27/365 - Dinner....

27/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 Lens)

I am also doing another photography challenge this year.

52 Weeks of Lifestyle Photography. 

I am struggling a little with this style of photography as it is a genre that I am not used to. I took this one tonight of Samuel and Bronte preparing the vegetables both as part of the 365 and the 52.

I may, or may not, submit it as part of the Lifestyle Challenge! I will see how I go. (if I can get anything better more suitable.)

26/365 - Happy Australia Day!

26/365/2011

 

These two storyboards make up my one photo of the day. 

January 26, 2011 was Australia Day.

Australia Day means many different things to many people. It can also mean nothing to some and yet others - well it is a Public Holiday.

I am kind of on the fence and whatever your politics - it can mean Family Day. That is how I like to think of it.

Our two eldest sons had invitations out to other celebrations, so Stan and I took Bronte into the city to Kings Domain Gardens where there was lots of activity. She enjoyed the Dog Flyball competition (so did we!). Stan and I really enjoyed the Vintage Car rally - there were hundreds of cars and it was a fabulous photo haven! Bronte did not enjoy this so much.

We all loved the fabulous flyover by the RAAF Roulettes. Just incredible! We liked the many varied and different people we saw in the crowd and particularly enjoyed the Shrine of Remembrance raising of the flag. It was a great day for us and we finished it off with a BBQ at home with our boys.

What did you do?

25/365 - Here's lookin' at ya!

25/365/2011

(iPhone 3GS using Hipstamatic App)

While out walking the other day, I found these discarded 3-D Glasses with the lenses popped out. I so love the shape of these and it made me think back to when I was younger and the cardboard 3-D glasses that we used. These are so much cooler looking to wear don't you think?

It also got me thinking of all the strange places that you could find such glasses. So I did a series of 7 images showing these in different places....just for fun. This is the first in that series....

24/365 - The Enchanted Maze at Arthur's Seat, Victoria

24/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 Lens)

Yes, I know! Two more images in this post. I don't know why but I just have to! These are my two favourites from the day.

This first one, well I was in the big, beautiful hedge maze and was quickly abandoned by my 15 year old and my 12 year old. I wasn't taking much notice of the twists and turns as I was taking photos all over the place. I remember asking someone if they had found the 'middle' yet and I hear Bronte's voice saying "haven't you found the middle yet mum?" It came from next to me but not. I looked through the hedge and this is what I saw....I laughed and said 'hold it there while I take a photo!' and this is the result. I love it! It took me a while longer to find her as she ran off giggling in search of her brother!

and this image is another favourite.....of many!

23/365 - Good Vibrations!

23/365/2011

(iPhone 3gs using Hipstamatic App)

I just love a Kombi and this one, well it is the kind that Dreams are made of! 

My favourite colours of red and white - I couldn't believe my luck when I saw it in the local car park. I had seen it earlier in the day driving down the road but to see it parked - yippee! I had my iPhone with me so snapped these photos - and it was a double yippee when I saw that they carried two original Malvern Star Dragsters on the back! How totally cool! 

I wish I could have hung around to see who the owners were! I wonder what they looked like? Are they relics from the 70's themselves or young hippy-types who love the style and mode of travel? 

When I came back passed an hour later, the Kombi was gone...I will never know!

22/365 - "Gullwing" a sweet, hardworking boat...

22/365/2011

(iPhone 3GS , using Hipstamatic App)

and because yesterday's image was so lame, I get to offer up two today!

Went for an early morning walk along the beach and came across some moored boats. Loved the serenity of the morning and I hope that it is portrayed here.

In the first image, was a sweet and I imagine, hard working little boat called Gullwing and I would say proudly owned by one G. Moylan.

The second image shows two seagulls and a cormorant sharing the same space.

21/365 - Camping Time.....

21/365/2011

(iPhone 3gs using the Hipstamatic App)

Uninspiring image I know but we went away again on the 21st to a gorgeous seaside town called Rosebud. In fact, we have been holidaying on and off there since Boxing Day as we left our caravan there. It is an easy just under 1 hr drive from home.

The kids and I would stay a few days extra while Stan would come home on the Sunday night. Not an exciting holiday by any means but it was relaxing. The middle and youngest child and I packed up the van today and bought it home. Was a little sad really as it means that the school rush is nearly here! Waaaah! 

