Sheep Herding in Colorado

We'd been on the road for probably an hour or so, when Rick said "look, sheep". He found a safe place to pull over so we could watch a couple of cowboys with their dogs herd sheep down the rail road tracks. It was so fascinating watching the cowboys work with their dogs to keep the sheep together and headed in the right direction. We were amazed at how the cowboy's hand gestures or whistles would direct the dogs to move by and through the sheep.

Just days before, Rick and I talked about how neat my first trip to Colorado was, because I got to see cowboys start up the mountain with sheep. Who knew I'd get to see cowboys working cattle down the mountain six years later.

Here's a few pics from that very special sighting.

Here's to cowboys and their faithful dogs!

Yippee kai yea ya'll!

:~) Frances

Back from Colorado

Sniff, sniff, choke, choke -- we're back from our trip to Lake City, Colorado. My body loved the 30-70 degree temps and isn't real happy that we're back in the 70-90 degree temps of North Texas (or maybe my body isn't happy that we are now half a century old).

We've never taken a trip to Colorado this late in the year, so we weren't sure what to expect. We were totally taken aback by the leaves changing. Each day, as we made our drive to the streams, we oooohhhheed and ahhhheedd over the Aspen's beautiful colors. Our first drive up, the leaves were just starting to change from green to yellow. By the end of our trip, the leaves were anywhere from a vibrant green, to a brilliant yellow, orange and red.

Wow! It was amazing!

This is a picture (actually, it's blended from 5 bracketed exposures -- all hand held -- I wished I'd had my tripod handy for a sharp pic) I took after we arrived back at Dub's cabin after dinner.

Once again, the trout won! I fished five days and caught one itty, bitty brown. Rick, on the other hand, caught a number of trout, some around 15 inches long.

I'm blaming my lack of fish on having a somewhat impaired fly rod. One morning, as Rick was fishing, I opted to start out taking pictures of the cattle that were walking towards the car. Me, being the chicken, was too afraid to shoo them off, so they ended up at the car, nose-y-ing around. I was really worried that they were chewing on my waders and didn't pay attention to my fly rod. At some point, one cow took a bite out of my rod. So (wait for it, wait for it, here's my excuse) my rod wasn't balanced and I'm sure it adversely affected my toss (yep, that's my very lame excuse).

Can you see why I didn't want to shoo them away?????? Some of the cows had horns with points. I've seen videos of The Running of the Bulls -- and you don't want to be on the other end of those horns!!!

All I can figure is that my feet smell like cow food or something because every cow out there came by to check out my boots. They licked my boots and got slimy cow spit on them. Yuck! Quite honestly, I was more relieved they didn't pee on them!

The cows, while rooting around the car, scattered some of Rick's dry flies on the ground and coated them with slobber. A little bath in water and a quick dry on a paper towel cured the slobber coated flies.

We had a great time and can't wait until we return next year. I'll be posting more pics as I can.

I hope all of you have a great week!

;~D  Frances

The color green

Woo Hoo (currently jumping up and down doing the woo hoo dance)! After 41 days, I finally received my camera back! I haven't made the time to see if my flash guns still have a little Linda Blair - the Exorcist in them. So keep your fingers crossed that everything is in working order!

I did march my happy pants out back yesterday to play around with my camera. I really wanted to get shots of the four legged beasts (who are barking their heads off right now) but, alas,  they couldn't seem to focus on being still.

So --- I walked over to the chives (one of the few herbs I haven't managed to totally kill) and started clicking away.

While taking pics of the chives I noticed a little, bitty, butterfly (or moth) sitting on one of the flowers. Ugggggghhhhhhh -- I had the 50mm lens on and not my macro lens. Rats, oh well, got to dance with the one that brung you, right?

There was a slight breeze, so I had to wait patiently until the little guy bobbed back into place to try and capture at least one sharp (OK -- it's not razor sharp) picture.

Well, the little bugger had me fooled!  I thought I was taking a picture of his front side, when in fact, the big orange and black dot is on his hind side!

What I like most about this picture is the color green.  It has a calming affect on me.  Hmmmmm,  maybe next go around, I'll paint all my rooms green.  Eeeehhhhhh -- maybe not.  Anyhoo -- check out this link on color psychology.

The dogs are still barking, so I may need to go out back and take in some green to get me back to a peaceful, calm, state.

I hope you all have a safe, wonderful, calm, Laborless Labor Day!

:~P  Frances

PS -- Twicebroken is in Vegas preparing for the finals of the Hard Rock's Battle of the Bands!  I asked Nick to let me know what time they were playing, so that I could mix a cocktail, put their CD on, and pretend I was there cheering them on!

THE DOGS ARE STILL BARKING!!!!!!!!  AAAGGGHHHHHHH!

Elm Storyboard

Wow, it's another beautiful day in the neighborhood!  Grass -- still growing, not mowed!  Manana, manana!

Anyhooooo -- I love the storyboards on the CoffeeShop  blog -- soooo, I thought to myself, wonder what I can take pictures of today and slap into one of those wonderful storyboards??????  Light bulb on -- the elm tree out back!

Sooooooo -- I grabbed my camera and took a number of shots of the sun coming through the beautifully spotted, amber and green colored elm leaves.

I then decided on the CoffeShop's 20X10 5 pic storybaord and went to work.  If you haven't visited the CoffeeShop and you use either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements -- I highly suggest you cruise by because Rita's site is a wonderful resource!!!!!

I'm trying to become a little more domesticated and bake bread.  I tried making brochen yesterday -- they weren't bad -- but, not gonna win a blue ribbon at the fair either.  Today, I tried a different brochen recipe -- and they were a little bit better -- but still not round and puffy, more flat and sortof puffy.  I do believe I'm not getting the desired results due to lack of technique.

I found a great blog with videos on how to knead the bread -- so I think my next bread making venture will be this guy's recipe (we have about 20 rolls to eat before I attempt the next batch-o-bread, pooooooor Rick!)   Soooooo -- I'll report back in on bread making 101 after I try the next recipe!!!

Brochen is supposed to be round and lot puffier (sob).  Dropped one after the photo shoot, dogs gave the  Brochen a paws up (but they'll eat anything!!)!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

; ~ '}  Frances

Weeds need lovin too!

Earlier this morning, I let the hounds out and noticed that the golf course still looks amazing as the sun comes up.  This morning, there was a little bit of fog floating through the trees -- sooooooo I ran and got my camera and captured a few shots.  This seems to be my favorite thing to photograph -- as you may have seen a few pictures I've recorded over the past few weeks of the course (same shot, different time and different day).  This morning's shot is  a little different as there were some black birds in the trees.  I whipped that puppy into my computer and added a few layers of textures -- and voila --

I don't normally carry my camera around with me -- but, I was headed out to check on something for Rick -- so, since it was totally gorgeous outside, I thought there might be something cool to capture.   While walking around, I noticed some very interesting weeds growing -- so snap, snap, snap.

Now please don't ask me what kind of weeds these are -- because, honestly, I haven't a clue.

The front and back yards are screaming for one last mow before winter.  But, do you really think I want to waste a beautiful day getting all hot and sticky?????

You guessed it -- nope!

Have a wonderful evening!

;~ }  Frances

Adding an image link button

I am a novice when it comes to adding and changing things around on my blog. Yesterday, I got a wild hair and decided that I wanted to learn how to make an image link button for my blog. I probably read over 10 different how to's when the light bulb (however dim) finally came on!

I very carefully typed out each step I took as I created my blog link button -- for safekeeping -- because I know I'll never remember what I did to create the first one (it all started going downhill when I hit 40).

So --- just in case you were wondering how to create an image link button -- here it is -- step by step.

