Mar 31, 2009
Early Spring
The other day I went to a local orchard to take some photographs. I did take some shots of the actual apple trees, but was most interested in the fields and wildflowers...
Hidden Away
A Chilly Day in Spring
Hidden Away
A Chilly Day in Spring
Mar 30, 2009
Fort Nature
On Saturday morning (before this weekend's rain) I went hiking with my husband and some friends at Fort Nature Wildlife Sanctuary. I believe my favorite part of that hike is the hemlock grove you walk through, soon after crossing the electrical right-of-way. It stretches down the hillside to the shores of a pond, where the tree roots are draped in Sphagnum and the light streams into the otherwise very dim and quiet forest.
The Hemlock Grove
As often happens when working on photographs, I am reminded of Robert Frost: "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."
You can find some of Robert Frost's work on Project Gutenberg, by the way. It's well worth reading.
The Hemlock Grove
As often happens when working on photographs, I am reminded of Robert Frost: "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep."
You can find some of Robert Frost's work on Project Gutenberg, by the way. It's well worth reading.
Of Friendship & Mondays
Hi all! I haven't blogged in a few days, but I have an excellent excuse. Some of my best friends in the whole world spent the weekend here, and I was spending as much time with them as humanly possible. I love photography, but good friends from out of town take priority :-)
I feel incredibly lucky to have friends like these, and I'm a bit sad today now that they're gone. But I will see them again soon, and am looking forward to that. In the meantime, I am back to focusing (no pun intended) on my work. Later today I have an appointment with a light tent and some brownies. Here's hoping I won't be too tempted to eat all of my subjects!
I'm also still browsing through my recent beach photographs from Matunuck, and playing.
On The Rocks
Hope your weekend was lovely, too!
I feel incredibly lucky to have friends like these, and I'm a bit sad today now that they're gone. But I will see them again soon, and am looking forward to that. In the meantime, I am back to focusing (no pun intended) on my work. Later today I have an appointment with a light tent and some brownies. Here's hoping I won't be too tempted to eat all of my subjects!
I'm also still browsing through my recent beach photographs from Matunuck, and playing.
On The Rocks
Hope your weekend was lovely, too!
Mar 27, 2009
Mar 25, 2009
Hump Day Happiness
It's that time again!
Today, I'm grateful for:
1) Fresh vegetables - I miss them fresh from the garden, but with the wonders of refrigeration at least I can get something similar from the store!
2) Living by the ocean - yeah, not as close as I'd like, but still close enough for a very easy day trip.
3) Birdsong - it reminds me that it really is spring, even when it's cold out.
4) Memories of travelling - they delight me and sustain me until my next adventure!
5) Streaming music - Pandora & Rhapsody make my workday so much more enjoyable.
How about you?
Today, I'm grateful for:
1) Fresh vegetables - I miss them fresh from the garden, but with the wonders of refrigeration at least I can get something similar from the store!
2) Living by the ocean - yeah, not as close as I'd like, but still close enough for a very easy day trip.
3) Birdsong - it reminds me that it really is spring, even when it's cold out.
4) Memories of travelling - they delight me and sustain me until my next adventure!
5) Streaming music - Pandora & Rhapsody make my workday so much more enjoyable.
How about you?
Mar 23, 2009
My Favorite Room
I spent some time taking photographs in my favorite room of the house today. It's my favorite because of the lovely color on the walls, the great light, the chandelier... and probably the fact that it's the only "finished" room in the house! I love how the wall shade changes subtly depending on how the sun is hitting it.
Light streaming into the room...
A dimly lit corner...
Colors of Spring (I cross-processed this one and kept it intentionally dark. Fit the quiet mood I was in.)...
Light streaming into the room...
A dimly lit corner...
Colors of Spring (I cross-processed this one and kept it intentionally dark. Fit the quiet mood I was in.)...
