Children, Behold Your Mother.

People are always saying there's no pictures of me on this blog thing.

And there aren't really. Because I'm always the one taking them. And it's my blog. And it seems weird to intentionally have someone take pictures of me. Because it's weird. Right? It's weird. And I'd rather be showing off pictures of all of you.

So this pictures of me thing doesn't happen often.

Also, your father is not one to pick up the camera and shoot me, or anything, though he has acquired some know-how from me, and in general, is capable and then some. But, it doesn't happen. Like ever. And it's not like I'm begging him to. So, it doesn't get done.

But I know it's important for you to know what your mom looked like, at whatever age you were. So I'll try a little harder. Your dad will too.

He took some silly pictures of me while we were in Chicago. There you go.

Children, behold your mother.

See? I can look this way and that way.


And I can smile nicely. Look at those lines all over my face. They don't usually go away when I'm done smiling. I hold all of you, and time responsible. Regardless of the creases, please don't stop making me smile.


And sometimes, I just don't look right at all. I expect your obedience anyway.


And that's your mom in 2010. It may take a year to see me on this thing again.

Windy.

We spent a few days in Chicago. That apple is a subtle nod to one of our favorite movies, Stranger than Fiction- which was filmed in...you guessed it.



Neither one of us had been there before, but we know so many people who have- we were stocked with local suggestions.

We had our first Chicago hot dogs. Man, I must have been so jazzed about the dog I forgot to take a straight picture.




We walked and soaked it all in, just loving being together just us, discovering new places, checking things out. Chicago is a fantastic city to visit- bustling, beautiful, and extremely friendly and easy to get to know and love.

This is one of Chicago's very first blooms of the season. You know how I know? We walked about 10 miles in 2 days (no exaggeration) and green shoots were everywhere- but this is just one of 2 blooms I could see. I consider myself an expert on the subject. So there you go.

It was a very full weekend. Very full. I wouldn't even try to blog it all- but it was relaxed, incredibly fun, rejuvenating, and did I mention laid back and relaxed? I love my man, and time to just chillax together is like, well, a big deal to us. We walked, we explored, we ate, we drank lots of coffee, we just sat, we checked out some stores, we just took it all in.

The Chicago Cultural Center took my breath away. Yes, there were so many gorgeous buildings to discover, but this one struck a cord. It was originally built as a library, and is now used for programs, events, and public offices. This place was incredible. The details, the tiled walls, the domes. The details, the details. Oh my. There was an angelic choir practicing above us while we walked through the quiet halls, giving amazing mood to it all. It's not that it's a huge building, and probably isn't the most majestic one either. But something about it's original design- a building purposed for the discovery of knowledge and truth that also strikes your heart and soul with beauty and inspiration- a full circle experience, as all searching for truth should be- a beautiful journey. I don't know, there was just something in the juxtaposition of this gorgeous, silent building crafted with incredible skill and beauty, that inspires so much thought and reflection, alongside the bustling, bursting Saturday afternoon streets outside, full of shoppers and sightseers, on their way to the GAP or somewhere. So much questing for satisfaction was out there, and no one was stopping to stop and take in the quiet beauty inside.

Friday night we found ourselves here, at the Signature Lounge, with a corner table right smack against the glass 1000 feet in the air. Arguably one of the most awesome places to be for a view of the city. Period.

Did I mention, we were with two of our favorite people??

All this and me without my wide angle. I was packing light, people.

I didn't pull out my camera for every single thing, but we took our time, and if I saw something I wanted to catch, I did, but I didn't get caught up in catching it all- this was about getting away, to be together, to be with friends, to do nothing and 100 amazing things all in one weekend. And the long drive home found us happy and peaceful for the adventure and the rest, for the home we got to come home to, and for the next adventure on the slate- Boston this fall. Can't wait!

Vacay.

Jim and I have been away.

Can you guess where?

I ♥ Faces Week 13: Dramatic Black and White

When I created this black and white image, it basically startled me! I've never decided if I love it, or if it's too over the top- but it's all real- those eyes are so striking- I mean, wow!


And I loved the bold black and white of the blanket her Mom wrapped her all up in to keep warm.


All in all, it's definitely, dramatic.

♥ Your Core.

A couple of weeks ago, Jim decided he wanted to get an exercise ball to replace his chair at work. So of course I got one too, so I could do the same.

How did we live without these???

This ball has changed my life in just 2 weeks.

Not only is sitting on the ball, rather than a chair awesome for your core, and your back and shoulders (especially if your job keeps you at the computer, clicking and typing away all day), but it also helps me stay at the desk longer- I hate sitting still for more than 10-15 minutes, and now, while I'm working away, I can wiggle, and bounce, and fit in some crunches, stretch, whatever, while I'm working. And my clicking arm and neck haven't been sore after working for long stretches.

Everyone in the house sort of fights over mine. But it's mine.

And yes, Jim brought his to work. He's a well-respected guy around his office, so he's got enough street cred built up that no matter how many joking snide remarks he gets, really, everyone just thinks he's cool for it. All those engineers are secretly pining to have one of their own. They covet it. I just know. Either way, my man's core is going to be able to kick the behind of any other dude's core in that office in no time.

Clearly.

A couple of days ago, Grace brought me this picture she'd made.

"See Mommy? I made it with all dots!"

She then told me it was an abstract, Impressionist sketch, like Mary Cassatt.

I knew what it was right away. And I think she's a genius. So I framed it of course. Now it's legit framed art. (Slight bump-up from the typical pin-up-on-board or magnet-to-fridge display of neat things they make.)

But then that night, Jim saw it and knew what it was right away. But he saw something completely different than me.

So Grace's vision was accomplished. It's abstract.

I don't know what you see, but don't worry, it's open to interpretation.

One thing, though, is clear. My daughter is amazing.

Swan Shot.

So like I said, we went to the Zoo last weekend. I don't typically bring my DSLR along when we're out, but since it's finally in the 40's and we're finally able to get outside, I'm bringing it along every once in a while. Even shooting in full, harsh sunlight is a joy when you've been indoors all winter. And I'm just thankful there's full, harsh sunlight to enjoy.

SO. I went from shooting indoors to outdoors, and quick took a picture of this swan for my daughter who was begging for it. With all my settings catered to the shade, my quick swan shot was dramatically overexposed.

What you see here is SOOC- a sort of happy-accident that resulted in an impressionist-style portrait of the great white bird.

Through the Leftovers

What with it being the first day of Spring and all, we spent the afternoon at the Zoo. Pretending to be warm. To be fairer to Nature, it did seem to warm up nicely as the afternoon rolled on.

It's been so cold. And so snowy. For so long.

But today the sun was high and so bright.

And everywhere you looked, if you had eyes to see through the brown leftovers of winter, there was hope.

Official.

I hate shrimp. I can't stand the sight, smell, texture of shrimp. Or most seafood. But especially the crustaceans.

I made up my mind to make shrimp myself. Just once. So I of course turned to Cooks Illustrated, found a wonderful Garlic Basil Shrimp recipe, and got to.

It was a success. It tasted "great", like it should. Like, if you like shrimp, this is your thing. For sure.

But, it's official. I hate shrimp. I winced my way through my tidy portion, holding the front for my kids- all but one LOVED it- and I did it. I ate shrimp.

For the last time.

Dangerous.

These Spiced Pecans. Are so good. They're dangerous.
I got the recipe from this book.
You can find the recipe here. The free 14-day trial is 100% worth it.

No Apologies for All the Re-Posted Pictures This Week

I love this shot.

I love the depth.

I love that what's a little gross is also beautiful.

I love that it tells a story. Every single tree looked like this, but you can't tell until you get close. I love that this photograph savors that detail.

Target

So, like I said a long time ago, one day I photographed our regular Target run. By run, I mean, our drive 20 minutes out of our way to the other side of the city to go the "Big Target", so the girls call it. It is big. And it is nice. Oh so much nicer than the one close to our house that we usually go to. And it's quiet, and it's clean. It's a whole day thing. We plan all our errands and our library trip for that side of town, so that makes up for it. In winter, even simple trips out are really, really big. So it's a favorite event.

We walk around the whole store, get the two or three things we need (because we go on the off-week from my big, bi-weekly grocery/everything we need trip for two weeks worth of "everything". Inevitably, something pops up in between there that we need. And that's why it's important to go to Target. See?

Moving on. We get the two things we need, and the girls may or may not splurge out of their own pocketbooks. Because it's not even about getting anything. It's just nice to be there.

And then we pickup a few snack-lunch items, and check out. Then we head over to the Starbucks for hot chocolate and coffee, and eat before heading out to do the rest of our errands.

It's an important ritual for all of us.

And so kids, that's why I shot it, and that's why I posted it here.

I took these in February. Look at all that snow. Hallelujah, almost all of it is gone now. And yesterday when we hit Target, it was a balmy 51 degrees- warm enough that we just couldn't do hot chocolate, and got a fountain pop instead. It was a big day. All 5 of us were thrilled.

Sunshine, indeed, is good medicine for the soul.

Thanks for doing everyday things with me every day kids. You do it so well. I'll try to keep documenting it.

Sustaining Six

Grace is nearly 7. It frightens me, how very quickly she has matured and grown in this last year.

Every parent with small children comments on how fast they grow. Like lightning, they've changed before your eyes. It leaves you breathless.

Experienced parents look on children in line at the grocery store and urge weary parents to enjoy it, because it's over so quickly.

And it is.

There is something that happens, between 6 and 7. Something new. Something sad, something wonderful.

She's so tall. So mature. So boney when we try to fit her lanky body on my lap. The squeezable baby fat that has been slowly disappearing for years is all gone.

She swoons over Gilbert Blithe, and creates art to express her moods.

She's just, so decidedly older. Still young, of course, but Oh, I know the baby I knew is slipped away and she's becoming something new.

So this week, especially, I feel like doing all I can to sustain six. To hold it as long as we can.

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