Merry Christmas Eve!

Just got home from spending Christmas Eve with my parents, sister, Uncle Jim and Aunt Polly. It was a lovely evening of chili, presents, love and laughter. We ended the night early so that my aunt and uncle can head to Austin to visit more relatives in the morning. We also tried to beat the storm that is brewing outside. It's almost like a white Christmas, just a little clearer and wet rather than white and fluffy.

Now we're sitting around watching old claymatian favorites. It's such a joy to see The Year Without a Santa Clause rather than the new animated stuff that was on earlier. It's just not the same as the old stuff that I grew up with. I have already seen this classic as I now own it on video, but it's not the same as when it's on TV. Weird, right?

I'm piddling around the internet as we watch and ran across these cute little gingerbread houses on etsy. Aren't they precious? Some of my friends and I tried to make one of our own earlier in December, but ours pale in comparison to this village of beauty. By pale in comparison, I'm pretty sure the roof caved in while making it so many times we finally turned in our icing spreaders and gave up. My favorite is the airtram, but really, who wouldn't have thought that?

three sixty five thinking.

There's a photography project called Project 365 where one takes a picture every single day of the year to share. It ultimately makes you a better photographer as the year progresses and makes you see life from a different perspective. It seems like fun. I've been wanting to do it for awhile now, but I wasn't really sure about starting in the middle of the year.

I'm hoping to start on January 1, 2011. Now, there's going to be some catches during this year as I will be studying abroad during the summer and that will slow down some photo posting for sure. I'm hoping to still post from overseas, but I will be on my Canon Powershot, so the quality will be different. I'm also not planning on posting every day as that may get tedious after awhile. If there aren't any pictures for a few days, it will be okay, I will be posting several pictures at once eventually.

Now, should I choose a theme for my 365?
So far, I don't have one. Well, I have an idea for a possible idea: unseen beauty. It would be focusing on details that might not be seen otherwise but are still beautiful.

Any ideas?

Winter Break

The school semester is over. That's pretty much all I care about right now. I've been enjoying some blog reading. It's been great to just relax, watch some TV and look at some pretty and unique things online.

I've run away back home for the break.

I wish my pancakes looked a bit more prehistoric.

Sometimes, I wish I had a mustache and a beard. Now I can!

This semester has come with lots of engagements and this ring is simply precious.

New store discovery: Madewell with a scarf I love and a jacket to die for!

It may be my love of travel, but globes have captured my heart.

twentysomethings.

A prison testimony a friend of mine sent me earlier this semester.

Officially obsessed with this super cute and fun wedding!

What a great use of space with this little "igloo" bookcase/room.

Bike thieves? No problem. Here's one way to keep your bike from being stolen.

That's enough for now. Heading out for some lunch and to wrap some presents.

Thankful

It's a few days past Thanksgiving, but I thought I'd share with y'all what all I'm thankful for (or at least the things that come to my mind in this instance):

+ My family
+ True friends that will be there through thick and thin
+ Podcasts and beautiful Texas scenery
+ Lovely ASC girls who are willing to hold me accountable even when it's tough
+ The opportunities that God has given me - Brazil, Nicaragua, reconnecting with old friends, attending Texas A&M, etc. etc.
+ Laughter
+ Ponkeys and Teal Jaguars
+ Working with some of the best youth ever
+ Roommates whom I love
+ Aggies beating Longhorns in football
+ Photography and creativity in the world

There are so many more things, but this is a small glimpse of what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving season. What are you thankful for?

Guess I Should Update y'all?

...But not with my life just yet. I don't really feel like hacking away at the keyboard just yet, but I did find this unpublished post filled with fun things:

There's nothing like a tall glass of sweet tea and reading some blogs to find fun things to share with my friends...

One day my prince will come and he will like traveling, baking and lazy Sundays...

Art and music will keep the family together.

Canoeing makes me wear my heart on a string.

Keeping the wheels turning all the way home.

God created Australian flora to be beautiful.

Just 'getting them'. Them = youth.

Even Mario likes to get some shopping done.

Please buy me all these cameras/artwork. They are gorgeous.

Happy Halloween!

I'm (hopefully) headed home to celebrate with family and friends tomorrow. It's all up in the air right now as my tummy is a bit too rumbly to be comfortable on the road. (If you want that cleared up a bit more, I haven't felt too swell today.) Halloween will be fabulous either way! (Even if I'm just sitting on the couch in our living room watching movies and studying all weekend.) I really hope I get to see my family and friends though!

My sister, Lori, and I are Dalmatians in that picture NOT cows. That is all.

You can have your cake...

...but you may never be able to eat it if it's this cute:

Thank you yourmindblown.com, for showing some awesome cakes that not only make me want cake, but a cake that will be incredible.