The Goat: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

November 2011 links

Here are all of the November 2011 blog posts on The Goat.
(I do this for my organization more than anything else)

The day was done and I had just a few hours until the stroke of midnight. I had to get my shot in for the day. Nothing had caught my attention until I saw this row of outdoor menus at a Sonic restaurant. I've actually never eaten at a Sonic, but I have always liked the nostalgia of having curb side service. Since there were just so many competing colors I found the black and white version to be my favorite.

Enjoy!

Kristin

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Corkboard transformation

This cork board was not working for me. I had everything off of it before I thought about blogging about it - so there is no before shot, but just imagine stuff tacked up. I had pared down the quantity of stuff months ago, but I still never looked at it.

If I wanted this board to work for me, I needed to enjoy looking at it. I decided that all I really needed to do was to change the color of the background and I had an easy idea.

So I cut off a bunch of small strips of blue painters tape and lined them up along the side of the board.

And I started taping up pages from an old book. Don't worry, the book wasn't valuable as reading material.

Here is the whole board covered in pages.

The top row I taped the side that was covered up and then placed a map pin at the top of the page.

Then I placed a few items back on the board. It's my Vision Board, so I need to actually put the things I want to focus on in my life, up on the board - but since I wanted to take a picture of the board with stuff on it, I just added a few things. The Hello Kitty coloring book pages and the sticker envelope are from my nieces :)

I really need a storage solution for those plastic leis. I've used them several times at our monthly potluck, so I'm not throwing them away. Maybe just a clear box with a lid? That might be the easiest. Any suggestions?

I like this board so much better now. I might put a ribbon around the edges, but I really like the simplicity of the background. It's not dark, it has texture but it's not distracting. I now notice the board when I walk in that room, as opposed to never seeing it before. I think a vision board needs to be seen in order for it to do its magic.

Do you have a space that has been needing a change? A one dollar book from a thrift store may completely change the way you feel about your space. It sure did mine!

Have a great day!
Kristin

POTD - Rick Rack

I keep seeing blog posts and photos about easy ways to corral ribbon by wrapping them around a clothes pin. I thought it was a cute idea, but I didn't get it. I didn't get it until I received this clothes pin with rick rack wrapped around it. It was just so sweet looking, not to mention I loved the green color. It's fabulous! I immediately unwrapped the rick rack and that's when I got it! The clothes pin jaws hold the end in place and winding up the ribbon or what ever you have, is so easy, no tangles and the other end can also be secured in the jaws. Simple and brilliant! It also made for a fun little photo shoot.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Monday, November 28, 2011

POTD - Three Elevens

My friend, Diane, gave me this box the other day. Since I was unable to have my 11-11-11 party due to my illness, she decided to still give it to me in its "made for the day" box. Inside was a fabulous flamingo ornament. It made me laugh - I love it. When I was contemplating tossing the box, I realized that if I turn it on an angle it would read 11 - 11 - 11. I brought out the jelly beans that I had used the week before and ended up with a fun shot with my favorite date.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Calendar Swap & Cyber Monday deal

I signed up to be a part of a calendar swap a few weeks ago. In fact, I asked for two swap partners because I didn't think I could possibly only pick one calendar! There are so many fabulous calendars out there - not sure if you have checked them out, but you don't have to go with the traditional calendar these days.

The first calendar that I received was this one from 1 Canoe 2. I actually had this one as a favorite in my Etsy account!

This is a letterpress calendar that fits beautifully into the little tree stump holder.

Whenever I look for a calendar, I always make sure that I really like the October image. October is my birth month, so I should be happy with that page, don't you think? Well, just look at the image on this October page. Those are some crazy looking robots! I love them.

I really like this calendar and even though I favorited it in my Etsy, I'm not sure I would have purchased it. I would have probably gotten the same artist that I get each year. I'm so happy that I joined the swap - I knew I'd get something different and with all of the cool calendars out there, I knew I wouldn't get anything but something that was cool.

I'll be sure and show the second calendar when it arrives and when it does, I'll show off what I sent.

Have a great day!

OH and it's Cyber Monday! That means that a lot of people are going to shop online today and this week. I'm having a Cyber Special for all my readers (and anyone you'd like to pass along the info.)

