[ ao-oa: warm coffee ]

This is lovely. 

{ via ao-oa}

[ moo cow moo ]

Moo Cow Moo - Edmund Vance Cook

My papa held me up to the Moo Cow Moo

So close I could almost touch,

And I fed him a couple of times or so,

And I wasn't a fraidy-cat, much.

But if my papa goes in the house,

And my mamma she goes in too,

I keep still like a little mouse

For the Moo Cow Moo might Moo.

The Moo Cow's tail is a piece of rope

All ravelled out where it grows;

And it's just like feeling a piece of soap

All over the Moo Cow's nose.

And the Moo Cow Moo has lots of fun

Just switching his tail about,

But if he opens his mouth, why then I run,

For that's where the Moo comes out.

The Moo Cow Moo has deers on his head,

And his eyes stick out of their place,

And the nose of the Moo Cow Moo is spread

All over the Moo Cow's face.

And his feet are nothing but fingernails,

And his mamma don't keep them cut,

And he gives folks milk in water pails,

When he don't keep his handles shut.

But if you or I pull his handles, why

The Moo Cow Moo says it hurts,

But the hired man sits down close by

And squirts, and squirts, and squirts.

[ two fires - a short documentary ]

Two Fires - Short Documentary & Artist Profile from Pigeonhole Films on Vimeo.

[ something about the rain ]

"Unless you love someone, nothing else makes any sense."                                                                                               - E.E. Cummings

I don't know what it is about rainy weather, but it makes me miss my family whom I am oh so fond of. Maybe it's because I have fond memories of being a kid and having quiet rainy days at home - listening to old records on rainy Saturday afternoons with my Mom's soft alto harmonies drifting around the room and sitting around in a half-lit room talking about random nothings. But when it's dark all day and it rains, I miss home and family.Being together with the ones you love is always something to cherish, whether it's raining or not. After all, at the end of the day, they're the ones that are still there, just patiently waiting for you. 

xoxo

H 

. { black cab sessions }

Lianne La Havas from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Something for a rainy day.  

xoxo

H

. << playin' on repeat >>

It's finally summer, and these are a few of the songs that have been playing on repeat around here on these hot and hazy nights.

>> the lion the beast the beat - grace potter

>>  pursuit of happiness - lissie

>>  i will follow you into the dark - death cab for cutie

>> little broken hearts - norah jones

>> turn that finger around - honeyhoney

There's nothing like a hot, quiet night spent outside in the sunset with fireflies and crickets, no? 

Welcome, summer, welcome.

. [ art - fully engrossed & involved ]

 

I am loving these photos of Helen Frankenthaler in her studio. There's something wonderful about be so fully engrossed and involved in a piece you're working on. That sense of losing all time and placement while working is something I absolutely adore. I think that may actually be the thing I miss the most about working in the studio constantly. Immersing yourself in a project is the best. I love walking to my car covered in clay and glaze or with ink all over my arms, shirt, face, hands ... you get the point.

There's nothing better than locking yourself in a studio in the middle of the night and working through exhaustion and emotions and viewing this incredible end product. An end product that really holds a little piece of your heart and soul. 

I think everyone should have their moment to lose themselves don't you? What's your bliss-immersion? 

>> images via >>

. [ music monday - wanderlust ]

Sometimes I feel like hopping in a car and driving for miles and miles with no particular spot or end date in mind ... I feel like this especially at the beginning of the work week when I'd rather be roaming aimlessly! If I were to load up a van and start driving, this is the kind of music I'd do it with:

Home // Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros 

I Want Some More // Dan Auerbach

Your Man // Patrick Sweany

I'm Not the One // The Black Keys

Carolina Drama // The Raconteaurs

Someday // The Strokes

Love You Madly // Cake

Ball and Biscuit // The White Stripes

Skinny Woman // R.L. Burnside

Even if I have to work (and not be a wild traveler), I do love to start my day with some good bluesy rockish jams ... nothing gets me going better. 

