Today, we decided to try something a little different.  We don't usually decorate the exterior of our house for the holidays, but I felt like it this year.  I am not really sure why.  I think I just felt like I needed a little something cheery.  So, we bought some lights, and we made ourselves some cedar garlands for the porch railings, and bannister.

This, thankfully, was a fairly inexpensive project.  We have 8 cedar trees on our property, so the boughs were free!

This did end up being a fairly involved project, as they usually are.  It was a lot of fun!  The boughs you see in the second photos represent probably about a tenth of what we ended up actually using!   This takes a LOT of boughs!

We also chose to hang some lights!

Yeah... this basically took most of the afternoon...

The aftermath...

 All in all, I'm pretty happy with it.

-H

Well, I tried, anyway...

Well, I have been in a crappy mood, so I decided to take cranky self out to take some pictures today, and finally test out my new processing equipment.  All I have to say is?  WOW!  The time it took me to do these?  About 1/8 of the time it used to take me.  Even the downloading was super fast.

Here, we have the lovely, mighty Columbia.  I may try to get out here again next week, to track the changing birch leaves. They must take a wee bit longer than the maples around here, but I also got some of those, too!  Just wait!  Hee!  I will say that all was well until I got harrassed by the damn cops. 

Where to, boots?  I don't know, Hedro... how about over to that rose over there?

-H

All about Halloween!

My little zombie.

 

This couple was amazing.  I couldn't stop watching them.

 

 Michael!!!

This dancer caught my attention. She, too, was amazing.

 

The Trillium Thriller Crew!

 

Cleopatra!

 

Ruby's Class.

 

A, my name is Alice...

 

Lily's Class!

Halloween has been awesome so far this year.  We still have to go trick-or-treating, but it was certainly an awesome day for photos!  The rest can be seen here!

First Day, First Grade!

So, I was going to get a first day picture, or set of first day pictures from my 4th grader, and she bolted for her classroom, trying to get away from me.  OK.  I've been told.

On the other hand, my first grader hammed it up for me like crazy!

The photo you see above, seems to be her default photo expression, as of late.  Le Sigh...

 And here, we have running like mad for the school.  No small feat trying to keep up with her in heels.

 She insisted on wearing her galoshes.  I... let her.  P.S.  We have money.

 I was a first grade zombie.

I am ready to make my teacher's life... hell.  Or at least pretend to.

CUBBY!!!

All in all, she had a pretty awesome first day, and was very pleased to see that her friends from last year, were indeed, with her again.

And now, to get up and do it alllllll over again, for the next... 9 months.  We got this, kiddo!

-H

Tomato Battle!

On Saturday, I got together with my friends Candice and Amy for a crazy little bit of fun, in the form of a battle royale... Roman style.  The annual Tomato Battle!

I opted out of the actual battle, due to my sensitive skin.

Seriously.

I think I'd last about 5 minutes, my skin would start to bubble, fall off, and I'd be walking around all skinned-like.  Nobody wants to see that!  But... I figured it would be a great photo op, just the same.  These chicks got in there and fought like real women.  I was so proud!

A little before shot

Amy, Post-war!

And... with attitude!

This is what I get for making fun of them.  Ha ha!  I stayed... mostly clean.

Candice, Post-war!

How YOU doin'?

A few action shots...

Ouch!

The crimson tide... progression...

Roll, tide, roll!

And... Flirty Sombrero Dude is flirty.

 

Hot chicks, beer, and quite possibly the worst cover band ever to hit the stage!  Fantastic day, for sure! 

    The rest can be seen, here!