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| From Christmas bokeh |
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| From Christmas bokeh |
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| From Christmas bokeh |
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| From Christmas bokeh |
Happy last few days of 2009!!
Posts
i hope you are all well
3 years ago
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
some Christmas bokeh
Well, for those of you who follow Pioneer Woman's photography assignments, you'll know that the most recent one concerned "bokeh" (something to do with blur and background, google it for the exact definition). So I thought I would take a few play shots using Mom's china and Christmas trees. It's a fun idea to play with!
Happy last few days of 2009!!
Happy last few days of 2009!!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Snow! Snow! Snow!
Well, it has all but melted here in Penna, but here are some more pictures from last week's snow storm:
a view out back
one of the garage lamps:
"still, still, still"...
see the little sparkles on the left side? that was the snow flying off of the trees when the wind blew:
"What is Christmas with no snow?"
there's my trash can...somewhere:
I love the holly tree outside of my little apt:
Took this one from my front door with the long lens. Love that 1600 ISO setting :)
That's all for now. Once the football game is over (GO STEELERS!) I hope to play with a few shots that have been rattling around in my brain for a while.
Happy (soon to be) New Year's!
a view out back
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
one of the garage lamps:
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
"still, still, still"...
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
see the little sparkles on the left side? that was the snow flying off of the trees when the wind blew:
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
"What is Christmas with no snow?"
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
there's my trash can...somewhere:
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
I love the holly tree outside of my little apt:
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
Took this one from my front door with the long lens. Love that 1600 ISO setting :)
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
That's all for now. Once the football game is over (GO STEELERS!) I hope to play with a few shots that have been rattling around in my brain for a while.
Happy (soon to be) New Year's!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
a Winter Wonderland!
So you may have heard about this huge snowstorm that walloped the Eastern seaboard this past weekend. Let me tell you, from first hand experience, is it gorgeous outside!! Here in southern PA we probably have 18" of snow. I came over to Mom and Dad's house for some marathon Christmas baking, with the expectation of being snowed in (and was NOT disappointed). Here are a few shots I took from the warm indoors. I hope to go out traisping around later to get some outdoor shots.
Igor (my car) and the snowdrift that was up against the garage door.
Neighborhood kids out for a sleigh ride.
One of the numerous snow drifts on the windows.
The railing on the back deck.
Nah, not too much snow :)
oooo, sparkly!
Loving the texture!
Ok, last one: part of how I kept busy during the storm:
I will have to post a funny story later that happened to me earlier this week. Until then, "may your days be merry and bright!"
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
Igor (my car) and the snowdrift that was up against the garage door.
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
Neighborhood kids out for a sleigh ride.
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
One of the numerous snow drifts on the windows.
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
The railing on the back deck.
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
Nah, not too much snow :)
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
oooo, sparkly!
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
Loving the texture!
Ok, last one: part of how I kept busy during the storm:
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| From Julie Dec 19 snowfall |
I will have to post a funny story later that happened to me earlier this week. Until then, "may your days be merry and bright!"
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Oh, the weather outside is frightful...
Yay, we're having our first snow today! I think we have been getting a little more than they thought, and it's a nice heavy, wet snow that just clings to the trees and it looks lovely! Here are some pictures:
And all of this weather provided the perfect backdrop to this :
It still needs ornaments, but no time left tonight! Have to go beautify myself for a party :)
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| From dec 5 snow |
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| From dec 5 snow |
And all of this weather provided the perfect backdrop to this :
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| From dec 5 snow |
It still needs ornaments, but no time left tonight! Have to go beautify myself for a party :)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
It's beginning to look a lot like...
alright, maybe not quite yet. After all, December doesn't start until Tuesday. But I did get my Christmas tree set up tonight. We'll see how Moggy (the feline furkid) deals with it since it's not in the same place as it was last year. Here's hoping he leaves it alone! Once I know he'll leave it alone, then I can put the lights and ornaments on it.
Thanksgiving was a lovely affair this year. As usual, we (being myself and the parents) went to my sister's for the meal. This year her friend A was visiting with two German exchange students she was hosting (well, one was hers, the other was a "loaner" for the holiday). It was so nice to see A again (haven't had a good change to just hang out with her since sister's wedding), and both of the exchange students were very nice kids. We're hoping to see A and her student at Christmas this year. T and E came down on Friday for the usual turkey and waffles (don't knock it until you've tried it), and it was nice to get to spend time with them. Whether blood related or not, family is always the best part of the holidays for me; I love being able to just revel in the joy of the holiday with others.
BTW - for my part of Thanksgiving dinner, I made the Pioneer Woman's Whiskey glazed carrots (only I used bourbon instead because whiskey is nasty stuff). The link to her blog is on the left hand menu... I suggest you find the recipe and try them. They are simple enough to have as an everyday side dish and you will NOT regret making them.
So to get myself into the Christmas spirit, I thought the blog needed a makeover and here is a picture I took last year of my landlord's barbeque area (it's not a porch and it's not a deck... really I have no idea what to call it).
Happy leftovers :)
Thanksgiving was a lovely affair this year. As usual, we (being myself and the parents) went to my sister's for the meal. This year her friend A was visiting with two German exchange students she was hosting (well, one was hers, the other was a "loaner" for the holiday). It was so nice to see A again (haven't had a good change to just hang out with her since sister's wedding), and both of the exchange students were very nice kids. We're hoping to see A and her student at Christmas this year. T and E came down on Friday for the usual turkey and waffles (don't knock it until you've tried it), and it was nice to get to spend time with them. Whether blood related or not, family is always the best part of the holidays for me; I love being able to just revel in the joy of the holiday with others.
BTW - for my part of Thanksgiving dinner, I made the Pioneer Woman's Whiskey glazed carrots (only I used bourbon instead because whiskey is nasty stuff). The link to her blog is on the left hand menu... I suggest you find the recipe and try them. They are simple enough to have as an everyday side dish and you will NOT regret making them.
So to get myself into the Christmas spirit, I thought the blog needed a makeover and here is a picture I took last year of my landlord's barbeque area (it's not a porch and it's not a deck... really I have no idea what to call it).
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| From First pics with the D60 |
Happy leftovers :)
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Because I need some sun...
It's been rainy and dreary around these parts, so I thought I would post some pics I took this past summer. About a mile south of me was a ginormous field of sunflowers. I loved it and really wanted to just go lie in the middle of it... until I saw all of the grasshoppers. That quickly changed my mind. I hate bugs. With a passion. I get crickets in my house all the time, and I am glad for a cat who will kill them. I still have to clean up the dead bug parts, but at least I'm not trying to smash it with my shoe as the creepy thing jumps at me.
Anyways, I digress a bit. Sorry. :)
I thought this one was neat, just because it was a sunflower eclipse. Not what I meant to get, but chalk one up for happy accidents!
Aaaahhhh, sun.
Maybe we'll see some tomorrow.
Anyways, I digress a bit. Sorry. :)
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| From Sunflowers |
I thought this one was neat, just because it was a sunflower eclipse. Not what I meant to get, but chalk one up for happy accidents!
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| From Sunflowers |
Aaaahhhh, sun.
Maybe we'll see some tomorrow.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
hey, who is that?
*blink blink* Goodness, it's dusty in here... a sure sign this is definitely my blog. So yeah, it's been since, like, February since I last posted. Welcome to life, right? :)
So I am honored to say that I was able to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Philadelphia just last month. It's a 60-mile walk and each participant agrees to raise a minimum amount to walk, all of which goes to fight the disease. Unfortunately, due to a Nor'Easter that settled over us, two of the three days had to be cancelled. The 3-Day people couldn't set up the camp site (don't know why... it was only 6 inches of mud by Sunday), and so many people ended up going home or putting themselves up in hotel rooms. About 200 or so people braved the elements and mall shoppers and walked either outside or in the King of Prussia mall, or other indoor local malls. We were there to walk, and that is exactly what we meant to do! Sunday was the only "official" day of the walk, but there was a sign one of the Walker Stalkers carried that said "1 day of walking, 3 days of heart"; I like to think that summed it up nicely! There are several 3-Day events all over the country; I am proud (and yet, humbled) to say that the Philadelphia walk was able to raise about 8 million dollars in the fight against breast cancer. It's a heady feeling, knowing how much you can accomplish just by being willing to lace up your shoes and walk. It is a great sacrifice of time and efforts, more for some than others. But when it's all said and done, the sacrifice we walkers make is a drop in the bucket compared to the chemotherapy, the mastectomies endured by thousands of women; our road is nothing compared to that which the families of survivors, fighters, and those who lose the fight have to face day in and day out.
