variegatedcollective

Retirement

2011-06-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hmm, should we officially retire this blog?

There seems to not be much activity anymore...

But there definitely seems to be activity in the

weather for the next 10 days...RAIN!

Spring (I WISH!)

2011-03-22T19:10:00.001-07:00

I wish I could claim that these were from my yard, but alas, a friend from work so kindly brought them over. They are the only "spring" I have so far considering everything else is at this stage...

I sooo miss the South....

2011-03-03T07:46:00.000-08:00

Hillsong

First Wednesdays at Church of the Highlands are always worship nights. There was a rumor that Darlene from Hillsong would be leading worship, so you can imagine our delight when the Hillsong band showed up for two hours of praise and worship last night! They are playing in Atlanta Monday, so it's pretty awesome that they were able to swoop down to little old Birmingham, AL and treat us...

First Underground Masterplan

2011-02-23T04:24:00.001-08:00

Someone awesome told me about this, and I wanted to share the news...

Apparently Helsinki, the recently announced World Design Capital for 2012, is to have the world's first underground city plan. The majority of the Finnish capital's centre can already be accessed through various underground links, and there are already a surprising amount of existing venues and utilities. These include central bus stations, which are located below street level and high-energy consuming data centers. Apparently the city has already over 9 million square meters of underground spaces!
With, as it seems, more to come....

Click here for link to video on masterplan.

2011-02-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

New In Town

A Restaurant called "Mix." Sleek white interiors, a huge selection of breads and pastries, it's quickly becoming a favorite in Birmingham...

Cursive writing anyone?

2011-02-07T20:11:00.001-08:00

Inspired

2011-02-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Initiated by Andrew and Lydia Thomson, a creative small group has turned into a free-for-all Bham gathering that is now hosted at SC headquarters. We meet about once every other month on a Thursday and share anything we get inspired about: Inspiration Thursday. The people that come now have no idea it was originally a COH small group. And that's what I like about it...

Good crowd:

United Pursuit

2011-01-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

Today I stumbled upon this wonderful music from Knoxville Tennessee.

I wanted to share this video...

from their website:

"A musical collective bound together by friendship, united in vision, and a life lived together in community. United Pursuit defies today’s worship genre norms, always reaching for more . Their sound is diverse as their members, ranging from soaring worship anthems to powerful ballads, mixed in with folk influences and even a bit of gospel soul. What started as a dream, now has found its expression in a destiny-driven group of friends spanning this nation. Nathan Fray states their purpose clearly: “Our mission is to create a culture of worship and of hosting God’s presence, all centered around community living. It’s in this place of God’s life-giving presence that our songs are born and we pray will stir the heart of a generation to love Jesus and pursue Him with everything. This is our united pursuit.”

2011-01-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago Scott was “casually” looking through the MLS listings when he stumbled upon a new house on the market. The home is one minute away from where we are renting now, and right next door to our good friends BJ and Emily. It was late (after 10pm), but we were anxious to see it in person. So, we went for a little drive. As we turned the corner and leaned forward in our seats our mouths dropped and brows rose. We were wide-eyed and grinning at first sight. Scott said, “wanna see if we can look at it tomorrow?” And, we did. The inside was just as pleasing as we hoped. It made our architectural hearts sing. The layout, scale, proportions, and quality of the spaces were excellent! We were sold.

Introducing The Smith’s first home…

Isn't it lovely?

2011-01-21T06:03:00.000-08:00

Fire

A couple weeks ago a building caught fire downtown. It was the Powell School and the first and oldest school still in existence in downtown Birmingham. Thankfully it was vacant at the time (except for the vagrants that reportedly began the blaze). It was brutal. We are still waiting to hear if they will tear it down or if some generous soul will step forward to help us rebuild it. Sunday I went to take daytime photos. Two favorites:

More photos here.

2011-01-18T10:08:00.001-08:00

A peek into the sketchbook of Michelle

Theme - Things Found on Restaurant Napkins

For the first month or two, every idea I attempted turned out in ruins. So, over a couple of weeks time, I had friends doodle on random napkins, took their doodles, glued them into my sketchbook, and went from there! Here's a preview of a few pages.

Note: I did not finish every page, and many times I finished a page I ended up not using the napkin at all, and several pages were left unfinished, but I mailed it anyway! You are seeing the pages I considered "finished." :) Also note, some of my inspiration came from you guys!

www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject

2011-01-13T07:16:00.000-08:00

A recent viewing of The Book of Eli made me think of this photo I took a couple weeks ago when were taking a drive around Birmingham:

An old abandoned warehouse and smokestacks, Ensley, AL

yellow siding + wood floors

2011-01-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

It's funny when you know a place by the person who lives there.

It's like their thoughts and dreams and passions are suspended in the air like dust hanging in the sunlight. I wonder if you were to rest in their home long enough and breathe in that full air, would all those little beautiful things that make them them become a part of you, as well?

I present to you my dear friend, miss allison tyler.

I think so

IN SEARCH OF EUSTACE

2011-01-11T21:22:00.000-08:00

At 2:07am on the 9th of October 1992 my life changed forever. My daughter Rachael was born...

Rachael is her own person. She has her faith and beliefs. She has an understanding of others and she has her passions and points of view (and don't I know it). She smiles when she wants and cries likewise. Her naivety and innocence inspires me and her humility assures me of perhaps something as parents we got right.

