I heart macro Sunday

We generally host a lunch on Thanksgiving day.  This entails an early start for my husband and me.  This year, the kiddo started her day much earlier than we did and was still raring to go after the hubster and I were trying to break out of our collective food coma.

Luckily, it was warm and sunny outside and my in-laws were able to take the kiddo and her cousins outside for a bit.  They were able to run off some of that energy.  What is it about kids and soccer balls?

All of the kids were moving pretty quickly.  I could not get a good picture of the kiddo kicking the soccer ball.  Still, her skirt and boots were pretty cute.

My niece, however, is a natural.

I never did figure out who was kicking and who was the goalie.  I'm not sure the kids did either.  It didn't really matter, though.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

A quick project

Last week, Marsha Neal Studio  hosted a destash sale in her etsy shop.  These deals were too good to pass up.  As far as I can tell, I wasn't the only one who thought so.  I checked back on the last day of the sale and only a handful of pendants were left.

I received my pendants Wednesday.  They are all gorgeous.  I don't know exactly what I will do with them, but right now, I'm just giddy to have them.

Aren't they just to die for?

I did string one quick necklace.  I had the pearls out for a while, but couldn't find a suitable partner.  Enter Marsha's beautiful clay pendant.  I think it's a match.

 Marsha has even more wonderful pendants for sale in her shop.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.

I heart macro Sunday

Saturday was "family day," as the kiddo likes to say.  We enjoyed lunch and a movie, then stopped by the grocery store.

While at the store, the hubster decided to make a Thanksgiving style biryani for dinner.  Luckily, we were in the right place to pick up the ingredients.  Biryani is an Indian rice dish.  We don't eat rice very often, but for this, I'll make an exception.

When we got home, the hubster went to work.  He sauteed some onions and mixed them with dried cranberries and pecans.

Then he coated some chicken in a wonderful sauce and, while it was simmering, prepared the rice.

He layered everything in a large dutch oven and baked it.

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And an incredibly long 30 minutes, he produced an incredibly rich and flavorful dish.

Why does everything taste better when someone else makes it?

I heart macro Sunday

I will test for 3rd brown in Okinawan Kobojitsu (weapons) this week.  While getting ready for my test, I've spent some "quality" time with my arsenal.  I've also managed to scare a few neighbors and the UPS man, but that's another story.

nunchaku

Each weapon has its own unique personality and requires a different skill set.  My shoulders can certainly tell when I've been practicing with the nunchaku (as can my husband when he sees the new bruises).  The sai requires a bit of wrist action.  I get to practice fine motor skills with the kama.

tonfa

My sensei says that, in practice, weapons are extensions of ourselves.  If you watch a master in action, you will see just that.  In a master's hands, the weapons are not cumbersome or bulky.  Rather, they are quick and graceful and follow the movement of the body.

sai

I love karate and take pride in learning a system that has been passed down from teacher to student for hundreds of years.  I can only hope to honor that rich heritage.

kama

DISCLAIMER:  No neighbors, delivery men, puppies, children, or pink boots were harmed during the taking of these pictures.  The photographer, however, is recovering nicely


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I heart macro Sunday

I am always amazed at how a 4 year old will view "chores" as fun and exciting things to do. My husband and I have been watching the leaves fall and dreading their removal. The kiddo, on the other hand, has been anxious to help us rake like she did last year.  Well, maybe "help" isn't quite the right word.  Her help usually looks like this:

We spent the better part of the day in the yard.  I have to admit, the kiddo and I didn't do too much of the work.  My husband, however, did amass a big pile of leaves.  It was so big, in fact, I thought we would lose the kiddo.

While my husband was raking, I was snapping away.  I was impressed by one leaf that didn't want to leave the tree.

Our trees do look a bit bare now.  I hope the leaves still hanging on won't amount to much. 

And while I'm talking about leaves, I have to show you my favorite picture of our little dogs.  They really look like they are having fun.

Vintaj contest/giveaway

I want to win the Vintajco & Beadaholique Crystal Copper Giveaway!
Anyone else?
Details are here.  Be sure to check out the beautiful array of findings and beads.

I heart macro Sunday

 Last weekend was particularly nice and my little family went on a small hike at the nature center.  The kiddo had a blast climbing the "big hills" and hopping on the "big rocks" over a small stream.  The kiddo and I were armed with our cameras and had a good time clicking away.

The kiddo liked a particular bridge.

By the time we were done, her boots were a little dusty.  :)

As we were heading to the car, I noticed shadows on the ground.  I really liked how I could see the shape of the leaves just from the shadow.

I also couldn't resist snapping a picture of the cute decorations hanging from the trees.  Happy Halloween!