kara's 365

day 40 - 41

2012-02-11T17:54:00.000-06:00

Surprised? Me too! I got photos uploaded and into my blog.. wonders never cease..

These pavers are full of character. I just love them, so we have them in the yard in various places. They have the most magnificent color. I wish we could've lived in the brick paved streets time, but then again, I don't have the best luck with tires. I would've had a flat once a week, I'm sure!

This moon was amazing a couple nights ago! I missed the most jaw dropping phase as I was driving...without a camera! I KNOW! Who does that??!! I finally got home about 20 minutes later and set out to recreate what I saw, but no chance. I did manage to grab a decent photo, though.

Days 19-39 (yep a little overdue)

2012-02-08T19:58:00.000-06:00

How do I do this so often? I get caught up with life, and totally forget to post, or upload, or take pictures...

all of the above, I'm afraid.

So, how are we all doing? I'm getting my business up and running. It's taking a lot longer than I thought. I naively thought, "just get some business cards and a website, and I'll be golden!"

um.. nope!

There is so much more than that. Every day, I'm tweaking the site, figuring a business plan, trying out new marketing strategies.. it's not easy! But, it is fun in the meantime, and I get a huge sense of accomplishment after all is said and done.

I posted a couple "clients" in this post. One "critter client" and another "senior portrait" session in the snow! It was so. much. fun! Who'd have thought we'd trek all over the Chicago area in knee deep snow... for a photo shoot? She was awesome, and we had a blast!

Have you become a fan of my facebook page yet? I'd love for you to so you could message and give critique! I would greatly appreciate it.. here is the link!

kara leigh photography (chicago, il)

it should take you right there. THANK YOU in advance! You guys are the best! Comment on my blog if you have a fb page, and I'll return the favor! Have a great week, everyone!

day 18 - book of david

2012-01-18T15:55:00.000-06:00

I'm doing a Beth Moore Bible study on her David series. It's excellent. All of her studies are. If you have never had an opportunity to do one of her studies, I highly recommend! Even if they don't have one at your church, why don't you update your facebook and ask if anyone is doing one. That's how I found out my last one. A friend answered back within minutes and said, "come join us! we're on our second week!" I was thrilled!

I've done Daniel, Esther, Breaking Free, and now David.

day 18 - book of david

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/125

levels

day 17 - pretty plumes

2012-01-18T15:45:00.000-06:00

You've seen these by every roadway, exit, swamp, pond... I love these as they are in their full plume. I just think they are so graceful as they dance in the wind. The lake of ice was behind it, I got a lot of photos of that, but I'm a stickler on the 1 photo a day! I may make a collage, because it's just pretty, but I don't have time right now.

day 17 - pretty plumes

ISO 100, f/2, 1/1600

levels

day 16 - frosted flakes

2012-01-18T15:41:00.000-06:00

Frost bit! Little frost flakes all over my windshield... which is normally fine, but my van's wipers seem to freeze completely straight. Instead of forming to the window when all the ice/snow is off of them, they only wipe on small part of the window. Of course, it's above and below where the ideal viewing area is.

day 16 - frosted flakes

ISO, f/1.8, 1/2000

levels

day 15 - little treasures

2012-01-18T15:36:00.000-06:00

I love garage sales! Do you? They are the best.

Remember when we were little and everything was a treasure? Our minds were so creative we could make just about anything turn into our imagined toys.

I was so proud when I brought home a huge set of small drawers full of "things." I think my hubby was less than impressed. He had to haul it all in. I think sometimes we know our guys love us when we do something they think isn't so smart, but don't hurt your feelings, and just pick it up and place it where you want. I was having such a blast going through the little drawers of treasures. Here are some of the things I found. The man obviously loved making his own clocks, for every drawer had something different. This was one of them.

I love everything vintage... I could walk through antique stores all day and imagine what the person was like who once owned the items. My dream job would be riding with American Pickers. Have you ever seen that show? They crawl through attics and old barns looking for things someone once held dear to, that is now rusty and a little broken, to restore it to it's full beauty. LOVE that!

Anyway, that's my soapbox speech for the day. OH! And Reminisce Magazine. I love the stories of long ago. The beau walking to his girlfriends house for dinner, missing dinner, her thinking he didn't care to show up (no phones) and around the fireplace that night they heard the knock on the door. There he stood, snow up to his waist, but had walked for miles...to ask her to marry him! Aaahhhh LOVE THAT!!!!

day 15 - little treasures

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/20

(levels, added texture)

day 14 - sidewalk magic

2012-01-14T14:31:00.000-06:00

This is what we're waking up to.. a little bit of magic to shovel. Now, if this were near the mountains, I'd be elated! Skiing, sledding, tubing, snowboarding... okay, I must be daydreaming. This poor snow fell in the wrong area. Chicago can't do a lot with it. *sadness* I miss my mountains on the west coast!

day 14 - sidewalk magic

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 13 - snowy pines

2012-01-14T14:25:00.000-06:00

I escaped from the laundry today and found a cool tree filled with snow.. Pines are so pretty with snow on them! This is what people try to recreate when decorating for Christmas, but can't quite do it as well as God can in nature.

Another tree along the street, but you'd never know with the blanket of snow we have. It's like you're in the middle of a forest.

day 13 - snowy pines

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 12 - white branches

2012-01-14T14:19:00.000-06:00

I love how snow just seems to be sitting on the branches so gracefully. Something about snowy white branches that I just love.

day 12 - white branches

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 11 - snowed under

2012-01-14T14:16:00.000-06:00

Very snowy! The first night, we had about 4.5 inches until morning, then a bit more. I took a picture of a neighbor's house that faces east. She was pretty much snowed under! The winds attacked the front and swept all the snow over to her side. It was pretty impressive.

day 11 - snowed under

ISO 100, 1/400, f/5

day 10 - full moon bridge

2012-01-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

Full moon tonight, can you tell which one it is? Maybe a little lighter than the lights, but kinda fun to look for it. :)

The trick about these nights is to start out a little earlier while the moon is lower. Don't wait until the kids go to bed, because it will be almost straight over your heads. I like the moon with a little background. I liked this bridge for a little interest.

day 10 - full moon bridge

ISO 200, .5, f/2.8

day 9 - factory lights

2012-01-09T23:47:00.000-06:00

We drive by this factory a lot. It's always alive at night, or that's when you notice it the most. The lights are amazing, and I love how the smoke reflects them at night. I've always wanted to stop, now I have an excuse!

day 9 - factory lights

ISO 200, 1/30, f/1.8

(levels, b/w)

day 8 - mr. popper's penguin?

2012-01-09T23:40:00.000-06:00

Okay, last day of zoo pictures, I just couldn't leave a few behind. I loved the movie Mr Popper's Penguins. I must have been in one of those moods, because I laughed at everything. I begged my husband to watch it with the kids and I the next day, and I'm pretty sure he just didn't appreciate a few funny parts..because it was a great movie!

When we got to the penguins, I wanted to take this little one home. He sat there and just posed for me as I took a bunch of shots from side to side. He would look straight on, then sideways as if to say, "Am I doing this right?" So cute!

day 8 - mr. popper's penguin?

