Pixels-n-Pen

German shepherds

2010-07-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

Saturday's shoot found me at Creature Comfort Inn in Strasburg VA
to photograph some great German Shepherds.

Always nice to find trained dogs that are willing to work!

That can do tricks and

just be pretty.

Finally some play time!

Add color with Repeat Bloomers

2010-07-23T04:48:00.000-07:00

Daylilies add so much color to our mid summer gardens. By using the repeat bloomers, you get even more bang for your buck.
This is Apricot Sparkles

Going Bananas

and Rosey Returns

Chinese Crested Dogs!

2010-07-22T14:07:00.001-07:00

The first time I photographed Chinese Cresteds I wasnt sure I liked them.
I kept looking and finally realized that I did like them, they look just like little horses.

With a mane , tail and fetlocks, they move with the grace of a horse.

Surf and Turf

2010-07-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

Old Friends

2010-07-21T04:15:00.000-07:00

Old Friends

Every morning this older man and his dog ran on the beach. He would run two miles then swim with his dog Molly with him.

After two surgeries she had a hard time keeping up and sometimes waits for him while he runs

I always thought of the simon and garfunkel song old friends when they went by

Long ago it must be

I have a photograph

Preserve your memories

They're all that's left you

Painting with Light at the beach

2010-07-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens Richmond VA

2010-07-19T14:06:00.000-07:00

Tricks for Treats podcast

2010-05-15T04:13:00.001-07:00

http://www.petwritingconference.com/petcentricauthors/featured-authors.html

An interview I did with Charlotte Reed for Petcentricauthors about my new book Tricks for Treats.

RIP Scarlet Tanager

2010-05-14T04:12:00.001-07:00

Poor timing on the Scarlet Tanager's part lead to his demise by speeding car.

It offered me the opportunity to see one up close and rather personal . The color is incredible and I didnt know that the males are only in this breeding plummage for a short while. In the summer they turn drab olive green, similar to the color on the tip of the wings here.

Corgi Pups!

2010-04-19T05:18:00.000-07:00

Mozzarella making!

2010-04-15T11:09:00.001-07:00

You need citric acid and rennet

Heat your gallon of milk, add the citric acid.

Check the tempature
add the rennet

Seperate the whey from the curds

Microwave for 1 minute then knead with a spoon

after the second microwave you kneed the cheese.

Finished product

Chicken pictures

2010-04-09T09:21:00.001-07:00

Nankin Chicken Photos!

2010-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Nankin chickens!

Canning and Preserving-Popular Kitchen Series book

2010-04-01T12:26:00.001-07:00

I just got my copy of Canning & Preserving, a new book in the Popular Kitchen Series published by Bowtie Press and from the editors at Hobby Farms

It is a nice book all about preerving your bounty at its peak!

These are a few of the pictures I took for the book.

Cecropia Moth

2010-04-01T05:46:00.001-07:00

Dog Gone Art Magazine

2010-03-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the opening page of the article that appeared in Dog Gone Art Magazine

This is a very nice publication with interesting articles!

Cat attacks bunny and Easter chick!

2010-03-30T13:45:00.000-07:00

Molly stayed out of the fray!

Radio Interview

2010-03-29T04:46:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to my radio interview about my books Salty Dogs and Tricks for Treats!
It is on WSVG Community Show

Fauquier SPCA Benefit Book Signing

2010-03-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday March 27th, I am doing a book signing of both of my books. Tricks for Treats is my newest book and Salty Dogs is my beach dog book.

I will be at Philip Carter Winery
from 1-5 and the proceeds from the signing will benefit the

Fauquier SPCA

2010-03-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

The newest issue of Ponds USA features an article I wrote on gardening with dogs . Molly is the star with a two page spread .

My friends dog Tia is also in the article. If you have a water garden, you can garden with dogs! It just takes some dog wise strategies that I offer in the article.

Cooking Club pics in Hobby Farm Home

2010-03-17T06:06:00.000-07:00

In the most recent issue of Hobby Farm Home

there is an article about starting your own cooking club.

