
Images
Week 1 of 52 in 2016 – My Project Starts
As the first week of 2016 comes to a close I embark on my new photographic project – one image each week posted here, on my Flickr site, and with my Facebook group, Sacramento Photographers. I plan to take most images during the week posted. Occasionally I will try a new processing technique to give a new look to an older photograph. I like the Flickr group, Give us your best shot! And that is what I plan to do!
The site of Dry Creek allows me to see changes with the seasons. This past weekend the weather was colder, and downed logs and debris was more visible.
Week 1 of 52 in 2016:
I see my journey starting here. A familiar place that changes over time.

Hidden away I spotted these colorful fungi.

This moustacheiod giant sleeps soundly.

Delicate flower gone to seed. Wonder what it will look like in Spring?

A lonely tire swing reflects on its current dilemma.

I always see friends ready to pose for me!

I enjoy my photo outings!
Baby Stuff Continues (Part 2)
Guess my blog got a step ahead of me, and posted the beginning before I finished. Oops.
For the second time in two weeks I went shopping at a store exclusively for babies. My three and a half year old grandson informed me that his car seat was falling apart. And indeed it was. I did my research and quickly found what I wanted. They price matched, and I made the purchase.
My fifth grandchild is due to make his appearance around Thanksgiving. I finished knitting his first blanket. All of my grandchildren received this gift from me. Isaac and Alyssa graduated to a child size and Eli still loves his blanket.
After just down-sizing my parent’s place I am more aware of the stuff around me. Going into Buy, Buy, Baby takes getting ready for baby to another level. On this day Rachel and I needed to find a mattress. This is something I can understand. Babies spend a lot of time on their mattress, and it is used for about 4 to 5 years if a after a crib a toddler bed is used. My children moved into a bed at around two and a half, no toddler beds available then. I’m still looking for a mattress that I can like for more that a few years. But that is a story for another day.
I’m sure that every grandmother in each generation is amazed to find all the new items available. Some things are now required for the safety of baby. Car seat laws keep extending the need for their use for use for longer periods of time. This is a good thing, but now you can buy kick pads for the car.

Necessary, or nice to have. Just tell child to stop kicking. If child can sit up, child should understand no kicking. Am I being too practical? Can’t imagine the passenger or driver enjoys a good kick in the back. Reminds me of sitting on an airplane with a kicker behind you.
My cotton receiving blankets served many purposes. Infant car seat cover-up is available to purchase. How did I function without a specific cover-up? Keep infant’s head from rolling from side to side with an insert instead of rolled blanket. Have to change a diaper while out, use a special pad instead of a cotton blanket.
I guess I never had my closet so filled or so organized. Maybe this would be an idea for my closet when I change sizes. Again, another story for another day.

For emergencies I just grab an ice cube tray and pull. Do you remember the metal trays with a handle to pull? Have to admit the new plastic ones empty easier. Recently I needed to replace a tray, and I realized that most families have an ice cube maker and don’t even use trays. I know gel packs are softer, but when I taught 4th grade and my student had a very minor hurt I told them to wet a paper towel and apply to body part that hurt. Nothing special.

Helpful to organize for on-the-go moms, and to keep cell phone clean. But I think that an outing should be used to introduce baby to the world around him, and not for cell phone time. Am I right?

This is a new idea for kitchen decor. Bottles, pacifiers, dishes, nipples each have place. I saw two sizes: grass and lawn for a larger kitchen. Guess my kitchen could only accomodate the grass size. Many accessories from Boon for your baby’s needs.

Buy, Buy, Baby is a huge store and I am sure that some of these things make taking care of baby’s needs easier. I’m concerned that new parents may find that having so many options adds an unnecessary level of stress in getting ready for the new bundle of joy. Relax, all you need is love!
Puppy Time Is Happy Time
My friend Jan has been raising CCI puppies for 18 years. Last week I again enjoyed some puppy time with my granddaughter.


These 4 Yellow Labs, “Litter D” are 6 weeks old. Grandmother Keala, Aunt Sheba and Mom Emerald all live here and took turns playing with Dave, Delia, Dennis, and Damian.

I grabbed a couple of shots while they each went in their own direction.

Along with being a perfect Lab puppy retriever, Alyssa also enjoyed the photo shoot. There is no better way to relax than to play with puppies.










Next week the D’s are going to their puppy raisers. Jan always has a group picture taken. This is a relatively small litter, but it still took many hands to capture them all looking in the same direction.











Finally we are all ready for our group shot!

Group photo with all the props.

I remember my first time taking group photo for the S litter of 8 pups. Trouble getting all pups together in one photograph.


I always enjoy combining my favorite things. Puppies and photography!