December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 14, 15 + 16

Hello friends!

Did you have a good weekend? I thought my sister was going to have her baby yesterday, but it all came to naught.

The last photo is a bit of a cheat – Reuben offered to take a picture of my hair when he saw me struggling to get a shot in the bathroom.

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 10 + 11

Day 10: Isn’t this the cutest little package you ever did see?

Day 11: Leftover shrimp soup! I recycled some of the ingredients I had left from making shrimp stuffed mushrooms into shrimp soup! It was very good. Reuben said so. :D

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 5

Today (well, technically yesterday as I’m writing this at 1:12 AM), I cleaned out my refrigerator. It makes me happy to see everything so spotless and tidy.

Do you get pleasure from giving things a good cleaning?

December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 3

Today’s photos is actually a diptych. Outside we have a heavy dusting of snow. I brought some boughs inside for our “Christmas Tree” — I’ve decided not to get a REAL tree this year since it would be a major headache to try to keep Helen from wrecking it. :) I’ll probably add some baubles later…maybe some lights if I get really ambitious.

2 Responses to December Photo-a-Day 2013: Day 3

1. Carissa @ Pretty/Hungry 
   December 5th, 2013 at 4:50 pm
   You and I had the same thought this year with a mini-version of a real tree. Smart!!
2. Erica Lea 
   December 16th, 2013 at 1:15 am
   Carissa: I’m sure yours is much prettier than mine. I’ll have to try to be more organized next year. :)

Wet Autumn Day

I do love a good wet, gloomy day, especially when the weather begins to turn chilly. It’s just so cozy to be “trapped” indoors.

I took Helen outside in the rain, wrapped in my hoodie, to get the mail. She seemed perplexed by the wetness hitting her face. Seeing how lovely everything was in the misty rain, I set Helen back inside for Reuben to watch while I captured the beauty of the trees just beginning to change color.

Back inside, I fixed myself a cup of black tea and a Chai Gingerbread Bar with whipped cream while Helen took her second nap.

What did you do this Saturday? Are you excited for chilly weather?

8 Responses to Wet Autumn Day

1. Liz 
   September 28th, 2013 at 6:00 pm
   I can’t wait for the chilly weather to arrive. Cozy fires, hot tea, spicy soups… I love it all. Here in the bluegrass, it’s still hitting upper 70s in the afternoons, though the mornings are getting chillier. Despite this, I have been super excited for fall and doing “fall” things regardless of the weather. Made a lavender Earl Grey latte and helped my brother make a paella, though I am hoping to fit in time for some pumpkin muffins.. :) Looks like autumn is in full force for you guys, though!
   In retrospect, I have no idea how fall-ish making paella is, but it’s yummy.:P
2. (Auntie) Jean Plate 
   September 29th, 2013 at 2:41 am
   Thanks, Erica, for the beautiful pictures and letting us “peek into the window of your life” now and then!
   I enjoy seeing Helen grow! Thanks, too, for the pictures of the horse (is that old Cody?) and the maple leaves! (The only maple I’ve gotten to survive here in Alaska is about 18 inches high and is about 10 years old!) I loved seeing the colors in the rain.
   Today we moved a small mountain of top soil…well, at least part of it…to cover the excavation that happen at our well and around the new house for Grandma. Oh, we also winterized the bus and motorhome, so yes, we are mostly ready for winter. (One more garden to till.) There’s fresh snow on the mountains but no snow here yet. The sky tonight looked very much like it will be here soon.
   This evening we took the kids out for a progressive supper! First stop, our favorite Mexican restaurant for chips and salsa. Then on to our favorite burger place for wings and 1 hamburger with fries (shared between the 4 of us) and desert was at McDonalds…shakes, McFlury and a smoothy! It was a fun evening.
3. Nat @ Made in Home 
   September 29th, 2013 at 11:33 am
   Beautiful pictures! I love the Autumn!
4. Sarah 
   September 30th, 2013 at 10:40 am
   So pretty! I love rainy autumn days.
5. Erica Lea 
   October 2nd, 2013 at 10:00 am
   Liz: Yes, as soon as the weather isn’t blazing hot, I’m in a fall mood. :) Oh, all of your food sounds amazing! Now I really want paella – it’s been YEARS since we’ve had it. Maybe I can convince Mom to make some. :D
6. Erica Lea 
   October 2nd, 2013 at 10:04 am
   Auntie Jean: Yes, that’s old Cody (from Auntie Barb). I loved the little droplets of rain on his “whiskers.” :)
   Sounds like you guys had a busy Saturday! I think it’s awesome what you’re doing for Ric’s mom.
   That sounds like a fun supper. I like to sample lots of different kinds of foods.
   Thank you for sharing about your day – it transports me to Alaska. :)
7. Erica Lea 
   October 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 am
   Nat: Thank you! Yes, Autumn is my favorite season. :)
8. Erica Lea 
   October 2nd, 2013 at 10:06 am
   Sarah: Thank you! Me too. So cozy. :)

