264/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Family":

My first thought was frustration that this challenge couldn't be on the weekend, when we might actually have an opportunity to shoot a family photo. We're scattered today tho', so I set out to do my best with old photos and my new prop (awesome antique bag). I was aiming for a vignette that might create sentimental memories. And trust me, I went there!

But, somewhere along the way, I got tickled about family photos in an old bag..."family baggage"...get it? I couldn't help laughing! We all have it, in one form or another, because we're all flawed! I have SO many fond family memories, but a few are as tattered and torn as this old bag. All of them have contributed to who I am today. I think the trick is figuring out what to carry around and what to leave behind. I'm just hoping I didn't create too much unnecessary baggage for my kids! :)

Most of the family in these photos have passed away, but 2 are still living. Two I have never met. The paper rolled up is a family tree, hand drawn by my aunt who is an artist. Her story is quite the soap opera. The Reader's Digest version is that she was not raised with any of her blood relatives, tho' she knew about them. All her life, she longed for those blood ties. When she finally met my dad, her half brother (they were both in their 50's or 60's), it was part of her passion to research our family tree. I haven't looked at it in a while and realized today that we have not added Hannah to it yet. Guess I'll wait until her little sister is born in January and add both girls then. :)

For those who are interested, I've added notes to identify my family members.

Nikon D5000, 35mm

199/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "The chicken or the egg"

I'm a city girl, but I still like the look of brown eggs. And they're about as farm fresh as the Kroger down the street. lol. It ALMOST looks like I'm getting ready to cook something, right? Don't let appearances deceive you. :) Although I am off to make supper...sour cream chicken enchiladas. Yay! Happy weekend!

Slider's Sunday: A little vintage tones with a slight vignette...HSS!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Available for purchase at Getty Images

331/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "A Mystical Figure":

This was a tough challenge for me. I'm not exactly sure what qualifies as mystical, but there is a certain mystery about angels. Is anyone else getting a distinct "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" vibe from this? :) Obviously, I have fallen off the "no bokeh" wagon. I just can't seem to help it. I plan to enjoy it as long as the tree is up!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Geesh! It's been eons since I posted a fence shot. Think I've been cooped up too long! lol

Nikon D5000, 50mm

22/50 Days of 50mm

284/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Tape":

I'm thankful every day that Jesus mended my broken heart with His love. I'm afraid masking tape would not cut it! lol

Hope you all are enjoying your Sunday. We're headed to a nearby Fall Festival to play games with our little "monkey" Hannah. Should be fun!

This one is prettier on black...please press L if you have time.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Delicate":

Several days late on this challenge. Just can't seem to find time with the remodel. The house we're staying in is too dark for photos and it's been too hot to shoot outside. I caught this delicate flower just before dusk tho'...have no idea what it is. TINY little thing! Each blossom is about the size of a pencil eraser.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

337/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "A symbol":

The evergreen tree was first used by the pagans at the Feast of Winter Solstice as a sign that winter would end. The Christmas tree comes to us from Germany. Martin Luther is credited with being inspired by the starry heavens one night, and expressing his feelings to his family by bringing a fir tree into his home, and attaching lighted candles to its branches. The lighted tree reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and the star atop of the Star of Bethlehem.

I'm thankful the challenge was posted a little early again, as I have a busy day tomorrow and was hoping to put something up quickly. I decided to get out of my macro and bokeh box for a change and shoot wide angle/small aperture/long exposure.

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

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Our arboretum has a display of small houses paying homage to various artists. Monet, Picasso, and van Gogh. Loved loved these bright colors!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

209/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Still":

We're desperate for rain here...STILL! We were fortunate to get a little on Saturday, but not near enough to end this drought. Forecast predicts 103 today...106 tomorrow...The heat just keeps coming, but not the rain. :( One of these days, I'll stop complaining about this. In fact, when the rain comes, I'll probably complain about not being able to go shoot outdoors. What a malcontent! lol... Is it just me, or does the bokeh look a little like raindrops? I must be dreaming. :)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Magic":

Well, my desire was to do some sort of fun levitation shot today, but I had no time to conceptualize or execute. Instead, we met our granddaughters at a church Halloween festival. We had a great time! It was fun and loud and crowded and there was no time to set up shots. So I just tried to capture what I could in all the chaos.

I shot this pic of Abigail in her ladybug costume, chilled out in her stroller. I was loving the zoned out look in her eyes (yep...almost nap time). But you know how it is with baby portraits...hard to frame those wiggly arms and legs. lol

Thank goodness for Photoshop! I created a duplicate layer, filled that layer with black, then used a layer mask to conceal her arm and any red other than the red surrounding her face. It was better, but the real magic happened when I converted to black and white. I think she could hypnotize me with those eyes...and that would be a magic act all in itself, wouldn't it?

Oh...and note to self. ALWAYS check your camera settings when you put away your camera!! My ISO was still up from shooting in overcast weather the day before. Arg....

Happy Slider's Sunday anyway!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

291/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Weeds":

I know there have been several dandelions in the stream already. I spent a fair amount of time trying to get this shot tho', so I posted anyway. Tried to process it a little differently than the others for some variety. Quite a bit of wind today which made this challenging. I love photographing dandies....and this was the ONLY one I found after a significant search. It seems all my favorite fields had been mowed recently. Guess someone forgot to check the ODC topic. lol

Nikon D5000, 105mm

318/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "A Child's View":

Chapter 3 strikes again! Yesterday's shot was filled with Hannah's wonder at the Christmas tree. I'm not too thrilled with my subject today as I would have much rather shot a portrait. Sadly, no children available. At any rate, friends gave us this toy for Hannah more than a year ago. I think it would probably be considered vintage now. I've had it tucked away in a closet waiting for Hannah to "grow into it". I pulled it out yesterday and it was a big hit. Hannah still has some growing to do before she can fully appreciate it, but her engineer G-Pa was totally in his element! I foresee hours of fun in the future, but I think I need a building tutorial first! :)

Happy Cliche Saturday: Toys scavenger hunt (and this is number 36 to complete my first set of cliches...yay!)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

View on Instagram instagr.am/p/B-zaHrWnDME/

297/365 - Our Daily Challenge: "Depict your first initial":

Not my finest work, but I thought B was a hard letter! I was happy not to have to create my own. I was wishing for a name like Olivia this morning. Plenty of O's out there! lol ...At any rate, also submitting to Cliche Saturday. Yay! A 2-fer!

Happy Cliche Saturday: Reflections in sunglasses scavenger thread

Nikon D5000, 50mm

300/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Liquid":

I'm not a Britney Spears fan, but borrowed the title anyway. Decided to celebrate Day 300 with a little red....nail polish that is! This was a little more fun than the fitness challenge yesterday...of course, my house reeks of fumes. :)

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Nothing special...just a bit of fluff blowing in the wind and caught on my Japanese Maple...I just loved that bit of sparkle when the sunlight hit it.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

267/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Eyes":

This is really just a variation on a shot I have done before. Different scarf, different model. Sorry for the repeat, but I needed it to be quick today! I think I prefer the black and white, but do think these colors are pretty. My light was a bit more from the side this time, which I think I like. Comments, suggestions always welcome.

BTW...this is one of my students...she has 7 siblings and ALL of them have this blonde hair and blue eyes. I thought that was a recessive gene! lol

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Available for purchase at Getty Images

Happy Bokeh Thursday!

This is one from the archives that I pulled out for a re-edit. Hope you like it. I shot it before I owned a tripod, so it was handheld. My ISO was probably too high....a little noise. I had a fair amount of work to edit my own reflection out of the silver ball. This is one of my all time Christmas faves.

I'll be back for comments tonight!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

M4H - "Weather":

I know the whole country has been experiencing whacky weather, but the threat of a freeze in Dallas in May?? Seriously???? No chance of playing in the pool anytime soon. Will have to settle for the puddles.

ODC- "Signs of the Season"

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Getty Sales: 2

Available for purchase at Getty Images

306/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Sign":

This was a gift from a student...Good words to remember. I don't know about you, but sometimes I need that encouragement with the 365. Grey and dreary today...tried to brighten some in post. Not sure it's there...but I'm done. I have tried enough for today. lol

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Three":

Happy Trails to you...and Happy Slider's Sunday too!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Quote by Dale Evans

M4H - "Routine":

Routine for her to sleep, but definitely not in this position. Ha ha. I had a lot of fun photographing my former student's little newborn. So sweet. And a rare treat for me. Definitely not part of my normal routine. (One more shot from this session on my stream...so far pretty happy with how they're turning out, in spite of the challenges).

Our Daily Challenge: "Commit"...They are new parents of a tiny human being who is 100% dependent on them. If that's not commitment, I don't know what is. lol

Happy Slider's Sunday! Added a little saturation and brightened a bit.

