atom + marjan

Dog vs. Baby

2012-01-09T14:58:00.000-08:00

We have a nearly 10 year old Weimereiner, his name is 'Bleu Bird' and he was my high school graduation present nearly a decade ago. To me, he is salt of the earth, he has outlasted many of my phases, homes, jobs, boyfriends and stayed my rock through marriage, renovations & now pregnancy.

This morning, I came down for breakfast by the fire. Bleu had already eaten, been outside, surely poo'd in Kyle's yard and was happily napping by the fire on his sheepskins. I sat down in my usual seat and reached down to pet him. His head was extraordinarily warm from the toasty fire. Atom handed me a fresh waffle breakfast complete with orange juice and prenatal vitamin [just what i was craving]. I told him bleu's head was really warm and I thought it could be cooking his brain. So Atom gently spun bleu on his sheepskins away from the close proximity of the fire. Bleu lazily welcomed the shift and even moaned in satisfaction. We fluffed the sheepskin under his head for some extra comfort.

Then I wondered, what is our child going be like?

New Love

2012-01-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

Some time has passed since I have written in this little blog, and I generally prefer visuals to text anyway. But this morning can’t be entirely relayed with visuals; it’s about something we can’t see yet.

I have fallen in love with someone. I didn’t see it coming, I wasn’t looking for it, I didn’t plan this new love, it just happened. Pretending like it wasn’t there was impossible, no matter how much I tried.

If you haven't guessed by now, about three months ago, this was the first message from our newfound love.

This morning, that little message became very real for us. A day shy of 13 weeks pregnant, we had an appointment to hear the baby's heart beating. While it seemed to take forever to find the right spot that would catch the sound of the little heart rather than my own pulse or the noisy static my other organs were waving in, she finally found it, and it sounded more like a fast engine with a bad tick, but somehow it was still very magical. I felt Atom squeeze my hand, and I burst out in laughter, ruining the connection, but she easily made the connection again, and for the first time, I know why we got IPhones, atom recorded it here.

2011-03-31T10:25:00.000-07:00

The house is really coming along! Since I really haven't posted much about since we bought the place, here is a fantastic update.

Historical pieces with modern beauty.

2011-03-23T08:32:00.000-07:00

Atom and I have been working on our portfolio, the bird shot is one I have been wanting to experiment with for some time, I always loved Natural History museums and the faux taxidermy representation of real life incorporated with modern jewelery is great combo. I want to keep working on this series....

I love the combination of soft elegance combined with old treasures, the deer wall hanging was a real treat to get from a friend who knows me so well.....thanks beth!

play time and work time mold to one.

2011-03-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

I art directed another shoot for Damiana Designs, She won first place [again] at Burdastyle competition. I like to think my imagery is what helps her win, but I know it's her incredible fabric construction. Since her outfit reminded me of something a circus performer would wear on her casual lunch date, I was inspired by a soft tent like atmosphere.

Deconstruction.

2010-06-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

We started the deconstruction this past weekend, not but a few days after we closed. Officially our as of June 1st. We started with the kitchen, and I must say demolition day is a little too fun.

Here is the rest of the house....BEFORE photos....

Finding a little Zen in all the chaos....

First time Home Buyers, thats us.

2010-06-09T08:05:00.000-07:00

This what we bought.....

It was an old homestead, about 100 years old, and in need of a lot of love....A LOT.

The house is just under 1800 square feet 4 bedroom/2 bath.... soon to be 3 bedrooms, and there is a "guest/studio/mother-in-law" quarters in the back. It's about 850 square feet, and where we are living during the renovations.

5,824 miles in 10 days

2010-03-09T08:59:00.000-08:00

Grande Canyon

2010-03-01T07:11:00.001-08:00

The next morning we set for the Grande Canyon [how touristy of us]. Warning, it costs $25 for two people to drive up to a giant hole in the ground. I was a little upset with this, claiming that they didn't have to dig the hole, why so expensive? But, alas, view is spectacular.

