April 16 - 30

April 1 - 15

March 16-31

March 1-15

Time to Touch Base...

I haven't lost a single day of my photo a day challenge as yet - I've been moving and computer-less so haven't had too much of an opportunity to process and upload - that is a thing of the past!! We're now in our new home, new town and new state and ready to catch up and get things moving!!!

I'll put in a few blank blog posts here so I can add the photo's that I've processed or processing for my photo-a-day in retrospect and add them in order so you will see a full year of photo's here :) So you'll see them pop up when completed :)

For now, I'll start adding them individually from May 1st.....

February 28th

"Farewell Summer"

Today was officially the last day of summer. I'm feeling a bit sentimental about it for some reason - so much so I insisted on taking the kids to the beach, despite gale force wind and a tsunami marine warning LOL but at least the sun was out!! LOL

February 27th

"Gelli Baff Blues"

Oh my!! Gelli Baff is EVIL stuff!!! William decided that he'd waited long enough to play with his that Santa brought him so he filled the sink in the bathroom and emptied the whole packet in!!! It wouldn't all dissolve so before I could find the mess he pulled the plug hoping it would drain away.. hmmm... guess who now has blocked drains?!?!?!

So I wanted the rest of it out of the house!! The 4 brats all had a ball playing in Domeniks paddling pool with Alek's Gelli Baff. Kahli's pink goo will be next weekend then that's it - no more Gelli Baff in this house!!!!

February 26th

"Aleksandir"

Aleksandir has started volunteering to be in front of the camera for my PAD's!!! I don;t know if I should be concerned or not hahaha. He's really taken a big interest in photography and camera's so maybe a budding photographer?? Anyhoos, he warned me that he wasn't going to smile, and no matter what I did he stuck to it - stubborn little thing he is!!!!

February 25th

"Diablo Boy"

I had a shoot at Romaine Park today and my older children were bribed to watch Dom and keep him out of the lake (ice cream is a wonderful bribe btw LOL) They took their diablo's and little Dom wanted to play along with them too - he loves being a big boy :)

February 24th

"Brothers"

Aleks absolutely adores his baby brother. Today when I said I needed to take my PAD he insisted I had to take one of him and Dom (so long as it didn't end up on facebook - we wont tell him though will we ;))

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Feb 16th "Playgroup!!" We took Domenik to playgroup today. It's the first for any of our 4 kids :) He had a ball!!!! Looks like every Tuesday morning now is booked ;)

February 23rd

"Lacy"

Kahli loves her little cat Lacy - I took a portrait of her today for her to frame for her room. I really love our cats clear eyes - they photograph beautifully - when you get them looking your way... One wise person once said a cat is an independent being - well double that when you want them to look at a camera!!!!

February 22nd

"Processing"

Ahhh late again taking my PAD - but it pretty much sums up what I've been doing with my time when Dom lets me have time to move (he's been clingy and unwell.. poor little man :() I'm processing a shoot I did last Wed ready for uploading.

February 21st

"Chef William"

We had a little bit of kneadable icing left over from Williams birthday cake that he'd been itching to sink his teeth into... Today was the day, I'd had enough of him begging to eat it or "cook" with it as he puts it...

Can you make out that it's actually a skull?? Ahhhh boys!!!!

February 20th

"Garden Gnome"

Today we were at mums for a BBQ. Domenik and Nathan were in the yard with dad when Dommy discovered the hose, he thought it was just another thing he could swing around until Nathan turned on the tap - then it came to life!!!

Needless to say we were almost all drenched by the time Domenik decided he'd had enough LOL

February 19th

"Beach Boy"

Domenik finally was allowed back on the beach!! He had a great time. It's the first time he's actually been in the waves and wash - it was quite interesting the first few times he dealt with waves - a few dunks before he realised how to stand his ground LOL

This was taken at the Bluff, Devonport. I was playing with my new polarisor filter.

February 18th

"Kisses"

Another shoot today. This time with a family from playgroup!!! Gorgeous children - this photo took my eye just from the expression on little Mitchell's face - I love it!!!

February 17th

"Ponseti Brace"

Domenik had a great time at nanny's showing off his new brace. He's smiling here, I wish he'd smile a lot more and be happier when it came to actually sleeping in it!!!!

February 16th

"Playgroup!!"

We took Domenik to playgroup today. It's the first for any of our 4 kids :) He had a ball!!!! Looks like every Tuesday morning now is booked ;)

February 15th

"Farewell to the Casts!"

Today we had a bit of an accident, well Domenik did... We allowed him some nappy free time and errrm well, let's say approximately 5 minutes after letting him around the corner, out of my sight I could smell something from where he was playing... You can pretty much guess what he had done... Problem being I hadn't put socks over his casts so they were a bit of a mess - meaning the casts had to come off!!!

So, we took off the fibreglass (it's special stuff that you can unwind off) and into a bath to soften and soak the plaster off. The ultimate reward was taking the casts off and letting Dommy have a play with nothing on his feet at all!!!

Because it was only 2 days until they were due to be off we haven't had to worry about getting new ones on - he's fully cast free!!! Yaaay!! Boots and bar are still being fitted on Wed.. that could be interesting LOL

February 14th

"Happy Valentines Day"

I've been stuck in bed all day with a migraine but managed to have it clear enough to grab my daughter, her heart shaped pillow and my camera for a 3 shot shoot to satisfy my PAD requirements.

I don't want my little girl to think of having a valentine for several years yet... but my addled brain couldn't put together anything else for today (Well besides pills and dark rooms - not very fit for piccies LOL)

February 13th

"Happy Birthday William"

My middle boy turned 9 today. This is the cake I made - when put together it's a nintendo DS (designed by me based on the white DS he received as his main birthday gift) - unfortunately with the humidity of the weather at the moment the icing didn't set and with the the cake being a sponge and it kinda started to fall apart LOL (still tasted good though)

February 12th

"Back to School..."

The kids missed the "official" first day of school yesterday due to Domeniks appointment at the hospital so today was their proper first day at school. Aleks is in grade 6, Kahli grade 5 and William grade 3 - they're all growing up so quickly!!!! This will be the last time they will all be in the same uniform for the first day at school **sigh**

February 11th

"5 Weeks In..."

...and we have what appears to be a straight foot!!!

5 weeks into casting treatment and Domenik's foot is visibly straighter!! The physio can get it into "neutral" position but not much further than that. One more week of casting and then into "boots and bar" of a night and orthotics to try and keep the foot as straight and flexible as possible.. Only problem with orthotics is they could be 6-8 weeks away as there is no technician at the moment working in the hospitals to make them!! Augh!! Frustration!!!!

Here the cast has just come off his foot - you can see bandage marks from being "wrapped up" under the cast and despite the room being super warm he still has little goosebumps on his leg LOL

February 10th

"Tree Climber"

Today I did a portfolio shoot at Burnie Park. Aleks discovered one of the trees there was great for climbing and decided Dommy needed his first "tree experience" so up he went.... Dom loved it, until he realised he was off the ground LOL

February 9th

"Aleksandir's Stumped!"

Aleks decided he wanted some pics this afternoon so I let him decide what and where... He wasn't home when the big tree was cut down but he wanted to remember it somehow so he chose to pose on the tree stump :)

Excuse the lack of crispness, it was almost 9pm and me being a shorty was up on the step ladder for this shot!! It does not make for a stable platform!!

