Project 365, Week 2

I am getting into the habit of this photo-a-day project.  I will admit some days are better than others.  But it continues to be more fun than work (thus far!)

Running a few errands after I picked Maddie up from school.  While stopped at a traffic light I was able to snap this photo.  Here we are, rushing to get everything done.

Furniture shopping.  Ugh!  Trying to converge our two styles plus our needs.  Might just be impossible!  We each gravitate to different styles.  Didn't know this task would be so much WORK!

Relaxing with a well-deserved glass of wine after two days of working on my photo-blog for Pixel Pages (& furniture shopping).  I think my butt is permanently flat after sitting in front of the computer all that time. 

Lying in wait...  Tilly biding her time until  food drops from Lucas' breakfast.  It reminds me of lions stalking their prey in Africa...only this is my living room and we have no zebras or gazelles(pretty sure there is some sort of city code against that).

Lukey all snuggled up to Tilly.  She quietly waits for opportunity & then sneaks in one giant "slurp!"

The weather this week has been glorious!  This is why I love living in Cali.  We had a month of miserable freezing weather.  This week's temps (high 60s) was a welcome respite.  This evening was still a little warm and everything had a lovely orange & purple glow.  Spring is coming & I can't wait!

This is what 8 hours of school looks like, and it ain't pretty!  I look so bad I was tempted to touch up the bags under my eyes, but I am keeping it real folks.  Jan. 18th, my first day back at school.  8 hours in front of a computer is going to be a struggle.

Variety has been my biggest challenge so far.  Because I spend so much time with my kiddos most of my photos are of them.  So I am attempting to branch out when the opportunity presents itself.  After all, this is Project 365, not 365 Days  of My Kids.  But when you are a SAHM most of your days are filled with kids and the photos reflect that.

Quinoa Pilaf with Lemon & Thyme

I found this yummy recipe in our local newspaper.  Even the hubs liked this healthy meal!  Can't wait to make it again!

Quinoa Pilaf with Lemon & Thyme
1 onion minced
1 tsp. olive oil
1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and dried on a towel
1 1/4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp grated lemon zest
1 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1/4 tsp. dried
2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tbs. minced fresh parsley, basil, cilantro, or scallions

Combine the onion and oil in a large saucepan.  Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the quinoa, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until the quinoa is lightly toasted and aromatic, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the broth, lemon zest and thyme and bring to a simmer.  Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the quinoa is transparent and tender, 16-18 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat, lay a clean folded kitchen towel across the top of the pot and replace the lid.  Let sit for 10 minutes, then fluff with a fork.  Stir in lemon juice and fresh herbs.  If you like season with salt and pepper to taste.

Side note:
I omitted the salt from the recipe and did not miss it all.  There were so many rich flavors from the broth, lemon, and herbs.  I almost feel that salt might ruin the medley of flavors.  For the fresh herbs I used cilantro.  It's zesty, fresh flavor makes it one of my favorites.  This side dish was a great companion to the salmon my husband grilled on our BBQ using a wood plank.
I did not rinse the quinoa and it was fine.  But after researching I found out why all recipes call for this additional step.  The outer coating of the quinoa leaves a bitter taste and rinsing it helps remove it.  Who woulda thunk it?  Although I will try it next, I did not notice a bitter taste with this specific dish.

Project 365, Week 1

After reading the Shutter Sisters Blog I became inspired to do my own Project 365.  I figure it would help me actually stick to my New Year's resolutions.  The goal of Project 365 is to take a photo everyday, which is one of my resolutions.  I have decided to post the photos each week.  This will help keep me on track for my "post to my blog at least once a week" resolution.  Shutter Sisters has some amazing photos on their blog.  Because it is a glimpse into my day-to-day life I anticipate some mundane photos, but their blog definitely gives me something to aspire to.  This project will force me to not be so complacent in my everyday surroundings while achieving personal goals.  Wish me luck!
Here are the links to some of my favorite Shutter Sisters Project 365:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lindascannell/5316969959
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23113159@N03/5317414927
http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/5317339857

These little self-portraits are outside of Maddie's classroom.  Every month her teacher has them write a new speech bubble.  This month the speech bubbles are their New Year's resolutions.  I love to snap a photo of Maddie's each month.



