Update: Microterrariums

Hey, friends!

Do you guys remember my microterrariums from way back when??
Well, with spring making its appearance here in the arid desert of Eastern Washington, I was reminiscing on plants of past and I realized I never did let you guys know how those turned out!

So here's that long overdue update!

Here's what the plants looked soon after I started them. Happy and warm on my sunny window sill!
April of 2012, so one year ago, I saw some cute little sprouts!!

And below are some closeups of my brain plant seedlings.

And here are the butterfly bushes. As you can see, I planted a few too many. :P

In May, I moved from Pullman and brought my plants with me.
Just before I moved, I replanted the seedlings in bigger pots.

The new home for my brain plants, last May (2012).

Transplanted and happy brain plant seedling!

And here are my butterfly bush seedlings in their new home (May 2012).

Butterfly bush seedling closeup!

Unfortunately, my brain plants were sprayed by the sprinklers not long after I got settled in with my parents again. The brain plants were only supposed to be watered with warm water and with the cold cold water from the sprinklers, they withered and died. Poor things never got much bigger than the seedlings seen above. :( 

But my butterfly bushes did really well, even though I put them outside at a pretty early age. Here's what they looked like October 1, 2012!

I checked on the butterfly bush this spring and the leaves are coming back strong; looks like my mom's got a healthy butterfly bush to tame! 

I just wanted to give you guys a quick update on those. I'm planning on trying the brain plants again someday. I kept the microterrariums and the extra seeds; we'll see what I can do with that!

I hope that you're starting to enjoy some spring weather in your neck of the woods, wherever you are! 

Until next time, stay excellent!

- Jenny -

Making the Difference: Cowboys vs. Crohn's

Hello, friends!

You know those inspiring stories of people just like you and me doing big things to make a change? Well, I am lucky enough to know someone doing just that. I consider Nick a friend, even though it's been years since we've last talked. I think the bond of the Class of 2008 from Tri-Cities Prep will never truly be broken in any of us. I feel it there even though it's been nearly 5 years, and I feel it for all of my former classmates. Don't Stop Believin'!

In fact! Anna is also from the TCPrep class of 2008, as are Alivia from Food Adventures with Alivia! and my friend Andy, for whom I woodburned some drumsticks!

Anyway -- back to the inspiring story.

Cowboys vs. Crohn's

My friend Nick and his cousin are going on an old fashioned adventure, to "raise money and awareness for the battle against Crohn’s disease and to bring hope to Crohn’s patients, children and adults alike." They will be embarking on a 3.5 month, 1,300 mile horseback ride from Gardiner, MT to Bellingham, WA in order to achieve these goals.

Talk about awesome, inspiring, and daring!

This is the kind of thing you read about and dream about and they are setting out to do it, in reality. They're going to ride through the Northwest and experience it and the incredible people along the way. They are hoping to raise $100,000 for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. Want to learn more about their plans, the route, their stories, and how to support?! Well, I've got all the links below!

https://www.facebook.com/cowboysvscrohns

I don't know about you, but when I hear about these great things, it makes me want to do something, too. However, I know that I don't have the skills for such an adventure into the wild of my own, but I want to help them with theirs.

If this is how you feel, then join me & help!

Here is their indiegogo campaign to raise money for the trip. 
You can even score sweet swag for donating! 
(There's more swag than the tee available, check out the campaign to see!)

Every little bit helps - even if all you can give is a dollar. Anyone can make a difference. By helping these guys make their difference, you too make a difference!

Follow their story as it develops and learn more about Crohn's:

• Cowboys vs. Crohn's on Facebook
• The Cowboys vs. Crohn's blog
• Here's the indiegogo campaign again ;), and
•  Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America website

And if you're feeling like you want to do even more - the biggest help/support you can do is spread the word. 

If we all got behind one another whenever we had an endeavor we truly cared about, doing good for others - think of how much we could all accomplish. 

Spread the love. 

Stay excellent!

- Jenny -

One Month Photo Challenge

Hello, friends!

I have something fun for anyone to try!

Some of you may have seen photo challenges like "31 Days on Film" or "'This Month' Photo Challenge." I know I've seen them on Pinterest and I've watched as Facebook friends participated in series of them. I like the idea, but I wanted mine to be less a chronicle of my everyday life and more a schedule to practice photography. You know, a reason to go out and take a photo every day and get some practice. As any professional and hobbyist photographer (I am the latter, for sure) will tell you, the best thing you can do for your photography is to practice. 

I found a March photo challenge via Pinterest. It had some flaws, for example it was missing a day... So I decided to make my own! Haha!

I have created an easy to follow calendar, below, that can be performed any month. It has 31 days of photo prompts, but you can do 30 if the month is a short one. When I did my challenge, I tried my best to accomplish one a day, but some days I just couldn't fit it in or the photo I took that day was not up to my standards. And then there were days that were great; I had great lighting and I was feeling inspired! The point of the challenge is to give you a reason to practice, so if some days you don't get to it and other days you are crazy prolific - that's great! Just try to get all 30 or 31 items taken care of before the end of the month!

Also, this is your practice, so you don't have to do them in order. You can print out the calendar (.pdf here!) and cross them out as you accomplish them. :) It's flexible, easy, and fun!

So April starts tomorrow!! Get shooting!

Below are some of my favorite shots from my March 2013 Photog Challenge!

Happy Easter, my friends.
Stay excellent!

- Jenny -

Animal Portrait - "Amber"

Abstract - "Death"

Flora - "Awakening"

Something Huge - "La Luna"

Low Angle - "With Persona"

A note about the last picture. "Persona" is the name of this wind vane. It's a kinetic sculpture found on the Washington State University Pullman campus, atop the libraries, that sings when the wind moves it. Learn more about its dedication here and here is a recording of its singing. Awesome, right?