April 30, 2009

Day 120 - Rhubarb


Day 120 - Rhubarb
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
With all the rain we've had, our rhubarb plant is growing like crazy! Some stalks will be ready for picking very soon. This plant originally came from my mom's garden, and brings happy memories of her rhubarb sauce on vanilla ice cream. What is your favorite recipe using rhubarb?

April 29, 2009

Day 119 - Feather


Day 119 - Feather
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
I found this feather in our yard today. We're so happy to have so many birds back this spring. Do you know what type of bird this feather is from?

April 28, 2009

Day 118 - Little Kristin


Day 118 - Little Kristin
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today is my baby's birthday. How is it possible that she is now 26 years old? These are three of my favorite photos of her - at 6 months, 3 1/2 years, and in first grade.

Happy Birthday, Kristin!!
I Love you!!

April 27, 2009

Day 117 - Back up


Day 117 - Back up
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Have you backed up your computer recently? After hearing from two friends who lost major amounts of their work due to hard drive crashes, I was reminded about how important it is to back up regularly. It is actually very easy to back up my newest MacBook by using Time Machine. I try to remember to plug this external HD into my Mac at least once a week.

April 26, 2009

Day 116 - Game night


Day 116 - Game night
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
We had a FUN night at home when family came over for game night. We played Apples to Apples. The top photo is my Father-in-law, in the middle are my mother-in-law's hands holding her cards, and on the bottom is my brother-in-law. Who do you think won the game?

April 25, 2009

Day 115 - Friends?


Day 115 - Friends?
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Lucy and Rainman had a chance to get to know each other tonight. Lucy was very curious about her new little friend. Rainman wasn't too sure! Lucy smelled Rainman & followed him around the family room, giving him a little nudge every once in awhile, but never barked or tried to bite. Rainman got lots of exercise trying to head in the opposite direction!

April 24, 2009

Day 114 - Birthday girls


Day 114 - Birthday girls
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Happy Birthday to Anne & Jen who are celebrating their birthdays today (and all weekend)! Their combined age is 98! We enjoyed dinner at Ted's Montana Grill with about 20 members of our PLN from Plurk & Twitter. Most in attendance had spent the day at Midwest Tech Forum. Jen is from California and Anne is from Michigan. They are two GREAT ladies!

April 23, 2009

Day 113 - Flower or weed?

As I was out walking the dog this morning, I spied these tiny purple flowers in a neighbors front yard, growing in the middle of their grass. Are they flowers or are they weeds? The dictionary on my computer gives this definition for weed: "a wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants". To me, these are flowers, and another sign of spring.

April 22, 2009

Day 112 - Breast cancer


Day 112 - Breast cancer
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today was a day mixed with joy & sadness. I was asked to sub at the school I retired from, which I always enjoy. When I first arrived, the staff was beginning to celebrate "Administrative Assistants' Day" (Secretary's Day) with treats in the lounge. A huge damper was put on this celebration when our principal let everyone know that our secretary has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a very positive attitude and I know she will receive loving support from her family, friends, and our staff. We'll all be keeping her in our prayers.

April 21, 2009

Day 111 - Flipflops


Flipflops
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Warmer spring weather is on the way! We'll be wearing flipflops soon. This pair is going into the mail this week as a little gift to someone special.

April 20, 2009

Day 110 - Afghan


Afghan
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
What a miserable, cold, spring day it was today. But, when curling up to watch TV tonight, pulling out this afghan cheered me up, despite the dreary weather. My mom loved to crochet, especially anything she could make out of granny squares. I'm blessed to have many warm memories of Mom.

April 19, 2009

Day 109 - Wet dog


Day 109 - Wet dog
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today was a very rainy Sunday. We walked Lucy several times and she didn't seem to mind being wet at all. In fact, the rain seems to enhance the smells she enjoys sniffing outside! In this photo, she is getting towel dried from the tip of her pointy nose to the end of her pointy tail.

April 18, 2009

Day 108 - Clean patio


Day 108 - Clean patio
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
We enjoyed a warm spring Saturday today by cleaning up the patio and outdoor furniture. This photo is the nozzle of the power washer that we used to wash away the winter dirt.

April 17, 2009

Day 107 - Dandelion and Magnolia

I had to post two photos today! On the left is the first dandelion of the season. It wasn't in our yard, but I saw it while walking Lucy this morning. On the right is the magnolia flower that bloomed from the bud I photographed on April 13th. We're finally enjoying the real beauty of spring!

