Thursday, January 31, 2008

Kimberly Clark - Room-a-Day Giveaway II Sweepstakes

Go here. Enter. And Win. Will ya?

This is a contest on The View.
Now I know none of you watch that show.
But.

You can still win even if you don't watch.

So go enter, every day and possibly win $25,000 to re-decorate a room.

You can thank me if you win :o)

And let me tell you.

With $25,000 I could not only re-decorate a room.

I think I could re-decorate my whole house!

What would you re-decorate?



*********


For those of you who are interested as to what a hot/bad pixel is....

DSC_0872-2

Click on this picture and view larger. There are two hot pixels on the right side of Katie.
They are white spots. They are little, I know.

But If I wanted to blow this up to an 11x14, they would be very visible.
And the thought that I would need to edit it out of 300 pictures is the thing that gets me.
They shouldn't be there.


**********

Holes was on last night.





Have you seen it?

Emma and I read the book and then watched the movie a few years ago.

But I thought I would mention it again because it is really, really good.

Both the book and the movie.

Read about the book and the author here



**********

I would like to come up with a recipe this week that is not bread or dessert.

Help!

:o)


Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Biggest Loser Rant.

Do you watch it?
Do you love it or do you hate it and want to wring it's neck?

I love it and want to wring it's neck.

The problem with the show is how it is produced. The producers are manipulators and I don't like it.

As you can imagine, I am a straight forward, don't change the rules in mid stream, kind of gal.

This season's twists and turns have been close to cruel.

So.

I am Tivoing it from now on. And fast forwarding thru the drama and manipulating.

Stop watching. No. I can't do that.

I love the weigh ins.

So if I Tivo the show, I only need to actually watch 15 minutes instead of TWO hours.

And that's my plan.


And maybe I'll catch a little American Idol then.


Tell me.

Are you watching the American Idol?

Is it good?
Have you seen any Superstars yet?

Remember the raw talent at the beginning of last season?


****

And then there was House. A new one. I watched that late into the night.

I was totally baffled by the ending.

And if it is too indelicate to discuss in the comments, which it just might be, email me
and to help me understand it.

******



So really, in all reality, would you ever try out for a reality show?

Survivor, Amazing Race, So you think you can dance, Project Runway, American Idol, Biggest Loser.

Would ya?



And since not everyone watches television. Hard to imagine.

We can also play. What's worse Wednesday.

What's worse? An inconsolable baby or an overflowing toilet.


Define style.

One last thing.
I went to UPS and shipped the camera yesterday.
I did it. I conquered my fears and did it.

They must have had me confused with Ivana Trump beause the first price they quoted me was over $125.00.
Is this the real world?


p.s. I did not pay that much.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Janet wrote to me last night and said how much she was enjoying
Corey's website Tongue in Cheek.

She said it is quickly becoming a favorite!

I love to hear that places I love...you love too.

Like Ree and Rechelle

Here is one I don't go to very often but if you'd like a daily dose of Paris stop by Eric's.

Paris Daily Photo


Or a shorter trip to Kansas, visit Marilyn. She decorates and cooks and writes beautifully.

819 Ohio

And how about the Outback? I just met this young woman on Flickr.
She homeschools, takes lovely pictures and lives on a sheep station.

Meet Charleigh


It's a big wide wonderful world filled with interesting people in fabulous places.

A feast for the imagination, the heart and the soul!

It is like traveling, only you don't need to pack :o)

***********


Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca


Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. ~Mark Twain




*******

My camera sits in a box by the door.
I will venture out to UPS today and say so-long and come home soon.

It's been a trying process.

But it is almost complete on my end.


20080124_4026

I tried everything with this shot. Katie's cheek blended too much with the background and I just could make it work.

Last night, I tried using a texture on it.

And it worked.

Yay.

I like the soft ones.

It reminds me of this.





Happy visiting today.

I hope you have fun!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, January 28, 2008

Happy Birthday, Lynn!
20080127_4085

Wishing you a great birthday!

Our friendship is honestly a gift from God.
A few years ago, we both prayed for a friend.
It's true.

God answered each of our prayers.

Prayer works.
God is so good to tend to all of our needs.
In His perfect timing.

He gives us the very best.



************


Last night I learned a cool new trick in Photoshop.

I learned how to apply a texture to a photograph.

