3 Quarters Today

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Photography

Day 74/365: Sweet Sixteen Today

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Sweet Sixteen Cake and Candles

Sometimes I get so caught up in being your Mom-

still trying to look out for you

and worrying about every little thing-

that I don’t take the time to tell you what you deserve to hear.

 

I’m amazed by you-

with everything you’ve accomplished,

and how busy you are every day,

you’re still one of the kindest,

most thoughtful people I know.

 

I’m inspired by you-

your courage, your ambition,

the way you look at life.

Even when things are challenging,

you keep your positive attitude.

 

I’m proud of you-

and always have been.

You know exactly you you are

and you do a beautiful job of expressing it.

I love watching you be “you”

And I love being you Mom.

 

Happy Sweet Sixteen my Wonderful Daughter, Love Mom

Valentine Day Dance Ideas – Dancing Shoes and So Much More

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Valentine Day Dance Ideas

The Sweetheart dance at our local high school gave me the idea for this photo.

Day 73/365 Project: Dancing Shoes

I had photography Valentine Day dance ideas in my head. My thought was Valentines decorations of red hearts, glitter, lights and fun dresses for Valentines Day. But for my 365 Photo Project, this plan went straight out the window when I saw two girls standing in the middle of the floor in their red and black dresses and shoes.

I want to thank Kolbi and Emily, thanks for being my leg models this evening.

oxiuly Women's Chic V-Neck Cap Sleeve Floral Casual Work Stretch Swing Dress OX233 (M, Dark red)Women’s Chic V-Neck Cap Sleeve Floral Casual Work Stretch Swing Dress OX233 (M, Dark red)oxiuly Women's Chic V-Neck Cap Sleeve Floral Casual Work Stretch Swing Dress OX233 (M, Dark red)Sylvestidoso Women's A-Line Pleated Sleeveless Little Cocktail Party Dress with Black Mesh Red Roses (M, Black)Sylvestidoso Women’s A-Line Pleated Sleeveless Little Cocktail Party Dress with Black Mesh Red Roses (M, Black)Sylvestidoso Women's A-Line Pleated Sleeveless Little Cocktail Party Dress with Black Mesh Red Roses (M, Black)Women Dress, Vintage Floral Lace Off Shoulder Party Valentine's DayWomen Dress, Vintage Floral Lace Off Shoulder Party Valentine’s DayWomen Dress, Vintage Floral Lace Off Shoulder Party Valentine's DayAyli Women's Sweetheart Sleeveless Wine Red 50s Retro Swing Midi Dress, US-16/Tag-2XL/02w124Ayli Women’s Sweetheart Sleeveless Wine Red 50s Retro Swing Midi Dress, US-16/Tag-2XL/02w124Ayli Women's Sweetheart Sleeveless Wine Red 50s Retro Swing Midi Dress, US-16/Tag-2XL/02w124Missufe Women's Sleeveless Sweetheart Flared Mini Dress (Large, 02-Red)Missufe Women’s Sleeveless Sweetheart Flared Mini Dress (Large, 02-Red)Missufe Women's Sleeveless Sweetheart Flared Mini Dress (Large, 02-Red)Miusol Women's Official V-Neck Retro Cap Sleeve Fitted Business Cocktail Dress (Small, Red)Miusol Women’s Official V-Neck Retro Cap Sleeve Fitted Business Cocktail Dress (Small, Red)Miusol Women's Official V-Neck Retro Cap Sleeve Fitted Business Cocktail Dress (Small, Red)

Of course, the Skull Candy dresses are more appropriate for the high school or a college Valentine’s Day Dance. High school sweetheart dances aren’t as formal. My daughter would have loved the Floral Sugar Skull Cap dress.

OTEN Women's Floral Sugar Skull Cap Sleeve Sewing Retro Party Rockabilly Dress,Red,LargeOTEN Women’s Floral Sugar Skull Cap Sleeve Sewing Retro Party Rockabilly Dress,Red,LargeOTEN Women's Floral Sugar Skull Cap Sleeve Sewing Retro Party Rockabilly Dress,Red,LargeSister Amy Women's Pattern Printed Elastic Sleeveless Shaping Camisole Skater Pink Heart SmallSister Amy Women’s Pattern Printed Elastic Sleeveless Shaping Camisole Skater Pink Heart SmallSister Amy Women's Pattern Printed Elastic Sleeveless Shaping Camisole Skater Pink Heart Small

Red Dress Shoes for Dancing

You can’t go to a Valentines Day dance without the proper shoes. When else can you wear red shoes? Ok, for Christmas, but red red dress shoes and pumps just scream Valentine fashion and fun!

Christian Louboutin ShoesChristian Louboutin Shoes, red dress shoes for womenChristian Louboutin ShoesCHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Leather Electropump 160 Heels Shoes 6.5 US 36.5 EUCHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Leather Electropump 160 Heels Shoes 6.5 US 36.5 EUCHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN Leather Electropump 160 Heels Shoes 6.5 US 36.5 EUJIMMY CHOO Women's Lancer100suedeblack Black Suede HeelsJIMMY CHOO Women’s Lancer Suede Black Suede HeelsJIMMY CHOO Women's Lancer100suedeblack Black Suede HeelsBadgley Mischka Women's Rouge Dress Pump, Black, 9 M USBadgley Mischka Women’s Rouge Dress Pump, Black, 9 M USBadgley Mischka Women's Rouge Dress Pump, Black, 9 M USBrian Atwood Women's Voyage Black Nappa 38.5 M EUBrian Atwood Women’s Voyage Black Nappa 38.5 M EUBrian Atwood Women's Voyage Black Nappa 38.5 M EUPrada Women's 1I294F 069 F0011 Red Brushed Spazzolato Leather Pumps/Heels EU 38 / US 8Prada Women’s – Red Brushed Spazzolato Leather Pumps/Heels Red dress shoes for women Prada Women's 1I294F 069 F0011 Red Brushed Spazzolato Leather Pumps/Heels EU 38 / US 8

Valentine Day Dance Ideas

To complete the whole Valentine Day dance ideas theme you need decorations for the room and tables. An elegant theme for a Valentines Day dance is using white window curtain lights.  This theme can be used to decorate for other parties and special occasions such as an anniversary party, company Christmas or even a New Years Eve party.

Neretva Window Curtain Icicle Lights, 600 LEDs String Fairy Lights, 19.68FTx9.84FT, 8 Modes Linkable, Icicle Fairy Lights forNeretva Window Curtain Icicle Lights, 600 LEDs String Fairy Lights, 19.68FTx9.84FT, 8 Modes Linkable, Icicle Fairy Lights forNeretva Window Curtain Icicle Lights, 600 LEDs String Fairy Lights, 19.68FTx9.84FT, 8 Modes Linkable, Icicle Fairy Lights forBright Zeal 16Bright Zeal 16Bright Zeal 16Ambox LED String Lights, 6 Pack 7.2 ft / 2.2 m LED Starry String Lights Battery Operated withAmbox LED String Lights, 6 Pack 7.2 ft / 2.2 m LED Starry String Lights Battery Operated withAmbox LED String Lights, 6 Pack 7.2 ft / 2.2 m LED Starry String Lights Battery Operated withCreative Converting 100' Roll Plastic Table Cover, Classic RedCreative Converting 100′ Roll Plastic Table Cover, Classic RedCreative Converting 100' Roll Plastic Table Cover, Classic RedValentine Red Tinsel Heart Centerpiece | Party DecorationValentine Red Tinsel Heart Centerpiece | Party DecorationValentine Red Tinsel Heart Centerpiece | Party DecorationHanging Heart Swirls,Valentines Decorations - Pack of 46 | Valentines Day Decorations | Valentines Day Party Favors |Hanging Heart Swirls,Valentines Decorations – Pack of 46 | Valentines Day Decorations | Valentines Day Party Favors |Hanging Heart Swirls,Valentines Decorations - Pack of 46 | Valentines Day Decorations | Valentines Day Party Favors |Valentines Day Party Decorations Kit – Pack of 21 | Red Heart Felt Garland Banner, Heart Paper Fans,Valentines Day Party Decorations Kit – Pack of 21 | Red Heart Felt Garland Banner, Heart Paper Fans,Valentines Day Party Decorations Kit – Pack of 21 | Red Heart Felt Garland Banner, Heart Paper Fans,DII 100% Cotton, Machine Washable, Printed Kitchen Table Runner For Mother's Day, Valentin's Day and Everyday Use -DII 100% Cotton, Machine Washable, Printed Kitchen Table Runner For Mother’s Day, Valentin’s Day and Everyday Use –DII 100% Cotton, Machine Washable, Printed Kitchen Table Runner For Mother's Day, Valentin's Day and Everyday Use -

Quick Easy Valentine Desserts

Don’t forget to serve Valentine desserts and appetizers. Chocolate covered strawberries are super easy! Check out my easy homemade chocolate covered strawberry instructions and you can wipe them up in less than 30 minutes.

Chocolate covered strawberries recipe
Chocolate covered strawberries recipe

So I hope you have a Happy Valentines Day and find a Sweetheart dance to go to with your sweetheart. 

Significance of Red Doors in a Church

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I didn’t know of the significance of red doors on churches  until I read, Finally A Red Door, on another  Project 365 blog.  Although this door is of a Catholic church in Connecticut the symbolism of a red door in churches spans many denominations. It is definitely a more popular tradition in older churches.

Catholic Church in Connecticut

According to Dr. Richard C Hoefler, dean of Christ Chapel at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, “Christians have entered into worship, into the presence of God, through the blood of Christ.” It is also said that a red door in the Lutheran Church harkens back to the time of Martin Luther, who posted his 95 Theses on the red doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany—the crimson color symbolizes the church as part of the Reformation. (Pastor Kuhlman, can you confirm?)

On the website St. David’s Episcopal Church  in Laurinburg, NC it explains: “Red Front Doors. The red doors symbolize the blood of Christ, which is our entry into salvation. They also remind us of the blood of the martyrs, the seeds of the church.”

Historically a church has been a place of sanctuary, a place where a soldier could not pursue an enemy, much like when one takes refuge in  Christ the enemy, the devil and evil,  cannot pursue and destroy you. Thank you Bonnie for bringing this little known history to my attention.

By the way, this door is at St. Francis Assisi in South Windsor Connecticut.

I am now on a quest for other Red Doors around the country, here is one in Nebraska City at an Episcopal Church

Symbolism in Churches

If you are interested in learning more about symbolism in churches and the meaning of certain design elements in architecture of a various churches the books below are full of interesting information of Christian symbolism.

The Secret Language of Churches & Cathedrals: Decoding the Sacred Symbolism of Christianity’s Holy BuildingsHow to Read a Church: A Guide to Symbols and Images in Churches and CathedralsSymbols of the Church


Day 69/365: It’s COLD in Nebraska!

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Day 69: Yes the thermometer is correct

Woke up one morning not wanting to climb out of bed. It was cold! Brrrr. Broke out my trusty iPod, (have I mentioned I love my iPod yet? Well I do!) and checked the weather. Yes, you read it correctly -2.1F, that is without wind chill which made it feel like -15 F, too cold for outside pictures, I think I’ll just stay under the covers and work from my iPod. I can do that, email counts.

The free App is @Thermometer, simple, but does the trick. I’m really addicted to Scramble, it’s like online Boggle. Don’t even ask what level I’m on, it’s embarrassing.

Day 67/365: Hastings Honor Choir

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Day 67: Hastings Honor Choir

Just a little bit about the Hastings College, High School Honor festival. It is the oldest honor music festival in the state of Nebraska, now in it’s 41st year.  The choir and band only accepts juniors and seniors, while the string orchestra is open to all high school students. This year the clinician was Dr. Daniel R. Afonso Jr. and the students spent 6-7 hours a day Friday and Saturday practicing their pieces for the concert on Sunday.

My son is in the middle of the above picture, a senior, and sings Bass II. Until a year ago he never tried out for honor choirs.  He was accepted for Hastings last year, ECNC last fall, the University of Nebraska Omaha BOCH Festival last month, and two years ago sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City with the Elmwood-Murdock choir in a mixed ensemble. Quite a set of accomplishments in the past few years. Yeah, and he hates for me to brag about it too. But what are the chances he’ll ever read this? Slim to none.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to him sing. In six months he will be leaving for Marine boot camp in San Diego, CA and starting a career as an MP. I am more and more proud of him every day. I hope, somehow, that he will find a way to continue singing.  Maybe on a base somewhere a group of them will start a group, enter a talent show, or just be goofing around one day with ditties and form a group like the 4 Troops.

Day 67: Extra, full Honor Choir

Disclaimer: I know, the top photo is not one of my best, very amateurish Photoshop eiditing. But hey, the purpose of this blog is to stretch not only my photography skills but to get better in Photoshop as well.  I was experimenting with layers, selecting colors, and skewing images. I accomplished that.  So my goal for the night was complete. Considering the lighting and the distance I thought the pictures turned out decent.  I tried to improve it in Photoshop but was only slightly success.

The second picture was photoshopped too…I removed a random trombone player intruding on the choir and pushed the bleachers together.