Fancy Schmancy

This fancy little jar with a lid is one of my favorite ceramic pieces that I've created. I mixed my own crackle glaze and highlighted certain portions with it.

The most time-consuming part was attaching all of the mini handles along the top of the jar, but I think it was totally worth it. Is there anything that you've spent painstaking hours on but was worth the extra time in the end?

Cascade Springs

Cascade is a beautiful word, don't you think? There are a few natural places in this world that condone reflection and quiet meditation, and Cascade Springs is one of those places. It's a place of tranquility and a reminder of rejuvenation and resilience.

If you go, though, consider taking bug spray and watch out for stinging nettle, because even nature's tabernacles have their unpleasantries.

Letting the Jungle In

One item on my Favorite Things in the World list is old remnants of human domination that have been overtaken by nature. It's always a good reminder to me about my position in this world in relation to other organisms. An excellent place to find such ruins, albeit young ones, is at Bridal Veil Falls.

My dad and I took a traipse around the place and nosed around the old buildings and bridges that are now just bad memories for the trees that are taking back their ground.

Built for a Kilt

Once again, our family enjoyed a day filled with Scottish festivities...and a bad mom moment: I forgot to put sunscreen on the baby. I know, I should receive 30 sound lashings. We'll just have to add that to the baby's list of firsts: Baby's First Skin Cancer.

Kirk just might need to pull this baby out for some formal events throughout the year. I hope he'll wear it to church one day! I can't imagine having to wait for next year's festivals before seeing him wear it again.

Tuesday's Hike: Rock Canyon

During an incredible summer thunderstorm, a few of us adventured into Rock Canyon because it was Tuesday, and Tuesdays are hiking days no matter what. The rain kept us cool, and the nugget and I both fit snugly into my giant hoodie. It was awesome to have the trail lit for us by lightning: who needs a flashlight when God's sharing his with you?

Things to know about this hike:

• Time: We hiked for an hour before it got too dark and we had to turn around
• Location: Provo
• Difficulty: moderate
• Hazards: rock slides, wild rose bushes, and dog poop (and lightning, if you choose to hike in a storm)

Rapture

A painting that strikes me to the center of my soul is entitled "The Rapture of Psyche," by William Bouguereau. I think rapture is the perfect word to describe the emotion in this work of art. Here are some studies of it that I did in my sketchbook:

(Colored pencil on paper)

Is there a certain work of art that strikes you to your core?

Tuesday's Hike: Bonneville Shoreline

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is immensely long, so we only hiked a portion of it starting near Orem Cemetery. It's a wonderful place to look at the valley from a new perspective. New perspectives are always rejuvenating, don't you think?

Things to know about this hike:

• The section of the trail that we hiked on is an old access road and is also used by mountain bikers and equestrians
• Time: we hiked for an hour or so before turning back around, so time is totally up to you
• Location: Orem
• Difficulty: easy
• Hazards: you pass by some utility facilities, but not close enough to be in danger

Celebrating our Country, New-School

Americans have all sorts of different ways of celebrating the birth of our nation: some choose to watch marching band members walk like they're pinching dimes between their cheeks, others choose to celebrate this great country by blowing up a part of it, and some choose to celebrate by making a large purchase and driving all over the back roads this land has to offer in said purchase.

There's nothing quite as thrilling as running out of road at the top of a precipice, which we did three times on this particular trip in Hobblecreek Canyon. Thanks to Dad for being so willing and eager to share his fun new toy!

Tuesday's Hike: The Y

On a Tuesday that we couldn't find ourselves a hiking buddy, P Double-B and I took a hike up the Y, which has enough foot traffic to keep it safe. We'd like to hike to every letter of the alphabet, but I don't know if it's possible. Is it?

The babes pointed out that there are four kinds of people who frequent this trail, and I'm inclined to agree with her observations:
1) Silly BYU freshmen who are too busy flirting with one another to watch where they're going
2) Crazy BYU athletes who run all the way up and down to impress everyone
3) Old BYU alumni who used to hike the Y when they were in college and have brought their families to reminisce but have forgotten how difficult it can be
4) People who feel safe enough to hike this trail alone because Tuesday is hiking day, no matter what

Things to know about this hike:

• This is a high-traffic trail, so expect lots of company
• Time: 40 minutes up, 20 minutes down
• Location: Provo
• Difficulty: moderate
• Hazards: loose gravel on inclines, freshmen who aren't watching where they're walking, crazies running up and down the trail, and smug people who are on their way down the trail while you're going up (just try to not be one yourself...it's nearly impossible!)

More Deliciousness

These babies have long since been harvested and devoured. I love having a garden!

My dad told me that no matter what, his dad would always plant radishes in his garden because they were guaranteed to grow. It's true, they just kind of take care of themselves.