tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-220965522024-03-13T20:12:36.313-05:00Prove Real.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger677125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-88025015902803365112009-06-03T18:51:00.008-05:002009-08-17T14:35:55.879-05:00I've moved!The blog I've had for nearly 3 years is moving to a new online home! You can now follow my life's adventures on <a href="http://www.kellywithlime.com/">www.KellyWithLime.com</a>. So update your bookmarks & blog link lists and join me <a href="http://www.kellywithlime.com">over there</a>.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span> There is even a new post about about <a href="http://www.kellywithlime.com/?p=681">recent visitors</a>. I look forward to seeing you over there!<br /><br />PS. My photography also has a new blog home at <a href="http://www.kellyryphoto.com/">Kelly Ry Photo</a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://thingsshesawblog.com/"></a> so come visit there too! I'll be (re)posting old shoots and new ones as they occur.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-50684137362419544982009-06-01T15:52:00.001-05:002009-06-01T15:54:34.064-05:00BAM still here.In case you're wondering where I've been and whether you should notify the police, rest assured I am still alive! Family has been in town since last Tuesday and depart back to sunny Portland tomorrow. Until then we're running in between raindrops and heading out soon to see <span style="font-style: italic;">UP!</span> and have dinner.<br /><br />Happy Monday!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-64624697870801864392009-05-26T00:26:00.003-05:002009-05-26T00:35:49.857-05:00Up late. Should be asleep. Much to do.Got home from work about an hour ago but although 11:30pm is much later than I ever used to go to bed (10 was typical, 9 a lovely treat!), I always seem to be both exhausted and yet wired from such mentally and emotionally taxing work. And after 5 days straight I am especially taxed. But there are emails to check and farms to harvest and plant again and now posts to write.<br /><br />Tomorrow I get to see this face (doing "<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-%22Blue-Steel%22-Pose-from-Zoolander">Blue Steel</a>") and these toes.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/2677112835/" title="Portland2_0015_edited-1 by Kelly + Things She Saw Photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2677112835_2819760acd.jpg" alt="Portland2_0015_edited-1" width="334" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/2677932518/" title="Portland2_0049_edited-1 by Kelly + Things She Saw Photography, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/2677932518_719089bffb.jpg" alt="Portland2_0049_edited-1" width="334" height="500" /></a><br />And with her she brings her delightful parents. (All of them doing "<a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Do-the-%22Blue-Steel%22-Pose-from-Zoolander">Blue Steel</a>")<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/2677109275/" title="071308_KRS by Kelly + Things She Saw Photography, on Flickr"><img style="width: 674px; height: 452px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/2677109275_23e7f25518.jpg" alt="071308_KRS" /></a><br />I can't wait!<br /><br />So now I'm headed to bed so that I can wake up at a decent hour to complete my long list of To-Do's. Nighty night!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-5744125459375023822009-05-22T23:48:00.003-05:002009-05-22T23:49:30.142-05:00Google is so cool.In honor of Mary Cassatt's birthday<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrF3Zo3IYQ25qioeUQOj1xz0eMib3kRkIaGO1pLbqX0nSE8NSisy0M1YZtVoYikA6KXqByzN-GCUfpo3AZN4FONxOOxSaVtqesTlrShuaYyVZ0HKQ_dW-jWsf-SEICXvyajzia/s1600-h/marycassatt09.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 529px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrF3Zo3IYQ25qioeUQOj1xz0eMib3kRkIaGO1pLbqX0nSE8NSisy0M1YZtVoYikA6KXqByzN-GCUfpo3AZN4FONxOOxSaVtqesTlrShuaYyVZ0HKQ_dW-jWsf-SEICXvyajzia/s400/marycassatt09.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338876812845707906" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-13087067222723576152009-05-21T09:37:00.004-05:002009-05-21T09:44:27.185-05:00Happy Birthday, Abby!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTCi9o_fAOcAHNWYGS58shmtiaNAVz0OLIrRSKcq6wFa-3MK-rORyW-d7VRIoy0-GoXt00vPYz3NolGB_HE0Gfkf1tF3SvM9yFY_fKOewyF_6JjDV-HdL3PVbzh3rNxPbG1Yw/s1600-h/CoconutCake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTCi9o_fAOcAHNWYGS58shmtiaNAVz0OLIrRSKcq6wFa-3MK-rORyW-d7VRIoy0-GoXt00vPYz3NolGB_HE0Gfkf1tF3SvM9yFY_fKOewyF_6JjDV-HdL3PVbzh3rNxPbG1Yw/s400/CoconutCake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338286852414197010" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Abby, dear friend, wishing I was there to celebrate you on your special day, sharing a piece of Ina's coconut cake (even though I don't like coconut cake, but I'd do it just for you!) and a cup of tea. What great conversation we'd have.<br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">Have a wonderful day. You deserve it!</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153);font-size:85%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Image </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/taste/texascollection/stories/DN-nf_coconutcake_1107liv.State.Edition1.518a713.html">here</a></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">)</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-10563850039421601762009-05-21T09:13:00.003-05:002009-05-21T09:33:50.500-05:00Random thingsI woke up groggy this morning. Not sure why. I know I slept deeply and dreamed vividly, so perhaps that has something to do with it. I dreamed that I was at work having to yell at different students to stop whatever wrong thing they were doing.<br /><br />As I lay in bed I remembered I was unable to get on Facebook last night and couldn't replant at my virtual Farm Town farm - 8+ hours went by without earning me money! A travesty in the farm world. When I was plowing my fields just a few minutes ago the screen went white and a message popped up saying I had spy & adware on my computer and it offered to find and delete it for me. Um, no thanks. So now I'm using Norton to scan for viruses just in case whatever happened in those moments brought the plague to my computer. That wouldn't be good.