Idle hands

I've been busy making some kitchen linens with this cute piece of fabric I found at Beverly's...
...a placemat and pot holders...

...jazzy snuck into this one...

...my mosaic plant stand (finally sealed!) and some newly potted pansies...

Travellin' traveler

Part of my new job at NWP is traveling to events all across the country. Here's a sample of where I'll be going in the next 8 months or so:

Washington DC
Philadelphia
Denver
Red Lodge, Montana
Denver (again!)
San Antonio

In addition, Jenny and I are planning a reunion trip to the Southwest - hiking the narrows in Zion National Park, a trip to Bryce Canyon, and possibly Death Valley (if it's not too hot) I'm also planning a few camping trips this spring - anyone interested in going to Half Moon Bay and/or Napa, let me know!!

Las Vegas

I just spent the past weekend relaxing in Las Vegas. No, I didn't go down to the strip, and didn't even put a quarter in the slot machines! I went to Vegas to visit my grandparents in celebration of my grandmothers birthday. It was quite a relaxing weekend - visiting, eating good food, playing ping pong at the rec center (hahaha) and driving up to Red Rock Canyon. It's incredibly beautiful up there, and if you're ever in Vegas and need a break from drinking, it's definately a nice road trip. While I was up there, surrounded by the desert mountains and sagebrush, I began to think about Utah and how much I want to go there this summer. I'm hoping that I will get to go on at least 1 trip this summer, if not even just going out there for a while and spending some alone time in the desert is what I really need right now. So anyway, it was a good weekend to clear my head and think about all the trips I want to take this summer. I can't wait!

Santa Cruz history

I just found the coolest book at the library today - it's called "Local Girl Makes History - Exploring Northern California's Kitsch Monuments"....(I'm still trying to figure out what 'kitsch' means...is that the same as 'chotshski' that my mom uses?) It's written by a UCSC historian that grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the history behind some of the landmarks in the area (like the cave man ride at the beach boardwalk and the infamous cat statues in Los Gatos). I just started reading it, but I've already been transported to my childhood, where I also experienced those same landmarks (and have similar fond memories like the author!) I'll let you know how it goes...and I'm sure I'll share the random information I learn with you all :)

Winter visit

I started off my weekend early on Friday by taking the day off and heading up to my parents house for a fun winter visit! Paul came home late Thursday night (a Valentine's treat!) and we packed up and left for a lunch date at my dad's house. Friday night we spent at my mom's drinking beers with some of my rafting friends and laughing WAY too much. Saturday we headed up to Yosemite for a friend's photography exhibit and some picture taking at the Awanhee hotel (if you've never been before, it's a MUST. Especially right now with all of the snow!) Sunday morning we were lazy...my mom made a yummy french toast breakfast and we walked around the meadow and watched Reggie swim in all of the fresh ponds that have formed from the recent rain. It was a beautiful weekend, and I was sad to say goodbye!
The Awhanee covered in snow

Paul and I

Mom and Kev
Half Dome

Happy Valentines Day!

Some treats I made for my Valentines Day dinner with the girls tomorrow...
Paul will be home late tomorrow night. Whoohoo!

The lineup is IN!

Yeah, Bonnaroo 2008! Jenny and I have renewed our vow to attend at least 1 more Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee - check out this lineup, why would you NOT want to go? (p.s. tickets go on sale Sunday, Feb. 16th at 9am PST...the show is June 12-15) Let me know if you wanna go!!

My first blog from Bonnaroo 2005: http://whereisshannon.blogspot.com/2005/06/bonnaroo-bay-bee.html

* Pearl Jam
* Metallica
* Jack Johnson
* Kanye West
* Robert Plant and Alison Krauss featuring T Bone Burnett
* Phil Lesh & Friends
* My Morning Jacket
* The Allman Brothers Band
* The Raconteurs
* Willie Nelson
* Death Cab for Cutie
* B.B. King
* Sigur Ros
* Levon Helm and the Ramble on the Road
* Ben Folds
* O.A.R.
* The Bluegrass Allstars
* M.I.A.
* Umphrey's McGee
* Iron & Wine
* Yonder Mountain String Band
* The Swell Season
* Talib Kweli
* Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival
* Gogol Bordello
* Broken Social Scene
* Robert Randolph's Revival
* Rilo Kiley
* Mastodon
* Lupe Fiasco
* Against Me!
* Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
* Pat Green
* Ozomatli
* Tegan & Sara
* Solomon Burke
* Drive-By Truckers
* !!!
* The Avett Brothers
* Israel Vibration
* Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck
* Larry Campbell, Jackie Greene, Phil Lesh & Teresa Williams
* Aimee Mann
* Ladytron
* The Fiery Furnaces
* Orchestra Baobab
* Ghostland Observatory
* Jose Gonzalez
* Dark Star Orchestra
* Minus the Bear
* Donavon Frankenreiter
* Lez Zeppelin
* State Radio
* Battles
* Jakob Dylan
* Two Gallants
* The Sword
* Vampire Weekend
* Little Feat
* Nicole Atkins
* The Felice Brothers
* Mason Jennings
* MGMT
* The Lee Boys
* Black Kids
* Serena Ryder
* Steel Train
* Grupo Fantasma
* Back Door Slam

Thinking positively

Super Tuesday was just 2 days ago, but I have only begun to process the primary election results. The fact that this is one of the busiest weeks at my work has made me less involved in the election coverage. Anyway, I'm sad and surprised that Obama didn't take California - what happened? It was a fairly close race, and he did well in other states, but he didn't clinch California like I thought he would. He's still my #1 candidate, a choice I would actually make (not by default, which is usually how our candidates end up winning the presidency). I hope that you all voted on Tuesday - if not, you should be ashamed! And if you happen to live in a state that hasn't voted yet, vote for Obama! Si Si puede!!

Crafty Sunday

It's Super bowl Sunday, and Jenny and I have decided to do some crafts while watching the game (well, we're not really watching the game...it's really just background noise). Anyway I made some cute napkins for an upcoming Valentines Day party I'm hosting, and Jenny worked on some fun earrings and an earring holder. What a very productive day!

Forgot the bib

Cadence came over last night for some hangin' out time with me, while Marie and Dallas went out on the town. When it was time for her to eat, I couldn't find her bib. She took full advantage of getting as dirty as possible without mommy or daddy around...whoops!