Sunday, January 30, 2011

Project 365 - Day 23 - 30 - Where did a week go??

I'm not exactly sure where this week went. It was just a blah week  It probably had a lot to do with the impending monthly visit.  Oh.. the joy. 


Day 24 - Event of the day....I mended my friends slipper.  Ha!  That sounds funny considering I don't sew.  But what are friends for?  I'm up for the challenge. 


Day 25 - Dressed Fat Cat.  Doesn't he look so pretty in pink?



Day 26 - Enjoyed a lot of this :)  I could almost do a dedicated post to these sweeties too.  Thank you for keeping my toes cozy. 

Day 27 - It snowed.  Oh....Surprise Surprise...whatever!!  Remember when I said it was SO pretty and I never tire of watching it fall.  and it's SO peaceful.  Well...I'm over that!


Day 28 -Played with my camera a ton!  Who thought that Orbeez could be SO pretty!  (by the way..I am NOT loving the Orbeez in my house)


Day 29 - Celebrated a Sweet Girl's "Sweet 16"!  I love her like she is my own and I can't believe she is 16!!

Day 30 - But.......you know what........

A New Header

Thanks so much to Sarah at Clover Lane for showing me how to customize my very own header!! I love, love learning something new.  And this was pretty big for me.  She made it so very easy.  I can't wait to have fun changing it and keeping it fun. 

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Project 365 - Day 23 - Winter Date Night in NH

Me and Dave had a much needed, long over due Date Night last night.   Hanging out in the house in January is starting to get really boring. 

Bundle up and brave the elements.  I can't wait to see the driveway again.

Who cares that the snow bank at the end of the driveway is bigger than me. Let's go have some fun honey.  (still teaching who to use the new camera)

Brrrrrrr.   That's about all I can say about that!

We had an amazing, fun night of goofines and laughs. 

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Project 365 - Day 22

Outside our door on this cold, frigid day of 20 degrees. 

Project 365 - Day 21 More Snow Day Boredom

Sophie finding things to do on a boring Snow day.  I'm sorry that you are the brunt of her amusement. 

Friday, January 21, 2011

Project 365 - Day 20

These were taken off my back deck. I was desperately trying to capture how gorgeous it was with the sun rising and glistening off the snow /ice on the trees.


Thursday, January 20, 2011

Learning about Shutter Speed--Hmm, Very Interesting

I've been reading and reading and learning and learning so much about using my new camera. Last week I learned all about Shutter Speed and Aperture and it what situations to use each of them. I need a cheat sheet to carry around with me :)

I learned that when I want to freeze something in action I need to increase my shutter speed to 1/500 to 1/1000. Like when I want great pictures of my son playing his sports or my daughter doing her gymnastics or any other time that I don't want a motion to turn out blurry. Never knew that!! So interesting to play around with it. Sophie was more than generous to jump off the couch many times while I practiced with different settings.

See.....this is before...with a slow shutter speed of 1/60. She is really there, I promise?


And this is after....with a shutter speed of 1/640. So neat, huh? It's like she is frozen in the air. Wow!


Then I was reading "super cool" Becky's blog, Farmgirl Paints, yesterday and she just so happened to be starting a fun project called The Thrive Project. I know I want to Thrive in photography this year too and now we can all learn even more tips AND practice them. EXCITED!



Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Project 365 - Day 19

We have been A LOT of hanging around the house lately.  Besides going to the grocery store,  we really haven't been anywhere!  Unless I count shoveling.  Oh January!

It is fun for a little while but I will be SO glad to be able to do more outside..hopefully by the end of February.  Oh Winter in New England.....

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Project 365 - Day 18 Torture the Teenager

Mom!  No pictures!

Ok...One!

Really....more......



He is a pretty good sport despite my fun.

My Daybook

 
January 18, 2011


Outside my window...Snowing again.  And our 2nd snow day of the year. This one could get a little nasty because they are saying it may actually change over to freezing rain.  UGH!  That could mean power outage and we are very prone to that.

I am thinking....about how I can convince my hubby to not go into work today.  For some reason he is not at all concerned about today's snow and the multi-car accident on the Interstate that he takes to work.  I know he hates to miss work but it is so stressful when he heads out in this weather.

I am thankful for...being able to stay home today. 

From the learning rooms... We have been pretty easy-going since getting back into school after winter break.  

From the kitchen...I did it!! I got the bread machine out and have made 3 loaves of wheat bread this past week.  It is SO good.   This might just save me an extra $20 a month :)


I am wearing.... Pink fleece PJ's and my son's old American Eagle sweatshirt. I love stealing his sweatshirts now when he grows out of them.

