The Pictures in my Head

St. Patty's Day March 17, 2011

2011-03-17T08:52:00.010-04:00

Top 'o the mornin' to ye!

I raise me pint 'o Guinness to each and every one o' me friends!!

Dinner March 15, 2011

2011-03-15T20:31:00.012-04:00

Life has been more than a little crazy for me. I've let the photography go by the wayside.

I'm not proud of that.

As I posted on my 365 Project page, I think it might be best if I just started taking pictures of dinners that Chris makes. The boy deserves it. He really is a great cook. And can be quite creative when he has the time.

Many nights, dinner will be soup and crackers. But on the days it's not, he more than makes up for it.

Today was BBQ Opening Day. I worked late (as usual). When I walked into the house, the aroma was mouthwatering!

If you know Chris, you'd think he arranged this to like like...well, you know. But he didn't. "It's a Salvador Dali crutch," he says. I swear the man is gay. No straight man would come up with that!

The best part is that there is enough left over for me to take for lunch on Thursday. I still have leftover tuna salad and crackers from today, that I'll eat tomorrow. But this, this will be Thursday's lunch.

Chalk it up

2011-02-11T09:05:00.003-05:00

Carrying on with yesterday's pool theme, I played with several angles and focal points with the chalk. This was my favourite. Probably also the best one.

Behind the 8-Ball

2011-02-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

This picture personifies my feelings exactly. I have way too many projects on the go right now. I'm writing my novel, I blog on three different blogs, I work stupid hours and I've taken on the 365 challenge. What the hell was I thinking?

So I'm going to cut myself some slack. I'll post when I can and hope that I can keep up.

So yesterday's picture...

We have a pool table at work in the staff lounge. It's not used often, but it's there. If nothing else, it makes for cool pictures.

365 Project - Day 31

2011-02-02T19:04:00.005-05:00

Visiting my cousin, Sue, on the weekend, I couldn't help but take a picture of these enormous frozen spikes hanging from her roof.

Not to mention, I had great fun experimenting with colour!

365 Project - Day 30

2011-02-02T18:58:00.003-05:00

And we continue catching up with this, which I took a while back in Mexico.

The cool thing about posting older pics is that I have figured out how to manipulate them. The colours are so much better now.

365 Project - Day 29

2011-02-02T18:54:00.004-05:00

In continuing with my catch-up phase, I posted a picture of Fred the Cat. Originally posted here at my Urban Contessa blog, I couldn't resist sharing the cuteness of Fred with everyone else.

365 Project - Day 28

2011-02-02T17:26:00.006-05:00

It's been crazy busy at work, and I haven't had time to take pictures. Any I've taken have been very sporadic. So I'm supplementing over at the 365 Project site with pictures from this blog.

Today's submission is a picniked version of the DNA bracelet.

365 Project - Day 27

2011-01-27T21:43:00.004-05:00

I like to use straight pins that have a coloured head on them. They're much easier to manipulate.

And they're pretty.

I used to use a pin cushion, but I found it awkward to pull out the pin and press it into the cushion while the fabric was zipping along beneath the feed dogs. Chris came home one day with a dish from Princess Auto. It's meant for screws and nails and such ... you know, manly things. But he thought it would help me out.

It's a magnetic dish that securely holds my pins. I guide the fabric through the machine, pull the pin out as it approaches the feed dogs and toss it into the dish. It doesn't bounce, I don't have to fuss with it and it's secure.

I can even turn that sucker upside down and the pins don't fall out! And when I drop a pin, I just wave the dish over the floor and it scoops it right up.

It's perfect!

365 Project - Day 26

2011-01-26T21:22:00.004-05:00

I have a boo boo on my finger. I don't know how it happened. It might be a hangnail, or a cuticle gone bad. It's now infected, an angry red and a little swollen.

I was whining about it all morning at work. LF took pity on me and tied a tissue-kerchief around it then drew a sad face. Not only did it feel pathetic, it looked it, too. Poor thing looks like it has the mumps. Sure feels like it.

And I notice now that my manicure is already chipping. Wha!

365 Project - Day 25

2011-01-25T21:16:00.006-05:00

At the craft show at the Hungarian Culture Club, I bought some homemade noodles. They are tiny bits of pasta, hand rolled and cut. The lady who made them told me to use them in soup, especially chicken noodle.

I brought them home, handed them to Chris (he is, after all, the cook in the family).

