My grandmother sailed to New York City from her home in Chile in the nineteen thirties. With her parents, brother, and governess, they lived there and saw first hand its glamour and elite society. Everyone always elegant and well dressed -- hats, heels, and perfectly coiffed hair -- even during the depression. I'd give anything to go there just for a day.
And then when my grandmother moved with her mother (who was a journalist, interviewing all the stars in the thirties, forties, and fiftes from Frank Sinatra to Marilyn Monroe) to Hollywood a few years later -- that's another time I'd loved to have tagged along. I'm convinced I was born in the wrong era. But for now, I'm in 2011 and I'll make the best of it. After all, when I'm a grandmother, my grandchildren will ask what it was like to live now, with old fashioned things such as computers and television.

//

With no rain for three months, the weather has decided to make up for it now by four thunderstorms in thirty six hours. Oklahoma weather is madness, I tell you. And completely unpredictable. I'm not complaining though -- this morning it was a mere seventy one degrees. I broke out the skinny jeans. Me = happy girl.

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jamie delaine || photographer from Hello Tomorrow on Vimeo.

I've been falling in love with videography lately. There's something about the combination of music and moving photographs that makes my heart so happy. And this promo video for Jamie made by Hello Tomorrow? Perfect. If only I had a better video camera...

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Quesadillas have been my lifeblood lately. A lightly fried, crispy outer shell of tortillas and a creamy, warm filling of cheese (preferably Colby), served with jam. I have the art of making quesadillas down to a fine science -- three slices of cheese on a tortilla, the other slathered with butter. Place into a pan with butter and fry on medium heat until golden brown on each side. Delicious.

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It's almost been a year since my trip to Paris. I miss it, y'all. I miss the adventure, the exploring, the culture. The next time I go back (and yes, there will most definitely be a next time), there's already a list formed of photographs I want to take and food I want to eat. I can't wait.

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Just some Pinterest loves -- left to right: chevron wall, yellow + grey room, vintage camera display, and plastic spoon wreath.

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Life lately:

baking, pretty light in spite of the storms, painting (MeMe's new hobby). Life is good.

Happy Thursday!

-carlotta

The clouds formed pillars in the sky, varying in type and color. We were at the pool, splashing, reading, floating, and a soft rain began to fall. The sky grew darker, into a slate grey -- we packed up our things as the heavens opened and it began pouring, flooding the world with water. Laughing in relief and astonishment, we watched as rained for the first time in months, our prayers for the end to the drought answered. I must confess I ran into the yard dancing and spinning among the droplets, not caring that my clothes became plastered to my body or that water ran down my face. On the contrary, I embraced the feeling of cool water raining down on me.

My weekend mantra was "no computer". When I need to relax, I often open my laptop and do nothing, really, the hours pass. Over the past few weeks, I've realized this method isn't the best one. Shutting down my computer on Saturday morning, I anticipated a time of ignoring emails, not blogging, and focusing on real life.

It was still pouring outside when the lights suddenly flickered and the whole house fell silent. I smiled when I realized the power had gone out, reinforcing my no computer decision. Call me crazy, but I've always loved power outages. With no television, no internet, no air conditioning, everyone is driven outside and there's such a wonderful sense of community.
When we lived in St. Louis, a massive storm came through the summer I was ten, knocking out the power for five days. During that week, there were multiple cookouts a day to use up food and I fondly recall building forts with my friends using fallen trees and branches. We slept in the basement and spent our days outside -- it was one of my favorite times that summer.

Shortly after the power went out, I slipped to the sunroom with a book (a book I devoured from start to finish in less than a day) and my camera. Opening the door wide to the cool air and pouring rain, I curled up in a chair and read, the cat purring softly next to me.

We ate dinner by candlelight that night and I slept with my sisters in the basement, whispering stories in the darkness and giggling. Because I'm a wimp and didn't want to take a cold shower (you realize how much you rely on things when you don't have it), MeMe helped me wash my hair in the tub, both of us laughing at how pathetic I was.

We traveled to the state capitol (I fell in love with the colors inside the dome) this weekend and learned more about this state called Oklahoma.

