I took almost 200 shots today trying to get a few photos for this week's Photo Quest. In addition to the action shots, I took a few that I have had a lot more experience with. Here's the little one year old granddaughter that is in the last photo of the Photo Quest. She is a sweetie!
There was one dandelion in the yard and Hayden found it. He is the other half of the twins.
He did the cutest thing today. We had been on the south side of the garage where the dog food dish was, and he had picked up several pieces of dog food. We told him it was for the doggie and he put it down.
Later we were around on the north side of the garage petting the dog. He walked back around to the dog food dish, picked up a handful of dog food and brought it over to the dog. His mom and I were both impressed that he had made the connection and remembered where the dish was. Pretty good for a 16 month old, I think!
Here's what he looks like most of the time - just going as fast as he can!
Isn't it amazing that the grass is still so nice a green? I can't ever remember when we were still mowing grass at this time of the year.
Here's the twins three year old brother with his mom. This swing hangs in a big walnut tree. The baby swings are in a sycamore tree. It is huge. I want to take a picture of it, but I can't figure out how to put it in perspective.
This is one of my favorite shots from today. It was completely unplanned. The kids were interested in the bark of the walnut tree. They don't have any big trees in their yard.
I have another job interview tomorrow. I sent a resume in to a private school that is looking for a cook. I think it would be a dream job, even though it is over 50 miles away. I don't mind driving and I could always stay with some of the relatives who live in that area if the weather got bad. We will be moving in that direction if/when we sell the farm. I love it out here, but don't know if we will stay forever. It is really nice when the grandkids come out.
Three of my grandkids came out this morning and we went out to swing about noon. The lighting conditions were terrible. It was dark under the tree, but too bright out in the sun. I tried a variety of settings, etc. to get these action shots. Some worked better than others.
The shutter speed was too slow in this shot of Jacob.
Finally, on my 68th shot, I got one that is almost in focus, even though I did cut off Hayden's head! I think I was panning at this point, but I'm not sure.
Jacob like his grandpa to push him up to the leaves. I was dealing with the lighting and the movement. Not perfect on either, but not too bad.
After 102 frames, I finally got a pretty good one. Jacob was reaching for a leaf. I'm pretty sure I was panning.
This one had some real lighting and color issues, but the expression was so cute, I just had to include it.
All of these shots were taken with a Canon Powershot A540, mostly in the auto mode. I did switch around some, but I don't remember which ones I took with different settings. I need to learn how to use fill flash. I can turn the flash off, but I don't know how to turn it on. That would have solved a lot of my lighting issues. I was concentrating on action and didn't have time to read about fill flash. I knew how to set it with my old camera, but I haven't figured it out with this one.
We drove over to the other farm where the sunflowers are this morning. They aren't as impressive this year as they were last year, but I think a few of them are worth sharing.
The bees seem to like them a lot. You could hear them buzzing around. I only got a picture of this one.
I made another batch on jelly yesterday morning, then worked on paper work for hours! Since I lost everything I had on my old computer, I'm trying to restore my account in Money. My bank will only let me download the past three months. At least I have that much. Thank goodness I kept a printout from the end on June, so at least I have something to work with.
We went to a 50th wedding anniversary celebration in the afternoon. It was very nice. He used to do all of our bulldozer work, and she worked for me at school for several years.
I couldn't resist. I had to go take some more pictures! Here is one of the jars of jelly I made this afternoon. I don't understand what the floaty places are. Usually it is almost translucent. Maybe it just needs to set longer. I don't process it. I just label it and keep it in the freezer. It really is this pretty rosy red color.
We are finally picking all the tomotoes we can eat. We pick them a day or two before they are red ripe to make sure some critter doesn't beat us to them. They are really nice this year. All about the same size with no bad places. We had BLTs for supper tonight. Yum!
I know petunias aren't anything fancy, but there is something I like about their simple beauty.
I couldn't resist. I had to go take some more pictures! Here is one of the jars of jelly I made this afternoon. I don't understand what the floaty places are. Usually it is almost translucent. Maybe it just needs to set longer. I don't process it. I just label it and keep it in the freezer. It really is this pretty rosy red color.
We are finally picking all the tomotoes we can eat. We pick them a day or two before they are red ripe to make sure some critter doesn't beat us to them. They are really nice this year. All about the same size with no bad places. We had BLTs for supper tonight. Yum!
I know petunias aren't anything fancy, but there is something I like about their simple beauty.
