Friday, August 28, 2020

Fun Edit Friday

 Day 240

 

Today I thought I would do another I phone edit, using pictures on my phone and the  Adobe Photoshop Mix, an editing app I have downloaded to my phone. I have used it before, today I was struggling to get the images just right. 

Fun Edit Friday..

 

 I used 3 separate pictures of Audrey, Donnie and myself that were taken in Naniamo, the Sand Castle was taken recently at West Lake. 

I had fun creating this image, maybe I need to play with photo shop on the desk top computer or find a large phone screen! 

 

I will not be posting my photo challenge next week. I will be away from my computer, but I still will be taking a photograph a day and then doing a catch up posting when I return.

 

Be good, be safe! 

xx 

 

Jewels 

"Life is better at the Beach"



 

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Take a moment

Day 239

 

Take a moment and blow bubbles! Even when you do this action by yourself, you cannot help but giggle/laugh/chuckle. 

I found a photo on Pinterest of a bubble sitting so lovely on a daisy! I wanted to try and capture a similar image.

I discovered that wind even a slightest breeze blew my bubbles away! I of course chuckled and tried again. It is a challenge for sure, esp. when you are blowing bubbles and trying to snap a photo at the same time!

I did get a couple, this one I like! It is almost like a lens ball photo! 

Take a moment and blow a bubble

 

 I was using my macro lens to get up close to the bubble! 

 

Thank you for taking a look at my photo for today! 

 

I will see you again tomorrow!

 

Jewels 

"Playing when you are an adult helps keep creativity alive. So, go blow some bubbles!"  

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Me and the Flowers

 Day 238

 

To take this photo of Me and the Flowers, I had to set my camera on the self timer mode, prop the camera on my bag on a nearby flat rock and dashed up the path to another waiting rock in the flower bed of Connaught Hil Park.  

Me and the Flowers


I have heard that tree stumps, fence posts, picnic tables, the hood of the car, front/back steps make a great tripod or photo assistant! That may mean you are dashing in 2 to 10 seconds to get into that great shot! 


Have a wonderful Day!

Until tomorrow!


Jewels


"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food,and medicine to the soul." L.Burbank


Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Colours

 Day 237


Colours: When I think of colours, I think of the assortment of beautiful flowers in my garden.  When I take a photo, I love how the colours pop out and make me feel. The colours can help express the story in the photograph. In short colours can brighten up our world, express how we feel at the moment. 

 

Pencil Crayons ~ Natural, rustic

 

Pencil Crayons colouring

 Pencil crayons waiting to create a colourful piece of art. How I wish I could draw or paint. Instead I will use my camera. 

The top picture I was using my macro lens and then played with the editing. 

The second picture, I used  my Iphone and then did some editing with an editing tool on my phone. 

 


I will see you tomorrow!


Jewels 


" Sometimes all we need is a little splash of colour!"

Monday, August 24, 2020

Last week of August

Day 236

 

The last week of August can be a busy time when you were a kid. The last week of camp outs,sleep overs, swimming in the creek, sleeping in, watching day time TV, hanging out with friends, summer jobs, taking that list minute family vacation, back to school clothes and school supply shopping. 

My photo challenge had me head up to West Lake Provincial Park located on Nadsilnich Lake (West Lake) is about a 25 minute drive from the house. 

Add caption
 

When I arrived, I found this sand castle still standing from the last visitor to the beach, not even the resident geese bothered the castle.

Sand Castle Tower guarding the beach
 

 

Making a Splash ~ Lens Ball
 

 

 

I didn't make sand castles or dig for buried treasure, at West Lake, as I was enjoying the sunshine and my coffee and playing with my lens ball.

  

I will see you tomorrow

 

Jewels 

"Let the waves hit your feet, let the sand be your seat." 

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Action Shot

 Day 235

 Action Shot is a method of capturing an object in action and displaying it in a single image.

To freeze the action, set your camera to sports mode or set your Shutter Speed Priority to a high setting...  


Wood ready to split  


Action Shot ~ splitting wood

 

To take an Action Shot, choose Single Shot drive mode, unless you want a series of images, then set your camera to Continuous Drive mode. To stop the action, shoot in Shutter Speed mode. Your shutter speed range will be between 1/250 of a second (is what I used to get this shot) and 1/15 if a second. 


Wood Pile



Now that we have added wood to the wood pile... the only action we are looking for is a glass of wine... or maybe a shot of Cherrycello!


Until the next time! 


Jewels 


"Splitting wood.... the local Gym!"

