2011 Photo Book

I didn't really keep up with my 2011 Project Life. I love the pages I managed to finish and look at them often. And, I did keep up with a photo-a-day for most of the year.

I ended up putting the pictures together into a photobook. I had a coupon from Shutterfly, so it worked out perfectly.

Supplies:
Cathy Zielske The Monthly 12 x 12 Starter Set
Cathy Zielske The Monthly Printables for 12 x 12
Colored solids (Echo Park Walk in the Park Set 1 and 2)
Jesse Edwards Clean and Serene 2 Solids (no longer available from Designer Digitals)
Other products from Jesse can be found in her shop (The Green Pineapple)

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I know you've been waiting with baited breath wondering what I have been doing lately and when I will blog again and why I haven't been posting my daily photos.

Well, relax. Here are some pictures. ;)

Saturday 2.26.11: Wild Night
Once Brad got home from work we went out to dinner (Solea) in a snowstorm. Then. . . wait for it. . . I went to the grocery store while Brad stopped at Fleet Farm for dog food. A seriously exciting and romantic Saturday night.

Sunday 2.27.11: Twice as Cute
After relaxing for most of the day, we stopped at Nicky's for a dessert visit (PB Butterscotch Rice Krispie treats). Brad got Natalie and Katelyn plenty riled up while Nicky and I visited.

Monday 2.28.11: Half-Broke Horses
Busy night tonight. From work to the dentist for a cleaning (no cavities despite my lack of interest in flossing). From the dentist back toward work for book club. We discussed Half Broke Horses (and lots of politics) while drinking wine and enjoying dinner out. Then, back home. Lots of miles in one night.

Tuesday 3.1.11: Walking Tacos
Eating these completely makes me think about middle school. I think I ate these for lunch (with chocolate milk and a Nutty Bar) almost every day for sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.

Wednesday 3.2.11: Labor-Intensive Dinner
Brad normally doesn't like soup and salad for dinner. I decided to try to slip this past him, though. Chicken, Potato, and Corn Chowder with bread and a salad. And, Brad loved it!

Thursday 3.3.11: Ladies' Night
Stephanie and I feasted on fondue at Ladies' Night tonight. There are some things that a photo can't capture, and tonight's conversation was one of those things. I think we actually shut the place down without having even a single drink.

Friday 3.4.11: Fun Mail
I ordered some new dish clothes from Etsy. I wish I knew how to make these because I love them! These are great, though. The colors are fun and the packaging was so thoughtful.

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I'm not behind in taking pictures, but I'm a little behind in getting them posted here. I'm also behind in getting them in my album. I have been getting them developed, though. And, having the journaling posted here helps me get the pages together a little faster. . . when I'm ready to do that.

Saturday 2.19.11: Protesting
I went to visit my parents for Dad's birthday. We ended up taking a bus to the capitol. We walked a few laps around the square, shopped for cheese, ate popcorn, and walked up the capitol steps. The crowd was amazing in its variety, opinion, and size. After showing our support for public schools and the people who work there, we headed home for homemade pizza. I drove home late on Saturday to avoid an impending snow storm.

Sunday 2.20.11: A Dinner Guest
I managed to fit in a trip to the grocery store before the snow really began falling. I escaped the house again around dinner time to be Stephanie, Karl, and AJ's guest. After that, I hunkered down. School was canceled by about 10 P.M..

 
Monday 2.21.11: Snow Day
This was the scene inside. The scene outside involved more than 15" of snow with lots of blowing and drifting. Brad was on a conveniently timed ice fishing trip, and lucky for me, Kurt agreed to come fire up our snow blower. I used the day off to work to read and get caught up on my Project Life album.

Tuesday 2.22.11: Over-due
I checked out giant crates of books in early January to use in talking with teachers about the difference between literature and informational texts. The library has been sending me over-due notices pretty much every day. I finally returned the tubs of books today.

Wednesday 2.23.11: My Morning Routine
Brad has been gone almost a week now. Life always seems to get a little more out of balance than usual when he's gone. I feel it the most in the mornings. This morning included blueberry Nutrigrain toaster waffles (eaten on the way to work) and a cup of Brad's Caribou coffee (I have run out of my normal Nantucket Blend) with milk and sugar. I listened to Drop City while I drove to work, making it to school about a minute before I was supposed to be there.

Thursday 2.24.11: New Necklace

Brad surprised me with this fabulous necklace from a store I found on Etsy for Valentine's Day.  I have been finding all sorts of outfits to wear it with - even when it doesn't really match. I get lots of compliments on it!

Friday 2.25.11 - Mail, finally.

I am confident this is pretty embarrassing for Brad, but I didn't shovel the sidewalk between the street and the house while Brad was gone. Our mailman, Bob, didn't tromp through the 15+ inches of snow to get to our mailbox, so our mail was held at the post office. Brad finally brought it home tonight. It was pretty fun to go through the stack - which included a card from Angie with new pictures of Dottie.

Project 365

 I have been working hard on my Project Life album.

Here are a few thoughts. . .

• I'm doing fine "keeping up" with my daily photos. Most of my pictures are of "stuff," though and not of people. 
• It's really hard for me to figure out what to do with the weekly card where the date is supposed to go. I feel like none of them really fit within the design or style of the album.
• I have added some kind of graph or ledger paper and lots of white and cream cardstock to the album. Honestly? I don't like a lot of the journaling and title cards.
• I am using an EK Success punch for the daily date stamp. I love it.
• I've been inspired by Ali Edwards and Lisa Truesdell. I love how their albums are turning out.
• I have been adding LOTS of "stuff" to my album. I'm afraid the finished product is going to need to live in way too many different albums.
• I ditched the album that came with the kit and am replacing it with black American Crafts albums.

 

 

 

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Saturday: You've already heard all about Saturday's festivities.

Sunday: Dinner was a wreck tonight. I made beef and broccoli. That was good. I also thought it would be a good idea to make spring rolls. I pictured amazing, vegetable rolls. And, I bought the wrong wrappers. I ended up having to fry the rolls. The final product was not delicious.

Monday: Brad got me a fantastic necklace for Valentine's Day. I got him a bottle of booze. I feel it's best to secure my position as "Wife of the Year" very early in the year. We shared a perfect dinner at home (tenderloin with Gorgonzola port sauce, shrimp scampi, and restaurant smashed potatoes with bananas foster over ice cream and chocolate brownies for dessert).

Tuesday: "Defying Gravity" never gets old. We (Stephanie and I) saw Wicked tonight from our "usual" seats. It was crazy to see details that I completely missed when we won the lottery seats. The picture below was projected on the lobby ceiling.

Wednesday: Politics has been a big theme around my world. I got a call tonight from the calling tree that school would be open Thursday despite protests and that we were to report to work.

Thursday: I decided to drive to Madison to see the protests after work tonight. I got there around 6 p.m.. Most of the craziness was over by then, but there was still plenty of energy.

Friday: I spent my Friday night with Jason and Isabella. Well, mostly with Isabella because Jason was asleep.

Notes about 365 so far. . . 

I'm back to taking pictures of objects, except on the weekends when I manage to sneak in the occassional picture of person.

I need to get back to my idea about taking at least one self-portrait a week.