100 - Lingering Light

99 - Below Tumalo Falls

Still behind on posting photos. I hope to one day catch up. That will not be today. *sigh* Things could be worse.

Texture Tuesday: The Color Orange

Ooooh, I love the color orange. When I first saw the 'assignment' for this week's Texture Tuesday at KimKlassendotcom, I was jazzed. Orange is one of those colors I've adopted over time and now, well, its mine all mine (enter dramatic evil laughter here). Well, except for those others who also have laid claim to it.

I wanted to create something dramatic and very different from my usual style. I took photos of some queen anne's lace against the evening sky. In their original form, they didn't do a thing for me. While the below is obviously dramatic, I'm ok with that, as I was going in that direction from the beginning.

Don't ask me why, because I have no answer for you, but anything hot orange and red reminds me of Africa. I've never been. I don't necessarily have a yen to go there, but I do find the thought of it as romantic, interesting and intriguing.

Mouseover for original photo.

The Formula:

Layer1 copied - Overlay - 100%

KK Luminous - Darken - 71%

ShadowHouse RT-4 - Linear Burn 95%

Color Fill Orange - Vivid Light - 75%

Flatten

Layer 1 copied - Color Dodge 48%

Recipe: Ka-Lu-Ah

Yes, I know, I've spelled it differently than you might see it in stores. It was intentional. I made a batch of this Kahlua early in the summer and gave it (mostly) away. In quart jars at that. Very informal and well, not well reasoned. My friend Hannah, one of the lucky recipients, took her quart Mason jar and put pretty stickers on it and a cute topper with the label "Ka-Lu-Ah". Its a play on the original spelling with my nickname "Lu" in the middle and a nice sigh "Ah" at the end. I liked it so much I stole it. And then improvised a bit. I may be late to the game, but I play nicely in the end. This recipe is so very simple and so very delicious. Much more delicious, and inexpensive, than the original. If you are a coffee liqueur drinker, I highly recommend this recipe. And if you aren't, its probable you know people who are and let me tell you, this is a really fun and personal gift. You can get all crazee and make your own funky labels too. Go on, you can do it. I did.

Ka-Lu-Ah

• 12 cups brewed strong coffee (make it decaf if that's what makes you happy)
• 6 cups sugar
• 1 fifth Everclear
• 2 Tbsp good quality vanilla
• 2 tsp baking soda

In stock pot, stir the sugar into the hot/warm coffee until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let stand until it cools to room temperature. Stir in the remaining ingredients, pour into clean bottles or jars.

Store for about a month (if you can wait that long - longer is better though).

Enjoy!

I've never accurately measured the final volume of this recipe. I usually end up making several trips to the pantry for quart or pint jars because I nearly always don't have enough of them cleaned and ready when I start the process. This time, however, I did (sort of after the fact) measure and my yield from this one batch was approximately: 156 ounces, or 6.24 fifths, or 4.875 quarts, or 9.75 pints, or 19.5 cups. But don't quote me.

Adapted from a recipe I got from the mother of a friend more that 20 years ago.

98 - 10 year old Girls

There's nothing quite like the combination of bumper cars and 10 year old girls.

97 - Bridge

Good morning!

96 - Sunset in Central Oregon

*sigh*

We really had a nice time.

I needed a vacation more than I realized - - - and I actually realized that I really needed one.

Happy to be home though.

Back to the routine that is mine.

95 - River

The lazy river. The lazy, mosquito laden river.

Bicycle Commute Related Rant

Yes, I know I'm not supposed to ride my bike on the sidewalk.

Given that knowledge I do occasionally ride (more like coast a bit) on the sidewalk when there are very few, if any, people around. I do this mostly in the early morning as I end my ride and slowly (really, like 2 miles an hour - walking would be faster) coast the exactly half block from the street, on the sidewalk, to the front door of my building. There are rarely people walking there even though it is a transit stop. If there are more people than normal, I will get off my bike and walk. If there are one or two people, its never a problem, I coast by them, giving them fair warning that I am there. Its all good people just getting along with one another.

That brings me to this morning. And now that I'm past it by an hour or so, I'm less miffed by the way the person called me out and more intrigued by why and how this person did so.

As I coast to the front door this morning there was one guy walking, very slowly while texting. He had his face to his phone and had no idea that another person was within 50 yards of him. It really didn't matter if I was on a bike or walking, he did not see me. As I approach this young man (oh, maybe in his 30's) I say to him in a light, but not overly sweet and cheery, morning voice "watch where you're going". (Ok, typed out it might seem I was being crabby, but, seriously, I had just had a nice ride (even though it was against the wind the entire way) and my endorphins were flowing nicely, I was very polite with my words.) We weren't actually going to collide this man and I. I would have made sure that did not happen. Had he not altered his path though (he was walking in a diagonal direction across the sidewalk not looking where he was going) we were on a collision course. After I get past the guy by a ways (I had stopped at my front door by this time) I hear him mutter "don't ride on the sidewalk".

