I cant stop watching this video, I love it. Though, it only makes me want a kitty even more than I already do. And a roomba. *alisa updates her Christmas list* Thanks to Jason for sending this to me.

I just cant help myself! I love hippos!

I recently started reading the blog Apartment Therapy because a few other blogs I follow had mentioned them, one writer’s apartment even got talked about and shown on Apartment Therapy. I love seeing real life decorating as well, so much better than Domino if you ask me. Now, if I was a good blogger, I would of just added this to my links, which is to your left, on my blog but I havnt touched those in a very long time. Jason mentioned to me how out of date a lot of things on my blog are. Part of me felt like any day my other website was going to be along any day, I kept putting the task off. But since Ive been saying that other site is “coming soon” for over a year now, I should turn my energy to this little corner of the internet I have already poured myself into. A mini-face lift, or more so a little update of me on the internet. I tell you all instead of just announcing all the changes so that its somewhat of an accountably to myself. So stayed tuned for more on that. Going back to Apartment Therapy, its also bad for a person like me who should not go to places such as T.J. Maxx or Ross alone. Just yesterday I was in there shopping for size 11 high heels (it was for a game for youth group) and totally walked out with other decorating things for my house! There went my state tax refund! I couldn’t believe myself, but they have such cool stuff in there to make my living space look like the apartments at Apartment Therapy. And at a very responsible price…I promise I have self control when it comes to shopping. Just house stuff must be my biggest temptation of all, that made need some therapy, or accountability of not being alone in those stores. Do make sure to check out Apartment Therapy, you probably dont have problems like I do.

Photos taken with cell phones that are really quite amazing. A lot of the same phone (and of course one of them is lovely iPhone) but I dont know if I would of been able to tell if they were taken with a cell phone unless told. Enjoy.

Thanks to Kendra…

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph – Family reunion – Family photos

I love google for many reasons. The reason I love Google today is:

(my friend Laura sent me these lovely guys. I now will promptly print this out and frame it for my office.

Found out today some of my high school kids read my blog thanks to the bosses wife. Hi girls. How are you? Shouldnt you be doing homework or something instead of reading my blog?

Its funny, my brother was the first in the family to get himself a blog. I found it somehow and read it, asked him about something he wrote. He got very upset with me “WHY ARE YOU READING THAT?!” I look at him with a confused face and said “Its on the INTERNET. World Wide Web.” He didnt really have much to say after that, becasue its true. Careful what you put on the internet, anyone can read it. Im not ashamed of what I have written, but sometimes I forget becasue of this screen that anyone can find and read it. I tend to spill my thoughts more than I would in person, but Im thankful for an outlet like this. Its my own little corner of the internet.

Aw man. I wrote everyday since the first of the year and yesterday, my full packed day, I missed a day. Not that any of you probably noticed I was trying to blog something each day. Oh wells, onto this wonderfully snowy day we are having! I could live through winter no problem if its snowy like this all the time. Im waiting for it to stick, but its fun to catch snowflakes on tongues.

Oh and Im enjoying a mojito right now. What? Yeah yeah its a summer drink but I feel warm on the inside! Thats all that matters.

Some friends of mine out of state said they were ordering their Girl Scout cookies. Ive always gotten mine from when I worked with middle schoolers. I wasnt sure where Id be getting my fix for this year from. Beginning of my week I send out a facebook message to the youth groups facebook group with the weeks announcements. At the end of it, I asked if anyone happened to have a sister selling girl scout cookies. I got a handful of responses. My roommate and I just checked out the cookies online to refresh our memory for when we were in Girl Scouts and to see what was new this year (just some low fat cookies, why would I even bother getting Girl Scout cookies in low fat?!). We placed our order through a message on facebook for the cookies and I will get them a week before February. I never knew when I signed up for facebook that it be a gateway to Girl Scout cookies. Oh how I love the internet.

Ive been missing the Office a lot lately. A lot. Youtube videos dont ease they pain they just increase it. But these Office LOLcats are great. Apparently they’ve been reading my mind and my blog. Here are some of my favorites, the rest can be found on Office Talley.

This morning I made cinnamon rolls with Emily. They are SO yummy, and never mind a whole box of butter are in them. Its Christmas. And they are wonderful. Hopefully Emily will post photos later so I can share with you all how fun the morning was. Until then, I have for you a lol cat that made me laugh. Love it.

I dont think Ive shared this website before, its a blog devoted to free iTunes. How awesome is that? Its getting free music, without the work of finding it. To help get us into the holiday spirit (for those of you waiting till December kicks in, I understand but the downloads are usually only good for a week. So download now and listen later.) there is a free download from Mannheim Steamroller and also, Carol of the Bells . You can listen to it while you put up more twinkle lights.

