The Barn Inn, Millersburg

Chuck and I spent his birthday weekend at the Barn Inn in Millersburg. Pretty place, lots of antiques and country décor. The innkeepers, Loretta and Paul, told stories about Amish life and the local area at breakfast each morning, over an excellent breakfast. Interesting stories, but, however picturesque, Amish life is restrictive and not very friendly to women. Or independent thought. To each her own, though.

This little stream with its tiny waterfall runs behind the inn. Country-quiet – you can hear the stream, birds, the innkeepers’ sheep, goat and llama – and not much else. Very peaceful.

And here are some of the critters:

Good trip, very enjoyable and a nice break in the work routine.

March 9 - 11, 2012

Home Stuff

Strawberries are tough to shoot, at least in my kitchen. They always appear to be a freaky orangey-red. Maybe the overhead light and my camera’s white balance just don’t get along. 3/5.

Probably not the most nutritious dinner, but who’s going to know? 3/6

These cute sparky water colors came from a stamp show. They add just a little of shine, more like pearl paint than glitter. 3/7

This photo of Sootie may have come from the iPad. It’s tiny and grainy, but the camera ID doesn’t show up in Lightroom (my photo-editing software). 3/8

Travel is Overrated

Busy week, got a walk in on Monday, before traveling to Las Vegas for a tradeshow. Cattails in a pond near the end of my neighborhood. 2/27.

What's missing in this picture? A suitcase! It spent a lonely night without me in Houston. Continental finally brought to me - mere minutes after I completed a desperate shopping trip. 2/28

The trade show was for suppliers to the retail industry - this one sells Christmas decorations, and that's all. Very glittery. 2/29

The trump tower from my room at Treasure Island. Got to spend some time with Vickie and Tom Barker. Nice to visit with them for a bit. Still miss ya, Vick! 3/1

Going home - Mandalay Bay from the airport. Completely uneventful flight, thank heavens. 3/2.

A latte at Crooked River with Chuck. Ran into our friends Dick and Sherry and chatted for a bit. 3/3

A pleasant Sunday drive home from Mom's. Stopped at Squire's Castle to take a couple of photographs. 3/4

 

And that's about it for another week.

Start with Oranges, End with French Toast

Juicy orange for an evening snack. 2/20.

Sootie's monkey - one of his favorite toys. 2/21.

Something I waste entirely too much time on - Bejeweled. $1.99 menace from the App Store. 2/22.

I though the coffee maker hated me until I switched from Maxwell House to Eight O'clock. Huge improvement! 2/23.

No idea what these are called - they're used to color parts of rubber stamps. 2/24.

Walnuts, lined up on a cutting board I made a couple years ago. 2/25.

Chuck made french toast for Sunday breakfast. Wonderful with real maple syrup and good coffee. 2/26.

That's the wrap up of a pretty good week!

The Middle of February

An actual photo of me, on the other side of the camera, 2/13.

The Bertram's portico late at night. Our sales meeting was in Aurora, a half hour from my house, but I still had to spend three nights there. 2/14.

Dueling pianos night, 2/15.

The bike and hike trailhead on Boston Mills Road, 2/17.

 Gala apple, my favorite, 2/18.

The artist-bear Chuck gave me for Valentine's Day a couple of year's ago, 2/19.

Armstrong Bearcats at Kent's Water Street Tavern

Lisa and Craig came down to see Armstrong Bearcats - great band, fun evening. Chuck and I wear both a little deaf after. Lisa and Craig brought ear plugs, definitely a good idea. Anyway, some shots from the evening. Had the ISO cranked up to 1250 + because it was really dark, probably should have pushed it up a bit more. Oh well, next time. 2/4

Butch, playing for all he's worth.

Chuck in the center, Lisa to the right.

The guitarist in the middle is Butch's son.

Tools, a Project, Snow, & My Guys

Used the 50mm lens on the first three shots. It's really challenging to auto focus and the depth of field is really narrow. The necklace is from Kristkindl Markt at the Canton Art Museum. Wonderful show - it's juried and the vendors are quite good. 2/6

 

Tools - scattered all over the kitchen island. It's a mess, but I like working there because the light is good and I can see outdoors. 2/7 & 8.

A project for work. One of my colleagues is launching a new product and we needed a screen to show how it worked. A $20 frame from JoAnn and shelf brackets from Lowe's and, voila! a rear projection frame. Some of the folks at the sales meeting thought it was an LCD TV, nope, it's pressure sensitive magic! 2/9.

These water color pencils are entirely too sharp - someone needs to play with the more! 2/10.

A little bit of pretty snow - always nice to see when I don't have to drive in it. 2/11.

Chuck and Sootie, watching some Deep Space Nine. Gotta love NetFlix! 2/12.