Ten on Tuesday (Feb '12 Edition)

1. What is your cleaning style like?
Well, since I’m usually cleaning with two kiddos underfoot, it can certainly get creative! I start the cleaning process by setting our TV to an all-eighties music station, then try to work one room at a time. Sometimes the kids help, which slows me down but amuses me all the same. I usually do a couple of rooms, take a snack break, and then finish up. Of course, I should admit that the main floor gets most of my energy, and the upstairs simply deals with what I have left.

2. What is your favorite thing to add to an outfit to take it from casual to classy?
Classy? Me? Can that be accomplished while still wearing jeans? If you can’t tell, I’m almost always dressed casually. But if I’m going to shoot for classy, I would likely pair heels and a sparkly necklace with my usual outfit of jeans and a nice shirt.

3. Do you like stormy weather?
In regards to this question, I have a split-personality. When I lived in the country with my parents and a full, safe basement, I used to love watching storms roll in from the front porch. It was an awesome sight to behold, and I knew safety was just a quick dash away. Of course, now that I live in town with my children and a dark, nasty basement, I’m not so thrilled about storms. It’s more about keeping my family safe and finding a path downstairs than witnessing nature’s wonders.

4. What is your favorite cold treat on a hot day?
Probably a decade ago, this little shack opened up in town that served snow cones, and although it’s changed ownership multiple times, it still rocks the absolute best “summer ices.” I literally yearn for the strawberry daiquiri flavor each summer.

5. What is your favorite warm treat on a cold day?
Nothing beats a homey cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.

6. Who is your favorite animated character?
Be still my beating heart….I LOVE animated characters, and choosing just one might prove impossible. I can say with absolute certainty that Disney toons are the best, and if I’m honest I tend toward the princesses: Belle, Jasmine, and Ariel being at the top of the list.

7. What do you keep your jewelry in?
Okay, I don’t honestly think I own a jewelry box, or enough baubles to fill one. That being said, I do have one of those fabric hanging contraptions with little compartments to hold my necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc. Generally, I just wear my wedding rings and a large birthstone ring I got for myself for Christmas a few years ago. Otherwise, reread question #2 to see why I might dig into my meager jewelry collection.

8. Do any of the rooms in your house have a theme?
Heavens, no! I’ve never been a big theme person in the decorating department, although Erik once accused me of having a Tuscan theme in our kitchen. I assure you, I have one Tuscany painting, and a ridiculous ceramic rooster that I can’t even believe I’m admitting to owning, but nothing that I’d consider theme-ish.

9. Do you watch any interior design TV shows – if so, what is your favorite?
Do I? Absolutely! Of course, I’m not much of a TV-watcher (it’s not worth the effort to battle my obsessive husband over it), and when I have extra time I’d rather read or write. However, if I did feel like a little HGTV, I would prefer Candace Olson or Genevieve Gorder.

10. When was the last time you did something risk-taking?
Let’s be honest: my name and risk-taking are very rarely (if ever) in the same company together. In fact, my own brother once coined the moniker “Born to be Mild” to define my inability to take risks. Thus, I can’t think of anything particularly daring, but I suppose taking my first Zumba class really put me out on a limb. I love to dance, but doing it in front of others was a bit intimidating. Now, of course, I love it and am even considering becoming a Zumba instructor, so I suppose sometimes risks can pay off!

February Photos 6-15

Just a reminder of where this photo challenge began:

Yes, I've been trying to keep up each day, but I can guarantee there's no way I'll be able to post each photo or even a few at a time. Hopefully I won't have more than a week's worth to share at a time. Keep your fingers crossed for that. Ha! In the meantime, more interpretations:

Okay, this is not the fanciest dinner, but I didn't want to cheat. Hot ham and provolone cheese sandwich, broccoli and cauliflower salad, with strawberries.

I've been swamped with images of these friendly buttons. They belong to a pretty important guy, at least in our family. Recognize them?

Although I wasn't able to get outside and secure a true photo of the sun itself, I did notice how the sun's rays simply lit up Hudson's face. He was looking out one of the playroom windows.

If anyone's been to my house, you know that our front door is not the prettiest. In fact, our curb appeal is practically nil (a fact we hope to change soon). Instead, I focused on the front door of the pretty cupboard in our dining room. Much better!

