Harbor Cottage

Mission Peak

2012-01-29T16:21:00.000-08:00

Miss Samantha was down to visit this weekend so instead of asking her to lunch I thought it would be a bit healthier to ask her on a hike to Mission Peak (and then chow down on some Chipotle and Subway afterwards). Mission Peak is located in Fremont and has always been my little directional landmark ever since I was a kid because it's the highest point in the city. At least that's what my dad taught me anyway. It's a 4 mile hike to the top from Ohlone College - so, an 8 mile hike in all. I was pretty happy to say that I did it with no difficulty this time (though we did make a ton of stops because, who likes feeling like they are the one holding up the group? Plus, that way you get to enjoy the hike a bit more). Also, my little puggie girl made it to the top and back with no hesitation and without being carried! She is such a trooper and I am so glad because we're hikers so... I told her to cut the crap before we left. Hehe.

Ant, Sam and Robby

We did a little geo-caching, thanks to Robby!

This picture just makes me swoon ^^^

Almost there ^^

and we made it!!

She was tired... but still so cute!!

Kels

Oh haha ha ha

2012-01-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Just some laughs for your Sunday...

Kels

Ardenwood Farms

2012-01-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

My MIL, My SIL and my littlest SIL got up this morning and drove 2 whole miles to Ardenwood Farms in Newark. Right when I got back from my trip I heard on Good Morning America that the Monarch butterflies were hanging around in droves in their grove (no rhyme intended) so I've been wanting to get out there to check it out. Well... we were a bit disappointed in the few we saw flying around. Apparently, a couple of weeks ago they were seriously hanging in huge bunches so large that you couldn't even see the branches or leaves. We did luck out with such a beautiful day, though.

Happy Saturday!

Kels

Made to Break

2012-01-27T19:22:00.000-08:00

I just started my last general education class at Ohlone (It's BIOLOGY) and our first assignment was to watch a video called "The Story of Stuff" and comment on it. The super quick explanation for this video is that Americans are consumers first and foremost and we are not disposing of our "stuff" in the right way. Additionally, the companies that produce all of our "stuff" are not doing it in the most economical way. Now, honestly that is the really short version-- if you want to see it yourself just google "The Story of Stuff" and you'll find it.

I realized that this GE class that I have been dreading like crazy could actually be a HUGE help in my next Historical Writing class as San Jose State. I mean.. can we just talk about the policies we implement in this country for a second? After World War I our government was banning the ideas of thrift and reuse and pushing us to buy, buy, buy MORE MORE MORE in order to boost our economy. Sound familiar? Then, after 9/11, President Bush told us to "GO SHOPPING!" WHAT?!?!

Things are made to break nowadays and I don't know about everyone else, but it kind of pisses me off.

The terms "thrifty" and "frugal" are coming back, guys, and I'm one of those who wave the flag of reuse proudly. I just hope my sewing machine doesn't break cause I am not trying to buy one that will die on me within a year.

Anyway... I'll return to this topic at a later date when I'm a little more educated and little less hopped up on Gnarly Head. The End.

Kels

EUROPE!!! Part 2

2012-01-25T14:32:00.000-08:00

Our second day in Rome began bright and early but I think our whole group was really just excited to have been given a bed and a shower and a normal breakfast. My group of four (Me, Jamie, Jennifer and Nicole) were put in room 408 at our hotel Carlo Magno the night before. Check out our four beds shoved into the room. I was laughing so hard because J-squared (I wish I could do superscript in blogger - but I don't think that's possible) (Also - J-squared is Jamie and Jennifer. They will probably be referred to as such in the future posts about Europe because they are basically the same person in two bodies) kept complaning about how small our room was and I kept saying that it was so warm and cozy! Anyway... We were in room 408 which is actually something like 10 flights of stairs from the lobby and I'm not complaining because really I appreciated all the extra exercise, I just want to make it known why I was able to lose some much hated poundage from my body on this trip. Add those flights of stairs multiple times a day or night to the miles and miles we were walking on this trip and the fact that I was basically NEVER hungry and it all makes perfect sense.

