Thursday, March 26, 2009

Mr. Food Processor




















I seem to be making my way around the kitchen. Here is Mr. Food Processor AKA Kitchen-Aide. Tomorrow I'll introduce you to Mr. Toaster and perhaps on Saturday Mr. Microwave. Actually - I'm printing all of these, framing them, and doing a display on one of the kitchen walls (I imagine that will be photo of the day too.)
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I'm A Little Tea Pot...




















I'm a little tea pot, short and stout...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Concrete Frog




















This frog stands guard at our front door. To understand where he comes from follow this LINK.
(Click on the photo view a larger image).

Monday, March 23, 2009

Yellow Tulips




















Oz Girl, a fellow 365 Blogger, gave me the idea to use poster board as a background. My wife had brought home some tulips for a center piece, and put them in a red vase - it just screamed "photo op"... I ran to Hobby Lobby, purchased some foam core board, ran home again and took this picture. I softened it a bit in photoshop - but, I like it. Do you?
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Inaugural B-B-Q




















We had a birthday party for our oldest daughter and my mother-in-law and the spring weather was so nice we broke out the grill, cleaned it up and had the first B-B-Q of the season.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Saturday, March 21, 2009

First Day of Spring














Do we dare put the snowblower away for the season?
(Click on photo to view a larger mage).

Friday, March 20, 2009

Bird(s)
















































I had heard that there were Eagles near a lake in Waterloo and thought I'd go out and take a picture. Perhaps I thought that since they are our national symbol, that they would just strike a pose. Well... no Eagles - but I did see a gull, a hawk, a robin and a sparrow. I wasn't about to come home without any pictures, so here are 4 bird pictures [perhaps I am over-compensating for no Eagle pictures]. I'll keep trying for the Eagles...
(Click on a photo to view a larger image).

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cross




















We had choir rehearsal last night and this was the sunset behind the cross. God was painting.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Foot




















Someone (my youngest daughter) didn't want her picture taken. Here's a picture of her foot...

Brief survey- I have posted this photo at a lower resolution, so when you click on the photo you do not get the screen filling version as I have previously posted. Which do you prefer, larger version, this version, or does it make a difference? It doesn't make a difference to me... post a comment and let me know... thank you (1) for visiting, and (2) for the comments...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day




















An interesting builing in Mendota Heights, MN - I added the green tint because it's St. Paddy's Day!! The normal color appears below.





















(Click on the photo for a large view of the image.)

Monday, March 16, 2009

Car On Ice














58 Degrees and melting... Not so sure I would drive my car out onto a frozen (and melting) lake!! But, hey - those Minnesotans are a tough bunch when it comes to ice fishing!!
(Click on the photo to view a larger image before the car sinks).

Sunday, March 15, 2009

3 Kittens Yarn Shop













For years my wife's favorite (or one of her most favorite) yarn shops has been 3 Kittens in Mendota Heights, MN. They used to be in a much older building that seemed to go on forever with nooks and crannies everywhere. They recently relocated to a new building. As in the past I took my camera to shoot pictures while she browsed (and bought) the yarn and assorted knitting "stuff".












A Button Display...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Barn Door New Prague, Minnesota






























We are in New Prague, Minnesota staying with my youngest daughter. We're going to celebrate our Granddaughter Ania's 12th birthday today. The daily photo must continue - here is a picture of a barn door in New Prague. I obviously can't read...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Friday, March 13, 2009

Blacks Building


















Black's Building in downtown Waterloo was completed in 1914 and is part of the skyline in Waterloo. People in NE Iowa know this building. The Department Store is long since gone and now it's an office building. I understand that there will be a new "fancy" restaurant on the top floor. I was downtown yesterday and took a picture.
(Click on the photo for a larger image).

Here is an older image I found online...

Thursday, March 12, 2009

What A Difference A Day Makes














We had an extreme drop in temperature yesterday. Our flooded area is now an ice rink.


(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Wet Feet




















Apparently not all ducks take to water. It appears that she doesn't want to get her feet wet..
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Spring Flooding














This is the park behind the Credit Union - not a lake, although it appears to be one. Last year in June the water was 20 feet deep and we had to evacuate. Everyone is anxious as the water is rising...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Monday, March 9, 2009

Photo Competition




















I belong to the Linn County Area Photo Club and we have monthly photo competitions. This month's theme was Still life and/or Glassware. The photos are peer judged.

