Project 2012 -- Week 51

Project 2012 -- Week 51

December 16-22

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time to look back over the past week, 
choose seven favorite images I've taken, and share them here with you.  
If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment 
so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

Wow--I almost didn't take any pictures this past week!  Almost.  It's kind of nice that business slows way down for me during this time, so all my focus can be on my family, my home, and the Lord at His birth.

These biscuits will probably make it on my family blog in the form of a recipe.  They were tasty, though a little dry due to my overbaking them.

[351] Garlic parsley biscuits

This picture of me is cheating for Project 2012--Danny took it.  :)

[352] Christmas me

Sometimes the sunsets out my kitchen window are fantastic, even with power lines and telephone poles.  You have to get creative with the camera to capture them properly.

[353] Another suburban sunset

Then it was back to my beloved macro lens to capture some images from our Christmas tree.  The figurines in the manger scene below are from my grandmother; she purchased them from a Ben Franklin store a looooong time ago.  (Are those stores even around anymore??)

[354] Manger scene

[355] Snowflake sparkle

[356] Red snowflake

This year, I've been using 3M poster strips--they attach paper to wall (or other surface), then are easily removed without damaging the surface.  Yep, there's my plug for 3M Command Adhesive, lol.  It's so fun to decorate with people's greeting cards and pictures!  (Oh, and I love the bokeh!)

[357] Christmas greetings

If I don't post tomorrow, Merry Christmas!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 45

Project 2012 -- Week 45

November 4-10

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time to look back over the past week, 
choose seven favorite images I've taken, and share them here with you.  
If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment 
so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

This was another restful week, with one big shock at the end--I think my 17-85mm lens is permanently on strike.  After doing a Littles Portrait Session with my 50mm lens, I tried to take some sunset pictures with my 17-85mm, and received an "Error 01" message that the lens was failing to communicate with the camera.  That had happened once or twice recently, but but was always resolved with turning the camera off/on.  I've tried the lens several times since that sunset, and it's a no-go.  It is my kit lens, and the lens I use for everyday shooting--which, as you know, I do a lot of.  Sorry to whine here!  But, I'm about to research getting a new lens, and soon so I can keep up with my skills, my blogs, etc.

Okay, I've ranted and now it's time for pictures!

This first one is not the actual ballot; our county provides sample ballots online, and we printed several out to go over and mark up so we were ready to vote.

[309] Voting Day

[310] First presidential election

Danny (above) was excited to vote in his first presidential election.  He wasn't so excited to learn the next day that every candidate we voted for lost.  We were redistricted into a liberal district, and now have liberals representing us at all levels of government--from local to national.  Welcome to Illinois politics.

I've been "downsizing" my spices, using smaller jars for those spices I use less frequently, in order to make room for all the jars on my little spice rack.  I've still got some jars on the top of the rack, but it's working pretty well so far.

[311] Spice rack

Here's the larger view:

[312] Kitchen spices

I found a bag of Andes mint chunks in the freezer, and figured I'd better make some cookies with them.  This was the recipe on the back of the bag, and they are dee-lish.  (It was a basic chocolate chip recipe, using the mint chunks instead of chips.)

[313] Mint chip cookies

Remember the "M" and "J" letters from my last Project 2012 post?  I stained them and brushed a cost of polyurethane on, and here they are below all set up at the C. home, ready for twin girls!  Yes, the apples are real--I'd rather have real props if I can, and don't they look just lovely?  I can't wait to show you the images from the shoot--I got some beautiful shots!

[314] Portrait props

Right after the above portrait session, I drove over to a nearby park to catch what was going to be a spectacular sunset.  Kit lens on, click the lens--error message.  I already ranted about it above, so no re-hashing it here.  I stuck my 50mm on and captured this shot--still beautiful, though not as wide-angle as I would've liked.

[315] Sunset at the park

All in all, some basic and regular shots this week.  I'm learning to trust the Lord with my photography--both professionally (try shooting natural light on a dark, stormy afternoon in a back living room!) and personally (my all-around kit lens...).  He knows what's best, and I'm trying to trust Him for a solution.

Here's to this upcoming week, for both you and me!  May our cameras be trusty, and our pictures be inspiring.


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 44

Project 2012 -- Week 44

October 28 - November 3

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time to look back over the past week, 
choose seven favorite images I've taken, and share them here with you.  
If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment 
so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

Ellie took a nice, long rest this week.  I've been pretty busy with homeschooling, creating photo books, streamlining my business, planning for next year's state homeschool convention (the special needs portion), and general day-to-day stuff.  So, that's my personal life, and now here are my images.  :)

These are pretty random, just images I took when I felt like picking Ellie up and capturing something.  I wasn't too inspired by anything in particular, but I did enjoy shooting anyway.

[302] Bananas

[303] Dried oregano

I purchased these letters, and plan on staining them for an upcoming photo shoot with four-month-old twin girls.  I'm very excited about that!

[304] M and J

I've been pondering the upcoming election, and the first verse below kept coming to mind.  It's good to know the Lord is in control.

[305] Wise words

I still have tomatoes from my garden!  These tomatoes below are completing their ripening in a bowl in front of my living room window.

[306] Autumn tomatoes

Here are a couple of books I want to read through someday, when I have time.  (Yeah, right, but I'm still hoping!)

[307] Good reading

This past weekend, I decided to turn my bread dough into garlic rolls.  I rolled it out on the counter, then spread butter and fresh minced garlic over it.  I cut it up into 24 squares (this is two loaves' worth of dough), and formed haphazard balls.  They turned out excellent, and my house smelled wonderful all afternoon!

[308] Garlic rolls

Next week will be more inspiring, especially with a Littles Session!  These twin girls are guaranteed to be adorable and I can't wait to work with them.  I hope you've had a great week!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 43

Project 2012 -- Week 43

October 21 - 27

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time to look back over the past week, 
choose seven favorite images I've taken, and share them here with you.  
If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment 
so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

This was a slow week for my camera and me, since Fernando was home sick all week with a cold/flu that really knocked the wind out of his sails.  Poor guy!

We started the week warm and windy (I love that alliteration!) and scheduled a work day in the veggie garden.  First order of the day was to transplant the oregano from the back yard veggie garden into the front flower garden to make space for more veggies.

[295] New home for the oregano

My friend Lori's son Bryan came over to help, and he spread straw over our strawberry plants.  They grew like mad this summer, and we're hoping for a nice harvest next spring.

[296] Straw for strawberries

This sunset was very pretty.  I have to get creative when taking sunset pictures from my back yard due to one of the downsides of living in suburbia--power lines and light posts.  :/

[297] Autumn sunset

After the above sunset, the weather turned rainy, then cold.  I wandered out back on one of those cold, but sunny, days, and took some pictures of weeds.  At least they were blooming!

[298] Autumn dandelions

[299] Caught in thistle

[300] Autumn leaf

I love these gallon-sized glass jars for storing.  I got one of them at a garage sale, and a friend gave me the other one.  I'd love to have several more; they're just so handy.

[301] Legumes

Hopefully this next week will be a richer week for photography!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 42

Project 2012 -- Week 42

October 14 - 20

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time to look back over the past week, 
choose seven favorite images I've taken, and share them here with you.  
If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment 
so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

I had such a busy week last week, that I took a picture just here and there.  But then Saturday came--although it was gorgeous and sunny outside, it was raining shooting opportunities inside.  Raining--as in showers of images!  Showers--as in wedding showers.  Yes--just one, but it was one of the most fun wedding showers I've attended.  Plus, it was the sweetest wedding shower to photograph.  Bar none.  I'll share a few of those images at the end, then you'll have to wait--very patiently--to see the rest.  I'm so excited about them; they turned out beautifully.

I was headed out to the bank--I love when I get paid!--and saw these clouds right before I hopped in the car.  So of course, I ran inside and grabbed my camera for a shot.  The clouds looked even cooler about 15 minutes later; the ones in the middle looked like little wavy tornadoes.

