nikon princess

juvenile bald eagle...

2012-01-14T22:55:00.001-08:00

juvenile bald eagle..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today i went to sacramento nwr.
nwr = national wildlife refuge.

i saw & photographed...
rabbits, opossum, snow geese, egrets, heron, ducks, a falcon and...
this bald eagle.

i believe he's looking right at me.

strawberry sangria...

2012-01-11T23:48:00.001-08:00

strawberry sangria..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

my flight from orlando was delayed an hour...
so i went to ruby tuesday and had a beverage.

with the now delayed flight...
there was only a 10 minute window to make my connection in chicago.

when i got off the plane...
i went straight to an agent...
and was informed my connection was delayed 15 minutes.
#yippee

since i was at gate c...
and the connection was at gate b...
i had to bust a move to get over there.

when i arrived at the gate...
all out of breath from running...
the attendant asked if i was credd (well she said my real name)...
as i was their one missing passenger.

fast forward four point five hours...
when i arrive in san francisco.

i'm waiting at baggage claim for almost 30 minutes...
and go verify that i'm at the right place...
even though i already know i am.

she scans my baggage receipt...
and my bag wasn't as speedy as i was...
and it's still in chicago.

on the way home...
i had the hubby stop at mcdonalds.
i haven't had fast food in forever...
and i was hungry.

i get home...
thinking i'm going to have a baby hamburger and fries...
and they had jacked up the order!!!

he just went back to get my REAL order...
so i thought i'd get my potd up before midnight.

i enjoyed orlando...
but am glad to be home.

angles...

2012-01-06T18:52:00.001-08:00

angles..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i was walking thru the office complex...
and happened to look up.

lucky for me i had my phone with me.

for me...

2012-01-04T17:00:00.001-08:00

for me..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

these flowers were given to me by one of the coaches in my office.
processed via PhotoToaster

meyers...

2012-01-03T19:04:00.001-08:00

meyers..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

they're almost ready!!!

the temps have been freezing at night for the past couple of weeks...
so mrchazman wrapped my plants with plastic to protect them.

last week i wanted to see how my lemons were doing...
and to my surprise...
they were turning yellow!!!

tree sitters...

2012-01-02T10:42:00.001-08:00

tree sitters..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i'm participating in yet another photo project (or two).

the first one involves a monthly theme...
with twice a week postings.
the theme for january is black and white.
i took this photo with that in mind.

i'm also in a 'reinvented 365' group.
i don't necessary have to 'take' a photo a day...
just post one.
i can do that.
especially since there are some days that i'll shoot a couple hundred images...
and want to share them...
but don't want to flood my stream.
this project will be good for that.

i received an iphone for christmas...
so will be doing a lot of photos with it.
i have quite a few photo and processing apps...
so it'll be fun to see my progress with those this year.

and finally...
i'm taking another class at the local college.
this one is adanced lr and beginning photoshop.

yep...
i'll be busy...
but i'm looking forward to it.

marbled godwit (i think)...

2012-01-01T21:08:00.001-08:00

identity needed... (marbled godwit)???, a photo by credd on Flickr.

i saw a few of these while i was at yolo...
and i love their long bills.

he was hunting the entire time i was shooting him...
and i patiently waited for him to come out from within the reeds so i could also get the reflection.

egret...

2012-01-01T17:26:00.001-08:00

egret..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today i rode out to yolo basin.

i always love going there...
as it's so peaceful...
and i always see some beautiful wildlife.

miniature poinsettia...

2011-12-17T19:25:00.001-08:00

miniature poinsettia..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this little beauty is 2 inches tall.
it caught my eye on thursday when i was in whole foods.
i'm going to follow some guidelines to keep it alive for a year.
hopefully i'll be successful.

tea lights...

2011-12-03T23:58:00.001-08:00

tea lights..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this evening i attended my photography meetup group holiday party.
these are some of the tea lights on the dining room table.

at play amongst the snowmen...

2011-11-27T07:56:00.001-08:00

at play amongst the snowmen..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

tonight was the snowman lighting at cornerstone sonoma.

we arrived shortly after four o'clock...
and lucked up on a parking spot...
as the place was packed.

we wandered around...
got some tickets for some of the booths that they had....
and i took a few photos...
waiting for the lighting at 6 o'clock.

once the snowmen were lit...
kids (big and small) played amongst them.

on ice...

2011-11-25T21:18:00.001-08:00

on ice..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today...
while at streets of brentwood...
i wandered over to the ice rink for a few photos.

if you're interested in ice skating...
there are a number of bay area cities w/rinks during the holidays...
- brentwood
- napa
- san francisco
- walnut creek

for more holiday ice rink info...click here.

peek-a-boo

2011-11-22T17:40:00.001-08:00

peek-a-boo, a photo by credd on Flickr.

when i went to whole foods today...
i saw these ornaments hanging in the trees.

when i came out...
i took a few selfies.

so...
to all the people that kept asking and wondering...
what i was doing...
now you know.

that kind of day...

2011-11-16T19:47:00.001-08:00

that kind of day..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

11:11:11(EST) on 11/11/11...

2011-11-11T14:27:00.001-08:00

11:11:11(EST) on 11/11/11..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

worldwide moment

the title should probably read...
11:11:08...
but if i were being REALLY techinical...
it'd read...
08:11:08.
:)

aspiration...

2011-11-10T11:22:00.001-08:00

aspiration..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

oil on canvas
1936

painted by
aaron douglas
b 1899 - d 1979

aka the father of african american arts.
read about mr. douglas here.

mooned...

2011-11-09T19:33:00.001-08:00

mooned..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i've been looking at the moon for a couple of days now.
tonight...
i could no longer resist.

always the best show in town...

2011-11-06T07:38:00.001-08:00

always the best show in town..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today...
my photography meetup group went to the paramount theatre in oakland.
we were given a tour...
and allowed to take photographs.

there was SO much to see.

i've been to the paramount numerous times...
but this was the first time it wasn't overflowing with people...
and i was really able to look around.

if you've ever been there (or if you haven't)...
and would love a closer look...
they offer two tours a month.

ceiling light in the women's powder room in the basement.

***

part of the mural in the women's powder room in the basement.

***

inside the theatre.

***

window pane right inside the lobby.

***

dancing girls.

golden gate bridge...

2011-11-01T20:08:00.001-07:00

golden gate bridge..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today i took a pto day...
and visited the de young museum...
and then the golden gate bridge.

there were some interesting exhibits at the de young...
and i'm glad i finally went there.

i always enjoy seeing the golden gate bridge...
and don't get there often enough.

for 2012...
i'll shoot in sf once a month.

occupy walnut creek...

2011-10-26T20:21:00.001-07:00

occupy walnut creek..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

main street meets wall street.

i heard on the news this morning...
that #occupywalnutcreek would be occuring today...
and i planned to attend.

at approximately 2:00...
i received an email from our building complex manager...
that the protest would be taking place near our office.

i notified our clients of the time and location of the event...
and possible traffic delays...
and closed the office an hour early.

while everyone else went home...
i headed towards the event...
camera in hand.

a few people asked me why i was taking photos...
some posed for me...
and others urged me to join them.

i stayed on the sidelines with my camera...
chatting with those that approached me.

they plan to be out there again next wednesday...
and so do i.

peanut buster parfait...

2011-10-21T16:06:00.001-07:00

peanut buster parfait..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

ok...
so this doesn't exactly fit my 'healthy eating' profile...
but it certainly tasted good.

really...
i only ate a spoonful of it so far...
but plan to snack on it throughout the day.

one of my fondest memories of my childhood...
is being in georgia...
on a hot summer night...(what other kind is there)
with my brothers and all my cousins...
as we conned my grandfather into taking all nine of us to dairy queen...
we even had a song! :)

that was 1971...
and the last time we were all together.

that is also the last time i was with my grandfather...
as i moved to japan the next day...
and he passed away a few months later.

ok...
this post is getting deeper and deeper the more i write.
i just remembered that next week is the anniversary of his passing.

so...
to herman dixon...
i love you...
and i miss you...
and will forever hold you close in my heart.

empire state...

2011-10-16T19:10:00.001-07:00

empire state..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today was a full day....
and my body is T.I.R.E.D.

our first stop was the food truck rally...
at grand army plaza.
we shared a delicious shrimp roll as an appetizer...
as we had other foodie plans for the day.

next...
chelsea market.
we browsed around...
grabbed a shrimp salad and a beverage...
and then picked up a couple of salts (black truffle & pepper salt)...
for our culinary activities.

next...
we met @shaznyc...
and went off to the high line.

finally...
we hit up whole foods for some staples...
more kale for kale chips...
and some shrimp inari rolls (yeah...more shrimp) for dinner.

now...
we're sipping on moscato...
and having the remaining apple crisp w/vanilla ice cream for dessert.

street art tribute...

2011-10-14T18:46:00.001-07:00

street art tribute..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this morning on twitter...
i read about a street art tribute to steve jobs...
that someone had put up on bond street.

i added that site to my list of places to visit...
figured out the subway route...
and went over for photos.

street life...

2011-10-11T15:26:00.001-07:00

street life..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today's agenda...
coffee at blue bottle...
browsing at the brooklyn kitchen...
and dining at dumont.

on the way...
i captured a few street scenes.

handbills on poles...
murals...
and graffiti.

oh...
and my daughter's reflection on a building.

me & mini-me...

2011-10-08T16:39:00.001-07:00

me & mini-me..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

we were supposed to go to baltimore today...
and i came down with a cold or something.
so...
we stayed in brooklyn...
because i did NOT feel up to 4 hours of travel today...
and that's not even counting the commute to manhattan.

we started out on the subway headed to the green market...
where we picked up some pickles from rick's picks.
i'd seen them in whole foods at home...
but had never tried them.
they were comparable to my own.

we then headed to lunch at a place i'd seen on food network (mile end)...
where we decided to split the appetizing platter and the poutine.
omg...they were both delish...
and the over-sized mug of stumptown coffee was divine.

after sitting at the counter for over an hour...
watching them prepare numerous smoked meat sandwiches...
i ordered one to go.

we rolled out of there and caught the mta bus to target and bath & body works...
where we stocked up on a few supplies and candles...
then ventured back to the apartment.

now...
it's time for wine, candles and laptops.

manhattan lights...

2011-10-08T15:02:00.001-07:00

manhattan lights..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

tonight..
my daughter and i met up with @shaznyc for a photoshoot.

i got some nice silhouettes of the brooklyn bridge...
and some even nicer photos of the manhattan bridge..

this one...
reminds me of a painting.

if we're connected on google+...
i plan to post more of the photos there.

obscured...

2011-10-03T09:46:00.001-07:00

obscured..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this is a photo i took during saturaday's wwpw.

we were walking down the street...
and i spied someone sitting on the porch...
their top half obscured by a sun shade.

i walked past the house a few feet...
and then returned to ask for a photo.

i guess it's ready...

2011-09-29T22:55:00.001-07:00

i guess it's ready..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

since this is the first time i've ever grown a watermelon...
i didn't know when i was ready.

when i went out and looked at it this morning...
it was starting to split.

so...
i guess it's ready.

to go...

2011-09-28T20:55:00.001-07:00

to go..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today when i was in the office...
i started pulling things out of my 'gadget bag'...
and had these four flash drives in my hand.

mind you...
i also carry a 250gb drive...
and a 1tb drive.

i won't mention all the other gadgets i carry around with me on the daily...
but lets just say...
i'm well prepared.

btw...
my nickname is...
inspector gadget. :)

napa riverfront...

