Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 26, 2008

I didn't take this photo but I just HAD to share. This was taken by Joel with his cell phone camera. I was in the car on my way home with Robert when Joel called to tell me that there was a rooster outside of the Inverrary Building where he was meeting with the Inverrary Board of Directors.

Remember we live in a completely urban area in a "bedroom" community. We may see a stray cat or dog, even a fox now and then on the golf course, but NEVER something you might see on a farm!

This was just way too funny. This building is about three seconds from my front door!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 25, 2008

This is my desk. This is all of my budget papers littering the top of my desk. This is what I have been working on for the past six weeks! It is difficult, but we are almost there.

I took this photo at about 7:30 am before anyone arrived at work. It really is my favorite time of the day. Everything is quite peaceful.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 24, 2008

It is so lovely to be home, but the work at the office is extremely intense. We found out that we had to cut $708,000 out of our budget. That is a lot of money. We went line by line figuring out where to cut. It was so stressful that by the time I got home my head was blasting. So I decided to take a long, hot bath.

Of course I can never be totally alone in my house, but that is okay, I enjoyed this company.

After setting up as many candles as I could round up and filling up my super big tub with hot water and bubbles, I came back to find Newton perched on the edge of the tub. I grabbed the camera and this was my first shot (I was standing on the toilet!!).

Needless to say, he entertained me as I soaked there. He kept trying to eat the bubbles. I can't imagine that they taste very good, but then again, I really don't think that cats have the same taste buds as we do!! After all, they do lick discu sting areas of their anatomy!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 22, 2008

Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da, Da Da Da Da Da da da Da Da Da Da . . . Da Da . . . Da DA

What is a trip to Philly without running up the stairs with the Rocky theme in your head??

Actually, I really wanted to go to the museum and see the art, and the stairs were an added bonus.

After this I went directly back to the hotel (via cab, my feet were KILLING me) and went straight to the airport.

It was lovely sleeping in my own bed surrounded by my family once again!

But I did have fun.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 21, 2008 - Part II

Still in Philly.

This first photo is of an art gallery that we stumbled upon when we were walking through the old part of town where the Liberty Bell, Carpenter's Hall, Independence Hall and Benjamin Franklin's grave are located. We were lured in by the glow of pink and lavender flowing out of the doors and the booming music.

Inside there was a bar that only served Red Bull . . . if that gives you an idea of the target market there!!






This photo is only of many that I took of the models walking the runway. I wormed my way into the large crowd and sat down on the floor to have fun with the camera. Too bad it was just my tiny Nikon pocket camera, but it did just fine! After about a half an hour, the two ladies I was with wanted to move on, but I was having a ball.





The next few photos were taken at The Clay Studio. This was part of a tour from the Americans for the Arts Convention that I was attending. There was an art gallery on the first floor. The exhibit was an interactive one and it sounded like shells on your ears but each one was shaped differently and sounded different too.

On the second floor was classroom space. On the third and fourth floors were artists in residence and one artist did a demonstration of how to use a potters wheel and made us a teapot!

The mosaic was located in the stairwell and every square inch of the walls from the first to the fourth floor was covered in tile, pottery and mirrors!! It was very cool.









































































This is the oldest, continuously inhabited neighborhood in America! It is the most quaint street that I have ever seen. It is a quiet, cobble stoned street with brightly colored front doors and shutters and brick buildings. I fell in love with it. It is called Elfreth's Alley.




This photo is a mobile in a Wood Turning studio and gallery. There was an artist that gave us a demonstration and tour. There were exquisite pieces of art on exhibit that I would have loved to call my own!

























This photo was taken at about 2 am! Yes, I know, it is late for me, but we were having so much fun. This was in the rooftop ballroom of our hotel. All of the conference attendees were invited, free wine and beer, open mike, piano and many chairs scattered around. It was the best way to socialize, network and entertain each other and be entertained because most arts administrators are artist and performers too! This guy had the most beautiful voice and played a fine, fine guitar. He is in charge of the Art. Ask for More campaign at the Americans for the Arts.