ISO 200, 1/80, f/5.6

(adjusted levels, contrast on rocks)

day 7 - we share

2012-01-07T21:29:00.000-06:00

I love giraffes! It's so hard to get them without all the fencing, buckets and nonsense! So, I improvised. I loved the shot, but not so much all the cables that ran through them. I edited them out, brushed it up a little and added texture. You like?

day 7 - we share

ISO 100, 1/20, f/2.8

edited levels, took out obstacles, added texture (should have bumped the ISO more)

day 6 - who's afraid of me?

2012-01-07T20:53:00.000-06:00

The Great Bear Wilderness was another fun exhibit. I know, this isn't a bear, but the wolves are at the beginning of the entrance. He turned around and stared over our way. The eyes are golden and seem to see right through you. They also have such a sweetness to them. But, they are wild. I know.

day 6 - who's afraid of me?

ISO 100, 1/60, f/5.6

Levels, contrast

day 5 - sense of calm

2012-01-07T20:36:00.000-06:00

At the Brookfield Zoo, we walked through the Pacific Coast exhibit. I love it, since I'm from the Pacific Northwest! Colorful fish, coral, reef life and penguins! I will have one of those guys up a little early. :)

day 5 - sense of calm

ISO 160, 1/80, f/2, SOOC

day 4 - king of the jungle

2012-01-07T20:26:00.000-06:00

I am exhausted today. Hubby and I took the youngest one (everyone else busy) roller skating last night, and I've realized I'm not quite a 15 yr old anymore! Then today, I took the youngest (again, only one home) to the Brookfield Zoo. It was about 45 degrees, a little cold, but so much better this way as the animals are so much more active.

This amazing guy roamed around showing who's boss. He was loud! You could hear him from across the park. I remember my dad living about 4-5 miles from a game farm, and could still hear the lions at night. Lions are pretty majestic. I love everything about them. We watched him lick his paws like a house cat, and thought, "aaww!" Then when he gets up, you think, "Wow, glad this moat is between him and us."

day 4 - king of the jungle

ISO 200, 1/25, f/5.6

I edited this a lot. Levels, vignette, colors were too orange, and added more contrast.

day 3 - skates

2012-01-04T09:24:00.000-06:00

Nothing like ice all over the pool! Too bad it's not quite large enough to skate, so there they sit.. hopefully we can go downtown to free skate on Michigan Ave. before it's too late. It's just really cold out there! We're supposed to have another cold and snowy winter.. we'll see!

day 3 - skates

ISO 100, 1/1600, f/1.8

edited with Florabella "Envy"

day 2 - anniversary dinner

2012-01-03T12:15:00.000-06:00

Our 19th Anniversary! Hey, that's quite a feat these days.. we feel quite accomplished! LOL

My hubby took me out to Shaw's Crab House downtown. We love it, but I forgot I didn't want the garlic butter all over my scallops, (I wanted it on the side) and I wanted them grilled instead of sauteed.... live and learn. It made for a great glaze in the picture though!

It was a much needed break from the drama of life at home with the kiddos. And by "the kiddos" I mean the oldest teen! :) All was well when we came home. A little reset for all of us, a few heart to heart talks, and a refreshing sleep!

It ain't easy, folks! :)

day 2

iso 400, 1/5, f/1.8

(edited light levels only)

day 1 - single rose

2012-01-03T11:33:00.016-06:00

Happy New Year! Welcome to my 2012, second adventure of the 365 world!

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My intro:

I'm Kara - I'm a stay at home mom, photographer and just starting my business!

I'd love it if you'd "like" my page on facebook! I welcome your comments there as well. If you have a fb page, please leave your link so I can "like" it as well!

I've been very blessed with 3 kiddos, and my amazing hubby of 19 years! He's a firefighter for Chicago, and we live within the city limits...'cause we have to!

I shoot with a Sony a300. Other than it's kit lens, I own a 50 1.4, and 24-70mm Carl Zeiss 2.8, and 75-300mm 4.5. I'm a Sony girl! A friend of mine just switched from Canon to Nikon. I almost made a switch, but so glad I didn't have to get used to different settings again.

I am not a soccer mom, but it's under the same category... taking kids to and from softball and baseball games, travel leagues, cheer team, youth group, friend's houses, and whatever else this world throws at me. I do enjoy it, I would never want someone else to have my job.

I enjoy traveling, but haven't been able to do much with kids in school and sports. Might have to save that for retirement?

I love Starbucks and skiing, so it's easy to tell you that I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest in WA state! I grew up skiing Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass, Crystal Mountain (Mt. Rainier) twice a week religiously! I miss home dearly, (there's no skiing in Chicago - worth writing about!) but this is where God has us right now, so I'm making the best of it!

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fine print:

all photos are SOOC (straight out of camera)

unless specified in settings under it's label. I will

try to add settings to every photo, this helps you

get an idea of where to start, and adjust as needed.

I will do my best to help you through any questions

you might have, as so many people have helped

me! It's sort of paying it forward. I also accept plane

tickets to come and mentor! LOL Again, I love to travel!

Seriously, leave a comment, a suggestion, a kind critique..

look forward to meeting you!

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I must admit, last year was fun! A little stressful trying to get a photo every day, labeled, uploaded, blogged... but then I realized, the 365 police wouldn't be attacking me if it didn't happen. Now I can relax and get it all done on my own time.

I'd love it if you commented, visited, and left your email somehow (or private message) so I could respond to your comments or questions. Last year it was tough chasing around answers on their blogs, as they didn't pertain to their photos.

2012 started off a little shaky. We have teens! But, by the grace of God we will all make it through, right?

day 1

Our 19th Anniversary is tomorrow! The 2nd, my hubby brought me a huge bouquet of flowers. I've never seen roses like this, so I singled it out and I love it!

now the settings, back by popular demand (denise and kim!)

iso 400, 1/640, f/1.8

(edited with Florabella "love," then took some pink color cast out)

Days 358-365 DONE!!

2012-01-02T22:51:00.000-06:00

Happy END OF 365 day for me!! Although this isn't the best work like I expected the end to be, I got it done. That's what I wanted. Other than that, it would've never been done.

Good news! I've already started my 365, 2012. I will change my header, revamp my site a bit, then start posting!

I look forward to seeing you all soon! Then I will start visiting blogs again, I promise! I miss seeing everyone's work!

Days 350-357

2012-01-01T22:52:00.000-06:00

I will get there eventually! I feel like the little train that could... but still not there yet! I think I can.. I know I can!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, all my 365'ers! I will finish soon, now a little disheartened to start another one. I am still undecided and I need to post one for today!

Have a happy, safe 2012!

My Camera is BACK! Days 340-349

2011-12-31T16:31:00.000-06:00

Wow, that was a rough 2 1/2 weeks! I missed Christmas and my son's 14th birthday with my camera. I'm not too upset, because I'm happy I didn't have to pay a penny to repair this camera.

I'm posting part 1 of a mess of photos I'm putting up, and fully intend to finish by tomorrow! I know, it ends today, so congratulations everyone who made it successfully! I will hopefully earn that title tomorrow.

Have a careful and safe New Years Eve tonight!

~HAPPY 2012~

Broken Camera

2011-12-23T08:29:00.000-06:00

Ho Hum...

Just as I'm getting into my favorite season, my camera topples off my table. I had it "safely" tucked against the wall with the external flash for my daughter's party..

