Monday, April 30, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Day 120



One of the readings at my cousin's wedding was from the first book of Corinthians. It's the same reading that we found on a batik print in China during our trip to adopt Zelda. The batik hangs in our bedroom today.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Day 119


 My youngest first cousin, Doug, was married today. I forgot my Canon, so I took this with Ron's phone. The bride wore a lovely dress with simple details in just the perfect places. My cousin looked very handsome. And, we did a lot of dancing at the reception. The next generation of cousins really know how to rock!

Photo Project 2012 - Days 101 to 118

Day 101


Annalee has taken to making herself a fried egg every morning for breakfast. However, she hasn't quite gotten the hang of it. If the yolk breaks in the pan, it's a goner. On April 10, it took three eggs to get it right. These are the first two that went into the garbage. From here on out, I told her I'd eat the broken yolked eggs.

Day 102
 

I made these candles for friends and family at Christmas. I'm happy I kept one for myself.

Day 103

An ooops day, as in ooops, I forgot to take a picture.

Day 104
 

Zelda and I had a 'pleasant party.' "You have to be pleasant," she told me in her Snow White sing-song voice.

Day 105
 

Our nephew Carter turned one on April 17. We celebrated on April 14 at his first birthday party, smash cake and all.

Day 106
 

For the first time, I took on coffee hosting duty at church. I had so much fun baking and trying new gluten- and dairy-free recipes that I've signed up to do it again in a couple months, with help from mom. I baked everything except the store-bought glutenated coffee cakes in the top right of the picture.

Day 107
 

Zelda had been asking me for bumbleberry jam, my homemade specialty. It has been months since we've had any in the house. So, we made a triple batch. She's already asked if we can give one each to her two preschool teachers. Good thing we made a lot.

Day 108
 

For spring school pictures, Zelda wore a new dress that I ordered from zulily. We love it - the dress and the online store!

Day 109
 

I can't believe I was able to wait two days to crack open a new jar of bumbleberry jam. It is mighty fine!

Day 110

The girls and I are on a smoothie kick, so I bought four bunches of bananas. As they ripened, I sliced and froze them. Now when we want a smoothie, I just grab a handful of frozen banana slices and toss them in the blender with the other ingredients and, voila, icy cold smoothie. How do you like the Roseville bowl? It was my Grandma Rose's. Every time I look at it, I remember how it sat on her dining table (which was the kitchen table) in Elmwood Park.

Day 111
 

Yes, these days were uneventful. Hence, the pictures of fruit. Here is a pear I sliced after school with the apple slicer.

Day 112
 

Ron took this picture for me, while I hung out feeling icky on the couch. The girls enjoyed a lazy Saturday morning in our bed watching TV.

Day 113
 

I had everything I needed on the ottoman.

Day 114


Annalee is in Go Green Club at school. They planted marigolds and morning glories. So far, only the marigolds have come up. Or is it the morning glories? I don't think we'll know for sure until they get a little bigger.

Day 115
 

As the days get longer, the sun rises further north. This is my view out the kitchen window at around 6:15 a.m.

Day 116
 

A clear sign of spring - Canada geese on the roof of the building behind us.

Day 117
 

Boredom. The light cast from my sweet little computer lamp.

Day 118
 

Annalee's school has been doing a two-week unit on decades from the 60s through the 2000s as the school celebrates 50 years. For Decades Day on Friday, everyone dressed up in decade fashion. Can you guess which decade Annalee chose? I think she was most excited to wear flip-flops to school. It's the first time I ever let her do that!

Photo Project 2012 - Day 100


Day 100 - April 9

The 100th day of 2012 fell on April 9. Until this year, I never paid attention to that. Now I know when it is (during a leap year, that is).



I love the way the days get longer and the sun sets further north in the western sky. Now I can see it through our living room window.

Photo Project 2012 - Days 97 to 99

Day 97


On Good Friday, we took the girls to Islamorada Fish Co., the restaurant at Bass Pro Shop - it's Zelda's favorite.

Day 98



Chalk on the sidewalk (neighbor's patio in this case) just screams summer to me.

 Day 99
 


This year, instead of buying the standard new Easter dress, I let the girls wear matching outfits that I bought in Chinatown before Christmas. They loved them - and so did everyone else!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012

At Easter Vigil services, a baby was baptized at our church. We were reminded of Zelda's baptism at this same service two years ago. On Sunday, Easter, the service included a Renewal of Baptismal Vows. I was moved by them, so much so this time that I wanted to post them for everyone.

Celebrant: Through the Paschal mystery, dear friends, we are buried with Christ by Baptism into his death, and raised with him to newness of life. I invite you, therefore, now that our Lenten observance is ended, to renew the solemn promises and vows of Holy Baptism, by which we once renounced evil, and promised to serve God faithfully in one holy catholic church.

Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
I do.

Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers?
I will, with God's help.


Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
I will, with God's help.

Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God's help.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God's help.

Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God's help.

God our creator, the rock of our salvation, we thank you for our new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for our fellowship in the household of faith with all those who have been baptized in your name; keep us faithful to the calling of our baptism, through Jesus Christ our Lord, now and for ever.
Amen

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Easter Vigil, April 7, 2012

God the Creator, by whose glory Christ was raised from the dead, strengthen you to walk with him in his risen life.
Amen

God the Redeemer who out of defeat brings hope and new alternatives, bring you new life.
Amen

God the Giver of Life make you a new creation, Christ for those to whom Christ shall send you.
Amen

And the blessing of God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit and Mother of us all be with you and remain with you for ever. 
Amen

Friday, April 6, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Days 94 to 96

Day 94


I took Zelda to the park on Tuesday afternoon. Though the temperature dropped little by little as we ran around, the warm sun and breeze made for a nice break in our day. I did get a complete picture of Zelda swinging, but there's something about this one that makes me laugh.

Day 95


Zelda and I baked cake on Wednesday. The above is what's left from the surprise ingredient in the cake. Can you guess what it was?

Day 96
 

This is a small sampling of my pile of papers to be organized. So much for the Power of Moms' Mind Organization for Moms efforts of late.



BTW, the surprise ingredient was beets!

Monday, April 2, 2012

Photo Project 2012 - Days 90 to 93

Day 90


I bought a box of Manilla mangoes thinking they were just like champagne mangoes. Close, but smaller. Still, super sweet.

Day 91
 

As we wound down from a whirlwind spring break, I found time to sort through two baskets of magazines and clippings. Now I just need to get these piles into the correct file folders. Summer break, maybe?

Day 92
 

Palm Sunday. Need I say more?

Day 93


We have two viburnum bushes outside the front door. They are the best part of what a crazy landscaper did for us many years ago. The flowers are blooming unusually early this spring. So, I'm opening up the door as much as possible to enjoy the scent of Korean spice.