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Lake Views

 Day 234


One of the chores we do to get ready for winter is to collect and store up some fire wood. We have a friend with lake property and he had some beavers helping him take down trees, and we were asked if we wanted the wood. The men got to play lumber jacks and I took a few photos of the lake. 

Morning at Ness Lake

 This photo was taken at the end of the dock when we first arrived at the lake. 

Lunch Time View at Ness lake


We all enjoyed a delicious BBQ Hamburger lunch and the view. The way I see it.. it is the company and the view and the fact we got the pleasure to eat outside at the lake which made lunch so tasty. Compliments to the chef!


Thank you for taking a peek at today's photo!


Until tomorrow


Jewels 

"Make your heart like a lake, with a calm still surface and great depth of kindness." Lao Tzu

Friday, August 21, 2020

Day Off

 Day 233


Whether you are taking a day off from work or a day off from home because of the current weather (rain) we are having here in Prince George. You find a friend or your mom and head out of town! Even for an hour or two!

The rain did followed us until we hit the turn off to The Ancient Forest. It was warm, cloudy with a teeny bit of rain.



Walking in the park we were not affected by the rain. The tall ancient cedars kept us dry. 


I was playing with my camera settings with this photo. I wanted the water to be smooth and silky looking. 


Kim on the bridge admiring the waterfall    


We made it to the Ancient Forest Waterfall. Years past people would get a lot closer to the falls trying to get 'that' photo. Now they want you to stay on the board walks, stay on the path.

 With the hundreds of people who visit this park on a daily basis, I can understand why. When we stand on the roots of these old trees to pose and take selfies and when we walk and stomp on natural growth in this ancient forest, we are hurting these amazing 1000 and 2000 year old trees and the natural growth that surrounds these tress in this amazing Ancient Forest. 

Every time I come here, I see something different. I would love to come here when the leaves have changed colour for Autumn. 

 

Thank you Kim for inviting me along and sharing your day off with you! xx


Until tomorrow


Jewels 

"Let's take our hearts for a walk in the woods and listen to the magic whispers of old trees...."


Thursday, August 20, 2020

Self Portrait ~ Masks

 Day 232

 

 

What do you do when you need to dash out of the house and you look like you hadn't slept well, hair needs attention and you are required to wear a mask in some of the shops. 

I had some fun playing with some of my accessories in the bathroom. Yes, I think face masks are now becoming accessories like your jewelry, sunglasses, belts, purses. I see a trend of wearing face masks as a part of your character and your sense of style.

 

Covid-19 Self Portrait August 20 2020
 

 

 I used my Iphone to take these photos, and used my editing app on the phone. 

I did have fun switching the hats, sunglasses and masks... can you tell that I was smiling in each photo? 


Thank you! 

PS... I decided to stay home and make raspberry jam instead! xx 

Until tomorrow!


Jewels 


"Stay safe and Stylish!"

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Down Town

 Day 231

 

When Covid-19 hit we all needed to do some physical distancing, staying away from large crowds, only went shopping when necessary. There fore I really had no reason to venture and wonder around down town Prince George.

After a wonderful catch up coffee date with a friend, we decided we needed to go for a walk. We were chatting away then turned a corner.... we were both surprised at what we found! 

THE WOOD INNOVATION SQUARE 


The Wood Innovation Square is located on 5th ave, adjacent to both the Wood Innovation and Design Centre and the Wood Innovation Research Lab.

What a lovely place to sit relax while on a your lunch break, or to meet friends for a coffee on a gorgeous day like today! 



Thank you for going on walk with me! 


Until tomorrow!


Jewels 

"Sometimes walking with a dear friend is all the therapy you need."

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Black and White Garden ~ The Pond

 Day 230


Another rainy day in paradise! We were just treated to a few days of hot summer sunny weather and then bamm here comes the rain again.

 I think the weather is fitting for my B & W pond photo.

 You can see the rain drops in the pond. A good thing is that we don't need to water, Mother Nature is helping us out! 


B & W Garden ~ The Pond



If you are wanting to go out and take photographs in the rain. And you do not want to get your camera wet. You can make your own rain coat for your camera. Just use a clear grocery bag, make sure both hands can fit in the bag with the camera, and that you can access to view finder. With a pair of scissors cut a hold big enough for you lens to poke through. This is a temporary fix if you are wanting to get that shot. Pinterest is full of ideas!


Until tomorrow (it is suppose to be better weather!)


Jewels 

"Rain is just confetti from the sky!"

Monday, August 17, 2020

Black and White Garden ~ Bee

Day 229

 

 

Doing my walk about the garden, camera in hand, I notice a bee hopping from flower to flower.* I was using my 24mm lens on my camera and I tried to get as close as I could before he flew off to another flower. 

