~Photo-a-day~ Dec 10-16

As you can tell I missed several days posting here on the blog…but before you jump to conclusion let me say a word in my defense. I wasn’t taking a break for Christmas or anything…I know you won’t believe me. I did skip Friday on purpose (I just had too much going on with work) and then on Monday my personal computer started quickly slowing down. And me, like every other dummy out there, tried to buy and install anti-virus protection right when I noticed the problem. To say it was way too late would be an understatement. So I took my computer to the “computer doctor” and everything was taken care of in five days. But that’s FIVE whole days! I was lost without it…but there’s some good to be found in every bad situation…and this proved to be no exception.

Last weekend was a whirlwind….mostly spent in the warm kitchen. Friday I had my monthly dentist appointment (btw: good news folks! I get these braces off in February) and I had a eye doctors appointment that night, as well. After getting my eyes dilated, I was so glad that I have previous prescription glasses, they helped a ton to get me through the rest of that night. I baked dozen and dozens of chocolate chip cookies for our local fire departments and police station. The guy’s faces when I dropped them off, Saturday morning, was thanks enough=)

Then on Sunday, after church, I turned on the oven and started to bake muffins, for my dad to drop off at all of his customers on Monday. I’m not sure how many I made total but the oven finally turned off at 7:00 pm and it had not been empty for over five minutes at a time, till that time. I made applesauce muffins, banana/chocolate chip muffins, cranberry pecan muffins and carrot cake muffins. I believe they turned out well….my many test taster ate a great deal of them, it was fun to see them take a bite and their eyes light up. The gift baskets looked beautiful, (thanks to Christina for ALL of her help) and the customers were very applicative.

Sunday night I was joined by my parents and Christina in my late night, basket filling campaign. You know that time, somewhere between twelve (at night) and one (in the morning) where everything starts to get funny…but when Christina gets started and my mom can’t quit laughing, you might as well shoot me. Monday morning I missed my alarm. And I’m so thankful for a boss that when I tell him I’m going to be late, his response is “take your time” =) did I mention I love my job.

Okay on to the loads of “photo-a-day photos” have been patiently waiting to be posted. Enjoy!!!!

 

Day 344

~décor~

I’m in love with Frosty the Snowman that I even named a horse after him…haha no joke!!

Day 345

~shopping~

shopping for ingredients for all the muffins I made for my dad’s customers…there’s almost nothing I enjoy more than shopping for groceries.

Day 346

~tree~

Day 347

~weather~

Our neighbors house on this gloomy, rainy, cold day. Perfect weather to stay indoors…

Day 348

~front door~

Day 349

~sparkly~

sitting a top our manger (I love Christmas decorations!!!)

Day 350

~santa~

I’ve been slowly watching my way through these movies…so far I’ve watched four completely through=)

Christmas is almost here!!!!! Like this is Christmas week! And I’m looking forward to every bit of this week…from all the late night movies, shopping and baking. It’s going to be an awesome holiday!!!!

hope your week is fantastic!!!!

 

HUNTING ‘14

Totally love. love. love. these!!!!!

I was absolutely freezing in the tree on Saturday, it was only 12 degrees!!!! I held out till eleven and headed to the house. Isaac even joined me…so that proves it was actually cold, not just a girl thing=)

Sitting up there…hand shoved deep into my pockets and still no warmer. (I forgot me hand/body warmers) My feet, even my legs were sooo cold. But I made it and am here to tell the sorry tale…haha. Isaac went back out, but I had had enough and went shopping for coverall, winter clothing etc. I don’t know why?!?!?!?….lol

This is the only time when doing absolutely nothing, doesn’t bother me. I just sit there and look at the world around me and think. I could do it all day…if it’s not too cold.

This was taken right when the sun had begun to rise…there is nothing more beautiful!

The only animal I saw all day were squirrels…fascinating creatures! but they better not start yelling at me…=)

I hope today has been a good start to your week so far. I’m not sure if it has been for me….lol…it’s been a bit stressful actually…but I’m hanging in there.

