My Everything Corner

It is hard to believe that it is April 5th and I had to dress up in full winter gear - snow pants, balaclava, goggles, you name it - I had it on and I was only going out for a bit.  When Spring does finally arrive, I am going to be rejoicing. On a much happier note, I had the opportunity to take photos of this gorgeous fella yesterday, also still in his winter coat. Also, I have signed up for Stephanie's Tea Cup Exchange. I'm so excited to find out who I will be sending to!  Check it out HERE if you already haven't.

While out for a drive yesterday, hoping to photograph some wildlife, we only met with one willing participant.  I suppose I should say indifferent because that is exactly what a porcupine is like.  You are lucky if he so much as glances at you, and forget about a second glance. This little guy just went about his business as though I was not even there.   We also saw several ravens, but as soon as we pulled over, they would fly off. I spotted an absolutely beautiful coyote, but he was also extremely shy.  I didn't even have time to get a shot of his backside. Normally, we see deer on every drive, but they too seemed to know I had my camera with me this time. Oh well, it's actually not that often that we get to see a porcupine alive.  Sadly, all too often, they are dead on the side of the road.  They don't move all that quickly, the poor things.  So I had a lot of fun just observing this little guy for a while. I've named him Pete... T...

There still isn't a ton of yard work to be done, so I just keep walking around, enjoying the milder temperatures and searching for the latest developments of Spring. I'm taking a little road trip west this week end to see a good friend, and I've heard things have progressed a little further over her way, so I won't forget to take my camera.  Also, her neighbors have a fantastic selection of pets.  Maybe they'll let me spend time taking their portraits to share here.  I always have such a wonderful time when I visit, so I'm really looking forward to Friday! Here are a few photos I took this morning.  Pussy willows starting to bloom. Lilac buds. Moss.  I love moss.

I was out for a stroll this morning looking for signs of Spring.  You wouldn't notice them at a glance. You have to get up close and even dig a little to unearth the details that promise that change of season. This first photo almost looks like something you would see on a coral reef, but it is how the sem false spirea shows signs of life early.  It is definitely the early bird of the shrubs. Although I have seen a few ladybugs here and there, we actually dug this little guy out of his fallen leaf bed. He happily provided us with a portrait before he asked us to tuck him back in, which we gladly did of course. If you put a penny over top of the larger one, and a dime on the small one, they would both be completely hidden!  They are 2 tiny, adorable weeds growing on the west side of our shop among the gravel and moss.  When you look up close, it looks like I put together a little succulent garden.  If I'm correct, and I'll keep a close eye o...

The blurriness of the vanilla bottle in my last post was driving me nuts.  So I set up the scene again, messed up again, set it up again and now I'm pleased.  I hope.  I'm leaving the problem photo up for comparison as well as a reminder to think everything through thoroughly while going through that much trouble for a photo! And just because, here is a picture of my lovely girl kitty Georgia.  I love the pose!  

I love a good chocolate chip cookie, and I love the batter even more.  On a day when I feel like treating myself, nothing but baking my family's favourite cookie will do.  We all share in a reasonable amount of the batter, and at least one fresh cookie.  As soon as they are cool, they are frozen, and that's how we enjoy the rest of the bag.  I'm not sure why they taste better frozen, but once they are more than a day old, that's how they taste their best.   Today I turned this common process into an opportunity to practice my photography.  Of course, I will also give you the recipe. 1/2 lb unsalted butter 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt a generous tsp of vanilla 1 cup of chocolate chips (more or less) Cream together softened butter and sugars and vanilla.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly between each one.  Add flour, soda, salt and mi...

A quick post today to join in on Good Fences over at The Run "A" Round Ranch Report.  I can't tell you how beautiful this sky was in person. The photo is pretty and maybe saying this reflects my skills as a photographer, but it just doesn't cut it.  I have yet to see a photograph of a sunset that is able to make me feel the same way as when I am standing out there with God's palette wrapped all around me. This sky was amazing!

I've put together a quick mix of black and whites for Mosaic Monday this morning.  I'm fairly certain I haven't previously published any of these images to my blog.  I really like all of them, and even though it may seem as though I favor the feather, it is actually a toss up between the curled up poinsettia leaf and the snow drifts, (which, by the way, are no taller than 2 inches).  Truth is, I love black and white photography.  Long before I ever owned a camera, I was drawn to it.  I love it even more now that I have Lightroom.  I can't tell you how much fun I have been having with that program.   Thank you again Judith for hosting.  This is one of my favorite link party's to take part in.   Do you have a favorite image out of these five?

As long as I can remember, I've had dreams of there being a lake in my front yard. I'm not talking about daydreams, but actual, 'I have fallen asleep and am now wondering around semi-familiar places' dreams. I treasure these dreams and they have followed me through my life and everywhere I've lived.  I recently was inspired to recreate my dream in photoshop.  So I took a few pictures, played around for quite awhile, and came up with some art that pleased me. I shared this post HERE at Weekend Reflections.   For the first one, I aimed for a realistic outcome.  I like it, but it doesn't recreate the feeling I had in my dream. This is the second one I created, and it truly does take me back to my dreamworld.  It is my favorite. It has that soft, foggy, surreal feel to it, like if you walked here, you wouldn't be able to feel your feet on the ground. And now, when I walk in this part of my yard, I can clearly envision the scene from my dream, b...

I took this photo, and was reminded of an old favorite.  The last time I visited this piece was probably 20 years ago, but it still speaks to me.  The winter brings with it a sadness I can relate to.  That does not mean I like to dwell there, but it makes sense to me, and with it's understanding, helps me to better accept the difficult things in life. What does this poem say to you?  Winter: A Dirge BY  ROBERT BURNS The wintry west extends his blast, And hail and rain does blaw; Or, the stormy north sends driving forth The blinding sleet and snaw: While tumbling brown, the burn comes down, And roars frae bank to brae; And bird and beast in covert rest, And pass the heartless day. The sweeping blast, the sky o’ercast, The joyless winter-day, Let others fear, to me more dear Than all the pride of May: The tempest’s howl, it soothes my soul, My griefs it seems to join; The leafless trees my fancy please, The...

I've always loved black and white photography. In the past, my own attempts at this art have been more like grey and gray, soothing, but very boring.  I tend to love a black and white that offers a lot of contrast.  The dark blacks make the white shine through almost as though the picture is back lit. I love that! So, with contrast in mind, I set out to create these next images.  I liked the way they turned out.  What do you think of black and white photos? A view from the top of a small hill in my backyard on my daily walk  Our poor Christmas tree has taken such a beating from the wind.  This is a view from my yard, across the road into my neighbors yard. Night before last, on the night of the full moon, it was thick cloud cover, but last night was very clear. My hands were frozen and I had even managed to get a couple of fingers stuck to my tripod at one point. Brr.

I really had some fun with my camera yesterday.  The only one I altered is the leaf one, which I converted to grayscale and brightened it up a bit.  My favorite is the shot of the sun which looks like it's on a horizon, but it was still several hours from sunset.  What do you think?  

While browsing through my Flipboard in the photography section a few days ago, I came across these incredible photos.  It is what inspired them that surprised me.  Powdered coffee creamer.  Yes, these photos are part of an ad campaign for common powdered coffee creamer.  While they didn't give me the urge to run out and buy some, they did instill a sense of calm and that made me want to sit down with a cuppa and share them here with you.  The article on this little project is here , and the talented photographer, Jeffery Vanhoutte has a website definitely worth browsing through here .

With many of my posts, I find myself looking for a picture to go with my words.  Recently, I've had a difficult time coming up with words to go with my pictures.  The first two photos are from my trip last week to Cold Lake, AB.  The last 3 are from a walk around my in-law's farmyard, while I was waiting for turkey dinner.  It was a beautiful day that led up to a delicious meal, and we wrapped it up with an evening on the couch.  I hope everyone had as wonderful a Thanksgiving as I did.  To all my American friends, I hope you have wonderful plans to look forward to!     I loved how the sky started to turn a bright blue all of a sudden, and its contrast with the orange of the still low sun.     I really like how the path of the rocks seem to be following the clouds.  Or should I reverse that?     Who doesn't enjoy a windmill?  I don't see many of them being used anymore, and this one is no...