Shrinky What?

These little sheets are called Shrinky Dinks. Kids can color on it and once done, parents can help 'bake' these to shrink them into little hard objects.

Here's my little girl's Father's Day Shrinky Dinky courtesy one of her class projects. We had so much fun shrinking it - she just wanted to show it to Dad and then keep it for herself!

Catalina Island

A gorgeous Southern Californian Day at Catalina Island.

Summer Beauty

Don't ask me why I named this Summer Beauty - because I did not. I sit staring at the picture for a while and could not come up with a name and so asked my little one next to me and she suggested I name it Summer Beauty. So, that's what its called.

Loved the little angle of the pots that highlight the little shrub growths.

Gatorade for Birds

All that flying does make a bird thirsty. But, what is this - pink gatorade for birds? A few sips and they will be off migrating to the other side of the world.

Tough Choice

Should we start making a bracelet or a necklace? Should it be all pink and purple or yellow and green? Should it be with flowers or just hearts. Oh beads, help me pick you.

Coming back with Purple

I've been missing in action here for a while. Hoping to come back regularly.

Here's a little purpleicious  bunch to start my picture a day again.

Day 68: Camping Trip

This was out little tent hideout during our camping trip last week. These are the new safari tents at the Koa campground in San Diego. 

Our tent was a cozy little white and beige and red tent with a kitchenette, dining area, master bed and two other twin beds. Yeah - all of that inside this cute little tent. 

Here's the first room as you enter. The dining area to the left and the little kitchenette with a small fridge, a small microwave, a small air-conditioner ( I know!) and a table complete with all cooking utensils, pans, pots etc.

Here's the dining area where we had a full 3 course meal in the night with our friends while the little kids roasted marshmallows!

Here's the master bed. It looks really comfortable but I swear I felt all kinds of bugs biting me while I slept. Maybe I imagined it but I did kill a few spider like bugs before going to bed. But, hey, this is still luxury for camping. And I absolutely loved waking up to bright sunlight above and the sound of birds chirping.

This was the other side of the room with extra beds if you have a big group camping.

I'll bring you the pictures of the amazing food we had during our camping trip soon.

Day 67: Triplets

One of the most unique roses I've come across. Looks like there are almost three buds growing together into one rose. Is this what a rose triplet look like?

Camera:
Canon T2i 1/400s
Focal Length 250.00mm  F/7.1

Day 66: A roof on my head

..And a front porch swing is all one needs in a cute little cabin. One of the cabins in the KOA campgrounds.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/160s
Focal length 55.0mm f/5.0

Day 65: Ducks in a row

Literally. Found these two cute little things on our camping trip. I had to take almost 20 pics before I could get this and this was THE shot.

Camera
Canon t2i 1/400s
Focal Length 232.0mm f/7.1

Day 64: Sweet Luck

Won an Amazon gift card recently and this is what I just had to pick up. Love the book. Its as big as a pillow and has got just the amazing recipes inside. Now if only I could order each one with the touch of a page..when is that technology arriving?

Camera:
Canon T2i 1/30s
Focal Length 49.0mm   F/5.6

Day 63: Silent Bells

Camera

Canon T2i 1/250s

Focal Length 65.0mm f/5.6

Day 62: Just for you

Camera:
Canon T2i 1/400s
Focal Length 232.0mm  f/7.1

Day 61: At the market

Was at the market and found these - Fresh Garbanzo. I don't think I've seen this before. I wonder if we can just cook and pop these in the mouth similar to whole peanuts. Anyone used fresh garbanzo this way??

Camera:
Canon Powershot SD780 IS 1/25s
Focal Length 5.9mm f/3.2

Day 60: Identity Crisis

So, this is the story of the super fresh spring roses in my front yard. I'm just amazed at how much a rose can change from being a bud to being a full grown. Talk about identity crisis!

Here's how it looks when it starts out - really pink and ready to take on the world. 

And this this is how it opens up each one of its petals, the bold ones are out and about, the shy ones still opening up and a few all the way inside still enjoying the infant stage.

And in the next couple of days, this is like all gone wild. Every petal bloomed fully forming a super size rose! And what ever happened to the dark pink color? Where did all of that go?

All said and done, a rose is a rose is a rose. No matter what stage, it just makes my front yard look beautiful!!  I wish Spring can stay forever.

Day 59: Wild and Beautiful

Found these in the park a couple of days back. Some wild flower growing all over town. Yet, so beautiful and intricate. And I love the colors.

Camera 

Canon T2i 1/200s

Focal Length 55.0mm  f/9.0

Day 58: Even More Retro

Today's picture of the day actually is in three parts.

This is a Kodakchrome handheld camera from the 1940's. The film has to be loaded in a dark room here and pulled through the little wheel on the bottom left. The film provides 50 exposures - but 25 on each side. So, once you're done taking 25 pics, you'll have to open it up again in a dark room and load it in the reverse to use the other 25 exposures.

This little dial on the cover is used for all settings - Very Bright Sun, Bright Sun, Hazy Sun, Cloudy bright and Open shade and then on the right is for the aperture speed.

And there's a little manual roll on the back and other little dials for more settings.

How cool is that?

Day 57: Retro

My friend John's original Canon A-1 camera from the 70's. This was a legendary camera back in the day.

Here's a lot of information of how great this piece was then.

If you think this is retro - wait till I show you what else he showed me! I was like Woow...

Camera
Canon T2i  1/4s
Focal Length 55.0mm  f/5.6

Day 56: Heart of the Home

An absolute warm heart of this lovely home. 

