It was fun visiting a part of the country where the trees loose their leaves. I love the weird wavy effect in the background.

Hey look! It's Twiggy!

I am back in CA, and glad to be reunited with my husband and kitties! I realize that my trip home was the longest one I have had since I moved out. I took this photo from across the street. The porch, the section on the right—between the main house and the garage are all new since I moved out.

My childhood home

So the main reason I was in Rochester was to help with my Mom’s knee surgery recovery. Her knee has been decorated for the last several days with several inches of staples. This might gross people out, but I kinda found in fascinating. I took some photos of the nurse removing the staples, and here is my favorite

That doesn't look like my staple remover

At sunset, one ray of light was streaming through the window and hit Zeke while he was perched on his couch (yes, it my parent’s house the dogs have their own couch). The framing was a little different than I would have choose, but I kinda like it.

Zeke in Repose

My Oma used to make cookies each Christmas, my dad LOVES these cookies. My whole life growing up this would be a ritual that we would make this cookies for Christmas. My dad loves them super thin and pretty much burned, which may be why I have a tendency to let my cookies bake too long. This past year, Dad was in the hospital over the Christmas holidays, and wasn’t allowed to eat ANYTHING, much less cookies. So since I was visiting, I asked Dad if he wanted to make cookies while I was here. It’s a two day process, since the dough needs to chill over night. Yesterday we rolled, cut out, decorated and baked the cookies. After a sheet of sad christmas trees and bells, I suggested using a glass to cut circles out instead—making then a little less weird for the season. My Dad is a notorious cookie hoarder, so I asked him how long the massive cookie batch (about 15 dozen) would last. “A long time,” he answered, “maybe til my birthday?”

Baking up a storm

Beatnik is my brother’s other cat, Vinnie’s brother. Beatnik is one of the sweetest, most attention hungry kitties I have ever met. Ian and I have been playing games while on Skype for a couple of years now, and Beatnik often will join the gaming sessions, purring loudly against the microphone.

You have my undivided attention

Staying at my brother’s last night, I got to take some pictures of his two cats—which was easier then taking pictures of Ian or his lovely wife, Joy. For a while I didn’t believe that Vinnie existed, since he is very shy around strangers. You can see the look in his eyes that says, “Lady, I don’t know who you are or what that black thing you’re holding is, but don’t get any closer.” And I did press my luck right after this shoot, trying to get in closer, only to see Vinnie disappear from the room.

No, I am not ready for my close up.

I was driving home after crashing at my brother’s house, and the light was beautiful as I was driving home. I had my Nikon sitting on the car seat next to me, so when I was stopped at a light I snapped a quick shot. Not the safest thing, but I like the picture.

Don't tell the DMV

The polar ice cap? Or the top of my parents pool? You decide….but only one is right.

ice,ice, baby

I got my mom some roses when she was in the hospital, I loved the colors. They are starting to fade now, but I thought it would be nice to capture the bouquet.

rose-tipped roses