Saturday, December 27, 2014

Winter?


I'm not complaining... Not one bit!!


Especially remembering last years snowfall


So far this year Nada... But it's supposed to get very cold by 
New Years Eve. 

Pictures from last year at this time. 

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas.
I'm looking forward to the New Year!


Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Merry Christmas!


Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas!



These are old pictures, I haven't been downtown yet this year.


Planning to do so next week


Be safe and warm!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Light


I don't mind that there isn't any snow, really but...
The lack of sunshine has been seeping in.

It has been so dreary
and I have had a stupid cold all week.

So... 

I went into the archives to find some things that make me smile.
Here is the random offering from my goofy brain



Walking distance to a beautiful sunset


My best bud


A break in the clouds


My best bud... In the SUNSHINE


My backyard


Her again


Homemade soup


There... now I feel better!!


Wednesday, December 17, 2014

White House ~ Good Fences


Not sure whether this is good for keeping people in or out!


Nice little 200 year old house


Linking to Good Fences



Saturday, December 13, 2014

Christmas scenes ~ Photo Challenge


I tend to create this little scene each year


My trusty little owl behind the bell 
with the sleeping bunnies right in front of her.

There is something very comforting in the repeat.

Joining in Donna's Photo Challenge

A Personal Photo Challenge

Saturday, December 6, 2014

December in Appalachia

Winter in Shenandoah National Park 


Should I cross the road?


 Naaahh...


The grass is fine right here.



Nobody around but the deer!


Thursday, December 4, 2014

The Ring of Beara ~ Good Fences

The first two of these were taken through the windshield
I wasn't so concerned about getting great photos as I was just documenting this place so I wouldn't forget how magical it was.


This is the road on the Ring of Beara in Ireland
It's  like going back in time at least one hundred years.


The day want from overcast, to rainy, to partly cloudy
 over and over again.
We saw many rainbows while on this very narrow road.


Linking to Good Fences


Monday, December 1, 2014

Sleepy Summer Days

Time for a cat picture


Doesn't she look sweet and comfy.
She loves that raggedy old rug!




Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Night Critters

In the spirit of yesterdays post,
since there were so many comments about 
what goes on while we sleep...



I remembered this photo that I posted way back when.
They are a busy lot at night.
~
As far as the Possum is concerned, I actually think they are nasty little things. 
Very smelly if they decide to take up residence close by.

I will be trying to catch a shot of the local raccoon though. 
He is stealthy and about the size of a small Volkswagen.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

A Possum




Had a visitor Sunday night.


IPhone pictures through the glass, no flash.


They're a bit grainy but fun.
I love seeing the night critters as long as they don't take up residence under the deck.
like that silly rabbit did last year. 
This guy was not afraid of me one bit.

Have a great day!

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Hello

 Wow... This week went by pretty fast.
a lot of working late to prepare for a week off... Yay!!!
~
This is my Magnolia preparing for spring


In more ways than one. 


No snow yet, as a matter of fact it is raining right now. 
I'll take the rain!

After all that wonderful fall color it's hard for me to shift gears and find beauty to photograph in the drab and dreary.
but...
I'm really not looking forward to the millions of show shots,  as pretty as they may be.

Take Care

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Warm


Well, it's been brutally cold this week all over the Midwest and I'm not liking this one bit!!


So I thought I'd skip back a few weeks and cheer things up.


 These shots were taken just about a month ago.


Since then the Perennials in pots are stowed away in the garage.
The leaves are raked up. 
We've had a dusting of snow
  and the temp tonight will be 17 deg.

Uhg!

Friday, November 7, 2014

Trees


 Looking up at the silhouette


Looking down at the reflection


Looking closer

All of these were taken today on auto. 
I cropped a bit and adjusted the white balance on #2
#3 is all about texture so I made it black and white. 
#1 I adjusted the highlights to bring out the clouds.

Linking to Donna's 

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Back Yard ~ Good Fences


Not sure if this qualifies as a back yard but it is a neighbors land.


I'm always surprised when I slip down a little back road I haven't searched before.
This property is about a mile from my home tucked away on a little narrow road.


I took the liberty of playing with this one in BeFunky.
I wanted it to be dreamy, like I felt when I was there. 

Linking to 




Sunday, November 2, 2014

Walking

Last Sunday I went to a place nearby called 
Independence Grove
Another leg of the Lake County Forest Preserve
along the DesPlaines river.
I don't visit here often because I prefer trails that are more
 "in the woods"

However, with two cortisone shots in my feet/ankle and a serious bit of pain the past few weeks I am opting for safer terrain.
Here the trails are paved for those who are in wheelchairs,
strollers, on bikes, etc. 

Determined to keep my chubby butt moving!!

The sky was a vivid blue and the colors were just winding down.


The lakes here are spring fed and full of water foul.


It was very windy!


but the temp was in the 70's (won't be seeing that again soon)


I walked (hobbled) around for a bit and then just put my face up to the sun and enjoyed the warmth.

All week it has been windy as hell and this morning 
there was a heavy frost.
No leaves left!

Gotta switch gears, make soup.

Friday, October 31, 2014

Happy Halloween


This is my tiny porch
It faces west so is shady in the morning.
Great for a cuppa and a read.


Here is Spidy


My mom made this ceramic pumpkin probably 35 years ago.
It has never been so precious to me as now.
And... even though he is smiling, when the light is on at night he is scary.
Mom was an expert at the scary smile!! 

Happy Halloween!

P.S. There was snow on my deck this morning... Good Grief!!