Photography Project: "A Moment in Time"

I found this article today --> http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/20/readers-9/ and I decided I am going to do it!  

The details:  

On Sunday, May 2, photographers around the world will help Lens (the NY Times Photography blog) create “A Moment in Time”; one single moment in the life of the planet.  That moment will be 15:00 hours in Coordinated Universal Time.  

For you East Coasters, this would be 11 a.m. and for the Utahns reading this, this would be 9 a.m..  So for anyone interested, start planning what "moment" you'd like to capture and then just make sure your camera is charged and ready to go Sunday morning.

Here are the details for sending in your photo:

You can submit your photo any time between 15:00 (U.T.C.) on Sunday, May 2, until 15:00 (U.T.C.) on Friday, May 7.  The pictures will be published up to 1000 pixels wide on the Web (that’s big), the larger your file, the better — up to a point. Don’t send anything larger than 5 MB. If you’re using an adjustable camera phone, be sure to set it for the largest file size possible.

If you do decide to do this, let me know! I'd love to see everyone's photos!

Did you know Robinson Crusoe was published today in 1719?

You know those weeks when you're just really frustrated and down on yourself because it seems like no matter how hard you try some things just won't go your way??  This was one of those weeks.   A lot of great things happened this week as well but I was really letting these disappointments get to me.  I hit the low point late Thursday night and had every intention of waking up Friday morning, getting the kids ready and taking them to school and then coming home to curl up in my bed and nap my break away.  Zero motivation to do anything.  Friday morning came, I woke up, got the kids ready, and like always, we were running a little late.  But as we were hurrying to school I happened to look up and I saw...

An airplane??  On top of a building in Lower Manhattan??  O says it's up there all the time and that I'd just never noticed it before.  I still thought it was pretty cool.

Then as I hurried L out of the stroller to drop him off at his school, I happened to look up again and I saw...

A garden on top of the roof next to the Montessori school.

Then I had this idea!  Instead of going home to take a nap, I went for a walk and I took a bunch of pictures.  The theme?  Looking up.

Here's to looking up!  :)

Did you know Massachusetts declared today "New Kids on the Block Day" in 1989?

Today I tagged along with Ellie and her co-workers to a New York Cares project in Brooklyn.  We weeded and prepped rows for planting at Red Hook Farm.

Here's Ellie hard at work.  She was a little sad that she wasn't able to hoe something but check out those dumping skills.

I worked the wheelbarrow.  So hardcore.

And look what was right across the street!  This is officially the closest I have ever been to an IKEA store. Some day I will actually venture inside.  Someone take me pretty please.

Did you know Shirley Temple was born today in 1928?

Our internet was down all day today so this will be a very short post.  Here are the spoils from a Monday night trip to Beacon's Closet with Liz...

I really need to learn how to sew.  I saw so many dresses that had so much potential to be cute if only I could fix them up a bit.  I may have to add that to my list of things to do.  Anyone want to give me some basic lessons??  :)

In other news... I was introduced to two new fashion blogs today: Copenhagen Street Style and Face Hunter.  I just spent the last 30 minutes perusing both and I'm already in love.  Yay for new blogs to stalk!

Did you know "Annie" opened on Broadway today in 1977?

Last night, I headed over to Sami's apartment for a girls night with Leslie, Sara, Jen and Katie.  We had a little cooking lesson (in which we made some delish sticky rice and mangoes) and then ended the evening chatting and watching Glee.

This is my go-to dish for potlucks and everyone LOVES it.  It is super simple to make so I thought I'd just post it on here and spread the love.  :)

Sticky Rice and Mangoes

What You Need:

2 Cups Sticky Rice >>Find this at a Chinese/Thai store<< 

2 1/2 Cups Water

1 Can Coconut Milk >>Do not shake it.  You want the creamy part to separate. Oh!  And don't get organic, because it won't separate<<

1 Cup Sugar

1 Tablespoon Salt

Mangoes >>As many as your heart and stomach desire<<

Directions:

1.  Cook the rice.

  > If you're using a rice cooker: Put the rice in the cooker and cover with the water.  Close the lid and turn  on.  Most rice cookers shut off when its finished, if yours doesn't, you'll just have to check it occasionally.  It usually takes around 20 minutes.

  > If you're using a pot on the stove: Put the rice in the pot and cover with water.  Turn on high heat until a it reaches a rolling boil.  Be sure to stir it occasionally to keep the rice from burning to the bottom.  Once boiling, cover with a tight lid (if your lid doesn't fit well, I suggest covering the pot with a sheet of tin foil and then placing the lid on top), and simmer on the lowest heat until all of the water is gone and the rice is tender.  Add more water as necessary.  Usually takes around 20 minutes.

2.  Make the sauce.

  > Carefully open the coconut milk and spoon out the cream into a microwave-safe bowl.

  > Measure exactly 1 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of salt (the secret of making the perfect bowl of sticky rice is this combo.  If you get the ratio off, it will either be too sweet or too salty.  You've been warned.  :)).

  > Add the sugar and salt into the bowl and stir well.

  >Cover and heat in microwave for 1 minute.

  > Pour over sticky rice and gently mix in just enough to cover all of the rice.  Be careful not to mash the rice.

3.  Prepare the mangoes.

  > Peel the mangoes with a sharp knife.

  > Cut the mangoes into bite-sized bits.  (For those unfamiliar with mangoes, there is a pit in the middle, just so ya know)

4.  Devour.

**Cute moment**

Dissatisfied with my choices of books to read for story time today, Miss C took it upon herself to pick some out on her own.

"Hmm... I haven't read Irvine Welsh in awhile..." 

 "Or perhaps I should dabble a little in Fear and Trembling today?  I better choose quickly before Sarah pulls out that Boohoo Baby drivel."

Did you know Hitler was born today in 1889?

Kimmy and I embraced our inner Japanese and checked out the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens on Saturday.

Did you know the American Revolutionary War began today in 1775?

Kimmy and I saw Exit through the Gift Shop Saturday night.  Easily the best film I've seen in a long time.  If you are in NYC, I encourage you to go and see it immediately.  If you are in Utah, sorry, but you missed your chance when it premiered at Sundance.

The documentary follows Thierry Guetta, an offbeat and slightly crazy Frenchman who lives in Los Angeles and videotapes everything.  Literally.  He has hundreds, if not thousands of tapes, filled with footage--from the moment he wakes up to the second he falls asleep, Guetta has a video camera recording everything.  By chance, Guetta and camera eventually tunnel into the world of street art through his cousin, the graffiti artist known as Space Invader.  Filming this not-quite-legal art scene becomes something of an obsession for Guetta and he soon befriends and captures legends like Shepard Fairey as they work on rooftops and in alleys under the cover of night, until he finally stumbles upon the elusive holy grail of street artists: Banksy.  From there, the film takes an interesting shift as Banksy takes over the creation of the documentary (after Guetta fails to produce anything watchable) and Guetta takes up the pseudonym Mr. Brainwash and makes his debut in the street art world with surprising results.  The whole film is a riot as well as thought-provoking.


Check out the trailer below.





Some Banksy art.

Did you know the Rolling Stones released their debut album today in 1964?

In my failed search to find the blog with the AMAZING blanket forts, I stumbled upon these...

I love the frame on this bed and the way its details complement the faded pattern on the walls.

via ( oh, hello friend)  

Just revel in this one.  Simply gorgeous.

via flikr

I love the trellis that separates this bedroom from the outdoors.

via flikr

A simple, yet breathtakingly beautiful tree bed.

via Really Natural

This one made me laugh.  They should put this in the For the Strength of Youth pamphlets.

 via Geekologie

PS - Does anyone know which blog I'm talking about that had a dozen or so pics of really cool blanket forts???  I really must find it!

Did you know the Titanic sunk today in 1912?

I bought a camera yesterday--A Canon Rebel xSi to be exact--and I love it!  Do I know how to work it?  Not really.  But I am excited to learn!  I haven't had a chance to really sit down and play with it yet, but I did whip it out for a few minutes while L and I played in the play room this afternoon.  He was sweet and allowed me to take the pictures on the condition that Pablo be allowed to be in them too.

As suggested by a friend, I am reading this book ----------->>
But if anyone else has any suggestions/tips/advice for a noob like myself, I am all ears.  One thing I learned today is that I definitely need to work on holding the camera steady.  My hands shake more than I thought they did.  :/

Did you know Thomas Jefferson was born today in 1743?

My darlings...

O the toothless.

L (AKA the Heartbreaker Extraordinaire)

Miss C.

I love my job! <3