Sunday, September 30, 2007

Day # 273 - Picking pumpkins...

Well, it's that time of year, so off we went to our local fruit market/orchard today for some pumpkins to decorate with. While we were at it, we also grabbed some apples and fresh apple juice. Mmmm, mm - good stuff!

One of these years I'm going to get really adventurous and cook up some fresh pumpkin for pies, breads, etc... but probably not this one.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

Day #272 - 'Til the cows come home...

So, here I am, living out here in the middle of cow country and I haven't taken a picture of a cow yet for this project!! Duh-huh! Ergo...

This little(!) lady lives down the road apiece and interruputed her lunch to pose for me (actually, she was just curious and wondering who the hell I was!)

Friday, September 28, 2007

Day #271 - Textures...

I need to experiment more with my camera, so did some more messing around with the macro setting on a doily, placemat, and napkin.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Day #270 - Messing with macro...

Just your common, everyday grater... in macro.

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Day #269 - Him and her...

Being at a loss for a picture today, I took a close-up of the sculptures on the mantel. They look black but they're really bronze. Another Pier 1 find.

Before and after photos...

Thanks to you all for hanging in there with me through the family room redo and for all the compliments and encouraging words you've given.

I've put the before and after photos in my Picasa Gallery - you can see them here:


Family Room Photos

Just click on the "Family Room - B&A" album. You can view them individually or with the slideshow option.

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Day #268 - We have a room!

They have arrived! The cabinets were delivered today and we are beyond pleased. There's supposed to be a pull-out lazy susan type thing for the TV that's missing, but that's minor. The shelf configuration in the TV unit is temporary though, until that piece arrives. We're also waiting on a companion vase that won't arrive until November.

So, with the exception of a few finishing touches, we have a room! I know I've only been giving you bits and pieces as we've gone along, but I'll be posting before and after photos of the whole project on my regular blog in the next couple.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Day #267 - Warm glow...

We don't burn them too much in the warmer weather, but as soon as the temps drop, the candles come out. This one, Cinnamon Spice, has been burning a good bit of the afternoon/evening and the downstairs smells lovely!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Day #266 - Perfumed pumpkins...

I'm assuming these are itty bitty pumpkins in the bag of Pumpkin Swirl potpourri I picked up at Pier 1. Don't know what all is in there, but it sure does smell good.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

Day #265 - A little fall color...

Found these colorful accent pieces at another of my favorite spots, Pier 1. They fit perfectly with the new family room color scheme... and the approaching season. (ooops - excuse the price tag I haven't taken off yet!)

Friday, September 21, 2007

Day #264 - Before/After...

BEFORE
AFTER
(I don't know what that circle on the fireplace is -
reflection or something I guess.)


Well, I've been waiting for the new cabinets to come before posting pictures of the finished work, but it's going to be at least another week or so and my grandson's been after me to send pictures of our progress, sooooo... The cabinets will go to the right of the fireplace.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Day #263 - Floor decor...

Funny how little things can bring us such pleasure. We bought a small throw rug for in front of the patio door and I just love the way it looks when the sun hits it. The photo doesn't really do it justice - the colors are richer - but it looks so nice on the new floor.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Day #262 - Polished look

Tonight was haircut night - the polish bottles made a fun shot.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Day #261 - Leaves and grass...

The leaves are starting to fall in earnest now and in an effort to stay a little ahead of the task of raking them all up, Lew lets the mower do some of the work.

Monday, September 17, 2007

Day #260 - Keys to the city...

The Frederick Arts Council has a community art project on display in downtown Frederick made up of 30 six-foot tall fiberglass key sculptures (chosen in recognition of the city's connection to Francis Scott Key.) I thought a few would make a cool photo of the day.

Black-Eyed Susan Key, Maryland, My Maryland Key, Francis Scott's Key, and Key of Keys (which has a bazillion actual keys glued to it, shown in the close-up below.)

I'm adding this link, Keys To Frederick, which includes info on the project and a gallery of all the keys, along with short bios of the artists.

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Day #259 - Historic bridge...

Loy's Station Covered Bridge
Originally built between 1850-60, this particular bridge was rebuilt after an arsonist fire nearly destroyed it in 1991. Whenever possible, the original materials were used in reconstruction and some of the charred timbers are still visible.
~ ~ ~
Frederick County is home to three of Maryland's eight historic covered bridges - two of those eight are privately owned. We live pretty close to all three soooo - on a beautiful Fall-like day, what better subject for a photo op?

Black Pearl Mystery Solved...

Heh, heh - who would've thunk it? Who would've thought you could actually Google the cornfields of Frederick? Clearly, I really need to get out more since I don't even know what's going on in my own back yard, so to speak!

Anyway, it appears that some farms have now gone into the corn maze business. This particular farm has been at it for about 8 years and has a different theme each year. Last year it was The Civil War and this year it's going to be, ta da!... a pirate theme. The maze itself will be a design of pirate stuff and the ship is part of the program. Apparently they'll recreate the battle and shoot pumpkins at it with some ginormous pumpkin cannon or something like that.

