It’s Hard to Walk With Foggy Glasses

I’ve heard of walking in a fog, but never really expected to do so - unless it was actually foggy outside or my brain was not functioning. We have been walking with the additional fashion statement - face masks - for the last eight months. We are in the “at risk” age group - if over 65 still stands - so we feel the necessity to stay safe. We have several different types of masks and generally don’t have a problem with them and our glasses. I do notice that if a wind is blowing it helps keep the fogginess at bay. Today however, was quite cold. It was only 36. For most of our walk I couldn’t see the side of a barn because the lenses were completely blocked. After a while the bubbles and fog usually subside - but they just didn’t.  It was so annoying trying to adjust the nose piece of the mask while waiting for the glasses to clear up. They just wouldn’t. Not until we got in the car to take a ride to get some gas did they finally begin to clear up. The only thing good about it was I tried taking some photos of the condensation that I could potentially enter on the 52Frames website this week since the subject matter is “texture.” If nothing else comes along it may be selection! These are the times I wish I wore contacts again. But since that’s not going to happen, I may have to just get used to it. 

Zazzle Promotion on Pinterest

It’s nice to get noticed. I’ve been painting custom pet portraits for about eight years - shortly after the first iPad came out in 2010. That new invention reignited my love for painting, but this time it was self taught digital art rather than watercolor, pastels, charcoal and ink. I used the sketch book pro app at first, but switched to Procreate when I got my iPad pro. One of the first commissions I had was of four golden retrievers. Each was distinctly different from the others. Whenever I complete a portrait I upload the image to several websites - Amazon Merch, Fine Art America/Pixels, Zazzle, my Etsy shop, and Redbubble. But I also share the items on Pinterest, Twitter, my website, Instagram, and Facebook business page. It’s a full time job! When I was looking at Pinterest the other day I noticed that my golden retriever face mask was being promoted on Pinterest. I know that because it says “promoted by Zazzle.” Perhaps it’s because that face mask was sold on Zazzle, as well as another one with cherry blossoms and the Supreme Court. I saw that those too were also promoted. So thank you for noticing not only my digitalart, but also some of the photographs that have also been uploaded to some of the websites. The sky is the limit for sharing, but getting noticed is quite another thing. 

Christmas Lights Not Allowed on the Balcony

The verdict is no. Christmas lights are not allowed on the balcony. When you live in a condo you need to abide by the rules. Usually it wouldn’t matter because we aren’t home at Christmas. But this year is different. I had a feeling that would be the answer because people can’t set limits and it could get out of hand. I was just going to string a single length on the window boxes that face our living room. So rather than put the lights there, they would go on the console table with all the plants and the Christmas greenery that was placed in the vase. I have battery operated strings that were intended for the garland in front of the tv and the wall vase. One of those quit working so there’s one less option. The new lights are plugged in so we will be able to keep them on longer. Since we haven’t gotten Christmas trees for a very long time I prefer to make several spots to decorate. So when the lights were hung and they were turned on for the first time yesterday it was very pretty. So we will look at the window boxes during the day and enjoy the lights in the evening. That’s just fine. 

Balcony Window Boxes and Christmas Greenery

All we need now are the little twinkling lights - if the rules and regulations allow. We went to American Plant to pick out our Christmas greenery - enough to fill the balcony “window boxes,” wall vase and plant console table. We haven’t put up a Christmas tree since we moved from the Midwest to Capitol Hill. Now we live in northern Virginia. I picked up a few sticks that were lying in the street in our neighborhood on one of our morning walks to add to the decor. Lastly, the “fake” red holly berries and pine cones that were saved from year to year make the planters pop. Already in the window boxes were pansies, liriope and English ivy. During the summer the coco lined window boxes - that are zip tied to the back of the patio furniture - face outward toward the street. But in winter, we turn the boxes towards us. Then, we can look at the arrangement while sitting in the living room. It makes sense to add a bit of sparkle to the greens by way of a string of lights. I’m still waiting to hear the verdict from the board. Already someone put a wreath on the door which I know isn’t allowed. So to be on the safe side I’m waiting for an answer. Living in a condo has its advantages, but you do need to abide by the rules. Regardless the Christmas decor looks pretty as it is and was fun to do. But there is something about the little white lights that is soothing. 

52Frames - Color

At the suggestion of a friend who already participates, I joined a photography website called 52Frames. The idea is to upload a photograph by Sunday evening taken during the given week that has been inspired by a topic that changes every Monday. Old photos are not allowed so it makes you have to ponder what best represents the subject matter in that given time period. Then, members can comment on or “like” what they see for an interactive experience. The first week was circles; the second was nature; and this week was color. My husband helps me figure out what might work and definitely helps with the final selection. The most common places I take photos is in the neighborhood park and in our old Capitol Hill stomping grounds. We try to take a ride in to DC every week for a morning walk and for a change of scenery - and now as an excuse to find some photo options. In the end the color “livid” was selected. The image was taken at the Eisenhower memorial with two GI’s with the Normandy tapestry and department of education building in the background. The selected color is supposed to be obvious at first glance. Luckily I’m not making a living doing this; rather, the idea is to stay connected every week and it is strongly encouraged to keep the momentum going. It’s a nice diversion. My only camera is an iPhone - I gave up my Sony a long time ago. So my camera is always with me to capture images for this daily blog. Now I have another reason to use it. 

Bulliant Belt Replacement

About two years ago I got my husband a belt that doesn’t have the regular holes to adjust the size. It’s a slider buckle with a belt that can be cut to fit. My husband really liked it and has been wearing it every day. It’s worn down in two places and he was hinting he may need another one. It’s supposed to be made out of leather, but I have my doubts. So I checked the last order on Amazon and we ended up getting the same belt even though it only lasted two years. I thought he might like something lighter to wear around the house and showed him a few options, but he was stuck on this Bulliant belt. It arrived this week and it comes in great packaging. It was easy enough to cut and fit and now this one will be worn every day until it wears out. The old belt was saved to be worn on other pants so he doesn’t have to take it on and off. My husband really needs something when he mentions it more than once. That doesn’t happen very often. But when it does it’s best to get something as soon as possible. 

Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

If you are Polish, you probably like cabbage rolls. Even if you are not, cabbage is a great food item. Pierogi with cabbage, sauerkraut, onion, and hamburger are great; cabbage soup is even better; but stuffed cabbage is the best. Mom used to make them with a bit of bacon on the top for flavor before putting them in the oven. I always added ketchup on mine. I found an unstuffed cabbage recipe on Facebook a long time ago and we thought it was time to make it for dinner last night. We picked up a small cabbage at the grocery store so we were set. My husband always adds things that aren’t called for in the recipe whereas I always follow the instructions. Rather than plain diced tomatoes we added Italian style with basil and oregano; he likes baked beans so those were added to his portion after the fact. We were not disappointed with the results. The best part is that it is so easy to make and there are always leftovers. The next time we will make some rice and pour the contents on that since stuffed cabbage always had rice in our house. With the weather getting colder this is the perfect dinner - even if you are not Polish.