koko's corner

Everyday Tools

I'm participating in a photo exercise put out by Paint The Moon Photography.  NO, I'm not in any way affiliated with them, nor do they know I even exist. The weekly themes and rules are on their blog. 

The theme last week was to take photos using "white space" or the second alternative "everyday tools."

My kitchen counter this morning hit me as the perfect picture for everyday tools. 

This was the second sink full of dishes that got washed last night but these did not get put away. Putting my feet up and having a nice drink was more important to me at the time. :-)

 

Everyday Tools

I don't know what this weeks ideas are but I'm looking forward to the challenge. 

Also, MCP Actions has a photography exercise going also. It's called Project 12 with a monthly theme. Again, I'm in NO way associated with them, nor do they know I even exist.

For the month of January the theme is "resolution" this is pretty challenging and I'm not quite sure yet what I'll submit, but I'm confident I'll come up with something. 

I will be adding links to both of these web sites on my blog. They both have been very generous with their free photoshop actions and photography tips and tricks, I think it would be a nice thing to do to show appreciation. 

And tha'ts that

 

Clementine Candle

Have you made yours yet? I think I first heard about this on the food group RFC on Facebook. 

 

Here's the link to the process 

Get your Clementines, aka Cuties and some olive oil. It's a lot of fun and they are so cute all aglow at night. 

What I did different was to cut the clementine in half before seperating the peel from the flesh. Also, on the wick end, when you turn the peel away from the flesh, I was much more successfull and ended up with longer wicks if I removed the flesh, section, by section, rather than pulling the peel away from the flesh. 

I've eaten a lot of Cuties lately.

 

Just a few odds and ends photos

During our 10 hour power outage we were fortunately hooked up to a generator and I was able to use my computer. I took it as an opportunity to filter through some old photos, so here's a few I thought I'd share with you. 

No particular reason, or order, just a few cute photos. This is part of the animal edition. ;-)

 

 

Scooter and Smoky on guard

 

 

Smoky likes peas, she eats the tender innards then spits out the tougher shell

 

 

Isn't that the cutest pig snout you've ever seen

Yes, I did get down and dirty to get this shot, but I just love that snout. 

 

 

I took this right after CA passed the no texting while driving law.

Nothing says you can't text and ride though. 

 

And that's that

 

Moonset

 

Sometimes leaving for work early has it's own rewards. 

 

 

Scooter's in trouble...again

In the early morning and at dusk we have rabbits come visit us. Scooter *loves* chasing rabbits, and he's fast, really fast.

To get away from Scooter, the rabbits squeeze through the pig wire fence that runs down one side of our fenced 3 acres, and successfully escape onto the the adjoining 36 unfenced wild acres. 

Before you know it, Scooter is on the other side of the fence happily chasing rabbits and picking up every sticker imaginable, I mean an infestation of stickers and weeds. I've walked the fence several times looking for the spot he's getting through, and try as I may, I can't find it.

My biggest worry though, is that a wild animal or a rattlesnake will get him. He's not a very big guy, he weighs only 12 pounds and doesn't even come up to my knees.

Did I mention he's my precious baby. 

Last Saturday morning, not seeing any rabbits, I let Scooter out to do his business, before I even had my first cup of coffee, he was off chasing rabbits and ended up on the other side of the fence.

Sleepily I go out to get him and I have to climb halfway over the wire fence (in my mismatched p.j's and my favorite and only pair of Crocs, that by the way, are taking on all matter of sand, dirt and pebbles,) to pick up his sticker ridden self. 

 

So he was on restriction. His only view of the world that morning was from a stool by the front door. 

Then I got the brilliant idea! the next rabbit I see come on the property, I'd let him out to chase it then I'd find where he's getting out. 

Yeah right

Happy Dance, Happy Dance

I'm doing the happy dance. I finally broke down and bought my dream camera bag. The one I've been lusting after for months. 

I'm not going to tell you how much money I've already spent, (more than this bag costs) on purses that I've tried to convert into camera bags; trust me, it just doesn't work. 

 

It looks like a cute purse but...

it's a totally great camera bag. 

It's a much darker color than it photographs. It's a dark,very dark eggplant. 

The front envelope pockets are large enough for a wallet, cell phone, keys etc..and there is a zipper compartment in the back. 

I'm very impressed with the high quality, attention to detail and workmanship of the bag. 

I got it on line from Kelly Moore Bags. I have no association with them what so ever. The only thing they know about me is that my check was good. ;-)

K I'm done bragging now 

Been Busy, Busy...

and my house really shows how busy I've been. I've been too busy to do much vacuuming and mopping.

< in my best Scarlett O' Hara voice> Oh fiddle dee dee, I'll worry about that tomorrow.  

One project I've been working on is designing and making a piece of jewelry. I wanted to contribute to the items being offered at a silent auction next week to benefit the Juvenile Court & Community Schools (JCCS) Scholarship Foundation, known as Dollars for Scholars. 

So, I got out my jewelry making equipment, beads, findings, a hot cup of tea and got busy making a necklace and earrings. I love working with beads, I love the feel, colors and textures of the beads; to me they are very calming and soothing. 

 

After playing around with beads and colors for a while, I chose these handmade wooden beads, vintage glass beads and copper spacers and clasp. 

Then I got busy stringing them...

A Photo a Week for 52 Weeks

I started participating in Project 52. MCP Actions started it to give the hobby and/or professional photographer a little nudge, a challenge, and some inspiration should we be in a little rut.

Quoted from her site: "MCP Project 52 – It’s a way to encourage creativity, make photography fun, and provide a challenge without actual pressure. Participants will sharing their art work and images weekly while inspiring each other."

Feel free to jump into and join the fun anytime you like, I started  this week. There is a suggested theme if you want to shoot with that in mind, but not necessary, shoot and share what ever you want. 

Last week's theme was to be something around the house. This week's theme is "Illustrate a song"

I was really fortunate that the morning mist rolled in for a short time and I got some great photos. 

Remember the song Misty? and that creepy movie "Play Misty for Me'

 

I submitted this one and 

 

This morning I made some chocolate candy filled with a cardamom-orange ganache. 

So I submitted this for the song Candy Man. 

 

The photos submitted must be taken each week, no older photos. I'm looking forward to seeing how creative I can be/or not. 

And that's that

 

 

Scooter's First Hair Cut

Scooter went to the groomer today to get his first haircut. 

Pretty handsome guy isn't he. 

Well he hasn't been so handsome lately, 

Newest member of our family

I'd like you to meet the newest member of our family. 

 

Scooter

Do you love those eyebrows or what. He is so stinkin' cute.

The brown markings go down just the front of his front and hind legs, all the rest of him is black. 

A co-worker had to find him a new home because her daughter is terribly allergic to dogs. I feel sorry for her but happy for me ;-)

 

He's a Chihuahua and poodle mix.  It took a couple of days but he and the resident, reigning cat are doing just fine...most of the time. ;-)