tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64305056167021160122024-03-12T17:54:14.485-07:00the wasp and the orchidLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-21483658550407579822009-09-14T17:02:00.000-07:002009-09-14T17:02:59.576-07:00boot camp #1I should have known when they made us sign a waiver. <br />
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Well, I didn't cry. I came close, twice. And I thought I was going to throw up a couple of times (it's still a possibility). But I made it through my first boot camp! Boy was it intense. There was an awful lot of yelling and more than a few commands I didn't understand. The first half we alternated between "On your face! (yes sir!)" and "On your feet! (yes sir!)". After completing each set of exercises, we had to yell "Marine Corps!" Believe me, this is the opposite of advertising after your fifth round of push-ups. Not loud enough? On your face! Another 10! <br />
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For the second, truly tortuous half we headed up to the outdoor tennis court & track. After a couple of laps jogging (easily my favorite part, with a nice sunset view of the city), we assembled into two lines for sadistic sprints (that's right, Augie Doggie). I don't think I've ever run so much in my life. The sergeant was never pleased with our speed, so we had to go back and touch the wall from half court again and again, alternating occasionally with deep squats, push-ups, leg lifts, and plank positions. Besides the push-ups, which I can't yet do properly, I only half-assed one exercise, and I guess the look on my stricken, throbbing face was enough to keep the soldiers' jeers at bay.<br />
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It was encouraging to see all shapes, sizes, and ages represented, and to see my own incredulous pain and suffering mirrored on the faces of those around me. Made me proud to be an American. Semper Fi, bitches.<br />
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I can't believe I have to do it all over again on Wednesday. Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-91061932724939848152009-09-14T10:02:00.001-07:002009-09-14T10:02:31.154-07:00boot campI'm going to do something brave today, something I hope I don't regret: I signed up for a 10-week "boot camp" at my gym. For two nights a week, starting tonight, I will be trained in the art of basic fitness by no less than an experienced Marine. No, this is not my idea of a fun time, and I'm definitely nervous that I will hate it and reasonably sure that I will cry. But I need some discipline in my exercise routine, and I'm desperate to get in shape.<br /><br />Writing a post about it is just one more way to make sure I don't wimp out. Here's to 10 weeks of improving my stamina, strength, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">sticktoitiveness</span>!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-21274552447980502332009-08-02T14:55:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:29:46.700-07:00serendipityOnce in awhile, if you're lucky, you stumble across something that inspires wordless, childlike awe.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmaz_Mx_aVj_0NkmFhPHyT7RILA6Y3TWrJfCZFIVAYr5U0KX4SHRgkLkywxOUWGU8pjJ2dFGZ_k-CVRd-M9y-UK7bzfxFOQlaQvq8y7l7fYtBq6w1kh6E0Hytapwik121aEkzkagGjDk/s1600-h/evening+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmaz_Mx_aVj_0NkmFhPHyT7RILA6Y3TWrJfCZFIVAYr5U0KX4SHRgkLkywxOUWGU8pjJ2dFGZ_k-CVRd-M9y-UK7bzfxFOQlaQvq8y7l7fYtBq6w1kh6E0Hytapwik121aEkzkagGjDk/s400/evening+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505073786757122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVlixNkh_8LiHZ_t_ockUh6HZjzZf7DBtE9L3WwtzkA6x9oG61W_k0bkpEmnfh3uLhrIbiniWtGHEyKZCN7NvSPrnXYXSOtDZQM8AInShSMvf-E8asEB-C6eZqsRluSi92DdRrujWpjU/s1600-h/evening+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVlixNkh_8LiHZ_t_ockUh6HZjzZf7DBtE9L3WwtzkA6x9oG61W_k0bkpEmnfh3uLhrIbiniWtGHEyKZCN7NvSPrnXYXSOtDZQM8AInShSMvf-E8asEB-C6eZqsRluSi92DdRrujWpjU/s400/evening+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505078156724178" border="0" /></a>This jaw-dropper was parked at an unassuming gas station on our way back from a family celebration. I couldn't help but grin at the other customers, for we had shared something wonderfully unique on this gray Sunday afternoon.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3ITLSsBK5s5ZW5g-2lmdH8UjBmL9A7mM-LNhpq79uOTPr6Y1CSk3ljO6ZimunJYep3D3h2QukNPpmzIeWXXt5bGcuzeyGKsPE4SN_VaNV0kXbRgt0kW9901GZHldZB1d2en_eEXHvZU/s1600-h/piece+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3ITLSsBK5s5ZW5g-2lmdH8UjBmL9A7mM-LNhpq79uOTPr6Y1CSk3ljO6ZimunJYep3D3h2QukNPpmzIeWXXt5bGcuzeyGKsPE4SN_VaNV0kXbRgt0kW9901GZHldZB1d2en_eEXHvZU/s400/piece+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505083233580818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l13h1OUTNNuPNXI9RhMgGXMuAESt_SxSi0scoCkh03IhK9UClsEDGjc_N8FcSCqWNAfiZmuvSq9g3FQyScud4jhzuq-n9Kw-4Mud9de0bsFXqVKoZffHoIoaKwjJ3quzaShbuAqVjRU/s1600-h/piece+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6l13h1OUTNNuPNXI9RhMgGXMuAESt_SxSi0scoCkh03IhK9UClsEDGjc_N8FcSCqWNAfiZmuvSq9g3FQyScud4jhzuq-n9Kw-4Mud9de0bsFXqVKoZffHoIoaKwjJ3quzaShbuAqVjRU/s400/piece+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505089350578002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3ITLSsBK5s5ZW5g-2lmdH8UjBmL9A7mM-LNhpq79uOTPr6Y1CSk3ljO6ZimunJYep3D3h2QukNPpmzIeWXXt5bGcuzeyGKsPE4SN_VaNV0kXbRgt0kW9901GZHldZB1d2en_eEXHvZU/s1600-h/piece+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 349px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM3ITLSsBK5s5ZW5g-2lmdH8UjBmL9A7mM-LNhpq79uOTPr6Y1CSk3ljO6ZimunJYep3D3h2QukNPpmzIeWXXt5bGcuzeyGKsPE4SN_VaNV0kXbRgt0kW9901GZHldZB1d2en_eEXHvZU/s400/piece+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505083233580818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_W65ztHoevSNegZ8-aE0ZaQkeZWPy1kAm9Oe6UBAG-P8Eh55kmmcEkO-m7jI_KkLxeBgiQ5QM53EjH8-r1QjZL6HlG_qeIJESHWoIlmABb4U779agDsA5gAXEKvAmZTMoVayQyBr3rM/s1600-h/evening+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_W65ztHoevSNegZ8-aE0ZaQkeZWPy1kAm9Oe6UBAG-P8Eh55kmmcEkO-m7jI_KkLxeBgiQ5QM53EjH8-r1QjZL6HlG_qeIJESHWoIlmABb4U779agDsA5gAXEKvAmZTMoVayQyBr3rM/s400/evening+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365505081854714018" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-47035298697329013112009-07-22T17:15:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:30:16.517-07:00that toddlin' town<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcA0NFk0lr5YT1PqseEGXio_c8YoVti7hCcOF49oQA_6riyT4rzCddmZvz2XeVdD09eqEGok6TAOmTANzcY-i2urjG0qlTXl9s9FBtmGmsclWUOPHxzg4PCTrr5WKs5aJBGAQMM76eAc/s1600-h/DSCF0575.