Round Robin Photo Challenge: The Old Place

"Architecture is a learned game, correct and magnificent, of forms assembled in light."

-Le Corbusuier

RRC: The Old Place
Suggested by Karen, of the blog, Outpost Mavarin

For this Round Robin outing, Karen has asked us to show off "The Old Place." The idea is to photograph any old building, or dwelling, preferably one over 50 years old. There are a lot of really nice examples of architecture in the Bay Area that would fit that criteria, but I wanted to show a select few that always catch my eye when I pass them. Each has a different beauty all their own. The first one I have shown before, but it never looked more lovely to me as it did on the night of the 100th anniversary of the 1906 earthquake, in April of 2006. For two days, the city of San Francisco lit up the Ferry Building with different colored lights, transforming it into a gorgeous point of celebration for a city that literally rose from the ashes. The Ferry Building was built in 1875, and you can read about it's history here. It's a beautiful old building.

Here are one of my other favorite haunts...

I have no idea how old this pretty little barn is, but I have been passing it for years. It sits about half way through Cull Canyon, and it just always catches my eye. Lovely.






Go see what everyone else has found for us at the favorite "Old Places." Just follow the links below...

Linking List

1. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

2. Julie... Julie's Web Journal


3. Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

4. Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

5. Jama... Sweet Dreams
Posted!

6. Jessica... Quick Silver Dreams


7. Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

8. Terri... Ways I See The World


9. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

10. Chris... Camera Obscura RRPC
Posted!

11. Liz... Colour Contrast Continunity
Posted!

12. Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

13. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
Posted!

14. P... It's Only Words
**Welcome New Member**

15. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

16. Mojo... Why? What Have You Heard?
Posted!

17. TJ... TJ's Photo Expressions
Posted!

18. Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

19. Rita... Cashjocky and the Old Salt
**Welcome New Member** Posted!

20. Marina... Milepebbles
Posted!

21. Connie... Far Side Of Fifty Photos
Posted!

22. Duane... Meanwhile...
Posted!

23. Teena... It's all about me!
Posted!

24. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
Posted!

25. Leslie... Empty Nest
**Welcome New Member** Posted!

26. Vicki... Maraca
Posted!



Be sure to check the Round Robin blog tomorrow, to learn what our next challenge will be!

-Carly

Here Fishy Fishy Fishy

"Live in the sunshine, swim in the sea, drink the wild air... "

-Ralph Waldo Emerson








Alan and I went on a date yesterday, we played tourist in San Francisco at Pier 39. We had one free ticket to the Aquarium of the Bay, so that was nice. It was great fun to get up close and personal with the amazing sea creatures that can be found right here in the San Francisco Bay. The aquarium has a magnificent 300 ft tunnel, under the bay, where you can walk with sharks and sturgeon, sea bass, and a host of other fabulous sea creatures.

Next Came lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe! YUM!


And then to play true tourists, we decided to grab dessert at Ghiradelli Square. I let Alan order the sundae that we could split. He chose Hot Fudge/Peanut butter. OMG!


It was the perfect way to spend one of the last days of winter. I like dating my husband!

:)

"The best way to find your perfect match is to meet love half way."

-Unknown

-Carly

Different Threads

"Change is inevitable... except from a vending machine."

-Robert C. Gallagher

Ok, so you might remember from a few entries back that I am a busy lady these days. Well, the word "busy" kind of implies that I am doing something at any given moment throughout my day, which isn't quite accurate. I mean I am not just sitting in one place, but my truly busy times seems to come in little bursts of busy. Does that make sense?

What keeps me busy in these little bursts?

Well, among other things...

2 kitten cats.
1 husband with a constantly changing schedule.
Degenerative arthritis in both knees and my right shoulder.
Type 2 Diabetes (Your body loves it when you do even a little exercise after your meals).
1 digital camera
1 film camera
1 Sony Ericsson Walkman Phone 580i which is always in my ear. It makes me what to dance.

And coming up next week...

I am finally giving AOL and this stupid dial-up connection the boot. The appointment has been made for next Wednesday, and I know for sure this time I am outta AOL HELL! Which is a good thing because I looking forward to the change. AOL was a nifty little product when I first became a member, but over the years I have seen it fall to the hollow billboard that it is today. There is very little left there for the Internet consumer. Sigh. So it's goodbye AOL as of Wednesday.

