AND I painted my toes.

Watch out.

So..I thought I would share why I have been feeling a bit blue as of lately.

The summer months always seem to drag a bit for me. I'm not sure why, but I think I have always been like this in summer months. It's just not my time of year. FALL is where it is at for me. I love it. I feel inspired, motivated, LOVE the weather...

Back to summer. I know this is silly, but the sun drives me crazy in the summer. I spend about $134.45 on SPF to protect my freckly skin and have a deep sense of guilt if leave the house without it (I know I will thank myself in about 10 years for this habit) BUT in the mean time....staying out of the sun is no fun for a 25 year old.

So even when I am out laying at the beach or poolside, I can never really enjoy it. OH, and I had to bump up my usually 30spf to 55 this year.

HELLO GLOBAL WARMING

Enough about that. I think I just wanted to rant about SPF and the dent in my wallet for a bit.

The real reason why I am blue is because I miss a lot of special people and one special little cat.

I miss my family. A ton. I am almost 6 hours away from my mom and dad, even further away from my brother who lives with his family in Knoxville, TN.

I miss Andrew. 115 miles has seemed like 1343198574891 miles lately.

I MISS MY CAT! Yes, Olivia is staying with Andrew this week (logistical issue). It really hit me this morning. No spooning with Olivia (yeah..I said it. I spoon my cat in bed. Don't judge). I miss her morning kisses and her little face waiting for me as soon as I open the door.

So. I woke up alone this morning. Really alone.

BUT my nails are red and I'm going to kick these summer blues once and for all AND my mad guitar skills are getting better and better. I am very happy for that.

AND tonight is First Wednesday. Can't wait.

red nails

I'm gonna stop this two week slump i've had.

(does anyone else get moody in the summer? I swear it's the heat)

I'm turning over a new leaf.

AND I painted my nails bright red. I never wear polish.

This is a fresh start.

ps. Andrew snuck behind me and took it this pic while we were watching the sun set over the front field. It's my favorite spot.

this week has consisted of...

just so you know

love you dad :)

{happy fathers day}

GREASE ISA VERY DANGEROUS!!!

{two reasons why i love my mom}

because she sends me my favorite recipes to try and recreate and because she will forever and ever think that I will hurt myself in some form or fashion doing....well....any and everything.

FRIED CHICHIE* DRUMMETTS
In gallon size or large bowl :
2 cups self rising flour
2 tablespoons garlic
1 tablespoon pepper
1 tablespoon season salt
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder

The morning that you are cooking the legs, put them in a bowl of water to cover and add 1/2 salt and let them sit in the fridge all day.When ready to cook rinse well Mix about 2 cups milk or buttermilk and 2 eggs and soak legs in that for about 5 minutes before you shake them in the flour mixture. Heat oil in LARGE DEEP skillet. Do not fill more than half full with oil. The oil is ready when you shake a bit of flour in it and it has a nice steady fry look. I will check the temp next time I cook them. I think it should be about 350 degrees. Put legs in the flour mixture coat well and shake off excess. Carefully add to the oil and cook 8-10 minutes.

PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!! GREASE ISA VERY DANGEROUS!!!!!

I hope that they turn out okay. I love you bunches.
MOMMY

{chichie=chicken. We have our own language}

that'll do pig

he's one of my favorite pieces

{thank you Johannah for the magnolia flower}

i'm in love with her voice.

{you make me smile with my heart}

{ sofia}

things i love in this picture

1. this guy
2. my amazing outfit inspired by the hit film
"In Love and Basketball"
3. these guys
4. the last known picture of my cell phone. set it on
the car....drove away.....lost in a field somewhere.
5. the volvo. back.in.action.
6. my engagement ring (sike!!). But it was a cute fakeout
proposal with a blue rubberband that left a dirt ring
around my finger.

barn photo shoot

Look at this beauty!

I played around being all artsy-fartsy with my Picasa Photo Editor.

I'm wild about the colors.

and

I love, love, love driving around and finding these old buildings.

More to come!

off to the country...

hopefully I can find more creepy, old houses like this to photograph this weekend.

have a good one :)

oh baby, my first blog tag

wooo hoooo. I feel like I've MADE IT. Thank you Caroline @ Temptation & Bliss. You are a doll.

