358/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Making Tracks":

M4H Project 52: 2/52 - Life

"For You created my inmost being,

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;

All the days ordained for me were written in Your book

before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139:13-16

When my lessons were unexpectedly canceled today, I jumped in my car and made tracks to see my grandbabies. :) My plan was to shoot both of their feet side by side and say that, in time, Abigail would make tracks to walk in Hannah's footsteps. Obviously, that didn't happen because...well...Hannah is two. Need I say more? :) Even Abigail's feet were tricky to capture as she's still so new, they just wanted to curl in on themselves. lol ...At any rate, I wonder what kind of tracks these little feet will make as she grows older. How wonderful that God already knows!

It was good to see them today, tho' it was only for a few minutes. They were headed out to the doctor. Abigail has been struggling with jaundice issues. They seem to finally be improving but, she's been stuck in the heel every day since returning home from the hospital. :( We're so grateful for our newest gift! One week old today!

Please view on black...hit L

Nikon D5000, 50mm

5/50 days of 50mm

Getty Sales: 2

Available for purchase at Getty Images

Our Daily Challenge - "Begins with P":

So many great things that begin with P! And these are some of my favorites.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

M4H 52 Week Project - "Warmth":

We had beautiful spring weather on Monday, followed by 3 days of clouds, rain, cold. Yesterday, spring time made an appearance again! Oh happy day!!! It was great to enjoy a walk in the sunshine. My sweet neighbor was having a front lawn picnic with her granddaughters, so I had to grab a shot.

And yes, there is peanut butter on this little sprite's face. I thought about retouching it, but decided it was part of her charm. :) BTW, her mom was my piano student for 11 years. I first met her when she was about this age. How much fun is it that I get to watch her 4 children grow up?

(Behind on commenting...hoping to catch up tonight!)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Available for purchase at Getty Images

Our Daily Challenge - "I'm thankful for..."

At this moment, thankful for autumn color (tho' we don't get much in this area) and beautiful light...and time to try to capture them. This is a fragment of our favorite tree. It's always been a show stopper in late October, early November. We believe it's dying. How SAD, but we'll enjoy it while we can! Farewell, old friend...

Please view on black!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Available for purchase at Getty Images

Getty Sales: 4

M4H - "Beauty is".:

Beauty is a quiet moment in the light, tho there was very little on this gray day. This is SO Hannah. We had a yard crew rolling out a new lawn yesterday (yay!). As usual, she preferred to watch from a distance. :)

Please press L...better on BLACK.

ODC - "Natural light"

Nikon D5000, 50mm

241/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Your corner of the world":

The image is not too exciting, I'm afraid...but check out what's on that fallen blossom. RAINDROPS! We finally got some last night...only a half inch, but we're hopeful for more. I've seen grass shots with water droplets before and thought they were amazing. I haven't figured out how to do one well yet. Took this during a momentary break in the clouds. No time to try for more as we're expecting out of town company shortly and I need to get ready. May post something else later if I get a better shot. In the meantime, have a happy Saturday all!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

254/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Yesterday/Yesteryear":

Not too much to say about this. I love retro and vintage, so it's nice to have an excuse to indulge. After all ODC MADE me do it! lol. BTW, I found a wonderful old vintage leather suitcase today! Imagining baby portraits with that. :)

Also submitting to Slider's Sunday. I do love me some vintage processing!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

A little fall color at the local arboretum...love those pumpkins in the background...

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Upside down":

“Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world.” Arnold Newman

Only have a few minutes, so needed to keep it short and sweet. No pun intended! Love Rainier cherries...worth every penny! I'm behind on comments...hope to catch up tonight.

Alternate crop below.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Original shot for the Our Daily Challenge of "Silver or Gold"....swapped out later with a different shot.

I love the gold and silver wrappers on gourmet chocolate. Who needs jewelry???

Nikon D5000, 105mm

242/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Closed":

WOW! This was a HARD one! I could not get inspired about ANYTHING and finally settled on this. My neighbor's gate, closed, locked, and with closed flowers growing on the vines. Bleh....

On the plus side...I used my new 35 mm lens. I think I'm really going to enjoy it. Thanks Sherilyn and Clare for helping me spend my money! :)

Please view on black.

Nikon D5000,35mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Water":

I've been wanting to try this shot for a while. I saw it a few months ago...don't remember whose stream, or I'd give credit. At any rate....it was HARDER than I thought and there are some things I would like to improve,. Still, all in all...pretty cool! Another shot below...Still can't decide which I prefer.

