Beginners Luck

FOTM...March 1, 2012

2012-03-03T19:40:00.000-05:00

Not too awful much going on just yet The biggest difference seems t be the sunshine. We just went to the Central Ohio Home and Garden Show in Columbus, OH and I can tell you that my mind is racing and my fingers are itching to get out in the dirt!

Wonder what the other photographers found?

SOOCSunday...Handwashing

2012-02-07T11:20:00.000-05:00

We have a new stool in the kitchen so the yahoos can get up to the sink all by themselves...trying to save my back. They love it and think they are really big stuff. I think the droplets are pretty cool!

Each week the number of people joining Jan's little meme seems to grow. Check it out! Murrieta365

FOTM...February 2011

2012-02-01T20:54:00.001-05:00

January

February

The flower bed really doesn't look too much different. But I can tell you that on the first day of February it was 60 degrees and beautiful! I am wondering if we are even going to have a winter and just slowly go into spring...we have daffodils that are up 4 inches...or are we going to have winter until May.

I am looking forward to seeing what changes others have from in February...Come with me and see...Murrieta365.

SOOCSunday...Old Buildings

2012-01-30T14:19:00.000-05:00

I love old stuff. The old stuff that has seen better days. Old stuff that I can bring new life into. We love to drive the back roads because you never know what you will find. It has sorta been a tradition in both our family to do something 'familish' on Sunday. We take long, long drives in the country. There are always snacks involved. And most likely there will be a dinner stop somewhere we have never eaten before. We have found some dandy places!

ECT is more that right! There was so much etc that you could hardly move. I saw lots of things that were really old and screaming my name but the prices were really, really out of this world. And the guy was in no mood to bargin. So we moved on down the road to bigger and better things.

I'm headed over to Murrieta365 to see what everyone else has dropped off this week.

SOOCSunday...Baby It's Cold Outside

2012-01-23T14:59:00.000-05:00

Friday night while Michael and I were at the scout Airplane Derby this happened. When we went in it had just started to sprinkle. But the time we were ready to go home everything was covered with a sheet of ice. I was skating on the school parking lot. Michael fell as he got out of the van nearly missing a trip to the ER with a brain injury. Then yesterday it was in the 50's and today windy and gloomy. All I want to know is where is the snow? I'm ready, bring it on!

Lots of photography buffs entered this weeks Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday...check them out

SOOCSunday...Canning

2012-01-15T17:38:00.001-05:00

Oh how I wish I had some of these for this winter. I was going thru old pics and found this rainbow of vegetables. My favorites were the peaches...in looks and in taste.

Check out all the other interesting shots from some other "Sundays" at my friend Jan's meme center...Murrieta365.

Early...Really Early Bloomers

2012-01-09T20:47:00.000-05:00

It is January 9th and I have tulips/daffodils coming up. I'm thinking this winter is going to be a doozie!

First Of The Month...January

2012-01-01T17:46:00.000-05:00

I almost don't want you to see how rough the 'park garden' looks. The fall got away from us as you can see. We had so much rain and way to many leaves. That darn neighbor of mine...all his leaves blow into my yard! And he says all of mine blow into his yard. It is an on going joke. I'll have to say that he was on top of his yard this year. Maybe I can hire him for next year. I can see in my minds eye all the different blooms and greenery that will be here in the spring and summer. Please come back and see the changes. And you can check out some other photos of bloggers that have taken on the challenge of showing something once a month for a year. Why not join us? Click here

SOOC Sunday...Crazy Bloomer

2012-01-01T17:20:00.001-05:00

This is the strangest plant. Last year at the beginning of December Lowe's had poinsettias on sale. They were the biggest I have ever seen! Seriously three feet in diameter. I think they are really pretty but I have never had any luck keeping them much after Christmas. But last year for some reason it stayed pretty. By pretty I mean it didn't die. It looked like it should have been pitched into the compost pile. But I just kept watering and talking to it. Then when spring rolled around I decided to put it out in the yard to see what would happen. The strangest thing happened....it got green, fell, and big again. So on another wild hair we dug it up and brought it inside. It must have gone into shock because the leaves started to wither up and fall off. But I kept watering and talking. Then this year around the first of December the strangest thing happened. The leaves that were at the tip of the naked stems started to turn red....but only on one side of the plant. So now we have a skinny, almost leafless half blooming poinsettia in the living room. CRAZY!

