April 2016 – Ruth E. Hendricks Photography

A Box of Chocolate Truffles

Admiration has several definitions.

For this week’s challenge by Krista, bloggers have admired heroes, volunteers, a beloved parent, musical instruments, design, flowers,art,nature and the gorgeous sky at sunset.

So why not chocolates? Smooth, satiny and delicious.

I’m choosing “pleasurable contemplation” this evening.

As I went to put the gold embossed lid onto the fresh box of Betsy Ann chocolate truffles I eyed them with pleasurable contemplation.

Admiration.
A thoughtful friend brought them as a hostess gift tonight.

I positioned the lid to hide the empty spots we devoured for dessert before I caught this photo.

Such a wonderful Pittsburgh-made confection. Thank you dear friend. I admire your excellent taste!

April 30, 2016April 30, 2016 by Ruth Categories: Chocolate, PhotographyTags: admiration, chocolate, dessert, friendship, hostess gift, Pittsburghh, weekly photo challenge 14 Comments

How to Transport a Large Pot of Matzoh Ball Soup

My friend Ann has figured it out.

She stopped by late afternoon on her way to a second Seder for Passsover with family who live in my neighborhood.

She called from her cell on her way over to see if I was home as she wanted to drop off something she knew I’d like – a cool tool for me- a sock ruler– but that’s another post.

Check out her method for transporting a large pot of soup. Matzoh ball soup. I think the wedging the wine bottle must help stabilize the pot.

She said, “Go get a bowl. I’ll give you some.”

I went into the house as she added “And a ladle!”

And then I said, “wait, Let me get my camera” as she prepared to ladle a bowl of her homemade matzoh ball soup out of the passenger side of her car.

The Haggadah is the Hebrew text for the Passsover Seder.

I looked up the spelling of Matza…matzo… matzoh …..A word with many spellings

And I wish I had asked her preference

It was delicious.

I asked her if she’d teach me how to make it.

She said the broth is involved. I’m looking forward to learning how to make the matzoh dumplings in homemade chicken broth.

April 29, 2016 by Ruth Categories: food, PhotographyTags: food, friendship, Haggadah, matza, matzah, matzoh, Matzoh Ball Soup, Passover, photography, postadsy, Seder, soup 18 Comments

Abstracts: Shot with Intent

For this week’s challenge, which I thought was a true challenge, I was taking photos I already had and tried to crop bits of them to create abstracts.

I just don’t shoot abstract photos so the ones I posted were incidentally abstract, not intentional.

These few were shot with the idea that they were true abstracts. I thought of making them black and white but stuck with color. I’m ready for the new challenge on Friday I think and will abandon the abstract effort. But it is good to challenge oneself.

On occasion.

This one a mistake with lights and took it accidentally. Looks abstract to me.

April 28, 2016 by Ruth Categories: Photography, Weekly Photo ChallengeTags: abstract, home, iphonephotography, photography, postaday, weekly photo challenge 15 Comments

The Satisfaction of Sock Knitting

knitsocks

A Handknit Sock

There’s a math to it. The cast on. Count
the multiples of four.
Last year it was hats and cowls.
This year, socks.
I want to try the fish lips kiss heel.

It’s a simple thing. How a sock is knit.
You start with yarn.
Needles as slim as toothpicks.
Terms like toe and gusset and cuff.
My friend says, "it’s too much work."

There’s a rhythm in the repetition.
The making. Clockwise circles.
Some throw, some pick.
Row after row after row.
In time you get length and warmth.

There’s the calm you long for,
around and around and around.
Turn heel for a path to Zen.
You think of those you love.
The grandmother who taught you.

The wet squeezed out,
pairs hang to dry. Later fold
their softness, admire the colors,
ignore imperfections.
Find comfort, hidden in shoes.
My squishy hand knit socks.

April 27, 2016 by Ruth Categories: knitting, Photography, poetryTags: fashion, knitting, math, photography, Poem, poetry, postaday, sock, sock knitting, socks, writing 39 Comments

Shifting Shadow Study in a Taxicab

Drive from the Austin airport to the hotel

Depended on the turn of the cab and the changing sunlight coming into the window.

April 26, 2016 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: iPhone photography, no smoking, photography, postaday, shadow, signage, taxicab, travel 9 Comments

Acquiring Art from Art All Night

To say Art All Night in Lawrenceville is a happening, would be an understatement. Over a thousand pieces of art are hung and displayed for 24 hours.

No jury, any medium- just ONE piece per artist. No exceptions.

It takes a ton of volunteers to organize, create and support this community event. Check all the art in, check all the art out. Make sure the artists get back their artwork.

There’s lots of music, comedy, yoga, mosaic making, live art, children’s activities and T-shirts for sale to wear until next year which will be the twentieth year.

Here’s the great part- thousands of people attend the show. This year Steve and I went on the peaceful Sunday morning instead of the wild and crazy and heavily populated Saturday night. An artist friend had taken in my Mill at Night photograph along with his painting. He’d encouraged me to participate again this year.

When I saw the piece below on one of the panels, it spoke to me. I got the contact information off the tag and called the artist right away. This afternoon we met at the bookstore in the Waterfront and check out how she packaged her art.

Thanks Jill. I am thrilled to have your “Corona” in my home.

We exchanged email and contact information and hope to knit together sometime soon.

A gallery from Art All Night so you can get the feel for the event. Remember my visit was early Sunday morning so it was sparse as far as viewers go but there were plenty of volunteers.