Surprise in the Mail

Ok. I'll admit it. I've been completely and utterly jealous of my sweet younger sister who is rocking with Modest Mouse as I type. Modest Mouse has only been one of my favorite bands for years. I started listening to them the summer before I met Seth and have since tortured him with their music. The lyrics are weird (my favorite lyric being "Are you dead or are you sleeping, God I sure hope you are dead..." I know. Not very nice sounding... I love it just the same!), their voices even more interesting at times, but it's music that makes my spirits happy and brings a smile to my soul!

You can't possibly listen to Float On and walk away without feeling more hopeful about everything. It was that song that hooked me. I was down and out... I heard this song, and knew with one time through this song, my spirits would rise, my smile would return... My summer roommate, Krista, a sweet and wonderful friend who took me in without question, also had to suffer through my continuous listening of Modest Mouse. But it helped me shine again... And does on any bad days or stressful moments I have.

So, when I found out my sister was going to be surprised with tickets to the show in Austin, I was Insanely excited and jealous! Sounded like the most amazing birthday present ever (& even better because it was a Surprise!) Unfortunately, she figured out the surprise before the big surprise actually happened... And I guess someone thought they'd try out their abilities to surprise One more time... Me being the target! A package came in the mail for Seth today. He didn't know what it was or who it was from... I wasn't much interested, figuring it was something boring dealing with computers... Then I heard him asking something like "What are these?" ... as I came in to see tickets. I was like... "O tickets..." Still not realizing (not sure what I thought the tickets were for). But as soon as I did, I was overflowing with excitement and surprise! I did NOT expect this!


Sent from secret buyers in Texas! I called my stepmom immediately to thank her for the wonderful surprise! Then I called Trish to share my excitement as she headed to tonight's concert! I now have something to live through this ravaging cold winter for!

O and talking about having things to look forward to... Just made plans to go visit a friend in D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival the first weekend of April. It'll be our first time in D.C., and we cannot wait!

Gotta run! Lost is on!!!!

Yellow on a Wednesday

Wednesday is Yellow Day in the Color My World Daily Flickr group. Here's what I'm adding to the mix.

Puppet Works, Park Slope

I have yet to attend a Puppet Show here, but Seth has. A couple weeks ago, his brother called him asking if he'd attend a show with our nephew, whom requested the presences of Uncle Seth. I guess P really wanted his uncle to join him for Sleeping Beauty a la puppets!

Tagged & Clicked

Shutter Sisters tagged the readers for a self-portrait challenge today. I'm especially smiley, as I left work early from to drop some paperwork off for my boss near my home! (Sad for my co-worker, who was stuck at work for a couple hours more... O and my husband, whom I called immediately upon leaving work to share my news of heading home early.)

How to play the game:
1. Sit down.
2. Take a picture of yourself right now. Don't primp, just snap one!
3. Upload it.
4. Tag 3 people to do the same.
That's all!

Join the fun! Leave a link in the comments of your self-portrait! :)

I love Brooklyn Bicycles

I love Brooklyn bicycles. And because I have no room for my own at the current point in time, I will enjoy other peoples' bikes. My grandparents had two classic style bikes that my brother and I would ride when we spent summers in Utah. This bicycle reminds me of their bikes.

A basket would suit me well.

A few other bike shots I've taken:
Blue Bicycle (the first)
Orange Bicycle
Red Bicycle

Anybody else have any great bicycle shots?

Snow Day

A blizzard spent the night in Brooklyn, dumping snow all over us, canceling Monday work (which I won't argue with!) Ahhh, March. It's a good thing I was given the day off, otherwise, I'd be pretty bitter about winter. I thought I was doing so good, not getting down on the weather this year... I made it through January and February (well mostly) without a problem, and here, the second day of March and at least a half foot of snow later, I am still demanding: I want Spring!

After a phone call to relay the news of no work (where my co-worker assured me she wasn't joking!), I crawled back into bed. After a good lie in, as it's called in my book, I woke up and enjoyed reading, as an attempt to finish my overdue book. I also caught up on blogs, something that has become a favorite activity of mine.

A day off gave me the opportunity to head into the city to have lunch with the Mr. (who wasn't at all too happy to be stuck at work while I was not.)

Went to Chat 'n' Chew, a restaurant we ate at the Very first time I visited NYC. I enjoyed a yummy Swiss, tomato, and onion grilled cheese and wonderful fries! A lot better than the leftovers I usually eat for my daily lunches.

And despite my current detestation of winter and snow, I did get out and get some pictures of the lovely, cold white stuff (that dampens the bottom of my jeans and freezes my toes).

Looking for a few bright colors, despite the gray winter.

And a little more color... but no patio seating today.

