Up, and Onward

 Hello All,

If you haven't noticed, my url changed.

And, if you're wondering 'hey! whayr dos blogz at?' there's a reason. For about a year I've been contemplating the life of my blog. It's been around since the beginning of my college days, and my priorities and interests have developed much since then. Things I've decided:

1. The world doesn't need to know my personal biz.
2. It's freeing to not care what the world thinks about anything in my life.
3. Authenticity, simplicity, and creativity are key points I try to embrace.

There's a former blogger I admired quite a bit, who decided to "jump ship" of the blog world when her child was born. She has over 3,000 followers, zero ads (unless you call the 'Art, Not Ads' button an ad), and instead of using her blog for personal gain, she left it. She left behind a powerful message of what is truly important.

I've been taking a little break from the blog world to think about those priorities of mine, and I've realized I don't personally have to involve me. I thought about how blogging is a tool, not an identity. How do I want to use it? For good, of course. That's when I decided personal blogging is something to give only in small increments. I'm an artist, a creative thinker who NEVER stops thinking. If I could only funnel it, and focus it.

Next week we are moving, and things will be a lot different. I'm excited! We actually have a REAL place...including...and office space...or studio??? And a garage for bigger projects. I am funneling in my love of blogging, with something that needs fine tuned. ART! And sharing those things that make life simple, better, and richer. I'm not a diy lover, so don't expect that kind of stuff. But I hope it will be more inspirational with a splash of informational with personality.

I will share more after we move, and have settled in a bit. And then I'll post a blog here for probably the last time. Onward and upward!  

One Year Down

Jeff and I celebrated our first whole year of marriage on Friday the 13^th. I kinda like the thought of that, because it more or less makes it more of a rather lucky day for us.

We had French toast, topped with strawberries and sugar, and whipped cream; with a side of sausage and bacon. Probably my favorite breakfast ever.

And then it was time for our adventure of the day.

For our honeymoon we went to one of Ohio’s most beautiful waterfall areas. So, to keep with tradition we went to see falls, but more local.

 

 Sally had to be the funniest thing about the trip. Our chicken dog finally found her nature lover side, and GOT IN THE WATER! And SPLASHED. I couldn't stop laughing. Oh, and she collects sticks, and finds a more pleasing composition for them. She moved every stick she found to, what I can only assume, the perfect place.

That evening we ate our traditional (now for our anniversary, because that’s what we ate on our honeymoon) steak! with grilled veggies and homemade fries. Probably my favorite dinner ever.

And of course, what is your first anniversary without your cake topper? Oh boy, now. This is my favorite cake of all time. At our reception, mmmmMMMm…..after a year???....not so much. We had a little bit, and in my mind I thought some traditions are just dumb.

We had a wonderful day.

I love this picture. I took it before Jeff got ready yesterday morning. It took a long time for things to come together for us, and I can’t believe where we ended up. I’m grateful for that. Very. 

And if you forgot how wonderful our wedding day was, here's the slideshow.

Come and Gone Updates

These Virginia Bluebell flowers bloom in our woods every year. When I was little I thought they were a gift just for me. They come in early spring, but don't stick around long. They are already finished blooming this year.

It's been an interesting couple of weeks. Two weeks ago, one of the most important people in my life passed away. My grandma Nick was ready to go, and her funeral was more of a celebration of what a great person we all had in our life. I'm happy she is with grandpa again...But I still miss her.

I really love this picture.
It reminds me to be faithful and endure.
My grandma had her hair ripped out by a utility fan, when she was still a mother of young ones. She told herself she would not wear a wig, because she had faith her hair would grow back. In all her pictures in this time period she is wearing a scarf wrapped around her head. After 13 years, she prayed her hair would grow back in time for my aunt's high school graduation. If it didn't she would know it was time to wear a wig. Apparently a couple weeks before, she about gave my grandpa a heart attack when he walked in on her washing her newly grown locks.

There is so much to say about by grandma, but if you know me you know what she is like. I talk about her all the time. She was a writer, singer, musician, artist, comedian (according to her grandchildren), and the perfect grandma.  I'll probably share a few more things in the future, but this will do for now.

It was nice to see family and share tons of stories, and sing her old songs. My brother and his family were able to stay for a while, and that was great to spend so much time with the kids, before they move off to Kansas.