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdcA0NFk0lr5YT1PqseEGXio_c8YoVti7hCcOF49oQA_6riyT4rzCddmZvz2XeVdD09eqEGok6TAOmTANzcY-i2urjG0qlTXl9s9FBtmGmsclWUOPHxzg4PCTrr5WKs5aJBGAQMM76eAc/s320/DSCF0575.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361451232375564306" border="0" /></a><br />This past weekend I went up to Chicago to attend the <a href="http://www.pitchforkmusicfestival.com/">Pitchfork Music Festival</a>--both firsts for me. The weather was a bit cool and the crowd was too cool for school. I had a terrific time hanging out and watching shows with my friends. Sadly, they wouldn't let cameras with detachable lenses into the festival, so I left my precious Canon at home and forged ahead with a crappy point-and-shoot. Though these pictures hardly do it justice, I fell head over heels for Chi city, and if I have anything to say about it, I'll be back again and again.<br /><br />Some of the highlights:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">deep dish pizza at Gino's after<br />sampling the Rye-PA at <a href="http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/clybourn_brewpub/65.php">Clybourn Brewpub</a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLhRyf54kcAhQZu1WtqNDGvkDwDmWccI7rtcNIN-GEb3m8qnSdiobWB9CgvH1O_rX_ZL_5JoaBMoueUPHzB5eAEAEnWDn9jSm8A9Q7npWim6BtkbK9taNXHraVeBINDA8fOtWgfWVsEk/s1600-h/DSCF0578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLhRyf54kcAhQZu1WtqNDGvkDwDmWccI7rtcNIN-GEb3m8qnSdiobWB9CgvH1O_rX_ZL_5JoaBMoueUPHzB5eAEAEnWDn9jSm8A9Q7npWim6BtkbK9taNXHraVeBINDA8fOtWgfWVsEk/s320/DSCF0578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361451241967906946" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The Lincoln Park Conservatory & Zoo<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtlu5P2ra0X9EWm105_Jtod3NwKWiFXWbGjz7G2LH852z4lFKZEiJPa8-mZqM9zu-AnQkUZB-G6YDQqi-gyU23H0zl_XkQVkeGCFyhEvLmExJAisn10Xcw9oC0E7wf3wPRuy5_XHYOkw/s1600-h/DSCF0630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtlu5P2ra0X9EWm105_Jtod3NwKWiFXWbGjz7G2LH852z4lFKZEiJPa8-mZqM9zu-AnQkUZB-G6YDQqi-gyU23H0zl_XkQVkeGCFyhEvLmExJAisn10Xcw9oC0E7wf3wPRuy5_XHYOkw/s320/DSCF0630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361451254217716834" border="0" /></a>watching a passing Segway tour<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieWnDjZywLIklQuTm0HxN_2abTL6OMivLz1LcaO78LaqxFBA7ZzVJNNP0CZZiI30puwkyy2pQOyakX1sfKE2O0qJ2ldhV4wOEUrUk0b5l9X1rueloBqWHIgDud5015g22ljWMZwpb6j8/s1600-h/DSCF0605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieWnDjZywLIklQuTm0HxN_2abTL6OMivLz1LcaO78LaqxFBA7ZzVJNNP0CZZiI30puwkyy2pQOyakX1sfKE2O0qJ2ldhV4wOEUrUk0b5l9X1rueloBqWHIgDud5015g22ljWMZwpb6j8/s320/DSCF0605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361451247187222146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Chicago dogs with their radioactive relish<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7tKCvc0HZMb5f4S10gAKdPA3KWCI6B3pfZo1z1mL_pm0U5LY3LOTeOnYf7NSKOin5ohjbn9c8Kicg52ypUeIJoyCOzAOPatIjyr4mDCFutpbuW-8_tC78k2IQdmpryf1T1X2_WIcMdk/s1600-h/DSCF0735.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh7tKCvc0HZMb5f4S10gAKdPA3KWCI6B3pfZo1z1mL_pm0U5LY3LOTeOnYf7NSKOin5ohjbn9c8Kicg52ypUeIJoyCOzAOPatIjyr4mDCFutpbuW-8_tC78k2IQdmpryf1T1X2_WIcMdk/s320/DSCF0735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361454979400654226" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">riding the L through the Loop<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6b3ntNV3TYjR124TPU28TLGUc0PXBwSwo5hjYeGvRGyeqUsWDhMxg-izo3yaRgNu1UNnJzrUB6qEMTXz0THzCLj3rAoLJp6-OG2nuGieTAlonQkvCbcj5wnsrFrqpuv64x_9RMKdsJg/s1600-h/DSCF0694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6b3ntNV3TYjR124TPU28TLGUc0PXBwSwo5hjYeGvRGyeqUsWDhMxg-izo3yaRgNu1UNnJzrUB6qEMTXz0THzCLj3rAoLJp6-OG2nuGieTAlonQkvCbcj5wnsrFrqpuv64x_9RMKdsJg/s320/DSCF0694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361454970756637426" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The National<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIbElkRqlff0kzsW1SKvJNJKAw0KltRHQlljDKqHGUSExTnaJsJA_fB-eqQkmDUZH-kp3IWxUIotH7W6e_A_JTyj-GRf82J0AZ74tzonVx4D3GkkRiNzeJvRUPVMVWiMVQewz7kTqlM/s1600-h/DSCF0724.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYIbElkRqlff0kzsW1SKvJNJKAw0KltRHQlljDKqHGUSExTnaJsJA_fB-eqQkmDUZH-kp3IWxUIotH7W6e_A_JTyj-GRf82J0AZ74tzonVx4D3GkkRiNzeJvRUPVMVWiMVQewz7kTqlM/s320/DSCF0724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361454973461303618" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">winning a pair of shoes for coming up with a whole bunch of anagrams<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRUF-HEK-t4qXpITc1upkvTHWL8BT1QQ7_WNUXQqouDYGqCC7B4V7-vxsSUYp_qi9kCdi-aWKxiF5JijBhbxJquuNLFYykeNlvSm1cpZtvXEixtAoE351yeKcQOI3Os5T8rRKg6MjBco/s1600-h/DSCF0741.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRUF-HEK-t4qXpITc1upkvTHWL8BT1QQ7_WNUXQqouDYGqCC7B4V7-vxsSUYp_qi9kCdi-aWKxiF5JijBhbxJquuNLFYykeNlvSm1cpZtvXEixtAoE351yeKcQOI3Os5T8rRKg6MjBco/s320/DSCF0741.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361454984469470018" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-25478091849127589332009-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:002009-08-26T08:30:28.238-07:00eternal return<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBll9QWunaWbKk-lj7ztmz1YNvHmWMoo2_KdSIM1Um4CuTuej94e4zNvRhbndO_ZtR2SZC9EuE5HiI3_x-gFLwAgLl3hCBffx0-HU_kXlmDxron4vj5xuwjGEBaKFI1tVmp6xmzJUyUAg/s1600-h/stockholm+196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBll9QWunaWbKk-lj7ztmz1YNvHmWMoo2_KdSIM1Um4CuTuej94e4zNvRhbndO_ZtR2SZC9EuE5HiI3_x-gFLwAgLl3hCBffx0-HU_kXlmDxron4vj5xuwjGEBaKFI1tVmp6xmzJUyUAg/s320/stockholm+196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354631464145427458" border="0" /></a><br />Well, it's been a long while since I posted anything. I sort of lost track of what I was trying to do. I'd like to ease back into things with some photos from my recent trip to Sweden. We've shown the vacation photos to our families and friends, but here are some little moments that were just for me, the little details that are so delightful to notice while traveling.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaojmi7cj-KdRBm5FJVPI3hKQRrbWJya5sqC602WDs_wnRpQDwapT0DNZy2BSZiqP1sUVrm7_12bgaKk6vddq4uBwx968QAlI8vFynGcbeAj0s8zmlyZjFrUpWpdUfSx-JLXECmhPtM4/s1600-h/stockholm+156.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaojmi7cj-KdRBm5FJVPI3hKQRrbWJya5sqC602WDs_wnRpQDwapT0DNZy2BSZiqP1sUVrm7_12bgaKk6vddq4uBwx968QAlI8vFynGcbeAj0s8zmlyZjFrUpWpdUfSx-JLXECmhPtM4/s320/stockholm+156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630319370110498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KStHt2Yhtjl8cAEzFNH4IDjGJIAxiCbBJu024-Bfsl-9hUMVMkaHgG3CzNbo90FdwFD-SMihyphenhyphenQfgWHANupZTUofThpGbwGUk3bBbL9sesbFc6PcSpnPa3sT8RN2aJ7Xx6IDUIO9Xagw/s1600-h/stockholm+148.