Off the needles- gloves "once removed"

Today I'm bringing you a super special pair of gloves that I just finished.  They're for my first cousin once removed (or something like that... we're not quite sure how we're related!)  She asked me to make these FOREVER ago, but with the holiday rush, I'm just getting them finished now.  I can't wait to go over and give them to her.  I don't see her and my adorable cousins twice (?) removed often enough!

a week ago...

Sometimes, time floors me.  It always surprises me to look back and see how things have changed.  Take for instance last week at this time.  The snow was just beginning to fall, and Albany would soon be covered with a lot of snow.  Today, it's bright, and sunny, and the majority of snow has melted.  Crazy times.  

Let's take a trip back in time one week shall we?

 The park near our apartment.  I loved how the blowing snow looked like sparkles!

 Everything was covered!

 This plant looked awesome all covered in snow!

 The wind was crazy in Washington Park!

 One little bit of color remained...

It's hard to tell, but the snow went up to my knees!

I took a lot more pictures.  Go check our my flickr set for more snowy pics!

Kramer cookie weekend- coconut macaroons

I must say- I have super talented friends!  Very recently I've received 3 different batches of cookies from 3 amazing ladies.  I want to showcase them in their own posts, because... well, they deserve it!

First up- Miriam Paska- Queen of the macaroon!

I worked with Miriam over the year, and  always marveled at all the crafty and yummy things she comes up with!  She recently approached me with a batch of macaroons that she wanted me to photograph. Eeeeeeee!  I was so excited because a) I LOVE photographing food, and b) because I got to eat them afterward!  For this photo shoot I was actually home in PA, so I got the help of mom and Caitlin to make these pictures perfect! I love the look of the curtains in my parent's living room, and the plates my mom had were adorable.  Also- we chowed down on these goodies after I was finished shooting, and they. were. amazing!  Let me know if you're interesting in purchasing some of Miriam's amazing cookies, and I'll put you in touch with her!

What do you think?!

the best and the worst thing about last week...

Last week one of my favorite bands, moe. was playing at the Armory, which is just a few short blocks from our apartment.  That's the best part.  The worst part? Being really too sick to go, but going anyway, and paying the price a week later.

I was so high on cold meds that I don't remember too much from the show, but I did manage to get a few shots of the happenings in the Armory that night.  During the second set they brought out some aliens, and they danced on stage.  It was a pretty awesome night (from what I remember!).  Take it from me kids- even if you're sick, go and have fun, because you only live once!

 look at those awesome lights!  I was really diggin' them.

 oh al.

 Hey!  Cheers!  We're having an awesome time!

 I really had fun looking at this.

 Someone in the front had an awesome glow in the dark spinny thing.  It was cool.

 Alien!

 Dancing aliens!

Attack of the aliens!

My new favorite restaurant!

As I told you yesterday, Matt took me to New World Bistro for my birthday dinner.  Ahhhh- it was excellent! Best part about it?  There was plenty of light at our table, so that I can share it with all of you!  Thankfully I brought my camera!

 We started off with yummy bread.  It was so hard not to eat too much!

 I decided on a lemon-basil mojito.  I thought it would compliment all the seafood I was about to devour.

 Clams!  Holy shit these were good.  They were in this amazing broth with chorizo and lots of fresh herbs.  Good thing we had that bread to soak up all the juices!

Matt got the steak frites.  I don't even know really what was included on the plate.  It was just- delicious!

I got the hemp nut crusted salmon with greens and corn pudding.  I'm salivating just thinking about it.  There was an apply chutney on top that complimented the salmon perfectly, and a spicy sauce that brought it all together.

mmmmm... dessert!  This is a Mexican cinnamon creme brulee.  Pefection!

Best.  Meal. Ever

a kramer birthday!

Sheesh!  It's been a week and a half since my birthday, and I can believe I haven't told you all about it yet! It realy was an awesome day filled with good food, and great friends!

 The day started off with breakfast (an egg scramble with sausage, peppers, and cheese) made by Matt Kelly.

 Birthday presents!  (which also included the biggest bottle of Bailey's that I've ever seen, not pictured here)

 Dinner at New World Bistro Bar (don't worry, I'll tell you all about the amazing time I had here tomorrow)

 Super birthday drinks with my girls!

 Large Birthday drink number 1 at Bombers

 Large Birthday drink number 2 at Eldas (Note- if it's your birthday, go here for your drink!  It's not as crowded, you don't have to spend $15 dollars to get your drink like at Bombers, and you get to choose from a special birthday menu!  I chose a drink called "Great Sex!")

Crazy times...

Matt and I <3

autumn bbq...

Between some rainy autumn days have been some absolutely gorgeous and warm fall nights.  Matt surprised me with some ballin' steaks the other night, and we headed outside to grill them up and enjoy a beautiful (and warm- I didn't even need a coat!) autumn night...

 this shot was actually taken at night!  it was totally dark outside!  i couldn't believe how this one came out...

 every great bbq has to have some booze!

 beautiful veggies just waiting to get grilled up!

 look at those beauties... t-bones-my fave!

 almost ready!

beautiful view of the capitol all lit up....

for more shots of this beautiful night, check out my flickr set!

surprise surprise...

so, i FINALLY had a free day last weekend and decided that the best use of my free alone time would be to head over to Washinton Park and take pictures of those rapidly changing leaves. The only problem- the leaves haven't changed yet over there!  as disappointed as i was (and worried because i don't know the next day that  i'll be free to shoot), i made the most of my day and started shooting away.  the sun was getting low, and i got some AWESOME  light.  i ended up really pleased with a lot that i shot, and am planning on getting some of these up on etsy as soon as possible.  check out the full set here.

here are a few of my personal favorites from the day...

the epitome of autumn

yeah yeah yeah... i know i've been posting a lot this week about fall, but i can't help it!  it's all around me; from the pumpkin air freshener in my car, to the piles of leaves on our back deck, to the delicious pumpkin muffins i made the other day, fall is around us and it's inspiring me!

while those pumpkin muffins were in the oven, i grabbed the mini pumpkins i purchased that day, and set out on a photo shoot.  i love the light in our windowsill in the late afternoon...