barefoot in the grass

Moving Homes.

2011-03-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

Please visit my new blog! http://distanceindays.blogspot.com/

It will be my new blog home so change you follows, your RSS, your bookmarks!

See you there

Meatless Monday

2010-06-04T20:01:00.007-07:00

I have been swimming in work- my day job, school, and home. On the other side, I have really made myself take time to have some time away from it all.

Our backyard garden is really getting some veggies in our tummies.
Peach Picking Where we picked just about 12 pounds, with I made peach muffins, peach pie, peach blackberry pie, ate one raw each day for 2 weeks, and still have some in the freezer.

Camping and of course that meant a fish hatchery
We froze up north, with the wind blowing a million miles an hour! But it was a nice escape.

And we started Meatless Monday. Tonight when I was looking for recipes without meat, I discovered it is a real deal. Meatless Mondays, we are participating!

APurple month make up

2010-05-12T20:51:00.010-07:00

I didn't make my goal of April. But I did still take a lot of photos of purple things....

A skunk wearing a diaper!

Hop into Easter

2010-04-04T20:09:00.005-07:00

Easter weekend was a crazy one! I took lots of photos, but the need to focus on purple, wasn't the priority. I did still manage to capture the April 3 image above at a Disney on Ice performance.

This photo was to show off the cutest part of our Easter table. The bunny-fold napkins! A little purple egg peeking out.

explore, purple

2010-04-02T13:06:00.005-07:00

I have been spinning in circles. I make sure to take some down time, but life has been flying by. I want to enjoy it more. 2010-4 months in... The days are getting warmer, I am waking up with the sun and little dog. Exploring the joys of the focusing my observations...
For April, I am trying a little "exploration" through another round of photos a day. For this month, I am going to take a photo of a day, theme "Purple". Just to see what I see when I am having my mind aware of purple around me.

This is April 1. I was busy getting ready for guests, so I didn't get it posted yesterday. It is my tissue box at work, I don't think I noticed the purple on it before.

In bloom.
On campus. I noticed the yellow ones last week, over looked there were purple tulips growing there too.

Turns out my calendar believe April is purple too...

Sleeves Getting Shorter

2010-01-10T21:43:00.002-07:00

Feels likes I am outside looking in, with sleeves to short to reach my hands.
Like tomorrow will come and might not end.

-H in the Wyoming snow. Fleece that kept him warm.

Merry Scribbles

2009-12-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-15T21:39:00.003-07:00

Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Hayden! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

Oct. 29, 30 and 31

2009-12-15T21:15:00.008-07:00

I did take the photos for the last 3 days of Oct. for the photo a day for a month. I just never got around to posting them.

October 29- Art Show at West campus, this piece was titled "Self Portrait"

October 30- I heart organization!

October 31- Our Pumpkins
Jesse's fire face

F-A-L-L

Mad

2009-10-28T21:41:00.004-07:00

Just got caught up on this week's episode of Mad Men. I can't believe there is only 2 episodes until the end of the season! Sad! I redid this little 60 style of myself. Dig the trans fats in the doughnut.
PS I know this is a bit cheating for my photo-of-the-day.

cleaning

2009-10-27T21:03:00.002-07:00

Trying a new mixture of all purpose cleaning spray... maybe if it works good i will share how!

Monday hit me

2009-10-27T06:39:00.003-07:00

Before my midterm... A zen moment

After... a release...

travel like light

2009-10-25T20:29:00.004-07:00

After paying way too much for parking yesterday, I spent the extra 30 minutes and rode the lightrail.

I didn't see anyone with one crutch and shorts on one leg, pants on the other.

I am easily distracted. I HAD A MILLION QUESTIONS about this shirt.. or really the man wearing it. I could not focus, really.. look at it!

Downtown..everything's great..

2009-10-24T21:01:00.003-07:00

and then you get cuddles when you are tired at night!

Krispy Toys

2009-10-23T21:35:00.005-07:00

Pumpkin Spice Krispy Kreme

Why I have trouble focusing on studying for my midterm.

There is an eye looking at me.

2009-10-22T17:13:00.004-07:00

Look at the eye in the trunk! Please tell me what you see in the trunk of the tree.
Just in time for a spoky time of year...

My view of ASU

2009-10-21T20:38:00.001-07:00

pumpkin family

2009-10-20T21:22:00.003-07:00

Feel like my view of things is a bit spotty

2009-10-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

2 hours north

2009-10-18T21:15:00.004-07:00

Focus on iPhone

2009-10-17T23:14:00.004-07:00

I need to figre that thing out. .

Oven going in 96 degrees

2009-10-16T22:56:00.004-07:00

It has bee heating up here again. But we already had red potatoes and turnips from CSA, we wanted to make a roasted chicken with veggies. That we did.

Since I had the oven going, I figured I might as well do some baking with the apples from the apple picking trip.

The recipe for this apple cake here.

on the way to work

2009-10-15T19:59:00.001-07:00

iPhone from my car

Planting the seeds

2009-10-14T18:16:00.002-07:00

Today Jesse planted seed for our backyard grass. As seen on TV! We will see if it works, please notice the clearance tag from Target.

These are my pumpkins, protected by a fence, but planted in the ground.. I might have pumpkins by Christmas!

Noses in the dark

2009-10-13T20:23:00.003-07:00

Wooden Bench

2009-10-12T17:31:00.004-07:00

Just sitting outside on this wooden bench...

It makes me feel like it is fall... Except that I am sitting outside on this bench...

Maybe going to class will make me think it is fall... since school means fall.

3D...

2009-10-11T18:56:00.006-07:00

Its coming. June 18,2010. Pretty exciting.

Corn, Pumpkins and Apples

2009-10-10T21:27:00.006-07:00

Corn Maze

Pumpkin pick off the vine
Homemade pumpkin pie ice cream

Apple Picking

All done in Arizona. A beautiful fall day.

