Depth of Field: My Life's Circle of Confusion

Thinking of starting up again...

2011-08-25T12:52:00.003-04:00

So I am thinking about starting the blog again - it keeps me sane during my crazy times on the road for work. So I leave on Sunday for Vermont...keep an eye out for the new and improved photo a day!

14 August 2010: Sunny Disposition

2010-08-14T16:31:00.004-04:00

I bought some sunflowers at the farmers market today and added them to some peppers and tomatoes from our garden...loves the HDR effect of both of these photos!

13 August 2010: Garden Gecko

2010-08-14T16:29:00.001-04:00

The gecko has been trying to get into the garden bounty!

12 August 2010: Shadows And Swirls

2010-08-14T16:27:00.002-04:00

I like how the swirls and shadows are playing with each other.

11 August 2010: Lake Love

2010-08-14T16:25:00.002-04:00

Since I haven't been to the ocean much this summer, I am learning to love the lakes again!

10 August 2010: Changing Again

2010-08-14T16:23:00.003-04:00

While the summer heat has not completely subsided, some of the leaves have started their transformation! The beautiful fall colors will be here before you know and after all of this summer humidity...I am ready!

9 August 2010: Gently Down The Stream

2010-08-14T16:21:00.001-04:00

Row, row, row your leaf...

8 August 2010: Basic Black

2010-08-14T16:19:00.001-04:00

I just brought this photo down to the simple black and white line elements.

7 August 2010: Fading Fast

2010-08-07T21:11:00.001-04:00

The summer is coming to a quick end and the flowers around the yard are fading fast!

6 August 2010: Trolley Car Diner Take Two

2010-08-07T21:06:00.003-04:00

Another trip to the Trolley Car Diner and more photos. There was a new mural this year which was pretty cool. We sat at the counter for breakfast this year. You can see it here from the photo I took last year: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/06/26-june-2009-photo-trolley-car-diner.html

This year Bridget tried scrapple - it didn't look very appetizing!

5 August 2010: Crazy Colleagues

2010-08-07T21:01:00.003-04:00

We had a staff gathering by the "Water Feature" at Arcadia. I have been taking crazy pictures of my friends I met through Arcadia all over the world for the last six years. Here's to many more photo opps...

4 August 2010: Doggie Style

2010-08-07T20:58:00.003-04:00

This building has all of your dog need covered...hungry for a hot dog - go to "Yo Dogs" or if you need some dog grooming - hit up "Groomingdales". One of my colleagues spotted this photo op last year and I finally stopped to take the picture.

3 August 2010: Mugging For The Camera

2010-08-07T20:56:00.002-04:00

Some untraditional portraits in Chestnut Hill.

2 August 2010: Give Me Back My Babies

2010-08-07T20:52:00.002-04:00

The fish are swimming toward the caviar...do you think they want their eggs back??

1 August 2010: Chestnut Hill Gardens

2010-08-07T20:50:00.001-04:00

The gardens are in full bloom at the Chestnut Hill Hotel...my home away from home when I am at the central office for work!

31 July 2010: Don't Throw Stones

2010-08-07T20:48:00.002-04:00

People in glass buildings shouldn't throw stones!

30 July 2010: Girl Power

2010-07-31T10:02:00.005-04:00

So the sisters were back together again. My middle niece had been home with her parents because she had a softball tournament while the other two were here staying with us or their grandparents. I finally got the three of them together and have decided they were like the Spice Girls - Posh Spice, Sporty Spice and Baby Spice and if Angelee was still her she could have been Ginger Spice!

I also got to do some photos of "Sporty Spice" by herself. Did I mention my brother in law better be nervous as these girls enter their teen years and beyond! We also went to fashion show of the oldest's Fashion Design Camp she'd been attending all week. She made that pink polka dot dress!!! Beauty and talent in everone one of these girls!

29 July 2010: An Unwilling Subject

2010-07-31T10:00:00.004-04:00

Bill found this little white caterpillar that wasn't very keen on getting his photo taken but here he is anyway!

28 July 2010: The Party's Over

2010-07-31T09:48:00.006-04:00

My niece came to stay with us for a few days and today was the day I had to drive her home. She did great and only cried one night for her daddy. We had a full 3 days with photo shoots, playing at the beach, going to the playground, walking through the sunflower maze, painting, games, books...I was exhausted. However, my favorite part was when she would come downstairs in the morning (because she was an "early riser") and give me hugs and kisses! She is such a great kid and has been through so much in her short 6 years. She is growing up soooo fast and I can't stand it.

We left before 8am to start our trek back to Springfield. She was up at 6:45AM and hung out for a bit and look one final picture (taken with the iphone) because we realized she didn't take any pictures with Mona. She loves Mona and Mona loved all the attention, extra treats and belly rubs. We weren't in the car an hour and she said, I am going to take a little nap so my last picture of her visit was her sleeping in the car cruising on the NY Thruway! I think I have a similar picture from last year's trek home. I had to listen to Flo rida all by myself - it is much more fun singing "apple bottom jeans...boots with the fur" with my little munchkin!

27 July 2010: Tween Photo Shoot

2010-07-31T09:36:00.006-04:00

My oldest niece is getting braces next week so we took some photos before the hardware goes on. She is absolutely beautiful and is growing up so fast. It took a bit of coaxing but I finally got her to take her glasses off for a few shots. My brother in law should be nervous as she gets older!

We went out to the sunflower maze to do the photo shoot and of course had to get a coupe of the little ones in there too. We also had fun making faces out of the sunflowers...shhhh, don't tell anyone!

26 July 2010: Divas In Training

2010-07-31T08:21:00.006-04:00

I brought the girls to get their photos done at my friend Kim's studio. She does these Dress Up Parties and has a wardrobe closet with dresses and jewels and high heels! The girls were in Heaven. I took a few pictures but had to be the DIVA Assistant - helping the girls get changed and find the right jewelry and handbags. So a couple of the pictures are Kim's masterpieces!

Kim commented that she was very impressed by the girls' modeling poses. She also said she was always trying to get her models to pose with "awkward legs" - the girls were naturals at that. Check out Kim's website - she is an AWESOME photgrapher! http://www.bigpawphoto.com/

25 July 2010: Strike A Pose

2010-07-31T08:13:00.005-04:00

My nieces are here visiting this week and everyone was ready to practice their posing for America's Next Top Junior Model. They had such a great time in the yard and when I tried to stop taking pictures (after about 120 photos) they said "HEY, I don't hear the camera clicking, you aren't really taking pictures!" So I think I ended up with about 160 pictures of my little models! I think the Charlie's Angel pose is my fave!

24 July 2010: Going To The Birds

2010-07-31T08:06:00.005-04:00

Pretty berries from our honeysuckle! They look yummy, but I don't think you are supposed to eat them so I guess I will just leave them for the birds!

23 July 2010: Keuka Lake

2010-07-31T08:00:00.001-04:00

Bill and I went out to see Kelly and Chris at Keuka Lake where Chris' parent own a house. It was a picture perfect day - lunch by the lake, a boat ride, cute puppy and fun friends (oh and Bill got some good Weyerbacher beer with lunch - thanks Chris).

22 July 2010: Kaylee at Kellish Hill Farm

2010-07-31T07:49:00.002-04:00

Kellish Hill Farm is a totally cool place! They have a music barn where they have musicians come to play. It is a totally idyllic location complete with mini horses (I LOVE mini horses). Kellish Hill Farm has bluegrass/folk music all the time so if you are in the Pompey, NY area - check it out sometime. http://rhbamericana.com/

The night I went, a photo friend's daugther was playing for the open mic night. She was AWESOME and has an AMAZING voice! Her name is Kaylee Hale and you can hear her here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkuMkjWAvN0 Keep you ear open for this young woman!

21 July 2010: Bouncing Around B'ville

2010-07-31T07:45:00.003-04:00

I went to lunch in Baldwinsville with a friend I met through the photo group. B'ville is a nothern suburb of Syracuse and not someplace I get to much so it was fun to explore a new place!

20 July 2010: Playing With Colors

2010-07-20T18:32:00.002-04:00

I took this picture of weed in my yard and then played with the colors...pretty cool, huh?

19 July 2010: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head

2010-07-20T18:30:00.001-04:00

I am sick of this humidity...even the rain is not cooling it off!

18 July 2010: Fire Lilies

2010-07-20T18:26:00.002-04:00

I know I have taken photos of these lilies before but I love them and I think they look like fire, particularly in HDR!

17 July 2010: Music In The Square

2010-07-17T23:39:00.003-04:00

As we were driving home from the movies, I wanted to drive through downtown to see if there were any cool pictures that jumped out at me. To our surprise, we found some music being played in Armory Square. Syracuse can be a gritty city but tonight Bill commented that this made it feel like a small town seeing all the people hanging out in the square listening to some jazz.

We also found one of the old cars that are in town for the Syracuse Nationals at the Fair Grounds. There are thousands of antique cars wandering about this weekend as they show off their "babies" that they lovingly restored.

