Day 120

It is so interesting to me as I now look deeper into the detail of everything. Last spring I couldn't have told you what the hostas looked like when they first came out of the ground. I may have replied that they look like little sticks as I hurriedly run by. This year, I've found that they really resemble a raging fire, and that they are absolutely beautiful if you stop to look. 

Today I knelt down in my flower bed in front of the house, and took a picture of the peonies coming out of the ground. I saw them a while back, but didn't realize how quickly they've formed their leaves and round buds for the gorgeous flowers that will be coming soon. Taking a photo, I still didn't see the little ants diligently working on their part in this whole symbiotic system that helps the buds to open. They were that small! 

I think I can honestly say, photography has helped me look at the the details in not only our new spring growth, but it changes your mind. It changes how you look at everything. I am thankful to look at the world, God's amazing creation, with a little more detailed mindset and more appreciate the things I would have just flippantly passed by!

Day 120

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/400, 50 mm

Day 119

I am almost to the end of my Chronicles of the Magnolia. Hah. I am afraid I am a couple days too late to capture every stage of this flower. I'm a little sad, but this will have to be my opened flower shot. My dear, sweet neighbor will love the collage I am going to give her to commemorate the 50 years that she's had this tree this year. I've had a lot of fun doing this project, and I will post the collage when I'm done with it. I think I will wait until the last few petals fall, and get them on the ground. Hopefully I will get there before her lawn service comes!

I actually am working on another project, I was asked to design a bookmark for the church for Mother's Day. So, my photos will pretty much be vertical for awhile until I figure out exactly what I am looking for. I can always use older photos I've taken, but while I've got this on my mind, I am practicing it here! 

Day 119

Settings:
ISO 200, f/2.8, ss 1/1000, 50 mm

Day 118

How's it going, 365'ers friends? Our day was great! It was my husband's birthday today. We slept in, then I made cheese blintzes with fresh cut strawberries for brunch. We watched American Idol and Survivor that we DVR'ed the night before, walked out the door separately to 2 different games...that were later cancelled, and out to dinner! Now to watch who was kicked off of Idol tonight, then snooze-land!

On my way to the first cancelled game is a beautiful forest preserve. I love this little road that heads back into the forbidden "Park Rangers Only, Nursery Preserve" section. I stopped at the gate like a good girl, and walked up to it, and took a picture. I'm sure that's allowed. Gussied it up with a little photoshop just for fun, and voila! 

Day 118

Settings:

ISO 200, f/4.5, ss 1/800, 50 mm

 

Day 117

Things are going a lot better today! Thank you for all your cheery comments. Things are good. God has a plan! 

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19:21

Wasn't home much, didn't take many photos, either. Except for the Awana awards tonight which basically all looked about the same in the end. I should have trudged down like another mom up there with absolutely no shame! None. I just don't think I can sit in front of the front pew on the floor asking children filing off the stage to please stop so I could take a picture. I have limits!

We went to the zoo a few days ago. It was really nice walking around with the kiddos. I wanted to get some photos of the walkways, they were so pretty! This particular shot, I almost asked my daughter to move. But there she was, all caught up in what she was reading, that I just took it anyway. Didn't get the walkway by itself, but a wonderful photo of her in a beautiful brightly lit area, and I'm glad I didn't ask her to move!  

Day 117

Settings:
ISO 200, f/2.5, ss 1/8, 50 mm

Day 116

Today did not turn out to be the best of days. You know how you feel like something's not right for a while, then still still with it hoping for it to get better? Well, we did that, and it actually got worse. Our church let our jr. high youth group leader go, and it was just announced. The kids are upset, we are upset.... just sad. He's the best, really!

Not feeling like going through photos I took today, I am posting one of my daughter playing the piano. Here it is! The piano is such a Godsend! It's funny, when she is upset, she goes to music. When I'm upset, I clean. Since the piano is so much prettier than laundry, I am posting that. 

Day 116

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/30, 50 mm

Day 115

Almost everything at a firehouse is a great photo op. My camera was in the car, and I thought, "C'mon, I can't run for my camera every time I see something I want!" So I resisted.. for a while. I don't know what it was, you know how you have that nagging "I want the shot, but it's probably not necessary" sort of feeling? I walked back to my car, grabbed my camera and ventured back to the sets of endless shelves of hoses ready for action. 

