It Won't be Long Now....

.....before I get these babies in the ground.

Roll on Spring!

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 28/02/2011 6:04:33 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Vivid

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1

Av (Aperture Value) 4.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 13.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Tungsten

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

i-Contrast On

File Size 2681 KB

Drive Mode Self-timer Operation

Little Robin Red Breast

 We had a whole flock of robins land in our flowering cherry tree next to the bird feeder this morning.  I googled what they eat this time of year.  Fruit and berries were listed.  I do have have a couple of apple halves sitting on top of a dead hanging basket, but I didn't see them make any attempt to eat any of it.  They sat there all fluffed up for a while, and then flew off.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 27/02/2011 8:45:06 AM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/40

Av (Aperture Value) 5.7

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation +1 1/3

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 100.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2400

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Cloudy

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 1324 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Where There's a Will There's a Way

No pickup or SUV or trailer to get your bales of hay home? No problem! Just pile seven bales on the roof of your old Mercedes. 

Yep, that's a bit of snow coming down.

This evening now, it is coming down faster, and everything is white again.

Things Seem so Much Better in the Morning

After a miserable night, and despite very little sleep, it actually seemed fairly decent out in the cold and sunshine this morning.  The wind had dropped, and we could feel the warmth of the sun.  Heard these two hawks at the bottom of the hayfield.  Hope they weren't planning their strategy for a chicken dinner, one field over.  We should have set a record for the coldest Feb 25 night.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 25/02/2011 10:09:26 AM

Shooting Mode Auto

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/320

Av (Aperture Value) 5.7

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 250(Auto)

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 100.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Auto

AF Mode Continuous AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 3287 KB

Drive Mode Single-frame shooting

Scraping the Bottom of the Icy Barrel

I was all set to head to bed early, when I remembered that I hadn't taken my photo yet.  

So while we might seem very wimpy to those who suffer through very cold and snowy winters, this is really ugly to us.  If we hit our predicted low of -8 tonight, that will be a new record. Brrrr:(

Freeze Dried Clothes

When I read in the paper today that our Hydro (electricity) rates are expected to go up 50% in the next five years, I braved the cold and hung two loads of washing on the clothes line.  With this cold weather we get what they call an 'arctic outflow', which are freezing winds blowing down the valley from the interior of the province.  The clothes froze first, but by the time we got home this evening about 9:30, they were dry and no longer frozen, except where the clothes pegs were.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 23/02/2011 2:48:25 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60

Av (Aperture Value) 8.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 34.6 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

i-Contrast On

File Size 3373 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

It's only Fair

I made a comment to Meredith last night about the picture of her a couple of days ago.  Of course she made a face, and then said it was David's turn.  David asked if there were any young women following my blog....

Not that he would knowingly allow me to take a picture, so this was shot from the dining room window.  He's using a credit card to scrape off the snow that froze overnight, before he heads off to school.

The sun has just come up. I think this must be one of the earliest pictures I've posted.

That way it gets maximum exposure LOL!

File Name IMG_7592.JPG

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 22/02/2011 7:53:58 AM

Shooting Mode Auto

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/125

Av (Aperture Value) 5.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 400(Auto)

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 35.6 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Auto

AF Mode Continuous AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 3461 KB

Drive Mode Single-frame shooting

Owner's Name

The 'S' Word

Just when we thought we were really heading into Spring, with crocuses blooming and daffodils popping up, we get some of this stuff today. 

Apparently we are also heading into some potentially record setting cold February days this week. Yuk!

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 21/02/2011 12:15:53 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60

Av (Aperture Value) 4.5

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 28.4 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Auto

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 5339 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Like a Deer in the Headlights

 I was wondering what to take a photo of today and was passing by the living room. At that moment Meredith was preoccupied, but as I quickly snapped a shot she suddenly turned and then an instant later made a face.  The other girl, Smudge, was in her own little dream world and hadn't realized yet that I was pointing the camera at her.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 20/02/2011 4:44:19 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 0.4

Av (Aperture Value) 4.5

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 26.8 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Auto

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 2430 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Looney Mooney

I missed the rise of the full moon last night, but did see it setting this morning.  I was getting ready to head to the farmers market, and this was from our bedroom window.