That means I am going to have to get things in order for the new service to be hooked up. Lots of cleaning and dusting of never-never areas behind my desk and lots of big, heavy lifting of the TV stand and such, but Alan will help with that. But while I am in the cleaning mood, my personal closet has been screaming for a good weeding out of old, yucky, ugly "what was I thinking" clothes. Spring is here, and I need to pack away the winter clothes. Coats and such. Bye-bye raincoat and umbrella... now where is my bikini and big floppy hat?

Searching... searching... searching...

Hendrix! Bad kitty... stop biting your brother!

See... like I said... BUSY.

-Carly
"Threads"
March 15, 2009
Evening

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #29: Winter Meets Spring

"It was on of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade."

-Charles Dickens








NOW CLOSED!

EMPS #29: WINTER MEETS SPRING.
It's that time again, when we have converging seasons. Next Friday, winter will transition into spring here in the northern hemisphere, so let's see what the change will be like in your neck of the woods. Please post new photos for this one, as opposed to posting photos from your archives. Now I know that some folks don't live in areas that see very much of a difference between seasons, and so there is an alternate assignment for you, but if you do live in an area that is just bursting to come alive with the colors of spring, please show me the celebration. Show me WINTER MEETS SPRING!

Extra Credit: Show me your favorite colors of winter & spring.

EMPS #29A: Calendar Shots.
This is easy, grab your cameras and take a picture of something that you would like to see featured on a calendar to represent March. The subject matter is completely up to you, it can be anything, it doesn't have to be something you would necessarily find in March. It can be a hobby, or an animal, if you can imagine it, it can be a CALENDAR SHOT!


Extra Credit: Do both assignments!

**PLEASE READ**

Ok folks, you have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET, to take your photos, post them to your blog, journal or website, and then comeback here with the direct link. I can only accept direct links. NO general links to your blogs or journals will be listed in the Linking List. It must be a link specific to this photo shoot assignment. Also, please include a link back here, so others can find the EMPS and join us for the assignment.

:)

Linking List for EMPS #28: Black & White Photography 03/09/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Greg

2. Tammy

3. Karen

4. Liz

5. Your EG Tour Guide

6. Vicki

7. Jessica

8. Terri

9. Wammy

10. Mike

11. Duane

Question of the Week: What do you think about Spirit Photography? Is it possible to photograph a spirit or ghost?

Feel free to answer the Question of the Week when you do your entry for the EMPS or feel free to leave me your thoughts in the comment thread for this entry.

Have a good week everyone. I will see you in one week with an all new EMPS!

-Carly

Cat Yoga

"A photographer gets people to pose for him. A yoga instructor gets people to pose for themselves."

-T. Guillemets

See... it is possible to teach Yoga to your cat! LOL. I taught Elvis, and he would join me on the yoga mat a couple times a week. He really did! LOL. So I am teaching Dylan and Hendrix to find their inner zen. Stretch Dylan... Stretch Hendrix. Breathe in... breathe out. Breathe in... breathe out.

By the way, they are both home from Dr. B's. They are better then just fine, they are fantastic! All that worrying was for nothing, they aren't in pain, they don't hate me, in fact, they slept in the bed with Alan and I last night, and it was bliss! I love my babies so much, it's not even reasonable! Happiness! New mousies all around!

I don't even mind admitting to Dr B. that he was right... YET AGAIN! :)

LOL.

Thanks Dr. B., Mary & Donna...you're the best!

-Carly
"Cat Yoga"
Home
March 12th, 2009
Afternoon

Sometimes It's Life That's Black & White

"If you want to feel rich, just count the things money can't buy."

-Proverb

Bernie Madoff plead guilty in a New York court today, he was immediately remanded into custody to await sentencing on the 11 charges against him. This is one of those rare cases that test my compassion when it comes to handing out justice. A lot of folks saw their life savings wiped out because of Madoff. He's 70 years old, and he will more then likely die in prison... alone. He did to himself.

:(

Take The Long Way Home
By Supertramp

So you think you're a romeo
Playing a part in a picture show
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

Cos you're the joke of the neighborhood
Why should you care if you're feeling good
Take the long way home
Take the long way home

But there are times that you feel you're part of the scenery
All the greenery is coming down, boy
And then your wife seems to think you're part of the
Furniture oh, it's peculiar, she used to be so nice

When lonely days turn to lonely nights
You take a trip to the city lights
You take the long way home
And take the long way home

And when you're up on the stage it's so unbelievable
Unforgettable, how they adore you
But then you're wife seems to think you're losing your sanity
Oh, calamity, is there no way out?