<br /><br />After a few days off I have to work today. The few days off weren't enough and I'd like a lifetime more of them pretty please. I'm especially loathe to work this evening because tonight is the season premiere of So You Think You Can Dance (known hereafter as SYTYCD), my absolute favorite reality show ever, and it's doubtful that Fox will have episodes online for me to watch later.<br /><br />My home is a disaster. You'd think having the month off from school would leave me with plenty of extra time to either clean or keep things clean. It hasn't. Unfortunately. But on the plus side, I'm expecting visitors of the family variety next Tuesday so it has to be clean by the time they arrive. Too bad I have to work every day until they get here. Wasn't very smart of me to use my time so inefficiently.<br /><br />A friend from school had some folks over for dinner last night and as a result I have apartment envy. She lives in a more industrial part of town in a former factory building converted into cool lofts with high ceilings and great floor plans. And the rooftop deck, oh don't get me started on the view she has. Amazing. My place is charming (and tiny) and all but sometimes I sure do long for more space and a rooftop deck with a fabulous view.<br /><br />As I look over what I've written, if it were Christmas time the appropriate finishing words would be, "Bah Humbug." It's one of those days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-64290920907225592132009-05-19T19:40:00.004-05:002009-05-19T19:59:49.434-05:00Another sponataneous adventure: MichiganI had the opportunity to go on another spontaneous road trip adventure, this time to visit Julia in Michigan. I arrived just in time for an afternoon snack of a Michigan specialty, Schuler's cheese dip.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3546695825/" title="ImpromptyMISchulers by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 711px; height: 401px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2324/3546695825_37394eb87c.jpg" alt="ImpromptyMISchulers" /></a><br />While Julia was in class I saw a movie (<span style="font-style: italic;">Earth</span> - Breathtaking!) and wandered around downtown Kalamazoo's train tracks.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547501932/" title="ImpromptuMI_0038 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 718px; height: 481px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3547501932_b7e845a823.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0038" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3546693679/" title="ImpromptuMI_0041 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 719px; height: 481px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3546693679_8d7efea33f.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0041" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547502512/" title="ImpromptuMI_0045 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 359px; height: 532px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/3547502512_38e5b1d6fb.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0045" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547502376/" title="ImpromptuMI_0048 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 358px; height: 532px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3547502376_5803bea22b.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0048" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547502058/" title="ImpromptuMI_0047 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 704px; height: 466px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3547502058_f9f8b945cc.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0047" /></a><br />On the drive back I wandered around Michigan farmland and came across several small vineyards and orchards. I wished I had a blanket and a picnic basket, but then that might have been trespassing.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547503226/" title="ImpromptuMI_0001 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 714px; height: 478px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3547503226_36aceb7346.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0001" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3546696625/" title="Untitled-1 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 701px; height: 928px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3168/3546696625_f37f4eff66.jpg" alt="Untitled-1" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3547503638/" title="ImpromptuMI_0011 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 702px; height: 471px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3547503638_583f7845cb.jpg" alt="ImpromptuMI_0011" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-27553495975556763502009-05-16T22:14:00.003-05:002009-05-16T22:22:14.578-05:00ReviewSometimes for fun I'll go back through old pictures. Much of the time I w ish I could retake many (ok, most) of the pictures with my current photography equipment & knowledge. But sometimes I am reminded of shots I love that I took with a simple point-and-shoot camera and I remember why I love photography. I realize more and more it's about getting an image of a moment with meaning. This one below, taken at Audrey's baptism almost a year before I picked up a DSLR, will always remain one of my favorites.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/1714169491/" title="AudBaptism 093 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 749px; height: 564px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/1714169491_2f8200b73b.jpg" alt="AudBaptism 093" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-65201562804576841512009-05-16T11:15:00.001-05:002009-05-16T19:38:51.259-05:00Take me out to the ball game!I'm off to my first Cubs game of the season!<br /><br />(Quite honestly it will probably also be my last of the season considering I generally think watching baseball is like watching paint dry, but when in Rome and all.)<br /><br />Liz got us hooked up with great seats just 10 rows or so behind the Cubs dugout so we're off to consume hotdogs, nachos and whatever other junk food is to be had at Wrigley Field.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-81314292549516280482009-05-15T11:11:00.002-05:002009-05-15T11:22:22.462-05:00In search of an adventure: Utica, ILWhen I didn't get called in to work yesterday, the blue skies and beautiful spring weather beckoned for a spontaneous adventure. My friend (and fellow classmate) Cait was up for a little road trip as well so we decided to do some wine tasting out in Utica, in north-central Illinois. We soon discovered that all of the grapes are actually grown in southern Illinois so we ended up at storefronts that do the tastings instead. Despite the lack of vineyard exploration, it was fun to taste some great wines, soak in the beautiful sunshine and get out of the city. Just perfect for an adventure.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533984926/" title="Untitled-1 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 685px; height: 458px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2250/3533984926_fc00a35230.jpg" alt="Untitled-1" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533167881/" title="UticaWineAugHill by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 686px; height: 458px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/3533167881_b48575e522.jpg" alt="UticaWineAugHill" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533984586/" title="UticaWine_0014 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 684px; height: 457px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2402/3533984586_c97650be76.jpg" alt="UticaWine_0014" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533985084/" title="UticaWineILRiv by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 682px; height: 381px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2106/3533985084_1ed49ab3b1.jpg" alt="UticaWineILRiv" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533169247/" title="UticaWineIlRiv3 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 682px; height: 381px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3533169247_990bcd15b0.jpg" alt="UticaWineIlRiv3" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3533985754/" title="UticaWineILRiv2 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 681px; height: 531px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2166/3533985754_d873ba2eb5.jpg" alt="UticaWineILRiv2" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-78383660951851694682009-05-13T09:04:00.003-05:002009-05-13T09:11:24.290-05:00Update: Second ShootingMeeting was successful and I'm hired to officially second shoot for her for a wedding in late September. Unfortunately that was the only wedding left that she needed an official second shooter for but in a few weeks I am going to work as her "assistant" (for less money) for one wedding where I'm mostly there to carry bags, hold equipment, etc, but am allowed to take pictures as well. The possibility is there for additional "assistant" jobs, so I'm hoping more of those opportunities will come my way!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-13606850437307755122009-05-12T15:40:00.004-05:002009-05-13T09:04:54.390-05:00Second Shooting<div style="text-align: left;">For several months now I've been playing email tag with a local wedding photographer about the possibility of working for her as a second shooter. Between my crazy work and school schedule and her schedule, we've been unable to meet and discuss this. When it turned out I didn't have to work today I called to see if by chance she was free to meet up tonight and she was. We decided on the meeting time and location and she said to bring my portfolio. And then I remembered.<br /><br />ACK! I don't have a portfolio!<br /><br />A quick run to Target for 1-Hour prints, an album, black paper and sticky squares and now I've got a poor-man's portfolio. The hardest part was choosing which photos to include that showed mostly wedding related images, but some versatility as well. Now that I have something I imagine I'm going to re-do it before too long.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525871827/" title="QuickPortfolio_0002 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 714px; height: 478px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3525871827_e4090aa0f2.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0002" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525872521/" title="QuickPortfolio_0007 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3525872521_0cc37fa613_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0007" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525871951/" title="QuickPortfolio_0003 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3525871951_8f8ecf699b_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0003" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525872079/" title="QuickPortfolio_0004 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3644/3525872079_b62cb44d13_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0004" width="240" height="160" /></a></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525872657/" title="QuickPortfolio_0008 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 732px; height: 491px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3525872657_097af39484.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0008" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3526680444/" title="QuickPortfolio_0006 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3526680444_170003e6eb_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0006" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525872241/" title="QuickPortfolio_0005 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3525872241_3cc80ce158_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0005" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525872791/" title="QuickPortfolio_0009 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3366/3525872791_4fc78919c6_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0009" width="240" height="160" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3526681024/" title="QuickPortfolio_0010 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3526681024_d3eb2e9a23_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0010" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525873073/" title="QuickPortfolio_0011 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3525873073_65fbdd3ba4_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0011" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3525873189/" title="QuickPortfolio_0012 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3384/3525873189_e56385e206_m.jpg" alt="QuickPortfolio_0012" width="240" height="160" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-44268677697613126682009-05-11T19:21:00.009-05:002009-05-11T22:01:01.049-05:00Spring, Spring, Come Again!I survived my first Chicago winter with temps in the negative degrees for days on end. And then spring came. And then it sort of went away again. So now temperatures in the 40's feel downright frigid. Glad to hear spring is due to return tomorrow!