Time to eat cake!
To my love and best friend, thank you for a wonderfully rich first year! Every moment has been a precious gift from the Lord. Our hearts are full because of His goodness to us. God, show us continued grace in the years to come!
Oopsie Daisy, Louie!
14 AprWe forgot Mrky had just cut the grass when we let the boys for their last potty break of the day!!
Poor things! But we got a good laugh out of it:) Love these little fellas.
Teahouse in Tajikistan …in Colorado
14 AprOne of the last things we did during my birthday trip to Boulder, CO was to go to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse! Boulder, we later learned, became a sister city to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, around the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union. We felt like we had uncovered a secret gem that we had “accidentally” stumbled upon while looking for parking! God is so kind with His surprises!
The Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse
Loved this painting of catfish.
Dont you love the interior? They built a modern structure around the original elements. Every surface was either painted or carved by hand by craftsmen in Tajikistan.
So many teas! The silver needle was our fav!
Carved by hand!
Every square inch meticuously painted!
There were numerous pillars like these, each handmade!
Coconut flan with candied ginger! yum:)
Not so long ago!
13 AprJust found this photo from our batch of engagement photos and wanted to share!
I love it.
Believe it or not, this was a kiss-less posed shot…I promise!
Photography: Kenny Kim
A Feast for the Eyes …and the Heart
6 AprWell, it seems that on most of our adventures together, Mrky and I have encountered a lot of …what some would call luck. We like to refer to it differently. God has charmed many of our travels and allowed us to have amazing memories to last forever. The most recent experience of this was on our honeymoon in Costa Rica. What makes a trip THE TRIP? A lot of factors contribute to it. Planning and preparing, advice of friends, money, flexibility. We have noticed that more than anything its allowing the Lord to pour his blessings on you and making yourself available to be surprised!
Here’s one such example. We only had an hour before Mrky’s next shift and wanted to spend it well. God heard my desires to be able to see the Rockies and pushed back the fog. It could not have been a clearer day while all of the days preceding were either snowy or foggy! More than hitting the shops, we wanted to spend our time marveling at the natural beauties surrounding this place but were at a lost as to where to go. We waited. God intervened! While we were enjoying the view from a viewing station, He crossed our paths with a kind local who just happened to be a Rockies connoisseur and pointed us to Baseline Road. The nice gentleman was full of knowledge and data about the names and heights of each peak! Mrky was in hiker heaven! Within 15 minutes, we were at the top of the Flat Iron foothills, looking across the wide expanse of the beginnings of the Rockies. There was no visible end of the heights. How kind of God!
These next images make me think of the verse:
“He brought me out into broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me…For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? -the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.” Psalm 18:19, 31-33
The expanse of the Flat Iron foothills. Behind this lies the majestic Rocky Mountains.
A praire dog friend. Wish Teddy was here to see how he would respond!
Approaching the foothills.
Up we go!
Detail shot.
At the top, the winds were blowing something terrible. I thought I was going to be swept right off the edge!
Mark, on the otherhand, was sturdy as a rock!
You cant tell but Im holding on for dear life in this pic. The winds were crazy.
Us, sharing a sweet moment:)
A Happy Interruption
6 AprJust taking a break from my Colorado-gushing session to share that one of my dearest friends, Besilica, has up and gotten herself engaged! April 4 was a special day for her and her soon-to-be hubbers, Dennis Castenada. Here she is at my wedding, as bridesmaid, only last year! Dear B, you have always been a little sister to Mrky and I and we couldn’t be happier for you!
Sweet times! So loved these colors!
I love goofing off with this girl! Joy is her trademark:)
A Birthday Special in Colorado
4 AprI just celebrated my birthday with my dear husband in Boulder, CO. What a treat it was! This is a place for folks who love wide open landscapes! The Flatiron Mountains cradle the towns of Boulder and Louisville. The vast open sky above and the beautiful Flatirons sitting below create a harmonious visual contrast. I couldn’t stop staring out the window in awe with one thought. “God, you are amazing!”
The day started a little rainy. They were calling for 70 mph winds and snow later that evening.
Where Mrky works. The lakeside during the rain.
Suddenly the clouds lifted and there they were!
A view of the Flatirons I hope to see before i depart. Photo credit: nevko.org
What could be better than coffee on a rainy day such as this...maybe tea?
After being properly armed with the right beverage, we did a little window shopping and discovered Arhaus, a furniture store that seems like a blend of Restoration Hardware and a more grown-up version of Anthropologie’s house section. We were drawing many ideas from each nook and cranny.
Fun and affordable way to establish a whimsical wall decoration.
A lovely birch tree forest mural on a curved wall, creating the illusion of a surrounding forest.
Bamboo Coffeetable on Zebra rug
A favorite of Mrkys, cowhide lounge chair. Beautiful and very comfy!
A favorite of mine:) Utensil kitchen lamp.
I thought these glass pigeons were adorable.
Flower vase grid on the wall.
Vintaged twin chandeliers
The store-ladies were kind to let me take pics. I could have stayed for hours but alas it was time to go...
Mrky let me take these guys home. A little happy birthday gift! Hes so sweet!
Happy April! We’re back :)
4 AprHi friends,
After a long break from blog world, we’re returning! Much has happened since we became Mr. and Mrs. Stoggy, including buying and fixing up a new home together, Mark getting a new job, and married life transitions, both the joys and trials. So there’s lots to review as well as to put some thought into changing the focus of this blog, now that our wedding has come and gone and the rest of what lies in the Lord’s plans for us has yet to be revealed! Life is full and each day rich with new grace and memories. We’re not really sure just yet where this will go except that it’s a way to share a bit about our experiences in what we love: food, design, family, and our God! Come along and enjoy!
One chilly but lovely spring day, almost one year ago...we became husband and wife!
Love in sepia. Photography: Kenny Kim
a VERY cool wedding invite
4 MarOh my!! the nerd in me loves this! Darina and Niko made this 8-bit game and it has to be one of the most creative invites i have ever seen! Speaking of invites, our very own, designed by yours truly, have finally been completed and were mailed out today! PTL!!
Tape LOVE!
19 FebSometimes, its the little things that bring a smile to my face. I am going crazy over this site, Happy Tape, which sells…masking tape. Beautiful rolls and rolls of Japanese masking tape in all sorts of delicious colors and patterns! I’m thinking my first purchase will involve black and white stripes:)
Hannah, Marky’s Wife
i'm the bride of the most amazing man who also happens to be my best friend. We're going on our one year anniv! My hubby and I enjoy being creative together and growing in emulating the Creator's creativity. The whole earth showcases his beauty! I'm also a graphic designer for my church and a jewelry designer on the side. I love my family. I own two adorably sweet maltese-poodle puppies, Louie and Teddy.
sparksflybetweenus.wordpress.com 