How can you not love Janet Jackson...
Friday, May 30, 2008
Caught red handed!
Okay, I am going a little personal here but I thought you all would appreciate it. And, I didn't even plan this with Tom Cruise's 25th Anniversary edition.
Lately while I have been working (from home in my "home office", aka. my kitchen) I've had the stereo on. Normally when I work I enjoy quite but we have construction on three of the four sides of our house and the sounds of saws, hammers and heavy equipment can be slightly distracting. Thus came the stereo.
Well last night I took my love of music to the next level, hehe. I was making dinner before Kyle came home and had my computer speakers turned way up to some totally girly music- Janet is a hero (Mel and Tina can attest!) helping me wind down from all the e-mails. Anyways, to make a long an embarrassing story short I was dancing around our kitchen like a five year old. Singing loud, using my tongs as a microphone and the kitchen towel as a prop. As I was twirling, yes you heard me right, twirling, I caught him out of the corner of my eye. The irrigation guy at our new neighbors home saw me. I saw him. We made eye contact and I just started laughing!
At this point I couldn't pretend it didn't happen so I just turned up the music louder and kept on going! One quick note... I was wearing more than just a button up and briefs!
Lately while I have been working (from home in my "home office", aka. my kitchen) I've had the stereo on. Normally when I work I enjoy quite but we have construction on three of the four sides of our house and the sounds of saws, hammers and heavy equipment can be slightly distracting. Thus came the stereo.
Well last night I took my love of music to the next level, hehe. I was making dinner before Kyle came home and had my computer speakers turned way up to some totally girly music- Janet is a hero (Mel and Tina can attest!) helping me wind down from all the e-mails. Anyways, to make a long an embarrassing story short I was dancing around our kitchen like a five year old. Singing loud, using my tongs as a microphone and the kitchen towel as a prop. As I was twirling, yes you heard me right, twirling, I caught him out of the corner of my eye. The irrigation guy at our new neighbors home saw me. I saw him. We made eye contact and I just started laughing!
At this point I couldn't pretend it didn't happen so I just turned up the music louder and kept on going! One quick note... I was wearing more than just a button up and briefs!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Memorial Day weekend
I couldn't believe it... yesterday was gorgeous here, sunny, warm and wow! It was awesome, then around 5:30pm or so the temperature dropped and this morning it was a balmy 38 degrees when I left the house!
Well enough of my indirect complaining this was a great weekend. My aunt and papa (grandfather to those who don't know the lingo) came up for a visit. We ate, laughed and worked our tails off! Our lawn and gardens are finally taking shape and they look great!
This weekend we also celebrated my dad's birthday again with a few "larger" gifts from everyone. Like his 350 lb. table saw that was kept in our garage for two weeks!
Andrew, Kyle, Dad and Aunt Sue opening his surprise!
I also went to watch my dearest Tina and her hubby run the half marathon at the Bayshore this past weekend. They finished in under 2 hours and Tina demonstrated the latest in running fashion... we thought she looking like something else!
The Mazzolas!
Tina's _ _ _ _ _ outfit! :)
Lastly, with the sunshine and warm(er) temperatures we picked some of my second favorite flowers- lily of the valley. (FYI, my favorite flower is the Peony, more particular the Sarah Bernhardt variety.) They conveniently grow in my parents back yard as well as between their home and our neighbors. If someone could actually mimic the scent of these tiny little blossoms that would be great... so far all the scents I have smelled are hardly like the real ones!
Lily of the Valley
Okay, it's off to run errands and get my house back in order! Have a great day!
Well enough of my indirect complaining this was a great weekend. My aunt and papa (grandfather to those who don't know the lingo) came up for a visit. We ate, laughed and worked our tails off! Our lawn and gardens are finally taking shape and they look great!
This weekend we also celebrated my dad's birthday again with a few "larger" gifts from everyone. Like his 350 lb. table saw that was kept in our garage for two weeks!
Andrew, Kyle, Dad and Aunt Sue opening his surprise!
I also went to watch my dearest Tina and her hubby run the half marathon at the Bayshore this past weekend. They finished in under 2 hours and Tina demonstrated the latest in running fashion... we thought she looking like something else!
The Mazzolas!
Tina's _ _ _ _ _ outfit! :)
Lastly, with the sunshine and warm(er) temperatures we picked some of my second favorite flowers- lily of the valley. (FYI, my favorite flower is the Peony, more particular the Sarah Bernhardt variety.) They conveniently grow in my parents back yard as well as between their home and our neighbors. If someone could actually mimic the scent of these tiny little blossoms that would be great... so far all the scents I have smelled are hardly like the real ones!
Lily of the Valley
Okay, it's off to run errands and get my house back in order! Have a great day!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Spring Drive
Yesterday I took a drive up the Old Mission Peninsula with my dad to take some pictures of the beautiful cherry blossoms. They aren't quite at their peak yet but here is a sneak peak of all the beauty that we have up here!
