Autumn Art

Colorful Autumn Art

Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  I love the cool crisp days, the wonderful foods that are popular in autumn (especially dishes with apples and pumpkins), the displays at farmers markets and especially all of the beautiful colors of fall everywhere.

My husband and I love to travel in the fall of the year and I have been fortunate to be able to photograph autumn throughout the United States and in Canada.  I love to use these photos to decorate my home.

In the photos below you will see the many different subjects that make great focal points for fall photography.  I also include some tips for photographers.

Fall and Lighthouses

I love lighthouses so it is no surprise that photographing lighthouses in the fall would be a favorite pass-time of mine.  In the photo above I was able to capture Split Rock lighthouse in Minnesota framed in fall foliage.  I captured this photo by climbing on a rock in a nearby campground and taking the photo between the branches of the tree.

• Photographer Tip---Framing your photograph can add interest to a subject.  Fall leaves are great to use in framing.

Fall in the Country

Fall is especially stunning in the countryside. In the photo above an otherwise simple fall path becomes especially pretty framed in fall foliage. The photo below shows the colorful leaves along a fence line at a friend's farm in Hermann Missouri.

Fall colors on Fenceline by mbgphoto
Browse Autumn colors Tiles

• Photographer Tip--Leading lines add interest to a photograph.  Try finding paths and fence lines to lead the eye into the photo.

Fall and Pumpkins

The photo above shows my young granddaughters picking out their favorite pumpkin at the pumpkin patch.  Pumpkins make great subjects of fall photography.   They are found everywhere and add to the color of the season.

In the photo below we were on a cruise stop in Quebec City Canada during late October.  Old Quebec City was full of colorful fall decorations.  The windows and doors throughout the area were decorated in the colors of the season.  I captured this pumpkin display in a small area between buildings.

Pumpkins in Quebec by mbgphoto

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• Photographer  Tip--Polarizing Filters are a great way to bring out fall colors.  It is like putting sun glasses on your camera. 

Fall Flowers

In this photo fall mums are hanging down over a rock border.

Autumn Mums by mbgphoto

Make personalized stickers for favors online at Zazzle.

• Photographers Tip-- Flowers  make beautiful subjects, but make sure the flowers you pick are in good shape.  There is nothing like a dead flower to ruin an otherwise good photo.

Fall in Watercolors

I would think that fall would be a wonderful time for all types of artists.  My friend, Karen, was an excellent water color artist. She loved to make fall scenes come alive on canvass.  Below is a scene she painted of a pumpkin by the fence. Her work can be found on the Zazzle link below.  Karen passed away in June of 2015.  She will be missed. 

Pumpkin watercolor post card by kjmwatercolorsplus
Design unique photo postcard at zazzle.com

Fall Leaves

popular autumn scene

Fall leaves are a popular subject for autumn photography. 

Autumn Leaves

The photo below was taken at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit Missouri.  I was on a hike there during a photography class early one  morning.  The sun had just risen and I was able to capture these fall leaves in the early  morning light.

Fall Leaves by mbgphoto
View other Fall Cards at Zazzle.com

• Photographer Tip--Try moving in close for photos of fall leaves.

Fall Reflections

Autumn scenes with water always seem to catch my eye.  I love the way the colors reflect against the quiet water. 

In the photo below, I captured a deserted boat at the edge of a pond in Busch Wildlife Area near my home.

Autumn Morning at the Lake by mbgphoto
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Here is another of my favorite relection photos.  These brightly colored leaves are reflected in the pond at my friend's pond.

Autumn Reflections by mbgphoto

See other Autumn beauty Posters

• Photographers Tip--Although I use a polarizing filter for most autumn photograhy, reflections come out better without the filter.

My Zazzle Store Collection

I have many of my fall photographs on products in my Zazzle store.  The collection below shows you several of the items that are featured in the store.

Autumn Beauty
by mbgphoto

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Reviewing Zinsser An Excellent Primer For DIY Paint Jobs

Before Painting You Should Use A Primer

Around our house we do a lot of  DIY projects which includes paint jobs around the house among other things. We have painted walls, furniture and in our latest project the sub-flooring before we laid adhesive tiles on the bathroom floor. I highly recommend Zinsser when you need to use a primer.

