Catherine Margaret Photography

Time For a New Beginning

2012-02-04T18:34:00.001+01:00

It is time for a fresh start, a new beginning. My old 365 project is done, and I am planning to start my new 365 project as soon as a I encounter an inspiring day to begin. I have decided to continue the project on my blog here, so that my friends, family and fans can comment with out being a member, as wasn't the case on the 365project.org. As of right now I am taking a break. Sometimes it is hard to take a photo every day, you have to wake up and see the world anew, which is easier said than done.
Here goes to a new year, may it be as exciting and fun as 2011.

145/365

2011-06-15T23:42:00.000+02:00

The 365 project is going well. It's a lot harder than I thought it would be, but it has its rewarding moments.

Betsy Anthony, PhD candidate, Clark Universtiy

2011-06-11T20:18:00.000+02:00

I love taking portraits.They challenge me as a photographer, because I did more still lives and self-portraits in college. However the main reason I actually like taking portraits is because of all the amazing people I get to meet! Betsy was so much fun, and so interesting to talk to the portraits were natural, and the lighting was great! We couldn't have asked for a better day. Her PhD dissertation is on the "Holocaust Survivors' Repatriation to Austria" which looks at why Holocaust survivors decided to return to Austria after the war. What motivates someone to live where they do? What a great question to ask. Needless to say, the portraits turned out really well, and I am very pleased with the results.

Ariana Strahl, Soprano

2011-05-06T10:41:00.000+02:00

Can I just say I love Vienna? The people you get to meet are all so talented and have so much going for them you can't but help get excited about their lives and projects. Ariana is an amazingly talented soprano, I had the honor of hearing her sing last fall. She was so much fun to work with, that we got some beautiful images. We couldn't have asked for better weather for the photo shoot! For more information about her visit here.

33/365

2011-02-19T14:08:00.001+01:00

One night I noticed this pattern on the wall. Self portrait of shadow.

The 365 project is going well.

A Photographer's Headshot

2011-01-31T22:09:00.001+01:00

I made a new self-portrait. I can't help but feel silly when I take portraits like this of myself. But my About Page was looking pretty bland with out a photograph. I am looking forward to warmer weather when I will be able to do more work outside, involving other people in front of the camera.

9/365

2011-01-09T20:07:00.002+01:00

I was over at a friend's house today and they were in the process of decorating some chairs. I need more Creative Sundays in my life.

to see the complete 365 project, go here.

4/365

2011-01-04T19:21:00.001+01:00

self-portrait with birds.

1/365

2011-01-04T12:12:00.001+01:00

Fireworks in Holland. Happy New Year!

Amanda Russo

2011-01-03T11:30:00.002+01:00

This is Amanda Russo, a mezzo-soprano also living in Vienna, Austria. She was such a great sport on this chilly day in the fall. Even despite the less than cooperative weather I had the luxury of many great images to choose from. Amanda was a great model and a lot of fun to work with! I enjoy taking portraits like this because they are a collaboration, not just a photo shoot. More of her portraits can be seen in my commercial portfolio as well.

New Portraits

2010-12-31T16:12:00.003+01:00

I have added some new portraits to my commercial portfolio. This is the amazing and very talented Anne Wieben, who was so much fun to work with that there were too many wonderful images to choose from.

Anne Wieben is a soprano now living in Austria, you can visit her website here.

A Happy New Year!

2010-12-31T15:58:00.000+01:00

I want to wish all of you a very happy new year and a prosperous 2011.

My new years resolution, is to take part in the 365 project. This is a project for photographers where you take a photograph a day, for 365 days.

My previous post was in reference to this, one day at a time I plan to take a photograph to document my life and to help my creativity and to get some perspective and practice that keeps a photographer on their toes. I am excited about the project, and plan to take it seriously, even though new years resolutions have a notorious reputation of falling by the wayside, I fully intend to give this my best shot.

So, a toast, to 2011.

One Day At a Time

2010-12-29T23:13:00.002+01:00

One step after the other.

365 days in a year

2010-12-24T23:26:00.000+01:00

There are 365 days in a year. 365 opportunities to start a new day.