In my different circles, there has been a common factor, that keeps popping up. A lady who has nicked named herself Pioneer Women . She writes a few blogs, but the cooking one was the one that made me become a fan. When Im looking for a recipe, Im always drawn to the one with a picture. I need to know what it looks like for two reason. One, Im a visual person, step by step pictures work well for me. Second, I want confirmation that it does in fact look like this. Disclaimer about this post, its very Pioneer Women style and well, my roommate already made fun of me for taking photos as a cook but dang it, it was fun! [ Brandi, I hope you took photos as you made your Pioneer Women Thanksgiving dinner.]

Ah well this has been something Ive been doing before on this blog. Its just been a while since we’ve seen random play list brought to you by the shuffle feature on my iPod. I havnt been on walks in a while. It was too hot during the summer. Fall got busy for me. I need to get off my hinney and go now that weather is pretty awesome. Anyways, I wanted some tunes to cook my green beans and heres what I got:

All Right Here by Sara Groves (Good girl power song. A favorite for sure.)
And Can It Be by Sandra McCracken (Good upbeat hymn.)
Across the Universe by Rufus Wainwright (Beatles cover. Bringing two awesome things together. Yes.)
Magic Trick by M.Ward (I just adore this song. I dance around a sing a little every time its on.)
God Rest Ye Merrt Gentleman by Barenaked Ladies (CURSES! Emily Freeman are you in my iPod turning on the Christmas music two days early? CURSES!)
On the Divide by Bebo Norman (Its been a while for me and Bebo. I didnt know who this was a first.)
Wish In This World by Edwin McCain (What? You know you like some Edwin McCain too.)
I Want a Broken Heart by Derek Webb (This song seemed really out of place.)
The Best Is Yet to Come by Frank Sinatra (Its as though he was singing of the green beans.)
Jessamyn’s Reel by Chris Thile (Wonderful song. I rarely say that about an instrumental. Makes stirring around things fun.)

Alright, now we have our Green Bean Mix going, onto the production. Now, this is no means a step by step on how to make these green beans, whos recipe is titled “The Most Delicious Green Beans” . Well see if it holds up to its name tomorrow. This is just more of you sitting in a chair in the kitchen with me as I fix these green beans.

Ah my little kitchen space. I make it work though becasue I love my house despite its lack of counter space. So we’ve got a hot pan from IKEA (love my IKEA cook wear) and bacon. One pound of bacon (which I use all but two pieces of).

This is not becasue I love bacon a lot. This becasue the pan on the bacon package and my pan match. Confirmation Im using the right thing! And yeah its Costco bacon. You dont even want to know how much more of this stuff is in my fridge.

So, the recipe said to have strips of bacon. I always burn bacon when they are in long strips for some reason. And I didnt really get down with a big fat layer on top of the green beans. Wouldnt that cause problems when taking a soup to it to dump on the Thanksgiving plate? Kitchen scissors to the rescue!

Do not judge! There is nothing wrong with canned green beans. Look I even got the no salt added kind since you know, there is ton of bacon in this dish.

I know they look funny. Its not becasue they are canned, its becasue the flash colored it funny. They are shiny! Pretty green beans.

Those are pretty bubbles of grease! Crispy brown bacon! YUM!

I know, I know. Its like McDonalds putting calories on the side of french fries. You dont want to know how much fat drained off the bacon. I just kinda had to know sorta thing. (Its little over 1/2 cup in case you cant read it.)

Jason rented a Wii game Ive been wanting to try called Cooking Mama. Its pretty fun and very Japaneses. Well, Im awesome at chopping on Cooking Mama. Not a whole lot other than that, but I always get those points and cream the computer when I chop. Then real life comes and Im not so awesome at chopping. Though this is the first time I didnt cry when cutting an onion. That in itself is a victory.

Dont worry, it isnt more bacon fat. This is apple cider vinegar that goes into the bacon fat. With some sugar. But this little beauty is one of my favorite new kitchen items. A measuring shot glass. Its way too fun and great for small liquid measurements.

Final product! Okay well not final, final. Its gonna sit in the fridge over night then cook at 350 for 45 minutes tomorrow before I head to my friends home after a little morning shift at the ‘Bucks (time and a half!). And I left the almonds at Jason’s but they will go on and be awesome along side the bacon and green beans. (Another shot glass appearance, I love it so much.)

A close up of the pretty green beans and toppings. Have a great Thanksgivings!

Apparently this guy saw a girl on the subway on November 4th. He started a website to met her: NYgirlofmydreams.com . This video aired yesterday, the 13th. Thats less than 10 days it took for him to find her. To me, in a sea of millions of New Yorkers, they found each other. I think thats pretty amazing, in how quickly he found her. Also, I cant believe they went on national TV the day after their first meeting. I couldnt tell if he was just so thrilled to be with her or just flat out a nervous wreak, making him kinda awkward. Then again, if I was on national TV Id probably look the same. She seemed rather taken with the idea. Though I do think her friends are quite funny that only this would happen in America. Silly Americans.

