Photo Blogging Challenge - Whatcha eatin’?

Breakfast generally has bananas and some sort of cereal. 

Here I have rolled oats, wheat bran, yogurt, cranberry syrup for a bit of vitamin C.

I have added a bit of soy milk and a cup of tea.

I made mushroom sauce for my green fettuccine noodles.  Basically a white sauce with fresh mushrooms, garlic and onions.

I have added some KimChi and some chutney as condiments.  

A big cup of tea rounds out the meal.

I made some of these for guys who worked on the renovation at my house.  Of course, there was a bit of the puffed wheat left so I have to make half a batch for myself.

It was so good!

I can't have these in the house regularly but sure was a great treat!

Of course a wonderful cup of tea.  I am adjusting to caffeine free tea so that is a slow adjustment.

A hearty meal with lots of protein.  Cheese melted on the one half of the multi grain bagel.

A fried slice of ham and a sunny side up egg for the other half.  The yolk just the right consistency to drip out and cover the rest as I cut it into 4 pieces.   Yummy!

This is frozen mushroom pizza.  I generally add fresh tomatoes but there were none available this day so I check the fridge and there was broccoli. 

Broccoli it was which added some great color to the pizza.

I am sharing with PJ who hosts the Photo Blogging Challenge.  The November prompt was Whatcha eatin’?

Looking forward to some yummy shots.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Liquids

I'm joining the challenge for October which is liquid.

This was a shot taken this month for one of my challenges on Flickr.

I placed some water and a bit of blue color into a pretty clear glass jug. 

I then added a mirror and chose netting to provide a soft background.

I love the oval stopper in this jug.  The movement of the color in the water was interesting. 

I went on a photo taking afternoon with my aunt.  We headed for the river that afternoon. 

The leaves were yellow and red, the animals were enjoying time near the water, and the weather was really wonderful.  We spent several hours with our cameras and walked a good portion of the river downtown.

This is a reflection of a reed in the water with the ripple produced by a muskrat very close nearby.  I missed him because I was focused on the reflection.

I love the cream creating a pattern in the Roobois Chai Tea held in a Chines tea vessel.

This was breakfast one morning this the month.   This is whole wheat cereal, yogurt, bananas and milk.

I am working on a caffeine free tea since my doctor has recommended this approach.

I will have more on a Masala Chai Rooibos tea later.

I use liquid honey was the sweetener in my tea each day. 

I buy it from an apiary which is located in the small town in which I grew up as a kid.  I find the price in grocery stores is very expensive and I rather spent my money support local businesses.

I have known these folks for years and trust their product.

I warmed it up a little to get it to run smoothly. 

It is yummy!

Water is a regular part of my daily routine.  I down a glass of warm water first thing in the morning before eating anything.

I try to have several 8 oz glasses of water a day. 

I decided to include an orange straw as a nod to Halloween today.

It is held in a crystal glass with straight cuts along the outside.  I love how the line of the straw is offset by the pattern in the glass

Sharing PJ's LilHooHaa Photo Blogging Challenge

Photo Blogging Challenge - Nature

Nature is the challenge for September at the Photo Blogging Challenge.

I chose 5 photos taken in recent days.  This rose was found on a bush which must be one of the final ones as we move into autumn.

It is a bright spot in the park as nature turns to more quiet colors.


Love the bright deep pink color of the layered blossom.  A domestic variety planted planted in a park.









Of course, another fall activity in nature is the gathering of the birds who are preparing for their migratory journeys.

This pond in the park had many Canada Geese as they rally to migrate south.

They are eating and gaining energy for the long flight to winter grounds in California and Northern Mexico.

There were a few ducks but mostly geese in this pond.

This was taken on one of the last days that we have seen wonderful sunlight late in the day. 

The leaves turn color as nature adjusts to the less light and cooler temperatures.   The color was there all along and as chlorophyll disappears the color is revealed.

Most leaves here in the west turn yellow with not much red or orange. 

I believe this is "River Birch" tree leaves.