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KStHt2Yhtjl8cAEzFNH4IDjGJIAxiCbBJu024-Bfsl-9hUMVMkaHgG3CzNbo90FdwFD-SMihyphenhyphenQfgWHANupZTUofThpGbwGUk3bBbL9sesbFc6PcSpnPa3sT8RN2aJ7Xx6IDUIO9Xagw/s320/stockholm+148.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630317109182930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9GG_lgmOLnAj20uuB3Rg8YBy0zqwmj2nbzRAa8S9-0XXoagOFuBaRYLyfUf8FXCFq3gBI2664fNTYIxRgHs6J9zgZcRrRzStZZ5JaIvmOQyATiwoeQRyZ60lStI-FKJWzwOu_Dtbgw0/s1600-h/stockholm+144.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9GG_lgmOLnAj20uuB3Rg8YBy0zqwmj2nbzRAa8S9-0XXoagOFuBaRYLyfUf8FXCFq3gBI2664fNTYIxRgHs6J9zgZcRrRzStZZ5JaIvmOQyATiwoeQRyZ60lStI-FKJWzwOu_Dtbgw0/s320/stockholm+144.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630313109916178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguVztyZyS0RTGtrhdx1lppxwZ_LxRquKF1Jh3QzQ8KJkvyAF7npFxCp47Z11xozW-TpyGx2FJoo1Rhrf5lNH_8Tng0t9YbDXaI9rB8Pisn2igI97XcYOdqF5y-4nhtaqiH38-eA8wI8E/s1600-h/stockholm+015.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguVztyZyS0RTGtrhdx1lppxwZ_LxRquKF1Jh3QzQ8KJkvyAF7npFxCp47Z11xozW-TpyGx2FJoo1Rhrf5lNH_8Tng0t9YbDXaI9rB8Pisn2igI97XcYOdqF5y-4nhtaqiH38-eA8wI8E/s320/stockholm+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630311673617314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKVeoEGbPXbHaZinG2pqeri_eKKxdriA73NQfmyKaFMsFYCBcMFDl7Cbt4dOhyphenhyphenWDwdxM8QJ5t-BbLcOnaIO8FMhQQf3fQcXPxnpREjDMV11EJh3P5wsbT_YbrKaKwpvzItCGZc0HxBf8/s1600-h/stockholm+463.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkKVeoEGbPXbHaZinG2pqeri_eKKxdriA73NQfmyKaFMsFYCBcMFDl7Cbt4dOhyphenhyphenWDwdxM8QJ5t-BbLcOnaIO8FMhQQf3fQcXPxnpREjDMV11EJh3P5wsbT_YbrKaKwpvzItCGZc0HxBf8/s320/stockholm+463.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630699468313762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzlXHEqJrmjX9g5_2vbcDqUKrMf7OlIXayNO7eL_K8mHwUcP63j2qbHQznHdY0gozSoQzRCkfk-tbTThkphQYZRSoqcmcrnKYyECjDDFgHYQNXLOVa0rK2gdfkaHn08upjb2E9zS0m2E/s1600-h/stockholm+439.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzlXHEqJrmjX9g5_2vbcDqUKrMf7OlIXayNO7eL_K8mHwUcP63j2qbHQznHdY0gozSoQzRCkfk-tbTThkphQYZRSoqcmcrnKYyECjDDFgHYQNXLOVa0rK2gdfkaHn08upjb2E9zS0m2E/s320/stockholm+439.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630695388509474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1sTm4e8mLb1nyKrKSCvqWc_s8YWv_MYTz87X27brm-CE1mjW84D5muEXM8myqitmu01YV_DZiNRhMsbK9_-XY2INc5snCDaJTDj0_VMyPYYMOkCF9iHtLESx28fWOJ94ArOzbLVAMLs/s1600-h/stockholm+404.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW1sTm4e8mLb1nyKrKSCvqWc_s8YWv_MYTz87X27brm-CE1mjW84D5muEXM8myqitmu01YV_DZiNRhMsbK9_-XY2INc5snCDaJTDj0_VMyPYYMOkCF9iHtLESx28fWOJ94ArOzbLVAMLs/s320/stockholm+404.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630690472414066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSIz_0hSjIsJbWsS8uWfmwWHQeshyphenhyphennvDR60l7nm0q5OlxoXPAkPpKYeXx6ISM0mOIMLlYukuObgGzNiwEE35q6J8EWZekAbOsGzIfxCZgTKfYyEg3Ue0VOiTNGITr0evL9TucEEQv6Fg/s1600-h/stockholm+315.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSIz_0hSjIsJbWsS8uWfmwWHQeshyphenhyphennvDR60l7nm0q5OlxoXPAkPpKYeXx6ISM0mOIMLlYukuObgGzNiwEE35q6J8EWZekAbOsGzIfxCZgTKfYyEg3Ue0VOiTNGITr0evL9TucEEQv6Fg/s320/stockholm+315.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630689873288978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-F9-yvxNG1-XP60jYkaBggVFYZvj4M-aTn92lDY95USVvw_1gGbiUne7zvadpEMRUeLAuIP2LA6gABfdueI8qHWTCx5Zv3uRmU_7b42m7MG8k8duMe2TJ31nAzjySVLhXomxwXW13VM/s1600-h/stockholm+225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-F9-yvxNG1-XP60jYkaBggVFYZvj4M-aTn92lDY95USVvw_1gGbiUne7zvadpEMRUeLAuIP2LA6gABfdueI8qHWTCx5Zv3uRmU_7b42m7MG8k8duMe2TJ31nAzjySVLhXomxwXW13VM/s320/stockholm+225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354630687284717394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRu-KPBnBh7YfS0WCnYd9vt3_-Y26iMdPpOYs68AZnMXIzu-wHMYCORvtWD8npcGQbqJMVgXkNDRSGjl403PtEL5hfwRTCE6KYc7Lxa-rdmxliipQ3Zbm6wJ0S7QaH_yNOeNj69QfOrc/s1600-h/stockholm+586.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRu-KPBnBh7YfS0WCnYd9vt3_-Y26iMdPpOYs68AZnMXIzu-wHMYCORvtWD8npcGQbqJMVgXkNDRSGjl403PtEL5hfwRTCE6KYc7Lxa-rdmxliipQ3Zbm6wJ0S7QaH_yNOeNj69QfOrc/s320/stockholm+586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354631012730768306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeC2QZ9ij_nZQp6OhO97wL-fWjdXKFYk_WInTXxOeak2u_nzV4U0tJXS8xYhgUwVa4VBh2ebesTUXj_ydvk-Y3RndCLdYDgL7KNWYkLaHz2obZlVq7UfnXtFzYJBuJ86-UdyyblIsoWA/s1600-h/stockholm+585.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQeC2QZ9ij_nZQp6OhO97wL-fWjdXKFYk_WInTXxOeak2u_nzV4U0tJXS8xYhgUwVa4VBh2ebesTUXj_ydvk-Y3RndCLdYDgL7KNWYkLaHz2obZlVq7UfnXtFzYJBuJ86-UdyyblIsoWA/s320/stockholm+585.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354631010216453858" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-73871662106934793212009-03-07T08:09:00.001-08:002009-08-26T08:31:04.303-07:00blooms and the promise of blooms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcWiEDEb22-XKcHgqFeMk9WkbKhR5NBpEFl9WZsm6rFNt-E6uGallnW3YjG4P_bXn8bBathXFV_j4Pl-M9bZ7WJAFAE3-Fa1kmK2ht0i3-zuRBP3s8E-L8KNevG4MeVlvyq7_ufo33Yo/s1600-h/lovely+lenten.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkcWiEDEb22-XKcHgqFeMk9WkbKhR5NBpEFl9WZsm6rFNt-E6uGallnW3YjG4P_bXn8bBathXFV_j4Pl-M9bZ7WJAFAE3-Fa1kmK2ht0i3-zuRBP3s8E-L8KNevG4MeVlvyq7_ufo33Yo/s400/lovely+lenten.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310479409308301794" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVubRZIUBA7OwP5ibH1P6AGN_gTp4Hu-Z-NJBKX5_gX5ZpTwIRc-LXWZzMgupkFhVxiN-3NOL7Nt-maVDwRsy_99hchvJiwDT8gFzxH0cx-YtyzZC2FgYozMMgx3oL8O1iuW-bftvN8Fo/s1600-h/laffy+daffodil.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVubRZIUBA7OwP5ibH1P6AGN_gTp4Hu-Z-NJBKX5_gX5ZpTwIRc-LXWZzMgupkFhVxiN-3NOL7Nt-maVDwRsy_99hchvJiwDT8gFzxH0cx-YtyzZC2FgYozMMgx3oL8O1iuW-bftvN8Fo/s400/laffy+daffodil.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310479397979408610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iNPhFIU_L4JQ_IqCVhdYMDpJVUckEdPOE4B_ilmw1fE5SJP1O3jcPnYoPUaazbuRFR4qf_9NmjtvU8E-EygSaT45-Wo_vUOFOesS2U9dQ8GNStF3-v2k7Q3BJLeiJiknR-Au2iPeq6c/s1600-h/jasmine+light.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iNPhFIU_L4JQ_IqCVhdYMDpJVUckEdPOE4B_ilmw1fE5SJP1O3jcPnYoPUaazbuRFR4qf_9NmjtvU8E-EygSaT45-Wo_vUOFOesS2U9dQ8GNStF3-v2k7Q3BJLeiJiknR-Au2iPeq6c/s400/jasmine+light.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310479391236162770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWj5MhyphenhyphenHa09cKZ1_NR3srOVGZmdohmgBUsPAitODEARgL9t2aqvYlQm8iywR1JhPw8xNT45-xk79STV2FiyTNeXD714_jAknKNZBtondbuWi24EYoozFire4JRnHvaE59iNXMpX8ptH8/s1600-h/little+orchid.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWj5MhyphenhyphenHa09cKZ1_NR3srOVGZmdohmgBUsPAitODEARgL9t2aqvYlQm8iywR1JhPw8xNT45-xk79STV2FiyTNeXD714_jAknKNZBtondbuWi24EYoozFire4JRnHvaE59iNXMpX8ptH8/s400/little+orchid.