Valentine's day has me thinking of a few of my loves...12 to be exact. Of course, there are many, many more. In fact, so many that I decided just to throw out a few fun ones, in no particular order. I'm leaving off the biggie but, well...not really because here it is:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deut. 6:5
1: First up: Boys. Love me some boys! This photo was taken several years ago but I just adore what it reflects; men, being men. My guys, doing some big time bonding.
Yeah.
Speaking of...
2: Wife Whisperer.
This is a really, really old photo...back in his Peter Frampton days. If you don't know who Peter Frampton is, please don't embarrass me by saying so. Thanks.
Btw...I didn't nickname him. That came from elsewhere but, let me tell you, it's fitting.
Poor man.
3: Bacon. Who in the wide world doesn't love and adore bacon? Which is why I'm going to share with you the perfect, mess free way to fix it.
Really.
1. Line a cold (it must be cold...don't preheat it or anything) baking sheet with parchment or foil.
2. Lay bacon strips side by side on sheet, careful not to overlap.
3. Place in cold oven and turn to 400 degrees.
4. Bake for 20 min. or until done to taste. You may have to adjust the time for a convection oven.
5. Remove from oven, drain on paper towels and enjoy crispy, splatter free bacon. Yay!
4: Oregon. Yes, land of the most beautiful danged mountain of all time...Mt. Hood.
And this guy...
I found him in Portlandia. Doing weird finger tricks.
What-up with that?
Portland.
It's gorgeous...and they have a coffee named after me. Sort of.
It's my home. I miss it.
5: Beads. Rocks, minerals, stones, fossils, bones and other fun stuff. Isn't this morrisonite amazing? Morrisonite jasper is from a small area in southeastern Oregon, and is known as the "king of jaspers." It's prized for it's lovely, deep colors and interesting patterns and is quite rare. Seeing as how it's from my home state, I just had to have a bit.
These lovelies are Australian stichtite. I'd never heard of it before and it's quite rare. The green is actually serpentine with the violet stichtite inclusions. I hope I do something fabulous with this.
Aren't you wondering where I found these rare and mysterious rocks? I'll divulge my secret source, just because I'm in a valentine-y mood and I love y'all. It's an Etsy shop called Earthly Treasures. They've got some really unique things. I hope you enjoy checking them out.
6: The Cabin.
Big Horn Mountains. Fresh air. River. Moose. Trees. 'Nuff said.
7: Mayzie <3 <3 <3
This dog is crazy cute. Crazy cute, I tell you.
She thinks she can fly.
That makes me feel happy.
8: Chipotle Beer and Lime Roasted Pork Tenderloin. I posted this recipe last June and it's still ranking up there as my favorite. If you haven't tried it, shame on you. If you have, then you know what I'm talking about. It's not for the faint, though. If you like to walk on the spicy side...dig in!
Btw...still battling the brown widows. Don't ask.
9: Wyoming. Land of the urban herd and U-Dub.
It's the place I met Wife Whisperer.
It's the reason I learned how to dance, after all these years.
It's the wild west, y'all.
It's wild and free and uncrowded.
It's my home. I miss it.
10: Photography.
There are few things more fun and absorbing, for me, that playing around behind a lens. I can lost in the view from there.
11: Boots. Cowboy, ankle booties, knee high, snow boots...you name it, I'm obsessed with boots.
Shoes too, but let's just stick with boots, for now.
I can't even really tell you why. But, they're sexy...no?
12: You. My friends, my readers, my students, my peeps. How can I possibly say how much I love and appreciate you, in this silly little post?
Well, it's true.
You've been supportive, encouraging and downright nice. You've friended me on Facebook, looked at my Instagram photos and re-pinned me on Pinterest. You've taken classes, purchased my jewelry and been my cheerleaders. You're my inspiration and you keep me coming back here.
Thank you.
xxoo
deryn
What a fun post. Thanks for the tour!
Posted by: Seth | Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Your blog is the best, so beautiful and inspirational. Thank you Deryn.
Posted by: Beth Marx | Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 10:34 AM
What about your Pony or the Challenger?! lol At least you included your boots! :D Love them boots!!! Great list and I will have to add Oregon on must see list...Happy belated Valentines Day!
Posted by: Michelle | Friday, February 15, 2013 at 04:34 PM
I love you and I love your blog!!! It is so much fun.
Posted by: Mom | Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 05:29 PM
That is a very nice post! :) I share some of your loves too...
Posted by: Maria | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 09:27 PM
I love your loves too! tee hee tee hee... Missing you i did not know you love hazelnuts... My gma has a Orchard of them, I'll send you some come harvest time...
Posted by: Christina Boyd | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 07:35 PM
I don't have a sister but I really think you could be mine...I love everything in this post!!!
Posted by: dorylyn | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 08:17 AM
I enjoyed reading your 12 Loves! Well composed - Thanks for sharing!!!
Jean
Posted by: Jean Van Brederode | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 08:17 AM
Beautifully expressed.
Posted by: LeAnn | Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 05:58 AM
Clap! clap! Clap! That was so much fun!! I LOVED It and all the wonderful things/people (MAYZIE!!!) that you shared!!
Posted by: Kelly Snelling | Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 11:18 PM
I enjoyed reading this...loved all the photos and this really expresses who you are and what is important to you in a beautifully, visual and worth-more-than-a-1000 words way...awesome! Shayne and I lived in Oregon for four years...still feel like it is home and we miss it...
Posted by: Stacie | Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 10:57 PM