tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6015997018563597412024-03-14T02:08:16.806-05:00keads.comTravel, inspiration, design and food brought to you by Kristen Eads Covington.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-57507319362833999302016-03-26T09:20:00.001-05:002016-05-09T19:04:59.831-05:00Found FurnishingsAgain I ask your pardon after a long absence. Aside from my very active toddler, who makes the entire concept of "free time" laughable, I have been keeping busy with other endeavors. I'm teaching print & digital publications at the local community college, I'm doing a bit more freelance graphic design, and last but not least, I bought a furniture shop.<br />
<br />
Wait, what?<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25773501060/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-card"><img alt="FF-card" height="427" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1637/25773501060_3e60923f84_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
Yes, you read that correctly. After 10+ years of what-ifs and lofty dreams, my mother and I, along with my aunt Sari, now co-own the coolest furniture and home decor shop in West Texas.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25953142802/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Found Furnishings group photo"><img alt="Found Furnishings group photo" height="426" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1469/25953142802_028b09b4db_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top row, L to R: Sari, my mom Jeannie, and our employee <a href="http://www.letmeletyouknow.com/" target="_blank">Shanti</a>. Bottom row: Me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Found Furnishings is located at 428 Andrews Hwy in Midland, and specializes in eclectic, vintage, industrial, custom and upcycled home decor. Found features fine curated finds that will make a home stand out, and if we can't find the perfect piece for our customers, we make or modify something to fit. We work with local artisans and craftspeople to showcase stand-out pieces, and we scour the country for unusual and fun things to enliven spaces.<br />
<br />
Sorry, I slipped into my marketing voice for a minute. But seriously, it's amazing.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25953366672/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-island"><img alt="FF-island" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1650/25953366672_146fdc3a6f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25443338613/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-vignette1"><img alt="FF-vignette1" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1552/25443338613_be05071561_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25979523581/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-red-couch"><img alt="FF-red-couch" height="480" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1545/25979523581_9b393850e8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
For as long as I can remember, I have enjoyed thrifting, repurposing and decorating my space to be entirely my own, and now it's my job. My mind is constantly spinning with ideas of how to expand and improve our business. Our to-do list is miles long.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25441128344/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-hello"><img alt="FF-hello" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1478/25441128344_65c871c0b0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/26046136495/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-big-books"><img alt="FF-big-books" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1671/26046136495_bf74765c47_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
If you are in the area, please check us out in person, because no photo can do it justice. If not, feel free to follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/foundfurnishing/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/foundfurnishings/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> until the website is up and running. And no promises about when I'll get around to that, because I have a new project in the works, coming to the blog soon! Hint: It's a skoolie.<br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25773037180/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-Ivor"><img alt="FF-Ivor" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1583/25773037180_b93ee452f6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25773036880/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-storefront"><img alt="FF-storefront" height="320" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1505/25773036880_f901d74a72_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/25953476522/in/dateposted/" nbsp="" title="FF-blesboks"><img alt="FF-blesboks" height="381" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1630/25953476522_ef48a841a9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-81592592013154153142014-02-24T22:22:00.000-06:002015-03-18T14:24:44.606-05:00Exclusive PumpingThis is not just one of those posts where I tell you how busy I've been to excuse a delayed absence on my blog, although it is that as well. This is a post where I tell the story of one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. It's personal, it's intimate, but it's not embarrassing for me to talk about it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8730897798/" title="Sleeping angel by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sleeping angel" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/8730897798_2027fffc0a_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
On Cinco de Mayo, after a difficult and long labor, I delivered a healthy baby boy named Ivor. Wrinkled, blue and crying, he came into this world a complete mystery to me. Partially in shock, and mostly in love, I looked at his cone head and his puffy face and still couldn't believe this little creature was mine to care for. Within minutes, he peed on his dad. We laughed. Soon after he was cleaned up, I brought him to my breast and he nursed eagerly. It hurt.<br />
<br />
While pregnant, I read about the benefits of breastfeeding everywhere. I knew I wanted it for my baby, but what I didn't know was how difficult it can be. I had dreams of breastfeeding while I was pregnant, and it was always easy. I requested help from the lactation consultants multiple times before leaving the hospital. We went over different latches, and we tried to address the pain that I was feeling. I left feeling a bit more confident about it, although it was still uncomfortable.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8759868837/" title="Larbear gets a turn to hold Ivor by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Larbear gets a turn to hold Ivor" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/8759868837_fc4163187e_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Ten days passed before Ivor's "one week" appointment. He hadn't gained weight since we left the hospital, but the doctor didn't seem overly worried and I knew that breastfed babies sometimes take longer to regain their birth weight in the beginning. Four days later, I weighed him on the postal scale at home, putting his tiny body in a punch bowl. He had gained 4 ounces, which seemed right on track. Still, he was screaming almost nonstop except when he was sleeping. At this point we were completely sleep deprived and overwhelmed. I began a total elimination diet, thinking his screams were caused by gas. I ate only pears, lamb, rice, squash and sweet potatoes. It was a struggle to find time to feed myself, and Ivor was spending up to 10 hours a day at the breast.<br />
<br />
A few more days passed, and Ivor didn't look like he had gained weight. If anything he looked skinnier. I put him on the scale again, and it said he had lost an ounce. It was the Friday afternoon before Memorial Day, and the pediatrician's office was closed until Tuesday. I pulled out my pump for the first time to see what I was producing. I pumped all weekend, bottle feeding him when he wasn't nursing. The results from the pump were minimal. On Tuesday I took him to see the doctor, who used the phrase "failure to thrive." My stomach sunk. He recommended formula, but I insisted on a referral to the lactation consultants to try to solve whatever problem we were having with breastfeeding. The next day, I found myself back at the hospital with Ivor to meet with Jinx, the head lactation specialist. She told me that for his weight, Ivor should be getting around 60ml per feeding. She weighed him before and after a feed and I cried when she told me he had only eaten 18ml. His latch looked right, but he had what she called an "ineffective suck." His short lip and tongue frenula were part of the problem, compounded by a high palate. Between the energy spent feeding and the energy spent crying, Ivor had no calories left to grow. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/9041817696/" title="Scratchy kisses by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Scratchy kisses" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9041817696_2211dc1a90_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The body only makes as much milk as the baby demands, and my supply had been withering since his birth. I was producing about 9 ounces a day, and he needed a bare minimum of 18. I would need to pump if I wanted to provide milk for my son, and I would need to pump extensively to get my supply back. We supplemented to get Ivor up to a healthy weight while I worked on my supply. Determined, I read as much as I could about "exclusive pumping," the glamorous moniker for what is the least glamorous thing I have ever done with my breasts.<br />
<br />
A woman trying to increase her supply should pump between 8-10 times a day, between 2-3 hours apart. I kept this up for nearly 3 months, setting alarms to wake me up multiple times a night, sleeping whenever I could, and letting household chores, personal hygiene and all forms of entertainment take a back seat to this madness. When I wasn't feeding or holding Ivor, I was pumping or cleaning bottles. With the help of my moby wrap, sometimes I pumped and held him at the same time. I have a very supportive family, without whom this never would have worked. Even with help, I felt my sanity crumbling on more than one occasion. I wasn't trying to be a martyr— this was part stubbornness and part absolution of the guilt of letting my sweet baby starve for those first few weeks. It was also partly due to my distaste for the smell of formula. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/12762732233/" title="faces by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="faces" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7304/12762732233_cd83285349_z.jpg" height="326" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The same weekend I started pumping, I saw Ivor smile at me for the first time. He still screamed a lot, but the more milk I made, the less he cried. I stopped the elimination diet, as it was now heartbreakingly clear that gas was not the cause of his screaming. My baby had just been hungry. <br />
<br />
When I purchased a breast pump months earlier, I had no idea how vital it would become. Every day I saw results— not big ones, but a gradual increase. Two months after I started pumping, I had gone from 9 ounces in a day to over 30. Ivor was gaining weight, happy, and loving. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/10381110204/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="3 weeks / 23 weeks. What a difference! Ivor is 24 weeks today and so happy and healthy. by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="3 weeks / 23 weeks. What a difference! Ivor is 24 weeks today and so happy and healthy." src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2805/10381110204_8b1a453691.jpg" height="500" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 weeks and 23 weeks. What a difference!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I had become an exclusive pumper, or EPer. There are many women like me who for whatever reason are unable to breastfeed but are determined to provide milk. It's a hard place to be sometimes, with the constant question "breast or bottle" coming from every direction. Many people have never heard of EPers, much less considered their struggles. We even have our own facebook group, several hundred moms strong, where we commiserate and exchange advice. It's invaluable to mothers who don't fit conventional norms and for whom there is less literature available. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/12770806314/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="pumpstats by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="pumpstats" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/12770806314_acd40347a2_z.jpg" height="457" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there's an app for that. It's called Milk Maid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Gradually I took the plunge and "dropped a pump," as they say in EP speak. Going from 8-10 pumps a day to 7 felt amazing. I got to sleep for more than 2 hours in a row. Sometimes it still felt like I was finishing one pump and I only had an hour before I needed to start all over again, but it was a little bit easier. And every time I've dropped a pump since, it has felt incredibly freeing. Every time, I wonder how I did it as often as I did before.<br />
<br />
I remember the fist day I had to freeze milk because I was making more than he was drinking in a day. Soon I had a little freezer stash going. It was nowhere near what some women have, but I looked upon it with pride. Finally I felt like all my hard work was paying off.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/10031826433/" title="incognito by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="incognito" height="427" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5337/10031826433_5d50b16cd2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Warning: the next paragraph is graphic. Skip it if you are squeamish.<br />
<br />
After a few months, I discovered a small tear on one nipple. It hurt like crazy, but I kept pumping. I tried applying coconut oil and even Neosporin, but it would not heal. Every time it started to close, it was ripped open again by the pump within hours. I was in agony. I should have rested it, but I was scared to stop and unsure what would happen to my supply, so I kept going. It was raw, and it grew bigger and bigger, but it was not infected. I pumped like that for nearly two months until one day it started bleeding into my milk. When I looked down and saw what looked like crushed raspberries in my bottle, I broke down. I dissolved into tears and vowed to give up once and for all. I was done. <br />
<br />
Except I wasn't done. You can't just stop. I was incredibly engorged, and I knew I needed to get the milk out to prevent mastitis. I hand expressed the next day, while pumping the other side. The injured side was swollen and painful. I took the day off work. <br />
<br />
