A Picture A Day

Weekly dose of George: Reflecting

2010-12-31T06:13:00.000-08:00

Here is George, who seems to be reflecting on the passing of the old year and the coming of the new. But really, he's scanning the horizon for squirrels who would dare trespass on his territory.
Florabella's retro vintage action coupled with Kim Klassen's October layers texture. Found a cool texture tutorial here, at Shadowhouse Creations. A little different from my normal way of applying, and very interesting.

There's a kind of hush all over the world

2010-12-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

Taken this week while visiting NYC. Merry Christmas, all!

Pink skies in the evening

2010-11-21T05:38:00.000-08:00

After taking shots of the full moon last night, I turned around and was rewarded with a sky full of beautiful pink tinted clouds. It made me smile.
Thinking of changing the name of this blog to a Picture a Week. I just can't keep up with things sometimes . . .

Mosaic Monday - Leaves

2010-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taken over the past week. I love autumn.

Visit my friend, Mary, at Little Red House, where she hosts a weekly meme theme called Mosaic Monday.

Birds at feeder

2010-10-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

An entire week has gone by without a post. Shame on me for neglecting this blog. Here are some birds at our kitchen window feeder over the weekend. Shot using a borrowed Nikon 105mm macro lens. Kim Klassen texture.

Weekly dose of George

2010-10-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Here he is at his master's feet after a rousing game of fetch the giant stick, followed by frisbee catch. Today my husband told me this story: George had fallen asleep in the grass under the warm sun after a big walk. My husband watched as eventually, squirrels were coming closer and closer to him. One got as close as three feet away, when George startled. He saw the squirrel near him and jumped up, chasing him into a tree which he stared at for quite awhile and eventually fell back to sleep.
That's about as exciting as it gets around these parts, folks. And I like it that way.

Chickadee at feeder

2010-10-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taken in the yard this afternoon on a pleasant October day. I just love this color. Have a wonderful Monday, all!

Magical light

2010-10-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I thought this pair of silver and wood salt & pepper shakers were gorgeous enough to merit a photograph.
Taken on our table at the Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia over the weekend.

Cappuccino at the Four Seasons

2010-10-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

In Philadelphia on a Saturday night.
Fun. Fun. Fun.

Captive on the carousel of time

2010-10-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

And the seasons, they go round and round.
This just happens to be my favorite, is all. Have a beautiful weekend.

Hot cocoa before bed

2010-10-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's chilly in the house but we're liking it, especially after the summer we've had. The hot chocolate helps to keep warm. And it's good for your soul.

Virginia creeper berries

2010-10-05T06:00:00.000-07:00

From Wikipedia: Virginia creeper (or five-leaved ivy) is grown as an ornamental plant, because of its deep red to burgundy fall foliage. It is frequently seen covering telephone poles or trees. The creeper may kill vegetation it covers by shading its support and thus limiting the supporting plants' ability to photosynthesize.

Virginia creeper can be used as a shading vine for buildings on masonry walls. Because the vine, like its relative Boston ivy, adheres to the surface by disks rather than penetrating roots, it will not harm the masonry but will keep a building cooler by shading the wall surface during the summer, saving money on air conditioning. As with ivy, trying to rip the plant from the wall will damage the surface; but if the plant is first killed, such as by severing the vine from the root, the adhesive pads will eventually deteriorate and release their grip.

Native Americans used the plant as an herbal remedy for diarrhea, difficult urination, swelling, and lockjaw.

Also known as "Engelmann's Ivy" in Canada.

I just loved the color. And gee! You learn something new every day, right?

Late September afternoon

2010-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taken late Saturday afternoon, after a long day devoted to housekeeping. It was quite warm and the sky was full of purple martins and dragonflies who were eating all the recently-hatched bugs. Truly magnificent although very difficult to capture.
That's George at the bottom of the dogwood tree. Hanging on it towards the bottom is one of my husband's contraptions. I don't even say anything anymore. Whatever he wants is fine with me and if it's his heart's desire to put an old windowbox planter on the trunk of a tree and fill it with moss and birdseed, well have at it, I say. It's not like the style police will be visiting anytime soon.

Dragonfly Tree

2010-09-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken this summer by my friend, Alisa.
It was a hot day and she and her family were visiting Assateague National Park on the coast of Maryland when this stunning scene presented itself to her.
It was a barren tree that was completely covered with dragonflies! I love it.

Mosaic Monday: Caterpillars

2010-09-19T16:16:00.001-07:00

I love making mosaics but have been rather lax lately mostly due to the fact that I have two blogs, a full-time job, books to read, scarves to knit, and little time to visit everyone. It's a vicious cycle but still, I do enjoy making these.
Hope you aren't squeamish about bugs! For more (bugless, I'm sure) mosaics of all sorts, please visit my friend, Mary, at Little Red House where she hosts a weekly meme theme called Mosaic Monday.

Shrimp & Pesto Pizza

2010-09-18T16:43:00.000-07:00

This is an extremely simple dish to make that packs a big wow. A co-worker had given me a jar of fresh pesto and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. I made it today because we were having company for the afternoon.

SHRIMP & PESTO PIZZA
1 pizza shell (Boboli brand or similar. I used Culinary Circle Multigrain Stone-Cooked Pizza shell)
about 1/2 cup pesto (mine didn't contain parmesan cheese, hence the next ingredient)
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
doz. cooked shrimp, cut into bite-sized pieces (I used mine whole)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
sprinkle of Old Bay
sprinkle of basil

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Spread pesto on pizza shell. Grate parmesan cheese on top, then add shrimp. Sprinkle shrimp lightly with Old Bay seasoning and the basil. Top pie with grated mozzarella cheese. Go ahead and grate any leftover parmesan on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and bread is crispy.

Mosaic Monday

2010-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

They were glorious this morning after the rain, the morning glories we have growing along the garden fence. For more mosaics, please visit my friend Mary at Little Red House where she hosts a weekly theme. I made this with the free Magic Blog It Board at MCP Actions.

Good morning, beautiful

2010-09-12T06:57:00.000-07:00

I woke to the sound and scent of a soft, gentle rain. It was a very welcome visitor 'round these parts, and it looks wonderful on this blue and white morning glory. Shot with the Nikkor 60mm macro lens.

Little ladybug

2010-09-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Shot with the 105mm macro lens this weekend. She's a dainty little thing.

Busy

2010-09-04T05:11:00.000-07:00

Early Saturday morning at the manor house on the hill where the day has dawned most pleasantly and the air is cool and sweet. I should be as busy as these bees but as I look around at the dust in my house, I think . . . I think . . . I want a cleaning person. If I had the money, I swear, I'd hire a housekeeper.
And that is my thought for the day.

Mosaic Monday: Morning Glories

2010-08-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I've participated in the weekly Mosaic Monday theme hosted by my blogging friend, Mary, at Little Red House.
I have had good intentions all along, rest assured. I just feel guilty when I can't visit everyone who's participating. And so I just end up not doing it. Lame, I know.
Have a beautiful week, all!

Sunday morning glory

2010-08-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

I woke up early this morning, just in time to see this.
Have a beautiful day, all~~

Morning glories

2010-08-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

I think this is a record for time spent between posts here at this blog. I'm sorry if you've missed me. I'm usually over at my other place and am not quite sure of the direction I want this one to go.
So please accept my offering of these little morning glories, taken in the early evening today. I think they're purdy.

Faerie umbrella

2010-08-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

It could be, you know.
If you're a regular here, you know that I have a thing for mushrooms. I find them interesting, and some of them are downright beautiful. Click [here] to view some of my other subjects. I mean, if you're into that kind of thing.

Sweet fruit

2010-08-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

I took this photo of a pear tree along the Narragaugus River in Cherryfield Maine, which is the Blueberry Capital of the World. Now, that's a whole lotta fruity talk.

Rock face at low tide

2010-08-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

My husband added a couple rocks to make this rock face. You can see it in the lower center of the photograph. Taken at low tide on Pigeon Hill Bay from Bar Island, Milbridge, Maine.

Antique Shop in Maine

2010-08-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

I found this cool antique shop in the town of Cherryfield, which bills itself as "the blueberry capital of the world". Needless to say, I had to buy some of the luscious little berries. And life was good.

Weekly dose of George

2010-08-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking of changing the name of this blog to A Picture a Week. Or A Picture Whenever. But hey, it's summertime, and perhaps I will be more attentive at posting here when the fall begins.
Here's everyone's favorite pup, vacationing in Maine. It's where he was born, you know. And we can tell that he loves it here.

Forgotten

2010-07-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

Old clothes hangers on the back of a bedroom door in a house that's in the process of being restored. We visited this place on a tour while I attended Blog Fest in Mathews, VA last week.
I haven't been updating this blog lately because I don't know whether or not to give it up, so the posting will continue to be sporadic, I guess.

I love squiggles

2010-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is a tiny bud from the pumpkin vine we have growing along the side of the house. My husband threw out some seeds again this year and we've got a lovely crop coming on.
But it's the squiggles that get me every time.

Pumpkin blossom

2010-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

There I was, sitting outside this morning in the cool shade by the side of the house, when what did I spy but a beautiful curvy blossom. It took me a long time to set up the shot with my Joby Gorillapod, but it was worth it. My macro shots always come out better when I use a tripod.
Pioneer Woman's Soft & Faded as well as Totally Rad's Rusty Cage actions applied.

Morning on the water

2010-07-05T05:05:00.001-07:00

Early morning view of Acadia National Park from our rental cottage in Gouldsboro, Maine. If I remember correctly, the mountains from left to right are Sargent Mountain, then Dorr, then Cadillac at the highest. The Porcupine Islands are in the forefront. There's nowhere else on the east coast of the US where you have mountains at the sea.

Intoxicated bee

2010-07-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

At first, I thought it was collecting pollen, but then I noticed that it was just hanging on by what looks to be its tongue.

I thought it looked stuck and that maybe it was dying. I put the macro lens on it and saw that it was moving so slowly and rocking.

So I backed away and took a small stick and moved it a little. It perked right up and then flew off in a rather drunken manner.

I lead an exciting life, yes?

Something is happening here and you don't know what it is, do you Mister Jones?

2010-06-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

I have no idea in the world why these song lyrics pop into my head. No idea.
Taken while on vacation in Maine last week, in the backyard of a little glass shop along Rte. 1. The owners agreed to let me traipse all over their yard snapping photos of their little garden oasis. Can you see the little frog among the flowers?
It's quite warm already here in Maryland and I'm putting off cleaning. When my ship comes in, I'm hiring someone to do my housework.
Hope your weekend is a good one!

Fog on Cadillac Mountain

2010-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Normally, this would be a stunning view. Remove the fog and you can see the ocean from 1500 feet. But I think it looks sort of interesting this way, too.
Why is it named Cadillac? Wikipedia will give you the full story here but basically it used to be called Green Mountain. It was renamed Cadillac in 1918 after a French explorer named Antoine Laumet de La Mothe, sieur de Cadillac.

Winter remnant

2010-06-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

The shape caught my eye when I saw this on the grass at our rental cottage in Maine. I wondered how it escaped being crushed with the heavy weight of snow. I love the swirls.

Cinnamon lace

2010-06-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

This was taken in the fern garden that ran alongside of the cabin where we vacationed in Maine this past week.
So good to be home. Ok, I'm lying because I wish I could stay there all summer long but it's good to be home safe and sound. Hot as hell here, though . . .

When you were young and your heart was an open book

2010-06-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

I heard that tune this week on an oldies station here in Maine. I've always liked the first line of that song (can you name it?) Taken from the top of Champlain Mountain earlier this week. It feels good to be here.
Processed using Florabella's Vintage Summer II action.

At the summit

2010-06-15T12:37:00.000-07:00

Beginning the descent down Champlain Mountain, Acadia National Park, along the Beachcroft Trail. That's Bar Harbor in the distance at the edge of the island. Beautiful weather today!

Springtime in Maine

2010-06-14T11:22:00.000-07:00

Is it wrong of me to have the phone turned off and to pretend my real life doesn't exist? For just a few days, that's all I want to do.
It's spring in Maine and the weather is a welcome relief from the heat back home in Maryland. These little wild blueberry blossoms were found at the top of Great Head, along the Great Head Trail in Acadia National Park. More later on the Chronicles blog.

A rose by any other name

2010-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

These wild beach roses are growing all around the home we are renting this week in coastal Maine. There are white roses all around the house and pink ones as well as a profusion of lupine along the path down to the beach. The air is sweet with perfume and life is good.
God, I love it here.

Weekly dose of George

2010-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

That's not the look of love in his eyes. Well, unless you can be in love with dog yummies, because that's what he's locked onto.

Stonington, Maine: View from Church Street

2010-06-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

Needing a moment to chill out for a bit, I found myself perusing photos of last year's summer vacation to Deer Isle, Maine. I opened this one in Photoshop because I wanted to play around with another watermark I've done. I can't seem to find the one to suit me perfectly, but it's fun making the attempt.
The big island you see in the background is Isle Au Haut, where writer Linda Greenlaw resides. You may remember her as the swordfishing captain of the Hannah Bowden, the sister ship of the Andrea Gail, featured in Sebastian Junger's novel "The Perfect Storm". Ms. Greenlaw is the author of "The Hungry Ocean" and "The Lobster Chronicles", among other works. Some day, I would like to stay at her inn on Isle au Haut.

Weekly dose of George

2010-05-31T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sitting behind George with my macro lens. He's watching the birds flying from tree to tree. Ah, what a life.

Birdhouse, Memorial Day weekend

2010-05-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

My husband enjoys birdhouses and I bought this one for him last year. We've tried it in several different locations but it looks best here, on this tree.
Sunny skies this afternoon here in Maryland. Hope your weekend is a good one.

Pink clouds in the evening

2010-05-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is what our sky looked like this evening after a storm came in bringing wonderfully cooler temperatures.
Photo by my husband.

Honeysuckle love

2010-05-27T06:00:00.000-07:00

There are vines of honeysuckle growing all over the edges of the property. Sometimes we cut them, bringing them inside to put in vases that, scattered all around the house, makes it smell heavenly.

Guitar hero

2010-05-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

So there I was at this birthday BBQ at a friend's backyard in Havre de Grace, Maryland when in walks this guy I'd never seen before. Turns out he's the birthday girl's new bf and his arms are covered in tattoos and I liked how it looked when he played the guitar.

Lilac love

2010-05-21T06:00:00.000-07:00

I found this beautiful layer mask today at Jerry Jones' site, Shadowhouse Creations. I set the layer mode to lighten and the opacity at 70%. I think it's yummy.

Weekly dose of George

2010-05-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've done the weekly dose of George. This was taken in May 2008 when he was 8 mos. old. I didn't want that foal getting too close. You never know.

Geraniums on the porch

2010-05-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

Sitting on my porch among the geraniums after dinner yesterday. I spent some idle time perusing catalogs with a glass of wine while waiting for the storm to come in. It had been hot and steamy all afternoon and we had weather advisories. This morning is quite exquisite.

The bees knees

2010-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

I was sitting on my back porch after a long day of yard work when I happened upon this bee. And I also happened to have my macro lens on the camera.

Statice

2010-05-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

This is limonium sinuatum, a pink and yellow version. I didn't know that just off the top of my head. I had to look it up.
I've been having trouble keeping up with the whole Picture a Day thing and notice that it's been nearly a week since I've last posted here. There's just so much else to do!

Saturday morning

2010-05-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Life slows down on Saturday and as I walked through the dining room to get another cup of coffee, I noticed this little vignette. A gentle breeze moved the curtain and I captured the scene with my trusty Nikon D80.

Striking a pose

2010-05-01T06:00:00.000-07:00

This photo of a male red-bellied woodpecker was taken by my husband this afternoon. The zebra-backed woodpecker with its bright red cap is a treat for the eyes. You can read more about it [here], if you like.

Busy

2010-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

My husband took this photo today with the macro lens. I love the squiggles.

