birds. bread. snow.

for those of you who dont know, i love to watch birds come to a bird feeder. i delight in seeing the variety of birds, watching them eat, and interacting with other birds. while i was home over christmas, i made some homemade bird suet. i made my own bird suet several years ago but differently. this time, my mom got some suet from the butcher at the grocery store, and we boiled it down to start. i used the suet as a base and add 3lb of peanut butter, mix in some seed, dried fruit, oats, and this time i used some frozen corn. once it was all melted together, i poured it into paper cups (you can simply peel back the cup to serve). my dad perched it outside on the suet feeder, and the birds came quickly for their delicious treat.

so this past week, i had a snow day- off from work. needless to say, it was great. i drank a lot of coffee. i got this great bean last week from whole foods. it was roasted the same day, has a cinnamony, nut, and cocoa flavors. yum. i went out in the morning to catch morning light in the trees for pictures. i am still learning to use my new camera, and i am pleased with how they turned out- not much editing needed. i delight in being able to take pictures again!

the afternoon i finagled with the breadmaker my mawl mawl let me borrow. i think i have it figured out as i made an oat soda bread curteousy of 101cookbooks.com i made a few minor subsitutions , but overall is it close to the original recipe. it smelled delish baking in the bread machine all day. on the whole, it was a wonderful snow day. enjoy the photos.

Memorable and Meaningful 2011

So I have given much thought and some research to New Year's Resolutions. Statistically speaking, I have found that people "fail" at attaining their resolutions and more people achieved their New Year's goals. I was most interested in finding information on the origins of resolutions but did not have much success. I found a lot of information on the origin of New Year's itself and on traditions practiced around the world. So, why this inclination for New Year's? I am not sure, perhaps it is my desire to do something different. I have been recognizing this desire for an adventure or something "big"orto do something exciting. Pehaps New Year's reso-goals is one way to satisfy this desire. I have thought long and hard about what I would like to do this year and while some refinement may still come, I think the list below is where I am at on this:

Finish my Master's Degree

Run at least a 1/2 marathon

Knit hat and glove set

Keep a balanced check book for 3 mos.

Meet with someone about a budget (start a 5 point budget)

Visit Washington D.C.

Go on a backpacking trip with my dad

Like I said, there may be some additional refin

ement to these reso-goals (not only goals nor resolutions but reso-goals). I want 2011 to be Memorable and meaningful. Life is not without meaning, but I desire to be more mindful of these things.

To end, I have a few pictures of something I wanted to achieve last year- a greener thumb. Apart from my Aloe plant, they all are doing quite well (this one is for you mawl mawl)!

Kindness

Kindness. I simply love the word kindness. For those of you who know me well, I love words. I mean, I love to say them, their meaning, and their sound. I love words. Kkkiiindness. Concerning sound, I am not a big fan of words ending in "s," but this word just has too many other good sounds to be discounted. First, there is the strong consonant "K." Which is then followed by the beautiful long "i" sound. Then there is that funky "nd" blend. I will usually try to announciate both letters- tricky it is but fun. To wrap up the word, the delightful "ness" ties it all together- kindness.

This season I was a grateful recipient of the kind ness of so many people I love. Thank you. In particular, I was overwhelmed by one immense gesture of kindness. Meet my new Nikon D3100.

I have been desiring a camera for quite some time since my beloved minolta bit the dust. I started a small fund to purchase my own camera for my photography hobby. I love to find color contrasts to photograph. Researching cameras over the years, I narrowed down what I was looking to buy. Since minolta stopped manufacturing cameras, I decided on a Nikon. Nikon has been reviewed to make a nice camera marketable to novist photographers. So with this gesture of kindness, I plan to develop my knowledge and skills in photography. I plan to delight in capturing moments of time with the wonderful art of creating! Thank you and here's a brief

preview of some of the photos I've already taken!

Where the Mo-Mo's Are..

This passed weekend my family spent a few days at my sister-in-law's cabin. My dear nephew loves four-wheelers and motorcycles. He calls them "Mo-Mo's" and asks (in his own way of course!) to go for rides all the time! So, we rode lots of four-wheeler, saw deer, caught a lizzard, went crawlfish hunting, played in the sandbox, and played fun games like scategories. Overall, it was simply nice being with my family...despite my feverish sinus infection! Enjoy the pictures!

F-in-dorphins

My parents went for a weekend get-away to the beach. Tomorrow is their 30th wedding anniversary, and we all love, respect, and honor their faithfulness and love for one another over the years. On their way home from the beach, they swung up by Langhorne to visit with me. We had yummy salads and mains for lunch at Ruby Tuesdays. We caught up, talked about my mysterious bumps (declared poison ivy by my dad- my anxiety leaves me skeptical), and laughed with randomness. Outside with the storm clouds rolling and the rain drizzling, we sat on a bench and tried numerous times to snap one of those stretch-your-arm-out-push-the-button-with-your-heads-smushed-together photos, and it wasn't really working. We did more laughing than good picture taking. The theme of conversation for the afternoon was health (per my raised anxiety level due to not feeling myself), and at one juncture my mom in reference to exercise, "it's good for your F-in-dorphins. I was like what?!?! Immediately, the three of us rolled in laughter, pure untainted belly laughter. What she meant to say was "it's good for your endorphins," but she got a weebit tounge tied and had a brain fart at the same time- smooooth, mom, real smoooth.

Generation Rx

Lately at work, I have been researching perscription drug abuse. For those of you who do not know, I am the prevention specialist at the YWCA Bucks County. I learned some interesting statistics: 1 in 5 teenagers are abusing perscription drugs. Now, I assume that statistic varies depending on demographics, but nontheless, it is shockingA. ll this to say, I have learned some interesting dangers, statistics, and facts regarding teens and prescription drugs. Namely, the accessibility teens have to them is astounding. There do exist proper means for disposing excess or outdated Presciption Rx, and there are "take back" programs where people can easily drop off their bottles and have them properly disposed for them. There are campaigns to target informing families/ parents regarding the accessibility teens have and how it is as simple as one pop-of-a-top to get hooked. Check out this video or watch it here antidrug video

and these links for more info

antidrug

teen drug abuse

white house drug policy

Teens Rx Drug Abuse

April is Autism Awareness: Parents of Autism

April 10: Awareness No. 10

"Advocate: A person who pleads on someone else's behalf. A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy."

Parents of children with autism are some of the greatest advocates I have ever met. Parents of children with Autism have been the driving force behind Autism Awareness. They have begun coallitions, they spearhead activist groups going before congress, they contribute to research, and they are a voice for their beautiful children who often times have no voice for themselves. They are advocates creating the awareness of autism. These parents are relentless, knowledgable, courageous, organized, and brave. I have the upmost respect for parents of Autistic children, and while they may be some of the strongest people I know, they are not superhumans. They despair, they cry, they grieve, they doubt, they worry, and they feel incredible fear for their children. I ask you to take a look into the lives of these great advocates who have deep, enduring, and compassionate filled love for their remarkable children.