High Five for Friday 7/6/2012

1. I got to spend some time with my older sister last weekend. We had so much fun we forgot to take pictures! We ran errands together, went window shopping at Home Goods, Anthropologie, and Urban Outfitters, indulged in salty snacks, and then met up with her husband and our two oldest brothers for dinner and Coldstone!

2. One of my best friends recently started a Bible study for post-college 20-somethings in the style of InterVarsity Bible studies. I can't even describe how good it felt to be manuscripting again. Sadly, I can't attend regularly because my credentialing classes are on Tuesday nights. I plan to attend whenever I can, though!

3. I got to hang out with Mom and my brother Joe while we watched our youngest brother race the 4th of July criterium in Davis. He's one of the guys in the front of the group here, lined up at the start line.

4. After watching the crit, I then went to a friend's house where I got to hang out and relax with my two best friends and a couple guys we were all on IV leadership with. It was so great to see them again and catch up and just have a relaxing 4th of July. We bbq'd kabobs, drank Newcastle (something I drew an inordinate amount of amusement from), and set off fireworks in the street.

5. I was worried about how Cora would do with all the fireworks going off, but she was just fine! I brought her with me to my friend's because I didn't want to leave her alone, not knowing how she would react to the fireworks, but she was completely unfazed. In fact, she even took a nap while everyone in the neighborhood was setting off legal (and some illegal) fireworks. What a dog!

Lots of 4th of July doings in this week's High Five, but I really wouldn't have it any other way. My whole week was great, but these were the highlights. Hopefully next week's edition will include some good news about me passing the CSETs!

And here's a song (with an admittedly bizarre music video) that I haven't been able to get out of my head:

My friends and I have had some extensive discussions about the meaning of this song. If you have any ideas, feel free to comment below. I'd love to read some different interpretations!

Linking up with From My Grey Desk.

High Five for Friday 6/8/2012

1. On Monday I got to catch up with my best friend Kelsey. Now that she's working full time and I'm spending 3 days a week in another city, we haven't been able to spend much time together. It was nice to just sit and chat for a couple hours before heading over to Bible study.

2. I started a teaching credential program a few weeks ago that is about 1.5 hours outside of Sacramento, which means that I've been staying at my parents' place on the days I have class. Cora has loved spending so much time outside and running around with the dogs. Cannon, my little sister's huge Goldendoodle, is Cora's best friend and she always runs after him when I throw his ball.

3. I went to the movies last night with my mom and we saw Snow White and the Huntsman. It was really good, but sadly not as great as I was expecting. Something was just off. I wish they could remake the movie with a different actress as Snow White and some adjusted interactions between the characters. There was definite potential in the movie but it didn't quite reach it. I still recommend it though :)

4. One of the assignments for my credential program was to create a "memory book" of my five least and/or most favorite teachers. I really enjoyed the assignment! It was great to reflect back on what has made teachers either really good or really bad for me.

5. I made some more progress in my apartment! I cleaned up a few areas and I figured out how I want to (for now) finish off my art wall over my desk. I'm looking forward to finishing everything this weekend (hopefully!) and sharing some pictures next week.

Lining up to Lauren at From My Grey Desk.

High Five for Friday 5/11/2012

Five highlights from this  week:

1. Just moments ago, I turned in the first of three final papers! This time next week, I will be done-done-done-done-DONE with my second semester of grad school!!!

2. On Thursday I was able to get together with the leader of the Young Adults group (ages 18-30) at my church and we had a great conversation. It was really nice to get to know her a little more and talk about the vision for our church and small group and just life in general.

3. The weather. OK, to be honest, I've not been a fan of the afternoon temperatures, but it's been absolutely lovely in the mornings & evenings!

4. On Wednesday, I presented my proposal for my thesis research project to a group of about 20 people made up of my peers and composition faculty and everyone was really enthusiastic about it! I'm really glad about that, because I wasn't feeling very confident about my research topic but now that I've received so much positive & interested feedback, I feel a lot better.

5. I don't know if this counts because it hasn't happened yet, but tomorrow everyone on my mom's side of the family is getting together to celebrate my grandpa's 85th birthday and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone!

Here's a song I've been enjoying lately (and by "lately" I mean every spring/summer for the past 6 or so years, haha!):

Linking up to From My Grey Desk.

