Time for another Round Robin Photo Challenge. This time Kiva suggested anything wooden. I knew immediately what I wanted to share.

We bought these huge antique snowshoes at an auction about 4 years ago. They look nice on the wall.

This is a German sled we bought at an Antique Store when we were building the house. I had thoughts of suspending it from the ceiling above the island in the kitchen as a sort of pot rack.

Why wooden wheels aren’t so great.

I’m sure I could have come up with a few more wooden items but I have been really distracted by birds lately. I have seen a few that I had never seen before and even a few that I had only seen once before. . .You’ll see them soon, promise. Was that a teaser? ;)

 

 

1. express a feeling, maybe even let us guess what feeling you were trying to express.
2. show me the view from your shoe
3. unique mailboxes
4. cemetery tour
5. something that brought a smile to your face this week

 

Then my week got filled with activities like shampooing carpets, two local geocaching events, one son's birthday (Haden is 16 now) and one son deciding it was time to spread his wings and move out.  But this morning I dug my collection down from its perch above the kitchen cabinets and washed them up.  And I think my collection meets the assignment of Variety Show given by Nancy.

In 2005, while wandering through antique stores I kept seeing enamelware coffee pots and thinking of my great-grandmother.  I remember she had many pieces of enamelware, huge bowls, cup, pots, etc.  So I bought a pot/pitcher, then another and another, then stumbled upon a few cute tea kettles I couldn't pass up and viola, a collection.

I'm sure you notice one odd one in amoungst them.  On the right side, second one back, is a white percolator with little blue flower design.  It has all of its parts and could be used if necessary, but I keep it because it was my paternal grandmother's.

Did you know, I don't drink tea or coffee?

But I couldn’t choose. I have been going through the winter blues, will-spring-never-arrive?!-blahs, and haven’t taken a lot of photos. Birds and my grandson have been about the only things able to entice my camera out in the last couple of weeks.

What did you say?

I think he has joined me in my exercise routine.  Maybe we can make a work-out video.  I just don't think I'm as flexible as the birds are.

This one reminds me of a lady I used to take care of.  I worked in a nursing home, and she was the sweetest little lady, always thanking us for caring for her. . . during the day.  But, if you woke her during the night to change her soiled bedding, she had quite a mouth on her.  One of her favorite things to say during those times was, "I'm gonna shit on your head!"  You could never mention these oubursts the next day or it would make her cry.  She didn't remember doing it and I guess if you convinced her that she had, she felt extremely bad.  That was way over 20 years ago and I still laugh at the memories of her Jekyl and Hyde. 

If you have ever tried to capture - in any form of the word - a 2 foot tall child running at 60 miles an hour, zigging and zagging, you will see why I consider that one to be perfect. Just look at his little arms and legs! If you’ve ever been wrapped around a tiny finger you will recognize that perfect expression, that pure joy at seeing someone who makes him happy.

I waited until the last possible moment, hoping to find a tree budding or a flower blooming, and although we have had several warmer days (upper 30s, lower 40s) there is still plenty of snow to go around and no budding in sight.

Just a week ago that snow pile reached the white line and you could not see the grassy - albeit dead - median.

As you can see, we are left with dirty roads and nasty looking snow. This, and puddles and squishy ground, are reasons I hate Spring in Wisconsin.

Benches still can’t be used, plenty of snow abounds. But as it melts and compacts things reappear that have been hidden from view since November.

Ponds are still frozen. While I still see ice fishing going on, I also see some lakes/rivers thawing and I wouldn’t want to walk on water right now.

And, it is snowing again (all these were taken on Friday, March 21st). But we’re lucky, we’re supposed to only get a couple of inches. South may get a foot. This is the shopping center where you can get food prepared by a Chef who trained with Emeril.

So I returned home to the warmth of my house and show you my seedlings. The above are cactus babies.

I planted these Zinnias at the same time but they are much taller. If the spring won’t come to me by golly I’ll make my own spring.

Hop on over to the other Round Robins and see some places enjoying a springier Spring.

Kim
Nekked Lizards
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com

Oops, I guess you said sit, not . . .well you know. My favorite spot to sit is really my front porch, the top step, as I watch the birds but I didn’t figure you really wanted to see my step.

My grandson thinks the futon is a pretty good spot to sit. I think it gets the most use by all family members. I love the fabric on its cushion and its wooden mission style ends.

It can even double as an extra bed. I’ve fallen asleep on it a few times myself but here you see Fibi and my son, Haden.

But, by far, my favorite spot to sit currently would have to be. . .

No, I don’t sit there, but it allows me the freedom to sit on the futon for a few moments when my grandson comes to visit. Tristan can walk on his own now but when I put him in the walker, he’s happy and I’m happy. He’s happy because it’s like a new toy, he only has a walker here so he doesn’t get bored of it. I’m happy because I know he won’t be falling and bonking his head, and he can’t get into as much plus it has that great tray attached to catch his crumbs.

Join in future Round Robin Photo Challenges or see other great places to sit.

