Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Five: Last Minute

Well, this is it. Three-hundred and sixty five days and hundreds of pictures later, we are at the end of our journey. Pete and I have learned so much about photography and photo editing in this past year, and have unlocked a passion for photography that we didn't quite know was in there.

That is why our passion is turning into a business: Belltower Photo. While we won't have pictures to post every day, we will treat you every now and again to pictures and stories from our collective perspective. And if you're looking for someone to take a picture of you, your family, your dog, your favorite item, or your special event...maybe you'll think of us!

Thank you for a great year. There is no way I could have stuck to this resolution without knowing you all are out there reading. I hope your 2010 is even better than your 2009, and that the good Lord pours out abundant blessings upon you and your family.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Four: Cardboard Fortress

With members of my family living in various places throughout the country, and having to work holiday schedules out with many different families, the Friedman family Christmas didn't occur until tonight. While we weren't able to complete all of our family traditions--going to Starbucks on Christmas Eve Day, mass, and a ham dinner--but this is one that I hope never goes away. Each year, my siblings Jenni, Ben and Ted (seen here) create a fort out of the presents that will be exchanged later that day. Each year its exact consistency is slightly different, it may be higher some years or larger in other years, but it is always fun to sit inside of there, even if just for 2 minutes.

Pete, and Katie's boyfriend Junior joined us for Christmas this year. I hope they enjoyed this tradition as much as we do.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Three: Winter Wonderland

Pete took me to one of his favorite spots around Minneapolis today: Islands of Peace park. The mighty Mississippi runs through this park, after walking 5 miles uphill through the snow that was waist high in the wind in -20 degree temperature, (okay, I may be exaggerating a wee bit...) we arrived at ole man river who was about 90% frozen. While Pete and I didn't venture too far out onto the river, we did let the "kids" walk on water for a little bit.

This bridge was one our first obstacles to reach the river, and on the way back, it just looked so pretty, I had to take a picture (or actually two...can you tell?) of it! Enjoy!

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-Two: Mele Kalikimaka

One of Pete's other brothers lives in Hawaii. They were in Minnesota in August, and are making a trip to Kansas in February, so a Christmas visit just wasn't in the cards. But to share in the Christmas season, they sent this beautiful Hawaiian plant to Pete's parents.

Mele Kalikimaka, everyone!

Day Three Hundred and Sixty-One: A Tender Tennessee Christmas

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One of my favorite Christmas Albums of all time (and yes, I'm still listening to Christmas music. The Christmas season isn't over until the Epiphany on January 6.) is Amy Grant's "A Christmas Album". She sings some traditional Christmas songs like "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem", but one of her more unknown tracks is called "Tennessee Christmas". And it's amazing.

Today, Pete and I, along with his parents traveled over to Spooner, Wisconsin to visit his brother Don and family and celebrate the holiday with them. We at some tacos, shared some gifts, watched some football, and just enjoyed each other's company; in mind, everything a Christmas should be (despite it being two days late and under some unusual circumstances.)

Right now you're probably wondering what that has to do with a Tennessee Christmas, and to the naked eye, nothing. But the climbing pine trees covered in snow lining the streets as we pull into the tiny town spark my imagination and what a Christmas in Tennessee would be like. Truthfully, with no family in the area, I have absolutely no desire to spend a Christmas in Tennessee. But I will certainly take Amy Grant singing and trips to Wisconsin in the alternative.

Day Three Hundred and Sixty: Blades of Glory

Next to my engagement ring and my camera, I received the best present EVER for Christmas from Pete: ice skates! (Note: if you happen to be looking for them in Kansas, you're going to have a hard time. It seems most sporting good stores don't care them in that temperate climate. Additionally, if you're looking for women's figure skates in size 11--my shoe size--you're also going to have one heck of a time. But that's neither here nor there.)

We arrived in Minnesota today (just one day past due) and Pete and I were both very anxious to hit the ice. Unfortunately, while we were getting snow in Kansas, Minnesota received rain that melted the top layer of ice on most of the outdoor ponds. (Literally, we sank into the layers of ice below when trying to skate outside.) But, we were determined to skate and ended up finding an open rink in downtown Minneapolis As we arrived, the zamboni was making its way across the ice, and left us with this fun pattern.

We're in Minnesota for another couple of days...I hope I get to pull out those blades of glory at least one more time!

Toooooeeeppick! (Name the move? Anyone? Anyone?)

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Nine: Snow Day!

Merry Christmas!

Pete and I are supposed to be celebrating Christmas in Minneapolis with his family right now. But when there are 6 fresh inches of snow on the ground, more coming. and the road condition maps look like this (purple means "difficult" driving conditions), you don't go anywhere.






So instead, we bundled up, put the dogs on a leash, and had a snowball fight. What a great way to celebrate the birth of our Savior! :)

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Eight: Frosty Christmas Eve

Tonight and tomorrow, we celebrate the birth of a baby in a manger more than 2000 years ago. Let us never forget the Christ in Christmas, the joy of the season, and the incredible gift that his life...and death...have been for us.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Seven: Christmas Eve Eve

Pete and I were lucky enough to be invited tonight to share in a Christmas Eve Eve dinner at our friends Dan and Kelly's. (Kelly...now would be an appropriate time to click the "comment" button and leave a fun little note. :)). Not only was the food fabulous, the company to die for, but the house was decorated to the nines, providing ample picture opportunities.



Thank you, Dan and Kelly, for making us part of a very fun evening and for your awesome friendship. :)

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Six: Number one.

Pete and I attended our first KU game of the season tonight. Although we were there to hand out books as a fundraiser for our Catholic young adults group, we got to see the entire first half of the game, and the last 5 minutes of the second half. Most importantly, we got to see our Jayhawks beat their first formidable opponent of the season and prove their number one ranking.

And after the party is over and the people have all gone home, Allen Field house needs a little love and care. Because heaven knows, it won't be long until the Jayhawks are back in action and proving once again they have exactly what it takes.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Five: Lucy the Elf

Dear Lucy,

Don't blame me. I may put turkeys on your nose, birthday hats on your head, and boas around your neck, but I absolutely did NOT make you wear this elf hat. (I may have made you keep it on so I could get this picture, but that's an entirely different offense.)

Love,

Doggie mama.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Four: All I Want for Christmas....

All Mariah Carey wants for Christmas is "you".

The Chipmunks want their two front teeth.

Gayla Peevey wants a hippopotamus (and only a hippopotamus will do).

And what do I want for Christmas this year? I'd go for a pair of socks with no holes in the toes. :)

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Three: Friends in low places?

Xanadu: "A Fantasy, A Musical, A Place Where Dreams Come True"

Xanadu: the summer capital of Kublai Khan's Yuan Dynasty in China, after Xanadu (the man) decided to move the capital of the Yuan Dynasty to Dadu, present-day Beijing.

Xanadu: A night of mayhem inspired by law school friends returning home from the places they have gone to be reunited (weather pending) with friends who miss them terribly.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-Two: Christmas Pumpkin

As Pete mentioned, he had some "Halloween-turned-Thanksgiving" pumpkins outside of his door that welcomed the first snowfall of the season in Lawrence. Before the pumpkins got too old, he decided to use them to welcome in the Christmas season. I'm not sure the pumpkin will make it to welcome in the newest season our lives on February 6, but even if it doesn't happen, I thank this pumpkin (and Pete) for providing so much seasonal joy!

Day Three Hundred and Fifty-One: Euphorbia pulcherrima

The poinsettia is a beautiful Mexican plan that appears everywhere this time of year. But while we have admired its beauty for decades and decades, we've frequently been told to look, but not touch, as ingesting its leaves is not good for you. But a deeper inquiry into the this pretty plant reveals its long history and the truth about its (not-so) poisonous leaves. Thank you to the University of Illinois for sharing these facts with the world!Poinsettias are native to Mexico.

• The Aztecs called the poinsettia Cuetlaxochitl. They made a reddish purple dye from the bracts.
• Chile and Peru called the poinsettia the "Crown of the Andes."
• Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae family. Many plants in this family ooze a milky sap.
• Some people may have skin irritation from the milky sap
• In nature, poinsettias are perennial flowering shrubs that can grow to ten feet tall.
• The showy colored parts of poinsettias that most people think are the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves).
• Poinsettias are priced according to the number of blooms. The more blooms, the more expensive the plant.
• The flowers or cyathia of the poinsettia are in the center of the colorful bracts.
• Poinsettias have been called the lobster flower and flame leaf flower.
• Poinsettias are not poisonous.
• A study at Ohio State University showed that a 50 pound child who ate 500 bracts might have a slight tummy ache.
• Poinsettia sap that can irritate the skin and cause an upset stomach if consumed in large enough quantities.
• A fresh poinsettia is one on which little or no yellow pollen is showing on the flower clusters in the center of the bracts. Plants that have shed their pollen will soon drop their colorful bracts.
• Poinsettias represent over 85 percent of the potted plant sales during the holiday season.
• Ninety percent of all poinsettias are exported from the United States.
• In the 17th century, Juan Balme, a botanist, mentioned poinsettia plants in his writings.
• Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett.
• Poinsettias are commercially grown in all 50 states.
• California is the top poinsettia producing state.
• December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.
• The Paul Ecke Ranch in California grows over 80 percent of poinsettias in the United States for the wholesale market.
• Ninety per cent of all the flowering poinsettias in the world got their start at the Paul Ecke Ranch.
• There are over 100 varieties of poinsettias available.
• $220 million worth of poinsettias are sold during the holiday season.
• Seventy-four percent of Americans still prefer red poinsettias; 8 percent prefer white and 6 percent pink.
• Eighty percent of poinsettias are purchased by women.
• Eighty percent of people who purchase poinsettias are 40 or older.
• Poinsettias are the best selling flowering potted plant in the United States. In 2004 over 61 million plants were sold.
• Poinsettias are the most popular Christmas plant even though most are sold in a 6 week period.
• An NCCA Bowl game in San Diego is named the Poinsettia Bowl.
• Poinsettias were introduced into the United States in 1825 by Joel Poinsett.

Day Three Hundred and Fifty: Sunset Wheat

To those who advocate that winter is the most bleak, boring, and "ugly" season of the year, I offer this picture to assert the contrary. Sunsets like these don't happen all of the time.

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Nine: Christmastide

It's that time of year when baked bits of heaven abound and generosity (hopefully) with those baked goodies is even greater. Jennifer shared lots of cookies with her co-workers this season. There were a couple of them left over for her roommate (a.k.a. me) to enjoy....if Lucy hadn't gotten to them first. :) Ho ho ho Lucy. Merry Christmas!

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Eight: Crosshatch

(No commentary or insights to contribute here! Just enjoy the picture!)

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Seven: Tick Tock goes the Clock

Tonight, Pete and I were out walking around Mass Street and stopped at "It's About Time", a cute little shop that sells trinkets and togs and lots of other things....like this clock. Combine that with some stellar lighting and you get a wicked fun picture like this! Wooooo hoooo!

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Six: Seeting Your Sights High

Ever wonder what the INSIDE of a tree this size looks like??

(click to find out!)



I was disappointed, too. :/

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Five: A Simple House

This is the door to a simple little house. It loves to welcome visitors from weary travelers to Mickey Mouse!

And inside the house live three simple gals, who, over time, have become great pals.

And those three pals love simple little things: food, and friends, and to experience what the day brings.

In that house, they never are bored. And every day, they take time to thank the Lord.

Joy to the world, the door to that house does say. May the peace of Christ bless you each and every day.

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Four: A deep winter chill

Earlier this week, Lawrence received it's first snowfall. Now the cold is here. Can you feel it? I can...and it is NOT a welcome chill. Can you feel it?

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Three: Where we are supposed to be

Back in March, Pete took and posted this picture as his pic-o-the-day. He followed the picture with some very simple commentary:

"Let's hope so."

I'm not quite sure to what he was referring, but I think he is exactly where he is supposed to be....about to marry me. :)

Day Three Hundred and Forty-Two: Winter Wonderland

The first snow of the season has arrived! What's a young photographer to do!?! Go out into the streets and take pictures, of course!! I hope you enjoy these pictures, that I feel really capture the spirit of the season!! :) (Click to enlarge)

Day Three Hundred and Forty-One: Star Lush

It was during my semester in London that I was introduced to the wonderful company "Lush". They are a "handmade soap and natural cosmetics company" and ever since I first found their "ultra bland", I have ceased washing my face with anything else.

Lush, however, is just proliferating the United States and has yet to have a Starbucks-like presence on every street corner in America. While you can order their products online, I am cheap and like to avoid shipping; thus, when we're at the Mall of America, I make sure to stop by a Lush store and stock up.

