Thursday, December 27, 2012

Merry Christmas [Part I]

book one of my "winter break" adventure.

words I wish I would have written.

naples beach on christmas day.

#fromwhereIstand - christmas day edition 
bonnie loves signs.

nothing like finding a solo cup on the scenic beach. 

merry christmas love alfie

book two.

part of growing up? being domestic.

facetime with my boy(s) clive & jj

#fromwhereIstand - naples pier edition

put a bird on it.

my sweet sweet grandparents.

fireworks over the lake.

I'm spending my holiday "break" in Naples, FL. It is quite a treat and a wonderful, relaxing break. Here are a handful of wonderful moments of the last five days.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! 

Monday, December 10, 2012

Things I Learned...

... This weekend.
  1. I really love Christmas tree stands in parking lots. I don't know what it is about them but I think they are so beauitful. Maybe it's knowing that all of those trees (hopefully) will end up in someones home and lots of memories will happen around them or be hung on the branches. 
  2. Just showing up means more than any gift. On Saturday evening JJ finally premiered his documentary "The Dust on our Feet" to donors, close family and friends. People traveled from Portland, LA, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, New Jersey, and Michigan to be there to celebrate this accomplishment. It wasn't even my project and I felt so loved that evening. The entire evening was such a blessing and I've never been more proud of JJ. Hopefully everyone will be seeing it many film festivals in the future.  
  3. A clean closet is a happy closet. Every season I always get an itch to purge clothes I've been keeping for no real reason besides the thought that I might wear it "someday." Not only did I get rid of a lot of clothes, but I organized my closet by color. Let's see how long it lasts...
  4. Everyone should take a Sunday afternoon nap. This past weekend it felt like everyone in my house was on the go, running from one place to another. On Sunday there was a window of time for about 2 hours that none of us had to do anything so we all sat down on the couch to watch some TV. Quickly our TV time turned into all four of us napping. I wish someone could have taken our picture. 
  5. Watching people with their friends helps you know someone better. For JJ's premier a  close friend of his Alec flew in from Portland. Alec went to school with JJ and helped him film parts of the documentary in Honduras. When Alec arrived the three of us went out to lunch in the city. It was so fun for me to simply sit at a table with them as they reminisced about college, discussed film, talked future plans and just laughed. I feel so lucky when I get to experience those moments.   

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Amor Fe Esperanza



I've mentioned the documentary that JJ has been working on since the beginning of my blog. And after a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, the documentary is finished!! 

This coming Saturday is the premier. He will be showing the film to donors, family, and close friends. I feel really blessed that I've had a front row seat at the story that JJ is telling and the creative process which he has poured over these last two years. One small part of the premier this weekend will be selling some artwork. 100% of the proceeds will go to the school AFE (Amor Fe Esperenza.) 

In the last couple months I've started to dabble a bit with photography and am actually going to sell some stationary of the pictures that I took while I spent a week with JJ in Honduras this fall. It has been really fun to create and actually very therapeutic. 

Above is a little taste of my creations. Excited for what's in store. 

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Below My Feet


"Below My Feet" - Mumford & Sons

I know that the new Mumford & Sons album came out in September but I cannot stop listening to it. This song specifically. On repeat all day today.

"Let me learn from where I have been
Keep my eyes to serve, my hands to learn"

Gosh, so so good.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Things I Learned...

... This weekend.
  1. The Half the Sky documentary is just as powerful and wonderful as the book. Half the Sky's vision is to spread awareness of that educating women is what is going to change families, communities, countries, and the world. Check out more information here.
  2. Simply just holding a cup of coffee always makes me feel better. 
  3. Working with close friends makes work not just manageable but truly enjoyable. Over the weekend I worked a weekend camp for hundreds of high school students with Young Life. Although it was a lot of work being able to work alongside people I love is such a blessing.
  4. Old fashion colored Christmas lights are my favorite. Last night JJ and I took his dog Flash for a walk around his neighborhood. The houses were all decorated so beautifully but the ones with those colorful bulbs will always be my favorite.
  5. I don't like when it's sixty degrees in Chicago in December. I might be singing a different tune come February but right now it's suppose to be cold and snowy.