Not sure why this particular photo is sideways, but that just figures. Nothing about myself is ever quite right! I had this shot taken for my new Ten on Tuesday feature (coming tomorrow for the second time!).

Ava and I share a love for all things Disney princess, and I will never regret buying tickets to any Disney production. This was a stage version of three familiar stories: Snow White, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast (my favorite!).

You know, I have more clothes than I realized. Too bad I usually grab something off the pile of laundry downstairs, instead of actually creating an outfit from my upstairs closet. Something to consider, I guess.

Although Erik found this shot of his blue eye a bit creepy, I still like it. His eyes were one of the first features I noticed upon meeting him, and they still catch my attention.

This was my valentine from Ava, and although she's given me some in the past, this was the first one with her own writing on it (see bottom). Priceless!

You know, I'm embarassed to admit the age of the cell phone I carry, so I decided to photograph the old, crayoned-up phone the kids use in the playroom. It has a lot of character and has provided hours of old-fashioned fun!

Disney Princesses Live!

Hello, all! It's been a long couple of weeks (thanks to an ugly virus on my part, coupled with a horrible flare-up of my condition), but this weekend I was feeling a bit better and ready to enjoy a special date with my daughter and mother. We journeyed to Evansville for a quick lunch and an afternoon showing of Disney Princesses Live!

We were in the sixth row, front and center, and this performance was just as magical as last year's Disney on Ice. Lots of colorful characters and impressive special effects. Of course, I felt a little guilty for not bringing Hudson, but I know he'll enjoy Disney on Ice in a couple of weeks, so that helped ease my parental guilt somewhat.

Also? It was a blast! I was able to capture a few photos in between laughing, singing, and swooning at the princes. (This was Ava's favorite part, too. I decided Snow White's prince was the best-looking, but Ava preferred the Beast once he turned handsomely human! Ha!)

One thing I've learned about Disney is that they never disappoint. It really makes me look forward to our upcoming Walt Disney World vacation! You can never have enough magic in life!

P.S. Yes, I realize my illness set me back in my February Photo a Day Challenge, but I will catch those up soon. I just decided sharing our Disney memories was a bit more fun than my other photographs. Those will be coming soon, though, I promise!

February Photos 1-5

Here are my interpretations for the February Photo a Day Challenge. Enjoy!

When we woke up, the mess in the playroom was a bit overwhelming, but don't worry; teamwork is a beautiful thing!

I am never far from a book, and the one I'm reading now (A Clash of Kings) is difficult to put down, to say the least.


I took two hand shots, one of each child, but I couldn't choose between them. So here are both!

When Ava first showed this lovely drawing of hers, I thought it might be me and her. Turns out it's Cloud Rainbow Queen and the Cloud Rainbow Princess.

On the weekends, I usually spend a good chunk of the morning at my desk, usually on the laptop. You know, after breakfast has been served, the house straightened, and those kinds of things.

February Photo Challenge

Recently, it occurred to me that I'm not utilizing my DSLR camera much anymore. What a shame! Most of my favorite images of my family come from my beloved Nikon D3000, yet I've barely used it so far this year. Even my calendar shots for 2012 (taken in 2011, naturally) were woefully few compared to the year before, when my camera was brand new.

What happened? I have no idea. But a voice within me seemed to be crying out for more camera time. Then I happened upon this:



Brilliant! Not only an excuse to whip out my camera more often, but I enjoy the challenge of following prompts, rather than my own random eye. Perhaps this was just the boot in the behind I needed to reacquiant myself with my Nikon. Just because my kiddos rolled their eyes whenever they saw it, doesn't mean I should stop using it, right?

Right. Trust me.

Now, I'm not going to post my photo every single day. I'm a busy working mama, and that kind of blogging dedication just doesn't jive with my schedule. (Obviously, considering my recent lack of posts.) However, I will try to accumulate a few photos and then post every few days. At least, I'm hoping that's a feasible goal for me.

In the meantime, I'm a bit behind in this February challenge, and I hope to have my first photos up soon. Keep an eye out, and hopefully you'll enjoy seeing the results as much as I'll hopefully enjoy photographing them.

Cheers to new mid-winter inspiration!