I probably love it more than my DSLR camera (gasp).

In it lies the gateway to my Twitter feed, Facebook, Stumble Upon account, and Google Reader just to name a few.

For someone who commutes by train 1.5 hours ever day,  you can see how a girl can get an unhealthy attachment.

She’s not an Iphone… [...]]]> I love my phone.

I probably love it more than my DSLR camera (gasp).

In it lies the gateway to my Twitter feed, Facebook, Stumble Upon account, and Google Reader just to name a few.

For someone who commutes by train 1.5 hours ever day,  you can see how a girl can get an unhealthy attachment.

She’s not an Iphone… nope we didn’t get on that bandwagon.

She’s an Android running Samsung Epic… and I think she’s beautiful.

And I don’t geek out over technology often.

But with all that fancy stuff she can do… know what I love most?

That I can take lots and lots of photos!  More so that I ever could before, because though I LOVE my DSLR camera and photography in general, it’s my phone that I seem to be able to capture the every day life moments on.  I have it with me all the time (without worry of breaking or lugging around), whereas the DSLR only comes out for special occasions.  I suppose if I were more of a “photographer” it might be the other way around.

But goodness golly I love taking photos with my phone.

It’s probably the only way I’d ever be able to complete a photo per day project.

Not to mention the built in editing and effects.  Love love love them.

Here’s some random photos I run across as I’m doing some back up today:

This was as our ship pulled out of Vancouver on the way to Alaska.  I love the look on Alan’s face.

Speaking of, here’s the ship we sailed on.  The Zuiderdam from Holland America:

Here’s a shot from 30,000 feet, on our flight back to Chicago.

My chess master… I will never, ever (ever) beat him.  I’ve learned to live with that.

Cuteness captured.

A snowy morning.

A romantic view of the grocery store.

I happen to love grocery shopping.

A view from my commute,

And of course food, I LOVE taking pictures of food.

Why yes… that is a cheeseburger and a cosmopolitan.

I know how to live.

Taking my phone around and snapping random photos has really taught me a lot about why I take pictures.  Even if they aren’t perfect, they are moments and memories I want to keep and cherish, and yes probably scrapbook someday.

Don’t get me wrong, I completely want to keep improving my photography skills, but honestly…

In my mind what the every day, “snapped it because I wanted to remember it” photos bring back memory wise is 1,000 times more beautiful than the perfectly exposed and lined up DSLR shot.

And 90% of the time that’s what matters to me.

Gosh I love my phone.

Happy new week sweet friends.  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Have an inspiring day,  and take lots of pictures!

But remain thankful for what you have.

So…

Snow!!!

Our house is a 2 story!

No just kidding.   But all in all we got about 20 inches.

With the winds we got some wonderful drifts.

I’m talking waist deep,

And yes that meant major shoveling,

But also time for fun too,

Yes, I fell down [...]]]> Today I learned be careful what you wish for…

But remain thankful for what you have.

So…

Snow!!!

Our house is a 2 story!

No just kidding.   But all in all we got about 20 inches.

With the winds we got some wonderful drifts.

I’m talking waist deep,

And yes that meant major shoveling,

But also time for fun too,

Yes, I fell down several times,

But at least I had a soft landing.

On the snow I mean!

Oh Ok yes I mean me too.

Dixie got her romping in,

And I  got my picture taking in,

And a little romping of our own too,

(We call this… the “snow fro”)

After a long (looooong) day of digging ourselves out, I can’t help but think on the positive side.

Yes it was hard, but we had fun doing it.

Yes it was cold, but we were able to come inside to warmth once we were done.

And yes it was a hassle, but it’s our house…. our home.  We are so lucky to have a home to “have” to shovel out.

What a great day.

I hope if you were one of the many hit by the storm that you are warm, safe, and are also keeping it in perspective about what it means to have to dig out every once in awhile.

I’m off to make some soup and snuggle with my snowman.  Have a wonderful day dear friends.

Thawed and thankful,

From all of the excursions to pick from on our Alaskan cruise, there was one we were sure about just having to do.  Kayaking!

I don’t know why but I just love it.

Maybe it’s that feeling of being so close to the water, or feeling the combination of coordinated + rustic activity.

I am neither “coordinated”, nor “rustic”.

I [...]]]>

From all of the excursions to pick from on our Alaskan cruise, there was one we were sure about just having to do.  Kayaking!

I don’t know why but I just love it.

Maybe it’s that feeling of being so close to the water, or feeling the combination of coordinated + rustic activity.

I am neither “coordinated”, nor “rustic”.

I am “less than graceful”, and… “vintage”?

