Today was cold, but gorgeous, so I got some lovely pictures today, thanks to Michael dragging my butt out of the house.

green plant(s)
red
yellow
ice
resolution

These are some mighty delusional bulbs–they’re most likely in for a nasty surprise ANY DAY NOW.

(more…)

Yeah, I know I’ve been slacking. But the weather has made me want to do nothing more than curl up with a book (or–to be brutally honest–a mindless computer game).

So here’s hoping for nicer weather for the next couple days, so make me (and perhaps you) feel like actually playing a game that doesn’t involve one’s butt firmly planted in a chair.

This week’s items to find:

green plant(s)
red
yellow
ice
resolution

Of course it’s all gone now, but there was some very pretty snow along the river while we were at Pittsburgh.

(more…)

One of the other things we did in Pittsburgh was take the Duquesne Incline.

What, you may ask is the Incline?

Well, it’s the Incline. It’s goes up. And it goes down.
(more…)

That’s right, we were in Pittsburgh, home of Mister Rogers.

(more…)

I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. But it was an apt descriptor.

Yesterday, we awoke to an ice covered world, which meant we did not go visit see my niece. But I did get a couple interesting shots of the icy world in which we were ensconced.

(more…)

Yeah, I’ve been really lousy about this, but in my defense, not only have I been busy, but the weather has been consistently grey and lousy. It’s worked to encourage me to curl up with books rather than take pictures.

I have lots of toys on my desk. Things that give my hands and fingers something to do while my brain processes whatever information I’m currently working on. But–like cats and toddlers–one of my favorite “toys” are these twist-ties.

They’re smooth, and wrap nicely around my fingers, so I frequently end up with one wrapped around each fingertip on my left hand.

They make a lovely tapping sound when I drum my fingers.

(Taken with Samsung Epic 4G phone)

Jules was visiting my parents this weekend, so I got to spend a couple hours with her.

I love being an auntie.

I love this picture of Jules and her Grandpop.

(more…)

My ankle has been bothering me for the past couple months, probably because of the amount of rain we’ve had.

So I did the obvious thing: bought myself two new pairs of boots!

Here’s the first–the second pair won’t arrive until next week.

This holiday also had a trip to VA, where my all of my cousins were in for Christmas. At the instigation of Ben, we made the Lithuanian cookie Krusties (pronounced, at least by my family, christies)

The recipe is fairly simple:

Krusties
1/2 tsp baking powder
6 whole eggs
6 egg yolks
2 sticks butter
6 cups flour
1 shot whiskey/rum
pinch cardamom

1 large can crisco, for frying

Mix together all the ingredients in a mixer. Wrap in waxed paper or place in a plastic bag, and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to make, heat solid fat (Crisco or lard) in large frying pan. You’ll need an inch or two of hot oil.

You’ll also want to line most of your work areas with newspaper, or used wrapping paper, or anything else that absorbs oil and sugar, and makes clean up easier.

Find aprons for everyone–this can get messy! We rolled out our batches of dough on floured waxed paper.

(more…)

I had a nice Christmas, especially since I was unexpectedly able to spend part of it with Jules.

(more…)

Yeah, that’s right, you just get things that stuck my fancy.

Skies. Tree. Snowman.

Trees. Light. Snow.

Icy snow.

Birds. Lots and lots of birds.

Since only Jeri and I posted pictures from last week’s hunt (and mine were the very last minute), this week’s hunt is the same as last week’s.

elephant
rainbow
paper
insect
angles

That’s right, our first decent snowfall.

Finally!