Does it feel that your life's become a catastrophe?
Oh it has to be for you to grow boy
When you look through the years and see what you could have been
What you might have been
If you'd had more time

So when the days comes to settle down
Whose to blame if your not around?
You took the long way home
You took the long way home

"When I began the Ponzi scheme I believed it would end shortly and I would be able to extricate myself and my clients from the scheme," he said. "However, this proved difficult, and ultimately impossible, and as the years went by I realized that my arrest and this day would inevitably come."

-Bernard Madoff, Thursday, March 12th, 2009

-Carly

Caption This! In Black & White

"Money often costs too much."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am posting all my entries this week in Black & White, to encourage all those who take on the EMPS for this week. If you haven't done this week's assignment, you can find out about it here.

Now, let's have some fun. Write a caption, for the above photo, and leave it in the comment thread for this entry. What comes to mind when you look at the photo?

Captions anyone?

-Carly

Changes

"I love cats because I love my home, and after a while, they become it's visible soul."

-Jean Cocteau

Both my babies are off to their appointment with Dr. B. They are six months old now, and it's time for both of them to be neutered and declawed. It's going to be really quiet without the sound of their bells jingle jangling about the house. They will be at Dr. B's until Thursday afternoon. I am not sure what I will do without my wee babies. Let's see... let's consider that... what to do? What to do?

Hmmm... Maybe I will...

Take a bubble bath alone. (They just love to sit on the tub while I bathe)

Eat a whole meal without the longing stares of Hendrix or the judgemental eyes of Dylan. Yes Dylan, I like jalapeno peppers!

No scooping poopy cat boxes.

No vacuuming kitty hairs off the couch.

No tripping over stuffed
animals. I am teaching both boys to put their toys away the way Elvis did. It's coming along nicely.

On the other hand...

No good morning kiss from Dylan or hug from Hendrix.

No gifts of tiny mice in my slippers.

No games of fetch with Dylan before bed.

No sharing glasses of water with Hendrix

Nobody with paws to cuddle up with when my knee is in spasms.

:(

I already miss my boys.

Maybe I will visit them tomorrow, and bring them flowers... or maybe Tuna.

:)







Dylan on the pillow next to me.


-Carly
Dylan In Black & White
March 8th, 2009
Late Afternoon

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #28: Black & White Photography

"Once the amateur's naive approach and humble willingness to learn fades away, the creative spirit of good photography dies with it. Every professional should remain in his hear an amateur."

-Alfred Eisenstaedt










NOTE: My schedule is getting super busy, and I am about to go into somewhat of a transition with my Internet access, so, I will be visiting your blogs on Sunday afternoons each week. I hope that is ok with everyone. I will still come by to see your entries, it will just be on Sunday. :) Is that cool with you?


EMPS #28: BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY.NOW CLOSED!
Ok everybody, grab your camera, fire up your imagination, and show me some BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY. The subject matter is completely up to you. Do something a little Silly, Fascinating, Spooky, Gothic, or Artsy Noir... it's completely up to you! Just make it BLACK & WHITE.

Extra Credit: Write a little about what it was like to for you to take a BLACK & WHITE photo as opposed to color.


**Please Read**
You have until next Sunday at 9:00 PM ET to take your photo, post it to your blog or journal, and comeback here with the direct link you your entry. REMEMBER I cannot accept a general link to your blog or journal it must be the direct link to the entry specific to this photo shoot assignment. No HYPERLINKS please. Also, please link back here, so folks can find the EMPS and play along with us!

Linking List for EMPS #27: Condiments. 03/02/09

NOW CLOSED!

Now, lets see what condiments we enjoy...

1. Jama... Ketchup & Chili Sauce

2. Suzanne... Pico de Gallo

3. Judi... An assortment of condiment goodness!

4. Karen... Another collection from the Museum of the Weird. This one contains Duck Sauce.

5. Your EG Tour Guide... Hot stuff on the condiment aisle!

6. Laura... Mild Taco sauce please.

7. Mike... As assortment of condiments, including Kraft Tuna Salad Maker.


This Week's Question: If you could photograph any celebrity, who would it be?

Okie Dokie... See you next week! Go Be Photographers, and have some fun with BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY!

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: The Color Purple!

"I think it pisses off God off it you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it."

