Posts from — February 2008

How many trees were used to construct this barn?  How many gallons of paint were applied and now gone? How many wind driven rain storms and how many hours of exposure to baking hot sun did it take to create this affect? How many replaced panes of glass have there been?  How many times has the door granted entry or exit to a farm hand or farmer?

For that matter, how many pictures have been taken of this same building?

Plump and sweet and out of reach,

I watched this goose pursue

a frozen treat, she’d love to eat

without quite falling through.

Two roads exist to this dessert

both equal in reward.

One requires cunning

the other leaves her bored.

To swim her way through broken ice

and snatch the berry quick

or find the only frozen path

on ice that’s firm and thick.

Today she’ll choose MacGuyver’s way

and test her will to win

treading lightly, dry she’ll stay

without quite falling in.

I stopped into Starbucks on one of my lengthy picture hunts through the borough to recharge and to get a break from the cold. As the Barista prepared my own personal caffeinated reset button, I set my camera bag down near the back door and scanned the cafe for just the right shot.

I don’t typically like to bother folks… but I spotted the Sparlings in the main window area enjoying some coffee drinks and time with their adorable son Ben. I couldn’t help myself and at the risk of interrupting this serene family moment, I asked if they would mind if I took a picture for my silly web page.

I handed Todd and Jackie one of my Yardley365 cards and they were all to accommodating and not only permitted my interruption but agreed to pose for a second shot.

Thanks Jackie and Todd!

This is a view that you’ll rarely see of the Yardley / Afton Library.  That’s because I walked all the way around the lake, behind the friends building and past the falls to get a vantage point from across Lake Afton.

Kelly and I had the pleasure of attending the Duckhorn Wine Dinner at the Yardley Inn last Sunday evening. Robert Reese from Vintage Imports talked about the history of the famous Duckhorn winery while introducing five breathtaking courses expertly prepared by Executive Chef Eben Copple.

First Course

Scallop ceviche, pineapple, caviar

with

Duckhorn Suavignon Blanc

Second Course

Candele, confit of duck, pecorino toscano

with

Duckhorn Migration Pinot Noir

Third Course

Cedar planked arctic char, green olive and black pepper farro

with

Duckhorn Decoy Meritage

Fourth Course

Cinnamon and orange roasted bison, Carolina gold risotto with cheddar

with

Duckhorn Merlot

Fifth Course

Polenta-marcarpone cake meyer lemon jelly

with

Chateau Lahonade-Peyraguey Sauternes

Here are some of the additional pictures I took while at the event.

[Show as slideshow]

Here’s my wife, Kelly. She hates that I’m posting this - but it just screams Sunday morning… you can almost smell the coffee.

This is the first picture I’m publishing that was taken using my new Nikon n70… Well, actually, it’s my daughter’s new n70… Well it’s actually her used n70.  But I’m thrilled with the quality of the pictures that I just got back from the lab.

I shot 3 solid rolls and will have lots of shots from around Yardley with the new camera.  Thanks to Dio Dipisupal for the great deal he gave me on the camera and gear.   I’m having a blast with it - very different from the point and shoot models I’m used to.

Have a good weekend!

Mike

I left early this morning on my way to work so I could stop off and snap some pictures.  I love the sound of a snowy morning.  Or perhaps its really the lack of sound?

Each random falling flake

upon the ground does make

an impact without sound

but surely will be found

in beauty and in cost

this winter’s weighty frost.