Happy Birthday America

I can say it sure has been a busy time for me. I'm working on my photography web site which I hope to have complete today or tomorrow. If I could stay out of Wal-Mart, stop lounging in the pool and working in the yard, I may get it finished. Oh well, it's that time of the year when outside is what I like!! How about you?
So I've been stalking birds again- I'm not sure what kind this is but I can say one thing, she's a mean one. I let her build her nest at my back door over the light. Well, I didn't actually let her, I knocked it down several times as she was building but within 2 hours of my back being turned, she had it complete. The reason was, she was ready to lay those eggs! Several of them I might add. Here's a shot of the babies. I hope I don't come outside one day and one has fallen out! Talk about ugly ducklings, these sure are some ugly babies! I took my camera and tripod to the garage to stand because when I approach her nest from the backdoor, she dive bombs me!
Fireworks in West Point! Rick and I drove up town this year to watch the fireworks and I got some pretty good shots.

The weather here has been a little crazy. Here Rick is battening down the hatches. Hot one day, cool the next and did I mention rain! I think we got 9" in the month of June alone. I hope July is not as bad. All the rain seems to make the grass and weeds come on a little stronger. The only thing I need the rain for is my "contest" corn. You know the old saying, "Knee high by the 4th of July." Well mine is but I bet I'm along way from winning the contest. You can read more about the contest HERE .
Now for a funny note- We went to Wal-mart ( I know stay away from there, right ) and I bought some Jiffy Pop popcorn. This way we could act like we were at the movies as well as reminisce about the good ole days. Anyway, Rick had to show me how to pop it. Now I know I'm getting old but come one, not being able to pop popcorn, geez!
OK back to the corn.I need some pointers on how to make it grow faster and taller. The corn behind me in the picture was planted later and is taller. HELP !!! If you have any ideas let me know by posting a comment. If I win, I will send you a really nice gift. How does $50.00 in pork products sound to you? The contest ends in October.

I have my heirloom photography session set up for July 12th. It's going to be a great shoot. I have contacted a costume shop so I will have some really nice outfits for my model to wear. Look for the fun and exciting post next week. I will also be posting the link for my web site.

Frogs and snails and puppy dog tails.....

First I have to say so much for me playing “keep up”. Now it’s once again time for catch up!

Did the title get your curiosity going? Well.I did a photo shoot of with my great-nephews; yes that’s right great-nephews! They are so adorable! Let me introduce Bryson LeRoy Waterhouse.

He was born on June 6th at 11:59pm weighing in at 8lbs. 6oz, 21” long. What a bundle of joy. He was only 5 days old here so I’m thinking I have a cute little macho man to shoot for a longgggg time. My other hunk of joy is Chase, now he’s a smart kid, in order for me to get him to smile and pose for me, I had to bribe him. (what kid can’t be bought out with ice cream!) We had a great time shooting here are some of the shots I captured.

Now moving along with photo shoots and models, I have 2 gals that are willing to model for me for some fun shoots. One gal I work with but only for a short time then she will be leaving the firm. We are going to do a heirloom, Southern Belle, fun type of shoot with costumes and all!! Stay tuned for that it will be a blast! The other gal will be participating in a Urban style shooting, once again stay tuned for what I believe will be 2 great sessions!

So back at the beginning of Spring I found this chair sitting on the side of the road screaming out my name. I stopped loaded it up and walla- a prop! Since my 365 has been kind of slacking with self portraits I thought I would come up with something different and use the chair. This involved getting "cow-girled up" in the 90 degree heat!, then carrying this monster of a chair to the field. Whew, I did it! Then I plopped down and snap, another self portrait out of the way.

Whaddya think? That’s it for this post, I hope you have a great day! Next post - we had a picnic at the home of one of the men that works for me ! I will get that posted tomorrow....I PROMISE !

Character
Your true character is revealed by the clarity of your convictions.
Hold strongly to your principles and refuse to follow the currents of convenience.

New & Exciting !!!