Here's a couple taken of the moon rise tonight.  You can already see that it is not quite fully round.

Like the 'hearts' in the blurry one:)

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 19/02/2011 7:07:08 AM

Shooting Mode Shutter Speed Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/80

Av (Aperture Value) 5.7

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 400(Auto)

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 100.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3000x4000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Fluorescent

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

i-Contrast On

File Size 2071 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Photography Fail or the Best of a Bad Lot

 I took the dogs out in the hay field this afternoon for a retrieving session, with plans of getting some brilliant shots of them catching their toys. 

 Fail!

 I can only throw with my right hand, and can only take pictures with the same hand.  By the time I had thrown the toy and then attempted to find the dog through the camera, half the time they were on their way back to me.  I'll try again another day.  My fumbling attempts to get that camera in position quickly seems to have bumped and changed a few settings.  Oh well:(

They got lots of exercise, enough that Jake quit on his own and headed to the pool.  He looks like he is falling asleep on his feet.  He was laid in the pool, but I guess the water is too cold for extended soaking.  Luna laid in it too.  Time to dump it and let the rain fill it up again.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 18/02/2011 3:03:17 PM

Shooting Mode Shutter Speed Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/125

Av (Aperture Value) 4.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation -1/3

ISO Speed 200(Auto)

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 12.6 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2400

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

i-Contrast On

File Size 1810 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

The Road Less Travelled

Here's Calli in the morning, when we go for our walk around the bush.  Just lately she seems to be picking her own route.  She doesn't stay on the trail much, but heads into the brush and then we forget to keep our eye on her, and next thing we are wondering where she is.  We have to stop and listen and try to hear the brush cracking.  She has that old dog selective hearing, and takes her own sweet time to show herself.  She finds things to sniff, and who knows what it is that she digs up and eats.  

We are constantly asking each other where we saw Calli last.

She is pretty well camouflaged out there, and when the leaves come out, it will be even harder to see her.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 17/02/2011 9:48:45 AM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/160

Av (Aperture Value) 5.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 200

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 55.9 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Cloudy

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 3692 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Grapefruit's Golden Glow

Marmalade that is.

I've been busy the last couple of days making jam and marmalade to get restocked.  I thought I was going to be at a market this coming Saturday.  When I talked to the manager yesterday, he said he's been turning people away, as the market is full.  (It is being held in the basement of a church the days it is on during the winter)  My only option is to be outside.  The forecast is for 5 C and sunny on Saturday, which might be okay if I can be set up in a sunny spot.  If there's any sort of wind it will be cold, and no one is going to want to hang around outside browsing at my stall.

 I'm holding off making a decision until the last minute.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 16/02/2011 9:04:48 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/6

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 200

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 4000x3000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Fluorescent

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Super Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 2669 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Spring is Coming!

Not as early as some years, but here it is, the first crocus. 

I'm also loving the fact that at nearly 5pm on a dull damp day, there is enough light to get this shot.

Must be the flourescent light shining on them.  Ooops:(

(So much for the sticker on the back of the camera, reminding me to check those settings)

The days are getting so much longer!

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 15/02/2011 4:51:23 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/25

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 200

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2399

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Fluorescent

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Super Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 1805 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Happy Valentine's Day

This was dessert tonight.

Turtle Cake. 

I guess because it was chocolate, caramel and nuts, like Turtles (the candy that is).  The problem with trying to get a decent shot of the cake was that the longer I spent at it, the smaller the piece of  cake got:(

That's a Royal Albert Country Roses plate that the cake is on.  A whole set of Royal Albert was given to me by my mother-in-law.  Not sure if I'll use it much, but Meredith likes it, and it will go to her.

By the Skin of our Teeth....

