Pine Valley

I have a huge backlog of photos to share. I've traveled a LOT more than normal the past 6 months, I've been busy working and I've been teaching Lightroom, all of which have led to a big backlog so get ready for posts that jump around the globe and are full of photos. Today's photos aren't from my trip to Southern Utah last week, instead they are from a trip back in March (which explains the snow on the ground.)

While I was in St George, one of my best friends came down for a long weekend. It was so great to catch up - and to have a friend to do a little light road tripping with. We drove up to Pine Valley on Saturday and spent the night there chaperoning a sorority group (man, did that make me feel OLD.)

Pine Valley is a tiny town, high up in the mountains, close to the red rocks of Southern Utah and yet it feels like you are in another world, one that time has almost forgotten.

I have a feeling this isn't my last visit to this charming town.

If I ever manage to settle permanently (or as permanently as I settle anywhere) I think Pine Valley will become my favorite way to escape the heat of a Southern Utah Summer.

This song was featured at the end of the season finale of Revenge (one of my favorite new TV shows) and I haven't been able to get it out of my head since. Florence and the Machine: Seven Devils.

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Lyrical Musing: All This and Heaven Too

On Friday's I share a song that caught my attention. A lyric or line that made me stop and think, inspired me, or caused me to see something in a new way. I hope you'll play along and share songs that inspired you.

I needed a bit of music last week to keep me focused while I was working on an analysis for work. Luckily I was working from home and could turn up it as loudly as I wanted. I was in the mood for a little Florence & The Machine. Her amazing voice kept me typing along, but I'll admit to replaying on particular song several times that day: All This and Heaven Too.

This time it wasn't necessarily the direct lyrics that drew me in - rather it was the idea of what it would be like to know what it was you wanted above all else, something that you would trade everything to have. I don't know that I've ever wanted anything that badly.

Is there a song that caught your attention this week? 

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A Glimpse of Istanbul

I had an amazing holiday weekend with my family - my only complaint is over already. I hope you had an equally wonderful weekend.  I'm rushing around today trying to fit in a day of work, packing and running a few errands as today is my last day home before I head back to Istanbul.

Work in Turkey has been manic, full of stress, long hours and no weekends. But I've tried to keep a camera with me at all times to capture a few shots here and then - mostly taken as I criss-cross the city for meetings with various groups or on a rare Saturday evening off.  Here are a couple of glimpses of the city I've captured on my way to meetings. I hope to start sharing more of Istanbul in the coming weeks, it is an incredible city - with something new each day to capture my interest.

The pigeons at Taksim Square.

The New Mosque, which just happens to have been built from 1597 to 1663.

A VW bug, found on a Sunday walk through my neighborhood.

In music news, I'm seriously loving the new Florence and the Machine album, have you had a chance to check it out yet? Here's their "Breaking Down."

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Antigua: Sunset

The sunset as we left Antigua was beyond gorgeous, the reflection on the water and the mountains to add interest - perfection.

Things are going well in Istanbul, but wow - this project may just kill me - it is interesting but oh, so demanding. Surviving til we get a few days off for Christmas is going to take a miracle. Coming back to these photos and the sense of relaxation I felt while in the islands helps me remember this won't last forever. When the photos don't work I pull out a little Florence and the Machine: No Light, No Light

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Music Week Day 4

Today's list is made up of great music I've purchased in the past month - only one bargain in the list, but I love them enough to say they were worth the money.

• Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs - God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise: This one has been on repeat in my car since the day it came out.  May just be my favorite release of the year.
• Little Big Town - The Reason Why:  Love their harmonies, would get more play if I could pry Ray out of the car.
• Ryan Adams - Heartbreaker:  Found it for $3.99 one day this week, but not on sale any more.  How did I miss this when it came out a decade ago.  One of those albums that I will go back to over and over again.
• Sara Bareilles - Kaleidoscope Heart:  Been waiting on this for a long time, lives up to the promise of the lead single, "King of Anything."
• Florence + the Machine - Lungs:  Fell in love with a couple of singles, happy to say the album lives up to them.  My favorite new album to get me moving.
• Dan Auerbach - Keep it Hid:  Heard a couple of song while watching "Friday Night Lights" fell in love, bought the album, found out he is half of the Black Keys, will be spending more money on his music.
• Mindy Gledhill - Anchor:  A fellow Utah girl - reminds me of Sara Bareilles and Ingrid Michaelson.

Today's sneak peek, Florence and the Machine, "Dog Days are Over"

What songs or albums have you purchased lately you would recommend to the rest of us?

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Iron Works

Now that I've had a bit of a break from bootcamp, I've decided it is time to pull out the camera again.  I took a wander in downtown Lexington to see what I could find.  Here are a few photos of some of the architectural details that caught my eye.

Today's song was inspired by all the iron work I saw downtown.  Iron makes me think of heavy, which led me back to this song off the new Twilight soundtrack by Florence and the Machine - anyone else excited to see it next week?  I've convinced a large group from work to go with me and am busy making party favors for everyone using templates from Hostess with the Mostess.

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