It's all located at Winterbrook Farms in Thurmont, MD and put on by a company called MazePlay Inc.

Check out the links - they have pictures and lots of interesting info.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Day #258 - Pearl vision??

So, we're taking a leisurely drive 'round and about the countryside, when lo and behold, what to our wondering eyes should appear? No, no, not a tiny red sleigh and eight tiny reindeer... but something equally astonishing! All of a sudden, I see this ship... in the sky! Yep, there she was in all her glory - a replica of the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean, sitting on a pole... in the middle of the cornfields of Frederick county!. Just not something one expects to see every day, you know? LOL

So naturally, I took a shot. Haven't a clue what it's all about, but knew it had to be my picture of the day!

Friday, September 14, 2007

Day #257 - Pot Pie yumminess...

Tried a new recipe for dinner tonight - Paula Deen's Hurry Up Chicken Pot Pie. Yep, it had her signature butter drizzled on top so it was right up there on the caloric scale, but oh my, it was good! And easy. Lew said "you can make this one again" and I probably will.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Day #256 - Great oaks from tiny acorns grow...

It's unusual enough that the leaves are falling so soon, but even the tiniest acorns are falling too. Must be because of the lack of water summer we've had.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Day #255 - Park pleasures...

We had an absolutely gorgeous day today so while we were out and about, we stopped for a bit at Baker Park to enjoy the lake and its inhabitants.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Day #254 - Exciting stuff...

A total desperation shot! I simply couldn't come up with anything to take a picture of today - my well had run dry and my brain was a blank. Ah well - I like the colors anyway. :)

Monday, September 10, 2007

Day #253 - Keeping the cold (and cats) out...

We are so pleased with the new fireplace doors that arrived Saturday. Finding anything for it has been extremely difficult because it's old, and this particular model isn't even manufactured anymore. Luckily, I found a place on-line that makes doors to fit and voila! - they do! Perfectly.

(the surround really is blacker - it looks gray because of the flash, I guess.)

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Day #252 - Transformation...

I'm not quite ready for the leaves to turn yet. Time will fly now and before you know it there will be little people bumping on the door for Halloween treats, a turkey thawing in the fridge for Thanksgiving dinner, and a Christmas tree to decorate! Oh no!!

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Day #251 - Huh?

What the h*ll, you may ask, are those!? Hah, haven't a clue! Some kind of caterpillar things, I guess, but they've been hanging out on the patio for a couple and made for a good picture. I didn't examine them too closely (wuss that I am) but I think they're quite dead. Or hibernating or something... they didn't move when I gave a little shove. But they are pretty, little furry things, aren't they?

Friday, September 7, 2007

Day #250 - Getting my papers in order...

I used to store my scrapping cardstock in one of those wire cube thingies. It was nice and it held a lot, but the paper got waaaay too dusty. I'm going to love having my supplies behind closed doors now!

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Day # 249 - Books

Being at a loss for a photo today, this is what I came up with. As we continue to put the family room back together, I just stuck my Harry Potter books in the bookcase because they were readily available - the others are packed away and I didn't feel like sorting through them all yet to see what stays and what goes.

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Day #248 - Brazen beastie...

It's almost impossible to sit in my own chair without first having to move a cat! Nothing in this house goes unclaimed by the beasties - they totally believe that we're just here to provide them with cool stuff, including this comfy new pillow that Buster has taken over.

Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Day #247 - Chim chiminey, Chim chiminey, Chim chim cher-ee...

Today was chimney cleaning day and my trusty, friendly chimney sweep posed for me. The guy has been cleaning my chimney for umpteen bazillion years... well, about as long as I've lived here anyway. I just love that he dresses for the occasion!

Monday, September 3, 2007

Day #246 - Getting organized...

One of the cabinets we found at Ikea (Lew was working on the other drawer.) Along with the matching wall units, which still have to be put together, these will work very nicely for the printer/scanner and other storage. We're pleased with our purchase. :)

Sunday, September 2, 2007

Day #245 - Bats in her belfry and rocks in her head!!

I can hear it now. Especially from my siblings. Rocks... the girl went out and bought rocks!! Paid good money for a pile of rocks! lol! Well, okay - yeah, I did, I bought a bag of rocks. (Actually, I bought 4 bags of rocks!!) But hey, they're really cool rocks, you know? And they make great decorative pieces. And they won't break! And, most important of all... the cats can't chew them up!! So, yeah, I bought rocks... but from Ikea! That should count for something, right? ;)

Saturday, September 1, 2007

Day #244 - When the going gets tough, the tough go... shopping!

Guess where we went today?? :D I was really starting to stress about the cabinets we need for the other side of the family room because the space we need to fill is odd-sized. It was looking like they would have to be made too and I really didn't want to put that kind of money into the darn things. I think we may have have found some components that will work though so am feeling better about the whole thing. Not the exact right size, but hey, I can adapt!