With a little help from friends and my son John and his wife,I took the pictures to illustrate the article.

Look Inside Tricks for Treats!

2010-03-16T08:32:00.001-07:00

At amazon.com they now have Tricks for Treats up! You can click to see inside the book .

New Book Tricks for Treats!

2010-03-10T05:24:00.000-08:00

My newest book will be out in two weeks. Molly is happy that she is the finally a cover dog!

It is all about quick and easy trick training.

Hobby Farm Home article!

2010-03-09T13:18:00.000-08:00

The newest issue of Hobby Farm Home, the May/June issue has my latest column titled Farm Fetishes.

This month I cover collecting graniteware.

I fell in love with it years ago when I went to a friend's house and saw her mothers collection.

It makes a great addition to any home!

Easter Bunny pics

2010-03-09T09:36:00.000-08:00

Easter bunny came the other day!

JRT pups play Hollywood Squares

2010-03-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

Say you are done with cheese, PLEASE!

2010-03-02T15:05:00.000-08:00

Finally the cheese shoots are done!

I did enjoy finding ways to photograph cheese and make them interesting photos.

Recycled Junk at Philly Flower Show!

2010-03-02T14:40:00.000-08:00

I love flower shows, and the Philly Flower Show is always great! I loved the use of old industrial materials

Old metal

construction junk .

This is where they used an old overseas shipping contanier as a dining room!

Old shed parts recycled. what a great way to use garden junk!

San Simon da Costa cheese

2010-02-26T09:01:00.001-08:00

Just say Cheese!

2010-02-26T06:28:00.001-08:00

Cheese Week

2010-02-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

This week has been spent shooting cheeses!
Nothing like taking photos of something that you get to eat after you finish working!

Of course the wine needed to be drank,
the beer needed to be drained,

the cheese consumed.

I have a very attentive audience of both dog and cat.

Taxi Reflections

2010-02-24T16:53:00.001-08:00

Taxis are everywhere in New York, and reflected in everything.

Puppy Love is the Winner!

2010-02-19T04:03:00.000-08:00

Last weekend at the Dog Writers Association of America awards banquet, Puppy Love by Liz Palika

won best general book.

These are some of my photos that are in the book!

New Use for Icicles!

2010-02-10T08:46:00.001-08:00

Get out your Christmas lights, bury them

in the snow, surround them with icicles and wait till dark!

Snow Storm Pics!

2010-02-07T15:43:00.001-08:00

During the height of the storm,

it snowed to beat the band.

After snowing for 30 hours it cleared off

just in time for a beautiful sunset.

Sunrise the next morning, as the sun kisses the mountains.

Icicles abound.

blue sky day

Frozen bubbles on black

2010-02-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

I thought to take a sheet of blackcardboard with me.

Placing it behind the bubbles helped show off the detail.

Notice the tear on the right bottom of the bubble

Doesn't take long for them to collapse

Frozen Snow Bubble Photos

2010-02-03T07:47:00.001-08:00

If you enjoy blowing bubbles, try blowing them in winter.

Here is what they look like when you first blow them, next to this one is one that has collapsed.

Notice the ice forming at the top of the bubble.

Now crystals are beginning to form at the bottom.
Freezing continues to cover the bubble.

Going

going

gone! Most bubbles collapse from the weight of the ice.

How to set up a brooder room!

2010-02-02T05:51:00.000-08:00

Learn how to set up a brooder room in an article I wrote for the March/April issue of Hobby Farmshttp://hobbyfarms.com

I want to thank Rhonada Barnhart of Pleasant Hill Farm
for letting me get the pictures.

Turkeys or chickens need a good brooder room to be all they can be!

In a place long ago

2010-02-01T11:52:00.000-08:00

We often don't realize how fast time is passing.

When I needed pictures of children exploring nature, I got out the old slides .

How could my children suddenly be old enough to have their own lives? When did they grow up? I confess at times I couldn't wait for the day.

I can only hope we appreciate the time we have here, enjoy the little things and hope for the best.

That is the beauty of children, they always look forward, something good is around the corner.

