Under Construction

Garden photo shoot

On Sunday Biscuit decided she was going to pull out the "farmer tools" she got from Santa and work really hard in the garden. She was going to have to be served lunch outside because she was going to be working all day. Even if it rained. (note: she lasted until about noon and had lunch inside and I eventually put the tools away at dark :)

I'm trying to take a photo-a-day of a family member. That mostly means the kids. They're around. They're cute. I like them.

And I'm trying to work on taking better/more interesting photos of people so while the kids were "gardening" I was photographing. The photos below are straight out of the camera--no cropping, color fixing or editing on the computer. For better or worse :)

I started off trying to get down low where I was.

But the irrigation in the foreground was annoying and Biscuit's hair was always covering her face from this angle.

So I tried another angle and shot from above.

Got all backs and more hair. Boring. Tried the down low shot from a different angle.

Hello, neighbor's new addition that is dominating this photo. So I got up really close and messed with cropping/framing.

I like this one! Check out the big kid's weird shovel grip.

This one has better light but her face is cut weird. And Oscar doesn't look as good.

And then I got this one. I'd crop out the irrigation in a print but I love just the feet and tools. It totally looks staged but it wasn't.

So far this family-member-photo project is fun. But now I'm back at work so will see the kids less and we'll see how it goes.

Play food

Biscuit got a big set of Sculpey for Christmas and it has been FUN. She only wants to make food for her American Girl Doll, Irene, and Irene's new (also pretend) puppy, Honey. After a whole week of waiting for me to find time, we've now had 3 sessions Sculpeying at the dining room table. Over and over she's told me, "thank you so much, mommy! This is so fun!" Which makes me feel bad because I'm not sure she should be thanking me for playing with her. Thanking me for cooking dinner and folding her laundry? Sure. But not for having so much fun.

The ice cream sundae was our crowning acheivement but the pizza and sandwich are pretty awesome, too. The grapes and egg were because, "she needed more healthy foods." :)

Thanks, again, Kristy for the great gift!

365 portraits?

I'm mulling doing another thing-a-day project this year. In 2011 I did a photo a day. I only forgot twice all year although several days the photos were really bad. It was a fun exercise.

This year I'm considering a photo-a-day with a theme. Family-member-a-day. With a broad definition of family. Even if I don't stick with it I'm already enjoying working a bit on photographing people.

I have a feeling the challenge will be that some days we'll spend time with family that lives far away and I'll have several photos whereas other days I'll be at work and could maybe do a self portrait but will basically have crap.

So I think I'll be looser on myself this time. Aim for every day but really choose the best images from within a week or so to represent each day.

And by "best" I don't necessarily mean technically, best (although that would be nice) I mean representing our life best.

Like even an overexposed shot that shows the ridiculous game of "throw the practice golf ball" that overtook the living room yesterday. It was wild and crazy ;)

Or the fuzzy image that shows exactly how far Oscar can throw his socks from his crib. And how he empties out his blankets when he isn't sleeping (he pooped instead).

I want to work on different perspectives.

On capturing interests (chickens!) and expressions.

This may look freaky but he's trying to raise his eyebrows. Oh. My. Gosh. the laughter this has led to at the dining room table. He is hysterical rolling his eyes back to raise his brows (unsuccessfully).

Capturing context so we can see where  and how we live.

I do need to branch out from baby photos but he's so damn cute it's hard. Something to strive for.

December 17

Right now:

Right now Oscar is napping and snuffling--he's come down with another cold but it doesn't seem to be slowing him down. 'Tis the season for sniffles.

Right now I'm heating water for another cup of spiced tea made with a mix my friend Lisa gave me (thanks, Lisa).

Right now I'm happy to have drafted our annual holiday letter and reflecting on our incredible good fortune this year (and in general)

Right now it's cold and gray outside and I'm rather glad for Oscar's nap giving me an excuse to avoid going for a run. I've been getting back in a running groove but I don't like the cold.

Right now Biscuit is at school safe and sound. I really wanted a goodbye kiss at drop off this morning but we were a few minutes later than she likes (she hates the idea of being even close to tardy) so she ran off without a kiss and I didn't push it. Last Friday I told her a little about what happened at another school far away and we were both teary so moved on to other topics. She hasn't brought it up again. What a sad week.

Right now in addition to being grateful for our family's well being I'm grateful for leftover molasses cookies. I think they're my new favorite and the only cookie that seems to improve with age.

Right now I'm wondering if it's even remotely possible to complete my ambitious "to make" holiday gift list. I'm pretty sure it's not but it's going to be fun to try.

So far today I've helped Oscar make his grandparent gifts (get excited, grandparents ;) and have tied a fake tree to a fake car because it seems to be a trend. I made the wood truck years ago when Biscuit was small. It looks cute like this.

