Photo Project 2012 - Days 270 to 289

Day 270

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.

Day 271

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.

Day 272

An early morning view over the lake in Beachwalk, Michigan City, Ind.

Day 273

A church steeple sits majestically against the clear blue sky on Sunday, Sept. 30.

Day 274

Gretchen gave us this ball ring for the cats. Portia can sit and play with it for very long periods of time.

Day 275

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.

Day 276

Portia rests on Annalee early one morning.

Day 277

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.

Day 278

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.

Day 279

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.'

Day 280

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.

Day 281

Portia, top, and Cinna. These portraits just don't do their beautiful faces justice. Makes me appreciate really awesome pet portraits!

Day 282

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.

Day 283

If you think you've seen enough of the kittens by now, just wait. I get lazier as the year goes on!

Day 284

Ron and Zelda read a book together after dinner.

Day 285

I haven't figured out why the girls always tilt their heads when I try to take their pictures...

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.

Day 286

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.

Day 288

Something about the choir lined up at the alter and our rector distributing communion looked so blessed and beautfiul.

At the end of the service, we processed outside for a ground-breaking ceremony to great cheers.

Day 289

With the ceremony completed the day before, construction began in earnest on Monday, Oct. 16.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012

Church started off with an awesome Collect:

Let us pray.

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.

Amen

And it closed with this final blessing:

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.

Amen

Photo Project 2012 - Days 251 to 269

Day 251

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.

Day 252

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.

Day 253

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.

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.

Day 254

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.

They're just so cute, I couldn't not post this picture.

And, then, we saw this dog in the car early that evening. The girls and I cracked up. So, it gets posted, too.

Day 255

If Portia isn't on my computer, she's on Ron's desk, making herself at home.

Day 256

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.

Day 257

I raised the kitchen blind at dawn to find a crescent moon (lower near trees) and Venus in the eastern sky.

Day 258

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.

Day 259

Friends asked me to take a family portrait. I think this came out pretty nice.

Day 260

Yes, that's Portia reclined on my laptop.

Day 261

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.

Day 262

Day 263

I moved some containers around in the kitchen and realized we had an abundance of fruit. Bananas and peaches and pears, oh my!

Day 264

When all else fails, take a picture of the kittens. Aren't they so sweet?

Day 265

Gretchen can't pass up an opportunity to hold Cinna (or Portia, or both).

Day 266

I love the shadow of this image.

Day 267

When Portia can't sit on the laptop, she sits on the lap of whomever is in the chair. In this case, Annalee.

Day 268

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.

Day 269

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.

Zelda Goes Back to Preschool

On 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.

Can you tell Zelda just loves to pose for the camera? (Photo Project 2012 - Day 250)