EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

At the grocery store tonight I saw this. It put me in a very good mood. Very good mood. It is almost time. I can't believe it. I love buying seeds, planting them in foam cups labeled with a Sharpie and watching them grow. I've even been known to dig into the little cups to see if the roots have started yet. I can't stand not peaking. Sometime in March I can start my seeds indoors. I am a little concerned about starting a garden since we are probably going to list our house, but I'm going to take the risk. I can't go without a garden. I just can't.

My Boy and My Cat

Andrew looks possessed and Marius looks pissed. That just about sums up this photo, and their relationship.

I forgot something. If you look closely at Andrew's nose and by his cheek there are scabs. Those are courtesy of Marius. He swatted at Andrew last night and drew blood. Right before he attacked he looked much like he does here.

Taco Amigo

I'd like a meat and bean burrito, small fries and piña colada slush please. Oh and can I get and extra pink sauce? This is the closest fast food to our house and I go way too often. It's just too easy to drive through and take home some greasy goodness. These fries have to be sprinkled with crack, that's the only thing I can figure. I *need* them!

Emma's Going Skiing

Paul is taking Emma skiing tomorrow at Alta. She is going to start out the day with a lesson and then she will hit the slopes with dad. I hope she is safe, that they have fun and that she doesn't freeze. It is suppose to be a cold day. Good luck baby girl!

Self Portrait

Taking a picture of yourself is very hard work and as you can see I suck at it. If I waited for Paul to take a picture that would be cheating since this is my project. Soooo, this is as good as it gets. The reason I wanted a picture of myself is because I got my haircut today! Yeah for me.

Izze

Last Monday was payday so we headed out to Costco to stock up on supplies. As we are going along Paul puts a case of Izze in the cart. My eyes light up and I almost go into shock. This is not a practical purchase. It might even fall under extravagant as far as Mr. CFO is concerned. Paul, noticing my excitement, warns me that they were for the office. I immediately deflate. The next day they are still at our house and he is offering me one for lunch. Um, okay. The next thing I know Emma has one. Hmmm? I finally asked when he was going to take them to work and he sheepishly replied "I think I'm going to have to pay the company back for those." Ya' think?

Done!!!

I am 110% thrilled with this little quilt. I used the fabric that the pattern suggested but made changes with how they were grouped so it would feel more like it was mine. I had a few challenging moments while working on this. Things didn't go together quite like the pattern said they would but I improvised and adjusted seam allowances and it came out alright. It took a week to piece the top and as soon as it isn't snowing I will be taking it off to the quilter. I can't wait. I love it!!!

24/365

This is Maggie, A.K.A. "my sister" (Yes I'm rolling my eyes) She is a greyhound and once upon a time she was a racer. Now retired, she is officially a couch potato. My mom adopted her a couple of years ago. She loves to stick her long, wet nose up my butt and in my crotch. She is very sweet, and loves everyone. This isn't my first choice for a photo but I was there, so was she, I have cramps and knew I wasn't going anywhere else, so here she is.

23/365

(We spent the night at my parent's last night so that is why nothing was posted yesterday)

Yesterday Paul and I had a date night. We went to the Bountiful temple and then out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. That is where I met "Billy Bob." (At least I think he looks like a Billy Bob) I have a cat that reminds me of an armadillo so maybe that is why I was so drawn to this little guy. Who can resist a boozin' armadillo?

Pretty Kitty

This is Monsieur Marius. He is named after the character in Les Miserables. He will be five years old in March. I was there for his birth and held him when he was just seconds old. He was the smartest of the litter and was the first to hit all the milestones. We started out calling him Trouble but quickly changed it to Einstein when we were trying to find him a home. It was funny because there were other kittens in the litter that weren't very cute but they were chosen first. We could not give this cat away. I am so glad that no one took him because he is the best cat in the whole world! We love our Very Harriest Marius. He brings our family a lot of enjoyment.

I can't help it...

I'm proud of my kids. They can be a challenge at times but today when I asked they went straight to their homework and finished in no time. They were so studious today.  It was actually a bit shocking. I appreciate the energy they bring to our home and love them so much, especially when they do what they are asked! 

Where was I when history was made?

I had not planned to watch the inauguration. I never had before, why start now? Each time I turned on the TV there was some coverage and I got to thinking what will I say when my kids ask "mom what were you doing on that historic day?" I decided that I should follow some of the coverage and that it should be my photo of the day. How often do you get to photograph history of this magnitude? Here are the Obama's, Mr. President and the First Lady, walking and waving to the people. He is not who I voted for but I hope and pray that he will lead our country back to all of it's glory.

I did not forget.....

I'm just not going to have time to post a picture tonight.

2 down 7 to go

I finished two of the nine squares for my Easter/Spring wall hanging. I actually got the nine square done for a third one but didn't get to the edges. I went over to Maggie's for a girl's movie night instead of finishing it. I hope to get that one and a few more done tomorrow but you never know.

Sometimes the longer you work with something you grow to hate it. That is so not the case here. I'm still loving these fabrics and their bight cheery colors.

It *was* a Chico thing

Growing up mandarins were one of my favorite fruits. We would buy a large 10 lb. bag from some farmer selling them out of the back of his truck on the side of the road. You could only find them for a short time each winter. When we moved to the Bay Area we never saw them in stores or on the streets. There were tangerines but no mandarins. All of a sudden this year in Utah all the stores have been selling these. They looked like a mandarin but I was skeptical since they were called clementines. On the back of the bag I noticed it said "Mandarins From California". Yeah! I have been eating these little babies like candy. Mandarins are no longer just a Chico thing.

