playing with mud

My self-portrait 

taken during a post-rainstorm walk 
around the neighborhood.

first night of hanukkah-

Happy First Night of Hanukkah

a window a day...

After discovering an alternative to painting the whole house back in January I finally started in earnest my task of painting the trim on the house. I have a goal of painting one window per day which works well will having Jay move the extension ladder for me. I'm pleased with how much better the painted parts look but a little intimidated by the height of the roof trim.

pucker up

My friend from the Philippines squealed with delight when she discovered this bush (Calamondin), covered with fruit, growing in our yard. She quickly picked one and popped it in her mouth, rind and all. She told us how popular it is in the Philippines, even being used as a natural body deodorant. 

These little bite size orbs of sunshine pack a powerful tart citrus punch. I frequently pick a hand full as I pass to or from the garden and eat them on the spot. Jay has used them to help keep himself awake as he drives.

Edited from Wikipedia:
 The Calamondin bears a small citrus fruit that is used to flavor foods and drinks. Despite its outer appearance and its aroma, the taste of the fruit itself is quite sour, although the peel is sweet. Eating a whole fruit has a surprise with the combination of sweet and sour. Calamondin marmalade can be made in the same way as orange marmalade. Like other citrus fruits, the calamondin is high in vitamin C.^[3]

The fruit can be frozen whole and used as ice cubes in beverages such as tea, soft drinks, water, and cocktails. The juice is extracted by crushing the whole fruit, and makes a flavorful drink similar to lemonade.  In Asian cuisines, the juice is used to season fish, fowl, and pork. It is commonly used as a condiment in Filipino dishes like Pancit.^[3]Calamondin halves or quarters may be served with iced tea, seafood and meats, the acid juice is often employed like lime or lemon juice to make gelatin salads or desserts, custard pie or chiffon pie.

Calamondin citrus has found several alleged alternative medicinal uses. When rubbed on insect bites, the juice will relieve the itching and reduce the irritation. It can also be used as a natural acne medicine or taken orally as cough medicine (often mixed with green tea), and is a natural anti-inflammatory. For problems with constipation the juice is warmed and diluted with water. It bleaches freckles. In Malaysia, it is used as an antidote for poison, and a poultice of pandanus leaves mixed with salt and the juice of citrus microcarpa, can be used to treat abscesses. In Peninsular Malaysia, it is combined with pepper to help expel phlegm. Its root is used in the Philippines at childbirth.

in the neighborhood

Shared a yummy lunch and stories today with my Aunt Merla and Uncle Bob as they made their way home after visiting their great grand babies in Tucson. I'm so glad I'm "On the way".

russian dancer

Tuesday afternoon after picnicking on fresh picked salad Natale announced that she was going to do some Russian dancing. I rushed-in to grab my camera in order to capture her spins, leaps and twirls.

 

but i'm back again! said nora...

with a monumental crash. (from Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells)

If you are one of the few and faithful who frequent this blog you've probably been wondering where I've been the last several weeks. I could say I've been super busy, and it would be true, first photographing the wedding, then hosting out of town company, then editing wedding photos, with homeschooling days scattered throughout. 

But the truth of my absence comes down to dollars and cents, specifically  two dollars and 49 cents, the amount I now have to pay per month for photo storage connected with my blog. I postponed the inevitable, hoping to find a way around the charges but no alternative has surfaced.  After considering the situation I determined that the enjoyment I find in blogging, the chance to stay connected to loved ones, the inspiration to better my writing skills, and a platform for sharing my photos is well work 63 cents a week.

Welcome back!