We are just outdoor people

2009-10-09T18:47:00.002-07:00

I tried to do more than outside, but look at that tiny lizard. Not any bigger than my pinkie!

Give me a sign

2009-10-08T22:20:00.003-07:00

Because it is day 10, and plants have dominated.

And I thought you might need a snake....

Why I am late for work.

2009-10-07T20:46:00.003-07:00

Stopping to smell the flowers in my front garden.

Really, Little H makes me so sad to leave him. Jesse snapped this photo after I had left for work.

Getting Better with Age

2009-10-06T12:34:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Big Budda!

Monday Doodle Five

2009-10-05T20:46:00.003-07:00

Just a little something that I did in class tonight, and then took a photo of.

A sticky day 4

2009-10-04T21:58:00.006-07:00

Just what could be in there...

Caramel Apple Cookies! So Tasty, Recipe Here.

Check out my pumpkins. :)

Christmas presents in the making

2009-10-03T23:26:00.003-07:00

Using this..

To make these...

Felt chips.

Fall in to a Garden

2009-10-02T18:39:00.009-07:00

This is the time of year when I really hate living in Arizona. I want to experience the true fall. I can enjoy that mornings are cooling off and the beginning of fall, at least an Arizona fall is peeking in. I am trying not to get out my seasonal depression by trying new things. Things that you can't often do during autumn in other locations. A little thing was planting a fall garden. Here are my lettuce sprouts. I am also trying some late pumpkins, which just breaking the seeds. I am also growing strawberries and broccoli. My favorite addition to my yard this fall is my pomegranate brush, especially when I was able to "harvest" the first fruit.

3 photos for day 2. All taken in my backyard.

Day 1

2009-10-01T17:40:00.003-07:00

Day 1 of October, Day 1 of photo for a day.
My goal is not to use my iPhone to take photos, but I know that I will do it more than once on Mondays and Thursdays because of class. But Really I need to do a photo a day for the month of October. When accomplished I will have one more thing check off my 25 things to do before I turn 25!

Cutest Dog- Vote hayden!

2009-09-21T17:10:00.002-07:00

Here is a great way that you can help me out! Vote for little H man to win!!! Vote daily!!

Can't say no to that face... Can you!?!?!

Hold on Life

2009-09-18T22:07:00.003-07:00

This was the last time that I feel like I got out of the house. We took a road trip to my big brother's wedding.
Congrats to Andy and Bryanne. I know they will have a great life together.
Now I have school and work. Both have been really busy that I hope I can coem up for air soon.

Fishy Obsession

2009-08-02T19:57:00.007-07:00

Attempting to escape the heat for a day, we made a trip a couple hours north.

This is just outside of the Tonto Fish Hatchery. I have a weird obession with fish hatcheries. I can't explain why, but I truly enjoy going to them and seeing the fish at each different stage of life. After this trip, I added to my 25 things to do before I turn 25- Visit all 5 fish hatcheries in Arizona. They are really in 4, because 2 are in the same location. Until we find time to do these trips, I will have to enjoy the AZ game and Fish Live Fish Cam!

Sewing went to the Dog

2009-07-26T21:32:00.009-07:00

I have been trying not to blog about little H much or talk about him unless asked. Because well I don't want to become the crazy lady from work... but this is more about what H is wearing and not about him....

Yes! A bow tie! My big brother said that Hayden an attend his wedding ceremony, only if he wears a bow tie. I made this for him. Although it is not perfectly made (a lot more hand sewing than I was ready for), he looks adorable in it!
Hayden even helped make it... He wanted to make sure he looked good!

After he had a bath... looking so good!

Lots of other projects are in the works as well. Have to wait what else is going to get created!

custom!

2009-07-18T20:16:00.008-07:00

I finally got around to customizing! Although I will admit that it is not 100%... I just can't believed I lived here for so long without making it mine. . .

Here are some my current favorite color schemes. .

Yellow and grays

Carnival. . .

Here is some fabric that I got a couple weeks ago. Makes me want to win a gold fish on the midway and get a balloon animal from a clown.

Veggie out

2009-07-15T20:45:00.005-07:00

I love summer veggies! I would love to have a garden that would survive the heat and more exact my dog. H loves loves veggies, especially when digging to get them is included. This summer I joined 3 other girls to buy a share of veggies from a local farmer. Each week we get together and open the bag of veggies only to find what was harvested that week.

This was my share this week.
Organic and local. All this for only $5.58 a week!

Although it has been a lot of squash (he had 5 different types in our fridge Monday) I really do enjoy the garden fresh veggies!

Creative Pants on

2009-07-04T14:11:00.009-07:00

Yes.. I have been feeling like creating, baking, making, and *gasp* finishing projects.
I have looked at some very creative people's blogs and have formed an ambitious project list.

Sewing!

With the help of some ladies, I sewed this bag. I love the material. Next class is skirts and today I got the cutest material for it. I have been trying to practice, so next time I get my pocket on a bit straighter.

Baking!
Here is what I created! With a bit of inspiration from Bakerella . I had seen them before online, but hers just are so well put together, that I had to give it a try. BBQing is for the 4th of July right?!

S'mores Cupcakes!
This is an almost completed one. I got the recipe from A Homemaker's Habitat. Her recipe is adapted from the original Martha one that got me craving a camp fire.

I got the Arizona Firecrackers today. This is about all that is allowed in Arizona. I just want some sparklers! But instead I get a sound with no spark.

Can't wait to get a start on my project list filled with more making, sewing projects, and a couple Christmas crafts (even in July). First up is a bow tie for Hayden to wear to my brother's wedding!
Here the little H is celebrating the 4th.

Off to get started on something crafty!

Sunday Hugs

2009-06-28T18:17:00.010-07:00

All the childhood books that I loved now becoming movies. Although I dislike when movies don't follow books. So waiting to see how they turn out.