If you want to see what the final product looks like -- scan down to the bottom right side of my page for this button:

If you can't read the itty bitty print, hollah -- and I'll email you a Word Doc.

Have a great Thursday!

:') Frances

Saturday Storyboard

Man am I pumped!  I came across another wonderful blog by a really amazing Texas gal name Rita called Coffe Shop.  This gal is a woman after my own heart -- I mean let me count the ways!  One - she loves photography, Two - she loves Photoshop and Three - she puts her hard work out there for Free (oh there's a Four -- she's in the great state of Texas -- yee haw)!

 

I downloaded her CoffeeShop Storyboard 2V -- and gave it a whirl.  LOVE IT!  I shot these two pictures this morning out in my backyard.  I let the dogs out for one of their many potty breaks and noticed how the sun was making the dew drops sparkle -- so out came the camera.  Then as I was headed back in the house -- I looked down at the dog's water bowl (mental note -- clean the leaves out of their bowl) -- and noticed the reflection on the water -- so snap, snap, snap!

Rita's storyboard was perfect for combining my new photographs.  I hope you'll head on over to the Coffee Shop and check out her amazing blog!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love ya -- Frances

Colorado R&R

Hugs and kisses to Rick for taking me away from the 100 degree temps of Texas to the beautiful, lush green (and much cooler temps) of Lake City, Colorado. We spent a very relaxing week -- fly fishing, four wheeling, and my favorite -- eating!

I would guess that during the summer months, Lake City is inhabited by about 70% Texans. It's quite amusing to see so many Texas license plates!

The fishing was great for Rick and his Uncle Dub -- as they caught quite a few large trout -- for me, not so good. I caught one teenie, tiny trout on my first day of fishing, and the big goose egg from there on out. It's really not a big deal for me -- as I enjoy the practice (sounds like I'm in denial or something).

About four years ago, instead of taking a 4-wheel drive jeep on the mountain backroads (Alpine Loop), Rick has opted to doing the drive on a four-wheeler. I prefer the four-wheeler as it makes the day less scary. Jeeps just seem too wide for these narrow roads -- so I'm glad we've made the change.

We saw two moose while there. The first moose sighting was at Lake San Cristobal. We were driving around the lake when we noticed about six cars pulled over to the side -- and the car's occupants were out of the cars looking out toward the middle of the creeky area of the lake (not sure what you call it). The crowd had spotted a huge bull moose eating! We had a lot of fun chatting it up with the onlookers while watching the feeding moose.

Our next sighting was of a cow moose at Deer Creek. If you click on the moose picture below, you'll notice that there is a sign that has "Deer Creek" imprinted on it. I thought it was funny -- but, it doesn't take much to amuse me. Another moose watcher told us that the cow had two calves with her earlier. Rats -- how cool would that have been to see the mom and babies??????

Lake City has a number of wonderful restaurants. We love Poker Alice's (Pizza), Lake City Bakery (breads, sweet rolls, you name it -- they bake it), Cannibal Grill (hamburgers, hot dogs), the Sportsman (gas station that serves great BBQ), and an Italian Restaurant which I can't remember the name. We always end our trip with Rick's Uncle Dub and Aunt Sidney at Bruno's Restaurant. Bruno and his wife -- serve the most amazing food. It's five star dining -- I kid you not. We always look forward to the soup, bread -- and the main course. If you like wild game or a good steak -- Bruno's is the place to go.

Wow, it's not even 10:00 a.m. and I'm getting hungry!

If you'd like to learn more about Lake City, Colorado, click on today's post title (Colorado R&R).

Enough of the gab -- it's picture time! Enjoy and have a wonderful week!

Click on image for a larger picture.

Shot taken out the car window, somewhere in New Mexico.


Moose at Deer Creek (hey, who said moose can read?).


Dumpsters are locked to keep the bears out.


Garden shop (Pottin Shed) located behind our cabin (notice the sod roof).


Lake City Bakery (our first stop every morning).


