Goodbye 2012

Goodbye 2012...

2012 you came and left many memories in my heart, from completing my Master's Thesis, to being hospitalized with cellulitis, to graduating my my Master's Degree and being offered the job of my dreams, sailing, hiking, the summer of Funemployment, the epic move and wonderful family, friends, a wonderful condo, and holiday season...I am thankful.  I am thankful all of the life lessons I have learned, wonderful memories, photos, family, friends, laughs, tears and sweat this year has brought!

2013 you are gonna rock!  I know you offer challenges and promises and I am ready for you...13 you don't scare me!  I look forward to publishing my first professional article, taking my Board Exams, traveling to my first professional conference, and working on certs to name a few.

Ready or not...2013, here you come in less than 6 hours

A most perfect weekend of hiking, camping and swimming!

Keuka Lake State Park was a wonderful way to celebrate the close of summer and all our hard work.  Dre and I enjoyed every minute of our long weekend!  Campfires and smores, swimming in the crystal clear Keuka Lake, cooking outside and sleeping by the fire.  

We arrived Friday early afternoon, set up camp and dashed to the lake for a quick swim!  Sausages, squash and potatoes, onions and peppers were on the menu and what a feast we had, followed by trivia pursuit of course!  We plotted out our hike and read up on the history of the Keuka Outlet Trail.

Saturday Dre made Ha-lo Ha-lo (spelling?) for breakfast and we prepped for an adventure.  We were determined to hike from one Finger Lake to another so began our journey on the Keuka Outlet Trail, a 7 mile hike connecting Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake.  The trail was beautiful and mostly shaded, following the "Old Crooked Canal."  Some of our photos are posted below.  We saw some old mills, 2 waterfalls and wildlife to include 2 herons, a praying mantis, and some other interesting insects.  A picnic lunch at a waterfall, wading in the canal to cool off and an $8 taxi ride back to our car was SO worth it!  We concluded our hike with a swim back at our campground/Keuka Lake and entertained friends for a campfire and cookout.

Sunday was a day to enjoy a nice breakfast, pack up camp and take advantage of the beach at the park.  We swam all day and played lacrosse and frisbee!  When it was almost time to head home we drove through  Bluff Point, visited Chapel on the Mount aka The Garrett Memorial Chapel, The Esperanza Mansion and we had to check out Big Doug's Meaner Weiner!  We headed home, unpacked and enjoyed some leftover hot dogs and smores on the grill.  

Quite perfect.  

Old Railroad bridge at the beginning of our hike 

Milo's Mill - 1.7miles in, home of the praying mantis!

Seneca Mills Falls - 3.8 miles in, where we stopped for lunch!

Cascade Falls - 4.8 miles in, where I got tired!

We Finished! 7 miles - Lake to Lake

Garrett Memorial Chapel/ Chapel on the Mount - Keuka Lake, Bluff Point

Art Focus

Last week I had my first official Etsy sale.  I have sold orders to family and friends, but this was a turning point in my etsy store!  I have been designing and making original onesies for almost 2 years now.  IT was an idea that started because one of my friends was pregnant.  She is funky and different and nothing in the stores would do, or so I told myself...and so I designed 5 original onesies (two of which are featured in my store).  She liked them so much that I decided to start selling them online.

Well last week I expanding my product line to include baby bibs.  Today is another turning point for the store....I am selling my photographs.  Slowly the store is expanding and my artwork is getting out there in the world.  It's a process, but a very rewarding one.  I would love to sell my artwork as a part-time job, or ideally for a living and this store fulfills part of a larger dream and allows me to thank that one day....one day it may just come true.  I will slowly be adding more artwork, as time permits!  Thank you for your support and interest!

Check out BeeDZigns Etsy Shop Here!

This past week

This past week and weekend, more so than usual, I have embraced my summer.  The last summer for awhile I imagine that I will not be working... I have made pickles, salsa and stewed tomatoes all with my mom; visited my parents and relaxed, while eating great food and laughing; took advantage of the nice weather to include a beach day with friends (possibly one of the last for the season), went walking and running and even got a pedicure!  I enjoyed my wonderful boyfriend cooking breakfast, enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared at a friend's house with conversation and catching up with long-lost friends; we cooked meals in preparation for the week and even enjoyed housework.

To sum it all up...it's been a great week/weekend!  I am thankful for my life and my love and my family and friends.  :)

One Shoe, Five Shoes

It was a great weekend for people to lose shoes, which means a great day to take pictures.  Park Ave Fest is notorious for craziness and fun, so lost shoes are to be expected.

