Still brainstorming...

This morning I met with Danny, a member of my graduate committee, to discuss my thesis.  I'm not to the point of writing it yet; in fact, I'm still trying to come up with a substantial topic.  After talking to him, though, I feel much better.  He pointed me in a good direction.

Look for more updates about my thesis soon.  As soon as I completely decide on what to write and write my prospectus, I will post what my thesis will be about!

Woodchuck Cider

I love Woodchuck. It's the best stuff ever.

I have eaten pretty well today, nothing in excess. That, friends, is good news.

Thinking About a Thesis

I've been thinking a lot about my thesis lately, since I need to nail down a topic and write my prospectus in a month and a half. I've already chosen most of my graduate committee, and the professors are awesome and helpful.

The thing is, deciding on a topic is really hard. I have so many ideas, and I can't seem to get anything just right. But maybe I'm overthinking it. I'll be discovering new things about any topic when I begin my research anyway.

Here's hoping I can come up with something intelligent and totally Janna.

I love my sister and our newest friend, Jared. He is so much fun.

Running with Oscar, Day 1

I decided that running with my dog would be fun and healthy for both of us. So today, Oscar and I hit the pavement. As many of you probably know, I have another dog, Molly Bloom. However, she has issues with her leg, so I didn't want her to over-exert herself. Plus, Oscar is very hyper; he often annoys Molly by jumping on her. I figured running would help him let out some of his energy.

As you can see from the picture, Oscar is resting now. Thankfully, running with me is just what he needed to curb his extra energy. I think this could be a good match.

This is just a photo reminder of how amazing my summer has been so far. I've done so much, and I'll be posting a Summer '11 recap in mid-August. Be on the lookout for it!

Even though I wish I lived closer to everything...

There are benefits to living on a farm. Yesterday, I walked outside, and not even a minute away were the blueberry bushes. I only filled up one bowl, but there were plenty left on the bushes. There's also cabbage, tomatoes, and corn. Delicious.

Vacation Day 2 / Anniversary

Yesterday, Michael and I celebrated our three-year anniversary.  I can't believe it has been that long already.  Three years ago, my hair was the longest it had (and still has) ever been.  I'm trying to grow it back out to that length, and I keep kicking myself for cutting it.

Here are some photos from our day.  We spent it on the beach and in Savannah.  And we had dinner at Alligator Soul, a restaurant I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a romantic night out.

Adorable kids playing in the fountain in Savannah

My favorite store in all of Savannah, The Paris Market

Paris Market

Paris Market

Paris Market

Tandem bike at Paris Market

Yes, there were real bones for sale.

Love.

I look like a dork.

Funny suit I saw in a store window

In one of the little parks scattered around Savannah; Michael looks displeased because he was so sweaty.

This was on our table at Alligator Soul...

And these were inside the box.  Tiny pecan pies, and they were delicious.

Michael playing around on the phone

Frightening face

Pier

Pier

The 'B' necklace was an anniversary gift from Michael; I picked it out at the Paris Market.  I realized I only had things with the letter 'J', so I figured it was time to show off my last initial.

This looks surreal, and to be honest, this photo sums up how I feel whenever I go to Savannah; relaxed, at ease, and happy.

Paris Market

Examining books on the stairs at Paris Market

I'm having a beautiful time here on Tybee Island and in Savannah.  I wish I didn't have to leave.  My third anniversary was perfect, and I can't wait to see what my fourth year with Michael holds.

Vacation, Day 1

We have safely arrived at our condo in Tybee Island.  I know Michael and I are both in desperate need of a vacation; work and school have been wearing on us.  The trip wasn't bad at all, especially since my sister rode with us (instead of my parents, who are also here).  Some highlights from today:

Deeanna had to say goodbye to Jared before we left this morning.  I like this photo of us.  If the two of them get married, we'll have matching children.

In the car, ready to go eat dinner.

At the Crab Shack.  I had crab and shrimp, and it was awesome.  Michael, who disdains seafood, settled for chicken.

The Crab Shack has small alligators that you can feed.  They're pretty adorable.

This cat was lounging on a boat at the dock by the Crab Shack.

This is a creepy rose we found stuck in the sand on the beach.

The ocean, of course, is lovely as always.

And the sunset ended our first night perfectly.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow holds.  Michael and I will be spending the morning at the beach and the afternoon/evening in Savannah for our anniversary.  I can't believe it has been three years already.  Time flies, but we're going at our own pace.  I couldn't ask for anything better.

New book day

Today, I decided to treat myself to a new book. I strolled around Barnes & Noble trying to find the perfect read. And I happened to stumble across this book. It is new, published this year, to be exact. I can't wait to dive in. Anyone who knows me is well aware that I'm a huge Dylan fan. I feel like I can never learn enough about him.

I'll post a review once I finish the book. Here's hoping it lives up to my expectations.

New directions.

From here on out, this blog is going to take a new turn.  I constantly ask myself, "What should I blog about?  What is interesting?"  A coworker of mine, Elizabeth, blogs about her life, and her posts are so interesting to read, I've decided to blog about mine.

I'm in graduate school, I'm married, I have two dogs, and a hilarious family.  I am childless in the midst of many parent-friends.  And I'm a writer.  I'm eager to share more of my daily adventures here on this blog.

"Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free..."

I am a huge fan of Bob Dylan, and any one of my friends (or even acquaintances) will attest to this.  Dylan's lyrics are pure poetry, and his songs are timeless.  During my days of teaching, I had my students analyze a few of his songs along with other poetry they were studying at the time.

My sister gave me a copy of Howard Sounes's biography of Bob Dylan, Down the Highway:  The Life of Bob Dylan, as a gift.  I was eager to read it, as I had always wanted to know more about this icon.  Sounes does an amazing job capturing the life of Dylan, from his childhood to the present.

Sounes describes why he chose to write a book about this enigmatic icon on his website.  A Dylan fan since he was a boy, Sounes's goal was to write a book about Bob Dylan from birth until the present day (then, 2001) that was accessible for the general reader.  Read more of Sounes's reasons for writing the book here.

After finishing the book, I felt I had gained a much greater appreciation for Bob Dylan, his life, and his music.  Although Bob can be less than endearing in many scenes in the book, I was still utterly engrossed from beginning to end.

Bob Dylan is truly the spirit of American folk music.  I hope any Dylan fan takes the time to read Down the Highway.  It will not disappoint.  Afterward, I would suggest watching the 2007 film I'm Not There, in which six different actors, including Heath Ledger and Richard Gere, play aspects of Bob Dylan, his life, and his work.

If you are a Dylan fan, which of his lyrics speak most to you?  If you have never listened to his music, give it a go.  And if you don't care for his voice, look up the lyrics and read them as though you're reading a poem.  There is a little something for everyone in Bob Dylan's work.

Love, Janna

Visions of Autumn

The weather in Birmingham is just a bit cooler today, if only by about ten degrees.  This is saying a lot in Alabama, though.  Therefore, I have been thinking about autumn:  the sights, the smells, and the pretty sweaters.

One of the things I look forward to most about autumn is the opportunity to pair pretty summer pieces with sweaters and tights.  Just because the seasons change does not mean a girl has to buy a new wardrobe.  It's not practical, and all of us should be trying to cut corners whenever possible.

Take, for example, this dress from Anthropologie.  I have admired this dress since the first day I saw it in the store.

You could pair this dress with a long cardigan and belt it to give it a fresh, autumn feel.  If the weather is cool enough, don't be afraid to wear tights.

Since this dress is composed of a neutral palate, I would pair a brighter, jewel-tone sweater with it.  A warm red sweater would look very pretty.  Also, you can find more sweater options here.  This Long Embrace Cardigan is also from Anthropologie, and it comes in a variety of colors.  I also love the Outdoor Cafe Cardigan in yellow.

Just because autumn is swiftly approaching doesn't mean you have to hide your pretty summer dresses away until next year.  With a few additions, these dresses can carry you through fall and into winter.  Saving money and looking gorgeous, too?  Sounds wonderful.

Feel free to send pictures showing how you convert your own summer dress into a wearable autumn outfit.

Love, Janna

In the beginning...

Welcome, one and all, to my blog. I’d like to take this opportunity to summarize what this blog is all about. In a nutshell, I’ll be posting about anything that inspires me, as well as a few opinions every now and then.

I have always been somewhat of a book nerd, and I plan to post about books or writers I find interesting. In addition, I love fashion. While I don’t believe I have a category or title for my particular style, hopefully my readers will find inspiration in my posts about fashion. Lastly, I will be posting about individuals who I find particularly engaging. You may also see a bit of randomness every now and then, which is why this blog is not about any one certain thing.

Enjoy!

Love, Janna