On the way home, we drove through small towns along Route 66, stopping at a store specializing in soda. While I'm not a huge soda fan, I must admit I had fun photographing the bottles ;)

This weekend there were (delightful) early mornings -- I rose before sunrise and watched the world wake from slumber. The light was soft and delicate, gently illuminating the grass and flowers. All was quiet for the exception of some birds twittering and chirping in the trees.

I've always been fascinated by other cultures and their history. While sifting through my mother's fabric stash, I came across her Indian sari, acquired during her travels in India. It's a rich blue silk with the most beautiful embroidering along the edges.

Inspired by all the fabric, I did some needlework (that makes me sound like an old lady, doesn't it?), chevron of course.

And my art wall got a little makeover as well.

I didn't touch my computer again until over forty eight hours later to answer emails. It's funny, I was sad to get back on -- it's really true that a break from technology does a wonders to your creativity. I think I'll have the same mantra every weekend -- I'm already looking forward to the next one.

How was your weekend?

xoxo

p.s. I've been toying with creating a facebook page for pastor's girl's ponderings for months, but I'm not sure about it...thoughts?

This giveaway is now closed.

It's the weekend, and to celebrate, here's a little giveaway for you lovelies.

Emily has been a sponsor of pastor's girl's ponderings for the past few weeks -- she's super sweet and an all around lovely person. Her Etsy shop, The Jewelry Sheller, features the beautiful accessories she makes by. And today, she's giving away an anklet of the winner's choice, perfect for this last month of summer.

shop / blog

And because another giveaway is twice the fun (and two winners!), Olivia is giveaway away three 4x6 prints, including the one pictured above. Olivia's photography is gorgeous -- you don't want to miss out on this one!

shop / blog

Want to enter?

mandatory entry: 

Comment on this post with your answer to this question: What is your favorite time of day? 

When I can actually get my lazy self out of bed in time, I love early mornings...but golden hour can't be beat.

(one entry)

extra entries: 

 + follow pastor's girl's ponderings via google friend connect (i.e., that little follower's gadget in the sidebar)

+ follow me on twitter and tweet about the giveaway (please include @pastorsgirl so I can track your tweet)

 + blog about the giveaway – be sure to leave the link in a comment!

+ follow emily's blog
+ follow olivia's blog

(please leave one comment per entry)

Giveaway will end on Wednesday, August 10th at 9:59pm and winner will be announced shortly afterwards.

Happy entering and good luck!

-carlotta

Sometimes words gush out like a babbling creek swiftly running downstream -- other times it's more like gentle, slow moving cows in a pasture, just content with the way everything is. I'm more like the cows tonight, complacent and reflecting. Life is good, and all I'm happy just by soaking in these lazy summer days. 

We had friends over for dinner tonight -- talking, dancing, eating, drinking, laughing away the night. I've always loved entertaining; it's a chance to get out the pretty dishes, cook, and motivation to clean the house (Lord knows my room needed it). I made watermelon limeade -- if you have a fifteen pound watermelon in the refrigerator, it needs to be used -- and it's my new summer drink. It's so simple to throw together, and, served over ice with a slice of lime balanced on the rim, pretty and fancy. 

headscarf: thrifted // blouse: thrifted // shorts: cut by me -- jeans from old navy // belt: unknown // watch: american eagle also, I promise I didn't cut my shorts unevenly...I was just standing weird ;)

Today I was all about staying cool (it got up to 115 degrees Farenheit today...one of the hottest days so far. I'm going to remember this for when it's ten below zero this winter.). I couldn't fathom not having my hair up -- hence the (messy) bun and headscarf. Paired with a lightweight blouse and some cutoffs and you have yourself a winner. Also. My blouse, scored for ninety nine cents (oh yes), has ruffles. And polka dots. And little buttons. I think I'm going to pass out.

 Produce stands conjure up images of red and white striped tents next to fields on the side of the road, sweet juicy peaches in crates, and a summer breeze. While nothing can surpass farmer's markets, these make me heart go pitter-patter. Especially when they have mister fans and peaches.

Can't days always be like this?

-carlotta

p.s. any book recommendations? I'm always looking for something good to read and I've about depleted my list. advice would be lovely!