Friday night hiking- looks like a poem...?

Hiking in a skirt is becoming a habit.

Yes Maxi skirts are all they are cracked up to be.

Sometimes it's okay to spend Friday night's alone.

Sometimes I go places simply because they are filled with peace,

some of those places also happen to be filled with memories I hold very dear.

The little lake up by the boulders- just before sunset.

Random tidbits from a camera

If I was an Instagram-er then this would be a "lately in Instagram" post. Unfortunately, all I have is a breaking down camera that's held together by rubber bands- and it captures the little moments that are slightly noteworthy to me. :)... so lately...

Spending a rainy day inside Barnes and Noble just reading random books- and wishing that I was very rich so I could buy all the incredible ones I stumbled upon- with my best friend.

Blogging/laptop party with dad over a bowl of cherries. And the magazine that I've been super into reading lately. It's a Scientific American about the difference between men and women- psychologically mostly. It's very interesting.

Because there's just something about driving a truck in the summertime that makes you feel good. (Except for the price of diesel gas...that does not make you feel good.)

It's probably embarrassing to show a picture of a messy room. But this is just how it is- maybe I feel weird in the such a big bed. All the clothes that I go though every time I get dressed and nothing seems to work- they all get placed to cover up the other half of the bed. ...?

Going total dork status on shoes for work because we aren't allowed to show our ankles if we wear shorts...? Don't ask me why, it's just a thing. So we get scrunched up high socks- because who really owns any socks that aren't ankle socks?

The perfect activity for summer nights- albeit one that tends to make me feel very nostalgic. 

Found a good home for this baby's breath once it dried out.

These potato yam things have been in that basket in the corner of the kitchen for who knows how long? But they are actually growing. Weird right? That really says something about growing where you stand. Some are placed in great soil and given water and sunshine- and some are forgotten in a kitchen corner- but we all have to make do with what we're given and grow anyways. Those were my thoughts when I saw it anyways.

Summer wreath

Because one simply has to have a hobby to keep themselves from getting the crazies.
...

And some credit must be given to Pintrest for inspiration.

And thank you Hobby Lobby for having a 50% off sale on flowers!

A day at liberty park

Brought some food for the ducks- I had a mix of peanut butter crackers, chow mien, gram crackers, and bread. But I learned that they only have an appreciation for bread- so boring of them!

Strolling through the park for the perfect spot to play- like two little hippies- me and my lil sister.

My favorite part was the group of canoe-rs who stopped and requested to be serenaded. :) They actually patiently waited through a whole song. And afterward the little girl yelled "I like that penguin!" Penguin, of course, translates into 'play again'. Love little kid talk. :)

Maybe it's just me- but I do love an audience- and we did have quite a few people stop and listen for a bit. And I loved it.

And yes, getting eaten alive by all the water bugs and mosquitos was worth it.

These two cuties instantly became our friends at the words "do you want some treats to feed the ducks?" 

My instructions: "Just rip off little pieces and throw them in"

What actually happened: He ripped off the corner of a gramcracker and then threw the rest in, keeping the ripped off corner. That's one way to do it I guess. 

Rent a boat: $6 for 20 min. ...I wish I would have had cash!

Gorgeous park...right?

Something everyone needs to hear!

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

-Marianne Williamson

By far my most favorite quote ever! Because it seriously is SO true! There is a lot to learn for each of us about our own self-worth. It's something that is sadly very hard to gain. But it's something that every single one of us possess and has yet to discover. It really hurts my heart when I see people talk themselves down, or who have come to believe that they just aren't worth it. Or who are afraid to admit or believe that they are in fact pretty cool. But seriously. Who are you NOT to be?

And one more quote that is truly inspiring and completely true. Happy Friday.

“I do know now I was never forgotten. And I know something else and as an apostle of our master Jesus Christ, I proclaim with all the certainty and conviction of my heart and soul, neither are you. You are not forgotten! Sisters, wherever you are, whatever the circumstances may be, you are not forgotten. No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love. Just think of it! You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful and glorious Being in the universe. You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time. He who created and knows the stars knows you and your name. You are the daughters of His kingdom!” 
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

On being significant to others

The other day I was talking to my friend about trials. It seems like everyone gets one big thing in life that is REALLY hard on them- some challenge that defines them. But then we got to thinking. And we were comparing our problems with the problems of people who are a lot worse off then us- and we were thinking that we have it pretty good. When I compare one of my small trials like trying to pay for college to the trial of a child trying to raise their siblings because they have no parents, or starvation, or something big like that- I'm BLESSED! I'm blessed that my problem is that I have to pay for college! Because you know what? I get to GO to college! So we're talking about this and she said something to me that I'm pretty sure will have an impact on the rest of my life. She said that some people don't have huge trials like that. For some people who have so many blessings and really have it that good- the trial is what they will do with it, what they will make of themselves, and how they will become someone significant through using their blessings to help others! Isn't that cool?

So now a story that relates to people who help out. I been not living in Rexburg for a little while now and I've just been noticing updates from my favorite charity organization there via facebook- and I'm just SO proud of how much they have been improving and expanding recently I just have to talk about it!

