1.15.11 On The Farm

If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y and Z, with X being work, Y play, and Z keeping your mouth shut.
-- Albert Einstein

1.2.11 Black and White

Cedar posts and split rails loaded with snow. One can only enjoy places like this if they are willing to get off the beaten track.
And finally Winter, with its bitin', whinin' wind, and all the land will be mantled with snow.
Roy Bean
Day 2 of 365

Peaceful

Been to the Zoo lately?  I hadn't gone since the city redid the zoo.  I got there just at closing time and expected to be turned away.  I asked and they obliged. I wondered around taking shoots.  It was peaceful to be the only one there, just me and the animals.  My zoo isn't large like other famous zoo but it's close by.  Note to self:  bring the grand kids here when they are here for a visit.

Peacocks are such fickle birds, they never do what you want them to.  I would really love to be able to capture one in full bloom but seems I am always to late.

97 - 04.07.10 - Capturing Motion

Spilt Beverage
 Always wondered what spilt milk looked like when it hit the floor.

Okay here is the detail.  I put my camera on manual so that I could focus on where the drops were landing.  You are probably asking yourself, "how can you focus on something that isn't there?"  Well let me continue.  I filled a small baggie with milk then poured some in a 13x 9 cake pan, just enough to cover the bottom.  I secured the milk filled baggie to my over head kitchen light, you probable have one handing over you table just like mine.  I then poked a hole in the baggie, ya  the one with the milk in it, with a straight pin.   I set up the camera, oh ya I was using my macro lens but you can use a 35mm, 50mm or whatever you have.  I watched where the milk was dripping to and set a pen in that exact spot so that I could focus on it.
It took MANY tries before I could get any that were photo worthy.  I use natural lighting, no flash involved.  So there you have it, my setup for my spilt milk photo.

94 - 04.04.10 - Capturing Motion and Action

Capturing Motion and Action

f/2 @ 1/250 400ISO -1/3EV 50mm

Why is it the the smaller the dog, the more active and energy they have? 

93 - 04.03.10 - Green One's

Can't Eat Just One

What is it about Easter, colored candies and sugared marshmallows?   This has to be the second largest sweets Holiday.  That is next to Valentines Day.  Where did celebrating Easter with Bunnies, Candies and Chocolate come from anyway?  Seems as thou Christmas and Easter have just gotten to materialized and we are teaching the younger generations that these days are all about the goodies.  Got to get back to the real reason for the season, CHRIST. JMHO

92 - 04.03.10 - Delicately Green

JUST FOR TODAY

Outside my window... it is dark. It's been a very busy and long day.  Seems like it should be Saturday for all the things I've had to get done.

I am thinking... I should have posted my comments way before now.

I am thankful for... My many blessings, Husband, kids, Grand children and security

From the kitchen... I have to slabs of port ribs thawing and waiting to me marinaded
I am wearing... my comfy close as it is time for me to hit the hay
I am creating... a lot of work for myself this weekend.

I am going... to go to bed as soon as I get done with this posting
I am reading... the Pioneer Woman's blog.  Researching some great recipes for Sunday

I am hoping... that we might have some nicer weather for this coming Sunday.  Boy how I could use some outdoor activities
I am hearing... the new on the TV saying there is more moisture coming in for next week
Around the house... it is dark and quiet except for my husband who's watching how know what
One of my favorite things... is to attend church activities with Dennis.  Makes me help rejuvenated for the coming week
A few plans for the rest of the week:  
Do some baking.  It's been along time since I baked anything.  I think that last time was for Valentines Day.  Problem is there just isn't enough people around the house to eat up all the sweet.  That leave me and Dennis and we surely don't need it.

Today's picture

Delicately Green

f/29.0 @ 1 +.33 EV 200 ISO 85mm Macro

Simple Waman's Daybook Home

91 - 04.01.10 - Glowing Green

JUST FOR TODAY  

Outside my window... It's snowing again.  I think winter is trying my patience

 I am thinking... that I am so glad it's Friday and no one played a Aprils fools joke on me.  How lucky is that? 

I am thankful for... Warm water, warm clothes, dry shoes and a car that runs.

From the kitchen... I can still the smells of dinner.  Don't know if that is good or bad.
I am wearing... my warm sweater as I am freezing.
I am creating... or should I say I have created 2 more quilts today.  YA Man.

