Day 69 of 365, Feeding & Attracting Birds

Day 69 of 365, I was quite busy today.  I revisited some images that I had taken last spring.  When I saw these orange slices on a string, I thought about how thoughtful and fun it is to feed the little birds.  I found this website and copy/pasted their ideas for bird feeders & simple perch projects.  It is  called Kidz Korner by Kim Gray.  If you go to their website, they also provide a chart of different varieties of birds and their feeding preferences.  If you would like to draw certain birds into your surroundings, you might want to check out that chart. 

 Here are a few of her good tips:

*****following excerpt, copy/pasted from http://www.osweb.com/kidzkorner/feeder.htm*****

"You don't need to buy fancy bird feeders to feed your backyard friends.

You can:

Set a pie tin on a stool or flat topped tree trunk or hang it in a hanging plant hanger; dump it out after a rain, or punch drainage holes in it, and elevate it a little by placing small rocks or twigs beneath it. (All birds, specially Juncos, Cardinals, Jays, Sparrows)


Punch holes on either side of a plastic pop bottle, stick a twig all the way through with its ends sticking out for perches and poking more holes nearby for the birds to pull the seeds out. Then hang the bottle by tying a string around its neck. (Finches really like these!)

Coat a pine cone with peanut butter, roll it in birdseed, and hang it from a tree branch;


Use a rectangle of old window = screening. Wear heavy cotton gloves and use needle-nosed pliers to crimp the loose wire edges back (so they won't poke the birds nor snag their feathers), fold it in half, run two string hangers through the corners on each side, and hanging it. Slide in a suet/birdseed cake from the grocery store, or make a "cake" of oatmeal, birdseed, and peanut butter. (Cardinals, Jays, Robins, = Sparrows)

Stick a piece of bread, a doughnut, or half of an orange, on a twiggy branch of the tree (the Orioles will LOVE the orange!)

Tie a string around the neck of a baby food jar and fill with orange juice. Hang it from a tree. (It will hang tilted, but Orioles will perch on the rim and take dainty sips).

Scatter bread crumbs on the = ground."   

visit http://www.osweb.com/kidzkorner/feeder.htm for more bird tips and other ideas from Kim Gray of Kidz Korner.

Day 68 of 365, Hitting the Road, Day 1

Day 68 of 365, This is the first time to try walking Mia in the baby stroller.  She jumped out the first time I put her in.  When I put her back in the second time, she never tried to jump out again.  I took her for a our first stroll.  I wanted to get some excercise and nothing makes me feel as good as getting out and hitting the road, one step in front of the other.  I have a very nice treadmill at my house which usually has stuff on top of it.  We have never used that thing.  I also belong to a fitness club but I would rather walk outside for exercise.  And, exercise I do NEED!  I stuck my camera on this little short utility post that was on the side of the little road.  Of course, I pressed the self timer and took off strolling to get a self portrait in action.  I viewed it in the view finder and it was cool.  So, I called it a day.  I planned to download and post that self portrait for today's posting.  Um.  NO.  That would be a NEGATIVE.  I need to post it alright.  I need to post it to my refrigerator so that I can remember to not eat for the next 3 months! 

Day 68 of 365, Happy St. Patrick's Day

Day 68 of 365, Top O' the Evening to ya!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Did you wear your green?  I forgot and I got pinched.  My niece Shelbie came to visit us last night.  I was so happy to see her because she is busy college student with a part time job at a tanning salon.  So, I barely get to see her anymore.  Shelbie is Brandilyn's older sister.  Remember Brandie?  She is the niece who went with me to Barnes & Nobles last Friday.  I love both of these two girls!  They are both kind hearted, honorable young ladies.  Their parents have done an amazing job raising both of them.  When I asked Shelbie if she had seen my post featuring her sister, I think she felt like she missed out on some fun.  I'll have to do something special with Shelbie one day soon.  Until then, I reached back to last summer's "Lucky Shelbie"!  It looks like a great St. Paddy's Day image to me!

 

Heck yeah, it is time to get the yard in order.  You could definitely hide an Easter Egg in this stuff! 

Day 67 of 365, perhaps one day the Grand Canyon...

Day 67of 365,  This morning, as I was tying my shoes, I was so giddy with anticipation.  "Why were you so giddy?", you might ask. Because!  I have been surfing and reading reviews, biting my nails hoping to make the wisest possible decision.   "What do you have to decide?", you might be wondering.  I finally decided exactly what I wanted.  Then, I talked to Terry and he was telling me that he wants to get new tires for his truck and blah, blah, blah...a buncha more stuff....I tuned out at that point.  I think my eyes glazed over when I realized that my purchase was going to be squashed.  bummer...He kept talking on the phone but I was not.  Then, after he finished his list, he asked me what I thought.  So, honesty is the best policy right?  I sighed and told him I was really wanting a new lens that I thought I needed for the wedding photo shoot.  Immediately, he said, well you can get your lens.  Whoa, my ears perked up!  For real?!!  Instantaneously, the giddiness came back! 

