Day 60

There it is...another month down! Yay me!

I honestly can't believe it. Even though February is short by two or three days, it's the grand total that counts, right? I've made it 60 days...both taking a photo a day, and blogging about each one. I'm not sure I've ever done anything consistently for 60 days!

I had hoped to have something special to photograph in honor of Leap Day, but came up short. So instead, here's a shot of my little Precious Moments wall calendar again, but for February this time. I think this may now be the photo for the last day of every month.

Day 59

It's one of those days...or is it one of those weeks? I'm feeling uninspired again. I guess like anything else, creativity ebbs and flows.

I took a look at the Capture Your 365 Inspiration list, and today's prompt was Windy. Would you believe that the wind has been blowing for days here...but not today??

So...I took a look at Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge instead, and the prompt was Money. I thought I might actually hit a dead end on that one too...until I remembered the single one dollar bill I've been carrying around with me for a while. That's it...just one dollar. I don't think that will really get me anywhere...not even in an emergency! But who carries cash anymore? For me this is it...all the real money I have right now.

Wonder how long it will hang around??

Day 58

Really? Snow? Really?

This is what we woke up to this morning. A light dusting of the white fluffy stuff. It started around 10:30 last night with a little sleet, followed by some pretty big flakes. It coated everything just enough to make our yards pretty, and unfortunately the concrete and asphalt slick as snot.

I realize technically it is still winter, but I really thought we had turned a corner and were headed into spring! Maybe this is Old Man Winter's last gasp?!?

Day 57

It has been windy here for what seems like days and days. We have had off and on rain showers this weekend, and even a brief hail storm this morning. But this afternoon turned out to be quite nice.

Rob and I decided to load the pups in the car and take a ride. We headed out north of Pasco, just to take in a little different scenery. Even though we were enjoying blue skies and sunshine, there were some pretty interesting clouds around us.

As we started to head back home, I pulled over to snap a photo of this cloud. It looked a bit looming, almost like a tornado. Not sure if it was rain, or dirt being carried across the hills, but something seemed to be brewing.

Day 56

It's a work in progress. I know it doesn't look like much, and you may not even know what you're looking at, but what I see is the result of a few hours of unpacking, organizing and arranging.  (See Day 42 post.)

This is my new scrapbook space. Since rearranging the office, I have neglected to give it the love it deserves. But today, I threw a little affection its way.

Rob had some work to do from home today, so I decided to hang out with him in the office for awhile and try to find a new resting place for all of my scrapbooking supplies and tools, as well as try to carve out just a small work area. I would say after today, I'm probably 3/4 finished. Knowing me, I will probably rearrange and relocate some items before it's all said done, and some things may need to be put away, as space is at a premium now.

I'm hoping in the next picture posted, you will see a very tidy and highly functional area! Fingers crossed!!

Day 55

Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge for today was Inside Your Bathroom Cabinet...but I thought who really wants to see that?? Toiletries, cosmetics, cleaning supplies...yuk! Then I remembered that the 365 Days, 365 Ideas for Photo list had a simpler version, #163, Your Bathroom...ahhh, a better idea.

This is the inside of our main bathroom. I've had it decorated this way since I moved into the house eight years ago. Even though sometimes I think I would love to update this room, I find that I still really like it. Of course I love the dragonfly theme, but I also still really like the colors scheme. Even on a dark and dreary winter's day, it's like a splash of spring!

Day 54

Shoes, shoes and more shoes.

Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge for today was Your Shoes. My first instinct was to take a photo of the shoes I had on my feet today. They happen to be one of my favorite go-to pairs that I wear often. But I decided that was pretty uninteresting. What would be more interesting, I thought, was to try to photograph my shoes...all of them. (I did discover this is next to impossible inside my tiny little closet...so you end up seeing most of my shoes!)

Over the years I have taken quite a lot of flack for my shoe organization...the fact that I keep all of my shoes in their original boxes and stack them on the shelves inside my closet. Most people are awed...not because of my organization, but mostly people are amazed at what they see as a bit OCD.

