The Foils, Foibles and Follies of MaraBella and Me

How is it possible that I brought home a dog, that was supposed to be part lab and she is afraid to go across the road, down the stairs, and across the catwalks.  SHE LIKES THE PONTOON.  But does not seem to like the process of getting there.  Even with high value treats its a struggle.  Furman just happened to come up to the top of the steps when I was coaxing her across the front lawn.  She saw him and decided it was OK to go.  I wasn't really prepared to hang out down there so had to borrow Furman's phone to grab the images.

 

Hey MaraBella....you like it?

 

 

Delaware News

I don't know why I am such a procrastinator with the need for pressure to perform.  Whatever the reason, the pressure is now on if I want to be ready to hang my work at the Full Moon Café in April and the Pennington Athletic Club in June.  I'm going ahead with River Views (go figure) in Sepia.  I already had an offer on this one.  But, you know, an offer aint nothing til the money is in your hand.

Shad Fishing

 

Delaware Views Hues of RED

 

Early morning on the Delaware River from Lambertville to New Hope reveals the historic Bucks County Playhouse reflected in white and red.  I took this shot with my 35-70 at its widest and then  cropped it for the panorama view.  It is now my Facebook cover photo.

 

 

Delaware News or Lack of Hues

Good news is I registered my own domain name with GoDaddy.  More good news:  I found a host with BlueHost and uploaded WordPress.  Bad News is, it is not as easy as BlogSpot to set up.

I signed on for a webinar but it never appeared.  So for now I'm going with LACK of hues.

This is a foggy morning in fall on my beloved Delaware River, which we will be watching closely as the melt down may cause a rise in the water levels.

 

 

Delaware Views Hues of Red

They are calling it the Winter that just keeps on giving SNOW!

 

This was from a few days ago and shows some of the ice blocks that jammed up.

You can see the water flowing in the distance.  Today you cannot see any water flowing.

More snow on the way.  Then a warm up is expected.

As you might imagine, I am a little concerned regarding a big meltdown.

 

 

 

Oh right, Hues of RED...you didn't think I forgot did you?

Memories of Spring

 

 

 

Delaware News

Perhaps you have noticed I have been playing around with the look and feel of the blog.  I wanted to have some RED, but not too much.  I cant help but wonder if I put in TOO much.  Since the rest of my news is boring...ITS SNOWING AGAIN.  Yesterday there was still a nice flow on the Jersey side....still too dark to see if it is moving this morning.

 

 

 

I thought I would share a nice black and white portrait.  Took this one yesterday of one of my neighbors.

 

Delaware Views

For real. 

The river has frozen and defrosted and frozen so many times that now it is just backing up with big chunks of broken ice....

 

 

Close view

All the way across

Sunday Funday

Nice to be able to pick a day during the week and review it on Sunday Funday, when lounging around on this frigid winter day.  Hubby and I went off to Lambertville to enjoy lunch at the Full Moon Café and get an update on the dates I'm expected to set up. Then went visiting a friend who has river front property and got another view of the Delaware and the ice building up on it.

Delaware Hues of RED

Good Morning

 

 

Ice and Fog on the Delaware River

I looked out the window this morning and saw the sun just above the trees and ice crystals growing on the window.

 

Went downstairs to check the thermometer. It was reading 5 degrees.  Took me a few minutes to make the decision to go out there and brave the cold and another few minutes to put on some warm clothes.  I even donned earmuffs.  The fog was coming off the river in the strangest formations, like smoke coming from a chimney.  That is ice in the foreground, looking southeast.

Looking north.

Looking down.

 

Then I ran inside to get warm.

 

 

 

Delaware Views ONE MOON

I watched it set in the western sky.

 

 

 

Then I turned to the east.  As the moon was descending the sun was about to rise.

It was just too cold out there to hang out and wait for it to shine out above the trees

with its full force of light.

 

I waited till night.  It must have been chasing the sun.  There it was ascending in the eastern sky.

The moon will never catch the sun, but I'm glad it continues to chase it.  What is it that draws our attention to the rising and setting of these orbs moving solo through the sky? 

 

Foodie Friday Mushroom Barley Soup

I generally like to take before and after pictures or at least the process when I present the food from home.  I had such an urge for some Mushroom Barley Soup revised from the Mollie Katzen original Moosewood Cookbook, that I got started before thinking.  Barley in the pot, onions in the food processor, mushrooms in the sauté pan and if you are going to do this, get yourself some real Sherry.

 

 

 

And just because it was such a beautiful morning on the river, I thought I would share the Delaware View

 

Delaware Views

It was just so pretty I cant help it.

Foggy Delaware Views

As the day dawns you can watch it lift right off the water.

Delaware Views WATER and Considers Common Cents

Water covers 71% of the Earth's surface,  and is vital for all known forms of life.
The amount of water in the human body ranges from 50-75%.

Water is in the food you eat.

As per the Mayo Clinic, if you drink enough fluid so that you rarely feel thirsty and produce 1.5 liters (6.3 cups) or more of colorless or light yellow urine a day, your fluid intake is probably adequate.

Here in Washington Crossing we have well water so it is basically free.
Bottled water....or water in plastic containers can be purchased fairly inexpensively...a quick Google search finds you can pick up a case of Nestle Pure Life Purified water at Office Depot for $4.99
or for 10.97 Gorilla Office Supplies will sell you a case of Nestle Poland Spring Water for $10.97

I'm not up to the extensive research that would be required to tell you how much ENERGY and OIL goes into making the plastic containers that ultimately end up recycled or in the garbage or floating down the river due to some inconsiderate.......

Nor will I bore you with  the facts about the amount of money being made by this industry. Surely you know by know that there really is nothing too special, besides convenience, inside those plastic bottles you are buying.

What I will tell you is that it only takes a little Common Cents to know that by purchasing one or two stainless steel water containers, again a simple and quick search on Google reveals that you can purchase a 40 oz stainless steel water jug for $11.40 from the First Aid Store, and getting your water from a safe tap, is good for your wallet, good for the environment, and good for your health.

Drink water when you are thirsty.  It only takes Common Cents.

Peak in Gold and a Little Lavender Too

The folks on the TV News wanted us to know that this weekend will be peak for Fall colors...I don't know why they think they have to tell us that when we can just look outside and see.

The Lavender is blooming for a second time this season and the Delaware shimmers in gold.

 

As The Fog Lifted

A new day dawned.

 

 

Delaware Views of a Beautiful Fall Morning

I feel so fortunate to be able to leave the comforts of my home and take a few steps to arrive at the River.

 

 

Delaware Amuse on the River

 

What a lovely evening on the Delaware, shared with friends until the sun went down.

Wish I could show you the most fantastic entertainment we had of two eagles trying to steal a fish from an osprey. It was just so high up in the sky that it made more sense to watch and enjoy then try to focus and capture with the OM-D.  Although we were rooting for the osprey, the eagles made off with the treasure.