tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9771208764056318802024-03-14T05:52:31.162-05:00Priceless OnesA place to follow our priceless momentsJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-19605195005889173922014-01-26T14:09:00.000-06:002014-01-30T14:10:54.000-06:00Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014Part of our Prayer of Apostleship<br />
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<i>May we who have been your guests at this communion reveal your life to all the world. May we be no longer your servants, but know your will and be your friends. You give us your life, may we be worthy of it; you give us yourself, may we embody you. We ask this in your name.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-59724694463242609212014-01-05T13:28:00.000-06:002014-01-06T13:29:20.466-06:00Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014<i>May Christ's bright star enlighten your mind and heart as you strive for equality, justice and kindness in the world and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be with you and remain with you for ever.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-6544283638216886062013-12-25T15:50:00.000-06:002013-12-26T15:50:27.921-06:00Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2013<i>May Christ our infant savior give you the joy of the Bethlehem shepherds, the awe of the worshiping sages and the humility and love of the holy family. May you become as little children and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you always.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-14237637152042447172013-12-22T15:48:00.000-06:002013-12-26T15:48:49.762-06:00Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 22, 2013<i>May Christ the sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path, and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be with you and remain with you for ever.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-67429162559040087172013-02-25T20:11:00.001-06:002013-02-25T20:11:21.405-06:00First Sunday in Lent, Feb. 17, 2013(Yes, I know I'm not posting this on the first Sunday, but it's the same blessing throughout Lent, so enjoy it any time it comes, please!)<br />
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<i>May Christ who calls you to take up your cross, give you strength to bear your own and one another's burdens, and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life be with you always.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-37397383278820616182013-01-06T18:39:00.000-06:002013-01-06T18:39:30.530-06:00Epiphany Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013<i>May Christ's bright star enlighten your mind and heart as you strive for equality, justice and kindness in the world and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be with you and remain with you for ever.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-12512318563421397852013-01-01T16:54:00.005-06:002013-01-01T16:54:54.026-06:00Photo Project 2012 - Day 365<b>Day 365</b>
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I started this 365-day photo project with a picture of my family enjoying a good-luck, black-eyed pea dinner. It seems appropriate that we should end the year and the project with images from our New Year's Eve dinner at home with friends. The Barons joined us at home for a long evening of feasting beginning with homemade guacamole, bacon-wrapped dates, a mid point of perfectly cooked beef tenderloin accompanied by some fine wine, dessert that include chocolate souffle and an ending toast to the East Coast new year with sparkling grape juice for adults and children alike. It was a perfect way to finish the holiday season.<br />
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With this posting, I complete the year-long photo <a href="http://pricelessones.blogspot.com/2012/01/photo-project-2012-day-1.html" target="_blank">project</a> that began on Jan. 1, 2013, when I set out to take at least one picture every day. The project had its ups and downs. I missed taking pictures only a handful of days during the course of the year; I took far more pictures in 2012 than I had in the previous few years. I was slow to post my photos to the blog. And, when I was behind on posting photos, I felt like I couldn't just write a regular post. So, I have a lot of notes in a file about posts I'd like to write. Maybe I'll get to those this year.<br />
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As I look back through our digital files and photo project posts on the blog, I know that the project gave me the opportunity to capture so many moments in 2012 that would otherwise be forgotten. Like a German shepherd riding in a convertible; drinking an amazing bottle of ginger ale; the snowman door mat still out in the middle of the summer; and an amazingly tasty banana treat that didn't come close to looking like the picture in the magazine. For those memories I am grateful.<br />
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Though I felt relief and not obligation when I looked at the camera today, I know that I will forever look at the routine or otherwise mundane images of our everyday life a little differently. And, once in a while, I just may snap a picture of them.<br />
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Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-75780115914548847912013-01-01T09:25:00.003-06:002013-01-01T09:25:18.491-06:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 342 to 364<b>Day 342</b><br />
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For a majority of the past dozen years, we have celebrated Ron's and Linda's birthdays at dinner in Chicago on a Saturday night in December. The past two years, we have done so at Erie Cafe; this year's dinner was especially delicious. And, it's always wonderful to be with our former boating pals. (No, I didn't take this picture. I took one of the outside of the restaurant that wasn't as pretty.)<br />
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<b>Day 343</b><br />
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Could Portia and Cinna have posed under the tree any better?</div>
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<b>Day 344</b><br />
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It's pomegranate season. Annalee is in heaven!<br />
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<b>Day 345</b><br />