ALL THINGS ITALIAN
ART WALK
FAIRFIELD,IOWA
JUNE, 6 2009

Rick’s on a hunting trip in Colorado so I thought why not hang out with some friends after work. I was so excited to be going to my first ever Art Walk in Fairfield. A little background info on Art Walk -

Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk started five years ago as a way for people to discover local artists’ hidden “treasures”. Since then, area residents have gathered on the first Friday evening of each month to learn, appreciate, enjoy, socialize and shop together on the Fairfield Square. As the word has spread, the crowds have grown. During each summer month this year, over 2,500 people sampled new foods, listened and danced to new sounds and participated in a variety of activities. With culturally diverse themes ranging from “All Things Italian” to the “Bark in the Park”, Fairfield put together three summer festivals which also gave visitors an opportunity to interact with Fairfield’s growing artistic community.
To make sure this monthly signature event remains an important part Fairfield’s economic community throughout the entire year, the newly revitalized Board of Directors is finding new ways to contribute to the success of the art galleries, vendors and downtown shops while attracting participation from the entire Fairfield community and surrounding areas.
With their continued growth has come a desire from the Fairfield business community to get involved and help make the Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk an even greater success. With advice from top business leaders, a new Art Walk corporate sponsorship program has become available. Now the opportunity exists for a company to financially sponsor a specific Art Walk, but also its employees to volunteer to help coordinate the implementation for that event as part of their service and civic engagement.
“We are so thrilled so many businesses want to be a part of this wonderful monthly Fairfield celebration.” says Janet Joyce, the new President of the Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk Board.
If you have questions about how you can be a part of what’s happening at the Fairfield 1st Fridays Art Walk, contact us at our new offices at 109 E Burlington (just off the East side of the square) or call us at 641-233-8883.
This article was taken from http://fairfieldartwalk.org/ please read more.

SO last night was All Things Italian – WOW, first I need to say oops to Weight Watchers. I love Italian food and it was everywhere !!! The lasagna was sooooo good ! I did try a canoli and anise cookies but wasn't crazy about either. Entertainment everywhere as well as tons of camera shooting the event. They have a photography contest that pays over $200 in cash prizes. I have to say if you have never been to Art Walk in Fairfield and live close enough to go, take the time and do it !!! You will not be disappointed.

Vacation Time!!!!

Rick and I took off for our yearly vacation back home to Tennessee ! Y’all know that’s where I’m from right? The place that we use buggies at Wal-Mart, wear toboggans in the winter instead of a stocking hat and have no clue on directions that say go North 2 miles then turn West, heck tell us to go to the big Oak tree and turn right then at the pond go left , we'll find you'ens then !!

We had a blast! Visited a friend on the way in Indiana, stayed at my dads, went to the zoo in Knoxville, went to Paint Creek in the Cherokee National Forest, ( so Rick could get in a little trout fishing ) went to a HUGE flea market (Lana you would have loved it, lots of antiques) and stopped at Cumberland Falls in Kentucky on the way back. While at the zoo dad was buzzing along on his scooter while Kassidi set back for the ride in the stroller. I’m thinking about getting me one of those segways that way I can save the soles of my shoes!! We did get to see a lot of animals but about all of the big cats were sleeping so no good shots of them. I think we got the best shot on the ride through Paint Creek. A timber rattlesnake!!!!! Yikes, I was not going to walk around in the woods after seeing that monster. The bad or I should say STUPID thing about this was that there were a couple teenagers poking around at it with a stick !! Can you say moroooooon!! I too would have liked to had the rattlers but no way would I have poked it with a stick, I would have backed up and tire mashed that sucker, over and over again !

I did get to see most of my family but no time for friends on this trip we stayed pretty busy.

Dad has made some Dulcimers and is learning to play. So what did I do, got back home, signed into EBay, and bought one! Dang it dad, my trip cost me extra money! I think hobbies are hereditary. I may post some videos of me trying it out when I get a little better than dad, gotta try to out do him right? You can see some of dad playing if you go here - www.youtube.com/harleypass

My nephew Eli rode back with us to stay for a couple months, we didn’t talk much since he IS the quietest 13 year old I have ever seen. We did stop in Kentucky at Cumberland Falls, just outside of Corbin. They call this “Little Niagara” , it was very nice. During a full moon this is the only place in the Western Hemisphere that puts off a moonbow, interesting. I did get a nice shot of the rainbow.

Well we get back home and it’s welcome to the real world – cook, clean, laundry and mow the yard or should I say the hay field !! Now I’m working on getting the pool ready so I can kick back and enjoy. If only I didn’t have pool guests all night!!






Maryann we are coming to see you next!!

Barges for Julie

Time for some catch up ! I will be posting all weekend to get you caught up on what’s going on. This post will feature the winner of the Canna bulbs & flower seeds.

Julie Weidner was the lucky one and now it’s up to me to blog about barges on the Mississippi. Let’s see where do I start…….

