Archive for January, 2010
Written by admin on 27 January 2010
So happy that we were able to go to this event again, this year. These horses really are magnificent performers, with such grace and beauty for their size. Unfortunately my photos aren’t great, but I still love to take them and tell the story. I love them all, big and small. My love affair with horses will never fade. Parker enjoys the horses, but in his mind, nothing beats the tractors that come out to groom the arena at intermission. We didn’t get to stay for the whole show, but I was happy and impressed that Parker lasted over 2 hours.
Tags: big thunder, draft horse, Horses, the ranch
Posted in Event, Photo | No Comments »
Written by admin on 25 January 2010
Parker and I got to meet beautiful baby Sydney, this past week. She was a sleeping little angel during most of our visit, and I was able to snap a few shots of her in the hat that I made. We also took some pictures of the hat that Kathy, a woman from my knitting group, gave me as a gift for her. (Which was so nice!) Alexa (mommy) looks fantastic and it was nice to see her with her brand new baby!
Tags: alexa, baby, berry hat, hat, sydney
Posted in Craft, Photo | 2 Comments »
Written by admin on 25 January 2010
There have only been a handful of people throughout my life that have inspired me to draw their portrait. Such a task takes a lot of dedication and focus, as well as the motivation to keep working until I get it right. My hope is that these people consider themselves lucky.
Special thanks to Nathan Tia for the use of his photography.
Tags: boston, Drawing, john matheson, ma, malden, portrait
Posted in Craft, Drawing | 1 Comment »
Written by admin on 23 January 2010
I love it when we get to have Parker’s friend Ray over. They are so cute together.
Tags: boys, kids, ray, snow, swing
Posted in Parker | 1 Comment »
Written by admin on 20 January 2010
I apologize if anyone is offended by this post, but it’s an odd story. I was given a fur hat, purchased from Repeat Boutique in Fort Collins, to make into cuffs for a coat. I already knew it was real, and suspected it to be rabbit. In deconstructing the hat, I found a piece of beautiful history.
Tags: fur, hide, rabbit
Posted in Photo | No Comments »
Written by admin on 18 January 2010
I’m having an obsession with homemade soup. This is the first of three soups that I’ve made. I am a huge fan of The All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I have enjoyed everything that I have ever made out of this book. It might have something to do with the fact that it isn’t afraid of good old fashioned fat, but every recipe lists caloric amount, protein, etc. Everything in moderation.
Minestrone with Pesto
Prep: 20 minutes plus soaking beans Cook: 1 hour
8 ounces dry Great Northern beans (1 1/3 cups), soaked and drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
2 stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 ounces pancetta or bacon, finely chopped
1 pound all-purpose potatoes (3 medium), peeled and chopped
2 medium zucchini (8 ounces each), each cut lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-slices
1/2 medium head savoy cabbage (1 pound), thinly sliced
1 large garlic clove, crushed with garlic press
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) chicken broth
1 cup water
Pesto (homemade or store-bought)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1. In 4-quart saucepan, combine beans and enough water to cover by 2 inches; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender, 40 minutes to 1 hour. Drain beans.
2. Meanwhile, in nonreactive 5-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, and pancetta; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Add potatoes, zucchini, cabbage, and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until cabbage has wilted. Add tomatoes with their juice, broth, and water; heat to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile prepare pesto.
4. In a blender or in food processor with knife blade attached, puree 1/2 cup beans with 1 cup soup mixture until smooth. Stir puree, remaining beans, and salt into soup; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Garnish with dollops of pesto.
Makes about 13 cups or 6 main-dish servings.
Each serving with pesto: About 444 calories, 18g protein, 53g carbohydrate, 20g total fat (4g saturated), 9mg cholesterol, 1,204mg sodium.
Tags: minestrone, pesto, soup, vegetables
Posted in Food, Photo | 1 Comment »
Written by admin on 13 January 2010
Vermont’s state horse, the Morgan horse is a beautiful creature. They have a very distinct body shape, with long curving necks, short ears, and a wonderful temperament. No better place to visit them than UVM’s Morgan Horse Farm. Parker is very used to seeing horses among the Colorado landscape, but doesn’t get the chance to get up close and personal too often. Although he has seen the Budweiser Clydesdales, and has been to the Draft Horse Show.
Tags: Horses, Morgan horse, Parker, Stable, UVM
Posted in Family, Parker, Photo | No Comments »
Written by admin on 12 January 2010
Even though we are beyond Christmas I still wanted to post these. I took Parker to see Santa and his reindeer at Bath Garden Center this past year, and the only thing he wanted to do was chase the little train back and forth. He would have stayed there the entire day if I’d let him.
Tags: reindeer, train
Posted in Parker, Photo | 1 Comment »
Written by admin on 11 January 2010
There’s nothing like being able to play outside in the snow without needing a coat. The sunshine is marvelous. It can be difficult when driving, but that’s what sunglasses are for, right? My favorite is snowboarding without a jacket in the middle of winter. Can’t beat it. I wanted to photograph Parker in his new hat and mittens, so here we go.
Tags: hat, mittens, skylah, snow, train
Posted in Parker | 1 Comment »
Written by admin on 10 January 2010
I’m starting to get back in touch with myself. New inspiration has come along and it makes me want to draw again. Drawing has been a challenging task after having Parker, because a drawing can take me a while, and I don’t always have that kind of time. I started the first drawing years ago when I was in training classes for working at the airport. Just a still life with some objects I had hanging around.
This is a drawing of Alexa. She is a brand new mom and a wonderful person and I always loved this photo of her.
Tags: alexa, Drawing, roses
Posted in Craft, Drawing | 2 Comments »