A heh.

We met with our group after a bus ride through Skagway, Alaska next to amazing scenery.  Our guides, the coolest people possibly on the planet, gave us a quick tutorial on the basics of kayaking.

I had kayaked before with my Mom in Maine (which was awesome and I must write about), so I already knew the basics.

The basics being “Jess should not steer”.

So into the back of the boat Alan went.

It was a gorgeous, God given day.  No rain this time of year was practically unheard of.

Don’t get me wrong… it was COLD.  But after putting on rain gear and hats and gloves over what we already had on, combined with all that paddling, it was not bad at all.

As I said above, our guides were just plain cool and awesome people.

This one in particular, was about to leave for India.

No plans, just going to wander India for awhile.

Climb some mountains… hike some trails…

Yeah…

This was 4 months ago now, so I hope he’s living out some amazing adventures right now.

Speaking of awesome guides…. these poor people fell in, but were whisked out of the water in record rapid time by them.  You just can’t both go “Ooooooh look over there!” and turn your bodies and heads in unison in a kayak.

She lost her camera at the bottom of the lake.  I was HEARTBROKEN for her.  But they stayed in good spirits.  And her sister was with us and had practically the same photos so they could share.  Thank goodness.

We stayed upright, and honestly one of the best parts of kayaking is working together as a team.  I think Alan was even semi impressed I could do this.

Nice form eh?

I am so glad we chose to do this excursion.  It was a beautiful day, an amazing experience, and most of all a great memory.

As part of our journey, we took the Yukon Railroad back to civilization, and saw some of the most beautiful sites.  I’ll write about that in my next Alaska post.  It was breath-taking.

Happy Friday sweet friends.  I hope you’ve had a wonderful week.  Are you crafting this weekend?  I’m planning to!  And maybe do some house decorating for Valentine’s Day.

Thanks for stopping by today, and see you soon.

Less than gracefully… but always gratefully,

Almost doesn’t look real does it?

I mean me, standing upright on ice, rather than flat on my tukas.

The spikey shoes they call Crampons help.

During our September 2010 cruise to the great white north of Alaska, we took three specific excursions that were just simply amazing.  To all those who went “Wait you’re going to Alaska?  But [...]]]>

Almost doesn’t look real does it?

I mean me, standing upright on ice, rather than flat on my tukas.

The spikey shoes they call Crampons help.

During our September 2010 cruise to the great white north of Alaska, we took three specific excursions that were just simply amazing.  To all those who went “Wait you’re going to Alaska?  But you’re so young still!”, poo poo to you.  We had a blast!

Honestly, we actually went now rather than later for a reason too.  Alaska was someplace we both really wanted to go someday but seemed like one of those dream vacations that you do when you have nothing better to spend the money on.  And then 2 things happened:

1.  We both realized that the environment is in trouble… and if we waited 30 more years to see it, it probably would just not be the same.

2.  And, when discussing with my Mom, she said “Oh sure, your grandparents wanted to go on an Alaskan cruise…. but they never got the chance”.

That was it, Alaska was happening.  No “never got the chance” for us.

The trip was full of memorable moments that I’ll document the best I can here, but our favorite of all was when were flown by helicopter to the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau.

Just.

Plain.

Amazing.

In a group of about 12, we were suited up in snow gear and given packs with granola bars, water bottles, and Kleenex (brilliant touch). Then we loaded up in the helicopter and were off!

Alan looks pretty good in a headset doesn’t he?

I had never been in a helicopter before, but I loved it.  LOVED it.

Soon we were up above the capital city (which is only reachable by boat or plane) and could see the mountains in the distance.

It’s like you’re floating.  Our pilot was awesome and got us so close to the scenery.  (Did he know there was a camera happy girl on board?  Oh yes he did.)

I can’t tell you how awe inspiring it was.

As we came in for a landing we got a closer look at the glacier… isn’t the way the snow forms these little peaks amazing?  Just think, completely untouched by human hands.

After we landed we were strapped into our Crampons (spikey shoes), given a walking stick (yet another reason I did not fall over), and allowed to just explore for about an hour.

This is one of my favorite photos of Alan from the trip.  He looks all… pioneer.

We actually filled our water bottles from that small waterfall.  It tasted wonderful.  We joked that back home this stuff would cost us $4.00 a bottle.

And, quick little side story.  While we were walking back to the helicopter, another couple lingered by the waterfall with one of the guides.   Next thing we know, the man is down on one knee, proposing right then and there to his girlfriend!  On a glacier!  I mean, wow, it was so so cute.  Talk about a wonderful memory.   The guide got it all on film for them too.

