tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715046398816446202024-03-13T00:29:38.073-05:00Art Each DayArt each day. Whether it is in the form of a photograph, scribble, painting . . . or whatever strikes my fancy. Each day I will post something that inspires my creativity. I will do this for myself, no one else. I will push myself to create solely for me.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-38170764572812631612010-02-26T19:12:00.002-06:002010-02-26T19:22:18.426-06:00The Art of a Crisp Night<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU38O7v0REFkLRMKSjMKYtOQ2kNly5EBUO-5nim-XLUhaHJWpaMAcdYFCcvOcftGnQznKupTNbeCbDqi4nMtf7gukEZO5teZX1PcJWPGtDVoSrWtHtOLOHNuIaL27R5M8-l0_hWv_NQ73/s1600-h/02-26-10_Night2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWU38O7v0REFkLRMKSjMKYtOQ2kNly5EBUO-5nim-XLUhaHJWpaMAcdYFCcvOcftGnQznKupTNbeCbDqi4nMtf7gukEZO5teZX1PcJWPGtDVoSrWtHtOLOHNuIaL27R5M8-l0_hWv_NQ73/s400/02-26-10_Night2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442727231097347474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOhhY7tprEecPhYh7VV657u5t2x5KRy5tZ6gUyjFGbe5KuysU_tPCHu6VVGEAqoJsJ9s61Rfc498mwQN5WPdXkHsDHKLAyXDHLtQFbOcrl_fAIlwXlCe5bGL8wuDEn-joRLz0orXD8r0Q/s1600-h/02-26-10_Night.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOhhY7tprEecPhYh7VV657u5t2x5KRy5tZ6gUyjFGbe5KuysU_tPCHu6VVGEAqoJsJ9s61Rfc498mwQN5WPdXkHsDHKLAyXDHLtQFbOcrl_fAIlwXlCe5bGL8wuDEn-joRLz0orXD8r0Q/s400/02-26-10_Night.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442727227938434514" border="0" /></a><br />Breathe. Just breathe . . . I had to tell myself that a few times this week. Work was stressful, my husband was out of town for a couple of days (leaving me with the boys), and I have just been feeling generally un-restful. Well, today is Friday. Thank God. Seriously.<br /><br />So tonight as we got home, I stepped out into the night and took a long deep breathe. Ahhhh. It was one of those winter nights where you feel like you could throw a couple of logs in the fire pit and sit outside as if it were summer. True, it's only about 30º (if that), but there was a mildness in the air. Spring? No. Not yet. This IS Minnesota. But something about the color of the sky and the brightness of the moon just took over. It was so crisp, the air felt so clean. Breathe.<br /><br />But, back to reality, as the kids are yelling to take baths and play with the Legos. At least the moon is still bright outside my window, and the promise of another crisp night is around the corner.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-58024693775626178042010-02-22T20:57:00.004-06:002010-02-22T21:12:43.315-06:00Cat Eyes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HFC-d99WhgSw7jbkThif997x6dn0rc9uJFk9EXLi7a-fK4t40hWIK0RF60dmPIxplxWMfGtcBvQMub2P05YQ4OK_mOaxtEEhbYDKe-GYi84CpIGyoPsEbfY47ifuYwmDjl104Lo40mYt/s1600-h/02-22-10_GreenEyeCat2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HFC-d99WhgSw7jbkThif997x6dn0rc9uJFk9EXLi7a-fK4t40hWIK0RF60dmPIxplxWMfGtcBvQMub2P05YQ4OK_mOaxtEEhbYDKe-GYi84CpIGyoPsEbfY47ifuYwmDjl104Lo40mYt/s400/02-22-10_GreenEyeCat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441270237256927938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui47C1kgKAGve6DaY_YrX17qcqbMLjLkQlE-jHD5wr5ecawCZ_TdxjYkrYh1HP2TIkZt-qXowMLEw76Y6Ys9M1oT9gvxXtiAQMHdbFZShm3VrAdznNEU414DMc1vsGUeJMYg1u9aJtbap/s1600-h/02-22-10_GreenEyeCat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui47C1kgKAGve6DaY_YrX17qcqbMLjLkQlE-jHD5wr5ecawCZ_TdxjYkrYh1HP2TIkZt-qXowMLEw76Y6Ys9M1oT9gvxXtiAQMHdbFZShm3VrAdznNEU414DMc1vsGUeJMYg1u9aJtbap/s400/02-22-10_GreenEyeCat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441270229345449490" border="0" /></a><br />Toward the beginning of this blog, I posted some shots of my kids' eyes. I'm still really fascinated with the beauty of these orbs that nestle in our heads that grant us so much every day. I know I still take a lot of things for granted that I see, but I'm really trying hard to see the beauty in every little thing lately. From the light that glints off my dash, to the reflection on my water bottle, or the shadow that is cast by a fence as I drive down the street. How amazing are our eyes? And then you see the eyes like the ones above. I'm not sure if our cat sees like we do. Most likely a lot better. And the color... oh my the color of her eyes. So green and pure. What a great match to her silky, smoky coat. I wonder if her eye color has any affect on her vision? Ill have to research that...<br /><br />p.s. The second shot was taken with a plastic Diana lens I picked up a while back, thus the softness. I really love how the gray of the concrete, along with the texture, plays with Chuck's coloring. See the white edges around her feet? (Yes, the cat's name is Chuck, and it's a girl... long story for another post... I'll have to have a post on the art of naming your pets some day.)Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-45886684888680306722010-02-18T18:58:00.002-06:002010-02-18T19:12:17.390-06:00Indulgence<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbVVklB16EXNoHDHId_VPYB8o_TtDkmq7clDKfwtz3gyvJR2Kb0zOc48y7HMchKTlIisQ46_xwQ8UfMPqd75CacgU29kPknRaZxt7yxlAlxyZhouHGCM7QJdhsPj_W87udujQT5VRTl0I/s1600-h/02-18-10_CoffeeBookiPhone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbVVklB16EXNoHDHId_VPYB8o_TtDkmq7clDKfwtz3gyvJR2Kb0zOc48y7HMchKTlIisQ46_xwQ8UfMPqd75CacgU29kPknRaZxt7yxlAlxyZhouHGCM7QJdhsPj_W87udujQT5VRTl0I/s400/02-18-10_CoffeeBookiPhone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439755983333493586" border="0" /></a><br />For Christmas I got an iPhone. An indulgence, no doubt about it, but worth EVERY PENNY. I use that handy gadget non-stop. It's my very critical musical lifeline, my social media connector, my Ebay-out-bid-you-tool, my Amazon-looker-upper, and more. And oh, yeah, it's my phone. But I did miss one important little tool of my iPhone. The camera. That's how I took the photo above.<br /><br />Speaking of the photo, this photo encapsulates 2 of my other favorite indulgences. Coffee and reading. I sat for about 10 minutes in the Mom-Van before I picked up my little spunky guy from daycare and just sipped my ultra hot Mocha and lost myself in my book. Ahhh.<br /><br />Art in the form of indulgence. I certainly have more, but on a day like today, little things meant a lot. And the combination of photography, coffee, and a good read were just what I needed.<br /><br />p.s. This is straight out of the iPhone. Handy little app I bought makes me look good.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-40305058668500022142010-02-17T08:30:00.003-06:002010-02-17T08:41:15.893-06:00Cold White StuffI've been on hiatus. An Art Each Day sabbatical if you will. How stupid was it to do that. I mean, the one thing I looked forward to so much every day, and I go and toss it to the side. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Well, let's just say that if there is any time of the year we all need a little inspiration, it's surely now. The cold weather, the lack of activity, the broken resolutions... all of these make me feel a little inadequate. Well, more than a little actually. So, I hope that these meager photos can give others in my same situation a little pick-me-up. Again, the whole point of this blog is to see art in the everyday. Where you least expect it . . . granted, sometimes it is a neon sign saying, "Hello! Look how gorgeous I am! Take a picture, silly!"<br /><br />So, either way, take that extra minute and look at that cold, white stuff out the window . . . on the window . . . on the floor . . . in the air . . . heck, it's everywhere, you get my point. It really is pretty cool.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN0Tnnb92sTiK4zy85J1KqmdtSQH7BZ60G1aiK76ICGIfPho1sqDkl1XrdtgVOU8eWORhgDqDaeqIbGpT-VOW5bMmJ4z1FzBgZQKdmyazXbydchZc3qSdRzVd_uPSh70MWUCgtria6dgi/s1600-h/2-17-10_KittySnowPrint.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrN0Tnnb92sTiK4zy85J1KqmdtSQH7BZ60G1aiK76ICGIfPho1sqDkl1XrdtgVOU8eWORhgDqDaeqIbGpT-VOW5bMmJ4z1FzBgZQKdmyazXbydchZc3qSdRzVd_uPSh70MWUCgtria6dgi/s400/2-17-10_KittySnowPrint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439221758517505602" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Kitty cat tracks in the white stuff.