End of the Month Slide Show

I plan to do either a slideshow or collage of my images from the 365 project. I hope you enjoy this month's slide show.

January 31, 2010: The Edge

January 31, 2010: The Edge
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

This is probably not what was meant by the edge, but the roads were still too icy to drive out so that I would have a good horizon to shoot. May have to revisit this idea later in the year.

We have rock walls terracing areas of our front yard. I like the affect with the shadows on the snow.

January 30, 2010: My Frontyard

January 30, 2010: My Frontyard
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

This one is a blantant cheat. I actually took this picture yesterday, but wanted to use this one because by the morning of the 30th we had received 7 inches of snow. A nearly of unheard of amount of snow, we also received about an inch of sleet.

January 29, 2010 Architecture

January 29, 2010 Architecture
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

I drive by this building on my way to work on most days. It is a strip mall but doesn't have the cookie cutter appearance of most of the strip malls in town.

January 28, 2010: Sweetness

January 28, 2010: Sweetness
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Sweet takes on many meanings. What could be sweeter than crafts done with handprints and hanging in a gallery on the refrigerator?

January 27, 2010: Abstract

January 27, 2010: Abstract
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

The assignment today was to shoot something in the abstract. My little point and shoot camera doesn't do super macro so this is as close as I could get. What do you think it is?

January 26, 2010: Anniversary

January 26, 2010: Anniversary
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

One year ago today my part of the world was struck by a devestating ice storm. Some people were out of power for nearly three weeks. My street was out of power for only a week. Things I learned from this, never take hot water for granted, life does go on even if you are miserable, and people (strangers) can be very nice.

The photograph, I chose for today, is of a tree that still shows the after affects of the storm. Thousands of trees were mangled under the weight of the ice and serve as a reminder to many.

January 26, 2010: Sunset Landing

January 26, 2010: Sunset Landing
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

As usual I left something at work that I really needed. On the return trip home I saw this Cessna landing at the local airport. I love the colors of the sky and the brightness of the sunlight off the plane.

January 25, 2010: Shutter Speed

January 25, 2010: Shutter Speed
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Today, I learned how to manipulate the shutter speed on my camera as well as the apperture settings. Check out the drop of water....REALLY COOL!

January 23, 2010: Collection

January 23, 2010: Collection
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

I have already posted a bit about this collection previously on January 16th. Wow that was just last week. But I only collect milk glass and only this pattern. It is called Old Quilt pattern and is made by Westmoreland. Those of you in the NE United States may find it in your local antique stores and flea markets. I have quite a collection but still need several pieces.

January 22, 2010: Song Title

Today's daily shoot, song title. I grew up in the 80's and have many favorites from various genres, but one of my favorites was Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings." So, when I was driving home worrying about a picture for a song title or lyric I was totally pumped to see this sentinel of the the skies. The red tailed hawk is very common here in the winter. I am not certain that they migrate during warmer months but they aren't as visible if they are still here.

Bette Midler's song was released at the time I began to face the mortality of my parents and as such learned what true heroes they are/were. I have been fortunate to have many individuals throughout my life give me support and love and thus they are "the wind beneath my wings."

January 21, 2010: Quirky

Since having a child, my home decor has changed...The little guy drew mom some get well pictures and hung them on the wall in the living room. Thank goodness for low tack painter's tape......

January 20, 2010: Kingfisher

January 20, 2010: Kingfisher
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Monday afternoon I spotted this Kingfisher near our city's new mall. He was singing; I think because he was happy not to be dealing with freezing temperatures any longer. His food was more accessible.

January 19, 2010: Transportation

January 19, 2010: Transportation
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Modes of transportation....much of my early life was spent on school buses. Now I do my best not to have to ride one at all. They are just not comfortable, too hot or too cold and often too loud. Plus, they bounce too much.

January 18, 2010: Simplicity?

January 18, 2010: Simplicity?
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

As I was thinking of simplicity and the simple things in life, I had difficulty thinking of something to photograph that would enable me to write about it. I settled on this piece of jewelry.

I love brooches. I wear them on the lapel of my blazers. Brooches are probably my favoite piece of jewelry. This one is extra special as it is the first Mother's Day gift I ever received. The diamond represents my birthday month, my husband's is emerald, and my son's is aquamarine. All set in the tree of life....family tree. Something so simple but yet so meaningful. I am blessed with a creative thoughtful husband who understands me.

January 17, 2010: Man working

January 17, 2010: Man working
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

This man works at a department store supercenter. His primary job responsibility is to bring the carts back into the store. On this day when the temperatures reached 60F I bet he was pleased it wasn't 10F any longer.

I respect the people who work this type of job. The outdoor workers in extreme temperatures. And some days I long for a job like this in which I have to make no decisions. Just do what my boss tells me. While that sounds really simple, I bet I would be bored to tears in just a few hours.

January 11, 2010: Scale

January 11, 2010
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

So, I totally missed this assignment and noticed it when updating my photo blog by looking at other peoples. Can you tell what the scale is? Son is wearing Dad's coat and catching snowflakes on his tongue.

January 16, 2010: Trash or Treasure

IMG_1423edited
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Trash or Treasure? The saying goes "one man's trash is another man's treasure" When my dad was sick with cancer and taking treatments in my state's capital city, we spent many hours in flea markets when he was up to it. I began collecting Westmoreland old quilt pattern milk glass and Blue Willow china during that time. These pieces were considered expendable by someone who put them up for sale and I bought them. I have continued adding to the collection since my father's passing, but don't get out much to search for rare pieces anymore. Perhaps, this will be the year?

