Capturing Light & Life

January 12, 2010

2010-01-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

"Friends forever, cousins for life!"

Anthony on the right is almost 8 months and Everest is nearly 2 months. Even though there is a 6 month difference between these two, you can just tell from looking at them how much love and fun they will share as cousins. They are so lucky to live nearby each other and as they grow, it is my hope they will stay close and be the best of friends.

January 11, 2010

2010-01-11T08:14:00.001-08:00

Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie....
Menu Description: "Tender chunks of chicken with seasonings and vegetables.

Guess what I found at my local Costco this weekend? The Best of Top Secret Recipes from the files of Todd Wilbur! I LOVE these copycat recipes!

The fog came rolling in this afternoon at about 3 and the weather was cold and gloomy. What for dinner? Ahhhh, Marie Callender's Chicken Pot Pie! This turned out to be a 5-star recipe. So good and really, just like the real thing. I kept asking my husband if he thought is was pretty close to the real thing because it is one of his favorites and his only comment was he didn't think Marie Callender's puts that much chicken into it. Yeah, I don't eat that much meat anymore either and even though it was stupendous, I'd go a little easier on the meat. It was a chicken breast per bowl and I think a half a chicken breast would have been enough. We ate two tonight and have two for another night down the road, or lunch.
And the crust...... TO DIE FOR!!!

Crust
1 &1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp. salt
2 egg yolks
3 TBS ice water
2/3 c cold butter
(1 beaten egg to brush on crust) optional

Filling
1 c sliced carrots
1 c sliced celery
2 c frozen peas
1 c chopped white onion
4 chicken breasts
4 TBS butter
5 TBS flour
2 &1/2 C chicken broth
2/3 c milk
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper

Mix dry crust ingredients, make well in center and all wet ingredients, mix with fork and then your hands to finish. Make into disk- put in fridge for at least an hour

Steam veggies (sliced carrot and celery first for 5 min. Add frozen peas and onions and continue steaming for another 10 to 12 minutes)and poach chicken (cook in slightly salted water for 8 to 10 min) Cut chicken into bite size pieces. In separate pan melt butter and whisk in flour- add chicken broth and milk- stir until mixture comes to a boil, then cook for 1 more minute before reducing heat to low. Add all the chicken and the veggies and salt and pepper. Simmer on low for 5 minutes. Put into casserole dish (I like to spray dish with Pam first for easy cleaning)

Roll out dough the shape of the dish- seal on top of dish folding edges under. brush with egg if desired. His recipe calls for cooking in 6 individual ramekins, but I'm to lazy for that (and don't have the ramekins).

Bake 425*F for approx. 35 to 45 minutes

January 10, 2010

2010-01-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

"By making this wine vine known to the public, I have rendered my country as great a service as if I had enabled it to pay back the national debt." Thomas Jefferson

Maybe we need to follow good ol' Thomas Jefferson's tips about settling up the National Debt with more wine orchards. Of course the debt has really grown since those words were uttered.

It's quiet in the grape orchards this time of year. We took a ride out to Edna Valley Winery near sunset and snapped some pretty pictures of the dormant grape vines against a backdrop of Islay Peak. When I got home and decided to upload it, along with some information about the winery, I found their painting of nearly the same shot. (Shhhh! I think I like mine better!) Anyway, gonna have to try some of that Grenache. You can find information about Edna Valley Winery HERE.

January 9, 2010

2010-01-09T12:17:00.000-08:00

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own......

A little late in posting this picture, but this is the Blue Moon of December 31, 2009. Have you ever wondered what a Blue Moon was? The simple explanation is the 2nd full moon of a month. You HAVE to check out the information over at About.com though. Here is one of their examples of when the moon actually turned blue. Head on over to read much, MUCH more.

"In 1883, an Indonesian volcano named Krakatoa exploded. Scientists liken the blast to a 100-megaton nuclear bomb. Fully 600 km away, people heard the noise as loud as a cannon shot. Plumes of ash rose to the very top of Earth's atmosphere. And the moon turned blue."

