My search for the holy grail (of butter dishes)

I had a list of things I needed to do this weekend and am glad to say that all of them, with the exception of a photo mosaic, have been crossed off. I’ve often said that the trick to accomplishing everything on your list is to have a very short list.

Seriously though, I did get a lot done. And in my down time, I saw some beautiful things I’d like to share with you. While surfing blogs this weekend, I came across the following:

These photos at Oz Girl’s Photo Spot of a mama bird feeding her babies.

This beautiful photograph of a dandelion by Sharon at A New England Life.

A blogging buddy who has been hired by a company to take photos of their food and this is her practice shot.

And finally, this beautiful butter dish.

I found this at the new Anthropologie store at our local mall. Have you ever visited one of these stores? Oh, my ~ it’s a treat for the senses and I love some of their vintage inspired items.

I wasn’t planning on buying anything but it was nice to window shop. I hadn’t realized how much they have in the way of home goods, and then I saw this little dish . . .

. . . and I fell in love. Can you love a butter dish?

I’ve been looking for one for years, not like an insane quest for the holy grail of butter dishes, but rather just a decision that until I found the right one, there would be no butter dish.

Can anyone tell me how many times I’ve said butter dish in this post? For heaven’s sake, woman. Anyway, I may need to stay away from this store.

There’s just too much to love.

Another thing I’ve been wanting to do for awhile is take a new profile photo. The one I currently use shows me in a winter jacket and as much as I love the colors and the general fuzziness of the photo, it’s time to lighten up.

Just as I was about to take this photo, my husband came out of the kitchen and said something funny and when I saw it, I thought it might be the one. But the jury’s still out on that.

Hope you have a beautiful week, everyone.

Until later, my friends . . .

My favorite catalog

If you’re like me, you probably get a lot of junk mail and catalogs in the mail. Most of it goes immediately into the recycle pile before I have a chance to see what’s on sale. This method helps me to save money, actually. What I don’t see, I don’t want.

Sometimes though, I keep catalogs out just for something to browse through when I have an idle moment. And one mailer that I never put into the recycle bin is the Isabella Catalog.

I love a good read, and the descriptions on the items they have for sale are reminiscent of the distinctive lifestyle merchandise of J. Peterman, if you’re familiar with that.

Isabella carries everything from jewelry to natural housekeeping products, to unique sorts of music.

I love the way their writers describe the items. I feel the urge to purchase this coffee flavored lip balm. I want to be perked up by the delicious flavors of chocolate hazelnut and caramel latte.

I could probably be cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for having tried more lip balms than appear in the world. I was a given a tube of Mobu Herbals balm a year ago and to date, it is still my #1 favorite for all categories: taste, feel, and performance (as in giving me outrageously soft, smooth lips).

~ From the catalog

I have found the most interesting music on this site. I’ve been meaning to buy Waterfall for years but I actually prefer and have the offering above this one. It’s Eva Cassidy’s Songbird which I first heard in 1997 while visiting Bar Harbor, Maine while on vacation with friends. I walked into a shop and her CD was playing. As I browsed, looking at all the shop had to offer, I knew I had to have that music. I bought it and remember playing it during the remainder of the vacation and all the way home.

I like the colors and the simple layout of Isabella.

In case you’re wondering, this isn’t an advertisement for the catalog. I just like their stuff, man. And for mosquito's and biting flies, this Bite Blocker (photo above) is one of my favorite products. It won’t harm your body and (you won’t believe this) it smells really nice.

I want these earrings. And the photos in this post do them no justice. The prices are fair, as well.

.

I adore coffee. I worship it in secret but let’s keep that between ourselves. Just reading the description of this press makes me want this even more.

Although it is a press, it works very differently from French Press. For one thing, French presses cannot make espressos or lattes. Just put a scoopful of your favorite coffee in the bottom, pour hot water in the top, and press the plunger. Within seconds, you’ve got a perfect cup of coffee or espresso.

~From the catalog

The website doesn’t cut it for me, though. I like the feel of the heavyweight paper, the colors, the simple layout ~ but most of all, I enjoy the descriptive writing of their offerings.

Here’s the link: Isabella Catalog

Disclaimer: I get no compensation from Isabella Catalog in any way or form for having written this post. I just happen to like what they have to offer. The catalog came earlier this week and I saved it for today to peruse.

Have a beautiful weekend, all. We’ve just had a lovely thunder storm come through here this evening. It had turned quite hot and steamy today but now is nice and cool. George is still a little shaky from the thunder and is sticking close to us.

And that concludes my little weather report for Maryland.

Some questions answered

To those of you who read this blog and the comments that go along with it, it may look as though I rarely answer reader’s questions. The truth is that I always try to answer questions, but more often than not, I end up e-mailing the answer rather than leaving the it in the comment section. On rare occasions, I will venture back into the comment section to leave an answer, but only after I’ve realized that there’s no other way to contact the person.

I asked George if he thought I should answer some reader’s questions in a post tonight but he just looked at me as if he didn’t understand.

So I’ll just go ahead and answer a few questions that have been asked in the past couple of weeks. Let’s begin then, shall we?

