Quiet Life

2012-02-18T08:37:00.002-06:00

I spent a whole lot less time on Pinterest this week since I was
mulling over the rightness and wrongness of pinning.
What can I pin? Do I need to ask permission?

And so I did my best to link with love....

Source: linkwithlove.typepad.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: penniesonaplatter.com via Donna on Pinterest

Dare I try this? Oh these looks so wonderful!

Source: hookedonhouses.net via Donna on Pinterest

Ahhhhhh.....

this appeals to me %100

Source: happythoughtsdarling.wordpress.com via Donna on Pinterest

The movie Summertime (1955) was on tv. I have never seen this movie before. It is set in Venice and it is shot with love and beautifully styled. Kathryn Hepburn's character felt sorry for herself for the first half hour so I lost interest in the story...
but my goodness, it is one gorgeous movie.

Source: crazyhorsewoman.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

I have heard for years about the stunning cinematography in the movie The Black Stallion (1979).
Finally I saw it.

Caleb Deschanel is the cinematographer.

Could this be Zooey's dad?

Yes. It is. Wow.

Start at 3:40 to see some spectacular riding and filming.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

I am excited to say, I searched this morning and found the name of the person who created this fantastic Airstream.
Designer Craig Dorsey.

I just love everything about this.

Don't you?

I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Lots of love!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-02-17T08:59:00.002-06:00

Every day, I stop at Target to get my chai.
I have to wait for the store to open.
I wait about 30 minutes.

This wait used to bother me.

Now I love the quite, the stillness, of sitting in the car.

I don't get that quiet and stillness on my couch anymore. Nope. I don't.

So I wait until the Target opens and I get my Chai and I wander quietly around the store, picking up this and that.

And then I go home, down the road where people drive too slow, and meet with the Whirlwind.

Said Whirlwind is sleeping now, she is worn out from puppy class last night.
She pulls and pulls and pulls me and I feel like I have just worked out with Bob or Jillian.
The teachers noticed Ginny pulling and suggested a little harness for her.
I took it and learned how to use it and it is already working nicely.

Like I said, the pup is sleeping so I am going to go and sit on the couch and enjoy it while I can.

Happy Friday!
Enjoy the weekend.

Sunday is the big finale to Downton Abbey.
I can not wait.

I'll post a few Pinterests tomorrow.
Things will be a little different, tho.

Perhaps we will go to the movies this weekend.
I'd like to see a few more Oscar noms before the big show in a few weeks.

Take Care!

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. I have my next question from Patrick set to go :o)
Monday!

2012-02-16T09:29:00.002-06:00

This is Maggie. She hears Ginny.
She is more terrified than curious.
I am sure.

This however is not really a new thing.
This is how Maggie looks when Katie comes around.

She's a charmer.

This is Ginny.
She is a good girl, except when she is not.

And let me just say...I think all labs look like boys.
It's hard for me to think of her as girly.

Sorry honey.

*****

I am going to start a new feature on this blog.

Things my husband tells me when he comes out of the bathroom.

He is not a chatty guy.
He is not a conversationalist.
But he reads in the bathroom and always has a fascinating tidbit of news.

Here is my favorite from this week.

What actor received the most votes for the first academy award?
This actor did receive the statue? It went to someone else.

Do not google.

Just take a wild guess. I did not guess correctly;
I think I guessed Al Jolsen or Rudolf Valentino.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-02-15T07:17:00.002-06:00

Katie helped me with my photo challenge yesterday after school.

The theme was hearts.

And then she danced.

and was gone.....

A Psalm of Life

Tell me not in mournful numbers,
"Life is but an empty dream!"
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,"
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us further than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act -- act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labour and to wait.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

(this is the poem I found when googling.....fleeting.)

I'm off to a ladies Bible study this morning.
I'm bringing treats.
Gotta run.

Up and doing,
Donna

2012-02-14T09:28:00.002-06:00

"Let's talk photo crediting."

Go see this great poster

(I'd love to share it here...but I do not have permission. But it's really a great way of explaining things, so take a minute to visit and read it.)

It will help you understand when it is okay to use or pin an image on your blog, or on your pinterest.

Source: linkwithlove.typepad.com via Donna on Pinterest

So. I want you to pin this. I want you to share this.
BUT. I am not the original source. So it is best NOT to pin from me. (Although, if you are clever you can see that I have pinned it from the original source.)

Do you see the little words that say, 'linkwithlove.typepad.com'?
If you click on that, you will go back to the original source.
Kal Barteski's website.
This ensures that Kal will get credit.
Not me.

Any questions?

***

I confess, I am not perfect. I do not know who took many of the Marilyn Monroe pictures or Jackie Kennedy pictures that I love.
Does their age matter? I do not know who took the Golden Globe dresses I love to share. And what about all of those beautiful houses?
If I do know the photographer but don't have a basic original artists website, I will type the person's name under the picture.
This can be erased, but at least I feel I have passed it on correctly.

I am still guilty, I think.

But I promise to try to do better.
I will take a few minutes more to check before I pin.
I will also continue to leave notes in the comments that say, "who took this picture?"

Perhaps it is just a drop in the bucket. But I can do what is right even when other people are not.
That's always a good way to go.

****

This is what I believe, right now, in this auditorium, there is someone who is with you, someone who is willing to pick you up, dust you off, kiss you, forgive you, put up with you, wait for you, carry you, love you. So while everything may not be okay, one thing I know is true, you do not have to be alone.
~norah, The Beaver

Encourage one another and love,
Donna

2012-02-13T11:12:00.002-06:00

Source: dailymail.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

I did not watch one second of the Grammy's, but just now I spotted Katy Perry dressed in
one of my favorite dresses of the season.

Elle Saab. Of course.

Thanks Mail.uk

2012-02-13T09:03:00.002-06:00

~image from Masterpiece Theater

Downton was overflowing with joy and pain and surprise last night.
Dear broken Whitney Houston died. May she rest in peace.
She had it all, from the worlds perspective.
Somehow that perspective is very wrong and corrupt and full of pain.
The world.

How to live in it but not be consumed by it?

It's a tricky thing.

I am determined to be content with this ordinary, quiet life...trying to love Jesus...
trying to love like He loves.

Thankful for each person, thankful for every day.

All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well. – Julian of Norwich

****

Some questions for the comment section...

How could Mary ever marry Richard?
Who killed Vera?
Lord Grantham? Hypocrite
Is Thomas a changed man?

See ya in the comments.

Donna

2012-02-11T09:01:00.002-06:00

Perfect Pinterest Pins.

Source: spoilsofwear.com via Donna on Pinterest

weeeeeeee!!!

Source: ribbonsoflight.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

I am watching Little Dorrit.
Man, that Dickens is gritty.
I love Little Dorrit's wrappy sweater.
It looks nice and warm and it would not get in the way.

Source: sellmelovee.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Dear Oscar Nominees,
Wear this dress.

You're Welcome
Miz Booshay, stylist to the imaginary

Source: hookedonhouses.net via Donna on Pinterest

I like this.

Source: peacelovechico.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: ebay.com via Donna on Pinterest

I gave and received this darling valentine when I was a little girl.

Source: nestprettythings.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

More and more, I want white, white walls.
White woodwork.

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Don't forget to link with love.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-02-10T09:40:00.003-06:00

What good is a blog if you can't hand out your personal opinions and favorites
as often as possible?

Huh?
What?

Ree over at The Pioneer Woman is having a Romantic Comedy favorite challenge.
In the spirit of a tournament bracket competition, like March Madness, movies are pitted against one another
to see which movie gets the most votes.

Since I am not the Queen of Ree's blog or her comments....I have no control...just one tiny voice, one tiny vote.

But here. At my blog. I get to be Queen.

Hello.
Do you like my hat?

I will share with you my favorite romantic comedies.

1. My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

I am Greek. I love the cast. I see Aunt Dorothy and Aunt Zabeta. I see Diana. I see me.
I love the dialog. I love Windex.

When my grandpa came to the United States from Greece his name was Glymakopolous.
Instead of Nickys, we had Jimmys.

In my opinion, the biggest flaw of this movie is that it pretended to be in Chicago but it was shot in
Canada. Oh what an opportunity they missed by not filming it in Chicago.

This movie is worth wonderful.
The whole family can watch it.

2. You've Got Mail

To me, this is the perfect movie. I adore it. I love it.
I know it by heart.

Location love.

'for as long as we both shall live'

3. On Golden Pond

This is another perfectly beautiful movie. Old people love too, don't cha know.
Norman and Ethyl have a long and lovely love.

He is cranky and she has a joyful spirit.

If you have not seen this movie. See it.
You may think this is a drama. But every thing that Norman says is hilarious.
"Wanna see my teeth!"

I relate to this couple more than you can ever know.

"The loons! The loons!"
"You're my knight in shining armour. Don't you forget it."

4. Holiday

Charming. Sweet.
We went over this at Christmas time.
But this is not just a holiday movie.

Best new romantic comedy.

5. She's the One.

I watch this movie a few times a year.
This one is rated. N and S
Not for your kids.
Lots of swearing

But I love this movie almost the most of all. It is really, really funny.
It is shot in New York. It is written by Ed Burns...who I think is genius.
Ed Burns is the Irish Catholic Woody Allen.

For some reason, this sleeper, is high on my list.

Okay, I know the reason.

The writing. The acting.
And it's New York again.

Maybe it's just New York I love?

That's a real possibility.

(warning: while this video does not have swearing...it's still not for children....at least my children....don't watch it Emma....how old are you?"

****

When Harry met Sally is up against My Big Fat Greek Wedding in the Movie Madness today at Ree's....

I choose My Big Fat Greek Wedding even tho I love When Harry Met Sally.

But as far as wedding dresses goes.

This one beats Toula's by a mile!

"Oh Marie."

****

I'd love to know what romantic comedies you love.
Surprise me!

Dazzle me. (who says that?)

Love and Kisses and movies,
Donna

2012-02-09T09:42:00.002-06:00

Once upon a time
I had a quiet life.
I was a couch potato.

Until there was you.

****

What do you think of rawhide bones for your dogs?
Not at all?
How often?
Any troubles?

Thanks!

Love,
Donna and Moneypit aka Ginny

2012-02-08T09:26:00.004-06:00

sometimes in your daily daily life
you wonder

what's it all about

i'm nearing the end

what am i doing here

And then you ask your daughter
what is the point

anyway

and she says...

B.L.E.S.S.

Begin with prayer
Listen
Eat
Serve
Share

and then i feel better
because i can do some of those things

today

encourage one another,
donna

2012-02-07T09:24:00.002-06:00

It's Matthew's birthday today so I went looking for a really fun picture of Matthew to post to his facebook page.
I did not find the picture I was looking for...

but LOOK what I did find.

Oh my goodness, gracious sake.

Katie Gracie at the Brewers game.

My heart is about to bust.

I am so thankful for this little girl.

And her big brother Matthew too.

Matthew, when did you go and get so handsome?
Looking just like Colin Farrell here....

I am so proud of the man you have become! You are a great dad and loving husband.

Love you very much!
Happy 27th Birthday!!

Encourage one another,
Donna aka Mom

2012-02-06T09:29:00.002-06:00

I love....

the magic of ordinary days....

and a sleeping puppy.

Encourage one another,
Donna

Downton Abbey discussion welcome in the comments.
Did anything else happen this weekend?

2012-02-04T08:16:00.002-06:00

It's Pinterest time again!!!
I'm so glad I thought to do this on Saturdays!!
It's an easy post for me and well....I get to share my favorite things...and show and tell was my very best part of school when I was a little girl.
I am not kidding.

Show and tell in grade school.
Cheerleading in high school.

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

So stinkin true!!!

Stephie found this one and pinned it to my facebook! Thanks Steph!

Source: blog.freepeople.com via Donna on Pinterest

I spotted this adorable photo yesterday and immediately thought of my sister Cindy.
She loves hearts found in strange places.

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

I continue to live in the past, as far as fashion and style....
I follow a woman on Flickr who posts the most fabulous fashion images.

Unknowingly.....

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: arrestedmotion.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: collection.ncartmuseum.org via Donna on Pinterest

I posted singular people alone in spaces.
What does it mean?

People with other people...and dogs....

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: jillthomasphotography.com via Donna on Pinterest

I am not a fan of props....
except when that prop is a very cool car.

Source: twitter.com via Donna on Pinterest

Happy Weekend!
Happy Super Bowl watching to those of you who are lucky enough to have a team playing!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-02-03T09:45:00.003-06:00

How Katie loves being on stage.

"In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be...."

Blessed Sacrament's talent show was last night. Lots of talented and out going kids.
It was very fun...and sweet.

Two boys did the Who's on First routine and that was really great! Made me think of my cousins Rick and Paul.
I seem to remember learning about that comedy routine from them. They have always been able to make me laugh.

A seventh grader sang Eddie Vedder's 'Just Breathe' and I cried in the school auditorium. It was dark. That was a blessing.
This little boy's voice was the exact opposite of Eddie's low grumbly voice,
but the words slay me and make me think of Susie.

Then the eight grade preformed a very goofy rendition of "Friday" and I was able to shake it off.

*****

I am doing a 30 day challenge with my friend Cheryl. Today we were suppose to take a picture of what you wore today...and that did not appeal to me at all...I wrote Cheryl and said...'can we switch it up?' Sure! she said....
So we picked another topic from a different challenge.

So today is "Words".

I think I got my shot.

Oh my. That was fun.
Scared me half to death having Ginny in front without her leash.
This was a one and done sort of thing.

Thank you honey.

2012-02-02T09:55:00.003-06:00

Fresh Step...where have you been all my life?

Our cat is 11 years old. I have finally found a cat litter that really, really works.
It doesn't even smell when you are cleaning it out.

Highly recommeded.

****

Now this may seem gross to follow the cat litter story with a recipe. Oh well.

Source: plainchicken.com via Donna on Pinterest

The Easy Chef (that's me) recommends this simple and delicious, sticky, 'coffee cake'.

Here are the ingredients.

6 T. butter
1/2 jar of caramel ice cream topping
1 pkg pillsbury cinnamon rolls
1 cup chopped pecans

Here's the drill.
Melt butter. Combine melted butter with caramel topping and add the chopped nuts.
Cut the cinnamon rolls in fourths.
Add to the melted caramel mixture.

Put in cake pan....like in the picture.

Bake at 350 for 20 min.

This is as good as the monkey bread and faster!!

******

One last thing, this morning I noticed that people are linking with love over at Pinterest. I can see who has pinned things from my blog (booshay.blogspot.com) and many many times I am being mentioned as the photographer. I am being mentioned with kind words. People are linking with love. This photographer says thank you. I love when you do that.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-02-01T08:31:00.003-06:00

Ruh Row. Puppy on the table.
I was a bad mom and laughed and took a picture.

I'll get it together.

When I dreamed of a lab puppy...this is what I wanted her head to look like.
Just like this.

And I just want to say,
When life gives you onions,
take a picture of them.

a model pup
Go Tigers!!

i am in love

This is for real.

What a dear doggie.
What a dear, crazy, nutty, funny, sweet doggie.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-31T09:32:00.004-06:00

I got my first album in the mail yesterday from Amazon.

The last time I bought a record, there was no Amazon.
There was no Internet.
There were no personal computers.

I imagine there were computers in a war room somewhere.

Like in War Games.

One of the best movies ever.

But, yeah, it's been a long time.

I bought Mumford and Son's first album called Sigh No More.
You may know their most famous song The Cave.

When I think of Mumford and Sons, I think exuberant.
I think spiritual.

Marcus Mumford was raised in the church. He writes songs with deep spiritual meaning.
This makes my son Matthew a huge fan. Huge.

I, on the other had, like music for it's....tune....danceability....general sound.

This is evidenced by my total word unawareness.
I have loved songs with immoral lyrics one time too many.

I will try to listen to the lyrics, perhaps this time I will hear.

Lead me to the truth and I will follow you with my whole life...
M & S

Encourage one another,
Donna

Since so many of you do not know Mumford and Sons...here is when they were on the Grammys...and I think....stole the show.

(I've showed this twice before on the blog....isn't it funny what we remember or click on?)

2012-01-30T09:12:00.002-06:00

Last night the SAG awards were on,
I was an accidental fashion correspondent.

Here is what I thought was purdy!

Mya. Again.

Just adorable on a young girl...
Great choice sweetie!

Octavia (minny) ties with Kaley for best dressed.

*****

I am doing a 366 with my iPhone/instagram.
Here are some of the images from the weekend.

Car Ride!!!

Off to another exciting week here in Wisconsin...

Lots of love!!

Donna

2012-01-28T08:29:00.002-06:00

This week on Pinterest....

Source: 2ou3choses.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

I saw a portrait that inspired and warmed...

Source: fairytaleinterrupted.com via Donna on Pinterest

I posted a book that I ordered...and will receive on Monday. I hope.

Source: twitter.com via Donna on Pinterest

This picture made me smile.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

And so did this one....

This is Elizabeth McGovern when she was a young girl in Ordinary People...
I related to her...I dressed like her....

Source: lvrj.com via Donna on Pinterest

Have you read this book? It is one of my favorites!

Source: t-antik.com via Donna on Pinterest

I followed a rabbit trail and pinned this pretty illustration.

Source: redcarpet-fashionawards.com via Donna on Pinterest

And where else can a frumpy Midwestern girl pretend to be a stylist?
Pinterest, of course.

Source: peoplestylewatch.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Ginny got her own board.

Happy weekend!!

My brother Jim is marrying his dear Tilde today!
God bless you two!
May you love one another and care for one another and forgive one another and grow old with one another....
for as long as you both shall live!

Amen.

Donna

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-27T08:54:00.004-06:00

On Sunday morning I watched a two hour documentary on the making of Ferris Bueller.

Inside Story:Ferris Bueller's Day Off

This parade scene was actually filmed in a real parade.
The second part, the twist and shout part, was filmed after a 'call' for extras in Chicago.
Over ten thousand showed up.

I think this was the first flash mob.

Other fun facts:

Matthew had a hurt leg and could not do the choreography.
He winged it.
Matthew was 24 and bickered with John Hughes.
John Hughes apparently loved music.
The Beatles did not like the horns used in the parade.
The movie went way over budget.
It went from a social commentary to a comedy in the editing room.
John Hughes wanted to do a sequel.
Matthew was not too interested.
He is kicking himself.
John Hughes died of a heart attack in New York in 2009.

Now don't you want to see it again?

Bueller?
Bueller?
Bueller?

Stephie made me think of this, this morning, because she put a video up on her FB wall.

Until then,
Donna

Emma, that is Caldler's Flamingo in Chicago's Federal Plaza. Have you seen it?

2012-01-26T09:00:00.002-06:00

In Which Ginny makes her acting debut.

I have had much more fun watching Ginny watch and listen to this movie!
She is fascinated with my voice and noises.
Too cute.

"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans"
~ James Herriot

***

Katie's speech is today. She will preform it three times.
She is planning on singing at the end.

So excited!

Although we had no money
I was rich as I could be
in my coat of many colors
my momma made for me.
~Dolly Parton

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-25T13:34:00.002-06:00

simple silhouette tutorial at the pioneer woman's website

2012-01-25T08:45:00.002-06:00

When I stepped out of the car at Starbucks today to get my FREE drink,
I stepped onto this....colors on the ground.

Well, yes, I thought, my day is starting off very nice....free drink from Starbucks and rainbows at my feet.

For a title...I am thinking Unicorn Poop.
Or something to that effect.

What do you think?

What happened here?

I have a theory, what is yours?

Over and out,
Donna

2012-01-24T08:59:00.002-06:00

Katie is in Forensics at school. I call it speech club cause forensics is too hard to say.
That's ironic.

Anyway, she has chosen solo acting and her piece is a monologue.
It is Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton.

The 'speech' tournament is Thursday!
So exciting.

She is attempting a Southern accent.

I suggested she sing the last few lines of the song at the end.
(And I know nothing about speech giving.)
But she said 'no'.

I think it's a great idea.
But what do I know.

*****

Katie WILL be singing a solo in the Blessed Varieties talent show.
How this little peanut has the guts to do this, I do not know.
She thinks it's fun and actually wants to be up there alone.

I love to sing in the chorus.

Solo. Oh NO.

This is what she will be singing.
So sweet.

***

And then there is Seussical the musical which she is participating in this Spring.

It's all or nothing around here.

So proud of you Katie dear!

Love and Kisses,
Donna

2012-01-23T08:14:00.002-06:00

Our little puppy has wings....

I spotted white wings on Ginny's shoulders and thought I should try to snap a picture of them.
Katie stood on the other side of the gate to get Ginny to stand up.

I snapped a few pictures.

What do I see. Not only light colored wings.

But a whole darker colored angel.

Astonishing!

Proof that Ginny is heaven sent.

*****

I'm going to post this small portion of Downton Abbey.
Skip it, if necessary.

It is, as far as I can remember, the best bit of television I have ever seen.

Quick set up for those of you who will watch this and aren't hooked yet....

England is at war. Downton Abbey is being used as a convalescent home.
Matthew, the heir to Downton is missing. It took a while for the family to warm up to Matthew.

(it's backward :o)

If you were the only girl in the world
and I were the only boy
Nothing else would matter in the world today
We could go on loving in the same old way
~Clifford Grey (1916)

****

Charging into a wall of snow! FUN!!

***

Guess my favorite part.

Happy Monday!
Happy Luke House day!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-21T08:43:00.003-06:00

Pinterest:Favorites from year one.

As far as I can tell, I started pinning things to my Pinterest boards on Jan. 21, 2011

Source: magnumphotos.com via Donna on Pinterest

Elliot Erwitt.
Photographer.
Artist.

Source: telegraph.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

This was the moment I fell in love with Catherine.
Not a moment before.

Source: etsy.com via Donna on Pinterest

These words inspired me.

Source: healthyhazards.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: ilaeria.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

These words touched my heart.

Source: parishotelboutique.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

I dreamed just a little.

Source: bfdblog.com via Donna on Pinterest

I got dressed. In my head.

Source: origin.www.jcrew.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: thecraftymamablog.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

Apparently I like colorful cakes...

Source: blogs.babble.com via Donna on Pinterest

and salads.

When the girls were little, they would play waitress.

I always ordered a Diet Dr. Pepper and a Cobb salad.

Every time.

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

Abbot H. Thayer.
Never heard of him before Pinterest.
Then I googled and learned more about him.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

Pinning to my I love movies board is a special treat.

Source: flickr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Who remember this?

It was on Family Classics every year. I am sure.

Chicagoans??

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Source: zimbio.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

My All Stars.

The Cool Dad.
The Princess and
The Movie Star

****

As I go thru my pins I can see that I have not always Linked with Love. Many pins are not attributed to the original source.
This year I will do better.
I promise.

And that's the Pinterest news for this week.

Now. Go and watch About A Boy if you have never seen it.
It has a great message.

Marcus: Suddenly I realized - two people isn't enough. You need backup. If you're only two people, and someone drops off the edge, then you're on your own. Two isn't a large enough number. You need three at least.

The whole thing. Amazing words.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-20T08:54:00.002-06:00

JUSTembrace is having a really cool fund raiser!!
They were given four tickets to a Bulls game. (This coming Monday Night.)
So Sher decided to have a contest for the other two tickets.
And then, our blog friend Mary, and her son Jamey who have become friends to JUSTembrace, donated more tickets
to the game!! How great is that? So now four tickets are up for grabs.

If you would love to see the Bulls play, and I hear they are good this year, hop on over to the JUSTembrace website
and get in on the fun.

Thanks so much!

Bulls Tickets and a date with Sher and Emma! Kind of

*****

Dust of Snow
by Robert Frost

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

*****

I saw this on Ellen and found it on Youtube to share with you.
What a clever bird.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-19T09:18:00.002-06:00

Winter has come to the forest.

Bringing up baby.

Good ole phone camera.

*****

In the warmth of our home, I watch old movies and some not so old movies.

Have you seen Miss Pettigrew lives for a day?
This was my favorite line.

Guinevere Pettigrew: I am not an expert on love, I am an expert on the lack of love, Delysia, and that is a fate from which I wish more fervently to save you.

Have you seen My Favorite Wife with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne?
If you like screwball comedies, you really must watch this.

Oh! and since it is indeed Leap Year. You should just go ahead and watch Leap Year.
The movies is rather slow paced for a romantic comedy, but the kiss is worth the wait.
All of the youtube clips have clipped the kiss by a little. Why they did that I don't know.
It's a perfect screen kiss. A kiss that makes you want to grab your hubby and kiss him.

Here is my awkard and poor attempt to film the kiss with my phone.
All the stuff in front of the tv is stuff I have taken away from Ginny.
I am going to train her to pick stuff up and put it in the trash.

Just a little kissing to warm you up on this chilly day.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-18T04:57:00.000-06:00

A few times a week Katie brings me papers from school to sign.
If she has a very good score, I sign my name and make a big happy face.

I have been know to draw a frown on a paper or two.

Yesterday, she proudly handed me a paper with a 91%.

I signed my name and said, "I like A's!!"
Then I said, " 'd' is for dandy! That's what my dad would say."

Katie said, "Aw! I love that!"

" I was not very smart." I told her.

"Well you turned out fine." she said to me.

"I guess I did."

Katie's gonna be fine too, I suspect.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-17T09:38:00.003-06:00

We are waiting for Youtube to upload the Pinterest Talkie Blog....
It is not without it's own glitches.
Technology is not for the impatient....well maybe it is...

Ginny says woof.

I will be back when Youtube gets it together.

Love
Donna

Pinterest Part One

Part Two

Here is the question I remembered I forgot.

How do you put those Pinterest images on your blog with the nice information below them?

I click on the word 'Embed' and then I copy the information and paste it on to my Blog when I am composing a post.

The woman who created Link with Love is called Kal Barteski.
Just wanted to let you know. She is a wonderful artist and seems to be a pretty cool person too.

Done. Hooray.
Hope this helps.

Love ya!

Donna

2012-01-16T07:37:00.003-06:00

The Golden Globes were on last night after the worst Packer game we have seen in years.
El Stinko.

The Golden Globes on the other hand were entertaining...and that is what they are suppose to be, so that was nice.

Downton Abbey was a downer last night for many reasons....except on the Golden Globes it won for best Mini Series.

Has anyone seen Hugo? That movie looks lovely to look at? Scorsese directed it with his daughter in mind and I love that.
His films are masterpieces of drama and violence, usually. I can not wait to see his Hugo.

For as much television as I watch, I recognized very little, but got some good ideas for shows (seasons) to Tivo.
(If you do not have HBO or SHOWTIME you're kind of out of luck.)

Now on to the red carpet!!

Reese looked happy and relaxed and sexy in her red dress by Zac Posen.

Sofia Vergara. She is funny and flawless.
(But she wears this style every time. No surprise. I like surprise)

This is the very lovely Frida Pinto. Her necklace was spectacular. It was delicate and sparkling. You may think her dress is big and clunky on her. But I like it's body and texture. I also think this dress fits the occasion best...they sit at tables and chat and eat and drink at the Golden Globes. Frida was a presenter so she picked a dress that would be beautiful but does not steal the show. I like her. She's a clever young girl...and beautiful too.

Maya Rudolph from the Bridesmaids and SNL look great to me. Some thought this boring. I thought it was perfect. Her fabric was very interesting. The shape is perfect on her. I like the black. I like this very much. David Meister.

Jessica Alba looks very pretty in the color and dress. I almost think this is too tame. It's Gucci. It has a David's bridal feel to it in this picture. But she is really great all around.

Why is this picture here? Because Callista has never looked better. I'm so glad she has eased off the botox a little.
She looks wonderful. Go Callista. The earring on Harrison Ford is weird. But he has had it for a while. So that's him, I guess.

Another Zac Posen. Beautiful, beautiful model Elle. It's almost unfair. She is The Body after all.

Here is Diane Agron. She is from Glee. This dress grew on me as I saw it on tv and then online as I was searching for winners.
This is interesting and unique, beautiful and bold.
Her hair and makeup and jewelry. Fantastic! I wonder who styled her?

The dress is by Giles. I will have to google him/her.

Viola Davis from The Help. She is so beautiful. Her dress was not my fave. But she wins for looking great on the Red Carpet.

Every year you all love Helen Mirren. She looked wonderful as usual. Not a fan of the top of this dress. I love the bottom of it and Helen's gorgeous face and hair and makeup.

Hee Haw. Oh! You are my favorite actress but dressing up is just not your thing.

Charlize. She had me at hello. Now you know I like very low cut dresses. Last award show I picked out another belly button V.
What can I say? It's not that I even think they are sexy. It must be the shape. The complete look.
She was flawless last night. Almost all the pictures I have seen from last night are just too bright and wash out the stars and their dresses...especially if the dresses were light and the hair was blond. But believe me, this was perfect.

No. She had me at hello. How interesting and beautiful and perfect and white. Who can look that great in Satin/ White. No one? Well I can think of one other, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in her wedding gown.

*****

And the winner is....

Charlize Theron in Dior.
It was her shoes.
I like her shoes better than Angelina's shoes.

On to the Oscars!!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Update on Freida Pinto's dress and necklace.
(The Slumdog Millionaire actress opted for a no frills Prada ball gown so it wouldn't distract from her massive 144.96 carat yellow diamond Chopard necklace.)

Oh yeah! That's sparkly!!!

2012-01-14T07:19:00.002-06:00

Pinterest Picks

Source: vogue.com via Donna on Pinterest

The ladies from Downton Abbey in Vogue.
I love much about this picture...except the crop.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

She is the oldest woman ever on the cover of Vogue.
That is fantastic!

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

I adore this natural, windy, gorgeous picture of Lucy!
And that bow!!! My style.

Source: houseandhome.com via Donna on Pinterest

I love this symetry and the blankets and calm colors.

Source: foodbeam.com via Donna on Pinterest

So beautiful.

I like lemony and lime things.

Did you know, those are my favorite yogurt flavors?

Source: justapinch.com via Donna on Pinterest

My O my. I want to eat this.
Perhaps because it looks so moist.

Cake must be moist.
Food in gereral must be wet.

Is that weird?

*****

I saw this on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, I happen to think it's really funny.

Jimmy Fallon mixes things up with Tim Tebow and Davie Bowie.

Tebowie (1/12/12)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Go. Pack. Go!

2012-01-13T11:32:00.002-06:00

I just got a message from a dear friend.
She asked me for a prayer.
I ask you, prayer warriors that you are, to pray for an unspoken request.

For Our Children

Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.

Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them.

From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Holy Father, save our children.

Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.

-Amy Carmichael, from "For Our Children."

2012-01-13T08:58:00.003-06:00

The fight.

The very important and valiant fight against self pity and comparison.

You see, it is easy to feel sorry for yourself and boy that hole is big and waiting.
It's hard to fight it.

It's like a black hole... with a pull.

In the quiet of my house, I can feel it yank.
The tears of bitterness want to fall.

And then I fight.

I catch myself.
I stop myself.
I scold myself.

I do not cry.
I shoo those first thoughts away.

I stomp on them when they are little.

I replace those nagging, mean, pitiful thoughts with
positive, good and true thoughts.

I encourage myself right out of it....

or I watch Downton Abbey.

Naw. Just kidding about the Downton Abbey part....
it's Dance Moms.

No really.

It's keeping this blog up.
Looking for something that will build up and encourage
keeps my wandering toes out of that black hole and looking for beauty and joy and peace to share.

Thank you for that...
for keeping me faced in the right direction.

Thankful for the snow blower.
Thankful to be done.
Happy to come in to the warm house.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-12T09:36:00.002-06:00

a different kind of beautiful...

“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.”
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

If life is treating you a bit rough right now, remember,
beautiful people do not just happen.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-11T09:21:00.002-06:00

skin tones so grey from lack of warm light.

I tried about 20 different ways to make her skin look more pleasant.
haha...now her teeth are yellow.

Katie's braids looked super cute and messy after school yesterday.
The sun was out and the light was pretty.

My camera was at home so this was were the shoot would be.
As I drove down our street my heart sunk. You see, we live down a small hill.
We are just low enough that the sun, while still hanging above the trees, does not shine on our front yard or our back yard. The people across the street have sun. We are in the shade. It kills me.

After trying to take pictures upstairs and failing...we came down and I looked outside.

There I spotted a sliver of light. I am not exagerating to say this ray of light was no more than 1 ft. by 4 ft.

My muse could see it too and she went to stand in it.

Glowing braids.

Pippi

Katie says she is glad to be taking pictures again.
It's become special, fun time together.

You know, she doesn't even look at the pictures.

That's where you come in :o)

Thank you for letting me share my love of photography with you.

******

Ginny plays and potty's in the backyard. We don't have a fence and she is a good listener and stops when I say no.

er....

until this morning.

I said no in a stern low voice but somthing out front excited her and she was not going to listen.

Then I got afraid.

1. I don't want to chase.
2. I don't want her to run away.
3. I don't want her to get hit by a car.

I was able to fake her out with the promise of a treat.
(Yes. She has learned this word.) She came running into the house.

My heart was pounding. I was not calm and assertive.
I was mad and scared.
I yelled at her.
I'm sure she didn't know what I was yelling about.

She is napping now and my heart has finally calmed down.

Next time we go out, especially when she is high energy (in the morning), she will be on the leash.

Because she is so smart and obedient, I think I have too much confidence.

She comes, sits, stays, waits, goes potty outside and comes back in, and responds to no....she is so very smart.
But she is still a curious puppy and I will be more careful.

Adventures in dog training.

Yikes.

Encourage one another.
Donna

2012-01-10T09:07:00.002-06:00

Day-Time Moon

In the morning
When the sun
Is shining down
On every one,
It's very strange
To see the moon,
Large and like
A pale balloon,
Drifting over
Roof and tree
Without one star
For company...

-Dorothy Aldis

I made Katie learn this on the way to school.
I can not see a daytime moon without reciting this darling poem and for the life of me ( and my lenses) I can not take a picture of it.

So the beauty will be in my imagination and these words.

From our friend John.

January
by John Updike

The days are short,
The sun a spark
Hung thin between
The dark and dark.
Fat snowy footsteps
Track the floor,
And parkas pile up
Near the door.
The river is
A frozen place
Held still beneath
The trees' black lace.
The sky is low.
The wind is gray.
The radiator
Purrs all day

Why do I want to say Amen after reading that?

***

Many of you saw this picture on Facebook yesterday.
But my brothers-in-law, I'm afraid missed it....
and they happen to be keeping count....

In which Ginny learns to fly.

Mary says, 'Of course she can fly, she's magical Ginny Potter.'

Joy in the simple things.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-09T08:39:00.002-06:00

Oh! How I love to take down the tree.
It makes me feel like the house just expanded!!

Katie vs. Mommy

Ginny continues to grow faster than anything you have ever seen.

We take her to Starbucks to meet the wonderful baristas.

Downton Abbey Season 2 premiered last night.
It was all that I hoped it would be....more stories, more music, more wonderful acting.

I love Downton Abbey.

I honestly think it is the best thing on television....in a really long time.

Source: the-girl-who-ate-everything.com via Donna on Pinterest

I made this for dinner last night! It was very good. If you follow the link under the picture you will find the recipe.

And I find chopsticks frankly distressing. Am I alone in thinking it odd that a people ingenious enough to invent paper, gunpowder, kites and any number of other useful objects, and who have a noble history extending back 3,000 years haven't yet worked out that a pair of knitting needles is no way to capture food? ~Bill Bryson

Recipe above.
Folk recommended.
The best part.
The Ritz cracker and buttery topping.

Happy Monday!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-07T08:08:00.002-06:00

Pinterest Picks 2012
1/52

I really do love sharing these pictures with you all.
It's like show and tell..and for me...show and tell is just about the best thing in the world.

Source: designmom.com via Donna on Pinterest

Do you know Design Mom? She took her family to France for the year. Her blog is very popular.
Her house search in France was on House Hunters International. This was her family photoshoot this year by Lily Blue.

Just the cutest styling in the whole world.

Source: click.si.edu via Donna on Pinterest

I continue to be in love with the Kennedy family images. This is by the great Richard Avedon.

Source: weddinginspirasi.com via Donna on Pinterest

Simply Beautiful

Source: bestmadeco.com via Donna on Pinterest

I found this map and thought it was wonderful.

On this same website, I found some other treasures.

Source: bestmadeco.com via Donna on Pinterest

courage. compassion. grace. fortitude

good things. for sure.

Source: lost.net.au via Donna on Pinterest

If I remember correctly. This is Mr. Wood's sister and dentist!
How about that?

Source: newyorker.com via Donna on Pinterest

Roald Dahl's writing hut.
It's perfect.

I have a fantasty of having some sort of 'house' in my backyard. We need a guest room and I think a cottage in the backyard would be charming.

Source: peacockparkdesign.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

This might be nice too :o)

Source: digitalspy.com via Donna on Pinterest

We watched Midnight in Paris this week so I pinned a picture that reminded me of something....
Patrick and I have a picture on one of these green benches in the South Garden at Norte Dame.

I'm not showing it. I have a shelf butt in the picture and Patrick would rather not be on the blog....again.

Source: ebay.com via Donna on Pinterest

I would wear this every day of the week.
I'm not kidding.

Of course I would have to be thinner. But, you know, if I could wear this, I would wear it every day.

Source: sweetandsavorybysarah.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

Almond Cake. Have you ever heard of such a thing?
I have not. But I have now and I will make this one day.

p.s. of course the blueberries make the picture more appealing.
But I would not be putting any fruit on my cake.

And that's the truth.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-06T08:56:00.003-06:00

Hum.....
Let's see.

What can I blog about today.

How about....

Katie and Ginny!!!

On the way home from school yesterday we had a little photoshoot at a park on a hill.

This one is called.....

Paws.

What's that?

She is one serious girl.
Katie on the other hand is fun loving.

Squish.

Acting.

Yes. We did put the puppy down.
She had lots of sniffs.

A year ago on this same hill...it was 5 below zero.
Yesterday.

Fifty-four.

And that's the news from my humble hamlet.

Happy Friday.

So excited for Pinterest Faves tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-05T08:55:00.003-06:00

On Christmas Eve I over heard my husband and his brother talking about
legal movies. They were trying to remember the title of the movie about the case in
Escanaba Mich. After tossing around Witness for the Prosecution and Anatomy of a Murder,
they concluded it was Anatomy of a Murder with Lee Remick and Jimmy Stewart.

Two days later Witness for the Prosecution was on TMC and Patrick and Katie and I watched it.
I just found this movie about a year ago and it is a dandy.
Highly recommended.

It's funny but legal/trial movies are a genre of films.
I guess I never really thought of them in a group.

I found a list of 25 legal movies on the ABA website.

I chose my favorites from their list.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird.

The best.

2. 12 Angry Men

Classic

3. My Cousin Vinny

Funny

4. Anatomy of a Murder

Jimmy Stewart, Lee Remick. UP.

5. Inherit the Wind

Gene Kelly and Spencer Tracy
Clarence Darrow trial

6. Witness for the Prosecution

Classic. Must see.

7. Philadelphia

Moving. Tom Hanks. Joanne Woodward. Denzel Washington.
Neil Young song that
will break your heart.

Bruce Springsteen won the Academy Award for Best Song from this movie.
But Neil's song is the winner in my heart!

I challenge you to watch that and NOT cry.

That old video is gorgeous and genius.

8. Erin Brockovich

This really is good.

9.The Verdict

Great Paul Newman

10. Presumed Innocent

I love this movie. Harrison Ford

11. Kramer vs. Kramer

The best. Dustin, Meryl.

12.Miracle on 34th St.

Delightful conclusion

13. Liar, Liar.

This is not on the ABA list. But how can you not remember Jim Carrey's hilarious courtroon antics.

14. The Rainmaker

This is also not on ABA list. This is a good movie. David vs. Goliath.

A Few Good Men is, of course on their list, but not on mine.
Can't tell you why I don't like it.

For the full list;

25 Greatest Legal Movies

Happy movie watching!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. if you saw how I spelled prosecution you would lose all respect for me.
what a loser.

2012-01-04T08:33:00.002-06:00

Each morning I zip thru a stop light to get Katie to her ride to school.
It's always a minor miracle to get a green light.
There is a big, rolling bump in the middle of the intersection.

If you are lucky enough to get thru the light going 35 mph....or a little more.

It's just like the opening scene of "The Streets of San Francisco".

special note. sec. twenty five.

Yeah. That's exactly like my drive to school.

*****

Watching me blog.

I think she likes me a little.

By the way, I'm slightly attached.
I hate to leave her.
She cries when I am gone and that about kills me.

And when I am away from her...I can't wait to get back.

It's like having a nursing baby at home...that draw, that pull to get back to them...but without the nursing part.
ew.

***

Source: esquire.com via Donna on Pinterest

Look what I got for Christmas!!!

The record player sounds just wonderful to me. I think the sound is warm and perfect.

You would just die at the albums I pulled out of the basement.

Perry Como Christmas
Frank Sinatra: I remember Tommy
The Village People
Saturday Night Fever
A Star Is Born
Steve Martin:Let's Get Small
John Denver

Do you have a record player?
Did you know you can still by vinyl.

Coldplay and Mumford and Sons both sell vinyl.

I'm so old. I'm hip.

****

Thank you for all of the support and love!
I love you right back!

Donna

2012-01-03T09:20:00.002-06:00

Pride goeth before a fall.

Today I have a Photography Tutorial posted on The Pioneer Woman's blog.
It's about taking puppy pictures.

I didn't show this one. Ha!

I think my next tutorial will be called Making Friends with the Blurry Image.

She's getting bigger, isn't she?

***

You know, I find it very difficult to get a sharp picture with Katie's point and shoot camera.
Man! You have to stand still! And the delay. Oh lordy.
I'm sure the shutter speed, speeds up outside in the bright sun and the pictures will be better.
I hope.
Katie is enjoying her camera and she is experimenting with the settings.
It's pretty neat.

***

Right on my phone is a photo sharing app called Instagram.
I use it every day. I'm even going to try to do a 365 on it.

Sometimes I think I have told you something here...but I have only shared a picture on Instagram.
I do add the photos to Facebook and Twitter but I am not sure anyone is looking at them...and that is okay.
I enjoy doing it and it actually helps me remember to tell you things.

Like the fact that I made a calendar for myself with Mpix last week.

I got the calendar in two days. It is GREAT!
The quality of the pictures is perfect! The paper is thick.
I chuckle at some of the picture choices...I mean....July is me and Janet. It's a fab picture of us...but the thought that
I will be looking at us for a month is kind of funny!

So it is not too late to gather twelve pictures and upload them to Mpix.

This year, I am going to make a folder in Photoshop and label it 2013 Calendar.
As I take pictures that I love, I will put a copy in the folder. Imagine how easy it will be to make my calendar next year!
All my favorites will be in one place! Woo. I'm so excited.

This reminds me that we went out to Biaggi's on NYE.
We absolutely LOVE the oil and Parmesan and bread.
It's why we go there.
We are also fond of drawing on the paper 'tablecloths'.

This morning the smoke was pink and pretty.
It is 3/365.

Self Portrait for 2012

I think I look like Roger Ebert in this picture.
I like it.

***

One little piece of business.

The bloggies are here again. If you would like to nominate me or or yourself or a blog you love....

go here:

2012 Bloggies

Cheryl mentioned this in the comments for me yesterday, but I wanted to put it out there...just this once.
Thank you to everyone who has so kindly gone over to the Bloggie Website and nominated me.
That is super nice.

The rest is out of our hands.

Thanks so much for coming here and reading and commenting.
So sad there is not an award for the most wonderful readers!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2012-01-02T09:05:00.003-06:00

"Katie, do you have sunglasses?
"yeah."
"Go get em?"
"Why do I need sunglasses?"

Katie and Patrick went skiing on Saturday.
They did great!

As I always do at the beginning of a new year, I determine to take a picture a day or a picture a week.
I started another set on my Flickr page this year.

Last night, I realized I hadn't taken a picture...so in the dark, in the kitchen, I gave it a shot.

This morning, I tried all sorts of actions...and this one made the picture look like an old magazine ad.
How cool is that?
It's one of the MCP actions.

here is the original

***

One more day of having Katie home all day with me.
It's been very nice for Katie and Ginny to bond.

Ginny is sleeping thru the night and I am super happy about that.
She is learning and listening and growing.

We are going shopping today for more bully sticks. The dog can come in the pet store with us.
A chance for a new socialization opportunity.

I hope you had a really nice New Years eve and day!

I'm not doing resolutions.

But if you have a fantastic resolution story, we'd sure like to hear it!

Source: vi.sualize.us via Donna on Pinterest

Source: uppercasegallery.ca via Donna on Pinterest

My Pinterest words and posters board has lots of inspiration.
Head over there to read them all!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-31T10:21:00.003-06:00

I have never had a spectacular New Years Eve.

No champagne.
No party with streamers and horns.
No hat.

Perhaps a kiss.

I am old enough to not let this bother me.
I use to think that everyone else was having so much more fun than I was.
I'm over that.

For me the New Year represents another year of blogging.
I started on Jan. 1, 2004.

I have blogged nearly every day for eight years and I still love it.

In Jan of 2004 I shared some quotes I found in a small resource book;
Writer's Inc. was very encouraging.

"There is one type of writing, however, that may have more to offer than most movies. It is called personal writing, or writing that comes from within, carried out because you have a personal need to explore or share your experiences."

"Once you get into personal writing, you'll soon realize your thoughts and experiences are no more than starting points. You'll begin to turn these initial ideas inside out and see them in new ways. This might sound like heady stuff, but it really isn't. Personal writing is simply an effective way to examine your world."

"Journal writing works best when it is done on a regular basis....The important point is to get into a writing routine."

"In the best of all worlds, journal writing will become a very important part of your life, right up there with good friends and good food. But we will settle for something far more practical and down to earth: That through journal writing you will begin to feel more comfortable with the physical act of writing and more confident in your ability to express yourself."

"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it,...and, above all. accurately so they will be guided by its light."
-Joseph Pulitzer

*****

Just this morning I stumbled upon an artist named Abbott Henderson Thayer.

Source: iiiinspired.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

How gorgeous.

***

First day with my big girl camera.
Little Katie. 2006.

There, how's that for a discombobulated post?
Ah well.

Happy New Year!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-30T07:38:00.002-06:00

Rounding the bend on 2011

8-31-11

Asher is one!
Along with a birthday party, Asher was dedicated by his Grandpa on this gorgeous weekend.

Mathew was 14 when Katie was born. I always wondered what her relationships with her older siblings would be like.
She has a unique life. It's special in it's own ways.

The Packers started the season with a bang.

9-8-11

9-23-11

Katie and I met sisters Cindy and Nancy in Minocqua for the Rump Roast Run. It was Beef-a-rama weekend! woo.

I found Tammy! She is a wonderful person.

Nancy gave me this picture of our parents and her in-laws.
I treasure it.

10-1-11

Justembrace had it's wonderful successful kick off at the beginning of October.

10-5-11

10-8-11

10-15-11

Sunny and windy and beautiful!

10-27-11

A fantastic meet up with Stephanie and Carol and Dorothy and Donna.
Utter delight.

10-2-11

Prayers were prayed.

11-11-11

Yes. The nuttier you look on 11-11-11, the better your fortune will be.

NOT.

I was selling raffle tickets.
My ring looks gigantic.
Sweet blur.

11-12-11

We met Ginny Potter Glyman Boucher and her mommy.

11-14-11

Emma and I went to the Packer's game....you know, the one that I forgot the tickets for.

11-24-11

Thanksgiving was super fun with Asher and his parents here. He is such a nice boy.

11-26-11

Oh yeah!
We know how to live!

11-27-11

Christmas picture time.

12-5-11

The Easy Chef emerges.

12-23-11

Ginny Potter Glyman Boucher steals our hearts.

A year of beauty and joy and love thru my eyes...

Wishing you beauty and joy and love.
It doesn't have to be big and fancy.

It can be quiet and ordinary.

And magical.

Love you.
Donna

2011-12-29T08:17:00.003-06:00

The warmer and sunnier months of 2011

It was almost May when Katie and I flew to Maryland for the workshop at Angie's home.
What a trip!!

Cheryl came to the workshop. She picked me up at the airport.
She got to know the real me, super fast.
blush
I think she still likes me.

5-14-11

Graduation day!
What a crazy trip! The weather was horrendous.

5-15-11

The tulips didn't seem to mind.

5-21-11

I gave a workshop to a group of really wonderful women in May here in Wisconsin.

I pinned and pinned and baked and pinned.

6-1-11

Katie helped me experiment with lens lengths and facial distortion.

6-5-11

Asher found his voice...in the middle of a wedding where daddy was standing up.
Matthew, who never wants to offend or displease anyone, was horrified by his noisy baby.
Grandpa took him to the nursery.

6-10-11

I took Emily's Senior pictures in July.
She was just accepted to Wheaton and is super happy about that!
Her mom is AmyJ from the comments!!

6-29-11

A gorgeous visit to Chicago to see Emma in her new home and to go to the rescheduled Cubs game.

kathyb and I met and barely watched the game.

7-13-11

I started using the Instagram app on my phone.
And I went swimming.

Sue's son Kurt married Marysa. It was lovely. And hot.

7-16-11

7-21-11

It was 100 degrees out.

7-27-11

The tutu made a summer appearance.

Asher had a rough summer of many illnesses.

Katie and I jumped in the car on the spur of the moment for a visit to cuddle
the ailing tot.

8-1-11

8-14-11

August showed off.

8-20-11

Uncle Mel's birthday party in Wheaton at cousin Paul's house.
A great time of celebration and laughter and reminiscing.

8-25-11

family portraits with little boys with beautiful eyes.

8-31-11

and the most beautiful mom and daughter

A special trip to the hair salon for pretty back to school hair.

What a glorious summer it was.
Family. Sun. New friends.
Rich with memories.

Much to be thankful for.
Donna

2011-12-28T08:22:00.004-06:00

The year in review.

1-1-11

black swan jr.

1-6-11

Yaya loves Asher

1-11-11

It was a snowy month.

1-27-11

my favorite country church

In Feb. the Packers won the Super Bowl.
The capitol of Wi. show off it's Packer pride.

Meeting Julieanne Kost was a wonderful highlight of the year. She is the Adobe Queen. And she is a lovely person.

Ferry Building. San Fran.

2-9-11

2-10-11

sweet newborn.
2-19-11

2-24-11

a typical day

3-10-11

editing with new MCP fusion actions

3-18-11

family session.

3-21-11

Emma Jean Jelly Beanie

3-25-11

we visit the Matthew, Melinda and Asher

4-15-11

we enjoyed the windy wind.

4-24-11

I mourned.

4-25-11

I loved.

to be continued

Love,
Donna

2011-12-27T08:02:00.002-06:00

Hats. Family. A new camera.

Apparently I did not get the memo about making kooky faces.

Okay!
I'm in!

Sheesh.

****

Katie got a camera for her birthday. It is a Panasonic. It is pink. It has a leica lens.
This is why I bought it.

You can take pictures right out of the box.
But you can not take very nice ones.
Katie is fearless and willing to learn by doing. That's great!
I'd like to help her get the exposure looking nicer.

I'll let you know what I learn.

Happy day!

It's my dear friend Karen's birthday today! Happy Birthday Karen!

Staying in my pajamas as long as I can today. Puppy walking will bring the lounging to an end, I am sure.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-26T12:22:00.002-06:00

It's apparently that kind of day...

Wish I could sleep like a puppy.

See ya round. like a donut.

Donna

2011-12-25T10:18:00.002-06:00

Partial Sermon by Peter Marshall

Let's Keep Christmas

And finally Christmas morning will come. Don't worry - you'll be ready for it - You'll catch the spirit all right, or it will catch you which is even better.
And then you will remember what Christmas means - the beginning of Christianity . . . the Second Chance for the world . . . the hope for peace . . . and the only way. The promise that the angels sang is the most wonderful music the world has ever heard. "Peace on earth and good will toward men"
It was not a pronouncement upon the state of the world then nor is it a reading of the international barometer of present time . . . but it is a promise - God's promise - of what will come to pass.
The years that are gone are graveyards in which all the persuasions of men have crumbled into dust. If history has any voice, it is to say that all these ways of men lead nowhere. There remains only one way - The Way - untried, untested, unexplored fully. . . the way of Him Who was born a Babe in Bethlehem.
In a world that seems not only to be changing, but even to be dissolving, there are tens of millions of us who want Christmas to be the same . . . with the same old greeting "Merry Christmas" and no other.
We long for the abiding love among men of good will which the season brings . . . believing in this ancient miracle of Christmas with its softening, sweetening influence to tug at our heart strings once again.
We want to hold on to the old customs and traditions because they strengthen our family ties, bind us to our friends, make us one with all mankind for whom the Child was born, and bring us back again to the God Who gave His only begotten son, that "whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
So we will not "spend" Christmas . . .nor "observe" Christmas.We will "keep" Christmas - keep it as it is . . .in all loveliness of its ancient traditions.May we keep it in our hearts,that we may be kept in its hope.

Rembering God's promises on this beautiful day,
God bless you!

Donna

2011-12-24T10:16:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Katie Gracie Boucher!

Every day you make the world a brighter and more wonderful place for us!

Happy 12 years old.

Aaron Rodgers will be wearing your age all year!

With lots of love!

Mom

2011-12-23T08:42:00.002-06:00

Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas.
Dale Evans Rogers

Last year we had lots of snow for Christmas.
This year, just a dusting.

That's okay too.

It's a low key Christmas all around.
Our boys will not be home this year and yet,
Christmas day will come.

It will come,
and it will be nice.

As nice as I want it to be.
Being in the moment.
Enjoying what I have.

Being thankful for everything.

Especially loved ones.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-22T09:20:00.003-06:00

It sure is nice having Katie home during the days.
Ginny is getting to know her and she is a help to me.

Every day we go thru the no bite- I'm the boss routine with Ginny. She is persistent but we are standing our ground.
Emma is coming home this afternoon so we will have to train Emma too. :o)

Consistency is the name of the game.

I've been setting my alarm for 2:00 am so I can take Ginny out to potty.

Last night I slipped (like doing the splits) and fell on my bottom.
I got all wet.
Ginny came to the rescue.
Then I put her right back in bed.

Can I tell you how very thrilled I am that it has been in the 30's this week. I can not believe our good fortune.

***

Katie and I are off to the grocery store now.

For Christmas eve we will have;

Pulled Pork
Ham
buns
salads
Fitchburg beans (see recipe blog)
and
chips
veggies and dip perhaps
sausage and cheese perhaps
Boucher bakery cookies
and...
perhaps a cake or pie...

I suppose I need to make Christmas dinner too.
Either tenderloin or steak bites....hum....
I am more confident with the steak bites...and my family isn't too fussy...
I'll probably do that.

What do you eat on Christmas day?

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-21T10:19:00.003-06:00

When we were in high school one of our favorite Christmas albums was....

the Beach Boys Christmas.

I was reminded of this the other day when I heard one of their songs on the radio.

You know, I taught aerobics for many years.
I made my own tapes.

At Christmas I made a Christmas tape. So many songs I hear on the radio, I can still remember the routines.

I used the Beach Boys on my Christmas tape.

Feel free to get up and dance!
The 'pony' works.

****

Katie has a half day of school today.
We are still Christmas shopping.
I'm planning and picking up things for our family Christmas eve gathering...
Oh! Yeah. Katie's birthday too.

Better start making my lists.

Emma comes home tomorrow.
She is a great help around the house.

Everything will turn out just fine.

All is calm.

Or is this sleep depravation talking?

Either way.

Merry and Bright it is....on the shortest day of the year.

Lots of love!
Donna

2011-12-20T08:21:00.002-06:00

You will have to bear with me...or as Stephie likes me to say, bare with me. :o)

I've got puppy training and tending to do.
So I can think of little else.

Training Katie to be an alpha dog is hard.
Katie had two successes this morning before school so that was good...after that big bite on the had, Katie had to get tough and serious. We don't want Ginny to boss Katie.

Katie took fresh Boucher Bakery cookies to school this morning....and that makes for a special day.
She is celebrating her birthday with her class.

Ginny and I are going to the vet soon.

I played ringtones for her and she loved them.

I like her very soft ears.
Katie likes her whole head.

It's a cute head.

Happy Tuesday before Christmas.

Off to the vet.

Donna

2011-12-19T09:36:00.002-06:00

Ginny Potter Glyman Boucher is sleeping under my chair as I type....well....no im holding her..typing with one hand.
I was told she is smart....and she is. She is learning so quickly.
She howled and barked and cried so loudly last night i have never heard such noise. but thankfully she calmed herself in about 45 min. i texted janet and she said...be strong. she wont remember this. i set alarm for 1:30...and took her potty,

then this morning, dh feed her and took her out twice as i slept.

she

it went really well.

babies are hard.

ginny is just a wiz...

she was sad yesterday...if doggies can be sad...
today she is active and playful.

our hands are full...
literally for me right this moment...

oops...

potty break.

I'll write when I can!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-17T07:37:00.004-06:00

Pinterest Picks of the Week

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

Have you ever seen 'How to Marry a Millionaire.'?
It's campy and funny. Great clothes.
Great women.

Marilyn is blind as a bat in the movie and she hates to wear her glasses...you know, because men don't make passes at
girls who wear glasses.

But, she's super cute in the movie...and this picture also show her being her natural cute self.

Fame is a drug, I'm afraid. Few come thru it unscathed.

****

Source: modernhepburn.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

I sure like this color combination.

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

****

Pinterest Wisdom

Source: imgfave.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: joannagoddard.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

*****

Source: iwannawearsandals.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Illustration by the wonderful Margaret Tarrant

Puppy news and pictures and stories to come on Monday!
We are so excited we can not sleep and will be practicing our calm, assertive behavior all day.

Lots of love!!

Donna

2011-12-16T09:10:00.002-06:00

Do you know this pretty song?

*****

Here are a few pictures I took of Katie on the day we picked out the Christmas tree.

Yes. We are in the garage.
Too much stuff hanging from the ceiling.
boo.

***

I just went looking for some Christmasy quotes in my December archives,
and I found this post on Tending to our marriages.

I was kind of bold back in 2005. Giving advice and all :o)

You may like to read this post:

Tending to your marriage

Lots of love,
Donna

2011-12-15T09:03:00.002-06:00

Every night I set my radio alarm to go off at 6:26.
When it goes on in the morning I hear very brief snippets of the news.

This morning I heard, "The war is officially over in Iraq."

Now. You know me. I am not going to get political on this blog.
It makes me nervous to even mention that the war is over....

But it deserves a mention.

A war is over.

Thank you to those who served so bravely and honorably.
Thank you for what you have done.

******

My family loves a little Kenny and Dolly at Christmas time...and The Judds....and Amy Grant...

Apparently for us, Christmas is about country music....ha!

****

Katie found her plaid shoes. They were perfect for the concert last night.
She put on a little makeup. It was subtle.
I tried to wipe off the eye shadow.
She curled her hair.
It fell quickly.
We used lots of hair spray and now her hair feels like doll hair.
And so it goes.

****

Our puppy comes home on Sunday! I am going puppy gear shopping today.
I have been calling her Ginny Potter, but I think she should be
Ginny Glyman Boucher.

Doesn't everyone want to be a Glyman girl?

Encourage one another,
Donna

Any unkind or political comments will be deleted.
This is a stress free zone.

2011-12-14T07:40:00.002-06:00

As is the case with my little blog that could....

the comments yesterday stole the show...in a most tender, caring way.

We hurt.
We cry out.
We share.
We understand.
We pray.
We comfort.

When all is merry and bright.....
all is not really merry and bright, is it?

Yet, the comments left yesterday were tender and mild.

I am thankful and I love you all.

*****

The Christmas program is tonight.
Here is my favorite part from last year.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-13T08:41:00.002-06:00

Since I have had my dslr camera,
I have taken a Christmas self portrait
in a ornament.

It's a tradition now.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

What is your weirdest Christmas tradition?

They can be the same.

I would say my favorite Christmas tradition is the party we have at our house on Christmas Eve.
It's hectic, it's crowded, it's kind of short, but it's our little family Christmas party and I love it.

It would not seem like Christmas without it.

My parents held a Christmas party for their friends every year on Christmas eve.
Many. Many. fond memories!!

As far as weird traditions....

This is just a weird thing I do...

(Bear with me, I've told this before.)

My wonderful quilting group in Marinette did a fun thing one year. We brought to our Christmas luncheon, something we always served at our Christmas parties. I brought my mom's bologna cream cheese appetizer.

Ours did not look nearly this 'good'.

My friend Roxanne shared a punch her family always had.

I have made this for myself every year. No one else will drink it. But that will not stop me from enjoying just a little
Eggnog Punch.

It's just diet slice, or diet sierra mist, or diet 7-up and eggnog from the carton.

Soda and a milky drink sounds very odd. But I like it.

And thanks to Roxanne, I have one or two or three glasses every year.
It's weird what sticks!

Merry Christmas Roxanne! I think of you every year at eggnog time :o)
I miss you all.

Good times.

Jump in!

Donna

2011-12-12T08:22:00.003-06:00

Going my way....

Source: joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

First off, everything looks so much tastier in pictures, don't you think? Especially things like this...but the recipe looked uncomplicated to me and I could purchase all the ingredients at Target...so it fit my criteria.

The Easy Cook was going to try something new.

Here is the recipe for White Chicken Enchiladas.
(If you follow the link under the picture it will take you to the original recipe.
I altered it a teeny bit because Katie does not like chunks of green things in her food. The original uses 10 soft taco and a bigger pan, too.)

Chicken enchiladas with green chili sour cream sauce

5 soft taco shells
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 jar Trader Joe's Salsa Verde

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 9 in pan
2. Pick up tortilla. Place chicken and cheese in the tortilla. Add Salsa Verde to some of them. Roll the tortillas and place in pan, seam side down.
3. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Turn off burner.
4. Stir in sour cream and some salt. Don't turn on burner. Just stir.
5. Pour over enchiladas and put some of that yummy salsa verde on the enchiladas that will be for the people who will eat green things. I also sprinkled pepper on the three enchiladas that were ear marked for me. This way I would know which ones had salsa verda touching them. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

This is the best new recipe I have tried in a very long time. It really is delicious!!
The sauce is flavorful, the salsa verde from TJ's is great and mild enough for me.
Katie like it. I loved it.

In fact, I might have to have an enchilada for breakfast!!

Winner. Winner. Chicken, Dinner!!!

As you can imagine from the foods here...this was not spicy. Do not expect spicy.

Just expect delicious!

****

I have to rave about my Christmas cards!

Mpix knocked it out of the park on all fronts.

On a scale of 1 to 10.... Mpix gets a ten.

1. Price was a 10
2. Color was a 10
3. From order to delivery. A big fat 10.
(I got my cards in just over 48 hours of ordering them.)
4. Cuteness. 10

Mpix does not give me anything for praising them. I just want you guys to know a really good place to get your cards and pictures.

****

And yes. We got our tree yesterday! It was warm and sunny out...there were no lines, we found a tree we loved right away.

It is a very lovable and fragrant Frasier.

***

And the Packers won again.

***

Yesterday was just about...too good to be true.

Ho Ho Ho!!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-10T07:29:00.003-06:00

Pinterest Picks! Pinterest Picks!
Week four.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

This picture is full of daddy love and I think it is wonderful.
Can you tell who this is?

It's a football player named Tom Brady.

He never looked better to me.

Source: nordicaphotography.com via Donna on Pinterest

I came across a photography website this week.
The photographer's are known as Nordica Photography.
They shoot a lot in Vancouver and Iceland.

I have a thing for Iceland.

It's a spectacular place.

Source: barefootcontessa.com via Donna on Pinterest

I have four of Ina Garten's cookbooks but somehow have missed this recipe.
I WILL be making this very soon.

Source: thesun.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

I remembered how much I loved The Vicar of Dibley specials...

Can you imagine that Netflix does not stream these...nor does Amazon. I will have to buy it for myself!

Source: citizencouture.com via Donna on Pinterest

And I pinned outfits and looks that make me purr with delight.

Happy weekend....
Lots of love!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-09T09:02:00.002-06:00

A favorite baby.

A favorite lesson.

A Lesson for Children.

Pray to God.
Love God.
Fear God.
Serve God.
Take not God's
Name in vain.
Do not Swear.
Do not Steal.
Cheat not in your play.
Play not with bad boys.
Call no ill names.
Use no ill words.
Tell no lies.
Hate Lies.
Speak the Truth.
Spend your Time well.
Love your School.
Mind your Book.
Strive to learn.
Be not a Dunce

The New England Primer of 1777

A favorite song.

genius.
unexpected.
perfect.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-08T08:45:00.002-06:00

Hi!

Yesterday I ordered my Christmas cards from Minted. They have darling card options.
This morning I got an email from Mpix. My friends from 1canoe2 have cards with Mpix this year!
Somehow I had forgotten this....
The Mpix cards would be almost half of what the Minted cards were.

Would I be in time?
Could I cancel my order with Minted?

YES!

I cancelled my order with Minted, which would have been 137.00 for seventy five cards and ordered 100 cards from Mpix
for 80.00.

I am so happy! Both designs were cute. Both companies very good.
Big huge savings with Mpix...and I get to support 1canoe2!!

woo!

times two.

****

Here are the Christmas/Holiday Movies that I love most.

1. White Christmas

2. A Christmas in Connecticut

3. It's a Wonderful Life

4. The Family Man

No. I love THIS movie.

5. Holiday

6. Meet John Doe

The best ending. Frank Capra. Gary Cooper.
I love this movie.

7. The Bishops Wife

This movie has the oddest premise, don't you think. Cary Grant, the angel, comes to make the husband jealous....
I adore the skating scene!!

****

It is impossible for any of these movies to disappoint. I promise.
The Family Man is a little sexy at times....be prepared to cover some eyes...yours...your children's...
but it's message of loving one another and loving your family is worth it.

Meet John Doe may seem an odd choice but it ends with a bang and it's message is strong: Love your neighbor.

Holiday is a new favorite and very cute. Also a little risk-ay...but those little English girls steal my heart every time I watch it!

"You look like my Barbie."

And the tent scene....enchanting.

Have a great day and watch one of these movies for me!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-07T09:18:00.002-06:00

Oh my gosh. How did I forget to edit this picture?

It is dark when Katie goes to school and dark when she comes home,
so unless I am cooking, there is not much of interest to shoot around here.

So....I can always go back and see what pictures I skimmed over in photoshop.

I found a few that I could play with yesterday and this morning.

Just as Matthew and Melinda were leaving I grabbed Asher and insisted that someone take my picture.

Yay for Yaya and Asher!

Emma is fun to shoot....and edit.

Christmas is coming.

Did you know that?

I guess I better start shopping.

urg.

Ginny Potter (our pup) will be here in less than two weeks.
I am going to train her to love my camera and to make eye contact.
She will be my buddy and my canine muse.

And so it will be.

Amen.

Happy Hump Day!

HO HO HO

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-06T08:22:00.004-06:00

easy food.

That's it!!!

There is slow food, there is fast food, there is fancy, hoity toity, elaborate food.

And then there is my kind of food.

Easy Food.

My sister Sue once showed me how to make baklava. She combined two recipes.
It turned out perfectly. But I was never brave enough to try it on my own. I was confused by the recipe combination and the filo dough.

My friend, Lynn, showed me how to make Pad Thai.
I was never able to duplicate it. Too many steps. Too many ingredients. Too many stores to shop for
just the right noodle. I loved that Pad Thai. No doubt about it. But it is not my skill set.

My skill set is easy food.

The fewer ingredients the better.
And those ingredients better be available in one place.

If the recipe calls for fresh ginger or fish sauce.

fo-get-abow-it.

If the chocolate in the recipe has a % of cocoa.
I'm lost.

If the cookies need royal icing...no way Jose.
Not gonna do it.

Oh! Don't get me wrong, I will eat anything you cook and I will shower you with praise if you make a plaid Christmas cookie.
But as for me and my kitchen...

I like to make something that I know will turn out.
I like to make something that is delicious.
I'm not looking for a challenge.

I like to make easy food.

Peanut Butter Butterscotch Rice Krispie Treats

One. One Ingredient.

Two. Two Ingredient.

Three, three easy ingredients, ah ah ah!

(Easy Cooking with Miz Boo aka Cooking with The Count)

Ta-dah.

So, let's review.

1 package of Nestle Butterscotch chips
1 cup of good peanut butter
6 cups of Rice Krispies

Melt chips and peanut butter together in microwave.
Pour over Rice Krispies. Mix.
Pour into 8 x 8 pan.
Refrigerate until they are set. (about an hour)
Take out of fridge.
Cut.
Enjoy!

That, my dears, is easy food.
Delicious and perfect, easy food.

Encourage one another,
Miz Boo...the easy chef.

haha

2011-12-05T08:26:00.002-06:00

Do you remember the prayer I was asked to share and pray last month?
(Nov. 1) The little prayer card that was pressed into my hand?
The request for Amy's husband to get a job after a year of looking?

Last Monday Amy's husband started a new job.
I am overjoyed for their family and full of thanks.

I thought you would like to know. I know you were praying too.
Thank you.

***

Katie and I went to Chicago on Saturday night for a Just Embrace holiday meal.
It was so nice. The food was delicious, the house was decorated so prettily.
A deaf man lives across the street and he just happened to come over.
It was a challenge to read his signs and remember many of the words I wanted to say
but it was fun nonetheless.
His hearing aids are broken and he can't get more...I imagine there is a group in the
city that helps with that....don't you think?

My friend from Madison, Mary, gave me three chicken pies to donate to Justembrace from her church pie sale...
Sher served the first one on Saturday night along with all the other holiday fixin's....last I saw, there was only one piece left!
So thankful for hearts full of charity.

*****

It turns out that a person was shot and killed two blocks from where Sher and Emma live after Katie and I left that night.
Drive by.
Gangs are bad. People are hurting.
I know that there are bright lights of hope and love all around.

let your light so shine before men...

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
James 5:16

Encourage one another and shine,
Donna

2011-12-03T08:05:00.002-06:00

Parade of pleasing Pinterest pins

Source: thedaybookblog.com via Donna on Pinterest

cute.
pony tail.
glasses.
sweaters.

Source: Uploaded by user via Donna on Pinterest

nuff said.

Source: tooby.demon.co.uk via Donna on Pinterest

I really don't like Dr. Zhivago.
But I love how Julie Christie looks.
Especially in this scene.
Must recreate with my models.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

Emma, Melinda and I listed to Zoolander ring tones last weekend.
We laughed and laughed.

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

just plain beautiful.

***

Katie and Patrick Sr. are on the mend.
Both were down for the count yesterday.

I downloaded and watched Wives and Daughters. (BBC)
That's a good one, isn't it?

Katie has Harry Potter on in the other room and I can hear the music every now and then...
it reminds me of our puppy...
we can't wait!
just a few more weeks and then it's goodbye sleep, hello fun! hello companionship. hello poop!

Happy Weekend to you all!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-12-02T07:04:00.000-06:00

“December,” by John Updike

First snow! The flakes,
So few, so light,
Remake the world
In solid white

All bundled up,
We feel as if
We were fat penguins,
Warm and stiff.

The toy-packed shops
Half split their sides,
And Mother brings home
Things she hides.

Old carols peal.
The dusk is dense.
There is a mood
Of sweet suspense.

The shepherds wait,
The kings, the tree -
All wait for something
Yet to be,

Some miracle.
And then it’s here,
Wrapped up in hope -
Another year!

John Updike has such a nice way with words.

Happy December.

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. Katie is home with the flu today. Poor girl.

2011-12-01T07:02:00.004-06:00

Last week I sold my delightful, sharp, sexy time lens to my friend (and student :o) Laura.
The 17-55 2.8 is a wide lens and is very fun to work with. It is, however, not made for the
full frame camera I bought.

Laura mentioned that she was looking for this lens...I told her I would sell her mine.
This would make both of our wishes come true.
She gets a lens.
We get a puppy.

Perfect :o)

Anyway, I wanted to find some pictures to show her my first pictures with the 17-55 on my D80.
So this morning, I went looking thru my Flickr images....

Look what I found.

Close and wide.
The color is crazy, but this made me smile this morning.

Engagement photographer for hire.

hahahoho

Carrie is serious about this sword fight.
Apparently Katie is not.
Lovely spring in Wisconsin.
But look how much I got in this picture!
Wowza.

We love this chocolate pie.
This close with my other lenses would be just of the pie.

I love the bokeh Katie in the background.

With the wide lens you can get arms and legs and everything in the picture.
Look how little.

This is spring 2008.

Funny shot.

Me and Cindy in Chicago.

Anyway.

That's what a super wide lens like this one can do.
It really is a fun lens. It's a creative tool. I liked it a lot.
Enjoy it Laura!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-30T08:37:00.003-06:00

Good morning!

Yesterday morning I was feeling puny. (Sue and Cindy use this term. I use the term nauseous.)
Just a little tho. Like morning sickness. ha.

At 11:15 I set out for Boscobel Wi to visit Ginny Potter (our puppy).

I was running behind the whole day so I wasn't able to stop for food.
I wanted to visit our little one and bring her something with our scent on it.
It's a far drive but a lovely country drive.

I think the 'breeder', Michelle is smitten with Ginny. She says Ginny is always first to do new things. First to climb out of the pen, first to recognize her, first to eat. Three of the puppies have personalities emerging...Ginny is one of them.
Michelle says Ginny is very calm and affectionate.

I could not be happier to hear all of this.

:o)

big smiles.

When I left Boscobel, I started feeling really weird. I was very sleepy and agitated on the way back to Madison.
I had to pick Katie and her cousin up at school and then I needed to make a stop at the grocery store.
By the time I go home at four I was really feeling tired and had the chills.
I made myself some chicken and stars soup, thinking I was hungry and dehydrated from not much all day.
And then Kabaaam.

It hit.

I had to lie down.
I was hot and achy.

When Patrick came home from work, I went to bed.
I was chilled and couldn't get warm.

After an hour and a half, I came downstairs because I couldn't sleep and was not quite so feverish.
I took two ibuprofen thinking it would help with the aches.

I drank and drank and drank water.

By the time I went to bed my feet were less chilled and the fever was gone.
I thought it might be the ibuprofen and that in the night the fever would come back...
but it did not.

You may not believe it but I really didn't even know this was the flu until I googled fever.
Once I saw the list, I realized that this was influenza. (I always thought throwing up was the main ingredient but it is not even on the 'short' list.)

I'm just a bit puny this morning and will take it slow and try not to infect others.
I sure hope I did not get Michelle sick.
I really didn't know I was sick but I think I was highly contagious at the time of our visit.
:o(

****

Here is a cute picture of the girls with Asher.
I love the expression on Asher's face.

Football.

1985 and 1999

cuteness.

And now I need to go and catch up on some emails and rest a little.

I am very thankful my flu was so short lived. I didn't like it at all.

Lots of love,
Donna

2011-11-29T08:42:00.002-06:00

Melinda asked me to take a Christmas card family picture last weekend.
Of course it was cloudy and rainy all weekend.
Sunday morning we dashed over to a little spot I know of that had a few outbuildings on the property.
This is some one's private land.
This does not set well with Matthew.
He is a rule follower.
I like that about him.

Fortunately for Matthew, there was a for sale sign at the entrance to the property.
We could pretend we were buyers.
When he pulled in he was leery of doing the shoot there. I told him to turn the car around and
face it out the driveway for a quick getaway.

Here is a terribly overexposed shot of Matthew watching for the cops, or the landowners....
or a squirrel.

Katie came along to hold things for us.
She loved that! (sarcasm)

I brought a blanket because I am the queen of styling. (again more sarcasm)

I snapped 250 pictures in about ten minutes.
And because I was snapping so quickly and because my camera has been acting strange,
I had at least 80 overexposed pictures. (I think it's time to send the camera in for a tune up.)

Matthew has blossomed as a daddy.

I have just started editing the images Melinda chose.
It's fun and challenging.

Melinda and I laughed and laughed at this shot.
Laughing at yourself is healthy, don't you think?

Out takes.
Katie.
Graham cracker cake.
Tomorrow.

Love ya!
Donna

2011-11-28T08:27:00.002-06:00

Seems as I look over the weekend images...Katie had the weekend off.

Gorgeous Melinda and adorable Asher in my fabulous garage light. :o)

Is it any wonder where Asher got those big eyes?

Emma and I ran off on a cloudy afternoon for a quick shoot.
The whole weekend was cloudy.
It pushes me technically and creatively.

a few weekend tidbits...

much turkey, stuffing and gravy was consumed
katie and emma made peanut butter butterscotch rice krispie treats
asher waves byebye and pats your back when he hugs you
he also likes to knock noggins
melinda and emma know Steel Magnolias better than I do
katie is getting so tall
matthew loves shoes...still
patrick and i celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary on saturday
the packers are 11-0
cindy and pat stopped by with susie's knitting and quilting things
i am wearing a scarf she made right now

it's awful quiet round here now
but the cat is purring like crazy
she is going to hate the dog

what happens matters

Donna

2011-11-26T08:36:00.002-06:00

Snaps

Chanel who?

International Harvester, Farmall, John Deere, Carhartt.....

Being seen can mean more than one thing.

Black Friday Ninja

Aughhhhhhhhh!!!!

fun. times. good. times.

2011-11-25T07:09:00.002-06:00

Besides eating and cooking...
we always try to get outside to toss the ball at half time,
and we/lately just the children, go bowling.

Since it is a Glyman family tradition, I wanted to go along this year.

Lots of people go bowling on Thanksgiving.

This is Matthew's snowsuit.
Asher was still in his onsie when I grabbed the snowsuit and threw it on him along with his shoes.
Half time is short, you know.

Madison Gothic

Leaving the bowling alley...
it was a dark and pretty night.

Asher's very favorite song.
He will honestly sit thru this song four times. (And actually I haven't tried more than that....)

Enjoy those leftovers!

Donna

2011-11-23T14:13:00.002-06:00

Oh, Heavenly Father, We thank Thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank Thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank Thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service, That Thy gifts to us may be used for others.
Amen

Pauline Phillips' (Dear Abby)
HT to Jep

Happy Thanksgiving from our house to yours :o)

Love
Donna and family

2011-11-23T09:07:00.002-06:00

This morning it was misty.

This morning it was sunny.

It just all depended on perspective.
A slight turn.

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.
~Abraham Lincoln

And I just know, it starts with a grateful heart.
Counting your blessing, you know?

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.
~Thornton Wilder

May you all enjoy a superb day of thanks giving!

Even if you are in Switzerland or Canada or Paris...you can still gather together
to say thank you to those your love and care about. (Have a toast over Skype!)

I know it is hard to be away from loved ones at holiday times. It seems to be my fate.
But God has given me more ones to love this way.
I will not look at what I don't have.
I will say a big thank you for what I do.

And I think we will all go bowling after dinner.

Thank you!
Love you.
Mean it!

Donna

2011-11-22T10:01:00.002-06:00

Hi!

I just got home from the Thanksgiving grocery shopping. Part One.
I went to the Target Starbucks to get my little chai and decided to shop.
Those turkey's take days to thaw.

I will be bringing desserts, rolls and mashed potatoes to the big Boucher gathering. My sister in law is always so gracious to host ALL of us at her house.

This year I will bring two homemade pumpkin pies, a chocolate pie and Grandma Glyman's graham cracker cake.
(must remember whipped cream)

(I will make the whole meal at home before we go and we will use it as left overs for the following days.)

Matthew, Melinda and Asher are coming for Thanksgiving this year! We can't wait.
Emma is coming home too. We can't wait.
One day, Patrick Jr. will be able to make it for one of the holidays...I am sure of it. We can't wait.

I bought my husband a mass quantity of Bounty Paper towels today. This will make him super happy.
He loves his paper towels.

I also bought those circle/pretzels so I can make the faux turtles with the girls one afternoon.

That's from when I made them in 2006.
I had a hard time finding pecans. Are they rare this year?
Need to look at a second store.

Thanksgiving shopping. Part Two.

*****

My friend, Linda, has a very talented family. This year Matt and Jesika made a cd for the family.

A Gusto's Christmas by Matt Guastamacchio

I think you will like it.
Jesika and Matt are always doing something creative.
They inspire me.

***

Off to watch Kelly and Jerry Seinfeld.
Have a wonderful Tuesday!

What happens matters.
Love always,
Donna

2011-11-21T08:42:00.002-06:00

On Friday it was sunny and windy. Two of my favorite things. I thought it would be fun to go by the beach, by the zoo.
A hideous orange plastic fence ran along the whole shoreline.

Seeing as all the trees have lost their leaves I was left without any open shade.
It wasn't my favorite photoshoot....but I like the picture above.

I'm not a great fan of the orange tint. I was surprised to see it.
That's why I went with black and white.
Maybe it's not so horrible.

Here I am making the shade. This is one instance when being shaped like Jabba the Hut is a good thing.

****

I bought two new ringtones this morning while I was waiting for Target to open.

The first one I bought is "If you want to sing out, sing out." This is so happy.
The second one I bought is "Ginny". From the Harry Potter soundtrack. I have only heard this song once. I think Mark Ballas dance to this song on DWTS last season. Anyway. I liked it.

What Ringtone do you have on your phone?
Do you have special ringtones for different people?
I don't, but I think that would be fun!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-19T08:41:00.002-06:00

This week on Pinterest....

Source: tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

I was inspired by this image.
Must find or make this skirt for my models.

Source: google.com via Donna on Pinterest

I added this picture to my Fan Club board.

Source: community.apartmenttherapy.com via Donna on Pinterest

I spotted this picture on Apartment Therapy and pinned it to my 'for the home' board.
It was especially cool that this kitchen is in a home in tiny, far away, Viroqua Wisconsin.

Source: heygorg.com via Donna on Pinterest

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Donna on Pinterest

Oh MY!!!

We have a name for our doggie!!!
Katie came up with it yesterday and it immediately made both of us smile and squeal with glee.

It is not a name that anyone thought of....
except Katie...

and when you hear it. You will see it is a pretty good fit.

We will try it out on our little girl and see if it works....

So as of today....the puppy will be named....

Ginny.

Ginny is a character from Harry Potter. I like the Christmassey connection....'Yes, Virgina, there is a Santa Claus".....Santa Paws.....
Even tho Ginny Weasley is not a Virginia, I still like it very much and it works for me anyway.

Source: failbook.failblog.org via Donna on Pinterest

Isn't that funny?

Happy Weekend!!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-18T10:02:00.002-06:00

Why Regis means so much to me.

In 1989, one month after Emma was born, I had a ruptured appendix.
I was very very sick. It was the loneliest, darkest week of my life.
In fact, I was depressed for the first time in my life and it took months to come out of it.
I felt God had abandoned me and I was devastated.

But alone in that hospital room, I found the Regis and Kathie Lee show.

They kept me company and made me laugh.
It felt really bad to laugh with my side cut wide open,
but it felt good for my spirit.

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

It was indeed true for me.
I watched Regis every day after that.
He was my constant.
My daily giggle.
He was my every day visit with a funny friend.

I know he is just a man (That's part of why I love him, he is so very flawed and self deprcating.)

And unbeknownst to him, he helped me in a very real and unusual way.

I have heard that many people have told him this, so I'm sure he knows the kind of impact he has had on people's lives and tho it seems insignificant, making someone laugh is a great gift.

'with all my heart, I wish him happy.'

I love him like crazy.

Donna

2011-11-17T08:44:00.003-06:00

I tried a new recipe and it turned out just fine.

7up Biscuits

2 cups Bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-up
1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 450.
Cut sour cream into biscuit mix, add 7-Up. Makes a very soft dough.
Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on board or table and pat dough out. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a 9 inch square pan. Place cut biscuits in pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

As you can see, this is very easy.
My biscuits were tiny, which is fine when you are counting calories and the batch is small, nine perhaps.

I would make them again.
I need a dinner roll recipe that is this simple!

****

by Sir Peter Scott

SOMETHING TOLD THE WILD GEESE

By Rachel Field

Something told the wild geese
It was time to go,
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, "snow."

Leaves were green and stirring,
Berries, luster-glossed,
But beneath warm feathers
Something cautioned, "frost."

All the sagging orchards
Steamed with amber spice,
But each wild breast stiffened
At remembered ice.

Something told the wild geese
It was time to fly,
Summer sun was on their wings,
Winter in their cry.

I love the sound of that poem and the feelings it evokes.

It's chilly today and I just heard a flock of geese fly overhead. Those honks always remind me of our mom.

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-16T08:16:00.002-06:00

Do you like this effect?
It is called tilt shift.
It's my favorite.

Emma wasn't able to even stay for dinner yesterday.
zip in and zip out.
We had a nice day bumming around, we picked up Katie from school and took Emma to the bus.

I think not having a car is a great thing. (especially for a person living the non-profit, missional life)
But it can be very inconvenient.

Patrick didn't even see Emma this time.

I can not imagine that. I would hate that.

I love these precious girls.

Happy Hump day!

Love ya lots,
Donna

2011-11-15T07:48:00.003-06:00

A tail and a tale.

First of all, what a total blast I had reading the comments yesterday and this morning.
What wonderful stories, suggestions, ideas and names, names, names.

Loved it. Thanks for sharing.

Katie and I will be going over the comments with a fine tooth comb tonight!!!

***

And now for my tale,
my tale of woe.

Yesterday Emma boarded a bus in Chicago bound for Madison.
I got Katie to school, edited pictures and showered.

At 3:45 Emma's bus arrived at the bus stop.
At 3:45 Patrick picked Katie up from school
I was picking up dinner and drinks and met Emma at 3:50.

Emma was wearing her Packer's jersey.
I my Packer fleece.

We drove and talked and ate salads.

At 6:10 we found our parking spot on the street right across from the water tower.
Emma loaded up with a hat and mittens and a scarf.
I grabbed my wallet, phone and keys.

With the first step toward Lambeau it came to me.

I had forgotten the tickets.

We stood next to the car in shock and dismay.

I was stunned. I felt terrible.
Emma had traveled so far for THIS!!
I had no hope.

I wanted to get right back in the car and head home. We could listen to the game on the radio.

Emma said we could look for tickets near the gates or we could go and watch the game at a local bar.
She was tired of being in a moving vehicle.

I called Patrick. "I forgot the tickets."
He said he would check the website and see if they mentioned what to do if you were a bonehead....er....had forgotten your
tickets.

You see. I have gone to probably 35 Packer games.
I am the ticket rememberer.

I had never even heard of someone forgetting their tickets.

What do you do?

So Patrick checked around and called Emma's cell. (Because my piece of poop, ATT serviced phone, NEVER EVER EVER gets a signal.)

Go to the Main Entrance, the one with the statue with Vince Lombardi, there is a ticket window there.
Go to 'Ticket Problems" aka "Welcome Morons".

Give them your drivers license. Tell them all of your information. Look really sad.

No. He didn't say that. That came naturally.

We waked all around the stadium to find the gate.
It was a long and worrisome walk.

I stepped up to the window. A nice lady took my id. Asked for names and addresses. She looked on her handy dandy computer. She handed me a form to sign.

She made us new tickets.

No sweat.

I told her I would like to give her a kiss.

She said. Enjoy the game.

We were in.
Still in a daze.
But very very happy!

The Packers won, 45 to 7.
We are 9-0
It's good to be a Packer fan.

The End

The blessed, wonderful, victorious end.

Donna Boucher

2011-11-14T08:02:00.002-06:00

I hinted on Saturday that we were thinking about getting a puppy.
The litter I was interested in was going fast. The mommy is a pretty yellow lab named Mya. The daddy is a big beautiful boy named Duke. (Also yellow) Duke passed away soon after Mya was bred. Duke has a long line of gorgeous and wonderful children.

We made plans to go see the puppies because there were only two left by Saturday.

Mya's owner is a hunter and animal lover. She loves Mya so much that she wanted to breed her so she could have one of her babies. (She is not a career breeder.)

I am looking for temperament. Totally. This is why we are getting a Lab.
We just want a sweet dog to love.

My friend Wendy says, lots of love and walks and we can't go wrong.

That is my hope.

Katie is very excited. As she was holding the big girl, I brought the other lighter, smaller girl over to show her and Katie was not too interested in the smaller puppy. The second puppy was whining a little. (who can blame her) Our big puppy was calm and sleepy in Katie's arms and that was the end of that. Instant puppy love.

Our drive to Boscobel was a little under and hour and a half.

Katie and I talked the whole way of doggie names.

We went thinking of Lucy as our main choice.
After seeing her, Katie actually didn't think she looked like a Lucy. I wasn't sure either.
I think she looks like a Harper. (Named for Harper Lee author of To Kill A Mockingbird.)
Katie is not crazy about that name. Katie likes 'y' or 'ie' endings.

The pups were born on Halloween and will come home the week of Christmas.

We have thought of holiday names but our favorite is Holly and I know a few people named Holly.
Belle could be like a Christmas Belle.

Here is our list that I typed onto my phone.

Lucy (Lucy, you've got some splainin to do)
Nelle (We just thought this was a cute name, my niece Lindsay says, "Whoa Nelly!)
Maisy (cute name. maze is yellow)
Matilda
(Miss) Honey (I love miss honey. works for color.)
Jilly (always thought this was a cool name)
Monroe (I love this. For Marilyn. It sounds solid. Katie does not like it at all.)
Minny ( for wonderful Minny in The Help. Solid and sassy)
Harper (I love)
Sally ( sweet, Katie likes this)
Belle (we love Bella but know a puppy with that name)
Libby ( I like 'L' names)
Daisy (cute and long time fave of mine)

Here are some I wrote down but can't get passed Katie;

Willow
Bronte
Lizzy

Any ideas?

Remember she will be large and strong, we think, with a blocky head.

Katie wants to decide quickly. I am not in as much of a hurry.
Michelle said we can come back to visit any time. I'm sure we will in a few weeks and we can try out names then.

We are beyond excited!!

Squeeeeeee!
Donna

We thought of Boo. (TKAM and Halloween)
Not great for yelling tho.

2011-11-12T07:20:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday I shared my Pinterest finds from the week.
I think I will do that every Saturday.

Check out this clever and very watchable video.
It's really well done and super informative.

And today....I am going to buy myself a thin scarf so I can do this!

****

Source: etsy.com via Donna on Pinterest

You'll never guess what we are thinking of doing....very soon....

****

Source: makeupalley.com via Donna on Pinterest

This is a cool color, isn't it? I usually don't care for pinks...but this one....I love.

*****

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Donna on Pinterest

I need a record player.

Then I can listen to Saturday Night Fever and 'Let's Get Small' and Funny Girl in my family room.

****

This weeks words of wisdom....

Source: etsy.com via Donna on Pinterest

Pinterest is fun.

If you want to follow along....there is a new button on the sidebar.

Wishing you a delightful weekend!

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-11T07:44:00.004-06:00

11-11-11

A special number
an ordinary day

in pictures

splash

routine

plain

share

daybreak

......

would you buy a raffle ticket from this woman?

lunch

on the ground

students

funny

instagr.am

"There are no ordinary people."
cs lewis

What happens matters,
Donna

2011-11-10T08:33:00.002-06:00

After a very gray and white day where we had quiet falling snow,
we had a pretty orange and pink sunset.

and there were perfect snow balls to be made.

"Can I throw it now!?"

"Yes!"

John Denver captures in this song how snowy days feel to me.

Sorry about the wreath...I don't mean to push Christmas on you all.
I'd prefer John singing or pictures of snow. But, alas, I am not in charge of everything.
This youtube is made from an album. I can hear it scratching.

That's funny.

I really do need a record player.

Enjoy!
Donna

2011-11-09T07:47:00.004-06:00

I got suckered in by the upsale and I am now a tea drinker.

A few Saturdays ago I was shopping at the mall with Katie and her girlfriends when I stopped by a new store that
was selling tea. It's called Teavana.

There were two large containers with different teas brewing at the store entrance. One was a chai tea.
I tried a little. I liked it. It did not have that icky tea taste.
I have always hated tea. Don't even like sugary, lemonade summer iced tea. Ick. Ick.

But this chai was spicy and good.

I followed the sales clerk into the store and was caught in the web of Teavana.

The tea is in big buckets; six dollars, ten dollars, 16 dollars for TWO ounces.

So you decided to just get two ounces. BUT Nooooo.....
The tea you tried has two different teas in it.

So you have to buy two teas.

One is six dollars for two ounces and has the caffeine. (a must have)
the other has the flavor and costs ten dollars. (chai)

Oh my. What have I gotten myself into.

I am then sold two metal tins, that come with a lifetime guarantee to keep my tea fresh.
One tin for each kind of tea.

For heavens sake.

I need to make this loose tea...how do I do that?

The young sales clerk directs me to the cast iron $60.00 pots. They will last forever.

I tell her that my husband would kill me if I came home with that.

"Isn't there something less than this?"

She takes me over to the $30.00 ceramic pots.

Nope. I tell her. Still too much.

She shows me a Thermos that she uses....nah. Don't want that.

And then I am reminded of those metal balls that you put tea into. "Do you have those mesh balls?"
She hesitantly takes me over to the mesh ball corner of the store. "These are not good," she tells me.

At this point, a woman who I think is the manager of the store or the owner, steps in. "Has she shown you the pots over here?"
"Yes, she showed me everything."
Did she show you this handy dandy $15.00 tea maker?

Oh. That looks nice and easy.

Okay I'll get that.

How about a cup? This tea maker must fit over the cup.

Gotcha.

I grab a perfect tea spoon for scooping the tea out of it's home in the $7.00 dollar tin. (That will last a lifetime)

Up to the counter I go.

I need German Rock Sugar now. It doesn't sweeten, it enhances the flavor.

gah.

I buy it.

And then grand total for my cup o tea.....

$56.00

I am out of my mind.

It's a fine cup of tea. I used all my loose tea up already.
I am enjoying this warm cup in the afternoons.

My cup has a happy saying on it.

"Come let us have some tea
and continue to talk about happy
things.

~Chaim Potok

Monday, Katie and I went to the mall for a birthday present for her friend.
I went to Teavana to buy some more of my tea.

They tried very hard to sell me more varieties.
But new varieties would call for new tins to hold those new varieties.

I said NO!

The sales clerk said, but they will last for a lifetime and if you fill your tin to the top you can get 'this much' for free.

No thankyou.

Just the chai please.

Seriously now. Come on over. I'll make you some tea.

Love and kisses,
The pushover

2011-11-08T07:53:00.002-06:00

Some of my favorite things to take pictures of.

***

Hey! Did you know, the three biggest trends in food are?

Red Cake

Salted Caramel

and

Nutella

If you spend any time looking at food blogs or Pinterest you will see....
people are obsessed with these foods.

I have seen Red Cake ice cream, Red Cake whoppie pies, Red cake cheese cake, red cake pancakes.
Then there is Salted Caramel drinks and brownies and apples and candies.
How about Nutella in everything? I remember Nutella from way back. But it has made a HUGE comeback.

Nutella is to food what Walgreen's is to pharmacies. Kinda.

Walgreen's has been around for a long time...but some clever business person took the company and grew it like crazy.
Same with Nutella. Is there a Nutella ice cream yet?

I have been making Red Cake with the boiled milk dressing since I first tasted it in 1980. Thank you Mrs. Jeffery for your recipe.
Most of the people I made the cake for had never heard of it, back in the day. But not know. It's everywhere.

It's interesting to see the fads come and go.

Owning a bakery we saw quite a few.

Remember when croissants were the big deal? Muffins?
Remember how popular Mrs. Fields was?

Yes. Food fads come and go.

I won't be making any caramel or nutella things...but these....
oh! These look good.

Source: smells-like-home.com via Donna on Pinterest

Red Cake Brownies

I would use my old frosting recipe. (Mrs. Jeffery)

Frosting for Red Cake

5 Tablespoons flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cook 5 T. flour and 1 cup milk over a low flame-stirring constantly- cool.
Cream 1 cup butter add 1 cup sugar and 1 t. vanilla.
Add cold flour mixture.
Beat this on high for 15 minutes.
Stop and scrap every five minutes.

It will look like whipped cream.

****

Our son Patrick needs to come home...then I will make these brownies.
His birthday cake of choice was the red cake. Don't they look amazing?

“Love is like a good cake; you never know when it's coming, but you'd better eat it when it does!”
― C. JoyBell C.

“My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.”
― Dave Barry

More than any other dessert in the whole wide world, I would rather eat a moist, delicious, heavy with frosting piece of cake.
~Miz Booshay

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-07T17:02:00.001-06:00

Michael Buble singing a farewell song to Regis today on his morning show.
Regis will leave the show in two weeks.

Enjoy this sweet song.

2011-11-07T07:52:00.002-06:00

Thank you for the many great ideas for the coaches.
I did not have time to do many of them and I just couldn't decide on gift cards.
The amount we had to spend on each coach would not have paid for a family meal...so I didn't want to give a gift that they
would have to spend money to use. Do you know what I mean?

So I went with my oddball idea of scarves. I looked online at the gap and saw some color block scarves that were neutral-ish. I know all the moms have black coats so we would be safe.

Katie and I made smaller gift bags for the coaches' helpers. We got them Essie nail polish, emery boards and polish remover.

I know. I know. Not sporty at all. But this is what happens when you put me in charge. I never do things like anybody else.

Katie made cards for all the coaches. I printed a volleyball off the computer. The girls signed their names on the paper volleyball and wrote nice long thank you messages inside the cards. Like some of you said, this personal thank you from the girls means a lot.

In between our two games we went to a local restaurant and had a throw together party. Fries, cheese curds and pop.
The coaches seems to like their scarves. They are very soft.
I don't know.

Turns out, if you spent a certain amount at the Gap....you got a certain amount off....

So I bought another scarf. For us.

We bought a really colorful one.

Our three coaches are all very busy moms.
They gave of their time and talents.
They were always positive and helpful and kind to the girls.
I never heard one complaint about the coaches.
Our girls were happy, they learned, they improved.

I'm so thankful for each of them.

Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. I have never coached a team. I have however taught knitting. haha
I told Katie, cheerleading is my thing.
(We thought our cheerleading coach was ancient. She was 30.)

2011-11-05T08:28:00.002-05:00

Things I spotted on Pinterest this week.

Source: smashingmagazine.com via Donna on Pinterest

This sweet picture made me smile.

Source: tig-fashion.blogspot.com via Donna on Pinterest

The light and styling of this image caught my eye.

It's so beautiful.

Source: ew.com via Donna on Pinterest

I spotted this picture of Westley and Buttercup.

Source: southernliving.com via Donna on Pinterest

And this kitchen....swoon.
Dear old stove,
will you be mine?

Source: i.imgur.com via Donna on Pinterest

Wayne's World!! Party Time. Excellent.
That blonde child is a perfect Garth!!!

LOL!

******

Any ideas for coaches gifts? I took this on and haven't gotten any feedback at all.
If you have been a coach, what did you really like getting from the team.

Quick. I need to buy this today.

Thanks!!

We have three coaches, btw.

Hugs and kisses,
Donna

2011-11-04T07:54:00.002-05:00

Oh my goodness...you should have heard the conversation this morning.
I tried to explain day light savings to Katie.
It did not go well.

(The top picture is how Katie wants to smile...all the time....she is a pretty smiley girl.)

*****

Television recommendations.

I have been watching two new drama's on television this fall.
The first is called Person of Interest. This is a crime drama of sorts. I like the actors and that is why I gave this one a chance.
Jim Caviezel (Jesus) and Michael Emerson (Ben from Lost). I have really enjoyed this show.

The other is on Friday nights and is called The Gifted Man. I was intrigued by this one because our girl
Jennifer Ehle is on the show. Jennifer is Lizzy from the BBC Pride and Prejudice. She plays a ghost who
visits her ex husband and gets him to look after her free clinic. He is a surgeon and has "better" things to do.
The male star is a Broadway star called Patrick Wilson.
This is a medical drama.

I like both shows and hope they make it.

Oh....and guess what?

I caved.

I was boycotting ABC at noon because they took All My Children off to put on a stupid show called The Chew.

I watched it.

And I liked it.

In the words of Chauncey Gardner, "I like to watch."

Thank you for your care and prayers for my friend and her husband!

Lots of love,
Donna

2011-11-03T08:09:00.004-05:00

This little Novena card was pressed into my hand at Bible Study yesterday morning. My friend Mary earnestly said, put this on your blog.
It says on the back "Powerful Novena of Childlike Confidence."
This is the Infant of Prague.

We are praying for Amy's husband Mark to get a job. He has been out of work for a year. Amy is a good friend of mine here in Madison. She is loving and hospitable and a real delight. She is always doing for others. She has weathered this storm with quietness. Her husband is a great man, he is a smart and hard worker. He is so personable...every one loves him. He is in construction safety and as you know that industry is hard hit. It is a testiment to how hard times are when a man like this can not find work.

Madeline, a retired kindergarten teacher, listened in as we chatted with Amy about her dental bill which is weighing heavily on her right now. Madeline immediately said, have you prayed to St. Jude and the Infant of Prague? She went to her purse and brought out these little cards.

Madeline said when she had cancer years ago she sent a note to her classroom parents. She said she didn't need meals or help at home, all she requested was that families say this prayer. She has faith in prayer. She was healed.

And so I share this novena/prayer with respect and love.

Here is the prayer on the back;

O Jesus, Who hast said, ask and
you shall receive, seek and you shall find,
knock and it shall be opened to you,
through the intercession of Mary,
They Most Holy Mother, I knock,
I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who hast said,
all you ask of the Father in My Name,
He will grant you through
the Holy intercession of Mary,
Thy Most Holy Mother, I humbly and
urgently ask Thy Father in Thy Name
that my prayer be granted.

(Make your request)

O Jesus, Who hast said "Heaven
and earth shall pass away but My
word shall not pass", through the
intercession of Mary, Thy Most
Holy Mother, I feel confident that my
prayer will be granted.

(Make your request)

****

"Saying Grace" by Norman Rockwell

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-02T07:50:00.002-05:00

Good Morning!

It was so dark out this morning on the way to school, I could have sworn it was night time.

In the winter I get up at night and dress by yellow candlelight,
In summer quite the other way I have to go to bed by day....

***

Today I deliver a set of Senior pictures.

I wanted to show you because the client ordered a big print and it turned out so nice!
Print something big. 16 x 20. Do it for me. I promise you will LOVE it!

See the white pillow and the brown pillow? I bought those yesterday. They are from Target and they were very reasonable.
The fluffy white pillow looks just like a pillow in Garnet Hill that costs $100. This one, while it is not real sheep, was only 14.99.
And that brown one is super soft, also 14.99.

I don't buy a lot for the house, but soft things are my weakness.

****

I read a Clickin' Mom's tutorial on how to take Spooky Pictures.
I tried it on Halloween.

****

Katie 2007.

Fun times together.

****

"November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.

With night coming early,
And dawn coming late,
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.

The fires burn
And the kettles sing,
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring."
- Elizabeth Coatsworth

Encourage one another,
Donna

2011-11-01T07:49:00.002-05:00

Happy news on many fronts.

First, the Fat Flush Phase One is over. I lost ten pounds in this two weeks of cranwater and
extreme structure. I am glad it is over. I have spent the last week counting calories also as a practice.I
I will add the dairy and bread/grain products gradually while continuing to eat fruit, vegetables
and lean meats.
I am using an app on my iphone called My Net Diary. I like using it.
Also I have started a wee streak. I am committed to ten minutes of walking or aerobics a day.
I know it is super short. But it is what it is.
I found a fun channel on my television. Channel 927. They play Party Favorites.

So there I will be, doing my low impact aerobics in the family room....ten minutes a day.

She got up off the couch. Briefly.

***

Being separated from our children is a painful thing.
Seeing pictures, lots of great pictures, of the daily happenings and special
events makes me super happy!

Seeing our son this content and happy....is there anything better in life?

Little Asher...your Wisconsin roots are showing. Cutie pie.

Melinda. You are stunning.

****

"I just love a house with pictures. It do make a home."
~driving miss daisy

“Folks will always come back to where their heart is.”
~yankee doodle dandy

“Just remember that honoring one’s parents is still a pretty good idea.”
~now voyager

Encourage one another,
Donna