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Ron proudly wears a necklace Zelda made him for his birthday. And, then we teased him that he was showing a little too much skin.<br />
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<b>Day 346</b><br />
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Can you see Cinna tucked under Ron's arm while Ron edits a document for work?<br />
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<b>Day 347</b><br />
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This was a gimme picture for the day.<br />
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<b>Day 348</b><br />
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For Zelda's holiday party at school, she got decked out in her new Christmas outfit and antlers.<br />
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<b>Day 349</b><br />
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On my mom's side of the family, we have six birthdays to celebrate between Dec. 7 and Jan. 4. We sang the Happy Birthday song six times and each birthday person got his/her own candle and cupcake. Ron, Zelda and Wyatt are among the celebrants.<br />
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<b>Day 350</b><br />
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For the first time, I made an advent wreath. We had it on the kitchen table and would light it during dinner. (We missed at least the first 10 days of advent while I was sick and then went searching for blue candles.) We found dining by candlelight very calming; it gave us an opportunity to talk about history and to be reflective. Though the top image is rather dark, I love the glow of the candles with Ron just behind them. We all enjoyed looking at the shadows on the ceiling the first evening when we turned off all the electric lights.<br />
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<strong>Day 351</strong><br />
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The flag at the park district remained at half staff following the shooting at the school in Newtown, Conn.<br />
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<b>Day 352</b><br />
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After visiting with Santa at the Yorktown mall, Zelda takes a ride (make that six rides) on the little train.<br />
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<b>Day 353</b><br />
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I came out from seeing my napropath/chiropractor to find Zelda upside down on the chair. I'm not sure this helped her adjustment all too much.<br />
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<b>Day 354</b><br />
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For math class, Annalee had to do a project about a number. She chose 65 because the dinosaurs went extinct about 65 million years ago. She worked really hard on the poster and all the data it contained.<br />
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The evening of the same day the poster was due, Annalee had her first band concert. She is the only person in fourth-grade beginner band playing the xylophone. At the start of the concert, the director invited one student to demonstrate each instrument to the audience. Annalee played a scale.<br />
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<strong>Day 355</strong><br />
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Our elf on the shelf, Jack, hid in Zelda's stocking.<br />
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<strong>Day 356</strong><br />
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I went searching for the kittens one day and found them sleeping together on the top of the dress-up clothes bin.<br />
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<strong>Day 357</strong><br />
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Jackie displaced our handmade angel to hang out at the top of the tree.<br />
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<b>Day 358</b><br />
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When I asked the girls which cookies they most wanted to have during Christmas, these (non-PC named) Arabian hats topped Annalee's list. I woke up early on Christmas Eve to bake them.<br />
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<b></b> During the latter half of our Christmas Eve service, we sing Silent Night by candlelight. <br />
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I neglected to take any pictures during our Christmas Eve gathering of friends and family. But, just before the Crowleys left, I got all five girls in front of the tree for this fine portrait.<br />
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<strong>Day 359</strong><br />
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We have had an on-and-off tradition of popping British crackers as we start our Christmas dinner. Everybody has to wear their crowns. If we were to give an award for wearing the crown the longest, mom would have won. She had hers on into the evening.<br />
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<strong>Day 360</strong><br />
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This is the last picture taken of Zelda as a four-year-old. After I took it, she began crying about not being four any more.<br />
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<strong>Day 361</strong><br />
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She managed to be all smiles the next morning when she began opening her gifts.<br />
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I took the girls to Brookfield Zoo to enjoy the holiday lights display. It didn't have quite the winter holiday feel without snow on the ground.<br />
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<strong>Day 362</strong><br />
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Rather than a traditional cake, I made birthday cake balls for Zelda's birthday party. I thought they looked as good as anything coming out of a bakery (if I do say so myself).<br />
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Zelda got to blow out candles twice on her birthday, one with her little friends and one with family. She had a Hello Kitty pajama party with her friends and kept on her pajamas for the entire day (and the next day, too!).<br />
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<b>Day 363</b><br />
