POTD 28: A Brush With Snow

I don't know if these pictures will show clearly the snow types. There was a mix of a light dusty snow mixed with tiny ice balls (hail). Not enough sun this morning to attempt to take some of those beautiful sparkly type photos.

POTD 27: Be Kind To Small Animals...........

Can you see in this photo the green storage box under the clock that has a ledge off to the left just under the window? This is where the cat perches himself when he knows we are settled in bed and he wishes to come inside. He likes to wait until I am firmly planted under the covers, cuddled up with the dogs and just getting into a page of my book. :) He knows exactly when this moment occurs then he jumps up and starts up his meow meow conversation. This past summer the cat fell ill and will never recover completely so dh built him a set of stairs today making his launch onto the ledge safer. Awwwww.........now doesn't that make you tear up? They are both keepers :)

PS ~ Yes...those are tiny little snowflakes. There is a smattering of frozen snow crystals on the grass and bushes. Pretty enough to take photos but I'm lazy today...not in the mood to get dressed to go outside.

POTD 26: It's Snowing!

But it's too dark to get a good picture with my point and shoot! I'm going to take my camera to work with me and hopefully if the snow keeps coming down I'll get some nice shots on the way home in the morning. Check back tomorrow!

POTD 25: Selective Colouring

Many hours later...and many thanks to Kimberly and Jennifer and Karen.....TaDa!!!.....My first successful attempt at selective colouring using PS C2. Thank you ladies :)

POTD 24: No Ifs, Ands, or Sore Butts!

My behind had sat in that old rickety chair far too long. Way past it's manufacturers recommended useage! There were days when sitting was unbearable and out would come a piece of foam or a pillow. Sometimes two pillows. When the prospect of sitting on the pillows was too much to bear I didn't hesitate to grab the first chair I saw at Costco. No time was wasted shopping around. This was a desperate situation for a delicate matter. (I did eye the beautifully designed $225.00 leather chair but it was too big for my space fortunately. It sure did look nice tho.) I think I'll be very comfortable in this well padded cloth version. No guarantees that I'll get more scrapbooking accomplished. This chair looks almost good enough to relax in to watch movies :)

POTD 23: Lichen Growing On A Chunk Of Wood

I took these pics yesterday as dusk was falling. The first photo is a night setting using the macro function.
The second photo was taken using the night setting only.
This third photo was taken using the auto setting. It looks a little washed out but in reality is closer to actual lightening at that time of day.

POTD 22: Butterfly Fun

Another picture I would like to make the background disappear....crop and print? It would be cool if I could replicate the butterfly mask for the scrapbook layout. In my dreams!

POTD 21: Lonely Girl

In the depths of winter this little girl is looking a little sad. She could sure use a fresh coat of paint. And those stairs behind her! Egads! A frightful sight. I see I have spring/summer jobs to do around the yard this year. No more slacking off. Fresh paint and a basketful of posies :)

POTD 20: Contentment

I'm sleeping, don't bug me. I mean it lady...get that camera out of my face. I'm all curled up in a ball enjoying the warmth from the fireplace and all I wish to do is sleep. Go away!

POTD 19: Colour!

Time for a little COLOUR! Things are looking a little drab around here :) I love to garden but have taken a number of years off from doing anything serious. This year I am hoping to get two raised garden beds built. I have been concentrating mostly on flowers and now I would like to get back into growing vegetables. It will be a challenge to keep the deer away! And probably the dogs too.

POTD 18: Snow Kiss

I've been longing for snow these past few days. For winter, it's quite warm this year. But it's still early. February can be full of surprises. I love this shot of my daughter-in-law giving her daughter one of their trademark nose kisses.

POTD 17: Photo Editing Question

I have 3 photos of Madison sitting on the carpet in front of one of the large windows on the BC Ferry. I would love to scrapbook these photos but first it would be nice to edit the photo....turn everything but her into b/w. Your advice?

Almost a Great Shot!