High Five for Friday 5/4/2012

Here are five highlights from this past week:

1. Relaxing on my friend Kelsey's back patio, catching up and smoking cigars while enjoying the lovely spring weather we've been having here in NorCal.

2. Renting Real Steel from Redbox and watching it with my roommate. We both had a bad day on Tuesday and it was nice to commiserate with one another while vegging out in front of a movie, haha.

3. Discovering the music of Alexi Murdoch. "All My Days" plays during the opening credits to Real Steel.

4. Eating steak almost every day this week (thanks to volunteering last weekend and getting to bring some home for FREE!).

5. Participating in my first official crossfit workouts. They're hard, but I feel so good when I'm done! I can't wait for the day that I can complete a workout as Rx'd!

And, I just have to add one more:

6. Successfully getting through another week of school. Two more weeks to go and I'll be done with my first year of grad school! Woohoo!

(Linking up to From My Grey Desk)

Weekly Round-Up #39

Things of interest from the past week (or 5):

Adri discovered the music of Agnes Obel. It is full of beautiful, haunting melodies. Listen for yourself.

Centsational Girl shared a tutorial on how to DIY stamped tea towels, which would make a great hostess, birthday, or really, any kind of gift.

Kate of The Small Things Blog shared how she made a makeup brush roll from a placemat! Adri may have to try this next time she goes home and has access to one of our mom's showing machines ;)

The Art of Manliness wrote about some awesome note taking strategies. This was particularly timely as Adri began her second semester of graduate school two weeks ago.

Over Christmas break, Adri was also introduced to City and Colour. Northern Wind is one of her very favorite songs on their latest album.

Weekly Round-Up #38

Happy Almost New Year!!!

Some fun things we found this week:

Ashley made a gorgeous silk streamer garland

Ashton has been craving veggie sandwiches all week...delicious!

...and on the less healthy side, this hot chocolate is the best!

a pretty lace cowl

Weekly Round-Up #37

The week before Christmas...

...Jon Acuff wrote a post inviting us to finish something next year. Check back on Tuesday for Adri's list.

...The Economist published an article on Ernest Dichter's influence on marketing. The article uses the phrase "suss out." Which makes me happy.

...I became nostalgic for the days when I sang in a Handel's Messiah production and spent hours practicing for it each December. You can catch some of my favorite parts here, here, and here.

We hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

Weekly Round-Up #36

Of interest from around the internet...

One of the contributors at Language Log did a fascinating structural analysis of an ad and a country song.

Centsational Girl shared her family's Christmas playlist.

....or maybe you are already tired of Christmas songs. Here is a funny video of some favorite Christmas tunes for those who are already jaded :)

Need ideas for holiday baking? The Small Things Blog is coming to the end of cookie week, and there are a LOT of recipes to choose from.

Weekly Round-Up #35

Are you as excited as I am that it's finally the month of Christmas?!?! I joined The Art of Doing Stuff's Christmas Pledge back in November, so now it's three weeks of sipping hot cocoa and admiring the festive lights and decor :)

Some things we've been enjoying on the internet:

Ashton loves the idea of an advent calendar of books - a different Christmas tale for each night.

This information could be dangerous...

A sweet 16-minute short film.

Adri enjoyed this brief history of Google search.

Jon Acuff wrote a great post on realizing that other people are always more interesting than you.

Weekly Round-Up #34

From around the interwebs....

An intriguing article discussing the value we place on art (and how context plays into it more than we may realize)

A free Thank You printable from YoungHouseLove

Ashton is enjoying the new CD released by the Broadway cast of the Jersey Boys musical - Jersey Boys Christmas. Check it out here on youtube :)

The most gorgeous cupcake I've seen

Caught red handed

mmmm....broccoli cheese soup

very cool art

Weekly Round-Up #33

From around the interwebs:

this puppy is too cute!!

An apt apology for the next time I'm hungry :)

Some of Ashton's favorites from the recent pinterest challenge...

color-dipped mugs

embroidered fingerprint art

state art love

Weekly Round-Up #32

This week:

Jon Acuff wrote about the difficulty in recognizing your own talent.

Becoming Minimalist articulates 10 reasons to live in a smaller home

Some last minute pumpking carving inspiration

Are you going to participate in the pinterest challenge?

Weekly Round-Up #31

Some fun halloween nail art

hipsters vs. old people :)

hilarious pictures (taken by a hidden camera) of people freaking out in a haunted house

Love the idea of upcycling cashmere sweaters into a cozy blanket!