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We were very happy to be witnesses to friends Louisa and kClare's blessed union.<br />
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<b>Day 364</b><br />
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It was 'Comfy Day' at church, so the girls wore their pajamas. Annalee was all smiles about it, though she did start to feel conspicuous when we went out for breakfast after the service.<br />
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<strong><br /></strong>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-34371818170662771842012-12-29T09:22:00.002-06:002012-12-29T09:22:49.899-06:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 329 to 341<b>Day 329</b><br />
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After several days in bed with pneumonia, I made it to the kitchen to have dinner with the family.<br />
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<b>Day 330</b><br />
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Zelda looks so cute in hats. She grabbed Portia to include in the picture.<br />
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<b>Day 331</b><br />
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I must have retreated back to the bed, 'cause I didn't pick up the camera on Nov. 27.<br />
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<b>Day 332</b><br />
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Instead of taking a picture of the sunrise, I turned and captured the reflection in a glass picture frame on the wall in the family room.<br />
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<b>Day 333</b><br />
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As we were getting read to go to Zelda's dance class, I found her in her bedroom reading to Cinna. I still can't get over how he just lays belly up on her lap.<br />
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<b>Day 334</b><br />
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We took a long weekend trip to North Carolina to visit Ron's family. This is the first time I've ever had the chance to get an aerial picture of the airport, Midway in this case.<br />
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<b>Day 335</b><br />
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When I woke up on our first morning at Ronnie's house, I looked over the loft balcony to find the girls comfortably positioned on the ottoman watching Saturday morning cartoons.</div>
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<b>Day 336</b><br />
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This is another one of the pictures that I took of the girls that didn't make the annual Christmas card. I didn't like the way the dock looked like it was coming out of Annalee's head.<br />
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<b>Day 337</b><br />
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I just love the deep orange color of the eggs from my brother-in-law's chickens.<br />
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Our three nights in North Carolina passed quickly. We got a quick picture of the girls with Ron and his dad before leaving for the airport.<br />
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<b>Day 338</b><br />
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I was so busy unpacking and then beginning some holiday shopping that I didn't pick up the camera...the very last non-picture day of the year!<br />
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<b>Day 339</b><br />
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The fourth- and fifth-graders at Annalee's school put on a Christmas production. Annalee and some of her friends worked with their art teacher to create the scenery for the show.<br />
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<b>Day 340</b><br />
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This picture is on our living room wall year-round, but it's especially significant at this time of year:<br />
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To be up North</div>
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To wait</div>
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To watch</div>
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To wonder</div>
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To be closer to </div>
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Santa Claus</div>
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<b>Day 341</b><br />
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A blurry image of Zelda as she helps me bake gingerbread cake to celebrate her twin cousins' birthday.<br />
<b><br /></b>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-87163291676483134742012-12-27T11:52:00.002-06:002012-12-27T11:53:19.801-06:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 305 to 328<b>Day 305</b><br />
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We celebrated Zelda's third family day on Nov. 1. She opened her gift first thing in the morning.<br />
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<b>Day 306</b><br />
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Another spectacular sunrise. This one was out the patio door in the kitchen.<br />
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<b>Day 307</b><br />
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Zelda's travel group gathered at our church to celebrate the anniversary of our adoptions. Two families weren't able to attend the party and were missed. It's so fun to see how much the children change from year to year.<br />
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<b>Day 308</b><br />
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Apparently, this is the only picture I took this day. It looks to be the early colors of sunrise through the trees in the backyard. A pretty pathetic shot, if you ask me.<br />
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<b>Day 309</b><br />
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I bought an abundance of Chiquita bananas (the very best) when they were on sale. Once they ripen, I cut them up and freeze them. We use them to make smoothies. Delish!<br />
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<b>Day 310</b><br />
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Annalee looked so chic with her hair in a bun.<br />
