Category: Art

The one where I salvage what’s left of January…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments
Me–
– since my writer’s retreat plans were changed, I carved out an intense week where during my “business” hours and evenings my focus is solely on work stuff. (I’m both terrified and excited!)
– a facial. this winter is working overtime on my skin! I’m sure being sick hasn’t helped…
– begin a weekly afternoon simply carved out for correspondence and reading, EVERY week. I’m thrilled! BEST goal/resolution of the year!
Us–
– one new year’s resolution I was to have a monthly cocktail evening complete with cards/games, and when it works out, having friends over. 
– Gen & I decided to take a bit of a girl’s weekend, mid month, complete with hotel sheets, sleeping in, no responsibilities, trips to the movies, swimming pools. I’m super excited! 
– In addition, Gen and I are going to start reading together, monthly. We share several of the same books now, which is an odd and special place to get to with your child.
 Heart–
– I’m starting a women’s group through our church. I’m pretty excited. I intended to start in the fall, and was excited to do the book they were focussing on, but I just couldn’t make that particular group work with my schedule. This new groups’ timing is a lot more conducive!
– listening to the calling to do/be more, with my life.
 Create–
– one of my goals this year is to take on 12 photo challenges.
– Since January of 2012, I haven’t been the best at taking photos and I miss that passion.
Reading–
– with the theme of my year being NEW, one thing I’m planning on doing is reading more children’s literature. I never read a lot of it. I kind of, as a reader, jumped right into adult books.
– Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
– MWF Seeking BFF
– Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
Home–
– a few reorganization projects.
– warm pots of soup.
– fresh-baked loaves of bread.
– one paper project (at least)
Health–
– yoga
– making more, and creative time for fitness/working out.
Love–
– a date night
– finding little ways to reach out to Chw when life and work keeps us apart.
“It is a tough road that leads to the heights of greatness.”
Seneca 

one through ten…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay4 Comments

Sometimes I like to bring my weeks to a close with a top ten list of things that inspired, moved or touched my heart, from around the web throughout the course of the week… This is probably the last list, like this, I’ll do for the year… I hope it brings you some sunshine.

– Have you ever heard of the Invisible Artist? Here is a compilation of a few works. AMAZING! i love unique art that really stands out as memorable… Incredible!

– I’ve been known to throw a birthday party for my dog, or make a memorable celebration in a unique way, so this really made me smile. Happy birthday to this little guy!

– This Holiday Decoration Trends post makes me feel incredibly traditional. While I admire a lot of these bold ideas, I’m not sure I could pull them off. What about you?

– This cartoon made me laugh out loud… What’s the opposite of Silent Night? This!

As we approach the end of the year, a lot of people start thinking about new year goals and stuff. On a couple of other blogs I saw these next two points linked and I’m resourcing them into my list for the week because I love them… HOWEVER, though I find it brilliant, if you’re easily offended by language, just skip the second one.

– How to change your life in 14 days.

– Why Wait ebook to jump starting your biggest goals.

Moving on…

– having two beautiful daughters, having sisters and nieces and lovely girlfriends, as well as being a girl myself, when I read 25 Things every woman needs to know, I cheered and am now sharing it with you! {I have since fallen in love with Hannah’s blog, linking to various other posts on social media just this week, BUT I should point out that I first stumbled upon this link from this post on one of my favorite blogs Spunkyrella}

– Are you familiar at all with the photography of Sophie Ebrard? I ran across this post, and this selection of her images are breathtaking. Absolutely life capturing. What a gift.

– It’s no secret, we LOVE Aaron Paul. We loved him back before he was super famous because we knew he was UBER talented, and because he hails from Boise (and was born in the same hospital my husband was born in!) and Northwesterners support their people! His kind heart never ceases to touch us, and this sweet gesture was no exception.

– the whole internet seems to be ablaze in arguing sides over the most recent scandal involving a Christian reality tv star vs. the LGBT community. I’ve stayed clear of it, and I’m not getting into it now, but I do want to point out that if people got this passionate about REAL issues that our voices could actually change, (you know, instead of just arguing and taking “sides”) can you imagine how that could affect the world? This video deeply touched me, and in light of all of this drama, can you imagine them adding a few seconds to it by having someone say “I hate it when the network puts my favorite reality star on hiatus”, or “I hate it when someone famous states an unpopular viewpoint that is different than mine.” Christian, LGBT, Fill-in-the-blank, have we all lost sight of the reality that we should all be on the same side and that’s the side of humanity. And it isn’t just tragic, third-world situations like in the video, it’s cities (families and children) in our own back yards that need voices and people passionate about advocating for them and their rights…

a little bit of show and tell…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay2 Comments

On Fridays I like to show you a little of the things around the web that made my week a little brighter… Take them with you as you head into your weekend, they’ll keep you warm.

– I know we’re always told smiling is good but here’s a convincing argument on why not to smile.

– because I have so many friends or family members who have had babies within the last month or are about to have a baby any day, I loved this so very much and had to share.

– because the weather taunts me wispy snow flurries, I figure photos like this one are important to keep on hand.

– ignore if you’re like me and can’t read the post… just look at the images. It’s quite possibly one of the most amazing things ever.

