Weekend Rewind (3-12-12)

We had a relatively low-key weekend because of the rain - so much rain.  I've blogged about the drought in this area and posted pictures of its effects, but Mother Nature -- it really wasn't necessary for us to receive our entire month's worth of rain in 3 days.  I borrowed this image from the Weather Channel online (love that site), this is not the final total for the month - they still have to add in rainfall totals since midnight Monday, so I expect us to be over our average (and further down the drought classification - we are definitely making progress).

graphic from www.weather.com

Saturday we stopped at an art walk in a nearby community - it was their first one and the weather definitely affected visitor attendance and vendors/artist participation.  However with the smaller crowd we were able to talk with the artists and watch a few work without being bumped into (my family doesn't care for crowds).  Those who braved the threatening weather presented some very interesting pieces - beautiful wood carvings, decoratively painted palm fronds, kitchen utensils hand-carved from reclaimed food-safe wood. 

hand carved serving spoons - reclaimed/salvaged woods

The painted palm fronds were mostly fish themed, but my daughter managed to find and purchase one that had been painted and slighted cut (for mouth) into a horse (no surprise there).  This was her first art purchase - hope she keeps it for a long time and remembers how her & her brother initially tried to complain about making this quick sidetrip - only to really find all the booths (and the artists) very interesting. (side story:  my daughter didn't bring any money with her - her brother just happened to have some spare cash on him - so he offered it up - they even hugged each other in public without me prompting them & she said thank-you!!  I've done something right!!)   Some of the artists hadn't quit their "day jobs" yet - they were local and somewhat getting their start.

brightly painted palm fronds become fish - a lot of salt water varieties

The rain - Sunday brought even heavier rains - and the one catastrophe from it all -- my wax myrtle tree.  Although I know the drought had a hand in weakening it; all the rain made it's feet soggy -it just couldn't hold on.  Hurricane Ike really started the tree's decline - it was never the same after losing one of the major branches.

at least it fell AWAY from the house & roof

When it dries up a bit, we'll dig out what is left and replace it - probably with a crepe myrtle - they do well in this area and will add some color with the blooms (and won't take out the house in case of a bad storm/hurricane).  I was a bit surprised the wax myrtle didn't make it - it is a native tree and thought it would have been tougher/adjusted to changing conditions better - guess the drought was too much even for our natives. 

Image details:  50mm lens, SOOC, other than minimal cropping (I know I've used that 50mm a lot lately - it is just what has been on the camera body & it doesn't weigh a ton).


Hope everyone had better weather than we did & able to get outside to do something really fun.  Ironically - many of my past postings have involved our barn/horse activities - the weather was too bad to go to the barn this weekend -- so a horse-free post.  I'd like to hear what you did, so I can be jealous!!  Have a great week everyone!!

Weekend Rewind (feb 6 2012)

This weekend was so busy I think I missed it - I know I missed sitting in my chair doing nothing for a little while.  We had the usual sports game to attend of course, but I also squeezed in a trip to the beach.  I had some specific shots in mind (actually re-taking some that I thought I could do better with - loved the components, but operator error/judgement).  These gulls looked like they were talking to each other - can only imagine what was being said. I think over the course of the weekend we also experienced all four seasons - it happens every winter & we still wonder why we are all sick. 

This morning I've been working on catching up the laundry, making my never-ending lists (to-do, grocery) and can't forget going through some of the pictures from the weekend (I could easily waste all day messing with them), drinking my hot tea with honey to help with the junk in my throat, eating a snack (so I can take aleve for my sorenss - getting older is not always fun), and listening to movie soundtracks while I work (not the pop-tune soundtracks - but the musical scores) on the computer.  I may need an intervention afterwards - some of the music created for movies is very emotional (especially when you've seen the movies several times -- Harry Potter - specifically #7, part 1 & 2), and the music sometimes really affects my mood - but I can't help it - I love it (and no one is around to tell me turn it off or even turn it down). 

Hope everyone had a great weekend.  I'll let you know how successful I was in prying that filter off my camera - that's on my list today too.

How could I forget -- our usual weekend trip to the barn.  Couldn't resist a little HDR - clouds were cooperating - just asking me to take their picture.

My daughter stretches before riding - the horse wanted to watch.

Weekend Rewind (jan 30 2012)

The weekend was calm, but busy as usual.  My son had an academic competition of which he was an alternate (still had to show up), but sadly did not get to compete (I think I was more disappointed than he was).  As a treat I let my daughter spend time at her favorite place - the barn - while I was with my son.  Our family dove into some of our decluttering efforts by going through all the DVDs in the house (no small task), and deciding which could go and which could be passed on to someone else.  I think we did a decent job without causing too much pain.  The remaining DVDs (still many many of them) were grouped into categories (drama, action, etc) and put into binders with sleeved pages to hold DVDs (tossed the cases).  I know some people who disagree with this process, but for us it freed up a ton of space in a cabinet - enough to put all the gaming CDs, controllers, etc., in the cabinet as well.  Besides, I'm hoping not to no longer find empty DVD cases laying around.  Sunday we split up, boys stayed around the house & played with neighbors, and girls spent the afternoon at the barn.  I got a chance to practice a little photography, and now I have new pictures to practice post-processing.  The pictures were taken with the purpose of fusing them in mind (we had some nice clouds and sunset colors). 

The above picture was taken Sunday.  Trying out new ways of actually taking/capturing the picture is always risky, but I do like how this one came out - not tack sharp in focus, but a dreamy feel.  The dust from the arena is nicely highlighted, and the sun's rays are barely visible (with some flare).

Hope everyone has a great week - I'm starting mine with a sore throat (from all the dust we stirred up in the far reaches of that DVD cabinet I'm sure).

UPDATE:  I've added this to Kat Eye Studios Photo-Heart Connection for January - because of the dreamy qualities (not to mention it is of my daughter & I am a very proud mother).