-Alice Walker

RRC: The Color Purple
Suggested by Vicki, of the blog, Maraca

Ahh yes... the color purple. I LOVE purple. I just bought myself a new purple sweater, it is a great color for spring. :) I thought about painting my living room purple a couple years ago because of how calming it is to be around. Alan won that argument, and since he has to live with it too, we compromised on egg shell colored walls, but I got to put some purple accents here and there. Some dark purple shades for our funky lamps, and some big comfy pillows... purple of course. :) We are going to redo the decor in the bathroom this spring, and I have had my eye on a gorgeous purple bath rug and a fabric shower curtain with purple butterflies and dragonflies. Purple is the color of my moment.

Last week, when I visited the Conservatory of Flowers, the color purple was everywhere...

There... that's my experience with the color purple! How about you? Did you play the Round Robin challenges this time around?

Look who did play....


1. Vicki... Maraca
Posted!

2. Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

3. Carly... Ellipsis
POSTED!

4. Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

5. Jessica... QuickSilver Dreams
Posted!

6. Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

7. Jama Hameed... Sweet Dreams
Posted!

8. Nancy... Nancy Luvs Pix
Posted!

9. Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

10. Sandra... Strong Chemistry


11. Gwenlyn... GreenChair


12. Robinella... Robinella's
Posted!

13. Molly Mavis... Visual Dialogues
Posted!

14. TJ...TJ's Photo Expression
Posted!

15. Suzanne R... Suzy Q421's Photo Blog
Posted!

16. Mary... Work of the Poet
Posted!

17. Connie... Far Side Of Fifty Photos
Posted!

18. Marina... Milepebbles


19. Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
Posted!

20. Terri... Ways I See The World
Posted!

21. Julie... Julie's Web Journal
Posted!

22. Linda... Mommy's Treasures
Posted!

23. Marina... Visual Chronicle
**Welcome New Member** - Posted!

24. Teena... It's all about me!
Posted!

25. Valerie... Rosemary's Other Baby


26. Liz... Colour Contrast Continuity
Posted!

27. Ellen b... The Happy Wonderer
Posted!




Thanks Vicki... this challenge was purplicous!

There is still time to play along! Just pay a visit to the official Round Robin blog, and leave us all the pertinent information. You know... those three little things we ask for each time you play! If you can't make it today, you can post your entry anytime between now and next Saturday. Come on and join us, won't you?

- Carly
Shades Of Purple
Conservatory Of Flowers
Winter 2009

Things I Think About While Shopping For A New Bluetooth

"Methinks I see the wanton hours flee, and as they pass, turn back and laugh at me."

-George Villers

It has been a crazy busy week. Alan was off work most of the week, and had a furlough day yesterday, so needless to say time was filled. Well, it's just I like to spend time with him when he is home. We have fun. That's a good thing... but it does lead to very little else getting done, like cleaning, and taking care of chores. Bad man. Blogging comes all the way down the list of priorities lately. Real life has to come first, yeah real life, like finally getting a new Bluetooth device for my cell phone. Sheesh. I was perfectly happy with the headset that came with my Sony Ericsson Walkman (W580i) phone, but Hendrix... bad kitty... ate through the wires. Did I say BAD KITTY!?

Things I Think About While Shopping For New Bluetooth...

1. Hendrix and I are going to have to have a long talk about boundaries.

2. I LOVE the song "Gives You Hell" by All American Rejects.

3. I am going to buy myself a new skirt at Old Navy today. It's a purple color block and it will be just perfect for spring! I might get a couple sweaters too. We'll see.

4. Skinny Cow Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream sandwiches ROCK! 150 calories!

5. My blood glucose level was 117 after breakfast this morning! Cool that!

6. Bernie Madoff might take a plea bargain... JERK!

7. Rush Limbaugh is a big, fat, idiot! Waaaa Waaaa... "I hope Obama fails." Waaa.

8. If Obama fails... we all fail... THIS IS NOT A DRILL!

9. Lalalalala..."Hope it gives you hell, hope it gives you hell."

10. It would be fun to go on a date with Alan to our favorite comedy club, Tommy T's, next Tuesday night. Maybe I will ask him out.

11. Why doesn't Starbuck's deliver?

12. Furlough Friday's are over. Now Alan gets to choose which two days a month he doesn't get paid for.

13. 1 in 10 Californians are unemployed.

14. The Dow Jones Industrial Averages are currently at... -69.13 (11:41 am PST)

15. I tried Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Bisque the other day. It's FABULOUS! 130 calories per serving.

