October 30/11

I find it so interesting to see things somewhere they shouldn't be.  I was driving and looked down a roadway and this chair was just sitting at the end of the road in front of a field.  I again turned my car around and took the picture...I love finding things in weird places...


“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.” 
― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Things in weird places...

October 29/11

I drove down my road and had to do a double take!  I saw these llama's and turned my car around to take their picture.  I had no idea there were llama's in our area...
There was a big ditch between me and them, but they seemed as intrigued with me as I was with them.  I wish I had of had my zoom lens...

Hello Llama's !!

October 28/11

I emptied my outside flower pots the other day :(  All my summer flowers are gone.
I love the colours of the pots and enjoy planting them each year.  Can't wait to pick out flowers for them next year at our new home...but they will be in storage until then...

No flowers until Spring again...

October 27/11

I cross this bridge everyday on my way to work.  And I have always wanted to stop and take a picture, but there is quite a lot of traffic on it and "no parking" signs.  But today I just had to stop!!  The way the sun was hitting the trees was awesome.  And I figured it might be one of my last pictures of fall colours as the leaves are falling off the trees now.  It's supposed to be -4C tonight...so I figure a lot more leaves will be dropping!!  Anyway, I'm glad I took the time to stop...

Crossing the Bridge

October 26/11

One of the most important things you can have and give in your life...enough said...

All you need is...

October 25/11

I found this picture interesting today... I just liked the subject...

Graffiti

October 24/11

I find Fall foliage so beautiful.  The red leaves on this burning bush are outstanding!! My favourite colours this time of year are the vibrant oranges and reds...what are yours?

October 23/11

I saw these roses at Ashley & Braden's house tonight.  What makes them special is that when we did their landscaping this spring, we never thought this tiny rosebush would survive.  It was so small, we forgot to replant it for a day, and it just looked like it would not live.  Going there tonight, the rosebush is at least 3 feet tall with 5-6 roses on it.  And being close to the end of October, I would have thought the roses would be done and finished blooming.
Then I got to thinking about the meaning of yellow roses...today yellow roses are commonly associated with joy and friendship. Yellow roses bring to mind all of the sunny, cheerful feelings of warmth, happiness and friends.
Like the roses I saw tonight that survived when we thought they would not, true friendships and love can survive anything if cultivated and given the right conditions.  Both are beautiful and will bloom with care.

Warmth, Happiness and Friendship

October 22/11

I wanted to take another picture of our cat Gizzmo.  He is about 14 years old (not exactly sure as we got him when he was grown) and he is slowing down so much.  He sleeps a lot now...  I hate to see him getting older...He is a great cat :)

Gizzmo

October 21/11

We have had these grasses for years in our back yard, but I don't remember them ever blooming with the pinkish tops.  Maybe I just never paid attention before.  The wind was blowing a bit when I took this picture which gives them almost a graceful appearance.  Love it...

Fall Grasses

October 20/11

I was off of work today not feeling well, so my post today is quite short.  I wasn't outside at all today, so I had to find something in the house I thought was worth posting.  Everyone must know by now how much I love texture and design...here's both...

October 19/11

Now that I'm done my holidays, I have quite a few cards to make.  I got out some of my stamps and just love all the different sentiments.  I love being able to make my own cards and make them unique.

What shall I say??

October 18/11

One more picture from Florida!!  We are back in Ontario, but it's colder and going to be rainy tomorrow. This is the last picture I took...this was growing in the garden...so colourful!!

So Colourful

October 17/11

My Nanny & Grampy taught me how to play cribbage.  It brings back such good memories...
We played this a lot on vacation and Cindy & I got our butts kicked by Mark & Russell.  It was fun though!

Memories of Nanny & Grampy

October 16/11

When we travelled, Mark and I used to take sugar, and find creamers, try to pack them and keep them cold.  Well...we have left that behind as the best coffee on vacation is coffee with Irish Cream or Baileys. We no longer pack anything, just buy a bottle at the airport and take it with us!  So easy and oh so good!!

We had this every morning for coffee and since there were 4 of us...we went through 3 bottles!!  No cream and sugar required...

Best Coffee Ever

October 15/11

This little frog was outside...although he looks big in this picture, he was only less than an inch long.  So cute and didn't care that we were around at all...

