Saturday, June 18, 2011
My Baby Girl
Day 18: Eyes
Zoe is the last member of the family to make it into the photo challenge. She was mine before my Favoritest and Doodle were ever even thought about. I got her right after I graduated from college. My friend Katie's mom rescued her from a farm in South GA. I saw her (and her brother) late one night. I went home, had a few beers and told my friend Josh that I was getting that brown dog and I was going to name him Brody. Josh told me it was an ugly dog and was going to get huge!. Well, he was a she, and I named her Zoe. In the sober light of day, she was ugly (had mange and was pretty sick) but I already loved her. Josh was also right that she got bigger than I thought she would. My dad said it was a mistake. That was 11 years ago. Now he agrees that she was the best mistake I have made. She has been a wonderful companion. She is protective, affectionate, playful, and beautiful. She thinks my Favoritest is the best thing I ever brought home. She lets Logan (our beagle) have the big dog bed and wrestles with him even when she is achy and tired. She is terrorized by Doodle, but if she hears her waking up in the morning she sits outside her bedroom door. I often worry that her time will come before Doodle is old enough to remember her. She drives me crazy, but I couldn't imagine the last decade of my life without her!
We're Off To See The Wizard
Day 17: Bokeh
Bo-what? Bokeh. If you are totally clueless like me here is the wikipedia link to the definition of bokeh. So basically, it is a picture that is in focus and blurry at the same time. Challenging to figure out. But really fun because I got an early birthday present today.... an new DLSR camera (Nikon D5100). I am super excited about it. Still trying to figure it out. Also trying to stop my Favoritest from playing with it while taking unflattering pictures of me. It has lots of settings and buttons and stuff. I already love it! I am sure you can guess what I spent the afternoon doing!
So, once I played a little, it was time to figure out the bokeh shot. From my extensive (10 minutes) worth of research, I figured out I needed something similar to Christmas tree lights, an object to shot, and something in the background. I played around with several light sources because I had no intentions of getting into holiday bins in the middle of June. After lots of failed attempts, I realized my Madame Alexander dolls had all three elements. The curio cabinet has it's own light source, the mirrors and glass help it to resemble twinkling lights, and I had a subject, and background. If you know me, you know I have enjoyed collecting these dolls over the years. I got my first MA for my 10th birthday. The most recent (the Wicked Witch you can see in the background) was a holiday gift from my Favoritest. I have over 20 of them. Someday, I hope to add the the collection by giving them to Doodle.
Bo-what? Bokeh. If you are totally clueless like me here is the wikipedia link to the definition of bokeh. So basically, it is a picture that is in focus and blurry at the same time. Challenging to figure out. But really fun because I got an early birthday present today.... an new DLSR camera (Nikon D5100). I am super excited about it. Still trying to figure it out. Also trying to stop my Favoritest from playing with it while taking unflattering pictures of me. It has lots of settings and buttons and stuff. I already love it! I am sure you can guess what I spent the afternoon doing!
So, once I played a little, it was time to figure out the bokeh shot. From my extensive (10 minutes) worth of research, I figured out I needed something similar to Christmas tree lights, an object to shot, and something in the background. I played around with several light sources because I had no intentions of getting into holiday bins in the middle of June. After lots of failed attempts, I realized my Madame Alexander dolls had all three elements. The curio cabinet has it's own light source, the mirrors and glass help it to resemble twinkling lights, and I had a subject, and background. If you know me, you know I have enjoyed collecting these dolls over the years. I got my first MA for my 10th birthday. The most recent (the Wicked Witch you can see in the background) was a holiday gift from my Favoritest. I have over 20 of them. Someday, I hope to add the the collection by giving them to Doodle.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
We Go Together Like.... Oil and Water
Day 16: Mason Jar
BORING! That's what I thought about having to take a picture of a mason jar. Surprise.... I had fun doing it! Several summers ago I taught science classes with my friend Amy. One of my favorite things was always mixing oil and vinegar or water. I just love the colors floating around in big gloopy bubbles. So, I tried to capture that in my photo.
