Phin Filter (090/365)

TIME: 6:48 pm

PLACE: Pho Grand
SUBJECT: Beverage

*~*~*

We celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary a day early...and took our daughter along as well.

We went to "Pho Grand", a Vietnamese restaurant located on South Grand in St. Louis.

It. Was. Amazing.

I don't know how never went here before, but we will be going back, that's for sure.  

After we ate, StellaDella ordered a "Cafe Su Da" - French roast chicory coffee with ice and sweetened condensed milk - it was brought out in a traditional Vietnamese Phin Filter.  She wasn't too hip about the chicory flavor, but HH and I enjoyed it.

 

What A Nice Sky (089/365)

TIME: 7:10 pm
PLACE: South of town
SUBJECT: Sky

*~*~*

Demarcation of clouds? Check.

Nice blue color? Check.

Contrail? Check!

Does that mean I need to take yet another sky photo? 

Yes.

 

Monday Memory (088/365)

TIME: 28 Mar 2016, 7:02 pm

PLACE: Backyard
SUBJECT: Flowering Quince bloom

*~*~*

I didn't post during 2016 - why? I don't know.  Got burnt out I guess.

This is a photo I took on March 28, 2016.  We no longer have this shrub in our yard.  It was planted by the former owners in an awkward spot by the fence and driveway.  It was in the way when HH had to park his work truck in the back.  So he got rid of it.

It was a really pretty sight in the spring when it was in bloom.

At least I have photos.

Full Moon (087/365)

TIME: 7:55 pm
PLACE: Outside
SUBJECT: Moon

*~*~*

On the way home from picking up supper I noticed the moon was pretty big.

I pulled into a parking lot with a decent unobstructed view and took some photos.

When I was pulling out of the parking lot, "Werewolves of London" started playing on the radio - I kid you not!  It was a very appropriate song.
 
*~*~*

Mulder apparently felt the full moon coming on earlier today.
 

He did some howling of his own 
(actually, he heard sirens, he always howls along with sirens).

(Dang, look at smear-age on the front door.  We may have some dogs living with us. LOL. 
Also, that is me snorting/snickering in the video.)

 

Shades of Green (086/365)

TIME: 5:33 pm

PLACE: Front Porch
SUBJECT: Paint samples

*~*~*

It's time to freshen up the paint on the porch railings.

The hardware store where I had the original color specially mixed has been permanently closed for a few years.  We don't have/can't find any of the original paint in the basement either.

So I've picked ups some samples from Home Depot.  The top one is too bright, the middle one is too blue and the bottom one is too light.

Who knew finding the right shade of green I like would be so hard?  I know, I know, if this is the biggest problem I have right now, I'm doing good in life.

What I need to do is find the receipt from the original paint - I know I have it filed somewhere.  It has the color proportions written on it.  Someone else can mix it for me.

 

1814/4181 (085/365)

TIME: 6:13 pm

PLACE: Fairgrounds
SUBJECT: Windshield

*~*~*

My county just opened up vaccinations for everyone.  

I registered myself and StellaDella. We were able to get an appointment the next day (today).

I chose a 6:05 pm slot. We drove right in, no lines. Very easy.

We did have the mandatory 15 minute wait after the injection to make sure we didn't have any reactions - we didn't.

They wrote the time we could leave with grease pencil on the windshield.

Tavern Ceiling (084/365)

TIME: 6:48 pm

PLACE: Ott's Tavern
SUBJECT: Ceiling

*~*~*

Yes - we went out to eat again.

Yes - it was at another bar.

Yes - I had a drink...a tall vodka and water with lime.

Yes - I did need the drink because work was rough this week.

Yes - it DID make me feel better.

Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard (083/365)

TIME: 5:40 pm
PLACE: Grade school
SUBJECT: Plastic frog

*~*~*

Went for a walk after work and stopped by the grade school playground.
 
I miss hearing the kids out in the school yard before and after school and at recess...here's hoping next fall will be more "normal"

I did see this guy sitting by the slide structure.  I named him "Julio"
He's waiting too.

 

Sapphire Raindrops (082/365)

TIME: 8:00 pm
PLACE: Driveway
SUBJECT: Raindrops on MB's car

*~*~*

We just had MB's car detailed in anticipation of his homecoming in the next few weeks.

Of course, it rained this evening, but you can tell they did wax it.

Check out that beading.

 

My, What A Big Tail You Have! (081/365)

TIME: 11:06 am

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: VHS - the leopard gecko

*~*~*

This gal never misses a meal of roaches or mealworms.

Fun fact: The leopard gecko's tail serves a similar purpose as a camel's hump - fat storage for energy reserves.  

Lights (080/365)

TIME: 12:34 pm
PLACE: Home Depot

SUBJECT: Light fixtures

*~*~*

SD joined me on a trip to Home Depot to purchase a gallon of paint for the porch trim - so when I DO have the energy, I will have the paint to use as well.

We also went to the Dollar store to get some flower picks and a flower spinner to take to the cemetery.  DQ and SD both went with me after supper.

It's the 16th anniversary of mom's passing. I can't believe it's been that long since she's been gone. It seems like forever and it seems like yesterday. It doesn't happen often, but there are still moments when the grief hits me out of nowhere...like an aftershock.    

 

Yesterday the Sun, Today the Moon (079/365)

TIME: 3:55 pm
PLACE: Yard
SUBJECT: Maple tree branches & moon

*~*~*

More blue skies and sun today.  So of course I guilted myself into doing yard work.

I cleaned out the front flowerbeds.  Now that they are clear, I see that I need to paint the trim on the porch. 

I know I am going to be plenty sore tomorrow just from the flowerbed clearing, so I'm not feeling bad about not painting today.
 
*~*~*

In other news, I upgraded my phone to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.  It has up to 100x zoom (or "stalker mode" as I like to call it) 

I only went with the 30x for the moon this afternoon.

Looking forward to see what else this phone camera can do!

 

Is THAT the Sun? (078/365)

TIME: 8:15 am

PLACE: Bathroom
SUBJECT: Stained glass reflection

*~*~*

The sun was shining this morning guys...haven't seen *that* in several days.

It shone through the stained glass we have hanging in the window, and reflected off a mirror onto the wall above the snake plant.

Looks like a solar orb to me. 

 

Coasters and Condiments (077/365)

TIME: 6:59 pm

PLACE: Local tavern
SUBJECT: Condiment caddy

*~*~*

We can eat inside again!

HH and I went out to a nearby tavern for some good old bar food.

People were sitting on barstools, various sporting events played on the large TVs...it almost seemed normal.

 

Irish I Was Drinking (076/365)

TIME: 2:21 pm

PLACE: Home

SUBJECT: Oxalis 

*~*~*

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

According to my DNA, I do not have any Irish ancestors to claim.

My husband, on the other hand, has approximately 3.7% British and Irish DNA.

So every once in awhile, I do have a little Irish in me. *rimshot*

Still Missing Her (075/365)

TIME: 16 Mar 2020, 8:03 pm
PLACE: Vet Office
SUBJECT: Oreo

*~*~*

One year ago we said goodbye to this sweet girl.

I still miss her terribly.  

She was a good dog.

Oreo : 2006-2020

Orange Vinegar (074/365)

TIME: 8:28 pm

PLACE: Home

SUBJECT: Orange peels in mason jar

*~*~*

I've been making my own vinegar cleaner for about a year now.

It started last year when the HH was into juicing and we found ourselves with a ton of leftover lemon and lime peels.

Just place the peels in a mason jar, cover them with white vinegar and let it sit for about 2 weeks.
Some websites say to place in a dark cupboard, but I leave mine sitting out.

This time, I used peels from mandarin oranges we had on hand.

I transfer it to a spray bottle with water in a 1:1 ratio.  I used it to daily to wipe down the kitchen counters.

It smells pretty good!   

 

Pi(e) Day (073/365)

TIME: 5:43 pm
PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Chocolate Pudding pie

*~*~*

A literal pie chart of pie I have eaten vs. pie I have not eaten.

I love 3.14 day. 

Who Finds This Funny? (072/365)

TIME: 6:23 pm

PLACE: SD's room
SUBJECT: Sticker

*~*~*

SD got this sticker from the "Junk Food Doody Stickers, Collect All 10!" vending machine at the supermarket.

Other possibilities were Smellogg's, Dr. Pooper, Lay a Big One, Monster Deuce (the one she *really* wanted and did get as well) and Dingleberries Potato Chips.

I must have the maturity level of a 12-year-old boy, because I found them hilarious.

So did Scully.

 

Happy Adopt-a-versary Mr. Mo! (071/365)

TIME: 7:57 pm

PLACE: Living room
SUBJECT: Mr. Mulder

*~*~*

4 years ago, on this day, as I and the girls were driving down the alley, we saw this guy up against the back of a neighbor's fence.

At first, we thought he was an older dog and hurt, but he wasn't, he was just a 6-month old puppy who was just scared and stressed because someone abandoned him.

