Photo 365 + 219 - April 30
Every day there are more flowers blooming...I think I could almost watch them grow if I could just sit there. I'm still waiting to see how many of my rose bushes took a hit over the winter. Between the cold weather and last summer's drought, I think I'm going to be replacing a few of them.
Photo 365 + 218 - April 29
Today we were treated to the red-tailed hawk that flies around the house landing in the yard and having a snack. Cindy and I couldn't tell what it was snacking on but you could very clearly watch it ripping up whatever it was eating.
Photo 365 + 217 - April 28
It really starts to at least look like spring in Wisconsin when the daffodils bloom. Now if we could keep the weather above 70 degrees it would even feel like spring.
Photo 365 + 216 - April 27
I was very proud to be able to see Dale receive the District 2 Guardsman of the Year award this morning. His package is now being kicked up to the state level for more competition.
And this afternoon we headed down to Pewaukee to pick up my new boat. We even snuck in a little bit of time to try it out on Random Lake. Once I get the hang of it I think it's going to be a great toy.
We also received some very sad news today that one of our best friends has passed away. Here is one of my favorite pictures of Ray and Dale when he and Bow met us in Hawaii in March. After we moved from South Dakota in 1991, Ray told me that we would forget who they were - he gave it 6 months. He would never admit just how wrong he was. Godspeed, Buddy - you will be missed beyond words.
Photo 365 + 215 - April 26
Yay! The flowers are starting to bloom and out comes the macro lens to capture them up close and personal.
Photo 365 + 214 - April 25
After a quick dinner with Dale, Laura and I had a quick shopping trip at Menard's (where we found some fun new stuff for outside for the summer) and got to see a Blackhawk taking off when we stopped back at the base for my car. Pretty sure Laura looks like a 5-year-old in this picture - Dale thinks he needs the chair.
Photo 365 + 213 - April 24
It appears the weather has not been as kind as it could have been to my poor fish. The rusting metal is a part of his charm, but the peeling paint - a few too many temperature extremes I'm afraid.
Photo 365 + 212 - April 23
Considering that we are a military family, and have been for almost 30 years, there isn't as much military or patriotic paraphernalia around the house as there could be. This little guy was given to Dale by one of his cousins after his first deployments when he was with the Air Force. And I can't let the day go by without wishing Happy 27th Birthday Laura!
Photo 365 + 211 - April 22
After 576 (wow!) pictures, I start to think I'm not going to be able to create something unique for this blog. This picture is a little bit of outside being inside. It definitely makes a bigger impact close up than looking at it in its entirety.
Photo 365 + 210 - April 21
Today I was privileged to be presented the Heart and Soul award from the Wisconsin National Guard. I am told that it is the highest award they give every year to a volunteer, to recognize the time they give to their Family Readiness Group and military unit. Honestly, I feel like I only did what needed to be done, but apparently other people think I did more than that. Regardless, it was certainly an honor to receive it.
Photo 365 + 209 - April 20
I'm always happy to be able to shoot outside, and close up work is one of my favorites.
Photo 365 + 208 - April 19
Here's a different perspective of the bells...not much depth of field with the ISO so high and the aperture wide open.
Photo 365 + 207 - April 18
Hey Mom - this carnation is from the flowers from church! So even after it's gone, we'll still have it remembered here. The picture is a little grainy, and I'm pretty convinced I need some kind of ring lighting for the macro lens.
Photo 365 + 206 - April 17
More things are sprouting! And it sure is nice to have some sunshine to start out the day, considering we are supposed to have torrential downpours and inches of rain later in the day.
Photo 365 + 205 - April 16
It's fun to get the macro lens out and have flowers to shoot! At least there are a couple that the rabbits have let bloom.
Photo 365 + 204 - April 15
Last year we had one single turkey that came to hang out. This year he brought friends.
Photo 365 + 203 - April 14
Even with a cover of leaves, the tulips are finding their way through.
Photo 365 + 202 - April 13
Snow? Seriously? Another one of Mother Nature's cruel jokes.
Photo 365 + 201 - April 12
We get to see lots of wildlife up close and personal at work. There have been five deer hanging out in the yard lately, and today they were right outside the window.
Photo 365 + 200 - April 11
Some mornings she makes it hard to go to work and leave her by herself.
Photo 365 + 199 - April 10
The days and days of rain have continued to add to the lakes we have running across the back fence. It's all good and fine until Trinka decides to take a run through it.
Photo 365 + 198 - April 9
They were there to wave goodbye as I left from work tonight. Notice the standing water - next they'll be building a nest and moving in permanently.
Photo 365 + 197 - April 8
The poor crocuses are waterlogged - right along with everything else. It's sad that the weather is so crummy that I don't even get to enjoy them.
Photo 365 + 196 - April 7
I've finally been able to make time to start finalizing the closets! Unfortunately, the spackling tape on this closet is not being cooperative, and if we can't slit the bubbling tape and spackle over it, a redo will be required. I'm hoping the quick fix will be sufficient. The nice white closet sure looks nice, though!
Photo 365 + 195 - April 6
Yes! The snow is almost gone! Of course, that leaves a small lake at the fence line, and quite a bit of muddy yard for Trinka to tromp through, but it's one more step closer to spring!
Photo 365 + 194 - April 5
We surprised Kenn with a case of his favorite beer, Spotted Cow, when we went out to California. It's amazing how much suitcase space the bubblewrap took up when I brought it all back. I figured I needed to recycle it for the next beer shipment.
Photo 365 + 193 - April 4
It wasn't quite the weather in San Diego, but there was a little bit of spring waiting when we got home - the part that the rabbits left alone.
Photo 365 + 192 - April 3
Visits are nice, and it's always so hard to say goodbye. I'm glad that we should all be together again in June.
