Turn Your TV Into a Giant Digital Picture Frame

I recently discovered that I could turn my TV into a giant digital picture frame using Google Chromecast. If you have a photographer in the family, this would make a great birthday or Christmas gift. Google Chromecast is currently $34.99 on Amazon.

Here are the basic steps:
1. Plug Chromecast into your HDTV.
2. Connect Chromecast to your wifi.
3. Using your computer, phone, or tablet, send YouTube videos and movies to your TV.
4. When you stop Chromecasting, you will get default pictures. Chromecast calls this wallpaper.
5. Create a photo album on your PC that contains the pictures you want to send to Chromecast.
6. It's best to crop the photos to 16X9 so that they match the aspect ratio of the TV.
7. Upload the photo album to Google Photos. I use Picasa from my PC, but you can use an app on your phone or tablet too.
8. Go into the Chromecast app on your phone or tablet and specify the name of the album you just uploaded. More complete details for this step are here.  
9. Enjoy!

Spring/Easter Tablescape

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I think I created my most colorful tablescape to date!  This Spring/Easter tablesape rocks!  As usual, most of the items on the table came from my favorite thrift store, Guardian Angel.  There are two exceptions.  First, the two ceramic bunnies were hand-painted by a family friend in the 70s and have been a cherished part of my Easter decor ever since. Second, I picked up the placemats at Kohl's in their after Easter clearance last year.  I a in total love with the huge, weighty, teal water goblets.  I was delighted the day I snagged those crackled glass candle holders complete with butterflies!  And, those have to be the most unique and vibrant Corelle plates I have ever come across.  So festive!  I estimate the cost of everything on the table at less than $30.  Enjoy the picture tour and feel inspired!    

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March Tablescape

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I put away the red and got out the green yesterday as I converted my kitchen table from a Valentine's Day theme to a St. Patrick's Day theme.  Time for the March tablescape!  I had quite a few choices of green placemats, napkins, and Corelle plates, and as usual, I couldn't pick just one.  I ended up going with a mix of Corelle Peach Garland plates and another Corelle pattern that I just cannot identify...sigh.  

All the items on the table are from the thrift store Guardian Angel except the fish bowl, the candles which are Partylite, and the green Hazel Atlas block glass.  I found the green glass in with my grandmother's glassware, and I just love them as does Johnny since his favorite color is green. I was short two goblets and ordered a couple off eBay which should be here this week.

My favorite find is that awesome large vase that came with the flowers already arranged.  I never could arrange silk flowers, and I don't have many, well any, in my home, but these looked so great that I just couldn't resist.  

We now have a visitor to our table.  I wonder what mischief will result!

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Bluebird in the Snow

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Enjoying a February snowstorm by taking pics of the Bluebirds and their friends.

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Bluebirds in Flight

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I can see the Bluebird feeder from my spot on the loveseat, and it's a real joy to watch them come and go.  When I feed them live mealworms in the morning, I hold the front door open just enough to get my lens out and snap some shots.  I think it's cool to catch them in flight and see the detail of their wings, their facial expressions, and the fast action.

Bluebird Feeding Frenzy

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I  mentioned in my last post that the Bluebirds have taken to eating sunflower hearts this week.  We have a pretty solid 2" ice pack right now along with record low temps (7 last night), and all the birds are having to work hard to find enough food.  I am feeding the Bluebirds mealworms 3 times a day, but inbetween, they are going over to the bird feeder.  They are so plump and cute:-)

Mr. Bluebird

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We had 2" of sleet Monday night into Tuesday morning of this week.  Normally in central NC, whatever snow or ice we get disappears quick.  In this case, the sleet was followed by 3 days of record low daytime highs and nighttime lows.  The ice has been very slow to melt even in full sun, and then when it refreezes at night, driving the next morning is brutal all over again.

It goes without saying that I have been feeding the birds and putting out fresh water several times a day.  I take extra special care of our Bluebirds.  On a regular day, I put out mealworms in the morning, and we see 4-5 bluebirds come and feed.  This week, I have been putting out mealworms 3 times a day, and we saw a maximum count of 9 bluebirds at one time.  What a sight that was!!!  Even with that much supplemental feeding, they are still joining the other birds at my bird feeders to eat sunflower hearts.  I have never seen a bluebird eat a sunflower seed before...EVER.  That is just how frozen the ground is.  They prefer insects and berries, but both are in short supply right now.

We look forward to the bluebirds nesting in the yard later this spring.

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I know they sell dried mealworms, but I tried them a few years ago because they are cheaper, and our Bluebirds would not touch them.  Maybe they would eat them right now mixed in with the live worms because they are so desperate for food, but if you are trying to get Bluebirds to come and eat at your house, I recommend the live ones.

Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker

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The most rare/unusual bird that I've seen at my feeders this week.  At a quick glance, I thought it was a dirty Downy Woodpecker.  After closer inspection, it's a Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker Juvenile.  I've seen him at the suet feeder multiple times a day this week.  I also saw a much easier to identify adult sapsucker once within the last 10 days.  Adults have a red band on their heads, but juveniles don't thus requiring additional scrutiny.  

Valentine Tablescape

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It's that time again...time for the new February/Valentine tablescape.  Of course the colors are red and pink!  And of course most of the items came from Guardian Angel.

I was totally delighted to find this romantic looking Corelle Heirloom Bloom pattern at GA a few months back.  This is exactly what I would have wanted if I could have gone out and picked anything.