[290] Triple cloud layer

Photographically speaking, you can definitely tell the difference between a bright, sunny day and an overcast one.  I took two pictures of Jacob's tree, which is beautiful in autumn, on two different days, in two different lighting conditions.  Here's a shot I captured on October 17, a cloudy, overcast day, at about 10:00 a.m.:

[291] Jacob's tree in autumn

And, here's a shot I captured a few days later, on the 20th, with a bright sunny sky, at about 9:00 a.m.:

[292] Jacob's tree in autumn II

I definitely like the first shot better; it's softer, and although the light is flat, I love the colors of the tree and the overall softness of the image.  I do like the second image; it is very contrast-y, but with bright colors, too.  In photography, light = everything!

I took another self-portrait last week, since I've been looking for styles that work for my body type.  And although I generally do not like pictures of me, the ones I've taken have been helpful as I'm trying to decide which articles of clothing to keep, and figure out which clothes look good.  I like this teal top, found at Goodwill for less than $4!

[293] Style in teal and black

Time for a shower!  This lovely young woman lived nearby for many years, then moved with her family to Georgia.  So many family and friends remained behind, that they decided to throw her a "northern shower" when she came back into town to work with a talented seamstress on her wedding dress.

[294] Wedding shower

The cake turned out beautifully, and the colors were perfect for an autumn shower.

[295] Celebrate!

[296] Cake flowers

I've personally known this young woman for many years, and it has been a privilege to watch her grow up and blossom into a beautiful, Godly bride!  I simply can't wait to attend her January wedding (woo-hoo--Georgia in January!) to witness her marriage and to celebrate with all her family and friends.  Oh, and to take as many pictures as possible for a remembrance of the special day!

Can't wait to see what you've been up to lately!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 Week 23 -- June 3-9

Project 2012 -- Week 23

June 3 - June 9

How to Link Up With Us

1.  Click here to read the Project 2012 Guidelines, and to get the code to place in your blog.
2.  Fill out the little form below (insert the URL of your blog post, not the main URL of your blog).
3.  Please visit others' links and leave comments; you will receive visits and comments in return!

My Week 23 Photos

As I stated last week, I wanted to make sure I used Ellie a few times before our state homeschool conference began on Wednesday evening; otherwise, I would have no pictures to show you!  And it turned out to be true--I took just one photo of my speaker at the ICHE state homeschool conference.  (I can't believe it's over; it seemed to loom ahead of me, and now poof!  It's over.)

After watering my front yard gardens, I brought Ellie out for a few pictures.  Of course, it's so fun to experiment with depth of field with lilies.   They have such depth!  :)

[155] Asiatic lily (f13)

 [156] Asiatic lily (f4.5)

Here's a somewhat side view of the flower, at f13.  Even though the stamen/anthers/pistil aren't in focus, I think it's my favorite shot.  I love the water droplets.

[157] Asiatic lily

I was happily surprised to see my first purple coneflower flower begin to emerge!  This variety is called powwow wild berry, and it is such a deep, rich purple color.  It's my favorite (but I say that for almost all the flowers in my garden, for one reason or another!)

 [158] Emerging purple coneflower

 [159] The blooming begins

Indoors, Fernando and the guys finished painting our main bathroom.  Then, he hung some towel hooks that I bought--well, let's not share when I bought them.  But they're hung now, and the guys have places for their towels.  We just have the border to hang in this room, and maybe I'll replace the shower curtain (it has yellowed over the years), and then this room will be pretty much complete.

 [160] Hooks in the bathroom

Below is the one picture I took at the ICHE state homeschool convention.  I brought Melinda Boring, from Heads Up Now!, in to speak for most of the workshop slots.  My friend and ICHE assistant Adrianne spoke for one workshop, and Fernando and I spoke for another workshop.  Melinda was a great speaker, really engaging her audience and imparting solid, practical advice and ideas.  Plus, with a name like Boring, she had to be fun!  And we had a lot of fun together over the week/weekend.

