away for the weekend: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

scavenger hunt sunday

No Theme
Usually, I try to fit the Scavenger Hunt cues into a theme,
but this week,
I'm just happy to participate
so onto the cues -
Yellow
I was playing with my camera - again - learning about aperture this time
and this flower probably got more attention than it wanted -



 I was lucky to snap it when I did - these flowers have all turned brown...

Getting Ready

My youngest is getting ready to fly the coop


I'm just wondering where she thinks this will all fit in her new studio apartment...
Ah well, I'm happy for her.

Bright

Last weekend I looked up, and the sky was a bright blue and the leaves were starting to change -


and they shimmered in the sun.
I sooooo love Fall!

Teeny Tiny

Another flower that got an awful lot of attention...


These tiny little flowers were growing on my Cilantro plant -
Sometimes bad gardening makes for fun photography.

Connections

Last weekend Greg and I went to the Peru Fair in Peru, Vermont.
The whole fair was a great way to connect with the community.
Children and adults playing, singing, dancing, eating, shopping...
There was lots of music - which always seems like a very special way to make connections



 
I am joining Ashley Sisk for:


Thanks for dropping in!

Friday, September 28, 2012

five facts

It's been a while.
To me, it seems like ages since I've last posted.
The break was entirely unintentional.

I've been playing with my camera like a maniac - trying to learn all the settings, dials, gadgets....
Greg discovered this waterfall behind the farmer's market.
Perfect for playing with shutter speed...



Yeah -
I'm thinking that about one hundred snaps later, he might be regretting pointing it out to me...

Today, I am joining Reflection of You for


So - on to my five facts for today -

1.       I’m a ‘burb residing, city working, mountain weekender. Mostly, I feel as though I get the best of all worlds – the mix seems to suit my split personality – or would that be multiple personalities? Hmmmm, not sure about that one…

2.       When I started blogging about six months ago, I had no idea where I was headed or where it would take me – I still don’t. I’m finding it difficult to keep up with regular posts, which makes me a bit stressy sometimes. But, hey, it’s a journey – right? And I’m enjoying it more than I expected to.

3.       And that brings me to my tag-line, “slowing the pace…” Yeah, that was a super nice thought. The reality, though, is that life has NOT slowed down – not even a teensy-weensy bit. I’m open for suggestions on that tag-line thing.

4.       And then, adding to the overall pace of my life – I started a new job this week. Whew! While it’s a great opportunity for me, and I’m really excited about it – I think things are about to get a whole lot busier.

5.       One thing I do know, I’m really enjoying my new camera. I love looking at all your photos with their beautiful colors and textures – and think that someday, just maybe, I’ll have a clue what you all are doing. Once I get settled in my new job and straighten out my current computer situation, I’m thinking I’ll take Kim Klassen’s Photoshop course. Again – it’s a journey – and I’m happy to be on it.

Thanks for dropping in!

Monday, September 17, 2012

barn charm - a vermont dairy farm

I mentioned staying home last weekend,
and this was one of the reasons why -


Greg and Laura participated in the Jimmy Fund walk to raise money for cancer research.
Although you can't really see it in this picture,
Laura wrote the names of everyone she walked for on her t-shirt.
I'm proud of their efforts and hope someday cancer will become a thing of the past.

Now - on to this week's barn.
Saturday, Greg had his whole afternoon planned out, and it was all to start with a visit to our all-time favorite coffee house - except - when we got there we discovered it was closed.
I'm hoping the couple who own it were on a much deserved vacation!

For some reason, though (and I don't pretend to understand male logic), this seemed to throw Greg for a loop - and he decided against doing his other errands, as well.
Of course I'd never take advantage of his quandary, but I knew just the place to go...
-smile-



I've been wanting to photograph this very beautiful dairy farm in Londonderry, Vermont.
There was definitely the feel of autumn in the air - the leaves are starting to turn.


I love the weathered wood and cow crossing sign -


- the beautiful farmhouse flowers.
And
just as an added bonus
because you know how I love pictures of cows...