Easter weekend was nice too. We had brunch with Jeff's parents, before they headed to KY to stay with Jeff's grandparents, and see his sister. We are hoping to save up some to be able to visit them all soon.

We've been busy most weekends with college visits. I'm so excited for Jeff! He got a teaching assistantship at one school...and we are thinking that's where we are headed in the Fall! I'm happy too. We get to stay in Ohio :)

Lot's has been going on lately, and they have all been good. One thing that makes it all good is Easter, and what it truly means. I am grateful for the knowledge we can see our families again. I'm grateful to know we can be forgiven, and live with our Savior again; for he has risen.

What's Summer Doin' Here?

I babysit two little boys during the week and yesterday, while pushing the 4 yr old on the swing, we got on the topic of favorite things. His were *dancing*singing*hiding*picnics*cars*

Today, Sally and I went for a ride in our old pick-up truck, which she LOVES, and it got me thinking about her favorite things (which she is VERY serious about) *playing*running*riding in the truck*treats*friends*back rubs*sleeping*

And, so I think it's only natural to think of my favorite things, too... but try to keep them in their simplest forms, like my friends above. My favorite things I guess would be*warm weather*Jeff hugs*painting*Sally laying on my toes*gardening books*outdoors*

Yeah, today I got to/will enjoy every one of them. What a good day.

P.S.- I put up a .gif last year, but for some reason it didn't run...SO I fixed it, and if you are Jeff's side of the fam (especially Marsha's fam), you might be interested in checking it out HERE. :)

Too Cute

...for her own good.

My niece.

Still Fits

 

When I was little, I would drool over the neighbors' horses. I grew up in a house built on an old race horse training facility. Acres of pasture and riding trails...and me without a horse. 

Finally, my parents decided to get me the greatest gift I could have EVER asked for. That one thing every little girls dreams of. And not just one; but a beautiful white Arabian, and a chestnut brown filly, too. My life was complete.

Every so often, my dad would take me on little trips to see either someone selling rabbits, or goats, or the occasional horse stable or show. But one of my fondest memories was when my dad took me to buy my boots. We went into the attic of an old man's tack store. Up the stairs was a strong scent of leather, and a wall lined with boxes of shoes. I picked out the perfect riding boot, and got them a couple sizes too big to make sure they would last me a long time. My dad got himself a pair of cowboy boots, and we paid the man. I couldn't believe my dad would spend so much on me. Though looking back, that was a good price for good shoes. 

When I went to college my boots went to storage. I ended up working on a ranch, but I never wore them (maybe because I rode english and the ranch was western). Since Jeff and I moved back to my hometown, I've finally started going through everything. And there were my boots. Last month I finally had an excuse to wear them...and they still fit. 

I'm hoping someday we'll have a little girl who will fill my shoes.

We Needed to Get Away...

...so we did.

We stayed at a campground in Florida for a couple of days. The view from our tent was gorgeous, and wildlife was everywhere. We'd consider moving to the beach. :) 

to the beach, baby

...she couldn't take it anymore, so she went to the sea...

After having a long, boring, meaningless day Saturday, 

I told Jeff we were going to the beach. So, we are.

No internet.

No work.

No thinking about anything.

Just r&r.

Old College Town

 Jeffrey and I went on a mini adventure through the

hills of southern Ohio, Saturday.

 And I just found out I take pictures as if I'm drinking

out of a mini teacup. Pinkies up!

(and that camera is film. We got it earlier this summer. I'll share more another day)

 We visited my old college town, and saw all the places I loved to go...

 Things have changed, but not too much.

 This is where I'd sit, and write in my journal for hours.

 We had lunch with some of my old college friends, sneaked around campus, saw the murals, drove past the places I used to live, and glimpsed around the art museum. It was the perfect little visit. 

Lastly, on our way out of town, we visited the ranch where I used to work. A friend I worked with is now kind of "in charge", so we got to catch up, and let us have a hay day!

Jeff looking manly. mmmm. (Andee gives great instructions on how to look manly next to a tractor).

 Ignore the tons of dust.

 I wouldn't have posed like that if I knew it made me look fat in the middle...or dorky uncool. But it was the only one you could see me through the dust. But the good news is I can still fit comfortably in my riding boots! I'll share those in another post later.

For the first time on a horse, Jeff rocked it. Made my heart very happy. Gives me hope I'll get my little ranch someday.

Someday, Mallory.