Sunday, October 16, 2011

Oh, the places you'll go...

If you haven't figured it out yet, reading is a pretty important part of life in our household.  I was reading to Philip in utero.  Once he was here, soothing him with the sound of my voice as I read a favorite story was a daily occurence.  When he was old enough to ask, he would bring me books to read with him, sitting in my lap while I made all the sound affects and characters voices.  I honestly can't say who loved it more.  Now we sit side by side and read our books.  What a wonderful way to share time together. 

On this day I got to head over to his school for the book fair.  Talk about viewing something beautiful.  Watching kids run into the library as if it was their favorite toy store and excitedly pick book after book to take home and read...  it was so wonderful.  Dr Seuss knew what he was talking about, 'Oh, the places you'll go.'  Hang on to your hat and let the written word take you anywhere you can imagine.  October 5th

Daisies...

'I love dasisies,  They're so friendly. Don't you think daisies are the friendliest flower?' as stated by Kathleen Kelly from 'You've Got Mail' and me.  October 4th





Alone again...

So lonely, sitting in the corner, biding its time, waiting for its dog to come and get it all slobbery again.  Actually, maybe it was just hiding!  October 3rd

Swampy marsh...

It was a gorgeous day: cool and slightly sunny with just the right amount of fluffy white cotton candy in the sky.  It must be time for our Fall swamp visit.  Betcha don't hear that too often. The Great Swamp National Park in Central New Jersey is really beautiful and we head out there often.  You won't see this any time soon on the Jersey Shore.  I am sure that is why we like it so much.  October 2nd

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Stackers...

Let me start out by saying we were there to see the 3D version of 'The Lion King', but thanks to some maniacal cross promoting mastermind, the movie theater was at the mall.  Now add to that the strange alchemy that makes small pieces of plastic turn into magnets for any child in a 1 mile radius and 'The Lion King' was suddenly just our first stop on the tour.  The Lego Store was a true highlight; bazillions of tiny little pieces of plastic that drew my 9 year old in faster than I could say, well, anything.  I am still trying to recover from the $299 price tag on the 'totally amazing and absolutely necessary' big box of rattling pieces.  It is good to know that when his mother started to choke after one glance at the price tag, my child had the good sense to step away from the box.  $20 dollars and a Harry Potter Quidditch set later we were off.  All in all, a good day.  October 1st

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Posies...

No, they are not mine.  No, I am not jealous.  Yes, I am so happy for my friend who did get them.  Well, two out of three of those statements are completely true.  September 30th






It creeps closer...

It isn't even October yet but Halloween is upon us.  The candy is out, the pumpkins are waiting to go under the knife and children are testing out their costume choices.  Well, mine was at Wendy's this evening.  Got to love the face painter that puts black face paint all over your child's eye.  Yes that was a bit of sarcasm you detected... Philip loved it though.  Wendy's chicken sandwich with a little Skeletor on the side!

Photoshop effects added for an extra eerie feeling.  The eerie carpet effect provided by Wendy's.  September 29th


Friday, September 30, 2011

Lonely town...

Not really.  I was actually getting quite concerned because this little town is going to be the backdrop for a few photo sessions in the next month and I was so afraid I wouldn't be able to get any images without people in each setup.  Well, people who weren't suppose to be there.  Um... people that I didn't want to be there.  People are allowed to be there but I will be trying to see only the people I bring there...  You know what I mean.  I loved this image though.  What do you think?  September 28th


Swirlies...

Ever tell yourself that you have to save something because it is too beautiful to throw away.  You know, that you can clean it up and restore it and love it forever and ever ... and ever.  Me too!  Ummm... do you actually ever get around to doing any of those things, I mean, besides holding on to the 'priceless' object?  Wow, me either!  But I will...  September 27th



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Witch's hard hat?...

Don't ask, I couldn't tell you, it just caught my eye.  It was like the wicked witch had been working construction and got caught in the rain.  I'm melting, I'm melting...  Don't groan, I know you see it now too.  I have already warned you, I am very easily amused.  September 26th



Soft and fuzzy...

Yes, I know they are weeds.  The bee didn't seem to mind and I didn't either.  I think they look a bit like baby's breath's wild cousin that got too many tattoos and won't take off the leather vest at the dinner table.  Oh man, those LA Ink commercials stick with you.  September 25th





Finn and Jake...

I have been trying to get good photos of our goldfish for a while now, not as easy as it sounds.  Short of submersing my waterproof camera in the tank (and completely freaking out the fish) I have tried everything but was never happy.  These are my latest attempts.  Finn and Jake were not amused and the images were still not my favorites... but I had been messing around with some new Photoshop presets and, viola!, this is the result.  I think it is cool.  Well, it beats getting my camera covered in fish water.  September 24th



Sunday, September 25, 2011

Step a little closer...

When it comes to beauty, it is all relative... and point of view.  It is always just a matter of looking at something from a different angle.  Things that seem to resonate with me are the ones that appear juxtaposed in their environment.  Something a bit out of place that just catches your eye.  The Ho-Ho-Kus library does a beautiful job with their landscaping but when you look out towards the bridge that was and may never be again, the view changes dramatically.   September 23rd


 




Thursday, September 22, 2011

Green cones...

