Slightly Color Blind

Wow...it's been a while that I've played in the Round Robin Photo Challenges...and I've missed it.

But this challenge was my idea (so they say) from way back. And though I don't remember it, of course I had to play! lol



The challenge was to simply change an original photo so that its color is altered to make it different and interesting. So I decided to go subtle, and I'm pleased with the results.



This first one was a straight-forward sky blue background. But I love the color combination of Purple and Blue, so I just made that happen!













This next one was meant to be deleted as it started as a rather boring fall reflection shot. I mean, the colors had not yet peaked and were rather dull. So with a tiny tweak of the editing, the following photo appeared. I just liked how the fall colors only appear in the water. Pretty cool, huh?

And finally, I call this one "Too Much of a Good Thing".

I took a photo of a bunch of different colored leaves that had fallen. But ya know how we often look for the brightest oranges or reds? Well, I made them ALL red, yet to my surprise, that just didn't work for a nice photo. I like the original better. How about you?

So go on over to The Round Robin Blog and check out the other fine, creative entries!

Go on...
GO!

Have a laugh...at my expense

So I was going to post some pics the other day and nothing worked right....including me. And after today, I see there's still truth in that statement.



Moving to the country has well, made me a bit of a country girl. By that, I mean I learned to make my own tomato sauce with our homegrown tomatoes. And while I thoroughly enjoy the experience, it's a rather time consuming process.



Not wanting to waste a single bit of that effort, I froze a bucket-load of my yummy sauce...some in smaller containers, but one gigantic one. In fact, it's so big, that in order to make room for the huge amount of shopping I did this weekend, I had to remove it from the freezer and let it defrost in the fridge.



Here we are today.

As busy as my day was today, there was no friggin way I was going to not use that sauce....nor did I want to "waste it" on some simple pasta. So I decided on a veggie lasagna. Problem was that I had nothing but the sauce. But hey, I was determined.



So at my short lunch break today, I skipped out on half my sandwich and went grocery shopping. I bought all the necessary ingredients, from cheeses to veggies, and kept it cold in an insulated bag to hold me over till after work.



I came home tonight, buckled down (with a poured glass of wine), and made what just might be one of my best, homemade lasagnas ever. As I put on the finishing touches, I popped it into the oven with a big smile on my face. Mission accomplished....



Or was it?



I'm thinking about the ONLY reason this lasagna might be lacking in any way, would be due to using that stupid store-bought tomato sauce. But hey, I had to suck it up because it's no longer tomato season and anyway...



WHAT?



That's right, I completely forgot to use my defrosted homemade sauce.




::::::::::pausing for laughter:::::::::::::::::::

And here's another little ditty for ya:



Before the supermarket, I stopped in Rite Aid for a couple of things. At one point, a girl comes out of a room and lets out one of the biggest belches I've ever heard (at least from a woman). Ok so clearly she didn't know I was standing there, but right after the nasty noise, she made eye contact with me and continued walking past me without so much of an apology or an "excuse me". And she worked there!!



Just at that moment, I notice the antacids in the aisle. I decided to pick up a box and when I saw her (hopefully in front of another employee), I was going to hand it to her and say, "Hey, thought you might need these".



Don't ya know, not only did I never see her again...I forgot all about it and am now the proud owner of some antacids that I accidentally purchased.





Hey, if the lasagna is awful with that crappy sauce, I just may need them.

Quick Question

Anyone remember me??

I'm at a loss...

Hello you guys, I've been getting the bug to blog lately and have that usual problem I often have...where to start. So just to get my self back in the game, I'm going to post some random shots of some of my new friends. Hope you enjoy meeting them as much as I have!

Dragonflies

I've developed a bit of a fascination for Dragonflies.

They are all so unique...some quite beautiful, and others downright creepy. For instance, take a look at this first one!

I've nicknamed him Batman, but after further thought, I changed my mind (you'll see what I mean at the end of this post)!

Anyway, hope you enjoy...

Ok, now take a look at the Hubble Spacecraft. Doesn't my first Dragonfly look JUST like it??

Three's Not a Crowd

I'm back with the Round Robins this month and I'm thrilled!

(Carly..."You make me want to be a better blogger"!)


This week's challenge came from my buddy Marie. We're supposed to post anything in sets of three's.

I was immediately led to one of my favorites...the growth process of something.

Being that it's spring, let's take a look at a flower....a simple tulip.

If you like, go check out the other entries over here!

A Favor

A Pledge to Tammy "Educating it Forward"

I'm not asking for money but I am asking for your help. Find one (or more) persons that does not know about ALS and educate them. Ask them to also find one person and educate it forward. Let's bring this killer out of the dark and into the light.5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS each year. (That's 15 new cases a day.) It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time.There is no cureIt kills muscles until you are trapped in your body unable to move or speak.It can hit anyone at anytime and most only live 2- 4yrs. That is why it is so silent.PLEASE help me educate it forward so awareness will happen and then we can work on a cure. Post it anywhere it may bring up questions like at work, twitter, FB or blog. You can simply tell a friend over coffee. This can work!

Thank you,Tammy

Sixth Grade

I took the following photo and added a special quote to it:

Mrs. Schorr was my absolute favorite teacher ever. She changed my life.