They had all sorts of character. I loved the colors, the rugged quality, the faded numbers, and how they were lined up all ready to go! 

Hence, my Day 115 shot.

Day 115

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/8, 50 mm

Day 114

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter/Resurrection Sunday! It was such a beautiful sunny day today, the only drawback for us was that my hubby had to work. Luckily, he works only minutes from his mother's house, and that is where we celebrated our Easter dinner. 

We stopped back by the firehouse, and said hello. We also delivered some of his mom's chocolate covered strawberries. That made his day. The boys played basketball for a while, and the girls tried out their strength on the weight benches and machines. 

So, it would make sense, my photo would be the strawberries, right? Wrong. The lighting was all off. :) I went with the eggs from yesterday that were on the ground for the little ones to find at church. They were all so precious running off to "find" the eggs that laid before them. I had to do it.

I will also get back on the bandwagon for getting to all of your sites. I've been so swamped, I'm just lucky to throw a photo up here. Thanks for all of your awesome comments! I love to comment on your beautiful photos as well... I'll be around soon! :)

Day 114

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.5, ss 1/2500, 50 mm

But, with all that said, I also had to throw in a picture of my 3 kids and my hubby. 4 people I love SO much! My family...at the firehouse...at Easter.

Day 113

Today I was walking around the backyard, and I couldn't find the bunnies! Finally off in a corner against the brick was a brave one, I caught his little eye peeking out. It was almost like those crafty books with the geometric shapes where you have to adjust your eyes to see the 3D figure..you know what I'm talking about? Anyway, once I knew what my eyes should focus on, I found 3 more hiding! 

I fell in love with this photo. I had another one from today, and even though I've posted bunnies, I had to post one of his peeking out from the grass. 

Day 113

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/800, 50 mm

Day 112

Absolutely no time for a camera today. :( I am adding something I took a week or so ago. I really like it, and wanted it in my 365 anyway, so it's a perfect time to add! Today the skies have been all gray, and it has been pouring almost all day. I think the weather is perfect for reflecting on what this day symbolizes.

This is Good Friday. It is the day that Jesus said, "It is finished." A simple photo, red is also symbolic. Thank you Jesus, for shedding your blood for us!

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” 

With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30

Day 112

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/80, 50 mm

Day 111

Finally a pretty day in Chicago, so I took the younger kids to the Brookfield Zoo. We had a nice walk, stayed for a couple hours, just talking and laughing. 

Has anyone else been watching the Decorah Eagle Cam? I've been addicted since there were only 3 eggs. It was fun to see them hatching, and now that they are getting bigger, what they're having for lunch.

So at the zoo, it was only fitting to capture a Bald Eagle since I was so close. I love them, they're so beautiful!

Day 111

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/250, 160 mm

Day 110

I could stare at fresh dew drops all day long. I think they're beautiful. Combine that with my favorite color and outdoors, it's my favorite thing!

Long day today, just trying to make it through the week. How y'all doing? 

One last time to beg (well, I might again)... I'd LOVE it if you attached your email to your account. That way when you ask a question, and I hit reply, it will actually send it to your email instead of typing out an entire response, then getting a "noreply-comment@blogger.com" error message. If you are completely opposed to doing this, I understand for privacy, but if you don't know how to do this.. here.

Go to Design > Settings > Comments > 
at the bottom of the Comments page, right before "SAVE SETTINGS" it says,
"Comment Notification Email" In this box, type your email address that you want to get notifications from. 
See? Easy, and it will eliminate frustration as to which one did or did not have the email set up to respond to you. I'd love to answer people back when they ask a question on my blog, but sometimes it's harder to chase them down and find a random post they've done to answer a question. 

Anyone else? :)

Day 110

Settings:

ISO 200, f/3.2, ss 1/640, 50 mm

Day 109

Ask and you shall receive! I didn't want to disturb them too much, but I wanted to see if I could get a good shot. It's decent. At least you can see them. 

When we bought this house, the previous owner told us that a momma bunny has babies every year in the backyard. We thought, well poor her, she won't anymore because of our dog...and kids... This yard wasn't used to a lot of activity, but we certainly brought that when we moved in. 

