August 2013 – Page 3 – Ruth E. Hendricks

Aunt Suzanne Baked the Cake for Niece Grace’s Graduation Party

Steve and I attended a fun high school graduation party Saturday night. The cake was something to see. And eat!

Graduate Grace’s Aunt Suzanne baked and decorated this elaborate and tasty creation. Made with a whole lot of love!!

The bottom half was Anniversary Cake, vanilla cake made with buttermilk. The top layer a homemade chocolate cake. Then seedless raspberry preserves in between the layers, topped with rich chocolate buttercream icing. Lehigh was spelled out in white rolled fondant lettering, cut with an x-acto knife.

Not only did it look good but it tasted delicious. Aunt Suzanne said the Anniversary Cake called for almond extract but you could use vanilla or lemon zest to flavor it.

Happy High School Graduation Grace and all the best as your start your college life at Lehigh…

and great job on the cake, Aunt Suzanne!

Tiny jelly and mason jars with candles and raffia bows around the rims of the jars and summer flower centerpieces

Mookie the Golden Doodle loves all the attention

Getting Dark Outside

Backyard conversation

August 11, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Baking, PhotographyTags: anniversary cake, aunt, baking, cake decorating, chocolate buttercream, family, fondant, food, High School Graduation, Lehigh University, party, photography 11 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot, Two Ways

Vertical horizontal vertical horizontal Sorry I could not get them into two columns to compare the two shots.

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One shot, two ways. I didn’t realize I do this challenge without thinking about doing it. The WordPress post said shoot a vertical and a horizontal. And although I did not go out and reshoot for this challenge, here is what I discovered on Tuesday night I shot vertical, horizontal naturally without too much thought. Shoot, turn the camera,shoot, turn the camera, Shoot and turn the camera – shoot. I was surprised how many times I did this exact thing without knowing about the challenge that came out today.

August 10, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: Baseball, bridges, night game, Pittsburgh PA, Pittsburgh Pirates game, postaday, travel, weekly photo challenge 21 Comments

Baseball Fan Dressed as a Pirate has Attended 39 Games This Season-

…and that was Tuesday night, August 6th. There’ve been two more games since then in the series (both wins) and I bet she went to them, too.

As we were leaving the game and I saw her, I asked if it would be okay to photograph her in her Pirates costume.

Pittsburgh Pirates Game Tuesday Night Photo Essay

Headed to the game.

Steve waits to buy tickets. We got 2 together @ $14. Row Y. Tippy top. Last row.

MMarching to the dugout

The crowds have increased significantly at PNC Park

There’s the pitch

Three kinds- boats, ship, kayak

Just liked the light on the fan’s leg

Hoist the Colors

Seventh Inning Stretch Take me Out to the Ball Game

Bottom of the ninth win with “pinch-hit solo home run” by Josh Harrison . Very exciting.

Fireworks for the win! Pirates beat Marlins 4-3

Wonder who has to clean up

As of Tuesday, she has been to THIRTY NINE games this season!!!!

People pose at the Roberto Clemente Statue

Sixth Street Bridge closed for pedestrians

Gulf Building flashes black and gold black and gold and the lights chase each other around the top in varying patterns.

August 8, 2013August 8, 2013 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: 70-200mm lens Canon L series, Baseball, Central Division, costume, dog, fireworks, Gulf Building, Jolly Roger, Miami Marlins, National League Baseball, photography, Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park, seventh inning stretch, sixth street bridge, sports, travel 12 Comments

Orchid Cactus’ Short Bloom

My friend Kristin sent this beautiful Orchid Cactus (epiphyllum) blossom from Florida- on the phone!
I invited her to guest blog it. I had never seen an orchid cactus before.

The cactus blooms once a summer and the flower lasts about 24 hours.

Glenn Rice’s page states “Opens and closes in a single night” opens and closes on a single night

That’s it. A beautiful short life.

Kristin got the cactus at a local/ native nursery.

From behind the bloom

Thanks Kristin for sending the beautiful blossom. I forgot to ask if it has a scent.

August 8, 2013August 8, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Garden, Guest Blog, PhotographyTags: botany, cactus, epiphyllum, Florida, flower, gardening, Glenn Rice, Guest blog., postaday 12 Comments

Laura’s 30th Birthday Surprise

Happy Birthday to you, Laura.

James sure planned a wonderful surprise for you.

Enjoy your actual birthday today and relive the fun we had on Saturday by looking at the photos.

Love you, Ma

p.s. I wish I had someone take a photo of us together! Next time.

the last present HER BROTHER’S GIFT……………………..

Mark found an empty picture hook on the wall!

Anna holds the wedding shower ribbon bouquet that was under the glass dome cake holder. How did that tradition get started?

Michael studies Laura’s state of Florida magnet to find the city where he was born (Tampa)

James and his sister Kim and Mom Sharon

Aunt Lala catches Jack as he comes into the kitchen

August 7, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Family, PhotographyTags: 30th Birthday, celebration, Columbus OH, family, home, humor, kitchen, milestone birthday, photography, postaday, siblings, surprise party, travel 18 Comments

Tattooed Mannequin – Back in the ‘Burgh

Summer vacation’s a wonderful break from the school year.

Have to report back to school two weeks from tomorrow 8-20.

It’s difficult to see summer come to a close. Even the weather seems tinged with fall.

Trying to keep the blog in “real time” and needed a Pittsburgh photo to post tonight. I shot this when Steve and I went on the Ducky Tour.

The Pirates are playing the Marlins at PNC Park tomorrow night. And tickets are in hot demand these days! GO BUCS!

This mannequin sports PIRATES ink. I’d never seen a tattooed mannequin before this one. Shot through the store window at Station Square.

August 5, 2013 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Baseball, family, fashion, home, mannequin, photography, Pittsburgh PA, Pittsburgh Pirates, PNC Park, postaday, reflection, sports, sports fan, summer, tattoo, travel, vacation, window display 12 Comments

Another Dryer Lint Creature Found in the Compost Bowl

What do you find in your dryer lint? I asked- early June – in a blog post

Here is another one for the series. My family’s lint seems more interesting than mine at home.

(iPhone shot)

August 5, 2013 by Ruth Categories: photo of the dayTags: art, compost, dryer lint art, family, food, home, iPhone photography, kitchen, postaday 10 Comments

Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow

A hint, allusion, to something about to happen. Foreshadow. Sounds ominous. Doesn’t have to be.

I remember studying foreshadowing in high school English class. A tough challenge to “nail” this week.

Anna waiting to surprise Aunt Lala for her birthday

Michael looking at the feast- getting ready to eat

SURPRISE Birthday Party 8-3-2-13 About to blow out the candles

Where's the fork, Jack? — Where’s the fork, Jack?

Another birthday party- about to land on the inflatable

August 4, 2013 by Ruth Categories: Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: bird, birthday cake, celebration, family, food, fun, hummingbird, jumprope, nectar, party, surprise birthday party, travel, weekly photo challenge: foreshadow 12 Comments

Dry Ice from a Gift Box Evolves into a Science Experiment

Another photo essay today. An iPhone essay.

My friend J sent a huge styrofoam chest filled with fancy steaks, filets, chicken breasts, some gourmet franks and burgers, too. It arrived today.

Going to be a birthday grill out but Mark’s mind started thinking……… memories of science class?

Mark carried the package to the basement. We put the food in the upright freezer and then he proceeded to entertain and teach the four kids about the properties of dry ice and how it could be used for special effects on stage or movies. He was careful and warned them about how you couldn’t touch it and why it was doing what it did as he poured water of different temperatures onto it. It was quite a show and much appreciated by all.

Well, Maura(4) hung back. Said she didn’t like it.

Solid Carbon Dioxide- dry ice

Thanks Joanne for the lovely present. Who knew the packing material to preserve the food inside would become a blog today!

Show’s over.

All the precautions on the bag. I am sure most people just dispose of it. But maybe not.

August 2, 2013 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: carbon dioxide, childhood, dry ice, food, home, kids, kitchen, photography, postaday, science experiement, travel 13 Comments

Big Walnut Skate Club – Sunbury Ohio

At school I teach what a photo essay is- a series of photos that tells a story, with or without captions. I also got to practice my sports photography.

A double birthday party for two neighbor boys whose Mom rented out the entire Roller Rink for the evening. WOW!

The kids tried roller blades and four wheel skates for the first time and Mom Erika got out on the floor and gave a hand to help them stay upright.

The lighting in the place was a challenge, too.