mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , ,

oven

What are you up to this week? As you know, I’m still riding high from my recent vacation. I also got to attend Big Blue Madness last Friday and watch the UK Basketball team practice and whatWHAT?! Drake was there! As for this week? I’m excited for all things fall! Walks in cozy sweaters, evening TV marathons with a blanket and a pumpkin candle, I even concocted a pumpkin pie smoothie this weekend that I’m eager to recreate. Isn’t Fall such a gloomy-in-a-good-way season? Sort of nostalgic and broody. I keep thinking of this line from an Andrea Gibson poem…

“Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they’re
falling like
they’re falling in love with the ground.” 

Anywho, enjoy an appropriately autumnal week, and here are some links for you to enjoy…

Pete Campbell’s tiny home creation.

and speaking of tiny homes–wouldn’t this one make a killer backyard office?

Gorgeous hand-painted bowl.

I love this company and their mission.

This movie, based on a book by Jane Hawking, looks like a must-see.

An important reminder to honor life when everyone is focusing on death.

The first bus session from Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers (I’m obsessed with their van sessions.)

A quick and easy hair-do tutorial.

Creative batch cooking.

This would totally be my Halloween costume if it wasn’t sold out. : (

Whoopi got there first but still worth a watch, lol.

Very interesting look into the life of a museum professional.

Cajun vacay: Lafayette and Breaux Bridge

Travel, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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cajundancing

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As I mentioned before, I recently journeyed down South for a Cajun vacation with my boyfriend, Chet. Since he is back in school, he is currently living and working in Lafayette, LA. But his Fall break (and MY BIRTHDAY!!!) gave me a perfect excuse to fly down for some much needed adventuring with my favorite adventure-partner. I had the most amazing week and the best birthday a girl could ask for! Here are some photos, if you’d like to see…

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As soon as I got into town it was time for my birthday present (even though my birthday fell at the END of the trip lol). This gorgeous camera is now MINE and I can hardly believe it!!! And getting it at the beginning meant I was able to document all our Cajun adventures. : ) Bonus, how adorable is that wrapping job? Admittedly, I am horrendous at wrapping presents so I was super impressed.

farmersmarketchet

farmersmarketsalad

On our first afternoon we ventured over to a local farmer’s market to pick up supplies for dinner–one of my favorite ways to dine! How gorgeous is that local lettuce?! We had salads, plums (Chet’s first) and sandwiches stuffed with secret recipe sausage from Chet’s family store.

cajunhiking

We, of course, strapped on our hiking shoes and hit a trail. The landscape was magical down in this forested wetland but…I probably was being bitten by 32 mosquitoes at the time this picture was taken. Not to mention 3-5 spiders were most likely taking up residence in my hair. Not for the faint of heart!

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A true highlight was Vermilionville, a living history museum and folklife park that preserves and represents the cultural resources of the Acadian, Native American, and Creole cultures–from 1765 to 1890. The park sits on a 23-acre site on the banks of the Bayou Vermilion and features seven restored original homes as well as a quaint schoolhouse and a beautiful church. I fell head-over-heels for the Acadian-style homes and sun-soaked Spanish moss.

cemetery

True urban explorers that we are, we also spent some time at a local cemetery. I know it sounds morbid but I love cemeteries (and the grounds of local churches in general) as a great, free way to spend some time. Especially if you have a brand new camera to play with!!! We opted for St. John’s Cathedral Cemetery and poked inside the church, too, as Chet’s parent’s were married there!

feufollet

Between a show at local bar Blue Moon Saloon and Festivals Acadiens, we watched performances by some pretty rad Cajun bands. Including Feu Follet and Lost Bayou Ramblers.

festivals acadiens

folk art

festival signs

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Festivals Acadiens was celebrating it’s 40th anniversary and along with lots of music, featured a jam tent, craft fair, fantastic people watching and a crawfish etoufee stuffed baked potato that I’m still dreaming about.

breaux bridge

beignets

On my actual birthday, we wandered around downtown Breaux Bridge and brunched at Cafe des Amis, where they will bring you a plate of hot out of the fryer beignets as an appetizer (AN APPETIZER!).

An amazing vacation and phenomenal birthday full of food, music, and this one right here? Perfection!

brees at festivals

Have y’all ever been to Lafayette? Do you live there? We certainly found some gems! Lafayette, (and Chet ; ) I miss you already! xoxo

A boy and his phone.

