PLASTIC WRAP

Last month, my in-laws relocated twelve hours closer. We drove down to Utah help them move in.



And wouldn't you know it, it poured the entire time.

It was one wet, drippy, soggy, soaked-through kind of day.

After the trucks were unloaded, our niece made good use of all the fun packaging.

The "princess dress" she personally designed for me, certainly pushed the fashion envelope.

I mean, sure, it was pretty. But I usually prefer those that aren't quite so transparent.

And then she got really creative with Andrew's princess dress.





The rain falling in Utah, we knew would be falling as snow in Idaho. Do we leave now to try and beat the storm blowing in? Or do we wait til morning with the chance that it could be really bad after the fact? It's always a gamble either way.

We chose to leave that night and stay ahead of the storm...

But Unfortunately, we hit the Malad Pass just as things got exceptionally bad.

When the accumulation became so deep that we couldn't even tell where the highway was anymore, we followed the last set of tire tracks we could find--ending up in a hick town Chevron parking lot. It was also where every last, late-night traveler was parked...also stranded by the storm...just waiting it out.

I've never seen snow fall so thickly in my life. Oh, how we regretted not staying the night in Utah. All we wanted was sleep!

Eventually, the snowfall slowed to the point that we could see out the windows. Then, we saw the flashing lights of a snowplow pass us toward the highway, and we tentatively ventured out toward home.

We pulled in our driveway about 4:30 a.m...a four-hour trip having turned into over eight...long... hours. It was a horrible night.

The moral of the story is, of course: Don't ever, under any circumstances, let a four-year-old encase your head with plastic wrap.

The lack of oxygen to you brain can only hinder your decision making skills. I don't care how cute she is.

Consider yourself warned.

I DRIVE A DODGE STRATUS.

So, a couple of weeks ago, I wrecked my car. I don't really want to talk about it.

But so as not to leave you hanging, I'll just say that Idaho roads suck in the winter after high winds. Especially when you're maneuvering a sharp curve. And you're late for work. *ahem*

It could have been really bad. But luckily, I missed the oncoming traffic, the fence, the telephone pole, and the trees. So I'm counting my blessings that all I have to show for the ordeal is some mild whiplash and the need for a new front bumper.

My poor car is currently at the car doctor. Meanwhile, I have been provided with a Nissan Quest minivan to get around in. It was rather awkward for me to get used to in the beginning...probably because of the whole not quite being in the mini-van-stage-of-life yet deal. But I've since learned to really enjoy the luxuriousness of the interior, being higher off the ground, and (don't laugh) the greater horsepower.

But this weekend, we took the van out for a date night spin. Driving the mini-van must have been strange for Andrew too, but I didn't understand the extent of it until on our way out the door, he offhandedly suggested we put fake car seats in the back.

My ignoring this, didn't discourage him. Because then, on our way to the movies, Andrew kept randomly yelling things to the back seats like:

Don't make me come back there!

and

Don't make me turn this van around!

I'll keep an eye on him over the next few days, and let you know if his delusions get any worse. In the meantime, if you see a young gal parking her van at the far back corner of the grocery store lot go say hi. It's just me...not used to parking a van...and doing my best to avoid further accidents.

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY-- [framed] photo site

I can't even remember how I found it. But I'm sure glad I did! Their weekly episodes are my new guilty pleasure.
Along with Moose Tracks.And maple bars.And those Little Debbie chocolate swirly cakes with frosting in the middle.
But anyways...
Every Tuesday, [FRAMED] posts a 15-minute documentary-style video about a different photographer. They've hit up photographers in the Salt Lake area of various styles: film, digital, high fashion, family, children, etc. Next, they're headed to Portland, Oregon.
It's been fun to learn about what entails a photo shoot, a photography business, and the editing process. I get a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the real deal. SO cool.
If photography is your kind of thing, visit their site and take a look around. When I first found it, I spent an hour at least, getting lost in their older episodes. I dare you to do the same. Have fun!

