Labor Day Weekend

There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my son, though some days I'm louder about other stuff so it's easy to miss that. ~story people, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

There has never been a day when I have not been proud of you, I said to my son, though some days I'm louder about other stuff so it's easy to miss that. ~story people

~*~*~*~
Yesterday the kids and I drove to the boat club in Monroe, where my parents boat is. We went out for a little bit and Emily jumped in and out of Lake Erie. The water was cold, I think.
We are going to go back today. This time, we'll take the tube out. My cousin might come and bring her kayak.
Oh and David drove there and back on I-75. He did pretty good. I'm going to let him drive again today. He needs the hours.

36/52

36/52 For a long time, she flew only when she thought no one else was watching. ~story people, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme this week is macro photography. Macro photography is close-up photography. I took this macro of a watercolor that Emily painted. It's on a canvas and I thought the texture was interesting.

Emily Wonka

Today the kids and I went to get shoes for school. Guitar Center was in the same shopping center and David wanted to go. Emily went to Party City instead. They were getting their Halloween costumes out and Emily found this wonderful purple velet hat and some crazy glasses. I just had to take this picture! She actually let me too.

35/52

35/52 waiting for the harvest*, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Waiting for the Harvest.

I had a hard time coming up with something for the theme (waiting) this week. I went out to one of our city's parks for the heck of it today. I wanted to take some photos. There is a community garden there. People plant things and then their crops go to local food banks. Pretty cool thing to do.
I was waiting to see a Cabbage Patch Kid. lol

34/52

34/52, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
_____**_____

I was in search of architectural details while at Henry Ford's Estate. There are plenty to be found.

I went out to Henry Ford's Estate today. I needed to get out of the house. I really like this place. It's so peaceful.
Oh and I should add that it just started misting. It was a light drizzle and my daughter kept yelling at me to get the camera back in the bag! She was concerned.

33/52

33/52 heat, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

This week's theme is heat. Chillin' in the pool is one of my favorite ways to stay cool in this heat. This weekend is going to be a hot one. You'll be sure to find me floating around in the pool.

32/52

32/52 is it a sign?, originally uploaded by Just another Jen *.

Is it a sign?
The theme this week is "signs". I'm hoping this little piece of paper is a sign for us. We could use a little happiness this last part of the year. It's been a sucky 2009. I just can't imagine it getting any worse than it has been.

31/52

31/52 it never occurred to me to take a picture of..., originally uploaded by Jen is so glad to be back*.

The theme this week is to take a photo of something that never occurred to you to take a picture of before. This was very hard. I've either taken it or have at least thought of it. Tonight, while folding my laundry it hit me. I'll take a picture of the ceiling! This part of the basement is unfinished. It looks pretty cool, I guess. To add some bit of interest I got these wires. I have no idea what they are. I'm sure they are important for something.

Tomorrow starts another week of work. I'll be working my 3rd week in a row of 6 days. It's tiring. I'm thankful for my Sundays.
It's our anniversary Friday too. Not sure what the plans are. I'll have to put on my thinking cap.

30/52

Ok... so the theme for the week is water. I don't know why but I wasn't inspired to do this week. I had an idea but it didn't work the way I wanted. Oh and it's just not HOT enough to get in the pool, besides, I'm not about to be seen in a swimsuit. I should have gotten in the hot-tub. Oh, too late.
I took the kids to the movie at 7:30 and on the way home I was thinking about what I could do. I was also thinking that I needed to vaccum the car. *ding *ding *ding *ding I'll wash the car! Wait, again, I'm not about to get in a bathing suit. So here's the "un-sexiest" carwash photoshoot.

 

Brazilian Stew
I found a recipe on another blog that I follow. I made it for a late lunch / early dinner today. I just finished a bowl and I have to say, it was delicious! The mango added a special touch. The kids ate it with no groans. Emily didn't care for the sweet potatoes. I think she's crazy.
Go check out the b-line for the recipe.

banana split!

