It's so nice to have friends who are willing photo subjects! Here's P enjoying her pumpkin ice cream at the pumpkin patch. She's been looking forward to it (and so was I). It's like an annual tradition!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Project 52 (19)
It's so nice to have friends who are willing photo subjects! Here's P enjoying her pumpkin ice cream at the pumpkin patch. She's been looking forward to it (and so was I). It's like an annual tradition!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thankful Thursday
Wow, I have to say, I am so not feeling this post! I started typing it up yesterday, which is a good thing, otherwise I'd probably just want to rant. Anyway, switching gears from this cheerful first paragraph...
Goooood things from this week:
1. The sunrise yesterday morning, and the fact that I was available to photograph it.
2. The weather. It's chilly, but not very rainy, and there's been sun! Fall is about at its peak, so the colors are getting awesome. I'm sorry to say I haven't really taken many photos, but I'm hoping to over the next few days before all the leaves fall.
3. Morning fog, because even though it can be a bit of a driving hindrance, it makes for some awesome scenery.
4. Sims 2 Castaway for Wii! (I thought I'd switch gears from all the nature references.) I probably shouldn't be grateful for the time-suck that is this game, but it's just fun. I don't even know why because, in a way, it's tedious. But I like having little escapes and to relax on my couch. So yeah, I'm a potato.
5. My smartphone. Have I mentioned this yet? I have an Android phone and I've been loving it. Aside from the adjustment process, which is always tiresome.
6. Surprise money. It wasn't much, but the other day I came across both a check and some cash in my wallet that I had forgotten about. Also, one of my bills was less than I thought. Those discoveries all took place within about 10 minutes of each other, so it was a fun Monday night.
7. Mexican food. I love Mexican food, and I had it for two of my birthday meals (I had a total of six different birthday meals!!). My friend P made enchiladas for my church group birthday gathering, and my coworker D took me to Mexican for lunch yesterday. Both were delicious meals. Can I say "meals" more?
8. Ibuprofen. How great is that stuff for sore muscles?
9. Fresh starts. We get them every day, every week, etc. etc. It's good.
10. Job security. I have plenty of that lately.
Goooood things from this week:
1. The sunrise yesterday morning, and the fact that I was available to photograph it.
2. The weather. It's chilly, but not very rainy, and there's been sun! Fall is about at its peak, so the colors are getting awesome. I'm sorry to say I haven't really taken many photos, but I'm hoping to over the next few days before all the leaves fall.
3. Morning fog, because even though it can be a bit of a driving hindrance, it makes for some awesome scenery.
4. Sims 2 Castaway for Wii! (I thought I'd switch gears from all the nature references.) I probably shouldn't be grateful for the time-suck that is this game, but it's just fun. I don't even know why because, in a way, it's tedious. But I like having little escapes and to relax on my couch. So yeah, I'm a potato.
5. My smartphone. Have I mentioned this yet? I have an Android phone and I've been loving it. Aside from the adjustment process, which is always tiresome.
6. Surprise money. It wasn't much, but the other day I came across both a check and some cash in my wallet that I had forgotten about. Also, one of my bills was less than I thought. Those discoveries all took place within about 10 minutes of each other, so it was a fun Monday night.
7. Mexican food. I love Mexican food, and I had it for two of my birthday meals (I had a total of six different birthday meals!!). My friend P made enchiladas for my church group birthday gathering, and my coworker D took me to Mexican for lunch yesterday. Both were delicious meals. Can I say "meals" more?
8. Ibuprofen. How great is that stuff for sore muscles?
9. Fresh starts. We get them every day, every week, etc. etc. It's good.
10. Job security. I have plenty of that lately.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Silver Falls
During my parents' visit we went to Silver Falls State Park. I like taking visitors there because it's nearby (about 30-40 minutes from Salem) and has beautiful sights year round. There are clean bathrooms, safe trails, a nice visitor's center, and a few different hiking options depending on your time frame and energy level. It's the perfect blend of civilization and nature. And that's my plug for Silver Falls!
The most popular waterfall there is called South Falls (boring name). I had to take a photo of my mom photographing it because she so rarely takes pictures. :) This is an odd sight. She's good with her iPhone, though--nice composition, Mom!
The coolest feature of South Falls is the trail that goes behind it.
I didn't take a ton of waterfall photos since I have so many on my computer already (some are here). This time I think I enjoyed the natural setting more.
I don't think I've ever gone up here to the stream that leads into South Falls. There are some really pretty scenes, and the water is surprisingly calm and shallow up there.