After lunch with Seth in Union Square, I headed to Brooklyn Public Library to finally return my book (to find out my late fees are almost to reach $20... oops! Still doesn't beat the $80 I racked up a year ago -- long story, I didn't have to pay it... I got out of it, with good reason, I assure you. Yet, because I had late fees, I wouldn't let myself check out anymore books. I'm on punishment for a moment. Plus I need to finish Jane Eyre.)

With no school, the park was probably more packed than usual snow days. The sounds of sledding, laughter, and children rang through the park as I passed. I'd have ventured onto the lawn, but I'm still lacking the right shoes.

Hope this snow doesn't weigh the trees down too much. I really want them to have all their energy to start turning green again!

I stopped to watch this man and his child as he prepared the child for sledding. It was so adorable watching him situate his child on the old-fashioned-style sled!

Their dog was So beautiful and happy! And big. (I always wonder where people keep dogs of his size in the city.) I almost asked these people if I could take a picture of their dog, but I'm still working on getting my photographing courage built up.

The fire escapes covered in snow.

Park Slope in the snow. I feel like I live in a movie sometimes... This is not a view I'd ever see in Kansas... Streets lined with brownstones and wonderful stoops covered in snow.

Ok. So maybe another day of winter wasn't so bad. Hopefully, by tomorrow, the sidewalks will be cleared completely and the cold won't be so cold. :) Oh, and watch for the bicycle photo set I took today. I'll be posting it soon!

Beautiful Monday

Hope you all have a beautiful Monday. This rose has been sharing its beauty in my home for about a week and a half. My husband surprised my stepmom and I with 2 roses while she was visiting. They smelled so wonderful and their colors were perfect!

Why Oh Why?!

A winter storm when I'm so ready for Spring!! WHY? Oh... WHY? Now I'm counting down the days until the cherry blossoms bloom... and the magnolias on a tree across the street and two trees down (that I just realized would be blooming today with major excitement for the beauty I'll get to see on my daily commute). But... all that will be put on hold, and I'll try to enjoy the beauty of snowfall in the city. And I'll be praying the weather keeps some at home for a calm Monday at work.

Picture taken earlier this winter, when I still greeted a snow storm with a smile.

100 Steps Challenge

This afternoon, I took the 100 Steps Challenge but changed it to 100 Steps times 6 Challenge. The challenge was to walk, camera in hand, for 100 steps. At the 100th step, stop and take a picture where you are. I decided to take a walk and see what photo set I could create by taking a picture every 100 steps. I realized, as I looked back over the 60 pictures I ended up taking, I had a green theme going on... except the last one...

First 100 steps: Wall across the street from our apartment building.

Second 100 steps: A tree stump with plenty of character.

Third 100 steps: A flower box filled with winter-worn plants.

Fourth 100 steps: A metallic-green painted fence.

5th 100 steps (maybe 2 extra to get inside to order my coffee): Chandelier.

And finally at home. One last picture to complete the circle. A yummy espresso chocolate cupcake. I've been thinking of it all week!

Picnik My Pictures

While reading through blogs this morning, I found a reference to Picnik, a site that can be used to edit pictures (a little easier than Photoshop). I'd never heard of it, but the photographer's pictures are wonderful, so I knew I had to try it out! Here's my first creation. Now I'm heading out to take the 100 Step Challenge posted on Shutter Sisters yesterday. (Book club plans kept me from pulling out my camera yesterday after work... I had a lovely time again, meeting 4 new girls and enjoying a few bottles of wine and many laughs.) I think I'm going to do a few rounds of it and see where I end up around the neighborhood. I hope I end up at the coffee shop getting a wonderful warm drink and an espresso cupcake. I'll be back with pictures soon!

Cupcake and Earl Grey Last Friday

Last Friday, I was enjoying this...

With...

And drinking an Earl Grey (my favorite!) ...

While resting my eyes on these...
Here...

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Friday Fill-In: The Second

First round was last Friday. (Click here...) Originally pulled from the Friday Fill-Ins blog. Join the fun!

And...here we go!

1. I'm tired, I'm excited to sleep in, I can't wait for 3 p.m.

2. Why do I have the desire to buy a new lens for my camera and not have any money?

3. How does this camera work, anyway?

4. Every morning, I put 2-30 minutes snoozes on my alarm clock.

5. I consider myself lucky because it's FRIDAY.

6. One day we’ll see transformations in education that will better support the learning of our children.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to book club with the girls (even if I didn't read the book this month), tomorrow my plans include brunch (I'm sure with a few friends) and Sunday, I want to sleep in and then hang out with Mr.!

Lilies, Rosemary, Bonsai

I have a few more pictures from the Botanical Garden to post. I should be in bed. I've been having a harder time waking up as the week wears on... I'm sure the late hours I've been feeling the need to stay awake for do not help matters. But none the less, instead of snuggling up in bed, I'm on my computer for one last post... It'll only take a second...