If you would like to order anything from my Etsy shop - Photos on the Run, put THANKYOU into the coupon code area and receive free domestic shipping on all items through Sunday December 4th. I have so many items in stock that I can usually send out your order the next day. Happy Shopping!

Thanks so much!

Kristin

Sunday, November 27, 2011

POTD - Sunrise

I have made an effort to go to the beach several times this month to get sunrise shots. The colors of the sunrise (and sunset) seem difficult for me to photograph. They tend to get all washed out and the beautiful golden color that I see with my eyes rarely comes through with my camera. Yesterday morning I was there at the beach well before sunrise and stayed for about 30 minutes after and took a few hundred shots. I successfully captured what I saw with my eyes. It made for a very happy morning!

Enjoy!
Kristin

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What the left hand does

One of the many things I have learned over the years is that once a body part has been hurt, you discover how much you use it!

My left elbow has been giving me some trouble. I sleep with my left arm under my pillow and I strained it a few months back. It wasn't a big deal, but every so often I could feel a strain. Last week I must have slept in the same position for hours and hours and the elbow joint and muscles finally gave out. The elbow might have been slightly dislocated, but the muscles and tendons were stretched beyond their limits. For the first few days I thought just babying the arm would help, but I finally went to the Chiropractor and he worked on it quite a bit. He said it will take a few weeks to get my range of motion back.

I'm a righty, so I thought it would be no big deal to have a tender left arm. I mean how often do I use my left arm anyway? OH BOY! I use it a lot.

I've discovered that my left arm is the work horse of the two arms. For example, I haul around a bucket, well that's what I call it, to take everything I use or purchase during the day and haul it from my car to my 5th floor condo.

I use the bucket in the grocery store, flea markets, thrift stores, anywhere I go. I've discovered that my right arm has no idea how to pull the bucket. My left arm understands how to steer it in a crowd and basic maneuvering skills, while the right arm is clueless. My left arm closes the car door, takes change and merchandise at a drive thru, is the main arm used in driving. My right hand gathers up items and arranges the items in my left arm. So the left arm ends up holding everything, while the right arm and hand is free to do?? I have no idea! My left hand holds the phone to my left ear, which is the only ear that I can use on the telephone. (I've never understood that, but that's the way it is.) Thankfully my right hand brushes my teeth and feeds me, although flossing my teeth has been nearly impossible this past week.

I'm actually a pretty good sleeper - once I get to sleep I can sleep 8 hours no problem - but I do go to bed quite late. I sleep on my back for most of the night, but in order to get to sleep, I have a specific ritual and that involves my left arm under the pillow and the left side of my head snuggled into the pillow. Getting out of that routine is so hard. I've been pulling another pillow up on my cheek while I'm on my back, just to pretend that I'm sleeping on my side!

I have a new found respect for my left arm and I will not take it for granted anymore. However, it can heal up quickly and I wouldn't mind at all.

I hope everyone in the US has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
Kristin

POTD - Peace, Love and Ice Cream

I was following behind this ice cream truck in a parking lot when I noticed that it was a really nice one. I've seen several ice cream trucks lately that look like they've been put together with sticks and spit! The message on the back of the truck was so true. Who can argue with Peace, Love and Ice Cream?!

Have a great day!
Kristin

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Holiday Gift Guides roundup

It's that time of year when the online gift guides come out en masse. I posted one the other day, (Emily's Holiday Guide) but that one just got me started! I decided to go through my Google Reader, which was well over the 5000 unread posts mark, and discovered all of these buying guides and do-it-yourself projects.

Have a cup of coffee, maybe tea, and kick back and enjoy flipping through these online magazines.

Anthology Gift Guide

OCD Cutting Board

This was just too funny not to pull out and share. haha!

Sweet Paul Magazine

Gifted Magazine

100 Handmade Christmas Ornaments

101 Ultimate DIY gifts

101 Simple handmade gifts

Holiday Gifts from Poppytalk

Additional links...
Handmade gifts Dec 2010 , Handmade gifts II Dec 2010, 50 Homemade gift ideas, Gifts in a Jar

There will be more, lots more, but these are the ones I found the past several days.
Have a fabulous day!
Kristin

POTD - Positively Glowing

Late in the afternoon the sun hits the Muhly Grass at the gates to my condo community and the purpely seed tops just glow. It makes me smile every time I see them. I wish they lasted all year, but then again, they wouldn't be as special if I got to see them each day.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Monday, November 21, 2011

POTD - Coffee Anyone?

