Cora & the Ice Cream Cone

-Ross

if it would ever stop raining...

Before Kate and I took off to Chicago this PAST weekend, I needed to mow my yard. I knew that over the weekend it would hit that proverbial limit and need a good 'ole trim job. But I simply ran out of time.

While we were gone, it rained - pretty much non-stop. As we came back home monday evening, I pulled onto the block and it looked like the Clampits had moved in - white trash folks!

Since we've been home, its rained and poured non-stop and now I'm past embarassment. Its to the point now that I fear lions ready to pounce in the savanah I call my backyard. The possibility for snakes has escalated exponentially. And i'm not talking about garter snakes. No, we're talking anacondas and pythons and boas and cobras.

It is not pretty folks.

This morning I woke up and didn't hear rain. I think..."wow, a break, I can mow." Welp, I just didn't hear it. It was still raining.

So to all of our neighbors....I apologize. I know how it looks and I'm sorry. But at this point, I'm seriously considering releasing a goat to graze - just to get it down to a level my mower can actually mow.

Peace,
Ross

Chicago Day #3

Yesterday morning we headed north to IKEA to pick up some goodies for Cora (and us). We were heading to a breakfast place and I happened to see this fun looking Algerian Crape place - a perfect Kate and I type of place!



I had Algerian Lamb and goat cheese crapes w/ potatoes and Kate had dessert (strawberry and nutella crapes). Top all that off with some coffee and we're gangbusters for the rest of our shopping trek.
Today was our last in Chicago. We set out this morning for the Art Institute. TONS of amazing art and lots of opportunity for fun photography. Here was our last day:

(can you find all 3 Kates???)

Twas a FUN FUN trip! Now we're back in St. Louis and resting a bit tonight before the short week is over and done...

-Ross

Chicago Day #2

Just wanted to post some pics from The Birds Nest...

-Ross

Chicago Day #1

Today, despite being Cora-less, we woke up at 7:25AM after getting in late last night and walking through parts of the city and watching The Reader, till about 1:30AM. We headed over to the Corner Bakery and gobbled (that's for Cora) up some breakfast sandwiches and coffee to jump start the busy day. After that we walked over to Shedd Aquarium and on the way passed Orlando Bloom and John Halford (lead singer of Judas Priest) - that was cool.

(some crazy 'ole LEGS @ Grant Park)

Once we got to Shedd, we spent the next 3 1/2 hours perusing fish, stingrays, sharks, whales, eels, frogs, and lobsters until we were aquarium-ed out.



Our legs were sore, so we hopped on the bus and took it north, just past Superior St. to Gino's East (awesome pizza!). Waited 45 minutes for the medium, 4 cheeser; but it was well worth it.

(eagerly waiting on the pizza)

About an hour ago we dropped off the remaining 1/2 of the pizza back in our hotel room (which is amazing and is huge and has the BEST shower head ever - Kramer would LOVE IT!) and walked a few blocks over to a cup cake place and picked up some after-concert snacks (carrot cake and chocolate peppermint).

Now i'm back typing this and getting ready to head out for sound check at 7PM. Later tonight, we might head back over to Rebar at Trump Towers for some late night coffee...we'll have to see.

(I snapped this outside in front of our hotel 1st thing this morning - awesome view of the city!)

Much more to discuss tomorrow.

Until then,
Ross

With Arms Wide Open

With arms wide open we eagerly wait the warm embrace of Creed. They are going back on tour this summer to reunite the globe in their fake sounding voices and pseudo-christian lyrics. Ohhh it is so sweet....the summer of creed is upon us!

The tour starts in Philadelphia - more brotherly love than necessary.

(Oh nice...bare-chested and denim. Very Stappy! And by that I mean lame.)

(Scott...I'll win the staring contest.
But I'll concede the wardrobe.
Nothing rocks harder than polo shirts,
sports jerseys, and puka shell necklaces.)

Love it!
-Ross

Pumped for the Weekend

This weekend Kate and I are getting away. We're heading up to Chicago Friday while grandma and grandpa watch Cora. We're staying at Hotel 71, downtown - and we're PUMPED!

Here's some awesomely sexy pics.
Also, I'll be playing at The Birds Nest on Saturday night. 8PM w/ Valentiger. So if you're in the area, come on out!

Peace,
Ross

the pic says it all

-r

Weekend Graduation

This past Saturday, my little sister graduated from Mizzou with a degree in education. She's already been accepted and selected for the fellows program in Columbia and will begin teaching in the fall. We're all very proud of Lacy!

After the graduation (by the way, has anyone ever been to a riveting graduation? i have not.), we went to a sweet place on the river called Cooper's Landing and had Thai food, drank PBR, listened to some world music, and lit wrapping paper on fire. Twas' as grand ole' time!

Congrats again Lace!(for some strange reason Lacy is about 6 inches taller than her husband Phil...?)

-Bub

How Does Your Garden Grow?

On Mothers Day, after an amazing brunch at Mosaic (on Washington St here in STL), we stopped by Home Depot and picked up a few tomato plants. The garden has begun!

Then, today Cora and I went back to the Depot and picked up a jalapeno plant, a habanero plant, a red chili plant, and a red pepper plant...how can you not smell that peppa'?!

We bought this awesome antique whiskey barrel a few weeks back at a garage sale and did a cool paint job on it. It holds the tomatoes. We put the peppers in the other smaller pots and have herbs growing in the kitchen window. Oh the joys of renting...

Now we water and wait. I can taste the ridiculously hot salsa now...only 80 days!!! Seriously, how can you not smell all that peppa'?!?

Peace,
Ross

Funny Web Stuff

This kid is funny...


And this is why churches should do away with the concept of "special music" (make sure to listen at least a min...it gets amazing!!!)

(also, that's a lot of yellow sweatshirt...you gotta give the guy some respect for that one!)

-Ross

What a Little Watcher

Over the past couple weeks, Cora has become quite the observer. No longer does she just gaze aimlessly out the window of the car, but she looks carefully at everything and sees details (sometimes better than Kate and I).

I think it must be hereditary though. For me, there's nothing better than a long drive on back country roads looking for wildlife. I love driving the roads, looking to the corners of the fields and spotting the deer or turkey before anyone else. Cora does the same exact thing - she see's, points, makes animal sounds. She's awesome!

So today we went to Grant's Farm and rode the tram throughout the park and Cora spotted most of the animals before the tour guide did. She was pointing at all the elk, antelope, coy fish, falcons, and snakes. What and eye!

It's so much fun watching her develop and grow and show interest in the life happening around her! There's truly nothing quite like being a dad. I've said it before, and I completely believe it. Cora brings me closer to God. She teaches me lessons on awe and wonder. She teaches me love. She's great!-Ross

MUST SEE!!!

I LOVE THIS! We need more of this - our president, doing what might as well be stand-up...he's awesomely hilarious in this little snippet - well, not really little. It's about 17 min, but wow, it is amazing!



Peace,
Ross

Breakfast Creation Vlog

-R

A Spirit-less World...

Have we entered a time of the Spirit-less?

Hear me carefully though, I believe that statement to be so far from reality! I believe we live in a truly Spirit-drenched world, time, and era. However, a quick glance at society would look much, much differently. And unless you've resisted the "norm," you might be agreeing with me today.

Have you ever struggled with self worth? Depression? Addiction? Laziness? Restlessness? Lack of attention giving (or getting)? Struggles in marriage? Etc.

The list (as you can imagine) goes on and on and on...

BUT, today we have drugs! We have prescription medication at our disposal - to dispense at the first sign of any of the above. Who needs anything spiritual? It is no longer an issue of spiritual wrestling. Instead, its Pfizer's role to cure a marriage that's petered out (excuse the pun).

Have you ever wished your life looked differently? Maybe you don't have the job or the title or the income or locale that you'd dreamed of.

No worries, you too can have that dream _____________ (fill in the blank), via 2nd Life, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc etc etc.

