A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer.~ Author Unknown
Daughter Anna and I have teamed up on a new blog. She's a fabulous embroiderer and wants to show you her wares. Me-- I want a place to pop in other subjects– rose tinted they may be, but then maybe not.
Check out Threads & Roses
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Fresh snow on the ground, even though it wasn't very much, was a photo op I didn't want to miss on my first day at my sister's, in La Grande, Oregon (pop. 12,500). As she drove me around, Judy explained that the Grande Ronde Valley's circular shape, formed by the Wallowa Mountains and the Blue Mountains, is an unusual natural occurrence on the earth. Above are three of the highest peaks that watch over this grand space– Mt. Emily, Mt. Harris, and Mt. Fanny.
Just about every thing was photogenic to these eyes, even the firewood logs.
I couldn't get enough of the wayside weeds and shrubs and forgot to shade the lens on a dillion shots.
The cows were a thrill– I even caught a kiss. Kissing cows?
My favorite though are these beautiful mules. Judy told me they belong to a friend who takes them on packing expeditions.
Thanks Judy for the foto fun!
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There's a theme goin' on at my sister's house– can you guess what it is ? ?
Several years ago, she called me enthralled and said, "Carolyn, I bought the neatest cardboard Eiffel Tower, it's glittery and was made by an artisan." I wish I had photographed it– when she told me about it I thought what turned out to be a little 8" tower, must be 3' tall. It sits in her living room and zoomed her into a love affair with France.
Did I have fun photographing Paris in her offfice,
Paris in her bathroom,
Paris in the dining room? Yes. But now I'm hungry. What's in the kitchen?
Many delicious details and
mom's spritz cookies, my sister's favorite.
For a light lunch, Judy set the finest table in her gorgeous kitchen. That's my dad on the left, and Roger, Judy's husband, in the middle. The empty chair is for yours truly.
It was delicious Judy!
For You Photogs
I looked forward to playing decorating magazine photographer at my sister's, because every inch is done up and delightful. I was winging it though, having left f-stop 16, my tripod, and assistants (hehe) behind. Blogging allows such fantasies and who needs 16 when there are pretty pixels.
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In slippers and nightgown, I went out on my sister, Judy's, deck to capture a couple early morning snow shots. I definitiely needed better foot gear.
Knowing there could be snow, I bought boots before I left California. Does my sister have boots for her life in La Grande (zone 4), Oregon? No. She hardly even has a pair of gloves! That's the way it is with locals. Anyway, my boots kept my feet nice and toasty. I was very careful where I made my tracks too. I didn't want to muss up the pretty picture.
The shots above were all taken from my sister's garden. Thank you rose hips for the spot of color.
Isn't this the cutest garden shed? Judy's husband, Roger, built it with their grandson, Tyler, when he was only twelve.
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Weather people said there would be no snow in La Grande, Oregon for Christmas.
As we began our ascent of Mt. Emily, wet snow hit the car window and soon became white and flaky. When we reached the top, Judy (my sister) and Roger (her husband) wondered if there would be snow on the ground at their home.
Indeed there was snow, and this is what I awoke to on Monday morning. I grabbed the camera before I even got out of bed for
a little lacy window fun and
a footnote to prove, I guess to myself, that I was there. What fun we had!
More to come . . .
I'm a little creaky getting back to the blog.
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The cute little girl on the right is my sister, Judy– that's me on the left– and my brother, Robby, is in the middle. Funny that the Desoto was thought to be a nice backdrop. We are wearing matching pink nylon, dotted Swiss dresses that my mother made for us to wear to our Aunt Patty's wedding. I like those flats and socks.
November 3, 2009
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I've found that weather, as a tried and true conversation piece, also applies in a big way to blogs– and often with pictures. California's first rain (gusher) of the season is all over the blogosphere. Two I particularly like are here and here. I may be a day late, but as you can see, I too have a contribution.
Since we have a huge and messy Silver Leaf Maple extending massive leafy branches over our house, I thought it would be a good idea to have a de-clogging mesh product stuffed into new gutters that were installed last March.
Not such a good idea. The maple's spring buds and subsequent seedpods snugly lodged in and around the mesh. Once we discovered the problem, during the storm, my (always the artist) husband managed a 'remove the mesh' performance piece.The Day After
It seems the sun always shines bright the day after.
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