Another shot from our family fun on Memorial Day. You reckon someday I might be able to catch a shot with both of them looking at the same time? lol

Nikon D5000, 35mm

211/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Masculinity":

I find it humorous that I went from ballet slippers yesterday to this.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

200/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Silver":

"I always fear that creation will expire before teatime." (Sydney Smith)

My mom has been giving away family heirlooms for the last few years in preparation for her recent move to a retirement center. Last time I visited her, she sent me home with this antique silver tea service. It originally belonged to my first mother, who passed away when I was 6 weeks old. I don't do fancy entertaining, so I haven't used it yet. It's boxed in a closet, which bothers my mom. She keeps telling me to sell it if I'm not going to use it, but I can't let go of it. Won't she be glad to know it came out of the closet for a few minutes, even if it was only for a photo? I had to bring out something special to celebrate my 200th consecutive challenge. BTW, I don't know why all of you were polishing your silver today. I just shot wide open and focused on something else. Added a litlte vintage in post and you can't even tell it's bokeh tarnish, right? :)

I find it humorous that I went from down-home country in yesterday's shot to high tea in today's. Which one represents me better? Probably something in between! :)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

223/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Unfinished":

I really struggled with today's theme, which doesn't mean I couldn't find unfinished things around the house. I just couldn't get past the idea that nothing is more unfinished than ME. So, I knew what I wanted to communicate...but had no clue how to do that. I finally settled on this Bible verse. Philipians 1:6 "He who began a good work in you will complete it until that day.". And here's what that means to me:

The older I get, the more aware I am of the work God wants to accomplish in my heart and mind. The problem is that I'm not entirely cooperative with Him. Thankfully, He doesn't simply abandon me! Instead, like a Crafstman, He is constantly whittling away at my character. Each time I'm challenged by my circumstances, I need to remember that it's God's way of teaching me patience, love, kindness, joy, trust, etc. It's not about me trying to be a better person. Frankly, it's not in me. I lack the power for any kind of genuine, lasting change. It's instead about me recognizing my role. I'm not the Artist (no matter how much I want to be)...I'm the raw, unsightly, rough hunk of wood. Does the wood simply need to try harder to become something beautiful or useful? No...it lies still in the Master's hand and lets Him fashion it for its intended purpose. And it may hurt a little...sometimes it hurts a LOT...but I can still trust Him. He knows what He's doing and, in the end, I will be better for it. So, for now, this is what you see...a messy, flawed, person who is very much a work in progress!

Textures by Shadow House (Old Canvas -5) and Kim Klassen (Love)

Looks better on black...Hit L.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Grow":

Either that, or they knew they were sending these babies to Texas where everything is BIG. Easily the biggest apple I have ever seen...and my fave...a honeycrisp! I'm salivating, just looking at it.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

271/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Monday":

“Solitude is such a potential thing. We hear voices in solitude, we never hear in the hurry and turmoil of life; we receive counsels and comforts, we get under no other condition" (Amelia E Barr)

Monday is currently my day to regroup, to recover from the busy weekend, and prepare for the week. Sometimes, Mondays are interrupted with doctor/dentist appointments, etc., but they're often days with no set schedule. I can work at my own pace,indulging in daydreams (like taking time to swoon over a few acorns and bokeh) while I try to accomplish things. I honestly enjoy the solitude. It refreshes me. I also love the days that I teach and busy weekends with my family...just in a different way. I suppose it all boils down to balance. That said, I think I need to get to work now! :)

I think I'm going for the record of most acorn shots in one person's stream. One of these days, I might need to create a set. lol

Nikon D5000, 50mm

349/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "10 Steps":

Ten steps inside my front door is my piano. And I'm not likely to get much more than ten steps away from it today as it's my first teaching day since the holidays. It's good to see students again! Alternate shot below. I like them both for very different reasons. Would welcome your opinion.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

A cold front moved through yesterday. It's crisp and refreshing out there! I shot this during my granddaughter's nap time when my daughter (who is 30 weeks pregnant) had a few minutes to rest. Yay for nap time and "chick lit"! Sophie Kinsella.....SO funny!

Submitting to Cliche Saturday: Sock it to me scavenger thread

Nikon D5000, 50mm

304/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Multicolor":

OH so thankful for an easy challenge! There is nothing terribly creative or original about this shot, but I am so stressed for time that I was just happy to get a quick shot out there. I am in for a very L-O-N-G day of work and was wondering how I would get the challenge done. Thank you moderators for posting it a little early. I was able to do it by lamplight tonight and get day 304 out of the way.

I've set out my favorite color.....What's YOUR favorite? BTW....more colorful on black. Hit L if you have time. :)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

201/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Bargain":

This probably doesn't make a very interesting photo, but it's the only bargain I could think of. I'm not much of a bargain hunter, but it's no surprise I love antiques, right? This youth chair was QUITE the bargain! My great aunt only paid $2 for it, disassembled in a gunny sack. She didn't even know if all the parts were there. Sure enough, two spindles were missing, but her husband turned new ones and restored it beautifully. You can see it's had a lot of use over the years...well loved with all those scrapes and scuffs....and I love it. Gives it character. My 30 year old daughter used it as her high chair and now my granddaughter does. No straps or tray... just tie her in with a belt and scoot her up to the table. She loves it too. :)

Nikon D5000, 50mm

341/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "No really....you shouldn't have":

KC hopes we'll leave her out of the gift exchange next year. This was just plain humiliating. In fact, she was so embarrassed, she was reluctant to pose for her "elfie". (hangs head in shame for really bad pun).

Poor light again today...combine that with an uncooperative cat, and this is what you get. I am really not happy with the light. It is, however, marginally better on black. Please press L

Nikon D5000, 50mm

210/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Worn":

Our pointe shoes are our instruments. If something’s wrong with my feet, all my mind goes there. I usually have six pairs ready. Soft shoes for one act, stiffer shoes for another, stronger shoes for a variation with a lot of turns.

-Nina Ananiashvili

-Toni Bentley-

All I could think of today were my student's pointe shoes. I think they're so beautiful, even when they're worn. I was surprised to learn how quickly they wear out and how expensive it is to replace them. I understand that during a single week of performances, a dancer may go through several pair of pointe shoes. Yikes!

I'm questioning my processing now. I half wonder if I should have tried shooting it on black also...just to see what I like better. Unfortunately, no time for that now. Opinions certainly welcome tho'. At any rate..this one looks better on black. Hit L....

Nikon D5000/50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "In order":

"Why is the alphabet in that order. Is it because of that song? The guy who wrote that song wrote everything." Stephen Wright"

When I begin with new piano students, the first thing they learn is to say the music alphabet frontwards and backwards. Amazing how many variations there are in music with just these seven pitches (and their corresponding flats and sharps). Change the order and you've got a new melody!

Now, if you want a photo of something that is not in order, come to my house. The remodel is in full swing and every room is a wreck! I think we'll love the finished product, but oy...the process is painful!

Nikon D5000, 105mm

260/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Bread":

Oh my gosh, this one was HARD!!! I'm not at all satisfied with this...but it's the best I could do in the amount of time I have today. It could be argued that sticky buns are not bread, but I'm going with it anyway. The link that was given for how to photograph food recommended taking a bite before the shot...so I did....several times, in fact.

Nikon D5000, 35mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Time":

It's finally time for the fiddle heads to come up. Love them!

Quote by Max Frisch.

Nikon D5000, 105mm

182 - Our Daily Challenge - "Anticipation":

We should learn the gender of our newest grandchild in just a few weeks. I can hardly wait to know which little hat I'll need for those sleepy newborn pics! Either way, we'll be blessed! We love being grandparents and hope we'll always be a blessing to the little ones God brings our way. Yep, lots of good anticipation around here!!!!

Hey you, you're a child in my head

You haven't walked yet

Your first words have yet to be said

But I swear you'll be blessed

(Elton John)

Not too sure about the processing on this one. Suggestions always welcome!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

244/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Begins with S"

I love acorns, so I was glad for an opportunity to shoot them today. If I'm thinking literally about the challenge, I could say that S is for simplicity, or seasonal, or seed. But in a figurative sense, I believe the acorn represents surrender. John 12:24 says "unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds". The same applies to acorns. A wise woman said it this way:

"We are being asked to trust, to leave the planning to God. God's ultimate plan is as far beyond our imaginings as the oak tree is from the acorn's imaginings.The acorn does what it was made to do, without pestering its maker with questions about when and how and why. We who have been given intelligence and a will and a wide range of wants that can be set against the divine Pattern for Good are asked to believe Him. We are given the chance to trust Him when He says to us, ' ...If any man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self."

(Catherine Marshall)

Trust...that's challenging for a control freak like me. Maybe that's part of why I love acorns so much...because they remind me that my job is not to try to control(control is an illusion anyway)...It's to trust the One who knows what He's doing.

Textures by Kim Klassen: Ugglove and Scripted Autumn

Nikon D5000, 105mm

280/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "When life gives you lemons":

Our challenge today was to "take something bad and make the most out of it with the way you photograph it". I'm not sure this qualifies, but I chose it because some might say old books and aged wood are ugly...I think they get more beautiful with time. I personally like the "character" they develop. I like the smell and the way they feel in my hands. :) And PS: I thought this challenge was hard!

