For some ungodly reason, the school I work for decided to hold classes even though our vehicles were coated in an inch of ice and the roads were even worse. The day was slow and boring, fortunately. Unfortunately, that left a lot of time for people to get on my nerves. So I came home to this magical winter wonderland that surrounds my home and decided that whatever it was that frustrated me during the day wasn’t worth holding onto. I poured myself a glass of wine and decided to focus on what makes me happiest, drawing. (Aside from my husband, of course, but he’s not home

I poured myself a glass of wine and started ordering supplies for my soon to open Etsy shop while watching The Devil Wears Prada which, single handedly is able to make me more self-conscious than any other movie ever filmed. I snapped these photos of my beautiful yard when I got home as the sun had barely set and twilight fell. It really is incredible.. the way the snow makes the world feel like a completely different dimension. If it wasn’t so dang cold, I’d go walking in the forest and enjoy the beauty of the white woods.

When you look out your window and this is what you see, how can you help but smile? There’s something about the snow that affects me in ways sunshine can’t. It makes me feel safe, protected… maybe it’s because when there is 4 inches of snow on the ground people stay inside. Most don’t even attempt to leave the house and just choose the comfort and warmth of their homes. This is a good day.

To the right in the sidebar is the list of places that you can follow me at.  I just recently became a huge fan of Twitter.. when I say recently, I mean like in the past 15 minutes.  It’s so fun!  And Twitpic is even more fun!  You can update your twitter with pictures! 
Check me out at Twitter. 

Here are some Pittsburgh pictures by me… I’m in love with the city.  Everytime I drive through the tunnels and emerge on the bridge, it takes my breath away until I can utter softly to myself “I love this city”.  No matter what the weather is, I think it’s a beautiful city.  Of course, my attachment to Pittsburgh is completely emotional.  I was away from it for 5 years while I lived in Tulsa and ever since, it’s given me a new appreciation for my small, but diverse city.  Tulsa was bleak, boring, and lifeless.  I’ll never go back there again.  (My apologies to all who live there, but my personal experiences there have somewhat tainted my perception.)

Anyway, enjoy the pictures…

The Fort Pitt Tunnels

The Fort Pitt Bridge

I accidentally took this pic through the shaded part of the windshield, but it kind of had a cool effect, don’t you think?

Not sure what church this is, but I love how the old architecture here seems to be being protected by the bigger and newer buildings, like they’re keeping guard or something.

-Mark Twain

Last night, my family decided to take my sister-in-law, Lindi, and me out for our birthdays.  They are still a few weeks away, but with them being in town, it seemed the perfect opportunity to party.

The evening began with The Melting Pot.  This was a first for me.  I’ve long been a devoted fan of fondue, but never made it a priority to go experience The Melting Pot.  It was incredible!  With 4 courses, 3 of them being different kinds of fondue, the evening left me stuffed, happy, and anxious to go home and try to mix my own cheddar cheese, beer, worcestershire sauce and garlic.

After we finished our amazing dinner we walked down to the river and watched the dancing water show for a while until the sun set and I was able to snap this amazing photo of this beautiful city that I live in.  Everytime I drive through the tunnels and they open up to downtown, it takes my breath away and I’m reminded of why I will never ever move from here again.

I sit here, indulging in Bleep Blips and Project Runway while obsessing over my new obsession (redundantly stated, I know).

But, seriously. About 6 months ago I expressed my complete and utter interest in Lomography’s Fisheye Camera. I had forgotten totally about it until Tom surpirsed me with the yellow fisheye for Christmas. Little did he know what a craze it would initiate with me. Within 2 hours of opening my fisheye, we had ordered another Lomography camera… The Diana+ .

I had EAGERLY been awaiting her arrival since the second I laid eyes on her. I was anxious to experience the manual panoramic photos I could take with her, the dreamy pinhole exposures, the musky, highly-contrasted square prints… She arrived today. I tore the box opened, hastily read the manual and wilted in dispair when I realized she doesn’t take 35mm film like the others… no, she takes 120 film. Crap. Looks like I have to make a trip to Ritz tomorrow. In the meantime, I’ve finished a roll on the Fisheye and I still have my Oktomat to nurture. Yes, I actually got 3 Lomography cams in one week. Is this an unhealthy obsession? Not yet. Maybe someday. There’s about 20 other Lomography cams that I need before this craving will be satiated. Let me tell you about the Oktomat… he takes 8 consecutive pics with one snap of the shutter release. I hear him “click click click click click click click click”. The result is 8 small pics depicting movement in what would be a normal 4×6 photo.

