July 31/11

As you probably already know, I like to recycle items.  We bought this birdhouse years ago, used it as a light fixture for probably 7 years (hung it upside down with lights in it), and now I'm using it in my garden with candles in it.  I think it makes a great candleholder...Recycling is great!!

Candleholder

July 30/11

This was taken with my 18-55 mm lens...I actually haven't used it in quite a while.  I love my silver starfish, it reminds me of vacations.  Which, I'm on vacation this week...yaayyyy...

Little Things

July 29/11

So I really love this picture of an old weathered tree.  Then I got to thinking...when I am old and wrinkled, I hope people still find beauty in me.  Beauty in the person I am, not the way I look. Beauty in my stories of the life I have led and that to come... I hope that others find in themselves the ability to love someone for who they are...wrinkles and all...

Weathered Beauty

July 28/11

This is what I love doing....not much more to be said.  But what is funny is that I took almost the exact same picture about 20 years ago. I tried to find that picture to put beside this one but couldn't locate it.
Déjà vu...

Déjà vu

July 27/11

They are harvesting straw in our area and I love the way the bales line the fields.  When I look at them, it brings back a memory that really has nothing to do with playing in the straw or anything.  How many of you remember the original shredded wheat cereal?  They were like little bales of wheat.  You had to scrunch them up into your bowl and add LOTS of milk and sugar.  But I loved it as a kid.  I'll have to see if they still make them...

Shredded Wheat

July 26/11

Anything with texture captures my attention.  This is a wicker ball that I put outside and started growing a vine on it.  It sits on top of a pedestal kind of thing which is cool.  I took a picture of the entire plant, ball etc, but found it much more interesting cropped up close.  Cropping can make a picture much more appealing and draws your attention to a specific area instead of getting lost in a lot of background.  It shouldn't be done on every picture, but can make certain photos stand out.

Cropped

July 25/11

I've said before that I think weeds are really pretty. I know you out there with allergies may disagree, but the colours like this one are wonderful.

Love the Yellow

July 24/11

Just like I enjoy decorating my home, I love fixing up our outdoor area.  These are just a few things I got today for our outdoor fireplace.  We spend more time outside in the summer time than we do inside so it's nice to feel comfortable out there too!

July 23/11

Today my brother and sister in law stopped by with their 8 month old baby boy, Owen.  He was so happy the whole time he was here.  I think it's a toss up between him and Austin as to who smiles the most.  Wow, how fortunate are the moms (and dads) to have such happy little boys!!

All Smiles...

July 22/11

We went to visit friends tonight who were camping down at Long Point, a beautiful beach here in Ontario.  I took pictures of the beach, campfires and vegetation.  But I also took a picture of their little girl Kylie, and honestly nothing compares to a smiling face of a little child.  She had been swimming all day and just looked so happy to be camping!!

Kylie

July 21/11

An adirondack chair immediately makes me think of relaxing.  Reminds me of cottages, lakes and summertime.  Nice...

Relaxation

July 20/11

Something as simple as stacked wood can look cool, especially with the sun filtering through the trees in the background.  I would love to be able to have a firepit for campfires in my backyard, but living in town it's against the bylaws.  Guess I better not... :(

Campfires

July 19/11

This is a special sunset for my husband Mark.  When he was a kid he used to waterski on this pond, and spent lots of time there.  He says it is one of his favourite spots.  His mom owns the property on the right of the pond.  Wouldn't a house be great on the ridge?  Unfortunately, there is no land severance allowed as it is zoned agricultural. I know Mark and his brothers would love to build a house up there!  Oh well...

Marks Sunset

July 18/11

I've named this guy Alvin...he was just waiting to go to our birdfeeder and didn't want to leave which is why I could get so close to him.  We have a bag of seed in our garage and forgot to close our back door the other night.  Bird seed was all over the place....pretty sure it was Alvin and his friends.  He reminds me of a time when we were little and camping.  We wanted so bad to feed the chipmunks, until one bit my sister and made her bleed.  We were scared after that.  But they are cute!

The Chipmunks

July 17/11

It is a stifling hot day today so I decided to take a picture in my backyard.  I'm not going anywhere today except in the pool!  Anyway, these are old pillars that came from Marks grandmother's house.  We have 3 of them in our garden just set up as a focal piece.  No function really, they just look very cool.

Old used again...

July 16/11

I found this field of flowers to be so colourful, and against the background of trees the yellow just stood out!!  I'm not exactly sure what it is, because it was a full field of them, possibly an herb?  Very pretty whatever they are...

Field of Flowers

July 15/11

So I said a couple of months ago, I was going to try and post a picture of me every month.  Well, that hasn't happened but I did get one today!!

