Life In Pictures

I wish I could capture life in words as well as I do in pictures. I'm hardly saying that I am a good photographer (because I'm not), but taking a pictures is so much easier than painting one with words. Elliott has the gift of words. Many of my friends do too. I read their posts and leaving feeling... kind of magical. I think this is something I will try to improve on, because I don't want to be a blogger (and I kind of hate that word) blog writer who just lists what we do. A..B..C..D. I want to come back to these posts years down the road and be able to re experience the joy, sadness, beauty, change that fills our days.

And lately most of those feelings have been joy. Elliott and I  feel that we are exactly where we are supposed to be. We commonly talk about how we love our city and how lucky we feel to have friends and family to share it with. We've really lucked out as far as friends go- both those we have met through our church and those we have not. I don't think we will ever be this lucky again so we are enjoying it while it lasts. 

There are two friends that we have particularly become close with. The first time we hung out we invited them over for dinner. We were all newly weds- we all got married within three weeks of each other and moved into the ward on the same day. We even went on the same honeymoon as one of the couples- they left Kauai the day we arrived. Anyway, the dinner had the normal awkwardness that comes along with trying to make new friends. It was more formal and full of get-to-know you conversation. Three years later- almost to the day- we laid on our empty apartment floor with the same friends with pillows and blankets watching Mad Men and joked about what our kids will look like, among other things. It was very fitting, very informal. They were the first and last people we really had in our old apartment, and it was a great send off. We usually never end up planning anything with each other but end up hanging out until 10 or 11 at night. Last night was an impromptu movie we decided to go to 30 minutes before it started. They grabbed treats and picked us up, and we didn't get back until 1:00. 

I know I've said this before, but the older I get the more I enjoy simple things. Now I do not mean that I do not like adventure and spontaneity, because I love them both. But walks with the dog, feet in the stream, sun going down, cooking, long conversations.... they seem to fill me up more than anything else. I guess a little more camping wouldn't hurt.

But since I am still working on my words, here is life in pictures:

Mollie's favorite spot in the house::: Cool spring river:::Mollie conquering her fear of water::: Mollie staring down the water moments before::: Summer walks:::Last pictures shows effect of dental work and a numb face.

We took on a local hike a few weeks ago: Bell Canyon Reservoir. There was a one mile up hill surprise at the end of the trail but the view was worth it, the waterfall was beautiful and refreshing.

Memorial Day hike: Bell Canyon Reservoir::: Planted pots

I found and tried a new recipe that's definitely a keeper: Creamy Avocado Pasta. It seriously is the bomb and super easy to make, and really healthy too! In other news, I finally finished my quilt after two years of procrastination. It was a lot of fun and I already want to make another.

And finally, we went to the Bon Iver concert. Man, that guy can tap into your emotions and make you feel pretty dang good. Highlight? When he played Re:Stacks. One of those songs that is amazing, but is even better live.

P.S. to future self: Remember when you followed The Rockstar Diaries? (mostly because she has such good taste) You especially liked this post  about siblings and want to remember it.

Lately

Lately:

Mollie wants a selfish amount of belly scratches (which I love giving)

Fondue on valentines

Breakfast of choice: vanilla yogurt with granola and raspberries

Enjoying the new downtown Harmons

Sewing bday present for brother

Massive chocolate covered strawberries from Zupas

Blue Skies

Finding old favorite books at Kings English book store

I also added some sock monkeys to my Etsy shop.

Today Elliott is in his scuba diving class and I was supposed to go skiing. But today decided to be really windy and cloudy. So I finished some projects instead!

My little brother turns 16 this weekend. I can't believe it. I was just 16. I'm really excited for him though. He's one of my best friends ever....

So glad it's the weekend.

Episode 1 and New Pillows

Elliott's radio show, The Story Ark, is officially up and running! This first episode is more of a short really and is about the mortuary business (the family business on his side). It's only 10 minutes so check it out.

The Story Ark Shorts - "Six Feet Misunderstood" by The Story Ark

He's working on his new episode, Running Away, as I write and you read this post.

I just threw some new pillows in my Etsy shop. Take a look if you're interested.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MFGood

Sundance Weekend

This past weekend was dominated by the arts. Friday night, I sped home from work (I get off around 7:00) and met the fam at our favorite Sushi place in SLC, Sapa. I usually get the Vegas roll but there is a lemon grass curry noodle dish that will change your life, or at least it will change your mind about curry.

Elliott, sadly, got food poisoning from something he ate earlier that day (pizza or salad...?) and didn't end up eating anything. He actually ended up leaving early because he couldn't stand the smells. We all know that feeling. Horrible.

Elliott braved his nausea and we went to our second Sundance Film of the season, The Other Dream Team. It is a documentary about the Lithuanian Basketball team and integrates Lithuania's journey to independence from the USSR. It was amazing, funny, and totally worth the $15 tickets.

The next morning we had another movie to see in Park City at 8:30 so we got up early, met some friends, and made the drive. This movie, The Comedy, was not as good as the last two we had seen. It was very depressing, so we went and got breakfast afterwards to raise our spirits (Elliott only made it half way through his pancakes). The cinematography was really good though and the topic was very real.

Saturday night we went to a play based on the book, The Screw tape Letters. Elliott had press tickets because they wrote a preview of it. We really enjoyed it which wasn't a surprise, because we both really liked the book. Favorite walk away messages?