[161] ICHE state homeschool conference

I'm thoroughly exhausted from working since Wednesday afternoon, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.  It's such a wonderful feeling to feel goodly tired and knowing that I brought encouragement and hope to families homeschooling (or thinking about homeschooling) their special needs children.  If you're interested, check out the blog I created for homeschooling and special needs!

And now, I rest.  :)


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 Week 22 -- 5/27-6/2

Project 2012 -- Week 22

May 27 - June 2

How to Link Up With Us

1.  Click here to read the Project 2012 Guidelines, and to get the code to place in your blog.
2.  Fill out the little form below (insert the URL of your blog post, not the main URL of your blog).
3.  Please visit others' links and leave comments; you will receive visits and comments in return!

My Week 21 Photos

Ellie had a little break this past week, until Saturday when I did a photo session at a playground (images to appear later).  I think it's ironic that I complained throughout the winter that there wasn't much of anything to shoot, and now that it's practically summer, I keep shooting flowers.  And more flowers.  Last week was no exception.

Whether the flower has turned to fruit, or is a weed, they're still amazing subjects to shoot, and one of my favorite things to capture in my non-professional photo jaunts.  :)

[148] First strawberry

[149] Clover

[150] Astilbe "peach"

[151] Woodland hydrangea

One morning Thomas (16) decided we should make Belgian waffles.  It didn't matter that breakfast ended up being at 10:30am, since Thomas made it, and he served me on my special china, and he served me first.  He's a sweetheart.

[152] Belgian waffles

I took a picture of my absolutely gorgeous lettuce while my young men unloaded some firewood my parents gave us.  So you know I'm not boasting, I've never been able to grow lettuce more than 4" high.  These babies--there are four heads left--have grown to about 18" high!  (They're black-seeded Simpson, in case you're curious.)

[153] Supersize lettuce

Here's the wood pile we ended up with.  Thanks, Dad and Mom!

[154] New wood pile

 This upcoming week brings our state homeschool convention, and this photographer lady will be very busy with a different aspect of her life as she works like crazy for 3+ days.  I'll try to use Ellie before I leave so I have at least something to show you next week.  ;)

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 Week 21 -- May 20-26

Project 2012 -- Week 21

May 20 - May 26

How to Link Up With Us

1.  Click here to read the Project 2012 Guidelines, and to get the code to place in your blog.
2.  Fill out the little form below (insert the URL of your blog post, not the main URL of your blog).
3.  Please visit others' links and leave comments; you will receive visits and comments in return!

My Week 21 Photos

I didn't use Ellie that much this past week, but I did get some good images--mostly from my gardens.  This first image is of three of the guys unloading firewood given to us by my parents.  It makes me happy to see my guys working together, and it makes me happy to think of the fires we will have in our fireplace next winter.

[141] Unloading wood

[142] New stack of firewood

It seems that I'm pretty good at gardening with my camera slung over my shoulder.  :)  I spotted the below in my teeny-tiny strawberry patch (five plants strong!).

[143] Strawberry blossom

Upon seeing all the blooms on my sage plant, I've decided to transplant this beauty into part of my flower garden.  I have a whole jar of rubbed sage from last year, and I have yet to use it.  Any ideas of what to do with sage?

 [144] Blooming sage

My green bean plants have emerged!  I planted French filet bush beans this year, since my pole beans didn't work out so well last year.

[145] French filet bean sprout

What was barely in bud one day was in bloom two days later!  My threadleaf coreopsis is so pretty after a rain--or after the shower of my watering hose.  :)

 [146] Threadleaf coreopsis

My variegated beard tongue is apparently a bee attractant.  They don't seem to mind me snooping around with my macro lens.  I caught some super-crisp shots of bumblebees, but I liked this one best.  This bumblebee is actually taking off, which I didn't even realize until I saw the series of shots I took.

[147] Bumblebee takeoff

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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