It was a pensive kind of day...

Art.

When you read that word you instantly have a feeling. A reaction. What is it, and why? Typically, it is one of two things: A.) You don't understand/have to desire to understand, or B.) You appreciate it and you love it. There is no in-between. 

Art. It can be anything. Your clothes, actual canvas, that picture perfect moment you that hits you in your face when you're setting in the living room with your family; everyone doing something different, but coexisting in a beautiful, melodious way.

The painting above was done by yours truly. It's not complicated. Art is whatever it is that you love. A lot of the time, inspiration for my art is drawn from my family. Hence the painting above....

If you've never thought about what art is to you...maybe you should...

Book Reviews, Coffee Tunes, and other Hidden Secrets of East Texas

Its amazing how fast Christmas is over isn't it? We build up to this crescendo all year, that is over in a matter of a few hours. For some, it is over before the actual day ever gets here. It really puts into prospective what the important things are. Not the gifts, or the miles traveled,  but Christ's birth. Something we should celebrate all year. Not just for a day.  Just a little bit of information I mulled over while taking a long run today :)

I had to take a break from the mental abuse that is American Wife, so I could read the final book in the Bridal Quartet series by Nora Roberts, Happily Ever After. Once again, It fulfilled the high expectations I had set for it as a product from the three previous outstanding books. The protagonist, Parker reminds me so much of my sister so it made it extremely relate-able. The author does an impeccable job of painting a very clear picture of the life of the between the the four best friends that make up Vows.  Different from the previous three books however, the romantic character that has his sights set on Parker is very clear from the beginning that he won't be giving up anytime soon. The issues lie with Parker in the beginning. The novel addresses the age old question, of how long does one wait for a potential  romantic interest to open up to you? To let you get beneath the surface? It is something we have all come in contact with at some point or the other. Some of us more recently than others...

I found a haven. A rare jewel, a hidden secret Who knew a precious independent coffee shop existed in the middle of the pine trees of East Texas?! It will be a nice escape complete with high speed wi-fi (which we don't have at my house) and a honey almond latte that Starbucks couldn't shake a stick at! It brings a little piece of the College Station life that I miss so much, closer to home. Live music will float out onto the porches on weekends with intermissions filled with Nora Jones, Ray LaMontagne, and William Fitzsimmons (three of my personal favorites).


I just might make it after all ;)

...Merry Christmas, One and All...

This, ladies and gentlemen, sums up my family. Meet my mother :) Our Christmas was warm, unorganized, chaotic, full of love, and silly. I think we have started a new tradition of wearing reindeer antlers and santa hats after dinner Christmas Eve (thanks Momma and Aunt Marleen!).

I made the homemade cider and it was a huge hit! None to spare. A suggestion for next year, use sparkling rose wine instead of regular. It gives it an extra little Christmas kick ;)

I hope everyone had a wonderfully blessed Christmas. The older I get, the more I realized how truly blessed I am to have such an amazing family full of love. Cheesy as it sounds, I'll take it nonetheless. 

Happy New Year everyone!

O' Christmas Tree...

This simple ornament on our tree says so much about my family. It isn't merely just a red silk Christmas ball. It was my great grandmother's. She passed it on my mother, who will pass onto my sister's oldest daughter. 

Our roots run deep. Tradition means everything to us. We cling to each other in all situations. My cousins are like my brothers. We are one single unit. Always there for each other, but tell us when we're wrong. Spoil each other just enough, but never too much. (ok I might be lying. Hello, I am the BABY GIRL in our whole family ;-P )

My Daddy's Hands

We are a praying family. This will forever a beloved picture of the man that is my father. They say a picture says a thousand words. Well, this one says about 15,000. Untold stories of discipline, love, guidance, hugs, wrestling matches, and healed heartbreaks.

Ornaments my sister and I made when we were each in Kindergarden

Be thankful for the little things. Make cookies with your mom. It warms her heart to have you in the kitchen with her. Hunt with your dad; he just wants the opportunity to be filled in on your life. I feel that, we as women, overlook our fatherly advice. They have so much to say, yet somehow talk less than our mothers. Also, be thankful for sisters. They take AMAZING pictures, like the ones above! Photo credits to: Photos by Britt

Musical suggestion for the holidays: Dave Barnes' Christmas CD

Holiday Recipe of the Year:

This recipe is for a sweet cider that is a subtle blend of fruit juices and spice that a dear friend of mine, Erin, shared with me. Enjoy making it and take the liberty to add or take away ingredients so that it suits you just right. You might just find yourself making a new family tradition.

1.5 liters apple cider
12 oz. cranberry juice
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 orange, sliced
1 lemon, sliced
3 cinnamon sticks
1 bottle sweet rosé wine

Simmer first 8 ingredients in a medium size saucepan for 30 minutes. Increase to medium heat and add wine, heating for an additional 5-10 minutes until adequately warmed. Serve warm in a mug. 

Playing Picture Catch Up

What a day!!!

I got to spend the day with my wonderful future brother-in-law. We shopping all day, and I used him as a Ken doll! I am so blessed to have an "in-law" that I truly see as family. He has been the big brother I've never had. He was sworn in as a police officer this evening! 

A bit out of order, but here are pictures from my graduation party a few days ago!

Exciting new of the day: 

One of my most AMAZING friends gets home from Afghanistan tomorrow!!!! Its has been wonderful getting to talk to him the past week everyday! We were communicating by email/letters for the last 

8 1/2 months!

2 years ago! So glad he gets to come home!



*Look for upcoming pictures of my newest painting over the next couple of days!*

Unforseeable, and Uneventful

Well......
I am OFFICIALLY  a college graduate!!! It has been pure madness around here the past few days. Between graduation parties (which was BEAUTIFUL and perfect. Thanks Momma), actually graduating, and my lovely/crazy grandmother from Dallas being in town, there has been zero time for Blog updates. 


I am sorry to report, but not surprised in the slightest that absolutely NOTHING of consequence has happened since I have been home. I have a sneaking suspicion my time will be spent here at this very computer telling all of you how much nothing I am doing.


Hopefully this will be changing. For an update on the job hunting front; I have been emailing the HR director for Live Nation (they run House of Blues! What what!) about an Assistant Event Planning Coordinator position at the HOB in Houston. Fingers crossed everyone. I would get to live by Emily and Kate and live with Sarah! Not only that, but it is DEFINITELY a foot in the door for entertainment PR. Its all about who you know, people. 


On the upside however, I will be working out a lot, playing tennis, and reading a TON. Therefore I have decided to include book reviews of the book of the week. This week, we have American Wife. If you want to know what it's about....google it. I'm empowering you to use google for something other than looking up the celebrity hair style you want. While it has a promising story line, I am somewhat disappointed how it is turning out. So far it has used every tragic cliche of how a young woman over comes adversity in her childhood. Not only that, but every single tragedy is poisonously laced with the tell-tale signs of a Democratic author. However, its early and I am hoping it does a 180. Maybe the author like theatrical and dramatic come backs?


The latter part of my day was spent day dreaming. Shocker. How do we feel about Grace by Amanda Grace for the name of my first clothing line? Hmm.... and the pondering ensues....

And so it begins....

Well hello!
My name is Amanda... and this is A Year of Unforeseeable Events. My whole life up until this point has been unforseeable, so the title of this blog was a given. A bit of background information.....


I grew up in the smallest town imaginable. I traveled a lot with my family, but this tiny town was always home. I lived on a ranch in the middle of nowhere and went to a local high school. The plan was, go to New York, be a famous fashion designer, be famous, and never come back. Plans changed, as they always do. 
I love my family and we are EXTREMELY close. Therefore, I went to Texas A&M (Whoooop!) and majored in Marketing. I am STILL looking for a job in the Advertsing/PR/Fashion/Publishing world and am moving BACK to said miniscule town to live with, no I'm not kidding, with my parents :) 
and so our story begins....


This is day one. Two days before graduation and a count down of the next year of my life. Blogging is a new concept to me. SO this should be a fun experience for all parties involved. I will be blogging for exactly one year. A peek into life after college graduation and all that implies. NOW....let's set the stage shall we....


Current Location: CS, TX


Future Location: Small Town, USA... It has no cell phone service, I will be living with my          parents, and just might run into my Ex who is now engaged :) super fun.


Characters:

Best Friend: Say-Say (you can blame her for this entire experiment)
Sister: Britt
Future Brother-in-Law: Ran- Ran 
Best Guy Friend: Stevo Bobbitto
Parents: Momma and Daddy
Grandparents: Pappy and Nanna/The Dragon
Best Friend from High School: Jessica 
Current Roommates: Emily, Kate, Lou

There will be other people involved in my life, but these are the key characters. The supporting actors will be explained as life happens.