A breakfast project thats quite inspiring. Ive been wanting something to help me practice portraits more. I think pairing it will still life is a wonderful idea.

I’ve been busy. Good busy, and really we are always busy in some form or another so I don’t even know why I make that statement. Though five years ago I don’t think I was this busy, but again its a good busy. The last two days I had off (after a weekend off!) and literally was barely on the internet. I’m paying for it now having over a hundred blog entries to catch up with. I feel so out of the internet loop! But one thing for sure is screaming across the blog world is that it is hot! Honestly, yeah its hot and I’m not one to really venture outside (keeps me away from spending money I don’t have anyhow) but if I need to run an errand I could bare it. I don’t know if I would of said that last summer! I would of believe I was melting and want to be back home. Well I do want to be back in California, but not solely for the cooler weather. I wont see California till Christmas time.

That’s my next thing, Christmas in summer. No I’m not putting up lights or busting out the Christmas carols, but I do have Christmas on the brain. Maybe its becasue I’m a January baby and have no birthday celebration to look forward to later in the year. Whenever I’m out and about I see things I want, I write it down (or update my amazon wish list). If Jason is with me I say “I want this for Christmas!” He replies “You say that like Christmas is around the corner, I am not going remember this stuff.” I think I’ve always had this problem in summer months, finding Christmas presents. But come Christmas and people ask what I want, I’m too catch up in the season to remember all my wishes from summer. This year I’ve gotten smart and have a good list going, though I am feeling a bit greedy. I guess I do have time to trim it down.

There are freshly painted bookshelves in my room. This has been a project of mine since I moved in… oh last November. I’ve been here for nine months and I’m just getting around to projects! Next thing to is to hang photos on the wall. So unlike me to not have photos on the walls, if you saw my childhood bedroom (especially teenage years) you be blown away by my bare walls. I will be working on that – its not like I don’t have the frames sitting here just waiting to be filled or anything. Dana and I cleaned out the kitchen of stuff (whole big box full) that has been left by past girls who lived here. Why do people leave their crap? We don’t want your crap! We had to make room for our new roommate who will be moving in next week. Feels so good to get the house clean (spring cleaning in the summer, it works. Too hot to go out anyways, remember.) and putting it together in a collaboration of all of us.

I updated my flickr profile today and I thought it was blog note worthy. It gives a brief history of my cameras.

I love taking photos, more than most of my friends wish I did (but they always thank me later). You can go back to my early grade school days to see me with a camera in hand capturing my life through a camera. Seems everyday there’s something new to learn about photography, especially with an addicting site like flickr as part of that education. Film seems to be a dying art in the photography world, which is truly what I love to shot with. Here’s a little bit of history with the equipment I have mostly gain by people who encourage me in this creative outlet:

Digital:
Nikon D50 aka Owen: Owen is the newest addition to my camera family. He was a Christmas 2006 gift from my parents and he has opened my eyes to how neat digital photography can be. Also only camera I have named, that’s kind of a big deal.

Kodak DX3600: This was a hand me down birthday present from my parents four years ago (my haven’t I come along ways). Its very trusty digital, despite its large (fat I should say) size. Its been a lot of places with me and has captured a lot memories for me. Only digital I’ve owned (till Owen) and would be tough to give it up.

Film:
Minolta QTsi Maxxum: Jason bought this for Christmas a few years back to help my creative side come out more than the Kodak was allowing. I love the photos that this little camera takes. In college my mom let me borrow her Minolta that she bought when I was born so I do have a little bit of a soft side for Minolta’s. I think she needs a name (yes, digital camera’s are boys and film camera are girls).

Canon Rebel 2000: This was a “trade” of sorts from David since he dropped film and hit the ground running with digital. I didn’t see the big hoopla over Canons till I took some rolls with this one. Wow, so pretty colors.

I love when God speaks really loudly to me. Or maybe its just I’m actually listening. I’ve been thinking a lot about community and art as of late. Those will be saved for another time of sharing but two things are near and dear to me right now. Art, as something I find to do alone as an expression of so many things. As part of worship or capturing a moment that you could no other way or simply making art for the beauty of it. Community, which to me is harder to describe. Its a scene of belonging, a safe place found in a group of people who have a common ground shared between them. Now to me, this what I think of when you pull these two things together, a photo blog shared between two women who live thousands of miles away from each other. Amazing photography mixed with the art of a friendship. I don’t know anything about these women other than what I just told you, but the idea is brilliant if you ask me. So check out their site 3191 (via Alissa .)

I havnt share with you all this neat little corner of internet that some friends of mine have started an online magazine on. Its called Cornertableonline.com and I just posted an interview with the one and only Tara Leigh Cobble . Be sure to add Cornertableonline.com to your bookmark or RSS feeds.

Also, I took some photos of our new downtown park. Enjoy.