Today We Are Missing... Paris

I think I have said how much I miss being in Europe about 100 times on this blog. I'm pretty sure everyone on here is tired of hearing about it too. But again today, I am going to talk about Paris. Josh and I talk about Europe alot, sometimes we don't say anything for awhile, and then there are days when the topic comes up more than once. Sometimes it is because we have seen something on t.v. and sometimes it's just from the sheer missing of those days we spent together living with friends in Europe.

In February when we went to down to Oregon to visit the couple we lived with, the time we spent together in Europe was brought up between Danae and I while the guys ran into the store to grab some beers. We usually talk about the same things, the memories that stand out in our minds. We rarely talk about the trip we made to Trier, but instead talk about the night we spent drinking an enormous bottle of Lambrusco on the floor, or the morning I burnt the toast in the toaster oven. These are the things that stand out, and these are the things that I hope I remember forever. These were some of the best times in my life, and this is probably the reason I miss Europe so much.

I grew so much while I was in Europe. I grieved: I cried for my dad, I cried for my mom, and my brother, and then I cried for myself. Crying for yourself might be the hardest thing to do when there are so many other people to worry about. I screamed, and threw things (yes, I'm a thrower), and then I began to rebuild my life with Josh's help. I found that I could stand up without falling down to my knees, and I could make it through a whole day without crying.

I think Paris was a real turning point for me. I had been dreaming of Paris ever since I could remember, but even as we pulled into the train station in Paris I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. Sure I was excited to be there, but I've always felt that once you lose someone in life a little piece of that joy and excitement you have over something is lost. That the person you lost should be sharing in the moment with you, and because they never will again, some of the excitement is gone. I get excited about things now, but that uncontrollable giddiness that you feel before a loss is gone, and I don't know if you ever feel pure bliss again. Is it bad to think that way? This is how I feel.

But Paris was beautiful, better than I could have imagined, and I decided upon getting out of the taxi that yes, I would live here in a heartbeat, among all this crazy mess of traffic, and I would revel in it, because Paris was glorious, Paris was sweet, Paris had something I needed. Those few days in Paris were amazing, and it took everything I had in me to get on the train to go home.

The shops were amazing, the streets, the monuments and buildings, they don't get any better than Europe. I felt like I was home. My only problem, neither of us knew the language.

So when Josh and I talk about going back to Europe he guarentees me that we won't be going until one of us knows how to speak French. He told me last night while we were in bed that he thinks the only way were are getting back there is if we somehow con one of our non-existant kids to go to Culinary School in Paris. He also reminds me that a child's love of cooking usually comes from it's mother, which brings the odds down for our kids alot because I in fact, do not love to cook. He told me I need to break the cycle, but I just don't think I can. Baking is another story. I said one of them could be a pastry chef, and that would be fine with me. Oh no, no, no. Apparently it's not okay with Josh. Besides 25 some odd years is too long to wait for Paris.

We need to win the lottery, or somehow make it rich. I guess I better start buying lottery tickets down at the gas station. I will be starting a bake sale soon to earn money for Paris, so if anyone would like to make a donation that would be wonderful. Until then, I am left with images of this sweet place.

photo by me:)

found via google

photo by me:)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Yes, I Am Alive...

So I didn't realize how long it has been since I posted last. And to tell you the truth, I really don't have much interesting to talk about today. I see that the last time I posted was the week before my Feb. 28th wedding, which must mean that I burried myself in shoot lists, things I needed to finish up cleaning and all the other things I do on a regular basis, just multiplied by 10. So I've decided that this morning I should pull my self out of this hole I have made for myself, and emerge into the sunshine... Well sunshine/gray skies/snow...

Yes it is snowing again... Let the pandemonium ensue, because we all know it will, and we all know that it already has. I'm pretty sure that this morning when we all woke up to snow the world stopped spinning and their was a collective "crap" uttered from every person that has to drive to work this morning. No, I am not in this category, so I cannot fully understand. How I make it to work is not effected. All I have to do is pop out of bed and walk to my desk. Really hard, right? Weather like this effects me too. I can't have a session when the weather is awful. But I'm not screaming at the sky wondering why God has decided to spite me once again. There is nothing I can do about the snow, it snows every year. Yes, this year has been extra special, but it's not like we have just witnessed the apocolypse.

Onward, before I get angry. Like I said earlier, I have been in a hole for the last two weeks. I have been widdling away at my website, fine tuning it, thinking I'm finished, and then changing something that was probably fine to begin with, but it wasn't great. On top of that, I have been editing like crazy. So this is me apologizing to the very few of you who actually check this blog. There is nothing interesting to talk about. It's been work, work, work. Maybe tomorrow I will tell you about our adventure in house hunting. Until then, here is a little sneak peek at the site that should be up soon!!!

Yes, I know this is crooked.

The mess I created for my desk yesterday after I organized the closet.

Sad Day

So I bought the last issue of Domino Magazine yesterday. I have been on the look out for the last few days. The Target in Kelso just never seems to have the new issue when everyone else does. This might be a plot to irritate me, and if it is, then the plan always works because there are few things that make me more uspet than having to wait for an issue to get into the store when I know it is out other places.

