Mama Picture This

2012-01-11T13:44:00.001-08:00

Picture this...

3 interviews, 2 say no
2 days, both the car won't start and I have to use sister in laws

Seeking Zen

2011-11-08T07:43:00.000-08:00

Despite the glorious fall weather, I have been feeling and expressing increased irritability which seems to compound itself daily. Some of you "not as young as we used to be" women may understand. I think this recent bout of crankiness may be why I stopped in my tracks when I saw the arrangement (above) at a local garden center. It spoke to me with it's zen-ness. I call it Zen Pine Cones. It may surface as part of a "Seeking Zen" card set... if you also enjoy the zen-adoo of the above... let me know. I'd love to know if it speaks to anyone else. May you find zen today!

A typical day in SE Portland

2011-11-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Love Reed College Canyon

2011-10-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

Feeling autumnal (& a bit chilly too)

2011-10-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

Another fall experiment

2011-10-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

Having more fun with textured paper, printing and leaf images. I LOVE this heart shaped leaf card... so much I put it for sale as a mini-card set in the Etsy Shop at http://www.etsy.com/listing/73024903/loving-the-leaves-card-mini-set-blank

A little experimenting

2011-10-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

I have been having fun taking photos of the beautiful Autumn leaves in all their glorious colors.

I have also wanted for awhile to try printing some of my photos directly onto textured paper and using that for cards rather than actual photos. the first one I tried is this orange leaf.

I am happy with it and at some point soon there will be a set of 4 for sale in my Etsy Shop.

Thinking of other things that I can create as well... considering doing a bit of repurposing of found objects.

Also wondering if these new cards are easier to either recycle or compost. They can now be recycled (I believe) as there is no photo paper involved -- so that is a good thing. I have to do a bit more investigation to find out if these can be composted. If you know, please share your knowledge. I would love to be more eco-friendly with my creative endeavors. For now, if you are interested in this set of 4, let me know.

Harvest Faire 2011

2011-10-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

3rd Grade sold Hard red Winter Wheat Berry cover crop. I'm pretty sure we've still got some for sale if you need it! I've got to get my bag... was too busy selling to buy.

The boy "bought" us some fresh carrots from a class farmers market! Thanks! Maybe they will balance out the 2 sets of cupcakes the kids won (finally after 7 years of trying!!!) at the Cake Walk, the cookies and the sausages!

Loving the leaves

2011-10-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Requisite pumpkin photos

2011-10-17T21:02:00.000-07:00

Our pumpkin pickens

On the way to the pumpkins

The corn maze

Mandatory Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

And yes, we did get pumpkins!

Autumn

2011-10-06T14:40:00.000-07:00

Autumn has officially arrived in the Northwest.

An Interview with ME by Anna Deskins!

2011-10-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

So excited to have been asked by another "mama blogger" to be interviewed... and here it is on her lovely blog about reading to your children:

Anna Deskins Blog

Check it out. Comment there or here. I'd love to hear what you think.

2011-09-05T19:52:00.000-07:00


The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow... there'll be school!

2011-09-04T20:49:00.000-07:00

The school year cannot officially start until our family has ridden the Timberline Magic Mile Sky Ride and played in the snow, done a little rock climbing and walked through the snow to check out the Silcox Hut. And so we did. School year -- we are just about ready -- bring it on (after I manage to complete the laundry and grocery shopping tomorrow please!

Middle School and Third Grade - here we come!

What the purple blooms are saying...

2011-09-03T12:52:00.000-07:00

If you have followed this blog for awhile, then you will know what these purple blooms signify.

It is indeed that time of year again - back to school time.

This year the blooms, and time of year, bring a mixture of emotions for me. I am sad to see the freedom of summer go but not the costs of regular weekly childcare and the heat. I am going to miss my regular 4-day weekends and time spent reading in the sun with a glass of wine.

I am at the same time looking forward to seeing people from school more frequently and getting into a routine. I am looking forward to a cool down to less hot weather. I will be thankful not be be told a zillion times a day that I MUST get into the backyard pool with my daughter (it will be taken down in a few days time).

I am excited for the possibilities that middle school (OMG is he really there already) and 3rd grade bring to my children. I am hoping it will be an amazing year of growth, learning and fun for them both and for us as a family.

Happy Back to School People. It is time! The purple flowers tell me so. :-)

2011-08-22T20:40:00.000-07:00

We were thrilled to find zillions of these star fish and other sea life down at the far south end of Seaside... we'd never been that far at low tide before. We also had some fun with scads of tiny and large crabs there too.