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310479403728070498" border="0" /></a>Today's high: 74 degrees. The first thing i did this sunny morning was to open up the door and take a deep breath. . . the smell of the warming earth in springtime is intoxicating. then i peeked around and found some little friends, shyly but exquisitely soaking up the day.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-62345976663219083482009-02-25T18:52:00.000-08:002009-02-25T19:17:55.256-08:00spring thing<br /><div style="text-align: center;">today was the deadline for submitting J's residency rankings. now the holding of breath for three long weeks till we know! and i can feel some serious spring fever setting in.<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">it's a time for new buds. . .<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGnjhO3tQSTIB_JyzssDNKDQLxxd-SjGv1dU0UD2Z7JdFSS4TExo5vBFBvvxYqWMEomvfkm8qQBw436Rx9vprH6Gaq6oyKmqjaodIEB3c5-KllYQpVn4hn4OugG6l0ui_7hk1O6YBqT8/s1600-h/shrimp+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 346px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGnjhO3tQSTIB_JyzssDNKDQLxxd-SjGv1dU0UD2Z7JdFSS4TExo5vBFBvvxYqWMEomvfkm8qQBw436Rx9vprH6Gaq6oyKmqjaodIEB3c5-KllYQpVn4hn4OugG6l0ui_7hk1O6YBqT8/s400/shrimp+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306938666671553378" border="0"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">. . . and best buds.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-FLiis8gq3G0ICLl9MgCj_F-Wx_UyTclQtDwMxlufWTxet_LdIjTkPr-9aOlp34VH9U8YSE9npak4FnKcO-pVUyULXUtIJiKegDWVfNXx0SSq4tM754iBZCIXPzTpE4lLpOBDRYaOzQ/s1600-h/big+bear+bud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-FLiis8gq3G0ICLl9MgCj_F-Wx_UyTclQtDwMxlufWTxet_LdIjTkPr-9aOlp34VH9U8YSE9npak4FnKcO-pVUyULXUtIJiKegDWVfNXx0SSq4tM754iBZCIXPzTpE4lLpOBDRYaOzQ/s400/big+bear+bud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306938669239881202" border="0"></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-64684141678267896892009-02-16T18:06:00.000-08:002009-08-26T08:30:46.134-07:00philly bits<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf_slVVBQsxvQopI-uTAoZQvMk8RH1AI3r6UdfyWZlkXc0tkh92y9pTVnqUQYso9YgedZiS02riVYKX0rGxktXOY9FkryBk7iNk1awv4DrOYcX-OqORxU_hyqzGpWSfk7reaoFp3gXuI/s1600-h/DSCF0482.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 372px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyf_slVVBQsxvQopI-uTAoZQvMk8RH1AI3r6UdfyWZlkXc0tkh92y9pTVnqUQYso9YgedZiS02riVYKX0rGxktXOY9FkryBk7iNk1awv4DrOYcX-OqORxU_hyqzGpWSfk7reaoFp3gXuI/s400/DSCF0482.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303586789945903330" border="0" /></a>coming back downtown from the 'burbs<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1X2Cj_tnfkTHWl1Of5UjUJ_RAUfjNx5kXXUnR6-PDXNpVnPXT8z73c3cDgRjK44A7QGTMempEdpSBQruyoVxpWWv6baowydP8afUtIbvig5BhJFZ5JrSQGbofdsoqQ5J4oMO1_BPcM0/s1600-h/DSCF0465.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1X2Cj_tnfkTHWl1Of5UjUJ_RAUfjNx5kXXUnR6-PDXNpVnPXT8z73c3cDgRjK44A7QGTMempEdpSBQruyoVxpWWv6baowydP8afUtIbvig5BhJFZ5JrSQGbofdsoqQ5J4oMO1_BPcM0/s400/DSCF0465.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303584516701375650" border="0" /></a>a gem in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood near where we stayed.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSSgs8g7zFose5D6Od_0M1-sIW4mNfEqDglpJxYFk8Pt2_2MrkbKb2JeAFuw4PXs6bzZMf2B8ZFYlEKFUAnrdaaps29NrmnUvXnRO3eYchzb22ygb2mmGj0YSwj1IzowzVC_ftG5Swlk/s1600-h/DSCF0453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUSSgs8g7zFose5D6Od_0M1-sIW4mNfEqDglpJxYFk8Pt2_2MrkbKb2JeAFuw4PXs6bzZMf2B8ZFYlEKFUAnrdaaps29NrmnUvXnRO3eYchzb22ygb2mmGj0YSwj1IzowzVC_ftG5Swlk/s400/DSCF0453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303584513822102274" border="0" /></a>Wit beer at Monk's!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiZHCswa-IVeFebRNY8XvNcbK8CmH56dNKSQDiSe6cY8H7kqeiD2vrAYISd2A1PtQwHcI-IPwnlBu8pk4DqssKVAx_3JVlyg4nx1RRwRYOMV8XEJEYxReNjPWd-eZUmSmBmEHcGpclYE/s1600-h/DSCF0451.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEiZHCswa-IVeFebRNY8XvNcbK8CmH56dNKSQDiSe6cY8H7kqeiD2vrAYISd2A1PtQwHcI-IPwnlBu8pk4DqssKVAx_3JVlyg4nx1RRwRYOMV8XEJEYxReNjPWd-eZUmSmBmEHcGpclYE/s400/DSCF0451.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303584514145343986" border="0" /></a>round and pudgy from drinking too much Belgian beer, no doubt.<br />i can relate.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZstFf3OTeDzYRADDQ6o5j0kyoKZtAd_H5wxny7_fXMZwvOxnxMb2QjaOp3iIXJQt0XXjv9uG7r8fXWUOaeB_YtZDCnOVX1JS6E9O_3g2JpQ2bA2hTRaoJwilB4A1ekzck3lOYJ3hfYw/s1600-h/DSCF0442.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 302px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZstFf3OTeDzYRADDQ6o5j0kyoKZtAd_H5wxny7_fXMZwvOxnxMb2QjaOp3iIXJQt0XXjv9uG7r8fXWUOaeB_YtZDCnOVX1JS6E9O_3g2JpQ2bA2hTRaoJwilB4A1ekzck3lOYJ3hfYw/s400/DSCF0442.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303584509600556626" border="0" /></a>fell in love with the windows on this building<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqG6t1MyX7QytvFoCNYxdBuADoiNSYR-hmtGGRVFktHIO6lnAFAMi8GnA7noQUutnS7Lefvpa1vfwpPbnikpvVOr70eB8K0QG9Ok6F9LdVnrMYDcun8JbUkFIjU4tekmL3uqmRp6CHC4/s1600-h/DSCF0438.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 354px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqG6t1MyX7QytvFoCNYxdBuADoiNSYR-hmtGGRVFktHIO6lnAFAMi8GnA7noQUutnS7Lefvpa1vfwpPbnikpvVOr70eB8K0QG9Ok6F9LdVnrMYDcun8JbUkFIjU4tekmL3uqmRp6CHC4/s400/DSCF0438.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303584506103901490" border="0" /></a>so many luxe details<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">we opted to take the old camera instead of the nice one (too risky). who knew philly was so attractive? kicking myself, alas.<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-64229681121083778962009-02-10T15:30:00.001-08:002009-08-26T08:31:18.894-07:00big winner!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqN9aWfmnxIWTpIKaMMV6uChR0PoUvNZP5V6TRsjRbuNNPLTmouFv9mJscRkiwyiKBRqcJBy8LJaWkUrbMed95X_8YanVWrOoipIBFitrrf9bDQenCZcNzHhhm7bE1FDCnYA8f9hgfFI/s1600-h/royal+buffet+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 346px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqN9aWfmnxIWTpIKaMMV6uChR0PoUvNZP5V6TRsjRbuNNPLTmouFv9mJscRkiwyiKBRqcJBy8LJaWkUrbMed95X_8YanVWrOoipIBFitrrf9bDQenCZcNzHhhm7bE1FDCnYA8f9hgfFI/s400/royal+buffet+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301318699160678466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVREALuVYwXEewbFJZO33sJl5cQ2W0Idxn3gHdIZN9pPQTYkSZ1NOQueXGQWR7yunOsLoh2cxGyFWKMjuQbLlElqhhAbSK0B_qpoGh4yf60cMPKzVd4cEyiGxoy7WGRX059nY2ERqGms/s1600-h/royal+buffet+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisVREALuVYwXEewbFJZO33sJl5cQ2W0Idxn3gHdIZN9pPQTYkSZ1NOQueXGQWR7yunOsLoh2cxGyFWKMjuQbLlElqhhAbSK0B_qpoGh4yf60cMPKzVd4cEyiGxoy7WGRX059nY2ERqGms/s400/royal+buffet+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301318696330498370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgP2J-2pjRLdN6a4cex5JSRZ1YudgrrJfHGavItGiPRFGrwf0ufTzVFyLL9NBGw2-8DZNSeEYPJASEe_piRAKgqSTgOPrfkD2Qcvg6Td01QX-0luonxSI3JpHKqXWH5xj-ygCcx_uVRk/s1600-h/royal+buffet+023.