hints of spring (in other places)

 

NOTE: I apologize for the inconsistencies in the blog design… I’m experimenting with new ideas and things might not be completely organized for awhile. Thanks!

Anyway, I am utterly and completely ready for spring. I did a little bit of traveling down to western Oregon in the last couple weeks, and I’m so jealous that they have green grass and flowers peeking out of the soil!

It’s criminal that anyone should have blooming pink bushes in February! Meanwhile, in Goldendale, the only bits of floral color are the potted ones from the grocery store…

Dear Spring,

I have a suggestion to make. Maybe you should try setting out for Goldendale a little bit early this year so you don’t have to come in a huffing and puffing hurry on raging west winds? Just a thought.

Sincerely,

Hallie.

end-of-month miscellany

 

food.

I’ve been cooking and baking like crazy in the past few weeks. Not exactly sure why… I’ve just been trying new recipes left and right, as well as perfecting old ones. I’ve made two huge batches of blondies (blond brownies packed with chocolate chips—a food of the gods), two apple pies (even attempted a lattice crust!), garlic cheese swirl rolls, sweet-and-sour meatballs, and chicken potpie. The latter three recipes were new to me, but they turned out pretty delicious if I do say so myself. :)

fashion.

I’ve been shopping lately. I wouldn’t call myself fanatical about clothes normally, but when I have a gift card and there are some serious clearance sales happening, that can change! No self-fashion-portraits today, though.

I’m also taking a major leap of faith tomorrow… by getting my hair cut… at a salon. I know, it doesn’t sound that scary to normal people. But my hair is waist-long, and though I trim it every year or so, I haven’t had it trimmed or cut or styled at a salon since I was five! Maybe I’ll give you some self portraits after that, if I don’t hate it too badly. ;)

fun.

My new lens and I are still having a blast together. He never lets me down! I’ve only taken him off f/1.8 once since I met him…

January was a good one, and February is going to be even better. :)

ice world

After the twelve inches came a couple of inches of that not-so-fun substance known as freezing rain. Every school in the area has been closed for three days; the roads were skating rinks; the ice on top of the snow was thick enough to hold my weight. And every few hours the power would flicker. Sometimes it didn't come back on.
But still… I can’t be too disgusted. It’s beautiful.


I risked a severe concussion to get these next photos… the temperature finally rose above freezing, the sun came out, and the ice was falling in gigantic chunks off the tree branches.