Stepping into the 21st Century

I finally stepped into the 21st century and bought a smart phone.  I know... I know... The last mobile phone I purchased was back in 2007.  It was one of those LG Chocolates that were suppose to not only be good mobile phones but also be really good for playing music.  FYI... It wasn't.  At the time, I cringed at the purchase because it was a lot of money for a phone, but I sucked it up and went for it - knowing I was going to hold on to it for a while.

In the mean time, smart phones became more prevalent.  While I'm normally pretty current with technology, I dragged my heels on stepping into the smart phone world.  I knew my mobile phone bill would increase (it more than doubled), and I knew the smart phone was going to be a major purchase (which is was).  Plus, I had a difficult time justifying such a purchase when I rarely have my mobile phone on anyway.  Yep, I am one of those people.

I only really use a mobile phone for my office hours at the universities I teach at, and when I'm on the road for my consulting business.  More times than not, my mobile phone is turned off.  I just don't want to be reachable.  I hate talking on the phone, and I loath texting.  I simply refuse to text.

But, my trusty Chocolate was starting to experience issues and Mum's mobile phone battery was not replaceable and barely holding on to juice anymore.  So, I figured it was time to suck it up and make the purchase.  I bought Mum a gold iPhone 6 and bought myself a silver iPhone 6. 

I admit, my iPhone has been turned off for longer than I have had it in my possession (I turned it on long enough to set it up and activate it, and it has been turned off since), but at least I'm with the times.  Right?  Right!

How do you feel about mobile phones? What kind of mobile phone do you use?

Happy Tuesday!

Celebrating Mum...

On Sunday, May 10, 2015, a lot of people in this country was celebrating their mums.  Not this family.  It wasn't that we didn't think Mum was worth celebrating, but rather we didn't want to celebrate Mum on the same day everyone else was celebrating.  Why? Because restaurants, parks, and other places we would go are packed with people.  So, this lovely woman was celebrated the next day - Monday.

Lovely, isn't see? She's my mum and a kick-in-the-bum.  Don't let those grey hairs fool you - there is nothing elderly about this woman.  She may walk a little slower, have bad knees, and serious arthritis but she's still as fiesty and youthful as ever.  She is one of the few who, at her age, has no wrinkles.  While she has laugh lines and a little baggage under her eyes from 35+ years of working the graveyard shift, the age spots have yet to appear and her laugh is as boisterous and lively as ever.

So, Dawn and I decided to take Mum out to lunch at one of her favorite restaurants - Calico Cupboard in LaConner, Washington.

It's All Berries!

The world is coming up berries at my house.  Mum has gone berry crazy... Raspberries and strawberries filling our freezer, while recipes for jam are being diligently reviewed.  Just how much raspberries and strawberries have filled our freezer is unknown, but there is talk of more.  Good grief!

And she isn't done with raspberries and strawberries.  She intends to go to the fields and get blueberries, tayberries, and marionberries.  This year Mum has really rolled up her sleeves and enjoyed her retirement.  I think the first year of her retirement, she was just getting used to the notion.  But this year, she's living it up to the fullest.  Apparently summer means living it up with berries.

I'm not complaining, but I think I'm going to go crazy under all these berries.  One thing is for sure... Dawn loves it.  She's had strawberries every day since June 1.

A Proud Moment

I have been working with Mum on her photography skills.  I've been showing her about composition, light, and focus.  I taught her how to control her breathing before she pushes that shutter, and even how to hold a camera.  We're now working on how to use the lenses.

Yesterday the sun was shining high in the sky, so we decided to grab my camera bag, hop into the truck, and head out.   We came up on an opportunity to shoot a heron but because of the truck, where I was sitting, and the skittishness of Blue Heron, I wasn't able to take the shot.  So, I handed the camera to Mum.  This was her chance.

She nailed it!  Look at how she uses the light, the composition of the image, and the sharpness of the subject.  It's a wonderful shot, and I couldn't be prouder of her.  This shot is definitely a reflection of how well she's been paying attention and practicing.

Good job, Mum!

For the Love of Bowls

I have been doing a little shopping.  I don't normally shop.  In fact, I detest shopping.  The entire time, I'm thinking about all the other things I can be doing.  Not to mention, shopping means handing over money to someone else.  Money that I worked very hard for and don't really want to part with... unless I'm buying something for Mum or Dawn.  Interestingly, Mum is who I was shopping for in this instance.

I was shopping for a bowl.  This bowl, to be precise.

Mum has been wanting one of these bowls for at least a year now.  Something that she could make big batches of cookie dough in... Make a ginormous salad in... And dump apples and oranges into and place on the sofa table for display (and easy access to).

I especially love this bowl because of the base.  It sits up a bit taller than your average bowl - giving it a bit of architectural oomph. Even better? I got it on sale.

Mum loved the bowl. She loved it so much, she set it on the end table next to her chair in the living room and stared at it on and off throughout the rest of the day.  She kept thanking me after each time she glanced at the bowl.  There was really no need for her to thank me.  Make me one of those big batches of cookie dough will be enough thanks.  *wink!*

Spoiling Mum

I took Mum and Dawn on the hunt for a flat whisk.  Mum has been looking for one, so she can make proper rues for sauces and chowders.  However, we have had no luck.  We finally went to a kitchen store and found one.  Yippee!

Mum also found a few other things...

It's never a good idea to bring Mum into a kitchen store.  We always end up walking away with more than what we came in for, and cookie cutters are always in our basket.  Her justification for me buying these for her were the knives were on sale, and I'm constantly complaining because we don't have a small juicer to squeeze lemon juice for cooking.  That's right... It was all about me.

But, I suppose spoiling Mum just comes with the territory since Mum's Day is fast approaching.  I want to know when it is going to be Daughter's Day!

Happy Monday!

Mother's Day Shopping

Mother's Day is just around the corner, and I've been on the look-out for the perfect gift.  Dawn and I are planning to take Mum to a book signing event with Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman, which will be part of her Mother's Day present but we want to actually give her something on the day.  Unfortunately, I'm finding more stuff that I want rather than what she would want. Ugh!

Here are a few things...