Have you ever seen someone bunch their hair up in the cutest bun and wonder how they sculpted it so effortlessly? Well, I have attempted to capture this phenomenon on camera. My fantastically talented, remarkably enjoyable and kind friend helped me recreate one of those simple ballerina buns, perfect for any afternoon excursion or casual outing.
Use the fun little “do” for all of your fun weekend plans!
Photos on this post were shot with a Nikon D60 dSLR camera 55-200mm kit lens.
That’s one of my favorite words. Wanderlust. Mostly, I appreciate it when it’s used in its proper context. But it stands just fine on its own I think. I find it fascinating how words can have such meaning to someone. {No lame pun intended, there} This word “wanderlust” inspires my dreams and, simultaneously, encompasses all of my greatest fears and “unknowns.” I want to wander but I am afraid to leave the “familiar.” My hope is to sail solo across the pacific but I’ve never sailed.
Is it true that sometimes you just have to take the leap?
When I first began to blog, I wanted to make my life updates available to family. Then I wanted to use blogging as thought outlet for my many wandering ones. Wanderlust. It is almost like every time I think I could take the leap, I end up choking. This word, wanderlust, has taken on a new meaning for the direction my life is headed now. Instead of setting too many and too extreme of expectations, I can choose to start small.
So here’s to baby steps and smaller goals for the near and distant future.
What are your smaller goals? Are you all about the “wanderlust?”
May 26th is her official birthday but her mama decided to throw an early shindig.
I think it’s safe to say the this little gal turned-three had a WONDERFUL time at her party! More details to come soon…
This little man is very handsome.
I must admit that he is quite fun, too. 
The last time I spent the day with an eight-month-old I did not have, nearly, as much fun as I did with this dude.
And though I was very amused with him, I think he could have taken or left my company.
At times, he thought I was entertaining.
And at other times, he preferred to entertain himself.
Brace yourself. This little booger, he’s adorable.
While he enjoyed attempting to dislodge the house keys from their chain, I soaked in the sunshine.
Little bean may have gotten a bit sleepy.
But when he got a little bite sleepy, I tried to make a joke.
And though my joke may not have been that funny, he remained a gentleman and laughed a polite laugh.
We ate snacks together.
And he even hosted a trip to the Life and Sciences museum!
“Hey Jasper, why don’t you just take a seat with me on my nice blanket?”
“Alright, if you’re gunna be like that, I’ll just nibble on my mummum.”
“I think I hit a tooth…”
“Nah, there’s only three little teeth in there…”
“I am just too cute for words, aren’t I?”
Yes, you are too cute!
But not too cute to keep snapping photos!
“I think I see a rabbit!”
It was a funny-looking rabbit.
Trying to clap…
But just having too much fun to not laugh!
“I might take a nap…”
“Or I might not…”
Just livin’ life…
“What should we do next?”
“We should find the sunscreen, you say?”
This flannel blanket couldn’t match the grass better, could it?
Call me crazy but these might be the most fun photos I’ve captured in a long while!
After our family’s trip, last month, to the Outerbanks, I decided to take be more proactive in taking practical steps toward my future. At Kitty Hawk National Monument, there are exhibits where we saw journals of the Wright brothers’ time leading up to the time of their first flights. Reading their journals inspired me to put some of my dreams into writing. “Day 1,783″ marks the commence of my log. No, this is not a stardated log for those of you Trekkies out there. This is also not your average captain’s log. In fact, this log marks the beginning of a countdown. A reverse-ordered chronicle that ends with a beginning. That’s right, you heard me. This idea has simmering for a while and it’s time that I come out with it. There are 1,783 days until March 31, 2017.
For what feels like the past two years, I’ve been in some kind of funk. My primary care physician and psychiatrist think it’s a lack of serotonin. And it may be that. That might, also, explain my inability to maintain anything less than an “overweight” BMI. Oh well! As far as the weight issue goes, I’ll keep you posted. But in the meantime, just know this:
That’s right, I got into an associate’s degree program for commercial photography, lighting and marketing. This is one of the first practical steps I must take in order to make March 31, 2017 a successful reality. It’s 1,783 days until I set sail for a journey to the south China sea. Along my journey in 2017 I intend to sail through the east seas and try to make it to asiatic parts of Turkey. It’s so long until March 2017 but such a short time, as well!
