First Day of Winter

That phrase sometimes makes those of us in Minnesota giggle at the absurdity of Winter actually waiting until the 22nd of December to arrive... yeah, we're firmly in Winter's grip by then around here. However, this year, the weather conspired to give a touch of recognition to the date regardless of having had permanent snow on the ground for weeks already. It warmed up on the 20th to the balmy realm of the 40's and when the storm front came through on the 21st, it was only just starting to cool down again. That made for an almost rain-like very heavy snow overnight.

Morning on the "first day of winter" dawned with every tree coated with a thick layer of white insulation outlining each twig and branch with white against the sky. By afternoon, the clouds were breaking up enough to make interesting games of light playing off the sparkling snow. I simply couldn't resist taking a break in the middle of my Christmas preparations to run out to a local park and take some pictures. Nothing has lifted my spirits more this Christmas. It really reminded me of poetry:

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.
Robert Frost (1874 - 1963), Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Flying Home!

So part of the great thing about flying out during the middle of they day was that I got really great views from the plane.

This is Mount Hood!


and interestingly enough, as we were flying over Fargo and I was waving at my brother, we got to witness a massive storm front which I was quite glad we were going to be ahead of - it came through central Minnesota later that evening.

the Last Full Day of My Vacation

Sadly, this was the last day to just hang with my friends and go somewhere because I was flying out the next day. So we took a drive out to the ocean. Haystack Rock is about an hour and a half west of Portland (if I remember correctly) and we spent the morning on the beach there playing in the tidal pools. Then had lunch at this AMAZING seafood place overlooking the beach and scooted over to Ecola State Park. You can literally see Haystack Rock from an observation deck built on a cliff point in the park so you can tell we didn't go very far. We hit a couple of spots in the park too so it made for a GREAT day with the camera. When you click on the picture, the password for this album is tidal - oh yeah, and I was simply amused by that first sign. It's a tsunami warning right on the beach. My sick sense of humor found it kind of funny.

Photobucket Album

Day 3 and It Was Raining...

Day 3 of my vacation involved a massively fun trip to Powell's Book Store but I didn't take any pictures there because, well, I was busy. However, earlier in the rainy day, my friend and I once again hit Washington Park. This time, we went uphill to the Japanese Garden - and got lucky enough to catch it on a day with the annual Bonsai show! I love Bonsai but still am very good at killing it. Someday, if you want an interesting story, ask me how I got two ivy plants home in my carryon luggage from that sale because I didn't check any baggage on this trip... on second thought, you basically just heard all the interesting parts so don't bother. BUT, the garden itself was amazing and is a wonderful place to visit in the rain. It was a downpour but it was enough. The password for this album is bonsai when you click on the picture.

Photobucket Album

Day 2 of my Oregon Vaction

So the next day wasn't quite as nice weather-wise but despite being a bit on the gray side, my friend and I made a visit to Washington Park which is conveniently near her house. It was a beautiful way to spend an afternoon in the International Rose Test Garden before going on to our plans for the evening. These are a different style of picture for the most part from what I took while hiking. I was caught up in the details - and they were cool. Two things that still impress me from those two days: the size of the Douglas Firs (yes that is me standing by one just over the fence of the garden), and massive variety of blooming plants at the end of May from Roses to Rhododendrons. The password for this album is rosegarden when you click on the picture.

Photobucket Album

A Lovely Day In May - Day 1 of my Vacation

Alright, step one of the catchup on a summer's worth of pictures is Day 1 of my Oregon Vacation. I spent the day hiking in the Columbia River Gorge region at Multnomah Falls. It was a magnificent day - the only day of the vacation that didn't rain - and a fun light hike. These are certainly not ALL the pics I took on the hike since I'm pretty sure I added at least 45 minutes to the hike by stopping every three feet but they are most of the fun ones. You will notice that it doesn't matter if it is huge scenic expanses or tiny little details, I just love to stop and capture the photo. To view the photos in the album, click on the picture and the password is "hiking".

Photobucket Album

Someone is always watching...

actually, I was just playing with the camera today and got a startlingly cool and unexpected result. It's kind of creepy but I liked it so I decided to share. For the record, this is a completely unretouched photo - not even any cropping. That is exactly how it came out of the camera. Just lucky this time.

haven't posted in WAY too long..

man, I have a whole bunch of stuff I should have posted in the last 6 months. I'll have to get a few going here really soon so keep your eyes open for pics from my trip to Oregon, maybe some baby pics from my new nephew, some wedding pics (my brother's, not mine), some fun stuff of just playing with the camera and who knows what else I will dig up.