My never-ending battle with laundry.

A glimpse into the day of a typical SHAM:  drop off at school, grab some coffee & breakfast, & head my smorgasbord of daily errands.  Target Greatland being my favorite.

Some of the projects that are on my to-do list:  places to camp this summer, our route for my girls' trip with Maddie, how to become more bloggin savvy, and the constant pursuit of learning new photography skills.  And what is a good book without some Tootsie Rolls?!

A visit to Lowe's for a home-project.  This photo is so typical of Lucas; getting into mischief, while his right shoe & sock on the floor below him. 

Todd & I had my in-laws sister-in-law, neice, & mother-in-law over for dinner.  Lucas thoroughly enjoyed the dessert they brought over!

I volunteer in Maddie's class for writer's workshop.  It has become something I look forward to every week.  I love to hear what Maddie and her fellow classmates have to say.  Each student has their own unique voice & they are so excited to have someone to listen.  Love those stories!

Musical Menagerie

Michael's sells these great instruments.  They are not too pricey, especially when you add one of their 40% off coupons.  Santa brought Lucas several for Christmas and he loves them.  I realize the thought of a two year old and instruments is a rather frightening concept when it comes to preserving your sanity hearing, but they are not too bad.  It has become a fun family activity that we all get into.  Do we we all look like complete dorks?  Yup, but it is so worth it!  Lukey's face lights up as he bounces to the beat and sings his own little made-up ditty.  And to watch both kids make "music" together is so sweet it makes my heart ache.

Maybe Those Nudists Are On To Something....

If there is one thing we need less of in this house it's laundry.  I can't help but think that if we were nudists we would have a lot less laundry in this house.  Although, becoming a nudist is, well, I just can't do it.  Especially after two pregnancies and two c-sections.  The bod is just not the same after that kind of weight fluctuation!  But after two years I just cannot get over how much f'ing laundry our family of four generates!!!  What this photo doesn't show are the stacks behind the ones in the front, the loads in the washer and dryer, the dog bedding that never even made it to the washer, or that I ran out of detergent before I finished the laundry.  Laundry just never ceases to amaze me....

I Resolve...

...I've been thinking long and hard about this year's resolutions.  What do I really want to accomplish in 2011?  After a lot of contemplation, I decided to narrow it down to a few simple, yet very important life changes.  Here are my wants, goals, and desires for 2011:

*Focus on building my photography business.  I need to create a concrete plan, increase my clientele, continue to learn new things, and set/accomplish goals for the future of this business of mine.  Right now I am working on my logo and cannot wait to reveal it later this month!

*Do some form of exercise five days a week.  I fell off the wagon in September.  I had school, my parents' illnesses, and the hubs/kiddos.  My plate was full and something had to give.  Gravity has taken a firm grasp on my butt.  It also didn't help that my gym closed my nearest location.  Now I have to hop on the freeway and commute two cities.  Not. Gonna. Happen.  It is challenging enough just to get a couple of miles down the street!  But this does not mean I can't walk or take the dogs for a hike.  Must get back in the habit, my dogs and saggy booty will thank me!

*Take a photo every day.  Just something I thought would be fun.  Record the mundane as well as the spectacular.  Becky Higgins' Project Life was my inspiration for this resolution.  I spend so much time taking photos of others I sometimes forget to shoot pics of us.  Aaak!

*Start a new photo project.  One of my past photo instructors had an interesting photo project, taco trucks.  Totally random, but quirky and fun.  I am not sure what I want to do yet.  Maybe San Francisco.  Cliched? Yes.  Overdone?  Definitely.  One of my favorite places?  Hell yeah!  Incredibly dynamic?  Fer sure!  But the jury is still out on my topic...

*Continue to try new recipes.  I have got to work my way through that ever-growing stack of recipes I insist on collecting.  By the way, have two yummy ones to share with you!

