in my opinion, there is nothing more relaxing, peaceful, and enjoyable as taking several hours to savor a large, healthy, homemade breakfast. to linger in the calm morning with the fresh sunshine while taking some time to be quiet and happy and thankful for life. below are a few pics of breakfasts that i have prepared for myself.

egg white scramble (with green olives, green, orange, yellow, and red peppers), strawberries and blueberries, a piece of whole wheat toast with grape jelly and peanut butter, and, of course, a cup of black coffee:

mmmm, all that's missing is a spoonful of salsa!

two scrambled eggs, strawberries, grapes, and whole wheat toast with pb and j:

i was recently flipping through some old 'domino' magazines of mine (i REALLY MISS that magazine! sniff sniff) and came upon an eggs benedict recipe i HAVE to try! i've only had eggs benedict once before and really enjoyed it, so i'm looking forward to attempting it myself! here are the scrumptious-looking pics from the mag (dec. '05 edition):

Style Friday -- Carey Mulligan

i think you would be hard pressed to find another young actress out there that is this adorable! and not only adorable, but stylish, fashion-forward, and so interesting to watch onscreen. cheers, carey!

my new favorite band -- Mumford & Sons!!

no description needed, except: they're awesome and you will love them!...

...okay...well, i have TRIED and TRIED to upload their music video of "Winter Winds" with no success, so here's a link to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KCg_QEHtkY

take a look and check out their other videos as well! enjoy!!

i'm totally gonna' try this!

Payton Cosell Turner, a multi-talented artist, has created gorgeous wallpaper by applying a variety of small stickers to the wall in very playful patterns. i imagine it takes a lot of time and thoughtfulness: picking out just the right stickers, making sure the size and color of them are harmonious, creating the pattern, and what scale it should be, etc.

but wouldn't it be such a cool project?!? being able to decide exactly what colors, shapes, sizes, and patterns to use? totally custom, totally personal, and totally rad! i think one of the walls in my bedroom is looking a little bare...

all images via peytonturner.com

i really wish i was this creative!

these are works of the artist Dalton Ghetti. a man who must have pretty steady hands, eyes like a hawk, and lots of patience. i just read somewhere that he spends up to two and a half years creating each handmade piece. talk about a dedicated artist!

i always feel like it's such a waste when i throw away pencils that have become too short to write with. maybe i should send them to him?

images via design*sponge

i really wish i could have witnessed this live...

LOVE THIS!!

Pan's Labyrinth is a must-see!

i absolutely love the movie Pan's Labyrinth! not only is the Spanish language beautiful, but there are so many talented actors, unusual creatures, and beyond dramatic and hearbreaking/heartwarming scenes to the film. it's also a great example of a world beyond our own -- i think about all the wonderful things that God gives us in this life; but, they are NOTHING compared to the treasure of eternal life with Him in Heaven. knowing that life here on Earth, the pain, the suffering, the loss, the hurt -- if you are a believer -- that's as bad as it is going to get! every part of you and your life is in God's hands (whether you believe it or not) and He was there and will be there to lift you up and take your place when you are to be judged. we do all kinds of wrong in this world, and there's a lot of wrong done to us; but, Jesus has already been through Hell so we wouldn't have to - even though we deserve to!

anyway, i'm kind of rambling, but the journey of the young girl in the movie is a great mirror of the journey of Christ and i wanted to recommend the movie to you all. and, i was cleaning out my computer the other day, and i came across a poem (i guess you could call it a poem) from the movie that i saved:

Because the paths to the Lord are inscrutable

Because the essence of His forgiveness

Lies in His word and in His mystery

Because although God sends us the message

It is our task to decipher it

Because when we open our arms

The earth takes in only a hollow and senseless shell

Far away now is the soul in its eternal glory

Because it is in pain that we find the meaning of life

And the state of grace that we lose when we are born

Because God, in His infinite wisdom, puts the solution in our hands

And because it is only in His physical absence, that the place He occupies in our souls is reaffirmed.

chairs! chairs! chairs!

is there another piece of furniture that is more difficult, but at the same time, more FUN to design?

i'll take one of each, thanks...