2011-09-24T23:55:00.001-07:00

napa riverfront..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this afternoon...
i headed to one of my favorite places...
to take some photos for a class assignment...
and my google+ pow.

our first stop was to visit the grape crusher...
and then...
it was on to the riverfront.

i had also planned to go to oxbow...
but i spent so much time at the other places...
and since the weather had drastically changed...
we headed for home.

***

three second exposure...
and a few tweaks in lr.

still waters...

2011-09-17T23:58:00.001-07:00

still waters..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i wanted to go out to emeryville and berkeley today for some photos...
but when we went to get on the freeway...
bumper to bumper traffic.

i exited at the next off ramp...
and headed in another direction...
still in search of water.

we ended up at port sonoma...
where i took a few photos of boats...
but what i really wanted were bird photos.

remembrance...

2011-09-11T20:09:00.001-07:00

remembrance..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i made cookies...

2011-09-09T07:41:00.001-07:00

i made cookies..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

last night...
after bringing in the veggie harvest of the day...
i roasted a pan of tomatoes...
and made a jar of refrigerator dill pickles.

i was tweeting about it last night...
and was asked why i hadn't made cake or cookies.
so...
because i try to keep some 'instant' sweets on hand...
i made these this morning.

still harvesting...

2011-09-07T20:05:00.001-07:00

still harvesting..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

tonight i picked this cucumber...
a tray of tomatoes...
and four japanese eggplants.

i'm going to attempt to make dill pickles tonight.
the tomatoes & cukes...
i'm taking to class tomorrow.

the last couple of projects i did for class...
were photos of my garden...
and a classmate inquired about some of the bounty...
so...
i'm taking her some.

i'm going to pick some herbs in the morning...
basil, oregano, mint, and sage...
and take them too.

vitamins...

2011-09-03T21:38:00.001-07:00

vitamins..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i've been fighting a cold or the flu or something all day.
nyquil and sleep were my constant companions...
with an occasional tweet thrown in here & there when i was semi-conscious.

i came downstairs about 9 to get something to eat...
and take my photo of the day.

this is a splash of vodka w/lime juice...
and i added a slice of lemon, some strawberries, pineapple and blueberries.

it can't make me feel any worse than i already do.

cheers!

coneflower bokeh...

2011-09-02T21:13:00.001-07:00

coneflower bokeh..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today i used my 50...
for the first time in probably a year or so.

once i got my 35...
the 50 was sitting in the bag.

i forgot how beautiful it is.
even with all the spider webs on the coneflower.

kidney-shaped melon...

2011-09-01T15:34:00.001-07:00

kidney-shaped melon..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i've got a few of these babies on the vine now.
but this one was first.

as you can see...
he's quite a ways from the raised bed.

i wonder how to tell when its ready.
will be researching that this weekend.

kicking butt...

2011-08-31T07:01:00.001-07:00

kicking butt..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

been up since 3 something.
wanted to get up and print before the rest of the company back east came online....
and SLOWED down the system.

cleaned out my emails...
and sent out even more.

roasted some veggies for my lunch...
and took photos for my homework tomorrow night...
as well as my potd.

its month end...
and i see smooth sailing for the rest of my day.

undercover...

2011-08-30T19:56:00.001-07:00

undercover..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today when i was leaving the post office at travis...
i saw this 'mannequin' and immediately thought - potd!!!

i pulled out my blackberry...
and as i took aim...
a woman passing by said...
what would you do if there was a real person in there?

i told her...
you wouldn't even want to see that...
and we laughed.

if he had moved...
i'd have probably had a heart attack on the spot!!!

next time i'm out there...
i'm gonna feel his arm...
just to see if he's real.

***

years ago...
my friend and i were in vegas at ceasar's palace...
and if you've been there...
you know they have the gladiators up on top of the slot machines...
striking a pose.

well...
we were standing there for a few minutes...
debating about whether or not the guy was real...
and...
i'm sure to mess with us...
he slowly changed positions.

we fell out...
but the brotha was good...
and didn't bat an eye.

it's 5 o'clock somewhere...

2011-08-26T17:14:00.001-07:00

it's 5 o'clock somewhere..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i was chatting with one of my co-workers at 4:50...
and we both said we were going to have a glass of wine at 5:00.

we chatted back a forth a couple more minutes...
and when i glanced at the clock again...
it looked like the time had gone backwards a couple of minutes.

i know it was only my imagination...
as this has been an exceptionally crazed week for me...
and i was ready for it to be over!!!

hope you all have a safe, & relaxing weekend.

cheers!

mineta airport hands...

2011-08-24T21:27:00.001-07:00

mineta airport hands..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

The hands of 54 Silicon Valley residents – actually giant images of the hands of 54 Silicon Valley residents – are part an unusual mural being installed in the new rental car and public garage at Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC).

The digitally created mural, titled "Hands", is the work of artist Christian Moeller and will be hard to miss: the mural is 1,200 feet long and seven stories high.

***

i wish i'd taken my zoom lens to my room...but...i'll be back in the sj office next week...so i'll get a better photo then.

single...

2011-08-21T18:44:00.001-07:00

single..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

she's just had her daily shower.

i have one urn that i planted three different types of sunflowers in.
this one lives all alone.

either it's a seed from last year (doubtful)...
or i got distracted when i was planting (likely)...
and forgot to plant more than the one.

i think i'll put some other seeds in there tonight...
hopefully there's still time for them to bloom this year.

explorers...