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3523239457/" title="BennerFam_0124 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 261px; height: 385px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3523239457_f228787d94_m.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0124" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3524045184/" title="BennerFam_0126 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 263px; height: 386px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3524045184_45c2cf98f8_m.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0126" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3523240043/" title="BennerFam_0127 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 261px; height: 385px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3393/3523240043_d29044dfb4_m.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0127" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-80833719779806646942009-05-11T13:10:00.004-05:002009-05-12T09:14:59.308-05:00Sometimes it sucks to be an adult.Anybody with me?<br /><br />I've been without medical insurance for several months now and I feel as though I'm breaking the law. Relatively healthy, I've had one procedure that I can recall in the past 10 years or so; all those monthly insurance premiums paid essentially going to waste except for annual check-ups and the occasional prescription. And yet I can almost guarantee that if I continue without insurance it would be my luck that I'd come down with a serious illness or require major medical attention, all while living on student loans and my part-time job. So rather than tempt fate as I am currently healthy, this morning I applied for medical insurance and am awaiting approval of my PPO $2500 deductible plan for $155/month.<br /><br />An extra $155/month expense is not what I was looking to add to my monthly budget.<br /><br />Sometimes it sucks to be an adult.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-24669196210557408542009-05-09T07:05:00.000-05:002009-05-09T07:05:00.143-05:00Happy Birthday, Bailey!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpZ7tPetJ1vAeSiktlU4inHm7-YwAs8POsMpEvPK3iTpkIUAFLpGJSwDlbqCUNhdJGZb7hZNDmpbDCrhgdWpOgEcO3Bh-mAixMX0H7R7xL5lFlisTEOhCLPNVGuc5jbLkK-Jv/s1600-h/lemon+cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixpZ7tPetJ1vAeSiktlU4inHm7-YwAs8POsMpEvPK3iTpkIUAFLpGJSwDlbqCUNhdJGZb7hZNDmpbDCrhgdWpOgEcO3Bh-mAixMX0H7R7xL5lFlisTEOhCLPNVGuc5jbLkK-Jv/s400/lemon+cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332733123699996242" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oh, my dearest, darling, niece Bailey. How I love you for so many reasons. Seriously, there are a bazillion because you are wonderful, smart, beautiful, a superstar on the soccer field, helpful and kind.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Remember a few years ago when you requested a lemon cake for your birthday and as I share your love of lemon cake I eagerly offered to make it for your mother only I didn't stop to clarify exactly what kind of lemon cake you were wanting and so you didn't really like it but you were so sweet to not saying anything to me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 153, 51); font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >I hope you have a wonderful day and a spectacular 14th year! I love you bunches.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Image <a href="http://schnauzermusings.blogspot.com/2008_08_01_archive.html">here</a>)</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-77571258166202659882009-05-07T07:10:00.001-05:002009-05-07T07:10:01.057-05:00Happy Birthday, Kirsten!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBLKb0lD802EoAjQyRNhY56oMeLVXeDtzb9SlqPX2VSQ75E48wlk5KvkeDs2mPIh60K-uMzrWStqoLtpWOzS0HAPJJJXukeqodwA5qK7SeuT5Qle9mQCKbMLnoFs9VYoqfXgy/s1600-h/choc_chip_cookies_closeup.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBLKb0lD802EoAjQyRNhY56oMeLVXeDtzb9SlqPX2VSQ75E48wlk5KvkeDs2mPIh60K-uMzrWStqoLtpWOzS0HAPJJJXukeqodwA5qK7SeuT5Qle9mQCKbMLnoFs9VYoqfXgy/s400/choc_chip_cookies_closeup.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332731411312537186" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br />To one of the best mothers I know, sister dear, I hope you have a wonderful day just for you, free from playing taxi, PTA savior, baker/cook.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><br /><br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >(Image </span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://cleverlittlecupcake.blogspot.com/2008/08/consummate-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">here</a></span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:85%;" >)</span><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-81669744574528216742009-05-07T00:12:00.002-05:002009-05-07T00:44:40.421-05:00Adoption: I HEARTI don't remember when I first had this thought, but at some point many years ago I thought about adoption and what an amazing gift it is for all involved, and how someday, I'd like to participate in it. Knowing now several couples who have adopted from both near and far, I continue to be an enthusiastic supporter. So when I found out that friends of Liz's (who I have met on several occasions since moving here) were bringing home Ariana, a precious little girl of 9 months, I was eager to offer my congratulations to the new family. My congratulations came in the form of taking some pictures at the Lincoln Park Zoo & Conservatory in honor of Ari's first birthday.<br /><br />My heart absolutely melted in seeing how bonded Ari already is with her new momma & papa. It's a mutual admiration society between those three!<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3506833490/" title="BennerFam_0034 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3506833490_9d23a7a4f9.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0034" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3506018815/" title="BennerFam_0109 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3506018815_3e9b3ce551.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0109" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3506825474/" title="BennerFam_0053 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 679px; height: 454px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3506825474_7697e719be.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0053" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3506018501/" title="BennerFam_0107 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 685px; height: 458px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3410/3506018501_c394182898.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0107" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3506016603/" title="BennerFam_0023bw by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 687px; height: 459px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3506016603_a768061512.jpg" alt="BennerFam_0023bw" /></a><br />(Go <a href="http://thingsshesaw.myshowit.com/bennerfamily">HERE </a>for a little slideshow with the rest of the images.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-23604242818467433822009-05-05T10:04:00.004-05:002009-05-05T11:42:49.239-05:00Visitors: Denise, Matt (& Diane)Despite the making of new friends in my new hometown, there is just nothing like long-time friends with whom you can relax in an entirely different way. Denise & Matt's visit to my new home town and a weekend spent in the Illinois "countryside" with Denise's mom & extended famil was just what I needed to gear up for my last week of spring semester and finals (which, by the way, are all over and I have off from school for the next few weeks!).<br /><br />Here is a peek at our time together, which included Chicago sightseeing, piano-playing with Grandpa Fred, a visit to the famous Rochelle, IL train park and family togetherness.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3503989307/" title="DMinChi_0018 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3503989307_a57a3dc52b.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0018" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3503990095/" title="DMinChi_0010 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3503990095_2bbd6eda2a.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0010" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504093215/" title="DMinRochelle_0301 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3504093215_029bd74365.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0301" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504092395/" title="DMinRochelle_0306 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3600/3504092395_66c3e22574.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0306" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504095003/" title="DMinRochelle_0363 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 671px; height: 448px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3504095003_1a86f5e20f.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0363" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504094095/" title="DMinRochelle_0342 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3549/3504094095_6cacf2b8f9.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0342" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504907210/" title="DMinRochelle_0341 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3504907210_03f9a6214a.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0341" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504094367/" title="DMinRochelle_0345 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 669px; height: 447px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3504094367_92b6dd8850.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0345" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504833038/" title="DMinRochelle_0048 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3504833038_a2db984eb4.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0048" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504832936/" title="DMinRochelle_0049 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3504832936_819e7c7877.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0049" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504837350/" title="DMinRochelle_0141 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 667px; height: 445px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3504837350_33f1de7eb1.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0141" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504044975/" title="DMinRochelle_0170 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3504044975_a069d8ac20.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0170" width="333" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504045697/" title="DMinRochelle_0182 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3391/3504045697_60371f805c.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0182" width="333" height="500" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3504804998/" title="DMinRochelle_0001 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 669px; height: 447px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3504804998_b636b6c2db.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0001" /></a><br />(See more in a slideshow <a href="http://thingsshesaw.myshowit.com/dmchivisit">HERE</a>.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-79697725318336766502009-05-04T01:07:00.007-05:002009-05-04T09:25:57.849-05:00Project365: It is Finished.You may remember that j<a href="http://hugoandispy.blogspot.com/2008/05/050108krs.html">ust over a year ago I started a little project</a>; a project to document my life through a photograph each day. Although <a href="http://hugoandispy.blogspot.com/">the blog focused on that purpose</a> has not been updated in several months, that did not mean I stopped the fun! A handful of days are missing but here is <a href="http://thingsshesaw.myshowit.com/p365_08_09">the final collection</a>. It was a challenge at times to remember to take a picture let alone take a decent one; almost half of these were taken with a cell phone camera. But the point was to push my creativity, photographically and it certainly did that.<br /><br />If you decide to watch the entire slideshow, I suggest a cup of coffee and a comfy chair. It's a long one! (Click the image)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thingsshesaw.myshowit.com/p365_08_09"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 676px; height: 449px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NafbFXacQVsOI4VbbhiuCOhLagQJFojtsl4C9m3FKcxdbx8XtBeaxWy5urtmylqL7yLTSH2IWkSRPY6ZxljrGim5dmyWn_h8sir8X2IoDeTLFP9AEySvcnFYl-gdVFgh_866/s400/Welcome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331852909711335186" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-68424396891063848502009-04-29T09:33:00.003-05:002009-04-29T09:40:19.902-05:00Wishing For SpringThe thing about living in a place that has distinct seasons is that you reach your threshold with one just as another is about to come. I'm done with winter and wishing for a sunny spring.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3486320760/" title="DMinChi_0011 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 385px; height: 574px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3486320760_bae7a7397b.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0011" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3482514281/" title="DMinRochelle_0280 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 384px; height: 572px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3325/3482514281_8b45a4ac32.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0280" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-42521131328599087732009-04-28T08:33:00.003-05:002009-04-28T08:52:23.882-05:00Weekend with FredI'm smack in the middle of finals this week but wishing that I could go through all the photos I took this weekend of Denise & her family. In particular, the times Denise spent with her grandfather Fred as he played the piano, his fingers stiffer than they used to be. They were sweet moments to be a part of.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3482514203/" title="DMinRochelle_0286 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 376px; height: 562px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3409/3482514203_4e65f3498c.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0286" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3482549243/" title="DMinRochelle_0306 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 376px; height: 562px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3482549243_c381e03251.jpg" alt="DMinRochelle_0306" /></a><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-40796139936949494512009-04-27T07:52:00.004-05:002009-04-27T07:56:04.674-05:00Happy Birthday, Mike!To a great brother-in-law, wonderful father to my niece and supportive, loving husband to my sister. Wishing you a wonderful year with many adventures.<br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >HAPPY BIRTHDAY!</span><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/2677941612/" title="Portland3_0022_edited-1 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 421px; height: 627px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2677941612_fd714bff81.jpg" alt="Portland3_0022_edited-1" /></a><br />(If I were in Portland right now I'd buy you a bacon-maple bar at Voodoo Donuts to celebrate.)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-47780469892451123822009-04-26T18:51:00.006-05:002009-04-26T19:04:53.666-05:00Back from the 'burbs (bearing gifts!)In addition to their loving presence, Denise & Matt brought me a little gift from California. For at least three (wisely rationed) meals I'll enjoy the Mexican food of my childhood. With the recent trend for airlines to charge extra for baggage weight, this gift was extra precious.<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3477461809/" title="SunVistaLove by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 778px; height: 436px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3477461809_9da0633983_o.jpg" alt="SunVistaLove" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-24932616964682811132009-04-24T12:36:00.005-05:002009-04-26T21:15:02.061-05:00Off to the 'burbs!Yesterday Denise & I roamed the city playing tourist before we met up with Matt for drinks in the Hancock Building lounge followed by a gluttony of Giordano's pizza & cupcakes from Molly's Cupcakes. This afternoon we're off to the 'burbs to visit her family for the weekend. Until then, a couple of the love-birds.<br /><img style="width: 384px; height: 574px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3574/3470700033_14ebea7cfe.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0036" /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3470699757/" title="DMinChi_0039 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 383px; height: 572px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3589/3470699757_b10894a157.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0039" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3471514194/" title="DMinChi_0038 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img style="width: 768px; height: 519px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3471514194_9fc98494d6.jpg" alt="DMinChi_0038" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22096552.post-9179110784450571532009-04-21T11:26:00.004-05:002009-04-21T11:31:00.420-05:00It was a rainy, foggy Sunday.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3462388173/" title="IMG00053-20090419-1917 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3462388173_8cca112031.jpg" alt="IMG00053-20090419-1917" width="375" height="500" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyry/3463202374/" title="IMG00056-20090419-2002 by KellyRy, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3463202374_dc24862c18.jpg" alt="IMG00056-20090419-2002" width="375" height="500" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1