Lilies inside. I can't wait for the lilies outside. There is a wonderful garden area at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden filled with Lilies. Last time I was there, the lilies were breath-taking.

This was Mom's favorite part (or a top on her list...) She actually said I could just leave her there! Above, she's very happily taking in the scent of Rosemary... and below, she found a piece that had fallen off the plant to bring along home. It was a nice little nook in one of the pavilions.

Happily, she holds a small bag with postcards for family and friends (sending New York greetings), a list of cacti (or cactuses, if you prefer), and a twig of rosemary for her nose's delight.

I love the purple glow of these flowers as they catch the sunlight. I also captured bokeh in the background.

Such brilliant colors. I took many, many pictures of these flowers.

Beautiful mini-trees in the Bonsai Museum. There were so many different trees on display.

The Bonsai room. I loved how this one was growing out of its own mini mound of moss on a rock platform.

This one stood at the entrance. A special tree on its own stage. The blooms glowing and capturing the attention of all who enter.

As we walked through the Japanese garden, I was taken by the calm of the water and the perfection of the reflection.

I'm Feeling Hopeful. Green.

Another sign of the warmth and life coming. I need these signs.... I must have these reminders. I survived January and February rather surprisingly this year. Maybe I still have the excitement of the city running through my veins.

Seeing the buds was beyond a surprise. The thought of life coming back to the city, back to the world around me surprises me, excites me this year. Maybe I'm more hopeful than I thought. Maybe this year is better than past years, despite how down some aspects of my normal everyday life are (job)... Other aspects are absolutely amazing... New husband, new friends, new experiences, new home, new ways to express myself (New camera!).

Actually I must be hopeful... the neighborhood I work in is rather dirty with trash and rundown buildings... and for a moment, as I waited for the bus today, I actually felt like it'd be a pleasant place with a few green leaves and some warmer weather.

Even better. Today is Wednesday. I'm halfway through the week. We are almost greeting March. The sun is keeping its presence until after 5 p.m. (which seemed like it came out of no where staying up extra late for us, brightening our days a while longer...) So here's wishing you all a bright and hopeful day... an enjoyable ending to February and a warm welcome to March.

Witch Hazel

This bright yellow confetti-looking flower was seen a couple times last week. First, on Monday's trip to Central Park where I attempted to take an over-exposed picture. Then, we saw it again Friday at the Botanical Garden (I'm pretty sure it's the same...) looking a little happier and healthier. Some detective work, and I've found the answer to what exactly this yellow mystery is (ha ha, I think)... Witch Hazel. Thanks to Wikipedia.


What a charm to see Spring colors in this flowering tree. I wouldn't mind having one of these in my yard... If I had a yard.

Botanical Garden Fends Off Spring Fever

Someone (sorry I can't remember who or seem to find the blog entry) recently posted pictures of a trip to a botanical garden. It seemed like such a wonderful treat in the middle of winter. I've been craving spring to the extremes, mostly I'm tired of seeing dead trees... I'm ready to see life. I'm ready to see green. And I'm ready to experience NYC in the spring, the one season I've yet to meet.

I realized the Brooklyn Botanical Garden was a perfect solution to bide my time until Spring Fever hits at its strongest. Even more encouraging, Brooklyn Botanical Garden is offering free admission for weekdays during winter!! So, after turning in my stack of already late books (twice renewed), Mom and I walked up past the library and into the garden.

Along the path to the Steinhardt Conservatory I was happy to find a few buds and even a leaf beginning to grow! I've been sending this little guy happy thoughts since I saw him!

Surviving the winter in true winter colors.

Immediately upon arrival in the Conservatory, we were greeted by these beautiful and fragrant orchids. My grandmother had orchids at her house last time I visited. I've been asking Seth for one for a while now... this picture and the memory will have to suffice for now. (I'd probably kill it anyway, especially with the way my house plants are currently looking.)

The Calliandra Emarginata. Brilliant color. (By the way, I don't happen to know the name of this flower off the top of my head, just saw it on this link along with other flowers blooming this month!)

Cactus from the Desert Pavilion. Stepped in here after a nice lunch of split pea soup and tomato basil soup from the cafe in the Conservatory.

A desert flower.

Into the Tropical Pavilion. The heat and humidity made my memories of summer seem more real. My camera lens quickly fogged over with the drastic change in temperature, making this picture seem dreamy-like.

Mom was so happy to go with me as we explored the city. She was also wonderfully patient as I snapped and snapped picture after picture (about 1,200 total for the week...) She even let me snap a few of her!

Happy in the heat! Sweating by the end and ready to walk on to other cooler areas, but none the less, I'm still ready for warmer weather... Another post of pictures from the Botanical Garden to come... for now, I'm off to bed!