2011-08-20T10:27:00.001-07:00

explorers..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this morning when i was out watering my garden...
and photographing its progress...
i saw the shadow of something thru the petals.

i dropped the hose...
and went inside to get another lens.

i pulled the flower down...
and there was the beetle.
the gnat was a bonus.

i just love the fuzziness of the sunflower stem!!!

friday update...

2011-08-12T20:58:00.001-07:00

friday update..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

the raised bed is doing quite well.

last week we secured some netting to the back of the trellis...
so that we could train the cucumbers to go up the back...
instead of spreading out over the bed and covering up everything.

the watermelon branches are a few feet long...
and still growing.

i saw one teeny watermelon last week...
and photographed it.
but a couple of days later...
it had fallen off.

there are at least ten more that i saw this week...
so hopefully at least one of them will grow into maturity.

i harvested two japanese eggplants this week...
and of course...
my csa box had three HUGE eggplants in it this week...
so i will definitely be cooking something with all of them tomorrow.

btw...
my csa box also contained basil, cucumbers and tomatoes...
all of which i am growing...
and they are producing abundantly.

today for dinner...
i made panzanella...
and used a few of the tomatoes...
and one of the cucumbers.

tomorrow...
i'm making bread and butter pickles...
and roasting more tomatoes to put up in my freezer.

panzanella recipe on my food blog.

a double-fisted half-caff type of day...

2011-08-10T21:55:00.001-07:00

a double-fisted half-caff type of day..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this morning...
i was invited to the 'from where i stand' group.

i was on a conference call.
saw the sun on the floor...
and viola.

the cup on the right contained decaf...
but i needed the cup on the left to counteract it...
and give me that edge.

***

i drink decaf espresso.
on the rocks.
four of 'em.

i go 100 mph on my own...
and really don't need the caffeine.

let the sun shine...

2011-08-09T20:37:00.001-07:00

let the sun shine..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

the sunflower from saturday has opened.

mojito magic...

2011-08-08T22:21:00.001-07:00

mojito magic..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

idea compliments of holly...
aka soupatraveler.

only...
i used vodka instead of rum.

limes.
mint.
vodka.
sugar.

finally...

2011-08-06T21:31:00.001-07:00

finally..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i planted a mixture of sunflower seeds a couple of months ago.
the stalks are SUPER tall...
and i've been waiting on the flowers to bloom it seems like forever!

well...
finally...
one of the flowers is opening today.

the flower in this photo was planted from seeds from last year's flowers.

the different varieties i planted range in height from 6 inches to 4 feet.

what lurks beneath all those leaves...

2011-08-05T21:29:00.001-07:00

what lurks beneath all those leaves..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

top left -
the first melon i saw. this plant is COVERED with flowers.

top right -
melon flower

bottom left -
japanese eggplant

bottom right -
pickling cucumber. i've got my work cut out for me.

breakfast on the patio...

2011-08-04T22:40:00.001-07:00

breakfast on the patio..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i've never really been one for breakfast...
but...
i've been going to a nutritionist...
and have really been making an effort to not have my body survive on coffee until noonish...
or so.

this morning...
after my workout...
i fixed myself a bowl of cereal...
and took it and a cup of coffee...
to the patio.

and...
since my gadgets and i are rarely separated...
my ipad and camera accompanied me.

thai basil...

2011-08-03T20:48:00.001-07:00

thai basil..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i bought this plant a couple of weeks ago...
after seeing a photo by tafari of some thai basil he'd bought.

a few years ago...
i grew five different types.

this year...
i have two genovese basil plants...
and this one thai basil plant.

i've made two batches of pesto this year...
and i see a couple more in the near future.

the thai basil...
i will use in soups and stir-frys.

big foot...

2011-07-28T21:48:00.001-07:00

big foot..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

when i came home from work this evening...
i noticed there were new flowers in one of the spring bulb pots.

i went out back to photograph it for my potd...
and mrchazman went out back to water the garden.

right as i was focusing...
he walked into the frame.

it's kinda dreamy...
and i like it.

*sooc - except for the watermark of course.

tomato-go-round...

2011-07-27T21:59:00.001-07:00

tomato-go-round..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

clockwise...
from the top...

grape
black cherry
gemini
san marzano
paul robeson
super san marzano

bleuphoria...

2011-07-21T20:19:00.001-07:00

bleuphoria..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

80 calories per cup.

packed with vitamin C - one serving, you can get 14 mg of Vitamin C – almost 25 percent of your daily requirement. Vitamin C aids the formation of collagen and helps maintain healthy gums and capillaries. It also promotes iron absorption and a healthy immune system1,2.

dietary fiber - Eating foods high in fiber will help keep you regular, your heart healthy and your cholesterol in check. A handful of blueberries can help you meet your daily fiber requirement

an excellent source of manganese - an important role in bone development and in converting the proteins, carbohydrates and fats in food into to energy

leaders in antioxidant activity - According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), blueberries are near the top when it comes to antioxidant activity per serving (ORAC values). Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals — unstable molecules linked to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Substances in blueberries called polyphenols, specifically the anthocyanins that give the fruit its blue hue, are the major contributors to antioxidant antioxidant activity5.

paul robeson...

2011-07-20T20:49:00.001-07:00

paul robeson..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

Tomato seeds for this Russian heirloom were made available by Marina Danilenko, a Moscow seeds woman. This favorite heirloom tomato was named after the operatic artist who won acclaim as an advocate of equal rights for Blacks. His artistry was admired world-wide, especially in the Soviet Union. This "black" beefsteak tomato is slightly flattened, round, and grows to 4-inches. Its deep, rich colors stand it apart from others. Its a dusky, dark-red, with dark-green shoulders, and red flesh in its center. Very flavorful fruits with luscious, earthy, exotic flavors and good acid/sweet balance. Paul Robeson (aka Pol Robeson) won "Best of Show" at Carmel TomatoFest.

As this tomato variety originates from Siberia and sets fruits at lower temps, it is an excellent choice for cooler growing regions.

***

Info obtained from the tomato seed store.

anticipation...

2011-07-19T21:28:00.001-07:00

anticipation..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this is my black cherry tomato plant.

if you grow tomatoes...
this one should be on your list.
they are SWEET!

how sweet?
sugary sweet!!!

last year was my first time growing them...
and i plan to grow them every year.

you don't even need a lot of space.

these are in a container...
and because the yield is so plentiful...
i place a cage around it when i plant it...
to keep it from toppling over.

i've had a few of them in salads...
but mainly...
i just eat them straight...
no chaser.

one for me...

2011-07-18T22:59:00.001-07:00

one for me..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

the birds saved one for me!!!

thank you mockingbird family...
that lives in my backyard.

i think...
they think...
i garden for them.

last week...
they started pecking at my tomatoes.

my strawberry jar...
in its third location...
is now hidden in a far corner in my backyard...
behind one of my urn planters.

i may have to get a net.

today's bounty...

2011-07-16T21:17:00.001-07:00

today's bounty..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today i picked a few tomatoes...
but its nothing like last year.

we're expecting warmer weather next week.
i hope it continues.
my garden needs it.

i'm listening...

2011-07-14T22:47:00.001-07:00

i'm listening..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i've had these in my front yard since we moved here.
but today...
they seem to have taken over.

the flowers are over 3 ft tall...
and there are a LOT of them.

when i arrived home this evening...
i was talking with my daughter on the phone...
and as i was describing it to her...
i took the time to REALLY notice them.

when did they get so tall?
and when did so many of them bloom?

i rarely use my front door...
so its not very often that i walk past them.

our weather is a bit cooler now...
with temps in the 60s this week...
and i've noticed quite a few developments in the garden.

all this beauty...
right in my own front yard...
and i've been too busy to notice.

i've been in a 'mood' most of the day...
that started when i was almost hit by a careless driver...
who almost ran me off the road...
changing lanes...
without paying attention to what they were doing...
or noticing i was already IN the lane.

then...
in a staff meeting...
i felt more like a referee.

whenever i have moments like this...
when there's so much going on that i barely have a moment to myself...
a line from 'the color purple' pops into my head...
and i know its time for some well-deserved 'ME' time.

it's ok to 'take a moment'.
stop.
breathe.
catch my breath.

the line?
god's trying to tell you something!

i'm listening!

six flags...

2011-07-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

six flags..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

dreary & misty today...
at discovery kingdom.

the last time i was there...
it was called marine world...
i was a chaperone for my daughter's class...
and it was the early 90s!

that tower in the middle is a new addition this year...
and i watched its progress each day on my way to work.

right across the street...
is the county fairground.

so...
next week when the fair is in town...
i'll have to find a new way to commute...
or work virtually.

***

blackberry photo...
process w/100cameras app.

nibbles...

2011-07-12T20:35:00.001-07:00

nibbles..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

this morning i went into my garden...
and picked a few items for today's snacks.

tomatoes...
sugar snap peas...
and zucchini.

and from my csa box...
tokyo turnips.

i had my veggies w/a lite ranch dressing.

the cherries were my afternoon dessert.

hymenocallis...

2011-07-08T10:04:00.001-07:00

hymenocallis..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

aka...
spider lily.

***

native to the us, mexico and central america.
part of amaryllids.
easy-to-grow, moisture-lover.

i planted the bulbs last year...
and had really forgotten that i'd planted it.
luckily...
i tend to save the packages of the plants i buy...
so i was able to look this up this morning to identify it.

playing with fire...

2011-07-03T22:34:00.001-07:00

playing with fire..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

friday night...
i watched the creative live presentation on photographing fireworks...
by john cornicello.

i've photographed them before...
but i'm always in search of additional photography knowledge.

since his talk was in the daytime...
and he couldn't actually demonstrate with fireworks...
he used sparklers.

the actual shoot is here...
and a supplemental blog post is here.

so...
yesterday...
i went in search of some for myself.

and guess what?
no sparklers in my town.

well...
on the way home from church today...
i decided to purchase some...
from some of the towns where fireworks ARE legal.

these are not the sparklers of my childhood.
while i was expected more of a starry effect...
what i got was more of a flame...
with a few sparkles here and there.

so...
i light painted instead.

***

i just wanna say...
people are SERIOUS about their fireworks.
we saw people spending HUNDREDS of dollars.

me...
i spent $7...
and it was bogo...
so i have 80 sparklers...
and tonight i only lit 7.

saucy...

2011-07-02T21:21:00.001-07:00

saucy..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

Description:

Saucy Paste Organic Tomato is a heavy yielding, plum-shaped, 2 - 3 oz. red sauce tomato. It makes a great tomato plant for pots or containers. The meaty fruit is borne in clusters of 5 to 10 and concentrated to one picking. The fruit pulls off easily when ripe. Saucy Paste is perfect for a big salsa or ketchup canning session. The flavor is very good, both fresh and processed. The strong plant holds fruit well off the ground, and the solid, meaty tomatoes remain firm and flesh from early summer through frost! Plant out after last frost when the soil is warm, fertile, and well-drained. Be sure to plant tomatoes several inches deeper in ground than they were growing in the pot to give them stability later on. Bred by Dr. James Baggett, Oregon State University, from a cross of Santiam X Roma. Determinate.

Features:

• Heavy yielding, plum-shaped, 2-3 oz. red sauce tomato
• Great tomato plant for pots or containers
• Perfect for big salsa or ketchup canning
• Certified organic seed
• Seed comes 30 seeds per pack

***

info source: iGrow

two firsts...

2011-07-02T10:43:00.001-07:00

two firsts..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

the first cherry tomato from my garden...and the first sugar snap pea.

i'm not going to put them IN anything.

i'm going to eat them singly...so that i can taste and enjoy their full flavor.

not so yum...