Brainpower, , , , , , ,

boyandtrain

I like turning to Siri, my iPhone’s “intelligent personal assistant”, when I’m otherwise too preoccupied to dial, Google or find directions for myself. But a recent New York Times Article–To Siri, With Love: How One Boy With Autism Became B.F.F.’s With Apple’s Siri, suggests her at-the-touch-of-a-button presence, for some, could be much more powerful and much more profound:

Gus had never noticed Siri before, but when he discovered there was someone who would not just find information on his various obsessions (trains, planes, buses, escalators and, of course, anything related to weather) but actually semi-discuss these subjects tirelessly, he was hooked. And I was grateful. Now, when my head was about to explode if I had to have another conversation about the chance of tornadoes in Kansas City, Mo., I could reply brightly: “Hey! Why don’t you ask Siri?”…
She is also wonderful for someone who doesn’t pick up on social cues: Siri’s responses are not entirely predictable, but they are predictably kind — even when Gus is brusque. I heard him talking to Siri about music, and Siri offered some suggestions. “I don’t like that kind of music,” Gus snapped. Siri replied, “You’re certainly entitled to your opinion.” Siri’s politeness reminded Gus what he owed Siri. “Thank you for that music, though,” Gus said. Siri replied, “You don’t need to thank me.” “Oh, yes,” Gus added emphatically, “I do.”…
For most of us, Siri is merely a momentary diversion. But for some, it’s more. My son’s practice conversation with Siri is translating into more facility with actual humans. Yesterday I had the longest conversation with him that I’ve ever had. Admittedly, it was about different species of turtles and whether I preferred the red-eared slider to the diamond-backed terrapin. This might not have been my choice of topic, but it was back and forth, and it followed a logical trajectory. I can promise you that for most of my beautiful son’s 13 years of existence, that has not been the case… 
Last night, as he was going to bed, there was this matter-of-fact exchange:
Gus: “Siri, will you marry me?”
Siri: “I’m not the marrying kind.”
Gus: “I mean, not now. I’m a kid. I mean when I’m grown up.”
Siri: “My end user agreement does not include marriage.”
Gus: “Oh, O.K.”
Gus didn’t sound too disappointed. This was useful information to have, and for me too, since it was the first time I knew that he actually thought about marriage. He turned over to go to sleep:
Gus: “Goodnight, Siri. Will you sleep well tonight?”
Siri: “I don’t need much sleep, but it’s nice of you to ask.”

boytelescope

siriquote

Thoughts? It’s amazing to see unintended, positive outcomes within technological advances and even MORE amazing to see developers taking stories like these and running with the information in order to increase efficacy and outreach. Definitely check out the full article for more information on the future of this helpful technology.

P.S. Remember this fantastic article about a father reaching his autistic son with the help of Disney characters? And check out my weekly mid-week round-ups for even MORE reading material!

Postcards from Louisiana

Travel, , , , , , , ,

Hello loves! If I could send each and every one of you a personalized postcard from down here in Cajun Country, these are the images I’d want included on the front–drooping Spanish moss soaked in sunshine, boats painted and faded into my favorite hues, cheeky lizards, and the spoils of exploring tucked away gems of this culturally rich city. On the back, I’d tell you about stuffing myself with hole-in-the wall plate lunches and the thirty-some mosquito bites I’m newly sporting from hiking through the forested wetland. Hope you all are well!

louisianaboats

louisianaspanishmoss

louisianaartifacts

louisianacemetery

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mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , ,

colorsortedbookshelf

Happy Wednesday! What are y’all up to? I’m spending the week with Chet in Lafayette, LA and we have all sorts of fun things planned! Farmers market, hiking, a festival and eating my weight in Cajun food. I’ll try to post some updates and pictures of our adventures as they’re happening but if there’s some radio silence you’ll know I’m just enjoying my vacation and I’ll be back real soon. ; ) Sending you lots of love from down south…now on to the links!!!…

This movie is perfect because of it’s imperfections…and still holds up today!

Cardboard stories.

Student kicked out of class because of what her mother does.

And speaking of…Michelle Obama on being a working mom.

Sleeping your way to the top! (Chet has a cougar crush on her!)

So all those fake birthday songs on TV shows have been in vain?!?

This child is my spirit animal.

Anyone interested in some Autumn exploration?

This made me laugh. (Wink to a tee!)

I hate that this is true.

Homesteading supplies you can buy for cheap at the dollar store.

Just nailing it all over the place…and at 72 no less!

and congrats to my little sister, Katie, who won the Theatre Tampa Bay award for outstanding actress in a musical!!! ❤

Manhattan Short Film Festival–my 2014 picks.

Every day life, Media, , , , ,

manhattanshort

Last night, I attended the Manhattan Short Film Festival at The Kentucky Theater, one of 120 art house cinemas across the United States participating in the event and one of many, MANY more screenings across the globe. The event featured ten films and at the completion of the last film, viewers submitted cards casting their ballot for top film and top actor. The films were a range of languages, styles and subject matter. I love how in a short film the suspense is intensified to make it work in the tiny time frame. Every minuscule detail is important. Here were my votes:

Film

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The Fall

Country: Norway

Synopsis: Two mountaineers depend on each other during a climb but one has a secret that puts trust to the test.