“What farm did your husband work for? Was it in Maryland?”

For ten years, my husband worked at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Maryland. He was hired as the broodmare manager and took on the stallion manager position when it became vacant a few years afterward.

“When did you start photography as a hobby?”

I began in my early 20’s when I bought a used 35mm Nikon and with the manual, taught myself how to use it. There’s a lot more information about me on the “About Me” tab at the top of the blog. It’s not very interesting, though.

“Did you hear that? Was that a squirrel?”

George, focus. Let’s get back to the reader’s questions now.

“Do you ever press flowers?”

No, Annie, I never have but I did look it up online and it seems like it would be fun.

“Are wild roses the same as primroses? We had those in Texas growing up.”

No, I don’t think so, Jo. But I’m not an expert and had to google it. I google everything. And Wikipedia says they are not the same.

“Do you have a macro lens or do you set your camera on the macro setting?”

I have a macro lens. There are times when I set my camera to the macro setting but it’s only in an emergency (like when I don’t have my macro lens) but the photos are never ever as good as using a macro lens. My macro lens is one of the best investments I ever made.

“Do you sell your pictures?”

I have an etsy site. I’ve had some sales but let’s just say that I’m not planning on quitting my day job any time soon.

“Isn't Photoshop wonderful? Do you remember when I couldn't figure out how to open a photo in PS?!”

I remember it well, Mary. It’s become second nature to us now, like breathing out and breathing in. (Name that movie) (or Broadway musical).

“Don’t you need a masters degree to be able to use Photoshop?”

Now, that’s a huge no. If I can do it, you can. You must trust me on this.

“Do you think 'smoky' and the doc will be left on the island and everyone else will get to live happily ever-after in the flash sideways?”

I think you may be on to something there, Becky, and we’re going to find out really soon. Good heavens, what will I do when Lost ends? (Don’t answer that).

I love having all of you visit and am glad you’ve made this blog one of your regular stops. Hope you all have a great Friday and an even better weekend.

Love ya.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Vintage babies

I think I’ve turned a corner in my life because I am beginning to notice that when I look back through my photo files at the life we used to have, it doesn’t hurt so much.

It doesn’t! And you know what I’ve found?

These photos actually make me happy.

It was May of 2008 when I took these photographs of the foals on the thoroughbred horse farm where we lived for over ten years and where my husband was stallion manager.

The one above was taken just after a spring shower. You can see how curly the mane is and the wet fur on his side.

Every year there was a new crop of foals and I fell asleep listening to the familiar sounds of them as they munched on grass outside my bedroom window.

Spring was the best. Not so great for the employees, however. My husband was on call several nights a week and from January to June, worked 7 days a week without a day off. It was brutal and ridiculous and I think I’ll stop thinking about that part of it right now before I get angry about it.

But it was beautiful, too. And every day, just like I do now, I’d change from my nice working clothes, put on my jeans and my sneakers and head out for a long walk.

The photos above and below were taken in the field behind our home.

It was only two years ago, but it seems so far away now.

And speaking of babies, I really want to see this movie. Who wants to go with me?

Before I leave, I want to welcome all the different faces I’ve been seeing here lately. So glad you came by to visit. And to my regular visitors, thanks. For everything.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

From the heart

The weather was scrumptious here in Maryland today. Low humidity, blue skies, a little bit of a chill in the air . . .

. . . and the wild roses are in bloom.

 I wish I could bottle this and send it to you. Or have a scratch ‘n sniff blog.

The scent of wild roses is absolutely intoxicating.

 

Blackie appeared out of nowhere while I was walking the trail today and began walking in front of me.

She stayed on the trail all the way to the barn and then disappeared into the brush.

I stopped to take a couple photos of my husband’s beautiful garden.

Maybe we’ll have some snap peas soon. We’ve already had plenty of tasty lettuces.

I want to say that George is outstanding in his field.

But it looks like he’s lying in it instead.

* groan *

I also want to say that all of the photos in today’s post are SOOC (straight out of camera). It’s just that kinda day, I guess.

And just one more thing before I go.  When I’m 88, I wanna be like Betty White. Out partying with the crew from SNL ‘til 3 AM and then still being able to catch my 6:30 AM flight home. She’s one helluva woman.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Anna’s shells

I am one of those lucky women who was blessed with in-laws with whom I actually enjoy spending time. I have heard the sad tales of friends whose in-laws leave much to be desired and every time I hear one of these stories, I remember just how blessed I am.

We went to see my husband’s mother today, stopping at the hospital to visit my brother who is finally going home tomorrow, if all is well. (He looked good and actually giggled a couple of times).

Anna (my MIL) is a lover of the beach and collected these shells on the gulf coast of Florida earlier this year.

 

We have been to see my husband’s folks several times since they returned from their winter sojourn on the gulf. But each time we visited, I had forgotten my macro lens. This morning, I remembered because I wanted to take pictures of the beautiful shells Anna has on display in a little basket.

 

Anna loves to tell a good story and has a fun sense of humor. Godfrey is quiet, like the son to which I’m married.

And he reads my blog.

(Hello, dad.)

