Pigeon Point Light House

Day 250/365, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

This is someplace I go to just clear my head. I just sit out by the lighthouse and watch and listen and for some reason it has a calming effect on me. It is good to have a place like this; I think we all need one sometimes and the lighthouse has really come in handy during times of my life when i just could not deal. Do you have a place like this too?

Dqy 240/365 - Wicked - Defying Gravity

Dqy 240/365, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

Went and saw Wicked yesterday "FINALLY"! It was  great if it comes your way run don't walk to see it. It had some great lessons in it and the ending was quite different then the one in the book, I cried like a baby at the end I was so happy:)

Elphaba is my hero, you can call me The Wicked Witch any day (and some do.....:)

Flying Away with a Good Book

Day 235/365 - DPS Assignment Books, originally uploaded by sunmallia.

Was watching a flock of sea gulls in flight yesterday and they reminded me of pages in a book, the more you read the more you fly :)

Dogs and their People

I had the pleasure of photographing the annual fund raiser (Mutt Strut) for the local shelter in my area this past weekend.  It was a very cold, windy and drizzly day but bless their hearts the dogs with their people were out there to strut their stuff and help raise money for the animals still waiting for a permanent home.  I am so happy to be able to photograph this event and I love love love to take photos of people with their pets, the faces of both pet and human always seem so happy and relaxed when they are together.  As I was editing my photos I did notice one funny thing, how many people have a characteristic of their pet, so I was wondering if subconsciously this is how the decision to choose a particular animal is made by some.  Here are just a couple of photos where I thought human and canine looked like they were cut from the same cloth.

I would love to know why did you choose your pet, what was the one special thing that you saw in those eyes that said this is the one.  Also do you think you look like your pet, I have 5 dogs and I think I look a bit like all of them :)

 Notice the shape of the mouth

 Dressed in colors similar to dogs coat

 Notice beard and smile

 Hair on human falls like ears on dog

 Dressed in simliar color as dogs coat and dog and human have same stance

 Look at their hair

Look at the mustache on man and dog

Day 72/365 - 2010

I took this photo as part of a DPS Challenge called commute.  Believe it or not I really do see this on my way to the shelter as a matter of fact it is just behind the shelter we take dogs walking there all the time.  It does not always looks this pretty I did add a couple of textures created by a fellow photographer named ET Takeyama as a matter of fact if it was not for ET I would probably have trashed this photo as it was a dull gray day when I took it. 

It is funny how we can trick the eye into seeing things that aren't really there, it has been done for ever.  I have learned the final photo is probably not what it looked like right out of the camera.  There are incredible programs that help you maniuplate your photos into works of art.  Never in my wildest dreams as a little girl with my Brownie Camera would I have thought that I could do something like this.  You think Monet would be proud, I know I am :)

Day 71/365 - 2010

This is what is left of the tulips from my tulip series.  When I got home the other night I noticed the petals on my kitchen counter and the way the light hit them I thought they still looked so beautiful, even individually like that and not as part of the whole group.  It was sad to say goodbye as they helped me create some nice photos and helped me challenge myself to see things differently.  I started out to learn photography with my 365 project but am really learning a lot about how to look at not only photo subjects but everything in general, all is not all you see if you know what I mean.

Day 52/365 - 2010

This is one of the many birdhouses in my garden. Something about birdhouse I love, can't put my finger on it though. Maybe it is the little treasure I find in there every now and then. A bird will decide to create it's nest in one of the house and hatch it little ones, I love the sound of the baby birds tweeting waiting for their mom to bring them food. Then one day you wake up and they have flown the coup so I wait another year until the new mom's start work on their little families. My way of watching the seasons change, I always know spring has arrived when I hear the sound of the birds.

Da 51/365 - 2010

Went to Bodega Bay and had some seafood chowder at the Tides Restaurant. Bodega Bay is a beautiful little seaside town in Northern California, best known for the movie "The Birds", by Alfred Hitchock, to this day his movies send chills up my spine, oh and that voice of his scary!

I remember as a kid I used to watch his movies at the theater and spend most of the time with my hands covering my face or a sweater over my head, good story teller that Alfred and he did it without all the special effects they use in movies these days now that is a good director.

Day 50/365 - 2010

It's Furry Friday over on Flickr so I thought I would take a snap of my little Sparkles. I often wonder how he started out his life and why he wound up on the streets scrounging for his meals. He certainly has good reason not to trust people after all we were the ones that put him out there. Was he not pretty enough, was he to small, was he personality not to your liking, why..... Well I am glad he found us and we became a happy little family. I did not want another dog but the universe said different and the universe is usually right.

Day 45/365 - 2010

Walking along the creak I found this black walnut shell and it looked like there was a heart in it. I did not know how much of a heart until I took the photo. It is Mother Natures of way of saying Happy Valentine's Day, I'm just nuts about ya!

Day 44/365 - 2010

The French were bred to die for love They delight in fighting duels But I prefer a man who lives And gives expensive jewels A kiss on the hand may be quite continental But diamonds are a girl's best friend A kiss may be grand but it won't pay the rental On your humble flat, or help you at the automat Men grow cold as girls grow old And we all lose our charms in the end But square cut or pear shaped These rocks don't lose their shape Diamonds are a girl's best friend Tiffany's, Cartier Talk to me, Harry, Winston, tell me all about it There may come a time when a lass needs a lawyer But diamonds are a girl's best friend There may come a time when a hard boiled employer Thinks your awful nice But get that ice or else no dice He's your guy when stocks are high But beware when the start to descend It's then that those louses go back to their spouses Diamonds are a girl's best friend I've heard of affairs that are strictly platonic But diamonds are a girl's best friend And I think affairs that you must keep liaisonic Are better bets if little pets get big baggettes Time rolls on and youth is gone And you can't straighten up when you bend But stiff back or stiff knees You stand straight at Tiffany's Diamonds Diamonds I don't mean rhinestones But Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Day 42 and 43/365 - 2010

When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out - because that's what's inside. When you are squeezed, what comes out is what is inside.
Wayne Dyer

Day 41/365 - 2010

"It is, in my view, the duty of an apple to be crisp and crunchable, but a pear should have such a texture as leads to silent consumption."
Edward Bunyard, 'The Anatomy of Dessert'

Day 40/365 - 2010

Was on a hike and could not believe my eyes when I saw this!

"Ladybug, Ladybug fly away home, your hose is on fire and your children are home alone"

Day 39/365 - 2010

"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.” George Bernard Shaw quotes

Recipe by Paula Dean - Foodnetwork

Apple Strudel:

1/4 cup bourbon or apple juice 1/2 cup golden raisins 2 to 3 Granny Smith apples (about 1 pound), peeled, cored, halved, and thinly sliced 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely chopped 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for sprinkling 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 cup crushed shortbread cookies 1/4 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces 5 sheets phyllo dough from 1 pound package of frozen dough 2 tablespoons butter, melted, for brushing phyllo sheets, plus more if needed 1 tablespoon granulated sugar Confectioners' sugar Caramel sauce, purchased Glaze: 2 cups confectioners' sugar 3 1/2 tablespoons milk For the Strudel: Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, pour the bourbon or apple juice over the raisins and microwave on high for 45 seconds. Let sit for 15 minutes. Combine the raisins, apples, lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon, brown sugar, cookie crumbs, pecans, and butter in a large bowl. Remove the phyllo dough from the box, unfold, and cover with a damp towel. Place 1 sheet of phyllo on the work surface and brush lightly with melted butter. Repeat with the remaining sheets, brushing each with melted butter, stacking when done, being sure to keep the unbuttered phyllo covered. Place the apple mixture on the nearest third of the phyllo stack, being sure to leave a 2-inch border. Gently lift the bottom edge of the phyllo stack to cover the filling and fold the side edges over. Continue to roll the stack away from you until the filling is completely sealed in and the seam is on the bottom. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the top with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, until golden brown. Pour over the glaze and sprinkle with cinnamon and confectioners' sugar. Pass warm caramel sauce, to drizzle over the strudel. For the Glaze: Mix ingredients thoroughly. *Cook's Note: If too thick add a little bit of milk. If too thin add a little bit of confectioners' sugar.

Day 38/365

Save Now

Well folks sorry about this but I am just being silly today! John and I were playing with the Wii when John said, hey your little Mii person looks a bit like you, and I said yes I think you are right but the disturbing thing is I think I have a similar outfit.

So here we are Me and Mini Mii, lol, ha ha ha.....

Day 37/365 - 2010

Day 37/365 - Thought I would try my hand at a portrait. Could not decide if I liked the black and white or the color version. Not the best have lots of work to do on my portrait skills any suggestions anyone??

This is our friend Tim who is moving to Utah this week. The shelter will miss him so much and so will we. Tim is one of those good good souls, he has saved over 30 dogs that would probably have been euthanized had he not pulled them out and fostered them. Lucky dogs are those at the next shelter he will volunteer for. Bye Tim :(

Day 36/365 - 2010

When I have had a hectic day and am feeling pretty down and out, I pull out my beautiful china tea cup grab myself a biscotti and sit and relax with a nice cup of tea. Must be some of that English tradition left in me.

Afternoon Tea:

Afternoon tea (because it was usually taken in the late afternoon) is also called "low tea" because it was usually taken in a sitting room or withdrawing room where low tables (like a coffee table) were placed near sofas or chairs generally in a large withdrawing room. There are three basic types of Afternoon, or Low Tea:

Cream Tea - Tea, scones, jam and cream

Light Tea - Tea, scones and sweets

Full Tea - Tea, savories, scones, sweets and dessert

In England, the traditional time for tea was four or five o'clock and no one stayed after seven o'clock. Most tea rooms today serve tea from three to five o'clock.

