July 23rd 2011 :: A, B, C, D.....

For my Individual Projects I class, one of my objectives was to create an alphabet using objects. So today Ryan and I spend 4 hours downtown taking photos, it was challenging but fun. I'm a bit tired so I don't really have much else to say except that some of the letters are a little warped cuz that was the only way I could get them to fit inside the rounded squares. Enjoy ;)

-Britney Wilson

July 15th 2011 :: B-R-I-T-N-E-Y

I'm no longer "Trainee"!!!!! 

(good riddance to all the terrible jokes/comments about "trainee" being my name, bahaha) I've finished my 30 day training period, and I am no longer a trainee, I am BRITNEY :D

-Britney Wilson

July 11th 2011 :: a Branch & a Guitar

Here's the background. Normally we park our car in the street out front because the entrance to our apartment is is in the front. Now, we were having small group at our apartment yesterday, so we parked in in our parking spot behind our apartment building so that there would be more room out front for our friends to park their cars. Alright on with todays story, I go around back to get the car to go to work and spot a huge branch sitting by our car. From where I was standing I could see no signs that the branch had hit our car *whew* but I walked all the way around to car just to be sure....and sure enough it had. So we have a lovely dent on our car from a stupid branch that fell from a tree during a storm that we slept through, the one night we parked in the back ;P Now don't get me wrong we are so thankful that the damage was not worse, a few foot more and we'd have a broken rear window! Plus we think we may be able to pop the dent back out with a rubber mallet from inside the trunk (we'll let you know how that turns out).

On a happy note ;) Ryan recently got a guitar from a friend, and the guitar was completely taken apart. So my hand man and I bought materials and he got to work stripping the paint of the guitar body.

The black layer was super easy, the grey one...not so much, and than after that there was a clear coat on it as well. The right bottom photo is the guitar mostly all the way stripped. (We'll update with a photo of the finished product :)

-Britney Wilson

July 4th 2011 :: Canoeing!

Happy 4th of July!!!!! :D For the fourth this year Ryan and I went canoeing with his parents Todd & Julie. We drove around trying to find an exit point along the Skunk River to leave our car, we finally found one that would be doable so we left our car there and hopped in with Todd & Julie to head up to Ames where our entry point was. 

After a slightly difficult entry, we all made it into our canoes safe and sound, and we headed out on our journey. It was lots of fun, the weather was perfect (hot enough to get wet but not unbearable). We stopped about 2 hours in on a sandbar to eat a snack and get wet! ;D After that we continued on for about another hour.

Now I bet you are thinking this is the end and what a perfect trip, well that would be wrong. Up to this point it was a great trip. Arms getting sore, tired from the sun, wanting a bigger meal than a snack. Turn after turn we would see more river. A bridge would be in sight we'd paddle swiftly toward it...only to find it wasn't our exit point. It took 3 more hours before we finally made it to your exit point. And thank goodness too, it was starting to get dark ("We're gonna die on this stupid river!" was said a few times as it got dimmer and dimmer). After a very difficult exit we finally got both the canoes and our supplies up by the road, Ryan and I unfolded our camping chairs and sat guard while Todd & Julie drove our car back to ames to get their car and the trailer for the canoes.

It was an hour wait, hot, sweaty, sticky from bug spray, bugs flying around, tired, sore, hungry...but a cheerful sight came along, a beautiful sunset (my phone camera doesn't do it justice).

and so we waited trying to be positive *cheese*.  We finally made it home, showered, applied aloe, ate some food, and SLEPT!!! The first 3 hours of the trip were great!! ...we'll leave it at that. ;)

P.S. We traveled 25 miles in 6 hours!!! ...yea we're pretty good canoers ;)

-Britney Wilson

July 2nd 2011 :: Farmers Market

Today I went to the farmers market to take photos for my Photojournalism class...and of course I couldn't pass up buying something too!! ;) I bought a fresh baked baguette and BLUEBERRIES!!!!! :D They were absolutely delicious!!!!!!

-Britney Wilson

June 27th 2011 :: Fish Tacos

This evening Ryan called out from the kitchen: "How about fish tacos for dinner?" and I replied: "Sure!." As I checked email & worked on photos I could hear Ryan busily working in the kitchen, he called me in to clear and set the table when I got the first looks (yummmm) and here is the finished dish. Fish Tacos from scratch with a side of kraft homestyle mac n' cheese.

-Britney Wilson

June 25th 2011 :: Art Festival

Today I worked (fun, fun) and once Ryan woke up from a good mornings rest, we went to the Art Festival Downtown :D it was busy despite the look of rain, and the temperature was wonderful (almost chilly :O) We mainly went so I could get some photos for my photojournalism class, it was difficult finding what I was wanting for a good photo, and right as we were leaving I found it! :D

This is Upcoming Artist Jenna Weir, she makes Functional and Sculptural Ceramics. She was doing demonstrations away from her booth, boy does she makes it look easy :) If you want to see some of her finished art you can visit her site HERE. 

[left] working on a simple vase

[right] working on a simple bowl

-Britney Wilson

June 24th 2011 :: Eggplant

This evening we teamed up to make dinner, I made the bacon ranch pasta salad (from a box but added fresh carrot slices, peas, and mini pepperonis) and Ryan made the fried eggplant (from scratch!) mmmm-mm boy was it good :D

P.S. Notice: Paper plate = less dishes ;P

-Britney Wilson

June 22nd 2011 :: Donuts :D

Today I woke up with Ryan at 12:50am and took him to work, came home and went back to bed until he called me at 5am to say "we're getting ready to decorate the good ones now"; sooo, I rolled out of bed, got dressed, grabbed my camera, and headed to Topped Donuts to take photos for my photojournalism class. Ryan works the night shift at Topped Donuts, he makes the doughs, and decorates the donuts :) it makes for a long night but the results are delicious.

