One of my daughters is getting married!  I can't believe I'm typing this... I'm so excited for her and my future son in law.  I also can't wait for the wedding planning to begin.  But before any of that can take place, there needs to be a date!  We were scouting out possible places for the wedding reception on a beautiful Sunday a month ago.  One of the places we looked at was indeed beautiful and had a lot of what she is looking for.  But this location just wasn't meant to be.  While looking at what was offered for the bride and groom, I took many photos.  What better way to remember the day than by looking at the memories of the day.  I recently posted this on my daughters facebook page since they have yet to pick a date, theme, or location..  well anything at this point. haha

So I patiently wait for her, I wait with all the excitement and anticipation for the big day in one of my children's lives.  I know that it will be a beautiful day for them, no matter where the reception is held.  As long as they have each other, it will all be good.

Snow and red berries

Upon arriving to work this morning I saw where we had a fresh layer of snow that was very sparkly with the morning sun.  There are a few red berries left on the bushes out in front of the store and the snow in contrast to the red was quite pretty.  After adjusting the settings on my camera, I came up with this photo.  I really like it and will probably print and frame it.

My sons

I've been watching tutorials and reading up on different ways of lighting a subject. I thought I would practice what I've been learning. I had my boys pose for me one Saturday afternoon and I came up with these photos. I am very happy with the results and have since printed the photos out to hang on my wall here at work.

Hydrangea

I have this thing with taking photo's of my Hydrangea bush.  It is such a pretty plant. The one that I have is called "Hydrangea Arborescens, Annabelle".  It is very hardy where I live and has grown quite large.  I may try to transplant part of it this year.  Which means I need to do some research on the correct way and  time to do this.

I took this photo last year and after playing with it a little bit, I ended up with a photo that I love and will be printing, framing and hanging on my wall!

Apple Blossoms

Today was a picture perfect day.  When I arrived home from work there was just enough fog to make it lovely out.  I grabbed my camera and headed out doors.  The birds were singing and chirping in the trees and my dog was running around the lawn.  Well I guess using the word running isn't actually correct.  She is old, so she was  walking around the lawn.

The apple tree on the side of my lawn is starting to bloom.  When it is in full bloom it is lovely.  I can't wait for it to get to that point.  I have a photo shoot coming up on Thursday with two adorable little girls.  I am going to have them in front of the tree if possible.  It will depend on how the lighting is the time of day that they are here. This is for a mother's day present from them to their mom so I hope it turns out as it is pictured in my mind.

Taraxacum a.k.a Dandelion

Today's post is on a weed.  Although it is a weed and is rather annoying to people who want a perfect lawn, this plant is pretty.  Have you ever looked close up at one.  It is amazing to see.  Unfortunately the photo that I wish to put on here to show you what I mean, isn't on this computer.  Actually not sure where it is.  Could be on my husbands computer or it is on my external hard drive that houses 90% of my photo's.

After dinner I went out to compose a photo but the wonderful New York weather changed my plans.  I only had a few moments before it started to rain on me.  So I took what I could and came in and played around with a few photo's.  Here is today's photo with a little added "highlights".

Upon reading about this plant, I discovered that it has more uses than just eating... Not that I enjoyed eating the greens as a child.  But their leaves are full of vitamins, their roots contain a drug that is used in treating the liver and you can make wine from the flowers.  Wonder what that tastes like.  Hope it doesn't taste like the greens...Their seeds are eaten by many birds.  Oh and it isn't a native plant here in the United States.  It came from Europe.

Cub Scout Derby Race

Tonight was the derby race for our sons cub scout pack.  The boys made their cars pretty much by themselves,  they had very little help from anyone.  Overall they did a good job.   But there is only one winner and neither of them was that person.  At the end of the race it is heartbreaking to see all the young boys with their sad faces and some even crying because they didn't win. There were parents trying to console their boys but it really wasn't helping.  Telling them that they are winners for just competing.  Didn't really cut it in the boys eyes.  They see the big and shiny trophy and dream of taking it home with them only to have their dreams dashed.  But the boys took it better this year than last and are already planning on what they are going to do different next year.  Since only one boy out of 50 or so will win for having the fastest car, they are shifting their sights for one of the other trophy's...  fastest looking, most patriotic, or most original.  It would be nice if they could get their little block of pine a little sooner so they could be working on it and taking their time.  They waited so long to get going this time that the last coat of paint was going on three hours before it was time to be at the race for weigh in.  Next year things need to be done a bit different.