Visit my friend Jan Murrieta365 in CA and see what other see thru their lens.

I See Color, Finally

2011-05-02T09:47:00.001-04:00

I am so very glad to announce that we finally see color at our house....but it is in between A LOT of raindrops.

May

April

March

February

January

I was so excited when the first rolled around. I was out bright and early to get a shot. The daffodils are up, I put in some cosmos, cone flowers, poppies and some mystery flower seeds that I was able to harvest last fall. I have had the seeds in a greenhouse in the family room all winter and they are ready to spread out and look beautiful. In the galvanized bucked I planted some hyacinth vines. Then on our new pole trellis Mark got a yellow climbing rose.We have been having so much rain I have not had to water at all this year so far.

Join in and come see what everyone had to offer for the First of The Month Challenge brought to us by Jan at Murietta365...

The goal is to capture one thing repeatedly on the first of each month. It can be a landscape, a person, an animal, a project; whatever your focus is, is fine. It can even be a record of where you are each First of the Month. I'll open the linky each month on the 1st, and leave it open for a week or so, to give everyone a chance to post.

Renegade Chicken

2011-04-12T09:43:00.000-04:00

I love it when plants volunteer to come up other places then where they are supposed to. I was weeding on our last sunny day which seems ages ago, and was so thrilled to see this hen....no chicks as of yet but I know they will 'hatch' soon.

Would you like to join in the fun and challenge yourself with us? It is really simple...if I can do it anyone can. You don't have to be a professional...just a regular Joe Schmo with a camera and Internet service. I have learned a lot just by checking out what other share. Just take a look and then join us next Tuesday.

Reflecting

2011-04-12T09:26:00.002-04:00

We love to hike and take in all things nature has to offer.This weekend we went to the Cincinnati Nature Center in Batavia, OH. Lots and lots of photo ops!

As you can see by the brown water, we have had lots of rain, lots and lots of rain. Later on in the late spring, early summer it wall clear up and be clear as a bell. While hiking around this reserve pond we ran into one of the Nature Center Employees. She explained to us that the pond was built as a 'fire hydrant' if the wood frame main house ever caught fire. My question was...why did they build it so far way from the house? It sure would be a long way to carry buckets of water or even a long way for a bucket brigade.

There were lots of big green frogs and a few turtles were swimming on the surface. It was a beautiful day for a hike with my two favorite hiking buddies.

Be sure to check out what the rest of the Sunday's have to offer this week by clicking here.

Penoies

2011-04-07T07:23:00.001-04:00

Peonies coming up give me such a feeling that spring is coming and summer is right on her tail. Extra bonus with this one...the seed, probably a sycamore tree seed...our neighbor has a huge one in their backyard.

Check out the other Tuesdays.

Not Quick Enough

2011-04-04T09:38:00.001-04:00

This morning before the storm was to hit us , I took the yahoos out for some time on the swings and slide. While we were swinging I noticed a pair of chickadees going in and out of this birdhouse. My Mom and Dad had birdhouses hanging from the rafters in their house. And due to some housecleaning some of them came to live at our house. I was so excited to see the birds that i ran in the house to get the camera hoping to catch them in the action. But as you can probably figure out, by the time I got back they were gone. That's what i get for leaving my camera inside.

This meme is open to anyone with a camera. Come join us at Murrieta365 for some fun.

Something's Coming Up

2011-04-01T12:50:00.000-04:00

I love the idea behind this blog...photo something, anything, on the first of the month. I can hardly wait to see the difference each month. not much really changing yet. But I can remember what these beds looked like last summer. They were so full of color! Oh, I can hardly wait for the day when they look like that again!

Janurary

February

March

April

Things are slowly starting to turn green. I actually had to pull a few weeds from the bed on the right. If you make the pic bigger you can see that there are some daffodils on their way up.