Black and White - Bee

 

 

Colour - Bee
 

 I took 2 photographs one in color and one in Black and White, you can choose the one you like better! 

Thank you for taking a look at my photo challenge!

I will see you soon!

 

Jewels 

 *A honey bee visits 50-100 flowers a trip*


Sunday, August 16, 2020

My Black and White Garden ~ Onion

 Day 228


We humans see the world in color and to see our world in monochrome makes pause and look closely. To remove the colors from your garden you see the world in a different way.  Removing color from a picture helps the viewer to focus on the emotional side of the photo.

Black and White Garden ~ Onion
 

 I took this photo at 8:30 this morning. The sun was shining making the garden green bright and clean. I used my 24mm lens and was on my hands and knees to get close up. 


Thank you for taking a look at my photo challenge. 

I will see you tomorrow!


Jewels 


"Color is descriptive Black and White is interpretive."

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Coffee Shop Patio ~ Cafe Voltaire

Day 227

 

If you want a great cup of coffee, wonderful customer service, locally grown produce, baked in store delicious food.. you need to go to Books and Company and inside is a hidden treasure... Cafe Voltaire. 

Young and young at heart gather here. If you are working downtown, just finished a run, on a coffee/lunch break, meeting friends or just out shopping, this cafe is the place to be!  Come on in, meet the staff, grab that cup of coffee/tea and while you are there, I am sure there is a book you are wanting to read this summer! 

 


 

Coffee Shop Patio ~ Cafe Voltaire




We enjoyed a leisure, quiet, tasty, relaxing, breakfast this morning on the patio at Cafe Voltaire..... See you there soon!

 

 

Until tomorrow

Jewels  


"Patio Rules: Read a book, enjoy the seasons, feel the breeze, listen to the birds, relax and sip a hot or cold drink"

Friday, August 14, 2020

C is for .....

Day 226

 Rainy rambling thoughts:

I looked out the window this morning and I saw that it was raining. I had this urge to stay in bed to snuggle, read, and drink coffee. 

Standing at the door, listening to the rain, feeling the rain drops on my face. The rain trickles down the window pane and fills up the pond. The cat sneaks out and hesitates and drinks from the puddle on the deck.

Rain drips off the strawberry plants, rain patters on the roof and the rain drops  washes away yesterday leaving everything fresh, bright and clean. 


C is for..... Circles created by rain drops

 C is for Circles created by the rain drops in the pond. I used a fast shutter speed to capture this image. 

C is for cat.. out side drinking from a rain puddle.  Mao saw me with my camera and decided he had enough and went back inside for his nap!


C is for ..... Cat 


The answer to yesterday's photo question is:  'Dill'! 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and check out my photo of the day!

 

Until tomorrow (forecast no rain... we will see!)

 

Jewels 

 

"Let's just sit quietly and listen to the secrets the rain wants to tell you." J.M.Green

 

Thursday, August 13, 2020

My Black and White Garden ~ Sunflower

Day 225

 

It is almost the middle of August, and lately it feels like we are into autumn instead of the typical hot summer weather! We should be enjoying the yard, the sunshine, sipping on deck wine!

It is almost the middle of August and the scary thought is we could wake up to frost! Lets hope that the old weather man is kind to us and he considers the rainy start to our summer before he does a drastic weather change on us.

Center of a Sunflower ~ B & W        Macro lens

I thought it would be interesting to take some black and white photos of my plants and flowers around the yard.  

I am hoping that there is still time for my sunflowers to bloom. Meanwhile, I thought this photo taken in black and white made the center of the flower look like an alien bug with all those hairy legs!

 

 

 

One more picture, can you name this plant? 

 

Until tomorrow

 

Jewels 

 

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." Anne Frank 

 

 

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Summer ~ Raspberries on my mind.

 Day 224

 

The rainy day today is keeping me indoors and since I have raspberries that need my attention, it is time to bake something wonderful with those raspberries. 


Torte: a sweet care or tart. A torte is normally made in layers.

Tart: an open pastry containing a filling.

Pie: A baked dish of fruit, or meat and vegetables, typically with a top and base of pastry. 


Baking smells amazing, that wonderful smell in your house helps with the rainy day doldrums. Some people say that if you bake you have talent. It is a little bit of science, but, a whole lot of magic too. You put a mixture of sloppy ingredients together and put it into the oven and "Ba-mm" its a cake! Baking is for sharing, and celebrating! What are we celebrating today... come rain, come shine tomorrow is another wonderful day and I will need to pick more raspberries!