Please view on BLACK

Nikon D5000, 105mm

325/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Red, White and Blue":

My thanks to the admins for putting the challenge up early tonight. I have a killer weekend coming up...rehearsals and performances. I enjoy it, but there won't be much time for photography. Hoping the challenge goes up early again tomorrow.

That said, I really do think I need a 12 step program for this addiction to bokeh. You are bound to get sick of these shots of Christmas ornaments in front of the tree, but I really cannot walk past those lights and not shoot them. lol. I have tons of Americana folk art that is red, white and blue too, but they mostly resemble flags and I got the feeling we were supposed to look for something different. Thankfully, my daughter bought some cute sparkly ornaments for her friends and I found one that met the challenge. You will doubtless see more before the season ends. I've never been a fan of glitter...until now. It looks so great in photographs!

Happy Cliche Saturday: Reflections scavenger thread

Nikon D5000, 105mm

295/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Zig Zag":

A subtle zig zag, but I thought it turned out kind of pretty. These earrings have different stones that can be interchanged. I love them.

A couple of completely different alternate shots:

www.flickr.com/photos/53354298@N05/6331962399/in/photostr...

www.flickr.com/photos/53354298@N05/6331964231/in/photostr...

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Saw this egret when I was out trying to get my "wide angle minimalism shot for ODC. I like this shot so much better than the one I submitted to the group, but felt that it was too close for the challenge. It's certainly a much better example of minimalism. This egret was incredibly tolerant of my presence. He seemed completely unfazed that I was moving closer. Only had my 35mm, so I pretty close here.

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Texture "Primitive" by Shadow House

Our Daily Challenge - "Button":

Not so sure about this one, but completely out of time. Story of my life lately. At any rate, I love old buttons.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

23/50 Days of 50mm

Textures by Kim Klassen: Aurora, Love, Portrait

Our Daily Challenge: "Brown":

Some brown things are actually very enjoyable! Of course, I'm not spending a lot of time looking at it! lol

Nikon D5000, 105mm

234/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Begins with )":

My new vintage camera....that's an oxymoron if ever I heard one. And O yes... it's ANOTHER bokeh bench shot. What can I say? I know where the good light is in my yard and I needed a quick shot today! So...see if this meets the challenge. In addition to oxymoron, O is for:

overkill - how many times have you seen this bench?

overdo - 3rd shot of this camera I've posted this week, tho' it's the first time I've included the fun vintage film canister :)

open - shot at f/1.4

old - this model of brownie camera was manufactured in 1946

obsolete - everyone may not agree, but some think the days of film are over

ordinary - this type of shot is pretty typical for me, I'm afraid.

Still...I hope you like it. :) I like the repetition of all the circles between the bokeh and the camera. Have a happy Saturday! I'll catch up with comments tonight!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Minimalism":

Who knew that sea urchins looked so much like Victorian lace? You gotta love seeing the world through a macro lens.

Running late...back for comments tonight. Thanks for your patience with me as I've been a less than wonderful contact lately!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

M4H 52 Week Project - Warmth:

Happy to see this theme today as we are finally experiencing some spring days. I am all about the warmth, so I submitted two pics. lol. I LOVE this time of year!

(Behind on commenting...hoping to catch up tonight!)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Repetition":

Happy Friday all! It's Grammy Day for me and the babies will be here soon. :) I'll be back for comments tonight.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Getty Sales: 1

Available for purchase at Getty Images

258/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Kitchen related item/idea":

The irony here is that I don't own a coffee grinder, because I don't drink coffee. I do, however, LOVE the aroma. In fact, I plan to keep these beans in an open jar, just so I can enjoy them.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Texture: Kim Klassen "Chamomile"

206/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Pet portrait":

Both shots taken just seconds apart. Cats are the master of mood swings. lol. BTW, Shantel's chapter 3 strikes again! My push challenge last week was a pet portrait, plus I just shot pics of Dolce (my grandkitty) 2 days ago. What are the odds? :) At any rate, I was glad she posed on her back for me, because I love her tawny underbelly. ;)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Black and white or sepia":

Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes. Is this cheesy or what? And maybe not exactly black and white or sepia, but it was looking really boring so I played around a bit.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Rerunning and "oldie but a goodie" for Cliche Saturday! No time for a new shot as I'm in charge of a piano festival for 400 students tomorrow. This one seemed appropriately in time for Thanksgiving. I'm giving thanks that I will be on VACATION next week! Hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!