It was an incredible experience, even though I didn't have the full 3-Day experience the veteran walkers had. But the amount of support showed to us before and during the walk filled my heart with such a warmth, I don't know what words I could use to properly convey it to you. It is enough to make me want to do it again and again and again.... and so I am! I am registered to walk this year in Tampa, Fl (figured even if it pours down rain this time, it'll be warm at least!). I can't wait; I have a gym membership and I am determined to train more effectively than I did for this past year.
As I train, I am going to try and blog about it (and about more than just aches, pains and such.... whining causes blisters, after all). It's an amazing journey which I make in memory of my grandmother and in honor of so many amazing women who have fought breast cancer and beat it. So I hope you will lace up your shoes and join me on this journey :) If you would like to know more about what is now known as the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, please visit their website: http://www.the3day.org
Happy walking!
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| From Philadelphia 3 Day 2009 |
So I am honored to say that I was able to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in Philadelphia just last month. It's a 60-mile walk and each participant agrees to raise a minimum amount to walk, all of which goes to fight the disease. Unfortunately, due to a Nor'Easter that settled over us, two of the three days had to be cancelled. The 3-Day people couldn't set up the camp site (don't know why... it was only 6 inches of mud by Sunday), and so many people ended up going home or putting themselves up in hotel rooms. About 200 or so people braved the elements and mall shoppers and walked either outside or in the King of Prussia mall, or other indoor local malls. We were there to walk, and that is exactly what we meant to do! Sunday was the only "official" day of the walk, but there was a sign one of the Walker Stalkers carried that said "1 day of walking, 3 days of heart"; I like to think that summed it up nicely! There are several 3-Day events all over the country; I am proud (and yet, humbled) to say that the Philadelphia walk was able to raise about 8 million dollars in the fight against breast cancer. It's a heady feeling, knowing how much you can accomplish just by being willing to lace up your shoes and walk. It is a great sacrifice of time and efforts, more for some than others. But when it's all said and done, the sacrifice we walkers make is a drop in the bucket compared to the chemotherapy, the mastectomies endured by thousands of women; our road is nothing compared to that which the families of survivors, fighters, and those who lose the fight have to face day in and day out.
It was an incredible experience, even though I didn't have the full 3-Day experience the veteran walkers had. But the amount of support showed to us before and during the walk filled my heart with such a warmth, I don't know what words I could use to properly convey it to you. It is enough to make me want to do it again and again and again.... and so I am! I am registered to walk this year in Tampa, Fl (figured even if it pours down rain this time, it'll be warm at least!). I can't wait; I have a gym membership and I am determined to train more effectively than I did for this past year.
As I train, I am going to try and blog about it (and about more than just aches, pains and such.... whining causes blisters, after all). It's an amazing journey which I make in memory of my grandmother and in honor of so many amazing women who have fought breast cancer and beat it. So I hope you will lace up your shoes and join me on this journey :) If you would like to know more about what is now known as the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure, please visit their website: http://www.the3day.org
Happy walking!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 36 - Sunset
This is a portion of the picture I took from my yard of the sunset. It was gorgeous. I had to crop off some of the pic to eliminate the roof and electrical wires. They were not so gorgeous.
Blessings!
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| From Feb 1, 2009 |
Blessings!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 34 - The key
Every house needs a key, right? Well my house key is boring *L* So I took a picture of the key and lock to my antique bookcase (which is huge and I love love love it).
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 33- There's no place like home
This week's theme is "Home Sweet home" and so I thought of this pic immediately. The Women's Retreat my church does has a theme this year of "Follow the Yellow Brick Road". My mother (she's so damn clever, I swear!) found these little clear shoes at the dollar store, colored them with a red marker and then covered it in the Martha Stewart garnet glitter. Then she drilled a hole in the heel and added an elastic cord so that the women can hang them from the rearview mirror of their car.
