Grillin'

Another aspect of summer that I enjoy- grilling! Sadly, I thought this chicken tasted better than this photo makes it look. I'll work on that!

Numbers, Numbers...

Been using this device way too much lately!

White Lily

I noticed this weekend how many of my shots this year were those of flowers. I am trying to shoot a variety of subjects. But when I saw today that my white lilies had bloomed, I just couldn't resist!

The Lake

Went to our camp at the lake today to do some sorely needed work. Took a quick break by the waterside to enjoy the view. I'll be back soon, lake!

Mushroom

Captured this funky little mushroom on my lawn. Kind of wish I'd gone for a higher f-stop. Guess that's how we learn, though.

Life Is Just...

...well, you know the rest!

Signs of Summer

This wild grass always reminds me of summertime. Given that we're 3 days into summer, I guess this is appropriate!

Blueberries

One of my favorite summer fruits!

Bell Flower

Found this lovely flower growing wild in one of my garden beds. Why is it the stuff I plant doesn't fare as well as stuff that grows naturally?

Annoyed

"It's hot. It's humid. I'm covered in fur and trying to cool off. And now to add insult...she's repeatedly calling my name and expecting me to look photogenic. As if!"

Which Color?

The big project for this summer is to paint the house. The last time it was done was about 13 years ago. Luckily, many of the paint companies now sell "sample colors" to try out. Left to right and top to bottom: moss blue, barn red, wedgewood, and bordeaux. (The color in the middle cross is the current faded shade.) Which would you pick?

Race Shoes

My daughter ran a 5K this morning. She had a very respectable time, not to mention the fact that it was already hot and humid by the start of the race. Good job!

Cleaned Up

So as I pack up my classroom for the summer, I decided to bring home some of my math materials and clean them up well! These multi-links actually went through my washer in garment bags. I know some teachers who soak theirs in bleach. Whatever it takes to remove a year's worth of second grade germs!

Chipmunk

Out for an evening walk, I spied this little guy near a rock wall at the park. Good thing my cat was nowhere nearby!

Butterfly

As I opened the garage door this morning, I noticed this little guy struggling to get out. The first place he could light to rest (outdoors) was my car windshield. Luckily he was tuckered out from trying to get outside, and was willing to sit still while I snapped several shots. One of the aspects I love about doing this project365 is all the new information about the world that I've learned this year! However, try as I may have to search for an image that matched my friend here, I can't figure out what type of butterfly it is. It seems to be part of the fritillary family, but beyond that... nothing. Any ideas?

Field Hockey

My daughter is playing summer league field hockey again this year. She says she really missed playing!

Bubble

Today was the last day of a very challenging year of school. To boot, our principal is retiring. She handed out bubbles for us to blow for the kids as we waved goodbye to them on the buses. It was so pretty watching all the iridescent spheres floating about. It inspired me to come home and attempt shooting some bubbles. I discovered my new macro lens is not as fast as I'd thought. Bubbles can be a challenge!

DVD's

Finally! It took several hours to create and several more to burn. These 19 dvd's will be ready to give to my second graders tomorrow, filled with over 200 photos and video footage of the school year. It is the first time I've ever gotten ambitious enough to undertake an end-of-year project like this. I hope it is meaningful.

Mushroom

I removed this (inverted) mushroom from one of my garden beds today. The underside of mushrooms always look so interesting!

Macro Lily

This lily recently bloomed in my garden. I experimented with a variety of macro shots.

Bzzzzz

I was in a hurry for a picture tonight. Fortunately there was still enough light to capture this bumblebee on one of my bushes. Not a super shot, but boy those critters are fast when shooting in "manual"!

Field Day

Today was Field Day- a day second graders love due to the great variety of games and activities. A favorite at our school is one that our P.E. teacher created- "Harry Potter Tag". I like to call it the game that never ends, because if an adult didn't end it, it truly could go on indefinitely! I don't totally know all the rules, but it involves four "houses", jail, and teams wearing... yes- yellow, red, purple or blue pinnies. A fun day was had by all!

New Sneaks

My daughter's birthday was yesterday, and the birthday money from grandparents was burning a proverbial hole in her pocket. Three guesses what she decided to buy!

Manhole

I decide to try out the Daily Shoot theme today. "Manhole covers have character and quietly tell a story. Make a photo of a manhole cover in your neighborhood today." #ds204 Had a hard time finding what I deemed to be manholes with character, much less any in my neighborhood. I was surprised to find this one in the middle of a sidewalk instead of in the street.

Purple Iris

We had torrential downpours this afternoon. As we were out walking tonight I spied this purple iris looking a little haggard and wet, but still beautiful!

Red Admiral

I was quite pleased to find this Red Admiral in an open field. I went for the flowers- the butterfly was a bonus!

Geranium

It's been a LONG week! I was quite content to go outside tonight and look for photo options. I have a couple of hanging geranium baskets every year, and decided to shoot this one. After uploading to my computer, I also noticed the bug walking on the stem! Six school days left.....but who's counting???

Band Saw

I've wanted to get a close-up of my husband's band saw blade. I just find the lines and patterns of it interesting. My macro lens makes for a much more satisfying capture too!

Spider Web #1

My first attempt at a spider web picture. Am not totally happy with it. The breeze was blowing it about a bit, making a tight focus difficult. Let's just consider it a baseline from which to improve upon!

New Location

For those following my project365 blog since January, you may remember my rain gauge being part of January 5th's Empty Gauge. It was set up all school year until this weekend, when my husband assisted me in setting it up here at home instead. Although I had great hopes for the project to include my second graders, soliciting parent help became a struggle, and I decided to continue with the commitment to CoCoRaHS, but on a personal level. And as if to welcome the gauge to its new location... it rained today. Finally!