Here she is photographed by her father...

ali introduced me to this article :)

http://theanthropologist.net/#/DavidEustace/InSearchOfEustace/Portraits

2011-01-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

Tags Around Town:

2011-01-06T07:13:00.000-08:00

Check this out--new website!!

www.chapmansisson.com

NYE nashville

2011-01-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

happy new year!

got to listen to this gal in nashville new years eve!

2010-12-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

Snowflake-d Horse

White Christmas

2010-12-28T20:57:00.001-08:00

White Christmas in the south! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Michelle, I love the snowman :)

SNOW!

2010-12-27T07:04:00.000-08:00

The first white Christmas of my entire life!

2010-12-24T07:47:00.000-08:00

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd the flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace."

Micah 5:2-5

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9:6,7

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

Luke 1:30-33

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Wishing you much Love, Peace, and Happiness that the true meaning of Christmas brings!

2010-12-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

winter inspiration

2010-12-19T15:56:00.000-08:00

thank you anthropologie. please check this out. beautiful.

http://theanthropologist.net/#/Urnatur/BackToBasics/Pictures

A Cup of Tea

2010-12-14T11:24:00.001-08:00

Sorry, guys, I've been out of commission for a couple weeks, studying for yet another test. But this kept me alive:

Love the packaging, isn't it fun?! And no caffeine...Buy it here.

Sketchbook Project...

2010-12-13T20:56:00.000-08:00

How are y'all's sketchbooks coming along for the Sketchbook Project? Mine still has many blanks pages left to fill. The tour says our sketchbooks will be in Atlanta on April 8-9. We might have to take a trip to see them!!

Home Sweet Home

2010-12-07T18:46:00.000-08:00

This was our first big snow fall!

(and supposedly the white stuff won't go away until April!!)

troubles...

2010-11-30T21:46:00.000-08:00

does anyone have as much trouble as I do with uploading photos and positioning them in a new blog post? I've been trying to position my thanksgiving photos the past hour and can't get them the way I want them! agh!

thanksgiving, finally :)

2010-11-30T21:18:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving location: grandma's and grandpa's house

football throwin', hula-hooping, delicious food,

aunts and uncles, grandparents and parents

cousins and siblings, lots of laughter, picture-taking

front porch sittin', and much thanks felt.

I can say this--my sis and I mastered the art of hula-hooping this thanksgiving!

tryptophan haze

2010-11-30T13:42:00.001-08:00

a real fine thanksgiving!

My Thanksgiving

2010-11-30T08:30:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for...

-

-

pretty rainbow unicorns!
They make me laugh :)

2010-11-29T11:31:00.000-08:00

Pic(k) of the (Thanksgiving) Week:

www.375squarefeet.tumblr.com

day-before-Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T11:38:00.000-08:00

I think...

we should all post

at least one photo

of our Thanksgiving festivities!

So, the days following Thanksgiving,

post and share what you did

with your family/friends. :)

2010-11-23T06:56:00.001-08:00

Pic(k) of the Week:

What better way to spend a Saturday morning than at an enormous flea market?

Longer post arriving on my blog soon...

A Touch of Inspiration

2010-11-22T11:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HqcjgJCDuw

The Baker

2010-11-19T15:20:00.000-08:00

I present to you...

The beautiful and talented Miss Lori Fine.

I just wanted to let ya'll know...

2010-11-18T09:30:00.001-08:00

I'm doing it!

2010-11-16T06:53:00.001-08:00

Pic(k) of the Week:

What is this strangely decorated place you ask? It's Gip's Place...a legendary blues joint in the middle of nowhere Bessemer. It's literally a shack in this older gentleman's backyard and they have shows about twice a month. From the outside it looks like a broken down dairy shed with a faint glow coming from through the plastic-ed openings. Open the door and you are greeted with the picture above and lively tunes from the make-shift stage. It's byob and the mix of people is quite...eclectic. It feels like you just stepped into another world. It was so magical, when I woke up the next morning I thought it had all been a dream...

2010-11-14T15:48:00.000-08:00

Heima.

Lori + I woke up to the shades of orange and red and the beautiful sounds of Sigur Ros...

Truly, this is the best way to spend a Sunday morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuftN2ViiN4

2010-11-12T12:44:00.000-08:00

Sun Up, Coffee Back.

We had a miniature meeting of VC at Urban Standard today. Lori, Jennifer, and I met for a lovely little breakfast this morning. The sun was casting long shadows across our tables and coffee cups...

Nothing says Lori Fine like a little mint green nail polish...love it Lor!

2010-11-10T14:55:00.000-08:00

Okay so, there's a website I've just begun to explore: http://www.save-on-crafts.com/. It has creative, inexpensive crafts to buy, but also a great place to get decorating ideas--especially crafts you can use for different seasons/events!

On the other hand, ever heard of Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller? Well...currently a movie is in the making for this book! http://www.bluelikejazzthemovie.com/. Occasionally there is a call for "extras." One of the things on my list to "do before I die" is to be an extra in a movie. So if there is any interest in taking a trip to Nashville at the last minute when there is a call for extras, then you are welcome to join me because this is a cool movie to be an extra in! :) They just had a call for extras on 11-7-10...which I missed. Hopefully there will be more opportunities soon! :)

2010-11-08T10:38:00.000-08:00

Tree on Fire.

{a salute to the end of fall in Alabama...}

Name that city - Part 1

2010-11-04T20:20:00.001-07:00

Come on fellow architects, designers, and travelers...

Can you...name that city?

2010-11-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yay! I'm part of the Sketchbook Project too!