Apparently, cleaning at 1:00am doesn't help save time. I should have waited until morning, or put my camera back! Either way, it's being repaired. I'm patiently waiting for it to return.

Patiently? More like pacing back and forth leaping for every phone call.

Merry Christmas, my dear 365 friends! I've enjoyed getting to know some of you, seeing other's children grow before my eyes, being helped many many and in return helping some of my own..

Are any of you starting another 365? If so, with a theme? Do share!

God Bless you and your adventures in photography, as you find so much of what He has made! I know I've found a new way of seeing life, nature, and everything around me.

Keep in touch!

~ Kara

Days 321 - 339

2011-12-07T15:29:00.000-06:00

I'm still here! I knew December would be hectic, I'm just hoping to finish!

Lots going on here in our little world. Raising teens is stressful to say the least, but we've had some tender moments like Thanksgiving with family, our youngest turning 10, now shopping and decorating are on the list for Christmas! (Then, another birthday to plan 3 days after Christmas!)

I am so thankful for several jobs in the past month. I've been swamped, but loving it! I've been editing and getting off product, on top of being sick and down for the count a few days. Life goes on, though.. so I trudge along. Here are some photos I wound up taking. The first, a box, not so exciting probably, but it was a big moment in my life. It may have well been Christmas for me! So, I had to take it..

Others are random, but I'm still in the game! Hoping if I don't stay caught up before and during Christmas, that all of you have a safe and blessed season with your families! Great job on your 365's! Thank you again for all of your encouragement on my personal journey this year!

Days 315 - 320

2011-11-16T19:35:00.002-06:00

I got a new lens!! I will try to add the settings later on tonight. For now, I will just load them. I was really just taking pictures of anything and whatever using it!

So.... for my new lens, I got a 24-70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss!!! I'm loving it so far. You know, with the 10 photos I took today on rapid fire before it was time to run more kids around..

A little Building 429, and Leeland concert..

The start of photos with my new lens. Grabbing anything I could find on hand. :) These pretty leaves were the last on the branches of the entire tree.

Just because I saved this dresser mirror thingy from utter destruction in the alley. I painted it black, then distressed the edges, painted a piece of plywood with chalk paint, and want to take photos of it with a new verse or saying each week. We walk by it every day, might as well be positive!

My dining room

Our cute personalized pumpkins my friend made me. Now she's moved away. :( This is on top of a counter, and this lens picked up the fuzzies. Oh my. Time to dust!

Random dog picture. I just wanted to see how close I could get with clarity. I'm literally a foot in a half away!

Days 306 - 314

2011-11-10T23:28:00.000-06:00

I'm still around.. braving the snow we had today here in the midwest.. (all 15 minutes of it), and looking forward to a little more sun for the week. Whatever we have left, I'll take and be thankful for!

I've been working on a modest website. Modest, meaning I paid very little, and doing all of it myself! That, fun clients, and spending time with my family, have kept me from doing my photos every day. The more interesting different every day ones, I mean. I have been loving my "job" lately, though!

If you want to see what I've been up to, check out http://www.karaleighphoto.com I have decided to sell some of my collected "art" or photos from this year's 365 and the past year or so, in the form of standouts and metal prints! I'm very excited about this, and instead of throwing them on an online gallery, for now I shall do it on my site! Great for Christmas gifts, right?

Hope everyone is having a great wrap up to the end of a fabulous 365 discovery.. the world we now see is so much more beautiful!

Days 292 - 305

2011-11-01T12:45:00.000-05:00

Are you so sick of hearing me talk about catching up? I am! I've just resorted to knowing this is just how it's going to have to be until the end of the year.

How'd everyone's Halloween go? We had kids running from one end of the neighborhood to the next. Kids everywhere, eggs everywhere (oy!), police out in full force (and they were going to glare at me for parking crooked to say hi to some friends? Go get the bad kids!)... Lots of fun, lots of face painting craziness all over my bathroom, but all in all, great day!

Day 292

Along side the road on our way to Great America!

Day 293

Sand mimicking an avalanche at the Museum of Science and Industry Chicago

Day 294

Wave making at the MSI/Chicago

Day 295

Static electricity...muahahaha!

Day 296

Some cool vapor you could walk through. You couldn't feel anything, but they put images on the wide angle, but it was too hard to photograph as there were light tunnels in front and back.

Day 297

Wright Brothers exhibit MSI/Chicago

Day 298

Fall colors in my yard.

Day 299

Scary Skulls!

Day 300

Oooohhhhh...

Day 301

The carousel "haunted up" with full reflection in the "moat" at Fright Fest - Six Flags/Great America

Day 302

Fun adjusting my settings to get the shadows and lights with fog machines in the distance across the pond.

Day 303

My first attempt at Street Photography! I asked this kid if I could take his picture, and he was totally on board to do it. So cool, because I painted my son's face this same detail for Halloween. Turned out pretty awesome!

Day 304

Happy Halloween! My youngest dressed as "Mad Hatter" after an hour of trick or treating. The makeup had faded but she looked cute, although even cuter in the bright pink fake eyelashes she had that "came off somewhere." (oh my)

Day 305

Pretty autumn mums. My favorites!

Day 289-291

2011-10-28T23:12:00.000-05:00

I'm getting there! Another shoot today was great! I am behind... in a good way. Here's 3 more, and I'm closing in on it.

Day 289

Little one and I were practicing our "art" for her to be Mad Hatter for Halloween. What we found, was this white was not fun to work with, luckily we had bought another type of white, and that it was going to be a blast to work on!

Day 290

Some of the good makeup, and the false eyelashes we will be using to dress up. This one just can't wait!

Day 291

My plumeria tree! It's blooming, and I just got it from (bum..bum..bum..) a garage sale! Funny because when we were in Hawaii last we bought one for my mother in law. That one is absolutely gorgeous, and I just fell in love with this when I saw it. It really brings back Hawaii. The flowers are so beautiful and fragrant!

Days 286 - 288

2011-10-27T00:22:00.000-05:00

OY! Is anyone still doing this? I'm the little train that could.....

*snicker*

I've been blessed with some paid shoots lately, so I've been a little photo'ed out as I've been editing, and pulling my "normal" life's routine. So, I shall post a few, come back in another day and post some more...

Thanks for your support, all of you who have so faithfully stuck by me, come by to comment and are interested in what I'm doing. Hugs to all of you!

I have to comment on the next one. I was sitting in the living room, and my daughter was sitting at the table doing homework. I sat there thinking this time will just fly by as our oldest two are already living the teen life. I thought I should run up and get my camera, because I'd look back on this day and wish I had this scene not only impressed into my mind, but in a photo. It is precious to me.

Days 281 - 285

2011-10-12T12:10:00.000-05:00

Okay, behind agaaayaan! Only 5 days this time so I feel pretty good. I'm working down backwards from today's photo to day 281.

Today was just one of those days!

I got ready for Bible study,

left the house and dropped of my daughter's forgotten extra credit homework,

went to grab some coffee and realized I'd forgotten my purse at home.

Backtracked to grab my purse,

and saw that even if I left now, I'd still be almost an hour late to Bible study,

so I decided to scrap it all and get my flat tire repaired.

That didn't work, so 1 new (used) tire for me!

And, luckilly, a pretty park nearby to just relax, reset, and try some new techniques!