Bike rides in my lovely neighborhood, always make me smile. Even though it is getting a bit to hot these days. But still a nice break in the day.Beautiful glacier!

I miss colder weather days.. like when nights cool off.

Stick it to the week's end

2009-06-11T11:42:00.002-07:00

Yes! i love the post-it notes!
Inspires me to get my to-do list all checked off before the weekend!

Friday Frenzy!

2009-06-05T11:42:00.003-07:00

Title	Ice cased Adelie penguins after a blizzard at Cape Denison
Creator	Hurley, Frank, 1885-1962

http://acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=53684

I can't grasp the fact that is was taken on the First Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914.
And yet today it makes me smile! I love penguins!

Waste less this weekend

2009-05-08T17:49:00.004-07:00

Here is a visual representation of consumer culture...

Amazing work that really opens your eyes to waste in America... It really shows us Running the Numbers

I will miss you tomorrow Sunday

2009-04-26T20:28:00.006-07:00

Things at always make me miss the weekend when Monday morning comes along

Heart the puppy play dates.

These ducks came be found wondering our neighborhood. They are in love. . . mention there are no lakes around my area.. they come to find quiet I believe.
Taking the week in with a sense of calmness.

Sunday Loves

2009-04-19T17:15:00.009-07:00

Here are a 5 I LOVE on this Sunday
1- Beka having a Birthday!Happy 23rd Girl!

2- Hikes
3- When people visit and we get to do tourist activities, like desert botanical garden

4- Thinking about Hayden's PAW-TY
just because eating ice cream with his friends makes me smile

5- Dancing around the house to Matt Wertz
Because it so random to dance too

I said 5 but
6- is enjoying my furlough 4 day weekend :)

Peep over here

2009-04-09T21:08:00.002-07:00

I heart peeps. I heart s'mores. I am going to try s'meeps!

Something about the spring is here. I think it is those little pastel yums smashed with chocolate and graham crackers.

Hope

2009-01-02T15:53:00.000-07:00

Have a good weekend!
Hearts

Sniff that New Year

2009-01-01T18:00:00.003-07:00

Smells like 2009!
"Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be"
-Jim Horning

So instead of working on simple things this year. I am going to work on complex.
•Recreating hope and faith in every situation

Maybe 2009 will be more photos of Hayden but with other things mixed in..

Chill in the air

2008-12-28T09:29:00.002-07:00

This was my widget at 9:30 am today....

So yes it got below freezing in Chandler AZ sometime..

Can you Share a Little Holiday Cheer?

2008-12-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

Weekend Relax

2008-12-14T21:14:00.003-07:00

Hope you had a relaxing weekend. Too bad this is the only time Hayden was being nice... even if he was on the couch.

Christmas countdown is here. I think we are ready. The tree is up, lights are bright, presents almost complete, and baking to be complete.

Kick me in the Holidays.

2008-12-08T20:15:00.007-07:00

Bek and Luke helped to kick off the holidays with us. American Style not Aussie Way... We had a 23 year old birthday party like 5 year-olds! Yes for Zoolights on my Birthday!

Hot Liz on what we like to call a Sea Otter.

Dance tree lights, dance.

Aww Stingrays coming right at mines.

Weekend Waffles

2008-11-17T20:44:00.004-07:00

I spent the weekend with this little cutieK got her face painted at Woofstock, the Chandler dog walk. There were dogs all over the place and Hayden played, sniffed butts, and ate a lot of tricks.
We then spent the rest of the weekend having fun and eating tasty waffles.
Yep, pumpkin waffles. Tasty if you like pumpkin. With a hot chai latte!

Fall into the details

2008-10-12T09:45:00.006-07:00

A little Fall decor to help bring the season into the house, since it is not outdoors.

A tasty treat that seems to just fit as a fall snack.

Even this little Pup has to get into the spirit....

Hayden's Halloween collar, black and purple with little ghosts.

The chill in the air

2008-09-22T19:28:00.004-07:00

Yes. Even in Phoenix the mornings are getting a bit cooler.
Although to experience leave changing, apples growing on trees. I will have to go elsewhere.

I have found a few ways to bring autumn into my desert home. I will share soon. I need some new pumpkin recipes. Soon I will be able to bake, without making the inside as hot as the out. Chili for Jesse is on the menu, along with all things pumpkin.
I hope you enjoyed your first day of fall. The shorter days begin, the chill in the warm and the holidays come pouring in.

HoneyMainers

2008-09-17T19:04:00.019-07:00

After the wedding day was over... we took off on a plane to see the shore. We went to Maine. Flew in and then drove up the coast, stops and stops along the way. In no particular order here are some photos of the trip.

This is Lenny the chocolate moose. He is living in a candy shop. Made of 1,700 pounds of milk chocolate. He now as some dark chocolate bear friends.

Lighthouse in the fog. From the boat.

A WHALE!! the second largest whale. Don't show their tales.. too much weight to get outta the water.

shoreline.

Blueberry EVERYTHING! Soda, pie, taffy, lemonade, pancakes, jelly, syrup, cookies, fudge, caramel corn, probably anything you can ever eat as a blueberry!

Sunset kayaking.

I didn't paddle much. Too much to see and take photos of!

Mark our guide telling us about lobster trapping. Each lobster man has a different color pattern registered with the state.
The only bridge like this in Arcadia National Park. Build 1925.

My hubby hub hub biking in Arcadia! We rode all morning, for many many miles!

Observatory.

The HoneyMainers. The path to the lighthouse.

The path to the lighthouse.

Where my Beka lives on the largest globe!

on pause

2008-08-21T21:43:00.002-07:00

The days are counting down to our wedding. I am excited and nervous at the same time. There is a bunch of little things to do, nothing really large. It just makes you want to pause life and remember the simple things
• I am really digging Joshua Radin. The guitar is so smoothing in his songs.
• Feeling creative, makes me want to buy furniture. Might not be a bad thing since our TV is on the floor.
•Knowing that I am not going to Wyoming for Christmas, it makes me want snow flakes on my eye lashes.
• Hayden is 16 pounds now. He is all legs.
• Little old ladies walking their dogs in the morning, reminding me of my mom.
• Seeing my family and friends.
• my beachglass wedding necklace and earrings that are on their way!