January 8, 2010

2010-01-08T07:12:00.001-08:00

The ocean is a central image. It is the symbolism of a great journey. Enya

I know, I know...another ocean picture. But this is MY ocean, the one that is just a few blocks away. The one that amazes me each and every day with the diversity of sunsets. The ocean that smells so good and lulls me to sleep each night with the sound of the waves on the beach. This is my ocean, the one I want to take care of so future generations can enjoy it as much as I do. As I gaze out on the ocean today, I wonder how many other eager eyes are doing the same thing as sunset hits their beaches. I love the ocean and I'll NEVER get enough of her.

And this is my little dog Rico, who, I'm sure, feels the exact same way. See how he gazes at the beauty. You can almost see the ocean in the reflection in his little eyes.

January 7, 2010

2010-01-08T06:56:00.000-08:00

"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." Sherlock Holmes

Last night my hubby and I went to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I really liked it. Watson (Jude Law) made a great Watson, in love and wanting to propose marriage and "move on" from his bachelorhood with Holmes. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) character was really fleshed out too. Not only did he solve crimes but he dabbled in boxing, scientific investigation and even a bit of alcohol. And Lord Blackwell (Mark Strong) made a fantastic villian! He is willing to murder women, men, even his father in an attempt to try to takeover "the world" as he finds it. The special effects and filmography of creating an 1800's England is remarlable. Definitely a two thumbs up movie!

January 6, 2010

2010-01-06T07:34:00.001-08:00

Hello? Hello is anyone there... testing, TESTING... tick, tick, tick.... is this thing on?

Wow, that's really up close huh? That's what I get for thinking my camera was taking a 10 sec. timed photo.

I just got back from a scooter ride. Gonna post the beginning mileage and see just how many miles I end up going this year. My hubby says he'd like to take a 2 week bike vacation and ride some of Route 66. That sounds like fun... AND a bunch of miles.

So here's where I'm going to say the year began, 3, 426 miles on the bike. Yes, we have done a bit of riding already this year, maybe about 75 miles more... lets' see how many more we can add to that this year.

As I was saying, took a ride on Hwy. 1 from Halcyon to Avila Beach and back. We are having THE BEST weather right now. My bike said it was 75! Here is a picture of my baby in Halcyon....

And here is at Port San Luis...

My Majesty is such a pretty bike and keeps a nice shine most of the time. Oh, and me you ask? Ear to ear smiles, man..... ear to ear smiles!

I'm a lucky girl to be able to ride ANY TIME OF THE DAY OR NIGHT!

January 5, 2010

2010-01-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful sunset....
I live within walking distance to the beach. There really is nothing like it! This evening I packed up my dogs and we went for a walk.... I really wish pictures came with smell-o-vision because it smelled SO GOOD!! There was a mist coming in from the ocean hovering close to the ground and it was scented with salt, sea and ozone... you know, the smell after it rains.

Along the creek the glimpses of Spring on Willow branches. Lots of little catkins or pussy willows we used to call them.

On our walk through the Monarch Butterfly Grove, hundreds of butterflies were making their last flight of the day and you could actually HEAR their wings opening and closing overhead. It was a magical ending to a wonderful day!

Today's photos were taken with my Iphone because that's the camera I had on me.

January 4, 2010

2010-01-04T16:00:00.001-08:00

And "The Secret" is.....

Like everyone else, I'm making my way into the new year with some new ideas, plans, call them resolutions if you want. One of my downfalls is to think negatively about things and it got me in a negative hole! So I'm climbing out and beginning this year with another reading of The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. It's about my 3rd or 4th time through, hmmmm, I guess it didn't stay "in there" where it could do me some good, but, review is GOOD! I love this excerpt taken from pages 3 & 4....

"What is The Secret?....The Secret is the law of attraction!

Everything that's coming into your life you are attracting into your life. And it's attracted to you by virtue of the images you're holding in your mind. It's what you're thinking. Whatever is going on in your mind you are attracting to you." Bob Proctor, motivational speaker

"Every thought of yours is a real thing -- a force." Prentice Mulford

Happy 4th day of the year y'all!