Pee Boy

Today we went to Bucca Di Beppo to celebrate my dad's birthday. This kids thought it was hilarious that there was a statue like this right across from the Pope's Table. I think someone dared me to take and blog this picture, so here it is! I really do like that the shutter speed was such that it froze the water in droplets. It adds drama to the shot don't you think?

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!

I've been waiting almost three years to get a new setting for the diamond that I received for our 10th wedding anniversary. Today was the day. I got to pick up my new ring that we had made. This was my Christmas gift this year and I love it. I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I will be waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for the wedding band that we are saving up to get. Hopefully that will be my Christmas gift next year.

Please Let Spring Come

Last year I noticed these pussy willow type things coming on my Aspen trees earlier than usual. I thought "great, spring is on it's way. We are going to have a short winter" (Enter Happy Dance here) I was so wrong. Anyone who lives here in Utah can vouch for how horrific last year was. It was cold and freezing and even snowing up to JUNE!!! This year the trees are budding ever earlier. I'll be honest. This has me worried. When I saw them in January this year I about cried. What does this mean? If it snows through to July I am leaving!

I know this picture sucks

Can you find the G?

I wanted to take a picture of "my mountain" on the first day of each of the four seasons to show how it changes. Well life got in the way in December and then there was so much snow that I never got around to it. Today I was driving home from the library and happened to have my camera. I was talking on the phone and hanging out my car window when I took this. There was no time to think about composition, settings or how awful the light was. I might try again on the first day of spring so I can get all four months in one calendar year.

What's that saying?

She who dies with the most fabric wins.

I decided I would go through my closets to organize my fabrics before I start to pack. It was exciting to see everything I had acquired all in one spot. I have plenty to keep me busy but it wasn't nearly as much as I thought it was LOL! This is a small portion of what I dug out. Isn't it pretty?

Got Popcorn?

Today I went "to work." My friends run a home business making caramel popcorn balls and I am their go to girl when they need an extra hand. It's nice to have some cash in my pocket at the end of the afternoon but I sure get tired being on my feet and it makes my back hurt. If you ever see one of these try it, there's a chance I helped make it!

11/365

Okay this is hard for me to post, but it is my reality. This is what I contend with, messes messes everywhere. Kids throwing things on the floor, towels down so that mud isn't tracked in on the new carpet, ickies in corners. Things like this will have to be no more if we are going to try and sell our house. What have I gotten myself into?

I thought this was pretty

Dang it's really cold outside. There is a corner of our roof that the snow melts off of and it drips onto an evergreen shrub. The shrub doesn't get direct sun so it freezes and creates very beautiful ice cycles and ice sculptures. The ice has completely coated the branches and needles. I got a lot of interesting shots but this is my favorite because of the way the setting sun was reflecting through the ice.

They’re Lucky I’m Nice

Today was my day to try a new meal for dinner. Our local grocery store makes dishes and gives samples ala Costco. I had tried this there one afternoon and like it. It’s called Island Teriyaki. It is slow cooked pork served with crushed pineapple served over coconut rice. What can I say; the three of them went thru Wendy’s drive through. I’m a good cook and it tasted like it should, they just don’t have a refined enough palette. Yes, that must be it! I admit that looking at this picture makes me pretty horrified. I can't totally blame them.

Lunch Out

This afternoon Paul and I went out to lunch at Las Tarascas. It is our favorite place to get Mexican food. We can't get enough of the tomatillo and avocado salsa. This is my favorite dish, enchiladas verdes. Yum, yum, yum, Delisioso! Oh and no, that isn't my soda, I wouldn't do such a thing. No way!

 

#7 of 365

Today I wanted to play with aperture. I took several shots, none of which turned out the way I had envisioned. I wanted to get the whole book series with the first being in focus and the others not, but with the light being so limited I couldn't get it to do what I wanted. This is the shot that I ended up liking the most.

If you can't beat 'em, Join 'em

We have had over a foot of snow in the last 24 hours. Since I don't feel like driving in it, I decided to play in it. Emma, Jenna and I built a snow mouse. Isn't it cute?!? I can't remember the last time I built anything out of snow. Usually I am running and screaming for cover when it snows.

Too many options

Today I took a lot of pictures. None make me smile quite like this one does. It is just a bad snapshot, but the moment was priceless. Emma and Jenna were singing at the top of their lungs along with Defying Gravity from Wicked. They were suppose to be cleaning the room but there was a lot more goofing around than there was cleaning. What can I say? I love these girls! 

Day 4

As I mentioned on one of my other blogs today, our high temperature today was a balmy 17.
This made me:
1) not want to go outside
2) dream of warm and sunny locations
3) bitter

anyhoo, I was wondering what I should take my picture of today when I saw my Disney Crocs. These fabulous brown and pearly pink plastic shoes were made to be worn in California where it is not 17. I knew they had to be my next "subject". As for now I am left sitting here with freezing digits, dreaming of the day when I can wear these walking down Main Street.

Snow Donuts

The sky was brilliant blue, the mountains white with snow, a giant American flag was blowing in the crisp wind, but none of that compared to snow donuts. I had never seen anything like it before. It cracked me up. I am guessing that they came courtesy of a dog, but I will never know for sure.

Day 2

Today we finally got down all the Christmas stuff. The only things I will miss are my nativities. Since I posted my Jim Shore set on my other blog I thought I would take a picture of my Willow Tree set, with the new pieces I received this year, before I packed it away.

January 1st Photo

See, this is why I don't think anyone should hold their breath that I will drop weight anytime soon. This is the breakfast of champions.