Wow I get off topic so easily.

Here is our room:

We hopped on the bus and were whisked away to the smallest country in the world: Vatican City. Vatican City is only 20% of a single square mile and has less than 1,000 inhabitants - none of whom live there permanently. Yes I got some of this info from About.com. Get over it.

We were so lucky to be with a guide (that's something I continued to repeat throughout the trip) because we got right into the Vatican Museums with absolutely no wait!! Apparently people can spend an entire day in Rome just waiting in line to get in. Crazy!

The courtyard ^^

The gardens which are taken care of by the nuns of the Vatican. ^^^

I know this is wildly innapropriate, but how funny would it be to see the Pope using a hose and watering this grass? And he'd be all tangled up in it and trying to weave it in and out of the planter boxes.

OK. OK. Anyway...

I can't remember what the heck this is behind me.

Jamie!

This is the Courtyard of the Pinecone ^^ That big bronze ball is called "Sfera Con Sfera". It's only been in the Courtyard for about 20 years and it's meaning is that of a complex world that we live in. This courtyard is a really big tourist spot so as you can see we were VERY lucky with the time of year that we traveled. Nothing was crowded and even the Sistine Chapel was empty. So cool!

The pinecone ^^^

I think this was when we entered the Pio-Clementine Museum (Greco-Roman Sculptures)

Notice the fig leaf over his umm.. private parts? Our guide was telling us the story of how Pope Pius IX ordered all the genitals to be cut off of the statues of the men in the Vatican because he felt it to be too vulgar. His successor added the fig leaves. Interesting stuff, right?

I loved all the animal sculptures. They reminded me of my little furry friends at home.

This guy up here is pretty cool ^^

Ceiling fresco ^^. Our guide (Franco) kept telling us that these frescos were done by the modern artists and that they "basically don't matter" in comparison to the masters of the past. Well DUH! They don't matter as much but they're still pretty amazing!!!

The Belvedere Torso ^^^ Apparently very famous because it was signed by the artist.

A little dome ^^

Me in the Vatican Museums ^^

This guy is like "meeehhh" hahaha ^^^

The Gallery of Tapestries was pretty cool. I can't believe these tapestries were woven between the 15th and 17th centuries. They are so detailed.

The Gallery of Maps ^^^ (Frescos of maps on the walls)

I kept looking and looking and looking at this fresco of the man writing with the skull and then I realized it reminded me of a Caravaggio! (below)

Seriously so comparison. You think they're linked?

Then we walked into the hall that leads to the Sistine Chapel. I think that from the minute I got off the bus that morning I had this overwhelming feeling of excitement like, "I'm going to stand in the Sistine Chapel!!!" It's weird. As you walk through all those rooms and see all those amazing statues, paintings and tapestries it's NOTHING compared to the sheer size and beauty of the Sistine. Once you see it nothing can compare. Some of my fellow travelers would probably disagree and vote for something of more natural wonder like a mountainside or body of water but for me the biggest highlight of the trip was the Sistine.

Photos are prohibited in the chapel because flash can ruin the paintings so I kept my camera put away.

(I bought a magnet off a street vendor though haha)

Franco told us a story about how the Vatican accidentally shot a canon into the ceiling and ruined one of the first scenes in the creation segment. That was pretty cool. Also the fact that the pope at the time felt it was too intricate and perfect before that he wouldn't allow anyone to paint over the part that was ruined. So it stays ruined. Funny because he allowed someone to repaint all the Berninis.

Anyway... enough about the Sistine. I could go on for days. But, again.. it was an empty chapel so we got lucky because apparently guests are usually pushed through the room like cattle.

After you leave the Sistine through the "secret door" there is a huge flight of stairs

oh look! Me and a flight of stairs!

Then we went over to St. Peter's Basillica. This is the bronze Holy Door ^^ which is only opened for very special celebrations commissioned by the current pope. You can't really tell... but it's massive.