Last night I scanned an old journal cover of mine to show on the blog as it went into the garbage bin. One thing I am beginning to realize is that holding onto much or little in this life won’t change who I am or what happens so I’d rather live “lightly” on the possessions-ends.
It’s been a while since I posted anything on crunchy little bites and I cannot quite figure out why that is but I will try to honor my desire to write regularly and hopefully see you all soon!
Have YOU any plans simmering in your head? Any big plans you’ve though of for 2017, already, like me?
This morning I passed a sign in the office’s break room that advertised “Aunty Em’s Donuts.” The flyer described cookies, cakes, donuts and other sweet confections available at a local bakery. Suddenly I was taken back to my days of Saturday-morning-anticipation for watching our family’s VHS recording of “the Wizard of Oz.” My mom always liked to tape the television-aired movies with no commercials but sometimes we’d forget to press “Record” at the end of a commercial. In the case of this copy of “The Wizard of Oz,” we missed the first, very important I might add, couple seconds of the poppy fields scene. Oh well. I promise you, there’s a point to this story. “Aunty Em’s” bakery sign reminded me that I always used to find my six-year-old-self repeating Dorothy’s cried for “Aunty Em, Aunty Em.” I was not a ham at all, mind you. But I always use to re-enact the scene, jetting frantically around the back yard with bonnet clutched worriedly around my ears, yelling “ANNY AM, ANNY AM!?!?!” That’s what I thought Dorothy was saying. It was not until 10 years later in my life when I heard people referring to family members or respected elders as “Aunty.” Perhaps it’s more “American” than I might have suspected but I’d never heard the term until I met Brits. Backwoods Oklahoma Kansas is about as American as anywhere can get, right?
When you’re a kid, the world is yours! And you can paint your face to become the animal of your dreams, make secret lands in your back yard and create witches brew in your dad’s wheel barrow using only sticks and berries. But there are lots of things you CAN’T do when you’re a kids, I just can’t think of any cool enough to mention here.
Did YOU ever mistake common phrases or words for what they were not? Have you any childhood stories that you still remember from time to time?
As promised, I shall share cinnamon roll how-to very soon. And I’m making cupcakes for two different events in the next week and a half so you can trust you’ll find photos and recipes here at Crunchy Little Bites soon! Until then, have a very nice day!
Here are a few reasons why I love accepting my aunt invitations to the mountain house:
1. family love.
2. long walks.
3. homemade cinnamon rolls. uh, yum.
4. kite flying.
5. croquet playing. who doesn’t lock cracking mallets?
6. countryside soaking.
7. pretty allergens.
8. do you really need an eighth reason?
9. Did I mention I’ll be making homemade cinnamon rolls? Stay tuned for a recipe y’all…
Where’s one of YOUR favorite spots to “get away” to?
These guys contemplated “toss the hot coal.” Progression from thought to action went something like this: “Should we play toss the hot coal, Nick?” Nick: “No way, that’s too dangerous!…Well, as long as we are very careful and just hit the fiery hot coal with the tippy-tip of our fingers.” Fiery hot coal toss begin! {Who tossed that perfectly descent poptart into the fire?!}
**Warning** : This is a photo-heavy post.
Some of these photos should be captioned: “Just don’t ask.”
The youth group walks. The youth group talks. The youth group poses for photos with class, style and swagger. Don’t make us say it twice: “We love our camping story-go-round-the-fire-time like a love song.” The weekend was full of smiles, sleeping bags and hot cocoa filled Styrofoam cups bummed off of the neighbors.
There may have been poptarts roasted over the fire, as well.
This lady may not have fallen into the water…
While one of these ladies **I’ll let you take a stab at who lost her footing and took an accidental soaking** may have fallen into the water.
Is that the elder wand?
Hanging Rock State park may never be the same now that CGS has trekked it’s everlasting and rugged depths. Oh yes we did and none-the-worse-for wear are we.
Here we are, pre-40-mile-trek-stretch.* Hamstrings first, people!
It takes heart to accomplish days so chock-full of adventure, obstacle and challenge.* Is someone thinking we still don’t know who’s to blame for the cocoa shortage? Think again!
And it takes lots and lots of sugary foods to provide sustenance for these warriors.*
For one reason or another, CGS really really takes to scraggly-mangy-stray-campground-mutts. Because this poor Rhodesian-ridge back-mix, pledged to be seeking asylum in the quiet backwoods of North Carolina, was, nearly, the highlight of our time camping.
