frosty morning . . .

very frosty!!
I got up rather early this morning, but seem to be stuck in slow-mo.
As a result, the glorious sunrise through the frosted branches came and went
and I didn't make it out until later in the morning.
They were still very lovely.

2nd verse, same as the first . . .

My daughter told me to be careful coming home from TaeKwonDo Thursday evening because there was going to be snow - "seriously Mom, double digits!". Fortunately we were able to make it home safe and sound and there was no snow to be seen. Imagine her displeasure Friday morning. There eventually were rumors that we would be getting it over the weekend. "seriously!, double digits!!" I brushed it off and ship our son off to spend the night with a friend.

And this is what we woke up to Saturday morning.

[both shots taken from inside - it is freezing cold...seriously!]

life * utensils . . .

handmade quilt circa 1989.

One year my sister gave each member of the family a handmade quilted lap-blanket for Christmas. My blanket has been used sparingly and kept more as a keepsake. The one she gave Mom and Dad, on the other hand, is now worn and faded from constant use. When I pulled the blanket out of the cedar trunk to photograph it, it struck me how differently I had approached using it as compared to my parents - a difference reflective of our generations.

Today, handmade items are often the product of a hobby. For the generations before us, they were the residuals of necessity. Wooden clothespin dolls were made to entertain the small child while the mom worked around the house and likely because they couldn't afford to buy a porcelain one. Blankets were made from scraps so they could stay warm on a cold winter's night. People knitted hats and scarfs because it was freaking cold outside and it was necessary to avoid getting sick. They were not keepsakes, they were not props, they were not collectibles - they were life utensils.

Most of the items I have inherited from my parents and grandparents have been well used. The frayed corners, chipped rims, scuffed buttons, and faded patterns are a true testament to how much each items was appreciated and the ultimate complement to the person who handmade it.

I do believe I'll just keep this blanket out.

home*made . . .

Variation on this week's photo challenge theme of 'handmade'. My thought is that whether from a mix or frozen, if you make it at home - doesn't that qualify as homemade? Actually there are some things that I almost always make from scratch - especially baked items such as cookies, breads, muffins....you get the picture.


...and in doing so, you're going to have to break a few of these. [sneaking in a little yellow for the color challenge!]

Rainy Days & Mondays . . .

ISO 640, 75 mm focal length, 1/80 shutter speed, f/3.5; spot meter

We seem to be in a rut weather wise so I thought I would post some sunshine in a vase.

Ach ! . . .

Nature can be so inconsiderate.
What with coming down from a holiday sugar high,
then being cooped in due to snow,
this is just plain out:
Cruel !
Blah !
Ugh !

mello Yellow . . .

color challenge has me looking for yellow !

unsung Thanks . . .

ISO 400; 300 mm focal length; shutter speed: 1/200; f/5.6

I had intended to do a 'give thanks' style post on Sunday but got sidetracked. A fellow blogger pointed out how much we (as a society) too often fail to give thanks for the good things in our lives. So true. When I wake up at 3 am unable to fall back to sleep, my mind runs through all the things I need to do/should do/wish I could do; fretting over things I have no control over and certainly not at 3 am. My mind immediately leans towards negativity. That being said - here are 5 things, plain and simple, that made me happy today.

1. Sunshine! Not only was it sunny today, but the skies were a gorgeous blue with well defined clouds.
2. In addition to getting a couple of things accomplished inside the house - I went for my walk.
3. My family - always! (even when they are driving me batty). Today it was the friendly banter between the kids as they strolled in after school. Knock on wood - for the most part they get along and actually like each other.
4. Fuzzy socks from Bath & Body. Seriously - try them, they are beyond soft.
5. A cuddle-loving cat that loves to be wrapped in a blanket or snuggle up to sleep.

Thanks!

Sweet * nothings . . .

The theme for this week's photo challenge is sweet. I thought of all the sugar bowl and creamer sets that have managed to find their way into my home and wondered to myself - why? I realize there was a time when it was customary to have a sugar bowl and creamer politely displayed on the counter/table/service tray but not necessarily in my adult life. All the same, I am responsible for buying at least one set and hanging onto another that was a wedding gift - despite the fact that I never use them (maybe once in 20 years). And still I can't part with them. One lump or two?

Wraping it up . . .

One last "hat" shot for this week's photo challenge. Since it rained all day, and I am apparently doing laundry for the Brady Bunch + Kate & 8 + that family that has more kids than I have relatives, I decided to better organize my photo files in iPhoto. What a chore. You would think looking at photo after photo I would box up my camera and give the poor computer a break. Naw - I actually tried to get a 'puddle' shot but with no luck because today's rain was down-pour or nothing!

Frosted leaf . . .

I am happy to see the snow fade away - but that is not to say I don't enjoy the frost of the morning. On my way to the mailbox the other morning I was surrounded by frost - just a nice subtle coating - where the branches and leaves looked like they were sprinkled with sugar.

Limited time only . . .

Both the snow and my son's long hair will only be here for a limited time. Today's warmer weather and brilliant sunshine made a pretty good dent in the snow. Tomorrow's hair appointment should reveal Ryan's blue eyes.

Coming home from Tae Kwon Do this evening he shared that someone had remarked that he needed to start shaving (insert popped eyes and shocked expression---noooo! not yet!). I told him I was sure they were joking because with all that hair - how could they tell. (hehe!) I know I know, I'm a horrible mom - but if I can't pick on my own kids then what was the use having them?