I promise to get a bunch of stuff in here soon!

Photo Poll

Ok, Friends! I'm posting again! I know you were all sitting there holding your breath right?

I have decided that since I have this little photography hobby going, I should do something with the toys I have spent a considerable amount of money on. I'm entering a photo contest - and the theme of the contest is "Spring Meltdown".

I have spent most of the last month since I purchased my new camera taking pictures of whatever or whenever I felt I found something so incredibly iconic for Spring. Of course, this meant I froze my fingers off at times, trudged through mud for odd angles, and hung precariously off ledges just to get something I thought would be cool. You know what? I had a blast! It was so fun that I took well in excess of 500 pictures. Now I don't know how to choose what to submit!!!! So, I figured I would put it out there for a bit of public opinion - at least once I did a lot of sorting, sifting and editing. I have narrowed it down to 10 pictures - which is of course, still too many. I would greatly appreciate your votes and opinions.

ETA: Just to let you know that all entries had to be submitted today, April 30th. In addition to the poll here, I received some email votes so with the totals and with only submitting one of each style of picture, I submitted #3 Nest Egg, #7 Snow Buds, and #8 Ice Melt Portrait. When finally printed in 8x10's, I was quite happy with how they looked and I think you guys have pretty good taste! Thanks so much for your help!

Here's the pics:

#1) Robin


#2) Snow Shoots


#3) Nest Egg


#4) Ice Melt Landscape


#5) Mourning Dove Nest


#6) Spring Creek Portrait


#7) Snow Buds


#8) Ice Melt Portrait


#9) Nesting Dove Eye


#10) Spring Creek Landscape

ETA: Poll removed as the entries have already been submitted - let me know if you would like to see what the results were.

A Day In The Life - a Photo Journal

This primarily started as fun with the new camera - and posting pictures may well end up being the primary use of this Blog - but here is how Easter Sunday went for Babs.

Man, it was an early start..


but the day started like pretty much every other:



Then - who KNOWS what insanity inspired this - I spent an hour curling my hair..


and of course, because THAT took so long, I was a little late getting out the door for church


but apparently it wasn't TOO late because the parking lot was still practically empty when I got there for the 7:30 show call but that's my folks' van so I know they're here anyway...


fact is.. I was early enough that the dressing room was empty and still dark!!



Ah... there's a couple of the girls finally!


and the torture begins - let me tell you, being an angel involves PAIN!


ok, 8:15 cast meeting - at least they provided coffee!


and yes, this is our little group of angels in full costume greeting the congretation coming in for both Sunday morning services.


ok, this may not be the kind of church or even Easter Sunday Service you are familiar with:


After 3 hours in that frame, there is nothing that feels as good as taking it off - literally weak-kneed:


and yeah, we just stayed there for awhile - and laughed at ourselves


so with Church finally over, and the costume and makeup finally off, I can get over to my folks to help with Easter Sunday dinner - about 1:00 - but our Easter dinner is a little different than most. Our family tradition is to use a bunch of the dyed easter eggs in a MASSIVE bowl of my mom's potato salad - which is a very unusual full meal recipe with ham, cheese, eggs, pickles in addition to the potatoes. That is two of my younger brothers who are helping to prepare the meal with me.


Of course, because David and I are working on lunch, we definitely have to get the Twins game on!


which means I have to start playing with the new camera to get a better shot of TV screen


Mom finishes mixing all the ingredients together and we are ready to eat!!


of course, during lunch, Dad and I have to keep playing with the camera and the TV and my Dad can really do a good job with a slow shutter!!


After lunch, I sat down to help little brother, Jeremiah with his French homework


HUH??


homework and chores completed, the boys run off for some fun and the 'rents and I play a game...


Ok, Mom kicked our BUTTS at dominoes so we switched to cards so Dad could win


yeah, since I was tired of losing, it was time for GINORMOUS homebaked chocolate chip cookies for snack..


... and one more game to see if it's my turn to win


Turns out, I spent a LONG time playing games with the folks - good relaxation but time to go home


and I generally end the day the way I start it - a little computer time.


And getting ready for bed - THIS is why its insane to curl my hair - it NEVER lasts


so... hanging out in bed, vegging and watching a bit of Mythbusters!


OH!!! Planet Earth! I love this series! guess I'll be staying up a little later...


but you remember how I got hooked on the whole camera thing with the TV? hooked again..




come on, you know those are cool!! but yeah, it's late, I'm tired, time for bed!