12.31.09

The Final Day

WOW! I can't believe another year...another decade has come and passed. This "end of the year" reflection has been a little different for me, thanks in part to this blog. I've had the opportunity to look back on the photos I have taken and remember events that I had completely forgotten about - and probably wouldn't have remembered without the photo and blog post. They were the smaller events, the thoughts I had on a certain day, or the something special that caught my eye. I will admit I didn't get a photo everyday, but I am proud of what I did accomplish - 240 posts/photos. (Now that competetive side in me will having something to shoot for in 2010.)

Today's photo - my front door handle. As I began to think about what I wanted to make for my last photo I had a number of ideas, but all of a sudden this popped into my head.

My front door has been the beginning to a number of memories for 2009. It's the first thing that greets my family and friends as they come over for a holiday, family dinner, or a well deserved drink. It's also the last thing I lock up when I leave, seeing me off on a number of adventures around the world, to work, or even just down the street.

So today, I close the door on 2009 with fond memories and open it to 2010 with great excitement. And I look forward to another year of "everyday in a photo."

12.30.09

Traditions

The December assignment for the 2009/365 flickr photo group was to take a photo of a family tradition. This photo is of my sisters' and my stockings. These were made by mother years ago and are only three in the family collection. The first stockings obviously belonged to my mom and dad - then the three girls - then their three husbands - and last year, their grandson.

As kids, my sisters and I were Santa for my parents. We would rummage through my mother's craft supplies or pick up odds and ends at the local Ben Franklin's store...planning some sort of great-crafted gift. There was a great deal of plastic, Popsicle sticks and glue involved. How times of changed...

On Christmas Eve we would attach them to the handle of wooden spoons that were stuck into the wood burning fire place. (Don't worry...the fire wasn't going.) As we begin to celebrate our Christmas morning in other locations, outside of my childhood home, they find new hanging spots.

No matter what gifts they contain or where they are hung, the red and white felt stockings are an important tradition to our family.

12.29.09

Footprints

Not sure who these prints belong to...there's been people, dogs and critters out on the course since the snow.

12.28.09

Clean!

We managed to purge, clean and organize our closet today. These are the bags we took to Goodwill...it felt great!

12.27.09

While the Kids Are Away...the Deer Will Play

This is just one of the photos I captured last night at our school. We were out driving in the new car and decided to stop by the school...there were five deer wandering, eating and playing. It was fun just watching them enjoy themselves. I think this is a herd that others have been seeing around the school. I also manged to get some video - digging in the snow for food and chasing each other around.

12.26.09

Waffles!

The Kenyons gave us a waffle maker for Christmas and we tried it out today. We made cinnamon-nut waffles and they were yummy! I'm looking forward to making more flavors. Thanks guys...maybe I can make you some waffles on New Year's morning!

12.24.09

Santa Strikes Again!

Well, after a number of hours in various dealerships and countless hours of Internet research...I have a new car!! We were looking at several different cars and had it narrowed down to the Audi Q5 and Cadillac SRX...as you can see the German engineering won. (It was fun taking home the car that had a big bow on it - we did leave the bow at the dealership.) So far I LOVE IT!! It handles great in the snow and I feel so much safer. It wasn't that I really felt unsafe in my Acura TSX, but I really enjoy the fact that I don't have to get a running start just to get up and in the driveway. I have to say it did feel a little weird purchasing a car on Christmas Eve.

12.21.09

Popcorn!

Fortunately Santa got the memo that we were celebrating early and he managed to make a stop at our house and left a popcorn machine in the basement! We used it right away last night, making popcorn while we watched the Survivor Finale with my parents. It makes yummy popcorn!!! Thanks Santa!

12.20.09

Family Christmas

Today we celebrated and hosted Christmas with my side of the family. This photo is a section of the AMAZING quilt my mom made for me...I LOVE IT!!! It was a great day with family. It was especially fun watching Matty unwrap his presents...he took great care in all his unwrapping. I'm going to guess that his unwrapping techniques will be much different next Christmas. :o) I am so thankful for my wonderful family!

12.17.09

SUGAR!

As I walked through the halls of school today, I noticed one constant...the smell of sugar. As I walked into a classroom I was greeted by a wall of the sweet smell. Not only were students consuming large amounts of sugar, but they were also creating gingerbread houses (or in the case of the 6th graders - gingerbread condos!)

12.16.09

Coffee Line

And you thought Starbucks was bad...this is what it looks like when teachers get a coffee cart in the lounge! Mugs lined up with orders attached. It was a wonderful treat and thanks to all of Santa's helpers who made classroom deliveries! It was a great treat...THANK YOU!!

12.13.09

Poinsettia

Just did a fun effect on the original picture. (It was actually a deep red.)

12.12.09

What Does He See?

I got to spend a few hours with Matthew today. Most of them were him sleeping...but we did have some time to play and run around. Along with wrestling and dancing, he loves just looking out the windows.

12.11.09

And the Winner is...

Here are the pumpkins that we, Chad, sisters, brother-in-laws, and myself carved for Halloween 2009. We had a fun Friday night of pizza, beer and sharp knives! I will have to make note here, so it's public, that I was NOT the one who shed blood that evening - it was Chad! Just a small little nick though...didn't even need a band aid.

It's taken us a little while to determine the winner, took votes from friends on Facebook, but we have our official winners...
1st Place - Renee's Scarecrow
2nd Place - Kelly's Tree
3rd Place - My Castle

12.10.09

Tea

I always enjoy a good cup of Green Tea in the evening.

12.09.09

Staying Warm

Well, we had a bit of a warm up today...I think the high was somewhere around 15 degrees! The house plants have it easy.

12.08.09

COLD!!

I took a photo of the Castle Rock weather conditions. We are on a one-hour delay for school tomorrow...it's supposed to be -10 to -20 degrees, without the wind chill.

12.07.09

Homemade Pasta

Tonight for dinner I made some whole wheat & spinach pasta. It was yummy!

12.06.06

Where did summer go?

With another round of light snow I figured it was time I feed the birds. While in the backyard I decided to take my camera with me. Found several fun shots of snow, but I liked this sunflower the most.

12.05.09

Front Range

Today we were up by Daniels Park taking some photos of my sister and her family. It was a little smoggy, but a great view.

12.04.09

Shadows

This photo is very similar to one that I took earlier this year. Once again the shadows of the houses on our block caught my eye. I didn't even realize until I was going to crop it that I managed to capture the moon in the upper left corner.

12.03.09

Cold & Snow

First off I want to wish Chad a HAPPY BIRTHDAY...I love you!!! It's currently a whopping 9 degrees outside this morning...brrrrr!! We got a light dusting of snow overnight. The woolly thyme and flagstone under the fresh snow made for a great pattern.

12.02.09

Water

I decided to take a short walk around the school looking for fun shapes, patterns, etc. Came across the water fountain sign.

12.01.09

Full Moon

I'm typically leaving work after the sun has gone, not today. The picture doesn't do this scene justice...the full moon was gorgeous and with the contrast of the green turf and the brown of the hills.