photos – Dawn Blanchfield

Posted on October 11, 2013October 11, 2013 by Dawn Blanchfield — Leave a comment

Septem … what do you mean it’s October?!

hells bells

How did that happen?! I swear I was still writing August on things when suddenly it was October! What even happened in September?!

::consults Facebook wall::

oh. right. September was full of crazy – good and bad – and it flew by. Everyone was back in school – here is photo proof:

Wow.

And then there was the headache week from hell that ended with me getting shots in my butt on Day 6. Day 6!! damn. But to spin a positive from all that pain, I did create a couple more pieces of ‘migraine’ art.

A Day 4 painting:

And a Day 6 photo became a drypoint that I’m still working on:

Of course that was the end of my 29Faces run. That week really wiped me out!

The next weekend had me and Kyle in San Mateo for the 2-day tournament that starts the fall volleyball season. Always fun. And then Ericfish and John came to visit! And that was more fun! And then, just like that, is was October. so yeah. September was a blur and it’s already the 11th! The Halloween decorations have been up for over a week, and its time to think costumes. Someone wants to be a bat.*

* with over 2 weeks to go, this will most likely change. I think she should goes as Pig-Pen. 1st grade Erin is the dirtiest Erin yet. And did you hear her snort?

Posted on July 17, 2013July 17, 2013 by Dawn Blanchfield — Leave a comment

Big Fun at the Fair!

So we consulted our calendars and cross-referenced the 7-day weather forecast and determined that this past Monday was the best day to go to the California State Fair. Chris left work early, I picked up Erin from Summer Camp, hats were donned, and off we went.

First up: Fine Art Exhibit to check out my pieces and all the other entries.

Me and my muse:

And then it was off to see the animals and all the things Erin could ride. Like this bear:

And a racehorse! She wasn’t too happy way up there.

The petting zoo more than made up for that.

And riding a real horse!

After checking out all the animals, we hit the midway. I don’t think she had as much fun as I did on the Tilt-o-Whirl, but she liked the jeep.

And then rode another horse:

And the swings!

A well deserved ice cream break in the shade:

And then the giant slide with dad!

We took a tour around CalExpo on the monorail before a final spin on the ferris wheel with dad!

Great day!

Posted on February 1, 2013February 1, 2013 by Dawn Blanchfield — 2 Comments

NOT MY BABY!!

Remember these kids?

Hells bells. Kyle was just a baby! And look at how short Erin’s hair was. crazy.
And there is our old cat Bodhifattba!

And while putting together the slideshow for the Uber’s 50th anniversary party I found these pics from 2009. Apparently that was the year no one wore shirts!

And now?
Today?
Today Kyle is 16. And he doesn’t want me taking his picture.

Maybe because I do things like this:

And this:

But he’s okay taking selfies in my bathroom mirror!

I see how it is.

I managed to get this pic last weekend. Kyle is the big one.

16!!

::thud::

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Dawn Blanchfield — Leave a comment

How do you solve a problem like Elfini

damn this blog.

At least the zombie genre is still popular, cause this blog just won’t stay dead. And that’s not really what I want anyways, but what to do? Add to my general apathy to write anything (insert Social Media killed the Blog argument here), there is the issue of the name “elfini”. It feels over for me. It was a past life that doesn’t resonate anymore. Yet to change it isn’t the answer either. So I made a new banner. And got rid of a sidebar. There. New year, new look. Still nothing to say. So it goes.

But, since we aren’t ready to give up just yet, I will make an effort to post here more often. Something. Even if it is only pictures of Erin for the Uber-in-laws. Hey! Speaking of the Ubers – they are having their 50th wedding anniversary this month! That’s pretty damn awesome. And my job is to scan 50 years worth of photos for a slideshow. I scanned 36 pics this morning and have many many envelopes still to go. Here are a few of my favorites so far:

Bob_Paula003 — damn. This is making *me* feel old.

Bob_Paula021 — Aww, a six day old Chris! They called him "Kit". ??? And there is the mighty boxer Brutus. I think he wants to eat Kit!!

Bob_Paula025 — Yes, I think Chris could use a new pair of red overalls with white polka-dots too!

Bob_Paula032 — Brutus is all "Can I eat *this* one?!"

Well, I think that’s enough for today. Time for dinner. I’m thinking … BRAAAIIINS!

Posted on July 25, 2012March 19, 2013 by Dawn Blanchfield — Leave a comment

Take me to the fair!

Even though it was going to be over 100 degrees last Saturday, I had an Award Ceremony to attend so Chris, Erin, and I went to the California State Fair!

The Fine Art building is air conditioned so the award ceremony was no problem. Except for the fact the Chinese Dragons were dancing outside at the same time. (FYI, Erin is getting heavy!)

After that we had to brave the heat and check out the animals. We saw all the horses and all the cows. We saw some piglets and then Erin got to milk a goat! Here is the approach:

the reach

and here’s your sign!

Then she wanted to go on a ride!

But first we had lunch. And then Chris almost lost his in this innocent looking strawberry from hell!

And then Erin braved The Hopper solo. And loved it!

Oh look! A petting zoo! We must pet all the pets! Twice!! Baby deer!

And damn, that chicken was the softest thing ever. Erin tried to put it on her head. I don’t know why.

I don’t know about this goat on goat business either.

Back through the Fine Art exhibit and then we were done. A souvenir on the way out.

A good time had by all! I at least waited until we got home to crash…

4 days later, I think I have recovered.

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Dawn Blanchfield — Leave a comment

State Fair Awards Ceremony

So, in triple digit heat (and against everyone’s better judgement) Chris, Erin, and I went to the California State Fair last Saturday for the Fine Arts Exhibit Awards Ceremony.

I picked up my Merit Award ribbons and received the Viewpoint Photographic Art Center Award for Color Photography for “Madonna and Child”! And from the Exhibit Catalog:

Juror’s Statement

The color photograph Madonna and Child references 16th century ecclesiastical artwork. This artist usea a Madonna paired with a cherubic-baby doll and a Renaissance-color palette to create a double-take piece of hyperbole that is a thought provoking and imaginative piece. – Sharmon Goff

Find a nice cool day (at least below 100 degrees!) and go to the fair before it closes on the 29th!