Abandoned & Discarded

When I am looking for photographic opportunities, I enjoy finding buildings and objects that would have a story to tell, if they could talk. Usually, that means old buildings and things. Here are some of the things I found a couple of weeks ago at my brother's farm.

Most of the photos were taken BEFORE I experimented with the manual controls on the camera. I bet you can find the one photo where I played with the settings.


Yep, the last one.

Football Season

We journeyed to Minneapolis to watch our beloved Gophers on Saturday. It was football weather as the afternoon game started, but the sun came out and we were soon over dressed. It was wonderful to see a Gopher win, FINALLY!

Enjoy the game...

U of M band pregame show

TCF scoreboard

 the Star Spangled Banner

 the student section

Gophers vs. RedHawks of Miami, Ohio

National Champion Dance Team

Gopher hat

Gopher stocking cap

 Gopher bibs

 tail-gating vehicle

flags at tail gate party

two of the Gopher fans

The Rest of the Facelifts

Here are the rest of the before and after photos of the summer projects, the house facelift.

The living room before the facelift...

The living room after the facelift...

The dining area of the room before the facelift...

The dining area after the facelift...

The office before the facelift...

The office after the facelift...

A comment about the wall of photos...
The drawings on the upper right and lower right were done by two students in Curt's fifth grade classroom eons ago. Curt told the boys he was going to keep the pictures and frame them when they became famous artists. The other three sketches and one other painting in our living room are from Josh Spies, Curt's student & our daughter's classmate. (Josh did the drawing on the upper right.)

"Safari Club International has named Joshua Spies as their 2011 International Artist of the Year. This Award puts Joshua in a group of elite artists and truly takes Joshua to a whole new level of recognition and artistry."

I guess that makes Josh famous! He has won other awards for his paintings prior to the 2011 award.


another office photo...

 

I have also put the pictures back on the hall walls...

 The wall of family photos on the hall wall leading to the bedrooms & bathroom.

and the wall between the front door and the kitchen.

It is so nice to have all this done and the house back in order.

Camera Challenge

Recently Curt helped my brother with a shingling project on the farm.

The 'boss' supervising the project. That looks like my dad! When did that happen?




While the guys were working, I was playing with my camera. I have had it for almost 3 years, and although I love it, I have not played with all the features. Usually, when a photo opportunity arises, I don't want to try and figure which setting I should use; I want a good photo NOW.

Here are some before & after photos with no iphoto touch up.

The barn with the normal/automatic setting. I am looking from one end to the other, with a closer shot than the photo below. Sometimes I want this dark shot looking out to the light...

but sometimes, I would like more light. I played with a setting and found I can control the light!


Here is another example:

The abandoned tricycle caught my eye. It was on the western side of the barn door, so the natural light is behind me. On the first shot, I have turned and am looking to the west, but there are lots of shadows I would be working with to get the photo to the right adjustment.

On the second shot, the natural light is behind me. Again, too many shadows to touch up.


After I found the light adjustment, I went back to the barn and took these photos.

too much light

about right, but maybe another or different angle...

I like the contrast of the red & green colors

I am facing east; the natural light is behind me, and I guess I have also worked with the zoom. I was excited to play with this feature. Now I just need to get out and play some more so I remember how and what when I want to REALLY use it the next time.


Forgive me Mr. W for not using all the correct terms. I don't claim to be a professional. I just like taking photos of things that catch my eye. However, there are things I do remember from the class. 

More Willa Antics

She worked so hard in this video...

GO Gophers!

Daddy is hoping to have another Gopher fan in the house. In honor of the U of MN Gophers and New Mexico State Aggies football game today...

Willa Climbing in the Chair

In the last month, Miss Willa has begun to climb on the furniture. I got some video of her antics last weekend.

At the Zoo

As a family we visited The Great Plains Zoo on Saturday. Here are some of my photos.

I had posted a Daddy's Princess photo. 

This is Momma & Willa looking at the duck pond.

A precious picture of two beautiful ladies.

 wearing Grandpa's cap

 the ducks following Willa

Willa watching a theater presentation of

Charlotte's Web

a perfect day for strolling at the zoo

Odds & Ends from the Weekend

Here are some odds & ends photos from the weekend. It was wonderful to be together with all the kids. Thanks C & K for hosting all of us!

Grandma Liz bought this outfit for Miss Willa. 

Isn't the 'balloon' legged outfit darling?

 Aunt Kari bought two little tutus for Miss Willa. 

She didn't mind wearing the stiff skirts and in 

fact wore the one for more than an hour on Saturday.

Auntie's present included a sparkly tiara. 

Daddy's little princess! 

Isn't it a precious photo?

Pajamas, a tutu and a tiara...

Willa got some swinging time during the 

beautiful weekend.

 Willa was busy playing when a commercial got her

attention. She turned and gave the TV all of

her concentration. I don't know if it was

the music or the voices.

Although it is over (ice cream on the screen now),

it was a commercial for cat food. A large kitty

was on the screen when she turned completely.

Funny!

It was a great weekend kids. Thanks!