Tuesday, May 31, 2011

151/365 - Roads go ever on...


A revisit of the picture I took back in January: 24/365 - The road goes ever on and on.

It was a sunny day today, which was nice.  It was also warm enough that I only had to wear a t-shirt, which was horrible.  I much prefer long-sleeve-shirt-plus-jacket weather.  When does autumn start?

-Krawler

151/365 Chillin'.....

I finally got my bike cleaned up and ready for the first ride of the year.  It was also the hottest day of the year so far, so I only went about 6 miles.  Along the way I stopped to take this photo of some cows staying cool. 




I'm pretty sure they were cooler than me!


Tooks in PA

Monday, May 30, 2011

150/365: Pond!


Some friends and I took a walk through the woods today--unfortunately, we made the mistake of forgetting that it's been raining a lot in the past week, so we forgot to account for 1) mosquitoes and 2) random ponds. Whoops. We couldn't find a way around this one so we had to turn back, but later in the journey I got a piggyback ride over some thick mud! Wheee! :D

Canton, MI

~Sil

Sunday, May 29, 2011

149/365 - Time and Nature claim their prize!

Time travels on and the weather wages her war. Everything passes in time and so do buildings. I found this one fun to look at and how the growth of the plants have taken claim to it. I am starting a photo journal of the many dilapidated barns I find in our area. I find them interesting and it marks the passage of time.

Vana

Photo taken on Chuckanut Dr, Bow WA.

149/365 - For Memorial Day!



Here in the United States we celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday of May and tomorrow May 30th is when we celebrate it this year. It is to honor all those who have gone before us. We remember our loved ones as well as those who died in the wars around the world. Flags are flown at half mast, graves are covered in flowers and mementos from their families. It is a time to reflect in who we are and those who shaped us. A time to say Thanks!

Vana

Photo's taken at the Bow, WA Cemetary

Saturday, May 28, 2011

148/365: Bike trip!

Red bicycle

I like cycling.

The problem is finding people who want to cycle with me. I'm in that awkward bracket: not hardcore enough for most enthusiasts, too hardcore for my casually biking friends. So, when I plan a trip somewhere, I usually end up going alone.

But this time, the trip wasn't my idea. "Let's go to Rogów," my friend Kasia (in the picture) said. "Let's go to the Life Sciences Arboretum." Only, of course, the minute I said yes, the planning fell to me. And planning is odd when you can't gauge the endurance of your group. Already, there were complaints. "Eight in the morning? Why do we have to leave that early?"

"Because it will be boiling hot by 11 am, and because it's thirty miles, and I can't see you going faster than eight on average."

And because I only know half of the way there. But, I didn't tell them that.

I plotted a route, strapped my new Android phone to the handlebars for GPS assistance, and hoped for the best.

We got lost, of course. Pro tip: when the opening of a trail is guarded by a headless Jesus statue, don't follow it. It's a very, very bad trail.

The next trip I'm planning will be lonesome. Apparently no one wants to bike sixty miles to see the ruins of a gothic castle.

~Rodia

148/365 - Surf's up!



The wind has been blowing and blowing this week, and of course, it's been the prevailing westerlies. Which mean that where our coastguard station is based is on a lee shore. This is the view from my "office" a couple of days ago. A little bit different from the sunset of a couple of weeks ago!

Friday, May 27, 2011

147/365....More of Manchester....

The beach....

Another shot of Manchester State Park.
As you can see, it's the beach.
Pretty as a picture, wouldn't you say?   ;)

Calma.... Manchester, WA.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

146/365 Home Idyll


A mere 15 minutes' walk from my place there's this bit of idyll - grounds that belong to a local riding club, with stables in an old farm-house, pasture land and corrals (if that's the right word) for exercising the horses.
I went there today to collect some elderflowers, and got a lovely walk and some very nice photos into the bargain. :D
This type of place is also among my favourites: friendly shades of green, and a harmonious mix of trees, bushes, meadows, paths - nothing extreme. Just makes me happy. :)

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

146/365 A short cut to mushrooms

As some of you may be aware, I have been doing a LOT of yard work this week. 
In the process I came across some interesting things in my yard.
I believe this is a morel mushroom. It's about 4" tall.
The morel of the (under) story..

And, I couldn't help but add this photo of a baby bunny I saw in the grass. It's so tiny!
It was only about 5 or 6 inches long. It was so scared.
Adorable baby bunny!







A close-up!

Next week... BOSTON!
Dawn/RoseMorninStar~

145/365: Flowers

I stole a page from Calma's playbook and took one up close!!

