For the Love of {Owls}- Part 2

While Part 1 of For the Love of {Owls} consisted of photos and a painting that were realistic representations of the nocturnal creatures, Part 2 features illustrations with portrayals of owls that are either animated, slightly lifelike, or some combination of the two.

Diana Sudyka

Badbird

Kareena Zerefos via ffffound!

Shell

Poor Dog Farm

Ola Design

Owl from "The Owl & the Pussy-cat" Diptych- Mok Duk by Anne Benjamin

Decoylab

There are more owls to come tomorrow along with an exciting announcement I can't wait to share!!

For the Love of {Owls}

I know that a lot of people are "over" owls, as happens with any trend, but, perhaps since I am such a night owl myself, I still find some owl-inspired pieces irresistible!

Each of these pieces of art captured my eye; I love the life-like quality of Cara Enteles' painting, and I adore each of the three photographs, by Sharon Montrose, Allie Arts 4 Children, and D.S. Brennan Photography, as well.

Eye of the Predator- Cara Enteles

Allie Art 4 Children

Sharon Montrose

D.S. Brennan Photography

Stay tuned for Part 2!

Turkey & Sweet Potato Enchiladas

Gluten-free turkey and sweet potato enchiladas.

This Friday is just like any other out here in the New Mexico hinterland. There were big-eared rabbits eating breakfast (nibbling spare tufts of grass). A chickadee or two in the junipers. Pink light on the distant mesas. And as far as I know, no scary crush of shoppers at the Espanola Walmart. At least I haven't heard any sirens off in the distance. Truth be told I haven't budged from my casita (and I have no plans to). Nope. It's just another day here, call it what you want. Black Friday is quiet as an empty nest. So I thought I'd share a recipe for leftover turkey and sweet potatoes- a surprisingly tasty combo.

As always, make it as mild or as spicy as your little heart desires.

Continue reading

To Give Thanks

This is the first Thanksgiving I won't spend at home with my family, as with the big move approaching, E & I decided traveling just didn't make sense. I will miss the rituals of our day, and most of all, I will miss being with my family, including the extended family and friends who are always part of the celebration.

While my Thanksgiving table won't be quite this full this year, I am certainly ready to give thanks.

James Carriere Photography

I am thankful that E and I will be spending this holiday together, as last year he was on the other side of the globe for Thanksgiving. I am also thankful that we will be celebrating with one of my brothers, for whom a trip to our house was closer and easier to make.

The past year of my life has been filled with great joy, as well as great frustration and stress. Since January, life has been a roller coaster ride, but along every dip and peak my family and friends have been there, providing support, encouragement and love. For them, as always, I am extremely thankful.

Mikkel Vang

I am also thankful for my blog as it has brought me into contact with incredible people from around the world, people with whom otherwise I may have never connected. The blogs I read inspire me with their creativity and talent, as I mentioned on Monday, yet the thoughtfulness and warmth of many of the people behind those blogs inspires me even more.

Last, but certainly not least, I am extremely thankful for you, the readers of my blog. Whether you are a frequent commenter or someone who hasn't yet spoken up, I am so thankful you make the time to come here and read my words.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you celebrating. May your day be filled with love and, of course, lots of delicious food!

Moments {of Laughter} Part 2

Last Wednesday was the first installment of "Moments," and as I mentioned then, there are many moments of laughter I'd like to share with you.

In these photos, each photographer captured beautiful expressions of joy, expressions that make me smile without even knowing the background to the story. I hope they'll make you smile too.

Sarah & David- Mindy Myers via Style Me Pretty

W. Scott Chester Photography

Sophia & Matt- Ben Chrisman

Naomi & Larry- Ryan Phillips Photography

Maggie & James- Carrie Patterson

Stacey & Tony- Michele M Waite

W. Scott Chester Photography

Stacey & Mike- Photogen Inc.

I love how the laughter in these photos expresses different emotions; some show shock, some excitement, some possibly even disbelief, and yet they all undoubtedly show happiness in their laughter too.

While I love the classic and timeless quality of black and white photos, there will be "Moments" in color ahead on coming Wedding Wednesdays.

The Photographic Dictionary

When I came across The Photographic Dictionary, I immediately went through the entire website. I am enamored with the idea of the project, which "is dedicated to defining words through the literal, figurative, and personal meanings found in each photograph."

click images to enlarge

Breath- Robert S. Johnson

Calm- Matthew Genitempo

Sea- Vanessa Cornacchia

Photographer- Julia Galdo

Citroen- Valerie Enriquez

I loved a lot of the entries, but some of my other favorites are here, here, here, here, and here.

I'm It...

Phil Poynter

Tina, whose blog Luphia Loves I adore, tagged me last week to share six quirky, yet boring facts about myself. I always enjoy learning more about people through these, so, of course, I agreed to play along.

The Quirky, Boring Facts-
1.) I have a problem touching dry cotton balls. Not cotton pads or Q-tips. Not sure if this extends to cotton blooms from the bush (of which I am a fan as is evident here, here, and here.) As far as I know, it's just cotton balls. If they are wet (say with nail polish remover,) no problem. But dry? Makes me shudder just thinking about it.

2.) The touching problem extends to certain wet blankets. Not all wet blankets bother me, but there are some that elicit the exact same reaction as dry cotton balls (yet those same blankets are fine to touch when they are dry!) Weird issues, I know!

