Saturday, February 28, 2009

20090227_5570-2

Practice, practice, practice.

And no, it is not warm enough to be without a coat.

I tried some picture in the back yard earlier in the day and the light was harsh. (south, snow reflection)
So then we tried a few shots later in the day in the front yard. (north)

People ask , "Miz Boo, what's your secret?"

I say, "Take a lot of pictures. Everyday. Practice and learn something new about your camera."



****

IMG_0081_2 scishare

Just got this in the email this morning.
My far-from-mad scientist.



****

Linzie Hunter



I wanted to share this a few links that have inspired me lately.

Linzie is a graphic artist. I know about her because Tara Whitney has a little poster by Linzie hanging in her office.


It says:

Don't put off your happy life.


Linzie's stuff for sale



I love the sentiment and the whimsicality of it. (Hey! that's a word. Spell check even helped me out with it!)


Linzie Hunter blog

Linzie recently did an ad for Sonic. It's very cute. Check it out at her blog.



****

And Tara Whitney.

She inspires me because she is so ahead of the game with her photography business....and it's totally organic.

I have looked at her archives, from when she just started her blog (2006) and the things she was doing then are becoming mainstream now.

Most professional family/children's photographers don't sell the digital files.

Tara decided to do it her way. She created packages that included the digital files.

Just this month, Tara came up with another amazing idea.

She has created a home movie and photography package idea.

No one else has thought of this. But Tara did. And I think it is brilliant!

That is just so inspiring to me.


Tara Whitney

In order to see the professional home movie package information you must click on 'details' and page past three pages until you get to the home movie.

It is so special. You will want one.

And the song. It is so sweet.

"It's always better when we're together"

Let me know if you have a hard time getting there.


And NO, this is not a paid advertisement for Tara. She is just so cool.



And one last bit of inspiration.





I have loved this scene from Babe for a long time and remember writing the words and telling about it on my blog years ago!
Now, it is on youtube.

Enjoy!

Thank you youtube :o)



Encourage one another,
Donna


And hey! Don't put off your happy life.
Linzie Hunter

Friday, February 27, 2009

Friday Five



What are you looking for?
What are you waiting for?
What is someone else waiting for from you?
You know you have a long wait ahead of you at the doctor. What do you bring?
Where can you expect always to wait in a ridiculously long line?


Found at Friday Five.org




*****

Speaking of 'What are you looking for?'....
Lynn, we need to finish up with Hannah Coulter. Soon.
She is waiting. She is suspended in time.

What does Hannah want?

Let's talk soon.


*****

I am reading The Shack.
I am not bothered by how the Trinity is represented.
I thought I would be when Emma mentioned it to me.

I'm skimming it. Haven't read anything very important yet.

It's a little like Lost.


*****


20090225_5520-2

Why it is very important to learn....

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How to shoot a backlit shot.

Here is a link to the tutorial I wrote for The Pioneer Woman.


Backlit-photo-in-full-sun



Hey! Katie's science fair went beautifully yesterday!
Each child had to give a presentation to each person who stopped by their 'station'.

Katie said she probably gave her speech thirty-five times.

I bought my camera and two lenses.

I left the memory card at home, attached to the computer.

Katie asked another mother to take her picture.

Good thing for other mothers.

The main emphasis was on learning the scientific method;

Question
Hypothesis
Materials
Procedure
Results
Conclusion
Facts

"There you go" says Katie.


And public speaking.


The teachers involved were so enthusiastic and engaged with the children.
It showed it the children's attitudes. They were having fun and took their presentation seriously.
Every child I visited acted in a mature and poised manner.

Very impressive!


****

Happy End of Feb. all! I know many of you are dreading March....
But just think....it's one month closer to May!


Yes. I am waiting for May. I like May.


Encourage one another,
Donna

Thursday, February 26, 2009

In the land of self-felting socks


It's a hard knock life.

Once upon a time, I knit a pair of little woolen socks for my girl.
She wore them in her boots. Every day.
They got damp. They got stomped upon.
And they felted so unevenly.

Yet. In the boots they stayed. To warm those little toes.
Not pretty anymore. But ever so useful.

Not unlike the velveteen rabbit.


20090224_5499-2tra



****

Now down to business.

LOST!?

No doubt in my mind.
Locke is good. Ben is bad.