So, this image was taken late at night with my iPhone. It is of our messy camping table. Sorry - only took two images on this day and this was the best one! lol

20/365 - Waxed Paper Straws, Milk and Books....

20/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 Lens)

I spotted these waxed paper straws on the internet a few weeks ago and thought that I must have them! The seller was also selling these little glass 'milk bottles' so they came to live with us as well.

Also in this image are a couple of old books that we have in our shelves,  our old steps that we have in the kitchen that is the perfect seat and my kitchen cupboards in the background with their old red handles. 

This image reminds me of my childhood. We had to drink plain milk out of glass bottles at primary school as part of a government initiative. More often than not, the milk was warm (as it had been sitting in the sun!) and had a big gluggy plug of cream on top. To this day, I can NOT drink plain milk. Thanks.

The red and white straw is an old love of mine. I remember peeling them undone and having a lovely strip of curly paper. 

My 15 year old son drank the milk you see here through the straw. He was, in fact, a little surprised that you could drink liquid through paper and declared that they looked so good that they should be everywhere! I agree!

19/365 - Walt Disney's Old Yeller - A Little Golden Book

19/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm Lens)

"Nobody knew where Old Yeller came from. He just turned up one day at the Coates's cabin, sniffing and snuffing and wagging his tail. The Coates boys, Arliss and Travis, looked him over. Not that he was much to look at. He was big and clumsy and yellow in colour."

One of my very favourite books as a child was Old Yeller - the Walt Disney version. Bronte found this Little Golden Book a month or so ago at an Op Shop for me and even paid for it herself. I love such finds. What is your favourite book as a child?

18/365 - A Rite of Passage

18/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 Lens)

Where have the years gone? The man/child you see in the above photo is my first born. He turned 16 years old back in August 2010. 

Here in Victoria, Australia when you turn 16 you are eligible to get your Learner Driver's Licence. Now, some kids, go there on their 16th birthday and sit the test but other, like my Samuel, well they think about it a bit. He likes public transport. 

For his 16th birthday, Bronte gave him the Road Rules Book and the Learner Plates. So here he is with his "L" plate. He passed the WRITTEN test with flying colours! Yay!

I said did he want to drive home - he looked at me as if I had two heads and said no thanks.

Congratulations Samuel - I am very proud of you!

17/365 - Live, Laugh, Love

17/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm Lens)

My Bronte gave me these sweet wooden signs as part of my Christmas present and I just love them! They go wonderfully with my kitchen which has a lot of red and is retro themed. I want 2011 to be more about the three words you see here. Fingers crossed. xx

16/365 - West Beach Bathers Pavilion St Kilda

16/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm Lens)

Yesterday, Bronte and I took Saffy on an outing to a different beach than we normally frequent called St. Kilda West Beach. There were loads of dogs there - inadvertently, we had chosen a doggy beach! Yay!

She enjoyed herself as did we - as, after our walk, we lunched at a lovely on-the-beach restaurant called West Beach Bathers Pavilion - highly recommend it! Food was delish and staff were so friendly. A nice surprise!

This photo shows the Saff-ster jumping back up to where we were eating.

15/365 - Dog-sitting is F.U.N.

15/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 Lens)

Meet Saffy the Staffy Miniature Schnauzer. She is our new, albeit temporary, Family Member. She has been here since Tuesday evening and it is now Friday evening.

She is really cute. And brave (if our cat Mikki is not around!) She does what she is told by Mikki - she comes from a household of two cats as well. She knows who is boss. and it. is. not. her.

It has taken us a little while to get used to the barking though. She is very protective of our home and the property. Bark Bark Bark. Bark Bark Bark. Bit tired of that bit really!

I am just putting it out there - she probably loves us MORE than her own family! Just sayin' - and who can blame her!?

14/365 I love these paws.....

14/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm f1.8 Lens)

These paws belong to our lovely cat Mikki. We all adore him. He adores....himself!

13/365 Rain, Rain, Go Away, come again....in Winter!

13/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm 1.8 lens)

The last few days have been horrific for some many up in the state of Queensland. Floods have rampaged through small towns and even the 3rd largest Australian city, Brisbane. Horrific.

