Week 4 Nature Photography

I was just asked recently if I liked to do Nature Photography.  Animals, Landscapes etc.....  My answer was yes.....  I like to take photos of just about everything!!!  I have managed to catch a Bald Eagle eating a fish and then photos of it carrying it away.  Another Bald Eagle shot at the Grand River near our home. They usually nest there every year.  I have heard there are some great bird migrations that would make great photos.

That being said,

I think my biggest desire would be to capture a photo of some wild game.  Like a large cat. I have often heard Cougars are very stealthy.  You cannot hear them at all when they approach you and you should just "stay out of the woods". I would think especially during Spring!! Maybe they are like bears, if you wear a bell or something to make noise you can keep them from attacking you.  Too bad young guys don't wear them in bars !!!

Here is your photo of the week!!!

Week 3

Week 3 of trying to take photos was a hard one.  I was working a fair bit and then caught the flu.  Not to mention the cold that I've had since New Years Eve.  That aside, I did get my camera out this week a couple of times. 
Thinking about a quote I recently read... You are Unique!!!  Just like everyone else!!!  ;)  I did take some photos of some snowflakes as it really snowed a couple of days this week.  But I would say  my favourite photo of the week is after some time spent with friends.

Friendship is many things to me, but best of all it is knowing that it is there without effort! It is true and dependable. It cannot be forced. It's like sunshine on a warm summer's day. It reaches into your heart and grabs a hold.  You cannot forget it's warmth. True friends are like fine wine... they really do get better with age! ;)

Week 2

Ok... so I "should" have posted this photo yesterday but... with working full-time this past week I am a little behind!!! ;)

Here is my pic from this week, I didn't get to do as many portrait shots as I had intended to do, but this is my favourite!

My assignment was given 10 Minutes take shots without any automatic settings on my camera... all manual settings :)  It was very different as you can't take pictures quite as quickly. It really makes you slow down to compose your shot.
It was a great assignment. I do think I will try this again this week as I am out and about with people for different events.
Those of you whom I will see this week..... get your smile on!!! ;D

52 week project

WEEK 1

Well, week 1 is over and I've managed to get my camera out quite a few times during the week and "mess around".  Here is my favourite picture from the week.  I woke up and pulled the curtains in my bedroom and saw this morning sky!  The sun just coming up reflected off the clouds behind the trees and made them look as if they were "on fire".  It was gorgeous!

Gratitude

As is with most people at the beginning of a New Year we like to think of many things about our lives and how we would like to change ourselves to become better people.  I have a journal that I started back in 2004 writing odd quotes and whatnot that I liked so that when I am gone my kids will have something to look back at to see what kind of a person I was.  Not just the memories, that they can remember. :)

I want to share my list with you:

1.  Be aware of what is important.  How we meet, greet and live each day is our choosing. CHOOSE to be a happy person.

2.  Live every moment.  Find the freedom and peace in yourself. Don't get caught up in every day life.  The World is a beautiful place and it would be sad to miss that!

3.  It's not what life should be, it's the small things that make us better people. Always, always, treat people with kindness and caring.

4.  Always try to have a positive outlook and be nice to everyone. Again, the more "good" you put out into the world the better off the world will be.  It really can start with you.  Imagine if we all just cared a little more to try.

5.  Just being alive, overcoming obstacles and learning life's lessons are a blessing in itself.

6.  We are all connected and everthing happens for a reason. Good AND bad.

I hope that I have instilled these values into my children as they've grown.  I do believe they are and will be amazing adults. 

So, that being said,  what am I grateful for....  just being here, alive, sitting at my computer typing these words to you and hoping someone will get something out of what I've said. I am grateful to have met my husband at such a young age and we can learn life's lessons together.  I am grateful for my kids, I know when they go out into the world they will do well.  They are fabulous, interesting people!

Time truly does fly by!!

A New Year!

This is the way my dawn broke this morning.  (looking out my bedroom window) After a late night I must say that I am happy and sad to be saying "Good-Bye" to 2011.  I hope 2012 will bring many new and exciting adventures for everyone reading this post:!! 

Another cute Wedding Idea

Especially for the Outdoor Wedding!!





Photos from Ceremony Magazine
How to make floral trees with natural branches





Blossoming Tree
Large-scale arrangements need not be difficult to make or expensive. Gather several natural tree branches (or any suitable branches), 8 to 10 stems of dried delphinium, preserved orchids, preserved rose heads and some floral foam, a pot and some moss, and you have all the ingredients for a spectacular tree. The container you select will determine the mood of the arrangement. Wooden tubs, terra-cotta pots, fiberglass containers, Chinese ceramic pots, wicker or vine baskets are all interesting possibilities.

1. Secure the foam in the pot with hot glue.
2. Insert the branches in the foam. When you have them where you want them, add quick setting plaster to the pot covering the space around the foam and around the branches. When the plaster dries, cover it with some moss.
3. Use hot glue to attach tiny florets of dried hydrangea, orchids or rose heads to the branches. Distribute them evenly throughout the tree and build up density gradually. Glue the flowers where branches meet rather than along an open branch