"I bought these noodles for you."

I know. Who am I kidding? I bought them for me.

This is what he came up with:

It's delicious! I'm such a lucky girl!

365 Project - Day 24

2011-01-24T22:23:00.003-05:00

Frances pointed out that certain words, in certain languages sound quite foul, though they are rather tame.

For instance: Flacons de Neige.

If said fast enough, it sounds rather like flipping someone off.

You're a flacon de neige!

365 Project - Day 23

2011-01-24T22:12:00.003-05:00

A peek into my jewellery drawer. Yes, I have an entire drawer. It's a bit of a tangled mess, but I admit, I did swirl it around a bit for a better photo op.

365 Project - Day 22

2011-01-24T22:08:00.003-05:00

I ransacked the kitchen cupboard for some inspiration. Now I'm hungry.

365 Project - Day 21

2011-01-24T21:58:00.004-05:00

Is there anything more delicious than fried onions? They go with just about anything. I like to fry mine up in a little oil, some seasoning salt, a little worcestershire sauce and, if I happen to have a bottle open, a splash (or two or three) of beer.

365 Project - Day 20

2011-01-24T21:53:00.005-05:00

Life has been a little busy. I'm behind on my picture-taking for the 365 Project, but I'm almost caught up now.

These are The Friars: salt and pepper shakers my mom received when she married my dad more than forty-five years ago. She handed them down to me when I casually mentioned that I wanted to start a salt and pepper collection. My collection is pretty small at this point. I have no doubt that Chris is quite happy with that.

No matter how big the collection gets, this pair will always be my favourite.

365 Project - Day 19

2011-01-19T15:14:00.004-05:00

I seem to have fallen into the old 'take-a-picture-of-mundane-office-things' routine. However, the macro lends to this theme.

My phone cord, for instance. Which I didn't realize, until I took this picture, had red stains on it. I swear that's ink! Although I wonder what a CSI team will come up with if they investigate. Come to think of it, we haven't seen What's-His-Name for a while.

365 Project Day 18

2011-01-19T15:00:00.002-05:00

It was crazy busy at work yesterday and I worked late. Motivation wasn't there for picture-taking. So I posted an old picture. I'm going to periodically fall back on this safety net when my crazy life takes over. I have many pictures on this blog that I could use for the 365 Project site.

This sculpture, The Audience, peers over the side of the Air Canada Centre (formerly the Skydome).

365 Project Day 17

2011-01-17T20:58:00.011-05:00

What to make for dinner? We had garlic bread in the fridge; that half baked garlic bread that you put in the oven for 20 minutes. It tastes as good as it looks.

Chris is a little under the weather, and he wanted soup. I figured illness calls for chicken noodle, but that didn't seem to go well with garlic bread. So I compromised and cracked open a can of Italian Wedding Soup.

I figure it has broth and the sausages could be chicken and there's noodles. Close enough. What do you expect from a Mangia Cake?

After walking the dog, we had dessert.

Cherry pie, whipped cream and chamomile tea.

The chamomile knocks me out every ti...zzzzzz...

365 Project Day 16

2011-01-16T14:02:00.005-05:00

There are moments when the snow makes everything peaceful and calm.

If you're wondering what it might look like in the summer, take a look here.

365 Project Day 15

2011-01-16T13:44:00.011-05:00

We visited Parkwood Estate today. It is the home of R.S. McLaughlin, founder of General Motors of Canada.

We were married at this estate; this October will mark our ten year anniversary.

Unfortunately, photography is prohibited in the home, however you can take pictures in the greenhouse, which is now used as a tea room.

365 Project Day 14

2011-01-14T09:01:00.006-05:00

I don't often have much time in the evening to take pictures. So my daily submissions for the 365 Project are usually taken at work. Not the most inspirational location, I agree, but I think it will challenge me to be creative with composition, not to mention train my eye to see 'art' that others are oblivious to.

I have a stash of Sign Here stickies in my desk drawer. These are a hot commodity in my office. You pretty much have to sacrifice your first-born before you get a supply, so I try to reuse them as often as I can.

365 Project Day 13

2011-01-13T10:40:00.006-05:00

Today is my kid brother's birthday.

I have one of those huge flippy desk calendars.
Yes, that's the technical term for it.
'Flippy', from the Latin 'flippus pagus'.
This is today's entry:

Many years ago, Donald had a summer job working at Canada's Wonderland. I lived near the park, so he stayed with me that summer. He borrowed my 10-speed and rode to work every day. My friend, Maria Louisa, had a nickname for everyone. She decided to name my brother Budge. She never explained the reasoning behind this, but I liked it and it stuck.

I'm the only one who calls him Budge. He doesn't seem to mind, so I continue.

Let's face it, though. If he told me to stop, I wouldn't. I'm older. I'm the boss of you. Suck it up, sunshine.

Oh. And by the way...Happy Birthday, Budge. Love you!

365 Project Day 12

2011-01-12T11:45:00.017-05:00

I posted this as Day 12 on the 365 Project site though, technically, this is not a Day 12 picture since I took it last night. I can't seem to get the taste of this delicious dessert out of my head. Or my mouth, for that matter.

I had dinner at Red Lobster last night with Lady Fairchilde and Robi. This, my friends, is a chocolate chip cookie, filled with chocolate lava, topped with French vanilla ice cream and drizzled with chocolate. Absolute heaven!

Once I cut into it, the ice cream melted down into the warmed crevice and danced with the chocolate.

Lady Fairchilde had the strawberry New York-style cheesecake.

Robi had Key Lime pie, which wasn't very photogenic, so I didn't take a picture. It's not that it was ugly, it simply didn't have the colour punch needed for a dramatic photo and there was nothing drizzled or scooped or draped over it. She did say it tasted good, but I'm all about the presentation.

She did have a Baileys Coffee. This isn't a good picture, and I don't have an editing program (yet), but I needed to post it. The whipped cream leaned over until it oozed down the glass cup.

It just occurred to me that there was a lot of oozing going on at dinner. It explains my love/hate relationship with food: purely physical on many, many levels.

365 Project Day 11

2011-01-11T10:17:00.015-05:00

My boss has a magnetic dart board in his office. Every once in a while you hear thunk, thunk, thunk as he throws a few. There is an ongoing competition with a few of his colleagues. A running tally of the best shot (when, by whom and points scored) is kept on the white board hanging next to the dart board. A demarcation line is taped on the floor to ensure consistency. They are lawyers, after all.

365 Project Day 10

2011-01-10T12:19:00.004-05:00

I know that art is better viewed from a distance, but sometimes you need to get up close and personal. That's what art is all about, isn't? Getting personal, letting it seep into your soul, soaring with it.

Maybe that's why I like the macro feature so much. I love getting up close and personal with things, really looking at them.

When I step back—look at the big picture—I can see what I am meant to see. But I think to truly capture the message, understand its meaning, I need to get close and take the time to scrutinize.

365 Project Day 9

2011-01-09T08:35:00.000-05:00

This is Mr. Bear, a handsome stuffie, with moveable arms and legs, that Chris received when he was born. Mr. Bear sits on the chair in our guest room.

Mr. Bear does a little modelling on the side. He poses for me when I need a prop for Urban Contessa merchandise.

365 Project Day 8

2011-01-08T13:40:00.008-05:00

I bought some wool today at Michaels. I hear an afghan calling my name.

365 Project Day 7

2011-01-07T08:40:00.003-05:00

It's that time of year again.

The days are short, there's little sun, it's too cold to go outside for any extended period of time to get some fresh air. Everyone is grumpy. And not just grumpy, but depressed.

It's time to remind ourselves that we're not only wonderful, we're SUPER!

This is the fan on my desk at work. The air it blows is very gentle and doesn't even flutter the multitude of papers that surround me. Yet, it cools me when I have those internal power surges. Just super!

365 Project Day 6

2011-01-06T22:56:00.004-05:00

I had the crappiest day today.

My computer froze. Twice. It completely crashed once. I missed lunch.

So when it came to deciding on a subject for today's 365Project, I gazed around my desk and saw my date stamp staring at me, its inky backward characters all jumbled.

Perfect, I thought. This exemplifies my day exactly!

365Project Days 1 thru 5 - Starting Over

2011-01-05T14:00:00.003-05:00

It's been far too long since I've been here. I miss taking pictures, getting the right angle, capturing the perfect moment.

I decided I needed motivation, and joined 365Project.org. A picture a day for 365 days.

Probably a stupid idea.
I know.
I work ridiculous hours, I dedicate as much time as possible to completing my first novel, I have a small business I want to grow, and I still need to have a life.

