When You're Bored

Picture a Day #279 – Fall Textures

Posted on October 11, 2012 by joanienaz

This image represents the many textures of Fall.

Posted in nature, photography, picture a day, Uncategorized | Tagged Fall, leaves, nature, photography, postaday, textures | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #278 – Evening Grazer

Posted on October 10, 2012 by joanienaz

This graceful young deer was loitering in the Sierra Nevada foothills of northern California in the early evening. The light was perfect for a portrait, and then an action shot as I got a little too close.

Posted in nature, photography, picture a day | Tagged California, deer, nature, photography, postaday, Sierra Nevada | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #277 – October Leaves

Posted on October 9, 2012 by joanienaz

Here are some leaves from the grape trellis in the garden. The temperatures have dropped twenty degrees in the past couple of weeks, and suddenly it’s Fall!

Posted in home, nature, photography, picture a day | Tagged California, Fall, home, leaves, nature, October, photography, postaday | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #276 – Acorn Woodpecker

Posted on October 8, 2012 by joanienaz

I don’t know what it is about the Acorn woodpeckers that are so busily storing nuts under the roof of my cabin, among other places. They are so persistent. They are such a presence.

While I was working at the kitchen sink, this avian individual kept stopping on its way between the collection tree and the storage area. As soon as I grabbed my camera, it was gone. Finally I got several shots, and this one was the best. Not bad for shooting through a window and screen.

Posted in home, nature, photography, picture a day, Uncategorized | Tagged Acorn woodpeckers, bird watching, California, nature, photography, postaday | 2 Comments

Picture a Day #275 – National Novel Writing Month-My Journey

Posted on October 7, 2012 by joanienaz

This has been a busy year for me. I wrote my first novel during National Novel Writing Month last November. I revised, edited, and self-published my young adult novel, Willy’s Magic, as an e-book in February of this year. During April’s Script Frenzy, I rewrote my story as a screenplay.

The marketing side of the business of writing has me boggled. But I have learned a lot about developing a platform as I have refined this blog over the past nine months. Although the topics I cover here-my hobbies, or what I do to prevent boredom-have little to do with the subjects of my fiction writing, I hope to find a way to change that.

My other blog, which I tried to delete but apparently didn’t, is close to my heart and my writing but too much for me to manage along with this one. It still exists, but is on hold for the time being. So much to do, so much to learn, and the days are so full.

It’s time once more for National Novel Writing month, in about three and a half weeks. I am considering a fairy tale. Perhaps the show Once Upon a Time, which I thoroughly enjoy, put me in the frame of mind to consider this genre, but I have attempted it before. I hope to take my latest story beyond my previous excursions into magical worlds.

All I can say so far is that it will involve oak trees, acorns, woodpeckers, and a great adventure. Until next time, let your imagination run wild!

Posted in DIY, nature, photography, picture a day, writing | Tagged entertainment, fairy tale, family, inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, nature, photography, postaday | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #274 – Stuffed Peppers!

Posted on October 6, 2012 by joanienaz

We were planning on having Sloppy Joes for supper tonight. Then I saw red bell peppers at the market, 4 for a dollar. My husband Sam and I concocted our own recipe (sort of), incorporating both.

Stuffed Peppers, Sloppy Joe Style

8 servings

Prepare 1.5 cups brown rice (cook with desired seasonings-I used fresh basil).

Clean and halve 4 large red bell peppers (could substitute yellow or green bell peppers as well).

Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to 4 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Simmer peppers until tender. Drain and place in a 3 quart glass baking dish, cut side up.

Brown 1.5 pounds of lean ground beef (could substitute other ground meat) in skillet. Drain. Mix with prepared rice and one 15.5 ounce can of Sloppy Joe sauce.

Fill peppers with meat mixture. Top with grated cheese (I used about 3 ounces of cheddar).

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

Posted in DIY, home, picture a day | Tagged baking, family, food, home, postaday, sloppy joes, stuffed peppers, supper | 4 Comments

Picture a Day #273 – Clouding in the Evening

Posted on October 5, 2012 by joanienaz

I knew the sunset would be phenomenal this evening. The clouds were restless; the sun teased the horizon. My Nikon twitched in my hands.

Once the blush of sunset began, it shifted seamlessly from shade to shade. The clouds stretched across the western sky, and faded too soon. Cloud-watching at the end of the day is delightful!

Posted in nature, photography, picture a day | Tagged clouds, evening, nature, Nikon, photography, postaday, sky, sunset | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #272 – Another Recycled Planter

Posted on October 4, 2012 by joanienaz

I found a gently used planter at a second hand store last weekend, so the plants that have been rooting in a jar of water on top of the refrigerator now have a new home.

Four dollars was a pretty decent bargain for this rustic piece of pottery. I put some aquarium gravel in the bottom to provide drainage.

After adding the plants and some soil, I put more aquarium gravel on top to keep down the mold indoors, and soaked the soil. This makes a nice addition to my cabin decor, joining the planter I filled three weeks ago!

Posted in DIY, home, photography, picture a day, sustainable living | Tagged hobbies, home, houseplants, nature, photography, planter, postaday | Leave a comment

Picture a Day #271 – Predator

Posted on October 3, 2012 by joanienaz

While I was watering the vegetable garden early this morning, I happened to notice a treefrog on the zucchini plant. After I left and returned with my camera, I realized that the frog was locked in a death grip with a praying mantis.

I didn’t get a shot of the struggle, but the frog apparently freed itself and disappeared. I saw it jump. After the light changed I got these detailed photos of the predator. It spent some time cleaning up after its meal. Pretty scary looking.

The praying mantis feeds mostly on insects, but will try larger critters as well (especially if it is a female preparing eggs). Hard to imagine if you haven’t seen it happen!