My 1st attempt at Project 365 has been a major fail. You know how it is – life took over.

My last photo for the project was posted on March 21st. All in all, I made it nearly 20% through, taking 70 of the 365 photos.

Despite my failure to finish the full project, I learned a lot in just 3 months. My technical skills with white balance, exposure/ISO, depth of field, shutter, and aperture levels has certainly grown. On the creative side, my proficiency with photo styling & selective angles continues to flourish.

Fear not - the photos aren’t going away forever. I’ll still be posting my photography now & again in the Life in Pictures category on the blog. If you’d like to see my full collection of Project 365 photos, feel free to visit the gallery on Flickr.

I’ll leave you now with a few photographs I took last Thursday, June 14th, after a delightful downpour:

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

I considered writing an ambitious post about the many plans I have for 2010.

Instead, I’m posting the last photos I am taking this year. Next year, I begin my first attempt at Project 365! To say the least, I’m eager to get started.

The same shade of peonies in my wedding bouquet, with paper sheep that symbolize the hubby & I … but which one of us is the black sheep?

Coming Soon from Nature: Floral Fireworks!

Tis the 1st time the underside of a flower has been more enchanting than the bloom.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

This tiny triptych doesn’t really give justice to the detail in each of the photos, but they look so good all together

Drumroll please … welcome Peanut & Little Dude back to the blog!

Peanut is as gorgeous as ever & a wonderful model in her winter coat.

Little Dude just keeps on growing, now 3 1/2 months old. He’s so lanky & has oddly large paws, accompanied by a super-long tail. We think he’s going to end up being bigger than Peanut, but only time will tell.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

Taken @ 6:22 am

Taken @ 7:05 am

Unfortunately, we here in northern Connecticut didn’t get nearly as much as folks in VA/DC/MD .. etc. Those lucky buggers.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

Today, our first REAL snowfall in Connecticut has arrived!

Now, I am truly in the holiday spirit.

[Image taken by Victoria Klein]

Inspired by the exceptionally unnatural weather in Connecticut today (almost 70 degrees in December!), I grabbed my camera & took a few pictures. At first, they were of things around the house … stuff I get really sick of taking photos of over & over. With a sharp, unobstructed stream of sunlight coming in through our skylight, I took a seat on the floor & put my past perceptions aside.

The result? A side of myself I haven’t seen in years – a side no makeup or expensive wardrobe could replicate. I miss you, Victoria, & I hope we can spend more time together.

Sunlight always brings a smile to my face & a warmth to my heart. That notwithstanding, I’d like some snow this December.

Even glasses couldn’t help me see inside. A visionary crutch.

The light brings tears to my eyes & clarity to my mind.

Reconnecting with the shell I reside in. Taking care of the body that shelters my soul.

When was the last time you saw yourself through your own eyes?

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

While dropping off my husband at work last week, I spotted something strangely attractive in the trash can nearby. On top (not swimming in garbage juices, mind you), I found these 3 ceramic bowls.

First off, aren’t they cute!?

Secondly, who the heck throws out perfectly good ceramics!? Yes, two of the bowls have small chips on their rim, but come on … you can still eat out of them. Plus, they are downright charming.

As expected, I gathered up the bowls (despite my husbands’ minor disgust) and took them home. Fast forward to yesterday & I finally had time to wash and take some pictures of said bowls. In less than 30 minutes of internet research today, I’ve found out more about the origin of my new beauties.

The stamp on the bottom of the bowls says “The Old Curiosity Shop”, which is a line of various colonial-style patterns manufactured by the Royal China Company of Sebring, Ohio (my connection to the Midwest never ceases!). The company began in 1934, was sold in 1969, and went bankrupt in 1986. These particular bowls were likely manufactured in the 1950s. They were sold as soup bowls, are 8 and 1/4th-inch in circumference, and designed by a man named Gordon Parker.

If you find yourself enamored with these darlings, then you’re in luck! I’ve found two websites (Big Ed’s Royal China Dinnerware & My Granny’s Attic Antiques) that have them for sale at just $10 each (chips not included, haha). You can also find many of the other patterns in the Old Curiosity Shop line in green, blue, brown, and pink.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

Saturday was spent indoors all day, due to consistent rain. With a partly cloudy Sunday, I had to get out of the apartment. What better time to try the new bakery in town?

I’ll be posting a detailed review of West Hartford, Connecticut’s A Little Something Bakery later on. Until then, enjoy some pictures I took of the treats I chose for myself (& a few extra snapshots). Note to self: finally invest in a tripod since you use only natural light.

There’s something about bakery boxes: simply chic & functional.

The terrible twosome.

10am, treat #1: “Dirty Bomb” muffin/donut – in essence, a large version of the French breakfast puffs my mum & I have made since my childhood.

1:30pm, treat #2: chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing

My cuddle-worthy companion, Monster. (Yes, he’s been sleeping with me every night.)

The tree next to our garage is finally starting to change color for autumn.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

My Halloween cat, Monster. He’s terrified to go outside, but he’s jealous when I stand out on the balcony – what a goober.

Monster, looking regal & totally squeezable.

1/3rd of the ingredients needed to make my best friend, Matt’s jambalaya crock-pot recipe.

Whole Foods hot bar macaroni & cheese never lasts long around me.

A well-loved glass of water.

WHERE ARE THE KITTEN PICTURES!? :: Good question. Little Dude (still no official name) is back living at my mum’s house with Peanut. He’s learning to eat solid food (which he is doing wonderfully) & how to use the litter box.

There is a good chance that my mum & her fiance will be keeping Little Dude. My hubby & I are 100% OK with that – having 3 cats in 1 apartment made us appreciate our Monster all the more. <3 Little Dude is growing quickly! I’ll have some new pictures of him within the next few weeks.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]

After my dismal photo results from this past weekend, I know a good opportunity when I see it. Peanut has been partially behaving, so we open the door to the bedroom she & Little Dude are staying in for a few hours at a time, giving them a chance to explore the rest of the apartment & mingle with Monster.

Yesterday afternoon, all the kitties decided to pow-wow on the couch with me. It was quite adorable, I must say (& made it difficult to focus on working). This also gave me a priceless chance to snap some photos of them all together.

From left: Monster (our 5-year-old male cat & father of Peanut’s 1st litter); Little Dude; Peanut

Blurred amusement (note to self: never work as a pet photographer)

Almost 5 weeks old & Little Dude still has those painfully cute blue eyes.

Note: Even though Little Dude looks A LOT like Monster, Monster is NOT his father (he was “fixed” almost 3 years ago). Crazy resemblance, no? Monster is very “fatherly” with Little Dude, which is also very adorable.

[Images taken by Victoria Klein]