Day 149/365- Eden

Falling Branch, Rocks State Park, Harford County, Maryland

Not really Eden, but as close as I can get

while living here in the boonies.

This is part of Rocks State Park

in Harford County, Maryland.

Falling Branch is the second largest

waterfall in Maryland and I am lucky to live only

about 10 minutes from this location.

If you have read my blog long enough, 

you have seen this spot before.

This weekend we took all four kids there

to go walking in the water on a hot day.

We had a blast and can't wait to return.

*******************

Don't forget to remember in your hearts, today,

all of those who have given their lives for us

in the name of this country and freedom.

Thank you from my family to all of those

who serve our country,

now,

in the past, 

and in the future.

xoxo

Have a safe and wonderful Memorial Day!

Welcome, summer!

I hope you enjoy the rest of these images.  I wish I could show 

you pictures of the kids playing, but I have to adhere to the rules

of foster parenting ;o)

Dragonfly who was so kind as to pose for me

Two lovers at the falls

A different angle of Falling Branch

The mist from the falls wets the plants nearby

Looking downstream

Rocks and moss~we've had a wet spring, so it looks like a rain forest!

Hiking to the falls

Day 148/3654- Masked

Ladybug Creates a Mask

 Carnival!

This time of year brings many fairs 

and carnivals to the area.

Ladybug's school has a carnival 

every year where the kids can 

have a fun day playing games

and creating crafts.

Ladybug won this smiley face

stovepipe hat and

she made this interesting mask.

She even added a 

bloody nose.

Fabulous.

*gag*

I don't do blood.

It makes, however, for a great picture

for sure.

I hope everyone is having a great holiday weekend!

Day 147/365- Risky Business

Here is my self portrait version of the

iconic movie scene with

Tom Cruise in Risky Business. 

Only without the socks. 

And I am a girl, not a boy. 

And this is still and that was motion.

And this is black and white and that was color. 

And he was in the living room and I am in the kitchen.

Okay, so really this is nothing like the movie. 

What was I thinking?

And by the way, a new, free texture is posted here for your pleasure. 

I also have a new landscape available, by request, for purchase at my gallery.

Have a fabulous holiday weekend!

Day 146/365- Silly Self Portrait

Me being silly

I love spring.  

It makes me giddy and silly.

The warm temperatures during the day,

the cool temperatures at night,

the open windows, 

the birds chirping,

the flowers blooming,

the green screaming from every corner.

I was running low on time this day, 

so on my way out the door to shuttle kids

to yet another destination,

I laid the camera in the grass,

put my hat down where I would be lying,

focused on the hat,

set the exposure,

set the self timer,

and 

viola!

A self portrait in 30 seconds.

I hate that I sometimes stick out my tongue

when I smile.

I often catch myself doing it and correct it before the camera snaps,

but I obviously forgot here.

I was in such a rush, there was no time for a retake

so it is what it is.

You get to see me in all of my tongue sticking out glory ;0)

I hope everyone has a fabulous holiday weekend!  

Don't forget to honor those who have died in service to our country this memorial day!

Love, as always~

Day 145/365- Dog Tick

Dog Tick

Go ahead, say it.

All together now...

Ewwwwwwww!

I found this horrible tick crawling along

my cat's fur the other day.

I carefully removed it and then,

of course,

I held a photo shoot with it

before disposing of it properly ;0)

Unfortunately, here in the boonies

these little creatures are abundant

and a huge nuisance...

one of the few (very few) downfalls

of country living!

I am doing great...hope you are too!

Hugs all around.

P.S.  Thanks for all of the feedback on the new design.

Your opinions do matter to me!

Day 144/365- Rural

Harford County, Maryland

The corn is starting to pop up in rows.

All of this rain and stormy weather makes for happy corn.

Now the temperatures are in the 90's 

and the sun is intense

making it so you can practically watch 

the corn grow by the hour.

This red truck in the middle of the field

caught my eye when doing one of my daily runs.

I liked the negative space...

the curve of the land

the drab browns and grays.

**************

In case you are wondering

about the changes to the blog, 

I switched to Blogger In Draft

and am trying out some of the

new features that will be coming our way soon.

I really like the new layout editor.

There are a lot more choices and they

have made things, such as changing the widths 

of your main columns and your sidebar column,

a breeze.

