The Photography Scavenger Hunt.

The first is a scavenger hunt.
the rules:  Myself and as many friends as would like to participate have a scavenger hunt.  There are a few ideas as to how it would work:
I or someone will identify something that we would like to see photographed, and the first person to respond gets to identify the next item. 
Another option is to create a collage of 5 topics that must be somehow connected.  5 random things, all different, but somehow alike - be it a theme, a word, a mood, a color - whatever.
A third idea is to make a list at the beginning of each month, and you have 1 month to find all the photos, but you must photograph everything on the list.  The first person to submit all the images get to make the next list.  I kind of like this one, because it will keep me out there shooting.

Items on the list(s) can really be anything, the only rules are to keep it clean, but some cool suggestions are:

• A Smile
• Quiet
• A reflection
• A tradition
• A texture

For any of these, I'm thinking of making a new blog, or FB group to start up, so multiple people can edit and post to the blog.  Let me know if you're interested.

Here is one blog that does just this:
http://forum.photojojo.com/viewtopic.php?id=273

My Day in 6 Words 4/23

American Eskimo at the mall love.

My day in 6 Words 4/22

Needs a new doctor.  Taking referrals.

My Day in 6 Words 4/21

Rented some flicks for the weekend.

My Day in 6 Words 4/20

From Cooking Light

Cleaned, vacuumed, organized and cooked chili.

Sarah's Chili Recipe:

1 lb. ground beed

1 onion chopped

Cook together in a large frying pan until meat is cooked

.

1 bell pepper cut into large pieces

1 tbsp minced garlic

Add to meat and onions and cook until peppers start to sweat.

2 cans diced tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 1/2c. Corn (fresh or frozen)

2 tbsp. Chili powder

1/2 tsp. Cumin

1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning

2 tbsp. Sugar

Add all ingredients to the current mixture and cook together on a low boil for about 30 mins.

3 Cans of Beans - can be red or white kidney, black, pinto, or chili beans.  

(I use 1 red kidney, 1 white kidney and 1 black bean)

(drain all liquid from can except kidney and chili beans)

Add to mixture and cook on low until mixture start to boil.

Add some shredded cheese and your favorite cracker and enjoy!

My Day in 6 Words 4/19

http://www.germanshepherdtrainingnow.com/separation-anxiety-in-dogs/

Jasmine begged me to stay home.

My Day in 6 Words 4/18

Tending to my sore stiff back.

My Day in 6 Words 4/17

English Daisies.  This is the one flower that is currently blooming in our garden.  The rest are seeds that will take about 2 months to start to show growth.  Excited for the summer.

 Greenough Park and an afternoon gardening.

My Day in 6 Words 4/16

Chester is just one of the pups at the Missoula Animal Shelter that is need of a loving home.

Visited the puppies in the Shelter

My Day in 6 Words 4/15

Missed out on seeing Miss Kristian.  =(

My day in 6 Words 4/14

Long day of work at Block

My Day in 6 Words 4/13

Found out an exciting secret.  Yikes!!!

=)

My Day in 6 Words 4/12

Did some form design for Block

My Day in 6 Words 4/11

Fantastic Fajitas for my favorite husband! 

These are super easy and you can add or take away some of the spice to meet your taste, but they're already pretty mild (I promise!).

For the filling you'll need:

1lb. Chicken, sliced into stips (or cubed if you prefer)

1 medium onion sliced

A variety of bell peppers sliced.

1 lemon

Olive oil

1/2 fajita seasoning packet

1 tsp. Cajun seasoning

1/4 tsp. Paprika

1/4 tsp. Cumin

Salt and pepper to taste.

Heat the olive oil and the lemon to a sizzle.

Add the chicken and the onion and cook the chicken through on med. heat.

Add all the seasonings and the peppers and saute on low until the peppers are heated through and mildly soft.

Heat fajita shells.

You can heat them easy peasy in the microwave in a damp paper towel for 15 seconds per shell.

Or you can do it the "real" way in a skillet over a very small coating of oil.

