Carissa El Camino

More about Jacob

2011-10-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here is just a little more about Jacob and what he's been up to, to follow up on my last post. Here is a picture of him working with one of his favorite new buddies, Ellis:

A lot of the time they work in pairs, one will dig, the other will sift and take the notes. That is what is happening above.

Here is a picture of the group. They are working on a site next to a road because the company they are working for wants to expand the road. Jacob doubts that the company will be able to expand the road the way they want based on the amount of artifacts they found there. The company will have to expand the road on the other side which will mean going into a mountain, and will cost the company quite a bit more money.

And here is an example of what it looks like after they dig. When they survey and find a collection of things in a given area, they start by digging what is called a 1x1. They uncovered so much here that the 1x1 grew into a 4x4 (4 meter by 4 meter square).
I know we are all so happy for Jacob! He worked so hard to get where he is now, and is ready to continue working hard in Grad School. He is so amazing!

Jacob the Archaeologist

2011-10-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of a few of the things Jacob has uncovered on the job. For those of you who didn't know, my husband is an archaeologist working for P-3 Archaeology here in Salt Lake. They do most of their work in Elko, Nevada.

How it works: he leaves for ten days at a time, with a 4 days off in-between when he comes home. He loves it!

He finds A LOT of arrowheads, but his first trip out they excavated the 8 to 10 thousand year old 'kill site' of a giant ground sloth, who still had a spear point lodged in its pelvis. Below you can see a picture of that ground sloth's patella. Awesome, right?! Incase you don't know, this is what a giant ground sloth looks like, they are HUGE:

Here is an arrowhead:

This arrowhead is about 800 years old:

This is a drill (late pre-historic 2,000 to 800 years old):

And here is the Giant Ground Sloth patella (8-10,000 years old):

Hi!

2011-08-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

Oh man, was Finn really this little once?

I was going through old photos and home movies and I came across this gem. Every night guys, every night.

Spring Inspiration!

2011-03-11T09:41:00.001-08:00

Jacob and I are growing things like crazy. We've got big planters and little jars all over our house growing up a storm. We are waiting patiently for the moss to sprout up in the forest so that we can bring some home. Check out this chair:

And we love these:

This is my favorite:

And this is my inspiration to get my flabby arse to the gym.
I love you girls!

House Hungry

2011-03-09T11:39:00.000-08:00

When the time comes, I hope this is where life leads me. Or at least somewhere similar:

The Blue House

Butler's Pantry:

Main Kitchen (with 2 work areas!):

Garden Room:

It wont be that time for a while. I get it. Seriously. Point taken. So the next time you hear me dreaming of my ideal house, fair warning: first person to come at me with a "Yeah, when Jacob has his master's in 3 years..." or "yeah, someday that would be awesome" is going to get slapped. I wont hold back anymore. I'm allowed to have dreams. I don't need a time line reality check.

Just dream with me! No harm in that.

Finn Eats

2011-03-07T22:52:00.000-08:00

Watching Finn Eat.

Cereal:

Doughnut:

Popsicle:

A Festivus for the Rest-Of-Us, My Holiday Abroad

2011-01-13T23:30:00.000-08:00

Can I say "abroad" even though I didn't leave the country?

This year, as my friends and family may already know, Jacob, Finn and I had the opportunity to spend the holidays on Oahu. I will post a couple more things about this trip later, but wanted to start with one of my favorite memories of the trip: Pearl Harbor.
What an amazing place that really inspired in me gratitude for the people who serve our country. I am so grateful for this memorial. I hope anyone visiting the Islands makes a point of stopping there, if only to hear the story of the boys and men on the U.S.S. Arizona and be humbled by the fact that days later the pleads of men trapped inside, destined to die, could still be heard by workman breaking apart the ship.

Something I learned while visiting: survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor who served on the Arizona and have passed away later in life have been able to have their bodies laid to rest at this site.

Also at Pearl Harbor, we were able to tour the U.S.S. Missouri. This blew Finn's mind and, can I say, there seemed to be a penis joke waiting for me around every corner...

Exhibit A:

It was... I can't think of a meaningful enough word... it was a BIG DEAL to see the spot where World War 2 was ended, and a copy of the document that ended it:

I love this display, and I want one to hang in my house:

And check out this rad candid:

Jacob at the Submarine Bowfin:

And here's me, stoked to be not in Utah. Plus, buses and I became good friends over the last few weeks.

More stories to come of our adventures in the Pacific. Briana, I love you and didn't forget your birthday. I am putting off calling you until I can say I've mailed off your Xmas and birthday presents, but knowing me that could take awhile. Hopefully before Valentines Day...