I am not a shoe person, I know, I know, what kind of woman am I to hate to cook and not like shoes?  I just want shoes that feel good to my feet and I hate to have the clutter of many shoes so I try to keep myself down to a few pairs.  But, low-and-behold I had more fun with this than I ever would have imagined I would.  I gathered every single pair of shoes I own and grabbed the camera.  I really enjoyed setting up the scenes for the photos while my sons laughed at me.  And I'll apologize now, apparently the sun was playing with my shots more than I realized.

First here’s the rack we use for our shoes, it’s actually portable scaffolding we used while building the house. Since we really have no use for it at the moment, this beats the heck out of folding it up and storing it. And we never wear our shoes in the house so they are all stored in the garage.

These are my cheap, but cute, canoe shoes.  If the lakes ever thaw I might get to wear them again.

Rarely used Dexter Golf Shoes, they're cute though, right.  They make me think of the days of poodle skirts.

Very worn out born sandals and my adorable Brighton purse. This is about as dressy as I get, looks like I need some new ones.

Comfy and warm muck-a-lucks my parents got me while I was going through chemo.

My summer caching shoes.  I have some of the furry Crocs I have been living in this winter.  They actually keep my feet warmer than my boots do.

The Crocs have taken over the little Timberland’s with the smartwool lining, but they pair up well with the wool socks.  The Cabela’s boots are waterproof and last season my feet never got cold, even when we were 40 below.  They are always in the car to replace the crocs if needed but usually I stick a bottle of soda, my cell phone and such in them. 

I hope I haven't disappointed by reshowing some photos but if I did maybe you should look at the hot air balloons in the post below, or go visit the other Round Robiners:

Potatoes are my most favorite vegetable, or maybe that's corn.  Well I love them both a whole lot and if I could only eat two foods forever they would be it.  What you see above if what happens when we buy three 50 lb bags at one time.  As much as I love them I just couldn't get through them all in time.

It's the attack of the Killer Potato and I'm scared, so scared I'm shivering under my bed.  Maybe I should take this back to Okray Farms and they can use them to help make next seasons crop? 

List of Participants

• Jill - Letting Crazy Take A Spin - http://lettingcrazytakeaspin.blogspot.com/
• Carly - Ellipsis - http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com
• Carlo***Welcome New Member*** - Captured by Carlo - http://capturedbycarlo.blogspot.com
• Sandy - myanderings - http://myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com
• Shorty - I Couldn't Help Myself - http://icouldnthelpmyself.blogspot.com
• Momma - Sandcastle Momma - http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com
• Martha - Perception - http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/
• Karen - Outpost Mâvarin - http://outmavarin.blogspot.com
• Swampy***Welcome New Member*** - Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes - http://anecdotes.typepad.com
• Gattina - Keyhole Pictures - http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com
• Sarah - Charish-Me - http://charish-me.blogspot.com
• Jan***Welcome New Member*** - The Prytz Family - http://theprytzfamily.blogspot.com/
• Suzanne R - Living . . . Suzanne R's Life - http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com
• Sandra - StrongChemistry - http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com
• Janet - fondofsnape  - http://www.fondofsnape.com
• Annie - Pictures of Craziness - http://krspkrmmom.blogspot.com
• Kim - Nekked Lizard Adventures - http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com
• Vicki - Maraca - http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/
• Marie - Photographs & Memories - http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories
• Robinella - Robin's Nest - http://robinellablog.wordpress.com/
• Nancy - Nancy Luvs Pics - http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix/

The Round Robin Challenge (pop over and sign up for this challenge or the next one. ) this time was suggested by Carly.

We have been blessed with temperatures so cold that I have not wanted to take my camera out for fear of ruining it.  So you are being blessed with photos that I took on warmer days.  Also, since I don't believe anyone else participating lives in Wisconsin and we travel all over I will take you on a little tour.  I venture to guess that we have seen more of the state in our four years living here than many life-long residents have.

Chatty Belle, the World's Largest Talking Cow, lives in Neillsville, she lost her voice a few years back but she's still worth a visit.  They took away her pals, World's Largest Replica Cheese and Bullet, her son.

Very nearby, still in Neillsville, you can find the High Ground, Wisconsin's largest Veteran's Memorial Park.

This can be found in a little town in the northeast part of the state.  The plaque reads, "Portion of Wall of China taken near Canton, each stone represents a type of the stones used, the burned brick are 1700 years old, donated by. . ."

The End of the Trail, tribute to the American Indian, in Waupan, created when Fraser was 17 years old.

Suring, Gateway to the North, marks the halfway mark between the Equator and the North Pole.

Did you ever wonder where the hamburger was born?  You can find the answers in Seymour, where you will also find the largest grill used to make one large burger and a statue of Charlie Nagreen, creator of the hamburger in 1885.

You can find the World's Largest Musky in Hayward, where the largest one was caught.

Eau Claire is the home of Paul Bunyan and his Ox, Blue, as well as a logging camp museum.

Manitowish has the largest Loon. . .

. . .and nearby Woodruff has the largest Penny.

