and in large

I got home at 6:00 tonight and decided that since it was still light out, that I had time to carve my pumpkin before the trick-or-treat-ers arrived.

It carved really easily. I wonder if that is because it is a few weeks old or because it wasn't as ripe? I don't know, but it was WAY easier.

I took that photo with a tripod. I really like how it came out. Hence the post. ;-)

"Oh! What do you have there?"

"Yum! Starbursts and 3-Musketeers and Twix and... Milky ways!"

"Lets be sure to save the bag of special dark chocolate for the end. Kids like Starbursts better anyway, right?" *wink wink*

Posted by danielle at 06:46 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

This is the Girlie-girl's Halloween costume that HB picked out. I think it might be Pippi Longstocking. Any other ideas?

Oh yeah. And that is a white stuffed animal behind her. I know it looks a little odd.

Here is the "I've had enough, photo."

Hope you all have lots of fun today and eat lots of chocolate!

Posted by danielle at 08:19 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack

How did you do last week?

Posted by danielle at 11:47 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Usually, I look at the little plastic tag that comes with the flowers and tell you what the flower type is. (great grammar - please ignore). However, I forgot to look this morning and I'm now posting this on my lunch hour at work. So, I'll have to fill you in later.

and in large

and in large

and in large

That one is one of my favorites.

and in large

I really like that one too. Especially the deep color.

Poopie, yes it is cold here now. I've been walking to and from the garage I park in at work with mittens and the outer layer of my winter coat (I'll be putting the down liner into it soon, I'm sure). We've had frost for 2-3 mornings and we've turned the heat on today; for some reason, our house had stayed remarkably warm. Finally, the gerbera daisies are just LOVING the chilly weather. Who would've thought? They were terrible during the summer - wilting, never blooming. But the minute it went into the 60's, they perked right up. I should probably try to get some pics this weekend.

Take care all!

D

Posted by danielle at 02:30 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

I know someone who did really well during the past week! (not me) How did the rest of you do?

Posted by danielle at 11:25 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Today is the fourth or fifth dreary/rainy day we've had here. I chose these flowers, because they seemed to brighten up the day a little bit.

and in large

I don't know what they are called. They are one of the perennials that was here at the house when we arrived.

I hope you have a good weekend. :-)

Posted by danielle at 08:41 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

31. There are 2 places that I would like to 'go next'. One of them is St. Croix. One of them is Hawaii. For both, I'd want to snorkel quite a bit. St. Croix is easier because we've been there before and know a hotel and restaurants to go to - it would also be less expensive. Hawaii has been a dream for a while.

32. In the meantime, I'm wondering if I could convince HB to take a trip "up north". This means northern Minnesota.

33. I'd like to go to Europe. I'm not sure if England comes first, then Ireland & Scotland and where France and Italy fit in. But someday, I'd like to go to some of those places.

34. In movies, Venice and Tuscany look really appealing.

35. I just got my passport - about a month ago.

36. I used to want to go on a hot air balloon ride - now, I'm too afraid of heights.

37. I get weirded out when I'm in really deep ocean water. I start imagining all of the stuff that is below me. Hence, boat trips are a bit unnerving for me.

38. I'm a bit of a nervous flyer too - but I can usually manage okay.

39. One of my worries with going to developing countries is either catching some weird disease or having a medical issue while there and not being able to be treated. However, I've heard stories from friends of how amazing their trips were - and it makes me curious. Almost curious enough to overcome my worries about disease.

40. I've never traveled through the western U.S. - Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Pike's Peak, etc. But I would like to do that too someday. That is probably a more realistic goal than a foreign country. HB and I have talked about doing that, but we've yet to get serious about making any plans.

Posted by danielle at 02:38 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

How did you do last week?

Posted by danielle at 05:06 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

and in large

This flower is 'Perky Pink' Gaura lindheimeri hybrid.

Evidently, it is not common enough to have a "common name".

I did pick it out because it was tall and unusual. It kind of reminded me of an Asian plant - like the starkness of an orchid maybe.

Or maybe it is because the center reminds me of a type of sprout that you find in Asian cuisine.

and in large

I haven't posted many photos on Fridays lately, because I'm taking a Friday morning class about how to teach in higher education. Consequently, my Friday mornings are more rushed than usual. But I hope you enjoy these today.

Oh, and as an aside, this plant didn't do really well this summer on the deck. I think it was getting too much heat and sun, because now that it is cooler (high 50's) it is doing so much better! I'd thought everything would be done by now, but some of them are doing better than ever.

Posted by danielle at 01:42 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

Lets see. Last week both Jenski and Squirl reported doing well with fitness.

How did you do last week?

Posted by danielle at 06:36 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

Today is the first time I've lectured to undergraduate students. It was a 90 person class of undergrads who are Neuroscience, Biochemistry and Genetics majors. The course is Introductory Neuroscience and the topic was Intracellular Signaling.

It went really really well!

Afterward, I _thought_ that it went well, but I wasn't exactly sure until the woman who normally gives the lecture came up to me and told me that I did a better job than she usually does! In addition, my advisor was there and he said that they both thought I did really a great job (said while smiling really big). I explained the topics really well. And that I just need to keep it up for Friday.

Yes, I lecture again on Friday. The second of a 2-part lecture.

So, I'm feeling really good.

The reason I go into all of this, is because I've been seriously considering leaving research and trying to teach full time. I'd aim for undergraduate students. It is an exciting prospect, because I've always loved explaining topics to people - especially one-on-one. But until today, I'd never tried to give a lecture. So, I wasn't sure how much nerves or anxiety would come into play and if I'd just turn into a pool of jelly in front of the students. But I've always loved giving oral presentations, so I figured it would be okay. And I definitely held it together! And after the first slide, I really got into my groove.

Friday's lecture has some really easy parts, but it also has some complicated parts, so we'll see how that goes. The goal is to make it all clear, regardless of how hard it appears to be on the surface.

All in all, I say "Yay!"

:-)

Posted by danielle at 05:13 PM | Comments (10) | TrackBack

Well, another week has come and gone. How did you do last week?

Posted by danielle at 10:28 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack