I would like to thank the Academy [and a sunrise]

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Donalyn

First of all – before I had even one sip of coffee, I went out and grabbed a few shots of the foggy sunrise, so that you see how well they fixed my camera. I realize now that it had not been working real well for awhile, a fact I suspected but kept denying to myself since I didn’t want anything to be wrong with it. It does seem to be fine now though, don’t you think?

Okay – so these aren’t Academy Awards. I get a little carried away sometimes. Seriously, I have received a bunch of awards lately and I am so far behind in acknowledging them. I apologize, because I truly appreciate it when people enjoy my blog.

Asthmagirl gave me this one last month – thanks Diane! [and I know I owe you a tag too – I will get to it in the next couple days]I am passing this one along to Ashleigh, cause I love what she does with her photography, Ruth, for her thought provoking posts and Flea, cause I love her.

Kate gave me this, and I better credit Riley for his contributions to my blog or he might go into another snit on me.This one goes to my sister – just go see her blog and you will see that no explanation is necessary. Also to her friend and business partner, C-lee, who recently started blogging, and returning the favor to Asthmagirl who is hosting some wandering cowz and loves her little doggies, and Sara, who has a Riley of her own.

My daughter Ellyn gave me this one and for this, you have to list 6 things that make you happy.
1. My family is number one – and like all families they usually make me happy. The rest of the time, they are making me crazy. And if you are part of my family and reading this, I am sure you realize I am talking about everyone else in the family and not you when I mention that crazy part.
2. Larry. Yep – he is part of the family, but he gets his own number just the same. He has been making me happy for the last 34 years and if I am lucky he will keep on doing it for another 34 or so.
3. God – He makes me way happier than I deserve.
4. My camera – huge surprise there. I am not sure what it says about me that I didn’t feel quite ….whole when I didn’t have it – just a thing after all, but it’s true.
5. Our front porch. I am never happier than every evening when we sit out there and watch the day draw to a close.
6. Good books. Right now, I am reading “World Without End” which is the sequel to “Ends of the Earth” by Ken Follet – it is just as stunning as the first one.
Passing this one along to these people – not cause of their [forgive me but this drives me nuts] “kreativity”, but because I want to see their happy lists.Mental P and Mary, Cathy, Lori, Tara, and Tara who gives away books! Thanks Tara – they came yesterday!

Laura awarded me this little cutey. I am passing it along to Ness, who I think could use a little sunshine in her life about now, after spending the last week at her daughter’s side while she struggles with a serious illness, as well as back to Laura herself who going through some health issues with her Mom.
That’s it – have a great day!

Posted in photos | 14 Comments

Waiting Wednesday

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Donalyn

I know you will probably be even gladder than I when I get my camera back. An end to the sniveling and complaining, crying and carping. It could be worse – think of poor Larry. Picture a nice peaceful evening on the porch. A nice red wine, some homade hummus, to go on his Triscuits and a beautiful sky to enjoy. And this: “I want my camera back. I neeeeeed my camera back“. The poor man.

For awhile I was honestly wondering if they would be able to fix it all. Nikon stopped making the D70 a few years ago in favor of the D80, so parts are getting harder to find. It is hard to complain when they are fixing it for free, but I managed. [sorry Melanie-at-Nikon who had the misfortune to open my email and be assigned my case. I will leave you alone now]

Anyway – here are a few reasons why I neeeeeeed my camera back

Early morning on the front porch – all you can see is the outline of a hummingbird.Something you don’t see a whole lot [not up north anyway] – a wild yellow violetI am looking forward to lots more photos of perfectly focused bird buttAnd maybe some of Anna terrorizing the poor Lego peopleAnd Mark picking dandelions
And I hear tell that some old friends may be back to visitAnd in a couple weeks, I will tell you something very special about a photo I took of this hosta, which is called Kabitan.For now though, I have to go to work and refresh the UPS tracking page 5 ba-jillion times. Have a good day!

Posted in photos, Wordless Wednesday | 16 Comments

Tomato Jalapeño Jam

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Donalyn

Tomato Jalapeno Jam on The Creekside CookThis post has been updated and moved to the new blog.
You can now find it here: Tomato Jalapeno Jam on The Creekside Cook

Posted in recipes | 11 Comments

Interview with a Camera

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Donalyn

Intrepid Interviewer: Hello?
Coolpix: What do you want?
II: – Wow – you sound kind of grouchy.
Coolpix: I have a right to be grouchy.II: Really? Why is that?
Coolpix: I am under a lot of pressure lately.
II: Because … ?
Coolpix: You know why. It’s your fault.
II: My fault? What did I do?Coolpix: Ever since you had to send the big camera to the shop, you have done nothing but give me a hard time.
II: I don’t think that is true.
Coolpix: Oh Yeah? I have spent the last 8 months on your desk or, if I am lucky, in your purse, while you drag him all over creation, fondling his buttons and murmuring endearments into his lenses.
II: Well, you know how I love to take photos. I still love you, but he is just…
Coolpix: What??? Better??? Is that what you are trying to say? II: He is a very different kind of camera. You are very good at what you do, but there are some things that he can do better.
Coolpix: Huh! Like everything you mean. C’mon, admit it! You love him more than me.
II: It’s not like that. I love you both – just in different ways.
Coolpix: I think I read lines like this in a bad novel once.
II: Don’t be bitter.
Coolpix: Bitter? You don’t want me to be bitter? You have barely given me the time of day for 8 months and then when HE decides to stop working, you drag me out and get all bent out of shape because I am not performing up to your high standards. And the language – when my pictures don’t come out just the way you think they should – it is just insulting!
II: I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t think.
Coolpix: That’s right – you didn’t think!
II: You have done pretty well actually – I guess I should tell you that more often.
Coolpix: Whatever. When is he coming back anyway?
II: I am not sure – they had to order a part.
Coolpix: What??? A part???II: I’m afraid so. I guess we will just have to try and get along a little while longer.
Coolpix: Shut me off would you? I need a nap.

Posted in interviews | 15 Comments

Sunday & How You Can Help revisited

Posted on September 21, 2008 by Donalyn

It has been awhile since I posted this info, and I have quite a few new readers lately, so I thought reposting might be a good idea. As you may or may not know, our younger daughter Lauren is in the Army and stationed in Iraq right now. She is a medic and is what the Army calls a “Point of Contact” which means she has volunteered to coordinate donations for the soldiers in her area. In addition, working at a hospital she sees lots of people pass through where she works. This includes everyone from our soldiers and Marines to soldiers from the multinational forces stationed there to Iraqi soldiers and civilians.

Earlier in her deployemnt, lots of people asked if they could send anything to help make life easier for Lauren and the others in her unit. I have had a few emails lately asking if more packages would be welcomed and I have noticed a couple inquiries on Lauren’s blog as well, so I though I would repost what you need to know. Please read all of this information carefully so that anything you send will actually get to people who need it. Including items that are not allowed or not having the address exactly correct could result in your package never getting there, because the regulations can be quite strict.
First the address:
Operation SOAP
345 Combat Support Hospital, ICW
Unit #73325
APO, AE 09333-3325

Operation SOAP is set up as a way for people to show thier appreciation and generosity to not only the people stationed with Lauren, but to the soldiers stationed over a wide area of Iraq, many of whom don’t have easy access to a PX.

First of all – please make to include a note that clearly says on the envelope or across the top: “Please give this note to Lauren”. Include an email address and be sure to tell her that you are coming from my blog [or hers]. She tries to acknowledge every package, though a few have gotten missed, for which she apologizes. They try to get the notes to her, but since she isn’t there to open all of the packages, some do get missed.

So what do they need?
All kinds of toiletries for both men and women. They do have some of this available in the PX, but quantities and variety are very limited. They would all enjoy some nice name brand items from back home.
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap, Body Wash
Deodorant
Lotion
Shaving supplies
Toothpaste and Toothbrushes
Lip Balm
Dried Fruit
Ravioli, Dinty Moore Beef Stew, Spaghettios
Ramen Noodles
Kraft Mac & Cheese
Candy [not stuff that will melt in the heat]
Snacks [long shelf life is better]
shelf stable microwavable foods
Chocolate is in short supply, but here are few things that will survive:
Little Debbie Snacks
M&Ms and similar candy
Tootsie Rolls

What you cannot send:
anything with pork in it
explosives, including fireworks
large amounts of religious material [i.e. 1 bible is ok, 10 is not]
alcoholic beverages
porn

Boxes should be free of extraneous markings and if reused all info not pertaining to this shipment should be blacked out or covered with opaque tape. You can get flat rate boxes for free from the postal service – they will even send them to you – there is a special APO box that is $10.95 to ship regardless of weight. There are also other Priority Mail boxes available for free.

Thanks in advance. If you are interested in sending something to Lauren personally, please email me at dlynk at htva dot net, for her address.

have a great Sunday!

Posted in Sunday | 5 Comments