February 8th

"Pretty Girl"

At mums after a portfolio shoot and my brother showed up with his daughter again... As I had the skirts in the car I thought I'd take the opportunity (albeit me being exhausted and stinking hot!) to get some more photo's for them :)

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Feb 7th "Pretty Girl" At mums after a portfolio shoot and my brother showed up with his daughter again... As I had the skirts in the car I thought I'd take the opportunity (albeit me being exhausted and stinking hot!) to get some more photo's for them :)

February 7th

"Bickie Boy"

Today I spent most of the day fighting with facebook to upload pics from yesterdays shoots so didn't spend much time getting "photo opportunities"

Todays little bit of inspiration was because Dommy 'stole' a monte carlo biscuit and then tried to smear it over me when he had finished smearing his face - I needed photographic evidence for bribery when he is at an older age ;)

I still love how his eye's photograph <3 not biased at all ROFL

February 6th

"You Have A Friend..."

Today I had a couple of shoots for building my portfolio and one was a little boy just a bit older than Dommy. Dom was sitting in the grass and little Riley came over and they started talking and playing as little boys do :) Was too cute!!! ♥

February 5th

"Water Cowboy"

Today we went to the pool - the first time in YEARS!!! It took a while to get Aleksandir into the water (aspergers syndrome) but once in he loved it!!!

Here he is playing "cowboy" pretending the float mat is a bronco from the rodeo ;)

February 4th

"Farewell"

Today we woke to a front yard full of men - they were there to cut down the huge tree in our front yard. I'm still sad and missing it's company. I'd spend many a day sitting under the branches having a coffee with friends or just enjoying listening to the birds and wind dancing in the branches - and we LOVE autumn with the leaves falling to the ground... Many think the leaves are troublesome, but we loved it... But the poor old tree has succumbed to burly mans chainsaws and axes today.... This is William watching on as the arborist's finishes their job this afternoon....

February 3rd

"Aleks and Portia"

Today was a miserable, humid, yucky old day for being outside. The weather tried to rain on and off but the humidity won out - sticky - ewwww LOL The cats took refuge inside as did the kids LOL Here is Aleks petting Portia to sleep on the back of a chair... Even though it is right at the window the light was really poor!! I just love the expression on Aleks face :) He really loves Portia :)

February 2nd

"What I Call a Friend"

This evening we went to Romaine park for a BBQ and my best friend came with her kids to join us. Her Bradley and my William get on like a house on fire - the first time they met William said "He is my best friend forever" :)

They still get on sooo well 12 months down the track :) To the point trying to separate them when we need to leave each other can be down right difficult!!! Always begging to stay at each others houses LOL

February 1st

"Vintage Blue Eyes"

Today I went to mums and my niece was there. I had a bad headache so thought I'd get some easy shots for my PAD. I've treated this with a simple vintage lightroom pre-set... I love how her eyes have lit up :)

January 31st

"Peeping William"

William and Aleks were trying to get out of cleaning their bedroom today so were in mischievous moods working out ideas to hide from mummy and make time go faster... I caught William here hiding behind the front gate...

BTW - bedroom is still not clean!!! BOYS!!!!

January 30th

"Tara Ballerina"

Today I did a portfolio shoot for a friend. Her little girls are absolutely gorgeous!!! I thought I'd have a bit of fun processing this image :) It has 3 textures over it and some post processing in lightroom as well. Very similar processing the the pic I did on Kahli for Jan 27th POD.

January 29th

"No-Fail Quiche"

I've been meaning to do some recipe type montages for a while... Today we had for dinner my children's favourite meal - my no-fail quiche... recipe out of my head ;) So I took the opportunity to montage it :)

Recipe:
250g Bacon – Finely chopped
2 Med Onions – Finely chopped
3 cloved garlic – minced
1 can evaporated milk
5 x 50g eggs
2 Tbs Flour
2 Tsp Curry Powder
2 cups mixed veggies of choice
2 cups Cheese – loosely packed (**optional)

Preheat oven to 170*C

Grease and flour dish

1)Pan fry bacon and onion until onion is softened and they are starting to caramalise. Add garlic and turn off heat. Stir over cooling element to cook off garlic in residual heat.
2)Whisk together 1 egg, flour and curry powder. Once combined and lump free add the remaining eggs and evaporated milk. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
3)Stir through cheese and selected vegetables. If using delicate items such as roasted veggies these can be arranged in the dish instead of mixed through egg mix.
4)Stir through bacon and onion mix. Sprinkle top with remaining cheese.
5)Pour into pre-greased and floured dish. Place on a baking tray and place on middle tray in oven.
6)Cook 50min to 1 hour until cooked through and golden brown.

