Kendal Jean Photography

Going Shooting

2010-07-14T07:42:00.001-07:00

Ahh... a whole future of updates are on the way. I've been busy this past month or so.

My half brother came out to visit again this summer. He was here last year about this time as well. The first weekend he was here we drove to Montana for Shawn's Great Grandma's 95th birthday party. What did Adam bring for entertaining reading in the car? A gun buyer magazine. A little surprised, as his parents don't have any guns and probably don't' discuss them with him, but he is an avid video game player. Knowing that he had only shot video game guns, I spoke with a friend and arranged for Adam to go shoot some real guns. Brian was gracious enough to take him up, let him shoot his guns and really teach him about safely handling guns.

Overall he went up 3 or 4 times and had a blast every time. He has now returned to his parents and discussed going shooting at gun ranges. I hope he will get involved with 4-H or see if his school has an FFA shooting club.

The Evolution

2010-04-17T19:33:00.000-07:00

The evolution of the front of our house is one step closer to completion. It took a bit of digging but I found a nice array of photos that show how things have progressed. Granted there was a bit of a hiccup on the way with the fire last year, but I think things are looking up now.

4-1-2004 Appraisal Photo

July 5, 2009 What a neighbor's firework can do.

8-13-2009 Landscaping on its way, siding done and painting started.

12-4-2009 - Landscaping, siding and painting all done, time to rest.

April 11, 2010 - Deck added on and pretty darn awesome.

So quite a change since 2004, or actually even since this time last year. After today's work we are done with the deck. We added on the fascia that matches the railing so it looks a bit like below.

We did get to enjoy dinner last night out on our deck. The weather has finally gotten nice and we finished up the deck in shorts and a tank top today. Looking forward to a whole summer of living on the deck.

90% Done

2010-04-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

With the new deck that is. We finished up the railing this weekend and have just a couple more steps. We've ordered the fascia for all the outer edges and the steps. It will be the same color as the railing to give a nice accent. It should be here Thursday so that will be next weekend's project.

After a two hour learning curve with the first section of railing everything else went pretty smooth.

After the fascia we just need to figure out what we are going to close the bottom in with. Currently the quail are enjoying it quite a bit and I don't mind them as much. I will mind if the neighborhood skunk decides to make it a home.

New Deck

2010-04-01T17:26:00.003-07:00

The deck is almost completed. At least all we are doing over spring break has been done. It sure changes the front of the house. I'll do an ultimate road shot once we get the railing complete, but this should sure give you an idea of the changes. Now I can't wait for some patio furniture, but it might have to wait until fall when the clearance season hits. Oh well I can enjoy sitting on my deck not in a chair just as well :)

After the stairs have been removed. I looked all over for a picture of the 'real' before, but couldn't find one. There was a flower bed in between the two doors and some stairs down the stoop where the rubble is. Not to mention the pine that was in front of the stoop, but that was ripped out with the burned bushes last fall.

The stoop ended up being way to wavy and weird shaped so it had to go. Shawn and his dad tried breaking the concrete first, but after learning how inexpensive it was to rent a jack hammer they got busy playing with the big toy.

At the end of Sunday (as a huge windstorm was rolling in) the top portion was all framed in and you can see the end result of the jack hammer. Quite some progress.

Then the bottom level was framed in during the windy times of Monday.

The bottom portion with planks almost all the way across.

Top and bottom done, posts sort of on and moving on to the steps.

The steps off the lower portion.

All that is left is to secure the railing and pic the height of the posts that we want. I'm thrilled with how it looks and like I said earlier check back and I'll get a photo from the road with it how it really affects the curb appeal of the house.

I also can't wait to drink my cup of tea out on my porch. If only winter would seriously go away.

The Camera Lives

2010-03-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

The camera finally came out of the house this last weekend. I say it every time, and I will continue to say it, but I've been so darn busy. Between riding four times a week, working extra hours at another pharmacy and volunteering to prepare taxes once a week I've had no time for me.

This last weekend though I headed out on a horse adventure and took the camera with. A little over a year ago I started riding a friend's back up endurance horse. I mentioned a bit about riding Annie through the last year and this weekend was Annie's first endurance ride. Kathleen (her actual owner tee hee) rode Annie on a 25 mile race. I went down to help crew and take care of the horses. Also riding were Kathy & Kira and Kim & Smooth. It was an eye-opening experience to help out.