16 July 2010: Tiger Showing His True Spots

2010-07-17T23:32:00.004-04:00

Here is a real tiger lily as opposed to what I thought were tiger lilies in my yard. Really we just have common orange daylilies as opposed to the old fashioned lilies with spots (like tigers). This one is from my neighbors garden.

15 July 2010: Stop Buggin' Me

2010-07-17T23:29:00.002-04:00

The next generation of our little bug friend from last summer seems to have returned. We'll see if we can find him again when he gets bigger.

14 July 2010: Reach For The Sky

2010-07-17T23:27:00.001-04:00

Just another perspective of the black (or is it brown) eyed susans.

13 July 2010: Going Rogue

2010-07-17T23:25:00.001-04:00

I caught this little flower trying to escape from the planter.

12 July 2010: Gecko

2010-07-17T23:23:00.002-04:00

Another gecko...just hangin' around.

11 July 2010: Dino-Myte

2010-07-17T23:21:00.003-04:00

It seems like the only time we go to Dinosaur BBQ is when there are friends or family visiting!

10 July 2010: The Rockets Red Glare

2010-07-10T23:56:00.003-04:00

So we were a little late in playing with our fireworks this year! Here are some cool sparkler pictures - they were my favorite as a kid and still are a lot of fun!

9 July 2010: Rain Rain Come This Way...

2010-07-10T23:52:00.003-04:00

It finally rained and the humidity is not quite as bad as it was. Thank Mother Nature because one more day of this and I was going to melt!

8 July 2010: How Does Your Garden Grow

2010-07-10T23:49:00.001-04:00

The heat and humidity is wilting the garden but here is one of the blossoms before it withers!

7 July 2010: Star Lite Star Brite

2010-07-10T23:45:00.002-04:00

First star I see tonight!

6 July 2010: Just Another Brick In The Wall

2010-07-07T12:23:00.004-04:00

I had a fun evening with some of the members of the Syracuse Photographers Association. After hanging out in the bar of Mohegan Manor in Baldwinsville, we hit the street for some photo opportunities. I spent most of my time in this little alley which had several interesting things to photograph!

5 July 2010: Hot! HOT! HoT!

2010-07-07T12:17:00.001-04:00

I didn't make it outside much today...the humidity was rediculous! Here are the flowers from the hostas.

4 July 2010: Happy Birthday America

2010-07-07T12:15:00.003-04:00

Hope you all enjoyed the fireworks in your community! This one was taken from our neighbors porch - I couldn't deal with the crowds of the big displays so we had our own private show thanks to some people across the street!

3 July 2010: Moses: The Next Generation

2010-07-07T11:40:00.012-04:00

"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies." ~Shirley Abbott

I went to our annual Family Reunion this year. I haven't been in several years and the older I get the more I am drawn to going. Why is that when we are younger, we can't be bothered with all the stories and history and as we get older, we can't get enough. Since I lost my mother to cancer at such a young age, I don't have the kind of access that many do and it makes me angry sometimes. As if my mother being taken from me at 17 wasn't bad enough, I sometimes feel like I have been robbed of our history. But then I realize, I have removed myself from it more than anything. My uncles and aunts are still around. My older siblings have more historical knowledge and stories. So as I get older, I recognize my place in this maze that makes up my family. I want to know more about the stories (good and bad). I need to understand where they came from to know where I came from.

So the photos above are of the next generation. The young ones who don't have much of a choice about being at the party since their parents are there and they are having a great time as children can in most situations; but they also don't understand how important it is for them to engage in our family now as they will likely drift away for a bit as many of us do before we return eager to know the history. I loved seeing the kids who have grown up in front of me and the newest members that I had never met. We are all a part of the history, our great grandparents...grandparents ...parents...siblings...
cousins. The Middle Eastern/Lebanese family genes mixed with a plethora of other heritages have created the faces you see above and aren't they just gorgeous!

The Moses clan has come a long way complete with some bumps, bruises, laughter, tears of joy and sorry, successes, failures, but most importantly love and connection.

2 July 2010: It Must Be Good For You

2010-07-07T11:36:00.004-04:00

This is another one of my favorite flowers and it's good for you too! Echinacea or purple cone flowers are believed to be a boost for your immune system. So enjoy the beauty of the photo and ingest the goodness when you are sick!

1 July 2010: They Grow Up So Fast

2010-07-07T11:31:00.004-04:00

My brother in law gave us a few Japanese Red Maple saplings a few years ago and this one has been doing well in it's new home. It is about time to replant it in a more permanent location as it is getting too big. I love the red leaves!

30 June 2010: Pied Piper

2010-07-02T18:01:00.002-04:00

Found this piper hiding in the woods behind our house. I hope he is leading all the pests away!