I can hardly wait to see what looks different in the other photos are are posted. Join me here.

Red Barn

2011-03-29T14:02:00.000-04:00

I have been playing nursemaid to our beagle, so it was nice to get out in the country for a drive last weekend. We had to stop on the side of the road to let Ella Bella water the lilies and I looked up and saw this beautiful red barn. Then the bright blue sky and the greener than ever grass...I couldn't pass it up.

There are lots of Tuesdays that play along....check them out.

You just might get the itch to try your had at the photo challenge.

Thistles

2011-03-28T14:56:00.000-04:00

Mark and I took a little drive out in the country with Ella on Sunday. We had to stop on the side of the road because Ella Bella was whining to get out and stretch her legs and some other things. While I was standing there I notice a big bunch of dried thistles. These plants are so pretty and purple in the summer. But they are interesting this time of year also in a different way.

Are you wondering what other creative minds found to photograph. Click here on Straight Out Of The Camera to see.

Queen Anne's Lace

2011-03-25T18:18:00.000-04:00

Our grand kids...the best grand kids ever...have been visiting from CO. They love to hike so we did a few while they were here. On this particular hike it was cold, winds and a little damp. This poor Queen Anne's Lace was so dry but yet so different. It was hard to get a shot because it was blowing back and forth. Just looking a the picture makes me want to get under a warm quilt with some hot chocolate.

Come and play with us...show us what you have in your camera. Click here to see what others have shared.

Sweet Buds

2011-03-25T18:05:00.001-04:00

If you look really close you will be able to see just a little tinge of red or maybe pink. It is our little magnolia. This might be the only picture we get of it...we are expecting temps int he 20's and 1-2 inches of that white stuff tomorrow night. Guess that is what you get when you live in the Ohio valley.

There are lots more Tuesday pictures to look at. Click here to check them out.

The Big Tease

2011-03-13T07:00:00.011-04:00

Night before last we had a huge storm. Everything...60mph winds, hails, pelting rain, thunder, lightening....I thought we were going to blow away. Yesterday morning I noticed that the bulbs I had planted last fall were coming up by the house. Then this morning when I took the dog to the bus stop I found these jewels...they weren't there last night. This much growth in less that 24 hours...how can that be?
I enjoy the variety of photos shared in Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday. Why not take a peek or better yet join the fun and, submit a photo...it is easy..if I can manage to do it, you can too.

Chicken Scratch

2011-03-06T12:14:00.001-05:00

I love old stuff that no one else seems to like. My father-in-law found this feed sack for me a long time ago. When we moved back to Ohio I knew just where I was going to put it. There is a phone jack behind these chickens. It always stuck out like a sore thumb. Pictures would not hang even or straight over it. i knew just where this puppy was going to hang. And the next best part is is from Huntington, WV...where I spent the first 36 years of my life...where I met Mark...where I got married...where Cassie, Emmy and Bryce were born...where family still is...where dear friends are...a town with lots of history...I love being a WV Hillbilly!

So...I played, what about you? Wanna play? It is real easy and lots of fun. You meet lots of interesting people from all over the map and you get to see some incredible photographs.

Click here and see what is going with the other Tuesdays.

Come On Spring

2011-03-06T08:01:00.000-05:00

The weather has been so cruddy, typical for an Ohio Feb-Mar but I am one step ahead of the game. My little greenhouse is coming to life I've sewn seeds that I harvested last fall from the yard...marigolds, cosmos, poppies from Cassie, seeds from unknown plants from vacation, a variety of colorful coneflowers, a couple varieties of morning glories, and some zinnias.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What are the rules for SOOC Sunday?

•On any Sunday you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own)

•that hasn’t been tweaked or altered in any way (cropping is OK).

•In other words Straight Out Of the Camera.

•Link to Murrieta365 in your post so others will know where to go if they want to join in the SOOC fun.

So what are you waiting for...come join us. It is a simple as clicking here.

