Overlooked #1 Coffee Cup

1-9-08 coffee cup
Originally uploaded by kwhitten

This is the wrap up to the first overlooked challenge to put my coffee mug photo and its story together. I will be doing a scrapbook page on this, but for now, I wanted to get my story together with the picture.
Seriously, this is a great challenge and totally, TOTALLY not limited to scrapbookers. I would love if others who possibly read my sad excuse for a blog would join this challenge. Find it here

MUG HISTORY:
My Angel mug was given to me as a gift from my Mom. She had it sent to me from a local gift shot (the Grapevine) at my former job working for an attorney. I honestly cannot remember when she gave it to me, but I've had it a long time and love it because; number one my Mom gave it to me and number two, it is huge and I like the way it feels in my hand. Any mug I have that I use has to feel good in my hands! The mug has become a mainstay at my present job at Ozarka College. Everyone there knows my mug and I'm bad to leave it sitting somewhere. The ladies who work in the kitchen always retrieve it for me.
COFFEE ROUTINE:
I have to set the coffee pot to go off so it's ready when I get up at around 6AM. Since I've been trying to get up earlier in 2008 to read my Bible, I first, let the dogs out, put their food out, get my coffee and sit down to read. I fill a travel mug to take on my 30 minute commute to work every morning. Then I immediately go to the kitchen at work and grab my Angel mug and fill'er up! I drink coffee until I go to lunch at Noon. I have no clue how much I consume a day, but with the shaking I experience, I would guess it's more than I need!
COFFEE PREF:
I like Folger's regular, black and strong, but I'm not stuck on any brand. I like it hot! I also like the occasional flavored coffee, or a cappaciuno. But on a daily basis, it's just plain old black coffee.

daily blessings 2.1.08 - 2.3.08

Three days worth of blessings in one - what a deal!

2.1.08 joker - second snow day and a long weekend...WOOT!

2.2.08 ace of spades - I don't get to rule the remote too often at my house, but when the opportunity arises, I jump at the chance to catch a reality show. Today it was a new one on CMT called Gone Country...hilarious!

2.3.08 jack of hearts - an answered prayer today. My family came to church with me today for family day! A true blessing!!!!

5/52 Elsie's 52 week challenge

The challenge this week: bet you can find a place for a flower accent in your design. But take it up a notch. Embellish the center of your flower with a mini clock, a tiny thread tied button or patterned paper. And don't be afraid to turn a large flower shape into a photo frame.

I had to use this pic of Alex at some point. This is like her favorite picture ever! I took it while we were taking our family Christmas pictures back, end of of Nov - first of Dec. Anyway, I think it is a very good one too. I used some vintage gold notary seals and these great little owls that keep showing up on some of my favorite lo's! I also finally cut into another piece of my treasured Hambly. It always hurts to make that first cut. I don't know why! Maybe cause I'm a fREAK! Anyway the stems are pieces of a book page. This is not at all what I had pictured in my mind to do at first, but I really like the way it turned out. These challenges have been great for the creative.mojo.juices.

Speaking of Hambly...They have put up a sneak peek of their new brocade line on their blog. It is completely awesome looking and I cannot wait to see what else they do. I love working with their papers/overlays and need to try the rub-ons.

More snow overnight...

and another snow day for me!

Here is the same scene I've been taking pictures of to record the snowfall. I took this at about 10AM today after we had even more snow last night. The sun was peeping out which always makes everything glisten. I love it! All in all there is probably 5-6 inches according to the hubs. Of course he tends to exaggerate a tad bit where weather is concerned! He missed his calling I think and should have been a weather man. He loves following the weather, to the point of it pretty much drives me crazy at times watching the Weather Channel and listening to the NOAA weather radio! Anyway, he pegged the snow this time, so I'll give him a break.

Hello DOG!

Yes, this is Dog the horse! (don't ask it is another hubs story.) Long story short...when we got Dog, hubs said he would follow him around a dog...thus his name; Dog. I thought he looked endearing with snow on his whiskers and moisture on his nose/upper lip area. He's like, "Dang, it's flippin' cold out here people!"

On my journey outside this morning I was playing around with aperture settings on my camera and took this one of the snow on the barbed wire. I loved the DOF this captured.

I've been reading Understanding Exposure, a FAB book that breaks down photography techno-mumbo jumbo into easier to understand language for folks like me who just love photography and want to improve the quality of their pictures. I highly recommend the book.

I think the snow will start melting pretty quickly with the sun popping out and temps supposed to begin rising. Then everything starts really shining and glistening. I will probably get some more shots throughout the day.

I should probably shower, dress and make a trip to town as well. The highway is definitely clear and I'm getting a little touch of cabin fever by now. It's been great though being "stuck" in the house. I love the clean, quiet that snow creates on the world. God's way of shutting it up for awhile I imagine and force people to slow down...hang out with their families and reflect on the beauty that only He can create.

daily.blessing.1.31.08

jack of diamonds - Finally a snow day today! It was gorgeous AND I have found out I have another one tomorrow. Cannot believe I get TWO snow days in a row. I feel like a kid again. :D

daily.blessing.1.30.08

queen of clubs - I do love art, but sometimes I feel more love and today was one of those days.

I do think art is a blessing to behold!

Snow by the Hour

First of all let me just state exactly how thrilled I am to have a snow day....FINALLY!!! Thought I would capture the snow each hour today to see how quickly it would pile up.

This morning when we got up we had a light dusting I took this picture at 8AM Central:

Shortly after, it began to snow and at 9AM, it looked like this:

It was really snowing then - big, beautiful, wet snowflakes. At 10AM we had this to look at:

It slacked off then and at 11AM, this is what it looked like:

Currently, it is not really snowing, but there is some type of precipitation coming down. I'll continue to take pictures throughout the day if it cranks up again.

let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

It is forecasted and I'm so thrilled!!! I really think this time it WILL snow. I just want one snow day, that's all! I'm really excited about the idea of staying home all day and being in my pj's. I know it's still a longshot, but it would be so awesome. I think I'm more excited than Alex for a snow day.

I'm ready snow, bring it on!
...then please go away and bring on the spring....thanks!

daily.blessing.1.28.08

5 of diamonds: Yes, I have it! I cannot help it! I know it's early, but I get this time every year.

daily.blessing.1.27.08

3 of hearts: Big Old Nap is just what the doctor ordered for me today! Sometimes a nap can make you feel worse ...sometimes better . I was blessed today with the latter.