Franklin Foto

Blue Spikes

2007-11-03T17:33:00.001-07:00

HPIM1306, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day After Halloween Sale

2007-11-03T17:32:00.001-07:00

HPIM1305, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Contemplative

2007-11-01T19:15:00.001-07:00

HPIM1301, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

This is Orson, our cat.

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T19:39:00.001-07:00

HPIM1299, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Our Mailbox!

2007-10-27T18:57:00.001-07:00

HPIM1291, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Vodka!

2007-10-26T16:55:00.001-07:00

Vodka!, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Playing Thomas while Watching Thomas

2007-10-25T18:04:00.000-07:00

Tofu for Dinner

2007-10-24T19:19:00.001-07:00

Day Fifty-Eight

2007-03-31T19:36:00.001-07:00

HPIM0966, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

We went on an Easter Egg hunt today!!

Day Fifty-Seven

2007-03-20T17:17:00.001-07:00

pilates mat, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

I bought a pilates mat. Maybe it'll motivate me to do pilates more often! Lets see how long it takes for me to take it out of the wrapper!!

Day Fifty-Six

2007-03-20T17:16:00.001-07:00

Spiderwebs, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Spiderman!! Night and I found these great web shooters from Target. Originally, priced $20, we got them for $5. Not bad!

Day Fifty-Five

2007-03-20T17:15:00.001-07:00

Charlie, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Here's Charlie!! The picture doesn't do him justice. He is really as big as a moose.

Day Fifty-Four

2007-03-18T05:19:00.001-07:00

Nacho's Restaurant, Franklin, Tennessee, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

We had a date night-dinner and a movie. Actually, it was movie, check on the kids, then dinner. These guys played for us at the restaurant.

Sometime this week, I will post a pic of Charlie, I promise!!

Photo Hunters #7 - Drink

2007-03-16T18:13:00.001-07:00

Charlie Drinking Water, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Don't the ripples look cool? I tried to get a picture of his tongue, but Charlie was a bit shy when I got out the camera.

Next week's challenge is: EMPTY.
Check out other photo hunters' pictures of DRINK by clicking on my blogroll in the sidebar!

Day Fifty-Three

2007-03-15T19:14:00.001-07:00

The Kids Watching TV, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

They were sitting on their little couch. This was a rare moment when there was no pinching or shoving. Bliss!

Day Fifty-Two

2007-03-15T19:13:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday, Night!, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

I was afraid he'd wake up before we had a chance to wake him up singing "Happy Birthday" with his birthday muffin, but he was fast asleep-until 9:30. I couldn't wait any longer-I had to wake him!

Day Fifty-One

2007-03-15T19:11:00.003-07:00

At the Park, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Fifty

2007-03-15T19:11:00.001-07:00

Beer-Final Product, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh's beer was yummy!

Hiatus

2007-03-15T19:09:00.000-07:00

Sorry about my little unannounced HIATUS. I'm back.

I'm just going to start where I left off. I took a few photos, so I'll post them and pretend I was never gone!!

Day Forty-Nine

2007-03-01T21:48:00.001-08:00

HPIM0873, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Forty-Eight

2007-03-01T21:44:00.001-08:00

HPIM0867, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

We went to the park yesterday-here is a picture of what my husband calls my Fred Flinstone feet. We were playing in the sandbox!

Day Forty-Seven

2007-02-27T17:17:00.001-08:00

I'm a Rocker, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh got Guitar Hero a couple of weeks ago, and I finally decided to give it a try. I definitely look like a rocker, don't I? Those are Night's sunglasses. Keira insisted that I wear them. Too bad you can't see the nose ring!! My outfit even rocks-those are my "staying home" clothes!!

Day Forty-Six

2007-02-27T17:04:00.001-08:00

Charlie's Paws, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Forty-Five

2007-02-25T18:55:00.001-08:00

coffee gum, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Yep-it is coffee flavored gum! Don't waste your money.