2011-06-28T21:36:00.001-07:00

not so yum..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i love popcorn...
and when i saw this new 'homestyle' popcorn by jolly time...
i decided to give it a try.

i'm glad it was on sale...
though i still think i was ripped off.

why?
i don't think it's either homestyle or yum.

jolly time needs to buy a few bags of the other homestyle popcorn...
and then send their people back into the lab...
cause they've got a bit more work to do.

i think i was more excited by the design & shape of the bag than what was inside it.

i coulda had a v8. :)

homegrown tomatillo...

2011-06-27T19:08:00.001-07:00

homegrown tomatillo..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

yep...
i've got a little bit of everything in my garden.

this is my first tomatillo.

i've never even bought a tomatillo before...
but when i saw the plant...
i couldn't resist.

i picked this one this morning...
and am looking forward to making salsa verde.

peas in a pod...

2011-06-26T21:05:00.001-07:00

peas in a pod..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i planted these from seeds...
and they've been doing quite well.

i only have a couple of pea pods right now.
this was the first one i saw...
but now there are others.

i think i may plant a few more seeds tomorrow...
because harvesting one pod a week just won't do.

glad...

2011-06-23T21:12:00.001-07:00

glad..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

part of the spring bulb pot that i planted last year.

its wonderful to see everything coming back this year...
as well as seeing all of the bulbs that i planted in the fall in bloom.

i'm really enjoying my garden this year...
and all the new plants we're growing.

we added a raised garden bed yesterday.
i'll be putting some starters i have into it this weekend.

of course...
there will be photos.

rise...

2011-06-22T21:23:00.001-07:00

rise..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

by planet horticulture.
one of the gardens at cornerstone sonoma.

you walk thru a tunnel...
and there are a variety of flowers and textures...
in the space.

the tunnel is filled with gravel...
and i always like to practice my tap dancing when inside it.

*note...
i am not a tap dancer...
but it always sounds like i could be...
when i'm in there.

***

Rise is a celebration of color, texture, diversity, light, space and life. The plantings and landform, modeled on a natural landscape, are exaggerated to enhance the sense of separation from reality. Likewise the pipe exaggerates the sense of transition from one world into another.

gonna grow some eggplant...

2011-06-18T20:52:00.001-07:00

gonna grow some eggplant..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

so...
this morning i was on twitter...
talking about gardening.

this afternoon...
i was at lowes to get a couple of items for my garden.

my peas needed something taller to climb on...
and i wanted some more labels for my plants.

anywho...
we start looking around...
and then we ask about planter boxes.

well...
lo and behold...
they still have some.

mind you...
i've already got an 80' by 3' space that i'm growing in.
so...
i really don't need more.

well...
since we picked out the raised bed with the trellis...
i bought a few more plants.

when all these veggies start producing...
i'm gonna be one busy woman...
trying to can all this stuff.

roses are red & buggy...

2011-06-16T07:01:00.001-07:00

roses are red..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

these are roses in my garden.
they grow in clusters.
this is a photo of two clusters...
with my fence as the background.

they LOOK beautiful...
yes?

well...
they're full of pincher bugs!!!

i cut two bouquets...
put them in a vase...
and all of a sudden...
i start seeing pincher bugs.

luckily i hadn't taken them into the house...
and was doing all of this in the backyard.

i discovered a solution on ehow that i'm going to try tonight.
wish me luck.

hydrangea...

2011-06-12T18:18:00.001-07:00

hydrangea..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

now that the weather has changed...
and the sun is shining...
the plants in my garden have taken off!!!

as i was watering everything this morning...
i noticed that all them seemed to be standing a bit taller this weekend.

my hydrangea plants have all had blooms for a few weeks...
but they growing & changing colors...
until now.

this cutting was taken from my smallest plant.
i have three in all.
and have had them all for a number of years.

the plant that i've had the longest is now over three feet tall...
and just as wide.
when i initially purchased it...
it might have been six inches in height.

i guess they like their location.
i know that i enjoy seeing their flowers each year.

teacher...

2011-06-12T00:03:00.001-07:00

teacher..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

today...
we spent the day at church in san jose.

mrchazman facilitated a painting class.
i was his assistant.

my assistant duties:
- distributing the painting supplies...
- filling their trays with paints...
- bringing paper towels for spills & cleanups when needed...
- ooh'ing and ah'ing over what the students were doing...
- and taking photos of their progress.

there were 8 students today.
this was the second class he's taught...
and they're already planning the third.

***

mrchazman filling his palette tray

class introductions

works in progress

keep the change...

2011-06-09T20:25:00.001-07:00

keep the change..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

i tend to collect a LOT of change.

i have 3 or 4 coin purses...
and i can always find a couple of dollars worth in the bottom of my purse.

ms. piggy will now help me keep track of it all.

i'll give her all of my change each day...
and see how much i have at the end of the year.

***

when my daughter was around 8 or 9...
she asked her dad if she could have his change.
he said that she could...
and everyday when he came home from work...
she'd come into our room to collect it.

one summer...
she made her own coin wrappers...
and wrapped all of her accumulated wealth.

when i took her to the bank...
she had over $80.

she's still pretty savvy in the finance department...
and i've learned a lot from her about budgeting.

box appetit...

2011-06-08T15:41:00.001-07:00

box appetit..., a photo by credd on Flickr.

a few weeks ago...
when i asked my daughter want she wanted for her birthday...
this was on her list.

when i saw it...
i wanted one too.

i bought one for her.
she bought one for me.

i love it!!!

