Stars and Stripes

Happy 4th of July everyone!
Be safe!

Sparkle

Bokeh behind my Purple Tiers hydrangea.
SOOC - (just resized and sharpened for web)

Beauty in the Mundane

A flower before it unfolds its outer beauty,

A bud often overlooked,
Until challenged to find beauty in the mundane.

Things with Wings

Remember this little caterpillar?
Well, here she is...


just in time for the "Things with Wings" theme.
You may wonder how I know this thing is a "she"...
the "boss" pictured above insisted she's a she.

Prepared

What are you always prepared for?

For me, from May til October, I have a large garden from which to cut and take fresh bouquets to friends, hostesses or for visiting guest's in their room. It's a tradition my Mother started when I was very young and she'd cut her lilacs and give them away. (Only to nice neighbors!)

I am also prepared with a baggy of Milkbones I keep in my car in case I come across any hungry, stray dogs on my travels.
The flowers make for a better photo, though.

I look forward to seeing what you all are prepared for - and if you ever visit, I'll have fresh flowers for you, too!

Journey

Just when the caterpillar
thought the world was over,
he became a butterfly.

My daughter is fascinated and I reluctantly agree to allow her a few caterpillars. (I don't like to see living creatures caged up.) However, it is a wonderful cycle of nature to watch.
And it beats taking care of tadpoles - 25 of them to be exact.
Never again.

Spring - House Hunting

Mr. & Mrs. Bluebird discussing a possible new home to nest in.
He flew down and checked it out while she waited for his report.

Anyone know about their nesting habit?
I cleaned out one house and left an old nest in another, unsure if they preferred to move in to an already "furnished" place. No takers on either place yet.

Green

Yep.

Green shoes.
They became gardening shoes
and get lots of use.
Remember Mr. Green Jeans from
Captain Kangaroo?
I love green!

Hidden

Chipmunks.
Hidden in the railroad ties from my sweet fur-baby, Ella.
She might be here awhile.
Ella is one determined seeker in the game of hide-and-seek.
Too bad there are a dozen or so holes in the yard from which they could escape.

Flawed

There were so many possibilities for this week's theme. I settled on one after much deliberation.

My relationship with food is flawed.

I love with food. (Our dogs tend to get chunky with all my lovin'.)
I celebrate with food.
I mope, pout and sulk with food.
I live to eat, rather than eat to live. (Hence the three containers of ice cream in our freezer.)

I have only come to this revelation since my metabolism has slowed down with age. However, some flaws can be worked on and I'm good with that too.

(My apologies to Beth who has cut sugar out completely from her diet.)

Self Portrait

What to say?
Actions used from Pioneer Woman:
Warm It Up and Lovely & Ethereal
Because actions are a self portrait's best friend.

Sweet...

...most of the time.

Sweeter yet...my husband helping to direct them

as I screeched "I'm losing light!"

New Perspective

photo by my son, Jack

Since becoming a work-at-home-mom and having a husband who travels weekly, life for me became somewhat isolated. My extended family lives 700 miles away, I struggle to put myself out there and have dealt with bouts of depression.
Then I had the good fortune to be allowed to become a contributor to this wonderful blog. Since joining, I have had a new perspective. I can be connected to positive and encouraging people. I look forward to seeing everyone's unique take on a single theme. I feel involved and valued by giving and receiving comments. I have gained some personal purpose again and I love it. So many of you have me looking at things differently and not just photographically. I have allowed myself some me time and I feel "out there" again.
Thank you!

Shadows

Beautiful scenery courtesy Virginia.

Going 70+ m.p.h., trying to catch a decent shot.
Love tree shadows on undisturbed snow.
It was worth getting my first case of car sickness ..
(I probably should have stopped shooting after one hour?)

Holiday

Confession time.
I know the season celebrates the birth of our Lord (for some of us).
But with a 7 & an 8 and a half year old...the big, jolly guy is "da man".
He sees if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake...
Yep, I get some leverage this time of year.
Me and Santa? We're tight. I've got his e-mail and I'm not afraid to use it.
Ho, Ho, Ho!

Home Made

Squeaking in with this one...an aromatic holiday project my daughter and I made together. Cloves and oranges. See the smiley face on the one on the right? I love having a crafty girl!

Looking Up

I love a shot where the light has been caught just right. Quite a challenge for me but I finally managed to get one of these shots of the light streaming through the trees. Really set the tone for the rest of the day. How could it not be wonderful?

Windows and Doors

A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.
Ogden Nash

Oh, how true. I've owned four dogs so far in this lifetime and every one has always been on the wrong side of the door. with muddy paws. wanting in. or wanting out. when I'm unavailable. always.
This is Ella and she is doing a "Downward Facing Dog" yoga pose. She is a mutt, a rescue and loved as though I birthed her myself.
(My Nanny would scold me for letting you all see just how dirty my windows really are! Oooh, I have no shame!)

Simplicity

My graduation gift from high school...now 25 years old.
She is a manual focus, so she taught me to be quick.
She taught me to look for the light.
She taught me to use the numbers to my advantage.
She taught me to think ahead about what I'd be shooting and my lighting conditions in order to select the correct film speed.
She taught me to learn from my mistakes - and there have been plenty.
Until I took a darkroom class, there was no manipulating her results.
In terms of today's photography, she may be considered simple.
To me, though, it is this simplicity that has given me the gift of SEEING.
And no amount of technology can teach this.

I know you all know what I mean, because your posts are awesome, inspiring and challenge me to be a better photographer. I promise this week I will get back on track to leaving everyone comments!

Coffee, Tea?

No, thank you. Not for me.
I prefer dried roses in my teacup, thank you.