Photo Hunters #6- Soft

2007-02-24T04:51:00.001-08:00

soft, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

One of my favorite things!! Josh got me 12 pairs of these (not all stripey-these are just the most photogenic!!) "worlds softest socks" for Christmas. Even with so many pairs, I have a hard time finding a clean pair-that is how often I wear them. I LOVE em. I'm also wearing my soft pj pants from Target. I didn't even have to pose for this photo. I'm always wearing this ensemble!!

Day Forty-Four

2007-02-24T04:49:00.001-08:00

daisy in feb, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Our lone daisy in the yard. Yesterday was beautiful, and since I now get off work so early and the days are getting longer, the family spent some time playing outside. It was mostly spent jumping off the porch... I found this out in the yard.

Day Forty-Three

2007-02-22T19:14:00.001-08:00

battery charger, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

I missed a few days because my batteries kept dying. I showed them! I got a charger. Ten bucks from Wal-mart, so I'm not sure if it'll last...

Day Forty-Two

2007-02-22T19:09:00.001-08:00

Mari in Josh's hoodie, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Forty-One

2007-02-17T19:05:00.001-08:00

ME and RACH, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

This evening, I layed in the tub, reading my new magazine, drinking Theraflu... Talk about a wild Saturday night!

Day Forty

2007-02-17T19:04:00.001-08:00

Night eating with chopsticks, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

no flash

Day Thirty-Nine

2007-02-15T18:12:00.001-08:00

thank god for diet pepsi, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

I went two WHOLE days without any diet pepsi. It was horrible. I usually stock up on "pop" when there is a big 4 for $10 sale, but this last time we didn't make it. Even though our basement is usually overflowing with my version of black gold (well, diet pepsi/coke is tied with coffee-yes, I am an addict), we had none! Although I did fill up on coffee, I was forced to drink wine when I wanted something cold to drink. I guess it wasn't all that bad...
Anyway, I broke down and got some at Kroger, even though the sale is only 3 for $8-well worth my extra $0.16 per case...

Day Thirty-Eight

2007-02-14T13:57:00.001-08:00

ale pale, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh got a home-brewing kit for Christmas. Here's the first batch. I converted the sugar wrong, so it has almost twice as much sugar as it is supposed to have! I'll let you know how it tastes...in a month or so.

Day Thirty-Seven

2007-02-13T13:32:00.001-08:00

broken leash, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Remember this? You'd think we would learn our lesson! Charlie doesn't like the backyard!! We put the leash over the fence, for about 10 minutes, just until Josh would be ready to take him for a walk. Charlie didn't want to wait!

Charlie and the broken leash, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Thirty-Six

2007-02-12T18:10:00.001-08:00

Bathtime Fun, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Thirty-Five

2007-02-11T19:19:00.001-08:00

Night, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Night's head! I forgot to put my digital camera in my purse today when we were out and about, but I did have my lomography camera, so as soon as I develop them and figure out how to use the scanner, I'll post those ones too!!

Day Thirty-Four

2007-02-10T19:23:00.001-08:00

Coochi Coochi Cooochi and Elmo, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Since we are in the pet-adding mood, we decided to add 2 more! Night named them-his is the yellow one (pronounced lello) and is named Elmo. Keira's is the pink one, named Coochi Coochi Coochi. I don't know why! Cute, though, huh?!

Photo Hunters #5-Red

2007-02-09T19:09:00.001-08:00

Josh hanging off the caboose, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh on stage, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh and Night on the caboose., originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Here are some photos taken last year with my lomography camera. I had the flash set to

Go visit other Photo Hunters and join us for next week's theme, antique!

Day Thirty-Three

2007-02-09T19:02:00.001-08:00

Diner Dash on My New Computer, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

As a professional waitress, I think everyone should play this game. It is hard work! The game doesn't even mention the burns!

Day Thirty-Two

2007-02-08T19:47:00.001-08:00

with flash, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

without flash, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

side view, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

This is a candle that was burning in our bathroom. All of the other lights were off in the room.

Day Thirty-Two

2007-02-08T13:41:00.000-08:00

What's in your purse?

Day Thirty-One

2007-02-08T13:40:00.000-08:00

Can you guess where we went for dinner?