Widmore, I am not sure. They messed with my head on that one.


Idol? Any faves from last night?

The sixteen year girl with the horrible red hair can SING!
She was impressive.


***

Help in class, science "share" and final (I pray) crown cementing today.
My nose is stuffy and my ankle is healing.

I think my system was so busy working on my ankle,
it forgot to protect me from germs.

Oh! One more thing.

I have a clever friend who mentioned that Nancy Pelosi jumped up and down like a Jack-in-the-box clapping for the Prez on Tuesday night. I could see it. It was spot on. I suggested she photoshop a little tribute to the Pelosi-in-the-box (her title for it).

She did :o)


Pelosi-in-the-box

How funny is that!?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Wednesday, February 25, 2009



This is actually how I feel about Facebook.

Pretty much.

HT to Tara Whitney.
Are you dieting?


20090224_5508

Well. I'm not.
I should be.
But I'm not.


But last night I ran across a good resource for any of those who might be dieting.


Chantel Hobbs


She lost 200 pounds. That's mighty impressive.


20090224_5507

Now. Back to my "King's Cake".


This is the Southern Wisconsin version of a King's Cake.

I had never heard of a King's Cake. And actually, all things Mardi Gras-Fat Tuesday were way off my radar until a certain lady joined our quilting group. She had just moved to Marinette from New Orleans and with her move she brought some of the Southern traditions.

We always quilted on Tuesday afternoons and it just so happened that she hosted the group on Fat Tuesday.

She ordered a King's Cake from a bakery in N.O. and we continued the tradition every year after that!

You see, the person who finds the little baby in their piece of cake, must bring the cake the following year.

We thought of the little baby, as baby Jesus.

(Baby Jesus, why are you in a cake?)

But the internet says the original 'baby' or trinket had something to do about the three Kings.


So yesterday after picking up Katie we journeyed to Millers where I bought some dinner and a kings cake.
(The best grocery store in the world.)
I told Katie that they are usually decorated with purple and yellow and....

and I couldn't remember the other color...

and she said green.

How do you know that?

Well. Some of the teachers and students had on green and purple beads.
And some children wore masks!

Well! Par-tay at Blessed Sacrament.

I wonder if I missed the memo?

We have stepped into a world with some new traditions this year at Catholic school....

Today Katie will come home with Ashes on her forehead.

I always thought that was fascinating as a child.

We talked about the ashes in the car too.

It's a good thing.

"Where do they get the ashes?" she wondered.

"I think traditionally the ashes are the burnt palm leaves from Palm Sunday the year before." I reasoned.

"Oh. good. I'm glad they are not from dead people."


Poor thing. I'm glad we covered that.
What a terrible thought.



20090224_5464-2

Here is my friend Drenna and her daughter Molly!
I snapped this shot yesterday as they were leaving after a way too short visit!
But, I am so thankful they had a chance to stop by. You know how hard that is when you are traveling to fit in all
of your old friends.

Katie and Drenna's son Calvin were gymnastics buddies before they moved away.
Katie gets along very well with boys. She likes how they play.
Emma, too.

Anyway.

Molly is a photographer and I get to follow her on Flickr. She has a unique eye and I hope she sticks with it!

Thank you both, for stopping by! It was wonderful to see you!


How to feed a cat.

This is how I feed the cat.

Curious.

She finds me rather curious.




Will you do anything special this Lenten season?
Will you give something up?


For the first time ever, I am giving something up.

Eating after dinner. Nothing. Nada.

Katie is giving up cookies.

She is already suffering. There is a cookie with the hot lunch today and she says 'they are sooooo good!'.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Tuesday, February 24, 2009





I borrowed this little button from my sister's facebook page.

I don't do the buttons...but I do fall and hurt myself.

Yesterday, I missed a step and turned my ankle terribly coming out of school.
I was light headed and woozy but made it home.

I do not have any pain when my foot is still, just when I put weight on it.

It is not bruised or very swollen so I am sure it will be just fine.

But it is a shock to almost wipe out and hurt yourself, isn't it?

Just think of little children, they fall down and run into things all day long.

Perhaps older people are just out of practice.

(In my klutzy defense, I did not fall over. I caught myself and landed in a full squat; feet flat on the ground.
It was very dignified.
I actually thought the ole muscles would be much sorer today.)


****


I love playing with black and white editing. I have not decided which is my style yet.