The fall color was looking nice up there. I kind of want to go back this season when it's at its peak.
You know me and path photos! We arrived early enough on a cloudy day that it wasn't very crowded, as you can see.
I thought this looked more like the house from Hansel and Gretel than a bathroom. It seemed to be locked, but isn't it quaint?
I think this is North Falls, but I'm not positive. There is a lookout for this view, and a trail that takes you a bit closer (we didn't go on it).
I think that little curving trail is very picturesque.
We took another trail that had some nice colors. My parents were very cooperative when I kept requesting their photo. I need more pictures of them, plus it gives some perspective.
One of many stalker photos.
Here's the waterfall we came to on this trail. What is this.. Twin Falls? I really can't remember.
My cute mom.
Have you been to Silver Falls?
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Project 52 (18)
Fall is coming kind of slowly here. The weather is gray and fally, but the colors aren't as vivid as I remember. Maybe I'm just being impatient.
A few related photos...
I'm sure you'll be seeing a lot more mushroom photos, since they are a fun subject for me and they've only barely started growing.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Food Friday
What's this? Yes, it's Food Friday! These are from the past month plus.
Chicken salad sandwich.
I learned how to make ranch dressing in a delicious way--just double the seasoning and use buttermilk!
Finally I was successful at cooking beans from dried.
Except they were a little too done and mushy, so I made them into refried beans!
Lime Pie Fudge that I made a friend for his birthday.
Delicious breakfast sandwich.
Turkey sandwich on a cheddar bagel.
I couldn't decide which photo to keep, so you get both.
Crab quiche from Bistro Maison and Creamy Crock Pot Chicken from Jessica's Kitchen.
Delicious stir fry from Chang's Mongolian Grill (free meal on your birthday!).
Shari's Berries! A birthday gift from Dania.
Also from Shari's Berries: a caramel apple with white chocolate. This was SO GOOD.
Until next time, may all your meals be delish!
Chicken salad sandwich.
I learned how to make ranch dressing in a delicious way--just double the seasoning and use buttermilk!
Finally I was successful at cooking beans from dried.
Except they were a little too done and mushy, so I made them into refried beans!
Lime Pie Fudge that I made a friend for his birthday.
Delicious breakfast sandwich.
Turkey sandwich on a cheddar bagel.
I couldn't decide which photo to keep, so you get both.
Crab quiche from Bistro Maison and Creamy Crock Pot Chicken from Jessica's Kitchen.
Delicious stir fry from Chang's Mongolian Grill (free meal on your birthday!).
Shari's Berries! A birthday gift from Dania.
Also from Shari's Berries: a caramel apple with white chocolate. This was SO GOOD.
Until next time, may all your meals be delish!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
35
I'm 35 today! I don't feel it, but I'm starting to get used to not feeling my age. To celebrate, I thought I might share some things about myself that don't relate to photography, so here are 35 facts:
1. I used to work at McDonald's.
2. My first car was a 1969 VW Bug.
3. I prefer milk chocolate over dark.
4. I was on a jumprope team when I was 6.
5. Being on said team led to my first plane trip (at age 6)--we flew to Colorado for the national jumprope competition.
6. I used to own a snake--a red-tail boa--and he grew to about 7 feet long before my parents found a new home for him since I was in college and not really around.
7. I'm a shorty at just over 5'1.
8. All of my education was in public school, aside from one semester at a private college.
9. I prefer all red meat to be well done. It should be brown meat.
10. I moved back in with my parents four times since the first time I moved out at age 18. :P
11. But now I've been out of their house for 6 years. It's a new record!
12. I don't like coffee.
13. I've been at my current job for almost 6 years, which is the longest I've ever worked at the same place.
14. My bachelor's degree is in communication studies with an emphasis in organizational communication.
15. I'm the middle of three sisters.
16. I'm an INTP. (Some of that description does not match me, but this particular part is pretty much me: "The INTP is likely to be very shy when it comes to meeting new people. On the other hand, the INTP is very self-confident and gregarious around people they know well, or when discussing theories which they fully understand.")
17. I'm having a lot of trouble coming up with 35 facts about myself! This is hard.
18. I was born and raised in northern California, but I have also lived in Nevada, Oregon (duh), and temporarily in Texas (one semester) and New Hampshire (if a two-month stay with my sister counts...I say it should!).
19. Growing up, we had several pets including various dogs, a cat, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds and fish. I'm not really into pets now, though--too much responsibility.
