"Drove to Chicago, all things go, all things go" - Sufjan Stevens

This is Sue. She is the most complete T-Rex in the world. Fascinating and scary.

Chicago Recap:

- Icy, cold day. wowzers.

- Once Upon a Bagel was a delicious little deli. We had corned beef hash, perfect bagels, and lox. Yum. Oh, and we got 4 pounds(!) of corned beef and 3 giant loaves of rye bread for a landlord who had recommended the place. I loved the food and the customers were fun to watch.

- Weather wise, it was a quintessential Chicago day: cold and flakes of snow drifting down.

- The Field Museum was fun. We saw an exhibit on the Aztecs and "Real Pirates" and of course the animals in every public museum. "Real Pirates" was my favorite. I had to read everything.

- The temperature was inconstant due to a wicked wind.

- Don't ask the cab driver where to eat. Ask the Nordstrom concierge.

- I'm a big baby when it comes to spicy, but I still love Thai curry.

- ESPN Zone for dessert? yes indeed. That place is a man's heaven.

- Some people are very generous. I was with one of them.

- The drive home, without fail, goes by twice as fast as the drive there. Except one time, when I was with a nice lady and her daughter (my friend) and we went 45 mph on the freeway. That was an exceptionally long drive home.

I love cities.

I can't do it anymore

Cannot speak French anymore. As proven yesterday.

A gentleman who only spoke French came in to work. I understood him for the most part (kinda), but I could not figure out his main concern. I was able to reply in French, but oh my, I have forgotten everything. It was a sad day for my intelligence.

Welsh Cakes

When in Wales, get some welsh cakes. I bought them at this little Welsh folk history place and froze them until I got home. My dad loved them, so a recipe was found. Mom made some today. Yum.

oh how i love tcm

I know it's almost over, but I love their cool widgets.

When I should have been asleep

I was up.

Working on this.

Why?

why not.

Blend away

I've always been a smoothie fan. But since my mom got this, I'm an addict.

Soups, whole fruit juice, all fruit smoothies, and Jamba Juice concoctions = a happy family.

And we're just getting started.

No other blender compares.

Oh yeah

Um, hello?!

No Doubt AND Paramore (remember last year) are coming to Summerfest this year.

Slightly excited and I really really really wanna go.

Tickets go on sale March 7th.

Don't let me forget people.

No Doubt is back. Proof baby.

Birdies

There is a fascination with birdies that I am going to inherit (it goes back many generations).  These are new precious things from Williams-Sonoma.

Nauvoo recap day two

Recap day two:

-woke up bright and early.  seriously.  it was very bright and early.

-upon walking out, i didn't realized there was a layer of ice under the snow and almost did the splits.  my leg is sore from stopping me.

-most of the girls were bare legged and high heeled.

-Fix made yummy pancakes while he, brad, and jared sang Saturday's Warriors.

-the Temple was gorgeous and wonderful.

-the weather was freezing and unbelievably windy.

-lunch was warm.

-taking pictures was cold.

-we got to go to the bakery, blacksmith, and family living center.

-we watched candles being made, ate bread and cookies made in a bustle oven, watched a pot be thrown, and made rope.  

-we made like 3 stops in one block before even leaving the little town for water, bathrooms, etc.

-I was self-appointed DJ.  we had moulin rouge, les mis, spice girls, lady ga-ga, billy joel, and everything else I thought my peeps could sing along to.

-we had to go way out of our way to get chinese food that some people were craving.  ridiculous.

-the temperature in the car was either too cold or too hot.  never just right.

-we got back late to cars covered in snow.

-we had so much fun.

Nauvoo recap day one

Recap Day One:

-8 people packed in the suburban

-first stop was only one hour into the trip

-we missed our exit

-next stop was a gas station.  Ray wanted Funyuns but didn't buy them

-45 mins later we had to stop to get him Funyuns

-crossed over into Iowa and then crossed back - boo Google Maps

-big snowflakes came pouring from the sky at hyper-drive speed

-we had to do two u-turns while only a mile from our destination due to the darkness and snow.  One even involved pulling into the edge of a cornfield

-we started to blast Moulin Rouge when we got there, causing us to not want to get out of the car, even after 6+ hours

-Fix made heavenly cheesecake for Ray's birthday that we ate when we arrived at midnight

-I ended up being the odd girl for the two girl condos -thus sleeping on a chair with two ottomans

-I also forgot my pajamas and therefore slept in my clothes

-We all went to bed very late

And that was just Day One.

Nauvoo - digital

Brr.  I only took pictures of the Temple on our quick trip down to Nauvoo for a day.  Why?  Because it was freezing and I'm kind of a fair-weather-photographer when its so cold I can't feel my face.  Nauvoo is right on the Mississippi, as you can see in the last picture.

film shots to follow.  blast Color Prints for closing.  :(

Nauvoo

I'm headed down with peeps to Historic Nauvoo for a whirlwind trip tonight and tomorrow.  We've got all of the cars full and it's a six hour drive.  Should be fun.