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I thought this cute little teapot was the perfect addition to the table too.

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I found this PartyLite Crystal Castle for $2.  What an amazing deal and oh so pretty with these cute little heart tealights.

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Years ago, I found this beautiful heart-shaped vase.  It's always a pleasure to get it out each year.

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I really enjoyed putting this tablescape together...until next month.

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Mr. Bluebird on a Cold Winter Morning

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I feed the Bluebirds meal worms, and the Bluebirds let me take pics.  I fed them a second meal today, and the sun was at just the right angel to get some good shots.  I counted 6 at the feeder at one time.  Wow!  They are in and out of their box a lot.  I think it's likely we'll have the first nest of the season sometime in March.

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Sunrise

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Taken on the way to drop Joey off at school.  The boys tracked back in to their year round school on Wednesday after a 5 week break.  Getting up early was hard to do!  I figure the sunrise offsets the lack of sleep just a little.

Robin

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Taken in a parking lot where 50+ Robins were spotted.  I was hoping to catch some Cedar Waxwings in the group but no luck.  Processed with Color Efex Pro (CEP).

Bluebird

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Out on the front porch this morning feeding the bluebirds and taking pics.  I saw 5 total.  They waited for me go inside.  I got a few shots sitting in the chair near the feeder.

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Pine Warbler

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I sat outside in the backyard with my camera for a while this afternoon and tried to take some good bird pics.  There were lots of shadows, the birds were timid of me, and I was colder than I wanted even in the sunshine.  I think this Pine Warbler picture is the best one I took.

Artist at Work

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Johnny and I took advantage of a wonderfully warm January day and walked around Yates Mill Pond. As we approached the mill, we spotted an artist working on an abstract mill painting.  Several other park visitors stopped to admire his work too.

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Bluebirds

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I'm still feeding mealworms to the bluebirds, and they are treating me in return with group shots like this!

NC Aquarium Fort Fisher - Johnny and the Diver

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The boys are still tracked out of school.  They go back 1/28/15.  We are making good use of beautiful January weather and taking some trips.  On Monday, we went to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher.  We try to go each track-out.  It just happened to be MLK day and get into the aquarium free day.  It was very crowded, but it didn't really detract from our visit.  Johnny got to have a face-to-face with a diver in the big shark tank.  I knew right away that that was going to be my favorite shot of the day.

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I took tons of pics and videos.  The jellyfish are always a favorite of mine.  I could stand there and watch and watch as I snap and snap.  It's mesmerizing.

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SmugMug Link We also got out on the beach.  Johnny got his feet wet, and I hunted for shells.  It was gorgeous and relaxing.  I tried out my new selfie stick and was pleased.

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Polar Bear

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We made our January, school is tracked out, trek to the NC Zoo on Friday.  The temp was near 50, the sun was out for the first time in a week, and the winds were reasonably calm so we were comfortable.  The parking lot was near empty.  I bet the zoo didn't have even 200 visitors that day.  it was a real hardship that the ice cream stand at the midway junction point was closed.  Still, we had a great time.  The new polar bear exhibit opened a few weeks ago, and the one remaining polar bear, Anana, was having a blast going back and forth between the old and new exhibits.  I was pretty impressed with the extra polar bar space, and I can't wait for the zoo to add some additional polar bears.  It was such a sad loss when Patches passed away last fall.

We walked the entire zoo.  We skipped the chimps when we heard the lion roar, and the gorilla exhibit is being expanded, so we missed that and the 'orchid' house.  Cools days are usually good days for animal activity, and we really enjoyed visiting with the animals.  Enjoy the flamingo and zebra pics below along with a collage of our day.  Poor Donnie cannot get any peace at the zoo.  The boys want to play the ENTIRE day.  They loved Donnie play sitting on top of them on the benches begging him for a repeat every time they spotted a bench.  

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Lion Video

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Dash

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I took this photo while working on a post for GeekMom about Dash and Dot from the Wonder Workshop.  I love lighting on his eye especially in low light.  You can change the green tint to several other colors too. Fun!  For more information, check out my article here.

Girl Programming Power

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A rare photo of me taken by Johnny at our First Lego League meeting.  We using The Art of LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Programming to build the TriBot  and have him solve a maze.  Fun stuff!  If your interest is piqued, check out our video.

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Bacon and Eggs

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Donnie makes a great breakfast! I like mine scrambled with onions and cheese.  Johnny likes cubes of ham added to his.  Joey is likes cheese and the bacon crumbled in his.  Donnie likes his with just salsa.

Formula One EV3

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The kids on my First Lego league team built the Formula One EV3 as detailed in the The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book.  This robot configuration is too cool for words.  It makes use of the infrared sensor (eyes) and remote control that are part of the Lego Mindstorms EV3 retail set 31313. Watch the videos below to see how well this car steers!

I loved introducing my students to My Blocks and Switch Blocks (case statements) today.  It was great to see them 'get' how to tie the code to the remote buttons and then to see them race the robot around the room.  

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A Face Only a Mother Could Love

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This Turkey Vulture  landed in our yard today looking for scraps.  There were probably a few chicken bones out there.  Prior to this week, I  had never seen one land in the yard, but this week, I've seen him/her, and sometimes companions, several times.  I kindof like that these guys help keep the environment clean.  However, there was an article in the local paper this week complaining about these birds becoming a nuisance. I don't feel that way.  We do have a water tower nearby, and recently, I have seen 30+ birds on the tower in the morning.  I thought it was cool.