Toppings:

You can use whatever you like but My faves are 

black olives

cheddar chz

grape tomatoes

and romaine lettuce.

My Day in 6 words 4/10

Long dog walk plus Swiss steak.

My Day in 6 Words 4/9

A Fantastic day of spring cleaning

Updated 101 in 1001 list.

My list was started, September 7^th, 2010, so I have a bit of progress already, but here is where I stand as of today.  

I have just completed my 14 topics - one a day for 2 weeks.  You can view them on my blog.

1.    Establish my own photography business. – It is called City Country Photography 
2.    Acquire studio equipment for shooting on location.
3.    Develop a secure price list for my photography. – This is always something to edit, but I do have a solid price list that I am comfortable with.
4.    Maintain a client basis with a mailing list and at least 10 references.
5.    Find a fun cool group of people in Missoula with common interests for me and Rob. - Rob and I have friendships with 3 of our neighbors, some friends now here from UI and some friends of Rob's from work.  We also know quite a few kids from church and have plans to do something with them...eventually.  They're all grad students at the University of Montana so they're rather busy.  It also is a big bonus have our sister Janice here. I think Rob feels outnumbered with three ladies in the house
6.    Move into my new house and decorate it with a style that emanates the “City-Country”  feel. – My living room is themed on my final project for photography school – “America”.   It is based on me moving from NY to MT.
7.    Get a puppy/dog and train him. – she knows sit, lay down, stay, come, out, enough, leave it, and a few tricks like shake, wave, “bang” = play dead, and she’s working on heel and sleep.   There are other’s that I’m sure aren’t on here.  And there are other things that aren’t really tricks like I say “walk” and she goes to her leach on the hook and touches it with her nose, or I say treat and she goes to her treat cabinet, or I say outside and she goes to the backdoor to be put outside.  She also twangs the door stop when she needs to be let out and it hasn’t been offered in a while.  She’s an awesome dog.  We have just taught her beg and bow as well!  =)
8.    Get bicycles for Rob and I.  
9.    Go bicycling with our dog regularly.
10.    Cook dinner at least twice a week . – we set up a schedule and I cook dinners usually on sun or mon and thurs or fri.
11.    Start going back to church on a more regular basis and develop ourselves in the church community. – we have a chili cookoff that we organized this Sunday night.   I’ve also met a couple cool girl in our church that I’m looking forward to getting to know better.
12.    Honeymoon.  – Hawaii or Disney World.
13.    Visit the other location ^ at some point.  - we are heading to Disney for my birthday in Sept.!!!  YAY!
14.    Go to Harry Potter World at Universal and drink some Butterbeer.
15.    Print a bunch of my fine art photos and frame them – either for myself, as gifts, or to sell. – I printed 3 western themed prints to hang in my house.  
16.    Photograph at least 2 “destination” weddings.
17.    Be photographing the equivalent of at least 1 event a month – so 12 a year.
18.    PROMO material. – I now I have awesome business cards, fliers and price sheets.   When I get a mailing list, I’ve also designed 4x6 postcards that can be sent out as well.
19.    Pay off RMSP loans.
20.    Own at least 2 additional lenses – an 85mm F1.8 lens, and …(?)
21.    Spoil my husband with breakfast in bed. – to be fair, he didn’t eat it in bed, but I did wake up at 7am on a Saturday and made him mickey pancakes, bacon, and sausage.  
22.    Develop a habit for keep my new house clean and tidy. – I’m still working on this with the 2 dogs, it’s tricky, but I never let it get too bad.
23.    Go on a Road trip with the girls.
24.    Manage my budget efficiently – business and personal.  - I set up a document on my computer to get on track with my business bookkeeping.  It'll help for taxes next year for sure!
25.    Photograph at least 1 rodeo a year. – a trip is planned to Rob's old haunt with our new friends to view and photograph the rodeo there
26.    Go garage saling this Spring and put aside some of my stuff to sell in one of our own.
27.    Make homemade ice cream.
28.    Visit the Southwest, the only corner of the country I’ve never been to – AZ, TX, or NM.
29.    Develop a solid pantry in my house – a good supply of meats, seasonings, and non-perishables.
30.    GARDEN!!!  - pretty flowers, a patio, a lawn, and some amazing landscaping – done by me and Rob.
31.    Learn something new every day for 2 weeks – textbook style.
32.    Take a photo every day for a month.  Plan ahead. 
33.    Research photography projects and complete 3.   – so I’ve got my projects…just need to get out there.
34.    Cook dinner for my parents at least once a month every month for 6 months.
35.    Family get-together/get-away with all 8 of us - parents, “kids” and spouses.
36.    Write a Christmas letter and send it out to family and friends. – I also sent out cards and a video slideshow via e-mail.
37.    Develop an address book of all family/friends.
38.    Keep in touch with RMSP folks for photography support and advice. – I need to work on this more, but I’ve been bad about KIT with anyone these days.
39.    Put a substantial amount of money away into savings.
