katydid...find a lost blog entry.

My memory is weird. I'll forget where I've put my keys just moments after I've set them down but, at almost the same instant, I will have a very vivid memory of the past come rushing back into my mind. Today, that "memory" was of a weekend when we went to Meadowlark. In August.

May they keep you warm on this cold January evening and remind you of how beautiful summer really is. And they totally prove I'm a forgetful procrastinator!

katydid...visit Miami for xmas.

I confess, I got a bit "arty" with the photoshop with these pictures from the Everglades. So, yes, that noise is indeed fake.

I'm not a huge fan of over-processing of photos, as many of you know, but sometimes everyone is a hypocrite.

These spores both fancinate me & creep me out. Since I'm planning on growing most, if not all, our vegetables from seeds this year expect many a photo of a plant in 2009.

katydid...see fall colors.

I've been lazy (big surprise, right?) and haven't gotten around to uploading photos like I should. Shame on me! Well, ladiez & gents, hold on to you hats b/c you're going to get 3 posts in ONE night! Try to contain yourself.

This is from 3 weeks ago when the hubz & I went to the National Arboretum. I believe it was "peak color" for the DC area. This year we had nice color since the weather was consistant. Last year, everything just turned brown & fell off. blech.

katydid...use her Meadowlark Annual Pass.

Gotta make it worth it, right?

This plant facinated me. We got there in the morning, shortly after they opened, so many things were still covered in dew. With the dew and the sun, this little guy looked like it had been Bedazzled.

And, of course, you know I *love* messing around with filters in black & white & applying a slight tint...

katydid...go hiking.

Yesterday we indulged in a lovely fall day: hiking, picnic'ing AND apple picking.

Of course we got "lost" hiking. We suck at sticking to our intended trail; we always seem to veer off to another one! It was still a beautiful day and Shenandoah National Park is lovely. Since it's not quite peak, there weren't many fellow hikers. The scenery made me fall in love all over again with my wide angle lens (shout out to Tokina 11-16mm).

I can't decide whether I like this one in color or (tinted) black & white:

katydid...fall under the spell of the Alhambra.

I am now in search of Washington Irving's Tales from the Alhambra. It's a stunning place, both the palace and generalife gardens are just majestic. You can't help imaging a different time and royal intrigues, romances, and events that have taken place there, despite the throngs of tourists.


Everyone should see it before they die. For some history: See this article.

Sadly, when we went the lion fountain was under constuction, but the article gives you photos. My photos totally don't do the place justice. The Alhambra is a place you really need to experience for yourself!











View from the Generalife gardens:

katydid...have fun with nesties!

I met some fellow Nesties at the Iwo Jima Memorial on Sunday to take pictures. It was sunny until, of course, we started. Then a layer of thin clouds rolled in which tempered the sun and looked really cool! I got a bit obsessed with the sun & back lighting...forgive me. There were also several very cool trees near the memorial...

katydid...have a good birthday.

The best birthdays are when the fall during the weekend so you can celebrate them properly.

We went to the US Botanical Gardens & they were having an orchid exhibit.

A picture from last weekend.

katydid...feel inspired.

More pictures from last weekend! View of my favorie monument: DC WWI.

katydid...fall off the wagon.

And got back on!


I forgot to take a picture a day a few times & then I was "too tired" to take then & then it was official: I had broken my resolution.


But now I'm back! Sort of. I don't want to do the picture a day gig if it makes me dread taking pictures. So, I'm amending the resolution: I do my best to take the pictures, but if I truly don't feel like it, I don't have to.


I headed down to the National Mall today. The weather was nice, so what I felt like I ought to be outside. I'm glad I went. While I was unable to a decent photo of my favorite "monument", the DC WWI Memorial, I got some other good shots that made up for it.


I'm finding I rather like landscape photography. Perhaps it's because of all those period-dramas set in the English countryside I watch?!? Which, by the way, I'm lusting after a vacation to the UK. Anyone want to pay me to go & take photos? ;)






And, finally, my favorite shot of the day:

katydid...survive Vegas.

Last Monday thru Thursday I was in Las Vegas for work. Getting there was...hellacious. We were an hour late leaving, encountered strong headwinds, almost ran out of fuel (so we had to stop in Denver), and experienced 1.5 hours of non-stop & extreme turbulence. The whole trip was 8 hours sitting in the plane seat and was the worst flight of my life.

But, I survived [barely]! Vegas itself wasn't too bad. I'd like to go back when it's slightly warmer to go hiking & try some of the restaurants.

Sunday, Jan. 27th: Batida de frambuesas- milk & raspberries blended with ice. I got these all the time when I was in Costa Rica. !que rico!

Monday: Finally on land! Red Rock Canyon (I call the second picture "Land Before Time")

Tuesday: The Palms. Literally.

Wednesday: Viewing the Casinos

Thursday: I actually forgot to take a picture (forgive me, I was travelling home), but here's another shot from Wed.

Friday: Movie Night! We watched National Treasure at home. And had Pull N' Peel Twizzlers.