Sunshine and Bananas!

My DH brought these home the other day (mind you, this isn't ALL of them!). FOUR grocery bags FULL of the wonderful browning bananas!!! I giggled like a little school girl! Why? Well, because of THESE:

I love making banana nut muffins! I have used my grandmother's recipe for years and it is always perfect! My SIL, Dana, told me a few things she adds to her banana nut muffins and I hope to get her recipe from her soon so I can test it out! She adds Cardamom and soaks raisins in a warm pan of dark rum or cider as an optional ingredient! Oh, I am so excited to try it! I will have to call her and ask for the recipe. Especially after the reaction from DH and Mr. Chef when I told them!

Anyway, here's a funny. My kids get home from school around 4PM. My DH was home early yesterday...about 4PM. I had fresh warm muffins on my kitchen table...about 4PM! Lol! Can you see where this is going? My husband rounded the corner of the house just before the kids. He raced up the stairs, looked back and said, "She's got warm banana muffins on the table!", then ran into the kitchen! My 18 y/o, Mr. Chef, jumped up the stairs, turned around and playfully (and gently) backed his brothers DOWN the stairs, shut the storm door and LOCKED IT! Lol! He then ran into the kitchen! My husband had a muffin in his hand by that time and waltzed to the front door to let the younger boys in, who proceeded to dump their stuff in their room and race to the kitchen table! Within 15 minutes they ate 8 muffins!!! These are gourmet size/Texas size muffins! Lol! I think they like my muffins...although this is a tame reaction compared to previous "Muffin Day" occurances!

And to end the post...Grandpap had successful pacemaker surgery on Tuesday! He is on antibiotics to ward off possible infection since the first pacemaker had to come out because of that. After visiting with him this morning, and thinking I was going to get to bring him home early and surprise Grandma with him walking in the door, alas, he has to stay until at least this evening because the doctors opted to give him three doses of liquid antibiotic at the hospital so he can be monitored just to be safe. I am thrilled everything is going well! It brightened my overcast day...so here is a bit of my sunshine for you!

A Day Late but...

Matt!

My photographs...

I was asked in a comment on my "Textures" post about my camera. Nicola (side note: you all have to go look at that adorable boy of hers!), honestly, I am just a newbie/hobbyist! I have a point and shoot that just happens to do macro!

I have a Canon S3 IS. I have had it for two years and love it. I would love to update it but it works just fine and I don't really need to spend the money on a new camera for me just yet.

My 10 y/o, however, is hoping to earn a new camera with his grades (he has to keep straight A's or A/B honor roll for me to think about it...first C and it waits for next year...) so that is what I am shopping for right now since he only has one more report card to go and he will have earned it! He's got a good eye and with him wanting to study paleontology (and a new budding interest in archeology) it goes hand-in-hand.

As for my equipment, I have three tripods of different sizes, a monopod, a white poster board that I cover in silver tone/gold tone emergency blankets (camping section!) depending on what light I need, and a desktop photo studio...

So, that's what I have. Not the wish list I have in my head but more than enough to somewhat sate my budding hobby.

Paint.NET

They don't look like much but I have been playing with my editing program (it's FREE, people!) in the hopes of learning how to create web banners for the top of my blogs. I am still figuring it out, though. They look NOTHING like Aunt Martha's but I will get there.

Greetings!

Happy Easter! Our Easter got off to a slow start this year. Things ran late Saturday so the boys didn't get to color eggs before bed. I boiled them up and they were ready for this morning, though. After getting the food started for lunch, I got the coloring kits ready. We had the traditional single-color eggs but, since we also gave the kids rubber gloves for one hand to keep colored fingers to a minimum, I started playing around with the colors. This is what I came up with. Just dip a finger and paint it on the egg, wipe off with a paper towel and go again! The youngest even made one!

My 10 y/o still loves his camera! Hopefully, you can see "HI" that he wrote on his egg with a wax crayon after coloring it blue but before he dipped it in the red to create purple!

Now, one of the photos I promised I would post (a day late, I know). Mr. Rebel (becoming Mr. Photog) was messing with his camera and realized it had a "negative" setting that allowed him to do this! He and his little brother played for well over an hour with this! Despite my migraine, I loved listening to the giggles and being shown the "cool" video!

