tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90035665112420036772024-03-18T05:13:55.721-04:00No Monsters in My BedDarcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.comBlogger1268125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-2265187590545873812019-05-07T18:29:00.002-04:002019-05-07T18:30:04.725-04:00Things to Read/Watch/Listen to (May 2019)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWtVfoNlzoGCewNZY2t3snpZf07bTRY8Zgi0iioteA_Ek4C5kR7kxaHUJbpmduPCjgzqlwjRh5dxgap6H55WuHaxgjqh7bsIPCcy1khagec1wSSDZkbanmIGgQ2Xe8rJ-fESvix-ux44/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkWtVfoNlzoGCewNZY2t3snpZf07bTRY8Zgi0iioteA_Ek4C5kR7kxaHUJbpmduPCjgzqlwjRh5dxgap6H55WuHaxgjqh7bsIPCcy1khagec1wSSDZkbanmIGgQ2Xe8rJ-fESvix-ux44/s400/books.jpg" width="332" height="400" data-original-width="999" data-original-height="1202" /></a></div><br />
I know the chances that anyone reads this blog anymore are very limited (it's been over a year). But I've decided I sort of miss blogging (well, somewhat). What I really miss is sharing book, movie, and tv recommendations, as well as hearing everyone else's recommendations. So I've decided to start again, but over on my professional site. This is an experiment. Not many photography websites contain links to favorite books, so we'll see how it goes. <br />
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In the meantime, you can find me over <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/darcy-troutman-photography/reading-watching-listening-may-2019">here</a>. <br />
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Stop by and say hi! Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-16641573844257401292018-02-28T20:30:00.001-05:002018-02-28T20:30:22.588-05:00Places to Go/Things to Do - A Few, Quick Days at Universal Orlando<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25674904627/in/dateposted/" title="017-storyboard"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/25674904627_bc5acb5916_c.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="017-storyboard"></a><br />
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I know I don't share much in this space much anymore, so I should probably check in. And, honestly, I'm not sure about the future of No Monsters in My Bed. I've started blogging more on my professional website and I'd love it if you would follow me/check in over <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/"target="new">here</a>. <br />
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I'm hoping to keep No Monsters as a place to share longer posts and opinions - book reviews, random links, etc., while moving my personal photos to <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/">Darcy Troutman Photography</a>, but, truthfully, I haven't felt like sharing as much as I used to. My kids are older and entitled to more privacy and, like everyone else, sometimes social media just seems overwhelming. <br />
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We will see. <br />
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In the meantime, LOTS of photos from our trip to Universal are online <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/darcy-troutman-photography/2018/2/28/a-quick-trip-to-universal-orlando-fl"target="new">here</a> (I find squarespace's photo uploader to be much more user-friendly than Blogger's uploader) - please stop by!!<br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-23294552925205216762018-02-05T08:33:00.001-05:002018-02-05T08:35:29.420-05:00Things to Eat - 6 Week Meal Plan (mid-November - December 2017)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25225882067/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/25225882067_b8568d4a41_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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Okay, so it is already February and I'm finally posting our dinner plan from two months ago. I basically took January "off", but now I'm back and blogging . . . <br />
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<b>WEEK 1</b><br />
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MONDAY - Plated (soy-glazed steak with crispy brussels sprouts and yuzu vinaigrette).<br />
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TUESDAY - Sheet pan chili (recipe <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/sheet-pan-chili/16106/?utm_term=.23887241c31d"target="new">here</a>). This was good but it didn't taste that different than regular chili. <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Dan makes venison stir fry.<br />
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THURSDAY - Plated (Za’atar chicken schnitzel with Israeli salad). <br />
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FRIDAY - Hot dogs while camping at Sky Meadows State Park. <br />
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SATURDAY - Dinner club with friends and neighbors.<br />
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SUNDAY - F makes mac and cheese for the kids; Dan and I eat snacks before Angus and Julia Stone at the 9:30 club. <br />
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<b>WEEK 2</b><br />
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MONDAY - Plated (creamy pumpkin baked rigatoni with mozzarella, fontina, and fried sage). I'm sure this wasn't our healthiest Plated, but it tasted amazing. <br />
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TUESDAY - Plated (Thanksgiving cheeseburger with caramelized onion aioli and roasted butternut squash).<br />
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WEDNESDAY - Pizza with neighbors. <br />
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THURSDAY - Thanksgiving at Dan's brother's house.<br />
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FRIDAY - Dinner out at Marble & Rye with Dan's family.<br />
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SATURDAY - Dan makes chicken. <br />
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SUNDAY - Eggplant parmesan after setting up the Xmas tree. The kids complained, but eggplant parm is one of my favorite dishes so every once in awhile I force them to suffer through it. <br />
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<b>WEEK 3 </b><br />
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MONDAY - Pasta with tomato sauce and garlic bread. Because sometimes easy = awesome. <br />
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TUESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-to-make-black-bean-chilaquile.html"target="new">here</a>). This has become the kids' favorite recipe (which makes me so happy as I love it too). <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Dan makes fish.<br />
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THURSDAY - Plated (sheet pan flounder with harissa, crispy scallion potatoes, and dill aioli).<br />
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FRIDAY - Appetizers before Mean Girls, the musical (so good!). <br />
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SATURDAY - Plated (butter-basted steak with sautéed brussels sprouts and garlic-parmesan fries). <br />
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SUNDAY - Dan cooks fettuccine alfredo. <br />
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<b>WEEK 4</b><br />
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MONDAY - Turkey, sweet potato, and black bean chili (via Gwyneth, recipe in <a href="http://amzn.to/2FwNi4X"target="new">this book</a>). On a cold day, this is the best recipe ever. <br />
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TUESDAY - Dan makes venison steaks. <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Everyone pigged out on popcorn during Coco, so we have grilled cheese and eggs for dinner.<br />
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THURSDAY - Plated (gnocchi pomodoro with swiss chard, goat cheese, and sage-toasted pine nuts).<br />
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FRIDAY - Dan makes a venison roast. <br />
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SATURDAY - Plated (miso salmon and quinoa bowls with roasted sweet potatoes, cucumber salad, and sriracha mayo). I'm not usually a salmon fan, but these bowls tasted incredible. <br />
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SUNDAY - Dinner at a friend's party. <br />
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<b>WEEK 5</b><br />
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MONDAY - Order out pizza.<br />
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TUESDAY - Family dinner out at Boru Ramen. <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Plated (potato latkes with horseradish sour cream, roasted carrots, and spinach salad). I mess up the latkes big time. <br />
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THURSDAY - Frozen pizza before a Christmas Carol at Ford's Theater. <br />
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FRIDAY - Plated (chicken tinga tostadas with cabbage-carrot slaw). <br />
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SATURDAY - I photograph a wedding, the rest of the family eats dinner at our neighbor's Christmas party. <br />
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SUNDAY - Taylor Gourmet carry-out. <br />
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<b>WEEK 6</b><br />
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MONDAY - Plated (moroccan chicken with cherry tomato sauce and couscous). <br />
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TUESDAY - Plated (spaghetti squash and turkey meatballs with whipped ricotta). <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-to-make-black-bean-chilaquile.html"target="new">here</a>). This has become the kids' favorite recipe (which makes me so happy as I love it too). <br />
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THURSDAY - Farmers and Fishers for the solstice.<br />
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FRIDAY - Make you own pizza night before we leave for Christmas in Chicago. <br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-68556655967625750102018-01-10T08:22:00.001-05:002018-01-10T09:12:39.314-05:00Things to Read - Six Interesting Articles From Around the Web (on the husband stitch, monstrous men, Woody Allen, raising kids, and cat person). <b>(1) Raising (Young Children) </b>- I loved <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/life-with-two-kids?mbid=social_facebook"target="new">this funny, abstract New Yorke piece</a> about life with two kids.<br />
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"<b>A year ago, I only had one kid. And I am a-hundred-per-cent certain that my wife has only been pregnant once between then and now. But I look around my apartment these days, and there are babies everywhere.</b> I'm only supposed to have two. We had Simon. And then Sara had one more after that. I remember naming him Jasper. But I got home from work on Friday, and my wife was missing, and there was one kid in the bath, and two were watching Elmo on TV, and one was eating dinner, and one was crying, and they were all calling me daddy. Or at least the kids who could talk were. <b>Some were babies, and some were toddlers, and they all had diapers that needed changing.</b>"<br />
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<b>(2) The Husband Stitch</b> - I had never heard of the husband stitch before <a href="https://electricliterature.com/what-i-dont-tell-my-students-about-the-husband-stitch-690899157394"target="new">this article</a>, have you heard of it? <br />
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I was first introduced to the husband stitch in 2014, when a friend in medical school told me about a birth her classmate observed. <b>After the baby was delivered, the doctor said to the woman’s husband, “Don’t worry, I’ll sew her up nice and tight for you,” and the two men laughed while the woman lay between them</b>, covered in her own and her baby’s blood and feces. The story terrified me, the laughter in particular, signaling some understanding of wrongdoing, some sheepishness in doing it anyway. The helplessness of the woman, her body being altered without her consent by two people she has to trust: her partner, her doctor. The details of the third-hand account imprinted into my memory so vividly that the memory of the story feels now almost like my own memory. Later that year, Machado’s “The Husband Stitch” was published, and sometime after that, I read it, and the details of Machado’s scene were so similar, down to the laughter, down to the words “don’t worry” (though in Machado’s story they’re directed at the woman), that I’m not sure now what I remember and what I read.<br />
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. . . . <br />
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<b>But this is not an essay about the husband stitch. It’s an essay about believing and being believed.</b><br />
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. . . .<br />
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<b>Why are we disbelieved? Why am I skeptical of women’s chatter? Why does my husband think I don’t smell gas? Later, in the same piece, Baldwin writes, “There was a moment, in time, and in this place, when my brother, or my mother, or my father, or my sister, had to convey to me, for example, the danger in which I was standing from the white man standing just behind me, and to convey this with a speed, and in a language, that the white man could not possibly understand, and that, indeed, he cannot understand, until today. He cannot afford to understand it. This understanding would reveal to him too much about himself, and smash that mirror before which he has been frozen for so long.” Maybe this is why we don’t believe women. If their experience is true, we can’t stand to see our role in it.</b><br />