Lone Shoe: Park Ave Post-Park Ave Fest

Brunswick Pair

Righty Lefty

New Design - "Robinson" Birdie Onesie

Check out my new design here:
BeeDzigns Robinson Birdie Onesie

control

I have to believe that everything happens for a reason.  Sometimes we wouldn't choose what happens to us, but with life we hopefully learn and grow and get back up!  Opportunities are presented to us everyday and we make choices about what to do with them...answer the unknown number, go for a jog, take a nap...there are no wrong choices, rather things we learn from and things we love.

Sometimes things don't go according to our plan, but who really put us in charge?  Control makes us feel powerful and responsible, but is it more than that?  Does someone get a job because they are the perfect candidate, or are there other "perfect" candidates who know someone or is it luck of the draw?  I'd like to think I have power over getting a job or my daily interactions, but they are just that...interactions, involving what I like to call the human factor.  When humans are involved there is no control.

However, there is control over statistics, but not over another person's choices.  I prefer statistics.  I never thought I would say that, but there is comfort in order and numbers, but there is something so special and rewarding about people and the interactions we have with them that make the lack of control worth it.

Today I am trying consciously to let go of control and focus on the present, which involves being happy and enjoying every minute of today, even if I can't make things happen.

The Shoes I Find

"Park Ave I"

Inspired by an exorbitant amount of abandoned solo shoes I noticed while living in Portland Maine I decided initially to collect said shoes to create a sculpture of found and altered art.  When we moved to New York State I had to dispose of the them, as they weren't exactly the cleanest.  I have morphed the idea into a photo shoot, which will be much cleaner.  This is the first shoe of the series "The Shoes I Find."  I call this "Park Ave I."

Philly

Brooke and a Claes Oldenburg sculpture

Philly...you were fun!  A quick trip to Philly last weekend for Andre, me and our friends Mike and Michelle.  Priceline hooked us up with a lovely hotel in preparation for The Color Run 2012 - Philadelphia!  A great time was had and we met up with an old friend Ellen and two new friends who introduced us to real Philly Cheese steaks, a walking tour of Philly to include the Liberty Bell and Love Park.  The Color Run was amazing...23,000 runners and with painted shirts, arms, legs and faces!  Next time the guys said they want in on the fun of having powdered cornstarch and dye thrown at you while you run 3 miles!  I mean who wouldn't?!

Happy Birthday my Love!

Happy 36th Birthday to my Love!  

A wonderful birthday weekend of friends, food and sunshine!  

A weekend of grilling and playing games, the Lilac Festival, and Avengers 3D!  

We couldn't have asked for nicer weather!  

Hello from post-grad life

inspired by my friend Nikki and her latest blog post, I am adopting her project a week idea (Thanks!)  Although since I am not working right now I think as long as they aren't HUGE projects I will try to do a project everyday, at least one.  Lists really help me, so I will start by making a list and tackling at least one thing a day.  I also have a few visits to friends on that list that include Albany, Michigan, Toronto, Maine and D.C.  (not in any order, although the first two are musts)  :)

A shout out to Greg who Skype us yesterday and found my camera charger while in Spain!  It was actually in our house, but he guided the search!  Muchas gracias mi amigo!

Graduation....DONE

Graduation has come and gone.  The gown and hood are draped over the chair in the dining room; cap accessorizing the table.  Flowers are brightening up every room and my red pumps are waiting for another adventure, as they wait patiently in the hall.  Photos are coming in through Face Book and email and I am left with great memories, a wonderfully supportive family and group of friends... and a few blisters.    

dear 30...

dear 30s...i thought (many years ago now) i would turn this magical number and have a career, maybe a child or two...a dog, a house, a bed skirt and frivolous things like that, maybe an Adirondack chair and a wrap-around porch.

i'm 30 and so far i fell on the ice and have been going to physical therapy since February for my shoulder, have been hospitalized with cellulitis, experienced loss, and somehow managed to complete my thesis.

30 is nothing like i planned.  i threw away the list...i may never have those things, but i'm 30, i have a wonderful family and an amazing boyfriend, great friends, (almost finished with) a Master's degree, a job waiting for me when I graduate and i'm HAPPY, despite everything life has thrown at me ;) and maybe because everything life has thrown at me!

This post was inspired by a friend who has been looking forward to/dreading 30...EMBRACE IT!

21 days to Graduation...then the world is ours!

21 days to Graduation
13 days to the Thesis Presentation and Senior Art Show and last day of classes
14 days until all notes are due
12 days to a final lecture
9 days until the last day of internship
5 days until a group paper/presentation and individual literature review are due!
3 days until thesis is due again, hopefully for the last time
Then...the world is ours!


How will I fill my days when my thesis is completed and bound and when everything from all four of my classes isn't due on the same day?  Here is my plan: try new recipes (daily), scrapbook, paint more often, check out some of the local museums, especially the art museums and the butterfly museum, read book because I want to, run 5ks and run with Michelle 2 or 3 x a week, and get excited for summer fun!  Looking forward to some free time!

