The Coffee House

[VidThreeNorth]

Dec 1, 2025, Cold Night Sky

This is as described. The crop is just the sky (no foreground). The small streak near the clouds on the left is from an aircraft (air-liner). There were a good array of stars, but it was too cold for me to spend time to enjoy them.

 

[CherylL1]

Thursday made a turkey breast for me and boomer. Friday daughter and 2 youngest grands arrived. The 2yo then threw up 3x. I was thinking the weekend could be a bust. But, she was back to normal for Saturday when the other 3 grands came over. Served ham and shrimp. We got the photos knocked out in record time. The 9yo had a melt down before they arrived and she was fine when they got here. I found a few poses for 3 girls and daughter helped get them in place. The 13yo complained that she didn't know she had to do a fashion shoot LOL. Crabby. The almost 16yo was in good compliance spirits. Getting all 5 in place and looking at the camera was a challenge. Then there was I don't want to be touching her or not next to her, a little drama as usual. The 7yo only boy squinted with the lights. All in all I think the 2yo was the easiest

 

[cgw117 142]

Thursday made a turkey breast for me and boomer. Friday daughter and 2 youngest grands arrived. The 2yo then threw up 3x. I was thinking the weekend could be a bust. But, she was back to normal for Saturday when the other 3 grands came over. Served ham and shrimp. We got the photos knocked out in record time. The 9yo had a melt down before they arrived and she was fine when they got here. I found a few poses for 3 girls and daughter helped get them in place. The 13yo complained that she didn't know she had to do a fashion shoot LOL. Crabby. The almost 16yo was in good compliance spirits. Getting all 5 in place and looking at the camera was a challenge. Then there was I don't want to be touching her or not next to her, a little drama as usual. The 7yo only boy squinted with the lights. All in all I think the 2yo was the easiest

Expect a "Best Director" nomination from the Academy--that or a recommendation for sainthood.

 

[SquarePeg37 8]

Thursday made a turkey breast for me and boomer. Friday daughter and 2 youngest grands arrived. The 2yo then threw up 3x. I was thinking the weekend could be a bust. But, she was back to normal for Saturday when the other 3 grands came over. Served ham and shrimp. We got the photos knocked out in record time. The 9yo had a melt down before they arrived and she was fine when they got here. I found a few poses for 3 girls and daughter helped get them in place. The 13yo complained that she didn't know she had to do a fashion shoot LOL. Crabby. The almost 16yo was in good compliance spirits. Getting all 5 in place and looking at the camera was a challenge. Then there was I don't want to be touching her or not next to her, a little drama as usual. The 7yo only boy squinted with the lights. All in all I think the 2yo was the easiest

Reason #1,166 that I don’t like taking people photos! But we do it for the kids! Sounds like you had it under control.

My daughter cringes and gives me an attitude when I try to take any candies but then texts me later with “can you send me all the photos you took earlier”. Of course when it’s time for a real photo shoot, usually for some occasion with her friends, she gladly volunteers me to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I do it because I want to but I do find the editing very tedious. The biggest issue is the infrequency of my taking portrait photos means I am almost back to being a total noob each time and have to edit to fix my rookie mistakes.

I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve come up with this year Cheryl!

 

[snowbear116 47]

Front porch string lights are up. One advantage to LEDs is they can also be holiday lights.

 

[terri35 7]

Front porch string lights are up. One advantage to LEDs is they can also be holiday lights.

View attachment 292442

Such a sweet looking home! Love the lights, and the front porch is awesome.

 

[snowbear116 47]

Such a sweet looking home! Love the lights, and the front porch is awesome.

Thank you. It has what I think of as New England charm. There is a bit to be done to make it our own. The contractor we used for the flooring and paint came by today to give us an idea on how to handle the added second floor bathroom.

The local lobster place was closed today so tomorrow I'll get to play in the snow and go get a couple lobsters for the pot pie The latest snowfall estimate is 4" to 12" (10 to 30 cm) so I'll get to play with the snowblower once it stops snowing, Wednesday morning.

 

[smoke665]

Drizzle, damp morning for us. It's not that cold but the dampness chills me to the bone. 72 degrees and sun is my ideal

Expensive week, DW went to dentist yesterday had to have a crown. Today Phoebe goes to vet for her annual shots and check up. At least we finish off the week with our first Christmas party.

 

[smoke665]

@CherylL I'm only laughing because I know what you went through. My favorite model is starting the godawful teen years early, one minute "sugar & spice" the next "Satan's spawn", eye rolls and attitude.

@SquarePeg FYI you have grandkids years to look forward to. You'll get at least 6-8 yrs of co-operative models

 

[CherylL1]

Reason #1,166 that I don’t like taking people photos! But we do it for the kids! Sounds like you had it under control.

My daughter cringes and gives me an attitude when I try to take any candies but then texts me later with “can you send me all the photos you took earlier”. Of course when it’s time for a real photo shoot, usually for some occasion with her friends, she gladly volunteers me to do it. Don’t get me wrong, I do it because I want to but I do find the editing very tedious. The biggest issue is the infrequency of my taking portrait photos means I am almost back to being a total noob each time and have to edit to fix my rookie mistakes.

I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve come up with this year Cheryl!

My oldest daughter was the same way as a teen. Back when it was film camera. She would later ask me for duplicates to pass out to her friends.

It is difficult when I have the whole pack together. For individuals I take multiple of the little ones and several more for group shots to account for blinks and facial expressions. I've had to do head swaps to get one good photo.

The last thing I did was individuals. The almost 16yo was last and after I got my poses I said "model's choice". Well then the 13yo who did not want photos suddenly wanted a model's choice!

 

[CherylL1]

@CherylL I'm only laughing because I know what you went through. My favorite model is starting the godawful teen years early, one minute "sugar & spice" the next "Satan's spawn", eye rolls and attitude.

@SquarePeg FYI you have grandkids years to look forward to. You'll get at least 6-8 yrs of co-operative models

Satan's spawn
When they were younger I would say their mom will call 1.800.noSanta that usually did the trick. I guess now it is no phone time

 

[VidThreeNorth]

What are these things? Cabbages?

These things are about the only things blooming lately. I think they are some kind of ornamental cabbages. Is that what they are?

 

[cgw117 142]

What are these things? Cabbages?

These things are about the only things blooming lately. I think they are some kind of ornamental cabbages. Is that what they are?

No good for coleslaw...

 

[smoke665]

What are these things? Cabbages?

These things are about the only things blooming lately. I think they are some kind of ornamental cabbages. Is that what they are?

They go by different names, ornamental cabbage, Japanese cabbage, etc.

 

[smoke665]

In other news, made a fresh batch of biscuits in my new cast iron pan. Altered my recipe just a tad, DW claimed they were the best ones to date!!! Making progress.