Inside the church is the other side of the door ^^^ Inside that little box is something special but no one knows what it is. Apparently we will all find out the next time there's a Jubilee?!

Through the dome ^^ Isn't that amazing? It's like looking right into Heaven.

Michelangelo's Pieta. This is probably #2 on my list of favorite things from the trip. It's seriously amazing!! And it's behind glass so don't mind the glare from the window.

See those letters basing the ceiling of the entire church? Each one is 8 feet tall! It's impossible to explain how large this place is.

Oh yeah... my feet in St. Peter's

Pope John XXIII. Yep - that's a real guy in there. Weird.

OK here comes #3 of my top sites of the trip - The Baldacchino by Bernini. Whoa, right?! Seriously whoa! Like so whoa! I might actually try to see the Pope sitting under it on TV. And I generally avoid including the Pope in my life at all so that's big. and IT'S a BIG canopy.

Brenda and Franco

Just so I don't forget - Franco is the one who taught us ANDIAMO. It means "HURRY UP, LET'S GO!"

Basically, I love it!

Doesn't this guy ^^ just remind you of Billy Crystal in The Princess Bride?

oh you know he does!

Here I am in Piazza San Pietro

140 statues of saints line the walls of the Piazza.

This one above kind of captures the shape of the colonnade ^^. It's rounded.

Oh hey it's me in front of a street vendor's cart! I just really liked the S.P.Q.R. everywhere.
S.P.Q.R stands for Senatus Populusque Romanus and it's really a nod to the ancient Roman senate and people. Once I learned that I was like snapping away everytime I saw one I liked.

I seriously only ate popcorn and a granola bar that day until we finally ate dinner around 9 PM or so.

J-squared and Nicole

me and Brenda

stay tuned for part 3... soon...

Mondays with Angie

2012-01-23T15:54:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!!

Love, Angie

(Angie loves her dad and her warm vest, hahahaha)

Kels

For another adorable pup head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!

EUROPE!!! Part 1

2012-01-22T14:47:00.001-08:00

So... If you didn't already know that I went to Europe this month then you're about to find out. I found out about my little trip this past October via an email explaining that the Speech Department at Ohlone was planning a short study abroad trip for interested students. Next thing I knew I was "an interested student" and I had paid my hard earned cash-ola to the lovely Brenda Ahnholtz and I was on the phone spewing information to my mom and my husband a mile a minute like WHOA! I'm going to Europe! Specifically we traveled to Italy and Greece and we did it in the wee hours of 2012 (Jan 3rd - 12th). Alright.. here we go...

Anton took the day off work to drive me to SFO. At the time I didn't really have any thoughts of actually missing him on the trip but as soon as he left me in the international terminal with a group of 30 strangers I began to think that his trip would be a lot more than I had bargained for. Before we left Fremont, though, we stopped to eat a couple of Egg McMuffins for breakfast.

A few hours later I was settled into my seat on our Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt, Germany.

The airport in Germany was kind of different. The terminals were filled with cots for people to lay on. After hours and hours and hours on a plane from CA to Germany I was READY to lay down on one! But... we only had about an hour before our connecting flight to Rome so we kept walking to our next gate.

our little group ^^

I guess I should preface this next photo by saying that the first flight was absolute torture for me. I had been unable to sleep basically the entire flight and had spent the last hour under my jacket just hoping not to throw up on the people next to me. I will say that I managed to get through the entire trip without any dramamine (I still have never taken any of that stuff) or the help of any other medications for motion sickness because of the little gift from heaven on my face in the picture below. Brenda gave it to me before our second flight and I wore that baby pretty much 24/7 whenever we were on a moving vehicle for the rest of the trip. Sleep is a life saver - I'll tell you.

Welcome to ROME!!!!

We got off the plane and onto our bus. It was raining but that's OK. We got used to the cold and the rain pretty quickly.