I was very thrilled to be cooking in here yesterday! A friend of mine was throwing a party to celebrate his 15 yr old granddaughter's bday coming up soon. She turned a vegetarian recently and so he invited me over to cook up and teach her and his family some vegetarian cooking. We planned an extensive menu and cooked it all up. It felts like Thanksgiving in March except for no turkey. After 2 appetizers, 5 entrees and 3 desserts and leftovers enough for another party, I was ready to go back in and cook again - who would not want to if the kitchen is so inviting?

Thank you John and Sharon for a wonderful evening!!

Day 55: What a View!

Not even a big bear can stop me from staring at Chocolate.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/50s
Focal Length 34.0mm  f/4.5

Day 54: Old Lady Rocks!

Well at least her hands are still very flexible. And in case you're wondering - that's a saree she's wearing at 100! Guess grandmas wear sarees most of the time.

I'm only glad they did not have to draw their parents when they turn 100.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/60s
Focal Length 46.0mm  f/5.0

Day 53: Sacred

Our home grown tulsi plant. I pluck a couple of leaves and eat it every time I walk by the plant. So delicious and so full of goodness!

Camera
Canon T2i  1/400s
Focal Length 250.0mm  f/7.1

Day 52: Little Nook

The little reading nook for kids in our local library. Just a warm little place for a perfect evening of peace and quiet with the books.

Camera
Canon SD780 IS  1/50s
Focal Lenght: 5.9 mm   f/3.2

Day 51: Burp

What else would you go if you had one of these wholesome fulfilling portabello mushrooms burger with a side of red cabbage salad. The Veggie Grill is one awesome vegetarian place. Here's my review and everything else we ate there.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/100s
Focal Length 32.0mm f/5.6

Day 50: Fresh after the rain

I love when it rains. I love it more when I see this after the rain.

Camera:
Canon T2i  1/60s
Focal Length 29.0mm f/5.6

Day 49: Happy Birthday Big Guy!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Dear Hubby!

Happy Birthday to you!

Camera 

Canon T2i  1/50s

Focal Length 32.0mm f/4.5

Day 48: Croak Croak

Came across this piece of art displayed in our local library. The artist specializes in painting reptiles and this is such a cute little big frog! I love how the snail on top has his big mouth open!

Camera

Canon SD780 IS  1/20s

Focal Length 5.9mm  f/3.2

Day 47: Meant to be

Thanks to my dear friend Radha who got me the very last display bowl from Pier 1 just because I LOVE it! 

Camera: 

Canon T2i  1/60s

Focal Length 55.0mm  f/5.6

Day 46: Touch the sky

I wish I was a little girl again. 

Camera
Canon SD780IS  1/100s
Focal Length 5.9mm  f/3.2

Day 45: When your man cooks

TH can make one mean French Toast and its so mean because he uses little chips off the big ol' block of butter to cook the bread. No wonder it tastes great! And then he douses it in maple syrup. And like that's not enough, he sprinkles powdered sugar on top. We had strawberries too - but I don't have any pictures of that. This was actually our weekend breakfast.

Camera:
Canon T2i  1/30s
Focal Length 34.0mm  f/4.5

Day 44: My favorite of the lot

Saving the best for the last. This was one of my most favorite pictures taken at the Citrus Ranch park. And I'm almost done posting all of my other favorites.

I love the natural curls of the leaves on here and the vibrant colors.

Camera:
Canon T2i  1/250s
Focal length 171.0mm  f/5.6

Day 43: Cute is an understatement

Cute little Nissan Cube. Love the wheels and the rest!

Camera:
Canon T2i 1/100s
Focal Length 65.0mm   f/5.6

Day 42; Color my yard

Hibiscus in our front yard. Love the colorful blooms!

Camera
Canon T2i   1/320s
Focal Length 250.0mm   f/6.3

Day 41: Just lunch

A piping hot plate of Thai Curry Whole Wheat Pasta loaded with veggies is all I need for lunch. Its not like I'm asking for too much, right?

Camera
Canon T2i   1/50s
Focal Length 44.0mm  f/5.0

Day 40: Lemon Grove

I know we are Orange County - but we do have lemons here as well. They are the same family after all. And there are rows and rows of neatly planted lemon trees. You can take a walk up the hill and just smell the wonderful citrus smell.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/125s
Focal Length 96.0mm  f/5.0

Day 39: Sweet Love

Thank You my dear Valentine for gorgeous roses and chocolates year after year.

Camera
Canon T2i  1/30s
Focal Length 33.0mm   f/4.5

Day 38: Why are we called Orange County?

No other better reason. Our homes actually sit on what used to be acres of orange groves. There are still many places around here that have a whole lot of beautiful orange trees. One such place is our local Katie Wheeler Library. Just walk by and this is what you see.

Camera
Canon SD780IS  1/60s
Focal length 8.7mm   f/4.0

Day 37: Lighter than Air

Love the current display at the Apple store for their new Macbook Air. This place is perennially crowded - a lot of folks just love hanging out and playing with the latest apple gadgets!

Camera:
Canon SD780 IS
Focal Length 5.9mm   f/3.2

Day 36: When goodness comes wrapped up

Just picked up a loaf of fresh Veggie Chop Bread from my fav Henry's for dinner. I walk by this all the time andthat whole place smells just so good. Had to try it today. Its so pretty with onions, red and yellow peppers and lots of green stuff that is probably spinach. The ingredients just say assorted veggies. Its so pretty I don't want to slice thru it :). All this goodness for 4 bucks!

Camera
Canon T2i  1/50s
Focal Length  39.0mm  f/5.0