hot / iced

L - Nikon / T - iphone

No this isn't an advertisement, but we do like our Starbucks.
My mom asked me to look through my photos for some painting reference. (she's been asked to paint some pictures to hang in a doctor's office) but as I was looking for something I realized that just because something makes a interesting photo doesn't mean it will make a good painting. I really didn't find anything suitable. / today no class, no tests - freedom to read what i want - at least for a month. i will be going to school the summer semester for two classes and then i am finished for good. mom asked me how that felt... i told her its terrifying really.

from where i stand / from where i sit

L - iphone / T - iphone

no words today. a break in the busy busy day

2nd cup / 2nd nap

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

With a little time to spare this morning, I sat outside and enjoyed a second cup of coffee and read a little of my book before going off to my metalsmithing workshop. It was a 2 day workshop on soldering. And even though I know enough to get by, I figured there are always new tricks to learn - no matter how many classes I've taken. In fact, I learned several new tricks - one was how keep solder from flowing by using yellow ochre as a resist. I wonder what's something new you are learning this summer? / bunny misses kodi and it shows - look at this mopey little face. today i had great plans of spending the day at the pool but it was very short-lived because it was sooo hot. already 96º and it's only May. it was really relaxing however.

p.s. I hate that we have been so slack in posting here on our blog. With the end of the school year for Taylor and then a nice little vacation in Savannah we got very far behind. Forgive me for not visiting you - please don't think I'm not interested any more. I love reading your blogs but I have not been good about commenting. It makes me very happy when you continue to visit and comment on our blog so I feel badly for not doing the same.

fire / water

L - Nikon / T - phone

Today was a enjoyable day. Started out with coffee, and a Nutella and Banana Crepe at our local market. The market is new in our area and I am so excited about it. I love walking around and sampling all the jellys, breads, pastas, honey, fresh yogurt and mozzarella, etc. All so tasty and fresh. Today I sampled some lemon buttermilk sorbet and on this hot day is sure was refreshing. I bought some Lavender mint soap and also a big lavender plant (for only $4). Next week I'm thinking I'll buy a blueberry bush to put in a planter on my deck. I love the idea of gathering just enough blueberries for my cereal or scones in the morning. From the market I went down to one of the many Chattahoochee River parks in our area and stood at the waters edge and watched as 5 dogs romped and splashed in the water - they were having the best time. I should have taken Evee with me. After a relaxing morning I decided to wash my windows inside and out (on the lower level). That's a hard job and even when you think you have them perfectly clean, the late afternoon sun shines through and you realize you didn't get them so clean after all. I also dug a holes for some plants, but realized I didn't have any planting soil. (on the list for tomorrow). As the sun was starting it's slow fade I sat outside with a new book and read until the mosquitoes sent me indoors - I was hoping the candle burning would keep them away. Hope you're day was as sweet as mine. / Taylor went to Athens for the weekend. She said she spent a relaxing day by the pool.

T didn't originally have a photo but she chose this one late last night. Is it ok that I then changed mine?

show / tell

solo post - L, Nikon

I don't have any adventures to share, or stories to tell or even any good photos to show you. The work hours have been long, so it's pretty much been work and sleep. Well there's eating in there too but nothing very exciting, except... there was dinner at my parents the other night. My dad had sourdough bread right out of the oven and it was the best ever. There was corn on the cob, chicken, roasted potatoes and beets, plus he had made a pecan pie – best thing of the week so far. We ate dinner as we watched the birds outside their bird window - the little wren was going in and out of the bird house and the flicker had come to eat suet my mom had hung, the little chickadee was drinking water from a cup filled with fresh water every day. And very briefly we saw a hummingbird. Taylor laughs at my fascination with watching birds and the fact that I always have a camera around my shoulder. I told her that I always had it because I was always trying to get that one great photo of a bird and have yet to get it. She said, "here give me the camera" haha
Since there's still no great bird photo to share, I'm going to have a little 'show and tell'.
Taylor and I went to a nice art festival the other day and I made two purchases. The two little espresso cups caught both of our eyes so I decided to get a pair. She picked out one with more wood knot texture and mine has a special imprint for the thumb - similar but both unique. They are made by Regina Wolff from Atlanta and her work is really exception. I was drawn to it because of the glazes she uses and because her work is inspired by nature. Another artist that is inspired by nature is Jeri Landers. I had seen her books before and liked them but didn't have a child to buy them for. This time I decided why not just buy it for myself. When she asked, "who is it for" I hesitated and said "me". Then she wrote, "For Leslye. Please have tea - Sharp at 3... with Mrs Whiskerkins and me!" and drew a little picture of a bunny. When my niece and nephew come to my house they like hunting and counting all of the bunny things in my house and yard. This book will keep them busy - there's supposed to be 400 bunnies in the book, many of them are hidden.
I enjoy going to art festivals. Do you?