40.    Start eating healthier – more veggies and less fried foods – we’ve had a real cooked meal almost every night for 2 months. 
41.    Fix my antique rocking chair and set it up on my new front porch.  
42.    Making a posing guide/manual with the help of models/friends and utilize it at photo shoots.
43.    Make a habit of calling my brothers more often.
44.    Network!  Talk to local photographers, and ask about a second shooter relationship with some of them.
45.    Attend a monthly photographers meeting.
46.    Design/have a real working business site for my photography
47.    Update my Blog at least twice a week for a month.
48.    Build a snowman.
49.    When something good happens, pay it forward and write about it.
50.    Write a children's book.
51.    Illustrate it.
52.    Go on a real “date” with Rob.
53.    Get a part time job. – Back at Block.   Only temporary, but It’ll suffice for now.
54.    Organize all of my documents and develop an efficient filing system. – Now the trick will be to keep up with it.  
55.    Go to the beach/ocean.
56.    Tie a note to a balloon and let it go.
57.    Update my driver's license and SS with my husband's last name.
58.    Stay up one night to shoot the sunset AND the sunrise in the morning, with star trails in-between.
59.    Go snorkeling/scuba diving.
60.    Write a thank you note to everyone in my life who has helped me get to where I am now.
61.    Get crafty - develop a craft hobby for homemade crafts. – I’d say 80% of my Halloween and Christmas décor this year was homemade.
62.    Research my family history - Kennett and Whaley, and document it. - I started an account on ancestry.com, but I’ve come to a dead end.   I’ve got a bit more work to do.  So this may just be to document the history my parents know about their parents  for my far in the future kids.
63.    Have/go to a BBQ for the neighborhood.
64.    Bring homemade baked goods or homegrown veggies the new neighbors.
65.    Start a bucket list.
66.    Make a list of fears and face one of them.
67.    Sign up for and volunteer at the humane society/animal shelter at least once a month. – I have decided that I am going to visit the shelter and take photos of the pups, and take them for “training walks” whenever I am able.
68.    Laser Tag!
69.    Have my photography/artwork on display in a local hotel or restaurant.
70.    Make a scrapbook or photo album for the year.
71.    Renew my passport
72.    Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind" – if you’d like to see them, they’re up on Facebook.
73.    Make a pinhole camera and use it! - I've got the plans, it's time to execute!
74.    Get crafty for the holidays - make decorations and get traditional.
75.    Make a difference to 1 child. – Make a Child Smile. - I sent a note to a child with a heart defect.
76.    Learn/teach myself some unique photo editing tricks in Photoshop
77.    Find an awesome dessert recipe and invite friends over to share it with us. – counting my cookie pizza as this one.   Recipe is here: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cookie-Pizza-2/Detail.aspx
78.    Have a board game night – we’ve had at least 3; once in Whitefish, and again for the holidays.
79.    Photograph a landscape from the same location, capturing all four seasons
80.    Photograph lightening
81.    Scan old photos into computer and post a few good memories.
82.    Make a “My day in 6 words” Journal and make a habit of using it.
83.    Go to the planetarium and look at the stars through their telescope.
84.    See 3 famous NY/NYC landmarks I've never been to before.
85.    Make an idea journal and sketch ideas/photo visions/dreams as they come to me.
86.    Learn to say "Hello, Thank You, and I love you" in 5 languages. – I posted this one on my blog.
87.    "Adopt" a child to sponsor for Christmas and spoil them like crazy! – we “adopted” a 2 year old little girl and got her books and puzzles.   Then we worked with the church to help organize and sort the gifts that everyone bought.  It was fun!
88.    Host a dinner party – For the first one I made spareribs for the first time ever and my hubby still has dreams about them.
89.    Purchase a new camera body and have my D90 as a backup.
90.    Christmas cookies!
91.    Carve pumpkins for our porch and make bread from the guts. – ok, so the pumpkins rotted and we couldn’t make the bread from that, but I made the bread with my mom from new pumpkins.
92.    Go a week without TV.
93.    Draw something in wet cement. – We drew our initials in the sidewalk outside our house.   It sort of got rolled over, and now it’s just a faint impression, but still, we did it!
94.    Put together a scavenger hunt or go on one.  - it's time to get this one started.  =)
95.    Plan a trip overseas and put some money aside to go.
96.    Finish a crossword puzzle book. – Almost done with the second one!
97.    Make a list of my 10 greatest accomplishments from each decade of my life - so that'll be 3 lists by the time we get to day 1001!
98.   Go on a fun photoshoot with a friend.
99.   Identify 100 things that makes me happy – this is harder then I thought, because I’m trying to not name every Disney movie or character individually, and rather be unique about the items on the list, but I have 75 right now.
100.  Do something or go somewhere spontaneous.  
101.   Put $1 for every goal completed in the first year into savings. $5 for the second year, $10 for the third year and $15 for everything not completed.

