Sewing

The last month-ish or so, I've been dreaming of getting a sewing machine. Not because I really know how to sew, but because I really want to know how to sew. And because I believe in my ability to read, execute directions, and creatively think, I figured I could develop a new talent. Every time I mentioned it, Nathaniel would lovingly roll his eyes and tell me a sewing machine would result in one thing -- messes around the house. Of course, there was never much to say back -- he was right. I would create messes. But much to my delight, I was a happy girl to find a shiny new sewing machine under the Christmas tree.

So...my sewing adventures begin.

Merry Christmas

Christmas is such a beautiful time of year to reflect on not just the birth of the Savior, but his life and work as well. What can I say that hasn't already been said? The easiest thing...

Merry Christmas!

Freezer Paper Stencils

I've come to the conclusion over the last few years that A) Nobody actually likes wrapping themselves in toilet paper to pretend to be a bride at a bridal shower and B) Nobody wants to play a relay game of drinking soda from a baby bottle the quickest, or "who can change the diaper with one arm" the quickest at a baby shower. Really -- they don't. At least I don't. So when my sister-in-law got pregnant, and we started planning her baby shower, I made sure to ask her how interested she was in "the games." Turns out, she wasn't very interested. And being a crafty person myself, I figured maybe others would enjoy being craft, too!

Before It's Too Late

"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."

-A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Most Improved

When I first started my life drawing class this semester I walked out of each class feeling defeated. Or like I told you before, a journalism major in a room full of art majors. When I looked around class at other student's drawings I felt a little silly and insignificant, and dare I say it, ashamed. I was encouraged by Terry's insistence that we all have brilliant, competent minds. I needed my teacher to fight for my confidence in the beginning, because let me tell you, I had none.

Food, part 2

Remember Ebenezer Scrooge from Charles Dicken's story the Christmas Carol (which by the way, is a wonderful book)?

Remember how he's a big grump who "ba humbug"s anything and everything Christmas until he's visited by three different Christmas spirits? And then do you remember how before he was visited he was stingy with his money and after he was visited he was generous with it?

The Blog to End All Blogs (but not really)

I've taken a temporary break from blogging apparently...but I might be back. I'll summarize what I've been up to with photos (mostly just because I should be studying and not blogging right now, anyways)

My parents came in to town for Thanksgiving, and when my mom got here she surprised us with 50 pounds of mandarins. Yes, 50 pounds. Her other piece of luggage was mandarins. Proof that she loves me. For whatever reason, I hardly got any pictures of them while they were here...but this is proof they were. And man, the mandrins were good.

A Self Portrait, Two Mirrors & Harry Potter

I just finished a self-portrait in my life drawing class. It turned out alright -- judge for yourself.

The drawing...my head is a little wide. *sigh...*

Food

Do you like food?

Quidditch? Part three.

And...for the much anticipated story about quidditch. Click on the photo to read on.

*story written by Jessica Tippee, photos by yours truly.

Always,

Look At Me, I'm a Winner

I've been anxiously waiting for my package from The Vintage Pearl to arrive. I've been checking my e-mail every 5 minutes to look at my tracking number and see where my package was in the mail. When I saw it was in Lubbock, I checked my mail constantly. And when I went outside and saw it was actually there yesterday -- I was one happy girl!

It's backwards because I took it on my computer...but I got a 'C' for Cruz!

Being Santa

Christmas time, as a kid, was always magical. It was everything -- the smell of the Christmas tree, twinkle of lights, the taste of cookies and hot cocoa, carols and the story of Christ's birth. Of course, those are all things everybody knows. What I remember most is sneaking out with Tyler on Christmas Eve to ask "Elwood the Elf" if Santa had come yet, which of course, was this three foot tall Christmas doll my mom kept in the entryway, which I promise, was way less creepy than it sounds. I remember oranges in the tips of stockings and my brothers with new legos every Christmas morning. There was always a series of church parties, service projects, Christmas books and arts and crafts. And always, jello ribbon salad and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas at Grandma's. I remember Mom's surprise when she found a ruby ring from "Santa" in her stocking -- Santa being Dad.

Abuse

Disclaimer: This is a sensitive subject. I appreciate and encourage your commentary, stories or questions, but please be considerate. And please...read all the way through.

As I drove home from class today, mindlessly singing along to the words playing from the radio, I was a little taken aback when I paused to consider what the words were actually saying. Not to name any names, but the song very blatantly discusses tying someone to a bed and then lighting the house on fire. Maybe I'm confused, but none of those actions sound like anything close to what should be considered a healthy relationship.

