A Comeback Hodgepodge
Since my last post, spring happened, and I’m so sorry to have been absent for so long! A little bit of health scare for my husband (he’s o.k.), a trip to Jupiter, Florida, family events, and one tired me later, I am back in the blogging groove. The trees are a lot greener, the sky is a lot bluer, and I’m a little thinner since I was last here a few weeks ago. (Some post gallbladder surgery diet changes have resulted in some unexpected weight loss. I’ll take it!)
So what’s been going on with me? Here we go…
My daughter will be a homeschool graduate in May, and we had to postpone her professional senior photos, because she was sick the day they were scheduled. So, along with many other preparations and deadlines, I filled in and took some shots for her yearbook senior page. The shot above is our favorite (although I do wish I had gotten more of her hands in the shot.)
Here are a couple of old pictures we’re using for her part of the graduation slideshow. How did the years go by so fast?!
First Easter
On a carousel with Grandma
Speaking of my daughter, here’s a shot she took with a macro lens.
As much as I hate these pesky whirlybirds that litter my sidewalk and car, I love this picture! The simplest thing can be so pretty. (By the way, I still want to get rid of the tree that drops these whirlybirds, but then, where would our squirrels live??)
Both my daughter and son have inherited my love of photography, and both have a much better creative eye than I do. (Here’s a tip to make the subject of your photo pop out from a nice creamy, blurred background. Set your camera on aperture priority and set the aperture to a low number, like 2.8 or 4 if your camera will let you. Other things such as the distance from the background and the point of focus will factor in as well. But give the wide aperture a try.)
Great weather for Easter |
We had a wonderful Easter at our house. The weather was gorgeous, and much of our family was here to celebrate. I’m always thrilled when the weather is good for our get togethers here, since the area outside is much bigger than the area inside. (See my previous post entitled Our House for details!) The day couldn’t have been better.
I’m always a little torn about the idea of Easter as a holiday. I mean, for Christians, shouldn’t every day be a celebration of Christ’s sacrifice for us? But the joy of the day is undeniable, and there is always a feeling of renewal and refreshment.
And finally, I have the gardening, landscaping, spring fever bug, and we need to landscape the area around our pool. The pool was here all summer last year and part of the summer before (the picture below was taken last spring), and I just don’t know what I should use to edge the rock. Big river rocks, pretty concrete border blocks?? I’ve been frozen with indecision! Help??
Well, these are some of the projects and events that have been keeping me busy. (And I hope you will accept my apology for disappearing for a while!) What have you all been up to?
Take care! Until next time…
That's a great photo of your daughter! She's beautiful!
And yes, how time goes by so fast esp when you have kids! I baby will turn 1 this Friday! I still can't believe it! Still feels like yesterday that she came into this world here at home!
I love photos that focus on the subject and blur the background. I don't have a SLR camera but my Canon does give me the option for manual focus (to a degree of course) and lets me choose the aperture and something else. Still haven't gotten the hang of that feature. What's the rule of composing a shot? I remember the frame is divided in thirds but don't remember the best spot a person or thing is framed.
And Happy Easter! So thankful for what Christ has done for us!
Hi Pam!
Great to hear from you, again! Yes, time sure does fly, doesn't it? Seems the older I get, the faster it goes! Your daughter is so pretty and I know it's a bittersweet time for you both. Enjoy your day!
Wow time flies doesn't it!! Beautiful kids.
Thanks for stopping by, you really blessed me!!
Have a happy weekend, friend!
your daughter is lovely! Homeschooling is awesome!
omg, your daughter is so beautiful and talented!! that's a great photo of your daughter!!
and thanks for the follow, following right back your lovely blog!
nice to "meet" you and have a great beginning to your week:)
Thanks for stopping by Toys In The Dryer and for the comment love. Returning the favor of stopping by 🙂
You did a GREAT job at filling in as the photographer for your daughter. I too LOVE her macro shot!
Reading through a couple of other posts of yours it really looks like you are getting into photography. You might want to stop by my other blog to check it out. Besides co-authoring Toys In The Dryer I also author http://www.mommyscamera.com It's all about learning photography! (I use a point & shoot camera and free photo editing software!)
I was in Fl myself last month. A graduate..WOW!… I'm all vaclemped over here because my baby turned 8 last weekend… don't even want to think about graduation!
Thanks for stopping by Single Mom in the South!
Welcome back! It was nice to hear from you again. Your children are beautiful, the photography is beautiful. I say you ALL have a great eye behind the lens. Congratulations to your daughter. They do grow up so quickly, don't they?
Hi there! I am so glad to hear that everything turned out okay with your husband! I am like you–spring has happened and brought a lot of busyness–I am sorry that I am so sluggish commenting! I sure am glad to get to visit with you again through your blog!
The senior portrait is gorgeous! She is gorgeous and your son is too! It sounds like you have a good homeschool group–yearbook, formal graduation… our group sounds similar to yours. We also do a power point slideshow during the ceremony of our graduates growing up, put to music, which always brings tears. My daughter graduated in 2010, and it is so strange homeschooling just one now! I've always heard they grow up so fast, but now I know the meaning of those words!
Have you decided about what to do around the pool? I am trying to make the same decision! Please let me know what you decided and how it turned out! I need ideas! 🙂
Well, it seems I am writing a letter instead of a comment, but I am so glad that you are back! 🙂 Tell your daughter that I think she is a very talented photographer like her mom!
I agree… the years fly by! My twins are graduating in 10 days and it feels like we just finished our first grade of home schooling!