Here's to 2009!

Here we are in our favorite wintertime spot -- the hot tub in the snow! Hopefully we'll get in tonight to ring in the new year! Happy New Year everyone!

Christmas Decorating

Christmas is the one holiday where I love decorating. Here's our bedazzled living room, with appearances by Bill Quincy the Cat!

Festival of Trees at the Hartford Atheneum

This past weekend, the newlywed Roses and we went to the Festival of Trees at the Hartford Atheneum. Organizations and businesses in the area decorated the trees, with the sale of the decorations going to local charities. It was neat to see the range of ideas for the trees.

Neighborhood walk in Torrington, Part 4

Down the block is Trinity Episcopal. It has an enchanting courtyard and lots of interesting details.

Neighborhood walk in Torrington, Part 3

It's impossible to miss the historic Warner Theater on Main Street. It was recently restored, and the sign is wonderfully retro.

Neighborhood walk in Torrington, Part 2

Around the corner is St. Francis of Assisi Catholic. We can hear the kids at the nearby school when they have recess.

The St. Francis statue is weird for the fact that the little bird has decided to land on St. Francis's thigh, instead of on say, his arm or hand? It's still a nice statue.

Neighborhood walk in Torrington, Part 1

Most of the leaves are now gone, but yesterday was so beautiful I had to bring my camera to work. I've been meaning to get some pictures of the historic buildings around my office, so here they are.

Center Congregational is the closest to my office. The belltower chimes the hour, and plays hymns at noon and 5 PM. I love the turquoise doors!

Wedding Season

The month of September was a bit crazy for us. Our friends Karen and Andrew got married on the 14th in Danbury, Connecticut, and the following weekend my roommate from college married her sweetie Chris outside of Baltimore. Ray was one of Andrew's groomsmen, and I had the privilege of being Angela's matron of honor. Andrew and Karen are on a Mediterranean cruise, and Angela and Chris went to Disney for the honeymoons. Lots of love and best wishes to them both!

Glory Be!

Wow, it took until Labor Day for this thing to bloom, but the flowers are spectacular!

Let's hope the frost holds off for a while.

Labor Day Weekend at the Goshen Fair

Labor Day weekend Ray and I drove up to Goshen, CT for the annual agricultural fair. It was a gorgeous day, with lots of animals, rides, and apple fritters!

I'll be uploading the rest of the photos to my Flickr account.

How Autumn Sneaks up on You!

There you are, noticing the back-to-school sales, when BAM, there's a patch of bright orange sneaking up on your neighbor's maple tree. Soon this thing will be lit up like a jack-o-lantern!

The Green Beast

This exuberant climber is a morning glory plant that forgot to flower. That's our lamppost, by the way. Now that it's reached the top and then some, it's sending out tendrils in all directions -- beckoning like some creepy leaf monster wanting to ensnare you. It doesn't help that it's now way taller than Ray.

Last year's plant had such great blooms, and this one doesn't even have any buds. I can't figure it out.

I'm having to cut it back, just so the lamp can actually light the yard.

What About Bob?

When Ray's not installing phone systems in Costa Rica, he planting trees! He participated in "Plant a Tree in Kioro", and named the little almendro tree "Bob". Now we can visit Bob whenever we go back to Costa Rica!

Domestic Adventures

Ray's stay in Costa Rica has been extended until Wednesday, so I'm keeping myself busy with projects on my "get-around-to-it" list.

I bought these gorgeous zinnias this morning from the farmer's market. They'll be good reference for the zinnia illustration I'm starting.

I also wanted to try a new recipe for blueberry muffins, so I made two dozen to take to work tomorrow. There's just enough people in the office that one dozen's not enough, and I don't want baked good-induced bloodshed!

I got tagged!

My friend Rebecha tagged me last month and I'm just now getting around to it. Now who can I tag?

FIVE THINGS

Ten years ago....
1. I had just moved to Connecticut.
2. I had just graduated from college.
3. I was single!
4. I had just started my first job.
5. I had just signed up for my first "real" email address.

Five things on tomorrow's "TO DO LIST"
1. Go to gym in morning (or else it won't happen)
2. Laundry (blech!)
3. Art supply run
4. Call my parents
5. Work on my friend's shower gift

5 Snacks I enjoy:
1. Popcorn
2. Almonds
3. Veggie Chips
4. Triscuits
5. Yogurt

5 Things I would do if I was a millionaire
1. Buy a bigger house -- without an in-ground pool!
2. Pay off the last bit of debt
3. Travel around Europe
4. Give lots of anonymous donations
5. Visit our families much more often

5 Places I have lived
1. Blythewood, SC
2. Sarasota, FL
3. Avon, CT
4. Seymour, CT
5. Unionville, CT

Neat Clouds

At sunset the other day I saw these amazing clouds. I had to act fast and grab my camera!

Baby Blueberries

These cute little blossoms are now juicy blueberries in our yard. I took this photo this past spring, and wanted to share it since not everyone knows what blueberry blossoms look like. I spent an hour or so picking berries on Saturday, and I'm hoping to have time to make my mom's cobbler recipe.