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: 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: 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

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!

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