Macro Monday: More Snowflakes

A little stack of snowflakes. These are very similar to the shape of the first ones I took a couple of weeks ago.

The second photo shows some very different shapes. I know last time I mentioned that I thought they looked like rhinestone jewelry. The snowflake to the far right in the bottom photo definitely looks like a rhinestone brooch to me.

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Shadow Shots

I Am NOT Going Out There!
Cake Anyone?

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Window Views: Colored Church Windows

“Let there be many windows to your soul, that all the glory of the world may beautify it."
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

On a recent drive Hubs and I took a drive around the neighborhoods that border our city park. These windows lined one side of a local church. I can only imagine the colors that reflect on the walls inside. I'm thinking on a bright sunny day that might be quite beautiful although a little bit distracting during the sermon. :)

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Ruby Tuesday

I've been practicing my photography skills this week and had been trying to accomplish some soft focus shots of some roses. I was trying to do that in camera and not post processing. The practicing will continue.

Above are two shots that seemed more out of focus than soft focus and I didn't fully like the result. I used my software to add texture to them and I am quite pleased with how they came out. I'll use these to make homemade greeting cards.

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Macro Monday: Peruvian Lily

(click to enlarge)

You can see the bouquet this macro came from by clicking here to go to my photoblog.

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Reflections: Roses and Motherhood

For the purpose of Weekend Reflections James asks us to post a photograph that contains a visual refection of somebody or something that appears in a mirror or other reflecting surface. In the above image my valentine/birthday roses from a few days ago are reflected in the little round glass topped table by my recliner.
Today I'm not only considering visual reflections but contemplative reflections of where the years have gone since I gave birth to my first born. It seems like yesterday he was just a little guy following and watching his Daddy intent on the whys and hows. His first plastic tools still take up space in the attic along with GI Joes, Transformers, Hotwheels, Boy Scout uniforms and a bright red Pearl drumset. However, the endless hours of playing with toys, riding bikes, earning badges and playing in a band are long gone.
Looking back today it's hard to realize where those days have gone and just how quickly they've come to pass. In truth, thirty years have passed hardly without notice. Today the little boy who stole our hearts the day he was born has grown into a fine young man and his father and I couldn't be more proud of who he's become.

Happy 30th Birthday Chris

Love, Mom and Dad

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Ruby Tuesday: Mouthful of Seeds

I took this through my sunroom window so the image is a little grainy when you enlarge it but if you do you can see the cardinal has just about all he can eat crammed in that little orange beak.

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Macro Monday

"At the center of your being you have the answer; you know who you are and you know what you want." ~ Lao Tzu
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Weekend Reflections

'See the USA in your Chevrolet'

If you're of my generation you probably remember Chevrolet's slogan during the 50's and 60's. It was a catchy little commercial jingle sung by Dinah Shore.
In the photo you can see the rim of my Hubby's Chevrolet S10 Pickup reflected in a melted snow puddle. Look closely and you will also notice the bright blue sky that day is also reflected in the rim and the reflection. I thought the double reflection was pretty cool. I only wish that tire was a bit cleaner. Ah, so much for country living!
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Skywatch: In Between Storms

(enlarge to see greater detail)

This was the view outside my sunroom window on Monday. The day before it was pouring the snow down and I was out in twenty degree weather trying to take snowflake shots. What a wonderful difference a day makes. Of course it changed right back the following day to snow flurries and overcast skies and we haven't seen blue skies since. For me this is a wonderful reminder of what a really beautiful winter day can look like.

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Sepia Scenes: A Valentine Theme

A Face In ProfileAn Angel

Years ago when our family was new and we decorated our home in the country style of decorating I read Country Style magazine. There were many items I would have loved to have had; but with two small children to raise our budget didn't always allow for decorating items. This was especially true when simple items were pretty pricey. The angel above is something similar to what I had seen in one of my magazines. My wonderful Hubs took a piece of wood, drew an outline and carved out this wooden angel for me. What an Angel he was!

This is one of my valentine postcards from my collection. I have no idea of the date. The canceled postage mark is long worn away. However, it was mailed with a one cent stamp.

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Watery Wednesday: Frozen

Since my world has been a frozen one for a few days I thought I would share a couple of macros I took yesterday. The first one is a sweet shrub branch encapsulated in ice. I hope if you have a minute you'll enlarge this one and look at the lower right corner of the focused section. I had downloaded the photos and zoomed in to take a look at the different patterns of the ice. I was surprised to see a little blue angel behind the ice. Don't worry if in your imagination you don't see her. That just means she was only meant for me.

This little ice sculpture takes on different appearances depending on how you look at it. When I first downloaded it I thought it looked like the end of an upholstery hammer. A couple of glances later I decided it looked like a bird walking up the stem with a seal following behind. It was a cold day yesterday and I was bored. What can I say!

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Ruby Tuesday: A Valentine Post

Isn't She Lovely!

She sits beautifully on a banner than is at present hung beside my fireplace. Having been born on Valentine's Day, yes I am a cupid baby, I have collected lots of valentine goodies over the years - we just won't say how many years. ;)

I saw this banner a couple of weeks ago in my local fabric store and it was on sale. I decided I had to have it. The photo is painted on a heavy canvas in vivid colors. I just think it is so pretty. It reminds me of a vintage valentine from days gone by.

A Happy Ruby Tuesday Valentine's Day to Everyone!

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Macro Monday: Snowflakes

Today I decided to try my first attempt at capturing snowflakes. I had seen attempts by others in blogland and was awed at the results. After my own attempts I am in further awe by what I've seen. I don't know how many photos I took standing outside in the pouring snow in twenty degree weather trying to get what I wanted. This isn't it; so I'll keep trying. What I do like about this one is that it reminds me of an old piece of rhinestone jewelry.
For those inquiring minds that are wondering I haven't altered the color in any way. It came straight out of the camera in this black and white tone.
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Ruby Tuesday: Imperfection

"You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out."

~Martha Graham

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