I know there are other people out there who do this, and some take it one step further, buying shoe boxes and afixing a photo of the shoe to the outside. So I don't feel too bad about my set up. It works for me!

Day 53

This is my office...the Fire Administration Center. The place where I have come nearly everyday since May of 2008. The place where I think I spend more waking hours than anywhere else in the world.

Why would I take a picture of my office? Well, first of all it happens to be #142, Where You Work on the 365 Days, 365 Ideas for Photos list. And secondly, I took the picture today, because it happens to be my anniversary...12 years with Richland Fire Department. Where on earth has all that time gone, and in the blink of an eye no less??

I have to admit it, over the years there have been some struggles, some rough roads, some tough times; but the reason I'm still here is that I like my job, and am pretty proud to be associated with Richland Fire...it's a great place to work.

Day 52

Today my mom turned 65!

There wasn't a lot of fuss, there was no big to-do. There was just a lot of birthday love sent her way. Her Facebook page was full of wishes, and she received several phone calls too. She got this bouquet of tulips from Rob and me, and a cute little mug full of flowers from her favorite granddaughters.

To wrap up the day, I picked up Applebee's to go for her, Billie and me...and we had a simple, but nice dinner at her house.

So happy birthday to the best sister, mom, aunt, grandma and friend...we all love you so very much!! ♥♥♥

Day 51

Yum...another successful Pinterest recipe! It's Asian Slaw with Ginger-Peanut Dressing, and it is not only colorful, it's delicious too!

I knew I wanted to try to make this recipe, as well a sweet and spicy Bourbon Street Chicken recipe I also pinned on Pinterest, so I made sure I got all the necessary ingredients on our big grocery shopping adventure Saturday night.

Tomorrow is Mom's birthday. I've been drawing a real blank on both what to do to celebrate her special day, and what to get her in the way of a gift. She declined a day trip to Spokane, and even declined going out to dinner tonight. I decided to try one more offer...an offer of dinner at our house, trying out my Pinterest recipes...and she accepted. Because we are off work today celebrating President's Day, it seemed like a good day to spend a few hours in the kitchen rather than after a long day at work.

I have to say, both new recipes had somewhat lengthy ingredient lists (for me anyway), but both were really easy to put together. And both turned out to be quite delicious. I will definitely make them again...and would highly recommend trying them.

The three of us ended up having a really nice dinner, with the Bourbon Street Chicken over steamed rice, some stir-fry style veggies, and the Asian Slaw. But, the really delicious part was the traditional birthday Mud Pie for dessert!!

Happy Birthday Mom! I hope you enjoyed today...and tomorrow is even better!!

Day 50

Goodbye Valentine's Day...Hello St. Patrick's Day.

A couple days ago, I gathered up all of the sweet little Valentine's decorations around the house and put them on the dining table... you know the 'staging area'. Today, I finally made myself go out to the garage and bring in the tote with all of the spring decorations in order to put Valentine's Day to bed until next year, and to bring out the St. Patty's stuff.

Unfortunately, I have only a few little pieces of lucky Irish flair...there's not a lot of cute decorations out there for this particular holiday. But I love to decorate for each occasion, so I put out my little touches of green none the less.

Day 49

Tonight Rob and I spent the evening together...grocery shopping. What a romantic Saturday night, right?

In all honesty, it wasn't bad at all. With our schedules as they are, going anywhere together these days is kind of rare, and having him along to help grocery shop is just an added bonus. After picking up just a few items at Walmart, we headed to Winco where we pretty much filled a shopping cart to the brim, and consequently filled our refrigerator and freezer!

I wouldn't normally be that inclined to show someone the inside of my refrigerator...seems almost like showing someone your underwear drawer, but maybe not quite as private. However, with really nothing else to photograph for the day, I remembered my third and final photo idea list...Creating Keepsake's 365 Days, 365 Ideas for Photos, and good ol' #337...The Inside of Your Refrigerator.