Raspberry Curd Tart


I licked the bowl, so the Raspberry Curd very tasty. I can't wait to have dessert tonight! What is for dinner.. not a clue, but I have a plan for dessert!



Thank you

I will see you tomorrow!


Jewels 

PS, I have Raspberry Lemon Squares in the oven.. oh the house smells so yummy!!


"Stressed is desserts spelled backwards!"

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Lines

 Day 223


 I was struggling with today's photo challenge. I do have a list of key words to use as inspiration. Today I needed to dig out that list!

 I packed up my camera and headed out to find 'Lines' or something 'Vintage'!

I headed over to Cottonwood Island Park. There is a bridge at the park that is the Replica of the Cameron Street Bridge that was connected the Hart subdivision to downtown.

Bridge at Cottonwood Island Park
 

  I took this photo with the camera on the bridge deck, wanting to capture the deck and the supports above. 


 
 

Iphone selfie ~ Vintage (me) ~  Lines (the bridge)

Can a person be actually called 'Vintage'? 

 

 Thank you for taking a look at today's photo, it was a challenge!

 

Until tomorrow

(I have an idea for tomorrow! )

Jewels 

 "Love is the bridge between you and everything." -Rumi

Monday, August 10, 2020

Summer ~ Orange Lily

 Day 222

 

 

Her name was Lily and she sits by the pond in the garden. She watches the comings and goings and wonders what it would like to be with them. 

She has a very special spot where she sits in her garden by the pond. Lily sits there everyday even when day is the dullest and the coldest. Lily still sits in her garden by the pond when it snows so much that the snow covers her hat. She always wonders what it would be like to be with them.

When night appears Lily's animal friends come to drink at the pond. They tell her stories about where they have been and what they saw when they were away from the pond in the garden.  

Lily loves her pond in the garden. The cat comes to drink, the birds come to bathe. She laughs and chuckles watching her animal friends at her pond in the garden. Everyday she wonders what it would be like to be with them.

 

 

Orange Lily


This is the last of the Orange Lilies that we grow in the garden by the pond. When I picked this blossom, the petals fell off and I decided to use the reflection in the pond for my photo shoot and try and tell a story. 

 

Thank you everyone!

 

Until next time!

Jewels 

 

"Each separate flower has its own magic!"

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Summer ~Summer Sunday Morning

 Day 221

 

 

Golden hour in photography is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset. During that time the daylight is redder, softer than when the sun is high in the sky. 

 

 

This morning walking around the wet dew grass with coffee cup in one hand and my camera in the other. 

Summer Sunday Morning

This may not be a true golden hour photo, but, I do like the softer morning light in this photo. 

This is a view of our yard. What a great way to start the day by sitting in the gazebo having that first cup of coffee on a Sunday  morning. Everything is quiet except for the birds, the world seems to be at peace.

 

 Thank you for taking a peek at my photo for today!


Until next time!


Jewels 


"But these are the days we dream about when the sunlight paints us gold"



Saturday, August 8, 2020

Summer ~ Farmer's Market

 
Day 220

 

Farmers' Market is a physical retail marketplace intended to sell foods directly by farmers to consumers. 

Here is Prince George, Saturday is Farmers' Market Day. If you are looking for locally grown fruits and vegetables, flower bouquets, eggs, meat/poultry, home made jams jellies, pickles as well as home baked goods. Sometimes you may come across a few local artists with their wares on display and ready to sell. 

Strolling around the Farmers Market
 

 

 

Early Morning at the Market
 

 People were purchasing their groceries for the week, chatting with friends they haven't seen in a while, listening to the music, and tasting the home baked goods. The Market almost had a festive air to the day. 

 

 

Until tomorrow

 

Jewels 

 

"Keep your friends close and your farmer closer"

Friday, August 7, 2020

Summer ~ Enjoying the view

Day 219

 

Sometimes we are all rushing around with our list of things to do and we forget to stop relax and to enjoy the view.

These days we pack along sanitizer wipes, non-medical grade face masks and the to do list. Did you remember the cell phone or hey how about your wallet not to mention my camera I need to do my photo for my challenge! 

Excuse me buddy your in my physical space.. you entered my bubble world! What about those arrows on the floor does it feels like kindergarten? Hey people you are going the wrong way! I am wearing a face mask while in your store how about you! Oh good graciousness! 

Enjoying the view

 

Do you hear the sigh of relief as I sit and sip and enjoy the view! 

 

So, how was your day? 

 

 Thank you, I am feeling much better!

 

Until next time! 


