Barn Charm - Another Living History Farm Barn

Wow! It's been a while since I last posted, hasn't it? I guess the summer has really gotten away from me. I've been trying to keep Livie busy, and in doing so, I've been completely unmotivated to write or do anything creative (aside from using my Instagram app on my iPhone). I've hardly even felt like reading, and that is SO unlike me.

Or maybe it's just that I've gotten to used to having a break from academic reading and writing (or any reading and writing) after an unexpected semester off from grad school. Ah, well. I'll get back into it.

I do, however, have quite a few barn photos saved up, having taken a number of barn photos throughout the spring and summer - whether traveling within Iowa, or in Illinois - for the sole purpose of sharing them with "Barn Charm," even though I've not felt like getting on the computer to post anything lately.

Anyway, here are a couple photos I took with my Instagram app. These were from Memorial Day weekend when we were in Urbandale, IA. This was our second family trip to Living History Farms, and again, it was over Memorial Day weekend; seems like this may become a new family tradition - going to Living History Farms on Memorial Day.

It had been a rainy, obviously overcast, and somewhat chilly day when we visited. But I got a couple cool barn shots, anyway. (You can see my other barn photos from this same trip if you click here and here.)

This wonderful, huge red barn was in the 1900s section of Living History Farms. I just LOVE red barns, and this one is certainly a handsome one, don't you think?

Livie loved going in this barn only to find that there was a horse eating hay in his stall.

By the way, I love that Livie is in her bright yellow rain gear (rain jacket, rain pants, rain boots) and her bright yellow is such a great contrast against the red paint on the barn.

"Barn Charm" is hosted by Bluff Area Daily. Please click on the button below to view the rest of this week's great "Barn Charm" entries:

Liv's Earth Day Activity

Yesterday we were fortunate enough to have some great springtime weather. So what did we get to do? We went out to a local trail at the park down the street, and enjoyed the outdoors. Not only was it a great day to be outside, but it was also "Earth Day." What better way to spend "Earth Day" then by walking and biking in the sunshine and fresh air?

Off she goes on her bike!

She'd spent plenty of time on her bike, but also took time to get off her bike to chase butterflies, or look at various aspects of the stream (like how some parts seemed deeper than others, or that some parts had clear water and some had muddy water, etc.).

"Mama, that stream is attractive."

She had explained to me that the stream was "attractive" because it attracted her attention and made her want to jump in, "because I love water!" as she put it!

The Spring Shot 2012

Here it is! It's "The Spring Shot, 2012"!

The Spring Shot, 2012, taken outside the University of Iowa's Main Library between 2:30 and 3:00 PM, April 5, 2012.

Just to refresh your memory, here's "The Winter Shot, 2012."

Purple

Here's a welcomed bit of color on a dreary day. I passed this tree on my way to class yesterday at the University of Iowa.

Anyone know what kind of tree this is?

Of course, by the time class started, the sun had started forcing its way through the cloud cover. It was a nice treat to walk out of the anthropology/archaeology building and into the sunshine! And today, Iowa City's weather should be pretty nice and spring-like! (Though the wind gusts may make me a bit of a nervous driver as I make my way on I-380!) There's a small chance of a thunderstorm later today. I hope it happens; we could use the water!

Anyway, I'm looking forward to being able to take "The Spring Shot 2012" pretty soon! (Here's "The Winter Shot 2012," to refresh your memory.)

Spring

Just a spring shot from downtown Iowa City:

And the same photo with some texture applied (with Picnik):

The Jumpy Friend

Yesterday, the last day of spring break, felt more like the last day of summer vacation. With the crazy, mixed up winter weather we've been having, it felt more like summer. Yesterday, it ended up being 81 degrees here in east central Iowa!! Ugh. I thought we were heading into spring!

(To tell you the truth, I haven't been enjoying summer's early appearance. While I absolutely love the sunshine, the heat and humidity combination? Well, it just sucks. I'll take southern New Mexico's high temps and 7% humidity any day!! If there's one weather-related condition I complain about, it's the heat/humidity combination. I will never (or very rarely) complain about cold temps, snow, frost, or anything like that. I may complain a bit about wind and ice, but that's just because they make driving unpleasant/dangerous. The one thing I really do NOT like? Humidity. Especially with rising temps. Just warning you, the "season" that I, ahem, may start complaining about the weather has started. However, it's also the season I typically want to become a "storm chaser"! Hahaha!)

Anyway, since it was sunny and such beautiful spring weather hot out, we decided to get outside and get some exercise. Livie rode her bike, and I walked.

Can't complain about sunshine and blue skies!!

And while we were out, Livie got really excited about something we saw. See, she likes to occasionally watch Curious George on PBS Kids. There's a recurring "character" on that show, and his name is "Jumpy Squirrel." Livie thinks he's so cute (as is George), so she calls every squirrel, "Jumpy Squirrel." Yesterday, we just so happened to see "Jumpy Squirrel."

Since I had my camera with me, she insisted we stop and get some photos. I got a few before he scampered away. She was SO excited about the photos, by the way! She loved that he "posed" for the photos.