I can never remember what the name of these flowers are, but I love them.
I got a bouquet for my birthday last week and before they were gone I thought to take a snap.

Brush Prairie, WA

Jules

145/365....The Bricks.

The Bricks.
Took a ride up the road to Manchester, WA. and the State Park there.
In the late 1800's/early 1900's this served as a Torpedo Storehouse for Ft. Ward which was used to protect Bremerton's Naval Shipyard and Puget Sound. (Though neither were ever in danger of attack.)
The goverment turned it over to the state who made it a park.
It's a beautiful place to go. You can overnight camp or just go for a day. There's a beach for walking or just watching the various boats go by.
The Bricks can be reserved for many ocassions. I once attended a wedding there.

 Calma at Manchester State Park, Manchester, WA.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

144/365 - Play Ball


For the last twenty years my Dad and I have always gone to at least one Milwaukee Brewers game every season.  We went to the Brewers/Rockies game this past Saturday, where I took this picture in the ninth inning.

-Krawler

144/365: Tuesday Tooks Photo

I have a bluebird house out in the vegie garden that has never actually sheltered any bluebirds.  There have been wrens, chickadees, and sparrows that raised families there, but no bluebirds. 
This year I'm out in the yard and Lo!  I see bluebirds flitting in and out.  Finally!
 
So I get my camera and the dog, pull up a lawn chair and we sit out in the yard waiting for a bluebird so I can snap a pic.  Just as I'm getting settled,  Mrs. Bluebird flies into the house.  "Good," I say.  "I'll have my camera ready for when she comes out."  So I have my camera aimed and focused,  and we wait.   And wait.  The wait some more.  The dog gets interested  in some noise a neighbor is making.  I get bored.  I ended up taking a pic of the back of the dog's head.  "There," I said,  "That is my Torc photo for the week." 
 
And it was going to be the photo, except the day was saved by a chipmunk!  Later that same day I looked out on the deck and saw this little guy exploring.  I grabbed my camera and got a few good shots.  hee hee.  It is impossible for Tooks to be outsmarted by wildlife.  
 
 
Posted by Jules for Tooks - Tuesday 05/24/11

Monday, May 23, 2011

143/365: Alice in the garden


I went to an anime convention this weekend in Rosemont, IL (ACen, for those up on your cons)--maaany many photos were taken, including this one of my friend as Alice Liddell (aka Alice in Wonderland, but from a specific manga series). I had an awesome time, and now I'm exhaauussted.

Rosemont, IL

~Sil

Sunday, May 22, 2011

142/365 - The Sunset in Red


This is the sunset through the haze in our atmosphere! Unfortunately it does not show how red it was. Not the sky but the sun was like a red ball in the sky. We were able to look at the sun directly and not have to protect our eyes due to the haze. It was beautiful and Ryan agrees we need to get a better camera that will capture the colors that we see with the eye that for some reason do not translate the same on a camera. It was beautiful anyways!!

Vana

Photo taken from our front yard in Bow WA.

142/365 - New garden visitors



These are the new members in my garden! I have finally found a book that shows this male in the bottom pictures just the same and the upper one is the female. They are Bullocks Orioles! It is so interesting living in the country and seeing more kinds of birds and animals then you do in the city. It is like the world comes alive with more life!

Vana

Photo taken from my computer area window in Bow WA.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

141/365: Lighting up the city

Light up Lodz


A small happening by a street art group. "Our city is full of dark places," they said. "Let's light one of them up." They are trying to draw attention to good locations in Lodz which are not being used to their full potential. The space where they asked people to bring their lamps is a pretty decent stretch where trees grow, and there could be benches and grass, except now all that's there is dirt, dog poop and drunks peeing on the walls. So instead of a little park, a place to breathe and rest, we have a dirty, disgusting area which everyone avoids.

With the lamps, just for one evening, it became a magical place.

More photos here.

~Rodia

141/365 - Tall Ship



So, technically this isn't my photo, although I did take one. This is one that a colleague of mine took. As his came out slightly better, I thought I'd use his instead. *g*

This is the Stavros S Niarchos, a British sail training ship, on her way out of the Port of Liverpool. This photo was taken through our binoculars, hence the spots and also the darkness on the top right corner.

Here's a link to the ship's website, if you want to know more. :)

Friday, May 20, 2011

140/365: For Rose and Everyone Else Too!!

INTRODUCING Bi-Zi FARM AND FARMERS MARKET!!













This is the sign that is right out on the street.  They have been in business since 1872 IIRC.




Here is the entrance to the Farmers Market.  Outside are all the herbs, flowers and vegetables for sale.  This farm is most known for growing blackberries, raspberries and strawberries right behind the barn in a huge field.
Greenhouse, on the right are the herbs, my favorite!

