Kitkat-n-Kaboodle

Life Story: The Story of His Best Friend

2012-01-27T01:00:00.000-06:00

I recently joined a group of photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! We're calling our series "Life Story: The Story of ________" and we'll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she'll be linking to someone else. It's a whole big circle of stories in pictures! Click through and enjoy!

Butch has been in our lives for about 3 years now. He's the most loyal, affectionate friend a kid could ever want. He definitely belongs to my youngest, though he's also quite fond of me...at feeding time. :)

We have a strict "no dogs on the bed" rule. Really. We do!

During the day, while my youngest is at school, Butch spends his time alternating between laying on his blankie in his favorite sunbeam (where he's supposed to sleep at night) and watching out the window for his boy.

As soon as Butch hears our car pull into the driveway, he bounds around the corner to greet us...well, to greet HIM!

They have a rousing game of "rope".

Butch usually wins. :)

Best buds!

Thank you for visiting! Please continue the circle by visiting Verity Dokter Photography and check out her story for this month.

Story of the Little Red Hen

2011-12-30T07:00:00.000-06:00

I recently joined a group of a few other photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! We're calling our series "Life Story: The Story of ________" and we'll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she'll be linking to someone else. It's a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!

We live on a small farm. One of my favorite things is our chickens. I love having fresh eggs to eat AND I love that they love to eat bugs and mosquitoes!

A couple of weeks ago, we noticed Missy, one of our little red hens, was missing. Missing livestock is a sad fact of farm life. We have lots of coyotes, chicken hawks and raccoon around that like chickens too.

A few days ago, my son ran in, all excited that he'd found Missy out by the barn. I went to check because we have more than one red hen and honestly, they all start to look alike after awhile. But, he was right. It was her. And we heard peeping! Upon closer investigation, we discovered she had 9 baby chicks!

Missy's such a good mama! She teaches the babies to scratch for bugs and to pick out the very best ones!

She also makes sure they share their starter feed.

If someone gets too close to her little ones, she ruffles her feathers....

and chases them away.

And as the evening comes to a close, she calls them all to her and tucks them in for the night. :)

Thanks for stopping by! Please have a click and see what story Audrey of Kentiga Photography has to tell this month!

A look back at 2011 - June

2011-12-21T15:15:00.000-06:00

June was pretty uneventful. Just a lot of hangin' out and chillaxin'.

I borrowed my beautiful niece to practice "finding the light".

And my beautiful baby boy, Wheatley, joined our family!

Love me some puppy breath!

To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee.
~Emily Dickinson

A look back at 2011 - May

2011-12-20T13:40:00.000-06:00

May found us still reeling from the tornadoes. Lots of time was spent helping neighbors rebuild their lives so not much time for photos. However, beginning around the 10th, we were greeted each day by a chorus of 13 year cicadas. I absolutely loved listening to them but the hubby and the boys thought they sounded like a bunch of weedwhackers running non-stop and weren't as enthusiastic about our visitors as I was. :)

New blooms appeared. And more visitors came.

We spent many pleasant afternoons on the trampoline and got our first taste of honeysuckle.

“A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” ~ Maya Angelou

A look back at 2011 - April

2011-12-20T12:44:00.000-06:00

I'm a photographer for the Alabama Chicken & Egg festival and my whole family volunteers so the beginning of April was filled with preparations for the festival. I got to shoot the Confederate Railroad concert!

My son's the big one. :)

More freaky weather for April! First, we had rain, which caused us to pout because we couldn't play outside.

Then, on April 27th, the tornadoes came. This shot was taken on a cell phone by a friend of my husband.

Luckily, we only lost several trees in our backyard. And the treehouse. We were without electricity and phone/internet for about a week.

Others were not as fortunate.

Poultry is our county's biggest industry. Many chicken houses were totally destroyed.

And this quote...this is how we all felt for quite a while.

Destruction cometh; and they shall seek peace, and there shall be none. ~ Ezekiel 7:25 KJV

A look back at 2011 - March

2011-12-19T11:57:00.000-06:00

March had no snow but lots and LOTS of rain!

We also had lots and LOTS of lovely blooms!

Annnnnd, I placed 2nd in the Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest (Other animals/insects division) and was published in their beautiful magazine!!My photo is the caterpillar. :)

“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~ Mark Twain

A look back at 2011 - February

2011-12-18T11:05:00.000-06:00

February brought, what else? Hearts!

We got more winter weather! The cardinals appreciated the bird seed we left out for them!

The snow left and we got our first glimpse of spring.

And probably the highlight of the month...I birthed a baby goat! Mom had a tough time after the first and I helped her deliver the little white one. Unfortunately, mom didn't survive the tough labor. :(

Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia. ~Judith Viorst

A look back at 2011 - January

2011-12-17T22:28:00.002-06:00

I was going through my external, backing up some files when I found some photos that I'd overlooked before. Thought they'd make a cool "year in review" type post. :)

This was my fortune from our first visit to the Chinese place. Although I can't say this has been the best year for our family, we did have some happy times so I guess it came true.

My Christmas cactus FINALLY bloomed....I've had it for years! And, in keeping with it's stubborn nature, it put on it's beautiful display two weeks AFTER Christmas. Better late than never!

Winter 2011 brought some eventful weather! For an area that's lucky to get one snice (snow/ice combo) every year or so, it was a welcome (to some) surprise!
Macro!

Meet Snow Dude!

Of course, every day wasn't snowy. We took advantage of the sun when we got it. :) Can't you almost hear the purr?

We got a honkin' noisy visit from these fellas every afternoon.

The Story of Gratitude

2011-11-24T19:39:00.000-06:00

The Story Of Gratitude

I'm thankful for my "don't laugh, it's paid for" car

It gets me where I need to go.

I'm thankful for my little house

Protecting me from rain and wind and snow.

I'm thankful for my computer,

DVR and cellular phone,

And all of the other electronic marvels

If I didn't have 'em, my sanity would be gone.

I'm thankful for my furry friends!
Without them, what would I do?
The three dogs, all the cats and the horse,
And I'm thankful for the chickens, too!

I'm thankful for the Lord's creations

Each miracle, every hue

All these things and more, but, most of all,
I'm thankful God made you!

Thanks for visiting! Please click the link and see what Kelly's story is this month.

The story of our house

2011-10-28T09:38:00.000-05:00

I recently joined a group of a few other photographers who decided to commit to a 12 month project! We're calling our series "Life Story: The Story of ________" and we'll each be filling in our own blanks. At the end of this post is a link to another photographer who participated and she'll be linking to someone else. It's a whole big circle of stories in pictures. Click through and enjoy!

Our house belonged to my Grandmother. I've always loved it but have always dreamed of something different. Or so I thought.

I'm a Pinterest junkie, and I've been pinning photos and links of my dream house. You'll find lots of shabby chic, old doorknobs, funky doors, etc. on my boards. The other day, I stumbled upon someone's pin of a room with wooden ceilings and walls and was about to repin when it dawned on me... I AM living in my dream house. Right now we've got the shabby and not so much chic, and we have some crooked walls and other "big" structural issues but I definitely have the canvas to begin my masterpiece. I fell in love with my little house all over again!

Come on in! If the house is a bit messy and the weather's nice, I'll invite you to sit on the swing and I'll bring out some ice tea and we'll sit and chat. Luckily, not too much clutter today!

Mammaw called the hutch her "china cabinet". She'd say "If I die (like somehow, she would beat death) and y'all sell the house, leave the china cabinet for the folks who buy it." It has a big piece of duct tape across one of the glass panes where she repaired it. I just haven't had the heart to change it out. *L* And the kitchen...can you see our wavy ceiling. Yep, hubby says that means structural stuff.

Wood walls! The ceilings are wood too. And the floor but it's got some structural stuff with it too and most likely won't be saved.

I hope you enjoyed your visit!

Now, head on over to Lux Amoris Photography and let Jen share her story with you!

Fuschia ~ pink with attitude!

2011-10-05T16:50:00.000-05:00

People should be afraid of the cancer, not the mammogram. ~Nancy Reagan

Pink Christmas Card Freebie!

2011-10-03T11:49:00.000-05:00

I don't want this month's blog to be filled with macro shots of pink flowers. As much as I love them, I know it's not very interesting for everyone else. While trying to find other ways to implement pink (I live with 3 males...let's just say there ain't a lot of pink here), I decided to turn to my love of Photoshop to help me out.

