Oh, the things we saw...Okie Noodling Fest

Words can't describe the gloriousness of the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, OK. I'm pretty sure it's going to have to become a yearly tradition. The Loehrs-Wehunt combination always guarantees craziness and fun, and this day sure wasn't lacking in either. I also got to cross the event off my summer list!

I can definitely see why all of this Oklahoma goodness has earned national attention. We saw...

each team's catch being brought in from the lake...

team after team earning awards for the day's heaviest catch...

and a priceless look on Kelly's face after she got slapped by one of the catfish, as they carried them by!

You can't go to the Noodling Festival without stopping at Bob's Pig Shop and...

enjoying a Catfish fry! We also saw a lot of interesting people such as....

the lieutenant governor, Jari Askins...

lots of red, white, and blue apparel wearin' noodlers...

A Japanese film crew that documented the event for a Japanese reality show. (Check out the video of this guy bringing in his catch)...

and these guys...need I say more?

We came. We saw. We conquered. And I think I'm going to have to do it again next year.

A Wicked Surprise

The only thing Dustin told me months ago, was to leave June 9th and 10th open. I knew we were going on a trip, I just didn't know where. So, loaded up with more country music than he could stand, we headed off on the mystery trip :)

The X at the end of the map was Dallas! I kind of have a weird thing about taking pictures of places we stay, so here is the mirror reflection of our room at the Anatole.

I don't really know...this seemed like fun at the time, and I was really excited. Thankfully, Dustin was sweet enough to humor me, even though he said posing with his hands on his cheeks was a "girl pose".

The reason we were in Dallas, was to see "Wicked"! I was soooooo pumped. Dustin knew I'd been dying to see it, but missed it when it came to OKC, so he bought us tickets, months in advance. I knew I married a keeper :) The icing on the cake was this was by far the BEST show I had ever seen, and the lead , hands down, has most incredible voice I have ever heard.

Favorite line: "It appears the artichoke is steamed..."

Eating at one of my faves, Chuys! I told Dustin I wanted a picture of him and the King.

Um...need I say more?

So happy.

A shout out to my hubby for a wonderful trip! You win the man of the year award for a) planning the trip b) managing to keep it a secret for months c) sharing my love of musicals d) encouraging and enduring trips to Ikea, Anthropologie, and listening to country music. Love!

The List of Leisure

For the first time since I was 16, I have a summer of pure, unadulterated FREEDOM!. No full time side job. No 10 surprise hours of online Spanish that I had to take in a month and a half, WHILE working full time (that's a story for another day). No wedding planning. While I'm glad I did all of that, I'm officially enjoying the wonderful (granted, low paid) life of a teacher. In honor of my lack of obligations, I thought I'd put in writing the Un-To- Do List I've been mulling over in my head for the last few months.

1. Become a Book Worm

The goal is at least two or three novels. Ok, so one of those might include a love story about teenage vampires, but hey, it still counts. After that, I will return to my first (literary) love: mysteries.

2. Learn to be a Thrifty Earlybird

My fellow music teacher and super awesome friend, Kimberly and I have long standing plans to get up at the break of day to find some great bargains at garage sales around town. Also on the list: local flea market with my mom.

3. Healthy, Shmealthy

I've traded in laying out and tanning beds for self tanners and sunscreen. I also want to add more healthy recipes

to my arsenal over the summer.

4. Sand, Repaint, and Restore

I've recently met my long lost twin, from whom I was separated at birth. She lives next door, and we happened to meet while we were both working in the yard a few months ago. Not only is she really fun and sweet, we also share freakishly similar interests. The plan this summer is to buy some garage sale furniture and give it a new life. I'm sooo excited.

5. Okie Noodling Fest, Anyone?

Maybe one of the small town festivals I'm most proud of attending. (There's even a documentary.) Noodling. Yes, men sticking their hands into holes in a lake, into a Catfish's mouth, and retrieving an enormous fish. Then, a great fish fry follows in celebration. There is blue grass music, and even an exhibition tank, in which Miss Okie Noodling Oklahoma does a demonstration dive and catch. All in Oklahoma's very own Pauls Valley. Check it out.

6. Go on Local Adventures

Design Sponge did this great Oklahoma City Guide, in which I think they covered every single cool thing to do and see in Oklahoma City. I've lived here my entire life, and haven't even accomplished half of the list. I hope to visit the Paseo District, go to RedPin Bowling Lounge, eat at Sushi Neko.....and the list goes on.

7. Perhaps Invest in an SLR

Dustin and I have both talked about getting an SLR camera to take on trips and use to take some higher quality pictures. Maybe if I get gutsy, I'll purchase one. I just found out about an Oklahoma-based website that offers great deals for everything under the sun. Check out quibids.com for details :)

8. Explore the Great Outdoors

Things I didn't feel I had time for during the year: Re-landscaping my yard, keeping plants alive, sitting on the

porch and watching a thunderstorm, and going to the lake. Another thing I've always wanted to do once I got

married, is rough it for a weekend and go camping and fishing with the hubs.

9. Do an In-Depth Bible Study

The mom and I are joining a Priscilla Shirer bible study this summer. This woman is where it's at.

10. Enjoy Comfort Food and Grandparents

I plan to visit my Grandma and Grandpa in the grand town of Duncan, Oklahoma. This trip always guarantees great stories and great food, causing me to return home at least 5 pounds heavier.

Hopefully, I'll check off each of these goals over the summer. But hey, if I don't, there will be no guilt here.

It's summer time after all. Enjoy!

-Jessica

Our Life for the Past Week

Well, it all started when I walked into the bathroom to get ready for work, and I stepped in a big squishy puddle of water in the middle of the floor. That might not have been so alarming if a) our bathroom wasn't almost entirely carpeted, and b) we had recently taken a shower within the last eight hours. But we hadn't. Later that night, here is what our bathroom looked like!

Dustin figured out that cracks in the grout were the source of the problem. (My husband is Superman.) He began the barrel-of-fun process of de-grouting and then re-grouting the entire shower. Woo hoo!

Here is the picture after Dustin said, "now take a picture of how I really feel."

...and at long last (and unlike all the King's horses and all the King's men), Dustin put everything back together again! (Sorry, the elementary teacher in me brings that out.)

Our tile is now WHITE and crack free!

On a totally unrelated note....If this isn't the definition of a puppy dog face, I don't know what is. I got a solid stare the entire time I ate a bowl of ice cream. Mama loves that little face!

Such Tweet Music...and Other Artsy Things

Ok, so this London art exhibit is right up my alley. I'm sure it's supposed to make some artistic statement,

but I just think it's plain fun. A nice thing to watch when your brain needs a break.

Yet another art exhibition ("Spiral Cloud") that I love. This was part of a visual art project, but it's really

amazing that it was also accompanied an actual piano concert.

There's something about seeing music performed that makes hearing it so much more powerful. How dark and beautiful is this?

Ahhh, the weekend! How I've longed for you. (Five days and counting until school is out!) I'm going to enjoy the lack of lesson planning -thank you very much school talent show- and get some yard work done. I hope you get some good ol' rest and relaxation and have a happy Friday!

Jonathan Adler - 10 Commandments of Decorating

I don't know how I came across these, but I love the quirkiness and great advice, all rolled into one. My favorite is #5...good rule to decorate by.

#1 Thou shalt embrace maximalism. Thou wilt find minimalism to be something of a bummer in thy abode. Thou wilt grow tired of an endless sea of beige and thou wilt long for a splash of color & a dollop of pattern! Bargello pillows, Furnace bottles, and rustic modern lamps - these shalt be the accessories that add some panache to your pad. #2 Thou shalt not deny thyself hotelish comfort at home. Thou shalt furnish thy rooms with paw-pampering, hand-loomed llama wool rugs, luxurious lighting and our fabulous furniture. Thy rooms shalt feel like the most opulent hotel rooms in which thou hast ever stayed. Thou art worth it. #3 Thou shalt buy an X-Bench. Then, thou shalt buy another. Thou shalt use them in pairs, perfect under thy console or placed near thy sofa. Thou shalt rest thy feet upon them & so will thy guests. In fact, thy guests might even fight over who gets to rest upon them. Therefore, thou shalt establish house rules about thy X-Benches. Perhaps thou should consider a sign up sheet. #4 If thy nest needeth zest, consider thy crest! Thou shalt emblazon with thine initials wherever possible. #5 Thou shalt mix fancy with frisky. Thou shalt not be overly formal, for if thou art, thou will be sad. Conversely, thou shalt not be overly whimsical, for if thou art thou will not feel chic. Therefore, thou shalt embrace a mix, pairing the chic classical foundation - excellent proportions, classic furniture - with a layer of playful punctuation. Then thou shalt rest. #6 Thou shalt honor the funsters of yore. David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Piero Fornasetti, Bonnie Cashin, Bjorn Wiinblad - if thou dost not knoweth them, thou should. Thou can use Google Images to learn more about them and thou shalt channel their fun, idiosyncratic, playful spirit in thine own interiors. Thy home will be fun, happy, and chic. #7 Thou shalt not commit murder, unless thou art murdering for a decorative accessory. If thou should find thyself at one of our stores and seeth the last bird bowl on our shelf, thou shalt feel free to use whatever means necessary to obtain that special something. #8 Thou shalt not be afraid of orange. Thou shalt use orange copiously in thy interior, whether it beeth in an orange breakfast room or via the zing of an orange lacquered box. Thou might even consider painting thy front door orange to pique thy neighbor's curiosity. Thou shalt also covet chocolate brown. #9 Thou shalt play ping pong. Better still, thou shalt have a ping pong table in thy living room. Then, lo, thou shalt play ping pong with thy spouse rather than sitting around watching thy tv. #10 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. In fact, after following these 10 commandments, thy neighbor might covet thy house. So there. From jonathanadler.com

Take a Deep Breath...

Okay, so I haven't been to Falls Creek since my Camp Nunny-Cha-Ha days. (A camp name doesn't get better than that, huh?) This past weekend, Dustin and I had the opportunity to sing at a Quail Springs Baptist retreat, and it was such a much-needed, relaxing weekend. Sometimes I think the soul just needs something like that. We walked this pretty little path and laughed about how much smaller it seemed now that we are all "grown up". :)

Standing in front of a little river that tells you you've arrived at Falls Creek.

Is it just me, or have all the blossoming trees been extra beautiful this year? Maybe I just haven't slowed down enough to notice in the past, but I have LOVED all the beautiful pink and purple blooms! I've been wishing I had a better camera (and oh ok, skills) to capture how vibrant they look.

At the Devil's Bathtub! The most perfectly named place on earth. See the soap dish? So many fun memories here as a kid. There was a sign saying it's now called Boulder Springs....C'mon people. You just don't mess with a name that has 50+ years of tradition behind it. You can put a sign up, but don't expect us to change. :)

A rarity, I'm sure; Dustin and I had the whole place to ourselves on maybe the most perfectly sunny day of the year. Playing around in a creek just doesn't get old (well, not to me anyway). We were so blessed by God's word, people, and creation this weekend.

In honor of the great temperatures and sun, I think we should all give ourselves permission to steal away for an occasional afternoon and just chill. And hey, if the guilty, productive-minded conscience weighs in, just use Psalms 23:2 as your excuse:

He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams.