The Photographic Parsnip

My final project for digital graphics was another photo blog centered around a single theme. What else did I choose but Christmas? It only seemed fitting, since I've been so very much in the holiday spirit this year and the home is simply bursting with photo opportunities. Find the blog (26 photos) here: http://carlschristmas.blogspot.com/ . (carlschristmas is cheesy, yes, but catchy. The two words start with the same sound, they both have two syllables... cheesy but catchy.) Some of my favorites:                 Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMASTIME IS HERE And along with that comes band Christmas parties to which everyone brings something sweet and delicious to accompany the many slices of pizza that are sure to be inhaled. Last year, I brought a fruit tray in an attempt to make a healthy contribution to the meal. A choice other than chocolate or a baked treat. That was all well and good, but I had a lot left over, and I've been a bit more adventurous than a simple tray of fruit lately. So, I went the more traditional route and made some chocolate treats that would fit right in amongst all the rest. However, I of course could not resist putting the Parker spin on them. I did, however, opt for something other than cookies or brownies. I'd been looking at some different "healthy" Christmas recipes and was drawn to those with chocolate and peanut butter. Like basically better-for-you buckeyes. And with almonds and sea salt to make them seem a little fancy and kind of upscale. Thus, the ...

The mall smoothie is not what you think it is. The mall smoothie does not come from the food court or a kiosk. The mall smoothie is what you drink on the afternoon of the day after Thanksgiving when you're still in your pajamas and the feeling of being full forever finally goes away. You want to snack. A lot. But you opt for something maybe kind of healthyish. This smoothie is for everyone who loves the smells of the fun foods at the mall (namely coffee. Also I love mid-afternoon soft pretzels.) but has no interest in even attempting to navigate the crowds of one of the busiest shopping days of the year. I would much rather relax at home all day and maybe get some things done and probably lay on the couch a lot. Because it's the day after Thanksgiving, this smoothie obviously has to use something(s) from yesterday's meal. I used cranberry sauce (because it's homemade and delicious) and some fresh fruit from the fruit platter. I mentioned the coffee smell of malls...

This morning, I awoke to big, feathery flakes swirling down from the sky. The first snow. It prompts excitement and dread alike, depending on who's talking. I have always been excited about snow (because isn't it beautiful?), but I've begun to realize why some people seem to so intensely dislike it. Cleaning off your car every morning and worrying about loved ones traveling in the winter weather gets exhausting. Nevertheless, I dig it. It's just gorgeous, and it sets the mood for the warm, fuzzy feeling that characterizes the holiday season. Cue Hallmark Christmas movie marathon. I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet. So, I was really feeling a warm, fancy-ish-feeling breakfast to revel in the snowly glory. Not that fruit topping is fancy. But it definitely gave my oatmeal a different vibe that I liked and added a weekend level of sweetness but wasn't overpowering. Also, can we talk about 25?! After first hopping on the Adele bandwagon about 3 or 4 ...

 It's getting cold. This is the time for hot, cozy drinks. Apple cider, hot tea, the infamous pumpkin spice latte. Right? Well, right, but people eat ice cream year-round, and smoothie bowls are basically the same thing.   It's also November now, which means Thanksgiving, which means pumpkin pie! So, to gear up for that and get into the spirit of things (while getting those greens and saving the lovely pie itself for the actual day... even though I may or may not have already had some this year...), I give you this green pumpkin pie in a bowl. Green Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Bowl handful spinach 1 frozen banana 1/2 c pumpkin puree 1/2 c Greek yogurt 1 tbsp honey 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp cloves enough milk to blend pepitas, granola, and extra cinnamon and honey for topping Combine everything but the toppings in your blender until it's nice and smooth. Pour into a bowl, sprinkle with granola and pepitas and an extra sprinkling of cinnamo...

