POTD - Some more old stuff for ya!

Hey, need a car? Cuz we've got one...but it looks like it might be a fixer-upper. You see, many, many decades ago there was nice little man with a huge smile that could warm up the coldest heart who just loved to putz around these country roads. But one day there was something suspicious going on just around...no I'm just kidding. I have no idea how this old car ended up here. I have no idea what kind of car it was in its glory days. I only know that it is in the woods behind our house and has become part of the landscape. In the summer it is totally hidden by all the foliage so it is easy to forget it is there. I'm sure when my kids get a little older and start exploring more I'll hear some wonderful tales about this magical mystery car!











I played with PSE 5.0 on these, although I really don't know what I did. I just know that I messed around with the lighting, color, saturation, and sharpening for a while until things looked interesting. Anyway, this is my take on something old and trying to make it look young & fresh! :-)

POTD - Something Old

Well, I think that this old tree qualifies. I don't know how old it is, but my guess is it's been here for quite some time! We live on a wooded lot and this is hidden back there. I love how the other tree had wrapped around it like a snake. Although I do think this would totally creep me out on a dark night, especially one that has a full moon. Guess that is why I don't venture out there after the sun sets!

We Survived Spring Break!

Yes, that really is a big deal seeing as how we didn't go anywhere. The boys were on spring break last week from school and we stayed in town. No plans, no scheduled activities, no timelines, just me and a 6 year old, 4 year old, and 2 year old. I wasn't sure I'd survive the week! But we kept busy - a play date here, a trip to a children's museum, some outdoor fun, and capped off with a trip to see their favorite singer, Laurie Berkner, in Central Park. Well, they didn't really get to "see" her so much as we were there with about 15,000 other parents and kiddies and strollers, but they got to hear her. Yes, 15,000 people were estimated to be at that concert! And it was only a one hour show! Certainly way more than at the last Bob Weir and Ratdog or Indigo Girls shows I've seen. Granted you had to pay for those shows and the Laurie Berkner one was free for earth day but you should get my point. It was crazy packed but a good time. They stomped to "We are the dinosaurs", boogied to "I'm gonna catch you", and thrashed around to "Laurie wears a pig on her head". Ahh...good times, good times. Too bad she didn't sing her "Good night" song, would have been kinda cool to see a bunch of baby pacifiers waving back and forth in the air. This week it is back to life as usual but relief in knowing we can survive. This summer, however, you'll have to check back 'cuz I'm not too sure on that! Some pics from the past week.

POTD - Emotion...Irritated?

Well, my daughter seems to have gotten tired of having the camera in her face. At least that is my take on this expression. That and the fact that she yelled "NO!" at me as I took the photo. Hum, seems that the little 2 year-old attitude is creeping up on us. It just makes me *so* excited for the teen years! :-)

I wonder if it is a good thing that I can't understand most of her jibberish?





The first photo is the original that I defogged, added a soft light layer and then sharpened at bit (I attempted to follow mom2drew's instructions from her blog a few days ago). The second is that file to which I added a black and white layer. I'm so not a photoshop person and frankly do not know what the heck I'm doing when I move past the cropping stage, but I want to start to figure this stuff out! The second image is completely different for me and I think I still prefer the color simply because I love her blue eyes! (As someone with dark brown eyes it amazes me that I can have given birth to three blue-eyed children!)

Go Rangers!

Wanna know why the Rangers are so hot and headed into the second round of playoffs? Well, the main reason is because of the power of a special little fan who goes by the name of J. Yes, J is the magical force behind the team! Every time they score and he starts to belt out his musical rendition of "Goooaaaal, Goooaaaal, Gooooaaaal, Hey! Hey! Hey-Hey-Hey!" they receive more abracadabra powers and win the game! Go J! (err, I mean, Go Rangers!)

Hum...too bad he can't abracadabra some playoff tickets. :-)

Life As We Know It
The kids got to play outside on Saturday and enjoy some fresh air. J decided to listen to some tunes, N decided to finally look at the camera for a photo, and Miss M...well Miss M was just being herself!

Spring Peek-a-Boo

It sure hasn't felt like spring around here. The air has been chilly, we've had some late snows, the ground is still soggy, and the flowers haven't bloomed. Well, at least they hadn't until this past weekend. Saturday I awoke to a glimmer of hope that spring is indeed on its way - these crocus' were blooming, much to my amazement. I planted them about 4 years ago and this is the first time they've bloomed! A lovely morning peek-a-boo before mother nature decided to dump the nor'easter on us.

Rocky Mountain High

Well I finally got to spend a long weekend away with my hubby this past weekend for some R&R. At least it was supposed to be R&R until I got on the slopes. You see, we went to west for some skiing. And the last time I went skiing was 8 years ago, before I had my 3 children. And I must say that my body has changed quite a bit in those 8 years, not least of which is my strength and mental capacity to conquer new heights. It ain't there. I forgot how challenging it can be to sache elegantly down a slope, especially when said slope is facing east and the spring's sun rays have turned the snow into piles of wet clumpy cement! So, instead I plowed my way down the mountain at my own sweet pace while 4 year olds careened right past me at lightning speed. After a day at Vail and a day at Breckenridge my R&R was more like reckless and ridiculous rather than rest and relaxation. The good news is that I only fell twice and I don't think either time was my fault. At least I can play it off that way. The other good news is that the views were spectacular and I love the Rockies and Red Rock was incredible. The lack of O2 certainly was a factor for me...hey, maybe that is why I was so ski challenged! Yea, that's it - I had a Rocky Mountain High! And I'm too old to ski when I'm high. ;-) So, here are a couple of pics I got of the scenery. From the ground. No way was I going to lug my camera up the slopes. I'm a bit insane at times, but not stupid.










(ok, dh took this one with his pocket p&s as we were riding the chair lift up the mountain)

The Lost Mojo

Gee I guess you do look at this lil' ol' blog now and then. Especially since you like to comment that I haven't posted anything recently. So sorry to disappoint you! It is just that I haven't had the mojo flowing lately. Maybe it is the dreary weather, the sick cranky kids, the old cranky me, or that I'm not quite feelin' it with this camera. Hey, yea, that's it...it is my camera's fault! Now, if you want to help me get my mojo back and get me in the mood to post some images here for your viewing pleasure then all you need to do is gift me this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=6222&A=details&Q=&sku=397314&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation AND this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8429&A=details&Q=&sku=234444&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
Both items are essential to the rapid return of the lost mojo. And to show my appreciation I'll gift you back with a few complimentary practice photo sessions! :-)

P.S. I think if you included this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8454&A=details&Q=&sku=264304&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation I'd be really, really flowing with the mojo and I'd have the whole focal range spectrum covered. So, sis, I could take some really awesome pics at an upcoming event. Oh say, your wedding??? ;-)