a nice saunter down internet lane

In other words, too lazy to finish my work notes or get up and finish stuff done around the house!!

Sometimes I really shouldn't visit people's blogs. I don't mean any offense. Many blogs don't really show the whole picture, just the exciting or relevant parts. There's just too much comparison, greener grass on the other side. If they were more accurate portrayals there would would be more type-os and a realistic ratio of awkward pictures. Fortunately we don't have any of those in our family. (haha) But right now I feel happy to have spent the last hour on facebook and visiting some people's blogs. Some people I DON'T EVEN KNOW. Gasp!

Let me give you a slice of what I found:

I found food

Chocolate orange cheesecake

melting... watering mouth... eat

If scrumptulescent were ever not a real word I wouldn't care, I'd still use it!!!

I also found other treasures on Lizzy House's blog like her new line of fabric, castle peeps.

Serious Pie (seattle restaurant I've never been to) which actually made me excited for pizza fresh out of my brother christian's brick oven that he built this summer and I still have not been able to try!! I can't WAIT!

I found a recipe for mexican hot chocolate on this AMAZING blog that is a new favorite. Maybe we can enjoy this alongside the woodfire pizza and chocolate orange cheesecake when we're at home in a few days.

I found one of my dear missionary companions, Lorena Acevez. This was taken during the missionary days in Utah:



So many memories came flooding back. btw she's not that short. Just kind of short. Truly one of the funnest people you could possibly meet in your lifetime.

There were other fun things too. And some less exciting things.

Now i return to the real world. A nicely tailored slice from Thanksgiving day:

Gratitude

Last night, I came home from girls night to find our beloved new megalithic letter press in place on its stand and ready to be used! Evan already had a chance to clean off a few pieces of type from the boxes and boxes we've been given, and he made a copy of this for everyone who helped us move the 450 pound beast. It took a lot of time patience and ingenuity. He made brownies and poured sparkling cider to celebrate.


11x14 wood and metal type print on 100lb Mohawk Superfine off white paper

Evan also printed one especially for Victoria Simpson, byu-idaho book arts faculty and fairy godmother, who met us in our wildest dreams and GAVE the letter press to us.

So speaking of gratitude...

Evan and I were asked to share our thoughts on gratitude in church this coming Sunday. Evan's assignment is to speak about "gratitude to God" and mine is "gratitude to others". I should probably be more grateful than I am to speak in front of everyone.

I noticed that two of my cousins are doing a gratitude log for the month of November. I completely believe that gratitude is a muscle, and that gratitude is like a catalyst for joy, so I'm sure by the end of the month Stacey and Misty will be some the happiest people in existence. (and don't they say that if you do something for 21 days straight it becomes a habit/second nature?) Acknowledging a blessing is maybe the first step in it BEING a blessing to you.

Evan and I have been really trying to show more gratitude because the greatest influence genuine gratitude can have is probably in the home, among the people we interact with the most, are closest to, are irritated by the most, and ultimately love the most.

If anyone has a quote, scripture, or thought or reference of some kind on gratitude, I'd love to hear it! I'm going to need some help. I'd be ever so grateful :)

Daddy-daughter weekend

Nina and I hopped on a plane to head out to Tacoma to be with my family for the weekend of my Grandmother funeral. Nina was a real trooper on the drive from Rexburg to Boise (about 4–5 hours) and the hour and 15 minute flight.

Here is a little video of Nina doing a little expert-traveler-beek-a-boo action.

Peek-a-boo on a Jet Plane from Evan and Lindsay MacDonald on Vimeo.

On the ride home from the airport, she fell asleep while sucking on her bottle (it was a long day). I snapped this photo on my handy little cellular device.


We really miss Lindsay! Nina is doing okay tho since there is enough activity to keep her sidetracked. More to come from this trip, I'm sure!

Cheers!

While Mommy was away

Nina and Daddy Singing on Vimeo.

Nina got a little fussy so I grabbed the guitar. She started singing along instantly! So I grabbed my new camera phone thingy and caught a little of it on tape.

Nina Laughed!

Nina's First Laugh from Lindsay MacDonald on Vimeo.

We happened to catch the tail end of her adorable laughing session. I keep trying to get her to play peek-a-boo. This time she totally got into it! More to come, I am sure.

Hunting Trees

Emily and Joe Davis and I went out to look for Christmas trees the yesterday. It was a quite the adventure. I think the journey was greater than the destination. Hopefully the start of a new tradition, except the whole Nina and Lindsay staying home part (frowns).

This was taken near Island Park, Idaho. I'll add some more video when we trim the tree. Merry Christmas!!

New photos of the nameless wonder (and lindsay)

Webisode 2, Nesting

So I have definitely been in a movie making mood. Enjoy.