I started acting out in fifth grade and was heading in the wrong direction in school. My mom knew Mrs. Schorr and her reputation, and fought hard to get me into her class the following year. It worked. But not only did it work in that I got into her class, but it worked in that she turned me around. I became the person I wanted to be...the person I truly was inside. She saw and expected only good things from me...and I gave her the best I could give.

Throughout the years, Mrs. Schorr remained in both my mother's and my life. When I turned 16, she gave me a pendant of a stone with the following words written on it:


Hold fast to dreams...for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.


I often think of Mrs. Schorr and all the wisdom she passed onto me. And I especially think of her when I see birds.

The above photo is dedicated to Mrs. Schorr...wherever she may be...may she always know how much she touched my life.

I will always continue to hold onto my dreams.....I hope that you do the same.

A little taste o' winter here

Childhood Memoirs and Memories

When I first read about Carly's "Round Robin" Photo challenge of Childhood Memories, I signed up for it thinking, "Piece of cake....". But when I went to do it, I became very sad and actually took a whole different approach. I spent a really long time going through my archives and created a rather adorable collection of various children's photos I've taken over the years. And yes it was cute, but it wasn't personal, and it certainly wasn't MY childhood memories. It seemed like an easy way out for me but I couldn't do, just for that reason.

I thought about why I was so sad since I had wonderful memories from which to draw. The reason was that the best parts of my childhood were intrinsically connected to my mother. As many of you know, she passed away several years ago.

So I decided that rather than post a collage of other people's childhoods, I simply wouldn't post at all. What a cop out THAT would be....and I expect more from myself than that.

Today is Valentines Day, and every year, my mom would get me just a little something to show her love for me. But not only did she give me things on Valentines Day, she gave me something every single day we shared in this life. Intangible things mostly....whether it was in a gesture, the way she listened, the way we giggled, or even in the tender ways she told me I wasn't being the person she knew I could be.

My mom used to like to travel, as I do now too. When she'd go away to, she'd always bring me back a gift or two....it made the pain of her being away slightly more managable. I always cherished those gifts...those times she showed she was thinking of me no matter how many miles were between us. I'm hoping she's still thinking of me today.

The above photos show just some of the presents that my mom gave me....some from other countries, others from our special times together....each with very different meanings. For example, the ballerina in the snow globe was from the time she took me to see "The Nutcracker Suite" in NYC, when I was not yet a teenager. The little lamb was something she secretly helped me to purchase when I didn't have the money for , but had fallen in love with in the windows of Cold Spring Harbor, NY, during the snowy holidays. (She "hired" me to teach American Sign Language to the kids in the school where she taught....funny how the amount she paid me was exactly the cost of that little lamb).

Anyway, I'll stop now, but the memories are endless....even if the lamb's fur wears thin...or the music fades from the wind-up mandolin.

It's Valentines Day and her love remains with me. May you all know that type of love at some time in your lives....

Water

Hello again...looks like I'm becoming a better blogger after all!

I'm back in the swing with Carly's Round Robin Challenge, and the theme this time is "Water".

The first 2 shots were taken in Watkin Glens, NY (Finger Lakes Region). What an incredibly beautiful area...with loads of wineries nearby too..tee hee!

The last one I took after walking down my street to a small bridge overlooking the River. I just loved the sunset's reflection in the water....made me say "Ahhhhh".

To see the other entries, go see Carly's site over yonder!

Worship

Hello,
I've decided to join in on Carly's Monday Photo Shoot this week and contribute to the theme:
"Houses of Worship".

I am so drawn to taking photos of these types...perhaps a spiritual yearning...perhaps the beautiful architectures.

In either case, be sure to check out the other photos on Carly's Blog!

Backyard Visitor!

No Title (or is it?)

Hi,

Do you ever feel like sometimes there's just so much on your mind that you don't even want to bother to start to speak about it? Yeah, well me too.

But for anyone who cares, here are some random thoughts...

1) It totally sucks watching someone get older to the point of their unhappiness and those around them. About growing old, my uncle Stanley used to say "Yeah but the alternative is a bitch!" I've always quoted him on that, but I'm not so sure I agree anymore, ya know?

2) I miss the blogger life, yet don't know if I have what it takes to be more regular...other than a little metamucil.

3) I went to see "Blind sided" by myself....I really enjoyed it....both the movie and going alone.

4) This is the month that I lost my mom...words about that would never do it justice.

5) I really don't like when someone leaves a comment as anonymous and doesn't at least sign their name.

6) I'm sick of how political views (and religion for that matter) separate people into right or wrong, or smart or dumb.

7) I've started taking tap dancing classes. Can you believe I'm going to be in a recital in April??

8) I never knew how much I enjoyed cooking.

9) I am in a local gallery with my photos. As excited as I was at the opening (with wine, cheese, etc), I'm equally as uncertain as to whether or not I truly have any talent there.

10) I wish there was a sure-fire way to know if someone loves or cares about you...or if it's about something else altogether.

So with that, I've begun to blog again. And of course, here are a few photos...on the other hand, maybe not.

Love to all...

Nancy

Love,

Nancy