I've dropped the ball already....

Well, the plan was to use my camera every day and blog a picture every day. Already messed that up, but I am using my camera more than in the past, so I guess that's a start.  I will try to catch up on the pictures when I get a few minutes. Here is one from a couple of weeks ago, but I really liked it. It had just rained and I noticed the sun shining through droplets on a plant outside our window. I snapped this picture and saw that I got a sparkle in the water droplet. Not really sure how that happened, but it was pretty cool. It looks like I had a star filter on the camera. HAPPY FRIDAY!!! Looking at another beautiful weekend here in South Florida.

It's the Weekend

Out and about on a Saturday doing what we each love the most--spending time together and....

Sweet Gifts

Around the holidays, I always receive gifts from my kids and their families. I got one this year that I thought was especially sweet! This came from a little girl who has made so much developmental progress! I was surprised when I opened it. I thought it was a granola bar based on the package and was actually thinking that at least I would have a snack for the morning! Ha ha!  It was this personalized pen with a little description of me based on my name. I thought it was pretty accurate!

Happy Monday!

Here is picture #3......

Picture #2

Here is the second picture of the series....

Our Love Den...errr Bedroom!

We are remodeling our bedroom and I LOVE it!!! There is something so very cozy and peaceful about it that we started calling it our "Love Den." :) I will post a picture when it is finished. In the meantime, I have been playing with pictures to hang on the walls. This is one of three that we liked. The unfortunate thing is that we can buy some similar canvas prints at Ikea for much cheaper than having these made. So, the only place these will probably hang for now is on this blog. Here is the first one of the series...

Happy Friday!!!

Ahhh...the weekend is here and the weather is absolutely perfect!!!

Got My Running Shoes On

Time to get in shape...swimsuit season in around the corner!

Shadows and Highlights

I am a perfectionist which means that often times, instead of doing something halfway, I don't do it at all! This perfectionism had seeped into my attitude about photography as well. My camera would sit in the camera bag for months if I didn't have time to set up a shot and make it look exactly how I wanted. Since I am trying to use my camera everyday, I have started snapping a shot whenever I see something I like. The other day, I noticed afternoon light coming in the kitchen window and shining on a spoon that was on our cutting board. I thought the shadows and highlights were interesting. I am gaining a better appreciation for ordinary, everyday objects and their ability to motivate my photographic spirit!

For You, Nick

One of Nick's favorite "toys" right now...

Sunset Walk

We went for a walk around the neighborhood tonight. Nick and Vince tossed the football and I listened to some tunes on my iphone. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with beautiful rays. I took a quick picture with my iphone.

Another Hibiscus Shot

Everytime I walk past this Hibiscus bush, I can't resist running and grabbing my camera and trying to shoot these flowers from a different angle. I'm a little obsessed!

God's Little Message To Me

I can't help but believe in God when I look around at all of the wonderful things on this Earth...the complexity of the human body, the vastness of our universe, the beauty of the ocean, the variety of animal species...and the list goes on.  Only a Divine Being could have created these things. But, there are some days when I wonder where He is....especially when I go through tough times.  This morning I woke up feeling really blue. I told Vince "I just don't know what to do, but I feel really unhappy today!" About two minutes later, I looked out the window and this is what I saw....

It was a little reminder for me...even if some crazy dude in an airplane put it there!!! 

TGIF

It's a bit gloomy this morning, but it's FRIDAY and Vince's Birthday! Happy Birthday, Babe! Nick and I have a fun surprise waiting at home for you!

Good Morning!

It was a chilly morning around here. As I was running out the door, I saw this breathtaking view of the sunrise coming through our window. Mornings are not my thing, but I enjoy watching the sun rise each morning. It's a wonderful reminder that God has blessed us with a brand new day!

A Little Rose Love

One of my New Year's promises to myself was that I would use my camera every day, no matter what! I have kept that resolution so far, but some days I just don't feel inspired. Today was one of them. So, I am using a picture that I took a few days ago. We have rose bushes on the side of our house that I love! I say I love them because they have required NO work and they are thriving. Some were here when we moved in 8 years ago and some we have planted over time. I think this was one that we planted, but I'm not sure. I am getting old and forgetful!!!

My Attempt At Abstract...

I was playing around with my camera today and shot through a water bottle with the warm light from the room shining through.

Once in a While, It Looks Like Winter Here!

While most of our foliage still looks bright and beautiful, there are a few trees that shed their leaves during the winter. I saw this tree at one of my schools today and snapped a picture. That, along with the gray skies, really made for a gloomy, wintery day! I am so ready for summer and sunshine!!! Happy Monday!

The Dark Side of the Moon

We were out for some pizza tonight and were absolutely shocked at the sight of the moon. This picture does not do it justice. I didn't have a tripod, so I tried my best to capture it's beauty by holding the camera, holding my breath and snapping. Didn't quite master it, but you can get an idea of what it looked like...amazing!

Mariposa

When Nick was little, he used to call Vince and I "Daddy" and "Moddy." When Nick said "Moddy" it sounded like he was rolling his R, so "Moddy" morphed into the nickname "Mariposa" for me. I was getting ready to leave for work this morning when I saw this on our wall. It's a shadow from our indoor plants.  It looked like a giant butterfly, so I had to grab my camera and snap a pic.