My theme is "In Five Minutes..."

180 degrees south

2010-11-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

BE INSPIRED.

i was.

p.s. sorry for the back-to-back posts... i got excited.

check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWBz_pxYC0A

2010-11-01T18:54:00.001-07:00

SIMPLIFIED truths.
art as science

credit: alabamachanin.com

Car Show.

2010-11-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

The Forest Park/South Avondale Merchants and Neighborhoods all hosted a car show at Avondale Park on Saturday...now when I think "car show," I think muscle cars and a bunch of guys in Top Gun get-up with stereos up all competing for the coolest radio mix award. Thankfully, my expectations were sorely out of proportion. These were all mostly grandfatherly-age men showing off their impeccably restored

antique vehicles. And they were

beautiful:

The Cup

2010-10-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

Michelle, your post reminded me of this video I saw a few weeks ago. Kat Tucker, a potter here in Birmingham, made a video for a Hillsong Conference this past year. It's really good.
Watch it here.

fall is in the air!

2010-10-29T09:50:00.000-07:00

I took this photo week 1 of my married life, and guess what, I'm still writing thank you letters! But I'm not complaining; how could I in this beautiful setting? And of course the reason I'm still writing is because everyone was so generous! I am overflowing with thankfulness for my sweet husband, lovely home, supportive family, and thoughtful friends.
Living as a wife with total freedom in my daily activities has been so fun and so hard at the same time. I get so much joy from providing home cooked meals for Scott and seeing his arms go up in the air shouting, "YES - I love having a wife!" But at the same time I have lies whispering in my ear saying, "You are so lazy, worthless. You don't have a job, and you don't have a strong reason for staying at home...." And that ignites pride in me. I just want to get a job solely to gain the pride that comes with it. Not because I feel like the Lord wants me in the architectural field, or not even because I desire to be. It's just for the pride.

And so, the Lord is telling me to be patient and be still. Find calmness and peace in Him. Enjoy and soak up this time. He has a plan for me.

How about the crisp cool air today!? At least it is here in Montgomery! I love it! Happy Fall :)

Words from Isaiah...

2010-10-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

For when You did awesome things that we did not expect,

You came down, and the mountains trembled before You.

Since ancient times no one has heard,

no ear has perceived,

no eye has seen any God besides You,

who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

You come to the help of those who gladly do right,

who remember Your ways.

But when we continued to sin against them,

You were angry.

How then can we be saved?

All of us have become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;

we all shrivel up like a leaf,

and like the wind our sins sweep us away.

Yet, O LORD, You are our Father.

We are the clay, You are the potter;

we are all the work of Your hand.

Do not be angry beyond measure, O LORD;

do not remember our sins forever.

Oh look upon us, we pray,

for we are all your people.

After all this, O LORD, will you hold yourself back?

Will you keep silent and punish us beyond measure?

(bits and pieces of Isaiah 64)

"Before they call I will answer;

while they are still speaking I will hear."

(Isaiah 65:24)

paint the streets

2010-10-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

Neat project in Cincinnati [See video and website]

lake guntersville

2010-10-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

Finally downloaded some images tonight to share....

Casey & Scott, I'd say y'all chose a pretty spectacular venue!

We May Be Brethren, But Someone Has To Survive To Kick Bama's Butt

2010-10-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

My pic(k) of the week:

Great game Auburn.

C.S. Lewis

2010-10-24T20:18:00.000-07:00

I came upon this quote tonight, and felt it needed a little sharing.
And Lori, awesome cookies ;)

If there lurks in most modern minds the notion that to desire our own good and earnestly to hope for the enjoyment of it is a bad thing, I submit that this notion has crept in from Kant and the Stoics and is no part of the Christian faith. Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.

C.S. LEWIS

{caleb chancey photography}

these days...

2010-10-23T19:39:00.001-07:00

what i've been up to these days....

photography of place

2010-10-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back on the blog. It's been a while since I've signed in, but I think I'm here to stay this time; that is, if you'll accept me :)

To all:

I was checking out Caleb Chancey's fabulous website this morning (always good if you're in need of a little inspiration). As I'm attempting to absorb a piece of his creative genius, I roll across an image of the place where I happen to be taking guitar lessons. The shop scrolls onto my screen and the suspender-wearing, concentrina making owner, Bob Tedrow, is featured to the left of the page holding one of his prized instruments. Immediately, I was intreged.

Homewood holds claim to an unrefined yet whimsical muscial instrument company self-entitled none other than the Homewood Musical Instrument Company. Unlike your ordinary music store, this corner shop unpholds the hard to come by tradition of designing and making instuments, where one side of the store is reserved soley for the workshop. It's a pockek of Birmingham that I'm proud to be a part of; however small my part may be ;)

http://www.calebchanceyphotography.com/

2010-10-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

"Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish,
but it will not replace you as the driver."

-Ayn Rand

{I've Moved}

2010-10-18T17:10:00.000-07:00

I am now living in 375 square feet.

{And I love it.}

a peek into our honeymoon adventure

2010-10-14T13:53:00.000-07:00

guess what that is I'm holding up!?

hint: this adventure was an item on my "bucket list"

apples, apple trees, and life...

2010-10-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

read about the backyard apple tree that was empty for 11 years @ lorifine.tumblr.com

The Power of the VC

2010-10-11T11:55:00.000-07:00

So, Michelle, being the wonderful friend that she is, came down to Birmingham to help me move this weekend and welcome me into life out of the parents' house. It was so fun to see her again and we got to do Break'n'Bread...an event hosted at Pepper Place downtown in which all the Birmingham Insider Bars and Restaurants presented choicey samples and good brews for our enjoyment. There was some live motown music and a great turnout. Who thought it would still be 90 degrees on 10-10-10? Thanks Michelle for such a memorable weekend!

