Beginnings

First Degree

2012-01-29T10:19:00.000-08:00

This arrived in the mail yesterday!

It is the first diploma that I have actually ever recieved

(I am not sure why I never got the other ones)

so it was even more exciting that just being officially done.

It is getting framed this weekend,

I don't even care if that is dorky,

I did it!

The next day

2012-01-29T10:18:00.000-08:00

This is what half an inch of rain and 50 degrees and sunny did to

our winter wonderland.

But the snow left behind an equally fun play place.

Strangest winter ever...

Snow Sculptures

2012-01-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

Today Orin and I had a busy day in the snow.

It was perfect packing snow

which prompted us to build

and build big.

Although Orin was quite attached to his snowman,

I lured him away with the prospect of a snow fort.

After a 50 degree day and a 1/2 inch of rain forcasted

for the next 24 hours,

I don't expect our sculptures to last long,

but the fun was all in the construction.

Now we just have to sit back and wait

for the next snow storm.

For those of you who need a video...

2012-01-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Snow Day Part 2

2012-01-22T13:26:00.000-08:00

With the forecast saying that the temperature is going to be

50 again on Monday,

we knew we had to get out to enjoy the snow

while it lasted

so we headed back to the bog for Sledding Round 2 today.

Weekend Project

2012-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this last weekend.

Casey and Dean disappeared into the basement shop

and emerged with this:

A personalized guitar hanger.

Pretty awesome, huh?

Snow Craze

2012-01-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

Today we woke up to a winter wonderland!

Orin dragged me out of bed early to go outside and play.

After playing in the backyard for a while

we headed out to the bog for more snow and bigger hills.

It was the perfect snowstorm...

Not too cold...

Not too wet...

Just pure fun.

And after stipping off all of our wet things,

we snuggled up for a movie.

It was a perfect day.

Hope yours was just as good!

A bedtime story for you...

2012-01-19T20:54:00.000-08:00

Orin has an uncanny ability to memorize library books

that we only have for about a week at a time.

Here he is reading "Mama Cat has Three Kittens"

Enjoy!

Chef Orin

2012-01-19T17:55:00.001-08:00

Hanging Out...

2012-01-16T10:17:00.001-08:00

Heat Queen

2012-01-16T10:16:00.000-08:00

This looks like a perfectly normal picture.

The part that you are missing from just looking at it

is that the woodstove is PUMPING heat.

I can't believe that Paley likes to be this close to it,

but she always makes a spot for herself as

close as she can.

Crazy puppy.

National Seashore

2012-01-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

Cedar Swamps

2012-01-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, so maybe I am not that good at posting regularly...

This time my excuse is legit (I am having major computer problems)

but I admit that even when everything is running well,

I am still not very good at posting on time.

So, while I will try to post every day when

my iphoto library is working again,

I will post some extra pictures today to make up for the ones I have missed.

These were taken during our trip to the Atlantic White Cedar Swamps

at the Cape Cod National Seashore.

Another beach day

2012-01-08T15:19:00.000-08:00

Ice Bog

2012-01-08T15:10:00.000-08:00

One of the cranberry bog bays was flooded last week

in preparation for the best outdoor skating season ever.

We can't wait until the ice is thick enough to venture out on it.

Snow Day!

2012-01-08T15:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T13:04:00.000-08:00

Keeping up with my resolution so far.

Afternoon run at West Dennis Beach.

Wishing you a happy 2012!

Chapin Beach

2011-12-31T13:01:00.000-08:00

Today we took a beautiful walk on the beach

with my dad and Carla.

I always forget to go to the beach

even though we live so close...

I suppose it's that hiking in the woods is always my first thought

but every time I go to the beach

I wonder why I don't do it more often.

So there you go, one of my new year's resolutions:

go to the beach more often.

And in other news: this is it! I have completed 365 days of photos.
They might not have been posted every day (or even close)
but they are there!
I think for 2012 I will do the same thing,
although I will try a bit harder to post every day
(no promises, Andy)
Love you all!
Thanks for checking up on us!

Company on the hill

2011-12-30T12:52:00.000-08:00

This weekend Grandpa Jack and Grandma Carla

came to visit.

Orin was so excited to have company

both at his house to show his toys to

and on our walks where he convinced his grandparents

to explore his huge sand hill.

A four egg day

2011-12-29T12:58:00.000-08:00

Yeah!

2011-12-28T12:57:00.000-08:00

Bog Walk

2011-12-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

Hockey Man!

2011-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

In case you are wondering why I didn't crop this picture,

it is because the red blur in the foreground is the puck.

I love it!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

This morning we woke up to Orin
bursting with excitement after seeing that Santa
had not forgotten him.
He got a truly unreasonable number of presents,
the favorites being a fishing pole from Nana,
a helmet, hockey shirt, and knee pads from mom,
and hockey sticks, a puck, a goal, and a soccer ball from dad.
We spent the rest of the day eating way too much
and playing soccer and hockey in the kitchen.
I can't imagine a better Christmas.

13 Eggs!

2011-12-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Apparently the girls have been busy while we were on the road.

Thanks ladies!

Bye Maryland

2011-12-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

After a fun-filled week in Maryland,

we are hitting the road again.

Unless we drown in NY traffic,

we should make it home for Christmas Eve.

Last snuggles with Cashew...

2011-12-22T12:37:00.000-08:00

Just one more day with our favorite greyhound.

I am just hoping that Paley won't be heartbroken,

she and Cashew have become cuddle buddies as of late.

Chiilin with Alden

2011-12-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

Cousin Ardian

2011-12-21T12:09:00.000-08:00

Bamboo forest

2011-12-20T12:08:00.000-08:00

I have no idea how this got here,

but it is pretty spectacular.

Guitaring

2011-12-19T12:07:00.000-08:00

And, yes, Orin has officially made "guitaring" a word.

Here he is practicing on the guitar

Auntie Andy got him for Christmas.

Thanks Auntie!

Go Duke

2011-12-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

The cousins getting pumped up before the game.

Chesapeake Bay

2011-12-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

Today we visited a beach on the Chesapeake Bay

so I decided we needed a shot of Atlas.

Maryland

2011-12-16T12:01:00.000-08:00

Today we drove down to Maryland to spend a week

with my family before Christmas.

We were so excited to meet baby August

who was born just days before we arrived!

Bog RIde

2011-12-16T08:41:00.000-08:00

Herb Garden

2011-12-15T09:05:00.001-08:00

Got my winter herb garden up and running today!

I am so excited for fresh basil and cilantro all winter long.

First Eggs!

2011-12-15T09:04:00.000-08:00

Who knew we would get eggs in the middle of winter!

And blue ones at that!

Yeah girls!

Holiday blooms

2011-12-15T09:01:00.000-08:00

Santa's trail

2011-12-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

The mailman has started bringing a lot of boxes lately

that I open in the back room

and then the boxes emerge containing only

packaging material.

Good thing that empty boxes are good enough

for a three year old

or I would probably be pestered with more questions...

Beach bundle

2011-12-15T08:56:00.002-08:00

Shaun to visit

2011-12-15T08:56:00.000-08:00

This weekend Shaun came to visit.

Shaun is a chef at a macrobiotic institute

which means, among other things,

the weekend was filled with delicious food.

These breakfast potatoes were only the beginning.

Yummy!

Gingerbread

2011-12-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

A true work of art.

Christmas Begins!

2011-12-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Today Orin received his first Christmas present:

a vest, shirt, pants, and Duplo camping set from Auntie Katie!

Orin loved his present and immediately put on the whole outfit

and if I had been thinking enough to get some of his legs

in this picture of him running around,

you would have been able to see the pants too.

Thanks Aunt Katie!

Soccer Camp

2011-12-07T09:01:00.001-08:00

Today Orin went to his second day of soccer camp.

Needless to say, he is in love.

Happy Birthday Casey!

2011-12-07T08:42:00.001-08:00

Tonight we went out for sushi (Casey's favorite)

Orin decided that he wanted to come with us

even though we told him that it might not be too much fun for kids.

Because he was there, I mistakenly ordered noodles

figuring that they were kid-friendly.

Casey ordered a sample plate of sushi

and his ended up coming out before mine.

Instead of waiting for the noodles, Orin insisted on trying

everything on Case's plate including 6 pieces of raw fish,

roe, and a California roll.

I couldn't believe it.

Like father, like son.

Happy birthday Casey!