</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaQ3G7um-1mkefYAlssnF9m4p7LRLMp4TZAPdliG2W-QcoTk6qGInbZVcnC7HVpNBU5aw7eW6hZjhlnzhwMw7oTPpb8SiRrzIPw6pLjF0NkO93igd_FzGEetZyob-VxFXeSHKZWRTDsX/s1600-h/2-17-10_IceMntn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlaQ3G7um-1mkefYAlssnF9m4p7LRLMp4TZAPdliG2W-QcoTk6qGInbZVcnC7HVpNBU5aw7eW6hZjhlnzhwMw7oTPpb8SiRrzIPw6pLjF0NkO93igd_FzGEetZyob-VxFXeSHKZWRTDsX/s400/2-17-10_IceMntn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439221752925618354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">In honor of the Olympics in Vancouver, my Minnesota mini-mountain.<br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ0bQix5TBzdNSK3EdWEs-VyqupfI_9Ro5KN6pkOH3SxWsEktuxxue1tP_vG1r65LWp3_8lwMRs27yG9S1jaLCE2Vvf8VqdZ5l1BNMdL75_wBWK7ZcV7lH9pjz_V_oCkkvMRvqIgS_aa8/s1600-h/2-17-10_IceCrack.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJ0bQix5TBzdNSK3EdWEs-VyqupfI_9Ro5KN6pkOH3SxWsEktuxxue1tP_vG1r65LWp3_8lwMRs27yG9S1jaLCE2Vvf8VqdZ5l1BNMdL75_wBWK7ZcV7lH9pjz_V_oCkkvMRvqIgS_aa8/s400/2-17-10_IceCrack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439221747265938674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">My mom-van-that-I-rock-out-in crushed the ice in the parking lot.<br /></div>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-72594002030671928842009-08-07T08:55:00.005-05:002009-08-07T09:12:21.849-05:00The Art of Fair Food<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYA7kuXVCzzdzfUq-jU2u-grgqB6ULzIrHk0WLJDA2z_mJrKMcq5OVDY904l3ru_JM1ePKJflyOPRkm60_fLdXPic6NePV1Dkre716tJyTvLXVv5IXpVfjWA_hXAH-hhyLNlONPRRYYVd/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYA7kuXVCzzdzfUq-jU2u-grgqB6ULzIrHk0WLJDA2z_mJrKMcq5OVDY904l3ru_JM1ePKJflyOPRkm60_fLdXPic6NePV1Dkre716tJyTvLXVv5IXpVfjWA_hXAH-hhyLNlONPRRYYVd/s400/8-6-09_FairFood1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367221873613675890" border="0" /></a><br />Disclaimer: I <span style="font-style: italic;">DID NOT</span> eat all of this food. I had help from some co-workers. So there.<br /><br />That being said, isn't fair time the best? The family and I went on Wednesday night, but pulled out the camera and forgot my CF card. Go figure. So yesterday I was able to redeem my need for fair photography, albeit not so much the actual fair, but the FOOD. Oh yum. It's the one time of the year that I indulge in too much deep-fried goodness, and sticky sweets. (Except for Christmas, Halloween, and Easter, but that's just a lot of sugar, nothing deep-fried.)<br /><br />Anyway, the list of items we ate too much of were: Jalapeño Cheese Curds (highly recommend!), Very Large Bratwurst with Fried Onions, Giant Cup of Limeade, Buffalo Burger, Deep-Fried Oreos (I didn't have one... mixed reviews from the tasters), the traditional Corn Dog, and finally the Ginormous Cinnamon Sugar Sprinkled Monster Ear. Whew.<br /><br />So again, why is this art you may be asking. Well, the fair only comes to town once a year. Sure you can get a corn dog at the grocery store, and most everything else on the list too, but there is an ambiance about the fair. It's the place where EVERYBODY is walking around talking and eating. It's a community thing. The art of fair food goes beyond the food itself. It's more about the tradition and sensory overload. I love it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSK45FHDrOWoNqgqDMpsBDN4xFI24UzVYpTuPgeA0kzUwHdkKANjajAKGRKQCDPNCWhH-J8mOMTSZXNvOmWtXMYkCJMohxKp0YVBklPx90OkVMdWJwshcUKPv_2MzkZqk2HOyDs9Qt4a8/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaSK45FHDrOWoNqgqDMpsBDN4xFI24UzVYpTuPgeA0kzUwHdkKANjajAKGRKQCDPNCWhH-J8mOMTSZXNvOmWtXMYkCJMohxKp0YVBklPx90OkVMdWJwshcUKPv_2MzkZqk2HOyDs9Qt4a8/s400/8-6-09_FairFood6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367222041753089474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0lUcWJ4McHW0ULto6dwwMNb2GfpC7R2-B_2Qv8M3lin-SVXdMgpskkmuhPc6UoDDrB3frryC3NTJqXXDZ1IkO-RF4tRdf5pD6ng2rfJ5WwMUe4kh6y1YagJ2wOTLcmz1aBuO3vLxkfNM/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja0lUcWJ4McHW0ULto6dwwMNb2GfpC7R2-B_2Qv8M3lin-SVXdMgpskkmuhPc6UoDDrB3frryC3NTJqXXDZ1IkO-RF4tRdf5pD6ng2rfJ5WwMUe4kh6y1YagJ2wOTLcmz1aBuO3vLxkfNM/s400/8-6-09_FairFood4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367221892950432354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8D-XaCKLZfvEtUWyoO3elXafypg_pHtaeH25Qni7gkaj0PDce8dRDnJulOVHDw5cWVv52o7bJjGdVy5mt_wR1ChfJYB2DQgCOuBlzOR2HzP5VmFWiuI0TD_HhugaE1FyffFVd0dTL5RT/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8D-XaCKLZfvEtUWyoO3elXafypg_pHtaeH25Qni7gkaj0PDce8dRDnJulOVHDw5cWVv52o7bJjGdVy5mt_wR1ChfJYB2DQgCOuBlzOR2HzP5VmFWiuI0TD_HhugaE1FyffFVd0dTL5RT/s400/8-6-09_FairFood3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367221884791453314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF_A8jwm52X5uikgV9xCG3sbH93FcKmuE0c4BlEoPT7dNE_JGkIHvmVBGzisotPuKjGaTLZ7aVpVzU8CKwjpDwQAfjk5splyKp0yA_vovLHXh1eqerzfryg3bGFA3EuuyBkdpLz4OIUmL/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF_A8jwm52X5uikgV9xCG3sbH93FcKmuE0c4BlEoPT7dNE_JGkIHvmVBGzisotPuKjGaTLZ7aVpVzU8CKwjpDwQAfjk5splyKp0yA_vovLHXh1eqerzfryg3bGFA3EuuyBkdpLz4OIUmL/s400/8-6-09_FairFood2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367221879768346274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KJ_rkuKMQuuQpQXdsxrBEvJApI5iPOVCKNUdD4Y8kiE_3ByKRQ5Jyio_VVOJ9SGMUCHfX_EuykbKr4ug1NTq_T4XgczPkMgP0WFPOcG1jq8MdHPIH8Oxb1jQzWEKYII0LNgvRHSmDcTA/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7KJ_rkuKMQuuQpQXdsxrBEvJApI5iPOVCKNUdD4Y8kiE_3ByKRQ5Jyio_VVOJ9SGMUCHfX_EuykbKr4ug1NTq_T4XgczPkMgP0WFPOcG1jq8MdHPIH8Oxb1jQzWEKYII0LNgvRHSmDcTA/s400/8-6-09_FairFood5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367221901667225874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFijJ9_mAxAffdAG8Mn1UZa3IiMCRUOSX1x-gk-qOENNKV8YKin8krCzapEXOLDIKw3MiDecKnKiPUPpHlMuZw5WGQlOC6x8ijQhn7ZtcCzTWj6lKvz9KsfXyom4tynC_ooKhztmjjIjU/s1600-h/8-6-09_FairFood7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFijJ9_mAxAffdAG8Mn1UZa3IiMCRUOSX1x-gk-qOENNKV8YKin8krCzapEXOLDIKw3MiDecKnKiPUPpHlMuZw5WGQlOC6x8ijQhn7ZtcCzTWj6lKvz9KsfXyom4tynC_ooKhztmjjIjU/s400/8-6-09_FairFood7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367222051546365602" border="0" /></a>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-34376577336661578662009-08-03T20:08:00.003-05:002009-08-03T20:16:18.204-05:00The Art of Getting DirtyOne of my posts a while back was "The Art of Getting Clean." Well, this should have been the post right before that . . . the prequel. I have boys. Boys love dirt, mud, and all other means by which to get dirty. In this case, the rain we have gotten lately has made our driveway a bit sloppy, especially in one low-lying area. It makes a deliciously tempting area for little boys to piddle, splash, and get generally filthy. And me, sitting back and looking on just had to have a chuckle and let them be boys for a while. No yelling to "Get out of that mud!" or "You're getting you're clothes all dirty!" . . . nope. Not this time. The art of getting dirty was in full swing, and who was I to stop it.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-KGotHXx6IYv678JtnnboJ6CU5EOtSjfe6vLHqXrPNKepiiJEbuMKgnLu8MZSxrcXpW9ra4ed7I5h8Jluzn1jT8tPFHrXOE6v4LS6Jl7L5UkIcHkTkOtCqiQISb3O6VMMNLL1ZHZJKjW/s1600-h/8-2-09_Mud4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-KGotHXx6IYv678JtnnboJ6CU5EOtSjfe6vLHqXrPNKepiiJEbuMKgnLu8MZSxrcXpW9ra4ed7I5h8Jluzn1jT8tPFHrXOE6v4LS6Jl7L5UkIcHkTkOtCqiQISb3O6VMMNLL1ZHZJKjW/s400/8-2-09_Mud4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365910942083856546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjULQxbktRfJDUnx2B7RQIwD_DOOqBClMkk1tI6FngbNEwPHbCOj-6igclODPRgyj3nAz1yQ7g8AHO2lpHLBP-oWCufQQMBTdGb6IorneS6-FrgK3PsW3mwIqEEs_3X5BHWZmvK0DA7v-B/s1600-h/8-2-09_Mud3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjULQxbktRfJDUnx2B7RQIwD_DOOqBClMkk1tI6FngbNEwPHbCOj-6igclODPRgyj3nAz1yQ7g8AHO2lpHLBP-oWCufQQMBTdGb6IorneS6-FrgK3PsW3mwIqEEs_3X5BHWZmvK0DA7v-B/s400/8-2-09_Mud3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365910942251815186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpVegHocn-aifdfOA12bWkRYQISpWd6xO9hCoIvzrq8ouLe7HvwL7mQCcG194NKtJKp9elkFuyzApWv4P5OVQg_3cAWnfRPkGs9q0Md8q850bfLg5R_KUbVtC9AtPwyu_W2BYEYwtKG9z/s1600-h/8-2-09_Mud2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpVegHocn-aifdfOA12bWkRYQISpWd6xO9hCoIvzrq8ouLe7HvwL7mQCcG194NKtJKp9elkFuyzApWv4P5OVQg_3cAWnfRPkGs9q0Md8q850bfLg5R_KUbVtC9AtPwyu_W2BYEYwtKG9z/s400/8-2-09_Mud2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365910937189576466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YAIcPUvupdayFkQFooBo9H5GwOHwmKR7iL6YDFJf4vsVjIaE7TkaLvx2x72Xlx3-ONV0yeRr8zppETOQCe6QgLptBJskbYKkPP4-lsc-iGETJDrYoN71i-OtekQP6lKxzbuqL-Mji9CS/s1600-h/8-2-09_Mud1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YAIcPUvupdayFkQFooBo9H5GwOHwmKR7iL6YDFJf4vsVjIaE7TkaLvx2x72Xlx3-ONV0yeRr8zppETOQCe6QgLptBJskbYKkPP4-lsc-iGETJDrYoN71i-OtekQP6lKxzbuqL-Mji9CS/s400/8-2-09_Mud1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365910934513336066" border="0" /></a>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-66899687371687023232009-07-30T13:15:00.006-05:002009-07-30T13:24:49.448-05:00Very Fluffy Cotton Candy Storm Clouds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuShMnT1UDobTB5WqOdmc6_4eHobAuVPt4yej_uw24MXmqR6_JiHrotUi-F3mZHPBvP1z3HWyAZdlGkfjaXtyqsjc075zBo8BW8ob7dhThAu9ePFa9uwN85uSHkzWQhpb5klLOpFBTozb/s1600-h/7-30-09_StormCloud2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuShMnT1UDobTB5WqOdmc6_4eHobAuVPt4yej_uw24MXmqR6_JiHrotUi-F3mZHPBvP1z3HWyAZdlGkfjaXtyqsjc075zBo8BW8ob7dhThAu9ePFa9uwN85uSHkzWQhpb5klLOpFBTozb/s400/7-30-09_StormCloud2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364320292649562754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So, you may see a theme here in summer. Nature. Man, is it a glorious thing. I had originally wanted to do a post about rain as art. But then I found myself taking photos of the clouds (again, I know). Today they were not ordinary rain clouds . . . they were<span style="font-style: italic;"> spectacular</span> rain clouds. Look at the wisps and curls, dark and light. I hate to say it, but I really feel sorry for the people who don't recognize the beauty that is nature. Driving past Walgreen's I just had the overwhelming urge to grab my camera and take this photo at the stoplight (you may see some sprinkles in the photo from my windshield).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18DxNc07iZaDoRC4rHzlxbUjpwmimKOH0z8q0cvLWJmdfSALQ9PlJcAOjmGMDE1W3FE1LsNhsNwyH0xICtCc8DHYcP3H2CLEWAE1reYFzV9_UvCPE6tuRDIoJnxCAFglO3b6O7SZ52bkN/s1600-h/7-30-09_StormCloud3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18DxNc07iZaDoRC4rHzlxbUjpwmimKOH0z8q0cvLWJmdfSALQ9PlJcAOjmGMDE1W3FE1LsNhsNwyH0xICtCc8DHYcP3H2CLEWAE1reYFzV9_UvCPE6tuRDIoJnxCAFglO3b6O7SZ52bkN/s400/7-30-09_StormCloud3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364320181966300002" border="0" /></a><br />Seriously, what could be cooler than towering clouds that look like giant piles of cotton candy? I am so very thankful that I am able to see these things. It never leaves me wondering what to do next. The art is always there, plentiful.<br /><br />p.s. Thank you for indulging my creativity here as well. Saturating and curves and sharpening, oh my! Most of the time I don't, but this time I thought it added to the drama. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuIfxxdVb75_Q1bN18mC7uvkyLK9ALMqdk3VHfBX4oChOgXBG0_v5V9JVNyVasMZaq-M8p2-JPYo0KDRz_dgGwBLA_EY2mCZFF2qqn2hV1-HN_WDhE6_lO_p2mLapoT4Fjbn0w_4z8Ke-/s1600-h/7-30-09_StormCloud1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmuIfxxdVb75_Q1bN18mC7uvkyLK9ALMqdk3VHfBX4oChOgXBG0_v5V9JVNyVasMZaq-M8p2-JPYo0KDRz_dgGwBLA_EY2mCZFF2qqn2hV1-HN_WDhE6_lO_p2mLapoT4Fjbn0w_4z8Ke-/s400/7-30-09_StormCloud1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364320359343023314" border="0" /></a>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-63655469361748247942009-07-28T20:17:00.004-05:002009-07-28T20:28:22.436-05:00The Art of Cutting the Grass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFN8aZQDseJWrj_vdqvA2-fSZUS69Dc_mATdBv5rKGSG7SFb5PRykPV_e1tCRSl3rw3DBFElQP2XxXmngu5MCVVo3ws9PhL2Og08UNcXLE92bCvcokoKxGzpFXnYkFWQdx4gKNF5sBLvm/s1600-h/07-28-09_Grass1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 232px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFN8aZQDseJWrj_vdqvA2-fSZUS69Dc_mATdBv5rKGSG7SFb5PRykPV_e1tCRSl3rw3DBFElQP2XxXmngu5MCVVo3ws9PhL2Og08UNcXLE92bCvcokoKxGzpFXnYkFWQdx4gKNF5sBLvm/s400/07-28-09_Grass1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686936515332642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43UhPNmHNScwv8UzUv4YE0MLxshnU2pGSiQFZ0joJynhC6yjjOugv4QjKTTHX5ZcU666gzKmZTbUAqSozu2VQnsKDtLUTssRgEraket-UwZ9O8fLZNvvpxZD3eWJvw8HjOUPGvL54-FcC/s1600-h/07-28-09_Grass4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43UhPNmHNScwv8UzUv4YE0MLxshnU2pGSiQFZ0joJynhC6yjjOugv4QjKTTHX5ZcU666gzKmZTbUAqSozu2VQnsKDtLUTssRgEraket-UwZ9O8fLZNvvpxZD3eWJvw8HjOUPGvL54-FcC/s400/07-28-09_Grass4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686929683595714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmvrzHsSZW5yBJOeLkoiZQJ4iq5eFkSH1kPyCYaKZCCurRgBi553w8xjuUUQZ7Q-fT8EoFD5whmt7mQgeXHm_Wgng9PU2I58zGR927HYG4Ju4VcAn5_nEStWme6s77x4RLTogPxmaS4rw/s1600-h/07-28-09_Grass3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmvrzHsSZW5yBJOeLkoiZQJ4iq5eFkSH1kPyCYaKZCCurRgBi553w8xjuUUQZ7Q-fT8EoFD5whmt7mQgeXHm_Wgng9PU2I58zGR927HYG4Ju4VcAn5_nEStWme6s77x4RLTogPxmaS4rw/s400/07-28-09_Grass3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686921140361442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yy0Wi5Yevbxby0XhySZCnQNhZQCm0szvwNTHUtthVXY2ycoyeT_jD5RHK1vtgqje5atlZld59hinZnJ3yY2-JJp9xQq5NE_9wRe7hBVsZeGtUydRZ7pjxmTykyRkMf-E7mdDFh2i7d8V/s1600-h/07-28-09_Grass5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Yy0Wi5Yevbxby0XhySZCnQNhZQCm0szvwNTHUtthVXY2ycoyeT_jD5RHK1vtgqje5atlZld59hinZnJ3yY2-JJp9xQq5NE_9wRe7hBVsZeGtUydRZ7pjxmTykyRkMf-E7mdDFh2i7d8V/s400/07-28-09_Grass5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686919526886018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hn1EtDKkbsy2vJJi9_jxyl23uGQM_a6EtwAbdXE5bvMMdFcE6cfhYuKm00WK5UmoxtI5EUcvAPQBZVAX8iXIH0ZCbQCW0QJeu-xupbRq05liFeTGDGxzJFNhY4f9vPc-1UMlHV2mTcPO/s1600-h/07-28-09_Grass2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hn1EtDKkbsy2vJJi9_jxyl23uGQM_a6EtwAbdXE5bvMMdFcE6cfhYuKm00WK5UmoxtI5EUcvAPQBZVAX8iXIH0ZCbQCW0QJeu-xupbRq05liFeTGDGxzJFNhY4f9vPc-1UMlHV2mTcPO/s400/07-28-09_Grass2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363686920073493058" border="0" /></a><br />It has to be done. It just does. Well, ok technically it doesn't, but at our house it does. Mowing the lawn. I remember last year we had maybe 2 inches of rain the whole summer? I think we cut the grass once a month . . . maybe. This year we've got some gorgeous, thick green stuff just begging for a trim. And Trent gladly obliges. He cuts it at a different angle each time. Seriously. The man is a lawn mowing pro (and shoveling . . . but that's for this winter). Quite meticulous. Mowing the lawn at our house is an art form. It's carefully cut, bagged, and hauled off on the rickety little trailer. So while you may see it as a chore, at our house it is art. Because when it's done, it makes the yard look like a masterpiece.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-59464902739110789332009-07-27T12:32:00.003-05:002009-07-27T12:40:48.989-05:00Sad Kitten<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFafICJOiTlzYuYnXSU_J7LCjpQATr6l8Jayi_MgtDjsGUIx5bW9XYU-H8brWNioFlnnyOQYT9-6W8I5hJYtWYDDHrlBn1pw8JBmVEpkBtSsFe6uBt4F0iT0y98zCrR3zfMafTMDEswSqo/s1600-h/7-27-09_Kitty1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFafICJOiTlzYuYnXSU_J7LCjpQATr6l8Jayi_MgtDjsGUIx5bW9XYU-H8brWNioFlnnyOQYT9-6W8I5hJYtWYDDHrlBn1pw8JBmVEpkBtSsFe6uBt4F0iT0y98zCrR3zfMafTMDEswSqo/s400/7-27-09_Kitty1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363195443286699794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EJjawoWeqpziDwpQ7S3MJVQwdiGgTNee4HA6jpmq2uIDhnDHO9f67wtGFtT-o4GFqamiTjzPymXQgNaVLOkb4ovB2drr-UGTb5OtHRnOo4GPjEAEnwnQOajgj9u1bacmvzTFf_aem3tm/s1600-h/7-27-09_Kitty2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EJjawoWeqpziDwpQ7S3MJVQwdiGgTNee4HA6jpmq2uIDhnDHO9f67wtGFtT-o4GFqamiTjzPymXQgNaVLOkb4ovB2drr-UGTb5OtHRnOo4GPjEAEnwnQOajgj9u1bacmvzTFf_aem3tm/s400/7-27-09_Kitty2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363195441164440658" border="0" /></a><br />So, you may be wondering why on earth I think sad kittens are art. Come on now, I'm in advertising, people! Anything cute, furry, with long whiskers and a precious little "mew" is going to be considered art in my book. And seriously, how could you not recognize the absolute beauty in this tiny creature? His sad little eyes telling me he really would like to be set down. And then his cry for his mama. "Where are you mom?!" Ah, these little guys pull at my heart strings. Not to mention that my kids had a ball chasing them around my friend's yard, which makes me smile. Will we take one home in a couple of weeks? Hmmm. Debatable. Would we love to give them cuddles to make them not so sad? Definitely. :)Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-54437961976360556402009-07-24T09:23:00.005-05:002009-07-24T09:38:07.111-05:00Vegetable Gardens<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkTL29Fljhk5YolN4Tlka8S96DfDrUl_JOxiXSRMk0fFq16l17kjAWkrOzIaM4h4DNwjUWPAvH2_ms2d8rL8JRS25Mz7CPzRJkYK1qDtxcSD7UG3M591R3_yD29t0AQMU65SNfsdrknMG/s1600-h/7-24-09_PeaPod.