We love shopping at Dan's Fly Shop. Dan and his wife are the best!


Photo of umbrellas at Kip's Gill in Creede, Colorado.


Rick soaking in the sun at Kip's Grill in Creede, Colorado.


One of the private streams we fished (Rio Grande)


Pssst -- what's the password? Had to get by the cattle before we could hit the Rio Grande for fishing.


Headed home, leaving New Mexico.

Coo Coo for cocoa puffs!

Well they are puffy, which goes with the picture. Maybe the title should be dingy for dandelions. This may be the last in my dandelion posts for a while.

It is currently 94 degrees outside (but feels like 98) -- guess what the high will be tomorrow????? 65 degrees! Is that not crazy? I still need to mow the front yard - but whew, the back yard did me in. Along with the cooler temps, we are supposed to get rain (yeah). My dilemma is -- the front yard really needs a good whacking before it rains (and I don't mean the Soprano kind), but it is waaaaaaaaaayyyyy to hot and humid. I either need to a) get a goat b) get a riding mower or c) sweet talk Rick into getting extra exercise once a week. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm -- wonder what my dogs and neighbors would think about a goat?????

I know, suck it up and rev up the mower! Well, I hope that ya'll have a wonderful weekend!

Love -- Frances

The bits and pieces of The Dandelion Forest

Photoshop Workbench 173: Selecting Around Trees

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The ramblings of this mad woman will hopefully answer Kym's question to The Dandelion Forest (please be patient with my roller coaster ride of an answer).

I'm a huge fan of Mark S. Johnson! He posts a Photoshop lesson to his blog every Thursday. So -- what do I look forward to every Thursday???? You guessed correctly -- his Photoshop lesson!

I used the above lesson to help me create The Dandelion Forest. Click on the blue link underneath the picture (Photoshop Workbench #173) and watch. Mark also has e books available which are also fantastic learning tools. I have Chapter 5 of the Photographer's Photoshop CS4 Companion and will probably purchase a few more chapters (you can now purchase the entire book).

Anyhooooooooo - back to Kym's question on how I put this together. The base for the project is the dandelion picture. I then opened up the shack, and using the background eraser pulled out only what I wanted (the shack, cement steps and trees). I then dragged the shack picture in above the dandelions, scaled it down till it fit, and then using a mask, cut around the dandelions (middle left hand side above the shack) to make it appear that the dandelions were growing from trees. I then worked on the animal pictures (Snoball was dropped in a couple days later), I eliminated the background (background eraser) around Snoball and the goat. Put all the pictures together (after having scaled them down, rotated the goat a bit) -- added several different picture textures, painted in some color here and there, used some TRA Actions, and texturized it -- and finally the final product.

I have a Wacom tablet (Intuos 3) that really makes doing photo art much, much easier. I can't imagine not using a Wacom tablet. Wacom just came out with the Intuos 4 -- and it looks fab!

Well, it's Friiiiiiiiday -- and I must get back to pooper scooper duty and mowing the lawn (started yesterday -- but whew, it felt like Houston on a 100 degree day -- and this girl ain't quite acclimated to heat and high humidty).

Have a wonderful Friday and a restful weekend.

love Frances

Something was missing!

Do you ever look at a picture and go "hmmmmmmmmmm it just needs something else"? Well, I was having a moment like that. My sister sent me some photos of her dogs and I went "eureka, I've got it". I kept thinking I needed something else to anchor the left side of my Dandelion Forest -- and her dog Snowball was the anchor. Here's the updated (and who knows whether or not the final) version of The Dandelion Forest sans Snowball.

More and I do mean more dandelions

Dandelions are so interesting and complex. Love em! I still had the triptych video on my mind -- so luckily, I had numerous photos of dandelions that I could drop into the trip. At my dismay (sob), I would have had to crop my pics (which I didn't want to) to fit the scale, so to overcome this itsy-bitsy problem, I flipped the canvas around and by golly we got it goin on!