Me in July

July 14/11

It has been unusually dry here with no rain for the past couple weeks.  And so hot!!  We were watering tonight just trying to keep our flowers alive.  This is an ornamental grass we have out front.  I just like the water dripping and the mass look of the grass.  Now I wish it would rain...oh, wait not until Ash & Braden are done camping this weekend!!

Wet grass

July 13/11

On July 8th I posted a picture of Queen Anne's Lace.  My sister facebooked me and told me there was a recipe for QAL Jelly.  I couldn't wait to try it.  It's very pale in colour with just a slight pinkish tone to it when it's finished.  I think it would go well with scones or crackers and a bottle of white wine... nice sweet, lemony taste. mmmm....I can't wait for my sister in California to taste it!

July 12/11

I took this picture tonight of the moon around 9pm.  For some reason after looking at this picture it brought back memories of when I was 8 years old.  Our whole family sitting in our living room on College St watching the first time man walked on the moon.  (I know I'm really aging myself).  To quote National Geographic News,  "July 16, 1969: The world watched in anticipation as three men were hurtled skyward in a rocket bound for the moon. The successful Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969, ushered in an era of moon exploration that has so far gone unrivaled." So many things have changed over the years and yet the moon remains unchanged...

July 11/11

I love babies and I love black & white.  Today's picture is both. Love it!!

Sunlight

July 10/11

Ok, I had no idea you could grow a bed of cacti in Southern Ontario.  My brother and sister-in-law have these in their garden and they bloom every year.  They don't take them in so they survive over our winters...who knew?  I looked it up and the "Opuntia Polyacantha" variety can grow here.  The common name is "Prickly Pear" cactus.  Apparently there are many Opunitias which should grow as long as you provide excellent drainage & full sun.  I'm going to try and grow my own.  Patti, I'll be over for some clippings :)  I love the flowers...

Cactus in Ontario

July 9/11

We had a family get together today...and I think today's picture exemplifies what family is about.  This is our son Adam with his 3 year old cousin.  She was so thrilled with the balloons and he was happy to spend a few moments with her to play with them.  Very cool...

Family

July 8/11

I love queen anne's lace.  I know, it's a weed but I've always used it in flower arrangements this time of year.  I really like it when it's in full bloom but when I was walking today, I was thinking it also looks amazing before it is fully developed.  There really are some pretty weeds out there.

***My sister just posted on facebook a site that tells how to make Queen Annes Lace Jelly...how cool is that*** Here is the link http://murmuringtrees.blogspot.com/2008/08/queen-annes-lace-jelly.html

Beautiful Weeds

July 7/11

This plant is growing out of a rock.  The rock came out of our foundation when were building our house and it is huge.  We have it in our gardens.  When I saw this small plant I thought of the words resistant and unaffected.  Even though it is not in the best of conditions it persists and grows anyway.  We should all be like that.  Conditions are not always ideal, but we can continue to grow personally in ways that will make us better people.  Life is a journey...

Against the odds

July 6/11

It's almost the end of strawberry season here, so a big thank you to Ruth (Mark's mom) for picking these for us.  There is nothing better than strawberry shortcake with handpicked strawberries. Mmmmm....

+ Ice Cream & Shortcake = Delicious

July 5/11

I drive across this bridge every morning and every morning I think to myself that I should stop and take a picture.  Well today I actually had a few minutes to spare, which is rare for me as I time my arrival at work to the minute.  ANYWAY...it was just after 7:30 am and the lighting was perfect.  I love the combination of the different colours and reflections.  So peaceful...I'm glad I took the time to stop.

Take the Time

July 4/11

I thought this was a cool shot from the weekend. I took a picture today, but not one that I liked as much as this.  Our friends son Cory was over with a friend and they were having cannonball competitions.  This is Cory just as he is going under...

Cannonball

July 3/11

Here in Canada we couldn't have asked for a better long weekend.  Perfect weather all weekend long. Great for barbeques, day trips and just sitting out by the pool.  I loved the way the sun was hitting our red umbrella. Also I got a new star filter this weekend and it's so cool the way it makes the sun look.

Sunny Day

July 2/11

We are heading out today for an overnight trip somewhere...not sure where just getting in the car and going since its our anniversary this weekend.  Love the daytrips and just going...  Our friends Amanda & Dave were over yesterday and they have the coolest 1967 VW bus.  That epitomizes the perfect "getaway".
Love it...so vintage!!

VW Vintage

July 1/11

We went to a barbeque last night and little Oliver wanted in the pool so bad.  He couldn't wait to go swimming.  This is before he finally got in the pool...just dipping his feet in.

Waiting to swim...

June 30/11

Geraniums are still my favourite annual flower.  They give such a pop of colour to a flowerbed.  Considering that it is the last day of June already, I better go buy some! 



Burst of Colour



June 29/11

To me there is something so regal about horses.  Their stance and the way they hold themselves is so graceful.  I saw this horse on the hilltop and had to stop.