** Cheese is optional. Recipe still works well without cheese – If omitting consider adding extra onion, cracked pepper, choice of herbs etc for fuller flavour.

whoops - just noticed error with step 4 - need to pour into dish before sprinkling with cheese **doh** I'll be editing tomorrow ;)

January 28th

"Dom's Feet - Week 1"

This image isn't anything spectacular - in fact it's more of a snapshot... but each week when Dom's cast is removed I'll be taking snaps so we can see improvements (hopefully very soon) happen :) Apparently his feet have a little more flexibility in them today and were easier to manipulate.

The new cast went on with no real problems, his feet have been twisted a little to try and increase flexibility and movement and enhance the straightening of his feet :)

January 27th

"Kahli and Lacey"

Lacey is the cat that Kahli received for her last (10th) birthday. So far she hasn't had any proper photo's taken with her so whilst Lacey was in the mood to be cuddled we grabbed the camera and snapped away.... We were waiting for an arborist all day to come to look at the big tree in the front yard in the meantime - guess what, he didn't show!! Augh!!!

I was trying a few different processing techniques but they didn't work out the way I wanted so played with some layers instead to produce this image.

January 26th

"Australia Day 2010"

Happy Australia Day!!! My kids were all excited to be able to get flag tattoos and bandanna's for Australia day this year - I've never really got into the 'dress up' kind of thing for Aust Day but this year I buckled under their enthusiasm (and I was able to get some cute little sets for Dommy too LOL)

This isn't the best of images with the sun on Aleks and Kahli's faces bothering me - but it's the only one where they're all looking in the general direction of the camera and all (read Domenik who was overdue for a nap...) are looking reasonably happy - ahhh kids!!! LOL

January 25th

"Icecream Sandwich"

I almost forgot my photo today!!! I had a busy day and was sooo exhausted on top of it and kept falling asleep!!! This is an icecream sandwich that I enjoyed immediately after I took it's "portrait" It was very yummy and refreshing on such an warm evening here in the summer heat :)

January 24th

"Outside At Last!!!"

Dommy has been restricted due to the casts he has for his foot issues, but we've countered the issues of getting dirt etc down the casts by getting some older boy socks and covering them all up - Today was his first real "roam" outside since the casts went on last Thursday... He had a ball - and even tried to escape up those steps in the left hand side of the pic!!!

January 23rd

"Rodeo Anthem"

We ended the day going to the Ulverstone Twilight Rodeo... The kids absolutely love the Rodeo, the only thing with taking pics is it's only just starting as the light goes LOL

This is the flag bearer from the Grand Entry team riding past for the National Anthem - note the cowboys with hat in hand ;) Got to Love old fashioned respect and upholding of tradition ;)

January 22nd

"Happy Families?"

Who was I kidding - 4 happy smiling kids, looking at the camera, sparkling eyes.. all at once??!?!! LOL

We went to Romaine Park for a BBQ tea this evening and I positioned the kids on the slide for a group shot.. Aleks decided to sulk, Kahli didn't want to be squished between her brothers William was over jubilant because I bribed them with chippies and Domenik just wanted to escape as he was out of his prison at long last(pram)

Happy Families??? ROFL I think not this evening - mind you the minute the camera was put away to put Dommy back in the pram the older kids wanted their photo's taken again!!!!

January 21st

"Casting"

The diagnosis has been made regarding Domenik's feet and treatment has commenced.