Happy Cliche Saturday: Groups (like Bench Monday) scavenger thread

Nikon D5000, 50mm

197 - Our Daily Challenge - "In your own backyard":

Technically the front yard, but close enough. No chance of shooting anything green today as everything is burning up in this heat wave/drought. Our plants are all dying. :( I couldn't decide between these 2 shots. Thought the hanging upside down one was kind of unique, but I was attracted to the light in this shot. Feel free to vote.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Our Daily Challenge: "Attachments and Connections":

Not totally satisfied with it, but I'm out of time. At any rate, when I'm connected to my iPhone, I lose all connection to the outside world. Ironic....

Nikon D5000, 50mm

28/50 Days of 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Classic"

Cliche Saturday

The wooden clothespin...definitely a classic and certainly a cliche on flickr. This image was inspired by a photo I saw in a sanctity of life video recently at our church. Sadly, I can't give credit to the photographer, because I have no idea who it was. At any rate, I've been dreaming about it for weeks...trying to decide how I wanted to do it. I'm really happy with how it turned out. Still trying to capture every moment with Hannah and Abigail and make them last forever...Hoping these photos become family classics.

Best viewed Large if you have time.

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Our Daily Challenge - "The top of your head":

...to the tips of her tiny toes, I love our sweet Abigail!! She's becoming more engaged and developing more personality every time I see her. We finally celebrated Father's Day together today since our daughter was in Australia for the actual day. It was fun to spend all day with Hannah and Abigail. First time I've picked up my camera all week. :( Still busy packing. 10 days till our temporary move for the remodel. Yikes! Hoping things will settle down then. Thanks for your patience with me!

Now, this is what I call a close up! lol

Nikon D5000, 50mm

M4H 52 Week Project - "So Inspired"

Our Daily Challenge: Signs of our humanity

I am a lover of words. They move me deeply and I can't even read a novel without writing down well crafted phrases that captivate me. Certain words inspire me to change and these are some of my favorites. Amazing how significant and meaningful one word can be. (Meet Qwerty, my "new" vintage typewriter. I've wanted one of these for ages.)

Nikon D5000, 18-200mm

Texture by Karen Klassen, "Fall In"

Our Daily Challenge - "Work":

"Satisfaction lies in the effort, not the attainment. Full effort is full victory." (Gandhi)

Little bit of a rough teaching day today. Could be that's why I went a little dark and grungy with the textures. lol. The quote is a good reminder to me. We have a ways to go, but we made some progress. It was definitely a day of effort! Hopefully, there was some good learning happening!

Texture "Downpour" by Jessica Drossin

Nikon D5000, 50mm

312/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Begins with R":

This is a variation of a shot I did last year, but I couldn't resist trying it again for the R challenge. Of course, you never know what you'll get with pets and kids! Last year, I had an assistant holding food above her head. Today I was on my own, but KC was surprisingly cooperative. It only took about 10 minutes. I used my tripod so I could wave her food around. She was mesmerized. I'm surprised she stayed still, but I guess that's what happens when you have a 17 year old cat who lives to eat! :)

In case you're curious...all natural light from a window and skylight.

Also submitting to Slider's Sunday. Did a bit of sliding to make her eyes pop and correct white balance.

Better on black...hit L if you have time.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Getty Sales: 4

Available for purchase at Getty Images

221/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Spotted":

I almost pulled those ladybugs out of the fridge AGAIN today, but then I remembered KC's freckles. I love them. Geesh! She did NOT want to pose today tho'. The focus is not quite where I wanted it...close...but that only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades. lol

Nikon D5000/105mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Cards":

I love being a musician, especially at this time of year! So many great Christmas songs to enjoy! I only wish I could send you all a greeting card with sound!

Nikon D5000, 35mm

262/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Full":

"When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." Alexander Graham Bell

I bought these little birdhouses for a dollar apiece a few months ago, thinking they might be cute for a challenge. Feeling just silly enough today to finally use them. :) Not sure I'm lovin' it, but I'm out of time. I do like how they all look completely different sizes, when in fact they are all the same. It was a good study in perspective. At any rate, I'm gonna laugh if tomorrow the challenge prompt is "welcome".

Processed within an inch of its life, so also submitting to Sliders Sunday. :)

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Lyrics/Poetry Inspired":

Last night while I was sleeping

You were watching over me

While I dreamt about tomorrow

You knew my every need

Whisper softly to me

(Before the Day - Newsong)

I should listen to this song every morning to get my heart focused.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzyQUj_4ZjI

Nikon D5000, 50mm

235/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Seven":

There are so many different kinds! Pictured here, Hershey's Hugs, Milk Chocolate Kisses with almonds, cookies and cream and original milk chocolate. Which is YOUR perfect kiss?

