PAD27 - Mallard Duck

We went to Alanna's birthday party yesterday and on our way back we stopped at Woolman's Lake. This beautiful specimen was leisurely swimming in the mucky frozen water. I applied a watercolor filter to the photo, which you are able to see if you click on an enlarged version.

PAD27 - Mallard Duck

PAD26 - Have You Ever Seen A Torie?

This well-fed soldier is a re-enactor of the American Revolution (1775-1783). His enemies call him a torie. He calls himself a loyalist. He is a member of the Loyal American Regiment (LAR) which was a battalion of nearly 400 New York loyalist colonists who fought on the side of England in the American Revolution. They wore green coats in the first years of the war, and the switched to the traditional redcoat of the British Army.

PAD26 - Have You Ever Seen A Torie?

PAD24

PAD24

PAD23 - The Wind In My Wings

Isn't this a cute little fat bird? He came close to the backdoor and I was able to snap this shot of it just as the wind was ruffling its feathers. Click on it to see an enlarged version.

PAD23 - The Wind In My Wings

PAD22 - Pinecone

I didn't feel like venturing out so a pine cone it is! I do like the details of the branch. Click on the photo to see an enlargement.

PAD22 - Pinecone

Birthday Girl

Birthday Girl

PAD21 - A is for Apple

Isn't this a luscious looking apple? Kaylie has always loved fruits, but Liam is just beginning to try them. Apple is the fruit "du jour" of the moment for him.

PAD21 - A is for Apple

PAD20 - Freshly Washed

PAD20 - Freshly Washed

PAD19 - The insignificant Lightbulb

I know, I am off my rocker. I took a pict. of a bulb. Do you know how the revelation came to me?

I was in Kaylie's room, on the floor. See, Kaylie has become infatuated, just like me, with SURVIVORMAN. (Les Stroud rocks!) We had seen 3 episodes of Survivorman this day and Kaylie wanted to put her newly acquired skills to the test. She decided that she would give up her bed and sleep on the floor. She grabbed the bare essentials: Lily, her special blankie, sleeping bag and a pillow. She situated herself by the foot of the bed, close to the nightlight. While going through the nightly routine of doing songs and prayers, it ocurred to me to take a few picts. to document her night of "roughing it like Survivorman." Anyway, while I was down on the floor, I looked up and from my angle, the lightbulb looked interesting. So, I took a pict. Aren't you glad I wasted 3 precious minutes of your life with this long-winded explanantion?

PAD19 - The insignificant Lightbulb

PAD18 - Visualize the Past

You must be thinking, "What the heck is she doing taking photos of this rundown building? She must not have anything else to do with her time. Or maybe she just wants to burn money. Or maybe she is bored, has flipped and went on a shooting rampage." LOL

The answer is that where you see a rundown building, I see the past. I can imagine this building in its full glory, with its bright orange bricks, set against the azure sky. I can visualize ladies with parasols looking at the lake watching a mother duck with ducklings leisurely swimming. I can see kids skipping rocks, while their fathers are smoking a cigar and playing cards in a corner.

PAD18 - Visualize the Past

PAD17 - Sunkissed

I love the warm color of this photo. I really like taking photos of the kids early in the morning...just as the sun is starting to set in the sky. I suppose that I can fix the picture, but I like it this way.

PAD17 - Sunkissed

PAD16 - Orange and Brown

I took the kids to Smithville Lake for a walk. Liam got out of the car, with his school backpack, don't ask me why he brought it, I don't know. As I was looking at him, going about his business, it ocurred to me that I really, really like this color scheme. Orange and brown, perfect together. I love how the brown takes it down a notch. The rich dark brown color of his shoes are the perfect accent. (Note to self: clone out the branch growing out of his leg.)

PAD16 - Orange and Brown

PAD15 - Weeds

I know, I know, all you see are weeds, but I see warmth, beauty and movement. It was a windy day so the plants were swaying to the rhythm of the wind. The sunshine was coming through them...totally charming. I guess you had to be there to know what I mean.

PAD15 - Weeds

PAD14 - Mugs

Aren't these the cutest mugs? I bought them 2 years ago, stored them in the garage and totally forgot about them. I took them out this year and fell in love with them. I wanted the one with the red Cardinal, but Kaylie really wanted it, so I let her have it. Liam got the one with the Snowman. So dh and I settled for the leftovers.

PAD14 - Mugs

PAD12 - Christmas Ornament

I guess it is time to take down the xmas ornaments. This is one of my favorites.

PAD12 - Christmas Ornament

PAD #11 - Sweetness

Bg. ppr. from Dreamcicles ppr. pk. by Doris Castle at PrimaHybrid.
Butterflies from Jofia Design's Ephemerals at TheDigiChick.
Frame by SDS - Newswrap.
Kaylie is growing up so fast and looks so mature now. She looks totally different with her abundant hair loose. Her eyes are full of warmth and her quick smile is so sweet. I love her so.

PAD #11 - Sweetness

The Best Gift That I Ever Got

This last Christmas I bought a Christmas cd album by Barbra Streisand, which had a song titled "The Best Gift." I loved it. I wanted to use the lyrics on a page as I think it is very special and touches my heart deeply. I am rather pleased with how this page turned out. Usually, I don't like to use huge titles, but somehow it made sense to use it here.

Sketch 68 by Sasha Farina @ Pencil Lines
Bg. ppr. from First Blush Collaboration kit by Doris Castle, et als. at Primahybrid.com
http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=13
Glittery Paper Bag Alpha by Michelle Godin at Scrapbook-Graphics
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=20001&cat=0&page=1
Frames and torn kraft ppr. from Doris Castle's Trio Classics (unavailable)
Green paper from Doris Castle's Dreamsicles ppr. set at Primahybrid.com
http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=42&cat=0&page=1
Pink striped paper, tape, flowers and ricrac from Doris Castle's Pure Love page set at Primahybrid.com
http://www.primahybrid.com/shoppe/product.php?productid=19426&cat=0&page=1
Tied wrapped ribbon (recolored) from Traci Sim’s Coming Home page set at Scrapbook-Graphics
http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=19915&cat=0&page=2

Essential Sparkles by Birgit Kerr at Scrapbook-Graphics

http://www.scrapbookgraphics.com/xcart/product.php?productid=19798&cat=0&page=6

The Best Gift That I Ever Got