I tried some panning with falling leaves, that was HARD to get right. I got close, but still not that easy to focus on that "one" falling leaf (blowing in the wind). I also did something fun I saw on Isabelle Frances Photography page. That was the twisting of the lens while taking a photo up a tree.

Day 285

Still shot. I like the rustic look, and it was such a happy surprise to find the acorns all over!

ISO 100, f/3.2, 1/60, 50 mm

Day 284

Fun technique!

ISO 100, f/5, 1/25, 18 mm

Day 283

Trying hard to capture ONE leaf and focus on it. Had to pan a bit, but finally got ONE image where you can somewhat tell what it is. Right? Maybe not...

ISO 100, f/18, 1/40, 60 mm

Day 282

Lovin' the beauty of the dying thistles beside the road.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/500, 200 mm

added texture

Day 281

FINALLY grasping the sunburst, thanks to my wonderful friend, Carolyn! She's fabulous in this department. So I hopped out of the car this particular morning and grabbed it through the trees. Yay!

ISO 800, f/22, 1/3200, 50 mm

Days 278 - 280

2011-10-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

More Chicago street photography - Thanks for walking through this with me. I just have so many fun photos to share! And, when thinking about my 365 for the year, Chicago is where I am, so Chicago photos I shall have!

Day 278

The bridge over the Chicago River - lunch hour.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/1600, 60 mm

Day 279

By the bridge - I loved the lines.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/600, 18 mm

Day 280

Chicago Theater! An icon for State Street.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 277

2011-10-04T10:06:00.000-05:00

On our photo walk, I couldn't get over the fire escapes. They are so vintage looking, so primal, but something you'd desperately need in an emergency. I wonder how often they are actually used? Maybe only in movies? I've never seen anyone on one, but I just think, "what would you do without them?"

Something just drew me in on this. The lighting? The emptiness? In a city that's so bustling with excitement, no movement to be seen here.

Okay, enough deep thinking...

Day 277

ISO 400, f/5, 1/60, 18 mm

Day 276

2011-10-02T23:33:00.001-05:00

I love reflections! This little girl was all bundled in the most perfect bright pink jacket, hat, boots and all.. I couldn't resist! That water had to be cold, though. Our morning started with the high 40's.

I will be putting up more from our walk and using them as my 365 for several days. Since I figure 6 hours a day at just taking photos, I've been working hard at settings, switching lenses at the drop of a hat, switching my ISO and metering like it was going out of style! If you want to see more photos ahead of time, I put several up on my facebook. I made the album public, so you can all see. Find it HERE!

Day 276

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/125, 210 mm

Days 267 - 275

2011-10-01T18:52:00.000-05:00

Playing catch-up again! Today we had a fabulous Photo Walk in Chicago. I had a fabulous time hanging out with my friend, laughing like we were in junior high again, and just snapping away at whatever caught our eyes!

I love to capture our urban life, as that is what we know and have grown to love. Such a kaleidoscope of cultures, hobbies, and people, are what draw people to Chicago. We have our street bums, high end stores, theaters and old historical buildings. We took so many images today, I am happy to announce that I will have photos up once again!

At first I was pretty rigid for myself trying to follow a "one photo a day or else" type routine, then realized... it's not even logical! I think walking around town finding all different sorts of angles, lines, people, buildings and more.. I must have switched from one lens to another at least 100 times!

Here is the beginning to our walk. I will post many more in days to come.

Day 267

Every city has a "bird lady." She must have been our token bird lady in the park today. She sat there and fed the pigeons, so I how could I resist?

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/60, 120 mm

Day 268

A walk in the park by the Art Institute. Their pathways were beautiful.

ISO 400, f/5, 1/200, 75 mm

Day 269

Reflections were so much fun today! This was a huge puddle underneath the el train. I caught the building across the street, that's why it's "upside down."

ISO 1600, f/3.5, 1/4000, 50 mm

Day 270

Anyone up for some breakdancing? It hurt just watching them, but very cool!

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/200, 40 mm

Day 271

Okay, the "fire department" in me had to take this one. I love it!

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/4000, 120 mm

Day 272

Self explanatory. I just love signs and lights.

ISO 400, f/8, 1/125, 60 mm

Day 273

Marshall Fields clock mixed with a Joffrey Ballet sign. Now, that's Chicago!

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/800, 28 mm

Day 274

Transformers, anyone? Did you see the movie? Remember where they had the four reactors? This is one of the 4 buildings on each corner of the top of this building. Just a closer look.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/4000, 230 mm

Day 275

Playing a little music on State Street.

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/125, 180 mm

Day 266

2011-09-27T18:02:00.001-05:00

More turning colors.. it doesn't bore me, so I am proud to throw a ton of foliage shots into my 365. I just think this is a beautiful process. Some are all orange, some are all red, then colors throughout.. ah I just love it! Since I posted the orange last, here are the green turning red. LOVE it!

I am also including my settings because sweet Kim said she liked to see them included. Thanks, Kim! That always helped me seeing other's photo recipe as well. And again, these are almost always SOOC unless stated or has some crazy texture that you'd notice anyway! :)

Day 266

ISO 400, f/4.5, 1/60 75 mm

Days 262 - 265

2011-09-25T20:03:00.001-05:00

My days are just catching up with me. But, it's Fall now!! HAPPY FALL! Remember when Pooh says, "It's... Autumn?" LOVE that!

Day 262

Zucchini Bread! That's the sign that fall is here around our house.

Day 263

And ... this is the sign that summer is over. Our last huge bowl of yummy watermelon. Goodbye, sweet summer!

Day 264

Morning glories greet us every morning from our neighbor's house. Love his old windows!

Day 265

And finally, Ta-Da! It's a sure sign of beautiful fall! I love it. My favorite season! Only exactly 100 days left for me! I WILL catch up!

Days 258 - 261

2011-09-20T22:54:00.000-05:00

How we doing?? I'm slowly plugging away at this.. Sunflowers, can we ever have enough? I don't think so!

Day 258

L-O-V-E the sunflowers!

Day 259

Lovin' the Mustangs, although I've always wanted an older Camaro.

Day 260

Happy 1st Birthday! I had a job on Saturday, and this was one of my faves.

Day 261

Out to play!

Days 252-257

2011-09-14T23:08:00.000-05:00

Here I am again, behind. On a good note though, I've had a great time with my mom and her hubby, they came to visit for vacation from WA state and I'm pretty sad they've left.

Again, I will try my best to explain these as I load them.

Day 252

My mom and I play Scrabble. It gets very competitive, and we will question (not challenge) each other words, look it up, and make each other take it off if we cannot prove that it's a word. I love this time with my mom, and I would not change my Scrabble partner for anything!

Day 253

Blackberry Cobbler! Yes, the real berries. The tiny ones you have to spend hours picking just to get enough for a pie. My dear mom traveled 2000 miles to deliver them and bake this delicious cobbler. I think every time I have this, it's better and better. This is the best pie/cobbler in the world!

Day 254

This book was required reading for a friend of ours. This in turn became the book of choice for the high school year for my daughter. Talk about sad, happy and thankful all at once at the end. What these boys endure as they are acquired as boy "soldiers" marching for a cause that was not their own.