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<b>(3) Monstrous Men</b> - In the Paris Review Claire Dederer asks, "<a href="https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/11/20/art-monstrous-men/#.WlLQ-JebyDk.facebook"target="new">What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?</a>" (There's a lot to unpack in this article, I suggest reading the whole thing). <br />
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<b>"A great work of art brings us a feeling. And yet when I say Manhattan makes me feel urpy, a man says, No, not that feeling. You’re having the wrong feeling. He speaks with authority: </b>Manhattan is a work of genius. But who gets to say? Authority says the work shall remain untouched by the life. Authority says biography is fallacy. Authority believes the work exists in an ideal state (ahistorical, alpine, snowy, pure). Authority ignores the natural feeling that arises from biographical knowledge of a subject. Authority gets snippy about stuff like that. Authority claims it is able to appreciate the work free of biography, of history. Authority sides with the (male) maker, against the audience.<br />
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Me, I’m not ahistorical or immune to biography. That’s for the winners of history (men) (so far).<br />
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. . . <br />
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"My friend and I had done nothing more monstrous than expecting someone to mind our children while we finished our work. That’s not as bad as rape or even, say, forcing someone to watch while you jerk off into a potted plant. It might sound as though I’m conflating two things—male predators and female finishers—in a troubling way. And I am. <b>Because when women do what needs to be done in order to write or make art, we sometimes feel monstrous. And others are quick to describe us that way.</b><br />
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Hemingway’s girlfriend, the writer Martha Gellhorn, didn’t think the artist needed to be a monster; she thought the monster needed to make himself into an artist. “A man must be a very great genius to make up for being such a loathsome human being.” (Well, I guess she would know.) She’s saying if you’re a really awful person, you are driven to greatness in order to compensate the world for all the awful shit you are going to do to it. In a way, this is a feminist revision of all of art history; a history she turns with a single acid, brilliant line into a morality tale of compensation.<br />
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Either way, the questions remain:<br />
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What is to be done about monsters? Can and should we love their work? Are all ambitious artists monsters? Tiny voice: [Am I a monster?]"<br />
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<b>(4) Woody Allen</b> - Speaking of monstrous men, the Washington Post reported on <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/i-read-decades-of-woody-allens-private-notes-hes-obsessed-with-teenage-girls/2018/01/04/f2701482-f03b-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html?utm_term=.09d912383a01"target="new">Richard Morgan's reading of Woody Allen's 56-box archive, which, according to Morgan, is filled with misogynist and lecherous musings</a>. (Full disclosure, I've never liked Allen's movies, mainly because I find them boring and I could never relate to them, but I know many people really love his work). <br />
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"According to the staff at Firestone Library’s rare-books wing, I’m the first person to read Allen’s collection — the Woody Papers — from cover to cover, and from the very beginning to the very end, Allen drips with repetitious misogyny. Allen, who has been nominated for 24 Oscars, never needed ideas besides the lecherous man and his beautiful conquest — a concept around which he has made films about Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Manhattan, journalism, time travel, communist revolution, murder, writing novels, Thanksgiving dinner, Hollywood and many other things — because that one idea bore so much fruit for his career.<br />
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In many ways, Allen frustrates people because he seems to relish dancing on the edge of the outrage. There’s nothing criminal about an 82-year-old’s fixation with 18-year-olds, and it’s not whip-out-your-penis, button-under-the-desk bad. But it’s deeply, anachronistically gross. More than that, he seems not to care about bettering or changing himself in any way. <b>He lives and thinks and creates as he did in the 1970s, nearly a half-century ago. He’s a reminder that our future, however woke it becomes, will not be full of social-justice valedictorians quoting James Baldwin and Roxane Gay. There will be 22nd-century dunces lagging by a half-century or more. Allen is worse than an augury of those trolls of tomorrow; he is a model for them, a validation."</b><br />
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<b>(5) Raising Teenagers </b> - I loved <a href="https://story.californiasunday.com/raising-a-teenage-daughter"target="new">Elizabeth Weil's short essay on raising a teenage daughter</a>. <br />
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"The goal, now, is not just to keep your child alive (though there is that, too) but to steer your child through the hormonal hell-waters of adolescence onto the firm shores of adulthood where, with luck, your child won’t be an idiot or an ass.<br />
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It’s a tough task. How well do you know your child? How well do you know the situations your child is getting into? What makes it all seem so impossible is that you need to allow your child to get hurt because if you don’t, your child won’t be resilient and will definitely be an ass. But we’re not talking about losing at Candy Land. We’re talking about … it’s hard to say out loud.<br />
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. . . . <br />
<b><br />
Hannah is the most competent person in our house, and she’s a puddle.</b> She wants to know the correct answer, what other people would like her to say, but she’s furious if she thinks the right answer is untrue.<br />
<b><br />
I want to say: I’ll give you all I’ve got, but I wasn’t that great at being a teenager, and I’m a pretty flawed adult, too."</b><br />
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<b>(6) Cat Person</b> - Kristen Roupenian's New Yorker short story, <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/11/cat-person"target="new">Cat Person,</a> already went viral. But if you haven't read it yet, it is really good. <br />
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"Margot sat on the bed while Robert took off his shirt and unbuckled his pants, pulling them down to his ankles before realizing that he was still wearing his shoes and bending over to untie them. Looking at him like that, so awkwardly bent, his belly thick and soft and covered with hair, Margot recoiled. <b>But the thought of what it would take to stop what she had set in motion was overwhelming; it would require an amount of tact and gentleness that she felt was impossible to summon. It wasn’t that she was scared he would try to force her to do something against her will but that insisting that they stop now, after everything she’d done to push this forward, would make her seem spoiled and capricious, as if she’d ordered something at a restaurant and then, once the food arrived, had changed her mind and sent it back."</b><br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-28976126243438162122018-01-05T08:59:00.001-05:002018-01-05T08:59:07.558-05:00 Things to Do - Project 52, Weeks 43 & 44Happy January! So odd to start school and then have a snow day almost immediately. But honestly, we all needed a day of relaxation. <br />
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Winter break was good but full - we drove to Chicago to visit my mom for Christmas (so much cold!) and spent a day in the city with her at the Museum of Contemporary Art and then the whole family saw Hamilton, the musical, together (which, I must admit, was crazy good). <br />
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After we drove back to VA, Dan's parents watched our kids in Richmond so we could escape to our favorite bed and breakfast in Charlottesville for a night (love the <a href="http://www.clifton-inn.com/"target="new">Clifton Inn</a>). And then we hosted a huge disaster of a NYE party - full of fights, fireworks, and Fireball - and I learned that in the dead of winter my house can't really accommodate 60+ people. <br />
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Then the kids went back and school and I started working at the preschool again (just one day a week because little kids are crazy fun). <br />
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Anyways, snow day = awesomeness. <br />
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Regarding Project 52, I know it's already 2018 and I'm still posting photos from October 2017, but I'm trying to finish up and move onto the new year, though it is sort of nice and look back and old moments you'd forgotten about. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470145982/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4595/39470145982_6dc52e4697_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470144872/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4739/39470144872_0b1fb34f04_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470143262/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/39470143262_f757284888_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470142112/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4737/39470142112_976f7822ed_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38791593484/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4634/38791593484_cefbd9c289_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470141462/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/39470141462_e1dd31edb3_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38791593264/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/38791593264_d3f550a89e_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470140622/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4681/39470140622_e6b9be8c12_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38791593004/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4591/38791593004_05d77e4f49_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39470139952/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4733/39470139952_e9c2e4c79a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 43</b><br />
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(1) Our road trip to Storm King Art Center in NY - this is from our first day there. In retrospect, I should have made this our Christmas card photo. Oh well, hindsight is everything.<br />
(2) Contemplating Nam June Paik at Storm King. <br />
(3) F and leaf.<br />
(4) Love this photo (basically I love Storm King). <br />
(5) Hotel pool happiness.<br />
(6) Storm King, day 2 - meeting up with my friend Jenny and her family.<br />
(7) Kid togetherness.<br />
(8) I love watching my kids play with younger kids. <br />
(9) We returned from Storm King on Friday afternoon, went to a concert on Friday night (the Head and the Heart, so so good), and then left Saturday afternoon for camping at Shenandoah River State Park.<br />
(10) Camping. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25630126308/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4600/25630126308_1a7b772daf_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24632871697/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4641/24632871697_e8ba0b89d7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25630125928/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/25630125928_cf5a3f91d8_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24632871217/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4682/24632871217_1ef7aeb505_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25630125538/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4647/25630125538_a35d4374ca_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24632870837/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4639/24632870837_175f09666c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25630125098/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/25630125098_50e09ddab7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 44</b><br />
<br />
(1) Leaving the campground at Shenandoah River State Park on a very rainy Sunday morning.<br />
(2) P and her friends dressed as 80s' girls for Halloween, which involved a lot of early morning hair crimping.<br />
(3) Just some of the trick or treating group.<br />
(4) T on Halloween.<br />
(5) P at her last grade school Halloween parade (it all goes by so fast)!<br />
(6) F and Happy, bonding in the hallway.<br />
(7) I took T and two of his best friends to dinner at Silver Diner. Three boys = a lot of energy. <br />
<br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-33604965451278103472017-12-26T10:00:00.000-05:002017-12-26T10:00:12.410-05:00Things to Do - 10 Things I Learned this Year (2017)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/25360942418/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4734/25360942418_f5e8b61b34_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