Seen Better Days

2011-03-01T14:41:00.000-05:00

I am itching to get out in the yard. Today the sun is bright. They sky is blue and not a cloud in sight and it is a whopping 40 degrees. Flowers are coming up everywhere, seems like just overnight.

The girls love 'riding' this old trike. I can't really remember when I got it originally it has been so long. But I love it and it is always a conversation piece. In the summer it looks great with all the flowers surrounding it and then with a pot of something colorful on the seat. I'm dreaming of how beautiful it is going to look.

Why no check out the other photos that other Tuesdays have to offer. Shoot, why not play along?

Will We Ever See Green?

2011-03-01T14:17:00.001-05:00

Not too much going on plant wise yet. I should take that back...there are already weeds coming up! We grow the best weeds. Last fall I planted a variety of daffodil bulbs around the edges of these raised beds. Last year they were filled with dahlias and gladiolas. Haven't really come up with a plan yet...but they will be filled with some kind of cutting flowers. You know that we have a wedding rehearsal dinner planned for the backyard in June and we need all the color and cutting flowers that we can get.

I can hardly wait to see how all the other participants photos are looking. Join me as I go on a walk on the wild side. Just click here and be transported to Murrieta365. Better yet, come join us!

Cedar Waxwings

2011-02-22T11:10:00.001-05:00

During a light rain yesterday afternoon I heard a commotion out our bedroom window. When I opened the blinds I was so excited to see that the cedar waxwings were back. The robin's were giving them fits over the berries on the tree in our next door neighbors yard. I sat there with the window open for the longest time trying to get a good shot. Most of the time their backs were to me. They must have known I was trying so hard to capture them in their finest hour. This one seems to have puffed up trying to keep warm.

********

What are the rules for SOOC Sunday?

•On any Sunday you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own)

•that hasn’t been tweaked or altered in any way (cropping is OK).

•In other words Straight Out Of the Camera.

•Link to Murrieta365 in your post so others will know where to go if they want to join in the SOOC fun.

So what are you waiting for...join in on the fun by clicking on this...Murrieta365.

Believe In Tomorrow

2011-02-22T10:53:00.000-05:00

This was given to me a few years ago when I participated in a Garden Swap. I love it and it hangs on a barn red wall in the kitchen. I don't know how in the world Gina knew that I loved things like this. Fits perfect with all the other treasures we have in the house. I love it!

Go visit the other Tuesday's to see what they have to share.

A Missed Opportunity

2011-02-12T17:11:00.000-05:00

On the way in the front door I noticed a Cooper's hawk sitting on one of the lower branches in the ivy bed. I hurried in to get the camera only to find I didn't have any battery. So I quickly switched the battery and headed outside. You guessed it...long gone. I walked around the side of the house and heard a robin singing. So robin will have to do for this shot.

I can hardly wait to see what everyone else comes up with. The weather around the country is so varied today, this should be interesting. Skip on over to Murrieta365 too see what has been posted by Jan and all of her blogging friends.

A Little Flicker

2011-02-12T15:37:00.001-05:00

Mark is trying to use all the old sunflower seeds trying to get ready for all his bird friends for the spring. He calls this feeder the Mercedes 1224. We had the binoculars out the other day checking out the visitors. This guy comes a million times a day. He is a little bit of a bully. He loves the suet on the right. Must be getting close to spring because we have a wide variety of visitors.

Check out what everyone thought to post on this Ruby Tuesday...Valentine's Day

A Little of The White Stuff

2011-02-01T07:36:00.002-05:00

I cheated just a little on this one. We have a big ice/sleet/rain/snow storm that is supposed to hit our area in about a hour and a half. So I decided to run outside and get this shot just in case I can't get it tomorrow. If I can, I will show you what a difference just a few hours can do around here weather wise It has been a weird weather winter for sure.

I'm headed over to Murrieta 365 to see how much everyone else's shots have changed in a month. Care to join me?

It Can't Be...

2011-01-29T17:20:00.000-05:00

We had a heat wave today...37 degrees! And look what I found out in the back yard...some green. That must mean that spring is on the way. Ground Hog Day is next week...hope there are no shadows! I am just itching to get out in the yard to work.

Want to play along with us on Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday? It is so easy. The hard part is remembering to post. Check out what everyone chose to share this week by clicking here.

Barn Red

2011-01-29T17:10:00.001-05:00

I have always love everything about the Amish. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be lucky enough to have Amish friends. Thru Cedarmore Farm CSA and with the help of Rue and Susan, I am going to be able to realize that dream this summer. You can read more about our adventure on the new Cedarmore Farm CSA Blog.
This may be one of two cross-stitch projects that I ever signed. I can't even remember how long ago I did it. I do know it was back before bifocals...when I could actually see to thread a needle...and get it thru on the first try.

Please check out the other posts for Ruby Tuesday here.

Dreams

2011-01-11T08:24:00.003-05:00

I am so glad someone brought these to use this weekend because today we are in the middle of a winter storm that is supposed to leave us with 3-5 inches of snow!!! I love the snow but seem to be dreaming of vibrant colors of spring and summer.

Check out what everyone sees thru their lens by clicking here.

Thanks Jan, I always enjoy checking everyone out. There are so many wonderful ideas.

Pinch On A Mail Pouch

2011-01-11T07:35:00.004-05:00

Can't get outside to find anything that is red so I am walking around the kitchen looking for something I haven't photographed . I love this thermometer. My Father-in-law is always finding 'junk' that I like. This was a big hit! Now all I need to go along with it is a barn.Be sure to visit Mary and all the other Ruby's....

Stick Stars

2011-01-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

It has been awhile since I posted on any of the photo challenge blogs but it is a new year and I have a plan. Some days I am so busy that I don't know which end is up. So I have decided to only participate in three challenges. Two are posted once in a week and one is once a month. Hopefully that will free up some time so I can quilt more.
This morning when I was taking the dog out I stepped on a few twigs that had blown out of the trees overnight. I had seen these little stick stars on another blog (Chickens In The Road) and thought they were cute. They are so primitive...just like I like. So far I have been able to make three. I might just keep making smaller ones all years so I can hang them on the Christmas tree next Christmas.

Now it is time for you to go check out the other posts to Jan's meme, Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday.

Still Living

2011-01-05T18:27:00.005-05:00

This is the largest poinsettia that I have ever seen. Mark brought it home from Lowe's one night...actually I was with him and I carried it in. It is three times bigger than any I have ever seen. And it is a miracle that it is still alive. Just now starting to shed some leaves. I am wondering if anyone knows how to winter them so they will bloom the next season?

Please wonder on over to Mary's blog to see what everyone else decided to post.

A Work In Progress

2011-01-02T13:35:00.004-05:00

A simple Meme...one photo of the same spot on the first of each month.

This is my work in progress.

There are others playing, why not check them out at one of her many blogs.

Red Berries

2010-08-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

I am in awe of everything that comes up in our flower beds. The most special are the plants that surprise me. I have no idea what this or where it came from. What a sec...I think maybe I got it from my father-in-law a few years ago. I made the mistake of planting it in the hosta bed around the big oak tree in the back yard.
My father-in-law calls it some kind of hosta. I looked it up once but for the life of me I can't seem to come up with its name at the moment. Does anyone out there in blog land have a clue what it might be?

There are a bunch of Tuesday's this time around. Come check them out. It is always fun, interesting and very entertaining.

Skinny Minnie

2010-08-09T13:03:00.006-04:00

I have been trying to learn more about my camera because we are going to my Dad's fishing camp in Canada via Niagara Falls and I want to be able to get some awesome shots. I have been asking everyone that I know who takes great pictures how they do it. I am reading the book and watching the special video Mark got me. I am making some progress but I want them to be so awesome.I was sitting on the porch with Mark a few nights ago and this poor little skinny robin wanted so bad to get in the birdbath. I guess we were making too much noise talking. She just looked at us for a few minutes and then flew across the street. Not bad for a first try, I'd say.

Please visit the other Sunday's to see what they have in store for you.

Ruby Tuesday

2010-07-27T19:48:00.005-04:00

I am so proud that I finally got a white rose...the deer keep eating the buds.

