Lately

 

A little bit of the randomness that happens in my life; those bits that don't get recorded anywhere else, the little pieces that make up the whole.  Here are those pictures that don't really fit anywhere and could go everywhere.  These tell stories of the days I didn't take enough pictures of an event to deserve it's own post, and these tell stories of the days I took photos of seemingly nothing just because it seemed fitting.  Life has been hard, but these are some highlights.

Here there are inklings of spring.  Here are little things I wear or do or eat.  The matching outfits Madi and I own, the silliness of my cats, the pretty eyeshadow Danielle gave to me that I so love and the waterproof mascara that is what I wear in case of the all too frequent tears.

Here are a few of Sam's antics; including his discovery of taking pictures and eating cookie dough.  Here is the morning the kids spent the night here, the following teen scavenger hunt at the Greene where Calleigh and I shopped. Where Aly, Amy, and myself messed around with the camera while waiting to leave.  All followed by an evening celebrating Priscilla's 13th birthday, an old fashioned singalong with wonderful homemade food and wonderful voices.

Here there be the little beautiful things of life.

Chocolatey Muffins of Goodness

My number one talent in cooking is being able to read a book while I stir something in a frying pan.  Still, I like to make things; a sense of accomplishment is usually the motivation...or intense chocolate cravings.  Still, I found a recipe I was desperate to try: Nutella filled muffins.  You can find the recipe here!  Everything went as it was supposed to and I was seriously pleased with the result.  Yeah I know, how hard can muffins be, right?  Well, seriously, my cooking/baking talents have just recently developed past not destroying the food...or the kitchen.  This recipe was easy enough for me to follow.  I didn't measure out the Nutella exactly, using a spoon to scoop some in until it looked like there was enough.  Also, I didn't dip the tops in the cinnamon sugar mixture, but instead sprinkled it on the top.  Honestly, the whole process was not very difficult.  Having to spoon three scoops into each muffin tin instead of one (batter-nutella-batter) was more time consuming that is always convenient, and the actual mixing of the batter also took some time (because I used a fork, not an electric mixer.) Even though it was a little bit of a long process, it was all relatively easy!  Seriously, these should be checked out and made in the absolute near future!

The Long Winter

“October extinguished itself in a rush of howling winds and driving rain and November arrived, cold as frozen iron, with hard frosts every morning and icy drafts that bit at exposed hands and faces.” 

― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

It began snowing in October, on my 19th birthday.  It was a strangely beautiful day; quiet and light and peaceful, also quick and hot and fun. From talking on the phone to laughing to reading - from the warm light of the lamps to the red blanket to thoughtful birthday gifts - from the comfortable black dress I bought to wear that day to feeling happy to looking forward to the impending winter - winter came early.  

The cold air came in and hardly left.  I thought it was a lovely birthday gift, but the cold left it's mark and hasn't quite disappeared even now.  The brisk air I looked forward to lingers, the snow storms have been many, leaving myself a weary traveler through the icy season.  It was not the winter I anticipated; much longer and colder and  far more slippery.  I am ever so ready to see the sun again.

Born of cold and winter air

And mountain rain combining!

This icy force both foul and fair

Has a frozen heart worth mining!

Cut through the heart, cold and clear!

Strike for love and strike for fear!

There's beauty and there's danger here

Split the ice apart!

Beware the frozen heart...

- Frozen Heart, Disney's Frozen

Days Like These

Many of us girls are well versed in princess movies.  I came home from work the other day to find my sister watching Princess Diaries.  The movie was halfway over but I joined her, wrapped in a blanket and curled up on the couch whilst browsing Pinterest and the Blogging world mindlessly.  I started watching at about the scene here, when Princess Mia looks up, saying, "Was that my fault?" All of her efforts just fell apart, and she's so tired...

It seems that is my life lately.  People know and understand when you say, "Oh, it's just been one of those day." They nod and say to themselves, "Oh, one of those days." They let it go.  But what happens when those days just keep happening?  The dishes break, people get annoyed, the kids cry, stuff is everywhere.  And all the time thinking, "Was that my fault?" -- "Don't cry over spilled milk," it has been said.  "But it's everywhere!!!" I want to say, as I wipe down the floor and table. Again.

So maybe I average 3 cups of tea per day.  But it's oh so lovely and keeps you going through these oh so cold days.  Maybe I don't eat enough, but I'll make another cup of tea, and maybe have another apple to make up for it. 

Some days it's filling journals, taking deep breaths, curling up with a book and hiding.  Some days it's baking then cleaning the kitchen until nothing else can be found to wash because thinking, feeling, just isn't an option -  Scarlett O'haraing it: I'll think of that tomorrow. Trying to eat healthy, or wondering if one can live off donuts and french fries.

Yeah, it hurts.  Keep going.  So pour another cup of tea, take another deep breath.  Snuggle with that kitty and curl up under that fleece blanket.  Check another book out of the library.  Try a new recipe.  Go shopping.  Pull out the old favorite hoodie and wear it everywhere.  Or pull out your best dress and wear it confidently.  Eat Nutella.  And maybe one more cup of tea...

 These days are hard.  But it's gonna be okay.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. -  1 Corinthians 15:58

For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.  Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. - Psalm 40:12-13

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. - Psalm 73:26

Of February

February came to an end quietly, and March arrived with heaviness in the sky and a snowstorm.  I attempted a photo challenge for last month with relative success, and here are my results.  I did at least succeed in taking a photo every day! I am very excited I've so far kept up with my take a photo every day of the year goal ^_^ 

1. Yourself    

2. A View from your Window

3. Passion

4. Something You Ate

5. Words  

6. Looking Up (or more like looking ahead...)

7. Friendship

8. Hands

9. Your Junk Drawer

10. A Stranger - or, er, a milkshake...

11. Red

12. A Shadow

13. Makes you laugh (or more makes you smile, "Can we have popcorn after the photoshoot?")

14. A Heart

15. Your Handwriting (I got distracted during the challenge this day...)

16. A Memory (I added the handwriting here)

17. Music

18. Looking Down - I was too busy looking down at this book to check what my photo of the day was -.-  

19. Workspace

20. Itsy Bitsy (or the opposite of - that place was huge!)

21. Architecture (I felt I saw plenty of that at Ikea. Instead, a random picture)

22. Motion (Gallopin' Green Apple lotion ^.^ )

23. Power Lines (or a kitty)

24. A Sign (er, donut?)

25. A Clock

26. A Beverage (the one day I didn't take a photo of my tea xD so here are pretty pens)

27. Love (definitely a few things I love - relaxing with a computer, cup of tea, blanket...)

28. Texture (two photos!)