And yet, I still ~~want~~ need to take pictures. Go figure.

I started the Project late, on Day 5, but the rules are forgiving and I was allowed to catch up. So I did. The rules also say that as long as the pictures are yours, then post what you will.

The first three days, and Day 5, are oldies from this blog.

Day 1:

Day 2:

Day 3:

Day 5:

But Day 4, I capture this:

These are googly eyes for the Tooth Fairy Pillows I used to make. The design has changed and I don't have any use for these right now, but rest assured they will give sight to something one day.

Kicking Up Daisies

2010-07-06T11:10:00.005-04:00

Flowers for Memère

2010-05-11T06:30:00.000-04:00

French River Rest Stop

2010-05-10T10:20:00.009-04:00

A Splash of Colour

2009-12-04T06:30:00.000-05:00

Sunning our Buns

2009-12-03T06:30:00.000-05:00

Drifting Along

2009-12-02T06:30:00.000-05:00

Sunset

2009-12-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Palm Trees

2009-11-30T12:49:00.000-05:00

Black-Eyed Prisoners

2009-09-10T08:24:00.001-04:00

Sun Mixed with Cloud

2009-09-08T08:52:00.001-04:00

The weather forecast was "sunny all day".
Hmpf!
Oh, it was sunny in the morning alright.
Then this rolled in:

This Old House

2009-09-02T09:00:00.000-04:00

Then and Now

2009-09-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

At the end of Gord's antique auto parade, there was a bbq lunch. Off in the distance, I spied the trucks and couldn't resist taking a picture.

The Great Outdoors

2009-08-31T08:29:00.001-04:00

Zoom Zoom

2009-08-28T08:18:00.001-04:00

Olde Tyme Gas

2009-08-27T16:17:00.000-04:00

Chopped down to size

2009-08-09T11:00:00.000-04:00

Old Milk Jugs

2009-08-07T22:31:00.001-04:00

Down by the River

2009-06-30T16:38:00.000-04:00

We took Puppy for a walk in Bell Park before going to Memère's birthday party. What a pretty little spot!

Located on the shore of Ramsey Lake, the park boasts an amphitheatre and a lovely walkway that takes you all the way to Science North.

Puppy was a little tuckered out.

Show 'n Shine

2009-06-11T10:00:00.000-04:00

The Girl is home from University for the summer.
We went out to visit her Tuesday night.
After dinner, we were pondering what to do.

"There's a Show 'n Shine at Shopper's World, Daddy."

Truly her father's daughter!

Up Close and Personal with Big Red

2009-06-10T08:46:00.000-04:00

Nathan Phillips Square

2009-06-07T12:10:00.000-04:00

Spring's a-Bloomin'

2009-05-21T13:50:00.001-04:00

A sample of the flowers that are going to be planted in our garden tonight.

Can't wait!

The Audience

2009-05-19T12:57:00.000-04:00

Tall, Tall Buildings

2009-05-15T13:52:00.001-04:00

A Beader's Paradise

2009-05-13T08:32:00.001-04:00

As you may know, I own a small business called Urban Contessa.
Part of the product line includes jewellery.

As I began to focus more on the sewn products and marketing the business, my mother and aunt took over the jewellery line.

There is a room in my mom's house that is completely dedicated to jewellery. There are dozens of tubes containing beads, crimps, fastenings ... you name it, they've got it.

On my way to the market

2009-05-06T10:53:00.001-04:00

St. Lawrence Market

2009-05-05T13:41:00.001-04:00

Lady Fairchild and I took a walk at lunch today. We didn't have a destination in mind, so LF suggested the St. Lawrence Market. You can get some great pictures, she promised. Having never been (I know, I know ... don't even start with me!) I readily agreed.

And she wasn't kidding. My senses were on overload! And to add icing to the cake, she suggested peameal bacon sandwiches for lunch. We grabbed a couple and ate them on the way back to the office. I felt so Cosmopolitan doing that. I mean, really, I've only ever seen people do that in the movies. You see the stars standing in their finest suits, chowing down fully loaded hot dogs and never dropping a speck of mustard on them. Very impressive.

I did get a lot of stares from people on the street as I made moaney noises the entire time I was eating the thing. Sorry, but I didn't get a picture of the sandwich ... I scarfed it down before I thought of it. Damn that was a fine sammy!

If you're interested, there are more pictures over at Photography 3460.

