F3 Day 24 -- man do I feel stupid

Yup, uhhhhhhhhh, how long have I had these earphones???? Oh at least 4-5 years! When did I finally figure out the correct placement of the phones on my head. Uhhhhhhh Wednesday.

I'm not sure why I never thought about how weird they felt on my head until I sat in on a web seminar -- and got tired of the headphones slipping. Well, duhhhhhh -- after I figured out which way was correct -- the slipping stopped.

I hate when that happens (me being stupid). Oh well, at least I can now use them in comfort!!!

I'm sure that most of you, would have used them correctly.  I'm not sure why I didn't.  But, just so I have a reminder of the correct placement of headphones to head -- I added some ears and a mouth via Photoshop.  Now I've got a visual reminder just in case I have a memory lapse!

 

Well, one more day and I'm half way to the end of the "what ever possessed me" photo project!!!!!  Think I'm going to do a "woo hoo" dance tomorrow!

There's a little bit of sun out today (but, really mostly cloudy) and I noticed how pretty the dogs looked sitting on their trampoline (really -- I bought it for me, but they claimed squatter's rights).

Here's Blue and Lola taking in as much sun as they can get today.

Have a great day!

Oh, and please feel free to let me know if you have any bonehead revelations that you'd like to get off your chest (you know, to make me feel better)!

;~D Frances

F3 23/50 In the Kitchen

I'm always on the hunt for a recipe for good ole comfort food. I came across a recipe on Paula Deens website for Beef Macaroni and Cheese. I looked at some of the comments posted, and noticed that the original recipe could feed an army -- and another thought it was a little bland.

Sooooooooooo -- I decided to try it but make a few changes. I cut the recipe in half and added a few more ingredients.   It's a simple and quick recipe.  As a matter of fact, you can make this the night before, and throw it in your fridge to bake the next day.

 

Cook the macaroni according to package directions

Brown the hamburger in bacon drippings

  

Saute onions and green bell pepper till tender

Add the garlic, heat for 30 seconds

Add crushed tomatoes, herbs and seasonings

Combine the hamburger, noodles and cheese in a large bowl, fold into a greased baking dish, top with remaining cheddar cheese

annnnndddd -- Voila -- comfort food!

If you're into a no fuss, make your tummy happy entree, give this a shot.

Have a great Wednesday!

;~D Frances

F3 22/50 OMG the sun came out for a minute! Setting your diopter

I woke up today feeling like the flu was setting in. Chills, cough, slight temperature, body ache, etc...... I told Rick that I'm blaming it on the lady at Pioneer Restaurant that was sitting in a booth behind us Sunday morning. She must have coughed for five minutes. Aaahhh, she was probably choking on her food -- and I just sat in my seat while she passed out (oh, that's why she stopped coughing!!!!)!

The Advil has kicked in so I feel much better.

Anyhoooooooooooo - the sun came out this morning for ummmmmmmmmmh a few minutes. I grabbed my camera and took a self portrait so I had something to remember the sun by just in case it stays in hiding. Oh, and yes, I had my 50mm lens on the camera body!

 

It snowed again last night.  As the weatherman stated this morning "we're having one strange winter in Wichita Falls".  I agree!  I can't remember the last me we had so many snowfalls within a 3-month period of time.

 Now, onto setting the diopter on your camera.  I'd done this when I originally got my camera, and hadn't thought about it again.  I ran across this article on Photo Answers and thought maybe it was time to revisit my diopter setting again.  You want to make sure this setting is correct especially if you switch to manual focus.  Me and my camera are still seeing eye to eye (I know -- I should go into comedy) so all is good

I've got my blinds open in my office -- just in case the sun comes back out!  I want to soak in as much of the sun's rays as possible.

Have a great day!

;~D  Frances

f3 21/50 Oh hey, another gray, gloomy day in Wichita Falls, Making a Custom Brush

As you can tell by the post title - it's another gray, gloomy day in Wichita Falls, Texas. Why, we might even get snow later tonight.

Now I know why some people come down with S.A.D.'s. I crave carbs all year long -- do you think I have SADS all year long??????

This is a shot looking towards the golf course behind my house. Can you say "drab" and "dreary"??????

On to more exciting things. I love the bird brushes from ShadowHouse Creations. I decided to get off my duff and learn how to create my own bird brushes. Luckily, some pigeons cooperated yesterday evening -- so I had a nice flock to choose from.

I found a video on YouTube (don't you love YouTube????) explaining how to make a cloud brush. The technique worked just fine on my bird picture.