January 3, 2010

2010-01-03T15:58:00.000-08:00

On this 3rd day of the year, I finished a major overhaul on my craft room and took a bunch of pictures. My plan is to put a video up on my craft web site, Rubber Stamps Ink in the next couple of weeks. The video ended up being over 10 minutes, the length restriction on YouTube so I'll need to do some editing.

January 2, 2010

2010-01-03T15:55:00.001-08:00

My New Year's resolutions didn't include dieting this year... yahoo!! Does that mean that I'm at a perfect weight, nope, but there are more important things sometimes. We had a quickie lunch at Taco Bell on day two of the year and these are the yummy jalapenos that make the nachos SCREAM!!

January 1, 2010

2010-01-03T15:52:00.001-08:00

A New Try At 365 Photography!

This year I'm using The Project 365 to document something each day. I'm not going to work off of someone's list, instead, my plan is to use it as a photographic diary. Using some monthly digital masks I found here, my plan is to make 12 monthly pages of 30 to 31 photos that I can then have bound into a Shutterfly album. Maybe this more "personal" choice 365 will help me to stay on track and get it done!

2010 Starts off with a new little one...well, actually, we had 3 new little grandboys born this year. That's one of the reasons my posts slowed WAY down towards the end of the year. This one is Everest Alan and he was born the 14th of November. I'm sure you will see more of each of the grandboys as the year progresses.

164/365 KITE

2009-06-08T21:39:00.000-07:00

Kite surfers taking advantage of the windy weather "fly" their kites.

12/365 ANTIQUE

2009-05-21T21:23:00.000-07:00

Found near the Old School House in the Village of Arroyo Grande. My husband says it is a press of some kind. I was really attracted to the beautiful spiral design of the wheel but I'm pretty sure it was created for strength rather than beauty!

96/365 FEATHERED OR FEATHERS

2009-05-20T13:41:00.001-07:00

"Will Pose For Food"

While out trying some Aperture priority photography, this rooster silently crept up on me and took me by surprise. I was on my knees taking pictures and as I turned around, there he was basically staring me in the eye. Knowing that most roosters "confront" with beaks and spurs and being the great photographer that I am (yeah, right!), I brought my camera up between us. This was either going to be a really GREAT close-up or a picture of me getting beat down by a bird. Thankfully, he was actually friendly and just hunting for a food hand out.

118/365 GARDEN

2009-05-11T09:59:00.001-07:00

This is one of my favorite places to visit... The Emerson Community Garden site in San Luis Obispo. It's really an oasis of peace and quiet. The birds chirped sweetly in the trees, butterflies and bees were everywhere and it smelled like Heaven! If you work in San Luis and take your lunch, I would highly suggest making a trip over to the gardens. Sit at one of their picnic tables and absorb the calmness. Towards the end of Spring/ the beginning of the Summer season, things are in full swing and there is greenery everywhere! Looks like someone was giving a "hand" with the garden hose. Such a nice day I thought I'd include a few more in collage.

234/365 PINK

2009-05-08T20:49:00.000-07:00

This is my son's dog, Wilhelm. He is a real nut. Today he somehow found a little heart somewhere on my carpet and snuffled it up. It stuck right there on the end of his nose. He sat down in front of me and kept staring at me as if to say, "Well, are you going to take my picture or not??"

284/365 SILLY

2009-05-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

I'm breaking a promise.... sort of. I promised I wouldn't put this picture up but instead, I just won't say who it is! Have you ever seen something as silly as this and what the heck is he doing?

Well, believe it or not, he's playing with my grandson's battery operated tank. You put on this eyepiece and the tank is equipped with a viewer piece. You see what the tank sees so when it goes around corners, you can see where you are going.

Too silly!

A couple more "victims" of the tank eyepiece!

348/365 VAPOR

2009-05-04T16:09:00.001-07:00

Vapor (noun)

Visible particles of moisture floating in the air as fog, mist or steam.

167/365 LAUNDRY

2009-05-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

What do you do when you have a bedspread too large for your own washer? Head for the local laundromat. And, what do you do while you wait for that bedspread to be washed and dried? Take pictures of course! I LOVE the way this picture came out looking retro... could be the 60's, 70's or just this past weekend!

