Adventures in photo editing

I posted this photo or one like it a while back. I decided to apply some photo editing tips I read on a blog (but I won't say which or it will seem like I've gotten addicted to it or something...). So anyway, first is the original




next is the edited one. You be the judge. Which one do you like?



I like the second one.

Anyway, kind of fun to be able to begin to work the photo editing software that I've had for about a year now.

What I did for the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend

So, as I packed up Friday afternoon at the office, I considered what I had to do over the weekend:


1. Read the advance reading copy of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society I received to write a book review on - which I did, on my porch with the ceiling fan going and the dogs lying on the cool tile floor,

or in Gus' case, on the wicker love seat. This is the look I got when I told him to get down (he just got back up once I was intent on the book again).

2. Paint the Thomasville bilious yellow cabinet I found at a flea market before Christmas. I got the paint in March-Prussian Blue by Ralph Lauren at Home Depot-and it proceeded to rain every weekend after that or it was too cold. Nevertheless, I think it turned out well.

Inside you can see the bilious yellow that it once was. The knobs need to be changed out, and I am going to have a piece of mirror cut to go on the top surface.

3. Catch up on laundry. Does this include dry cleaning? Below is where I do laundry, which feels a lot like a dungeon when there is a lot to do. Got a lot done. But not all. Well, got some done. And I have a big bag of dry cleaning.

4. Get the rest of the summer clothes out of my closet (which is really a sliver, not a closet). Sort of done, maybe will be done when by the time I go to bed.

5. Try a new recipe. I picked Bacon wrapped jalapeno thingies. Well, since I made a test run with only 5 peppers all that is left is the empty pan which should tell you it was yummy. I made one change and that was to fat free cream cheese (the block). For the recipe, go here: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2007/07/bacon-wrapped_j/

6. Nurse Cotton's toe - she had licked her back foot until a toe had gotten infected. Honestly, these are the highest maintenance dogs. I had a picture of the toe here for you, but reconsidered. The good news is it no longer looks like an inflamed plucked chicken.

7. Assemble the storage shelves I bought shortly after buying the house but postponed when the basement flooded at every rain shower. Didn't get to that one.

What a relief, there's something left for next weekend.

Out takes from Mother's Day

So now that I have an extra few minutes, here's some more from Mother's Day. As all group photographers know, there are many misses before you get "the one". Here's one of 5 not so goods, but it's actually kind of cute on it's own. Clearly the younger subjects are contemplating a desperate bid for freedom.






Eli digs in to a pork sandwich. I love it when I fix something the kids actually like. Of course, they did choose ketchup over jalapeno mayonnaise...





Dawn has a leftover sandwich and the Gus and Cotton are sitting at attention hoping she will notice and reward them.





Below are two of the birds in my stack that Dawn liked and wanted me to photo so Mother could make her some.

And on the 6th day, I shop

Inspired by all the clever bloggers I read, I went to a thrift store, a consignment store and a flea market today.

At the thrift store, I only found an adorable dog named Wendell who sat at Cindy's feet as long as she paid attention to him.

At the consignment store, I found a green table for my bedroom that goes perfectly with the new bedding (which is not out because I need to paint the piece I found before Christmas) for my bedroom.








And a McCoy pot, a yellow and red dish from Deruta, a hand painted piece of china that reminds me of Cousin Pearl's pieces, a yellow mixing bowl, another yellow dish and a black and white plate to hang on the bathroom wall.





At the flea market, I found an oval tea table with Duncan Phyffe legs. I think. You can look and see. Anyway the top lifts off to be a tray, and the glass is held on by a fiber twine or rope nailed into the rim. I think it's beautiful and even if it's too small for the sofa, I can use it between the chairs.








It's a good thing I'm learning how to sell things on Ebay.

Mother's Day 2008

Everyone was able to get together this year - here are Mother and all the grands. This is one of the best of the photos I got. Clockwise from top: Lindsey (Duckett), Brooks, Eli, Audrey (Faircloth), Olivia (Duckett) and Metz (Faircloth).







Then I also got this one of Audrey the dog whisperer with Gus:

Ya'll come back again!

Room with a view

After Chianti, we drove to Arezzo and then to Umbria. We stayed in Gubbio--this was the view from my hotel room. In the lower right side of the green field you can see from my room are the Roman ampitheatre ruins. And of course, you can see the roof tiles I seemed to be infatuated with-they are in many pictures I took while in Italy!

Brooks in Atlanta

Last June, Brooks came to stay with me for a few days. I picked him up in Auburn and we drove back to Atlanta. I had a good time, I hope he did. We walked the dogs, he played all the Xbox 360 he could stand without any sharing or interruptions, we went to the aquarium and to Medieval Times...it was a busy 3 days. I hope he will come back and we can ask Lindsey to join us--we can do some of the things we didn't get to last time, like play board games and go to a movie.

These are some pictures of Brooks at the aquarium. I was scared I'd lose him, but he was smart enough for both of us and didn't get lost...except for the time I couldn't find him while he was sliding down the slide and I lost him in the people. But I didn't embarrass him by shrieking BROOKS WHERE ARE YOU? or having him paged or getting the security guy to help me.

Sayings

Last week as I was walking Gus and Cotton, with Cindy, which let's just say it is like a vacation because two goldens one human walking can get downright dangerous with the plethora of squirrels, cats and hapless birds in our neighborhood. Anyway, she was recounting something from her work day and said

"neigh, neigh said patch the pony"

which was a saying gleaned from a former tennis opponent.

And I started thinking about all the phrases we use,

Slick as frog's hair and twice as fine
Right as rain
That dog won't hunt
Nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs
Busy as a one armed paper hanger
Living high on the hog
Whistling dixie
Naked as a jay bird
Mad as a wet/settin hen
Hot as blue blazes
Set you straight
Started full tilt
Mad enough to spit nails


just to name a few.


What's your favorite?

Leading you on

These are shots I took of lanes or doorways in Pienza, Siena or Gubbio that seemed inviting you to follow them to see what was just around the corner, through the arch or up the stairs.