The best we can hope for it to maintain that childlike innocence and enjoy each day we have.

May you always feel the wonder of the world around you.

Snow Play Photos

2010-01-30T12:19:00.001-08:00

After Molly did some rodent hunting in the snow, I decided she needed some more active exercise to stay warm.

I got out the trusty treat ball.

If your dog loves treat dispensing toys, take one out in the snow and get ready to laugh!

Enjoy the little things!

2010-01-27T12:07:00.001-08:00

Enjoying the little things like the birds at the window feeder is the best part of some days

If you have a window you frequently look out, try adding a feeder.

The birds will get used to you and let you take closeup photos of them.

Boxer Puppy Pics

2010-01-26T08:16:00.000-08:00

Being a nine week old puppy is hard work!

Especially when you have to go to a photo shoot.

Lie down,

Look in the basket

Play with the toys, it is enough

to wear any Boxer puppy out!

Ice Day photos

2010-01-22T06:11:00.000-08:00

Ice isnt nice unless you are taking photos!

Shih Tzu Photo Shoot

2010-01-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

These adorable Shihs were great victims. They held their stays, gave great expression and

were happy to work for treats!

Dancing Diva- Shih Tzu dances for treats

2010-01-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

Winter Window to my World

2010-01-09T07:30:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas ornaments are my glass icicles, I have all kinds of them and this year, when I took down the tree, I decided to keep them out.

With the deep cold we have been having, it is fitting to have them hanging in my kitchen window.

Flowers lift the spirits and add color to a rather grey world.

Black Light on Ice is Nice!

2010-01-08T05:11:00.001-08:00

I saw an idea in a magazine and wanted to give it a try.
In the snow, was nestled some rope lights coiled into a tight roll, on top of the snow they surrounded the lights with icicles. It looked like a snow castle glowing in the snow.

Since I couldnt find icicles on the house, I went to the creek , a different look but the idea is the same. We used green lights and placed them in a stump . On top we arranged the clumps of ice from the creek. When the sun started to sink I got the camera out. The first picture shows a lot of purple from the sunset, then it went to black light green.

I was intrigued by the swirls of colors in the ice and the forms with in.

It looks just like it was lit with black lights.

Vasoline ware is a type of antique glass that looks like this when lit with a black light.

Long cold winter

2010-01-07T13:49:00.001-08:00

If you can brave the cold, there is beauty everywhere when it snows.

Get out and enjoy !

Puppies Make you Smile!

2010-01-05T05:12:00.000-08:00

How can anyone resist smiling at puppies! How about a kiss ?

Which way did they go?

You hold her down while I sniff her ear!

Back at you!

If we show her our teeth , will she give us a treat??

Small World! A rescue dog story!

2009-12-31T11:32:00.000-08:00

Small World!
A last minute call for tracking pictures found me going through my files.There was a picture of Molly when she learned to track back at Camp Jackpot. As we went to find the instructor for her lesson that day years ago, she kept pulling like a train, well a small train, towards the instructor's van. I assumed there were plenty of tasty treats inside so she wanted to get in there. I literally had to pick her up because she kept trying to leap up and into the van. The instructor's dog inside was furiously barking and Molly joined in. The instructor called in and told Missy to be quiet. With a funny feeling I looked in the van to see a border collie, one that looked somewhat familar. I asked Debbie if she had had the dog long and she said no, she was a dog she just got from rescue. I then asked where the dog was from. Ends up that Missy was an older neighbors dog that Molly used to play with all the time. Missy got to be too much for the older gentleman and suddenly she was gone. No wonder Molly kept trying to get in the van, she knew it was Missy. Missy got renamed and went on to become one of the elite Geese Police used to chase geese out of ponds. Anyway, the post from my blog about tracking includes one of Molly and Debbie all those years ago! Molly looked a little chunky then!

Resolution to do more with your dog? Try Tracking!

2009-12-31T11:19:00.000-08:00

If , like many of us, you make a resolution to do more with your dog, you might try taking some tracking lessons.

It is a great activity for any dog that likes to follow its nose to treats!