22 December 2010

2010-12-22T08:43:00.001+01:00

The week before New Year's I did a practice run of the 365 project. The second day I almost forgot to make an image. This is the view from my pillow.

21 December 2010

2010-12-21T21:09:00.001+01:00

This much snow in Holland is rather unexpected, and very beautiful to behold.

The Wind Claims Another Victim

2010-10-11T14:08:00.000+02:00

This wasn't the first, or the last, victim I saw from the blustery day before. The weather has been a cruel mistress. We have, however, been graced with sunshine for the past few days which is wonderful.

To The West

2010-10-09T15:30:00.001+02:00

There are days when the apartment may not be ideal, but the view can be great.

My Breakfast is Staring at Me

2010-09-30T13:00:00.000+02:00

My breakfast, it was staring at me and I didn't even realize it until after I took the photo. I also eat muesli, do not worry. If I only ate a kiwi for breakfast I would probably fall over before I even reached the subway.

Television

2010-09-30T08:50:00.000+02:00

I went to a modern art museum the other day, and I was sitting down a little bench to watch this video installation. A few minutes into watching this man paint a room, a class group of children walks by and one little boy says, "You mustn't watch too much television, it is unhealthy."

It made my day.

The Rain

2010-08-24T09:28:00.001+02:00

Today, it is raining. In the Vienna that I grew to know and love it rained, a lot. So in some inverted way it feels nice to have it rain, it shows me the city that I missed for so long, and I am so happy to be living in.

Schönbrunn

2010-08-19T08:00:00.001+02:00

I know I went a while back, but here is another image from Schönbrunn. This is another part of Neptune's fountain, and this is a Hippocampi, a bit more literal take on the word 'sea-horse'. When I design my own summer palace there will most definitely be Hippocampi involved.

Apologies

2010-08-18T21:46:00.000+02:00

I am sorry for the long delay in new posts. A wedding, a birthday, an eye infection, a trip to America, a move to a new apartment, a new beginning with a new job, a new life, and, as they say, 'life gets in the way of life'. This blogging thing isn't as easy as it seems.

Our Lives

2010-08-18T21:38:00.000+02:00

This image is pretty special I find. The inscription is hard to read, but it says
"So lange ich lebe werde ich um Euch weinen"
As long as I live I will cry for you

Zentralfriedhof Wien

2010-08-18T21:36:00.001+02:00

I recently went to the Zentral Friedhof, the main cemetery of Vienna. I like to call it an over active imagination, but as I write this I could understand if someone were to say I have a morbid fascination with death and the mourning process. I really like this cemetery, not only because it holds more graves than the population of Vienna which is a strange idea, but because of the old Jewish graves that are there. Ever since I visited Auschwitz-Birkenau I have been touched by the graves of old Jewish families. It was amazing to see the graves of people who led a life in Vienna, only to see the generations end just as the wars began. These graves are most beautiful and most haunting, and I am planning on returning when the lighting and time of day will be more to my liking for photographs.

The Apartment

2010-08-05T15:12:00.000+02:00

This is a photo of the apartment I have been staying at all summer. It is not where I will be living, but it has been a good place to be for my summer in Vienna. Note the amazing design on the glass door pane.

The Danube so Blue, So Bright, and Blue

2010-08-01T21:47:00.000+02:00

This is a photo from the Wachau wine tasting tour I did last weekend. It was a great experience where I got to taste so many different wonderful wines and enjoy good company of new friends I am making here in Vienna. The weather was perfect, it wasn't too hot, and the clouds, although ominous, did not rain.

The Public Transportation System

2010-07-30T07:50:00.000+02:00

One great thing about Vienna is the public transportation system. Everywhere you want to go, you can go, and the view can be great.

Speaking of public transportation, I am going to use this amazing system to go to the airport today, because I am going to America to take part in a wedding! As a result the posting may be a little thinner this week. Photos, of course, will follow.

The Spanish Riding School

2010-07-29T19:40:00.000+02:00

The Spanish Riding School is an amazing institution in Vienna.
As someone who loves horses, I couldn't pass up the opportunity
to see the summer program where the foals are involved. The foals
will not become completely white until their 8th year. They are
currently in Vienna because the Lippizaner Stallions Vienna is known
for are taking their vacation in the south of Austria.

