1/31 - Valentine decor

Yep - I was at Target again LOL. Isn't that turtle fellow the cutest thing? I can't wait to put these out and enjoy them for February! Quick and easy fun - what more can a girl ask :)

January 30 - 3-up Beginings

Getting set to start Stacy Julian's Library Of Memories course again next month. I'll be auditing the class as an alumni this year. I thoroughly enjoyed the class when I took it and began to implement her system and practices but there is just so much to think about and set up - making it work for ME. I'm really looking forward to picking this up where I left off. These binders are "3 Up" binders - that house 'in progress' photos. They make pictures that are waiting to be scrapped accessible and easily enjoyed by family and friends while they are not yet in the scrapbooks. I have MANY more photos that need to get sorted and pulled into 3-up binders, but it's a start - and I'm lovin' the new cat book ends to go with them :)

January 29 - Pretty Flowers

Way too early in the year to be enjoying REAL flowers, so... here's the next best thing. Wonder what kind of project I can dream up with these little wonders. I bought them because the colors coordinate so nicely with the Project 365 kit, but I fear they are a bit large to use therein.... No worries, I'll come up with something!!

January 28 - Caught

Just out "shooting" today and had to admire the simple beauty - how thousands of tiny flakes are caught by one signle branch, suspended in the bright morning sun, glittering and twinkling and just a sight to behold. Squashed into icy slush underfoot they are no where near as appealing as when caught high above to simply enjoy.

January 27 - Do I have to???

"Seriously MOM... do I HAVE to stop playing "Rock Band II" and go work on my book report? MOMMMMM? For REAL? " Ahhh the joys of a teen.

January 26 - Gram's Crystal

These mean the world to me. At a loss for what to take a photo of today, I relaized these would be perfect. This was my grandmother's set of pre-war crystal. On the bottom shelf you'll see the open "dish" champagne glasses, rather than the modern flute style. And that TINY little cordial class... so delicate and dainty. When we moved Gram out of her home and into a nursing home this was one of the only things that I knew had to come with me. We don't use these glasses, not even on special occasions as I did growing up. These are a memory, preserved, a space in time. I will for always treasure and protect them.

January 25 - Brisk Breakfast

Bless their hearts, those poor things are going to have frigid wings looking for breakfast today. Unfortunately I've also run out of bird seed so their search will be wasted. Must stop tonight and pick up some more feed.

January 24 - Strange Place to Park

OK this is a horrible photo - caputred quickly on my cell phone... but I just had to share. WHO taught this guy to park? Sure it's icy and dark, but... maybe if we park in ONE space there is somewhere for other people to park? Hmmmm??? And never mind he's parked over the lines of his space, he's also only 1/3 IN the space, meaning the space BEHIND this awkward move is also not useable by another car. Sheesh (ok enough ranting - on to happier things)

January 23 - Happy Towels

Happy towels - just a little bit of bright to perk up the kitchen. Gotta love great inexpensive ideas that bring just a little special something. Whoo Hoo for Target :)

January 22 - Preserved Stalagmite

How fun! I found these frozen wonders "growing" atop the bushes out front of the house tonight. I just had to break one off to bring in to photograph. I used another photo of it upright and held in my hand as my photo of the day for our challenge - but decided to stick it in the freezer and hang onto it a while to show Steven and the kids. I don't think they were as excited about it as I was... but it was still fun!

January 21 - Robins Nest

OK - I admit it - I have no idea why these things are called "Robin's Nest" nor what exactly you're supposed to do with them - but they really caught my eye. I love the colors, and the luminosity. I hope to use them on a page some day, but I anticipate their primary function will be to sit in their cute little container on my shelf and just make me happy.

January 20 - Birthday Surprise

Yes, my birthday is in the middle of December... but this wonderful suprise was delivered by my friend and fellow scrapbooker this weekend. We laugh because although we live just a few blocks apart and our children attend the same schools, we rarely get to see each other. She finally was able to break away and spend some time visiting, catching up and delivering my birthday gifts! Such FUN! Can't wait to see what beautiful projects come from this amazing collection.

January 19 - Shaved Ice

Like a little dish of shaved snowcone. These seed pods are left overs on the Rose of Sharon bush in our front yard. Like this they are almost as lovely as they are in the hight of their summer bloom. So delicate, like winter's flower.

January 18 - New Snow!

Frosty fluffy frozen confection. Ahhhh I just love new snow. Of course the neighbors probably think I'm nuts standing in the yard taking close ups of the bushes, but since when do I care what the neighbors think?

January 17 - New Kit!

OOOOOh look what came in today's mail! I just love being in the kit-of-the-month! The spiral journaling card book and those PINS! And SPARKLY papers...Oooooh. Don't have any ideas in mind for it yet, but this is going to be fun!

