Here it is the first of June - and we're both like: "what, already???"
Work has been very good lately. It's coming in parts - but thankfully it's steady. I'm excited about some changes that are upcoming. Have been doing a lot of websites - so much so that there's a small backlog to go through. Not so many video projects at the moment, but there's so much diversity in what's going on, it's nice to switch from website work and to do investigation then work on pre-production video work.
With the weather changing - our swamp has been on for the last several weeks. Our Swampy is a little old and showing its age a bit. Things are rusting out quite a bit and so when we have water present ... I can't help but think that its time is overdue.
Anyhow - that catches you up a bit on what's happening around here. We hope and trust all is well for everyone! (sorry for not posting as often as I should be -- thankfully Darby fills in the blanks!)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Saturday, May 28, 2011
NPR Music
NPR is streaming the Sasquatch Music Festival live - listen here http://goo.gl/qPMFt I am looking forward to Death Cab for Cutie
Bright Eyes is on right now. And I am enjoying them. Conner Oberst the lead singer made some interesting anti-war/anti-killing Bin Laden comments. And the twitter-verse on NPR is going crazy over it.
Bright Eyes is on right now. And I am enjoying them. Conner Oberst the lead singer made some interesting anti-war/anti-killing Bin Laden comments. And the twitter-verse on NPR is going crazy over it.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Gratitude Friday
I am thankful for...
1. our little afternoon trip to the Mesa this week
2. my therapist - she has been amazing for me/to me.
3. my computer desktop wallpaper - I made a collage of my niece. She is so cute! It makes me smile every time I see her cute smiling face!
4. finding deals that allow us to have some fun special things inexpensively
5. my Mom - it is her birthday today. I am very grateful to her for being such an amazing Mom.
1. our little afternoon trip to the Mesa this week
2. my therapist - she has been amazing for me/to me.
3. my computer desktop wallpaper - I made a collage of my niece. She is so cute! It makes me smile every time I see her cute smiling face!
4. finding deals that allow us to have some fun special things inexpensively
5. my Mom - it is her birthday today. I am very grateful to her for being such an amazing Mom.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Snow in May
Yesterday we went on a little drive in the afternoon to get away. Work has been so busy so a little break was needed. I packed some BLT wraps and Snickerdoodle Bars and off we went to take a drive over the Mesa. For some reason we didn't bring a camera. I think we were just both so tired and it was just thought of getting away that was important.
Anyway, last year we went to this same spot on the Mesa for Memorial Day and there was a little snow left. This year Oh MY the SNOW! I can't believe it looked like Christmas up there.
This is a photo from last year....
If you look, you can see a road in the bottom of the photo. This year we couldn't even see the road. And the lake was completely covered with snow and ice. There were banks of snow on each side of the road that were hard to even see over to see that there was a lake there.
I was in a short skirt and sandals of course being bright and sunny in GJ when we left so I didn't get out the whole time we were up there around the snow. But there were people sledding up there still. It was amazing to me that it is the end of May and there was so much snow - and especially compared to last year. It was completely gorgeous though - the snow was so bright white. Usually this late in the season it looks so dirty. But they had a snow fall the night before so it was so bright white and looked to perfect. It did make me wish I had been dressed in warm clothes to go out and play in the snow in May.
Anyway, last year we went to this same spot on the Mesa for Memorial Day and there was a little snow left. This year Oh MY the SNOW! I can't believe it looked like Christmas up there.
This is a photo from last year....
If you look, you can see a road in the bottom of the photo. This year we couldn't even see the road. And the lake was completely covered with snow and ice. There were banks of snow on each side of the road that were hard to even see over to see that there was a lake there.
I was in a short skirt and sandals of course being bright and sunny in GJ when we left so I didn't get out the whole time we were up there around the snow. But there were people sledding up there still. It was amazing to me that it is the end of May and there was so much snow - and especially compared to last year. It was completely gorgeous though - the snow was so bright white. Usually this late in the season it looks so dirty. But they had a snow fall the night before so it was so bright white and looked to perfect. It did make me wish I had been dressed in warm clothes to go out and play in the snow in May.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Snickerdoodle Bars
I have seen variations of this recipes all over blogosphere. But any of them I knew I would like as I like snickerdoodles and I like blondies. And these are a cross between the two. Michael and I both really liked them.
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
a pinch ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan. Combine flour baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat until smooth.
Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of nutmeg in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool before cutting. Makes 20-24 bars.
NOTE:
It is a thicker batter almost like a cookie. I had to press it lightly into the pan.
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp white sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
a pinch ground nutmeg
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 pan. Combine flour baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat together butter and brown sugar for 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, and beat until smooth.
Stir in the flour mixture until well blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan. Combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and pinch of nutmeg in a little bowl. Evenly sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over the top of the batter.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until surface springs back when gently pressed. Cool before cutting. Makes 20-24 bars.
