"And Miles To Go Before We Sleep..."

And They Go On And On And On...

2011-02-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

It's Friday!! Enough said.

That Was Then, This Is Now

2011-02-03T01:04:00.000-05:00

The first photo is of I and my (future) husband in 1992, the day we had our second date. My photo assignment was to pair this photo to a recent one to compare and contrast the differences. Gosh, is that the same person?! I cannot believe that was almost 20 years ago.

To Know Him Is To Love Him

2011-02-02T01:16:00.001-05:00

On day two of "Joy Of Love" we were prompted to photograph our chosen subject, my husband, and how he looked to me. I was to photograph him with a familiar expression or gesture that truly defined him.

A New Month With "The Joy Of Love"

2011-02-01T07:54:00.000-05:00

What an incredibly busy month our household has just endured. Between snow days, illnesses, and just the normalcy of the day, it hasn't let much time for anything else. A new month has now begun, which brings hope of clearer skies and smoother sailing!

During this month, I decided to sign up for Willette Photography's Joy of Love Classes. It's a FREE online class filled with photography prompts and tips delivered by email. I wanted to share the link with you in case you wanted to join in on the fun, since today is the first day and lasts the entire month of February.

Today's prompt was to photograph something your loved engages in at home. I chose to photograph my husband checking his email. Since today's focus was to capture something that took advantage of an indoor light source, I used the computer monitor's lighting to illuminate my husband's face.

Snow-Ice Day!

2011-01-18T15:41:00.000-05:00

We awoke this morning with about an inch of ice laying on the ground which meant a SNOW DAY for the kids, which they were very happy to hear. Hope it is warm where you are!

Fill My World With Color!

2011-01-15T07:43:00.000-05:00

It's Winter and I NEED color!!

It's Winter!

2011-01-14T09:37:00.001-05:00

"The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: There ought to be as many for love." ~Margaret Atwood

Been going through some personal changes lately, but I'm refocused and back. It's winter--cold, snowy, windy, and downright miserable outside, but we've been busy regrouping for the new year. Lots of snow we've been getting in the Mid Atlantic region, but it's SLOWLY melting.

I was asked awhile back by one of my photography groups that if I could define my focus in just one word for the upcoming year, what would it be? I think that SIMPLIFY would be my focus for the year. I have my hand in too many things, and I think I need to refocus, regroup, and move forward--slowly, yet with more purpose.

Happy weekend to you!

Wordless Wednesday (#66)--The Party's Over, Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's Warm Pondering....

2011-01-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

Onward We Go....

2011-01-02T09:01:00.000-05:00

What a holiday it's been for us. We celebrated, had the stomach virus AND the flu circulate through all eight of us, yet we ate and ate....

We still found some time to reconnect as a family, rest, and recollect our thoughts to focus on the new year ahead.

Tomorrow we get back on a more predictable schedule, and I couldn't be more happy about that! Here's to an uncluttered and more focused 2011.

Raise Your Glass (Or Stein)

2010-12-30T20:10:00.000-05:00

Here's to a wonderful and prosperous new year! It's been a great year full of growth--physical growth of the kids, and one year the wiser in knowing myself better. I am so grateful for my family, friends, and the wonderful opportunities that lie before me, and most of all, for life.

Here's to a wonderful 2011, and hopefully this year I can stay up past 9:30 PM on New Years Eve.

Wordless Wednesday (#65)--Looking Out Over The Snow Covered Hills

2010-12-29T02:35:00.000-05:00

Yummy Barbies!

2010-12-28T14:32:00.000-05:00

Santa Claus got some very nice things for the kids this year. With having four young girls, between them all, they received enough goodies to have a "formal" tea party with high heels included! It was a wonderful event and the tea was just the right temperature!

My youngest daughter, just two years old, has also grown very fond of the Barbie doll. But I haven't yet concluded if she likes Barbie because she is easy to carry around, or if she just enjoys chewing on her feet!

Old Man Winter....

