Shake it

Friday, I found myself in a bit of funk. It may have had to do with the red wine I had consumed the night before, or it could have been that my head was just playing tricks on me again. 

One thing I love about photography is that I can use it to explain how I feel, it helps me translate and work through my messy mind.
Art is therapy, go ahead- pick your medium and create. You'll see what I mean.

By Saturday, I was feeling better, but not 100%.

I attribute the "up" to the fact that I got in a 6.6 mile run and a date with my man.

 

You know what really, really did me good? 

A very long talk on the phone with a dear friend who lives far away.
Why do we take so long to pick up the phone and TALK.
not text, not instant message, but talk?

The other thing that helped? I went thrifting.
Now, you all know that some days are better then others when you walk into the Goodwill. Either the thrifting gods are smiling down upon you or they aren't.
Some days you might be in and out in 5 minutes, leaving empty handed.
But yesterday was not one of those days.
Yesterday I walked out of the thrifts store with Minnie (the Minolta) isn't she cute up there? and holy amazing- I think she is a virigin. I mean, it didn't look as if she had ever had a single roll of film in her and her shutter and forwarding lever are like butter, I have a mad crush on this little pretty.

and, AND, AND!!!
I spotted a record player. How could I NOT walk out with it?
and 5 goofy, wonderful records.

When I got home, I plugged in the speakers and placed the big black disc on the turn table.
I showed O how to carefully lift the arm and place the needle and instructed Fifi to not touch (over and over and over again).  They were both mesmerized- and so was I.

We had a little dance party-
Old school style.

I giggled non stop and even though there was some eye rolling at first,
I won the entire house over with Blue Hawaii and WHAM!
Yep, that's how you shake it....

Quotable Sunday-- and a theme week

“Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” Greg Anderson~



And if you care to join me, I this week "bag week". Drag out your funkiest, funnest most coveted purse, pocket book, bag, luggage, train case and let's have some fun!
If you are in let me know and I will create a link list...

And the winner is...

The random number generate chose 8, so Katleen! this Friday the 13th is your lucky day!! I think I have your addy but just in case can you email me with it? Also let me know which journal you would like. Kathleen's favorite treat are Ting-a-lings. She sent me the recipe and said I could share it with all of you as well, enjoy!

How to make Ting-A-Lings

1 lb. sweet milk choc.
2 sq. unsweetened choc.
5C corn flakes
salt

Melt choc and mix in cornflakes.
Drop on waxed paper and dry.
Store in airtight container.

Thank you all for playing along. I loved to read all your favorite holiday treats. Some of them I also love, (like hot cocoa) and others (like roasted chestnuts) are only part of my holidays in the lyrics of songs. I have found a few new sweet blogs from this contest as well! so that is always fun.
I do hope you will consider picking up a journal or two for your holiday (or baby shower?)gift giving. Blurb really does do a swell job on the books and you won't be disappointed!

Have a lovely weekend friends! I will pop in on Sunday for a much neglected, "Quotable Sunday" post.

Around JoJo's Place

I talked about it a little bit last year, and I can't help but mention it again this year, my mom has the best decorations for whatever season it might be, but some of my favorites are the ones she has found over the years for Christmas. Many of these aren't from when I was little, but rather things that she has scored at garage sales and thrift shops.
I think she has some sort of magic thrifting dust tha she sprinkles around because almost every time we go 'saling' together we find something good. In the warmer months you can almost bet that Saturday or Sunday morning she has a new little treasure or two.

Thank you all for the fantastic birthday wishes yesterday. I got so many phone calls, text messages, emails, comments here and on flickr, it made an otherwise ordinary day special!
All of you make my world amazing- xo

a taste of morning sun

a few sights from Christmas

I have decided my mom and I should go into business together. She can be the stylist and I will be the photographer. She has the best stuff around the house- she is a yard sale/thrift store queen and always finds the coolest things. I am always amazed when I show up at her little house to find something new on the mantle- something that it seems had been popping up all over the coolest blogs and flickr over the past few days- some how she just knows what is hip and finds it when she wanders around the thrift stores.
A quick peek at a few of the fun things around her house on Christmas Eve.






We had a beautiful holiday.
Christmas Eve with my mom, lasagna, and church. A few presents, including a Polaroid camera and a good book. She got the vanity case and a yoga mat. I also gifted her some personal yoga classes, it will be fun to go over and teach her :)

Christmas morning my mom and I attended yoga at my favorite studio. We parted ways, she headed to Truckee and I headed on over to the in laws for very nice day. The blurb books I made for everyone were a hit and so were the moo http://moo.com/products/greeting_cards.php. Gifts from others included dog houses, homemade ice cream, heat therapy bags,cutting boards, bread,beer and diddy bags. All homemade of course.
One of the other things I was really excited to give was the "dress up suitecase" for my neice.
I think this was one of the nicest Christmas Days I can remember. Everything just felt right- there was joy in the air-

I hope your holiday was filled with good food, good family and most of all Peace.

Let the season begin...

I don't like to rush this month. There is too much good stuff happening.
If you eat it up too fast it will be gone and done before you know it.

Now that I have stepped into a new decade for an entire day,
I feel that the season of
Christmas trees,
gift wrapping,
ice-box cake,
twinkle lights
snow,
plans for what we will eat (probably Chinese take-out) on Christmas Eve with my mom,
and what time we are supposed to show up at the in-laws on Christmas day can begin.

(Have I mentioned that I can hardly wait to give the family my present this year... a little hint, Blurb and Moo are rockin my holiday gift giving experience, rockin)

PS

Thanks to all my friends and relatives who called, emailed and text messaged me yesterday.
Thanks to my sweet sweet hubby for taking me out on the town last night and for heading into the photobooth with me (friday kids, friday I will share).
Thanks to all the flickr-ites and blog peeps who wished me so many Happy Birthdays.
You all have no idea how special it made me feel to be remebered- very, very special.
Thank you all for being part of my world. Thank you.

pack your bags

open the door, let's go.