A Tall Ship & A Star

2013-03-14T13:52:00.004-07:00

Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life.

Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea.

-Rumi

A few snaps from here and there...life lately.

This last photo represents the hours I've been spending in my yoga teacher certification course. I haven't felt this passionate about something in a very long time. It's been an amazing journey, both physically and spiritually. Before I started this course, I didn't appreciate the philosophy behind yoga, and looked at it as more exercise than anything. But it is so much more and wow, wow, wow! I'm amazed.

2013-01-25T10:13:00.000-08:00

"Don't you know yet? It is your Light that lights the whole world."

-Rumi

Let your light shine...

2013-01-06T16:19:00.000-08:00

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
-Cesare Pavese

The past couple of months have been jam packed with road trips, holidays, family, friends...lots of good memories have been made.

Now it's January, we've rung in the New Year, and a new chapter begins.

I'm so pleased that the year 2012 wasn't our last. There is so much more to do and see. :)

Here is to a beautiful and memorable 2013.

Happy Holidays!

2012-12-19T16:07:00.000-08:00

I sincerely wish this last photo could have been our Christmas card. Maybe next year. ;)

Happy Holidays!

Thirty-Five

2012-12-02T14:21:00.001-08:00

I am thirty-five today.

It's hard to believe I was once this tiny little thing...

Benjamin Franklin said, "At twenty years of age the will reigns; at thirty the wit; and at forty the judgment."

So, I suppose I've got five years worth of wit going for me, and I'm half the way to having sound judgment.

Not too shabby, this thirty-five.

Design Time

2012-11-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.

So do it."

-Kurt Vonnegut

A few snaps of some of my latest pieces. No matter how challenging it sometimes becomes to keep that creative spark, or how discouraging it can get when pieces turn out badly, making art always brings me joy. I love the Vonnegut quote...it reminds me why I continue to do it; not to make money or to be successful, but because it is good for the soul.

Here is my space for creating...

I'm so thankful for it, I wish I could take it with me wherever we go. :)

From Where I Stand

2012-10-29T17:37:00.000-07:00

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

~Ansel Adams

Link up and share your own "From Where I Stand" with Mallorie at Home Away From Home

By the Sea

2012-10-23T20:18:00.001-07:00

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea."

-Isak Dinesen

The thing I love most about living in Monterey is that no matter what kind of day I'm having, in a matter of minutes, I can be at the seaside. Listening to the waves crash, breathing in the sea air, watching the sun glisten over the water, and the clouds reach across the sky, my mood is instantly transformed into one ten times better.

This afternoon I was on my way home from the store and decided to make a quick stop at my favorite spot to sit and admire the scenery.

It's surreal that we live somewhere like this. I don't want to miss a single opportunity to take it all in. That is one of the things I like most about this nomad lifestyle of ours; it forces you to appreciate where you are, wherever you are, knowing that soon you'll be moving on and will never live these days again. Even the places I haven't loved living in, I still have good memories of. Time is what you make it, and you can make good memories just about anywhere, if you choose to.

Here, the beautiful memories come easily.

Late October

2012-10-18T10:28:00.001-07:00

Carefully

the leaves of autumn

sprinkle down the tinny

sound of little dyings

and skies sated

of ruddy sunsets

of roseate dawns

roil ceaselessly in

cobweb greys and turn

to black

for comfort.

Only lovers

see the fall

a signal end to endings

a gruffish gesture alerting

those who will not be alarmed

that we begin to stop

in order simply

to begin

again.

-Maya Angelou

Drink the Wild Air

2012-10-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

"Live in the sunshine,

swim the sea,

drink the wild air."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sun. Sea. Air.

Lived in.

Swam in.

Drank in.

Well, my toes swam...the rest of me was too cold to brave these frigid waters.

George put in some long hours living in the sunshine as well. That's pretty much his full time job. :)

Captured Moments

2012-10-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."

- E. E. Cummings

I think that in life, it's not the "big" moments that mean the most. It's all of the little moments, infinite tiny moments, that when you add them all up, make something magnificent and amazing.

A face that makes me smile.

The warm glow of a candle.

Sunshine spilling through the window.

The limitless sky.

A day by the sea in a big floppy hat.

A room with a view.

Nature's bounty.

Art in the ordinary.

A walk through history.

The turning seasons.

A walk along the shore.