So there it is...my fridge, crammed full, post grocery shopping and another photo idea checked off the list!

Day 48

Today's Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge prompt was simply Time. That's seems like such a broad idea. And how do you capture time in a single photo??

Time does seem to be something on every one's mind though, and something most people struggle with...there just never seems to be enough of it, it goes by too quickly, and for me personally, I'm always running BEHIND time for sure!

I took this photo of my phone on my way to bed. This was the time I was ending my day. With Rob getting home from work around 10:30 every night, this seems to be my bedtime more often than not, which means usually there's not enough time for sleep...but tomorrow is Saturday...ahhhh...a day to forget about the clock (if I'm able...).

Day 47

This is Lucy. The funny part about it is, and what you probably can't make out, is that this is Lucy, lying on me, lying on the couch.

This seems to be her new favorite perch. Baylee has always wanted to be near you, to snuggle up next to you. She is content as long as some part of her is touching some part of you. But with Lucy, lately it seems she isn't satisfied unless she is actually lying ON you...on your lap, or like here, on my side while I lie watching TV.

I have to admit, I don't really mind...she's compact enough that you hardly notice she's there. And everyone once in awhile it's nice to have a snuggle...even if the little fur creatures are hairy and smelly!

Day 46

It seems like I spend an awful lot of time at the grocery store these days. Between buying groceries like I really never have before for Rob and I, trying to shop around for the best deals and use of my coupons, and shopping for the office as well, I seem to be making several trips to one or more store a week.

I believe the bulk of my time though is spent here...at WinCo. I know this store like the back of my hand. Although it doesn't have a ton of variety, it does tend to have most everything I need, at the most reasonable price. I do supplement my shopping with some trips to Walmart and sometimes Target, but for grocery items...Winco is where it's at...or at least where I'm at.

Today it is another FAC shopping trip for soda and goodies...I'll probably be back tomorrow, payday, for another round!

Day 45

It's Valentine's Day!!

February 14th, the day we set aside to celebrate love, although I have traditionally said that it is a holiday that I, myself do not celebrate. Well, not this year. This year I was excited to do something, albeit rather small, in the name of LOVE.

Even though Rob and I had our Valentine's Date Night on Sunday, I just wanted to do a little something today. So, in addition to the cake I made last night, I put together a little basket with a couple of his favorite things...some beef jerky, a six pack of energy drinks and a few chocolates. They say a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, right??

So this was our festive kitchen island this morning; a basket of goodies for Rob, the cake...really for the two of us, and flowers, cards and cupcakes for Mom.

Oh, and you can see there are some sandwich 'cookies' I made last night. I just took two graham crackers and sandwiched left over frosting between them. That's an old school trick my mom used to do all the time. Didn't everyone's mom do that??

Well, Happy Valentine's Day 2012 everyone. I wish you all a day of love and a day of caring!

Day 44

♪ ♫ Sweets for my sweet, sugar for my honey ♫ ♪

Whew...what a long day! After work, I stopped by the store to pick up a couple last minute Valentine gifts, grabbed the girls and then headed home. I quickly got the heart shaped cake and two cupcakes in the oven. I managed to make dinner, do a few chores, and get the cake and cupcakes frosted just before Rob got home from work.

Although the cake was finished, I told him he had to wait until tomorrow to cut himself a slice...until it is actually Valentine's Day! The two cupcakes I made will be delivered to Mom in the morning.

I can't wait until tomorrow, I'm looking forward to a big bite of that Cherry Chip goodness myself!!

Day 43

Today was a great day.

Rob and I decided to sleep in this morning, and opted out of church. It really was some much needed rest for both of us. Once our lazy bones were up and moving, I made breakfast for us...setting off the smoke detectors for the very first time! Boy, who knew bacon could be that crispy?!?

Then we decided that we would have our Valentine's Date Night. Because Rob will be working late on Valentine's Day, we decided we should make the most of his one and only day off.