341/365 TWO

2009-05-02T20:03:00.001-07:00

Two of the sweetest, most cuddly looking sea otters in all of Morro Bay! They were so cute, even cuter in person! They didn't have a care in the world and napped peacefully while drawing quite the crowd on the shoreline.

243/365 PUBLIC ART

2009-04-27T16:11:00.000-07:00

IRON ROAD PIONEERS  
Chinese Railroad Worker

As written on the memorial plaque:

"This sculpture commemorates and honors the enormous contribution of the Chinese immigrants who helped build the early railroads on the central coast and across our nation. Their laborious efforts helped to lay the early foundations for San Luis Obispo to become the premier model urban community that we enjoy today. The first narrow gauge rail line in this region was completed in 1876. It enabled San Luis Obispo's agricultural areas to send their products worldwide via Port Harford (now Port San Luis). Thousands of Chinese laborers graded the roadbeds, built trestles, cut major access roads, and risked their lives in the process. Many died and were laid to rest in unmarked graves. This sculpture is an everlasting monument in recognition of those iron road pioneers."

My husband and I went out one "Date Night" to the Southern Pacific Railway Station in San Luis Obispo for after dark photography. This is one half of the entire sculpture featuring two Chinese immigrants working on laying miles of track. I absolutely LOVE the lighting which enhanced the clothing folds and made that nice black background to shoot against.

Botanica Magnifica

2009-04-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

My good friend, Janine, told me about this CBS News Sunday Morning program featuring Jonathan Singer.

If you are anything like me, you will find the story and the man, passionate, fascinating, heart-touching and awe-inspiring. I think I even humbly mumbled the phrase...."I want to be a photographer just like him!"

Watch CBS Videos Online

71/365 CURLY

2009-04-22T11:03:00.001-07:00

A bit of curly Pampas Grass. It reminds me of wood shavings on a carpenter's floor.

141/365 HANGS ON A WALL

2009-04-14T15:18:00.000-07:00

Too bad for me! I got to Edna Townsite AFTER the Old Edna Deli closed. What's a woman to do??? Take pictures instead!

300/365 SPRING!

2009-04-13T22:07:00.000-07:00

Temperatures are definitely rising and my lavender is beginning to bloom attracting honey bees galore! I LOVE Spring!

55/365 CLOSELY CROPPED

2009-04-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

This beauty is the center of a Gerbera Daisy, one of many lovely flowers my husband gave me for my birthday!

86/365 ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS

2009-03-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

This photograph was taken overlooking the channel at Mariposa Reina near Santa Barbara. It is a picture of the environment as it is but maybe not how it will stay. There are several offshore oil drilling rigs in this channel right now and as the need for gas and oil products increases, we the voters will have to decide what is more important; beautiful views that go on for miles or more cars, gas and driving. Personally, I vote for the views.

30/365 BOX

2009-03-30T14:41:00.000-07:00

A place for everything and everything in it's place. Cubby with my grandson's shoes... and is that a cookie??

29/365 BODIES OF WATER

2009-03-27T11:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so what do you do with a picture that you WERE going to use for "Backlighting" that didn't quite work out? Tint it, add film grain and call it something else! Seriously, I think I'll call this one Blue Lagoon. It is a photograph of our local Oceano Lagoon at dusk. Check out that line of ducks, yup, that's what they are. You could see them better if they weren't so blurry!! He He He

129/365 GREEN

2009-03-26T09:37:00.001-07:00

Green Energy.

171/365 LETTERS

2009-03-24T15:05:00.001-07:00

These are some of the best "letters" I know!

190/365 MULTIPLES

2009-03-22T21:17:00.000-07:00

311/365 SUNRISE, SUNSET....

2009-03-21T08:37:00.000-07:00

The Pier in Pismo Beach at Sunset.

56/365 CLOUDS

2009-03-20T09:01:00.001-07:00

Looking Up

278/365 SHADES OF GRAY

2009-03-19T13:28:00.001-07:00

Resting after eating a dinner of ants. I know, I watched him for a LONG time. He nearly blended in on the gray rock he was on and fast... well apparently not fast enough, he was sporting only half a tail.

TAGGED!

2009-03-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

I've been TAGGED by Linda! {Go Check Out Her Blog...The Photographs are AWESOME!}
That means that I have to:

•Go to your photo folder on your computer

•Go to the 6th folder of photos

•Go to the sixth picture

•Put the picture on your blog and a description of it

•Invite six friends to join the challenge

•Link them in your blog

And here is the picture I found.

While taking weekly maternity pictures for my daughter, Melody, I shot this candid shot of them with their "daughter" Brisa. This beautiful German Shepherd/Wolf mix IS their first child. Can you tell she is the center of attention most of the time? There was no way I was going to take the "couple" picture without her getting in on the shoot. Brisa... we LOVE you! Thanks, Linda for allowing me to share my family Photographs with everyone.

Now, on to MY tagging of 6 lucky victims, I mean fabulous photographers.... he he he.

Mia - Mia's Pearls
Kim - Candid's By Kim
Kristin - Kristin's Creative World
Karen - Alibony Photo Challenge 2009
Beth - Beth's 365 Photo Journey
Kim - It's About Life

**I'm still working on this list... tagging is going around like the flu!

266/365 RUSTED

2009-03-16T15:13:00.001-07:00

Metal sorting silos near Shandon, CA off Hwy. 41

22/365 BARREN

2009-03-16T14:50:00.001-07:00

Hwy. 41 Near Shandon, CA

257/365 REGAL

2009-03-12T10:18:00.001-07:00

"Mariposa Reina"

A beautiful Monarch Butterfly warming up at the Pismo Beach Monarch Grove.

123/365 GO FISH!

2009-03-12T10:17:00.001-07:00

"Hungry Eyes"

My Grandson's aquarium fish eyeing a blueberry muffin breakfast. Did I forget to feed you sweet fish?

32/365 BOY

2009-03-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

"Looking For A 4-Leaf Clover"

One of my favorite subjects, my grandson Scott, spending time in Nature looking for the 4 leaf clover.

175/365 LOGS

2009-03-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

"Sappy Tears"

Crying for my lost "limb".

336/365 TRASH OR TREASURE?

2009-03-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

Can you have to many things hanging from your rear view mirror??? Maybe!

360/365 WHO PUT THAT THERE?

2009-03-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

"Rubber Ducky You're The One"

You can almost hear him say, "Ahhh" as the water spills over him.

256/365 REFLECTIONS

2009-03-06T09:16:00.001-08:00

"Reflections In A Pond"

Reflections around Pismo Creek

176/365 LOOK ALIKES

2009-03-05T10:29:00.001-08:00

"Imitating Nature"

While on a nature stroll today, I saw this cool sight. The "button" on the left appears to be a metal car part and on the right, a Eucalyptus "button".

63/365 "Fungus Among Us"

2009-03-04T10:05:00.001-08:00

A variety of tree mushroom. Can you imagine the entire tree covered in this... like a beautiful flowery dress.

238/365 PORTRAIT

2009-03-03T08:34:00.001-08:00

"Baby Love"

I LOVE to do portraits, especially of my family. This is my youngest daughter, her husband and my grandchild to be.

179/365 MAGICAL OR MYSTICAL

2009-03-02T15:10:00.000-08:00

Up close and personal with fungus.

43/365 CELESTIAL BODIES

2009-02-27T20:05:00.001-08:00

Isn't this just stunning!? It is tonight's Crescent Moon and Venus as seen from Grover Beach, CA around 8:00 p.m. Check out the Earth's glow on the dark side of the moon. Click HERE for more information.

54/365 "Equus Roundus"

2009-02-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Merry-Go-Round Horse. Santa Barbara, CA

267/365 SANDY

2009-02-23T14:35:00.001-08:00

A Homeless Sand Sculptor's Creation. Santa Barbara, CA

46/365 "Moon Cactus"

2009-02-16T16:07:00.000-08:00

47/365 "At The Ready"

2009-02-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

44/365 "Hey There Sunshine!"