*Blog more.  My goal is to start with one entry per week and work my way up to a few per week.  I love it, but don't always make time for it.  Just need to make it into a habit.

Our Maui Vacay

These past three months flew by and I am finally getting around to posting photos from our Hawaii trip. It was so nice to relax without the kiddos!  You kinda forget what life is like without the holler of "Mama!  Mama!  Mama!", the dogs needing to go out/come in on a constant basis, someone being hungry and/or needing something 24-7, etc.  Not that we would trade it for the world, but was is quite nice to have a week without all of hubbub that seems to consume our daily lives.  I'll be honest, it took a few days to get used to.  Those first two days we, along with our friends, were a little on edge.  It was as if we were waiting for one of our kids to fall in the pool or something.  This trip was one of the few shining lights in an otherwise daunting fall/winter in 2010.  Our week in Hawaiian paradise:


Seriously?  We're in Maui without kids?!





Can't go to Hawaii without shooting the cliched sunset picture :)!



One of our favorite eats!  Great fish tacos!

Our hotel:  Westin Time Shares

Christmas Magic

Well, our stockings are hung with care and the tree is decked out to the nines.  I cannot believe Christmas is almost here!  Although stressful with the many projects I have been working on, this has been one of the most laid back holiday seasons.  So nice!  This year we sort of mapped out what we were going to get everyone, and did a lot of shopping online (Amazon, Snapfish, etc.)  Only one trip to the mall and that was for just one item I wanted to get for Todd.  I just did not have the desire to wait in long lines surrounded by cranky shoppers and disgruntled employees.  Of course there have been several trips to Target and Michael's, but that is nothing unusual for us.  Costco, Target, and Michael's are our playgrounds.  Although the closer it gets to the 25th the more I try to avoid these places. 
I am not sure if I am getting more jaded as I get older, if it's the economy, or what, but I just don't like the superficial aspect of this time of year (stores displaying Christmas stuff before it is even Halloween?  Really?!)  Yes, I love to give and receive presents (who doesn't?!)  Giving is what this season is about - goodwill toward others.  But I don't like the mob mentality, self-absorption that people fall into, the constant pushing of retail purchases, people buying crap just for the sake of giving something with little thought into the gift itself.  Gifts should come from the heart, have some meaning behind them, or be something the recipient genuinely wants or could use.
Not looking to throw money down the drain, this year we really challenged ourselves to find gifts that measured up.  It took some serious thought, but it was fun.  Working hard to hard gifts with meaning and purpose.  I will admit, there are some family members who are very challenging!
In addition to our quest for thoughtful gifts, we have also spent a lot of time decorating the house.  It is so fun to watch the kids' reaction when their home is turned into a Christmas wonderland.  Maddie gets so excited and Lucas is just in awe.  Despite our objections he loves to play with the ornaments on the tree.  I think at this point it has become a game for him.  Maddie gets so happy she glows when she sees how we have incorporated her projects into our Christmas decorations.  She made some paper houses with Grandma this year that I added to my chipboard village.  Watching the two of them reminds me of how magical Christmas was as a child.  Everything was so spectacular, the world around me seemed to sparkle!  Nothing was tainted with the hustle and bustle of shopping, or the overall grumpy attitude people seem to have.
That magic is my goal.  Remembering the actual spirit of the season.  Don't let the other stuff get in the way.  It is so hard not to get caught up cesspool of holiday worries.  Projects to finish, class parties to attend, gifts to wrap, etc.  But we need to remember, is it the end of the world if the store is out of boxes?  Is it really necessary to berate the employee when the store is out of the size/color you want?  Five years from now is your child going to be scarred for life because they did not get the must-have toy (that will more than likely end up collecting dust by March)? 

As we dive headfirst into Christmas tomorrow stop and take a breath.  Take a moment to remember how magical it all used to be.  The surge of excitement December brought.  The importance of kindness towards others.  And let's all try to recapture some of that, because that is what meaning of Christmas is all about.