promptings

a new photoblog

2013-04-03T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today my Thursday Challenge photo is posted on my new photoblog...

I'd love it if you dropped by!

For a while now I've been hankering after a more photo-friendly site. And so a few weeks ago I started poking around Wordpress.com, checking out all their lovely templates and finally picked a photoblog theme I liked. I've been working out the kinks for the last little while and I think it's visitor-ready.

I can display photos large and beautiful on it, and can drop my posts into categories—a real plus for an organization freak like me.

I called it promptings 2 because I won't be taking this promptings down any time soon, but will probably not post to it much any more. If you're interested in what's happening in the rest of my life, what I'm reading etc. you can also visit me at violetnesdoly.com.

rich

2013-03-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Queen of Diamonds

Moored in False Creek (beside the Granville Island Market), February 2010

Thursday Challenge

Next week: SPRING (Mud, Puddles, Spring, Sun,...)

happy spring!

2013-03-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

"Spring has returned. The earth is like a child that knows poems." - Rainer Maria Rilke

I caught these blooms a few days ago, against the dark wood of our clubhouse.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

here's to green!

2013-03-17T18:21:00.001-07:00

I'm not Irish. I don't have a drop of Irish blood in my veins. But all the beautiful moss on our walk at Derby Reach today got my camera all excited. And what better day to share this lovely green than on St. Patrick's Day?

Here's to green!

Elephant toes

Moss - lounging

Braided branches

Moss arcing the stream

Writing against the sky

Upholstered log

Feel the soft

Calligraphy on the forest floor

Red heart of an old tree

mother

2013-03-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Fawns and Doe

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: GREEN (Food, Trees, Clothing, Food, Vehicles,...)

signs

2013-03-06T18:37:00.000-08:00

Roadside sign - Salt Spring Island

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: MOTHER (Moms, Grandmas, Animals, Families, Babies,...)

red / pink

2013-02-27T19:28:00.000-08:00

Last summer's belles of the (hanging) basket

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: SIGNS (Commercial, Traffic, Funny,...)

photography

2013-02-21T09:30:00.000-08:00

Self-portrait

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: RED (Things that are red/pink,...)

originals at original joe's

2013-02-17T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I experienced a first today. We were the first customers at the new Original Joe's that opened at 12 noon in our neighbourhood. (They even took our photo.)

The decor is bright and modern with clean lines and rich colors.

I noticed the feature wall and snapped a picture. The owner came over and explained that the framed photos on it were taken in the community. And so now I'm going to be on the lookout for the where they're from.

Hubby ordered the burger, I the quesadilla (chipotle quesadilla with side salad of greens, dried cranberries and almond slices.) Yum!

We decided to go the distance and even have dessert. My tip: leave room for this luscious mud pie (with mocha). Double yum!!

It's the first Original Joe's we've ever been to and we'll be back!

Valentine week in photos

2013-02-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

"All walking is discovery. On foot we take the time to see things whole." -Hal Borland

Last Sunday was a stellar weather day. It was also the birthday of my sis and brother (twins). Brother lives halfway across the country but sis is nearby so we took her out for lunch then went for a walk at Crescent Beach.

She showed off her plot in the community garden. The bottom photo is of kale, growing in a nearby bed. I thought it was stunning with its variegated coloring and fuchsia ribs.

Eagle sightings were good on Sunday. This eagle gallery is really only two birds. The mature bald eagle was obviously on the alert judging by how often he turned his head. A little farther down the path, we saw a juvenile eagle, looking very hip and casual in tattery feathers.

Monday brought more signs of spring. These crocuses look ready to pop the minute they get some warmth and sun.

And how about this Valentine dessert hubby and I shared it at the end of our date on Thursday. It was the last course of a luscious Italian meal.

On our walk this morning we passed these Pine Siskins, all excited about their topped-up feeder.

All in all, it's been a photogenic week!

snow that's a sign of spring

2013-02-09T12:20:00.001-08:00

While the east is digging out from under their latest storm, here on the west coast we're inching noticeably toward spring.

On our Thursday walk, I snapped these catkins.

When we got home, I checked my own garden for signs of life and sure enough... little bulblings are sneaking their snouts through the soil and pine needles.

Then yesterday I caught sight of the surest sign of spring yet—the first flowers. These snowdrops are so white my camera could hardly handle the glare.

I love it!!

best of 2012

2013-02-07T10:01:00.004-08:00

The Thursday Challenge prompt this week is to share a photo or event we liked best in 2012.

I thought immediately of our holiday to Salt Spring and Vancouver Islands in August. That was an exciting time for my camera. Here are some shots that help me relive those magical two weeks.

Ganges Harbor - Salt Spring Island, B.C.

Tasty bread- Salt Spring Island Bread Co.

Goat Cheese - Salt Spring Island Cheese Co.

Beachcombing.

Inner Harbor walk - Victoria, B.C.

View from the Cow Bay pier, in Cowichan Bay, B.C.