Birthday / Work party

2011-12-07T08:38:00.001-08:00

Tonight we went to Casey's holiday work party /

surprise birthday party.

Casey had no idea that his friends

had arranged for a cake and was totally surprised

when the room went dark and we all started singing

"happy birthday" at the top of our lungs.

It was a great night.

Happy days!

2011-12-07T08:37:00.001-08:00

5 Snowy Owls and a Left-over Turkey

2011-12-01T10:37:00.001-08:00

Cape Cod Sunset

2011-11-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

Christmas Cactus Blooms

2011-11-28T13:16:00.001-08:00

Turkey day helper

2011-11-28T13:15:00.001-08:00

Here is a picture of Orin's first lesson

on rolling pigs in a blanket.

Already a pro.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Castle building at Baba's

2011-11-28T13:14:00.001-08:00

3 and 1/2!

2011-11-28T12:54:00.001-08:00

Might as well make a fuss about it.

Exactly the same

2011-11-28T12:21:00.003-08:00

Today I took Paley to the vet

where we weighed her on the big scale in the

waiting room. Then we weighed Orin. The result:

32.4 pounds of both puppy and boy.

I have a feeling that this will be a fleeting period,

yielding, of course, to the years where Paley will outweigh Orin.

Eventually, however, they will likely weigh the same again

for the short time before Ori passes Paley.

Soaking up the last of fall

2011-11-28T12:21:00.001-08:00

Red and Green at the Cranberry Bog

2011-11-28T12:20:00.001-08:00

Up, up, up

2011-11-28T12:19:00.001-08:00

It's a bird.... it's a plane...

Beans for breakfast

2011-11-28T12:17:00.001-08:00

Ever since Candace made me a delicious bean breakfast

in Oregon I have been hooked.

Here is our Sunday breakfast:

eggs, black beans, scallions, yellow squash, and sweet potato.

No more mid-day energy slumps.

Yummy!

The fattest squirrel in the universe

2011-11-28T12:09:00.001-08:00

This squirrel takes the concept of storing food for the winter

to a whole new level.

Notice that he is actually wider than our "squirrel-proof" bird feeder.

Where she likes to be

2011-11-21T13:56:00.001-08:00

Paley has gotten into the habit of parking herself

right underneath the kitchen sink

every time I am cooking.

Although it is terribly annoying and I end up tripping over

her multiple times per meal prep,

it is cute that she has decided she wants to be near her people,

so I have yet to try to discourage her.

Hidden Egg

2011-11-21T13:52:00.001-08:00

The other day we walked past a rhododendron

and Rowan noticed this nest

and perfect egg-shaped rock nestled at the base.

King Tree

2011-11-18T09:27:00.001-08:00

First day back home

and we are already up to new adventures.

Today Colleen and I went to see the King Tree,

a 100 year old weeping beech tree in Yarmouth.

I couldn't get close to accurately capturing this tree

in the picture...

its huge branches hang down to the ground

and then run horizontally

forming a web around you when you stand beneath it.

The most beautiful day ever

2011-11-18T09:25:00.003-08:00

Guess Oregon saved its best for last...

on our hike in the Gorge today

the weather was pristine...

bright sun contrasted with a beautiful blue haze hanging

over the Columbia and an orange sunset.

After the hike we all met up for dinner at Por Que No

(best Mexican food ever)

and then went to Mississippi studios

to see a local band play.

I couldn't have asked for more.

Tomorrow I hop on a plane

and again have to say goodbye to this place I love so much...

goodbye for now.

Oregon City!

2011-11-18T09:25:00.001-08:00

Today I went to Oregon City to meet up with the family

over a delicious dinner at Sheree's house.

Of course, I got so caught up in catching up

that I forgot to take pictures,

so instead here is Candace and I on a hike in the gorge.

It was great to see everyone in Oregon City,

Orin is going to be so happy to get to hang out with his cousin

Dorian in August

who has long left the baby stage and is a ton of fun.

Not to mention I got to see Steven and Sarah

who recently tied the knot.

Congrats guys!

Ms Jess and the Other Redhead

2011-11-18T09:13:00.001-08:00

Today Jess and I met up for an afternoon

of coffee, catch-up, and Cosmos.

(Jess is so obsessed with Cos she would have it no other way)

Despite the fact that he is clearly miserable in this picture

he cheered up quickly and we had a great time.

