Mari's 365 Photos 2010

It was a windy and very cloudy day on the beach. Joe and I focused on the last part of that statement - it was a day on the beach.

We still rented a cabana for the day, and enjoyed most of the day reading. Most of the cabanas looked abandoned like this this one.

Today's challenge: "Sidewalks are great for people watching. Make a photograph of a sidewalk scene today."

The Hollywood Beach Boardwalk provided a great venue to meet today's challenge. It was 80 and sunny when we arrived.

Today's challenge: "Time to revisit a traditional photographic look. Make a black and white photo with high contrast today."

I thought it would be easy with all the recent snow to meet today's challenge. However, it was such a busy day at school, made even busier by a snow day 3 days before spring break, that there wasn't a lot of snow left when I got around to taking a photo. Except for in the huge piles like this one in shopping center parking lots.

This is what it looked like when Joe left for the airport this morning at 4:30 am.

We were without power most of the night, 6:00 pm - 1:45 am.

While I took the Daily Shoot challenge this morning, this is my 'official' shot for the day. It was a beautiful sunrise this morning as I pulled in the parking lot at school. When I left at the end of the day, it was raining/snowing. Welcome to spring in Colorado!

Today's challenge: "Set an alarm for a random time today. Any time. When it goes off, pick up your camera and find a photo near where you are."

I combined today's challenge with yesterday's challenge. Here it is 4:00 pm and it is still 66F in the shade. This is the photo that was near where I was today, when it was time to take a photo, and it shows are change in seasons.

Today's challenge: "Sunday challenge: It's a new season (Spring up north, Fall down south). Make a photograph that illustrates the change."

It was a beautiful spring day here in Colorado, but we haven't had the warm temperatures yet. It was difficult to find anything green coming up out of the ground.

Today's challenge: "Liquids can be still and reflective or in motion and chaotic. Make a photograph of something liquid today. "

I love a tall glass of 'unsweetened' iced tea.

Today's challenge: "Change your angle today. Make a photo from 1' (30 cm) off the ground and post it."

Today anything that distance from the ground was bound to involve the white stuff! I will have fun packing for our cruise tomorrow!

Today's challenge: "Find something that's so old it's almost timeless and make a photograph of it."

Parts of the Red Rocks Amphitheater are man made, however the rock formations that created the natural amphitheater just west of Denver, are indeed almost timeless.

Today's challenge: "Grab your camera and walk 2 minutes in any direction. Stop. Find a photo worth making from where you stopped and post it."

I haven't come across anything in bloom here yet, but a couple of minutes into the grocery store I found these. They were beautiful! I'm also finding the grocery a good place some days to meet the challenge.

Today's challenge: "Today's theme is "3". Make a photograph that features the number itself or otherwise represents 3 items."

I thought all day on how to meet this challenge. I forgot the for myself 3:00 pm is a very important time of day!

Today's challenge "Trees and plants are great photographic subjects. Make a photograph of a tree or plant today."

This huge cottonwood was on my walk this afternoon. It was a glorious spring afternoon here in Colorado. Really only the undergrowth is green at this point though. I think it will be a couple more weeks before the trees start to green.

With the time change last night, I'm posting a shot a took late last night as my photo of the day today.

Joe and I went to the Great Big Sea concert last night at the Boulder Theater. I admit that were I ten years younger I could easily be a Great Big Sea groupie. So I settled for attending just one night of their two nights in Boulder.

The marquee with its neon and art deco look caught my eye as we headed into the theater. It was too dark to get all of the artwork on the building above the sign.

Today's challenge: "Curves, squiggles, and flowing lines interest the eye. Make a photograph dominated by a curvy shape of some sort today."

This caught my eye today when thinking about today's challenge. I also like the reflection of the surrounding courtyard in the glass.

Today's challenge: "Electronic gadgets pervade our world. You've probably got several. Make a photo of your favorite gadget today."

What an easy challenge this was today! My iPhone is by far my favorite gadget. I dreamed of this device in 1998 when I got a Palm III.

Today's challenge: '"Rules" can be stifling if taken to extremes. Break the rules today with focus, composition, etc, and see what happens."

Turning the camera is definitely a rule I rarely break. I thought this might make a fun photo for today's challenge.

Today's challenge: "Street scenes capture life on the go, be it a bustling city or a quaint village. Make a photo of a street scene today."

I took a detour on the way, so I could get a photo of one of my favorite street scenes around here.

Today's challenge: "Most of us enjoy some symmetry in our lives. Look around for it today and make a symmetrical photo."

This Fiestaware candle holder I think shows some interesting symmetry.

Today's challenge: " Take care of the Monday blues by picking up your camera. Make a photograph dominated by the color blue."

While we never really put the grill away for the winter, there always seems to be about 6 weeks when it is used very little. This is usually sometime around January - February.

We're grilling tonight, and it's been a few weeks, so a little cleaning was required before firing it up.

Today's challenge: "Lists guide an eye in a linear way: menus, recipes, etc. As you're out and about today, find a list and make a photo."

Since we've been married Joe has been wanting to find a place that served pierogies. A couple of weeks ago, we spotted Cracovia Fine Polish Cuisine. While out and about today, we thought we'd go back and have lunch. It was great! We love checking out little local restaurants.

Today's challenge: "Food engages all the senses. Make a photograph of food that causes our mouth to water or pucker. Get the viewer engaged."

Sweet Potato Chili

3 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp corriander
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
12 oz ground turkey
1 medium onion
2 cloves garlic
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 cups water
2 - 15 oz Kidney beans
3/4 lbs sweet potatoes - cut into 1/2 inch chunks

Combine oil, chili powder, salt, cinnamon, coriander, cumin, and red pepper flaks in large saucepan, on medium heat.

Heat for 2 minutes stirring constantly, intil spices are very fragrent.

Add turkey and onion. Saute stirring frequently, until onions ar just translucent.

Add remaining ingredients.

Heat until mixture reaches a strong simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover and let cook 1 hour, or until sweet potatoes are tender. Stir occasionally to insure chili does not stick or burn.

Today's challenge: "Striped patterns have a natural pattern that catches the eye. Find some stripes today and make a photo."

I went looking in Joe's closet for today's challenge and came up with this.

Today's challenge: "Weathered objects have a lot of character: cracked, rusted, bleached, etc. Give us your best weathered shot today."

The trellis outside our back door, is showing its age.

Today's challenge: "Find out what those buttons and dials on your camera do. Play today! Try a new setting and make a photo."

I took this with the manual setting on my camera. I would like to play around with this more. I've also got a manual focus, that I need to learn how to use.

Today's challenge: "During the Olympics, we saw many images of sports. Make your own photo of a sports activity, gear, or spirit today."

My boots and pack will be mostly idle for another month or two. They will be used as soon as the weather begins to warm. I'm hoping to make the hike from Bear Lake to Grand Lake this summer!