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Day 32 - Crunch time
Ok, technically I took this picture on Friday morning on my way in to work. Sue me ;) We had snow with a lovely (read: sucky) coating of ice on the top. But it made for some neat photo ops, so enjoy!
Oh and as for the rest of today....
GO STEELERS!!!!
Blessings!
Oh and as for the rest of today....
GO STEELERS!!!!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 31 - Guitar hero
This is a shot of (one of) my Dad's guitar. He really excels at the slack key style (it's Hawai'ian. Good examples would be Ozzie Kotani, Keola Beamer, and Led Ka'apana). You wouldn't believe how uncomfortable it was trying to get the right angle for this shot *LOL*
And THIS! This was an accident that I thought was uber-cool. It's a close up of one of the tuning pegs. Just had to share :)
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
And THIS! This was an accident that I thought was uber-cool. It's a close up of one of the tuning pegs. Just had to share :)
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 30 - A rose by any other name...
This is a stained glass quilt that my mother made (isn't she one talented lady?). It didn't come out in the picture very well, but along black edges and within the picture itself there is a really neat shimmery thread.
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 29 - Scrapbooking
Thought I'd post a scrapbook page. This is one of the pages I did of my high school graduation (HS name pixeled out following the need to know rule. Marvel at the date, tho *LOL*).
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 27 - Stargazing
It was beautifully cold (ok, not beautifully. It was frickin' freezing, Mr. Bigglesworth!) outside the other night, so that meant clear skies. I took this of Orion over my parent's house.
And this is one, donkey, is of the moon (anyone know the movie reference?)
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
And this is one, donkey, is of the moon (anyone know the movie reference?)
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 26 - Hobbies!
Ok, have a week of posts to catch up on! *LOL* Busy week.
My theme this week was hobbies, but there is a hodgepodge of pics, but photography is my hobby,so I think it still works ;)
This is a smocked portion of a baby bonnet that my mother made I don't know when :) I remember thinking that the little machine that does this was just the neatest when I was little.
Blessings
My theme this week was hobbies, but there is a hodgepodge of pics, but photography is my hobby,so I think it still works ;)
This is a smocked portion of a baby bonnet that my mother made I don't know when :) I remember thinking that the little machine that does this was just the neatest when I was little.
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Day 25 - Finally!
Ok, so where I am in PA, we've gotten made 1 inch of snow. Total. And it's almost February!! So my Mom called me yesterday morning to tell me to look outside. There was nothing over us on the radar and we weren't supposed to get any snow but we did!!! Just a dusting, really, it didn't even fully cover the ground, but it was enough to dash around taking pictures.
My landlady had a blanket hanging out on the line and it looked really neat, all snowy. I thought the deep color really brought out the snow. Enjoy!
Blessings!
My landlady had a blanket hanging out on the line and it looked really neat, all snowy. I thought the deep color really brought out the snow. Enjoy!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Day 24- At the carwash!
So since it was in the 40s yesterday, Mom and Daddy took their cars to get cleaned. I went with Mom and as we were sitting in the automatic wash it dawned on me to take a picture. Fortunately she had her little point-and-shoot digital with her (thanks, Mom!) This is looking out the passenger side window and the one wheel thing (it has a name, I'm sure) passed by. I really expected it to be blurry, but it came out great!!
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Day 23 - Thomas Edison, take a bow
Another two photo post for a then/now effect (anyone else thinking of that scene from Spaceballs?)
A pair of oil lamps:
And Mr. Edison's famous invention:
Elec-tricity, E-lec-tri-city! (School House Rock reference, for those of you playing along at home *L*)
Blessings!
A pair of oil lamps:
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| From Inside the lens |
And Mr. Edison's famous invention:
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| From Inside the lens |
Elec-tricity, E-lec-tri-city! (School House Rock reference, for those of you playing along at home *L*)
Blessings!
Day 22- Not quite washboard abs
This is a two photo post, to show what we used to use for washing clothes, and how we do it now :)
First: an old washboard and a copper tub
And now, my Mom's washer and dryer (hers look waaaaay better than mine!)