I wished we could stop at our hotel so I could fix my horribly disgusting hair but alas we were whisked away to Piazza Navona in the heart of Rome for some free time and dinner. Solution: put on a hoodie.

and I took the first of the millions of photos you will see of me this close to the camera

and I will basically always be wearing this outfit. I think I was lightest packer of everyone in our group.

Neptune's Fountain ^^

The Pantheon ^^

The Fountain of the Four Rivers ^^

inside the Pantheon (looking up through the ceiling)

baby Jesus

and you will see many, many photos of my feet throughout this post-series. My feet went a lot of places, OK?

These horses were waiting with their carriages to take travelers across town

After the Pantheon we headed over to San Luigi dei Francesi

(home to many Caravaggio paintings)

It was very quiet and very beautiful inside. The paintings took my breath away. I couldn't believe I was seeing something I'd studied in my Art History classes in person!!

I knew Anthony would really like this doorway because of the skull and sure enough when we flipped through all these pictures the night I got home he loved it!

My favorite Caravaggio was the one above ^^^ "The Inspiration of Saint Matthew" The two surrounding it are also part of the "Saint Matthews Cycle"

and.. one lone shark balloon amongst the stone cherubs. Funny... classic art and today's crap all in one shot.

Notable moments / thoughts / etc...

- Talking to Brenda about her little kiddos on the plane

- Glen sitting next to me the entire flight and then getting off the plane and saying, "Hi, I'm Glen, nice to meet you!"

- Foot swelling. ugh.

- Plane food. ugh.

- Rain = frozen toes.

- Pizza that looked amazing but made me want to puke.

- My first experience with an Italian bathroom. Interesting.

- Caravaggio. OMG. Beauty, right?

- The sheer size of the Pantheon

- Funky cobblestone roads

- How spiritual you can actually feel in those ornate churches

stay tuned for part 2... soon...

IWANT IT I WANT IT IWANT IT

2012-01-21T14:42:00.000-08:00

Rolling Stones tee

E.T. Planter

This bag

These TOMS

Umm.. These TOMS

Black Lace up boots

OK I'm done.

Kels

23 Years

2012-01-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Anton - here's to another great one!

Kels

OK I'm Off...

2012-01-03T08:17:00.000-08:00

[I'm off to Europe]

I plan to take two billion photos,

learn a ton,

make some friends
and eat new foods.

See you when I get back in a couple weeks!!

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Love, Angie
(my little Christmas pug)

Kels

For another adorable pup head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!!

NYE - 2011

2012-01-01T14:01:00.000-08:00

So we had a little shindig yesterday for New Years. There are a lot of photos. You have been warned.

We started out at the skate park for a BBQ

This girl likes ketchup!

Then we headed back to our house for some Wii bowling and party time

and maybe a dance session (no photos of that though unless Nicole adds them to FB)

After hours of complementing Nicole's new hair she revealed to us that it was A WIG!!! Shocking, I'll tell you.

Angie's rubber duck somehow ended up in the kitchen and subsequently into all the photos

new year's last year ^^^

Pizza did happen pretty close to 12 AM

and the white trash event of the evening... shotgunning beers. I did not partake. How do you even do that? It looks so difficult.

The end. Happy New Years. 2012 is going to be zee best for sure.

Kels

Christmas 2011

2011-12-31T10:52:00.000-08:00

...and how my cousins and I turned robe ponchos into Harry Potter attire

Anthony and I coordinated for Christmas Eve Mass this year so I decided it warranted a photo op

after the service we drove over to my mom and dad's house for a Prime Rib dinner. It was delicious!

notice my dad is holding his dinosaur of a cell phone in his hand. It's something he's quite fond of.

After dinner we headed over to Nana's for a visit with Santa Claus and the rest of the Camello Clan

and I had a tiny bottle of Malibu in chocolate. It was not good. They should really put yummy chocolate around those things.

When we got home I could NOT fall asleep for the life of me. I was so excited to give Anthony all of his gifts!!!