And this photo is The Thinker and is located in front of the Rodin Museum. I didn't go in because I went to the Museum of Art instead!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 21, 2008

The greatest surprise of the day was when I was in the Emerging Arts Leaders Session and as we are introducing ourselves . . . my friend's wife stands up and introduces herself!! I haven't seen her or my friend and their kids for about eight years!!



This is Hong Yee Lee and Seth Krakaur. Their son, Remy, took this photo. Remy is the exact same age as Rachel!! I have photos of them sitting on the couch together when they were both just a few months old. This was so much fun seeing them.



And this just totally cracked me up . . . or so to speak. I went on a tour of artist studios. We were at a Clay Studio and this was the work of art and functional too . . . they are salt and pepper shakers!! Could you imagine these on your table? It certainly would be a conversation piece!! I would have bought them if they weren't $80.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 20, 2008

So I had to fly up to Philadephia for the Americans for the Arts Conference. It really is a fabulous conference. Always on the cutting edge of what is the most pressing issues in the arts, in arts education, public art, grants, creative economy and so much more. We always get to fit in culture and visits to different parts of the city.












I adore the older buildings, the architecture and the history of the city. Especially since I am reading the John Adams book.



This is the roof of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Center. I loved the curved shape of the building and the way the light shines into the lobby. It gave the building a warm feeling.



These mirrors are in the bathroom of the Center! People must really think I am a little nuts with my camera in the bathroom!!



And what is Philly without a cheese steak?

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 17, 2008

We spent the entire day cleaning the house and doing laundry. I couldn't stand the house anymore. Plus I wanted a clean house for when my family came over for dinner.



Rachel was pooped and just wanted to sit on the couch. Doesn't she look ravishing in her sweatshirt?



See my cute little kitty peeking through the curtains?? He is such a funny guy. Always getting into the strangest place.



















Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Sponge Bog Square Pants!!



Doesn't Joel look happy to be cooking on his brand new barbecue??



What a motley crew! My cousin Hal came down for a visit so I had the chance to take out the tripod so that I could get into the photo with him. I promised Phyllis, his wife, that I would upload the photo that night, but it has taken me about a week to do just that!!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 14, 2008

Today was like a date with my husband. Joel and I needed to go to the mall to get him a few things for work. As we walked into Sears we saw this scene . . . a bed with a tire. It just made us laugh. We couldn't figure out why the bed was in the auto department. Then Joel cracked a joke that he was tired. I guess you had to be there, I laughed a lot!



Later in the day I went to the pool with the girls. I grabbed the camera and started snapping away. There were many more that I am not uploading, but these were my favorite.



Notice the pink streaks in Adina's hair. I wanted to snap a few before she jumped into the pool. She was being my sweet little model here.



This was one of many jumps into the pool. I was playing with the shutter speeds to catch her in mid-air. I liked the expression on Adina's face here because it looked like she was having the time of her life. It reminded me of an advertisement.










Ah, the life of a child. The toughest thing is to worry about homework and what time they have to go to bed.



I was lounging on the chair, something I don't do very often. I was reading the John Adams book and I dozed off. When I woke up, this pretty dove was visiting me. I slowly grabbed the camera so he wouldn't fly away and I was able to snap this shot. A bit dark, but I like the colors around his eyes.







And this photo is the reflection of my girls sitting in their lounge chairs on the other side of the pool. They spend most of their time giggling and texting to their friend.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 11, 2008 Part II

Yeah, sooner or later we all need a little touch up! This is one of my monthly rituals. I am not brave enough to let the gray come in. I really don't know how much there really is at this point, but my girls love to tell me when one, little, tiny gray hair is showing. It used to bother me, now I just ignore them and smile!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 11, 2008

Okay so I definitely didn't take this photo!! But my cousin Shellie sent this to me today. We were chatting last week because her Mom, my aunt and my mother's sister, passed away at age 89 in her sleep last Monday night. We were talking about our Moms and how they are together now and they have so much to catch up on. They used to talk to each other EVERY Sunday. Aunt Sylvia lived in Los Angeles, near Shellie and my Mom, of course, in New York.