The leaf was backlit by the late afternoon sun.

As the growing season runs down the plants are making seeds to ensure their continued propagation  next year.

This is a Canada Thistle seed head ready to release thousands of seeds in hopes of making more plants in the spring. 

It is considered a weed in our area.

As fall returns the sun sets earlier each week. 

I caught this grass seed head against the setting sun.   I am amazed at how fast to comes.

Sharing with P.J. at A Lil Hoo Haa who hosts the Photo Blogging Challenge.

Photo Blogging Challenge - The Written Word

Handwritten Word 

I did some calligraphy for a photo challenge early in August.

I used watercolor and a plastic nib pen which I have had forever.

I did quite a bit of practicing before I was happy with my letters. It has been years since I did any formal hand writing.

Vintage Word - These are some of the oldest books I own.  I did buy some of them for photo props because of their vintage look with the gold embossed letters and classic neutral cover colors.

Keys to Happiness was published by Reader's Digest in 1955.

Moonfleet by Faulkner I have read was published in 1952.  I should read it because I discovered today that it is set in Dorset England and is a mystery.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte was originally published 1847.  This copy was published in 1974 for the Pebbles Classic Library set.

My written word 

I am still a pen and paper lady.  I use a small note book to track things I have to do which is always with me when I head out of the house.

Grocery lists are printed on the computer but crossed out as I put the items in my cart.

I don't have lists on my phone.   

I always carry lists of the photo challenges I am wanting to enter so as I travel around I can take appropriate pictures.

This is a recent hard cover dictionary I purchased second hand.  I have only had inexpensive soft cover dictionaries and this one feel like a "real" book.

The letters are not gold but just embossed on the cover.  I used a photo filter to highlight the letters to make them more legible in this photo.

The pages have watercolored texture applied to them which works really well.

Fictional Written Words

I read a lot in my 20's then life got busy and work was stressful and I got out of the habit of reading.

Since I retired I have taken up the hobby again.  I am loving it so much.

We have a book exchange within my monthly fellowship group - Welcome to my Kitchen.  We share books and good stories which is part of the fun.

I have found my favorite type of book is historical fiction especially England and France.

Sharing with P.J. who is hosting the Photo Blogging Challenge - Written Word.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Get Out and Play

With the theme being Get Out and Play for June and I am not very sporty I had to work out to find photos.

GOLF

The fresh air, the walking and the spending time with friends all comes with playing a round of golf.

Hopefully it is a group just having fun so the competition is dialed back quite a bit.

It is a great outdoor sport for those who can afford it.

When I was a kids the Monkey Bars were one of my favorite things on the school playground.

I loved to challenge myself as to the number of bars I could skip over.

This is the closest I could find to Monkey Bars.  I love the color and the shape.

I like the wooden structure better than the all plastic structures.

I am sure there will be a lot of kids enjoying fun on the structures at schools and playgrounds all summer long.









Water, sun, and summer are all ingredients to have fun.  These actually have LEDs as well so they change colors!

Spray parks will be popular as well to get out an play this summer.  I have been known to hit a splash park when the temps get above 30C.  You get wet and 5 minutes later you are dry again.

Slides are fun. They were not my thing in the playground when I was a kid.

Still don't appeal to me but I am sure the kids enjoy and have fun on this slide.  I love the sand surface.  Yeah I have to empty sandals when I am done playing but I love it on my feet.

I love swings!  I remember learning how to propel myself back and forth with out someone pushing me.

We tried to go completely around when we were kids but of course never did.

We were a bunch of kids in our family so there was always someone to push.

I have sat on these swings a couple of times when school is out re-engaging my inner child and having fun.



I am sharing with PJ at Lil HooHaa who hosts this photo blogging challenge every month.

Photo Blogging Challenge - My Choice

I found this Grey Shrike-Trush Grey Catbird near my home this month.

It is a new one for my Bird Photo List.  When I saw the red just below her tail I quickly assumed it was a Robin.  But the beak was not right as it was dark and a Robin beak is yellow.