I joined the masses in depression the day I found out that my FAVORITE interior design magazine was closing it's doors due to the poor economy. I actually got upset, I threw up my hands and without hesitation said, "Oh no, no, no... This can't happen." I'm pretty sure I was having a bad day that day anyway. I think that was the day that I totally murdered our lasagna (which as never happened), Safeway didnt have anything I went looking for on my list, and on top of that I got a jury duty summons. I have been called up 3 or 4 times since I was old enough to register. The icing on the cake was Domino going under. If Josh hadn't have been sitting next to me I might have cried, and then thrown myself in agony on the floor, I haven't done that since I was a child, but I do tend to throw things like hangers and pots when I get mad.

So when Josh came home yesterday, and I told him reluctantly that I bought the very last issue of Domino, accompanied by a small sound that can be compared to that of a dying cat, he turned to me and said, I have some bad news. The first thought that runs through your head when they come home from work is, "Oh god, he lost his job." But this wasn't the case. He told me that they also announced that our favorite morning radio talk show that we would listen to every morning while on our 40 minute drive into town back when we first got married was airing its LAST show either today, or yesterday, I can't remember which. JUST SHOOT ME NOW!!! PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY. I love talk radio, the funny kind, not the Dr. Marsha Fieldstone kind from Sleepless in Seattle. The kind that drones on and on and makes you want to jump out of the car window.

I was actually excited in the mornings to drive in silence with Josh, drinking our coffee, and listening to Adam Corrola complain about anything and everything. Yes, in fact he can complain about beautiful sunny days that aren't too hot or too cold. Anything could be argued with. Does that make me a bad person? That I love to listen to that kind of stuff, and I find it entertaining? Apparently, I'm just sarcastic enough to LOVE it. It doesn't seem like the normal way to start a day. A good cup of joe, and some ranting and raving, we didnt care. So what do I do now? Listen to Don Imus on the radio? He's gone now right? I don't have Sirius radio either. He's old and grumpy looking anyway. I much prefer the sarcastic 40 something. If Don Imus ever read this I'm sure he would have some sort of mean comeback about the state of my hair, because he seems to be so clever in the mean comments to innocent people.

Anyway, onward. I thought I would post a few of my favorites from Domino today, and if I couldfigure out how to add a little music to this post, I would definitely choose "Taps" If you listen closely, I'm sure you can hear a little trumpet playing...

I don't usually like white walls, I love color, but black

and white are always perfect. This mostly white bedroom makes me happy

Those are just a few. There seems to be a theme today with the little blue touches. Josh hates that color. I LOVE it as an accent.

My Creative Space

I think having a space for creativity should be something that everyone has. I spend 90% of my day at my desk working on the computer, so I need a place that I feel comfortable sitting. Before Josh's dad made me my desk, I had my papers, and such spread out on the floor, because I couldn't bare the thought of working at the dinning room table. Don't ask me why, I don't know. You would think anything would be better than working on the floor.

My desk is still a work in progress. It's in the middle of the living room, being as we don't have a special room for my office, so I usually keep it clutter free, and free of too much creative inspiration. I can't wait to have my own office with an inspiration board, and organizer mounted on the wall, and all that kind of fun stuff. But for now I am loving that I can look out the window at the trees across the road, and that I can pull my feet up and sit while I'm working (I rarely sit in a chair with my feet on the ground. It's a habit I have never been able to break.

There is a desk lamp I have my eye on from Pottery Barn, something that will reach around over my work better, and something that has a little more light. This space is my creative space, a place to find inspiration, have fun, work and create art. Do you have a creative space?

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Alyssa

Captivating

I have an obsession with photos. Surprise, right? I dream of laying in a room with beautiful photographs surrounding me. I could spend hours and hours discovering images, and finding inspiration in even the simplest photo. I live for images, beautiful photos, and the way they make you feel like you are in that moment, like you want to be the one standing in that spot, and taking in all the beauty around you. There is absolutely nothing like looking at a photo, whether it be a personal photo of my grandmother when she was young, or a photo from a fashion magazine.

And this brings me to my post for the evening. I found this photo via another blog. There are photos from Rodney Smith's website that I have seen before, and have wondered who was the mastermind behind the image. His photos make me feel, feel what, I dont know. Maybe it's a feeling of longing... Whatever the feeling is, Rodney Smith's photos are captivating. You should definitely take a look at his work.

LOVE this photo! Photo by Rodney Smith

http://rodneysmith.com

I'm serious, go look! Magical. Have a wonderful evening

Alyssa

Yummy Treats!

So, I'm not a huge fan of Valentines Day, most of my friends know this, but I do love pretty treats! Josh and I agreed not to get eachother gifts this year, but what do I get on the door step this morning? Pretty little pink roses. I have the most darling husband in the world. So in honor of Valentines day, and all things yummy here are some treats that I think look divine.

Not only do I stalk fashion, design, and personal blogs, I also check Taste Spotting regularly. This is where I found all these lovely treats!

citrusandcandy.com

seasaltwithfood.com

cupcakeproject.com

joythebaker.com

Beautiful right? Now you should go check out each of these blogs, and tastespotting.com

Enjoy Valentines Day Tomorrow!

Alyssa

Friday :)

In honor of our trip down to see some of the most amazing friends in the world!

I've decided that my blog has been pretty boring lately. I have a full blog ready for Monday. I have to find something interesting to talk about too. I'll be gone all weekend visiting friends with my husband. Sweet, sweet friends! Yay! Have a wonderful Friday, and a wonderful weekend.

Alyssa