And for my nephews in New York! I love you! I waited and waited and waited for you to come see the Christmas tree but then Daddy had his accident and, well, he can't go much anywhere right now! So, here it is! Your cousin took this photo before I took the tree down (lucky him because it came down the next day!).

(A bit of history for everyone else, I put this tree up the day before Christmas with my DH sick on the couch...I took it down the day before EASTER! LOL! No lights...the angel isn't even plugged in...and my favorite garland - wood beads!)

I let my kids play...

...with my mini photo studio kit, today. My 10 y/o had gotten out his camera because his brother wanted to take pictures of their cars. They had lined them up on the kitchen table and, despite my migraine, I just couldn't let them continue like that! Those pictures would have been sadly lacking in what they wanted. So, I grabbed my kit, set it up on the table, plugged in and set up the lights, played with a little tub of eraser caps to show them how to set up their stuff, then walked away!

This is what I did. I will post their's tomorrow. They had a blast! It kept them busy on their first day of spring break for well over an hour! They even did a little video of the cars crashing into each other! Sound effects and everything!

A late Christmas gift...

I made this for my MIL (a truly beautiful woman...). I had hoped to give it to her for Christmas but time, kids, and the flu bug were against me. Well, it's DONE!!! YAY, ME!!!

Today is also my niece's 7th birthday and we are gathering for her party this evening. I will be taking this with me to give to my MIL as a belated gift. I know she will be thrilled! How do I know? Well, she watched my kids Friday since I had to travel to Buffalo, NY, where my brother was after he had a horrible accident on his bicycle (yes, I said bicycle). He had surgery to basically rebuild his right knee (a plate and two pins, if I am remembering correctly). So, my MIL was wonderful in coming over to be at my home when the kids got off of school and to stay with them while DH was at a meeting that night. While there, she poked around to see if she could find her blanket to see how much was done! Hahaha! She didn't look under the pile of clean laundry in my bedroom! LOL!

When laying flat, and measuring only the fabric not the ties, it is 2-3/4 yards long and 1-almost 1/4 yard wide. This was made to fit the length of her queen-sized bed on her side. It also runs from the front edge of my entertainment stand to the far edge of my couch! That is 3/4 the length of my living room! I tiptoed around the blanket just to get out of the room!

The Gs

Yesterday, Grandma had eye surgery. The surgeon said that the cataract so bad that he likened its density to that of a diamond. Today, well, she's in pain and on her way back to the doctor to get another checkup. We'll see how it goes.

The other 'G'...it's report card day here. For the younger two, at least. They messed around at the beginning of the grading period despite my constant prodding and reminding them that they can't play with their grades. Hopefully, the turn around that happened mid-grading period will help. So, pray for them. And me. The weather has been wonky and I got hit with a migraine (they've been getting even worse and morphing into something I hardly recognize anymore...but that's a whole other post). I can't take my meds until this evening because Mr. Chef has to go to work and DH can't guarantee what time he will be getting home...so, no meds for me until then.

The start of it all...

Today, I took my 10 y/o to our local museum. They recently added an Archeology Complex to it and have begun hosting a number of activities that will further involve the community in the museum and the history of our area.

Today, they had groups of kids come in and learn a bit about what archeologists do. They held a mini-lab, where the kids documented "artifacts" found in the field, researched other similar objects to figure out what their artifact might have been used for and then give a sketch of that piece.

Following that, they were taken in groups to create casts of an artifact for them to take home. Then, while it dried, they finished touring the displays in the museum and could even go outside to climb to the top of a piece of history left from the Adena Indians. I remember climbing it as a child...however, I don't remember it being that TALL! Lol!

After his taste of Archeology, he is having a difficult time choosing between it or Paleontology! I told him to continue his love of Paleontology but to just explore more of the Archeology stuff. Maybe he could work on them both. (I am so NOT paying for both college tuition bills! LOL!)

Just a little something...

Isn't she beautiful? Hopefully, my continuing work on restoring this photo will produce a clearer picture soon. As for who this is . . . she is one of the most beautiful people I know, inside and out.