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That same evening, Papa (Dad Bob) had some company while he relaxed on our couch.<br />
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<b>Day 311</b><br />
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These cats constantly amuse us. That's Portia with her legs straight up while Cinna rests his head on her belly.<br />
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<b>Day 312</b><br />
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Pomegranate season was upon us. It is Annalee's favorite fruit...well, along with watermelon.<br />
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<b>Day 313</b><br />
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Whenever I can't find the kittens, I have to remember to look in the laundry room. On top of the washer, in the dirty laundry basket. Ick.<br />
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<b>Day 314</b><br />
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Zelda and I made a chocolate cake for me to take to a class at church. When her face looks like this I'm never sure how much she actually gets into her mouth.<br />
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Later that day, as we headed out to the party to celebrate Annalee's eighth family day, I captured this sunset just down the road from our house.<br />
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These are 13 of the 18 girls who came home in Annalee's adoption group. They're growing up so fast! Annalee is in the pink.<br />
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<b>Day 315</b><br />
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Cinna sleeps on Ron under a sleeping bag. He's a big baby (Cinna, that is).<br />
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<b>Day 316</b><br />
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I remember a picture I took in February after we returned from Puerto Vallarta that was of a wonderful fruit salad. On Nov. 12 I found myself with pineapple, papaya and watermelon, so I made the same salad, tossed with a squeeze of lime juice.<br />
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<b>Day 317</b><br />
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I was surprised one morning to find Portia resting on the vent in the bathroom.<br />
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<b>Day 318</b><br />
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I have bored myself with images of the sky at sunrise, so I'm sure you're bored, too!<br />
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<b>Day 319</b><br />
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The sun was just setting on our way home from the library one afternoon. My phone captured it as a huge glowing fireball.<br />
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<b>Day 320</b><br />
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Portia likes to play in our library basket.<br />
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<b>Day 321</b><br />
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The table at our church dinner dance looked so pretty lit by tea lights.<br />
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<b>Day 322</b><br />
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This was the best of the first group of pictures I took of the girls for our 2012 Christmas card. I liked it, but I still did a couple more shoots to get the one that actually made the card.<br />
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<b>Day 323</b><br />
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Zelda and Tubby hosted a tea party.<br />
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<b>Days 324 through 328...</b><br />
...went by in a blur as I ended up sick with pneumonia. I spent five days that included Thanksgiving in bed and am still gaining my energy back today as I write this (Dec. 27). I figured I was feeling better when I remembered to pick up the camera to continue work on this year-long project.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-63831974802244464392012-12-24T22:17:00.000-06:002012-12-24T22:17:21.521-06:00Christmas Eve Service, Dec. 24, 2012<i>May Christ our infant savior give you the joy of the Bethlehem shepherds, the awe of the worshiping sages and the humility and love of the holy family. May you become as little children and the blessing of God our Creator, Redeemer and Giver of life be with you always.</i><br />
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Amen<br />
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Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night! (Yes, I know I'm mixing a Santa story with Christianity, but we just read The Night Before Christmas, so it's just in me!)Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-75161226942303292482012-12-24T11:39:00.001-06:002012-12-24T11:39:38.173-06:00Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 23, 2012At the end of communion, we sang "Let There Be Peace on Earth," a song I adore.<br />
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Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me;<br />
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be,<br />
With God as creator, brothers and sisters are we,<br />
Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony.<br />
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Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.<br />
With ev'ry step I take, let this be my solemn vow;<br />
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally.<br />
Let there be peace on earth and it begin with me.<br />
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<i>Amen to that.</i><br />
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And, now, our closing blessing:<br />
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<i>As we await the Child of Peace, may we have the prophetic courage to turn our culture upside down. May we turn our swords into plowshares, not just as an act of poetry but of prophetic imagination and action; and may the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be upon you now and forever.</i><br />
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Amen and Merry Christmas to all.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-52069105668688685022012-12-20T15:51:00.002-06:002012-12-20T15:51:48.010-06:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 300 to 304<b>Day 300</b><br />
