split decision.

It's time for a change.  A good change.  I've started a new blog with a new name and a new direction.

A little over a year ago, I decided to create this blog on a whim.  At the time, I wasn't entirely sure about the world of blogging but decided to just jump right into it--sink or swim.  Thankfully, it's served me well and I've enjoyed having all of you here by my side as I've settled into married life, first time cat-momma-ism, and a new city.

As I've most recently settled into a more comfortable and satisfying career path (I am now solely teaching private piano lessons from my home), I've decided that I need a new blog with a name that better suits my present lifestyle.   It's my hope that you and I can very naturally settle into this new home together.  

It's been a wonderful year of learning and exploring.  I'm so thankful that you've stuck by my side and I look forward to sharing many, many new adventures with you.

Let's move on, shall we?

the weekend, much abbreviated.

Blueberries and bowl-mugs.

Clementines turned marmalade.

Counting sheep and cat Zzzzz's.

chai tea recipe.

"Take some more tea," the March Hare said to Alice, very earnestly.
"I've had nothing yet," Alice replied in an offended tone: "so I ca'n't take more."
"You mean you ca'n't take less," said the Hatter: "it's very easy to take more than nothing."

-Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland

With the cold and snowy winter weather, could you think of anything more warming and heavenly than a house filled with the aromas of ginger, cardamom, cloves & cinnamon??  It's been nearly a year since I went on a mad search for chai tea recipes, with such fervid intent: "I must make my own."  But, like most everyone else in the world, if I put something off for a few days, the thought fades away and it's eventually gone altogether.  But now, with monumental piles of snow on either side of the driveway, what could possibly be more enjoyable than holing up inside next to the fire (or, cough cough, just a candle) with a home-made cup of tea?

Here's the recipe I followed (also found here)...  

Recipe Notes:  I made a few modifications, such as cutting back on the ginger (1/3 cup seemed like too much in comparison to the other spices) and, even still, it was a bit too gingery--next time, I'll probably cut that amount in half.  Instead of goat's milk, I used half-and-half (because it's what we had) and I also threw in a few extra cloves and cardamom... because, well, YUM.  (You can also substitute sugar for the maple syrup.)

Next time, I'm thinking of not adding the milk to the entire pot.  Rather, I think it'll be better to just heat small portions of milk separately whenever I plan on having a cup.

If  you decide to go ahead and attempt this yourself, just be forewarned... your house will smell absolutely heavenly for hours.  :)

photography voice.

This photo, unexpectedly, turned out to be my favorite from last weekend in Harrisburg.  Before anyone arrived for Cuddle Magic's show, I walked around and took some pictures of the really awesome decor.

I feel like I'm finally starting to get a better feel for manual camera settings.  You see, normally I come home with a ton of photos but very few that I actually like.  Either the focus or exposure is off.  More often than not, I get super excited about a few particular shots, but when I get home and upload them onto my computer, I have to deal with the upsetting news that the shot was pretty good but slightly out of focus.  That, plus the fact that I still feel like I haven't found my photography "voice" yet.

Here's a prime example of an out-of-focus shot I took.

I came out with a few photos from last weekend, but this one (the top one) feels good to me for some reason--I know it's not an amazing shot or anything, but the vibrant colors and the placement feel right to me.  I'm already convinced that I like (and will continue to like) it a whole lot more than anyone else ever will.  Maybe it's because it feels like a step closer to my personal "voice."  Even though it's not there yet, it's slowly developing and I recognize a little bit of myself in it.

Have you ever listened to "This American Life" on Public Radio International?  I really kind of love Ira Glass.  His "voice" is so distinct, so matter-of-fact... so, well, Ira Glass.  Last week I happened across one of his videos (seen below) on Making It Lovely and appreciated his thoughts on creativity and persistence (along with his self-berating story) as it relates to "finding your own voice"...

"...most everybody I know who does interesting, creative work, they went through a phase of years where they had really good taste and they could tell what they were making wasn’t as good as they wanted it to be.”

 Does this sound like you too?  Are you working on finding your own voice at something as well?

color for your day.

A little inspiration for a mostly uninspired day.... 

Seriously, what's the deal with January?  Does everyone feel as lackadaisical as me?  Is everyone else locking themselves inside, yet feeling unbelievably restless?  Yarg.

Hoping your week's as colorful, bright and cheery as these.... :)