I realize this isn't the greatest picture ever. It's not even good! Don't care. :)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Day 223
Behold! Ball of Tabitha!
I realize this isn't the greatest picture ever. It's not even good! Don't care. :)
I realize this isn't the greatest picture ever. It's not even good! Don't care. :)
Day 222
Friday was my turn at bat for our company coffee break. Every Friday morning we get together in the kitchen for treats and what I grew up calling "Fellowship," though I doubt anyone else here would refer to it in that sense. Not many Baptists round these parts.
I had great plans of baking a variety of sugar cookies. I even had a simple little recipe for the dough and several different ways to enchance it (cranberries and almonds, brown sugar, orange juice frosting, etc.). And then I realized it was Thursday. So I went out and bought cookies instead. And one of these.
Now, my biggest thing for coffee break is presentation. I'm a big believer that everything tastes better when it's set out in a pretty way. I don't go overboard (well, I don't always) but it's so simple to at least take things out of their box and arrange them on a plate. And voila! You instantly have something that's more appetizing. It's true! They've done studies!
So I brought my fancy glass and ceramic saucers from home and made little paper tents with each cookie variety written on it, commandeered use of the nearest poinsettia, and arranged things as symmetrically as possible. (I actually had to rearrange things from their perfect symmetry when I realized that I had only made one sign per type of cookie. The horror!) As a finishing touch, I pulled out a boombox (see it in the background below--next to the toaster oven?) and a cd of Christmas instrumentals.
These Swedish cookies were a big hit, followed by a tie between the Ginger-Lemon cremes and that swiss roll up there.
Now I just have to come up with something to bring for birthday treats next week. Maybe something *I* like, this time!
I had great plans of baking a variety of sugar cookies. I even had a simple little recipe for the dough and several different ways to enchance it (cranberries and almonds, brown sugar, orange juice frosting, etc.). And then I realized it was Thursday. So I went out and bought cookies instead. And one of these.
Now, my biggest thing for coffee break is presentation. I'm a big believer that everything tastes better when it's set out in a pretty way. I don't go overboard (well, I don't always) but it's so simple to at least take things out of their box and arrange them on a plate. And voila! You instantly have something that's more appetizing. It's true! They've done studies!
So I brought my fancy glass and ceramic saucers from home and made little paper tents with each cookie variety written on it, commandeered use of the nearest poinsettia, and arranged things as symmetrically as possible. (I actually had to rearrange things from their perfect symmetry when I realized that I had only made one sign per type of cookie. The horror!) As a finishing touch, I pulled out a boombox (see it in the background below--next to the toaster oven?) and a cd of Christmas instrumentals.
These Swedish cookies were a big hit, followed by a tie between the Ginger-Lemon cremes and that swiss roll up there.
Now I just have to come up with something to bring for birthday treats next week. Maybe something *I* like, this time!
Friday, December 4, 2009
Day 221
Sitting at my desk, correcting files, I glance up. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? (Tip your head to the side, sorry).
SNOW!!!! Giant, fluffy flakes of it!
Which is when I squealed loudly and started to bounce in my chair, clapping my hands like a little kid. This was followed by laughter, both at myself, and from sheer happy joy.
I could not stop grinning.
This morning, I woke to several inches of snow on the ground. I drove into work a little early and went about 10-15 mph the whole way. And it's worth it.
Look, I know people say they don't like snow, and I believe some of you (Tom, I'm looking at you). But many times what it boils down to is that you hate driving in snow, right? I get that, I do. I need new tires for the car; believe me, I understand. However, I think that's really more an argument to return to the horse and sleigh idea. I'm wholeheartedly for that. Because when you take the whole "threat of death" out of the equation, it becomes a lot more difficult to hate snow. It's beautiful, especially when it first falls. It hushes the world, enveloping everything in its ermine embrace. It's enchanting and charming and just plain fun!
Pretend you're not an adult anymore, that you don't have to drive or shovel or all the other chores that make you hate snow. Pretend you're a kid again and snow means snow days and snowmen and sledding and catching flakes on your tongue and finding fourteen new designs of flake melting on just one mitten. Try to recapture the sheer wonder snow used to bring you.
This post is dedicated to Amy, who won't get snow this year. We have plenty to spare and I'll share it with you anytime.
SNOW!!!! Giant, fluffy flakes of it!
Which is when I squealed loudly and started to bounce in my chair, clapping my hands like a little kid. This was followed by laughter, both at myself, and from sheer happy joy.
I could not stop grinning.
This morning, I woke to several inches of snow on the ground. I drove into work a little early and went about 10-15 mph the whole way. And it's worth it.
Look, I know people say they don't like snow, and I believe some of you (Tom, I'm looking at you). But many times what it boils down to is that you hate driving in snow, right? I get that, I do. I need new tires for the car; believe me, I understand. However, I think that's really more an argument to return to the horse and sleigh idea. I'm wholeheartedly for that. Because when you take the whole "threat of death" out of the equation, it becomes a lot more difficult to hate snow. It's beautiful, especially when it first falls. It hushes the world, enveloping everything in its ermine embrace. It's enchanting and charming and just plain fun!