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I thought Zelda looked too cute in this flamingo shirt. Too bad she's growing out of it.<br />
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<b>Day 301</b><br />
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Zelda was on the schedule to help with ushering at church on Oct. 28. Before the adult ushers arrived, she grabbed bulletins and was in position to greet people as they entered the nave. Nearly made me cry.<br />
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<b>Day 302</b><br />
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The kittens really liked the fleece I was working with to make Annalee's Halloween costume.<br />
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<b>Day 303</b><br />
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On days like this, when I see the sun burning through the trees and bushes, I relish the opportunity to get Annalee to school at 7:15 a.m.<br />
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<b>Day 304</b><br />
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Fleece flames on Annalee's cape. I think this is the best costume I've made so far.<br />
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Here she is as the girl on fire, aka. Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.<br />
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Zelda turned into a black cat for Halloween.<br />
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My nephew Wyatt was a scary clown. Yuck!<br />
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Do you know the name of this fairy? It's Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty. Way to go, Gerri!<br />
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Though I didn't take this picture (obviously), I include it here, 'cause it was a fun picture and you can see the excitement building as we prepare to go trick 'r treating.<br />
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And, now, I'm caught up through October. Only two more months to go!<br />
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<b><br /></b>Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-36473726395280307592012-12-04T18:27:00.000-06:002012-12-04T18:27:31.444-06:00First Sunday of Advent, Dec. 2, 2012<i>May Christ the sun of righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path, and the blessing of God almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, Mother of us all, be with you and remain with you for ever.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-61120727941947894292012-11-17T12:15:00.004-06:002017-10-14T15:25:32.515-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 290 to 299<b>Day 290</b><br />
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The view through our kitchen blind each morning is a clear indicator of how the sun is moving further south as it rises in the east.<br />
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<b>Day 291</b><br />
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As Annalee gets ready to leave for school I made her pose with her volcano poster. It was part of a partner project on natural disasters for Discovery class. Her teacher loved it.<br />
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Later that day, we made s'mores candy apples. Once<a href="http://pricelessones.blogspot.com/2012/08/photo-project-2012-days-188-to-201.html" target="_blank"> again</a> (Day 200), our apples did not come out looking nearly like the picture in the magazine. While I swore during the making of them that this would be a one-time deal (the cooking of the marshmallows was time-consuming and hard on my wrists), they were so good that I have saved the recipe. As in, they were awesomely delicious!<br />
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<b>Day 292</b><br />
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I love the look of this birch tree in contrast with the yellow and green leaves.<br />
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<b>Day 293</b><br />
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Doesn't it seem odd that vegetables now come with instructions?<br />
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<b>Day 294</b><br />
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If you can believe it, this was the best of the pictures I took of the girls and my niece and nephew. And, that's not saying much.<br />
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<b>Day 295</b><br />
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Portia likes Zelda's backpack.<br />
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<b>Day 296</b><br />
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Zelda and I loved the rich color of these Chinese eggplants at our local market.<br />
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<b>Day 297</b><br />
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Zelda and I donned our rubber boots to clear out the garden one afternoon.<br />
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<b>Day 298</b><br />
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One of the blessings of Annalee taking band is that on those Thursday mornings when I take her to school (very) early, I get to see the sunrise. What a beautiful way to start the day!<br />
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<b>Day 299</b><br />
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I can't believe that Ron can still lift both girls at the same time.<br />
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And with this post, we are down to the last 66 days of the year! Of course, that was back on Oct. 26, when I took Day 299's picture. I'm sure we're in the 40s now and counting down. More pictures to come soon!Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-67198258986466592552012-11-17T11:52:00.004-06:002017-10-14T15:20:03.540-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 270 to 289<b>Day 270</b><br />
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The cats seem to love Zelda no matter how she plays with and moves them. Here they are on a stool in the kitchen one morning.<br />
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<b>Day 271</b><br />