***

the box...
A revolutionary new lunch box. More like a ceramic bowl than your standard food container and with better functionality. The ‘glass like’ lid locks to the body for a water tight seal and has an ingenious sauce dipping area (good for sushi lovers). A sauce pot is ideal for salad dressing (or ketchup), so you can dress your salad just before you eat it. An inner dish allows you to split different foods so you can microwave a hot dish, but keep other foods cold. We have also included a fork / knife for easy one handed eating.

made from polypropylene and copolyester(BPA free)
includes sauce pot, inner dish and fork
microwave and dishwasher safe

the bag...
Carry the box appetit lunch box in style. The bag also has room for a drink and a piece of fruit. Then pull the bag open to create a mini blanket to sit in a park or use it as a place mat on your desk (the bag is waterproof, so any spillages can easily be wiped clean).

blue skies...

2011-06-01T20:46:00.001-07:00

blue skies..., originally uploaded by credd.

view from my office window.

this is mt. diablo.

yes...
it was sunny when i took the photo.
but a half hour prior to that...
the sky was DARK grey...
and no clouds were visible.

the forecast is for rain, thunderstorms & hail...
for the next few days.

hopefully we'll continue to at least have a bit of sun each day...
especially since i'm on vacation.

sunflower babies...

2011-05-31T20:07:00.001-07:00

sunflower babies..., originally uploaded by credd.

i planted a mix of three types of sunflowers seeds in one of the urns that anchors my garden.
they surround a miniature meyer lemon tree...
and i was delighted to see them all come up a few days ago.

hopefully all the COLD weather that we're having won't affect them negatively.

it feels more like i should be planting winter veggies instead of summer.

my tomato plants are covered with flowers and a few tomatoes...
now...
they just need a bit of heat to help them ripen.

***

this really doesn't feel like cali...
with all this 'weather' we're having.

here it is...
may 31...
and i'm wearing boots!

gemini...

2011-05-20T20:22:00.001-07:00

gemini..., originally uploaded by credd.

this is from my gemini tomato plant.
and when i saw it at tomatomania this year...
i wanted it strictly for its name.

what i find funny about this plant is that...
when i initially brought my tomato plants home...
there were approximately the same size.

this one now towers above the others...
and is now two to three times their height.

may 21 begins the gemini season...
and...
being a gemini myself...
i'm getting ready to start a month-long celebration!

***

Gemini
May 21 - June 20

Your element: Air
Your ruling planets: Mercury
Symbol: The Twins
Your stone: Alexandrite or Pearl*
Life Pursuit: To explore a little bit of everything.
Vibration: Intense mental energy
Gemini's Secret Desire: To be ahead of the crowd

*check it out...
we even have two stones. :)

microcassette...

2011-05-19T23:17:00.001-07:00

microcassette..., originally uploaded by credd.

i like gadgets.

i got this a few years ago...
to record notes for myself.

for many years i worked in the medical field...
as a transcriptionist.
words were my life.

this recorder reminds me of that time.

raindrops....

2011-05-18T13:25:00.001-07:00

raindrops...., originally uploaded by credd.

this morning i stopped to get a coffee on the way to work...
and the first thing i noticed was the raindrops on all of the patio benches.
i purchased my coffee & put it into the car...
grabbed my camera...
then proceeded to photograph the raindrops.

as i was taking the last photograph (i took ten)...
a car pulls up...
and the guy inside smiles at me.

i said...
i'm going to be late for work out here photographing raindrops.
he replied...
gotta get the shot!
exactly!

tools...

2011-05-16T17:11:00.001-07:00

tools..., originally uploaded by credd.

of another of my loves...
gardening.

what can i say?
its one of the most calming, rewarding experiences i know.

when i'm in my garden...
physically...
or mentally planning...
i can get lost for hours.

if i go outside to pull one weed...
i look at my watch to see an hour has passed...
especially if i've got my ipod and am performing for the neighbors.

today...
i walked along the perimeter of my garden...
and discovered that i have tomatoes on a few of my plants.
i was ecstatic!

i went back inside...
grabbed my camera...
and proceeded to take photos of tomatoes and flowers...
just beginning to bloom.

it began to rain...
and since i hadn't had my fill of gardening yet...
i came inside, created this photo...
and then proceeded to plant the basil seeds that were given to me with the pot.

bbq sauce...

2011-05-07T22:53:00.001-07:00

bbq sauce..., originally uploaded by credd.

since tomorrow is mother's day...
and also my father's birthday...
i decided to bbq today...
and take dinner to their house tomorrow.

yesterday i picked up some chicken and ribs...
and this morning i decided that i wanted to make my own sauce.
the last time i made sauce...
my mother told me that she had my great-grandmother's sauce recipe.
so...
when i spoke with her this morning...
i asked her to fax it to me.

next week...
two of my brothers will also celebrate birthdays.
and...
co-incidentally...
the two of them and my dad were BORN on mother's day. .

so...
tomorrow...
we have a lot to celebrate!

super san marzano...

2011-05-01T17:21:00.001-07:00

super san marzano..., originally uploaded by credd.

i love gardening.

this year...
i am growing 11 or so different types of tomatoes.
i know...
that's a lot.

but...
they won't all produce at the same time...
and i give a lot of them away.

i also roast & freeze them for soups and pasta sauces.

this is the super san marzano...
and is a great 'sauce' tomato.

peat pots...

2011-04-28T20:36:00.001-07:00

peat pots..., originally uploaded by credd.

last fall i sowed a few seeds directly in the yard...
and then...
i couldn't really tell which ones were my plants...
and which ones were weeds.

this time...
i bought a few peat pots...
and am starting the seeds indoors...
and will plant them in a few weeks.

in this container...
a variety of different colored bell peppers...
and white cucumbers.

i have another container with okra...
pickling cucumbers...
and sugar snap peas.

i probably should stay away from the nursery...
as i'm growing quite a variety this year.

i already have 11 tomato plants...
zucchini, thai chiles and melons growing...
as well as a large variety of flowers.

gallon nipper...