Day 255

Outside Trump Tower (yes, we visited again - that's twice in one week) were these beautiful water lilies in a gorgeous pond. It was hard to know where to look, point and shoot. The purple ones stole my heart, so I shall share these. :)

Day 256

My hun! This is my husband, my best friend, my cheerleader, companion, rock and leader of our family. I love him! I loved this photo, it looks like he's modeling clothes. Our son should watch out, he will steal his job! The city in the background was just perfect.. okay, maybe I'm a little biased.

Day 257

The boats were so peaceful to watch. Tons of activity were on this Chicago River, but it all seemed to flow so perfectly. I've always wanted to take a boat tour of the city. I will have to do this one day!

Typical Life of a CFD Wife: "My Note" posted on the Girls Get Away Blog

2011-09-11T09:13:00.000-05:00

Typical Life of a CFD Wife: "My Note" posted on the Girls Get Away Blog: I am excited to be a featured blogger for the Girls Get Away Cruise. Just the other day they asked if I would write a devotion for their...

Days 240-251

2011-09-09T08:44:00.000-05:00

Wow! I've been away for a while. I won't give up, though! So here's my last 12 days. I will try my best to explain them, and I will try to keep updating more often.

How is everyone else doing with school starting? I think that about knocked me off the edge, but I will survive! We also have company until the 14th, and I'm loving it!

Keep up the good work, my 365 friends!

Day 240

Outside of the John G. Shedd Aquarium, there were huge waves hitting the jogging path. I tried to capture some of them from a distance. Surprisingly, you'd still see a jogger or two or three come into the picture. I didn't get a good wave when they jogged by, though.

Day 241

All the garbage piled up along the corners of the jogging path. I squatted down to get a good view, then a little wave came over. I thought, "Cool, I'll wait for the next one." Well, the "next one" became a wall of water that send me running. I had good enough sense to snap a picture even if I was jumping backwards and making a run for it at the same time!

Day 242

Sunburst from the ferris wheel at Navy Pier

Day 243

Footprints in the sand. Do you know that poem? The best out there!

"It was there I carried you"

powerful!!

Day 244

Lake Michigan at North Avenue Beach

Day 245

North Avenue Beach

Day 246

Water Tower on Michigan Avenue - Chicago, IL

Day 247

Marilyn Monroe statue in Pioneer Court near NBC Tower in Chicago

Day 248

Trump Tower near Michigan Ave and the Chicago River

Day 249

Another near and dear photo since it's the Chicago Fire Dept boat! I captured the old boat as it was on it's way out of commission. Mayor and Chicago Fire Department officials dedicated the new $8.5 million fire boat at Burhman Harbor in honor of Firefighter Christopher Wheatley, killed fighting a fire in 2010, Thursday, May 5, 2011.

Day 250

No Swimming! But, would you want to? Those waves were little, but the undertow is great. You could barely see this little painted sign on the concrete.

Day 251

The Wrigley Building is a gorgeous HUGE building along the Chicago River. It's hard to do it justice in a little photo, but here is the top of it towering over Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River.

Day 239

2011-09-01T21:53:00.011-05:00

I have no idea what this sort of tree is, it looks like a little mini tangerine tree. :) So, if you know, please enlighten me.

I pass it almost every day, and have been so busy I couldn't stop. Today I made sure I stopped, because you never know when a tree you're not familiar with drops all it's berries!

How are you all doing in 365 land? I'm a little behind, but I'll catch up soon! Thought I'd at least post what I had today.

Inch by inch, right?

Day 239

ISO 800, f/2.8, 1/15, 50 mm
texture

updated: Mountain Ash Tree

Day 238

2011-08-26T08:49:00.000-05:00

I actually don't know who this is, but she stood right in front of me and how could I let this moment go?

Day 238

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/125, 22 mm

b/w

Day 237

2011-08-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

My how the skies can change in a few minutes. I also love our flag, the colors, the meaning... thank you to our military families! We don't take lightly what you do every day for our freedom.

Day 237

ISO 100, f/4.5, 1/320, 24 mm

Day 236

2011-08-26T08:43:00.000-05:00

Simple Seagull

I miss Seattle... but these little guys help remind me of the ocean. Lake Michigan is not quite the Pacific, but I'll take what I can get.

Day 236

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/2000, 50 mm

Days 228-235

2011-08-23T12:11:00.001-05:00

We had a great last of our summer hurrah in Michigan City, IN with some friends. They rented a lakehouse with their family and invited a couple other families. We had a blast swimming, waverunning, playing games, family devotions and everything in between. Have you ever played Signs, Silent Football, or Set?

We also enjoyed watching where the kids would fall asleep. Everything from curled up on the bottom of the stairs, to out cold on cusions in the living room. So much fun!

I took so many photos, but this should let you know the setting of where we spent that week. It was also my birthday, it was very relaxing.

Day 227

2011-08-15T14:27:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure I love everything nautical. Maybe I could live on a sailboat, because I love all the details!

Day 227

ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160, 230 mm

Day 226

2011-08-15T14:23:00.000-05:00

The storm had ended the great sailboat race early. They tethered the boats together, and rescued the sailors. I love the sky behind rapidly swirling, the rain in the far background, and the CHICAGO lettering so bright.

The heavy rain and crazy winds started seconds after taking this image.

Day 226

ISO 100, f/5.6, 1/160, 180 mm

Day 225

2011-08-13T18:47:00.000-05:00

The Tall Ships Chicago 2011 event was here this weekend. I'm pretty sure every year we've tried to go, my husband is working, and it never works out. I'm infatuated with ships! The lines, the colors, flags and cool details.. just everything! I'm also thankful the skies cooperated. They couldn't have been more perfect.

...until they turned almost black, and the heavens opened up and poured! If that wasn't fun enough? We got hail out at Navy Pier today! I have photos to prove it.

I took so many photos today. I really should have waited until today to make up for the nine days I was out! I will probably be posting several more of these over the next few days.

Day 225

ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/4000, 18 mm

Days 216 - 224

2011-08-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

I've been SO bad lately. I've been taking pictures, just none that I thought were very good. So, you know what happened? The next day I would take some, and not like those! This continued on for several days until I realized that I had to get over it, and post what I had!

So here we have, Days 216-224. Nine photos at once! I am catching up if it kills me! Just bare with me, because I'm not posting the recipes tonight. I just can't do nine of them at once. I will update later.

Day 216 - My street. I've always thought it was sort of pretty as we pull in. Tonight I had to grab that while no cars were driving by. I had to wait for a while til the last of the lights had turned.

Day 217 - Union Station downtown Chicago. It's a pretty cool building. I could only fit the one word in my lens that I was using. I was cool with that, I liked how it turned out.

Day 218 - If you know Chicago, you know summer construction! This was a must due to driving by all of them everyday wherever we go. These construction workers were totally unfazed as I opened my window, stuck my head and camera out of it and took a couple photos... at the stoplight! What? C'mon, it's not New York, you haven't seen everything here! Okay, maybe you have....

Day 219 - Beautiful old bridge! I loved this. I originally stood in the middle of 2 lanes and snapped away at the gorgeous lines and shapes on top, but settled with loving this photo.

Day 220 - This part of town has a lot going on. I thought this was a great scene, the bucket picking up the gravel and putting it in the huge containers to the left.

Day 221 - A family party. They always have the cutest lights up year round. I never think of this, but every time I'm there, I want to remember..

Day 222 - This crazy climbing clematis. The coloring is beautiful, especially at night.