Completed by 4/9/11 =44

My Day in 6 Words 4/8

Friday night delivered pizza with hubby.  =)

My Day in 6 Words 4/7

Took the puppy for a jog.

Topic of the day 4/6

I haven't done a "report" on government of politics yet, but since the government shut down is looming, it seems an appropriate topic for the day.

Normally, I stay out of political and government topics and debates and much as I can.  I'm one of those people stuck in the middle.  I refuse to choose a side because I really am against the party system.  I like to think independently, but I am not liberal enough to declare myself an "independent".  I vote for the the person I this is best fit in the position based on how they think and what they have to offer the position they are running for.

I tend to lean toward democratic, but I also agree with some republican authorities as well - which is good because I live in a heavily republican state. 

I hate the way politics lately has been about turning on the man in the head seat - i.e. Obama.  I'm not saying he's great, but people should be focused on fixing issues rather then ragging on the man for every single thing he does. 

http://www.wtsp.com/

So this week, republicans and democrats are stuck in Congress arguing over a bill that will determine how the government will spend it's money for the rest of the year is trying to be passed.  But the sparring and criticism between the two parties has them in a deadlock and both are refusing to compromise.  If it is not passed by tomorrow afternoon, the government will start to shut down. 

The biggest issue is coming from the GOP party being under pressure from the Tea Party activists to cut $61 billion in funding and refusing to compromise on the issue. Democrats are voting for 2 $10 billion budget cuts, but republicans believe that is an inadequate amount.  Neither party wants to involve the White House. 

It seems the Republicans want a number to be determined, while democrats and the White House are more intesrsted in determining where the money will go to. 

The current budget ends of April 8th, defining that as the deadling for them to assign the new one. 

If a new bill is not signed, employees working directly for the Federal government will be the main ones affected, not receiving paychecks but being required to work until a new budget is assigned.  Many state programs will likely be stopped because of how strapped they already are.  They will be able to utilize the funds they already have from prior years, but if no bill is signed after those funds are gone, all state programs will be halted or stopped. 