Nice. You can't say that to my face, but when I'm gone a ways, then you have the nerve? That is the part that intrigues me most. He knows he's a bit in the wrong by not paying attention to his surroundings. Instead of owning that, he felt the need to verbally lash out. I feel badly for people who can't/don't/won't own their own faults and downfalls. Its what makes us who we are and its also a learning tool. Well, that's how I've come to think of it. I'm not perfect by any means, just ask me...

Ok, maybe in his defense he just had to finish his texting before he could focus on what was actually around him in real life. So, I look back at this person and say "yes, but you should still watch where you are walking". And, BTW (hehe - texting jargon) I said that part in a nice morning voice too. I mean really, why waste those endorphins, right.

Anyway, done. Just my morning I thought I'd share with you. Have a super weekend friends.

94 - Depth

Mister and I spent a week+ vacationing in Central Oregon. So, the next few pics were taken in the woods, on the river and with friends.

93 - Beauty

A (somewhat) new friend's mother on her wedding day. The framed portrait was on the counter in this sparsely decorated guest bath and it just was beautiful. It beckoned me and my camera. I love photos of brides, mostly vintage ones in black and white or sepia tones. There is something almost haunting about them and not scary, but dreamy and thought provoking. I took this in b/w mode on the camera. It did not even enter my mind that it should be anything but.

I don't really have a portrait of me on my wedding day like this. I wonder why I didn't think of it then.

Do it Now

One piece of advice, mostly for myself, but, hey, if you can use it, the more power to you. Here goes:

When you find a recipe on line, in a blog, on your reader that you would like to try out or find interesting, Print it out and/or bookmark it. Its not likely you will remember where it was when you actually are in a place to create the recipe.

Gah! Annoyed with myself right at the moment. Can you guess why...

92 - Wine & Dine

Wine stopper and Elbow.

I think that says just about all on that topic.

91 - Homestead

When I hear the word "Homestead" I immediately flash to a scene that is mostly sepia in tone and might have a run down tractor or an oxen pulled plow in it. As I was processing this photo, I realized, Homestead is just really your place. Where you love and laugh and argue and eat and play and clean (once in awhile...) and entertain and just 'be'.

This is a glimpse of my homestead with my aging parents and my cute husband and one day I may look back on this photo and have fond memories. I'm looking forward to that.

Alton Brown Yeast Donuts from Crepes of Wrath

Wow, that's some title for a post. Felt true, but convoluted.
Anyway... I have a feeling I'll be trying out these yeast donuts from Crepes of Wrath some time soon. Mister has something to do Sunday and I may just find myself with some "free" time. Making donuts sounds so much better than cleaning things that need cleaned or laundry or bills or filing or well, just about most things.

Maybe I'll even get out my camera and taking some photos.

Novel idea!
What are you doing / baking / cooking / crafting that's fun these days?

90 - Creepy Bugs

Mister found these bugs on a leaf. At first he thought they were lady bugs until he got close enough to take the photo and Yikes! Not sure what they are. I hope they aren't too evil.

89 - Yukon

My Yukon

My hard tail mountain / commuter bike. This was the first bike I owned that wasn't a hand-me-down. Bought it myself in my 20s. Its too small a bike for me due to bad sizing when I purchased and is uncomfortable because of it. There's still something comforting about it though. Something intangible that keeps me loyal to it.

Lemon Coolers

One of my most favorite cookies is the Mexican Wedding Cake Cookie. There might be as many variations on this as there are on the chocolate chip cookie. I have yet to find one I do not like.

You pick one powder sugar coated cookie and as soon as it touches your tongue that sugar coating starts to melt and your mouth starts to water. Then biting into the delicate cookie, often with nuts, and it simply falls apart in your mouth. Mmm! Mmm! I wish I had some right now!

Anyway, when I came across this recipe for Lemon Coolers (another cookie I like quite a bit) on the Pioneer Woman's website, I knew I would be making them. They seem to me just a Mexican Wedding Cake, only Lemon. How could that go wrong?!

Now, I've made Mexican Wedding Cakes several times and never had an issue with the recipe - no matter what version I was making. I did have some trouble with the Lemon Cooler recipe. The first batch I made, well, wasn't all that lemony. I am certain it was just me, but, when you've invested that much time and ingredients into a baked good and you hit a snag, you punt and see what happens. So, I changed things up, a couple times, and ended with some quite delicious cookies.

Before I baked the cookies, I prepared a few things: I had a separate cookie sheet which I had dusted with powdered sugar ready and waiting. I took fresh lemon juice and zest and mixed it into powdered sugar (no measuring). Just mixing until I had a lemon drizzle/frosting/coating (whatever you wish to call it) the consistency of, well, thicker than maple syrup, thinner than ketchup. I also had a sifter with more powdered sugar laying in wait.

As soon as the cookies were pulled from the oven, using a fork, I immediately dipped each one into the drizzle then placed it on the powdered sugar lined cookie sheet. I dipped about 4 cookies, then I sifted a generous amount of powdered sugar over the dipped cookies. I repeated until all the cookies were dipped, placed and sprinkled.

The result was deliciously lemony delightful cookies. I would make lemon coolers again. I would make my own version of the recipe though next time and skip this recipe altogether.

I know, no photo. Half of the cookies were a disaster and the other half was eaten post haste.

88 - Sunflower

I know.

But, I'm stuck in texture land right now.

It adds interest.

At least I think it does.

87 - Bird (The Little Things - Part Deux)

Yes, I know you've already seen this on Texture Tuesday. But, I'm behind on posting my dailies, so this was for way back then. Bear with me. If you don't mind. So as to keep you from being totally bored here... When I was processing this photo for the Texture Tuesday, this was one of the first versions. I like it for several reasons. Mostly though because its totally outside of my comfort zone.

Quite a contrast from the top version, huh? The red silhouette just grabbed me. I had another version very similar to this red one but it was more brown and soft. It looked like suede to me all soft and supple. I didn't save that version. I wish I had now. In the end, you know how the story turned out, I went with something more middle-of-the-road. And, that's ok. Just knowing that I can branch out (no pun intended) when and if I desire to do so, makes me a little happy.

86 - Sunflower

This little sunflower (probably 5 inches in diameter) grew from a packet of wild flower seeds in a little flower bed between Mister's mom's place and ours. Its the only sunflower in the whole bed. Its bright and yellow and has these sweet curlyish petals. It brings me a bit of joy.

85 - Tulip Gate

The neighborhood I live in is so great. This is a painted gate I walk by every once in awhile. It always intrigues me. I always go home and wonder if I could paint our gate with some fabulous, simple, happy form. I've not come up with anything yet. I'm still working on it though.

84 - The Water Series (apparently)

I seem to be on a roll with the river pics, so, I hope you are enjoying them. I am right now.

83 - Morning Commute Two

Morning bridge lift. I saw the tugs with the barge and I heard the warning bells for the bridge lift. Instead of queuing up with all the other morning alternative commuters, I rode to a little look out and took photos of the bridge. I've always been a morning person and this is just some icing on my morning commute cake. Ok, seriously, I want (nay need) cake now. Right now. Its a problem.

Texture Tuesday - Its the Little Things...

Mouseover for original photo.

The Formula:

Water Stained Frame - Vivid Light - 89%

Water Stained Frame - Darken - 100%

Water Stained Frame - Linear Burn 67%

Really liked that as I added more layers of the same texture it changed dramatically.

I keep coming back to this

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Right now, today, at this moment, I'm loving the end product.

... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Its the little things like this little bird, sitting for a moment, on its way to 'who knows where'.

I wonder if he/she knows where he/she's off to next.

In the grand scheme of things, Does it really matter.

82 -

And the evening commute as interrupted by river traffic. Its ok though when I'm on my bike because I just stop, pull out my camera and hang out with all the other bikers and walkers and runners and watch the river traffic as it makes its way beneath the bridge. When I'm in my automobile, its very, very annoying to be caught behind a bridge lift.

Just one more in the plus column of my ever growing list of reasons to commute by bicycle. I feel so very fortunate to live where I live.

81 - Morning Commute

I'm usually in such a goll-darn hurry in the morning, and well, the evening too, to stop and take photographs of my bike commute. In the last week, for reasons unknown to myself, I've changed that. This is the view as I ride the Springwater Trail in the morning on the way to work. Its a lovely, lovely way to start the day. I often see deer, cats, kittens, birds of all sorts, joggers, walkers, bikers, construction workers, dogs, squirrels, you name it.

80 - Fran's Daisies

My mom-in-law is an artist. I'm not sure if that is the reason why she always, always has cut flowers around her home or if she would have them regardless. I find myself photographing them often.

79 - Fairies

I like the light orbs (I'm certain there's a name for them, don't feel like looking them up right now). They create, for me, a sense of light and dreaminess and floating. They often make my mind wander even if only just for a moment.

78 - Day in the Life

Our sun room as the backdrop for the bamboo wind chime clanger. I took this one evening as Mister and I sat together in our yard. He had turned on the chili pepper lights in the sun room - you can just sparkling a bit giving off colorful light.

77 - SunFlower

Sunflowers will always mesmerize me.

Even before they fully bloom out they intrigue me.

Give one of them a cloudless blue sky as a background and voila! photo of the day.

76 - Pigeons

75 - Rose Bush

74 - Gus

Calendar - August 2011

CLICK HERE for the full resolution download.

73 - Orchid

This is the third time Mister has gotten this one Orchid of ours to bloom. I just adore it. The oddness and the intricate beauty of orchids mesmerizes me.

72 - Wheelbarrow

Texture Tuesday - Shipwreck

Mouseover for original photo. The Formula:

Scratched Magic - 100% - Exclusion - Layer Mask to reveal portions

Mayzee - Overlay - 95%

Pretty simple. I liked the way the photo became more golden and glowy with the textures applied.

71 - Trail

A path through the Hoyt Arboretum. Lovely way to spend a few hours, wandering in and out of the sun and shade through the trees. I really dig living in Portland.