January 16 - Beautiful start to the weekend

The cold winter sunset over the park & ride lot in town... what a pretty sight to see to begin my weekend on a late Friday afternoon. Taking this photo I wasn't sure how the sun would turn out in the shot - this was just my little pocket point & shoot afterall, but it turned out exactly as it appeared to the naked eye with those amazing rings around it. I was going to crop out the car roofs, but... decided they belong. The sun setting on the commuters' week - there's something poetic about that I think.

January 15 - Binder Reorg

Today was binder re-org day. This is my "control" book. I keep everything I need at my fingertips to do my job efficiently neatly housed in here where I can find it... well... I usually do :) The binder got a bit out of control and when I began looking through it there were things that were obviously outdated. It took several hours, but it's now back in working order and has what I need where I need it. I'm a happy girl.

January 14 - Impressions

In case you thought I was kidding - this is the "snow" (i.e., white solid packed ice) in my front yard. Can you tell I feed the birds :) Those tiny little feet visited early in the fresh snow to leave these prints and their presence is memorialized in the ice for us to enjoy. How fun is that!

January 13 - Bleck!

I love snow - really I do. But this part I can do without! We haven't got very much actual SNOW left - there's solid white ice in places, and dark grey mounds of slushy sludge everywhere else. We've now entered the "artic cold snap" they've been predicting and it's too cold for it to snow, or for the sludge to melt, so I'm afraid this is a scene we'll be facing for several days yet. Ahhh well. I still like it better than the heat and humidity of summer.

January 12 - Guess I missed a step

Before heading to bed last night, it appears I neglected to fill the cat bowl... No worries, Chestnut still has enough of her "ferral" instinct that she is perfectly capable of fending for herself in the wee hours of the morning. PJ and Mudpie are fast asleep in our bed, and Chestnut can have a feast of her very own. Silly silly girl.

January 11 - Chilly outhouse

Last night the white fluffy stuff landed softly and delicately, gently decorating the world around us. Then over night and this morning, it sleeted... and everything was encased in a hard shell of ice. Well... I'm glad I went out and enjoyed this while it lasted. Today has been an adventure in ice chipping, car scraping and putting down chemical ice melt and praying the sun's rays would direct themselves in the right spots. Last night was peaceful and beautiful.

January 10 - For the Birds

Left over or stale bread - it's a huge treat for my feathered friends. We're expecting quite a bit of snow tonight, so I got this all ready for them while cleaning out my bread basket last night. I'm sure they will enjoy foraging for the crumbs tomorrow morning when I scatter it on the new fallen snow. Of courseI fill the feeders as well, in between shoveling and sprinkling ice melt I'm sure - a perfect Sunday.

January 9 - Tools for fun work

Now that I've been to my class earlier this week, it's time to get out the knives, sharpen them all up and put them to work. I feel motivated and inspired to experiment with culinary adventure and put my new found knowledge to work. Wonder what I'll come up with?

January 8 - High Alert

Mudpie - this girl is something else! She just loves any bit of bright sun she can find. Of course, it was not hard to convince her to get comfy on a soft blanket placed on the coffee table in the sun - a great spot for an impromptu photo op. Something got her attention just as I was snapping this shot. I love the expression captured on her face - very interested, but too comfy to get up.

January 7 - Time for School

Horrible photo - but what do you want through a rainy windshield in a parking lot :) I was on my way to school - Knife Skills & Care class. This is something I always wanted to do - learn the "correct" way to hold a knife, peel, chop, slice, dice plus knife sharpening & honing, what kinds of cutting boards to use for what task, etc. No, I'm no chef - I don't plan to need to chiffonade basil or supreme a lime, but... I do a mean matchstick potato now.

January 6 - Shelby's progress

Shelby's appointment with the vet was 1/29 - this photo is taken just after receiving the third of his 14 scheduled antibiotic injections. He is already showing great progress and I'm very hopeful that we will be successful and avoid further followup care for this little reptile friend.

January 5 - Back to work

Back to work! I worked at home for the holiday week, so today was the first day back in NYC since 1/23. I wish I could work from home all the time --- but alas, I need to show my face at the office. Looks like the compliance folks are ready for busy season, huh?

January 4 - Yes, I care - sometimes

In general, I'm not really a "green" person. I don't buy one product over another because of it's environmental impact. But in this case, and many others, I find a product works as well or better than another AND has a positive impact - now that's what I call a good choice!

January 3- Cold Birds

It's cold & windy and the birds are POOFY! :)

January 2 - Holiday Remnants

Nope - we don't celebrate Christmas, and no we don't like mint... but we do LOVE fruit flavored and bubble gum candy canes :) These are this year's collection - the second batch. Even though the "holidays" are over, we still have pleanty of candy canes left over. Trust me - we won't have them long. LOL

January 1 - I'm ready

I'm ready - set for a new year with my new Franklin Planner. I especially love this one - from Franklin's new partnership with the Gal to Gal Foiundation - dedicated to providing resouces for Stage IV breast cancer patients and their families. These colors make me happy, and knowing my purchase helps Franklin support GALS makes me happier. The fact that my friend Carey designed one of the icons contained in the planner and has an inspirational quote in it as well... well that's just the icing on the cake!