Rust-Oleum 2004 Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 White Water-Based Interior/Exterior Primer Sealer

When it comes to painting either inside or outside it is always a good practice to use a primer first. I know, there are a lot of paints on the market that boast that a primer is already in the paint but honestly, I don't trust that fully. It just isn't as effective as using a product like Zinsser.

One of the reasons that I prefer to go a little old school and use that primer first is that Zinsser has some added protection. It seals the area that I will be painting, it covers up any stains that might be visible and it adds a coat of film that resists mold and mildew. That is particularly handy in bathrooms and on furniture that may be outdoors. It will even inhibit rust from beginning on anything metal.

You might be thinking that if you prepare your surface with a primer like Zinsser that it will add hours to your painting project, but let me assure you that you don't need to worry about that. This product dries fast. I've been able to go to the next step, whether that be adding a coat of paint or applying tiles, in about 1 hour. Yes, it dries that quickly!

I just love this stuff! In the past, I have used other primers but none of them had the added bonuses of the rust and mildew/mold protection. That is important to me and once I found this product I have never considered using anything else.

Clean-up is a breeze, too. Since it is water based all you have to do is wash out your brushes or rollers in warm water. No smelling petroleum based solvents are needed.

I have used it on bare wood, painted wood and metal and the application works well on all of those surfaces. I am, currently,  in the process of painting the exterior trim of our home and am applying Zinsser before I paint. Most of our trim was treated with a stain instead of paint and I did not want to go with stain again. No problem! I can apply the Zinsser primer on top of that stain and then safely cover it with my new fresh paint.

You can find this primer on line by following the link above or you can go to your local home improvement store like Lowe's, Home Depot or Menards. It is pretty easy to find besides being easy to use. So, the next time you have a paint job to tackle, consider using a good primer before you paint. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

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Review of Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I stumbled on The Life of Pi at the library, knowing it was a bestseller, so I decided to see what it was all about. It was hard at first to believe it was fiction. It read very much like an autobiography, except that it wasn't real. Pi (actually Piscine) Patel, the protagonist, grew up in India, the son of a zoo keeper.

Most of his story is told in the first person. He spent a good part of his free time at his father's zoo in Pondicherry (a zoo which never existed), and I personally enjoyed most the beginning of the book where Pi talks about how he got his name and the characteristics of the zoo animals. He also tells the story of how his father taught him and his brother to respect the animals as the wild beasts they were so they would not be tempted to treat them like tame animals, no matter how cute they seemed. It was a terrifying lesson even to read about.

One of the most interesting parts of the book to me was Pi's unique take on religion. He had interacted with local Christian, Hindu, and Moslem teachers, and he joined and practiced each faith. He tired to keep each religion separate in his life, and none of the teachers knew he had joined any faith but their own. His own parents didn't care much about any religion, and they didn't think much of Pi's religious life. Everything seemed to work for Pi until one Sunday afternoon when he was sixteen, when he happened to be with his parents on the Goubert Salai seaside esplanade. It seemed the whole town was out for a stroll, and that included the three clerics.

They approached Pi's family at the same time, and each began to brag about him as their star pupil. The priest remarked on what a good Christian boy Piscine was. The imam claimed him as a good Muslim boy. The pandit declared them both wrong, since Piscine was obviously a pious Hindu. The clerics argued religion with each other, and seemed in agreement that Pi must choose just one of their religions. I will leave it to you to read the book to see how this was resolved.

Pi's parents finally decide that Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's policies are disappointing. They had hoped for a more tolerant “new” India, and when they believed they would never get it, they made the decision to close the zoo, sell off the animals, and emigrate to Canada. Pi and his brother Ravi did not want to go, but they did not really have a choice. After the endless paperwork was done, the family left Madras in 1977 on a Japanese cargo ship.

The ship sank. He is in a lifeboat. He sees the tiger, Richard Parker, in the ocean and starts to rescue him before he realizes how foolish that is. At the last moment as he is pulling the tiger into the boat he suddenly wakes up to what the two of them together on the lifeboat would mean, but by then it's too late, the tiger is too close, and pulls himself into the boat. Hear this scene read aloud.  Get the complete Life of Pi audiobook here.

Through most of the rest of the book Pi is stranded on a boat. At the beginning there are three animals and no other humans. There was a zebra with a broken leg, a spotted hyena, and the 440-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. They were all animals that had been on the Japanese ship. Pi had to use all he had observed at the zoo and all he had learned about the animals, especially tigers, to survive. For most of that long journey in the lifeboat, his only companion was the tiger, and he had seen what a tiger was capable of.

Although I'm glad I read the book, I don't really enjoy survival stories very much, and I really got tired of the constant battle of wits on that boat. I just wanted Pi to be rescued. But the monotony of life on the boat reflected the monotony of life for Pi, tired, thirsty, having to fish to feed himself and the tiger, and just watching day and night go by.

I recommend this to those who are interested in religion, philosophy, wild animals, zoos, and / or survival stories. The philosophy is not tedious, and the Pi's search for the right religion often borders on humor while offering a glimpse into each of the three faiths presented. For those who would like more background on the book, I suggest this interview with the author, Yann Martel.

This exciting book has also been made into a movie.

 Life of Pi (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) Life of Pi Life of Pi / Beasts of the Southern Wild (Two-Pack)

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The Great Christmas Countdown Is ON!

If you are a parent, grand parent or even an only Child, this time of year brings with it countdowns in all manner of speaking.

Everywhere we go, we are bombarded by the signs of the season,  Buy this, save now, Best Deals right here and the shopping mantras seem to be everywhere.

When I was young, (just a few short years ago), we marked the countdown to Christmas with an Advent Calendar, or an Advent Wreath.

Photo credit: Pixabay.com

Advent Calendars marked down the days in December, from 1 to 24, with a token candy or treat in each of the little packages associated with the day.  For us kids, this was a countdown to all the good things that would be in the house over the holiday season.

You can make your own Advent Calendars, or there are ones that are pre-made just for your little ones.  If they love Lego, there are several different sets that can be purchased and by the time Christmas Eve comes, they have put together a special Lego Treat.

Lego Advent Calendar

The Advent Wreath was more religious in nature. Each Sunday after mass, when the family was together for Sunday Lunch, we would read a passage from the Bible and light one candle the first weekend.    Two candles, were lit for the next weekend and then three and four.  Finally, Christmas arrives and the candle in the middle is lit with all 4 candles around lit as well.  The significance was the brightness of the light on Christmas morning: The coming of the Saviour, the Infant Child Jesus.

Once everyone was awake and had their cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or drink of choice, the opening of the presents would begin....

The expectations of the last month or six weeks was not a done deal.  It's amazing to me that so much thought and excitement is unwrapped in less than 1/100 of the time it took to get ready for the event.
In any case, the pictures taken at the undoing last a long time and memories are made in the time we get to spend together.

Photo credit:liebesbotschaft-international.blogspot.de

 Hope you have the time to sit back, enjoy the sights and the sounds of the season, and that you take lots of pictures to enjoy the memories for many years to come. Happy Holidays Everyone.

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The 1989 Movie 'Always' - A Must See!

Always

Have you ever seen the 1989 movie “Always” written by Steven Spielberg starring Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter, John Goodman and Audrey Hepburn?

It’s one of my all-time favorites! You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll laugh some more and in the end you'll be left with a feeling of hopefulness.

Richard Dreyfuss plays a risk taking Aerial Firefighter named Pete while Holly Hunter plays his love interest, also a pilot and dispatcher, named Durinda. They’re very much in love. John Goodman, also an Aerial Firefighter, plays the part of the best friend.

Pete (Dreyfuss) takes one risk too many while trying to put out a forest fire and Durinda is completely devastated and cannot get past losing the love of her life.

Although Pete dies, he suddenly finds himself in a field getting his hair cut by a spiritual guide played by Audrey Hepburn, named ‘Hap’. She explains to Pete (after he realizes he’s died) that it’s his job to provide “Spirit” or some call it the divine breath, also referred to as Intuition, to a living soul, since his time is done.

Hap explains to Pete that “they'll hear you inside their own minds as if it were their own thoughts.”

His tough assignment is to inspire a young handsome, almost incompetent, Aerial Firefighter. However, this young man finds his path crossing with Durinda (Pete’s love), and Pete has difficulty letting go enough to aid this new relationship along.

Even though it was made in 1989, it still has a current feel to it. By the way, the theme song for this movie is the beautiful “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”.


Here's a trailer for the movie, rent this one, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

There's a line from the movie I'll frequently quote around the house (I'm sure most of you have movie lines you toss about): John Goodman is trying to convince Holly Hunter to date the new tall good looking hot trainee and with typical sass, Holly Hunter states:

'He's too much twisted steel and sex appeal. I can't be with a guy that looks like I won him in a raffle' - LOL!  

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Elephant Appreciation Day Gift Review

Elephant Appreciation Day is September 22

Available on Amazon

Elephant Appreciation Day became a National holiday in 1996. It was created by Wayne Hepburn after he received the gift of a paperweight with elephants on parade from his daughter. That gift began an elephant fascination for Wayne and he began collecting elephant books and objects.  Having a day to appreciate elephants is a fun reminder for all of us.  Celebrate by visiting a zoo or wildlife center to enjoy this huge beast in person, or read a book or watch a movie about elephants. 

There are also elephant books and toys which make great gifts and Elephant Appreciation Day is the perfect day to browse through a few of these gift ideas.

Horton Hears a Who!

An elephant well-known to children comes alive on the pages of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who where Horton promises the people of a tiny world called 'Whoville' that he will protect them.  

Written in 1954, this charming story has a special message, that of "a person’s a person, no matter how small." 

Elmer the Patchwork Elephant

In a delightful children's book series by British author David McKee, kids learn about a colorful patchworked pachyderm and the importance of being unique and why it's okay to be different. You can find Elmer Books on eBay

 

Pink Elephants on Parade 

The 'seeing of' Pink elephants  was originally used as a description for what one who 'imbibes-too-much' sees.  Today, the term 'Pink elephant' is used for many things. 

Pink Elephants on Parade is a song from the Disney animated film “Dumbo”.  Remember when Dumbo and Timothy Q. Mouse become intoxicated when their drinking water is spiked with champagne and they see pink elephants singing, dancing and playing marching band instruments? 

Pink Plush Pachyderm

A pink plush elephant handmade in crochet makes a delightful cuddly toy for a little girl or a darling new baby gift. 

Created by Wednesday Elf, this adorable pink elephant can be found in her Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts. 

 Pink Elephants for the Garden?

Why not! What fun to liven up your gardening with a whimsical pink elephant watering can!  Handy in the garden and, since it holds 2 quarts of water, it is the perfect size for your window box flowers or house plants. Available here on eBay! 

Fun Elephant Facts

Baby Elephant and Birds Photo Print by jurassic_world

 

• The elephant is largest land animal in existence.
• Elephants are intelligent animals and thought to be very wise.
• Elephants love pumpkins and watermelon!
• Elephants are considered a good luck symbol. They say that having an elephant symbol face the door will bring good luck into the house. 

Enjoy Elephant Appreciation Day

Anything unrelated to elephants is irrelephant mug

by Crosier

So, circle September 22 on your calendar and get ready to celebrate and appreciate this unique animal on Elephant Appreciation Day.


(c) Wednesday Elf  9/19/2015. Updated 1/16/2024

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Site Review: Richard Burns Art Website

One of my favorite current day artists is Richard Burns.  Having his artwork available to purchase online is fabulous for those of us who prefer shopping at home.  It gives us time to really look closely and consider our purchases.  Of course, in the case of Richard Burns Art, I don't really need a lot of time.  I already know his style and artwork is exquisite. 

I have visited many museums in my lifetime.  Spent hours viewing and considering the artwork that is displayed.  There are times when I have wondered what the artist was thinking when they were painting a particular piece, and other times when I have thought I knew exactly what was going through their minds.  It is the latter style of art that I prefer.

While I am often intrigued by abstract art, it is the realistic art that speaks to my soul.  When an artists captures the realistic beautiful essence of a natural being or setting, that is real art to me.  When an artist can look at something and paint it on a canvas with such mastery that I completely feel I am there, or that I could reach out and touch a living thing, then I know I am viewing the work of an exceptional artist.

Animals by Richard Burns

Tigers Icy Courtship by Richard Burns

I love animals, so it will come as no surprise to anyone to learn that my favorite Richard Burns collection is his Animal art.