Mrs. Smith

2010-10-05T11:51:00.001-07:00

Do something

2010-09-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

I've been keeping up with another blog too--http://www.baldguyonabike.blogspot.com/. This is one of Twickenham's (the church I am a part of) minister's blog. He is taking a 3-month sabbatical after serving 18 years in ministry, and he is riding his bike across the southern part of the country--starting in California, all the way east to Florida...well, he is in Louisiana now. BUT, the point I am making is, he very commonly ends his blog posts with, "get out there and do something!" So, today I thought to myself, "why not? what is something I've always wanted to do, but never have because I convinced myself that it 'just wasn't for me.' "

SO, I signed up to run in a 5k today! It's the Liz Hurley run here in Huntsville on Oct. 16 to raise money for breast cancer. A whole team of folks from church are running in it together--young and old. I figure I can do it to. AND the cool part is, we are all running in support of a lady at church--Cristina. She was diagnosed with stage 5 breast cancer a month ago and started chemo immediately. She is a wife and mother of 5 young kids, one who is still in diapers. Over 80 people so far have signed up from church to run in this race to support her. I'm super excited to be a part of something like this, even if I have to walk the majority of the race. It's great to be a part of something bigger than just yourself.

So, I'll leave it at that. Get out there and do something you have always wanted to do, because you can do it! And when you do get out there and challenge yourself, you not only inspire yourself, but inspire others to do the same. In the words of Lincoln (the bald guy on a bike), "did I mention, to get out there and do something?"

carl sandburg

2010-09-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

Carl Sandburg is the poet responsible for calling Chicago "The city of broad shoulders"

Above is the house where rented a room while he wrote the poem Chicago. (which was actually 4 houses north on my street this summer!) Did anyone else read The Jungle in Highschool? This poem reminds me of that, a little less graphically though...

CHICAGO

HOG Butcher for the World,
Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat,
Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler;
Stormy, husky, brawling,
City of the Big Shoulders:
They tell me you are wicked and I believe them, for I
have seen your painted women under the gas lamps
luring the farm boys.
And they tell me you are crooked and I answer: Yes, it
is true I have seen the gunman kill and go free to
kill again.
And they tell me you are brutal and my reply is: On the
faces of women and children I have seen the marks
of wanton hunger.
And having answered so I turn once more to those who
sneer at this my city, and I give them back the sneer
and say to them:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing
so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning.
Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on
job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the
little soft cities;
Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning
as a savage pitted against the wilderness,
Bareheaded,
Shoveling,
Wrecking,
Planning,
Building, breaking, rebuilding,
Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with
white teeth,
Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young
man laughs,
Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has
never lost a battle,
Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse.
and under his ribs the heart of the people,
Laughing!
Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of
Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog
Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with
Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.

Last sunday, there was a fog swirling around Church of the Highlands and I remembered this poem he wrote about fog:

FOG
THE fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.

This one is a bit masculine, but it's an interesting industrial (steam punk? if you can call it that...) prayer...

PRAYERS OF STEEL

Lay me on an anvil, O God.
Beat me and hammer me into a crowbar.
Let me pry loose old walls.
Let me lift and loosen old foundations.

Lay me on an anvil, O God.
Beat me and hammer me into a steel spike.
Drive me into the girders that hold a skyscraper together.
Take red-hot rivets and fasten me into the central girders.
Let me be the great nail holding a skyscraper through blue nights into white stars.

And this last one is really beautiful and perfect for this season:

UNDER THE HARVEST MOON
UNDER the harvest moon,
When the soft silver
Drips shimmering
Over the garden nights,
Death, the gray mocker,
Comes and whispers to you
As a beautiful friend
Who remembers.
Under the summer roses
When the flagrant crimson
Lurks in the dusk
Of the wild red leaves,
Love, with little hands,
Comes and touches you
With a thousand memories,
And asks you
Beautiful, unanswerable questions.

My Summer Wraps Up Here.

2010-09-27T16:10:00.000-07:00

I knew that September would be a month of patiently waiting...with Katie leaving for Spain on the 26th, Casey's wedding on the 2nd, and me moving on the 9th, it was inevitable that September would practically drag by. And so, here we are. Katie left yesterday and it's literally a countdown of single digit days before Casey becomes a wedded woman. Even the air felt different today. Fall is knocking at the door and we are wrapping up some huge life events. So here is Katie's final goodbye (and Mark's appropriate going away tee):

But my pic for the week is of one of the most exciting things in Birmingham, the grand opening of the Railroad Park! 3 city blocks of foliage, walking trails, and water right in the heart of downtown Birmingham. It's something that city planners and Bham visionaries have been waiting for for a very, very long time. And it's finally here...to stay...and it will prove to be one of the biggest catalysts in the redevelopment of downtown perhaps ever. I can't wait to see this story unfold...

Woohoo! Brighter times lay ahead...

My Favorite Building

2010-09-17T14:27:00.001-07:00

north hermitage summer reading list

2010-09-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Can I just say how sad I was leaving my sublease? It was this slightly suburban, urban oasis. I have a hard time calling it urban because clearly it isn’t like most neighborhoods in Chicago or other urban areas. Lush and green, lots of houses, tree lined streets and the occasional apartment building. Everything I needed was walking distance, biking distance, easy to catch a bus or train anywhere. I felt it was like living in a place where nothing was too terribly far away, but far enough that nights were quiet, cicadas chirped in the trees, and I could see the stars at night. I was grateful the place I leased was fully furnished and came with affordable internet and no tv.

