The Photographic Parsnip

My final project for digital graphics was another photo blog centered around a single theme. What else did I choose but Christmas? It only seemed fitting, since I've been so very much in the holiday spirit this year and the home is simply bursting with photo opportunities. Find the blog (26 photos) here: http://carlschristmas.blogspot.com/ . (carlschristmas is cheesy, yes, but catchy. The two words start with the same sound, they both have two syllables... cheesy but catchy.) Some of my favorites:                 Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE And along with that comes band Christmas parties to which everyone brings something sweet and delicious to accompany the many slices of pizza that are sure to be inhaled. Last year, I brought a fruit tray in an attempt to make a healthy contribution to the meal. A choice other than chocolate or a baked treat. That was all well and good, but I had a lot left over, and I've been a bit more adventurous than a simple tray of fruit lately. So, I went the more traditional route and made some chocolate treats that would fit right in amongst all the rest. However, I of course could not resist putting the Parker spin on them. I did, however, opt for something other than cookies or brownies. I'd been looking at some different "healthy" Christmas recipes and was drawn to those with chocolate and peanut butter. Like basically better-for-you buckeyes. And with almonds and sea salt to make them seem a little fancy and kind of upscale. Thus, the ...

The mall smoothie is not what you think it is. The mall smoothie does not come from the food court or a kiosk. The mall smoothie is what you drink on the afternoon of the day after Thanksgiving when you're still in your pajamas and the feeling of being full forever finally goes away. You want to snack. A lot. But you opt for something maybe kind of healthyish. This smoothie is for everyone who loves the smells of the fun foods at the mall (namely coffee. Also I love mid-afternoon soft pretzels.) but has no interest in even attempting to navigate the crowds of one of the busiest shopping days of the year. I would much rather relax at home all day and maybe get some things done and probably lay on the couch a lot. Because it's the day after Thanksgiving, this smoothie obviously has to use something(s) from yesterday's meal. I used cranberry sauce (because it's homemade and delicious) and some fresh fruit from the fruit platter. I mentioned the coffee smell of malls...

This morning, I awoke to big, feathery flakes swirling down from the sky. The first snow. It prompts excitement and dread alike, depending on who's talking. I have always been excited about snow (because isn't it beautiful?), but I've begun to realize why some people seem to so intensely dislike it. Cleaning off your car every morning and worrying about loved ones traveling in the winter weather gets exhausting. Nevertheless, I dig it. It's just gorgeous, and it sets the mood for the warm, fuzzy feeling that characterizes the holiday season. Cue Hallmark Christmas movie marathon. I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. So, I was really feeling a warm, fancy-ish-feeling breakfast to revel in the snowly glory. Not that fruit topping is fancy. But it definitely gave my oatmeal a different vibe that I liked and added a weekend level of sweetness but wasn't overpowering. Also, can we talk about 25?! After first hopping on the Adele bandwagon about 3 or 4 ...

 It's getting cold. This is the time for hot, cozy drinks. Apple cider, hot tea, the infamous pumpkin spice latte. Right? Well, right, but people eat ice cream year-round, and smoothie bowls are basically the same thing.   It's also November now, which means Thanksgiving, which means pumpkin pie! So, to gear up for that and get into the spirit of things (while getting those greens and saving the lovely pie itself for the actual day... even though I may or may not have already had some this year...), I give you this green pumpkin pie in a bowl. Green Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl handful spinach 1 frozen banana 1/2 c pumpkin puree 1/2 c Greek yogurt 1 tbsp honey 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp cloves enough milk to blend pepitas, granola, and extra cinnamon and honey for topping Combine everything but the toppings in your blender until it's nice and smooth. Pour into a bowl, sprinkle with granola and pepitas and an extra sprinkling of cinnamo...

Afternoon snacks for me are either rushed, I-need-something-salty-and-crunchy-right-now popcorn or strange concoctions that I throw together based on something I've seen on Pinterest or some strange fantasy I have in my head of making something delicious and healthy and wonderfully snacky with little to no effort. Today's snack was sort of a combination of both. I've become obsessed with all things pumpkin and spice this fall, and I set out on a mission to create a snack that wouldn't become the first of two suppers but would incorporate my pumpkin spice love (and use up the rest of the pumpkin in the fridge). I wasn't entirely sure what the end product would be, but I'm not unpleased with the result, and I think next time it will be even better. PLUS, IT'S NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY. And I didn't even do that on purpose. Pumpkin Trail Mix Cookie Dough Bites 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup oat flour 1 tbsp peanut butter scant tbsp hon...

I've had some big changes in the past few months. This whole year is and will be full of changes. My mom has been telling me the past couple months that I am like a "new Parker" that she has "never seen before." Of course, I initially didn't want anything to do with that way of thinking, because I just wanted to hold onto the past. Lately, though, I've come to realize that I kind of am a different person. The changes combined with stepping through the gate into adulthood have made me feel more like myself than ever. I feel very Parkerish. I'm not Parker as defined by anything or anyone else. Just Parker.      I feel free, in a way. I'm still bound by timelines and deadlines and all the things I'm a part of, so free isn't exactly the right word. There is a whole giant world wide open to me, though, with so many different opportunities to be whatever and whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do and go wherever I want to g...