Reading Rainbow

"Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high

Take a look, it's in a book - Reading Rainbow.

I can go anywhere!

Friends to know and ways to grow - Reading Rainbow.

I can be anything!

Take a look, it's in a book - Reading Rainbow.

Reading Rainbow, Reading Rainbow, Reading Rainbow, Reading Rainbow!"

I hope you were cool enough to sing that song in your head, or even better, out loud as you read the marvelous lyrics.

Growing up I was a Mister Rogers, Sesame Street, and Reading Rainbow type of kid. I loved PBS, with the exception of Captain Kangaroo who creeped me out, big time!

Sadly, one of my beloved children's programs comes to an end today. Reading Rainbow first aired in 1983 (coincidentally the year I was born) with the host LeVar Burton (coincidentally my Dogs name! Burton, not LeVar) and ends today, Friday, August 28th, 2009. NPR has a good story on it here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112312561.

Buggin

Did ya know I'm fond of lady bugs? Yup, I have one permanently etched on my foot as proof. Although it has been argued that said lady bug is actually a June beetle, spider, and/or Strawberry.

Danny is particular fond of this permanent ode to the small insect, because it gives him the opportunity to put his finger in front of his mouth and "Sssshhh" me. Then smack my foot. Partner abuse anyone!?

I do like lady bugs, unfortunately I made a mistake about having one carved (or inked) into my skin. I wish I could say it was a young drunken mood, but it wasn't, I was dead sober. I even requested legs for, you know, authenticity! Whats the deal 18 year old Becca? THINK before you INK!

Enough about my silly 18 year old Becca Mistakes, we certainly don't want to get into those!

The Point: Last weekend when we were on our camping trip we went on a little hike and ended up at a tinsy cabin, equipped with a tantrum throwing horse, a watchtower, and right in the middle of a ladybug field.

Check it!

Look closely at this tree. CLOSELY.

All the redish- thousands of Lady bugs.

Nothing was safe.

Look I even took one for a little hike with me. Please don't judge the hair... it's camping!

It was slightly creepy, but mostly rad.

Word Love

Do you know what word I love? Conundrum. It makes having a complex problem much more tolerable.

Did you know there is a "Conundrum Trail" and "Conundrum Hot Springs" outside of Aspen?

Isn't it pretty?

What a lovely predicament.

Broadening my Horizons

As you all know, I LOVE dogs. I have visions of myself with silver hair, coffee in hand, and a distasteful amount of canines. There is a strong possibility that I may, despite my best efforts to resist, become a crazy dog lady. Please pray for me.

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As you also know, there is one specific dog breed that I dislike, in fact I detest the little rats. chihuahuas. I do not want to offend any chihuahua owners, it just so happens I had never met one I liked. They all seem to want to gnaw on my hand as though it were a pork ear. That is, I had never met a chihuahua that I liked until two weeks ago.

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Meet Wubba Wubba is a pekingese-chihuahua mix aka pickachew. He was originally named mochachino, but quickly decided to shun his namesake for the much cooler Wubba, which is also the name of his favorite toy.

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I like Wubba. I like the way he delicately ate steak off of a fork, I like how he laid next to the campfire without neurotic shaking, and I like that he didn't incessantly bark at me, and try to eat my face. I think he likes me too.

Fight Club

Last weekend I went on a much needed camping trip with my cousins, their boys, and some other friends. The weekend began as peaceful and relaxing as any of us could have hoped for. We told stories by the campfire, basked in the sun, went on a nice hike, frolicked through a field of lady bugs (more on this later), and fork fed three canines.

All in all, nice and serene.

But Then....

FIGHT CLUB ENSUED!!!!

Danny got down and dirty despite his bum ankle, and recent Frisbee injury.

Bridget beat the crap out of all of us! Check out this warrior woman's buffness! It is rumored that she eats small animals and Wheaties for breakfast, prior to going on a 634 mile sprint. :)

This action shot session went on for the perfect amount of time. six hours. Steve was quite the good sport letting us all swing our limbs at his face.

Now just for the record. The first rule of fight club: NEVER TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB.

Since going back to school, and moving to the East side my long time love affair with the kitchen has come to a sudden and painful halt.

Unfortunately, traffic and term papers just do not understand the important impact heavy whipping cream, and a little bit of pesto can have.