The Pigeons of Vienna

2010-07-28T22:22:00.000+02:00

Pigeons, it is amazing how such a bird as the pigeon can cause so much controversy and elicit such diverse reactions from people. It would be impossible to not mention them at some point or another during my stay. This was taken with a 50mm lens, so that should give you an idea of how unafraid the pigeons are here.

The Flohmarkt

2010-07-26T09:55:00.000+02:00

This is the Flohmarkt (Fleamarket). It is always great to go here because it indulges the garage-sale-hunting-instinct. The things one can find here exceed all descriptions and the best I can come up with is "anything that your heart desires," and things your heart didn't even know it desired.

An Evening's Dinner With Wine at a Heuriger

2010-07-25T07:17:00.003+02:00

This is a heuriger that is within the city limits of Vienna, but it is a nice escape from when you get sick of looking at buildings all the time. It happens. Even with pretty ones. I sat underneath this amazing old chestnut tree that was so beautiful. The light was shining through it making a beautiful green light that you just can't imitate easily.
Today I am going on a wine tasting tour through the Wachau, which is just outside of Vienna and well known for its wine production, I will let you know how it went, if I can still type at that point.

The Naschmarkt

2010-07-24T19:19:00.000+02:00

The weather has cooled down considerably today so I feel much happier working behind the computer and showing you some more of Vienna. One of my favorite places to go is the Naschmarkt. The Naschmarkt is a huge market that sells so many different types of fruit and vegetables and spices, not to mention hummus, it is a culinary lovers dream. Even a mere amateur like myself in the art of cooking is able to appreciate the variety the Naschmarkt has to offer.

Burgtheater

2010-07-19T22:48:00.001+02:00

This is a side view of the Burgtheater, which is an amazing theater that I feel often gets overlooked. It sits right next to the Rathaus, which is a little more showy and therefore gets more attention, even though I personally like the Burgtheater more. I can't wait for the theater season to start, as the theater nerd in me can't wait to see some amazing performances.

Heldenplatz

2010-07-18T22:20:00.001+02:00

I am so happy to be in this city. And please forgive the "pretty pictures". It's a phase. I need to get it out of my system before I begin on the more conceptual projects that are bouncing around my head. This is an image of Heldenplatz and the Archduke Charles of Austria storming the Hofburg. This is a more controversial place in Vienna as you can see the balcony where Hitler announced the Anschluss of Austria to Germany.

Lightning strike

2010-07-18T12:12:00.000+02:00

As much as I would rather not admit it, my love of thunder is a dead give away for my mid-western roots. I was so excited about the rain and the brief reprieve from the hot weather I stayed up and watched the thunderstorm. There is something very exciting about capturing a lightning strike on film, lightning is so powerful, so elusive, and even this image does not communicate the awesomeness of seeing the flashes through the sky as the thunder rolls in.

The Internet is a Fickle Thing

2010-07-14T21:30:00.000+02:00

So, I finally get my act together to post something and… the internet in my apartment stops working. That along with the heat, which is oppressive, makes me want to yell, “Enough! I will take the whole liter of ice cream, no sharing, and no talking until I’ve eaten it all”.

Fortunately I have resisted this urge, as such gluttony would be frowned upon, quite literally, by the good citizens of Vienna.

So, my internet has been repaired and I feel much better, even though the heat is not going anywhere.

I plan to have more photographs to share, four posts in the past month is rather depressing.

The Dreams are Becoming Reality

2010-06-27T22:49:00.006+02:00

I have imagined this day for a long time, and it was as amazing as I thought it would be. I am truly in a city that inspires me and the concepts and ideas are slowly taking form in my mind. As I move through this city the amazing artist community seeps through the pores of the city, I see it everywhere. I am being so inundated with information I am overwhelmed, but only in the best way possible.

