Sometimes Life's Not Fair: Part 2

Go here to see Part 1.

Big Joel is here today.

Hawaii.

Those are sea turtles in the surf in case you couldn't tell.

I am here today.

Hometown.

Those are cow patties in the pasture in case you couldn't tell.

*sigh*

**double sigh**

She's Gifted, Alright...

In the car, just Hallie and me--
Hallie: Did you know that the sun is brighter or not as bright depending on how full the moon is?
Me: No, I don't believe I was aware of that?
Hallie: Well, its not a scientifical fact, but that's what I've observed. Sometimes I can look directly at the sun and it doesn't hurt my eyes, and other times I can't look directly at the sun. I know its not good to look at the sun all the time, its just that sometimes when I'm on the playground I can't help myself...blah, blah, blah, gab, gab, gab, talk, talk, talk...
(Ok so she didn't really say "blah, gab, talk, " but that's what it began to sound like after 10 non-stop minutes.)
Me: Hallie, you sure talk an awful lot!
Hallie: (and I quote) Mom, my voice is my gift!

Some posts just write themselves...

Weekly Pic--Supporting the "Arts"

This pic goes all the way back to 2003. Elizabeth and I were in Boston having a wonderful time when we saw this giant "lobster" carrying a black purse with martini glasses printed on it and trimmed in bright red feathers. For a small "donation to the arts", he posed for a picture with us. (I'm pretty sure he was the cause we were donating to, not some official league of Boston artists, but you gotta admit that it was worth it!)

On a (Blog) Roll

At first I thought this was going to be a random rambling post, but my thoughts do have a common thread afterall. So I'll save the random card for another day, because no doubt I'll need it.
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I received my first bloggy award today from Brittany at Sweet Nothings! I'm so honored. It is an attitude and gratitude award. (I'm glad Brittany wasn't a fly on the wall in my house today, but now I have a standard to keep.) So now, I get to pass the on the award. I've chosen 3 people I know in real life that are oh-so-precious to me:

1. Ms. Cheryl @ Mama Cheryl's Thoughts

2. Amy @ Fraim, Party of Five

3. Michelle @ 3 Times 4 Life and Caring Bridge

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HannahKate has started her own blog at Shakespeare&&Me. (I have no idea why there are 2 &&s. She just says she likes it that way.) First let me say, that I'm impressed she's taken on such a lofty goal of beginning every post with a quote from the bard himself. I had no idea she was such a fan. Secondly, she never ceases to amaze me...one minute she's a giggly/whiny teenager and the next she's a wise sage dispensing gems of insight far beyond her 13 years. But she still needs to work on her spelling =)

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I'm so glad my friend Johanna has re-joined the blog world. She has such an interesting way of looking at life...it shows in her humor and insight as well as her beautiful photographs.

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As if I don't already waste, I mean, invest enough time blogging, I started another one! Its called QuirkyBee Designs and is dedicated to my jewelry. I really just wanted a place to refer people who might be interested in my work or considering placing an order. The guidelines make it difficult to post custom pieces in my Etsy store, so this blog will give me a little more freedom to showcase my "portfolio".

Weekly Pic--Sunset Silhouette

This is HannahKate on the beach in Pacasmayo, Peru in 2006. I believe I've shared another one before, but I love this one as well. You can never have too many pics of beautiful sunsets on the beach...

Baking with a Buddy

Our children's ministry has an annual event called "Baking with a Buddy". The idea is for kids to con, er, I mean, invite their father, grandfather or other significant adult to bake a cake and then decorate it together. The actual baking is done at home, but the decorating is done at the church. Hallie loves this event and pestered Joel for days in anticipation. You know, the world wide web is a wonderful thing because you have the expertise of ultra-creative people at your fingertips. So yay for Al Gore...or whoever it was that really invented the internet.

Big Joel and Hallie eagerly awaiting the starting whistle with all the ingredients at the ready. Notice the cake--a strawberry bundt cake with a few "bites" missing. They say it was because they dumped the pan too early and it stuck...um humm *wink, wink*.

The work begins. They cut the bundt cake into 3 pieces and start frosting. Can you guess what it is?

(Notice Hallie "testing" the icing.)

Two gumdrop heart eyes and a tic-tac mouth...

Purple gumdrop feet and pretzel antennae...

It's a Love Bug! I do have to give them credit. The original idea online was a caterpillar, but they took the concept and made it their own to create a Valentine's Day masterpiece. They won the title of "Most Creative".

And unlike last year's red velvet fiasco, this one actually tasted great, too! I'm so proud of Hallie and her "Buddy".

Weekly Pic--A Bridge to Somewhere

On our last trip to Pennsylvania, BigJoel surprised me with a self-guided driving tour of covered bridges. It was so fun driving around the Amish countryside in mid-October. We had a great time.

I chose the title for this picture because my youngest daughter loves to impersonate Sarah Palin by saying, in her very best Alaskan accent, "Gosh darnit! If we wanted a Bridge to Nowhere, we'd build it ourselves!" Even now, you can't mention the words bridge, Alaska, or Sarah Palin without her breaking into an impression of the former vice-presidential canditate. Let me just say that Tina Fey's got nothing on Hallie (except maybe the glasses).