For the record . . .

we did have the tomato-ricotta bruschetta I was itching to make, as well as chicken tacos (recipe courtesy Lyndsay Stradtner over at LifeInMotionPhotography.com), and some yummy chicken chili. [Not all at the same meal mind ya] . . . . and okay, maybe a piece of chocolate or two. Generally speaking we've been keeping to the healthier meal part of the New Year's 'lifestyle change' resolution. The exercise portion, however, has not materialized. Honestly, the roads have been too icy drive on,let alone walk on - but we will do it, it will happen. Warmer weather is in the forecast and a state-road truck actually drove by yesterday.(a truly rare sighting) In the mean time, shoveling the sidewalk and driveway should count as exercise - shouldn't it?!?

MAD HATTER . . .

This week's photo challenge: HATS.

one from my dad's work...

one to memorialize a vacation . . .

the holidays . . .

favorite school . . .

TV show . . .

To think, when I first saw the theme for this week's photo challenge
I wondered if I could find anything.


Hats - yea, we've got that ... Bawhahah!!!

Old Yeller . . .

Looking for the elusive "yellow" in a world of brown and white. This month's color challenge is yellow and while there is always the old water hydrant next door, I think I'll keep looking.

Sunset . . .

I finally got out of the house some today and noticed the melting icicles.
As I turned to go back in - I noticed an even more welcoming sight.

Just warms ya up doesn't it!

Stacking . . .

The snow just keeps stacking up. I took this early on in the "winter storm" using the remote control for my camera I received from a fellow 2pea, Dora. Previously I would use the timer on the camera and step back - this is much more immediate. Now if I could just click a button and this snow would disappear. Now that would be a good trick.

and so it begins . . .

more on the theme of "beginnings"

My submission to 2peas weekly photo challenge.

and the beginning of the "winter storm".

It was a convincing storm last evening as it peppered us with snow, followed by strong winds through the night; but this morning - eh! The sun was out and there wasn't as much snow as I would have guessed at the rate it came down in the beginning. But its all good - the kids scored another snow day and I suspect there will be sledding. (and not behind a golf cart--even though that did look fun!).

beginning . . .

After having scored a couple of snow days and a 2 hour delay, the kids are finally back to school today. Even though this is the continuation of the semester they were in prior to the Christmas/Holiday/Winter Break, it feels like the beginning of a new semester. I can think of at least one boy who wishes it were the beginning of a new semester, the time when they issue new passes.

I don't check pockets - I've made that announcement countless times and perhaps should have it printed on a board and posted in the laundry room. I DO NOT CHECK POCKETS [and will not be held liable for any damage to objects as a result]! Hopefully his teacher(s) will honor this pass (that now resides in a zip-lock bag), or perhaps replace it. Frankly, I think they should make him use this one so he can fully appreciate that his mother does not check pockets!

food, GLORIOUS food . . .

Whether the "Oliver" or "Ice Age II" version- it is hard not to chime in with that melody when discussing food. [Note: there are no grandiose songs about diet!] During the holiday break I finally watched the movie 'Julie & Julia', a movie that is as much about the food as it is about the characters. My kids are big Amy Adams fans, but even they had to admit Meryl Streep did an outstanding job as Julia Childs (not that they would have a clue how Julia Childs sounded or acted) - but I assured them, she was spot-on. This was probably not the movie to see going into "diet mode" because it was steeped with food - and not just any food - but glorious food. After seeing Julie/Amy Adams make bruschetta at the get-go of the movie, I've wanted it, dreamed of it, and have spent way too many hours trying to figure out a "healthy" way to make it. I think I've figured it out... I'll [justify] that by using extra-virgin olive oil, thinner slices of bread, and low-fat ricotta - I can call it "healthy".

so, slap on the pearls and channel your inner Julia - tomato-ricotta bruschetta it'll be!

Its that time of year . . .

the time of year when we tell ourselves we are going to eat healthier, get more exercise, and the ultimate, the dreaded---"lose weight". [gulp!] For the most part we actually do take the tags off the new sweats, dig out the walking shoes, and pull out the treadmill. We even go so far as dusting off the cook books in search of healthier alternatives. Lets face it - after a month of eating chocolate peanut butter balls, sugar cookies, figs and pudding - just about anything looks like a healthier alternative.

As I put away holiday linens I came across one of my grandmother's cook books - The Modern Family Cook Book. The title struck me funny - families were trying to look for quick and easy recipes even before I was born. The more things change - the more they stay the same!

But check out that book. This book can't be what, maybe one chapter shorter than War & Peace.

I have seen stereo manuals more user friendly. Frankly, I need easy-peasy - quick and simple.

But even with this, I need something more....


Yea - that's it -----PICTURES! Honestly, don't expect me to do 'DIET' without pictures. I am, after all, a visual learner!

So --- here we go! I may have to call in reinforcements however, as the hubster just brought in tortilla chips and the daughter is fixated on the strawberry smoothie recipes. yikes!!!

Hello 2010 . . .

Sounds so SiFi doesn't it? When I picked up my son (partied New Year's Eve with friends) he remarked that he felt uncomfortable with the sound of 2010 - double-double digits and all. I don't know if that was the 'didn't go to bed until 3 am' talking, or if he really just doesn't like the sound of it. At any rate - its here - whooo hooo! New Years Eve was supposed to have a blue moon...as in, "once in a blue moon" and all we had were over-cast skies....no moon. Bummers! I did glance out the window this morning and notice a beautiful moon getting ready to hit the sack and quickly grabbed my camera. Don't know if it qualifies as a 'blue moon' - but it sure looked purty!


btw - as for the zebra. I photographed it for two reasons: 1) it was up front; and 2) it looked like it was skedaddling out of there. I'm almost finished with putting away the indoor decorations and must admit, it feels so liberating. It is as if we've already reached our goal of decluttering (haha - as if!).