Two Dog Gardens - Photography and Plants

In Memory of...

2009-05-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

On this Memorial Day...I want to first express my thoughts of all the people who fought in the past and the brave souls who continue to fight so we as Americans can be free. To think free and act free on those thoughts. I sit here and remember my grandfather Julius always talking about the war and how he described his willingness to help with the cause. Keith's grandfather Joe who so courageously flew a P38 and helped successfully win WWII. I will always give my gratitude to those who volunteered and those who will continue to volunteer their lives for our freedom.

Today, I didn't go to a BBQ or do anything traditional that I've done in the past. I took this day to soak in the very forest I work in. This may sound dorky but in the last 5 years I've never gone out and enjoyed the Elliott State Forest like others do who don't work there. I'm usually on my way to a harvest unit thinking of my strategy to do the best job I can that day. Don't get me wrong I do stop to smell the roses when I'm at work but today was different. Normally, I look out my window in the work truck and gaze at the beauty as I pass by but I haven't stopped to really enjoy this place on my own time. So this is what I set out today to do. The most beautiful place in this vast forest (to me) is along the West Fork Millicoma River in the heart of the Elliott. So this was my plan; take the dogs, the camera and stop to enjoy the forest on my own time. We stopped along the river a few times, took a hike on an elk trail and the dogs went swimming. In a sense I wanted a memory of my own, in this forest. I may not work here forever so I wanted to take this day to remember the best part of this forest, the river.....

Happy Memorial Day!

At the Beach with the Dogs

2009-04-04T20:40:00.001-07:00

Yes I admit......I'm a coasty! There's something about living next to the ocean. You can feel the presence of this vast ocean even miles inland from the beach. The temperature doesn't change much throughout the year.

I've been going out to the beach a lot lately and it's been beautiful out there this spring! The dogs (Dozer, Lacey and my friend's dog Holly) are enjoying themselves especially. Running a muck like a bunch of hounds in and out of the water. This past Saturday I went out with a few friends and enjoyed all the positive ions from the ocean mist.

Life is Good!

Getting ready for the ball toss.

In the water.

The ball getter.

Alicia finding a spot to leave a message

Holly and Dozer

Bouy at the entrance of the jetties.

South Jetty of Coos Bay

Dozer's sandy face in the end.

Christmas on the East Coast

2008-12-30T13:19:00.000-08:00

Even though I live in Oregon, my mother's side of the family all live on the east coast. I haven't been back there since my sister Jessy graduated from high school in June 2005.
I'm way over due! So this holiday season I wanted to head back east to Maryland, Virgina and Delaware. Here's a few Christmas photos from my trip:)

Getting ready to leave on a jet plane from San Francisco after sunrise.

Flying over the California Bay Area.

Christmas day in Delaware at Aunt Kathy and Uncle Travis's house.

My mother Roni, Uncle Travis, Aunt Kathy and I.

My sister Jessy and I. Unfortunately she's taller than me.

My beautiful sister Jessy.

In Virgina at my aunt Julie's place. We went for a small hike in acres and acres of hardwood forest. I'm not used to not seeing many evergreen trees. Julie and her dog Bobo.

We decided to go and check out Great Falls National Park in Virgina (Potomac River Gorge).

Trying to model somewhat...just being goofy:)

I'm not the only photographer in the family!

Kayaking the Potomac River

Great Falls of Maryland and Virginia

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season for 2008!

Apple Pie in a Jar

2008-11-18T11:41:00.000-08:00

Fall harvest always brings out the best in cooking and baking. I try to use everything we grow in the garden and if I don't I give it away to people at work. I try not to waste anything.

Last year I canned apples we harvested from our fruit trees. We enjoyed this recipe so much I decided to make it again this year. Apple Pie in Jar is from the cooking website Allrecipes. This recipe makes a completed apple pie mixture ready to be baked in a pie crust. From what I understand it is a gluten-free recipe as well. The recipe quotes for 7 quart size jars but I can only get 5 jars total. I must not be packing the jars enough with apples:)

Enjoy! As with all canned goods it is recommended to use within a year.

Here's a few pictures through out the process.

Freshly picked apples from the garden.

The quart size Kerr jars before sterilization.

Leftover apple peelings are great to compost. I used an apple corer, peeler and slicer all in one. A very handy tool for preparing apples.

Packing jars with apple slices before the cinnamon sugar mixture.

After pressure cooking the jars, now they sit and cool. We always keep our ears open to listen for the popping of lids. These jars make great Christmas gifts. About two jars will make an apple pie or just open one heat up on the stove top to put over vanilla ice cream.

Happy holidays!

Gloria

Wandering in the Redwoods

2008-08-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

On our way back from California, we detoured our trip down the "Avenue of the Giants"!!!!
We stopped to stretch our legs (dogs too:) ) There was plenty of smoke lingering from all the fires reshaping Mendocino and Humboldt counties forest.

I do truly miss the redwoods, this is where I went to Humboldt State University to learn forestry. This majestic environment has so much appeal. Walking among giants that have been there centuries before I was born. It gave me a feeling of how little I really am in in this world. Mother nature really out did herself when she created this species of tree. Banana slugs making a home for themselves in the red fissured bark.

Here a few shots as I wander through this old forest in Northern California.

"In the Redwood Forest"

"Coastline"

"Bark of the Redwoods"

"Afternoon Redwood"

Fourth of July in California

2008-07-09T14:08:00.000-07:00

Keith and I go to California every Fourth of July to soak up the hot sun we miss so dearly and visit friends and family.

Not to our surprise we started smelling smoke from the wild land fires in California. I got a smoky shot of a smoky orange sunset in Southern Oregon in Ophir on our trip down. We pulled a red eye drive down. We didn't get to Gram's house until 4:30 in the morning. I was tired.

My good friend Colleen and I have a tradition of going on a canoe trip every year. We both get to take the day off and slowly stroll down the Russian River just NW of Santa Rosa. We rent a canoe and enjoy the scenery and warm water. We used to go all the time when I lived on the river in Forestville 8 years ago. We've known each other since high school.

Unfortunatly, We weren't able to make to the river this year. Colleen's husband hurt himself skate boarding and We couldn't leave him at home watching all three children by himself with a broken knee. Poor guy he was pain. Watching children is a lot of work even with a healthy knee. So instead we had lunch at the Russian River Brewery for a few hours. If we can't go to the river itself, we might as well go the the brewery:)

I had a few pictures from our canoe trip from last year I wanted to share. I recommend taking time out of your life for a day canoe trip. Very relaxing and invigorating. Here's some pictures.

My sister Jessy joined us for a drift down river from Washington DC. She found this dog that was randomly strolling the beach. She was a sweet puppy.

My sister paddling in the front.

Colleen paddling in the back. So guess who has the middle, basking in the sun?

At the end of our trip, there were some kayaks left from previous day renters. I took one out for a spin while we were waiting for the bus to pick us up in Guernville.

This trip is also in celebration of our nations independence. We were invited over to Colleen and Christian's house for a BBQ and fireworks at the fair grounds, this year the City of Santa Rosa had their fireworks on July 3rd. It was hard not to say "Happy 4th of July"! during the gathering. I had to keep correcting myself, dooooh! Colleen's eldest daughter Adria has her birthday party(her actual birthday is on July 5th) on our nations independent holiday. I brought my camera and snapped a few shots this year with the new camera.

Adria opening her birthday gifts.

One of Colleen's twins, I believe this is Sophia or is it Anna? Isn't she cute!

Here's a shot of my first attempt with fireworks. I hope you had a

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!!

Clouds and Light

2008-06-20T19:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I was playing with my dog Dozer around six o'clock until I happen to look up. There was crescent shaped rainbow directly right above us. Oh my goodness! I yelled and pointed for Keith as I ran in the house for my camera. All I could hear from him was, "Hurry, I see it !! If you wait fifteen minutes, the weather is going to change and fast (a saying I've heard from natives here in Oregon). They're not kidding either.

This going to be hard to explain so bear with me:

This is a crescent shape rainbow right above us. There's a thin layer of clouds. I look towards the sun and there's a band of light in a full circle, parallel to the horizon but further up. There are two twin sun spotlights (looks just light the sun but dimmer in the clouds at a 90 degree angle from the sun on a north and south bearing. This is the only way I can explain it, scientific. Here's a handful of photographs of the rainbow.

The darker images are from reducing light exposure in the camera.

Dark Side of the Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark

Among the Clouds

Spectrum

I haven't named all of these photographs yet but I'm sure I'll figure something out. If you would like to purchase any of these images please email me at foresterchick@hotmail.com.

They are for sale at http://TwoDogGardens.etsy.com/.

