Focusing on Life - 23 of 52

This week, Sally asked us to focus on typograhpy.

Sally mentioned that the font or layout of a word brings to mind different feelings.  Certain fonts or letters are definitely recognizable.

For this challenge, my thoughts immediately went to comic books.  I've been reading comics as long as I can remember and have always loved seeing the sounds and effects in visual form.

As I was looking through issues, I realized that many of these sounds are not happy ones.

There are some, though, that bring a smile to my face.

Please check out Sally's blog to see what other participants found in their words.

Focusing on Life - 22 of 52

This week, Sally asked us to take a picture of something we all love -- food!

Unlike the last few weeks, I didn't have any trouble thinking of subjects.

I love any kind of food, though I have a few favorites.  Nothing can bead a good filet with a port sauce and sauteed brussel sprouts.

I don't know how many of you have eaten a pork steak, but those always bring back memories of childhood.

The best treat, though, is a decadent chocolate.

I'd say they look too good to eat, but who am I kidding?

Please visit Sally's blog to see more foodie goodness.

Paleo banana muffins

One of the benefits of staying home with the kiddo has been making her breakfast in the morning.  She has always loved pancakes, waffles, muffins and scones.  Since she started kindergarten, it's harder to bake in the mornings, so we have started making her breakfast muffins after school instead.  (The muffins make a quick, easy breakfast for the next few mornings.)

One afternoon, the kiddo asked for banana muffins.  I didn't have a recipe, so we "winged" it.  These turned out well, though, if I do say so myself.

Paleo Banana Muffins

(Makes 14 - 16 muffins)

3 small bananas, mashed (2 medium/large bananas would also work)
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup oil (I used coconut oil, but canola or vegetable oil would also work)
*1.5 teaspoons agave nectar or 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
2 and 1/2 cups almond flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix bananas, eggs, milk, oil and agave nectar/sugar together.  In another bowl, mix almond flour, baking powder, baking soda and pecans.  Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Fill muffin cups a bit over 3/4 full.  These do not rise very much.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350.

I let these cool for 30 minutes to an hour on a cooling rack.  They need to be cool before you attempt to get the paper off.  I have used tin liners in the past for similar muffins and I think they work better.  Even with tin liners, though, let them cool for 15 minutes or so before trying to get the liners off.

I was surprised at how moist they were on the inside.

The kiddo gobbled them up and requested another batch.

Focusing on Life - 21 of 52

For week 21, Sally asked us to reminisce.

During the past few months, the kiddo has become adept at playing cards.  She's been playing Uno since she was four, but lately, she's graduated to Phase 10 and a multi player gin-type game called Five Crowns.

The kiddo's new found love makes me remember playing cards as a child.

When I was about the kiddo's age, my dad, tired of playing Crazy 8s and Slap Jack, taught me poker.  After that, I learned Gin and Rummy.

As I grew older, I watched the adults in my family play Euchre.  My dad explained the rules and, eventually, I was allowed to play.  Oh, that was an exciting day!

I don't know how many of you play Euchre, but it's a quick little game that only uses 9s through aces.  Each hand consists of five tricks.  One team calls trump and tries to win three of the tricks.

Playing Euchre with my grandfather was a favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  He loved nothing better than playing cards and shooting the breeze with the other players.

Grandpa was notorious for calling trump on next to nothing and getting the three requisite tricks.  I can still remember the way he would smile when he pulled off an almost impossible point.

Playing cards with Grandpa was always fun.  He would tease me about going set.  I would pass the bid hoping to set him.  Sometimes it worked, though most of the time, it didn't.

It's been quite a while since Grandpa has been able to play cards.  He still teases me, though.  :)

Sally, thank you for the trip down memory lane.

Please check Sally's blog to see what the other participants are reminiscing about.

Focusing on Life - 20 of 52

Please forgive me.  I am a few weeks behind in Sally's focus on life challenge.

For week 20, Sally asked us to look up.

As has been the case for several weeks, I was a bit stumped.  I thought about looking up through the trees or into the clouds, but settled on these photos.

I love our dogs' little faces and, as they are small, they always seem to be looking up at us.

Please check out Sally's blog to see what the other participants found by looking up.

What I've been doing

Wow .. it's been a while since I've posted.  I've even missed a few weeks of Sally's "Focus on Life" challenge.  (Don't worry.  I have one photo taken and will take the other this week.  I would like to get both posted this week.)

I wish I could say that I've been super busy and have a million things to show you.

Instead, I've been taking a bit of a break and working on one thing.

I've been totally inspired by Kate McKinnon's book, Contemporary Geometric Beadwork, Vol. 1.

I am just amazed at the shapes and forms and the design possibilities that spring from the book.  I recently pre-ordered Volume 2.  (Yes, volume one is that good and yes, there are that many more ideas).

I've been playing with Kate's pagoda bangle.

It's about one third complete.  I want to add a few more layers to the over skirt at the top and one or two more horns to the bottom.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

To be truthful, I really want to finish this because I am dying to start on the Zig Zag Flower Kate posted a few days ago.

If you haven't seen Kate's book, definitely take a look.  You can order it here.

It's full of inspiring techniques and gorgeous photos.  I guarantee you'll want to start beading immediately.

Focusing on Life - 19 of 52

This week, Sally asked us to focus on hope.

Emotions, I think, are hard to capture in words, much less in a photo.  As in the last few weeks, I spent most of the week deciding what to photograph.

I settled on an idea and asked the kiddo for help. Luckily she agreed on the spot.

The kiddo loves dandelions and she will always grab one and make a wish as we walk to school or to the park.

Wishing and hoping are so similar that I thought a child's wish might work well for this week.

I tried to capture the little white puffs floating away, but all I got was this:

A few wishes stayed with us.  :)

Please visit Sally's blog for more hopeful posts.