I haven't done any quilting today, or taken any photos, either. We went to Mass this morning since it was a Holy Day, the Feast of the Assumption. Then we still had to eat breakfast when we got home. I had a package to get ready to mail. That always takes longer than you think it is going to. Then I went out and picked green beans. Found one zucchini. I pulled about half of the beets that are left. I think they stopped growning a month ago!
After lunch, hubby decides that he will get up into the attic to look for jars for jelly. He found quite a few, probably enough for me to go ahead and make jelly from all of the juice I got from the apples. I made another batch this afternoon.
I need to go water flowers. We didn't get a drop of rain last night. It is too dark already to take any pictures.
This is a picture of the homespun quilt I am making. I am using flannel for the backing and adding a layer of muslin in the middle to make the seams fuzzier without adding weight. I don't have any more flannel, and can't find any more either. May have to look on eBay.
I received a job offer from Wal-Mart today! Yeah!! It isn't the best job in the world, but I'm glad to have it. There aren't that many jobs out there for seniors, especially out here in the sticks. I don't think it hurt any thing that I took along this picture of a crab apple pie that I made from scratch the other day. The glossy print I made looked like something out of a food magazine.
Believe it or not, they hired me to be a cake decorator! I have never decorated a cake in my life. So before I came home, I bought a decorator bag and tips so I can practice a little bit before I start. I don't want to look completely stupid! Anyone have any good tips for success?
I was out in the garden picking green beans this morning when I thought I heard the phone ring. So I ran to the house and picked it up just as the answering machine picked up. It was already 11:00 and they had my interview scheduled for 12:00. She thought she had left a message for me yesterday. I changed clothes as quickly as I could and made it to the store with about 10 minutes to spare.
Maybe I can watch the Olympics tonight since I don't have to worry about any more resumes or cover letters. We are supposed to get some rain. Hope so. Otherwise, I am going to have to start watering.
I just realized that the photos I posted for the Photo Quest didn't get posted in the group, so I added them now. Hope it isn't too late!
Hubby is going to pick more crab apples today, so you know what I will be doing. Thought I'd better post some pics from last night while I have a minute.
All of these were taken with natural light about 6:30 last night. I had filtered sunlight coming through the trees in our windbreak.
I don't know the names of all the yellow daisy like flowers. They came back from some wildflower seed I planted last year.
I have lots of surprise lillies right now. There is a small insect at the end of one of the stamens. The light source was to the left of the flower.
I really like the way this surprise lilly looks like the light source is from the inside. The petals are so translucent that the light shines right through them.
I like the petunias I took with flash, but I like this one, too. I like the color and the simple, shaped edges.
"When was the last time you were at a wedding that had a death defying hike, rogue waves, a luau, ultimate fighting, a presidential candidate and a budding bromance?" asks Papi Chulo. For most of us, the answer is never, but luckily, Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch took the time to Vox all the amazing moments during their unforgettable Hawaiian wedding on 08.08.08 so we could all take part in the festivities.
The story began last February, when Papi Chulo popped the question and Secret Agent Scotch said yes! Since then, they've kept us in the loop about all the details, from the bride's veil to the wedding song to the final To-Do List. And throughout it all, they inspired us with their love for each other. (I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better than knowing your future husband thinks you are The Perfect Girl.)
It's an amazing love story and we are thrilled they shared it with us. Watch the video of the ceremony and please join us in wishing Papi Chulo and Secret Agent Scotch the fairytale ending they deserve.
And What's a Team Vox Post without New Themes?
Spice up your Vox blog with one of our latest themes (found in the design area under "New") or any of our hundreds of themes. From shopping to sushi, comics to cycling, there's something for everyone.
Can't get enough of the wedding? A few lucky Voxers - Krissy, djchall, and Beau Smith - made the trip to Hawaii to take part in the celebration. Check out their Vox blogs for more pictures and stories.
Congratulations again to Secret Agent Scotch and Papi Chulo! Enjoy the Honeymoon!
My Groups
-
Etsy For Everyone Updated: Yesterday
-
Beads and Beading Updated: Aug 12, 2008
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
Links from my Neighborhood
handmade items using fabrics and yarn
Welcome to Ashton Publicati...
Wonderful source for applique patterns of animals, especi...
Smilebox - Slide shows, scr...
Smilebox makes it easy to connect with friends and family...
::Cyrilla's Artful Needle Q...
Cyrilla's Artful Needle Quilt Shop. Tulsa OK. We supply ...
Etsy :: Your place to buy a...
Sometimes our best ideas come from mistakes, when one of ...