The Golden Compass

the golden compass, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

I finished The Golden Compass last week. I really liked it. I just checked out the next book in the series, The Subtle Knife, and hope to start it this weekend. I honestly don't understand what all the fuss is about. They are really great fiction books.

Absent

I have been absent for the past few days and thought I'd give an update.

On Monday morning, my father-in-law and his wife were in a severe car accident. Eric and I drove to Knoxville when we heard that afternoon and have been there for the past couple of days. I just arrived home to finish out the week at work and will be driving back this weekend, and Eric remains in Knoxville to do what he can. Currently they both are in critical care.

I'm not really comfortable giving out many details publicly. But if you wish to know more, email me and I'll tell you what I can.

Any warm thoughts and/or prayers would greatly appreciated.

Shelby Dog Park

This past Saturday we took Stella to the Shelby Dog Park in Nashville.


She had a blast playing with all of the other dogs.


A cute chihuahua mix.

He looking like he was posing for me.

Such a pretty fuzzball.

This little guy was too cute!

This basset hound rolled all over the park.

And this was quite funny. Talk about role reversal!

Happy Birthday Ruth!

Stella, Eric, and I wish you a very happy birthday!

(I know I'm a day late, but it's the thought that counts, right?)

Banana

Just because.

Athena

Kind of grainy, but I like it.
She was insistant that I pet her while I was trying to edit photos.

Rose

rose, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

Tis the last rose of summer,
Left blooming alone;
All her lovely companions
Are faded and gone.
~Thomas Moore

Monday Afternoon

Taking a little break in the front yard before dinner.

Lightning

A couple of weeks ago during a thunderstorm, I caught these shots of the lightning. Very cool!

Busy Day

Eric and I helped Amanda and Jeremy move today. Thankfully the weather cooperated with us and we didn't have to move in the rain. Here we are with Amanda's brothers getting ready to load the U-Haul.


Afterward, Eric and I went for a little drive with Stella. We found this great field right at sunset and got out to take a few pictures.

Stella loved running through the tall grass.




And to finish, here I am holding the setting sun.

These types of photos are called forced perspective, and I have wanted to try one for a while.

Stella in Black & White

Last night's dinner

I made this yummy pasta dish last night for dinner and thought I'd share the recipe.

I don't measure, so everything is just estimated.

1 package of smoked sausage, sliced and then quartered (we're trying to eat healthier around here, so I used turkey sausage - it tastes great)
1 small to medium onion, chopped
1-3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 or 2 cans of diced tomatoes, depending on how tomato-y you want it (I used 2)
Basil (fresh if you've got it, but dried works great too)
Other Italian-y spices (I used a bit of dried oregano and some Italian seasoning)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta for 4 servings (I used whole wheat pasta - again with the healthier-ness)

Cook the pasta to package directions
Saute the sausage
Saute the onion and garlic in a bit of olive oil
Add the spices and let simmer a bit
Add the tomatoes
When the pasta's done, drain it and add to the sausage mixture
Heat through
Serve and Enjoy!!

Let me know if you try it and how you like it!

P.S. I just realized how many made-up words I used up there. That, my friends, is why I'm a photographer and not a writer.

Cherry Tomato

This, ladies and gentlemen, is our very first edible tomato. I plucked it myself yesterday afternoon, then cut it in half and shared it with Eric. It was delicious.

Weekly Words Challenge

Scatter and Collect

I did a really abstract interpretation of the two words for this week.

The little pieces of paper all around me in the first photo are my thoughts scattered about. Sometimes it seems like I can't get a handle on anything. But then I try to take a minute for myself and gather everything up. The second photo is me collecting my thoughts.



Want to participate in the Weekly Words Challenge? Tink's in charge, so visit her for detials.

Little one

k, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

I just found some photos of the kids I was a nanny for a couple of years ago. I remember not being really pleased with how these came out at the time, but now I don't think they're so bad.

I really like this photo of K (the mother asked that I keep the the children anonymous, but I don't think she'll mind a first initial). I think the light coming from behind her makes her glow a little. Very sweet.

Millions of Peaches

Natures candy in my hand or can or a pie

If I had my little way I'd eat peaches everyday

Bird Watching

aphrodite, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

Aphrodite sitting on a ledge, watching the birds outside.

Me and Stella and Stella and I

I have been wanting to do this clone for a long time, and I think it came out great. I just wish I had a remote - running back and forth to press the shutter wore me out!

Bed Hog

She prefers the middle of the bed.

Weekly Words Challenge

High and Low

Eric and I drink Cherry Coke Zero instead of any of the regular sodas because it is really low in calories (really low meaning none) and is actually quite high in taste. We practically cannot tell the difference between this and the regular stuff.

Want to participate in the Weekly Words Challenge? Tink's in charge, so visit her for detials.

Stella

stella, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

Bracelet

We went to Knoxville this weekend to visit my mother-in-law for her birthday. She turned 62 today. Eric and I gave her this bracelet and took her to a nice birthday dinner.

P.S. Click on the photo for some detail!

Reject

bokeh, originally uploaded by stella_dolce.

This is a reject from my photo-a-day project last November.