Best Actor

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Sameerah Luqman-Harris

Film: The Bravest, The Boldest

Country: USA

Synopsis: A mother tries to avoid two army officers ready to deliver the worst news of her life.

I also really enjoyed On the Bridge about two men debating the merits of jumping off London’s Waterloo Bridge, La Carnada about border crossing, and Mend and Make Do which provided super creative animation as illustration for a voiceover interview with a WWII bride.

—

Have you ever been to this film festival? Do you like short films? Can’t wait to find out the winner on Monday, October 6. 

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , ,

giraffe

What are you up to this fine week, folks? I’m planning on a quiet week (*knocks on wood*) with plenty of down-time to do this arm challenge and read this book AND count down the minutes until my upcoming trip to Lafayette, LA (!!!!!). Also, it’s my last full week as a 28 year old. Eeps! Hope you have a rad day, and here’s some reading material…

A supermarket’s genius idea to turn trash to profit.

The one little thing Meridith can’t travel without.

Vegan curry in a hurry!

Just do yourself a favor and watch this. (“I prune everything.” #dying)

Movement is medicine.

A year long make-up free experiment.

An affordable red wine round-up.

I love this blog series.

Spend less so you can live more!

Etsy flipped the script.

I would appreciate if someone could make me this salad at my earliest convenience.

Emma Watson NAILED IT.

And congrats to Marc Mezvinsky and Chelsea Clinton on the birth of their daughter, Charlotte. Proud grandparents, Bill and Hil, looked to be positively beaming!

7 day arm challenge.

Physical, , , , , ,

In keeping with this post, I took to Pinterest to come up with a fun exercise challenge to do this week. Along with my normal work-outs (yoga, hikes, dance), I’m going to do the following weight work every day attempting to increase the reps each day. IDK if I’ll be giving out tickets to the gun show in the span of just 7 days but it should be fun! Feel free to join me if you’d like to work your arms this week.

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Found Delight: Morning Radio Edition

Every day life, Media, , , ,

trainstation

I heard the sweetest story on the radio yesterday and I just had to share it. I was driving some dirty tablecloths over to the laundromat  (#glamlyfe) for an upcoming work event, the perfect excuse to get outside and soak up some mid-morning sunshine in the midst of a day of desk work. I popped on the radio, no idea what morning show was on or even what station I was listening to but the hosts were asking for callers with stories of proposals gone awry. A soft-spoken dude was put on the air who recounted a plan to propose to his girlfriend on a trip, the location of which they were meeting at. The guy arrived at the train station before his lady so he shoved all his stuff in one of those rental lockers. Not wanting to add any undue stress, he tucked the ring in his pocket and set out for the gal’s platform. Unbeknownst to him, once she arrived, to make their way back to his secured belongings they would have to pass through security and dun.DUN.dun. a metal detector! Unwilling to put the ring in the little tray, the caller set off the metal detector…again…and again….and again. He’s politely asked to empty his pockets and submit to a pat down. He declines. At this point armed security approaches him (they were in a foreign country BTW, but I didn’t catch where) and he knows the jig is up.

SO…

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the train station security line, flanked by armed guards, he drops to one knee and asks his girlfriend to marry him right then and there! WHAT!?! Sir, I promise that turned out way better than whatever was previously planned.

How freaking cute is that?

mid-week round-up

Wednesday Links, , , , , , , , , , , ,

fallleaves

What are you guys up to this week? With a new position (and new hours), I’ve been attempting to flip my schedule. While, in the end, I think it will be a fantastic change of pace, the past week has been trial-and-error in terms of finding effective sleep, eat, and work-out times. I consider myself a roll with the punches, flexible gal but in the end routines just make things so much easier. I am absolutely loving my new gig, though! What about y’all? Any big, new changes for you this season? I’d love to hear! Anywho, thanks so much for dropping by Finding Delight this week, and here are some posts I’ve recently taken a shine to…

Speaking of routines and jobs…

Radio silence in the social media age.

This would jazz up any long car trips you may have planned.

Hero to former pre-teen girls everywhere.

Oh how things have changed–Dining Out Edition.

Would you book tiny accommodations for your next trip?

This list has me amped for Fall! I wanna tick all the boxes.

Uuuugh tabloids are the worst.

Haha, BEEN. THERE. 

Thinking ahead for those nights you don’t feel like cooking.

A beautifully written piece on the music and myth of Bob Dylan.

There are definitely days when I miss my flip phone.