Here's the image of the birds I took last night, as well as what my new bird brush looks like.

Stay warm and have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 20/50 Is it over yet??????

Gosh it's late. It's 9:37 p.m., about 30 minutes past my bedtime -- and I haven't posted a picture from today. Actually, I am having some weird photoshop problems, and I'm way too tired to figure out what's going on.

We went up to the office today -- Rick worked, I surfed the net and watched a couple of movies.

Mucho tired -- signing off for the evening, hoping that if I turn off the computer -- and let it rest -- my photoshop problems will be solved.

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

**UPDATE**

Wow, it's amazing how much clearer you can think when you are not tired (and I had a nap yesterday -- so I'm not sure why I was so whipped last night)!

Anyhoo, I figured out what my Photoshop problem was -- it was me!!!!!!! I'd done something (changed a picture to LAB color mode) -- and forgot. My action wouldn't do what I wanted because it was in this mode. I know it doesn't make sense -- but once again - I had operator error.

Here's what I intended to post last night -- but couldn't get my watermark border to run correctly -- so I got frustrated and quit.

It's been days and days filled with nothing but gray skies.    I think the sun broke out a time or two last week -- but for the most part -- it's been yuck!!!

As you can see from this picture -- the skies are just lifeless and dull. At least the bike added a little color to the scene.

Waaaaaahhhhhhh -- I want my sun back!

F3 19/50 - My Neighbor Bailey

Bailey is a pretty, sweet little thing. Whenever the dogs are out back (and she's out of course), she'll run up to the fence line and tries to play with my dogs. Mine just happen to be aloof. They'll walk up to her, go sniff, sniff, sniff, and then get back to the business at hand.

I try to squeeze my fat hands through the fence to pet her under her chin because she always looks so disappointed that the dogs won't run the fence line with her.

Doesn't she look like she could use a hug????

 

 rruuhhhhh roooooh -- someone's been playing in the dirt!

Have a wonderful, restful Saturday!

:~D Frances

PS -- it's another gray, gloomy day in Wichita Falls.

F3 Day 18 -- The Lot

I only half @#* my workout today.  You know, some days your body (maybe it's my mind) doesn't want to put out the effort and workout.  I managed a meager 45 minutes -- and went pllllllllllfffffffffffffff -- get me out of here.

So, I headed over to the lot with my camera -- because by golly it's day 18 and I need a picture.  I was hoping the ducks and geese would be hanging out under the bridge -- but nahhhh, they weren't there.

What to shoot, what to shoot??????????  I decided since it was another cloudy, gloomy, gray day, that I needed to get some clouds in my shot. 

 

One of these days, we're going to build a house on this lot, so maybe I'll keep this picture to put in my office (once it's built - hint, hint, hint).  

As all my friends know, I love Photoshop -- and I especially love using textures.  Here's another shot taken of the lot with layers of textures added.

Have a great weekend!

;~D Frances

F3 17/50 Ok, so maybe this is cheating -- and using the pen tool in CS4

I guess it's really not cheating, because I did take a picture with my 50mm lens. 

I've been working all day on putting pretty blue skies in some R/E pictures.  We just haven't had many pretty days over the last couple of months.

 

So, I didn't have much time to put my brain in gear and think of something exciting (I know, you haven't seen exciting yet anyway) to shoot.

The dogs get a biscuit every time they come in from the back yard (hmmmmmm is that why Lola is a chunky munky????).  Eureka -- take a picture of the biscuit jar. 

  

The pups dog biscuit jar taken with the 50mm f/1.8 lens

Actually, I took a picture of the biscuit jar so that I could try (like this is my 100th time trying) the pen tool in Photoshop CS4.  I can't count the number of times I've tried this tool, and after a few minutes ran with my tail between my legs.  This puppy is one hard tool to figure out.  UNTIL TODAY!  I found a great tutorial on Vimeo by Aaron Weiss.  I watched the video about three times and the light bulb finally came on.  If you've tried, and tried again to use the pen tool.  Check out Aaron's video.

Well, I can't just leave well enough alone -- so I did my Photoshop thang and came up with this:

 

I know it's not going to win an award, but hey, I used the extracted biscuit jar!!!!!  

Here's to the wonderful people who help keep my light bulb burning!!!

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 16/50 Breakfast of Chimp -ions -- I mean Champions!

