29 June 2010

29 June 2010: Slimy Slug Shoot

I found this slimy little slug wandering up in the woods near the edge of our property while I was picking some wild blackberries (YUM). He was rather photogenic so he is a nice collage of his photo shoot.

28 June 2010: Slaying Dragons

In between the torrential rains and tornado warnings, I captured a dragonfly. No, I didn't take it prisoner or shoot it with a gun - just my captured it with my Canon...camera. And luckily the tornado stayed away but there were warnings in the area. I had visions of the gazebo blowing away again but alas, it it still safe!

27 June 2010: Rockin' The Tall Ships

Bill and I went up to Oswego to see the Tall Ships. We got up there early as I was hoping to beat the crowds (note to self - there weren't really any crowds). After a cheesy omelet at the local greasy spoon, we went exploring Oswego since I had never been up there - parks, SUNY Oswego, etc.
We still had a lot of time before the ships were going to raise their sails so we sat on a big rock on the shores of Lake Ontario. After a while of enjoying the peacefulness of a Sunday morning, boredom overcame us (at least me) and we skipped rocks and built some rock stacks. What are rock stacks you ask...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_balancing and apparently you can be a "professional rock stacker" and make a living at it: http://www.teamsandtastic.com/RockStacking/. Hmmm...another new profession possibility??

26 June 2010

26 June 2010: Growing Like Weeds

Last year I planted a couple of black eyed susan plants - they have exploded. I think there are at least a dozen plants growing in the area now. I guess next year I will have to thin them out or move some other things.

25 June 2010: Grape Leaves

The grape vines are looking good right now...that is until the Japanese beatles return!

20 June 2010

20 June 2010: Happy Father's Day

My father in law LOVES chocolate chip cookies so I made him a card with cookie cut outs to celebrate Father's Day. I think it was kind of creative! :) In case you can read it because of the glare, it says:


Dear Dad (man cut out),
We know you like to (fish cut out) fish so we got you a few: (fishing lures). Thank you for being a master cutting trees (tree cut out), watching Mona (bone cut out), ridding our house of squirrels (nut cut out), chasing away the bats (bat cutout). We are we we are able to celebrate times like Balloon Festival with you (hotair balloon cutout) and laugh about things like the "Bunny Buffet" (bunny and carrot cutouts). We (heart cutout) you. Happy Father's Day! Love Bill, Wendy and Mona

Hope all of you fathers out there had a wonderful day!

19 June 2010: Rose Garden Revisited

I took my sister who was visiting up to the rose garden. While a lot of the flowers are past their prime, there were new varities I didn't see the first time I went. http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2010/06/1-june-2010-rose-by-any-other-name.html

18 June 2010: Leprechauns Only


Yes...this phone booth does say "Leprechauns Only". It is in the Irish section of Syracuse called Tipperary Hill, which you may remember from this post: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/03/17-march-2009-photos-may-road-rise-up.html

17 June 2010

17 June 2010: Open For Business

I came home this afternoon and looked up toward the garden and spotted Peter Rabbit waiting for a table at the Bunny Buffet! You may recall a previous post about the Bunny Buffet (http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2010/05/24-may-2010-garden-grows.html) and now that everything is growing, the bunnies are making sure they are on the waiting list for the best table in the house.

16 June 2010: Stormy Rose


Torrential downpours lead to wet roses!

15 June 2010: Liquid Gold

Olive oil and vinegar - two of my favorite liquids and usually what I put on my salad!

14 June 2010: Just A Flower

I forgot to take a picture until I brought Mona out for her late night potty session so...just a flower.

13 June 2010

13 June 2010: Chasing Balloons

I always want try to do something new for the Balloon Festival weekend and this year it was balloon chasing. We weren't sure if the balloons were going to launch at all this weekend after Friday night but miraculously we saw one go up on Sunday evening as we were cleaning out Bill's truck. So we hopped in the car and decided to do a little chasing to see if we could see them land and we did. I still like being in the balloon better but this was kind of fun too!

12 June 2010: MMM

Mary, Mike and Max came up for a visit and it was my first time meeting Max. He was simply adorable! We had a great afternoon hanging out and doing an impromptu photo shoot!

11 June 2010: Festival Of Hot Air

This year's Balloon Festival started off with an evening with my photo group friends. I invited people over for a little deck party. I actually didn't take a single balloon photo on this first night!

10 June 2010

10 June 2010: Lonely

The straw flowers are back for the summer baskets on our house! These are the best flowers because you really have to try to kill them!

9 June 2010: Spaghetti

I liked the way the spaghetti looked and I don't think I have taken a spaghetti picture before so here you go!

8 June 2010: Old And Cracked

I know it seems I hang out in cemeteries a lot, but there are always such cool things there!

7 June 2010: The Calm Before The Storm

A stormfront moving through - I love a good thunder and lighting storm!

6 June 2010: The Doctor Is REALLY In

Well, now it is really official - Michael graduated with his doctorate in pyschology. It was a great to see him so happy and excited! You may remember his party I catered back in April - http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2010/04/27-april-2010-doctor-is-in.html - but now he has the piece of paper proving he is done! Very proud of you, Dr. LaFarr!

5 June 2010: Gone Fishin'

I was in Gloucester, MA for a graduation party and stopped by to see the Gorton's fisherman. Gloucester is the oldest seaport and still a hub for fishing. If you saw the movie, The Perfect Storm, Gloucester is the port that is portrayed. It is a beautiful place and had been far to long since I had been there! To see more about Gloucester, check this out: http://www.gortons.com/tv_shortfilm.php

04 June 2010

4 June 2010: If I Had A Million Dollars...

...I'd buy me a house...on the ocean...that looks like this!

3 June 2010: Moonshine

Just in case you want to make some so I can refill my jug... :)

Recipe for Moonshine
a.k.a White Lightning, Corn Whiskey, Corn Likker, Moonshine, Mountain Dew

The basic ingredients:
50 lbs. corn meal
200 lbs. sugar
200 gallons water
12 oz. yeast
10 lbs. bran (optional)
Makes ~ 36 gallons.

To boiled corn meal add the yeast and sugar to ferment the mash. When the mash quits bubbling, it is cooked in the still and the steam is captured in a barrel filled with water (the "thump"). From the thump, the steam is allowed to cool and condense by running it through a long copper coil (the "worm") submerged in another barrel (the "flakestand") that is constantly cooled with water troughed in from a nearby stream. Condensed, the clear liquor drips from the bottom of the flakestand into a catch can or 1/2 gallon glass jars. The liquor is tested for alcohol content, or "proof," by adding gunpowder to it and igniting the mixture. If it burns, its "proof" is established at somewhere between 100 and 200 proof or 50% to 100% pure alcohol.

2 June 2010: Chillin' Like A Villain


Awwww...ain't she cute?!?! Mona decided that if everyone else gets to sit in a comfy chair under the gazebo, then she should be able to as well!

01 June 2010

1 June 2010: A Rose By Any Other Name...

I have lived in the Syracuse area for nearly 6 years and it is nights like to tonight that I realize how little I know about the city. I visited the Mills Rose Garden with a couple of people tonight and was just in awe of the beauty, the fragrance and the variety of roses. I spent nearly 2 hours here photographing, smelling and just enjoying the garden. It is now one of my new favorite places in Syracuse! Check it out if you are ever in the area: http://www.syracuserosesociety.org/id11.html