What is the Color?

Day 176

Now that we are in the first week of summer, the garden has started to produce edible items. I have young tender lettuce, green onions, baby spinach, baby beet leaves and young Swiss chard ready to pick and to be eaten, even if its just in a fresh green salad.

I like researching different recipes, I like to keep things exciting at the dinner table. One of the recipes I have been researching is to make my own Rhubarb Syrup.. and my brother Ernie sent me a photo of his.

Earlier this week there was a request for 'Moms' Rhubarb Crisp, since I am pulling rhubarb for a crisp, I decided to give Rhubarb Syrup a try.

What is the color of Grandma's Rhubarb Syrup?

Thank you Ernie for the inspiration and Robert for the cool syrup bottles!! I think tomorrow's breakfast will be waffles with Rhubarb Syrup!!

Bon Appetite!

Until tomorrow,

Jewels

"People who love to eat are always the best people." Julia Child

Love = Grandchildren

Day 175

Dear Ashton, Donnie, Aleah, Audrey, James and Kennley:

I want you to know how much I love each and everyone of you. I think you all know that I was a mom before becoming a grandma. I think I am the luckiest mom to have your mom/dad as my child.

How did I get so lucky to have you as my grandchild?I think about you and  I count my blessings and when we are together I count them twice.

As your grandmother, I want to keep you safe. There are things happening around us that even I don't understand.

How would I keep you all safe and happy? I could wrap you up in bubble wrap, or a big fuzzy quilt. Then sneak you some ice cream and watch the best movie ever!

At the River ~ Lens Ball

Tossing Rocks ~ Lens ball

Lens Ball Photo ~

Never forget how much I love you. Remember to be awesome and believe in yourself.

Love Grandma Julie

Thank you for taking a look at my photos. xx

Jewels

"I wouldn't change my grandchildren for the world, but, I would change the world for my grandchildren."

T is for Tea Set

Day 174

T is for Tea Set. I had one as a child. I would make teawater for my dolls and we would have tea. I would serve pretend delicious desserts for us to eat. They never would hurt our appetites for dinner.

I have a Tea Set... my Royal Albert China that I stored in the china cupboard and never use.

 

Kennley and her New Tea Set

Tea is Served

I was using the natural light in the living room to take photos of my grand daughter and her new Tea Set. Since the photo is soft, and I like this image. I used a vintage filter to create a romantic soft mood.

Since today is raining... curl up with a cup of tea and enjoy the patter of the rain!

Until next time!

Jewels

"Would you like an adventure now, or shall we have our tea first?"

Peter Pan 

Yellow

Day 173

 I have yellow in my garden! All sorts of flowers are yellow! Now which flower should I photograph? What lens should I use. Should I include a child model in the photo? 

While walking around the yard deciding on my photo shoot....

I found a yellow spider sitting on a fence rail! He stayed long enough for me to dash in the house to grab my camera and macro lens and take its photo.

I have not seen a yellow spider and so I had to find out its name.

Yellow Crab Spider or Goldenrod Crab Spider or Flower Spider

The size of this spider is between 3mm-9mm in length. You can find these spiders on Goldenrod flowers or daisies.

When I was done taking its photo, it dashed away to safety.

Until tomorrow!

Jewels

Spider:

embodies feminine energy and creativity. They symbolize patience, destiny and fate, receptivity and the shadow of self. Spiders show strength and gentleness and the power to make a positive and happy life"

First Day of Summer

Day 172

The first day of summer always would mean, no school, wearing flip flops, bathing suits, running through sprinklers,  eating watermelons, bbq's, vacations, camping, swimming, staying up past bed time!

Today was mixed day with sunshine, thunder, lightning, and rain. There is something comforting when you are sitting under the patio umbrella listening to the rain and the thunder and enjoying a tasty beverage!

While it was sunny, I took my camera with my macro lens and took some photos of bees at the Bee Balm plant!

As I was clicking away at this bee and flower.....  this is what I found on my camera when I downloaded my pictures!

"This is great, I could stay here all day!"

" I just need to get inside for the best pollen"        "hmmmmmmm maybeeee tasty"

"Wow this is great, I hope you don't mind me beeeeeeing here?"

"I'm done, time for me to go, thank you my friend"

What? I thought I heard something!

I hope I did justice in the bee translation app I used! (just a wee bit of bee humor here!)

Happy First Day of Summer!

Thank you for taking a peek at my photos. Comments are always welcomed. Don't forget you can click on the photo to see them much larger!

Until tomorrow!

Jewels

"Summer: the hair gets lighter, skin gets darker, water gets warmer, drinks get colder, nights are warmer, life gets better."

Photo Challenge at the Park

Day 171

One of the beautiful places to go to have memorable pictures with your family and friends is at Connaught Hill Park. The City Gardner's have just planted the annuals and the perannuals are also have started to flower. If you don't want to take pictures, you can find a bench to watch the view, or a picnic table and have lunch.

Trying to capture that awe inspiring photo of my grand daughter and daughter was my goal today. I do admire those people who have camera or cell phone and with their child in a parking lot with a puddle can capture that photo that says:  oh wow, so cool, such a great happy fun memory of jumping in puddles!

among the flowers

Mother & Daughter

Walking the Stepping Stones

Here is the finished results of photographing my grand daughter and daughter at the park.

The challenge for me is getting that perfect picture of a fast moving 18 month old.

Thank you!

I will see you very soon!

Jewels

"Sometimes all it takes is a little hand reaching for your, to remind you....

...That these are without a doubt, the best years of your life."

Ancient Forest Adventure

Day 170

Today, we, my daughter, my grand daughter and niece, headed out on an adventure to The Ancient Forest. Which is approx. 111 km from Prince George.

We walked among cedar trees that are over one thousand years old. All I can say is seeing is believing. Sometimes you just need to enjoy nature without looking through a camera view finder!  You can spend hours in the forest, exploring, looking, taking pictures...but the mosquitoes keep you moving!

The Mountain View from the Ancient Forest Parking lot

450 meters of Board Walk

 

a walk among the cedars

Ancient Cedars

Selfie Fun

There are  over 2.3 km of trails in The Ancient Forest. I wonder how many km the toddler put on as she chased her mom, cousin and grandmother?

Tail Gate Lunch

We are very lucky to be able to enjoy this Ancient Rain Forest.

you can Google Ancient Forest Prince George BC and research!

Thank you for taking a peek at today's many photos! We had a wonderful day!

See you soon!

Jewels

"Its impossible to walk in the woods and be in a bad mood at the same time."

Duck Family

Day 169

You never know what you will find at the local pond. The water is still high from the snow melting in the mountains.

Today there were different duck families out for a feed and swim. Watching this little family I had noticed there was one that is curious... he/she was the last in the line up... momma quacked and the little duck did a quick paddle to catch up!

Duck Family

I spent a fair amount of time watching the ducks on the pond. I have the mosquito bites to prove it!  I love watching the ducks glide so easily on the surface of the water.

Thank you for taking a peek at my photo!

See you again very soon!

Jewels

"A like a duck. Remain calm on the surface and paddle like heck underneath!"

A walk with Kennley in B & W

Day 168

Taking an 18 month old on a walk.... I am not sure who puts on more miles. Is it the 18 month old with her short little legs...or her mom and grandma who chases after the 18 month old. With frequent stops along the way to check out stones, rocks, crows cawing and picking wild flowers along the path.

Dandelion Wishes

Add caption

Playing along the river

I had my 24mm lens with me on our walk. I do like the photos I took in color, but I decided to edited them in B & W which changed the mood and effect of these pictures.

Until Tomorrow

Jewels

"Life is better when you hear the footsteps of your grand child walking beside you."

Child+ Rocks + Water = ??

Day167

Child + Rock + Water =?

You put those three elements together =  fun. The bigger the rock the bigger the splash! Children of all ages like to through rocks into water, a puddle, creek, river, lake and a back yard pond! How many times have you taken a walk near water and tossed in a few stones to see what kind of splash you can create?

Is that like throwing your troubles and worries away into the lake or river and watching the splash rings disappear... do your troubles and worries disappear too?

Child + Rock + Water = ??

I think a daily walk to a nearby river for some rock throwing therapy is in demand! We should all do that! Be that child and throw our worries and troubles into the river and see what kind of splash we can make! (instead of grandmas pond!)

Until tomorrow

Jewels

"If you think you cannot change the flow of a river, skip a stone across the water and watch the ripples."

Faces

Day 166

Meet my grand daughter Kennley she is about 18 months old. The expressions on her face as she explores, views the world around her.

Taking a delight in simple things like, strawberries, flowers or tossing a plastic frog into the pond! 

It was hard just to pick one photo, here are a few for you to enjoy.

Watching my grand daughter as she checks out grandma's and papa's house! Seeing everything new in her eyes.

Until tomorrow

Jewels

"Grand children are like flowers, you never get tired of watching them grow."

Wild ~ Rose

Day 165

Tonight we are receiving company from "Wild Rose Country". Here in Canada that would mean from the Province of Alberta. The wild rose is the provincial flower for that province.

My daughter and grand daughter are doing a road trip from Calgary AB to Prince George BC for an over due and much needed visit!

The Wild Rose ~after the rain

As we go for our walks through the various parks, the 'Wild Roses' are blooming, they are everywhere! I just love seeing the pretty pink blossoms!

I just love their smell, and as kids we were allowed to pick these roses! We wore them in our hair, pretended to be brides/princesses we would also pick small nosegay bouquet for our mom.

Today, while you are busy doing your Saturday chores, please take time and stop to smell the roses!

Until tomorrow!

Jewels

"Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense." M. Overby

One picture = 3 photo edits

Day 164

Earlier today I was out for my usual walk and took a picture of this pond. I liked the reflection in the water. I took a couple of quick shots and walked on. If you stop too long the mosquitoes will pick you up and carry you away!

as shot and downloaded (1)

This photo was shot f/5.6

1/20sec IOS 100. This photo is soft /muted with the settings I used.

I am not 100% liking this picture and I would of deleted it in camera, but, decided I would do something with this photo.

I did a few edits and some vignetting (2)

played with the clarity slider and light room brushes (3)

Monochromatic (4)

Which photograph is your favorite?

  I had fun taking what I think was a so-so photograph that may have been deleted when I was downloading my imagines onto the computer and creating something I am going to use in another project!

I do like how these photos turned out!

So, yes tell me which picture do you like the best!

So, Until tomorrow!

Jewels

Enjoying each day one sip at a time!

Beeautiful Butterfly

Day 163

Bird, bug and now to find a Bee, a honey, bumble, a bee....  I think I need to be patient. They are around... I just need to be a the right place at the right time.

And so it happens that I was on my walk and came across a Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.

There are over 500 species Swallow Tail Butterflies, but sadly not all live in our part of the world. Most of them are tropical.. so says Wikipedia.

Beautiful Butterfly 

Hello there!

beautiful yellow butterfly,

please can you take me for a ride.

To the tops of the Cottonwood trees where

the Bald Eagles hide

 Fly us up to the tallest pine tree so we can  watch

the might Fraser River flow.

You are beautiful my yellow butterfly,

thank you for the afternoon ride.

I am sad to see you go.

 Author Unknown  :)

Until tomorrow!

See you then!

Jewels

"A season of loneliness

and isolation is when the

caterpillar gets its wings.

Remember that next time

you feel alone.

M.Hale

Bug

Day 162

When you have a yard filled with all sorts of plants that are growing and a small pond, you receive many insect/bug visitors.

This couple I found is called the Damsel Fly, a relative of the Dragon Fly. The Dragon Fly has larger eyes and double wings that stay open. The Damsel can fold up its wings next to its body. There are many types of Damsel Flies and they are in every continent in the world but Antarctica.

A Bug ~ a Damsel Fly

~Update~ George the Baby crow. (yesterday's photo challenge)  Yes we named him/her George! George, spent the night in our comfortable wood pile, with mom nearby keeping an eye on her youngster. This morning they left us for a nursery with more bugs!  ~

Have a wonderful day!

Thank you for checking out my photo!

Jewels

"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it." ~ Peter Pan

Bird

Day 161

The next three photo challenges are Bugs, Bees and Birds and so the challenge begins! With Physical Distancing at the same time your street is closed because the crews are paving the roads, means I am doing a walk about our yard! I was on the hunt for bugs, bees and birds to shoot!

When I was returning to the house, I came upon a baby crow sitting on the wood pile. The baby was warming its self in the sunshine the mother was out finding food to feed to her baby. You would think this baby crow was abandoned, but not, mom was always near by checking up on her baby as she hunted for morsels of food.

Baby Crow

As I was doing the 'baby' photo session, mom was up in a tree cawing. I kept my social distance as I took this photo with my 75-300mm lens.