 

Crafty FUNderland (and the Elf on the Shelf)

Biscuit was so jealous she couldn't attend Crafty Slumberland she wanted to host her own. Since I'm not up for a sleepover it became Crafty FUNderland for Biscuit, her three cousins and three dear friends.

This turned into an excuse to clear out some languishing craft supplies and try some recycled crafts.

We painted plaster and birdhouse ornaments I've had lying around for years.

We also did the oldest craft in the book (and it was a hit)! Yarn wrapped cans to use as pencil holders or planters.

We moved on to the second oldest craft in the book--watered-down-glue-decoupage-tissue-paper-jars-votive candle holders. Biscuit wasn't interested in this craft when were planning but it was a hit too. No photos, the jars were gift wrapped as soon as they dried and secreted away for gifts.

The project Biscuit was very excited about (which was not a particular hit) were "caperons"! it's a cape OR an apron (depending if you add straps) and it's made from an old/stained/ill fitting t-shirt. Of course the idea is from Pinterest. Ironically, looking at the photo I'm realizing we cut the neckline wrong. Oops ;)

I can't show the finished project I photographed (it's a gift!) but I can say my youngest niece finished her cape and wore it the rest of the day. After the capes/aprons were cut out we did potato printing with fabric paint. Those who didn't make caperons printed lunch sacks for gift wrapping (this wasn't as popular as I'd hoped).

While all this was going on we were making (giant)  homemade peanut butter cups in the kitchen (yum!) and several kids LOVED the typewriter I set up to type labels etc.

We ate pizza (baked at the neighbor's house--our oven is on the fritz which doesn't bode well for our upcoming holiday party), lots of Trader Joe's brand "pirate's booty" many black olives and a few tangerines and carrots. Along with peanut butter cups.

Oscar and Mr. H mostly stayed out of the way but after the big kids left, Oscar took his turn at the typewriter.

All in all a big success and Biscuit got super excited about making holiday gifts. She kept going when the guests left and has been a busy little elf.

Speaking of elves--we got our tree yesterday just before the apocolyptic storm blew into town (sheesh, the rain in the last 24 hours!). We chose a smallish tree and agreed to put it on a table just out of reach of tiny, inquisitive hands. Biscuit and I were admittedly disappointed with our scrawny tree but considering our primary box of ornaments (and tree lights) is missing it's not a problem. So, Biscuit and I like tree decorating. Mr. H decidedly does not and Oscar is no help whatsoever. After he (Oscar) was in bed Biscuit and I set to work.

We had all the boxes out (sans primary ornament box) and Biscuit noticed one was labeled "Open First!" "Advent calendar and Elf on the Shelf" (note: I finally got smart and put all the early December stuff in one box labeled "open first!" which is genius if you don't always open holiday decor during Thanskgiving that is UNLESS your kid sees the label)

Shit!

"The Elf!"  Paige exclaimed. For a kid who, at 4, couldn't have cared less about that dumb elf and asked Santa for "princess shoes" for Christmas she is SUPER excited about the Elf this year (and last year).

"You can't touch it!" I exclaimed. "Don't open that box!"

Of course she did but right on top was the scrapbook I (finally!) started of all our Christmas cards and letters mailed for the last decade+.

"Oh, you can totally look at that cool book," I told her. "It's all our letters!" The instant she was distracted I snagged the Elf and discretely set him on the mantle.

Moments later she noticed him in awe. "Mom! The elf! He flew up there!"

I honestly can't tell if she believes or if she's stringing me along (she asked me a few weeks ago if Santa was real and I hedged and asked what she thought--no conclusions were reached). If she doesn't believe I give her credit--she's a dang good actress. Tonight she left her Santa list for the Elf and in a parenting moment of glory I REMEMBERED to grab the list and move the Elf to a comfy spot on top of our mini tree.

For the record, she's upgraded from asking for velcro shoes. She'd like:

• a phone
• farmer tools
• $200.15 (check)--yes, the $0.15, why, I don't know. And, yes, it says "(check)"
• American Girl Doll Clothes

I know she's getting some doll clothes. The farmer tools are a decent bet. Santa's ignoring the rest.

 

Kid in the kitchen

Tonight Biscuit made the salad dressing. I'm listening to an audiobook* in which the author is teaching a group of women how to cook. I find myself annoyed and inspired by the book in about equal parts. But I will say it's really made me think more about making simple items (like dressings) from scratch.

So tonight I got home and laid out 3 vinegars and a lemon, a bottle of olive oil and the salt for Biscuit. I told her the author's 3:1 "recipe" for dressing (3 parts oil and 1 part acid) and let her choose her acid (red wine vinegar) and her add ins (chopped green onion and some garlic dijon mustard along with S&P). She measured, chopped, poured then put the lid on the jam jar and shook.