Day 223 - More climbers! I love the chipped paint, and these little guys fighting for the top.

Day 224 - Plumeria has to be the best smelling flower in all the world! We bought these little stalks for my MIL while we were in Hawaii in 7 years ago! She still has them growing in her backyard during the summer. She brings them in for winter, but they are in huge planters now!

Little Behind?

2011-08-11T22:59:00.000-05:00

Is anyone else? Is anyone getting a little bogged down with the summer, back to school shopping..etc? I am!

I am officially a week behind. Every day I feel like I got nothin'!

I'll be back soon, just wanted to stop in and say hello! You all who are with it, are so darn good!!

~ Kara ~

Day 215

2011-08-03T21:55:00.000-05:00

Waiting til morning! What are your favorite coffee flavors? I'd have to say I'm a caramel macchiato or Dunkin' Donuts fresh ground coffee beans with vanilla creamer kinda gal.

Day 215

ISO 400, f/1.8, 1/60, 50 mm

Day 214

2011-08-03T16:02:00.000-05:00

The maple leaves with the summer sun highlighting their details. The lighting here was amazing, and I loved the way it accentuated the leaf it was surrounding. The leaves are really big, it made for some fun shots!

Happy Summer!

Day 214

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500, 150 mm

Day 213

2011-08-03T15:41:00.001-05:00

So I was talking to my friend today on the phone. We were discussing how far behind we were on our 365 journey that we started together. We fall off the wagon, get back on again, and repeat. Living in the city, but not close enough to downtown where all the character and fun are, what's left for us? Flowers, sidewalks, curbs.. haha we were laughing, because our inspiration is just gone!

After I hung up, I went out front to sit and watch 3 squirrels fighting for territory of our coveted maple trees as I throw stale peanuts out there or extra what not from snacks every once in a while. I grabbed my camera and just started snapping off what I saw. Needless to say, as I came back out with my camera, the squirrels had gone to acquire new lands, and I was left with.. yep, you guessed it. Sidewalk.

I took pictures of leaves, tree trunks, grass, etc. and then I saw it. Sidewalk art! Real live sidewalk stamps! Okay, I'm getting artsy here, but the reflection of the branches and leaves on the sidewalk looked like stamps.

Day 213

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

Day 212

2011-08-03T08:54:00.001-05:00

Lightening storms are awesome in the midwest. I had my camera out the window for about a 1/2 hour taking everything I could possibly get. I had several cool images, but I kept coming back to this one.

I know, I'm behind...again. I'm also frustrated with blogger in that when someone asks you a question, you cannot answer back unless you go to their blog and post on their photo and it's completely unrelated. So, I will try to answer back on my posts as much as possible. It beats chasing everyone around and they might not even know what I'm talking about. So... from here on out, I will reply on the same post.

Have a great rest of the week! I will try to catch up!

Day 212

ISO 200, f/1.8, 1/5, 50 mm

Day 211

2011-07-31T21:56:00.000-05:00

Every day is a beautiful planting day! Scavenging around for photos, I remembered the seed packets and trowel I was using, grabbed my favorite well worn gloves, and snapped away.

This is one of my favorite things to do.. anything outdoor, anything planting, anything green!

Day 211

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/640, 50 mm

Day 210

2011-07-31T21:53:00.000-05:00

Memories of Days Gone By.. are right in our backyard. Here's the sandbox right beside the pool. Every once in a while, my youngest and her friends will play (or have a mud pit style moment). But other than that, it's only friends with little ones, or the toys hang out and we look over and have flashbacks of the now teens playing with the Tonka trucks and Fisher Price little people as kids. Where does that time go?

Day 210

ISO 200, 1/2500, f/2.2, 50 mm

(muted colors)

Day 209

2011-07-28T21:14:00.000-05:00

My tomatoes are doing marvelously! But, it helps when you look on the plant's label to see what kind they are. I didn't realize I had two cherry tomato plants.

Oh well. The youngest one uses a bowl of them to "train the dog" (our 8 yr old American Bulldog). She tells her "sit," (she gets a tomato), "stay" (tomato), "paw" (as she grabs her leg near knocking her off balance as she's sliding on the hardwood floor - gets a tomato).

So see? They were so worth it. *frown*

Day 209

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 208

2011-07-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

Tiger Lily! Do you also think Disney when you hear things that remind you of it? All I can think of is Peter Pan and Captain Hook fighting over Tiger Lily. But, the main thing that goes through my head is Captain Hook growling, "Mr Smee??!" I don't know why, but everytime I walk by these tiger lilies, I think of that.

Day 208

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/2500, 50 mm

Day 207

2011-07-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

This was fun, the straight down slide at Wisconsin Dells. The weather was hot, the lines were not too bad, a ton of kids from teams all over the midwest, it was great! This is our middle one with his 3rd or 4th trip down this slide. I figured I had to capture it one of these days.

Day 207

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/800, 75 mm

Day 206

2011-07-25T20:42:00.000-05:00

Daddy and little one. I couldn't resist. They went to go check out the fishing over by the Wisconsin Duck path.

Day 206

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500, 50 mm

Day 205

2011-07-25T20:40:00.000-05:00

Wisconsin Dells! The Ducks are very cool. At least I think they are. I've never been on them, but saw them day after day at the tournament. The same old joke at the same old point. I still want to go! They drive on land and in the water. Too cool!

Day 205

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/400, 75 mm

Day 204

2011-07-25T20:37:00.000-05:00

Thanks to a kind father on the team, he made this score board for all of us. Who said that moms don't know what's going on? Very cool. Loved this!

Day 204

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/500, 75 mm

Day 203

2011-07-25T20:33:00.001-05:00

This is what sisters do when they come to watch your baseball game. She's totally supportive, isn't she? Notice how she took the highest point to cheer and scream?

Day 203

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/60, 120 mm

Day 202

2011-07-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

Even in this heat, we went out to swim in our 92 degree "hot tub" of a pool. We're splashing around and look up and momma bunny is nesting in the camouflage netting under the trampoline. She always has babies in the craziest places. She must have, or is getting ready to drop some more! She could care less that we were in the pool. She must have thought we were safe in our cages and we wouldn't harm her.

Day 202

ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/30, 300 mm

Day 201

2011-07-20T16:02:00.000-05:00

Testing the theory, "So hot I could fry an egg on the sidewalk." Well, we did it. Took photos of the process, little one was documenting everything on her flip camera as she professionally described what was going on, and an hour later? Dried up, non cooked egg. :) It was fun, though! Here is a glimpse of our science project.

Day 201

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/4000, 50 mm

Day 200

2011-07-19T21:45:00.000-05:00

SUMMER! This is what we've been waiting for. Our winter was brutal. Now that we have 100 degree weather..

for the next week...

...everyone out! (for a while)

So, this mom is completely sick of games and computers. The pool feels like a bathtub, but when there's a nice breeze at night, it's perfection! Here's to the little one who braved the temps and listened to her mommy. :) I went in there today as well. Twice to be exact.

Day 200

ISO 100, f/3.5, 1/800, 50 mm

Day 199

2011-07-19T21:39:00.000-05:00

Okay, not the fanciest photo by any means, this is our own 365 project, so it wouldn't be today if I didn't post this.

This is what you get when it's 100 degrees outside, and you tell the kids no more xbox or computers for a while! Geesh!