More challenging than taking the picture, was what to bore you, my friends and followers with:) But as I enjoyed a few peaceful moments playing mad scientist, I realized this picture perfectly depicts the Doddle and I, especially this week. We are so much alike, but are so very different. Sometimes, as my friend Kate would say "we are not friends". And there are days when I think she is so perfect I want to freeze her in time! There have been moments when I wonder what planet she came from and how can I send her back. There have also been moments when we have laughed and giggled and shared a joke and it seems that we are in perfect rhythm. Tonight, as I sang "You Are My Sunshine", Doodle got so tickled she couldn't stop laughing. Feeling her body jump against my chest made me giggle. Soon we were both laughing so hard, we could barely finish our song. In those moments our oil vs. water personalities mix together to make something beautiful and perfect, if only for a fleeting moment!
BORING! That's what I thought about having to take a picture of a mason jar. Surprise.... I had fun doing it! Several summers ago I taught science classes with my friend Amy. One of my favorite things was always mixing oil and vinegar or water. I just love the colors floating around in big gloopy bubbles. So, I tried to capture that in my photo.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Flight of the Toddler
Day 15: Action
I am happy to report that Doodle and I both woke up on the less cranky side of our beds. Which is a miracle for Doodle considering she was trying to help Abby Cadabby get her fairy freckles back until about 10:00 last night and started the day laughing like the Count (Ah-Ah-Ah) at 6:45. I was prepared for another long day filled with lots of toddler drama. Surprisingly, we had a long day filled with lots of fun and only a little toddler drama. It seems that my usually happy-go-lucky kid has turned into a surly teenage at the ripe old age of 2.8! She isn't happy with anything she has, changes her mind at the drop of a hate, and is the bossiest kid since Junie B. Jones. Needless to say, it has been challenging to keep her happy and keep me sane. Today's photo challenge was simply "action". In an effort to keep Doodle busy, happy, and exhaust in preparation for a good nap, we were very busy this morning. There was lots of action, just little chance to take pictures. At least the "keep her busy, keep her happy" part of the plan worked. I wasn't too worried about a picture. Last night during our "change your mood tickle fest" I was flying Doodle like a helicopter and I decided it would make a really cool action shot. I have "flown" her like that since she was just a wee little thing. And since she is still a wee little thing (22 lbs at 2 yrs 8months) I can still manage to spin her just enough to be fun for her. So tonight after dinner I took her outside. She took a short flight, and I got some great pictures. Maybe I should hang this to remind her how beautiful she looks when she is happy!
I am happy to report that Doodle and I both woke up on the less cranky side of our beds. Which is a miracle for Doodle considering she was trying to help Abby Cadabby get her fairy freckles back until about 10:00 last night and started the day laughing like the Count (Ah-Ah-Ah) at 6:45. I was prepared for another long day filled with lots of toddler drama. Surprisingly, we had a long day filled with lots of fun and only a little toddler drama. It seems that my usually happy-go-lucky kid has turned into a surly teenage at the ripe old age of 2.8! She isn't happy with anything she has, changes her mind at the drop of a hate, and is the bossiest kid since Junie B. Jones. Needless to say, it has been challenging to keep her happy and keep me sane. Today's photo challenge was simply "action". In an effort to keep Doodle busy, happy, and exhaust in preparation for a good nap, we were very busy this morning. There was lots of action, just little chance to take pictures. At least the "keep her busy, keep her happy" part of the plan worked. I wasn't too worried about a picture. Last night during our "change your mood tickle fest" I was flying Doodle like a helicopter and I decided it would make a really cool action shot. I have "flown" her like that since she was just a wee little thing. And since she is still a wee little thing (22 lbs at 2 yrs 8months) I can still manage to spin her just enough to be fun for her. So tonight after dinner I took her outside. She took a short flight, and I got some great pictures. Maybe I should hang this to remind her how beautiful she looks when she is happy!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I Love You, But I Don't Think I Like You!
