you could get the same from steel-cut oats, but steel cut oats are not as much fun, and also not remotely frothy.

It feels like it's been ages since I've hung out here. Jen and Stephanie have brought home a wealth of stories from Africa, and meanwhile, I overslept and the dog ate my homework. Which is utterly transparent code for I blanked last week, completely (or was it the week before?) to the point where it didn't even occur to me until Thursday or somesuch, and adventures save the day.

I've been posting here at Shutter Sisters since the beginning, starting out with my point-and-shoot in hand. This circle is well-worn denim, a retreat that just fits. I love it here and yet I fear, always, that I don't have much to add other than OMG CUTE. OMG, LIKE, LOOK. A BOOGER.

I could write about lens angst. About how I branched out from my ever-present nifty-fifty for a 10-20mm wide angle, which I'm now wishing I could trade in for a fixed 35mm, or a macro, or really, anything else. Or I could write about how the light has changed, perhaps the day after I took these photos. A pelting rain, then frost and summer is gone, instantly--and how that changes the tone of photography, winter's scent in the air.

But it's late and all I have for you is OMG CUTE. OMG LIKE, LOOK. Well, maybe a bit more than that.

Today, show us photos that capture one thing -- not just for kids, but any prop, a piece of clothing, an accessory -- that draws your camera. That thing that makes you think, whenever it crosses your frame of view: one of these days, I've got to capture that. Because it makes me happy.

Comments

[Puna]

I love your fun quirky writings Kate. I am a child again when I read. I'm not sure what to leave today so I'm leaving this...

http://lifesignatures.org/wordpress/2009/09/the-road-less-traveled-by/

[Marcie]

What a great post. Love your humor...your style!!!
Just a bunch of 'kids' who caught my eye:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=929

[Kelly]

What a lovely fun post... You made me smile today, and I'm not quite awake yet!

Here is mine, a landscape I just couldn't help but shoot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8702729@N02/3919641152/

[Dani]

i really love your writing and perspective.

[Debi]

A wonderful bit of storytelling, and a wonderful bit of illustration. I love this.

There a couple of places that continually beckon to me and I always take photos. At this time of year the sun moves around in the sky & a plant in my bedroom always casts wonderful shadows on the floor. This is this year's documentation:

http://emmatree.blogspot.com/2009/09/anatomy-of-photo-shootanatomy-of-my.html

[Karyn]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3941227744/

I was sitting outside the cafe where my friend works, the morning of his wedding, and their happy little doggie dish was just begging me to shoot it. so normal, but soo sweet. =)

[Lori]

You have much to offer the world. My own response is on my blog. http://biglefteye.blogspot.com/2009/09/emeralds.html

[camerashymomma]

i've missed your voice, kate. i love your voice, have i mentioned that lately? :) the title alone let me know today is going to be a good day. i wish i had your wit, humor, outlook on life because sometimes i think it'd just be more fun that way. but instead i'll just rub myself against you in hopes some of your spark rubs off on me :)

so...yes to all of it. the light changing. the boogers. the lack of words or time but constant inspiration. the fear that the less i hold my camera the more i forget how to use it. yes to divorce attorneys and sunken ships and burnt dinner and sick kids. life is life is life.

shutter sisters is my retreat.
i guess that's why i call it my happy place.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/3934427393/

[Carol]

Thanks for sharing Kate, I'm new to this blog but it certainly is a breath of fresh air.

[Stephanie]

Great post.
I posted this photo last week, but it is the one 'thing' I have wanted to capture. My 3 year old son has been dragging this bear around forever. His name is "Baby". I wanted to get a picture of my baby and his baby before he does not want to carry him around anymore.
http://slsmithphotgraphy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/the-baby.html

[shirley]

I was lucky to have my camera with me when these bubbles crossed my plane of view:
http://shirleybehindthelens.blogspot.com/2009/09/best-shot-monday-floating-away.html

[mnkathy]

Oh, Kate. My favorites of yours recently! : )

Here's some stuff that, no matter how many times I see it, just makes me very HAPPY!

