The Brenda Photo Challenge - Spring

Spring is the theme for the Brenda Photo Challenge. 

When I hear noise coming from a bathroom window, I know this creature has arrived.  A couple of years ago he attacked just about every window in the house for months.  The next year he did not attack as many windows as the previous year.  This year he only made enough noise for me to know he was back.  We can now sleep late instead of being awaken at sunrise by constant tapping on the windows.

I'm glad Mr. Cardinal has matured.  :D 

For more Brenda Photo Challenge, go here.

Until next time, God bless.

PS:  The window needs a cleaning, but I do not particular relish the idea of rummaging around and in the huge southern jasmine to get to the window.  The jasmine blocks the setting sun and I have no desire to trim it up.  lol

The Brenda's Photo Challenge - Red

I made a mistake last week and posted my photos for the challenge.  However, I have one more red photo.

Go here for more Brenda's Photo Challenge.

Until next time, God bless.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

NOTICE:  THE CHALLENGE IS NEXT WEEK.....I GOT THE DATES MIXED UP

Red is today's theme for Brenda's Photo Challenge.  I asked myself where I could find plenty of red in one place and the answer was The Natural Gardner in Austin, Texas.

Radio Flyers waiting for customers.

Hardy geraniums are always popular.

Metal flowers never die.

A bright, red lawn chair is always a welcomed addition.

A red water fountain brings serenity to any backyard and the birds love it too.

Once I started taking photos of red objects I couldn't stop.  There are more and surely I can find a way to work them into the blog.  :D

Go here for more Brenda's Photo Challenge entries.

Until next time, God bless.

The Brenda's Photo Challenge - Frozen

The only things frozen around my house are the peaches and cranberries in my freezer.  lol

The peaches are from my tree and the cranberries are from the grocer.  When the temperatures sunk to freezing or below around my house, it's been dry.  When hubby left early one morning this week, frost was on the windshield. He poured tap water on the windshield and left.  I slept late that morning, otherwise I would have rushed out to photograph.  lol Yeah, right.

Go over to Brenda's Photo Challenge for more interesting photos.   Enjoy.

Until next time, God bless.

The Brenda Photo Challenge

This week's Brenda's Photo Challenge theme is ORANGE; and when visiting my best friend in Houston a couple of weeks ago, I found these subjects while shopping at The Village.

Isn't this tree trunk interesting?

As we were walking back to our car, I found this very dignified lady with the sweetest smile taking a little rest from her shopping.  I explained the theme for this week's challenge and she was delighted to participate.  I wish I could wear a turban with the same amount of panache.   :D

For more ORANGE-themed photos, click here.  Enjoy.

Until next time, God bless.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

Weathered & Worn is the theme for the Brenda's Photo Challenge. All the items pictured here were brought from my mother and father's place. My dad could not resist picking up old farm equipment.

Horse drawn harrow

Horse collar

Round-bale hay hauler

For more Weathered and Worn photos, go here.

Until next time, God bless.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

The theme for this month's Brenda's Photo Challenge is Flowers. I'm into wild flowers right now; some I know the name and some I do not.


Taken at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas.

The cone flower or echinacea with flowers from the red yucca in the background.

Wine cup.

The agave is about to bloom....just not yet. When it does, I'll post. If I'm feeling flush with a few extra coins in my pocket, I get agave nectar for a sweetner. It is a wonderful substitute for sugar and can be used in baking, coffee, on cereal, anything that calls for sugar or the artificial stuff. I used Sweet 'n Low for years until I had a health threat. I haven't used an artificial sweetner since; it is either honey or agave nectar at home, or brown sugar when out and if available.

Found these delicate flowers when I stopped to photograph the agave.

And these too at the same spot along side the road.

Go here to see more flowers.

Until next time, God bless.

Straight Out of the Camera Sunday.

It's Murietta's 365 Straight Out of the Camera Sunday again. Everyone is invited to join in, and there are only two rules: 1) photo must have been taken by you, and 2) no tweaking allowed. Cropping is allowed and is not considered tweaking.

The Canon 70-300mm IS zoom lens arrived Thursday and I've been playing around with it the last couple of days to see what it (and I) can do.


This is a scissortail that has taken up residence in the bur oak tree. He/she has taken offense to my windows and my husband's truck windows. I found a hanging thingie with mirrors which I put in the same tree; however, he pays no attention to that and prefers to attack the house windows along with the truck's. I even moved the truck to the far side of the drive circle -- the scissortail found the truck and resumed attacking the windows. Actually, I can hardly wait until I get a really, really good close-up of a bird or any kind of wild animal. :D


This is an heirloom climbing rose -- do not ask me the name because it was bought many years ago and I've forgotten. :D I have a terrible memory when it comes to plant names.