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgP2J-2pjRLdN6a4cex5JSRZ1YudgrrJfHGavItGiPRFGrwf0ufTzVFyLL9NBGw2-8DZNSeEYPJASEe_piRAKgqSTgOPrfkD2Qcvg6Td01QX-0luonxSI3JpHKqXWH5xj-ygCcx_uVRk/s400/royal+buffet+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301318698160105842" border="0" /></a><br />i was the <a href="http://www.molliegreene.com/blog/?p=780">lucky winner</a> of some lovely treasures from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5537080">Royal Buffet</a>! they arrived yesterday and have already brought me joy. i think they seem right at home. thanks very much for this treat, Mollie!!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-1716286265381269792009-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:002009-02-02T04:43:12.361-08:00it's kitty picture time!<span style="font-size:100%;">spotlight on: caliope</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60fsKGlBovbm9o1Zb5SGGesBhX8khggdlx7PcIDaOcts7CTyBzjetZbMBg_owJuTv4GbZkz1XLnA6EemtcFtAzvkUl79aoKwcV8GevGa3VXtylT20TnXysHudpeh5nper2krQDj_62pY/s1600-h/blog+043.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60fsKGlBovbm9o1Zb5SGGesBhX8khggdlx7PcIDaOcts7CTyBzjetZbMBg_owJuTv4GbZkz1XLnA6EemtcFtAzvkUl79aoKwcV8GevGa3VXtylT20TnXysHudpeh5nper2krQDj_62pY/s400/blog+043.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298007570269762274" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Age: 5 yrs<br /><br />Nicknames: tiger, lie-lie, squeaky pete, killer, stinker, caliopus, monkey man<br /><br />Favorite activities: stalking, hunting, killing mice and the occasional bird, wrestling with the laundry basket, peeing on t-shirts that are left on the floor, climbing trees.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UEQNlF3UmFf97RV3jXugLtsk5OgFk8EASophk_LilV6S29hQdheNJ_e3MSF45pcXAnUZMuJjL9BzrEaX971lakQqhAAZ-K5TK-Kctyy8_e4JL6JYjbHaac0lLxWQk0cZpoV0_FZmotk/s1600-h/blog+050.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UEQNlF3UmFf97RV3jXugLtsk5OgFk8EASophk_LilV6S29hQdheNJ_e3MSF45pcXAnUZMuJjL9BzrEaX971lakQqhAAZ-K5TK-Kctyy8_e4JL6JYjbHaac0lLxWQk0cZpoV0_FZmotk/s400/blog+050.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298026480972698914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIo3rPnjkcWI-_j6ZxY4aDZIIvYp-eFK9_KqXc1BkgA8FfjOELlDxAu5qfoU5mFEHNmv1tc6WjVtUjV8SW6LNP-63YwwEhBpOfesAxNlpZECqwaVTVZ9FNPVYrXIiOT1FY5NLNI_WMZ0/s1600-h/blog+066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIo3rPnjkcWI-_j6ZxY4aDZIIvYp-eFK9_KqXc1BkgA8FfjOELlDxAu5qfoU5mFEHNmv1tc6WjVtUjV8SW6LNP-63YwwEhBpOfesAxNlpZECqwaVTVZ9FNPVYrXIiOT1FY5NLNI_WMZ0/s400/blog+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298026483920266626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs9tMgTM_ZrU7Fwd-20DcN0ScmQ7RxOmsWtbYog3nPps-PLAJd4KpvSH70P-kBPZkFWsgFtHzGnCEIjmMrudKnWdE-wrekYR1DZuK_fqufvB20Qmwn_eNCaMErBb_q48dz3UOBstQ31I/s1600-h/shelf+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIs9tMgTM_ZrU7Fwd-20DcN0ScmQ7RxOmsWtbYog3nPps-PLAJd4KpvSH70P-kBPZkFWsgFtHzGnCEIjmMrudKnWdE-wrekYR1DZuK_fqufvB20Qmwn_eNCaMErBb_q48dz3UOBstQ31I/s400/shelf+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298031430133859250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax_zg9vkMco7YbInmHcM8W_oziofQO8eezZNdSYKH2Nncfs4UZWeDb3JJVrCI7vOoeUImK-IxGweCw2Ba7BFBn-8GWVCGP3L-J9NiFqzsO4Mqr3yLC8BCtRnm6is38n8lfrfYlA8zQLY/s1600-h/big+head.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjax_zg9vkMco7YbInmHcM8W_oziofQO8eezZNdSYKH2Nncfs4UZWeDb3JJVrCI7vOoeUImK-IxGweCw2Ba7BFBn-8GWVCGP3L-J9NiFqzsO4Mqr3yLC8BCtRnm6is38n8lfrfYlA8zQLY/s400/big+head.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298031430471008850" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-34238030245182789972009-01-25T11:18:00.000-08:002009-08-26T08:31:42.333-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br />"The apparition of these faces in the crowd; Petals on a wet, black bough." -Ezra Pound</span><br /></div><br />It's been almost one year since I left the world of floral design for a career in publishing. That's a Spring, a Summer, a Fall and a Winter whose attendant blossoms have come and gone without me so much as touching them. Lately I've been missing their sights, smells and textures acutely. I find myself longing to slip into my old apron and lose track of time in pursuit of beautiful forms. For now, I'll revel in these memories.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD12SrsCXREAZ2ZHy9v4sjZYybRS0b3G26kVHdd4L0ZsC3RoNXpzHFr2WPuNHxiylFiZVYFTbmJBB_XGdpXCWYTVm_B1IbJL681ddlGjr5md6ubBQf3tUID-3_AdDBFPVxhtWn1vJD0s/s1600-h/DSCF4332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWD12SrsCXREAZ2ZHy9v4sjZYybRS0b3G26kVHdd4L0ZsC3RoNXpzHFr2WPuNHxiylFiZVYFTbmJBB_XGdpXCWYTVm_B1IbJL681ddlGjr5md6ubBQf3tUID-3_AdDBFPVxhtWn1vJD0s/s400/DSCF4332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295314811567906930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONY33FRiMwcIidFL5Vb-sksLsabDZV9LcMDSJJLmw7bsrDAKZ0H8IqpNcyiExlQsIimofkAOMQYfPSOOoRJQRR8IIlu-oqC4-Tg-Iy6xhdKV4UAzzN1u4QWY5BVrz582yxKr-BumSg5I/s1600-h/DSCF5025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONY33FRiMwcIidFL5Vb-sksLsabDZV9LcMDSJJLmw7bsrDAKZ0H8IqpNcyiExlQsIimofkAOMQYfPSOOoRJQRR8IIlu-oqC4-Tg-Iy6xhdKV4UAzzN1u4QWY5BVrz582yxKr-BumSg5I/s400/DSCF5025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295314815852989058" border="0" /></a>centerpiece for an Easter dinner with friends.<br />yellow ranunculus, cymbidium orchids, artichokes (yes!), callas, dendrobium orchids, jade roses.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNUbr-RRNAYcrtH-k705W2Q-tvWKPtVXzLIRYjVMqW8-Cz6V24Kx1GnBKOdr2QO_U1-VlW0cMxxRJGIikVSlD8d7vxACd-LFN4XiUWTbufMwW77igrModFVlBhZKLnD2xwUH8nnSirX4/s1600-h/wedding+092.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNUbr-RRNAYcrtH-k705W2Q-tvWKPtVXzLIRYjVMqW8-Cz6V24Kx1GnBKOdr2QO_U1-VlW0cMxxRJGIikVSlD8d7vxACd-LFN4XiUWTbufMwW77igrModFVlBhZKLnD2xwUH8nnSirX4/s400/wedding+092.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295314820243652114" border="0" /></a>hand-tied bouquet<br />orange ranunculus, fuji mum, callas, asiatic lily, delphinium, star of bethlehem, hyacinth<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG2NNtjc11usIsunE_OYqqD_xIWg6IbX2ZoME_DB-I_2d0vwUoiUl6YyXnyoJW1ztTV38ToLFDp8IaCZezWeYmfRk3z0bd2UrjlUeZZOElC8Li77-wYh-gbAVwS8e6pHp9J77_nOlP3A/s1600-h/DSCF5062.