I have admired this technique for a while but it was just way over my head.

My Flickr friend, Lisa, emailed with me back and forth until I GOT it last night.

Lisa is a brilliant photographer and just has the most generous heart and willingness to share her talents.

I am awed by her willingness to help me.....and the thing is....I didn't ask. She just starts helping!!!


So first she sent me some textures in the mail.

tex1245963826_d6f51fb6bfThat's a texture.

She told me to pull both pictures up and drag the texture over the picture.

I did not know how to do step one!!!

You can not believe the self doubt and dismay this causes me.

But, I was humble and wrote her back and said, "huh?"

And she wrote me back and said, 'Do thus and such'.

So I tried that.

Picture 7

And then the texture was really little. Sitting on the picture.

So I had to write her again.

And say, "boohoo, the texture is really little."


And Saint Lisa wrote back and said, "Click on this and click on that and drag the do hickey over and it will get bigger."

So I tried it. And it worked.

And I wanted to cry and hug her.

But, she is far away. So I wrote her a love letter instead.

20071221_2717.jpg-texture

Can you see it?

Click on it to view larger if you wish.


So then I had to try it again.


20080109_3378
The Original

20080109_3378.jpg-tex
The One with the Texture.


I think is very cool!

If you would like to see Lisa's great Flickr photostream, Go Here



**********


Did anyone watch Mansfield Park last night?
While still enjoyable, this is my least favorite so far.
Fannie looked so modern with her wild hair and full lips.
I liked the actor who played Edward, tho.

What did you think?



*******

Now. I will start educating my poor neglected child.

O, s, t, mus, tis, nt......


Encourage one another,
Donna

Sunday, January 27, 2008

New Recipes- Week Four


20080127_4076.jpg-2

The inspiration :o)


Crispy Chocolate Bars

Servings: 32
Ingredients
1 package (6 oz., 1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 cup butterscotch morsels
1/2 cup peanut butter
5 cups Kellogg's Corn Flakes®
Directions
1. In 3-quart saucepan, combine chocolate morsels, butterscotch morsels and peanut butter. Stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKES cereal. Stir until evenly coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evenly into 9 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into squares when cool. Store in airtight container.

Yield: 32 bars


****** 32 bars is so far off I can't believe it. We get more like TWELVE.

But they are wonderful and yummy and we loved them!!!

My favorite flavors all mingled into one. Chocolate, peanut butter and butterscotch.

20080125_4059.jpg-2


Chicken Spaghetti

20080125_4064


I also made Ree's Chicken Spaghetti!

It was wonderful and Emma and I ate it for dinner and lunch for days.

Follow the link to the recipe and much better pictures!
I made mine at night and I had to wait a few days to get a little sunlight.

So my picture is what the Chicken Spaghetti likes like as a left over :o)


Chicken Spaghetti a la Ree


This was a big hit! I will make this one again.....and again....and again.


Happy cooking!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Saturday, January 26, 2008

20080121_3906


Why do women feel they have more value if they are making $6.00 an hour working outside the home
than they do tending to their own families, their own children?

What does society dictate?
And when did that voice become so loud and important?

Who is talking to the young women about the choices they will face when they get their BA's and their MA's...
How do you leave the fast business track and take the road home?
If they wanted to, if it even crossed their minds.
Why doesn't it cross their minds?
Is it so far off the radar; the idea of taking care of one's own family?

What does God want from us?

Who gives value?

Who do you believe?

How do we, who really love being home and believe it is valueable, pass on the great joy and fulfillment and importance of loving our husbands and children in this society?



I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

What is our true value?
In the eyes of God?
What does He value?


Please, do this without criticizing working mothers.

Some mother's work for necessity. Total necessity.
And they would love to be home.

I do not want to insult anyone or hurt anyone's feelings.



I just want to talk about how we can shine a light on the
beauty of raising children, loving your husband, keeping a home and budget and tending hearts and minds....

I want young women to know about this delicious world of home and family.

It's in their future. They just don't know it because no one is talking about it to them.


I want young mother's to ignore those terrible voices that tell them they need to get a job so that they are important and
worthy. (You might need a job for other reasons....but don't get one to feel important)


I want them to listen to .....my voice :o) he he



God's voice would be good, too.

That is always the best place to start for me.