I am joining Tricia at Bluff Area Daily for


Thanks for dropping in!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

bromley mountain on the appalachian trail


Last July, Greg and I took a hike on the Appalachian Trail
- a teensy-weensy portion of it.
Our hike took us to the top of Bromley mountain.
Have you ever wondered what your favorite ski slope looks like without snow?


No? -  neither have I, really...
But,
now I know, and it's actually very pretty!



And, perhaps, a wee bit odd...



On our way back down the mountain, we crossed paths with two young women with heavy backpacks.
We asked them where they were headed.
"Maine", they replied.
They had started in Georgia, four months before.
We enjoyed chatting with them for a few minutes - you know - "Do you ever stay in a hotel? Eat at a restaurant? Get off the trail?"
Poor things have probably been asked the same questions hundreds of times.
Their spirit and enthusiasm was truly amazing!
I really wish I had asked to take their picture and hope they made it to the end of the trail without any complications!


I would also like to thank those who offered advice on my photography workshop dilemma. I've decided another class at another time would probably be best for me right now.
Thanks, again!

I am joining Nancy at A Rural Journal and Lisa at Two Bears Farm


Thanks for dropping in!

Monday, September 10, 2012

barn charm


I found these two red barns side by side - part of a very pretty farm in Arlington, Vermont.
Cycling through the countryside provides a great opportunity for photographs,
although I  only carry my point-and-shoot on bike rides.
Someday I'll hop in the car and revisit some of these places
just so that I can recapture them with my DSLR.
I'm still learning.


This one made me pause.
Is that a lobster trap on the barn door?
Hmmmmm
But really, I'm not sure why I find that odd. We used to have a lobster trap coffee table
when we lived in Illinois...
Yeah, it was a great conversation starter.



I like the splash of yellow flowers even though they look a bit tired.
It's been a hot, dry summer.


So, I have been pretty excited about a six-week DSLR workshop I signed up for.
Except that I just received an email from the instuctor and the
course looks as though it will be mostly about making videos.
Video is good.
But - it's not what I want to learn right now.
I'm undecided.
Take it? Drop it?

I am joining Tricia at Bluff Area Daily for

 
Thanks for dropping in!

Saturday, September 8, 2012

cruising around cape ann

Alas, no Vermont this weekend.
Well, of course there's still a Vermont - just not for me.
Anyway...
I'm taking advantage of a rare weekend at home to organize, organize, organize
- or - that is, I'm making the attempt.
Yeah, we'll see how it goes.

I would like to share a few (of my newly organized) photos from our boat outing a couple of weeks ago.



This is Motif No.1 in Rockport, Massachusetts.
I had never seen it from this side before.



I loved watching the kayakers - they looked so very small in the so very large ocean.


Seagulls, just hanging out on the rocky ledge
surrounded by the blue, blue sea and the blue, blue sky.

I'm hoping to be back in Vermont in another week or two. Leaf peeping season is on its way!
Wishing you all a wonderful week.

I am joining Nancy at A Rural Journal
and
Carol at A Creative Harbor for


Thanks for dropping in!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

the quirky side of rural vermont

I am probably only joining the chorus when I say
"September already? Where did the summer go?!?"
But really...
Where did it go?

As many of you know, I spent most of my down-time this summer in Vermont.
While I've been busy taking photos,
I have not been very busy writing posts.
I have a backlog that I'm hoping to get to
someday
I promise...

Anyway,
over the last couple of months I've shared the pretty side of Vermont.
These - I'm filing under the category - Things that made me go "hmmmmm"


Vermont is well known for its charming covered bridges.
But, where do you suppose I should pay my fine?


Ohmmmmm - yoga for the road crew?


I'm thinking this is just about the cutest outhouse I've ever seen.

And then,
we surely do love moose.


Someday I'm going to get out of bed early enough to see a real one


But until then...

I am joining Nancy at A Rural Journal for


Thanks for dropping in!