I am going... to bed as soon as I get done with this.  Stayed up to late reading last night
I am reading... nothing right now as I finished that early this morning.  Like 3:30 am

I am hoping... that I will have a better nights sleep tonight.  Got to stay off the caffeine
I am hearing... the weather man say that there is more snow on the way.  I hope that is his Aprils fools joke.
Around the house... dust is laying over everything.  Time to change some furnace filters I think.
One of my favorite things... today is toast and milk.  Can't get enough of the white stuff and I am not talking about the snow.  I have had it with that.
A few plans for the rest of the week:  rest, church and eat

Today's picture

 Green Glow

f/4.2 @ 1/100 400ISO 85mm Macro natural indoor lighting

Simple Waman's Daybook Home

90 - 03.31.10 - Green With Envy

JUST FOR TODAY  

Outside my window... it's snowing again.  Can you believe it?  Here it is the last day of March and

it's snowing.  March came in like a lion and is leaving the same.  Gosh how I would love to have springtime.

I am thinking... that I really should  go and get my hair trimmed.  I have been saying that for almost a month now but I have yet to act on it.

I am thankful for... the simple life that I have.  Been blessed with so much that I don't know where to start counting.

From the kitchen... the dishes are done. But the floor could use a good washing.

I am wearing...

A red turtle neck, something I seldom do.  Coupled with a polar vest and my favorite blue jeans.  Oh and my comfy black socks.  That's enough on the details.

I am creating... or should I say I am finishing up on some photo session photos. Long over due but boy these things take time to get right.

I am going... to the store to pick up some much needed supplies.  Oh how I hate shopping.

I am reading...

The Adobe Photoshop CS4 book by Scott Kelby.  

Someday I will have this memorized.

I am hoping... that spring will finally come and I can start some yard work

I am hearing... robins chirping outside my window.

Around the house... it is deathly quiet.  How I wish the grandkids would come and make some noise.

One of my favorite things... for today is it's Wednesday.  Ya!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

1.  get another quilt top done

2.  get 3 photo sessions done

3.  clean up my desk

Today's picture

Right Side Up or Down

 Can't tell if it's upside down or right side up or just a bad focus.  Trees reflecting in the lake.  My only wish that would have made it better is, that it had been fall.  Take a photo of something reflecting, turn it upside down and see what happens.

 

Simple Woman's Daybook Home

89 - 03.30.10 - Green With Envy

Nothing runs like a Deere, a John Deere

f/2.5 @ 1/40 +.67EV 400ISO 50mm

While trying to figure out what I was going to photograph this morning, I ran across my Grandkids toy tractors.  I reminded me how I ended up getting my DH.  You see his Dear wife before me told him that if he brought home a new tractor then she was out of there.  Gosh I live John Deere Green tractor as my now DH  got his new Green tractor along with a new wife.  ME.

88 - 03.29.10 - Green With Envy

Sweet or Sour?

f/2.2 @ 1/320 320ISO 50mm

I like my apples sweet and hard.  DH likes his apples sour.  Perhaps that is why we get along so well, we see what the other doesn't.  

87 - 03.28.10 Green With Envy

Let'm Read Cake

 f/5.6 @ 1/640 400ISO 105mm

What option do you have when those in charge of car decoration don't remember?  You use the next best thing, CAKE. 
One of the areas that I really suck at is groups shots (well among other photographing skills).  I really wish that I were better and I am so envious of those that can go out, get all the parties engaged and come out with the most amazing photos.
Gosh I wish I could do that.  I am going to blame it all on camera error, it having a soft focus and not getting the picture right that I had envisioned.

86 - 03.27.10 - Nighttime

Nighttime
I have found by doing this theme this week that taking night shots is very hard. Fighting with lots of noise, low light and trying to find something that is photo worth has been a struggle.  Just when I get things figured out it's time to move on to a new theme.

Anyway, I have learned that -
I need to work for on focusing.  That's really hard as night photography has to been done, IMHI, in manual. 
Got to get better and remember my trusty tripod.  Hate haling it around, don't like people wondering what I am up to and asking dumb questions like, "Are you taking pictures?'
I really need to get out more and not hibernate once the sun goes down.

f/4.8 @ .5 800ISO -2/3EV 48mm  no flash used
Taylors Crossing fountain downtown Idaho Falls, ID at night.  Wind was blowing about 35mph and that gives the photo the hazy look, water spray.
Next weeks theme - Green With Envy if anyone wants to play along.  I will be mixing packages and umbrellas.