I am creating...still nothing :(

I am going...to have to shovel today.  Yuck! 

I am reading...The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents by Deepak Chopra

I am hoping....for a smoothe day of traveling to work for my husband in this weather.


I am hearing...My son talking to his friend on X-box live.  

Around the house...I finally took the Christmas tree down.  Well...kind of.   I took all the ornaments off and moved it into the sunroom with just the lights on it.  I was joking about leaving it up all year and even the family thought it would be fun for a little bit longer.  Go figure!  Dave said "be different"...."be bold".  I said "Okie Dokie"!   Now it's an evergreen in the sunroom with pretty white lights.  I may just have to see if I can find some Valentines ornaments. Or maybe Sophie and I can make some :)  Ohhhh  funnnn!!!!!

One of my favorite things....my pink fuzzy slippers.


A few plans for the rest of the week...cleaning and organizing the basement.  I am starting to feel the itch to purge stuff.

From my picture journal ...Kitty Blanket.




My Daybook  is part of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Monday, January 17, 2011

Project 365 - Day 17 - My favorite Breakfast

In Winter, I love my oatmeal with blueberries, honey and cinnamon for breakfast.  And of course I am having so much fun with my new camera that I had to take a picture of this too!

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Project 365 - Day 15 - Tribute to a Mug

I owe morning smiles to you my friend.   I don't think I could do it without you.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart :) LOL!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Project 365 - Day 13

One of my favorite trees on the corner of our house.  I love how it looks snow covered.

Project 365 - Day 12

What's going on?
We waited and waited for the snow to slow down so we could do a little sledding.  It did not stop when they said it would (by 2 pm), so at 3:30 we loaded up and headed out anyway.  It was brutal!

It was still snowing so hard and it took us about 30 minutes of failing to create a good packed down sledding path.  They finally just gave up and plopped down in the snow. 

This was the peaceful moment before they started throwing snow all over each other.  Which ended in tears from a little girl who couldn't get back at her big brother. 

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wordless Wednesday


The Blizzard is Here


We woke this morning to 8 inches of snow (as of 7:30 am) I can't think of many things more peaceful than falling snow. As much as I see it, this part never gets old.

It's our first official snow day! Yippee!! I just went out to measure and now we have 11 inches at 11 am. It's still coming down hard.

I have a BIG pot of homemade Chicken/Vegetable soup on the stove and my 2nd loaf of bread in the bread machine! Yep..I did it! Yesterday I decided to try it again and found a wonderful recipe at Allrecipes.com. It turned out amazing. I used 2 cups of Wheat flour and 1 cup of White. It is sooooo yummmmy!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Project 365 - Day 11



Sophie absolutely LOVES gymnastics. She has been twirling and flipping since she was 2.   She works SO hard and her determination is amazing to watch.   She is so proud of her hand stand and her split that she has nearly perfected.

My Daybook

 
January 11, 2011


Outside my window...sunny and cold.  Tomorrow they are saying blizzard will be here with 8-14 inches of snow.  We have had so little snow this year.   It's hard to believe I can see my grass in January...at least for now. :)

I am thinking....about how lazy I have been lately.  I usually have some project going on. Creating something, re-doing something, organizing something.  I am at a loss. 

I am thankful for....our warm, cozy home.

From the learning rooms... making great strides.  Sophie said to me the other day that her "Explode the Code" (grammar) was too easy.  We just started our 2nd book (book 4 1/2).  I explained to her that it "seemed" easy because she has learned so much.  I love it!   We are also working on subtraction a lot lately.  Although she can do it, I still think she hasn't grasped the whole concept.

From the kitchen...I am going to attempt making my own bread.  I have tried before and it was pretty bad..."like a brick"  bad.  But I was reading a blog yesterday and got inspired to try again. 


I am wearing.... Blue fleece pj pants and a grey sweatshirt. 

I am creating...still nothing :(

I am going...to start my exercise program this week ...for sure!  (I wrote this last week but didn't)  Maybe if I keep it here it may actually make me feel accountable. :)

I am reading...The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents by Deepak Chopra

I am hoping....my children have a wonderful relationship with God.   At dinner each night my husband reads a bible passage.  He just picks something out of the blue and then we talk about it.  One night last week after reading we talked about having a daily relationship with God.  Making Him a force in your life everyday.   As much as we talk about God, we wonder if our children feel a closeness yet.  I think it's common for their ages.  But we had a pivotal moment this past weekend.  My son asked God for guidance at a time he felt he needed to and he came home and said "Mom...it was epic!"   It was at baseball workouts but my excitement is that he actually "thought" about it.   He felt comfortable asking God for guidance.  I was brought to tears.