I respect and appreciate him so much for how hard he works, I love you Ryan!

Ryan decorating the red velvet donuts. 

[left] half of the donuts Ryan has decorated 

[right] my favorite donut at Topped Donuts, the Samoa (chocolate on the bottom, caramel on top, dipped in toasted coconut and drizzled with more chocolate! YUM!)

-Britney Wilson

June 18th 2011 :: Carnival Lights

I'm sure you're expecting to hear of our fun day at the carnival, but that isn't so. We were only there for 15 minutes to take photos ;) It was the annual Johnston Green Days Carnival, and the perfect opportunity to get a photo for my photojournalism class :) I wanted LIGHTS! The carnival ended at 10pm, it was 9:15 and just getting dark, as we drove it gradually got darker and just in time 9:45 it was dark! :D *whew* lights, Lights, LIGHTS :D It may have been muggy, we may have had to walk a little ways to and from our car, but it was well worth it. :)

[left] Action of ferris wheel stopped by using a fast shutter speed.

[right] Action of ferris wheel shown by leaving the shutter open for 15".

-Britney Wilson

June 16th 2011 :: Sunset

On our way home from worship practice we passed by this little pond as the sun was setting. I asked Ryan if we could "PLEEEASE" stop so I could take a few photos. Even though he was quite tired and working third shift tonight he graciously stopped the car and waited ever so patiently while I clicked away for about 5 minutes. Boy was it worth the stop :D

Thanks love!

-Britney Wilson

June 14th 2011 :: Roast

Today while I was at work and school Ryan put together a roast and had it cooking all afternoon. That evening when I got home we waited about 2 more hours and then it was ready to eat :D We used the roasting pan that we got from my Tante Doris (a wedding gift), it worked wonderfully and Ryan did an amazing job with the ingredients! It was so delicious!!!!!!

-Britney Wilson

June 10th 2011 :: Rain & Art

Today we went Downtown so I could get a new social security card (last thing on my list to get changed). When we finished with that I was going to take more photos for school (plants & flowers) and then go to a Farewell Art Exhibit, but it was raining. So we decided to go to the Art Exhibit early and see if anyone was there yet. They were already there setting up so we hung out with them; in the meantime, it stopped raining so I popped outside with my camera real quick cuz I had spotted a hibiscus...oh how awesome, rain drops everywhere! :D 

This is William Butler and his wife Ronja. 

William is an amazing artist who's artwork "reflects the many expressions of God's love for us and depicts how He is our refuge and strength. They are a visual extension of [his] faith and love for God. Each painting is unique and inspired, created in, and fueled by worship and prayer, and each painting is a visual outpouring of a specific word or theme in the Bible. [Williams'] hope and prayer is for each person who views this work to be touched by God". It is also William's "hope and prayer that God will receive all glory, honor, and praise through the works of [his] hands and the words of [his] mouth".

This Exhibit was a Farewell Exhibit because William and his family are moving to Camden, New Jersey. We will miss them but know that God has amazing plans in store for them there. They will be in our thoughts and prayers.

If you'd like to see more of Williams artwork or learn more about their ministry please visit their website [http://thomaslift.com/].

-Britney Wilson

June 6th 2011 :: Grey's Lake

Not much to post today, we did some chores around the house, rested, and then went on a photo adventure downtown. I think I got the shot I need :)

Stroll of Many Hues

-Britney Wilson

June 5th 2011 :: Baseball, Eggs, & Delights

Quite a lot happened today, but it was fun! :D

After Church Ryan & I swung by Taco Bell for lunch and then met Todd (Ryan's dad) downtown for a Cubs game (Cubs vs. Kansas City's Farm Team) the sun was shining and it was hot, but we got great seats in the shade and some cherry icees half way the game to cool down. It was a great game, and a close one at that. The Cubs won :( 

(Lets go Royals *clap, clap, clap, clap, clap*)

After the game we went to Waterworks park to get some nature photos for school. While I was taking photos of a flower Ryan found a Robins nest!!!! Three perfectly placed and beautifully blue Robins eggs :) We are going to go back later this month to get photos when they hatch.

We stopped by the store on our way home to do some grocery shopping. Ryan saw some wonton wrappers and the wheels started turning. Our appetizer for the night was Crab Delights :D They we delicious, better than crab rangoons, and that means a lot coming from me ;)

-Britney Wilson

June 4th 2011 :: Wedding

Today Ryan and I helped celebrate the marriage of some friends of ours, Ben & Andrea. :) Ryan played drums & I played the piano during the ceremony, it was such a lovely wedding. Afterword we went to buffalo wild wings with some other friends that were at the wedding for a few wings and a beer (lemonade for me), to tie us over until the reception started. It was fun to go to a wedding after being married :)

Ben & Andrea's First Dance 

-Britney Wilson

May 30th 2011 :: Sushi!

Today Ryan and I decided to make veggie sushi for dinner, 4 stores and 2 hours later we had all the ingredients we needed ;P 

We had gyoza (pot stickers) while we waited for the rice to finish cooking.

[top]Everything all ready to make

[bottom] Everything all ready to eat

soy sauce, yakisoba sauce,

sriracha, tia peanut sauce, and wasabi

Sooo good! the only thing we'd do differently (besides spending 2 hours collecting our ingredients) is put less rice in our sushi. 

I <3 sushi!!!

-Britney Wilson