Heading out for Annie's first ride.

Into the first vet check.

Kim & Smooth into their first check.

Although I doubt I will race this year I hope to crew a few more races and absorb as much as I can. Hopefully that means the camera will get a work out at least once a month, but we'll see if I stick to that.

There actually should be some more posts to come as we are building a new deck over spring break on the front of the house. I'll get some before and after photos up soon.

Welcome 2010

2010-01-03T10:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, I do still exist. Where has the time gone? It's been two months since I did much of anything with my photography. We had quite a shake up at work which took time and it's been cold, and well I'm a chicken. I really dislike taking the camera out when it is below 20. It just doesn't seem overly safe.

All that aside we did venture out for a hike the day after Christmas. We had high hopes for using our snowshoes, but this has been a relatively snow free winter. It will snow a few inches and then promptly warm up, rain and melt. Kind of a bummer, but it will happen.

We headed over Loup Loup to the Methow Valley Wildlife Rec Area. Hopper really enjoyed the outing as we had been babysitting a miniature poodle who had been getting way too much attention. A bummer there wasn't more snow, but the sun was out and the skies bright blue.

It almost feels as if spring is around the corner here, so maybe some more outings to come?

Daytime Moon

2010-01-03T10:28:00.003-08:00

Daytime Moon
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Mountain Top Run

2010-01-03T10:28:00.001-08:00

Mountain Top Run
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Fall Photos

2009-11-01T19:18:00.002-08:00

I got to have a photo adventure today with a fellow photographer. Usually I'm stuck exploring with Shawn and although he tolerates my photos he is not overly eager for me to take my time or slam on the brakes to take a photo of a bird.

I'm mentoring one of the seniors at OKHS for her project to create a book, essentially marketing Okanogan county and highlighting some of the areas and events. We headed up Hwy 20 to the south summit of the Loup. Since I have been riding horses up there this summer there has been a spectacular view of the Methow Valley and I've been wanting to return with my camera. It was a perfect day for it and the photos turned out pretty nice. I might want to try and go back once it snows in the valley too. While driving up there I even saw my first piliated woodpecker, but it did not have enough patience for me to get the camera out.

As we headed back to town we stopped at Leader Lake for a few photos and then back on the highway, in a field, there was a flock of turkeys. There must have been fifty of them. I pulled a u-turn and pulled off the road so we could snap away. These birds could have cared less about us as it seemed they were much more interested in finding grub.

It was a fun day to go out with someone who shares my interest. We hope to make it out again on another nice weekend. Next time we will head north towards Tonasket to see what we can find.

Aspen above Apples

2009-11-01T19:18:00.001-08:00

Aspen above Apples
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Wild Turkeys

2009-11-01T19:17:00.001-08:00

Wild Turkeys
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Methow Valley View

2009-11-01T19:16:00.003-08:00

Methow Valley View
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Fall Squash

2009-11-01T19:16:00.001-08:00

Fall Squash
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Landscaping Renewed

2009-09-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

Well the house is finally put back together. I dropped the check of at Shady Creek yesterday and the melted siding has all been replaced. We even have almost all the trim painted. Just in time for winter. We had quite a bit more happen this summer then we had originally planned, but at least everything has turned out okay.

Here's a quick recap. On the 4th of July our neighbor shot a firework into the juniper bushes in front of the house and along the driveway. This resulted in 30' flames that destroyed the bushes, almost killed the beautiful flowering cherry tree and melted our brand new vinyl siding that we were still in the process of having put up. The positive note on the siding, if we had still had the cedar shake, we would have most likely lost the house.

After much hemming and hawing and waiting for paperwork we finally got the check at the beginning of August from the neighbor's homeowners insurance. Mid-august we had the bushes ripped out. It was dramatic, but done so quickly :) We went ahead and had all the potentially flammable bushes removed that were right next to the house. What are the chances this could happen again, probably zero, but what were the chances it was going to happen in the first place?

All clean and ready for landscaping. This step alone was a huge step. It put a lot behind us and it was finally nice to drive home at the end of the day.

Now the final step! As my friend, Kathy, has put it, the landscaping is very fireproof :) It has taken some getting used it, but in the end I think I really like it. The front section has a water system hooked up, so watering is pretty easy. Now we are just eagerly awaiting the plants to grow. Right now the rocks are a bit overpowering, but as the plants grow, Donna from Shady Creek, has assured us it will look great. In the second photo you can see where we replaced the tree at the top of the driveway. It will eventually grow to give some nice shade to the house.