At this month's meeting my photo Relax was judged a 1st Place photo.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Stone Fountain




















Here is a fountain from a home show. I often wonder about the work it takes to set something like this up. This was one of MANY working fountains and stone displays...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Cosmetic Universe














We went to our Grandson's 11th birthday party and I noticed this painting on the fireplace mantle. I inquired and discovered that James had done this painting as an art project at school. When I asked what it was [grandpas always have to ask such things] he told me the name of the painting was Cosmetic Universe. So, here is a photographic reproduction of Cosmetic Universe by James M. Cummings.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Friday, March 6, 2009

Quilt




















The Grout Museum has a WW II Quilt Display and this is a quilt made entirely from Navy Petty Officer Chevrons.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Cute Kid



















This has not been "photoshopped" other than cropping the photo.  I was horsing around with some of my "rejected" pictures and cut myself out of a couple and stuck them on this photo.  As I was contemplating a picture for today I thought - why not take a picture of me in front of me. Yes, the baby is me at 13 months.  The note on the back from my mother indicates that the picture was taken July 10, 1952.  The other two were taken the day I got my wireless remote for my camera.
(If you'd like a larger view you can click on the photo).

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Coffee Pot




















We love our coffee!! The downside being we go through a lot of coffee pots. We had a Bun for awhile, but it finally died after years of loyal service. We've had subsequent pots and either they poured poorly or had other issues - like dripping slowly or burning up. This is our recent acquisition - a percolator. The sound takes me back to my childhood and the smell is glorious. One question - why do they only give you a 6 inch cord?
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Wall Writing














I don't read graffiti so I have no idea what this says - but, its style captured my attention.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Monday, March 2, 2009

Mother Nature's Ice Cubes














Mother Nature has left her ice cubes laying out next to the Cedar River...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Fountain




















This was a sculpture/fountain in the lobby of the Continuing Education Building on the Kirkwood Junior College Campus in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.





















here is another view...
(Click on the photo(s) for a larger view of the image).

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Moon Shot














There was an interesting moon last night at dusk. I played around with getting a picture. This photo is not quite what I was looking for, but it does have some interesting shades of blue. It was cold (23 degrees with a wind chill putting it near zero) so I took this picture quickly not taking the time to frame the photo without the electric wires.
(Click on the photo for a larger view).

Friday, February 27, 2009

Vase




















On Thursday nights my wife at times has to work late at the Grout Museum for a family night. I tag along and roam around looking for picture opportunities. Last night I took a picture of vases she has for sale in the gift shop.
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Sunset














A gorgeous winter sunset.
(Click on the photo to view a large image).

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Fat Tuesday




















My Church, Trinity Episcopal Parish, in Waterloo, Iowa, flew in 100 lbs of Louisiana crayfish to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Our standard fare for years has been pancakes and this year one of our youth suggested something different. It was a Fat Tuesday celebration (minus the debauchery found on Bourbon street in New Orleans!!)
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Little Guy




















Saw this little guy guarding a pond at the home show - loved the eyes...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Monday, February 23, 2009

Hands














My daughter-in-law's hands as she foils a piece of stained glass at the Home Show in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sunday, February 22, 2009

New Gizmo




















This is a photo of my Canon 50D with a new Wireless Remote Shutter Switch. I have been wanting one for some time but the Canon brand was pricey. My favorite photo store, Porter's in Cedar Falls, Iowa has started to handle a 3rd party (RFN3) Wireless Remote Switch at a most reasonable price. So, I finally bought one. It's cool - I can set the camera up - go across the room and hit the button and the shutter fires. I can hardly wait until it is warmer out and I can setup outside and get a picture of that cardinal that always seems to know when I'm going to hit the release...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Izzie




















I was invited to Izzie's 3rd birthday party last night - had to take my camera - here is the birthday girl getting ready to blow out the candle...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Friday, February 20, 2009

Old School House




















One room school house in Cedar Falls, Iowa. No internet, no computers, no overhead projectors - how did they ever learn? With teachers and chalk...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Iowa.com














You will probably pick up on the fact that this photo was not taken today or yesterday since it is February in Iowa and there is green grass (and no snow) in the photo. This photo, along with 2 other of my photos, appear on a new website www.iowa.com in the section CaptureIowa. I submitted several photos last fall and received a note yesterday that they are on the site.

Besides the fact some of my pictures are on the site - it's a cool site promoting Iowa.
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Street Art




















Cedar Falls, Iowa has such cool street art.
(Click on photo to view a larger view of the image).

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Pens




















For as long as I can remember I have loved pens and pencils. I had a cigar box filled with them while I was growing up. My collections have varied over the years and it seems that my more recent taste is a bit more expensive then when I was a kid. This picture reflects a few of the pens I have...
(Click on the photo for a larger view of the image).

Monday, February 16, 2009

Snow Clings On














The sun has been shining and it has been relatively warm, but some of the snow just hangs on...
(Click on the photo to view a larger image).

Sunday, February 15, 2009

A Rose




















Paid a return visit to Crazy Girls Yarn Shop in Cedar Falls and of course took my camera to take a few pictures. They had a gorgeous bouquet of roses so I took a picture. It seems, however, that I'm not the only person taking pictures in the yarn shop...




















This is Linda taking a picture of one her projects that she will add to the website www.ravelry.com.
(As always - click on the photo for a larger view of the image).