Joyful
I was reminded of the song "Joyful Girl" by Ani DiFranco yesterday. One of my best friends and I were obsessed with Ani in high school, and I still enjoy her folky sound and meaningful lyrics. I love the positive tone to this song - and how it can be interpreted to describe what drives me to make art.
So, today I'm listening to a little Ani while I work. :-) It's the first day of my 3rd round at papernstitch, so I'm adding some new things to the site and reorganizing a bit. It's also bright and sunny out, so I suspect I will be taking some new photographs today!
(If you're interested, do swing by to see - it's a lovely site and I'm among many talented artists. Please click on the heart at the top of the page if you enjoy my work!)
Hope you all have a wonderful and fulfilling Monday!
So, today I'm listening to a little Ani while I work. :-) It's the first day of my 3rd round at papernstitch, so I'm adding some new things to the site and reorganizing a bit. It's also bright and sunny out, so I suspect I will be taking some new photographs today!
(If you're interested, do swing by to see - it's a lovely site and I'm among many talented artists. Please click on the heart at the top of the page if you enjoy my work!)
Hope you all have a wonderful and fulfilling Monday!
Mar 22, 2009
Plantaholics Anonymous?
My husband and I have somewhat of an addiction to houseplants. This winter, I cleaned out our bay window and got rid of several that were past their prime. Probably a good thing for those remaining, since now they have some openness and air circulation. We decided we had enough plants in that window.
The thing is, we have lots of other windows in the house... so our collection is growing again. Today we went to that most dangerous of stores, Logee's Greenhouse. If you live in Southern New England, this place is worth a trip - particularly on a cold dreary day. It's like a magical wonderland inside, truly. The whole place seems alive - moss and vine covered walls, the scent of jasmine filling the air, hundred year old trees rooted into the greenhouse floor... And the family has been growing tropical plants since 1892, so they know what they're doing.
As is inevitable when we make the trip to Logee's, we came home with some new friends. Two planned purchases, for a new terrarium, and two not so planned. :-) Want to meet them?
Scott's Spleen (Asplenium ebonoides) and Club Moss(Selaginella erythropus) for the terrarium...
'Diamond Head' Elephant's Ear (Colocasia esculenta)...
and my favorite from today, a carnivorous plant called butterwort (Pinguicula pimuliflora)...
Here you can see the little sticky drops that catch insects
It's quite a photogenic plant, I think!
And now that our new friends are all settled in, I am off to relax and do some housecleaning while hubby makes dinner - Pork Chops in Beer - sounds yummy!
The thing is, we have lots of other windows in the house... so our collection is growing again. Today we went to that most dangerous of stores, Logee's Greenhouse. If you live in Southern New England, this place is worth a trip - particularly on a cold dreary day. It's like a magical wonderland inside, truly. The whole place seems alive - moss and vine covered walls, the scent of jasmine filling the air, hundred year old trees rooted into the greenhouse floor... And the family has been growing tropical plants since 1892, so they know what they're doing.
As is inevitable when we make the trip to Logee's, we came home with some new friends. Two planned purchases, for a new terrarium, and two not so planned. :-) Want to meet them?
Scott's Spleen (Asplenium ebonoides) and Club Moss(Selaginella erythropus) for the terrarium...
'Diamond Head' Elephant's Ear (Colocasia esculenta)...
and my favorite from today, a carnivorous plant called butterwort (Pinguicula pimuliflora)...
Here you can see the little sticky drops that catch insects
It's quite a photogenic plant, I think!
And now that our new friends are all settled in, I am off to relax and do some housecleaning while hubby makes dinner - Pork Chops in Beer - sounds yummy!
Mar 21, 2009
Lazy Saturday Morning
Making scones...
Drinking freshly roasted coffee (thanks hubby)...
And getting ready to work in the garden :-)
For the record, I made those scones with less butter (only a stick) and less cooking time (15 mins), just in case you're thinking of making some yourself! They were delish :-)
Drinking freshly roasted coffee (thanks hubby)...
And getting ready to work in the garden :-)
For the record, I made those scones with less butter (only a stick) and less cooking time (15 mins), just in case you're thinking of making some yourself! They were delish :-)
Mar 19, 2009
Mar 18, 2009
Hump Day Happiness
Today's been an... interesting... day. My husband and I are taking the first steps of doing a bathroom remodel and I have been thinking about it waaaaay too much today. Normally I really enjoy home project planning, but I have a serious mental block when it comes to this bathroom. There are so many variables, and even though we're just focusing on one right now (the tub surround), it pretty much affects the whole room. I'm having so much trouble visualizing the different options, even after much surfing for inspiration photos and photoshopping pictures to get a sense of what white tile (instead of the current blue) in the bathroom would look like. Ugh!
Before I give myself an ulcer over this, I'd decided I'd better switch gears! The perfect time to write up a Hump Day Happiness post! Five things that I'm grateful for today are:
1) Having a home to stress about - I'm even blessed with indoor plumbing!
2) Two sunny days in a row!
3) Good books that I can lose myself in
4) My pretty new bird stamp (see my previous post)
5) Really spicy salsa
How about you?
Before I give myself an ulcer over this, I'd decided I'd better switch gears! The perfect time to write up a Hump Day Happiness post! Five things that I'm grateful for today are:
1) Having a home to stress about - I'm even blessed with indoor plumbing!
2) Two sunny days in a row!
3) Good books that I can lose myself in
4) My pretty new bird stamp (see my previous post)
5) Really spicy salsa
How about you?
Little Bird
Look what I got in the mail yesterday!
It's a beautiful handmade stamp by Geninne - an amazingly talented artist (as you can see by that glimpse of her business card), currently living in Mexico. She based the design on my 'Specimen 652' photograph, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I hope she'll like the print that is winging its way to her just as much as I enjoy the stamp. (Check out Geninne's Etsy Shop and don't miss her gorgeous Blog!)
In other news - and yes, this is big news - it's sunny for the second day in a row today! Woohoo! I am very ready for Spring. I took advantage of the morning light streaming into my dining room and took a few photos. Hope you enjoy this one!
Dreaming of the Sea
It's a beautiful handmade stamp by Geninne - an amazingly talented artist (as you can see by that glimpse of her business card), currently living in Mexico. She based the design on my 'Specimen 652' photograph, and I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I hope she'll like the print that is winging its way to her just as much as I enjoy the stamp. (Check out Geninne's Etsy Shop and don't miss her gorgeous Blog!)
In other news - and yes, this is big news - it's sunny for the second day in a row today! Woohoo! I am very ready for Spring. I took advantage of the morning light streaming into my dining room and took a few photos. Hope you enjoy this one!
Dreaming of the Sea
Mar 17, 2009
Céad Mile Fáilte
Welcome & Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I'm half Irish, and have always celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an Irish meal, eaten with family. We usually had the traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage - but none of us kids really like corned beef (all that marbled fat - yuck!). Today, I'm keeping the tradition alive with lamb stew and brown bread. When I went to Ireland (6 1/2 years ago now!) I fell in love with the bread there - dense, hearty, coarse grained wheaten bread. The recipe I'm trying today sounds like it might get close to the real deal - we'll see. I also ate a lot of Kilmeadan Red Cheddar in Ireland, and spent years trying to find a substitute in the US. (Kerrygold doesn't come close.) Tipperary brand is a pretty good fit.
But I digress. In honor of the day, I'd like to feature a couple of Irish artists I found on Etsy today - Bonzie & FunkyBlink! Glimpses of their work can be found below. Bonzie is feminine, elegant, and mysterious; while FunkyBlink is fun, energetic, and full of riotous color. Enjoy!
I'm half Irish, and have always celebrated St. Patrick's Day with an Irish meal, eaten with family. We usually had the traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage - but none of us kids really like corned beef (all that marbled fat - yuck!). Today, I'm keeping the tradition alive with lamb stew and brown bread. When I went to Ireland (6 1/2 years ago now!) I fell in love with the bread there - dense, hearty, coarse grained wheaten bread. The recipe I'm trying today sounds like it might get close to the real deal - we'll see. I also ate a lot of Kilmeadan Red Cheddar in Ireland, and spent years trying to find a substitute in the US. (Kerrygold doesn't come close.) Tipperary brand is a pretty good fit.