Tracking is great fun for both you and your dog and can be done year round.

Once you know how to track , you can lay your own tracks and just get out and have fun.

All you need is a willing dog, a harness, a long line, flags to mark the track and someone to show you the ropes.

Let your dog do what he loves to do, follow his nose!

Here's to the new Year!

2009-12-31T04:18:00.000-08:00

Christmas is gone , the lights still linger, but the tree is now a roost for the birds.

In the deep of winter, we still need lights to help remind us that the darkest days are now slipping by.

Here is to the New Year and hoping for the best for you and yours!

Flowers for a Winter Day

2009-12-29T13:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I just can't resist! The last couple of days have been cold and windy, not very cheery. At least it wasn't cloudy, but when I went to Costco , I couldnt resist getting some flowers. For a small price, they are a bargain. I can keep them all for myself or I can share some of them with others.

Treat yourself to something today, you are worth it!

The other side of the mountain

2009-12-28T13:39:00.001-08:00

The brillant blue sky invited us to get out and go hiking. This time we chose the other side of the mountain range.

This is the view of the waterfall that we hiked to the other day.

To get to the cliffs , we had to bushwack their mountain laurel and the boulder field, but the view was worth it.

A view of Fort Valley

Looking down the mountain

Frost Kissed Flowers

2009-12-27T06:55:00.000-08:00

A cold night with plenty of moisture left hoarfrost on everything.
The blackeyed Susans still shine but now with frost

Queen Anne's Lace

Milkweed Pod

The hike that took 30 years to do!

2009-12-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

We have lived in Fort Valley for 30 years. For thirty years we have driven up the mountain road , always passing a waterfall on the hairpin turn.
For thirty years we have meant to hike up to the waterfall, and today was the day.

Since there is no trail , we had to bushwack to get to the falls.

It was the perfect day for a hike and we saw many beautiful lichens and mosses along the way.

Finally over the hill we could hear the rush of water, and made our way to the bottom.

It was worth the hike .

Dog lichen along the way

Snow holds the Scent for Dogs

2009-12-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

Molly loves hunting in the snow, the snow holds the scent down and makes hunting easier. Once the snow settled some and the crust on top melted, she got busy, the woodpile is always a likely place to start.

She has scented something and goes on point, yes some JRTs point.
Up and over the snow.

She didnt get it this time, but she is always happy to try again!

My Snow Cat-Pilgrim in the snow

2009-12-25T13:17:00.000-08:00

Pilgrim doesnt mind the snow and comes out to see what Molly is hunting.

He does some hunting of his own.

That rodent is somewhere down here.

Pilgrim and his shadow

What a face.

Hunting is no good so he goes to a more important job, cleaning off the snow.

Remember how much fun sledding is?

2009-12-24T04:59:00.000-08:00

Here in VA we dont often have enough snow for sledding. In fact, the past several years the snows have been only 4-6 inches deep.
This snowfall was perfect.

The kids were home for the holidays and got the sleds and toboggan out.

You really cant think of any troubles when you are busy trying to stay on a sled as it slips slides down the hill.

Maybe it is time to get the sled out again and enjoy an afternoon of sledding!

Sun Kissed Snow

2009-12-23T05:39:00.001-08:00

The last rays of light hit the newly fallen snow.

Snow Advice from a JRT

2009-12-22T12:00:00.000-08:00

Wear your coat if you weigh under 15 pounds and it is snowing hard.

Stick to the plowed roads

If you must run, run under the trees, less snow is better when you are under 12 inches.

If you get stuck in the deep snow, keep plugging along till the human comes to the rescue .

Seeds bring hungry birds for photos!

2009-12-20T07:02:00.001-08:00

Yesterday's snow brought in plenty of birds to my window feeder. Here is a white throated sparrow.
Immature cardinal, hence the strange colors,

male cardinal

female cardinal and the bluejay!

It is fun to see them up close and personal and a window feeder means they get used to having you close by.

Certainly makes for easier pictures!

Snow Walk Photos

2009-12-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Over 12 inches now and quite the winter wonderland. We donned all the winter gear, left short little Molly behind and trudged out to see.

