P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday #5

Seems that most of my posts these days are for P52's Sweet Shot Tuesday.  Not much time to write so I'll have to blitz a few posts in the next week or so and schedule them out.

I chose the photo below as my Week #5 photo.  My husband and I were just leaving a local art museum and I saw this beautiful camellia in full bloom.  Yes, spring is in the air and the days are a bit warm and windy this week.  Last's week's photo was  of a barren tree, so to  contrast with it, I snapped this flower up close with the  museum in the background.   Hope you like it.

P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday

P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday #4

It's been quite rainy and windy this week but when I can, I like to take a walk in the afternoons.  I took this photo of a barren tree with my iPhone since I didn't have my camera with me.  It tells the mood of the day and looks like the epitome of  mid-winter (at least here in Florida).  I'm posting it as Week #4 on the P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday site.  Can't believe I'm actually doing it on Tuesday this week!  Join us in posting one photo per week (no specific theme) by clicking on the icon in the left sidebar.

Check out my other photos in this year's photography project HERE.

P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday #3 Art Glass

It's Saturday and the last day for submissions for Week #3 of P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday photo.  After a morning of making cards with a friend...

Making Cards

...I grabbed my little camera and started shooting some art glass that we have around the house.  I love things made from colored (and clear) glass.  The smoothness of it, the way light bounces off and the way color looks on glass.  Here are three of my favorites from about 20 minutes of shooting.

This is a sentimental piece made by my older son when he was about 9 years ago.  It's a mosaic stepping stone made from broken glass chards that we keep in a sitting area in our front yard.   With all the brown leaves on the ground right now, it's certainly a bright spot in our garden.

A votive candle holder, a Christmas gift from a dear friend...

Photography Art Glass P52

 And a Murano art glass perfume bottle, a gift from my dear husband.

P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday

Exercise Routine : Walking with Leslie Sansone

I rarely make New Year's resolutions but on the morning of January 1, 2013 I decided to start a new regular exercise routine.  I had searched online for  the Power Half Hour but couldn't find any free streaming videos other than a 5-minute demo.  All the young ones are doing the P90X which would put someone my age in the hospital.  While searching, I discovered Leslie Sansone's walking at-home video workouts on YouTube.  I love her!!   These are  perfect exercise routines to do in your own home, from 20-45 minutes because you use all of your muscles.  You're not JUST walking but using your upper body, too.  Leslie's (we're on first-name basis now) personality is perky and friendly... like having your own personal coach.

http://www.amazon.com/Leslie-Sansone-Walk-Pounds-Minute/dp/B00120ZSGI

I just ordered a book by her from PaperbackSwap titled Eat Smart, Walk Strong.  At this moment there are more copies available so if you belong to PBS you could also order one.  If you don't, PBSwap is a fun way to get new books for just the cost of media mail shipping.  Just click on the tab  in the left sidebar to join.

I have been walking  2 miles 5-6 days a week either inside or outside for 30 minutes.  I did a little research and learned that you burn about 200 calories doing the 30-minute, 2-mile Leslie Sansone workout.  My clothes are already fitting better!  :)

A friend had told me about her several months ago but I had forgotten her name.  I am so glad I  stumbled upon her workouts.  You can also get the DVDs from Netflix or of course, from Amazon as well.  I highly recommend them.

I put colored stars on my calendar to keep me motivated.  I need all the help I can get!!  I also joined a support group on Facebook called Fit for Good hosted by The Happy Housewife.  :)  No need to do this alone so get started!

My exercise calendar

Childhood Memories Reborn

Last week my older son took me to see the stage musical "Mary Poppins" (his Christmas gift to me). What a treat-- both the show and  just the two of us spending the evening together.

I loved the Disney movie as a child and even had a Mary Poppins doll dressed in her Jolly Holiday outfit. My piano teacher even let me deviate from the classics to learn to play all the songs. :).

Our sons and I had also enjoyed the movie together when they were young. Sweet memories reborn with this special gift.

Harbinger of spring

The leaves are still falling in our yard but while taking a walk today I saw these white azaleas starting to bloom in my neighbor's yard. I checked my own few red ruffle azaleas and they had a few blossoms, too!



What harbinger of spring do you look forward to this time of year?

It's the Little Things ...

It's the little things that make each day a little more special.  One of my oldest and dearest friends gave me this pretty mug as a Christmas gift.  I love taking a sip of my hot tea and reading the Bible verse My hope is in God all day long. Psalm 25:5.

Scripture Mug It's the little things
Sweet Shot Tuesday

You may be wondering about the water glass.  It's a piece of crystal from our wedding gifts and yes, I use it every day.  Make me want to drink more water!!  :)  A bit of red on the table with the flowers and voila! a pleasant way to start the day.

This is my photo for Sweet Shot Tuesday #2.   Have fun with your camera or phone and start taking more photos!  :)

Aldi Product Review and Sale

Three great products on sale at Aldi this week.

$2.49 I only see these every 4-6 months or so and stock up when they're on sale.
Usually  $6-8 in the grocery store.

Aldi Steel Cut Oats

$1.99 UNfrosted!
They regularly carry frosted which don't eat.

Aldi shredded wheat

99 cents
I've never seen these at Aldi before.

Aldi multi-grain rolls

Christmas Un- Decorating

Time to put it all away for another year. Had a family lunch here and we all took everything down together. Thankful for their help. It's always a bit sad to pack it all away (my husband gets real sentimental about it) but the house sure feels more open and tidy now!

 This is my P52 Sweet Shot Tuesday  2013 #1.

Un- Decorating for Christmas  Sweet Shot Tuesday