Mama(e) in Translation's 365

2.28.11 Amazingly Good "Asian Inspired" Salad

2011-02-28T00:09:00.002-05:00

I just LOVE this salad, which I make with the "Miracle Dressing" from The Vegan Lunchbox Cookbok. Soooooo YUMMY!!!

2.27 Ice Storm (not good focus)

2011-02-27T00:06:00.001-05:00

2.26.11 Crazy Hair

2011-02-26T00:08:00.001-05:00

2.25.11 Useful for nearly 15 years, now Recycled

2011-02-25T00:03:00.001-05:00

We bought this container with rolled oats at a BJ's Wholesale Club in Massachusetts sometime either in 1996 or 97 and we've been using it since then to store lentils. I dropped it on the floor last week and it broke, so I had to finally recycle it. Nobody can say I'm not reusing and recycling! Now I just have to work on the reducing part. ;)

2.24.11 Walking on Air in the Twilight

2011-02-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

2.23.11 Fun at a the Playground 2

2011-02-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

2.22.11 Fun at a the Playground 1

2011-02-22T23:59:00.000-05:00

2.21.11 - Looking like a teenager at almost 9

2011-02-21T23:57:00.000-05:00

Doesn't he look like a teenager already (only very short)? Those were some of the first clothes he picked out himself (skater brand). I think he'd got good taste.

2.20.11 - My Youngest Boy

2011-02-20T23:56:00.000-05:00

2.19.11 - My Gorgeous First-Born

2011-02-19T23:55:00.000-05:00

2.18.11 - Boys and Sculptures

2011-02-18T23:53:00.000-05:00

2.17.11 - Typical (Vegetarian) Brazilian Meal

2011-02-17T23:47:00.000-05:00

Rice, beans, scrambled eggs and lettuce with a tomato and onion salad. You can't get more typical than that! (except that my rice was basmati there).

2.16.11 - I really, REALLY want this

2011-02-16T23:44:00.002-05:00

I'm planning on write a long, link-filled post about hanging mobiles, but for now, I will just say that when I saw this at our local children's museum I knew that I desperately wanted one like it. I'm actually thinking of making one myself, with paint-chips, no less! (these things cost LOTS!)

Anyway... the photos are BAD (there's no good angle to photograph a mobile hanging way up in the ceiling!), but, trust me, it's a really cute mobile that would perfectly match my "rainbow room" (I'll post photos soon, promise!).

2.15.11 - Trying to Replace Most Favorite Chocolate

2011-02-15T23:44:00.002-05:00

(Four!!) years ago I blogged about my sadness in not being able to taste my favorite chocolate anymore because Lindt just stopped making it around 1999... :(

When I saw this new bar by Godiva, I couldn't wait to try it, but I have to report that it was a great disappointment. Their raspberry/dark chocolate bar is better. But neither of them can compare to my beloved Lindt strawberry liquid filling chocolate bar of yore. :(

2.14.11 - What I Read on Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T23:39:00.001-05:00

I posted about it in the other blog too.

2.13.11 I LOVE Strawberries!

2011-02-13T23:38:00.000-05:00

2.12.11 Valentine's Day Themed Dessert 2

2011-02-12T23:37:00.000-05:00

Taken on 2/13.

2.11.11 - Valentine's Day Themed Dessert 1

2011-02-11T23:34:00.000-05:00

Melted European Chocolate (purchased at Aldi), a mix of dark and milk chocolate. It's the easiest thing to melt in the microwave. Taken on 2/13.

2.10.11 - Trying to Use my Camera's Lens 3

2011-02-10T23:33:00.000-05:00

Taken on 2/8.

2.9.11 - Trying to Use My Camera's Lens 2

2011-02-09T23:31:00.000-05:00

Taken on 2.8.

2.8.11 - Trying to Use my Camera's Lens 1

2011-02-08T23:28:00.001-05:00

After the workshop, I downloaded my camera's manual and read some parts, then I tried to experiment a bit, since I do have a great lens. It was way too cold and getting dark, so I only took a few shots. This was the best one. Two more in the next two posts. I need to learn and practice more.

2/7/11 Crazy Reflection Self Portrait

2011-02-07T23:25:00.000-05:00

During the same photography workshop.
I've taken tons of these silly self-portraits in small rounded mirror-like surfaces. the most fun were on Christmas tree decorative "balls" at Longwood Gardens back in 2009. I need to share those!

