The Look of Spring 2012

At VV Park.
Looks like heaven on earth.
Magnolias in Bloom

Like I said in my other blog,  I made a BIG (rookie) photography blunder.  I learned something new with my Nikon so I decided to test it out and many of my photos turned out blurred.  Total failure.  It taught me a lesson though, never experiment with photography during important events (my mother in law is visiting from Ukraine).

Anyway, some photos were salvageable so here they are.  It's nice to take photos again.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was so relaxing.

Downtown Bank Entrance

Another view of downtown

Trees budding

Allergy season looks so beautiful

Down by the Riverside

We went to the Putnam Museum where they have dozens of life size animatronic dinosaurs in their exhibit.
It was too cool.  There were a few occasions that caused me to jump.  It was scary yet exciting.

Simple Christmas, The Lazy Cat, and Kindle Reads

 

This year (compared to the last) we decided to keep the holidays simple by putting up the small Christmas Tree with limited decorations. This is so I wouldn't have the burden of cleaning up after giving birth towards the end/beginning of this/next year. It's kind of nice yet at the same time I wish that I was able to do more. I've been so easy to tire lately that Dre has been doing a lot of the housework (feeding the pets, bending down, lifting heavy things, cleaning, cooking, etc.)

So anyway... above is the lounging cat. He loves that arm rest and can be found at that location the majority of the time.

KINDLE CURRENT READS

In all other news, Dre got me a Kindle so to occupy my time since I'm now just sitting pretty at home. I love the thing and have been voraciously reading to my heart's desire.

My Current Reading List: 

The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
- Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
>> I use this book more of a devotional, reading a chapter a day in order to feed my mind and gain some sort of enlightenment. It helps because it shows how to achieve happiness.

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
>> I love books that allow me to gain a better understanding of history and culture. This book caught me by surprise due to its content and storyline. I can't put it down! A must read.

Sargasso of Space (Solar Queen, Book 1) - Andre Norton
>> This book was recommended by my husband and also fulfills my love of science-fiction. I've only gotten through the first few chapters and it's good so far... I can't wait till the real action begins.

UPDATED BABY BLOG

Thursday, December 1, 2011 Love From Ukraine A few days ago, we received a package from Dre's Mom. Talented Grandma Mila knitted these booties and outfit for Baby A. They're so precious and adorable - practically melted my ... (read more after the jump)

Glimpse of the Fall Season

It has been forever since I picked up my Nikon. Despite my baby bump getting heavier making it uncomfortable to walk around, maneuver, bend and be mobile - I managed to take a few photos at the park yesterday. There should have been more photos taken but I just wasn't feeling like my winner self.

Back to Walnut Grove In Black And White

Some pictures are better displayed in black and white. Yesterday we visited Walnut Grove Pioneer Village once more for its "Come Alive" event with our friends, the Aquino family. People were dressed in costume and reenactments based on the 1890's prairie were prevalent throughout the day. I wish I could go back in time just to experience how life was back then. Nonetheless, we all had a great time. It was fun to watch Dre interact with little Elian and Nahel. They definitely help get him ready for fatherhood someday.

We went to an old fashioned ice cream parlor. It was hot so ice cream was perfect to
cool us down a bit. Here's little Nahel eating his vanilla cone.

Here is Elian with his Vanilla Sugar Cone. He was content and happy.

This little girl was part of the reenactment team.
She followed the boys and wanted to become friends with them. They're all so cute.

At a pow-wow

A skinned wolf on display.

Back in the day, the Indians wore animal skin/fur to keep warm.
Here is Elian trying on the wolf skin.

Adorable Nahel with the wolf's clothing.

Little Nahel crawling like a wolf.
Too cute.

Nahel and his mama, Nahira.

Elian with his papa, Gabrielle

We took a group photo that sadly turned out blurred with our manual digital SLR.
It's times like these that I wish we brought the automatic lens. I might have to ask my
brother for the picture from his point and shoot.

Just Jean-the-Cat (Zhan)

Birthday Boy Pretzel is 5 Years Old Today

Here's Pretzy beside his home made coconut birthday cake. 

It was my first ever attempt to bake a cake. It's a work in progress.

Anyway... watch the video below. It's pretty crazy.

We had a little get together for little Pretz... just the family since I didn't cook much, just grilled some chicken.
But it was a lot of fun. In the meanwhile, celebrating pets birthdays will do since we don't have kids yet.

Quite Contrary

This year's flower garden is less than impressive. There are so many flowers that shriveled up and died (like the picture above) because of the extreme heat. The rabbits and critters do not help the situation since they eat the flowers and uproot them. I didn't have this problem last spring/summer. By this time last year, the flowers were blooming and were so abundant. But it seems like this year I'm outside more often watering, tending, and weeding - yet sometimes I feel like there's nothing I can do to save them or make them be fruitful and multiply.

At least I have those two sweethearts in the window to keep me company;

watching over me while I tend to the flower garden. They're so precious. 

In all other news. Jean-the-Cat had his annual vet appointment today. 

Cat is healthy, he lost a pound in one year but still needs to lose weight.

He is currently 15 pounds, have great lungs, great tummy, and have
insanely white and healthy teeth for a senior cat. He is 8 years old this year.

{ Pardon the mobile device photo }

Maya & Binky Lou

{ Maya & Binky on the couch }

Maya and Bianca are my parents' girls. They're such darlings I love them. I wish I get to spend more time with them since they're so sweet, cuddly, and have such funny personalities. Pretzel & Colette love having visitors so it was a circus last night. Jean-the-Cat, not so much (ha ha) he likes to keep to himself. But that darn cat... he got up on the bed last night reeking of litter box. EEeeek... nasty. Time to change that sucker.

Nothing much is going on except everyone complaining of the recent extreme heat. I don't know about others, but I absolutely love the sun hitting my skin. I'm out everyday watering the flowers and I don't mind it whatsoever. It fuels me up and gives me energy. It will be raining for the next couple of days... which I still don't mind since it's cozy. Just turn off the lights, light up candles, put on some jazz, get  under the blanket, and read a book while sipping tea.

Anyway, the family came over dinner last night. It was the first time I've ever cooked Cuban food and it was interesting. Nonetheless, it was successful. I couldn't believe how well my black beans turned out. I'll post the recipes in my next blog.