And Dad has a Facebook? I actually went on the other day determined to delete my account and thought "WWWHHHYYYYYY, freedom was this close to me!!!" ... but now I can't quit because I am dying to watch dad's profile come together. Curses.

Project: Fail

2010-12-09T10:11:00.000-08:00

Jacob and I, as many of you already knew, have been in need of a new couch. We bought one that I hope we will love. It probably won't be delivered for a couple more weeks, and by excellent planning on my part we will be traveling for Christmas by that time. So, yeah, I'll have to figure that one out later. Our new couch looks like this:

And, it turns into a bed! I'm pretty excited about it. My current couch is beyond thrashed. Far beyond. Any ideas for a farewell ceremony when the time comes? I was thinking about taking it out into the wilderness, painting it crazy with fabric paint and then lighting it on fire. To dramatic?

Speaking of DRAMA... it's time to get down to what prompted this post.
I love a project.
Along with our couch, Jacob and I decided to purchase a new coffee table and TV stand. Jacob fell in love with this side table for a TV stand:
But knowing I was tiered of having black furniture in an already dark apartment he suggested we paint it a color... like blue, or yellow:
I didn't know it even ever came in yellow until just now when I did a google image search. We weren't going for that bold of a yellow; the yellow we chose was quite a bit softer. But check this out:

Pretty cool, I think. I really wish it had worked out! Unfortunately....

Only one of the pieces was damaged in the process, and I love Ikea FOREVER because they replaced it for me, no problem. They did tell me that they don't normally replace an item that wasn't defective to begin with, but they did it for me anyway. I love you Ikea customer service! Muah!

If I had been thinking I would have called my friend Jason, a painter, before Jacob started painting. He gave me some great advise after the fact. I really wish I had the courage to try again.

Project: Fail.

Finn's Cookies

2010-11-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, this video of Finn is so cute.
Also, I've discovered a recipe for Nutella Fudge. I posted it on my food blog, if you wanna check it out just click HERE.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-29T10:26:00.000-07:00

Just Dance!

Some More Than Others

2010-10-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Saw this posted today on the all-mighty facebook, and I quote: "Girls are supposed to dance, that's why God gave them parts that jiggle."
Some more than others, my friends, but in general true, true.

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

Here comes the obligatory "October Pumpkin Carving Blogger Post," are you ready?

Pumpkins are 8 cents a pound at Winco. This means a pumpkin that would cost you $17 at your nearest pumpkin patch will cost you $2.11. The choice is yours.

I had a hard time finding cool pumpkin carving stencils online. Nothing that was both cool and easy, as is my modus operandi. The one I liked best and ended up making myself can be seen HERE... I didn't print off the stencil, I just went for it with my Sharpie. A word to the wise: careful on the wings, don't draw them to close together. That is where I ran into trouble. But I think it came out pretty rad regardless. Here's how I did it:

Here is another one I like. Jacob says it looks like an evil Micky Mouse... maybe so:

Happy Halloween all!

Projects

2010-10-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I made this, and I really like it. I think it makes my apartment look just a little cozier than before. It was inspired by the Fall Pottery Barn catalogue and my inability to afford to buy said item from Pottery Barn because their prices suck the big one.

I used sticks I found with Finn up Little Cottonwood Canyon, twine I bought at Michael's, a glue gun and my own two hands. It took 20-ish minutes. I think it will look cool in my place year round. Virtual high-five to me!

If you guys hear of fast, easy, cheep projects pass them on! I love this blog by Wary Meyers. I always get the best ideas, like these pillows he made with his wife:

California, Yum.

2010-10-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

One of the nicest things about the California Coast: eating fish just about anywhere with out fear or hesitation. Last night I feasted... and I will continue to feast every day I am here. Ono sushi, I'm coming for you!

Is this picture for real?!?

2010-10-05T16:08:00.000-07:00

Dude, shave it. Or trim it. You look nuts. I love you.

I Don't Want Anyone To Forget How Hot He Is.

2010-10-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

I had a dream about him last night. It was the greatest ever.
This song is also awesome. But I would never sing it about you, Casey, because I would never let you leave me. And you would never want to anyway. I promise.

"Jacob the Liar"

2010-09-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

At my wedding instead of having a sign-in book we decided to go with a "wish tree." It looked like this, but less classy:

One of the wishes given by one of Jacob's friends (I can't remember which friend it was) included some of Jacob's high school nick names. One of these nick names was "Jacob the Liar." I didn't know his friends used to call him this... why, I wonder...?
The other morning I came out of our bedroom and Jacob let me know he had renewed our car insurance! (...which we had let lapse because we are poor and car insurance is expensive...) I was super pumped because it was on my long list of unpleasant things to do, and now it was done! He told me it was because he had "a feeling" he should do it. Sigh, what a responsible and thoughtful husband I have!!
Alas, when I was doing some online banking today I came across some payments to the DMV and to Sandy City Justice Court that coincided with the purchase of the car insurance... suspicious...

