September 28 Cold Front

September 28 Cold Front, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today a storm and accompanying cold front passed through on my way from work to the shopping center. The sky was constantly changing. As I walked out of one store I noticed these clouds. They looked so unusual. Of course the the picture does not capture them near as well as seeing them for yourself.

September 27 Apple Pie

September 27 Apple Pie, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today my daughter and I worked together to make a pie. I cut and peeled the apples. She mixed everthing together and I crimped the edges of the pie shell. It came out wonderful. I love fall foods and my daughter!

September 26 Giant Pumpkin Winner

September 26 Giant Pumpkin Winner, originally uploaded by NedraI.

This weekend there is a photo contest in our area. The idea is to take a picture of anything but it just has to be within 100 miles of New Hartford and it has to be taken on Saturday or Sunday. Then we have 2 weeks to get the picture printed, framed and turned in to the local camera shop. The pictures will be on display at the New Hartford Library. My husband and I took off in a quest for pictures today. We headed south for the Cooperstown area. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures that I really like. The morning sun turned to clouds and it was very windy. I'll hope for better luck tomorrow!

However, while we were in Cooperstown there was a pumpkin weigh in contest. This was the winner at 1500 pounds! Someone had brought it up from PA. I wonder what the prize was for this contest.

Broccoli Pie

Broccoli Pie, originally uploaded by NedraI.

My daughter made dinner three times this week! First she made broccoli soup with the help of her dad, then she made potato chip chicken and fresh corn and tonight we had broccoli pie. This was a first and was like a quiche. MMMMM good. I was out in the garden taking pictures when she asked me to come in and take a picture of this for my photo of the day.

September 24 Day Lily Pods

September 24 Day Lily Pods, originally uploaded by NedraI.

In my photo class we're learning how to read the histogram and how to make adjustments. We're also learning about the importance of using a tripod. Today I was out with my macro lens and the tripod and worked on getting the settings correct. I was happy with several of the shots including this one.

September 23 Getting Ready for UC Art Show

September 23 Getting Ready for UC Art Show, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Tonight was a busy night trying to pay bills, select photos for an upcoming photo show and get the necessary paper work submitted online, make a screencast for my 4th graders and a directional comix for the 5th graders. Needless to say it was a late night! Luckily, for the photo show, all I have to do is tell my husband which photos I want and he prints, mats and frames them for me.

September 22 Burning Bush

September 22 Burning Bush, originally uploaded by NedraI.

I missed a great shot of a pink sky behind this bush this morning. The sky just changed too quickly. So when I got home I went out with the macro lens and the tripod and tried a different shot. The bush is about peak right now, I suppose I should take a shot of the whole thing some day.

September 21 Temptations

September 21 Temptations, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Between now and Christmas I need to work harder at avoiding this aisle! I love holiday candy like candy corn and peanut butter kisses and pretty much anything chocolate. If I buy the candy I eat pretty much all of it. Rest of the family can ignore it. Why didn't I get that gene? It would also help if they only put it out for a couple weeks before the holiday instead of a couple of months.

September 20 Car Show Pics

September 20 Car Show Pics, originally uploaded by NedraI.

My husband and I both enjoy shooting pictures. When we go to a car show he likes to take photos of hood ornaments, chrome and lights. He's gotten some really cool shots. There were over 400 cars at this show. I took off on my own nature walk to shoot so we were both happy.

September 19 Time to Change

September 19 Time to Change, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today was a beautiful fall day in central NY. My husband and I took the corvette and headed north up to Inlet to check out the Fall Festival. We had a snack there and then stopped for a beer at a local bar where we could sit outside and continue to enjoy the day. Then we continued driving and took a long way home. The trees hadn't changed as much as I would have expected for the area but it didn't matter. The air was dry, the sky was clear, and the temps were just a bit chilly sending a clear signal that fall is coming.

September 18 Sunset Over the Marsh

September 18 Sunset Over the Marsh, originally uploaded by NedraI.

As my husband and I headed out the door for the Utica Camera Club meeting I realized I didn't have a picture for today. So, I grabbed my camera and hoped to find something worthy of a shot during the evening hours. It didn't take long to find a subject. There was a beautiful sunset as we drove to the meeting. Luckily I wasn't driving!

September 17 Spider

September 17 Spider, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today was a busy day ending with photo class. On my way into class I snapped a picture of the school but it didn't turn out all that well. I'm going to try again for that shot next week. When I got home I found the spider that has a huge web between the garage and two old tires. It was pretty big and I have a fear of spiders so I wouldn't get too close-thank goodness for cropping! Despite my fear I do find them interesting to look at as long as they are outside and I love the delicate patterns of their webs.

September 16 New Stuff

September 16 New Stuff, originally uploaded by NedraI.

My husband stopped at a garage sale this morning and came home with a tool box full of tools for $75. He doesn't have any classes on Wednesdays so he spent the entire day sorting through all the stuff. He said he would like to meet the man that owned this because that person saved all the same kind of stuff he does. I think it will be nice that some day in the not to distant future he'll be able to pass this tool box complete with tools along to our son since my husband already has a nice collection.

September 15 Dave's Dinner Cruise In

September 15 Dave's Dinner Cruise In, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Most summers my husband spends each evening at a different cruise-in around the area. This year his corvette had some major problems and was out of commission for quite awhile. Finally, a mechanic got it running good enough to make it through the fall. The mechanic will work on it again over the winter. So tonight we went to a cruise-in at a local dinner. It was a nice evening and there was the typical big turnout of cars. This one was my favorite.

September 14 Abundant Packaging

September 14 Abundant Packaging, originally uploaded by NedraI.