So while I lived farther north in Chicago, the guy I was subleasing from had a pretty awesome wall of books. Most of which I had heard of but never was determined to buy and read on my own. What luck huh? I didn’t have to spend a fortune or fight my way through a library to read some of Michael Chabon's books, books on Chicago and several books on lifestyles…everything from vegetarianisms to how-to-live like an Orthodox Judaism strictly following the torah and unwritten Hebrew laws.

Before I moved at the end of August I finished reading Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael Chabon. I was instantly drawn to the cover of this book, but I had no idea what the premise or content was. So in a few lines, this book is about a guy fooling around all summer after he graduates from college, unsure how to proceed (relevant I guess?). So he works at a bookstore to stay busy, but clearly not busy enough because he is constantly internally conflicted with wanting to keep his past and present separate. His families humble beginnings and the world of prep schools and trust funds are all around him. Maybe this book should be called “The Great Gatsby” of Pittsburgh young adults.

Earlier in the summer I read Michael Chabon's Pulitzer prize winner, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay which was-- in fact--awesome! If you like amazing escapes, illusionist, killing Nazi/WWII heroes, New York City wonders of the 1930s-40s, Cinderella stories, and comic books… you will LOVE this book. I couldn’t put it down during my train commute every day. I don’t want to ruin the plot, so read it and find out why it’s called the Amazing Adventures.

So I decided mid summer it would be fun to read an embellished account of Chicago’s World’s Fair. The Devil in the White City sounds a little intimidating for conservative readers, but is basically the story of the world’s fair with the famous architects like Olmstead, Burnham and their contemporaries planning the spectacular event and the second story of the notorious serial killer H.H. Holmes who for several years ran a hotel near the fair where he could gleam from his guest to seduce/ kill/ dissect and then sell to medical colleges. It was not terribly graphic which was good, just eerie that these stories are all really from the past, and happened not terribly far from the sites I worked at down in South Chicago!

Ok, so the next interesting book I read was Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs. Interestingly enough, this man who grew up Jewish writes this sort of as a joke, but I think he missed the mark. I read the entire book, laughing at his clever banter as he felt in costume wearing the prescribed Hebrew garb dictated in Leviticus, eating only what is prescribed, following rules about pigeon sacrifice, clean and unclean, and general ten commandment laws. It was discipline for disciplines sake. What did AJ Jacobs learn after a year? That it was good idea not to lie so much, take care of his neighbors, he got used to being the curious looking middle easterner with the large beard on the train. He made a effort to pray every day. There was no true “seeking God.” It’s just a lot of religious rules he decides to follow. Clever and witty, but slightly irreverent.

And on of the last books I read from the shelf at Apt 3W on North Hermitage was Eating Animals by Jonathon Safron Foer (aka how to convince everyone that being a omnivore means you are heartless & uneducated.) Whatever helps you sleep at night j.s.foer...i will still eat my pork chicken and beef and feel no shame. It was part documentation of current meat farming practices in the US and part vegetarian propaganda. Let me just say I’m pretty familiar with the farming practices of our world. I eat far less meat as a 24 year old, it would be easy for me to be a vegetarian. But I can’t begin to understand the idea that fish and animals should be considered creatures of value on the same level as humans. That idea is a cultural crisis in the making. A natural hierarchy disrupted makes for disaster….for example the grizzly man… remember him???? A clear case of disrupted natural hierarchy. His disillusion the natural order and making himself prey to bears by thinking they have they same sense of morality, cognition, and culture is beyond me. I agree we have the responsibility to the world as the “caretakers” but beyond that, I will never be convinced a pig, chicken, or cow is on my level of value.

So that was my summer reading list. Books of culture and fiction. Try them out!

Lessons...

2010-09-14T19:48:00.001-07:00

Some lessons I have recently learned (and thought I'd pass along a bit of wisdom to you all, hoping that you can relate, or that you won't learn the hard way like I have in some cases, or maybe if you have some input or something to add). Enjoy!

1. Whenever you try to convince yourself that something is a good idea, that means it's not (because if it was, then you wouldn't have to sit there trying to convince yourself.)

2. Honesty is ALWAYS best, even if it hurts someone's feelings.

3. Sin can be forgiven and erased, but remember that there is also a lesson to be learned to go along with it (and the lesson isn't always pain-free).

4. Best friends should never be taken for granted. Always remember to be thankful for them.

5. God is not meant to be understood or defined. The moment you think you have Him figured out, is the moment you realize how big and great He is and how little you really know. That is why He asks us to have Faith (sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see).

6. My mom is very wise, much wiser about things than I am.

7. Proverbs 2: "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding...For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." We must be active about our Faith in order to grow, change, and learn.

On another note, thought I'd share a random photo of the cat I live with. This is Sophie; she's my roommate's cat. She is very spastic and energetic! Always is getting into something she shouldn't be getting into (like my plants). She loves to chew on hair-bands, so I have to keep all mine hidden. But she is also very cute and lovable! :)

Hope Floats

2010-09-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

A Little Update

2010-09-12T15:02:00.000-07:00

This weekend John and I went camping with our good friends Stacey and Dan in the Poconos. We had a really pleasant time. Good friends that you can just chill and talk with are so replenishing for the soul. (thanks dan and stace!)

