Jan 31 2010 - Day 31

The black swans at the Crow and Gate are stunning. I don't like to get too close to them though because they are huge. Once a few years ago I got a little too close and they chased my husband and I to our car. Those suckers can run fast (and apparently, I can run pretty fast when properly motivated, haha!). My husband thinks it's so funny that I make him watch out for them when I'm taking a picture, and if they start swimming towards me, I'm outta there.

This was taken with my point and shoot camera, and it was not the greatest pictures clarity wise, so I played with it a fair bit in Photoshop.

Jan 30 2010 - Day 30

Fog and rain... rain and fog... drizzly, damp and dark. What a delightful day (can you hear the sarcasm?) I could really use a little vitamin D. Not much to take pictures of today... The streetlight in the fog and rain pitter pattering on the patio table.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a little drier.

Jan 29 2010 - Day 29

What a crazy January we are having. I was out in the yard and noticed these green leaves peaking through my dried Hydrangea heads. I quickly went back inside and got my pruning shears and cut off the dead wood before it became too difficult as the new leaves grow right into the dried blooms. I've never had it start to leaf out so early. This was on January 23, but I just took the picture today. I also noticed the same thing with my two poor abused neglected Mums on my front deck. I did give them a quick prune as well. I guess this 'winter' has been good for my green thumb, lol!

Jan 28 2010 - Day 28

Ah, must be spring! The Primulas are out in full force at the grocery stores. I can never choose just ONE color, and finally settled on these six. They sit by my front door greeting me with their sunny faces each time I leave or return home. I tried to give them an extra little touch of whimsy by placing them in this mini red wagon. They just make me smile.

Jan 27 2010 - Day 27

Ah, my trusty keyboard. It feels like an extension of my hands. I love the sound and feel of it, clicking away as I try to gather my thoughts :) I thought I would try some selective coloring (and moving, wink).

This is most definitely a part of my everyday life.

Jan 26 2010 - Day 26

Got treats? Penny LOVES to eat. I've never seen a less picky cat, spaghetti squash, corn flakes, garlic shrimp, anything and everything that is 'people food' she thinks she should get (but she doesn't). When she was little the only was to get her to not run away from you when you were trying to get her out of the kitchen was to go out in the hall and shake the treat bag and say 'treats treats'. I guess she's trained because it still works even if you just say the word. Of course now when she wants a treat she will look at you, run out of the kitchen and sit down with her head cocked to one side. How can I resist that cute kitty face? Perhaps WE are the ones that are trained?

Jan 25 2010 - Day 25

I was blessed to be able to go do a photo shoot today with the beautiful 5 day old Miss L. Isn't she perfect? :D She was such a good baby and let us pose her for quite a while. She just needed a few 'snack breaks' She was happiest when she was on the piano bench sleeping on her tummy. This is my favorite photo of the almost 200 I took. Congratulations to mommy and daddy, she's a sweetheart. Thanks for letting me share in the joy of the arrival of this long awaited miracle.

Jan 24 2010 - Day 24

mmmmmm.... I love this breakfast! It's called Christmas Morning Wife Saver. I love that you put it together the night before and throw it in the oven in the morning. It's so delicious. I got the recipe from Maryanne via her mother-in-law a few years ago and it's become a Christmas tradition, as well as a favorite for when we have company.

Jan 23 2010 - Day 23

What a wonderful sister-in-law I have! She called on Friday to say that it's been too long since we had a visit. We informed her that she was more than welcome to come visit, but she'd need to bring her painting clothes as we were finally painting the downstairs entry/hall/bonus room. She agreed very happily and did ALL the cutting in :) So happy to see that horrible pale icky pink go AWAY.

Thanks Maryanne! You rock :D

Jan 22 2010 - Day 22

I got this shot late tonight, at cat-toy eye view. Look at the look in Penny's eye's. When she's in full out hunt mode she goes from a sweet (but crazy) little princess to a fierce hunter. Her feet don't make a sound as she creeps closer to her prey... her eye's get HUGE, and then, she pounces. Jack isn't quite as much of a hunter, but does enjoy chewing on an occasional plastic grocery bag... (insert rolling eyes here). I really do have a family.... but they get tired of me and my camera so you'll probably be seeing a lot of these two :)

Jan 21 2010 - Day 21

Who knew that Jack could be so flexible? He's virtually a VERY LARGE ball of fluff that sleeps most of the time. He cracks me up when he sits like this, with one of his back legs sticking straight up in the air :) It doesn't look very comfy, but he doesn't seem to mind it at all. Silly boy.

Jan 20 2010 - Day 20

The End. My majestic Amaryllis is almost done. I love the texture in this shot. It looks like it's fighting so hard to continue.

Jan 19 2010 - Day 19

My 15 year old son at his favorite place. This boy loves all things computer :) From playing games, to writing Flash applications, designing websites/pages to doing peer tutoring. He's my sweet Geek!

