Around here . . .

Around here, we had a sweet reunion with one of my favorite friends. 

We worked in the classroom together during the 2006-2007 school year and have kept closely in touch since. During the 2007-2008 school year, we had breakfast together every Friday before school. After I returned from Alaska in 2009, she had moved to Nashville! So, this is the third time I have seen her since 2008. 

And we met her sweet baby, Piper:

Brycen was happy to show off his Stomp Rocket to Piper's daddy. What is it with men and simple, yet exciting, gizmos?

We invited over other co-workers who I knew would want to see this sweet family for the few hours they were in Charlotte. Unfortunately I was having a bad day (exhaustion and stomach pain). I was thankful for friends who said yes when Brycen asked to play with play-doh:

Around here, I still have friends interested in buying yarn ornaments.

I have a friend who is pondering posting the ornaments she buys on social media, using the hashtag cancersucksyarnballs.

Since I continue to find making them so relaxing and enjoyable, I haven't quit yet. While threading them I have watched such Netflix shows as Call the Midwife, Life, Chef's Table, and Making a Murderer. I want to watch The Time in Between next, but it is hard to read the subtitles 100% while making the yarn balls.

And Michigan colors: 

Around here, someone has discovered to take selfies without mommy knowing until later. 

And he took a pretty nice picture of mommy too:

Around here, we are settling into season 6 of Downton Abbey.

It helps to have peach cobbler.

And meeting therapy dogs named Rowdy at doctor appointments:

Around here, we are still addicted to collecting mini-football figures.

I am so excited to open a bag to new players. B just wants enough of one player to make a team. Preferably the Panthers. I don't watch organized sports like I used to, but I can't avoid the fact I live in a city with a team that went 15 wins and only one loss during the season. Even my dad knows about the Panthers, and he hates sports. People here and the media are very hyped. I would have stay off the internet completely if I wanted to avoid it!

Around here, Brycen is very interesting in helping with cooking.

I am delighted B has taken an interest in helping as much as he can. I want to take a picture of him helping:

And a picture of the final dish (below) and type up the recipe to make into a book. Originally, I thought, I will make another pocket style scrapbook! And I still might, but I also might just order a quality photo book, once we have enough recipes put together. Any suggestions for fun, kid friend recipes?

Yesterday my mom made coconut lime chicken with rice:

The fresh pico de gallo was from Bonnie. Around here, I'm doing some organization. After cleaning Brycen's bookshelves, I discovered some books and a game her triplets might like. When she said sure, I told her I would drop them off that afternoon. She asked if I would like to stay for tacos. She had even made one of my favorite things, pico de gallo. I couldn't stay for Taco Tuesday, but she gave me some fresh pico, and some cilantro, anyway. It was perfect with my meal. I love how things work out.

And around here, we are just spinning quietly around and around, trying to figure it all out.

But things are settling down now, like they do after the holidays.

Text on Photos

Today I finally discovered an UNCOMPLICATED app to use when I want to add different types of text (and/or artwork) to my pictures. I have wanted to do this for years. Now that I finally have an updated phone and updated updates and updated pictures . . . I decided to buy and app called "Over," So far it has been worth the $3.99 I spent. I figured since my phone bill went actually went down $30 a month, I could splurge on an app or two - the second will be a game for Brycen to learn letters. 

So, if you need me, I will be playing with this app:

Now the issue is how will they look when I print them out?

The Alaska Album!

Here is the story of my year in Alaska, and how it came to be:

1. I've always had wanderlust. When I moved to Charlotte from upstate NY in 2001, it was more for the convenience - I had friends and could get a job here. Not downplaying how much my friends and job have meant to me here, But I really wanted to live in Montana. Or Northern California. Or Flagstaff. Or San Diego. Or Wyoming. I just wanted to experience a different place.

2. Fast forward to 2007, as I was finishing my masters degree, and STILL felt the wanderlust.

3. Anchorage, Alaska finally won out. I am pretty sure Jill's blog was a deciding factor, although she lived in Homer, not Anchorage.

4. I didn't know a single person in Alaska, but I was quick to make friends with fellow bloggers. They helped me get set to live up there.

5. I secured a job over the phone teaching in Anchorage in March, 2008.

6. I moved in August 2008. I blogged everyday about my experience, and gained a good fan base, especially from friends and family back home. I wish I didn't erase that blog. But now I have a complete scrapbook!

7. I tried to experience as much as Alaska as I could, but it was clear: by January I knew I could only give it a year. And knowing I was moving back home cheered my greatly.

8. I continued to live the Alaska life until July 2009, when I boarded my car and myself on a ferry and headed back home to North Carolina.

Here are some pages from my scrapbook. Yes, SOME. This thing has a lot of pages and a lot of layouts and is 12 inches by 12 inches and weighs nearly 10 pounds:

The title page.

Notes from the long ride.

Hatcher's Pass was my first Alaskan hike/adventure!

I did A LOT in September.

I love simple filler cards: adding one sticker to a 3x4 piece of kraft paper, for example.

November was a beautiful month. Love the hoar frost on trees.

Depression and sickness settled in December, but this day was a bright spot. 

A BFF comes to visit from Charlotte, when it was 55 degrees in Anchorage! Warmer than Charlotte. Everything that melted during the day turned to black ice overnight. We were out of school for 3 days. 

The light starts to return in February. 

Spring!

My solo trip to Kodiak Island . . . I have a draft writing of my experience this weekend, someday I will publish.

Alaska animals. 

Back to summer in Anchorage.

I am so delighted to have this album done, so Brycen will know the whole story of my year in Alaska.