Here’s to a week that can only go up from here=)

Emma’s Greenhouse

One of the many benefits that come with living in the middle of an Amish community would have to be, being close to all their many businesses. They have furniture stores, leather shops, bulk food stores, aannnnnndddd

GREENHOUSES!

This dear lady’s greenhouse is perfectly lovely! I love just walking in and looking around. She’s the most happy person to be around (who wouldn’t be, when you plant plants for a living=) At least I’d switch jobs with her=) Last Saturday mom and I stopped by for a quick look and to price out the veggie plants we will be buying soon.

Surrounded with flowers all their smells and colors, I couldn’t help but smile. We had a wonderful time together.

I’m warning you these are really beautiful!!!!

I could never decide on just one…I want them all!

Her veggie greenhouse is where she starts all her plants, it was especially warm in there.

So do you all buy your plants from a greenhouse?

Have a wonderful week…what better way to start it than with all these lovely pictures?!?!?

~Photo-a-day~ April 22-29

Last week I had the flu…not a cold like I thought, so now I have that nasty cough – that’s very persistent. I had to cancel my marathon training last Thursday and Saturday…something I’ve not done since my training began 10 weeks ago…but then again I haven’t been sick at all during those weeks. Something I barely even noticed but should be so thankful to God for. I was completely out of commission on Thursday and Friday, I worked my normal 9 hour days anyway, but I was miserable. On Sunday I enjoyed a four mile walk with Christina and felt a bit weak afterwards…but I felt great yesterday so I worked out with my brother last night and I feel so well today I’m going to run 6 miles tonight.

My marathon is this Saturday!!!! MAY 3 is the big day! I’m super excited and secretly scared all mixed together. It should be a great experience for me and one that I will never forget.

Day 113

~tasty~

Day 114

~grateful for…~

I’m grateful for the garden dirt, so I can watch the miracle of growth again this year.

Day 115

~hidden~

I’m so embarrassed about this photo. I was so sick that day and couldn’t think of anything to go with the word hidden. So I took a picture of Victoria’s yogurt hidden (not really) in the back of the fridge. Now that I feel 100% I can think of a million things to take a picture of that would describe that word perfectly. Whatever lets just act like this never happened…=I yeah thanks guys=)

Day 116

~unique~

Every flower is unique and different from all the other flowers, just like us humans.

Day 117

~a talent~

Isaac is really really good at basketball…and I’m not just saying that because I’m his sister…he can dunk! (if that doesn’t help prove my point) He’s got raw talent and plays a very intense game, that’s very enjoyable to watch.

Day 118

~relax~

my dad was relaxing last evening, drinking tea and talking to my mom.

Day 119

~11:00 am~

At 11:00 am I was entering the employee hours into this book.

Being sick kinda destroyed my weekend plans and made my week very uneventful. But I I’m better now!

Happy Wednesday!

Easter 2014=)

Who doesn’t enjoy Easter?!?!?…its kinda a laid back Thanksgiving or Christmas for my family. We still celebrate like these two holidays, but with less intensity. I love the celebration of new life, the church services, the light colors, the dresses, and dare I say the guys looking so sharp. for once=)

I put together a “photo” scavenger hunt for everyone to do that afternoon…and it was so fun! Everyone running everywhere and quickly posing for a ridiculous shot. The laughter coming from all corners of the yard and house as everyone hurried to complete their list.

The we had to find our Easter bags…are we too old for this?!?!?

NO!!!!! Absolutely not! While running to find where my parents had put my bag of goodies I couldn’t help but feel like a kid, not a twenty year old girl acting like a child=)

After we got home from church that morning I encouraged everyone to join me out on the lawn for a quick family photo (I mean my dad was in a suit, come on!) As you can see what started out as a short family shoot turned into. “Olivia, can you just take one of me, ….oh and one of me and him/her”. I guess that’s what it’s like living in a family of ten and being the only photographer of the bunch…cause if you didn’t notice I didn’t get a single shot alone….ummmm.

Yeah my idea=) So this is my personal favorite…just thought you’d like to know.

I believe he had just stepped out of a designer magazine…=)

My wonderful parents…still sweethearts after 41 years together=)

Let me know what you think! And which one is your personal favorite=)

Happy Friday and please enjoy your weekend for me=)