So, we are way down in the south of Australia, in the wonderful state of Victoria and it is raining BUCKETS here at the moment.

Hence, my photo of the day today....

I took quite  a few out there in the rain. Re-loving my 50D now that I have taken Back-Button-Focus off and reverted back to normal! Thanks Jules - your advice was really helpful.

12/365 - I say Vegetable Frittata to you!

12/365/2011

(Canon 50D 50mm 1.8 lens)

Look at this bit of scrumptiousness! Based on a recipe from the Stephanie Alexander book Kitchen Garden Companion, I added cooked chicken to the layers and instead of Kumara (sweet potato) I added pumpkin.

It was very very yummy. Very. Gosh I am good! (of course you didn't hear the swearing when I couldn't get the thing out in a nice sliced-up way) but everyone in the family loved it. It is one that I will be doing again. And again. And again. Until, like all other meals they like - they get tired of it and want to see eat  think of it NO MORE!

11/365 - my two boy/men

11/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm f/1.8 lens)

The 11th day of the challenge....how exciting! The date is auspicious - 11.01.11 - so for that very reason, I decided that I can post TWO images for today. 

The top one is my first born. He is 16 and quite a gentle soul. I think you can tell by the image.

The next image is my second-born. He is the middle child. He is my sensitive soul who also has a very devilish side. 

My two boy/men. Who need to learn how to shave soon. Now I must get that on camera!

10/365 - 15 years old...

10/365/2011

(Canon 50D, 50mm f/1.8)

and he still loves likes makes time to hang out with his sister. Even though 'she is really, really annoying, mum.'

...and I say to him 'and you're not???'

I Heart Faces - 2011 Photo Contest "Smile"

Over at i heart faces, the theme this week is smile. Every time I look at this image of my daughter - that's what I do - smile. Hope it brings a smile to your face too!

Please head on over to i heart faces for loads of wonderful smiles. Don't forget to leave comments - people (ahem!) love them!

9/365 - Waves at Brighton Beach, Victoria

9/365/2011

(iPhone 3GS - Hipstamatic App using new film and lens)

 

Brighton Beach is just 5 minutes drive from our home and I love to go there, look out over the city and take photos. This day it was very windy and wavy (unusual for our tranquil bay beach). You can't see it in this image, but there are kite surfers galore over near the colourful beach huts.

I love the city skyline, I love looking at the beach huts (privately owned and sell in excess of $100,000!) 

After I arrived home from taking this picture, Stan took the two youngest for a swim but quickly came back and got the surfboards and body boards! What a cack!

Oh and today you get two photos for one! 

8/365 - Fools Window (x3?)

8/365/2011

(iPhone 3GS with Hipstamatic App)

Yes, lucky me - hit the jackpot - I have 3 of them. 'Nuff said!

7/365 - I can see clearly now (not!)

7/365/2011

(Canon 50D, Sigma 10-20mm Wide Angle Lens)

Still in Rosebud and at sunset. I was taking photos of the sunset when I had to push my sunglasses to the top of my head. When I did that, I realised that the sunset looked much more spectacular through my sunglasses than without. So, along came this brilliant idea - put the sunglasses on the camera! Why not? Well, one reason not to - it is basically impossible. Cameras do not have ears. They have a nose but no ears. Difficult.

Son #2 (Zed) held them in front of the camera. He held them crookedly (very very difficult to get good, free help these days!) so I held them in front of the camera and took the photo. Perfect! (of course!)

Love how this turned out with a bit of over processing and cropping. One of my favourite images this year!

6/365 - Sing with me "Puts a rose in every cheek!"

6/365/2011

(iphone 3gs with Hipstamatic App)

Camping in Rosebud in reality is staying in our caravan on the property of Stan's Aunty and Uncle. 

His Uncle was the local Doctor in Rosebud for many years and at 90 years of age he is of course, retired. He and his wife live in the 'top' house where they have a lovely ocean view. 

The old Doctor's surgery (another house) is down the hill on the adjacent property. We camp in between and use the surgery bathroom, kitchen and toilet. Often Stan's cousin Moira is there and stays in the surgery house and it is always lovely to catch up with her. She is one of my favourite people! She comes up from Melbourne (an hrs drive) to look after her lovely mum and her dad.

This photo represents two amazing icons in Australia. 

