Spring officially starts in less than 4 hours as I am typing this post. It has sure felt like spring in most of the country for a couple weeks now. I’m not complaining! I’ll jump on the band wagon and share a few fun signs of spring from my little part of the world.
Lilac bud
Daylily sprouts
Chives sprouting in my herb bucket
My bare feet!
See ya later!
It’s Friday afternoon. I feel like writing a blog post. I’m going to do what Kathy tells me to do when I’m blog-blocked. Just start typing and see what happens.
I started doing what I normally do when I want to write a post and checked through my pictures. Sometimes I find something that sparks a memory of something I meant to blog about, but never got around to it.
I found some food pictures that I think I meant to share with you and tell you about something fabulous that I ate. I’m not sure, maybe the food wasn’t so fabulous?
I found some pictures that I took in hopes of completing Scott’s current assignment, but none of them moved me. **sigh** I kind of like this one that I took quite a while ago:
but we’ll see if I can do better.
I considered creating one of my silly animal conversations with pictures of cardinals,
but my humor/wit doesn’t seem to be flowing concerning Mr. & Mrs. C’s possible domestic situation.
I thought about flipping through some photo albums (yes REAL photo albums, not on the computer) and trying to recall some funny story from my early days of motherhood to tell.
That would require pulling out the photo albums, finding the ones from the mid-to-late 1990′s, plucking the photos from their carefully nestled positions in the albums, hauling my clunking old scanner up from the basement, connecting to my laptop, scan the photos, put them back, put the the photo albums away. It’s Friday! Nope, didn’t want to do it.
I considered mentioning that it is only one month until we leave on our cruise and blathering on about how excited I am and how I went to see the travel agent today to ask a bunch of questions and about how I’m even excited to start my “electronic check in” procedures on Carnival.com, but I thought who’d want to read about that? (oops, I kind of did that anyway didn’t I?)
I could blog about the fact that we are off to Pickity Place once again tomorrow, but how many blogs have I written about that?
Many of my favorite blogs, including Robin’s and Holly’s, have been proclaiming the joys of early spring and showing lovely signs of it. It’s about time I took a stroll around my yard to find some of that myself,
but today is a bit drizzly and cool (funny to be calling 50° cool at this time of the year, but that’s how it feels after the week of 60′s and 70′s we’ve had) and not inspiring me to go poking around outside.
So what happened when I started writing a blog with no plans? I think I just wrote my first blog about not blogging!
Almost a year ago, Mr. Scott Thomas challenged those of us inclined to do so, to participate in a year long photo assignment. The challenge was to photograph the same location throughout all four seasons of the year. I had read about something like this in a book Scott had recommended to me, Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, and thought it was a great idea. When he announced the assignment last December, I thought to myself – I already have a jump start on this from some photos I took in the fall, in an easily accessible location, that I was pretty happy with. At the time of the announcement, I also made the decision that I’d feature two locations throughout the year by including the view from my favorite lounging spot, my oft mentioned backyard deck.
Now you might be wondering why I’ve titled this post the way that I did. One reason was that the assignment reminded me how unorganized I am about my photo archives. I use Photoshop Elements to load my photos on to the computer which organizes them by date. That’s the only organization I have – no tags. So, just like for Scott’s favorite photos of the year assignment, I had to scroll through a year of photos to try to find the shots I took for this assignment. Another reason you shall discover closer to the end of this post.
I’d like to begin with my winter photos. Locals might recognize my first location as humble little Spec Pond:
Winter took us by surprise this year and piled on more snow than we’ve seen in these parts for many years. Teddy enjoyed it at least:
Spring came around and thawed us out:
The deck furniture was unwrapped, but only my Mother’s Day hanging plant was in bloom and the pool was still closed:
Ah, summer! My favorite season. At the pond, extra life guard stands appear and the diving floats are in the water:
Back at home, everything is lush and green, flowers adorn the deck and the pool is open:
This is one of the photos I jump-started Scott’s assignment with, fall at Spec Pond:
This is also where you’ll find out the other reason for the title of my post! I never took a fall photo from my deck specifically for this assignment! Yep, I’m admitting it, I messed up a bit. In my head, fall was taken care of; however, at the time I decided to add the deck to my year of photos, it was already winter. This past fall came along and I never took a deck photo thinking it was already done. Scrolling through my archives, I chose two alternative almost-fall-from-my-deck photos. There was this one that I did for my Picture Fall class last October:
Not really the view I’ve given you the rest of the year. OR we have this monstrosity:
The view from my deck on October 30, 2011 after the Freaky Freakin’ Snowstorm - technically this is a fall photo of the view from my deck!
What a year it has been. I think I will be ready to bid 2011 adieu!
Time for a wrap-up of all the folks who participated in the scavenger hunt this month. If you haven’t been to their sites yet to check these out, be sure to pop over and leave them some love in the comments!
First in this time around was Scott Thomas. Scott used a combination of his iPhone and his “real” camera to bring us his collection. He got a “pass” for using a railroad crossing sign instead of an actual train! Besides, his bonus shot was a beauty, so full points!