Little Frog

October 14/11

We swam a lot at the house we were at.  I saw all these bathing suits hanging to dry and again all the colours caught my eye.  And it's such a Florida, warm weather thing!!

Swimming

October 13/11

This was a bulletin board at the house we stayed at.  I just liked the colours and it is something I don't have at home.  I love close ups...it just makes things seem more interesting...

Bulletin Board Pins

October 12/11

So...I'm back from Florida and we had a great trip.  I didn't post as much as I wanted to as we didn't have internet access where we were staying.  That's ok though!  I'm going to post the pictures from the week...
I should have posted this picture before, but I still wanted to as it really is a natural wonder of the world.  For any of you who have not seen Niagara Falls it is absolutely beautiful.  I took this picture from the car on our way to the airport.  I would have liked to get out but didn't have time.  We live only about an hour or so from the Falls.  It is definitely something to see if you are in Ontario.

Niagara Falls, ON

October 11/11

This is a flower outside the house we are staying.  Possibly a type of hibiscus...love the pink colour.

October 11 is a special day.  27 years ago today I had my son Tyler.  Thinking about you today Tyler and love you!!

October 10/11

Wine + Close Family + around Pool....Priceless...

Priceless

October 9/11

Got to Florida last night!!  What's more indicative of Florida than a palm tree?  Love it!!  We are here with good friends Paul & Janice and will be picking up my sister Cindy and her husband Russell tonight.  Looking forward to a great week!

October 8/11

So I said yesterday in my post that we had a 100th Anniversary celebration at work.  What was pretty cool is that they rented a photo booth so we could take pictures with our friends (this is my friend Kelly).  They were then posted in a book where we could comment on them.  So much fun!  So I thought I would take a picture of a picture and post it as my "me" October picture.

We are leaving for Florida today and I just found out there is no internet at the house we are staying at.  So...my pictures for the next week may be sporadic unless I visit Starbucks everday!!
Have a great week everyone...I know I will!!

Friends

October 7/11

Today at work we celebrated our company's 100th year in business.  I work for Union Gas Limited, a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with 100 years of experience.  It was a fun day and the committee that put it together did an amazing job!

100 Years

October 6/11

This country road at sunset is so pretty.  Beside the road is a grouping of grass that has the most beautiful white tops on it and the sun behind it makes it look so nice.  I just had to stop and take this picture!

Country Road

October 5/11

I love to find pattern in everyday things.  This is a piece of stone that is in a wall in our garden.  How cool is that?  I've said before that when you start photography you look at things in a whole new way. Everything becomes framed like a picture.

Everyday things

October 4/11

Today I had to go to the Fire Department where my husband works.  Immediately I thought, what a great photo opportunity!!  This is one of the fire trucks that was sitting outside.  I love the red colour!!

Fire Engine Red

October 3/11

Today I found this little box of ladybugs.  My friend brought them back from Korea for me last year.  Aren't they so cute?  Isn't it great finding treasures in your house you have forgotten about?  Have you found anything lately you had forgotten about and were excited to see again?

Lost Ladybugs

October 2/11

One of my favourite fall flowers is the Sedum.  When all your summer flowers are dying and the leaves are falling off the trees, the Sedum is in full bloom.  It's such nice colour for your garden in the fall.

Lots of colour

October 1/11

This is a picture of an old fish hatchery.  It's not in use anymore but I liked the lines and depth to this picture.  And the old chipping paint...I love things with character.

Character

September 30/11

It's a cold, rainy night with high winds...yuk.  So when I saw these shells in a jar that I have, (I collect them on the trips we go on) I immediately thought of our planned trip to Florida next week!  I can't wait to just go relax.  My sister Cindy and her husband Russell from California are going to meet up with us. I'm so looking forward to it!  The shells were just a great reminder of what is to come...

Fun to come...

September 29/11

This is my drive to work every morning.  For those of you who do a lot of city driving, stuck in traffic on the highway, I apologize.  Even though I have scenery like this I still complain about my 30 minute drive to work each day.  I will think about this next time I'm complaining.  What a beautiful drive I have!