Day Thirty

2007-02-05T13:20:00.001-08:00

photos, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Yesterday on my other blog, I talked about SuperBowl Sunday being somewhat of an anniversary for my husband and me. We didn't really talk about the day or celebrate anything special, but right after I finished writing my post, my husband came home with an anniversary card and a present for me!

He is wonderful!

He got me a photo album to store my 365 photo project photos. I spent today printing them off and cutting them out. I'm glad I only waited a month! It took a long time to get them all organized. Now that I have my beautiful photo album, I can keep up with my photos easier.

Day Twenty-Nine

2007-02-05T07:14:00.001-08:00

fence, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Charlie doesn't like being in the backyard...

Day Twenty-Eight

2007-02-03T17:14:00.001-08:00

HPIM0746, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Sorry about the squinty eyes-she doesn't like the flash. Keira was finishing up her FOURTH hard-boiled egg of the evening. I didn't think we were supposed to be eaten out of house and home until the kids were teenagers!!

Photo Hunters #4

2007-02-03T14:48:00.000-08:00

Today's Photohunt is "Gross." I just can't bring myself to photograph anything gross-maybe it is because I have two little children and I'm surrounded by gross all the time!! Please visit the other photohunt bloggers on my blogroll, though!!

Day Twenty-Eight

2007-02-02T02:46:00.001-08:00

Footprints in the Snow, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Twenty-Seven

2007-02-01T16:09:00.001-08:00

L-O-V-E, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Twenty-Six

2007-01-31T16:36:00.001-08:00

In a Basket, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Keira was playing in the empty laundry basket. Well, it was empty after she got ahold of it..

Day Twenty-Five

2007-01-30T16:41:00.001-08:00

Wanda!, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh was avoiding the camera. Wanda looks pretty annoyed as well.

Dumpr.Net

2007-01-30T09:33:00.000-08:00

Lisa was playing around on Dumpr.Net, so I had to join in on the fun.

This is the picture from Saturday's photo hunt, only there is a reflection under it. Very cool. Take a look at the fun things you can make. There is even a section (make them old) that makes the pictures look like they were taken with a lomography camera.

Day Twenty-Four

2007-01-29T16:20:00.001-08:00

Margaritaville, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Twenty-Three

2007-01-29T14:55:00.001-08:00

Midnight, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

That's me!

Day Twenty-Two

2007-01-29T14:54:00.001-08:00

Josh, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

See, he's a zombie too. Our poor children...

Photo Hunters #3: Silver

2007-01-27T11:40:00.001-08:00

HPIM0682, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

This is a photo of a film reel. Looking through it, you can see movies. Both the Buffy and the Superman movies are silver as well!

Join me next for next week's theme: Gross. That should be easy.

Day Twenty

2007-01-26T16:43:00.001-08:00

Vampire?, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Taken with a tripod and self-timed camera. No flash, just me moving my mouth and nose while I'm waiting for it to take my picture! Is it a vampire or a demon in a Francis Bacon painting? No makeup required! I hear the talent agents calling already!

Martha Stewart

2007-01-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

The Biscuit Lady is on Martha Stewart. I'm not a huge Martha fan, but I have to listen to it at work because that is the only channel that comes in on the television! Anyway, I thought it was interesting that Martha had on the lady from one of the photos I took last week.

More Lessons!

2007-01-26T06:13:00.000-08:00

My next two lessons from David said to avoid taking photos at eye level and to use an tripod to stabelize pictures and make them sharper.
I tried!
These images are not as great as they could be. I would like to venture out of the den and see what other subjects I can attack; however, this is what I had available at the time! I would like to try some more drastic angle-changes, so I will work on that this week.
What do you think?

Orson

Night Playing Computer Games

Day Nineteen

2007-01-25T15:38:00.003-08:00

HPIM0627, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Eighteen

2007-01-25T15:38:00.001-08:00

18, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Ode to Scully (and Night too)

2007-01-23T18:21:00.000-08:00

I've signed up to receive *free* email lessons from David Peterson, and I'm a little behind, but here is what I've learned so far:

Move Closer to your subject
Use Optical rather than Digital zoom
Place your subject Off-Center
Meet Kids Eye-to-Eye
Take Lots of Pictures-they're digital

I practiced moving closer to the subject, the subject being Scully, our dog. I have some I took of Night, but he was busy playing his video game, so he wasn't being a very good model. Keira blinks too much when the flash goes off; Scully is a good model.