2009-02-14T08:50:00.002-08:00

43/365 "Reflection"

2009-02-14T08:50:00.001-08:00

Early evening reflection after the recent rainstorms.
Oso Flaco Lake, Guadalupe, CA.

126/365 GRAFFITI OR MURAL

2009-02-14T08:48:00.001-08:00

Graffiti found at Oso Flaco Lake, Guadalupe, CA.

Photo Friday: 2/13/09 "PET"

2009-02-13T09:17:00.001-08:00

Photo Friday: 2/13/09 "PETS"
Originally uploaded by ksweems1

This is my Chilly Chi Chi, Rico. Yes, we really do bundle him up like this or he will shiver all day long.

88/365 EYES

2009-02-11T08:35:00.001-08:00

Windows To The Soul

13/364 ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS

2009-02-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

Beautiful old architecture in Downtown San Francisco.

40/365 "Sewing Project"

2009-02-09T15:02:00.001-08:00

My daughter is expecting a baby boy in May. This sewing project is making Pee-Pee TeePees, the baby boy diaper changing aid. They are the best way to avoid getting sprayed in the face by wee wee.

39/365 "Painted Ladies"

2009-02-08T11:39:00.000-08:00

The Coffee T. Rice home located in Oceano, California. To see more about this home, visit My Blog.

249/365 RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY!

2009-02-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

"Rainy Commute"

37/365 "Barefoot In The Park"

2009-02-06T09:16:00.001-08:00

My grandson, Scott, playing in the park. Can you believe it? A warm February day in California.

36/365 "Calla Lilly"

2009-02-05T08:14:00.001-08:00

'Nuff said huh? Nature at it's peak. This Calla Lilly is absolutely BEAUTIFUL in person and I'm lucky enough to have it in my yard.

35/365 "Pacific Pirate"

2009-02-04T15:29:00.001-08:00

Grandson Scott playing at Oceano Park this afternoon. What can I say, he's a good subject.

34/365 "Pasta"

2009-02-03T21:52:00.001-08:00

Ok, I bought the Ron Popeil Pasta Maker years ago. With family around this evening wanting homemade pasta, we busted it out along with a recipe for Fettucini Alfredo and and feasted like Italians! Yes, you're right if you are saying to yourself, "That isn't Fettucini coming out of that machine!" We finished the Fettucini and decided to make some Rigatoni for another night this week... batch two. By the way.... homemade REALLY is good!

33/365 "Candlemaking"

2009-02-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

Trying my hand at making some soy candles. This candle has potpourri, essential oils and even a little glitter. Looks like I'll be heading to Michaels soon for supplies; scent and color designed for soapmaking does NOT work in candles. Then looking at the flowers surrounding the wick... um yeah, could be a fire hazard! Doesn't matter, it was bunches of fun and I'm definitely doing it again really soon.

230/365 PEAKS OR VALLEYS

2009-02-01T10:22:00.000-08:00

"The Rock"

This is Morro Rock as seen from Baywood Park. Morro Rock was created 23 million years ago and is 576 feet tall. It is often called the Gibralter of the Pacific and was first sighted by Juan Cabrillo in 1542. At one time it was surrounded by water although now about half of the rock is surrounded by parking lot.

31/365 "Bath Time"

2009-01-31T16:57:00.000-08:00

This is a dog that HATES baths. Thankfully, he doesn't need them all that often. Is that a look of disgust or surrender?

30/365 "Blocks"

2009-01-30T14:49:00.000-08:00

Children's ceramic art Block wall in Atlantic City Park, Grover Beach, CA.

29/365 "Colorful"

2009-01-29T07:08:00.001-08:00

Here's Tiffany's wedding bouquet after a week. Still absolutely beautiful and colorful.

28/365 "Breakfast"

2009-01-28T08:53:00.001-08:00

Breakfast.... or what's left from it. After a cold motorcycle ride to Paso Robles, we stopped at McDonald's for their Bacon & Egg Breakfast. This was all that was left. Yummy!