Here I have my entire Costco family size package of red cups stacked past my light fixtures. Oh yes, it can be done!

Thanks, son.

Day 199

ISO 200, f/2, 1/25, 50 mm

Day 198

2011-07-19T21:33:00.000-05:00

Proof that Chicago could actually have it's own vineyards! This is my next door neighbor's grapes growing just fine. Now granted, they're crammed in between a fence and a garage, but they're growing!

Day 198

ISO 100, f/2.2, 1/1000, 50 mm

Day 197

2011-07-19T21:30:00.000-05:00

More flowers! This is the Rose of Sharon bush/tree that I took a photo of them gone to seed with snowflakes on them. This is them in July/August. Aren't they beautiful?

I know, more flowers.. I had to. Plus is anyone else feeling a little uninspired? Maybe it's just me. I really need a vacation! Somewhere different. This city living is getting the best of my photo creativity. Downtown is one thing, but living next door to house after house after house.. you get what I mean.

Day 197

ISO 100, f/2.8, 1/3200, 50 mm

Day 196

2011-07-15T19:16:00.000-05:00

Another gorgeous sky tonight! Love the blues, but don't love the power lines so much. So, I cropped that out. :)

Day 196

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/6, 135 mm

Day 195

2011-07-15T19:12:00.003-05:00

Call it total lack of inspiration, but I call it... Evening "Monster House." This is what the house reminded me of when I took it. Have you seen that movie? This photo looked a little spooky! The sky was gorgeous! So I went out to see what I can get, and I liked this because it was just different. Not the greatest photo however..

Day 195

ISO 200, f/3.5, 2.5, 18 mm

Day 194

2011-07-15T19:07:00.000-05:00

Waiting in the airport for our oldest to come home from Uganda! So, the youngest made a sign with real flowers, then we also adorned the headband. I'm kicking myself about not getting better photos of my oldest's return. They were so blurry because we were all so excited to see her!!

Day 194

ISO 400, f/2.2, 1/50, 50 mm

Day 193

2011-07-15T18:59:00.000-05:00

LOVE these along side the road everywhere! They are tiny, delicate, bright blue flowers that sparkle along side the freeways. I found a place on the side I could stop. I couldn't let this season pass without getting a couple shots of them.

Day 193

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/4000, 50 mm

Day 192

2011-07-15T18:55:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I've been a little AWOL. My oldest just came back from Uganda last night. I've been running around like a "chicken with my head cut off" and if you're on my facebook, or know me, you know why that saying is so funny to our family right now! If not, I'll tell you. My oldest was the girl who didn't want to starve in Uganda, apparently. They had chicken for dinner one night with the orphanage, and that's just the norm. She and another team member (a guy) volunteered to.. well.. do what needed to get done to get dinner rolling. Let's just say, she wouldn't have starved in the Little House on the Prairie days. I would have.

This photo is from our lake house visit. I have been taking photos everyday, but none that I chose to put up on my 365 blog. Now that I am halfway through this, I'm still trying to decide where I'm going with this as far as a theme. I've decided, I really don't have one. Random photos on random days. :)

Day 192

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/200, 50 mm

Day 191

2011-07-10T22:02:00.000-05:00

From the excitement of Saturday's game, to a more serene photo today. The chairs at the game were pretty cool with the baseball numbers on each of them marking the section.

Comiskey Park is a great place to watch the games. It is now called US Cellular, but as we're not thrilled with the name change, it will always be Comiskey Park to us!

We'll be back, park, we'll be back!

Day 191

ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/160, 75 mm

Day 190

2011-07-10T21:57:00.000-05:00

What a great day today was!! My husband took us to a White Sox game. Those are always so much fun. Bought some box tickets behind the dugout, so we were out of the sun since it was 86-90 degrees today! He gave the kids some money to spend, and their eyes were darting back and forth from the cotton candy man to the Italian ice scoopers.

Little one (middle tan glove to the very right of the player closest to the dugout) tried desperately to be thrown a ball from the players as they came back to the dugout, but never quite got in that perfect place. It's okay, someday she'll catch one, or be a lucky recipient!

Our White Sox played the Twins, they were at a 8 or 9 game loss with them, and today... OH YEAH! We won! It didn't come easily as catcher Ramon Castro fractured his hand as pitcher Mark Buehrle (pronounced burly) threw a fastball and it hit his unprotected hand.

This photo shows the excitement of "what if" as players (left to right) Beckham, Konerko, and Buehrle come running in. Konerko was the one that threw the ball each time to the crowd. He and Buehrle are a big deal in our family as my hubby caught one of his home run balls a couple years ago and got it signed, and Buehrle caught the ball on the day hubby actually got to throw out the first pitch at the game! Yeah, we have a story for everything it seems..

Day 190

ISO 200, f/4.5, 1/320, 75 mm

Day 189

2011-07-08T16:19:00.000-05:00

This is my new screensaver. I liked the star inside the flower. So summery and patriotic for July! :)

Day 189

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/2000, 50 mm

Day 188

2011-07-08T16:14:00.000-05:00

I love the little bunches of ground cover/flowers that grow along the curbside. Had to get them in my 365! The colors are so beautiful in July! I am dreading the days we have to go back to January again and scramble. But in the meantime, enjoy these flowers!

Day 188

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/2500, 50 mm

Day 187

2011-07-08T16:09:00.000-05:00

I am pretty sure I'm a wildflower girl. I love them the most. Daisies, sticker bushes (whatever they're actually called) flowers alongside the expressway that I can't ever get to... all of these, I love!

I want to line my alley with these, but then they cost money and I'm never back there. So, what a quandary, huh? I would do this for someone else to see, or for me to go take photos of, then how many photos do I need of these.... *trails off with wonder*

Day 187

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/3200, 50 mm

Day 186

2011-07-05T14:45:00.001-05:00

Pretty day lilies out at the lake. Last day, had to do a flower walk. And yes, Kristin, I'd love to go for a walk with you! In Indiana, I think every field, garden, grassy patch along side the road, had orange tiger lilies growing. Must be the state flower! *kidding* So it was a nice change of scenery to find these magenta colored lilies.

Please also see my friend, Rose's 365 page! She just started..help me cheer her on! Offer any tips you can, she would appreciate it. Thanks!

Day 186

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/60, 50 mm

Day 185

2011-07-05T14:38:00.000-05:00

Happy 4th of July! We were planning on going to the "real" fireworks show, but at the lake they really did a nice job. I grabbed my camera, and did an impromptu session of some "works." A couple came out, and these are my favorite. The little swirly ones..

Day 185

ISO 400, f/7.1, ss .6, 40 mm

Day 184

2011-07-05T14:35:00.000-05:00

The younger cousins were playing by the lake just as the sun had set. Loved the dress, braids, hair flowing in the semi-silhouettes. They don't have a care in the world.. just to have fun and be little girls. I still remember that...

Day 184

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

Day 183

2011-07-05T14:19:00.001-05:00

This pretty much sums up our weekend. We had lots of fun with our cousins wave running and tubing out at the lake. Did you all have a good weekend? Happy 4th to all of you!

Oh, guess what? My friend is now starting a 365. Check out her work! Rose's 365 please stop by and send some comments her way. She'll love it!