"The Devil" or "Satan" (or whatever you want to call it) is most efficient not when he puts things in your mind, but when he keeps things out.

He also talked about the dangers of spiritual pride... once we think we are better than others because of our belief system, we've lost the point of religion all together. Or something like that.

Elliott interviewed the creator of the show. You can read the article here.

After about 5 Gatorades, a few sprites, a lot of water, and some fruit, Elliott's weakened body finally recovered and he was able to enjoy Sunday. We went to church (where one of the 3 year old boys I teach drew a black monster coming out of the ground destroying a temple) and had dinner with all of my aunts and uncles. Salmon, salad, fruit, hot fudge. I got a call from a friend to go and finish our quilts, and so we did. It's almost done (1.5 years later).

This week: new hours at work, U of U basketball game, and I would love to finally go skiing on Saturday.

Pendergrast

When Elliott is up at the Chronicle working on newspaper stuff, I usually make things. I had seen a tutorial for this penguin on Pintrist a few weeks ago and have been wanting to make them, and so last night, I did. I took a few hours which was longer than I expected, but it was really fun and it turned out super cute. I will be giving them away as future baby gifts for friends who have little chunks on the way.

 Elliott usually names the things I make. He named him Pendergrast.

My mother in law gave us this amaryllis bulb over Thanksgiving. When we got back from St. George on Sunday, it had bloomed! It's so beautiful. Thank you Karen. This makes me want to always have some sort of flower/plants growing my kitchen.

Elliot interviewed a local author for his radio show on Monday. She wrote a book about a local man, Pablo O'Higgins, who moved to Mexico and became a part of the muralist movement. I'd send you to his Wikipedia page but, as you probably know, they are on strike today to oppose the SOPA legislation. It's a pretty cool story and it sounds like he got some great audio. Hopefully the episode will be ready to air in a few weeks. The theme will be running away. Stay tuned.

One of Pablo's pieces:

Moments

We're back from STG. We lucked out with temperatures in the mid 50's and enjoyed a lot of blue blue sky (which is nice when you live in Salt Lake during the winter). Mollie spent her days at the doggie daycare playing with new friends and her nights with us at the Bueler home. She had a pretty nice set up on the drive to and from if you ask me (see picture below). She's not spoiled. Right.

 My mom and I started a project last week and were able to finish it tonight. We made a new shade for her kitchen. The fabric is from Ikea and we just made mental notes on the previous shade while we were tearing it apart. For our first sliding shade, I'd say we didn't do too bad:

Today I woke up to a dead car. The color of that sentence translates to how I feel about it. I just replaced the battery about four months ago so this was a total surprise. After a jump from my dad, an hour at O'Riley Auto Parts, and another hour and a half at Midas, it turns out the alternator decided yesterday would be it's last day. We're in that weird car period where we are not quite ready to get rid of the car we have but are looking to buy something new not too far off. Looks like we'll be throwing a good amount of money at it and start saving our pennies for something new. Too bad, we finally got Elliott's car up and running. I think the Infiniti got jealous.

On a brighter note, I'm pleased/regret that Elliott finally wrote a post on the blog. Regret because he's a way better writer than I am. I've been trying to get him to post something in this blog for the longest time just for that reason. I think he's way more interesting to read and has a larger vocabulary than I (confabulate? I hope I'm not the only one who had to look up the word just to double check what it meant). Hopefully I can get him to contribute a little more frequently. Cool videos though Elliott.

I've parked my dead car in front of the house and now am at home with little to do except watch LOST (again) or clean. I think cleaning will win, somehow.

New pillow project: I saw something like this online and though I'd try it out for myself.

This weekend brings work, another REAL playoff game, a new alternator, maybe some sewing, and hopefully some good food!

Lately

What we've been up to:

New Years party and dancing....
Cleaning and destuffifying (word courtesy of Elliott)....
Work....
The social network (fabulous)....
More destuffifying....
Listening to great music...

                          
Dreaming up our graduation trip....

Beth's been sewing again (important note: these were a gift, don't get any ideas here. Check back in about four or five years)....

(Elliott and I also screen printed a giraffe onesie. It was awesome.)

Hanging out with Mollie...

Well I guess it's more Mollie hanging out... literally. She has some serious pug chub.

This year is going to be a keeper, I can already tell. We graduate in May, hope to go on a trip or two, and we look forward to having more free time. 2011, I already love you!

Yellow! Salt Lake

For the past week, Salt Lake has been yellow. A blanket of yellow leaves. It is beautiful. Especially against the backdrop of the mountains which now have snow on them. Sometimes I look at them and they don't look real. I'm amazing how close they are and I sometimes feel I don't take advantage of their close proximity enough. Hopefully this winter we will be able to fit in a few skiing trips.

We have been really busy lately between work and school. We're both enjoying school a lot (except when a physics test is involved) but we look forward to the weekends when we can sleep in, eat breakfast together, and do whatever we want.

Today, my friend Julia and I worked on a little project. We made sock monkeys. Do you remember sock monkeys? Yeah yeah, I know most of you first think of Paul Frank, but these are awesome, and really easy to make.





























This was my first one and her second. I think we did alright. Next time we are making stripped monkeys. Christmas gifts? I think so.

Sexy Hexy

Beth's Summer Project: make my first real quilt. It's called the sexy hexy quilt. My friend Julia and I are both making one with the help of her grandma, the master sewer. The picture is of our first hexagon blocks. Stay tuned for the final product, it will look something like this:

Or so I hope....