2.6.11 Pretty Chair

2011-02-06T23:23:00.001-05:00

During my first photography workshop (3/7/11)

2.5.11 - Fun Skiing Boy 2

2011-02-05T23:21:00.001-05:00

Taken on 2/3/11 as well.

2.4.11 - Fun Skiing Boy 1

2011-02-04T19:01:00.000-05:00

Taken on 2/3/11

2.3.11 - Pink from the Cold

2011-02-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

I had to photograph those cold-pink cheeks over an over again because they were so irresistible! I know, I know, I'm talking like the crazy-for-my-children mother that I am. Sorry!

February 1st, 2011

2011-02-01T23:54:00.000-05:00

Photos taken on 1/15/11.

February: 28 days, 28 photos

2011-02-01T09:02:00.000-05:00

I have just decided to join my dear online friend Zee, who is, I must say, a very talented photographer (check out her Etsy photography store!) in her challenge to take and/or post a photo every day in February to the blog.

Hopefully this will help bring to life this abandoned "365 Project" blog!

(cross posted at Mama(e) in Translation).

2.12.10 - Icicles, Before & After

2010-02-12T15:51:00.006-05:00

Yesterday morning:This afternoon:

1.16.10 - Friends, Then and Now

2010-01-16T22:00:00.003-05:00

These were taken today (by Kelvin):And this one fifteen years ago at my wedding (I cropped the photo for a scrapbook):
I love my friends, even if we don't see each other as often as I'd like because they live in Brazil. I hadn't seen Ci, the friend in orange, for ten years when we finally got together again back in 2007! Su, the friend in black, lived here in the U.S. for four years and we had both of our children within a month and a few weeks of each other -- we have belly shots and photos of the babies together taken every month or two. She moved back to Brazil when our youngest boys were 7 and 8 months old. I still miss seeing them often. :-(

1.15.10 - Four Kids, Five Years: 2005 and 2010

2010-01-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

January 2005:January 2010:

Looking at these side by side almost makes me cry. The first photo was taken a couple of months before my friend, her husband and children returned to Brazil after living in the U.S. for a few years. We used to see each other every month or couple of months (from our pregnancies until our oldest kids were 3) and now we only see each other every year. :-( (a bit more here, at the bottom).

1.12.10 - Sunset at the Lake

2010-01-12T17:06:00.000-05:00

taken on 1.9. My brother has a piece of land in the future closed gate community (only lots for now) straight ahead across the lake and he plans to build a house there. My parents have a lot on the community to the left of this picture, but they will only sell it someday.

1.11.10 - Cashew Fruit

2010-01-11T16:55:00.005-05:00

The nut is taken from inside the "pod" at the bottom of the fruit after it's dry. I guess that technically the nut is the fruit.

1.10.10 - Public Pay Phones/ Orelhão

2010-01-10T16:22:00.000-05:00

"Big ear" - Orelhão, that's what public payphones are called in Brazil. The boys love to play with any they encounter.
Note: Yes, it's a Spanish company, Telefonica, that controls the public phones in the state of São Paulo.

1.9.10 - My Favorite (Girl) Cousin & Her Family

2010-01-09T16:15:00.000-05:00

I was thrilled that they came to visit for a day! I had already seen her in Curitiba, but it was nice for her to see her and have K see her family too.

The boy in sunglasses and the girl to the left are her bio kids (with their girl- boy-friends). Sometime I'll have to tell you about her youngest daughter's adoption. She's 6, right in-between Kelvin and Linton in age. The kids had a great time playing together.

1.8.10 - Road Trip

2010-01-08T16:09:00.000-05:00

Almost 12 hours on the road back home from the state of Goiás to São Paulo.

1.7.10 - Wedding

2010-01-07T15:05:00.001-05:00

I think I never saw so many flowers* at a wedding in my life (both at the church and at the reception), particularly white and light pink roses and lillies. It was all absolutely gorgeous. It was totally worth the effort of making the trip to come to this wedding.

At the reception:* Flowers are way cheaper in Brazil than in the U.S. These decorations still cost a fortune, though. And the party venue? Wow... it blew me away. The bride's family is pretty wealthy.

1.6.10 (II) - Brasília, Brazil's National Capital

2010-01-06T22:00:00.012-05:00

In 2010 Brasília will be only 50 years old, having been built from scratch literally in the middle of nowhere and inaugurated in 1960 by Juscelino Kubistcheck, the visionary president who dreamed it into being. This strange city, shaped like an airplane, is the brainchild of the architect Oscar Niemeyer (still alive at 100+ years old). Its modernist architecture is definitely dated and, unfortunately, crumbling in many places. K and I were pretty depressed by our visit...

Panoramic view from the "TV Tower:"

The buildings on each side of the National Congress (in the center with the two thin towers) are the offices of the various "ministeries" or ministry cabinets (called secretaries in the U.S.).

Map:

The National Congress:

The broken sidewalk is a good metaphor for how time has treated this city:

The Country's "Pantheon:"

Alvorada [Sunrise] Palace, Brazil's "White House" (only for living, not working, though):

Planalto Palace, the president's workplace which is currently being remodeled:

1.6.10 (I) - The Road & The Weather

2010-01-06T20:41:00.002-05:00

Buying manioc (or cassava) starch and roasted manioc flour at a roadside stand:

Oh, and braided mozzarella cheese, that later that day we forgot in the fridge of our cousin's house... :-(

Storms brewing on the horizon:

Beautiful green corn fields:

Miniature tornadoes?

1.5.10 - Last Pool Day (for us)

2010-01-05T18:06:00.000-05:00

The rest of the family remained in Caldas Novas one more day, but we left on Wednesday to visit Brasília, a cousin, and some friends, so Tuesday was our last day there.

A view of the two main pools empty at noon (when it was too hot to go in the hot water). Taken by Kelvin.

Four cousins + an uncle + a floating airplane = fun!

1.4.10 - 20+ Kinds of Fruit Popsicles/ Brooms

2010-01-04T18:28:00.000-05:00

From top left to right:
Taberoba, Mangaba, Açaí, ??, Brigadeiro (chocolate candy, not fruit) Tentação (temptation, not a fruit)

Murici, Buriti, Umbu, ?? , Jabuticaba

Cupuaçu, Graviola, Pequi, Milho Verde [corn], Cajá

Tamarindo, Abacaxi (pineapple), Limão Suíço (Swiss lemon), Côco (coconut), Maracujá (passion fruit), Manga (mango), top right - Caju (cashew).

Note: photos actually taken on 1/5, but there were too many photos from that day to share ;-). And the ones taken on 1/4 were "boring."

1.3.10 - The Road & Family Meeting in Pool

2010-01-03T17:29:00.000-05:00

Thankfully, we were less than 7 hours on the road (discounting 1h for lunch).

The pool meeting was actually on 1/4, but I like it better than the 1/3 photos I have. It's nice, fresh warm water (they wash and refill the pools every night). This is part of K's family on his mother's side, including his 80+ years old grandma (white haired lady with hair up in a bun).

1.2.10 - Playing with Water in the Rain and After (with Bonus photo)

2010-01-02T17:18:00.001-05:00

We had friends visiting my parents' house today and their kids love to play in the rain. After the rain ended, though, they started splashing in the mud and making more mud with the hose. Let's say all that was novelty to my kids (only L joined).

P.S. 1 "Speedoes" are the regular, normal swimwear for boys here in Brazil.

P.S. 2 Bonus church photo, taken by Kelvin. Church with Christmas decorations:

1.1.10 (II) - The Bridge, The Rainbow, The Sunset

2010-01-01T17:33:00.001-05:00

According to my friend Rejane, the one in São Paulo is nicer than the one in Boston:

(it has a long curve, it's yellow :-)

The rainbow was a late day treat...

(I like the VW bus in the photo too. It "reminds" me of my early childhood)

...Together with the sunset:

1.1.10 - Midnight Bloggers

2010-01-01T17:10:00.002-05:00

Two "corrections:" it wasn't technically 1/1 yet and we weren't actually blogging :-). We were pretending to, though, and it was very close to midnight, so I guess it counts.

It is a great comfort to me to have a SIL who blogs! It was great to spend New Year's Eve at your place, sis'!

7.7.09 - All You Can Eat!

2009-07-07T23:30:00.001-04:00

This was my first plate when we went out for lunch here on my birthday. I'm just SOOOO hungry just thinking about all this yummy food (in this plate I only have vegetarian options)! And I feel really sad that my husband doesn't care for Asian food in general and Japanese in particular :-(. I need to go with a friend if I want to go there again...

And here's proof that I did, indeed, eat raw fish (salmon, the only one I tried) and loooved it!
(I had to crop the photo, because K didn't want to appear in my blog :-( ).

4.30.09 - New Scooter (and Helmet)

2009-04-30T23:56:00.006-04:00

Gifts from uncle Kinhos , who deposited the money in our bank account (back in March on his birthday)! Thanks titio!

4.29.09 - As Seen from the Car Window

2009-04-29T18:52:00.002-04:00

Taken on 4.27.09.

4.28.09 - Crab Apple Flowers

2009-04-28T17:43:00.000-04:00

"Mommy! Mommy! You've got to come outside!" said my son excitedly last Sunday.
"The most beautiful thing that I've ever seen is by our driveway, you have to see it!"
"What is it?" I asked, already knowing what he was talking about and amused at all the superlative qualities that he was giving to it.
"It's purple," he said, "you have to see it!"
"Oh, isn't it a tree with pink flowers?"
"Yeah, but the flowers are purple, not pink!"
And they were purplish on Sunday, but the sun made the color fade by today:

4.25.09 - Baby Canadian Geese

2009-04-25T18:59:00.002-04:00

Taken by my husband while on a canoe in one of the lakes of the French Creek State Park. (I was too afraid to take a camera when I went on the canoe with K and my eldest son [seven years old], who was rowing with my husband, both completely clueless, obviously).

1.20 - Inauguration Day

2009-01-20T20:29:00.000-05:00

Taken on our front lawn on 1/20/09. We watched the Inauguration at School.

4.16 - Defending

2008-04-16T17:56:00.001-04:00

4.15 - Pre-Defense Farm Trip

2008-04-15T17:47:00.001-04:00

Note: In April I also thought that my camera was broken (I was unable to charge it for a couple of weeks), so I let my mom take photos instead.

This was taken a few hours before the defense (on 416) in a farm/creamery where my parents used to take Kelvin and were now taking Linton for the first time.

4.14 - Me and Them

2008-04-14T17:44:00.001-04:00

Taken by my mom on 4/12.

4.13 - Me, My Cat, and My Son

2008-04-13T17:41:00.001-04:00

Taken by my mom "yesterday," 4/12.

4.12 - Boy and Flowers

2008-04-12T17:40:00.000-04:00

One of the rare photos I took on the actual date in April.

4.11 - Ready to Bloom

2008-04-11T17:38:00.000-04:00

(taken on 4/3 - after pictures will come soon)

4.10 - Good Camera, Good Photographer, or Subject?

2008-04-10T17:36:00.000-04:00

4.9 - Colors

2008-04-09T17:33:00.000-04:00

4.8 - Playing with Friends

2008-04-08T17:31:00.001-04:00

Our friends came back for a few more days and the kids had fun together.

4.7 - Blue Carpet

2008-04-07T17:28:00.002-04:00

(I didn't take many photos in April because I was really busy with the dissertation, so I'll be posting tons of Longwood Garden photos).

4.6 - Pansies

2008-04-06T17:26:00.003-04:00

Taken at Longwood Gardens on 4/3.

4.5 - Upside Down

2008-04-05T17:21:00.002-04:00

That's Kelvin during his school's last "gymnastics show" of the school year.

4.4 - Three Boys and a Fountain

2008-04-04T22:18:00.002-04:00

(taken "yesterday" 3/4)

I just couldn't resist posting this because of the title ;-)
(you may not get the reference, K totally didn't, but it refers to this old film/song title)

4.3 - Longwood Gardens with Friends

2008-04-03T22:08:00.000-04:00

Queen Mama and her two Handsome Princes
(helpful friend took the photo)
The friends and the cat

4.2 - Free to Grow and Bloom

2008-04-02T21:57:00.000-04:00

Rembember this and that? That's how it looks now:

4.1 - Crocuses in Close Up

2008-04-01T21:52:00.004-04:00

3.31 - Welcome & Why I Love Him

2008-03-31T21:47:00.000-04:00

I recently bought this for our front door, isn't it cute?

K bought these lovely baskets for toy storage in the basement. He hates shopping, but once in a while when we really need something, he goes and buys beautiful things like these -- that's why I love him :-)

3.30 - Three Years AgoToday...

2008-03-30T22:52:00.001-04:00

(Note: these were taken by my husband on 3/30/05.)
...I flew back from Brazil with the boys after being almost two months away (poor daddy). On our way from Dulles Airport (in D.C.) we stopped at one of our most favorite places. I had had a haircut, and highlights as I do every time I go to Brazil (it's only there that I can afford it). Those blue flowers below are among my favorites, and they're rare too -- blue poppies from the Himalayas.

3.30 - Windy Road on Driveway (actual day's edition)

2008-03-30T18:32:00.000-04:00

I posted a photo from two years ago because I forgot that I had taken pictures on 3.30.08 :-)

My husband used sidewalk chalk to drive this fun and windy road on the driveway this afternoon:
It was too windy to ride a bike, actually:
Bonus picture, hopscotch, we call it amarelinha [little yellow] in Brazil -- don't ask me why, it's just the game's name:

3.29 - Crocuses

2008-03-29T18:15:00.000-04:00

3.28 - Aunt's Backyard Trees

2008-03-28T15:03:00.002-04:00

One week ago. It'll take us a few more weeks to see this around here.

3.27 - Boy and Train

2008-03-27T19:26:00.000-04:00

Taken a week ago on 3/21.

3.26 - Aunt's Artwork

2008-03-26T14:08:00.002-04:00

My aunt is a completely self-taught painter. She painted these for my cousin's living room following her daughter's specifications. I'm planning on "ordering" several paintings too!
Taken on 3/23.

3.25 - Uncle's Truck

2008-03-25T14:00:00.001-04:00

Taken on 3/22.

3.24 - Lovely Nurse and Booboo

2008-03-24T19:13:00.001-04:00

It was just an unlucky fall, but it hurt his ego and made him cry a lot, since it was in the middle of a wild dance "performance" by the kids which he, who's already six years old, was taking very seriously. Little cousin was the best little nurse ever. (Taken yesterday 3/23)One can barely see the red mark on his chin.

3.23 - Springtime

2008-03-23T13:36:00.003-04:00

Taken yesterday, 3/22.

3.22 - Brick path and Flower

2008-03-21T18:41:00.004-04:00

3.21 - Little and Big

2008-03-21T18:34:00.004-04:00

Big building, little kids.

3.20 - Still Pushing Up

2008-03-20T14:13:00.000-04:00

3.19 - Here They Come!

2008-03-19T14:02:00.002-04:00

I can't wait to see the flowers, all my hard work planting bulbs last Fall (OK, it was almost technically Winter when I planted them back in December) is finally paying off!

3.18 - It's Gonna Rain Tomorrow

2008-03-18T22:40:00.001-04:00

So the roof needs fixin'!

3.17 - Ready for Spring

2008-03-17T18:56:00.000-04:00

3.16 - Pushing Up

2008-03-16T18:47:00.002-04:00

3.15 - My Fist Spring "Baby"

2008-03-15T15:43:00.000-04:00

3.14 - Dissertating is Messy II

2008-03-14T12:39:00.002-04:00

Of course it's mostly because I am messy, but still... this last push, checking copied articles which had been misplaced and found only at the last minute makes for a above average (to put it mildly) work space.

3.13 - Dissertating is Messy I

2008-03-13T00:57:00.000-04:00

3.12 - Sunset through Water Drops

2008-03-12T21:43:00.007-04:00

Water drops on window courtesy of Kelvin and his spray bottle.

3.11 - My "Babies"

2008-03-11T20:47:00.003-04:00

Yeah, I know, calling my bulbs babies is a bit too much, but I do feel quite maternal towards them. I'm sure you'll be sick of pictures of their development in no time!

3.10 - Birthday at School

2008-03-10T20:42:00.000-04:00

3.9 - Birthday Boy

2008-03-09T20:38:00.001-04:00

Clutching part of his most favorite present (from the paternal Grandma).

3.8 - Singing

2008-03-08T20:28:00.002-05:00

Taken by my son Kelvin.

3.7 - New Bed (Made) + Chair + Rug + Lamp

2008-03-07T20:12:00.000-05:00

3.6 - New Bed!

2008-03-06T19:58:00.000-05:00

From here, obviously.

3.5 - Fallen

2008-03-05T19:32:00.000-05:00

3.4 - Carpet Removal (Again)

2008-03-04T19:17:00.000-05:00

Only one picture this time ;-)
Taken on 2/28,
Our bedroom has the best hardwood floors yet.

3.3 - Painted Master Bedroom

2008-03-03T18:49:00.000-05:00

Taken on 2/28.

3.2 - WIthout Me

2008-03-02T18:04:00.000-05:00

Today K and the boys went to one of my favorite places, only without me. I haven't been there since December. All because of the dissertation. :-(

3.1 - Wedding Cake

2008-03-01T23:48:00.000-05:00

Beautiful and delicious Brazilian wedding cake, frosted with real whipped cream. Filling of smaller cake: condensed milk based cream, dried apricots, and prunes; bigger cake: condensed milk based cream, pineapple and peaches.

2.29 - Shadow Series

2008-02-29T19:46:00.001-05:00

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.