20. I have 9 nieces and nephews. They call me "Tia" because my sisters decided to have their kids refer to aunts that way, even though we're not Spanish-speakers. I can't remember all of the reasoning now. :)
21. I grew up in the Lutheran church, but now I'm a member of a Baptist church. I'm not particularly tied to any denomination. I am tied to Jesus Christ. :D
22. I've sung in three church choirs for a total of at least 10 years in church choir. PS I'm an alto (although I took voice lessons for 6 months and was told I'm a soprano...I probably am if I'd sing correctly :P).
23. I've been on several road trips and have visited 42 US states and 6 Canadian provinces.
24. I bite my nails. :( It's a lifelong battle.
25. It's too hard to choose favorites of practically anything, but some of my favorite books are Catcher in the Rye (J. D. Salinger), This Time of Darkness (H. M. Hoover) and Z for Zachariah (Robert C. O'Brien).
26. Some of the TV shows I loved as a kid were: The Brady Bunch, Three's Company, Webster, Facts of Life, Who's the Boss?, Saved by the Bell, The Cosby Show, and Gimme a Break. Despite the size of that list, I didn't like watching TV all that much, and still don't.
27. As an adult, the shows I've enjoyed most over the years are Friends, Jeopardy, The Office, Chuck, Veronica Mars and Alias (which I watched entirely on DVD after the series had ended). I'm not really into reality shows unless it's to bash them.
28. Continuing on with this theme, the movies I watched the most as a kid were Annie and Grease. Sometimes I would quietly sing Hopelessly Devoted to myself on the playground when I was 6. I'm so cool! I wanted to sing like Sandy. And Annie.
29. My current car is the first/only one I ever got brand new, and recently (October 13th) I hit the tenth anniversary of purchasing it! It still feels like a "new car" to me, but obviously it isn't.
30. I've worked for three universities.
31. My favorite flowers are gardenias.
32. I LOVED swimming when I was a kid (still do, but don't get much of an opportunity).
33. Some of my favorite games are Scrabble, Cribbage and Trivial Pursuit (or any sort of quizzing game).
34. Typing was one of my most useful high school classes. I'm a pretty fast typist, and I was even able to type people's papers for pay when I was in college.
35. I just ate a Shari's Berry that Dania sent me for my birthday! :)
WOW, that was hard.
1. I used to work at McDonald's.
2. My first car was a 1969 VW Bug.
3. I prefer milk chocolate over dark.
4. I was on a jumprope team when I was 6.
5. Being on said team led to my first plane trip (at age 6)--we flew to Colorado for the national jumprope competition.
6. I used to own a snake--a red-tail boa--and he grew to about 7 feet long before my parents found a new home for him since I was in college and not really around.
7. I'm a shorty at just over 5'1.
8. All of my education was in public school, aside from one semester at a private college.
9. I prefer all red meat to be well done. It should be brown meat.
10. I moved back in with my parents four times since the first time I moved out at age 18. :P
11. But now I've been out of their house for 6 years. It's a new record!
12. I don't like coffee.
13. I've been at my current job for almost 6 years, which is the longest I've ever worked at the same place.
14. My bachelor's degree is in communication studies with an emphasis in organizational communication.
15. I'm the middle of three sisters.
16. I'm an INTP. (Some of that description does not match me, but this particular part is pretty much me: "The INTP is likely to be very shy when it comes to meeting new people. On the other hand, the INTP is very self-confident and gregarious around people they know well, or when discussing theories which they fully understand.")
17. I'm having a lot of trouble coming up with 35 facts about myself! This is hard.
18. I was born and raised in northern California, but I have also lived in Nevada, Oregon (duh), and temporarily in Texas (one semester) and New Hampshire (if a two-month stay with my sister counts...I say it should!).
19. Growing up, we had several pets including various dogs, a cat, guinea pigs, rabbits, birds and fish. I'm not really into pets now, though--too much responsibility.
20. I have 9 nieces and nephews. They call me "Tia" because my sisters decided to have their kids refer to aunts that way, even though we're not Spanish-speakers. I can't remember all of the reasoning now. :)
21. I grew up in the Lutheran church, but now I'm a member of a Baptist church. I'm not particularly tied to any denomination. I am tied to Jesus Christ. :D
22. I've sung in three church choirs for a total of at least 10 years in church choir. PS I'm an alto (although I took voice lessons for 6 months and was told I'm a soprano...I probably am if I'd sing correctly :P).
