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I had a conversation about the river and specifically the bridge in Lansing (IA) last week. While looking through some commercial images I happened to come across this one. I stopped right before the bridge, rolled down my window and leaned waaay out the window. I just love the lines and the contrast. I might just have to go back and make a project of it…let’s see how many angles I can find : )
Enjoy!
A few weeks ago we went fishing with the kids (post coming) just down one of the local country roads. Down in Rooster Valley the kids were fishing and I was chasing butterflies. I have stopped putting them in jars with ether (Yes! I used to do that for fun) and now try to get as close as possible and capture them with my lens.
Here are some of the beatutiful butterflies and a couple of flowers. Enjoy!
Yesterday when we came home, Jakob wanted to run down the driveway. When he finally came walking in, he gave me these beautiful red clovers. “Here Mamma, I picked you some flowers” he said proudly. The fact that they are classified as a wild plant that is used for grazing cattle and other animals (per my google) is besides the point. They are some of the prettiest “flowers” around. I totally love dandelions as well, but that’s another story.
Here are a couple of shots of my bouquet from Jakob. Gotta love it! : )
My sister’s baby came early and my baby came late, as all three of my kids did. Instead of being two months apart, our boys are one month and one day apart. I should really dig out a shot from their first birthday, they were so cute…with a cherry on top! Matching green shirts with a frog and a party hat…it was quite a sight!
Well, today is Theodor’s birthday…six years old…wow! What happened? These boys are now scootering, riding motorcycles, diving, doing flips on the trampoline and know how to run ANY Wii or Playstation game. I am actually okay with it though. What I have enjoyed with all my kids are the different stages they go through…and at the end of the day they all still love to snuggle. Mmmm…enjoying it while I can!
After the kids came home from their summer activities, basketball and cupcake decorating (posting stuff later), we got on the computer to Skype Theodor and sing him the “Happy Birthday” song. Luckily they were all home and our kids had a fun time visiting via Skype. He had just received the letter we sent last week with cards from each of our kids, and one from Stine’s friend Grace, plus a bunch of Diego band-aids.
Here is a cute shot of my oldest daughter visiting with Theodor, his baby sister and my sister. Plus a cute curious friend in the background. Thanks to Skype we get to see and speak to my family at the same time, for FREE. Lovin it!
We were invited to a party and as always I bring a desert. I wanted to make something different. It’s usually always chocolate cake, my specialty! : )
I happened to see the rhubarb that came with our house and has continued to grow every spring. Memories of my childhood came to mind. We used to pick rhubarb and dip them in a cup of sugar to offset the sour taste. Rhubarb pie it was! I really had a fun time making it and hopefully I’ll have a reason to bake another one soon. Yummy! Below is the recipe I found and have saved, because it turned out swell. I have also made a pie with a mix of apples, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Highly recommendable as well.
Basic Piecrust
Makes top and bottom for a big pie
3 cups flour… Read More
1 tsp. salt
1 tbs. sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
6+ tbs. cold water
First cool your betal bowl and mixer in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
Put flour, salt, sugar and butter (cut into chunks) into a mixer, until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat egg in a cup and add water. While processing, pour liquid in gradually, mix 30 seconds at most. Divide dough into two parts, wrap each in wax paper and chill one hour, or freeze ten minutes. Keep extra crust on hand for another use.
Filling
5 cups rhubarb, sliced
1 ¼ cup sugar
¼ cup minute tapioca
2 tsp. finely grated orange zest
Mix and let sit for 15 minutes to bring out the juices.
Roll out a crust and drape over the filling.
Serve with vanilla ice cream and enjoy! M m m m m… : )
It was one of those days…you know the sun is shining and you just can’t stand it any longer…sitting inside, that is. Back in early April I went for a walk below my house and took my camera along. I had initially planned on walking to the old farm and back, nothing major. Actually that was exactly what I did…but I was gone for about three hours. It was a blast! It was a little chilly, but the sun warmed just enough to not get cold. I shot the cat, no…not literally, some dried-up flowers, well…weeds probably, old farm machinery and an old house. I could go back today and get totally different images.
Here are a few of my shots from that day! It seems like ages ago. I have actually worn shorts since then…and the grass is green! Yikes! I’ll have to go on another walk. : ) Enjoy!
B-Cat, one of my helpers.
Jordy had fun chasing B-Cat and trying to lean on me when I got down close to the ground to get a good shot.
Who knew thistles could look this lovely when they were dead?!
I was looking through some shots from October and came across the ones below. I totally love being at airports. I doesn’t matter how many hours I have to wait – I LOVE IT! There are so many cool images – everywhere!
Had I waited just one more day I would most likely not have been able to go anywhere. The weather turned into a snow storm and all planes were grounded the following day.
Let me know what you think. Enjoy!
Loved the bright yellow marks on the glass sliding doors at the airport in Oslo. Fresh!
The silhouettes of people walking was super cool! The people walking on the top is actually a reflection and were behind me.
Looking down the loooong walkway. I like the lines.
Lots of fun lines crossing each other.
I totally loved how neatly these planes were lined up.
Norwegian fjords and mountains. My nose was “glued” to the window the whole time until we got to the coast. Just beautiful!
The coast of Iceland coming closer.
…more Iceland. Looks like a crater to me.
Going in for landing. Check out the loooong stretches of roads cutting up the landscape.
Back up…icy windows.
Iceland air have fresh fun colors! I have quite a few shots like this one. Just something about those colors.
This one has a sort of stormy underwater feel I think.
After what felt like a never-ending flight we finally reached Minneapolis. Amazing sun set! You can even see the reflection in some of the small lakes in the city.
Hopefully I’ll have images from another trip sometime soon. : )
Last spring my oldest daughter turned 9. One of the things she had on her wish list was a kitten and who in their right mind can ignore that??! Well, I guess it helps that I love cats. I explained to her that yes, she would get a kitten for her birthday, but not until we got back from our Norway trip later that summer…and that her brother and sister would get one as well. I figured her kitten would need someone to play with and it wouldn’t be fair to get just one.
The kids got to pick out their kittens later that summer and they get all the attention a cat needs…and then some.
I happened to come across some pictures of the kittens from last summer a few days or weeks after they arrived at our house. I can’t believe how little they were. I’ll have to take some pictures of them now for comparison.
Miss Ada, a lady! She is by far the most independent one of the bunch. Her colors are beautiful and her fur is silky soft. She will scratch the dog if he gets too close.
Max is the most jittery one. Probably because he got his back legs stuck underneath a vehicle that was leaving and we didn’t think he would make it. He pulled through and the only “scarres” we can see is that he sits a little funny. He hates dogs with a passion but loves to snuggle the kids.
B-Cat is like a big lion. His purring sounds like a big motor! The kids all agree that he needs to be in the basement at night, otherwise he keeps them awake with his purring and the fact that he likes to snuggle right by your face. : ) He will even snuggle the dog! Nothing fazes him.
I will admit some days the cats are a pain in the ass. They will jump on the counter, eat your cereal, drink out of the toilet (if the lid is up), scratch my upholstered chairs, stink up the room their litterbox is in, if scared to death by the dog…miss the litterbox, tip over my plants…For the most part thought, they are so much fun to have around. I can see how much the kids love them as well. My son will pick up his kitten, B-Cat, and dance around the house. Ada gets dressed up in doll clothes. Max gets to ride in the doll stroller. Who can resist all that? Everyone should have a cat! : )
Last winter I went to meet with a client. On my way there I stopped a few places to take some pictures and also on the way back. Some of you may remember my Raccoon shot. Here are some other things I saw that day. Enjoy!
A bridge in rural Spring Grove.
I love the lines…
…the weathered look…
…the simple shapes…
…the rust…and everything about that bridge!
The snow looks so pure and clean.
How long will this shed weather nature and it’s forces?
Silence…
Contrast…
Interesting shapes…
Memories…
Winter…
Yes! I know…sometimes it takes me a while to get through stuff. My family is usually the ones that have to wait. I’m trying to get ALL my photos processed. That means going through every file and doing something with them. Here are some shots from last year!!! Ezra turned 1 last February and I’m just getting to it now. There are a few cute shots of some of the boys running around in their underwear that I wish I could post, but have decided not to. Here is a couple of shots of the birthday boy and his cousins playing pirates. Cute! First a few shots of baby Auryn.
Sweet Auryn and Jessica.
So kissable!!!
Look! There’s Daddy.
Grandma’s girl.
Gotta love the cake in the refrigerator…right next to the bottle.
The birthday boy himself. Happy Birthday Ezra! HURRA!!!
All partied out…
Jakob…trying to show me his pirate face.
Cousin Nick is also a great pirate!
Isaac staring me down with his good eye. : )
Noah the pirate. The eye patch is cool, but a little tricky.
A bunch of pirates…up to no good…with their treasure map. Watch out!!!
Clue number one takes the pirates to the basement. They are just too cute!
They found the hidden treasure chest.
Now lets see if they can share or if it will be every kid for himself.
So far so good…
Jakob with his share of the treasure.
Noah has his part. Check out the ring on his finger. My kids were wearing the rings for days afterwards. Thanks for a great party guys!