These are all examples of technological mediums/forums, where you can create a life for yourself full of truths, 1/2 truths, or just flat out lies. Its a facade-laden horizon, and its quite the norm. Its a social network without really getting or needing to get too close and personal. Its self-medicating to many, and again, can void any need for the spiritual. Remember, the notion of authentic community, is a spiritual matter.

And lastly (for today - trust me, this is not the exhaustive list), we no longer must choose to live lives of justice, social concern, charity, and activism. Instead, our government now mandates things like service, philanthropy, donations, etc. And even with the best of intentions, any government taking away the initiative from the people, takes away the will to be led by the Spirit. And when that choice is gone, it acts as a drug - a self-medicating body that counteracts spiritual formation and leading (the job is already done FOR YOU).

Of course, as I already stated, I believe this world to be DRENCHED in the Spirit, but I think for many, our eyes, minds, and souls have all but medicated, forgotten, and dismissed it.

Are you with me?

-Ross

Liquid Nast

This morning I woke up and I needed coffee.

Cora and I rushed around for a bit as I made her breakfast, packed her lunch, gave her a quick bath, got her dressed for Mom's Day Out, and in 20 minutes, we were out the door.

No time for a home brew.

So after I dropped her off, I hit the gas station before I got to the office.

Ahhh, 20 ounces of the black brew!

NOTE TO GAS STATIONS: just because you serve it up SCALDING HOT, doesn't mean we can't determine that the coffee is completely NAST!!!

How hard is it to brew a decent cup of coffee??

I wasn't expecting top notch stuff (I wasn't at QT :-)

But I also wasn't expecting liquid nast.

What a day...

-Ross

Happy Birthday TOMS!

If you don't know about TOMS Shoes, you should...



And today marks TOMS 3rd birthday...Happy B-day TOMS!!!
Learn more:

One for One

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we're all about.

Our Story

In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created a company that would match every pair of shoes sold with a pair given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

Since our beginning, TOMS has given over 140,000* pairs of shoes to children in need through the One for One model. Because of your support, TOMS plans to give over 300,000 pairs of shoes to children in need around the world in 2009.

Our ongoing community events and Shoe Drop Tours allow TOMS supporters and enthusiasts to be part of our One for One movement. Join us.

GO TO www.TOMSSHOES.com NOW and get a pair. Kate and I LOVE them!!! So comfy and for a great purpose! We own a combined total of 6 pairs...and love them all!

-R, K, & C

Church Song...rough studio cut

A couple weeks back i posted some new lyrics I'd written for an upcoming song and recording project I'm doing. I've posted the lyrics below again, but please enjoy the tune! I know its still rough (vocals especially), but here's just a few studio and instrumental ideas I have for it. (Please chime in if something's wreaking havoc on your ears...)

CHURCH SONG
(c) 2009 Ross Christopher Donaldson

(VERSE)
When there's loneliness abounding
And there's hate across the land
We are the church song

When the death of nations rise
And the world is stuck in war
We are the church song

When there's sickness and crying
And gnashing of teeth
We are the church song

And when there's sad eyes
In every man, woman, and child
We are the church song

(CHORUS)
Cause we are the church song
the voice of the people
the cry for justice
salvation is near

Yeah, we are the church song
united and ready
peace in our bloodstream
and love on our tongues
We are the church song

BRIDGE
We sing Alleluia,
songs of mercy
love in every breath

-Ross

A Collision of 2 Blogs

Sean Renner, is proof that one is enough. Renner is a solo artist that combines loops, ambiance, electronic sampling and more to develop and master beautiful pieces that are musically in-depth and lyrically satisfying. I kept finding myself saying throughout my several listens, "this is beautiful!"If you don't already know, I write music reviews for up-and-coming artists worldwide at www.awakenmusic.blogspot.com

I take on submissions (for a fee), take an initial listen to decide if I accept an artist/band, then if selected, they send me a CD to review. As you can imagine, I hear some pretty rough stuff. But every now and then, you run into something worth talking about...check this one out...

www.awakenmusic.blogspot.com

Peace,
Ross