Ross... Bob Ross - #AtoZChallenge

It's here! It's here! My Bob Ross painting kit has arrived!

I have purchased two canvases. I have studied the written materials. I have fondled the paint tubes inventoried my painting materials.

I am ready to go!

So excited! I thought about how to paint a sunset on the way in to work this morning. Then tonight I stalked shopped Ebay and found a few more Bob Ross DVDs.

I haven't been this excited about a project since I don't know when.

Things I don't have, but probably need...

• an easel - I guess I'll just have to wing it for now
• a pallet - Again... wing it
• a painting smock - my "hair dying shirt" will be doing double duty!
• an hour or two of free time 

Speaking of artistic endeavors, today's photo challenge is "something you drew". Try not to be jealous... it'll just be embarrassing for both of us...

Beautiful - #AtoZChallenge #PhotoadayApril

One of the best parts about living in Arizona is the sunsets... they don't call it the Land of 1,000 sunsets for nothing. Talk about lots of colours!

Note: None of these have been touched up or modified :)

Next up: Something that starts with a C and mail.

#PhotoadayApril - Your Reflection

Effects by picmonkey.com - very cool site!

Next up: Colour

Photography Challenge Day 14: Eyes

It's funny, since Angie was born various people have told Lenny and I that she looks just like us, yet Lenny and I don't look much alike. For this photo challenge I thought it might be fun to compare our eyes. So, whose eyes does Angie have? :)

Next up in the Photography Challenge: Silhouette

Photography Challenge Day 13: Yourself with 13 things

This one took me forever. It's awfully hard to take a picture of yourself, let alone figure out 13 things to put in the picture with you.

Actually, some of the "13 things" are cut off at the bottom of this picture. Yes, I know, there are a lot more than 13 things in this picture, but the ones I specifically included were (from left to right):

1. Cathy - my baby doll from my youth.
2. Chauncy Bear - one of my favorite bears
3. Perry the Platypus - because he's just that cool
4. Secret deodorant - because I got a years supply free because I have "Klout"! LOL
5. The Ladybug pillow pet - because she's cute and reminds me of Angie
6. Bud Light with Lime - because it's yummy
7. My iPad - because it too is just that cool
8. Stephanie's Clown - she gave it to me when I left New Orleans. Her mother gave it to her and it means a lot
9. The Heart Aunt Pat sent me (barely visible on the clown's lap) - because she means a lot to me
10. Kermit the Frog - he was my first love
11. Pooh Bear - he's been with me since I was born
12. My iPod Touch - I use it almost daily. Best thing I have ever purchased, hands down.
13. My Kindle - my newest geeky gadget and I love it :)

Don't you just love my library, not to mention my Eeyore jammies? :)

FINALLY this photo challenge is behind me! Next up, Eyes.

Film Noir

I'm doing another photo challenge, and this week's theme is Film Noir. What's that? ""Film Noir" is a genre of film between 1940 and 1960, originating in the United States, employing heavy shadows and patterns of darkness, in which the protagonist dies, meets defeat, or achieves meaningless victory in the end."

Not sure if these fit the bill, but it was fun. I have the best husband ever - it was still 104 degrees outside and he put on a dress shirt, dress pants, an overcoat and a fedora for me.

Photography Challenge Day 12: Sunset

They don't call Arizona the "Land of 1,000 Sunsets" for nothin' :)

Next up in the photo challenge: Yourself with 13 things.

Maybe I'll set up the tripod and take some pictures with the timer. Otherwise it's hard to take good photos of yourself.

Photography Challenge Day 11: Something Blue

With the new pool, I have several blue photos. 

Next up in the Photo Challenge: Sunset.

Note: If you'd like to do the challenge too, all of the days are listed here. I think there's an actual month long challenge, but I'm not doing it. I'm just doing them when I have time or just the right picture happens. If you like to take pictures, I encourage you to do the same. I'd love to see your photos too :) 

Photography Challenge Day 10: A childhood memory

Pooh Bear has always been with me, since the very first day of my life. I am almost positive that he was a gift from my Aunt Pat. 

Yes, I was a fat baby. 9 lbs. 2 oz. I was also a month late.

Pooh Bear has been "re-furred" twice over the course of his life, because I loved him bare. 

Hehe, a bare bear. 

I still have him. He now hangs out in my library with many of my other old toys and books, and every time I see him, I can't resist giving him a hug.

He's been with me through thick and thin for over 40 years. It's had to find a better friend.

He's not as fuzzy as he once was, and one of his eyes has been replaced, but he's still my best friend.

My friend Wendy (yes, I have a friend Wendy. No, I'm not referring to myself in 3rd person) linked me this yesterday and it seems so fitting I'm putting it here:

Image from www.rockpapercynic.com

Photography Challenge Day 11: Something blue

Photography Challenge Day 9: Someone you love

Since I take so many pictures, especially of Angie, this is a pretty easy challenge for me. I mean, I have literally thousands of pictures of her. People compliment me on my photos, but really when you take as many as I do, you're bound to get some great shots now and then. Just go look at some of my earlier pictorial posts of her.

If I had to pay to process film I'd be living under a bridge at this point. Thank God for digital cameras.

So, I figured that I'd take some pictures of my darling husband instead. However, although they're nice, they're not great examples of photography.

Since this is a photography challenge, I'll post a few recent shots that I really like.

I need to Photoshop this into a Forest scene. She looks like a Fairy.

This is now known as "the eating position" for our newest family member. Nom nom nom.

Look at that smile. OMG she's so beautiful.

Not the posed picture I took. My husband has a great smile too. I love this picture of him.

Really, I could go on and on with this particular photo challenge, but four photos is enough. Next up: A childhood memory.

Photography Challenge Day 8: A bad habit

So, today's photo challenge is "a bad habit". Well, there are lots of things I suppose I could photograph for that. I received several funny (and a few scary) suggestions from my Twitter friends when inspiration struck...

Friends don't let friends drink and Tweet. 

Ok... that's so not true (can anyone say #wineparty?). But still, it could be considered a bad habit, although often highly amusing for one's followers. 

This also explains this tweet from last night...

Tomorrow's challenge: someone you love - this should be easy :)

Photography Challenge Day 7: Fruit

Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.

Wisdom is not putting it into a fruit salad. ~ Unknown

Next up on the photo challenge: A bad habit. O.o

Photography Challenge Day 6: From a low angle

Today my daughter helped make my from a low angle picture interesting by making a mess of her room instead of napping. Thanks Angie!

Related... did you know that sarcasm is lost on 4 year olds?

Next up in the photo challenge: fruit.

Photography Challenge Day 5: From a high angle

This photo challenge was the hardest so far. I took a whole bunch of really awful pictures around the house. Finally I decided to climb the pool ladder and take a picture from up there.

I am not a big fan of heights, so this is about as high as I'm willing to get :)

Next up in the challenge: From a low angle. 

Photography Challenge Day 4: Something Green - Meet Guido!

The fourth day of the Photography Challenge calls for something green, so I took a picture of...

Guido, the Guacamole Tree!

Yes, we grew him from a seed!

If you'd like to grow your own avocado tree, check out this How To. 

Photography Challenge Day 3: Clouds

The third challenge of the 30 Day Photography Challenge is Clouds. I was a little worried about this one, since clouds are somewhat infrequent here in Arizona. Then lo and behold I looked out and saw all of these! I couldn't help but post all of the best shots I got. :)

Photography Challenge Day 2: What you wore today

This one was hard... I am assuming that I have to take all of the pictures in the 30 Day Photography Challenge. It was hard enough taking a picture of my face for the Self-Portrait, but taking a picture of what I was wearing... well I ended up with a lot of awful shots. :)

Note to self: Clean the mirrors in the bathroom a) more often or b) at least before you take pictures in them.

Photography Challenge Day 1: Self Portrait

 Is it a shame that the best picture of me has me sticking out my tongue??

 

30 Day Photo Challenge!

I am totally going to do this! Who would like to join us?

Like Jen, I don't know that I'll be doing this in 30 days, but I love taking pictures. :)