Then we popped the camper and broke out the stove, and atom made nutella pancake sandwiches and sausage [veggie] patties for lunch.

Desert Drive

2010-03-01T06:58:00.000-08:00

We left Texas Wednesday night [Feb 26th], and just before we squeezed in a visit with Gil and his family. Seeing Ben [Gil's baby] was a real delight.

Then we drove through the night and into the next day, pulling over in Winslow, Az to have dinner at a highly recommended restaurant called the Turquoise Room. Food was more than fabulous and exactly what we needed to regain some of our road weary sanity.

We crawled into a cheap hotel in Flagstaff, Az and called it quits until the next morning. Bleu was happy with this arrangement.

Texas

2010-03-01T06:34:00.000-08:00

In Texas we arrived and had a great visit with my Nana, she gave atom the family picture tour of her house. I promised to restore one of them for her. This is a portrait of all of her kids, I promised to try to restore for her.
She had just finished getting her Carmen VW Bug restored....

We planned a day of visiting one of my favorite museums and places to eat in San Antonio, The McNay & Liberty Bar. Needless to say it was fun, I found a portrait of Mary of Magdalene at the McNay, I wish I could have put it my bag and totted it home. If you are ever in San Antonio, you can't go wrong with either of these visits. Along with the frequent taco stops.

Then atom and dad picked up a few parts for the bus [we had a muffler blowout]. The severity of the muffler was a little worse than we thought, so we decided to get it fixed at a muffler shop along the way.

Snow in Texas

2010-02-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

We drove from Cleveland, Mo to Waco, Texas yesterday. On the way we managed an impromptu puppy reunion of Bleu and Ed in Tulsa, Oklahoma [everyone gets to see someone on the trip].

Then we made our way to Dallas where we stopped to have our first VW Bus dinner party with Dave [Tex-Mex] and Jill at a Gas Station Taco stand Atom has been dreaming about since the last time he was in Texas. Dang if I forget to take pictures of our tacos and vw bus dinner party. I even spruced up the van to make it more inviting. So all I have to offer is a visual representation of how many tacos atom consumed.
Then we made our last lag to Waco to see Ryer and Emily. We ended staying the night and watching Zombieland. One of my favorite past times is watching a funny movie with Ryer, his laughter always got mine, and a zombie movie..... EXTRA BONUS!
Then we woke up this morning and Ryer made us all waffles for breakfast and then we set sail for the southern state. But, WHAT? SNOW? IN TEXAS? REALLY?
Well, I at least I felt proud of the confidence we had to drive in it....

Surprise Jim!

2010-02-21T11:15:00.000-08:00

After our late arrival in Kansas City Friday night, we were encouraged to have sushi for breakfast by our host [and atom's long time friend] Pappy. I must say, the idea of sushi for breakfast after a late night of drinking wasn't immediately appealing, but why not.

{insert sushi restaurant photo here}

Then we went to to the Christopher Elbow Artisan Chocolate shop in Downtown Kansas City. If you ever thought you tasted a good chocolate, you might want to make sure you've check out this website. http://www.elbowchocolates.com/

Russell Stover's eat your heart out.....

{insert my giddy face at the chocolatier shop here}

Next we headed to Atom's brother's house. Jim was turning 40 and had no idea we were coming to celebrate with him. Needless to say, he was elated to see us, and we spent the rest of the evening celebrating at a Pool hall, which ended with Jim and I making snow angels in the shallow crusty Kansas City snow.

This is how you look after two days of driving and then 4 drinks....

I have to apologize for the lack of photo documentary, I left our camera at Jim's house. Will update later, now I have to actually use my SLR again, point and shoot probably won't meet up with us until we are back in Sandpoint. We set sail for Texas first thing in the morning.

First 30 hours

2010-02-20T08:22:00.000-08:00

We made it!

Not much to say about the first 30 hours, it's was a B-line to KC. Atom drove all night and I took the morning shift. I slept while he drove and woke up to relieve him before light. It was interesting to be asleep for hours and have no idea what the world around me looked like, just stay on the narrow road. When the sun started to rise it revealed the earth like a strip tease, only it wasn't nearly as thrilling. Here are some of photos of the midwest muck we were driving through.