 Inside the market - it is still a bit early, but they had plenty enough for me to drop $20 yesterday!














This is a shelf of all products made locally in Brush Prairie/Vancouver, WA.  There are spices, rubs, BBQ sauces, salad dressings, jams and preserves, honey, marinades and more.
 This is a shot of the corner from the larger interior above.  In the center is a set up of homemade items like salsa, pickled mushrooms, pickles....all sorts of yummy stuff.  I like the iron work that is on the wall for decoration.

I had a lovely day yesterday for taking the pictures and this Farmers Market is less than one mile from where I work.  Sometime I might take shots of the other one that is about two blocks from where I live, Diane's Market.

I kept the pictures small so as not to take up too much space with all these photos, click on them to enlarge.

Hope you enjoy.

Jules
 

140 / 365 Coneflower Jewelry Set

This is one of my handmade jewelry sets. My mom made the flowers and leaves from polymer clay, but the design and beading are my handiwork. This one was sold almost as soon as I'd finished it. I wish some of my others would start selling.... :-(

Thursday, May 19, 2011

139/365 Visitor

This is Lilly
She's my sisters Yorkshire terrier and we are sitting for her this week.
I tried to get a photo of her with our Pippin, but it was not to be. Lilly is only 4 pounds.. about 1/3 of Pippin, but she eats just as much.
LOL.. I was just noticing.. she matches our floor rather well. 

Dawn/RoseMorninStar

139/365 Getting ready to celebrate


My parents' Golden Wedding Anniversary is coming up. Very busy today working to get the room ready for the celebration. It's the community centre of the local Protestant parish - so, while there's everything there, from chairs and tables to glasses and cutlery, it's all pretty basic and all-purpose. We did provide the gold runners and napkins with personalised print (which we were very proud to be able to fold so prettily) and other decoration. So, this is the result of today's work - I have to say I'm quite happy with it. :D

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

138/365: Bathroom Painting

Something from my mother that I treasure!


My mother painted this as one of her very first painting.  She did much larger ones later in her painting life, but when she passed, I snagged it from her bathroom and no matter where I have lived, it has hung right above the .....  loo.

Taken in my flat, Vancouver, WA.
Jules

138/365...Playing with my Camera...

The middle of a Rhododendron
I'm usually just a point and shoot person, but I thought I'd see what the 'manual' setting on my digital would do. This is the result.

It's from my Rhodi bush in the front yard.
Almost got a honey bee to smile for me but he decided not to partake in the photo op...
Hmm, maybe he was part of a witness protection plan or something.  ;)

Calma's front yard in Port Orchard, WA.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

137/365 - Bird on a Line


I thought the bit of color on this one was neat.  It made a funny sound, too.  No idea what it's called, though.

-Krawler

137/365 Quiet Meadow

Early one morning I took a walk along a trail that leads to this little meadow.  The camassia and yellow wallflowers were in bloom and there was a light mist in the air.


-Tooks in PA

Monday, May 16, 2011

136/365: Treebeard


All the wild vines/branches on this tree make the think of the Ents! Good to know there's one of them guarding my grandma's house. :)

Kent City, MI

~Sil

136/365 Glimpse of the Old Town


On the way to dance class on Thursday I took this pic of a part of one of the main squares in the old town. I liked the light of the evening sunshine. This is around quarter past eight. I loooove long summer days. :D

Sunday, May 15, 2011

135/365 - Beautiful View


This is the view from under Deception Pass Bridge along the Whidbey Island side. This is also the waters of the Puget Sound. The sun was shining bright and we were there for our hike to view where Ryan's sister is getting married. I have always loved the views from this area. Wilderness and ocean all in one! Sunsets here are totally awesome when they are colorful!

Vana

Photo taken at Deception Pass, WA.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

133 / 365

A rare sight around here... An Indigo Bunting! Sorry the pic isn't better. It was snapped through the back door. I was afraid to go outside, even out the front in order to try to get a better shot.





134/365: Caturday

Zulka and Oli

My kitties, Zulka (full name Catzilla, found by a drunk co-worker staggering home one night) and Oli (full name Alder, picked out from a foster home run by my vet's aging mother) looking down from the mezzanine where we all sleep. In case you are wondering, Oli does indeed only have one eye. He was rescued very young from an old shed in the market and had to have it removed because of infection.

