Summer-y pics and help needed

So here it is, the last Wednesday in February.  For me, that means one thing: Spring will be here soon.  And to have such a happy thought while hearing about another impending winter storm... it's about enough to put me out of my mind LOL  So in the spirit of winter storms, I thought I would post some pics I took from last summer's Fireman's carnival.  I spent some time working on these pics, resizing and adjusting the lighting, some playing around with photo filter effects.  So here they are.  And then at the end of my post will be the question I reference in my post title.

 

I love the girl's (on the right) posture as she anticipates the popping of the water balloon. 

Here are a few shots of kids on the elevated swing ride (does it have a name?)

 

And my favorite... I just love the expression on the daughter's face:

ok, now my question.  I got instructions from The Cutest Blog on the Block for adding a signature to my blog.  I made it with a transparent background, but when I add it to this blog, it looks like this:
 

How do I get the transparent background to show up (or not, I guess).  Anyone know??

a splash of color

because, let's face it... winter isn't known for its extensive palette :)  I took this shot from my kitchen window on.... Saturday?  All of the days have just become one big blur; I can't blame it on jetlag... maybe I'll have to coin a new phrase: worklag.  or something.  It's all from having to stay at work those two nights last week; I'm all off.

Anyways, I love when the sun hits the clouds just right and a rainbow shows up.

Where have all the flowers gone?

It. is. so.  COLD!  And the winds have kicked up, which isn't helping matters.  I'm starting to harbor ill will towards a certain weather-predicting rodent who inhabits my state. LOL  Well, even though it's "cold enough to freeze your winnebago" (anyone know where the quote is from?  anyone?), winter still provides some just gorgeous scenes.

 

ice on the shrub beside my kitchen

 

more ice on the shrub.  I love how the needles are wrapped in the ice.

Looking up towards the roof, where the icicles start

 

and, for no reason, Sam :)

A hunk-a hunk-a...

falling ice!  This lovely piece of ice was embedded into the snowbank behind my kitchen.  I pulled it out (with no small amount of difficulty... it was heavy and slippery! I know... imagine, ice is slippery...) of the snow bank and hauled it to my front porch area so I could take its picture.  So enjoy the fruits of my labor :) 

 

This is the top of the former icicle (what is it called when it's no longer hanging from a surface?  Does it actually cease to be an icicle at that point?  Can we wax philosophical and delve into the existentialism of icicles?  Is an icicle just water having an identity crisis?  Burning questions, I know...)

 

Here's the top of the icicle.  As you can see, it's almost 3 feet!!! 

 

Here is a shot looking at the whole thing (w/ the yardstick along side).  It's crazy big.  And, as you can see, it is only slightly shorter than the massive pile of snow in front of my house.  UGH!!!  

Where, oh where can Spring be??

home sweet home

Well here it is, Friday night. When I went to work on Tuesday morning, I took an overnight bag. And I needed it. A bunch of us were at work from Tuesday morning until the end of the workday on Thursday. Why? Well here on the East Coast one winter storm of 30" wasn't enough. Nope. I mean, that's barely worth mentioning! So Tuesday night another storm came barreling across our area, bringing with it a blizzard for Wednesday. It was pretty Wednesday morning, but quickly lost its charm :) Thankfully my neighbors shoveled out my walkway and parking spot, so Mom and Daddy didn't have much to do when they dug themselves out on Thursday and headed to my house.

Here are some shots from work, taken w/ my cell phone:

 

This is looking out into the main entrance parking lot, I think after breakfast.  Honestly, I can't remember when I took these any more... the days just blurred together.

 

Looking out the window of my lab.

This is the view from the morgue entrance door (relax, it doesn't open straight to the morgue.  That's just for the funeral homes).  It's hard to tell, but there is quite a bit of snow out there.

So I am glad to be home and just really want it to be summer now :)  My cat was ecstatic to have me home last night.  I sat down and he was on my lap until I got up to go to bed *L*  

On a completely different note, please take a moment to keep the Georgian athletes and the family of the luger who was tragically killed today in your prayers.  I'm sure you all have seen the footage of it on the news, and it's just so sad.  And amazing, to just watch and realize how quickly life can be snuffed out.  What a horrible loss to have to endure.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming: it's the weekend!  Meeting an old friend from HS tomorrow, then shopping for the Valentine's dinner I'm making my Mom and Dad. 

Snow is for the birds!

Got some bird shots yesterday on a break from digging out my car.  Here are some of my faves (all SOOC):

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

From feb 6 snowstorm

Anyone know the number for Vancouver?

No, seriously... I heard they have no snow and have had to truck it in for the upcoming Olympics.  Well i just wanted to throw it out there, that the southern PA, entire MD, and DC regions all have snow.  Lots of it.  Free for the taking.

Here in Southern PA, we're up to 30", I'm sure.  It was 28" a while ago and it's snowed a few more inches since.  We have drifts over 3 feet!  Somewhere out behind my house is a car, but I will find it later.  It started snowing yesterday afternoon and it's starting to come to an end now, so about 24 hours of snow.

From feb 6 snowstorm

The view from the front door about 9am.  It took a few good "put your back into it" shoves to be able to work my way outside.

From feb 6 snowstorm

My dish.  Let me tell you how fun THAT was to clean off... I had to literally do it from the bedroom window.

From feb 6 snowstorm

My windchimes.

From feb 6 snowstorm

I think this one is my favorite :)  Mom says it looks like a face.

From feb 6 snowstorm

Taking measure :)

Old Man Winter...

is apparently making himself at home. According to our (PA's) resident February forecaster (Punxsutawney Phil), winter is going to be around for another 6 weeks. As opposed to a mere month and a half until spring... but come on, can we really expect a reliable forecast from a rodent who lives in a heated luxury hole for the other 364.75 days of the year? I think not. He'd say anything just to get back to the warmth. Huh. Never thought I would have something in common with Phil. Maybe he's not such a bad guy.

Anyways, coming back to winter... we had a lovely snowfall last night into this morning. I love when the ground and trees are all thick and gorgeous with snow and the roads are not. So I took the opportunity of being an hour and a half early to work to see if anything struck my photographic fancy. And this bench did! So here is my shot du jour (or moment, but I don't know the French word for that):



More snow in the forecast for the weekend! Hope the rest of you are warm and snug in your beds (figuratively or literally, take your pick!)