Day 14: Someone You Love
This shouldn't be hard. Take a picture of someone you love. I love my Favoritest, I love Doodle, I love our dogs. I shouldn't have had such a hard time. The problem wasn't finding someone I love. Today, it was finding someone I liked to take a picture of. Doodle and I both woke up on the cranky side of the bed/crib today. No matter what I did, I couldn't get into a good mood. It was just a blah sort of a day. So I ignored the camera, all day. After a long nap, things weren't looking much better. News of yet another solo dinner didn't help matters. Sometime during dinner, my mood started to lift (maybe the phone call from my Favoritest saying he was coming home). After dinner, Doodle and I had a giant tickle fest on the couch. It was the first time all day that we were both happy. My Favoritest came in in the middle of the fun. He jumped right in. As a reward he was licked to death by the dogs and fought to get kisses from a squirming 2 year old. As I watched them playing, I grabbed my camera. I love to watch my Favoritest when he is in the moment with Doodle. With his schedule and stress level it is rare, so I savor it when it happens. Tonight I got lucky enough to capture it for all of us!
This shouldn't be hard. Take a picture of someone you love. I love my Favoritest, I love Doodle, I love our dogs. I shouldn't have had such a hard time. The problem wasn't finding someone I love. Today, it was finding someone I liked to take a picture of. Doodle and I both woke up on the cranky side of the bed/crib today. No matter what I did, I couldn't get into a good mood. It was just a blah sort of a day. So I ignored the camera, all day. After a long nap, things weren't looking much better. News of yet another solo dinner didn't help matters. Sometime during dinner, my mood started to lift (maybe the phone call from my Favoritest saying he was coming home). After dinner, Doodle and I had a giant tickle fest on the couch. It was the first time all day that we were both happy. My Favoritest came in in the middle of the fun. He jumped right in. As a reward he was licked to death by the dogs and fought to get kisses from a squirming 2 year old. As I watched them playing, I grabbed my camera. I love to watch my Favoritest when he is in the moment with Doodle. With his schedule and stress level it is rare, so I savor it when it happens. Tonight I got lucky enough to capture it for all of us!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Bringing My Childhood Home
Day 13: Reminds You of Childhood
I think I have a terrible long term memory. I don't remember major events from much of growing up. What I do remember is details and randomness. When I think of my childhood it is more about tastes, and feels, and sounds. I vividly remember the feeling of hot asphalt on my bare feet as I ran from our friends house back home. Running as long as we could and throwing my towel down on the ground to give my feet a break. I can remember sitting in the golf cart while my dad would tee off. I would choose that moment to chomp off a bite of doritos. He would be distracted and hush me. Any time I take a swig of a luke warm Coke I am transported right back to that same golf cart. The strangeness of my memories continues so thinking of something tangible that reminded me of childhood was kind of hard. I have lots of things, but most were not needed in our smaller house here in VA, so they are in storage in GA. As I started to think about this task, my eye fell on my birthday present from my dad last year. I had asked him for it for months. He didn't deliver it until October (my bday is in July). I reminded him a million times. He didn't want to hassle with it. It was a free gift. What I wanted was this
An ugly, dirty, damaged piece of wood painted 1970's orange. What the heck would I want that for? If you look closely, you can see pencil marks on the board. Those are height records for my brother and I. My dad was in the Air Force. We moved. Not a lot, but enough that we never had a door frame or a pantry wall to measure us. My dad built my mom an ugly orange cabinet shortly after they were married. It went with them to every single house they lived in. That is where they measured us. As I started to watch Doodle grow up (or not grow up so much) I wanted to carry on the tradition of the orange cabinet. So I made my dad destroy the cabinet. It was stored under their house and was already rotting away, so I didn't take anything that useful to him. I had a friend cut the rotted part off. I have plans for this board. I am going to paint some of it (while keeping our markings) and then I am going to measure Doodle and anyone else that joins our family. I may not be able to take my kids back to the house I grew up in, but in this small way I can bring the house to them.