20090222_5410-23

I really love the high contrast look.


20090222_5424-2bw

And I adore the soft, gentle black and whites too.


Which do you prefer?

I'd love to know.


Encourage one another,
Donna


P.s. I am a total novice at Facebook and really only use it to keep in touch with family and look at pictures.
All seven of us have Facebook pages. I am so delighted about that.

Monday, February 23, 2009

And the Oscar for best dressed goes to....

Taraji Henson

Taraja Henson in a lovely Roberto Cavalli.

Yes, it is very much like the pink dress I chose on Sat.
But, I likes what I likes ;o)

This was the second dress I saw last night and I just loved everything about Taraja's look!
Her hair and make up, her jewerly and that pleated, feminine, dress.

*sigh*


I really had fun watching the Academy Awards last night.

Most of the stars looked stunning.



The premise for the opening number was that there wasn't enough money to have a big flashy opening number,
so Hugh whipped one up on his own.



Totally fun and delightful opening number! Great job Hugh!
And wait til you hear Anne Hathaway sing!

Fun :o)


Actors Josh Brolin and Diane Lane arrive at the 81st Annual Acad

Here is Diane Lane, and some guy, (just kidding Josh).

I love the tiny bit of ruffle at the top of the bodice.

Black never shows up well on television, I don't think.


56822757
Oh! Penelope. Maybe I choose you.

This is an amazing vintage dress.



sjp

Yes. I even liked this. I have a thing for Sarah in her tutu inspired dresses.
This is Dior Couture.

O la la...

virginia madsen

I bet you didn't think you would see any COLOR.

Virgina Madsen was the first to arrive and I really loved this geometric red dress.
I like the shade of red, the fit and the silhouette.

fff39c3f7aad6866_Natalie-Portman

This one is for my sister Cindy.

When I first saw the dress pass by, I just loved the color and material.
The bodice is not my best tho.

I do not care for her hair and makeup at all. Too hard for that springy dress.
She looks angry.


Actress Marisa Tomei arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards h

Marisa was beautiful in her ornately pleated gown.
She looks happy. And look, right behind her, Natalie.


I appreciated this one for it's workmanship.
Marked it down for the neckline.


Listen to me. I just said to myself in my head,

"Who do you think you are?"


Best hair went to Kate Winslet.





I said last night in the comments that I loved her Grace Kelly inspired hair....



“My inspiration was Grace Kelly,” says Campora. “I wanted the hair to be sleek, classy and modern and for the style to fit the neckline of the dress and create a little volume around her face.”

Campora’s steps to achieving Winslet’s Oscar hair: “I started on wet hair and worked in Frederic Fekkai All Day Density Styling Whip. I then blew-dry the hair with a round brush for smoothness, but still with volume underneath. I used a 1-inch curling iron to make waves and then let it sit for 20 minutes. I used Frederic Fekkai Coiff Magnifique Ultra-Light Finishing Creme to brush through the hair and then rolled the hair underneath and pinned it with long bobby pins. Finally I sprayed sheer hairspray over the hair to hold it.”

L.A. Times





Ugliest dress of the night.

Beyonce.

But, sweetie, you have the prettiest face :o)


Singer Beyonce arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at



And to all of that I say....

Jai hoooooooo!



Encourage one another,
Donna

Sunday, February 22, 2009






I have a dress prediction.

I think Freida Pinto will wear yellow.

The costume designer on Slumdog Millionaire used the color as a hopeful, recurring color throughout the movie for Latika?

It seems only fitting that she would wear it, don't you think.

I hope I'm right :o)

(Her scarf in the above picture is one of a kind.)




Arriving....





She is wearing blue.

It's very pretty. But it is not yellow.



I may have already spotted my favorite!









Jai Hooooooooo

Saturday, February 21, 2009

20090220_015624_marissa.diane

Last night on Entertainment Tonight I spotted Diane Lane in the most wonderful pair of glasses.

I said. Those are the glasses I want. Where did she find those glasses?

And my husband said,

California.

I love Diane Lane. I have loved her since she was a little girl.





When she was in a movie called "A Little Romance" (1979)


***

I am looking forward to the Academy Awards on Sunday night.

This morning I went looking for some pretty dresses from the past, and a pick for the big day.


gkelly
Grace Kelly is always at the top of my list.
This dress is beautiful. I like the neckline very much.


ahepburn

Similar neckline, completely different dress.

Again very pretty.


Cate Blanchett Oscar gown

I chose this dress a few years ago as my favorite.

pinto1

Wow!!! You know I love this dress worn by the young lady from Slumdog Millionaire.

She has worn many beautiful dresses already this award season. I love her taste.

I don't know if she can top this dress. Ruffles, ruffles, how I love thee.


dress

Elle Saab just makes dresses that I think are perfect for the Oscars.

I am not in love with this color. I would like it in cream.

But otherwise, I think it is stunning.





Another stunning Elle Saab. Spring 2009.

Gorgeousness.


I just can't wait for the big show!
Hugh Jackman is the host this year. I hear there will be dancing.



AFI TOP 100


I have seen 78 of the Afi list.
How many have you seen?



Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, February 20, 2009

FOUND


20090219_5219


I found this pencil in Katie's musty backpack.

Pretty darn sweet. I'd say.

On Tuesday, I noticed that Katie's school papers were curling at the ends from being wet.
After just a little bit of checking, I found a very smelly, wet pair of snow pants.

Those snow pants went right into the wash and came out smelling clean. (I have a thing about musty smelling washcloths and such.)

Wednesday afternoon, the school papers again came out of the backpack with curled, damp edges.

"What is in your backpack? Are your pants smelly again?!"

Looking myself this time I found the wettest mittens lying in the bottom of the now musty smelling backpack.

Taking a chance, I threw all of the wet items into the wash. The back pack said "spot clean only".

I crossed my fingers and wished it well. Musty smells must be eliminated.

At dinner that night, I asked Katie how everything got so wet. She told me that at recess she scoops the slush in a pile and
puts it on the hill and then slides down it. It makes the slide really fast.

And I promptly told her she was not allowed to do that anymore.

And she promptly cried.

You would have thought I told her she had to break up with her true love.

Oh my.

My husband said, this is what children do.

And I was unmoved.

And then he said, 'tomorrow it will be seven below and there will be no slush'.

And I said, 'good'.


20090219_5232-2clonelips
Yesterday she came home from school nice and dry.
But a little tired.


20090219_5238-2-70s

Last shot, Katie. One little smile, please.



Encourage one another,

Donna, the killjoy


FOUND


The Friday Five.


Are you a winner?


1. Do you feel that you are you a lucky person?

2. Have you ever won a contest, sweepstakes, or raffle?

3. In your opinion, what constitutes a good prize?

4. How often do you enter your name into sweepstakes or raffle drawings?

5. What is the best thing you have ever won? (prize, award, recognition, etc.)


Thank you for reminding me about the FF Ruth Ann.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

LOST


Can you say, "Over the TOP?

My goodness that woman is just such a character.

The editing is veddy interesting.

I love jumbled up editing. Some of my favorite movies have that jumbled up, starting at the end, where are we now kind of editing.

The movie Memento went just a little too far and confused me totally and completely.
I think the whole movie runs backward and features a man with short term memory loss.
Wild.

But back to Lost,

How surprised were you to hear the pilots name announced?

Who beat up Ben?

What am I forgetting?

I'm suffering for a little mid-term memory loss.

****

American Idol.

Yay for the Wisconsin guy!

"Daniel Gokey is a religious music teacher who works with Faith Builders International Ministry in Wisconsin."

I did not know that.

That's cool.




(Fox is not allowing the video of this to be shown on youtube. So this is just the audio.
I really liked the arrangement.)




I think this may work.



I do not remember American Idol kicking people off this way in previous seasons. Is this how they have always narrowed down the field?

So sad Anoop didn't make it. What a great name!


****

P1010091




The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.






One of my jobs this morning was typing and making copies this prayer today in Katie's class.

"Making Copies."

I love it so much. I love the whole sentiment of the prayer.

And I need to work on this part in particular.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.




What a beautiful prayer.

Almost one thousand years old and still totally and completely relevant and true.


It makes my heart happy to know that Katie and her classmates will learn this poem/prayer.

I learned it in high school. It was on the window sill, above the kitchen sink of a friend's house.

You just never when placing a prayer on a window sill or making copies for school, will change a life.

Amen.



