Thursday, February 12, 2009

The Greenhouse Effect...

A visit to a tropical greenhouse may be just what was needed mid-winter...

It not only looked lush and green, it also felt lush and green and smelled lush and green...


























Tuesday, February 10, 2009

90% one Color...

Our assignment for photography class this week is to take some pictures that are at least 90% of one color...

It has surprized me how challenging I have found this...



These are just a few ideas I have tried...



I think most of my pics have more than 10% of another color...


I'm trying to think of a single color landscape...all we have is dirty snow right now...

Monday, February 9, 2009

Monday with the kids...

The grandchildren are my Monday inspiration...
The cat does not appreciate their visits...


...but I sure do.

Today they discovered a basket of Christmas lights waiting to be stored...

...just when the light was interesting...


Sunday, February 8, 2009

Sunday Reflections...

The ice started melting in today's 50 degree weather...
...And mud season has started...

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Late Bloomer...

I planted this amaryllis bulb in early December hoping to have a bloom by Christmas...

...at Christmas it was still completely dormant...

...after the New Year I nearly threw it out...


...I was sure it was a dud...

...in the middle of January it finally sent out a shoot with a bud...



...altho I have had prettier, more spectacular amaryllis...


...I have probably enjoyed this one the most...


...I certainly have had a lot of fun photographing its progress...


...it is just starting to fade now...


Friday, February 6, 2009

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Oh Dam...

There are several local dams ...



...most of the textile mills they were built for no longer exist or are not in use...





... the waterfalls keep the water free of ice for the birds ...

...who must still find it hard to eat this time of year...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Organic...

Seen at a local farm that raises organic beef...



These pictures were taken from the car again...



During a snowstorm...





The snow was sticking to their fur...




It was a beautiful scene...

Making Bread...

A snowy day is a good day for baking bread...

The oven warms up the kitchen...
...and the yeasty smell fills the house...
There's always a feeling of accomplishment...


...and there is a reward to be thankful for...


Monday, February 2, 2009

Sadness...




My grandchildren were here for the day...and they were very happy all day...I just happened to capture those fleeting sad and wistful moments of children with the camera today...






Moments like this can just break your heart...but Popsicles do help!

February Thaw...


It reached 40 degrees today ...


It looked like there may be some buds on the trees...


...and lots of people were out in the good weather...

Tinkerbell enjoyed the warmer weather too...