16. When is the X-Files movie going to make it to HBO? I'm waiting Fox... I'm waiting!

17. It must be love. I still love David Duchovny after all these years. It's love. :)

18. I think Janeane Garofalo will play me in the movie.

19. I found a can opener under my cat Dylan the other day. Strange. Very strange.

20. Get well soon Robin Williams.

21. Meredith, I'd like to phone a friend...

22. I wonder how old the Pillsbury Doughboy is supposed to be?

23. Michael Jackson is just weird.

24. I don't think Michael Steele should have to apologize to anyone. Bush never did. Cheney never did. And by the way, how come Rush Limbaugh is now the leader of the republican party? He isn't a politician... be is a talk radio performer. His voice is all about having his way, and seeing failure for this country. What about that says "patriotic" to you?

25. Why doesn't anyone make a pink Bluetooth?


So tell me, what do you think about while reading my blog? Feel Free to share! Just leave your responses in the comment thread for this entry.

Have a nice day :)

-Carly
Stormy Sky
Pacifica, California
March, 2009
Afternoon

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #27: Condiments

"Condiments are like old friends, highly thought of but then taken for granted."

-Marilyn Kaytor

Before we get started, I want to thank everyone who participated in last week's EMPS. You guys have been very supportive of me, and this little photo shoot project over the last 6 months, and I appreciate that very much. I look forward to Mondays and sharing my love of photography with you. A million times THANK YOU!

EMPS #27: CONDIMENTS. NOW CLOSED!
Ketchup anyone? How about some mayonnaise or relish? Yep folks, it's a super easy one this week, simply photograph your favorite CONDIMENTS, doing their thing. Is a hot dog, not a hot dog without relish? How do you order a mustard dog... hold the mustard? You can't! LOL. But is it hot mustard? Honey mustard? Spicy Brown Mustard? Who knows? And what about catsup? Do you say Ketchup, or Catsup? Tricky... very tricky. There are a million different kinds of CONDIMENTS, I want you to show me your favorites! Sweet ones, spicy ones, savory ones... it's all good!

Extra Credit: Show me your favorite CONDIMENT on, or near, your favorite food to have it with.

**PLEASE READ**

You know what to do! Simply go get the photo, post it to your blog, journal, or website, then come back here and leave the link in the comment thread for this entry. Please remember it must be a link to an entry that is specific to this photo shoot assignment, not a general link to your blog, journal or website. NO HYPERLINKS! This assignment closes at 9:00 PM ET next Sunday evening, so you have just about about a week to complete the assignment. :)

**Interesting Reading: Ketchup/Catsup History - Food History

Linking List for EMPS #26: Hit Me With Your Best Shot 02/23/09

Now Closed!

Here's what you had to say about photography...

1. Judi... "I prefer to photograph living things: people, animals, plants as opposed to taking photographs of buildings."

2. Greg... "Since I have been posting a lot of waterfalls lately, I thought that I would switch it up a little for this assignment. While waterfalls might be my favorite subject to photograph, landscape photography as a whole is where my heart lies."

3. Suzanne... "I like sunsets in particular because of the dramatic colors a pretty on will produce."

4. Liz... "I enjoy landscape photography especially when water is involved in some way. I also try to find interest in simple objects."

5. Jama... "I love taking photos of nature, be it the beautiful beaches, stunning sunrise/sunset, awesome landscape, macros of flowers and insects, animals... I want to be able to freeze the beautiful moments forever and I'm able to do that through photography."

6. Karen... "Sometimes I get lucky with a dog or wildlife photo, but there's little question that I'm better on landscapes."

7. Gwenlyn... "This angle shot was found on the Waterfront in downtown Portland on a bleak winter day with my Nikon Sistas!"

8. Paul... "I don't think I really have a certain specialty when it comes to photography. I'm lucky if the shot is properly exposed and in focus. The picture I consider my favourite all-time photo was a lucky grab shot."

9. Tammy... "I have been given the gift of time ti find my style in photography. It has become a passion to capture special moments, places and people. My favorite subject is my grandson T.K."

10. Your EG Tour Guide... "What I like to shoot best are subjects people pass by but don't really "see.""

11. Laura... "Many of the photos I looked at for this entry were blurred or imperfect photos, but they are all photos of my family, friends, pets, or places I've been that I want to remember. Even blurred photos remind me of places and events I might otherwise have forgotten."

12. Terri... "I'm beginning to see art and beauty in places I never expected. I love playing with light and shadow, and I love taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary in the way I photograph it."

13. Connie... "I like to photograph nature... anything outside. Flowers and trees are my favorites."

14. Mike... "I don't really know what type of photography is my favorite; I'm still kind of new to this stuff. I would like to say Landscapes, but that is only because that is the type I like to look at."

15. Duane... "I like to take photos of the natural beauty around Chattanooga. So put me down for" landscapes.""



This Week's Question: Do You Like Having Your Picture Took?

Ok, GO BE PHOTOGRAPHERS! I will see you next Monday with an all new assignment!

-Carly
"Condiments"
Alice's Restaurant
Woodside, California
January, 2008
Late Afternoon

Best When Used By...

"It would be nice if the Food and Drug Administration stopped issuing warnings about toxic substances and just gave me the names of one or two things still safe."

-Robert Fuss









If you are like me, you are a label reader! I like to cook, so I like to know what it is I am putting in my food, and what my food consists of. As a diabetic, I have learned to be especially diligent with things. Calories, fat grams, cholesterol... it all counts, but the most important thing of all is the art of dealing with food safely. I didn't learn that from being diabetic, I learned that when a former boyfriend's mother poisoned me, and a few others, with a deliberately mismanaged turkey. If you have known me for any length of time, you have probably heard about my adventure that June 6th, all those years ago! I remember it like it was yesterday, it was probably the sickest I have ever been, and in truth, I don't think I have felt the same since. It was violent, and painful, and it left an impression, both about the guy I was dating, and about food.

Turkey had my respect from that moment on! What I mean by that is that it all became very clear about how things should be done just a certain way. It was about 10 years, or so, after the food poisoning before I ate turkey again, and another 7 years before I dared cook one myself. Turkey and I have made our peace with each other, in fact we are good friends now, mostly because I am so diligent with things. I am pleased to report that as a wife, I have never poisoned Alan or any of our dinner guests, either accidentally or on purpose. LOL. I am a good cook. It's something I take pride in, and do with love. To me, making a good, healthy meal is pretty much the easiest way to say,"I love you."

So I bet your saying to yourself, "what in the world is she on about here?" Ok, getting to the point, I want to ask you if you have been noticing what I have lately? Have you been noticing products left well past the "Use By" date on store shelves? I ask because, I have! And it hasn't been at just one store, it has been at several stores. I bought a Boboli whole wheat pizza crust at Safeway a couple week's ago, and didn't look at the "sell by" until I got home, only to find it was 3 weeks past the date! I dropped the ball! When I realized that, I went through everything I purchased that day to see if I had missed anything else. I hadn't, thank goodness, but it was disheartening all the same.

After that incident I became hyper aware of things, and began checking a little closer. I found some Egg Beaters at a different store in the East Bay that had a "Use By" date of December 31st 2008! The day I spotted that was February 25th 2009! YUCK! I have to wonder if this is yet another symptom of the economy? Are stores willing to push things, and hope we don't notice? I can't believe they are all in some sort of conspiracy to poison us, and yet, how come I am seeing expired food on shelves more and more?

I know that sometimes a manufacturer puts a date that merely refers to the quality of the taste, but sometimes I actually means quality as in the safety of the food. I try to use things well within the recommended dates, but I also know there is a little leeway in some cases. If you follow the USDA posted guidelines everything should be fine, on the other hand, I'd rather toss something questionable then end up...yuck...tossing it! All I know is I thank GOD for the Butterball hotline, but even with it, I don't make turkey in June!

Tell me what you think. Do you always check the date on items before you buy them at the grocery store? Have you ever bought something, and brought it home and then discovered it had expired? Have you been noticing expired products still on store shelves?

Butterball

USDA Food Product Dating Guide

Butterball - Food Safety

-Carly

The Effect Of A Partly Sunny Sky On A Woman From The East Bay

"Where man sees but withered leaves, God sees sweet flowers growing."

-Albert Laighton

In-between the storms that have drenched the Bay Area lately, there was a day of mild temperatures and partly sunny skies. That day was yesterday. The color is starting to appear again, as are the bees. Yay bees! Blossoms too! Ut oh... I am experiencing spring fever a couple weeks early me thinks. It only took one, nearly sunny day to make me smile.

-Carly

:) "In springtime, love is carried on the breeze. Watch out for flying passion or kisses whizzing by your head!"

-Emma Racine de Fleur

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #26: Hit Me With Your Best Shot!

"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I've found it has little to do with the things you see, and everything to do with the way you see them."

-Elliot Erwitt





Welcome to the official 6 month mark of the Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot! At the end of this entry I will be posting a fun little question for you guys, so if you feel like participating, just leave your answer right there in the comment thread. :) Ok, now on to this week's photo shoot!