Since I've started looking, I see these magical moments everywhere I turn.

I like it.

Cheap Wine & Vinyl

2012-09-30T16:38:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I last did a Cheap Wine & Vinyl post. I think we are about due for one, don't you?

PRESENTING

(drum roll, please)

Wine: J. Lohr Estates Los Osos Merlot

This bottle of deliciousness is on the high end of cheap; usually I can find it for between $11.99 - $15.99. Being one that doesn't usually spend more than seven bucks on a bottle (we lushes can't get too pricey or keeping the wine rack full would break the bank) $15.99 is in my higher range. But this one is worth treating myself to.

Don't be fooled by price. You can find really excellent wines at inexpensive prices, and you can also find really horrible wines at very expensive prices. For me it's a lot of trial and error...I don't get fancy, I just try it and hope that it's good. If it is, I stock up, and our wine rack looks fat and happy for a short while. ;)

This voluptuous lady pairs well with the silky smooth crooning of one Mr. Frank Sinatra. We recently scored this album at a local vintage vinyl shop, and it is by far my favorite Frank record in our collection.

Vinyl: Frank Sinatra: Romantic Songs from the Early Years

I do love me some Old Blue Eyes.

Now, go put on your favorite record, pour yourself a glass, and put your feet up.

Cheers.

These Days

2012-09-24T13:41:00.000-07:00

These days...

I stop to watch the sun shine through the trees.

To see through another's eyes...

I stop to look at the sky...

And I remember not to take myself too seriously...

And to never lose the kid in me...

These days I see everyday things as works of art...

And take a moment to appreciate what is beautiful in this world...

These days I capture not just memories, but feelings...

Taking in every beautiful moment.

And every magical thing.

The Little Things

2012-09-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

“Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A cozy place to lay your head.

A bowlful of color.

Flowers in bloom.

A burst of sunlight through the tress.

A breathtaking view.

The sea.

Art in unexpected places.

God's magnificent creatures.

A sleepy puppy basking in the sun.

There is beauty all around us...

Especially in the little things.

Life Lately

2012-09-05T10:25:00.000-07:00

George remains the cutest dog ever to exist. I might be biased.

Farmers Market Tuesdays

Shine your light!

Good Morning, San Francisco!

Family Love

Tartine = The best bakery on earth...probably.

Golden Gate Bridge

She's a beauty.

Wild Plum Cafe

Lavender Lemonade Fixins'

Mumford & Sons Concert = Major love

A trip to Big Sur.

Big Sur

Peace, Love & VW's

Monterey's Annual Greek Festival

Monterey Coastal Bike Path

Until next time...

Welcome to Monterey!

2012-08-27T21:48:00.002-07:00

My first two years as a Military spouse were spent in Ft. Hood, Texas, which wasn't hard to improve on (believe me). And after three years in crazy Washington, DC, we will now call Monterey home for the next eighteen months. Not too shabby! I'm hoping this upward trend continues and our next assignment takes us to Europe. Fingers crossed.

The biggest challenge as a Military spouse is learning to adapt. Moving every few years isn't easy. Completely uprooting yourself, leaving your home, your job, your friends, everything that is familiar, and starting over someplace new can be tough. You have to learn how to make the best of it, be flexible, and learn to plant roots wherever you may be, for however long it may be.

My dad gave me some great advice when I was telling him how I long to plant roots in one place. He said, how about you think of yourself as a potted plant? You still have roots, you're just mobile! So for now, I am a potted plant. :)

Being stationed somewhere like Monterey makes the uprooting somewhat easier in that it is such a beautiful and peaceful place. We're finding our new favorite haunts and regular hangouts, making this home as much as we can for the time we have here. I'm thankful for the adventures this lifestyle has provided me, and though I dream of our someday "forever home", I'm taking every opportunity I can to appreciate the beauty in the every day, right where I am.

On the Road: Headed West

2012-08-26T22:02:00.002-07:00

A mess of photos from our journey west.

Beautiful Spinney Lake in Colorado

Early *very early* morning fishing.

I've never seen a cuter *ahem* outhouse.

Blue skies.

Blue waters.

Catch & Release

Headed to Utah

Snow capped mountains.

Utah beauty.

Nevada or Utah...it all started to look the same!

Greetings from California!

Summer Hawk Ranch, California

Recuperating after the long haul.

What sets your heart free?

