In the Hunt! In the Woods!

In the hunt again this week sharing my latest photography.  I hope you like my selections!  Please leave a note if you stop by!  :)


Waiting
Can I just tell you how much I love my dog "Toryfield Master Oakley"?  He is so photogenic and most of the time poses really well too! :) 

Oakley waits as we hike up the trail

Foliage
I think most of our foliage has now past and when it was at its peak we had this crazy snow storm!  I love this shot of the mix in weather.  :)

Foliage Mixed up with Snow

Candid
My husband the rockstar worker in the woods clearing today.  "There is nothing sexier than a man (my man) with a chainsaw."  An earlier quote from me when we first met each other.  :)    

My sweetheart hard at work

Knife Fork or Spoon
I got this at a craft fair somewhere and have always wanted to re-create it myself.... :)   

Kitchen Art

Rule of Thirds
Sharing my tree photos looking at all my pics to see if I follow the rule of thirds... ...These are the beautiful trees (still standing) that eventually because of the heavy snow fell and we have to clear them in the back woods to make the forest a healthy place to grow again.  

I love photographing the bark of a tree -- a natural beauty in the woods.

 "Pine Needles"

For more great photos from some fabulous photographer -- check out this link to Ashley below.  Anyone can participate and the steps to share are on her post too!  :)  The Scavenger Hunt is my favorite photo meme of all time!  Have fun -- join in! ;) 

Snow, Mud, Wine ... Scavenger Hunt Sunday!

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

In my scavenger hunt selections of late I had been going with a search for it approach, but this week I am straying off and picking random shots that I have wanted to share!  These are from this fall and some more recent.  Enjoy!  Please leave a comment if you stop by -- I love photography and sharing my stuff with all of you --- Thanks for stopping by!!  :)

Before and After,

This is my interpretation of before and after because There is no editing work on my photos -they are all "SOCC"  Maybe someday I will have time for editing and playing with photography.  Life is so busy!

I love to photograph where I live, the woods surrounding our home is just so beautiful.  But recently we were hit with a freak snowstorm where we received 2 feet of heavy wet snow.  It was so heavy that the trees bent and broke and it reeked havoc with the power and cable lines.  We were out of power for almost 7 full days.  Thank God for our generator and wood stove to stay warm.  

Here is one of my favorite shots of Schuyler's first day of school walking down the driveway.  

Here is the after shots of what the snowstorm looked like in that same spot overlooking our neighbor's house at the bottom of the driveway.  LINK HERE to more of the craziness that our area saw when the snow came to town!  

 Opposing Lines, 

DISH restaurant in downtown Hartford CT.  Celebrating with a friend and checking out their wine selection.... opposing lines or opposing circles... I just loved this shot.

 Which Pair of Shoes Should I Wear?

This is my favorite shoe photo of all time.  I am not sure if you have read about my first ultra marathon - the Vermont 50.... it was quite the day!  Read on HERE if you want to know more...& link here for the video montage of me running!. These Inov8 MudRoc trail running shoes were a last minute selection due to my tweet conversations and really wanting to pick the right shoe for the job.  These shoes rock!  No pun intended.  And I was FAST!  4th woman overall 1st in age with an "8 handle" 8 1/2 hours!  :)  So I surely DID pick the right shoes.  :)

 Little Features

I love this photo.  It is the little features about this photo that I love... the contrast in the yellow /black outfit with matching shoes and glove.  The NCAA insignia on the ball so clear and smack dab on that line.  The angles and the power of the goalkeeper's body to hit the ball on the sweet spot.  This is the UMASS goalie kicking the ball and he was an amazing kicker.  Schuyler was the ball boy that day they played Charlotte and I got to take photos.... here is a link to the album if you want to see more.  I don't know any of the athletes.... but they were all amazing in my eyes!  I love action shots and photographing these boys in the air! :)

The rules are simple: 

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive 
4. Link up on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) - you can use the button above.
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours
6. Have fun!

Scavenger Hunt September 10, 2011

Here are my this week's 

Scavenger Hunt selections!  

Enjoy!

 Bokeh
I know this is a bokeh photo - but the lighting from the window in the background with the forefront of the conference really gives this photo a unique look to share.  I promise to practice bokeh later to enter this section, but I really loved the conference in Albany -- this is Stephen Frost -- their rendition of a TV late night host --- he was amazing.  I love the anticipation, the star quality look on this photo as he waits for his introduction to the stage.  Quite a moment.  An amazing conference celebrating the top communities, Relay events in NY & NJ.   :) 

Process of Elimination,

Each region had a "mascot of sorts" that got all dressed up and had a sign "Relay Like This" to go in theme with the social networking focus of the conference.  Lots of purple, sequins, a cupcake, Purple Kool Aid and a giant Luminaria too.  So fun!  It was a process of elimination to pick the best one -- a tough job for the judges indeed!  How fun!  You can see HOW FUN this is by the look in their eyes as they jump and dance to the music.  :)  

Remember
See the Remember flag in the back?  Remembering those we lost at Relay is an important part of our event.  Celebrating Life & Survivors in the community, Remembering those we have lost and Fighting Back against cancer is the focus of our more than 5100 Relay For Life events nationwide.  This Relay winner is strutting her stuff across the stage sharing the success of the community she lives in!  Love the Relay socks!  :)

 Statues 
Stretching the interpretation here too.  This is Schuyler's statue pose.  Focus in the soccer game on the ball and what is to come next.  Taking a break from the spurts of running.  My beautiful boy! He loves being a "Stinger" and this team really has the intensity to make it happen! 

Flying High
Another soccer shot from today's game (We lost both games this weekend - but the boys really played hard!  A bit of a disappointment for the beginning of the season, but the talent these boys have is really evident!)  This is Evan, flying high to head the soccer ball, Schuyler and the other team positioning in the background makes for a really cool shot!  Posted another shot below my first pic -- I couldn't just choose one so I posted both FLYING shots --- love how he is flying right through the defenders to get to the ball!  :)

I hope you like my selections.  It was a fun weekend of photography for me!  Enjoy and PLEASE leave a comment if you stop by.  I love all your comments!  :)  



The rules are simple: 

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive 
4. Link up to Ashley's blog - link above.
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours 
6. Have fun! 

Scavenger Hunt - August 4, 2011

Stairs
A hiker's backyard paradise is where I live and run the trails... this is the stairway to the back woods.  We often see deer and other animals wandering and enjoying the natural landscape.  This has been a 4+ year project - power spraying and clearing with my husband's favorite toy - his John Deere tractor  - We have created this wondrous beauty of a rock where once was a pile of dirt and weeds.  

Macro

Beautiful mushrooms in our woods!

 Clouds 

Our trip to Mt Hood, OR was amazing in July - I haven't had a chance to share all these photos so I thought this one was perfect for this category.  

 Abstract

Sharing our project from yesterday.  It took a while, but Schuyler insisted on making a "home made" soccer goal.  Ingredients:  Raised flower bed wood, sheet, safety pins, rope and of course duct tape! Voilla!  

Smile
The best smiles of the week! 

Schuyler's first day of 4th grade! 

Elizabeth the bus driver!

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate.
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. Creativity is also encouraged!
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive 
4. Link up to Ashley on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) - you can use the button above.
5. Leave comments for at least five entries around yours (we have so many new participants each week, this is the only way I know to be inclusive).
6. Have fun! 

Twas Ever Thus

Grafiti below the bridge on the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge in Northampton.... I took this photo when we were out on the Connecticut River on our Moomba.  A sense of peace on the water overwhelms me and the photography on the water just seems to "pop"

"'twas ever thus"

a quote derived from a poem written in 1817 

by Thomas Moore

Oh! ever thus, from childhood's hour,  

     I've seen my fondest hopes decay; 

I never lov'd a tree or flower,  

     But 'twas the first to fade away. 

I never nurs'd a dear gazelle,     

  To glad me with its soft black eye, 

But when it came to know me well,      

 And love me, it was sure to die! Now too —

 the joy most like divine      

Of all I ever dreamt or knew, 

To see thee, hear thee, call thee mine, —       

 Oh misery! must I lose that too?

I really like it in black & white

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - October 31, 2010

Yippee! 

Scavenger Hunt Sunday is here again!

 I have such a fun selection of photos this week because of Halloween it has brought a smile to my face trying to chose which ones to share for each category.  

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!  

Please leave a comment if you stop by!  

I love to hear from all of you!

My Town

I love our town and through all of our involvement in school activities, Schuyler's sports and Cub Scouts, it has been fun to get out on the Common and enjoy the latest events.  This weekend was the "Monster Mash" Dash & 5K.  I took some great shots at the Dash and here are my favorites!  I placed 4th and ran a 23 minute 5K.  I wasn't feeling that great and realize now it was that trip and body slam to the ground that may have bruised some ribs.  :(  But - these photos are so fun it is almost "healing" to share with all of you!  The first one is the friendly energetic librarian / race director! :)(  The second is all the little girls getting ready for their dash!

Something Vintage

This is another from "My Town" series, but the Clapp Memorial Library is raising money to continue its renovations and restore this historical / vintage building.  The funds raised at the Monster Mash were directed toward this Library funding.  

Tilt-Shift Photography

Love this photo of the popcorn balls that I made for the Lupa Zoo Halloween Party.  I didn't quite get the Tilt-Shift idea, but think this might qualify.  They were quite yummy too & I posted the recipe below.  :)

Dress Up 

Schuyler and friends at the Lupa Zoo Halloween Party.  This is the third year we have gone to this wonderful event.  The Lupa Family is always so generous to open up the Zoo after hours and the kids all get a chance to get up on stage and perform a skit or tell some jokes.  These are my favorites from last night! 

