Kansas.

Growing up in Missouri, I have had to sit through a lot of conversations where people hate on the state of Kansas because “it’s flat” and “there’s nothing there.” I’m sick of it and it’s time I speak out:

I was born in Kansas and lived there until I was four. Nearly all (but one aunt and one cousin) of my extended family from BOTH sides live in Kansas. I was born a Jayhawk lover and a Tiger disliker (I would say hater, but I don’t like that word…) It’s in my blood. I just love the state.

I had the pleasure (yes, I said pleasure) of driving through Kansas on my way to Colorado and I’m just as convinced as ever that it’s a beautiful state. There’s something simple about it, and I like that. It has a color palette of just about ever shade of green and gold and I like that. Yes… it’s flat, but it’s refreshing to be able to see forever with no obstructions whatsoever and I like that. I like it all.

I once had the epiphany that I think that Kansas was a gift from God to the settlers as they were traveling West: flat, easy land before getting to the treacherous Rockies. Thank you, Kansas. You were the calm before the storm that help the settlers make it through and discover the rest of our beautiful country. (Ha… that’s ridiculous, but maybe true, who knows…)

Bags.

I have never really thought of myself as a person with a fetish (ok, let me explain before you start thinking the wrong thing…) I guess I really like to buy cardigans… and scarves… but I wouldn’t call them fetishes. BUT, I’m starting to think I may have a bag fetish. Ok, not really, but I really, REALLY like to buy bags. And they are gradually growing to be more and more expensive. Remember when I got really excited about my mustard purse a few months ago? Imagine that excitement times ten when I received the above beauty in the mail…

It’s a Timbuk2 bag and it’s glorious. I custom designed it and I think I’m in love. I know… it seems shallow that I can get so excited about something so… man made and superficial. But I do occasionally… especially when it involves the purchase of a new, beautiful bag.

I love bags. Especially this one.

Business Cards.

I’m officially a baker. Well, as far as business cards go. My brother Cory designed a business card for me a month or so ago and I just got around to getting them printed. My aunt Georgie works for a printing company and she not only made the beautiful printing of them happen, she and my uncle gave them to be to support “my business.” What a great family I have… I couldn’t find a more supportive group of people anywhere.

Anyway, here is the finished product. Pretty cool, eh? And here are a couple of my most recent creations. A pool party cake and a cake for a Princess Belle nature birthday party (hence the grass that she is surrounded by.)

Vacation.

I have had a crazy last couple of weeks and have been a slacker about blogging. Starting today, I am on vacation for the next 8 days… It’s kind of funny that one of the first things (well, second to sleep) that I wanted to catch up on is blogging. I’ve missed it… but I’m back. At least until things get crazy again.

Speaking of vacation… how great is it! Being a recent college graduate this is the first summer that I don’t have a summer break. Summer life doesn’t change as an “adult” besides the fact that my brother Cory is home having fun all the time (reminding me of the good ol’ days of summer break), there is the added possible activity of going to the pool, and my hair is frizzy… all. the. time.

Don’t get me wrong… life is good. I could be unemployed and be in a constant state of “summer break.” I am thankful, for sure. And I guess this new stage of life has made me even more thankful for vacations. I have always loved them (because I have been blessed with parents that value travel and took us on a vacation every summer that I can remember) but this summer I actually feel like I’m truly escaping something… which is kind of nice.

Anyway… yay for vacation! I love it and it is just beginning. I’m headed to Colorado with my family… I’m sure there will be great Colorado stories coming to you soon. (Can you tell I’ve been away from blogging for a while, I’m extra wordy today. Sorry…)

Lightning Bugs.

I met my good friend Corrie about two years ago when she moved from Portland to Kansas City. When we hang out I often hear comparisons between Kansas City and Portland. She's really good about not saying one city is better than the other, she just states more matter of fact differences between the two places, and I enjoy hearing about them.

One of the things Corrie gets really excited about is the fact that we have lightning bugs here in Kansas City. I think I always assumed that everywhere had lightning bugs... but it's not true apparently. She said the only time she had ever seen them was in some foreign country (I feel like it was Germany or Denmark or something...) I've always liked lightning bugs. Starting from a very young age it was always a game to try to catch them in a jar... They inevitably would die within the span of an evening but I didn't stop trying to feed them grass and give them love and prolong their life. So, those fond childhood memories combined with this new information that Kansas City is pretty lucky for lightning bugs to live here... makes me love them even more. Tonight, on the drive home from Corrie's I saw quite a few lightning bugs and it brought a smile to my face... so I decided they were for sure blog-worthy specimens.

(I wish I could take credit for the above picture, but I can't. I googled lightning bugs and this is what I found.)

Kites!

Tonight, for I'm pretty sure the first time in my entire life, I successfully flew a kite! I didn't think it was possible. Or at least not with the cheap kites I always buy. But I did it! (And it IS possible with a cheap kite because this one was $2 from Walgreens.) Ok, so I didn't actually do the whole process of getting it up in the air originally, but I did maintain it, and that's something, right? Anyway, there was something relaxing about flying a kite... I was mesmerized as I gazed at it up in the sky. It was great...

I think I may add kites to my list of little objects that I enjoy:

1. Benches

2. Trees

3. Swings

4. Kites

I think I'm going to have to do some painting soon. Just thinking about these seemingly meaningless objects, all that can be found in a park, inspires me greatly! Maybe tomorrow I'll go canvas shopping... (P.S. I stole the above picture from an artist on Etsy, go here to inquire more.)

Card Gone Wrong.

So, my cousin Brad is working at Kanakuk (a Christian sports camp, for those who are unfamiliar with it) this summer. I've been meaning to write him a letter or make him a card for quite some time. Brad is the funniest guy I know so I thought I should make something funny for him... And the above card is what turned out.

Before you make assumptions... let me explain. Brad goes to K-State, hence the "K-State Brad" holding a pencil. He worked for Budweiser delivering beer last summer and is going to do it the second half of this summer, hence the "Bud Brad" carrying a case of beer. Like I said, Brad is working at Kanakuk kamps (yeah, they're cool and spell everything with a K) so I made a "Kamp Brad." I contemplated having him hold a cross, or having his hands up in worship, or even holding a football (because that's the sport that he's concentrating on at kamp) but thought that those ideas were all boring. Then I remembered hearing that he was certified in BB guns during his week of kamp training so I thought, "Let's be funny and have him hold a BB gun." Well... it turned out looking like he's planning on shooting up kamp. (If you happen to be a CIA guy looking for tips on possible bad guys, I promise this guy isn't one of them. I'm just horrible at making funny cards.)

Yep, it's pretty much a train wreck of a card. I obviously wasn't going for a polished look when making it. Apparently I wasn't going for a "non-offensive" look either. Oh well... he'll get the point that I miss him. Hopefully he'll laugh, and hopefully no one will get the wrong impression...