Let's Celebrate! Celebrate the Season.

More Food. Summer's bounty!

Can you handle another week of food pics? This is the way I celebrate the season. Sally Russick sent us another celebration prompt for this week's inspiration. I found a way to get even fresher produce than the Farmer's Market ...because this is the farm where they are grown, and it's right down the road from where I work. 

Garlic scapes, shell peas, and green beans. and a peek at the lettuce

My friend Lynn and her daughter Tyler help out every Tuesday

Had to sneak in a picture of the summer bounty I have produced with the help of Heather Powers of Humble beads. I am taking her Art of Color Polymer Clay Bootcamp Class.

What other summer celebrations have we found?  

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life: A Pop of Red

Red helps me through the gray days!

As the year comes to an end, we are so grateful to Sally Russick for creating this Focus on Life Photo challenge, inspiring a bunch of bloggers to push the envelope of our creative photography.

This week's prompt is "A Pop of Red," just the right theme for some gray, cold, pre-winter weather we have been having recently. 

I knew I would find "Winter Berries" near the end of our driveway, even though we were having an ice storm. And looking across the lawn, I found a forgotten red infant swing hanging from a tree at our neighbors' house, probably too small for the baby when the weather gets warm enough to use it. 

I love these "Winter Berries" and just beyond, the bright red swing. 

Let's see what POPS the others have found.

Focus on Life: Holiday Sparkle

Finding Peace and Pretties in all the Hustle and Bustle.

Last weekend, I set up a booth at the Christkindlmarkt in Port Jervis New York, and sold some of my jewelry.   Not my most successful sales experience, but we had a pleasant time, when all is said and done. Then, I opened our photo prompt from Sally Russick, and it said: "Add a little sparkle."

I took some pictures that were just perfect!

First, some jewelry waiting to be packed up.These were taken with my phone!

Just some fun sparkly plastic beads.

Some of my Holly and Ivy collection for this Holiday.

And at the market:

I love my new picket fence display!

And as we were leaving I had to snap these: 

Old brick church framed by a decorated tree. 

Trees with sparkly white lights (both of these given a little boost with PicMonkey.)

Lets see what others have done!

Focus On: Giving Thanks

An unexpected blog post. 

Sally Russick sent us the phrase "Giving Thanks" as a photo prompt for this week's Focus on Life series, 

As others have stated before, it's been a great experience participating in this photo blog experiment. And sometimes, it brings out things you would not have expected. 

When pondering "Giving Thanks" I first decided to go with something traditional like my family, or more specifically my husband's health, which had been in question at this time last year. He is feeling fine now, and for that we are all very thankful. 

But I have recently featured him in this blog, and he might not have wanted another picture illustrating some "random" concept so soon. 

Like many people, I am thankful for so many things.... health, family, my career, living in a free country, the beautiful country side, loving pets, a house that manages to still be standing after about a hundred years or so, many many things.  

So I decided to feature my sketch book. I have never kept a sketch book before, and I have been adding to this one at least once a week since the end of July. I have always been interested in art, I design jewelry, I do other crafts, and for most of my life I have thought that I could draw, but badly. So I decided that I could only improve by giving myself permission to try.   I am so thankful I decided to do that. I am finding this an enjoyable journey. Click on a thumbnail to find out what others are thankful for. 

Focus on Life: Centerpiece

Wherein I reveal my not-so-secret passion. 

When Sally Russick sent out this week's photo prompt, I was tempted to create a pretty table decoration for next week's Christmas Market, take a picture and call it done, but I kind of coasted on the deeper meaning of last week's "reflection" theme, so this one better be a more serious reflection of ME. 

What centers me? What is my center? What gives me joy, peace, contentment?  

Just one stack of books that sit in my bedroom waiting for me to read them 

I took apart a stack of books (yes, this was originally just one stack, teetering precariously on my dressing table.) When I put them on the bed, they made three shorter stacks. To be fair, I do use my Kindle quite a bit, so that had to join the picture. 

Why books? I have had a love affair with books since childhood. I chose a profession that involves books every day (I'm a Librarian.) I love to read, and I love to learn. Of course there is more to me than reading. Oh yes, family, art jewelry, pets, but somehow, I return to books as my center. 

And what's in the books? I love novels, so there are lots of those, but there is also humor, biography, history, gardening, music.... I'm sure there is more. 