June 28/11

This guy just makes me smile...Mark got him as a present 13 years ago.  So he is a familiar sight in our gardens and on our deck.  I move him around once in a while so that I can see him from different vantage points because he really does make me smile when I see him.  Isn't it great how little things can make you happy?  It's not always the expensive or big things we have that bring a little bit of happiness to our day...

You smile...I smile...

June 27/11

I have been trying for weeks to get a picture of this cardinal in our back yard.  I hear him every night but haven't been able to see him.  He popped his head out of the sumac just long enough for me to get a picture of his bright redness against the green.  I love the contrast...

Hiding

June 26/11

I stopped tonight to take some pictures of horses in a field.  As I was taking the pictures, this little bird landed on a fence post and started to chirp so loudly I just had to snap his picture.  It was like he was saying "look, I'm right here!!"  Very cute...

Look at me...

June 25/11

Just because...that's why I took this picture today.  I just liked the way the field, the grey sky and this old barn looked as I drove by it today.

Grey skies

June 24/11

I took a picture a couple of months ago of a swing that I used to play on when I was a kid.  I'm glad I did, because recently they redid the entire park with all new equipment.  Not to say that the "new" isn't wonderful, but it is not what my memories are made of.  But it's great to see many parents taking their children to the new park and to see them creating memories that will last a lifetime...

Memory makers...

June 23/11

I took this picture of an old bridge and it got me thinking about the phrase "burning bridges".  Wikipedia says "Burning Bridges is an expression synonymous to the "Point of no return", typically used when a relationship becomes irreparable."
When that happens, we have to accept that our bridge in life is made up of many decisions.  Every decision has consequences and few things in life are just "good or bad", "right or wrong".  When we come to that realization it's then that we have a greater ability to "build a bridge".

June 22/11

I saw my niece Kate tonight...it is so much fun to take pictures of her.  First of all she moves quick so it's not that easy.  But candid shots are always the best!  She was trying so hard to get a leaf off this tree.  She just wasn't quite tall enough.  Eventually I told her to stand on the rock!  It worked...

Just a little taller...

June 21/11

FIRST DAY OF SUMMER!!!  Yay...I love summer.  I was taking a walk today and this butterfly flew in front of me and landed.  He looks a little beaten up, but nonetheless he was flying and fluttering about without a care in the world.  We should be like that...if hardships come our way, do our best to carry on and continue flying even though our wings may be a little battered.  What's worse?...being hurt a little or just lying down and doing nothing?  I think we should always spread our wings and carry on...

Carry on...

June 20/11

These wind turbines are popping up all along Lake Erie in Southwestern Ontario.  There is a lot of controversy around them with many people opposing them.  They do look cool against the lake though when they are running.  I took this picture yesterday on my way home from Tecumseh.

Wind Turbines

June 19/11

Mark and I have been CRAZY busy this week building wall units to take to Tyler and Dayna's.  We got them done and went there this weekend and also helped them put stone on their fireplace.  I just had to take before and after pictures....I think it turned out great!!  It's so nice to be able to help our kids...

June 18/11

This hydrangea is just ready to bloom.  I actually love the way these flowers look before they come out in bloom.  The green colour and the way the buds are so compact make it look interesting.  This is at Tyler and Dayna's house.  It is their first spring/summer here so it's been fun just finding all the different flowers in the garden. 

June 17/11

This is another one of those pictures where I love the texture and they way the sun is hitting the subject.  Now all I need to do is buy a fern for my outside wicker hanger...

Texture & Sun

June 16/11

This baby bunny was in my backyard tonight.  So cute!!  He had plenty to eat as my lawn really needs cutting...

June 15/11

Anything yellow attracts my attention immediately.  I love the look of lemons in a jar, a field of sunflowers,  or a bright yellow t-shirt in the summer.  These flowers caught my eye and I had to take a picture!

Brighten my day...

June 14/11

I lost track of time tonight...I was in the garage helping build cabinets for Tyler & Dayna.  So it's about 12:30 am...but here is my picture for today.  It's by one of our ponds in the area.  It's cool that an ordinary weed can look so nice...

Ordinary weeds...

June 13/11

I really like still pictures as even the most simple things can look cool.  Just got some of my cutlery out today and played with it.  I wanted to use my external flash, but the batteries ran out because it was in my bag for so long.  I realized today I have to start experimenting more and learning more about my camera.  I would like to take a course (a good one this time)...I'll have to look into it.

June 12/11

I had memories of my grandparents today... and all because of candy!  My grandfather especially loved this type of candy.  He always had the orange and yellow ones in a dish ready to share with us.  We would try to get to the orange ones first, but because there were 5 of us all close in age, usually someone would end up with only the yellow ones being left.  I remember being so disappointed when that would happen.  But today, the yellow and green are my favourite :)

Grampy's Treat