I took this photo at a local church when we had an event. Coffee and church seem to go hand in hand but they could have very well been at a breakfast dive as they've seen a lot of use. The neatest part of this photo, to me, is that I can clearly see two handles and only one coffee pot.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Sunday, November 20, 2011

POTD - Jack Sparrow

Poor Jack was marked down from $8 to a measly $1.99. Even locked inside a plastic shell with glitter raining down, he still looked sexy as can be. Some folks are just like that.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Vintage Florida Photos

I just recently discovered the Florida Memory Project website. It's a division of the library and information services and they have managed to collect over 170,000 digital photos. I think I can probably spend a few dozen hours looking through this particular archive. I pulled just a few photos from my search "Jacksonville Beaches" in black and white. I've been home sick for well over a week now, so what's going on in my city is a look back at the way it was.

Rosemary Carpenter, Miss Florida 1948, posing in front of sea-oats - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Date 1948
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number C010331

Jacksonville Beach "baby races"

Date 1973
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number C680688

Two young children fishing at Jacksonville Beach

Date 1981
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number C800981

Young women posing from behind a beach umbrella

Date 1930
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number SP01286

Ida May Roth at the beach - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Date ca 1924
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number N048043

Tourists walking along the Jacksonville jetties - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Date 1929
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number N032606

Group at the beach - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Date 1923 or 1924
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number N048045

Family standing next to its car at a Mayport beach

Date 191-
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number PR06772

Looking down roller coaster at the beach - Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Date Between 1930 and 1949
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number RC07957

Bird's eye view of Jacksonville Beach

Date 1946
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number RF00359

People walking near the beach in Jacksonville

Date 1936
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number SP00001

Young women with man at the beach

Date 1930
Collection Florida Photographic Collection
Image Number SP01284

I hope you enjoyed a look back at what it was like in Jacksonville, FL before the internet :) For more tours of cities near and far, please head on over to Unknown Mami's weekly carnival - Sundays in my City. It's one of my favorite places to be each week.

Have a great day!
Kristin

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Inspiration through jelly beans

I was reading a photography website (ClickinMoms - I have a banner for them on the left hand side of my blog) when I came across this photo of jelly beans in the article about photographing food.
I like things in jars and I like taking pictures of things in jars, so this just fit right into one of my themes. Since I don't eat jelly beans, it didn't occur to me that they'd make a good subject.

I try hard not to voluntarily put myself in the candy isle. I could live there.

After a facebook discussion on where to find jelly beans, I went to Target, bought two bags and didn't bring home any other goodies, amazingly.

Source - ClickinMoms

I just love this photo. (above) I like how clear the jelly beans are in the jar and how the jelly beans in the background are not in focus, but they still look like what they are.

When I first set up the shot in my house I put the jar and jelly beans on a white background. I thought that's why the colors popped out at me so much in the original. Those just didn't look right. Too white, too bold. So I had to go back and find the photo.

Ahhhh, it looks like a cutting board. A nice earthy color bringing out the colors of the beans.

That explained a lot!

I got out a metal tray in a dark earthy color, a tall glass jar and set up the lighting. Took a dozen shots or more. Then I switched out the tall jar with a shorter one. The shorter one had a larger opening and I liked that better.

This is the best shot from my first session. It's not as warm and cozy as the inspiration piece and I think that's because there was too much light shining on my beans and tray. Also, the tray was reflective, unlike the wood used in the original. My jar is too far toward the middle, which usually can be an easy crop, but I lost most of the jelly beans on the left side when I did that.

I had never taken a picture as inspiration and then tried to replicate it nearly exactly. I kind of like it! I can see things in mine that I like, but I can also see things that can be improved upon. I think I'll take more shots in the daylight (no natural light right now) and use a cutting board as the base.

It's good to know that I still have a lot to learn.

Have a great day!
Kristin

POTD - Night time on JTB

It's been a while since I have done some road trip photography. That's my fancy way of saying "I'm pressing the shutter button on my camera, while driving, hoping to get something interesting." This evening when I went out for kitty food and jelly beans (an odd combo, huh?) I decided to take some shots from the steering wheel. Both hands on the steering wheel but a few fingers were holding on to the camera. I liked this shot best because of the wavy light off to the right hand side and the streak of yellow on the left that almost looks like a tiny flame. I have always liked the way lights show up in night pictures. They are like giant flashing neon.

Enjoy!
Kristin

JTB is the abbreviation for Route 202/J. Turner Butler Blvd.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Aunt Jean

Aunt Jean is arriving!

She's my Aunt Jean but only because I have adopted myself into her family tree. Or I pulled her into mine. Since she's the actual Aunt of my friend Lori, then it would be more correct to assume that I have invaded their family.

I'm glad I got that straightened out.

Aunt Jean arrives on a midnight flight into Jacksonville, tonight. I will have my rear end firmly planted in the car that will be picking her up.

You know how some people just naturally connect to each other? I don't know what it is, but I love Aunt Jean. Hopefully she likes me well enough that she can tolerate my over enthusiastic bubbliness around her.

Lori, Aunt Jean and I are going shopping at the outlet mall in St Augustine on Friday. It's been years since I've gone out shopping like that, but that doesn't matter, I'm just excited about the company. Right now my voice sounds like a 100 year old smoker, but hopefully by Friday I'll be able to talk rather than croak. If not, I'll do a lot of listening. For those of you who know me, yes, I can listen! I can hear my friend Kevin saying something about being able to see the game on TV because Kristin will just keep the conversation going. He only had to nod every so often. (It's true and funny at the same time)

When I gave my hug to Aunt Jean in the Philly airport a year ago February, I asked her if she would be traveling to Florida any time soon. She said she didn't plan on it. Well, this will be her second trip down here. Thanks for planning on it!

Have a great day!
Kristin

POTD - Swamp grass

In an area right in my neck of the woods is a retaining pond with a whole host of cattails. I thought all of the tall grasses were cattails, but this grass was different. I have done some investigative work (Google searches) and have not come up with the correct terminology to figure this one out. I may have taken a picture of the entire stalk, I can't remember right now, but these are the seeds. They seem to just push right out of the top of the grass. Wild looking. Speaking of wild. I sort of freaked myself out and got the heck out of there when I started wondering if an alligator was in the water waiting for me to get just a little bit closer.

If you know what kind of grass this is, shout it out. Ya know, it may be a pampas grass come to think of it. I'll check on that.

Enjoy!
Kristin

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

POTD - Indoor Flamingos

My new pets have found their home in my home. Goodness, they've only been in place a few days and I see the shelf already needs dusting - they must be messier than I originally thought! I have to admit that I really do enjoy quite a few of the tacky Florida stuff out there. Although I have lived in Florida for 8 years now, this is my very first set of pink flamingos. A shell lamp may be in my future, yet!

Enjoy!
Kristin

Monday, November 14, 2011

Emily's Holiday Guide

The Holiday Guide

by Emily Henderson

To say that I was shocked to find out who put this guide together is an understatement. Emily Henderson won one of the HGTV Next Design Star seasons and I wasn't sold on her. I have seen a couple of her shows on HGTV and I have found them to be pretty good, but I haven't been a consistent watcher. When I found the link to the guide and Oohh'd and Aahh'd over nearly every page, I would have never put Emily's name on the project. I will pay a lot more attention to her now.

Empty Parking Lots

I linked this up on Facebook and one of my sister's said "Well that might just be the best gift guide I've seen in my whole life. Fun fun." High Praise coming from someone who is one tough customer.

Go ahead, flip through the guide.

Everything in the book is clickable and will take you to the page you want and you won't lose the page you were on in the guide. (sometimes it's the little things that make me happy.)

Balancing Blocks

A range of prices are included for all ages.

DIY ideas and free printables.

Stripey Straws

I already have a pretty nice list of items that I would love to give or receive.
I may not give any of them but at least I've got some ideas in my head!
It's good to be a step ahead that's for sure.

The photos are just a few of the fun things in the guide, with links to the source.

Have a great day!
Kristin