This has not deterred momma bunny in any way. She continues to have babies in our yard. She just adapts. 2 years ago, she had them in the planter by the swings. Last year, we didn't know where she had them, but we saw them scamper about. This year...AHA! As we were picking up the backyard yesterday, I went to grab a Nerf dart gun out of the Fisher Price plastic garden toy, and the ground moved. I realized there were a couple baby bunnies. I left the gun there as that was half of their cover under that slide. Taking a couple pictures today, I counted five! It has been raining like crazy for the past couple days, so we covered the side of the slide with some plywood. You can see the little one on the far bottom right is damp. Poor guy.. he's fine now!

So, Happy Easter week to all the bunny lovers out there. And, who says there isn't wildlife smack dab in the middle of Chicago? (Well, okay, usually me.... but this counts!) 

 Day 109

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.2, ss 1/60, 50 mm

mini fusion from MCP Actions

Day 108

Today I cleaned, for tomorrow... we get a piano! I started with the guest room, as that is where we shall keep it. I think. Hubby is gone until late, and it's where I really want it! 

When I was little, we had one in the basement. I was happy we had one, but not that inviting. I would love the kids to just sit down and play where it's warm, and see where their genius minds may take them. ;)

Long story short, I caught some more spring time photos just out my front door. That's all I did for today, other than unearth some baby bunnies as we were cleaning up the back yard by the play set. They are happily tucked into the baby fisher price garden under the slide. I will snap some photos of them in better lighting. They were precious! 

Day 108

Settings:
ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/2000, 230 mm

Day 107

Do you love Scottish Broom? Is it a nuisance or a welcome site in your yard? Farmers say it's the most stubborn, deeply rooted bush that spreads like wildfire.

For me, it's literally a life saver! These bushes played a vital part in a few of my life threatening car accidents. One night a friend and I went to the town over where we "cruised" around looking for friends and fun. While turning left on a street near a huge gully, a drunk driver crashed into me by trying to pass on my right (while I was turning right) hitting me in the driver side door. I was driving a '65 Malibu SS and the other driver wound up pushing me sideways into deeply rooted shrubbery. Guess what that was? The bushes gathered quickly underneath my car, and stopped me just before the edge of the cliff by the very large gully. The driver side window shattered into the left side of my face, and the rest is history. 

My favorite car was totaled, and a plastic surgeon took a few hours to gently remove half a ziploc baggie of glass from my face.

Do I love Scottish Broom? Yes I do! Every time I see it, I am thankful that it is so deeply rooted and stubborn!

Day 107

Settings:
ISO 200, f/2.8, ss 1/3200, 50 mm

Day 106

Okay, after looking back at some of my photos, I thought.. a little more color, girl! Stepping right outside my house are hostas. They are coming in strong, but I never really looked at how pretty they are up close. It looks like a raging fire, only with green and purple flames. 

So there. Spring photos, more color. I made myself happy.

Day 106

Settings:

ISO 400, f/2, ss 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 105

Today is just one of those days. I feel like I'm at the bottom of the rope looking up. This verse is a perfect reminder of where my heart needs to be. The photo looked a little cluttered to me after adding my stamp..etc. But, this verse is "just what the doctor ordered" for me today. Don't you just feel overwhelmed sometimes? Not like I need someone to swoop in and save me, but I'd love for everyone to be responsible for themselves sometimes. :) Okay, a mother's exhausted rant. I do appreciate being a mom. But some days are harder than others.

From the end of the earth will I cry to you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

Day 105

Settings:

ISO 400, f/2, ss 1/250, 50 mm

added texture and verse

Day 104

It's the second night of five consecutive evening games that will inevitably last after 10 each night..in 43 degree weather and high winds! We froze! Not to mention, we had been at a softball game immediately before. Where is the warmth now? 

This was all I could do today to stay above water on my 365 commitment. I was so cold, I only took a few of my son up to bat. This is what I got, considering it was night time and all, I'm fine with it! 

Day 104

Settings:

ISO 800, f/2, ss 1/50, 50 mm

Day 103

Today was a whirlwind, but we made it through! My husband has an EMT class to renew, so he had to get a few blood pressure numbers. Whatever. I'm not EMT savvy, but the youngest got a hold of the stethoscope and went straight for the animals. You can see, the cat could care less. She had fun, and learned a little along the way. 