– this Minestrone soup. It’s so simple and so very delicious… {only i omitted the onions, added zucchini, used kale and served with hunks of sharp cheddar and warm biscuits.}

– speaking of food… I haven’t made these, but the food porn of these alone is incredibly worth the click. Heavenly.

– I’ve loved this trailer since it was released, but knowing the movie is out next month has me watching it now, daily. It sends both chills down my spine and warms my heart. It looks so very, very, very much like the sort of movie that makes you sit there and feel like you have just witnessed the very reason why movies exist at all- after having seen it.

– All of the Pemberly Digital Videos… Most recently Emma Approved. I loved the Lizzie Bennett Diaries from day one and these are great too… Love me some Austen revisioned…

– lastly, I’ll leave you with this trailer, which was just released… Wow, right? 

What about you? What’s bringing you some extra warm and brightness these days?

when beauty ate the beast…

Published on by Mae @ Rainydayinmay3 Comments

IMG_4028Most of my best thoughts seem to occur when I’m either behind the wheel of a car, or in the shower. Why is this?

Yesterday afternoon, between my house and Gen’s school I’d written an extraordinary blog post in my brain and revised an extra difficult section of a chapter I’m working on. I was giddy with excitement when I looked around and noticed they had decorated our lovely downtown for Christmas, and this made my heart radiate even brighter with glee. Just then a large swarm of birds ascended from the grassy park to my left and I marveled at their elegance as they flew higher and higher, all working together.

By the time I was home I remembered the birds and the Christmas decor, plain as day, but not one single thing about the rest of it. It’s like a trap door slammed shut in my brain and now my brilliant thoughts are trapped inside the Arena, fighting for their lives- Tributes of their own plight.

Sorry. Like I said, I just finished Catching Fire, and I’m afraid until we see the movie next week, I’ll find it seeping itself into my daily life. Tune in tomorrow when I wear a single braid, down my back and Josh Hucherson shows up with loaves of warm, fresh bread… {All kidding aside, Genny would die.}

In the Hunger Games of my brain though, why is it the memory of the birds and the glee over the holiday decor that win out? Shouldn’t it be the brilliance and creativity? Truth be told, I am so frustrated! I feel like this happens more and more. {and more}

And so, brain tired and back sore, I close the lid of my laptop and snuggle with a blanket in front of the DVR, thus rewarding my brain with absolutely nothing…

What time is it?

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Umbrella time…

I know, i know… I haven’t posted in a week. In all fairness, we had a really busy week. My daughter Amanda came for a visit, bringing her boyfriend and his two sons for us to meet. There was a three-day whirlwind of stuff, which ushered us straight into a really busy week otherwise. If you’ve ever had a high schooler you know there is oh-so-much drama that often goes along with that, and well, this was one of those weeks. Believe me- I’ve been doing good to make it to bed at night and back up again the next morning!

At any rate, amidst the crazy, I have managed to take note of a few things that have captured my attention from around the web…

– Are you a Breaking Bad fan? I can not believe that in a few days, it will all be over. Anyway, I saw this article on Twitter and well, it’s pretty much genius!

– Have you seen this story? I’m honestly not quite sure how I feel about it… thoughts?

– This video could very well be located right at the center of my happy place…

– Along with this one… I mean seriously? Come on! I love Jimmy Fallon!

– In keeping with the theme, in case you never saw the lip sync battle between Jimmy and John Krasinski- you should look it up. I tried to find it, but it wasn’t on youtube. It’s pure perfection. Good stuff. His show is always entertaining… Plus, added bonus, he’s totally inspired me to start calling people Pal. It’s fun and friendly.

– What are your thoughts on Corner Guy? Personally I think the whole thing is pretty funny, and anything that brings Milton to mind while also referencing congress is pretty A-ok in my book.

– Maricopa county is very dear to my heart and though he’s controversial, i LOVE Joe Arpaio! I think his methods are brilliant and I think the numbers (or lack there of) of repeat offenders and the significant amount of rehabilitation that takes place both speak highly for his program. This latest story only makes me love him more. While some prisons are letting rapists go early due to over crowding, and more prisons grant their prisoners even more leisurely rights, he’s got his priorities straight, and it works!

– I adore JGL! He’s adorable. We’ve pretty much watched him grow up on tv, and yet he’s somehow not only stayed out of trouble, but he’s really successful. This guy is not only mega talented, but he cares a TON about helping anyone and everyone who has any desire to create art, collaborate on projects, be credited for their work, and paid. He’s awesome. I love him. He has a huge project coming out, this weekend, that tackles really sensitive stuff… As if all of that isn’t enough, I come across this article yesterday! Man, oh man… This boy is on fire…

– I think Christoph Waltz interviews as the sweetest and most humble actor out there, but man can he play a villain! I am already beyond excited that Alexander Skarsgard is playing Tarzan, but this– this would make for one of the movies of the year…

– And lastly, the buzz on this show is INSANE. Of course, it doesn’t come out until January… Doesn’t it look amazing?

Alright… That’s all I’ve got for you guys. It’s pretty entertainment heavy, but you should know by now, that’s where my heart strays.