Day 62: donut disaster

Monday night is Family Night at our house, and the biggest question isn't "What enlightening lesson has so-and-so prepared tonight" but rather, "Who is responsible for the treat, and what will it be?"  Tonight it was my turn, and J had requested donuts.  Which was a fun idea.  Of course, when it actually came to put together the batter, I realized that I didn't have the ingredients to make the ones I usually make (one uses orange peel, the other buttermilk).  So I tried a new recipe that I found online.  It looked fine. J and I put it together, then I heated the oil in the fryer and started to dunk them.  They seemed to go brown awfully fast in the time that they were supposed to cook, and I had to take them out early for fear they would burn.  They did look pretty nice:

And they tasted pretty good, too--if you happened to get one that wasn't raw in the middle.  I took the first bite and "bleh--goopy!" 

Sigh.

Usually I don't use vegetable oil, but that's all I had this time.  Maybe that had something to do with it.  But they were overbrowning almost as soon as they hit the oil, let alone what they would be like if I let them sit there for 2 minutes.  Thankfully, enough made the "cooked enough to be edible" grade, so all was not lost.  And the preparation was fun.  I was too busy with the hot oil to take a photo of J patting, rolling, cutting, and hole-ing,  but you can imagine what a blast that was for a 6 year old.

I guess it's a lesson in being prepared.  Now I'll have to keep orange peel and/or buttermilk in the freezer so as not to have to experiment again.

Day 61

OK--today I have something extra special for you.  Ready?  Wait for it...

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Have a great evening!

Day 60: Beauty in the oddest places

About a month ago, I posted this photo, one of a few plants encased in ice during an unexpected weather glitch. Here it is:

 
(Ed. 11/07):  Just found that it's  milkweed.  But you knew that, right?)

Yesterday, I took my usual weekly drive to Bedford, and when I was coming back, I saw what has happened to them since the weather has warmed up and we actually had an Autumn.  I couldn't stop and take a picture then, so today when I was out running errands, I took a little trip to take some pictures.

 
Aren't these plants amazing? 

 

Talk about telling the whole world "HEY!  Look at ME!  I'm REPRODUCING!!!"  It's almost obscene, really, but oddly beautiful, even though it's just a weed. 

One of the things that I've discovered lately is being able to find beauty in the strangest places.  Taking the challenge of taking photos every day means that I have to look beyond the usual to look at things that I normally would just pass by without a second glance.  It's such a blessing, and it gives me a reason to be grateful every day.  My work consists of hours sitting in front of the computer at home.  It's great having a reason to leave the house, even if it's just into the back yard or around the block, and take a close look at the world.  I'm having a great time finding little treasures everywhere I go.  Thank you, 365 Day Challenge!

I'm going to stick this one in for my mom, who always looks forward to photos of the kids on here. Here's one of the Boy-o on the tire swing.  He went from loving it, to being scared of it, to loving it again.  How I love this little munchkin.

Day 59: Covered Bridges

Every Friday I have a regular appointment about an hour away in Bedford County, home of 14 quaint little covered bridges built about 100 years ago.  I just love little old things that have withstood the test of time--people or objects!  I had been meaning to take a picture of two of them that are directly along my route to and from while the leaves were in full glory, but the weather conspired against me, and it rained every single day I was out there. Now that the leaves have all dropped, the weather was beautiful, of course.

The first one is the Dr. Kniseley bridge, a Burr truss bridge built in 1867.  It is on private land, and the farmers were out with their tractors taking care of the corn fields that surround it.

This next one is the Snook's bridge, another Burr Truss, built in 1883.  It was hard to take a photo because I didn't have permission to go through the fences of the property directly next to it, and there were some power lines and an ugly "CLEARANCE" sign right in front.  But here it is:

The Snook's bridge is drivable--and drive people do!  At full speed over it, without seemingly checking to see if anyone is coming from the other direction! I had fun driving slowly across, enjoying the rumble of the tires on the wood, then I got out and took these pictures of some farm equipment.

And plants:

Looks like it already snowed!

What is it with my taking pictures of farm equipment and plants lately, anyway?   

Which reminds me.  You know those photos I took a few weeks ago of the plants encased in the ice?  You should see them now!  I wanted to stop today, but when I realized what I was looking at, there was a car behind and a car directly in front and I couldn't stop soon enough.  The seed pods have quite literally burst open at the seams, and it looks like soft, cottony stuffing is escaping.  They look amazing!  And who says that plants in Autumn are dead looking?  I've never seen anything look more alive!  I might have to go out tomorrow when running errands with the kids and take some pictures of them to show you.


Oh--fyi, a Burr Truss bridge is one which, according to the Bedford County guide, is "held in place by a set of trusses that interact with an arch that spans the length on each side."  You can see it more in the first photo, since it isn't enclosed.  Named after the designer, Theodore Burr.  There you go!

For more information about these beautiful little bridges, check out the above-mentioned guide at http://www.bedfordcounty.net/cvrbridg.htm

Day 58: Remote madness!

When I purchased my camera, I ordered a wireless remote as well.  I had never hooked it up--until today.  So up went a wrinkly piece of cotton (my Christmas list has studio lighting all over it!), a stool, hubby (unshaven and not anticipating getting his picture taken.  He should know better by now!), me (no makeup, also not thinking ahead to photos), and the remote.  Here we are.  Why hello there!

Notice our lovely matching eye baggage.  :oP

And an out of focus shot of me--but aren't those wrinkles focused so perfectly?  LOL  Whoops!

An award for my little blog!

What a surprise today to receive an award! *sniff*  I'm so touched and honored.  It was given to me by the lovely Corina over at Through the Photographs.  She's out and about exploring life through her point and shoot camera.  You ought to pay her a visit! 

So, here's the award:

*Steps up to the microphone* I'd like to thank my hairstylist and my personal trainer and, of course, my lovely family, without whom this honor would not be...oh?  No speach necessary?  *Steps away from the podium in a fluster*

To accept it, I have to answer these questions using one word.  Yoikes!  Maybe I should just continue with the speech...

Anyhoo, here you have it:
1. Where is your cell phone? Kitchen
2. Your hair? Shortish
3. Your mother? Africa-ish
4. Your father?  Interesting...
5. Your favorite food? Indian
6. Your dream last night? Forgotten
7. Your favorite drink? Water
8. Your dream/goal? Security
9. What room are you in? Living
10. Your hobby? Photography
11. Your fear? Fire
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Settled
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something that you aren't?  Kitschy
15. Muffins? Bran
16. Wish list item? Lens
17. Where did you grow up? Canada
18. Last thing you did? Homework
19. What are you wearing? Glasses
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your pets? Cats
22. Friends? Yes!
23. Your life? Oy.
24. Your mood? Contented
25. Missing someone? Yes
26. Vehicle? Minivan
27. Something you're not wearing? Frown
28. Your favorite store? Clearance!
29. Your favorite color? Blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday
31. Last time you cried? Friday
32. Your best friend? Terrific
33. One place that I go to over and over? Computer.  ;o)
34. One person who emails me regularly? Facebook!
35. Favorite place to eat? Friend's

And now I'm to pass it on to three deserving blogs.  So hard to choose, but here goes:

Photographing the Days:  The first blog that I found on here that wasn't somebody I already knew from the non-cyber world.  Lee is a high school student with a great way with words and images that touches me every time I visit.  Pay him a call--you'll be glad you did.  Give yourself time, though, because I can personally attest that you'll get pulled in and the next thing you know it will be 3 am and you'll have gone through his whole archives. 

My friend Laurie, who blogs at A Canadian in King Parakramabahu's Court and Chilli and Chocolate.  We've known each other for years, always tending to end up in the same town--until she met a Sri Lankan fellow and moved overseas a few years ago.  A lovable, intelligent, eccentric with a unique take on life, you will love reading about her adventures with Sri Lankan culture and food.  Neat photos, too--monkeys and birdies and lizards, oh my!

Argh! It's so hard to pick only three.  But I'm going to make my third choice Kathryn at  From the Inside...Out.  Not only is she an awesome writer that I simply have to check out every day to make sure I get my smile on, she has been generous and supportive in making a brand new blogger feel welcomed in the community.  Thanks, Kathryn!

And thanks again, Corina.  :o)  This was fun!

Day 57 Corner View: Contrast

I cannot think of anything to photograph to do with contrast today, although I've taken a lot of photos and posted this month with contrast:  brownie (hot) ice cream (cold), piano keys (black and white), thumbs (short and long).  So here's one that I took this week that I didn't really think of as a contrast photo until I switched it to black and white--and now it definitely works.  The sun was just right for capturing the shadows.  Not great for portraits, but for this it did the trick. 

And now I'm going to head over to Dana's place to check out other corner views.  She has been our kind and gracious temporary hostess while Jane has been away.  Why not come along, and we'll take a look-see together.  Yes?  Good!  Meet you there!