 David and his crew, or whomever decided to show up tonight to work on it, managed to get their project finished, just in time to be handed in tomorrow. The rafters are on.
And I, after a hectic weekend, managed to get a photo posted in the knick of time.  I think I need to take tomorrow off to recover:)
Damn, I spoke too soon.  The computer froze and so now it is tomorrow, which is actually today... well you know what I mean.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 13/02/2011 11:37:29 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/25

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2400

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Fluorescent

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 1297 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Sweet Sleep of Success.

Being successful is exhausting.  In fact Jake won 4 of these ribbons today.  They are Qualifying  ribbons, which means that he met all of the criteria of the class he was in.  To simplify it, in most classes it would mean that he did the course correctly, did not incur any faults, and was under the time allowed. 

Good boy Jake!

Architectural Drafting Project.

This is David's doll house  1"-1' scale model of wing of an actual building for his Architectural Drafting course.  It's been a slow process, building it out of out of mini 2x4's, 2x6's etc.  I'ts getting close to being done, with just the rafters to be built and added on.

There's a creepy Peeping Tom looking through the window of the women's bathroom....

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 10/02/2011 2:28:29 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/200

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2400

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Super Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 1544 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Siberian Iris

A bit too early for them to be blooming yet, but the dried seed pods from last years flowers make an interesting touch in the winter garden.

Geez I'm cutting it close, time wise.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 10/02/2011 2:28:29 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/200

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3200x2400

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

AF Range Mode Super Macro

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 1544 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Welcome to my Garden

I love this gate.  It is one of four gates in the fence surrounding the vegetable/cutting garden, which is known around here just as 'the garden'.  The gate is made of cedar, each board is a full inch thick.  It's probably been in use here for ten years or so, and before that it was just hanging around at the back of the barn for a few years.  I have no idea how old it really is.  

Some years ago White Rock and Surrey used to have what was called 'clean-up week'.  You were allowed to put out large 'garbage' on that particular week, held once a year. These were the kind of things that wouldn't have been picked up by the garbage truck normally.  Stuff like furniture, appliances, you name it, if you looked long enough, you'd probably find it.  There were some wonderful things that people just wanted gone. 

It used to be fun to cruise around and see what was out there, and just throw in the back of your truck whatever 'find' you wanted to take home with you.  I loved it.  This gate was one of those finds.  

I'm sure I could easily have become a hoarder. 

Wait, I think I am a hoarder.  

I remember when I was a kid, going to the local dump.  There was an old fellow that hung out in a little shack near the gate, keeping an eye on things.  I always thought I would love that job, imaging all the treasures I could salvage from what people were throwing away.

  

I thought I was holding the camera crooked with this shot, but no, the fir trees in the background are growing straight.  The gate is hanging crooked now.  The post it is attached to has probably heaved a bit after a few winters.  Another job to add to the list.

The plaque is a something I found in the antique dollar store.  It's been there a while, and is weathered and a bit grimy, so it looks old just like the gate.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 09/02/2011 1:27:38 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/15

Av (Aperture Value) 5.0

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 80

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 6.4 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3000x4000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

File Size 4302 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting

Jenga Anyone?

Kind of sad when your wood pile is holding up the roof of the rotten end of the wood shed.  We daren't take another log off the pile or it might all come tumbling down:(

Thankfully there is other wood to use further over.

Camera Model Name Canon PowerShot SX20 IS

Shooting Date/Time 08/02/2011 2:52:53 PM

Shooting Mode Aperture-Priority AE

My Colors Mode Off

Tv (Shutter Speed) 1/60

Av (Aperture Value) 2.8

Light Metering Evaluative

Exposure Compensation 0

ISO Speed 400(Auto)

Lens 5.0 - 100.0 mm

Focal Length 5.0 mm

Digital Zoom None

IS Mode On

Image Size 3000x4000

Image Quality Fine

Flash Off

White Balance Day Light

AF Mode Single AF

Parameters Contrast          Normal

Sharpness         Normal

Saturation  Normal

Color Space sRGB

i-Contrast On

File Size 2426 KB

Drive Mode Continuous shooting