EMPS #26: HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT! NOW CLOSED!
Ok, now it is your time to shine! We photographers might tackle a lot of subjects, but we all have one type of photography that is our very favorite. Landscapes, Still Life, Night photography, Portraits, Pet photography, Seascapes, Sunsets, Macro photography... it's all good. For this assignment you are welcome to look in your archives and post your best photo, or you can set the scene sometime within this week, and show off the type of photography you feel you excel at. If you do go with a shot from your archive, try to make it one you haven't posted before, I am really interested in seeing something new if possible. HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT!

Extra Credit: Write a little about your personal style as a photographer. Why do you like a particular subject? What is the most challenging aspect of photography for you?

**Please Read**

You have until next Sunday evening at 9:00 PM ET to choose a photo, add it to your blog or journal, and then comeback here with the link. REMEMBER... it must be the direct link to the entry specific to this photo shoot assignment, not a general link to your blog, journal or website! NO HYPERLINKS ACCEPTED! Also, please remember to link back here, so other folks can do the assignment as well. :)

Linking List for EMPS #25: Birds. 02/16/09

NOW CLOSED!

1. Judi (Gilded Flicker)

2. Suzanne (White Geese)

3. Tammy (A Clear Swan)

4. Vicki (Two birds in silhouette)

5. Jama ( A black bird and a colorful Cockatoo)

6. Liz (A series of photos featuring a white swan)

7. Karen (Ducks at a dog park)

8. T.J. (A Great Egret and some Pelicans)

9. Nancy has two entries for us (A variety of birds and a Blue Heron)

10. Coy (Snowy Egret, Blue Heron and a Swan) WELCOME BACK COY! :)

11. Em Dy (Eagle)

12. Greg (Pink Flamingos and a "white bodied bird from Alaska)

13. Your EG Tour Guide (A swan family)

14. Terri (Seagulls)

15. Wammy (Robin)

16. Gwenlyn (Red winged black birds)

17. Mike (A Penguin and the Blue Angels)

Thanks so much for the awesome turnout! Because of you, I got to see a wonderful variety of birds! I am hoping we can repeat things this week, as we photographers get to know each other a little better! Let's discuss photography!

This Week's Question: What sort of camera was your very first? Do you still own it?

Ok everybody... GO BE PHOTOGRAPHERS! I can't wait to visit all of you this week, and get to know you a little better through your photography! This might also be a good week to invite a friend to join us. Come on everyone... HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT!

-Carly
"The Lone Cypress"
17 Mile Drive
Monterey, California
July 12th 2006

Are You A Biter Or A Pincher?

"All you need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."

-Charles Schulz

Silly! Get your mind out of the gutter! LOL. I was innocently referring to your style of eating chocolate. Tee Hee. Alan bought me a heart shaped box of Whitman's Chocolate for Valentine's Day, and as we ate the yummy candy, we had quite a discussion about how we determine which candy is which. I am a pincher. I like to know whats hiding in the chocolate before I jump in. Alan bites right in, and if it is something he doesn't care for, he eats it anyway, unless it is coconut. He is allergic to coconut. Bad, bad things happen when he eats coconut. He is so repulsed by it, that he can't even stand to be around the scent of coconut! Which means from time to time an innocent piece of Whitman's chocolate ends up spit across the room. Sigh. It could all be avoided if I could just persuade him to become a pincher, rather then a biter! LOL.

How about you? Do you pinch or bite?

Tell me everything!

-Carly

Round Robin Challenge: Light Moves

"We cannot hold a torch to light anothers path, without brightening our own."

-Ben Sweetland

RRC: Light Moves
Suggested by Julie, of the blog, Julie's Web Journal


Julie, I hope I have the spirit of this challenge correctly. I think it is to show the different ways light moves, from reflections to light refracted. If that is correct, then I just had to post this photo once again. It is one of my favorite among might lighthouse series, and every time I look at it I just get a sense of hope. It's like in that moment I am standing in a kind of home away from home. But then again, lighthouses usually make me feel that way. ::Smile:: .

Let's follow the light... shall we?










Dark Clouds, with the hope of light behind them.









I don't know why, but I just really enjoy the light in this one.

Shadows have always fascinated me. In the darkness, a little bit of light makes things seem bigger then they are. As a little girl I appreciated that, as a short all growd up lady, I still appreciate that.

:)










Ahhh... The autumn light reflects through the spicy leaves... it's soul stirring to me.









