3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Events

My First Award, The Sunshine Award

by

sunshine-award

When I first started blogging it was purely for a learning experience for a new business venture. I never thought I would grow to love blogging and find such a supportive  community. I’m two shy of 100 followers and I have to admit I love watching my stats as I get on average of 50-60 views per day. May not seem like a lot, but I have a sad face when it’s only 20 views in one day.

Thank you to Seasons Girl for nominating me for my first of what I hope are many more badges to place on my site. I’m honored and a little behind on recognizing you but as I’ve said before “Life Happens”

In accepting this award, I need to complete the following:

1. Link the award to the person who gave it to me.

Here again, I get an opportunity to be grateful for this nomination. I love to travel, so the nominating Sunshine blog lets me travel to Virginia  tantalizing life of Season’s Girl

2. Answer the questions about myself. (See below)

3. Nominate 10 bloggers for the award.

4. Link my nominees to the post and comment on their blog, letting them know about the award.

The Questions:

Favourite Number: 7, probably because God rested on the 7th day, I love a day of rest, to have  a guilt free day where I don’t have to do any work.

Favourite Non-Alcoholic Drink: Milk. Yup, still love milk, nothing beats a cold glass of milk and Chips A Hoy cookies.

Favourite animal: Dog, I’ve always had dogs and now have two Brody, a Jack Russell and Leah our Boxer puppy.

Facebook or Twitter: Facebook hands down, have been on since summer of 2007 I can say, I’m addicted. Since I grew up in Connecticut Facebook has reconnected me to so many high school friends.  I have created deep friendships with classmates I never got to really know in high school.

My Passion: Besides my family,…it’s easy photography and photo editing, oh and eating, and taking pictures of food, and bragging about my family.

Favourite Day of the Week: Saturday! I can sleep in and wake without an alarm clock.

Favourite Flower: Tulips, they are just so graceful

My 10 Nominees: I am thrilled to nominate the following for hours of interesting reading, and for taking me on voyages of the mind over the last two years. I have been honored to share your world.

  1. Whitney Photography: who I thank in being the first person to comment on my blog and still finds her way over to visit almost two years later. http://whitneytphoto.com/
  2. A Girl, A Camera, A Challenge, Although her 365 project is finished, we have become friends on Facebook and continue our love of photography there. She has a great eye and also a love of poetry. Her second site is Appearing Closer, where object REALLY are closer than they appear, very very cool site. (this counts as one link, not eleven)
  3. Nebraska Wheatie, Tracie is a local Nebraska blogger, Mom four beautiful girls (one is my daughters friend), president of the Wheat Harvestors Association
  4. All I’ve Got is a Photograph: Bonnie is one of my original 365 Bloggers and one of my top commenters, Thanks Bonnie for all the kind words, you always put a smile on my face.
  5. Brett Erickson Photography: Ready for some amazing eye candy photography? Head over to Brett’s site, he never fails me when I go on my WordPress Reader.
  6. Russel Ray Photography: Are you noticing a trend here, more photography and a great blogger and participant in the WordPress world. Another perk, he resides in San Diego which is familiar territory with me having two Marines and visiting that area a few times.
  7. Donald Reese Photography: If you love country, rural life, farming and a smattering of the Amish living you will love Donald Reese’s treasure trove. Be warned, you will be lost for hours.
  8. Notsofancynancy Nancy touches on many every life subjects but is passionate about documenting her Dad’s WW II experience from letters she has found.  This is poignant to me as I have recently found my Dad’s pictures from the 82nd Airborne and am now on a mission to document and learn more from his WW II days.
  9. A Cord of Three Strands: A military wife on her way to be a Proverbs 31 woman and a wife of noble character. Her husband is a Marine and I’m enjoying her journey.
  10. Martini’s and Mini Vans : Although this is #10, it’s not last, this hip Mom is fighting the battle to stay hip, even with a mini van and kids in tow. A literary collection of extremely well written essays. One other perk, she’s from the Omaha area. I always love reading about local people. I feel more connected. You rock Danielle!
Related articles

Sometimes You Just Have to Hug a Horse

by

Before and After, A Girl and her Horse

The first part of March my hubby and I attended the Great Nebraska Horse Fair in Lincoln Nebrasaka at the Lancaster Event Center. Meet some wonderful people including Jess and her yearling Belgian horse above. Photo was taken inside a horse trailer and lighting was just a little poor. Didn’t want to use my flash so just opened up the aperture.

I first rendered this in GIMP and adjusted the white balance. Although it rendered the image accurate the photo just didn’t give me the warm fuzzies. So after cropping in Photoshop I used a the Color layer adjustment with orange at about a 10% opacity to give the overall image a warmer tone.

What do you think?