Irises - Greek for Rainbow

2008-06-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Irises have become one of my favorite flowers. So many different colors all across the spectrum. The coolest part of irises for me are their names.......Superstition, Southwest Tattooed Lady, Witch of Endor, St. Louis Blues and many more!!

I do sell some of these beauties. If your interested there are some available at my Etsy shop or you can email me at foresterchick@hotmail.com for your custom iris order. Just give my the name of the iris and I see how many I have available.

Here's a few that I have in the garden this year.

This iris was the last to bloom in the garden and I think the best was saved for last! This is Artist Time and the colors are so striking.

Superstition Iris

St. Louis Blues Iris (Inner Beauty Photograph)

Southwest Tattooed Lady Iris

Satan's Mistress Iris

Omar's Torch Dwarf Iris

Grapesicle Dwarf Iris

Quaker Lady Iris (Emotion Photograph)

Decker Iris

Alcazar Iris

Gardening Tip #1 - Yoplait Plant ID Tags

2008-05-31T10:22:00.000-07:00

As mentioned before we have a decent size garden at our place. One of the things that's important is labeling my plants. I found a way to recycle Yo plait yogurt containers into plant tags. I've also included pictures:) All you really need is a pair of scissors and a #2 pencil to mark the tags with.

Make sure to wash out the yogurt containers first. I usually fill them up with water and let them soak for a day before drying and cutting.

Start making a cut from the top of the container down to the bottom and then make a hard left ( or right) and follow the rim all the way around until the bottom is completely cut off.

Then start cutting the body piece into parallel strips about 1/2" to 3/4" wide. Leave enough space to write on.

With each strip, cutting sharp wedges to create a spear like effect.

A close up of the finished tags.

Write on the clear white side of the tags. Don't use any felt tip pens on your tags. They will fade with sun exposure.

Wah Lah !!!!

Tulip Season coming to a Close

2008-04-28T21:04:00.001-07:00

Tulip season in my garden is winding down. Satin petals are falling and I've divided almost every bulb I have by color as they bloomed and showed their flair. I hoped my grandfather, Julius Orosz watched from where ever he may be and adorned the tulips I grew for him:)

I don't know the name of these tulips only the color they remind me of.

Sunset Tulip

White and Pink Bouquet

One of the main planter beds.

Yellow tulips

Sunset Tulips

My Trip to Multnomah Falls and Columbia Gorge

2008-04-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

This last March, I got to visit Multnomah Falls for the second time in my life. A very spectacular area just adjacent to the Columbia River on the Oregon side. My friend Delos and I hiked the path from the bottom up to the top which was about 600 feet in one mile. I think about 3/4ths of the way up, I started to wonder if I'll ever make to the top. I stopped many times to take pictures. This is the tallest waterfall I believe I've ever seen in my life so far:)

Please enjoy the pics and if you think you might want a copy of one for yourself, just go to http://twodoggardens.com/multnomah_falls.html for your choice.

Here's just a few of my favorites, starting from the bottom and heading up.

This is pretty much the entire Multnomah Falls, this was taken from the parking lot. The only way to get the whole thing!

Base - This is the last part of falls before turning back into a creek and heading out to the Columbia River.

Lower Multnomah Falls, you can see towards the top the first of two falls. I focused on the second (lower) fall.

Among the Trees- Mid falls surrounded by trees.

Above the Falls- This is the creek that feeds Multnomah Falls.

Here's one of those rare pics of me:) Delos took it, thanks D!

Here's one right back at Delos. We needed photographic proof that we made it up to the top!

This is what it looks like looking down. Oh, vertigo!! The trees in the upper right corner are 100' tall trees.

All of these photographs are for sale in various forms. http://twodoggardens.com/index.html

Walking on Winchester Trail

2008-04-12T13:28:00.000-07:00

The weather picked up this weekend. Sunny and in the 70's. Whohoo!! I took Friday afternoon off to enjoy the spectacular weather on the coast. So the dogs and I ventured over to a local trail in the Coos County Forest between Coos Bay and Bandon, Oregon. Of course I took my camera along to see what the forest has to show off on such a spring day.

Full Sail- White Trillium, woodland flower.

Dozer

Unknown woodland flower ( I haven't named the image yet either)

Dozer and Lacy

Skunk Cabbage - water loving woodland plant, always pops in the spring season around creeks.

Sword Fern - The most common fern in the Pacific Northwest forest. I borrow this plant's stable roots and stem to help get me up the hill slope througout my work day out in the woods (between 70-80 percent slope).

Dozer's ready to keep walking:)

My new website! What do you think?