Endings and beginnings

Endings: Thesis is almost done...within the week.  Graduation is less than a month away!
Beginnings: Last Tuesday I was offered a full-time job after I graduate in May, so happy!
In other news: 
My wonderful boyfriend Andre surprised my with a beautiful bouquet of tulips for landing a job, working hard and just because he loves me!  When I got out of the library at midnight (Wednesday) he gave them to me!  :) ...Thank You!  They are lovely and make me smile!

I also got to have lunch with an old friend and BFF (who is trying to make it on Broadway) who was in town - Thai food, stories of past adventures and sharing of artwork.

some days you just need to go to the greeting card aisle and laugh

some days you just need to go to the greeting card aisle and laugh...do you believe in luck...i think people believe in it only if they have it.  as of late, i wonder if all this is a test of my character.  


last night i went to the greeting card aisle with my boy and laughed.  there is nothing quite like a funny card, or a series of them.  switching cards and laughing reminded me of so many times my mom and I would do the same thing.  some activities are timeless. 


yesterday was a day of donating to good causes...I texted money to my alma mater and also to one of my bestest friends...JW who is trying to make it in the big city and doing a good job at it!  He is taking his show on the road and I am so proud of him...I am so glad the world will get to see what it's like to hang out with jw on any random day through going to his show.  :)  le sigh.

3-0

I hear 30 is the new 20...could be!  Since I turned 30 I have been carded more than ever!  I chalk it up to a good hair day and maybe some moisturizer...or maybe the few days in the hospital did me some good!  30, , you're just a number, I'm still me!

Congratulations to a very good friend of mine who welcomed an adorable baby girl into this world and into her family today!  Congrats Grace and Dave!  Can't wait to meet her!

30 +1 day means...back to my thesis, until this weekend ;)

Ahhh Haaa moment

After babysitting an adorable, yet sick baby today for 4 hours, we understand how our friends who are married with children are tired by 8pm.  I found myself looking at the clock and having 7:25pm stare back at me...that's it!  It's so early, yet we were both wiped.  Props to you guys!

TV...

Some obscure and not so obscure shows I enjoy:

The Booth At The End
Smash
Revenge
Psych
Law and Order SVU (but I do miss Detective Stabler)
Private Practice
Modern Family
American Horror Story
Fringe
Louie

Is that too much???

Oh My Gosh...blast from the past...Speak and Spell

Enjoy playing the speak and spell once again!  I forgot how confusing it's voice really was.

Speak and Spell Online Version

Arts Therapy Program Helps Reach Dementia Patients - Cincinnati News Story - WLWT Cincinnati

Arts Therapy Program Helps Reach Dementia Patients - Cincinnati News Story - WLWT Cincinnati

Potato Leek Soup

Taken from my Swedish Cookbook, Potato Leek Soup:

4-5 large potatoes (cubed)

2 leeks (chopped)

1-2 cloves garlic (diced)

salt and white pepper to taste

6 cups chicken or beef broth

1 TBS lemon juice

electric mixer/food processor and/or potato masher

• Bring 6 cups broth to boil in large pot
• add diced leeks, potatoes, lemon juice, salt, garlic and white pepper
• simmer for 15-20 minutes
• when potatoes are soft, use an electric mixer or food processor to smooth out most of the lumps
• add more white pepper or salt if needed

I served this soup with a side of sausage I cooked in a frying pan of beer, PBR to be exact. The sausage was a nice accompaniment to the flavors of the soup. I might have gone a little overboard with the white pepper, but it was so good. I also only used 4 beef bullion cubes to 6 cups of water. The electric mixer and a potato masher got all of the necessary lumps out of the soup/stew. No photo, but I will say it was not as dark as the photo in the cookbook, more of a light green. I also cooked with leeks for the first time! The white and light green parts are more mild and less bitter, so I only used them because I was unfamiliar with leeks and the cookbook really didn't explain what parts to use. Hope you enjoy and try it for yourself.

2012...begins

2012...

I always look to New Years Day to see if I feel older, wiser...different? This year I do feel wiser, older and different. With one semester left of graduate school I look to 2012 and see new beginnings. In May, I will find myself walking across a stage and entering the working world again. This time focused, prepared and ready.

The snow has covered the ground and finally NY welcomes winter, at least for today. A slow start to the ski season, I grasp onto the dusting of snow and search for my long underwear and ski gear. With any luck we will be skiing in a week or two, just in time for school to begin again.

This year marks the 5 year anniversary of my blog and a big birthday for me, but I'll always be 25 and holding...