Statistics and Algorithms

K.B. Sterling, circa 1980

I've already done two retrospective posts on Facebook, and now, here I am, about to do one here on the blog. I'm not going to apologize, however, because I find these periods of looking back to be informative and comforting.

The interesting thing is that the automatically-generated memes don't really allow for much thought or explanation. For example, my Facebook slideshow didn't make much of one of the major events of my year: the premature and unexpected death of my friend K.B.

Fear of Commitment

Our kitchen, the day we bought it.

We're about to take on a big project, but I'm feeling really ambivalent about saying the word, "Go!"

Good Christmas

As I sit here enjoying my turkey sandwich, I've been trying to figure out what made this Christmas so different from other years. So much better.

It wasn't that I didn't make an all-in Christmas dinner (including egg-wheat-dairy-free variations for one daughter). And it wasn't that I didn't make elaborate to-do lists. (See photo above.)

Oh, Interwebs!

snowtime from Иванов Вячеслав on Vimeo.

Hat tip: IFL Science

Welcome to my periodic round-up of things I've found online that make me smile, cry, laugh, think, shout, or drop my jaw. 

Forest Follow-Up

The ground in this photo should be covered in snow, but it's not. Instead there is a swath of mulch where the City took down trees in our small forest, in an effort to stop the emerald ash borer from completely decimating the green space.

The Buzz in the Woods

My beloved forest is going through some trauma today.

Oh, Interwebs!

Alex S. MacLean's aerial photographs of Detroit are captivating.

Welcome to my periodic round-up of things I've found online that make me smile, cry, laugh, think, shout, or drop my jaw. 

When You Live With a Sensitive Butterfly

Some weeks ago, I mentioned that Stephen and I had decided to become leaders for a Family Connection program that had helped us understand and help a family member who struggled with Borderline Personality Disorder, also known as emotion dysregulation. Last weekend, we attended that training.

Liminal Spaces

Bridges in the forest at Frank Ryan Park

I recently learned a word that describes one of my continuing artistic obsessions: liminal.

liminal (adjective)
1. of or relating to a transitional or initial stage of a process.
2. occupying a position at, or on both sides of, a boundary or threshold.

Oh, Interwebs!

Patrick Dougherty creates fascinating scultpures out of branches and grasses.

Welcome to my periodic round-up of things I've found online that make me smile, cry, laugh, think, shout, or drop my jaw. 

Pasta Primavera

I've been so preoccupied getting the cookbook ready that I almost forgot that I owe you a recipe!

Back in November, I posted a list of recipes that I still had to prepare and asked you if there was one you were most eager to see. That post only got one comment, but it was a request for Pasta Primavera. So here it is.

Questioning Christmas Cards

Be Merry Banner Christmas Card

Visit Shutterfly.com for Christmas cards this holiday.

That preview shows the last Christmas card Steve and I have sent -- and that was two years ago now. Last year, I was exhausted enough that I had quit my job, and was doing my best to make as many of our gifts as possible. At one point, I had fantasized about creating individual watercolor cards for each person on our list.

Fresh out of the oven! -- UPDATED

UPDATE: now includes preview and link to order iTunes version!

DING! The Sibbald Family Famous Recipes Cookbook is DONE and we have ordered enough copies for our little family.

The book is available to you, now, in two formats: print or PDF. (I'm still waiting for the iTunes book to go live.) Here are the links.

Oh, Interwebs!

Stephen Orlando's photos capture the hypnotically repetitive motions of kayakers, canoers, and swimmers
as they paddle through the water, turning their movement into beautiful woven braids of light. 

Welcome to my periodic round-up of things I've found online that make me smile, cry, laugh, think, shout, or drop my jaw. 

A Handmade Christmas

Merry Catmas!

Last year, I focused on making as many of my gifts as possible. Most of them were well received (though some I gave to the wrong person). I've re-posted the page that has links to all of the instructions, including the massive failure of the candied pecans.

A Handmade Christmas

Enjoy!

The Douchebag Genius

Frank Lloyd Wright, Chicago, Illinois

If you've watched the Steve Jobs movie, then you know that brilliant people can be total assholes. The obsessive drive that leads to innovation doesn't always come with great social skills. Frank Lloyd Wright, architect extraordinaire was one of those douchebag geniuses.

Nananeye's Muffled Pup - UPDATED

Today's post is actually a recipe for a meat pie, but it requires a bit of a preamble. It is from back in the days when Steve and I were just starting out. Now for the explanation of the recipe's name:

Take-aways from My Trip to Europe

Winkie, me, Pat at le Château de Gruyères, Switzerland

It's been almost two months since I returned from my big European adventure with my Aunt Winkie, and three things that I discovered on that trip have become part of my everyday life.