[day 29.]

my birthday present from Mom & Dad, and the matching butter dish I splurged on yesterday. :) these make me happy.

[day 28.]

the man that makes me want to be a better woman.

[day 27.]

so I'm sitting at the computer, and I decide to open the blinds to my right (which I hardly ever open), and this is what I am pleasantly surprised with.
unexpected lilies.

[day 26.]

after waiting almost 4 months, I am finally licensed to practice in California!
best. day. EVA!

[day 25.]

self-portrait sans makeup.
:)

[day 24.]

put my feet in the ocean today. :)

[day 23.]

stunning friend.

[day 22.]

spent a fabulous, yet *crazy* day & night in LA with Cat ... completely EPIC.

[day 21.]

downtown San Diego at the Embarcadero.
freaking fabulous.

[day 20.]

birthday flowers for the WIN!
they brightened my gloomy day.

[day 19.]

the birthday girls.
yep, she gave birth to me on her 29th birthday, 26 years ago. :)

[day 18.]

didn't get to publish this yesterday.
a love note that keeps on giving. :)

[day 17.]

the original caramel recipe from my great-great grandmother on my mother's side & the candy thermometer that belonged to my Mom's mother, who I was never lucky enough to meet. :) I am attempting these tomorrow.

[day 16.]

another one of life's little smiles, right in my own backyard.

and in sepia because I love it.

[day 15.]

A morning full of gluten/dairy/egg free WIN!

Start with Bob's Red Mill GF pancake mix. Substitute approximately 2 Tbsp cinnamon applesauce for egg and vanilla almond milk for regular milk. Add about a tsp vanilla extract.

Plop on griddle.

Drizzle boysenberry syrup & NOM!

[day 14.]

I'm going to use this blog as an opportunity to journal today.
It's been a rough one.
Had an appointment at the Naval Hospital and was told that I've got to rest my hip/leg for 6 weeks. NO exercise. Walking, only. And slowly. Only THEN can we get an MRI done. Yea, I'm crushed. All that New Years motivation gone to hell. And the pounds slowly creep ...
I'm horribly broken out, fighting with the whole celiac thing. I'm just spent.
It was then, at my breaking point, that I realized - I still have my hands. So what did I go & do? I took photos. With my hands. And so I thought that a picture of ... my hands ... would thus be appropriate. Thank God they still work.


And because my evening walk with Charlie on the beach brightened my day.

[day 13.]

because Henry's makes me happy.

[day 12.]

took a few photos today, which is surprising, considering my condition.
I'm fighting with a running injury right now. Finally went back to my chiropractor today ... check out how out-of-whack my spinal scan was. :eyeroll: No wonder my leg is killing me when I run.

and the traffic that California is best known for, I fought it all the way home.

and my friends this evening, BEST friends.

and my other battle that I WILL overcome - yet another celiac flare up. le sigh. this is a HUGE insecurity of mine.

[day 11.]

I was going to take a photo of my bottle of Aleve, as it feels like today I am dependent on it. My leg is killing me when I run & don't know why. Fail.
But I decided against it. I decided to take a pic of my other battle - the much more important one at least.
my job search. it consumes me.

[day 10.]

so I can show my kids one day.
& because it's my personal hell. ;)

[day 9.]

the incredible pair that created & raised me. :)
(we spent the afternoon/evening with them today)



and a blossom from a bradford pear tree.

[day 8.]

my orchid.
because I'm proud of not killing it yet.

[day 7.]

today was one of those days.
wasn't motivated, so I went out & took pictures of crap.
to my surprise, they turned out okay.
if you haven't figured it out by now, you can click each image to enlarge. :)

first, the sun behind a neighbor's palm & the odd star-shaped reflection it made. :)

second, my weird palm/fern thing that grows in the entry-way by the front door.

and third, the corrosion to the sliding glass doors (both have it). they are being replaced by the owner in a few weeks, with brand-spankin' new frames/doors. WOOT.

[day 6.]

you all knew it was coming ...
the beast.

[day 5.]

a perfect day for pomegranate ...

[day 4.]

so the story goes:
I go in to work out at the Pendleton gym, come out, and this is under my wiper.
I'm flattered, really. Made my day.
Come to find out, it was Charlie ... we're definitely starting out right this year.
:)

[day 3.]

a fresh rain.

[day 2.]

the infamous GREENS.
2 large leaves rainbow chard.
1 apple.
1 banana.
1/2 cup organic apple juice.
2 1/2 cups water.
I couldn't pick just 1 image, so here's 3 for your amusement.

in the making.

pour pour pour.

and enjoy. :)

[day 1.]

one of my many resolutions for 2011.
read them ALL before investing in ONE new book.
*literally* 14 books.
this also counts towards the "be more frugal" resolution.