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkTL29Fljhk5YolN4Tlka8S96DfDrUl_JOxiXSRMk0fFq16l17kjAWkrOzIaM4h4DNwjUWPAvH2_ms2d8rL8JRS25Mz7CPzRJkYK1qDtxcSD7UG3M591R3_yD29t0AQMU65SNfsdrknMG/s400/7-24-09_PeaPod.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362035117512055186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRcaWW3VQAjbwlzCCxU802XI0FvkPm93nEy2uVGnT8Ke0eTckx7c9LTDXDP6XLQWgnKx_7U343nczx9Q0rLooYBKT0hb7rEXg2wJRNvN9fiib2tvDaPeA2f7BvPQC3_Ej6mtoYdwkvfIz/s1600-h/7-24-09_GreenTomato.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 376px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRcaWW3VQAjbwlzCCxU802XI0FvkPm93nEy2uVGnT8Ke0eTckx7c9LTDXDP6XLQWgnKx_7U343nczx9Q0rLooYBKT0hb7rEXg2wJRNvN9fiib2tvDaPeA2f7BvPQC3_Ej6mtoYdwkvfIz/s400/7-24-09_GreenTomato.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362035115051778978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have a little vegetable garden. And the fruits of our labor are seen here. There's not a lot, but what we have this year is thriving, gladly, seeing as how I am much more of a flower gardener (go figure, right?). The boys have been eating up the new pea pods on a daily basis, leaving a few skinny ones hanging for a couple more days before they get devoured. They never make it to the kitchen, but that was the intent anyway. The tomatoes are still green little ornaments that tempt the kids to pluck them off, but with a stern "do not touch that yet!", they leave them alone. And now seriously, did you think any garden I have wouldn't have a flower in it? At the far end of the garden, bases surrounded by pumpkin and squash vines, stand a few sunflowers. This is the first to bloom, not even fully open yet. So pretty. I love the varieties that have the gorgeous maroon streaks within the gold petals. But there I go again, talking all lovely about flowers. Enough of that! So the art today is vegetable gardening. Amazing how you can plant an ordinary seed into the earth and receive so much. Plain old miraculous and artful in every sense.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHu3ng_Q-ZigC3DTpdV5LLDDzEMDsqDjuluAQlVy1Dj9cqhW2svwLNn0yQppCR0wN0KIrV4Wz-D_fvff2Mo3v6AXmZTGOMBiTSDbZapZ9-aA3bkIsXkXLoB4wT6r79AcjVJSr6bjS6U0/s1600-h/7-24-09_VineLeaf.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRHu3ng_Q-ZigC3DTpdV5LLDDzEMDsqDjuluAQlVy1Dj9cqhW2svwLNn0yQppCR0wN0KIrV4Wz-D_fvff2Mo3v6AXmZTGOMBiTSDbZapZ9-aA3bkIsXkXLoB4wT6r79AcjVJSr6bjS6U0/s400/7-24-09_VineLeaf.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362035173942743858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYsP4e1JYTJ6Sc1PCuhQYTiyhuJ0eCSVUL8uJWoy3DlNYtoJfUuqK8HjN7HBv67eBmx8YMyFc19pz7HRMD5JdrRuiSneGtM35IwXcEEqpl_958WNVk5zKh4JFnfz46myDLAmBQZ55mLLE/s1600-h/7-24-09_Sunflower.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYsP4e1JYTJ6Sc1PCuhQYTiyhuJ0eCSVUL8uJWoy3DlNYtoJfUuqK8HjN7HBv67eBmx8YMyFc19pz7HRMD5JdrRuiSneGtM35IwXcEEqpl_958WNVk5zKh4JFnfz46myDLAmBQZ55mLLE/s400/7-24-09_Sunflower.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362035112803270642" border="0" /></a>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-18415651148961566902009-07-23T09:27:00.006-05:002009-07-23T12:23:21.474-05:00Weed-A-Palooza!No excuses (other than it is an extremely busy summer—seriously). That's all I'm going to say about that.<br /><br />I have a thing for flowers. And I am not biased. I like flowers even if they are considered weeds. Each and every photo shown in this post is a weed. My youngest son and I stopped alongside the road near our house last night and wandered down a dirt path. What I found, in my opinion, are some of the prettiest little beauties around. And even though they aren't in a landscaped flower bed, or in an elegant vase on a table, they still showcase themselves in a wonderful way. More people probably get to see these gems on a daily basis than other, more cultured flowers. Take the time to notice these "weeds" . . . they are art on display everywhere! You just need to look a little harder.<br /><br />And a huge bonus. LOTS of images. :) Enjoy!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiGDU5hQYKSLrpRQkr7jG0jRFDG5IsMjYTcMsMf7XzGitROP0wbZUio-rqrrhOOBU-vWAUMIvQEd6HKx1QvLGZT1lv5CreIgsa8qYbiNz9agvnnvd-H3U3dfhVyoTjXipCU8UijoQUHax/s1600-h/WebWeed_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiGDU5hQYKSLrpRQkr7jG0jRFDG5IsMjYTcMsMf7XzGitROP0wbZUio-rqrrhOOBU-vWAUMIvQEd6HKx1QvLGZT1lv5CreIgsa8qYbiNz9agvnnvd-H3U3dfhVyoTjXipCU8UijoQUHax/s400/WebWeed_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361664220545140450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcZFZr_T9WLEnm32TKuUZx3zIP3f6rYPLIjtKXaExchyphenhyphennPfjOFS4YD24lCQ5ia7ZY3ZMOwa8-qyBEPChJGKmJ_HBlRK98omA7SGa87iOWBRJKmh2AXMb3-fJivabG2dZiIQayucJEcc1S/s1600-h/WebWeed_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcZFZr_T9WLEnm32TKuUZx3zIP3f6rYPLIjtKXaExchyphenhyphennPfjOFS4YD24lCQ5ia7ZY3ZMOwa8-qyBEPChJGKmJ_HBlRK98omA7SGa87iOWBRJKmh2AXMb3-fJivabG2dZiIQayucJEcc1S/s400/WebWeed_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361664105152241554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZU6iOJ5F9VtmURnnNcdK_38u6VI3UyuR4eR2izANVL-Fl4oDoTxaYgpZ90ZxUMVoyR2cdln1ls73D2A6DBFutQB53hApJrd12d4fADc4oVbh-d8G7QapqONZw1ltSVmJsXE3jHRCyQV0/s1600-h/WebWeed_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkZU6iOJ5F9VtmURnnNcdK_38u6VI3UyuR4eR2izANVL-Fl4oDoTxaYgpZ90ZxUMVoyR2cdln1ls73D2A6DBFutQB53hApJrd12d4fADc4oVbh-d8G7QapqONZw1ltSVmJsXE3jHRCyQV0/s400/WebWeed_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361664102276504018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rxQuF2GEfVafnwXsWFwwDvZqjpQzW4C3-RGJhQu6LqjthD_vQYMGYfQTbt09SLCM03isxzZdbVKYZAFOCwm_SI3EAKHlJjoiuO9aYAMqUmF7Jrz4ZDdo220cF8lRnvVfOkRXgjC6BHA4/s1600-h/WebWeed_4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rxQuF2GEfVafnwXsWFwwDvZqjpQzW4C3-RGJhQu6LqjthD_vQYMGYfQTbt09SLCM03isxzZdbVKYZAFOCwm_SI3EAKHlJjoiuO9aYAMqUmF7Jrz4ZDdo220cF8lRnvVfOkRXgjC6BHA4/s400/WebWeed_4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361664094013008210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmBEBdyoztdVuKGBmxkLizNIqygYYfPAG9MiC6GWQw0fO9PLqQxQvEJz81fWP1ZRCg_6Lt1o9dWth99aT_WVt7T9Ypyc0vAtMOFf0mmoeDo0HpIJxpSNVxpD-tlq6-YTAXcnA57XsiB3c/s1600-h/WebWeed_6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfmBEBdyoztdVuKGBmxkLizNIqygYYfPAG9MiC6GWQw0fO9PLqQxQvEJz81fWP1ZRCg_6Lt1o9dWth99aT_WVt7T9Ypyc0vAtMOFf0mmoeDo0HpIJxpSNVxpD-tlq6-YTAXcnA57XsiB3c/s400/WebWeed_6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361664076456217986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRICyIxrEvCtwbbeZ-OlDR9FxPkytHlsL0D_hCrzrecoNgGcAWHXlbxln6gyQR02UTNSf4eXnXQI70SNmvD9-iuF8rxGhGKuUUTQlSbwkE1GnCjNXcuzQh_cFiWCBUCCANHzAceMMIq5up/s1600-h/WebWeed_7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRICyIxrEvCtwbbeZ-OlDR9FxPkytHlsL0D_hCrzrecoNgGcAWHXlbxln6gyQR02UTNSf4eXnXQI70SNmvD9-iuF8rxGhGKuUUTQlSbwkE1GnCjNXcuzQh_cFiWCBUCCANHzAceMMIq5up/s400/WebWeed_7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361663949865175810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB49vIq-cwvf9HsRdZzuKXbn-yNtz_VK7cKkPdhczZnakiag3gS_Y_TzLTWcP8R5ZSxQ7GGgdmxXuBWVS4BMBulTV8EbbiVM3EGuBo96nIzFLzBWYwfoWiCCudycTKhFc-IHxZy6EHuAVB/s1600-h/WebWeed_8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB49vIq-cwvf9HsRdZzuKXbn-yNtz_VK7cKkPdhczZnakiag3gS_Y_TzLTWcP8R5ZSxQ7GGgdmxXuBWVS4BMBulTV8EbbiVM3EGuBo96nIzFLzBWYwfoWiCCudycTKhFc-IHxZy6EHuAVB/s400/WebWeed_8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361663942655666450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRadcypvrCnmX2PIA6RVWtUb0nb7TKoli52RcA-vRS51NAvI4eYkb2DG9O_e7_ZIIDS3t_Pw2ZdAAjvd6Uh6GTdcksR9cQBIk5CotXDbriQI5oSnXugxln3ZONuMrm4jUgKRVFIaSrdRAf/s1600-h/WebWeed_9.