Lovely and Still

wow

2010-07-13T15:12:00.001-07:00

it's been a long time since i have posted here. don't worry, i haven't forgotten about you blog... i'll be back. for now, check out cityfoxdenver.com

my thoughtful husband.

2010-02-19T10:08:00.000-08:00

well, it's official, my husband loves me more than any husband loves his wife ever. it's true.

ok, here's a little back end to the story. i have always been a little freakish about my house being clean. i don't like dust or hair gathering and one of my favorite things is to see hair just sucked up into my little amazing canister vacuum. ... but since i got married, moved into a bigger house and got a very hairy dog (who i love) but sheds a TON, the vacuuming has gotten a little out of control. i spend a lot of time doing it cause it seems like i will vacuum in the morning and by the evening there will be a layer of hair and dust on the floors and bathroom. well, my husband bought me this

for valentine's day. i couldn't believe it and sorta freaked out... ok, that's another side of my nerdy-ness. oh well. now, some of you might be thinking, "man... rookie mistake. getting your wife a vacuum for valentine's day is like saying ' here... the house is a little dirty, clean it up" not at all!! i have my time back! it's not like i'm going to just not vacuum! i need my house to be clean or i'm going to be stressed out. no, my love gave me my time back with a vacuum that will do the job for me. so thoughtful. i love my man and i love my vacuum. yep. i said it.

inspirations...

2010-02-19T09:01:00.000-08:00

soi found these amazing shoes at anthropologie... i would love to have both the blue ones and the purple ones.

... but i'll probably end up getting these which are also awesome because they are only 60 vs the 150 each that the blue and purple ones are. ... and im' not that bold with my shoes and want to get a pair that i can wear with anything. (i also have a coupon, which is awesome).

sudoku

2010-02-18T08:53:00.000-08:00

i LOVE sudoku. it's weird i know... a little nerdy, but hey... everyone has a little nerd in them. i like to do all the easier ones cause i just really enjoy filling in the numbers and working quickly... if i get hung up for more than 10 minutes without filling out a number i move on to the next one. it's sad, i know, but who cares.

hello today! i am very confused about this weather we are having here in colorado. it's warmish, but the weather channel says that it's snowing and 39 out... there's definitely no snow and the sun is shinning. i'm not complaining, just confused. whatever i guess we don't all get to be living in clarity all the time.

this morning dan and i woke up a little late. he was late to class, not by much, but late none the less. while he was showering i gathered all the little things that he's usually looking for that end up taking precious time up in the mornings. i gathered his wallet, keys, school id, ipod, breakfast (every morning he eats an everything bagel with plain whipped cream cheese and a cup of coffee). i felt very useful, like his helper when he jumped out of the shower, into his clothes, grabbed his bags and collected all the things i laid out for him. the helper. that's what i am. :)

i'm reading a book called the mystery of marriage...it's really good. i know, another nerdy thing about me. an interesting perspective on why we need to be loved by someone else and choosing to continue to love (not fall in and out of love) anyway, what are you reading?

2010-02-10T09:44:00.000-08:00

i am inspired by this beautiful blog entry. i heart it. you should read it all the way through and let it really sink in.

no boys allowed.

2010-02-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

i found this today while-st wasting time at lunch. so cute. (source) there are day's i wish i could have a freshly fallen star. no sure why, it does seem magical though doesn't it?

oook. off to hang out with the girls this beautiful saturday morning. girls only, no boys allowed. we are going to hutch and spoon (our new favorite hang here in denver. you should check it out :)

happy saturday to you!

jess

songwriters i heart.

2010-02-05T20:52:00.000-08:00

so i was thinking today about some of my favorite artists and i realized that i haven't really thought about this in a while. to be honest, i need some new musical influences... but these ladies have had a very lasting influence on me. ms. sheryl crow...

and rachael yamagata. her first album was so killer. i think some people gave it a bad wrap cause it was all sorts of different styles. each track sounded so different.. but awesome. i don't care what they said. i loved it.

mindy smith... what else is there to say but. AMAZING. one of her first songs.. hurricane hit me like a rock in the head. it's awesome. infact, here are the lyrics.