The Dish Room

2009-05-04T11:01:00.001-04:00

Mom's china cabinet was always a no-fly zone when we were kids. There were figurines, vases, and glassware in the cabinet. But most precious were my grandmother's dishes.

My grandmother's dish set is a hot commodity in my mother's family. Each of my aunts and uncles has a complete place setting as well as a few extra pieces. My mother has the sugar bowl and a couple of platters, which you can see standing up in the background.

These dishes are irreplaceable. I think I held my breath the entire time I took these pictures.

Look up ... waaaaay up

2009-05-01T10:25:00.001-04:00

Spring is in the Air

2009-04-30T10:26:00.000-04:00

The truest sign of spring at the Crazy Homestead is not the twittering of robins in the morning, not the colourful flowers timidly poking their heads out, not the brownish-greenish grass finally exposed beneath the piles of snow.

It's the removal of the snow tires. This, my friends, is an exciting time for The Husband.

The car is washed and waxed to a shine. He carefully and painstakingly polishes each spoke until it sparkles.

The results are worth it.

Bless his anal little heart!

My New 'Phocus'

2009-04-22T08:28:00.000-04:00

I'm a little frustrated with Flickr. Are you familiar with Flickr? It's that website where you can post your pictures, comment on others and have yours critiqued. Great for blooming photographers, professionals and people who just want to fool around with their cameras.

At first, I was completely addicted. I love looking at other people's pictures. There are some very talented and creative people out there.

But nowadays it seems that every time I try to upload a picture, the thing just freezes. I try their compact version of the upload. Same thing.

So you know what?
Fagedaboudit.

This blog is now going to be my photo focus. My 'phocus', if you will.
Get it?
Phocus.
Hee.

*sigh*
Never mind.

Between You, Me and the Gatepost

2009-04-20T08:46:00.001-04:00

The Bracelet Saga

2009-04-16T11:00:00.000-04:00

Read all about the bracelet saga at Urban Contessa.
It's a three-parter:

DNA Bracelet
DNA Bracelet - Take 2
Three's a Charm, with the happy conclusion

It may take a while.
You might want to get a coffee first.

Out with Winter

2009-04-15T11:57:00.000-04:00

It's time to break out the lawnmower and put away the snow plow. The Husband cleaned and waxed the Yellow Beast for summer storage.

I couldn't resist snapping a few macros.

Not my most creative work, I admit, but I was getting in the way and I was shoo'd.

Martini Madness

2009-02-12T12:11:00.000-05:00

Weaving in and out

2009-02-12T12:00:00.000-05:00

Let there be light

2009-02-11T11:00:00.000-05:00

Breakfast of Champions!

2009-02-10T11:00:00.000-05:00

My current breakfast addiction ...
hot chocolate and blueberry fritter ...
mmmmmmm!

Having my pie and eating it too!

2009-02-09T10:21:00.001-05:00

I hate filing!

2009-02-07T13:00:00.000-05:00

Oooey Goooey Goodness!

2009-02-06T14:20:00.000-05:00

Update: The bottom picture was used as inspiration for writing over at Pictures, Poetry & Prose. I entered my own haiku ... go check it out.

Chocolate ... The Fifth Food Group

2009-01-29T15:33:00.000-05:00

Tiptoeing through them

2009-01-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

Mum's the Word

2009-01-28T15:42:00.000-05:00

Books

2009-01-20T13:21:00.001-05:00

Images of Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T08:32:00.000-05:00

Scenes from the Christmas Party

2008-12-12T12:58:00.000-05:00

I got the whole world

2008-12-10T20:36:00.000-05:00

Scenes from Mexico

2008-12-08T11:27:00.000-05:00

MMmmmmmm!!

2008-11-27T08:25:00.000-05:00

My Favourite Flower

2008-11-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

Not so straight and narrow path

2008-11-19T13:07:00.000-05:00

Howling at the Moon

2008-11-13T08:29:00.000-05:00

Can you hear me now?

2008-11-12T08:31:00.000-05:00

Now Serving

2008-11-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

Graduation Day

2008-11-04T14:48:00.001-05:00

Titan Missile Museum

2008-11-04T14:26:00.000-05:00

Arizona

2008-11-04T14:24:00.001-05:00

Denmark

2008-11-04T10:25:00.001-05:00

Sweden

2008-11-03T13:39:00.001-05:00

Seaton Trail

2008-10-31T16:31:00.000-04:00