Jewels 

 

"Where ever you may be...

take a few moments to

just sit and 

enjoy the view"

 

 

Thursday, August 6, 2020

Summer ~ The Weather today is...

Day 218



Prince George weather today is rain and currently at 12:05 it is 13c. Weather may rise up to 17c with 30 to 70% showers all day.

The rain today gives me a chance to do some inside chores, such as baking up some treats for the weekend.
I am thinking we do not need to water the yard, Mother Nature is looking after that for us.

Weather to day is ... Rain

When it rains I love trying to capture a good rain drip photo! What do you think of that photo... do you like pictures that are 100% clear and in focus?
Weather today is... Rain



Walking around with my camera taking photo of the weather today was very refreshing. I am sure the plants are not complaining either!


What ever the weather you are having today, I hope you are staying busy, healthy and happy!


Until tomorrow

Jewels


"When life throws you a rainy day ~ play in the puddles!" W.Pooh.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Summer ~ Treats

Day 217


When I hear these two words, Summer Treats, I think of something very cold and tasty. My favorite summer treat is ice cream, well actually any time of year!

It would be so easier to run to the local grocery store, or even an ice cream shop and buy some ice cream to do my photo shoot.
I had a better idea. To make my own ice cream/sorbet. I have been picking lots of raspberries and have put some into the freezer to use later and today is later!

Thank you to my friends Ms Google and Ms Pinterest, they had recipes to make ice cream using my blender.
I do own an ice cream maker, I really didn't want to deal with ice and salt, plus, I wanted to do something fairly quickly with a few ingredients that a person may have in the fridge or pantry.



Summer Treat ~ Raspberry Ice Cream








One of the bonuses of making something like this at home and no one else is around..... you get to lick out the bowl! I must say very tasty!

I hope you are enjoying a treat today!
Until next time
Jewels
PS Tonight's dessert was a huge hit!


Ice cream
It's the treat that we count on
in all circumstances ~
from 'Yeah' to "Ugh", what a lousy day.
In its own sweet way,
ice cream reminds us to
"Enjoy life...
before it melts away!"






Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Summer ~ Cucumbers

Day 216

I have just one cucumber plant. The other 3 did not make it when they were planted in late May. Good news is that I just picked 3 fat pickling cucumbers and I have more coming (fingers crossed)! I have a plan for my cucumbers!

Cucumber Slices

Though commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is actually a fruit! Really I had never thought that!
High in nutrients and antioxidants that may help certain conditions. Cucumbers are low in calories contains a good amount of water and soluble fiber, making cucumbers ideal for promoting weight loss and keeping the body hydrated.

Close up of a Cucumber Slice




I used my macro lens and got up close to the cucumber slice. Can you see the
bubbles? 


Back to the kitchen!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and check out my photo for the day!

Until tomorrow!

Jewels
Refrigerator Pickles

PS.. 4 jars a refrigerator pickles.. I used my cucumbers, red onion and orange peppers. Now we need to wait 24 hours to taste.. great on sandwiches, BBQ hamburgers... or just to snack on!!



" The body is just 80% water, so we are basically just cucumbers with anxiety!"

Monday, August 3, 2020

Summer ~ Projects

Day 215


During the summer when we have sunshine, it is the perfect time to work on projects around the house and yard.There is always something that needs to be repaired or a new project to enhance our yard.  That way we can when all the yard chores are done, we can sit back relax, with a glass of wine and enjoy our green space our own secret garden.

Garden Gate ~ Outside the yard

Garden Gate ~ Inside the Yard


Welcome to our Secret Garden


Robert did a great job on the new gate. It welcomes you to our back yard where you can wonder around, sit, chat, sip a beverage, relax and ignore the outside world for a while.

Thank you for taking the time to check out my photos for my picture a day challenge!

I will see you again tomorrow!

Jewels

"If you long for a mind at rest
and heart that cannot harden...
go find a gate
that opens wide
and into a
secret garden."







































Sunday, August 2, 2020

Summer ~ Insects

Day 214

We were doing some flower/herb garden bed clean up when we were visited by this beetle.
After doing a google search I found our friend. This is a ten-lined June beetle. Another name for him is the watermelon beetle. He is a scarab beetle and they are found in western USA and Canada. When we picked him up and placed him on this leaf so I can take his photograph he made a hissing sound sort of like a bat hiss.

Top view ~ ten -lined June Beetle


Side View ~ about 2 1/2 inches long



He is not poisonous and does not bite. He can be a pest, he loves to eat the roots in your garden.



See you soon!

Jewels



"Play in the dirt, because life is too short to always have clean fingernails."