Jan 18 2010 - Day 18

Sweet silly Penny. I pull out the camera and she turns her back on me most of the time. (This is where you are supposed to imagine me running around after her, talking sweetly and throwing treats). I wanted to check out how well my new camera (Canon 7D) does in low light, with a high ISO. This was taken at ISO 12500, not bad I would say for a moving cat... :) It was also taken with my 10-22mm lens at 10mm. I guess I was in the mood for playing today. I also ran the 'coffee' action on it which I got on http://www.photographyschoolhouse.com/ It's one of my very favorite places to go play on the web.

Jan 17 2010 - Day 17

My sweet hubby finished putting together my 3 Ikea shelves today! They look so awesome! I love anything texty so when I saw these glass door with all kinds of fun sayings on them I just KNEW they would be perfect, and they ARE! They are in my new 'prop' room, recently vacated by my eldest son. They look so pretty I don't want to put anything in them, but don't tell anyone (wink).

They were a 'Christmas gift' from hubby, thanks honey!

(oh my, I must be excited, look at all those exclamation points, lol!)

Jan 16 2010 - Day 16

What a fabulous day! Good friends getting together to play with paper, eat lots of yummy food and just hang out. I love that we are all different, but all the same in our love of scrapbooking! It's always a good time to laugh, and to also be able to destress and just vent about anything that may be annoying us. The day goes way too quickly, even if it is 14 or 16 hours :) Thanks girls... so when are we doing this again!?

Jan 15 2010 - Day 15

15 down, 350 to go!

The view from our deck. The Georgia Straight, Vancouver Island, Canada. The light hitting the mountain in the distance is very close to Whistler B.C. where a lot of the Olympics will be taking place. It's been pouring BUCKETS here (is this a recurring theme? lol) But it finally cleared up today. So nice out. Some clouds rolled back in just near sunset. This is actually the EAST - with the sun reflecting back that way. It's a little dark, but I was loosing the light pretty fast.

Jan 14 2010 - Day 14

Rain rain go away... It is pouring buckets out there today. They are calling for more rain for the next few days too. It would be a good day to be a duck.

Quack Quack Quack!!!

Jan 13 2010 - Day 13

After a busy day of photo editing my Photoshop CS3 program would open but then freeze! Thank heavens that my picture of the day is NOT my computer being thrown through the window. I get so frustrated with technology sometimes. I had already snapped this picture before the trouble began. Luckily I gave birth 15 years ago to a computer whiz. I call him my in house technician :) I hope he'll do house calls in the future after he moves out. Thanks Matt!

Jan 12 2010 - Day 12

This is only the most amazing, delicious, decadent dessert known to man... er... make that WOMANkind. THE most deep dark chocolate cake with toffee sauce, vanilla bean gelato on a crunchy buttery tuille. I believe it's called a Sticky Toffee Chocolate... something or other, lol! Thanks Earls restaurant! and thank you Allison for making me share it with you.

Jan 11 2010 - Day 11

So exciting! My son proposed to his girlfriend Christmas day. I finally was able to get a picture of the ring today. He chose a beautiful one. I am so excited for them, and so looking forward to having a daughter!

Jan 10 2010 - Day 10

This is actually taken over 2 days. A gorgeous amaryllis that was amazing to watch grow so quickly. I think it's beautiful.

Jan 09 2010 - Day 9

Ah, I love containers and especially funky glass jars. This one is just waiting to be filled with some scrapbooking treasures.

Jan 08 2010 - Day 8

Day 8 - Short on time today. I love the way the Christmas lights are reflecting here. One last twinkle before they are turned off for the season.

Jan 07 2010 - Day 7

It's bonus day! I spent part of the day with my friend and her adorable twin girls... can't just post ONE picture :)

I just thought the 1st picture was funny, they would NOT look at me, but I like the way they are sitting just the same way. Cuteness abounds!

Jan 06 2010 - Day 6

I woke early today. Not sure why. The sky was beautiful and I snapped a few pictures of the sunrise, all pink and blue :)

Jan 05 2010 - Day 5

Ah, my trusty cup of black coffee at my side while editing pictures.

Jan 04 2010 - Day 4

Well, the sick bug that has been hitting everyone has finally hit me. Not feeling great. I spent much of the day just hanging out and watching TV.... Grumpy Old Men is on in the background.

Hopefully I'll feel better soon and be able to post something a little more exciting.

Jan 03 2010 - Day 3

Here's Ratzo. A gift from my best friend.

There's a story behind why I collect 'cute' rats... but perhaps we'll leave that for another day.

Jan 02 2010 - Day 2

Here's Jack after a very strenuous day of napping.

Jan 01 2010 - Day 1

The idea is to take one picture each day and post it here.

So far so good. I've chosen today's picture. We had a LOT of rain today. This is my weeping pussy willow tree.