My dad had a lot of nicknames (terms of endearment) for my sisters and I. One of them was knucklehead I, knucklehead II (that's me), and knucklehead III. My favorite nickname was monkey joe I (that's Barbara), monkey joe II (me again -- I think I have middle child syndrome), and monkey joe III (that's Pam). I really miss my dad -- and not a day goes by when I don't think of all the sacrifices he made for his family and country. Oooppppsss, welling up -- didn't mean to get blue writing this.

Ok -- back on track.

I'm not a breakfast food kindof girl. I like leftovers, you know, supper food (or is that dinner food -- I get confused because to me they are the same meal -- the evening meal).

Rick brought me back a souvenir from the NBA All Star Game in Dallas, Tx. What is it? Oh, a sample of Wheaties Fuel. I know, no hat, no tee-shirt??????  That's OK, he showers me with plenty of wonderful things!!!!

I digress (again).

I have to admit that it's pretty tasty (without milk -- gag don't like milk). It's almost like little bits and pieces of Snickerdoodle cookies.  If you are a cereal eater, check this one out -- it's  like dessert!

And finally -- onto what I consider the breakfast of chimp-ions (monkey joe II's of the world)!

A yummy burger!!!!!!

My son Nick sent me home with a  couple of doggie bags the other night from his cookout. He used ground pork and ground beef (equal mixture) and seasoned it with a packet of broccoli beef seasoning. He likes to experiment with food -- and I'm always willing to be a tester. BTW -- the burgers were great!

Uuuuummmmmmhhhh Nick, I need a refill!

So -- what do you have a hankering for at breakfast time???

Have a great Wednesday!

;~D  Frances

F3 15/50 Creepy Old House

I went by the Kemp Center for the Arts today, and while driving home, I decided to get out of my car and take a picture of this old house. It's really creepy now, but I can just imagine the life, laughs and tears that comprise its history.

Since I was using my 50mm, I took 12 shots of the house and stitched them together in Photoshop. I then aged it with some textures from ShadowHouse Creations.

Enjoy your evening!

;~D Frances

F3 14/50 Fat Tuesday

Gotta come clean. I am a day behind on my F3 project. Really, I didn't think it trough very well, or I might have used a 12mm lens and done a 12/12 project. I've already slapped my hands so you won't have to do it!

Well, it's Fat Tuesday! Even though I'm not Catholic, I'm sure I'll be filling up on rich food, oh wait, I do that every day!

Here's moose all decked out in his beads.

Here's to a great "Fat" Tuesday

;~D Frances

F3 13/50 Dinner with Nick and Emily

Nick and Emily invited me over for some of Nick's famous burgers! Well, maybe I invited myself over -- but hey, a girl's gotta eat!!!!!

So -- my trusty 50mm went along for the ride.

 

  

and finally, a shot of Nick and Emily (with the 70-200mm lens)

 

Thank you Nick and Emily for a wonderful evening -- and great burgers.

I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!

;~! Frances

F3 12/50 Emily and bridesmaids

We just got home from the MSU men's basketball game. Whew, you know your old when bedtime should be 9:00 p.m.!!!!!!

Today I tagged along with Emily as her bridesmaids tried on dresses. Wow -- was there ever a selection of dresses. Gee, when I was younger - I don't remember having so much to choose from, course, those were the days when we didn't have remote controls, cell phones, color tv, air conditioned cars -- and we had to walk ten miles one way just to get to school!

The pictures I would like to show you might give something away -- so, here's a peek at Emily as she's watching her bridesmaids try on their dresses.

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 11/50 Mirror Mirror

Today's F3 image -- is a photo I took this morning of the top half of the tree out in my front yard. The reason I only took a picture of the top half of the tree is because I knew that it would make a great mirrored effect picture.

So, in Photoshop, I duplicated it -- doubled the canvas size and then flipped it (the duplicated layer) -- to create this effect.

Next, (only on the bottom half) I blurred it, used the ocean ripple filter, and darkened it.

I then topped it off with a lens flare and blue photo filter.

And voila! I'm hoping that it fooled you into thinking it was a strand of snow topped trees at the edge of a pond.

The snow is still quite lovely -- but alas, it will be above freezing tomorrow -- so all we'll have left is a mushy mess by this time tomorrow(sob).

Here's to a wonderful Valentine's weekend!

:~D Frances

F3 10/50 Really, Snow?????

Woo hoo -- today was a winter wonderland in Wichita Falls, Texas.  It was absolutely beautiful.  Big, fluffy snowflakes fell from about 7:00 a.m. this morning  -- and is finally (at 8:58 p.m.) letting up a little.   I was working at Rick's office today -- so I didn't get to go out and play in the snow.   Rats, double rats.  It will all freeze over tonight making the roads dicey for tomorrow's commuters (I'm going to be one of them).