If you are jealous, I'm sorry, I am really happy to be here, I am so excited to be here, this is real, and I get to enjoy all of it. Here is a photo from my trip to Schönbrunn, one of the main attractions in Vienna. You can see the palace in the background, and you can see about one fourth of what is really there. That is how big it is.

Vienna

2010-06-26T13:25:00.002+02:00

I have made it, after a ten day trip to Holland, to Vienna. I am slowly absorbing the fact that I am really here, and that I get a whole year to work on my photography, my studies, and be in an amazing city. Life is good today.

I'm Alive

2010-06-16T07:56:00.002+02:00

I am alive and well, slowly realizing that I am in a different country. I also have reverse jet lag for some reason, because even though I should be exhausted I am wide awake. Today I leave for Holland and I am very excited to see my family who I have not seen for a very long time.

Senior Portraits

2010-06-08T04:18:00.015+02:00

Senior portraits are so much fun, as a senior you get to look forward to being fabulous and looked up to as one of the amazing seniors. Kathryn was very willing to try some different things, even if it did involve getting muddy on that tree branch. It does make my job much easier having such a great model.

Family Portraits

2010-06-08T04:16:00.011+02:00

I have slowly been picking up the pace, doing portraits for people and I am really enjoying the opportunity to do this. Kids are amazing, they make a photo shoot more spontaneous and fun, which leads to some great photos. This family was absolutely wonderful, especially with their new addition who was only three months old and made this photo shoot that much more special.

A New Reflector

2010-06-02T19:25:00.011+02:00

I am having a camera geek moment. I got a new reflector yesterday that I am super excited about. A reflector is a large piece of fabric of a certain color, in my case white and silver which helps bounce light into an image that otherwise be a little too dark. I couldn't wait to use it this morning for a portrait shoot, but the rain and thunder put a stop to that. So I had to find another way to show off my new reflector. Using it as a background isn't really what I bought it for, but isn't the lighting great?

My Portfolio

2010-06-01T19:45:00.004+02:00

I am happy to announce that my portfolio slideshow is finally up! Please take a look and let me know what you think. If you are interested in having portraits, head shots or band shots done, please feel free to contact me for more information. Regular blog posting will recommence shortly.

An Artist's Brainstorm

2010-05-28T00:54:00.004+02:00

In my last post I was feeling, well, uninspired. Right now there is a thunderstorm brewing and the noise is ominous and exciting at the same time. I love thunder. My friends and professors are asking what my next project is, and this past year has been unproductive in that department. I am beginning to come up with ideas and thoughts that could lead to my next project, something that I hope to carry out while I am in Vienna, Austria. The time is coming near that I will almost be leaving. I am getting excited and nervous. This image is of a glass centerpiece I own. What does it make you think of?

The Blog Redesign

2010-05-25T03:21:00.005+02:00

The Blog has changed. I'm trying something new. However, working on changing things, not only in this blog but in the way I think about my identity as a photographer, is a very draining process. I do not feel inspired to pick up my camera and shoot today, or for the past week, for that matter. I know every artist goes through moments like this, where you wonder if there is any point at all, and, how will your photographs, specifically, make a difference is this over saturated, over-electronically publicized world we are living in? How different am I from any other 22 year old going through an economic down turn that has everyone's hair turning gray? Not very. I hope that the difference is, I'm not going to give up. Not yet anyway.

The To Do List

2010-05-20T01:46:00.003+02:00

As I get closer to my trip to Austria, I have a tremendous to do list of things that need to be done. Today, I did not a single thing that was on my list. I made quiche and cheesecake instead. Still waiting for the cheesecake to come out of the oven. The night is still young, I hope I can get something done. *update* how can you tell when a cheesecake is done? FYI: Best website ever for making an amazing cheesecake.

Portrait of a Geisha

2010-05-19T03:29:00.007+02:00

Because I have been redoing my website, I came across some old files from my trip to Japan that I had never done anything with. Looking through these photos is a lot of fun, and I miss Japan. I hope I get the chance to go back some day. This was from a photoshoot we did with a model to take advantage of the amazing light set up at the school we were guests at. I was highly impressed.

Sunset in Chicago

2010-05-17T18:02:00.010+02:00

The skyline of Chicago at night. It was a great evening, despite the clouds, I think they were even more beautiful than if it had been a cloudless sky that night.

Pizzeria Uno

2010-05-17T03:12:00.005+02:00

Pizzeria Uno. An important part of the Chicago experience. Delicious Food.

The New Look

2010-05-17T00:54:00.004+02:00

Chicago

2010-05-16T20:56:00.008+02:00

Now, let us set the record straight here. Chicago is not called the "windy city" because of the gusty winds that make the winters there so harsh, but it owes this nickname to the politicians who talked up the merits of Chicago for the 1893 world's fair so much, that they were called a bunch of wind bags from the "windy city". This is what they told us on the tour anyway, and wikipedia disagrees. I had a great time in Chicago for the very brief 20 hours I spent there as part of my preparation of going to Vienna, Austria, mid June.

A Day of Reflection

2010-05-10T22:54:00.004+02:00

I am becoming very excited about my move to Vienna, Austria for an entire year. This break I am taking at my parent's home in the town I have grown up in was highly necessary, and I am happy to have the chance to do this before leaving for such a long time. Today I grabbed my camera and went outside, to take a photograph of the tree that I planted in the 2nd grade, look how big it has become! I was taller than the little twig I brought home for earth day almost 14 years ago. Now it is the home for squirrels and birds and is taller than most of the other trees in the neighborhood. I am so proud, it's like my child, but it is rooted to the spot and can't go off and do drugs somewhere.

Today is a quiet day, moments have to be appreciated like this. They don't come along often.

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T14:39:00.002+02:00

This post is for my mom. Every day I get an e-mail from her correcting my horrible spelling mistakes on my blog and even though I groan, I love it, because it's my mom's way of saying she supports me, even though I get crazy ideas all the time, like moving to Austria, running a 5k and convincing her to walk it with me.

Dank u wel.

Couch to 5K running plan

2010-05-07T19:43:00.002+02:00

Since I have been home, I have started running. While I was in Canada I was hatching this idea in my brain of how I would be able to stay in shape without paying through the nose for gym fees. Vienna is an expensive city, I have to save up! Then, as if the universe agreed with my plan hatching, my friend B mentioned the couch to 5k running plan the day I was coming home! So the idea is to take a couch potato, and turn them into a runner in two months! Now, I am not a couch potato, but as far as running is concerned I am. A big non-running Couch Potato. So far I just finished week 2. Seven more weeks to go! And to make this all a little more "interesting" I have decided to run a 5k June 5th, just to make sure I actually follow through. Publishing it on your blog also makes it harder to back out.... uh oh.

So here goes! I will keep you updated!

Rattie Number Two

2010-05-06T21:53:00.001+02:00

I realized I never have put Clementine on this blog! I adopted her last June as a friend for Jessabell. Then I went to Ecuador, and then to Canada, and then here we are almost a year later! It makes me sad that I have missed so much of her life, but she was taken care of so well that now she is the big, healthy happy and very curious Clementine I saw she could be when I picked her out.

Now, Rats get a bad rap. So, if you are cringing while reading this, there is probably little I can say to convince you, but rats are incredible creatures. They are clean, intelligent and very smart. The reason they have such a bad reputation is because in the wild they take advantage of situations that humans have created as unsanitary, not the rats.

I would almost certify my rats as OCD about cleaning themselves. They do it as much as some cats I know.

The Ratties

2010-05-06T15:16:00.005+02:00

Since I have come home I have been planning to take some photographs of my pet ratties who I have dearly missed. I found a photo of somebody who would be interested in those photographs too.

Nova Scotia, Canada

2010-05-06T01:58:00.003+02:00

These are photographs I took the last 24 hours I was in Canada. Whenever I hold a camera while saying goodbye to a place and animals, the colors I see become intenser, Objects that usually get glossed over become apparent once again, and I realize how really beautiful a place is. I never really forgot that while I was in Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia is so breathtakingly beautiful. It is truly unique because it never got old. Ever day I would look outside and be so amazed and grateful at what I had surrounding me. That sense of awe is something I hope to take with me to Vienna. I would say that is a souvenir worth keeping.