Afternoon snacks for me are either rushed, I-need-something-salty-and-crunchy-right-now popcorn or strange concoctions that I throw together based on something I've seen on Pinterest or some strange fantasy I have in my head of making something delicious and healthy and wonderfully snacky with little to no effort. Today's snack was sort of a combination of both. I've become obsessed with all things pumpkin and spice this fall, and I set out on a mission to create a snack that wouldn't become the first of two suppers but would incorporate my pumpkin spice love (and use up the rest of the pumpkin in the fridge). I wasn't entirely sure what the end product would be, but I'm not unpleased with the result, and I think next time it will be even better. PLUS, IT'S NATIONAL PUMPKIN DAY. And I didn't even do that on purpose. Pumpkin Trail Mix Cookie Dough Bites 1/2 cup pumpkin puree 1/2 cup oat flour 1 tbsp peanut butter scant tbsp hon...

I've had some big changes in the past few months. This whole year is and will be full of changes. My mom has been telling me the past couple months that I am like a "new Parker" that she has "never seen before." Of course, I initially didn't want anything to do with that way of thinking, because I just wanted to hold onto the past. Lately, though, I've come to realize that I kind of am a different person. The changes combined with stepping through the gate into adulthood have made me feel more like myself than ever. I feel very Parkerish. I'm not Parker as defined by anything or anyone else. Just Parker.      I feel free, in a way. I'm still bound by timelines and deadlines and all the things I'm a part of, so free isn't exactly the right word. There is a whole giant world wide open to me, though, with so many different opportunities to be whatever and whoever I want to be and do whatever I want to do and go wherever I want to g...

This is a bit of cleaning up and completing the requirements of the assignment; these pictures aren't related to each other, really. Focus and the rule of thirds are used in this photo along with the angle being from the side to show the detail of the baby succulents.  succulent farm Location:  Beardstown Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  focus This photo uses flash to bring out the bright pink color and smooth, shiny texture of the smoothie.  peppermint green tea and ALL of the fruit Location:  Beardstown Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  flash I used black and white on this photo for a moody effect.  post parade musings Location:  Jacksonville Time:  late morning Technique:  black and white This photo is a head on portrait that I used flash for, which made the colors warmer and more vibrant. my mother after her final performance of Pearl's Place Location:  Beardstown Time:  late aft...

This photo uses digital zoom to make the sign and pumpkins in the background the only things in the frame (and to better read the sign).  advertise Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  late afternoon Technique:  digital zoom I used focus and leading lines for this photo to bring out the detail of the closest pumpkin.  curling pumpkin Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  early afternoon Technique:  focus, leading lines I put a black and white filter on this photo to make the ordinary objects seem much more dramatic.  coffee + Canon Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  early afternoon Technique:  black and white My sunglasses both created a frame for this photo and changed the coloring of the subject, casting a darker, warm brownish tone on the bicycle and picnic table.  lean Location:  Beardstown Park District Time:  mid-afternoon Technique:  framing I used an upw...

Last week, I visited University of Illinois for the School of Music Fall Open House. I've been on campus quite a few times now, and it felt great to be back. It's beautiful there, and there are lots of good opportunities for picture-taking. This photo uses an overhead angle and leading lines so that the only thing in the frame is the tabletop and a bit of the wallpaper in the background, keeping the antique look the focus.  bedside Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  night Techniques:  overhead angle, leading lines For this photo, I used exposure to darken the image and bring out the shape of the light bulb to let it stand out against everything else. lumos Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  night Techniques:  exposure, lighting I used symmetry in this photo and put the focus on the finial so that it looks bigger than it actually is.  ornamentation Location:  Illini Union Hotel, Ur...

I love oatmeal. It's so comforting and filling, and there are so many different ways to make it interesting. I had oatmeal for breakfast for five days in a row, and each day was a different experience. The first was this superfood cereal, and the second was the McDonald's variety on a rushed morning of a golf meet. The latter three were the ones I photographed. Oatmeal #3 was photographed from a slightly diagonal overhead angle to capture the (really delicious) green juice in the background, but with the focus still on the oatmeal itself, in all its nuts/seeds/dried fruit glory. morning at Starbucks Location:  Starbucks, Illini Union Hotel, Urbana-Champaign Time:  semi-early morning Techniques:  angles, focus Oatmeal #4 was photographed from the side to draw attention to the jar itself (with the measurement markings) and the oats, milk, blueberries, and toppings within. my first ever attempt at overnight oats(!) Location:  chorus room, Beardstown...