This one's for you AL

Ever since I moved back to Minnesota I have wanted to go to the annual Lands End warehouse clearance event in Wisconsin. This year, I finally decided to bite the bullet and make the almost 5 hour drive. The drive was beautiful . . . I had no idea Wisconsin was so gorgeous!

The deals were not as spectacular as I had hoped, but I did find a pretty good deal on this new furniture for my front porch. I have even managed to keep the flowers alive for almost a whole month, which I think is a new record for me :o)

Something Different

Notice anything different?

(Besides the fact that I look like a ghost.

I have been having fun with Photoshop.)

I ♥ Faces--Self-Portrait

I have been neglecting my blog lately, but Lara reminded me that the theme for I ♥ Faces this week is self-portrait and I thought I'd give it a try.  I don't normally like self-portraits, but I was pretty pleased (comparatively anyway) with the way this one turned out.  Check out the I ♥ Faces  website for more self-portraits. 

I ♥ Faces--Black & White

Apparently, the only reason I update my blog lately is to enter a photo in the contest on I ♥ Faces (check out the website for more fabulous photos). But, I guess once a week is better than nothing! Plus, it's a good way to share some of my older photos.

This picture of mom was taken while searching for seashells on the beach in Mexico.

And here's another photo of Ellie being her normal adorable self. She's such a little ham for the camera!

I ♥ Faces--Wonder

Here's my entry for this week's contest on I ♥ Faces (check out the website for more fabulous photos).

I love the look of intense concentration on McKenzie's face as she blows the dandelion puff!

I ♥ Silly Faces

I was doing an impromptu photo shoot with my niece when she was about five months old and she kept making these adorable goofy faces. This was one of my favorite shots.

Check out the I ♥ Faces website for more great photos!

I Heart Faces--Joy

I snapped this picture of Cami and Ellie when I was visiting for Thanksgiving. I love how much fun they have together as sisters!

Dust of Snow

The way a crow
Shook down on me
The dust of snow
From a hemlock tree
Has given my heart
A change of mood
And saved some part
Of a day I had rued.

~Robert Frost

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Taken on my way to work this morning.

A few more layers and I might be ready to go check my mail!

Christmas in Cali

Here are a few of my pictures from my Christmas trip to California.

Madeline opening her first Christmas present.

Andrew and Tom in front of the "Painted Ladies" in San Francisco.

Kristina and Madeline posing for the camera.

In front of the "Painted Ladies" with downtown San Francisco in the background.

Nate's bedroom in his new fancy-schmancy apartment in Redwood Shores.

Nate in his dining room.

So this picture requires a bit of explanation. As you most of you know, we all ended up with a stomach bug while I was out there. Nate was kind enough to buy me some 7-Up to try and calm my stomach down. I put a glass next to my bed in case I needed it during the night. This is what I woke up to. Boy, was I glad I didn't take a drink during the night! (Those little black dots are ants in case you're wondering.)