This post was at Philip's request.  I was told what I had to title it and what photos to take.  It seems that my fascination with tiny pine cones has been his too.  He is thrilled he found the tiniest.  Apparently, the green cone doesn't fall far from the tree.  September 22nd





Shmooshed...

I admit, I don't know much about mushrooms natural growing habits but I am pretty sure this was no boating accident.  They sure look different than they did last week.  I believe that a crime scene investigation would determine that there was foul play afoot.  Or maybe just some foul feet that were playing.  Whichever, the real question is where did all the Smurfs relocate to at such short notice.  September 21st




When a tiger sleeps...

Don't let that sweet face fool you, he is mostly trouble seasoned with some adorable so you can't get too angry.  The distortion was deliberate.  Those paws get into everything so it is fitting that they are so prominent in the image.  

Photo tip:  The things closest to the camera lens appear bigger.  September 20th


Snow?...

These old pipes just looked too interesting; they needed to be turned into art somehow.  Here is my take.  The dust and whatever else that is on them gives them such a cool vibe.  Is vibe a word that is used any more?  Well, it is now.  September 19th 



Tuesday, September 20, 2011

A little light shopping...

My first time at the Ridgewood street fair.  I love the energy that is created as vendors share their passions and personal creations with people browsing through all the goodies on display.  And kettle corn - yummy, slightly sweet, warm popcorn eaten in the open air: heaven. It was a lovely day and people were out in droves looking for that special something or just looking for an excuse to get out and about.  I used to go to these fairs all the time and I really couldn't remember why I had stopped until I heard it and then it was all clear.  Let me just say that I had no idea there were so many, many different ways to say, 'Mom, I want to buy this.'  You would be amazed at how many ways there are to say no.  He did get a dog figurine, some mango ice, and a lemonade. I got pomegranate balsamic vinegar, half his mango ice, some yummy swirly buns  and some images that I loved.  All things considered, a very good day.    

There were so many booths and everything was fun to look at but I only created images of the things that I thought were unique and caught my eye in new and different ways.  As I was taking the photos I realized that you needed to know who was responsible for each of my finds as well as being able to see what I saw.  To that end, the images look a little different today and there are links to each of the vendors along with their products.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  September 18th

The Fair and Green Store had the cutest wooden children's toys.  It always feels good to know that you are helping the planet and the people on it when you make your purchases.
The Happy Dance, LLC had these truly whimsical items and, of course, I focused on the butterflies.  Oh, if you are looking for a gift for me, I WANT THAT HAT!  Uummmm... forgive me for yelling a little, I just love that hat.  You know I mean the one with the pink butterfly and roses...  Just checking.  lol


Their website is swirlybuns.com, that alone would make me smile but their buns are so yummy!  We tried chocolate raspberry, you should too.  Philip kept going back and asking if they were going to sample any other flavors.  What a smart kid!  We bought a few to try at home.  Such a sweet treat! 


What do you think these beautiful pins are made of?  Did you guess paper?  Me either!  Lo Max Artistic Creations had many other things as well but these were stunning.  They had so many designs and each was more lovely than the last.  You know I was going to take these photos.  


There were lots of booths with people showing off their sewing skills but I just loved the patterns these ladies had put together and who could resist a booth run by Two Sweet Mamas?  Not me.


Gourmet vinegar and oils, I had to stop and see.  I sampled pomegranate, raspberry and black currant balsamic vinegars and this amazing lemon oil and then I had to stop tasting.  It was all too good.  Now I am on their mailing list.  I will have to show some restraint, hold me back!  Plus, when I was taking photos the lovely people, tempting my taste buds with all those Gourmet Blends, posed for me!  I rarely put people's images here but I had to this time.  The whole thing reminded me so much of my time in Sonoma CA.  So much fun!  


Herbs from Country Herb, nothing special right?  Wrong.  They have these wonderful blends that you can mix with oil, or cream cheese, or sour cream and create yummy spreads and dips and dressings.  We had to get the pizza flavor then, per Philip, we had to get the blueberry and the garlic and onion flavors.  They had so many other varieties but he said those were his top three.  He has good taste.  So do those little herb packets.  Garlic and onion chicken tomorrow night! 


Monday, September 19, 2011

Bouncing around...

oooo... Pink and shiny!  I love the ball bins at the store as much as any other kid. Yes, there is a lot of kid in me still.  I like it so that is just fine.  So there!  September 17th



Sunday, September 18, 2011

Orange you glad...

When all the local shops start putting out mums and pumpkins it is impossible to pretend any more, Fall is creeping up on us very fast.  Truly, I love fall, the smells and sights and sounds all make my senses tingle and my heart happy.  I just hate to see the year rolling past in a blur.  As of today I willing relinquish my claim to summer and will start unpacking my turtle neck sweaters.  The wait for the Great Pumpkin begins again!  September 16th