April 16, 2009

Day 106 - Birch tree


Day 106 - Birch tree
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
This birch tree caught my eye this morning as I was walking Lucy. The white bark is such a pretty contrast to the gorgeous blue sky. I love when the sky is this shade of blue. Kristin calls it a "Colorado sky", and they get them more often there than we do here in Illinois.

April 15, 2009

Day 105 - Peony bud


Day 105 - Peony bud
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
We have three large peony plants in our garden. They've been moved from house to house over the years. These clumps were originally given to me by my Mormor & Morfar (Swedish grandparents). I think of them whenever the peonies are in bloom. They are about 4-6 inches out of the soil now, but should grow quickly now that the weather is warming up.

April 14, 2009

Day 104 - Willow trees


Day 104 - Willow trees
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
These willow trees are at the edge of the park in our neighborhood. They are always one of the first trees to get leaves in early spring.

April 13, 2009

Day 103 - Magnolia bud


Day 103 - Magnolia bud
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
It was a very rainy day today. While outside for my first walk with the dog this morning, I noticed that our magnolia bush has buds on it, no leaves yet, but about a dozen buds. I don't think this bush likes the cold April weather we've been having. I'll snap another photo when the buds open.

April 12, 2009

Day 102 - Taxes


Day 102 - Taxes
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
We had a very casual Easter this year due to many family members being elsewhere. Our oldest daughter came over in the afternoon to visit, play with the new dog, eat dinner with us, and have Dad check her taxes for her. She had done a great job on her taxes and she and her husband are getting back a nice refund!

April 11, 2009

Day 101 - Bench


Day 101 - Bench
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
This is a bench outside the school in our neighborhood where my children attended elementary school. I like the bench because it is sturdy, bright, shiny, and functional. They have 3 or 4 of them out in front of the school and they've been there for several years now & they still look brand new. The company that makes these benches should be commended for great workmanship!

April 10, 2009

Day 100 - Animal hole?


Day 100 - Animal hole?
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
When I was out walking Lucy yesterday, I noticed that a neighbor had recently mulched a tree in the parkway. On our walk today, I saw this hole in the mulch. I'm wondering what kind of animal dug the hole.....do you think he's burrowed inside the hole??

April 9, 2009

Day 99 - Daffodils outside

Yeah! My daffodils outside are finally blooming today thanks to two days of warmer weather and sunshine. I need to divide the daffodil bulbs & spread them out later this spring or early summer.

Happy birthday, Lois!!

April 8, 2009

Day 98 - Our house


Day 98 - Our house
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today I photographed the front of our house. We are just starting into spring. The grass is beginning to green up, but the trees only have small buds, no leaves yet and none of the flowers are blooming. I hope to have a lot more color in a photo like this later in the spring/summer.

April 7, 2009

Day 97 - Afternoon moon


Day 97 - Afternoon moon
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
While out walking with Lucy this afternoon, I was admiring the beautiful blue sky when I noticed the afternoon moon.

April 6, 2009

Day 96 - Daffodils


Day 96 - Daffodils
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
I'm tired of waiting for my daffodils to bloom outside in our yard. Today I bought myself a bunch of cut daffodils at the grocery store to brighten our kitchen table.

April 5, 2009

Day 95 - Lucy's toy


Day 95 - Lucy's toy
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Lucy slept well last night and was feeling fine today. We went on several long walks (even though it was cold & windy). She also had a great time playing with one of her new toys.

April 4, 2009

Day 94 - Lucy


Day 94 - Lucy
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Lucy looks a little sad in this photo. She had a bit of a tummy ache last night and during the day today. By the time she went to bed, she was feeling better. I just wanted to hug her!

April 3, 2009

Day 93 - Goodnight Lucy!


Day 93 - Goodnight Lucy!
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today I picked up our new furry friend from the shelter. We adopted this darling beagle, Lucy, from The Buddy Foundation. She is about four years old and such a cutey. She is very sweet and we are extremely excited about adding her to our family.

April 2, 2009

Day 92 - Computer lab


Day 92 - Computer lab
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
I subbed again today for the music teacher at the school I retired from. She is out unexpectedly as she recovers from emergency surgery. The lack of plans allowed me some latitude. Since the 2nd graders have been learning the names & families of the instruments in an orchestra, I decided to use a great website with them. Lucky for us, the computer lab was open during the first hour of school when two second grade classes have music. They had fun learning more about the instruments & hearing what they sound like using www.nashvillesymphony.org/nsokids/.

April 1, 2009

Day 91 - Robot


Day 91 - Robot
Originally uploaded by Karin Beil
Today I subbed at Ivy Hill for the music teacher. This robot in her room was built as a prop for one of her music shows this year.