Droplets

This was a fun experiment. It wouldn't really be practical without digital photography. I took 100's of photos to get maybe 30 droplets in frame - and then to get the focus, settings, and frame correct on top of that was quite a trick! I like how these came out though, and I learned a lot. And, it gave me some new ideas to try next time.

Chickens

Yep, we still have chickens. And somehow, through the short days and the freezing weather, they're still looking healthy and laying for us. One was attacked by a hawk. I heard it happen - weird chicken squawking, and when I went out to look I found a pile of feathers. I thought we had lost a chicken, but when I counted them all up, sure enough, they were all accounted for... but one had a bald spot. She seems fine now though.

Some of the hens are starting to molt, and it's pretty funny to see them walking around without any tail feathers. This morning, when I walked outside, 8 chickens were hanging out on the front porch. Several on the mat in front of the door! That'll wake you up in a hurry.

Anyway - some pictures...

All bow to Sylvie, leader of chickens. :)




Eggs!

Beautiful Fall

Fall is so gorgeous here - and the colors lasted for a while this time. I love this spot.

And check out the beautiful sweater that Nanny knit for her. Isn't it gorgeous? Sylvie just loves it.

Halloween 2009

I got a little behind on the blog - time to catch up!

Sylvie had a blast on Halloween this year. She very consistently, for months, told me she wanted to be a butterfly, and I was happy that I found a costume that she loved.

Halloween was extended this year, since the school and the downtown celebrated on Friday, but evening trick-or-treating was on Saturday. I would have just kept it to Friday, but she was enjoying the even so much it made it worth it to carry on.

So, she wore her costume to preschool and had fun being dressed up with all her friends. Then we went to downtown Corvallis where we eventually met with the Owen and Ben (and their parents) for some trick or treating fun.



Saturday we did the evening trick or treating with Sophia, James, Mary, Mackenzie, and Blake. Unfortunately Blake and Mackenzie weren't there quite in time for the group pictures.

She was so excited - look how high in the air she is!
All the kids were running around in anticipation...

Off we go

"Look, they gave me CANDY!"

Pumpkin Carving

Our pumpkin harvest - and a curious chicken named Blondie.


Digging out the guts:
You know how little kids draw arms and hands sticking straight out of the sides of heads? Well, when we were drawing the jack-o-lantern's face, Sylvie insisted that it needed arms and hands on the sides. But, it didn't need ears because jack-o-lanterns don't have ears.
Next we fed the guts to the chickens.
The completed project - it was very fun.

Going Home

Sylvie and I had a great time visiting my family in Camarillo. We stayed with my folks in their new home, and it was wonderful! Such an improvement in size and space... Very comfortable and spacious, perfect for two. There are so many things to do there - golf, bocce ball, tennis, swimming, wood working... it seems like a great place to live.

Sylvie did great on the flight down (Thanks Barb, for the use of your portable dvd player - worked like magic), and she was very excited to hop in Granddad's golden car and ride in Laney's old pink flowered booster seat. What could be better?

Unfortunately, Sylvie developed a nasty rash the day before we left, and it progressed down her body for the entire vacation. It turned out to be the result of fifth disease. It didn't seem to bother her, although she was dragging a bit. Luckily it left her face before we went to the pumpkin patch - (selfish me wanting good photos).

We got to spend lots of time with cousins Gray and Laney (and Sue and Chris) and check out their progress on their robotics team project. They were doing awesome. Then Sue and Chris hosted a mini reunion, and Barb with her family and Gordon and Stacy and their family came. We were missing a couple members, but had a pretty good majority... it was great to see everyone.

Nanny taught Sylvie how to play tic-tac-toe. Can you see the rash on Sylvie's arm?

Grapefruit?

Sylvie spotted the big grapefruits at the store, and really wanted to try one. So, we brought one home and put it in the fruit bowl. Today she asked if she could have it for dessert after dinner - well, who am I to deny a girl some fruit...

Pete said, why don't you get the camera to get the look on her face when she discovers that it doesn't taste like oranges..

Anticipation...
The taste...
and - SHE LOVES IT
More please...

Yummy.

Well, I didn't get any freak out face pictures, but I'm happy to say she's asking for the other half of the grapefruit for tomorrow's dessert. What a girl.