More from the Arboretum

Rain Puddles, again

It has been raining ALL week. Not continuously, but every day has brought a few hours of rain. After being stuck indoors for much longer than is good for Mommy's mental health, I let the girls outside to splash in some puddles. Apparently Peanut was thirsty, because this is what happened.



I did do the good parenting thing and made her stop the first time, but the second time she went for the puddle I just had to snap a picture.

The State Arboretum

This place is one of my hideaways. I've never been here when it's crowded, which makes it all the more wonderful to me. It was a place to wander, watch the sunset, sit, study (for finals, while in college), hold hands with my boyfriend (now husband), and escape. I'm glad my children seem to find this place as magical as I do.

I had the opportunity to visit the State Arboretum, earlier this week, with a good friend of mine. We had a blast watching our children catch tadpoles, chase each other, and enjoy the "tree house."









This is my good friend (the Godmother of one of my little ones) and one of her amazing daughters. You should check out Clare's Etsy shop. She makes the cutest playsets for children with vivid imaginations.

My Godson. I couldn't stop kissing his cheeks!

Another landscape

Landscapes were my first photography love. I had always enjoyed taking pictures, ever since I got my first camera at the age of nine or so, but when I started photography classes, landscapes became my passion.



And here are two in their as they look with their original colors, which I like just as much as the infrared versions.

Infrared Red

Before I ever thought about digital photography, I was happily snapping away with my SLR loaded with black and white infrared film. I used to spend hours in the darkroom developing film and printing my black & white infrared pictures. Since changing colleges, getting married, having children, and graduating, I haven't shot a roll of infrared. Due to the magic of digital photography, I have been able to, sort of, duplicate the effect the film used to yield. I do miss using film and spending all afternoon (and sometimes all evening) at the darkroom, but, for now, this digital darkroom will have to suffice. I must admit, it was invigorating to create these pseudo-infrared pictures.

My favorites are shown first, and then the ones that I kind of like.

Love the Tongue

I think she was getting some peanut-butter-and-jelly residue off her cheek while she peeked around at the farm.

Flooding

What do you do when it rains so much that all the land around you becomes a swampy, muddy marsh? Go to the flooded creek near your house and let your children become a muddy mess there. My girls love going to the creek (okay, technically it's a run, but who wants to talk about the run near their house?), and seeing it overflowing made it all the more fun. It was nice to see other young people coming down, enjoying an adventure, and not afraid of a little (or a lot) of mud. The young people pictured were kind, considerate, and the type that gives me hope for the future. I couldn't help but smile when I saw them crossing the creek, (as you'll notice, you can't see the stepping stones that are in place so you can cross)and of course I flashed back to when I was that age.

When I took the top picture, I actually thought I'd make it a black and white. Turns out, I like it better in this vintage tone. Surprised me.