After resting my injured breast until it healed, I lost a lot of my supply. Back at work and unable to return to pumping 8-10 times a day, I was never able to get back to my peak, and slowly I whittled away my entire freezer stash. Now I make about half of what Ivor eats. We supplement with formula again and he gets a fair amount of solids. It was disappointing at first to fall short of my goal to provide enough milk for a year, but I have made peace with it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/11660630064/" title="Ivor at the park by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Ivor at the park" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3735/11660630064_0484f85383_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
In the past 9 months, I have been attached to this pump for over 1300 hours, or 55 days. Sometimes I look back and wonder how different things might have been if I had not chosen to pump for Ivor. Maybe it would have been less stressful, and I could have had more time to enjoy him. It's a trade off, and every mother has to make that decision for herself. Mostly I'm glad I did what I did, because I gave him an important gift while at the same time I learned something about myself. I can finish things. I can be determined. I can be strong. <br />
<br />
I decided to put this into writing to raise awareness for this issue. Everyone says "breast is best," but many women struggle with breastfeeding. Not everyone has the support system and time off work to do what I did. Whether the women in your life are breastfeeding, formula feeding, or feeding expressed milk, please encourage them and keep an open dialogue. There is no shame in feeding a baby, no matter how a mother does it. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/12036373226/" title="Ivor in the bath by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Ivor in the bath" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/12036373226_6156ce6354_z.jpg" height="427" width="640" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-57961142347448734042013-03-23T08:00:00.000-05:002013-03-23T08:00:05.258-05:00Geometric planters from Art Stvdio Brooklyn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8579723007/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Planter by Erica Peterson by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Planter by Erica Peterson" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8579723007_5c59018db5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125571852/yellow-tripod-planter?" target="blank">Yellow ceramic tripod planter</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
I love succulents, colorful planters and geometry, so I was immediately drawn to these Southwest-inspired planters made by fellow RISD graduate <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/stvdiobrooklyn" target="blank">Erica Peterson</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8579723023/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Planter by Erica Peterson by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Planter by Erica Peterson" height="429" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8579723023_3617f628b3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125575075/white-tripod-planter?" target="blank">White ceramic tripod planter</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
From her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/stvdiobrooklyn" target="blank">Etsy page</a>:<br />
<br />
<blockquote><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">Erica started Stvdio Brooklyn in November 2012 out of her Brooklyn apartment. The current collection is focused on her tripod planter series, which is influenced by Southwestern textiles and scraffitio. While the project started with the sole purpose of creating vessels and objects to house her plants, her work has been so positively received that she has continued to create both her own pieces as well as custom projects that range from necklaces, cheese platters, and wall hangings.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 20px;">All Stvdio Brooklyn pieces are handmade and one of a kind, created locally in Brooklyn, NY.</span></blockquote><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8580822228/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Planter by Erica Peterson by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Planter by Erica Peterson" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8087/8580822228_1ea3606c04_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/125572135/blue-tripod-planter?" target="blank">Blue ceramic tripod planter</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
All photos © Erica Peterson via StvdioBrooklyn on Etsy. See more work in her <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/stvdiobrooklyn" target="blank">Etsy shop.</a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-61737732257557896352013-03-22T11:25:00.000-05:002013-03-22T11:26:17.470-05:00Hillary Visits<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537196587/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hillary & Kristen at Chinati by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hillary & Kristen at Chinati" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8537196587_7f74777da6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We were very happy to welcome Hillary to West Texas for a few days recently. She came all the way from San Francisco to see us and my bump! She got to come to the baby shower and the next morning, we loaded up the car and took a mini road trip to Marfa & Fort Stockton. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8536672921/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="BFFs by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="BFFs" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8536672921_2099660c69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537160379/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Moonlight Gemstones by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Moonlight Gemstones" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8537160379_eee7e3ec50_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We stopped at 3 gem & mineral shops along the way. My favorite was Moonlight Gemstones in Marfa. The owner is very nice and we both made a few little purchases.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8580640070/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="I wanted to buy this so bad. by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="I wanted to buy this so bad." height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8389/8580640070_720c5a4ca4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to buy this big chunk of rock so bad, but I decided to save my money.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538233076/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Chinati by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Chinati" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8106/8538233076_3125570f14_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We took Hillary to explore the concrete works at the Chinati Foundation. Aside from a strong wind, the weather was perfect.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538284574/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Chinati frame by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Chinati frame" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8538284574_f69fe94388_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537163517/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Echo man by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Echo man" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8537163517_174c3139a7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538248538/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hillary at Chinati by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hillary at Chinati" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8538248538_82e85579db_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537201637/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dog friend by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dog friend" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8365/8537201637_4afdf95e0e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam made friends with a deaf dog at the local saloon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Our friend Darin lives in Marfa now, so we met up with him at the Lost Horse Saloon before getting dinner at the Paisano Hotel, one of the few places that was open on Sunday evenings. He let us crash at his place and recommended going to the top of the courthouse dome in the morning for some pretty views.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537248127/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Courthouse stairs by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Courthouse stairs" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8230/8537248127_5b07e82f0a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the Marfa courthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537289943/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hearse by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hearse" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8537289943_04337cea69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The back of this crazy hearse said, "If I can't go to heaven then let me go to Texas."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537238225/" title="Nice colors by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nice colors" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8102/8537238225_120084977f.jpg" width="310" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538893926/" title="Texas Turquoise by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Texas Turquoise" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8101/8538893926_684b2c420d.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
After a little exploration of Marfa, we went to the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, where they had a new exhibition up about the history of mining in the area. A sweet old man came over to tell us he and his friends set up the exhibition, and did we like it? When I expressed interest in a specimen of Texas turquoise, he proudly told us about the specimen he found and polished for his wife, then he ran to his car to get it and show it to us.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538903308/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hillary on a boulder by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hillary on a boulder" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8538903308_b0c60a6893_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8538886262/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Cool Gas Station by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Cool Gas Station" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8538886262_89ebc6ea38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537775523/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="West Texas Road Trip by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="West Texas Road Trip" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8107/8537775523_0f06b0d1aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8559383181/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="West Texas Road Trip by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="West Texas Road Trip" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8100/8559383181_89ba6d8fd8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8579551779/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="West Texas by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="West Texas" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8524/8579551779_44df3d4935_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8579547325/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="West Texas by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="West Texas" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8099/8579547325_6c82e22107_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We saw a lot of beautiful landscapes that somehow reminded me of our New Zealand road trips, even though there is such a contrast in the land. It was hard to say Adios, both to the open road and to Hillary when she went home, but I'm looking forward to seeing both again.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8559290603/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Adios by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Adios" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8096/8559290603_c87b461ef7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Marfa, TX 79843, USA30.3079384 -104.019071830.2805219 -104.0594123 30.335354900000002 -103.9787313tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-21589798055173596992013-03-07T15:12:00.000-06:002013-03-07T15:16:53.798-06:00Baby Shower Hostess Gifts<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537449908/" title="Hostess Gifts by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hostess Gifts" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8537449908_385ac55481_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
A lovely group of family friends decided to throw a shower for our baby on the way. I wanted to give each of them something to say thank you, but I wasn't sure what to do at first. After scouring Pinterest and Google Images, I found lots of great ideas, but ultimately decided to go with something homemade to give it a personal touch without costing an arm and a leg (I had ten gifts to make, so I couldn't spend $20-$30 each, as much as I wanted to!)<br />
<br />
Homemade jalapeño jelly seemed fitting for this group of Texan ladies. I designed the packaging myself and included a recipe card and a small spoon and knife for serving the jelly with cream cheese and crackers.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537445826/" title="Hostess Gifts by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hostess Gifts" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8537445826_19b0546e11.jpg" width="310" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8537959814/" title="Hostess Gifts by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hostess Gifts" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8390/8537959814_9537ab942e.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The jelly didn't come out as spicy as it usually does, so I have since made a new batch with the addition of habañeros, seeds included. I love it! I can't get enough of the hot and sweet combination.<br />
<br />