A new young teacher and former neighbor had a Lia Sopia party recently. It was my first jewelry party. I'm not one to spend much on jewelry but wanted to help her out so I ordered this pair of earrings. I was amazed at the size of the box it came in! I'm sure the little brown padded envelope inside the box would have been sufficient! Plus a 4 page invoice for 1 item? I'll think twice before ordering again. I hate to see excessive packaging.

September 13 Ready to Head Out

September 13 Ready to Head Out, originally uploaded by NedraI.

It's Sunday night and time to get ready for Monday. In the morning I'll grab my lunch bag as well. When my back gives me problems from time to time do you think it's due to all the stuff I carry? And I can only carry things on my right shoulder which seems a little strange but true.

September 12 Model T Ride

September 12 Model T Ride, originally uploaded by NedraI.

I have two friends that have Model Ts. Today they were going for a ride to an antique motor show and flea market up north. My husband and I tagged along for our first long distance ride. We had a blast! My husband took this picture along with many others. I picked this one for my picture of the day because I thought it showed the best how we were truly on the back roads, that's one of the things that made it special. My husband noted that in every picture everyone was smiling. We all had a rib for lunch that was cooked by the heat of the engine on the trip. We would like to get a Model T but our problem is where to store it? I hope we get to tag along again some day.

September 11 Happy Hour

September 11 Happy Hour Dip, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Friday night and our first week of school is complete. To celebrate one of my friends and coworkers hosted a survival happy hour. While I was there my daughter sent me a text message of the pizza she and my husband were enjoying and said-"Be jealous!" I sent her one back of a jarred dip with Fritos and said "No way, you can't beat this!" It was the typical friendly banter we have on our cell phones. Spending the evening with a few friends was a great way to begin the weekend.

September 10 Free i-pod Touch

September 10 Free i-pod Touch, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Tonight I started a digital photography class. I was hoping I would have a picture from class to share. But we didn't take any pictures. We learned about ISO, apertures and shutter speeds. Terms I'm familiar with but still need to work on internalizing.
When I got home I knew right away what my photo would be since my new ipod touch had arrived while I was gone. Last week I found out I won the ipod from School Center. The had a contest on both Twitter and Facebook. They would give away an ipod once they had 100 followers on each site. I signed up on both and was very surprised when I read on Facebook that I was the winner! I thought it was a nice touch that they tucked a personal note in with the ipod. I have it synced and will nowl be adding educational apps and the recording apps. I will be working to figure out how to use one i-pod with 36 classes that come to the lab! The kids are excited. One second grader quizzed me on how my g's it had and if it would be a first or second generation! I think I know who to go to if I need any help!

September 9 Seed Heads

September 9 Seed Heads, originally uploaded by NedraI.

This seed head is a part of a large flowering plant that shows off yellow flowers most of the summer. Then I let it go to seed because I find the fading flowers and seed heads attractive as fall approaches.

September 8 Road to Work

September 8 Road to Work, originally uploaded by NedraI.

This is my third picture of this same spot. It was still a little dark this morning and I bumped up the ISO and now I'm not happy with the quality. I may retake this on Thursday depending on the weather. The only shot I have left now is fall.

September 7 Choices

September 7 Choices, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Tonight we had corn from the garden and the last 8 ears from the local stand. We fixed it three different ways! Grilled in the husk was the best!

September 6 Organist

September 6 Organist, originally uploaded by NedraI.

It was hard to pick a picture for today. We had a good time at the NY State Fair. I decided to go with this gentleman playing the organ. He was fascinating to watch-his hands and feet both moving to produce the beautiful music. And he plays from memory. I know how difficult it is for me to play a simple song on the piano with music so I marveled at how easy he made it look. As I watched him I worried that this might be a dying music form. So when he finished I asked him if young people were taking lessons. He assured me they are and that there will be a concert in the near future and one of the organist is 20. It was good to know that this music tradition will carry on into the future.

September 5 Wedding Photos

September 6 Wedding Photos, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today I had the honor of attending the wedding of one of my former kindergarten students. It just happens since that time our families have become good friends. The older adults thought she was a little crazy having the wedding 2 hours from home and outside with no Plan B. However, the Weather Gods were smiling on her today and it was a gorgeous day for a wedding on the lake. As the sun set it provided beautiful lighting for the photographer and the market turned magical with candle lights for the reception.

September 4 Snapping Turtle

September 4 Snapping Turtle, originally uploaded by NedraI.

My husband and I went for a bike ride along the barge canal today and took along our cameras. When my husband stopped I couldn't figure out why at first. He said he had to get pictures of the turtle. I looked again and realized what I thought was a mossy rock was actually a snapping turtle. He got fairly close to it. I used my bigger lens and kept my distance. This guy is so prehistoric looking!

September 3 Ready to Pick

September 3 Ready to Pick, originally uploaded by NedraI.

The tomatoes and peppers are rotting on the vines before they have a chance to ripen. It's very disappointing. However, we're thankful the corn is doing well. We ate our first three ears tonight. Yum!
I like the light shining through the leaves.

September 2 New Gym

September 2 New Gym, originally uploaded by NedraI.

Today there was a ribbon cutting to mark the Grand Opening of our new gym. Unfortunately, I had something set wrong on my camera and my pictures did not come out very well. But trust me it is a beautiful facility and not only will it serve our students it is also a place the community can use as well.

September 1 Power

September 1 Power, originally uploaded by NedraI.

live just a few miles from these power lines and just up the hill from this there is a big power plant. I can see the power lines run across the hills and valleys on my way to work each day. I stopped and took this picture while riding my bike for the first time in a few weeks. As I rode towards them I kept thinking that's what I need-energy! I was struggling riding alone and being just a bit out of shape. A quick rest while I took the picture with my cell phone and did a pep talk to myself got me going again to continue and finish my ride.