Sky Watch - Bright blue

As this week's storm cleared (just rain here), we had some bright blue sky and white clouds in our sky. First two were Wednesday morning, third shot was Wednesday afternoon.

Header Challenge - Ice

When I thought of "Ice" as the theme this week, I expected Old Man Winter to provide me some scenes for my camera. If you have been following the weather reports (that's almost the only topic in the news), there has been plenty of ice and snow across the USA. But not very much here. Luckily for me the merchants of Frederick provided me with some ice sculptures.

 

February 2 - a nicely carved block of ice,

but no room for my blog name.

February 2 - an ice game table.

February 19 - a snow flake among the rain drops.

February 22 - You can count the sleet pellets in this ice "storm".

 

But I chose the ice covered gate for my header. We had rain followed by freezing cold. This gate is in an area where water drains from the field and on this day the right end of the gate was firmly locked in ice.

Our World - Tree trimming

Our neighborhood has tree-lined streets and at least one tree in the back yard. Vince and his crew were at a neighbor's last week clearing out some dead branches and limbs that might damage the roof. The power pole saws allow a lot of high cutting from the ground.

The small branches get chipped and used later for mulch.

 

 

But how do you get a large limb down that overhangs the roof? very carefully, in pieces. Vince climed the tree to get a rope on the limb. The the man on the roof cut a section and the third man lowered it to the ground. Vince does our trees every 4 or 5 years and will be back this spring again.



Sky Watch - Contrails and clouds

Contrail, last Sunday (the plane was flying straight!)

Cloud with spreading contrails, also last Sunday

Afternoon clouds last Monday afternoon

Peek-a-boo sun, Monday afternoon

Header Challenge - The two of us

The Two of Us have been a couple for 30 years. My header is from May 2005 when we were enjoying the spring flowers in our yard (we still do). Just to show we can "dress up" and go places, here is the photographer's picture of the two of us with our first granddaughter at her wedding last June.

The Two of Us at Walt Disney World December 2003.

The Two of Us in April 1986 when we got married.

 

It's been a great time together, Marianne.

Let's do it another 27 years!

(She said YES when she saw the post!)

Our World - Spring coming?

Rhododendron bud

Lilac buds

Cherry buds

Sky Watch - Valentine day clouds

 Edge of the cloud

 

 Hidden sun

 

Looking west



Our World - Shop windows

While checking out the ice sculptures last week, I also got some shots of the shop windows in Frederick. I also included another ice sculpture.

Header Challenge - Solid color

Craver's theme for this week is "solid color". My first idea was to use the nap of one of our rugs to make a design by brushing it in different directions. No such luck with the short nap at our house. Next was to create folds in foil and photograph with shadows showing the title of this blog. I used PhotoShop to add the color and it kind of works, but not very well. So the real header is simply PhotoShop created lettering with transparent background, thus meeting the requirement for a solid color header.

 

 

Sky Watch - February 1-st clouds

Header Challenge - Vanity plate

Contest header Feb 7, 2013

 

I thought I would have lots of samples for the vanity plate theme as there are lots of people with vanity plates in the area and I have also photographed old automobiles from time to time. My recent trips around Frederick found only one vanity plate. In searching my archives I found most of my auto photos did not include the license plates. So in vain, I created my own header plate (with the assistance of PhotoShop)! Actually I created two, one based on my standard issue Maryland plate, and the one below based on the Maryland farm theme.)

 

 

This is one I spotted last Saturday. I don't know if the plate refers to the speed of the vehicle, the personality of the driver, or the driver's love of all things Halloween.

 

The two below are from my archives.

1930 Ford coupe

 



1960 Chevrolet Corvette

Our World - Fire in ice

With the temperature 25 degrees and light snow falling, downtown Frederick celebrated the first Saturday in February. The theme was "Fire in Ice", with about 45 ice sculptures sponsored by various businesses. Ira Dixon created the sculptures. Above he demonstrates his talent at Brewer's Alley.

 

Ice games for the kids (note red bean bag heading for the star)

A little warmth, roasted marshmellows and s'mores.

Cold love seat for two

A message in the snow

 No concert tonight