The shower took place last Saturday, and it was great! I get pretty shy about these things, but I felt so honored that so many people came to celebrate the little baby who keeps kicking me awake at night. It was so sweet of everyone, and I feel very blessed to be surrounded by such supportive friends and family.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8536372527/" title="Baby Shower by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Baby Shower" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8519/8536372527_f360cb213b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Midland, TX, USA31.9973456 -102.0779145999999931.7819601 -102.40063809999998 32.2127311 -101.75519109999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-51440419124200951052013-02-19T10:41:00.003-06:002013-02-19T10:41:42.705-06:00Stud Love, Vol. 1<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8488686211/" title="Stud Earrings by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Stud Earrings" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8488686211_b93b64c523_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/112103407/no-506-black-quartz-stud-earrings?">Black Quartz Stud Earrings, $16 from dinosaurtoes</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113733330/mini-simple-sterling-silver-stud?">Mini Simple Sterling Silver Stud Earrings, $8 from VirginiaWynne</a><br />
<br />
Yesterday I wore my biggest earrings and suffered for it. Though I love my large, leaf-shaped earrings, they are very uncomfortable on a windy day. Sometimes you just need a good pair of studs to keep things short and simple.<br />
<br />
Here are five of my favorite post earrings from Etsy. I think this will have to be a series of posts, because I have a lot of trouble narrowing down my favorites.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8489783956/" title="World Map Stud Earrings, $20 from bloomyjewelry on Etsy by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="World Map Stud Earrings, $20 from bloomyjewelry on Etsy" height="479" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8095/8489783956_3cbd1eb5b8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113023147/whole-wide-world-vintage-world-map-stud?">World Map Stud Earrings, $20 from bloomyjewelry</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8488686325/" title="Diamond Shaped Beaded Stud Earrings by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Diamond Shaped Beaded Stud Earrings" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8488686325_edde5e2a5b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/97874137/diamond-shape-stud-beaded-earring-in?">Diamond Shaped Beaded Stud Earrings, $45 from saracramer</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8488686267/" title="Minimalist Triangle Stud Earrings by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Minimalist Triangle Stud Earrings" height="482" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8234/8488686267_f7a1f0fe40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/112334600/minimalist-geometric-triangle-stud?">Minimalist Triangle Stud Earrings, $12 from GoldandSilverLining</a><br />
<br />
All photos are copyright their respective shops.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-19213424489521026122013-01-24T11:37:00.000-06:002013-01-24T11:37:14.082-06:00Animal Earrings by Faz Jewelry<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8218584091/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Faz Jewelry 4 by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Faz Jewelry 4" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8218584091_899f0aae0a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104360058/cute-grey-and-white-striped-cat-kitten?ref=usr_faveitems" target="blank">Grey and white striped cat earrings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These aren't for everyone, but I think they're so funny and cute I thought I should share. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fazjewelry" target="blank">Faz Jewelry </a>on Etsy makes jewelry by encasing photographs in resin. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8218583981/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Faz Jewelry 3 by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Faz Jewelry 3" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8218583981_9aa5b46b03_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104359430/cute-sleeping-lazy-cat-kitten-stud" target="blank">Sleeping cat earrings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Most of the earrings offered are cats, but there are also a few dogs and even a chinchilla! The artist has been working with resin for 3 years and has been creating these double-sided resin pieces for over a year, so she knows what she's doing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8219664738/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Faz Jewelry 2 by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Faz Jewelry 2" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8219664738_26306f2450_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/111210986/brown-pomeranian-dog-stud-earrings" target="blank">Brown Pomeranian earrings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These are the perfect gift for the <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">cat lady</span> animal lover in your life! See the entire collection in <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/fazjewelry" target="blank">Faz Jewelry'</a>s Etsy shop.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8218583849/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Faz Jewelry 1 by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Faz Jewelry 1" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8218583849_6ab6ff08bd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104360191/cute-grey-and-white-cat-kitten-stud?ref=v1_other_1" target="blank">Cute grey & white cat earrings</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-85237086002598838362012-12-28T11:49:00.000-06:002012-12-28T11:58:33.102-06:00Sandhills Day Trip<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8318901390/" title="Jump! by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jump!" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8318901390_f5577bace3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Our friend Brady came in from New York for a quick visit this week, the first of what I hope will be many visits from friends in the upcoming year. There wasn't much going on in town, so we made a spontaneous day trip to the Monahans Sandhills State Park.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8318868506/" title="Brady at the sandhills by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Brady at the sandhills" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8318868506_57b151f284_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I had a lot of fun snapping photos, and the sunny, cool and refreshing day reminded me how much I love winters in West Texas.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8317835137/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Monster footprints by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Monster footprints" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8317835137_7a39b66235_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monster footprints</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8317858463/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Desert Oak by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Desert Oak" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8073/8317858463_4472699af3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Oak</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8317878587/" title="Shadows by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Shadows" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8317878587_ca7a73c989_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
So... who's next to come visit us?<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8317821745/" title="Desert wanderers by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Desert wanderers" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8317821745_9e0b12e1fb.jpg" width="310" /></a></td><td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8318860410/" title="Desert plants by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Desert plants" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8318860410_9e3426a177.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If you're planning to visit West Texas and want to know more about the Monahans Sandhills State Park, check out <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/monahans-sandhills" target="blank">this website</a> for more information.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Monahans, TX, USA31.5942991 -102.8926536000000231.377981600000002 -103.21537710000001 31.8106166 -102.56993010000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-24895244352482566352012-12-08T09:30:00.000-06:002012-12-10T11:22:52.330-06:00The Next Big Adventure<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8198316064/" title="The best CouchSurfer by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="The best CouchSurfer" height="454" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8198316064_4c002192db_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Four years ago today, my life changed forever when I hosted a tall, scruffy CouchSurfer named Sam. He was riding a motorcycle home for Christmas, from San Francisco to Charleston. His last minute request almost went unanswered because the CouchSurfing website would not load a reply page, but I managed to get in touch and let him know he was welcome minutes before he left an internet cafe in New Mexico.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
We went out for Thai food, then a beer at The Bar, and back at my apartment we stayed up late sharing music, talking and laughing. When he left in the morning I felt myself wishing he could stay. I told him to come back on his return journey. Our instant connection was undeniable, but it wasn't until weeks later, after he had visited again and left again, that we acknowledged our mutual attraction.*<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Couchsurfing is not a dating site! <a href="http://blog.keads.com/2011/07/on-couchsurfing.html" target="blank">Read more about it here.</a></span><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rWFDl6KxrKg" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
During the second visit he met my parents and we saw Slumdog Millionaire with my friends, I taught him the basics of welding, and we played with my theremin. After he left, my brother asked me how it went. "I'm going to marry that guy," I replied. My friends and I nicknamed him the "Dreamy CouchSurfer."<br />
<br />
Sam told me later he couldn't explain what compelled him to take his cross country motorcycle trip, just as I couldn't explain how I knew I would marry him. To us, it seems like we were being gently guided toward each other. On my first visit to San Francisco, we looked at the Marin Headlands and Sam said, "let's go to New Zealand together."<br />
<br />
First things first, though! Long story short, Sam moved to Texas, we got married, we saved up some money and then the big New Zealand adventure I'd been planning for years finally happened with the person I had grown to love most in the world. Next we planned to come home, save some money, and maybe go off on another big trip, this time perhaps to Europe or South America. <br />
<br />
Now, however, it seems the next big adventure has been planned for us. Within weeks of returning to the US, I got pregnant. If you've been wondering why I'm looking a little bigger around the middle, now you know it's because I'm almost 4 1/2 months pregnant. <br />
<br />
Also, I'm pretty sure we're gonna have the cutest baby ever.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/6032697525/" title="Cutie by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Cutie" height="465" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6135/6032697525_c3f5c7bde1.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/6033366678/" title="School pic by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="School pic" height="465" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6065/6033366678_1da92632e2.jpg" width="311" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-1184773868163048292012-11-27T22:38:00.000-06:002012-11-27T22:43:00.871-06:00Aerial Nudes by John Crawford<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8226344430/" title="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes" height="426" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8226344430_a9a1827c92_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
When I saw <a href="http://johncrawford.co.nz/Aerial-Nudes" target="blank">this series</a> by <a href="http://johncrawford.co.nz/" target="blank">John Crawford</a>, I was immediately drawn to them. I love the bold, graphic shapes of aerial photographs, and I enjoyed the humor in spotting the nude in each photo. Each one gives the viewer a little aha! moment of incongruousness. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8226344558/" title="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8226344558_c7422e3d1d_o.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8226344346/" title="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8226344346_8ee8774f36_o.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
From his <a href="http://johncrawford.co.nz/" target="blank">website</a>: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">"Auckland based John Crawford is one of New Zealand’s best known photographers. <br />
His portfolio of commissioned and uncommissioned works is diverse in subject <br />
matter and mood, yet unmistakeable in its use of light and its natural, simple style.<br />
<br />
John says his aim is to capture images that have a high degree of interest and contrast, <br />
don’t look too technical, and are easy to look at and enjoy."</blockquote><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8225272017/" title="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8225272017_f4858b10bd_o.jpg" width="294" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8226344480/" title="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="John Crawford's Aerial Nudes" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8226344480_246e667dec_o.jpg" width="307" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
See more of John's work<a href="http://johncrawford.co.nz/" target="blank"> at his website.</a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-28581748111203841362012-11-13T13:26:00.001-06:002012-11-27T22:43:40.993-06:00Tiny Showcase<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8182887207/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tiny Showcase by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tiny Showcase" height="419" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8182887207_532c10c2a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left: <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/artwork.php?id=1819" target="blank">Adam Hancher</a> Right: <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/artwork.php?id=2029" target="blank">Susie Ghahremani</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I've been following <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/index.php" target="blank">Tiny Showcase</a> for years, but this is the first time I've thought to blog about them! If you haven't heard of it, <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/index.php">Tiny Showcase</a> is a small print shop in Rhode Island that sells high quality, limited edition prints from talented artists on a smaller scale, so you don't have to be rich to collect some great art. In addition to this, a portion of each sale goes to the charity of the artist's choosing, so everybody wins!<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
From the <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/index.php" target="blank">Tiny Showcase </a>website:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Each week we pick a new piece of tiny artwork and turn the work into a limited-run print production. Each run is printed on archival Hahnemühle German Printmaking Paper. The archival ink is specially treated and sprayed, giving it an archival lifespan of over 60 years. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">You sort of need to see the end product to get the full effect, but each piece really is a beautiful specimen. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Beginning in 2005 we introduced a new pricing structure where a percentage of the money from each print sold is donated to a charity chosen by the artist. This raises the print price slightly, but now the artist, as well as their favorite charity, benefit from each piece sold.</blockquote><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8182932954/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tiny Showcase by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tiny Showcase" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8182932954_472f52cba2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/artwork.php?id=1882" target="blank">Yellena James</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
See the entire shop full of available prints <a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/archive.php?only_for_sale=true" target="blank">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8182887309/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Tiny Showcase by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tiny Showcase" height="371" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8182887309_c5b2568416_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyshowcase.com/artwork.php?id=2049" target="blank">Paul Hornschemeier</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-89896229911509462922012-10-04T13:02:00.002-05:002012-10-04T13:03:22.849-05:00Souvenirs from New Zealand<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/6918382219/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Retro Funk by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Retro Funk" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6918382219_74e4397865_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Retro Funk Vintage shop in Oamaru</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
New Zealand and Australia are loaded with souvenir shops. There are good ones and there are bad ones, and my least favorite ones are the ones packed with cheesy, cheaply made imported junk. If I could only bring back one thing from New Zealand, why would it be made somewhere else? Because someone stamped New Zealand on it? Because it's in the shape of a kiwifruit?<br />
<br />
My idea of a good souvenir is something made in the country, preferably by an artisan or a local factory. In New Zealand, all sorts of things used to be made domestically, before it was easier and cheaper to import. During many of my thrift store wanderings, I have come across many vintage garments, homewares and toys made in New Zealand. Here are a few of the great things Sam and I have collected in New Zealand.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7607726220/" title="Souvenir blankets by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Souvenir blankets" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7607726220_6e631a2b06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Vintage wool blankets</span></span></div>When I first set eyes on these types of blankets, I knew I wanted at least one in my future home. Now I have two. I love their bold retro coloring and warm wooly texture. We picked up a couple others, but these plaid ones are my favorite. They make great souvenirs because they can't break in your suitcase, and you can use them to pad more delicate items.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8054036220/" title="Crown Lynn Pottery by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Crown Lynn Pottery" height="310" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/8054036220_dd28d84f9a_n.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8054036083/" title="Crown Lynn Pottery by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Crown Lynn Pottery" height="310" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/8054036083_0f16c7b424_n.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Vintage ceramic plates</span></span></div>I've always loved the various patterns on Crown Lynn Pottery, but these plates in particular called to me. They remind me of Orla Kiely stuff, but they're from the 60s or 70s. I got five flower plates and two scribble plates, and they all made the trip home in my carry-on luggage.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8053896205/" title="NZ Tools by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="NZ Tools" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8053896205_f4074be3af_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Tools, made and found in New Zealand</span></span></div>Ever the carpenter and lover of well-crafted functional objects, Sam found himself returning weekly to the "tool booth" at the Nelson Farmer's Market to admire a particular planer. He would lovingly pick it up to feel its weight in his hand, think about buying it, and decide to wait to see if the price would go down. It never did, but Sam got it in the end. Because he uses it for work, it will pay for itself eventually. The planer wasn't made in New Zealand, but every time he sees it he will remember our weekends at the Nelson Market.<br />
<br />
Another good souvenir for the handyman in your life would be a set of <a href="http://www.pandn.co.nz/" target="blank">Evacut drill bits</a>, made in the factory in Kaiapoi (about 10 minutes from where I was sitting when I started writing this post), and of higher quality than many sold in the US.<br />
<br />
Sam also picked up another planer, two old screwdrivers made in New Zealand, and some new paintbrushes of exceptional quality. <a href="http://www.haydn.co.nz/products/paint-brushes/synthetic-paint-brushes/ultimate-oval" target="blank">Ultimate Oval</a> brand paintbrushes by <a href="http://www.haydn.co.nz/about-us" target="blank">Hadyn</a> have been a very handy tool for both of us. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8053893377/" title="NZ Honey by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="NZ Honey" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8452/8053893377_580b1ae24b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Famous New Zealand honey</span></span></div>Bees constantly stop to check me out whenever I'm painting the exterior of a house. I have vivid memories of driving by pastures with clusters of stacked, pastel painted wooden aviaries, and I brought this memory home with me in the form of honey. It won't last forever, but we brought home a few jars of New Zealand honey. This is an especially good gift for the person who doesn't need any more stuff.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/6861757147/" title="Ohoka Farmers Market by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Ohoka Farmers Market" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6861757147_8ba65212cc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8054138343/" title="Tui sculpture by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tui sculpture" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/8054138343_00dfaedf58_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Handicrafts and more from the local markets</span></span></div><br />
There are so many wonderful things to be found at local markets aside from good food and atmosphere. We brought home a greenstone pendant for Sam's mother and a handmade metal tui sculpture for my mother. My dad got wool socks made in New Zealand, which he'll find handy when he goes hunting, and Sam's dad got a bottle of New Zealand whisky.<br />
<br />
Next time you travel, think outside the box and bring home something that truly embodies the spirit of the place you visited. Buy local, even when you're on the other side of the world.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0New Zealand-40.900557 174.885971-53.186806 154.6711275 -28.614308 -164.8991855tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-78516901758256646652012-10-01T20:13:00.001-05:002012-10-01T20:15:59.089-05:00Pumpkin Banana Muffin Recipe<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8045325228/" title="Pumpkin banana muffins by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pumpkin banana muffins" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/8045325228_914f37f25c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
When I came across <a href="http://www.ringaroundtherosies.net/2012/08/pumpkin-banana-muffins.html" target="blank">this recipe</a> via Pinterest, I knew I had to try it. However, I made a little change to cut out some of the fat. Instead of using a whole stick of butter, I used half butter, half applesauce. I also kept my liquids separate until the very end.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The ol' applesauce switcheroo is a favorite of mine, a trick I also employ when making carrot cake. It makes for a very moist cake with a slightly different flavor and a little less guilt (cream cheese frosting aside!) Speaking of cream cheese frosting, that would probably taste great on these, but they're also perfect as is- not overly sweet, and with a lot of fall flavor.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 200%;"><span style="color: grey;">Pumpkin Banana Muffins</span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Adapted from <a href="http://www.ringaroundtherosies.net/2012/08/pumpkin-banana-muffins.html" target="blank">Ring Around the Rosies</a></i></span><br />
Makes 18 standard muffins<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Ingredients:</span></span></div>1/2 stick (1/4 cup) butter, at room temperature<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour<br />
1/2 tsp salt<br />
1 Tbsp pumpkin pie spice<br />
1 tsp baking soda<br />
1 tsp baking powder<br />
2 eggs<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce <br />
3 ripe bananas, mashed<br />
1 cup pumpkin purée<br />
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts) – optional<br />
1/2 cup chocolate chips – optional<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Rokkitt,Merriweather,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 175%;"><span style="color: grey;">Directions:</span></span></div>Preheat oven to 350ºF and line muffin tins with paper liners. In large bowl, combine butter & sugar; mix well. Mix in the salt, spice, flour, baking soda, & baking powder. In a separate bowl, blend pumpkin, bananas, eggs, & vanilla. Once blended, add to dry mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in nuts & chips if using. Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes or until tops are springy and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.<br />
<br />
Once cooled, they can be frozen for 2 weeks and thawed or reheated whenever you get a pumpkin craving. Ours didn't last that long.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8045343176/" title="Pumpkin banana muffins by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pumpkin banana muffins" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8176/8045343176_46e3f48ed5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-29195112131851490482012-09-27T12:41:00.000-05:002012-09-27T20:11:12.783-05:00Family Reunion, Covington edition<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020062647/" title="Chameleon yoga by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Chameleon yoga" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8298/8020062647_a4d7d6e084_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Despite my woeful absence of late, I have not abandoned the blog! This post is extra long to make up for lost time. We just returned to Texas after nearly a month long visit to the east coast. This was my longest visit to Charleston so far, and we had a wonderful time catching up with Sam's family. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999740566/" title="Caterpillar by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Caterpillar" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8313/7999740566_7a77792300_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I intended to use this visit to explore more of Charleston, but the heat, humidity and mosquitoes did their best to keep me indoors. These few photos are from an afternoon of walking around in the humidity, after which I threw my modesty aside and peeled off my leggings in the car to blast the air conditioning up my skirt.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999764768/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Orchids in window boxes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Orchids in window boxes" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/7999764768_9278751b9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orchids in window boxes. I've never seen that before, but they were beautiful!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999746661/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Passion flower by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Passion flower" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/7999746661_e340c10cc1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion flower spotted near Battery Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7860233730/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jonah run by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jonah run" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8304/7860233730_7b75760e38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first thing we did when we drove into town was watch Harry and Jonah perform.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7939613140/" title="Jonah being hilarious by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jonah being hilarious" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8180/7939613140_a4a8a2e551_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Various pets came to the windows and amused us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999719824/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Let me in by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Let me in" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8317/7999719824_e14499c1d6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bagheera came to our second floor window several times a day begging to be let in and adored.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020080761/" title="Visiting Grandpa George by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Visiting Grandpa George" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8462/8020080761_6f046dcd1c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We spent an afternoon visiting with Sam's Grandpa George and his wife Becky. Meanwhile, Grandma Betty is staying at the Covington house while she recovers from surgery, so we got to see her every day. She celebrated her birthday while we were in town, too!<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7998582887/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hmm, how old will Grandma Betty be this year? by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hmm, how old will Grandma Betty be this year?" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/7998582887_446cfef650.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided to make Grandma Betty 39 this year</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7998519759/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Blowing out the candles by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Blowing out the candles" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7998519759_3a8557e745.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blowing out the candles</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
A few of Sam's old friends were in town at the same time, and we had a great time catching up with everyone.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7939234204/" title="Good times at AC's by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Good times at AC's" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8308/7939234204_fe6d0ef5b9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999655658/" title="Flemings by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flemings" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7999655658_ec512606e3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We originally thought we might stay 2 or 3 weeks, but we stuck around for the reptile show, which was pretty interesting, both for the animals and the people watching. Sam Sr. and Thomas had a booth, and it was fun to see them in business.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020083074/" title="Tiny frogs by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Tiny frogs" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/8020083074_c936ecba19_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020053464/" title="Reptile show by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Reptile show" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8447/8020053464_a8bf8eba3e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020067293/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Chameleon yoga by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Chameleon yoga" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/8020067293_1735fe94e9.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chameleon yoga</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020076578/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Frog belly by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Frog belly" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8020076578_da4031e78d.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frog belly</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8020058393/" title="Reptile show by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Reptile show" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8459/8020058393_2d1f625a38_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7999922712/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Church picnic by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Church picnic" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8316/7999922712_7e5d0bd10e.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the church picnic</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030040815/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Brothers by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Brothers" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/8030040815_a30278579b.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers saying goodbye</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030047739/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Covington boys by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Covington boys" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8454/8030047739_86e9c67278_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly porch picture of the Covington men on our last day in Charleston</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030012048/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The best shrub I've ever seen by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="The best shrub I've ever seen" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/8030012048_8499808856_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome shrub on the scenic route out of Charleston</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030008123/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pyrex heaven by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pyrex heaven" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/8030008123_7478bf97c3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thou shalt not covet... thou shalt not covet... thou shalt not covet...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We took the scenic route on the way home, stopping in little towns when an antique mall or flea market caught our eye. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030021075/" title="Jadeite Heaven by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jadeite Heaven" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/8030021075_7092d8de5f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We stopped for two hours at a <a href="http://bamafleamall.com/" target="blank">large antique mall</a> in Leeds, Alabama, where I made my first ever jadeite purchase for a steal! If you don't know jadeite, it is a rare and coveted kind of glass which just happens to be my favorite color. It's typical for a mixing bowl to cost over $100, and for something small like a cereal bowl to cost $40 or so. Meanwhile, I got a jadeite canister for $10. How? The lid was pretty badly damaged and repaired, but I decided I liked the container just as much without a lid, so I bought it anyway. It's the perfect size for storing my colored pencils. I have no idea if it's worth more than what I paid, but it was definitely worth the price tag to me.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030201145/" title="My first piece of jadeite by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="My first piece of jadeite" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/8030201145_d34819a76a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I also got two screen printed vintage tumblers to match one I've been using for a couple years. It has always been a favorite of mine, and someday I'll collect enough to make a set.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030192764/" title="Screen printed tumblers by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Screen printed tumblers" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/8030192764_acef62b9ff_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We've made the trip from Midland to Charleston 5 times or so, but we've always done it in one long, 23-24 hours straight drive. This time, we drove straight to Charleston, which seemed harder than it ever has before. Is it because we're getting older, or because we've been spoiled by the shorter drives we took all over New Zealand? I'm not sure, but I was so happy we got to split up the return drive into 4 segments.<br />
<br />
We stayed 2 nights in Atlanta with Sam's aunt, uncle and cousin, 1 night at a <a href="http://blog.keads.com/2011/07/on-couchsurfing.html" target="blank">CouchSurfer's</a> house in Jackson, and 1 night with my friend Erin and her boyfriend John outside of Dallas. It was so nice to be able to take it slow for once, and to see all these great people along the way. We met up with Sam's old friend Bandi in Atlanta, as well as one of my college roommates, <a href="http://www.behance.net/Lingonberry" target="blank">Karolina</a>. In Dallas we brunched with Erin and Cole, a friend of mine from high school who reminded me we haven't met face to face in a <i>decade</i>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/8030018722/" title="Bandi & Sam by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bandi & Sam" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8320/8030018722_985a46dfc2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Overall, it was an amazing trip and some unforgettable things happened while we were there. It feels great to be home again, but I'm already looking forward to the next Covington reunion. Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Charleston, SC, USA32.7765656 -79.930921632.5629571 -80.2467786 32.9901741 -79.615064600000011tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-46275737880377556382012-08-20T16:52:00.000-05:002012-08-25T21:46:50.617-05:00Neil Dawson's Large Scale Sculptures<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVkZOhDbeJo6o-2kVA_Uccga4Y_w9FXrjxhoQt9lVrM8bLYKrRSaIqLVEsZJp8xt6TbyyZTU1vyURno5NO1yb_SajfVH6ub5B62pqx5UheEebcyz77HbazE-A_YQpTwCB3EAZSIIHR878/s1600/nd3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijVkZOhDbeJo6o-2kVA_Uccga4Y_w9FXrjxhoQt9lVrM8bLYKrRSaIqLVEsZJp8xt6TbyyZTU1vyURno5NO1yb_SajfVH6ub5B62pqx5UheEebcyz77HbazE-A_YQpTwCB3EAZSIIHR878/s1600/nd3.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Horizons</i> appears as a giant, Lichtenstein-esque falling sheet on a green hillside in New Zealand.<br />
<a href="http://www.neildawson.co.nz/index.php?mact=Album,cntnt01,default,0&cntnt01albumid=67&cntnt01pictureid=342&cntnt01returnid=123" target="blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: David Hartley, from Neil Dawson's website</span></a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Thanks to my friend Jane, I recently came across this photo of Neil Dawson's sculpture <i>Horizons</i>, but as it turns out I've been admiring his work in situ for quite a while.<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAuVskf0CT2ypUtB1bDD5bP7QboFCHFcmC6wb79ISsypixcUrMMFrxkQnrDanM075NGjYTdjSf7baFy3JfjeLeafPOHItaJiuth3dDRNXecpYTqdn-BCITbLBNzd_RKuifjNK5i2Ax0gX/s1600/nd4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAuVskf0CT2ypUtB1bDD5bP7QboFCHFcmC6wb79ISsypixcUrMMFrxkQnrDanM075NGjYTdjSf7baFy3JfjeLeafPOHItaJiuth3dDRNXecpYTqdn-BCITbLBNzd_RKuifjNK5i2Ax0gX/s1600/nd4.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Horizons</i> 1994 Welded and painted steel 15 x 10 x 36m <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://gibbsfarm.org.nz/dawson.php" target="blank">Photo © Gibbs Farm website</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
My first encounter with Neil Dawson was in Wellington, where his site specific sculpture <i>Ferns</i> hangs above Civic Square like a silver moon.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jt3K5N3ZXxWFKWH0HavjY1rK8WxIKG2u5qipCB4BjZuk6YVlIqFV2JruNfLRzYNNruE4s7H8B8cPyZwccq0VWX2yjA4Vgkb-zHlGhY9vJrGY85cMxw4P2eW01cz4bUKxkvF8sh-B1LOk/s1600/nd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Jt3K5N3ZXxWFKWH0HavjY1rK8WxIKG2u5qipCB4BjZuk6YVlIqFV2JruNfLRzYNNruE4s7H8B8cPyZwccq0VWX2yjA4Vgkb-zHlGhY9vJrGY85cMxw4P2eW01cz4bUKxkvF8sh-B1LOk/s1600/nd1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ferns</i>, <a href="http://www.neildawson.co.nz/index.php?mact=Album,cntnt01,default,0&cntnt01albumid=31&cntnt01pictureid=197&cntnt01returnid=87" target="blank">Photo from Neil Dawson's website</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/6406849963/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Sculpture by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sculpture" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6406849963_6cf8eeecee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.neildawson.co.nz/index.php?page=the-rock" target="blank">The Rock</a>, another sculpture of Neil's in Wellington which I caught myself admiring from our parking garage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Neil's work struck me again on the first day I saw the earthquake damage in Christchurch. We were allowed to walk through a fenced off area of downtown, and among the shattered buildings, weeds and historical cathedrals, I spied something beautiful: the <a href="http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/artsculture/artinthecity/chalice/aboutchalice.aspx" target="blank">Chalice</a>.<br />
<br />
Standing tall, shining and glowing with an inner blue light that seemed somehow more spectacular against the overcast sky, it impressed me immediately.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21DSJSxTXbid8KGmsx-v5Lb-7T2lnLdu2qhmrqEOWnzRjrvnLkEtvuDvVT2Nr1obxXOGv_QdkwiDHZK9GuffGSSw5_VW28H6F0pOGRT58Oc00jnDrCDlTBfhDL7FbJvE3HGkDmZ24cQJ3/s1600/nd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi21DSJSxTXbid8KGmsx-v5Lb-7T2lnLdu2qhmrqEOWnzRjrvnLkEtvuDvVT2Nr1obxXOGv_QdkwiDHZK9GuffGSSw5_VW28H6F0pOGRT58Oc00jnDrCDlTBfhDL7FbJvE3HGkDmZ24cQJ3/s1600/nd2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chalice, <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.neildawson.co.nz/index.php?page=chalice" target="blank">Photo by Dave Foster, from Neil Dawson's website</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
His work was unwittingly featured on my blog before, in my post about <a href="http://blog.keads.com/2012/06/beauty-in-brisbane.html" target="blank">Brisbane</a>, when I saw his piece in the sky above the Queensland Art Gallery. At the time I had no idea who had made it, but I knew I liked it. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7306573686/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Art wires by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Art wires" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7306573686_22efedb6e9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canopy, by Neil Dawson</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Have you ever heard of an artist/musician/etc. only to discover you loved them all along?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.neildawson.co.nz/" target="blank">See more of Neil's work at his website.</a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-31382406813224137822012-08-19T09:24:00.000-05:002012-08-25T21:47:21.229-05:00Lover's Eye Brooches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSh8hY-mHXuvwLn9F_7Y6btF55Iab15d1tTLZrG0Xe2p7pBvv0HUAKQGcl_U2Ox5V48bv6KBJwyRre5-S7GkqbATLbt7GwuBpiATv7j1wy4ZK_TRDHxtBFdoNMknigl6zxDxC4E49kxmH/s1600/leb00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSh8hY-mHXuvwLn9F_7Y6btF55Iab15d1tTLZrG0Xe2p7pBvv0HUAKQGcl_U2Ox5V48bv6KBJwyRre5-S7GkqbATLbt7GwuBpiATv7j1wy4ZK_TRDHxtBFdoNMknigl6zxDxC4E49kxmH/s1600/leb00.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.rubylane.com/item/197051-7112/Dramatic-Victorian-Lovers-Eye-Brooch">For sale at rubylane.com</a> 2. <a href="http://www.georgianjewelry.com/item/images/10296-enigmatic-lover-s-eye-miniature-portrait-brooch">Sold by georgianjewelry.com</a> 3. <a href="http://www.georgianjewelry.com/items/show/10582-antique-lover-s-eye-brooch">Sold by georgianjewelry.com</a> 4. <a href="http://www.georgianjewelry.com/item/images/6020-georgian-lover-s-eye-portrait-miniature-of-redhead">Sold by georgianjewelry.com</a></span><br />