Day 183

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/640, 60 mm

Day 182

2011-07-01T14:03:00.000-05:00

More midwest storms! This photo didn't do it justice. It's brutal to be stuck in between houses with powerlines everywhere. No hill to stand on, no mountain top to get the entire horizon. Sigh.

Today is a bittersweet day. We are excited to send our daughter our to Uganda for a 2 week missions trip. She flies out tonight! She has never flown out of the country before, but is excited at the new opportunity to serve and see new places! I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous. It is a dream of mine to go to Africa! We got her a huge memory card, an older digital camera is all we could find (after she lost her newer one), and she's off! She's very creative, so I cannot wait to see what she brings home!

The skies are lovely, they look like cotton candy swirling around. I wish I'd had my camera settings done correctly! NOTE TO SELF! Too high of ISO from the night photos I took before. Oh well! What a newb. ;)

Day 182

ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/2000, 35 mm

Day 181

2011-07-01T13:52:00.000-05:00

Pretty! I love hydrangeas. I had some at one time and killed 'em. Sad. I guess they weren't in the best sunlight. I haven't tried any more, but I love photos of them when I see them.

Day 181

ISO 800, f/2.2, 1/125, 50 mm

Day 180

2011-06-29T14:41:00.000-05:00

Some day my prince will come
Some day I'll find my love
And how thrilling that moment will be
When the prince of my dreams comes to me

Doesn't this look like Snow White's house? I was walking with my friend last night around her neighborhood, helping her work out some settings on her camera, when she took me by "The Snow White House" she calls it. Isn't that cute? I wanted to just capture the roof line. There were beautiful roses and other flowers enveloping the brick and cast iron fencing, but the focus is on the roof. Love the layers of shingles, the lines go on forever. Fun!

Day 179

2011-06-29T14:35:00.000-05:00

(cue music) It's a pillow - it's a pet - it's a pillow pet! (lalalala)

Little one and her collection. She pays for them herself, because I will not pay $20.00 plus tax and/or shipping on another one! She is just as happy as a little pig in mud when they're all around her. She sleeps with them, passes them out while watching movies, and names them things like, Mr. Fireburper. Gotta love originality. I'm actually scared for my grandchildren.. what might their names be?

Day 179

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/640, 50 mm

Day 178

2011-06-29T14:28:00.000-05:00

I love daisies!! These are little mini ones. They spread like wildfire! I brought them back as little shoots from my dad's place in WA several years ago. I've transplanted, weeded, picked.. everything you can think of. I don't think I will ever be barren of these little guys. But, I love 'em! They sit in between my hostas and sedum.

They greet me walking to the garbage, and make me smile!

Day 178

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 177

2011-06-29T14:22:00.000-05:00

I am SO thankful for underground sprinkler systems! I have never had good luck with the cool ones. You know, the high ones that go back and forth that the kids get to run through. They'd just stick in one place and not go anywhere no matter how expensive sprinklers I would buy. I'm sure they make for prettier pictures, too. But, all in all, I will just sit here and be thankful. This is my sprinkler shot. I put my camera on the ground, and shot. Pretty decent..

Day 177

ISO 200, f/2.5, 1/2000, 50 mm

Day 176

2011-06-25T22:37:00.000-05:00

My green peppers are growing! I've always wanted a garden. I remember my mom working long hours on our huge garden while I was little. I know, a lot of work, but rewarding, right? Living in the city, I am not really going to trust the soil already present, so I am working in some containers. I'm starting off slowly, til I get the hang of it, then see how I can progress from year to year.

Day 176

ISO 200, f/2.8, 1/40, 50 mm

Day 175

2011-06-25T22:32:00.000-05:00

Look who was outside my window! He was fast, though. Every time my camera clicked, I'd look and he was in a different spot and turned around all together. This is our state bird, the Northern Cardinal. They are a lot of fun to see, and seem to like our backyard. I wish I could find their nests. They are a lot better at hiding them than the little guys on our satellite dish and motion lights!

Day 175

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/320, 230 mm

Day 174

2011-06-23T20:57:00.000-05:00

Zucchini flower! Oh yeah.. blowing you away with this one today, right? LOL Anyway, I like them. I saw them outside my window this morning excited to be alive. I think they're beautiful! Look at the little "whiskers" it has. Cool! :)

(hey, when you've been sick for 3-4 days, everything looks new and beautiful again!)

Day 174

ISO 200, f/3.5, 1/640, 50 mm

Day 173

2011-06-23T20:52:00.000-05:00

Basketball camp! Today I picked up the youngest from her last day. She had a BLAST. The coaches were amazing, and she even took on her dad with a little one-on-one when he got home tonight. He said she'd learned a lot, and she's a great little defender!

Here is one last team huddle.. what a great group of people that led this. Thank you, Moody Church! Imagine, the Chicago Bulls practice here some.. same courts. So fun!

Day 173

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

Day 172

2011-06-23T20:47:00.000-05:00

I've been down for the count for pretty much 4 days now. Today I caught up a bit, had a fun family photo shoot to do, then picked up my youngest from her basketball camp. The "boys" (hubby and 13 yr old) came home from our son's Omaha baseball tournament, and it's starting to feel a bit like normal again.

I LOVE gerbera daisies! LOVE them I say! But it's also fun to see them from a different angle, and I liked how the backyard seemed to melt into the distance. So, this is the one for the day.

Day 172

ISO 200, f/2, 1/80, 50 mm

Day 171

2011-06-20T21:22:00.000-05:00

Switching it up a bit here. Trying out a little bit more plain logo stamp, more masculine for baseball photos, or for business..etc.

But, I'm still infatuated with the "weed" of yesterday! :) The seeds are huge, and I'm throwing them all in the back by the garbage. Maybe they'll take? haha I know.. some of you are horrified.

Day 171

ISO 200, f/2, 1/60, 50 mm

(b/w)

Day 170

2011-06-19T20:35:00.000-05:00

I found one!! SO hard to find these in Chicago unless they are by the expressways in areas that haven't been manicured in a while. I love them! I even dug it up when I was done taking photos and brought it home to my daughter and friends.

Day 170

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

Day 169

2011-06-18T19:26:00.000-05:00

I love these orange roses on the other street. I have stopped a couple times to take photos, but the sun has always been too bright. I added a texture and just had fun with it. I kinda like how it turned out!

Day 169

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/4000, 50 mm

(added texture)

Day 168

2011-06-18T18:59:00.000-05:00

New roses in front! I do not have the greatest collection of flowers, but every once in a while the several times over transplanted bushes throw out some beautiful roses!

Day 168

ISO 200, f/1.8, 1/1250, 50 mm

Day 167

2011-06-16T10:52:00.000-05:00

I will have fresh tomatoes, I will have fresh tomatoes.....

Last year we went on a huge ride across America. From Chicago to WA State where I'm from, I took so many photos! I only wish I had been blogging and doing a 365!! What a missed opportunity, and I'm still kicking myself about it.

When we got home, I was sad to see my tomato plants had died. There were some tomatoes hanging in there, and some were rather good! Our yard had also hosted a tomato plant smack in the middle of the grass. It's amazing what your yard is actually hosting when you leave it for 2 months to seed!

This year I am determined to keep up my little potted gardens. Here's to some fresh tomatoes!

Day 167

Settings:

ISO 200, f/2.2, 1/1600, 50 mm