It led me to think of far too many people in my life who have been victims of abuse.

*Case #1: A friend who had been sexually abused as a child by someone they had once loved and trusted. Now, as an adult, they were struggling with their identity, their relationship with themselves and their understanding of who God was.

Speaking of Winter

"And now the snow was really melting in earnest and patches of green grass were beginning to appear in every direction. Unless you have looked at a world of snow as long as Edmund had been looking at, you will hardly be able to imagine what a relief those green patches were after the endless white."
-The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Cheez-It Chicken (& potatoes)

Mmmmmm...

Cheez-It chicken is an easy, quick, delicious crowd-pleaser for dinner. If you Google "Cheez-It chicken recipes" you'll find a million different options...this is my own, but seriously, feel free to experiment and play all you want -- it's really a no-brainer!
Experiment options: different seasonings mixed in butter or with Cheez-Its, melted cheese on top, different flavor Cheez-Its, etc.

Phases

"Newlyweds become oldyweds, and oldyweds are the reasons that families work." -- Author Unknown


****

Today marks one year since Nathaniel proposed.

The photo I sent from my phone to my parents to tell them the news.
PS I know I look totally ridiculously excited.

To say the least, I was a happy girl! Nathaniel proposed at the Lubbock LDS temple. Long story short, he wrote me a love letter, folded it up into the ring box, asked me to open it and while I read, he got down on a knee with the ring in his hand. At the end of the letter he wrote the big question -- of course, you can guess what the answer was!

Quidditch? Part two, a sneak peek

Before church today Nathaniel came with me to go see Tech's Quidditch scrimmage. We chatted with the president and vice president of the team, and watched part of the game. It was surprisingly...athletic and un-nerdy. It kind of felt like water polo sans water meets dodgeball. And the most surprising thing, not every person was a Harry Potter freak. In fact, the VP who plays and plays hard (the guy broke a rib playing last year) said he's never read the books, and admitted to only seeing a few movies -- he just liked the game. Amazing.

Brooms

One

"In the arithmetic of heaven, the most important number is one."

****

Last week, one of the speakers at church made this statement. I was struck by its simplicity and truthfulness.

We are children of Heavenly Father who loves us as individuals. What a beautiful thing.

Happy Sunday ♥ 

Always,

PB&J Cookies

I love peanut butter. I eat it straight out of the jar. When I was in high school my mom would pack my lunch with squeezable peanut butter. It was the greatest thing ever. I put it straight on apples, bananas and carrots. Delicious. I love peanut butter sandwiches, peanut butter and honey sandwiches, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, and of course...peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Button, Button

So this took me forever to figure out, but my sick-y, congested, mouth-breathing self has had a few extra minutes between naps these last few days...so here's some buttons! Just copy the code underneath the picture, click "add a gadget" under the design portion of your blog, add "HTML/JavaScript" and paste! Next step: enjoy! ♥








<center><a href="http://hmocruz.blogspot.com//" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v732/hannahmoore2007/button-1-1.jpg" /></a></center>

Better & Better

"When things go wrong, you'll find they usually go on getting worse for some time; but when things once start going right they often go on getting better and better."

-The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Quidditch?

I'm working on a story for a journalism class about the actual, real-life game of quidditch...

YES. Quidditch. As in Harry Potter quidditch. As in a broom between your legs quidditch. That one.

Pebbles -- Simplicity, part 3

"The wise...resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. They follow the advice 'There is more to life than increasing its speed.' In short, they focus on the things that matter most." -President Uchtdorf

Double, Double Toil and Trouble

Pumpkin carving...

We carved pumpkins...and yes, I carved that little tiny one...just because!

Curiously Backwards

"You're just the romantic age," she continued--"fifty. Twenty-five is too worldly-wise; thirty is apt to be pale from overwork; forty is the age of long stories that take a whole cigar to tell; sixty is--oh, sixty is too near seventy; but fifty is the mellow age. I love fifty."
-The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald

139 days -- love & photography

I was excited to look in the mailbox yesterday and see our wedding photographer had sent us a "gift" -- a CD with the full-sized images from our wedding.

As much as I like my photos (because after all, it was our wedding day -- the beginning of a wonderful adventure) I was disappointed in them. I had expected something totally different. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't cry when I saw them -- I totally did. Like a big baby. And every time someone asked to see photos after that I got all blubbery about it again. My photos did not turn out how I wanted them. However, the photos sufficiently documented the day. As much as I strongly recommend others to invest in photography (let alone wedding day photography), I had to remind myself it was only physical. What mattered most was that we were married -- and besides, how often would I really be looking at my wedding photos (besides right now -- of course)?