My MIL is a 5 year breast cancer survivor! Her birthday is Christmas Eve. To honor her fight and conquerence (I think I totally just made that word up) of cancer, and since the decorations at Hobby Lobby have me in the Christmas mood (only 82 ½ days!! woohoo!), I created a pink Christmas card! And, I'm sharing it with you!

I do have a couple of terms of use. Firstly, do not claim it as your own, sell it or share it or any elements included. You can share the download link though. :)

Also, only use for personal use OR, if you're a photographer, you may use it for clients using photos taken by you.

The card is a .psd file so you'll need a program that will work with that file type (Photoshop) and all of the layers are turned off to save me some upload time, so you'll have to click them in the layers palette to turn them on. Both frames are included. Just choose the one that best suits your photo.

Please excuse the extra crispiness...Flickr fried them a little too long!

Hope y'all like it!

Download here.

Friends

2011-10-02T12:34:00.000-05:00

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing... not curing... that is a friend who cares. ~Henri Nouwen

Think Pink

2011-10-01T11:00:00.000-05:00

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to celebrate several women I know who have fought their battle and won (or are still fighting and about to win!), I'm going PINK with the blog this month.

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill

My baby's 14!

2011-09-23T22:00:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting here wondering how the heck this happened. How did my little pumpy umpy umpkin get this old, this quickly?

We checked him out of school early and carried him to the mall, Gamestop (to spend birthday money) and his choice of where to eat....which was Quiznos. Which was fine because we ALL love Quiznos.

I totally bloglifted an idea from my friend, Sophia, and had a birthday interview with K. She does this every year with each of her children. Like so many things, wish I'd started it years ago.

If you could have one super-power, what would it be? Flying. Or telekinesis.

What was the last chore you did? I put my clothes in the hamper.

What is your favorite song? Where Dem Girls At (Lordy!)

What do you like to eat for lunch at school? Quesidillas.

What's the nicest thing you've done for someone in your family lately? Gave you a hug.

What makes you mad? Having a lot of homework.

Where would you like to go on vacation next year? Ummm, I dunno.

Who's the smartest person in your family? Me!

How are you like Mom? We both like to play games and we both like to make things.

How are you like Dad? We both like hunting and fishing and being outdoors.

What's one thing that Mom always says to you? "Do you have homework tonight?" after I've already told you 50 million times I don't.

What's one thing that you and Dad do together that you'll always remember? Ride 4wheelers.

If you had a million dollars, what's the first thing you'd buy? A Soul car. Purple or green.

How do you know that Mom and Dad love you? Y'all tell me everyday.

What's your favorite cereal? Captain Crunch Peanut Butter

What's your favorite TV show? Adventure Time

What's your favorite vegetable? Broccoli

What toy would you never give away? My duck (he still sleeps with it) and my Halo legos. Oh, and my lightsaber.

What's your favorite movie? Um, Rio I guess.

What food would you eat every day if you could? Pizza

What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done? Dumped a bottle of fish food in that teacher's aquarium. (I was subbing, he fed the fish for me...*I* was pretty embarrassed by that one too!)

Is your room messy or clean? Pretty messy but you know this cast is preventing me from cleaning.

If you could eat at any restaurant for the rest of your life, where would it be? The Chinese buffet place.

What's your favorite candy bar? Twix.

What's your nickname? Tootie...y'all haven't called me that in a long time though.

What's the best age to be? 14 because I can get my motorcycle license.

What's under your bed? Probably some dust bunnies.

What's your favorite holiday? Halloween and Christmas.

What do you know at age 14? I know a lot about computers. I have good friends who aren't bullies. A cast starts stinking after you've had it on for a couple of weeks.

Happy Birthday Tootie!

Green cast!

2011-09-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

We saw the bone & joint guy today. The ankle is broken in K's growth plate & up the...ummm, shin I guess? But, he says as far as breaks go, his is perfect. No setting it, no surgery, etc. Whew! He chose neon green for the wrap color. At least we'll never lose him! Will get pics soon!

BIL & his family are headed here for the funeral (they live about 26 hrs away). They'll be staying in our travel trailer so, if I'm scarce for awhile, I'm busy.

Fractured Friday

2011-09-09T22:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday evening, the youngest was playing in the yard w/ his bulldog. The weather has cooled off quite a bit & this dog goes loopy when the weather is cool. He (the dog) was running wide open, all willy nilly around the yard. He turned and headed towards K. K started running too and somehow, they collided and K landed w/ his ankle twisted.

It swelled a bit and we put ice on it. It hurt for him to put pressure on it. We assumed a sprain or pulled muscle but decided to go to bed and check it in the morning as opposed to spending the night in the ER. It was still swollen this morning so we headed to the ER. X-rays show a break. :( They put a temp cast on & we have to see the bone & joint dr. Monday morning.

When we got home, DH got a call from his niece that her sister had died. We're stunned. We've not seen her in several years but it's still a shock.

She was such a smart, beautiful girl...well, I guess woman now. She's 28. I still picture that skinny little 8 year old snaggle-tooth girl with big blue eyes & a giving spirit that never ceased to amaze me. Jes, you will be missed!

Three Word Thursday!

2011-09-08T17:06:00.001-05:00

Feels like fall!

Year of the cicada...

2011-05-15T00:20:00.000-05:00

The nymphs have awakened from their slumber

Just as Mother Nature decreed.

Their years of sleep have prepared them for

the call that they must heed.

They cast off the shells of their previous life

And take flight on gossamer wings.

They journey to a secret place--

An ancient song they sing.

The trees and meadows all spring to life

With this unlikely symphony.

The melody fills the summer air

And is carried away by a breeze.

Their accompaniment surrounds them.

The birds chirp gleefully.

Soprano is provided by the mosquitos’ hum--

Bass, by the buzzing bees.

The lyrics are sung in a forgotten tongue,

One that was never known by man.

They offer a story of promise and hope

“What once was will be again.”

A few days ago, it dawned on me that I haven't written a poem in quite some time. I recently heard from a couple of old friends from a now defunct forum I belonged to (waves @ Penny & Lynn) which stirred up some old memories....one of them being my penchant for breaking out in rhyme at any given moment. I am much more Seuss-y than Dickinson but putting words together has always been a great love of mine. Not sure why I stopped. I guess my interests turned to other things and folks quit requesting them.

We've been invaded by cicadas. From what I've read, this is a 13 year group. They are not much to look at and the shells they leave behind kinda freak me out but the singing! I could listen to them all day. They get on my hubby's nerves though. He thinks they sound like a bunch of weedeaters running all at once.

Somehow, these homely critters have become the muse for my first poem (if you can call it that) in years. They've also intrigued me enough to go stomping around in my yard looking for some to photograph.

Just an example of their "hulls"....*shudder*.

They do have pretty wings.

You can see his hull behind him.

Joy of Luck - Day 01

2011-03-17T11:50:00.000-05:00

For the next 7 days, I'll be participating in Willette's Joy of Luck class.

Today's prompt is "What inanimate object/thing/concept is something that you take for granted on a daily basis?"

If I'd been given this prompt last week, my resulting photo would've probably been very different. But because of recent tragic events, I realize how lucky I am to have a home.

Though I love my house because it was once my grandmothers, there have been times that I've been "meh" about our house. It's an old house. And it's a money pit. We fix one thing and then turn around and something else needs our attention. I'm suspecting the water heater will be next. *L* My kitchen is tiny w/ few cabinets. The floors creak when we walk on them. There is hardly any closet space. Because it was built so long ago, we only have 1 or 2 electric plug-ins per room which, in this techie world we live in, is quite a pain!

There have been times that I have been slightly envious of friends who have new, ginormous houses that were custom built the way they wanted....vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, more than one bathroom! *sigh*

But after seeing the devastation in Japan, I am SO thankful for my little, old house. It provides shelter from rain and wind. If I want a drink of water, I go to my kitchen and push a lever in the fridge door. I pull the door open and I have all the food I need. I don't have to stand in line for hours for my daily rations.

If I want to talk to any member of my family, I can go to my computer or phone (plugged in to one of my few sockets) and talk to them and know where they are and that they're ok. When I hear the floor creak at midnight, I know my 19 yr. old has made it home safely.

The earthquakes and tsunami have provided me with a reminder that everything can be gone in an instant. What I've considered inconveniences would be luxuries to those poor people in Japan right now. I don't think I'll ever feel "meh" about my house again. I am truly lucky....and blessed.

Mother Nature is a tease

2011-03-08T22:12:00.000-06:00

Last week, Mother Nature led us to believe spring was here.

70° temps, blue skies. Daffodils and forsythia blooming. Fruit trees budding. Spring!

But this week:

wet, dark, dreary, dismal, wet, cold, frost!
And did I mention wet?

My daffodils have been drenched. I fear that the fruit buds have been beaten to death by the rain and the macro intentions I had with them may be gone too.

Ma, enough's enough. Let it be spring. Please?

The 5 senses...Feb 27-Mar 5

2011-03-05T21:59:00.000-06:00

This has been a bleh week. Not excited about any of my photos.

Taste

Smell

Touch

Sight

Ok, I am excited about this one. I placed in the Outdoor AL photo contest!

I think they're all represented here. *L*

Smell

Toys - Feb. 20-26

2011-02-26T13:48:00.000-06:00

Ok, not technically toys but they do get played with and I missed my Monday toy photo. I actually took this on Monday so...it works, I guess. *L*

My new kids...

2011-02-22T21:04:00.000-06:00

We knew Annabelle was expecting but weren't quite sure when she was due. I got a call from my dad that she'd had one and seemed to be trying to have another. I went over to help keep an eye on her. She did seem to be pushing and grunting but no progress. Then, she stopped. We called the vet & he advised us to "go in" and see if there was another and, if there was, get it out now!

I'm normally queasy about such but, somehow, I did what I had to do and delivered her second kid. She was up and around in no time. SUCH a great mama. "Mine" is the one on the left.

This morning, I got a call from my dad. He was worried about Annabelle. I took off to their house to check on her & could immediately tell things weren't right. Called our vet. He was in surgery but would call us back. We called 2 other vets while waiting. One in surgery, the other not in. Ours finally called us & told us to bring her in. We got her loaded and carried the babies too so she (and they) wouldn't be so upset. Got her there & the vet examined her. First bad news...she had another kid. I can't believe I didn't know. Second bad news...her uterus had torn during the previous deliveries (did I do it?) and it was really bad. He said he would do surgery but was sure it wouldn't save her. She got to spend another hour or so with her babies before she went to sleep. I'm heartbroken and have major guilties. I should've checked her after the birth of the second. I should've been gentler when delivering #2.

So, now we have 2 beautiful little bubs to bottle feed. They're at my parents for now and according to them, eating well, learning to play and are quite a frisky little pair. I so hope we can do everything correctly for them.

I'm so blue...Feb 13-19

2011-02-19T21:00:00.000-06:00

All you need is love... Feb 6-12

2011-02-12T12:36:00.000-06:00

This week's theme was "love"...

Day 4 - What he wears

2011-02-04T20:06:00.001-06:00

The middling has a job at a bank & loves getting to dress up. Even when he was a little guy, he liked having a tie and "president's suit" on. *L*

Joy of Love Day 3, Then & Now

2011-02-03T16:36:00.000-06:00

Day 3 of Willette's Joy of Love
Here's my middling. He's my biggest cheerleader and the most thoughtful kid! He looks out for his mama. He's in college & has just landed a job at a bank. LOVES getting dressed up (not that this photo really shows that *L*) and will always let me use him for a photography guinea pig with no complaints. And his eyes...not sure if you can tell from his before shot but they've been incredible all of his life. Not sure where he got them but they make my heart melt. :)

And my white balance shot...using the cloudy preset...

33/365 & How He Looks

2011-02-02T16:54:00.000-06:00

Another pic serving double duty.
The theme for Willette's Joy of Love is "how they look".
I was aiming for a photo of the look my son gives me when I stick the camera in his face but he avoided & squirmed. I told him I need ONE photo. Just look at me the way you do when you don't want your picture taken. He started out w/ his stern glare but quickly burst into giggles. I captured the grin that preceded.

And for my 365, I shot this w/ auto white balance, and then corrected in LR by clicking on the white of his darker eye.

A smile starts on the lips. A grin spreads to the eyes. A chuckle comes from the belly; But a good laugh bursts forth from the soul, overflows and bubbles all around.

32/365 White balance and the Joy of Love.

2011-02-01T20:47:00.000-06:00

I'm participating in Wilette's Joy of Love class this month. She gives a theme for each day & you take the theme & shoot someone/something you love. Today's assignment was "what they do". My youngest is very much into video games so I grabbed some shots of him playing. These are total snaps. Looking back over the past few years (since I got the "good" camera), I've noticed I don't do snapshots often. And looking back at the shots I do have makes me sad. So much is not there. I will strive to do better in that regard.

Now to the wb. It was night time. My camera does NOT do noise well. The first shot is auto wb, the second I clicked on the stick of his control (almost the same color as my gray card) w/ the dropper in LR.

30 & 31/365 White balance

2011-02-01T19:58:00.000-06:00

We're visiting the wonderful, hair pulling, teeth gnashing world of white balance this week. I think that I'm finally ok w/ my wb abilities. *L*
Sunday's & Monday's were both made using the AWB setting on my camera. It was cloudy & dreary and the photos came out quite cool. The second photo is my fix in Lightroom using the wb dropper.

Buh-bye January!!

23-29/365 Rule of thirds

2011-01-29T20:56:00.000-06:00

There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs. ~Ansel Adams

16-22/365 Repetition

2011-01-29T20:28:00.000-06:00

Playing catch up today! Been busy with taxes. They are D.O.N.E.

This week's theme is "repetition".

Between repetition and forgetting, it is a marvel that a new thought ever struggles into existence. ~Mason Cooley

14 & 15/365 Winter

2011-01-15T22:05:00.000-06:00

Captured some sunbursts on the icicles.
And my chilly pitty, Butch. :)

13/365 Teddy & the Snowman

2011-01-13T21:37:00.001-06:00

Someone pointed out that they'd not seen Teddy, my most favoritist, non-complaining, cooperative model evah, lately. So, I roused him from hibernation to get a snow photo. He had a ball building a snowman this afternoon. :)

Day 11 & 12

2011-01-12T21:54:00.000-06:00

We've still got tons of snow (though it's getting kind of crunchy/icy now) and our snow day is turning into a snow week. We'll probably be trading our spring break for this week. :) As crazy as it sounds, I'm loving it. I just wish I could get a kid or two to cooperate for snow portraits. I adore snow portraits but everyone in this household is meh about it.

Day 11 - Snow Angel, made by me! Haven't made one in YEARS!!

And Day 12...I found another acrobat. This one's on stilts!

When it snows, you have two choices; shovel or make snow angels.

10/365 Acrobatic snowflake

2011-01-10T17:06:00.000-06:00

We had a bit of excitement today.
Firstly, we got about 10 inches of snow! But we awoke to find my youngest's bulldog was missing. NO doggie paw prints anywhere. We called & looked. Dh took the 4wheeler out & about. I was afraid he'd gotten hit and was buried in the snow (I can say that now...earlier, the thought brought tears). I convinced Kaleb to go out & play in the snow for a bit and while we were out there, out of nowhere, Butch sneaked up behind Kaleb & sniffed his butt. *L* NO idea where he's been but we're so glad he's home.

Now, for today's 365 photo. After Butch came home, I decided to grab some photos. The snow was no longer falling so I thought no chance for snowflake macros. But then, I noticed this little guy balancing on one leg.

Kindness is like snow - it beautifies everything it covers.

6-9 of 365

2011-01-09T17:12:00.000-06:00

A bit behind on blogging but I'm still chugging along w/ the 365.

A reminder, the theme is resolutions...

#6, my resolution is to get my photos off of the computer & have them printed!
These are some metal prints of our Christmas snow. LOVE how they turned out.

#7, enter more contests!
Got the official email on Friday that I'd placed in the Outdoor Alabama photography contest! I'm hoping to find a few to enter this year!

#8, my last resolution is to try really hard not to let my 365 "go down the drain". I crack myself up. :)

#9, a new theme! Winter. Appropos since we're expecting about a foot of snow! But until then, one of my winter traditions is feeding my little feathered friends.

Caught up for now! :)

5/365 Gratitude

2011-01-05T19:37:00.000-06:00

I've had some rough months recently w/ my olders. My faith was totally shaken and my trust in them diminished. I guess I should mention, in hindsight, it was nothing that was "that bad". They were just making choices that I didn't agree with. I had myself a big ol' pity party and my youngest, bless his heart, tried his best on a daily basis to pull me out of it...which he finally did. :) I finally realized the other 2 are grown. They will make dumb (IMHO) choices and there is not a thing I can do about it but offer advice and pray for them. I still have the youngest to raise and he deserves the same attention the other 2 received.

So, today's resolution is to remember daily to be thankful. I am so grateful that I have good kids...and yes, they are good kids. I see what some of my friends have to deal with with their kids....drugs, teenage pregnancy, etc and see just how blessed I really am.

4/365 Dejunk, declutter, determined

2011-01-04T21:52:00.000-06:00

I will arm myself with Bounty, Pledge and paper towels. I will toss out all the mismatched, broken, missing part whatzits without thinking twice. I will apply elbow grease and polish and wipe 'til it all sparkles. I will declutter & dejunk! Tomorrow.

To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing. ~Eva Young

3/365. Don't worry, be happy.

2011-01-03T10:14:00.000-06:00

We had Chinese today & this was in my fortune cookie...

So another of my resolutions is to just be happy. I know it won't always be THAT easy but, it's something I'm definitely attempting. :)

To worry about tomorrow is to be unhappy today.

2/365 Resolutions/52 Week Challenge Beginnings

2011-01-02T20:15:00.000-06:00

My Christmas cactus finally bloomed!!

It came from my husband's grandmother. It bloomed shortly after she gave it to me....14 yrs. ago. I've had buds on it but they'd fall off every year. I've almost killed it more than once by setting it outside to give it a cold shock & forgetting to bring it back in. This year, it got buds and I totally expected them to fall off. Well, some of them did but 3 didn't! I got blooms!

And how does this shot fit into my themes?

Resolution because I want to learn to use light more effectively. This is window light. The light was so strong that it made the background go black, effectively blocking out the clutter behind (umm, another resolution that needs to be made).

Beginnings because this it the first of what I hope will be many flower shots this year!

"As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we will continue to grow. We cannot choose the day or time when we will fully bloom. It happens in its own time." ~Denis Waitley

New Years Meme

2011-01-01T18:59:00.000-06:00

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

Raised a couple of baby chicks.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I almost did. My Project 365 was one of my resolutions & I stuck it out until Nov. I will attempt it again this year. The weight loss one though, well, we won’t talk about that.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

My pony, Pearlie.

5. What ~~countries~~ states did you visit?

We stayed close to home this year. We went to Mississippi and Tennessee a couple of times.

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

An Olympus E5

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 27, the middling graduated from high school and the youngest graduated from elementary.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Placing in a couple of photography contests.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Tough one. My biggest disappointment is not completing my P365. Also, not building my business like I’d planned.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

My new computer!

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband. He so kept me from falling apart when I was about to. And my youngest. He helped a lot too. :)

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?

No one personally but I’d have to say Amy Bishop, the UAH professor who went on a shooting spree earlier this year.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?

I don’t know of a particular song that will stand out this year, really. Oh, that Whip My Hair one…just because I’m so sick of hearing it.

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Been more organized. Not let things that were out of my control get to me. Exercised.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worry. Eat. *L*

16. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I am always in love.

17. Who did you miss?

When school started back, I missed hanging out w/ Syl & Lori.

18. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a. sadder than this time last year but happier than I was in the summer.

b. about the same.

c. poorer. Here's to not having to bail the kids out so much this year....um, should add, bail out of their messes. Not jail. *touch wood*

19. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not personally. My mom & hubby did though.

20. What is your biggest wish for the new year?

That my kids are happy. And that during their pursuit of happiness, they don’t drive me to drink.

ABC's of 2010

2010-12-31T13:47:00.000-06:00

A - Anxiety – This has been quite a roller coaster year for us. Things would be going really well then it would seem the bottom would drop out. In hindsight though, all was not as bad as it seemed at the time.

B – Business – Our online cutlery business caused a bit of the aforementioned anxiety. We had a strong Jan. & Feb. Then 5-10 orders a day dropped to 3-5 orders a week. THEN, it went down to 1 or 2 orders a week. We began to see things get better in August and steadily improve since then. Here’s hoping for a prosperous 2011.

C – Carmon, aka the Eldest. He fully recovered from his accident last fall. He got a promotion in Feb. and moved to a new store. Things didn’t work out too well for him…management promised things and didn’t deliver so he parted ways with them. He’s hoping to start a new job next week. He completed the interview process today. Oh, and he’s engaged! So hoping he can get his act together before he takes that leap!

D – Dad – My dad has had an educational year. He has macular degeneration and is legally blind. His ophthalmologist suggested he begin braille lessons, which he has started. He’s also received some rather cool equipment to help make his life easier. It’s so cool to see him get excited over his new gadgets.

E – Egg – Kaleb was Scramble, the egg mascot for the Chicken&Egg Festival this year. He has had a blast “performing” for the crowd & loves his new celebrity status.

F – Flowers & Herbs – I planted a really large flower bed (that didn’t do so hot) and an herb garden (that flourished). My favorite crop from both ventures was the butterflies. We got hands on experience watching caterpillars become amazingly beautiful butterflies.

G – Garden – We also had a veggie garden. Not nearly as large as in years past but we had plenty of tomatoes, cukes & summer squash.

H – House – Our house got a new roof & a new paint job. We still need to do the trim. That’ll be a nice spring project for us to tackle.

I – Intern – Nathan served as an intern for one of our local TV stations early this year and was one of the student reporters for the Chicken&Egg Festival. It was an awesome experience for him.
J – Jogging – We bought a treadmill this year and Kaleb & I have made attempts at starting an exercise routine. No real weight loss for either of us but I can tell we’re both in better shape.

K – Kaleb – He graduated from elementary school and is now a high schooler (middle school actually but it’s all housed in the same buildings) and a teenager! He’s enjoying his new independence and I’m so impressed w/ what a pleasant young man he is becoming.

L – Loss – We lost our pony, Pearlie, this summer. It was quite like losing a family member. She was almost 19 yrs. old so she had a long, happy life.

M – Mom – My mom fell on Valentine’s Day and broke her shoulder. Had to have the ball portion replaced and after a few months of therapy, is doing well.

N – Nathan – The middling graduated from high school and is now attending a nearby jr. college. He moved out after high school, to my dismay (I still cry when I think about it) but moved back home a couple of months ago. He’s had some job woes too, but had a final interview for a local bank yesterday and should receive word today.

O – Oreos and Dr. Pepper – Two things I indulged in far too often.

P – Photography – I’ve put in a lot of work on my ‘picture takin’ this year and I see improvement! I entered 2 photography contests and placed in both. HUGE confidence builder.

Q – Quiet – Too much of this at our house the past few months. Sometimes it’s nice but when it goes on for days (because too many birds have flown the nest), it gets lonesome.

R – Retired – I decided not to return to subbing this fall. I sometimes regret the decision and I may end up going back but am hopeful that between the cutlery biz & photography, I’ll become too busy to miss it….much.

S – Summer – We didn’t go on any trips or anything this summer but I’d have to say it was one of the best. I had to get out of my depression and Kaleb was my medicine. We rode our bikes together every day, we worked out together, we watched a meteor shower and we became very close. We’ve always been close but the closer he got to 13, the more private he became. I’m loving our new relationship.

T – Three sixty five. I attempted a Project 365 this year. I made it to November and then quit. I’m terribly upset w/ myself but am planning to try again. I learned SO much by doing the project. I hope it has the same affect next year.

U – Us…my hubby and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this year. Love him so much!

V – Vaccine – my first year without a flu shot in a long while. Fingers crossed that I don’t regret it!

W – White Christmas – What we awoke to Christmas morning! My sweetie drove me around so I could get photos!

X – Xcited! What I was when I received my prizes for an Enya contest early this year!

Y – 43 Years. How old I am. I used to feel way younger than my age. This year, I’m feeling older. Bah!

Z – Zinnia and Finch – an idea/new business venture I’ve been stewing for the past few months. Hopefully will launch next year. More info…when the time comes. :)

202/365 Theme: eyes

2010-07-21T16:26:00.000-05:00

Blue eyes to match the mood. Just learned that the middling is making some dumb choices (nothing illegal or anything...just dumb), but alas, he is a "grown-up" or so he says. Hard to just sit back and watch a train wreck happen though.

On a happier note, I :heart: my kitties. Got a shot of his gorgeous blue eyes. Note the insane person reflected in same eyes acting like an idiot to get his attention. *L*

Woefully behind

2010-07-20T20:12:00.001-05:00

My poor blog has been neglected. Prom, graduation, etc caused a large part of it. Then, the middling left home & his mama didn't deal w/ it very well so I let several things go while I had myself a big ol' pity party. Then, the garden started coming in so I've been pretty busy.

I am pleased, however, that I didn't give up my Project 365. You can see the things that didn't get posted here on my Flickr.

My favorite shot of the summer has to be my firefly shot.

I was bummed by the blur of her head & was hoping to attempt a more "perfect" shot but their numbers are dwindling daily so I'll settle for what I have.

This week's 365 theme is "eyes".

Sunday's shot - eyes of needles *L*

Monday's - my eye...please pass when did I get old?

And today's, my kitty, Monty. I lurves his eyes!

I'll try to do better from now on. *L*

92/365 Go west, young frog!

2010-04-03T14:12:00.001-05:00

The frog from yesterday's photo. Just a new view. Love how he looks as if he's pointing.

Bokeh envy?

91/365

2010-04-03T13:50:00.000-05:00

Lots of green...green glass frog in the green grass w/ small purple flowers for accent. :)

90/365

2010-04-03T13:35:00.002-05:00

I'm quiet, shy, reserved. I'm envious of those who stand out in a crowd...without being obnoxious.

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are. ~e.e. cummings

89/365

2010-04-03T13:30:00.000-05:00

I'm envious of those who get great moon shots.

And I love ivy. I have an arch w/ it growing all over it covering the sidewalk at my side entrance.

88/365

2010-04-03T11:15:00.000-05:00

Green jello

87/365

2010-04-03T08:37:00.001-05:00

Green with envy

This week was a combo of things I envy (though I'm not an envious person by nature) and just green things. Today's just a green thing.

His name is Limey.

Sooo far behind....the rest of my night time photos 81-86/365

2010-04-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

Things are absolutely crazy here. Everyone going in 3 different directions at once. I'll try to fill in on the news w/ TODAY's post (if I get caught up).

Anyhoo, the night time theme was a challenge for me. Yes, I took photos...just didn't get them blogged.

I live in a rural area & it's dark. No street lights, few cars passing by (I waited 45 min. before giving up one night trying to get the streaking tail light shot). Here's what I did get...

Mon. 81/365

A flashlight "painting" try:

Tues. 82/365

Moon

Wed 83/365

My hummingbird feeder at (almost) sunset

Thurs 84/365

My house at night

Fri 85/365

My trusty ol' alarm clock. Long exposure while zooming. :)

And Sat 86/365

Another flashlight painting

Plus one of my kitty--she kept turning her head so that accounts for the ghostly appearance.

Next theme will be "green with envy"

80/365 Night time

2010-03-21T19:32:00.000-05:00

It was raining so no night time photo for me. I had to improvise.

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream. ~Vincent Van Gogh

76-79 of 365

2010-03-20T19:11:00.000-05:00

Worm's Eye View

Sundial

The middling

Another go at "Little Brother"

75/365

2010-03-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

Theme: perspective

I've wanted to do this for a while & finally got the kick in the pants I needed to attempt it.

However, it was late in the day with a cloudy, dreary sky so I didn't get quite what I was after. I'm looking forward to another attempt.

This was totally in camera...NO photoshop (except for the exposure correction, noiseware & sharpening). N was about 4 feet in front of me & K was about 10 feet behind him. I couldn't get N to keep his thumb down, grrr. *L* I needed to close up the aperture too, to get K in better focus...that kinda ruins the effect for me. Oh well.

74/365 Toy Jeep

2010-03-15T15:58:00.000-05:00

This is something I've wanted to try for awhile. This was not the greatest photo for it. The photo needs to be from a higher angle & it's better if there's lots of "stuff" in it but, it was fun trying. Here's a link to the tutorial if you want to give it a go yourself... Tilt-shift effect

And here's today's perspective photo:

73/365

2010-03-14T18:34:00.000-05:00

Rain, rain go away.

Well, actually it's not raining today but it has for the past two days & the ground is saturated. I know where a gorgeous field of daffodils is, I have a senior girl who is willing to pose for me in said field, but, it's too icky to ask her to sit or lay on the ground. I'm afraid the daffodils will be in bad shape before we get to go take pics so I'm hoping for bright, sunshine-y days soon!

This week's themes are perspectives and feet. Should be an interesting week! *L*

Trust yourself. Think for yourself. Act for yourself. Speak for yourself. Be yourself. Imitation is suicide. ~Marva Collins

68-72/365

2010-03-13T14:10:00.000-06:00

I think my life is starting to slow down. Mom's doing well and learning to do so much for herself now. She has PT coming to her house 3 days a week. Her dr. seems pleased w/ her progress.

This week's theme is "something old" and here are the rest of my photos for the week.

68/365

My mammaw's china. When we were cleaning out her house so we could move in, we found 2 big boxes full. Never used. No one knew she had it. She did have probably an 8 piece setting of it that she did use for everyday. Knowing her, she kept the other packed away to replace broken ones. I would love to know the story behind how she acquired it. I've researched it and it was made in the late 40's/early 50's...around the time mom was born.

Each violet peeps from its dwelling to gaze at the bright stars above.

69/365

My mammaw's earrings.

She gave them to me when I was 16 & I wore them religiously, even though they were clip-ons and did dreadful things to my ears. I was going through my Madonna material girl, rhinestone & lace phase. It tickled her that I loved them so though she had a hard time believing I "actually wore those old things". The doily was made by either she or my great-grandmother. I'm fortunate to have a bag full of these little jewels that they made.

70/365

This was a ring I wore when I was little. I think it was an Easter gift.

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.

71/365

DH & I are rock hounds. Not so much now as we were when we were younger but we still get out & go for a hike occasionally, looking down for a glimmer of flint all the while. Here are some treasures from our most recent finds.

When you're riding in a time machine way far into the future, don't stick your elbow out the window, or it'll turn into a fossil.

72/365

One of Mammaw's old canning jars, filled with her buttons, sitting on one of her doilies with keys that unlock secret places that I've yet to find.

She left pieces of her life behind her everywhere she went.

67/365 You had me at hello

2010-03-08T15:41:00.001-06:00

This is my first camera. My dad first placed it in my hands when I was about 8 years old. He began trying to teach me about aperture and shutter speed but I was impatient & it was all over my head. The lessons turned into aperture on "A" (which I assume was automatic? not sure) and I'd turn the shutter ring "until the black line is in the middle". Of course, no auto focus on this thing but I love the way it did focus. You'd have "double" of something until it was in focus and it became one. I might could handle manual focus today if it acted that way instead of blurry to clear.

I carried the camera to Disney World on a band trip when I was 12. As I was getting off of Space Mountain, the camera slipped out of my hands and the flash (yep, I had the flash too!) popped away from the camera & I realized the hot shoe was broken. I was soooo afraid to show him. But, he never raised his voice and a week or so later, he gave it to me. At first, I thought it was to remind me of what I'd done but later, I realized that he knew I had a love for photography and he had gotten a better camera so he passed the other on to me. In fact, I think that he was secretly thrilled that I'd broken it because of the upgrade to the Canon AE1. *L*

66/365 Something old

2010-03-07T14:52:00.000-06:00

LOVE this week's theme. Something old. The other group's theme is sun which is good because it has decided to make an appearance this week! Maybe I'll get lots of shots for both.

Today, it's only "old" though.

We live in what was once my grandmother's house, which was built in the late 30's or early 40's. This doorknob is on our bedroom (once was my mom's) door. When I was little, I always thought it was a huge diamond. I'd go into mom's old room, pretending it was a palace (where else would you find a door w/ a diamond for a doorknob), playing dress-up in her old can-can crinoline slips- they make great princess dresses, and snooping around for other "treasures".

I took several shots trying to "get it right" and those can be seen on my flickr but this is my favorite.

What we remember from childhood we remember forever - permanent ghosts, stamped, inked, imprinted, eternally seen. ~Cynthia Ozick

65/365

2010-03-06T16:00:00.000-06:00

Last for my color accent theme.

Our annual chicken & egg festival is coming up and they have a photo contest. I've missed the deadline every year for some reason or other & want to enter this time. I am trying really hard to get a nice "portrait" of a chicken. Chickens are NOT great models. Here's one I won't be entering but I thought had good accent color.

When arguing with a chicken, a grain of corn is always wrong.

59-64 of 365

2010-03-05T15:55:00.001-06:00

I've neglected my poor blog but I'm not giving up. *L*

My mom had her surgery & is doing well. Will start PT on Monday. She ended up w/ a "ball" replacement.

I'm learning a lot about patience. I'm doing a lot of tongue biting. I know she's in pain & I try to remember that it is the pain talking. I'm learning to be a hairdresser. I now know why God gave me all boys. I was born w/o the "do hair" gene & any girl children offspring would've suffered, most likely w/ boy cuts. I haven't learned to "tease" hair yet. I just don't get it. Curl it w/ a curling iron, hold it up a bit while spritzing w/ hair spray...THAT'S teasing to me. *L*

This week's themes are "color accent" & winter...

We did have a snow event so I have one snow pic for winter...

Thankfully, spring appears to be peeking through.

Now, for my color accent shots:

I'm not crazy about any of these. This has been a tough one for me.

My new Nikes

Mandarin on teal

What's up, Buttercup?

Buttercup, Take Two

60/30/10

Helen, a lovely lady in our little group, mentioned the 60/30/10 color accent rule for interior design. This is an attempt at that.

Ted's sister, Tallulah, in blue

Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize you haven't fallen asleep yet.

54-58/365

2010-02-27T21:54:00.000-06:00

Things are crazy around here.

First, my mom...we've been running back and forth to Dr.'s, CT scans, Pre-admissions testing, etc. until we're both frazzled. Turns out she kinda shattered the bone under her shoulder. The surgeon is thinking "ball" replacement. I really liked him and think she did too. We've heard nothing but good things about him and she's even okay w/ going into the hospital she didn't want to use. She's having surgery Monday morning so any +++ thoughts are appreciated.

My middling has been having dizzy spells for the past few months. DH & I didn't realize how often he's having them but have found out, it's a lot. We carried him to the family dr. last week. He was thinking possibly seizures. Freaked this poor mama out! He referred him to a neurologist who quickly said "not seizures" and referred him to a cardiologist. He did a complete blood panel, ekg, echocardiogram and has a tilt-table test scheduled for next week. Middling's blood pressure is always low so I'm guessing that has a lot to do with it. But hopefully, we'll know more after next week.

Middling also had a trip to Huntsville to the news station again for more training. Nothing exciting this week. I don't think I blogged about his last training session. He got to help cover a shooting at a college...made the national news so you may have heard about it. Not a typical training session for sure but he got a real dose of reality. Last night, he got to cover a rodeo and have a normal night. DH dropped him off at the station & then came back & got us (after mom's testing & younger's school got out) & we went & hung out at the mall for a while.

Ok, enough about me.

On to my missed photos. Just a reminder that this week's topics are catch lights & affection.

I think I covered them both with each shot! ;)

#54

#55

#56

#57

And last but not least...

#58 Don'cha just love that face?

In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small, quiet companion. ~Peter Gray

53/365

2010-02-22T22:54:00.000-06:00

Life is getting hectic. My mom fell last week & broke her arm right below her shoulder. She was to have surgery Wednesday but when we went in to talk to her dr., we found that the CT scan showed more damage than originally thought. He doesn't want to do the surgery & recommended a shoulder specialist in another town. She REALLY dislikes one of the hospitals in this other town & is freaking at the thought of having to have surgery there. Her dr assures her though that the specialist IS the go to guy for shoulders. We go see him tomorrow & will hopefully have a surgery date tomorrow.

It's turning gloomy and gray again. I throughly enjoyed the 2 days of spring we had. I know it'll be here again soon.

Ok, now for my photo. Ted again. New location. Nice catchlights. Pure affection.

Anyone who has looked a teddy bear in the face will recognize the friendly twinkle in his knowing look.

52/365

2010-02-21T13:28:00.000-06:00

Sunday means new themes: Catchlights & affection.

Meet Ted E. Bear. He was a Christmas gift when I was 16 -- one is never too old for a teddy. He adorned my bed until I married...well, until after really. He's been dragged around by 3 kids. His joints are a little loose (like mine *L*) and he's got a couple of patches of fur missing, dirty feet, etc but he'll always be a part of my home. No way he'll be packed up for storage.

He's the most cooperative subject I have. Never complains, always poses how I ask, etc.

We're having a burst of spring here so I took Ted out on the porch and grabbed a couple of shots. He's soooo photogenic and I got great catchlights in his eyes! As far as the affection theme, what is more affectionate than a teddy? Two-fer! *L*

I've done a fair share of moaning & complaining that I don't have real people to practice on. The elder is never here. The middling doesn't mind (much) but ditto on being around. The 12 year old just makes faces. So, if I'm to get any catchlights this week, you may be seeing a good bit of Ted around. He's quite a card & there's no telling what he'll be getting into. :)

Ted asked for a moody black & white. Not sure I accomplished that here...

A teddy bear is your childhood wrapped up in faded yellow fur, and as such, he commands affection long after he is out grown.

51/365

2010-02-20T12:04:00.000-06:00

My favorite line from Twilight...

I wish the line of focus was only on that particular line but I fiddled w/ it & it didn't happen.

50/365 Mandarin Love

2010-02-19T12:04:00.000-06:00

The "words" theme is proving difficult. I'm having trouble finding anything inspiring. I think if the weather were warmer & we could head to a town or city & walk around snapping, it'd be a lot easier for me. But, that's not happening & I'll be glad when there's a new theme...no offense to the theme chooser. :)

And the "in the kitchen" theme...I've been on a slight strike lately & my kitchen is a mess. BUT I have a 12 yr old, an 18 yr old & a 22 yr old. I'm NOT washing dishes after them. I cook breakfast & supper, the least they could do is clean up after themselves. They're beginning to get the hint & even had the kitchen spotless on Tuesday. But, it didn't last long & one night of clean does not a happy mama make. And no, having every dish in the house crammed into the dishwasher does not = clean. *LOL* All that rambling to say, I'm having a hard time with this theme too.

I do have another two-fer though, even though it feels way less than creative & kinda blah to me.

We :heart: mandarin oranges. I bought a bag last night and caught a glimpse of them sitting amidst the chaos that is my kitchen and saw the humor in the "delite" in the middle of it all. *L* Better to laugh than cry, right? So, I staged a couple of little orange jewels for today's word/in the kitchen shot.

A poem begins in delight and ends in wisdom. ~Robert Frost

49/365 Family

2010-02-18T11:04:00.000-06:00

Not exactly what I'd envisioned but I was having a time keeping a decent shutter speed and couldn't open up the ap much.

In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future. ~Alex Haley

48/365

2010-02-17T09:45:00.000-06:00

BOR-ING

But it's a word AND it's in my kitchen. How's that for a two-fer?

47/365

2010-02-16T17:37:00.000-06:00

I'm an Oly girl, through & through. :)

46/365 Words

2010-02-15T11:42:00.000-06:00

Snow day!! It started snowing last night. We have about an inch on the ground so not really enough to play in but enough to keep the kids out of school. Yes, today was supposed to be a regular day. Now we have 3 snow days to make up. Joy. Really it doesn't bother me. I was hoping for more snowflake photos. Unfortunately, they didn't cooperate too well. Too dry or something I guess.

Theme: Words

Kinda Valentine-y. And I know I've done it before, but, I've been wanting to try it w/ poetry instead of the Bible (though I liked the Bible results). I've been looking for a vintage poetry book (preferably love poems) but have had no luck so I took a couple of poems from Browning & Barrett-Browning, printed them & stuck them in a book. Kind of a wonky angle but...

45/365 Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T14:15:00.000-06:00

Top 10 reasons I :heart: my valentine! In no particular order...

1. He's a great dad! He loves doing things with the kids and does so often.

2. He ain't bad on the eyes. :)

3. He's a wonderful provider. I've never had to work. Yeah, there were some tough times & some times that I wanted to work but we've always been able to make it on what he provided for us.

4. He ALWAYS opens the door for me. Always.

5. He makes me laugh.

6. He's a loyal friend.

7. He loves to cook! Well, grill but anything that puts food in our tummies that I don't have to do = good! *L*

8. He soooo gets me! He KNEW the Jelly Bellies would win out over the chocolate. He probably spent 20 bucks on JBs for me. :)

9. He got the chocolate too!

10. He's my best friend.

New themes! "Words" and "In the Kitchen".

My words for today...Eat Chocolate!

Love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off. It takes you by surprise at first, but keeps you warm for a long time.

44/365

2010-02-13T13:48:00.000-06:00

Last day of water...