<br />
On Friday <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2017/12/what-did-you-learn-in-2017/"target="new">A Cup of Jo posted about yearly lessons</a>, which made me think about my own 2017. Funny how we spend so much time coming up with resolutions for the next year and maybe not enough looking back seriously at the past year. <br />
<br />
Here are some things I learned, in no particular order:<br />
<br />
<b>1. Kids need to leave the nest</b>. I think I always believed this, so in some ways it isn't a new lesson. But part of me secretly hoped that if Dan and I created this wonderful environment, full of family book clubs and crazy vacations that my kids would never want to leave. <br />
<br />
But this year, their friends became really important to all of them. After five weeks in Europe, they all begged me to limit next year's vacation to 2 week (I'm caving at 2.5 weeks). F went off to summer camp for 10 days and barely seemed to notice we weren't there. Now that they have phones, the girls spend hours calling/texting friends. T has been "adopted" by two of his best friends' families and on weekends is rarely home. One of the moms sent me a photo of her 4 kids at Zoolights and T was next to them - all with their light-up ears. <br />
<br />
Some of this has been hard. I miss them. And I'm slowly learning that I have to take the moments when they come rather force them to occur. <br />
<br />
<b>2. Grief is not predictable.</b> A few weeks ago a good friend from college died. I had not seem or really heard from him in almost 20 years, but a few days prior to his death he tagged me and 10-15 other people in a random Facebook message full of photos of cocktail napkins. The next day the whole account was removed and I learned through Facebook he had passed away. <br />
<br />
Honestly, I'm still not quite sure how to process this. But Dave's death brought back memories I wasn't aware I had and the past all of a sudden seems like something right next to me. As if I could open a door and just step into it. <br />
<br />
Perhaps this is how it always feels when death comes without resolution. As horrible as it was when my father died (and wow, was it horrible) I never felt like there were things I needed to tell him, nothing was left unsaid. <br />
<br />
Whereas with Dave the thought that he died without knowing how much our friendship meant to me - it has been tough. My last year of college, Dave and I were inseparable - bartending together, leaving shifts at 2 am and going out for breakfast/staying up all night, watching stupid movies together (remember Spice World?), etc. And then I graduated and moved and there wasn't really anywhere for a friendship like that to go. Through the grapevine I learned that life wasn't going well for him - struggles with addiction, an inability to ever really "adult". I'm not sure what I could have done to help. But still, so much left unsaid. <br />
<br />
<b>3. Women's stories need to be told.</b> From <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/11/cat-person"target="new">Cat person</a>, to #metoo, to the <a href="http://amzn.to/2BRHZfW"target="new">Neapolitan Novels</a> to Harvey Weinstein to the Women's March to rereading <a href="http://amzn.to/2BRhQ0A"target="new">Lives of Girls and Women</a> - I feel like I spent 2017 hearing voices that I've never heard before. And new words that didn't exist (mansplaining, male privilege). And so much of it resonates with me. As if something I've been told to keep silent for so long (how silly women are, how trivial their thoughts) is all of a sudden everywhere. And it's bold and real and controversial and (not to over cheese this) but seriously AMAZING. <br />
<br />
<b>4. Running a business is hard work.</b> Even though I've owned Darcy Troutman Photography for a few years now, 2017 was the first year it became more of a full time job than a hobby/part time gig. I spent the last four years learning to be a photographer and I'm realizing that I need to spend 2018 learning how to direct my business forward - dealing with difficult clients, itemizing everything, better email response and client guidelines, marketing to my "ideal" client, etc. <br />
<br />
<b>5. Kids come pre-programmed</b>. As an only child (and only grandchild on one side), I'm still a little in shock about how much my kids differ from each other. Hard to believe they all grew up in the same house, with the same value system.<br />
<br />
<b>6. I don't understand America or what it means to be an American.</b> Not that I ever did. But this year more than ever - I'm at a loss. The country is way more racist than I ever realized. And hateful. And while I haven't become an activist by any means, I'm more likely than ever to share my opinions and to speak up. Having a voice matters and I need to use mine. <br />
<br />
<b>7. Marriage is hard. And wonderful. And full of constant surprises.</b> Dan and I are not the same people we were 12 years ago, we're continually re-meeting each other. And trying to grow together. Neither of these things is easy, but they are both worth it. <br />
<br />
<b>8. One vote really does make a difference </b>(not sure what I'm talking about? read <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/21/politics/virginia-house-of-delegates-one-vote-yancey-simonds/index.html"target="new">here</a>). <br />
<br />
<b>9. Warm fuzzy socks make everything better.</b> <br />
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<b>10. Don't Stop Believing</b> has stood the test of time. It really is a great song. And no matter how often I've heard Body Like a Backroad this year, I still sing along. Every time. <br />
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_________<br />
<br />
Anyone else want to chime in? What have you learned this year? <br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-61953700532180927482017-12-22T09:34:00.000-05:002017-12-22T09:34:59.552-05:00Things to Do - Project 52, Weeks 41 & 42I haven't given up on this project - I'm just way behind (these photos are from the end of October, before Halloween). Though I must admit that I sort of love looking back and remembering all the fun times we had. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347881857/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4645/24347881857_88173ef4d2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882027/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4732/24347882027_5cc6feb843_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882207/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4688/24347882207_90aa179e25_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882307/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4593/24347882307_7bd27a10f1_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882497/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4587/24347882497_72b93d20f4_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882687/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4688/24347882687_6d7a776d48_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347882927/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4646/24347882927_fc59af09a5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347883127/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4634/24347883127_5e9dd4501c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347883337/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4690/24347883337_b2d9d533a8_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347883467/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4646/24347883467_54da0ec28a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 41</b><br />
<br />
(1) F's annual Barnes and Noble birthday shopping spree.<br />
(2) Bedtime. <br />
(3) Halloween costume shopping at Goodwill.<br />
(4) Best friends.<br />
(5) Laundry.<br />
(6) Tennis lessons.<br />
(7) Goodwill shopping.<br />
(8) F's family birthday celebration.<br />
(9) P's softball game.<br />
(10) I am so sick of the girls on their phones. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38502186734/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/38502186734_82c0798d27_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 5)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38502186624/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/38502186624_d4903c55a7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 5)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39209489541/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4739/39209489541_6a6fbe3982_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 5)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24347954697/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4686/24347954697_763284eb0c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 5)"></a><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39209489321/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 5)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4686/39209489321_12115642cb_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 5)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 42</b><br />
<br />
(1) Life.<br />
(2) Before school. <br />
(3) Checking out a wedding location with F and her friends.<br />
(4) P's birthday party.<br />
(5) Nerf wars before school. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-16979477013663875372017-12-20T09:07:00.001-05:002017-12-20T09:10:26.287-05:00Things to Buy - 7 Last Minute Holiday GiftsFor the last month I planned out a gift guide, but I never had time to write/post it. So now I'm down to the wire, but luckily there are some gifts that you still have time to buy. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/39142690442/in/dateposted/" title="christmasgifts1"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4692/39142690442_bec889d6bc_c.jpg" width="800" height="451" alt="christmasgifts1"></a><br />
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1. <a href="http://amzn.to/2CGLqFh"><b>A History of Food in 100 Recipes</b></a> (delivery by December 22nd through Amazon with expedited shipping) - Full disclosure, I just bought this for myself for Christmas ("treat. yo. self."). It sounds like such a fun combination of history, cooking, and quirky facts that I can't wait to cuddle up on the couch and dive in. <br />
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2. <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2DafzOe">Smitten Kitchen Everyday</a></b> (delivery by December 22nd through Amazon Prime). The best food blog just released the best cookbook. Plus the recipes aren't complicated - making it the perfect gift for kitchen newbies or seasoned chefs.<br />
<br />
3. <b><a href="https://pinholepress.com/c/calendars"target="new">Pinhole Press Calendars</a></b> (delivery after Christmas). Okay, so this probably won't arrive by Christmas, but nobody needs a calendar before January. Just print out a picture of said gift and let the receiver know that it's on the way. Pinhole Press has the best calendars, the photos always print well (no ugly colors) and the paper quality is exceptional.<br />
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4. <b><a href="http://amzn.to/2BAPms2">Aperture's The Photography Workshop Series</a> </b>(delivery by December 22nd through Amazon Prime). In the age of instagram, it feels like everyone suddenly has some interest in photography (which is awesome) and I can't recommend this series highly enough. So many pointers, tips, and things to consider. Plus the photos are phenomenal. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38293775235/in/dateposted/" title="christmas"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4601/38293775235_35ec94a0af_c.jpg" width="800" height="301" alt="christmas"></a><br />
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5. <b>Gift certificate for <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/"target="new">Darcy Troutman Photography</a> </b>(instantaneous delivery). Give memories instead of stuff. Yes, I'm shamelessly plugging myself. Email me at darcytroutman@hotmail.com for all options. <br />
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6. <b><a href="https://www.plated.com/gifts">Plated gift certificate</a></b> (instantaneous delivery). Because sometimes meal planning sucks. <br />
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7. <b><a href="http://www.shakerandspoon.com/subscribe/gift/247275374_shaker-spoon-cocktail-club?gift=True"target="new">Shaker & Spoon Cocktail Club gift certificate</a></b> (instantaneous delivery). I bought a Shaker and Spoon subscription this fall and I can't believe how happy it has made me. I love cocktails but I hate the scavenger hunt that goes into finding the ingredients, especially when I'm trying something new and I'm not sure I'll like it. This monthly box makes everything easy. I love the cool/quirky drinks they send. Since I work weekends, I often treat myself to a drink or two on Tuesday nights. The perfect after dinner treat. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-42675796947390894732017-12-15T08:43:00.002-05:002017-12-15T08:43:32.965-05:00Things to Do - Grateful List (October & November 2017)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38342166644/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4735/38342166644_5eccaaa9b9_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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I binge-watched a lot of TV/movies while editing this fall. And even though work was crazy - we still found time to do some awesome things . . . <br />
<br />
<b>MOVIES/TV/MUSIC</b><br />
<br />
* Watching the Meyerowitz Stories (Netflix). <br />
* Watching 12 Years a Slave (Amazon). <br />
* Watching Mindhunter, season 1 (Netflix).<br />
* Watching the Mother Project (Amazon). <br />
* Watching Stranger Things, season 2 (Amazon). <br />
* Watching Beatrice at Dinner (Amazon). <br />
* Watching Lady Bird (in theaters). <br />
<br />
* Reading <a href="http://amzn.to/2BoXPAT"target="new">the Idiot</a> (sort of a quirky read, but I really loved this book). <br />
* Re-reading (and still loving) Alice Munro's <a href="http://amzn.to/2ksKuNg"target="new">Lives of Girls and Women</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>PLACES </b><br />
<br />
* Apple picking at Stribling Orchard (it was crazy crowded, but once we found a good place to hang out we had a blast). <br />
<br />
<b>EVENTS/EXHIBITS</b><br />
<br />
* The War on Drugs with Colleen at the Anthem. <br />
* The Head and the Heart at the Anthem for date night. <br />
* Luna at the Black Cat with Colleen (so so cool to see one of my favorite bands ever live in a small intimate venue!). <br />
* Angus and Julia Stone at the 9:30 club for date night (plus drinks at the Gibson afterwards!). <br />
* Kingdom of Colors at Artechouse (loved this exhibit).<br />
* Vermeer at the National Gallery of Art. <br />
<br />
<b>FOOD</b><br />
<br />
* F making pie (such good pie) and apple cake with apples from the orchard. <br />
* F and Dan doing all most all of the cooking this fall. <br />
<br />
<b>ETC. </b><br />
<br />
* My first double wedding (two weddings in two days - super happy with how both turned out). <br />
* F's annual birthday Barnes and Noble shopping spree. <br />
* Volunteering as a crossing guard with T in the morning (now there's a 4 way stop sign, so we retired). <br />
* F winning an award (outstanding delegate) at her first model UN conference. <br />
* T's paintball birthday party (6 months late, but at least we did it); P's Sherlock Holmes Escape Room birthday party (on time this year!). <br />
* Another great Halloween - starting with a happy our at our neighbors' house. The kids this year were: P - a 1980s girl (with 3 of her friends); F - a zombie scarecrow; T - a scary guy with a mask and a chainsaw. <br />
* T surprising me with breakfast in bed (just because). <br />
* F always organizing all our ipad apps (so many folders and categories). <br />
* P's soccer team winning divisional finals (plus P scored a wicked goal). <br />
* Family debates over who won the game of Life - F - "I worked my way up and changed my life"; me - "I retired way before any of you."; Dan - "I changed careers three times and still came out okay at the end."; T - "I'm a rich doctor with six kids and a mansion, I won guys. I obviously won."; P - "Isn't this game over yet? I just want to go to bed." <br />
* Straight As for both girls and honor roll for T (so proud of all of them, especially since they never seem to do any homework). <br />
* Thanksgiving dinner at Dan's brother's house (so good!). <br />
<br />
<b>OVERNIGHTS and MINI-VACATIONS</b><br />
<br />
* Storm King, NY (esp. wave hill) in the height of fall with my best friend and her family. <br />
* Camping at Shenandoah River State Park (love this place). <br />
* Renting a cabin in Floyd, VA for two nights. The stars at night were amazing, as were the dogs running through the fields, smores, and a lazy afternoon of HGTV (plus seeing Northam posters throughout southern VA). <br />
* Camping the weekend before Thanksgiving at Sky Meadows State Park, VA (esp. the owls at night and walking with Parker in the dark/dusk to the campground - it's a one mile hike in). <br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-16667348826826455972017-12-12T08:06:00.001-05:002017-12-12T08:06:36.920-05:00Things to Make/Do - Holiday Cards & Magnets from Pinhole Press<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38278667014/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4679/38278667014_4db34a3d08_c.jpg" width="800" height="708" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
<br />
the fifth year in a row, we ordered our holiday cards and address labels from <a href="https://pinholepress.com/"target="new">Pinhole Press </a>and I could not be happier with them. I love Pinhole Press's design selection and the fact that you can customize the messages. Plus, everything is printed on high quality thick cardstock. <br />
<br />
I also ordered magnets as client gifts - aren't they beautiful? <br />
<br />
If you order before the 14th, then your cards (with economy shipping) will still arrive before Christmas. For the next two weeks, Pinhole Press is offering a 15& discount on their holiday cards with the code SNOW15. So hurry up and buy some!!<br />
<br />
(Pinhole Press gifted us our cards, but the opinions expressed our entirely my own (OF COURSE!!).<br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-77212184996240005932017-12-08T08:55:00.001-05:002017-12-08T16:07:32.640-05:00Things to Do - Random Links & 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38016599335/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4518/38016599335_ecd5ddcb67_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
<br />
Happy Friday!! Sorry for the lack of posts lately - I've spent the last three months editing client photos (so much awesomeness!) and when I take breaks, I don't want to be on/near/by a computer. But I'm hoping to return soon (I had amazing gift guides that I never posted - so much sadness). <br />
<br />
In the meantime, a few weeks ago I photographed a wedding on a farm close to Front Royal, VA (so pretty!!) and before the event I drove out there with T and his friends to preview the venue. The photo above is from our trip, as you can tell the kids had a blast! <br />
<br />
Have a great weekend and if you have a chance, check out our newest post on <a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/12/december-8-2017.html"target="new">5 Hours 'Til Bedtime</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>RANDOM LINKS:</b><br />
<br />
* Vogue magazine just published its <a href="https://www.vogue.com/article/best-books"target="new">top 10 books of 2017</a> (The Idiot was fantastic). And every year I can't wait to check out <a href="https://apps.npr.org/best-books-2017/#/_"target="new">NPR's Book Concierge</a> (which has great ideas for holiday gifts). <br />
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* So excited to see Darcy Troutman Photography on <a href="http://kidfriendlydc.com/2017/12/06/the-2017-kfdc-holiday-gift-guide/"target="new">Kidfriendly DC's Gift Guide</a>. <br />
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* Speaking of Darcy Troutman Photography - there's <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/darcy-troutman-photography/2017/11/30/light-and-happiness-on-a-cold-autumn-morning-arlington-va"target="new">a great new family up on my professional website</a>. If you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift - why not think about a photo shoot gift certificate? If you buy now you lock in 2017 pricing. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/inspirational-women-better-than-taylor-swift-xnulz/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BPFacebook"target="new">This twitter stream</a> regarding badass bitches is pretty amazing. <br />
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* <a href="http://time.com/5026203/top-10-late-night-television-moments-2017/"target="new">Trevor Noah made me cry</a> (but still - you have to watch!)<br />
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* <a href="https://www.thecut.com/2017/12/11-year-old-meghan-markle-talked-about-sexism-on-nick-news.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s3&utm_campaign=sharebutton-b"target="new">11 year old Meghan Markle made me smile/cheer</a>. <br />
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* <a href="http://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/10277/the-artist-using-found-photos-to-challenge-established-norms"target="new">These photo collages</a> are awesome. <br />
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* If you're looking for the perfect kid's gift (for all ages), <a href="https://tksstgiftguide.tumblr.com/"target="new">The Kids Should See This</a> has an amazing gift guide. <br />
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* I've already planned summer vacation 2018, but I think 2019 might need one of <a href="https://www.escapecampervans.com/"target="new">these</a>. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-16542561261856635452017-11-27T09:32:00.001-05:002017-11-27T09:32:41.174-05:00Places to Go (Vacation) - Camping in November at Sky Meadows State Park (Delaplane, VA)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38612753632/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4559/38612753632_177db5fac2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37757659895/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4580/37757659895_d82cd63998_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38612753252/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4568/38612753252_7cbf01262e_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37757659765/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/37757659765_5e13455a1b_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38612752612/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4530/38612752612_41453ecf47_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"></a><br />
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Happy Monday!! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving holiday! We spent the weekend with Dan's family - eating SO MUCH food and then visiting the Vermeer exhibit at the National Gallery of Art and Kingdom of Colors at Artechouse. As far as art goes, we couldn't have had two more different experiences in one day - but I really enjoyed both. <br />
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The photos are from the weekend before last - when we spent Friday night camping at Sky Meadows State Park. We had hoped to see the meteor shower, but the light pollution was worst than anticipated (plus, we went to sleep rather early). Sky Meadows is a walk-in campground - the sites are about 1 mile from the parking lot. The hike/walk is easy, but it felt a little surreal to arrive at our campsite in the dark. As did hiking in with P as the light slowly faded away around us. <br />
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On the upside - we were thrilled to camp without bugs, but turns out ticks last longer than expected - both dogs found a few. So it goes. The night was COLD, but all in all the experience was pretty amazing (I heard owls all night) and I'm hoping we'll go again next year. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37757659625/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/37757659625_61a773c119_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38612752122/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4545/38612752122_818892a193_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38612751302/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4534/38612751302_620f531671_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37757659395/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/37757659395_6167f7a8af_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37757659285/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4565/37757659285_1f8c848ee6_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"></a>Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-35548316443712880722017-11-17T09:58:00.003-05:002017-11-17T11:29:09.056-05:00Things to Do - 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime and Random Links<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37587189525/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4558/37587189525_272f7ac43f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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Happy Friday everyone!! Last weekend we rented a little cottage in the woods outside Meadows of Dan, VA and, if you ask me, it was the perfect family get away. A fireplace. Family boardgames. HGTV. Naps. Homemade cocktails. Walking through the forest with the dogs (no leashes!). A campfire at night. <br />
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If you ask the kids, they may say, "um, I'm not sure why we had to drive that far to not really do anything." <br />
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So goes my life. I try. <br />
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If you have a chance, click <a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/11/november-17-2017.html"target="new">here</a> to check out this week's awesome post on <a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/11/november-17-2017.html"target="new">5 Hours 'Til Bedtime</a>. <br />
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<b>RANDOM LINKS:</b><br />
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* <a href="http://mymodernmet.com/what-is-installation-art-history-artists/2/"target="new">2016's best installation art</a>. Makes me want to travel. <br />
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* <a href="http://www.juliasbookbag.com/2017/11/cozy-new-books-i-want.html"target="new">These "cozy" books</a> sound perfect for winter!<br />
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* <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2017/11/08/blogs/putting-a-face-to-a-comment-the-new-online-crusaders/s/08-lens-trolls-slide-SZ2D.html?action=click&smid=fb-share"target="new">Putting a face to a comment - the new online crusaders</a>. <br />
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* I kind of want to try <a href="http://mymodernmet.com/bar-soap-whiskey-river-soap-co/"target="new">introvert soap</a>. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.fastcodesign.com/3021327/the-addams-familys-living-room-was-pink?utm_content=buffer330a6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer"target="new">The Adams' Family had a pink living room </a>(who knew?). <br />
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* <a href="https://flashbak.com/the-extraordinary-movie-posters-of-bill-gold-375249/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=socialnetwork"target="new">These movie posters are gorgeous</a>. <br />
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* I want <a href="https://society6.com/product/society6-artist-calendar-2018"target="new">this calendar</a>. <br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-91759743353127307842017-11-15T08:13:00.001-05:002017-11-16T22:14:09.156-05:00Things to Do - Project 52, Weeks 39 & 40These photos are from the last week of September/first week of October. It's sort of fun to look back a month later and see all the moments I forgot about. I feel like I've spent the last two months away at photoshoots and glued to my computer editing (and the kids keep reminding me that I'm never around anymore), but I know I've done other things besides work, and here's the proof. Parenting is hard. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551290608/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4586/24551290608_b57916f6f6_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551290078/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/24551290078_0796800db4_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551289448/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4571/24551289448_befb8f3577_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551288998/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4543/24551288998_324c175482_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551288498/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4545/24551288498_af865b4a1e_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551288118/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4539/24551288118_e73a64e0f2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38366447496/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4532/38366447496_d3f6098377_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551287878/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4524/24551287878_eb780fe5f3_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38366447306/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4578/38366447306_1cfe8dd20c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551287628/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4520/24551287628_da9774943d_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 39</b><br />
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(1) T became a little obsessed with Halloween stores. So we spent a lot of time in them.<br />
(2) I love when the kids do homework in my office while I edit.<br />
(3) Location scouting in Clifton, VA with P and her friends. These three have known each other since preschool. <br />
(4) I love watching all the kids and their friends walk/ride to school together in the morning. <br />
(5) Location scouting with T. "Can I bring a gun?" "Um, sure."<br />
(6) Party City with T and a friend. <br />
(7) All the middle school kids seem iphone obsessed. It's driving me a little crazy.<br />
(8) Location scouting with T. Love that golden light. <br />
(9) The "gang" before school.<br />
(10) Our porch. T wanted to "go big" on Halloween this year. But I didn't quite have it in me. So we settled for a zombie baby.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38422139611/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4523/38422139611_7c18101e6d_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551344748/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4566/24551344748_781f5bcab5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38422139171/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/38422139171_289cea89d7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551344438/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/24551344438_d03247d5ab_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38422138481/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4526/38422138481_becb793878_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/24551343708/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4537/24551343708_09d131df0f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 6)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 40</b><br />
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(1) The floor of T's room.<br />
(2) Apple picking.<br />
(3) Dog walking.<br />
(4) Another apple picking shot (the orchard was crazy crowded, but we manged to find pockets of quiet).<br />
(5) T's not really into video games. Usually I think this is a good thing. But when he comes up with games like this, video games don't seem that bad anymore.<br />
(6) One last apple picking shot. <br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-57090264770200691892017-11-08T09:32:00.001-05:002017-11-08T09:32:46.385-05:00Places to Go (Vacation) - Running Through Autumn at Storm King Scultpure Park (Cornwall, NY)A few weeks ago I binge-watched the second season of Master of None. In one of the last episodes, the main character and a friend take an autumn daytrip to <a href="http://stormking.org/"target="new">Storm King Art Center</a>, which is about 1 hour north of NYC. I'd never heard of Storm King before, but I was smitten. <br />
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Unfortunately, October is the peak of my busy season so I didn't think we could make our own trip. Then I found out the kids had a few days off school and everything fell into place. (Plus, let's be honest - I love a roadtrip). <br />
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We ended up spending two days at Storm King (the park is REALLY big) and on the second day my best friend and her family managed to join us (and then we drove back to Long Island to hang with them). <br />
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Watching all the kids play/run/explore together was pretty incredible. Especially with scenery like this! <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38192616286/in/dateposted/" title="001-storyboard"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4487/38192616286_e4c9b08251_c.jpg" width="800" height="533" alt="001-storyboard"></a><br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-38082729290234376812017-11-06T10:06:00.001-05:002017-11-06T10:06:01.530-05:00Things to Eat - 9 Week Meal Plan (September - October 2017)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38192871331/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4469/38192871331_c50be62586_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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As far as dinner goes, things have changed A LOT this fall. <br />
<br />
F has loved cooking for awhile now, but up until this fall she concentrated on desserts. So we decided to try the meal-delivery service Plated and ask F to cook dinner two nights a week (I picked Plated because it appeared to have the largest recipe selection, but we're up for trying others as well). <br />
<br />
Since she's the chef, F chooses the entrees and then when she comes home from school she arranges all the ingredients, references the recipe card, and cooks us an AMAZING feast. We're working on making P and T help her (though F often doesn't want their help). <br />
<br />
Am I am so so happy. <br />
<br />
Plus, Dan shot his first deer of the season and has made A LOT of incredible venison recipes. So so good! <br />
<br />
Basically, I rarely cook at all anymore - which I'm totally okay with. Happy autumn!<br />
_______________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 1</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Labor Day BBQ at a neighbor's.<br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-to-make-black-bean-chilaquile.html"target="new">here</a>). When the kids were little they didn't like this that much, but now they request it regularly, which makes me so happy. <br />
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WEDNESDAY - Hot dogs and chicken sausage with brussels sprout/endive salad (the salad is from <a href="http://amzn.to/2y3bSXT">this book</a>, super easy and so so good). <br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Dinner out before Depeche Mode. <br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Pizza at the back to school picnic. <br />
<br />
SATURDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes the kids dinner. <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Date night out at BrickHaus (the new beer garden on Columbia Pike). The kids eat mac and cheese. <br />
_______________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 2</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Bacon, corn, and parmesan pasta (via <a href="https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/07/corn-bacon-and-parmesan-pasta/"target="new">Smitten Kitchen's blog</a>). <br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Brussels spout salad (via <a href="http://amzn.to/2y3bSXT">this book</a>) and TJ's frozen lamb chops.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Friends for dinner - veggie tacos two ways - corn and cauliflower/ black bean.<br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Carry out from Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita (the new taco place on Columbia Pike). The food here is crazy good, we can't get enough. <br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Dan makes venison medallions with garlic bread. <br />
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SATURDAY - Dinner at our friend's 40th birthday party. <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Maggie's pasta (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2012/04/things-to-make-maggies-pasta.html"target="new">here</a>). <br />
<br />
__________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 3 - I have dental surgery on Monday and ignore my family all week.</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Plated - Salmon and Creamy Dill Sauce with Sautéed Kale and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes<br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Seared Steak with Bell Pepper Panzanella.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Dinner out with Shannon (Farmers and Fishers), Dan makes pasta for the kids. <br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Dan make dinner. <br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Pizza at the neighbor's happy hour.<br />
<br />
SATURDAY - We eat dinner at William Jeffrey's after Aasif Mandvi's comedy show at the Cinema Drafthouse. F makes pizza at home. <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Dan planned a huge venison feast, but the garbage disposal broke and he has to spend all day fixing it - so carry out from Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita. <br />
<br />
___________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 4 </b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Dan's venison feast.<br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Brown Butter Orecchiette with Spicy Sausage and Peas.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Plated - Salmon Burgers with Chive Aioli and Mâche.<br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Back to school night - I leave out apps for the kids. <br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Friends for dinner - Dan makes venison steaks (yum!).<br />
<br />
SATURDAY - Dinner at the wedding I'm photographing. <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot and Dan has a Nationals' Game, so we order Ledos pizza for the kids.<br />
<br />
___________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 5</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Plated - Cuban Beef Bowls with Mojo Sauce and Avocado-Pineapple Salsa.<br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Chop Steak with Crispy Brussels Sprout Home Fries and Herb Compound Butter.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - I FINALLY MAKE DINNER!! Brussels sprout salad (via <a href="http://amzn.to/2y3bSXT">this book</a>) and pasta with tomatoes and sausage. <br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Family dinner at Politics and Prose.<br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Dan makes dinner for him and the kids; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing.<br />
<br />
SATURDAY - Dan and the kids in Richmond; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing.<br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Family at the neighborhood Ethiopian restaurant (I've been craving Ethiopian all week). <br />
<br />
________________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 6</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Dan makes a venison feast for F's birthday. <br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Crispy Flounder with Spinach Orzo and Tomato-Olive Tapenade.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Plated - Meatball Parm Heroes with Fire-Roasted Tomato Sauce and Charred Broccoli . <br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Black bean chilaquile (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-to-make-black-bean-chilaquile.html"target="new">here</a>).<br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Breakfast for dinner - pancakes and bacon. <br />
<br />
SATURDAY - Order pizza after T's paintball party (yes, I know his birthday was in June, but sometimes it takes awhile to get a birthday party together). <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - I have a photoshoot, Dan makes orzo with pesto. <br />
________________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 7</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Plated - Baked Pennewith Cauliflower Cream Sauce, Spinach, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes. <br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Seared Steakwith Blistered Shishito Pepper Salsa and Smashed Potatoes. <br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Nachos for dinner with black beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes (yum!).<br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Trader Joe's lamb chops with broccoli salad (via <a href="http://amzn.to/2y3bSXT">this book</a>).<br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Order pizza after P's escape room birthday party.<br />
<br />
SATURDAY - Dan makes dinner for him and the kids; I eat at the wedding I'm photographing. <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Make your own pizza.<br />
<br />
_________________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 8</b><br />
<br />
MONDAY - Plated - Spicy Chicken Arrabbiata with Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower. <br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Plated - Carne Asada Sopes with Avocado-Corn Salsa and Refried Black Beans. <br />
<br />
WEDENSDAY - Chili's restaurant for dinner outside Cornwall, NY. <br />
<br />
THURSDAY - Pizza at Jenny's house (Long Island, NY).<br />
<br />
FRIDAY - Dinner at the Anthem before the Head and the Heart concert (kids have pasta at home).<br />
<br />
SATURDAY - Hobo snacks (italian sausage, red peppers, shrimp, and corn in aluminum foil) on the fire while we camp at Shenandoah River State Park (still one of my favorite places). <br />
<br />
SUNDAY - Dan makes venison osso buco (so so good) with asparagus and garlic bread.<br />
<br />
____________<br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 9</b><br />
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MONDAY - Plated - Cuban Beef Bowls with Mojo Sauce and Avocado-Pineapple Salsa. <br />
<br />
TUESDAY - Pizza at the neighbors' before trick or treating.<br />
<br />
WEDNESDAY - Friends over for dinner - Black bean chilaquile (recipe <a href="http://bedtimemonsters.blogspot.com/2011/05/things-to-make-black-bean-chilaquile.html"target="new">here</a>) and beef tacos. <br />
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THURSDAY - Easy dinner of bacon, avocado, almond butter sandwiches after the kids' tennis and soccer practices. <br />
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FRIDAY - Dan is out of town, F is babysitting, and P is at a sleepover. So I take T and two friends to Silver Diner. We are, by far, the loudest group in the restaurant. <br />
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SATURDAY - I have a photo shoot, Dan and the kids eat at his brother's house. I make a sandwich. <br />
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SUNDAY - Dan makes pork chops and salad. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-65180516673192338042017-11-03T08:52:00.001-04:002017-11-03T08:52:18.833-04:00Things to Do - Random Links & 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/38126539671/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/38126539671_10aef405fc_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
<br />
Happy Friday everyone! Last week the kids and I drove to Storm King scultpure garden in NY (about an hour north of NYC) to see the fall colors and we had a blast. I'll post more photos next week. In the meantime, don't forget to check out this week's awesome on<a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/11/november-3-2017.html"target="new"> 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime</a>. <br />
<br />
<b>RANDOM LINKS:</b><br />
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* <a href="https://www.tierneygearon.com/exhibitions/explosure/explosure-gallery/"target="new">Explosure</a>. Love these photos. <br />
<br />
* <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2017/10/best-books-fall-2017/"target="new">6 big fall books</a>. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212800698266410&set=a.1141737337746.2021480.1056832030&type=3&theater"target="new">Passivity</a>. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.lensculture.com/articles/alain-laboile-family-album#slideshow"target="new">Family album</a> - more amazing fine art photography involving children. <br />
<br />
* <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2017/10/sexual-harassment-harvey-weinstein/"target="new">Read this</a>. ("What happens now? Honestly, I’m not sure what the best steps are. Is it to share loudly? “When we share, we unlock other women’s stories, and suddenly secrets don’t seem so necessary,” says Jenni Konner in “Our Voices Are Our Superpower.” Is it for men to speak up? Is it to raise good children? <b>What else? There must be something else</b>.") <br />
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* I want to try <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/why-would-you-want-to-make-chili-in-a-sheet-pan-flavor/2017/10/09/53f1b69c-aa1a-11e7-850e-2bdd1236be5d_story.html?utm_term=.37da404b3e81"target="new">sheet plan chili</a>. <br />
<br />
* <a href="http://www.sweetfineday.com/travels/driving-the-cascade-loop/"target="new">This road trip</a> looks AMAZING!<br />
<br />
* <a href="https://cupofjo.com/2017/10/a-secret-to-a-happy-marriage/"target="new">A secret to a happy marriage</a>. Love this idea (and this couple). <br />
<br />
* A few new awesome families are up on my professional blog - click <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/darcy-troutman-photography/?category=Family"target="new">here</a> to check them out. <br />
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* I really want to see <a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/2017/11/01/dupont-underground-will-host-the-largest-ever-u-s-world-press-photo-exhibit/"target="new">this new photography exhibit</a>. <br />
<br />
* <a href="http://mymodernmet.com/antoine-bruy-scrublands"target="new">Compelling portraits of people who abandoned civilization to live in the wilderness</a>. <br />
<br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-88071148714521238992017-10-30T08:10:00.003-04:002017-10-30T08:10:21.538-04:00Things to Do - Project 52, Weeks 37 & 38I'm still posting/editing photos from September, but I'm catching up. I'll admit that I've totally failed at my goal of photographing every day. During my busy season (which is now), it becomes harder to take photos of my own family after I've spent the morning and afternoon taking photos of other families. <br />
<br />
But I still like to document what I can. Plus, it helps that I now do most of my personal work on the super light <a href="http://amzn.to/2zzaIUh"target="new">Sony a7</a> and all my professional work on my <a href="http://amzn.to/2lczbwB">Canon Mark III</a>, so there's a separation between "working" and "playing" for lack of better terminology. <br />
<br />
Anyways, here are a few snapshots of our life. I stressed about whether or not to post the deer photo, but Dan hunts and we eat meat. AndI'm a big believer that if you eat meat you should know (and be okay with) where your meat comes from. Plus, I'm also a big believer on posting real life - in all it's messiness. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37902495271/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4448/37902495271_bf370c4d0e_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37902495051/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4472/37902495051_eb5c5ea18b_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37902494961/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4485/37902494961_c4b34e9b8b_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37902494671/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/37902494671_d4b7137899_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871879562/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4448/37871879562_198bf791e2_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 6)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871879292/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 6)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4481/37871879292_57bdb49084_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 6)"></a><br />
<br />
<b>WEEK 37</b><br />
<br />
(1) Fort building in the neighborhood cut-through/walking path.<br />
(2) The first deer of the season.<br />
(3) Dog walking with two of my favorite kids.<br />
(4) F helping me with homework for a black and white photography class I'm taking online.<br />
(5) After soccer practice.<br />
(6) The dog park with P and Coco. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37645626300/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4458/37645626300_b9fcaac651_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871931472/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4467/37871931472_aa1f6f7ba8_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871931402/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4503/37871931402_a513f81a3a_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871931372/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4490/37871931372_f9270136d1_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871931192/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4454/37871931192_1564175d72_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37871931052/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4461/37871931052_12d10d1416_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37193215244/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4475/37193215244_7207e74a91_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 38</b><br />
<br />
(1) I love how all of P and T's friends meet at our house and then walk to school together.<br />
(2) Halloween costume planning.<br />
(3) The pogo stick is back in action.<br />
(4) P and her best friend are trying a new sport this year. The games are very long. <br />
(5) Dan and T mowing the lawn together.<br />
(6) Since I've been working a lot the kids often bring a book into my office and read while I edit, which makes me super happy.<br />
(7) Sisters. <br />
<br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-66939131969332674752017-10-26T08:30:00.000-04:002017-10-26T08:30:08.113-04:00Things to Watch - Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, & HBO (October 2017)When I stopped blogging for Netflix, I also stopped blogging about "What to Watch." Mostly because after two years of monthly Netflix posts, I needed a break. <br />
<br />
But now I'm ready to post about TV again.<br />
<br />
When I edit photos, I often keep an iPad on my desk and watch/listen to movies/shows in the background, which means I've watched A LOT of TV in the past two months (autumn is my busiest season). I've tried podcasts too, but listening to other people talk makes me lonely (like I wasn't invited to the party, where when I have TV in the background I feel like I'm at the party, just not in the particular conversation. If that makes any sense).<br />
<br />
Oh well, here's what I've really liked. <br />
<br />
What have you been watching??<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4sKZB03VvRY?rel=0&controls=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>NETFLIX </b> <br />
<br />
The Meyerowitz Stories - I really loved this quirky family comedy(dramady?) about siblings dealing with their self-involved father. The cast is amazing and the dialogue (full of characters talking about themselves rather than listening to each other) made me laugh. (For more info, read <a href="http://flavorwire.com/610604/sandler-and-stiller-shine-in-noah-baumbachs-sharp-spiky-meyerowitz-stories"target="new">this review</a>). <br />
<br />
Mindhunter - The first few episodes move a little slowly, but then I binge-watched the whole series in two days. <br />
<br />
Shameless - Still my favorite show on TV. <br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TAkfpRPcZOw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>HBO </b><br />
<br />
Insecure - I binge-watched this in two days (and left a party early on Friday night to come home and watch more). It is just so so good. <br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PMIjEnEZTDM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<br />
<b>HULU </b><br />
<br />
Broad City - Truthfully, now that we're in season 3, I sort of wish the main characters would grow up a little. But they still make me laugh. <br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-62533946041744886772017-10-20T08:15:00.000-04:002017-10-20T08:15:50.375-04:00Places to Go/Things to Do - Location Scouting with T (Washington D.C.)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37089352784/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 8)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4466/37089352784_6254b3b22d_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 8)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37540905000/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 8)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4475/37540905000_1efefe14ce_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 8)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37089352274/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 8)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4461/37089352274_f93b2d35a3_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 8)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37540904790/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 8)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4454/37540904790_16cc35b768_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 8)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37540904520/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 8)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4511/37540904520_4ed437194d_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 8)"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I really miss blogging and being in this space, but my "real" job has been crazy busy lately, so some things had to be put on hold. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, a few weeks ago I photographed a wedding in DC and the couple wanted to take photos close to their apartment before heading to the venue. So I brought T and his friend location scouting and discovered a gorgeous park with unbelievable light (the wedding photos turned out AMAZING!). <br />