Dommy has been officially diagnosed with Metatarsus Adductus, secondary condition of Mild Club Feet. He also has internal tibial torsion and extremely slack knee's (the tibia rotates way too much)

He is in weekly casts for at least 6-8 weeks, then if it works onto night bracing and orthotics. If casting doesn't work it will mean surgery.... For now he will have half casts, this will be reviewed each week with the possibility of moving to full leg casts....

He was such a brave boy today when his feet were being cast - he was smiling and playing with a rubber toy most of the time, only getting a bit over it when the final touches were being put on the second foot...

January 20th

"Suprised?"

He's not actually suprised, just scoffing down some toast... Dom's just like his dad, if it's food it must go down super quick in case there's seconds ;) LOL

January 19th

"Dommy Silhouette"

We went to the beach to give Domenik one last time in the sand and water before he gets his assessment and casts on Thursday. He loved the water until he fell over LOL This is actually where he fell.. Poor little guy was too scared to go back in the water himself...

January 18th

"Dirty Dommy"

Today we had a call from the hospital notifying us that Domenik will have an assessment and treatment on his feet this Thursday - it will most likely mean he will be in full leg casts for up to 8 weeks... So today we had a messy "play in the dirt" day - It could be one of his last chances this summer.... More messy pics to come tomorrow all going well ;)

January 17th

"Star of the Earth"

Today I thought I'd have some fun with my macro filter. It was a dreadful day weather wise and the flowers just would not sit still in the wind.. this was the best of many shots I took - still not the DOF I was looking for, but passable I guess....

The poem on the image is:

What a desolate place would be
a world without a flower!

It would be a face without a smile,
a feast without a welcome.

Are not flowers the stars of the earth,
and are not our starts
the flowers of the heaven.

- A.J. Balfour -

January 16th

"Leaf"

Today I was in a reflective mood - kinda down actually... This shriveled leaf matched how I feel.. then the rain came and brought it to life in a way... I wonder what will come bring me to life??

January 15th

"Burnout"

Last night we came home and one of the kids in the street told us there had been a scrub fire behind our house that came close, he's prone to a bit of exaggeration so we ignored him, but this morning we discovered he was quite correct!!! The fire came to within 50 meters of our back fence!!! Kids had lit it - time to work out a fire plan - we thought we might have been pretty safe in the city - think again!!!!

January 14th

"Somerset Sunset"

I visited my best friend this afternoon and found her taking some pics of a flower in bloom in her garden so joined her in taking some images of this rose. It's a very, very special rose, one she planted in memory of our friend (her best friend) Melissa who passed away suddenly last year.

Rest in Peace Melissa xxx

January 13th

"Melissa's Rose"

I visited my best friend this afternoon and found her taking some pics of a flower in bloom in her garden so joined her in taking some images of this rose. It's a very, very special rose, one she planted in memory of our friend (her best friend) Melissa who passed away suddenly last year.

Rest in Peace Melissa xxx

January 12th

"Sunset"

SOOC

We had a brilliant sunset this evening, I have not touched this image at all with any editing software - it is pictured as it was - so brilliant and summery :)

January 11th

"My Brother"

Of all the photo's to fall in love with I had to fall for one that was just out of focus LOL There was no way this could have worked if left in colour and at full vibrancy. I had to convert to B&W, reduce clarity and opacity and it became so soft I just adore it!!! I love the little poem I added to it...

He is my most beloved friend
and my bitterest rival,
my confidant and my betrayer,
my sustainer and my dependent,
and scariest of all, my equal.
He is my Brother
-- Gregg Levoy

BTW it is my 11 year old giving his little 1 year old brother a hug :)

January 10th

"Maddie"

I know this isn't the best image technically by a LONG shot but I still love it. My best friend gave her daughter a "cake smash" for her second birthday and as much as we tried to get her into the mood of making a mess she just wouldn't!!! Never-the-less she still enjoyed eating the icing off the cake with a spoon LOL