Surprisingly it was not freezing.  I was perfectly fine for an hour (granted I had 12 layers on, but still).

I’d like to take the guides home with me to be our personal photographers.  They were masters, knowing we’d be too awed by the scenery to remember to take photos of ourselves to prove we were there.  Every so often they’d say “Hey give me your camera, there’s great light right there” and snap a memory we will cherish forever.

Hands down worth the price of the trip right there… but we did SO much more.  Gorgeous scenery, sled dogs, zip lining (I survived!), kayaking, and… of course the cruise dessert buffet.  Let us not forget that.  I’ll be posting more over the coming weeks to both share and to document for when I’m ready to scrapbook the trip.

I hope you had a wonderful week, and thanks for stopping by today.  I’ve had such a great time getting back into the swing of things.

Happy Weekend!

(P.S. if you are going and that’s how you happened on this post, North Star Trekking is highly recommended, they were great!)

Perusing some pictures tonight on the hard drive I realized I had yet to share this fantastic find with you.

I had to remedy that immediately.

Mom and I had driven by there once on our way to Door County in Wisconsin, and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  My next visit I insisted we go, [...]]]>

Perusing some pictures tonight on the hard drive I realized I had yet to share this fantastic find with you.

I had to remedy that immediately.

Mom and I had driven by there once on our way to Door County in Wisconsin, and ever since I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  My next visit I insisted we go, and we were so glad we did.  What an inspiring place!  I want to go back, often.

I may want to live there… but they’d probably not be too keen on that. But a country atmosphere mixed with art that speaks to me?

They’re going to have to lock me out.

Doesn’t she look like she’s seriously going to take off into orbit?  Nothing can stop her,

She’s also got that je ne sais quoi,

And yes I’d like one ticket to freedom please,

Not only is the inside full of amazing works from artists for purchasing (at affordable costs I might add…)

But it’s the outside green space (as they call it) that just makes you feel as if you’ve stepped into another place.  Honestly, when I think back to how magical I felt my huge country back yard was as a child, these gorgeous pieces just make that feeling come back again.  (I need a huge yard now to put them all in… it’s a goal… I’ve decided).

Don’t you just want to sit down with these ladies and gossip and laugh over tea?  (Or Margaritas… depends on the time of day I suppose)

This water bug is possibly the cutest ever,

Alice in Wonderland meets Chihuly,

Love this, I can hear the music,

My Mom’s favorite, a very wise wood spirit,

And my favorite, these dancing women… I’m not all rah rah feminist, but I’m a huge believer in the feminine spirit… and these just speak to me,

This is such a gorgeous space.  And they are constantly acquiring new artists and inspiring art within the community.  It’s what I would love to do someday.  Be sure to visit their website and blog to learn more, and if you are ever within driving distance of this place definitely make a trip to visit.

I’ll probably be there swooning.

Or at least sipping organic coffee with the ladies of the bench,

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a quick share today of a couple [...]]]> Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.  ~Albert Camus

Happy Independence Day Weekend!!

Are you having a wonderful one?  Eating lots of yummy barbecue, clinking glasses filled with cold frothy cocktails, setting off sonic booms…

Dixie dog doesn’t appreciate that last one by the way.

Just popping in for  a quick share today of a couple of digital layouts I created using my sweet friend Leah’s new Whirlygig Digital Kit.  She has a such a knack for taking like traditional holiday colors and designs and removing all traces of “cheese”.  Isn’t the kit adorable?

You can find it at her Bluebird Chic shop at Misstiina.com.

And here’s a couple layouts I created with it:

From Alan’s big brother’s visit last month.  Fun times, much beer, and teasing were had by all.  (It’s always funny seeing Alan go into ‘little brother’ mode… it’s adorable).  We wandered the streets of Chicago, went to Blues Fest, and of course the Cubs game.  And then afterward I immediately surrounded myself in pink and lace to rebalance the testosterone levels in the house.

And one more,

Little me and my Grandma, I think 1979ish.

*Sigh* I miss her.

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday and are able to celebrate it with those you love.

See you soon!

There is any wondering who’s side I’m on…

I’m Team Edward.

And so the lion fell in love with the lamb ~ Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 13, p.274

Back with [...]]]>

There is any wondering who’s side I’m on…

I’m Team Edward.