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I spend a crafting weekend with six women twice a year. No matter how many times we've done this, we always bring way too much food.<br />
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<b>Day 272</b><br />
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An early morning view over the lake in Beachwalk, Michigan City, Ind.<br />
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<b>Day 273</b><br />
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A church steeple sits majestically against the clear blue sky on Sunday, Sept. 30.<br />
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<b>Day 274</b><br />
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Gretchen gave us this ball ring for the cats. Portia can sit and play with it for very long periods of time.<br />
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<b>Day 275</b><br />
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Annalee is the only bells, aka xylophone, player in beginning band at her school. She's finally understanding why learning to play the piano is a good thing.<br />
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<b>Day 276</b><br />
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Portia rests on Annalee early one morning.<br />
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<b>Day 277</b><br />
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I don't know if it's that these monkey bars are lower to the ground and, thus, less scary, but Zelda has them mastered. Only these.<br />
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<b>Day 278</b><br />
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Ron was behind the planning of a fundraising poker night at church on Oct. 5. Even though I didn't win, I had a lot of fun bluffing.<br />
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<b>Day 279</b><br />
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We spent years boating in Racine, Wis. In our final year, they created Party on the Pavement, an end-of-season party in downtown. We returned this year to visit with our friends and 'party.'<br />
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<b>Day 280</b><br />
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Jessica brought Milo to church for the annual Pet Blessing service. We brought the kittens, too, but somehow I didn't manage to get a picture of them.<br />
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<b>Day 281</b><br />
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Portia, top, and Cinna. These portraits just don't do their beautiful faces justice. Makes me appreciate really awesome pet portraits!</div>
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We found out on Columbus Day that we had a small, but still disgusting, lice infestation among two of us. I thought the headbands in the freezer was rather humorous the next day.<br />
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<b>Day 283</b><br />
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If you think you've seen enough of the kittens by now, just wait. I get lazier as the year goes on!<br />
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<b>Day 284</b><br />
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Ron and Zelda read a book together after dinner.<br />
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<b>Day 285</b><br />
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I haven't figured out why the girls always tilt their heads when I try to take their pictures...<br />
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I was so excited to arrive at church for a ladies' CAbi party and see the digger stationed on the property ready to start construction.<br />
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<b>Day 286</b><br />
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Our friends, the Kanes, had their second annual fall festival. Despite the rain and wind, the girls made the most of face painting and pony rides. They even managed to get Ron to carry them back to the car when the fun ended.<br />
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<b>Day 288</b><br />
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Something about the choir lined up at the alter and our rector distributing communion looked so blessed and beautfiul.<br />
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At the end of the service, we processed outside for a ground-breaking ceremony to great cheers.<br />
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<b>Day 289</b><br />
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With the ceremony completed the day before, construction began in earnest on Monday, Oct. 16.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-50664709454597176152012-10-28T18:41:00.000-05:002012-11-04T06:42:52.441-06:00Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012Church started off with an awesome Collect:<br />
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<i>Let us pray.</i><br />
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<i>Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, we praise you for the wonder, beauty and goodness of your creation, for the order of the universe, and for the rhythm of work and rest you establish. We thank you for making us coworkers with you in your ongoing creating. Guide us as we celebrate this privilege and reflect upon the meaning and joy of working creatively with you all our days, that the work of our lives may be pleasing to you, through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.</i><br />
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Amen<br />
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And it closed with this final blessing:<br />
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<i>God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue for ever in the risen life of Christ our Savior.</i><br />
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Amen<br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-31516535806276599672012-09-30T11:06:00.000-05:002017-10-14T15:11:37.710-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 251 to 269<b>Day 251</b><br />
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Zelda started lounging on the couch after doing a special 'dress-up' dance for a friend. Cinna decided the dress was a comfy place to rest.<br />
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<b>Day 252</b><br />