No editing of HTML required.

Now it is easy-peasy to add captions 

below an image as seen in this post

and it even lets you add a location on the map.

The new preview button allows you see what

the post will look like for real in the blog

instead of the cheesy preview in the old version.

In my opinion, these updates are long overdue!

I would love your feedback about the new blog look.

Have a fabulous Thursday, everyone!

Day 143/365- Lunch Break

When I happened upon this scene

the other day,

I had to record it.  

I don't know this elderly man,

but he captured my heart as I walked past.

He was very particular...

He had a napkin spread on the table with 

his food items arranged just so.

He was eating very meticulously with 

precise movements

so he wouldn't soil his clothing.

While he was alone, 

he did not look lonely.

I had to stop myself from barging 

in on his time to sit next to him for a chat.

He didn't need me to chat with.

He had his routine to keep him company.

I think he likes it that way.

Happy Wednesday my friends.

Day 142/365- Our Bio Treasure Hunt

On Saturday, after a long day of rain,

the clouds decide to give us a reprieve just before dark

so Ty and I went for a walk together

looking for anything interesting or unusual (read:  bear).

About half way through the walk, we happened upon

this beautiful, bright, stunning, 

spotted orange salamander. 

Actually, through research

(thank God for Google)

I found out it is the Red Spotted Newt,

or

Notophthalmus viridescens.

This newt goes through several life stages, 

one of which is

a juvenile terrestrial stage 

called the red eft where it is this

bright orange color.

As an adult, this beauty

will turn olive green but 

retain its circles of red.

This one was a friendly fellow,

walking very slowly,

minding its own business as it

traversed across the rocky path to the 

grass on the other side.

I am thinking this little guy was

quite liking the dreary, rainy day

and was out for an enjoyable stroll,

much like Ty and myself.

After posing for a photo shoot, it 

moved happily on its way and we

didn't bother it any more.

Have a fabulous Tuesday, everyone!

Day 141/365- Field Day

Friday, Ladybug had her last field day.

She is moving on to middle school next year, 

so the days of primary school are numbered.

These next few weeks will be exciting for her

and emotional for me as now both my children

will be at the next stage of life,

officially leaving their babyhood behind.

Okay, so they haven't been babies for quite

some time, but still...

they are growing up way too fast.

I loved this sequence of shots as LB

is catching a water balloon.

If you click to enlarge the image, 

you can see that it sprung a leak, 

but it didn't pop.

I love the last image where her face 

reveals her excitement at realizing 

that she and her partner are still in the

running to win the game.

It wasn't meant to be, as a pair of boys 

eventually won, but a good time was had by all.

Still trying to catch up on Project 365...

maybe another post will go up tonight.

Have a good one, everybody!

Day 140/365- 3017

On Thursday, I took a walk with my camera in tow.

I came across one of my very favorite houses on the lane 

and noticed this little vignette.

I love the combination of the beautiful flowers,

the wrought iron gate, and the

wooden fence.

If this home ever went up for sale

I would be tempted to buy it.

Behind this gate sits the most beautiful property

for miles around...

An old farmhouse with several 

out buildings,

a perky stream,

a gazebo,

and tons of amazing natural gardens.

It makes me happy when I pass by it.

I could just stand and listen to the birds

and the trickle of the stream all day long.

**********************

Ty and I are back from our weekend adventure.

We enjoyed each other's company despite the 

pouring rain we had to contend with the entire trip.

I am now catching up on 365 posts, so our weekend pics will 

be posted in a few days.

Stay tuned.

I hope all is well with everyone!

Hugs and lovin'...

We Made It!

Ty and I have made it to Deep Creek for our special weekend. With no help staying awake from him, the three hour drive went smoothly. ;o)

We had an awesome breakfast of chocolate covered mini donuts and chocolate milk. Then we went antique shopping in the quaint town of Oakland. I bought nothing but Ty found some old baseball cards and an antique pair of binoculars.

We skipped lunch and opted instead for root beer floats at an old fashioned fountain. Since the rain decided to take a brief break, we took some pictures around this railroad town.

We came back to the cabin and shot some pool. I lost two out of the three games because I scratched on the eight ball. But I had my revenge when we played ping-pong. I crushed him every game! Hey, it is about the only thing I can win now days, so I have to brag when I can!