Can't wait to find out how others represented their centers. 

Focus on life: Industrial Photography!

Making Art From Industry.

Sally Russick's prompt for this week was Industrial Photography. While out on a mission to drop my daughter off at work and pick up a few groceries, I visited a small industrial area near her workplace.

To introduce our topic Sally Says : "It is amazing how something perceived as cold and [its] purpose is to perform a function can have a beautiful soul."

Not sure that I have found any beautiful souls but here is an assortment of sights from our nearby industry. I played with them a little to enhance their features. 

First a little introduction:

We have an Industrial Drive, but precious little industry is on that road. 

Some artsy play with industrial scenery: 

Just a little "retouching" with this one. 

Using PicMonkey's "Warhol" effect. 

Everybody seems to remember to display the flag. The rest of this picture turned out more interesting for me in pixilated shapes.

Kind of looks like sand castles.

A row of imposing cement trucks.

Ready for tomorrow's job.

Click here to see what others have done:

 

Focus on Life: In the Shadows

...or are we...

This week's Focus on Life prompt from Sally Russick asks us to capture the interplay of light and shadows. Even though the title implies that the shadows are what we should concentrate on, I found that the sunny day when I went out with my camera taught me how shadows emphasize the light. 

Of course, I managed to sneak in some beautiful fall color!

See the light and shadow that the others have found.

Focus on life: Smile!

The smile post that almost wasn't.

This week did not start out well. Monday morning we decided to call the power company because we were having some trouble with our circuit breakers tripping, and other odd things. 

The power company worker took a look at our meter panel, and unceremoniously cut off the power to the whole house. Not the result we were hoping for. Or expected. 

For the greater part of the next three days, we were without power, water and, although we would not have needed it, heat. Not a lot of smiling going on here at that time.

When I thought about Sally Russick's assignment to "Give us a smile," I seriously considered not doing anything. 

But, as you can see, our electrician and the power company finally got together, and this lovely new meter, meter pan, and wire mast were the result. Sometimes, the most ordinary things can make you smile. 

Thanks to my daughter Sara, and husband Jim for posing with me for some goofy celebratory shots!

For some more smiles, check out the other participants' blogs. 

Focus on Life: My Best Shot!

...or, are you kidding?

So, this week's photo prompt from Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is "Your Best Shot." No pressure, right? 

Thinking about this, I got past the idea of choosing the best photo I have ever taken. Who can do that! I decided to take my camera with me as I did some errands, and choose the best shot I took while out. 

Driving down country roads, I found it hard to find a good place to pull over and explore. I mean, I even saw some peacocks sitting on someone's porch railing. But you can't just pull out your camera and start shooting someone's peacock. So to speak. 

But I did stumble on a park that is relatively new, and thought I would explore. Um, Can you say boring park? Parking lot for the picnic shelter area, parking lot for the Pop Warner football field, mowed grassy areas, and a small playground area. And NO people. 

I walked around the perimeter, and got some shots of berries and foliage. But nothing I could call my best shot. 

Until I decided to try taking some pictures of the deserted playground. 

MY BEST SHOT!

What's your best shot? Mine got a little help from PicMonkey. 

Check out what others have done by following these links: 

Focus on: Motion!

Motion and the suggestion of motion.

This week's Focus on Life assignment sent by Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime is "In Motion." Now - we are dealing with still photography here. Do you see the challenge? Yeah, thought you would!

In trying to meet this challenge, I was torn between taking it literally - using my camera to stop motion, or to try and suggest motion....somehow. Unhelpfully, my camera battery died in the middle of a walk where I thought I might capture something cool. 

So, back to the archives, where I remembered that I had some cool series shots of a Great Blue Heron that are from last year. And some more recent shots of Canada Geese at the local small airport. And a Squirrel, just cuz they're cute. And PicMonkey's collage feature was just made for this..... 

Now let's see how the others handled this challenge.....

Focus on life update: My have we Grown (and Changed)

Last week I blogged about my little red pepper. 

Here is how it looked just before we ate it!

(It was delicious.)

Focus on Life - They come Two by Two!

A Gemini Chooses Things in Pairs. 

Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime sends us a weekly prompt, and we post pictures to address that prompt. This week's prompt dealt with things that come in twos. 