Some cotton I certainly wouldn't mind "touching." Stunning lucite paperweight with natural cotton pod available from Black Tulip Antiques in Denver via Bond & Bowery.

3.) I don't like Coke (or pop... or soda... or whatever you may call a carbonated, sweet fizzy beverage) When I was younger, I told my mom I didn't like how "spritey" it was, meaning how fizzy it was, and that is the best I can come up with still.

4.) When I was 10 years old, my two neighborhood friends and I started our own dance group, called "Primary Colors"... um, yep, because there were three of us. Quite original. We practiced in our backyards, but, as far as I remember, we never performed in front of anyone (even our parents, although, surely they witnessed our practices!)

Phil Poynter

5.) Along the lines of dancing, I, sometimes, have dance parties by myself (and when my youngest brother and I are both home at our parents' house, we sometimes throw them together.) It always puts me in a fabulous mood (oh, endorphins!) I also find it much easier to clean when I have music blaring and can shimmy around to the beat.

6.) I sometimes use hand-gestures when I'm describing things; these are often just random motions, although some things have designated signals such as crawfish, lobster, and catfish (these probably aren't too hard to imagine.) My husband always says, "Wait. How does that go?" and makes me repeat the motions. Then, he'll ask, "One more time?" He definitely gets a kick out of it.

Maura McEvoy

This is the part of the game where I'm suppose to tag 5 others, and I normally pass. I decided this time, however, to go for the tags. I'd love to hear these bloggers "facts," if they feel like playing along!

Jane at Ill Seen, Ill Said
Stephanie at Even*Cleveland
Erin at apartment #34
Alissa at Grace's Birdcage Wedding
Emma at White & Wander
Rebecca at Oh So RB

The rules are:

* Mention the rules on your blog.

* Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about yourself.

* Tag six other bloggers

* Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they are tagged.


Also, last week, Amy of ABCD Design, gifted me with the Uber Amazing Blog Award. I was extremely flattered to receive this award from her as the invitation suite she created for her wedding provided some of the first images I saved as inspiration for my own. While our styles were different, her creativity and execution completely inspired me when I was creating my invitations.


I am now suppose to gift this to five or more bloggers who inspire me, who make me smile and laugh, or who share amazing information. I have thought long on this, and, while it might feel like a cop out, the truth is, I really love all the blogs I read.

All of the blogs listed in my blog roll inspire me in some way- some make me smile at their words, some make me laugh out loud, some make me gasp for the sheer beauty of what they post, and many leave me wishing for a bigger bank account! As different as they all are, each blogger inspires me in her own way.

So, I am passing this onto all the blogs in my blogroll; if you are listed there, please know that I think the world of you for inspiring me, encouraging me, and for putting yourselves out into the world.

Heavy Metal

We've looked at industrial interiors (here and here) and furnishings, but we haven't yet looked at how this style manifests itself in fashion, specifically in jewelry.

While some of these pieces of are harder-edged than others, they all have an industrial look, drawn, it appears, from the chains of machinery. These chains are undoubtedly prettier and more delicate in their final presentation, however, than those on which they were modeled.

Twinkle Living

Alexis Bittar

Forever 21

Forever 21

Forever 21

Hello Betty

Finally, fall

It's is finally feeling like fall around here. As I type, it is 48 degrees outside and the high is expected to only reach 55!!! This is what I love....bring on the sweaters, jackets and boots! To go with our fall-like weather, we have some fall cookies! I made two versions of acorns and leaves...dotty and with GOLD sparkling sugar. I was in desperate need to update my acorns. You can see here...years ago, the first and only time I made them (with apples)...blah. I think my cookies turn out better if I try not to be so literal with them. Know what I mean? The dots make them fun...to me at least. Here's more info on applying dots. This gold sparkling sugar is so pretty. I found it online at sugarcraft.com. It comes in silver, too. I bought it for Christmas cookies, but couldn't wait to dig into it. I think these would be pretty with a monogram on the leaves for a fall wedding.Our dining room table was half covered in cookies (I have a hard time making one batch of cookies). A box went to our contest winner, a box to my nephew, 4 boxes with my husband for customers and one to the volunteers at the food pantry where my son & I work every Thursday. Someday, I'd like to do this. Lydia at The Perfect Pantry is the woman behind this wonderful idea!

Happy fall, everyone! I'm off to enjoy this weather while it lasts!

Champion & Challenger

As I was looking through my pictures files, I realized I had saved two different images of the same room. The room comes from two photographers portfolios and is styled differently in each one. While the differences are slight, they do create two unique feels for the space.

Edina van der Wyck via Desire to Inspire

Nicolas Matheus via White & Wander

I know I love the height of the windows and ceiling, the polished concrete floor, and the exposed rafter beams, but I can't decide which way I prefer it styled. The top image looks like a space where I would love to work on projects, but the bottom image looks like a space where I'd love to have an intimate dinner with friends.

Tell me, which way do you prefer it? Is one style the clear champion to you?

And the cookies go to....

.....KaseysKrazyMommy! Yay! Congrats...cookies are on the way! Thank you to everyone who entered!

And how is this for cool? Fellow Texan, Mandy, at Home with Mandy, had a giveaway on her blog celebrating her 100th post. I discovered last night that I won!!! Yee-haw! Take a look at these gorgeous martini glasses! Check out her blog, too...oh my, it's filled with delicious recipes and great step-by-step instructions. Thank you, Mandy...I can't wait to break them in! ;)