I am thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I thought I would celebrate this year with a pictography of people places and things that make me thankful today. This is just a sample, because if I were all-inclusive, I'd be here until next year!

First and foremost, this guy, who not only gave the greatest compliment in life by marrying me this summer, but is an amazing cook, walk partner and friend. I'm also so very proud of him, because he's embarked on a new career this month in advertising sales for the Anchorage Daily News. Always up for a new challenge and thinking of ways to improve the lives of his family, he amazes me every day.

 This beautiful and harsh place I live. I love/hate it's weather, daylight swings and distance from the Lower 48. It's been my most faithful subject in my study of amateur photography.

 My parents, who have loved, supported and inspired me through everything. Especially my mom who taught me to follow my dreams, where ever they lie, and can take her own advice. She too, is embarking on a new adventure this year at the Seattle Red Cross. This lady is my role model. My dad for encouraging all of us, his patience and stories.

 My boy, who brings love and laughter to our home everyday. Aspiring guitarist and comedian, this guy probably teaches me more about family and what's truly important in life than anyone.

 Sister and Boy Kitty, because everyone needs a little unconditional love. And these guys have lots of it. Especially at 4:30 a.m. when I'm trying to sleep.

 My big brother and his lady. He just got promoted to to head bigshot at his engineering firm, but none of us are surprised.

 

My girlfriends for being the amazing, beautiful people they are. And for all the big and little woes and joys we share.

 My new friend Kim and her beautiful little family who have made Alaska feel so much more like home in the last few months.

My sweet in-laws who have welcomed me into their family as one of their own.

No baseball today

While I hear Washington feels a bit like Alaska this week, I think we've gotten a dose of Seattle's typical weather. It's rained on top of our snow for three consecutive days turning our winter wonderland into patches of ice, slush and mud. While school has been called off in Seattle for too much snow, we had the first "snow" days here in my two years here, for a lack thereof. The rain on top of snow made roads so slick that police responded to 89 vehicle incidents on Monday. I got off work a little early at the start of my four-day weekend and decided to walk through the baseball fields across the street to capture a little of the drizzly mess and play with my new camera.

Hello SLR, it's about time we become friends

A few days early, we found my birthday gift on Craislist today. A 2006 Nikon D50, barely used. The guy I purchased it from said he bought it on impulse and hardly used it. I've been wanting an SLR for quite some time, but couldn't bring myself to drop the cash on a brand new one until I know my way around the SLR world a little better. We got an amazing deal on it. I made my cats model for my first click around the house with my new toy. I have a rudimentary knowledge of how to work this thing, but really have a lot to learn. Can't wait.

Expect more frequent blogging, my friends.

Also, with the major ice storm in Alaska and all the snow in the Northwest, drive safe out there.

 

 

Halloween ... a belated post

Davin dressed up as a gangster for Halloween and we did both Trick or Treat Street in downtown and Trunk or Treat at a friend's church with my parents while they were in town. Strangely, I never chased them with the camera while they were here like I usually do and am dismayed to not find any pictures of them to add to this post. We had a wonderful time cooking, visiting and relaxing with them.

 Trick or Treat Street was a cool idea but I wouldn't recommend it to parents. It was a lot of long, cold lines at downtown stores for not a lot of childhood sweet rewards. But Trunk or Treat was a ton of fun and will be in our future Halloween plans.

Snapshots of fall flavors

Sister cat wants to help chop carrots before a poker night at the Zepeda household. We always take snacks to share.

We've been doing a lot of roasting and crockery cooking in the past couple weeks. I've become a near expert at vegetarian roast.

 

Halloween cookies. We tested out get food coloring for the frosting and it's awesome. Way less messy than the old liquid stuff.

The start of butternut squash soup.