Monday, September 10, 2007

John Denver didn't have a CLUE what he was talking about!

Remember the 70's song "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" that starts out "Well, life on the farm is kinda laid back..."? I am here to tell you right now, that that statement is total CRAP! Behold, our feedwagon...




It SHOULD be upright, attached to a nice little Ford tractor, and moving back and forth through the barns feeding our cows. Except that it has a broken axle, and our faithful repair guys don't have a replacement part. Here's hoping that it comes in SOON!


Take a close look at this photo... see what the men used for a jack? That is a stump of a walnut tree we cut down 8 years ago because it was rotten. I have no idea why that stump is still hanging around, but thank Heaven it was. When you need a prop fast, you grab what's at hand and what works. It makes a good photo too, if you're into farming horror stories...





On a brighter note, my tomatoes are ripening in a Biblical flood right now, and we will have lots of soup this winter! I also have a nice crop of basil that I am putting up as pesto and freezing. Oh, if you could just smell the aromas in my kitchen right now...



TA DA!

I finished Nancy Anne. The Fine Crackle I used on her created a subtle and beautiful antique effect that I am really really pleased with. It makes the whole doll. I wish I had been able to find a fabric for her dress that looked a little more old-fashioned, but bright colors are what's "In" right now, so I did the best I could with what I could find. It's a very pretty fabric, but the scale is a little large I think... I also think she's beautiful, but I am SOooooo sick of her. Poor thing... I don't want to have anything more to do with her for a very long time indeed, LOL!

And, just because I was outside, and the camera was outside with me and it is a fabulously beautiful day in spite of its challenges, I decided to play with the macro setting on my camera. WHAT FUN! Special thanks to Sue K. and Judi W. who actually inspired me to read the complicated parts of my camera manual!!!

I discovered that it's difficult to focus precisely with macro -- what I see in the window is not necessarily what will show in the photo. Also, flowers blowing in the breeze are not the easiest subjects. I took nearly 30 shots, and got 2 worth keeping, which isn't so bad as it's all digital. I love this freedom to play!! I managed to catch my bees feasting in my flowers. Don't they look like they are enjoying themselves?


They especially like my "Graham Thomas" rose bush...


and the thai basil. Heck, *I* like the thai basil too!

10 comments:

Judi W. said...

That fine crackle did an amazing job on the doll. She looks like an antique! Fabulous! Must have felt really good to finally finish her.

Bummer about the feed wagon - it's always something isn't it! But life would be so boring without little bumps like this.

The bee photos are awesome! I have to get out my manual now and learn some of the other features of my camera!

Do you put the tomatoes up in jars?

Clothmatters said...

Your doll is exquisite. And her dress is beautiful.

jandee said...

Still giggling here..Aint it the truth-- you wonder what "carefree" farm-- these songs come from!!And speaking of wonders!! That doll sure is one..Chalk up another winner..Judi!!I never could make that kind --so I sure admire you and your MANY talents!!

Kai said...

Oh, Judi! I don't know where to begin! In order would probably make sense, huh? I'm glad you showed the feeder. It actually looks as though it's jacked up pretty sturdily on that stump so I bet it will be fine till the axle part is replaced! Your tomatoes - that photo made my MOUTH water! And I could just SMELL them. One of my favorite smells is a tomato plant! Your Nancy Ann LITERALLY brought tears to my eyes. I'm completely serious. She looks like a fine antique who was loved by some child years ago. I find her absolutely GORGEOUS! Last, your photos with bees - those are SO clear! I could almost TOUCH the tiny wings of those lil' creatures! Beautiful! This blog entry just made my day. Thank you for it!

Anonymous said...

Hope the feed wagon is fixed soon, the doll is beautiful and I love her crackle.
Love the bee and flower pix!!

Katie said...

Great photos! My last experiment with the digital SLR was roses too. And every time I got set to snap the rose blew in the breeze. Made me nuts! :)

Shashi Nayagam said...

Oh wow what lovely eye candies you have. Love your dolls they turned out beautifully.

Sue said...

Aren't those macro settings the most challenging fun you've ever had?? I have been trying to photo a spider in a web for DAYS, and every time I finally get it focused, he wobbles, or the wind blows. I still love playing with it though, and maybe someday will stumble upon a helpful hint. The one thing I do is take a good, really BLURRY photo of a flower, and print it up as background for paper art. Of course I delete FAR more than I save.

Thanks for sharing...your bee photos are terrific. OH! And I never found life on the farm laid back at all! Minnesota...horses...frozen water trough...hauling water in buckets in the bitter cold, several times a day...yeah, that's fun.

Linda Fleming said...

Congratulations on completing the crackle doll! She is simply beautiful, Judi, and well worth all you went thru to finish her.

So how are you feeding the livestock while the wagon is broke down? Are you having to carry it by the buckets full? Now that would be a lot of work!

Love the photos of the flowers and bees- they are exceptional! I am so glad you shared they photos- I love looking at nature photos and these are stunning.

Courtney Short said...

nancy ann is beautiful!! I love her. My love of vintage things makes her very appealling :-)

Your photos are striking and make it look like you are a professional :-)