Rock face at low tide - China Beach, Vancouver Island (between Port Renfrew and Sooke)

Kinsol Trestle

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Check out this week's Thursday Challenge to see other favorites of 2012

Next Week: ROUND (Moon, Building, Wheels, Fruit,...)

guess who's back!

2013-02-02T09:29:00.001-08:00

Red-winged blackbird, heard, then seen on our walk this morning!

His call is the harbinger of spring.

water

2013-01-30T20:57:00.000-08:00

Nightshade berries beside the creek

Thursday Challenge

Next week: THE BEST OF 2012 (A photo/event you liked best in 2012,...)

shiny

2013-01-23T20:48:00.002-08:00

Antique car hood ornament - 2012 Cruise-In, Langley, BC, Canada

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: WATER (Drops, Glass of Water, Ocean, Lake, Pond, Pool,...)

watoto (lululululu)

2013-01-20T17:50:00.001-08:00

What a treat to have the Watoto Children's Choir in church this morning.

These Ugandan orphans are bundles of energy, music and smiles. Can they sing and dance!

Their stories touch the heart. So much pain in their short lives. Most have lost parents to illness, often AIDs. Some were abandoned in hospitals when they were infants. Others were left in the care of aging grandparents, older siblings, or to fend for themselves. Each child's story is full of pathos.

"I Am Not Forgotten" sung by Watoto

It was lovely to see the affection these kids get from their chaperones (the taller four people in the choir). These are young people from the Watoto church who accompany the choir on their six-month tour to look after the children, some as young as eight.

I was moved by their enthusiasm, gratitude, joy, energy, and hope for Uganda's and Africa's future.

This group, along with five other choirs, are currently touring. Check their website to see if a Watoto Choir is coming to your area. If they are you won't want to miss them!

Check out the video for a sample of their sound and energy.

games

2013-01-16T20:27:00.000-08:00

Uncle playing Angry Birds

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Thursday Challenge

Next week: SHINY (Mirror, Reflections, Chrome, Plastic, Glass,...)

fruit

2013-01-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

Apple Pear

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: GAMES (Chess, Video Games, Card Games, Children's Games,...)

you dream it, they'll cake it

2013-01-08T21:04:00.000-08:00

On these wet wet days when our walking path looks like this...

...we've altered our route to go through town. We walk past a cute shop window that has the coolest decorated cakes. I first noticed it this fall and took some photos around Halloween and Remembrance Day.

Fall Cupcakes


Beach Cake

Halloween Ghoul Cake

Creepy-Crawly cupcakes

Treasure Island Cake

Flanders Fields Cake

Over the Christmas holiday the window was empty. But this morning when we passed by I saw the shop window was again getting filled with these incredible cakey creations. Are they real, edible cakes? I have no idea. But they sure are fun scenery on a rainy morning.

Snowboard Cake

Penguin Cake

And a HOCKEY CAKE, to celebrate the end of the lockout, do you think?

The shop is Scoop-N-Save, Cake Decorating Supply Specialists. They have a web page and a presence on Facebook. (If you're into cake decorating and live in the area, they're probably a destination that will make you drool.)

aircraft

2013-01-02T18:51:00.000-08:00

Harbour Air float plane - Victoria, B.C.

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: FRUIT (Apples, Oranges, Pears, Fruit Drinks,...)

happy new year!

2013-01-01T22:12:00.000-08:00

I feel sad that the sparkly nights of the Christmas season will soon be history. Last night, when they were all lit in honor of New Year's Eve, I tried out my new mini-tripod.

My camera has numerous presets, one for night scenery. I set it at that, attached it to the tripod, composed the shot, then put the camera on timer and voila, I had some clear shots of Christmas lights from various windows around the house. What an improvement on trying to photograph such night shots hand-held!

Now to learn how to use my other present (Photoshop Elements 11). I think I need a class!

2012's foggy end

2012-12-30T22:09:00.001-08:00

Though the sun was out in town, the Fraser River at Derby Reach was swathed in fog on Sunday when we took our walk. Still, we could see a little—this sea gull sitting on the roots of the giant tree that came down in spring's flood and is now beached on the gravel foreshore ....

these pilings, mirrored in the placid water

and this valiant little tugboat, dwarfed by the loaded barge of sawdust it's pulling.

merry christmas!

2012-12-24T07:33:00.000-08:00

Our manger scene with its hand-carved wooden figures and motley collection of angels

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14 - NKJV)

Wishing all who read here a blessed and merry Christmas!

lights

2012-12-19T18:34:00.000-08:00

Gifts that glow

These lit-up gift decorations in the foyer of Andreas Restaurant caught my eye after lunch on Sunday. While hubby paid I took a few photos.

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week (January 3): AIRCRAFT (Airplane, Jet, Helicopter, Radio Controlled, Toys, Vapour Trails,...)

good

2012-12-12T20:30:00.000-08:00

This musical and dramatic production was very good!

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Thursday Challenge

Next Week: Light (Photos of beautiful light, reflecting, shining through, colourful,...)