<br />
As a teenager, I had a large section of one bedroom wall collaged with single, vignetted eyes, of all shapes and sizes, cut from various magazines. Some visitors to my abode found the display cool, others creepy, but I always liked the way it looked. Eyes can convey so much, and each one is as different as their owners. Therefore, when I saw these "lover's eye" brooches, I was smitten.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Though nestled among gold, gems and pearls, the lover's eye is the highlight of the jewelry, and its central placement marks it out as more precious than its adornments. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN0ht8wvjEiQe4f2oDPRXMbEGY8uzqhf8YGCHGfK-EkKi55iO542m1odAysT_BLtDMsP_4cb_p7vuz5nNWA3TOuWSlIXbX7bRphpAWXqcN77x6mkPfjWdoT2bJSJe4ZJUx2CxPNYFKy30/s1600/leb0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN0ht8wvjEiQe4f2oDPRXMbEGY8uzqhf8YGCHGfK-EkKi55iO542m1odAysT_BLtDMsP_4cb_p7vuz5nNWA3TOuWSlIXbX7bRphpAWXqcN77x6mkPfjWdoT2bJSJe4ZJUx2CxPNYFKy30/s1600/leb0.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">1. <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2012/02/lovers-eyes-birmingham-museum-of-art-exhibit#slide=2">Photo by M. Sean Pathasema, from the Skier collection</a> 2. <a href="http://southeasternattractions.com/2012/02/look-of-love/">Photo by M. Sean Pathasema, from the Skier collection</a> 3. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/03/arts/design/loving-lovers-eyes-and-loving-cereal.html?_r=1">Photo by M. Sean Pathasema, from the Skier collection</a></span><br />
<br />
Most brooches contain a miniature watercolor painting on ivory, though the more budget-friendly ones were painted on vellum. Because they are highly collectible, they are valued in the thousands, and therefore <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/tips/loverseyes.html">fakes</a> have been emerging.<br />
<br />
They're inspiring me! Perhaps I will paint miniatures of Sam's eye and my eye to put in a locket. Is anyone else inspired by these beautiful antiques? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">See more lover's eye jewelry <a href="http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/results.html?results=18&searchTxt=eye%2Bportrait&searchNameID=&searchClassID=&provenance=0&audio=0&searchOrigin=&searchDeptID=&page=2&action=post">here</a>.</span> Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-48017195230889854142012-08-03T09:30:00.000-05:002012-08-03T09:30:06.400-05:00Family Reunion<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682313322/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Reunited by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Reunited" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8021/7682313322_4dc52aab49_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Our first week back has been all about family. We arrived home on the same day my brother Jordan arrived home from Germany, where he's been living for the last couple years. Needless to say, my parents were thrilled. Our journey involved 30 hours in 4 airports and 3 airplanes, a 6 hour road trip, and 2 sunrises, but with the time change we arrived on the same "day" we left. It was definitely the longest day of my life.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682308866/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Airport arrival by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Airport arrival" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7272/7682308866_6d873eb8c0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682319554/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Monkeys by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Monkeys" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7255/7682319554_a5757a4481_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7687900452/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Water Lily Ponds by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Water Lily Ponds" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7275/7687900452_9c0d52ff47_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Jordan was only in town for a week, so we made the most of our time with him and visited all of our grandparents. The most emotional visit was with my mother's parents in San Angelo. While we were in town, we visited a local treasure, the water lily park.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7687906032/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bemaw & Papaw by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bemaw & Papaw" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8166/7687906032_f313879248.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaw & Bemaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682232352/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jordan & Bemaw by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jordan & Bemaw" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8167/7682232352_e2605727a3.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this sweet photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682264148/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lilies by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilies" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7682264148_0ff9ee4072_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682254744/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Giant Lilies by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Giant Lilies" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7682254744_c4c5abab16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682282140/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lilies by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilies" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7682282140_31c93a8fd3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682247244/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Lilies by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilies" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8281/7682247244_5882b83903_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682258882/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lilies by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Lilies" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7682258882_c159c39e10_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pacman leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7687864206/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bemaw's flower by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bemaw's flower" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7687864206_376e768a97_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The man who owns the park gave my grandmother this flower.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7682299104/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Grasshopper by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Grasshopper" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7682299104_1bd4e2b25f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grasshopper spotted on the highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7688077282/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gouldian Finch by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Gouldian Finch" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7688077282_34b41c46cb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gouldian Finch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>My grandmother's facility has an aviary, and it reminded me how much I love finches. Two of my best friends in college raised finches, and I've always love their soft chirps and beautiful colors. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7687843274/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Finches by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Finches" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7687843274_57a316f92a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7687820614/" title="Zebra Finch by eeksy, on Flickr"><img finch="finch" height="465 alt=" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8432/7687820614_b021b58ce1.jpg" width="310" zebra="zebra" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7688247902/" title="Mom & Hannah by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Mom & Hannah" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8431/7688247902_b23c1fc7f3.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7688385166/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Family dinner by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Family dinner" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8285/7688385166_a689ae91f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Back in Midland, we met up with some extended family for my early birthday dinner. It was great to have so much family in one place!<br />
<br />
One of the people I was looking forward to seeing again is the one who has changed the most in our absence. Hannah, my youngest cousin, lived 40% of her life while we were away, so I couldn't wait to get back to babysitting her. She played the shy card during the family dinner, but I think after a day of playing with her, she has warmed up to me again.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7700319566/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Hannah playing by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hannah playing" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7700319566_9f6e3ea601_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<BR CLEAR="left">I love my family! This is the best part of coming home.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com1Texas31.9685988 -99.901813125.0834463 -110.0092351 38.8537513 -89.7943911tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-37728277120193401852012-07-20T20:49:00.000-05:002012-07-21T00:35:01.446-05:00Farewell, Nelson!<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7574116084/" title="Nelson Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Party" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7574116084_4c60b1335d.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7574120558/" title="Nelson Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Party" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7574120558_b0a31d1d89.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Nelson has become a second home, and with it we found a second family. The long-termers and fellow workers we met at Tasman Bay Backpackers were great, and we ended our time with them by having a rowdy and joyful party full of hugs, music, funkyball, late night breakfast and a little bit of braiding each other's hair. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7572832880/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Pizza Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pizza Party" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7572832880_3bdbd5be0d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva, Marcus, Peter, Sam, Henk-Jan, The two German Annas, Alvin, Mike, Philip, and Nadine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The evening started out innocently enough, with a pizza party courtesy of Peter, the hostel owner. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7572822454/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Pizza Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Pizza Party" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8164/7572822454_0d161c6fe9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7572772150/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Silly Anna by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Silly Anna" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8009/7572772150_89f770061e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7572961518/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Julian got his hair did. by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Julian got his hair did." height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7278/7572961518_63b0e00efa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Later we moved on to grooming each other, like monkeys. Braids ensued.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7574312284/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nelson Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Party" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8146/7574312284_143cc06eb8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solidarity</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7574383046/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nelson Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Party" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7574383046_186b6d59c3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<BR CLEAR="left">I took a lot of photos because I was really going to miss these people and I wanted to remember everything.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7573498522/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Annapita by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Annapita" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7573498522_da51da5e11_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7573563656/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="The hug goes on forever by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="The hug goes on forever" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8020/7573563656_5e4b7e2686_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Our Finnish friend Teppo makes the best facial expressions. Sometimes I think he's part cartoon.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7573479520/" title="Teppo rocks my world by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Teppo rocks my world" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7275/7573479520_bdc040fb2a.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7574294134/" title="Nelson Party by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Party" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7128/7574294134_1f4103bb8d.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The boys played lots of goodbye songs, even Julian, who had been hiding his musical talents all this time. I got to be Sam's harmonica holder.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7573394800/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Harmonica holder by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Harmonica holder" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8429/7573394800_867a4cc576_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7609340414/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Fat Cat by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Fat Cat" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7609340414_f663b79b40_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The day we left, we had one more goodbye to make: FAT CAT! She's the neighborhood cat who saunters in to the hostel for cuddles. I had two dreams that I was about to discover her real name, but both times I woke up before I discovered it.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7608088292/" title="CD display by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="CD display" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7608088292_130c624db6.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7609144194/" title="One last snuggle with Fat Cat by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="One last snuggle with Fat Cat" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7609144194_d360ce9b2e.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The hostel plays only kiwi music, and one of Sam's last projects was to build a display case for some of the CDs in their collection. I think it turned out pretty well! <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7607780280/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Bill & Sam by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Bill & Sam" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8288/7607780280_3b2a54e335_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill & Sam</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