If ever

In Amsterdam (even just the airport), get these.  You'll thank me later.

MGM movie star/famous swimmer

The perfect way to look Esther Williams-esque.  

Funny stuff

Yeah, you can now buy it on iTunes.  Amazing.

new header

can't tell if i like it...

which probably means i don't.  

not. a. designer.  

blah.

Photo presentation

Tomorrow I'm giving a photo presentation for Family Home Evening.  So come if you can and bring your camera.  

First item of business:  the viewfinder is not for your mouth but your eye.

Second item:  every little boy should have a sailor hat.

{ps: that's my toy camera from when I was 4 or something}

Love of my life

His pretty blue eyes.  His transparent skin.  His chubby cheeks.  His soft blond hair.  

He's still a baby to me, even if he can tell you that bears eat honey and his name is Sammy.

Nerd Moment

This is what your hard drive looks like.  Now you can see why so many (as in all) eventually fail. Back. Up. Your. Stuff. 

"Give me your lunch money!"

Natalie's boys loved this gag by Jon.  I love how Raleigh wants to be modest so he holds his shirt down.  Cardon couldn't care less.

2nd grade love

Remember the days when you brought Valentines for everyone in your elementary school class?  And they were not really Valentines but things like these Star Wars sayings?  And then you had a party (so sweet!)?  

In second grade, I received a wrapped shoe box from a boy on Valentine's Day. Upon coming home and opening it, I found lots of candy (Toostie Rolls) and a note.   The note: "I love you" in second grader crayon penmanship.  Then below in the corner was small, adult writing: "We are good friends."  I was officially freaked out. The whole box remained hidden under my bed for a few years and I kinda avoided this boy all the way through middle school until we went to different high schools.  Yeah, I'm mature.

Valentine's Day card lovin'

Last night at Family Home Evening, we made Valentines.  I made a flip book which was fun, but my favorite was Troy's which said "You're Never Awkward" accompanied by a drawing.

Then Katie's card had conversation hearts in rejection format, saying things like "Sorry, but I've got to brush my cat's teeth" and the like (there were nice sayings on the other side).  

So I did a quick search and found these:  

I'm in love.

Taiwan and Lanterns

This is really pretty, but I can't help but think of the consequences.

Love Playlist

My dad and his business partner made up a bad {love} song playlist to send to a business buddy who sends them music.  I made myself a copy since I didn't know most of the songs.  

I could not listen to the whole thing.  I couldn't take it - it was so bad.  So bad.

Here it is:

- "Dancing queen" - ABBA

- "Breaking up is hard to do" - Neil Sedaka

- "Brand new key" - Melanie

- "You make me feel like dancing" - Leo Sayer

- "Muskrat love" - Captain & Tennille

- "Jive talkin' " - Bee Gees

- "Dizzy" - Tommy Roe

- "Nobody's perfect" - Hannah Montana

- "How am I supposed to live without you" - Michael Bolton

- "Simon says" - 1910 Fruitgum Company

- "I will always love you" - Whitney Houston

- "Come clean" - Hilary Duff

- "Gypsies, tramps, & thieves" - Cher

- "Year of the cat" - Al Stewart

- "Sugar, sugar" - The Archies

just thinking about listening to it gives me the heebiejeebies.

Dad's Birthday

It was yesterday.  He is a wonderful dad and a great grandpa.  Love you.

Here he is at 8 months old with 3 other generations.

Ghostie

While taking many a picture, Nick and I decided to see how a long shutter would look with us jumping in at the last second.  Kind of creepy.  

Then everyone was asking if I would take their picture for them.  So I would take their card and put it in my camera and snap a good one for them.  I should just set up a business doing that.

Head's up

I want your vote on what picture(s) you want to see in a new header: hawaii, san francisco, color, b&w, wedding, engagement, little boy, personal work?

please, please let me know what you want to see every time you come here.  

Kara's Cupcakes - SF

I could really go for one right now.

Cupcakes (for me) used to be nasty, small versions of cake with crusty, gross frosting.  

Not anymore.  Eating Kara's Cupcakes with Kara in San Francisco is so much fun.  and tasty. 

That's it

who's been holding out on me with the fact that Pizza Shuttle has a photo booth?

finally found one in milwaukee...

Hearts

A friend of mine loves hearts and her favorite holiday is Valentine's Day.  Her last name is now Hart.  I think she would like this sweet mobile.

Subscribe

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Well, if you have lots of blogs you like to read, go start using Google Reader or Bloglines, or whatever you want and then all you have to do is push the button (max). 

This makes it so you don't have to check if something has been updated.  It lets you know.

Bush man

I'm not sure which was better: scaring innocent bystanders or his commentary.

Yogurt Park

If ever in Berkley, hit up Yogurt Park to feel like a local.  And for yummy frozen yogurt.

The famous houses - SF