Congratulations!

Congratulations my Pink Princess!  Today I watched you walk across a stage into another phase of life. You always impress me and never cease to amaze.  It is nice that you look like me but, it is an even bigger blessing that you are as beautiful inside.  You are the girl I could never ever be.  I am so very proud of you.

Today is bitter sweet. I saw my daughter standing on these bleachers and I could imagine her as she graduates high school, college, grad school, etc. It all just flashed before my eyes.  Although, I see all that potential, I am glad to have her here and now. 

On a slightly sweet note.  Today, Pink and Beef Jerky crossed paths and she said hello to her brother.  According to brother, a couple of his friends said that his sister is really pretty.  And he replied, "Thanks, Yes she kind of is. Actually, she is pretty smart too." 

You always wonder if you are showing the kids the right way.  You wonder if they have good character.  And then, out of the blue, they let you know that you have nothing to worry about.

Thank you God (and genetics) for exceptional children.  Thank you for able learners and beautiful souls to surround me.♥

Garden Alive

I love taking pictures of my pretty flowers and plants.  I am always stunned by what I find in the garden and living around my house.  I am not usually pleased by wildlife inside my house. I, probably, will not be taking photos of any.

Anyhow, here are some photos of my garden and some things that are living in it right now.  I made these images smaller for the web but, there is still a great amount of detail to them if you look closely or zoom in.  

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I loved how this bug was just hanging out waiting to be shot at.  There are lots of critters in my garden that sit still for me to take portraits.  Actually, they are better at it than people, they don't get self conscious. They just let me do what I do and go about their business.

Zoom in on the lizard he is really a cool guy. I should have cropped in and zoomed. But, I didn't.

I also decided to put in some of my edibles. They can be beautiful too.

Did you like my garden tour? I wish I could just take pictures of everything that is interesting, ugly, beautiful, or creepy.  I can't though, I have little kiddies who need me! :0)

Ice Cream Parlor

A treat with the Scarboroughs. We went to our local Cold Stone Creamery.  The kids each got their usual and I took pictures this time.  I got my favorite too French Vanilla with Pecans. This one of our favorite remedies for boredom on a weekend afternoon.

Lagniappe

I went outside to hang out with my doggy.  He is really the best dog EVER! Of course, being that DH and I have been working on our yard, I started weeding and as I worked my way around I came across someone beautiful.

She really made my day. Maybe it isn't as interesting to you as it is to me that I shot 20 photos of her but, the first one that I shot is my favorite. I like her hiding in the shadows and being beautiful. She is in her prime, "in the peak of her beauty," one might say.  She is confident and content and not at all  like that funny little bud seeking the sunshine in the background. Regardless, I got a shot of her full bloom, just to share with you.

I know what you are wondering.  Yes, she smells like a beautiful light floral rose. Not spicy but, light fruity and pink.  This rose was a favorite of mine when I was growing up.  My mom had one just like it planted at our front porch. (That is how I remember it.) It was also the inspiration for my wedding which happens to have been 12 years ago tomorrow. ♥

Serenity Sunday

From my journal/photojournal:

I would like to be the flowers;
Calm, beautiful, perfection.
With the sun gleaming on my face
I would watch the world rush around me.
I would stand out;
Bright, proud, delicate.

Photo by Michelle Davila Scarborough

Guess who is getting hitched? Yay! I don't know the logistics. But, this is cause for celebration.  It was really nice to see these guys today. Congratulations on your engagement!

Oh! And yes,  I would be honored to shoot your engagement shots.

In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

It is Saint Patrick's Day! Another reason to celebrate life and food and all that good stuff we have.  A couple of tidbits about St. Patrick.  He is the patron saint of engineers and the excluded. Isn't that ironic? Or maybe they go hand in hand. :oP He is also the saint for guarding against snake bites, snakes, and those with the fear of snakes. Some swear he is the patron saint of beer too. Not really. That is just a bad joke.

The tradition of wearing green is really old; like when Christians were just Christians (ok..they were Catholic).  So we wear green.  A small number of Christians wear orange to protest the Catholics. Why orange? It has to do something to do with William of Orange and Orange being on the opposite end of the color wheel of green. And something to do with protesting the Corrupt Catholics. It is all in good spirit.:o)

Oh well, St. Patrick didn't mind being Catholic. Neither do I.  As a symbol of solidarity with those who wear orange, I made bitter orange marmalade! So there is a little rebellion in our home too. :o) I was pleased with the results and will probably continue this as tradition. I made a mistake though.--> I didn't follow a recipe and I didn't write it down either. I will give my best guess.

Remember these?

 Well I made this out of them.

And ate it like this:

This stuff is bitter, sweet, sour, and bright. It is not like Smucker's at all. There is no film left in your mouth and it doesn't taste like sugar. It is a lot like the bitter orange stuff I had in Sevilla. Totally took me back to Spain. I think they make it in France too.

My Recipe:
Bitter Orange Marmalade Confit Stuff:

1 1/2 cups bitter orange juice
3 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups orange peel + parts*
2 cups water

1. Squeeze the juice out of the bitter oranges through a strainer to catch the seeds. Save the skin.
2. Combine the skins and 1/2 cup sugar in a processor and puree it.
3. In a large non reactive pot. Combine all the ingredients.  If you have cheese cloth wrap 2 tbsp of the seeds or more into it and secure it.  Toss it in. If not, just toss some in.
4. Boil over medium.
5. Watch the marmalade. Timing is everything. It could take 30 minutes or 60 minutes.
6. It is ready when it gets to soft ball stage.
7. Pour it in to sterilized jars or can it if you know how to do that. (I don't. I just put in the fridge.)
Made two 8 oz jars.
To Test: Drop a few drops in a glass of ice water if it crystallizes and falls to the bottom it is ready. Or put a little on a plate and stick it in the fridge for 2 minutes. If it is jelly like then it is done.
Note:  *The seeds have starch that thickens the jelly. Remove them when they turn green.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Orange-things

Yay for March! I love our weather right now and so do all of the plants and animals. We had some pretty and interesting butterflies in our yard a couple of weeks ago. Right now the milk weed is recovering and the chrysalis are all waiting to morph. The kids like this a LOT! Here is a little guy that wanted to go for a walk on our sidewalk.

If you look really closely, you can see the black fur all over his body. Kind of gross but, kind of cool too.  I took a million shots of this guy. There is just something about butterflies.

And guess what else is happy to feel spring?  My mom's oranges.  Okay. These are the cutest little oranges you have ever seen. They are bright and tiny. Tiny as in no bigger than the size of quarter. They smell heavenly. The rind is so tender that when you pull it from the tree it rips just a tad.  The only alternative at that point is to pop this baby in your mouth--whole!  But watch out, the flesh is TART.  So, I love these little things, sweet skins and sour insides, kind of like me!  hehehe! Just kidding. Anyway, her inner city orchard makes me want one too. Oh and she threw in a couple of her lemons too-utterly delicious! I will make my favorite lemon cookies when I do a special on yellow things.;o)

So although, they are edible, consumable...whatever. They are not all that appetizing for the sake of being an orange.  I picked a heap of them in the hopes I would come up with something tasty to eat them in. 

I haven't gotten that far. But I did make and orangething-ade. It is as good as lemonade and really really light and refreshing. 

Orangething-ade

1 1/2 tbsp sugar or honey

3-4 orangethings

1 cup water

1 cup ice

A. Mash up the orangethings in the sugar. Just crush it all up in the bottom of a glass.

B. Add a cup of ice water (filtered is better than the tap for this).

C. Add the ice.

D. Options (get it?)--a green straw and a few extra slices of the orangethings strictly for appearances.

I plan on making a marmalade but, I don't have enough sugar on hand. Since, I don't typically make jams and jellies, I think I don't have enough sugar. Maybe I do. I will post that when I get to it.

Now back to the day and playing Lego Batman.

Oh My leap year

So, this is always a neat day to talk about. Leap Year Day-February 29th isn't all that special but, it is really cool that it only comes around every few years. And all those people born on Leap Year! Isn't that special? :o) Anyhow, it does give me an extra day in February to write something special about the most special woman in my life; my mother.

I missed the opportunity to call my mother because of endless mothering duties on my part. I had many moments which were actually thoughts about her on her birthday.  But, none of said moments actually produced the actions of calling her and telling her that I love her and I am so happy that she was born on her special day.

So, mom, here is to you!  Happy Happy Birthday! I love you with all of my heart and soul. I thank you for being my mother through everything. Thank you for forgiving me and loving me regardless of myself.  Thank you for telling me, "No." Thank you for letting me fail and try again.  Thank you for being faithful.  Thank you for letting me find my way in this world. Thank you for being generous. Thank you for being brave and for trusting me. Thank you for being a great mother and grandmother. You have been and still are a great role model for all women.  Even now, that I physically stand taller than you, I look up to you.  I don't know that this will ever change.

Your loving daughter,
Michelle

Worth my time

Why do I get up everyday and encourage you to be great? Why do I always tell you that I am on your side? Why do I demand your best work and not your fastest?  Why do I insist you go to church, or go to bed on time? Why do I look you in the eye when you tell me a joke? Why do I support any activity in which you have interest?

Because sometimes, I get to see you glow.

We don't always focus, pay attention, or do what we are supposed to be doing.  Sometimes, that is because our thoughts are in the clouds during a final football game. :o) I do love that sometimes we can just be--and that in itself is perfection.

Congratulations Beef Jerky! Another great season of flag football.  Mommy is so proud of you, you never once complained or whined about practice or games (that I know of). You showed up and hung in there even though the other boys hogged the ball.  I love you. You are the MVP!

Because I am FOUR

Love me because I am four. I spell three letter words that crack me up--poo, pee, but... I love to do what the big guys do--monkey bars, video games, scooters, and car races.  I love to eat junk food and pick them over most things--chicken nuggets and french fries with chocolate milk is my favorite meal. And today my mommy and sister made me yummy brownies for dessert! 

I spend my days jumping in puddles, running as fast as I can and walking on my tippy toes!  And if something really excites my I will run around and do a happy dance. I don't think there is anything more relaxing than a long warm bubble bath followed by cuddling with my mommy.

So, here is to ME, Mr. Four Years Old. Cheers! (I actually say cheers when I drink anything.)

I baked you a cake...

I baked you a cake. No. It isn't pretty but, it tastes really good. And plus, it didn't come from a box. None of the parts, not even that luscious butter cream icing that coats it.

It is banana cake.  But, not just a regular old banana cake. It has yummy bits of pecan throughout the cake. The center is filled with thick pecan filling. It has a shredded coconut crust and a rich vanilla butter cream frosting. It smells wonderful and I can't wait to cut into. I hope you can imagine how yummy this cake will taste when I get my knife to it.

A very merry un-birthday to you!

Kindle? or SuperBowl?

This is what my three year old did during the Super Bowl this year.  I think he is too comfortable with technology.  I intended on putting up higher quality images but, they take too long to download.  I hope you like these. Another peek into our daily lives.

Oh! Today I went to middle school orientation for miss pink. She is totally excited. I am happy sad. So, there is a whole lot of emotional, mental, and physical maturation happening in the Scarborough House. Pray for me. ;o)

Little Men

Just pulling off some of my photos from my fabulous camera.  Well, it helps that I have mad photo skills.  Anyway, it is sharing time and here are a few that I thought were noteworthy.

Isn't he the most intense little man? I mean seriously. I don't ask him "to pose" or "to be serious".  Every now and then, I get to catch him out of concentration when he is giggling or clowning around. Usually, it happens so fast and furiously, that I miss the chance to grab my trust camera. The first two were just kind of artsy but, that was on a longer car ride so he was almost asleep.  He couldn't help the subdued look. The last one was when I interrupted something very important--probably Lego related. :)

These are of the little guy playing with a gun.  Don't worry it wasn't real. I liked the first one for it's perspective and for the excellent depth of field.  The last one with him spotting was pretty neat. He  really felt like he was an expert.  But, my favorite one was the middle shot because he had just shot at a target and he was completely impressed by his own prowess.  I love to see him satisfied with his "skills". He made me laugh.

This was just in memory of my TV.  You see, this long haired three year old hijacked my TV to play Lego Batman.  I am oh so sad. I don't get to see much of the three year old or the TV anymore.  But, I see a LOT of Lego batman and the back of this cute little head.

So there are a few peeks into our home life.  I have a couple of others to share. I will get to them but, right now it is snack time and bath time for the previously mentioned 3 year old.