What do you think about investing in photography? Is it worth it? How do you feel about your wedding day photography -- love or hate? Regrets? What expectations do you have for a professional photographer? (Answer me people! :) )

Banana Bread

Here's my mamma's recipe for yummy, yummy banana bread!

My first time giving it a try and I think it was a success! 

ingredients

All the ingredients you'll be needing (minus the bananas -- they'd been in the freezer and were a little yucky):

-1/2 cup shortening

-1 cup sugar

-3 real ripe bananas

-2 eggs

-1 T sour milk (sour cream)

-1 t baking soda

-1 t salt

-2 cups flour

-walnuts, chocolate chips, peanut butter (or whatever else you'd like to experiment with!)

Of Art, Optimism and Endurance

On Wednesday, Terry Morrow, taught us about learning.

He drew us three different graphs. One that steadily traveled upward. One that traveled upward with several flat-lined plateaus. And another that traveled upward complete with high and low spikes.

Terry said our graphs would all look a little different. Some of us would catch on easier. Some of us would get stuck for a while, and have to learn how to get out of it. And others, would just have a few really awful days.

Happy Halloween (or something like that)

I saw this on my way home from school...scared me a little at first!

Well Said Alice

"I could tell you my adventures -- beginning from this morning," said Alice a little timidly: "but it's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then." 
-Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

This book is lighthearted and fun to read. Definitely a classic.

Always,

David -- Simplicity, part 2

I laid next to Nathaniel in bed one night. He listened as I cried. He asked if I was stressed...did I feel anxious again? Was I unhappy?

I shook my head. And I cried some more. It wasn't quite that.

I was scared. Again.

Air caught in my throat, my voice choking as I told Nathaniel how nervous I was to have an anxiety attack again. The semester was starting -- that meant stress, which for me, translated directly into anxiety. Anxiety that was paralyzing.

Blessed

Because...

-Yesterday Nathaniel and I babysat for a family we go to church with. Their children are adorable and not to mention hilarious. We cuddled and watched Finding Nemo. Their funny comments and sweet hugs just about melted my heart. I'm such a sucker.

Ms. Jakubik

I had an art teacher in high school who encouraged me to pursue art in my upper education.

I won't lie -- I laughed at her. I thought that was a little ridiculous. What in the world was I going to do with art? Mind you, I was 17.

Goliath -- Simplicity, part 1

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci

****

I gasped for air as tears rolled down my cheeks. I shook. My world was spinning. I laid curled up next to Nathaniel feeling hopelessly and painfully alone, void of the Spirit or any sensation of peace. I felt terror as a mental illness closed it's grip around my neck.

Anxiety attack -- again. One of what felt like thousands. A plague, that I felt would never leave my life.

4 months (plus a missionary side note)

I'm grateful for a wonderful 4 months with Nathaniel -- especially that it's only the beginning!

happily

Poor Francis

As I was getting ready for bed yesterday I stepped on something that felt rubbery. I quickly looked down and saw something scurry under the bed. My heart pounding, I leaned down to see what it was. Thinking I'd see a mouse, I was quite surprised to see a scorpion.

Even though my stomach had just flipped upside down and my heart was jumping out of my ribcage, I ran to the other room to grab my camera. I jumped back onto the bed and dangled half of my body off as I held my camera. I was surprised to find the scorpion didn't move as I took picture after picture of mis-aimed photos trying to capture one that would prove what my foot had just touched.

Pros & Cons (and a Halloween side note)

Pro: I got an internship at the local newspaper.

Con: It's unpaid.

Pro: This internship means I'll graduate on-time.

Con: We're gonna be poor...like poorer than we already are.

Pro: We're married.

Con: Can't seem to find one! Just trying to be grateful.

****************************

Patience

I attended a religious studies class today at the LDS Institute of Religion. Every Friday we eat lunch and watch an old conference talk and then discuss the talk after -- have I mentioned conference is this weekend, that you can watch it on TV or on-line and that I'm so excited? Because I am.

Today we watched Elder Uchtdorf's Continue in Patience. Boy howdy...it was amazing.

Love at the Fair

We went on a date to the fair tonight.

Tonight.

Morrow's Miracle Method, part deux

The art class I'm in is all about the human figure, and as a result I spend a lot of time Monday and Wednesday nights staring at a naked model and trying to figure out how to draw them out well -- meaning both proportionally and artistically.

