Life without an SLR… and I’m still alive!

Read the title above out loud and you’ll probably feel compelled to scold me with ‘pfft-first-world-problem’ remarks. You’d be justified too. I am a brat.

BUT! Hear me out.

I have been lugging an SLR, usually two lenses and a flash unit around with me on most trips I’ve taken over the last 15 odd years. I’d like to think all the effort has produced an archive of travel photographs that any Nat Geo photographer would be envious of, but sadly it probably hasn’t. Let’s face it, I’m no Steve McCurry. Add to that the number of countries I’ve actually visited and you would only just need your second hand. That’s including my own sunburnt country.

What I do have though is a brain full of good memories and a handful of images I’m really proud of. I like to tell people I was continually left behind by my group on the Inca Trail because I was too busy snapping glorious mountain vistas… we all really know the truth though don’t we?

So, in the lead up to this current trip, 6 weeks in idyllic Bali, I debated over and over with myself what ‘equipment’ I should take. My trusty DSLR, brand new last time I went OS, is now relegated to a drawer in my desk and rarely sees the light of day thanks to my recent laziness and the advent of iPhone apps like Hipstamatic and Instagram.

Yes… gasp! I’m a hopeless iPhoneographer. Any time recently that I’ve needed a ‘proper camera’ for a wedding or similar momentous occasion I have been able to borrow the DSLR from work.

In 2010 I bought a nice little point-&-shoot with a generous 10x zoom and the flexibility of manual settings. It was initially for Benny to take on his trip to Nepal. It did an excellent job in the hands of a self-confessed 'couldn’t-care-less' photographer and we were both quite impressed. I have since used it regularly with more than satisfactory results. Much of Ivy’s toddler years have been documented with it.

So, these were the items on my debate list.

• Dated DSLR with dodgy old film lens (the good lens I got with it now houses a few small grains of sand in the zoom ring) but still a ‘proper camera’.
• Pretty good point-&-shoot (although not without limitations)
• My iPhone (incidentally I have not long ago updated to the iPhone 5 which has more pixels than my old DSLR!)
• Now travelling with a 4 year old - Can I be arsed lugging around a camera bag as well as water bottle, snacks, wipes, colouring in, snacks, Angelina the pink teddy bear, hat, snacks, sunscreen, Polly Pockets, cardi, snacks etc etc etc?
• But… now travelling with a 4 year old - Won’t I need to document the trip meticulously and ‘proper’ for us to relive over and over til she’s 16?

I know right! What a disastrous dilemma set before me. Well, to put you all out of your misery let me announce that I DID NOT BRING MY DLSR. But maybe you already figured that after reading the title of this post? You clever thing.

I do miss it at times but my phone and point-&-shoot are working hard to take up the slack. Either that or my laziness has also affected my standards — a natural evolution I guess but I'm quite OK with my results so far.

Scroll down now and you be the judge. Selamat Jalan!

Foggy morning...

Woke up to some thick old fog this morning in the nations capital. A quick pit stop past the lake on the way to work was well worth it. Got some gorgeous shots! Have to let you in on a little secret though.... I can't take all the credit. The new Loftus lens I got for my Hipstamatic app last weekend is seriously AWESOME. My goodness it takes a cracker shot - love it, love it, love it.

Photo A Day April - Week 2

So week 2 came and went in my little photographic journey. But as you will notice, I am playing catch up. Week 1 is here if you missed it. And week 3 is still to come. In the meantime let me attempt to delight you with my week 2 exhibition. I missed Day 12 (Stairs) but am hoping you'll forgive me yeah?

Day 7 : Shadow : an oldie but with a bit of Instagram 'remastering'

Day 8 : Inside Your Wallet : Apologies to your eyes but
this is the pic I've had in my wallet for the last 5 years

Day 9 : Younger You : Me in the pink, circa 1980

Day 10 : Cold : This one was almost prophetic from Fat Mum Slim.
A cold snap overnight and out came the cardi's and fires again. This is at my work... Toasty!

Day 11 : Where You Ate Breakfast

Day 13 : Something You Found : totes awesome cutlery at Vinnies!

Cheap Shoes... but they're so PRETTY!

Right, so I like to think I'm a bit of a 'semi-greenie' and try to do what I can to keep my impact on the earth low. I try to grow my own vegies when I can (not overly successfully but I WILL get better!) I buy all those 'green' label cleaning products or use bi-carb and vinegar where possible. I like shopping at 2nd hand stores, markets and op-shops. I get a fruit and veg box delivered that supports local growers and cuts down on transportation costs.


