the west is best

An abbreviated photo journal from a recent trip westward to visit my brother Michael.

1. Dave and I skiing in Vail.  

A BIG thanks to sweet Sunny for the passes!!  And to Emily for the ski gear...

def helped me look somewhat ligit.

2. Sunday brunch with the siblings and Uncle John and Aunt Patty at Mercury Cafe.  

Such a hip spot.  We loved the sweet and savory options, as well as the live jazz improv pianist.

3. Michael and Dave at the farm.  

We fed some pigs, visited with the horses, checked out the bees and fish and watched the elementary school field trip kids learn about worms.

4.  Eating wild game at The Buckhorn Exchange, Denver's original steakhouse. 

Where else can you get elk, duck, yak, buffalo and more?!

Not pictured:

Sherpa House in Golden, CO.  Hands down best Chai...possibly ever!?

Spot bike test drive

Downtown Denver, 16th Street Mall, Museum of Art, Legacy Table at the Public Library

Maya Exhibit at Nature and Science Museum

Zoo

Beignets for brunch at Lucile's 

And so, so, SO much more!

penitent & contrite hearts

Today ushers in a special season in the church calendar, Lent. For many, regardless of affiliation or denomination, it is the annual opportunity taken to focus our hearts, submit ourselves more fully to God's calling, and to deny ourselves things that could pose a hindrance to our self-examination and repentance. As you consider the urging of the Holy Spirit, take a moment, an hour, a day, or a weekend, to separate yourself from the mumblings of the world. Turn you eyes and hearts to readings (such as the excerpt below from The Book of Common Prayer), prayers, music, and/or nature. Listen closely for the whispers of truth that will come your way, and prepare your soul for the transformative power of reflection and silence. 

'Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily

lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. 

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. '

The Book of Common Prayer

Which Lunchbox Buddy Are You??

step sing 2014 {the sacred tradition}

"Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd.  Without innovation, it is a corpse."

-Winston Churchill

Participating in traditions allows us to infuse ourselves into a larger past history, while simultaneously allowing us the opportunity to distinguish our present self.  Last weekend, I had the privilege of participating in a Samford University sixty-three-year-old tradition: Step Sing.

I first heard about the infamous Step Sing through a family friend.  He shared whispered accounts of his participation in the legendary singing and dancing competition and the harrowing details of executing a sweepstake wining show. 

Now, I know this sounds totally absurd!  But like any tradition you have been a part of, the participation in something larger than you has a way of creating a bigger-than-life immediate experience and subsequent memory out of that experience.  As a freshman at Samford, I knew that I had to get a taste of Step Sing. 

Students have one month to put together their six minute mash up of a show.  Blood, sweat and tears go into selecting a creative, yet developable theme, choosing the perfect songs to tell your story, choreographing interesting moves including ripples, formations...and then actually practicing everything over and over until you have a seamless performance.  And the reward?   Bragging rights for one year for the one lucky sweepstakes winners.    

I participated in my sorority's show and it was everything I had imagined.  The chills were there and I was hooked!  Unfortunately, I was disappointed to discover fairly quickly that 1. I couldn't sing and 2. I wasn't very coordinated.  Of course these are the two main components of Step Sing!

 I then spent two years on the overall student-run committee that puts on the show.  I enjoyed learning about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into this beloved campus event.  

This year, I received a call inquiring whether I would be interested in being a part of the judging process.  I loved it!  That is the truest thing about traditions.  When traditions thrive over the years, as a result of what Churchill distinguishes as being able to evolve and inspire innovation, the tradition will always take you back to that magical experience you lived out, while allowing new memories to be made.  

hello, bombshell

Bombshell Creative and Pure an Organic Salon hosted an amazing Nashville "Ladies Kind Of Night" leading up to Valentine's!  Sarah represented the Lunchbox Buddies and tagged along with two other girlfriends for this clothing swap/complimentary mini make up, hair and mani make-overs/panty decorating/pose station soiree.  

The Pure team pampered ladies with their all natural products to provide up-dos, arm massages, manis, as well as on-trend eye or lip looks.  And, yes, there were samples galore and hourly give aways!!  

Check out our beautiful hair creations on the last two rows below. 

After getting dolled up, the fun was captured by Bombshell Creative Photography in their special v-day pose station.  Between chatting, snacking and bedazzling unmentionables at the "pizzaz your panties" station, there was also a clothing swap component to the evening led by a wardrobe stylist.    

It was a great night out that felt like the best kind of night in.  This was the perfect event to gear up for February 14th.  So whatever your plans, enjoy a special Valentine's Day pampering those you treasure (and, who says you can't start with yourself)!

we are the champions {of the world}

If you were around in the 90's you know one thing to be true:

Winter Olympics = Figure Skating

And as we reach the final hours of the countdown to Sochi 2014, the Lunchbox Buddies couldn't help but look back at all the exciting and memorable moments from the glory days. The drama of the Kerrigan vs. Harding battle, the elegance of Oksana's Swan Lake performance, and the theatrics of Brian Boitano remain imprinted in our minds and on our hearts. The Olympics have a special way of re-energizing our childhood dreams of floating across the ice, waving gracefully at the crowds, and standing on the medal podium. 

So go get lost in the magic. Let yourself believe that your wildest dreams can come true. The next time you find yourself walking to the mailbox or standing in line at the grocery, take a moment to envision yourself landing the perfect double axel, bringing the audience to their feet. Pick up your flowers. Relish the moment.

And GO USA!

variety{spice of life}

Last night, I participated in one of Nashville's dinnerlab events held at The Anchor Fellowship!  

Forbes.com contributor Adriana Lopez expressed the recent dinnerlab phenomenon best, 

summarizing the social dining start up as 

a membership-based dining club that connects adventurous diners 

with undiscovered chefs for rogue and unique pop-up dining experiences.

And just when I thought I was an adventurous diner...

Ecuadorian Chef Octavio Ycaza busted out seven courses that stretched my 

palate with such "finger-licking" delicacies as beef tripe, fried blood and coconut water 

(that somehow did not taste like water or coconut??!).

A quick aside on tripe.

For those of you who don't know, and in the interest

of protecting your eyes from the google images...

and I quote:

1. the rubbery lining of the stomach of cattle 2. something of no value; rubbish.

Yep, that about sums it up.

It was a fun evening exploring new flavors with familiar friends.  

If the old adage variety is the spice of life is true, then 

my dinnerlab experience was off the Scoville scale, yo!