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKG2NNtjc11usIsunE_OYqqD_xIWg6IbX2ZoME_DB-I_2d0vwUoiUl6YyXnyoJW1ztTV38ToLFDp8IaCZezWeYmfRk3z0bd2UrjlUeZZOElC8Li77-wYh-gbAVwS8e6pHp9J77_nOlP3A/s400/DSCF5062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295314829625188546" border="0" /></a>a lobster claw heliconia, just hanging out<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrGUUeouWQrfLDHhQqoddKCtKZPf5i9B7_jC0mAlgUhJh9ULTwe1Z5Hc_4hVuTWevQwxAAYiRrLqqyHJmo-IYfk1QXPlRghbqImTLLuXQBYnPgi5ktxhKbzIX7egDKZ951gWSX0MiWGI/s1600-h/DSCF5092.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrGUUeouWQrfLDHhQqoddKCtKZPf5i9B7_jC0mAlgUhJh9ULTwe1Z5Hc_4hVuTWevQwxAAYiRrLqqyHJmo-IYfk1QXPlRghbqImTLLuXQBYnPgi5ktxhKbzIX7egDKZ951gWSX0MiWGI/s400/DSCF5092.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295314824024704802" border="0" /></a> a buffet centerpiece on its way to a grand soiree.<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-43092557161745778192009-01-12T18:15:00.000-08:002009-01-12T19:11:24.655-08:00Brakeman's Blues*<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdUDxVEcdiYIbM1FGYcs7uYrza1AC-BXOW9gQwIvXL54TyqS3gchetXe3ooZ4p1UImYHcg1Mh8NODH8lCJ9kMBLTUeGhMKNRRV6NDuenYUQbqw7ndV4yO9NGWEWP0crdMeznBcGsKo1o/s1600-h/portland1+109.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdUDxVEcdiYIbM1FGYcs7uYrza1AC-BXOW9gQwIvXL54TyqS3gchetXe3ooZ4p1UImYHcg1Mh8NODH8lCJ9kMBLTUeGhMKNRRV6NDuenYUQbqw7ndV4yO9NGWEWP0crdMeznBcGsKo1o/s400/portland1+109.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290597993424667842" border="0" /></a>This week we headed up to Portland, Maine, for J's residency interview . We'd grown accustomed to the looks of shock and pity from friends and family when we announced our plans to visit Maine in January, but I quickly learned that no amount of bravado can replace a good <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR%7E79206/79206.jsp">warm coat</a> (merry christmas to me!) and a pair of <a href="http://www.target.com/Zudora-Lace-Up-Rain-Boots-Navy/dp/B00172VQ08/sr=1-15/qid=1231814032/ref=sr_1_15/180-4451357-2184202?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Ablue%20rain%20boots&page=1">discount wellies</a> from Target.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqWqqE5S_FYmb1y9DIFI8iH0x8XUz1mbZyKbW2bMws3wfuXHsCc-ufISm_BLQbkkW7rrEq8nJu20lfnkiwwYBQ6k29Ka__rN_Q-OQi_NpzMi2hCBF_i6zY0Nc3YQe-TBz3E58BO_u5Ns/s1600-h/portland2+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqWqqE5S_FYmb1y9DIFI8iH0x8XUz1mbZyKbW2bMws3wfuXHsCc-ufISm_BLQbkkW7rrEq8nJu20lfnkiwwYBQ6k29Ka__rN_Q-OQi_NpzMi2hCBF_i6zY0Nc3YQe-TBz3E58BO_u5Ns/s400/portland2+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290600955995654818" border="0" /></a>I fell in love with the city and the snow, though I admit I was glad that we would only have to endure the freezing temperatures for a few days.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGTHPn_wnVMRWkj2tkW0N0OD48Ra0-TUR_osANNt4ojsDHXmd8l3ilNrITdNswPDm4GozNdiibyH4wdYcVfb1dYOg6ViwM9jTcuJLS0Xz52xxuSvl8qYKdnQ0hg9rq9laborZOORQUTM/s1600-h/portland1+094.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGTHPn_wnVMRWkj2tkW0N0OD48Ra0-TUR_osANNt4ojsDHXmd8l3ilNrITdNswPDm4GozNdiibyH4wdYcVfb1dYOg6ViwM9jTcuJLS0Xz52xxuSvl8qYKdnQ0hg9rq9laborZOORQUTM/s400/portland1+094.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290600942142481746" border="0" /></a>I liked the docks.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8Y8Y7BY1FCoFdr9Vwp1Ncaa8gZvZjfc8-Y1LnckUxDdMO6FCb8ISFWfNgAJy9vfcCOpad2sCjZ7EwMT1Ly_QqeAy_J070ammGWuwOWmFPZM8oEoFM9dxVpDLAMqnvzvbBZzGw2L35Dk/s1600-h/portland2+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8Y8Y7BY1FCoFdr9Vwp1Ncaa8gZvZjfc8-Y1LnckUxDdMO6FCb8ISFWfNgAJy9vfcCOpad2sCjZ7EwMT1Ly_QqeAy_J070ammGWuwOWmFPZM8oEoFM9dxVpDLAMqnvzvbBZzGw2L35Dk/s400/portland2+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290603332610494242" border="0" /></a>On Friday morning I retreated to the Portland Art Museum to warm up inside and out. The lovely building was designed by I.M. Pei.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC5dTBsyPHwCN20qy7KqiTvhAQE4Jpye5DiPtk9MibTzQcpP7xopRkAGKLoLLycqCyJtfWgPUvtBPazBV20pbbctZ_uINrlGQk5pFI1kRSfzyLfA596dID0S0fNnWxyAnhUiFdoFSKEo/s1600-h/portland2+100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC5dTBsyPHwCN20qy7KqiTvhAQE4Jpye5DiPtk9MibTzQcpP7xopRkAGKLoLLycqCyJtfWgPUvtBPazBV20pbbctZ_uINrlGQk5pFI1kRSfzyLfA596dID0S0fNnWxyAnhUiFdoFSKEo/s400/portland2+100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290600961046461058" border="0" /></a>My favorite moments were spent trudging and stomping around the Western Promenade with J. after his interview. I never knew how much we both like frozen graveyards.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjEATPeoSFzwvz-RWgxAHR_Apyuh981yEmBrxgQRg46NTw5LU9gOSXb6tzDgMQDw63An-aHxD-nlTKmOdQdG7XjrXWRroJ7VUmR7GVJI82wdPm4pxwYYRtTyCVeT_cUX74RHl14TCJSQ/s1600-h/portland2+127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjEATPeoSFzwvz-RWgxAHR_Apyuh981yEmBrxgQRg46NTw5LU9gOSXb6tzDgMQDw63An-aHxD-nlTKmOdQdG7XjrXWRroJ7VUmR7GVJI82wdPm4pxwYYRtTyCVeT_cUX74RHl14TCJSQ/s400/portland2+127.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290604574798926706" border="0" /></a>This one's for <a href="http://purpleinme.blogspot.com/">trupeach</a> and her <a href="http://purpleinme.blogspot.com/2009/01/006.html">sweetgum ornaments</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VsMNU8k6X6mPcFzS-6c5vNtBmVtU26LPHSirTabioX-PaqpwpCF7R6rIBWcSyb-SYoC9mqA1oyTwgcOMOhftPYMSBmaJb1maF8K2CCNRWUZi4lRf78CVLWTIANNhGDjK6nhrk6EzaiM/s1600-h/portland2+157.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VsMNU8k6X6mPcFzS-6c5vNtBmVtU26LPHSirTabioX-PaqpwpCF7R6rIBWcSyb-SYoC9mqA1oyTwgcOMOhftPYMSBmaJb1maF8K2CCNRWUZi4lRf78CVLWTIANNhGDjK6nhrk6EzaiM/s400/portland2+157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290604585437947618" border="0" /></a>I hope we'll find our way back there.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">*I prefer the old Bill Monroe recording, but <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_t8Hx97LwA">this one</a> will do in a pinch.</span><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-20203025132251563352009-01-04T09:11:00.001-08:002009-01-04T09:27:28.430-08:00cast of characters<div style="text-align: center;"><br />Here are some of the little creatures that populate my house.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmwYP0LI_Flpseg5el4tNDK5NP-rNAjtahISJjsuKfS2CihRQuIpa4xWanxlwOY0V53TPFKx2krV9amRhyphenhyphenfgCxIqkD2h4beHoG8KlUwiaiCSDMHO8JpYIr9vwGgme0n7nHSXKZuSAbAg/s1600-h/blog+012.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmwYP0LI_Flpseg5el4tNDK5NP-rNAjtahISJjsuKfS2CihRQuIpa4xWanxlwOY0V53TPFKx2krV9amRhyphenhyphenfgCxIqkD2h4beHoG8KlUwiaiCSDMHO8JpYIr9vwGgme0n7nHSXKZuSAbAg/s400/blog+012.