Gee... which to use for my next load of laundry! *LOL*
Blessings!
First: an old washboard and a copper tub
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| From Inside the lens |
And now, my Mom's washer and dryer (hers look waaaaay better than mine!)
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| From Inside the lens |
Gee... which to use for my next load of laundry! *LOL*
Blessings!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Day 21 - Pumping iron
My Mom has two antique irons and I thought it would be interesting to pair them with a modern day iron. And let me tell you... that little iron on the left? That's heavier than any of them! Glad we've progressed to something lighter, that's for sure!!
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Day 20 - Progress
So the picture has to do with technology. My parents are now the proud owners of a Prius and it's a slick little thing!!
On the side of progress... today Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President. I was moved to tears several times during his swearing in and his speech. Really, I can't describe how I felt or what I experienced, because words fall painfully short. All I know is that it's a brand new day for the USofA. I look forward to the next 4 years with much anticipation... I think it will be quite a journey back from the place we are in now. In the words of Doctor Who: "Allonsy!"
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
On the side of progress... today Barack Obama was sworn in as our 44th President. I was moved to tears several times during his swearing in and his speech. Really, I can't describe how I felt or what I experienced, because words fall painfully short. All I know is that it's a brand new day for the USofA. I look forward to the next 4 years with much anticipation... I think it will be quite a journey back from the place we are in now. In the words of Doctor Who: "Allonsy!"
Blessings!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Day 19 - Cooking with gas
Title pretty much sums it up :) Taken with my 18-55mm lens, no flash. I was very pleased with how this came out. I turned on one of the burners on my Mom's stove and managed to get a few good shots in. I am certain that I was born in the right century, as much as I love the Regency era and Colonial times. I like being able to buy my meat pre-dead and have the ability to cook by turning a dial on a stove!
On a side note, can I just say how excited I am about tomorrow's Inauguration? We're fairly close to D.C., but I still have to work and the sheer volume of people who will be there is a big enough deterrent to keep me in the area. Can't wait to watch it all on my DVR when I get home from work :)
Blessings!!
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| From Inside the lens |
On a side note, can I just say how excited I am about tomorrow's Inauguration? We're fairly close to D.C., but I still have to work and the sheer volume of people who will be there is a big enough deterrent to keep me in the area. Can't wait to watch it all on my DVR when I get home from work :)
Blessings!!
Day 18 - Picture in Picture
My theme this week is "technology", so I thought it appropriate to start with a picture of a picture! This is a pic (although you can't see it very well, it's an awesome shot) of the screen of my Dad's Nikon D50. It's of a red bloom off of my mom's hibiscus plant. Camera's have come a long, long way over the years!!
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
YAHOOOOOO!!!!!!
this has NOTHING to do with Photo365, and I will post my pic o' the day tomorrow.... but I just had to post:
THE STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!
THE STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Day 17 - Frothy goodness
I made myself a peppermintini the other night, only instead of just the mixer and vodka, I added creme de cacao and used heavy whipping cream (I had just a little left in a small carton and I had to use it before it soured). Shook it up in my martini shaker and poured it out. Boy was it tasty! And nicely frothy, so I grabbed the camera and snapped the picture (of course I had to play with the white balance a few times before getting it just right).
And since it's the last day of the textures week, I thought I would throw in a few pictures from my trip to the Big Island of Hawai'i last year. These are both of lava from the Place of Refuge (in Hawai'i, known as Pu'uhonua o Honaunau). The first is the impression of a tree that was caught in that particular flow. The second is just a shot of the lava on which I was standing. I was amazed by its texture.
Blessings!
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| From Inside the lens |
And since it's the last day of the textures week, I thought I would throw in a few pictures from my trip to the Big Island of Hawai'i last year. These are both of lava from the Place of Refuge (in Hawai'i, known as Pu'uhonua o Honaunau). The first is the impression of a tree that was caught in that particular flow. The second is just a shot of the lava on which I was standing. I was amazed by its texture.
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| From Inside the lens |
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| From Inside the lens |
Blessings!
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