We couldn't get ahold of Bill on our way out of town, so our drive started out on a sad note. Then we U-turned on the highway, deciding to swing by his house and leave a note. Sam walked around Bill's beautiful front yard, strumming one last song on his borrowed guitar, while I reminisced about our initial arrival in Nelson, in early December. This was the first place we stayed in the South Island, and it's still one of the most beautiful. <br />
<br />
While we were there, Bill came home! After a visit and a final cup of cowboy coffee, we set out again down the winding highway to Christchurch, this time in better spirits.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7612659196/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Happy by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7264/7612659196_e9513f6732_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Thanks for all the happy memories, Nelson!Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Nelson, New Zealand-41.2706319 173.2839653-41.366108399999995 173.1260368 -41.1751554 173.4418938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-50963686020625505692012-07-08T20:35:00.000-05:002012-07-08T20:35:00.139-05:00Nelson Lakes Day Trip<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523382922/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nelson Lakes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Lakes" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7523382922_4175a695ae_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We took a spontaneous day trip to the Nelson Lakes National Park with a few friends this week. The views were typical New Zealand stunners, and the sunshine made the chilly winter breeze very pleasant. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523358158/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Duck by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Duck" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7246/7523358158_f335d2fac9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck on the crystal clear lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523367664/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Our shadows by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Our shadows" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7523367664_6351c4121f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fellowship of the Chocolate Pudding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We decided to walk the 45 minute loop track. The path through the woods started out fine, but got muddier as we climbed. Eventually we decided to turn back and walk along the lakefront. The woods walk was worth it for the snowball fight alone. Another of life's firsts: a snowball fight in July!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523393282/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Snow hike by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Snow hike" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/7523393282_dd62609c94_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523416714/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Nelson Lakes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Lakes" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7523416714_14a58463f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went with Mike from Canada, Dennis and Anna from Germany</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523410272/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Nelson Lakes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Nelson Lakes" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8008/7523410272_53712f3762_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
When the sun set over the lake, the mountains and water lit up like orange fire. What a beautiful way to end the excursion! It was nice to finally see this place after hearing so much about it from other hostel guests.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7523434774/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Sunset at Nelson Lakes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sunset at Nelson Lakes" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8426/7523434774_4c895d6c0f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com1Nelson Lakes National Park, 7072, New Zealand-41.9642893 172.6915429-42.342121799999994 172.0598289 -41.5864568 173.3232569tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-56606624966202259002012-07-08T01:10:00.000-05:002012-07-08T01:10:02.353-05:00The Three Amigos (+ many more)<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476422390/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Busking by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Busking" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7260/7476422390_630022eda2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> <br />
<br />
Sam has been playing a lot of music lately with Jeremias and Teppo, our fellow guests at <a href="http://www.tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz/" target="blank">Tasman Bay Backpackers</a>. After <a href="http://flickr.com/gp/keads/9890Jj" target="blank">serenading the hostel guests</a> all week, the guys decided to try their hand at busking at the <a href="http://www.nelsonmarket.co.nz/" target="blank">Nelson Market</a>.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476243324/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Teppo & Sam by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Teppo & Sam" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8010/7476243324_d502421ff8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476430652/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Buskers & Michiko by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Buskers & Michiko" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7476430652_edf91e5ba1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michiko, a nice Japanese lady who was staying at our hostel, stopped by to listen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476266744/" title="Teppo by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Teppo" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7476266744_f6b13a7327.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476258584/" title="Jeremias by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jeremias" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7269/7476258584_9c78d462e4.jpg" width="310" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476231542/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Busking by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Busking" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7476231542_b1e74b4780_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Jeremias is from Argentina, and Teppo is from Finland, and it's nice to think about how these guys came together from three continents to make beautiful music!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7476237434/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Audience by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Audience" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7277/7476237434_efa1943861_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The captive audience</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Later, they performed at the weekly jam session at Liquid Bar in Nelson. It was the first time we heard them plugged in, and the first time I realized Teppo is also a drummer! Nice work, guys.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504627434/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Sam & Jeremias by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sam & Jeremias" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7504627434_552a0a2f91_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504741952/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dennis & Felipe by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Dennis & Felipe" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8026/7504741952_2071c783a2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">German Dennis and Brazilian Felipe joined in with bongos and singing, respectively.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504575682/" title="Sam on bass by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sam on bass" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7127/7504575682_5a858d0d91_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504705402/" title="Jamming by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jamming" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8148/7504705402_a66525e588_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504700100/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Felipe by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Felipe" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8017/7504700100_45257b7b0d.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Felipe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7504688964/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Jeremias by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Jeremias" height="465" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7504688964_3888ae322f.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremias</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We've been enjoying our time in Nelson at this cozy hostel, with board games and music around the fire, breakfast on the sunny porch, and quite a few shared dinners. One night, Jeremias and Charlotte treated everyone to empanadas. After everyone had eaten their fill, they surprised us with homemade banana cake to top it off. We've befriended people from every corner of the world on this trip. Does it get any better than this?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7493311886/" title="Empanada night by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Empanada night" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8283/7493311886_0bddf29ae8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Nelson, New Zealand-41.2706319 173.2839653-41.366108399999995 173.1260368 -41.1751554 173.4418938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-34545832696761544392012-06-28T00:25:00.000-05:002012-06-28T00:36:34.726-05:00Flight of the Conchords<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454298144/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7454298144_7c91a5b476_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
For those of you who aren't a fan of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/keadsdotcom" target="blank">keads on facebook</a>, you might not have heard we entered a competition to win tickets to see Flight of the Conchords play in Nelson. I've been a FotC fan <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/2438223040/" target="blank">for years</a>, so I <i>really</i> wanted to win these tickets. When I met Sam, one of the first things we did together was watch Season 1 of the FotC show. They have a dry, awkward sense of humor that we appreciate, and their musical parodies are genius. <br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
The competition, hosted by <a href="http://barekiwi.com/" target="blank">barekiwi.com</a>, was simple: upload a photo of your "business socks" to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Barekiwi" target="blank">facebook page</a>, and the photo with the most likes wins. If you have no idea what business socks are, please feast your eyes and ears on the video below.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/mhN93rFZuJs" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
So, business socks. Nelson. A husband with a hairy chest and minimal body shyness. Clearly, I had the tools to win this.<br />
<br />
At first, I envisioned something involving the <a href="http://blog.keads.com/2012/04/good-times-in-nelson.html" target="blank">Centre of NZ monument</a> in Nelson and Sam fully naked, using photoshop to blur things out like they did in the video. But what if some innocent jogger or group of school children happened to hike to the top of the hill at the wrong moment? The last thing I wanted to do was get us arrested & possibly deported.<br />
<br />
Then I remembered the communal guitar hanging on the wall at <a href="http://www.tasmanbaybackpackers.co.nz/" target="blank">Tasman Bay Backpackers</a>, the hostel where we're living. A lightbulb went off. Even though I was sleepy and sick with diphtheria, I couldn't contain my glee. I pulled a tie and argyle socks out of Sam's suitcase and dragged him into the living room in the middle of the night to snap <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=608666794826&set=p.608666794826&type=1&theater" target="blank">this photo</a>.<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7457534286/" title="business time by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="business time" height="498" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8144/7457534286_ce5caf0178.jpg" width="306" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454206606/" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="498" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7136/7454206606_35614f0cb5.jpg" width="330" /></a></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