Day 103

Settings:

ISO 200, f/3.2, ss 1/6, 50 mm

Day 102

Well, after another ballgame, I come home frozen to the bone! Beautiful today, just chilly. 

My son and I drove around a little while waiting for the youngest to get out of a class. Downtown is just gorgeous on a sunny, cool day. An accidental route along the lake found us in front of the Buckingham Fountain. I didn't realize they turned the water on so soon. I think they were still adjusting settings with all the trucks there at the controls, because normally the horses are all spouting water at the same time. 

Some nights they have a light show at the fountain. The different spouts will shoot all sorts of colors. It's really beautiful if you have the time to bring a blanket to just sit and relax.

Day 102

Settings:
ISO 200, f/5.6, ss 1/2500, 18 mm

Day 101

The gorgeous magnolia tree! It's buds are beautiful. They look like rose buds, and are rising out of their little velvety pods. Yesterday was 85 degrees, and today they decided to grace us with their beauty.

Day 101

Settings:

ISO 200, f/4.5, ss 1/3200, 85 mm

Day 100

Happy 100th day!

We did it, my fellow 365'ers! We made it to 100! Only 265 more days to go..... hooray! It's midnight here, so I thought I'd just post.

I actually shot these photos yesterday. *gasp!* I knew our Sunday had a full plate, but I wanted to get something along these lines. I walked around the block for inspiration, and something that looked like a 1 or 0's without just being a ball or wheels. Thank goodness for the fence posts, fire hydrants and tree branch nubs! It was actually a lot of fun making my "100" photo.

Day 100

Day 99

A worms eye view of the backyard! A little rock, dirt, grass root, and view of the playset...looks very far off indeed. I feel sorry for the little guys!

Hey, guess what? We broke 70 degrees again today! This must mean something.. tomorrow even warmer. Does this mean I don't need my sweatshirt anymore? 

Tomorrow is 100 day! I'm trying to think of what my celebration might be...

Day 99

Settings: 100, f/2, ss 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 98

I actually took this yesterday, so I am falling within my own guidelines. I'm just a little behind. I thought the daffodils were so pretty after the rain, so had to grab the shot. It reminds me we are closer to Easter!

Day 98

Settings:

ISO 100, f 1.8, ss 1/800, 50 mm

Day 97

Yesterday I got behind again. It was my oldest 16th birthday! And, would you believe I don't have a very good "birthday-like" photo? It was a school day, we were running, she had a game, rushed home and made yummy steak dinner, ran son off to baseball practice. That was her 16th b-day. We made it as festive as possible, I should've at least taken pictures of the cupcakes in the box! 

Nope. Too busy!

Hopefully today a better one? Here is one from this morning homeschooling. My 3rd grader is practicing, along with the phone she wants someday sketched in between the multiplication exercises. Hah.. 

You can tell it's extremely overcast today, as this is in my room, and all the window shades were open! The best lighting I could get. 

Day 97

Settings:

ISO 400, f/1.8, ss 1/125, 50 mm

Day 96

Tonight's sunset was interesting. It only had patches of color, then looked like an upside down ocean with the light coming down the center. You know, like it does on the ocean as the sunrise comes up? The colors were so pink and purple. I caught this shot at the mall! 

Yess!!! 

A little shopping and 365ing done at once! I know, you're jealous. *wink*

Day 96

Settings:

ISO 100, f/5.6, ss 1/160, 280 mm

(okay, so I just grabbed regular settings and went for it. Don't use these to achieve this look, because I had to adjust the lighting meter quite a lot to make it look like it actually looked in person!)

Day 95

Today became the first softball game of the year. Lots of rain, then spring break, now finally a game! My oldest pitched, and it was SO cold, my fingers were numb. So I only snapped off a few of the game. Then back to my pockets I went! 

Great game, these girls! 18-6, they won! 

Off on the other side of the world (in another suburb far SW as I was far NW), my husband took my son to his game. Guess who had the gear in my car? Oh yeah.. they got there late, and with NO gear. 

(sigh)

It was off to a rocky start for his season, but hopefully it will all come together for us soon! :)

Thank you to all of you who welcomed my friend to the 365 blogging world yesterday! You guys are awesome!

 Day 95

Settings:

ISO 200, f/5, ss 1/2000, 90 mm

Day 94

It's a gray skies, 

                  threatening rain, 

                            pizza-for-lunch kinda day. 