Encourage one another,
Donna

Update

Update:

Bank robbery investigation continues; school lockdown eased
State Journal staff
Verona police and Dane County sheriff’s deputies were on the scene of a bank robbery this morning, which forced Verona schools to go into lockdown.

A supervisor at the Dane County 911 Center who would only give his first name of Rick said the robbery occurred at 105 Enterprise Drive in Verona around 10:11 a.m. The business listed at that address is a Heartland Credit Union.


I drove right by the credit union at 10:35. The place was surrounded by about eight police cars.
I called Patrick and said, "I think there was a bank robbery."
He just called to say that 'yes', the bank was robbed.

This is not the bank we use nor the bank where Emma worked.

People are getting desperate.

Must remember....

where there is darkness, light.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Two years ago today I bought my first Digital SLR. The Nikon D80.


Two years ago.  today.

Two years ago.

The ability and the technique has changed.....




20090217_5204-tri


happy dance


20090217_5210-2






20090129_4775-3

But the cookie crumbs have remained the same.




Encourage one another,
Donna

p.s. I am so proud and excited that our blog sistah, Ree, was named Time Magazine's Top 25 blogs of 2009.

Confessions of a Pioneer Woman Top 25 of 2009 TIME

Because of Ree's glorious writing ability, beautiful photography and scrumptious food....
I am now writing for Time Magazine's Top 25 blogs of 2009.

Photography @ The Pioneer Woman

How amazing is that?!

Thank you Ree.

You're the beast....I mean....THE BEST :o)

Miz Boo

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

20090216_516720090216_5171

Finished with another dish towel.

Couldn't quite get the red right with the Nikon yesterday.
The bright color was freaking out my camera.


I have cast on the final dish towel. It is pink and I have already made a mistake so I will be frogging back a few rows.

And by the way, Sister Sue, you can use your towel.
They get better and better with each washing!

Linen/flax is an ancient material that is super strong and lasts forever!


***

I was totally surprised with whom Jason sent home last night on the Bachelor.

I was sure Jillian would be staying and the other girls were 'in danger'.
But I was so wrong.

Tricky editor.

I really have no idea who Jason is engaged to.
He is engaged.

Did you see the coming attractions and the big drama coming up during the final rose ceremony???

Oh, how they love to hype it up.

I don't see a "connection"...
Molly seems distant and the other gal doesn't seem real sincere either.

What do I know? I thought it was Jillian for two hours.

****


20090129_4815-cinnrose

Some soft, gentle actions....for a change....

Cinnamon Rose/ After



Katie's lip is splitting. Quite badly.
Our daily photo shoot was foiled by a bright red drop of blood.

20090216_5188-22


What do you recommend for splitting, cracking lips?




Encourage one another,
Donna

Monday, February 16, 2009

Sunday Afternoon.


funnyfoto

I am way too easily amused.

20090215_5154-2

So is Katie.

I do not know what made her laugh.
I do know I was holding the camera down by my knee.


In the top right picture, Katie is signing " I love you".

We all do this. It's our family thing.

After college, I went to Gallaudet, the National Institute for the deaf, for an intensive summer school program.

It was a fantastic learning and social experience.

I was not surprised last night when the mother and son team did so well on the Amazing race. Even tho the young man is deaf.

When I was at Gallaudet, I went to the ocean with eight deaf students, in a van, with Saturday Night Fever Blaring the whole time.
And one night we went to a disco!
(They were not hearing the music the exact same way I was, but they enjoyed the experience nonetheless.

The deaf students could do everything I could...AND they could sign.

Immersion is good. I recommend it for learning a language and understanding a culture.

**

We were really super excited that Amazing Race has begun again!!
Patrick was laughing so loud at the racers and the cheese I am sure the neighbors could hear him.

That hill was so steep!

I was worried that they were doing it incorrectly and would all be fined.

I am a dorky rule follower.


On your team, (assuming you went on the race) who would have done the bungee jump?


**


Lynn and I met to discuss how we would finish up the Hannah Coulter discussion.
We got sidetracked and didn't discuss it enough.

Lynn's hands are acting up again. Could you say a pray that her hands get better quickly this time and don't become more painful.

Thanks!



Off to help in school again.

I am a highly valuable teacher's helper, you know. :o)


****

A few quotes for a Monday.



I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
Helen Keller



When we do the best that we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.
Helen Keller




Encourage one another,
Donna