Tag: 365 project

Dec 17, 2010

Just stunning.

In the local newspaper the other day there were reports of orca whales right off of Manette in East Bremerton, a few miles from my mom’s house.   We went for a drive in late afternoon to look for some.   Well, we didn’t see any, but it was a gorgeous clear day today and the mountain was out in all its glory.   Mount Rainier is my favorite mountain (I may have said that before).  What, doesn’t everyone have a favorite mountain?   If so, how could it be any mountain other than this one?

Last night I watched Francine play soccer and visited with her afterward for a bit.   Then spent the night at Noreen’s and got in a nice visit with her, David & Jared.  Tonight mom and I went to see Zoolights at the Point Defiance Zoo with Fran & Art, Rebecca and Aaron, and met up with Colleen and her friend Pat afterward for dinner, so I got a visit in with her as well.   1 mom and 3 sisters down – 1 brother to go 😉

Dec 15, 2010

Beauty all around.

The weather has been chilly here, kind of rainy, but it was a nice day, for the most part.  I went to an appointment with my mom, ran a few errands.    Went to lunch with her, my sister Noreen, her daughter Julie and her friend Sierra.  Then my mom and I visited a scenic nearby Nordic-heritage town called Poulsbo for some shopping.

It is truly beautiful up here.

Dec 13, 2010

Through the oven door.

Monte’s whipping up a batch of chocolate chip and pecan cookies tonight.  What a busy little bee.  🙂

Dec 12, 2010

From Santa's workshop.

Monte made a couple of wooden ornaments for the tree this week and brought them in to hang on the tree.   The first one is made from mahogany boat scrap and epoxy.  The second one is made from pieces of the many thin cedar branches that we cut down every year in the wayback.  And the third is from mahogany and varnish sawdust from planing one of the dropboards from Cupholder — very sparkly.

Dec 11, 2010

A decked hall.

We chose a Subalpine fir tree this year — reminiscent of the trees on a ski slope.

Dec 10, 2010

Which one?

Yay Friday!

Tonight we made it to one of the area tree stands to pick the one that was meant to spend Christmas at our house.

 

 

Dec 9, 2010

Morning view.

Now that so many of the leaves have fallen, you can see the sun rise over the house across the street .

This shot is looking through the branches of a crape myrtle and a few other big trees in the neighbor’s yard.

It’s not a scenic view, especially with the power lines going across the shot.  But I took  a picture of this particular Thursday morning moment because I thought the sunlight was brilliant,and I also like the silhouette of the big bird nest in the tree near the top of the frame.  I think it’s one of the many blue jay nests in our neighborhood.

Dec 8, 2010

Dinner time.

I have been craving fall casserole-faire in a big way, lately.   I think it started when we watched Jacques Pepin on PBS cooking up a savory scalloped potatoes recipe.   That’s high on my list.   But tonight I opted for a homemade, baked Mac & Cheese menagerie.   So, I consulted google, from which I chose Alton Brown’s recipe.

It’s in the oven as we speak.   I will take a pic when it comes out, let it sit for several mins and then enjoy it with some lovely red wine.

While I’m waiting for it to come out, let me just say what a wonderful year this has been, though flying by at light speed.   If I’m going to use up my remaining vacation, I’d be out the next 3 weeks.  But in reality, I will likely have part meetings, part vacation next week, and then maybe be able to take the last 2 weeks of the year off.  We’ll see.

Well, the dish turned out nicely.   The photo I took doesn’t look all that appetitzing, but it was yummy.

It’s Wednesday —   I can see Friday!

Bon Appetit

Dec 7, 2010

The reason for the season.

I’m getting a slow start to Christmas decorations this year.  Tonight I hung the stockings by the fireplace with care.   I also set up my very small nativity display that I have been carrying around from place to place for probably about 20 years.

When I was little I remember looking forward to doing this every year with our family’s manger set.   Unpacking the figurines – each year they seemed to have a few more nicks and cracks.  Putting the fake straw and snow in the manger.  Putting the 3 kings on one side.  Putting the shepherds and animals on the other.   Baby Jesus under the light.

I don’t know when (or if) we’ll get around to putting up a tree, or lights on the outside of the house this year.  But at least, as of now, we are officially decorated for Christmas.  🙂

Dec 6, 2010

Pick-up sticks

While I was sipping that cold green beer yesterday, Monte was out in the wayback cutting down dead trees and branches and bundling them up.

I felt a tiny twinge of guilt, so I went out and helped him tie up the last 2 bundles.  🙂

After work today he hauled them out front.  This is a shot of them lined up for the nice brush-be-gone garbage men to pick up on Wednesday.

…and, yes, those are little bowline knots on the twine holding them together 😉

Dec 5, 2010

Green beer

I’m not into those dark, bitter beers, or light beers or hoppy or fruity beers.

I’m partial to beers in green bottles.  Really cold ones.

This is a view from inside one of them — a moment from my Sunday.

 

Dec 4, 2010

Lonestar

Austin is home to the Texas State History museum.  We learned recently that they admission is free on the first Saturday of each month.   So a month or so ago we made plans to check it out this weekend.

I have to say it was a nice way to spend several hours.   The lobby of the building was being decorated to the hilt for a fancy special event.   On our way out we learned that it was for someone’s wedding reception.  Wow.   That is going to set someone back a pretty penny.

Afterwards we made pizzas at the house and played with fellow wiificionados Marty and Sue.

Dec 3, 2010

Morning in the kitchen...

This morning as I was making coffee,  I saw this shadow cast by the sun coming up and shining through the kitchen window.   I knew I had a pretty packed day today, so I snapped a quick pic — the most inspiration I could muster at that hour.

This may be the closest I get to my camera today, so …. here it is.   Still life:   Morning in the kitchen.

Uh, pay no attention to the dirty faucet 🙂   I just noticed that.

I’m looking forward to the weekend!

Dec 2, 2010

Star of Bethlehem

I noticed this flower while dashing past the floral aisle at HEB — a  Star of Bethlehem.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen one before.   Very pretty.

Didn’t buy it but snapped a quick pic instead.