** **

***or

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***"**Wherever I lay my hat..."

Your city, your town, your farm.

*** Show us all what makes it special to you, your 'home'.

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 Welcome to the May 2013 Photography Forum Challenge.

Two images per member per week.

Image size: No larger than:

800pixels X 600pixels

and 200KB

Thank you for the challenge Clive.

God bless.

Oh I like this a LOT Clive! Great idea and I love the collage!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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OHHH!!! I can do that :-)  

Excellent idea and I am looking forward to see alot of exciting photos :)

Beautiful montage BTW :-)

my home is my castle

minder is meer

My home is in the collage!  :) 

It's a great challenge, and I'm already thinking of things to show you.  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

This is where I'm lucky enough to call home now.

The village of Banavie and Caol, from Cow hill above Fort William.

The whole hillside behind the houses is now burnt black, as wildfires scorched huge areas last month, but still we're here thank God!

Great theme this month, looking forward to seeing them.

aangus - what a glorious town! I love Scotland and would love to go visit again.

You certainly have a beautiful home!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Here is my first entry - my backyard!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Superb captures aangus and meisiekind.

God bless.

What terrific pictures to begin the challenge!  We're sitting in a rain storm right now ... perhaps in a few days it will let up?  (Hopefully it won't rain every day until the challenge is done!  LOL!)  I'm sure everyone that lives here is thrilled ... they've been having drought conditions in the midwest and all the reservoirs are low.  This should help ... it's SERIOUSLY raining!!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

And view to my recycle bin is also in the collage <:-P

aangus, what a fantastic view over your hometown. So beautiful it is.

Carin, You have a lovely and very well trimmed backyard. I cant say the same about my backyard. :-I=

Tara, I want proof of that rain? I Bet it is raining on your rolling home, right.. so....??  ;-)

This is the place we are now calling home; Fort Carson, Colorado. It's different living around mountains when all you've known is the 'piney woods' of east Texas.

kokabeel, it is very beautiful there. Looks like a place you could get used to live in :-)

View to the blue sky, white clouds and my bedroom window :)

kokabeel and Helle - lovely homes!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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TY both.

 

It is a lovely place here. I have never seen sunsets like this before in Texas so I try to keep my camera with me at all times!! :D

 

Lovely Photos everyone! It really is interesting to see where someone else lives, and what kinds of fascinating things could be photographed.

Okay, Helle, here you go!  :)  Our rain turned to snow by the time we left Council Grove this morning.  Now we're just outside Paola, Kansas, which isn't too far from where Bill's daughters live.  We'll be here for two weeks, and then will head back toward Seattle.

This is the view out the front window of our "rolling home" for the next two weeks.  Hopefully that view won't include snow every day we're here!  LOL!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Superb captures Kokabeel,Helle and Tara.

God bless.

WOW, Tara!  That looks depressing :)  
And after all these gorgeous places, it must be a kind of a chok for you :) Well, if there is  no wind, it can be quite cozy sitting inside, feeling the warmth while looking at the cold outside. :)

@ Helle -- yesterday we drove through wind and snow for about 120 miles!  (We've had pretty hard winds for the past three days, but it's supposed to clear off by Sunday!)  Bill worked really hard yesterday.  The driver's side windshield wiper connection lost a part, and we had to stop and do a minor repair.  He had to do hookups when we arrived in the wind and snow.  All in all it wasn't the easiest day we've had (he actually swore a couple times!), but it could have been way worse, and we're recovered, getting ready to sit down with our coffee and look out the window for a while.  :) 

Oh ... and in answer to your question on the blog ... we tow a car behind the motorhome.  I'm pretty sure I have a picture, and I'll find it for you!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Okay ... here's a picture of the whole thing.  I took this on one of the days we spent with Sig (junge1) in Utah.  This is the motorhome with our car hooked up behind, and Sig's car behind us. 

Our physical home, taken at the same place and time as the one Sig took that's in Clive's montage!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

AW! It sounds pretty difficult with such a huge bus and a CAR hanging behind it also: WOW!! I am glad you are over that part now. Yes, thanks I would really like to see how that is done with the car. I guess nothing is too much in USA :)))  

Actually we should be very small people in Denmark LOL! 

OH! WOW Tara !!   HA! This makes me smile. Here you can see cars with BIG camping wagons hanging after them.. You have the opposite :) I am Impressed.  

Remember not having the car in gear and not with the hand break pulled... LOL!  Thanks for sharing this awesome photo :)

Every time we hitch up the car we have a routine ... a check list.  Windows up, fan off, transmission in neutral, brake off, key turned just so, braking system plugged it ... and that's just inside the car! 

Outside there are four different connections to make, and then Bill goes in the motorhome and I stand outside and we check the lights.  Then I have him pull forward to make sure the hitch looks right and the wheels on the car turn.  It's quite a production!!  We're used to it though, and it only takes about ten or fifteen minutes to do the whole thing. 

In the motorhome we have to do the dishes, put everything away inside, unhook the outside water, electricity and the drain, pull the slides in, bring the jacks up, make sure the dog isn't somewhere she shouldn't be (like on the dashboard!) and then we can go.  The whole process with both car and motorhome is about an hour. 