Much to his relief, attention turned back to roasting random items over the our sketchy, pamphlet-kindled campfire. All was well for Pooch, one again.
These ladies were delighted with themselves and their fire-searing banana trick. Needless to say, hot bananas are the new pancake.*
Nick may have contemplated new career options like dermatology*…Teresa learned more about smiling…and, well, Jasper was fixated on her fascination with pyrotechnics. Some people never change.
Some of our youth are currently studying to be free-lance tree climbers while others turn their focus toward meteorology and still-life photography.
Did you have a great time or what?! Again, if anyone was not aware that, primarily, one man was responsible for consuming 98% of the morning’s hot beverage rations, this photo stand to prove so.
Good times were had by all. Especially those of us who made it up the fire tower hike for a gorgeous sunset.
Not to worry parents, everyone stayed far away from the edge.
*No children, bananas, warts, animals, vegetables or minerals were harmed in the making of this article.
Some coworkers at the office and I were discussing the possibility of Disney cinema night. We could all sit out on the lawn at the foot of our tower and watch movies and eat popcorn outdoors. Yes, we do also happen to accomplish some work in our office, too…not just talk about Disney movies…sometimes. We happened to be chatting about of of Disney’ latest movies, Tangled, and my coworker said she’s heartbroken ever time Rapunzel sees her lover-boy willingly abandoning her in the boat {when he is, in actuality, tied to the mast) and I excitedly replied “Hey! You know what that’s called?!” Both coworkers eagerly ask “yeah, what?” And a blank look came to my face…”I forget now.” Yah, that’s all I had to say. “You’re a real literary critic, ain’t ya, Jasper?”
{image source}
Well, good day to you from balmy North Carolina! Don’t be mistaken by the excitement plastered across my face, I love the sun!
And lookie here at the little artwork I created while my aunt was away … don’t worry folks, she’ll be back tomorrow evening.
You know just as well as I do that these things we call “brilliant notions” at one point or another can sometimes turn out to be pretty bad ideas. For instance: two years ago I had the “brilliant notion” that if I moved to Reno, NV to help some guy that I was in love with, that he’d want to marry me. NOT a brilliant notion. More on that story later…yesterday I told my friend at work a bit about it and after recovering from a gaping jaw, she said “no way!” Well, yes way.
So here’s to a day full of more-than-brilliant notions for you! If you’ve got any you’d like to share, leave them below!
Have you ever had a brilliant or NOT-SO-BRILLIANT notion?
Where has my brain been, lately? That’s the question I keep wondering as I skip around from topic to topic in most of my conversations. Perhaps it is the anticipation of Slayer leaving me this Friday! Friends and coworkers can barely keep up with my random comments and rabbit-trailed discussion. What to do with the nerves? What to do?
One idea I’ve had is setting aside some quiet time, each and ever morning, to spend reading and praying. Lately, I have struggled with anything other than getting up early and rushing out the door to walk to work and or running errands before the long work day at the office begins. And that means no time to be calm or listen to the quiet each day. This morning was, hopefully, the first of many succesful attempts to spend quiet time with God. 
And since I’ve had no iPhone {or any kind of phone, for that matter} in the past 30 days, there’s no Bieber mania to distract me from the opportunity for quiet. Yes, I may supplement my loss of Bieber tunes with the occasional five minute viewing of a Never Say Never clip but Justin Bieber, as I have said before is not the worst vice. Although some of you may argue otherwise. Speaking of music/tunes: This morning I was in the bathroom when I heard someone tapping their toes and cooing their way through some saucy vocal waves when she joined me at the sink area. I should have commented over her impressive vocal range but I did not want to disrupt the music. Perhaps she’ll try out for the upcoming American Idol season. I sure hope she does! Some very talented people work in my office.
This weekend, a group of young ladies and I got together to discuss/chat about this book. And Wendy made some lovely {apparently gluten-free} chocolate pumpkin muffins. The hang-out time made a perfect ending for a camping weekend with the youth {this I will re-cap in a post later this week!} Please stay tuned for more information about my recovery journey and a possible 365 day challenge proposal!
