November 15, 2010

It's moving day!!! Now I realize that my house occasionally (frequently?) looks like I'm moving. Especially this time of year when we are bunkering down for the winter (screen removal), planning our baking for the upcoming holiday (cook books and lists everywhere), decorating (jack-o-lanterns to the basement, snowmen coming up), and making gifts (at least a little something handmade by me for everyone on my list). Then there's the unexpected (need a plumber - yikes!), and the usual (laundry and groceries). However, I am not physically moving; I am virtually moving! To follow my Project 365 endeavor, you can now find me at: pointfocusflash.tumblr.com. To keep up with the latest news from 54pineapples, I'll be posting at: 54pineapples.tumblr.com.

November 14, 2010

Another beautiful day . . . this one spent running a gazillion errands. When we came back home this afternoon, I was struck by how beautiful the row of curbside trees looked. They were positively glowing in the sunshine. A spectacular shade of orange that seemed to be the height of autumn color.

November 13, 2010

A glorious day at the Inner Harbor, in Baltimore, MD. 62 degrees, brilliant sunshine, no wind - a terrific day to eat outside and stroll. I had trouble deciding which photo to use from the many that I took today. I finally narrowed it down to these two, of two unusual couples I spotted today. This first couple was positively adorable.And this couple seemed to be unknown to one another until the woman stopped to talk to the elderly man sitting on the park bench. I'd love to know what they said to one another. All I do know is that when the woman walked away, the man waved good-bye to her.

November 12, 2010

Economy Alert: As long as there are beautiful yarns and beautiful fabrics, the stores carrying these items need not worry about making their numbers when they see my 54pineapples business partner and I approach. The two of us went shopping this morning and, after a few hours of ooohs, aaahs, and overflowing carts, came home tired, hungry, and thirsty . . . but thrilled with our purchases and very excited about our ideas for what they will eventually become!

November 11, 2010

I spent some time today working on Christmas cards. Lots of cutting, positioning, gluing, and glitter-izing. I love that my Bright Pink Poinsettia photo taken last December at Longwood Gardens, will be used to send holiday greetings around the world!

November 10, 2010

I met a friend in Princeton for lunch today. Princeton was incredibly busy; automobile and pedestrian traffic crazier than I've ever seen it. And retailers and restaurants are putting up lights and wreaths for the upcoming holiday season. I finally found a parking spot at the very top of the parking garage. This was my view of Princeton rooftops from that level.

November 9, 2010

Today dawned bright and beautiful! "What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours." (That line is from a song my Mom used to sing. Unfortunately she only sang that line, so I don't know any more of the words!) Because of the brilliant sunshine, I spent the morning outside gardening. I planted 7 mums and 2 vinca vines in what will henceforth be referred to as my Perennial Garden. I'm hoping to see the return of all these plants next spring. Sadly, it was time to say good-bye to the two glorious hisbiscus plants that adorned my front step this summer. Tropical plants and November in New Jersey just don't agree. Also, some pretty orange, red, and yellow flowers that bloomed on the deck all summer had succumbed to the cold. But check out this geranium. It refuses to give in, so it gets to stay a little while longer.

November 8, 2010

Mother Nature, standard time, and November joined forces today to create the quintessential Monday: rainy, dark, and cold. Venturing outdoors was ill-advised. And yet, for reasons passing understanding, I was out a couple times today. I was considerably cheered though by my Christmas cactus which has numerous buds on it. I have moved her to the kitchen so I can enjoy her entire blooming season during my upcoming cooking season.

November 7, 2010

Given the chance, I would choose to photograph foliage and flowers over other things. And this particular plant intrigued me on my walk today because of how the edges of the leaves seem to be fraying.That being said, I'm not going to pass up the opportunity to photograph something like this. I know what it's like to run out of closet space, but here's an option I never considered.

