Alphabet Project day 7

G is for Gate, Garden, Grass and Green. Nice to get a bit of sunshine so thought I'd get outside today. I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f3.6 for 1/400sec.

Project 365 day 96

Tools of the trade. I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f/4 for 1/30sec. I used a macro led ring light to light the image from the left of the shot helping to produce the reflections.

I'm thinking I might do a toolbox project just to get some more use out of all my tools that I've accumulated over the years.

Alphabet Project day 6

F is for F stops, flame and four. I shot each image in manual mode with a shutter speed of 1/160sec but each shot I adjusted the f stop setting to change the exposure of the image the settings I used were top row f/4 and f/6.4 bottom row f/8 and f/10.

Alphabet Project day 5

E is for Eggs, Extra, Expressions and Edible. I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f/4 for 1/40sec, I set this up in front of the window to light the shot with natural light.

Project 365 day 95

Little blue friend.

I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f/3.6 for 1/125sec and the image was lit by an led macro light held above the bottle. The background is white copy paper bent to form a continuous backdrop.

I heard about vaporub being used on feet at night to relieve coughing when you have a cold etc. So having come down with a cold and coughing all night I thought I'd give it a go, to my surprise it worked and I got a good nights sleep, not sure why but it got me curious if it had any other uses and this is what I found.

1. Decongest Your Chest
The most common use of Vicks is to decongest your chest and throat area. When applied to the upper chest, it provides excellent relief of cough and congestion symptoms.

2. On Your Tootsies
Applying Vicks to your feet provides nighttime cough relief. Generously rub VapoRub all over your feet and cover them with socks. Within moments your cough will subside—in the morning you’ll wake up a new, hacking free woman.

3. Achy Breaky Muscles
Vicks relieves sore, overworked muscles. It increases circulation and provides almost instant aid. Use a generous portion and apply it all over the aching area. (Be sure to warn your bedmate as the stench can ensure a nookie-free night.)

4. Get Rid of Nasty Nail Fungus
Rub VapoRub on your toenails if you suspect you have a fungus. Within days, the nail will turn dark—this means the Vicks is killing the fungus. As your toenail grows out, the dark part will grow off and you will have fungus-free feet. Keep applying the ointment over a period of two weeks to fully cleanse nail beds of any remaining bacteria.

5. Stop Your Cat from Scratching
Cats are notorious for scratching every hard surface they get their claws on. To prevent Miss Kitty from ruining your doors, walls, and windows, apply a small amount of VapoRub to these areas. Cats detest the smell and will steer clear. Vicks can also be applied to your arms and legs if your kitty is prone to scratching you.

6. Pet Pee-Pee Deterrent
If your dog or cat is not yet potty trained, put an open bottle of Vicks on the area he or she likes to mark as their territory. The smell will discourage them from lifting their legs and wetting your rug.

7. Headaches Be Gone
Rub a small amount of Vicks VapoRub on your temples and forehead to help relieve headaches. The mentholated scent will release pressure in your head and instantly relieve pain.

8. Humidify Your Sleep
Vicks VapoRub can be used in special types of humidifiers and vaporizers. Ensure your humidifier has an aromatherapy compartment before using. The humidifier will circulate Vicks throughout the air and keep you breathing easy all night long.

9. Paper Cuts and Splinters
To prevent infection and speed up healing time, dab a small amount of Vicks on any small cut or splinter.

10. Ticks and Bugs
If you get bitten by a tick, apply Vicks immediately. The strong odor might help get the critter to release itself and stop bugging you.

11. Reek-free Racehorses
Professional racers smother VapoRub under the nostrils of racehorses on race day. The strong stench deters the stallions from the alluring odor of the female pony and keeps them focused on the race.

12. Go Away Mosquitoes
Vicks wards off mosquitoes. Apply small dabs of Vicks VapoRub to your skin and clothes and mosquitoes will steer clear. If you do get bitten, apply Vicks to the area and cover it with a Band-Aid to relieve itching.

According to WebMD, there have been a few complications in children when Vicks is used inappropriately. A few children reacted negatively and ended up hospitalized when Vicks was applied directly under the nose. Though this is extremely rare and only happens to those who are sensitive to Vicks, consumers should use caution when applying it to the face or on young children.

Even though its strong stench may cost me a few friendships, I am definitely heading to the nearest drugstore to stock up on this little blue smelly bottle. After all, I never know the next time I’ll have a headache, or am heading to the racetrack.

Information sourced from <a href="http://www.divinecaroline.com/self/wellness/twelve-surprising-uses-vicks-vaporub" rel="nofollow">www.divinecaroline.com/self/wellness/twelve-surprising-us...</a>

Alphabet Project day 4

D is for Diptych, Droplet, Deep, Down and Drain. The top image was shot with an aperture of f/4 for 1/100sec with the pop up flash. The bottom image was shot with an aperture of f4.5 for 1/160sec with the pop up flash.

Project 365 day 94

International Carrot Day.

Now that International Carrot Day is coming into its tenth year, its time to celebrate the carrot in all its glory all over again!

This member of the parsley family has lots of interesting facts about it! Did you know that the carrot was first grown for medicine, not food?   As early as the tenth century people were using the wild carrot to ease childbirth for women.

But there has been controversy over the well-known notion that carrots can improve your eyesight.  There are different types of carrot too.  We have the baby (or mini) carrot, the imperator, the Nantes and the Chantenay!  And we all know the popular Danvers carrot famously sported by Bugs Bunny!

But they have had a more serious role to play too.  During World War II pilots were told to eat carrots to improve their eyesight!  But there has been controversy over whether they really have the power to do this. Because carrots contain beta carotine that the liver absorbs and turns into vitamin A - that is then absorbed by the retinas, some doctors believe that it can help.

So - become a carrot amabassador this April!   Why not host a carrot party?  Treat your guests to carrot-themed snacks, carrot juice and carrot shots!  And if they still have room, treat them to carrot cake afterwards!

And remember to tell your guests that must all come dressed in orange! It can be a really bold orange dress or something much subtler, as long as they're reflecting the carrot!

Although the founders of carrot day suggest that more long-running lovers of the day go all out and wear a tail-with green hat to represent the stock.

Since 2003 the day has been universally celebrated in places like France, Sweden, Italy, Japan and Russia.

For more information, go to the official International Carrot Day website.

I took this shot in manual mode with an aperture of f/4 for 1/100sec and lit the shot with a macro led ring light mounted on the front of the lens. I adjusted the white balance on the camera to tungsten to get the colouring I wanted so that the grains on the skin showed up well.