All in all quite an adventure. I would have preferred not to have had to do the landscaping yet. I really did like the bushes there, but knowing now the hazard they posed, I think I will keep that in mind for future landscapes.

I've been Published!

2009-09-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest issue of Arabian Horse World and you'll see a photo by Kendal Jean Photography. That's right, they picked one of the photos of Kathy's mare and filly I took photos of this last spring. I can't wait to find a copy myself and hope to when I head to 'civilization' next weekend.

New Website!

2009-09-16T21:14:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I've launched a new website. I'm still ironing out the kinks, but much thanks to my friend Anne for helping me get the bones up and hosting the site for me. I'm slowly adding to it and hope to keep it updated via the news section.

Go check out www.kendaljeanphotos.com and I promise updated photos soon!

2009 Okanogan Fair Entry

2009-09-10T13:06:00.001-07:00

Saddle Bronc Series 2
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Saddle Bronc Series 2

2009 Okanogan Fair Entry

2009-09-10T13:05:00.001-07:00

Saddle Bronc Series 1
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Saddle Bronc Series 1

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

2009-09-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Finally getting around to posting some more photos from Colorado. Lots of things have been going on and it finally cooled off enough to sit at the computer and get some photo editing done. Hoping to get some more exciting things rolling out soon. There is a new website in the works so if you find some downtime at www.kendaljeanphotos.com, please stop back by. I hope to make the transition smooth, but you never know what can happen with technology.

Back to Colorado. As part of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo admission is a drive up the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. This stone shrine was built on top of the mountain and has amazing views across the foothills and plains of southern Colorado. The details throughout are what caught my eye as you can see in the photos. I wish there would have been a decent photo from before we drove up, but I will have to revert back to a stock photo. Have a look at the official site for some of the history and a photo that will really give you some perspective. It was a cool site to see.

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun

2009-09-05T19:35:00.005-07:00

Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

View Off the Shrine

2009-09-05T19:35:00.003-07:00

View Off the Shrine
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Door Detail

2009-09-05T19:35:00.001-07:00

Door Detail
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Entry Light

2009-09-05T19:34:00.003-07:00

Entry Light
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Shrine Chandelier

2009-09-05T19:34:00.001-07:00

Shrine Chandelier
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Garden of the Gods

2009-08-10T19:20:00.001-07:00

I forgot to post pictures from the Garden of the Gods. Before we went to the zoo we stopped at this free park in Colorado Springs. Such amazing rock formations and they are so red. The pops of green all over the place is stunning as well. I asked my brother how many times he had been there and he said something like five. I could never complain because it's free and gorgeous. The lighting probably changes every visit. I was lucky that the sun came out, but the big puffy white clouds stayed to give some great contrast in the photos.

Garden of the Gods

2009-08-10T19:19:00.003-07:00

Garden of the Gods
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Garden of the Gods

2009-08-10T19:19:00.001-07:00

Garden of the Gods
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Garden of the Gods

2009-08-10T19:18:00.001-07:00

Garden of the Gods
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Family Photos

2009-08-09T22:03:00.002-07:00

The last couple of days in Colorado were spent relaxing for the most part. Mom did convince me to do some family photos before I left though. Payment was a yummy dinner at Red Lobster for all involved parties. I could do photos for seafood any day :0)

We did two sessions, one of me, mom, my brother Jason and my half brother Adam. The next evening (hours before we left) I did a second session of my mom, her husband Dave and Adam. I'm loving the look and feel of the first photo of those three. Adam has such a rock star, teenager look. Very fitting for his attitude about now.

DSC_3896

2009-08-09T22:03:00.001-07:00

DSC_3896
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_3899

2009-08-09T22:02:00.005-07:00

DSC_3899
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_3934

2009-08-09T22:02:00.003-07:00

DSC_3934
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The teenager rock star look apparently, though I do like the mood of this photo.

DSC_3951

2009-08-09T22:02:00.001-07:00

DSC_3951
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The Zoo!

2009-08-03T22:30:00.000-07:00

I love zoos. They are so fun to be able to see animals you would never see regularly and it is even more fun when you have a camera with a big zoom. The last time I was at a zoo was almost 3 years ago when I went with my Dad and his wife to Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, SC. I didn't have my big 70-300 zoom yet (I think I got it the next week). Now I want to go to more. Hopefully I'll be able to go over to Seattle to go to Woodland Park sometime.

