A New Year, A New Home

West Paris Daily Photo has moved to a much easier to remember web address:

http://westparis.blogspot.com

It's already here!

My 2011 West Paris Daily Photo book...yay!

West Paris Daily Photo by Dawn Letourneau | Make Your Own Book

1st Carrot Cake

Yesterday, when I was trying to decide what to bring to a co-worker's retirement party, it was mentioned that his favorite dessert was carrot cake. I thought to myself, "I actually have both carrots and cream cheese in my 'fridge! When has that ever happened at the same time? Never." So,that evening, while supper was cooking, I took out my brand-spanking-new food processor, (BIG thanks to my mother-in-law here!) shredded some carrots and nervously put together a cake. (Well, two of them, since the family wanted one to eat as well.) The cake got rave reviews today!

God bless the inventor of heated seats!

Book Baby

This is one big reason why I take so many pictures and then create books with them. I love it whenever I see someone else enjoying them...

But, to see the look on that baby's face when she realized that she KNEW the people in that particular book - it was priceless! She just lit up and started pointing and "talking". It was GREAT!!

Happy New Year!

They actually made it until midnight so that they could see that infamous ball drop in Times Square, and to toast (with their non-alcoholic beverages!) each other for a great 2012.

Here's to hoping that they won't be too tired and grumpy tomorrow. Ha! Haa!!

My New Year's Resolution?

To dance more. Because it makes me happy.

When I'm happy, everything else just falls into place.

Cousins who wish they were sisters...

My niece is staying with us tonight, possibly for a couple of days. The kiddos are so thrilled to all be together. And, they are determined to see the New Year in for the first time this year! We'll see if they can stay awake that late...I hope that everyone has a FUN & safe night!

Happy New Year's Eve!!

Family Gathering

What a challenge it was getting all those cousins to pose together! They get along great, but did NOT want to crowd close together for a photo!

Silverware Humor

There was a vendor at a local craft fair this fall, who was selling items that she had created - jewelry, wind-chimes, key-chains, etc. - out of pieces of antique silverware. It was all beautiful and very creative. When I saw this one, I got such a kick out of the tongue-in-cheek humor of it that I just had to buy it for my husband for Christmas. He thinks it's really funny and has put his keys on it, even though it's really too big to fit comfortably in his pocket, which I think is very sweet of him.

The Best Gifts are Homemade!

I cook A LOT, and I have an extensive collection of spices 'cause I never know what I'm going to need for a new recipe. I've never had a good place to put them, so they have always been a mess in a kitchen drawer. Not anymore! My husband made me a spice rack for Christmas!!

Boyz & Birdhouses

My husband helped the boys build me birdhouses for Christmas, while I was away on my business trip to New Orleans. I LOVE them!

This morning he mounted them each on a pole in our yard.

I can't wait to see who sets up housekeeping in them this summer!!

Disbelief

She couldn't believe that Auntie M would actually give her the lamp that she so admired! Yes, my oldest step-daughter loves everything 70's...she's a displaced hippie, born 30 years too late!

A New T-shirt for Everyone

In April, we are going to take a trip to Tennessee to visit my sister & her family! I had a friend draw an image of the 7 of us driving down the highway in our Suburban, and we surprised the kiddos with screen-printed t-shirts (made by Hot Colors in Norway, Maine) for Christmas. At this point, they are trying to figure out what the t-shirts say and what it means to them. Shortly after I took this picture, there was LOTS of jumping around and screams of excitement! We are all super excited about this trip!!

I do believe that I have created a monster...

Our younger son asked for, and received, a camera for Christmas. Immediately after opening it, he called for a pause in the festivities so that he could load it with batteries & a memory card. Then, he started calling out directions for poses, and every time someone opened another gift, he made them wait until he took a picture of it! It was too funny! My husband just shook his head and asked me if I knew who he was acting like? "Ummm...me?" I replied, sheepishly.

I'm not sure where to begin...

There are so many memories, so many stories, so many songs...I had no idea it would be this hard to lose my uncle today. I thought I was prepared. After all, he has been sick for a while now. Somehow, that doesn't seem to be helping.

As usual, I turned to my pictures, and I decided to cry over my photo albums. I found the first picture that I have of myself with him, and then the most recent one, taken at our wedding a few months ago.

As my step-daughter so eloquently put it, we are 'devastated' this evening. But, we also know that he is no longer in pain and is resting easy now. We will miss him very much.

Merry Christmas!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday!!

He Really Was Here!

It looks like Santa enjoyed his snack...

He even left the kiddos a note, which my son read out loud for all of us to hear.

He was so proud to be able to claim that he was the one who made those yummy Chocolate Chip cookies. 'Course as far as he's concerned, there is no other type of cookie!

Just Passing Thru!

Sometimes I think I should have been a gypsy...lately the road has been calling to me. I think it's because of our yucky weather and knowing that there are still several months of winter left to go. This isn't my camper, but I love the sentiment on it!

White Fuzz Balls

Lily & her little goat buddies, Heckel & Jeckel are enjoying our mild winter. They are still able to graze on the lawn in December!

Rosebushes? What rosebushes?!

I caught our goat, Heckel, in my flower garden the other day. He was happily munching away...