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I took the girls to the pet store to pick up food for the kittens. I couldn't stop laughing as we passed this container of lizards. Or were they geckos? I don't know. But, they were really funny looking.<br />
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<b>Day 253</b><br />
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As irritated as I am by Portia taking up residence on my computer, I usually stop to take a picture before setting her back on the floor.<br />
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We couldn't capture a great image of Cinna freaking out for his dinner, but if you look closely, you can see his paws splayed out ready to grab the bowl.<br />
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<b>Day 254</b><br />
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I finally bought a new saute pan for making our fried eggs. Annalee and I both got tired of the last pan where the eggs stuck and then the yolks broke.<br />
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They're just so cute, I couldn't not post this picture.<br />
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And, then, we saw this dog in the car early that evening. The girls and I cracked up. So, it gets posted, too.<br />
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<b>Day 255</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ofSScEaZoQ/UGM_wrFvGOI/AAAAAAAACbE/npAOk6tRwjA/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ofSScEaZoQ/UGM_wrFvGOI/AAAAAAAACbE/npAOk6tRwjA/s320/IMG_4065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If Portia isn't on my computer, she's on Ron's desk, making herself at home.<br />
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<b>Day 256</b><br />
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I found this ginger ale at a local bulk food store. It reminded me of the way ginger ale used to taste, when I was nine years old and it was all my grandma had to drink at her house. I didn't care for it then, but, oh, how I savor that flavor now.<br />
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<b>Day 257</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXrm_WhJz0A/UGM_09P1LGI/AAAAAAAACbY/EB2GxVlPFS8/s1600/IMG_4078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXrm_WhJz0A/UGM_09P1LGI/AAAAAAAACbY/EB2GxVlPFS8/s400/IMG_4078.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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I raised the kitchen blind at dawn to find a crescent moon (lower near trees) and Venus in the eastern sky.<br />
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<b>Day 258</b><br />
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Are you sick of pictures of the cats? I'm not...yet. I'm looking down at them as they snuggle together in the top of the cat tree.<br />
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<b>Day 259</b><br />
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Friends asked me to take a family portrait. I think this came out pretty nice.<br />
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<b>Day 260</b><br />
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Yes, that's Portia reclined on my laptop.<br />
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<b>Day 261</b><br />
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Ron and I returned home from dinner with friends to find Annalee and Portia getting cozy in my bed. She should have been sleeping in her own.<br />
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<b>Day 262</b><br />
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<b>Day 263</b><br />
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I moved some containers around in the kitchen and realized we had an abundance of fruit. Bananas and peaches and pears, oh my!<br />
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<b>Day 264</b><br />
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When all else fails, take a picture of the kittens. Aren't they so sweet?<br />
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<b>Day 265</b><br />
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Gretchen can't pass up an opportunity to hold Cinna (or Portia, or both).<br />
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<b>Day 266</b><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fowKygiB83Y/UGNB2kepWbI/AAAAAAAACcU/jgDUTzCPQA0/s1600/IMG_4210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fowKygiB83Y/UGNB2kepWbI/AAAAAAAACcU/jgDUTzCPQA0/s320/IMG_4210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I love the shadow of this image.<br />
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<b>Day 267</b><br />
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When Portia can't sit on the laptop, she sits on the lap of whomever is in the chair. In this case, Annalee.<br />
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<b>Day 268</b><br />
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Dad and Pat came over to watch Zelda. They had a chance to meet Portia and Cinna, too. At separate times, each kitten took up residence on my dad's chest. Shocking, since he really doesn't like cats. At all. I'm beginning to think it's all talk.<br />
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<b>Day 269</b><br />
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Zelda has been very concerned lately about the life of Tubby, her little hippo. She's starting to recognize how much wear 'n tear he's endured in the past three years. So, I'm taking more pictures of the two of them together.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-35021560974628256572012-09-30T10:08:00.000-05:002012-09-30T11:07:20.935-05:00Zelda Goes Back to PreschoolOn Friday, Sept. 7, Zelda returned to the park district preschool program. This year she began the four-year-old program; she'll attend three half days a week. No need to rush her into school five days a week; full-day kindergarten will be here soon enough.<br />
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Can you tell Zelda just loves to pose for the camera? (Photo Project 2012 - Day 250)<br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-51196641170003144732012-09-30T10:00:00.000-05:002012-09-30T10:00:07.054-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 247 to 249<b>Day 247</b><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCE-w3TlDVg/UGM-ylEP7gI/AAAAAAAACZg/cgsMWVF7nZg/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCE-w3TlDVg/UGM-ylEP7gI/AAAAAAAACZg/cgsMWVF7nZg/s320/IMG_3994.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Portia wanted to get a closer look at Annalee playing the piano.<br />