Biscotti:

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 (1 ounce) squares white chocolate, chopped
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in cocoa and baking powder. Beat for 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in flour by hand. Mix in white chocolate and chocolate chips. Cover dough, and chill for about 10 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Divide dough into two parts, and roll each part into a 9 inch long log. Place logs on lightly greased cookie sheet, about 4 inches apart. Flatten slightly.
3. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool for one hour.
4. Cut each loaf into 1/2 inch wide diagonal slices. Place slices on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 325 degrees F ( 165 degrees C) for 9 minutes. Turn cookies over, and bake for 7 to 9 minutes. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

Day 35/365 - 2010

Meet Sparky aka “Sparkles” Sparky is 2 years old and a Miniature Schnauzer Mix (Mutt).

Well last but not least is Sparky. I met Sparky in December of 2008. He was brought in as a stray, he was pretty much a feral dog, a throw away nobody wanted. He was great with other animals but since he had never had any interaction with humans he just did not like us at all. It took me 6 weeks of just going and sitting in the kennel with him, doing nothing other then reading a book, playing with his kennel mates until he finally started to come around to sniff me. Well once that happened I was able to lasso him and start taking him out to walk with me. The more we went out together the more he trusted me, 3 weeks after that I was actually able to pick him up without a fuss. Once he trusts you he trusts you. Well in February I was told he was not getting any better, he was still snapping at people and did not want to communicate so he would probably be put down soon. Well I knew different and I was not going to give up on this guy.

At the time my beagle Skippy was pretty sick and I wanted to bring Sparky home to foster him but Skippy came first at the time. I did not want his last days to be traumatized by a new addition, we had had Cody for just a few months and that was enough for poor Skip. So John kindly offered to foster him; so now we needed to get him used to John and very quickly. So John worked with him for 2 weeks but still no interest, but he needed to get out so we figured if he only had John to care for him he would have no choice but to bond to him and I was right they soon became fast friends. I actually took Cory and Sophie with me as I did not want Sparky bonding with them before he bonded with John. Well two weeks later I lost Skippy, that was two dogs in 4 months I had lost and again my heart was broken. Skippy was one in a million he made me laugh everyday of his life, you could never be mad or sad when Skip was around. Anyway in his honor I decided I would foster dogs instead of adopting, so I took Sparky back to try and work with him so he could find a good home. Well he did with me as I could not give him up, I became a foster failure.

He still does not trust easily it takes him a while before he lets you into his heart. But once he does you have a friend for life. He comes running from where ever he is in the house when I say who is going to give me a kiss, he loves to get big hugs and loves to go for big long walks with the pack. He too is a hunter so poor squirrels do not have a chance at my house. He is a little character, a rascal is what I call him as he always gets Presley or Cody to do something bad so they can take the blame and he can smell like a rose :)

Day 34/365 - 2010

Meet Buffalo Bill “Cody”, Cody will be 2 years old this April and is a Beagle!

Well when I lost my Beagle Lily, at the age of 18 ½ years I told John I could never have another Beagle as no other dog would ever live up to her. Well I have to tell you my heart was so broken when I lost her, I could not imagine my life without this beautiful creature in it especially since she graced me with it for so long. And Skippy her partner was also heart broken I started losing him as well on the day she died.

Just for the heck of it one day at work I opened up the Beagle Rescue page and was going through it and saw this happy face puppy named Ollie. Well my fingers just automatically started typing a letter to the rescue asking if he was available and I got a letter back the next day saying yes and off to Sacramento we went to meet this little guy.

Cody was surrendered to a local shelter at the age of 9 weeks, the owners had only had him for a week. I was told it was because the owners were in the military and they were deployed to Iraq, but why would you even think of adopting a dog if you knew you were going to be deployed….. I figured it was because he was a Beagle and they can be a bit of a handful. Well when I met Cody that proved to be true! He lived in a Foster Home with 4 other dogs and two lively young boys, all of which had a lot of energy. When I picked him up he tried to bite me. His Foster Mom said they had inquiries as he was as cute as can be but when they came to meet Cody they just did not click his energy was just to high. Well it had been a long time since I had a puppy in the house, Presley was the closest thing she was 1 when I got her the year before. But we took Cody out to meet with everyone and he seemed to like the whole gang so I said yes I would take him and off we went.

He is a handful I have to tell you, a typical Beagle and a typical young boy. He loves to speed around the house when the urge hits him and then just spins and spins. He has calmed down quite a bit since I first met him and loves people now, the only reason he did not let me pick him up when we first met is he had a bad flea infection and it hurt him so once I cleared that up he was just fine I have never had a problem with him with people or dogs. He loves to howl especially when he see a squirrel, which sets Presley off and then I get stereo howling! He is a sweet boy and loves to play with just about anything so I have to mind where I put anything down, his most recent acquisition were my house keys, I looked and looked for them for days and blamed John for misplacing them when one day out comes Cody from his kennel with the keys!

Did he replace Lily, no, but there was a new open spot in my heart which he soon filled :)