The general public need not go into a state of panic, as it won't affect the majority of us, but it close some federal tourist sites such as the Smithsonian and federall operated zoos (Yahoo! reports that no need to worry about the lions, tigers and bears - they'll still get fed). 

References:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703739204576229131946644972.html
http://news.yahoo.com/s/atlantic/whatgovernmentshutdownmeansyou36386

My Day in 6 Word 4/6

This may be my new favorite game.  It's a photography safari excursion.

Got off work early and relaxed.

Photography Projects

Scavenger hunt

• 5 photos from the same word
• 1 photo of something specific to find



http://bethapurdy.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/diptych-feet.jpg

• 10 photos a month

Emotions sans people

1. age/antiqued
2. solemnity/peace
3. youth
4. fragile
5. vividity/lively
6. colorful/bright
7. rough/bullish

DipTychs.

Two images placed side by side that either oppose each other or compliment each other.  Ex:

Topic of the Day 4/5

Must have a photography topic somewhere - so here is how to make a pinhole camera.

http://www.chriskeeney.com/photography/pages/ck_SPAMera.html 

One of my 101's is to make a pinhole camera.  This is a very cool take on the pinhole.  Not sure if it's the one I'll go with or not, as it's not really for "beginner pinholers" but I'll take it into consideration.  Mostly, I just thought it was worth sharing.  =)

Chris Keeney specializes in pinhole photography and he has made all of his pinhole camera's on his own.  He teaches school kids how to make the cameras and even the tots' photos are pretty incredible. 

Materials and tools needed to make a SPAMera:

1. Can of SPAM
2. (2) Metal 120 film spools
3. EXACTO Blade
4. 1 Thread rod (Size 10/64") & bolts
5. 1 package J.B. Weld
6. Small Steel bracket
7. Power Drill
8. Hacksaw
9. Small Sewing Needle
10. Wine Cork (optional)
11. Black Photo tape (I use this brand)

The website at the top of the page has full details instructions as to how to make the camera.

You can see the rest of Chris's pinhole designs here.

And some of his pinhole images here.

This one looks more my speed for a first run.  =)  But maybe I'll still use a Spam can.  ;o)

My Day in 6 Words 4/5

Eerily quiet in the office today.

My Day in 6 Words 4/4

Made some yummy Mediteranean Chicken tonight.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/mediterranean-stuffed-chicken-breasts-2467832/

I did a few things different though.

I replaced the Feta with a Motzerella blend

and I replaced Kalamata with Black olives.

I added some chopped grape tomatoes too.

I also breaded the chicken prior to slitting it.

It took a bit longer then 6min/side - even on the thinner pieces, but it was very moist and a big hit by my hubby and sister.

Topic of the Day 4/4

This weekend, I'm looking forward to starting my landscaping and gardening around the house.  We have a space in front of our deck for a few bushes and lots of flowers and I may put in a vegetable garden in the back next to our garage. 

I helped my parents garden my whole life, but I was so small when we were getting things started that I wanted to start looking into the best steps to take to begin with the planting process. 

First, our Montana soil is basically clay.  Never been gardened or planeted, muddy yucky clay.  So firstly, we have to improve the soil.  The best place to start:

• work with the soil when it is dry to avoid compacting.
• place compost on top of the soil, or mix compost into the soil. 
• lay a layer of compost of bark on top of the soil after plants are planted to keep the soil from crusting on top.

Next, let's evaluate the type of plants that I can have in that area.  We have:

• Clay Soil
• No Shade/Full Sun
• Moderate to Dry Climate 

Here are 10 plants that are best recommended for these conditions, and can still flourish - even without compost mixture:

1. Aster
2. Black-Eyed Susan
3. Coreopsis
4. Daylily
5. Ferns
6. Japanese Iris
7. Runner Bean
8. Switch Grass
9. Potentilla
10. Viburnum 

All that said, my favorite gardening flower/plant is Lantana, and it would just be the piece de resistance to have that in my garden (or maybe in a pot on the deck).  =)   It flourishes in area of full sun, and is commonly found in FL, but it may require more water then the others.  So in a pot on the deck it is.  =)

My Day in 6 Words 4/3

Cancelled training.  Move to Plan B.