Shortly after Scott, Gerry posted her results. I hadn’t realized that northern Michigan wasn’t a great place to spot cardinals, but Gerry found a great way to get that shot done, and she made a lovely collage of her pictures.
Newcomer Debbie jumped in this time around with a pretty set on Flickr. Deb doesn’t have a blog, and I don’t know who’s blog referred her to my hunt, but I hope she enjoyed herself and thanks for participating, Deb!
Next in was Nye, who lives in one of the Carolinas if I remember correctly (please correct me if I am wrong). I was quite jealous of the fact that she already has peony buds and early spring veggies in her garden!
Moving several hundred miles west of Nye, Michaela showcased her hunt results. Her sweet bunny in the grass gave me a chuckle and the beauty of her berry bud was stunning.
Robin was next, and she had a little fun, as I hoped some of you would, with some plays on words. I did too in my comment back to her! You’ll have to pop over there and have a look if you want to know what I said. Loved Robin’s “stop action” basket shot and her creative solution to the bonus photo.
My next participant in the hunt was Dawn. Dawn had unique takes on the body of water and the sprout shots. I’m so glad you found your way over to the hunt, Dawn, and happy you had fun!
Popping in during the wee hours of the deadline date, Brian brought us his always unique, but always beautiful view. Never one to skip an opportunity for a play on words, he took the chance here while showing his gorgeous photography skills. I also gave Brian a pass on the bonus, not realizing that cardinals aren’t found across the pond!
Kathy slid in at the last minute with photos scavenged from her hard drive! I was very happy Kathy decided to participate since she was just recently back from a brief blogging hiatus. She has the sweetest little bunny shot and yet another creative solution to the lack of cardinals in northern Michigan.
Even later than last minute, my sister Jennifer, of the soon-to-be-face-lifted Bread and Putter, posted her photos to Flickr while her blog gets its nips and tucks. Low on snark this time around, her set does feature the cutest little hood in a hood you’ll ever see!
I hope you’ll take the time to go look at the sites you haven’t been to yet and let everyone who participated know you stopped by! Feel free to discuss favorites here in the comments and I’ll have a new hunt ready for you in June.
The April photo scavenger hunt results are rolling in and I can tell you I’m loving them so far! I’m really enjoying seeing everyone’s take on the shots. You have until tomorrow to post and drop me a link or drop me a note letting me know you need a couple more days to finish up. Like our friend Scott, I will write a wrap-up post about the results. Here’s my look at the list.
Body of water:
Nantucket Sound from Smuggler’s Beach in South Yarmouth, MA
When I first thought of this prompt, I worded it the way I did because I thought it left it wide open for interpretation. I had the idea in my head to try to create the shape of a body, perhaps in the sand, and then fill it with water for an extra cutesy interpretation, but I went traditional. It’s got me thinking about coming up with more word-play fun for June though!
Train:
This is part of my husband’s HO scale Tyco toy train from when he was a little boy. There are actually train tracks in my town, but I never managed to have a camera available when I was out and a train went by. I was poking through my girls’ old toys in the basement when my husband came home and asked what I was doing. “A train?” he asked, “I’ve got a train,” and promptly came up with an old box with all his train cars and track pieces.
Hood:
Sarah, in action, doing her math homework, wearing one of her favorite hooded sweatshirts.
Sprout:
Bleeding Heart sprouts in morning light
Bud:
Lilac buds from the other evening I wrote about with all three extension tubes attached to the 55-250mm lens. I’m still wondering if anyone is going the Budweiser route for this one!
Basket:
The favorite basket of Teddy and Daphne – it stores the leashes and collars for “walkies.” Teddy regulary nudges this basket with his nose to try to give me a hint about what he’d like to do!
Bunny:
He wasn’t carrying any treats or colored eggs, but a bunny nonetheless, spotted at the edge of our driveway.
Bonus:
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
If ever there was karma, this had to be it. The day after I posted my list for this hunt, including my bonus of a close-up Mr. Cardinal, this guy landed on my suet cage and hung around to enjoy a snack while I got to take as many pictures as I liked! Ever since, it seems, he’s been hanging around more than I’ve ever had a cardinal hang around.
Remember it isn’t too late to get your photos posted!
A delicious luncheon with friends, a visit to Cape Cod, early birthday gifts and the Red Sox win three games in a row – how awesome is that?
My weekend away began with a return visit to Pickity Place in Mason, NH. It was delicious, as always. You can click here to see what we had to eat. Unfortunately, the wind was nasty cold and making the day seem quite bitter outside. When we were there back in October, it was a mild fall day and things looked quite different. Though my fingers felt like frozen claws, I couldn’t help snapping a few pics.
I thought this angel statue looked as chilly as I felt:
I enjoy the effort the folks at Pickity Place go to to set up little vignettes that go with the seasons:
This frog prince didn’t seem to mind the blustery wind:
Can you see me reflected in his gazing globe?
I did manage to find one more pretty sign of spring before my fingers shaped into the form of a claw from the cold:
The tiny buds remind me of lilacs, but this didn’t look like any lilac that I’ve ever seen. Anyone know what it might be?
The Pickity kitty smartly stayed inside the gift shop on this day, quietly enjoying the goings-on outside from the warmth of the window:
I certainly did! 
Awesome Weekend, Part 2, Cape Cod edition, coming soon!
Hi Everyone! Sorry I’ve been a bit absent from the blog this week. I’ve tried to keep up with reading all of you, but I haven’t posted myself since last weekend. It has been a busy week, especially with waiting for my Red Sox to finally win a game during this first week of the baseball season. That the win came against the Yankees made the win even sweeter – though I wish I didn’t have to wait through 6 losses to see it! I did still manage to get outside a bit with my camera, so I wanted to share a few signs of spring I’ve managed to find.
This isn’t really a sign of spring, but I did buy a new bird feeder that seems to be more friendly to a variety of bird sizes:
It has easily accessible openings for birds, but it closes down when something heavier than a bird, like a big ol’ gray squirrel, lands on it. The squirrels eat frustrating amounts of seed, so I’d prefer to not have them emptying this feeder. I have another feeder in a near-by tree that I’ll maybe put some cereal or other squirrel treat in so they don’t get too upset with me.
The new suet-cake I hung next to the feeder has been attracting some new visitors – this one is sunflower seed, and it seems to be popular. I’ve never had grackle stop by before now:
I guess these birds can be considered to be pests, but I’ve never had any issue with them. I think the iridescent feathers are pretty.
The robins have been back around in fairly large flocks, but I haven’t gotten a nice picture just yet. They are one of the first signs of spring around here (they seem to return in early March) so I wanted to include at least one picture in this post. I didn’t get the nice red breast, but I thought this one looking like it was looking back at me was kind of cute:
In addition to having my eyes out for bird visitors, I’ve been scouring the yard looking for signs of growth. Some of my favorite perennials are just beginning to reach for the light of day:
Bleeding Heart
Peony
Lupin
Daffodils… many daffodils are actually blooming right now, but it will be a couple weeks still before I see mine. Mine are planted on the north side of my house, so it is generally late April before I have blooms.
I was experimenting with fill-flash trying to get a picture of rhododendron buds, possibly to be used for my photo hunt. I wasn’t overly impressed with the shots I took, and wasn’t sure my flash actually fired. According to the EXIF data on this one, it didn’t:
I’ll keep trying; maybe these buds just aren’t too photogenic? Maybe it’s me? Anyway, for the heck of it, I took this picture to see if my flash was firing:
It fired there! That got me thinking about this week’s Picture Inspiration prompt, which was: “The Shape of Surprise….As you continue your reflection seeking, this week study shape. You don’t need to show context or the object reflected, just pay attention to the shape, color, light of the reflection itself. Share your own shape of surprise this week in this reflection from your world.”
I can’t decide if I want to use this shot for my prompt submission or not. Any thoughts about it? I’ll keep looking for other shots too.
Tomorrow is the big Worldwide WordPress 5k. Becky and I are planning to walk together; it should be fun to see our different blog posts about the day. Today is actually looking like the nicer day of the weekend – I hope the weather holds out for our walk!
I shouldn’t really have a frowny face in the title of today’s post, but who likes cleaning? I’ve been looking around my kitchen lately and thinking it is time for some sprucing up. My kitchen was re-done 16 years ago while I was pregnant for Meghan… what were we thinking? Anyway, 16 years of parenthood has taken its toll on my kitchen, especially the floor. We put a white background linoleum down (again what were we thinking?) and its better days are long gone. What I still love about my kitchen, however, is the granite.
This granite covers the counters, the center island and our eating “penninsula” as I like to call it. I didn’t realize back when we chose it, just how much the granite would drive the rest of the decorating colors for the kitchen. Totally changed the color of the cabinetry I chose – which you can see here is a light color called “pickled.” The pinkish streaks through the granite also caused me to paint the kitchen the palest of pink.
What I am hoping to accomplish this spring is a deep cleaning of the cabinets (anyone have a good suggestion for cleaning lint/dust/grease accumulations? Murphy’s oil soap?) and painting the kitchen walls. I went to Home Depot for paint chips today. What do you think of these colors?
I’m also hoping to replace my extremely shabby kitchen floor with tiles – just something neutral, probably similar in color to my cabinets. Add a new curtain rod and drapes for the sliding glass door and things ought to look nicely spruced, don’t you think? Maybe a couple pics of my kitchen would help?
Hey, do you see those decorative plates hanging on the wall? This is completely off topic, but while I’m thinking about them, thought I’d show ‘em to you. I think my mother and my sister were really happy when I fell inexplicably in love with these plates in HomeGoods one day. I’m pretty sure my mother thought I had completely lost the decorating gene since I generally show very little interest in knick-knacky type items, but these I had to have:
The Cat in the Kitchen
Little Cakes
The Lovely Menu
Okay, back to my topic…
I also need a suggestion for how to clean screens. The screens in my kitchen, dining room and living room are on the inside of the house because those are all crank-out windows. Anyone have a good idea for cleaning dust build-up from those? Maybe I should just take ‘em out in the back yard and hose them down?
The girls also want their bedrooms painted… you’ll be able to recognize me this summer as the lady with paint speckled hair!
|
Theme: Rubric. Blog at WordPress.com.