I am also acutely aware that there are a boundless number of things that I am NOT doing. Like making my own bread, recycling grey water or making my own shampoo from eggs... Sometimes it's all just too HARD and my laziness wins over my conscience more often than not.


But probs my biggest failing as a 'semi-greenie' is that I'm a sucker for CHEAP CRAP. You know that stuff - mass produced in China or India from non-renewable resources, made by underpaid workers and shipped thousands of miles to my local Westfield?


See those super pretty shoes up there? ^^ I bought them yesterday from a certain run of the mill department store at my local mall because, firstly, they winked at me and secondly, they were only $24. I am wearing them today and I like them a lot. It's likely next time I go to said mall I will see at least 4 other suburban mums wearing them too. Until then I will continue thinking I am funky and unique.


But aside from feeling funky and unique I am also getting my usual post-purchase depression that I'm letting the old green team down.


I go through the pros in my head to try and appease my 'disappointed' conscience. "Now Roxanne, you know having pretty things increases your happiness and confidence" (as shallow as that sounds, I have to admit it's true) and "Your family is on a fairly limited budget so you should jump at bargains when you see them." 


I have failed to convince myself yet again. They're pretty weak arguments huh? But I'll keep wearing the shoes. Dammit I'll wear them! I'll wear them until the soles fall off and they no longer resemble the orange prettiness they once were. THAT will be my contribution to the environment. Sorry China, I am set for new shoes right now, you may as well pack up shop and go home.


But I do solemnly swear to do better next time. In fact, I will go right now and google that recipe for egg shampoo.


Are you a full-greenie? Any tips for an aspiring greenie? A LAZY, aspiring greenie? Is there an alternative to eggs for shampoo? (I'm really not that keen on my hair smelling like omelette.) And do you know of anyone selling a 2nd hand pair of ladies size 9 red patent leather Doc Martens? They are next on the list of shoes I need want.

Photo A Day April - Week 1

So I think I managed to keep up this week with my latest little project. A couple of days I forgot but I'm going to make my own special rules here and add in some pics from the vault to fill the gap. What you reckon? Allowable? I think so, I'm always up for more reasons to share some of my fave pics. So, Day 1 I have already posted. Days 2 through to 7 are a go go below.

Day 2 : Colour : My fave Hipsta pic ever taken : at the pet shop.

Day 3 : Mail : my letterbox obviously...

Day 4 : Someone Who Makes You Happy : my critter : cliche but true

Day 5 : Tiny : a gift from my sis when she went to the US a few years back

Day 6 : Lunch : You can have chocolate for lunch on Good Friday can't you?

The little creek that wanted to be a river...

Up until about noon today it has been raining NON-STOP in my part of the world for 7 days straight. Deadset... I kid you not... drizzle followed by more drizzle with several downpours a day thrown in also. I was starting to get a little depressed/angry/frustrated with it all yesterday. Particularly knowing several families of muddy strangers footprints would be tramping through our house at 12pm to see if they might like to buy it. I quickly had to remind myself of our neighbouring towns who really did have problems with their houses being inundated and roads cut.

Anyhoo, this afternoon it finally STOPPED! Now, I'm not an excersice freak, but I know I need to do some on a regular basis or I would look like Grimace after not too long. Needless to say I had done NONE all week and with some nudging from Mister I got my gear on this afternoon and went for a run down to the creek near our house. I knew it would be full and flowing but I was still surprised at HOW full and flowing it was! The path was cut in several places and I was easily persuaded to give up on my running intentions and just enjoy being outside. Glad I had decided to take my phone for music instead of the shuffle. Was able to snap a few pics for show and tell!

Granny Square Pattern for KT and her Students!

KT is my dear friend who taught me to crochet back in 2008! She rang this morning to tell me she was having some friends around to teach crochet and needed to pick MY brains on how to teach more than one person at a time. I told her my tips (cause I'm a 'teacher' now didn't you know?!) and also that I'd post this pattern here on my blog for her to give to her students. She was going to give them printed handouts but then we had a little chuckle about them all being Gen Ys and they could probs just look it up on their phones... So here it is girls. I can certainly attest to KTs awesome crochet teaching skills! Hope you have a fun night.

BASIC GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN

Abbreviations 

ch - chain 

dc - double crochet 

slst - slip stitch 

sp - space

rnd - round

rg - ring

RND 1: Ch6, join with slst to first ch to form ring. Ch3, 2dc in ring. Ch2. *3dc in ring, ch2, 3 times. Join with slst to top of ch3. 

RND 2: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. *3dc, ch2, 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. Rep from * around. Join with slst to top of ch3. 