I felt the
Faint trace of thunder
Rattle this old house
I saw the fire light the sky
But there's no sign of rain anywhere

I need a hurricane
To empty out this place
Seems it's the only way
To salvage any sense I have left
To move on

I'm waiting
To hear your voice again
And lighten up this heart
I'm holding on to stupid memories
But I see you in every little thing

I need a hurricane
To straighted out this place
It maybe the only way
To salvage any sense I have left
To move on

I need a hurricane
To ravage through place
I think it's the only way
To salvage any sense
I have left
To move on

I felt the
Faint trace of thunder
But there's no sign of rain anywhere
No, there's no sign of you anywhere

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST.... OF COURSE PATTY GRIFFIN. i'm not sure where i'd be without her. my ex in college introduced me to her music and every one of her songs are beautiful. she is a writer with amazing depth and intriguing imagery. i can only hope to be half the writer she is in my lifetime.

it's out already and i just haven't made it to twist and shout yet, but i will own this album within the weekend. i have every album she has ever put out. i can't say that about any other artist ever.

let me just end with this... if you don't know who she is, you should. your life will be better.

the goodwill.

2010-02-05T19:54:00.000-08:00

purge

Main Entry: ¹purge

Pronunciation: \ˈpərj\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): purged; purg·ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French purger, from Latin purigare, purgare to purify, purge, from purus pure + -igare (akin to agere to drive, do) — more at act

Date: 14th century

transitive verb1 a : to clear of guilt
2 a : to cause evacuation from

b (1) : to make free of something unwanted (2) : to free (as a boiler) of sediment or relieve (as a steam pipe) of trapped air by bleeding

c (1) : to rid (as a nation or party) by a purge (2) : to get rid of

intransitive verb1 : to become purged
2 : to have or produce frequent evacuations
3 : to cause purgation

— purg·er noun

why this definition today you ask?

well, my house feels cluttered. do you ever feel like your house or life is cluttered? i feel like that. sometimes i just have to purge... get rid of the junk... or even things that aren't junk and just clean out drawers, closets, rooms etc. sometimes it just gets to me that things seem to find their way into my house and just stay there, even if they don't have a place.

truthfully, the problem is that i love going to goodwill and the ARC... or any thrift store really. i end up finding 2 or 3 little treasures with every trip. i bring them home and they seem to get pushed to a corner or something along the way. dan and i have come with a rule... you can't go to the goodwill unless you take a bag with you.

i know, i sound ridiculous saying that i have too much stuff, but i think that if you open your sock drawer, or kitchen drawers... or hall closet, i bet you'll find at least 10 things that you could give away too. try it. i bet you'll like it.

off to WI for some shows.

2010-01-26T16:51:00.001-08:00

hello friends. it's me. jess. i'm packing now and making a big dinner so i know there will be leftovers for the mr while i'm gone. he says i don't have to do that, but i know he likes knowing that there's something in the fridge for him if he wants to eat at home instead of going out... even though he would a burrito from chipotle 3 times a day every day if he could i just know it.

anyway. jet says hello to the cyber world. we have been thinking a bunch about how to go about training jet to use the same spot in the back yard every time... he's turning my backyard... my favorite beautiful back yard, my safe haven and gardening heaven into a plot of land with a bunch of yellow spots of dying grass all over it. grrrr. as soon as the weather gets a little warmer we are going to start training... i think i'm going to try this method...

here's a cute little picture of jet for you. :)

happy tuesady... i'll be gone a few days but never fear... i will return.

2010-01-24T15:03:00.000-08:00

i think i'm going to randomly start posting lyrics on here... these are the lyrics to a song i wrote a long time ago... one of the first songs i ever wrote. it's called rescue me and it's from this album...

If I wade into these waters, And they get too deep Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If I get up on this mountain, And it gets too steep Will you rescue me? Will you resuce me? If this road gets long, And my load heavy Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If this wind starts blowin’, And it gets stormy Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? You never said that It would be easy But I never thought It’d get this hard You may stumble And I just might fall But we can fight this battle If I wade into these waters, And they get too deep Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If I get up on this mountain, And it gets too steep Will you rescue me? Will you resuce me? If this road gets long, And my load heavy Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If this wind starts blowin’, And it gets stormy Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? Sometimes I just need A friend to hold my hand Someone who’s gonna Be there for me til the end Whatever you do I’m gonna be there for you But honey, I just gotta know If I give away my love, And it runs out on me Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If my heart gets broken, And I just can’t breathe Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If I turn back cause, I’m too weary oh, Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me? If my soul gets lost, But I start searching, Will you rescue me? Will you rescue me?

The Cutest kid EVA!!!

2010-01-23T10:42:00.000-08:00

um, please go here and watch this video of the cutest little french girl ever telling a story. it's my favorite story of all time.

2010-01-22T10:09:00.000-08:00

Happy friday! no pics today.. but i thought i'd answer some Questions I was asked to answer... so here you go.