With the Christmas giving season looming, Lush is giving incentives for people to buy more, and along with my bi-annual Lush purchase, I received a gift: this pink star soap in the "snow fairy" (bubble gum + cotton candy). It has since been gracing my bathroom, getting my hands squeaky clean, and making me oh so yummy.

While Pete may roll his eyes every time I mention going to Lush (which really isn't that often), I love it....and you should, too.



P.S. Care to take a venture at how many hits I get for people looking for not so high class things with a title like this?

Day Three Hundred and Forty: Polka Dotts

OOOOoohhhh....pretty lights!! I love advent!

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Nine: Scrooge?

Dear Pete,

I love it when you smile, so please put on a happy face! This Christmas bulb didn't do anything to upset you!

Love,

Emily

P.S. Thanks for being a good sport. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Eight: Prepare ye, the way of the Lord

Take a bunch of 7th and 8th graders, some Jesus lovin', midnight mass, a crazy youth minister and what do you get? A whole lotta fun. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven: CHRISTmas

Tonight as Pete and I were walking downtown, we noticed the Festival of Trees going on. Although in it's last few moments, for a $2 donation to a local boys and girls shelter (aptly named "The Shelter") we got to go inside and experience Christmas nirvana. Or was it really?

Maybe it's just me, but it seems that Christmas has been even more secularized this year than before. The Festival of Trees was the same way. While the evergreens remind us of God's ever present love for us, and the twinkling lights are supposed to remind us that we are the light of the world, not one tree was decorated with kings or angels. Not one tree reminded us of the gift that was given on December 25, and what that gift ultimately means for our salvation.

Starbucks invites you to "listen to your desires and to renew your hope." Renew your hope in what? Our hope is in the Lord. "To see the world not as it is, but as it could be." How is the world going to be come that way? How are YOU going to make that happen? "Go ahead, wish. It's what makes the holidays the holidays." It's Christmas people. CHRISTmas. St. Nicholas--the former and more appropriate name for Santa Claus-- gave gifts to poor children in honor of Christ's sacrifice for us, not to see our stock prices climb.

A local church has the following on their outdoor sign:

Q: "What is Christmas without Christ?"

A: "Mas"

This year, I encourage you to stop and think why you're giving gifts, why you're singing carols, and for what purpose you were given this life. After all, wise men still seek him.

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Six: Follow the Light

This glass cup sitting on my counter and reflecting the setting sun caught my eye this afternoon. I love the shadow that dances on the wall, and the stream of light that points at you from the bottom of the glass. I don't have anything deep or funny to say today, so I'll end the post here and just let you enjoy the light that leads directly to the mascot of the team who will again reign as NCAA basketball champions this year. :)

Day Three Hundred and Thirty-Five: Cup-o-licious

Last weekend, Pete and I were humbled by a shower my parent's friends threw for us in my hometown. Part of the evening was playing "The Newlywed game". Pete and I, my parents, and another couple (sitting in for Pete's parents who were unable to attend) were each asked questions about our significant others. They ranged from "who is the problem solver in the relationship" (each couple got this wrong because every person said themselves...an interesting sociological statement, if you ask me), to "what is their favorite way to consume chocolate" (Pete and I got this right...he prefers hot chocolate.)

How does this relate to the picture above, you ask? Well, in preparation for the game, Pete and I asked each other lots of little questions to make sure we were well prepared. Things like "Where would you most like to go on vacation?" (Pete: the mountains; me: someplace where I can do NOTHING...most likely the beach), to "What is your most embarrassing moment?" (Do you really think I'm going to reveal that here? Keep dreaming...) The answer to the question "what is your favorite beverage" was easy for the both of us; Pete likes coke with grenadine. I like what you see above...a latte. Something about the espresso flavored frothiness makes me giddy every time I get to have one. There are many days when I must exhibit physical restraint in keeping my car from turning into the nearest Starbucks. But each time I get to have one...boy, oh boy. MMMMMM. :) This particular latte is again from my favorite shop: the Sconelady's at 15th and Kasold.

In the end, Pete and I SCHOOLED the other two couples who have a combined marriage length of more than 50 years. They were supposed to impute their wisdom on us. Maybe us youngin's have a few things to teach them as well. :)