January 15, 2010

January 15, 2010
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Today's daily shoot was all about lines...I was tickled to find a candy cane in the bottom of my purse while looking for my keys. The stripes on the candy cane just make me happy!

January 14, 2010

January 14, 2010
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Today's daily shoot theme was to shoot something that keeps you warm. Alas, I am straying from the assignment today because of something unique that happened.

My family and I have lived in our house for nine years. During that time it has never been cold enough nor wet enough for the french drain from the basement to freeze up. Check out this block of ice that came from the drain...I hope no damage was done.

January 13, 2010

January 13, 2010
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

This week was extremely busy and I am behind on my 365. Oh well, life happens.

So the daily shoot challenge for today was music. I did get my picture taken just not blogged. One of my life long dreams is to be able to read and play music. I don't know what instrument I want to learn to play I just feel like I want to play something.

Favorite color

Favorite color
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Today's daily shoot challenge was to photograph your favorite color. My favorite color is yellow. The soft yellow shade of a pale daffodil. Unfortunately for me daffodils are not in bloom in this part of the world in January. My kitchen is yellow, it took 6 trips to the paint store to get the perfect shade of yellow, the undercabinet lighting has a yellow hue to it, and of course the bananas are yellow. Plus, the tea box is yellow but in the shadows it looks more brown. Funny how light affects color so much.

Silhouettes and a Bonus Picture

Today's challenge was to photograph a silhouette. Last year during the 365 challenge I photographed my son's shadows on the upstairs wall. He volunteered to do it again and posed quite nicely for several shots. He is such a HAM!!

Newspaper?

Newspaper?
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

So today's Daily Shoot challenge was to take a picture of a newspaper. It was snowing today and there is no way this southern gal is going to brave the road conditions and the other southerners to get a pic of a newspaper. So I opted for NSTA Reports. There is some interesting reading in here. But does it count as a newspaper?

Brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

brrrr
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

We in the southern U.S. do not like cold weather at all. I know those of you in the more northern parts of the world are thinking "What wimps" yeah when it comes to near zero temperatures we are. This is the coldest day of the season and tomorrow is supposed to be worse. Thankfully, Sunday will see us returning to more normal temps...Balmy 40's are forcasted for next week; until then, fireplace, dress in layers, or just stay at home. I am opting for the third someone else can run errands and such nonsense. I HATE being cold.

Snowy Lashes

Snowy Lashes
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

I had a snow day today. Yeah not too happy about that because we are likely to be going to school into June again.

Though in keeping with tradition, my 4 yo and I went out into the frigid temperatures to enjoy the snow. Now for those of you in the north country you are probably laughing about our tinsy little bit of snow. But the little guy and I enjoyed having snow ball fights. I got him good one or two time right in the face, thus the snow on his lashes. Of course he downed me and put snow down the back of my coat and rolled me in the snow.....We had such fun.

Data

Data
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Today was a lab day. Students investigated the change in potential energy as the height of a ramp was increased. I am fortunate to have a laptop, projector, and Promethean board in my room to display class data. The kids look for outliers and have learned to question "numbers that don't look right." I am quite proud of how far they have come when analyzing data. Now, if they would just write about the things they talk about! I love lab day!

Invasion of the Toys

Invasion of the Toys
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

My son's figures took over my husband's laptop recently. I think he thought Dad would fuss at him and tell him to get those off this computer. But my husband simply worked around the mess. What a guy!

Boots

Boots
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Boots is an outside cat that adopted us the year my son was born actually a month after. She started coming up on the deck and of course my husband started feeding her. Next thing we knew, she had a litter of kittens under the steps of the deck. Needless to say we became the proud owners of a cat. I said all that but missed the entire point of this post. It is stinking COLD here (low teens at night) so Miss Boots gets to come inside part of the evening and then retires to the garage.

Day 3: January 3, 2010

transitions
Originally uploaded by arholder2003

Originally, I thought the idea of a theme for the daily photos was not going to be beneficial but I now see some value in doing the 365 challenge this way. Plus, I can always go astray if the mood hits. So here is transition #2

After some thought and braving 20 F weather along with overcast skies, I looked at my flower garden. The "surprise" lillies are already beginning to transition to spring but I fear these young plants will freeze in the upcoming weeks as winter progresses. These lillies were passed from my grandmother to my mom to me and I hope to someday pass them on to my son.

Day 2: January 2, 2010

One of the suggestions for participating in the 365 challenge is to look for themes. The suggested theme for the first week in January is transition. Since transition can take on many forms, I decided to look at the obvious first and probably will not take 29 other shots of transition but will definitely keep the suggestion in mind.

We have a 4 year old son and we have a very steep driveway. Something like a 7 foot drop over the course of about 100 feet. Our son wanted a bicycle for Christmas but Mom's nerves and heart couldn't stand the thought of him getting out of control and going headfirst into the street, thus, the transition. The photo is a picture of the area we have started prepping for asphalt. The retaining walls have been redone and the mud and muck have been moved around. Hopefully by March, the process will be completed and the little guy can get his bicycle for his birthday.

Day 1: January 1, 2010

I made it, honestly, until summer with the last 365 photo challenge. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed reading others blogs as well. Many of my Plurk friends are accepting the challenge and I will as well, though I will probably just do a weekly post. I loved looking back through my photos and reading my thoughts again.

Below is a slide show of last year's 365 photo challenge that I managed to do and a description of today's photo.

My mom and her youngest grandson. She only has two. =)

Her birthday is on Dec. 30 but we have always celebrated her birthday on Jan. 1st, at least we have since I have been married. She loves to eat fried catfish as do I so we all went to the local Catfish Buffett and chowed down. Pretty low key after a busy Holiday season but it means a lot to her that we do this.