Simplicity makes me smile

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,

2008-08-10T16:36:00.003-07:00

A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

Since moving to our house, we have only met one neighbor, but we really like our new neighborhood.
I walk Hayden every morning and he sees his dog friends and knows what owners will give him the most attention. It is something that he looks forward to.
We enjoy that we are not to far from grocery stores and other shopping. I must say that Target might be a little too close. But overall the distance of things are great.

I need to take my camera on a morning walk. There are small hard liquor bottles on the ground rather than the beer bottles of what I am used to seeing in Tempe.
There are still a lot of houses for sale in our neighborhood
So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

When you name it someone you know...

2008-07-26T06:59:00.002-07:00

Hayden gets a lot of toys in his life, but mainly because they control him in his chewing. We have started to name his toys after people so that he can get use to them.
This blue guy is Andy. Which Andy believes is mean, but I believe it is fun. I can't help it that the giraffe is tall like Andy so it helps.
His other toys are also named after people. I will show some of this other little friends...

By The Way::: Andy, if you wear shorts to my wedding, Hayden will bite your face like this because of the taste of blood.

Tails of Hayden

2008-07-17T18:10:00.006-07:00

Hayden did much better than expected his first night without a brother or sister to sleep beside him. Although he did enjoy sleeping outside his kennel on his big bed, which was fine with us since he was sleeping soundly.

Even after walking for over a mile, Hayden was playful and wanted all the attention he could get.

On a different note, we have a house now. It is located in Chandler, AZ , not to far from work and where we currently are. We are excited to be done painting and to move in. We spend a lot of our time things into place. Although finding a house was a long process, it was well worth the time we waited patiently for the house that we bought. Hayden is excited for the backyard and the neighborhood of new smells

Hayden

2008-07-16T21:52:00.005-07:00

Night one of Hayden the Goldendoodle.
We picked up our new puppy from the airport this evening. I will let you know how the night goes, but we are very excited for this new addition. He is playful and cuddly.
Blocks from Planet Dog
He his a pouncer.
Practicing his moves for Doga (Yoga for dogs)

Dog Love

2008-06-15T20:02:00.002-07:00

This is my little Gabby Girl. She lives in Wyoming with my parents. In this photo she has blue nail polish, which compare to the other colors she has had in the past, she actually did not bite it off. I believe she mainly liked the attention that people would give her because of her blue nails.
I am excited to get a dog of my own. I have been waiting patiently for a house and then a dog. I am hoping to get a Goldendoodle, a poodle (standard) and a golden retriever mix.
Here is a dog company
Plant Dog
This company really supports adoption of dogs, which I do also. It is located in Portland, Maine so we are planning on stopping by the store when we are in Portland, might as well by dog toys for someday dog.

Wedding Wind

2008-05-27T21:11:00.007-07:00

It seems that weddings are in the air... But the wind didn't blow away my best friend's wedding!

Congrats Kady and Kraig!

Spring for mums

2008-05-11T15:29:00.006-07:00

Enjoy mum's day...
Last pose before he hid in the flower brush.
Giving mum a break for the day.

a little something

2008-05-10T20:58:00.007-07:00

A little somethings happened this week.
Little something one.

I got a new camera. It is a Nikon D40, so a simple digital SLR. Which is just what I have wanted since my film SLR body got a crack in the mirror.

Another little something is...My finance graduated from ASU with a BS in chemical engineering.. Congrats Jesse! (He even wore a tie for the occasion)

A little somethings I am looking forward to
Sex and the City movie
SOMEDAY owning one beautiful chairs

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman -Herman Miller

Eames Molded Chairs- Herman Miller..
Let's just day I have been on Ebay looking at furniture.. I get annoyed when it is in the "Eames era" just so when people search for Eames, they get all these other things...

celebrate life

2008-04-22T21:29:00.006-07:00

I wore green today because I got new shirt that happened to be green. Everyone that I was wearing it because it was earth day.
So here I am to share a few sites to celebrate the earth!
Household Items

Getting rid of junk mail

I also would like to give a big congratulation to my sister and her husband. They are new proud parents to a beautiful baby girl, Addison Cambria.

I spent the weekend over there visiting my little niece. She has the family chin that is for sure. Butt chin! Good thing my dad is so excited about being a grandpa or pappy as we are calling him, he is the reason for the chin.
Congrats John and Kim!

Please consider...

2008-03-25T21:24:00.003-07:00

One of my colleagues told me that I should put, Please consider the environment before printing this email. as part of my signature. I agreed but because I am a designer she said that I need to have a photo of a tree. I have to make sure I do not use copy-righted images so I drew one in Photoshop.
Here is my tree.

Not to shabby for my first time with Ink. Although there is no ground and the trunk is a bit fat and awkward.
It does make you think though. I usually have to print sample, as I do mostly print pieces. The recycling bin always has more in it than the trash. To me that is a good thing.
Now if I could only recycle my snotty tissues that I have been filling the trash with the past week. Although, I would not want the job of sorting through snotty tissues in the recycling center. As long as you do not use Kimberly-Clark products (Kleenex, Scott, most large places TP and paper towels). Check out Greenpeace about how she refuses to use recycled paper in her products.
In other news. I went to my first ASU sporting event tonight. It was a men's basketball game. I did not wear gold. I did a small amount of clapping. My first event was after I had graduated. I suppose I held off enough of the time. Did I mention that it welcomed me on the jumbotron? Well faculty and staff.