Another thing to update you all on is my new job. I have been there for three weeks now and I am still enjoying it. My work load has definitely picked up since our office is swamped with little projects, but I am thankful for it. The pace makes the days go by quickly and often eventfully. I like the people I work with and the office we inhabit. But despite how happy I am with my situation right now, I am still pondering where exactly I want to be in twenty years. I am realizing that my decisions (or lack of decisions) are really going to sway where the rest of my life is headed. I think this is a common concern of people my age (or at least I tell myself that), but none the less it is still swimming in my head often.

Well, I think you all have had enough of text, so on to photos!

We have a lot of farm stands around our house and I think they are just so cute, so I took some pictures of them...

I hope you have a good week!

2010-09-10T10:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Designers,

I have found the most incredible piece of kitchen equipment that fits so well with a villa renovations and works nicely with your warehouse-turned-condo.

Fact. Ok, so maybe it's an exaggeration, but yesterday I spent an evening at a cooking demo (thanks terran for the invite!) and experienced the wonders of modern german cabinets and kitchen furniture.

Above is B3 from bulthaup. I know some of y'all are specing kitchen cabinets these days and I want you to consider this beautiful cabinet!

Also, have y'all ever seen the "unhappy hipsters" website? The duo leading the cooking demo at the showroom was this couple, first featured in dwell, and then snatched up by these snarky bloggers for a little tongue in cheek humor.... oh how I love it when interwebs and reality collide.... :)

Happy Friday Y'all!

Over the River and Through the Woods

2010-09-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo sorry I have been absent from the blog for soooo long! Life has been crazy (in a good way.) Since it has been so long I have some catching up to do.....

In mid-August, I flew out to Arkansas to clean out my grandmother's house with my cousin Marissa. We thankfully had some great help from my mom, my other grandmother, my cousin, and my aunt. Cleaning out a 2800 sq. ft. house that has been lived in for thirty years sounds like a really grueling task, and at times it was, but all in all we had more bright and wonderful moments than tough ones....and this is why...

(btw. for all you retro buffs...yes...that is a matching pink 1950's oven and stove, with enameled metal cabinets.)

So, one of the best parts about going through someone's stuff, is going through someone's stuff.

We found gobs of old pictures and documents and books that the family hadn't seen in ages or maybe ever (i.e. my uncle's original German birth certificate from 1949, or my grandmother's British passport with her maiden name.)

And these lovely photographic gems of my grandparents!

I love the double exposure in the one above!

This was one of our favorite pictures of my uncle take right after he became a pilot.

And don't these two look strikingly familiar!! (but wait...this is my Aunt and Uncle!)

We also had some VERY hardy laughs.

We found this golden specimen of 60's culture in the back of the cabinet in the bathroom, thankfully seemingly unused...

no, no, he's not naked (we don't do that here on the Collective), he's just wearing a red speedo.

And here is the Wonder Body in all it's glory...

Yes, it is a rope and some plastic pulleys with stirrups.

A little kinky. A little gross. A little of both.

(I apologize now to which ever family member of mine purchased this and is now embarrassed that it is on the internet.

Just don't tell, and we won't know who you are.)

A side form some interesting items we found we also had some comical experiences. While we were working at the house, we heard a critter at night walking on the rafters. (And no, it was NOT a squirrel because it creaked the rafters when it walked.) So, my mother decided a week after we had been in the house to prevent the animal from entering our room through the crack in the ceiling (that didn't deflect) by taping it in this way....

Motherly protection never fails, at least in ambition.

(sorry mom, but this was truely the apex of our week.)

So after a long week we managed to finally create this...

Everything. except furniture, in boxes, in one room.

Whew.

I really do appreciate everyone that helped out with this project.

(Especially Marissa. I'm glad that I finally, after so many years, have gotten to know you.)

I love you all and it was really, really good to spend some time with y'all.

I am very glad and I feel even fortunate that I was able to clean up my grandparent's house. I don't stand to inherit any of it, I probably won't even see 99% of what's packed away in the room above ever again, I may never even see her house again, and, speaking very honestly, I may never see my grandmother alive again, but in an odd way this provided a since of closure for me. And I'm very thankful for that. I feel like I know my grandparents better now than ever before.

Chattanooga Bound!

2010-09-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

I'm Chattanooga bound at 4pm today! The office I work at is going on a firm retreat to the historic and lively city of Chattanooga. We are going white water rafting on the Ocoee River, watching an a movie on the IMAX theater at the aquarium, taking a water-taxi tour around the riverfront, and eating at some delicious restaurants. This should be exciting! We will be there 2 days and coming back Friday evening.

The best part is--Monday is Labor Day! So a very long weekend is in store for me. Hope you guys have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend as well!

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it...

2010-09-01T11:17:00.000-07:00

I can't hold in the excitement! I just have to share!
Check out the weather forecast for our honeymoon.

And this is the street that our B&B is on. The entry is to to the right of the photo. Oh my goodness, I can't wait!

critical mass

2010-08-29T09:08:00.001-07:00

Critical mass takes over Chicago's streets!

Baking is Like Waging War on Your Kitchen (or a really good football game)

2010-08-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

This one comes with a song!