23. I've been on several road trips and have visited 42 US states and 6 Canadian provinces.
24. I bite my nails. :( It's a lifelong battle.
25. It's too hard to choose favorites of practically anything, but some of my favorite books are Catcher in the Rye (J. D. Salinger), This Time of Darkness (H. M. Hoover) and Z for Zachariah (Robert C. O'Brien).
26. Some of the TV shows I loved as a kid were: The Brady Bunch, Three's Company, Webster, Facts of Life, Who's the Boss?, Saved by the Bell, The Cosby Show, and Gimme a Break. Despite the size of that list, I didn't like watching TV all that much, and still don't.
27. As an adult, the shows I've enjoyed most over the years are Friends, Jeopardy, The Office, Chuck, Veronica Mars and Alias (which I watched entirely on DVD after the series had ended). I'm not really into reality shows unless it's to bash them.
28. Continuing on with this theme, the movies I watched the most as a kid were Annie and Grease. Sometimes I would quietly sing Hopelessly Devoted to myself on the playground when I was 6. I'm so cool! I wanted to sing like Sandy. And Annie.
29. My current car is the first/only one I ever got brand new, and recently (October 13th) I hit the tenth anniversary of purchasing it! It still feels like a "new car" to me, but obviously it isn't.
30. I've worked for three universities.
31. My favorite flowers are gardenias.
32. I LOVED swimming when I was a kid (still do, but don't get much of an opportunity).
33. Some of my favorite games are Scrabble, Cribbage and Trivial Pursuit (or any sort of quizzing game).
34. Typing was one of my most useful high school classes. I'm a pretty fast typist, and I was even able to type people's papers for pay when I was in college.
35. I just ate a Shari's Berry that Dania sent me for my birthday! :)
WOW, that was hard.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Project 52 (17)
I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time to post! The past week was packed, but very good. I was preparing for my parents' visit, then they arrived on Thursday. I'll show you some photos from the weekend later on, but for now I have my weekly Everyday photo for you. I've had it ready, but didn't manage to get it posted on Saturday, like I prefer.
At certain times of the year, this tree by my office has a frog sitting inside it almost every time I pass by. The hole is a perfect frog house, and this little guy let me take lots of pictures, so I'm going to post a few more below.
Quick poll: Do you like the sizing I use on my photos here? Or are they too big/small? Many photography blogs post much larger photos, but I figured it made it too hard when you have to scroll to see the full length of the verticals. I'm open for suggestions and changes, though.
At certain times of the year, this tree by my office has a frog sitting inside it almost every time I pass by. The hole is a perfect frog house, and this little guy let me take lots of pictures, so I'm going to post a few more below.
Quick poll: Do you like the sizing I use on my photos here? Or are they too big/small? Many photography blogs post much larger photos, but I figured it made it too hard when you have to scroll to see the full length of the verticals. I'm open for suggestions and changes, though.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Two years of this
I moved to my current abode two years ago today. I feel very blessed to live where I do. I was unhappy in my previous place, and that probably boosted my appreciation of this place even more.
The inside is nothing remarkable, but I like it. I have bamboo floors and berber carpet that looks decent even when it needs to be vacuumed. My ceilings are slightly taller than average, so the rooms feel more spacious. I love my bathroom, and the fact that I have so many windows.
But I mostly moved here for the view.
Sometimes I will walk by my back door and glance outside thinking how crazy it is that I get to see that from my livingroom, instead of some other person's apartment, a parking lot or a street.
The scene is always changing, and I've tried to photograph every version, as you well know.
Sometimes the lake freezes a little. In the winter I can see more of the water, but in the summer it's all lush and more private feeling.
In the spring, I have the perfect view of rainbows.
And then there's the wildlife. I love that I have been able to see so many animals right from my deck. Beavers are always fun to watch in the morning or evening.
One year I even saw an otter. I've also seen deer a few times, and of course plenty of squirrels.
I even enjoy nutria sightings, despite how nasty they are.
And then there are the birds...
Having the lake means lots of waterfowl, like herons, cormorants, geese and several types of ducks. (I don't think I've ever used the word "waterfowl" before.)
Of course the mallards hang out year round, along with wood ducks, but in the winter I see several other types.
And when I feel like venturing downstairs, there is more loveliness.
When I move someday, I know I will miss this place, but I'm just glad to have it now. It's perfect for me. It makes me always want to live on some body of water, though I don't think that's very realistic. :)
What's your favorite thing about your home?
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