Camping Trip 2011

On Thursday, we left for a camping trip to Lake Mcconaughy in Nebraska. It was an adventure, with relaxing moments here and there, and I didn't manage to sun burn myself. Overall: successful trip.

Thursday: We took forever to find a camping spot. Once we did, the weather decided to kick up and we spent a very windy and wet evening putting up camp, eating delicious (but sandy) kabobs and pasta salad in our tent, and hoping that the morning would fair better weather wise.


Friday: We ventured into town and found a diner that's been open since 1949. Breakfast consisted of hot cakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. Delicious. My diet and I didn't speak to each other for a few days. Once the weather cleared up we finally were able to go swimming and our friends met us there to continue camping with us for the night.






Saturday: The weather was finally beautiful. We had a wonderful breakfast and lounged on the beach until we needed to pack up and head home. 






It was a grand trip overall, aside from the weather on Friday. I am relaxed. I currently am doing loads of laundry since everything we own smells like a camp fire. 






Studio Journal: Who Knows What Day This Was

We still are inching through the process of recording this album. Ryan and I are back today to record vocals. Everything is coming together better than we could have ever imagined. This whole process has been nothing but encouraging. 

These photos are from our last session. I finally recorded keys. Ryan tracked guitars. Matt tracked more guitars. There was much coffee consumed. 










More to come. 

2 Years Ago



I'm a day behind, but two years ago yesterday, I married my very best friend. 

I truly don't know what I would do without him. 

I'm looking very forward to the year ahead. New potential, creative opportunities. The goal of working from home almost completely. New records and new music. Going down the path of having kids. 

Ryan, I love you. 
Happy Anniversary, my love. 

Studio Journal: Day Two & Three




Creativity is a process. Art is a journey. Recording isn’t always easy. I think at times we can dream up a recording process as something that is simple; a bunch of musicians coming together to play some music and to create something out of nothing. It’s hard. It takes a lot of work, dedication, sweat, and tears. That’s why I love the process. Of course the end goal is that of a finished, mastered album, but the journey to get to that point is nonetheless as important and intense as having the final product in your hands, ready to go to the masses. 


Being here makes me think of being merely eighteen, bright eyed and bushy tailed, moving out to Washington to record my first project. The fear, the nerves, the lack of much knowledge in that of recording sciences. I’d like to think I’ve come a long way since then. 3 records of my own under my belt and helping with numerous other projects has helped me craft, well, my craft. The vibe must be right. You must learn to play to a click track. Singing in a recording microphone should literally be considered a sport. You are forced to learn as you go, making many mistakes along the way and gaining only few triumphs; ones you have fought long and hard for. 


Yet, there is nothing quite like handing a stranger your finished product and knowing that your blood, sweat, and tears will somehow present themselves in every note, word, and arrangement. That is the destination of the journey of recording. 


Currently we sit on Day 3 of the process. It has been slow going. We’ve hit a few snags along the way and time has been passing at sloth speed. But, we endure nonetheless. Currently, Ryan is tracking the final acoustic guitar tracks. Drums and bass are mostly done. Matt and I wait patiently for the time when we actually get to track keys and guitar lines. 



This record excites me. To see my husband finally experiencing this lifestyle, this art form. This journey. There’s nothing quite like it and I hope to be in this environment for a long time, in whatever capacity. I hope someday for our kids to discover our old albums in an attic somewhere and think that their parents were actually cool when we were their age. Music will always be a part of us and I dearly hope to pass that on to our children in the future. 


So, today, we carry on. We get the job done, or as close as we can. We discover more about ourselves, our boundaries, the things we must learn, and the bond that bands us together. 


Studio Journal: Day One



(Written on Thursday night) 
I’m a proud little wife today. I currently sit in the studio, awaiting the time when my man embarks upon the long-awaited journey of recording his first full length record. This is a new season for him, for us, and for the creative lives we strive to live out somehow in the midst of our grown up jobs, mortgage, and other desires. This feels like a distinct turning point in our lives. Not a detour, not a fork in the road, but a continuous journey down the dirt path we have always in one way or another walked upon. All is new, all is fresh, and somehow still unknown. 





I fall more in love with this man and this life everyday, hardly grasping that realization at times. It’s kind of a slow burn into a deeper fire. He loves me so well; even through all of my short comings. He focuses on my triumphs and my dreams. He knows me far better than any other being and for that I am thankful. 


This weekend shall be full of creativity. Full of a group of friends coming together to mold something out of what was once nothing or merely just a spark in the heart of the man I have given my heart to. 


Our 2nd anniversay shall be celebrated in the midst of this new journey. I wish I had the words to express my love for this man. No material gift shall ever suffice. I am his and he is mine. 



This is all part of our journey. 

Camping Thoughts

In four days we shall be camping out on a beach. No phones. No computers. No work. No worries. In honor of our excursion to relaxation, here are some pictures to help me look forward to our little trip away from the world. 







Inspiration

Home Living
Source
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Music 


Literature 

My read this month. 

Photography
This man inspires me: Blind Photographer


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