RND 3: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp. Ch1. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp. Ch1. Rep from * around. Join with slst to top of ch3. 

RND 4: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, twice. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1.

3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, twice. Rep from * around. Join with slst to top of ch3. 

RND 5: Slst in each of the first 2 dc and into the first ch2 sp. Ch3, 2dc, ch3, 3dc in same sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, 3 times. *3dc, ch2 3dc in next ch2 sp. Ch1. 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, 3 times. Rep from * around. Join with slst to top of ch3. 

Work the next rounds exactly the same increasing the section (3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1 ___ times.) by one for each round you add on. You can make your granny square as big as you want by adding RNDs. Or you can stop at 6 RNDs to make a rug out of individual squares.

You can also use a different color yarn for each RND of a square. 

Changing Colors

To change colors at beginning of each rnd Fasten off after slst to top of ch3. Leave yarn about 5" long and after square is complete, weave ends into work. Tie on new color in ch 2 lp and proceed onto the next rnd in pattern. For Finishing each square, After sl st into the top of ch 3, fasten off and either weave both ends into work or weave just the starting end into the work and leave the finishing end long to sew the squares together. 

Photo Friday - Darling Harbour

Snapped this one at Darling Harbour last weekend while in Sydney for the trade fairs. After being cooped up inside a massive and overly airconditioned hall all day it was so relaxing to walk out and embrace the warmth, the sunset, the kids playing (awesome kids park there BTW) and the general good vibes of Saturday night in the city. And now, sitting here in Canberra where it has been raining non-stop ALL week and is today a bit chilly, I am dreaming of those warmer climes...

Plum Jam

I have been making this plum jam recipe for several years now and it is dead set YUM!(I got it from taste.com.au and have added a couple of my own notes in pink)

Ingredients

• 1 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tsp anise seeds
• 6 cloves
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 2 dried bay leaves, crumbled
• 2 cups dry red wine
• 1.25kg white sugar
• 2 kg plums (try amber or blood plums), quartered, stoned
• 1/3 cup (80ml) lemon juice

Method
Place a couple of small saucers in the freezer to chill. Place
spices, bay leaves, wine and 1 cup sugar in a large, wide, heavy-based saucepan and stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and leave to cool. When cool, strain though a fine sieve over a bowl.

Return strained syrup to pan with 1 cup water and plums. Bring to the boil. Cover with a lid and simmer over low-medium heat for 35 minutes. This is where I get the stick blender out and give it a good whiz. I don't like 'lumpy' jam.

Uncover pan. Add lemon juice and remaining sugar. Cook, stirring, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil then simmer, uncovered, over medium heat, skimming any scum from top, for 45-50 minutes or until jam jells when tested. To test, place a small spoonful on a chilled saucer then return to freezer for 1 minute. Run your finger through chilled jam; it should be the consistency of honey and wrinkle slightly when pushed. (I use a candy thermometer and just wait till its at 104 degrees)

Once at this stage, pour into hot sterilised jars and seal.

Photo Friday : Cockatoo

At the lake this evening having an impromptu family outing, this little guy let me get quite close.

(Ok, so what if I have a slight bird obsession...  I blame it on Year 7 Bird Club with Mr Bigg.)

Photo Friday : Ducks

Justa coupla ducks swimming about...

Photo Friday : Birdies

 

Yes, I know it's not Friday... been a bit slack on the postings these last few months so thought I'd play a bit of catch up with these. Snapped at the pet shop a few weeks back. A bit cute yeah?

Photo Friday : Rows

A new app on my phone I'm loving - PicFrame is just an easy way to compile a group of photos collage style. I took this series in the kitchen this morning (oh and one in the bathroom...)

Photo Friday : Snowdome

The newest addition to my collection - Benny was in Brisvegas for work this week and (after a subtle texted hint from me) indulged me and my obsession with this sparkly ball of tackiness. Woot!

Photo Friday : Bicycle

Loving all the Autumn leaves... A nice compensation for the chill that is slowly setting in.

Photo Friday : Feather

I should probably mention at this point that I am currently addicted to the Hipstamatic app on my iPhone so be warned there may be a LOT of hipsta prints around here...  

This one is courtesy of one of the lovely (but very pesky) peacocks that strut around the nursery I work at.

Photo Friday : Spike

So here we are - week TWO. Having not given a second thought to my grand blog idea of last week, I realised today was FRIDAY and I was without a 'fresh' new non-kidlet pic as promised. So I dashed outside this morning in a frantic rush to find a suitable photographic subject and this is what I came up with... and I think I like him.