A favorite of my boy misbehaving at the playground... http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2662657733/

And here's one for you, Kate...one of my all-time favorites of the boy (showing one of his (many)best features): http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2794813065/

[michelle]

Not only do I love this diptych and shirt ...I love guinness, it is a health drink after all, ps we named our black lab Guinness, we love it so much.....she is dark, nutty with a little bite, just like my favorite on tap libation!

my lame contribution
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49754167@N00/3743713243/

the small cup in the shot....It makes me happy and smile everytime I see it....it holds garlic bulbs sometimes and candy others....just to be in view and used!

[summer]

I love to find your writing wherever it may show up...though I think SS is my favorite place to see your name pop up.
I also have been enjoying every picture you've posted of this light under this tree. So magical and evocative.
This was (as usual on SS) a timely post. Last night as I was putting my girls to bed I noticed again the light that peaks through the blinds and into my younger daughter's crib, reflecting off of the crib slats. Every single night I think...I really want a photo of that...and every single night I practically pass out singing twinkle twinkle one more time and then leave, without a photo. For some reason last night I let them tumble all over the bed for an extra half hour while I chased this light around the bed. The photo is abstract probably a tad esoteric and completely personally subjective....the light and dark mimics my moods lately and the battle with parenting and creative expression in general...so I share it with hesitation knowing it probably means nothing to anyone but me but then...sometimes that is the most satisfying creative expression.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/3939824458/in/photostream/

[Melissa G]

This made my day. What a lovely thing to celebrate - that simple moment of happy. And that is the best t-shirt ever. I must acquire one.

Here's my happy moment...
http://knititall.wordpress.com/2009/09/20/balance/
I find myself snapping shots of this again and again. Her, balanced.

[djbeat]

great post & the equally funny & interesting comments have kept me from working all morning...

i am stricken with "one of these days, I've got to capture that. Because it makes me happy..." at the risk of becoming "one of THOSE parents" who is continually capturing and celebrating their baby's moments - oh who am i kidding my kid cracks me up & i want to capture everything he does - because it makes me happy!

for years we have taken holidays on vancouver island & often return to one of my favorite markets @ combs - the goats live on the roof & this is the first time i have a useful photo of them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3780115626/

not exactly product placement - but i thought adorable nonetheless when he put all the pieces together for the first time:http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3940400006/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/djbeat/3940400006/

[bekkah]

THAT is a FANTASTIC t-shirt!!! :)


http://photophoenix.aminus3.com

[Lindsey]

I have the perfect post to share - it just happened & I HAD to blog about it immediately because I found it so funny! Thanks for asking! http://thelingenfelters.blogspot.com/2009/09/diaper-girls.html

[Cindi Barker]

Now that my only child has grown up, I only have our fur children to obsess about. Maggie has been one of the most special dogs we have ever been owned by and I have always wanted to document her diving in our pool. Our photo club had a recent assignment of "unusual perspective" so I finally got around to getting under the water to see what she looks like as she dives for her toy. While I left some of the images as true documentary shots, some I just had to composite with scuba diving shots from Cozumel a few years ago.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rQg6L1xohCk/Sqk0fSMPtWI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ABFGwH8KGkA/s1600-h/Magsdiving6.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rQg6L1xohCk/Sqk0flxE7CI/AAAAAAAAAeo/aSTGHdHClm0/s1600-h/Magsdiving5.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rQg6L1xohCk/Sqk4qYkkWBI/AAAAAAAAAew/5P626_FtMlM/s1600-h/Magsdiving10.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rQg6L1xohCk/SqksYb5zsxI/AAAAAAAAAeA/YUxuTrWVWQM/s1600-h/Magsdiving4.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rQg6L1xohCk/Sqj4N8_W57I/AAAAAAAAAdw/BKJUUNeJBrk/s1600-h/Magsdiving2.jpg

[Vanessa]

oh i know what you mean :D
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3710522195/in/set-72157607625768404/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3861156955/in/set-72157607454214429/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3886702473/in/set-72157607454214429/

[indigo2087]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who bought a wide-angle lens and now find I hardly ever use it! Every so often I try and challenge myself, but I find I am constantly drawn back to the fine details - the small picture inside the bigger picture. Thanks for sharing - that diptych is gorgeous!