I also have Radesh, my oldest, biggest cat, but he's on holiday at my parents' place where he can go outside and hunt. He got so cranky at being indoors all day once the spring days started that I had to move him out there. The kids here, they don't even know outdoors exists and I plan to keep it that way, since there's no sensible way to let them out where I live. Third floor, middle of the city, lots of cars, lots of dogs running loose, lots of drunks and hooligans, lots of dangerous places where a cat can get trapped and never be found again. I'm all for cats being allowed outside whenever possible but sometimes it just can't be done.

~Ro

134/365 - View from the services



I went up to Glasgow this weekend, which is why I was delayed posting my photos. We stopped at an independent service station situated in the middle of the Lake District. Whilst we were there, I thought I'd snap a couple of photos to show you the view.














The service station is independent, as I say, and is a great place to stop. They've got a farm food shop with locally produced food and there's also a path for walking your dog. On a lovely day, sitting outside, watching the ducks on the duck pond and enjoying the view.








Here's the link to the services, just so you can see how lucky we are! :D Tebay Services

Friday, May 13, 2011

133/365: Kanzashi


Sil here. We've been having some Blogger glitches today due to site maintenance, so I'm posting for now. The above is a kanzashi, a hair flower made using a Japanese style of folding little squares of fabric to make petals, which are then assembled into flowers. There are a lot of traditional types of kanzashi worn, for instance, by maiko and geisha--this isn't a traditional design, just one I made up. I also used hot glue rather than rice glue (heresy!) for faster assembly time. Kansashi-making is something I took up last summer--I was hoping it'd be something to do during the semester to keep me sane, but it turns out I don't really have time for sanity. :P

~Sil

132/365 Mix it UP America - Redux

OK So, I don't really have anything this week & I've got a busy day.. I saw this cement mixer & it reminded me of Jules 'Easter Egg' cement mixers. So I took a photo. Not much, but it's all I got. :-D

Dawn/RoseMorninStar

P.S. This is a re-post after the Blogger glitch problems.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

131/365: Duck Duck Goose

Work - Front Yard!


On Friday there were two geese pretty close to the front of the house, so I managed to sneak out the front door and snap this just before they took off.

There is a flock that is here for the duration.  Only one problem with that many geese....oh pooh, you got it!!

Brush Prairie, WA

Jules 

131/365...Meet Jonathan...


Jonathan B.
 I really wasn't expecting a Mother's Day gift. (really big car repair...:P)
But my youngest came through for me and his friend knows my love of chocolate.
The card gave me cause to laugh loudly. The inside reads: I may have gone green, but I'm still thinking chocolate!

And don't worry, my babyman made my favorite dinner for me. :D
And my oldest cleaned up afterwards.... :D

Hope all mothers had a good day.

Calma's family room... Port Orchard, WA.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

130/365 Greenery!!!

At the west end of Hummelstown is a small park that includes the 'Hummel Nature Trail'.  The trail loops through the woods along the bank of the Swatara Creek then goes through some….swampland is the best word, I guess….and fields.  The wooded path had lots of Virginia bluebells and white violets, but today’s pic is the swamp!!  All the rain we had this Spring has made it even swampier.  The skunk cabbage is HUGE in the swampiest parts of the swamp.  Swamp is a very neat word. 



Thankfully, it is a bit too early for the mosquitoes.

~Tooks in PA

130/365 - Flowers for Mom


My mom's grave.  For various reasons, this past Sunday was the first Mother's Day since my mom died that I was able to do something tangible for her memory.  So, I planted the red begonias on the sides.  The tulips in the middle were something my dad planted a few weeks ago.  The design on the stone is custom, done by an artist my dad knows from his job.  On the lower right are poinsettias and some mistletoe, representing her love of the Christmas season (it was often said by visitors in December that Christmas had "exploded" all over the house).  On the upper right is a kind of Hawaiian flower (whose name escapes me at the moment), where she and my dad had begun making a habit of vacationing on every fifth wedding anniversary.  And in the lower left are clovers, since she had recently acquired a love of Ireland after winning a trip there (at my insistence one of them has four leaves, but it's covered up by the one of the tulips in this picture).  I did edit out most of her name and one or two other things for privacy.

I'm not trying to get anyone down, here.  I think the flowers are appropriate as representatives of the sheer variety and beauty of life, something my mom taught be a lot about when I was growing up, even if I didn't realize it at the time.

-Krawler

Monday, May 9, 2011

129/365: Elbow Room



A coffee shop, The Elbow Room, in my old home town. I didn't go there much because I was loyal to the other locally-owned coffee shop, but this one has better hours on the weekends, so I ended up there sometimes, including the last time I visited. Why is the photo sideways? I dunno, but it seemed like the thing to do at the time.

Flushing, MI

~Sil