Easter Weekend

What a beautiful weekend. Sun shining. Birds in song. Families gathering.
And a walk in the woods.


Just a simply perfect weekend.

Since Flowers Seem To Be The Theme Lately....

I thought I might as well add these two other shots I have. I took the first during my flower-photo trip to the park a couple weeks ago, and the other yesterday. The clarity of these shots is some of the best I think I've acheived thus far. A couple of my faves. :)

Happy 1st Birthday, Jackson!

Over the weekend we celebrated the first birthday of my cousin's baby, Jackson. He is such a cutie, and a sweet little guy!





He's already looking like such a little man - driving already, and learning mechanical maintenance! Hubby and I were really happy to see he like the lawnmower we bought him. It was the perfect opportunity, too, for me to start practicing portraits. I mean, look at that face! Could there be a cuter little model!?

Emma

I'm starting to use my new Lightroom 3 program to do some photo editing. I finally have to make the switch now that Picnik is closing. I think it's for the better, I just have to learn this new program. So far I like it. There is so much information on the web about how to use all the different editing functions. Anyhow, here's one of my first few attempts with Lightroom 3. Sweet little Emma.

Take A "Photo" Hike

This was the perfect weekend for it. A little chill - enough to enjoy being bundled up. Sparkling white snow crunching beneath my feet. Rays of sunshine peeking through the trees. *sigh* It was a perfect day for being outside.


On Sunday, I took advantage of the new snow we had gotten (one of only a couple snows this year). The hubby was out with the boys. I woke up ambitious and got a lot done around the house. Then it was my "me" time. I took photos of the birds at the feeder, then threw on my boots and headed out to the nearby state park for a hike in the woods.


It felt so good to be outside. I could have hiked all day, but by the time I got back to my car the sun was already on its way out. I even stopped on the way home to say hello to the ducks that hang out at our neighborhood boatlaunch looking for a handout from the frequenters who stopped to feed them.


It's rare that I get days to myself, and I found this one to be particularly refreshing.

It's Always Grilling Season

We love to grill. All year. Sunshine, rain, snow.... doesn't matter. I've ruined a grill cover or two chiping the ice away to get 'er going.

And one of our favorite things to grill is pizza. No pizza tastes as good as a grilled pizza. Especially when the combination of toppings is as perfect as what I chose last night. It was my best ever. I was worried it would be an odd combination, but my BBQ-Pepperoni-Hot Turkey Sausage-Pineapple-Tomato-Hot Pepper pizza turned out simply amazing. Sweet, tangy, spicy, smokey..... delicious. All topped off with my favorite brew from right here in the mitten.

It's too cold to bike, rollerblade, swim - all the summertime things I'm anxious to do - but when I'm at the grill with a beer in hand I'd almost think it was summer.... if we hadn't gotten inches of snow just hours after I finished. :)

Maybe it really is winter?

I am not a winter person. In fact, I usually despise it. So I've had no complaints this year about the lack of snow, ice, and cold. Zero. But I do have to admit that when we had a very, very heavy snow the other day, I was quite pleased. We hopped in my husband's truck and went for a country drive (thank goodness because my car NEVER would have made it in that snow.) It truly was a winter wonderland.

Maybe it's a matter of "absence makes the heart grow fonder", but for once, I remembered and appreciated just how beautiful winter can be.

Winter Warmth

It felt so nice this weekend to go out and enjoy the unseasonably warm weather we've been having this winter. Though it's been warmer than any winter I can remember, being Michigan it has still been very grey and dreary. This perfect combination of winter "warmth" and sunshine was too much to pass up. I spent some time at our favorite metro park with my husband and my father, and it was a perfect afternoon.

But what REALLY made my day, were the chickadees! They landed on us time and time again to take seed we offered. I love chickadees, and they sure added that magic touch to the afternoon.

Out On A Limb

Such a beautiful animal. I was so happy this one hung around as I stood there on the side of the road snapping shot after shot.

I'm posting this first shot on Sweet Shot Tuesdays. :)

This Is The Greenest Winter I Ever Did See

Walk In The Woods On A Warm Winter Day...

Playing with the new camera...

I Finally Got My SLR!!

I have waited so long for this. I have done my research. I have saved my money, but each time I had enough to buy it there were more important things to take care of than having a new camera. But now, it's mine!! All mine!! Bwahhahahahahahahaaa!


I have to admit - when I first got it out of the box and started playing with the functions, I was thinking "what did I get myself into? I can't even work this thing!". But, I'm starting to get the hang of it and really enjoying the learning process. I feel as though doors have been opened for my love of photography. :)

I originally only purchased a 100mm f/2.8 lens, but having not understood which lenses do what, I immediately purchased a 50mm f/1.8 as I couldn't so much as take a photo of family in the same room with the 100mm. I thought that would settle it. But there are now three other lenses I want to get, then I'll be satisfied. Maybe. Probably not. I can see this being an expensive hobby.

Here are some of my first shots (of course, they're the best of what I've done so far).........

Brrrrrr......

Today is cold. Freezing. Colder than freezing. Today is 0 degrees with the wind chill. 0. As in ZERO warmth to be found. I am sticking close to my little space heater today as I stare at my photos of warmer places of times past....




Ooooo. I can feel the warmth of the space heater tropical breeze, as I sit here sipping my burnt coffee pina colada. I bury my boots toes in the snow sand, and look up at the grey blue skies.

.... I'll keep working on it.