So, last Saturday, a good friend, Lydia, and I decided to make pies as a sort of end-of-summer-commemorate-fruits-going-out-of-season event! We went all the way...Farmer's Market first thing in the morning for fresh ingredients and then crusts and filling from scratch. It was really hard! I woke up the next morning and my whole body ached...it took all day and every ounce of patience, but the end result was delicious! And we had a ton of fun too...laughter all around...check out the results (tomato basil pie not pictured due to the fact that I mis-timed it's oven exit):

Huntsville Tornado

2010-08-25T10:14:00.001-07:00

Back in January, a tornado passed through Huntsville and went right through downtown, then through an older residential neighborhood. One of my co-workers sent us this photo & video of the tornado over First Baptist Church here in Huntsville. Thought it was pretty intense! It's crazy to think what the weather can do.

sufjan's latest venture

2010-08-21T19:34:00.000-07:00

Since we've been recommending music lately I wanted to share with y'all a link to Sufjan Steven's latest venture:

All Delighted People is built around two different versions of Sufjan’s long-form epic ballad "All Delighted People," a dramatic homage to the Apocalypse, existential ennui, and Paul Simon’s "Sounds of Silence." Sounds delightful, yes! The song was originally workshopped on Sufjan’s previous tour in the fall of 2009. Other songs on the EP include the 17-minute guitar jam-for-single-mothers "Djohariah," and the gothic piano ballad "The Owl and the Tanager," a live-show mainstay (and Debbie Downer if you ask us; what’s it doing on a "Delighted" EP?))

Ok, so the songs I like most right now are Heirloom, Arnika, and All Delighted People (classic rock version).

LISTEN HERE!

Sibling Rotation

2010-08-20T13:01:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, Katie and I made this for Mark's Homecoming (he's been gone for three months):

But then, he left again for Auburn on Tuesday, so I barely got to see him. Then there's Katie...she finally comes home for the summer in July and then she will leave me again in September...for Spain! For 9 months! Ah, I will miss my siblings...

Brooke Fraser's Playlist

2010-08-18T14:51:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across Brooke Fraser's (girl singer for Hillsong & sings solo too) blog a little while ago, and decided to make a Brooke Fraser's playlist on the groove today. I highly recommend it. Here's what she's listening to, or what she was listening to in April...

2010-08-17T18:39:00.000-07:00

a/c is off, windows are OPEN, feels glorious!

Oh Yes

2010-08-17T05:37:00.000-07:00

Our office got broken into again. Thankfully we only lost one computer this time because the other two are chained to the desk. Chained to the desk. I left this note on my computer in hopes that if the 1/4 inch piece of plywood covering what used to be an 8' tall piece of sheet glass fails, that the thief and his bolt cutters would somehow have mercy on me. This morning, we still have two computers. Whew...sometimes life wears me out!

Sanctus Real

2010-08-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

Here's some music from Sanctus Real that I've really been liking

these past few weeks. They are kind of alternative/rock but with

a good message in their lyrics. :) Thought I'd share! Let me

know what your favorite song is. I like all of them..."Lead me"

was written for his (the singer's) wife and kids and their marriage

when they were going through a rocky time. I think it has pretty

powerful lyrics, as well as the other songs.

Welcome to world:

2010-08-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Mona Catherine Case
7lbs 7oz 19in

My sister, Cheryl, had her second child yesterday at 7:30 am. Mona is beautiful! In the photo big brother, Connor, is meeting his new little sister. He seems to be taking it well! I'm so excited to see them interact with one another.

2010-08-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

2010-08-10T20:39:00.000-07:00

picnic on the mound!

Introducing:

2010-08-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

I would like to introduce you to my new [current] family.

{The Nichols}

They have scooped me up with open arms and showered me with the best of hospitality. I am sooo blessed to be able to live with them for these two months before the wedding. I took these photos during a lull in the yard sale we had this past Saturday. So, here ya go - meet the family...

LAMAR

firm in his beliefs : planner/leader/teacher at heart : master of food and cooking

KIM

always a step ahead : patient : lover of games, puzzles, and the beach : all star mom and cook

MEG

on the cusp of being a teenager : crafty : drama queen : learning to do a cartwheel

CODY

famous gardener : full of energy and questions : lover of games and chocolate milk

For Lori

2010-08-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

So, I burned my hand trying to fry some okra from my garden. Apparently the FryDaddy is a fearsome thing. But, even though frying turned out to be a full contact sport, we still managed to have some yummy okra at the dinner table. Farm to table--yeah!

(the lovely redhead is Katie's friend Annie...she was very excited about the okra!)

Job

2010-08-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been a little M.I.A. (or at least it feels like I have.) This past week has been a total whirl wind, a good one, but crazy none the less. Last Friday I interviewed for a part time position at an architecture firm in Ithaca, and I was sitting at a desk working on Tuesday! This part-time gig has turned, at least for now, into pretty much full time hours. So hallelujah! After sending out over 250 resumes, I have a job!! On top of starting the job, John and I were drywalling part of a house for a family in our church and preparing for house guests this weekend! Needless to say I am so, so thankful for all the support John has given me!! I am also very, very thankful for all of the prayers you all have said on our behalf. Our God is good.

Cool Happenings

2010-08-05T14:50:00.000-07:00

Here in the 'Ham, Jenn and I are pretty excited about:

I love the Cappuccinos

2010-08-05T14:45:00.000-07:00

at Urban Standard!

http://www.urbanstandard.net/

Happy Bday to...

2010-08-04T09:40:00.001-07:00

~ J E N N I F E R ! !

Hope it is an amazing birthday, and
hope all your birthday wishes come
true! :) :) :) :) You are beautiful!!!!