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRadcypvrCnmX2PIA6RVWtUb0nb7TKoli52RcA-vRS51NAvI4eYkb2DG9O_e7_ZIIDS3t_Pw2ZdAAjvd6Uh6GTdcksR9cQBIk5CotXDbriQI5oSnXugxln3ZONuMrm4jUgKRVFIaSrdRAf/s400/WebWeed_9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361663939674869714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi49ovtpiFgym7XTRNpLqggRMVoXJMrct8JEB9H1Xje2TlOPQEHF4sPaBS00wehfiB78wEmty0TsafCD8X7Jp1O-_AUO7ylWxjSbYq_Rip0xV6gxMkmHwrVgTQWa2iVxqiTVTy6vbIX3t/s1600-h/WebWeed_10.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi49ovtpiFgym7XTRNpLqggRMVoXJMrct8JEB9H1Xje2TlOPQEHF4sPaBS00wehfiB78wEmty0TsafCD8X7Jp1O-_AUO7ylWxjSbYq_Rip0xV6gxMkmHwrVgTQWa2iVxqiTVTy6vbIX3t/s400/WebWeed_10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361663934641835474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0ot5OR2QQ21R1qvRE5CR2PwBL7KtleylP1qVSU-PJW3gUFBEE9_mp8eBPnmWTEFjNLMs_0VZi7J4YWleL-rtL1DnCTDrtbBMNvGP9-TTePVTzTBjcfsVtw0dCBEeqt5JDn6M17Md4ZuO/s1600-h/WebWeed_11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0ot5OR2QQ21R1qvRE5CR2PwBL7KtleylP1qVSU-PJW3gUFBEE9_mp8eBPnmWTEFjNLMs_0VZi7J4YWleL-rtL1DnCTDrtbBMNvGP9-TTePVTzTBjcfsVtw0dCBEeqt5JDn6M17Md4ZuO/s400/WebWeed_11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361663929920436882" border="0" /></a>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-25432144314445255112009-06-12T16:40:00.002-05:002009-06-12T16:46:45.755-05:00Pretty Purple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitW_IHyE8cflHiPwGIQhQHh4SfMJoItzUazNXHO6lFYqG_j1muWahrYqh9YX7GNmdmZfWn3ko1Fpb3SS7b_gscUDQJJrcksLRxH0iq_pglmFSfNtwlSb7WsdB9C1bPuYOUTSqGGQx7czC/s1600-h/6-4-09_Purple1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitW_IHyE8cflHiPwGIQhQHh4SfMJoItzUazNXHO6lFYqG_j1muWahrYqh9YX7GNmdmZfWn3ko1Fpb3SS7b_gscUDQJJrcksLRxH0iq_pglmFSfNtwlSb7WsdB9C1bPuYOUTSqGGQx7czC/s400/6-4-09_Purple1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346560653960202098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2HopDITWxZSIyO9BuLKflYRD7KnhpEG1Lht-Xzb6cktDa7h7VRyuUxqX_3QKyPvm3LcXkJICOzPO4byIKlD8NH1VnY8x6WhRNPsIaHEzzljouOozxa-UWSLvCBlZ2xU9BtD7PslIxYOy/s1600-h/6-12-09_Purple2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2HopDITWxZSIyO9BuLKflYRD7KnhpEG1Lht-Xzb6cktDa7h7VRyuUxqX_3QKyPvm3LcXkJICOzPO4byIKlD8NH1VnY8x6WhRNPsIaHEzzljouOozxa-UWSLvCBlZ2xU9BtD7PslIxYOy/s400/6-12-09_Purple2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346560648405420914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpCE7xwHAjKSQby0-SBiSjI0dHIjZHeoI_VykzGkFsN5JL9gBMrbu6RAHi03DYdTevKTYsbWyJg2lDTjKYQ-HceG3MTRHGzHU-r2A5ZXlr6vyfe5rcKdKoULHQdW0SF8G1G8BaZAYVP8H/s1600-h/6-4-09_Purple3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpCE7xwHAjKSQby0-SBiSjI0dHIjZHeoI_VykzGkFsN5JL9gBMrbu6RAHi03DYdTevKTYsbWyJg2lDTjKYQ-HceG3MTRHGzHU-r2A5ZXlr6vyfe5rcKdKoULHQdW0SF8G1G8BaZAYVP8H/s400/6-4-09_Purple3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346560647769678322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLSxPX-wypd2zv1eP7iJ0htyCRwNQiaIrt4w4qEkC8SOCqr8EFe06XedkHa6bdRzpuSelShsefKXb9EuiytxwCpI2wi0c8sRAEXZITRVQqUTaw8PUcpJpzc9NQk96zQQCwDy_ohy5fUdI/s1600-h/6-12-09_Purple5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLSxPX-wypd2zv1eP7iJ0htyCRwNQiaIrt4w4qEkC8SOCqr8EFe06XedkHa6bdRzpuSelShsefKXb9EuiytxwCpI2wi0c8sRAEXZITRVQqUTaw8PUcpJpzc9NQk96zQQCwDy_ohy5fUdI/s400/6-12-09_Purple5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346560647251926178" border="0" /></a><br />I know, I know. More flowers. But they are purple! Ok, so to be honest, I've never really been overly fond of purple. My sister on the other hand, is a huge fan of the hue and always has been. Me, I'm more of a green gal. But as I walked into work this morning, these little beauties caught my eye. I am fortunate to work at a company where we get to look at all of these lovely plants and flowers as we enter. Dainty, brilliant, bold, but in any case Purple. It may make me change the way I look at that color . . . for the better. Hats off to you, big guy in the sky. Some very creative handiwork, as well as painting living things in every shade of the rainbow.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-50734969907643078072009-06-04T08:52:00.004-05:002009-06-04T09:06:19.134-05:00Morning Sunlight<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyQJbl-aFyoNlz43GkcGN1AePGRxyMi4S8BOx8WPn-PiY6tM13TCtze2uxJWNmh4hEcFhiCmBefalWQYDpBVGseKg2yxLxlbQ84QQDFpkR_DCV-c4kdhJGuffLJjND1gPtswZ09mVQczL/s1600-h/6-4-09_HostaDrop.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyQJbl-aFyoNlz43GkcGN1AePGRxyMi4S8BOx8WPn-PiY6tM13TCtze2uxJWNmh4hEcFhiCmBefalWQYDpBVGseKg2yxLxlbQ84QQDFpkR_DCV-c4kdhJGuffLJjND1gPtswZ09mVQczL/s400/6-4-09_HostaDrop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343473285763776754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvZ3d-Ocvj6Z71ZYOcmzWOPINOeAXuZmJMCANZa-v319emQ-tVFQ_L0O7oFlAcYwt-f9F_HRgrNRoRh6IUTceW5sti0FnnwVtAPIghNMLAodCxQ8VZiGJqBDg99ABsziD3nFoWMMWNheF/s1600-h/6-4-09_Beans.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlvZ3d-Ocvj6Z71ZYOcmzWOPINOeAXuZmJMCANZa-v319emQ-tVFQ_L0O7oFlAcYwt-f9F_HRgrNRoRh6IUTceW5sti0FnnwVtAPIghNMLAodCxQ8VZiGJqBDg99ABsziD3nFoWMMWNheF/s400/6-4-09_Beans.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343473280833076530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkLtkvllNfA6hDWS7fkb190m1_E-Iw38ENnCeJ-GpOSh-sJ_aVGtcbNUzdrZFceKMAe5hzzkUYjezwBPQ-avP36SoBpm56ydxjW_FRRUsEaqnXeoPs7kq1jf7gGpGOQJuj0nwSFAdnXE4/s1600-h/6-4-09_Geranium.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkLtkvllNfA6hDWS7fkb190m1_E-Iw38ENnCeJ-GpOSh-sJ_aVGtcbNUzdrZFceKMAe5hzzkUYjezwBPQ-avP36SoBpm56ydxjW_FRRUsEaqnXeoPs7kq1jf7gGpGOQJuj0nwSFAdnXE4/s400/6-4-09_Geranium.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343473281622310178" border="0" /></a><br />There's a certain quality about the morning sun that is really clean. It gives the subject a crispness that, to me, no other time of the day can. I love evening light for its warmth and glow. But in the morning everything seems fresh and new. So with that in mind, I took a couple shots of newness. The geranium bud and the sprouting green beans (you can still see where it broke out of the seed, which I thought was cool). And then there's the hosta leaf with the morning dew still clinging. So if you're an beginning photographer (not like I'm a pro or anything) , I suggest you start looking at quality of light. Does it warm your image, cool your image, wash out your image? All of these can be useful if it's what you want. Just be aware of it as you're shooting.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-23155194610450169542009-05-28T20:17:00.003-05:002009-05-28T21:21:48.416-05:00Wild Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRuoCraP4diXTDx-FhIFsNjUue99aqlhRGCUPdn6puDY1bR2cLPZnJ14vYVHNQhBWWAhjsx9uiVm-8NCcqCIrmDeqalFJL9Jkh5pI53QzGrpLfzAdzgWAfSHaTJU6CGYhcsBFVd5QTn3b/s1600-h/05-28-09_Dandelion.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRuoCraP4diXTDx-FhIFsNjUue99aqlhRGCUPdn6puDY1bR2cLPZnJ14vYVHNQhBWWAhjsx9uiVm-8NCcqCIrmDeqalFJL9Jkh5pI53QzGrpLfzAdzgWAfSHaTJU6CGYhcsBFVd5QTn3b/s400/05-28-09_Dandelion.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341065098654419186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvlO-qbgloYnmiTK1mDClc4DwdRKS6-J5t6O-ze1q57rceyhN-KhiZ2ywqNoL-pkrXT3FL2_-Dg476R9FO2LvTpS9RO57Jskf0RJCHwREJ9rQlOSJR9y0v16Jw8_FTLMOOzP2c_n1kerv/s1600-h/05-28-09_Columbine.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvlO-qbgloYnmiTK1mDClc4DwdRKS6-J5t6O-ze1q57rceyhN-KhiZ2ywqNoL-pkrXT3FL2_-Dg476R9FO2LvTpS9RO57Jskf0RJCHwREJ9rQlOSJR9y0v16Jw8_FTLMOOzP2c_n1kerv/s400/05-28-09_Columbine.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341065092766781618" border="0" /></a><br />As you may already know, I am a fan of pretty much all things nature. I can see the beauty in nearly anything living, whether breathing or not. Now, some people may argue with me about the art of a dandelion. These guys spread like wildfire and wreak havoc on our yard. Truly, the back of our house is a dandelion puff city. I don't want to sound like I'm making a case to leave the beasties in your yard. I'm not. I bought a 40lb. bag of weed and feed the other day to exterminate said puffs (sorry naturalists). But before I make sure that their lilting offspring don't reach the soil, I pay them tribute. Because really, they are quite pretty. So deceiving, don't you think? They are wild and numerous in our yard. On the other end of the spectrum, there is this lovely wild columbine. Sitting alone, I spotted this magenta gem. Wild yes, numerous, no. Not in our yard anyway. So here is the contrast of my wild things. One I wish to iradicate, the other I wish would multiply. Whichever happens, I guess I'll continue to see the art in both.