After we got done at Garden of the Gods we drove up to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. It is a very unique zoo that is built into the mountain side. You kind of meander your way up the hillside. I'm still loving the zoo in South Carolina though. The nice thing about that one is there are ditches between you and the animals instead of fences, makes for better pictures which is of course all I care about :0)

Here's a sample of some of the pictures I took. Have some fun and make a caption for that silly giraffe and leave it in the comments. Might be fun to see what some other people are thinking when they look a that photo.

Colobus Monkey

2009-08-03T22:29:00.003-07:00

Colobus Monkey
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

North American Porcupine

2009-08-03T22:29:00.001-07:00

North American Porcupine
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Licking Giraffe

2009-08-03T22:28:00.001-07:00

Licking Giraffe
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Start the Touristy Day

2009-07-25T19:53:00.000-07:00

After Estes we relaxed for a day. We went down and saw my SIL's art at a coffee shop in Longmont. It was very fun to see her great art on the walls of a business all displayed fancy like. It was on display along with a photography art show that closed main street in Longmont. We wandered up and down the street, listening to music and looking at inspiring photos in various businesses.

We were up early the next morning for an adventure for Jason and I. Up at 5am to drive down to his place (Shawn slept), load into his car (Shawn slept) and drive out east to catch the old steam train heading up to Cheyenne for Cheyenne Frontier Days (once again Shawn slept).

While Jason and I waited outside in the nice crisp, morning air (Shawn was sleeping still) I snapped a couple of photos around the spot Jason had scoped out. I got a couple of birds with one being fed. I haven't researched any of the species yet, so feel free to add some input on that.

The weeds growing along the track. You see the bright red all over the place. I really like the perspective.
Then came the main show. Here's an excerpt from the Union Pacific website about this engine:

"Steam Locomotive No. 844 is the last steam locomotive built for Union Pacific Railroad. It was delivered in 1944. A high-speed passenger engine, it pulled such widely known trains as the Overland Limited, Los Angeles Limited, Portland Rose and Challenger.

Many people know the engine as the No. 8444, since an extra '4' was added to its number in 1962 to distinguish it from a diesel numbered in the 800 series. The steam engine regained its rightful number in June 1989, after the diesel was retired.

When diesels took over all of the passenger train duties, No. 844 was placed in freight service in Nebraska between 1957 and 1959. It was saved from being scrapped in 1960 and held for special service.

The engine has run hundreds of thousands of miles as Union Pacific's ambassador of goodwill. It has made appearances at Expo '74 in Spokane, the 1981 opening of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans and the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Los Angeles Union Station in 1989.

Hailed as Union Pacific's "Living Legend," the engine is widely known among railroad enthusiasts for its excursion runs, especially over Union Pacific's fabled crossing of Sherman Hill between Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming."

After checking out the train, which blew by very quickly. We headed back to the highway and down to Colorado Springs to the Garden of the Gods and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. By the way, Shawn slept the whole way.

Estes Park

2009-07-22T19:16:00.000-07:00

After Devil's Backbone we cruised up to Estes Park in my mom's Miata. No pictures, Shawn was a bit embarrassed of the little car. I guess I can't blame him, it is an odd little car. We geocached our whole way up and around the town for a total of 16 caches in the day.

Estes Park is the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park. I actually bought my truck up there when I was living in Colorado. You just have to watch out for the elk. When you drive through the large herds you just go really slow and don't honk your horn or they may attack your vehicle. I was all excited for Shawn to see the elk, but alas they had all moved up to higher pastures. We did see plenty of prarie dogs, a mama duck teaching her babies how to dive and lots of swallows (see bird sanctuary pic below). Also had a huge buzzard flying over us that I was too intrigued by to take a picture.

At Estes Lake, similar to Lake Chelan, but much warmer.

Welcome

2009-07-22T19:15:00.003-07:00

Welcome
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Bird Sanctuary

2009-07-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

Bird Sanctuary
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Round Rocks

2009-07-22T19:14:00.003-07:00

Round Rocks
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Stanley Hotel

2009-07-22T19:14:00.001-07:00

Stanley Hotel
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Hiking the Backbone

2009-07-19T09:10:00.000-07:00

We started off our Thursday by heading up Devil's Backbone outside of Loveland. We grabbed our first cache in Colorado, a virtual up at the keyhole.