Terry titled this one snow stalagtites.

Beautiful, bountiful food for the birds, invasive honeysuckle shrubs.

Our creek road. I hope you enjoy the winter wonderland today.

Homemade Peanut Brittle

2009-12-12T05:43:00.000-08:00

Homemade peanut brittle is pretty easy to make. This is my grandfather, Daddy Pete's recipe and I finally got my Mom to show me how to make it.

all you need is

1 cup Spanish Peanuts

1 heaping cup of white sugar

1/8 t of baking soda

Take the peanuts and place them in the oven to warm.

At the same time heat a buttered cookie tray to spread the peanut brittle on. If the tray is cold you wont be able to spread the brittle thin.

Have potholders ready and the baking soda measured and ready to add.

Put your sugar in a skillet on medium to medium high, it depends on your stove. Stir the sugar constantly.

Once it begins to heat up, the sugar will begin to melt and turn golden brown, keep stirring, if things heat up too quickly, lift the skillet off the burner to let it cool for a few seconds.

Pretty quickly it will look like this.

When the sugar lumps are almost all melted, add the soda and quickly stir in.

Add the warm peanuts, stir in.

Now pour it on the warmed cookie sheet. Quickly spread as thin as you can before it hardens.

Now let it cook, break it up and enjoy!

Corgi Photos-Amazing what they will do for food!

2009-12-11T07:25:00.001-08:00

This is Trevor. I have photographed him several times through the years and he is always a willing victim

It is handy he likes treats, it makes getting great pics of him much easier!

JRT snow hunting

2009-12-09T05:43:00.000-08:00

Nothing is better than snow hunting. The scent says put and the hunting is good. Molly loves hunting in the snow

Winter Nap with a Cat!

2009-12-08T05:40:00.001-08:00

What is it about a winter day? It makes naps seem so inviting.

Add a cat and the nap is perfect!

Wreath Decorating Seminar

2009-12-07T12:17:00.001-08:00

Last week Fort Valley Nursery held a wreath making seminar. There were lots of ideas, lots of things to decorate with,

and best of all everyone had fun coming up with the way to decorate their own wreath.

Everyone with home with a unique wreath and with

smiles on

their faces!

This evening there is another seminar, for info go to the website

Santa at Fort Valley Nursery

2009-12-07T05:12:00.001-08:00

Over the weekend , the holiday open house at Fort Valley Nursery had live bluegrass music and Santa.

Shoppers were in the mood for Christmas Saturday with the snow flying, and seeing the joy the little ones got from visiting with Santa.

Never TOO Big for Santa!

2009-12-07T05:09:00.001-08:00

Santa visited Fort Valley Nursery over the weekend.

Somethings we never outgrow, sitting on Santa's lap appears to be one of them

Suddenly Snow!

2009-12-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the snow came down. Within a couple of hours we had over three inches. I looked out the window and saw how the snow coated

the sweet gum leaves still clinging to the branches.

Later when we turned on the Christmas lights, we were greeted by flocked trees light from under the snow.

Last summer's peach preserves and bread,YUM!

2009-12-03T10:52:00.001-08:00

Nothing is much better than homemade bread and the fruit of your labor from last summer-
homemade peach preserves!

A winter Hike in SNP

2009-12-01T11:00:00.000-08:00

Nothing beats hiking in the winter. Cooler weather, less people and beautiful mountains.

This is Little Stony man cliffs

The Waves of Ida

2009-11-24T05:41:00.001-08:00

When Ida first came roaring through the Outer Banks, the rain poured and the wind howled. Each hour, the waves increased in size.

The pier was a great place to gauge the height of the waves.

Later the sun came up, but the surf kept rising.

We believe this was the state inspector for the fishing pier.

It was interesting to see him out there with the waves crashing against the pier.

Surf's Up!

2009-11-23T11:29:00.000-08:00

Before Ida made landfall the surf was up

Sunset at Okacroke after the Storm

2009-11-23T04:44:00.000-08:00

Working with slides for so many years , I have gotten into the mentality that what you see is what you get.
But with Lightroom that is not always the case and it is fun to see what can be done with the images.