Now, I pick up at the ...."tying my shoes, I was so giddy with anticipation."  I was getting ready to head out the door to go purchase that lens.  The camera store lady said she had put my name on it and would hold it for me.  After, I said a cheerful bye-bye to Mia, I jumped in my big V-8 and put the hammer down!  I was on my way, today!  I got to the store and the lady proudly handed me my new lens.  I had brought my camera so she put a spit shine on the new glass and installed it on my camera body.  They give great customer service.  So, with my 'prospective' new lens was on my camera, I started pointin' and shootin' at everything in sight.  And, I was thrilled with the fast focus and the way that lens grabbed the available light!  That is how it looked in my view finder anyway.  I went to Perkins Rowe and felt like Snow White singing a happy little tune as I snapped pics of every colorful thing in sight.  Don't I sound happy?  I was.....until,I got home! 

Before I downloaded my images, I just knew I was going to give a high kick when I saw the results.  I expected every one to be a masterpiece creation.   pppppllluuuuhhhhhhhhhh!  That was the gross rasberry sound in case you need translation!  yucky, yucky.  I don't likey! 

The images were not clear and the focus way off.  I had it on auto white balance the whole time.  My Nikon has never given me any color problems.  But, everything looked a strange color.  I was disappointed to say the least.  I plan to return to the camera store tomorrow morn, asap!  I hope they can do something for me. 

On a lighter note, I want to go to the Grand Canyon, 1325 miles.

***these pics were NOT taken with the lens that I think is defective. 

Day 66 of 365, An Apple A Day

Day 66 of 365,
An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away!  I can't help but think of that sing song chant.  Today's photo challenge Subject:  Something that is weighed at the store.  I actually went to the grocery store today and bought these apples without thinking about the challenge.  I'm glad that I did because the next thing I knew, it was 11:30 pm and I had not done my photo challenge or blog post.  So, I set the basket of apples under my kitchen bar light and snapped this pic.   Easy breezy!   I like apples.  I like them better with caramel dip!  scrumptilli-ishous!

I had a nice long conversation with another photographer friend today.  His name is Gaylon and he has made me very happy.  He agreed to be a second shooter for my upcoming commissioned wedding on the 26th of this month.  On Saturday, I sent an e-mail request to him.  I asked him to consider working with me.  I had my fingers crossed that he would respond.  Well, this morning I got the call.  He said yes!  I am so very pleased.  Gaylon is a talented photographer who has the ability to capture the smallest gestures that tell so much.  Oh, I am so excited.  Thanks Gaylon, for saying yes!

The Apple Tree

Author Unknown

Way up high in an apple tree

Two little apples

smiled down at me

I shook that tree

as hard as I could

Down came the apples

M-m-m-m they were good.

              

I Heart Faces Challenge-Week 11, 'Bundle UP'

This was taken at the Krewe of Mutts Parade, January 31, 2010.  The I Heart Faces photo challenge subject for this week is 'Bundle Up'.  I  thought these two cool dudes look like they are trying to keep warm in the sun.





To see other bundle up pics, go to http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com/2010/03/week-11-bundled-up-photo-challenge.html.

Day 65 of 365, The Earth is Shaking, People get ready!

Day 65 of 365, Daily Photo Challenge, Subject :  Something green.  I had captured this leafy green tree branch.  As I looked at the varigation of tones in the bright spring green leaves, I began to think about nature and our world today.  As with everything I see, touch or feel, I am reminded of my Great Creator and spiritual things.  Do you ever give yourself a moment of quietness to pause and ask your Creator to reveal Himself to you?   In our fast paced existance in the modern world, we barely have time for family dinner hour.  Does that sound so Ozzy & Harriett to you?  The family is pulled in 99 different committments.  Is there ever a day where all you do is stay home and visit with your children?  Or, perhaps get the chance to visit a 'long, time no see' someone special?  I think that any person would have their head in the sand in order to not notice the Earth is Shaking!   People get ready!  There is no time like right now to bow our heads and ask God to show us how to live.  I know that my God loves me.  He adores me actually just like he adores you.  Nothing can seperate us from God's love.  He is Abba Father after all.  Abba means Daddy.  I love my earthly father so much.  As a little girl, and still today, I know that I am welcomed into the safety and comfort of my Daddy's embrace.  I also know that I can run to the comfort of my Heavenly Daddy's embrace.  When I allow myself to get very still, very quiet, I can feel that warmth and comfort.  He lifts me up but keeps me grounded.  If you are worried about how the Earth seems to be shaking off its axis, run to the one true God who spoke this Earth into existance.   He will draw you in to Himself and there you will find comfort and safety of your Heavenly Daddy's embrace.  I pray with all my heart that people will get ready!  If you have a prayer request, you can write to me.   (see comments)  I will not post it unless you allow.  Please know that I am genuinely willing to listen and offer up a special prayer for you.
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copied from http://www.biblestudyplanet.com/d1.htm

DID YOU KNOW? – "ABBA FATHER"

In Romans 8:15 Paul tells us that we have "received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out Abba, Father." What does he mean by "Abba, Father"?

Abba is an Aramaic word which means "daddy" or "papa". What Paul is saying is when you accept Jesus as your Savior you are adopted into God’s family. You become His child and He becomes your heavenly Father. The relationship is so deep and so personal that you can call him "daddy".