First is the washing line called a Hill's Hoist. (we still have one in our very own back yard - they are the source of much fun for children - seeing them swing around and even climbing up the top - although ours are banned now as they are too big and would bend the arms!) 

The next icon is Vegemite. A truly unique Australian delicacy! Funny thing is, I am about the only one in our family that likes it.

Spread thinly on buttered bread or toast = yum!

5/365 - Geronimo Geranium

5/365/2011

(taken using my iPhone 3GS and the Hipstamatic App)

Camping at Rosebud, Victoria. This almost weedy flower, the Geranium, begged me every day to take its photo - oh yes it did! So I did. and I love how it turned out. Very much.

I call this Geronimo Geranium. No reason for that - just because I can!

4/365 - Scrabble - the game of Champions not champignons!

4/365/2011

(taken with my iPhone 3GS using the Hipstamatic Application)

 Scrabble is great on holidays. And it is great now that the children are older and can actually PLAY.

No more pretending to be bad at it so that they can win. Nope. 

Each player is on their own now and I love to vanquish the weak! (insert evil laugh!)

3/365 - Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil....

3/365/2011

(Canon 50D, Sigma 10-20mm Wide Angle Lens)

These gorgeous young people were made by....me! (and my husband Stan, of course!) That is my darling Samuel on the left - he is 16. Zachary is in the middle - he is 15 and Bronte on the end - she is 12.

This was taken at Pt. Nepean on the Mornington Peninsula. The last time we were there, well Bronte didn't even exist and the boys were probably 2 and 3 years old.

Fact about my three children - they love wearing Threadless T-Shirts from the USA. They devour the site, mark ones they like and when the USD $10.00 sales come up - I order up big! In this photo - Samuel and Bronte are wearing Threadless - Zed is wearing his favourite food!

So, do you think my offspring look alike?

2/365 - Bronte speaks like she has a plum in her mouth....

2/365/2011

(taken with my iPhone & the Hipstamatic App)

This is my 12 year old daughter, Bronte. Pronounced BRON-tee. Her middle name is Patricia - after my mum.

2011 is a special year for Bronte because in just a few short weeks, she starts HIGH SCHOOL. Yes, I know I don't look old enough to have THREE children at high school but hey, I can't help it can I?!!

It is a Girls School and she will need to catch a bus and then a train. For the last 7 years, I have driven her to school. This will be a big, big change for her. And me.

I hope it is the beginning of a marvellous adventure for her!

Oh and the plum? We were out walking and there was a wonderful plum tree laden with fruit. We took a few to nibble on so here she is - Miss Eliza DoLittle!

New Start for the NEW YEAR

Happy 2011 everyone!

(better late than never eh?)

Well I am up for a challenge or two this year and one of them is a 365 Challenge. Last year I lasted oh - 2 months I think. This year, I hope to go longer than that.

The rules that I have made for myself are:

1. The image can be taken with any kind of camera - be it my 50D, my Pentax or my phone.  
(I am betting that most will be from my phone!)

2. The image does not have to be 'great'
(that way I take pressure off myself to 'perform' and hopefully I will get images that I love)

So - here is my first image of the Year.....

1/365/2011

Taken with my iPhone 3 and the Hipstamatic Application.

Here is my husband, Stan. He is half Polish and half Scottish. That is a rare and very unusual blend. The half that you see here is his Polish half. They love to grow vegetables. Here we have potatoes, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes, broadbeans (yuck!) and more.

The brick structure is the garage. Did you know that a garage such as this is NOT for parking the car in there? Oh no! It is for tools and motorbikes and a Vespa scooter (or 3) and also a lovely old VW Karmann Ghia that is still to be restored to her former glory.

Stan is a typical Polish/Scottish kind of guy = hard worker. He makes lists of everything he has to do. If it is not ON the list - it needs to be added before it can be considered. He makes a new list every Friday at work. He then begins to get things done. I need to do more of this in 2011.

I Heart Faces Photo Contest: Best Face Photo of 2010

 

I saw this challenge and as I have vowed to participate more this year, decided to enter the above image. It is one I took of a friends daughter in 2010 and an image that I have always loved. Love the shadows, love the light, love the colours and the windblown hair.

Happy 2011 everyone!

Don't forget to check out everyone's entries!