After realizing a couple weeks back that we have never been to the movies together, I knew that's what I wanted to do. With a little discussion, we chose the new Denzel Washington movie. When the movie let out, we talked about what to do for dinner, and I reminded him I had a gift card to Bonefish Grill, where he had never been. So we headed that way, and ended up getting in with no wait, and having a nice dinner.

It really did turn out to be a great day spent together. We finally saw a movie after seven months, and had our first dinner out just the two of us since he moved here. It was a great way to celebrate our very first Valentine's Day. ♥♥♥

Day 42

Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge for today was Makes You Happy. I thought about what makes me happy, besides those really obvious things...like loved ones, and pets. And I thought of my scrapbooking space; my supplies, my tools, my complete and incomplete projects...all of that makes me happy.

As you can clearly see, right now that space is in complete and utter disarray...but bit by bit I'm going to make it my happy place once again...and then watch out...I'll be a creatin' fool (fingers crossed). I have vowed that every night while Rob is working, I will be spending time here...doing what makes me happy!

I'm sure it will get worse, before it gets better as I find new balance in a new space...so stay tuned for pictures of the progress!

Day 41

Here's Lucy enjoying her very first Starbucks!

On my way into work this morning, I decided to swing through Starbucks and get Mom and I a couple of Chai lattes. Last night Baylee decided she wanted to spend the night with her Grammy, so I only had Lucy with me. When the girl at the window saw her in the back, she asked if I wanted a Puppy Whip for her. A puppy WHAT I asked. A little cup filled with whipped cream she informed me. So, I told the gal sure, I was willing to give it a try.

I wasn't sure if Lucy could get down in the tiny little cup with her little puggly snout, but she managed to lick up every last bit!

I'm pretty sure she thought it was a great way to start her morning!

Day 40

What a couple of cute little pups-in-a-blanket!

Mom has been feeling a little under the weather the last couples days. Today she decided to give into it, and just take a day of rest. So she removed her new quilt, put down each of the girls' blankets for their hairy little bodies, and the three of them snuggled in for the day.

When I got off work, I tip-toed into the bedroom, and this is what I found...Mom hiding under the covers from the camera, and two little pups sawing logs!!

Day 39

As Rachel would say...dinner was YUM-O!

Don't these look so pretty, so golden and toasty? The best part of these, however, is what you can't see...what's all wrapped up on the inside! What are they you ask...why they are my world famous (ok...only in my own mind) Chicken Fajita Wraps, and they are D-Lish!

Several years ago I was teaching a class down in Redmond, OR and the cadre all had dinner in a little brew pub...I'm pretty sure it was the 7th Street Brew House. I ordered something that was quite delicious, and thought to myself...hey, why can't I do this at home?? And the Chicken Fajita Wrap was born!

It's easy peasy...here's what you do...

2 - 3 chicken breasts
1 small onion
1 bell pepper
1 packet of fajita seasoning mix

pepperjack cheese
spinach wraps

Make fajitas any way you like really (add ingredients, substitute with steak...whatever tickles your fancy), then take a slice of pepperjack cheese and lay it in the middle of a spinach wrap, add the fajitas and roll it up. Then I throw the whole thing on my Cuisinart Griddler Press and toast it up nice and crisp, melting the cheese and sealing the whole thing together.

Like I said...D-Lish! Can't wait to have these again.

Day 38

OK, so I was driving in my car tonight and this song came on. It's one of those have-to-shake-your-butt songs. I always sing along...not that any of the words are right, but I do anyway.

I had to snap a picture, 'cause it captured just that one moment in time...8:01 pm on February 7, 2012...jammin' out to Quad City DJ's on 90's on 9 on my way to the post office.

Do you remember what you were doing in 1996? Were you ridin' the train...it's the choo choo...

Day 37

My inspiration is waining a bit again. I seem to be at a loss for some kind of new or exciting photo subject, so I took a look at the Capture Your 365 Inspiration list for February again, and today's prompt was With a Heart On It. Seems pretty fitting being February and all.

I looked around my house at all of my Valentine decorations I love so much, and decided to snap a picture of this little ceramic gift-bag-shaped dish. I have always loved it's pastel pink and bright raspberry color combo...and it certainly has a heart on it, a cute little striped one.

Tonight after work I stopped by Target for a few coupon special items, one of which being the Dove Dark Chocolate and Cherry Swirl Valentine's Heart Promises that now fill this little candy bag. I doubt they'll make it to Valentines Day!

Day 36

Today Rob and I actually managed to get our hind ends out of bed and go to church. I have to admit, when I woke up I was really hoping he would be the one to say he was too tired to go. But, once I was up and ready, I was glad that we did. It really got our day (and our week) off to a good start.

After church we headed to Mom's for breakfast, and to see the Hansens off. We had a nice surprise when we walked in; Aunt Marlene had come over for breakfast and a visit too. After breakfast we were sitting around the table chatting, each one of the siblings telling their age due to their recent or upcoming birthdays. I asked if they ever imagined sitting around at 73, 69, and 65...to which I got a very firm reply of, 'NO'.

I suppose at this age, I can't exactly imagine myself in their shoes either, but I'm glad they are all around to tell about it, and reminisce about their younger years.

Day 35

I made the most of Rob being off all weekend and with his help took some time and mucked out the office. I have been putting it off for months now, mainly because I lacked a vision of what I needed to do to make if functional as an office for both Rob and I, as well as still maintain some semblance of my craft and scrapbook space. I think we managed to pull it off...pictures to come, once it's completed.

After a day at home, we headed to Mom's for a Chinese take out dinner. With Rob being off, and Billie and Keith free, we all landed at Mom's for dinner and a 'meet n greet' with the Hansens. It was a great dinner...followed by red velvet cake and ice cream...oh, and a good visit with everyone.

Darcy was the hit of the evening, quickly making some new friends...namely Rob and Keith. She's a sweet little cuddler that will melt your heart. She even got Keith to read her a little story by the fire.

Day 34

The Hansens are here.

Tonight around 8:30 Uncle Larry, Aunt Sue, Leslie, Caitlyn and Darcy all arrived for a weekend visit. Sadly, they came to town because they have a memorial service to attend in Walla Walla tomorrow. Although the occasion is somber, we are still happy to see them all and have a quick visit.

Of course, the cutest of the bunch is sweet little Darcy, who is a bit of a ham so I was able to snap a few photos. She likes to have her picture taken, then look at herself on the camera screen. This one is fuzzy, but I thought it was the cutest one of her little smiling face.

Here, Papa was giving her a bird's eye view up on his shoulders...well, top of his head really.

Day 33

This morning Rob and I were both getting ready for work at the same time. Once he was dressed and ready, for some reason he struck me, more than other days - I thought he just looked so handsome. I quickly grabbed my phone and made him hold still for just a second to snap his picture. I don't have a lot of pictures of him, and sadly I certainly don't have any of us together (Note to Self...work on that!)

I didn't really have any plans for the photo, just another one to add to my small, but growing collection. But then, I stopped and looked at the Capture Your 365 Inspiration list for February, and today's prompt was Makes My Heart Sing.

Well, there you have it, Rob just became today's picture of the day, because he IS what makes my heart sing. ♥♥♥

Day 32

I discovered another source of inspiration for photo taking. My friend Trina had pinned it on Pinterest, so I followed the link to a blog called Fat Mum Slim. On her blog she posts a Photo A Day Challenge for each month. I grabbed her February list, not to necessarily take her challenge each day, but just to use as a guide or prompt for ideas. For today's challenge, it was Your View Today.

Tonight, just before heading to bed, I looked outside through the sliding glass door, and snapped a picture of my view. Here it is...looking out into the blackness, down the interstate corridor that is nearly our backyard. Our night lights are neon signs from the KOA, the Mini Storage, Tacoma Screw Company, and the reader board at Broadmoor RV. Not to mention the steady stream of headlights and taillights.