This is the easiest thing to do in the world my kids love it because they can do it all on their own, and it tastes so good!  It takes a big 3 minutes to prepare.

Easy Peasy Pizza

 (your choice toppings, but this is what is in the photo)

1 loaf of Italian Bread - sliced, bakery section 

1 can pizza sauce - your preference

1 pkg mini pepperoni

Mozzarella cheese

(bake at 375 for 12 minutes)

Day 94

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/250, 50 mm

Really quick, a long time family friend and I just became reacquainted on facebook. It was so fun to reconnect with her as I've been chatting with her mom a little here and there. I told her some fun memories I have of their place when I was younger, and she had contacted me because her mom showed her my 365. 

She just started  DAY 1 last night! I'm so proud of her!

Please add her and help her get started with this awesome thing we're all doing! I'm sure she'd appreciate the encouragement as I bragged you guys UP! You can find her at Jeanna Geniesse Photography blog. Thanks everyone!!  

Day 93

Garage sale finds! I love them, and I cannot wait until I can get out to pick again. I want to redo my son's room so it's not so "castley." He's not a little boy anymore. So I am going with the street signs (if I can find any.. obviously I won't be out chopping down stop signs or anything) and cool baseball/sports memorabilia. He had his first game of the season today, (they won) but I was behind a fence, so I got mostly the chain link look. I'm sure there will be SO many game photos to post in the near future, that I will take a "find" when I have one.

Here is my license plates score. Illinois plates from 1960 to 1975 give or take a few. Then I picked my birth year and husband's birth year to add to the collection.

 Day 93

Settings:

ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/1600, 50 mm

Day 92

What a great day! It was beautiful, the clouds were absolutely gorgeous. I grabbed my camera bag as we took the girls out for the day. I commented on the perfect clouds above, ripped open my camera case, and.... no camera. 

Scratch.

We came home after a fun day, I had a migraine, so I went right to bed. Woke up to evening, with my husband and youngest giggling away downstairs playing Pirates of the Caribbean LIFE. I had just watched a snipped of the MeRa Koh video Refuse to Say Cheese. She had talked about capturing a moment. Not asking them to look up and say cheese, but actually capturing what they are doing, and who they are. So I grabbed my trusty 50 mm because of our dimly lit living room, and started snapping away. 

I got them playing their game, but also captured a moment that we can enjoy whenever we look back and see the difference between the size of their hands, and a fun time shared between the two of them.

 Day 92

Settings:
ISO 200, f/1.8, ss 1/25, 50 mm

(not sure why ISO was 200 - probably because I was aperture priority?)

Day 91

Today was just a painting kinda day. It rained all day, and we didn't do much. It was a great day to just relax! Now it was the youngest one's turn to be creative. She had a great sunset going, but this was the one I chose.. had a little fun on photoshop for something indoorsy to do. ;)

Day 91

Settings:

ISO 800, f/1.8, ss 1/20, 50 mm

converted to black/white, erased to expose the color on bottles and mug

Day 90

Quite late! I know, it was yesterday. We were at my husband's great aunt's wake. She lived to be 93! She was beautiful up until the end. She lived a full life, full of amazing family and friends, and lots of those who loved her by her side. We talked about how "that's how it's supposed to be." Living until an old age, and relatively healthy, then she went pretty fast so I don't think she had to suffer much. 

Today my oldest is painting. I love to see her settle down, no texting (until restriction is up tomorrow), relaxing and painting. She is calm, content.. and so are we! She is painting a baby seal. Getting the background going, then the eyes, now bringing in the whites. I caught her mid stroke, so it's a little blurry there, but a little focused more on where the paint was still wet.

Until our next post! Tonight's number 91. Here's hoping I get a good photo by evening. Happy April Fools Day! Any good things happen to you? 

On another quick note, have you seen the eagle cam? Three little eggs are about to hatch today. The momma is restless, and bedding down tighter into her windy nest. There used to be about 6,000 viewers constantly, now it is at 138,600 and climbing! It's a beautiful thing. She's gorgeous, and I can't wait to see what happens! Yes, this is live stream for me right now on my computer. God is good! His creation is just amazing.

Day 90

Settings:

ISO 800, f/1.8, ss 1/30, 50 mm