L_E_DSC_3239

2009-07-19T09:09:00.001-07:00

L_E_DSC_3239
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Let me know if you know they type of bird. I'm wavering on a couple of species, but it was sure noisy.

Devil's Backbone

2009-07-19T09:08:00.003-07:00

Devil's Backbone
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Devil's Backbone

2009-07-19T09:08:00.001-07:00

Devil's Backbone
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Devil's Backbone

2009-07-19T09:07:00.001-07:00

Devil's Backbone
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Fun in the Sculpture Park

2009-07-18T19:07:00.002-07:00

Not even in Colorado for 24 hours and we had to go play. Loveland is well known for all its art in the form of sculptures. We headed down to the park with the intention of geocaching, but I had a lot of fun with my camera. I ran around taking all sorts of pictures and made my mom take some of me and Shawn. I even got one of her. By the way, we didn't find the cache that night. We'll be heading out before we leave to grab it though.

Now on to a few more sculptures, just a bit more serious about these ones.

Fox

2009-07-18T19:07:00.001-07:00

L_E_DSC_3158
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Shakesphere

2009-07-18T19:06:00.003-07:00

L_E_DSC_3081
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

The Hunt

2009-07-18T19:06:00.001-07:00

L_E_DSC_3057
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Cowboy

2009-07-18T19:05:00.001-07:00

L_E_DSC_3003
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

A giant step backwards...

2009-07-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

We really consider ourselves proud first time homebuyers. We want our house to look great. We put a ton of work into it and you've seen the progress on here. Paint inside, siding outside. Shawn keeps the yard watered and mowed, but you have to remember there are other people out there who don't always play by the rules.

This was our front yard a week ago. Shawn got done golfing and was mowing the grass in front of the large hedges lining the front of our yard by the road.

This was those same hedges last night. A neighbor fired an illegal firework into the bush where it exploded. Within seconds the flames were towering. I yelled at Shawn when I just thought they were embers and by the time I ran outside it was completely out of control. The Omak Fire Department responded very fast, within 5 minutes of my calling.

It was so hot, if they had not arrived as quick as they did the whole house may have gone. Here is our new siding, thoroughly melted and distorted.

What is left of our trees and hedges.

Near where the siding melted all the evergreens were charred. If they had gone up there would have been no way to save the house I'm sure.

Although we are really upset at the neighbor I do have to say he has accepted full responsibility and contacted his insurance company last night. I just hope this is a smooth process and we can get our house looking nice again. I was all excited to have an open house after the siding was done, but now I guess we will have to wait for one more task first.

Making Progress...

2009-06-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

Wow... the north wall is done.

And the patio area is coming together nicely...

Sweet cedar box handmade for the weird shaped things.

Half Way There...

2009-06-21T19:13:00.000-07:00

...And now it is up to Roy. Shawn and I have finished with the prep work. All the shingles are off the house and now it has turned blue with a bit of siding. Hopefully soon it will be all siding. Here's all the progress from Friday and Saturday.

It's a Start

2009-06-18T21:17:00.000-07:00

We've done so much demo, today was the first day of putting up some siding. I came home this evening to see a very pretty start, but first, let me show you what we've been doing.

We knew the stump corner had some dry rot, so Roy addressed this part first. As he started to dig he found some old termite damage and the rot went a little farther then we thought. He jacked the whole house up and replaced the sill board and all you can see. He did a great job and we just hoped there wouldn't be anymore dry rot (by the way there hasn't been so far).

Then came the destruction...

The naked back of the house.

Getting it zipped up in blue with some friends' help.

As far as we got last weekend, the rest of the front
will be coming off, possibly tomorrow.

And finally our first bits of siding... well really soffit. Roy did a great job doing the 45 degree angle at the corner of the house. It really looks great. Apparently that must go up first and then layers come down or maybe go up. That is why we hired someone to do it. I'm looking forward to getting the first panels of siding on to see what the whole house is going to look like. It's so exciting!

Stay tuned for more updates hopefully tomorrow. Hoping the siding is going to speed along soon.

A Break...

2009-06-13T21:04:00.004-07:00

From home improvement for a bit of horse action. Shawn got us tickets to go see the Lipizzaners perform at the fairgrounds. These horses are a memory from my childhood. I remember in 4th grade, right after I got my glasses, my parents surprised me by taking me to see them at the Civic Center in Augusta, GA. I was riding dressage then and taking lessons from Robert Hall, who had trained at the Spanish Riding School which is what this show is based upon. Although they are not officially affliated, many similarities are still there.

I have to say I was quite suprised by the turnout in little Okanogan. I recognized a lot of people. I guess one way to think of it is that it is a cultural event that doesn't happen very often. Even with the packed grandstand I got a decent enough spot for some great photos. You can see more here.

DSC_2623

2009-06-13T21:04:00.003-07:00

DSC_2623
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_2667

2009-06-13T21:04:00.001-07:00

DSC_2667
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_2675

2009-06-13T21:03:00.001-07:00

DSC_2675
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_2700

2009-06-13T21:02:00.003-07:00

DSC_2700
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

DSC_2749

2009-06-13T21:02:00.001-07:00

DSC_2749
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

It has Begun...

2009-06-09T21:31:00.001-07:00

Work on the outside of the house has commenced. A few months ago we started getting quotes on siding. We checked out vinyl and steel siding and we called out a couple of companies from Spokane and a local guy. Being locally minded people we were happy to chose the local guy, Wilson Construction, and go with vinyl. It helped that Roy was so willing to work with us in ways that we could save money. To save a huge chunk we are doing the demo and installing the insulation on our own. Of course Roy is willing to give us guidance and came out today to go over a plan for all the work.

So now I can present the before photos and before you know it our house will look completely different.
A close up of the cedar siding that is going bye bye. It was in real need for paint, but I can't imagine how difficult it would be to paint this!

The back side of the house after about 2 and 1/2 hours. I did all this myself because Shawn was working on a much harder job (see below). We figure that with both of us pulling siding tomorrow we should be able to finish out this side and get some of the insulation up.

This was Shawn's project for the evening. This icky tree was actually up and growing when we moved in. It had grown up and around the edge of the roof and had dented some of the fascia. Shawn and his dad cut it down the first morning at the house and I had hopes to hang plants off the stump. Well Roy said it was too close to the house and would probably just attract bugs so it had to go. I relented (it wasn't that hard). So along with no more stump, a large chunk of my lilies have been ripped out. I guess they were a bit thick and probably weren't going to flower for that reason. Not quite the way I planned on thinning them, but I guess it works.

And finally our pile of Silver Ash 5" double dutch lap siding to go up as soon as we are done ripping off the cedar siding and putting up the insulation. We are hoping we can get it down through the rest of this week and weekend. Anyone want to help?

Chelan Photoshoot

2009-05-27T21:09:00.002-07:00

Took a little vacation to the cabin on Lake Chelan for the weekend. We met up with our great friends and spent the days laying in the sun, reading books, playing cards and having good times. As Zanna went exploring on the exposed rocks Saturday night I followed (stalked is another term) her with the camera. Pretty soon I was telling her to look this way and that way. I love how the lighting turned out. I think most people would shy away from sunsets because of all the shadows, but I really like the effect I can get. I even convinced her boyfriend to come down for a couple of pictures. Although I didn't even try to get the hat and sunglasses off (he would have fled if I asked) the pictures still turned out great.

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2009-05-27T21:09:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-27T21:08:00.007-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-27T21:08:00.005-07:00

DSC_2551
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-27T21:08:00.003-07:00

DSC_2544
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-27T21:08:00.001-07:00

DSC_2560
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-27T21:07:00.001-07:00

DSC_2562
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Welcome Baby...

2009-05-18T20:48:00.000-07:00

Mama finally popped and out came a very cute little filly. We thought she was going to go Saturday night so I gathered together my sleeping bag, pad and pillow and set up shop in the tack room with Kathy. We watched a couple of movies and when we went to check after the second movie Abby was down and pushing hard. It was a false alarm though. We slept really lightly jumping at every noise, but Abby decided to hold on to her baby a bit longer.

As I was pulling out of the driveway last night I got the call. Kathy told me her water had just broke and I had better hurry. I made it just in time with just the feet sticking out and within 10 minutes there was a new little filly on the ground. It was so amazing watching her try and figure things out. Her first little whinny was so cute. I plan on heading out Wednesday to get some more photos of her while she is a bit more steady and playing in the pasture.

