Busy Days

I've been busy lately, chauffeuring Livie around to various activities (mainly swimming), and trying to get some studying accomplished (hard to do with Livie out of school for the summer).

However, we have been able to do a few fun things during my "summertime extended study break," (aside from swimming/swim lessons, studying, and reading for the library's summer reading program).

The other night, for example, Livie and I were able to go to an outdoor concert in the local park. We had a picnic dinner and listened to a classic rock cover band.

On the way back to the car (which was parked a few blocks away), I snapped a photo of a local church, using the Instagram app on my iPhone:

Of course, it seems like in the summertime, the weekend is the best time for me to get study time, because Andrew's home and able to do fun things with Livie (like gardening stuff). So that's when I get an hour or two to get out of the house and get some hard core reading/studying accomplished - at the local bookstore/cafe, of course (which also entails getting myself a little treat, like an iced caramel macchiatto). This photo was also taken with my iPhone and the Instagram app:

Too Easy to Procrastinate!

I should be reading right now, but the snowy weather we're getting right now is making it hard to concentrate. So I'm procrastinating by editing some photos in Picnik.

So last week on campus, I took a photo of the Adler Journalism and Communications Building, where one of my classes was held last semester (Contemporary American Women Writers). Well, this semester, I have to walk past it to and from one of my classes (because of where I sometimes park my car). I took a couple pictures of this building last semester during the fall (you can see them by clicking here and looking at the first photo, as well as clicking here to see that bare autumn tree look).

And while I was inspired to take another photo of it last week, it didn't turn out like I'd expected. So I just had to edit it using Picnik.

After using some of Picnik's special effects and texturing, here is how last week's photo turned out:

It turned out pretty cool, huh? Well *I* think so, anyway. I took this photo in the afternoon, but it almost looks like a nighttime shot, due to the editing (boost, heat map - the "thermal" choice, and some texture). I love the colors and the tree's reflection in the windows.

Okay, now it's back to the books . . . and keep your fingers crossed that my drive to/from school is safe doesn't take too much longer than usual!

Procrastination

Yes, I should be studying right now. I have a TON of reading to do for my philosophy class, as well as an exam to prepare for . . . but I thought I'd share some autumn stuff that Livie likes:

Liv picked out this corn the day we'd gone pumpkin picking and pony riding with Abuelita. I put it on the front door a few days ago. I may trim some of the husks off, so the corn is more visible.

These are the pumpkins Liv picked out. She arranged them on the front step. She did a good job picking out some nice looking pumpkins!

A Belated Thanks

Okay, I've gotta take a study break and do something a little more fun, so I'm going to tell you a fun little thing I took part in recently. 

A few weeks ago, I participated in a "Mail Call" hosted by Jill at Chillin' With Jill. She'd had this great idea for a mail swap, because it's so much fun getting an actual, handwritten note/card/letter in the mail, right?

Well, I had fun sending a handwritten note and a couple Iowa postcards to Ellie at Ellie's Place. She's actually over on the other side of the "pond" in Scotland, and has some great photos on her blog.

Then a few days later, I got a thank you card (actually, a "Merci" card) from Jill for participating in the mail swap. It was unexpected, and definitely a fun find when I opened the mail box the day it arrived.

Isn't it cool? Liv says the bird is "so cute!"

Liv and I especially loved the bird, and it's little green "jewel" for an eye (it might be kinda hard to see it in the photo).

And then a few days ago, I received another cool card, this time from Dianna at These Days of Mine.

Another very cool card!

I love the floral theme (she even had that rose on the back of the envelope). It was fun getting such a cool, handcrafted, handwritten note in the mail.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'm glad Ellie got her cards in the mail (and I'm pleasantly surprised they got there so quickly!), and thanks to Jill and Dianna for the cards.

Study Breaks and Chile

Here's what happens when a study break and chile photos "collide":

Here's the original photo - Hatch chile just put out on a screaming hot grill.

Here's one edited with Picnik's "Duo Tone" effect, using green and black, obviously.

And here's the other, also with the "Duo Tone" effect, but this time, obviously, with black and red.

I couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I saved one version each of the green/black and the red/black. Kinda fun and crazy colors, aren't they?

I guess if I were back in New Mexico, today would be a "Christmas" kind of day, with my not being able to choose between green or red - deciding, rather, on both.