MFC: Week 4

Mid-week Favorites Collection

As much as I didn't want to post MFC this week, I know it's even more important to find at least a few things for which to express one's gratitude - especially in the midst of pain and suffering.

Moon's mom was diagnosed with cancer 3 weeks ago. Not just cancer, an aggressive stage 4 cancer that has attacked brutally in just 2 short months. Friday morning we learned that she was hospitalized for emergency surgery. It's been a challenge trying to maintain "normalcy" at home while worrying like crazy about my extended family 3000 miles away.

~ I am thankful Moon was able to leave work and fly down to his family to lend his support, even when I cannot.

~ Lilacs. I found a sprig of lilacs at the grocer this weekend. It's amazing how smells can trigger such vivid memories. I am reminded of springtime as a child: climbing trees, riding bikes, splashing in mud puddles.

~ Cool Whip cream cheese frosting. Are. You. Freaking. Kidding. Me?

~ Trusting my intuition (for once)...And for that I am heaving a HUGE sigh of relief.

So, tell me something that you are especially thankful for today.

Texture Tuesday:: Flower Power eDition

Oh please be kind, this is my very first dabble into Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday. I fully admit I have no idea what I am doing (yet), but I am so eager to participate and learn from all the other fabulous photographers that I've been checking out every week for a while now. 

Aaaand, I start Kim's new Picture Process e-course for Photoshop CS6 next Tuesday April 2nd. I seriously can barely contain my excitement!

So, here goes nothing...

Lilacs in the windowsill 

{texture 2203 at 33% opacity}

Unthought Known

Feel the sky blanket you

With gems & rhinestones
See the path cut by the moon

For you to walk on

 

Unthought Known, Backspacer

~Pearl Jam

Turning mistakes into gold

Spring has sprung and I'm loving it. Flowers, flowers everywhere! Pretty little delicate subjects to photograph nonstop. Inspiration abounds.

 

So, I finally bit the bullet and purchased Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6 software, and cannot wait to begin tinkering with all the photos that have been sitting on my harddrive from my "big girl" camera. Because I have a few (tens of)thousands to go through...

 

And I took (not comfortable using the verb "made") a total of 505 photographs over the weekend, not including the 50+ on my iPhone and 8 polaroids from my vintage SX-70. I think I am happy with, oh I dunno, maybe let's say five photographs in all.

 

FIVE.

 

That's 1%! Is that normal? Or is everyone else out there so much more restrained and selective? Now granted, I am still practicing and learning and experimenting with my DLSR. Between exposure and depth of field and focal length and composition and everything else, I'll cut myself a little slack. I don't delete in camera. I'll use the 99% crappy images to learn from mistakes. At least that's what I am telling myself. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

xo

MFC:: Week 3

Mid-week Favorites Collection

Especially filled with gratitude this week, now that I am back to feeling normal and Bug is over his double-whammy  ear infection and bronchitis.

 

I am grateful for...

~ My new toy! (A vintage Presto! Polaroid Land Camera SX-70, courtesy of Boom Vintage). I can't wait to try it out with a pack of wildly expensive instant film this weekend.

 

~ Mom's Pie's  “Flakey” Apple Boysenberry pie. Totally worth the 2+ hour drive just for a slice, heated with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and wild chamomile tea. OH MY!

 

~ Only 4 months left to go until my next Pearl Jam show. It'll be an epic weekend in Chicago for sure.

 

What are you thankful for this week?

xo

11 years and counting

I had a lovely weekend spent exploring new areas of California for my 11th wedding anniversary, Moon and Bug in tow. ;)

 

The days involved loads of nature, a little bit of shopping, some live music, lots of pie a la mode...and many precious memories. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope your weekend as filled with just as much love and blessings (and pie) as mine was. xo

 

 



MFC:: Week 2

Mid-week Favorites Collection (a day late)

Where in the hell does time go after you turn 40? I mean seriously, another week has passed and it's mind boggling to me! I've been traveling for business this week and completely neglected this blog. So, a day late and a dollar short, here is what I am ohhhhh so grateful for this week.

 

~   Stawberry season is back in Southern California (YES! YES! YES!)

 

~ Discovering more new photography blogs, e-courses and weekly/monthly challenges

 

~   A darn good thrifting haul this week, including a 70's blue Smith-Corona typewriter for $12 and some fun-flirty-floral skirts for spring, a beautifully embroidered linen table cloth for $2.99 and a floral china serving dish for $1.99. YAY, me!

 

~   Morrocan Oil Luminous Hairspray. THE BEST.

 

~   TO BE GOING HOME TODAY. I get to sleep in my own bed.

 

~   Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam.

 

Have a lovely rest of the week. And let me know what you are thankful for this week. Ya know, if you'd like to share...

 

x