Hate to admit how many subjects were harmed in the making of this photo. In fact, several did not make it safely home from the store.

Happy Sliders Sunday! Very little processing today, but I did adjust the white balance and darken the background. :) Best viewed on white....

Nikon D5000, 105mm

333/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Through the looking glass":

This topic was inspired by an exhibition at the Portland Art Museum. "Like the viewfinder of a camera, windows, doorways, and mirrors shape our views of the world around us. As frames appearing within photographs, they can add to an image’s spatial cohesion and composition, and often serve to suggest mood and psychological depth." (Quote from the curator of the museum).

I was hoping to capture the feeling of warmth inside, vs. cold outside. Not really sure this does it, but I did enjoy this challenge. Thanks to my husband for bringing home the beautiful roses for my birthday on Friday. :)

Now that I've uploaded, this looks a bit dark to me. Opinions welcome. I tried brightening a bit, but then I lost detail on the white roses.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

One of my grandmother's antique demitasse cups. I just love how delicately they are painted.

To see another view of these cups (and one of my most viewed and faved photos), follow this link.

www.flickr.com/photos/53354298@N05/6067152736/in/set-7215...

You just never know what people are going to like. lol

Nikon D5000, 105mm

224/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Stone":

I grew up in Arizona where you can find plenty of turquoise jewelry crafted by Native Americans. I still love it...love those brown veins running through the stone.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

I know...I'm flooding my stream with baby pics lately. I've been trying different ideas to give my daughter some choices for her birth announcements. I'm sure poor little Abigail is glad we're done posing her for now. I'm so "over" the newborn shoot and ready to just get on with trying to capture memories. I have SOOOOO much more respect and admiration for the photographers who do this all the time. It's harder than it looks. lol

Nikon D5000, 50mm

212/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "All lit up":

"Burnin' the midnight oil" since I can't shoot this in the daytime tomorrow. lol. You don't want to know how many matches I had to light to get the timing right on the flame/smoke, etc. This is making me dream of Christmas, when it will be cooler. Still 108 today.

Another shot from the same evening that I also kind of like... www.flickr.com/photos/53354298@N05/6060604093/in/photostream

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Getty Sales: 1

Available for purchase at Getty Images

M4H 52 Weeks project - "Fresh"

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-29)

Hoping to worry less and pray more in 2013... Time with Him always gives me a fresh perspective.

Our Daily Challenge: Faith

Nikon #5000, 50mm

I'm all messed up on my days with the holiday weekend so this HCS caught me off-guard. Had to pull this from my archives. It was originally an alternate shot for ODC challenge of "triangles" which I never used. I need to start thinking on my next cliche shot as I only have one to go before I've completed 36 scavenger hunts. I do love a good cliche!

BTW....triangular crayons are recommended as the first crayons for toddlers. They're easier for them to grasp and encourage them to learn the proper 'tripod" method of holding a writing instrument. What would I use for props if it weren't for our granddaughter? lol

Happy Cliche Saturday: Rows of color scavenger hunt

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Yep, that leaf has been in "prison" long enough and it's fixin' to break out! I think I must be tired...making up stories. Just can't help thinking it looks like prison bars! However, in this case, the blue skies are inside the cell. What's up with that? lol.

Happy Fence Friday!

Nikon D5000, 500mm

How true!!!!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Please view on black. Press L

Reminds me of something from the soda shop in the 50's. lol....Actually a cupcake. Sweet (literally)! Not entirely sure about the processing. Was aiming for something a little retro...not really sure it's there yet. Would like to try a few different pov's too, but ran out of light. MUST NOT EAT until after I try again tomorrow. lol

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Happiness":

No description necessary. Keeping it short and sweet today! :)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

305/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Ears":

In honor of Thanksgiving, a few ears of Indian corn. If you're curious like me about why we call them ears, I found an explanation here: ear-of-corn.blogspot.com/2011/07/why-is-ear-of-corn-calle.... I love all the colors and the white ones almost look like pearls to me. Better on black....hit L if you have a second.

PS....Super corny title! lol (no pun intented)

One of the things I love about this group is the information shared from around the globe. I learned today that our European and Australian friends have never seen this type of corn before. Yes, it is real...there's a description further down if you're interested. I learned some new things today.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

233/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Winged":

There are several little technical things that bother me about this, but I was honestly lucky to get the little butterfly in focus with light on it. Some days that's all you can hope for. lol...She was waving that thing around like crazy, first chanting, "flower"...than "fly, fly"...So sweet.

Nikon D5000, 50mm