31 March 2008

Soundtrack of my life Meme revisted

I have done this post in the past, yet I find myself easily entertained therefore I will do it again as requested by the 1st Daughter. Should be interesting.

If your life were a soundtrack, what would the music be?
Here’s how it works:
1. open your library (iTunes, winamp, media player, iPod)
2. put it on shuffle
3. press play
4. for every question, type the song that’s playing
5. new question — press the next button
6. don’t lie and try to pretend you’re cool

opening credits: Hanging by a Thread, Nickel Creek

waking up: Build Me Up Buttercup, The Foundations

first day at school: I'd Love to Change the World, Ten Years After

falling in love: Long Cool Woman, The Hollies

breaking up: I Want you To Want Me, Dwight Yokum

prom: Once Was a Boy, Moulin Rouge Soundtrack

life’s okay: Riders on the Storm, Doors

mental breakdown: Lodi, Credence Clearwater Revival

driving: Friday I'm in Love, The Cure

flashback: American Woman, Guess Who

getting back together: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem, Kenny Chesney

wedding: Only If, Enya

birth of child: Into the West, Annie Lennox

final battle: Creek Mary's Blood, Nightwish

death scene: Perfect Love, Felicia Sorenson

end credits: Should I Stay or Should I Go, The Clash

Heh. This time it is completely different. If I didn't tag you, and you want to do it. Don't wait for a tag, just do it!

Okay so I'll tag The Pea, The MiddleHip Sister, and Adan.

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Fun with light


light through balloonn red, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I had to shoot a graduation event last week for a friend. While I was there I noticed this opportunity and could not pass it up. It was shot through a balloon looking up to a ceiling pot light. In red. And green:

light through balloon green

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Dandelion


Dandelion, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

How does a weed this pretty end up irritating so many gardeners?

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28 March 2008

Happy Friday!


Happy Spring!, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

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24 March 2008

Little Miss


Little Miss, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

My first opportunity to show of the grandkids. This format is safe and very artistic. I love it in fact!

This is a new process I've started doing on canvas. I've vectorized the image and then cut it in vinyl. I then transfer the vinyl to canvas and use acrylics to fill in the background.

Here's one of sport:

Sport

And now, here's the thing. I am trying to raise money. Yep I need some! I will do the same of a loved one of yours! Yes, Friend, family or even a pet! I will vectorize a photo you send me then transfer it to canvas. You get to choose your background color I should add, it does not come framed. The canvas is 11x14 and it will be mailed to you through the US Postal Service. All for the small fee of $40.

Please tell your friends! Send me an email at foodchronicles at yahoo dot com to order yours!

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22 March 2008

Raindrops


Raindrops, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Since I can't load any new photos, I've turned my photo stream to see if I can show you something you have yet to see. 10, 800 pics to choose from. Here's a few from the past weeks.

Birdhouse

Red Tail Hawk

Tulip

Pansy

Angus

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21 March 2008

Tim Gunn, again

Yes, you all know I love Tim Gunn. He's a really nice guy.

Well, I got my copy of Fast Company in th email today and what did I find inside? Danielle Sacks has penned an article all about Tim's departure from Parson's to Liz Claiborne. I was surprised earlier this year to read that he had left Parson's, because basically, he reinvented them and I couldn't believe he'd leave. Alas, he did and the article takes you through that departure and more.

Go read it for yourself and learn a little bit more about who he is. And why I like him so much.

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20 March 2008

Crow


Crow, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

This guy or gal (how does one know?) has taken to using my lawn as a great place to find ingredients for a nest. He loves the dried grass. I have watched him pull tufts of grass up and bunched it up , then fly away as if he's discovered the next best thing in housing materials.

I also ran him through the vector program on illustrator and came up with several varieties, this one being my favorite:



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19 March 2008

Banners

I have gotten a lot of comments on how much they like the banner for Cooper Chronicles. It took me a bit of doing but I think I finally have figured out how it all works and am enjoying this new found talent, so to speak.

I have begun making banners for blogspot blogs. If you'd like one, email me and I'll make one to fit you and your blog. I'll include instructions on how to change it from what it is now. Get your free banners here! I have a ton of different fonts and a slew of pictures, or if you'd like a picture of your own used put it in the email.

It's fun and helps me hone my illustrator skills that could really some practice.

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16 March 2008

Night photos


Blurry bird, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

Fortunately we live in an area where night photo opportunities abound. Last night as I drove through the neighborhood I noticed a party on a street next to mine. A big party. As I mentioned it to my husband he said well it should be an interesting night.

Later it began to pour. We talked about the fire pit at the party being put out and it probably putting an end to it all. Then after about an hour the rain let up. The clouds dispersed a bit and a new light began to shine in the sky. It was our old friend the helicopter!

The helicopter is own by the sherrif's station in this county. On occasion we have had the pleasure of being awakened late at night with loud announcements to stay in our homes and make sure the doors are locked. Fun. But hey, that's the burbs for ya.

Last night I decided to grab the camera, set the ISO at 800 and see what I could shoot. I actually got some neat shots:

Round and round

Circling round

Across the sky

Circling the wagons

Helicopter at night



I love how you can see his spot acros the sky as he circles the problem area. There were also fire engines and ambulances involved. Nothing like a Saturday night for some fun in the neighborhood!

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15 March 2008

This one is especially for Susan

Yes, Susan. Why because Susan love to do cool things with photography.

Remember in high school photography class when you were learning about how light hits emulsion and an image is formed. That it didn't have to be a fancy camera in order to capture light. Then saving an oatmeal box or some other container and making your own pinhole camera. You got it graded and then got to take pictures with it. Yeah. Me too.

Go here. Coolest pinhole cameras ever!

