different strokes

Recently I decided to visit a friend of mine who works a particular cosmetic line. She was hosting a 'lash-party'. I was happy to receive a little girl-friend time while learning to apply some shadows to my eyes. Growing up my sister was four years my senior so I didn't always have the opportunity to get this kind of time with her and have since then always felt a little inferior to most others in the realm of make-up. How did they do it? I occasionally would peruse a magazine for help, but never felt very secure. Even the make-up counters at the mall scared me. But in this short time with my friend I learned a few 'different strokes' and purchased myself some make-up and brushes. I am still not thoroughly confident with my applications, but at least it's a start.

fog

It's just one of those January days -

A FOGGY MORNING over the BRIDGES...

Crossing Eastbound on the Ross Island Bridge. . .

Can't see but a trace of the land that stretches beyond.

Sellwood, wherefore art thou?

who's counting?

1

111

1

232

323

232

323

232

323

232

323

.BIRTHDAY POST.

The day was filled with a lot of little extras added to the ordinary.

Just the way a birthday should be.

Thanks to all the friends who remembered

I enjoyed every text, call, message, & email.

Y'all are too sweet. I love you!

-- a few of the lovely things of the day --

Tea Party luncheon @ Liya's.

&

The Earrings she got me:

Presents & SkinniDip with Janine.

Paints & Brushes from my love.

&

Dinner w/ some friends:

Chipotle BlackBean, Salmon Burgers & Sweet Potatoe Fries:

Desserts made by my #1 neighbor:

German Chocolate Cupcakes (SO MOIST!)

Carmel Popcorn (YUM!)

Creme Brulee (DIVINE!)

jerusalem, if i forget you. . .

We started this 1000 piece puzzle around the turn of the New Year, and finally got a chance to finish it today. We had bought it on our venture over to the mall a weekend or so before Christmas (we don't normally go out to the malls that time of year. . . we were amazed to still have strength to shop after fighting the crazed crowds of cars in the parking lot alone). Anyways we were shopping for a specific date book (of which we were able to find the one and only copy this Barnes & Noble had), when we stumbled across this amazing puzzle. What stood out to us was:

1. The glitter on the box... and yes, there is also glitter on the puzzle (just in spots to accentuate it). It's beautiful.
2. Not only that, but I loved the style of the drawings. They are much like how I like to draw.
3. It's of Jerusalem. Seriously, what's not to love?

It was a really fun puzzle to put together.

Blog post title from: Matisyahu's song: Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Come Light). He is a fun to listen to American Hasidic Jewish raggae musician. Check him out.

vote 4 camille

Attention Friends/Blog Readers:

I have a very important request.
An assignment of great value.

'Tis very simple & hopefully not too cumbersome.

And upon completing it you will have helped a friend
to be one more step closer to fulfilling a dream.

Please VOTE for my talented friend Camille Empey!
She is competing for a grant via Kindermusik for $1000 to write a curriculum
that includes music and movement in Spanish.

To provide:

Children with the gift of a second language through music and movement

See full document & voting by clicking here.

You can VOTE 10x a day (per IP address).

So that means from your home computer or cellular device
you can vote 10 times from your house.

Then as you continue through your day...
And another 10 times while at the library.

Another 10x at Starbucks.

Another 10x from at a different coffeehouse location.

Another 10x from work.

Another 10x from your mobile device at any other location that provides WI-FI.

ALL IN ONE DAY. That's already 60 votes...
...and counting!
You see where I'm going with this?

Really, you don't have to VOTE this often,
but any time that you do you can know you are
helping Camille come this much closer to fulfill her dream!

The TOP 5 Proposals with the MOST votes will receive $1000.
** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * ** * **
She's currently holding FOURTH place.
But needs YOUR votes to KEEP it there or RISE it closer to the TOP.

Voting ends February 9th, 2011.

So Vote DAILY & Vote OFTEN.

oh, and please help get the word out:
TELL YOUR FRIENDS to vote as well!

and a big thank you to all who participate!
to View Camille's Video Proposal click here.

ever closer still

This hymn really met my need years ago and still sticks with me through a tune I composed. Somehow reading this post by a friend of mine brought it to mind again. Perhaps it was the quote by Hudson Taylor. . .

All thy grieves by Him are ordered,

Needful is each one for thee;

All thy tears by Him are counted,

One too much there cannot be;

But if while they fall so quickly

Thou canst own His way is right,

Then each bitter tear of anguish

Precious is in Jesus' sight.

Far to well thy Savior loves thee

To allow thy life to be

One long, calm, unbroken summer --

One unruffled, stormless sea;

He would have thee fondly nestling

Closer to His loving breast,

He would have that day seem brighter

When alone is prefect rest.

- Hymn #676

finger-lickin' good

My amazing husband mastered the art of Fried Chicken on his first try. It was oh-so-delicious! Perfectly prepared. Check out his set-up:

Upon doing some research he found that making an assembly line works best.

The finished product before entering our bellies:

Fried Chicken, I'm waitin' on you!

KFC, eat your heart out!

i wish:

- Just Because -

A girl can have a wish-list, right?

So here is what I am wishing for:
(in no particular order, and offhand as of today)

1. Le Crueset - French Oven
(Aren't they magnificent? Atleast, those colors, so nice! I can't help it!)



2. An Umbrella
( is this not an awesome one?! )




3. A pair of Wellies
(Heard that my size is also the biggest kid's size... That's a steal!)



4. Fancy Digital Camera
(still researching the perfect one)



5. Massage
(O yes!)



6. Earrings


7. Turquoise Necklace
(I've been on the hunt for the perfect one!)

Art supplies:

8. An Easel
&
9. Larger canvases


10. Larger brushes



11. More paint (Acrylics)

our going on is for you

We live if you stand firm in the Lord!

You live if we stand firm in the Lord!

Our going on is for you,

Your going on is for us!

Not separate entities,

We need you saints desperately!

Our dear friend Yongjun is returning to Korea

to work & then attend his mandatory millitary service.

Lord, bless and cover and keep him!

We're really going to miss you Yongjun. REALLY.

Keep up your guitar playing! You're a natural.

At his last Zoe Club Dinner.

Sungbin & Erik have "thumb's up!" for Jesus in Yongjun.

montague

January 6th was my lovely sister's *birthday*... And her awesome hubby planned a great dinner out with us, the boys, and some more friends. He picked a place with great atmosphere.

Le Bristo Montogue.

We were highly entertained during our hour & 45 minute wait... complete with a pimp-sighting. The boys couldn't resist the photo-opp. *grin* They serve delicious drinks, foods, and desserts. We had the Mississippi Mud Pie. Mmm-Mmm-good!

One of my favorite things is the crazy fun ways that they wrap your left-overs. At our table we had: a palm tree, a crab, a snail, a swan, a scorpion, and last-&-certainly-not-least, my giraffe. It was mega tall and stood out from all the rest.