Before we get TOO far down the road, we have to find a gas station that's got the pumps in the right place and enough room to get our rig in there.  With the car hitched on we're 55 feet long and we can't back up (the front wheels of the car would crank sideways, which would be very bad), so we're limited in where we can go.

I do loads of research to find campgrounds that are in the places we want to go.  While Bill drives, I do navigation and hopefully I don't get us into a place where we can't get out!

Ahhhhhhh ... home!

On the flip side ... there's no grass to cut, so boy, are we making out like bandits!  LOLOL!!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

WOW, Tara! Alot to do before you are ready to hit the road again. I am glad you have a good list to go after :-)  

Tara - what a wonderful insight into your home and getting going!

I had a good laugh at the last sentence - you're sure it isn't bunnies?

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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@ Carin -- LOL!  "Making out like bandits" means you feel like you're stealing ... getting something for nothing. 

Bunnies?  (innocent look) Whatever do you mean???  :D

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Tara - ROFLMAO!!!!

Boy did I get it wrong!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure you know what I mean.... :P

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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@ Carin --   Who, me?????  LOL!  Glad I explained the bandits.    English certainly isn't the same everywhere!

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

This is a park one street away from my house and you are looking towards the west. My house is about 500m to your right as you look at the image!

Interestuing fact - Johannesburg is either one of the cities with the most trees per square miles of the one with the most! More fascinating is that this area was grasslands way back before the gold rush with little or no trees. Most trees have therefore been planted...

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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I like that view, Carin.  Lovely!  Ours is just the opposite.  The whole PNW was covered in trees!  They were all cut down, and then when people built houses they planted trees.  Crazy, but true. 

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

I have a feeling, that I should be glad I dont understand anything here 

So beautiful Carin.  

In the spit where I live now, once it was mostly moorland, so when I, as a little girl, was standing on the hill in the start of the spit, I could see almost to the harbour village many kilometers away. Now much of it is covered with trees, because of the summerhouse areas, so if I want to see the Harbout village, I must look from the north beach.

I hope I'm not pushing the limits too much here, but I'm figuring ... hey, it's Monday ... so it's the second week of the challenge.  :D

This is Bill and Cooper, our oldest grandson, hanging out yesterday.

Home is where the heart is ...

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Oh Tara - this is most wonderful!!!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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WOW! That is just such a beautiful and happy diptych :-)  

OK I am rearranging my workshop, so here is a shot of the.... AFTER

When my workspace is all nice and tidy and organized, I just sit around admiring it!  LOL!  I could sit in this room all afternoon, just looking at the nice stacks of supplies!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

HEHE!! We will have rain for severel days after today, whish should be just as wonderful as yesterday, so I will have time for painting in there and I am SO looking forward to use my reorganized workspace :) I have a whole wall clear for paper fun, such as.... popart :)

Oh goodie!  :)  I can't wait to see what you come up with!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

HEHE! Me neither. :))

carnaval/mardi gras

citroen 2CV

green postbox & white frontdoor are mine

minder is meer

Ahh Martin - how lovely! I love the little vehicle too!

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"To me, photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place... I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them."

Elliott Erwitt

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Here is an angelica I bought last year. It stood in the henhouse all winter. I need to have it in a pot where the deers can´t reach it, or it will be eaten in a second.  Took this shot against the lovely sky we had that day...May 2. 

HA! That is a fun little car, Martin. I wonder what is under the surface :-)

Yes, this is a good one and I plan to take part.  Good think you said "call home" and not where born!   Aangus, I took a zoom back on the map to your area to mentally place it in Scotland.  Overall is that a bit away from the crowds?

 

Thomas.

Hi folks,

A wonderful item, with already great entries to admire.
Hehe, I loved the collage, saw one of near here in it ;-)

I hope to participate in the challenge soon.

Love from The Netherlands.

Greetings, Jacomina!  :)  It's nice to see you, dear friend.  I'll look forward to seeing some of your "home" pictures! 

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Hello Jacomina. ! Welcome back. We missed you :-)))

Yes, I missed you too, dear friends.

I'm touched by your welcome-words.
Thank you ♥

Here is my entry to this months challenge and some really great captures. Thanks Clive, for another great challenge. 

Taken at the coveted blue hour at  the piers. 

 In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a pleasuredome erect

WOW! What a marvellous shot, Costa. Love it !

My home city of Sheffield.

Hi, I haven't posted in a challenge in a while but I thought I'd share what's outside my window right now...

 

What a beautiful corner. Lovely capture, Garageland.

 

A beautiful shot,  bacapo, you really have wonderful lilacs in your garden :)   Ours are not in bloom yet.

Fantastic, to see the new entries!!!

This picture is taken not far from our house, a little further up the street.

Wonderful pictures of "home," everyone!  :)  It's nice to see your yards and neighborhoods and towns.

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

WOW! A wonderful view, Jacomina. Looks so lovely.

Taken from my kitchen window's fireescape  or also know as "the veranda". 

Firework show after a SF Giant's baseball game. 

 In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a pleasuredome erect

What I like most about my area is the abundance of water. The lakes are not large but good fishing, beauty enough to share...peacefulness on the shore when needed or just to spend a few lazy hours.   This is a bridge to the south side of town. The city is small but convenient to most anything we need.  This is not a recent photo but little has changed..the next one will be fresh.  The lake shown is river at this point, cold water and up stream from here is good trout fishing.  Years ago before a dam some miles downstream, mussel fishing provided lovely freshwater pearls and mother of pearl for a button factory.  That all ended with changing water conditions.  One of the best venues for rowing (as in crew) is about 9 miles away with a wonderful course hosting local, regional and major events.  A small town with great city services and friendly folks...I call this home since the early 80's.

Costa, it is a fantastic firework. Lucky you to have such a view :)

 

Tom. I wouldnt mind go fishing there. Looks really inviting. Did you ever catch anything? You live in a wonderful place :)

What a spectacular picture this is Costa, with the fireworks.

Tom, as you describe your home area it sounds very appealing to me.
I like lots of lakes, and also friendly people, of course ;-).

Thank you, Tara and Helle for your nice comment.
I appreciate it very much :).

Here you see a small part of one of our living rooms on the ground floor.

I took many pictures of our interior to post here.

I will also place the outside of the house in which we live.
It is very old, about 1935 and we did the renovation itself.

When we came into this house, there was no bathroom, no toilet.
Now it is of course, LOL.

It looks really beautiful this place, Jacomina :)  

Thank you once again, Helle!

So sorry Clive, I put the wrong size of my last upload.
I had two pictures on my desktop, but chose the wrong one.
And now can not change it anymore.

mea culpa ;-)

Beautiful pictures, Costa and Tom!

Jacomina ... I love seeing the interior of your home!  This seems like such a comfortable room.  If it's okay with you, I'll sit just there, on the right-hand side of the sofa, while we sit and visit.  :D

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Sheffield City Hall, (UK)

Such a glorious picture, garageland, really majestic.

Hi Tara, it would be a pleasure to have you as a guest!

You are invited to have fun here, maybe we could organize a RR reunion :)

If you want to watch the television, behind the cabinet doors it is hiding ;-)

By the way, when we were doing renovations, I went to auctions, which were sold to the highest bidder old furniture, this we redecorate.

So, we have a mess of old junk everywhere in our house, ........
well, almost anywhere, hahaha.

It is so good to see all that is being shared here.

Here is a bit of my daily life at home - looking over the back fence towards the Table Mountain range. The lowest point is called Constantia Neck, one of three access roads to Hout Bay.

You all have me itching to pack my bags and go travelling again!

Clive

Such wonderful pictures!

Thank you for letting me come sit in your nice home and visit, Jacomina!  I will look forward to it!  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

Sheffield Railway station.

Attached Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embarcadero_(San_Francisco)

Taken on the Embercado of Cupids Span. 

brief history of the Embercadero if you wish to read from wiki link 

 In Xanadu did Kublai Khan a pleasuredome erect

I love the P.O.V on your photo's Garageland and Costa.

And, WOW, what a fantastic landscape and sky is to see on your upload, Clive!

Here you see a part of the street where I live.

And here a photo of our house.

This looks wonderful, Mies!  There is lots of greenery in your part of the world.  Here we are finally getting our winter rains and it is turning green here too.

So much to see, thanks for sharing Costa and Steve!

Thank you so much, Clive.

So in winter everything is green in your place, that's funny :).
Just the other way around as we have.

Boys in Water Fountain, Memorial Day, May 27,2013 USA

 

Sure, I had shots of various speakers at the ceremony today. The most fitting photo and speaking of where I live? This one.  If there are many reasons for remembering soldiers of past and present who have kept our freedom, this is one.

And, this is not my home town but a nearby place I do frequent, in the dry. It is part of where I live.

This photo is also on my gallery in a larger size.  Blessings to all.  Thomas.

This is so much of what home is about, Thomas, thanks to a lot of history.

Thank you, Clive

I like your photo-shot, Thomas, it's spectacular to me to see.

Here's a picture, taken from our backyard this week; so the back of our house, plus a little part of the area we live in.

And now our kitchen.

btw, I had taken a photo of the room we make music in, and where is our computer.
But I've already done two uploads, so you have bad luck, haha! ;-)

Wishing you all a lovely weekend!

P.S for Helle:
Do you see in the corner of the counter top (see under the lamp right in the photo) the orange storage container?
These are the psyllium husks ;-)

All is so neat ans lovely...

Oh Jacomina!  I love your kitchen!!  What beautiful choices you made for that room.  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

How many modes of transport can you share with us in June?

Show us in the June challenge of "Transport".

Thank you all for sharing the place you call home!

Clive

Thank you SO much, Thomas and Tara!!! :0 :)

Hi Clive, thank you for telling this new item.

I'm sure we will be surprised, what kind of transport there are.

Clive, 'twas a good challenge! thanks.