This is my Grandma.

A good day...

He turned 18 today.

There is so much to this young man. Intelligence, a quiet confidence, a gentlemanly air. His love for all things computer is an odd pairing to his passion about becoming a pastry chef.

I remember the quiet little boy so shy he could hardly look at me. Today, he is still quiet in situations he is unfamiliar with, content to just watch and learn, but with his friends he is outgoing and boisterous.

So this is my good day...sad in a way...but good.

Me again

So, I have taken time off. Haven't taken many photos, haven't uploaded anything off my camera that I have taken photos of, and am not sure when I will take my next photo. Oh! Wait! I do know! This coming Saturday...but you will have to wait until then to see why.

For now, have a random photo to hold you over til then.

Some of you know that my mom collects cows. Those of you who are family know that it is leading towards the need for therapy. . . I think I figured a way around it, though. Take a picture of each cow, frame it, and hang it up for her. THEN SELL THE HERD!

Yeah, right! Like I would live long enough to get them out of her room! Anyway, let me introduce you to a few of her cows that I actually LIKE!

This is Clover. I just love her face (and the fact that she is SMALL!).

This is a burlap-covered cow that Mom received a few years ago from a dear family friend. Don't know if this cow had a name but I love the textures and the organic feel of her.

I plan on taking more photos of Mom's cows in the near future. Some for fun, others for documentation purposes because she has several antiques. Oh! And she has the best salt-and-pepper shakers! I grew up with those things on the table at dinner! Just wait until I can post those.

New 'developments'

Since I don't have a bunch of time this evening to re-post some photos, I thought I would just send you all over to my 'still in diapers' photo-blog. Just go into my profile. I am too lazy right now to do a hyperlink. My mom gifted me with a tabletop photos studio kit but with ulterior motives! She was having me take photos of her Red Hatter accessories so they could be used for a Christmas gift idea she and Aunt Martha have been working on. I had already agreed to work on the photos, the studio kit was just a wonderful surprise that made my life so much easier! Go over and have a look! The blue glass jar was photographed within 10 minutes of me getting the kit out of the box!

The kit is definitely going to be used for many things! I see pigs and cows and frogs and Santas and roosters in its future!

Just a little Wiggle...

GUESS WHAT I CAN DO!!!!!

I can knit!! I am thirty years old and I can finally knit!!

Mom has been with me today and she has been knitting. Years ago, like when I was TEN, she tried to teach me how to knit. It didn't work so well. I am left handed with ambidextrous tendencies and the two sides of my brain were unable to work together in harmony so I could basically tie pretty knots in yarn. She struggled, she pleaded, she cried, I cried. She called her grandmother - we lived in Louisiana, she was in Clarksburg, WV. Nothing worked. We quit worrying about it.

Today, however, SUCCESS! I can knit! Literally, just knit. Do NOT ask me to pearl. That is something that may have to wait a few more years. I am just happy I can KNIT! YAY, ME!

(Mom has created a group at her churches that will work to knit or crochet shawls or lap robes for the Prayer Shawl Ministry. An instructional book with patterns and group formation ideas can be found in the Wal-Mart yarn aisle. If your Wal-Mart has done the unthinkable and removed their craft section, just follow the link to their website.)

Tunnel Vision

My Aunt Martha posted photos of her trip to Pittsburgh in October. Well, this past Saturday, DH and I took Mr. Chef to the city for scholarship testing and a tour of PCI Le Cordon Bleu (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute). The trip was worth it. The information we received was fantastic! Did you know that the PCI Le Cordon Bleu is the oldest Le Cordon Bleu in the nation? Yeah, makes that Parent Plus Loan a bit easier to swallow...

So, anyway. Getting into the city meant going through the Tunnel. Before we were even out of WV, I was disappointed with myself for forgetting my camera. Then, on a light bulb moment, I happened to glance down between the front seats of the van and there was my camera case! I had left it in the van overnight (please note, this is not good for your camera on a regular basis, I just had a stupid moment and forgot to pick it up!). So, here is what I have!

Off wandering...

Yep. That has been me. Off wandering in my own little world.