The other photo challenge 'Tuesday's' would love for you to check them out and leave a comment. So please go check them out!

I Have No Clue

2010-07-27T19:34:00.006-04:00

I've been trying to get started on the yard clean up for the fall because my babies will be coming back , like next week. Seems I am getting an early, late start. I have a feeling I won't have it all accomplished by Monday. But anyhoo....I found these growing...little yellow and white blooms. Could the be peppers? Or are they flowers?

See what all the other 'Sunday's' posted. Thanks Jan for hosting this each week. I know that you are a busy lady.

Little Shoes

2010-07-19T17:40:00.004-04:00

Some people think I have gone off the deep end...they might be right some days. But I have little shoes, ice skates...stuff like that allover the yard and most of them are filled with something that is growing. These were Michael when he was first learning to walk. I love how the blanket flower is resting on the toe of the shoe.

Thanks for letting me join in the challenge...check out all the wonderful photographers that play along.

Me And My Shadow

2010-07-19T17:30:00.003-04:00

I have been looking for these Naked Ladies to come up for about a month ago. I was talking to my friend and my Dad the other day ad they reminded me that it was still to early for them. I went out again the next morning and found three just breaking the surface. So now I am on a mission...bloom babies, bloom. Fertilizer and lots of water and warm sun go a long way around here. Three days growth and they are starting to bloom...well, the ones that the moles and squirrels didn't eat.

Look thru the lens of others here.

Blackberries

2010-07-04T21:55:00.006-04:00

In just a few weeks we will be picking these...yummmm...I see a blackberry double crust in my future...Thanks Leigh Ann for the recipe from way back when all we were eating was green beans canned from the garden.

Check here to see what everyone else is seeing that is red.

'Dirty' Daisy

2010-07-04T21:44:00.004-04:00

While I was eating my Monky Bar on the Loveland Bike Trail, I found some little sweat bees on the daisy right beside me. I had to move...no epipen with me.

Want to play along...

What are the rules?

On any Sunday you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own)
that hasn’t been tweaked or altered in any way (cropping is OK).
In other words Straight Out Of the Camera.
Also, please link back to Murrieta365.

One The Deer Missed

2010-06-25T14:36:00.007-04:00

Seems I have hit the summer dry spell on working on photo challenges. So I made my self sit down and work on one today. I chose Ruby Tuesday because I had taken the most beautiful shot of one of the rose buds that the deer have forgotten to eat.

I took the shot later in the afternoon. I didn't notice the lighting until now. I think it makes it even more stunning.

Be sure to stop by Ruby Tuesday and see what images other found in their cameras.

Bee Balm

2010-06-24T21:16:00.004-04:00

We started this bee balm from seed. Today I noticed it for the first time. When I went to take this shot the bee just landed and waited for me to take the picture. That will never happen again in a million years!

Just Makes Me Go Ahhhhh

2010-06-04T07:00:00.000-04:00

I had to stay in most of the day today because the weed pollen count was high today. It was so beautiful and about 78 degrees. But before my feet hit the floor this morning, I knew it was going to be a rough day. So we just stayed in and got lots of those honey-do jobs finished.While I was playing with Doodles yesterday, we got a little water everywhere. I found these drops collecting on a spider web under the hosta.

I never realized that butterflies got all the way up in some of the flowers to eat.

This is a first for me. I have been growing these for years and never have they bloomed. I can hardly wait to see what the flowers are going to look like.

Thanks Jan for hosting SOOCSunday. I really makes me took at things differently thru the lens of my camera. Please visit and see what others are looking at thru their lens.

Wiegela

2010-05-03T15:05:00.006-04:00

This is definitely one meme that I find challenging. I don't have to many reddish plants in the yard. I know that I could probably find other red things and I may just have to resort to sleds or old rusty wagons but for now while the flowers are blooming...flowers it is.This red rhododendron just popped out one morning bright and early. I kept looking out the kitchen window trying to figure out what it was. When I mentioned it to Mark...he knew exactly what it was. He kills me, even remember when and where we got it. The man is amazing. He should be a Master Gardner!