Sometimes I succeed but I think mostly I fail.

The good news is, my teacher gladly announced today that we are improving:

Office Space

Yesterday when I got to work one of my supervisors told me I'd be moving offices to accommodate for the other employees about to begin work in that office. She explained a few other reasons that I mostly misunderstood or simply didn't care to understand. She informed me I'd be working next to the dean's office.

Today I was shown where I'd be working. And as I walked from my office with dim lighting, my Mac computer and comfortable office chair, I was only semi-disappointed to see the closet, or uh -- office, I'd be working in -- complete with florescent lighting, a slow Dell computer and rigid wooden chair.

Dirty Windows

On Saturday I was able to attend a special conference for the women of our church -- the General Relief Society Meeting. As women we gathered at the church and watched the broadcast from Salt Lake, where we heard from ecclesiastical leaders including the president and prophet of the LDS church, Thomas S. Monson.

President Monson began his sermon with a story about a woman who constantly judged her neighbors. As this woman looked through her windows, she was astonished as to why her neighbors would hang dirty laundry on the line to dry. After constantly pointing out the dirty laundry to her husband, she was surprised when suddenly, one day, the laundry on the line was clean. Her husband pointed out to her that he had cleaned their windows.

Thoughtless

I hoped in the car yesterday to go to school -- late of course -- and the air in the tires were low, so I quickly jumped in the other car.

I begrudgingly walked to class. Then to work. Feeling sorry for myself the whole way there. Walking doesn't feel very good with a tweaky ankle.

Nathaniel called me at about 2:57 while I was at work.

N: Why did you take the mercedes?

H: Well, the air was low in the tires on the other car, and I was in a hurry.

N: Baby, you took the keys! I have to go to work!

H: Oh nooo, I am so sorry!

Old School

Today's conclusion: I'm totally old school.


I prefer a book rather than a screen.
     I'd rather curl up with a good book and read and read and read than watch a movie. Don't get me wrong, I love movies and tv shows and the like....but I'd rather either read about it or watch it on the stage. Unfortunately these two options are either a) isolating and anti-social or b) a little expensive.

I prefer a pencil rather than a computer.
     I like to draw. With pencils. I'm not very tech-savvy, so I'm not good designing things on the computer or anything photo-shop-esque. I'm okay with that. I like photography, but I prefer film -- not a big fan of digital. Unfortunately, liking pencils and film won't do me much good if I ever plan to make any kind of career out of it. *sigh...*

Superheroes

Today was a long day.

I was tired. Scratch that -- I am exhausted.

First, I finished this bad boy for my drawing class:

Lightbulbs, Vanity & Saying Goodbye

You know those lightbulb jokes people crack? Ya know -- the ones that go "how many blah da blahs does it take to change a lightbulb?"

Well, the ultimate question is how many health professionals does it take to diagnose a hurt ankle?

I can tell you. It's five.

Morrow's Miracle Method

I got to "life drawing" class today and sat on a stool waiting for something to happen. The week before we had done "gesture" drawings from a model -- quick or long sketches or "studies" done in pastel of a live model -- and I'm afraid I'm not very experienced or good at doing them. In fact, while we do these in class I feel anything but competent and in fact -- very much like a journalism major in a room full of art majors.

9/11/01 -- Nine Years Later

Do you remember where you were?

I was in seventh grade. I remember getting ready for school that morning, and my dad called me into the living room to watch the news. I was still wrapped in my towel from the shower. I looked at the TV and simply didn't understand. What was happening? And why?

Perspective

A question to myself...what lasts forever?


Very little. Well, very little beyond what is important. My loving Heavenly Father. My Savior. My family -- my relationship with my sweet husband. Peace. Happiness. Perfection.

Thursday

Nathaniel and I taught with the missionaries on Thursday. We taught our sweet friend, Claudia, about the plan of salvation -- or the plan of happiness. It was too much fun! The spirit was so sweet. And of course, we got to color, and I never mind that.

Learning

Because I could write a TON about what I learned today...I'll just keep it brief:

1. Physical and mental pain can't last forever -- one day I will have a perfected body. I can happily thank the Savior for that. I'm so grateful the Savior died for me, and one day I can be resurrected into a perfect body! This gives me an eternal perspective, an understanding that pain is only temporary, and floods my soul with sweet relief and peace.

A Wealthy Mind (A poem by any sense)

There are several moments in my life that live in my memory as brilliant watercolor paintings -- rich charcoal drawings, etched, living and breathing in the sweetest, most tender corners of my recollection.

