Monday, January 6th, 2014

Assignment: Self Portrait

I recently joined a photography forum called Clickin Moms. It’s a collection of professional and enthusiast photographers giving each other advice, participating in workshops, and partaking on projects. I joined the ClickMoms Project 52, which gives me a theme for each week out of the year. This week’s theme was a self portrait.

 

I had to wait until Iris was napping. That gives me an average of 45 minutes to the first cry, 20 minutes to the next. Then I had to figure how I was going to photograph myself amongst all the clutter of my house. There’s one good window for lighting, so I decided that instead of trying to clear everything out from in front of the window and give myself a clean background, I would put everything in front of the window and show you who I really am.

 

My goal as a photographer is to embrace the awkwardness of life that gives us humor. I look for lightness in life by seeking humor in humanity. I want to remember over and over again that what makes us human is love. I want to document the truth of us and show it beautiful. Wish me luck.

 

This is me.

Jessica Rose Shanahan

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Brandini 100% Merino Extrafine Wool Made in Italy Upcycle

Seeing as I’ve hardly taken these pants off Iris since I made them, I decided to make another pair.

On this pair, the wool is quite felted, which makes them rather waterproof and windproof.

Now Iris can stand near the front door with no fear of getting frostbite.

 

upcycled sweater pants

 

I still failed to make process photos and directions.

Friday, January 3rd, 2014

More justification for reworking the front entryway this coming summer

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The frost came in

came in through the doors and windows

came in through the walls

curled its fingers ‘round the edges of the frames

capped screw caps white

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held captive the hinges

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then turned the handle of the door.

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The frost came in.

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It left us lace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

Gieves&Hawkes 100% Pure Cashmere Upcycle #2

I thought I had no use for the arms of this sweater, but the truth is,

thick cashmere is fantastic when the weather outside lurks below zero for days on end and

all the heat from the wood stove goes out the front door.

 

toddler pants from sweaters

 

I snipped the arms from the sweater, cut some curves here and there, added pins and stitched it up.

I ought to start taking process photos.

I ought to practice writing more precise directions.

Mom (Gramma) made the booties.

Wednesday, January 1st, 2014

New contractor for basement renovation project

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Tuesday, December 31st, 2013

The winter garden

We have a house full of toys.

Iris plays in the potted plants, moving soil from one pot to another and rearranging the tiny figurines.

 

winter garden

 

Anyone want some awesome toys?

 

Monday, December 30th, 2013

My sweet potato custard obsession

I made up a recipe for sweet potato custard pie before Christmas.

Martin thought it was fantastic; I thought it was imperfect.

So I made up another one. This time I left out the crust. Really, I’m just interested in the formation of custard.

It was real yummy, but then I ate too much, which didn’t feel so good.

 

sweet potato pie

 

Here’s my recipe, because I didn’t see anything like it on line, and because it’s the only thing I photographed today:

 

2 cups (about 2 medium) sweet potato, boiled and peeled

½ cup sugar

3 eggs

½ Tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups heavy (whipping) cream

½ teaspoon coffee extract

tiny dash of cinnamon

bigger dash of ginger

blob of molasses; about 2 Tbsp

 

Mix well everything but the eggs and cream. Beat in the eggs. Mix in the cream.

Pour into 4 custard dishes (equivalent of one 9″ pie)

Bake at 400°F for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted halfway between center and outside comes out clean.

Cool.

 

Iris calls it pie. Now after dinner she chants, “Pie! Pie!”

 

 

Saturday, December 28th, 2013

Iris helps bring in firewood

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Thursday, December 26th, 2013

Graham crackers & the world news with Gramps

 

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Wednesday, December 25th, 2013

Baba, or, The Generations

Now that my mom is Grandma, my grandma needed a new name: Iris needed a name for my grandma. Mom (a.k.a. The New Grandma) chose “Baba.” Thats what Grandma called her grandmother when she was little and a girl could run to the corner store to buy 2¢ of sauerkraut to take home. But here, I am writing this. Grandma is my grandmother; Mom is my mom. Baba is Iris’ great-grandmother and “her Grandma” probably refers to Iris’ grandmother or my mom. “Iris’ mommy” is a roundabout way of saying “me.” Clear?

 

Grandma’s apartment has nice light. I wanted a portrait Iris with her Baba. It was difficult. Iris was being shy. Mom & Dad had the couch. Ari & I had the floor. Dan had a chair. I took lots of photographs. This one is my favorite:

 

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I like how the lighting turned out in this one:

 

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I like this one because it makes me smile:

 

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Tho this one makes me smile even more:

 

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This one also makes me smile, but Dan might make me remove it:

 

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