Here are a few shots from today!

 

Driving to work

 

Rick working hard

 

Headed home

 

Something artsy fartsy in the greyness of the day

Well, it's about bedtime for Franny.  Stay safe, warm, healthy and happy!

Have a great evening!

;~D  Frances

F3 Day 9 Emily's Birthday

We had a great time at Samurai of Tokyo tonight with my son Nick and his fiancee Emily. Their wedding is just around the corner (June 19th - Rick and I are going to crash the wedding and get married with them, hee hee hee)!   We were celebrating Emily's birthday.


Well, here is the evening in pictures.

 

  

  

  

  

I actually caught the shrimp headed for his hat!!!!

Emily, the birthday girl getting dressed up in Samurai gear.

 

Well, it's bedtime.

To my friends and family on the East Coast -- I hope you are all doing well -- staying safe and warm.

:~D Frances

F3 Day 8 -- Procrastination is my middle name (it should be my first)

Gee, it's not like we had a blow out Super Bowl party here Sunday night. But for whatever reason (maybe because the game was still going), I just didn't feel like cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. Yep, I talked myself into doing the KP (kitchen patrol as my dad would call it) in the morning.

Why, oh why (said like a damsel in distress) did I procrastinate???? I mean, it was like the flour bomb blew up in a tomato factory. Stuff was everywhere. I even noticed it (flour) on my computer keyboard.

Gag, let's see, would you rather wake up to a clean kitchen, or one that looks like this???

Someone slap me, and wake me from this nightmare of a mess! I had socks on the sink counter!!!! Why? Oh, I remember. I was taking trash outside, it was raining, I didn't want to get my socks wet, who has time to put on shoes (even though it was in the 30's), and if I left them on the floor, the dogs would play tug of war with them. Ok -- perfectly sane answer as to why I found socks on the kitchen sink. Gosh, what a knucklehead.

Naturally, the scene of the crime was shot with my 50mm lens!!!!

Luckily, we had dinner with friends last night -- so I didn't have to worry about having to clean the kitchen twice in one day (whew, bit the bullet on that one).

Here's a shot I took out the car window as we were driving to meet our friends -- again, this was shot with my new friend the 50mm lens.

Say -- a Twitter buddy posted a great link to psdtuts+. This site has great Photoshop tutorials and freebies. I hope you take a peek at it!

Anyhoo, it's time to mess up the kitchen for tonight's dinner --- my favorite -- Penne with Prosciutto and Pink Vodka Sauce.

Have a great evening!

;~D Frances

F3 7/50 Left Behind

First of all -- a shout out to the "Who Dat" nation. Way to go Saints!!!!!! It was a great game -- and of course -- full of good commercials! The commercial that really surprised me was the Tim Tebow commercial.

Focus on the Family - Tim Tebow Ad @ Yahoo! Video

Gee, what was all the fuss about????? I noticed that there were a number of articles discussing "what was up" with all the pregame controversy surrounding this commercial. Here's one that I liked from CNN Opinion. I applaud CBS (and Focus on the Family) for not bowing down to a few coalition groups who think they represent the rest of America. Whatever happened to free speech -- oh, some folks only want free speech when it advances their cause. Do you think these groups were feeling a little silly after it aired??? Every life is precious -- and deserves a chance. Check out the Focus on the Family link above and watch the Tebow's testimony.

Ok -- hopping off my soapbox.

Do you ever go out and take pictures and think -- oh, these are going to be fantastic? That was me, yesterday. I just wasn't thinking that there was total cloud cover -- and it was a gray, dingy, drab day. Nothing to give the photos depth.

Yuck! My pictures from yesterday lack depth. They lack detail. Oh, well. You live and learn. I miss the sun!

Rick and I drove around downtown looking for stuff to shoot (isn't he a great boyfriend???). We found a really interesting area -- near some old buildings. Although a "No Dumping" sign is clearly posted, dumping is still going on.

On a different side of the building, I noticed a teddy bear left behind.  He looked so sad and lonely laying out in the field.

 

  

And finally, the cane that provides a slight curtain to the once needed necessities of life, that have now become useless and have been left behind.

 

 

We haven't had much sun over the past two weeks, so I'm hoping it makes an appearance tomorrow.  For my friends (and family -- hi Mom and Tom), I hope all is clearing up after this weekend's snowfall.

Have a great (and safe) week.

:~{  I miss the sun -- Frances