Of all the photos I have chosen for this project, I have rarely focused on the jewelry that I make. So here are a few favorites from the vaults!

Dyed howlite and a couple of  Czech beads.
 Simple but effective

I love finding new ways to use bead caps. 

Lapis Lazuli and copper.
 Even if the wire work leaves something to be desired,
 a great combination.

One of my most recent sales. I almost kept them....

A desire for fabulous earrings got me started in jewelry making. As far as I am concerned, they are some of the finest pairs there are!

Take a look at some more pairs!

Focus on Life: What's in Season?

What to choose? 

This week The participants in Sally Russick's Focus on life photography project received this prompt: In Season. Since it is summer in the northeastern U.S., there is a lot of produce in season. Also random things like butterflies, thunderstorms, and street fairs. 

I chose to focus on some berries growing down the road from my house. Someone obviously planted them, but nobody ever picks them! I have vowed to do just that, but the birds always beat me to it. 

These are the elderberries right after a huge storm that would have knocked them off their stems had it had struck a few days later!

A view of the storm waters!

I spent a good part of the next weekend trying to do justice to the juicy reddish purple of the berries. 

Colored Pencil

Watercolor Pencil

Watercolor Paint

I've been trying to do a sketch every day or so, I figure I can't miss improving my technique with practice. And it's so easy, now that so many things are "In Season!"

Check out the links below to see what others have done. 

Focus on Life: Routine

Every day, I'm on my way.

When prompted by Sally Russick to take photos, and write about our routine, I knew I would end up using my morning walk with Bebop as my topic. What could be more routine than the morning dog walk?

I've posted lots of pictures taken while walking on my blog, but with these, you are going to have to appreciate the routine-ness.

Nothing particularly brilliant here. But a pleasant routine. 

                   Let's go, Mom! ----------- Already hot and hazy at 6AM ----------- Mmmm, something smells good!

Hey, let's go down there! -----------Somebody's been cooling off down here ------------Done here

Back up the hill ------------ Sun's climbing higher ---------- It's not totally rural here!

Hey, what's that? (it was a skunk, no harm) ----------Over the bridge again -----------Almost home!

Let's see what the others are doing: The Studio Sublime. 

Focus on: The World Above

What's up there, anyway? 

This weeks's Focus on Life prompt from Sally Russick, of The Studio Sublime is "Look Up." Sometimes when I go out with my camera, I feel like it's "looking for little things on the ground" time. Also, I tend to use my outdoor walking time as my photography time. So it's mostly nature studies. 

This prompt got me thinking about spectacular bird shots (maybe on the wing?) Or one of the beautiful sunsets from the parking area where my daughter works. Or maybe I would look up and see something brand spanking new up there. 

Well.......

You should have seen the ones that got away. 

Anyway. 

Here are some shots I did consider worthy. 

What's this? An old railroad station? 

Nice roof lines, Huh?

Almost looks Southwestern. 

Actually, this is both the former Erie Railroad Station in Middletown New York, and the current home of the Middletown Thrall Library. It's a stunning restoration from any angle. Somehow, I managed to run out of memory while photographing the front entrance, and forgot to go back around after I deleted some pictures to make room. But I think these shots show the roof lines to good advantage. 

Oh, and here are some birdies. 

Wild Dove

Hawk

Can't resist the nature shots!

Go see what happens when others look up! The Studio Sublime.

Focus on: The Wonderful World of Color

Can't resist those scrumptious colors!

The world is a carousel of color,
Wonderful, wonderful color.
The world is a carousel of color,
History, comedy, fantasy,
There’s drama and mirth,
There’s old mother earth
With all of her secrets to see.

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/waltdisneyswonderfulworldofcolorlyrics.html

 If you are of a certain age, you may remember this as the theme song of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color, one of the first regularly broadcast color programs on television in the United States. Sadly, we did not have a color television at the time this song was used, but the song made its impression. 

I enjoy color combinations, whether it's in jewelry design, clothing choices, or just watching to world go by. 

When Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime sent us our photo prompt this week "Color/Colour," I thought of the watercolor wheel I made some time ago. 

Could I use the same idea with photography? 

How's this? 

Yellow..........................................Red..........................................................Blue

Green.....................................................Orange.....................................................Purple

Are you surprised that I chose some of our wonderful spring plants? 

Check here to see what colorful things our friends found!