Morning Cuppa

I have always admired steam photos – the wispy curls look so magical. But it always alluded me as to how to capture that beauty. The other day I discovered how by accident.

As I was pottering about, still drowsy, fixing breakfast, I noticed how striking the steam from my cup of tea was. I grabbed my camera and snapped away. Then I realized what created the distinct steam – the morning light pouring through the window.

The steam must be backlit for it to show up! Eureka!

Have you discovered any new photography tricks/tips lately?

8 Responses to Morning Cuppa

1. Annie 
   August 30th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
   This is such a beautiful picture! Great tip — I’m going to have to try it sometime! :)
2. Sara 
   August 31st, 2013 at 5:42 pm
   This is lovely! That cup is so cute, did you make it? I’ll have to remember this trick :)
3. Teresa Frei 
   September 5th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
   I have always wondered that myself. Great tip, I’ll have to try it sometime. Love the picture! Is there any possible way I can get a copy of it? It would fit perfectly in my kitchen. Thanks!
4. Erica Lea 
   September 5th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
   Teresa: Thank you! Yes, I’d be happy to set up an Etsy listing for this print. What size do you need?
5. Teresa Frei 
   September 9th, 2013 at 9:05 am
   That would be great! Thank you! I would love to have 11×14 inches if possible and it would be shipped to Germany. I just sent emailed you a message. Thanks again!
6. Shea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
   Hi Erica! I came across this gorgeous picture and am thrilled for the tip on photographing steam. I was also wondering where the gorgeous cup came from in the photo? I am a ceramics nerd as well and I love it — Keep up the great photos!
7. Erica Lea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
   Shea: I got it as a set from David’s Tea, but they no longer sell them. You can get is from Terrain for $10 + shipping. I should really do a giveaway since everyone loves these cups. :)
8. Shea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
   Thanks!!

Lovely Things in the Mail

Posted by Erica Lea on January 15th, 2013 . Filed under: around the house .

Yesterday my order from David’s Tea arrived.

I am beyond excited for these mugs. I have been wanting some earthenware cups like this for a while, and I found them for a really good deal over at David’s.

Along with each order they include three free samples of tea. The Chai they sent was absolutely lovely.

Beautiful steam.

I had Reuben help me capture a cream-pouring shot and turned it into a gif.

What sorts of lovely things have you got in the mail lately?

8 Responses to Lovely Things in the Mail

1. Megan 
   January 15th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
   Love the cups!! :)
2. Samantha 
   January 15th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
   Those mugs are gorgeous!
3. Rebecca Lately 
   January 16th, 2013 at 9:31 am
   Absolutely gorgeous! If my cupboard wasn’t already brimming with mugs, I would purchase those right away.
   Love the gif :)
4. Peggy 
   January 16th, 2013 at 11:11 am
   Simply beautiful! I think I’ll have to keep checking on them since they are currently out of stock. We have a son who will be moving out on his own soon and these fit his personality and tastes perfectly.
   I recently received a BUNCH of different types of labels for canning jars and the cookbook “Food in Jars”… all of which were won on giveaways! I was so tickled felt like Christmas (or early birthday) all over again! :)
5. Lorraine 
   January 17th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
   I love those cups, but I didn’t see them on that website. What exactly am I supposed to click on?
6. Erica Lea 
   January 17th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
   Lorraine: Hummm…they must be out of stock right now. From what I can tell they are made by the Miya Company, but you can get them at Terrain as well. I got them for a MUCH better deal on David’s Tea – $19.50 for 4. Maybe they’ll get them back in stock!
7. Anna H. 
   January 25th, 2013 at 11:05 am
   I was not able to find these mugs on the website you linked to? Could you help with a link?
8. Aiza 
   October 26th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
   Those mugs are so amazing. Gosh. And that gif is a job well done!