I've got to tell you 6 unimportant things that make me happy. Pish posh. If it makes me happy then it IS important!!!!

Here we go:

1. Getting the middle of anything baked (brownies, cake, ESPECIALLY the middle biscuit in the pan)

2. SMILES from strangers. I love when I walk around and people smile when they open the door for you, or the cashier looks you right in the eye and gives you a big smile or when you just get a smile when you catch yourself starring into someone elses car at a red light (creepy, I know....I find myself unintentionally doing this a lot)

3. Bubble Gum. Like, the double bubble kind. Looses it's flavor in about 2 minutes...pop another one in. Heaven.

4. Getting hard fingertips on my left hand. Hrmmmmmm....that just looks odd when you write it down. Let me explain: still working on my mad guitar skills (please read the sarcasm) and everyday I check my left hand fingertips to see how much harder they have become. I need those calluses to play better!!!!!

5. Chocolate. Anything.

6. AND........taking out my contacts and putting on my glasses. Best feeling ever. My eyes just sorta go "AHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh, thank you".

{love for my bubble gum, glasses and cool hand signs}

i can't resist

sweet dreams.

Olivia, meet Hayden.

Fact: Soft, furry, black and white cats are afraid of horses.

Tastee-Freez saves the weekend

Went on my first overnight hiking trip this past weekend.

I kinda loved it kinda hated it and I kinda threw about 20 temper tantrums in the course of 30 hours.

[his and her tired feet]

BUT I did it. And I guess that's what they tell you is the important thing.

That, and consuming as many calories as possbile at Tastee-Freez immediatly after getting off the mountain.

It was a long loooooooooooooooooong weekend full of sweet memories.

First Wednesdays

First Wednesday is the best Wednesday of the month.

My friend/co-worker/sister/all wrapped into one wonderful person Amy started this once a month get together back in February and we have been meeting the first Wednesday of every month since.

<------------------------------------AMY

(and, might I add, I am the only "firster" with perfect attendance)

Amy invites everyone she knows to her adorable condo each month and we usually have a theme.

One month it was comfort foods where everyone brought a dish that brings them comfort and told a story about it.

Let's just say that month wasn't the healthiest but THE BEST.

We have had themes where everyone brings a food that starts with the first letter of your name, celebrated "cinco de seis" in May, and last night it was "Bring a Friend" month for June.

{me feasting on "Cinco De Seis" tacos with fellow "Firsters"}

But the best part of First Wednesday's is the gift exchange. Everyone who wants to participate brings a small, handmade gift and we draw numbers.....and then it gets dirty. "Bad Santa" style. We all have numbers and can pick a gift or pick someone elses.

We all started out being very polite and not stealing.

No more.

Gifts are getting GOOD. Like this one:

(this is kinda a fake...Amy made this nightlight of me and my momma especially for me BUT a custom made nightlight was one of the gifts. How crafty is she?)

Isn't this a great way to meet people?

AND anyone is welcome to join us the first Wednesday of each month :)

live simple.

"And all the loveliest things there be Come simply, so it seems to me."

~Edna St. Vincent Millay~

{purchase photograph here by Alicia Bock}

sewing skills {or lack there of}

I want to sew a letter like this found on Twig & Thistle:

Johannah, former roomate turned best friend, came over to my apt. the other night to help me thread my machine. She has sewing skills. I do not.

We just couldn't get that darn bottom stitch to catch.

And then we got into a funny conversation, catching up on old times and by the time she left I wasn't even thinking about sewing anymore.

I really really am going to learn though.

ps. no spirit sighting yet. keep you posted.

Olivia, Queen of Hairballs:

She has a hairball problem

I have a problem with her hairballs.

and if you couldn't tell/didn't know, I am especially talented at Microsoft Paint. The paws were tricky...but I think the shading helped give life to this piece.

bits of the weekend include :

- SEEING TWO BLACK BEARS ON THE TRAIL-

-Not being attacked and eaten by the bears-

-Discovering that JOES INN (favorite Fan brunch spot)has take-out brunch-Best news to find out on a Sunday morning-

-Engagement party full of happy faces-

-and chocolate glazed donuts-