Away We Go

As always, I'm inspired by the idea of travel...with tons of free time on my hands, today I put in one of my favorite movies "Away We Go" and with that plus my recent decision to pick up the book "Into The Wild"...plus the idea of travel itself...I was led to this art journal entry. I used a lot of Western imagery (nowadays I'm eager to explore the Western culture of my native land).

I noticed an annoying recurrence today when uploading this entry...when I photograph my work it seems it is lacking tremendously. This appears half done at this point...yet again. I'll revisit it in the coming days. There's always something positive that comes from stepping away from something for a couple of hours or days so that when you return it is with a more clear and objective eye...

It All Ends

I have been horrible about blogging lately. I blame the move...and then the lack of internet after the move. But, I'm finally settled and have tons of free time until I get a job. I'm hoping this happens sooner rather than later!

A couple weeks ago my best friend and I threw a Harry Potter party in spirit of the release of the final film. She and I grew up with Harry from age 10 until the final book was released, the summer before my sophomore year of college. It was a sad sad sad day. However, at the very least we still had the films to look forward to (as awful as they were). But after July 15th at around 2:30am, my childhood abruptly and finally ended. At least that's how it felt. We walked out of the theater feeling lost and even deserted. However, there is some comfort in knowing that Harry will always be there for us to return to on the many pages J.K. Rowling gave us as well as deep in our hearts.

Here are some images from the party. Now the images I just don't feel do the party justice. We had snitches hanging from the trees and the pergola, bunting in the house colors, home-made butterbeer, chocolate frogs, cupcakes decorated with house-colored, home-made icing, jelly beans, and numerous other Harry Potter themed decor and foods. (Now this was also my sister's 13th birthday party, so luckily we had more guests than just Jessie & myself). We screened the 7th movie Part 1 while eating and relaxing in our Gryffindor wardrobe. Oh it was a fabulous night, well-worth the hard work and I will forever be proud and unashamed of my somewhat obsessive nature when it comes to the wizarding world given to us by the beautiful, talented, & brilliant Jo.

Jo, thank you ever so much for sharing this world with us and giving me a childhood that consisted of eagerly awaiting the arrival of a book. The anticipation of that moment for me is matched only by the excitement of seeing a loved one after prolonged separation and the excitement of stepping onto a plane off to explore unknown land & cultures. And, I think that's pretty impressive for book!

Let's Dine

I have finished my dining room chairs! They were $6 a piece, purchased at different times...sanded, painted and dressed with little cushions. It's really a shame I didn't take before & after pictures...

Finished just in time for move-in.

Summer, Puppy Love

My college roommate and dear friend & I went out today to take pictures of her and her pup Jasper. It was lovely to get behind the camera again with the purpose of documenting something for someone else, rather than just myself. These first two are two of my favorites that I edited for myself and reedited for Beth.



Here are the rest of the best images of today's puppy love shoot :)