I desaturated the pictures, added a texture, brought back color in certain areas, added color with the paint brush in others. And finally, added some text.

Question. Why oh why did I flip the title around so that it is backwards? Oh, the inner child in me wanted it that way and right now the kid rules!

Have a happy Tuesday!

Frances

The Dandelion Forest

I enjoy taking pictures of stuff -- yes, just stuff. At the time I take the picture, I'm not sure how I'll use it, but there is something there (at that time) that intrigues me. Rick took me out yesterday to snap a couple pictures while he checked on job sites. I grabbed several pictures of dandelions growing off the access road in Burk, and goats by a school in Burk. So -- combine it with an old shack I took in Vernon about two years ago, and we have today's photo-art "The Dandelion Forest".

I hope you find some humor in it!

Have a wonderful week!

Frances

Bald Eagle Web Cam

My friend Elizabeth sent me a link (click on today's title) to the Sutton Center Bald Eagle Nest Camera 2009 web page. It is absolutely fascinating. It may take 10 - 30 seconds for the two web cams to load, but once they do -- WOW (hint, I'm impatient, I kept clicking on the black box, all you have to do is open the web page, sit back and relax, the web cams will load on their own time)! You get to watch up close a mother and father bald eagle care for their chick.

I keep it up all day, and peek in every now and then. When Rick comes home, we do the same. If you have kids, save this link, they will enjoy watching the little chick.

Enjoy (and thank you so much Elizabeth)!

More Textures

Hola -- and Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Today (after watching DVR'd shows (Psyche, 30 Rock, and Monk), I decided that I was going to work on something fun! So, I went to this new site that I found and downloaded a couple of textures. Click on today's title -- and it will take you to this great website. I enjoy using textures as it gives more depth to my photo art.

I reused my shot of the bridge at Berend's Landing -- and combined it with a shot I had of a group of trees I took outside of Dallas, and birds flying (the birds can be found in the water in my picture) taken in Vernon, Texas. I then added the texture -- concrete, paper, and a piece of rock -- that had scratches all over it.

And -- because I have no talent with giving my pieces really cool names -- this one is called "water under the bridge". Yes, I keep telling myself I need to ramp up my imagination when it comes to giving my art a name. I'll add that to my to do list that I never get to!

Anyhooooooooo -- I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's Day!

PS -- aren't DVR's great? Talk about a time saver -- you can watch 2-3 times the number of shows once you skip through the commercials! Now I have more time to do ?????

Love you all -- Frances

Presidential Inauguration 2009

Regardless of who you voted for, Republican, Democratic, Independent, or Libertarian (I'm sure I missed something) you'll have to agree that today is a special day. Our first African American President will be sworn in! Sure we have our problems, but you have to admit, we live in the best country in the world. It's a country where if you have a dream, and you have the drive, you can fulfill those dreams.

I am so fortunate today, that I can stay home and watch the inauguration. I, of course, will be looking at pictures and processing them while watching the events take place -- lucky me!

Last night while Rick, his mom and I were eating chicken pot pie (yes, it's a weekly thing!!!!) we were talking about President Elect Obama requesting to be sworn in on Abraham Lincoln's Bible -- and what an amazing moment that is going to be. It was still on my mind this morning while I was looking at pictures in Photoshop Bridge. My mind wandered to photos from the Civil War -- and "voila" tin type came to mind (see how my mind works). So, I found this blah landscape photo taken at Lucy Park and played with it a little -- and now I have my own little tin type photo.

I hope you enjoy it.

I hope all of you will pray for President and Mrs. Bush, for President Elect and Mrs. Obama and our nation today (and everyday).

God Bless America!

My Favorite Photos

These are some of my favorite photos. The first picture are seed pods on a Cypress tree. Picture #2 is a street in my favorite town - Boston (Go Redsocks!). Picture #3 is a bridge in Boston.