I was trying to get a picture of my beautiful white and brown speckled dog amongst the green salal. She was more interested in scavaging for little critters. The photo is not a total lost tho. When I viewed it in PS I noted how I had inadvertently captured a fallen tree and how it had landed (pardon the pun) in the upper third of the photograph. Bonus! Too bad the dog wasn't in the mood. Getting her in there would have made this a fabulous shot for me.

POTD 15: Frozen Sundial

Combination sundial/bird bath....full of frozen water. Not very helpful to the birds right now but there is plenty of water to be found elsewhere. It was much colder today than the past week. I was about ready to walk the dogs when I stepped outside to get more firewood to stoke the fire. Brrrr..... I layered up with a cashmere sweater next to my skin and added a hoodie under my coat so I could cover my head. The walk was one of those crunchy ones - crisp and fast paced too! We lingered on our return to snap some photos. The dogs love to snoop around and chase each other. I wished we could have lingered longer but I have places to go and things to do today! Ciao!

Tagged By Rae! Who Will Be Next?

I'm taking a day off from posting a photo as Rae has tagged me with these questions. I added #11! Off to Tag Jo and Karen!

1. Name your two favorite scrapbooking topics: Family and the Great Outdoors
2. Where are the two best places you've been to? So far in my life: Atlin, BC and a Road Trip from Victoria, BC to Texas (I haven't travelled much)
3. Name two things you do every day: Walk the dogs and surf the net
4. Tell us two things that pretty much everyone knows about you: I speak my mind and I speak it often! hahahaha
5. Tell us two things that everyone DOESN'T know about you: I'm a voracious reader of everything and anything - but don't ask me to remember what I read! And I'm terrified of flying.
6. Tell us two things that got you into the hobby of scrapping: My son, who I thank from the bottom of my heart; and my failing eyesight that curbed my love of cross-stitching!
7. Tell us two things that you want to accomplish in the next six months: Get to the bottom of my Unfinished Projects Pile; and, Reorganize all my photos
8. Name your two favorite scrapping tools: Fiskars soft-touch scissors and an Awl
9. Name your two favorite sources of scrapping inspiration: Online galleries and paper magazines - I love a variety of sources
10. How has your scrapping changed since you started? It hasn't really changed. I plan to use stash from years ago, whether or not it fits with the current trends b/c I don't believe that's what scrapbooking is about. It's about creating whatever you want to create.
11. My addition: What scrapbooking project have you yet to try but would love to? I have yet to make an album from lunch bags! I think it's a good idea but I haven't sat down to do it.

POTD 13: Rumoli Anyone?

We've sat around this table playing many games. Rumoli is one of our favs. This photo would be great to scrapbook.

POTD 12: Rising Water Level

Everyday when there's enough daylight to fit my wake-sleep schedule, I walk the dogs a minimum of 2kms. We walk by several ponds and rushing streams in the winter months which eventually turn into mud holes in spring and dry holes by Jul/Aug. The dogs love to splash about or get drinks of water from these sources in the winter. Unfortunately the habit to get water is so ingrained in them that when the sources turn to mud they are still seeking water. We go through a large number of towels for the mop-up job when we get back from our walks. Summer is my fav time with the dogs. The towels vanish for about 4 months :) One pond overflows every year - or I have invaded it's path with my own path - so I've had to put in concrete blocks as stepping stones.

POTD 11: Focus Question

How do I get my point and shoot camera to focus on the berries with the water droplets rather than the leaves in the foreground?

Day 10! Not Straight-On

I had to prove that not all my photos are taken straight-on. Okay, most of them are and most of them are boring. Maybe photo-a-day will help me change my ways. Here is one photo that could be loosely considered to have angles (even if I did take it more or less straight-on), and another taken from above. Altho not great photos, both are visually far more interesting than the straight-on shots. Here's hoping that in 2008 I will un-learn all my nasty habits.

Photo A Day Nine: Vroom Broom

Check out the handle on my new broom! Varrroooooooooom! So chic! So classy! So fun! I might even sing out loud while I sweep with this new baby! I've been needing a new broom for ages and came across this one quite by accident while out looking for storage boxes yesterday. I'm very happy with my new broom and I'm very happy with the great deal I got on my new boxes too! Have a happy day!