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287489337327692370" border="0" /></a>sometimes, they like to dance dirty.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKYETfQWWuIn_gVC8SYweorB6Z4QIRSU1tsx_XAtmEqH5nfDXhhDFgO9xYNLAxOCiO7csetAfBELKFGIh-HIugxyCv6MKeczvAIzmxsrJcdMVB25FMcX6NMsyIbrZYIWdval9kaslRHQ/s1600-h/blog+032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKYETfQWWuIn_gVC8SYweorB6Z4QIRSU1tsx_XAtmEqH5nfDXhhDFgO9xYNLAxOCiO7csetAfBELKFGIh-HIugxyCv6MKeczvAIzmxsrJcdMVB25FMcX6NMsyIbrZYIWdval9kaslRHQ/s400/blog+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287489382494618754" border="0" /></a>this cheerful little cardinal just came in the mail from maureen<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG1mtQr7W7wp_MnOMdVbGqVpGwIQfEv9Iksf6-kK2OQfuZYM9pXiNLN7pGGejpGvktT-i2Ag5tPwVozITw-fS0DHWUxhWwd4jPsq7wgXKqTFtD1y66aBSg14xTxYynneTnsU5UDe30Iw/s1600-h/blog+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXG1mtQr7W7wp_MnOMdVbGqVpGwIQfEv9Iksf6-kK2OQfuZYM9pXiNLN7pGGejpGvktT-i2Ag5tPwVozITw-fS0DHWUxhWwd4jPsq7wgXKqTFtD1y66aBSg14xTxYynneTnsU5UDe30Iw/s400/blog+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287489375391601378" border="0" /></a>ed and marguerite<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAdFlXQhf3_0vbDphJIKjDTYc6dBPTXRzM0ebju5ZZBpwd1se7V7Kf4iPACu3vphuTQhSWTyRZtBKfYcYv16q5xyEaXdj8uLIVm9CiLdnJYhm_KOdZN-JfJ9BcTJLBwrttCvP2Unv54o/s1600-h/blog+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAdFlXQhf3_0vbDphJIKjDTYc6dBPTXRzM0ebju5ZZBpwd1se7V7Kf4iPACu3vphuTQhSWTyRZtBKfYcYv16q5xyEaXdj8uLIVm9CiLdnJYhm_KOdZN-JfJ9BcTJLBwrttCvP2Unv54o/s400/blog+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287489361037512050" border="0" /></a>have you met my llama?<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACgf7aLuHx_X847iiKTI0t1ikII8x5YnJ2aQTQOd11_8N7L2aCZcKhTEBLBUIH7bROtjT3aLYxNcndyZVbdaGo1FLiCMCccX2Y7pNJwKQkkMsaRfi5KC_l0uHG-YXDC15qaWJXGnW6UY/s1600-h/blog+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACgf7aLuHx_X847iiKTI0t1ikII8x5YnJ2aQTQOd11_8N7L2aCZcKhTEBLBUIH7bROtjT3aLYxNcndyZVbdaGo1FLiCMCccX2Y7pNJwKQkkMsaRfi5KC_l0uHG-YXDC15qaWJXGnW6UY/s400/blog+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287489358932698258" border="0" /></a>a convenient remover of obstacles<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-83066292498829897752008-12-28T16:05:00.000-08:002009-08-26T08:29:30.839-07:00handy man, lucky ladyMy husband loves to tinker. He thrives on turning everyday household objects into useful art. I love the way he solves problems and adds a little spark to my day at the same time. This year, for my birthday, he made me this:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PaTdvjbnLiwkbl3QD9N9Ghj5fT3qHoXcwoi37_8_yBJwmOdUczxQ9_xTQJN44ka2rF4pkUTkIBuHiJ2fu7g4tls8jhThDW8h_uilCop9P-BaGzxFUufrt15ULyRWTcPLySs0jbIoyWg/s1600-h/IMG_0957.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6PaTdvjbnLiwkbl3QD9N9Ghj5fT3qHoXcwoi37_8_yBJwmOdUczxQ9_xTQJN44ka2rF4pkUTkIBuHiJ2fu7g4tls8jhThDW8h_uilCop9P-BaGzxFUufrt15ULyRWTcPLySs0jbIoyWg/s320/IMG_0957.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285030282963191154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigefXfK7stEaFtt6tZx0o3TOdcbpPc7tJuOmyoE5VIfpHbatboL_uyaCYHHUA0rmsx7nJGBarpjNVZRmgGhY5uxrNCyeIqEO2rX413Wi51N6cXMymuZQ5VshXtqqRyV2PVlcrsFu98mek/s1600-h/IMG_0959.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigefXfK7stEaFtt6tZx0o3TOdcbpPc7tJuOmyoE5VIfpHbatboL_uyaCYHHUA0rmsx7nJGBarpjNVZRmgGhY5uxrNCyeIqEO2rX413Wi51N6cXMymuZQ5VshXtqqRyV2PVlcrsFu98mek/s320/IMG_0959.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285032883729899618" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Pretty great, huh? I'm probably the only person for 100 square miles who's thrilled to receive a spice rack for her birthday. We found the busted old guitar on the side of the road a few years ago.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">For my birthday last year, he searched far and wide for a wall-mounted jewelry box but couldn't find a good one, so he made one up using a woven box, an upturned silverware organizer, and a strong magnet. So clever and so useful.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_c1UJwjUhffZdtvO5KBajfUpacYumHvaMlsTe6PrryY9EmOrIrvK0YVfZhAK8rNU2IxHE0gFmyEepd4ENsBUwQQDIDcBQxA2hhyphenhypheneG7qa_LDP1B-yf0E-m-aU1n6nRqGxlwXEXlMW7dw/s1600-h/IMG_0966.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSE17ZZeuP_uudVg5b1kMQfmXWdAuHxr5rFSLl4BXLr9JTk4aq18vBKvhN1IwcLExHo_2jciWX3sqe-14esCY1AZjJVQk7M_iRlBWieWDrWmGU45pX2EtV5SKRu69m-4HqsmuC2R3Oi4/s320/IMG_0980.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285038156316522290" border="0" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_c1UJwjUhffZdtvO5KBajfUpacYumHvaMlsTe6PrryY9EmOrIrvK0YVfZhAK8rNU2IxHE0gFmyEepd4ENsBUwQQDIDcBQxA2hhyphenhypheneG7qa_LDP1B-yf0E-m-aU1n6nRqGxlwXEXlMW7dw/s320/IMG_0966.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285033838044705154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSPEOue45z0lF8asKM7yeuVqwUndtQbgJl_Esuth99bDXtesqsu5WBKXuHOEbh9AoFvMFjps1kF2fUZ6OMVL0_Qkp8gr6-YOgIjrcuB-ummBts2DecCwzoJCz5Dwuzr9IGfvnzisZFAU/s1600-h/IMG_0965.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbSPEOue45z0lF8asKM7yeuVqwUndtQbgJl_Esuth99bDXtesqsu5WBKXuHOEbh9AoFvMFjps1kF2fUZ6OMVL0_Qkp8gr6-YOgIjrcuB-ummBts2DecCwzoJCz5Dwuzr9IGfvnzisZFAU/s320/IMG_0965.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285032893681973922" border="0" /></a></div>This Christmas, he bought a big, colorful world map and hung it on the wall behind our clear shower curtain, so I can ponder the capital of Djibouti while scrubbing mine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98tmixIawZ3tMSQ90AClc6S0QIMsIbQaB40a9rjhyphenhyphenW29VfdD1_MQ8bqNzD_5Utffrl8dwDp8C21J2odrB4YpUFVnI-eNltqsc2ymJ26v0eEexqIDL24MwkCBJyx8rTilwTEdB44wlgok/s1600-h/IMG_0978.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh98tmixIawZ3tMSQ90AClc6S0QIMsIbQaB40a9rjhyphenhyphenW29VfdD1_MQ8bqNzD_5Utffrl8dwDp8C21J2odrB4YpUFVnI-eNltqsc2ymJ26v0eEexqIDL24MwkCBJyx8rTilwTEdB44wlgok/s320/IMG_0978.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285038158518923218" border="0" /></a>And, lest I forget, this Christmas he also gave me a <a href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=11154">digital SLR camera</a> so that I can record and share all of this! You can't see it, but I'm glowing.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-53018822983546773182008-11-29T07:01:00.001-08:002008-11-29T08:20:23.188-08:00And many more. . .<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">it's my dear friend trupeach's birthday today, so i'd like to celebrate just a few of the ways she brightens my life:<br /></div><br />1. long talks on porches, screened or otherwise, late into the night.