This time, I used an inverted Corning Ware lid to, I thought, give a bigger splash. Ummm, not so much. I think I did better on focus here though.

All of my water attempts were shot w/ my 50mm 2.0. I love that lens!!

The closest I got to a "crown".

Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end. ~Scott Adams

43/365

2010-02-12T12:59:00.000-06:00

Trying to get a "crown". Not so hot at manual focusing. Oh to have a larger viewfinder!

Every drop in the ocean counts.

42/365

2010-02-11T11:42:00.000-06:00

Back to water...

The flowers are gaudy but show up better than the silk hydrangeas. I sooo want to master the water droplet shot!

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

41/365

2010-02-10T12:48:00.000-06:00

If you know me well, you know I'm an Enya fan. HUGE Enya fan. I'm also a huge fan of her lyricist, Roma Ryan. The imagery of her poems astounds me.

Recently, there was a competition held at Enya's site to promote her new release The Very Best of Enya. There were several different contests...vlogs, create banners, name nightflowers and the main event, a treasure hunt. I entered them all and was a winner w/ my vlog. Click here if you want to see it. You may not "get" it if you didn't play the games but I used one of Middling's songs in it so you could check it out. :) Middling was a runner-up in the treasure hunt so he's excited about that.

Today, I received the first "fragment" of the prize(s) I'll be receiving.

An autographed The Very Best of album sampler... Grà ò Enya = Love from Enya.

Fragments of the lost lyric booklet. It's made from a lovely textured linen paper. I love how the CD packaging looks like flower petals.

And my favorite item - a personal note from Roma.

I cannot wait to see what else is coming!!

40/365 My son, the egg

2010-02-09T12:19:00.000-06:00

A couple of months ago, my middling won a reporter contest for a local TV station. He gets to cover a local festival (AL Chick & Egg Fest) this spring as well as any media events leading up to it. He's made a video that was on their website for a month, been on TV, all kinds of other cool stuff.

Well, the younger, being how younger's usually are, was feeling a bit left out. I wondered aloud if he might could be one of the mascots for the festival and ba-da-bing, the wish was granted. So now, younger gets to attend the media events as well, put on an egg costume and dance his heart out. He literally had us rolling at this last one. As you might imagine, dancing in an over-sized egg costume is not an easy feat but he did all the hip moves and was proclaimed the best Scramble (that's the egg's name) they'd ever had. So he's quite happy and proud of himself. I'm puffed up like a proud mama hen myself.

The chicken is middling's girlfriend. At this event anyway. She did a wonderful job as well but, I'm fairly certain she's not going to be jumping up & down at the chance to do it again. The costume is quite hot & the mask has a real latex odor to it. But anyway, they had a great time together and did the job they were asked to do quite well.

39/365 Another water droplet...

2010-02-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

38/365

2010-02-07T21:40:00.000-06:00

New themes this week. One group's is shoot from the hip (don't look through the viewfinder while shooting) and the other group's is water. So, we're going for water today.

This was so much fun. The silk hydrangeas were a bit too small to show up well in the droplet so I've got others w/ bigger, gaudier flowers but this was the only one w/ a pendant. I think my focus was off a bit too but I still like it. Can't wait to do more of these now that I semi-know what I'm doing.

37/365

2010-02-06T18:32:00.000-06:00

Final day of self-portraits/macro. No self-portrait attempt today. But I did have a go at a few macros.

I've been wanting to do this forever...just never took the time.

A different take on it...
I love the shadow I got but it bugs the tar out of me that divorcement & adultery show up so well. I shall be investing in some old love poetry books to make this shot a little easier. *L*

I recently won a drawing on my friend Carol's blog. Carol is a CTMH consultant. If you're a scrapbooker or are into rubber stamping, you need to know her! She's an awesome lady & a great consultant. Thanks again Carol! I love my goodies! Wanna see what I won?

Pretty Pins - Aren't they the cutest?

Suede Pinwheels - I love these too!

I also won a pack of Bitty Sparkles. I'll attempt a photo of them when I use them on a project. :)

36/365

2010-02-05T19:46:00.000-06:00

Here's a self-portrait that I'm "ok" with. The color is wonky but I just can't quite get it right. Maybe it's time for a trip to a make-up counter & make sure my color is right. I'm thinking it's not.

It is soooo wet here. I'm tired of squishing in my yard. If I don't get to start walking soon, I think I'm gonna pop! My jeans will for sure. *L*

My youngest has a sweetheart. :) They're so cute together. She's a head taller than him but he says that's okay because he's older than she. He asked if he (we) could carry her to the movies for Valentine's Day. We said ok but her mom said she's too young to date. He's bummed. This age group (12) is so funny. They're "going out" but never go anywhere. They're dating someone but it's a secret. How do you date someone secretly? I'm proud of Kaleb not letting his friends' teasing get to him though. Oh the joys of puberty. *L*

I've not posted a single macro photo this week so I'm hoping I get some time tomorrow to experiment w/ some things & maybe catch up w/ that group.

I am more than I know myself to be.

35/365

2010-02-04T18:27:00.000-06:00

I soooo want to get a "real" self-portrait before the week is up.
I attempted today but had a bit of unsolicited help from Butch aka Buttsniffer...

And this always happens when I'm in a photo...

BAck to the drawing board.

34/365 Morphed

2010-02-03T18:20:00.000-06:00

I followed a tutorial I found on Flickr to try my hand at a self-portrait Manga doll. Would've been better if I'd had a decent photo but...

My kids were a bit weirded out by it. *LOL*

33/365

2010-02-02T18:54:00.000-06:00

My attempt w/ the self-timer on my camera. The kids have a go-kart track that I use for walking in nice weather. It's SOGGY now. I set my focal point, set the timer for 12 seconds & took off running, trying so hard not to splash mud all over the place and make it to said focal point & make myself look like I'm walking calmly all before the shutter clicks. NOT as easy as it sounds! And I didn't realize until after that I have on my fat jeans so I'm looking like I have a good case of noassatall. Really, I do have one. *LOL* I'm hoping to get a "real" self-portrait before this week is over. May have to enlist the help of an older child though.

As you can see, the groundhog did not see his shadow at our house. Maybe spring will be here soon!

Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow. ~Henry David Thoreau

32/365 The hat

2010-02-01T19:13:00.000-06:00

The hat belonged to my grandmother. She had several and I inherited most of them. This is one of my favorites though because I think it could still be worn today. It still has the price tag inside, $5, which I bet was pretty pricey back then.

Yes, I'm still hiding! Baby steps! :)

My middling won (co-won actually) a student news reporter contest a couple of months ago and he's getting to go to the TV station tomorrow for training. The other boy is getting to be annoying. He tries to hog the limelight when their doing something for the festival they are to report for...stumbles over himself to answer a question before Nathan gets a chance to, etc. But, he's really stiff and formal acting whereas Nate is really laid back & easy going which fits this particular TV station to a "T". I told him to just be himself & let his personality shine through. I'm so wishing I could go with. They have a GORGEOUS water garden outside where they do the weather that I've been dying to see in person. But it's an all day thing & there won't be anyone here to get the younger when school's out. Yes, he really is old enough to be home by himself but...he's my BABY! *L* There will be other trips so I'll try to go to one of those.

Cock your hat - angles are attitudes. ~Frank Sinatra

31/365

2010-01-31T14:17:00.000-06:00

Well, I've made it a month which I think is a HUGE accomplishment (I never finish projects!). I know this is nothing like completing the 365 but I honestly didn't think I'd last this long.

This weeks themes are self-portraits and macros. I used to love having my picture taken. Seriously LOVED it. Modeled for a bridal/dress shop, had a photographer that used me for his samples, etc. but, 26 years & 50 pounds later, well, let's just say it's not on the top of my list of things I want to do. I wish I would get better about it because I know I cherish the photos I have of my grandparents. I don't care if they're chubby,if their hair was done that day or what they're wearing. I just like having something to hold onto memories of them and the ability to show my kids what they looked like. And I figure, possibly, my great grands might want to see what I looked like too.

So, here is my first one. And I am soooo trying to think of more creative ways to hide myself. *L*

And I was trying to get a macro of my eye. I really like my eyes ('cept for the little lines & bags starting to show up) and thought that would be a neat one for the other group. Well, tough to do by yourself. I did get one of my lashes though. And discovered I either need some good mascara or some of the medicine Brooke Shields is pushing lately. And I'm due for an eyebrow waxing too. *sigh*

ETA: tried the macro again & am happier with these results so I replaced the old photo.

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul. ~George Bernard Shaw

30/365

2010-01-30T15:56:00.000-06:00

Well, our snow day got a snow day. And it was totally unnecessary again. *L* The temps warmed up yesterday, all the ice melted & our winter weather possibility is gone for now. We are having a few flurries but they're not sticking.

Today is the last day of monochrome & red. Today's picture is one of my chooks w/ her red comb.

Next week's themes are macro & self-portrait. The macro one is gonna be easy as that is my love. Self-portrait, ehhh, not so much. I'm way more comfortable being on the back side of the camera. I can tell you, you will not see a new photo of me everyday. But perhaps, I'll be able to take photos that show who I am. And, if I can get one I'm happy with, there will be one of me.

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. ~Arnold H Glasgow

29/365

2010-01-29T21:55:00.000-06:00

We've been under a winter weather warning for most of the day. At about 9:30 this morning, the freezing rain and sleet began. School was let out at 10:15. It looked like we were in for a doozy. But, apparently something shifted and our temps have increased & everything has melted.

A couple of weeks ago, we had another winter weather threat & we had a couple of non-snow days out of school. Tomorrow is supposed to be a make-up day for one of them but there are rumors that it's been cancelled. The news is not reporting it though & we haven't gotten a call from the school system so it's a wait & see, I guess.

I'm abandoning the theme today and am including a picture of an ice droplet.
Well, the leaves are kind of red so maybe this will be my "red" contribution.

28/365 Emotional

2010-01-28T14:43:00.000-06:00

The news will do that to ya...

Overjoyed - A 16 year old Haitian girl was pulled out of the rubble of her university, alive!, after 15 days and is stable & even able to eat.

Hopeful - that much needed aid will reach all of the Haitian people soon.

Heartbroken - that bullying can't be stopped. It's worse now than it ever was with Facebook, MySpace & text messaging. I'm referring to this story. My heart breaks for this girl's family. I'm not sure what the solution is...keeping an eye on what kids do online & via texting would be a big step but something has to be done.

Sad - for Elizabeth Edwards. I didn't see the interview of the guy who's written the book "outing" her husband and she may not be a saint herself(no idea but I heard him bad-mouth her a bit in a teaser) but to have to live with someone who cannot tell the truth. at. all. has got to be unbearable. I told my husband during the campaign that he blinks too much. Now I know why.

Disgusted - that the Tiger Woods & John Edwards of the world cannot keep the snake in the cage. They have it all and apparently don't know how to count their blessings.

Amused - that a Kansas high school girl's basketball coach punked his punkers by sinking a half-court shot...blindfolded.

Shocked - to find out Barney kids actually do grow up. Did you see the girl w/ the whip on Idol last night? :o

Pensive - see photo below. He's not really that deep in thought. He's watching our doxie chase a kitten (in fun...the kitten chases back) and calculating the exact moment he should jump in and affect the biggest element of surprise.

Dogs are not our whole life but they make our lives whole.

27/365 Blue

2010-01-27T19:20:00.000-06:00

A totally non-exciting day. Laundry, floors, dishes. Ick.
We did go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner though, so that was good.

I'm having such a tough time w/ the "red" theme. Haven't contributed to that group at all this week. But the monochrome is going hand in hand w/ one of my photography course assignments so I'm loving it. So today's contribution is my porch broom.

I pray to be like the ocean, with soft currents, maybe waves at times. More and more, I want the consistency rather than the highs and the lows. ~Drew Barrymore

26/365

2010-01-25T18:57:00.000-06:00

DH and I had a sort of date day today! We tried out a Mexican place that has been around forever but we'd never been to. Really good food. We'll be back. I've been looking for a Carhartt barn jacket...on sale (I refuse to pay full price!), so we went a couple of places to look but no luck. I did get some bird seed for my feathered friends. A bit of a bribe to try to get them to let me photograph them. We shall see if it works.

The pine cone was a "gift" from my oldest. He & his girlfriend went horseback riding the other day and he found it...ours are nowhere near this big. *L* Reminded me of when he was a little boy. I have a box of rocks, dried flowers, a cicada hull, and no telling what other "treasures" he brought me as he found them.

Who leaves the pine-tree, leaves his friend, unnerves his strength, invites his end. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

25/365

2010-01-25T18:42:00.000-06:00

Working on tax stuff today. I had been doing well but got burned out & took too long of a break, so back to the grindstone. Hopefully, my work will result in some GREEN (as in income tax refund). Fingers crossed.

Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which it's loveliness arises. ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

24/365 In the garden

2010-01-24T16:39:00.000-06:00

Ok, today starts new themes. One group's is "red". The other group's is monochrome.
I took one final garden pic & turned it into a monochrome. I didn't realize how much red I don't have around until the theme came up. Will have to search a bit.

23/365 Feather macro

2010-01-23T13:58:00.000-06:00

I enjoyed my alone time last night & this morning. I did catch the Haiti telethon. Some amazing talent and I heard they think over $50 million was raised! And I :heart: George Clooney!

Played around w/ my macro so instead of a garden or bug shot, my photo for today is a water droplet on a feather from our parakeet. No particular reason for the water droplet except that I'm trying to emulate Kiwi_gal, one of my favorite macro artists.

And I really like today's quote. I follow & participate in several photography forums. I listen to it all, take a bit from each post I read but try not to make any one of them the "be all, end all" of photography. I'm striving to find my own style and shooting what makes me happy.

Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose but, follow no one absolutely.

22/365 Okra

2010-01-22T18:18:00.000-06:00

It's raining...again. DH took the 2 youngers camping so I get a girl's night tonight! The remote is allll mine! Will probably be watching the Hope for Haiti Now telethon.

Today's photo is a dried okra pod. I :heart: okra! It's my favorite vegetable. Well, except for a vine ripe tomato (between 2 slices of bread w/ mayo, salt & pepper...mmmmm!), or corn on the cob or...heck, I like 'em all. But okra is definitely one of the tops! And it's pretty when it's dried (well, maybe this one's not but they can be pretty interesting looking). This week's theme has me anxious for spring to come so we can plant a garden.

I've always liked the time before dawn because there's no one around to remind me who I'm supposed to be, so it's easier to remember who I am.

21/365 Rosemary, Lavender & Butterflies

2010-01-21T16:54:00.000-06:00

You can click on 'em to see the full size photo...until I figure this widening thing out. *sigh*

We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. ~Maya Angelou

20/365 Sundial

2010-01-20T14:07:00.000-06:00

Today's been nice & sunny so far but rain is supposed to be moving in this evening. We don't need the rain. We're squishy as it is. *sigh*
No bug shot for today but I did get a good (I think?) shot of my sundial in my flower garden.

It bugs me that part of my photos get chopped off. I need to learn blogger so I can widen my page & get the whole photo on there. And get my sidebar thingie more on the side. Hmmmm.

Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.

19/365 Ladybug Handstand

2010-01-19T17:19:00.000-06:00

A few years ago, someone (not sure if it was our state's agricultural dept or if it was a regional thing) decided that it would be a good idea to unleash these ladybug looking beetles to curb the aphid infestation that affects our crops. What these people didn't think about was what these bugs would do in the winter. Apparently, they are not well suited to the cold so they migrate indoors. Yep, inside the house. Beginning in October or November, they start making their way in. So far, the best remedy I've found is a vacuum cleaner. Suck 'em up & let 'em go. Luckily, as winter goes on, there are not as many to deal with but you'll still find the odd one here & there. I found this one today on my door. I watched her for a bit, thinking I'd grab a photo for my 365 when she did this little acrobatic move.(Yes, she. Even though they're not technically ladybugs, they still resemble them enough that that's how I think of them). I know I totally missed focus but I still had to include it.

For the "in the garden" portion, I have a photo of my dead basil from the herb garden.

Even if you fall down face first, you've gone forward.

18/365

2010-01-18T16:52:00.000-06:00

As I've mentioned, the two themes from the two groups I participate in are "bugs" and "in the garden". Today was a nice day for shooting so I went out to the garden (the very dead garden) to try to get pics of what's left. We fenced the garden off so our horse can eat the leftover vines/plants but I still have some "dead" okra I thought I'd snap. Well, the horse was determined I wouldn't. She always follows me around like I'm her mama and today was no different. So, my "in the garden photo" is Milkshake's eye because I couldn't back up enough to get her face (because she kept walking toward me). If you look really closely, you can see an upside down me in it. *L*