November 6, 2010

Another unofficial sign that summer is over . . . tonight we "fall back." And, like most of life, you've got to take the bitter with the sweet. An extra hour of sleep? Sweet. Completely dark at 5:00 p.m.? Bitter. Ah well . . . We went to dinner at a local restaurant we haven't frequented much in the last few years and found it to be as good as we remembered, which of course made us wonder why we don't come here more often, or at least include it in the rotation. After eating at a chain restaurant on Friday night, and finding it not very vegetarian friendly and a little bland, it was nice to eat at a locally owned and family-run restaurant, with savory entree choices. As most of the independent restaurants in NJ are BYOB's, we uncorked a bottle of Malbec, and toasted the end of daylight savings time. Daylight Savings Time is Dead! Long Live Daylight Savings Time!

November 5, 2010

I saw this flyer at the coffee shop today. It is an advertisement for an upcoming comedy night and, in the middle of all the pertinent information one would need to know if one wanted to attend, was this little piece of life advice: "Children not recommended." I thought the placement of this possibly sage advice was a little odd. Not to mention a little presumptuous. Perhaps it's meant to be a subliminal message to help control population growth. Even so, I happen to know many people who have had children, and have found the experience quite satisfactory. Except for the "free" part, these people might even describe it the same way this comedy night was described . . . "fun" and "hysterical."

November 4, 2010

Unlike Los Angeles, CA where Marisa Lynch lives and where they are experiencing 90 degree weather so she can wear summery clothing and needs an umbrella for some welcome shade, those of us in New Jersey, need an umbrella to get our mail, pick up our newspapers, etc. etc. Pretty much if we want to venture outside today, we need an umbrella. And since it's too early in my Project 365 endeavor to begin "tour of my house" photos as my picture for the day (i.e. here's the chair where I sat all day crocheting under an afghan because the weather was too yucky for even a quick trip somewhere more interesting), I decided to share with you one of my favorite rainy day photos. I have named it, "Frustration."

November 3, 2010

Yesterday's "Quote of the Day" - "I don't know why I let other people influence me. I don't really value other people's opinions."

And today, I spotted this clever sign in Langhorne, PA. It was in front of a house on a busy, hilly road. But never fear! I had my camera with me and I wanted a photo of this unique Halloween decoration. I traipsed across leaf covered front lawns (facing traffic, always walk facing traffic) and snapped a photo or two. I just know I would get along with the woman who found this sign and had to have it for her front lawn.

November 2, 2010

I performed my civic duty this afternoon and voted. A new record for me . . . literally no one that I voted for won!!But remember . . .

November 1, 2010

Good-bye, October. Hello, November. A beautiful, sunny, dazzling first day!

October 31, 2010

Did you happen to check out Photopsychotherapy earlier this month? On Sunday, October 10th, the photographer posted a photo of "what looks like an exploded acorn" she had found on a walk. Well, here's some before photos spotted on my walk today. First up, two nice green porcupine balls hanging from a tree.

Next, this porcupine ball has been around a little longer and has browned and dried up, but still hanging in there!
See Photopsychotherapy for stage three of the mysterious porcupine ball.

And . . . Happy Halloween!!

October 30, 2010

Went to the last farmer's market of the year this morning. Organic sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkins were plentiful.

October 30, 2010

Be sure to check out Etsy today. If you click on the showcase "Holiday Entertaining: a moveable feast," you'll see that 54pineapples is featured! You can check out our cowls, wraps and scarves, which were crocheted using unique yarns . . .AND our beautiful table runners, placemats, and serving napkins, perfect for your holiday entertaining or to give as gifts! (Pictured below: Luba table runner)

October 29, 2010

Interesting still life on a shelf in an old-fashioned restaurant in Cranbury, where we stopped for breakfast on our way to the Sugarloaf Craft Festival at the Garden State Exhibit Center. This craft show is a great place to jump start my Christmas shopping . . . so I did!

October 28, 2010

A ripe, creamy, delicious avocado . . . and day two of could-someone-please-loosen-the-vise-grip-around-my-head humidity.

October 27, 2010

Wet leaves strewn across our driveway . . . the first of two days of oppressive humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures. Assuming, of course, that we have seasons anymore during which we can expect a certain type of weather.

October 26, 2010

Numerous birds (robins, I think) literally eating every berry off of these shrubs outside our dining room window. The berries must contain some sort of happy juice, causing the birds to repeatedly fly into the dining room window when taking flight, and yet not mind (or notice) the impact!