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TqNPqBIU2xw1qCH_pumCRpP7J_8II69_d3_G-sKiaOwoY-re-ADCB1JXdyS5wWqTEB4tw0-dmKJs5H06kIUDNR7kXilryLs62BRBUvDROWDCi976ymdrHDPeMnfT4w2-IcJSjcL97-I/s1600-h/232323232%257Ffp53265)nu=3282)2;4)572)WSNRCG=32376;5477(24nu0mrj.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TqNPqBIU2xw1qCH_pumCRpP7J_8II69_d3_G-sKiaOwoY-re-ADCB1JXdyS5wWqTEB4tw0-dmKJs5H06kIUDNR7kXilryLs62BRBUvDROWDCi976ymdrHDPeMnfT4w2-IcJSjcL97-I/s400/232323232%257Ffp53265)nu=3282)2;4)572)WSNRCG=32376;5477(24nu0mrj.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274105920034541330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">2. her passion for charades<br />3. sharing her favorite <a href="http://orangette.blogspot.com/2007/09/start-with-tomato-sauce.html"> tomato sauce recipe</a><br />4. impromptu dance parties in her living room<br />5. her way with a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13818098@N00/2937362129/">camera</a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL-zgQr-bu-hE-5le8iTubTX7x9GpWWkGvM3NjZE1XdkqbYYnu35w0Ke_iOZcWZ0jeo51cqJb9pHFvhHwk8lLgzygQNLqrRpdOxMk0u1xdcKCZmmobXQd-0D3clF0SEEoJ6OXfzMLfjk/s1600-h/2774873468_e10ca4f308.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL-zgQr-bu-hE-5le8iTubTX7x9GpWWkGvM3NjZE1XdkqbYYnu35w0Ke_iOZcWZ0jeo51cqJb9pHFvhHwk8lLgzygQNLqrRpdOxMk0u1xdcKCZmmobXQd-0D3clF0SEEoJ6OXfzMLfjk/s400/2774873468_e10ca4f308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274107532472411778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> (photo from <a href="http://purpleinme.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-08-21T11%3A00%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=1">purple bottle</a></span>)<br /></div><br />6. her love for fine dining<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsPQynYdmyo1wYA3RYoJtaSinrGLcJDlf0016A4MsQ3WYwYbgy28EUjYK7elhJx0Ts_VyGhWTYLzm4Mw9MWxbpLP9H7vDDRmpAyg5Gm54VCziULzyH8VUkh477-Zk54Ax9yKMSp24HKg/s1600-h/DSCF9839.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsPQynYdmyo1wYA3RYoJtaSinrGLcJDlf0016A4MsQ3WYwYbgy28EUjYK7elhJx0Ts_VyGhWTYLzm4Mw9MWxbpLP9H7vDDRmpAyg5Gm54VCziULzyH8VUkh477-Zk54Ax9yKMSp24HKg/s400/DSCF9839.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274104595584190322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">7. her gift for bringing magic to the mundane<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROnmj5vtDFyj9KPxc-Bd4xH-Q-RLWQ9j2GpaAFN9k6f3ZlFz19RTPPBW_-b4iP1NAKU4aeGVSsHKxEnHIL6Fh1i9znulnLGb0LldRywNDuYj19_ClzUFCTOody39ogJd4s3fDLe8-uOk/s1600-h/DSCF6302.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROnmj5vtDFyj9KPxc-Bd4xH-Q-RLWQ9j2GpaAFN9k6f3ZlFz19RTPPBW_-b4iP1NAKU4aeGVSsHKxEnHIL6Fh1i9znulnLGb0LldRywNDuYj19_ClzUFCTOody39ogJd4s3fDLe8-uOk/s400/DSCF6302.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274104716130682738" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">have a very happy birthday!!<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6430505616702116012.post-50210242905546541592008-11-23T14:09:00.001-08:002008-11-23T16:40:15.494-08:00A perfect afternoonPerhaps it was the unseasonably warm weather, or the giant "blondie" tooth my dad's diver friend had recently given me, but something prompted J. to declare that THIS would be the Friday we finally went hunting for sharks' teeth. I had heard about the spot for years: a creek behind the fields where my husband played club soccer where hundreds of sharks' teeth had been deposited long ago when the ocean came up that far (some 20 miles inland).<br /><br />With a couple of mouth-watering Caprese sandwiches from <a href="http://www.tedsbutcherblock.com/">Ted's Butcherblock</a> in tow, we headed up country and parked by the fields. J. recalled the trials and triumphs of yore as we sat on the bleachers and tore into our picnic. The trees were at their peak color, the sun was warm and the breeze was cool as we rolled up our jeans, picked a spot by the creekbank and waded in to our ankles. Hunting for sharks' teeth in this environment, as I soon found out, involves squatting in the chilly water and scooping up handfuls of mud and rocks, then sifting through them carefully with an eye out for the telltale glint and angled edges. Once found (oh happy day!), we put each tooth in our Ziploc baggie with the corner cut off and then returned to squatting, digging and sifting.<br /><br />All in all, J. found 14 and I found 16. Quite the haul considering he wasn't too sure those teeth would still be there after fourteen years. We drove home soggy but satisfied, then washed up and headed out for a fine French dinner before meeting our friends for drinks. Sigh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJiAR3KbEqDDOtTaq3mulQO_ufd5RX_pBOUqOEUfbZ4i0Jcvb2O8ikqo_19KN9T2bNaqmdd97cRkn5jDsKaMWyyhjoyNCqjZpz0JpzlQdgjyhOHbfXrlJkGiTHk6dPtoPeXm9Hzok3vk/s1600-h/IMG00035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJiAR3KbEqDDOtTaq3mulQO_ufd5RX_pBOUqOEUfbZ4i0Jcvb2O8ikqo_19KN9T2bNaqmdd97cRkn5jDsKaMWyyhjoyNCqjZpz0JpzlQdgjyhOHbfXrlJkGiTHk6dPtoPeXm9Hzok3vk/s320/IMG00035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271985968915648914" border="0"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIksD2CgN3EqmxvZqzIaQyqLtyuaz1v6rWmG2eN38C1WVsdjbRMiUtUMA3PqipEdnQeZYgWDUZhEO658lLToThduoeswciZJ0OUyA0rTgTe_IAHdvSb_3jzy-JbuybzNvZZ-vvPFUGvY/s1600-h/IMG00036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIksD2CgN3EqmxvZqzIaQyqLtyuaz1v6rWmG2eN38C1WVsdjbRMiUtUMA3PqipEdnQeZYgWDUZhEO658lLToThduoeswciZJ0OUyA0rTgTe_IAHdvSb_3jzy-JbuybzNvZZ-vvPFUGvY/s320/IMG00036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271986638577478210" border="0"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVRTwAATs8UQETNf841-bqtz2yaPAvbcC6aRw8-Gy4Qa_u-MSJ_wLghBsOkVuLbts4LkLvKRJOIllp7dmjX01SSv6LhluDt63kCiDE5R9a_QdqqwembbJzi-_NJ5pgNa2NwEL-4NJoBY/s1600-h/DSCF0256.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVRTwAATs8UQETNf841-bqtz2yaPAvbcC6aRw8-Gy4Qa_u-MSJ_wLghBsOkVuLbts4LkLvKRJOIllp7dmjX01SSv6LhluDt63kCiDE5R9a_QdqqwembbJzi-_NJ5pgNa2NwEL-4NJoBY/s320/DSCF0256.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271987067000098146" border="0"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIkHZoIVSOKf7F2Vy2ZYcBd0AWnz_5dSrFFWJS6J7M5leCAkAL1IgtUMl8Ac4U2EBxhlbfn9v7xk6m-krEZ_hQz_Vj6KkGN61-UWZpDRIUzTIkNCm26A0ZNXgqe2YtQFxAGCSz6LId8s/s1600-h/DSCF0258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIkHZoIVSOKf7F2Vy2ZYcBd0AWnz_5dSrFFWJS6J7M5leCAkAL1IgtUMl8Ac4U2EBxhlbfn9v7xk6m-krEZ_hQz_Vj6KkGN61-UWZpDRIUzTIkNCm26A0ZNXgqe2YtQFxAGCSz6LId8s/s320/DSCF0258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271987487095454530" border="0"></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16429747687016153879noreply@blogger.com1