His wildlife art is fabulous!  The detail on the fur or feathers makes me believe I could reach right into the print and touch they magnificent big cats, wolves, coyote and fowl.

I can almost feel the softness of a tiger's skin or the course matting of the wolves thick coat.



Look at the eyes, the head and the tail of the wolf in the forefront of the painting below.  See how his head is lifted, his eyes are almost closed and how is tail is down, almost flush against his body?  That is exactly the way a wolf looks when he howls.  Perhaps, that is why I have always thought the wolf howls from deep within himself, expressing his heartfelt concerns.  Every part of his body "howls" with his voice.  I can almost see this one breathing.

Arctic Echoes by Richard Burns

Cottages & Houses by Richard Burns

The cottages, houses and lighthouse paintings by Richard Burns are ideal.  While we rarely see such beauty in this world, we can have the image captured forever on canvas.  Their serenity and elegance can grace our own homes constantly and the flowers will always be in full bloom.

Serenity Cottages II by Richard Burns

Angels by Richard Burns

I am surrounded by angels.  Not just in the spiritual realm, but also in the artwork I choose to display in my own home.  I always look at the hair color, the facial features as well as the overall design.  Whimsical is fine, but I like the pretty angels.  I love the flowing gowns, the detailed wings and the accents, like the flowers in the picture below, in Richard Burns' Angel collection.

Moon Angel by Richard Burns

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Travel Tips Book Reviews

Love to travel? Whether you are looking for a small gift for someone who loves to travel or you are someone who loves to travel yourself, if you are seeking out the best travel tips ever, you will love these two small and inexpensive books that are packed with BIG travel tips.

On this page, you will find a quick review of two tiny but helpful books of travel tips and a few additional resources for still more travel tips.

Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips

Firstly, you might want to seek out a copy of Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips.

This is one of the tiniest travel tip books that I have ever seen but it is jam packed with tons of travel secrets and advice from veteran travellers.

9 Reasons Why Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips Book Is A Great Resource:

This book will give you simple pointers for:

• Packing and preparing for your trip.
• Money issues.
• Health concerns.
• Safety and security issues.
• Air and ground transportation hints.
• Hotel tips.
• Technology ideas.
• Ways to make the most of your trip.
• Ways to travel in an eco-friendly manner.

From the book, Hint Number 2: Don't take anything to the beach that you would not want to lose.

At the beach, carry valuables in a protective case
like this one from Aquapac.

It is an obvious point and one that is easily fixed though many never get around to taking the proper precautions.  I have struggled with this before. Going to the beach, setting up a spot as a home base and then wanting to go for a swim but who is going to watch the stuff? Common sense says that anything left alone on the beach might disappear. The recommendation from Lonely Planet's travel tip book is not to take anything to the beach that you would not want to lose AND to carry an Aquapac for your keys, money, identification, camera and/or cellphone. A protective, waterproof case will keep a few important things safe and dry. If you are carrying a cellphone or camera, there's even an Aquapac for that specific purpose.

Lonely Planet's Best Ever Travel Tips may not be for the most seasoned of travellers. If you think you have travelled a lot and learned a lot about travelling, you might want to pass. However, if you are not an experienced traveller or if you want to make sure you have learned as many secrets as you can, this little book is a tiny gem. For a couple of dollars you can take advantage of the wealth of experience the experts at Lonely Planet have gathered together to help you make the best of your trip.

Read more about Lonely Planet's Best-Ever Travel Tips on Amazon.

The Essential Little Cruise Book

Here is another little travel tips book that is packed with expert advice. I love this book, The Essential Little Cruise Book: Expert Advice for Planning and Enjoying a Perfect Vacation at Sea by Jim West. It provides plenty of hints that will be relevant to any cruise vacation. It also provides a wonderful list of top 10 recommended shore excursions and do-not-miss sights for cruise tours in each of the different geographical areas that people cruise in. It won't replace a big cruise guide but it is extremely practical for providing hints about onboard life and at under $5 or just over $5 for your Kindle, it is quite affordable. It offers insight into how to handle different situations on a cruise ship that you do not usually find in the other cruise books.

Read more about The Essential Little Cruise Book on Amazon.

Do you have any travel books you would endorse to the rest of us?

Brenda
Treasures By Brenda

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