Once upon a time I was living in Rexburg and I was new there. So naturally I didn't know very many people and I had a bit of extra time on my hands due to the lack of friends. I stumbled across a place called the Family Crisis Center. Let me tell you about it- because it became my favorite place in Rexburg and I just couldn't ever stop going back. They have three main purposes.
- Food Bank- this is the one I participated in the most. Once a week the local grocery stores would donate all their extra food that was soon to expire and we would add it to the supply of non-perishable donations and hand out boxes of food to families who are struggling financially. I can't even tell you how much this touched me and changed a lot of my views. I certainly had a lot more sympathy for people in poverty. Because as much as people on Welfare very often get a lot of bad things said about them- there are a LOT of people who are REALLY struggling and really do need help! It certainly makes you want to do more for other people when you hand a family a box of food and the two year old girl gets THAT excited that she finally can have juice again! Just to see that one simple box of food can give someone hope. It's an incredible feeling.
- Family Crisis- they give counseling, shelter, food, and all sorts of help to victims of domestic violence. A lot of the material help they give these people is through donations from the community.
- Thrift Store- because they are ever looking for more ways to help. They had a lot of donations that they weren't using- so they made a thrift store with all the extra stuff and all the profit goes toward helping the victims. Plus- who doesn't love thrift store?

Sock Bun tutorial for short or long hair

Yes, short hair people can do sock buns too.
This has been my favorite hair do of the summer since I go to work each day and come home with hat hair at night- something has to be done. So this happens every day. Plus, it makes your hair look way thicker than it actually is.

 I got my little sister to do a video for the short hair tutorial and I'll do a picture tutorial for mine since I don't like the sound of my voice on video.... ...?
So for those of you who don't yet know how- sock buns.

And long hair sock buns.

Take a long sock and cut off the toe part (unlike the short hair one, you keep this one long so it'll be thick). Then roll it up into a scrunchy looking donut. And place your hair in a pony tail- for me I prefer it on the top of my head.

Put your hair through the hole and bring it mostly to the top.

Curl your hair around the sock and tuck the ends in- don't worry if you have layers and they fall a little bit. Continue rolling the sock down and tucking hair in as you go- however tight or lose you like.

When you get further down you can tuck in fallen layers.

Give it one last tight tuck at the end...

Tadaaa. Sock bun.

It really only takes like 3 times practicing to master it. Also, it looks different every time. 

And is super good to sleep in if you're like me and need to get your hair out of your face.

And PS...I'm pretty sure that sock bun overnight curls are a myth- if you've heard of them. I've never gotten them to work.

Sunday mornings

I find myself every Sunday morning with the house all to myself while I wait til 1:00 when my church starts. Most of the time I take advantage of the quiet hours and sleep in extra long- which usually results in guilty feelings of a wasted day. But occasionally I wake up early and do stuff. This morning was especially peaceful as I spent most of my time finishing a book I've been reading outside by the garden. Sitting in a banana chair that I dragged out, with the sun on me, getting distracted by the bees and the trees. :) Quite peaceful indeed.

It made me happy so I thought it was worth mentioning. Plus. Days always feel so much more productive when you can actually wake up for them.

Father's Day

So for father's day I'm doing two things. One. Officially allowing my dad to look at my blog (he hasn't been allowed to since the 10 things I love about my dad article was supposed to be a surprise for father's day...so I made him wait). And two. Giving him a flower arrangement. I know that flowers are stereo-typically for girls, but I'm pretty sure boys like them too. Plus I made sure they were masculine ish colors (yellow orange and blue). And it's an idea that I've wanted to do for SO long. 

This is my older sister Erika who I always drag to the store with me to buy flowers

And yes, I'm still cheaply buying them at the grocery store, not a flower shop.

Carnations and Gypsophila...and then I used Daisies from the garden at home

In an Ikea watering can.

I'm kindof proud of it anyways...and it was fun to make. Actually...one of my favorites so far.

Also. While I was making this I watched a movie with my family called Green Card. It's kindof ironic. Here's the deal. It's about a girl named Bronte (why I wanted to watch it) who's obsessed with plants and lives in New York with a gorgeous apartment and a huge greenhouse. Living the dream. And then it's a chick flick and she falls in love with this French guy. But I thought the parallel was pretty funny (besides the fact and I'm not in love with a French man), and it was actually a good movie. My favorite quote was when she's telling him how she got her name (named after the Bronte sisters...writers...as am I) and she says "I think they named me that hoping I would end up doing something artistic" or something like that. You get the point...It was fun.

Chalk the Streets!

One of the blogs that I read does an "Awkward and awesome" post once a week...basically just saying the good and bad moments she's been having. So here is my Awkward and Awesome about the Chalk Art Festival this year. (Except it wasn't really awkward...but you get the point).