About a Girl

2010-08-02T15:25:00.001-07:00

Let me introduce you to Scott Smith...fiance of fellow Variegated Collective member and beloved friend, Casey Smith (she will be Casey Smith-Smith, I guess). This young man has pursued our friend Casey for going on three years now and we couldn't be more excited about their wedding! This weekend was Casey's bachelorette party in Gulf Shores and we wound up getting to spend some quality time with the groom-to-be on our way down. Scott has moved into his and Casey's future home (pictured behind) a

nd is working in Montgomery, where she will join him in October post-the Lake Guntersville wedding festivities. This weekend we thought it would be cool to quiz Scott a little on his knowledge and history on his relationship with Casey...what started as just a fun idea turned into a drizzly afternoon at a neighborhood coffee shop (just around the corner from their house), gathered around gelato and a couple notebooks while we laughed and "awe"ed over Scott's answers to our questions. (Let me interject here that this is only new news to Lori and Anna and our non-member readers...Jennifer, Michelle, and I were the ones eating ice cream) (oh, and Casey was not there for the interview, she was already at the beach wondering why it was taking us so long to get there). Can I just say that this man is all about a girl?? I've never seen a guy light up so much the way Scott does when he talks about Casey. It was so cool going into the bachelorette weekend seeing what we all saw in Scott's eyes and getting to spend the next few days with his bride-to-be. If that isn't the love that God meant to be between a man and wife then what is? This weekend was peppered with those magic moments...exactly what I treasure--what we all treasure--about having Casey in our lives...to Casey & Scott--Cheers!

(Scott on porch above, Casey and Ali above on right, Michelle and Casey pictured on bottom left, Casey and I below that)

news from the site!

2010-08-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

here's an update after week 5 on my chicago blog: LAND of LINCOLN

More Beautiful Skies...

2010-07-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

Michelle your post is the perfect lead to this post I was planning...

Several days ago John and I were sitting on our couch watching the movie Ponyo (which I highly recommend) and we noticed this amazing cloud formation out our window...

After taking lots of pictures of the huge clouds, John suggested I post a week of sunsets on our blog.

I have heard of people taking pictures of themselves and other things to see how they grow, so I was interested in what a week worth of taking sunset pictures in roughly the same spot would teach me.

And gosh I am amazed!! (I think this image above is my absolute favorite!)

I did not expect to see such variety of colors and clouds from one day to the next.

I also find the water to be amazingly different as well.

I am truly in awe of our Creator and the art show that he puts on for us every single day.

Thank you God for the beauty of this planet. And thank you, John, for the week of sunsets idea!

Beautiful skies...

2010-07-29T10:00:00.000-07:00

www.missouriskies.org
This website has amazing shots of the night sky, sunset, rainbows, stars, etc. all in Missouri.

http://www.blachfordlakelodge.com/
This website features a community of lodges in North Canada that sounds so amazing! It's secluded, private, and you can watch the Aurora at night. I'd like to go here one day...except it would be REALLY cold!

Thought I'd share two websites that feature our Creator's beauty as he paints the skies at night!

Yum-Yum Time!!

2010-07-27T17:48:00.000-07:00

Today I went blueberry picking with a sweet family from our church. I am kicking myself that I did not bring the camera with me because it was so beautiful. I wish I could show you, but this description and your imagination will have to do.... The blueberry patch was on the side of a steep hill that over looked a deep valley and several mountains in the Catskills. If that doesn't sound ideal enough, the two or three acres of blueberry bushes were so full that the hill side actually looked purple! (kick, kick!!) I'll try to go back and get some lovely pics (as well as more blueberries!) There were six of us that went today and we managed to pick 53 pounds of blueberries!!! (and yes there were plenty more left on the bushes!) Needless to say the family I went with has a chest freezer and loves blueberries. The place we went was a "u-pick" that hardly had any signage, but gosh it sure was a great find. To pay for the blueberries we had to go to the family's house and they had a scale and a plastic jar on their back porch that you weighed what you picked and paid on the honor system. I love the country!

SC Retreat 2010

2010-07-27T06:29:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, Jason came in to the office and said his mom wanted some design work done on her beach house. Within 15 minutes we planned an epic beach trip for the following weekend. Then, what turned into a leave-early-on-a-Friday weekend trip turned into a ditch-the-office-and let's-go-play-already Wednesday night escape. So, I just spent the last five days on the Gulf! Headquartered at Fort Morgan, with half of our troops stationed in Gulf Shores with family, we managed to have a fabulous time on the gorgeous Alabama coast. See more "retreat" pics here.

Goodbye Home Sweet Home

2010-07-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

This past week I moved out of my favorite place I've ever lived. Sad news, I know. But the good news is, I'm preettty sure the next place I move into is going to trump all ; ) We were able to have a little appetizer of entertaining this weekend, and it got me so excited about what is to come. The house is perfect for having over lots of guests and I anticipate many pot lucks and game/movie nights. Sorry, I don't have any pictures of the new place - yet. They'll come soon! Or maybe you'll just have to come visit to see! ; )

coming soon to the brooklyn art library...

2010-07-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

So, I signed up for the sketchbook project! My sketchbook will be on tour and then will live permanently in Brooklyn. Read more about this awesome project HERE.

I'm starting to plan out the book now. I'll keep you all updated on my progress. I ship it back in January 2011.

***props to carrie for suggesting this to me!!! thanks!!!

e a r t h m o v i n g

2010-07-21T21:28:00.001-07:00

finally, the unions have settled and called off the strike!