So, the research began.  With the internet things are so easy to look up and I quickly found that it was a shrike and not a robin.






 

 I visited the Clifford Lee Nature Sanctuary this month.

It has wetlands and boardwalks through the forest and along side the water.

A road trip was undertaken as it is a few miles out of the city.  Well worth the visit.

There was a tussle between two Canada Geese and you can see the wings and water flying!

Oil on Water is an upcoming challenge so I decided I should get started early this week as there is some set up required.

I searched the web for some tutorials.  This one by Visual Arts Photography is the my choice to base my set up on.

Once set up then you can easily change out the background and keep shooting.   I use scrapbook paper, game boxes, and colorful advertisements.   Anything colorful will work.

When I used the Blokus pieces with great primary colors I was happy with the results.

This shot is a paper tole sheet.

I am working on getting a great photo for the a show later this year.

One of my challenges in May was water drops so I set out with my water bottle to find a sunlight dandelion.

We have huge forest fires burning here this month and there has been very little rain hence bringing my own H2O.

Love this shot against the blue sky.

I found this flower on one of my longer walks this month.

It is a Pasque Flower.   I love the purple color and the texture on it's surface.

It is quite a large flower but I like the bell shape of the it.


May's theme was our choice so I shared some of my favorite pics from May.


Sharing with the Photo Blogging Challenge hosted by PJ.

Photo Blogging - Color Makes the World Go Round

I love this painting that is called Yellow Trees. It has very bright colors which are my favorite. 

I have not found its home yet in my house.

I purchased this painting at a Gallery Show in March.  It was on this display for that month. 

I met my aunt Maria the artist this week and she delivered the painting.

She produced a set of cards with the 2 designs in this series.

This is the flower of the Tamarack Larch Pine Tree. 

It is a great bright pink color and appears early when there is no other color on the tree as the green has not yet appeared.

It is a sure sign of spring but we have snow again this morning!

This was taken at the park down from my house along the river valley.


This yellow glass cat was at the gift shop at the Muttart Conservatory when I visited this month. 

I love it because it is glass and yellow and since the theme this month was color I took it's picture as it posed for me.

The ear is not broken it is like that.  Love the black button nose.

 Spring sure has some great colors coming in.

These bright orange leaves are on this Japanese spirea bush. 

I took the photo on a visit to the Heritage Hill Wetlands earlier this month.

As you can see the ground is still very bare and dull but the leaves provide a nice contrast.



 






Orchids are wonderful flowers.  I was not able to find the name of this one with an internet search.

I took the photo when I visited the Muttart Conservatory earlier this month.

This one was quite small at about 2 inches tall.   Very spring and Easter colors.

Sharing with P.J. host at A Lil Hoohaa for the Photo Blogging Challenge - Color makes the world go round.

Photo Blogging - Six

I have been chasing large plastic poker chips.

My niece is planning a girl guide project in June and put the call out for poker chips to be used as tokens in the camp.

I have found quite a few stashes of these for good prices.  My sister is also on the hunt.

We need 1500 chips and we are over 1000 so we certainly get what she needs before the deadline.

This traditional game pieces are being dumped as people go to digital entertainment.




Spring has arrived.

I have 6 new leaves on my African Violet plant as the light outside becomes brighter and longer

I love the contrast of the green against the red stems.

The leaves have not developed their fuzzy surfaces yet.

I see little flower buds in the back there so maybe I will soon have purple flowers on this plant.

I found some silicone muffin liners for this very old pan I inherited from my Mom.  I had not used it because I was sure what I would put into the cups would stick.

It is a mini muffin tin with 16 cups.

Love the colors in this set of liners.  I think they were a Halloween collection.

Now I could make some mini muffins which will certainly come out easily.

I found a cobalt blue tea bag holder to join my collection which now makes it at 6.

Unfortunately, they will not all sit in the holder.

It will certainly work very well with my Blue Nordic dishes.

Here are six props I bought in recent days for my macro photography.