(p.s. SHHHHH! It's Dad's 50th today so make sure to give him a big birthday shout out!)
These blossoms were on Kroupa Road on Old Mission. This image has definitely been PS'd (photoshopp-ed for you non-editing people) but I love the delicate blossoms and the way they cluster together. Plus I was playing around with different techniques!
We stopped near another orchard by the Peninsula Grill on Center Road and I loved the contrast between the yellow ground cover and the white blossoms. This orchard smelled like heaven!
I've always loved magnolia blossoms. They are so dramatic yet so fragile at the same time. If you barely breath on them their petals brown. I just so happened to catch this great light streaming through the branches.
Here's that same magnolia tree in all it's glory. I loved the way the petals were just translucent enough to let light come in and the contrast between them and the dark espresso brown branches. Where the blossoms and the sky met they almost melted together.
(p.s. SHHHHH! It's Dad's 50th today so make sure to give him a big birthday shout out!)
These blossoms were on Kroupa Road on Old Mission. This image has definitely been PS'd (photoshopp-ed for you non-editing people) but I love the delicate blossoms and the way they cluster together. Plus I was playing around with different techniques!
We stopped near another orchard by the Peninsula Grill on Center Road and I loved the contrast between the yellow ground cover and the white blossoms. This orchard smelled like heaven!
I've always loved magnolia blossoms. They are so dramatic yet so fragile at the same time. If you barely breath on them their petals brown. I just so happened to catch this great light streaming through the branches.
Here's that same magnolia tree in all it's glory. I loved the way the petals were just translucent enough to let light come in and the contrast between them and the dark espresso brown branches. Where the blossoms and the sky met they almost melted together.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Festival of Tables
Over the weekend I assisted Wine Country Weddings and Events in creating two distinct and unique table designs for the 7th Annual Festival of Tables benefiting Child and Family Services of Northern Michigan.
Not only was this my first design and table particularly for the Festival, however our table for the Crooked Creek Ranch took first place! Overall there were 42 tables and three different categories for judging- Individual design, Small Group and Non-profit. Here are some samples of the "Mother Nature" table we created and designed for the Ranch and the "Bubbles" table for the Vineyard Inn. Enjoy!
This is the Mother Nature table with our first place ribbon!
For the linens we used jute and an antique crocheted overlay covered with moss.
Table settings were acacia wood chargers with green earthenware. Serving ware were recyclable wood utensils tied with twine, menu cards were printed on thin sheets of wood. Stemware were green goblets complete with green stems.
The ornamental apple tree was the focal point of the table light with small decorator lights and accented with cabbage roses wrapped in moss.
Flowers were provided by Marla Courtney Woods and consisted of white peonies, kale and cabbage roses- green, white and very natural!
This is the Vineyard Inn Table, Bubbles!
Inside the large champagne coupes we had colorful gems- baubles and bubbles!
The centerpiece was a tall champagne flute filled with a beautiful arrangement of white peonies, kale and cabbage roses accented with grapes.
The gold chargers tied in the bronze embroidered overlay with silk crepe linen. They were accented by gilded grapes and gold napkins.
Not only was this my first design and table particularly for the Festival, however our table for the Crooked Creek Ranch took first place! Overall there were 42 tables and three different categories for judging- Individual design, Small Group and Non-profit. Here are some samples of the "Mother Nature" table we created and designed for the Ranch and the "Bubbles" table for the Vineyard Inn. Enjoy!
This is the Mother Nature table with our first place ribbon!
For the linens we used jute and an antique crocheted overlay covered with moss.
Table settings were acacia wood chargers with green earthenware. Serving ware were recyclable wood utensils tied with twine, menu cards were printed on thin sheets of wood. Stemware were green goblets complete with green stems.
The ornamental apple tree was the focal point of the table light with small decorator lights and accented with cabbage roses wrapped in moss.
Flowers were provided by Marla Courtney Woods and consisted of white peonies, kale and cabbage roses- green, white and very natural!
This is the Vineyard Inn Table, Bubbles!
Inside the large champagne coupes we had colorful gems- baubles and bubbles!
The centerpiece was a tall champagne flute filled with a beautiful arrangement of white peonies, kale and cabbage roses accented with grapes.
The gold chargers tied in the bronze embroidered overlay with silk crepe linen. They were accented by gilded grapes and gold napkins.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Special day for special women
For all the Mom's out there, especially my own, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! With all the hustle and bustle we have in our lives it is so nice to stop and pause to thank these incredible women. I am just as guilty as the rest of us for not telling our moms how much they mean to us, however take time today to let them know!