Wahkeena Waterfalls

2011-11-18T09:05:00.001-08:00

Muddy in Ecola State Park

2011-11-18T08:59:00.001-08:00

Today we went on a hike on the coast.

It poured almost the whole time (in typical Oregon fashion)

but it hardly mattered.

With good company and amazing views of the Pacific,

it is not hard to ignore the rain.

Leaves!

2011-11-18T08:48:00.001-08:00

Today Candace, Sarah Lee, and I went to Hood River

for lunch and coffee before back-tracking to the gorge for a hike.

The fall leaves were beautiful and the hike we went on brought us

all the way up the side of the gorge for a great view.

Smiles in the morning

2011-11-18T08:44:00.001-08:00

This morning I woke up to Cosmos in all his glory.

Because he was not interested in sleep anymore at 6am

(but, it should go without saying, his parents were)

and I was already awake, my body telling me it was 9am,

Cos and I walked about the city together and watched the sun come up.

It was a lovely start to a great day.

Off to Portland!

2011-11-18T08:34:00.001-08:00

Today I headed back to Portland for a week long visit with friends

(I have had just a touch of home-sickness since moving to the Cape).

I arrived at the Portland airport with a small suitcase of my clothes in

one hand and a large suitcase containing my mother's foldable bike in the other.

At Logan, I was probably the only person with a foldable bike,

but a sign on the wall let me know that here in Portland

I was just part of the crowd.

Oh it feels good to be back!

Winter preparations

2011-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

Just some last minute trim work.

Have I mentioned how awesome it is to have a husband who knows

how to do everything?

Love you Case!

Orin-in-a-box

2011-11-08T07:25:00.000-08:00

Stranger

2011-11-08T07:24:00.000-08:00

You might think this is Trouble

and that I already posted this picture

but, no, this is some other neighborhood cat

drawn to our house by the alluring catnip.

I have visions of the future when this plant is more mature

luring cats from miles away...

swarms of cats bumbling around our yard high

asking for Meow Mix and milk.

Maybe this plant wasn't such a good idea after all.

Insulating the Coop!

2011-11-08T07:19:00.000-08:00

Growing like a weed

2011-11-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

An unusual napping place

2011-11-08T07:07:00.000-08:00

Boston Smiles

2011-11-08T07:03:00.000-08:00

Fall trails

2011-11-08T06:21:00.000-08:00

This afternoon we headed out to explore a new trail,

one that weaved through the woods,

passed a couple ponds covered in fall leaves,

and then ran along a slice made by the powerlines.

Despite the fact that it was right next to the powerlines

the trail was beautiful and the day even better.

Yeah 60 degrees and sunny!

Trick or Treat!

2011-10-31T16:19:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Sir Rowan and Orin the Orca had a great time

wandering around our neighborhood trick-or-treating.

Their favorite part was a man dressed up as a warewolf

who sat perfectly still in a chair in his yard

and only moved when you got close to him.

Scary!

Now we are fully supplied with enough

candy to last us until next year (quite literally).

Zoned Out

2011-10-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

We went to the Mac Store today and totally

lost Orin to a new program

called Disney's Digital Books.

October Snow Storm

2011-10-29T16:15:00.000-07:00

Who knew?

6 inches of snow in October!

Certainly not the trees...

This tree at my mother's house was only one of many

that toppled due to the weight of the snow on their leaves.

Snowmen

2011-10-28T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hook Dilemma

2011-10-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

Casey has been working on Martha's Vineyard for the past week...

well, working and fishing, depending on the time of day.

Anyway, this morning he was packing up his things to come home

and one of his fishing hooks went through his finger.

He wasn't able to get it out

and didn't want to go to the hospital on the Vineyard,

so instead he worked a full day with the hook in his finger.

When he got home we tossed around some ideas

about what to do about the hook

(try to tear it out without something to numb the pain,

leave it in and call it a new fashion statement, etc.)

and finally settled on heading up to Dean's hospital for a late-night visit.

As it turned out, it was a very good idea we chose to go to Dean

because it ended up taking three different attempts

before the hook finally came out.

Thanks Dean!

Slide Show

2011-10-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins!

2011-10-28T07:06:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Face

2011-10-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

Bye bye bike trip

2011-10-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture from a walk we took

around the grounds of our hotel

(absolutely beautiful!)

right before my sister and Ardian left to catch their plane.

The ride!

2011-10-27T08:06:00.000-07:00

This morning we woke up early

and put on some extra layers to protect ourselves

from the chilly first hours of the day

(it was 39 degrees when we set off!)

The ride was stunningly beautiful

and (thank goodness!) totally flat.

I made it through the entire 42 mile loop

although by the last few miles I lost any desire to sit down

(next time I am going to put a pillow in my pants)

We have already decided to make this ride a tradition

and next year my sister will get to ride with us too.

I love this picture because

if you look up in the top right corner,

you can just make out a bald eagle sitting on the

edge of the wooden structure.

V is for vulture

2011-10-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Here is one of the first sites we took in on the day of the ride:

a turkey vulture taking a sun bath.

Why do turkey vultures take sun bathes, you might wonder...

Don't worry, I looked it up for you.

"Turkey vultures eat road kills and other dead animals.

Their feet, beaks and feathers are often contaminated with

bacteria from the often long-dead animals.

Sunning themselves allows the sun’s ultraviolet rays to kill the bacteria."

So this picture is of the beautiful death of some

nasty bacteria.

Long live the clean-up crew!

Dude in Shades

2011-10-27T07:48:00.000-07:00

Here is Mr. Ardian again,

in case the first photo was too far away.

Baby Ardian and Auntie Reunite!

2011-10-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

This weekend my sister, mother, and I

had a girl's weekend in Maryland.

The original purpose of the weekend was to

ride in the "Wild Goose Chase"

a bike ride around the Blackwater Nature Preserve in Maryland

that raises money for the preserve.

The Wild Goose Chase was my first "real ride"

(over 20 miles)

so I was excited and a bit nervous

(mainly for my butt).

The first 2 days we stayed at my mother's house in Maryland

and walked around her new town,

going to the farmer's market, eating at the cute mom-and-pop

restaurants, and just having lady-time.

It was during these days that I completely neglected

to take out my camera, so this is from a bit later,

but it is what I looked like for the first two days anyway,

stubbornly refusing to let Ardian out of my arms.

Afternoon group nap

2011-10-27T07:21:00.001-07:00

Plashes Pond

2011-10-27T07:20:00.000-07:00

This is of the pond across our street.

We are so lucky to live so close to something this beautiful.

One from the vault

2011-10-27T07:19:00.000-07:00

I forgot to take pictures again...

(for 5 days!)

so I am going to supplement a little

from the last couple of months.

This shot is from the Cranberry Festival.

Orin and Rowan are watching the band

and Orin has just put his hand on Rowan's arm

to ask him if he wants to dance.

Rowan's response?

"No."

My favorite thing about this picture are the capes.

Pumpkin Paley

2011-10-27T06:54:00.000-07:00

Oh yes I did.

It was only $2.99,

and don't you think it was completely worth it?

Fall Lillies

2011-10-17T12:22:00.001-07:00

I am cheating again, can you tell?

This picture was from our family fishing trip
but I forgot to take one yesterday so here you go.

Wellfleet Oyster Feast

2011-10-17T12:18:00.001-07:00

Today we went to the Wellfleet Oyster Festival

which is a surprisingly popular festival
despite the fact that there is not much to do there
except to eat oysters,
and, of course, pose in an oyster shell.

Bye Kirby

2011-10-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

It has recently come to our attention that one of our "hens"

is not very hen-like.
Namely, "she" has beautiful dangling tail feathers
and crows.
Because we are not allowed to have roosters,
I posted an ad for Kirby
which was answered by a very nice lady in South Plymouth
who has a flock of 9 hens that are looking for their perfect man.
Kirby fit the bill nicely and so today we parted ways
with our best looking bird.
We will miss Kirby dearly, but the lady has told us
we can visit him anytime so maybe we will meet again some day.

Snuggle Bugs Part 2

2011-10-17T12:10:00.001-07:00

It should be noted that in both cases,

(Snuggle Bugs 1 & 2)
there was only one party interested in the snuggle session
and that party was the same in both shots.
Can you guess who?

October Afternoons in the Sun

2011-10-17T09:44:00.000-07:00