Does loving your husband and children line up with the word of God?

Yes. It sure does.

Does serving others have any value in God's eyes.

Yup.

Is the only mission field in Africa?

Nope. It is no further than your own back yard.

Ask Dorothy.


So be positive.

Share what you know.

What was the biggest influence in your decision to stay home with your children?



Encourage one another and build each other up.

Let your light so shine....


20080116_3703

Friday, January 25, 2008

Friday's Feast



Appetizer
How many times per day do you usually laugh?

Soup
What do your sunglasses look like?

Salad
You win a free trip to anywhere on your continent, but you have to travel by train. Where do you go?

Main Course
Name one thing you consider a great quality about living in your town/city.

Dessert
If the sky could be another color, what color do you think would look best?



Laughter: I laugh a lot. I giggle. I blurt. I gafaw. I laugh unconsciously and loudly. Sorry bout that.

Show me your glasses: You will have to take the dusty glasses cause this is the best I could come up with.
this morning. Self-portrait. Older than dirt. Both of us.

These Ray-Ban Wayfarrers are older than a lot of you youngsters.

Isn't it amazing that I have not lost these glasses in all these years.

They have come back in style.



20080125_4052-2

Train Ride: I think we shall go see Patrick Jr. in Bellingham, Washington. And visit all the folks I know out that way, too.
Lots of wonderful bloggers live out that way.
Arizona is a real draw with Janice and Janet out that way.
But, I am missing my big boy.

My little town: Everything is close. Everything is small. It's a nice little hamlet.

What color is your sky: I like sunrises and sunsets, so a warm pinky-orange would not seem so odd.


20080125_4052-4
I could edit this photo all day.


********


Fine Art Friday

maggiore

Turner, John Mallord William (1775-1851)
S. Giorgio Maggiore: Early Morning
1819; Watercolor, 22.4 x 28.7 cm; Tate Gallery, London



*********


I had one goal for the week.

Well. Two goals for the week.


The first goal was sending my camera to Nikon.
This causes me so much pain and worry, you can not even imagine.

The pain of figuring out how to do it.
The pain of worrying that I did it wrong.
The pain of packaging it.
The pain of finding the serial number.
The pain of living without it.

And my excuse that it's just too cold to go to the post office.

Who will come to my house and do this for me?

I have feet of clay and cement.


The second goal I did not accomplish was ordering a calibrator for my monitor so I can get dandy pictures printed for one and all.

This is a money issue.

What can I say.

Nada.


Heavy sigh.


Other's problems are so much greater than mine.
So don't worry about me.

Just tell me how you motivate yourself to do something that freaks you out.

Thanks :o)


Now answer the Feast and post a picture of you in sunglasses on your blog!

Thanks!

Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago, there lived a sweet red headed girl and her dashing Greek husband.

Young Esther (20) went to Florida with her "Ma and Pop", Jimmie's parents, while Jimmie stayed home to work.

In 1955, Esther and Jimmie had two precious babies; Jim and Nancy.

Jimmie and Esther kept in touch by writing letters.

20080123_4018



20080123_4020
"Hello Honey"

20080123_4023
"Look Pretty"

20080123_4019
Esther wishes Jimmie could come down, Pop has given her $40 and she has not spent any money.

20080123_4022
Jimmie was a tease with a wonderful sense of humor.

20080123_4021
"Little Darlings"



Dana asked on her website,

"Do you have a favorite note or letter, saved and treasured in your keepsake box?"

I do.

I really, really do.

These letters are a precious slice of life. I love them.




"Let us hope that we are all preceded in this world by a love story"
Don Snyder, Of Time and Memory

Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Love/ Hate Meme

I love to eat: filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, bagel's with cream cheese, cake :o)
I hate to eat: scones and other dry food. Dry food is yuck.
I love to go: to Whole Foods.
I hate to go: HR Block
I love it when: I make someone laugh.
I hate it when: it rains.
I love to see: the full moon rise.
I hate to see: mother's being mean to their children.
I love to hear: the wind in the trees
I hate to hear: someone grinding their teeth.


Please feel free to do this meme on your own blog or in the comments!
I'd love to see your answers.
I'd hate for you to be too shy to try ;o)


For my friends in the car last night....

The January moon is called the Wolf Moon.