Between Election Depression (yes, I wanted McCain to win but the depression came from just the sudden END of it all...similar to what brides go through after their wedding...), kids and their activities, catching what few minutes we have with the oldest when he is able to come up from college, and planning a wedding...I like my wandering.

The oldest turned 20 the day before elections. My younger brother celebrated his birthday the day AFTER elections. My 9 y/o turns 10 TOMORROW! And our HS Senior spent a few hours at Wal-Mart on Wednesday waiting for the midnight release of WoW's Wrath of the Lich King.

He got the special edition pack (his money, people! He worked for it, he can spend it!) In true WoW form, he and his brother (who called him from college to coordinate this on both ends) both took poster boards to recruit for their guild on the Skullcrusher server, with it written as though in the Trade Chat. (If you want further guild info, just comment...I'll talk to them about it.) Luckily, DH and I aren't anywhere near needing Lich King, yet. When we break lvl 50, we'll talk about it. Oh, in case you haven't noticed, I live with a bunch of computer geeks that infected me! It's all DH's fault! He's the one that was the COBOL programmer in the Marine Corps! Lol!

So, tomorrow HS Senior (Mr. Chef), his dad and myself are going to Pittsburgh for him to test for scholarships at PCI (Pittsburgh Culinary Institute Le Cordon Bleu). Since we won't be home most of the day, my Mom is going to watch the two little ones and hopefully be able to go snag my MIL for lunch so they can have a little celebration with Mr. Rebel. We will then have his party on Sunday. He is okay with all this because he is super excited about his brother going to culinary school!

There are a few birthdays next week that I will be making phone calls for (youngest nephew and Aunt Martha). Following that, it is Thanksgiving. We are hosting again this year. My mom, grandparents, and Aunt Martha/Uncle Joe will be coming. As well as, my MIL, two BIL's and their girls. Hopefully, our oldest can make it up from school but he won't know until he gets his work schedule. I love having the family together! Even if it is somewhat incomplete, having just a few of us gives us the chance to remember and be thankful for all we have been blessed with.

So, if you have managed to stick with me through my wanderings, fabulous job! Sometimes, even I get lost in here! Lol! Have a great weekend!

They're kidding, right?

This is unbelievable! Doctors at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have discovered a possible link between migraines and a woman's LOWERED risk of BREAST CANCER!

Basically, me feeling like my brain is going to bleed out of my ears means that my boobs stay healthier...

Kind of funny that my husband heard this on the radio today and chose to call me about it...when I was recovering from a two-pill-required migraine... Next time, I will do my best to remember to smile while the scraping, piercing, scalping pain is causing me to lose feeling in my face and neck because, hey!, my rack is doing JUST FINE!

(Please note the dripping sarcasm...)

Happy Birthday!!!

When my grandmother was very young her mother had a little boy who was born with Cerebral Palsy. The doctors were very honest with Great-Grandma and told her that he wasn't strong enough to live very long, probably not more than three years. Tomorrow he turns 76. Yeah, they kind of got that wrong.

Anyway, we had a small party for him at the Care Center he is living in. This morning I called my mom bright and early (she wished I hadn't...really, it was VERY bright and early!) and suggested a blanket for him since he gets chilled easily. She and Grandma loved the idea, so here it is. He is a life-long fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers which made the choice of design very easy. This blanket is only little over 1 yard (that's all the black they had) and with me rushing through it, I made it in just under 4 hours. He loved it! Grandma, Pap, and Mom were thrilled with the results and I had so much fun making it.

Do you see that little girl? That gorgeous little baby? She is cute, isn't she? She is the most beautiful little girl I have ever seen. Only, she's not so little anymore...today, she is 12.

Twelve years ago my older brother's wife blessed our family with an angel. Today, she loves to play soccer, is a dedicated Girl Scout, and can sew better her Aunt Jenny! (although, that is not too hard for anyone to sew better than me...)

Her younger brothers both celebrated birthdays earlier this month but, boys being boys, they tend to run from me when I have my camera so I don't have any decent shots of them...YET! I will get you....one day....hahaha! They both love soccer, too. Both are also dedicated Scouts. I am so proud of them.