We spent a few days in Los Angeles with family while we waited for our household goods to arrive in Monterey. After all was said and done, we had spent over a month on the road. Virginia to California, coast to coast, hours and hours in the car. Suitcases. Gas Stations. Hotels. Can I tell you how happy I was to finally move into our house? My sense of adventure was replaced by the desire to be at home and nestle in for weeks and weeks. So here we are, two months later and officially nestled.
Pics of our new city (for the next year) coming soon!

On the Road: Iowa

2012-07-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

After several weeks on the road, we're finally settled in our new home in Monterey, California. We spent way too long living out of suitcases, but it was worth it to have the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones across the country.

First stop: Home sweet Iowa

...

No place like home...

Finally out of the car and relaxing at Grandma's house.

Favorite new spot.

...

Favorite old spot.

Fun with friends.

Favorite shops.

Mama.

Iowa beauty.

New discoveries in old places.

...

Graffiti Art.

Lifelong friends.

Excellent advice from a favorite bar's bathroom wall.

Favorite funky bar.

Summer cherries.

There is no place on earth I feel more at home than Iowa City. As a teenager I couldn't wait to get out of Iowa, and now I can't wait to get back. It's funny how as we grow older, our perceptions change and we begin to embrace simplicity and appreciate things we once took for granted.

I will always love to travel and explore the world, but there is only one place I will ever truly consider home.

Happy Weekend

2012-05-11T06:58:00.001-07:00

Bon Friday! Just a quick post today to wish you a marvelous weekend, and provide you with a few useful tools for making it just that.

Soul Food...

image via

Drinkable Soul Food...

Strawberry Basil Margarita

Weekend Theme Song...

Friday Daydream....

Italy's Amalfi Coast

Maybe we could go there next weekend. :)

Cheers, you wonderful people!

Farewell, DC

2012-05-07T17:35:00.001-07:00

In just a short time, we will be bidding adieu to DC/Northern Virginia, our home for the last three years. I thought it would be fun to put together a little montage of our years here, you know, like the obligatory love montage in a romance movie. *cue music* I have to admit I got a bit nostalgic looking back at all of our photographs. I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this area, but looking back at all of the amazing things we've had the opportunity to do while living here reminded me of what fun we've had.

Being a Military family can be tough; moving every 2-3 years...making new friends, missing old ones, rarely having family nearby. But I choose to look at it as an adventure and an opportunity to see and experience things I may never have otherwise been able to.

In the words of Hellen Keller, "Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing at all." Here is a look back at our adventures here in DC, and all of the wonderful things we've seen and experienced.

Greeting veterans from Iowa at the WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial with Georgie

Vietnam War Memorial

Arlington Cemetery

Veteran's Day at Arlington National Cemetery

The World War II Memorial at night. (My favorite)

Old Town Alexandria

Snowmageddon 2010

George's first time in the snow.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Nationals Baseball Game

Hiking in the Shenandoah Valley

Canoeing down the Shenandoah River

The Shenandoah Valley

Hanging out in a C-17 - Air Show at Andrews Air Force Base

The Blue Angels at AFB Air Show

Crabs in Annapolis

Sunset on the Potomac

Dinner cruise on the Potomac

Philly Cheesesteaks in Philly

Mt. Vernon

The Preakness at Pimlico

Drinking a Black Eyed Susan - The official cocktail of The Preakness

Beauties.

The Army Birthday Ball

National Harbor

Baltimore Orioles Game

It was about a zillion degrees out that day.

Winetasting in Virginia

Hillsborough Vineyards

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

Julia Child's kitchen at the American History Museum

Goodbye, DC! We will miss you. On to the next adventure...

Wild About

2012-05-01T15:15:00.001-07:00

A few things I'm feeling wild about this week...

This song by Lana Del Rey:

This cocktail, which I'm dying to try:

The Italian Greyhound

This ensemble by Anthropologie:

Find it here

This delightful bathroom:

image via

This artwork:

image via

This photograph:

image by Little Brown Pen

I hope your week is going swimmingly...

Since I didn't post in time to remind you to make Monday your bitch, why not just make the entire week your bitch?

You can do it.

I believe in you. ;)

Friday Daydream: Paris

2012-04-27T14:20:00.002-07:00

Sometimes I wish I could transport myself instantly to another locale; magically apparate like Harry Potter. It would save me quite a lot in airfare. Today I'm dreaming of our trip to France last fall. This month Bon Appetit magazine had an "Insider's Guide to Paris" and it got me longing for that beautiful city again. I think this calls for a montage.