We went out to dinner and then took another walk during a second break in the rain. We found a beautiful orange salamander, which I captured on the camera and will post in a few days. We made it back just before the heavens opened up again and we have spent the rest of the evening watching TV together.

This trip will be remembered for a long time. Ty and I have never taken a whole weekend for ourselves and we both needed it right now. It is good to reconnect with my son at a time when he is wanting to break away and be independent. I hope everyone else is having a wonderful weekend with those you love!

Over and out,
Sent from Tracey's Blackberry

Day 139/365- Spring Garden

Hey you all...  I am taking time off this weekend to spend time one on one with my son, Ty!  We are taking a road trip...just the two of us.  Brian will be holding down the fort here at home to allow me this precious and needed time with my first born.

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see y'all Monday.

Day 138/365- Plug Me In

There are days when I wish 

they made these for humans.

Instead of sleep, we could

just plug ourselves in and keep on truckin'.

Today is one of those days.

So much to do

So many places to be...

Maybe what we really need is a 

cloning machine.

If there were three of me, 

oh the things I could do...

Have a productive day, everyone!

Oh, and if you'd like to take a gander,

there is a Week in Review posted

and there are also samples of

my sports photography posted as well ;0)

Have a good one.

Day 137/365- Where The Sidewalk Ends

Where the Sidewalk Ends

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Shel Silverstein

Day 136/365- Stand By Me

When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me

If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me

And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah

Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

Darlin', darlin', stand by me-e, stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me

~Ben E. King

Day 135/365- Escape Hound

Do you ever have those days when

it is beautiful outside 

and you have so much to do that

you feel imprisoned indoors?

You feel like just busting out the windows

and setting yourself free

from all the ties that trap you?

Yeah, I feel that way sometimes.

This dog, Sheeba,  must have felt the same way.

Notice the screens busted out that now

lay on the roof?

Sheeba, I hear you, my friend.

It is just one of those days

and I don't blame you one bit for

wanting to be free.

I hope your weekend was as beautiful 

as mine but I hope this coming work week 

is NOT as busy as mine.

Day 134/365- Spring Rain

We here at These Nine Acres

don't let a little

spring rain get us down.

No siree.

We, in fact, take joy in the wet stuff.

That is until it starts to hail!

Then it is time to head indoors ;0)

No, my son is not malnourished.
He is and always has been a
picky eater and he
is growing taller faster than
I can stand it.

Oh, and by the way,
I looked exactly like that
in girl form...
long, lanky, skinny...
until I was in college.

Poor kid got my genes.

Video taken with my Blackberry...sorry for the quality. Also...sorry for my crazy voice...I hate my voice. Does anyone like their voice on a recording?

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday.

xoxo

Day 133/365

Taken with the Lensbaby Composer with the fish eye attachment.

Happy Saturday everyone~

Day 132/365- Evening at Home

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

We will be busy as bees 

so while I will post my daily image, there might 

not be a lot of commentary to go along with it.

I just want to say one thing before I go, though...

Thank you to all of you who have hung in there 

with my through these difficult weeks.

You have consistently visited my me here 

in friendship, left me wonderful comments

despite the fact that I have not been able to 

return the favor.  

I can't wait for the day when I am 

able to catch up with all of my favorites.

I feel like I am withdrawing and I am antsy

to get back to you and see what everyone has been up to.

Love you all...

Day 131/365- Eight From a Dozen

I am blessed to have a wonderful 

neighbor and friend who 

raises chickens.

Every week she has been giving us a dozen, beautiful eggs.

There are white eggs, 

brown eggs,

and green eggs.

With our new found wealth of eggs

we have been enjoying

breakfast for dinner once a week.

It is one night that we don't argue

over who likes what.

Everyone gets their eggs cooked

the way they like them

and we all enjoy bacon or ham,

toast,

and sometimes 

hashbrowns too.

This week Ladybug cooked us

some blueberry muffins to round out the meal.

I am thankful for this dear friend who

is kind enough to share her bounty with others.

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

~Buddha

Day 130/365- Poppies in the Wild

Click image for a larger view
(Image converted to a digital painting)

My daily rounds of taking kids

here and there

finds me on the same off-beaten path

at least 5 days a week.