Did you see it?
It was stunning.

February is the Snow moon.


*********


I woke up this morning and peeked out the front window like I always do,
and what did I spot, still in the sky?

20080123_3935
Wolf Moon Setting.



*******

Alert blog reader and husband, Patrick, brought this funny and interesting article to my attention yesterday.
He reads the paper, you know.

From the Wisconsin State Journal and the author Tim Harford: "The Logic of Life: The Rational Economics of an Irrational World"


"One of Harford's weirder speculations involves population growth, a trend he says is good for mankind."

He suggests that the greater number of brains on the planet, the greater the possibility that some of those brains will come up with innovations that save mankind, and idea he attributes to Ted Baxter, the moron anchor on the old "Mary Tyler Moore" television show, who said he wanted to father six children "in the hope that one of them would solve the population problem."


he he

Now that's logic for ya :o)

We are all for logic around here that relies on folks like Ted Baxter, Chauncey Gardner and Edith Bunker.

Well....maybe we don't think they are right.

But we sure think they are funny.

And perhaps Harford is funnier than he is right :o)

1958babiesatHenryPrideWingKew





Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Heart Lips

I would never have guessed that the swimming baby would have freaked so many of you out.

That baby got more negative comments than any picture I have ever posted.

Here is a picture that shouldn't scare anyone, unless you are afraid of snowflakes and freckles.

Don't Katie's lips look like a heart on it's side?

Heart Lips.


Here is the picture SOOC

20080121_3912 SOOC

Not scary this way either.




Make a snowflake



“Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living an eternity. We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake...”
Francis Bacon (no relation to Kevin)



Out of the bosom of the air,
Out of the cloudfolds of her garment shaken,
Over the woodlands, brown and bare
Over the harvest-fields forsaken,
Silent, and soft, and slow
Descends the snow.

~~By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.~~

20080122_3920
I just took this out my back door.





Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, January 21, 2008

And now, for something completely different.



Picture 3.jpg-urchin

Lynn told me I needed to be all happiness and light today...
and being the middle child, I do what I am told.


How about that baby? Isn't that a spectacular image! I love it and it makes me very happy :o)
Urchin rock is a group of photographers out of England.

They have found their unique and wonderful niche.

Go visit and then come back to see my muffins.

Urchinrock.com



I nabbed this recipe off of April's website.

Salt of the Spirit


Thanks, April!


20080120_3835


"Best Banana Muffins" (aka Recipe 3)

Banana Muffins
3 lg. bananas
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1/3 c. melted butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4-1 1/2 c. whole wheat flour
Mash bananas; add sugar and slightly beaten egg, then melted butter. Add soda, baking powder, salt and flour. Mix and spoon into greased muffin cups (it does not rise very much) and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Yields 1 dozen (or so -- mine also made 7 mini-muffins).


These are even good if you forget the vanilla.

Don't ask.

20080120_3842.jpg-2

The plate is Matthew's baby plate, isn't it pretty.


*********



And I will confess that I Tivoed The Finale of The Amazing Race and watched THAT after the Packers.
AND Tivoed Northanger Abbey and watched that too.

My television watching capabilities are off the charts!

(Don't tell anyone.)


The Amazing Race cheered me up considerably after the Packer game.

Patrick and I were delighted with the winning team.

I cried for joy.
He looked at me, bewildered.

Do you want to know who won? Did you watch?

Let's talk about it in the comments in case you don't want to know yet.

(I can't imagine that many of you have the stamina that my husband and I have for back to back hours of viewing.)


And then I stayed up until midnight watching Northanger Abbey.

I liked it so well.

So much better than I thought I would.





Classic Jane.

(Masterpiece Theater is showing all of the Jane Austen movies from her books this winter. Sunday nights. PBS)


"A scheme of which every part promises delight, can never be successful; and general disappointment is only warded off by the defence of some little peculiar vexation."

JANE AUSTEN, Pride and Prejudice



Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. Do you bake bread with yeast?
If so, send me the recipe.
It must be tried and true.
Must be.

Sunday, January 20, 2008




Run! Donald! Run!






Go!

Pack!


Go!!!!
20080120_3825

I hope this is not a sign of things to come.

My French bread did not make it to the kneeding stage.

The 'sponge' was to mix for ten minutes and 'pull away from the sides'.

Well, there was no pulling away as far as I could see, so I stopped right there.

No. I was not going to add flour to an unknown recipe.

I made an executive decision and threw it out.

I don't know why it seemed so soupy. But it did.

Week Three Recipe. Flop.

I do have some ripe bananas and will make some banana muffins in a minute.

There may be hope for me yet.




Two hours to kick off!!!!

Go Pack Go!!!!
Meet the Packer's Chaplin:Father Baraniak
The NFL's coldest Playoff games.


Read this all you football fans.



Yes. Lambeau and the Packers take the cake.

And well, today may be record breaking.

And to be honest. I am not happy to hear it.

And I can imagine the teams are freaking out.

Oh. I didn't tell you.

The temperature outside right now is .....

-17

That is just cruel.

And we play in the dark.

Tonight.

Burr.


Patrick and I took the children to a game....when it was this cold.
It was against the Raiders.

It was a sunny day...and we had great tickets.

But the temperature at game time was -15.

The children and I were ready to leave....before the game started.
(We always arrive at games an hour beforehand and in this instance, it was a bad idea.)

So, if I remember correctly, Matthew, Emma and I left before the second quarter.

It was just too painful to sit there.


I find no glee in playing a game in these conditions.

But, my goodness, this is THE game.

The last game to win before the Superbowl.


Go. Pack. Go!!!!





Photo by Rick Wood.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Oh look! The sun shone.
And Katie found just the perfect spot for coloring.

20080116_3660.jpg-2

Once when I was in middle school, I spotted a sunny, warm spot in our family room, in the dead of winter.
I trotted up stairs to put on my little two piece swimsuit and came down stairs with a beach towel.

It was so warm.
So cozie.

And very embarrassing to be informed that one could not get tan thru a window.

Bummer.


And speaking of youthful misconceptions , Katie will start Drama classes today.

We are on the mailing list for upcoming plays and auditions now.

This spring the play will be Esperanza.

I looked over the audition list to see if there might be something Katie would be right for.

One role fit the bill. Girl-8 to 11.

"Parents are Mexican immigrants."

Oops.

Don't think so.

So I read the list to Katie and read the 'parents are Mexican immigrants' line,
and she said, "I look Mexican!"

"Katie, you look like a little Irish girl. Not a little Mexican girl."

No, I look like a Mexican girl."





So I showed her a picture of Mark Consuelos and his wife, Kelly.

"See his dark hair and his brown skin."

"You look like Kelly."

"Okay!" she conceded.


She is determined and a bit hard headed.


I wonder where she got that trait?


Have a great weekend!

I will be around tomorrow afternoon and evening, talking football and doing a little Packer shout out.
Stop by if you want to cheer with me :o)

Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, January 18, 2008

Friday Five

I don't care for the Feast today so I shall attempt my own five questions.


1. What are you reading?
2. What are you making?
3. How often do you grocery shop?
4. Would you buy a house with a one car garage?
5. Do you dream of living in a big city (ie Chicago or New York) or on a farm?



1. I am reading The Brother's Karamazov.
My cultural literacy is sky rocketing.

2. I am knitting socks, making potato soup and making photographs.

3. Not enough apparently. I am out of bagels...day three.

4. I would buy a house with a one car garage. But my husband wouldn't.
So it's two for us. He longs for a three car garage.

5. I dream of living in Chicago. Without a car.
The price of gas makes me crazy sometimes.



*********

Janet wrote a sweet, touching post yesterday.

If you want to see the Glyman girls circa 1975, head on over to Janet's blog.


Take you tissues. And leave her a comment. It would make her super happy :o)



**********


Yesterday morning I heard this loud jumping, banging sound coming from the other room.

I yelled to Katie, "Katie what is that noise?"

"I'm trying to reach Softie."

Thump, Bump, Thump.


20080117_3727


20080117_3733

20080117_3737

I can assure you that Softie is now safe and dust free again.
This unfortunate incident has put her off flying lessons for the time being.



*******


And just for the record.

Burr.

It's -2 out right now.

But the sun is making a rare, rare appearance!


And Jim is safely nestled in at sister Sue's house!
Thanks for your traveling prayers for him....and all the good love and wishes you sent our way yesterday!

Love you guys.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Jimmy.