Related articles

Moon Venus Conjuncture

by

Twice this month my friend Beth and I have gone into a cornfield to take pictures of the Moon, Venus and Jupiter conjuncture. In layman’s terms it’s when the two planets share the same space with the moon.

Our favorite barn serves as a backdrop, yet both nights we had weather challenges. The first night was so cold our fingers froze. Tonight the wind was blowing 30 mph. Here’s what I got, may not be technically perfect, but I accomplished a goal. I learned how to take a bulb shot on my Canon ES Rebel.

Moon, Venus and Jupiter together in the western sky
Moon, Venus and Jupiter together in the western sky

The sky was hazy and cloudy, made for a difficultly viewing the moon, but did create a wonderful sunset.

Moon, Venus and Jupiter conjuncture
Moon, Venus and Jupiter conjuncture


The photo below was taken the end of February, note the position of the moon and planets is now a little northward and Venus is closer to the moon.

Moon, Venus and Jupiter together in the night sky
Moon, Venus and Jupiter together in the night sky
Related articles

Day 261: Newly Married, Life Begins A New

by

Wedding Photography
Wedding Photography by Mirror Images, Plattsmouth NE

We did it, just a little shy of three years after meeting in 2008. We got married! It was a very small ceremony in my favorite church, Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock Nebraska. We had many friends that we wanted to invite, but decided that second marriages called for something a little less extravagant, and less formal. It still was bigger and more detail oriented than I had initially planned and conceived, but turned out to be very nice and fun and now I’m glad I went the extra few steps and added the small details that made a difference.

A Lutheran Wedding
Photography by Mirror Images, Plattsmouth NE

Several friends gave me tips, and suggestions to include at the wedding. Considering I had less than 30 days to plan the wedding, it was very helpful. I am also very grateful for Andy McDonald at Mirror Images Photography for the wonderful memories he captured.  I am indulging and not using my own photography today, but today I was the subject of the photographs and I do have to say, it felt a little strange. Not used to being in front of the camera.

He caught us being playful, and intimate and I can’t decide which one is my favorite. So enjoy a few I have picked out. As you can see I have jumped around a bit in my numbering. I plan on going back and filling in the blanks. So stick with me and I’ll finish up the year with a bang.

A Kiss at the Church
A Kiss at the Church, Photography by Mirror Images, Plattsmouth NebraskaCake time, I dare you!
Wedding Cake
Wedding Cake, a French Vanilla Almond
My US Marine Corp sons
My US Marine Corp sons that couldn't make it to the wedding. One couldn't get leave and the other is at boot camp in San Diego.
Wedding Rings
Wedding Rings, Photography by Mirror Images Photography

In the past two months I have sent my youngest son to Marine boot camp, bought a new house, held an estate sale in Connecticut, took a vacation on Block Island RI,  moved two teenagers into my small house, planned a wedding, got married, moved into my new house and now planning a reception/house warming in a week. Followed by attending my sons Marine Corps graduation in San Diego in just three weeks.

Did I say I would catch up,…we’ll see.

Day 245/365: Planning a Wedding in Less Than 30 Days

by

Wedding Bouqet
Wedding Bouquet

I’m planning a wedding! Mine! I’m getting married this Saturday, yes in just a few days. Many of you may of wondered why my 365 Project posts have been sporadic when I’ve normally been consistent. This is the reason. Just before I left for my Connecticut trip Randy and I  signed papers on a new house and said, “Now we can get married!” When the banker said we could close in 60 days that bumped up the schedule.

Throw in an intense trip to Connecticut, cleaning my Mom’s house, Block Island and I couldn’t even start planning until I got back August 1st. That gave me twenty seven days to plan a wedding. Like all weddings a small simple wedding changes definition as the days and weeks progress.

This one was no exception. This is a second wedding for both of us, so simple and small was in order. We planned that a “real” reception would be in our new house with all our friends a month later. Soon immediate family gave way to a few close friends, attendants, flowers, cake, photographer, real invitations, matching ties, and soon little stress vein started popping out of my head. Still small, around twenty people.

It’s ok, the lady at Nobbies (craft store) was a tremendous help and another lady at Michaels (another craft store) really didn’t have to give me a Valium.

My friend Beth is my one attendant, above is her bouquet.  Nice and bright, did you expect anything less? Why the term attendant? There is something about “matron” of honor that just makes us feel old, and the term “maid” of honor doesn’t sound much better.  You will learn later about my dress, of course there will be pictures of the ceremony, the cake, you know the whole nine yards later. Just thought I would give you a teaser now.

Caution: For the next few weeks my 365 Project is going going to be WAY out of order. I’m still taking a photo-a-day, just not able to post every day. I’ll figure out the order sometime in the next month or so. Did I tell you my youngest son is also graduating from Marine boot camp the first part of October? Yeah that to plan too…I need an assistant.