We enjoyed the expected and the unexpected things we found at the coast this year. I am hoping for more good news but finding myself feeling worried and uncomfortable and starting to lean toward the negative. I am trying to remember that even if the unexpected happens and it isn't what we thought we wanted, there may be a reason and something else unexpected in a positive way may be just around the corner.

How do you deal with hoping for one outcome but worrying about another?

2011-08-20T20:28:00.000-07:00

Just got back home from a week at the beach full of sand, sandpipers, pelicans, water, shell hunting and fun... and for some reason I wanted to post this... a lovely flower (one of many) just down the street from our beach rental house... in front of the lovely coffee shop we never even entered (at least I didn't)! I was ready to be back but we came home to 93 degree temps and in Oregon that is HOT... at least in Portland, Oregon. Hmph. Post more later... gotta figure out a way to cool down.

2011-07-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the car when I arrived at work ... had to listen to a co-worker doing an important radio interview!

July 25, 2011

2011-07-27T21:19:00.000-07:00

Crater Lake ... oh so very blue!

July 24, 2011

2011-07-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

Crescent Lake was SOOOO clear, SOOOOO warm & NOOOOO mosquitoes ... We should have stayed there!

July 23, 2011

2011-07-27T21:06:00.000-07:00

July 22, 2011

2011-07-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

Headed to Crescent City, Oregon (near La Pine)

A Mid Summer's Night Dream

2011-07-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

A poetry moment

2011-07-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

I wrote up a small book of poetry nearly 10 years ago. For some odd reason, I have been thinking about randomly sharing the poems from that period. Today, I am sharing the title poem, "Avatar."

For a brief moment,

Avatar.

For a fleeting second,

embodiment.

Sprung from the mist,

as fallen leaves

given new life

in the newness of spring.

Faith, final euphoria,

Avatar.

2011-07-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

The weather report says that tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 80's and sunny. I sure hope so as I am gonna have 5 or 6 kids at my house again from sun up to practically sun down. Today, however was wet and a bit chilly. Good thing my daughter reminded me of the importance of playing in puddles (in between my loads of laundry and house cleaning).

July 16, 2011

2011-07-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

I am not sure which car commercial started this although it may well have been Volkswagen (feel free to correct me), but boy whatever company it was, they have started something that is quite active in our summer days. There are numerous car types and actions -- as indicated by my children and their friends: Judy Moody, Tom Bomb, Ford Sword... it goes on and on... but most important of all is..................wait for it........................the........................SLUG BUG! Nothing like a good punch in the arm as you drive down the street and someone sees a Volkswagen Beetle when you least suspect it! And we are lucky enough to have one right next door. Does this count as 1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6? My arm hurts a little just thinking about it!

July 15, 2011

2011-07-17T18:30:00.000-07:00

Sadly, this year I have pretty much nothing growing in my garden. I am not very happy about it. I do, however, have my five blueberry bushes, multiple strawberry plants and I believe I may have marionberries too. The blueberry bushes are starting to show their true colors, ever so slowly. Nothing as delicious as a fresh blueberry or two grown in your own back yard!

July 14, 2011

2011-07-17T18:23:00.000-07:00

This is what our pool looks like with no one in it. It has looked this way multiple days this summer as the temperatures dip into the 60's and 70's. Some would envy us. Others snicker under their breath about what summer looks like in the NW. We just wait and figure out another way to enjoy ourselves until the temps rise again - should be in a couple of days! Not to worry as it doesn't take much to get my water baby girl back in the water! The boy, however, is another story.

Airing our clean laundry

2011-07-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Add caption

June Lake in July

2011-07-09T20:48:00.000-07:00

2011-07-04T19:32:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 30, 2011

2011-07-01T08:59:00.000-07:00

The brother & sister concert, including the "50 States that Rhyme Song" was well-received!

Wednesday, June 28, 2011

2011-06-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

These ruby jewels may be a bit more watery than I'd planned but we'll do our best to enjoy them anyway.

Tuesday, June 27, 2011

2011-06-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Tub of Fun turned out to be exactly that...

2011-06-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

We picked these (the girl & I) and a whole lot more!

2011-06-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

Today we had a yard sale, or did we?

Saturday, June 25, 2011

2011-06-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Today we added a few new flowers to "spruce" up the back yard, including this Columbine.

2011-06-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

A little fun with clay to start our day... the elephant, the cat, the arch & the monster!

