energy. or lack thereof.

I have to blame Old Man Winter. The cold is finally starting to wear me down. That was made blatantly clear as I endured a horrendous mood change today as I watched and listened to a webinar which was facilitated by a woman, working at home, in Miami, Florida. What made my mood change so violently; so quickly you ask? This kind, soulless woman, turned her camera so that we could see out her front window...the sunshine, the palm trees blowing gently in the breeze and the paradise we can only dream of here in our currently frozen solid tundra stared me right in the face and didn't even feel bad about it. I'm a Minnesota girl through and through, but man. I'm not bitter. That's just the wind. Did I mention this woman's name is Margarita? No folks, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. Sigh.

So I haven't posted for nearly two weeks. And as much as I'd like to stop pointing fingers [yes, Old Man Winter, I am still giving you the stink eye] I have been busy with the semester transition at work but finally feel as though I am catching up. So as I fight my icy cold mood swing today, I felt the need to post something positive and wise. I was looking for inspiration recently, and as I was perusing through some inspirational photos, I found this blog.

...the notebook doodles...

Simple, beautiful, truth. Those are the things that I love most about what this talented individual can do. I invite you to check out this blog and get lost in the images, the quotes and the path your mind will take you as you surround yourself with it all. Grab a cup of coffee [and a blanket if you live around here] and enjoy a bitter sunrise or sunset; I am trying to find the beauty in the cold.

rock candy.

I'm not sure when it happened, but growing up I somehow developed an absolute love for rock candy. Although I remember all the geysers and buffalo from our summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park, I somehow maintain a special place in my heart for eating rock candy during that time frame. I'm not sure if it's the texture or the adorable old-fashioned stick, but today I stumbled across an actual RECIPE for this childhood favorite. Why haven't I searched for a recipe prior to now? I cannot answer that. All that matters is I found one now!

Check out the post over at Creative Juices for Decor blog for the full directions and recipe if you are interested. I may try to do this while D is gone this weekend on his first conference road-trip of the new year so I'll be sure to post pictures if I do!

spaces.

Some days, I really dislike living in an apartment. I dislike the boring colors on ALL the walls and not being able to change them. I dislike knowing that it really isn't ours, and it's only a temporary space. And I also really dislike paying rent to a landlord who is less than noble.

Of course there are plenty of other things I really love about living in an apartment. Like not having to worry about shoveling or blowing snow after a blizzard. Or paying to fix something when it stops working. And I guess the lower-than-if-we-lived-in-a-house utility bills we currently pay, although that could be debated.

Regardless of my love or dislike, there is one thing I know for sure: I cannot wait to make a cute office/work space just like these pictures show below. If I had anything that looked like these spaces, I would definitely find a job I could do from home. Perhaps I should add that to my goal list for 2011? :)

makeover.

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving was just over a week ago and we are already under the three week mark to Christmas. Where in the world does the time go?

Well, in honor of the fact that it is now December [okay, I admit I am officially 5 days behind the turn of the calendar but my energy level has been a wee bit on the non-existent side] I decided to change up the look of the blog for Christmas. Isn't it cute?! It was tough to pick just one layout but I am certainly looking forward to updating monthly with other adorable winter themes. I just love changing it up...or maybe I love utilizing my own creativity...either way, I love it!

So what have we been up to? First things first - D won his first conference game of the season on Friday! They are on a two game winning streak [their game Saturday was postponed due to the weather] and we hope to see some more W's very soon!

D and I spent part of the day putting up the Christmas tree and carefully placing all our cute little snowmen in locations where they can best be showcased. With limited space, I think we did a job well done! By the time we finished decorating [and watching Elf in between football games] I decided I need to either make or buy more decorations. Oh, and I also need to install a mantle or fireplace of some sort. Does anyone else feel like it just can't be Christmas without a chimney or fireplace? I guess I was spoiled with that growing up but I miss it!