Decluttering My Closet

2010-05-05T23:34:00.000+02:00

This week, one of my projects was to declutter my closet. In a book I was reading it said that you need to sort your clothes into the pile that "stirs your soul" "repairs" and "give away". The author of the book was pretty passionate about clothes and pretty much said if the clothing doesn't "stir your soul" and you feel bland when you wear it, you shouldn't, because it shows.

So, after the dust settled and I left several bags lighter from the local Goodwill, I was left to the repair pile. My pants don't fit any more. What can I say? Canadian life has been good to me. I am much lighter than when I left. So I am taking my pants in. I'd say I feel pretty good about having this skill that is giving two of my pants new life instead of being given away. Because right now, when I wear them, they do not stir my soul. The make my soul cringe, in a baggy, uncool, kind of way.

The Zen Anxious Artist

2010-05-05T04:44:00.001+02:00

There are impressions and experiences, people and animals that never leave you, no matter how far away or how long ago they happened. I have only been home about a week, but as I am preparing for my move to Austria, I want to maintain the calm that I had while up in Canada. Not and easy task. So all I can do now, when I have done everything I can do, is ask whether or not Jimmy is wondering in this photograph if I have another carrot for him.

As an Explanation for my Behavior

2010-05-04T16:28:00.002+02:00

While in Canada I got to see and learn new and exciting things, which included being introduced to the Wonder Pets. This is a very cute and funny kids show, but the only way to describe how their music and song is glued to your mind is as an "ear worm." I do believe that is a technical term.

Every time the phone rings I burst into song.
I have celery in the fridge. When my dad mentioned Vermont this morning I had to sing: "chuck chuck chuck chuck chuck." Which you will only understand if you have seen "The Wonder Pets Save the Beaver" I can't find it on youtube.

If there is a problem I also have to say/sing:

The seriousness of the matter can only be underwritten by a little duck. So I apologize. The Wonder Pets made me do it.

Maple Seed Downpour

2010-05-04T00:06:00.004+02:00

The green grass almost turned yellow with how many Maple Seeds were on the ground, the attempt to keep them out of the gutter was almost completely erased by the next day, and it seemed like my mom had never been there. I do admire the maple seed, it is an amazing one-winged feat of biological engineering.

This may be hard to see, but the white flecks are twirling maple seeds. Or, a whirling dervish?

The Winds of Change

2010-05-01T00:40:00.003+02:00

I am a lucky person. I have had the chance to see so much in my life and the promise of more to come is only just beginning. I have been given the chance to go to Vienna, Austria, to seek my "fame and fortune" as only any proper aspiring photographer artist should do. This is a chance of a lifetime, and I am so, so excited to be able to go to a city that inspires me so much. This will only help focus and define my goals for my photographic work, graduate school, and my professional career.

The travel home and settling back in here in the States has left me a little winded. I am excited for everything that lays before me, which includes being able to post regularly on my blog again, thanks to having access to the Internet. Although it would be a lie to say the break from the information overload that is the "intertubes" wasn't nice.

A Few More Days

2010-04-22T15:51:00.005+02:00

I am coming back to the States in a few days. Saying goodbye isn't fun, but you've got to do it to move on the next thing. Time waits for no one.

Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes

2010-04-19T14:18:00.000+02:00

If you are passionate or interested in fine art photography, this is a must read. Dear Mr. Roland Barthes is a very interesting man, with very interesting thoughts on photography and the people who make the photographs. Anything that stood out to me?

"All young photographers who are at work in the world, determined upon the capture of actuality, do not know that they are agents of Death".

Great. I am an agent of Death.

Somehow that was not on my "What-do-I-want-to-be-when-I grow-up" list.

Self-Portrait On a Beautiful Day

2010-04-16T17:17:00.002+02:00

Today I am feeling a little more like myself, and I found this self-portrait that I planned to post a month ago, but never did. The snow is completely gone now, but the sun is shining which makes everything seem better.

Bright colors to cheer me up

2010-04-15T18:17:00.000+02:00

Today I am tired and frustrated. I don't have much to say, so I hope the bright colors will cheer you up too.