October 25, 2010

A pretty orangey-red maple leaf that got caught in some fuzzy-topped grass.

October 24, 2010

This succinct sign is located on the front porch of the Cranbury Book Worm. Inside, the two story home-turned-bookstore is filled to overflowing with books. Today I purchased "Voices of A Summer Day" by Irwin Shaw.

October 23, 2010

You have to admire people who have a theme and stick to it. This alien contraption, which grinds beans and dispenses coffee, is practical, decorative, and in keeping with the Grover's Mill theme.

October 22, 2010

An up close and personal view of my lunch. Ah, the tried and true, feel good, original comfort food, the peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Have you noticed in the grocery store in the section with the peanut butter and jelly, there is a jar of peanut butter and jelly? Combined. In the same jar. The idea is an even distribution of each ingredient on your bread. From the outside, the jar is quite decorative. An organized candy cane effect, alternating layers of peanut butter and jelly, swirling around the jar at a slight angle. Now what self-respecting peanut butter and jelly sandwich eater, makes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with equal amounts of peanut butter and jelly?!?! Some people prefer more peanut butter. Some people, more jelly. And there are probably a few who like an equal amount. And some may prefer an overflow of peanut butter and jelly, so they can scrape the excess off with a Frito . . . you know who you are.

October 21, 2010

I love how Dana's Dogwood is reflected in this green hanging ornament.

October 20, 2010

Our rhododendron is blooming! I don't think it's confused about the seasons, since we have certainly been experiencing fall weather. But it is blooming, nonetheless. And I'm not only enjoying it, but I appreciate its spunk!And speaking of spunk, our hibiscus continues to bloom, although the flowers are a little smaller than in the summer. But considering it's a tropical plant, I think it's doing quite well. Perhaps it inspired (challenged) the rhododendron.

October 19, 2010

That's right, the bowl is already broken, ladies. Today, I hosted book group and we discussed "The Bowl Is Already Broken," by Mary Kay Zuravleff. This was the easy-to-do centerpiece!

October 18, 2010

This was part of the interesting landscaping outside of the Eno Terra Restaurant in Kingston, NJ. I'm a fan of morning glory and liked how this portion of the vine escaped the arbor and began crawling along these short wooden poles.

October 17, 2010

I spent a lot of time this weekend making cards - thank you (50), birthday (6), and all occasion (5)!! Perfecting my craft before offering them for sale at PointFocusFlash.

October 16, 2010

Made an impromptu trip into Princeton today, after a visit to the farmer's market. The weather was all right, if one overlooked the gale force wind. I spotted this sticker and thought it was cute. Did you make someone smile today?

October 15, 2010

After months of planning, meeting, debating, organizing, and, of course, photography, PointFocusFlash was unveiled today! Three photographers - one of whom doubles as business manager extraordinaire - have collaborated and PointFocusFlash is the result. We carry our cameras with us all the time, whether or not we think a photo op will present itself, and have taken some interesting photos. While we each have our own unique approach, we share a love of funky plant life, funny signs, and interesting angles on everyday things.

Our banner says it all . . . we're fans of texture and color and would love for you to check out our shop. We'll be taking more photos while you do!

October 15, 2010

Ornamental cabbage in flower pots along the street in Cranbury, NJ.

October 14, 2010

I'm not sure what kind of flower this is, but what can I say? I love the combination of it's color (but of course) and it's feathery petals. It was one of many flowers in a beautiful bouquet I received this week!

October 13, 2010

Not far from where these birds live . . . is a great restaurant . . .

October 12, 2010

Really? Because I don't think it is chalk. I think it's marker. Unless "this sign" refers to the sign that this sign is attached to . . . I mean, if people don't know that chalk will smear, maybe you need to be more precise . . .

October 11, 2010

A beautiful black lacquer screen at the Ya Ya Noodles restaurant outside of Princeton.

October 10, 2010

Summer flowers which have become berries for the birds and pods with an interesting texture.

October 9, 2010

The Allentown Harvest Festival was held on Main Street in historic downtown Allentown, NJ on Saturday. It was a beautiful day and I found myself drawn to the more antique, natural elements of Allentown . . .

. . . Well, except for this sign, which I found hilarious.