Golden Coloured Sky

I pass this small farm every day on my way to work. The days when the owners sold fruit and vegetables to the public are long gone. They still grow corn, and I can see rows of flowers blooming behind the house. It is a bright spot among the typical "McMansions" close by. There are other properties with open land farther down the road, but they are thoroughbred farms (the horse is our state animal). I see the older couple that owns the farm go about their work sometimes and I wonder how long I will see this little golden gem. I watch the seasons blend from one to another each morning and afternoon in those brief moments. I look forward to see if there will be ducks on the tiny pond, how far along the corn has grown, and when they hang up a few decorated wreaths on the greenhouse walls in December. On late September afternoons, the sun setting in the west flashes across the dying corn stalks in a warm golden display. I stopped one day to photograph that moment, a memory to be.

Wonderland

Besides photography, one of my greatest pleasures is being surrounded by books. I especially love old book shops, as I can find out-of-print goodies that I never knew existed. Through the years, my favorite subjects have been nature, cookbooks, classics, poetry, art....really anything that catches my eye. My fondness for old cookbooks is twofold. One, for the recipes but most importantly, the history of women tucked between the pages in the oldest of my collected pieces. I read these cookbooks like novels. Just like a history book, it brings me back in time to how our female ancestors lived and worked in their homes. When my days are overwhelming, it's comforting to read pages from a simpler life. Actually, what I perceive as simple. I have no illusions of perfection of those days, it is a fantasy of family life that never existed. Through my personal looking glass, I can imagine the fragrance, warmth, and love of these homes through the fading notes of women who worked extremely hard to make them that way.

Transformation

Change is inevitable. As hard as we try at times to keep the status quo, it falls away. You can't stop the forces (people, methods) from changing around you. Fear of change is common. We even fear good change. Why would that be? Most people don't like moving out of their comfort zone. But, it is only that movement that creates opportunities in our lives. Then you wonder why you didn't make a change sooner.

“Change is the essence of life.Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.

Title is courtesy of StoryPeople.com

I Hear the Mermaids Singing

One of my passions is vintage clothes. If I could choose an era it would be the 40's, but my interests span the decades. When I was younger, my friends and I would head up to the Village around St. Mark's and pick through the Late Show. That was always a treasure trove. Great 40's jackets for $3.00. A long black (real!) silk velvet coat. Incredible to think about now. There were a few other places around that I can't remember the names, except Trash and Vaudeville. They were vintage and rock and roll combined. A lot more organized than the other vintage shops. After a day of shopping, we would head back on the subway to the bus or train home and ready to flash my new old clothes around town. Today, it's more difficult to find what I like, and certainly much more expensive when I do. I've become more inclined to troll through Ebay. My recent conquests there have been a gorgeous 60's tapestry coat in fall colors and a 50's brocade lace cocktail dress. Buying online can't compare to having my hands in all the wonderful fabrics in those long lost stores, but it's heartening to know the vintage lovelies are still out there.

Autumn

As another season begins, the business of "The Book" continues. (See below) We are doing great with the sales on Blurb, and are on the best-sellers list!

October is one of my favorite months, mostly because of the colorful changes in nature. There is nothing like a drive in the country surrounded by landscapes of golds, reds, oranges and greens. Fantastic opportuntities for a photographer for sure. I'm also tired of shorts and sandals and look forward to pulling out my sweaters and tights. And baking.....yes! It's been much too hot to turn on the oven but this is the season I get cooking :) The farm stands are overflowing with ripe fruits and vegetables and now is the time to take advantage. Zucchini, tomatoes, corn and peaches are now sharing space with apples, pears, pumpkins and gourds. I'm overwhelmed with the possibilities!

Muffins have been my breakfast of choice recently, and here's one that appeals to my autumnal spice yearnings. I normally use the larger muffin tins so I end up with 6 large muffins.

Gingerbread-Pear Muffins.

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup mild-flavored molasses
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup boiling water
2 small pears, cut in 6 wedges each
3 ounces dark or bittersweet chocolate broken in small pieces
Raw sugar, optional


1. Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly coat twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray and flour.

2. In large bowl combine flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. In a second bowl whisk together molasses, butter, brown sugar, and egg. Pour into flour mixture. Stir until combined. Whisk in boiling water. Divide evenly among muffin cups. Add 1 pear wedge to each muffin, press lightly.

3. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Sprinkle with raw sugar. Add chocolate piece to top of muffins. Cool in pan on rack 10 minutes. Use table knife to smooth melted chocolate. Remove from cups. Cool completely on wire rack. Makes 12.

Musings for a Late Summer Weekend

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, the singing bird will come.” ~ Chinese Proverb

This weekend will be continuing the process I began months ago of making my life simpler. Sorting through all my belongings, I have been throwing away or donating many items I no longer need, use, or find they should occupy space in my home. I want a cleaner space. Over the next few years, I will be moving, leaving my job and starting a new phase of my life. I plan to have a lighter load when that time comes, and only carry what is most important to me.

Silent is the House

Five more days before the "official" start of Autumn and the changes around my house have begun. The crickets which were at a noisy peak the last two weeks were unheard from last night. Windows are being closed so the chatter and television din from the neighbors have been muffled. Now I can clearly hear the leaves move on the trees with the cooler breeze right after dusk. The white flowers I planted early summer are starting to fade a bit. This weekend they will be joined by mums...lavendar, maybe pumpkin colored. Inside, the quiet calms me and urges me to read, write and dream more. I know there is so much more to come.

Looking for Starfish

Living by the ocean nearly my whole life hasn't lessened my fascination with it, or with the creatures who call it home. One of my favorite childhood memories was when I spent the day exploring the small caves created by the rocks at the inlet. The interiors were filled with little treasures (at least I thought they were treasures). There were crabs, small fish, shells, and my favorite starfish. Once I was quite excited to find a small seahorse. Inside these little sea rooms with a sandy floor, the waves could trickle in and bring enough water to cover my feet and provide a place for these ocean inhabitants to live and hide. Those moments were special as I felt hidden away with these little creatures and felt a part of their magical world.

Patience

At first glance, this is simply an image of a chair and a cat. Since I took the image and I know the space, naturally it is personal to me. I believe it goes beyond the personal when anyone can put themselves into that scene. You can sit in the chair. You can touch the cat's soft fur, and he might sit in your lap. Unseen is the cup of tea next to the chair. I see this image as a welcoming one, and not as simple as that first glance.

Stacked

I have this photo entered into the "Delectable" contest theme at JPGMAG.com. I'd so appreciate it if you considered going over and voting!

http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/995663/

Book Release Today!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday 12th September 2008

Contact: MaryElise Tomczak
Email: passiflora.photography@gmail.com

**Press Release**

She Took Her Own Picture--- 44 female artists from across the world have come together online to self-publish a collection of photographic self portraits---The group of women, most whom have never met each other, have collaborated through a photo-sharing website where they share their work online, to produce a book of their self-portraits.She Took Her Own Picture: Selections from the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group will be available this Friday, 12th September 2008. The unique venture comes as a first for women's photographic self-portraiture today.Self-publishing the book through Blurb.com, the artists hope the book will serve as a prototype to target suitable art publishers and make the book available on a wider basis, with the aim of donating a percentage of the profits to women's causes.The participants, both amateurs and professionals, range in age and origin and hail from North and Latin America, the UK and Ireland, Australia, the Caribbean, Oceania, and all over Europe. These 44 women however, are only a small percentage of over 1000 female self-portrait artists who congregate in the Female Self Portrait Artists' Support Group, a group on Flickr started by Laurel Fiszer from Ireland, where the idea for a book of work first began. The group was set up to provide a "collective of women photographers who strengthen their friendship by sharing inspired, artistic, and well-executed photographs"."Laurel's primary goal," says Natalie J. McCarthy, writer of the introduction to the book, "was to create a place online where female photographers could share self-portraits and receive constructive criticism in a supportive, encouraging, and non-judgmental environment."She noticed that female self-portrait photographers were often seen as narcissistic princesses who had to defend their work against an onslaught of criticism — most of which was not directed toward the photograph's technical merits."The group argues that the female self-portrait has proved to offer women artists a powerful opportunity: the chance to categorically refute antiquated notions of the woman's role as an art object, and to create a new, empowered vision of the female model. She Took Her Own Picture, whilst constructed upon this feminist foundation, also presents a collection of first-rate photography."At the end of the day", says McCarthy, "they bring you into their circle of friends and share their art with you".

For more information, please visit:

She Took Her Own Picture

She Took Her Own Picture - Photography Book

The availability date of the book that I mentioned previously in my blog is Friday, September 12th. I will post the Blurb.com link for purchase soon!