And so the lion fell in love with the lamb ~ Edward Cullen, Twilight, Chapter 13, p.274

Back with craftiness soon,

Hello there friends!  I hope you’ve had a really lovely weekend.  I cannot believe how fast the week flew by, which I suppose can be good or bad depending on what you’ve got on your plate.  Me?  It was great [...]]]> The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.  ~Hanna Rion

Hello there friends!  I hope you’ve had a really lovely weekend.  I cannot believe how fast the week flew by, which I suppose can be good or bad depending on what you’ve got on your plate.  Me?  It was great to get to the weekend so soon… but then again Monday morning is right around the corner.

I didn’t get much craftiness accomplished, so wanted to share some more photos from last weekend’s super fun trip to my Mom’s in Wisconsin.  My favorite part of the weekend aside from spending time together was seeing a little short blip about The Paine Art Center and Gardens in Oshkosh (by gosh… I know it’s hard not to follow the name with that), and then dropping our existing plans and deciding to take a mini road trip to see it for ourselves.  Our main reason for going?  They currently have a wonderful Norman Rockwell exhibit on display, my Mom’s favorite artist.

Unfortunately there were no photos allowed inside, but I can tell you that if you’re in the area at all it is well worth the trip (admission is $9… for this Chicago gal, that there is a bargain).  They have all of his Saturday Evening Post covers on display… and to see them all together is such an amazing sight.  He truly had such a wonderful way of seeing every day life, and magnifying the beauty of it.

(image via the Norman Rockwell Museum site)

While we were there we of course had to peruse The Mansion and Gardens as well.  What an incredible place.  Built by a wealthy lumber family (finished in the 1940′s), the house was always meant to be open to the public, and a showcase for architecture, design, and a representation of its natural surroundings.  Again, no photos inside (and cameras everywhere I might add so this shutterbug was too chicken to chance it), but the gardens… OH the gardens were free for the clicking away at.  And even on an overcast day they were so beautiful and magical.  Here’s just a few of my favorite shots:

The back of the house… croquet anyone?

The colors were so vibrant and rich.

All the window glass throughout the house was colored, so the vibrant colors were carried inside.  How lovely it would be to have afternoon tea with the sun streaming through these!

Imagine walking hand in hand with your new crush down this private path while party goers inside danced the night away.  I wished I could stay longer and catch the fireflies here once they came out.

Even the garden guardians seemed friendly and welcoming to visitors,

That’s the carriage house in the back.  Honestly I’d be happy to live there, I don’t necessarily need a marble entry way if I’ve got a back yard like this.

One more shot of the front,

Well… ok maybe I’d like that entrance after all.

But I’d need to add a few bustles to my closet.

Oh who am I kidding… my bum in my 30′s is bustley enough.  Corsets though… waist cinching I could use.

These photos deserve a layout I believe.  I need a good multi-photo sketch to get me started.  Anyone have a great one to share then please link me up.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I will have a fun craft project to post this week that’s been brewing in my brain for a bit… it will be a great and summery way to use some of those transparencies you’ve been collecting.   Get your circle punch ready!

Have a wonderful day, and see you soon,

Hi All!  Hope you have had a lovely weekend.  Happy Summertime!

I spent such [...]]]> While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.  ~Dorothea Lange

Hi All!  Hope you have had a lovely weekend.  Happy Summertime!

I spent such a great weekend with my Mom in Wisconsin.  We went to some very inspiring places, I feel so pumped to do some creating this week!  I can’t wait to share some more pics of the places we went including a beautiful mansion with gardens and a Norman Rockwell exhibit, plus the funkiest cutest little art shop and gallery this side of… well up north.  Until then I just wanted to share a few of my favorite photographs from the trip.  I was camera happy all weekend long, and had the chance to edit just a few when I got home tonight.

Hidden Treasures outside an antique store.  If only this bicycle could tell us of the travels it has had.

A magical tree, makes me want to search for the fairies dancing in the branches… but they were well hidden.

Listen for the laughter that comes along with this old rocking horse… oh the joy it must have brought to its former little owner.  It seemed fitting to see those memories in black and white.

And what secrets I wonder have been whispered on this bench… by those who have long past, but their presence lingers on.

I so enjoyed carrying my camera around and looking for stories to photograph, whether they are real or made up in my own mind, photography is such a wonderful way to seek out the creative side of every day life.  I’m so excited to begin a POTD (photo of the day) goal again with some online friends, and I hope to be posting many more.  Sometimes it’s easy to see these kind of settings in a new place you don’t see all the time, and it will be a real stretch of my creative muscles to do so in my every day surroundings.

I’ll post more on my weekend adventure soon.  Have a wonderful week, and see you soon.

Seek magical moments everywhere you go,

(P.S. my apologies to any email subscribers that get this post twice… I had a little technical difficulty with a site upgrade last night but all should now be a-ok)