Sunday Stills: Statues or Figurines

This week's Sunday Stills was Statues or Figurines. After trying to figure out what I was going to take a picture of in my house, I determined that I'm not a big figurine collector. So, I scavenged my friends' display cabinet instead.

These two little dudes from Karen and Rob's are perfect. Who knew monks could not only be salt and pepper, but also look mischievous at the same time?

Sunday Stills: Metal

Another week, another Sunday Stills challenge. This week: Metal.

The first one I took at the riding stable. Tucked away in the barn were rolls and rolls of snow fence. I thought the twisted wire of snow fence made an interesting contrast against the weathered wood.

This one is a picture of the top of a genuine German beer stein a friend of George's brought back for him.

Sunday Stills: Smoke and Fire

I wish we'd had this Sunday Stills challenge, Smoke and Fire, a few weeks ago, when we were at a cottage with lots of smokey fire for hotdogs and marshmallows. So, I had to make do with some candle shots. (And with posting on Monday as we were at a horse show yesterday and were whipped when we got home.)

Rose of Sharon

Everything in our yard has gone crazy with growth this year. The grass is lush, the bushes have fingers of light green, new-growth branches sprouting from every angle, and even the annuals we planted (which I notoriously kill), have many, many blossoms. The weather has been perfect for growing - warm and rainy just when we need it.

But the plant that always makes me happiest to see every year is my Rose of Sharon. It's a gorgeous pink color that blooms at the beginning of August, just when, in a normal year, everything else is browning off.

I especially love the Rose of Sharon because it reminds me of my maternal Grandmother. She had a huge bush growing outside her house. I tried in vain to get a transplant from this bush to grow at our old house, with no luck. We're just on the edge of the climate zone that a Rose of Sharon can really thrive in, and my gardening philosophy of benign neglect didn't really help.

But, this one, which I got at a local greenhouse two years ago, is thriving in the spot next to the house. It's protected, with just enough sun and water, and blooms beautifully. And, each time I look at it I think of my grandmother.

Sunday Stills: Clouds

This week's challenge, Clouds, definitely fits in with my recent preoccupation with clouds. I have too many to put in one post, but here's a sampling.

I took this one as a storm was brewing in the distance while I was waiting for Faith to finish her horseback riding lesson. Getting the "fingers of god" to show up in a picture is always a lighting challenge.

This was the same storm coming in, but earlier. I don't usually like pictures of "just clouds" but I thought the light and shapes were interesting.

I took this one while we were visiting a Karen and Rob's cottage. We went to the marina in the morning so the kids could get some 5 cent gummy candies and we could pick up the Globe and Mail. The day was gorgeous.

I like the contrast of the cloud and lonely silo against the blue sky from this shot. I stopped on the side of the road and Blake played around in the grass while I took a few shots.

I took this one a couple of months ago, but it's still one of my favourites. I had a polarizing lens on, which helped me pop the colors during processing.

Sunday Stills: Graffiti/Street Art

This week's challenge was a tough one for me: Graffiti/Street Art. I wasn't out and about in the city too much, and my town isn't big on graffiti. So, when we were coming back from a friend's cottage I took a few shots of graffiti through the window.

Faith's horse show

Faith's riding stable held its first horse show of the summer, and this year we were actually in town so Faith could participate. She was a little unsure of the whole thing but once she decided to go for it, she was determined to win some ribbons.

She entered three classes, which I can list out, but have no real clue what the criteria is for "good". I just know that she can control her saucy horse, Nomi, really well. And, that she rides bitless (which Sydney would love).

George, Blake, and I watched all the classes and, for the grandparents, I videotaped two of them. Sorry for the strange clicking noises -- this was me zooming in and out. And, the quality is questionable. (Does this mean I need to upgrade to HD video?) You'll see Nomi is a handful, even at 22, but Faith keeps her cool.

In the end, Faith came away with two thirds, and a fifth. Not bad for her first official show, no lead lines. And, she's determined to do better next time. She also wants to start jumping more. Like this (yikes!):

More horse show pictures