The barges do amaze me with their size and what they accomplish. When Rick and I go over to Illinois via Fort Madison, Iowa we have had to stop on the drawbridge a few times for the barge to go under. That’s an eerie feeling. I myself have seen a couple situations in Fort Madison on the great muddy Mississippi. A barge was stuck after a bridge collapsed during heavy rains last year. We were there to get a shot ! BUT we couldn't get to close due to the rising waters. Then one day while visiting the Old Fort in Fort Madison I saw a barge being pumped out after taking on to much water.

I have copied a section from an article I found on the web so you can get a better idea and learn of an upcoming travel experience.

Barges are a common site on the Mississippi River were fleet of barges are seen carrying perishable and non-perishable goods. Barges are seen floating on the river carrying various types of goods from one port to another, making the river strategically very important. May it be middle Mississippi river, upper or lower, the barges are seen carrying loads of goods. Apart from using it for transportation purpose people have come up with more novel ideas, in the form of Barge Cruise.
The river barge definitely sounds unusual and very few are available for service. Those who provide this have turned their barge into a small floating hotel with open lobby, dining space, indoor viewing areas, library, office, guest quarters equipped with bath plus shower, music system & television. The Mississippi Barges are soon gaining popularity for its unique experience, similar to being on a cruise. Boy wouldn’t this be exciting especially more up North.

OK, I’m not sure what else I can say since I’m not originally from the area and didn’t grow up on the Mississippi.

OK Julie, I hope you enjoy your flowers. You have now got my curiosity up more about barges so I think this summer I'm going to see if I can go to Ft. Madison and get on one, who knows maybe they will give me a little tour and tell me more. If so I will definitely post about it then.

Birds, birds, birds !

Wake up and get your cup of java- I want to talk birds today !

Wow my yard has became a bird sanctuary !! I have all different kinds this year, some I have no clue what they are. BUT I have got the meanest blackbirds ever !! I have asked Rick to set outside with the BB gun and fire away. ( maybe I'll post that next week as well as my scavenger hunt topic ) They have started tormenting my bluebirds.

I definitely don't want to scare the little blues away. They don't bother a thing. maybe I need to keep my suet feeders full on the other side of our property and that will keep them away. So I feed at least one suet block a week ! Yep, a week. Many thanks to my HUGE red-headed woodpecker. As many of you know when my suet feeder is empty he hangs out at the hummingbird feeder.

Anyway, I decided to make homemade suet. Man did I have a mess in the kitchen and when I washed up the dishes, I like to have never got rid of all that bacon grease ! Recipe follows for homemade suet.

I’m including this recipe from the 10,000 Birds blog. It’s perfect for making cake sized batches that fit nicely in those square suet feeders.
Homemade Peanut Butter Suet
Melt 1 cup shortening (Crisco or bacon fat). Add 16-20 ounces of crunchy peanut butter. Heat and stir until melted.
Add 1 cup of raisins, 1 cup of black oil sunflower seeds, 6 cups of cornmeal and 4 cups of flour.
Spoon into a 13X9 pan. Chill until it is hard. Cut into chunks for suet feeders (or stuff into cracks and crevices in logs).

The birds are going nuts over this suet, who knew it would be such a hit. Bam ! just started saving $5.00 a month.

My flower give-away is approaching and I only have 4 entries, what are ya' waiting for ? I will be drawing on Wednesday the 20th. I picked up the packet of flower seeds, oh wow are you goin' love them. Sorry can't tell you what they are it's a surprise. Some of the entries so far are - iris' ( old-timey ones) , barges on the Mississippi ( this would be fun ! ) blooming apple trees ( a little late for that here Maryann - this ain't NY, we are ahead of you in seasons ) Get some more good ideas in there the clock is ticking !

We are getting ready to go on vacation so a lot of work to be done around home first. Y'all know how that goes. Mow the grass, pull weeds, clean up the house really good, water indoor plants, etc. Well I decided to tackle another major project- clean the attic. After 30 trips up and down the stairs and 15 bags of un-used stuff went to the garage I am ready for a vacation. I had went to tan before my days activity and the lady there said maybe you'll find a treasure and I did $7.00 in a pair of shirts from last year. (tip for the pizza man !! )

This has to be a short post for the day 'cause I'm headed to Nauvoo for some picture takin', who knows as I cross the Mississippi I may see some barges ! ( thanks Julie for the idea, love it )

Oh yeah, I alomst forgot - I won in the Access Energy calendar again !! One of my Eagle pictures will be posted in July !! Yay me, 50 bucks is a nice addition to the vacation funds !

Buzzing About Today

I'm giving flowers away ( details in the end of this blog ) !!









This was surely a busy weekend, birthday, yard sale, baby shower , crafting, shopping, and bee keeper !!

Let's start with the bee-keeping. Last Friday was exciting for Rick and I'm sure somewhat nerve-racking. He helped a friend of his move bee hives to pollinate an apple orchard. They had to do this real early in the morning while the bees were asleep. Oh my, Rick's alarm went off ( on his day off ) and up out of the bed he popped ! Now if you know Rick, he's not a morning person. He was off to Dave's to start "buzzing' for the day. While I was finishing up getting ready to go to work my cell phone started ringing. All I could think was who is texting me at 5:30 AM. It was a message from Rick, a picture of him all suited up with a thumbs up signal. He was ready to go !
When I got home he told me all about it. He said he knows why you have to move them early because once the sun rose they were swarming all around, including trying to get to his face. Luckily he was completely covered.

My Cricut came so I've been experimenting !! My first project is going to be my picture frame window. I had ordered the lettering from Uppercase Living BUT it was huge - so I will utilize that somewhere else. Maybe my bedroom wall under vacationing pictures, uh good idea !


This thing can do so much. I will post pictures next week of the projects I've done.
Since I'm on the crafting subject I think I'm going to clean out the attic and see what I can find up there. I know I have an old screen door that could be of some use somewhere. Thanks to Jessica for some great ideas, but I don't have a pantry. I just have to find a use for it! Does anybody have an ideas ?
For my birthday Rick and I went to the casino and shopping. Needless to say both broke me! Thank goodness we only go to the casino a couple times a year. I asked Rick to get me fence panels for my birthday and that is what he did, now we just have to get them up. I called 811 to see where I can and can NOT dig. I'm going to put them on one side around my pool. This will keep the peepers going up the road from seeing me when I'm lounging :) Plus it will work for a nice backdrop for pictures. I'm going to be adding some flowers on the inside and will get pictures up as soon as I'm done. I'm ready to open the pool !!


I cleaned out my little water garden pond



and disposed of a dead mouse, one mole and a ton of worms !! What's up with that, did they think it was the burial grounds ? YUCK !! And to think I'm making 2 more water features in my yard. One of them is going to be really cool. It consists of several wine bottles with the dimples in the bottom. So come on people drink that wine and pass the bottle on. Here's a start of the project, as you can see I've hit some roots !




























A completed picture will be blogged next week. See this is what happens when Rick has to go to Farm King every time we are in Burlington. He goes to the hunting section and I head towards the garden stuff and they have great project books !!
My yard is starting to look more beautiful each day. I can't wait till the flowers start popping and I have fresh bouquets on the table each week. We are going to til up a small garden spot to plant some corn. I have to grow it tall because I'm entering a contest. If you are from Iowa and have not subscribed to the magazine "Our Iowa" , you need to do that now ! They are having a contest and IF you can grow the tallest corn ( they provide the seeds ) you can win - $200 of pork, $200 of beef and a $100 gas card. Yeah Iowa !! This corn is a tropical type imported in and can reach 15-16 feet tall and with the help from the neighbors cattle maybe taller ( I hope ) !! Oh yes, pictures will be posted monthly.
The 365 project is coming along good. I do find it hard some days to think of what I can take a picture of then a bird seems to land somewhere close, snap ! Picture for the day. I do need to get more creative so look out for some self portraits coming soon. I think I will go a little wild with editing too, like this couple. If anyone has any ides let me know.
I have noticed that people give freebies as a way to draw to their blog. Well, I've decided to do the same. I want to go on a scavenger hunt and you can be the guide ! Here's what you need to do- since the flowers are headed in full force now, I will be giving away 5 red Canna roots, these can be planted now and are absolutely gorgeous when they bloom PLUS you will get a packet of flower seeds of my choice ( surprise). Now 5 Canna's don't sound like much but at the end of the season ( if you're in a cold climate like me ) and you dig these up, you will have 15-25 for next year, so let's get started. To be qualified to win all you need to do is comment on this post,one per person. In the comment tell me something you would like to see blogged about. I want a challenge SO, I'm going to look for it ( within reason) take a picture and blog next week about your topic. Now this could be anything from a Golden Finch, red-headed woodpecker, blooming trees, old barn, windmill,river,waterfall, whatever !!! Send me on a mission !! I will pick a winner at 5:00 am ( CST) May 20th and mail out your prize that day. To comment - all you do is click the word comment and type away. If you don't have a google or blogger account you can check anonymous but remember to sign your name. I will need your mailing address so please send that to randt@iowatelecom.net and put scavenger hunt in the subject so I can watch my spam box.
Thanks and good luck !!