Well, I'm gonna go now. I wonder if Andrew left me any of that ice cream...

MEMORY MONDAY--honeymooners

{*post edit}

This may be the only picture I have of our honeymoon: just the two of us...officially married...riding off into the sunset...living the adult-life alone! I love that it perfectly captures the golden, happy mood of the whole trip.
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{And if I remember right, this picture was actually taken by a polygamist family who happened to be on the bridge at teh same time.}

Being married to Andrew really is the best.



But after my dad saw this picture, he e-mailed me a picture of his own:

He and my step-mom...on their honeymoon...on the same bridge...at the same time of day...in the same pose.

*awkward silence*




I know, right?
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The myriad of complicated emotions that surfaced for me then, all seemed to be synonymous with the word: uncomfortable at varying degrees.

Don't get me wrong. I like these guys...but...weird. Do I really need to explain myself any further here?


I'm doing my best not to let it taint our own golden glow.
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SAINT PATRICK'S DAY DECOR--freebies!

1.)

I shared the Valentine version of this subway art last month, and was pleased to see one for March. I thought I'd share the wealth. This one comes from the blog eighteen25.

I think mine adds a nice St. Patrick's Day Touch without being tacky.

Because let's face it: decorating for a holiday that revolves around little, green, beer drinkin' Irishmen can get tacky reeeal quick.

2.)

If that one doesn't suit your fancy, I found these free printables on the blog two twenty-one.

Signs like this are all the rage right now. If you care about that sort of thing.

This is my favorite one. For some reason, it makes me think of Andrew.

3.)

And here are some funb printables from it's a crafty life.

Each one comes in 2 different color variations.

Get your minds out of the gutter.

Anyway. Here are a few ideas of my own.

Printer out of ink?

{Mine is...after all these darn printables}

Stick some scrapbook paper in a frame for a super simple holiday statement.

Happy March!

SWEET VALENTINE'S DAY

A sweet day, indeed.

I made chicken and dumplings for dinner... a recipe I've been wanting to try from HERE for a long time now. Definitely a new favorite for both of us.

Andrew quietly set the table and surprised me with the fancy...er...plastic goblets, fancy folded napkin art, candles, and a hidden ipod playing mushy background music.

Whether or not this was accompanied by smooches and slow dancing in the kitchen is not really any of your business.

geez.

For dessert, Andrew presented me with a giant frosted cookie.

I couldn't decide if I loved him for it or hated him for it.

Then, we got to open three {yummy}Valentine packages from family!

{Excited to try out this new book!}

And I had to share a favorite student-made Valentine:

The kissy couple on the sticker has been labeled: "Mrs. Ashmore" and "Mr. Ashmore." Ha!

ANDREW'S MAD SKILLS--featured!

Andrew has some pretty awesome skills in the woodworking department. Please allow me to brag shamelessly.

He just finished this nightstand for me. {cellphone pics}




He often builds beautiful furniture to fill the homes they build at work.

He invited me to the shop one evening to check out his latest projects.

Hello. This is me watching him stain...And trying not to get high on fumes...Or get sawdust on my work slacks.

Lesson learned. Don't wear black to the shop.

I was still dressed for work myself {elementary teacher, you remember}.

Here he's working on what will soon be a fancy kitchen table.

This photo was featured on the fabulous blog of Becky Higgins!! I was so honored to receive the e-mail from her. Check out the post HERE.

Continuing on with my brag-fest, this is a headboard similar to the one he made for me.

That fancy kitchen table he was working on? This is the finished product all set up in the fancy house.

This is the fancy house. It's so fun to go through and see what he's been up to.

Above where the table sits, is this ceiling that Andrew put together too. Gorgeous!

Similar to the ceiling he built in the master bedroom.

More beautiful woodwork{still a little dusty from construction}.

And the staircase.

So, anyway. My husband is a stud. But I'm finished bragging now.

For the moment, anyway.