If you enjoyed this red flower...check out what all the other "Tuesday's" photographed and blogged about.

Lamps

2010-05-02T18:28:00.005-04:00

Is has been awhile since I participated in the Round Robin Photo Challenge. Sunday evenings around 9AM seem to sneak up on me every week. But I got it this week.

Our challenge...Desk LAMPS. Table LAMPS. Book LAMPS. LAMPS. Street LAMPS. All LAMPS. All good! Show me some LAMPS.

Extra Credit: Show me your favorite LAMP. Tell me why you like it so much!

I'm always looking for the old, rusty and unusual things for the yard. I think my Sweet Pap (Mark's Dad) found this one for me. And it actually works. I plan to light it for the Graduation Party. It will shed light on the drink table, which is actually a table from an old dairy.

Would you like to see other styles, shapes and sizes of lamps from all over the place. Check out the RRPC list.

Clematis Blooms

2010-05-02T18:03:00.006-04:00

It has been raining since 3AM this morning with lightening and all. I think I saw a bunch of animals walking up the street two by two. Will it ever end? I'm not complaining...the trees, bushes, plants and grass are loving it. I can almost hear the "Ahhhhhh".

I was out in the rain all morning at a big race downtown so I opted to stand in the dryness of the porch to take this shot. When this clematis decides to bloom it will probably be the most beautiful thing in the yard.

If you enjoyed this shot, why no check put all the other camera bugs at Straight Out Of The Camera Sunday. Better yet why not join us...the rules are simple...

On any Sunday you can post any photo you like (it must be one of your own) that hasn’t been tweaked or altered in any way (cropping is OK). In other words Straight Out Of the Camera. Also, please link back to Murrieta365. Thanks. (This is a small meme, but there are some people who are not linking back. You know, it's not that difficult! Please be courteous.)

Mark's Maple

2010-04-26T11:28:00.006-04:00

Another Tuesday already? I think I have this one covered. Mark loves Japanese Maples. Here is a red one that the kids got him for Father's Day a few years ago. It is growing slowly but beginning to have a really nice shape.When I took the shot all the red wasn't very brilliant so I chose a close up of the leaves and their very interesting edges.

Make sure that you check out all the other Ruby Tuesday shots and please leave a comment...we all live for those comments!

Paw Paws

2010-04-25T22:42:00.007-04:00

I realize it is late and I am posting at the last possible minute but it has been a whirlwind last 48 hours.

We took a hike today at the Withrow Nature Preserve and I was walking down the path and just happened to look up and say a branch with a few leaves and these twin blooms. I have no idea what the tree is. But I will be looking it up in my big book of plants sometime tomorrow.

Check out what tho other Sunday Seekers have discovered by clicking here.

A Climber

2010-04-25T22:21:00.006-04:00

Once again I am way late trying to get something posted but it has been a very busy day. We ended up with three little girls staying for the weekend and then Emmy had a birthday. We celebrated with the little girls and then tonight with the family...a whirlwind 48 hours for sure.We have had cooler weather and now two days of rain off and on. The yard is slowing waking up from winter. Each morning there seems to be something new blooming. Overnight they seem to pop out. One of my favorite parts of spring...all the surprises.

Seeing In Threes

2010-04-24T03:01:00.002-04:00

The next Challenge was suggested by Marie of the blog Photographs and Memories, way back in 2007. The topic "Three's".

"Anything in 3's, must be the same theme and presented in 3 images."Get the idea? This Challenge is not to take a picture of three of something, although you can do that too. The Challenge is to take and present three different pictures of the same subject or theme. What subject, what theme? That's totally up to you! Maybe it's three photos of your favorite tree, or of three different bodies of water. Maybe it's three different treatments of the same concept or mood, or three photos of your child. Let's get creative with this one!"

I have been searching high and low and his morning when I was taking the dog out, this literally hit me in the face.
After Mark's trimming our little dogwood is doing it's best job to strut it's stuff. Do you know the Ledgend of the Dogwood Tree? Now click here and visit the Round Robin home page and see wha everyone else photographed. Enjoy!

