play with it.
Milkmaid braids. The best hairstyle when you need to wash your hair, but don't have time (or hot water).
Low buns with vintage scarfs.  Also great for bad hair days.  


And then there is always the pencil bun for those hot days in the office when we haven't turned on the air yet.

Since I am outside in the sun and heat all day for the entire summer, I appreciate being able to get my hair the heck off my neck.  It's hot!  I'm all about braids and ponytails and buns every single day.

I really want to master the braided crown, so I can be all Empire Strikes Back Princess Leia.  But I can't, for the life of me, master the backwards braid.  Hours and hours of practice still yield a giant mess.  That regular old French braid is the only thing that comes out every single time.

Okay.
Hair post complete.

beauties

My sister sent me the most lovely present for my birthday.  

I can't get over how beautiful it is.  

Anyway, I just had to take a photo of how it was packaged when it arrived in the mail.

Note:  I took these before it knew what was inside.  

It was hard to wait.

Once the box was open, there was this pretty-ness.  

Because I love wrapping presents so very much, 

the whole opening of this was a sheer delight.  

I appreciated the detail and care that went into the wrapping,

just as much as I did what was inside.

Hello, beauties!
They are even more lovely in person,
let me tell you.
So delicate and charming.

Ignoring my wrinkly old lady hand.
Look how lovely they are.
And they perfectly fit my doll sized fingers.

The rings are from the adorable shop Lumafina on Etsy.
The polished sterling silver ring is was a gift from my parents on one of their trips to Alaska.  The gold is a little gold nugget from an Alaska mine.  This ring never leaves my finger.

Thank you, dear sister.
I love them so much.
And I think about you everytime I glance down at them.
They are perfect.
xoxo

a word-filled one to make up for the lack

Here's all my randomness and thoughts just for you.

1.  I can't stop listening to Bon Iver and Coldplay lately.  Me = love Coldplay for years and years now, and it's not going away any time soon. Sometimes the old albums seem new, all over again.  I would LOVE to see them live this summer when their tour swings through, but tickets are over $100 for nosebleeds.  Yowza.
Bon Iver has become beloved just within the last few months. Welcome, new band.  Welcome.

2.  I get incredibly inspired when I'm driving.  True story.  Fact:  I rarely listen to music in the car.  I don't have any radio stations programmed.  I have 6 CD's that rarely get changed (Battlestar Season 4 and Viva laVida have been in there for years, I think.)  Maybe it's the quiet, or maybe the rush of images that pass by.  Whatever the case, I'm forever coming up with story ideas.
This brings me to yet another reason I love my iphone.  Siri.  Siri is my best note taker.  She will type out what I can't bear to forget while I'm keeping my eyes on the road and my hands on the steering wheel. If one of these little nuggets of an idea ever truly becomes a book, I think I will have to thank her in my acknowledgements. It would only seem right.  

3.  I've been sewing up a storm lately.  A present for a friend and more note cards.

4.  Guys, I have to be at work at 5:45am tomorrow morning.  Can we all please have a moment of silence for my loss of sleep?  These last 2 weeks have been out of control busy.  And by that I mean it has not been abnormal for me to work 10 hour days.  It's been slightly overwhelming.
On the positive side, I have been thanking the good Lord over and over and over for my sabbatical.  If I hadn't had those 3 months, I would be a mess right now.  I can see so clearly how much that break was water to my soul.  My Father knew exactly when I needed that rest.  And He filled me up for days like this when I was going to be poured out.

5.  Three cheers for going running today after beginning my work day at 6:30am and working until 4pm.  That, my friends, is a huge accomplishment.  We won't discuss how long I ran.  It's just important that I didn't let my laziness win.  And it wanted to, dear goodness.  It wanted to.

6.  Do you read Ali Edwards' blog?  If not, you should.  She is a scapbooker, but don't let that turn you away if you aren't into all that paper and glue.  I have so enjoyed her fantastic advice on creativity and living a creative life.  Her words have been running through my head lately as I get frustrated with myself that I have only pulled out my DSLR ONE time since January.  "It's ok."  So I'm taking more iphone photos right now?  That's okay.  So I don't have a pile of photos to edit? That's okay.  Follow your creativeness and it may lead to a place you haven't been before.  An even more inspiring one.
I will say that I have kept up my 1 photo a day on Instagram for almost 4 months now, and I definitely don't want to stop.  It's been inspiring and freeing.  And it's been ok.  The documentation is just as important as the file size.

7.  I think Claudia Jean Cregg may be one of my favorite television characters of all time.  I've been quite taken with her lately.  I keep trying to think of stories I could write just to have AJ become one of the characters.  Her performances always make me sit up and pay attention.  She totally deserves that shelf full of Emmy's for CJ.

Night, all.
It's time for bed.
Even if it is only 8:45pm.
Please read #4.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

don't lose sight

(couldn't find the original source, but found on Pinterest.) 

I'm having a particularly busy weekend.

Make that week.

Yes, the week was ultra busy too.

Next week appears to have the same agenda.  

But our weather is perfection.

And there is a thunderstorm in the forecast for tonight.

We haven't had a good one in a while.

There's nothing like a good thunderstorm.

Especially here on the water.

Sometimes it gets frustrating having to plan my life almost a year out.
You would think that I would be used to it by now.
But still.
It's tough to swallow at times.
It leaves little room for spontaneity.

One a totally different (and happier) note, it's 70 degrees here today.
70 degrees with bright sunshine.

And it's Easter on Sunday.
I can't help but love Easter.
I love it because it's so much to do with church and less to do with presents and craziness like Christmas is.
I love remembering how wretched I am and how totally undeserving of Christ's love I am
I love thinking about the empty tomb and the angels waiting at the doorway.
I love it because it happens during the time of the year when things are blooming and life is returning.
I love it.
And I'm thankful to be loved by the God whom we celebrate the day for.
Amen.

(Let's just forget those first few grumbling lines, shall we?)

Remember when you were a kid and you wrote out a birthday list.

Silly things I want for my birthday:

1.  The Young Victoria on DVD.
Because it has turned into one of my favorites of all time and I want to re-watch it constantly.  

2.  This record player in that amazing, amazing color.  It's been on my wish list for a few years now.  
When I was a elementary school kid, that's what we listened to, records.  We had a record player in our basement with a collection of kids records.  We played those things until they were scratched and warped.  I've also been collecting a few records here and there at thrift stores.  I need to have something to play them on.  Not to mention the stack of vintage classics my parents have in their basement.  I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I borrowed them, right Mom and Dad?

3.  This print, which I am smitten with.  
Found in the shop lovelysweetwilliam on Etsy.  

4.  A few of these beauties.
That oxidized grey is stunning, don't you think?  I have doll sized hands though.  Do you think they come in a size 4 1/2?  

5.  Don't laugh now....The Human Target Soundtrack.  
I never saw a second of the show, but just look at the composer.   My favorite.  I've heard that he thinks this is one of his best.  I don't know how it could possibly be better than the Battlestar soundtracks.  They are still on consistent repeat for me, even years later.  


Birthday lists are fun because they aren't anything you "need".  They are just for the heck of it.  What silly things would be on your list right now?

on this last Friday in March

The ivy growing on the side of my house is charming to me.
I'd love to have it cover the entire thing.
Just seems "cottagey" doesn't it?

I bought myself flowers today.
Just seems appropriate.
Ranuculus.
Because the colors are perfect
and they are so twisty and wild-like.

I found the most amazing photos in a book I got at the library.
The photos from the 20's and 30's especially.
Those dresses and shoes and hair.
I wanted to buy those dresses immediately.
And don't get me started on the hats.

The book was about Charlie Chaplin.
It was a type of photo journal of his life.
This one just struck me in its absurdity/normalcy.
A man reading the paper.
He just so happens to be reading it in a bath tub full of water
on a break while filming.
Don't you love his waterlogged suit and the reflection.
I can't stop staring at it.

It's a fantastic book.
Truly.
Especially if you like the golden age of Hollywood.

Happy weekend, all.

xoxo,

Cottage Girl

so lazy

A photo from a few days ago.  The fog that has enveloped us for the last week.  No joke.  It has been foggy like this every day until about 2pm when the sun is finally able to peak out.  Such a strange thing.  It's like we really do live in Brigadoon or the Forbidden Forest.

The photo is from a few days ago because I have done absolutely nothing today.  Nothing but watch old episodes of  The West Wing (season 1), lay around and watch videos on youtube.  A real productive day.  Me = lazy.

Signing off to accomplish something productive, and then head to church.  My church just added a 5:30pm service.  Strange to not head to church first thing on Sunday morning.  As we can all see, I don't do well without structure.  I tend to waste way too much time.


side note:  The West Wing.  I really think the first 3 seasons are some of the best TV ever produced.  The writing and cast are almost too good to be true.   I get obsessed with it every so often.  If you've never seen it, do yourself a favor and get to know Sam, Josh, Donna, CJ, Toby, Leo, Charlie and Mr. President.  

magnolia in sprintime

The colors in the flowers of a magnolia tree in the springtime are just too much.

I can't even take how beautiful they are sometimes.  

I want to live in their colors.  

Taken with my iphone today on an adventure that I will share soon.  

Weekend colors

We are just at the beginning of everything bursting out in spring blooms.  My favorite time of year.  When the trees have the new/bright green.  The cherry blossoms are everywhere.  The tulips and daffodils and magnolias.  It's my absolute favorite.

This particular tree is outside my office.  It's old and twisted and the perfect shade tree.  In the Fall it turns golden yellow.  Right now it's covered in these bright pink fuzzy blossoms that turn peach in the afternoon sunlight.

I found this DIY online this weekend and decided to pull out my paints.  I had some canvas left over from another project.  Love it when I can make something without having to go buy any supplies.

While painting this one, I got an idea for 2 more so they can all hang together.  Almost finished #2.  It was so fun to pull out those colors and paintbrushes.  It's been a while since I have painted just for fun.

Bright green Brussels sprouts.  Until about 2 months ago, I thought I hated these little guys.  I hadn't had them since I was a kid and for some reason, remembered hating the way they tasted.  My mom randomly made them while I was home in January and now I can't get enough.  Maybe my tastes have changed.  Who knows.

My favorite way to eat them is tossed with a little olive oil and lots of kosher salt and then roasted in the oven.  And they should get a little crunchy on the outside.  Yum.  I want some more right now!

I was actually at the store looking for running pants, but I spotted these colors and knew I had to at least try this little tank on.  It has the cutest top part, but the colors are what stopped me dead in my tracks.  And then when I noticed that it matched my fingernail polish, I just had to snap a photo in the dressing room.

Yes, I bought it.  It was only $12.99.  And I think I would pay $12.99 just to look at those colors for a while.


Maybe one of these days, I will take a photo with my actual camera.  One day....