Earth Hour

2008-02-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

Check out this site.
http://www.earthhour.org/

I think that it is a great idea to turn everything off for an hour. It seems so hard to do at times. Something I know I do way to often is leave my computer on sleep, or leave a light on when no one is home. There are so many ways that each person can save.
Reduce, reuse, recycle.

I am always attempting to reduce. I have started to take shorter showers, which isn't easy every morning. I also am going to start turning things off each and every night. I used to leave a light on each night, because I get up at least once a night. Now I have an LED light night to show the way.

I will be turning off my lights at 8 pm on March 29 and I encourage everyone else.
Just thing *Its a small world after all*

new Love

2008-01-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in a while because I have been having a lot of changes and finding time to do simple things is becoming more difficult. I am an university grad. Full time employee. bride to be.

My new love enter my world tonight. I am typing from the keys of a new MacBook.

It was excitement and glee from my face when opening the box.

Then i must ponder a name for this new joy in my life.

Thus I need your help.... Suggestions/ideas for a name for this new love....

(good ring shot!)

oo yes... our wedding site is www.jesseandjanelle.com check it out! Many thanks to my bro for all his help with it!!

Final Coutdown

2007-11-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a yummy Thanksgiving. I was able to go up to Wyoming and spend time with my parents. It was very VERY cold up there compare to what I am used to. I must admit that I went shopping on Black Friday. The good news is that I only purchased gifts and nothing for myself. I missed out on Cyber Monday but I suppose that is alright because I almost have all my gifts.

I am on my way to becoming an Arizona State University graduate.
I have 4 things due, 2 of which would not hurt my grade if I did not do. Seems crazy that I count down by how many things I have left, but that is because I have 2 online classes. If I was to count classes, I have 2 classes left. One which is a reflection class with a paper due, and one which is a 25 point quiz.

After I graduate, I have a job set up on campus as a graphic artist. I must admit that I am nervous and excited. I will not be walking for graduation, because of my college. I am okay with that because when you go to a large university it would be an entirely way to long of time. I will however be entering into a cubical that does however have a door!

Just a quick update! I have photos of my wedding location that I will post soon, the disappointment is that they were taken in the fall. I will be there in the heat of the summer. But the area is beautiful just the same!

Records

2007-11-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

November 6
Actual:	94 \| 64
Precip:	0.00
Average:	79 \| 53
Precip:	0.02

There has been many records set here in the Arizona in the time that I have been here. My first year here it broke the record for the most rainy days a year. My 3rd year it had the most days straight without rain. And this year it has broken all the heat records. Above is the temp from like 2 days ago.
So much for fall here.

FALLing in love

2007-09-27T18:37:00.000-07:00

Food in the Fall makes me FALL in love...
Here are some of my new and old favorites of fall..
•Pumpkin Cream Cheese (Einstein's Bagels carries it starting Sept. 1st!)
•Pumpkin Pancakes, I had some at IHOP a couple weeks ago! YUM YUM YUM
•Apple Cider
•I made a fun fall trail mix
Banana Chips
Pumpkin Seeds
Pretzels
Fall M and Ms
Candy Corn
Raisins
•Apple Sauce (Sunflower Market has the BEST organic apple sauce)
•Pears
•Crock Pot Meals (Sesame Ginger Chicken = yummy and simple)
•Pumpkin Ale (Although I have not tried it yet, I just know this beer is for me!)
•Pumpkin Pie (the best is made with soft vanilla ice cream)
•Pumpkin Bread
•Basically ANYTHING pumpkin!

Now I am hungry and ready to eat...
Eat and enjoy

Fall Withdraw

2007-09-19T12:22:00.000-07:00

I live in a desert. Leaves just die off of trees, they do not change beautiful colors and then fall. I am craving some fall activities, feelings, or just food. Here is what I have found for fall and why I just love it soo soo much.

In the future I am totally planning a trip to this festival!
http://www.pumpkinshow.com/
They also have pumpkin recipes for EVERYTHING possible on this page. and the WORLD'S LARGEST PUMPKIN PIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fall Changing... is just beautiful. Here is a list of the top 15 places for leaves changing.
http://travel.msn.com/Guides/MSNTravelSlideShow.aspx?destinationid=&cp-documentid=380088

Household items in earth tones!
All of Crate and Barrel's fall line... and of course their cute festival details. Look at any of their room views on their dining tables! Makes me want to eat pumpkin and turkey! and cuddle in front of the fire place....

SWEATERS! and other fall clothes... I turn my ac on high and wear fall/winter clothes around my place because I want to soo bad!
Anthropologie has a "spice rack" inspiration this fall.. so cozy.. so warm...

I can't forget to mention the fact that new tv seasons start. Although what does it matter now that Gilmore Girls is over. I need a new series to watch. Although I think Beauty and the Geek is promising this year.

So in order to get my fill of fall. I am going to bake, wear sweaters, and take a trip up to Northern Arizona. See some leaves change and get some cooler temps. Plus double check our wedding location!

Drive Safe

2007-08-27T19:17:00.000-07:00

This is going to be my brother, Andy in a few years. He is going up to Canada for his PhD. Good Luck BIG BUDDA!
Maybe you could put excuse my driving I'm Wyoming's Hottest Hottie on your car!
Love ya !

What 16,777,216 colors look like

2007-08-02T22:21:00.000-07:00

Look Here To see if you believe!

"That Cover is Naked"

2007-08-02T22:11:00.000-07:00

Penguin Publishing has started a new "My Penguin" where you are able to create covers for classic books. Above is Ryan Adam's cover for Dracula. They had bands create "cover art" in order to help promote this new promotion for their publishing company. Overall I think that idea is clever because it allows someone to make something more personal to them and I enjoy how creative you could e with a book cover. Check out this link for more information and to order your copy today! :) http://www.penguin.co.uk/static/cs/uk/0/minisites/mypenguin/index.html
I must admit I am sucker for slogans and I really enjoy the one for this promo!

"THAT COVER IS NAKED
PUT SOMETHING ON IT"

New Obsession

2007-07-27T11:53:00.000-07:00

Lately I have spend many hours look on http://www.etsy.com. It is something that reaches to my creative side and makes me want to buy a lot of homemade goodies. (Not cookies or baked goods but yet so many other delicious goods)
I enjoy the search by color sections. Any color but I haven't found that many promising goods through it although I do look at the most adnormal colors because I think that it awesome they are on there!
Enjoy! I don't have any favorites yet BUT soon I am sure that I will. It passes the hours when there are not any guests coming or going.

Beauty

2007-07-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere. -Van Gogh

Of course it is easy to find beauty in Yellowstone (where these photos are from). But much harder in the hot dry desert of Arizona. Yet each and everyday I try to find the beauty in the "weeds" around the building that I work at. I started reading Beauty The Invisible Embrace even though I am just lifting the cover it has helped me to see that there is beauty in everything and everyone. Wabi- Sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. I agree with the Japanese in this aesthetic because beauty needs to be found in the unconventional in everything.
I hope you find beauty in these photographs and I hope that you begin to notice beauty all around you.

YellowCamping

2007-07-13T10:49:00.001-07:00

June is over and it is now July... The middle of July.

So far July has felt like a summer month. I went on a little trip up to Wyoming and across the state to Yellowstone National Park. I saw geysers, mountains, trees and a lot of beauty.
Camping in Wyoming proved to be a challenge with winds that could "wrap you like a burrito" with the tent or waking up with Bison 10 feet from the tent. Although the s'mores were yum and the fire burned well into the night. It seems that the sky never did reach complete dark with all the stars in the sky.
My photos remain on my camera but soon I hope to share. Although I am not certain they can show all the moments that happen with you have an Australian terrified of bears.

Vegas.. what really happened

2007-06-06T17:01:00.001-07:00

I recently went to Las Vegas, Nevada with my parents. I had been once before when I was younger but I didn't remember much of anything except how everything seem "HUGE".
Today Vegas is much of the same as I remembered it. The hotels and casinos were huge. I felt like each were individual cities with places to eat, sleep, and play (meaning loose money). Although we tried to take in more than the casinos, it was hard because everything else costs lot. If you weren't shoving your money in machine with no chance at anything coming back at you, then you could throw your money into something else that was happening.
Although my peers told me, "You don't do Vegas with your parents, because it is all about drinking." I must say they are right if I that was all I wanted to do on a vacation, but I am much more an active tourist. It was hard to want to watch down the street because either porn was being handed to you or you were stepping in someones vomit from the night before.
Much to say I am not a huge fan of the "little place of everything" which Vegas imitates. I want places to form their own identity that I can remember when I go away from a place. Overall I had a good time in Vegas, I spent time with my parents and was able to throw a few of their quarters into the toilet.

The entire time we noticed that about 3 out of 5 people would have a sack (errr I guess they are called bags) from M&M World. My mother did not want to be left out of this trend, so hiked our way down there. Once inside were we disappointed from avoiding the porn handouts for the small store, only then did we discover it was 4 stories and it was no wonder why it seemed everyone on the streets had bags from there. There was so much of anything you had to buy something. My mom settled for selecting for own colors of M&Ms (9 bucks a pound) but she really only got about a dollars worth. But all in all... we came out with our own small yellow bag M&M WORLD -Orlando.

Do we have a Birthday here....

2007-05-23T07:16:00.001-07:00

YES WE HAVE A BIRTHDAY HERE!!
Happy Bithday... Happy Happy Bithday... Happy Bithday...Happy Birthday.. YEAH!

Hope your 21 is a good one. It means you can legally drink and in AZ buy lottery tickets, and of course gamble with your Grandma!

Next turning point...25 when your car insurance goes down!

LOVE YOU!

Why do a nice photo when I have this one?!?!

Elllie

2007-05-21T17:28:00.000-07:00

I have this habit. I name my house plants. Cloe the Cactus. Bert, Ernie and Grouch the Bamboo. The newest addition is Ellie the Elephant Foot Palm. I recommend getting one, she is beautiful.

I mean just look at her. So fun! I just need to re-pot it.

Time Warp

2007-05-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

......7th Grade.... .....8th Grade....

And today after I got my hair cut.....

Okay so I am playing them up with a the curl and everything BUT ya know... I like the bangs when I fix them NOT like I did in 7th and 8th grade!

I am thinking that it was a good change. A needed change, but a change just the same.
Summer is here. The temps have felt like summer for months now, but now that school is out it is summer. I admit I have been enjoying lemonade, Popsicles, and soon peaches. Those are the 3 food items that mean summer for me.
I am still unclear of my summer plans... BUT they will figure themselves out soon, I just know. I am trying to be patient and get other things done to keep my mind off of it until the time comes.
I invite you all to jump into summer. To drink lemonade until your taste buds are sour, to eat a popsicle in the sun and try to finish it before it melts. Bite into a peach and have the juice stain a white shirt. But really.. make a change it is summer... It might be as simple as a hair cut.. or possibly making a weekly trip to a park. Add some bright colors around your place but mainly soak up the sun.

ENGAGED!

2007-05-10T21:08:00.000-07:00

My boy proposed! Wednesday May 9. I got a ring! It was really cute and sweet. They are glow in the dark stars stuck to the ceiling! Spelling Out will you marry me.

That is me celebrating with the entire bottle of champagne. See the shiny ring!

This is a photo of us! Not the same day but us the same.