I have given a name to each 

section of these dirt roads

I travel.

Here is how my trip goes:

Off my road to Main Street.

Left on to Dirt Road.

Over single lane bridge,

Around Flour Mill Curve,

Over Roaring Waters Bridge,

Up Bumpy Hill,

Down to Barn Curve

back onto the pavement.

Left onto Two Horse Pasture Lane

(also a dirt road)

Past Poppy Field (pictured here)

Through Bent Tree Pass

Up Cornfield Hill to the stop sign.

As you can tell, I have named each section,

so don't go looking at a map trying

to figure out my route ;0)

I am lucky to live where I live.

I love seeing the deer dart across the road,

I love hearing the woodpeckers knocking on the trees,

I love hearing the rooster crow

and the cows moo

and the horses neigh.

I love the fresh air

and the ever present breeze.

And I love this bright orange poppy field 

I pass almost every day.

It makes me smile.

Dat 129/365- My New Kicks

I really, really tried resisting these shoes.

I even took my 10 year old daughter shopping with me

to hopefully get her disapproval 

so I wouldn't buy them.

It didn't work.  She really liked them.

.

I am not much of a trendy person,

but I wanted a comfortable pair of shoes

that I could slip on quickly

that weren't made out of rubber like my crocs.

I looked everywhere but I was drawn back 

to these time and time again.

After Ladybug's approval, I gave in

and bought them.

The fact is I should have taken my

husband or son shopping instead.

When I got home and showed them

my new kicks, 

they both rolled their eyes 

in disapproval.

Oh well.

Can't please them all.

I used Pioneer Woman's Seventies Action and Boost Action in the processing of this image.

"Just One More Ring, Please?"

was the winning title for the cat image.

It scored 53% of the votes.

Congratulations to T for the winning title!

Day 128/365- There is Something Beautiful About Broken

Ladybug, her friend, and Ty

found this beaten and broken 

monarch butterfly near the trampoline

the other day.

According to the kids, 

the goats somehow

stepped on it.

It couldn't fly anymore,

so, in her usual style,

Ladybug brought it up to me

on her hand

and asked me to take a picture.

We left it on an open peony bud

to let nature take its course.

It was not there in the morning.

On another note, I am finally *almost*

finished the two large jobs I had two weeks ago.

Three more teams to edit, upload, order, and package.

I am hoping to be finished by Wednesday night

so things can return to some sort of normalcy.

I will announce the winner of the "Name the Image"

contest tomorrow.  

If you haven't voted, head on over to the sidebar and 

let your voice be heard!

Day 127/365- How To Save a Life

There are days when 

a special treat 

arriving in the mail

means more than words can express.

These delicious choclolate covered strawberries

felt like a life-saver when they arrived

on Friday from my wonderful husband.

It was just what I needed to get me

through the rest of the day.

I hope everyone had a great weekend

and those who are mothers had an 

extra special day today.

***Note***

Voting will close on the poll tomorrow,

so get your vote in for the best title

for the kitten picture at the top of the sidebar.

Right now it is a neck and neck race between

"Who?  Me?"

and 

"Just One More Ring, Please?"

Winner will be announced Tuesday!

Day 126/365- I Couldn't Resist

So kill me,

I am a cat person.

Every week my daughter 

takes riding lessons 

at a wonderful farm in Pennsylvania.

They have many barn cats,

as they have many barns,

and spring is the season

for giving birth.

The barn cats are no exception.

This past week when I went to pick

Ladybug up from her lesson,

I heard there were 5 more new kittens

in the lower barn.

This cute little one has a 

little something-something going on 

with his/her mouth.

An overbite?

An underbite?

Whatever it is, 

It is cute as all get out.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Day 125/365- *Almost* Midnight Raid

Before you yell at me

about the dangers of eating late at night

let me tell you 

I had nothing.

I had a very rough day yesterday 

and was up late, starving.

At 11:30 PM I found myself 

with my nose in the fridge

 when I spotted my camera on the counter

and realized I had yet to take my 

365

image.

Well, this is about as real as it gets.

One shot with a self timer.

I didn't eat anything...too tired,

so off to bed I went after this image

was taken.

Today is a bit of a better day...