NOTE:
It is a thicker batter almost like a cookie. I had to press it lightly into the pan.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Hair
I am one of those people that stays with a hair style for years. I have had my current hair style pretty much for 7 years. Mid-back and to just above my shoulders but basically of the same style. But I really want a new style and have no idea what to do. I have been looking at all sorts of photos trying to find that perfect picture of inspiration for my hair but nothing is really standing out. But I really need to get something done soon...as it is DRIVING me CRAZY.
Right now my hair is midback and my bangs are almost to the tip of my nose the longest they have been in 7 years. It has been hard not to trim/cut them. If I can't figure out what I want to do, I might just have to go just get a shorter version of my same style again.
Right now my hair is midback and my bangs are almost to the tip of my nose the longest they have been in 7 years. It has been hard not to trim/cut them. If I can't figure out what I want to do, I might just have to go just get a shorter version of my same style again.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Glee
I love the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. And I think Glee's version on this song is amazing!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Kate Bush on NPR
Listening to Kate Bush on NPR. I haven't listened to her in a long time - really enjoying her.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Gratitude Friday
I am thankful....
1. that we had a nice time last weekend
2. for all the laundry being folded
3. and put away!
4. for smell of incense floating through the house
5. hot showers after a long day
1. that we had a nice time last weekend
2. for all the laundry being folded
3. and put away!
4. for smell of incense floating through the house
5. hot showers after a long day
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad
We went on a picnic this past weekend. And I didn't want to just pack the usual sandwiches so I made pasta salad. It is easy and would be a good summer dinner.
I would say this serves about 4 to 6. This would be easy to double to make for a crowd also.
Ingredients
8 oz. uncooked pasta
1 cup cooked cubed boneless chicken breast
3/4 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup carrot - shredded or julienned (either work and taste good)
1 1/2 cups Ranch dressing*
Directions
Cook the pasta until done to desired tenderness and drain well. Cool completely. Toss with chicken, cheese, peas, carrots and dressing. Chill for an hour before serving.
NOTES:
* Start with 1 cup of Ranch dressing and then taste and keep going until you are happy with the consistency and taste. Also if you let it set over night sometimes the dressing can soak in so might need to add more the next day if you have left overs. I wouldn't make this salad the day before - unless just prepping all the ingredients and then tossing together an hour or 2 before serving.
* I used 1 large chicken breast that I grilled with lemon pepper on it Left over chicken would be good for this salad.
* Frozen peas work good. Running a little water over them to thaw.
I would say this serves about 4 to 6. This would be easy to double to make for a crowd also.
Ingredients
8 oz. uncooked pasta
1 cup cooked cubed boneless chicken breast
3/4 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1/2 cup peas
1/2 cup carrot - shredded or julienned (either work and taste good)
1 1/2 cups Ranch dressing*
Directions
Cook the pasta until done to desired tenderness and drain well. Cool completely. Toss with chicken, cheese, peas, carrots and dressing. Chill for an hour before serving.
NOTES:
* Start with 1 cup of Ranch dressing and then taste and keep going until you are happy with the consistency and taste. Also if you let it set over night sometimes the dressing can soak in so might need to add more the next day if you have left overs. I wouldn't make this salad the day before - unless just prepping all the ingredients and then tossing together an hour or 2 before serving.
* I used 1 large chicken breast that I grilled with lemon pepper on it Left over chicken would be good for this salad.
* Frozen peas work good. Running a little water over them to thaw.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Dishes
Source: eatdrinkchic.com via Jhoana Marie on Pinterest
I like that these are bright and have words on them. I am sure there aren't something I would want for everyday. But I do think of the bright ones for photographs.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
Gratitude Friday
I am thankful for...
1. sunshine
2. the anticipation of upcoming trip up to the falls this weekend
3. allergy meds to help me it not be so unbearable
4. Brene Brown being such an inspiration
5. photos of family and friends
1. sunshine
2. the anticipation of upcoming trip up to the falls this weekend
3. allergy meds to help me it not be so unbearable
4. Brene Brown being such an inspiration
5. photos of family and friends
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Paper Coterie and Brene Brown
Paper Coterie has this great video by Brene Brown on their website as an open house gift. It is an amazing video. I am so glad they have shared it because I have watched about 10 times and am sure I will watch many more times - it is that good. So powerful and inspiring. Paper Coterie is also giving $40 gift card to use for the weekend by going to that link. I can't wait to use that as they have some really nice looking photo books.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Moving Forward
I am not sure what to say about last nights events. Part of me is very relieved and maybe feels some justice was served for all those he killed. I am not rejoicing or joyful. But I am hoping that there is some peace to come - certainly not as an end to terrorism as I know that isn't ending but maybe peace for some people who have had family members killed.
From the Maddow Blog:
From the Maddow Blog:
"Since then, 2,441 coalition troops have lost their lives in Afghanistan. Another 4,770 have died in Iraq. God only knows how many civilians have been killed. We're so far from being out of this. And yet, somehow, through courage and perseverance, the wheel of history just rolled forward."
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