In the morning we made coffee and went on an opening frenzy... including stockings for the animal loves.

Axel was too cool for gifts.

Angie, on the other hand, loved hers and is actually kind of obsessed with her new corn dog toy.

We found the perfect ornaments for each other this year: A tape measurer for Ant and a little pug in a stocking for me.

We always label our gifts with fun sayings or Tos and Froms. This was my favorite from Ant.

Love my new E.T. print!! I believe it's from an Etsy seller.

From me to Ant

For me.

Angie was saying .."Oh Christmas!" in her tiny little voice all day!

Oh the mess

After we got dressed we left for the Camello abode and opened more gifts and ate a ton of food for breakfast. Then we headed to San Leandro to meet up with the Darbo family at Aunt Cindy's. Of course we don't have any photos of those things because JOEY has failed to send them to me. Oh well...

After we left the Darbo's in San Leandro we headed back to Fmont to my parents' house for more gifts and more food and more family. It was kind of a long holiday - hehe. Anthony took a little nap (he does this every single year at the same time) under the blanket that my mom whipped up for me. Isn't it awesome!!!

My dad played Santa giving everyone gifts.

and then....

Britt, Meg and I began series of photographs in our poncho robes... We decided that we looked like students at Hogwarts so I found some spatulas and made us wands

We were casting a lot of spells up in there. People were frightened.

Then I pulled a Ron and stuck my wand up my nose.

Here we are hanging out in the Gryfindor common room.

singing Christmas carols around the tree

fawning over baby Jesus

I don't know...

It was fun.

The best Christmas in a long long long while for sure.

Kels

Salander

2011-12-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

So there is a new love in my life

She's the Canon T3i and her name is Salander

she puts my old camera to shame

and I like it.

Kels

20 Books in 2011

2011-12-29T11:20:00.000-08:00

In reverse order and stealing this photo idea from Becky @ B is for Becky...

#20 - "The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" by Stieg Larsson

#19 - "The Rum Diary" by Hunter Thompson

#18 - "The Venetian Mask" by Rosalind Laker

#17 - "The Girl Who Played with Fire" by Stieg Larsson

#16 - "How to help your puppy grow up to be a wonderful dog" by Elizabeth Randolph

#15 - "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire

#14 - "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle

#13 - "Carrie" by Stephen King

#12 - "Half-Life / Die Already" by Mark Steele

#11 - "Dead and Gone" by Charlaine Harris

#10 -"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling (again)

#9 - "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett

#8 - "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson

#7 - "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer

#6 - "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo

#5 - "High Fidelity" by Nick Hornby
#4 - "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey

#3 - "127 Hours: Between a Rock and a Hard Place" by Aron Ralston

#2 - "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

#1 - "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

I feel pretty good. Just saying..

Kels

Lefy O'Doul's and the SF Christmas Tree

2011-12-28T11:08:00.000-08:00

Last week Ant and I hopped on BART to meet some people in the city. I'd never been to the Christmas tree in Union Square so I was pretty excited to see something new for once!!

It was really, really cold outside so we bundled up. I decided to wear a beanie (which I later regretted in various photos... below)

We stopped in at Lefty O'Doul's for a couple of drinks before our friends got to the city... and we pretty much ended up staying there even after they arrived with just minutes to spare for photos in front of the tree before BART could leave us stranded there.

But I'm still happy that we did something new. I like new traditions, you know?

Did I mention we saw Sean Connery? Yeah.. he's filming The Rock 2. JK.

Kels

When I'm Home Alone

2011-12-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

for the night

things usually go down just like this:

laundry

coffee

music

a super ~~sexy~~ comfy outfit

a show my husband can't stand

and my sewing machine

What a life...

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2011-12-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! (Tuesday)

Love, Angie

Kels

For another adorable pup head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!!