The Little Mouse

2010-04-13T16:17:00.000+02:00

The other day Paddy the cat brought in a mouse. I screamed. The poor thing didn't know what was worse, the cat or me. Once he calmed down and the cats were put away, I released him outside, only to hope that he did not get caught by anything else.

um, happy belated Easter!

2010-04-12T16:16:00.000+02:00

I am behind on my blog posting. The dial up internet made me do it.

Raspberry-Hazelnut Meringue Cake

2010-04-08T16:18:00.001+02:00

This is a Raspberry-Hazelnut Meringue cake. I made it, and it is delicious, which is something I never thought I would see in the same sentence. The hazelnut and the raspberries set eachother off just right, which give a nice balance between the fresh flavor and the deep taste of the hazelnut. On the whole, I am very proud of my newly developed cooking skills here in Canada, maybe I won't die of malnutrition next year.

Why We Suck

2010-04-01T17:19:00.000+02:00

If you want a good laugh, and if you have the ability to laugh at your self, you might like this book, maybe. It pokes at possibly every angle of why Americans suck. Somehow, I didn't fit into any of the groups that he mentioned. And then I remembered, oh yeah, I am in Canada. That makes me safe from ridicule.

Am I obsessed with the weather?

2010-03-31T13:18:00.000+02:00

Remebering the sunshine from a few days ago. It is raining today. That black lump on my bed is a cat.

Sunrise over Horses and Meadows

2010-03-30T13:23:00.001+02:00

This, this is why you get up at o-dark early.

Kejimkujik National Park

2010-03-29T16:20:00.003+02:00

If you are ever in Nova Scotia, I highly recommend visiting Kejimkujik National Park. We went there again this past weekend and it was absolutely amazing. It speaks to the beauty of the park that it is so gorgeous in the cruddy days before spring fully begins.

Sun Worship

2010-03-26T12:17:00.000+01:00

Even though I am a self proclaimed "winter person", this does not mean I don't enjoy sunshine. I love sunshine. Sunshine on a fresh blanket of snow is about the best thing there is in my book. However, when the snow is no longer fresh, I will take the sunshine, and I am getting tired of these cloudy days.

eco-friendly laundry

2010-03-25T13:17:00.000+01:00

The weather is nicer today. That is a relief. The rain was a real bummer.

Artsy and Craftsy

2010-03-24T12:16:00.002+01:00

Isn't it cute? You can have your very own turtle if you have pony beads, string, a 5 year old, and patience. I think they're fun to make, if you're bored, they certainly keep you entertained.

Cup of Tea

2010-03-22T11:18:00.000+01:00

I feel a cold coming on. uh oh.

Cleopatra

2010-03-18T14:52:00.000+01:00

This is Cleo. She is "the Queen" except in dutch Queen has more syllables which sounds more dignified so it would be "Her Majesty the Queen". Except her Majesty likes attention occasionally too, so she has to let her front down so she can be pet as well.

2010-03-18T01:48:00.000+01:00

The Time Traveler's Wife

2010-03-17T14:19:00.000+01:00

This an amazing book. The proverbial "curl up by the fire" or "airplane" book, if you will. Not only does it provide an interesting perspective on the philosophy of time, it is a good story.

Snow Angel

2010-03-15T16:11:00.000+01:00

The Snow is melting and I haven't even posted all of my snow pictures yet! The best part about snow is playing in it, and it helps to have a 5 and 4 year old remind you of that sometimes.

A Tribute to Winter

2010-03-10T16:00:00.000+01:00

The weather is warming up considerably here in Canada, and the feeling of spring is definitely in the air. Even though winter is my favorite season, I have been soaking up the sun and enjoying the warmth. Here are some photographs we had from the last snow storm. My tribute to winter, until next year.

Virtual Spring Time

2010-03-08T12:18:00.000+01:00

While the snow was melting, we had another bunch of snow fall, and now that it is melting, we are confused as to what winter wants to do. Does it want to go, or stay? Make up your mind! I want to go horseback riding.