Awesome Drive

September 28/11

As I get older I am getting more aware of what my body needs.  About 3 months ago I decided not to eat meat any longer.  That decision was based on how it makes me feel, I don't mind if anyone else eats meat or not.  Anyway... it can be challenging thinking of interesting things to eat.  After being at the fruit/vegetable stand yesterday, I came up with this sandwich.  I grilled eggplant, zucchini, peppers and topped it off with avocado slices.  I made up some flavoured mayo and I can't wait for lunch today!!
Who says not eating meat is boring?  I loved all the colours...they say you eat with your eyes as well as your mouth and I agree!!

MMmmm

September 27/11

I stopped at a local fruit stand today on my way to work, to get some apples.  It made me think of how fortunate we are in this part of the world for the abundace of food available to us.  In this picture alone there are apples, peppers, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, apple cider....love them all!!

Another thing I'm learning doing this blog is to not be afraid to ask people if they mind me taking pictures.  
I asked the lady at this fruit stand and she said definitely yes and we had a great conversation!!

Abundance

September 26/11

I went to a local park today looking for a picture.  This was one of my favourites as I like the angle of this one.  I've finally learned that pictures don't just always happen, you have to go out and find them...

Fall Trees

September 25/11

This muskrat didn't care at all that I was getting close to him to take his picture.  He was so much more concerned with eating!!

Hungry...

September 24/11

It's another beautiful Fall day in Ontario...I just love the colours in this photo and it's such a simple subject but still nice.  That makes me think that uncomplicated things are sometimes the best.  I'm on a quest to simplify my life.  :)

The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

Leonardo da Vinci

Simple

September 23/11

It's raining today, so I'm posting a picture I took a couple of days ago...on a bright sunny day.  I put my star filter on the camera which gives you the stars on the water where the sun is reflecting. (If you click on the picture it will enlarge and you'll see what I mean)  This is only the second time I've used it, but I really like the effect.
This is one of the ponds around our town, something that I really don't take advantage of as I've said before.  So pretty...I think I'll take a walk around it this fall.

beautiful waters...

September 22/11

Today was an absolutely beautiful day for a game of golf with good friends...

Golfing Friends

September 21/11

I took this picture today before it started raining...one of the first dropped leaves of Fall and such a nice red colour!!  I was going to wait until tomorrow which is officially the first day of Fall to post this picture  but I'm in a golf tournament tomorrow and thought I would most likely post that.  Where does the time go?  It seems like summer just started...we closed our pool yesterday as well  :(  which really marks the end of summer for us.

So I did a random draw for the My Memories scrapbook software and the winner is .... Donna B...Congratulations!!  I will contact you with directions and the code to download it for free!

The random draw was done through www.random.org

September 20/11

Just a few days until the first day of Fall, but already the colours of the trees are beginning to change.  This has to be one of my favourite times of the year.  Today it is a picture perfect day... This picture was taken on one of the small ponds that are around our town.  You can see the colours just beginning to change...

Beginning of Fall colours

Just one more day to make a comment on my September 14th post and win a free digital scrapbooking software program.  I will be doing a random draw tomorrow!!

September 19/11

I can't tell you how much I love taking pictures of children.  Their expressions are priceless.  Hailey was on the floor at the wedding and I just asked her to look at me.  Very candid but the expression is adorable.

Too cute...

Don't forget to go to my September 14th post to win a free download of My Memories digital scrapbooking software.  A $40 value.  Just follow the directions, post a comment and you could win!  It is great for family pictures like this...

September 18/11

Today our son Chad got married.  It was a beautiful day for a beautiful wedding.  I didn't get a great picture of them as we were too busy being in the pictures ourselves!  But my mother in law did make a request for a picture of these 3 gorgeous girls, Kate, Kristen & Ashley.  The only 3 grandaughters...so beautiful!!  I will post a picture of Kyla & Chad when I get one...she was a stunning bride!

3 Grandaughters

Ok...so I just couldn't finish my September 18th post without adding a picture of Kyla & Chad.  This is actually a picture that my sister in law Jill took...it turned out so nice.  I couldn't find one of them alone, but as you can see Kyla was beautiful today...
And Ashley & Braden, happy 1st Anniversary today.  It's so nice to share special days with family...

Kyla, Kate & Chad

September 17/11

So last night we babysat our niece Kate for a couple of hours.  I forgot how busy little people can be...we had so much fun!!  She was so good when I asked if I could take some pictures of her.  So we got out a fur wrap I had and a cute little headband and this is the result.  So cute!!

Dressing up...

Just a few more days to enter to win the free giveaway.  See my September 14th post!!