Speaking of upcycling sweaters, some super cute and easy leg warmers/boot socks :)

Have a wonderfully relaxing weekend!

Weekly Round-Up #30

This week...

Adri enjoyed reading this discussion on the lifecycle of library books.

Michael Buble's new album of Christmas songs will be released on November 24th and Adri can't wait to get it. You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the recording here.

The Art of Manliness published a guide to planning the ultimate summer road trip - provided you're a fan of baseball.

If you are a fan of The Princess Bride, I'm sure you will enjoy these reunion clips as much as I (Ashton) did. Can you believe it's been 25 years!?!? I am officially old :)

Weekly Round-Up #29

Things of interest this week...

If you have some time this weekend, check out the site spoonforkbacon. Not only are the pictures gorgeous, but the recipes look divine. Plus, with bacon in the name you know it's guaranteed to be awesome ;)

I'm especially excited to try the cherry hand pies and all of the mixed drinks. And check out page 3...because there's a recipe that call for sea urchin, y'all! How awesome it that?

A sweet story about an ugly chicken

Spooky cobwebbed balloons

Steve Jobs was an amazing innovator, and truly one of the great minds of our times. I have a feeling he will go down in history as one of the greats, along with the likes of Thomas Edison and the Wright brothers. His inventions have truly changed the course of history.

A compilation of Steve Jobs magazine covers

His 2005 Stanford commencement address

Weekly Round-Up #28

These balls that let you walk on water look like such fun (although I might feel a little like a hamster ;) ).

Ashton is digging these blue-gray, blue, nude and red shades of nail polish. Perfect for Autumn!

Take a peek at what Ashton is loving this fall over on Pinterest.

Some easy (and modern) art.

This joke made Adri literally laugh out loud.

Weekly Round-Up #27

Things of note from the past two weeks:

Adri:

was blown away by these cutting boards that Kate (of Centsational Girl) made herself. Now there's one more thing on Adri's "To Do Someday" list!

appreciated this reminder from Ashlee (another Sacramentan blogger) that it's important to do things, not just talk about it.

found Primer's guide to wine particularly accessible and helpful.

read this article from The Art of Manliness and then had to forcibly restrain herself from emailing it to every college-age young man she knows.

enjoyed watching this video that features the changing styles of the past century.

Ashton:

thought these mint cookies look delicious :)

liked this cool sunburst mirror

would like to make orange french toast - perfect for a lazy Saturday

Weekly Round-Up #26

Wishing everyone a relaxing weekend!

These Wookie-the-Chew prints (inspired by Winnie-the-Pooh but with a Star Wars twist) are adorable!

a simple and sweet necklace

A funny video showcasing the latest fad, "batmanning" :) - because planking, owling and horsemaning are sooo last week!

atheist Penn Gillette's thoughtful provoking response to being given a Bible.

Weekly Round-Up #25

For your enjoyment....

The 13 shopping seasons

A cool necklace (for the music lover in your life)

longing for a pair of boots like these for fall

Ashton's favorite tea (the whole blueberries are what make it pop)

and finally, a cute video to lighten up your day. I guarantee you can't watch it without smiling :)

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Weekly Round-Up #24

This weekend is going to be a blast! The entire family is getting together for one last time before the 3 college kids head off to their respective schools - a hike to what should be a gorgeous swimming hole will hopefully result in a post with some cool pictures next week :)

In the meantime, this past week Ashton....

... discovered Starbuck's secret menu (and speaking of secret menus, if you live near an In-N-Out Burger, you must try your burger "animal style" next time - and your fries too if you like lots of cheesy goodness :)

...read about 11 overused phrases (She's guilty of a few of these!)

...spied on an awesome (and detailed) baby registry

...saw this coop that almost (she said almost!) makes having chickens attractive (she kind of wants to live in that coop herself!)

And Adri...

...signed up to be an editor with Kibin, a company that offers free proofreading services. She hopes it will be useful throughout her two years as a graduate student.

...read this tutorial on how to make a hanging light fixture out of picture frames. She hopes to be able to do something similar in a home of her own someday!

...thought this scarf tying guide could come in handy this Fall & Winter. Oh wait, who does she think she's kidding? She totally wears scarves all year-round!

...listened to this song from Iron & Wine and got all misty-eyed, because her two oldest younger brothers are moving out of her parents house within days of each other!

What are you plans for the weekend?