A little detective work revealed Jacob totally got a ticket and didn't tell me! (Unless saying "I have a feeling" is another way of saying "I got a ticket and now we have to get insurance or our car will be impounded..." )

I do love a wreath... And I do like Candy Corn

2010-09-25T11:45:00.001-07:00

find it HERE.

Bubba-Kim

2010-09-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

Jacob and I had so much fun with you both last night! High-rollin with the toothless wonder at La Caille and ordering every dessert on the menu was a once in a lifetime experience. I don't think I have laughed so hard at Jacob's expense in a long time, which is unfortunate because it's good for him. I'm still having spontaneous outbursts of laughter when I think of the ice escaping from Jacobs tooth hole and landing in his soup. I can't believe Bubba tried it after that!!
I am so grateful for the chance we had to be your neighbors and friends! You guys are going to accomplish so many wonderful and exciting things in your life. Jacob and I watch you two in awe. I am sure Florida will be a great adventure, even though it's off to a stressful start. You both are in are prayers (which are mainly for you two to have a fun year in Florida and then to get an even cooler job offer back here in Utah!) A year is more than enough time for you two to get a rockin tan...

Let us know if there's anything Jacob and I can do to help with your move! We'll see you Saturday!

Three Men and a Little Lady

2010-09-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

Poor baby

2010-09-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Jacob's tooth was no match for Finn's enormous dome.

Finn's First Day Of Pre-School

2010-09-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Finn booking it up the stairs with his buddy Grant. Seperation anxiety has never been an issue for him. Obviously.

Friend eat cookie, me eat everything else.

2010-08-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

My BFF L-Dub (aka: Laura Woodward Jensen) has moved far away from me. Sometimes I wonder, "what is friend?"

Bold Flower Pillows

2010-08-10T19:21:00.000-07:00

I love these!!! I wanna make them sooo bad! I want a new couch sooo bad!

If I made them now it would be pointless, like trying to polish a turd. My couch is so gross.

HERE is the how-to on these awesome pillows.

Sunday Dinner

2010-08-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Finn+Grace= Match made in Heaven.

Napkin Flowers

2010-08-04T01:07:00.000-07:00

Love this! Wish I could remember what blog I got it from... Totally plagiarising images here. These flowers are made of napkins. How perfect for a birthday party or family gathering?

Here's how the blogger I can't remember made them:

Gather napkins:

Stack napkins, with contrasting smaller napkin on top:
Fold like a fan:

Like so:

Trim to form petals, like so:

Voa-la:

gather in center:
tie with string:

Flair:

Cut down smaller darker blue napkin:

And Fluff:

Chairs

2010-08-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

Obsessed with this book I got for Christmas (the one present I was really yearning and burning for):

I have, every day since receiving it, pored over every picture, read through every step by step instruction, and finally, declared war on my dinning room chairs. They began as this: worn, beat up, boring black $19.99 chairs from Ikea. They will be reborn as this: distressed, school-desk inspired, awesomeness, achieved by the sweat of my brow and my brow alone. Inspired by this:

I have started on two chairs.

They have been taken apart, sanded down (which was the incredibly long, difficult, and slightly boring part), carved into (which was the rewarding and fun/artistic part), sanded again with a fine grain paper, stained, allowed to dry, stained again, allowed to dry again, and painted with one coat of a semi-glossy finish. I couldn't stand it any longer so I put one back together. All that remains is to do another light sand down, and paint on a second coat of finish. Then I get to start on my other two chairs. And do you know what?? I am really excited! Here is a picture of one from start to present. I will post more picts as I continue on.

Some other projects from the book I would love to try:

A denim "home, sweet home" quilt.

And a dresser with French words artfully carved from wood and attached to the drawers instead of pulls. The entire book is filled with the most beautiful, fun, creative and, most importantly, manageable ideas. How about this boom box they adapted to be an ipod player?! It also is the inspiration for my current blog background I might add...

On With The New

2010-07-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

My food blog has moved here (http://dirtylittleelcaminolover.blogspot.com/). I will now be using this address as my personal blog. No recipes. Just gossip, ect. Feel free to keep following!

Marijuana Santa Clause

2010-07-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

I quote from this SNL opening monologue by Zach Galifianakis ALL THE TIME. I am suprised how often I wake up looking a little like Charlize Theron and a LOT like Dog the Bounty Hunter... Click HERE to watch something that is so Ravin... Don't be a gay lord.

"Hello" from Finn.

2010-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

Here's hoping that Finn will never grow up to be someone who is "too cool" for a good time!

If he looks like a girl, then I am the biggest lesbian on the block.