Momma and her baby taken inside the house

I left them in peace... after reading about crows, they carry a grudge that passes from one generation to the next!

Enjoy the day!

Until next time!

Jewels

"Crow's lesson is to work...walk without fear even if the way is not clear...trust your intuition and the animals that cross your path to guide you... by Soul Wolf

Picture and a story

Day 160

Once upon a time is sometimes a good place to tell a story....

A picture can tell a story to the person creating the picture and it can tell a story to the person looking at the photograph.

There once were a little boy and a little girl. I think we can say that they are brother and sister.. or maybe they are cousins.

They received an invitation to visit their grandmother who they love very much. They always say they want to keep her forever!

The boy and girl have not seen or heard from her for such a very long time. Their mother said it was because of a nasty virus/disease invading the world. The little boy thought maybe the Avengers could save the day.. the little girl said that if you are sick... eat lots of soup, and oranges, stay in bed and watch happy movies!

To make this story more exciting we could say they walked for miles in the blazing hot sun over a snowy hill and down... or ..  we could say that they took a bus wearing face masks to get to their grandmothers house... or ... their dad dropped them off at the end of their grandmothers drive way.

The invitation said for the children to go through the big tall gate, and there would be a surprise for them...

The garden was beautiful.. flowers blooming everywhere, bees busy flying flower to flower.

At the Wishing Well was a small table set up, just for them... juice in the tea pot... strawberries, raspberries, ice cream...

The children called out to their grandmother.... yelling and saying that they are  here and need a grandma sized hug!

There was no answer and so the children ate the treats at this lovely tea table!

When they hard a noise, out hopped a rabbit from the yellow flowers and the frog from the wishing well! The children were startled for only a moment and realized that frog and rabbit were friendly.

The frog and rabbit gave the children warnings. Things are not as they seem.. their grandmother whom they love very much has disappeared and frog and rabbit are her friends and are very are worried.

Once upon a time ~  or ???

Well...

Story to be continued...  or you can add to the story? What happened next? Don't you just love 'cliff hangers'!!

I did have some fun in the yard today... and with the editing!

Have a great day! I will see everyone again tomorrow!

Jewels

"Would you like an Adventure now, or shall we have our Tea?"

Back View and Front View

Day 159

As we were relaxing after a 'Rhubarb production day, and other activities around the house and yard. It was time for PJ's and a cup of relaxing tea!

The view from the back windows surprised us with a double rainbow! In between rain drops I took a few pictures of the rainbow! I could almost see the pot of gold at the end of the rain bow... or maybe its over the rainbow to the land of OZ?

Over the Rainbow ~ Back yard View

While enjoying my cuppa... the view from the front windows was  truly amazing! The sunset and the clouds kept changing.. but I did manage one photo!

Front Window View ~ Sunset

Now can you just imagine this  sunset at a lake or river view! It would of been just amazing.. then in a few moments it was gone!

"When the sun whispers good-bye in the soft gold. It hugs the earth as one beautiful soul" A. Welland-Crosby

Thank you for taking a peek at today's photo... and all other the photos I have posted in my blog!

I will see you tomorrow.. because tomorrow is a new day!

Jewels (PS you can click on a photo to see it much larger! )xx

"The universal symbol of hope & promise, they're the prize for weathering the storm. Time and time again rainbows assure us that there will be beauty and clarity following times of doubt." AuthorUnknown

Rhubarb Season

Day 158

It is rhubarb season! Our rhubarb is tall, crisp, tender, juicy and ready to be chopped and recipes created for our taste buds and stomachs!

Rhubarb Plant 1 of 3 plants

There are so many great recipes from BBQ sauces to desserts. I usually start the rhubarb season with a tangy delicious Rhubarb Crisp or Donna Hennig's Rhubarb Lemonade. Not this year, this year is for new beginnings, new ideas, new creations!

Rhubarb ready to pick (step 1)

As I was chopping the rhubarb, the smell took me back to my mothers garden, where we pulled a stalk of rhubarb and took mother's bowl of sugar and ate the rhubarb dipped in sugar.... oh those summer days!

As you can see the I am at step 2 of my creation... do I share the recipe with you or should I let you wait and see what I have created?!

Question of the day: Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable?

Until tomorrow

Jewels

" Use for rhubarb;  dye eggs, dye hair, or you can even use the fibers to knit sweaters!"