"Paris is always a good idea."

What's your Friday daydream?

Life Lately

2012-04-25T06:39:00.000-07:00

Annapolis

Crab Feast

Summer is near!

George

Color

Cracked open this bottle we brought back from France.

Anniversary dinner at my favorite French Bistro.

He planned the whole night as a surprise...

Happy wifey.

These smell divine...jasmine.

The Boxer Rebellion @ The Black Cat

They were AH-MAZ-ING.

Happy Wednesday, darlings...

Five Years

2012-04-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

image via

Five years, my how they fly. On this day five years ago, I married one super duper spectacular guy. It took me frickin' forever to find him (kissed a lot of frogs, you know) but he was so worth the wait. He's my best friend, my "mutually satisfying weirdness" soulmate. He really is the love of my life. *Gush gush* I know.

We actually had two weddings. One casual, one formal. The first was a private ceremony in our backyard in Texas where we were married by our Unit's Army Chaplain, and the formal ceremony was in California in a church, with all of our friends and family. I'm glad we did both, but I have to say that the simple, casual wedding is where it's at. Everybody gets so weird at big weddings: family members act out, there is inevitable drama, everyone has their idea of what they want your wedding to be, it's stressful and wacky, and things always go wrong.

Nevertheless, I'm thankful to have shared the experience with the people we love, have my dad walk me down the aisle, and even officiate the ceremony, which is pretty special. Anytime I get sad about how the wedding didn't turn out the way I had hoped, I remember that it's only one day, and it's not the wedding that really matters, but the marriage itself. And our marriage is pretty wonderful.

April 20, 2007

"The Official Wedding"

Favorite Memory: George deciding to run Greyhound-speed laps around the backyard in the middle of the ceremony.

October 20, 2007

"The Church Wedding"

Favorite Memory: Daniel's grandmother's dentures repeatedly falling out during her toast at the reception.

Happy Anniversary, Husband. In the words of Jerry Maguire, you complete me. :)

Love Always,

Char Bear

Don't Forget to Be Awesome

2012-04-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

This afternoon when George and I took our daily walk on the trail, it seemed the trees had overnight burst forth into their full-fledged, vibrant green summer leaf-do (like a hair-do, only for trees...you know). It rained all day yesterday, and the trail smelled of wet earth and wood. I love seasons. Without them, how could one appreciate the magic that ushers a new one in, as the old slips quietly out?

I love seasons because I love change. I've never been afraid of change. But I realized today that I am afraid of a lot of other things. I'm afraid of failure. I'm afraid of putting myself out there only to be rejected. I'm afraid of the unknown. I'm afraid to be myself, no matter what people think. That's a lot of fear, isn't it? I think it's time to put fear to rest. Let it dry up and wither away, and not let it have a part of me anymore.

I can usher in a new season for myself. So can you. And then we can have that fresh new leaf-do too, as we blossom and grow into full-fledged, vibrant, no-fear versions of ourselves.

And while we're at it, let's not forget to be awesome. :)

A Tall Ship & A Star

Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea. -Rumi

"Don't you know yet? It is your Light that lights the whole world."

-Rumi

Let your light shine...

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."-Cesare Pavese

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."-Cesare Pavese

Happy Holidays!

Thirty-Five

Design Time

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." -Kurt Vonnegut

From Where I Stand

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence. ~Ansel Adams Link up and share your own "From Where I Stand" with Mallorie at Home Away From Home

~Ansel Adams

By the Sea

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea."

-Isak Dinesen

Late October

Drink the Wild Air

Captured Moments

"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes."

- E. E. Cummings

Cheap Wine & Vinyl

PRESENTING

These Days

The Little Things

Life Lately

Welcome to Monterey!

On the Road: Headed West

On the Road: Iowa

Happy Weekend

Farewell, DC

Wild About

Friday Daydream: Paris

Life Lately

Five Years

Don't Forget to Be Awesome

Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life.

Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea.

-Rumi

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
-Cesare Pavese

"We do not remember days, we remember moments."
-Cesare Pavese

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow.

So do it."

-Kurt Vonnegut

When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.

~Ansel Adams

Link up and share your own "From Where I Stand" with Mallorie at Home Away From Home