spring...ish days.

Playing with light and shadows (or I was). They mostly just played. The first sunny day we've had in awhile, although the weather has been uncharacteristically warm for February. It feels like spring has arrived, even though the last of the snow is just melting. The other day I heard and saw birds, and earlier, Brennan asked if he could go outside with out a coat. Forty, fifty, degrees is warm for us Minnesotans -- after negative 20 some temperatures, we'll take what we can get. If this is spring...then I like it. I am most definitely ready for sunny days and leaves on trees again.

Are you clinging with mittened fingers to winter? Or is spring calling your name? (because its sure got my attention)

bread and thursday thoughts

I love warm, rich, hearty bread fresh from the oven, still steaming hot in your hands. Slathered in butter and drizzled with honey, or smeared with jam, or sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. There's something so comforting about a thick slice of it. It invites conversation, encourages you to sit down with a friend over coffee and share some mid-afternoon toast and talk. It inspires connections. Simple, and sweet, hot from the oven and freshly made, with a smell so heavenly it's almost unreal. Maybe someone braided it pretty or kneaded it until their fingers were coated with flour, or perhaps they painstakingly whipped eggs till they were fluffy or folded raisins into it, or even swirled it with cinnamon. Plain or buttered, soft or crackly, sweet or savory, homemade bread is one of the most delicious things ever. Not only because it's better than store bought, but because it was made by hand, with love.

my life in pins

So we're all hopelessly addicted to pinterest, right? Raise your hands -- hey! you, in the back there, I see you. I know. Just admit it. It's like a free candy store for chocoholics. Except, instead of chocoholics, we're artists, and we eat up inspiration like chocolate. (like my metaphor there? pretty snazzy, right? moving on) Photos, recipes, diys, words, music & videos...everything that makes me go tick. Want to see photos from a trip to Ireland? Boom. It's there. Searching for a perfect apple beignet recipe? You've got it. Hopelessly uninspired? Look around and you'll find images and text like crazy. Need to find a last minute gift to make? Pin, pin, pin!

My friend Liv has a fun challenge going on her blog right now...sum up your life in pins. So here's me, summed up, in a few images. I suppose "sum up" isn't the right word. Because it's hard enough to sum up your life in 50000 words. But they say an image is worth a 1000 words, so I suppose if I put up fifty or so pins...

(did I mention that sarcasm is my specialty?)

Anyways. Basically, the gist of it is to choose a few images from your pinboards that describe you. Funny, serious, moody, sarcastic, lovely, thoughtful, happy, colorful, bright, melancholy, silly, loveable, so beautiful you want to cry -- you name it! Pick a few (I limited myself to fifteen...otherwise we might be here all day) and share them with us. Write your post and head over to Olivia Erickson to link up. I'd love to see your life in pins. Because like I said, I love chocolate -- real AND metaphorically. (see how I worked that in there?)

Source: flickr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: my-morning-coffee.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: style-files.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: bippityboppityboo.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: twotonmantaray.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: dreamyourselfalong.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: 30andbroke.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: theblogisfound.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: ryleehitchnerblog.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: myrevelment.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: theredhouse.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: pardeeline.blogspot.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: 100layercake.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: bethaltrogge.tumblr.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Source: goodmorningandgoodnight.com via Hannah on Pinterest

Let me tell you...it was really difficult to choose fifteen pins that best described me out of 1881. These aren't even perfect, but they're close. What I love about pinterest is going through past pins and seeing how my inspiration has evolved (insert cheesiness here). I'm beginning to figure out what exactly inspires me and why, and how to channel that into my work. Like Picasso said: "Good artists copy. Great artists steal." So link up with Liv, sum up your life in fifteen (or fifty) or so pins, and tell us why you love what you love! (and if your love language is chocolate, then we might just be friends)

Happy Valentines Day!

xo
Hannah

over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go...

Snapshots from Sunday. We watched Rugby and ate cheese and generally laughed till we wished we hadn't ate so much cheese. My mom and grandpa's birthday were celebrated with a fruit pizza and another Thanksgiving dinner. In February. That's just how we roll (besides, stuffing never gets old). I'm proud to say that I now understand rugby. That's like saying you can fluently speak Chinese after a day, or you can recite pi to the four hundredth digit. I kid only slightly -- okay, maybe a lot, but have you ever watched rugby before? Until you understand the rules, it looks like a big free for all kind of brawl. A smorgasbord of soccer, football, and capture the flag all rolled into one. But, it's actually an interesting sport. That we may or not have dvr'd. Moving on.

What's on your agenda for this week? I'd love to hear! Especially if it includes chocolate. Valentine's Day is tomorrow (ack!) and I'm definitely still single, but that doesn't mean I won't be celebrating. I plan to indulge in as much chocolatey goodness as possible. Okay, kidding. I'm eating better and running every morning (more on that later), and generally trying to work on creating a healthier lifestyle for myself. But I might make a cupcake or two or maybe a flourless chocolate cake. After all, sweets in moderation is fine. How about you?

xo and all that jazz,

Hannah