last touch / last cup

solo post - L, Nikon

listening to: Carol of the Bells

slipped

solo post - L, Nikon

There are days I slip. I love chocolate. I always have. Growing up my mom would sometimes let me have chocolate ice cream for breakfast. Imagine that? I guess she figured that would be the only way I was going to get my calcium (I didn't like milk then and I 'm still not fond of it). After all a girl's just gotta have her chocolate – no matter what form it takes. But I do agree with you all who say eat the chocolate - it's good for you. My preference is for dark and I know it's good for you - honestly good for you. So yes, I try to eat "good" chocolate along with my raisins, but some days I slip and eat milk chocolate – that Halloween candy left over in employees candy jars.

“Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands - and then eat just one of those pieces” -Judith Viorst

past-time

solo post - L

Sorry for my absence here. I've been without internet at my home since the middle of last week (something to do with damage to the phone line). Here at work I can sneak in a little reading or commenting at lunch or after hours - like now, but at home I've been gently forced to step away from the computer. It's a refreshing change really. Being away from the computer screen brings me into the other room where I've been enjoying a warm fire and reading a good book. I could get used to this. But I would miss you all so I look forward to getting my internet back and catching up with you. Until then the change is welcome. Please don't cross me off your list just yet.

just a day

solo post - L, iphone

"What a beautiful, sunny morning. It makes you happy to be alive, doesn't it? We can't let the sun outshine us! We have to beam, too!" - Takayuki Ikkaku

I'm loving the weather these last few days – there's been the most pleasant breeze mixed with the heat of the sun. I try to enjoy every moment possible outdoors, even if just a moment with my morning coffee before going inside to work, or for an afternoon break walking outside beside the waterfalls (man-made but still) and flowers.

frosty cold / toasty warm

nikon D40x by L / iphone pic by L
I love the Christmas season - the festive lights outdoors and the glowing warmth indoors. In Frederick, last Friday, it was Frosty Friday and the shops were open late. We enjoyed browsing the streets all-a-glow with twinkling lights. It was so cold outside but to me that just adds to excitement (personally I can't imagine being in a warm climate at Christmas time). When it's cold I can dream of snow. And when it's cold outside, it makes the fire inside all the cozier. This night we walked the streets until our hands and feet were numb and then found a cozy little coffee shop along the Carroll Creek district with a warm fire that served up one of the best cappuccinos I've had in a while - or maybe it was the atmosphere, nonetheless the coffee and the fire warmed us up for the walk back finishing up a wonderful evening. / T is busy with finals - no post or photo from her tonight

before work / after class

Some days it's just hard to go to work when there are so many fun things you'd rather do at home. My creative juices were really flowing this weekend and it was so invigorating to me. I came up with more ideas for my etsy site and potential craft show in November and I didn't want to stop. So when Monday came around it sort of broke my momentum. Now it's Tuesday and I'm trying to get it back. Don't you just hate it when that happens? / afternoon break. it was supposed to be picnic day, but that fell through so i enjoyed a break at the local coffee shop and got some english reading done.

today / one year ago

Relaxing Sunday. It was such a wonderful day of reading out on my deck - started out cool enough for my sweater but I soon peeled off that layer and enjoyed the sun against my skin. / i have no photo today but looked back to what i was shooting just one year ago. this photo was taken at the GA fair on this exact date one year ago. what a fun night. i miss claire.