This and that on Thursday

Images from our Monday drive in the country. Fields of flowers, and things beside the road.

I have to try to find this field again. Hoping I can remember where we were, and see these peonies in bloom!

Oh, I can't wait until these blooms become berries! Nothing I love more than fresh picked berries



I have always loved Queen Anne's lace. So delicate and growing wild beside the road usually near trees.

I

Queen Anne's Lace:

An herb native to Eurasia but found growing throughout North America that has a whitish root and flat lace like clusters of tiny flowers and from which the culitivated carrot originated.
~called also wild carrot.

Who knew? Certainly not me!!

Edit me challenge

OK, I've had a free day, and sat at the computer working the Photoshop elements. Time to get a move on. Here is my edit today.








                                                                   Original Photo

                                                                My edited photo

* first I cropped the photo
* raised black level
*slightly increased saturation
*used clone tool to remove wires
*added Kim Klassen Pumpkin grundge texture at soft light 68%
*added Jessica Drossin autumn texture from illuminations soft light 40%
*added a photo of clouds that I took this weekend. soft light 32%

Still not 100% happy with final product, but hey, it's off to work I go!

Wordless Wednesday

OK, not totally wordless, as not talking has always been hard for me. I was chatty as a young girl. Report cards were always good, except on the section of self control. No, I didn't sit silently and let the day go by. #1 struggles with this too. I say, let the bright ones share what's spinning in their heads. Not sure where that came from, BUT...

Yesterday I went out to my son and DIL's to check out all of the new life. The first baby chicks that weren't hatched in an incubator..excuse the lousy shot, I was shooting blind into a box where they are staying...

And a gift left by one of the other gals.

Mister Mr. came to see what I was up to. Protecting his family?

Missy wanting a little privacy while she lays her egg

This was as close as I could get to the two new kittens. Mama wasn't budging, and I couldn't get under the chair where she decided to put the nursery.

This was the real reason for the visit. Three month's old day before yesterday. Time is flying, and so are her arms and legs. She kicks at the dangling toys and makes the sweetest sounds as we chat and chat and chat. I appreciate her talking..bright minds need to be shared.

Linking up at wordless Wednesday , Project Alicia, and the following blogs

Tuesday, Tuesday,

After a touching memorial day remembering those that have gone before us, we took a drive in the country. The rain held off, but the clouds were threatening.

Candles were lit, and remembrances made.

Rain came and left the air clean and fresh. Linking up withYolanda

An old barn that is on it's last leg..leaning like the tower of Pisa

Also linking up over at Barn Charm

In the barns, I used KK pumpkin grunge

Week in rewind.....emotion

I am enjoying this so much. Seems I get so busy, but looking back over the week I can really stop and remember what was going on.
                                                                       
                                                                                  Monday

My daughter co-hosted a shower for this mama who is trying to bring a little girl home from eastern Europe. It has not been easy. If you want to learn more, check out the button on the side of my blog for "bring Rush home" Reese's rainbow. This night was filled with so much emotion. Women coming together to lift up the hope of a little girl having a forever home.

Tuesday

Went to Portland with a girlfriend, then spent time with baby girl.

Wednesday

Wednesday is the day I spend with the youngest grandson. He's so funny and at such a cute age.

Thursday

I took a cooking class with some friends. We learned about using the convection oven. I have been using it, just was nice to take the class and learn new tricks. Very informative evening.

Friday

Had friends over for dinner. This was my centerpiece. I was able to take the things learned in the cooking class, and put them to use. I even spatchcocked my first chicken! If you don't know what that is, it's butterflying the chicken...

Saturday

A lazy day hanging around the house. I took an online class in photoshop that evening then went to play cards with friends. I'm bit obsessed with lavender right now. Using it in cooking, hand lotion, and just loving the way it looks.

Sunday 

Memorial Day weekend is a big wine tasting time in the Willamette Valley. Wineries have food,music, and it is a fabulous time to try the new wines from the barrels and see what will be bottled next. Our daughter in law's brother and girlfriend flew in from Texas. It was the first time they got to meet baby girl, and it was a wonderful day. So fun to listen to them ohhh and awe over the baby.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

Another fun scavenger hunt. This week's items are: beneath your feet, capturing movement, texture, face your fears, currently

                                               Beneath my feet

Just when I thought I might need to turn on the sprinklers, the rain came. And it's been time for the rain boots.

                                                Capturing movement

This is how we roll. A three ring circus! Baby boy trying to use bat and ball, and my son with #1 playing a little football.

                                                                   Texture

This has been my latest hobby. Playing with textures. It is really quite fun, and I like the way my centerpiece from Friday night dinner turned out. Using one of my vessels I purchased in Europe. I had the hope of having a dinner party where each person had their own little pitcher of wine. I so enjoyed that when we were traveling. I'll just have to do it!

                                                     Facing your fears

Seriously, I don't have a lot of fears. I guess if there were to be one, it would be a car accident for me, or a member of my family.

                                                        Currently

Currently we are having cloudy days with burst of flowers. This is a view of one of the iris fields in our area. Friday night we had quite a thunder storm. Exciting and unusual for us.


That's it for my hunt. Thanks for stopping by, and if you have time head over to Ashley's to check out the other scavengers.

Friday favorites

On the cusp of another weekend. This one, a holiday. Many things planned, time with family and friends. A moment of reflection, for those that are no longer with us.   Until then, here are some of my favorites for this Friday.