27/365 " Pair"

2009-01-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

Here's a pair, a scary pair that lives at my local nursery, Ron's Nursery. Ron's is a great place to spend some time, especially around the different holidays. They carry unique and locally handmade items of interest for your home and garden.

26/365 What Are Little Boys Made Of?

2009-01-26T13:53:00.000-08:00

What Are Little Boys Made Of?

Frogs And Snails And Puppy-Dogs' Tails,

And That's What Little Boys Are Made Of.

24/365 Reflection

2009-01-25T09:27:00.001-08:00

We are finally getting some much needed rain in our area. While searching for rainbows, I came across this really great reflection.

23/365 Jurassic Dinosaur

2009-01-25T09:26:00.001-08:00

It's too bad you can't read this sign, it says, "No Swimming Or Wading!". This big iron giant is for sale at the Oceano Nursery in Pismo Beach. We took a trip out to Huasna and found a home out there with about 3 or 4 different dino's out in their pasture. Not what you'd expect to see in the terrain.

22/365 "Graffiti"

2009-01-25T09:25:00.002-08:00

Not long ago, I did a whole photo collection of nothing but graffiti. Living in California, you see it quite a bit. I don't agree with this art form, but some of them are very tastefully done!

25/365 "Dandy Lion"

2009-01-25T09:25:00.001-08:00

This was a HUGE dandelion head taken at it's peak.... just before releasing all it's potential.

51/365 CITY LIGHTS: G Is For Galleria

2009-01-21T07:40:00.001-08:00

My hubby and I are on the road today. We made plans a few weeks back to attend a taping of The Bonnie Hunt Show in Culver City. On the way down, I tried to take pictures from the car and snapped this one of the Galleria as we drove by.

258/365 RELAXATION

2009-01-21T07:39:00.001-08:00

Refugio Road in Santa Barbara County

What do you do for relaxation? For us, it's a ride in the country and stops like this where we sit and meditate on Nature's beauty.

328/365 TIE THE KNOT

2009-01-20T13:46:00.000-08:00

My 2nd Daughter was married yesterday and I have a beautiful wedding photo to share. It was a beach wedding, barefoot in the sand with the ocean breezes blowing and a reception at a co-worker's estate.

Congratulations Tiffany and Chris, the new Mr. & Mrs. Koehler!

339/365 TRIO: Winter Trees

2009-01-19T08:06:00.000-08:00

I call these Winter Trees although where we live in California, this is about as Winter as it gets! They look all white and frosty.

MAKE YOUR OWN THEME: Self Portrait Saturday (SPS)

2009-01-17T20:52:00.001-08:00

As suggested by Tammy Mitchell, Saturday's 365 Project features Self Portraits of ourselves or someone else. This is my grandson, Scott. He's one of my favorite subjects when it comes to photography. He never tires of smiling and posing and I have many great pictures of him.

340/365 TURKEY OR FOWL

2009-01-16T21:55:00.000-08:00

What do you think of a town that lets hens and roosters to freely roam the town? I love it! Arroyo Grande, CA does just that. A couple of years back a local lawyer tried to do away with them stating they were a traffic accident just waiting to happen. Animal services came in to town and caught them all and took them away. Within a week or so, there were more chickens to take their place. They are beautiful, noisy and roost up in the trees along the creek. Believe it or not, they hang out behind the local butcher shop! I hope they are around for a very long time.

114/365 FRUITS OF THE SEASON

2009-01-15T16:42:00.000-08:00

While others across the states are having a true wet and snowy winter, California is having a heat wave and getting ready to harvest Avocados. We have a little tree in the backyard that only last year began producing fruit. They are pretty small, but some of the tastiest around. Maybe one of these years the tree will surprise me and have more than 5 avocados on it.

25/365 BEVERAGE OF CHOICE

2009-01-14T14:59:00.001-08:00

When I think "hot" I think of my favorite breakfast drink, a Vanilla Chai Latte. It's my drink of choice when I go to Starbucks but I also make it at home (and shhhhh, I think it's even BETTER at home!) I use a mix, Big Train Vanilla Chai mixed with hot water then add whipped cream topping and ground cinnamon. Great way to start my day!

315/365 SYMBOLS: All Seeing Eye

2009-01-13T14:47:00.000-08:00

"I have looked into your eyes with my eyes. I have put my heart near your heart."

Pope John XXIII

Isn't this eye a wonderful color of green? It is really a fountain bubbling out water that I spied at a local gardening center. See, it pays to always carry your camera! "

I like to think of Eyes as "The Mirrors of the Soul." When I remember that, I really look at the people I meet every day. Do you take the time to notice the color of a person's eyes? Ok, other than those you are around all the time? Do their eyes tell the same "story" the rest of their body and words they are sharing? Do you remember your parents telling you, "Look me in the eyes so I can see if you are lying"? Did they already KNOW you were telling the truth or was their really something there?

Our eyes are so unique they can be read or "scanned" by a device as a security card. Iridologists diagnose medical problems by looking into your eyes and "reading" the flecks, spots, and irregularities. Some people wear glasses, others contact lenses some don't need help with eyesight at all. Take some time today to really notice the eyes of others. You'll be glad you did!

153/365 HOW ABOUT THIS WEATHER

2009-01-12T14:54:00.001-08:00

Weather warm enough to go barefoot... IN JANUARY!! You'll remember yesterday's post where I was talking about the parts of my body I like.... Well, this is one of those parts, my feet. Can you believe it? It's January in California and we are able to walk around barefoot it's so warm. And does that cool grass ever feel good!

MAKE YOUR OWN THEME: Self Portrait

2009-01-11T10:33:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that those who take the pictures seldom want to be in them? That's me! But today, it was suggested by Tammy that we do a Self Portrait on Saturdays and the Best Picture of the week on Sundays. Since I posted already for yesterday, today will be a Self Portrait.

First off, I would have to say that in general, I don't like the way I look. Over 50, overweight and my skin is ruddy (that's a NICE way to say it). My first thought was to take pictures of the parts I like and mosaic them altogether leaving out the worst parts. He He He. Working with only a couple of parts might be hard though, so, I decided, in the Spirit of the New Year, that I would go ahead and "pose" for a portrait. This picture was taken using Photo Booth.

354/365 WATER'S EDGE

2009-01-10T18:18:00.000-08:00

Thankful is the word and picture of today. I love living near the beach and being able to run down and walk my dogs or take a drive on the beach. Plus, it was in the 70's today, clear, slight ocean breeze and as you can see, warm enough for some to go into the water.

62/365 COMPUTER

2009-01-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

Most of you will recognize this for what it is.... a flash picture of the computer screen. But when I saw it, I thought, "How cool, right on the screen where it says Capturing Light and Life". Plus it is very reflective of how I spend the first hour or so of my morning while my Grandson Scott watches Sesame Street. That is MY time to catch up on e-mail, post to my blogs and read other Blog friends posts. I LOVE MY COMPUTER!

2009-01-08T09:43:00.000-08:00

Photography is a passion of mine although, at this point, I don't feel very proficient at it. You get better at the things you practice on a regular basis right? So, I'm making a commitment to take a picture a day for the rest of the year and post it here. Yes, I'm getting a late start on the year since it's the 8th already, but if you check my other blogs, you'll see that I take pictures everyday. Normally, I use my Sony Cybershot 7.2 Megapixel camera. It's light, small, easy to use and I carry it in my purse all the time. After the photos are taken, I edit using Picasa, a very user friendly and free software editing program.

For the pictures on this website, however, I'm going to be using my Canon Digital Rebel XTi and either Photoshop Elements 7 or Aperture 2 as editing software. I do appreciate comments although I would appreciate it if you keep it to Constructive rather than destructive criticism. I am NOT a professional photographer, just someone on her way to becoming one.

If you'd like to "play along" check out Tammy's site. She gives a great explanation of "Project 365" as well as some delightful pictures to "wander" through.

Here is my photograph for today.

Sweet Oscar Mayer

With this picture of Oscar Mayer, I was going for the "Twisted Animal" look. I wanted the depth of field focus to be his nose and from there fade into the background. Oscar is one of the world's sweetest dogs. He is a chi-wiener dog and is very petite and sweet.