Until we can rekindle our love, I will be living vicariously through foodieveiw.com

Blackberry ice cream for breakfast? Yes please!

This salmon biscuit looks delish

Asparagus soup- it's worth funny smelling pee. Coconut Creme Brulee... there truly are no words.

Like all wonderful things, Foodie.com does have it's down side....

I am unfamiliar with Flickr etiquette... flickr members post pictures so random strangers may share in their family reunions among other special moments, right?

Maybe not, but that doesn't stop me! This morning I was googling "remove shoes from phone lines" -work related, and this photo showed up.

While there is nothing truly spectacular about this particular photo, I did find it ironic that pretty red heals were hanging from overhead wires. As you know, the large consensus of this would be that it is a sign of gang activity. There goes the neighborhood!

Anyhoo, I clicked on the picture and 1,000+ pictures and several Mazzy Star songs later I have a huge urge to visit Florida and ride my bike.

Cheers, and happy hump day.

I've recently become obsessed with the idea of traveling to distant lands.

Unfortunately, my budget and schedule will not permit my new passion for travel.

If I had a teleporter on this Thursday I would be here:

Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile

France:

French:

Alain ? Le bail est prolongé.

I got an email in French today!

Well, Canadian French.

Oh Lord, I am starved for some culture...

Phoenix man completes Badwater Ultramarathon

Danny had me read this article last night, mainly because it is long and he wanted to watch baseball tonight without having to hear me whine about being bored.

Well the diversion worked. This guy is incredible, and very much out of his mind. At one point in the article they compare his feet to pastrami... yup, it's that good. Read it.

Phoenix man completes Badwater Ultramarathon

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Last night was the first pre-season football game of the 2009-2010 season. With this I have a confession to make, I am completely enamored with football, as in NFL football. Not its more sophisticated and cultured older brother, futbol.

It happened as suddenly and forcefully as an earthquake along the San Andres. You see, it turns out I am a very competitive person. who'd-a-thought? and a few seasons back I joined a friendly work league... little did I know from that point forward my Sundays from September through February would be occupied with beast like men and many many a hotdog.

Last season, a few years into the obsession (which exponentially grew to the size of Zac Efrons Ego after being in the stadium as the Cards Whooped the Eagles) I was fortunate enough to attend both playoff games hosted here in Phoenix.

The first one I tagged along with the entire Schock Clan .

It was incredibly fun and seriously electric with energy for the Cardinals.

The Next game was the NFC Championship.

You would think my only living relatives life depended on this game. I was inappropriately anxious. INAPPROPRIATELY.

Luckily- they pulled it off!

Despite loosing the Superbowl it was still an insanely fun season! and now I can't wait for this one to begin :)

PS. Even as I write this I am a little surprised by the enthusiasm. I mean the actual concept of football seems anything but interesting to me.... really- burly sweaty men pummeling each other over a coveted ball... REALLY? I can't help it- it is similar to my secret love for Phil Collins, it just happened.

I am so excited for My Cousin Natalie and her Fiancee Matt who are getting married this November.

They are the kind of couple who are so honest and fun that everyone is immediately at ease around them.

In addition to being an absolute hoot to hang out with they are also very very outdoorsy. I'm talking rock hopping, cliff jumping, tire bustin, rapid conquering, trail blazing outdoorsy.

They are also very Green and committed to the cause.

What a great color to be.

With this in mind we thought what better way to shower them (as in wedding shower) than with a "great outdoors" themed shower- coed.

Since I know Natalie doesn't read my blog, I thought I'd share some Ideas here...

How cute is this wedding invitation? I obviously will change it into a shower invite, but I think it is just perfect. From my one true love Etsy of course :)

This shower will be bomb....

Lets just say there will be tents and river boats involved!

Do NOT underestimate the power of a Cookie.

So, I have been in the mood to get crafty lately. I am pretty sure I know why.

According to my Picasa web album, which is a very reliable source, the last time I got crafty was March 14, 2008. No that isn't a typo. 2008.

Wanna see?

To bad.

For Mr. Coopers B-day Rhonda and I made a Hamburger cake... oh and a Hot dog.

It started out with a trip to the market, a canal, dark golf course, and the inevitable...some ripped jeans and a bloody elbow.

Eventually we got to this:

See the bloody Elbow? It was intense!

Despite the serious injuries involved the cake turned out splendidly.