We got nostalgic and then Shellie told me that she had pulled out her wedding album and was looking the photo of me as her flower girl. I remember it like it was yesterday, yet that was 45 years ago. I really can't believe it.

I look at this photo and I can see myself. I really don't think my face has changed and I still get that look on my face when I get angry!!

I also look this photo and I see Adina's face and a bit of Rachel, but mostly Adina.

I have always been hooked on photography, whether I am taking the photos or looking at someone else's photos. And my birth father, Harold Schain, was a photographer. Not a professional, but he always had his camera in tow. Perhaps I got a bit of that gene?

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 9, 2008

As Robert and I pulled into the driveway, we saw the girls cleaning out the car. Either they had an epiphany to clean up the car so that they could drive in a nice clean environment or Joel threatened them with bodily harm (or at least to take the car away) until the car was clean!



Rachel and Robert shared a quiet moment about their days.
























I liked this photo of Adina vacuuming out the car because the diffused light of the cloudy afternoon sky brought out the suntan on Adina's skin and the car acted like a frame.
























Nothing more than I liked this shot of Rachel. She looks so mature and so intense here.



This is Screwball and she certainly lives up to her name. She came over for a hug and a kiss from Adina.



Teamwork!



This chair is part of Rachel's homework for her 2D AP art class. She is going to take photos of this chair in a series. She made a list of places that she wants to take the chair. I will upload them as she shoots them, or maybe I will upload them all at once. Or maybe I will get her to start a blog, or maybe I will just leave her alone!



And of course, you can't paint the chair without painting your foot as well!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 8, 2008

Today was a very special day. Today was the day that I was going to meet Davy Jones. Yes, THE Davy Jones from the Monkees! This was one of my teen idols, along with Bobby Sherman and David Cassidy. So I have met two out of the three!

But first, I had to take the cute animal photo of the day.



This is Newton all wrapped up in our brand new rug!



Here is Rachel, beaming from ear to ear as Davy leaned in to take this photo with her. She was thrilled (can you tell?)



Okay, so I was thrilled too. Couldn't stop smiling for a long while. All I could think of was my friend Susan and I singing Monkee songs in my bedroom in NY. And I can't wait to hear her reaction when she looks at these photos! We were once so in love with this guy!

I told him that I saw him as the Artful Dodger in Oliver on Broadway in 1964. He didn't believe me! But I really did and somewhere I have the Playbill with his autograph!



I took this photo of Davy Jones as he was telling us the history of the movie, "Head" which was produced and written by Jack Nicholson in 1968. He basically said that they were all so stoned that they didn't remember any of it so he stuck around and watched the film with us. The film had so many cameos including: Annette Funicello, Jack Nicholson, Frank Zappa, Teri Garr, Victor Mature and Sonny Liston.

the plot was non-existent but it was a true slice of the psychedelic 60s

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 5, 2008

School's out. This was the scene that I came home to after work! Still in bed, watching TV and Rachel working on her art. She is taking a 2D AP art class in the fall and her teacher gave her homework over the summer.

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 3, 2008

Just a nice lazy moment for Rachel and Joel after dinner. It is the end of the school year, no homework and the two of them were watching something on TV. I think she is a bit nostalgic about last moments. She is going to have an entire year of last moments before she goes away to college!

Project 365 - Photo of the Day - June 1, 2008

This is part two of the Leshinsky's 28th Anniversary celebration. I never had a chance to upload photos last week. Okay, so I am not so good about uploading, but I do keep shooting photos! At least I am still doing that.



This is a photo of the waterfall in the center of the pool. I played with the shutter speed so you can feel the movement of the water. But it sort of gives the feeling of a watercolor painting.



Mmmmm . . . can't you feel the relaxation? Those are my toes resting in the very early morning sun. It was already beastly hot and I had to dip into the water several times and it wasn't even 10 am yet!



Without moving from my lounge chair, I just looked straight up and this was my view. Reminded me of the opening credits of Miami Vice!



And this was taken at the end of the day as Grace was staring intently at a lizard that was trapped between the screen and the glass door. I loved the fact that you can see through her eye!!