Topic of the Day 4/3

On this Day in History.  I like this idea for Sundays - reviewing the week ahead and what events occured in history on this day.  I may keep it up beyond my two weeks.

• On this day in 1860, the very first Pony Express delivery team left St. Joseph's Missouri en route to Sacramento CA.  It arrived 10 days later.
• Richmond, VA was captured during the Civil War in 1865
• Harry Truman signed the Foreign Assistance Act and the Marshall Plan during the Cold War in 1948
• Jesse James was murdered in 1882
• The Unabomber was arrested in 1996

This week in History:

• Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated 4.4.1968
• Pocahontas marries John Rolfe 4.5.1614
• First modern Olympic Games begins 4.6.1896
• Civil War erupts in Rwanda 4.7.1994
• Robert E. Lee surrenders 4.9.1865

My Day in 6 Words 4/2

Grocery shopping and weekend household chores.

Topic of the day 4/2

Filing for Bankruptcy:

In our sad economic state, more and more businesses are finding themselves hard-pressed.  It seems every week a new business, once stable and healthy, is under fire and filing bankruptcy.  Clearly, not a good thing, and obviously a last resort, but what exactly does it mean when a business files for bankruptcy, and what happens when they do?

Filing for bankruptcy is a process in which a business or business account with severe debt is examined to see what debt can be forgiven.

After a company files for bankruptcy, the filer meets with their bank or creditors to review their assets and determine what debt from the assets can be forgiven.  The collateral for the debt is examined and if the collateral is worth less then the debt, the debtor can either pay the debt in cash or hand in the collateral for a full compensation for the debt.  If the collateral is worth more then the debt, the debt must be paid or risk loss of the collateral.

After filing bankruptcy, it stays on your credit report for 7 years, as does the debt that was determined by the creditors, which can make loans and mortgages very difficult to obtain and very expensive.

My Day in 6 Words 4/1

An evening of sprits with friends.

Topic of the Day 4/1

One of the topics on my 101 is learn how to make soap and make it.  I suppose the first step is to grab the ingredients before I can make it.  The recipes are complicated so here is the jist of it:

Starts with a base - usually a form of emusifying wax or Lye that can be melted and poured, and an oil - olive oil is heathy and clean for the skin.
Add a fragrance oil - coconut or lavender are recommended.
Add a colorant - the color is optional, and can be added in a multitude of techniques.  One swirls the color in to the soap when it is nearly dry giving it a marbled texture.

Pour the mixture into a soap mold - can be any mold, but a basic rectangle is a good place to start.
Allow the mold to harden, use and enjoy!

visit: http://www.teachsoap.com/recipes.html#cookie for lots of fun recipes for soap, lotion, lipbalm and salt scrubs.

Here is a simple recipe from treehugger.com

9.25 oz. lye = 1 small container.
700ml purified water
Mix in a pyrex measuring cup.  Wear goggles as the lye is very potent and dangerous.  Do not inhale the fumes and wear gloves.  Chopsticks make great stirrers.  Cool to 110F

and a mixture of oils - treehugger recommends:
955g Olive Oil (not virgin)
390g Coconut Oil
515g Grapeseed Oil.
Heat separately to 110F

Add mix with Lye (when they are the same temp.)  Use short pulses in the blender and be sure to scrape the sides so all ingredients is being mixed in.

Add in 10ml Cinnamon and just barely mix in.

The soap can harden very quickly at this point, so be cautious not to have any materials stuck in the mixture.

Pour into Moulds to solidify.  Wrap in a thick airtight blanket for 24 hours to keep the heat in so it dries evenly throughout.

When it has hardened, cut into bars/shapes and store in brown paper in a cool place.  Turn over every 2 weeks and use within a month. 

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/12/easy_homemade_s.php?page=2#