We made it to KC in 30 hours, google maps estimated 26. A few hiccups with the bus, but she/he was loyal to us. We hope to come up with a name for the bus by the end of this trip. At around 5 a.m. [ after a night of driving] Atom suggested "Jelly", because it was like the jelly fish of the road. At that point I sent him to bed and took over driving, he was delirious.

Muck or not, I am already having a blast.

Beth Photoshoot.

2009-10-12T13:24:00.001-07:00

For everyone who didn't make it....

2009-10-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

What to eat.

2009-08-12T14:47:00.000-07:00

There will be appetizers before the ceremony and a dinner after. We hope we have enough food to feed everyone, but since there is no RSVP, there is no way of knowing, so we encourage potluck for anyone who feel like grabbing chips or cooking their specialty.

The invitations.....

2009-08-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

post cards are the most cards.

2009-08-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Always an excuse for a photo project....

This little card will be included with the invitations we are sending out. It was intended for people to return with words of wisdom, however, I am not sure how many we will actually get back. People riding a leaping jackalope rabbit would go straight to a magnet on my fridge.

Photography Montage Project

2009-08-10T11:14:00.001-07:00

As some of you know, Atom and Marjan are both photographers, and know lots of professional photographers, you also probably know that Atom and Marjan are not traditional, and don't like traditional photography......

IDEA.

Lets not hire a photographer! Instead we invite our friends to bring their cameras and be inspired for a photography montage project. We do not want boring posed images, instead we want images from each of our friends individual styles as a keepsake for the day. No pressure, no checklists, no standards, we just want the 5 best from everyone and anyone. A fork in the grass to the big kiss, we only want that of what inspires our friends to do what they do best, take pictures, or not at all. Everyone should be there to have fun.

Where to send the photos after the wedding:
http://picasaweb.google.com/atomandmarjan
log in: atomandmarjan
Password: weddingphotos

Information to Come.....

2009-08-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Man Bar-b-q Drink beer night for family men.....

Ladies decorations project day.......

and....who knows.....

"we should've jack'eloped anyway........"

2009-08-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Accomodations.....

2009-08-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

Site has a lot more information on potential lodgings and accommodations....
http://www.visitsandpoint.org/
There is lots of campgrounds around, and anyone is welcome to camp it in our yard. if you are interested in that get in contact with us.
Also vacation house rentals can be found here:
http://sandpointvacationrentals.com/

Hotels each have 10 rooms blocked until August....

La Quinta
$159 per room with 15% discount $135.15 per night
“Marjan & Atom Welch”
1.800.262.0660
This is right downtown walking to everything.

Best Western Edgewater
$179 per room with 10% discount $161.10 for balcony $170.10 ground
“Welch Wedding” confirmation code: 1241
208.263.3194
This is right on the beach, where we are potentially celebrating the wedding.

Days Inn
$89 to $79 per room with group discount $69.00 [has room with two queens, or room with one king]
“Welch-Schelling Wedding”
208.263.1222
This is located in Ponderay, which is about a 3 minute drive to Sandpoint.

Registry? No thanks...

2009-08-06T20:33:00.000-07:00

Not really into the whole, here is the list of things we want thingy, and we already have two of everything......BUT, if you are feeling compelled, we want to fix up this....

and honeymoon someday in a place like this.......
so all donations will be accepted.

Also, there will be some saweet limited edition Jackalope T-shirts to buy at the wedding. All proceeds will go to our honeymoon [when we figure out what that is].

September fifth it is...MAP

2009-08-06T20:30:00.001-07:00

map.

first realization that we are actually planning a wedding

2009-08-06T20:26:00.000-07:00

attempts to quickly and quietly elope, turned into planning a paperwork signing bar-b-q wedding thingy.

Engagement

2009-08-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

boy asks girl to marry him, she said yes.

When we met

2009-08-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

boy meets girl.

for the rest of the story, stay tuned.....