Have a Happy Monday ~ it’s off to the ball game with the office for me this afternoon! ~
It’s been a while since taking my last “artsy” photograph. Unfortunately, that’s because my Nikon is out of commission. There a few benefits to my dilemma: I am forced to find neat photos that I have taken in the past and would have, otherwise, never used in a blog post or attempted to share. And I am actively searching for a new camera in which to invest my money. One other thing that is true, aside to my camera being out of commission, is that I’ve applied for an associate’s degree program in commercial photography. Since I have major pride issues, the idea of announcing my future “lesser” schooling endeavors to a community full of genius-achieving “academics,” I tend to call them, was not so appealing. But that needs to be my old opinion, thank you very much. If anyone wants to ugde me based on my degree program well then that will have to be there deal.
Making a big and fancy announcement doesn’t have to be the focus of this post, even. Perhaps I just want to write about it to put it out there in the open. No longer does it need to be a secret or hidden from the world. So hear this world: “Jasper’s goin’ back to school!” The future is brighter 
Recently I have been in what feels like a deep trough depression. Many people say “What?! No way! You don’t ‘seem’ depressed.” It is possible that I have gotten so used to carrying on with “life” no matter how I feel that others do not notice or it is possible that the way I cope with depression is unique to me. Nonetheless, I am grateful to have had last week and four days therein to spend with my parents at the beach! Stay tuned for photos and re-cap for the beach trip for which I am ever grateful to my parents for treating me! Thanks!
What’s your big news of late? Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
Happy Friday ~ Jasper …
PS. This lady’s taking the high school and middle school students camping!
The original title for this past was “If it fits, it ships; courtesy of the USPS” because I was on my walk to work and had to make a stop my preferred Durham, NC United States postal office on Kangaroo Road. Wouldn’t that make a cute blog post title? Only, I had no pertinent information for a blog post for which such a title would be intended. Another item I considered on my walk to work was this: grammar and parts of speech. Many of you may know that I make grammatical errors quite a lot but they peeve me just the same. They’re such a curious and searchable subject, parts of speech that is. Prepositions, phrases, adjectives, nouns, modifiers, lest I go on. 
Last night I rode the bus from Chapel Hill to Durham after a meeting at the Neurosciences hospital and as the only passenger, I think the bus driver felt it appropriate to entertain me with conversation. He shared that President Obama would be making an appearance on UNC-CH’s campus tomorrow {news to me as I’d have waited in line for a free tickets to the president’s speech} and that “women should not be allowed to join the secret service,” among other items in the bus driver’s opinions. Whatever the bus driver’s view, his comments got me to thinking: “It’s pretty interesting that every one person seems to have something to say…” Profound. I know. 
This was a photo I took of a cute little bean and friend in Reno, NV. She even hopped into an abandoned shopping cart for a photo that day and I am not sure that I’ve shared it on the blog or not.
A few days ago I was on my way to work and I saw something that I was, at first, reluctant to share, mostly because I thought “What if the person who I describe finds my description on the blog?” but if she does, that’s ok…This girl was dressed up in all the latest work-out clothing and marching her way through the 5-K running trail, complete with head band and iPod. In her right hand, I see jumbo size Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cup. I am sure it was filled with water 
This chic was impressive: all the morning necessities, workout, coffee and all. And if you {she} finds this blog, please comment because I’d like to meet you, your style is awesome.
Check out the new addition to crunchy little bites. Ok, so it’s a Tiffany lamp. For some reason, I really like it! Not sure if it is going to remain on the blog but for now, it’s a yes! Yes to the lamp! And if any of you care to explain, further, “I love lamp {Jasper, still, does not understand the whole Anchorman reference}” idea, please do!
This weekend I am planning to camp out in Hanging Rock State Park with a fairly large group of high-school and middle-school aged students. For the trip, I am preparing homemade trail mix and trail cookies. And if there is a random cancellation of the trip, I plan to have the ladies over for baking on Friday night on which there might be an impromptu viewing {cuz I’m not planning on anything, really } of the extended “director’s cut” version of Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. That is, only if the girls are truly lucky. If we are really REALLY LUCKY, we’ll hop out on the town for a viewing of The Luck One. I TOTALLY agree with this girls’ love for The Lucky One movie. Oh, I am super excited about the possibility of seeing that movie!
For now, bye-bye!
Stayed tuned for story about my toenails coming off. The post will include a **disclamier, of course As well as my most recent experiement with this girl’s poo-less project. Oh YeYah, I DID it!
Happy Tuesday to you ~ Jasper Naomi