Julie, of the blog, Julie's Web Journal, came up with this challenge for us in a recent Round Robin Idea Roundup. Isn't it an awesome challenge topic? Thanks Julie, I really had a lot of fun with this one.

There is still time to play along with this week's challenge, just pay a visit to the official Round Robin blog to learn all the details. And be sure to stop by tomorrow to learn what our next challenge will be. I should have it posted a little after midnight. Hope to see you next time!

Round Robin Linking List

Julie... Julie's Web Journal
Posted!

Steven... (sometimes) photoblog
Posted!

Chris... Camera Obscura RRC
Posted!

Carly... Ellipsis
Posted!

Karen... Outpost Mavarin
Posted!

Gwenlyn... Greenchair
Posted!

Gattina... Keyhole Pictures
Posted!

T. J. ... TJ's Photo Expressions
Posted!

Robinella... Robinella's
Posted!

Jill... South Bay Soliloquy
Posted!

Sherrie... Sherrie's Stuff
Posted!

Suzanne R... SuzyQ421's Photo Blog
Posted!

CVPhotographs... Do You See What I See
Posted!

Mojo... Why? What Have Your Heard?
Posted!

Duane... Meanwhile...
Posted!

Marina... Milepebbles
Posted!

Valerie... Rosemary's Other Baby


Wammy... The Ellis Family Cincinnati
Posted!

Sandra... Strong Chemistry
Posted!

MollyMavis... Holly On The Run
Posted!

Monica... Click Shots
Posted!

Terri... Ways I See The World
Posted!

Ourhomeschool... Through the Eye of my Camera
Posted!



-Carly
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
Pescadero, California
October 17, 2007
Afternoon

Steven's Feline & Furball Friday: I'm Dusty And I Have Boogers

"It's impossible to keep a straight face in the presence of one or more kittens."

-Cynthia Varnado

Steven's Feline, Furball and Feathers Friday



Elvis ( I mean Hendrix... sheesh I must really miss him) and Dylan went to Dr. B's yesterday for their monthly weigh-in, and I am happy to report that they are doing just perfect! Dylan is still a little behind is brother in weight. He is 6 lbs 3 1/2 oz and Hendrix is 7 lbs 12 oz. Perfect. They are just right for their age!

I finally got a good shot of Hendrix's silly gray lip! Isn't it cute? He is a solid black cat, except for that silly lip. :) He is so cute when he pouts, he sticks out that silly gray lip and I am instantly putty in his hands. Just like Elvis, Dylan and Hendrix have me completely wrapped around their paws. Just where I want to be!

If you have a Feline, Furball, or Feathered friend, be sure to play along with Steven's meme, because Friday is the day for pets!

-Carly

Ellipsis Monday Photo Shoot #25: Birds

"I hope you love birds too. It's economical. It saves going to heaven."

-Emily Dickinson

NOW CLOSED!

EMPS #25: BIRDS.
Flying BIRDS. Nesting BIRDS. Gooney BIRDS. Looney BIRDS. Real BIRDS. Stuffed BIRDS, both the toy and the sustenance. BIRDS with winter plumage, BIRDS taking a bath. BIRDS and their babies. BIRDS all alone. BIRDS in their houses. Red BIRDS. Black BIRDS. Bald BIRDS. BIRDS on a wire. Real BIRDS. Fake BIRDS. BIRDS.

Extra Credit: My favorite bird is the Snowy Egret, like the one you see above. I would like to see either an Egret or a Heron, but if you don't happen to have them in your area, any white BIRD will do as well. :)

**PLEASE READ**
You have until next Sunday evening, at 9:00 PM ET to get your photo, post it to your blog or journal, and comeback here with the link. Please remember, it must be a direct link to the entry in your blog or journal which is specific to this Monday Photo Shoot assignment. NO HYPERLINKS. Also, please link back here so others will be able to find the assignment and join us. If this is your first time playing be sure to say so when you leave your link, so I can welcome you properly next week!

Linking List for EMPS #24: The Color Red 02/09/09

NOW CLOSED

1. Greg

2. Suzanne

3. Tammy

4. Jama

5. Karen

6. Duane
1st Time Player! :)

7. Terri

8. Your EG Tour Guide
1st Time Player! :)

9. Mike

10. Wammy

Next week will be the 26th EMPS, which means, we will be at the 6 month mark since Karen handed the reins over to me. Can you believe it? Anyway, I have a special assignment planned, so if you haven't played for a while, next week might be a good time to comeback. Hope to see you then!

-Carly
Snowy Egret
Danville, California
November, 2006
Late Afternoon