Big Buddha - Oct 2010

Brandy, Cameron and I get in the cable car for the trip over and up. 

We had a glass bottom, and that is a fishing boat under us.  We were still pretty low at this point.

It was beautiful as we climbed higher, and got really nice views of the mountains.

The Big Buddha from where we started walking.

This is abut half way up the stair climb, we took pictures to cover up the much needed break!

He is HUGE!

These crazy tree's were everywhere on this mountain, and I thought they were awesome!

The view back provided a beautiful sunset over the mountains!  A great couple of hours for sure!

This is the final decent down...

Winter Fun!

We have really enjoyed our new neighborhood.  Last spring, B and our neighbor started a tradition "Front Porch Saturdays".  We don't make it every week, but we try to get together about once a month to hang out.  It has evolved to Front Porch Fridays and we had 6 families come out in April!  But back in Feb, when it iced, we all got together for sledding and winter fun!  Enjoy the little video I put together.

http://youtu.be/AyM0TkSnJhE

B & I love these girls!  especially the scream at the end!

Hawaii

Better late than never? Here's the problem with going on vacation with the paparazzi - you never get the pictures back.  They take thousands, but they don't share.  So here is the best of the pictures I took (which wasn't many - I assumed they had me covered).

Brian & Brian aka paparazzi

This is captain Scott from Blue Water Rafting.  We would absolutely do this again, and for sure request him.  Really nice, great crew. And they took us to some great spots, and gave great advice for other things to do.

 Blue Water Rafting took us the back side of the Molokini Crater - and it was BEAUTIFUL!

We also swam with giant sea turtles.  We (Brian S and I) went body surfing, but I have none of those pictures.  We also did the Road to Hana, and I have none of those.  And we did the north side of the island, and I have none of those...

 Brian S enjoying a drink at our Luau.

Me and B.

And here's the video Brian S put together of the trip. BUT don't judge me - I didn't know he was filming.  There is a moment that is REALLY awkward - I'm reenacting the guys taking a leak off the cliff.  One on each side of the cliff...

http://youtu.be/ZoagMim-6k0

We will be going back, for sure.

Aloha!

Happy St. Patty's Day!!  (or at least almost)

Brian and I signed up to run the Dash down Greenville 5K today.  I am still not 100% with my foot, and gave my number to a friend to run with it.  Brian finished in 35:18, a minute faster than our Jan 5K. 

There was a record crowd of over 7000 runners today!  The tailgating and street support was HUGE as well!  Shortly after they kick finish the race, they kick off the St. Pat's Parade! 

My favorite surprise while walking around while Brian was running was the stripper pole!  They had it mounted on a stage and I watched a guy dance on it - it could hold his full weight.  I didn't take a picture up close, but if you look it's sticking up right in the middle of that crowd.  I would have really liked to have seen what happened AFTER they started drinking!

Hope you got to enjoy some sunshine today as well!

the green sauce

I firmly believe in 3 condiments: Ranch, Salsa, Queso. Occasionally we do the whole mustard/ketchup things - but given only these 3, I would be perfectly happy.  And now I have found heaven in a plastic cup- the green sauce.

Chuys has taken the step to combine Ranch and jalapenos into the green sauce.  I'm pretty sure, it's just Ranch & Jalapenos in the blender, but it's amazing.  And it taste good on everything we would normally just use plain ranch for.  I just ate a plain Romain salad, but with a little drizzle of green sauce, it was THE BEST SALAD EVER.  And the best part, you don't need much to get the full flavor, so just a little will do - calorie cutter!  Plus, jalapenos are rumored to increase metabolism...

The green sauce can be found at your local Chuy's.  It's free upon request, even for take-out orders!

Best of 2010 - Looking forward to 2011

2010 seemed to be a lot of new. New jobs. New home. New friends. New hobbies. New places.

Top 10 of 2010
1. New Jobs: Brian left public accounting and got a new job. Then he got another new job. This means I actually got to see and spend time with him!
2. New Hobbies: The new job left Brian time and he took up photography. I got back into swimming and braved Yoga with the comfort of a friend teaching it. We both started running again at the end of November, doing a 5K next week.
3. New home: We love this house and plan to be here a really long time.
4. New neighbors are awesome. And we started Front Porch Saturdays with the Nobles, whom we have always enjoyed but now get to see them often.
5. Small group: We met the Hamiltons in 2009, but really got to know them in 2010. We got to spend time with Angela, plus we got to meet & get to know Russ. And we met the Marino’s, who are a lot of fun (but busy).
6. Old friends: We got to see Barbie 3 times this year! I adore the Dayberry’s and Barbie does my heart good.
7. I traveled a lot. Got to see Tommy in NYC and Allison in Chicago. Brian joined me for Chicago, Indianapolis and Hawaii. First time for either of us in Hawaii and we’ll go back, hopefully soon.
8. I got to do a purple Christmas. And I still love my purple art.
9. I got to spend more time with my brother, and he is happy.
10. Ranger U – learned a lot, met new people, and had a blast. Wish I had more time to use the knowledge, but hopefully one day.

Other notable events of 2010:
- House behind us burned down. I exposed myself to a police officer, but I bet he liked it.
- I got an office with a window. Mostly blocked by a tree, but a window still.
- Small group almost finished Romans
- I painted a piece of art I love.
- I bought furniture out of the back of a truck on my street.
- I watched 3 close friends leave their jobs and find places that make them happy.
- The boys made new friends – Henry & Noka – and have enjoyed doggie play time!

God has blessed us greatly in 2010 and we got to watch him work in us and the people around us. We often have reflected in amazement at what he has done around us.

I hope 2010 was good to you as well, and 2011 is what you need it to be.

Christmas Tags

Check Tim's Blog to learn more about the Christmas tags.  Here are mine so far.  I had to go to the store last night to buy tags, and the rest I'm pulling from the stash.

I stamped the Stampedous peacock feather in clear and embossed in clear.  Inked the card with pink Adirondack dye ink.  Sprayed with white perfect pearls, blotted off excess dye ink to get the lighter shade of pink.  Stamped with the snowflakes with the same ink pad over entire tag, and re-inked edges dark pink.  Stamped the saying with black archival ink.  Used alcohol ink to color the fragment, and stamped with archival ink and let dry.  Covered in white glitter glue and glued to white card stock, cut out and glued to tag.  Added pearl and rhinestone bling and a ribbon to tie it off.

The saying says "Season of Light Hope Peace and Love" and I stamped in in Colorbok Platinum 2tone and embossed in clear.  Inked tag in the lightest of the Distress Blues and sprayed with white perfect pearls.  Stamped the lamp post in the darkest blue (I always think/wish it is purple based on the label) and inked the edges again with the medium blue.  Using my gold dabber, I painted the grunge board star and while it was wet, coated it with Martha Florentine Gold glitter.  I went around the edges of the tag with the gold dabber and hit the reinforce hole as well.  I glued the filmstrip ribbon down with gold distressed stickles (added a little sparkle under there) and attached the Believe tag with a brad. 

I made some other crafting, but can't share until March.  *sigh*