I hope you have a wonderful Monday!

xoxo

H

. [ behind the scenes - with mad men ]

I am loving these behind the scenes photos of the Mad Men set by James Minchin. Perfect mood, perfect photos. How good is this show, ps?

>>  via here & here >>

. [ The History of ... ]

 

These posters from H-57 are delightful.  Now, why didn't I think of that? 

via Eight Hour Day

. [ woof. ]

Who knew that when I moved to Gorham I'd fall in love with a hyperactive boxer with a frighteningly adorable under-bite? Goodness, she's cute. Cuddles, playing, and personality-plus ... could we ask for more?

I hope there's something this sweet in your life this Monday morning!

xoxo

H

. [ goodbye week, hello weekend. ]

On a Friday afternoon in February, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals spent time outside of San Diego recording stripped down versions of songs from their new album. "Goodbye Kiss" is the fifth in a series of them.

So in love with this song and this woman! 

Happy Weekend!

xoxo

H

. [ a note to my oldsmobile ]

dearest oldsmobile: 

your ever-increasing complaints are growing louder by the mile, so today you're going to visit hank-the-mechanic. please comply with all of his wishes. see, he loves you nearly as much as i do; he only criticizes because he cares.

your recent and sudden decline saddens and alarms me so. we have great times together - you're my favorite travel companion for sure. no one else knows my true feelings like you. no one else appreciates my road rage, a.d.d. music choices, and ocd behaviors regarding soft drinks and french fry salt (a console is an area that deserves the utmost respect).

all of this being said, know that this note is not a goodbye or farewell. this is, for all intensive purposes, a get well soon notes. 

xoxo

your faithful & loving driver, hjm.

ps. you're feeling better later and it's still sunny outside, we should totally jam to my new black keys album, ok?

. { freedom riders }

I find the stories of the 1961 Freedom Riders so inspirational and incredible. I love how these young women weren't afraid to voice their beliefs and convictions in such a powerful way. I love what Pauline Knight-Ofusu, a Rider from Nashville, TN has to say about why she joined the movement:

"It was like a wave or a wind, and you didn't know where it was coming from but you knew you were supposed to be there. Nobody asked me, nobody told me."

So awesome - doesn't that just 'wow' you? I find that as a young woman with strong convictions, beliefs, and opinions it's easy to feel nervous about speaking up. Even in today's pro-women society, I still feel like I'm going to be called a bitch if I speak up. Isn't it strange how so many women who are strong and bright are still intimidated out of speaking their mind? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not about to go burn my bra or anything, but a man who is strong and loud in his beliefs is a "leader." Not so much for women. 

I think us women can learn a thing or two from the women who were involved in the Freedom Riders movement. It's not always pretty, it's not easy, and it's not always fun. But voicing your convictions and beliefs is an admirable thing, and should never be discouraged. 

xoxo

H

ps. Watch the entire PBS move here.

. { ode to coffee }

People say I'm a fiend. People say I'm battling addiction. People say I'm indecently dependent. 

They are 110% correct.

I love coffee. I love it so much, I'm going to devote this entire post to it. Here's my top five on why I'm so obsessed with God's little gift of liquid happiness. What's yours?

1. It's multiplicite. I can drink it cold, hot, sweet, bitter, flavorful, alcoholic (or non), or with whipped cream. 

2. It makes me a better person. Without it, I am a crabby, cranky, slow, stinkerpants. 

3. It's overly available. I can find it anywhere. This universal existence doesn't guarantee quality - but, hey. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do, man.

4. It's a motivator. Can't find the energy to finish that project? Can't find a good reason to clean the dishes or scrub the dusty heat registers in your house? Coffee is the answer. Or, you can take it to the next level with coffee's extremely small but powerful cousin  ... add an espresso shot. 

5. It's a communal creature. There is nothing that I love more than sitting down and chatting it up with a friend or loved one over a good cup of coffee. I've had lots of good conversations with the people who mean the most to me over a cup of joe - that I heart.

With that little ode to coffee, I wish you a happy Monday morning (with some caffeine, no less)!

xoxo

H