Thank you Mom for being an incredibly strong woman. Strong in love, in faith and in family! It took me a long time to realize that you are always right and I'm glad I figured it out sooner than way later! You are such an inspiration and I wish you a day of peace and relaxation! I love you. love, me xoxo
(While I was out walking around the Traverse City State Hospital grounds yesterday thinking about how special of a weekend this is for our family and many others I took this picture. Thanks Mom for teaching me to find beauty and wonder in the most unique places!)
Thank you Mom for being an incredibly strong woman. Strong in love, in faith and in family! It took me a long time to realize that you are always right and I'm glad I figured it out sooner than way later! You are such an inspiration and I wish you a day of peace and relaxation! I love you. love, me xoxo
(While I was out walking around the Traverse City State Hospital grounds yesterday thinking about how special of a weekend this is for our family and many others I took this picture. Thanks Mom for teaching me to find beauty and wonder in the most unique places!)
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Line study
The last time I really "played" with my camera was when we were in Colorado... it's been a while! The other day I had an hour or so to fool around downtown and I headed to the pier. I was adjusting different light settings and modes along with trying to channel the spirits of the great photographers and focus on what I was seeing through my lens! Here's a sample of my little photo shoot!
I started with the rocks and boulders around the break wall.
For this shot I was playing around with my aperture, looks like it was a little over exposed!
The water inside the harbor was calm and the "Outrageous"-ness of it made for an interesting shot. (The sailboat's name is Outrageous.)
The water was so blue and inviting... but so cold! There's Power Island.
On my way back to the parking lot I turned around and took this picture... pretty need texture and imagery, lots of linear design here!
I started with the rocks and boulders around the break wall.
For this shot I was playing around with my aperture, looks like it was a little over exposed!
The water inside the harbor was calm and the "Outrageous"-ness of it made for an interesting shot. (The sailboat's name is Outrageous.)
The water was so blue and inviting... but so cold! There's Power Island.
On my way back to the parking lot I turned around and took this picture... pretty need texture and imagery, lots of linear design here!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Somewhere in between...
This week has been the busiest weeks of my spring. I've become pretty good at balancing the five different activities/jobs I've got going and I think it's helped lead me to a realization. One that I was in dire need of. About a month ago Kyle and I had a fairly large discussion about how anal I am with the caring of our home. I would make sure that no dishes were ever left in sink, the counters were always clean and clutter was absent... non existent... zilp... zich... nada! I was taking time away from us and from the important things in life to clean! Who does that?
How could something so simple as being "too busy to care" really help me not be so anal? Well it's not that I don't care, it's simply that there are more important things to take care of. After a long day of "work" instead of sweating how clean or tidy the house is Kyle and I enjoy our evenings together. Instead of thinking, "I should have the dished started and the laundry folded," I'll get to it when I get to it. Plus my office isn't finished yet and where else am I going to nurture this new company? (Maybe my dad would rent me a space in his studio!)
Some of you might be thinking eww, does she even clean? Yes, yes of course. If you haven't met my Mom I could see one asking this question. But for those of you who've come to know and love Gail, know me better than to ask such a silly question like that!
So with all the hustle and bustle, coming and going and lack of storage/space I've adapted. I can't take full credit... He's got a lot to do with it!
Now here's what our counter looks like! Pay attention to the toothbrush that's on the counter and last night's Red Mesa container!
How could something so simple as being "too busy to care" really help me not be so anal? Well it's not that I don't care, it's simply that there are more important things to take care of. After a long day of "work" instead of sweating how clean or tidy the house is Kyle and I enjoy our evenings together. Instead of thinking, "I should have the dished started and the laundry folded," I'll get to it when I get to it. Plus my office isn't finished yet and where else am I going to nurture this new company? (Maybe my dad would rent me a space in his studio!)
Some of you might be thinking eww, does she even clean? Yes, yes of course. If you haven't met my Mom I could see one asking this question. But for those of you who've come to know and love Gail, know me better than to ask such a silly question like that!
So with all the hustle and bustle, coming and going and lack of storage/space I've adapted. I can't take full credit... He's got a lot to do with it!
Now here's what our counter looks like! Pay attention to the toothbrush that's on the counter and last night's Red Mesa container!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Anthropologie
For those of you not familiar with the above I am not referencing a branch of history which studies the art, kinship and practices of man... on no... I am referring to the fabulous clothing store that's simply amazing! Yes, I must say that just starting a company is not conducive to such luxury but I can still drool over to-die-for cloths! This is the first catalog, aside from JCrew, where I can say without a doubt, I would order every single item if I could... especially the strapless green dress inside the front cover. He he!
And, just for that little extra (which they do so well) there are quotations from famous novels in a segment of the catalog. I thought I'd share one with you not only because the editors of this marketing piece liked it, but it also happens to be a great love story about the destructive powers of romance. Not to mention, it is such a fitting line for the coming of summer and the arrival of the warm tranquil breezes I've come to love so very much.
"I lingered round them, under that benign sky; watched the moths fluttering among the heath and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."
If you'd like to know the novel click here!
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