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

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

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

 

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 

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! 

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

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

Somewhere over the Stop n Shop...

You know it is something special when the guys unloading the trucks come out to take pictures.  Don't take my word for it, that is what they said.  It was a pretty awe-inspiring sight.  I wish I had more than my Mommy camera so that I could have recorded the colors with a truer hand.  Nightfall and a point and shoot camera with the flash turned off don't really mix.  It is close though.  The real beauty was seeing it first hand but this is a great way to remember.  September 15th

Just for Alice...

The kids saw them first.  We were on our way into Wednesday night pizza when Philip and his friend said, 'Wow!  Mushrooms!'  These things deserved a wow.  Then they went on to talk at length about whether they would find any Smurfs hiding under them and why Smurf mushrooms aren't blue too.  I tuned that part out. I have my limits.  September 14th

Glittery gold...

Kohl's was having a huge sale and as I stood in line waiting to get out of the melee I saw this.  With my hands full of t-shirts and sale shorts for a 9 year old, I juggled my camera and purse and slipped out of line for a second.  Again, weird stares, I am getting too used to them.  I love the sparkles though.  September 13th

Topsy-turvy...

More evidence of what Irene left behind.  There are stumps like this all over our neighborhood.  The walk to and from school is all about counting them and seeing when they will be cleared. You can just imagine how scary it was when the tree that was attached was down in power lines and worse.  September12th

With the lens cap on...

Today I couldn't bring myself to pick up a camera.  I didn't even try.  10 years ago beauty was obscured by the dust and rubble of a mad man's plans carried out by others believing they were seeking a higher calling.  They saw self righteous retribution but their eyes were shuttered by hatred and intolerance and a blind belief in their need to purify the world.  I think that the masterminds weren't so pure in their motivations but preying on the minds of those that seek to find a pathway to eternal salvation can sometimes be too easy.

On this day, 10 years ago, over 3000 people lost their lives as a handful of people sought to use them to further their cause.  As the planes struck their targets, or thanks to unprecedented bravery, struck a field in Pennsylvania, the lives of so many were ended including the lives of those that set the course for destruction. My men spent this anniversary day watching shows that played video and displayed the images that others took during the darkest hours. I couldn't watch.  I too vividly remember.  

I thought about creating an image series of a slow burning candle or of children at play, something that speaks to the resilience of life, but I didn't.  I couldn't see how to create something of beauty that day.  I will say though that in the hours after the towers fell, still feeling shell shocked and finding it hard not to cry, I remember seeing beauty.  I saw beauty in the images of people throughout the world in the streets praying for the souls of those who left us that day, in the stories of people rushing to the site to help in the rescue work, in the messages left on machines of the people they love from those trapped in a burning building or an ill fated aircraft.  In those brief days, before the politics and me focus reemerged there was a world united in its collective shock and grief.  It is in the hearts of the people who strive to better this planet that we find true beauty.

May we never forget the atrocities that befell us that day so that we try our best to ensure that they never happen again.  With my heart breaking all over again...  September 11th

When good gardens go bad...

It is not the garden's fault, the gardener has been very neglectful.  I love the sole morning glory clinging to life as it valiantly defies the abuse and blooms in spite of me.  Even the rake looks like it had a rough night.  The weeds have squatters rights on the property now.  I need to do a full eviction process to get them to move out.  I really do love when my garden looks lovely, I just don't have the time to make that happen.  I know, I just need to find weeds that look like plants!  By George, I think she's got it!  September 10th

Even the

Fancy colors...

Sometimes my day job has a nice perk or two.  Helping to scout out a location for an upcoming event, I got to indulge a little.  I mean really, it was all in pursuit of the perfect setting and we had to make sure that the amenities were up to snuff.  My pampered hands were quite happy to take on the task, after all, someone had to do it.  I took these before the beautifying began. The ladies in the salon were wondering what the crazy lady was doing with the camera.  Actually, I get that a lot.  September 9th