day 5 - sense of calm

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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!