This was taken at the 300mm setting -- it's a barn swallow's nest tucked in a corner of the porch. We have another nest on the front porch. I drew the line when a barn swallow tried to build a nest on the upraised garage door since the mud blobs hit the trunk of my car. Besides, I have no idea how a nest would have made it on the thin, metal strips on the inside of the door. The nest was knocked down before completed with a broom handle. The babies leave a mess below the nest, but I can live with that if I don't have to walk through it every time I walk out the door. A good spray nozzle on the hose takes care of the mess.

Don't forget to pop over here for more straight out of the camera.

Until next time, God bless.

The Brenda Photo Challenge

Circles are the theme for this week's Brenda Photo Challenge.

A circle within a circle within a circle within a circle and within a circle.

A camera filter lens.




For more circles, go here.

Until next time, God bless.

The Brenda's Photo Challenge

Black and White is the theme for this week's Brenda's Photo Challenge.


Rose from my climbing rose bush. I've never seen so many roses on this bush but we've had oodles of rain these past six months.



Cactus in a pot. This cactus is at least 20 years old. I brought it home from my mother's and dad's house in 1997.

Wind chimes on a cloudy day. It needs to be restrung.

For more black and white photos in this challenge, click here.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

The Brenda's Photo Challenge theme for this week is Fruit/Macro.


I photographed these at Central Market along with the photos below. I was just getting started when a little guy came over to me to inform that NO photos were allowed. :D I guess that is prevent competitors from duplicating displays or prices. No matter, I told him the purpose but also asked if he wanted me to delete the ones I already had taken. Fortunately, he said, "No."



These are Maradol papayas from Mexico. Aren't they unusual? I've had papaya but it has always been sliced. Maybe all papaya look like these when cut. Anyone know?


Central Market has these large replicas of fruit and veggies as a barrier between the walkway and parking area. Central Market is H.E.B.'s answer to Whole Foods. Did you know that Whole Foods got its start in Austin?

Central Market is much more accessible for me than Whole Foods. The star Whole Foods store in Austin is a horror to get in and out of the parking area. I do not know how the customer service is at Whole Foods but Central Market's is top notch. When I was at a disadvantage with a cracked ankle before Christmas, one of the CM employees offered to do my shopping list. I was using a riding cart. The aisles were packed and next to impossible to shop while walking much less in a riding cart. I was very, very appreciative for the offer. In addition, hubby was with me and he would rather crawl over broken glass than shop. Note to self, do not ever break or hurt one's feet, ankles, or legs before Christmas.




Hop over to Brenda's to see more photos in the challenge.

Until next time, God bless.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

Wood is the theme of this week's Brenda's Photo Challenge.

Handcrafted mesquite cross by a friend which hangs in my prayer closet.

Matches on hand in my prayer closet to light candles.

First attempt at a pattern cut from a used envelope for a tea cozy. Paper is made from wood fibers. I made a mistake in calculating the size; it should be almost twice the size it is here. Oh, the pattern sits on a wood desk top. :D

Click here for more photos.

Until next time, God bless.

Photography Challenge

I've run across a neat photography challenge: The Pioneer Woman's Photography Assignments. The theme is "Share Your Dog Portraits"; one entry per day. BTW, I follow this woman and she is a hoot.

It is easy. Go to the blog address, click on the link provided, join Flickr if not a member, join the group, upload your photos, click on photo file, send email to the group, and voila, the photo appears in the group.


This is my favorite photo of Luc which was sent today.


This my favorite photo of Maggie which will be sent tomorrow.

Join in the fun and there are prizes!

Until next time, God bless.

Brenda's Photo Challenge

The theme for this week's Brenda's Photo Challenge is "red." I searched several stores yesterday for a spectacular Valentine's Day display and was surprised that I found none. There is no problem, though, finding something red.









Check out the other participants' photos in Brenda's challenge.

Until next time, God bless.

The Best of 2009, Brenda's Photo Challenge

The Brenda's Photo Challenge is back! Somehow I missed her announcement until last night that there was to be a challenge for this week. At first, I did not think I could get in on it; however, it was easier than I thought because these three photos quickly came to mind.



This precious darling is not mine but saw her at Fredericksburg Trade Days in July. How about that bow?! Isn't it awesome? And look her coloring -- deliciously pink and flawless.

Love these flowers on the prickly pear cactus. I'm guessing but think the brown spots deep in the flowers are bees gathering pollen. Good grief, who can remember since the photo was taken in the spring.


Me and my shadow, Luc. Where I go outside, he goes. Inside, Luc watches every move. A note of vanity here: shadows are not particularly flattering. Check out the tree trunk legs, the baggie T shirt and the tiny head with a teeny hat. lol

Check out more 2009 favorites here.

Until next time, God bless.

Ageless - Brenda's Photo Challenge

Ageless

God

Sunrise

Sunset

Earth

Wind

Water

Wood

Fire

Pop over here to see the others who entered Brenda's Photo Challenge.

Until next time, God bless.