A few weeks ago, my parents took the kids to the Jackson Dairy. Here is David with the banana split that he ordered. Look at the size of that. He ate it all!!
Oh, and that's my dad. :-)

It makes me laugh each time I visit my mother-in-law. This is how all the mirrors are in the house. If you are taller than 5'5" you won't see your face in the mirrors unless you bend down.
We had a nice visit with Mike's mom. The weather was cold, cloudy and rainy. We had planned on tubing down the river but that didn't work out. Will make up back up there this summer, hopefully it's hot!

29/52

29/52 chore, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

Well, here I am once again posting these crazy photos. The theme this week is "fruits / veggies". As you can see this has nothing to do with the theme. (I don't know if I'll have the chance to do a photo for the theme.) I was actually vacuuming the pool. I took this on Monday for "Bench Monday". And no, this is not a bench. It's my Home Depot bucket. These really come in handy. Sidney was right under foot as usual. And this time, quite literally. It's like she knew she was going to have her picture taken too.
Well, enough rambling. Have a great week!

emily

emily, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

We went to Trenton's Elizabeth Park today. They were having Kayak demos and Emily wanted to check it out. We got there a little to late and they were wrapping up but they were going to be starting a tour soon. We declined although it would have been fun. The kayaks they were selling were over $1k. Just a bit over our price range.
I brought my camera and wanted to practice taking pics of *people* but Emily didn't want anything to do with it. Somehow I managed to get 3 decent ones of her. David was off at the skate park so I didn't get any of him.

Don't forget: Saturday is Free Slurpee Day - Pop Candy - USATODAY.com

Don't forget: Saturday is Free Slurpee Day - Pop Candy - USATODAY.com: "Every July 11, 7-Eleven stores across the country celebrate their birthday by giving away free Slurpees. This year the convenience store chain turns 82, and about 5 million icy beverages will be handed out at participating locations.
The company is touting this as the 'biggest Slurpee giveaway ever.' In addition, the Slurpee cups will come with codes that can be redeemed for $7.11 lawn seats to select Live Nation shows.
You can learn more at slurpee.com and 'RSVP' on Slurpee's Facebook page. But beware: Brain freeze is no joke!"

28/52

28/52 happy place, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

This is my happy place. Out in my yard, barefoot, relaxing in my favorite chair, drinking a nice glass of some homemade wine (courtesy of mom & dad). It's so peaceful to get away and just let the worries fade.

free is good!!

I'm pretty excited. I just enrolled in a free online digital photography course!!
If anyone is interested in participating in a free online photography class - Creative Techs is offering one starting next week - 15 July. This class will be taught by John Greengo from the PBS series Art Wolfe's Travels to the Edge. Make sure you sign up now, in order for these cyber classes to happen, they need at least 1,000 attendees and they usually get that many too!

http://creativetechs.com/freephotographycourse

27/52

27/52 chaos, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme for the week is chaos.
Need I say more? Between Emily and I my counter is alway full. I like things within reach. I can't find anything when it's put away. By the way... I actually cleaned the counter yesterday. I staged this. ha ha! There would have been more things here such as deodarant, the flat iron. And this is only have of it.

26/52

26/52 half eaten, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

The theme this week is half. We are halfway through 2009. I feel like I just started this project. It's been fun so far.

Yesterday morning, the kids and I drove out to Cabella's in Dundee. I let David drive there and back. He did pretty good. After we left Cabella's with what we went there for, we took a drive through the town. Either I didn't find the downtown area or it was very, very small. We did see a garage sale on one of the streets. The guy had 2 electric guitars for sale. So we parked and went to check them out. The one was just like one David has his eye on at Guitar Center. It's a Les Paul. The guy was selling them for $10. They were really banged up but David didn't care. He got the one he wanted. When we got home he fixed it up. He got new knobs and some other little piece. He spent a total of $16.78 for a new toy that could have cost him over $100. He's so happy!

25/52

25/52 pet peeve, originally uploaded by Jen likes to snap pics*.

This week, the theme is pet peeves. I can't stand mail! It stacks up and makes a huge mess. This is nothing compared to what it could be. I just can't seem to get rid of it.