I plan on using these 3 cameras to take the majority of my wedding pictures. You can’t get more unique than that!

Anyway, so I’m looking through the book that accompanied my Diana ((True Tales & Short Stories)) and what do I happen to stumble upon, but a picture of Andy Warhol taken with one of the original Dianas. I just can’t seem to get away from this guy! Oh, and today I began my first day on my new job **stress!!**, taking a tour through the school, we walked past the graphic design department and I see many many flyers for what else other than The Andy Warhol Museum. Come on now! Enough of all that. I’m going to have some hot chocolate

Photo by Mark Sink

In my family, I have a mom and dad (of course) and 2 brothers.  My parents, unintentionally, decided to give birth to me right smack in the middle of the 2 boys.  My mom, my older brother Ryen and I were all graced with the artistic abilities.  My Dad and my little brother, Pat (who is not so little at 24 years old and 6′2″) have the business / technological abilities.  Pat is about to finish his MBA at Regent University.  ((He’s the next Donald Trump)) 

My mom plays piano and sings like an angel.  I also play the piano and occassionally the flute.  **eek** My brother plays the guitar, bass guitar and is a master woodcrafter.  When we went to visit them in Philadelphia on the way to Bethany Beach the other weekend, I took a few pictures of Rye’s wood shop in their garage.  Right now he’s building a beautiful computer desk for their office.  He also does wood carvings that are unbelievable!  I’ll have to get some of those pictures and post them soon.  I’m trying to convince him to do commission work because he is such a wonderful woodworker.

Ryen

The Plans

The computer desk unfinished

I’m home again, not feeling so well. I feel like I’ve been stuck in the house entirely too much in the past 3 weeks. And I’ve been neglecting my poor little blog. However, I have been very busy. Tom and I have been diligently working on the house. We’re just a couple hours away from finishing Tommie Rae’s new bedroom. Work has already begun on my “art room”. In between, we’re spending time on our bikes, out in the fresh air. I decided to post some pictures I’ve taken recently on our bike rides. I’m so sick of being inside that I needed to see these on here… it’s refreshing! I hope you all enjoy them as much as me. They put a smile on my face.

I just really love taking pictures!

For color week, today is orange and yellow. These 2 colors depict so many happy things in the world.. sunshine, flowers, smiley faces.. Well here are the yellow and orange things that make me happy.

My favorite yellow bag that Tom bought me +
an awesome yard sale find of a chair for $3 +
my yellow living room=
Happy Girl

A painting of mine that is technically unfinished
hanging right outside the bathroom door

Some pretty flowers in mom’s backyard

Books from childhood I found in an old box Mom gave me

An amazing orange velvet chair that Tom’s grandpa gave us.
He gave us TWO!

My absolute favorite vases of KOI fish from Z Gallerie

Beautiful bird that couldn’t stop looking at me at the Aviary..

Gorgeous little Tommie Rae
I added this because we were carving pumpkins and it’s all over her cute little hands

A Lily up on Mt. Washington after a rain..
Yeah, I actually took this picture myself.
It surprised even me.

I took this one too at Phipps Conservatory.
Yes, I took this one, too! haha

Another one from Phipps..

And another…

Last but not least, my adorable, oh-so-lovable kitty, Willie
(in his Christmas hat)

That concludes yellow day and orange day. I actually have another post coming up of my craftiness the past couple of night. I’m gonna have to do it in a separate post, though. This one is just getting too long. If you can’t tell, I absolutely love taking pictures. And I love taking pictures of flowers.. obviously! I hope you all enjoy them. Leave lots of comments! I love to hear from you!

Yesterday being the 4th of July, I was incredibly busy and lost all track of time.  Therefore, I didn’t get to post my color week pictures.  Later on tonight, once I get home from work, I will post yesterday and today’s colors: Orange and Yellow. 

It’s time to post my color week pictures. I’ve had some techinical difficulty tonight. #1 - I lost my USB cord (or so I thought). #2 - I interrupted my photobucket upload about 3 times and had to start over from square one. GRR

But alas, all is well and I’m ready to post some pictures!!

This is an adorable bottle that Mom gave me for Christmas from Anthropologie

My new apron

2 notepads I love and use all the time

New whale and sailboat hoodie (it really is green, the lighting didn’t show it well)

Papers from my paper collection

Acrylics getting ready to make the next picture…

My easel and a painting I began, but lost the inspiration to finish…

Basil and Parsely I’m attempting to grow…

So that’s all of my greeness for today! Have a wonderful 4th of July!