Sunset on the harbor of Okacroke provided some intersting images

The piers looked like they were floating in the air.

Beach -In the Beginning

2009-11-21T07:39:00.001-08:00

When we first hit Avon, a little over two weeks ago, the weather was sunny, cool and windy.

We thought the surf was big then, but it was just the beginning!

Heritage Turkeys for Thanksgiving

2009-11-20T14:36:00.000-08:00

From poults to immatures to full grown turkeys, the turkeys at Pleasant Hill Farm in Rixeyville Va have been fun to photograph.

Last summer they looked like

this!

Today they are mature , in their full glory heritage turkeys!

I found the colors of them incredible.

Australian Kelpie

2009-11-18T13:50:00.001-08:00

After two weeks of vacation, it is back to work! Today's task besides writing an article was to scan some Kelpie pics for a calendar call. You dont often see Kelpies. This is Seeker

Happy Howl-o-ween from Molly

2009-10-31T04:40:00.000-07:00

Tonight there is a full moon for Howl-o-ween!

English Cocker Spaniels!

2009-10-31T04:36:00.000-07:00

More pictures from a shoot last week.

Give me Paw! English Cocker preforms

2009-10-28T06:05:00.000-07:00

During my shoot yesterday with English Cocker Spaniels, one them kept wanting to find out what he needed to do to get a treat.

It must be give paw that he wants.

AWWW , come on, I am being very good and I want a treat!

Again, alright, but now give me a treat!

Locavores have indoor herb gardens!

2009-10-26T11:02:00.000-07:00

If it isnt too late in your area, consider bringing in your herbs. If you have a south facing window , you can harvest your herbs all winter.

Just remember to rotate them so they dont get all lopsided!

Ebony and Ivory

2009-10-26T10:25:00.001-07:00

Murphy visited for a few days and everytime I saw these two together, I hummed Ebony and Ivory. Molly likes Murphy, even if he is a big, doofy Lab.

They played in the yard, tho Molly spent most of her time avoiding collisions with a dog that is obsessed with the frisbee

After Frisbee Murphy decided to try out Molly's new bed.

It was a rather tight squeeze.

Shenandoah Fall Colors

2009-10-23T06:59:00.000-07:00

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

2009-10-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

After hunting in the field for voles and moles, Molly settles down for a hard earned rest.

I couldnt leave her alone tho, I had to get some pictures.

Peaceful slumber, tucked up into a snug little ball.

Dreaming of the hunt.

Pilgrim- The Cover Cat!

2009-10-20T07:37:00.000-07:00

We are happy to announce that Pilgrim, our beautiful cat, is going to be the cover cat on Browntrouts

The Literate Cat calendar. Way to go Pilgrim, now , just keep earning your keep!
He is also featured in the Cat Lover's Calendar next year, I think he is photogenic enough to have his own calendar.

Live Bluegrass Music

2009-10-12T05:14:00.001-07:00

There is nothing much better than listening to live bluegrass music performed by awesome musicians.

Mike McDonald, David Smoke and Danny Thomale performed yesterday at Fort Valley Nursery . It was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

International Dogs Rule Day

2009-10-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

Did you know that it is International Dogs Rule Day?We know we rule but sometimes the humans need to be reminded who rules who.

Today I would like to suggest some ways for you humans to celebrate this day with us.

Invite a friend over and let us rip.

Let us hitch a ride to a fun new place.

Take us to a dog bakery so we can drool on the glass.

Take us out and get some pictures of us.

Let us lick the bowl.

Teach us a new exciting trick.

Stuff a treat ball with tasty tidbits and hide it.

Take us for a ride and then let us take a walk through a new town. WE love to read the peemail.

You can visit the International Dogs Rule website for some more suggestions!

Molly's Advice-Dont eat tin foil!

2009-10-09T12:26:00.001-07:00

I know I look innocent , but the lady caught me red pawed. I went dumpster diving and found some foil that had covered lasagna.

