Hap hap happy holidays

From me to... you! This Christmas was a good one. I enjoyed the time I got to spend with my family. I had hoped to have more time to craft some homemade goodies for myself and friends but I only got as far as my mantel. Below is the stockings I made for Nathan, Ladybird and I. I also took a walk with my little family to collect the pine cones that I spray painted gold. One day I will have more time to be festive...

Ladybird enjoyed her Christmas presents. She really seemed excited when I gave them to her. The poor stuffed Christmas tree only lasted a few hours. We won't be buying anything stuffed for this pooch anytime soon.

My mom got a puppy for Christmas.

He is a shih tzu who's name was finally decided as Murray.

...Despite my brothers efforts to refer to him as Monster.com

My nephew Jake wouldn't put him down. Well none of us really would. How could you resist holding a puppy?

I hope you all had a merry Christmas. I can't wait to have a happy new year with the best of friends!

Estate sale find = Saturday projects

The former owner of our house left some 70's contact paper behind. It was still in the wrapper. I thought it looked cute in the drawers.

Lady bird approved

Question

Am I the only one who thinks Wendy Williams looks like ET in a wig?

Its hard being hipster

Fur your viewing pleasure

Poochie portraits by yours truly. I wish I had time to do more of these. They are so much fun.

Lady Bird doesn't seem to approve of this likeness

3 hours vs 7 days

I am so happy to be marrying the man I love on May 22, 2010. I have my dream location, dream dress, and an awesome local musician to make my day special. As much as I have dreamed about my wedding you would think I would be more interested in all the details. Unfortunately those things listed above are all I seem to care about when it comes to the big day. Looking at wedding planning sites and blogs just makes me overwhelmed. There is SO much planning going into 3 hours of my life. As those hours are going to be very special and lovely, I am not trying to diminish their importance. I want it to be lovely and am sure I will get it together eventually but I am wayyyyyyy more interested in planning the week that follows.

My Honeymoon! :)

Unlike most people's idea of a honeymoon, I find the beach and an island get away extremely BORING. I do not want to lay on a lazy beach and soak up the sun my whole vacation. Don't get me wrong I like to do that, but give me 2 hours and I have had my fill. Every one keeps telling us that is what we should do. "Spend your honeymoon in Florida with the old people." I value your opinion but that is just not us. I want to see the world and go to a museum, go shopping, visit a park, or go to a concert. With all that in mind our first choice of a honeymoon location was New York city. Booking for the hotels that accommodate with my parents timeshare (awesome that they are letting us use that) requires a 2 year advance notice for New York City... so we aren't going there... BUT... I am glad because our second choice is the West coast San Francisco. The more I look the more I find that it is a better choice any way. I have always wanted to go to California and the more things I find to do in San Francisco the more I can't wait for my wedding and honeymoon. This is planning that gets me excited!

We will be spending 7 days in the city by the bay.

I have always wanted to see the red woods and we found a tour that takes you over the bridge and up to the mir woods.

Nathan just found out today that one of his favorite bands (The National) will be playing the week that we are in town. We missed them when they came to Texas. This is the venue they will be playing in and it more than makes up for missing them in Texas... I want to go to there

Pier 39 is well known in San Francisco and will be covered in Sea Lions when we visit. So neat and smelly at the same time!

Alcatraz duh

We were even talking about heading on up to Sonoma county to practice being pretentious

or maybe just taking some awesome pictures

The conservatory of flowers is just a few blocks from where we are staying. It is a pretty small greenhouse but it holds some of the craziest plants and flowers you will ever see.

mind blowing really.

In honor of Full House we will have a picnic in Alamo Square where I can sketch the painted ladies and eat a ham and cheese sandwich.

Lombard street... the crookedest street in the world.

One thing I am personally excited about is the Winchester Mansion. Growing up my dad would always make up stories about this place to entertain us. I have had a fascination with it since I was a kid. I have always wanted to go and now I finally get to.

There are many other museums and restaurants not mentioned. I am so ready to go and making this post is making it worse! I know it seems like we will be busy but I do want to do a lot of sketching and pastels of the architecture and bay. We will have some down time too after all we will be there 7 days.

See you soon San Francisco!

Spring Time Hurry!

Its cold and rainy in Denton TX and this Botanist collection from Anthropologie has got me wishing for spring time. I always thought I loved the cold and after 3 months of being nothing but cold, I have decided to change my mind. Soon it will be spring and I will be warm once again. Until then I will look at these cheerful fresh pieces that can keep me happy.

I can't decide on my new living room sofa... which one do you like better?

HELP!

1)

2) This sofa we would get in a darker color

Interesting?

I just thought this was funny that we have similar pictures with each other.

My Grandma and Grandpa

Nathan and I

Grandma and Grandpa

I miss my grandparents and I found these pictures on my dads photo website. I love looking at them and seeing my grandma and grandpa so young loving their life.

The picture above is of my grandpa at the family Ranch in Kyle Tx. (just outside of San Marcos). He is sitting on the cow tank that would give the cows on the ranch their water supply. I like this because there were so many times where I myself would play and jump off of that very tank. I even have pictures of it from this summer.

This picture is my grandma at school for hobo day.

I think this one above and below are my favorite because they are from floating the river in San Marcos. I have done the very same thing many a times with not only my grandparents and family but with my friends and fiance too. These pictures remind me of happy times. And lets not forget the awesome swimsuit worn by my grandpa... with a belt.

Skipping rocks

I think he was threatening to pull her in the river

This picture is still almost 20 years old but it was taken at their 50th anniversary party and it is closer to how I remember them. I only hope to live such a happy life with my husband.

Miss you Grandma and Grandpa!