Pretend you're not an adult anymore, that you don't have to drive or shovel or all the other chores that make you hate snow. Pretend you're a kid again and snow means snow days and snowmen and sledding and catching flakes on your tongue and finding fourteen new designs of flake melting on just one mitten. Try to recapture the sheer wonder snow used to bring you.
This post is dedicated to Amy, who won't get snow this year. We have plenty to spare and I'll share it with you anytime.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Day 220
Two or three weeks back I had to buy cat meds on Amazon. Oh, but I wanted that shiny free shipping deal that comes with a $25 purchase! I cannot resist its siren call. So I bought myself an early birthday present: a two-volume set of Folklore encylopedia.
My ways are not your ways, my friend.
Last night I spent much of the early evening reading through the second volume. I was trying to focus my unwieldy personal statement with some clear career goals and while I certainly did that, I also got sucked into several extraneous entries.
Sometimes I have niggling little doubts that I'm not going into the right field for me. Then I'll pick up a book like this and get thoroughly entranced; what's more, I get giddy. And I feel better.
Want to know the best part? Because they're mine-all-mine, I got to underline things!!! I drew stars in the margins! I made notes like, "Quote El-Shamy's observations on ego-involving in cultural transfer."
I'm going to be beyond bummed if this doesn't work out.
My ways are not your ways, my friend.
Last night I spent much of the early evening reading through the second volume. I was trying to focus my unwieldy personal statement with some clear career goals and while I certainly did that, I also got sucked into several extraneous entries.
Sometimes I have niggling little doubts that I'm not going into the right field for me. Then I'll pick up a book like this and get thoroughly entranced; what's more, I get giddy. And I feel better.
Want to know the best part? Because they're mine-all-mine, I got to underline things!!! I drew stars in the margins! I made notes like, "Quote El-Shamy's observations on ego-involving in cultural transfer."
I'm going to be beyond bummed if this doesn't work out.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Day 219
How much fun is gift-giving? Seriously. I love it. Ask any of my friends. I wish that I had the werewithal to buy for people whenever I see their perfect gift. It kills me when I don't have funds at Christmas or on birthdays.
The look on Cindy's face is what I'm always aiming for when I buy a present for someone. I love that I captured it on film...well, digital screen, but you know.
I wasn't left out, though. Cindy bought me this elegantly pretty necklace and earrings. I could NOT get a good shot of the set, but these will give you some idea.
I drooled over these a year ago. She secretly bought them for me that day and has been holding on to them for months.
She's pretty good at gift-giving herself.
The look on Cindy's face is what I'm always aiming for when I buy a present for someone. I love that I captured it on film...well, digital screen, but you know.
I wasn't left out, though. Cindy bought me this elegantly pretty necklace and earrings. I could NOT get a good shot of the set, but these will give you some idea.
I drooled over these a year ago. She secretly bought them for me that day and has been holding on to them for months.
She's pretty good at gift-giving herself.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Day 218
I love details. In fact, I find them fascinating. The tiny little nuances that make things interesting.
For instance, the architectural design of a window railing or the condensation on the sill.
The way that light refracts in glass to paint rainbows.
The way that a tree or an entire building can be captured in the reflection of the stem of a goblet.
The little things that we don't always notice. Those things that we discover as children, process, and move past.
Today, look for new details in the familiar things and people around you. Discover the charm you may have forgotten.
And maybe look past the cheesy fortune cookieness of this post to see the sincerity within it. :)
For instance, the architectural design of a window railing or the condensation on the sill.
The way that light refracts in glass to paint rainbows.
The way that a tree or an entire building can be captured in the reflection of the stem of a goblet.
The little things that we don't always notice. Those things that we discover as children, process, and move past.
Today, look for new details in the familiar things and people around you. Discover the charm you may have forgotten.
And maybe look past the cheesy fortune cookieness of this post to see the sincerity within it. :)
Monday, November 30, 2009
Day 217
It's Monday and I'm back at work after a four-day vacation with people of whom I am quite fond.
Yep.
So Jason and Cindy--well, mostly Cindy--are big fans of Christmas decorations. Saturday night I went out and took pictures of their yard. As you look at the picture below, bear in mind that they're not done decorating yet. They really like to decorate. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them and get the full effect).
The other thing you should know is that Cindy loves elephants. This, of course, means that in addition to the traditional elements -- nativity scene, candy canes, wreaths, tree lights, etc. -- there are no fewer than three Christmas elephants in the yard.
And, just for a more wintery touch, there are penguins here and there, sledding around, having fun.
Wheeeee!
Yep.
So Jason and Cindy--well, mostly Cindy--are big fans of Christmas decorations. Saturday night I went out and took pictures of their yard. As you look at the picture below, bear in mind that they're not done decorating yet. They really like to decorate. (Click on the pictures to enlarge them and get the full effect).
The other thing you should know is that Cindy loves elephants. This, of course, means that in addition to the traditional elements -- nativity scene, candy canes, wreaths, tree lights, etc. -- there are no fewer than three Christmas elephants in the yard.
And, just for a more wintery touch, there are penguins here and there, sledding around, having fun.
Wheeeee!
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