But I digress. In honor of the day, I'd like to feature a couple of Irish artists I found on Etsy today - Bonzie & FunkyBlink! Glimpses of their work can be found below. Bonzie is feminine, elegant, and mysterious; while FunkyBlink is fun, energetic, and full of riotous color. Enjoy!
| Etsy Buy Handmade bonzie |
| Etsy Buy Handmade FunkyBlink |
Mar 16, 2009
Summer Sea Shine
My favorite so far, done with my new technique. I love when I finally figure out something I've been imagining for months and months!
Seashine
Seashine
Experimenting...
Been working on some new ideas today, using images from the archives. What do you think?
Pasture
The Bouquet
Pasture
The Bouquet
Mar 14, 2009
Events and Such
So - it's been quite the end of the week! I'm going to keep this post short (it's too nice out to be here at the computer), but I wanted to fill you in on what's been happening!
On Thursday night, I headed to the South County Art Association's Annual Photography Open. "Curiosities" won 3rd prize! Hooray! See how goofy I look? That means I'm having fun.
Today, I spent some time playing around with my new TtV (through the viewfinder) setup. I'm currently using my trusty old Kodak Duaflex with my Canon SX110 IS - the latter on manual exposure control & manual focus. I love the control you can get, even though it's a point & shoot. Plus it makes a smaller and less awkward setup than when I use the D70 for TtV photos.
As you can see - the seeds we planted a week or so ago are just starting to sprout!
Swiss Chard
And, as promised earlier this week, here's a shot of the forsythia - the buds are all pretty huge - not all the blossoms have fully opened yet, though.
Forsythia I
Enjoy! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far. Anything exciting going on?
On Thursday night, I headed to the South County Art Association's Annual Photography Open. "Curiosities" won 3rd prize! Hooray! See how goofy I look? That means I'm having fun.
Today, I spent some time playing around with my new TtV (through the viewfinder) setup. I'm currently using my trusty old Kodak Duaflex with my Canon SX110 IS - the latter on manual exposure control & manual focus. I love the control you can get, even though it's a point & shoot. Plus it makes a smaller and less awkward setup than when I use the D70 for TtV photos.
As you can see - the seeds we planted a week or so ago are just starting to sprout!
Swiss Chard
And, as promised earlier this week, here's a shot of the forsythia - the buds are all pretty huge - not all the blossoms have fully opened yet, though.
Forsythia I
Enjoy! I hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far. Anything exciting going on?
Mar 12, 2009
Be There or Be Square
Tonight! South County Art Association! I'll be there, will you?
Open Juried Photography Annual
Opening reception Thursday, March 12, 7 to 9 pm
Show runs March 12 - April 4
Map
Open Juried Photography Annual
Opening reception Thursday, March 12, 7 to 9 pm
Show runs March 12 - April 4
Map
Mar 11, 2009
Rainy Day
A few things to cheer up my rainy day...
The current display on my dining room sideboard - pussy willow, handmade fabric mushroom, white stones from Moonstone Beach, gardening books...
and, my forced forsythia is blooming nicely now!
The current display on my dining room sideboard - pussy willow, handmade fabric mushroom, white stones from Moonstone Beach, gardening books...
and, my forced forsythia is blooming nicely now!
Mar 10, 2009
Community
One of the things I love about selling on Etsy is that you actually *meet* people. It really is a community, not just an impersonal shopping site. I've met several wonderful folks through Etsy: the Arts in RI street team, local buyers who meet me for a cup of coffee instead of having their print shipped, friendly buyers and sellers with great talent and interesting stories...
The system Etsy has set up - with individual artists controlling their own shops, and many modes of easy communication - definitely helps encourage this community feeling.