For once in my life, I won a contest. Hooray! And that is the story of how we found ourselves in the same room as Bret & Jemaine last night. A few friends from the hostel went as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454140356/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7454140356_a404c4bbaf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454148254/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Andrea and Anna by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Andrea and Anna" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7454148254_73e9410637_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454167822/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7117/7454167822_9e78e2eafc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<BR CLEAR="left"><br />
I wasn't sure how the show would be, since we've heard many of their songs before, but it was fantastic. They change a lot of the songs when they play them live, and the banter was good, too. I also thought the lighting was impressive!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454174722/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7454174722_21d2236993_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<BR CLEAR="left"><br />
I shot a couple videos of the live show to share with you, but unfortunately I forgot my camera microphone was on mute. Arrrgh! Oh well, here is one of my favorite clips from their show instead:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FArZxLj6DLk" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454305284/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Flight of the Conchords by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flight of the Conchords" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8013/7454305284_14752a0554_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454317892/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Wowza by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Wowza" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7454317892_f54ccce236_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
At the end of the night, we decided to take a photo in the same place as the photo that started it all. What a great evening! I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who liked our photo on facebook.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7454248572/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="FotC t-shirts by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="FotC t-shirts " height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7454248572_81d1f5d8df_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam, Andrea, Frankie, Anna (coincidentally standing near their respective countries)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0Nelson, New Zealand-41.2706319 173.2839653-41.366108399999995 173.1260368 -41.1751554 173.4418938tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-48591778834888416862012-06-20T18:45:00.002-05:002012-06-21T21:03:43.728-05:00Everybody Loves Mike HammKnown as much for his big smile as the red moustache that perched atop it, <a href="http://blog.keads.com/2012/01/farewell-friend.html"target=blank>Mikey Hamm</a> was a true star. He has been dearly missed by family and friends from coast to coast, or perhaps I should say around the world, because surely I'm not the only one who said goodbye from across the ocean. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7408038232/" title="Mikey portraits by eeksy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7267/7408038232_b76e7eb81f_z.jpg" width="600" height="601" alt="Mikey portraits"></a><br />
<br />
I've been working on and off on these drawings of Mike this year, coming back to them between long breaks, and I think they are nearly finished. I drew them for Mike, for his family, and for his friends that miss him. His birthday is a few days away, so what better time to share them?<br />
<br />
When I first decided to draw Mike, I knew I couldn't draw merely one portrait; Mike was a man of many faces: candid, outrageous, silly, and sincere. I looked at <strike>dozens</strike> hundreds of photos that flooded his facebook page and picked a few that inspired me. I decided to keep them relatively simple, with bright splashes of colors that remind me of Mike. I tried to make them drawings that Mike would have liked.<br />
<br />
I think I will run a screen print edition when I'm back in Texas. I haven't printed anything since my wedding invitations, and I find screen printing to be a very therapeutic act. I don't want any profit from them, but perhaps if people are interested, I could ask for a donation to a charity of his family's choosing in exchange for a print. What do you think?<br />
<br />
If you would like a print, please let me know in the comments or by email. I would like everyone who wants one to be able to have one, but I also don't want to print way too many.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-66465441322695984762012-06-20T16:30:00.000-05:002012-07-01T22:48:13.367-05:00A Dash of Cuteness<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406775416/" title="Connect Design by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Connect Design" height="333" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7133/7406775416_61fb11e102_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm really digging these miniature house spice shakers from <a href="http://connectdesign.co.kr/front/php/product.php?product_no=269&main_cate_no=25&display_group=1">Connect Design.</a> They're $8 for a pair (red and green or purple and yellow), or $15 for the set of four.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406774860/" title="Connect Design by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Connect Design" height="282" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7134/7406774860_ecc0194f0f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I like my salt and pepper freshly cracked, but I'm sure I could think of something to put in these cute shakers. You can buy them at the <a href="http://connectdesign.co.kr/" target="blank">Connect Design</a> website, along with all sorts of other nicely designed products.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406773916/" title="Connect Design by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Connect Design" height="422" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5319/7406773916_2b5b86c57b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Images courtesy of <a href="http://connectdesign.co.kr/" target="blank">Connect Design</a>.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-22458910709733524032012-06-20T03:28:00.000-05:002012-06-20T03:28:24.885-05:00Synthetic Geodes by Elyse Graham<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406385374/" title="Elyse Graham by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Elyse Graham" height="380" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7406385374_38919a51a1_z.jpg" width="638" /></a><br />
<br />
I have a soft spot for geodes. I like the idea that a plain looking rock could contain such beauty, a tiny world within it that becomes a two sided diorama when cracked. <a href="http://elysegraham.com/" target="blank">Elyse Graham</a> loves them just as much as I do. She loves them so much, in fact, that she makes her own.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406384988/" title="Elyse Graham by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Elyse Graham" height="380" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7406384988_2a3cca8e3a_z.jpg" width="638" /></a><br />
<br />
Using colorful latex, urethane, resin, sand and plaster around a bubble of exhaled breath, Elyse builds up these lumps and then slices them open, revealing the beauty within. Some are phosphorescent or black light reflective, glowing in eerie neon colors, as do some of their natural counterparts. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406384570/" title="Elyse Graham by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Elyse Graham" height="380" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7406384570_5b20c5368b_z.jpg" width="638" /></a><br />
<br />
From her <a href="http://elysegraham.com/" target="blank">website</a>:<br />
<blockquote>Geodes have been objects of wonderment for me since childhood. I was obsessed with the idea that I could go out into the landscape and pick up a rock that might just be filled with a magical surprise. <br />
<br />
I continue to be fascinated with the notion that seemingly ordinary objects have the possibility of harboring something unexpected and beautiful. I am also interested in the geode as a time capsule—over time, a cavity is slowly encroached upon by outside elements, creating a history from the inside out. <br />
<br />
I build my geodes around the void created by my exhaled breath. When each piece is finished, there is no evidence of what may lay beneath its surface. As I create the piece one layer at a time, each time covering up the layer that preceded it, I have no idea what will reveal itself once the geode is split open. </blockquote><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7406384712/" title="Elyse Graham by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Elyse Graham" height="380" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7252/7406384712_2d436874bd_z.jpg" width="638" /></a><br />
<br />
See more of Elyse's work at her <a href="http://elysegraham.com/" target="blank">website</a>. Also, thanks to <a href="http://caitykennedy.tumblr.com/" target="blank">Caity Kennedy</a> for sharing.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601599701856359741.post-11376355499587769732012-06-15T20:53:00.001-05:002012-06-15T20:53:03.552-05:00Final Days in Australia<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7350664474/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Harbour bridge at sunset by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Harbour bridge at sunset" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7074/7350664474_9d3988224c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We consider our month in Australia something of a taster. We got to see a lot, but there is so much left to look forward to when we come back: Uluru, the outback, Perth, Melbourne, Tasmania... the list goes on and on.<br />
<br />
We were given a few more days to explore Sydney when our flight back to Christchurch was cancelled due to snow.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7165438241/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Cactus planters at the Botanic Gardens by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Cactus planters at the Botanic Gardens" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7228/7165438241_68e114cae5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice cactus planter at the Botanical Gardens</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7377066620/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Flying foxes by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Flying foxes" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7377066620_324aabf848_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's that in the trees?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
While exploring the Botanical Gardens, I heard an unfamiliar call. I searched the trees, wondering what strange bird I was hearing, and saw what looked to be hundreds of large pods hanging from the trees. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey-headed_flying_fox">Flying foxes!</a> With an average wingspan of 1 meter, they are the largest bats in Australia.<br />
<br />
Having never seen them before, I was very excited. Sam eventually got me to move along, and luckily I didn't get a mouthful of guano from all the upward gawking.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7343981678/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Botanics pyramid by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Botanics pyramid" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7343981678_a1bb3f98f7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7377113656/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Focaccia topping by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Focaccia topping" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8024/7377113656_c08ee2f573_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Focaccia topping: fresh rosemary & thyme, basil, sea salt, garlic & sun dried tomatoes in olive oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My inner <a href="http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CFsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFreeganism&ei=iuTbT7GJHKqviQeIr9iJCg&usg=AFQjCNFspPGM9zbpWM4WYPF960Wsx2_HEA&sig2=y2NB0FXzVaSekxDQxi1V8w">freegan</a> was happy to see the Botanical herb garden, where I pinched a few sprigs of rosemary & thyme for my focaccia topping. We also found some interesting native nuts below, but the sign said they require a lot of processing to rid them of toxins before consumption, so we left them where we found them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7158715911/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Castanospermum australe by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Castanospermum australe" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7216/7158715911_147dcb5593_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7343899842/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hibiscus schizopetalus by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Hibiscus schizopetalus" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7343899842_eb3ab47d41.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Lantern Hibiscus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> <td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7158631761/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Stealing from the cats by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Stealing from the cats" height="465" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7158631761_1d9fddb66c.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This sign in a charity shop amused us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7168297881/" title="Korean food by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Korean food" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7168297881_81171aa40c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
We met up with a really nice guy named Kiky, who took us out for our first Korean meal. It was delicious! Each table has a grill embedded in it for cooking marinated meat, and there were loads of little plates and bowls, each featuring a different side dish or sauce. I can't wait to try Korean again.<br />
<br />
After the meal, Kiky took us to a couple landmark sights in Sydney, including the lookout below. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/keads/7168304581/" title="Sydney by eeksy, on Flickr"><img alt="Sydney" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7087/7168304581_1c208ff215_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Thanks, Australia! It was fun while it lasted. We'll see you again someday.Kristenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05084338824981614545noreply@blogger.com1Sydney NSW, Australia-33.873651 151.2068896-33.8868345 151.1871486 -33.860467500000006 151.22663060000002