XMAS Card Outtakes

2011-12-16T18:38:00.000-08:00

Kels

School's Out for ... winter

2011-12-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

Stats to date:

Units completed @ Ohlone - 40
Units completed @ Cabrillo - 35.5
Units completed @ SJSU - 6

Units needed for BA: GE - 3
Required Core for Major - 6
Upper Division Premodern World - 6
Upper Division Modern World - 3

Upper Division U.S. - 6

Upper Division Electives - 9
SJSU Studies Upper Division GE - 3

Approximate date of completion - Dec 2013

What I learned this semester (short list):
- Latin America is more than just Mexico
- Not everyone in Latin America is Mexican
- Not everyone in Latin America speaks Spanish
- Not everyone in Latin America is brown

- How to write a BONES essay

- How to properly draft an essay
- How to write a historical paper
- How to write in Chicago Style
- Footnotes
- WWI vs WWII vs Iron Curtain

- Communism in America
- The DMH building is hot
- The HGH building is cold

- Peruvian ceviche is amazing

- I am eligible for honors and being nominated for Spring

Kels

Date Night

2011-12-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

Around here date night usually means "fat night"

We go out somewhere and eat entirely too much
and talk about all the people we are annoyed with (yeah it's probably one of you reading this... just kidding)

and then we go to the movies and eat a bunch of candy (and sometimes popcorn)
and then we go home, crawl into bed and hope our stomachs don't explode.

What do you do on a date night? Something romantic? ha!

Kels

Monster's Inc. Ornaments (for Sam)

2011-12-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

Anthony and I are giving a lot of homemade gifts this year for ~~two~~ six reasons:

#1 - We spent way too much on each other this Christmas
#2 - We spent way too much on each other this year
#3 - Pinterest
#4 - Homemade gifts are better (and more fun to give)
#5 - Various bills are weighing us down
#6 - I like money

So... I decided that since my friend Samantha is low on ornaments for her and her boyfriend's tree she should get some ornaments from us this year! She love love loves Monster's Inc. and her boyfriend's name is Mike so we thought that Mike Wazowski ornaments would be a pretty sweet gift for her.

I used the same method of painting the inside of the bulbs as in this post -- except I allowed them to dry upside down for 24-48 hours this time so the excess paint could drip out. I'm hoping her ornaments will last longer than the ones on my tree because I didn't do this with the rainbow colored ones I made last month for us and they are looking kinda shabby.

Anyway.. Anthony painted the face on them and wrote cute sayings on the back. And she already got them in the mail yesterday (thank you USPS) and she loves them! I just hope they looked as good as they did in these photos when she opened the box.

The end.

Kels

Sleepy Puppy

2011-12-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

Kels

Game Night

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

We are game people.
I don't mean that we are game people in the sense that we always have a puzzle going or a Monopoly game tournament at hand (although I would not be opposed to either of those things).
What I mean is that when we're bored with watching TV everynight (and probably feeling a bit guilty about the amount of TV we watch each night) we break out one of our favorite games: SORRY!

I love it because there isn't a lot of thinking so you can have some pretty good conversation while playing and it's not distracting.

I think Anthony likes it because he always wins. Whatever.

Often I am too "frugal" and I refuse to turn on our heater.
So I look like a huge SJSU fan / Eskimo.

Yeah there's always some Angie shots in here.

Kels

XMAS Card Season

2011-12-12T11:25:00.000-08:00

We sent our Christmas cards out last week - we're pretty ~~cheap~~ frugal so we just send a photo in an envelope.
At least we had a message in our photo and I stamped the envelopes, right?

(outtakes to follow in a separate post)

and last night we set up a pretty ghetto photoshoot in my brother's house so he and his girlfriend could have a Christmas card to send out this year. We had fun though. Eddie was our lighting technician and Anthony worked the whiteboard to eliminate shadows on Dez. Too funny!

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Love, Angie

(my dog is a scholar)

Kels

Saturday Things... for Baking

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Things I am loving during this baking season...