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<b>Day 248</b><br />
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On Tuesday, Sept. 5, Ron left on a week-long fishing trip to Canada with friends. He landed a muskie, but it got away before they got it into the boat.<br />
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<b>Day 249</b><br />
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I was so charged up by the Democratic National Convention, I took a picture of the TV.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-37242176505771673812012-09-24T15:59:00.000-05:002012-09-24T15:59:28.371-05:00Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012<i>Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God's blessing be with you always.</i><br />
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AmenJackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-3447790917141703432012-09-03T15:21:00.002-05:002012-09-21T05:45:26.779-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 239 to 246<b>Day 239</b><br />
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Aug. 27 was my brother-in-law's 42nd birthday. We celebrated with dinner at Las Palmas. Yummy fajitas!<br />
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<b>Day 240</b><br />
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Zelda had been begging to go to Brookfield Zoo for weeks. The stars aligned and we were able to go last week after Annalee returned to school. We brought my twin niece and nephew with us for the day.<br />
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My favorite summer exhibit is the butterfly house. Zelda managed to get a butterfly to walk onto her finger when none of the staff - nor mommy - was looking (that's a big no-no).<br />
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Wyatt didn't have to do anything for this butterfly, whose proper name escapes me now, to land on his water bottle. The butterfly was seeking a droplet of water.<br />
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<b>Day 241</b><br />
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This was Annalee's after-school snack: leftover mac 'n cheese, scrambled egg, mango and raspberries, presented ala Chopped.<br />
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<b>Day 242</b><br />
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Ol' blue eyes. Well, they're actually aqua, but against the blanket they show more blue.<br />
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<b>Day 243</b> <br />
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This is the cat tree we bought for Portia and Cinna. They love it. It sits just inside the family room and right next to the kitchen, so they can see everything going on around them - when they're not sleeping, that is.<br />
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<b>Day 244</b><br />
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<b>Day 245</b> <br />
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We can't do anything on the computer without one of the cats getting onto the desk. They try to 'catch' the cursor/mouse on the monitor.<br />
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<b>Day 246</b><br />
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I couldn't pick just one of these, so you get a bonus for today.Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-77384975352893222902012-09-03T12:58:00.003-05:002012-09-21T05:30:17.755-05:00Another First for AnnaleeThe start of fourth grade also gave Annalee the opportunity to begin acolyting at our church. As an acolyte, she will carry in one of the candles during the procession and recession. She also holds the candle while the gospel is being read, and she accepts the wine and host from the person(s) presenting oblations.<br />
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Ron was overjoyed with the idea of Annalee becoming an acolyte. He joined the Episcopal faith later in high school and never participated in the service to that degree, even though he is a lay Eucharistic minister (LEM) now (among many other responsibilities at our church). Annalee, on the other hand, was not enthused. At all.<br />
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The robes and the candle changed that. Once training was completed, she looked forward to her first day as an acolyte. And, she did a perfect job. It made the day all the more special that her dad was along side her as a LEM. (Photo Project 2012 - Day 238)<br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-3518747029753128352012-09-03T12:42:00.002-05:002012-09-03T12:42:58.474-05:00Photo Project 2012 - Days 236 to 237<b>Day 236</b><br />
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We barely saw Reasner all summer and then due to an unexpected turn of events, she was back over a couple days later. This time as a Cinderella bunny.<br />
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<b>Day 237</b><br />
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Even though I should have been squirting Portia to get her out of the dishwasher, I stopped to take a picture first because she looked so funny in it.<br />
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Pretty Cinna...Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-977120876405631880.post-72520203579040481102012-09-03T12:38:00.004-05:002018-03-17T11:55:32.490-05:00Back to School for AnnaleeOn Aug. 23, Annalee began fourth grade, for the whole day no less! While I rather enjoyed that school started with a bang, she was not pleased to begin with a full day rather than the historical half days she rather liked.<br />
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My beautiful girl is growing older by the minute, and it really shows in these images (Photo Project 2012 - Day 235). Even more so when you compare them to last year's <a href="http://pricelessones.blogspot.com/2011/08/one-year-to-next.html" target="_blank">back-to-school pictures</a>.<br />
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<br />Jackiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15662494519985739939noreply@blogger.com0