I think I have a terrible long term memory. I don't remember major events from much of growing up. What I do remember is details and randomness. When I think of my childhood it is more about tastes, and feels, and sounds. I vividly remember the feeling of hot asphalt on my bare feet as I ran from our friends house back home. Running as long as we could and throwing my towel down on the ground to give my feet a break. I can remember sitting in the golf cart while my dad would tee off. I would choose that moment to chomp off a bite of doritos. He would be distracted and hush me. Any time I take a swig of a luke warm Coke I am transported right back to that same golf cart. The strangeness of my memories continues so thinking of something tangible that reminded me of childhood was kind of hard. I have lots of things, but most were not needed in our smaller house here in VA, so they are in storage in GA. As I started to think about this task, my eye fell on my birthday present from my dad last year. I had asked him for it for months. He didn't deliver it until October (my bday is in July). I reminded him a million times. He didn't want to hassle with it. It was a free gift. What I wanted was this
An ugly, dirty, damaged piece of wood painted 1970's orange. What the heck would I want that for? If you look closely, you can see pencil marks on the board. Those are height records for my brother and I. My dad was in the Air Force. We moved. Not a lot, but enough that we never had a door frame or a pantry wall to measure us. My dad built my mom an ugly orange cabinet shortly after they were married. It went with them to every single house they lived in. That is where they measured us. As I started to watch Doodle grow up (or not grow up so much) I wanted to carry on the tradition of the orange cabinet. So I made my dad destroy the cabinet. It was stored under their house and was already rotting away, so I didn't take anything that useful to him. I had a friend cut the rotted part off. I have plans for this board. I am going to paint some of it (while keeping our markings) and then I am going to measure Doodle and anyone else that joins our family. I may not be able to take my kids back to the house I grew up in, but in this small way I can bring the house to them.
Falling Behind!
So I obviously have fallen behind! So as not to bore the few of you who read and look, I am going to combine all my pics from Day 9-12 into one post. I had a friend visiting from out of town, and felt rude taking pictures and blogging all weekend! Like they say, the best made plans!
Day 9: Fruit
Doodle loves fruit! Of any variety. Any time! On a plate! In a bowl! Most recently in a snack cup! I spend lots of time washing and cutting fruit. This was the last grape in the strainer after I cut her grapes for lunch. When I saw the picture it kinda made me think of a half glass of water. Was this grape the first one to the party? or the last lingering guest who just won't get the hell out!
Day 10: Animal
He goes by many names, Lo-Lo, Beagle Butt, Boo-Boo, and quite often after he has gotten into something it is Logan Xavier! He is ours. We love him. Good thing he is cute, or he would have been kicked to the curb long ago. His latest source of entertainment was to get into a bag of flour. Lots of fun for both of us! He barks non-stop and eats horrid things, wakes me up in the middle of the night. He also snuggles us, licks Doddle, makes us laugh a lot, brings a smile to my face, and puts up with a toddler climbing on him. Maybe I should put this picture in a frame and look at it when he makes me crazy!
Day 11: Silhouette
Not much to say about this picture. Except that I cheated. I took it 2 weeks ago. I had company. I didn't have time to take pictures! I am ashamed. But I love the picture, so is it that bad to cheat a little?
Day 12: Sun Flare
One of the things I love best about summer, is the added sunlight. It gives us more time to spend as a family. In the summer, we can eat dinner and go on a family walk. This picture was taken while on a walk. (admitting to cheating again. Sorry). Doodle was so excited to climb the hill and run down. She was also thrilled to help walk her puppies. I love that you can almost see her moving at toddler speed down the hill.
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