Chocolate

 I was going to "cheat" and use the same popcorn ball photo with the Hershey bar, but I decided to play around with some M&M's in a champagne glass and this is what I came up with for chocolate.  Very colorful! :)

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate. 
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. 
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I'm not too strict about it - I do my best to take fresh shots). 
4. Link up here on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest) - you can use the button above.
5. Have fun!

Pumpkin Applesauce Bread

Fall is here and the foliage is in full bloom.  In New England we look around at the beautiful "bursting" colors of red, yellow, greens and orange and feel the cool brisk air.  It is a season where the leaves fall to the ground and the trees stand strong.  Pumpkins, corn husks, squash, and mums of all colors don the doorsteps as the Halloween decorations come out and the days get shorter.  I love this time of year!  We have started to move the wood from the pile to the house and need to get out there and chop some more before the snow starts to fly.  Apples season is almost complete and hot apple cider is my latest favorite along with my favorite Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.  That is.... a   "Nonfat, Grande, Triple Shot, 1 pump Pumpkin spice with extra whip cream AND sprinkles"

That was me not trying to be complicated.  :)

We love our Vitamix and have used it mainly for smoothies for recovery and building muscle with whey & soy protein combinations with strawberries, OJ, bananas, Physique & Performance (Shaklee magic)  But when in apple season the blended apple with Penzey's Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cinnamon warm in the microwave is my all time favorite comfort food. 

Recently I have been breaking out some pumpkin bread recipes and served a carrot pumpkin for Schuyler's party... but today with the applesauce flowing I found a few variations on a Pumpkin Applesauce bread and made my own variation.  Being the only one to test so far -- I will say it is incredibly YUMMY!  Try it yourself - I am posting the recipe below! 

Thanks for stopping by!   Please leave me a comment!  I love comments!

I got some great photos today of the foliage and am sharing those along with this post - but have begun to love the foodie shots.....  let me know which angle and photo is your favorite that i have here and also if you think there is something you do with food photography that I should try.   I love our teak table dressed with a harvest runner, wooden candle holders, Simon Pearce dishes and the pewter bowl with the apples.  

Nancy's Pumpkin Applesauce Bread

Preheat oven to 350 F

Grease 3 loaf pans

Mix together in Kitchen Aid Mixer - in this order (wet first - dry second): 

1 cup Egg Beaters (or 4 eggs)

1 cup freshly made pureed pumpkin

1 cup freshly made applesauce 

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 apple juice or water

3 1/2 cups flour 
2 cups white sugar

1 cup light or dark brown sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp Penzey's Vietnamese Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Nutmeg

1/2 tsp Ginger

1/2 tsp Cloves

Optional:  1 cup walnuts and/or 1 cup raisins
PS: You can use canned pumpkin and applesauce in a pinch! :)


Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg & sugar on the top before baking

Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes - test with a knife to be sure it is done. 

Cool in loaf pans for 10 minutes

Enjoy!

Happy Fall!

This above last photo is my submission for Macro Monday.  Enjoy!  

More Massachusetts Foliage Photos from Nancy E Photography - enjoy!

Click on the photo to link into the gallery.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday! October 2, 2010

Scavenger Hunt Sunday!
Here are my Nancy E. Photography Selection for the week. 
We had a great weekend of soccer games, spending time with Alex & Betty & Harrison in Clifton Park & then to celebrate my Grama's 90th birthday in Mechanicville.  It was great to see the entire family (all the generations were there and it was truly great to photograph some of the beautiful children that were there!




Golden
Grama turning ninety this weekend we had a BIG party and all her children, grandchildren (that is me & my cousins!), and great grandchildren (all but 6) and some cousins were able to make it to Mechanicville, NY to celebrate Gram in her golden years.  These are all "golden moments"!  This one was my favorite photo of the bunch!  Flanked by her 2 daughters.... my mom on the left and my Aunt Sandy on the right.  Amazing women I am truly proud of and love so very much!

Smell
The smell of fresh fallen leaves, the cool air, and the innate ability of a dog's nose to smell it all!  This photo is now my desktop --- one of my favorite "captures" of the year!

Fruit
From last week in the Cold Spring Apple Orchard.  

Simple 
Blonde hair, blue jeans, white shirts and jeans ... on the steps of the hall with the white background - simple & beautiful at the same time!  My niece Amanda with cousins Shannon & Meghan McBride - all great grandchildren of Grama and such beautiful young ladies all freshmen in college this year.

Here is one of Shannon with this same look that I really think is an amazing photo and had to share.... 

Sports
Schuyler playing soccer, learning and growing in skill level, watching him hustle and play the midfield is truly something that makes me so proud!  This photo was taken from atop the bleachers on the side of the field.  Check out the shadow of his body, but also with the other players shadow of his head in this shot -- pretty cool!

For more really great photos of some fantastic photographers -- go to Ashley's site by linking below---->