If I had the time there's so much more that I'd love to show you about my "hometown", but I suppose I should let you go.  I hope you enjoyed seeing a small portion of the interesting landmarks in Wisconsin.

PARTICIPANTS:
Carly - POSTED!
Ellipsis
http://ellipsissuddenlycarly.blogspot.com

Karen - POSTED!
Outpost Mâvarin
http://outmavarin.blogspot.com

Sandra - POSTED!
Strong Chemistry
http://strongchemistry.blogspot.com


Jill - POSTED!
Letting Crazy Take A Spin
http://lettingcrazytakeaspin.blogspot.com/

Martha POSTED!
Perception
http://journals.aol.com/lifes2odd/perception/

Sandy - POSTED!
Myanderings
http://www.myanderings-myanderings.blogspot.com

Shorty ***Welcome New Member*** POSTED!
I Couldn't Help Myself
http://icouldnthelpmyself.blogspot.com

Gattina- POSTED!
Keyhole Pictures
http://gattina-keyholepictures.blogspot.com

Nan - POSTED!
Life is Like a Lunchbox
http://www.shawnanigans.net

Janet - POSTED!
fondofsnape
http://www.fondofsnape.com

Vicki - POSTED! 1/27/08
Maraca
http://mymaracas.blogspot.com/

Marie - POSTED!
Photographs & Memories
http://journals.aol.com/mariebm56/PhotographsAndMemories

Robinella ***Welcome New Member***
Robin's Nest - POSTED!
http://robinellablog.wordpress.com

Suzanne R POSTED!
Living . . . Suzanne R's Life
http://newsuzannerslife.blogspot.com

Nancy - POSTED!
Nancy Luvs Pix
http://journals.aol.com/nhd106/Nancyluvspix

Pamela ***Welcome New Member***
The Dust Will Wait -POSTED!
http://thedustwillwait.blogspot.com

Kim - POSTED!
Nekked Lizard Adventures
http://nekkedlizardadventures.typepad.com

Duane - POSTED!
Life, the Universe and Everything
http://fdtate.blogspot.com

Gina - POSTED!
Gina's Space
http://journals.aol.com/rbrown6172/Ginasspace

Momma***Welcome New Member***
Sandcastle Momma - POSTED!
http://sandcastlemomma.blogspot.com

Molly***Welcome New Member***
Return of the White Robin - POSTED!
http://returnofthewhiterobin.blogspot.com

Sarah - POSTED!
Charish Me
http://charish-me.blogspot.com

Kiva - POSTED!
Ecletic Granny
http://eclecticgranny.blogspot.com/

Jama Hameed***Welcome New Member***- POSTED!
A Moment In Time 1/27/08
http://journals.aol.com/jamahameed/a-moment-in-time/

Jennie***Welcome New Member***
PrairieAir -POSTED! 1/27/08
http://prairieair.blogspot.com/2008/01/round-robin-landmarks-challenge-old.html

   This Round Robin Challenge is Railroads. Thanx for the fun topic Gina!

It’s kind of funny because I snapped this photo before I knew what the topic was going to be. I know it’s nothing special, and I was actually just playing with the camera settings, seeing if I could let the train blur and such. The other reason I took the photo was to show the bridge. When I took the photo I was at a boat landing, the only way to the landing was under the bridge. That was scary! The left hand side is the side we came through first and the road dips down, way lower than the ground all around. Like going through a big dip. And it was narrow! I’m thinking if cars get any bigger they won’t fit. I had to close my eyes, cuz I just knew we were going to lose our side mirrors.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory in Chicago currently has several trains set up in their Show House. What luck!

Here I was enjoying playing with my macro lens when I stumbled upon the trains.

List of participants:

Time for another Round Robin Photo Challenge: Going, going, gone.  I feel like such a dork, hey, my normal state.  :)  I kept thinking the time was up on the 31st so I kept mulling it over.  I had some ideas but . . . well time's up so I have been sitting here looking through photos I did take the last few days and trying to find some that I think fit the challenge.  I hope you enjoy.

Yesterday my husband and I went for a walk, in the snow, while it was snowing and I didn't want to lug the big camera so I tucked the point and shoot in my pocket and the following two photos are from it.

I think this photo is my best at meeting the challange, so I'm kinda warning you that it's all downhill from here.  See the footprints starting on the bottom right corner, they are going.  Next, my husband, is going away from us and lastly, well, he's in a cemetery so I think gone is pretty represented too.

Hello!  This is me, my self-portrait, I really am in the woods walking in the falling snow.  See the snow in my hair?  My hair is going gray as I'm going into the woods and my nose and mouth appear to be gone.  But trust me they're still there.

Because of the recent holiday I have tons of photos of my grandson so I am subjecting you to two of them.  He's generally a great example of the challenge.  Here he is eating a vanilla wafer, so the cookie is going, going, and well, now, it is gone.  It won't be but a few clicks later and Tristan is going up the back of the couch.  You can see his socks are almost gone, won't be long and his little toesies are bare.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  I don't have to tell you what's going, going, gone in that photo, do i?

Other Round Robiner's: