Shadows and Light

Keeping with the "Light" theme from yesterday's Photo of the Day, I snapped this picture of one of our outdoor lights. The cloud free sky today allowed ample sunlight, and I love the color of the light as the sun slowly descends in the afternoon. I was drawn to the color and the shadow along the brick facade.

I only took one picture. Maybe if I restrict myself, it will force me to think before shooting. [although I admit, I didn't think very long before I took this photo - it was cold outside] What would I do differently? I would drag out the ladder or something to stand on so I would be on the same plane as the light. Because the perspective is tilted to me, which I don't quite like (I am one of those people who makes sure the horizon is straight in my pictures - it must be the engineer in me). Maybe I would try to get closer to force a shallower depth of field. Maybe next time (which is, tomorrow!).

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Choosing Joy - December's Challenge

Sherry, who initiated November's Gratitude Challenge has issued a new challenge for December, and I am excited because it is such a great concept. She also added a twist that dovetails perfectly into my "Photo of the Day (POTD)" endeavor.

Here are the details, copied directly from Sherry's Blog Post:

1. This will officially start on December 3rd and will end on December 31.
2. The challenge of this blog will be similar to our Gratitude Blog idea. Look for JOY each day and blog about it. It might be something as big as attending a wedding or as small as how cozy your slippers feel...it's up to you. CHOOSE to find joy.each.day.
3. There are a few extra challenges for this one too...don't worry - don't stress....have fun! Those that complete the journaling AND the photos will be able to be have their name in the drawing for the prize TWICE.
Each week, you must post at least 3 photos based on the themes below.
Week 1 (Dec. 1 - 6) - LOVE
Week 2 (Dec. 7 - 13) - RED
Week 3 (Dec. 14 - 20) -GLITTER/SHINE
Week 4 (Dec. 21 - 27) - FAMILY
Week 5 (Dec. 28 - 31) - PEACE

I hope you will join me or at least stop by once in a while to see what Joy we find this holiday season.

Peace and Blessings!

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Snow, Lights and more Lights

I must be crazy because I am thinking about posting a photo every day in December (and perhaps into the new year). There are several people who do this, and hey, I'm up for a challenge. I read somewhere a key to success is to carry your camera with you everywhere - a little bit of a challenge in itself, but let's see if it becomes a habit.

Today's photos:

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Gratitude Post 29 - Chinese Dumplings

After gorging ourselves with Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes over the last several days, the entire family enjoys a little change of pace - Chinese Food! But not just any Chinese Food - they want Fried Dumplings.

I don't know if this is a tradition in every Asian family, but whenever my family gathered with our extended family, we always made Dumplings. From scratch. The process is lengthy and requires lots of manpower (probably why it became an extended family gathering tradition) - making the filling, making and rolling the dough, filling the dumplings and finally cooking them by boiling (easy) or frying (more time consuming, but, oh, ever so tasty!).

No, we didn't have any extended family visit us over Thanksgiving, and no I didn't undertake the process of dumpling making on my own (I have in the past, and it is exhausting!). I simply drove to the local Asian Market (SO thankful we have a good one in town) and bought 4 packages of frozen dumplings (and a whole lot of other stuff, of course).

I did pan fry the dumplings - the kids complain if I simply boil them. This is done by heating a skillet, adding enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is good and hot, place the dumplings, flat side down in the pan. Let sit until the bottoms are crispy brown. Get some sort of vented cover ready (I use a sheet of aluminum foil that covers 99% of the pan), and pour in 1/2-3/4 C of water into the pan. Cook until all of the water has evaporated away, as this will finish cooking the dumplings.

While searching for an image of dumplings to include in this post, I stumbled upon a blog devoted to Asian cooking. Wow - it reminded me of all the yummy things my grandmother (Nai Nai) made, and many things my mother makes. I've included it in my Blog list and hope you take some time to visit The Asian Grandmothers Cookbook.

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Gratitude Post 28 - Child's Play

I am grateful to have two children who, for the most part, get along and play together. This morning, it was a joy to watch them play in the snow - they even worked together to build a snowman.

I watched them create "Frosty" from the upstairs window - Each child rolled up a substantially sized snowball. They had to lift the middle piece together, as it was too heavy for Erica alone. Brian rolled up the head piece while Erica fetched a hat a scarf. I donated a carrot and they picked out stones from the pond area for the eyes and mouth.

The result - a very nice looking snowman, created by 8:45am!

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Gratitude 27 - Surprises

We have a block window in the master bath that lets the light in, but doesn't allow for a distinct view of the outside. It is positioned so the rising sun hits it, and gives us a small clue of the weather - sunny, cloudy, rainy. This morning I looked at it, and it was all white, which I thought was odd.


I thought it was odd because that usually signifies snow. I hadn't heard any prediction of snow from the weather experts. Plus the grocery stores were unusually empty yesterday - any prediction of snow would have sent everyone out in force to clear the shelves of milk and bread.

I walked down the hall, peaked out the first available window and gasped - our first snowfall - a pure surprise that made me smile.


A beautiful, wet snow, and no wind, so that it is sticking to everything and creating a wonderland. So very peaceful, which will end quickly as the kids are now up and getting ready to play out in the fresh snow.

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Gratitude 26 - Traditions

On Thanksgiving day, I am thankful for so much, especially our Family Traditions. You know, those things we do every year that make the Holidays, well, "the Holidays". You know something is a "tradition" if the kids expect it every year.

Our Thanksgiving traditions include hanging out at home, turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries and other goodies. We always eat the Thanksgiving meal between 11am and noon. This is a tradition from Scott's upbringing, but it does make sense - eat a small breakfast, have the Thanksgiving feast around lunchtime and have turkey sandwiches for dinner. This schedule also allows Scott to enjoy the afternoon football, and allows for an afternoon nap.

Some other traditions:
Black and White cookies, made by Scott:


Pumpkin Pie:


The past several Thanksgivings have been beautiful sunny fall days, and we were fortunate to have another beautiful day. We eat in the formal dining room, where the sunlight streams in.





I force the family into some pictures. This is our 2nd Thanksgiving with Hannah, and I suspect taking pictures with Hannah is now officially "tradition"



Finally, the kids love sparkling grape juice I allow them to consume for special occaissions - in wine glasses, they constantly call for "dinging of the glasses". Today was no exception.


Happy Thanksgiving to all. May your Traditions bring you comfort and joy today!

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