Winter Light Garden and Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory

Sparkling and colorful, glowing and shimmering.  Beautiful display with candlelight throughout the show.

Thanks for the cool suggestion to head to the Phipps Conservatory after dinner, V.  The Winter Lights Garden was magical on this cold and clear winter night, with the moon peeking through.  A great train display too, but not many pics of it.  We had fun.  xxoo

A Knitting Themed Tea Cozy and San Pasqual Patron Saint of Cooks

Returned to Pittsburgh this evening and a package of Christmas gifts from J in Omaha, awaited me.

She stitched a bright colored tea cozy to keep the tea warm as it steeps.

Love the colors and knitting theme as many of you know I’ve been knitting my way through the winter.

I need a patron saint in the kitchen and will put him in a prominent place in the morning.

Thanks J. What a fun surprise.

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Here is granddaughter Anna sporting one of the cowls I knit everyone
for Christmas

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Warmth

Warmth is what we seek this time of year.

Trying to Capture Family Christmas Photos

Not sure what the exact percentage might be, but many people really aren’t thinking they’d like their photograph taken. (Brides and homecoming/prom goers are definite exceptions)

Maybe people don’t mind taking it of themselves on a phone at a cool venue to share but sometimes you’re just not “feeling it”

Last year I received the Awkward Family Photo®  Game but those photos can’t  be recreated easily, even with intention.

Granddaughter Anna (11) likes to try with her siblings, giving them directions.  We have fun but it doesn’t always rhyme.

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Henry the Airedale adds some excitement and action, creates a blur, while sporting his Christmas tie.

The shot just before the one above

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The grandkids

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Christmas morning candid with the available light of the tree

Maura likes her new swim goggles
Maura likes her new swim goggles

Christmas night   Laura and James were leaving and it was WAIT, let’s make Mom happy and let her take our pic”

A Very Merry Christmas

We all feel like Henry, ready to lie down and put our heads on a soft pillow. It was a merry Christmas.

James made a cute announcement photo and posted it on FB and I got permission to share. Lots to look forward to in the New Year. July 2nd sounds far away today but will be here before we know it.

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(Thanks J for the Sweet Dreams pillow pattern)
Phone pics tonight

After the Nutcracker at the Ohio Statehouse

Right from school, I drove the 200 miles to Columbus and made it in time to attend the Nutcracker with the family.

We crossed the street after the performance and Maura and her other grandmother and I  sat on a bench while the rest of the family walked around the Statehouseseeing the sites.  We were waiting for the line to the parking lot to subside.

We asked Maura which part was her favorite. (“the kids doing the back handsprings” said Anna and Maura said “Me, too.”)

Maura’s response to the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Dance of the Flowers took place right on the sidewalk..

I was wishing I’d brought my camera but had to do with the iPhone.

Oh, did I mention that it was about 55 degrees. Felt like a Spring evening with a chill wind.

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Whoa, Beware of Falling Sprinkles

At the end of the day my  school neighbor, the librarian, brought me this fancy cupcake with multi-colored sprinkles AND a wet wipey for my hands after consuming it!

As I put it on my desk, a few sprinkles fell off and the little railroad man was nearby.  Photographed with the Canon SX 170 point and shoot.  Just for fun.

This post is also a nod to Big Appetites author and photographer from Seattle who inspires our class daily- Christopher Boffoli.  If you don’t know his work, check it out when you have time.

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Penn Macaroni Cheese Counter the Sunday Before Christmas

Penn Mac is what everyone calls this place.

While I was in the Strip Districtat the Polish Deli, procuring Pierogies for Polish Christmas Eve,  I walked down Penn Avenue.

This crowd caught my eye.

Shot through the glass with a cell phone as I opted to leave the camera home while I ran last minute errands around town.

All their cheese is excellent.

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