1. Hair color..Au naturale..or not?

100% natural

2. If somebody has food in their teeth or lipstick on their teeth do you tell them? yes. do unto others....

3. Would you rather have a million dollars or your vision of the perfect body? a million dollars.

4. Favorite magazine? martha stewart living... then real simple.

5. Do you fake and bake? depends on how long the sun has been away.

6. What's your favorite body part on a man? forearms. it's weird. i know.

now you tell me your answers! :)

helpless...

2010-01-21T09:52:00.000-08:00

i felt helpless, i still feel helpless. watching all that is going on in haiti is tearing me apart. the news is so graphic and on one hand, it seems unnecessary, on the other hand, i'm glad they show some of the things they do because it makes it just impossible for me to sit here in my safe and comfy home and no be affected by the tragedy in the rest of the world.

it's breaking my heart and i have to say if you wanna help like i did, you can go to unicefusa.org and donate whatever you can to help those who are able to make an impact there.

Home Sick.

2010-01-20T09:20:00.001-08:00

yep. i'm home sick this afternoon. i have a show tonight, so i'm trying to rest up as much as possible but definitely feeling a little under the weather. although... i thought i might blog a little and say happy new year! yes, this is one of the first entries since 2010 began but i have decided this is going to be a no pressure things. my dog is laying around with me, i'm having some of my favorite tea and i may do a little sewing later. that's right. i found this SWEET leather jacket at goodwill and i'm tayloring it up to fit just perfectly. if i think about it i'll post a before and after picture for you. happy weds! i hope you're feeling fine :)

jess

a couple things i am inspired by...

MARTHA

and this wallpaper... :) so cute!

2010-01-19T10:27:00.000-08:00

so last summer i bought some of these... and they are awesome.

the best part is that if you buy a pair, toms will give a pair to a child who needs shoes. check it out, it's a pretty cool concept. i wish that more businesses would adopt this. just think about it, you walk into chipotle, buy a burrito, and they give one to a starving kid somewhere else in the world. AWESOMe. what businesses do you think should do this?

2009-12-31T11:51:00.001-08:00

here's little something for you today..

that's right... it's 29 degrees outside and jet and i just got back from the park. he's sacked already and i'm still a little chilly, and there's nothing that will warm you to the bone like a little of this...

(source)

tonight dan and i are playing for a wedding. we haven't ever done this together before and i'm super excited cause it will be our first wedding we have attended since we have been married ourselves. oh the emotions, the craziness!, the excitement!!! it's so awesome to see 2 people you know are just perfect for each other make a commitment in front of God and all their loved ones to love each other and be together til death do 'em part. ... not promising to always get it right or to always be IN love with each other, or to never want to leave.... but promise to love and promise to stay. marriage is awesome.

(source)

happy new year friends!

winding up and down...

2009-12-28T08:35:00.000-08:00

it's strange, yesterday i thought it was the day after christmas... for some reason i skipped a day in there in my mind. it seems as though that's how the last year has gone. i remember it, but it's just flying by and all of a sudden, here we are at the end of the year and wow. wow. last night at scum, i was listening to Mike Sares talk about 2009 and how for some it's been a great year and others not so much. i am fortunate to say that the past year has been a GREAT and hard, and exciting and GREAT year for me. just before 2009 started, my best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. i said yes. from then on, it was wedding planning, stressing out, trying not to stress out, marriage counseling, wedding planning, experimenting with different BC pills and having anxiety attacks, lots of fun and parties and new friends and new family, the wedding, (Kauai!!) honeymoon phase, learning to live, sleep, and eat with another person everyday, more honeymoon phase, traveling, family reunions, music music music, recording 3 records, joining a new band, putting out the christmas project, creating a NEW band, touring, a decision to go back to med school, holidays, and here we are... the end of 2009. now that i write all that down, i really shouldn't be surprised by how much stress i seem to have and can't get rid of all in one afternoon. it's going to take time to adjust to all that has happened, all i have chosen, all we have changed in 2009.

it's funny, i seem to just expect that i can adjust to all that change overnight. i wouldn't expect that of someone else. sometimes i wonder why i'm so hard on myself. it seems as though all the change (on top of not really eating that well overall) plus the being hard on myself is this never ending snowball of subconscious stress and i need find a way to break the cycle. i have to.

ho ho ho

2009-12-22T19:47:00.000-08:00

it's 3 days until christmas. wow, time has flown by. 6 1/2 months since dan and i have been married, our first christmas together as a family (and with jet too!). wow. here are a couple pics for you...

dan did a bunch of studying today. he's been really great about working hard to get ready to go back to med school.... including practicing some exams...

and! our friends brought Jet a little christmas gift to spread some cheer. he poses for the camera so patiently. ;)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Jet

2009-12-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

no, not the band... our new dog. yep. and he's wicked smart.

yeah, that's some of what i've been doing since my last post. that and finishing up my touring for the year. it's true, no more college shows for me for the rest of the year. i play a show with miss andrea ball at the meadowlark on saturday dec 5th which will be my last solo show for the year.... which sounds very official, but it's only a month really. :) i'll be better at blogging, i promise.

p.s... does anyone else get the song "say (what you need to say)" by john mayer stuck in their head like all the time?

p.s.s. here's another picture of jet. :)

Finally the end...

2009-11-23T09:41:00.000-08:00

so, it has been a crazy couple weeks, that's for sure. for me, it all started nov 10 when i boarded a plane to minneapolis for a week long tour, came back to denver for the weekend and a show on monday night the 16th at the walnut room with angie stevens and terra naomi, then flew back out to minneapolis for another week of shows, flew back to denver at 7 am on saturday and started recording with dan and the band over at john macy's studio in denver colorado. it's been insane. we just finished up 2 solid days (3 for the band) of recording dan's new record... all songs that we are SUPER pumped about. here's a little video of dan laying some acoustic tracks on the songs. ... and a little shout out to chipotle. :)

Christmas Music

2009-11-18T14:33:00.000-08:00

ok you guys... the christmas music we just recorded is up. we started a new band called oh, starling and the download of the christmas ep is up. it's FREE until thanksgiving so go get yours and if you love it, spread the word. we'll be performing these songs and some others (by popular demand) at the 'homevibe for the holidays' show at the gothic theater in denver on dec 12th. you should come.

ok, now go get your copy.

lovely and still - dan craig

2009-11-11T17:41:00.001-08:00

i just thought you might like to read the lyrics from which this blog was named...from this album

Lovely and Still

Your thirteen muscles bunching up

Into a smile that fills my cup until it overflows

Sometimes it’s hard for me to let you in

When these are games that I don’t always win, but then your eyes close

And you look like a picture of my queen

Smiling like you’ve already

Seen the sun above my windowsill

It’s lovely and still

Hearts and records washed up on this shore

Where we have broken both before, don’t let it get you down

Cause every wave washes us clean

And you’re about the best thing that I’ve seen, and you know me

I’ve been around

Chorus

Break me down, I’ll be a child before you, but go slow

Pinch your lips, don’t say you’ll miss me baby cause I know, oh I know

So before you go, back to Chicago, kiss me softly with your eyes closed

And write this down

I’ve seen the sun above your windowsill, it’s lovely and still

traveling

2009-11-09T10:39:00.000-08:00

today i'm off to la crosse, WI.... where surprisingly it is 61 in november. playing colleges is so much fun and so draining all in the same breath. i used to travel a lot more before i was married, but this semester it's only been a few shows which has been nice cause dan doesn't get to come with me unless we wanna pay for his ticket on our own.

fortunately i'm feeling much better than yesterday. it was like a nightmare trying to get myself out of the waterfall of worry i was stuck in yesterday thinking that i was gonna just get super sick right before this big trip. my next two weeks looks like this 3 day trip (with 7 total hours of driving) then back home for the weekend, playing a show at the walnut room on monday night, then flying out the next morning for another 4 day trip, then back to colorado and straight into the studio with the dan craig band for 2 or 3 days... then thanksgiving... then i'm decorating the room for the fundraiser at my church on the 1st, another show on the 5th and the 12th ... chirstmas shopping and then christmas... all while trying to promote the christmas EP that dan and i are working on. now that i think about it, i should stop blogging and get to that. i'll leave you with this... a picture of the new ep artwork. dec 12th at the gothic theater in denver is when and where we are releasing it (at the homevibe for the holidays show)

(our new band is called Oh, Starling)

living room studio

2009-11-09T10:26:00.000-08:00

about 2 months ago now, dan and i started recording this very cool new artist from fort collins brooke.

she is awesome. we have been working on a 5 song ep and i can't wait for her fans to hear it. people, you are gonna eat her up. :)

she's coming over in a half hour and we're gonna finish up her vocals and get her on her way to being huge.

newness+change=:)

2009-11-03T22:50:00.000-08:00

so i did it. i finally started a blog. it's taken a while to get to this point, but i decided that there should be somewhere that my music and my life can be one. for so long it has felt like they are two separate things but no longer. it's strange... even talking to my husband dan, (dcraigmusic)

(we were married in june) i have come to realize that i have been living two different lives personal, and professional.... and it's starting to feel like a bit of a lie. so now, i embark on a new album, a new sound, a new marriage, a new house, a new era, a new outlook, a new season.... etc. (you get the picture) that being said... i think the new album is going to be a shocker of just how different this new sound i am settling into will be.

xoXO - jess