Weekend Getaway | Missouri and Arkansas

Two weekends ago, I met my parents in Missouri and Arkansas. I flew into Little Rock on Thursday, October 17, and after a little shopping and exploring on Friday morning, we drove up to Big Cedar Lodge outside of Branson, Missouri, in the afternoon. The drive was long, but I passed the time "fingering" a new scarf (a technique Mom taught me along the way).

100 Day Countdown

Today marks 100 days until the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. As an Olympic junkie, the closer we get to the opening ceremonies, the more excited I will be. And with performances like this already, I think we're in for a good show in the figure skating competition...

Project 365 | Week 43

Happy Monday, everyone! I hope all of you have a good start to your week. This past week was rather ordinary for me as far as pictures go, but some weeks are just like that. I'm beginning to count down the days until this project is finished (I took picture 300 this week!), but I still enjoy seeing everything come together.

My pictures for Week 43:

294/365: A game of chess in Northwest Arkansas

Friday Finds

Happy Friday! This was a short work week for me since I flew home from Arkansas on Monday. It was quite a change to come back to the warmer temperatures of Austin after enjoying more fall-like weather in Missouri and Arkansas. Even though I should know better, I have to keep reminding myself that Texas doesn't follow the same fall schedule as New England and other parts of the country. Fall (and fall colors) will come — but probably not until November.

Here are a few things that caught my eye this week:

Anne Frank exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance

Super creative Halloween costumes

Which state are you? (I'm North Carolina!)

A history of Olympic boycotts (reminds me of the paper I wrote in grad school)

The guest of honor at a Japanese bar? Penguins!

Enjoy your weekend!

Project 365 | Week 42

Greetings from Austin! I'm back home after spending a long weekend with my parents in Missouri and Arkansas. We had a great time together, but it was nice to return home to Sammy this afternoon. Now it's back to real life tomorrow.

Here are my photos for Week 42:

287/365: Rainy Monday

Apartment Projects

Back in March, my mom spent a weekend with me here in Austin. We had a lot of fun exploring Marble Falls and South Congress, and we also worked on several projects around my apartment. I had planned to write about these much sooner, but other things always seemed to get in the way. After a few subtle hints from my mom, I decided to write a quick wrap-up posts about what we did.

Over the course of the weekend, we completed the following projects:

• Painted my coffee and end tables using blue chalk paint
• Painted the bottom part of my sofa table using teal chalk paint
• Hung new drapes in my bedroom
• Added a new duvet cover to my bed
• Created a gallery wall in my bedroom

Project 365 | Week 41

Before I share my pictures, I just have to revel a little more in UT's victory over OU on Saturday. I really wasn't expecting the Longhorns to win, but I will gladly take it. Hook 'em, Horns!

The other highlight of the week was enjoying such nice weather before the much-needed rain during the weekend. It was wonderful to spend a little time eating lunch and reading outside during my lunch break.

Here are my pictures for Week 41:

280/365: View from my table at lunch

Friday Finds

Happy Friday! I hope all of you have had a nice week. This weekend I had planned to make a quick trip out to Marble Falls on Saturday, but the rain may keep me in Austin. (I never complain about rain, though.) Instead, I plan to spend my time inside watching the UT-OU game and venture out for a movie if Sammy and I need some time apart.

Hope all of you enjoy your weekend! Here are a few things that caught my eye this week:

The truth about Bevo (and 9 more UT facts)

DIY: Textured Planters

The most famous book set in each state

Beautiful hot balloons

Book page pumpkins

Other pumpkin ideas

P.S. The last trip Mom and I took out to Marble Falls.

Project 365 | Week 40

Happy Sunday evening! This past week was an exciting one as I celebrated my birthday on Wednesday with a day off from work. I also enjoyed a relaxing weekend: on Saturday I watched gymnastics (on Universal Sports!) and my Downton Abbey Season 3 DVDs, and today I explored Brushy Creek Lake Park while I talked with Mom and Dad on the phone.

Here are my pictures for Week 40:

273/365: Long day, long shadow

Friday Finds

Remember when I wrote a post each Friday about some of my favorite articles of the week? It's definitely been a long time, but I decided to get back in the habit this week. Here are some of the things that caught my eye over the last few days:

Americana by moonlight (some of the pictures reminded me of Bill Bryson)

Portraits of 2014 U.S. Winter Olympians

Hand-stamped clementine wall

The U.S. does it again: Biles & Ross finish 1-2 in the all-around

Amazing Austin time-lapse video

Have a wonderful weekend!

Today, I Give Thanks

A couple years ago, I celebrated my 30th birthday by giving thanks for 30 things. As I turn 32 today, I thought I would record 32 things I am thankful for this year (in no particular order).

1. My family
2. My friends
3. Sammy
4. Excellent public libraries (free books and DVDs!)
5. Figure skating
6. My health
7. Laughing until I cry
8. Conversations with my dad that cover everything from politics to sports to current events
9. Pumpkins
10. Singing every word to a Dixie Chicks song while I'm driving
11. Sunday conversations with my family
12. My collection of everyday photos with Project 365
13. Evening walks
14. Books
15. Organizing (my apartment, my craft supplies, my work schedule)
16. Wildflowers in the spring
17. Vacation planning
18. The Austin office, especially my fellow writers and Michelle 
19. My trusty iPhone
20. Keeping a few succulents alive this past summer
21. Sharing inside jokes with my brother ("I just heard that song again...")
22. Watching movies at Arbor Cinema or the new Alamo Drafthouse
23. Esther's wonderful cakes
24. Fall foliage
25. Playing handbells with the Hallelujah Ringers
26. Making people laugh
27. Cupcakes, cookies, s'mores, and other treats
28. Spending time at the farm
29. Yummy Tex-Mex food, especially Chuy's and its creamy jalapeno sauce
30. Pens and notebooks and office supplies of all kinds
31. Spending quality time with my mom shopping, chatting, and enjoying being together
32. Continuing to learn new things at work and at home