Thursday, March 27, 2014

Out Like a Lamb

1.  This week's find is light.  Light tortures me, can make me late for work, and put cooking dinner on hold.  When I see the perfect light I have to stop and grab my camera.  As I was leaving for work today I passed by this chair and had to take my coat off and take this picture.  Light also makes me happy.  

















2.  Last weekend my kids came for a post St. Patrick's day dinner and I made my Irish Soda Bread.


3.  Just got a new dishwasher and this particular model came with a new pre-wash cycle.





4.  While walking in town this week, I stopped and asked these ladies if I could take their picture for a photography class - they were happy to act natural….or maybe they were just ignoring me.  






5.  Soooo Spring is finally arriving in North Jersey and the last bits of snow are melting.  We have been enjoying at least one or two nice days a week.  Looking forward to April.  

Well that it's for my Friday Finds and Random Five - stop by and check out Kim and Nancy's blogs.  
Enjoy your weekend!

Margie


Monday, March 24, 2014

Quiet Please








































This week's Texture Tuesday theme is "quiet." This is my favorite quiet, kick-off your shoes kind of spot to relax, read and have a cup of tea. The light in the afternoon on a sunny day is heartwarming.  

Hope all my friends are having a good week. Sad to say but we are expecting snow tomorrow… hopefully the last storm of the year.  

Stop by Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday and enjoy the "quiet." Today I used KK_fully at 13% soft light - love the dreamy feeling it gave.  

Friday, March 21, 2014

Spring is Here?











1.  This week the snow melted enough to open the garden gate.  So I cleaned out a few rows and got my seed packs out for some early planting.  Photo textured with Kim Klassen's KK_fully.  




















2.  Purchased a new bird house this year and put up a "for rent" sign hoping to attract some new tenants.

























3.  Dog Sitting this week for my favorite Golden "CJ."  She loves to play with water bottles (supervised of course).  CJ is 11 months old and still a playful puppy.  



























4.  While having lunch with my beautiful daughter this week, I couldn't take my eyes off the collar of her shirt.  She patiently posed for me while I captured the perfect shot for 78/365 of my Photography Challenge.    

























4.  My favorite way to cook cod is over roasted vegetables.  Roast brussel sprouts and slice sweet potatoes at 450 for 20 minutes with S&P and Olive oil.  Push vegetable to center and place fish on top, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and lemon - roast for an additional 15 minutes.







Well I hope you like my Friday Finds and Random Five - stop by and check out Kim and Nancy's blogs.  


Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Shamrock


This was created for my 76/365 photography challenge prompt.  It was a fun week with St. Patrick Day themed prompts such as Irish, Cheers and Shamrock.  Stop by my Flickr and see my progress.  

Today I'm sharing with Kim Klassen's Textured Tuesday by adding KK_rest as my texture at about 50% soft light.  It gave it just right right softness.  

Enjoy the rest of your week.  

Margie







Monday, March 17, 2014

It's a Good Day to be Irish




We will be celebrating St. Patrick's Day by toasting the Irish tonight at our favorite pub with friends.  Made my corned beef and soda bread yesterday - so we will be enjoying leftovers tonight before heading out.   

I'll sign off with my father's favorite Irish quote -  "May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows you dead."  


Enjoy!  Margie







































Thursday, March 13, 2014

St. Patrick's Day

1.  Today I'd like to share a few of my past Irish recipes including Irish Soda Bread, Irish Cream Brûlée with Cream De Menthe Whipped Cream, Bailey's Irish Cream Cheese Cake, and Short Rib Guinness Pie.  Click on the links and I hope you try one or two of these recipes this weekend.  Who says the Irish can't cook.





2.  Can't believe the temperatures reached almost 60 degrees this week.  Even though today was zero with the wind chill, those warm days make me believe Spring is actually coming.  




























3.  Nothing makes me think Spring like strawberries at the grocery store.  This week they were exceptionally perfect.  



























4.  Warmer weather and daylight savings time gives me a chance to walk along the Avenue after the gym in the evening.  Caught this sunset in the windows of a shop the other night.


























5.  With a name like Margaret Ann Frances O'Donnell O'Hara I will be celebrating this weekend with corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread and maybe a trip to the pub for a Guinness.



























Sharing this week with Kim's Friday Finds and Nancy's Random Five Friday- stop by and visit other randoms and finds.  

Have a great weekend and Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Margie


Kim Klassen dot Com










Monday, March 10, 2014

Flowers





























Nothing makes me happier each week than buying flowers at the grocery store.  It's that special treat I cannot deny myself.

Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  With the temperatures on Saturday getting up to almost 60 degrees I can feel my spirits already lifting.  

Textured this with Kim's KK_simple at multiply which softened the dark colors.  Stop by Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesdays and see all the amazing creations.

Margie



Linked to:  Boogie Board CottageAlderberry Hill, DwellingsRain on a Tin Roof, The Chicken ChickA Stroll thru LifeMy uncommon Slice of SuburiaSavvy Southern StyleGingerly MadeLive laugh Rowe, Farm House PorchDomestic Super HeroJennifer RizzoCostal CharmCedar Hill RanchLamberts LatelyTextured TuesdayFriday Finds, Quotography




Thursday, March 6, 2014

Where is Spring?




1.  While wasting time in a coffee shop before an appointment in the city - this was the lamp shade over our table.  Thought it was a pretty cool find.   Textured with Kim Klassens KK_rest_magic.








































2.  With everything still covered in snow and temperatures some morning still in the single digits, I'm looking for Spring anywhere I can find it.  Forcing bulbs helps me patiently wait to see my garden again.  Leaving early for work everyday forces me to take a picture at sunrise for my 365 project.  With the time slowly changing the light is truly beautiful this time of day.   


"As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once."  - John Green, The Fault in Our Stars


























3.  I'm reading John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars".  It is a wondrously painful story told with humor.  John Green writes young adult fiction - put this on your reading list and make sure you have a tissue close by.  





























4.  Embracing pancakes is a big step for me since I'm more of an egg person for breakfast.  My husband has a sweet tooth and has been totally enjoying my latest obsession with perfecting blueberry pancakes.    
























5.  Don't you think fire escapes can be a work of art?  Especially love the details and color red on this one.



Monday, March 3, 2014

Happy March




























Happy March.  We were missed by the storm that hit NJ on Monday….not one snowflake.  Can't say the same for southern NJ.  It almost makes me enjoy the single digit temperatures this evening.  

Found these luscious berries at the Fairway on Sunday.  Must admit I solely purchased them for creative purposes, but will enjoy them on my oatmeal tomorrow.  

Textured this photo with Kim Klassen's KK_unexpected and used Photoshop's pen tool to create a path - a trick from the Beyond Layers class -  then added Sweetly Broken type.  Yes, life is berry berry good.  

Have a great week.  

Margie