2010: The List

I wouldn't call them resolutions--that makes it sound like things we need to fix because we feel bad about some aspect of our lifestyle. Life is pretty darn good here. I'm not looking to fix--rather to focus. So, for me, it's simply The List.

*Fall in love with (good) Food: Tend first garden; Cook regularly; Focus on local, sustainable, and vegetarian cooking and dining; Waste less

*Learn the yard

*Spend more time with family

*Sell CD holders and cards on Etsy

*Start invitation business

*Send cards

*Gift from the heart

*Sew, sew, sew (and Finish the elephant!)

*Delve into holidays creatively

*Learn to knit or crochet (I don't know the difference)

*Make (way) more soap

*Search for alternatives to deodorant

Ok, I know that last one sounds weird, and a little out of place. Whatever. It bugs me. And I'm certain there must be an effective alternative. If Julia Roberts can have an awkward side conversation with Oprah about it, it must exist...

Here's to a full and joyful 2010!

The 365 Project: Day 4

Card for my first customer. A soon-to-be bride that saw our wedding covered on S&I asked me to re-create our Kitchen Dancing Mixed Tape CD holder for her wedding this Spring. Super happy to do it. Enjoyed it so much that I think I'll start a little Etsy shop offering the service. I'll keep you posted.

I love this card. The layout came to me in bed one morning during the annual holiday cardmaking weekend. Unfortunately, I had inspiration for a card celebrating the wrong holiday, but whatever--it's still one of my favorites! Maybe we'll duplicate this one for our Valentine Card Club this year.

Moulding Love

I'm love, Love, LOVING the door and window moulding in this house, via design*sponge.

Nevermind the fact that we already own hundreds of dollars worth of door and window moulding. The packages haven't even been opened, let alone the pieces painted! Maybe I'll have to make Abby take me to that moulding wonder store afterall...

And they even have the doors I'm smitten with, complete with adorable vintage knobs! {Sigh}

It's totally unrelated, but I'm also loving this little nook of kitchen shelving, and those wooden countertops.

And, as long as I'm reposting the entire d*s piece, I might as well also introduce this genius idea--check out the sweet (shelved) Ikea mirror! Finally, a place to put my toothbrush after I convince Raf that he really does love pedestal sinks!

Seriously, what would I do without internet inspiration??

The 365 Project: Day 3

Beyer family potato salad.

I was incredibly bitter when I came home after Christmas in Oregon to find leftovers of all Raf's holiday favorites, but no sign of my one favorite--his mom's potato salad! So when we went to visit today, I insisted that we make the salad while there, so that I could learn myself and don't have to be bitter next year!

Park City New Year

Raf and I spent the past week saying goodbye to 2009 and welcoming 2010 in Park City, Utah, with our friends Gina & Eric. We had such a great time! Raf and Eric were able to spend a few days snowboarding--enjoying fresh powder, great runs, and gorgeous views. Meanwhile, Gina and I were relaxing--sleeping in, lunching, and hanging out. It was a very fun and welcomed getaway. Here are some photo highlights:

The boys testing out their $1 video game console purchase--complete with 72 games! Pretty hilarious. This thing was vintage!

Proof that Gina and I did more than lunch. We enjoyed an entertaining morning of cross-country skiing.

Gina, the invisible ninja:

Ugly photos--a Bowen tradition:

Ours is totally pathetic, but still makes me laugh every time!

Who's excited??
Easy Street (the underground option) was one of my favorite restaurants. Raf got the Green Chile--kind of a Chile Verde stew--our last day in town...it was so yummy! We have to figure out how to make it at home.These paper lanterns topped and filled with snow cracked me up.

Special addition Raf bit into from the incredible cheese spread on our Mazza plate at another restaurant...EEK!

New Year wishes found on the elevator--posted by the kids down the hall that kept doorbell ditching us with a pile of shredded confetti. Too cute!

Such a great way to ring in the new year!

The 365 Project: Day 2

Park City, Utah. View after hiking a couple levels of stairs--top of the neighborhoods, base of the mountain.

2010: The 365 Project

While walking to dinner tonight, Raf and I decided it would be fun to do a 365 photo project this year--that is, take at least 1 photo everyday. We'll see how it goes! It should be fun to have some motivation to take the camera out everyday--and maybe even to get out of the house now and then. (Though let's be honest--most days will probably be photos of food!)

So, here's Day 1: The High West restaurant in Park City, Utah. Fun place--we had dinner there a couple nights back--they make their own Whiskey and Vodka.

Holiday Wishes

Dear Friends and Family,

As another year draws to a close, we reflect on all the wonderful things 2009 has brought us--marriage, a new home, and a load of good times. It's been a year that can only be properly characterized by one word: LOVE.

So many people close to us have experienced the best kind of life changes--marriage, babies, and the gift of time certainly topping the list. We're so grateful to have shared these times with you; they are memories that will last a lifetime.

As we look ahead to 2010, we can only hope that the new year will bring us much more of the same. (Because really, what can be better than a life filled with love?)

Happy New Year, Friends! Looking forward to many more good times in 2010.

All our love,

Brooke & Raf

PS--here's a (not so short) slideshow of some of our favorite memories from 2009. Enjoy!

Check out a bigger version at YouTube. Image at top found here.

Yeah Toast!

While we're on the subject of songs that make me happy, I thought I'd share this one. This may be my new favorite song OF ALL TIME!

For a better audio version, try another one from You Tube. I just think it's more fun to watch Heywood Banks perform it.

Straight No Chaser

I've heard this on the local radio station on my way to work a couple times in the past week. It makes me happy!