It was late afternoon on a Sunday and there was no where to take him.  The police came by and said they could take him to the county pound. The girls were afraid he would be euthanized and begged to keep him and find who owns him ourselves.  I had a feeling he was dumped, and knew no one would claim him, but I had moment of weakness and agreed to bring him in the house -  TEMPORARILY. 

You can see how well *that* went.

The kids did try to find him a home.

But, in the end, we kept him.

Mr. Mulder was good for Oreo.  I truly believe she stuck around with us longer because he was here to keep her going.

He still has abandonment issues.  He doesn't like to ride in cars.  When he gets nervous, we have to hold his paw.  He will steal one of your socks out of the laundry basket when given the chance. When we go on walks he leaves his mark more often than not. He loves to give kisses and likes to be hugged and snuggled. Overall he is a very good boy.

A Sure Sign of Spring (070/365)

TIME: 7:18 pm

PLACE: Kitchen

SUBJECT: Ice cream concrete

*~*~*

It is definitely spring.

White Cottage, our local, seasonal ice cream shop is open.

I think my dad has been there a couple of times already. 

Project Completed (069/365)

TIME: 7:13 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Concrete frog/toad

*~*~*

Mr. Toad is finished!

He looks so much happier in this lovely shade of green with dark brown eyes and a thinner mouth.

His warts have been dry brushed with dark brown as well.

Here is a 3/4 view of his new look....

He will be going out in the flower beds shortly.

 

Flower Pin or Alien? (068/365)

TIME: 9:16 pm
PLACE: Desk
SUBJECT: Metal flower pin

*~*~*

The reflection of the desk lamp turns this vintage flower brooch into a tentacled, one-eyed alien.

I hope it's friendly.

Project in Process (067/365)

TIME: 12:18 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Concrete frog

*~*~*

I've had this frog sitting on my back porch steps for awhile.

I don't remember where I acquired him, but he was all white with red accents.  His red lips looked like he had issues with lipstick.  He had red eyes, and his warts, were red too.  He actually looked very demented and scary.

I am re-painting him.  We'll see how it turns out.

 

Volume #2 (066/365)

TIME: 1:44 pm

PLACE: Downtown
SUBJECT: Graffiti

*~*~*

SD & I found a 2nd "Volume" tag in an alley that is 1/2 block north of Main Street today.

We saw a Lego planter on Main Street too; I'm sure it has been there awhile, but I just noticed it today.

 

Banana Bread (065/365)

TIME: 12:06 pm

PLACE: Kitchen
SUBJECT: Banana bread

*~*~*

When life gives you really, really, ripe bananas....this is what you do.

I posted this photo on my Instagram feed and added the hashtag "notmybrothersfavoritefruit" - because he has always hated bananas and as a sibling, it is my job to point this out every single time bananas are mentioned or involved in our lives.

Sibling rules also dictate that he has answer back with some sort of smartass comment.

 

Flashback Friday (064/365)

TIME: 5 Mar 2017, 7:22 pm
PLACE: Desk
SUBJECT: Random items

*~*~*

I had forgotten that I did not post photos during the majority of 2017.

I did take photos.  Here is a pen, a Yeti and scissors that were laying on my desk 4 years ago.

I remember taking the photo because I liked the colors in the lamp light. 

Simon Sees (063/365)

TIME: 6:32 pm
PLACE: Rental 
SUBJECT: Simon

*~*~*

DQ's contacts were delivered to our house in error, so I took then over to her this evening.

This is Simon, one of their 2 cats (the other being a gray cat named Alvin).

I do like me an orange tomcat.

Please Don't Summon Demons In The Bathroom (062/365)

TIME: 8:56 pm

PLACE: Bathroom
SUBJECT: Cross stich
 
*~*~*

I just finished another cross stich from a pattern I purchased from NightSpiritStudio.

This one is for a friend of DramaQueen who is into spirits, ghosts, gothic things and such.

Now that I see the finished product in my bathroom, I may have to stitch one up for myself as well - I'm really liking it.

Especially when the lights are out...


Courtesy of glow in the dark DMC thread - Spooky!

 

Better Late Than Never (061/365)

TIME: 5:33 pm
PLACE: Living Room
SUBJECT: Icicle Lights

*~*~*

Since it is the beginning of March, I figured it was time to take the Christmas lights down.

Light Bar (060/365)

TIME: 5:29 pm
PLACE: Home Office

SUBJECT: Light on wall

*~*~*

I haven't seen the light coming through the window and hitting the wall like this for quite some time.

It's always nice to see the light stick around when I finish work for the day; it means the days are getting longer and spring is almost here.