Why am I talking about this topic this morning? Well, omitting details to protect privacy, it is through the Etsy community that I found out about the novel "The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet" by Reif Larson, and it sounds pretty darn good. (The website is fun to explore as well.)
(Image from Amazon.com, where you can pre-order the book.)
The system Etsy has set up - with individual artists controlling their own shops, and many modes of easy communication - definitely helps encourage this community feeling.
Why am I talking about this topic this morning? Well, omitting details to protect privacy, it is through the Etsy community that I found out about the novel "The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet" by Reif Larson, and it sounds pretty darn good. (The website is fun to explore as well.)
(Image from Amazon.com, where you can pre-order the book.)
Mar 9, 2009
Shades of Gray
It's been snowing on and off all day... 12 more days until it's officially spring. The good news today is that my latest roll of Diana Camera film has been developed and returned to me for scanning! Someday I'd like to develop my own film, but for now someone else does. At least I can control the rest of the process, now that I can scan film!
Dancing Glade
(title inspired by Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier)
Dancing Glade
(title inspired by Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier)
Mar 8, 2009
Warm Sunny Goodness
I had a wonderful day today. It was warm enough yesterday for my hubby to roast some coffee, so we had fresh coffee to enjoy this morning (incredibly superior to the bland beans we had been brewing - didja like that alliteration *nudge*). After church, we drove southward and found a lovely consignment shop in North Kingston that actually had mid-century furniture! (A rarity in this state populated with "country style" aficionados.) Their selection included an Eames lounge chair knockoff (like this one, sans ottoman) for $79. Not too bad of a bad price, I thought, but the particular shade of brown wasn't for us.
Next, it was off to the South County Art Association to drop off my submissions for their annual photography show - wish me luck! We then met up with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable nephew for a short hike in the woods. He's about 2 1/2, and can now identify Sphagnum moss. (What can I say, his auntie is a wetland biologist by trade.) We found three redback salamanders and a pickerel frog as well.
When we got home, we found the first petals on the forsythia beginning to peep out.
We ended the day with a delicious asparagus/red pepper/potato fritatta and the last of the bottle of Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin (my fav).
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.................. :-)
Next, it was off to the South County Art Association to drop off my submissions for their annual photography show - wish me luck! We then met up with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable nephew for a short hike in the woods. He's about 2 1/2, and can now identify Sphagnum moss. (What can I say, his auntie is a wetland biologist by trade.) We found three redback salamanders and a pickerel frog as well.
When we got home, we found the first petals on the forsythia beginning to peep out.
We ended the day with a delicious asparagus/red pepper/potato fritatta and the last of the bottle of Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin (my fav).
Ahhhhhhhhhhh.................. :-)
Mar 7, 2009
Mar 6, 2009
Mar 4, 2009
Frosty!
I love going to the beach in winter - it's so peaceful. I was lucky enough to go today with one of my best friends, who's here in RI for a visit.
The Blue
The Blue
Mar 3, 2009
Starting...
I had such "exciting" plans today - a meeting with a fellow Arts in RI member, a doctor's appointment, a trip to the UPS store... Unfortunately these plans were not fulfilled, once I discovered my car wouldn't start. At first, I admit, I was pretty irritated. But then I realized I had a free day to work on whatever I wanted to around the house.
So, I listened to a new audiobook I'd downloaded through my local library, and worked on cleaning and organizing my new photo workspace in the basement. I even had time to decorate it, a little. Someday the concrete will be painted and I'll have some real walls, but for now I'm happy with the light coming through my window. (The small print you see by the newly re-potted and dehydrated spider plant is "Bulb" by Michele Maule.)
I decided I needed some more 3-d artwork - perhaps some pieces to display atop my ALEX flat file. I found this toadstool tutorial on LucyKate Crafts, and decided to try my hand at it. Another lovely project to work on while listening to my audiobook!
I had plenty of scrap fabric to use - an old coat of my husband's, a worn out purse... It felt very satisfying, putting these pieces to good use.
I liked how the first came out, and decided to make a second, larger mushroom. This time I took a few minutes to learn the blanket stitch before I began. A definite improvement, though still a little rough around the edges. I especially like how the corduroy imitates mushroom gills.
Visit LucyKate Crafts to learn how to make your own!
So, I listened to a new audiobook I'd downloaded through my local library, and worked on cleaning and organizing my new photo workspace in the basement. I even had time to decorate it, a little. Someday the concrete will be painted and I'll have some real walls, but for now I'm happy with the light coming through my window. (The small print you see by the newly re-potted and dehydrated spider plant is "Bulb" by Michele Maule.)
I decided I needed some more 3-d artwork - perhaps some pieces to display atop my ALEX flat file. I found this toadstool tutorial on LucyKate Crafts, and decided to try my hand at it. Another lovely project to work on while listening to my audiobook!
I had plenty of scrap fabric to use - an old coat of my husband's, a worn out purse... It felt very satisfying, putting these pieces to good use.
I liked how the first came out, and decided to make a second, larger mushroom. This time I took a few minutes to learn the blanket stitch before I began. A definite improvement, though still a little rough around the edges. I especially like how the corduroy imitates mushroom gills.
Visit LucyKate Crafts to learn how to make your own!
Hope Springs Eternal
This comic by Jerry Van Amerongen really spoke to me today:
I really like "Ballard Street" - the usual random humor especially. Read more about the artist & the strip here.
I really like "Ballard Street" - the usual random humor especially. Read more about the artist & the strip here.
Mar 2, 2009
Quiet Day
It's snowing again - I won't have to struggle to pick an exercise routine for the day... shoveling has me covered!
Pussy Willows on a Snowy Day
Today seems like a day for settling down under a blanket, with a cup of tea and a good book. I'm striving to be "productive" - took some fun, somewhat experimental photos of my blossoming pussy willow branches. I "rented" an audiobook through my library system - Cybele's Secret by one of my favorite authors, Juliet Marillier. I'll listen to it later today while making chicken soup from last night's leftovers.
I've given up "frivolous" internet and computer use for Lent this year, and while it is difficult, I'm finding great satisfaction in a cleaner house, time to make yogurt, bread, and soup, and a somehow simpler day-to-day life.
Pussy Willows on a Snowy Day
Today seems like a day for settling down under a blanket, with a cup of tea and a good book. I'm striving to be "productive" - took some fun, somewhat experimental photos of my blossoming pussy willow branches. I "rented" an audiobook through my library system - Cybele's Secret by one of my favorite authors, Juliet Marillier. I'll listen to it later today while making chicken soup from last night's leftovers.
I've given up "frivolous" internet and computer use for Lent this year, and while it is difficult, I'm finding great satisfaction in a cleaner house, time to make yogurt, bread, and soup, and a somehow simpler day-to-day life.
Wow!
I didn't necessarily expect this morning to be "good". Nearly a foot of snow to shovel, the hubby to worry about as he drives to work on bad roads... But this morning was very good, because when I read my email I found out I'd been featured on photojojo! Hooray!
Mar 1, 2009
A Chilly Reminder...
With 10-15 inches of snow in the forecast for tonight, I am reminded that it isn't spring yet. I'm glad I cut my pussy willow and forsythia during the brief warm spell. The pussy willow is blooming nicely - the forsythia hasn't bloomed yet, but it's getting there.
Waiting for Blooms
I had a productive weekend. The hubby and I just finished cleaning out a corner of the basement - he is now rocking out on electric guitar in his new "man cave". After dinner I may go move some of my photo framing materials to my new storage area. For now, I'm off to roast a chicken.
How did your weekend go?
Waiting for Blooms
I had a productive weekend. The hubby and I just finished cleaning out a corner of the basement - he is now rocking out on electric guitar in his new "man cave". After dinner I may go move some of my photo framing materials to my new storage area. For now, I'm off to roast a chicken.
How did your weekend go?
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