2009-11-12T00:58:00.001-08:00

Mmmm Bop me away...

Happy Birthday Wayne! Your wish is my command...

2009-11-03T22:27:00.000-08:00

Ok Wayne, just because it’s your birthday.

Wayne is my father in law for those of you who don’t know. He has no concept of distance. Any hike that takes less than all day is a “short” hike. I have been learning this the very, very, very hard way.

Have you all heard of slot canyons? They are nature’s way of imposing a size limit. Last trip to Escalante I was encouraged to go on a night hike that would take us through two: Spooky and Peek-a-boo. Contrary to what their names might suggest to your imagination, they were not “cute-scary.” Wayne, it is cracking me up that your birthday wish is for me to relive the experience. Honestly, I think I could have hung in there had the temperature been a little farther from 90 than it was that night, and if we had had a few less “Aunt Jan’s” with us. She is just one woman, but that night she was everywhere I turned – reminding me of just how tight the canyon was, screaming at scorpions, and being, in general, my slot-canyon-hiking-nemesis.

I’m sure she is a very nice woman.

We started the hike around eleven (because it would be cooler…um-hm, so not 100, but 90.) Wayne had to “find” it first (in the pitch black), there are a few different slot canyons that branch off from this particular area, and we wouldn’t want to start down the wrong one now, would we? Sketchy. –I am in danger of abusing my use of “” marks telling this story, but I want to make sure my sarcasm and skepticism come through crystal clear…

Anyway, we started at eleven (after an hour plus drive to get there) and finished up around 2:30ish am. That is three and a half hours Wayne. That is a long hike. To someone who has never hiked in their entire life before marrying into your family, who grew up thinking she was tough because she could last at a mall for 8 hours without feeling tiered, three and a half hours of claustrophobia in the nearly pitch black is a long-ass hike.

(This is me towards the end of it all. Incase you have never seen it before, this is what it looks like when someone is crying on the inside...)

Sweating like a pig, wondering if it was possible I could have developed asthma in the last twenty-four hours, and feeling totally ashamed and looked down on by the other thirty people who went with us (and who all seemed to have absolutely no problem at all with the, uhem, difficulty of the hike) I settled in for the long drive home. Every time I go on a hike like this I feel sure that Jacob is wishing he had married someone else, someone a tad more... robust, perhaps. I pondered that thought for the next hour, until Jacob and I could be alone and he could give me a reassuring "spoon" until I fell asleep.

I love you Wayne, happy birthday, and thank you for being from Escalante. Despite it all, it is my favorite place in the continental U.S.

Next birthday would you like me to write about Cape Verde?

A Couple Cool Things I've Been Meaning To Post:

2009-10-18T14:06:00.000-07:00

I think Jacob purposely didn't tell me Dashboard was the band that was going to be on Conan on Friday. What a turd. Anyway, Laura you were right, they sounded terrible. That in no way means I have stopped thinking Chris Carraba is awesome.

And, of course, a big whoot whoot for the best band ever. Here are the Mountain Goats as seen on the Colbert Report.

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

The Mountain Goats - Psalms 40:2

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Michael Moore

And another good video...

Finn threw it on the ground, he's not a part of your system!

2009-10-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Maybe you saw this on SNL, maybe you didn't, but if you have ever met my kid you might understand why this remindes me of him. --Happy birthday to the ground!

Click HERE and enjoy!

A post just for Andrea.

2009-10-06T09:10:00.001-07:00

It’s different listening to a song trying to imagine it from another person’s perspective. It is really a very sad song, isn’t it? No one can deny Buck’s impeccable taste in all things, but especially, music.

In order to post a comment on my blog you need to create a profile for yourself. (I could change the setting on my blog to allow anyone to comment, but the way that was explained to me made me think that doing so could allow mean people to write mean things and I would have no idea who they were.) You may have already created a profile for yourself on blogger and are still having a hard time posting, but beyond that I am out of ideas. I will ask my ‘know it all’ friend Jon if that is the case, and we’ll see what he says.

If you happen to love The Mountain Goats like Andrea, myself and many others they will be on my favorite show The Colbert Report TONIGHT! This is according to their website as well as my friend Jesse. Tune in and let The Mountain Goats change your life for the better.

John Darnielle is my soul mate.

2009-09-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Period. That's all I needed to say. Going to Georgia is my new second favorite song, No children will always be my first. He is my favorite writer.

The most remarkable thing about you standing in the doorway is that it's you,
and that you're standing in the doorway.

Gentleman Broncos

2009-09-21T09:19:00.000-07:00

How excited am I for this movie to come out? I probably watch the trailer on Youtube about three times a day. Anita, this is for you especially. Do you love fantasy fiction? I do...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdpFpfIBkXc