Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Four: Juicy Fruit

I love me some pomegranate! MMMMMM!! If you haven't ever tried this delectable fruit, I recommend you do so, post haste. But be careful, while those juicy seeds tantalize the taste buds, they also terrorize the threads (okay, your clothes...meaning the juice stains. That's enough of me trying to be, well, I don't know what...but threads just isn't in my vocabulary every day).

Enjoy!!

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Three: Hey Mr. Postman!

After months of preparing....

....After thousands of creases....

...Hundred and hundreds of hours later....

...and after using more glue sticks than I can count....

...the envelopes have been sealed...

...the stamps have been affixed....

....;the wedding invitations are nearly ready to go.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Two: Let the Games Begin!

The Iowa High School Basketball season is about to begin. Before the season actually commences, however, the area teams play each other in smaller round robin jamboree sessions. I was lucky enough to get to watch my brother Ted, a freshman, start on the Ankeny High School Boys Varsity Basketball team at one of those jamborees this weekend. The lighting in the gym we were in was amazing and a lot of cool pictures resulted. This one is my favorite. And no, I did not add any fades or gradients...the black on the top and the bottom is simply that spectacular lighting.

Here are a couple of my other favorites:

Foul, anyone?

Ted gets a few moments of rest during the games.

I'm so excited for his games to come. I hope to attend at least one or two, even with the distance in between here and A-town.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-One: Vino

My mom is one of the most creative people I know. She always made amazing gifts for our teachers when we were younger, started her own business for a while selling hair bows, and has a way of making everything look great (which is why I know that, in her hands, the decorations at my wedding will be fabulous). Today when Pete and I arrived at my house for the Friedman family portion of the Thanksgiving weekend, my mom showed us her newest creation: light up wine bottles. And although my description of the item sounds kind of cheesy...nothing but elegance flows from this truly creative piece.

Maybe after the wedding she should get back into business...this time he "wine" business. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty: Spring of Life

On this Thanksgiving day, let us stop to remember all the good things that bless our lives every day, and the good Lord who provides them. Thank you, Lord, spring of eternal life. You continue to shower me with more gifts and happiness than I ever deserve.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Nine: Big Mouth

Remember Pete's niece Miranda? Earlier this year, she, her dad, and her grandparents visited us in Lawrence. At that time, I got an adorable picture of her enjoying some ice cream during the middle of a summer heat wave. Now it's Thanksgiving, and Miranda and her dad came over to Minneapolis (from their home in Spooner, Wisconsin) to get ready to do a Haack family Thanksgiving Day tradition: A Turkey Trot.

But before we got all tucked in a rested up for the "big" race, Miranda volunteered to pose for my photo of the day. Thanks, Miranda! Our little photo venture will result in laughs for lots of others.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Sunrise, Sunset

I know that I've taken a picture like this before, but you can't let a sunset like this pass you by. Seeing it through the rear-view mirror on our way up to Iowa and Minnesota for the upcoming holiday adds another element to spice up the picture. I promise not to take another shot like this in the remainder of the project....unless it is another "can't miss" opportunity. :)

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Seven: Gobble, gobble...EEK!

What's that, Lou? You think it's almost TURKEY TIME?! Well, I think that you're right! :)

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Six: Dripping Jewels

This pretty little item hangs off of a ceiling fan I recently encountered. It was so pretty, in fact, that I thought to (and am now) make it my picture of the day.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Five: 0-30-60-90

Meet Judy her mom, Betty. Betty is celebrating her 90th birthday this week. Judy and Betty are almost exactly 30 years apart in age and every 30 years, they take a formal picture together. The first one occurred when Judy was a baby and her mom was 30; the next when Judy was 30 and Betty was 60. The picture you see here is the third in the series--Judy is 60, and Betty 90. Pete and I were privilieged enough to be asked to take this very special picture. Thank you, Judy and Betty, for letting us be a part of this family tradition.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Four: Chains

Each one of us has chains that keep us in the places that we are. Whether those chains secure you to something good and true, or prevent you from moving on to a new place in life, we must determine it for ourselves. Each chain has a purpose, whether momentary or longer, the metal links so intricately welded together provide an opportunity of growth for us, if we recognize it.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Three: Hot Kababa

The luxurious light of this candle dances along the wax coated votives holder. Not a bad sight for a cool almost winter's eve.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-Two: Lucky Roll

Backgammon: rolls of fun for everyone involved.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty-One: Stop and Smell the Mums

As previously mentioned (in so many words), I had a bridal shower this weekend. My dear friend Megan came all the way from Mason City, Iowa, to host the shower, and had no desire to travel back nearly to the Minnesota border with all leftovers. So, I ended up with lots of meat and cheese (which the people at work enjoyed), the balloons you saw in Saturday's post (which everyone in my house enjoyed), and these pretty flowers (mums, I think) which Lucy enjoyed.

Megan also left me with a significant amount of cake. Lucy enjoyed that, too.

Day Three Hundred and Twenty: Baby, it's cold outside!

Lawrence received its first bit of snow tonight. Although there was absolutely NO accumulation (something I can't decide if I'm happy or disgruntled about), the snow falling fast in the wind created some memorable winter scenes. When the snow does hit (and it's allowed to do so any time now, except around February 6 when the snow must have already fallen and streets cleared and safe for travelers) rest assured my camera and trigger finger will be ready!

Day Three Hundred and Nineteen: Fields of Glue

What happens when you use a hot glue gun to secure ribbon to other ribbon and then to paper? You get a field of glue on the sheet of paper where I continually set the gun down in between pumps of tackyness. Shine a little light on the subject and you're suddenly transported from Lawrence, Kansas, to the dark side of the moon (or something like that...).

Day Three Hundred and Eighteen: Do doot do do

The first of my bridal events occurred between last night and this afternoon. I was blessed to be graced by friends and family from five different states to help me celebrate the impending nuptial event. Thank you, all, for a wonderful weekend.

And in case you're wondering, the balloons are NOT in any way, shape, or form powercat purple....they are "european eggplant", the color of my bridesmaid's dresses. :)

Day Three Hundred and Seventeen: Something's coming...

Something exciting will soon be gracing the walls of the Sconelady's Coffee Shop (a personal favorite) at 15th and Kasold. Keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground for more information. :)

Day Three Hundred and Sixteen: Little Fish in a Big Sea

I've walked past this tree almost every day for a year now; it stands on the edge of my parking lot. Each time I walk to my car (or to meet the carpool), this tree reminds me of the tree on the cover of the movie "Big Fish." Truthfully, I don't remember much about that movie, and more specifically, the symbolism of the tree, so I can't really develop any conversation based on that. But, I do know this it sure is picturesque, especially at sunset.

Day Three Hundred and Fifteen: Trinkets and Togs

The items on people's dressers can say a lot about them. What do I think the items on my dresser say about me? Hmm...Well, I like to wear pearl earrings, play games, I straighten my hair, and have a dog who sheds. My iPod shuffle keeps me occupied on runs, and my hair is thin enough that I wear those clear thin hair ties. I'm messy, but organized. Flighty, but grounded. Fun, but professional. At least I hope that's what my dresser (or at least this portion of it) says about me. What does your dresser say about you??

Day Three Hundred and Fourteen: Autumn Breeze

We've had a series of incredibly beautiful days here in Kansas. There is no way to describe them other than perfect. Even the capital, in the last our four-part series, looks pretty darn, well, pretty.

I love autumn. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirteen: Moving Right Along

Remember these?

After many, many hours of long work, they now look like this.

I know it's not much, and you don't really get any idea of what the invitations look like from this, but trust me when I say they are looking pretty darn good.

Check back in a week or so to see just how far I am then!

Day Three Hundred and Twelve: Veiny

It's amazing how different things look when you both look at them closely and evaluate them in the light. Just like this leaf, fallen from its home above, it is usually more complicated--and much more beautiful--than you ever imagined. Is there anything in your life that could use a little bit more of your time or attention? For me, there always is, and it usually involves spending more time with the big JC. Most often when I do that, I find that other things become clear, even in very dim light. He provides the analysis and the light, I just do the looking. Pretty cool if you stop to think about it.....

Day Three Hundred and Eleven: in the Heat of Battle

Every year, St. John's Catholic Grade School, in conjunction with St. John's church here in Lawrence, has an auction to raise significant sums of money to support the school. Pete and I were asked to help out this year; he provided the music for the dinner area, and I took some pictures. Although my primary job was to take portrait type photos, I do best with candids like this one here. This woman is scoping out the incredible Wii package. I don't quite remember what it all included, and we weren't there when that particular item was auctioned off, but rest assured, this woman got a good deal.

The St. John's Auction is the largest auction in the city of Lawrence. This year, it was their goal to raise $220,000 for the school. The final numbers have not yet been tabulated, but rumor seems to have it that they raised even more than that...and that's an accomplishment in this time of recession.

To check out more pictures from the auction, check out my smugmug page.

P.S. There are several things that I would have liked to have done to tweek this picture and make it even better. But, because my computer (and version of photoshop) are very old, and because I didn't have access to Pete's computer while editing this picture, I ask you not to jduge my photography/ editing skills based on this picture. :)

Day Three Hundred and Ten: Glorious to view

Turn around from the Vietnam Veteran's memorial on campus, and this is what you see. Not a bad view, huh? Three hundred and ten days in, and this is my first picture of the campanile at night. Sheesh. I apologize for being so behind the curve, but hopefully the wait was worth it...it was for me!

Day Three Hundred and Nine: The secret of gummy beary juice

Today, Pete and I celebrated one year of officially being "Pete and Emily". A year ago, I could not have imagined how blessed I feel today, and hopefully the next year will bring even greater things. To celebrate, we went out to dinner and did what two sugar addicts do best--play with their food. As Troop Gummy Bear climbs Mt. Nerds and raise the candy corn flag, I recall all the times I've eaten Nerds over the last year, all the times ten billion times happier than the best sugar rush that could come from a pile like this, and look forward to all the Nerds and Gummy Bears to come.

Day Three Hundred and Eight: See the Face?

See the face? Love the face.

See the face? Love the face. (Click to see the face.)

See the face? Love the face. (Yes, it's different. Just click on it. :))

See the face? Love the face. (Different here, too.)

See the face? Love the face. (You know the drill...)

See the face? I love the face. :)

Day Three Hundred and Seven: Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?

I recently was in the market for and acquired some black patent leather heels. I've never really been a patent leather person, but there was something about the design of these shoes that called to me. Today, they also called out to be my photo of the day.

I also don't really know what the title of this post means. I remember that the high school I would have gone to had my family stayed in Davenport, Iowa, put on a play by this name that I saw while in elementary school. I don't remember what it was about (except that it took place in a school), but for some reason unbeknownst to me, the title has always resonated in my mind.

Regardless of the reasoning behind this picture....or the title...I hope you enjoy it!

Day Three Hundred and Six: asdfjkl;

That may be the first time in my life I have ever typed "asdfjkl;" and intended that it actually be the "something" I was typing. And, you would think that with all the time I spend on the computer--both at work and at home and because every update to this blog must be made on a computer--that I would have taken a picture similar to this by now. But, creativity ebbs and flows and finally, on day 306, I took a picture of my keyboard. I hope you enjoy it!

Day Three-Hundred and Five: Love, love love

Remember how I told you my friend Erica and her fiance Justin are taking a chance on Pete and I taking her wedding pictures? We had our first opportunity to show off our skills today when we took their engagement pictures. We've only really edited five pictures (four here + one on Pete's page), but if these are any indication, I'm very excited for what might be in store.