249/365 On the Left

"Left on the Street"

We are in Portland this weekend for a NOAH gathering.  I am traveling light.  Translation: I forgot my card reader for my iPad so posting from here is a little tricky; but, where there is a will, there is a way.

I didn't take many pictures today because much of the day was spent in airports and on planes.  Tomorrow we are doing the tourist stuff here in Portland so I'm hoping for a good photography day.

Right now, I am hoping for a good night's sleep!  My body knows that it is two hours later than the clock says.

248/365 Soft

"Soft Touch"

There is nothing as soft as the gentle touch of someone who loves you.

247/365 Cake

"Late Night Treat"

Thank you, Brookie!!!

246/365 Back to School

"School Buddy"

It seems that for most of my life that I have been on the quest for the perfect purse.  Well, maybe not my entire life - just since I had to start carrying a purse and we all know when that was.  And still, at 51, I have yet to find the perfect purse.   Today I had an epiphany and realized why that is.  

As I mentioned a few days ago, school has been a part of my life for 47 years.  For 30 of those years I have been carrying a backpack.  Let's face it, no purse can compete with the utility and practicality of a backpack.  All those compartments and pockets for everything from my iPad to a water bottle.  I can (and do) carry everything I need.  The boy scouts would be so proud of me; I am always prepared - except for the minor little detail that I have lost my keys.  Let me say though, this is not a failing on my backpack's part.  It is a failing on my memory's part.  I took them out of my backpack before we went to England and placed them in "a safe place."  That place is so safe that its whereabouts have eluded everyone in my house!

Back to my backpack … the one I have now is the closest thing to perfect that there is in a backpack - a place for everything and everything inits place.  And it is blue.  What more can I ask for?  All of these things are definitely assets but the "cherry on top" is my Uglydoll, "Cozymonster", that the girls gave me.  He makes me smile every time that I look at him.  He's just so darn cute and has an amazing personality.  Here is a bit of Cozymonster's story:

How can you not love this guy?  And, he's orange!

So, now after all these years, I am giving up my quest to find the perfect purse.  I am making a commitment to a a lifetime of carrying a backpack.  Oh so feminine, right?  Well, in my mind, utilitarianism trumps style every time.

245/365 Still Life

"Flowers is a Vase"

It was nice to see that the day's prompt was "still life" because still life is exactly what I had planned for my day!  We had nothing on our calendar that had to be done. Yay!

We slept late - really late.  Considering that most of our mornings begin at 6 am, anything past 8:30 seems late.  Past 10 constitutes really late!  Oh well, it is the last time that we will get to do that for a long time.  We savored every moment of those sleeping hours.

It was nice to have the time to cook a big breakfast at home.  Breakfast is my favorite meal to eat and though I don't mind cooking it, if you have a big breakfast, it becomes labor, dish and clean-up intensive.  Today, none of that mattered.  We had awesome breakfast burritos -filled with potatoes with hatch chilies, scrambled eggs and a little cheese and pico de gallo.  All I can say is YUM!

After all the hard work of preparing, eating and cleaning up after breakfast, we watched a few episodes of 30 Days.  If you have not seen this or aren't familiar with it, it is one of the few TV programs that I think is a "must see."  It is a little dated having begun its three season run in 2005, but the message is still fresh.  If you are interested, it is available on Netflix.

Despite a lazy day, I did manage to get all of our laundry done, the rest of last night's party stuff cleaned up and my preparation for school this week done.  I consider today to be a successful day!

I also had time to play a little with today's photos.  I am fond of the picture above because of its blue and orange.  That is a no-brainer in my world.  But, I tried some other shots as well.  I really like the photo below.  The single flower in a recycled jar as a vase has a simplicity about it that speaks to me.  Compositionally, it is a little odd, but still, I like it for some strange reason.

 'Flower in a Jar"

I am trying to learn more about conversion to black and white.  It seems like it should be simple.  It's not.  I did convert the picture above.  I like the way the jar converts; the flower takes on a whole different character.  The jury is still out on this one.

"Flower in a Jar 2"

I am thankful for this low-key day, especially since it will be Thanksgiving before we have another one like it.  How depressing!  Forget I said that.

Have a great week everyone!

244/365 Everywhere A Sign

"Not Your Kid's S'mores"

For some time we have been wanting to have a get together at the house.  It has but put off several times in hopes that all of the renovations would be finished.  We are not quite there, but close enough that we decided to go ahead with it tonight.  This seemed like a good way to begin the new school year.

it was fiesta time - empanadas, tacos, refried beans, corn,slaw and homemade salsa and guacamole.  Brooke did all of the cooking - except the carnitas.  Then there was dessert - almond shortbread, homemade coffee marshmallows,and  Mexican dark chocolate all drizzled with goat milk dulce de leche.  I don't usually care for marshmallows, but this was pretty darn good!

We had a fun evening.  I was so busy talking, eating and drinking a little her that I didn't take pictures of any people.  It was kind of strange that I never even thought to get my camera out.  Oh well, maybe next time.

243/365 Bright Background

'Saturday Siesta"