The Scientific Method Meets Marriage

Hypothesis: Sometimes it's okay to be upset. Emotions are good. Sometimes (a lot of times) emotions don't have much to do with you.

Weak Links and Bowed Bones

When I was a kid I did gymnastics. Not for very long, only a few years but long enough to master the splits. I remember my gym teachers making a big deal about it -- how I was only 9 years old and could do the splits, but the 16 year olds who had been working on it their entire lives still hadn't mastered it. It certainly didn't seem like a very big deal to me. It's not like it was hard.

Meet the Tovars

This last weekend we took a roadtrip to Dallas to go to the our sweet friends, Matt and Laura's wedding. We were excited. We think Matt and Laura are great people, and it has been so fun to go through the engagement process together and watch them grow as individuals and as a couple -- have I mentioned how much we love them?

Anything Good

During a class yesterday we had a woman come speak about journalism. She mentioned how hard it is to live on starting journalism wages -- roughly $20,000 - $25,000. Which had me thinking...why is it so difficult to go from being a broke student to a broke employed college graduate?

Salt

My conclusions as of late...

1. I'm totally not an overachiever.
I've been reading and editing all these thank-you letters from students at the college to organizations or individuals who have given them scholarships. Most of them are littered with at least a small sob story or two (ya know...like college is expensive), and of course, all there many extensive accomplishments. Honors college, this club, this organization, volunteer here, church something there, this and that internship. If it sounds impressive and complicated and/or time consuming -- it's on there. Which draws me to only one conclusion...I do not overachieve. And I'm totally fine with that. Mediocracy rules.

Optimistic Pessimist

Another old favorite. Enjoy!:

There have been times in my life where I thought I had life figured out. Foolish, I know. I suppose that is the folly of youth, an overzealous thinking that life is black and white. As I’ve grown up I’ve come to appreciate that little is as it seems, and that people will continuously surprise you, especially when you think you’ve got them labeled and neatly stored in a box.

Green Gummies

Nathaniel sent me a text today. This is what it said:

N: I just bought gummie bears and ate all the green ones for u

H: I love you :)

I hate the green gummy bears. I think they taste like cleaner. Nathaniel gets annoyed at me when I pick around the bears for the ones I like best...but he loves me so he did it for me! You have no idea how happy this made me.

Take Note

I wrote this awhile ago, but it still applies:

A note to myself,
Don't take yourself so seriously. Enjoy the ride. Laugh. And when it gets hard—laugh harder. Remember what it's like to be young, to be a child. Be grateful, and count your blessings. Remember what's important, but never forget to be silly. Never be too good or self-important for someone or something. Be spontaneous.

Blame the Ice Cream

My phone rang Thursday night, blaring "Uptown Girl." It was late. Mom was calling. I was laying in bed talking to Nathaniel, but I ran to answer the phone. It was the typical conversation, and I could hear Grandma in the background. Mom said she was in Paradise (where my grandparents live). I asked why.

"Grandad's in the hospital."

"Oh. Is he okay?"

For the Love of Penguins and Cookies

For the sake of a month of marriage...and I warn you, it might get a lil bit cheesy...

Everybody always tried to tell me marriage changes things, as if you're handed a piece of paper and after a few hours of sleep (or, er, lack of sleep), you awake in the morning a different person attached to, of course, a different person than whom you married just a few hours before.

Regrets to My Younger Self

I've stared at a computer screen far too long today. Unfortunately, most of the time I spent staring I spent screaming at myself in my head, "What are you doing with your life?!" Spending half of my life behind a desk, in one form another, be it work or school, has left me feeling how shall I say it?...Paralyzed?

When I was a kid I drew ballerinas with crayons that I plastered all over my grandma's fridge. I watched The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan about a million times a year. I played pretend. Then I when I turned eight, Kelly Zufelt, my Sunday school teacher, gave me my first journal. I wrote. And since then I've been writing. What it was about I suppose it mostly doesn't matter, fact or fiction, it's really all the same.

Hello World!

Hello blogging world! So here I am...blogging. Never really considered doing this, but I am excited to be here and to figure it out.

For starters, my name is Hannah (If you hadn't figured that out already). I'm a total kid at heart. Disneyland and the beach rank at the top of my favorite list. I've been known to be bribed with children and ice cream. I've enjoyed anything creative since I was a kid...writing, drawing, photography, crafts, and recently have found a slightly better interest in cooking (I used to hate it!). I grew up in Rocklin, California and will always consider myself a Californian.