29 June 2010: Slimy Slug Shoot

2010-06-29T08:42:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-29T08:37:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-29T08:14:00.005-04:00

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: Growing Like Weeds

2010-06-26T17:41:00.003-04:00

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

2010-06-26T17:39:00.001-04:00

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

24 June 2010: Made In The USA

2010-06-24T21:32:00.004-04:00

Saw this cool old truck in the parking lot of the gym this morning. Cars were so much cooler and had a lot more character!

23 June 2010: Mona's New Best Friend

2010-06-24T21:30:00.002-04:00

Dog's best friend! Mona wanted to go live with Auntie Rie!

22 June 2010: Lovely Lavender

2010-06-24T21:26:00.001-04:00

The lavender has returned for another year of glory!

21 June 2010: Fallen

2010-06-24T21:19:00.004-04:00

First day of summer and the leaves are falling!

20 June 2010: Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T20:39:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-20T20:35:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-20T20:31:00.002-04:00

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: Open For Business

2010-06-17T20:42:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-17T20:40:00.003-04:00

Torrential downpours lead to wet roses!

15 June 2010: Liquid Gold

2010-06-17T20:38:00.001-04:00

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

14 June 2010: Just A Flower

2010-06-17T20:35:00.002-04:00

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

13 June 2010: Chasing Balloons

2010-06-13T23:05:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-13T23:01:00.006-04:00

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

2010-06-13T22:56:00.002-04:00

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: Lonely

2010-06-10T23:58:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-10T23:57:00.005-04:00

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

2010-06-10T23:57:00.004-04:00

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

2010-06-10T23:56:00.002-04:00

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

6 June 2010: The Doctor Is REALLY In

2010-06-10T23:55:00.001-04:00

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'

2010-06-10T23:43:00.003-04:00

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

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

2010-06-04T22:21:00.002-04:00

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

3 June 2010: Moonshine

2010-06-04T22:16:00.002-04:00

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

2010-06-04T22:14:00.001-04:00

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!

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

2010-06-01T23:31:00.003-04:00

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

31 May 2010: Llama Song Part Deux

2010-05-31T18:13:00.002-04:00

You may recall a previous post featuring the llama song. In case you missed it, here it is again!

http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/09/11-september-2009-photo-llama-song.html

30 May 2010: The Balloons Are Coming

2010-05-30T18:33:00.002-04:00

Yes another whirly thing...but this one doesn't make noise! But the balloons that are coming for the Balloon Festival will make noise - only a couple of weeks away! http://www.syracuseballoonfest.com/

29 May 2010: Orbiting

2010-05-30T18:31:00.001-04:00

Another one of my whirly things that makes noise that Bill's loves so much.

28 May 2010: Sharing The Wealth

2010-05-28T21:42:00.005-04:00

My neighbor gave me some plants from her garden that she was thinning out. This was one of them - bachelor button - that I replanted yesterday. It seems to be doing ok so far. It is a perfect trade really as I let her come and pick as much rhubarb as she wants from our patch. Sharing is caring!

27 May 2010: Poppies Will Make Them Sleep

2010-05-28T21:24:00.003-04:00

These photographs were taken in my neighbors garden. The poppies must have made the little boy and his dog sleep.

26 May 2010: Wicked Hot!

2010-05-26T23:09:00.006-04:00

Another wicked scowchah (scorcher for you non New Englanders) out there today! It got into the 90s - what happened to spring! My poor flowers are wilting in this heat!

25 May 2010: It's Getting Hot Out Here

2010-05-26T23:05:00.003-04:00

It was snowing two and half weeks ago - it was 89 today! Summer has arrived and the phlox is growing like crazy!

24 May 2010: Bunny Buffet

2010-05-26T23:02:00.004-04:00

My mother in law wanted to plant a garden and since we have a lot more room with direct sun, she planted it at our house. The animals haven't eaten everything...yet! I have seen a lot of bunnies in the yard getting ready for a feast.

23 May 2010: Philly Favorites

2010-05-24T21:09:00.005-04:00

Bill had never been to Philly before and when I asked him if he wanted to do anything or see anything, of course he said...Philly Cheesesteak. So off we went to South St to find Jim's which was the suggestion of one of the locals we met at the wedding. I also went to Reading Terminal, the Italian Market and drove by the famous Rocky steps. He had a full Philly experience in the few hours we had in the City of Brotherly Love.

We met this man in the picture above as we were walking around and I asked to take his picture. He said sure, do you want me with or without the horns. I said with of course but I didn't see the hat and thought he was talking about horn as in trumpet or something since he was sitting in front of a music store. I was even happier when he pulled out the Viking horns!