Attempt Number Two: Croissant Teenagers

2010-03-04T12:18:00.001+01:00

So, this is my second attempt to make croissants and they turned out much better! By the end of the evening there were only two left. I take that as a good sign. I think it will make a good bullet point for my resume. Makes croissants: Requires patience, good luck, and perserverance. Who wouldn't want to hire me!?

The Age of Reason

2010-03-02T13:12:00.001+01:00

So even if I am not coming up with any ideas for my photography, I am reading enough to fill my brain with lots of "dangerous knowledge". Question of the day: Are you a free human being if you never commit to anything at all, not even a belief or a conviction? The Age of Reason, Ladies and Gentlemen, in a very coarse nutshell.

gerrof my lawn ya stinkin kids!

2010-03-01T17:14:00.002+01:00

I think this turtle looks grumpy. I feel like this turtle looks. Winter is my favorite season, and now that we are beginning the rainy transition into the "end of winter" (spring doesn't really start until April here), I am grumpy, and I want some snow and sunshine to cheer me up.

*note* This photograph is from the reptile zoo extravaganza. I just felt like he expressed what I was feeling quite well, and I am spared the wrinkles.

Weather can be a funny thing

2010-02-26T17:11:00.001+01:00

This is how much snow we had. Today it has all been blown and rained away by a nasty storm that is making all the trees creak and groan in a scary way.

All Aboard!

2010-02-24T13:09:00.000+01:00

The main reason I keep this blog going is because it forces me to use my camera on a regular basis. I have been out of school for almost 8 months and my brain is beginning to bug me for a project, a big project. The best I can do is a train. It's time to get my mind back into gear.

This one is actually a reptile

2010-02-23T13:13:00.000+01:00

This was another sight to see at the reptile zoo, a python that was over six feet long, and very tolerant of children.

Attempt number One: Croissant Babies

2010-02-22T19:20:00.004+01:00

So, my croissants, were, under the circumstances, deemed a success. They smelled like croissants, tasted like croissants, and looked like croissants. They were, however, a little dense. I think I let the process drag out too long, so by the time I rolled them into croissants, they couldn't rise any more, which is a problem. But they were edible and no one died, so I didn't complain, too much.

Until the next time....

Attempt number One: Croissants

2010-02-22T13:00:00.002+01:00

I was silly enough to try to make Croissants this weekend, I thought the recipe looked easy because I didn't read it all the way through. It took me 48 hours to make them, and it was like I was babysitting a baby who needs constant care and rolling, lots of rolling.

Tiger Cute Overload!

2010-02-21T12:13:00.002+01:00

Last week we went to a reptile exhibition, and at this reptile exhibition, they had a mammal, a tiger, to be exact. He was as cute as a button and so tired! Apparently the exhibition had traveled 22 hours to get there, and this little tiger had also done 5 shows already and was pooped. His handler was kind enough to take some pictures with my camera in the cage. My camera was this close to a tiger! I wish I could have pet him and hugged him and played with him, but looking from the scratches on his handler, there would have been a price to pay.

let it snow let it snow let it snow!

2010-02-20T16:13:00.000+01:00

I love snow. Winter is my favorite season. Snow is so white and clean, and everything is so still just after it has fallen.

Still Life with Monster Truck

2010-02-19T13:14:00.000+01:00

These wheels will stomp on you!!! I give great birthday presents, if I do say so myself.

cake, anyone?

2010-02-18T14:00:00.001+01:00

Who wouldn't want to turn four with a cake like that? 22 is four if you add the numbers together...

Oh, you're fine, stay where you are.

2010-02-17T16:14:00.001+01:00

This is Paddy's idea of a good time, right in the middle of high traffic areas. He also will walk up to me in the dark as I am coming back from the stable, only to stop and roll right in front of my feet. Very convenient.

Snow

2010-02-16T13:00:00.001+01:00

So far, there hasn't been much snow. That is supposed to change tomorrow.

The infinite ways to play with balloons and terrorize your parents

2010-02-15T13:00:00.001+01:00

I never realized balloons were such dangerous things. Until a birthday boy and his older brother get a hold of them.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T16:13:00.000+01:00

Stop being on the internet. Go hang out with someone you love.