I was very sorry, at least when she caught me. The words that came out of her mouth were not very loving, so I skedaddled up the stairs to a safe area.

Luckily for me most of the foil went on through, funny to watch a human sift though dog poop, but last night I barfed up two pea sized balls of shiny foil.

That meant a trip to the vet, luckily xrays show metal and mine showed that all but a few tiny pieces had moved on through, we do have strong guts, or guts of steel as I call them!

There was no way for her to tell how much I consumed since I did a pretty good job of shredding.

My advice, no matter how good it smells if it is shiny leave it alone!

The Color of Fall

2009-10-08T07:06:00.000-07:00

Berries turn bright

Orange, red and scarlet

Ready to feed the hungry

migrating feathered friends.

Blue, Tan and Red Pumpkins

2009-10-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

It is amazing all the colors that pumpkins come in these days.
I love the blue ones,

red ones,

tan ones,

and the peanut pumpkin!

The little ones have so much color and you can hollow them out and put flowers in them or a candle!

Amber waves of Grain

2009-10-06T05:03:00.001-07:00

While picking up pumpkins at a local farm, I realized how beautiful the layering of the crops were.

Millet, sunflowers, corn, then the green fields and mountains combined to make an incredible sight.

Make Your Own Bread

2009-10-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Now that fall has arrived with cooler weather, I got my bread book, Artisian Bread in 5 Minutes a day, out.

During the summer it was too hot to think about bread, but now that the tempatures are falling, today is in the 60's, I got in the mood to make bread.

I mixed up enough dough for 8 loaves of bread, it keeps up to two weeks in the frig.

Then I set it out to rise. After 2 hours you put it in the frig for at least three hours.Then bake.

Nothing much better than bread right out of the oven and of course we had to immediately cut a big slab and slatther it with butter

You know this bread is good for you, no additives, just the way bread is intended to be!

End of the season for sunflowers

2009-10-02T05:20:00.000-07:00

Barren and empty

Silent sentinals
to autumn

Seasons come and go.

Scarecrows Part 2

2009-10-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

As we set about creating the band, some scarecrows wandered in, waiting with a glass of wine for the music to begin.

Once the clothes were stuffed, the fun detail part began.

Surgical gloves worked well for the hands of the musicians.

Jeff's fine attention to detail brought the players to life.

Final touches are made to make them more realistic.

The band comes together, so if you love bluegrass music, stop by

Fort Valley Nursery and check out The Scarecrows!

This weekend is the annual Fall Festival with everything 25 % off and perennials are 50% off!

The Scarecrows- how to make your own bluegrass band

2009-10-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

For the upcoming Fall Festival at Fort Valley Nursery Terry came up with the idea to do a bluegrass band. We gathered the clothes

and the old instruments and got to work.

First came the stuffing,

Then more stuffing

Ali had to make sure the scarecrow was the right size.

Martha Stewart's Mushroom/ pumpkins!

2009-09-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

The latest Martha Stewart Living cover featured mushrooms made from pumpkins and gourds. I had to try my hand at it. It was easy. Since I used the little pumpkins I needed something small for the stem. I thought carrots were perfect.

The larger mushrooms I used a zucchini that had grown too big.

Then looking at the Turks Cap gourds I realized they already looked like toadstools!

These guys are now almost two weeks old, but they still look pretty good, tho something, I imagine a squirrel or chipmunk has been enjoying eating the stems!

Locavores Eat Best!

2009-09-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Take advantage of the locally grown fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market.

You help support local agriculture and you get the benefits of produce that is the freshest available.

The time is now with all the late veggies coming on the market

For me it is a feast for both eyes and my taste buds.

Get out and buy local

Today's Trick

2009-09-28T09:08:00.000-07:00

Today I needed to get a picture of a dog catching a ball by the door. I set up the lights and Molly trotted in.

Considering my throwing skills are slight, and add that I was trying to take the picture while throwing with my left hand, it took a few shots to get the pic.

Molly got bonked in the head with a bad throw, plenty of throws were way off and there were some missed balls.

Bingo, mission accomplished.