Study escape

2007-05-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend was mainly spend trying to recall the things I have "learned" or placed into my short term memory and now need to restore again for the last exams of the semester.
I was able to escape a bit from the notebooks of reviews. I had to in order to make it through.
I made some banana bread and muffins. It is my mom's recipe and I must admit the BEST recipe out there. It is soo soo good.. The photo is just after the bananas are put with everything else awaiting their fate of being all mixed up.
I also made it to the park, a different one than last Sunday afternoon. This weekend we went to Papago Park. It is very close to the Phoenix zoo, and Botanical gardens and has mostly desert plants and scenery. The main attraction are the rock formations, the one in the photos is "Hole in the Rock". Although the first time I went to see it, I was unaware that there man-made steps up the back of it, so my brother and I climbed up the rocks, wondering the entire time how the little kids at the top managed.
The Saguaro is the cactus that holds that Arizona state flower. I must admit that when I choose this park for the afternoon I was hoping for more natural color from flowers but really the state flower was about all I could find. There were a lot of palm trees around all the "fishing holes" and massive fish in them. Although the water is soo nasty in the "lakes/ponds" I would not dear to eat the fish for fear of gross polluted things the fish ate.
I will stop putting photos together.. it is just not working out how I want it too.. But yeah at least there is a REALLY blue bowl!!

Janelle needs..

2007-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

I saw this idea from withsprinklesontop.blogspot.com, who got it from someone else... I am slow so it took me a few googles to figure it out..
But this according to Google.. Janelle needs (in other words I googled Janelle needs and found the following)
•I need to win.
•I need to take one for the team.
•I need a liiiifffeee! (this one could be true)
•I need an investment banker so that way I won't have to steal what I want...
•I need a perm. (I will stick to just a haircut!)
•I need to take her to the final. (Is this my lucky her, because I do have finals.. 4 next week actually AW)
•I need to start participating. (I should I think this would make a lot of things a lot better.)
•...carriage driving. (I could go for this just because I would then be in New York and it is not as stinking hot there!)
•Janelle needs to get closer..
•I need my constant companion. (YES YES I need a dog!)
•I need more blog posts in my blog...(this one is more likely than not TRUE!)
•Janelle needs to go

Afternoon at the (manmade) Lake

2007-04-29T22:55:00.000-07:00

well the color came in a bit off... but still I loved the ducklings! They were adorable! Of course the turtle sunbathing always gets my vote too...
I will fix the colors and repost later!

Paint it all orange!

2007-04-22T19:46:00.001-07:00

Today marked the first of the Suns playoff games...
At the game we received orange shirts. It was an entertaining game. You can tell that we were very high, in fact a row short of the top but hey!
The first Picture is Boris Diaw- #3... He came out before the game and shot around. That was when we were sitting down on the floor seats, before we had to move up to seeing everything but the players.
The second is from the top when they were introducing the Suns starting line up. Notice all the orange shirts.

I was reading my old blogs posts and I thought about the blogs that I really like.. Ones that have a lot of things that they have created, made, or drawn...
So that is what I am going to work on getting more on here... but I must say.. I am getting a lot more photos up!
Phoenix is being painted orange with "Eyes on the Prize"

Green stains on the bottom of my feet.

2007-04-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

My heart and prayers go out to those anyway impacted or touched with VT.

I love to run barefoot in grass. There isn't much grass around here (which I believe is a good thing) but when I am around it.. I take my sandals off and run. Or I love to spin in circles until I am soo dizzy I fall into the grass. Just the feeling of the cool grass on my feet..
The other day on my bike ride the chain fell off my bike... we stopped to put it back on, next to a patch of grass... as my boy was tugging at my chain I ran... barefoot in the grass...
He look over at me and just smiled...
This is how I came to the conclusion to name my blog after this... Barefoot in the grass..

I have photos on the camera that will bring this to life for you... Now to get them on the computer.... the time will come..

Off to drink tea and read Freakonomics... not my first choice of book but turning out to be interesting.

In spirit of my blog's new identity... I encourage you, when you see a patch or lawn of grass... take off your foot wear and spin around in the grass until you are so dizzy you fall down!

Big man... on a bike...

2007-04-16T15:05:00.000-07:00

First I have to admit that I was an idiot and forgot to change the ISO of my camera.. so all of my Spring Break photos are not that great of quality. Maybe next time I will not be so dense when I am OUTSIDE! In the like totally SUNNY SUN!
But I really am beginning to think that I should be at Northern Arizona University. I think this guy is more my style than some little cartoon by Walt Disney.
This photo was in Flagstaff. I wanted to see a bit of their campus so before we left for the Grand Canyon we went there and saw this amazingly tall DUDE!
I enjoy being a tourist...
Because
----You can take photos with everything and people just think you have never seen anything like it before. If I go back to NAU's Campus, I plan on dressing like this Lumberjack and retaking a photo with him.
----Also you can wonder aimlessly and never have a fear of getting lost. You can always ask for directions.

I took a break from writing this so I could go for a bike ride. We needed some things to make our dinner complete.. so instead of dealing with the traffic, we rode. It was a perfect evening for a bike ride. The air has a chill to it today.
My suggestion for the night..
go for a bike ride.. and come back and drink some tea.

Take Time

2007-04-15T21:38:00.000-07:00

Everything makes a lot more since.. when I am sitting back drinking tea. I am not sure how it does it.
•I have taken the time to know that I might not land the internship of my dreams, but that doesn't mean once that the wrong one will lead me to have many chances to know what I the perfect job for me to land is.
•That you don't have to get up earlier in the morning to accomplish the simple task of eating breakfast, just save water (time) and take a shorter shower.
•When you experience new creative outlets, your entire life becomes more creative.
• Things make more since to me in list form.
•Remember to drink tea about an hour before bed... For the simple fact of bad dreams, and having to wake up to pee!

I think that I have just been so stressed the past few weeks, worrying about nothing that I should be.
I heard a quote tonight on Extreme makeover Home Edition (the about 4 minutes I watched it) that really hit me...
"Lots of things to think about, but nothing to worry about."

Now that I am drinking me tea.. It really makes me think about how there is nothing to worry about... that worry just drives holes through my stomach lining and makes me feel stressed about so many things I can control.
I didn't take a nap today. My second Sunday in a row without a nap! I must say I didn't take one because I was accomplishing task after task... now that I am taking time I know that if I had taken a nap, I would not have finished a lot of other tasks that were for enjoyment today.

I posted the photo because when I took this photo I was taking time to enjoy everything. I was in San Diego for the first (and only) time. I really longed to just take time and enjoy all the sites and smells. I had not seen the ocean in years so I loved to the tide pools. Listening to the crashing waves.

Sitting up on a branch

2007-04-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

I am in one those situations again. The ones that I think I am going to loose my mind. My thoughts are jumping all over the place, my stomach is hungry and wants to be fed. I can't sit inside and still any longer. I don't want to be in the place I am at, but yet on this hot spring day I must.
I tried to keep my mind busy, I still try. I played games against people on the internet. I searched for summer internships. I even read the most creative blogs I know. I have also been searching for Easter Dinner Recipes but yet I am a little bit closer each and every moment to not having much of anything left at all.. or at least having to chase after my mind as it is far ahead of me as I am typing this.

I want to be climbing a tree.... sitting at the top looking down at the ground... feeling that I have conquered it.... I want to sit there and eat the fruit that is one it (Arizona you know... some dry oranges, lemons, or grapefruit).... Just to feel the juices as they touch my finger tips... I really just want to get out a the box of windows I am sitting in.. have my senses become aware of things that are totally around them.. to experience more than the keys of the computer, the phone and the pen... I am to be away from technology.. up in a tree...breathing in fresh air... feeling nature...

Today is Good Friday... It is the day that Jesus was put on the cross.. Bad Friday for him.. Good Friday for us who believe.
I feel like I should be honoring him today by climbing a tree...
I want to go to the Good Friday Service tonight, where they will be talking about the 7 things Jesus said on the cross... I think it would be interesting to have it all taken apart... to really know what was behind each statement. Very powerful...

I am out of this box soon... soon I will climb a tree... the problem is that I only have palm trees at my apt, not much to sit on up there...

Self Simple

2007-03-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

A friend just told me that blogs were dangerous...
I assumed because someone could steal my identity, that is what a lot of people try to bring me to fear. But this was his statement....
" its proof that people are so painfully self absorbed that they really believe that another person on the planet gives a crap about what kind of Thai food they ate for dinner."

SO I if anyone wants to know I had General Tso's Chicken, made by ME!

But honestly I truly blog, for the love of writing that I have. I doubt that people even read this. I know that my brother used it. I like to express things that I normally would not say, I also used to be afraid of anyone seeing my writing. It is one form of a creative outlet for me....

Since I am self absorbed I am going to share the simple things that make me happy

"Simple things hold the secret" ~Carl Jung

•Rain hitting the window sill
•Milk Duds
•Hot Tea
•Loose Leaf Tea
•Waking up each more to "Judy and the Dream of Horses"
•Bamboo on my desk
•My day planer
•Ballpoint pens
•Cactus flowers
•Wildflowers
•Water bottles with straws (my Camelback one is super sweet)
•Setting goals and then changing because my thoughts change when accomplishing a goal
•Ponytail holders
•My jade rock necklace (oval rock on a string of hemp)
•Slipper socks
•Hours of conversation with people
•Staying in your pjs all day!
•Jeans that are worn many days in a row
•Plain colored shirts
•Having shelves that sit on the ground, instead on hanging on the wall
•Jazz Music (almost complex in style)

•Some many things I just can't name....

as a day might be... lovely

2007-02-14T21:41:00.000-07:00

Once a year on this day, I have to let everyone I know how much I love them!
So I LOVE YOU all.

Isn't amazing how St. Valentine did that... got everyone to send cards to each other, eat chocolate, and have candlelit dinners. I am doubting that when he died that was his dream, but you never know. He could have owned Hallmark, Russel Stovers, or the first Melting Pot.

Instead of getting all mushy on you all. I am going to just say what I have said and move on to some new things.

I am going to do a lot more in my life.. like to build more new experiences of my life.
I am just not sure what I am going to do.. Anyone with any ideas, let me know.

I am sure that EVERYONE is wondering how I am doing on my new things I was going to try to do. Let me tell you... I am NOT very good with developing new things into my overly crowded life... I should have made one a way of simplifing my life...
But here is a short of how things are going..
I have NOT waken up early, not even probably one day.
I did 3 doodles... mainly because my class was boring, 3 days in a row.
Saving... will go better when I get my scholarhship.
I HAVE been drinking a lot more water... I honestly feel this just makes me have to pee a lot more... during the night usually... and then I have bad dreams and so on.
No new bands have been discovered (Send me some)
I have 2 more months for a weekend trip! OOO WAIT I planned one! I am going to Wyoming for a weekend in March. Not that exciting but something, and it will be cheap on my pockets.
I heard about Anna Nicole Smith, and the snow storms, and the lady that wore space diaper to kill another lady, and some local killings... somewhat current events I have been reading.
Going to the career fair tomorrow for the intern hunt
I made a card for my boy for today. and a birthday card for a friend... I guess those could count.
I have been studying for a test. Although I know I am not totally focused on school...

I must say I am doing better than I thought I would be. MUCH better!

Well Give someone a hug goodnight, and remember today I love you.

From The Beginning

2007-01-30T22:16:00.000-07:00

I have never been one to make New Year Resolutions. But the year is almost a month old now, and these are more like things I would like to accomplish soon. Basically this is my giant to do list!

•Wake up 15 minutes earlier each morning. (Eat Breakfast/ JOURNAL)
•Draw or doodle something every day. (Note to self: New sketch book)
•Dance!
•Save at least 50 bucks a month... Think Australia!
•Drink more water
•Listen to a new band a week.
•Take a weekend trip once every 2-3 months
•Keep up on current events
•Land a summer internship
•Start and FINISH more craft projects
•Focus on school

I basically want to add a bit more to my life... what can I say!