Thinking of you all.

P.S.  Make sure you participate in the poll on the side bar.

These were the finalist titles for the Name the Image contest.

Poll ends on Wednesday, May 12th when a winner is selected!

The one with the most votes wins!

Day 124/365- Me and The Help

LOVE the book, The Help.  

Have you read it yet?

I'm having trouble putting it down.

After all the kids are in bed, 

I head to the one place where I can 

ensure alone time...

the tub.

I am not naked, people

just so you know.

This photo was staged 

and I have all of my clothes on...

thanks to a tube top and a perfectly placed book ;0)

On another note...

NO, I have not forgotten about the 

contest, but I can say we could not agree on a winner...

SO, I will be posting the 4 finalists on a poll here soon and let

you all decide which title is the best.

Stay tuned.

Also, I posted a 

really cool post

over at Nine Acres Designs

about the abandoned one room school house.

It is worth checking it out.

Look for ghosts and tell me if you find any.  ;0)

It was a rough night and I am now down to about

one hour to take a photo of the day for today....

so I am off to do that and then go to bed.

See you all in the mornin'.

Day 123/365- Thoughts on Wishes

Wishes.

I am not so sure I believe in them anymore.

I think they just lead to disappointment.

Wishes.

Why do we teach kids to

make a wish on their birthday candles

or on a fallen eyelash

or on dandelion fluff

or in a wishing well

or a falling star?

Disappointment is sure to ensue.

Maybe we should be teaching them

to think of something they are

grateful for in their life

when those things happen 

instead of wishing for things

that they don't have.

Wouldn't it be something if wishes did come true, though...

If all of the superstitions did work?

Imagine how the world would be different.

"Seek not that the things which happen should happen as you wish; but wish the the things which happen to be as they are and you will have a tranquil flow of life."

~Epictetus

Day 122/365- Holy

I had the chance to go to Fredrick this past weekend.

I was happy to get out of the house and 

out of the country for a bit.  

I was looking forward to taking 

some city pictures for a change,

but alas, it didn't happen.

I did, however find myself inside

a  beautiful, old church.

I was taken aback by the beautiful stained glass.

That is, until a mysterious sleeping man

who was sprawled out on the couch 

grunted at me and rolled over.

He scared me half to death.

I had no idea anyone was in the room with me.

I quickly grabbed this shot

and returned to a more populated 

part of the building.

I wonder who he was,

why he was there,

and what his story was.

If I wasn't such a wimp, I would have asked 

to take his portrait and for his 

story.

Everyone has a story.

What's yours?

Day 121/365- Watching Lunch

Canon 100mm L series macro lens, manual exposure, spot metering, ISO 160, f/4, 1/25, shade white balance, no flash

Yeah, not the brightest worm 

I've ever met.

Doesn't it know toads eat worms?

Anyhow, the worm got away.

Toad must not have been hungry.

We had a beautiful weekend here.

Well, beautiful but HOT.

I am not ready for

middle of the summer temps

in May.

It is better than 4 feet of snow, though ;0)

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

This week I am hoping to finish up 

editing all the rec photos,

ordering them,

packaging them,

and getting them back to the commissioners.

Once I do that, I should be back on track

to be able to visit you all

on a daily basis.

I never knew how much I would miss it

until I got swamped.

I just want to chill and catch up 

with you all.

I will soon.

xoxo

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway today by 9PM

to be eligible for the prize.

While there are some great titles so far,

there is still room for a witty entry or two!

Winner will be announced tomorrow ;0)

Day120/365- Toby in the Pasture

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM, 42mm focal length, manual exposure, ISO 160, f/4, 1/160, auto white balance, no flash, flare in camera...not digitally added.

Don't you love when the air is warm,

the sun is low,

and the shadows are long?

It is my favorite time of day.

It is no secret that I am not

a morning person

nor am I a night owl.

I prefer the time of day when things

are quieting down but aren't quite 

sleepy yet.

Right after dinner I took a stroll along our property

and loved the low, lazy sun.

I took a few more minutes on my walk

than I should have

but it was all well worth it.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Don't forget to enter the Name that Photo Contest to win

a set of 10 Custom note cards from Nine Acres Designs!

All entries must be in by 9 PM EST Monday night.