Day 129: Playing around at home.

Had a blast today taking some photos of one of my dearest friends and her family.

But did I remember to get model releases or ask them if I can post their pictures on here?

Nope.  Thought about digging out the forms earlier, but after they arrived it completely slipped my mind.

So, although there are some fun pictures of their family, I don't feel that I can post them until I get permission.  Grk.

But I can post this little one. Not the best shot of the bunch, but you can't tell who the little guy is, either (unless you know him), so I feel safe.

Very fun day, but I am ti-red!

Guh-nite!

L

Day 128: Snowmen singers

Very quick here--it's late (as always).

But finally, the snow is snowman worthy.  And really warm.  The only reason for snow gear was so we wouldn't get soaked.

There are two more back there, too.  They're cute--the girls used birdseed and made freckles!

Then off the J's choir concert.  Christmas concert that had to be rescheduled because of the bad weather.  This year it's the Christmas that keeps on giving!

My indoor photo quality stinks.  I'm sending an SOS for help on that score.

But the church was really neat looking.

Beautiful wood everywhere.

The concert was really nice.  I could write a whole post about how much I love the sound of children voices that are melded together into pure perfection.

When we got home, the snowman's face and buttons had fallen off.

He's going to need some reconstructive surgery in the morning, I'm afraid.

Nighters,

L

Day 127: Abuelita

After breakfast, I roamed the kitchen aimlessly, not sure why, knowing I should just leave and get on with the morning but feeling that I wanted something warm, but not herb tea, and not apple cider and not cocoa from a can.  And then, beckoning from the top shelf, a box of Abuelita.  A shaft of light beamed down upon it, and I knew it was meant to be.

If you haven't had Abuelita before, you must try it.  If you can't find it at your local supermarket, you can order it on Amazon.  It's a block of chocolate/cinnamon heaven, which you swirl in a blender with heated milk to make a drink worthy of kings. 

Yum.  Now I can tackle the day.

*I should note that I'm not paid to endorse this product.  It's just too yummy not to share.*

Day 126: Corner View Holiday

The theme for this week is "Holiday," and since all of the holiday decor, minimal as it was this year, is put away, I struggled with what to post today.  In the end, I realized that since I moved away from home after high school and moved to another province, most of my holidays have involved travel. Yes, there have been a few where I (then we) have stayed at home, but many times it was on the move.  First, it was the long drive over the Rockies from Alberta go BC to go home from University when there was a break.  Then from the Lower Mainland up north.  Then, when I finally felt really grown up, I took a trip to California for fun and to escape the liquid sunshine of spring in Vancouver.  Flew to San Diego, then rented a car and drove to see a friend in Arizona.  And so it went.  Now as a family our holidays usually involve a good portion on the road.  For example, in the past couple of years we have driven to Williamsburg for Thanksgiving, Ontario to the airport to take a flight to BC, camping, driving to Chicago, driving to Philadelphia, driving to Baltimore, driving...all over. 

I've use my keys a lot.

This last summer, we went camping  near Palmyra in NYS, then north to Toronto, where the kids and I hopped on a plane to British Columbia.  When we entered the airport parking, we heard a "crunch."

Uh-oh.

The car top carrier on the van made the vehicle too tall for the height of the parking lot, and we had completely forgotten that it was there.  It looked like someone had taken a giant can opener to the carrier.  The only thing we could do, since by that point we were stuck in the garage, was take it off, shove everything in the van, since it was going be less some luggage and people, and leave the carrier there.

Oops.

Lesson learned. 

We're thinking NYC next.  We're only a five hour drive away. 

125: Model kitty

OK.  So I go upstairs and see two little kitty cats in perfect, cheeks together unison. It was the sweetest thing.  So I go grab my camera and quickly take a photo before the skittish Mooch can jump off the bed.

Forgetting in my haste to check the flash settings.

Oops. 

So I ended up with a black photo.

Quickly set everything up again.  And got this:

Thank you so much, cat.

But Nellie was still there. 

Looking a bit suspicious.

But then, being a diva at heart, she started to work it:

There's my girl!

***

I've had the pleasure of being tagged by Suzicate at The Water Witch's Daughter.  I was lucky enough to come across her blog through a mutual bloggy friend.  She has a way of making everyday experiences not so everyday.  I have a feeling that we'd have lots of laughs together, should we ever meet. 

I'm supposed to tell you seven things about myself that other people might not know about.  Erg.  Trying to think of something to substitute, but I can't.  So I'll do my best for the team, although I might end up repeating stuff from a tag a few months ago.  These aren't too deep.  It's too late!

1.  I can speak fluent piglatin.

2.  My favorite smell is a freshwater lake.  The ocean is next.

3.  I love old things.  Anything.  From old books and photos to old people.  They look so experienced and wise, and I want to hear their stories.

4.  Had a pet turtle once, back when it was legal. He didn't make it.

5.  My ears are pierced crooked, and won't grow in so I can get them redone.  I think I mentioned this before, but I'm desperate, here!

6.  My sister and I ran after a moose once.  She was about 5 or 6.  I was older and should have known better.  Luckily, the moose was unconcerned.
7.  Did I mention the piglatin?

Next, seven folks I'm tagging.  There is no particular theme here, and if I've repeated you in a previous tag, please take it as a compliment.  Also, I completely understand if you'd rather not play--although I hope you will.  I just think that others will enjoy your blogs as much as I do and hope they take a wander your way.  :)

I can't remember who I tagged before.  A failing memory is something that everyone knows about me, so it didn't make the list. 

OK.
1.  Kim at Inadvertent Farmer.  She lives a camel-centric life in Washington State.  Love her stories--and Gizmo does, indeed, rock! 
2.  The beautiful inside and out Christina at Soul Aperture. She is my daily dose of calm and beauty.
3.  Inna at Framboesa.  A young photographer with an amazing eye, she has a fresh take that I enjoy very much. 
4.  Mike at Life's Like That.  He is an old friend who was rediscovered through Facebook and blogging.  I'm loving the social media world!  Check his blog out--you'll be glad you did.
5.  La ninja.  I love her blog.  I should comment on it more...so please, check out her place.  Comment.  And so will I.
6.  Beth at Be Yourself...Everyone Else is Taken.  That rings so true--as does every post that she writes. 
7.  Joyce at A Perfect Beginning.  The lovely photos compliment her posts perfectly.

OK.  You're It!!!

Day 124: Snow star

Another outside snow shot.  I liked the contrast here.  And it's another dead weed photo.  I couldn't pass it up.  HA!

Day 123: Cotton imposter.

This looked exactly like the cotton batting for craft projects.  Cool!