Diet Coke-Stay Extraordinary

I am sitting at home with my friend watching the 83rd Academy Awards, 

and as beautiful as the dresses are, it is a Diet Coke Commercial 

that has stolen my attention:) 

Song "Sweet Disposition" by The Temper Trap

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88wygh5d40o

Manuela's Bindery

My beautiful sister-in-law Manuela recently opened up a shop on Etsy. 

She has a collection of beautifully hand-crafted journals, photo albums, 

sketch books, recipe books and, one of my personal favorites, 

a felt baby book!

I remember her telling me the process it takes to hand-make a book and it

made me appreciate holding a book and looking at its binding and cover more.

You can find her shop at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Manuelasbindery

Enjoy! 

(Photos courtesy of: Manuela Ethridge)

Music from The Village

On Sunday evening I re-watched M. Night Shyamalan's movie The Village.

 I loved this movie the first time I saw it. There are many different things that 

draw me back and this time it was the music. 

It is hauntingly beautiful. 

The soundtrack features Hillary Hahn as the  violin soloist, 

who makes certain scenes truly come alive. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)

The Ones We Love

It's been a long time since I wrote last and I've missed sharing with you.  

I know Valentines Day has come and gone, but 

as I am still nibbling on milk chocolate hearts a 

week later I cannot help but think of the ones I love.

Who do you love? Is it a husband, wife, sister, 

brother, best friend, boyfriend, fiancé?

 Take the time today, to say "I love you"

(Photos courtesy of: weheartit.com)

Little Girls, and One Pink Rose

For the past twelve weeks myself and another woman (Annmarie) 

met with a group of 5th and 6th grade girls in a corner classroom at our church. 

At 4 o'clock we would watch as their sweet, beautiful, and alive faces would 

walk in and then for the next two hours we would share with them and they 

would share with us.We talked about God, family, friends, boys, their bodies, 

their emotions, their heart and their future. Sitting in my kitchen is a vase with two 

pink roses. One of them a gift from one of the girls named Gillian. She walked in 

wearing her bright green coat, holding a rose in each hand and then sweetly handed 

them to Annmarie and I. It melted my heart. 

I will miss spending that time with them. 

(Photos courtesy of: Me) 

Up in smoke

 A few days ago I was sitting in my room  when 

I noticed the light on my power cord for my computer was 

blinking in and out. "Hmm, that's odd" I thought. 

A few minutes later, out of the corner of my eye I saw two sparks and 

a little stream of smoke; I am not a computer genius but I knew in my 

'knower' my power cord was dead...not "mostly dead", but "all dead" 

(Thank you, Princess Bride). 

And that's the end of my story. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)

Dreaming of the Stars

It is a dream of mine to one day look at the stars at an observatory.

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream" ~Vincent Van Gogh

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” ~Harriet Tubman (American escaped slave)

“The stars are the street lights of eternity.”

Retreat

I was on a retreat this past weekend in the Cascade mountains. 

Henry & Kota 

Triangle

Flags of our Fathers

Sleepy Hollow 

Speed

(Photos courtesy of: Me) 

Memories

Ten years ago at this time I was in San Francisco. It was my first time away from home. I had come from rural Pennsylvania and my first step out was to San Francisco...call me crazy:) I loved it. 

Right after Thanksgiving was over, the city of San Francisco decorated Union Square for Christmas.

 I remember sitting under the huge Christmas tree looking up at Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany & Co.; it was magical. One day I hope I can sit under that tree again. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)

Snow Day

On Wednesday it snowed, and snowed, and snowed. Schools were shut down,
 traffic crawled, businesses were slow and...and it was one of the best snow
days I've ever had! I made a snowman with the little lady I work with;
okay actually I made the snowman and she pelted me with clumps of snow
the whole time laughing in the cute way she does:) 

When I got off of work I went to my friends' home wrapped myself in a cozy blanket, started out with a cup of hot chocolate, then had delicious homemade pecan pie (with whip cream of course), watched a movie, talked & laughed and then had pizza (delivered). Really, can you think of a more fun snow day?

 Me neither. 

(Photos courtesy of: google image)