Photo A Day 8: Communication

This is how communication without misunderstandings takes place in our home. We have two calendars. One in the kitchen - the other in the office. Both contain different stuff so if you really want to keep up-to-date you have to read both. Life is complicated...there isn't room enough on one calendar to keep it all contained. This plan works for us. If dh has beer or poker night with his buddies - the calendar will keep me informed ahead of time (yah! a night I don't have to cook!). If dh wants to know my work rotation - it's all there on the calendar (no firing up the chainsaw on a w/e I'm sleeping!). Birthdays, girl nights, vacation schedule, gd visits :), recycle days, appointments, etc. are all slotted in. No excuses for not knowing or saying "I forgot" :)

Photo A Day 7: It's Movie Weekend!

I pulled a muscle in my back at work last night so I'm forcing myself to take it easy. Here's a stack of movies I plan on watching. A ton of oldies since I've not rented in ages: Sideways, Being Julia, Devil Wears Prada, Little Black Book, Johnny English, Wedding Crashers, The Constant Gardener, Changing Lanes, Brokeback Mountain. And La Vie En Rose - might invite Mom & Sis over to watch this one with me. I would have rented more but BlockBusters has a limit :( There were lots I would have loved to bring home, esp Joyeux Noel - someone had that out. And tons I didn't even get around to looking at. There is always next week!

Day 6: Epiphany

Today...a feast of turkey leftovers. Yum! Tomorrow I begin to tuck away all the Christmas trimmings. This Christmas was serene....peaceful, full of fun and love. I'm not ready to put things away but it's time to move on....spring break is right around the corner and we are already starting to make plans!

Day Five (Again!) Dust Collector? Altering Ideas?

Well....last night at work I discovered I was a day ahead of myself. My 'chores' for Saturday night got done on Friday night. Seeing as I won't be working on that unit Saturday night the next person gets a late Christmas gift from me :) That's twice I've done that lately...hmmm. Not enough sleep maybe? Or...maybe it's b/c I start work on one day and then the day turns into the next one....a combination of lack of sleep and time change?

Anyhoo....since I went to the effort of taking a picture with the intention of seeking ideas you'll have to put up with an extra photo. Soooooo......here is a wire dress-frame type of decoration that I would love to have in my scrap room once I get the shelving up (that's getting to be such an old wish). What would you do to 'dress' this up if you had one?

Day Five - Cars Fan

I was expecting to spend alot of time in my scrap space with Madison over the holidays. The remote control Lightening McQueen and Leapster foiled my plans! We did get in one day where I was able to clean up some clutter and we finished a scrapbooking layout that we had started last August. We "tattooed" our arms with reindeer and watched Lion King (twice!). We ate Hawkins cheezies and drank root beer. What a great day! We had a fun time hanging out together in our pj's and I no longer trip on anything when I walk into my scrap space.

Day Four - Care Bears Revival

Care Bear.....a bear my nieces used to obsess over.....they're back! This one glows in the dark when the lights are turned off. You love her so much. It's the only "doll-type" toy you will tolerate. Your favourite things are cars, trains, dinosaurs, dogs, horses, puzzles, games and crafts.

Day Three - Boat: A Hole In The Water Into Which One Pours Money

Here's a pic of the boat we are refurbishing (a major overhaul in reality!). DH is replacing all the inner workings and then we'll start on the cosmetics.

Day Two - Independence

A voluntary choice! Madison would rather wash dishes than clean up her room. hahaha She's so independent now. Dresses herself completely - refuses any help. Brushes her teeth twice a day without a fuss and does a great job. Can reach light switches and the water coming out of the tap to wash her hands without having to stand on a stool. Washes her own hair in the tub. She's so proud of her accomplishments. We can't believe how fast she is reaching her independence.

Day One - New Year New Beginnings New Challenges

2008: The Challenge: To post one photo a day!

The New Year started off with some brush clean-up. The day is warm and dry - perfect for a little yard work. Madison is helping Papa place the scrub brush on the fire. We had 1 tree come crashing down in last winter's wild wind storms and decided over the spring season to take 5 other trees down for safety reasons. The clean-up is almost done now.