Day 59- Scalloped

Bought this vase with the (scallop?) shell attached a few years ago. Can you count rings in a shell to date it like you can with a tree?

Day 58- More Snowflakes

More snow today gave me another excuse to capture more snowflake formations. Hasn't gotten old yet!

Day 57- M... and M's

Today I tried the M&M's with pretzel in the middle. A delicious sweet/salty contrast. I just wish the brown one would get along better with the others, though!

Day 56- Macro Stained Glass

Okay, perhaps I'm a little desperate for a shot today, but I'm liking this one for a variety of reasons. This is part of a line of 4 stained glass panes that we rescued from the family camp when it was gutted for renovation last summer. The panes were likely installed in the camp back in the 1920's or so. We have resurrected the glass as the header in a doorway between two rooms in our country Victorian home. Very period to the house, and beautiful sea-blue shade. I also love the contrasts in this shot of the blurred, wavy glass, with the sharp imperfections and bubbles within the waves.

Day 55-Macro Geranium

Another snowstorm outside = focus on the bright, beautiful colors inside!

Day 54- Macro Firewood

The guys were away overnight, so I'm in charge of keeping the wood fire going. I think it's safe to say that I might have a bit more "artistic" take on the chore!

P.S: On an aside, I noticed when looking through the viewfinder of my Canon Rebel XSi, that there are now three or more tiny specks of what appears to be dust. They are in the same place regardless of the lens I use, which tells me the dust is inside the body of the camera. I'm nervous about wiping the inner workings, but am wondering if anyone has dealt with this and has advice? Much appreciated!

Day 53- More Light Painting

I've been wanting to try more light painting since my post on New Year's Day. Bought a cheap little flashlight, covered it with colored cellophane from school, waited until dark and... voila! They remind me of neon palm fronds!

Day 52- Kalanchoe

Used the macro on my kalanchoe plant. These buds are much smaller than they appear here. Went online (to make sure I was spelling it correctly), and discovered that the kalanchoe is related to the jade plant. Learned another new fact!

Day 51- Macro Ice

Although I'm so ready for spring to arrive, I've been trying to think of new (winter) ways to experiment with my macro lens. This is the latest. I was intrigued by the bubbly patterns in the ice on my deck, as well as the spots where the ice is beginning to melt away. I'm curious how the bubbles form. It makes fun abstract art, though! (And there's currently an endless supply!)

Day 50- 512MB

This is the old RAM from my iMac. Thanks to Sandra for the inspiration, and to my sister-in-law, Kim, for helping me remove and replace it!

Day 49- Pink Rose

February break has started, ending on a frenzied full moon of a day! I decided to splurge on a few beautiful pink roses. Spring will come...spring will come!

Day 48- Steeple

The thermometer hit 45˚F today- talk about a heat wave! Went out for an afternoon walk to enjoy the warmth and get some sunshine on my face (something I begin to crave about this time of year). This is the steeple of what used to be a church in town. Years ago it ceased to be a church, and eventually became a dentist's office- go figure! Anyway, I liked the look of it against the blue sky, and used the Lomo camera effect with it again.

Day 47- Red Sky in the Morning

Not sure if sailors should "take warning", or not, but this was the scene out my window this morning. Totally not a super shot, but it faded in a heartbeat, thus I wouldn't have had time to get to a clearing anyway.

Day 46- Character

Today's Daily Shoot assignment- Make a photograph of something old. Be sure to show us the character that age can give a subject. #ds457 My school building has been expanded four different times, from when it was built just after WWII, up until the mid 1980's. I teach in one of the older sections. It's been home to everything from kindergartners up to fifth graders (maybe older). Parents have come for parent conferences and stand at my door slightly stunned as they experience a little "deja vu", remembering when they came to school here. It's not the prettiest school in our district, but I'd thoroughly defend its character. There's a plenitude of it!

Day 45- Feed Me!

That's what this valentine container seems to be saying. Feed me with cards, that is! This was one of my student's creations for our party today. Very creative!

Day 44- Up On the Rooftop...

This is a "cheat" shot from yesterday. Seriously, do you see the arrow in the ice pointing up? What's the larger message here anyway?!

Day 43- Tap, Tap, Tap...

This poplar is, sadly, riddled with bugs. Our friend, the pileated woodpecker has been tapping away on it for over a year now. Stepped outside and heard him foraging above. Used PSE9 to remove a nearby branch that detracted from the bird. Bugs, anyone?

Day 42- Valentine Corn

I love the taste of candy corn. Doesn't matter if it's the Halloween version or not!

Day 41- Paintbrush Bouquet

Walked by a colleague's room this morning and noticed these paintbrushes propped up in a can. I loved the muted tones on each brush, a reminder of which color each brush had clearly been coated with yesterday. When I placed them in a window for added light, it almost looked like an unusual bouquet!

Day 40- Leading Line

Today's Daily Shoot- "Make a photograph that features a leading line through it today. Draw the viewers eye through the image." #ds451. Thanks our P.E. teacher for the equipment loan!

Day 39- Be MIne

Love those conversation hearts!

Day 38- Valentine Basket

This little basket was given to me years ago for Valentine's Day by a former student. Very seasonal!

Day 37- Gems

Did some cleaning at school this weekend. Found these gems, although I'm not exactly sure what I used them for. Pretty just the same!

Day 36- Icicles

This old building has been renovated (hence the soffit vents under the eaves). But it is still sporting some healthy icicles. I loved the shadows they cast on the building. Wish I could have gotten up closer.

Day 35- Frosty Fir

Trees were very frosty this morning. Caught this red pine through the morning sun in the school parking lot. Processed it with a "Lomo camera" effect.

Day 34- Can You Hear Me Now?

Out and about after "snowzilla" yesterday, I got quite a chuckle seeing this poor pay phone! Pretty sure it won't be functioning until spring!

Day 33- Snow Day #3

My mother always said things come in three's. This was our third snow day of the school year today (and day #33 of the calendar year). I decided to head back out this morning to try for more macro snowflake shots, after my interest was piqued with those I took this last weekend. Lesson learned- this is much harder to do when it is snowing 1-3" per hour! Second lesson learned- cover the body of your camera with a gallon-sized ziploc to protect it from said deluge as well! It took me (you may have guessed it) three separate tries heading out with my tripod, macro lens, a black background before settling on this shot. I then processed in PSE9, adding a "signature" much like Shelley, Misty, and a few others. I'm not that bothered by a later date for the end of school; a snow day has always been, and will continue to be a gift!

Day 32- Pop Art Hearts

The other day I posted some colorful paint trays from my students' art lesson on warm and cool colors. (Day 28- Colorful) This week the lesson has been incorporated into a Valentine/Andy Warhol lesson entitled "Pop Art Hearts". I love how our art teacher works so hard to integrate all kinds of skills and themes! The students' work looks so lovely decorating the hallways!