The UI "4 Seasons Theme" Photos, All at Once

I decided I'd post all of "The 4 Seasons" photos in one post, so here they are:

"The Winter Shot," 13 Jan 2011

"The Spring Shot," 18 May 2011

"The Summer Shot," 6 Sep 2011

"The Fall Shot, Part A," 6 Oct 2011

"The Fall Shot, Part B," 27 Oct 2011

Once it dawned on me to do a 4-seasons theme (the thought of which occurred to me after I'd taken "The Spring Shot"), I tried the best I could to take each photo from as close to the very same spot as possible. 

I also tried to take each photo at approximately the same time of day. The winter one was the only one out of the bunch that was taken mid-day (sometime between 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM). The rest of them were taken mid-morning (sometime around 9:00 AM, give or take about 15 minutes).

Once I got the idea to capture one location on the University of Iowa's campus during different seasons, it was a lot of fun, as well as a test in patience (!!), having to wait to complete this "project."

And you know what? I am thinking I might pick a different location on campus, so I can do another 4-seasons theme all over again!

Ahhh, Spring at UI!

Okay, so back in January, Andrew and I were at the University of Iowa to register for Spring 2011 classes (as non-degree graduate students). Click here to read about that exciting day of nervousness.

Well, today I was back on campus on a beautiful spring day because I needed to talk to my advisor about upcoming semesters.

Know what? Back in January on that chilly, overcast, depressingly gray day, I made a mental note to enjoy the campus on a cool, green, spring day. Today was that day, and I enjoyed it as much as I could. My meeting was at 9:30, and not knowing how parking would be, I got there about 30 minutes early. I used that time wisely, finding a bench shaded by a bunch of trees. The sky was robin-egg blue, with gentle bits of cloud, artfully dotted around. The bench I'd chosen had a fantastic view of the Old Capitol building in the center of campus.

Iowa's original Capitol, Iowa City, Iowa.

Here's a closer view.

When Andrew and I were here in January, I took a few photos, which you'll see if you click here (and haven't yet clicked on the link at the top). I took one back in January, as you can see here:

And today's spring photo, in approximately the same place:

Big difference, eh?!

Here are the rest - take a walk with me:

At the foot of the Old Capitol building, looking down the hill.

 

Here's the other side of the Old Capitol.

  

The Old Capitol is a National Historic Landmark.

 

Another view . . .

 

Taking a walk back to my car, and enjoying the view . . .

 

Straight ahead, down the road is Bruegger's Bagels (where I sometimes get lunch). To the right, just out of view, is one of the book stores.

 

Behind the trees, out of view, is the Old Capitol.

 

The view down the street (my car is to the left, out of view).

And here's tornado warning weather . . .

Here's what the weather looks like when the giant voice sounds the tornado warning. These photos were taken from our front door:

Springtime in Iowa

Livie's on her scooter before the weather changes:

The weather is changing. These photos were taken just before the severe thunderstorm warning/tornado watches were issued:

This is a Good Way to Get a Kid Tired!

With the warm spring weather, get the kids outside and on a trike or a bike! It will help them get hungry for dinner. And it will help them sleep better!! 

 

She has her panda bear in the back!

The Famous Flying Pig :

Her Abuelita and Nonno got this for her during their latest trip to Buffalo, NY, for one of his recent school reunions.

Yep, spring is here! Can't you tell?!

Mother Nature is fickle and I have the proof. It's the first day of spring; yet here in eastern Iowa, it's currently 33 degrees with a chilly wind chill, and there's snow. This is after a week of sunny days and spring-like temps in the high 50s-low 60s. Yes, the last week of winter felt like spring, and the first day of spring looks like this (it's the view out our front door):

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. ;)

The Changing of the Seasons

I just want to give Mother Nature a reminder because it seems like she needs one.

As much as I like winter, and dislike summer's heat and humidity, I have to remind you of something, Mother Nature. It is no longer time to dump snow on us here in east central Iowa. Saturday is supposedly the first day of spring. That means no more dumping snow on us. I know you're planning on it. The weather reports are calling for a 100% chance of snow tonight and a 60% chance tomorrow (according to NOAA).

Besides, we're under enough of a threat of flooding without having more melting snow to look forward to (once the temps remain spring-like).

I like snow. You know that, Mother Nature. I look forward to autumn and winter every year; I start looking forward to my favorite chilly seasons right around the middle of summertime. But I am tired of trying to safely drive in winter weather in a vehicle not equipped for snow and ice.

Like I said, Saturday is supposed to be the first day of spring. It is now time for tornado season. There are a bunch of storm chasers out here in the Midwest, and Oklahoma in particular, that are ready to get their doppler radars up and running alongside their video cameras to chase some fantastic, scary storms.

And I am looking forward to seeing their storm chaser videos on The Weather Channel and maybe one day I'll be one of them. You know, there's nothing like chasing a storm to get your adrenaline going! So let's get with the program, Mother Nature. It's time for spring.

"A long spiral tornado approaches Union City, OK."
Photo courtesy of NOAA Photo Library