Self Portrait Series - 1 (Project 358: Days 108 - 110)

Our Spring Break was a busy one this year. My younger sister got married on Friday, so the days leading up to the big event were filled with the bachelorette party, the rehearsal dinner, and many frantic moments trying to tie together all the loose ends. It was a lot of fun, and it was wonderful getting to spend so much time with family, but by the end of it, Stephen, the kids, and I were all completely worn out. Hence our decision Monday night, the last night of Stephen's vacation, to order takeout from our local Japanese restaurant, Ninja Sushi. We ordered vegetable tempura, miso soup, and kappa maki (cucumber roll). As always, it tasted fantastic and was worth every penny.

Day 108: End Of Vacay Take-Out

The morning Stephen had to go back to work, Evan got up early to spend some time with Daddy before he had to leave. This has become their pre-work ritual. They chat and eat breakfast together while Elinor and I laze around in bed a while longer, lightly dozing. When it was time for Stephen to leave, Elinor was still asleep, so Stephen turned on a movie for Evan in the living room and kissed the three of us goodbye. A few minutes later, Elinor woke up, climbed out of bed, and headed down the hall to see what her brother was up to. I layed in bed a few moments longer, wishing I could let myself drift softly to sleep, but knowing that leaving my children to their own devices was a very bad idea. Grudgingly, I pulled myself out of bed, put on my slippers and glasses and headed down the hall, wondering what sort of scene I would find. Elinor singing and dancing on the kitchen counter using my chef's knife as a microphone? Evan hiding in a corner eating an entire bag of dark chocolate M&Ms? These children were capable of anything.

Much to my surprise and delight, I found the two of them snuggled under a blanket on the couch together, watching a movie and looking at the pictures in a big book of children's poems. I smiled and kissed them, took a photo to capture the precious moment, and thought, Hmmm...maybe I should go back to bed... (Don't worry, Stephen, I didn't. I know better than to push my luck.)

Day 109: Angels (When They Want To Be)

When I first started this Project 365 I remember reading on the Flickr website a suggestion to take a photo of yourself at least once a month. I thought this was a good idea and decided that I would give it a go. Before I knew it, January had passed and I had not taken a photo of myself. February and March soon followed, both lacking the inclusion of a self-portrait. Last night, I put the kids to bed and was sitting down on the couch for some much-needed veg time when I realized I hadn't taken a photo yet. Feeling uninspired to photograph anything in my house, I decided to take a self-portrait. Hopefully I will remember to do the same for the remaining eight months of the project. This rapid aging process I seem to be experiencing lately must be documented!

Day 110: Self-Portrait, April 2011

Medicinal Sunshine (Project 358: Day 74)

Day 74: Medicinal Sunshine

This past Winter was a wet one, filled with long strings of cold, gray, rainy days, the type of weather that tends to get me down. This year, however, I made a conscious decision not to complain about the weather too much, to instead focus on the positive aspects of rain. We need it. It's nice not having to water the lawn for three or four months straight. It cleanses the Earth and makes everything feel new and fresh. It's an excuse to stay inside, snuggle, read books, have a fire, make popcorn and hot cocoa and cookies, just because. Reminding myself of these things helped to get me through, but I have to admit, there were times when it got to me and I could actually, physically feel my body craving sunshine.

Today I got a dose of that blessed sunshine, at long last. Looking out the window mid-morning, I saw that my entire backyard was filled with glorious golden light. I immediately made the decision to keep Evan home from school; I simply couldn't resist the urge and opportunity to spend the day with my kids, playing and relaxing and soaking in the sunshine.

We stayed outside for literally hours on end and are, in fact, still outside as I write this, old-fashioned style with pen and paper. We built an elaborate town out of wooden blocks and populated it with the kids' extensive collection of animal figures; we drew pictures, with concrete and chalk, with paper and crayons; we ate sandwiches, apple slices, string cheese and cookies; hunted for insects; slid down the slide; talked; listened; laid on the ground and stared at the sky. The clouds were magnificent.

Oh, how this beautiful day filled me up, made me feel whole again. Just what the doctor ordered: medicinal sunshine, and I drank it like a person dying of thirst. Today was a big ol' warm, sweet slice of sunshine pie. I will lock the memory in my mind and revisit it during the inevitable upcoming rainy days of Spring. Before we know it, Summer will be here with her long hot days and perfect, pleasant evenings, filled with gardening and swimming and barbecues with friends, picnics and popsicles and staying up late. I will savor it and try never ever to complain of the heat.