22 May 2010: Goin' To The Chapel...

2010-05-24T20:58:00.003-04:00

Bill and I went to a wedding this weekend in Philadelphia. It was a beautiful wedding with many personal touches that make the day that much more special. Tim and Michelle looked so happy and so much in love it just makes you all warm and fuzzy! I also got to see some friends that I met through work that I haven't seen in quite some time.

It was a wonderful day and reminded me a lot of our wedding and hard to believe that it will be 5 years in October since Bill and I tied the knot and danced to At Last sung by Eva Cassidy!

21 May 2010: Model Town

2010-05-24T20:50:00.003-04:00

These pictures were actually taken in Italy a few years ago, but I was playing with a new process called tilt-shift which is supposed to make the buildings look like little models/miniatures. I think they do (sort of) but I am not really sure what I would use this process for in real life but thought it would be fun to play! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt-shift_photography

20 May 2010: Outdoor Sanctuary

2010-05-20T21:20:00.003-04:00

We put the gazebo top on and brought out the rest of the "summer" furniture. I spent the better part of this evening reading and visiting with a friend in my outdoor sanctuary! Knock on wood because we made through a full year and onto year number two with the same gazebo!!! WOOHOOO! For the full story check this out: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2009/05/23-may-2009-photo-summer-dreams.html and for the winter version: http://wide-angle-lens.blogspot.com/2010/03/1-march-2010-dreaming-of-warm-sun.html

19 May 2010: Preaching Plants

2010-05-19T16:19:00.003-04:00

Our neighbors have a Jack in the Pulpit plant in their yard that I think is pretty cool They usually grow in the wild on the forest floor and hard to cultivate in a yard but here is one that is surviving!

18 May 2010: Garden Beautiful

2010-05-19T16:12:00.004-04:00

I bought some Gerber daisies for the garden or the deck...haven't decided where to put them yet so they are getting a little bath to keep them going in their little pots for now.

17 May 2010: Stewart Park

2010-05-17T18:05:00.003-04:00

I stopped by Stewart Park in Ithaca today before an appointment. This place is always so calming and I love the effect of the HDR process on a picture I have taken many times before.

16 May 2010: Still Wishin'

2010-05-17T18:02:00.002-04:00

Yep...more dandelions...more wishing...this time I got one before it went to seed!

15 May 2010: Memories Of Marriage

2010-05-15T14:23:00.004-04:00

Calla lilies were used as the boutonnieres for Bill and the men in the wedding party as well as our families. They are one of my favorite flowers! I bought these today at the farmers market and hope they will last a while in the garden.

14 April 2010: Planting Season

2010-05-15T14:20:00.001-04:00

I love this time of year...the fields are getting readied for planting, clouds are dotted across the sky and the warmth of the sun is getting stronger!

13 May 2010: My Future's So Bright...

2010-05-15T14:19:00.001-04:00

...I gotta wear shades!

12 May 2010: Windy & Wet

2010-05-15T14:15:00.003-04:00

This is the newest set of wind chimes I have added to my collection. I suggested we put them right under our bedroom window but Bill was not down with that suggestion!

11 May 2010: Too Many Tulips

2010-05-11T15:59:00.004-04:00

I bought these tulips when I was at the Ithaca Farmers Market over the weekend. I just can't resist tulips - I love them and since they are so cheap right now, I have to buy them whenever I see them! Don't worry - tulip season must be almost over!

10 May 2010: Don't Be So Crabby

2010-05-11T15:57:00.001-04:00

We have two apple trees in the yard...the flowers always look so pretty and plentiful and then the apples are just crabby!

9 May 2010: Happy Mother's Day / Snow Day

2010-05-09T20:09:00.005-04:00

It's Mother's Day, that special day that we celebrate our moms or mom-like people. Did I mention this day was in May. Yeah, well this year Mother Nature was laughing at us in Central NY. Laughing so hard, she was crying but since it was so cold her tears become snow! There was one point this morning that it was almost a white out. Not funny Mom!

I made homemade sauce and meatballs for my mother in law because she wanted spaghetti and meatballs for her special Mother's Day meal. I took this picture as I started the sauce yesterday morning as it made me think of my mom and her Saturday morning tradition of making sauce and meatballs. Everything from the cans to the wooden spoon to the vat of tomato goodness slowly cooking on the stove all day long. YUM! And a picture of my mom, her mom and some of her siblings - it is one of my favorites!

8 May 2010: Babies

2010-05-08T19:24:00.002-04:00

I went down to Ithaca today to take some pictures of friends who are pregnant with twins. They are going to be great moms to these two little bundles who are due in August. We had a great shoot out in some beautiful fields in town.