20080117_3764



20080117_3774.jpg-2



20080117_3778.jpg-2

Jim smiled for Emma :o)

What a sweetheart.

I am so thankful that he took the time to come and see us!
What an unexpected, most wonderful surprise!!!



We did pretty good for 'the camera shy' didn't we :o)

I am taking my own advice.
It is not easy.

But in ten years I will think I looked like a spring chicken in these shots :o)
We are all having a great time visiting with Jim.

He brought his laptop along so he could show me his precious family.

He lives close to his sons and they are able to spend a lot of time together!

(I have not seen Peter since he was about four and Charlie, I have never met. That makes me feel just terrible.
But you must understand. We seven have been scattered across the United States for over 30 years.
From Washington to Martha's Vineyard, Arizona to the tippy top of Wisconsin. With Sue and Cindy smack dab in the middle.)
The last time we were all together was in Arizona in 1999; and that was just the adults.)

But, back to Jim, he is Papa to twin girls and I can tell he just adores them.
They look so loved and happy.

Jim and I have some things in common. Some I knew and some I learned.

We both love planes. He flies. I look.

And well....he flies in a way I did not know about until yesterday. He does stunt flying.

Loops and spins and stalls...and well....I don't think I want to know this.
Emma would like to go along. Not me.
It would terrify me and I would puke.


We both love photography and Hawaii and birds and our families.

He is gentle and easy and I can't ever imagine him shouting.

We have some more time to spend together today...

I'll be sure to take a picture.

(He sure got a kick out of the picture I put up yesterday :o)


***********


On another, totally different topic, I would love to direct you to Corey's lovely blog, Tongue in Cheek.

She played match maker for her nephew last weekend and writes about the whole lovely, sweet affair on her blog.

I'm sending you to the first entry and you will just have to follow along thru last weekend.

Corey lives in France and believes in love and romance....and she is a delightful writer and matchmaker.

I promise, you will fall in love with this story.

A Match made in France

And I bet you will fall in love with Corey too.


By the way, Corey and her French antiques are highlighted in Victoria magazine this month!
Check it out :o)


*********

Here is a photo I took of Katie while we waited for Jim.

Katie asked me twenty eight times when Jim would arrive.

When he got here she gave him a Valentine :o)

20080116_3698



Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

I love headbands. Always have!!!

20080101_3021

Do you remember when Bill Clinton was elected to office and
Hillary's hair was under the microscope.

The media mocked her various do's.

I was especially saddened when they mocked her headband.

I liked her headband.


It is the crown for the ordinary girl :o)



Tomorrow we explore: ponytails.



*******

20080113_3635

Isn't this the most lovely wedding dress!?

I have always loved this scene from________________ and thought I'd share it with you.

And since the writer's strike is taking away all of our "fashion shows", I will just have to create my own fashion show fun :o)


Name the the movie and name the actress.


I know it is ridiculously easy, but I have company coming today and I must start cleaning!
My brother Jim called yesterday from up north and said he was heading this way today!
He is visiting Nancy of the North and is kind enough to make the trip to see ME :o)

Isn't that wonderful?

I don't think my brother has ever been to my house, any of my houses! That is really something.
He has never met Katie and hasn't seen Emma since she was a little girl.
I can't wait for them to meet one another.



What shall we do? What does one do with a brother in the Madison area?

Go out to dinner. That sounds good.

But what else?

Take pictures. That's it! I will take pictures of him.

He ought to love that :o)

Tune in tomorrow to hear all about our most excellent adventure and take a gander at my
very tall, very handsome, very sweet big brother!


"Sibling relationships - and 80 percent of Americans have at least one - outlast marriages, survive the death of parents, resurface after quarrels that would sink any friendship. They flourish in a thousand incarnations of closeness and distance, warmth, loyalty and distrust. "

~Erica E. Goode, "The Secret World of Siblings," U.S. News & World Report, 10 January 1994


"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."
~Clara Ortega



Encourage one another,
Donna


20080113_3636
Melissa already named that movie.

This is the other shot I took.

Sally is saying, "Oh Marie, it's beautiful."

I think.


UPDATE:
Jim

He is the last picture I took of Jim!
We were on the beach in Martha's Vineyard.
It was December 1979.

You didn't know our brother was a Super Model, did you?

Taken with my Minolta 35mm.