Coral Bells

2010-04-20T08:30:00.004-04:00

It is amazing to me how hard red things are for me to find. I don't want to just take pic of red tulips or little red wagons, though it is very tempting. I'm trying to look at all things in a different light. Trying to be more artistic in my shots. This week I think I achieved that goal. Ruby Tuesday always challenges me to do my best. That's why I do it. That's why I am always seeing red.

We have been gardening fools this week. We have one month to have the yard looking its best for Sarah's graduation party. I was weeding the bed right out the family room door and say RED. Mark could tell you right off the top of his head what the name of this plant it...Latin form and plain English. I always have to go get our huge A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. As long as there is a picture I'm good. It took me awhile but I remembered that these are coral bells...sweet tea. We got these because I love me some sweet syrupy sweet tea. My Aunt Judy makes the best on the planet...more sugar than tea.

I love the color contrast in this shot. The sun shining thru the brown, sweet tea colored leaves, turns the red on the underneath side on. Then it is surrounded by all the luscious green of the other coral bells.

Please feel free join Ruby Tuesday anytime and do go check out all the others that play. Leave comments because we all live for comments. Click above and it will magically take you there.

Ya Gotta Wonder

2010-04-18T22:11:00.001-04:00

After working in the yard today, Mark, Emmy and I went for a little drive north of the city to hopefully find something really cool for the yard. But it was a big fat waste of time. We hit several nurseries...everyone had the same flowers. We even went to a Aquatic and Garden Fountain store. I took my camera in hopes of taking pictures of some great ideas. Nothing, Nada, not a single thing. But this little buy was entrenched right by out van. He made me laugh. Something tells me that he might not ever make it to our house. But he is awfully interesting, don't ya think? Don't you just want to rub his big belly?

I love looking to see what everyone else sees thru their own cameras. Come and check things out at Jan's blog, Murrietta365.

Tulip

2010-04-13T16:19:00.001-04:00

Another Tuesday and another Ruby Tuesday Photo Challenge. I'm ready this week. I took this tulip shot last week when the tulips finally bloomed. I noticed the red in the center when I was counting the whopping total of three yellow tulips. The deer love them! Note to self...don't plant any more tulips in the backyard for the deer to munch on.

I love how you are able to really see the yellow and how it 'flows' up to the edges of the yellow petals. I am glad to get a picture of this one because I know that it probably won't last too long...the deer make nightly trips through the yard.

Lovin'

2010-04-10T23:28:00.001-04:00

How could I not post this sweet picture. Little Ms M and I are having a great time one-on-one but we are missing our Allyson so much. It is pretty bad when when you have to play with yourself in the mirror.I am glad I cleaned this morror before she started kissing it. She thought that was just the funniest thing ever.

Ladybug

2010-04-06T03:01:00.001-04:00

Red is just not a color that we have a lot of around our house. Well, our kitchen walls are barnyard red but really nothing else. So it is a real challenge for me! But yesterday without even realizing it I captured a lady bug on a daffodil.Maybe by next week I will find out what color the tulips are in the front flower bed and I will be able to share those with you.

Something Old, Something New

2010-04-05T03:01:00.001-04:00

Trying to keep up I thought I might submit this a little early...but schedule it to be posted first thing Monday morning. A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do, right? Right now I have to say that my favorite things are definitely the daffodils that are popping up out front in the ivy. I don't remember these double white ones from last year at all. I am hoping that Carly will take this is as something old and something new. Old because they were planted way before we moved here and new because they are just coming up.

Come see what everyone else photographed. Click here.

Spring 'Snowflakes'

2010-04-04T18:20:00.001-04:00

A really quick walk around the yard this morning in my pj's, I found tons of flowers that weren't here last week. I've been able to sit on the porch and look out into the front yard while swinging on the swing. Nothing better than swinging and smelling the flowers while the sun warms your skin. Mark tells me that this is some sort of magnolia tree. I don't know what it is...all I know is that by this time next week all the blooms will be gone. When I look out of the bedroom window, the blooms look like snowflakes suspended in the air.