 

Anna and Godfrey instilled a love of nature into their three children, taking them camping and visiting as many national parks as they could after their emigration from the UK in the 60’s. I don’t remember ever going camping as a child and it wasn’t until I met my husband that I began my life-long love affair with sleeping outdoors in a tent.

It was terribly chilly here in Maryland today and although the wind has died down some, it’s still quite brisk.

I’m in the middle of watching a movie on Netflix and it involves a series of letters written back and forth between people in London and a woman in New York City in the 1940’s. It’s ‘84 Charing Cross Road’ and I’ve never seen it before.

This is a sea urchin shell and it’s covered with something but I have no idea what it is. Here’s another photo of a sea urchin that I took while visiting Maine last summer.

All of these photos were processed using Florabella’s Vintage Summer II action and lowering the opacity considerably. On some of the photos, I added texture.

I love shells.

Have a beautiful Monday, my friends. Until tomorrow, then . . .

Into the light

Yesterday I finished putting together this year’s container plants and hanging baskets and also planted a few hostas I’d bought. When I was younger, I could go all day with the yard work and the housework but now . . . not so much.

After putting away all the tools, I showered and changed and took a book outside to sit in the sun and read.

I brought the bouquet that I received from my sons outside and used the beautiful light on the porch to take some macro shots.

I also made this lovely summer drink. (It’s not non-alcoholic).

1/3 lime, cut up

packet of Splenda

ice

vodka (I used Skyy)

club soda

Mull the lime with the sugar, using a wooden spoon (crush the sugar into the lime). Fill glass with ice. Pour vodka to 1/3 full;  top with club soda.

It’s yummy. Or you can leave the vodka out if you like and just use club soda.

I think I like this shot the best (the one above).

It was crazy windy here in Maryland today.

These flowers are so beautiful and I’m blessed to have my sons.

Today we’re going to Jersey to have lunch with my in-laws, stopping on the way home to visit my brother in the hospital. (He sounded much better when I spoke to him yesterday).

And I’ll think of my mother.

I hope your day is wonderful, my friends. Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who is a mom and thanks so much for stopping by today.

I must have done something right

I’ve just returned home from an evening spent at the home of a friend who moved last weekend. She has a new place on the water. There’s ever so much more to the story including sordid tales of a marriage gone bad, but I’ll just leave it at that.

My friend’s new digs are awesome though, and I’m very happy for her. Some other friends came over and we all ended up sitting out on the front porch of the new place, looking out at the water and the sunset and enjoying each other’s company.

It’s late though and I need to hit the hay but what I really want to tell you before I visit the land of Winken, Blinken and Nod is something that happened today at work.

Today we had several floral deliveries for my teacher friends and at one point, a florist arrived with the most beautiful bouquet of gerbera daisies I have ever seen in my life. And I was absolutely gob smacked (there’s just no other way to put it) to find out that this big beautiful bouquet was for me.

My two sons had sent me the flowers for Mother’s Day. They looked best in front of my co-workers desk in the office next to mine (and it made her happy) so that’s where I kept them, and every single person that came into the room had something to say about them. They were just that stunning.

I must have done something right raising these boys (this is something I heard many times today). This photo doesn’t do them justice at all. It was taken a half hour ago in the dark little breakfast nook with just the Ott light shining on the bouquet. I’ll take better photos tomorrow.

But for now, I am happy. Tired, but happy.

And it’s very late.

So until tomorrow, my friends . . .

A trick I learned today

I’ve always wanted to be able to accomplish this mouse-over effect that I’ve seen employed on other web pages and today, while visiting one of my favorite blogs, I found out how to do it.

Well, we’ll see if I actually works after I hit publish. So I’ll be crossing my fingers here.

Basically, what I wanted to show on my blog was the original photo, but if you move your mouse over it, you’d be able to see the SOOC version. (SOOC means Straight Out Of Camera).

So let’s see if this worked, shall we?

Today I found this photo on the camera disk. My husband had been out with the macro lens today, and there were about 30 new photos to view.

I opened this one up in Photoshop and ran an action from the Florabella Collection called Sweet Vintage. I did some other things too, like adding a slight burnt edge and then adding a soft texture layer, brushing it off the petals and center of the flower.

Egads! Didn’t mean to freak you out here. I first published this photo last year at this time and like the one above, it was also taken by my husband.

I don’t remember what I did to it but I sure hope it works if you run your mouse over it.

This is a photo I took in NYC this past February. It’s a railing detail at the Dakota Hotel. I used Kevin Kubota’s Chocolate Syrup 1 action on it. Yum.

UPDATE TO THIS POST: I posted this about an hour ago with Pioneer Woman’s instructions. Maybe they worked for other people but they sure didn’t work for me. Could have been Blogger, Live Writer, I dunno. I did a little research and found a code that did the trick, though.

Here’s the link to the trick: {Mouse-over Effect}

Where it says TARGET URL and FIRST IMAGE: That’s where you’ll put the URL of the GOOD IMAGE, the one you want to show.

Where it says SECOND IMAGE, that’s where you’d place your SOOC shot.

Hope you have fun with it. Try it out on your blog and leave a link here if you like!

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .