2.29 - Shadow Series

Because I just can't post only one photo (and I can't use only one adverb either)...

Last pictures before the old carpet was ripped off.

2.28 - Closet in Bathroom

Well, I guess you can tell I really like this color because of the shower curtain. :-)

It was tough not to have a bathroom, neither a usable closet, for a few days. (we had to remove carpet from inside the closet too, and paint the baseboard)

Changing the Numeration System

First, hey Jo(e), I knew you were going to like those sunset photos. I totally thought of you every time I looked at them. :)

I'm dissertating intensely right now, so I'll try to come update this blog as soon as I can.

Meanwhile I wanted to let you know that I decided to change the way I had been numerating the posts 1/366, etc. I'm shamefacedly copying this from from Scrivener's 365 blog. So, from now on I'll do the posts like this "2.27" (today). It makes much more sense, doesn't it? And then I won't have to be looking at my previous posts to know which "day of the year" it is today.

Later I'll edit all the other posts since I don't have anything better to do, or... do I? :)

2.27 - Carpet Accidents: Scary Reminder and Spill

A few months ago Linton accidentally turned on our travel iron and left it on the carpet. Thankfully I found out right after he did it. I was quite shaken by the scary possibility of a fire!Dad accidentally spilled a good amount of paint on the carpet -- good thing we had two gallons!

2.26 - My Favorite Colors

Since my very first box of markers in first grade (and subsequently my box of 24 colored pencils -- we don't use crayons much in Brazil, we color with colored pencils), I have loved these two colors, pink and aqua green. I don't wear them much, nor do I buy too many things with these colors, but I wanted a green bedroom -- not exactly pastel aqua -- and finding TWO gallon cans of our favorite paint brand for 5 bucks each settled it.

2.25 - Ceiling Primed Beige

Now the pink ceiling is gone. First step. (it was painted white the next day)
And I can't stand that ceiling fan, yikes!

2.24 - The Ugly Wall Paper

And my dad kept saying... "But why, oh why do you want to remove this, it's so pretty!"
Sorry dad... I don't think I agree. And thanks for doing such a great job! (that ugly piece of wood on top of the window was also removed) -- oh this is in the master bedroom.

2.23 - Sunset on Snowy Landscapes

From the car window... I love these, btw, if I may say so myself.

2.22 - Snow Day Highlights

2.21 - Soup Photos Inspired by Paintings

Are you going to think I'm crazy if I tell you I photographed the soup yesterday because it reminded of the paintings by Kli*mt I copied below? It was something about the colors, and the way the potatoes and leeks seemed to have a bit of a checkered pattern... The photos do not convey the similarity well, but I felt it.

I love art, and although once in a while I have these feelings that something I see or a moment I live is reminding me of a painting, I had never registered it like that, in a photo. That's why what Anastasia said of her own project 365 is so fitting, we have to learn how to look, pay attention, and see new things. I'm glad it's finally dawning on me that I can do that.

Now you tell me. Does this soup (the close up doesn't really convey the texture, so I included another one that shows the pot)... ...Make you think of those, by any chance? Or is/was it just me? Now tell me, should I delete these images because it could be copyright infringement to have them here? I always wonder about that when I get images online.

2.20 - My Favorite Soup

Potato Leek Soup

No recipe needed, just three ingredients (plus water):
Butter (do not use margarine or oil, it won't be as good),
Chopped leeks (as much of the green as you want),
Peeled and cubed potatoes.
Sautée leeks and potatoes in butter until they begin to soften, add water, salt, pepper.
Use a masher to break potatoes after they're fully cooked. You can add a bit of cream if you want. (based on Debor@h M@dison's Vegetarian C00king for Everyone).

2.19 - Sunset from My Window

Same view, later in the day.

2.18 - From My Home Office Window

I was working all day long today, as I'll be for the next twenty days, at least, and this is the view that I have from my chair at the computer. I'm so glad it's right by the window! The pretty view makes it so much easier to work.

Photo-Blogging in Spurts

You already know this, but the truth is that I'm basically blogging here once a week. I do take photos almost everyday, but downloading them to the computer everyday is not happening and since uploading them to the site does take quite a bit of time too, I haven't been doing it.

Besides, I have a good alibi. I cannot spend more time blogging than I already do because I have to work on the dissertation. See this post right now? I shouldn't be writing it! I do want to reward myself with a week's worth of photos later, when my chapter six is fully revised. So... I'll be back, hopefully.

2.17 - The Boys' Bedroom - After

Enough "before" photos already.

(taken on 2/13)

2.16 - Brazil: Poster and Flags

I wanted to post a picture of the whole family wearing the soccer jerseys, or at least the boys, but I'd have to ask everyone's permission. Besides, I'm trying to avoid posting pictures of the children as much as possible... I don't really know why, probably because everyone is so concerned about this... (I'm not, really). So, I'm sticking to this dull photo of the poster that my son and I put together at the last minute. :-(

2.15 - Brazilian Boys

I know I should write "Brazilian American," but I hesitate, I resist. The thought of being/ becoming an immigrant still weights very heavily on my shoulders, in my heart.

I asked my mom to bring these Brazilian soccer team jerseys for my sons and nephews because tomorrow night I'm organizing an International/Multicultural dinner at my son's school and we'll all be wearing them (except for my parents).

2.14 - (Brazilian) Valentine's Day Treats

I'll post recipes and more photos in the other blog (and I'll add the link later)

Brazilian Carrot Cake, Heart Shaped:Brazilian Brigadeiro "Fudge Balls" (for lack of better words to describe my favorite candy):

2.13 - Snow+Sleet = Mess

2.12 - Come Be My Guest!

The curtains are the only window treatments I kept from the previous owners. This used to be our bed and our former quilt (we have a "brighter" one now ;). And we'll be sleeping on mattresses on the floor until be buy our new bed.

Before (this room was bare, we only put mattresses on the floor for eventual guests):
Later (in the "previous" days) I'll post more renovation photos.

2.11 - Passport Photo

(not taken by me, obviously, but it could have been, with a tripod :)
We took this picture for the important mailing that we did today. It's not for my passport yet (Brazilian passport photos are 3X2, not 2X2), but this day will come, in five years or so.

2.10 - Guest Bedroom Renovation In Progress

Edited to add missing photos and a P.S.

Note: These photos were taken over the course of several days, from 2/4 to 12.

General View/Floors

Before:During: Even though the pink goes well with the purple carpet, we knew that the really old carpet had beautiful hardwood floors underneath just waiting to be uncovered and cleaned up.

Detail of slightly damaged floor in the corner of the room (it'll need some work in the future, but we don't know how to deal with it):
After:

I've already posted a similar picture, but I just couldn't publish this post without the "after" picture :)

Painting the Closet

Before:This color would go well with the boy's bedroom, but not this one. Besides, you probably can't see it, even if you click on it, but the closet is full of scuff marks and in need of painting.

During:
I don't think that pink and blue were going that well together... :)

After:This was actually supposed to be the color of this bedroom, but we decided against it because the boy's bedroom is blue and ours will be aqua green, so we needed a warmer color for the guest bedroom. There was no pink paint left for the closet, though, and we decided to use the "greenish" paint we had since it matches the curtains perfectly as you can see in the above picture of the finished room.

Edited to add
P.S. I forgot to say that the closet couldn't be painted pink because the pink paint (which I bought for 5 bucks at the "reject" pile at Hom3 Depot) was not the brand that we usually buy and it was really a bad, thin paint. A whole gallon was almost not enough to cover the walls of this tiny bedroom while we usually have a lot paint left after painting bigger rooms with our preferred paint. So... we had to use the grayish green (also 5 bucks, but the "better" brand -- we cannot afford the fancier "chain paint store" paints yet).