She tasted on a leaf and it wasn't quite right. I asked what she thought it needed and the thought more vinegar. Gosh darn it if she wasn't right--another splash and it was much improved and tasty.

That was cool.

The photos are of the smaller of the two artichoke obsessed boys in the house.

I'm thinking of trying homemade mayonnaise next--Mr. H and Biscuit like to dip their leaves. After weeks of dutifully scraping each leaf and then enjoying the heart Oscar said ta' heck with it and started refusing the leaves and begging hearts off everyone. Or just trying to get to them directly by starting on the stem side.

Oh look, the chef popped in to be part of a photo. Ha.

Gingerbread Houses 2012 edition

It's a tradition. And, apparently, one Biscuit looks forward to doing!

It was Oscar's first year "decorating." In hindsight we should have saved his first year for next year.

Whereas Biscuit didn't figure out for years that the candy was edible, Oscar was a bit quicker to cotton on to that idea. He only seemed to like the Skittles but licked several gumdrops, peppermints and a bottle cap. He's quick this one. Then he was up on the table and in pursuit of more.

He did manage to help squeeze some frosting and stick on some candies so it wasn't a total waste. And I got to finish his masterpiece for him. Which was fun.

Meanwhile Biscuit has become quite independent at house decorating.

I'll have to post photos of the finished masterpieces another day. This year they're living on the mantle, high above inquisitive fingers.

Here's to another year of decorating. And to finally, finally remembering to use the gingerbread house mold I've owned for years but always unpacked too late in the season.

Sick Day

When life gives you about-to-rot oranges--make fresh squeezed orange juice!

Biscuit is home sick. It's a half day at school and the last day before Thanksgiving week vacation so I'm guessing attendance (and learning) was going to be low today anyway. I realized midday Wednesday that she was coming down with a cold. All morning before school she screamed at me and stomped around and complained and yelled and whined until she was almost late for school. It wasn't until about 10 am and I was at work that I realized, wait!, that's what she does when she's getting sick! And, sure enough, she was. Yesterday she was okay but last night was rough so we slept in this morning.

She's enjoying watching her new favorite show, Sid the Science Kid and getting extra mommy attention. I'm trying to pack as we leave for Oregon in a matter of hours and you sure wouldn't know it by looking around this place.

Gotta go buy snacks for the 10 hour drive...

PS Typing a post about a sick day reminded me of one of my very first blog posts ever. Biscuit has grown up quite a bit.

Camera

My camera broke. It's been semi-broken for a while and a month ago it just gave up. I loved that camera (a Canon G10). Now I'm reduced to my iPhone. I love my iPhone but I still miss my "real" camera. Still, for portability, the iPhone wins and some moments are captured that would have been missed.

Kids walking, holding hands.

Oscar offering his beloved baba to a cat we met

Bucket carrying (to prepare for apple picking at Apple Hill on Monday)

The actual apple picker

Auto mechanics

Another view

Ok, so maybe the iPhone isn't so bad (or maybe the kids are just too dang cute?) Looking through these, it seems I need to do better about taking photos of the big kid.

Farm Party

Today was Biscuit's 7th Birthday Party. A Farm Party.

I am pretty much obsessed with how awesome the cake turned out. Exactly how I imagined it.

Frosting pumpkins, lettuce, corn (candles), cauliflower and carrots (Mike'n'Ikes). In a field of Oreo crumb and chocolate frosting soil. Of course, worms maintain the soil quality so the middle layer was filled with them.

To balance the cake, we also had a tray of farm fresh veggies.

And fruit. October is a spectacularly good month at the Farmers' Market in Northern California. And isn't it cool that my mom saved my Playskool farm for decades? I'm trying to be less of a packrat but I can still appreciate a packrat!

In addition to the fruit and veggies we made a big bowl of popcorn. That was a surprising hit. (the favor bags included an ear of popcorn on the cob so I guess it was thematic).

Ok, enough about food. There were also games! Thanks in large part to you kind folks who left comments with good game ideas.

There was pin the tail on the camel the broken necked horse the donkey.

 

And bobbing for apples

And hot potato. The prize was a potato gun (plus the potato). I'm pretty sure those parents hate me now.

They also played in the barn playhouse (well, everyone but Biscuit, of course)

But the crowning glory of the games was the "find the candy in the haystack" game. What a delightful mess! And I'm not even being sarcastic!

Three bags of unmelty (non chocolate) candy and most of a bale of straw and that was many minutes of fun. Then, inevitably, it turned into a straw fight.

All in all, a very fun two hours. After it was over we still had enough energy for a family photo in the hay disaster.

PS Typepad is driving me BONKERS. Anyone else having trouble lately? I lost this post (and then pieces of this post) MANY times in the last 45 minutes of trying to post. ANNOYING. And sorry for any typos.