It's been a while

Well I've moved to the city and had to give away my chickens. On a positive note, our neighborhood has a ton of friendly ducks and several lakes.  We decided to spawn and thought living in town would be easier with a baby. Having a Walgreens and a daycare in the neighborhood has made things easier, that's for sure!
This summer I'm teaching a class online and taking a darkroom photography refresher. Just trying to ease my way back in to my craftiness now that the baby is over a year old.

Wet Plate Collodion

My neighbor girl is kind enough to act as my model as I learn how to make wet plate collodion images.  Although out of focus and full of little issues, I love this image of my neighbor and her best buddy.  It captures some of the fun of girlhood and the little line that showed up connecting their eyes just adds to the fun.

After too many chickenless years, I've finally got some more chickens! This is a picture of Izzie the Frizzle pullet. She's either about to die or really sleepy right now. I'm hoping the latter because she is insanely adorable. I'll keep you posted. Also got 3 chicks, hopefully two silkies, at the same time...They seem to be doing better than Izzie at the moment. I've also ordered a coop for them once they are big enough to enjoy it. The nice gentleman at Atexashenhouse.com is also making me an extended run to add on to the coop. Here's a link to the pic: http://atexashenhouse.com/our-products/a-modern-wedge-chicken-coop/#all

Summertime! Well...Almost!

Thank you to MSC for the Las Vegas vacation!
A few more days left in the school year; summer
is almost here!
Still waiting to hear back on most of the vacation plans, but planning on debate camp for two weeks in June and doing the summer workshop for the team in August.
I'm hoping to go to Montana for a photography workshop in July, but not sure yeat if the class will make.
More updates as the summer progresses!

Time for the Bi-Yearly Post

The debate season has been keeping me more busy than usual this year. I will definitely be taking the kids to fewer tournaments next year! Well, I've been busy but not so busy that I couldn't find time to whip together some truly awesome bread pudding. The recipe is below, but here's the important part: Drizzle a few drops of heated apricot jam on top after it is cooked and serve with a tablespoon of lowfat honey greek yogurt as a 'sauce'. Yummy!!

Combine the following and cook at 350 in a lightly buttered pan for 25-35 minutes, or until done:

-2 Cups of milk (non fat works well)

-2-3 Eggs

-1 Cup of Sugar

-1-2 Tablespoons of vanilla

-1 Tablespoon of cinnamon

- A sprinkle (1/4 t) of any or all of the following: nutmeg, cloves, ginger powder

-1 smallish apple (granny smith, makintosh, something that will bake well)- slice up super thin in small squares. Thin!

Mix all the above, add bread (see below), toss in buttered or oiled baking dish, and bake!

1 loaf of bread, about the size of a french bread loaf rather than a whole package of sandwhich bread. I mix french bread and wheat sandwhich bread. Use whatever is handy. If it isn't stale, toast it pretty well before tearing in to chunks. Add the chunks at the end, after the other ingredients have been mixed together in a bowl.

What is this? another post? why,yes it is...

Hmmm...Here I am, posting for the third time in a single month! Its the little accomplishments in life that do one proud.

Well, I had a FABULOUS day today on my staycation. I had a great facial, a pedicure with parafin (yum), and to top it off, I found a new craft store! Yea! I signed up for quilting lessons! Yea!!

After rereading my posts (I know, it doesn't take long), I'm starting to see a trend with constantly adding new hobbies. Oh well, that's what I spend my big bucks on I guess.

Had a great lunch with Kathy on Tuesday; looking forward to her birthday party.

Not a whole lot going on around here so I'm about to go visit the Fam. I'm so bored that I've resorted to cleaning the house. Ugh! Save me from the Pergatory of housecleaning. I've already got the dining, living, and bathrooms taken care of, with the office on the agenda for tomorrow. I need a good seamstress or alterations place that isn't exorbitant...

Not much crafting going on but perhaps I'll get on that tomorrow after cleaning the office.