The Lilac Bush

We have 2 lilac bushes in our yard, though most people would never know. They sit at the back of our yard and are somewhat neglected. They are beautiful varieties of lilac, so I can't wait for them to bloom each year. Once they are done blooming, they tend to blend in with the many weeds that seem to overrun that area of my yard during the hot summer months. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to control the weeds that grow around them. I checked in on them the other day and they are doing really well this year despite the neglect. In about 6 weeks, these stems and emerging leaves should produce beautiful blooms for me to photograph. I can't wait.


P.S. Sorry about the grain on these. I accidentally shot them at an ISO of about 1800 (really high ISO for outside and during the day) because I had been shooting inside right before these were taken. I hate it when I forget to change my ISO!!! Other information: f/4.5 and 1/8000 sec.

Just for Fun and A Note

One item of business: Last weekend I had three posts I wanted to make. They obviously never happened because things were just too busy here. Look for those this week. And instead of posting the posts I already had floating in my head, today I decided to post this fun collage of pictures that I have posted here since January 1. This was really fun and free to do. Look here for details! If was fun, pretty fast, and very easy. Finding a specific picture in there is a little like "Where's Waldo?" Enjoy!



And just because I can, and I am avoiding the start of the week--here's another.

I Love Spring

I really do!! I really love spring. Actually, if I am totally honest, I really love all the seasons in their season and get excited for when the seasons change. I love that Spring really is coming despite the fact that Winter is trying to hang on for as long as possible. Last week was a week of beautiful weather--hitting a high of 75 degrees at some point. This week, we have snow again and today haven't even hit freezing (32 degrees). But, thanks to my camera, I know that Spring really is coming despite Winters efforts. Just passing on a little bit of hidden Spring!

From the Tub (warning: bare baby ahead!)

I realized that most babies probably have their first bath in a "real" tub long before 9 months. However, it just didn't work that way for my baby boy. Yesterday, was his first bath in a "real" bathtub and he was in heaven. He still hasn't figured out that the tub (and water in general) is slippery. These aren't the best tub pictures. As I was taking these, I was trying to rescue him from slipping in the tub. I had to choose a few times between letting him slip and fall and getting a good picture. I guess I am not as dedicated to photography as I thought, because I chose to rescue him. Oh well! Next time.

Look What the Warm Weather is doing. . . .

to my trees.



and to my daughter. And, YES, those are sunglasses over her regular glasses. It was SO bright outside she HAD to have them.

Kids Outside on a Nice Day

We have had such nice days lately! It finally feels like spring. I know there is a good chance that we will still have some cold--even winter-like--weather before the warm days settle in for good, but we are trying to enjoy these nice days as much as possible. I hope you are, too.




These next ones make me laugh. He didn't want to put his hand down on the grass. I guess he just isn't used to that prickly feeling.



One with his hand down.

Cousins

For a few days over the last week, as my brother has been working on our basement, we have had cousins visiting at our house. These two cousins are only 2 weeks apart and I had fun photographing them in their element while they played together yesterday. I got a little carried away with pictures--that happens to me sometimes.

A Bit More o' the Green

things in my yard, that is. We have had such lovely weather the last few days, I thought I would take a few pictures of some of the green that is popping up in my yard. There is still plenty of brown, but in light of the fact that it is St. Patrick's Day, we will honor the GREEN!

The grass is getting a bit more of a green color.


These little shoots are lilies that will bloom in July (actually, maybe they are gladiolas--I guess we will see when they bloom :)!

What's green in your yard today?

Willingness

Some days, getting one of my children to willingly allow me to take pictures of them is difficult. I have to say all the right things and sometimes even promise all the right things (i.e. extra computer time, or some such bribe). But, the other day, when I asked for someone to sit for some pictures for me, she was more than willing to accommodate me. I know her clothes don't match perfectly. I don't really care. She was being sweet and willing and that is beautiful all by itself!!


Settings: f/5, 1/50, ISO 200, with flash bounced off my window.

My Niece

Since my brother has been here this week working on our basement, his wife and kids came down one day to visit, too. We took these pictures one afternoon of his youngest. She is just a bit older than my little boy and it was fun watching him check out another small person the same size.



In this last one, she was playing a incredibly funny game of peek-a-boo with us. I guess my curtains are good for that!

MIA

Sorry I have been missing on here this week. Although I have missed posting and sharing images here the last few days, there has been an exciting kind of busyness going on around my house. It involves this:


and this:


and this:


and this:


and causes my children to collect these:


and results in this:

(all photos taken at approx. f/5.0, 1/50 sec., ISO 800 and bounced flash)

Yep. That's right. We have finally started finishing the basement. My brother was here a few days this week framing the basement. Still have a bit more to go, but it is thrilling to see some progress. The goal I have for having this project finished is June. We'll see if that holds.

I am not a internet video junkie, but I found this cool video on a blog that I check. It is an extremely cool graphic design piece with a cool message.

F is for FAIL from Brent Barson on Vimeo.

And, if you haven't seen this still photography video
definitely check it out. It was created by using just over 3000 still photos. Very cool! (Have I used the word "cool" enough times to prove to you that I was a child of the 80's and 90's.) Have an exciting Friday.

ETA: Just one more video from Kodak--a little long, but covers why I love photography.

Sunday Stroll or 100 Steps

While reading this blog the other day, I was inspired to take 100 Steps and see what I could find to photograph. Of course, I had to wait for a somewhat nice day because I am a bit of a wimp. Yesterday, with temperatures in the high 40s and sunny, the family set off on a small walk. These are the resulting pictures.

Here is the family on a walk (you'll have to squint to see the rest of the family in the background.)


A self portrait. My, don't I look tall!


A reflection of the highly-inappropriate footwear my child selects because when the temperature is almost 50 degrees and sunny--IT IS SUMMER!


The rest were taken from the same spot. For the first, my back is toward the sun.


For the second, I am facing the sun.


For the third, the sun is at about 2 0'clock. I am facing the fence.


Which is your favorite?

Challenge: Take 100 steps and find something beautiful to photograph (on a nice day, of course!)

Flyin' High

You might not be able to tell from this picture, but it was only about 42 degrees and I was wearing a coat. What is it about kids that they seem immune to the cold? Apparently, now that we have had a couple of warm days, any sunshine says "summer" and they dress with that mindset. I am eager for warmer days, too.

Playtime

Sorry that I seem to only be able to blog at night lately. Just a few of some playtime today.




Now for my favorite:

Little Hands and Finger Foods

I love how little hands work. They still do not have a lot of coordination, though it is improving quickly. Finger and thumb work together to lift something on the floor or small finger foods into little mouths. STILL, it seems to require the whole hand to complete the transaction. It is just an everyday thing, but so cute. How could I not document it in pictures!!








And a few more for fun!!



Have you captured an everyday moment today?