My nesting doll measuring cups.
I bought them at World Market in September but they no longer sell them.
I love that they add something cute to the kitchen instead of regular old measuring cups.

My KitchenAid.
Did I mention how much I love wedding presents?
I think the one I originally got was white so I traded it in for a red.
I no longer have sore arms from making cookie dough!!
We never had one of these growing up so it's a huge time/energy saver now that I have one.

Flour sack towels.
I can never get enough of these.
I have a set that my grandma embroidered for me
when we moved out to Santa Cruz and they are getting a bit ragged.
I'd like to make some new ones myself but alas the art of embroidery takes patience
and that is not something I posess at this moment.

The Internet. Recipes galore.

Kels

Our Christmas Tree 2011

2011-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

This year we ditched the dingy Christmas tree lot next to our house (the guy who works there always creeps me out)

and headed one more block to Home Depot

(we're really woods-y out here, you know?)

We have such a small house so we decided on a four footer. It's the perfect size!

and we put it in the back of my car. Seriously this small tree thing was such a great idea.

We decided to look up at it from the floor so it would seem taller. It worked.

But whatever. I love it. The ornaments have yet to attract attention from Angie and it's been a week so I'm considering us lucky.

Kels

Oh Christmas Crafts...

2011-12-08T08:00:00.000-08:00

Recently been working on some little bits and pieces for our house this Christmas season. Every year I say I'm going to get things done and this year I really am following through. Go me! (It couldn't have anything to with the fact that this year I'm addicted to coffee and Red Bulls can it?)

Felt stockings for Angie and Axel. Angie's has a bone and Axel's has kitty ears.

They match our Mr. and Mrs. stockings I made last year.

I kept seeing these Christmas Trees made from cardboard cones on Pinterest. I asked my creative husband for help but he decided he'd rather take a 20 minute shower. So... being the non-patient person that I am I sat down and made these in that same amount of time. They're plain but I like green so I'm happy with them.

The shape is kind of reminiscent of traffic cones for me.

Yes those are dollar store placemats on my table. We were very poor in 2008.
p.s. I still love the dollar store - I'm not knocking it...

...and the results of our first Ornament Party at my MIL's. Yarn ornaments.. so easy and versatile. And now they are on our tree. I know they will remind my mom of the ornaments she grew up with.

Kels

HAPPY 10th Anton

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-08:00

December 5th 2011 marked ten years since I read a note written by a boy who was merely asking me to attend a junior high dance... and I (the impressionable girl) assumed he wanted to marry me someday.

Happy Anniversary dear.

Kels

NERD v.2

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

Because two of my professors share an office in the History department and I sometimes wonder if they talk about how much they love me when they are in there together grading papers.

It's really quite doubtful but I still hope for the best.

Anthony says I'm a suck up.

And I embrace that.

But I like to call it accountability.

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2011-12-05T14:57:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Love, Angie

Want to see another adorable pup? Head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!

Kels

It's Going to be a PUG Christmas

2011-11-30T13:28:00.000-08:00

So far Angie's favorite thing about Christmastime is that she has fancy lights behind her bed.
I have a feeling all those ornaments we hang on our tree are going to be much more tempting for her.

Kels

THANKSGIVING

2011-11-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

Yep. That's it.

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2011-11-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday!

Love, Angie

Want to see another adorable pup? Head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!

Kels

Easy DIY Painted Bulbs (Two versions)

2011-11-27T14:25:00.000-08:00

Anthony has some people over for the Raider game today so I'm attempting to get some Christmas crafting done (I don't really like football)

I've had this box of clear bulbs for literally like four years now so I decided to try out something I've seen on Pinterest.

It's so easy.

Step One - remove the top of the bulbs

Step Two - drop some craft paint into the bulb

Step Three - add about three drops of water

Step Four - swirl the paint around inside the bulb

Step Five - pour out the excess paint

As you can see - they turned out kind of crappy

so I found a second tutorial and tried it.

It's even easier.

