Super Obsessed

(love these colors)

Notice the theme here?  For some reason I am super obsessed with big, puffy, beautiful clouds.  I especially love if there is a gorgeous blue sky to offset the lovely white.

I'm not one to try to find images in the clouds, I can never make out any shapes even when I really try so I gave up doing that a long time ago.  Maybe that means I would fail an inkblot test if I ever had to take one.  Clouds make me feel peaceful and I still hold on to that elementary school idea that God lives in the clouds.  I see Heaven.

I guess I take pictures of what makes me happy - family, friends, clouds and flowers.

Happy!

On the way home from my road trip the other day I saw a heart cloud!  I always hoped to find one for myself :)

(all photos taken on my recent trip)

Photo of the Day: Faith

I hope you all are having an excellent Sunday. 

I know I am.

Photo of the Day: Taking Flight

I can't wait to have lunch with my parents today!  We're going to Kneaders, I've been obsessed since Jerilyn introduced it to me this week.  I'm bummed that I discovered it right before moving!  Ugh.  At least it will give me a reason to look forward to visiting Utah - other than the family and friends I'm leaving behind :)

I hope your weekend is turning out as amazing as mine!

Have a great day!

"It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference."

- Tom Brokaw

Photo of the Day: Part II

Home again, home again, jiggidy jig

Photo of the Day: Part I

On the road again.....

Afghan Buddhas

photo found here

When I first heard about the Buddhas several years ago, I became intrigued, so of course I started reading up on them.  There were two Buddhas carved into the side of a mountain in Bamyan, Afghanistan along the Silk Route. They had been there since the 6th century even though the prominent religion in the area has been Muslim for quite a while.  

The Muslim faith does not allow for idol worship so in 2001 the Taliban had had enough of the Buddhas and what they represented so they began a banning of all things "un-Islam".  They made plans to destroy the Buddhas and immediately neighboring countries tried to intercede to save them.

They failed.

There are holes in the wall where the largest statues of Buddha used to reside.  

Various groups and countries all over the world have pledged their support in reconstructing the site.  Afghanistan, now no longer Taliban controlled, salvaged many of the original pieces and will be trying to use them in the rebuilding process.

I am so sick of war.  I am more sick of hate and intolerance.  Why is merely getting along such a hard concept to sell?  Two blown to bits Buddhas don't even begin to compare to the cost of lives lost and families destroyed.  

And I don't know how to change anything.

Photo of the Day: Freedom

This is exactly how I'm feeling today.

Thank you so much for all the well wishes and good feelings :)  

I felt it!

I need your good vibes/happy thoughts/prayers tomorrow!  

I won't tell you why, just know that I need them and I will return the favor any time you ask me.

Or if you need a bribe, I will bring you a delicious treat.

Many thanks!

Photo of the Day: Open Air

On the road today...

Taking pictures while driving is dangerous.

Don't do it.

Photo of the Day: Delicious

Today is a two cupcake/two photo sort of day :)

(most days are two cupcake sort of days but today I actually indulged!)

AND - I'd like to give a shout-out and a hip-hip-hooray to my amazing friend, Kristy!  She just had a new baby boy!  His name is Graham, which I totally love because the guy I crushed on in 11th grade was also named Graham.  I think he liked me back because he wrote me a super cute yearbook message that year but he never did anything about it :(  But anyway.....HOORAY for new baby Graham!

What "To-Do"?

Okay, Utah friends, I have about 2 weeks left here.  What are some must see/do items I need to add to my list?  D you have any hidden gems that you would like to share with me?  I want to soak in a bit more of Utah before I take off for good now.

Thank you!

Photo of the Day: Colorful

The back yard is gorgeous right now!  I'm a fan of the blue sky, dark brown wood, green leaves and the sunlight filter.  

Happy Monday!

Photo of the Day: Mom

Woo hoo!  August Break begins and so does the onslaught of photos 'round the world!

This is my sweet mama out at her job.  She works on a historical farm where she "interprets" history for visitors.  She wears clothing from 1917ish, cooks on a wood burning stove, tends the garden, plays games (like marbles) with the visitors and is just all around cool.

I chose this picture because I like it.

The end.

Now show me what you got!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

I love this lady.

She had a birthday yesterday and we had a blast and a half!

This photo is just a small part of her garden.

When she was giving me a tour a few weeks ago, she referred to the lettuce as sincere.

So she's getting a little crazy in her old age.  

We still love her!

Especially because now we are loving referring to the strawberries as humble, the peas reverent, the rhubarb earnest and the raspberries genuine.

And she's a good sport about what jerks we are.

Happy Birthday, Mom!  We love you!

Up For a Challenge?

My U.K. (United Kingdom or über kewl) counterpart posted a fun photo challenge she will be doing for August and I have decided to take part as well!  Check out her post here.

Susannah Conway - the challenger - says, "you simply share one photo per day on your blog – Monday to Friday, or every day. Or whenever you want. Using any camera – DSLR, compact, Polaroid, Holga, iPhone (my choice), Instax, 35mm, video – with or without words – anything goes – for the whole of August. No pressure - just looking at August through your camera lens as a way to be more present this summer."  How much do I love this?  A lot, lot, lot.

I love how she says, "as a way to be more present".  Fantastic!  There is something about looking at your surroundings through a camera.  I find pictures very intimate because it is a snapshot of what the photographer wanted to see, what was important to him/her and how they want to share it with you.

I'm going to try to do a photo a day, which could prove challenging during the drive to DC, but should also be tons of fun.

Who's with me?

The Babies

Older sisters are great.  

They get even better when they have kids.

This is happiness.

What's Your Sign?

Right after my family moved to Utah my sister and I saw this sign in my parent's neighborhood.  We thought it was a joke.  We even wondered where we could get one.  It's definitely not a joke.  There are gazillions of cows that live in the town and they get out from time to time.  The red nose is kind of silly but it's also practical at night.  So all in all, this is a serious sign. 

Cow crossing.  Look out.

A few months later, a girl brought this picture into work to show everyone.  They all thought it was a joke and didn't understand why I wasn't laughing.  I was wondering why they were all laughing.  I grew up seeing this sign all the time so for me, this was just like a yield or a no u-turn sign.

Culture clash, for sure.

See You in Two

Elder Taylor Sawyer Johnson entered the Missionary Training Center today.

Her only son - she had a hard day

Missing Elisabeth (with her fam in Idaho) and Meghan (in China!)

He was SO ready to go!  

Good luck, Elder Johnson

PS - check it out.  His middle name is Sawyer, but they made a mistake so it looks like we hyphenate our last name.  My mom - what a feminist!  She just had to keep her last name (I kid).  I guess I go by Rachel Sawyer-Johnson now :)

*Featured*

Check it out!  I'm featured today on the 5 Questions blog (follow the link, friends).  I think this is a fantastic idea because let's face it, who does not blog hop/stalk/creep?  We all do!  So this blog is a great way to meet up with other fun people who blog and get an insight into their lives.  If you want to be featured as well there are directions on the right side of the blog.  It was a bunch of fun, I definitely recommend playing along!

Thanks for your fun idea, Kennan!