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2009-05-18T20:46:00.001-07:00

DSC_1791
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-18T20:45:00.003-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-18T20:45:00.001-07:00

DSC_1972
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-18T20:44:00.003-07:00

DSC_2052
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

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2009-05-18T20:44:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

One Big Momma...

2009-04-18T20:37:00.000-07:00

And she's due in a month. I got the privilege to photograph a very pregnant horse today. She's due in another month for her fourth baby. I hope to make it to the birth as well, but with such an experienced momma it might be over by the time I get the camera out :0) It was quite a challenge trying to figure out how to get the best view of her big belly and still be able to tell what it is. You can see more photos from the day at http://www.flickr.com/photos/k-sphotos/

Pregnant Mare

2009-04-18T20:36:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Feeling Baby

2009-04-18T20:35:00.003-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Sleep

2009-04-18T20:35:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Pregnant Mare

2009-04-18T20:34:00.001-07:00

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Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Spring has Sprung

2009-04-09T08:06:00.000-07:00

While at the kitchen sink this morning I looked up to see my first flowers blooming! I was so excited I dropped everything and ran outside with my camera. I can't wait until everything is blooming so I can see where things are planted around here. I have had an invasion of bulbs in just about every open area and I'm sorry to say I'm going to have to rein some of them in and rip them out, but until then I can enjoy how pretty they will be. The garden and landscaping around the house are all a mystery since we moved in the fall. We ran into the previous owner and he said that it is about to get really beautiful, so that just makes me more giddy. I've never really had a garden, so it will be fun to experiment.

Other then finally having nice enough weather to venture outside, we've finished the living room and most of the entry. Although the entry way color is still on the iffy list. I think it will stay until I get a few opinions, but then it may leave. Don't worry pictures will be coming. If it weren't for the short time this morning I'd post all of that, but I have to leave you the edge of your seat just a bit.

Enjoy the day today!

Daffodil

2009-04-09T08:03:00.003-07:00

Daffodil
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Daffodil

2009-04-09T08:03:00.001-07:00

Daffodil
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Sun Mountain Scenery

2009-03-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

We set off for a hike down one of the trails at Sun Mountain and soon Jill had a mission. We left the kids with Steve and kept going to each bend in the trail to find the Homestead. Jill had been to the little hut before and really wanted to find it again. I was happy to get out and hike with the camera. Also very happy to get some of the shots that I did. It is always refreshing to get good pictures after being cooped up all winter.

Single Tree

2009-03-23T13:22:00.003-07:00

Single Tree
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Homestead

2009-03-23T13:22:00.001-07:00

Homestead
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Deadhead

2009-03-23T13:21:00.003-07:00

Deadhead
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Moss Head

2009-03-23T13:21:00.001-07:00

Moss Head
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

A little from Sun Mountain...

2009-03-22T21:28:00.002-07:00

Finally! I got to some photo editing tonight and got some of the photos from Sun Mountain uploaded. There will be some more scenery photos to come as well as another update on how the house is coming along. We got quite a bit more done in the living room and there is more to come over spring break. Not to mention we got our new windows put in too.

I can't believe how busy things have been! Now spring is here and I'll want to get outside even more. Where am I going to find the time??

At the Cabin

2009-03-22T21:28:00.001-07:00

At the Cabin
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

We ditched the kids and Jill, Shawn and I kept going to find Jill's elusive homestead cabin. Proof we were there :0)

Sliding

2009-03-22T21:27:00.001-07:00

Sliding
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Shawn taught the girls the technique to sliding down the icy snow with no sled.

Sliding

2009-03-22T21:26:00.005-07:00

Sliding
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Sliding

2009-03-22T21:26:00.003-07:00

Sliding
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

Snowballs

2009-03-22T21:26:00.001-07:00

Snowballs
Originally uploaded by Kendal Jean Photos

For Jill

Not Quite Done...

2009-03-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

But pretty darn impressive.

I am so happy with how the living room has turned out so far. Again we have a few more things to do and we'll add them to the list to be whittled away, but we have quite a strong start.

Before

You've seen these next two pictures from the previous post, but it just didn't seem right not to add them to this new post. Again we worked on the white wall which is actually painted paneling.

I took an afternoon and ripped the paneling off. You can read about that adventure here. Here's the wall all patched and ready to go.

During

We chose the paint color way back when we did the bedroom and had samples painted all over the wall. After two coats I was a little concerned with how dark it was appearing, but it got way better by the end.

Having never done any trim work we embarked on the adventure. We were able to quickly decide we weren't keeping the original trim because there was a patched area behind the paneling and right next to the door, so we needed some a bit thicker. We headed down to Home Depot and after about an hour of trying to decide we came home with some door trim. Again I was hesitant with how it would look but plowed ahead knowing we can always change it later.

We had the hardest time trying to decide on the door trim and baseboard because we couldn't find any that looked good right next to one another. Then I stumbled upon the simple plinth block and a happy medium was found. I really like the effect.

The door almost finished. The frame on the inside is primed and drying before we paint it the same color as the trim. I know it's hard to tell the difference but all the trim is the color chinchilla. All I can say is that it isn't white. :0)

After

My crowning achievement for this wall... to highlight our wedding. I think it looks amazing!

Now there are still a few things to do. We need to finish trimming out the other bedroom door (the pieces are drying as I type) and then we need to get crown molding. There is crown molding on the un-paneled walls already, but it is a very old style so we plan on updating that as well. So we are stuck with a funky tan and weird green color as a top border for now, but that's alright, the beautiful quilt from Zanna and the nice wedding photo catches the attention. We want to try and build a cool, fancy molding shelf to go under the wedding picture to even out the wall.

So many plans to come, but I'm loving how it looks! We are getting new windows in the next couple of weeks, so I'll have to venture outside for some before photos, though there shouldn't be a huge visible difference between the old and new windows... just an energy bill difference :0)

Demo Time

2009-02-28T15:01:00.000-08:00

No riding this weekend and Shawn has made the comment that I'm really productive when I'm not on a horse :0)

Our next project we've agreed will be the living room. We know what color we want to do and the only thing that has been stopping us is my wanting to take down the paneling. We were kind of nervous about what might be behind the paneling, but you'll never know unless you rip it down and while Shawn was grading papers I pulled out my pink toolkit.

I won't hold you in suspense, luckily there was drywall behind the paneling and it is actually in quite good condition and not too bad of a color. The good color mind you is in the middle of the wall the borders are quite awful. The blue green color is actually the original drywall (I think) and we plan on covering that up with crown modeling and trim.

Here's a short picture story of the day:

The true before, before we even moved in. Now we are just doing
the painted paneling which is white in this picture. The other
wall is going to hold off until we remove the oil furnace which
is behind the closet door.

If the paneling doesn't cooperate that's when you
get the power saw out :0) It worked well and scared Shawn.

Not a bad color! It is more yellow/tan in person,
kind of pink in some of the photos.

Who throws their poo?! Well not really, this panel was glued
on because there are no studs in this wall. It will take
some sanding to fix those parts.

All patched and ready for priming. We'll see
how long it will stay like this.

Meet Annie....

2009-02-07T16:39:00.001-08:00

You can read all about my adventures with Annie on my other blog, 'Joining the Race.' I've been too nervous to take my big camera out to the barn because of the temperatures, but decided to take (risk) Shawn's little point and shoot. Didn't really expect to get any great shots, but I actually like how this one turned out. I enhanced the blow out that was already happening and bumped up the contrast to really make it pop.

I like how it turned out. How about you? I'm also liking all these little blog kits I keep finding online. Might get to the point that I can just change the blog to suit my mood :0)

Finally....

2009-02-01T16:16:00.000-08:00

We made it outdoors. With the cold spell sort of snapped (I think it is supposed to be 40 degrees this week!) we ventured out to do some snowshoeing. Unfortunately we've kind of missed that window. I think there was a very narrow window to do real snowshoeing back in December and we just never made it out.

Well today we headed up to Scotch Creek Wildlife Area. I hoped to glimpse some wildlife, but alas no critters, or at least live ones, a few drops of blood and a pile of fur was really all that was left. It was actually a pretty pleasant morning. About 20 degrees, but no wind. Hopper was excited to explore a new place and was really all over the place. There is a pretty well worn trail up most of the hill so we didn't need to use our snowshoes, but decided to carry them with us anyway. I'd like to find a way to carry them without my hands, but that can come another day. It was really nice to have them when we got up towards the barn as the snow was pretty deep. Hopper was true to his name and hopped through the snow and kept digging in, probably chasing mice under the snow.

The barn was a great photo site. I have seen it from the Conconully highway and had even tried to take a photo of it with no luck. Today though, I had a blast. It has been so long since I have taken the camera out it was really great to get some good shots. Renews my faith in myself.