"What Makes Me Happy"

"All seasons are beautiful for the person who carries happiness within."

-Horace Friess

May we all recognize what makes us happy.

1. Hearing a boy say how much he loves his sweetheart.

2. Taking silly pictures with friends.

3. Walks under the moon.

4. Jumping on the trampoline.

5. Having a picnic under an old tree.

6. Love notes.

7. Holding your hands out to catch raindrops.

8. Singing really loudly in the car.

9. Watching the sun rise at the top of a mountain.

10. Good dreams that stay with you after you wake up.

Inspired by Naomi's Happiness Project.

"Life After Work"

{Click to enlarge.}

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."

-Mike Murdock

We all have our routines throughout the week. This is my current after-work cycle. (When school starts again, things'll get tipsy.)

I made this for Bryn. He and I both love pictures, and even though these stick figures are silly little scribbles, it certainly brightens my day to draw them for him. *big smile*

Oh, sleep, I endeavor to spend more time with you as soon as possible.

"I Made a Song for Daddy"

"If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance."

-George Bernard Shaw

I often contemplate who I am. My love (and tolerance) for anything country came from my mother. Thank you, Mama. My love (and tolerance) for individual cultures, languages, and music came from my father. Thank you, Papere.

Mind you, this song is a frankenstein of stock rhythms.

May we all reflect on who we are frequently. It's important to know where you're going.

"Greetings from Utah, 2009 {Film}"

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."

-M. Kathleen Casey

I made a movie for Bryn!

Click {here} to watch it. (You have to have a Facebook account.)

It was the neatest thing to drive around finding friendly faces to film for him. I saw so much love for him in the eyes and words of the people I interviewed (even the goofy ones).

I love what this man's doing over in England and strive to support him any way I can. Much love, Elder Farnsworth!

"Pioneer Day at Yapona"

"It would be embarrassing trying to explain what an appetizer is to someone from a starving country. You're like, 'Yeah, the appetizer is that food we eat before we have our food. No, no, you're thinking of dessert; that's the food we eat after we have our food. Yeah, we eat tons of food.'"

-Jim Gaffigan

It's always fun to go shopping with Mom. Especially when it involves food. Yapona is one of our favorite places to get Japanese cuisine. If you're ever in Utah, check it out!

"History Spoofs"

"History is not melodrama, even if it usually reads like that."

-Robert Penn Warren

Alright, we had too much fun with this one. Jeanelle went through several ideas for her final project in her History of Creativity class. This one, unfortunately, got shelved for lack of time. So, I kept our little collaborations (we did the lyrics together) and recorded them.

A few things you should know:

• Elizabeth Bathory is also called "Countess Dracula". She's known for draining young girls of their blood and bathing in it to stay youthful.
• Leonardo Da Vinci was a genius. He painted, invented, and made fantastic contributions to the scientific world.
• Galileo Galilei was labeled a heretic for his heliocentric theory (the sun, not the earth, is the center of our galaxy), but was pardoned of a jail sentence and spent the remainder of his life under house arrest. He was an incredible astronomer and contributer to science.

So, do you love it? I think we're much too silly.

"Watering Koda"

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

-Howard Thurman

Watering the dog. It's a daily chore at the Harmon residence. Yeah, we rock.

"New Curls"

"What's the matter with you guys? The sight of blonde hair knocks you three rungs down on the evolutionary ladder." -From the television show, "Civil Wars"

I decided to try something new today. Instead of curling my hair the way I was taught, I rolled it up on the iron and twisted it into a loop. The result was extra bounce!

{Started with a clip to separate the sections.}

{Section, by section...}

{A little flyaway.}

{Gracious, but I have split ends.}

{Oh, the drama in my nature.}

It's always fun to try something new, even if it is just curling your hair.

"Cho at the Piano"

"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people ever read."

-Anonymous

Here's a scribbling of Cho at the piano. Oh, she does love that Fazioli. Cheers!

"The Fence or the Ambulance"

"Twenty-Six Moons"

So, I like writing songs. I'll betcha can't guess what this one's about... {wink.}

Oh, and please ignore the times I go pitchy. This is a demo, after all. {Has no real excuse.}

"Twenty-Six Moons" © Ashley S. Harmon

(Any theft of music, lyrics, and/or ideas is unlawful and just plain rude.)

What'cha see in Bristol?

Your hands must feel so stiff.

Yeah, sitting here in California

Makes me think of it.

The springtime's bloomed without you.

And ragged winter coats,

They never stop the chill of Utah

From following me home.

My, my!

My accent's too American for that life.

We've driven off old whims.

Oh, twenty-six moons!

Twenty-six moons

Before you're home.

Tell me how it feels

To cross Old London's bridge.

And face those hands that point to me

Over sea and ledge.

Remember that it's dawn here.

I'll watch the western sun.

No matter where I go from here,

This will always be my home.

My, my!

My accent's too American for that life.

We're dancing our new whims.

Oh, twenty-six moons!

Twenty-six moons

Before you're home.

And if it takes

A million more,

I'll wait through all

Of these cold moons...

Before you're home.

{{Home.}}

What'cha see in Bristol?

Your hands must be so stiff.

Yeah, sitting here alone,

I think of it, I think of it.

"Realism"

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."

-Buckminster Fuller

I'm in the process of writing a book called, Little Butterfly. Usually, I dislike sharing any specific character or plot details for fear of creative theft. But the thought struck me that if I don't publicize anything, I'll publish the book and nobody will be the wiser. So, here you are, a small glimpse:

{"Cho" © Ashley S. Harmon}

{"Aiata" © Ashley S. Harmon}

No worries, I'll hire a proper artist for the actual book cover. But I may actually do the little chapter pictures myself. *sheepish smile* Let's see how far that goal makes it. Hope you enjoy my hen scratchings.

"The Windy City"

"Chicago, Chicago, that toddlin' town." -Fred Fisher (Chicago)

We went to CHICAGO.

Let's see, what was my favorite part? I could say the Navy Pier, the Cheesecake Factory's ribeye steak, the Magnificent Mile, the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Shedd Aquarium, cheering mom while she walked across stage and accepted her awards, and the wonderful company I kept the entire trip... But that'd all be so cliche, wouldn't it? *wink*

For photos of the trip (and not just of our pretty faces,) please click here.

Viva la Windy City!

"What Did You Do?"

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on protection from the divine Providence, we mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

-The Declaration of Independence

We...

Watched National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets.

Grilled hot dogs.

Ate "Red, White, n' Blueberry Pie".

Washed the dog.

Lit/watched fireworks while Dad strummed "The Star-Spangled Banner" on his guitar.

Remembered.

I love our country.

"Fly Me to the Moon"

"Music is worthless, unless it can make a complete stranger break down and cry." -Frou Frou (The Dumbing Down of Love)

An attempt at a classic Bart Howard piece. Jazz notes are hard to hit just right, and I'm in no way syncopated enough to do this song justice. Yet.

The Question: Can Ashley sound jazzy and beautiful?

The Answer: She gave it her darn best shot.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Fourth of July!

"Happy Birthday, Beau!"

"Age is something that doesn't matter... unless you are a cheese." -Anonymous

Today, we celebrated a 20th birthday without the celebrated person.

And we made CAKE...

it's bakin' time.

the naked cake.

glazing is so uberly fun!

striking the match...

lighting the flame... (just like my heart, bah-bump.)

representin'.

carvin' the goods.

eatin' the yums.

I also made a video. :) It's the preface of a surprise party... in Japanese, of course.

And happy birthday to my very best friend! We've walked together, fought together, grown together, and loved together. You are my most favorite comrade and companion. I love you!