Here is a blurry and dark glimpse at our beautiful tree! My childhood memories are scattered throughout which brings a big smile to my face. Mom and I went through all my ornaments when I was home for Thanksgiving so I could put them on our tree this year. But my favorite ornament is a cute little snowman in a tux holding his snowman bride. I placed this ornament right in the middle at the top of the tree for everyone to see; it is the most wonderful reminder that I am not only celebrating over a year of blissful marriage, but we will be celebrating our 2nd Christmas as a married couple.

Time continues to tick away but there is no moment too small to take for granted. Here's to our life, love and happiness!

sugar.

It's been too long since my last post; no excuses but it truly has been crazy busy with the holidays among other things. I'm sure none of you missed me too much, but for those of you that actually do read this, I apologize!

This past weekend, as I sat in front of Dave's television (which remarkably gets cable channels unlike my own) I stumbled upon the most remarkable show. It's called Amazing Wedding Cakes on the WE channel. It follows three different high-end cake designers in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York as they work with clients and develop the most amazing wedding cakes (funny...how ever did they come up with the name for the show??)

After watching four hours of this show (in a row), I came to the following conclusions:

1. It is a blessing that I do not have cable. Yes, a blessing. There are a plethora of wedding shows on television. Seriously. If I had access to those shows in addition to the endless sources on the internet, I think my head would explode.

2. I had no idea just how complicated and intriguing baking wedding cakes truly was. Wow. That is all I can say.

3. There are a lot of shows about weddings on television. Yes, the word plethora is used again. And for good reason.

The Cake Girls out of Chicago are by far my favorite artists to watch (the images above are also some classic examples of their work). From concept to sketch to finish, it is incredibly difficult to take your eyes off of their every move (you can even ask Dave, he watched two hours with me and actually enjoyed it!). Check out their website here. I dare you to not be impressed.

wish.

I've been doing it since I was a child. I'm sure you have too. An eyelash on my fingertip. A shooting star in the sky. The candles on my birthday cake. A four leaf clover that I diligently spent hours lying in the grass trying to find just so I could make a wish. And of course, the very special time of 11:11. Somewhere along the way, "wish" turned into much more than just a word. More than a want. It became much more than that. It turned into hope.

Recently, I stumbled upon a book called The Wish Trees. As a child who found herself wishing more often than not, it struck a special chord inside me. The book is based upon the idea that every child can help to make the world a better place. Each page brings a child planting a new tree and making a wish as they plant that tree. Along the way, they discover the wonder of trees and learn that a wish is really more than just a want, but truly stands for hope.

That being said, Dave and I have set to work on a special "wish project" for the wedding. It's been in the works for a few weeks and we are close to putting the finishing touches on it and calling it good (I love being able to cross things off the list!). I have a small preview below but I refuse to give away all the details here. You'll just have to come see it in person. At least I can hope.

passion. photography.

One of the most challenging aspects of the entire wedding was finding the perfect photographer to capture all the incredible moments we will have on that special day. Dave and I both said from the very beginning that we knew a good photographer was going to come with a fairly significant price tag but that it was worth it to us. After all, after all the music ends, the cake has been cut and the food has been served, what do we have to look back upon? Pictures.

I started hunting for photographers within a matter of days after Dave proposed. At that point we didn't even know where we were getting married but it didn't matter! I knew I wanted to get in touch with Dana Widman, a phenomenal talent who did my dear friend Sarah's engagement and wedding photos (http://picasaweb.google.com/DanaWidmanDesigns). After much praying and numerous facebook messages, I came to find out she had already been booked.

Not sure where to turn, I googled photographers in the Fargo-Moorhead region for the next month! (Quick Note: I definitely underestimated the amount of talent in this area! SO many amazing people) So, one night, I was just really bummed and browsing through Dana's photos again online and somehow got taken to Eden Photography. I looked. I loved. I contacted.

I am so incredibly drawn to a photographer that is able to catch a personality on camera - I think it is so difficult to do that and do it well and Elisabeth has nailed it on the head! Every time I browse through her photographs I get more and more excited about what she will do for our big day. Although she is a VERY busy woman and I have yet to meet with her, we have her booked and can't wait to discuss her vision as we get closer to the day!

**Note: I have included just a few pictures that I adore and invite you to check out her website for a glimpse of our fabulous photographer!