Getting Jiggy With The Flakes. It’s Snowing Here.

February 9, 2016August 29, 2024 / Ally Bean / 29 Comments

I’ve never intentionally tried to photograph snowflakes before. I’ve photographed snow, of course, and I’ve snapped a few photos of some people who are flakes myself included. 😉

But to take on the challenge of going outside with the sole purpose of photographing delicate little snowflakes as they fall from the sky is something new for me.

I rather like these early morning artsy-artsy photos, even if they aren’t the most polished ones ever.

For me the value in this challenge wasn’t perfection, but to remind myself to try new small things as I move forward through this year. To step out into possibility. And to get jiggy.

Let The Naming Of Our New Dishwasher Commence

February 6, 2016 / Ally Bean / 45 Comments

A few months ago I shared the story of how it came to be that our dishwasher, Monique, no longer worked. I’m still sad about the turn of events.

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT IT.

At that time I asked you for suggestions for a name for our new dishwasher when we got one. You outdid yourselves with ideas, gentle readers.

YOU ARE CLEVER, NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

On Wednesday our new dishwasher arrived and was installed, meaning that the time has come for us to settle on a name for our stainless steel Bosch baby. Again I turn to you for help.

PLEASE TAKE THE POLL BELOW. THANK YOU.

If We Were Having Coffee On This January Morning…

January 30, 2016August 29, 2018 / Ally Bean / 45 Comments

{ image via @lawyermom1 }

THE SETTING:

We’d be sitting at the local Starbucks, enjoying the fact that we were out of the house, doing something together.

I’d be drinking a vanilla latte with an extra shot and you’d be drinking whatever it is that floats your boat. My treat, of course.

We’d be listening to the sound of the overworked espresso machines, the indistinct conversations of fellow Starbuckians, and the random genre-less background music that seems to be in every Star$.

THE CONVERSATION:

√ We’d be chatting… about how I read that the colors for spring clothes are rust, mustard and poppy. I’d assure you that there’s no stinking way you’ll be seeing me in any of those colors. I’d also mention that I have no plans to go shopping for spring clothes this year.

√ We’d be sharing… our latest podcast obsessions, which in my case is Call Your Girlfriend. I’d tell you that the podcast’s tone is smart and warm, and that it is lots of fun to listen in while girlfriends talk about a variety of subjects such as feminism, fashion, politics– and whatever else is newsy and relevant this week.

√ We’d be talking… about how after reading this article about raiding your own cookbook collection, I’ve decided to make one recipe per month from a cookbook I already own. My first recipe, Braised Pork With Sauerkraut, which was delicious, was from Joy of Cooking [75th Anniversary Edition]. Considering I have over 30 cookbooks, this could turn into a fun longterm project.

√ We’d be laughing… about how Zen-Den, the confused, asked me if I’d be “calamari-ing” our house. Somewhere he’d heard about this new Japanese declutter trend. While he understood the principles, he’d gotten the name wrong. My answer, when I finally figured out that he was talking about KonMari, was NO!

THE CONCLUSION:

We’d have to part after about an hour or so because each of us had things to do, things to do.

We’d hug and promise to get together sometime in February, weather permitting, daily life allowing, work schedule be damned.

And we’d count our blessings that we have each other to talk with. Like friends do everywhere. Over a fancy coffee in one of the most ubiquitous places on earth.

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Idea for this post came from Diana at Part-Time Monster.

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