Inside out, Day 238

Bloody noses seem to be common in our house this winter.

On the bus, Day 237

There are definitely some days that I wished I lived in Boulder so that I didn't have such a long commute home.

Waiting, Day 236

All business, Day 235

It's 10 pm and my husband the businessman is still hard at work.

The study of yoga, Day 234

Nicolai loves books. He has always loved books. The only obstacle in his way is that he doesn't know how to read yet, but that doesn't seem to stop him.

Leftovers, Day 233

Menu:
Tofu Turkey
Stuffing
Nutritional Yeast Gravy
Green Beans
Roasted Root Vegetables
Cranberry Sauce
Creamy Onion Sauce
Mushroom Risotto

X-mas, Day 232

Another Christmas dinner at my good friend Roddy's house. It usually starts out as a small affair, but Roddy always ends up inviting enough people that will fit around his large table. So there was ample food, drink, and good conversation. Merry Christmas Roddy!

Construction zone, Day 231

Day 230

Day 229

50 mph, Day 228

Delivering cookies, Day 227

Day 226

Date night, Day 225

Clutter, Day 224

Holiday decorating, Day 223

I have been sick in bed most of the day, but the one thing I managed to do was paint Nicolai's toes.

Point and shoot, Day 222

This is the one and only image I shot today.

Bedtime, Day 221

Conversations, Day 220

A wonderful visit with my family and the dialog is always interesting. I was sorry to see them leave.

The evil empire, Day 219

We drove around the "new" part of Louisville/Superior looking for a place to have coffee before we went to the movies. This part of town is filled with chain restaurants with a few local businesses thrown in the mix. We attempted to go to one of the local coffee shops,only to discover that both have recently gone out of business. Our last resort has turned into the only option....depressing.

Memory of a place, Day 218

Today we had lunch at a popular sushi restaurant in Boulder. I have many fond memories in this restaurant. One in particular I shared with Nicolai as we were eating today. When he was a few months old I went to lunch with my good friends Andrea, Roddy, and Cori. I don't know why, but I remember the meal very well. Maybe because my new baby slept soundly as we munched on sushi. Today I sat in the exact same spot where I sat approximately 5 years ago but this time my son munched on sushi with me.

Happy, Day 217

My dad and step-mom are here for a visit. I am happy they are here for the weekend. There's so much to catch-up on.

Our new saint, Day 216

This is a gift from a friend to go with the others in our collection.

Going, Day 215

I spent the day grading at the University. My last day in the temporary building is now marked by my reflection sitting in the bathroom stall. How poignant.

In between, Day 214

Nicolai is at an interesting stage where he has these moments of independence and then the complete opposite occurs and he wants everything done for him. For example, he told me he couldn't remove the peel from the half piece of banana I gave him the other night. I just have to laugh and remember that this too shall pass.

?, Day 213

This looks nothing like the actual object....I think that's why I was so drawn to this image.

The future, Day 212

My friend Roddy is doing a series of images of people's hands with his iPhone. He photographed my hand for his project and I photographed his hand photographing my hand for mine.

Beauty, Day 211

It was one of those days where bribery became a necessity in order for Nicolai to allow me to take his photo....well worth it.

Obsession, Day 210

I have an obsession with looking at bare branches against the sky. I am constantly photographing them or thinking about photographing them when I see something that catches my eye. I am not sure where this obsession came from, but I find it interesting because before this project I never thought about them much.

Going nowhere, Day 209

Today was the worst snow storm we have had and I had to drive all around town for meetings. I was lucky to make it home in one piece.

Full moon, Day 208

It never ceases to amaze me.

Another journey, Day 207

I rode the bus to my last class today. The light was that golden brown hue that only occurs this time of year. I was in awe once again.

The landscape..., Day 206

brown and dry yet beautiful in the late afternoon sun.

Old tradition, Day 205

Making aebleskivers on a Sunday morning is a tradition in our house, but not one we partake in very often. I was first introduced to these little dough balls while I was in grad school. So every time we make them I am reminded of that bitter sweet time in my life.

