ernest.

Okay, story time. Let's go back to my eighth grade English class. We have just been assigned to read a biography. I begin to shuffle through the pile of books my teacher set out for us. One catches my eye - it has a ship on the cover. It's about Ernest Shackleton. My thoughts go something like this: I have no idea who in the world that man is, but that ship is awesome. (For those of you that don't know, I love "the sea" and anything to do with it.) 

Fast forward seven years or so. I'm sitting here writing this post. Knowing and loving the story those pages held, I wish I could say I picked the book for more than just the cool ship on its cover. Ernest Shackleton, an Irish arctic explorer from the early 20th century, has become a real hero of mine. As I read of his struggles, his bravery, his will power and his yearn for exploration, I came to love this man. 

(As a little side note, while living in London I learned that Shackleton lived in my flat at one point. I was kind of beside myself when I saw the plaque in our library.)

And now I come to the reason for posting this story. Among the stories of courage this biography told was an excerpt from one of Shackleton's favorite poems. These words have come to be some of my favorite in the world of poetry. And I've been inspired to live, as Shackleton did, by these words.

Cue: Alfred Lord Tennyson's Ulysess

That which we are, we are; 
One equal temper of heroic hearts,

Made weak by time and fate, 

But strong in will

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

"courage is the power to let go of the familiar." - raymond lindquist

#willfitz

hello world! you've probably figured out by now how much i love music. especially live music. this past week i had the chance to see mr. william fitzsimmons live in SLC at urban lounge (a cool place voted "best hipster hang" and "best hipster spotting" - i.e. my heaven). i took nikki and ben with me. #indiemusicnoobs

ben never does anything i say. like, "oh hey can you smile for this picture? normally?" nope. he can't. 

she's not leaving me. she's not leaving me. she's not leaving me. #denial

and mr. fitzwilliams himself! does it look like i was standing right in front of him? because i totally was. did i hyperventilate for a second? maybe. did i have to constrain myself not to reach out and give him a fist bump? no, because fist bumps are lame. that was a trick question. a high-five though? most definitely.

the drummer from "slow runner" was a-w-e-s-o-m-e. awesome. (as were the other members of the band.)

did i mention that i love him? 

out in the crowds ...

on CLOUD NINE. slash the stage. before they kicked me off.

the concert was off the chain. and by that i mean it was cool. and super chill. and he sounded just as (if not more) amazing live. seriously, take a listen to a few clips from the concert: if you would come back home, from the water, the winter from her leaving, goodmorning. you will probably [also] fall in love with him. because he sounds like an angel. word.

the kooks just announced shows in new york, los angeles and san francisco. freaking out may be a bit of understatement. they are only my favorite band ever.

that's all. :)

mr. will fitzsimmons

last night i got to stand front row (literally an arm's length) underneath william fitzsimmons as he serenaded the audience. and i may have grabbed the setlist he was using ... 

lots more pictures and videos to come. :)

experimenting.

image via

i've been experimenting with my french toast recipes lately. last week i made my mom's classic recipe: thick honey wheat bread, eggs and milk. i decided to change things up a bit by adding some brown sugar and a little vanilla. it was super yummy. today i started off with the classic recipe again, but was out of milk (#collegestudent), so i used some vanilla yogurt and just for fun, i added a little cream cheese. also very delicious.

how do you make your french toast?

p.s. who watched HIMYM season finale?! i am freaking out. oh how i LOVE that show.

boy's got rhythm.

a few months ago i was showing allie my latest find - the infamous "friday" video. all of the sudden mark started jamming out to it! luckily i had my trusty i-phone to get some of it on tape. check it out here.

"i have found that if you love life, life will love you back." - arthur rubinstein

to my mother

Because I feel that, in the Heavens above, 

The angels, whispering to one another, 

Can find, among their burning terms of love, 

None so devotional as that of 'Mother' ...

- Edgar Allen Poe, An excerpt from To My Mother

Sweet mother of mine, please never forget how much you are adored by all who are privileged to meet you, and how lucky I feel to call you mine. Alles Gute zum Muttertag!

All my love, 

Sarah-Kate

photos from dad's birthday

to my father

It matters not that Time has shed
His thawless snow upon your head,
For he maintains, with wondrous art,
Perpetual summer in your heart.
- William Hamilton Hayne, To My Father

Happy birthday sweet father of mine!

All my love,

Sarah