2011-06-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Back from work,
Hanging in the play house,
Listening to the sounds of the neighbor's backyard BBQ,
Admiring the freshly cut grass,
Finding ladybugs,
Ready to relax.

2011-06-22T20:08:00.000-07:00

I feel a little bit like this pony at the moment...

Day #2 of summer ... kids played with new nanny, everyone happy. Dad & I worked.

Summer has arrived!

2011-06-21T19:52:00.000-07:00

School's Out for Summer Blog!

2011-06-15T20:14:00.000-07:00

School's out for summer. In an attempt to make the most of our summer adventure this go-around, we've decided to "take over" the Mama Picture This blog (at least temporarily) and present: The Kids Summer Blog!

Each day you may see 1, 2 or even 3 photos. The girl's choice, the boy's or even mine once in a while. We are going to try to illustrate what we are up to and have a little more fun by doing it.

And so, here we go...

First full day of Summer Break...

The boy was playing with friends and is now home but fighting with a nasty head cold. Poor guy. As you can imagine, he's not really into the spirit of this thing - yet. The girl and I had a girls' night last night and hung out together (including for a nap and an awards ceremony)

for much of the day. And since we weren't able to go to the beach, the girl brought the beach to us!

2011-06-12T20:20:00.000-07:00

June 11, 2011

2011-06-12T12:20:00.000-07:00

Catty the Caterpillar

2011-06-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

The girl's All Nature Candy Shop, featuring a fudge cake with grape flower toppings, cherry flowers, fudge balls with caramel bread hamburger, cherry flowers with pokey caramel fillings and cherry strawberry and banana flower lollipops.

2011-06-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

June 3, 2011

2011-06-04T18:43:00.000-07:00

May 30, 2011

2011-06-04T18:39:00.000-07:00

The boy's afghan

2011-05-28T14:54:00.000-07:00

2011-05-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

Mickey Mouse Peanut Butter Pancake Sandwich

2011-05-24T07:39:00.000-07:00

Mickey Mouse Peanut Butter Pancake Sandwich,

It's gonna taste so good it makes me feel rich.

Mama's silly rhyming typing is not a glitch,

It's true, for lunch today I'm having...

a Mickey Mouse shaped
peanut butter pancake sandwich!

2011-05-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

2011-05-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

2011-05-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

2011-05-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

As I sat at the playground on the 2nd really warm and sunny day this year, kidlets busy digging and burying one another happily in a big sand pile, I was struck by the peace and tranquility of sunshine through the trees. It was a very nice moment in time.

2011-05-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

That's my girl

2011-05-11T19:02:00.000-07:00

2011-05-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

Random Knitting Public Art

2011-05-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

You Gotta Have Friends...

2011-05-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to my friend Amanda (aka Catherine)! She posted this to her Facebook earlier:

"checked the mail this morning, only to find a lovely unexpected Mother's Day gift -- the gorgeous photo notecards from Sue Lyon-Myrick! They are really beautiful. You were born to do this. Thank you, and may you have a happy, happy Mother's Day."

Thanks back to you my friend. By the way, she is a wonderful writer and you can check out her great blog, The Catherine Chronicles, here:

http://www.thecatharinechronicles.com/

Featured on the Heart Handmade Blog!

2011-05-07T10:20:00.000-07:00

I am so honored and excited to have been featured on this wonderful blog, Heart Handmade. Thank you to it's author, Mandie! She rocks!

I hope you will check out the feature on me and Mama Picture This (there are a few interesting tidbits about me and my life that you may not already know) and the rest of her blog as well! Spread the word. Share with others!

Crafting rocks!

Best,

Mama Zuzi

2011-04-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

Recent sales

2011-04-27T10:16:00.000-07:00

I may not be able to hear anything but buzzing and ringing, but cards are still selling! Thanks for the purchases! Here is what's most recently been sold!

2011-04-22T15:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the inconvenience but this blog is on hold while I recover from a ruptured eardrum.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

2011-04-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

2nd grade homework

Monday, April 18, 2011

2011-04-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

When the sun shines, you can actually see the reflection of the flowering quince in the garden.

2011-04-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

Saturday, April 16, 2011

2011-04-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

2011-04-15T21:31:00.000-07:00

A snout only a mother could love...

Thursday, April 14, 2011

2011-04-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

2011-04-13T19:44:00.000-07:00

2011-04-12T16:49:00.000-07:00

2011 Catch the Color Contest Submissions

2011-04-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

I don't think these shots will even manage an honorable mention but hey... you cannot get something for nothing... I honestly didn't think my orange tulip would get an honorable mention several years back, but BOY was it exciting when it did?!

2011-04-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Grocery clerk to bagger: "Careful, there are leaks in that bag!" Who knew there was such a thing as grocery humor? :-)

2011-04-09T17:57:00.001-07:00

The hummingbirds love this tree... so glad it is blooming!

2011-04-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

The Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival was not as great as year's past. Didn't get any really terrific shots. But at least it was sunny... and still is.

A special just for you...The Blog Photo 4x4!

2011-04-08T09:14:00.000-07:00

For all of you who check out this blog, I've added a special to my Etsy Shop. I'm calling it the Blog Photo 4x4. The most exciting part is that it is YOUR choice. Just go to the shop and look for the Blog Photo 4x4 listing. When you purchase, just make sure to include the dates the 4 photos you want were posted to this blog (and a brief description) that you want in your 4x4 mini card set. If you don't want 4 different cards, pick 2 and get 2 of each (or) just pick 1 and get 4 of that! Just for you and the over 12,000 times my blog has been visited!

2011-04-07T18:16:00.000-07:00

2011-04-06T18:12:00.000-07:00

Took this shot after the rain... and hail! Oregon's weather is ever-changing.

2011-04-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

"Look Mom! We can see the floor again!"

2011-04-04T20:34:00.000-07:00

Loving the card orders

2011-04-03T20:38:00.000-07:00

2011-04-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

More uglies, different birthday

2011-03-31T20:17:00.000-07:00

For my boy on his 11th!

2011-03-30T20:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Feet, Happy Day!

2011-03-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

My day was made today when someone purchased 2 of my "Happy Feet" cards from the Etsy Shop! Did a little sleuthing and figured out it was Stacey from Positively Kids ... a great organization I found on Facebook that is working on videos to help young kids become positive for life. If you have a young kid, you should check them out!

Positively Kids

2011-03-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

Cherry Blossom Blooms

2011-03-27T12:54:00.000-07:00

A sneak preview of a new spring photo to be added to the shop. You can preorder here... 4 or 8 packs of cards or other items if you are interested. Post what you'd like to my comments and I'll let you know when it is in the shop!

2011-03-26T16:24:00.000-07:00

Elite Eight

2011-03-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

Another rainy day in Portland

2011-03-24T20:54:00.000-07:00

Every day carries lots of options,

lots of choices,

lots of twists

and

lots of potential turns.

As a twist, make a choice...

If you were to choose any 4 photos from this blog as your favorites, what might they be?

The date of the post will suffice.

I dare you to post...

you can always post as anonymous and then add your name inside the body of the comment or go completely anonymous if that's more your style!

Cheers my dears!

2011-03-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we aren't sure just where this path is taking us, but we take it anyway.

2011-03-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses.
~Hanna Rion

Mama Picture This ... a Facebook Page!

2011-03-21T19:03:00.000-07:00

For those of you on Facebook, come on over to the Mama Picture This Facebook Page and "Like". Once you have liked the page, post what images say Easter to you and what images say Spring (before the end of the day Friday, March 25th) and be entered for a chance to win a special mini flower card set.

Or head directly over to the Mama Picture This Etsy Shop where you can get a 10% discount if you've ever ordered before and/or FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. on orders over $20.00 while it lasts. Both discounts are in honor of Spring!

And last but not least... stay tuned and check back daily to the blog ... because there will be a special announcement soon ONLY ON THE BLOG for blog readers exclusively!

Give the girl a cookbook, and she makes chicken nuggets

2011-03-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

One nice thing about my office is that people leave perfectly good items they don't want in the break room for others to have. Today when I went in to get my coffee, I came out with that along with a Kids Cookbook.

Lucky for me, being Spring Break and all, the girl is looking for projects (but truth be told this particular girl is ALWAYS looking for projects... even minutes before bed!!!). She started to look through the book for dinners she could make and voila tonight she is making Golden Chicken nuggets. The beauty of this book is that basically there are 3 steps to every recipe!

I admit we helped a bit. Dad thawed the chicken. I did the last bits of chicken cutting and rolling the nuggets in the fried onion mixture, but the rest was all our girl! It may not be boeuf bourguignon but it is a start. Next up... how to get my boy to cook something other than microwave popcorn!

2011-03-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

2011-03-19T15:26:00.000-07:00

2011-03-18T18:17:00.000-07:00

Thursday, March 17, 2011

2011-03-18T07:24:00.000-07:00