David recommends moving closer and filling the frame entirely with the subject. He says to try to use the viewfinder rather than the lcd screen, but my digital camera doesn't even have a viewfinder! He mentions trying to get just the subjects face in the picture to notice a difference.

Although physically moving in is the best option, using optical zoom is better than digital because digital sacrifices some of the pixel-quality of the photo. Again, I only have digital zoom; or if I do have optical zoom, I haven't found it yet!! I've mainly focussed on getting as close as possible in order to capture the moment. I will read my manual and see if I'm missing the optical zoom, though.

A common professional photography rule is called the rule of thirds. Divide the frame into thirds, both vertically and horizontally. By placing the subject either along these lines or where they intersect, you have a more balanced, interesting picture. Having an interesting background in the center is also eye-catching. (such as a child in his pj's off centered with the Christmas tree centered but in the background)

When photographing kids (or pets!), meet them down at their level rather than distorting them by taking them from above. Capturing their natural expressions rather than posed also add to the value of the photo. He suggests photographing kids often so they are used to you and don't pose all the time.

My final lesson today involved taking lots and lots of pictures so that I capture the scene I'm looking at. Since the film is digital, I can always erase it. David suggests checking the memory card every half hour or so and weeding out the ones that aren't good.

So, here are scenes from my practice session.

Day Sixteen

2007-01-22T20:26:00.001-08:00

Paper Clip Top, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Here are a couple of other views (taken today) of the paper clip holder from Day Eleven.

Paper Clip, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Fifteen

2007-01-21T19:36:00.001-08:00

HPIM0573, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Fourteen

2007-01-20T17:13:00.001-08:00

Day Thirteen, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

my shoe

Photo Hunters #2: Wild

2007-01-19T20:31:00.001-08:00

Wild, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

The wildness was a little too wild to capture on camera, but here is what happens if you get too wild at our house!

Click on my Photo Hunters blogroll to look at more wild photos. Join us next week for the next photo hunt topic: SILVER.

Day Twelve

2007-01-18T18:07:00.001-08:00

Day Twelve, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Day Twelve

2007-01-17T16:17:00.001-08:00

hotdog, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Tonight, we were playing pirates. Night loves Pirates of the Caribbean. First, I had to suck the poison out of his ankle because he got bit by a shark. Then, he somehow turned into a pirate peanut sandwich. With mustard. I'm not sure who eats pirate peanut sandwiches. Not the sharks or dolphins or seahorses. We fed them cereal, so they are happy.
Oh! To have the imagination of a 3 year old...

Kindergarten

2007-01-17T04:53:00.000-08:00

I have found a wonderful website called photoblog. The pictures that people on the blogroll submit are absolutely amazing. I feel like I am in Kindergarten and all the other participants are in grad school, no they are professionals who sideline as grad school professors! Go take a look! I know I am just starting out-I aspire to be a grad school professor too! By the way, anyone from photoblog, can you tell me how to get a button for my sidebar? I can't find the code. I TOLD you I'm young...

Day Eleven

2007-01-16T16:04:00.001-08:00

What is it?, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

What is it? Any guesses?

Day Ten

2007-01-15T19:37:00.003-08:00

On my way home from work (the restaurant) tonight, I stopped and took some pictures of this famous restaurant. The Loveless Cafe has been around for over fifty years, and is known for its biscuits. Being near Nashville, there are a lot of famous people who regularly go to The Loveless: George Jones, Willard Scott, and Martha Stewart. We've been to the restaurant once. It was over 5 years ago. I know we saw someone famous, I just can't remember who. I think it was George Straight. He was a skinny country singer. That much I know!

outside, originally uploaded by mari_ickes

inside, originally uploaded by mari_ickes

The top picture is from standing in front of the sign, with flash. I also took one without flash. Because of so much light, the pictures did not really look that different. The bottom picture is from inside my jeep. It had been raining, so you can see the water streaks through the window. I left off the flash, which made it seem misty and dreamlike.

Day Nine

2007-01-14T19:55:00.001-08:00

Jack is Back!, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

I'm a little obsessed with the television series 24. Tonight was the 6th season premiere. It was on for 2 hours, and it was absolutely amazing, as usual.
I tried taking the picture with all the lights off and flash, all the lights on and flash, all lights off no flash, and all lights on no flash. This was no light; no flash.

Day Eight

2007-01-13T20:40:00.001-08:00

Christmas, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Christmas Red, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

We still have our Christmas lights up (so what!), so this morning before the sun came up, I took a picture of the red rope light along with its reflection in the window and Christmas decals. The first picture was taken from my digital camera, normal mode. The second one was taken from the same camera, same mode, but I turned off the flash and stood just a little bit closer. The first one shows a spot where the flash reflects in the window. I also took a picture with my lomography camera (a few weeks ago), but I haven't developed it yet. It will be interesting to see how that one compares with these two.

Photo Hunters #1: Technology

2007-01-12T21:54:00.000-08:00

Girls Can Be Geeks Too!

Polly and her Pod, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Pink Gameboy, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Next week's theme is "Wild!" Come back to see what I can come up with for that!!

Photo Hunters

2007-01-12T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've joined a new group called Photo Hunters. Each week, we will get a category to take pictures of. It is hosted by TNChick. I have the blogroll on my sidebar. Take a look. New pictures should be posted every Saturday, if not before. Even better, come join us. Those of you doing the photo a day project can use it for one of your photos, and it'll provide some inspiration!

Day Seven

2007-01-12T16:27:00.001-08:00

clock, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

The clock on the wall in our den

Day Six

2007-01-11T17:10:00.001-08:00

Bridge, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Night plays with Thomas the Tank Engine at the Barnes and Noble in Cool Springs

Day Five

2007-01-10T16:11:00.001-08:00

Peanuts, originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

When my parents were visiting, they brought a tin of peanuts. After they left, they left the peanuts. Surprisingly, it took until Sunday for the peanuts to be eaten.
Night was upset because we were out of peanuts, so I picked up some peanuts when I went to Walgreens Sunday night. I got two kinds-regular party nuts for Night and chipotle flavored for Josh. It turns out that Night loved the chipotle peanuts too. Josh had to keep telling him to stop eating them.
Last night, Josh was at school, Keira was in bed, and Night was eating peanuts on the couch. He had finished his own earlier in the day, so now he was working on his dad's.
He then calmly told me that he was going to put the peanuts in the refrigerator to keep them safe. I asked him why. He told me that he needed to save some for Josh.

Josh came home from school to find his peanuts in the fridge. He asked why. I told him what Night said. He then opened the package.
Uh oh!
I hear Josh telling Night that he was supposed to save some for him. Night did save some. Upon closer inspection, Josh discovered that the chipotle seasoning had been licked off!

At least he saved some though, right?

Day Four

2007-01-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

The Corner of Lewisburg Pike and Margin Street

Day Three

2007-01-09T20:37:00.001-08:00

Josh goes to School
Originally uploaded by mari_ickes.

Josh has decided to become a paralegal. He is taking night classes-3 nights a week. Today was his first day of school. I'm so excited for him-he loves to learn stuff.

Day Two, Take Two

2007-01-09T20:35:00.000-08:00

So I was feeling guilty for my first post this morning because I didn't take it. It wasn't even taken this morning, BUT in my defense, it was an accurate depiction of this morning, so it would've been a good picture of the day!
I took this pictureon my way home from work today-a blister from carrying all those hot plates. Be nice to your servers: when they say it is a hot plate, MOVE.

Day Two

2007-01-09T20:31:00.000-08:00

trying to do pilates
Originally uploaded by mari_ickes. Another productive morning...

Day One

2007-01-09T20:28:00.001-08:00

I've decided to join the club and post a photo a day. More details to come, but here's my photo for today. The boys are putting together the wagon that Josh's parents got for the kids for Christmas. If they ever get it together, we are going for a walk in downtown Franklin. It is a warm winter day that I'm not working, so we're going to take advantage of it!

Photo Hunters Blogroll

2005-12-11T19:39:00.000-08:00