The Cannery

I went to the Cannery in Worcester this morning.  Who wouldn't want to wear a hairnet and operate some heavy equipment?  I helped can dehydrated carrots and apples, beans, rice and oats.  There were seven of us working together which was really enjoyable (we were a good team).  I now have 11 more cans for my Mormon food storage.

Mirror, mirror (almost) on the wall

Easing into winter

It was snowy and rainy and slushy this morning.  I wore running shoes and didn't bother with my umbrella.  Um, hello, it's winter.

Ceilings

They've been painting the ceiling/molding in Lobby 10 at MIT.  I love how it looks.  My ceiling isn't quite as fancy but I love that they kept the molding from the original school.

Hope

Hamilton, Mass - 01-07-12

Been sick

I prescribed myself a few movies to watch.

Happy Birthday, Nan!

Love, your favorite daughter.

The Town of Hamilton recycles Christmas trees

 

A sign I've never seen in New England before

I went to Mulholland Jr. High which isn't far from the real Mulholland Drive.

Strangers in Newburyport

Strangers to me.  They were a cute old couple (and I think they noticed me taking photos).

Newburyport

I drove to Newburyport today.  My plan was to stop at the Oldies Marketplace and then meander.  I found a few cool things -- most notably a round beveled mirror.  I love Newburyport; it is unbelievably quaint.  I fell in love with about 65 houses.  I love the ones with the flat fronts that are close to the street (there's probably a fancy name for them).  It was warm (as in 55 degrees!) and a great day for a New England drive.

Frozen cookie dough balls

I gave 45 of these frozen cookie dough balls to someone who likes chocolate chip cookies.  I've been wanting to do this for a while but didn't have enough room in my freezer to freeze them on a cookie sheet; now I do.

Backing up my blog

Making a blog book for 2011 would cost a lot of money (oh the woes of a daily blogger) so I'm continuing to go the pdf route.  It's easy!  I used blog2print.com and a pdf is only $7.95.

Note: You will need to follow the instruction for making a book and once your blog is uploaded and you are previewing it you will see the pdf option.

Baby it's cold inside

If I was a Bishop

My friend's senior-in-high-school daughter had a conversation with her (Mormon) Bishop recently about going to BYU and he told her that her first priority was to "find a husband".

Really?  Is it still 1970?

Here's what I would tell a Mormon senior in high school (girl OR boy) going to BYU (or any college):
--This time in your life will be the easiest time for you to get an education.
--Learn to be independent.
--Write letters home (not emails or texts).
--Ask your family to write letters to you.  You will treasure them.
--Try to attend as many international cinema movies, devotionals/talks, cultural events, sporting events and special events that you can.
--Make lots of friends.  Don't worry about them having everything in common with you.  You will be friends with some of these people for the rest of your life.
--Don't be afraid to end a dating relationship if it's not right (and you see "red flags").
--Learn how to live a well balanced life.
--Don't forget about fruits and vegetables.
--Keep a journal and write something every day.
--Use good manners.
--Prepare to make important Temple covenants and live a "Temple life".

copyright Ellen Patton 2012

From the outside

From the inside

Sparkling cider

Market Basket was out.  I needed some to go with shrimp cocktail, baked brie and grapes (and the Bourne trilogy).  I hope no one saw me going into the Wine & Spirits store (and walking out with a brown paper bag).

2012 CALENDAR GIVE AWAY

Leave a comment telling me something fun you're going to do in 2012 and I'll draw a random winner at midnight.

I'm hoping to visit LA (where I was born/raised) -- I haven't been there in 19 years!

Click HERE if you want to buy a calendar.

Happy New Year, ALL!