2008-04-08T21:20:00.000-07:00

I've decided to expand on my photography venture by opening my own website. Interestingly enough I started it from almost scratch instead of purchasing a template with expensive software. There were video tutorials on pretty much everything:) I went to http://www.bluevoda.com/.

I've been working hard this last month building my website. Almost every night after work. It's been a good learning experience. Once I thought I was done, I would either find a mistake or adding to it.

They have helped with everything!! A very easy program. I recommend them:)

Here it is!!!

http://www.twodoggardens.com/

A few new images from the spring collection:

On Fire

White Blush

Transparent

My Two Dogs: Animal - Lover

2008-04-03T22:16:00.000-07:00

All my life we've had family pets (dogs and cats). I definetly think people are the result of thier environment growing up as a child. Interacting and taking care of animals has been a big part of my childhood and it has carried over into adulthood. Keith and I share the same mantality about animals. They are like family:)

From renting houses over the years, it's been hard to have a dog but we have always found a place that would allow a dog. Now that I'm buying a house for the last 4 years, we now have two dogs. We would never pay for a dog unless it was from a humane society or shelter. There are way too many dogs and cats in shelters across the nation that need a loving home first. Look at your local humane society first before considering buying a animal. Keith and I have rescued three dogs that we've kept and taken care of, Shadow, Dozer and Lacy.

Here's our rescue stories:

Shadow: Keith's grandmother knew about the dog through a friend and she asked Keith if he was willing to save the dog. Poor Shadow was on death row and was about to be euthoized the next day and Keith wanted to give him a chance so he rescued him out of the pound. A mix of pit bull and red doberman. He lived to be 7 years old.

Dozer: I was on my way to school and stopped at the local store (Safeway) to pick up a lottery ticket. I saw this man wearing a uniform with two black pupies (8 weeks old) at his feet. I thought this was strange (this picture doesn't fit). I found out that someone abanonded these puppies behind the store and they made there way around to the front. People would stop and pet them and then go about their business. The pupies started making there way into traffic. I put them a shopping cart and called Keith and told him the story of these two pupies. He said to put them in the truck, grab some puppy food and take back to our house. We kept Dozer and foound a home for his sister Trinity. I know Matrix character names. We didn't think about it at the time we named them. He's a border collie- german shepard mix.

Lacy: Unfortuently was tied up under a boat. Fieses all around her water and food bowl. We sold firewood to this woman and the second time we dropped off wood, she was going to take Lacy to the pound. She was getting to big for the woman and she didn't want her anymore. Keith had me go and check her out. I about cried right then and there looking at the conditions this poor dog was living with. I didn't even hesitate on taking her. She's a Lab-Rot mix. The sweetiest dog I have ever met!!

We had Dozer and Lacy for about 5 years now. What a pair they make. Ones lazy and sweet and the other's hyper and very smart.

For some reason all have been what I call tuxedo dogs. Black coats with a small splash of white on the chest and feet.

We've rescued many other dogs together in the effort to find better lives in loving homes and we've been sucessful.

There will always be more dogs (and cats) that need a loving home and I hope to help in that effort for many yeats to come:)

Here's a few pictures of Dozer and Lacy:

In the Garden: Spring Collection

2008-03-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

Spring things are poping up around here and I'm having the most fun taking pictures! Here's a few I've taken recently, in the garden:)

Puzzle Points

(Monkey Puzzle tree from Chile)

Blue Bells

A new photo of an Echeveria lilancina (Hens and Chicks) succulent.

More flowers to come from a garden near you:)

New Camera!

2008-03-16T16:01:00.001-07:00

I've been wanting a new camera now for almost two years. I finally broke down and used my 2008 tax return to buy myself a new camera. I'm so glad I did. Well worth the money! I purchased a Canon Rebel XTi SLR Digital. You would of laughed so hard at me (my boyfriend did anyways). I'm so flippin' excited!!!

The first few days.....the sun would poke out from behind the clouds and I would be running out to the garden ASAP and taking any pictures (experimenting) that looked decent.

Here's the first few pics:

One of many hot pink tulips in my garden:)

Light blushing peach flower of a Kalanchoe tubiflora succulent.

Bright yellow flower bursting out of a Aeonium arboreum succulent.

Echeveria lilacina, light green with rose highlights succulent.

Tulips

2008-03-03T09:58:00.001-08:00

My tulips are starting to shot up green blooms which will turn to bright colors in the next couple of weeks. I so excited, this is the start of gardening season. Which is my favorite time of the year. Beautiful flowers and lots of sunshine:)

Here's my first tulip of the year!

Tulips have a special meaning for me. They were my grandfathers favorite flower. When he passed away 4 years ago. The family tried to find tulips for his funeral and during that time of the year the tulips were finished blooming. We could only find a few. So to make up for it, I bought tulips for my garden so every year he would have tulips to see.

Here's a few pics of my tulips from years past. Enjoy!!

Gardening in the Late Winter

2008-02-22T18:31:00.000-08:00

I live in the southwestern end of the Pacific Northwest. We receive between 60-90 inches a year of precipitation. It's warm ans wet in the fall, cold, wet and sometimes snow in January and then things begin to change. Late winter is an interesting part of of the season. It still hasn't decided what to do yet, progress towards spring or stay as winter. Lately though, the sun is trying to share her warmth and I'll get the opportunity to start doing some late winter/I want it to be spring gardening. From pruning trees to transplanting strawberries, I'm busy while the weather is good.

This last Tuesday I drove down to Humboldt State University in Arcata,CA. Winding through forest and ocean views I managed to take some shots whenever there was a pocket of sunlight bursting through the fog. Here's a nice shot I got heading out to the beach in Ophir for a driving break.

Featured and Etsy Treasuries

2008-02-14T16:31:00.000-08:00

On Valentine's Day morning, I checked my etsy shop and noticed someone convo'd me. To my delight, this girl Mimi featured me in Haute Innovations blog for Independant Artisan Showcase. A few of pictures reminded her of a trip to Hawaii she took. Talk about feeling the love on V-day!!I'm excited and honored to be featured. Here's the link: http://hauteinnovations.com/?p=136 and her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/profile.php?user_id=5435202.

I've also been in a few treasuries and tresury wests lately but I haven't had the time to share these with you. I want to thank each and ever person who has included me in their favorites:)

Here's a few of them:

Magic of Photography

Second row, third photo. Reflections of Gold

Poetry in Light
Third row, second picture. Frozen Creek

My Favorite Photographs
Third row, first photo. Tyee Sandstone

My Best Friend

Second row, third photo. Its All About the Nose

Mellow Yellow

Third Row, second photo. Lime Light

The 70's Exercise Bike

2008-02-06T21:16:00.001-08:00

I'm trying to start this year on the healthier side of things. I quit smoking on January 2nd and I've been trying to ride 4 miles every other day on this 1970's orange exercise bike. I paid $10 for this VitaMaster, you gotta love it!! My dogs just sit and stare at me as if I'm going crazy because I'm not going anywhere. They're used to a faster mountain bike:)

Etsy Photography

2008-02-02T13:35:00.000-08:00

I've been taking pictures for many years now and every time Keith and I go somewhere new either camping or to visit a friend, I can't help but take pictures. In December, a friend of mine opened a shop and this is how I was introduced to Etsy. I checked other photographers work and thought, I'm going to join in on the fun. I'm still in the beginning stages but I'm on board to try this out. I'm currently in a treasury (which is a collection of items that a curator picked), I'm honored and excited at the same time, but I can't seem bring the image of the treasury over though maybe next time. The image above is from Crater Lake National Park. The water is so blue it looks fake.

Most of my current and past work is focused on nature. I'm hoping to get a new camera as well some new subjects once the weather decides to stop raining/snowing.

Introduction and A Snow Day

2008-01-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

For some reason I never thought I would start a blog....but here I go. A little bit about me.

My name is Gloria and I live on the southern coast of Oregon in the town of Coos Bay. I've been here for about 5 years now. Keith and I moved up here from Santa Rosa, CA after making a 3 year pit stop in Arcata, CA, where I went to college at Humboldt State University in Natural Resources - Forestry. I currently work as a forester out in the woods east of Coos Bay. I have two dogs, which makes this a family of four, two dogs and two people. They have inspired the name for my blog and my etsy shop, where I sell photographs of what I see in nature.

I woke up this morning to find it snowing quite a bit, nickle size flakes. I think we got at least an inch. For some folks this is nothing but for us coasties this is a big deal. It may snow once maybe twice a year down next to the coast but usually up in the mountains east of here. Today it was snowing on the beach. I snapped off a shot at my Douglas-fir tree out in the garden. Check it out! I'll be putting this image on my etsy shop. Please jump over and see all my images available. Take care until next time.