2011-04-28T08:38:00.001-07:00

gallon nipper..., originally uploaded by credd.

every morning...
he's on the patio screen.
today...
i slowly opened the door...
stepped outside...
and took a few close ups.

filoli gardens...

2011-04-26T22:08:00.000-07:00

on wednesday, april 20, i went with my meetup group to filoli gardens. it is such a beautiful place. i plan to go back there throughout the year to view its year-round beauty...and capture a bit of it with my lens.

i took quite a few photos (a few hundred)...and have embedded a few of them here into a slideshow. i hope you enjoy them.

The End

easter basket...

2011-04-24T08:20:00.001-07:00

easter basket..., originally uploaded by credd.

the basket of eggs i'll take to church today.
i also have a basket of candy...
and another of veggies.

the first time i took a basket of eggs...
one of the deacons asked, "where's the salt & pepper"?
i didn't have any.
lucky for him...
my mother did.

have a wonderful day!!!

earth day 2011...

2011-04-22T13:13:00.001-07:00

earth day 2011..., originally uploaded by credd.

our office complex has vendors in the plaza for earth day each year.

they have tomato plants (like i needed any more) and herbs; and other samples. they also have door prizes.

my co-worker won one of the prizes (shopping bag, microfiber towels, gap gift certificate, and some other items)...and i won another one (jamba juice gift certificate).

they haven't had the drawing for the grand prize yet (a bicycle). we're hopeful that someone else in our office will win that one. :)

a rose...

2011-04-19T06:06:00.001-07:00

a rose..., originally uploaded by credd.

we planted this rose bush 20 years ago...
and we've gotten four additional plants from it.

sorbet...

2011-04-17T10:34:00.001-07:00

sorbet..., originally uploaded by credd.

i think this is just the most gorgeous color! i photographed it when i was at cornerstone sonoma yestday for tomatomania.

i'm going to have to send the photo to the them so that they can tell me the type of tulip it is...so that i can plant it in my garden next year.

unless...YOU know?

red, white & negrita...

2011-04-15T22:23:00.001-07:00

red, white & negrita..., originally uploaded by credd.

three of the flowers in bloom this week in my bulb bowl.

red riding hood tulip, narcissus misty and negrita tulip.

i'm lying on the concrete patio to get this photo. i guess i was feeling a bit TOO good after today's workout.

i hope i don't have to pay for it tomorrow...as i've got lots of plants to get into the ground...and a tomatomania event to attend.

dwarf korean lilac...

2011-04-10T22:15:00.001-07:00

dwarf korean lilac..., originally uploaded by credd.

my daughter sent me this plant a couple of years ago for mother's day.

we planted it out back in the middle of the flower garden...
and it continues to bloom early each spring.

the cowboy...

2011-04-09T18:25:00.001-07:00

the cowboy..., originally uploaded by credd.

today i was out with another #photog & we went by a location where she's a frequent shooter.

as we were walking back towards the house...the owner of the property sat down on a stump...and struck a quick pose.

wisteria...

2011-04-08T19:23:00.001-07:00

wisteria..., originally uploaded by credd.

098

Wisteria (also spelled Wistaria) is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, that includes ten species of woody climbing vines native to the eastern United States and the East Asian states of China, Korea, and Japan. Aquarists refer to the species Hygrophila difformis, in the family Acanthaceae, as Water Wisteria.

Wisteria vines climb by twining their stems either clockwise or counter-clockwise round any available support.

They can climb as high as 20 m above ground and spread out 10 m laterally. The world's largest known Wisteria vine is located in Sierra Madre, California, measuring more than 1 acre (0.40 ha) in size and weighing 250 tons.

*info from wikipedia.

sunset...

2011-04-08T07:40:00.001-07:00

sunset..., originally uploaded by credd.

when i left my office last night...
i was captivated by the sky.
VERY dark on one side of the freeway...
and blue skies & sunshine on the other.

i chased clouds for a couple of hours...
not knowing it was tornadic activity...
until i saw it on the news.

after the train photo below...
i drove down the road a bit...
and waited for the sunset.

fire-y...

2011-04-07T21:57:00.001-07:00

fire-y..., originally uploaded by credd.

tonight when i was driving home...
i couldn't help but notice the sky.

to my right...darkness.
to my left...blue skies, white fluffy clouds & sunshine.

i kept glancing back & forth...
all the while thinking...
where should i go to shoot?

i ended up going to a few places...
and after stopping off for a coffee to keep me warm...
eventually ended up in suisun.

i went out there to shoot all the hail that had fallen...
and ended up with a sunset instead.

billie goats...

2011-04-02T20:44:00.001-07:00

billie goats..., originally uploaded by credd.

as i was leaving my parent's house...
i saw these goats on the corner.
i quickly made a couple of u-turns.

the one in the two photos below was right at the fence..
and there were at least ten others meandering around the lot.

goats are sometimes rented out for weed control...
and these are gonna be well fed for a few days.

when i used to work in the lucas arts building...
we would see the goats on the hillside behind our office twice a year.

*additional photos on flickr

narcissus w/texture...

2011-03-29T19:22:00.001-07:00

narcissus w/texture..., originally uploaded by credd.

i guess the saying of a watched pot never boiling...
is true with plants too.

i was gone for the weekend...
and some of my bulbs have finally opened.

yay spring!!!

hydroponic lettuce...

2011-03-28T07:14:00.001-07:00

hydroponic lettuce..., originally uploaded by credd.

this was an AMAZING display in person!!!

i grow lettuce in my garden...
but i'm going to try something like this...
on a smaller scale of course...
this year.

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*this photo was taken at the San Francisco flower and garden show...in San Mateo.