I love the small elephant with a great red oriental bead.
Three filigree metal work beads.
A blown glass heart which was a drink marker.
The turquoise star was an earring.  The plastic circle is a cabinet door knob.
The gold Japanese fan is a jewellery piece as well.  It actually opens and closes.

I am joining the Photo Blogging Challenge - March 2019 - Six hosted by Lil HooHaa.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Feb - Glasses

1. Here's a collection of clear glasses in my collection.

A tall champagne glass, then my every day water glass for the start of my 16oz of water each day, a crystal wine glass, a small crystal shot glass and a vintage cut glass drinking vessel.

I lit them from the front so I achieved a nice shadow.








2. An original Bodum Presso 10 Ounce Double Wall Glass with Silicone Grip. Of course the fact that the silicone was yellow was appealing to me.  

I filled with Chamomile tea which I like to have at the end of the day to wind down before bed.

3. NAVAN glass
This is a glass which was one of 2 in a gift set included in the purchase of NAVAN Liquor.

Navan is made from the blending of cognac and
vanilla beans from Madagascar.

It has not been produced since 2010.

I received a set of 2 when my Mom and Dad downsized a few years ago.  The bottle of liquor is gone.  He likely received as a gift somewhere along his career.

I love how the yellow is in the base and travels up the glass to the rim.  I placed some marbles to give a focal point.

4. Sunglasses with really reflective lens.

The brand is Dazed and Confused which I found to be an interesting name.

It is important to wear sunglasses all year long even in winter as the snow can be very bright and your eyes still protection.

5. These are my 3D glasses that I received for "free" when I went to see "Avatar" with a group of friends in December 2009.

It is such a great movie and the 3D effect was wonderful to see in a big theater.

Joining the February Photo Blogging Challenge hosted by P.J. at A L'il Hoo Haa.

Photo Blogging Challenge - Jan - Books

01 - Photography

I have always taken pictures.  I have gotten more into photography in the last couple of years.  Of course the internet is wonderful but I love books.  

I have picked up a few books on photography and purchased one book from a local photographer Daryl Benson.

I have a Flickr account where I join challenges to improve my range of photos.


 02 - Fiction

I discovered author Kate Morton in 2018.  She is an Australian writer who writes in my opinion epic stories.  The ones I have read span 50 - 100 years.  They are addictive and I do confess that each of these books was read in long reading sessions.  There is a lot to keep track of so short sessions may make it difficult to get back into the details of the story.  If I had to read them in shorter sessions I would document the characters and some of the salient details as I read to allow me to get back in the story faster.

I generally do not purchase books.  I lead a fellowship group and we have a monthly book swap so I have been able to access books without buying them.   These were too compelling for me not to own the books.  I bought the first two from thrift stores but I confess buying the last one retail.  
I was introduced through a fellow blogger who had written a review of the Forgotten Garden. The Lake House and The Clockmaker's Daughter followed.

03 - Scrapbooking

 
I did quite a bit of traditional scrapbooking about 10 years ago.  I had a couple of friends who were doing it.  We would get together had have full day sessions.  I enjoyed organizing and documenting my life on those pages.    


As a paper crafter I had all the stuff to move into the craft and as an avid photo taker I had lots of pictures to document my experiences.

I really want to get back into it now that I have more time. 

Many of my friends have turned to digital scrapbooking or just producing photo books.  There is a certain temptation do go down that road with all the paper I have it would make sense to turn it into something useful.

The industry has changed so much in the last few years. 


04 - Paper Crafting

I have been an avid card maker for decades.  I facilitated a card making group for the last 15 years but the craft is in great decline.  My group has been disbanded due to lack of interest.

I collected many magazines and books on paper crafting before the internet became what is is today.

I am reticent to get rid of them and so they sit on the shelf for now.

I am concentrating on making photo cards now that it is my focus.




05 - Software Development

These books are remnants from a previous life as a software developer.

They are large and heavy books on average. 

Now they serve as weights for paper crafting projects and do the job very well.





I am sharing in the Photo Blogging Challenge hosted by PJ at L'il HooHaa