Step One - remove the top of the bulbs

Step Two - drop a good amount of craft paint into the bulb

Step Three - swirl the paint around inside the bulb

Step Four - pour out the excess paint / or leave it in (up to you)

Major difference!

Now I just need to decide if I'm going to add any words or drawings to the outside of them.

Kels

Homework will probably be the end of me...

2011-11-26T16:30:00.000-08:00

This Homework Day Sucks.

The End.

Kels

Give Thanks v.2

2011-11-24T09:54:00.000-08:00

NERD v.1

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Trying to start an ongoing project...

Because Pearl Jam formed in 1990

and I was old enough to appreciate their music by 2000

but I didn't start listening to them until 2011

and now Eddie Vedder is the lock screen on my iPhone

and I have a small crush on his 1993 self

but a larger one on his current self

wow, I'm a late band-wagonner.

Kels

Give Thanks

2011-11-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking for awhile now about what I'm really thankful for this year. I try and be thankful all the time but I know that this time of year is the time to really celebrate thanks. I guess it's the weather and the coming of the holidays that make us think about what we are grateful for... I don't know.

Right now I'm thankful for:

A husband who cares about what I think and my feelings. Who takes care of our dog and waits up for me to get off of school. Who enjoys being around his family and gets me out of the house to socialize.

Animals who snuggle up with me and avoid getting hit by cars. Who exhibit good behavior and avoid acting like snobby brats.

Parents who take care of me even when I don't need it. Who like having us over and treat our dog like a grandchild. Who always do what's best for their kids.

For in laws who allow me to banter all day long and drop in unannounced like I live there. Who feed me breakfast when I'm too lazy to go shopping and always ask how my family is doing.

For brothers who leave me alone because they knows I'm too busy to hang out with them at this very moment. Who text me instead of calling.

For sister in laws who spoil my dog with kisses and enjoy spending time with me. Who put up with my incessant babble with their mother and give it to me straight... most of the time.

For job security in a time when the concept is basically non existent. For a steady paycheck every week for both myself and my hub. For benefits that allow us to go to the doctor. For doctors in general.

For the health of my father who was smart enough to listen to the signs. For his healthy eating habits... Let's hope they continue.

For food on the table and hot water in the shower. For showers... And Jammies. And coffee... oh my.

For God and the Church and all future possibilities.

Just thanks. My life is very blessed. Amen.

Kels

Photo Dump Tuesday - iPhone

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Me and Angie getting all snuggly

This had has been in my possession for about 20 years. Thanks mom!

Eli's Mile High Club for Joey's show

Hot Cocoa

Jammy time

Happy Birthday Mary!!

Chocolate plastic straws are not yummy

Kylie Marie

Vrinder's Birthday at Santana Row

Dinner time!

New beanie - Old Navy $5

Ant working on a new project

Angie thinks she is an artist too

Work in progress.

Happy Tuesday!

Kels

Mondays with Angie

2011-11-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Someone got jammies. It's pretty funny.

Angie has no decency. She was practicing that pose from Titanic I think.

Happy Monday!

Love, Angie

Want to see another adorable pup? Head on over to Carrotspeak to see Brinks!

Kels

A Box of Princesses

2011-11-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

Recently we had a 2 year old's birthday party to attend. The mom (our friend Nicole) is a pretty crafty chick so I really wanted to give little Saige something handmade. My mother in law pinned a princess doll craft on Pinterest and I fell in love. I figure most little girls like princesses and if they don't it's unlikely that they HATE them so it was a pretty safe bet. The original idea came from this website. I bought the materials at Joann Fabrics and Anthony set to work making them. May I add that this was the night before so I was kind of on edge thinking they wouldn't get done in time. But anyway.. the finished product.

Sorry if the photos aren't very good - I had to rush taking them before the party.

Sleeping Beauty

Ariel

Tiana

Snow White

Belle

Jasmine

Rapunzel

Cinderella

My favorite is Snow White. She is pretty cool looking.

Isn't he adorable?

Kels