Awesome:

People watching- seriously one of my favorite things. Also, since we were down town a lot of people have really good fashion (sometimes the children have better fashion than myself) but it was like watching my whole Pintrest wardrobe walk around. Plus- people do some crazy things...and say some crazy things. Nothing like men walking around in costumes, children saying whatever the heck they want because let's be honest...children are just honest, and listening in on the middle of people's conversations as they walk by.

Awkward:

People watching us- Sometimes I feel a little bit like I'm in a zoo. People passing by the artists just don't realize that we CAN infact hear them. And while we sit there they pass by and take pictures and critique what we do.

Awesome:

We always have a sleepover in between the two days and I tell ya...it never gets old. Staying up laughing until one in the morning over the dumbest jokes like crazies. 

Awkward:

The next day being way super exhausted and HOT and let's be honest here for a second. This year's picture probably wasn't our favorite and we were getting a little sick of it by the end. And were maybe not the happiest with how it turned out...

Awesome:

Chalking with two of my best friends for two days straight. And chalking. It's the funnest thing to see this huge convention of adults using sidewalk chalk to the extreme. Plus, who doesn't love making art?

No close ups on the work- but you can pretty much see it.

Awkward:

We won first place for People's Choice. Which is fine and all..because who doesn't like winning? But there were just so many other completely deserving artists there!! Also I and all my hate for texting have a problem with the voting system which is based on text. So maybe we won more due to our huge support group of friends over actual artistic skill this year. But what can you do?

PS...to see the other Artist's work go to their facebook page "Chalk Art Festival" and they'll be putting pictures up come Monday. My poor little camera didn't take pictures that could do everyone justice, so you have to go facebook for a good representation. There was some INCREDIBLE stuff this year. My personal favorites were the Dreamcatcher, Mary and Jesus, Dr, Seuss, and the Foster Friends...if you look it up. :)

This one just because I think people take the most beautiful pictures when they are looking down and unaware. It makes them look peaceful...This is my gorgeous best friend Leah.

And my family sitting nicely in a row.

A quick note after some requests/ideas

So...ever since I did that post about not wearing foundation for the Summer I have had quite a few reactions and comments.
Most common reaction= seriously? You're actually doing that? And yes. It's for real. And yes, you should probably jump on the bandwagon and try it out.
Then I've had a couple people ask me what I've been doing instead of facewash (since that was part of the deal...no facewash) and here is the link to the soap I've been using. Unfortunately I bought it in Las Vegas so the store isn't exactly reachable- but they are online. I've always been a fan of Tea Tree oil- natural stuff...it really does work quite a bit. But I can't stand the smell of it as an oil- it's pretty strong! So when I found it in soap form I was pretty excited. So no facewash...just some natural soap.

 And then third I've heard about this natural foundation. My friend told me about it and I've had a few people tell me that they tried it and it's been working great! So the link here . And if you hate following links I'll just tell you. It's this article about not knowing what you are putting on your face with makeup, so they give you a new idea for foundation...drumroll....cornstarch. That's it. If you're pale like me you can just use straight up cornstarch. If you're lucky enough to get a summer tan, you can mix in your powder foundation with it to color it and that will make your foundation go farther! It's a good idea.

A funny little story

Because life's supposed to be funny. Right?
So lately I've been hearing all these creepy stories from my coworkers. One of them was about some creeper stalker peeping tom in college who would do freaky things like scratch on her window and other stuff. I don't want to talk about it really- just a little background so you know the reason why I'm so paranoid in a minute. Anyways. My parents are out of town- so I sleep in their bed. That's normal right? I didn't want to sleep in the basement by myself and I just wanted to be on the same level as my little sisters since my parents were gone. And it's a dang good thing I did! I went down to my room to get dressed in the morning and I hear this awful scratching on my window. My first thought, of course, is that there is a mass murderer in my window well! And then I realize that it's morning time and so that is obviously not the case. So I open the drapes and lo and behold I find a gofer. In my window well. I obviously can't deal with it. I mean- first off I'd freak out and second- I would never be able to kill it- which is what you're supposed to do with pests right? (The girl at my work said I should have dropped it off at the humane society :) ) So I run off to work and make my little sister take care of it. So this is her solution...Open the window (a major NO in my life- do you know how many spiders dwell in that window well?!) set up a cardboard box, and scare it into the box with a broom handle. And then...she just threw the box away. Some people call pest control, but in the Baird household, we throw our pests away. ...? But think about it! What was she going to do if that little creature were to have ran into my room instead of the box!?? Anyways. The point  of the matter is- it's a good thing I slept in my parents bed or I would have been mega freaked out by the scratching of the windows at night. The end.

Just getting excited for some chalk!

Chalk Art Festival is THIS WEEKEND people! I have been looking forward to it since like...last year. It's my favorite. Anyways. Here are pictures of chalk arts past. Maybe to get you excited too?

year one

year two

two and a half (high school chalk the walk)

Year three

Even though Girl with the Peal Earing was our best yet artistically speaking, there will always be a special place in my heart for Jimi as the most fun and personal favorite. 

And sneak peak...this is the picture we are doing this year!

 Do you kinda think she's pretty? Cause I do!