2010-12-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

Old man Winter is rearing his ugly head here in Maryland, and up the Eastern seaboard. High winds, lots and lots of snow and cold temperatures has chilled everyone clear down to the bone! Although we faired much better than most, receiving only about 1/2 an inch of snow--I've heard some snow totals reaching almost 30 inches!

We had a wonderful Holiday, filled with food, food, and wonderful memories. The best moments were of seeing our kids faces filled with anticipation for Santa. Although, we broke tradition and did not spend it in celebration with extended family, it was a wonderful, relaxing day filled with memories we made in our own home.

May your Holiday Season be filled with wonderful memories made that will last a lifetime.

We'll Be Home For Christmas

2010-12-23T07:56:00.000-05:00

Christmas vacation has officially begun in our home. Today was the day of rest and recuperation in anticipation for our upcoming Holiday celebration. We had to slightly alter our vacation plans since we are expecting a big snowstorm of 12-18 inches on Christmas Day Eve, so we will be celebrating at home this year.

Wordless Wednesday (#64)--Happy Holidays!

2010-12-22T17:40:00.000-05:00

Christmas Sweets--Snow Ice Cream

2010-12-20T12:14:00.000-05:00

Well, we've had a few inches of the powdery stuff so far this season, and I wanted to share my recipe for snow ice cream, since it is a fun and creative way to liven up the season. My kids think this tastes better than the real thing, but I just think it's mainly because they have loads of fun helping to make it.

BUT, when looking for snow to use in this recipe, AVOID the yellow snow!

Snow Ice Cream

1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Take the snow and place it in a bowl big enough to contain everything. Stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

You Can't Catch Me....It's The Gingerbread Village!

2010-12-18T21:42:00.004-05:00

Today, we made our Holiday gingerbread house. We make one each year, but this was the first time where all of the kids were old enough to watch, or be active spectators. Also, it was their responsibility to decorate it in the way they wanted to, which I think, led to a more enjoyable experience for them.

Putting up the walls...

Half of the hearts lining the roof have already been eaten.

Putting on the finishing touches. We made two of them. Our own gingerbread Christmas Village!

One Of Those Days....

2010-12-17T07:51:00.000-05:00

I believe strongly in the old adage of "what goes down must come up," and that being said, after today's events, tomorrow should be outstanding!

Today was our first "snow day" here in Baltimore. The kids were let out early from school. It was that powdery, slick snow, where it sticks to the bottom of your shoes. A snow where you take one step on the pavement and slip smack dab on your bottom (yep, I did). A snow where the neighbors decide to use their LOUD snowblower during the kids nap time!

I'm not going to take you down this slippery slope and go into detail as to how everything seemed to go downhill from there, but I'll just mention that one of my Nikon's was dropped (but survived) and three antique Christmas ornaments fell to their demise today!

Tomorrow is going to be fabulous! Right?

Macro Friday--New Camera Strap!

2010-12-17T00:41:00.000-05:00

The Stockings Were Hung From The Backs Of The Chairs....

2010-12-16T07:42:00.001-05:00

...for we moved into a new house and no chimney is there!

Wordless Wednesday (#63) Smile Like You Mean It

2010-12-15T03:51:00.000-05:00

Happy Holidays!

BRRR...The Winter Chill

2010-12-14T06:35:00.000-05:00

The weather has made a sharp turn here in Baltimore. As the past few days have been very pleasant, an Arctic blast of cold is expected to arrive here in the next few hours with our first snow with some accumulation. It is rumored that this Winter will shape up to be a cold one, with less snow than previous years if the Farmer's Almanac is to be believed.

Meanwhile, the cooking and decorating for the Holidays continue. The word has it that Santa Claus has all of the presents for under the tree purchased, and just has the wrapping left to do!

i heart faces challenge--pet faces

2010-12-13T08:21:00.000-05:00

Less Than Two Weeks....

2010-12-12T06:28:00.001-05:00

until the big day! I DO believe in Santa Claus....

Click HERE to track Santa Claus as he and the reindeer are delivering toys.