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13 March 2008

Road to my heart


Road to my heart, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

The wildflowers are in full bloom here in SoCal. It is a visual fiesta! This mountain is close to home and s'mee and I noticed the heart right away.

See it there. On the side of the hill.Heart of flowers

There is a road leading up to the hill. I call this one road to my heart.

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10 March 2008

Favorite places

Thursday the sis and I headed down to San Diego. I had to go to a supplier location and she wanted to know if I wanted to go by Shinoda's with her. The Shinoda's she goes to is in Orange County, but I happen to know of one in San Diego so i thought we may as well kill two birds with one stone and have a bigger reason to go to San Diego. (Shinoda's by the way is a gigantic floral supply/wholesale only place.)

We met up at my house about 8:30 a.m. Ran a couple of errands in town before we got on the road to San Diego. First we stopped at Shinoda's. Holy cow that place is huge! I love the displays, they are very creative and have just the right look no matter what theme you've got going. With Easter fast approaching there were all kinds of bunnies and chicks and eggs to use in decorating a specially designated area. I was tempted, but only came away with one object. One that will be leaving here and heading north. So you don't get to see it for a bit longer.

Then we headed over to the vinyl supplier I needed to see. Wowzer! Things are moving fast and furiously in the vinyl arena. So many new items I couldn't take it all in at once. However, I did pick up a few items that will work, and told them to expect an order over the net as I needed to really decide which way I wanted to go with a few things.

Then we decided it was time for lunch. In and Out. Yep burgers and fries for these girls. It was close by and would save a bit of time in the day. Once I pulled up to the In and Out I mentioned to S'mee that if she ever wanted anything Japanese themed she really must go over to the store across the way as it was the perfect place to pick up anything, or everything you could possibly think of needing.

Lunch was done and we were heading home. Then I thought well since we're here let's go ahead and go one in to the Mitsuwa store right there. I could pick up some gyoza for steaming and it would be a quick dinner. We spent some time walking around and S'mee actually swooned a couple of times. When we checked out (I got the gyoza) the clerk asked me a question I did not hear. I responded incorrectly then S'mee repeated the question. I apologized and mentioned my hearing problem and then came my favorite line of the day, "She looks so young to be having hearing problems." Yes, I do . Thank you very much!

As soon as you enter the store is a huge bookstore. I have read of all of the wonderful crafting books in Japan and decided to take a look. Wow. I could spend a fortune in there! I only bought one:



The have the cutest little booties! And all kinds of other neat things to make.


This should make the news of this morning even better. The middle daughter called this morning. She's having a girl!

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08 March 2008

Soundtrack

I've written posts before about how music shaped my life. It has added such a dimension it is difficult to tell someone about what an escape it was for me. The Beatles had their impact and wove together my sixth grade through high school years. Even after high school they had an impact. I think I could probably write a book full of memories evoked when lyrics or a song is played.

Tonight we had the pleasure of watching Across the Universe. I highly recommend it. Well, at least for those of you who are audiophiles or Beatle fans. It is a loosely woven tale of young love through the soundtrack of the 60s Beatles invasion. I enjoyed it very much. I even mentioned that it would be great to see a movie like it using all the music of the 60s and early 70s. It would probably have to be a series of movies or at least 4 hours long.

One memory. As a young soon to be bride, the usual bridal shower was held. In 1975 the showers given were very traditional. Songs were sung in tribute of this new step in life and the celebration of the love of this new couple. The songs were usually from the 40s, 50, and 60s and from musicals. Sunrise, Sunset being very popular as I remember. Well that just would not do for me. I was definitely a woman of independent thought and action. I was classified as a rebel and politely yet firmly stated if there was going to be singing at a shower for me, it must reflect me and my soon to be betrothed. My friend Nancy was in charge of the shower and enlisted her sister to take care of the music. It was great. She brought her guitar, audible gasps heard, when it came into view. She quietly and melodiously plucked out the most wonderful song. Every time I hear it now, it takes me back to that night. I can still hear her voice as she sang:

To lead a better life, I need my love to be here.
Here, making each day of the year,
Changing my life with a wave of her hand.
Nobody can deny that there's something there.
There, running my hands through her hair,
Both of us thinking how good it can be.
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there.
I want her ev'rywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care,
But to love her is to meet her ev'rywhere,
Knowing that love is to share,
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there.
To be there and ev'rywhere,
Here, there and ev'rywhere.

And it has always been that way for me and mine. We were madly in love at 17, and still are to this day. I'll love you forever babe.

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05 March 2008

Racoon anyone?


Racoon anyone?, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

I am finishing up a project of digitizing slides from the 50s and 60s for a gentleman. I came across this photo this morning and had to put it up. This one's for my son-in-law who believes racoons are evil.

Now see, they're kind gentle little animals that wouldn't harm even a little girl!

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03 March 2008

Pirate's Treasure!


Bounty, originally uploaded by foodchronicles.

The first three pictures here are what S'mee brought to the meet and greet on Friday. Now you know why I am glad I'm her sister! She always does such nice things.

Here's a close up or two:
foldup scrapbook

Pirate booty

Not only did she bring a folding scrabook to record the memories of our day, but she also included a set of her fabulous note cards with pictures she took herself! And some homemade sugar scrub! Which is wonderfully scented with vanilla and brown sugar. Incredible.

Saturday while I was out I had to take a picture of the lost sole I found. It was there a perfectly good sole, somewhat abused by its original owner obviously, yet somehow I heard a mom saying, how do you lose your shoes??!!!?Lost Sole

And then, while I was at Downtown Disney I noticed you could buy a selection of m&ms in different colors that are not readily available in the bags. Outrageously priced, but still I decided that since they would become part of the decor, it was worth the price. Voila!Dome

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