Surviving the Heat

This summer...specifically the past three weeks...has been a scorcher.
{I know many of you are in this same heat-wave-that-doesn't-seem-to-be-going-anywhere boat.}
So, we've done what any family with fair-skinned children and a budget do: we've stayed inside.
Thanks to our local library we're maintaining a modicum of entertainment...primarily by checking out video games.
We've also checked out lots and lots of books, but during these last few weeks leading up to school, I don't mind letting my kids veg-out.

 




Of course, household chores must still be done amid the fun.
And Rowan is all too happy to help water the plants.

 




Even if it does end with mopping the floors.

  

Friday Abstractions & A Planner Download

Last week I told you that I'd have a handy little download available today.
And here it is!
I debated on the format in which to offer it, but ultimately decided that everyone would be able to use it in a simple .jpg format.

Print it out. Fill it out. Done.

I personally put mine in a 3-ring binder.
But you can scale it to fit your needs.

Go HERE to download this Weekly Photo Challenge Planner.




*****

Yesterday I finally got around to taking some oil and water shots.
Our session did not last long as the best light was outside and it was approximately 200 degrees in the sun.
{umm...some of these oil spots could very well be sweat spots}
But as short a time as I spent on it, I still ended up with a few favorites...



I am really loving oil and how it can create a dividing line as well as such clearly defined orbs.
I'm also totally diggin' the texture towards the top....and the bokeh to the right.

   





The left half of this shot seriously reminds me of the movie "Look Who's Talking"...or at least the very beginning with the sperm and egg. And the right side reminds me of "Finding Nemo"...or at least the very beginning with all the eggs.


     





That streak right through the shot was completely unexpected, but I love it.
In fact, I think it makes the shot.

{PS. go HERE for an easy tut on how to get water and oil shots}

 

Hooray for Friday!!

Yesterday I joked that I've been busy playing Wii games with my son all week. 

We've certainly done that, but we've also been busy running errands, organizing all the kids toys, went on a very fun bargain hunt at Goodwill, I've been to the photo lab and post office twice {which is great because it means I'm selling prints!}, been to the library twice, I'm working on a guest post, and I've also been working on a fun organizing download for all you fellow photo challenge addicts. ;) {it should be finished by next Friday} 

I could go on, but you get the idea.

All that real busyness {and the ridiculous heat} has left very little time for photography, but I do have one shot to share:

{mmm, love that fuchsia!}

  

At the Farmstead

Yesterday I took the kids to a local children's farmstead. 

We go multiple times per year. {because it's free!}

But this time we fished. 

I hope my children know how much I love them, because slimy wiggly worms and my bare hands is not my idea of a good time. Let alone putting them on a hook. But I manned-up and did it!

{When we were all done, I set up the shot above. I absolutely love it.
...the old pole, the pale of worms, the ducks, the wooden bench, the weeping willow...
I couldn't have asked for better props!}

{for this shot I ran PTM's Heart and Soul action x2}

    

However, I must not know how to put a worm on a hook properly, because the fish would eat the worms right off the hook with ease.

This is the closest we came to a catch.

They also have little goats that can be bottle fed.

So we did that too.

This guy was a bit ornery...but you probably already knew that by the look in his eye.

You can't tell from this shot, but he was standing on a tree stump...which made it much easier to nibble at people's shirts!

     

A Surprise View

This one might be a stretch for a sunset - it was about 8pm, so the sun was technically on it's downward decent...

Anyway, this was the view we had as we neared the small and rather quaint town where my in-laws live. I took this out the dirty car window, going 70mph. It was a pleasant surprise to see this shot when I brought it up on my computer. I love the silhouette of the silo and the one lone bird sitting on the power lines, as well as the subtle rays of sunlight.