84 - 03.25.10 - NIGHTTIME

Nighttime Driving Photography

I've seen where a person will take a flashlight and while it is dark out, light up an area with just the flashlight.  Well, I have been in the car all day photographing and upon arriving home I thought, "HEY why not do some light painting with the car headlights, tail lights and on coming traffic.

KIDS, DON'T TRY THIS ON  YOUR OWN.

I set the shutter to about 20 seconds.  Opened up the aperture wide open and had the ISO real low.
Set the timer and rested the camera on the dash.  See what you get?  Could have been better had I been on a busier road.

Is there a law about photographing and driving at the same time I wonder?

83 - 03.24.10 - NIGHTTIME

Nighttime In the Neighborhood

It never ceases to amaze me but what my neighbors find to do with all the spare time.
My next door neighbor loves animals, he's a rancher by trade.  The more bazaar the animal the better he likes it.
Just this week he came home with Charlie.   Now what are you going to do with a camel here in Idaho?

His plans are as follows -
Field trips to schools
Rids for the grandkids
and
Pack trips in the mountains

Now the first I can see and I total agree with, BUT pack trips.  NO WAY!  I have a hard enough time going with him now and trying to ride my horse and stay on.  I don't want anywhere around him if he is bring Charlie.  I don't have anything against Charlie, it's just that horses, mule and camels can't mix on the same mountain pass.

82 - 3.23.10 - NIGHTTIME

Nighttime
What do you do when it is snowing, blowing, raining, foggy all in the night and time you had plans to go out and shoot some night-scapes?  You did in the months archives and find something that fits the assignment.
Is that called cheating?  I hope not as the photo was taken this month.
I had my hopes all set to going to Jackson, Wy. But do to weather conditions being so terrible and driving on slick roads is something I really don't relish doing, I had to put those plans aside till Wednesday.
I could have post the photo I took of DH watching the Heath care debates but that was a bit much.  Got to get past the fact that I am now going to be paying not only for my own heath care but I'll be picking up the tab of others.  GRRR.
Back to my photo for the day.  It is the sun setting behind the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.  Another sun flare photo.
f/16 @ 1/4000 -1EV 50mm 100ISO

I sure hope the weather co-operates tonight as I have bid plans.  Just got to study up on how to do it thou.

81 - 03.22.10 - NIGHTTIME

Nighttime

f/16 @ 2.5 800ISO 50mm
Tying this week to get better night shots without a flash.  Wide open, slow shutter speed and low ISO is what I have read for getting a good night shot.  Oh, a tripod and a remote is a must have.
While checking the new calves last night, I noticed the lights as they laminated the hay stacks.  I could have lightened up the photo but I am partial to how the stacks are the only things really visible.
Note to self -
Get a shot of the full moon.
Get a shot of the milky way.
Get a shot of motion.
This is going to be a challenge as I have to throw in a umbrella and packages in the mix somewhere.
BTW - no filters, actions or PP'ing.  Just shot, sized, sharpened and shared.

76 - 03.17.10 - PERSPECTIVES

Disorder Perspective
I am a note taker.  Not a good one as I can never remember where I jotted down that important stuff.  Or when I do figure out where I jotted it,  I can't figure out what it means or what I was trying to remember.  
Yes I am a Note taker and my notes are in a disordered mess.  
But at least I look like I know what is going on and I'm busy when I am in a class.

 What the instructors don't know, is that most the time I am just doodling. Ü

75 - 03.16.10 - PERSPECTIVES

A different Perspective On Addiction
I love sweet !  It's true, I do.  I am not a chip, salty kind of person.  I have been trying real hard to cut back on the refined stuff and go more a-natural.  Not working.  It just doesn't taste the same, I guess it is something that will come with time.

Kind of a different way to look at something that is suppose to be good for ya.

74 - 03.15.10 - PERSPECTIVES

Metal Perspective

I just hate it when I am working on something and my DH decides before hand to borrow and not replace my tools.  I have so many measuring tapes scattered around the house, workshop and garage that I could supply the local hardward store.
Give the guy and inch and well you know the rest.  Ü