COSTUME

Went up to the attic to look for something completely different and I found this. These things just come out of nowhere.

Costume

When my parents were at my cousin's wedding in Spain last year they picked up this little number for Charlotte.  Needless to say the "flamengo" dress was a hit at Halloween.

Cooking

I love cooking but I have to follow recipes.  How I envy those people (like Seb) who can just look through the fridge, find some random ingredients and whip up a delicious meal.  Seb laughed his head off years ago when he saw me following a recipe for scrambled eggs.... I rest my case!  These are my go-to cookbooks that never fail me.

COOKING

For yesterday's challenge, Contemporary, I loved Gemma's picture of the kitchen and what caught my eye was the blue flame (I am drawn to that color like a moth - haha). I like hers better but I had fun.

Contemporary

Our neighbour is the kind of person who is totally fine with me charging in to her house (with kids... at dinner time) to take pictures of her gorgeous new and contemporary kitchen.  This is exactly how I found it... all neat and tidy.  Total opposite of our kitchen!

CONTEMPORARY

This ultra contemporary house is one I passed today. Definitely not my cup of tea.

COMPACT

Compact

I can't imagine how long I have had these.  Not a big fan of make-up.  But it was the only "compact" thing I could think of.

COMFY AND COZY

She always wants a front row seat and thinks the kids' bean bag makes a cozy bed.

Comfy and Cozy

The only thing missing is a cup of tea.

Comfort Foods

My comfort food is my mum's cottage pie.  There is no recipe.  She just throws in "whatever is around."  These are the ingredients that went into tonight's cottage pie (and sultanas/golden raisins.... but I almost forget them).   It's never quite as good as when my mum makes it.  I guess that's why they call it comfort food?

COMFORT FOOD

When I was little, my Mom used to make Snackin' Cake. It was a banana cake that you would fold up the box it came in, add water and bake. It seemed like a mystery to me - a grown up version of Easy Bake. I was going to make Mac and Cheese for my photo today, the ultimate comfort food, but no one wanted to eat it so I made this instead. Please tell me I am not the only one who remembers Snackin' Cake. Cake can be comfort food, right?

Cold

This must have been the warmest February day in history.  I couldn't find anything naturally cold at all.  So I had to grab ice out of the freezer.  This was late afternoon and the ice was MELTING!!!

COLD

Its warm in NY so cold was a challenge. I was out the whole day and came home to bad lighting. This picture does not make me happy at all. The candy cane came from a stash that upset me. Tomorrow I will try harder.

Coiled

My favourite kitchen utensil...

COILED

My desk calendar

Cleanliness

This theme was about as inspiring as actually cleaning...

CLEANLINESS

I think the sponge looks like a pool float.

City or Town

Northport is the next town over from us.  The sweet shop is where Annabelle had her first taste of ice-cream.  It is a special memory because we got to share it with my aunt and uncle who were visiting from Tanzania.  My aunt also happens to have a very strong love affair with ice-cream.

CITY OR TOWN

Town of Sayville. Not very inspiring today. Wish it was New York City that I went to get this photo. (Isn't it a bit late for Holiday Baskets?)

Circular

Early morning at the harbour.

CIRCULAR

Dating myself.

CHORES

Awesome app called Teux Deux. Keeps some of my chores front and center. Lucky me.

Chores

The never ending cycle of dirty dishes...

Chocolate

I knew exactly what picture I wanted to take today and the lovely people at Azure Chocolate indulged me!  This beautiful and delicious chocolate is made right down the road.  How lucky am I?  While I was there I also bought some truffles for a dinner I am going to this weekend and I bought one of their famous S'mores for Melissa, who I see tomorrow.  Ok...FINE... I bought two...but the other one is not getting out of here alive :)

CHOCOLATE

I made this today but when I took the picture I was running out of daylight. This is chocolate orange and fresh whipped cream. If anyone wants the recipe, just let me know. It didn't take more than 5 minutes.

CHIMNEYS

Went to the Bayard Cutting Arboretum this afternoon. This is the Manor House and I could only get in three of the nine chimneys.

Chimneys

Never noticed our roof before.  A bit of a moss problem apparently. I thought this theme was rather dull but I ended up loving several photos. Odd how that happens.

Children

When I told them to "say cheese" this isn't exactly what I had in mind...

CHILDREN

Childhood

Thankfully the playground was empty because I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to explain why I was taking pictures.

CHILDHOOD

These four books shaped my life. See a running theme? The funny thing about them is they were published, from left to right, in 1944, 1939, 1969 and 1965. Life was much simpler back then - in my life and when these books were written. The oldest, Hobby Horse Hill was my favorite and I read it over and over. I lost myself in these books.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone xxx

Cheese

This will be my dinner tonight.  YUM.  Have I mentioned before how much I love that this blog gives me an excuse for almost anything?

CHEESE

The story of cheese. I went to a cheese shop today. Closed. So I took a photo through the window (those are fake grapes). Stopped at the grocery store and bought goat cheese and bagel crackers. Made a lovely plate of them and took a bunch of pictures. Didn't like any of them.....so I ate my display :)
I never met a cheese I didn't like. I'm on a goat cheese kick.

CHALLENGE OR CHALLENGING

Today I was with some funny people and all around us were very funny challenges. This is Lake George with parts frozen. Might be challenging to use the slide today ;)
It was 19* and the wind was mad.

Challenge or Challenging

There is a skate park five minutes away from our house.  These boys were insane.  On the back of his sweater it says "The ones you love to hate"

CHAIRS OR BENCHES

A block away is The Never Forgotten Garden for those touched by cancer. I have spent many hours on these benches.

Chairs or Benches

If you walk all the way down to the bottom of our street you end up here.  When the weather is good, it is absolutely lovely. I love the water drops on the bench and the birds on the water.

Center of Interest

So mild today we took a walk on the beach in the late afternoon. Thankfully Kim explained the theme because I was WAY off base!

CENTER OF INTEREST

CENTER OF INTEREST: Each picture should have only one principal idea, topic, or center of interest to which the viewer's eyes are attracted.

Went to the flower house today and bought a cyclamen. I also took it with a pale green background (an old pillowcase) but I thought the black was more dramatic. It was really windy so I had the camera on continuous shooting. The background is one of my ribbed turtlenecks draped over the lawn chair. Honestly I think pictures of us taking the pictures would make a funny blog on its own.

Now if I can only keep it growing :)

CEMENT

So long ago. I wish I had a time machine.

Cement

Well I never thought I would find myself taking pictures of cement (or rather concrete bricks made of cement).  It was chilly out this morning  - you can even see tiny bits of frost on the little moss growing.

Celebration

This theme worked out perfectly.  Today we celebrate 15 happy years together.

CELEBRATION

Just in time for Valentine's Day <3

Casual

This is my favourite place to get lunch on a work day.  It takes casual to a whole new level and the food is yummy. Today I had the homemade red lentil soup with a buttered baguette.

CASUAL

GAH. Casual???? Thank heavens I asked my friend Lisa and she suggested flip flops. You don't even want to know what I was thinking for casual ;) Thank you Lisa xxx

Car Parts

Um yes... this was the first time I opened the hood of a car... and no, I have no idea which part is what...

CAR PARTS

CANDY

My go-to candy are gummy bears. I had so much fun with this - too much. Don't they look evil, as if they are plotting to take over the world?

Candy

Some lovely candy stores in town.  I so enjoyed visiting them today.  This blog gives me an excuse for almost anything!