Play time.

What is there to do on cold dreary days that rain and snow both at the same time? Well. Dress up in warm clothes and go out in it?

I decided to try a trick or two with some Legos and a monster I picked up at the Flea Market.

This is Harry, he usually rides a motorcycle and does stunts and crashes with it. Apparently he decided to try riding his pet Pterodactyl. I mean, doesn't everyone have a pet Pterodactyl?

The Monster is Spawn's Violator from Circa 1997 -- apparently if this one was in great shape and had is packaging it would be worth $50? I got it at the flea market for $4. I had no idea there was even a comic book series called Spawn. My Granddaughter filled me in on these important things I seem to not be aware of!

The creator of the series of comics even started his own toy company to produce action figures from his series of comics. 

--- Ok.

Back to the how I did this! How did I make the Pterodactyl fly? How did I produce rain and snow on demand?

Here is the original. I used about 6 table spoons of flower that I shook out of a cup onto the characters for snow. 
I used a wire to hold the Pterodactyl up above the grass. [I had many failures and mishaps before I was successful.]

There wasn't much to the follow up editing to get rid of the wire. I was surprised at how easy it was to use something called a magic eraser in the ON1 photo program. Photoshop is the go to program for most people, but I don't like to pay a monthly fee to use it.

The rain in the first shot is really rain...created with the help of a spray bottle with water in it.

I thought I'd try a bit more fun with Harry and his motorcycle. Toy Photography is tough if you want action!

So here is an example of the idea. I used a clear Lego 'stick' for this idea. I didn't have a better way to make Harry appear as IF he was in a mid air crash.

I spent a long time trying to get the angle just right.

The wire trick was much easier to 'erase' from the photo, however ... I am pretty pleased with Harry's trick riding. Enough to try some more efforts along these lines.

Of course Harriet and Hobby got out while I was hiking and they had some fun too.

The Maiden Hair Ferns are starting to emerge from the ground!

Last but not least.

My favorite fun shot of the week that includes toys.

I placed Harriet with her long lens on a rock so she could photograph a Wood Anemone. 
I crouched down to take her photo and 

a Miner Bee chose that moment to visit the wildflowers!

How lucky is that?

Stuck indoors

If anyone at all was following the Midwest weather, then they know about the string of subzero weather we had.

It was kind of nasty but not the worst string of cold we've had. It is no secret that I like winter and enjoy snow sports.

Getting stuck inside for days on end except for chores makes me stir crazy. 

While hubby took his morning nap, I checked on my outdoor critters then decided to do a bit of Fun Fotography. 

My camera assistant helped of course.

Charlie carefully rearranged my herd of unicorns.

So happy that he got them rounded up!

I got out the woodsy guys and placed them on the floor. The light could have been better, but I'm still working on that. 

The hard part was bouncing the dim light from the windows onto the characters I was using and keeping the black foam board in back black.

When the boss woke up, he immediately tuned into ESPN, YouTube, and Showtime for boxing and sports at volume  ~~ VERY LOUD. I guess all the excitement of wearing hearing aides have worn off as they sit on the table gathering dust again.

There is nothing in the world that drives me more crazy than screaming fans and commentators that yell.

My cell phone was charged up so I grabbed my cheapo ear buds and plugged them in. Pandora, take me away!

Thunder from Imagine Dragons was the first thing I heard. 
Music seems to inspire and make me move and -- sometimes do a bit of a dance. It cheers me up and gets me motivated.

I danced in my own head and swayed to the music. One good tune after another. Charlie looked at me and closed his eyes. 

Thank goodness for music and ear buds!

This is what things look like for taking some fun still life stuff. No fancy studio. Just some black felt or white boards on top of the old trunk next to the back door.

Let there be Lego People and Monsters!

Tea time anyone?

Feed the monsters and they will be happy!