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-53769817663229132192009-05-27T13:11:00.002-05:002009-05-27T13:32:37.190-05:00Backyard Art- LIVE!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgMkVVLRx35wdTWyeNfrG5YzH8KTWeri_AUgSoHOj5baL4h4oLJaEs37BuFAxmMjmPGwjjw2tbb2V7Hwg7UHOhqT6jNlb5bZbjgdQz_18kO51kJDl_gER9ymRvuNmBiO1yjDBL1QFb5HB/s1600-h/05-27-09_Hummingbird.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgMkVVLRx35wdTWyeNfrG5YzH8KTWeri_AUgSoHOj5baL4h4oLJaEs37BuFAxmMjmPGwjjw2tbb2V7Hwg7UHOhqT6jNlb5bZbjgdQz_18kO51kJDl_gER9ymRvuNmBiO1yjDBL1QFb5HB/s400/05-27-09_Hummingbird.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573405661821826" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5ria6nuLU4LMlbk6icfL2zNl2Q0ywEEFdNCJnRFwq9DBo3YW3_0TtHl6gcoM3xKqgXMRYgBBy6hlLLhZhwGTr309Bcr0hKxeWLpipC5BppT-3KIJ63z28ExEfeyojPg4-fnGE39hndr4/s1600-h/05-27-09_Chipmunk.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn5ria6nuLU4LMlbk6icfL2zNl2Q0ywEEFdNCJnRFwq9DBo3YW3_0TtHl6gcoM3xKqgXMRYgBBy6hlLLhZhwGTr309Bcr0hKxeWLpipC5BppT-3KIJ63z28ExEfeyojPg4-fnGE39hndr4/s400/05-27-09_Chipmunk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573400398403266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg91AbnDVTRus_2J6gpcM_8d9sd7VzvdYNc2UJ8I7xpgwEOfKV79aINby60o-TjXPN0PxYrmSzEfZAEt6JoocptV7Zvc0V6F0cw0Wv7CvNQnNW4qKmyNeRw6vYugXugpvAgbg2oxP4rW6/s1600-h/05-27-09_Finch.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 100px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg91AbnDVTRus_2J6gpcM_8d9sd7VzvdYNc2UJ8I7xpgwEOfKV79aINby60o-TjXPN0PxYrmSzEfZAEt6JoocptV7Zvc0V6F0cw0Wv7CvNQnNW4qKmyNeRw6vYugXugpvAgbg2oxP4rW6/s400/05-27-09_Finch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573403418268034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JmcQeB5bDIIFzdrJriLdeBLhHTcnUDJHgFoNu33l0zMp8NtcU1wtkdeQd-HzX1IBvzb7czmfFz3FdDVVkIK1K-1tIxdPFtR3AmP4WR2NnZq4NTVzj3DmTGwSXLg9FruMTW7oOI0S8OZA/s1600-h/05-27-09_Grosbeak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JmcQeB5bDIIFzdrJriLdeBLhHTcnUDJHgFoNu33l0zMp8NtcU1wtkdeQd-HzX1IBvzb7czmfFz3FdDVVkIK1K-1tIxdPFtR3AmP4WR2NnZq4NTVzj3DmTGwSXLg9FruMTW7oOI0S8OZA/s400/05-27-09_Grosbeak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340573397622948802" border="0" /></a><br />{Before I even start, I need to let everyone know that I have been lazy. Lazy and tired. My kids have been sick for nearly 2 weeks. No excuses, but just so you know. I'm going to try to get back on the Art Wagon!}<br /><br />I am a bird freak. I confess. And lately, anything that moves in our backyard has been of particular interest to me. I love that all of the migratory birds are back. Grosbeaks, finches, hummingbirds, redstarts, you name it, I try to get my camera aimed in their direction.<br /><br />My dog also likes the critters in our yard. He has a special soft spot for chipmunks. The little guy shown here must have been staring at our Deuce for nearly 10 minutes before the kids and I walked by to distract the dog and he made his getaway. They are so cute!<br /><br />Although their beauty is obvious, it is fleeting. The birds are here for such a short while (in Minnesota anyway), and the chipmunks scurry under decks, lawnmowers and hosta leaves so you can't ever really get a close up look. So I consider myself very fortunate to get these photos. I can stare at the delicate wings and chubby, hairy cheeks all I want. What an artful bunch we have in our backyard. I hope they visit for years to come.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-17426969030274482542009-05-18T16:06:00.004-05:002009-05-18T16:17:46.816-05:00Artful Classics {In the Flower Sense}<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd9Sfi7joNLHabGCjYlGJ2RKvHdohMKGGcgC3ntGvuLfIM2gyWqzwEDR1Nh8IC3q4Bde8sLvStWTcJ3km0RngEHAIicpQv8AcyoBlmOGNyd0kM5cQq25d6CG1j1getRGGQPx_H4t8wNkE/s1600-h/5-18-09_CrabApple.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcd9Sfi7joNLHabGCjYlGJ2RKvHdohMKGGcgC3ntGvuLfIM2gyWqzwEDR1Nh8IC3q4Bde8sLvStWTcJ3km0RngEHAIicpQv8AcyoBlmOGNyd0kM5cQq25d6CG1j1getRGGQPx_H4t8wNkE/s400/5-18-09_CrabApple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337275983898392562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa8QoaQTbBQZspHJkO_z03m0m9FS-7unkdSiLCd11MQbGtig4nf3z291qpcRM5b2u0xy6k23208Jv79MWjVa2MACiSuC-fILghNUvyKSihMirBimB0x11LkRth0eZIgYJhyphenhypheneS-IeXrcEe/s1600-h/5-18-09_OrangeTulip2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJa8QoaQTbBQZspHJkO_z03m0m9FS-7unkdSiLCd11MQbGtig4nf3z291qpcRM5b2u0xy6k23208Jv79MWjVa2MACiSuC-fILghNUvyKSihMirBimB0x11LkRth0eZIgYJhyphenhypheneS-IeXrcEe/s400/5-18-09_OrangeTulip2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337275980299965058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6PPNWIQEi4W2b-08Sz24vpENlq_U-tgdPvQwzONoUIp0BoegZFa5E6ur8PfKdMK8PJRbqQYC2fUBZ-RHpNxb9aTgSGY_uDX9w0ApKhGj8TQNC2eti3rLH5zbl0UiTe5MFr4d5EIJVUKY/s1600-h/5-18-09_OrangeTulip.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6PPNWIQEi4W2b-08Sz24vpENlq_U-tgdPvQwzONoUIp0BoegZFa5E6ur8PfKdMK8PJRbqQYC2fUBZ-RHpNxb9aTgSGY_uDX9w0ApKhGj8TQNC2eti3rLH5zbl0UiTe5MFr4d5EIJVUKY/s400/5-18-09_OrangeTulip.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337275980356624050" border="0" /></a><br />Aren't flowers just beautiful? Especially in the Springtime when they are new and fresh. I planted all of my annuals yesterday in several large pots that sit outside our house. I'm crossing my fingers that the weather stays a little warmer and I don't have to cover them against frost.<br /><br />These beauties are flowers here at work. The very popular [but very messy, in my opinion] Flowering Crab Apple tree. And another likeable standard, the tulip. So, basically I wanted to give a little credit to some oldies but goodies in this post. Sure they are seen in hundreds of yards in nearly every state, but there's a reason for that. They are beautiful, fragrant, and above all, they are art.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-37762434245462078382009-05-14T08:52:00.002-05:002009-05-14T09:02:04.569-05:00The Art of the Giggle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M-Eo6XrIV18-l8J3rPN5X0d-6sNYI8DQjITlT4dPgEQj41vEoKFsI4Z2yl_Ro3BtBD8al4h-__87J9Jz2Wp95Bs63HwJEm4n6rKzUHojWbyOup3U_cdVMinCX658ygnMj-e6qrpbaxa1/s1600-h/05-14-09_Laugh2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0M-Eo6XrIV18-l8J3rPN5X0d-6sNYI8DQjITlT4dPgEQj41vEoKFsI4Z2yl_Ro3BtBD8al4h-__87J9Jz2Wp95Bs63HwJEm4n6rKzUHojWbyOup3U_cdVMinCX658ygnMj-e6qrpbaxa1/s400/05-14-09_Laugh2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335679419825830162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1urzYV6P7vjQXlBTEMP77k5QBibNFIdrcIzRg50ZXRvQenoEul10np_UgYi7u5MwLEeKvzdzemoGT5maWjxQZrLeBPxaAfWdo65pLBAvRQVP6apw18UsaGyr_VF2dvjBJxK07-EstgUHH/s1600-h/05-14-09_Laugh1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1urzYV6P7vjQXlBTEMP77k5QBibNFIdrcIzRg50ZXRvQenoEul10np_UgYi7u5MwLEeKvzdzemoGT5maWjxQZrLeBPxaAfWdo65pLBAvRQVP6apw18UsaGyr_VF2dvjBJxK07-EstgUHH/s400/05-14-09_Laugh1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335679416763752578" border="0" /></a><br />One of the best sounds in the entire world (to me) is the sound of a little kid laughing. Not a fake forced laugh, but a true little giggle or belly laugh. It's a sound that makes me smile just thinking of it. These are the times when I wish I had audio to accompany a photo. This cutie pie is my neighbor's son and he is turning 3 in about a week. We were being silly, which is easy to do with a 3-year-old. Running around the yard (he beat me), picking up worms (again), and playing with his enormous Newfoundland dog Max (big white mass of fluffy fur). All of this led to the giggles shown here. Sure you can make laughing noises all you want, but when you get a child to actually giggle, that sound is art to me.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-83536459340917865582009-05-10T10:47:00.003-05:002009-05-10T18:10:12.077-05:00One more thing... Mother's Day Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBjqQh1hoYOglhmZ1fynaRVAsqMUbdn6C_XWrBf4IK5Hqdk6uUdhjehvpEWUedNqs5s18AYkynzniA8Ev_GHK1CaA9DjRk80NBNL2VbSvdnIuNBxTyuwPD8mj_YO1j8At9vYcYEtbP8kE/s1600-h/05-10-09_MDay3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBjqQh1hoYOglhmZ1fynaRVAsqMUbdn6C_XWrBf4IK5Hqdk6uUdhjehvpEWUedNqs5s18AYkynzniA8Ev_GHK1CaA9DjRk80NBNL2VbSvdnIuNBxTyuwPD8mj_YO1j8At9vYcYEtbP8kE/s400/05-10-09_MDay3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334336472360409106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ZaUUpAAXCeqLe-a8rGStukWPi54bq6N5nTbdyGQWsCcuIsPQBFuL4-Yh4qE3ciuz1xQGFEZgTyixJbbkbPG0j1G2UflYUG1SeFpClHyi1Mzp1dgY3Fp-PLh6HbmlNoHQrFUH5ErvIN6/s1600-h/05-10-09_MDay2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 328px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ZaUUpAAXCeqLe-a8rGStukWPi54bq6N5nTbdyGQWsCcuIsPQBFuL4-Yh4qE3ciuz1xQGFEZgTyixJbbkbPG0j1G2UflYUG1SeFpClHyi1Mzp1dgY3Fp-PLh6HbmlNoHQrFUH5ErvIN6/s400/05-10-09_MDay2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334225149761694962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvWikIXjTULHbkBbppSQb9vn7dIl-7bbRv-aYC4adji92EOASfk9sN6nxSkOxQm2MxhxPaepZB_kLG4Z6LFnUNl2IrbbbHGra5oBoLRMSF6ZAkI74qHSl2m4IZ3QvyXdlaQTi5OTTZiuh/s1600-h/05-10-09_MDay1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvWikIXjTULHbkBbppSQb9vn7dIl-7bbRv-aYC4adji92EOASfk9sN6nxSkOxQm2MxhxPaepZB_kLG4Z6LFnUNl2IrbbbHGra5oBoLRMSF6ZAkI74qHSl2m4IZ3QvyXdlaQTi5OTTZiuh/s400/05-10-09_MDay1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334225152229340786" border="0" /></a><br />I would be a total failure as a Mother if I didn't post my kids' Mother's Day Art. They made these cool little jars with popsicle stick flowers, and Sean planted a marigold for me in Preschool. I love all of my gifts. (Plus the awesome new bird bath... thanks honey.)Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-57820591213013917192009-05-10T10:21:00.003-05:002009-05-10T10:35:38.895-05:00Little Girls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh0AlOsCOaDdy2Nc5mOcQRVuJM-HrtAUq4e7j9wZLoYr5AK0hweJugB4lf47xfKKtbZmE9Neuh9mK5LgzJJPBte5tG7JyMZ52-gCgzWgCqs3pzl54-e8ISZM5UHcHoxZntWi6hVxFNQor/s1600-h/05-08-09_Audrey3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfh0AlOsCOaDdy2Nc5mOcQRVuJM-HrtAUq4e7j9wZLoYr5AK0hweJugB4lf47xfKKtbZmE9Neuh9mK5LgzJJPBte5tG7JyMZ52-gCgzWgCqs3pzl54-e8ISZM5UHcHoxZntWi6hVxFNQor/s400/05-08-09_Audrey3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334219084371429538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBGmMFqa9XCq0Z0ut2xBQkuzv_PC78IcnbqcggtsZFwG-dkwYKtaDnR8BzvIaNreSKaNHExZ6e-GlpxH4BZn5c78tOLmJNULqtp2G6sAK-YFNOTJ7CodDxJJKmM6d2j8_Qx9GAmRRiAPF/s1600-h/05-08-09_Audrey2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBGmMFqa9XCq0Z0ut2xBQkuzv_PC78IcnbqcggtsZFwG-dkwYKtaDnR8BzvIaNreSKaNHExZ6e-GlpxH4BZn5c78tOLmJNULqtp2G6sAK-YFNOTJ7CodDxJJKmM6d2j8_Qx9GAmRRiAPF/s400/05-08-09_Audrey2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334219084765983026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVr5QToysMuatjgBRezeplWPAT0I5Uk6vWIGdoEa1BSIPXvmOxpZJHo3c2IeG4h27tn0wFrlbq-7P3RG0lND5KqH12T4usq58iQaQlvHacNJR6dsh8JumwkiwMS2n_jSqteDVG14hPUzO/s1600-h/05-10-09_Audrey1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZVr5QToysMuatjgBRezeplWPAT0I5Uk6vWIGdoEa1BSIPXvmOxpZJHo3c2IeG4h27tn0wFrlbq-7P3RG0lND5KqH12T4usq58iQaQlvHacNJR6dsh8JumwkiwMS2n_jSqteDVG14hPUzO/s400/05-10-09_Audrey1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334219076451710322" border="0" /></a><br />I am so accustomed to boys. Dirt, worms, etc. as in the previous post. So when a little vision with curly hair, cute as a button clothes and fine features stepped every so daintily into the picnic at work the other night, I just had to get out my camera. This is my co-worker's daughter, and she was just the cutest thing ever. She was just so unlike my boys. Sat quietly, talked softly, and was already making my little William blush with her long eyelashes batting away. Little girls are definitely different creatures than boys. As my Will ran crazily in circles, nose running as well, she nearly pranced behind him, looking like a little fawn. Little girls are indeed art, just as are boys. But in very different ways. :)<br /><br />Oh, and on a technical note, I tried to do a "cross-process" on the last photo. Found a website that gave instructions on how to adjust your curves to get this effecct. Kinda cool, although I'd like to tweak on it some more...Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-32567818484481664042009-05-08T13:30:00.004-05:002009-05-08T14:04:12.376-05:00Horses<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGet-USi4OQtbSDgYTaTc5qiNQpo4P90VdR9i1EBsebzznXb-Xt4MrZdBE3DAZjmgb1hk6N38ZqIGptEFDeU2G0Br5a-Ymg3JDH7xJqX6N-bes5eScHHW3xoth9WfjpdFskEh4M_FUyEBC/s1600-h/05-08-09_Friesian2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGet-USi4OQtbSDgYTaTc5qiNQpo4P90VdR9i1EBsebzznXb-Xt4MrZdBE3DAZjmgb1hk6N38ZqIGptEFDeU2G0Br5a-Ymg3JDH7xJqX6N-bes5eScHHW3xoth9WfjpdFskEh4M_FUyEBC/s400/05-08-09_Friesian2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333530301981111906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnnBcNuOpi52ylgwrUvhJYK1QjwXjYPcI-jAzakKX9yMrm3g_gC8AsdC5aCPcDY7fdYFgdLJFcvzeZh-KJmkqJqtPEKzwsDWOa1p7ljmqeag4E2soY32wtNMmQAX0zG-t5NQQAHxVGH-H/s1600-h/05-08-09_Friesian1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnnBcNuOpi52ylgwrUvhJYK1QjwXjYPcI-jAzakKX9yMrm3g_gC8AsdC5aCPcDY7fdYFgdLJFcvzeZh-KJmkqJqtPEKzwsDWOa1p7ljmqeag4E2soY32wtNMmQAX0zG-t5NQQAHxVGH-H/s400/05-08-09_Friesian1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333530305153565922" border="0" /></a><br />Friesian horses, to be exact. Wow are these animals magnificent. Yesterday I gave myself the assignment to drive about 20 minutes north to take some photos of Friesian horses for the magazine. First of all, these boys are huge. They are a little intimidating. But I warmed up quickly when I let one sniff my hand, and the owner said "Wow. He usually is very standoffish. He must like you." <insert smiles=""> Aside from being massive, they are oh so regal. Jet black mane and amber eyes. I can see how people would pay the woman who owns the breeding center to fly to Holland just to buy them a horse. Wow. With that being said, I am by no means an equine photographer. And after my shoot yesterday, I have a whole new appreciation for people like Shelley Paulson (visit her website . . . it is amazing: http://www.shelleypaulson.com/equine.htm . . . I got to meet Shelley at a photo workshop here in Brainerd.) Horses seem to be a little bit like shooting children. You have to be quick. Ready to catch that special moment at any time. I of course, missed a few moments because I was gabbing away, or just staring at them. How can you not? So here are a couple of my favorite shots. Horses are art. No explanation needed.<br /><br /> (Oh, and won't you please click on each image to see it a little larger? These deserve to be seen bigger!)<br /></insert>Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-2299804167671243192009-05-05T21:59:00.003-05:002009-05-05T22:11:02.786-05:00Little Boys, Dirt and Worms<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYqK93sU45JbGK1xSCGdJKwMI8dU2c4XYuB2KWjxSV8AGhnzbia6bSbq59hegaZRXJE__VvRqbEObxaH2DGHO3bW-KmyNDImaSVZxipZM1WMSlXRJLLYjlCEH86YXrra94igC-lK7mpYX/s1600-h/05-05-09_Worm1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYqK93sU45JbGK1xSCGdJKwMI8dU2c4XYuB2KWjxSV8AGhnzbia6bSbq59hegaZRXJE__VvRqbEObxaH2DGHO3bW-KmyNDImaSVZxipZM1WMSlXRJLLYjlCEH86YXrra94igC-lK7mpYX/s400/05-05-09_Worm1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332542776637641170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrJjgpAvrTMn4J4LUDzVSpNhe9bWqyogRFExa2Z8BVN2LOasjpvvNpA1m-PvEQrU-MEAQrS9D1i36nZr-FiHwvzlnDZNsI33iG2dKgJWGnpAmGv0PqPULmC0_kx_ps8xFCzGy0rTnP4GL/s1600-h/05-05-09_Worm2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 249px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrJjgpAvrTMn4J4LUDzVSpNhe9bWqyogRFExa2Z8BVN2LOasjpvvNpA1m-PvEQrU-MEAQrS9D1i36nZr-FiHwvzlnDZNsI33iG2dKgJWGnpAmGv0PqPULmC0_kx_ps8xFCzGy0rTnP4GL/s400/05-05-09_Worm2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332542772519685106" border="0" /></a><br />What goes together better than little boys, dirt, and worms? Not much. There is some elemental attraction between them. Maybe it's the texture of the grit or slime. Maybe it's the feeling of being able to control something so small. I don't know. I've never truly understood the fascination of boys and bugs. Dirt, I somewhat can get that, since I too like the feel of soil in my palms. Bugs . . . just not so much. So I'm not exactly sure why I'm calling this art today other than the fact that when little boys play with worms and bugs something sort of magical happens. The twinkle in their eyes becomes a bit mischievious, ready to chase and taunt with their miniature "snakes." Another reason to call them art is just for what they are. What cool little creatures. Bending, stretching, squirming, curling. Imagine being able to do that with your body.<br /><br />So, today's art is worms. Like them or not!<br /><br />p.s. I got a new lens! That's what I shot these with. It's an 85 mm 1.8 by Canon. So far I'm liking it a lot. :)Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-1450478957838766312009-04-30T10:07:00.003-05:002009-04-30T10:19:06.707-05:00Art on the Wall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8crh-Zp9x_ZHLS3OgeqLGHChMofrVJB4YThNz7rpxMRBY1hKvw-PFbqHYgU2B4zr0TL1owumNgd1TJnoyLd7qshEOavHG0eb6hGrLFwv-eVOzIQSuaGM6gEJ7JLv_djH7o1xP8BltwsGr/s1600-h/4-30-09_ArtWall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8crh-Zp9x_ZHLS3OgeqLGHChMofrVJB4YThNz7rpxMRBY1hKvw-PFbqHYgU2B4zr0TL1owumNgd1TJnoyLd7qshEOavHG0eb6hGrLFwv-eVOzIQSuaGM6gEJ7JLv_djH7o1xP8BltwsGr/s400/4-30-09_ArtWall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330504232583574738" border="0" /></a><br />I said I might post some more images of this room, and here they are. My kids are full of creativity and energy. (Actually a lot more of the latter . . .) They bring home wonderful pieces of art each and every day. My frig runneth over with crayon & marker drawings of our dog, skies and flowers, and multitudes of light sabers and Death Stars. My friend Miranda had this wonderful display method hanging on her wall, and I stole the idea for the boys' room. Just two curtain rods with the curtain clips to hold the art. Love this idea. And it's also nice because you can change out the pictures daily, weekly, or whenever you want a change. I gave a row to each boy, although my oldest's art dominates both. Enjoy!Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-9680223494586528892009-04-28T19:21:00.004-05:002009-04-28T19:27:27.891-05:00The Art of the Unused<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2V-HhhQ7bcBSZCBRh_8A95YQfRYpLR0WsC5CD3eyJhqMImenp8MKjGZXnDlw07Dm6VUkjZJOT85k_5U_31BWfUb-3tIwKOSSnG2KgWR0J7SZOivDxJWZe7ocMb8IkuinDqi7KOMrECeG/s1600-h/04-28-09_Clothespin1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha2V-HhhQ7bcBSZCBRh_8A95YQfRYpLR0WsC5CD3eyJhqMImenp8MKjGZXnDlw07Dm6VUkjZJOT85k_5U_31BWfUb-3tIwKOSSnG2KgWR0J7SZOivDxJWZe7ocMb8IkuinDqi7KOMrECeG/s400/04-28-09_Clothespin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329902498547876690" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOY-qkzOvGX9MWyEJr00jhyphenhyphenKjnJ_DQu8uhnDPNT9f-8kjWm-r74aOpEE9VM_2UnCXiM9L-xZLjPvMGwmDwhZd-duG1Qrp4a-xURz_pwIqlXNSk0bBXdZdCujfR7j6a2HMHsMFtv3YvAw2J/s1600-h/04-28-09_Clothespin2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOY-qkzOvGX9MWyEJr00jhyphenhyphenKjnJ_DQu8uhnDPNT9f-8kjWm-r74aOpEE9VM_2UnCXiM9L-xZLjPvMGwmDwhZd-duG1Qrp4a-xURz_pwIqlXNSk0bBXdZdCujfR7j6a2HMHsMFtv3YvAw2J/s400/04-28-09_Clothespin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329902498312446162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzGzT7qTiN6N4wjdf7mvKzP8OdGXJN11DNU-5In6QV5nsc1fwEyz2b6Ukg4DnkpEGq0nlKQkrU2IrPiUMZMvEqvHkKQMq27BMASZbEu-1N3EDtNtPf3d2_BUH3uWZEf03sFGVgGpDzjlT/s1600-h/04-28-09_Clothespin3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzGzT7qTiN6N4wjdf7mvKzP8OdGXJN11DNU-5In6QV5nsc1fwEyz2b6Ukg4DnkpEGq0nlKQkrU2IrPiUMZMvEqvHkKQMq27BMASZbEu-1N3EDtNtPf3d2_BUH3uWZEf03sFGVgGpDzjlT/s400/04-28-09_Clothespin3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329902500822329826" border="0" /></a><br />I don't think I need to say much more than the title on this one. The clothespins dangled from the line all winter, and needless to say they are now useful only as art. If we were to use them now, they'd probably stain the clothes they once held tight (like mini alligators). But at least they still have a purpose here on the art blog. I loved the texture against the milky sky and trees. The lines of the straight-edged pins, some perpendicular, some askew, to the white vinyl-coated line, that was oblivious to the elements.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-28876678940789519552009-04-25T22:35:00.002-05:002009-04-25T22:42:21.495-05:00The Art of Getting Clean<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-TQZmNiXl1X2oD4Mt3TBrYyiIlfH1slW6LLYYo78kDgtf7hUyeRimC_3x8A9QzcSH52avddEQYE0MsqsclufvoLq4LT_Y2uuKCJa_yanh_y6rDEXNXP6ZOpfr6naAisMRhxDWzy5CiTg/s1600-h/04-25-09_Clean1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-TQZmNiXl1X2oD4Mt3TBrYyiIlfH1slW6LLYYo78kDgtf7hUyeRimC_3x8A9QzcSH52avddEQYE0MsqsclufvoLq4LT_Y2uuKCJa_yanh_y6rDEXNXP6ZOpfr6naAisMRhxDWzy5CiTg/s400/04-25-09_Clean1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328840376014072530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc-4SQ1KPn0iy5rH-ptwpHDk25U6wH6r_dhedqZecUFN4ex7reZFOQPNZq43-_LOMhZxV8fXUmYqNHFYRgVJv9md8k3svM1Uzw8_O8k6zBas0PT0cpuJEomaX6i6X8Y57vB2SN4ivy53e/s1600-h/04-25-09_Clean2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCc-4SQ1KPn0iy5rH-ptwpHDk25U6wH6r_dhedqZecUFN4ex7reZFOQPNZq43-_LOMhZxV8fXUmYqNHFYRgVJv9md8k3svM1Uzw8_O8k6zBas0PT0cpuJEomaX6i6X8Y57vB2SN4ivy53e/s400/04-25-09_Clean2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328840375119492178" border="0" /></a><br />As stated in my previous post, it's Spring. And that equals dirt in my house. Dirt on the floors, dirt in the air, dirt on shoes, and especially dirt on my children. Under little fingernails, in hair, on skin . . . everywhere. So today after we had been out in the garden doing some pre-veggie-planting maintenance, we came in and jumped in the tub. After much cavorting and splashing and (thank goodness) scrubbing, my littlest wanted to linger. He sat in the centimeter of water left in the bathtub and slid around for a good ten minutes. He played with his toes and fiddled with the washcloth. Finally he was done. He was a new little man, with hair slicked back, toes and fingernails gleaming like white raisins. The masterpiece that is a clean child will not go unnoticed in my house.Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-771504639881644620.post-19068034085541296362009-04-24T15:43:00.002-05:002009-04-24T15:59:52.627-05:00Spring<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttLyotI2ngi4m-xrbEYSx7cP9QjbwifiM4IYKT3M1AqUHG-14hoDcJzoEK2JMsTZtsK8hjtbl7DUlb2J-KS8j0c-ktOs87tJieyPvEhv6wdk9Xe20gI9tifjQnnh_RHHYmhMWppbYk_7E/s1600-h/4-24-09_Forsythia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttLyotI2ngi4m-xrbEYSx7cP9QjbwifiM4IYKT3M1AqUHG-14hoDcJzoEK2JMsTZtsK8hjtbl7DUlb2J-KS8j0c-ktOs87tJieyPvEhv6wdk9Xe20gI9tifjQnnh_RHHYmhMWppbYk_7E/s400/4-24-09_Forsythia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328365399131543282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaXg1liMkzogXF-fN7mvW_7S8rreoSbe3dcWITLoX8gYctRh5iB9C4nn9HPE5DhAlgjwCeGFPIMwBjLl7G9Gz7rxvaj4JYNl4YaNAIVGRzVIVqnJatu_-IFrIrnzIf1esonX0MB61mFPt/s1600-h/4-24-09_LilacBud.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiaXg1liMkzogXF-fN7mvW_7S8rreoSbe3dcWITLoX8gYctRh5iB9C4nn9HPE5DhAlgjwCeGFPIMwBjLl7G9Gz7rxvaj4JYNl4YaNAIVGRzVIVqnJatu_-IFrIrnzIf1esonX0MB61mFPt/s400/4-24-09_LilacBud.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328365394825186002" border="0" /></a><br />This time of the early I get the itch to dig in the dirt. But it's still too early to start planting annual flowers or tender veggies. I love watching the little horns of my hostas pop through the soil and the buds on my shrubs and trees unroll. What a true wonder Spring is.<br /><br />The first is of a Forsythia bush at work. I want one so badly for our yard at home. It is amazing. The yellow truly is that vivid. The next is of a lilac bud. Probably very near the one that I posted at the very beginning of this blog, covered with snow. What wonders a few weeks does!<br /><br />Forsythia: ISO 100, f 2.0, 1/750<br />Lilac Bud: ISO 100, f 2.0, 1/1000Andrea Baumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13705622747585250812noreply@blogger.com0