Nikon D5000, 35mm

our Daily Challenge - "Decoration":

My worship leader (a.k.a. my boss) was kind enough to send me flowers this week. And my husband picked up mini pumpkins this week too. It's a regular color fest in my kitchen. Yay!

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "DIY":

I wasn't going to participate in the challenge today, because I'm not in the middle of any project (rare for me). That said, my plan was to try to create an image for Easter this week.Then, it dawned on me that it would relate to the challenge. At least in my mind.

I know that some of my flickr friends are from different faiths, and some don't particularly relate to spiritual things, but I hope you'll allow me express what this image means to me.

I'm so grateful that I don't have to earn my eternal salvation. I couldn't even if I wanted to! The Bible says that nothing I do could ever cleanse my heart from the sinful decisions I've made. There's only one way for me to obtain forgiveness and that's through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. His love is so strong that He did what no other god has ever done...He placed Himself in our broken world, He gave up His heavenly, glorified body and made Himself NOTHING by becoming human with all the physical and emotional limitations we deal with. He faced all the same temptations we do, yet He did not yield to them. He lived a sinless life in perfect obedience to God. And He did that so He could die for us. But death could not conquer Him. He rose again on the third day and anyone who chooses to put their faith in Him, can be forgiven and join Him in heaven for eternity.

Titus 3:5 says "He saved us, not because of right things we had done, but because of His mercy." I'm still very much a sinner. I still make selfish choices, but I'm grateful every day for mercy and forgiveness.

Our world is changing and I think fewer people are familiar with the Biblical world view. They may have heard stories here and there, but may not know the narrative of the entire story. It's a story of grace and truth... of hope and future restoration. Jesus came to rescue us and one day He will make all things right. If you'd like to know more, I hope you'll check out the following link. It explains things far better than I could. It relates to 4 questions. How did it all begin? What went wrong? Can anything be done? What will the future hold? Check it out if you have time. viewthestory.com/viewer/?c=1000&p=t&quality=undef...

And finally...a favorite song to go along with this image. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNClAJO2tnQ Skip the ad. lol

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Do over again":

My first thought about the challenge was that it would be fun, but I actually found it very difficult. It felt restrictive to me AND I had FAR too many photos I would have liked to redo. I'm rarely satisfied, so there was just too much to choose from. lol. I was hoping to do a simple shot, so I fell back on my beloved acorns. YES...again! But it is terribly windy today and they were blowing all over the place. This doesn't seem all that different from the original, but my main goal was to close down a bit and change my focal point. I started with similar processing to the original, but decided on b/w because the salvia blooming in the background was really distracting. Feeling really "bleh" about it, but I need to get to work.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Our Daily Challenge - "Heart":

Groans with embarrassment over that corny title. Happy Cliche Saturday....barely squeaked this one in, but couldn't resist a little heart bokeh for the heart challenge. I DO ♥ a cliche!

Please view on black. Hit L.

Nikon D5000, 50mm

16/50 Days of 50mm

M4H: Blue

Have been keeping my eye open for fields of bluebonnets, but it's a little early yet. Found this lonely one growing in a neighbor's weed infested grass....a little treasure. And that's what I love about macro....even the weeds look good when the dof is this shallow. lol

Morning glories....how wonderful...

Happy Fence Friday all! Hope you have a great weekend!

Nikon D5000, 35 mm

275/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Black and White and Grainy":

My lovely daughter (and granddaughter No. 2). Love them! I tried to follow the directions in the article but got stuck on the color curves adjustment. Don't know how to do that yet, but I did like what the other adjustments did for the conversion. Added a bit of noise, but not too much. Comments and suggestions welcome.

Nikon d5000, 50mm

M4H 52 Week Project - "Texture":

This started as a simple portrait. My student is graduating soon and preparing for her solo senior recital next week. She asked me to take some photos of her that she might use for her program. I loved this one, with the light from my skylight on her face and her listening expression. But the white paneling was not enough contrast against her white blouse. This week's theme inspired me to add a texture and I really liked the result. It's hard to believe her time with me is coming to an end. It's been 11 years. She has the most gentle and sensitive spirit. Can you tell? I will miss her, but I'm so proud of her and all she's accomplished!

ODC2 - "Work"

Nikon D5000, 50mm

Available for purchase at Getty Images

342/365 - Our Daily Challenge - "Blue":

Well, as my blue eyed Hannah was not here today, I had to shoot a still life. lol. My aunt used to work in an antique store and bought a lot of unique items there. She knows I love blue, so she gave me a lovely set of cobalt blue glassware...goblets, dessert plates and sherbet cups. I love how they catch the light.

Nikon D5000, 50mm