Afternoon, Day 204

It was 71 degrees today. Perfect weather for sitting on the front porch in the sun eating an orange.

Thanks, Day 203

I asked Nicolai what he is thankful for today and he replied: "I am thankful for hugs and kisses." I was pleasantly surprised by his answer.

Blessings, Day 202

I talked about a Tibetan painting my dad sent to us awhile back. On the backside of this painting are hand prints which we have been told were blessings from the Buddhist priests. Today Nicolai blessed the backside of his own paintings.

Past made present, Day 201

This is a photograph of a photograph that I have on the wall of my bedroom. I tell my students that art has an amazing ability to change their lives as it changed mine. I often wonder what I would be doing if I hadn't made this photograph. But my question for the day is how will the new photograph of the old photograph lead me to tomorrow?

Little note, Day 200

I went to the University tonight to get a little work done and outside the entrance was a note. It made me laugh. We are in the process of moving out of our temporary art building into a massive new one. I can only imagine what the next occupants will be thinking about the art department as they begin to move in and see how the place has been modified. Artists always get a bad wrap.

Routine, Day 199

Every night it is the same routine: put on pj's, have a snack, brush teeth, go pee, pick out books, read, lights out. And just about every night it is a major hassle with Nicolai. So we have started the routine a little earlier and it has helped, but there are still problems. It's driving us a little crazy. Perhaps we need to change the routine?

Time, Day 198

So I am working on changing my life.I have been projecting into the universe that something new needs to happen...a new direction that is based on what I have already been working towards. It's interesting how time felt so different when I was younger. The days seemed to meander, but now I feel like I am about to run a marathon that I have been training for for the last 10 years. It's a different mind set. I am putting on my running shoes now.

The last bite, Day 197

I always feel a bit sad when I have to take the last bite of something that tastes really good. I am working on slowing down my consumption process to delay this feeling and perhaps avoid it completely. I tell Nicolai to savor his "special treats" so they last longer, and amazingly he does. I need to take my own advice.

Landing, Day 196

Life has really been a roller coaster lately. Some wonderfully exciting things are shaping up on the horizon and then there's some really sad family stuff all rolled into one juicy package called life. I made this image today and it re-energized me for whatever is in store. I hadn't made an image in awhile that reminded me as to why I am doing this project. Some days it just feels like yet another thing to do before the end of the day. Thanks to my son and a piece of folded paper, my attitude changed.

Going home, Day 195

Today was my last day commuting to Denver to teach two intro photo classes. I had to stay late to finish grading and cleaning...it was a 12 hour day for me. I left my house while it was still dark in the a.m. and returned in the dark in the p.m.. I was really dreading my commute, but it turned into a lovely quite time to just sit and stare out the window or people watch. So I will actually miss the twice a week journey. Who would have thought!

Only 25 cents, Day 194

I remember gazing into the candy machines at the grocery store as a kid filled with desire for what was just out of reach. I see that same longing in my son's eyes as we pass by the gum ball machine in the entryway of our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. He's lucky if I happen to have a quarter on me, but more often than not, I don't have one or I just don't want him to have the sugar. But when he does get one, he is totally blissed out.

Creation, Day 193

Nicolai and I read a book about how babies are made and from that day forward sprouts were referred to as sperm. It's fine to talk like this around the house. I am one of those parents that believes in using the correct terms for body parts and bodily functions but when at a restaurant it can become a little awkward. But I have to admit, he has a point.

What remains, Day 192

...Not much!

Kitchen treasure, Day 191

Gerald made zucchini muffins this morning and Nicolai claimed one immediately.

Fun and games, Day 190

Nicolai has a cold and a cough so we stayed home today playing games: Candy Land, Shoots and Ladders, Mancala, Animal Rummy. We played and played and played while drinking tea and watching the snow fall outside.

Found, Day 189

Nicolai is good at finding things. Today he found this tiny ball outside of his school.