I am hearing...Spongebob on TV while Sophie eats breakfast.  

Around the house...Preparing for the blizzard.  I think we will go to the store and get stuff to make a BIG pot of chicken and vegetable soup.  It will be the perfect day for it.

One of my favorite things....Smiles!


A few plans for the rest of the week....Nothing out of the ordinary...except for the blizzard part.  Gymnastics Tuesday and Thursday.  Skiing Thursday night again.  Watching the Patriots playoff game Sunday night with friends.  Lots of good hanging out!  




My Daybook  is part of the Simple Woman's Daybook

Project 365 - Day 10


I'm almost embarrassed to say that my Christmas tree is still up! I'm know. I'm shocked too. For some reason, I am really enjoying it this year and will really miss it. It always seems so dull in the house when the twinkling lights aren't there anymore.

I have joked with my family that I may just leave it up all year and change the ornaments for each holiday/occasion. Can't you just see a cute Valentines Day tree? Then St. Patty's Day tree. Oh, then Easter! The ideas just keep flowing. Spring themed tree, Independence Day tree, Birthday's themed tree. Oh, stop me please!

Well it was a thought...but the sweet tree is probably coming down tomorrow during our first "Snow Day" from school (I'm optimistic with the forecast).

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Project 365 - Day 9 - My Favorite Faces

My Favorite Teenager

My Favorite 7 year old

My Favorite Man :)

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Project 365 - Day 8

Self Portrait




I am having such a fun time with my new camera. Now Sophie is even wanting to take pictures of everything as well. 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Mommy's got a New Toy

I have always dreamed about having a REAL camera..a DSLR.  I have been in awe of how many beautiful pictures are on so many blogs I read that are taken with these cameras.  You can see from the pictures in my previous posts that my pictures are seriously flawed.

So, I saved and scrimped and even sold my old gold (I really did).  And yesterday my little dream came true.  I bought a Nikon 3100.  I am SO excited!  I will probably be on the verge of obnoxious to those around me :)

I decided to take part in the Project 365 too!  It's something I have wanted to do for a very long time and now I'm more excited than ever.  I don't think I will have a problem at ALL :)

So, with 6 days behind me.  I will catch up with a few pictures from Skiing last night and this morning's fun playing with Maggie dog.  

Ski Bunny

Fun times

The Boarder

Good Morning Sweetheart!

I can look SO innocent.  Fooled ya!

A little doggie training never hurts.


Wednesday, January 5, 2011

My Daybook - Finally! I'm a Terrible Blogger!

 
January 5, 2011

I have been a terrible, horrible blogger. I admit it wholeheartedly.  But I promise I have been a good parent because of it.   Time just seems to fly by with homeschooling and, well, just life and before I know it another day has passed too quickly.  I'm really hoping to be much better this year. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and wishing you a wonderful 2011!!

Outside my window...sunny and cold this week. This will probably be the case for the next two months.

I am thinking....how quiet it is around our house after the busy Holidays and company visiting from NC for a week.  We had such a great time.

I am thankful for....every day. 

From the learning rooms....Back to school yesterday.  I can't believe all that we have accomplished this school year.  Sophie is reading SO great now.  We started cursive writing yesterday and she is very excited about fancy writing. :) 

From the kitchen...cooking the fairly routine stuff this week.

I am wearing.... Pink pj pants and a sweatshirt. 

I am creating...absolutely nothing. 

I am going...to start my exercise program this week ...for sure! 

I am reading...The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents by Deepak Chopra

I am hoping...for great things in 2011!


I am hearing....my husband in the kitchen making his lunch.

Around the house....It's a quiet week here.  Getting back to our regular routine. 

One of my favorite things....having nothing major going on in our lives....just simply life!


A few plans for the rest of the week....Gymnastics tomorrow and then night skiing afterward.  Dave chaperones the a ski club and we meet him there for fun.  I will officially get ALL of the Christmas decorations put away this weekend.

Here are loads of pictures to catch you up on what we've been doing for the last 2 months...Wow!  Where does the time go?


Schooling! This is a beautiful sight for this mom! 
Thanksgiving in New York with family


Making cookies
 
Creating Ornaments
Relaxing in my favorite Chair (with my favorite furry ones)
Having lunch with friends at our favorite burger joint.

Be-bopping at Justin Beiber concert

Capturing precious moments
Loving the gifts we were given

More loving those gifts

Dancing!

Enjoying family visits
Sightseeing.  TLC's Best Diner in the Country!!  It was fabulous!

Sledding with favorite cousins
Taking it all in!!


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

My "Daybook" is part of The Simple Woman's Daybook