Mary Mahoney's

2010-04-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping up with what this blog is titled. You'd think I could at least come up with a single picture a day, wouldn't you?
This is Mary Mahoney's, one of the South's most unique restaurants, located in Biloxi, MS. Established as a restaurant in 1964, it is actually situated in a home that was built in 1737, making it even older than the home I live in (1769). And I hear that the food is absolutely fantastic.

Rooftops in sunset, Philadelphia

2010-04-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taken at sunset while driving along I-95 in the southbound lane in Philadelphia.

Balcony, New Orleans

2010-04-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

The colors of this building's facade combined with the shutters caught my eye as I strolled the streets of New Orleans last week while visiting friends.

Little moth

2010-04-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

Not much to say, really. Looks like a moth today.

A testament to resiliency

2010-04-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

This carving stands along the Beach Boulevard in Biloxi, MS and is part of the Katrina Sculpture Project. To read more about it and to see more photos of the sculptures, please visit my other blog today.

Beach at Biloxi Bay, MS

2010-04-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

Our friends took us to this beach after we arrived Easter Sunday. We walked along and marveled at how much better it looks. There are still gaping holes in the landscape of the Gulf Coast from Katrina five years ago.

Setting the table for Easter dinner

2010-04-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

We're on a Road Trip and have stopped at the home of dear friends that we've known since we were teenagers. My husband and W hid eggs in the yard for the little ones. It's been a long time since I've gotten to watch children search for eggs. Adorable.
I don't know when I'll have another post up on this blog. We plan on returning some time over the coming weekend.

Early spring morning

2010-04-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are on our way to visit friends in the south but we're making a detour to visit a place we've never before been. I won't be posting for at least a week on this blog, but will try to update on the Chronicles blog. Wish us luck!

Weekly dose of George

2010-03-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

Taken at Northview Stallion Station, Chesapeake City, MD when George was 9 months of age. It was April 2008. And life was good.

Fleur de lis

2010-03-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

Found on the camera disk over the weekend. My husband had the macro lens out again and captured this wonderfully curved bud. I'm not sure of the plant, although I believe it may be a tree. SkeletalMess textures applied.

Sugar Mountain

2010-03-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

The buds get bigger every day. I love how they look at this time of year with their deep purple hues and sugary texture. SkeletalMess texture applied, available [here] as a free download. Blending mode set to linear burn @ 39% opacity.

Oh to live on Sugar Mountain, with the barkers and the colored balloons. You can't be twenty on Sugar Mountain, although you think you're leaving there too soon. You're leaving there too soon.
~ Neil Young

The weight of the world

2010-03-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

One of the Greek statues at the Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA. I visited there in June 2008 with Karen, my bf.

Weekly dose of George

2010-03-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the weekly dose of George. Look deep into those lovely brown eyes. He's a keeper, this dog is.
TRA's Super Old Skool (fast) action @ 50% opacity, followed by Pioneer Woman's Fresh & Colorful @ about 80%. SkeletalMess texture applied.
Have a beautiful day, all.

Mosaic Monday: Spring Cleaning

2010-03-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

Cleaning is a tough job and I have a love / hate relationship with it. I love it when it's clean. I just hate doing it sometimes. But if I take it in stages, and take it slow, well then it works so much better.
For more mosaics please visit my friend, Mary at Little Red House where she hosts a weekly theme for these. Enjoy your day.

Feelin' groovy

2010-03-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Ah, but I have been remiss in posting here. Apologies for that to those who enjoy this site.
This is the coolest lamp and is owned by a friend. I took it with my 50mm lens. Have a great day, all.

Favorite Things: Jimmy Belasco candles

2010-03-13T07:11:00.000-08:00

I know I've said it before, but I'm sayin' it again. I love these candles but even more so now that Jimmy himself sent me a note. You see, I had found a candle on his site that was priced $0.00. So being the bad person that I am, I put it in my cart and continued shopping, thinking that the price would appear when I checked out. When it didn't, I figured that only the two candles I'd ordered would be delivered. Imagine my surprise when all three of them arrived, with a personal note from Jimmy saying that the Amber Moss scent had been discontinued, but he happened to find one, so he sent it along. And at no charge. What a nice guy!
Of course, I wrote and thanked him profusely and sent him the link to a post I'd done last week or the week before. Here it is if you care to read about my candle love. Oh, and I must tell you that there is still a sale going on at his site and my new favorite scent is Love. And it's on sale, baybee.

Weekly dose of George

2010-03-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taken last Sunday when we had the tent set up in the yard. What a beautiful day that was. And what a happy dog this is.
Giveaway going on at my other site today.

Little lilac bud

2010-03-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

I thought the lilac bush was a goner after a tree fell on it last fall. It broke my heart to see it. There's only half a bush now but it's budding. And this makes me glad.
SkeletalMess texture applied, soft light at around 50% opacity.

Squiggles

2010-03-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Amusing myself with the camera and my macro lens over the weekend. I am attracted to squiggles, among other things.
The beautiful weather continues. This makes the third day in a row and everyone is enjoying it.

Seed pod

2010-03-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today was beautiful and I spent it lounging in the sun with my camera and my favorite two guys in the world. Yum.

Orange you glad?

2010-03-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

That it's Friday? I know I am.
This photo was taken last March at Longwood Gardens, in Pennsylvania. My blogging friend, Tracey, spent the day Thursday at Longwood. Check out her beautiful photography on her blog, These Nine Acres. Tracey is going to be teaching a workshop that deals with hands on strategies and techniques on capturing great floral images. She'll be live and in-person at Longwood Gardens where she's holding the class. If you live in the area, and are interested in improving your skills, leave a message on her blog. More to come. Have a great weekend, all!

Weekly dose of George

2010-03-03T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taken a few weeks ago and would you believe it? There's still snow on the ground here. It's not this high (thank heavens) but there's still a lot of white. In this photo, it's deeper than it looks. George is able to walk on 'top' of the footpath we made. For us to walk, however, we'd sink up to above our knees and we still weren't hitting the bottom.
Good times. I'm not kidding, either!

Goodbye February

2010-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Just fooling around with a frame I downloaded today at Shadowhouse Creations. The photo was taken earlier this month. I still can't believe how deep the snow was here in Maryland. Have a great Monday, all.

Evening at the feeder

2010-02-28T04:42:00.000-08:00

My husband took this shot of a female cardinal waiting her turn at the feeder that's hanging from the dogwood tree outside of the kitchen window. The late afternoon sun was shining on the birds as they had their dinner and of the 76 shots he took, this one was my favorite. SOOC (straight out of camera) using a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300mm lens.

How I like 'em

2010-02-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

I realized that I hadn't updated this blog all week. And because today is a snow day here in Maryland, I've made myself a nice little breakfast. I like my eggs (3 whites, 1 yolk) scrambled and with fresh salsa on top. And I'm loving this ginger marmalade I just bought. Have a beautiful day, all.
Photo taken with a Nikon D80 and 60mm macro lens.

Sandy beach

2010-02-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Beach along Sand Beach Road outside of Stonington, Maine. Hoping we can go back there this summer. Florabella's Vintage Summer seemed appropriate for this one.

Morning on the hill

2010-02-21T05:56:00.001-08:00

Taken yesterday morning by my husband while I was still asleep. He used the 70-300mm lens and the gorillapod (our little bendable tripod). Florabella's 'sunlight' action applied at about 70% which added a little warmth.

Hatteras Inlet

2010-02-20T06:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when I'm cold, I look in my photo files for warmth. I found this vintage photo in my 'Thanksgiving 2006' file. Not truly vintage, but it will do.
I shot this on my 50th birthday from the deck of the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry using our old Sony Cybershot camera which was our first digital point & shoot. This is a sandbar in the inlet between Hatteras and Ocracoke islands that had attracted thousands of birds. My husband was taking me on a trip to Ocracoke for my birthday where we spent a wonderful week in a place we love.
Florabella's Vintage Summer action applied.

Weekly dose of George

2010-02-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the black & white himself sunning in the 40 degree temps today. Photo by husband. Florabella 's Platinum (warm) texture applied.

The Trusty Element

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

When it snows, my husband clears my car for me and gets it ready to go to work. Tuesday was my first day back to school (work) after having had over a week's worth of snow days. My husband got the car ready for me and shot this picture just after it had begun to snow. Again.

Back to normal after all the snow

2010-02-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

I took this photo of a slate-colored male juncoe Monday afternoon just as it began to snow again. It snowed off and on through the night and we had another 2 or 3 inches this morning and I drove to work through a wonderful little snowfall. It's good to be back to work again.

Photo taken with a Nikon D80 and a Quantaray 70-300 mm lens

The Apthorp

2010-02-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

The Apthorp is one of the rare New York City apartment buildings to occupy an entire city block. The Renaissance Revival building was designed by architects Clinton & Russell, was built between 1906 and 1908, and occupies the full block between Broadway and West End Avenue and between 78th and 79th Streets. The building is built around a huge interior courtyard. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and a City Landmark. ~ Wikipedia

Pansy after the rain

2010-02-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

This was my final submission for Pioneer Woman's 'Shallow Depth-of-Field' photo assignment. It wasn't chosen as one of the finalists but I have no qualms about that. At all! The submissions she chose are absolutely breathtaking.
I'm taking a few days off and will be back after the weekend. Have a good one, all!

Diamonds on the tops of the trees

2010-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

The bare branches of the trees glisten with ice as the sun shines down.
We've had two major snowstorms here in Maryland within the past week. I think it's beautiful.
les brumes texture/111 applied. Have you seen these? They are really cool and available to have fun with.

World of white

2010-02-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Taken this afternoon before the wind began. This is an epic snowfall here in Maryland. All is well, though.

Sparrow in twilight

2010-02-09T15:39:00.000-08:00

It was a gray day today and I shot this photo of a sparrow out my kitchen window. Looking forward to a big TV night with Ellen as a new host of the Survivor Singing Show and Lost both on the same night. The excitement mounts. Even the dog is excited. But I think it's only because of his New Favorite Toy in the Whole World. That's why.

Mosaic Monday

2010-02-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

I took these photos yesterday afternoon during the snowstorm. My husband took the one on the far right. I know I should be thinking spring, but I am just loving all this snow. This afternoon, as we were sitting out in the sunshine, my husband and I both agreed that if we were given a choice between this weather and the hot humid heat of the summer, we'd take this.
Mosaic Monday is hosted weekly by my friend Mary at Little Red House. Stop on by to see other offerings.

View from the driveway

2010-02-07T11:05:00.000-08:00

I questioned my sanity after the decision to hike down our snow-covered driveway to the main road. Coming back was difficult as it's a third of a mile long and uphill but I got a few nice pics. I think it's time for a rest now. More snow pics on my other blog today.

Sparrows in snowstorm

2010-02-06T09:14:00.001-08:00

My husband took this photo during one of his many walks outside this morning. We're in the midst of a rip-roarin' snowstorm and so far, life is good. Let's hope the power stays on.

Co-workers at school

2010-02-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

I'd forgotten this photo and found it in my folder from this time last year. These are some of our lower school teachers outside the little break room by our lower school library. Everyone's got their coffee mug, I see. L to R: Cindy, Cheryl, Linda, Tara, Christine and Cat. Cat moved out west over the summer and she's still missed. I love my co-workers.

Weekly dose of George

2010-02-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

He does love the snow. Let me know when you get tired of the weekly dose. Honestly. I see him every day.
Florabella's Platinum texture, overlay @ about 30% opacity for background.

Toasted Head

2010-02-02T06:00:00.000-08:00

I have a thing about wine labels. I just find some of them very interesting. This offering from R.H. Phillips has always amused me with its playful fire-breathing circus bear. It doesn't pair very well with food, (the wine, not the bear) but is quite nice to drink at cocktail hour. If you enjoy a big, oaky Chardonnay, this one is pretty okay. (I meant that to rhyme).

Artwork along a street in New Orleans

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

I was looking through my photos of a trip I took last summer to see friends who live in Mississippi. We took a day trip to New Orleans and had lunch and walked around the streets. These framed paintings were so bright and welcoming that I had to snap a few pics. I loved the giraffes.

Looks like summer (feels like winter)

2010-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:00

Heading over the bridge that leads to Assateague Island State and National Parks. Just to the north (left) is Ocean City, Maryland.