Birding

The European Starling

I saw a bird using the bird house that my son Nicolas built. I set my camera up and waited for the bird to come back... waited some more... and then had to go to work. But while waiting this bird flew down, took some straw from the dog house and landed on the wire. So to make the waiting in the cold this morning somewhat worth it, I took a photo of it. But this is not my favorite bird in the back yard by any means. It is rather cool that it is speckled and then in the summer it turns a shiny purple black. That moves it up the favorite list, just a little. So this evening I took my "Birds of New York" book down off the shelf and read up a little on the bird. I found out that it actually sings and can mimic other birds and sounds so that makes me like it just a bit more. Some nice soul from Europe thought that New York City needed this bird. So back in 1890-1891 they introduced it to the area. Must be they liked the bird and couldn't bear to leave it behind.

I have been researching ways to keep it out of my feeder so the birds that I want to see can actually get the seed. Looks like I need to set up bird feeders with the food that they like and in the other feeders, put the foods that they don't. Also need to put those feeders away from the others, preferably on the outside edge of the property. This weekend looks to be a wash as far as the weather is concerned so I won't be doing it then. But the first nice weekend or weekday when I have more than just a few moments, I will be setting it up in hopes that it works.

I hope to get photo's of other birds and record what I have learned about them over the course of the spring, summer and fall. Maybe over the upcoming winter as well.

April 1st - reflection of yourself

If you look closely at this photo, in the lower left corner in the big dew droplet, you will see my reflection as I took this photo. I was walking back to the house after walking the boys to the bus and these daffodils looked beautiful with the sunlight shimmering off the dew drops. Just had to grab my camera and get a photo of them. The second photo is of the same bunch. And looked just as lovely!

Buttermilk Falls, NY

My sister in law and I had a photography day today. It snowed off and on and the road condition wasn't so nice at times but we made it and had a great time. Here is my favorite photo of the day.

This photo made me smile. No particular reason, other than it seemed really out of place.

No we didn't listen and I am actually glad. My favorite photo of the day was taken after not "listening" to the sign.

As you drive into the park, this is your view.

Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed my photo's!

Alexandria Bay

This past weekend we went up north for a little get away. We took our boat so we could cruise up and down the river. On one outing we went to Bolt Castle. The last time Jim and I were there I was pregnant with Nicolas, he is now 7 1/2. In that time they finished Mr. and Mrs. Bolts bedrooms and bathrooms. They are beautiful. A room that I could easily sleep in. Very comfortable and pretty. I did take a few photos of the rooms but am not posting them. I am posting a few photos of the walls around the castle.

Loons at Raquette Lake

I have been going to the Adirondack mountains with my husband for 12 years now. I fell in love with the area and the loons. I have been trying for the past 12 years to get photo's of them. They are an allusive bird. You can hear them and see them but if they see you, they go under the water to emerge farther away. This year I finally took some photo's that I am happy with. Although I think I will be getting an even more powerful lens in the future so I can get even better photo's. Aren't they the most beautiful bird!

Little Chick-a-dee

Spring is coming. I have a bunch of little birds at my feeder today. We have had so much snow over the past few weeks that the birds haven't been around much. I saw a cardinal this morning but by the time I got my camera and put the big lens on it, he flew away. I'm hoping that he knows the feeder is here and will be back. The blue jays haven't really been around either. I hear them but they aren't coming to the feeder. Not enough activity around it yet I guess. I'm waiting for the squirrel and chipmunks to find it. Once that happens, the seed will be gone in no time. I would like to grow sunflowers this year and harvest the seeds. Not sure how many I will need to be able to feed the birds all winter. Probably more than I am going to plant!

Late winter snow storm

We had a pretty powerful storm blow through here yesterday. It dumped tons of snow on us. Looking out the windows on the side of the house, the snow is half way up the windows. When the boys look out the window all they can see is snow. These are the windows I'm referring to. Thankfully Jim had someone plow this morning so we didn't have to shovel.

Spring bracelet

This is such a pretty bracelet. One of these days I'm going to make one for myself! You can check it out on my shop: pixiegirl12.etsy.com

Winter day

We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland the other day. Actually it still looks like it did a few days ago. Seeing the snow on the trees makes a winter day special. Today the sun is out and it is hitting on the frigid snow creating millions of snow diamonds. It is very beautiful out there.

Today was the finish up craft day. I have a craft sale on Saturday and needed to get things finished up so I don't have to worry. I have a couple more to finish but I don't feel nearly as stressed as I did this morning. My wonderful hubby made my business cards and earring board today. I can't wait to see them.

Day 112

I spotted this bird nest in one of the apple trees in the back yard. The bird that made this found yarn and stuffing to help make it. It is amazing how creative birds can be! The stuffing must have made a soft nest for all the babies that this nest protected.

Day 111

Nicolas was the weather helper at school the other day. He did so good speaking in front of all the kids and teachers. He loved doing it and I hope that he never has the fear that most of us have with public speaking.

Day 110

One of my favorite birds is the blue jay. They aren't always the easiest bird to photograph though. They are very skittish. But this one was on the top of one of the pine trees and thanks to my zoom lens I was able to get a pretty good photo of him. Now I am hoping to get photo's of my other favorites. The chickadee and cardinal.