<br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-55832113365416192212017-10-11T09:34:00.003-04:002017-10-11T09:34:46.504-04:00Things to Do - Project 52, Weeks 35 & 36I'm still loving this collection of our random everyday. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602192841/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4503/37602192841_eca0077fb8_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553142996/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4478/37553142996_58db6d5cb5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553142806/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/37553142806_e63639ceff_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553142496/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4511/37553142496_7f032b8611_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602191611/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4482/37602191611_8eabf087f2_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602191351/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4460/37602191351_3e9ed33a5b_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 7)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602191001/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4450/37602191001_031dd455ee_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 7)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 35 </b>- Our first week back from vacation (also the last week before school starts)<br />
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(1) Our end of summer trip to the Adventure Park at Sandy Spring. The girls went off on their own, but T and I had a fabulous time (and he seems to be conquering his fear of heights).<br />
(2) Reunited best friends (one month is a long time to be on vacation).<br />
(3) Hiking at Potomac Overlook Park, the water levels were disturbing low. <br />
(4) Finding big sticks at Potomac Overlook Park.<br />
(5) The trampoline at a neighbor's happy hour. <br />
(6) One more shot of Sandy Spring.<br />
(7) P at Texas Jacks looking like she's sick of spending time with us (in her defense, we were all pretty sick of each other after over 4 weeks together).<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602325231/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4486/37602325231_2f50e804f3_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37602325021/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4452/37602325021_c1b7d39ab7_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37570010052/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4511/37570010052_2642237b91_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (3 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37570009942/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4461/37570009942_bd24342971_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (4 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37570009822/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4453/37570009822_fcdd16bc76_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37570009512/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4474/37570009512_b4dc528ed0_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553278746/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4498/37553278746_7efaefee7b_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (7 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553277936/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37553277936_5878d13b12_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553277626/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4472/37553277626_99fd1e2142_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 10)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37553277116/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4465/37553277116_0851051eb5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (10 of 10)"></a><br />
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<b>WEEK 36</b> - The first week of school. <br />
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(1) Our neighbors' Labor Day bbq.<br />
(2) The first day of 6th grade (middle school!).<br />
(3) The first day of 3rd grade.<br />
(4) The back to school picnic.<br />
(5) Now that this awesome kid started kindergarten I don't see her as often, but she still draws me flowers!<br />
(6) Walking home from school (T only "let" me walk home with him the first week, after that all three kids started coming home on their own). <br />
(7) The first day of 5th grade.<br />
(8) Rainy afternoon.<br />
(9) Picking T up from school.<br />
(10) Walking home from our neighbors' bbq. <br />
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Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-26270532079729525042017-10-06T11:01:00.001-04:002017-10-06T11:01:42.639-04:00Things to Do - Random Links & 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37271750140/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4503/37271750140_b4a5772575_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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Happy Friday everyone! T's pretty excited for Halloween this year!<br />
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If you have a chance, check out our awesome new post on <a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/10/october-6-2017.html"target="new">5 Hours 'Til Bedtime</a>! <br />
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<b>RANDOM LINKS:</b><br />
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* I'm totally smitten with <a href="http://girlofacertainage.com/2017/09/25/heres-playlist-ladies/"target="new">this playlist</a>. <br />
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* <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/monkeysee/2017/09/22/551788437/npr-s-fall-movie-preview-16-new-films-to-watch-out-for?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20170925"target="new">16 films to watch this fall</a>. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.lensculture.com/articles/claudia-heinermann-wolfskinder"target="new">A photo series on the wolf children</a>, who fled the woods in the final months of WWII in order to escape death and exile, as the Red Army swept across eastern Germany. <br />
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* I can't stop listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFHR164mnjg"target="new">this song</a>. Over and over. <br />
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* I just watched <a href="http://www.radiotimes.com/offers/travel/news/2016-02-12/explore-the-stunning-italian-island-in-a-bigger-splash"target="new">this movie</a> and now I can't stop dreaming about Pantelleria. I must go!! I must go!! <br />
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* My friend shot an engagement session at the county fair and <a href="http://www.jessiecasey.net/adventureblog/2017/9/26/county-fair-engagement-session-upstate-new-york-julie-greg"target="new">the photos </a>are phenomenal. If anyone in the DC area is interested in a fair family session - keep me in mind!!!<br />
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* <a href="http://www.darcytroutmanphotography.com/darcy-troutman-photography/2017/9/28/dinosaurs-a-first-birthday-alexandria-va"target="new">A new family photo shoot</a> is up on my professional blog. We had so much fun!<br />
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* <a href="http://mymodernmet.com/lego-house-grand-opening/"target="new">The new lego house</a> looks AMAZING. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.lensculture.com/articles/alex-webb-slant-rhymes"target="new">Slant rhymes</a>. I'm somewhat obsessed with these photos. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-22114193140386110172017-10-04T08:10:00.001-04:002017-10-04T08:10:45.170-04:00Places to Go (Vacation) - Europe 2017 - Part VIII - Vienna, Austria<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449392342/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (35 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4447/37449392342_9e1f48a4aa_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (35 of 39)"></a><br />
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I can't believe it is October and I'm still blogging vacation photos. I have THOUSANDS of photos from September I haven't even looked at yet. Between work and kids' sports I can never get over how crazy autumn becomes. On the upside, I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but I've photographed the most amazing couples and families this fall - so I'm feeling incredibly blessed. <br />
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Sorry, I digress, back to our last week of vacation . . . <br />
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By the time we reached Vienna, our last of 10 cities, everyone was pretty over vacation. And, in retrospect, a month of traveling was probably too much. The kids are already begging me to tone it down next year ("two weeks, mom, please! like other families. just two weeks."). But I love a road trip and once I start planning I have a hard time saying "enough". <br />
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Okay, so enough whining. On the upside, I'm a huge Vienna fan. I visited fifteen years ago and have always wanted to return. I remembered the art exhibits being some of the best I've ever seen (they still were!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810577783/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (5 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4458/36810577783_fd7eff4024_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (5 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810577493/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (6 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4485/36810577493_12c04f5287_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (6 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37479997381/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (2 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4500/37479997381_d100d1d77c_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (2 of 39)"></a><br />
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Upon arrival in Vienna, after chilling at our airbnb for awhile, we hopped on the u-bahn and headed to Prater Amusement Park. A truly interesting/quirky place. Sort of like Disney meets the county fair. Some of the rides were scary/awesome (Jurassic Park kept us all frightened for weeks!) and some are so rickety you're scared to ride. This is all from my point of view, my kids thought they were in heaven (hence we kept going back every night). <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449395822/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (8 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4467/37449395822_8137b790a5_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (8 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37222288320/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (9 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4469/37222288320_1f6e991a11_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (9 of 39)"></a><br />
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For our first full day in Vienna, we walked to the KunstHausWien art museum, where they had a phenomenal exhibit of Edward Burtynsky's water photographs (check out his website <a href="https://www.edwardburtynsky.com/projects/books/water/"target="new">here</a>). <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449395272/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (13 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4469/37449395272_8f17946494_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (13 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810577113/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (12 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/36810577113_e1c8cc07cf_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (12 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449395062/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (14 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4509/37449395062_d044811e86_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (14 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394972/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (15 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4480/37449394972_1f15f9380f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (15 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394862/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (16 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4509/37449394862_c6de893579_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (16 of 39)"></a><br />
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After KunstHausWien, we headed over to the Schönbrunn Palace, where the kids had a blast in the labyrinth and playground (and it was nice to spend an afternoon just hanging out and watching them play for awhile). <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394662/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (17 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4489/37449394662_5720b83b81_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (17 of 39)"></a><br />
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Me and mini-me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394522/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (18 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/37449394522_f919b50840_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (18 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394112/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (20 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4476/37449394112_f00524bebf_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (20 of 39)"></a><br />
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The flying bird was a hit.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449394042/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (22 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4461/37449394042_a25c398107_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (22 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810575593/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (23 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4460/36810575593_f1cb5d4e62_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (23 of 39)"></a><br />
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Another night at the Prater amusement park. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810575223/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (25 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4492/36810575223_77d186654f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (25 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36810575043/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (26 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4514/36810575043_b4d92f542f_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (26 of 39)"></a><br />
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On our second day in Vienna, Dan had to fly home early for a wedding. So I dragged the kids to Vienna's museum quarter for a day of art. I can't say the kids were thrilled, but they rallied. The art was awesome and I was so so happy. <br />
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Wolfgang Tillman's anti-Brexit posters were part of the "How to Live Together" exhibit. Aren't they beautiful? And heartbreaking? <br />
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By art museum #3 the kids were starting to break down.<br />
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But then they rallied.<br />
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Art museums all day = ice cream sundaes at night.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37449392572/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (34 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4451/37449392572_ff1c021fb0_c.jpg" width="534" height="800" alt="darcytroutman (34 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37222288740/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (36 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4445/37222288740_321a1865fb_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (36 of 39)"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37222288600/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (37 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4478/37222288600_12dc8f0f08_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (37 of 39)"></a><br />
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For our final day in Europe, I tried to make things "extra fun" by taking the kids to the incredibly cheesy Timetravel Vienna. I thought it would be Disney-esque, but instead it was just silly. Oh well. We then visited the Haus der Musik, one of the coolest/most interactive museums ever. And finished our day at Vienna's Romermuseum, where we saw the city's Roman ruins. Pretty cool. <br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/37222287940/in/photostream/" title="darcytroutman (39 of 39)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4459/37222287940_2b7afeb392_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (39 of 39)"></a><br />
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Finally, on Sunday, we flew back to the US (direct this time). The blurry photo above is our last photo from Europe (in front of our apartment's big door) and even though we were all exhausted - the smiles on my kids make me remember that all in all we had an absolute blast. <br />
Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-19379145288786207542017-09-29T08:25:00.000-04:002017-09-29T08:25:42.202-04:00Things to Do - Grateful List (July/September 2017)<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36709448353/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 4)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4499/36709448353_e2e6541182_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 4)"></a><br />
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Now that it's almost October I'm finally posting first day of school photos. 6th grade, 5th grade, and 3rd grade - and the years keep flying by. <br />
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<b>MOVIES/TV/READING</b><br />
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* Watching the Founder<br />
* Watching Meat Eater with Dan (and falling in love with Barb)<br />
* Watching Spiderman Homecoming with the kids<br />
* Watching Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead with the kids<br />
* Watching National Lampoons Vacation (the 2015 version) on the plane - I know the reviews said it was terrible, but I couldn't stop laughing<br />
* Watching the Incredible Jessica Jones on Netflix<br />
* Watching Wind River<br />
* Watching a Bigger Splash<br />
* Watching PBS's Vietnam documentary series<br />
* Binge-watching Insecure (my new favorite show!!)<br />
* Reading May We Be Forgiven (A.M. Homes)<br />
* Reading Exit West<br />
* Listening to Mogul, the podcast<br />
* I still can't stop singing Body Like a Backroad (it's been on repeat for a couple of months now). <br />
* Listening to <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/1220628566/playlist/05WhIZbJEhlLGOrsXdbXPv"target="new">this playlist</a> (esp. that new St. Vincent song)<br />
* Listening to the War on Drug's new album<br />
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<b>PLACES/EVENTS</b><br />
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* Universoul Circus at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival<br />
* The National Geographic Museum's Explorers Exhibit<br />
* Claude Moore Colonial Farm's summer market fair on a not-very-hot afternoon<br />
* Predator for family movie night on Columbia Pike<br />
* Peak bloom at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens<br />
* Afternoons at the apartment pool<br />
* Taking the kids to see the King and I at the Kennedy Center<br />
* Two weeks of Apple Camp<br />
* Reston Watermine's lazy river on a hot July day<br />
* A great day with friends at DC's off-the-beaten path museums - The Mansion on O Street & The American Indian Museum<br />
* A lovely morning at the Adventure Park in Sandy Spring the week before school started (and T saying, "I'm having so much fun, I don't even miss my friends." Fun with me! Fun with me!)<br />
* A great hike in Potomac Overlook Park the week before school started<br />
* Walking the Tidal Basin with P and Laney on a beautiful Sunday<br />
* Attending Aasif Mandvi's stand-up show at the Cinema Drafthouse<br />
* Depeche Mode with Colleen at the Verizon Center (and closing out Fidos)<br />
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<b>FOOD</b><br />
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* Tomatoes from Dan's garden<br />
* F making Dan two incredible birthday cakes<br />
* Subscribing to Plated - now F makes dinner two nights a week!<br />
* Tortas Y Tacos on Columbia Pike (such good food!)<br />
* Subscribing to Shaker and Spoon's cocktail club<br />
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<b>ETC.</b><br />
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* F loving her first overnight summer camp (at UVA) - 10 days!<br />
* The neighbors' 4th of July BBQ cookout and watching the fireworks from Columbia Pike<br />
* A super close family game of Settlers of Catan (sometimes this game can linger forever, but this time we all were within winning distance of each other)<br />
* A week without kids (their grandparents took them to Smith Mountain Lake)<br />
* Dinner out with Kim, who was in town from Saudi Arabia (so many fascinating stories)<br />
* Dan to the kids at bedtime, "Of course I love you, but right now I just need you to go away."<br />
* School starting and having the house to myself all day! (plus returning to morning dog walks and Orange Theory)<br />
* F making it to the third round of soccer try-outs (and then realizing she didn't want to play)<br />
* Dan killing his first deer of the season (and making amazing venison dinners). <br />
* Partying until 4:30 am on Columbia Pike with friends (including Don't Stop Believing karaoke at LA Bar and Grill)<br />
* Two great back to school/Labor Day parties<br />
* Friday margaritas at Jenny's house <br />
* After a 90 degree beginning of fall - finally cooler temps at the very end of September<br />
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<b>ONE & TWO NIGHT TRIPS</b><br />
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* Our first family overnight backpacking trip (Shenandoah National Park - Big Run Loop and Big Run Portal)Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9003566511242003677.post-55475724116861552892017-09-25T08:19:00.002-04:002017-09-25T09:08:29.840-04:00Things to Do - Random Links & 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24809860@N06/36533026554/in/dateposted/" title="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/36533026554_79db6efd68_c.jpg" width="800" height="534" alt="darcytroutman (1 of 1)"></a><br />
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Happy Monday!! The neighbors hired T to start mowing their lawn, usually he uses our push mower but last week Dan helped him with the bigger mower. Corners were tough, but all in all he did a good job. <br />
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I hope you all had a great weekend. Here are some random links to get you through Monday. And, if you have a chance, please check out our new post on <a href="http://www.5hourstilbedtime.com/2017/09/september-22-2017.html"target="new">5 Hours 'Til Bedtime</a> - lots of fantastic images this week! <br />
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<b>RANDOM LINKS:</b><br />
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* <a href="http://www.vulture.com/article/best-dystopian-books.html?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s1"target="new">100 great works of dystopian fiction</a>. Where to begin?<br />
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* <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/life-with-two-kids?mbid=social_facebook"target="new">YES!!!</a><br />
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* <a href="http://scottandbenorbenandscott.com/#/signs-of-the-times/"target="new">Billboards telling you where to go next</a> - I love this project. <br />
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* <a href="https://food52.com/blog/20509-the-first-of-fall-s-new-cookbooks"target="new">A new batch of cookbooks for fall</a>. <br />
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* <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/longlist-national-book-award-fiction_us_59baebc9e4b086432b0598b1?ncid=engmodushpmg00000003"target="new">The 10 books long listed for the National Book Award for Fiction</a>. <br />
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* <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/21/magazine/voyages-issue-photographs-family-vacations-around-world.html#"target="new">How do families around the world spend their vacation?</a> LOVED THIS!!!<br />
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* I love <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/527921665/women-comfortable-tops-leisure-v-neck?ref=shop_home_active_32"target="new">this shirt</a>. <br />
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* I just subscribed to <a href="http://www.therivetermagazine.com"target="new">this new magazine</a>, it looks really good. Plus I love reading offline. <br />
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* Has anyone tried <a href="http://nymag.com/strategist/article/new-wash-by-hairstory-shampoo-replacement-review.html?utm_campaign=nym&utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s1"target="new">this shampoo replacement</a>? I'm curious if it will work on my hair. <br />
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* Nostalgia overload - <a href="http://flashbak.com/star-wars-barbie-spirograph-sears-catalog-stuff-kids-1979-386783/"target="new">the 1979 Sears catalog children's toy section</a>. Darcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06751860223320893192noreply@blogger.com0