Pause

Little moments that struck me; moments that would probably not strike another soul for any reason but made me pause in wonder.

I see GOD in the glasses drying, perfumed in mint and in the sunspots dancing around reading babies and in fog laying low and in feisty girl eyes that glimmer round pointy orange fingers.

"If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.

I will be FOUND by you," says the Lord.

Jeremiah 29:13-14

Foto Friday

It is Friday! And this Friday, I happen to have two birthday children awaiting gifts that are still in progress, a cake that is baking and needs to be very strategically decorated and pronto, a house that needs to be visited, pizza dough to make, and oh yeah~ a yard sale to get ready for!

So I will make this brief.


A picture that reminds you of childhood~or maybe just your favorite for the week. Share them now!





I decided against highlighting favorites from the previous week from now on. Mainly, because it takes twice as long to get these posts up by doing so, but also partly because I fear the bit of competition (though it wasn't intended to become competition) has scared people off from participating. It isn't about competing with one another~ never has been and never will be. Rather, Foto Friday is about trying to push to better ourselves and our photography, regardless of skill level, and share glimpses of our progress.

Looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions!

And if you want to participate NEXT week~ you can share your favorite photo of the week OR push yourself with the challenge of capturing SOMEONE YOU LOVE. I'll enjoy my glimpse either way!

Foto Friday

I have been horrible about doing the weekly 'challenges' lately, and this week is no different. Too bad too, because last weeks SUNFLARE challenge, would have been really fun. It rained almost all week or was overcast or I was busy. SO it goes.

Thankfully, participating in the CHALLENGES isn't a requirement to participating in Foto Friday.


Here is my favorite photo for the week:

And here is one of my Adele' that I accidentally WAY overexposed but the result was an incredibly clear reflection of me in her eyes.

I realize that it is slightly freaky, but it is captivating to me as well. Kinda like a picture in a picture.

Looking forward to seeing more Foto Friday Favorites!

Winner #1: Our Peculiar Lives

This is one amazing photo. I want to sit right down and wait for the fairy tea to begin!

Winner #2 : Photos By Lindsey

Speaking of teaparties.... Um.... Can you be MY mom? What a delightfully sweet tea!

Thanks for all who participated last week! I love my weekly rounds!

Next Friday, join up with your favorite Foto of the week! It could be anything, really, or you could challenge yourself to snap a photo that "Reminds You of Childhood" in some way. ~See you then!

Foto Friday Favorites

Well now! I have posted something EVERY DAY this week! I deserve some kind of award or something!!!!

Didn't get to any silhouettes this week~ too busy with the two c's of summer. Canning and Cleaning.

SO you instead get my favorites for the week. Oh my, I bust a gut every time I look at these pictures. It was the funniest afternoon.


I have this awful, hideous, old and dilapidated playpen on our patio for our Judahbear. It is positively the ONLY.WAY. I can garden. I tried having him down there with me and he nearly choked to death a handful of times before I gave up.

It isn't like the small, measly portapacks nowadays. There is room to stretch out in these. Or to play with Adele' when she inevitably climbs in. Truth is, Judah loves being in it, as long as he can watch people and be outside. And I *LOVE* it too, for the ease of mind it gives me, despite its hideousness.

So one afternoon, I am canning squash and look out and he is making the funniest face at me.


And I start laughing! Say something silly. Then get back to work.

A few minutes later, I glance out again:


ha! Too funny!

Back to work.

Then:



and again:



And I just about die laughing.

Because, as if the crazy faces weren't enough, in between each funny face, he stands up, throws his head back



and gives a deep belly rumble laugh.





What a game he had made!

How I love this boy.

Anyone else for sharing a favorite photo for the week? Come on....I know you want to.................

Remember to link directly to your Foto Friday POST! And try and share the comment love, ya'll.

My favorites from last week:

Winner #1: Terri at Hearts in Service

I can not even fathom getting this close to a deer. Or getting a shot this focused of a deer. I have tried. It doesn't work. (For me.) Totally impressed.

Winner #2: Lindsey at Lindsey Richmond Photography



What a great perspective this is shot from! And so crisp, lovely colors. Great job. Plus, I want ducks. ;-)

Next week's optional theme is....... SUN FLARE. You can do it, or you can not. No matter. But do come back and share your favorite photo for the week!

Here we are again!

Ready or NOT~~~~~~~~~ here it is! Time to share your favorite photo of the week and/or 'challenge shot'. Last week, the challenge was ANIMALS.

Our farm doesn't really feel all that farmy to me these days as we are down our pigs and cows (yes, we will be getting more~ with plans to add MILK COW to the mix in the near future) and have only rabbits, chickens (plenty of them!), cats and a dog. And the occasional frog/snake/salamander/butterfly. But even still, we have plenty of animals to photograph.

Here are some kitten pictures; they have grown since I last showed you pictures, no?

.... and here is the rather regal Mama, perfectly poised.

Can't wait to see YOUR pictures! (Remember, they don't HAVE to be challenge photos. They could just be favorites from the week.)




And a few of MY favorite contributions from last week:

#1~ by Serving from Home


#2~ by The Williams Family



Be seeing you next week, when the photo challenge is SILHOUETTE!

Foto Friday

We just got back from a week long church retreat at a lake/campground hence the silence here on ye olde blog. Needless to say, I didn't take any FRUIT pictures (which was last weeks' challenge).

Instead, here is one from the week. I will post the others sometime soon; there are surprisingly few. After the last few weeks of required photographing, I am still fighting some residual anti-camera feelings. :-)



Link up your favorite photo of the week or your version of the photo challenge!





As for last week, there were some BEAUTIFUL contributions! It was terribly difficult to pick just two. Here they are:

Winner #1: Ruth Hicks

Ruth doesn't appear to have a blog, so I couldn't leave a comment telling her how amazing her shots were. But they are. And I don't just think so, I even had other readers tell me so! :-) Thank you for sharing, Ruth!

Winner #2: Kate from Shirley Goodness and Mayhem

I really love the shape of the sun in this shot~ rarely do you see the sun in such an amazing circle. And look at that orange!

Both winning pictures come from first time contributors so that is really neat! Keep them coming, everyone!

Next weeks' optional challenge is.............AnImAL

Foto Friday

I didn't take any nice non-work-related pictures this week (I didn't take any non-work-related pictures at all, in fact) so instead I will post a sunny archive picture. Only without the sun. The kind that make ME feel sunny.


I will be interested to see how many people did the challenge of SUNSET, because I was looking and there wasn't a single extraordinary sunset this week. Still, I hope to see plenty of FAVORITE photos. ;-)






And as for last week~ my favorites around blogland were:

#1~ Through My Lens

This is stunning! There are so many different layers to look at. Cloud layers. Mountain layers. Valley layers. Field layers. Beautiful.

I have vicariously visited so many places around the world and seen so many beautiful sights that I wouldn't ordinarily be able to see thanks to all of your photo contributions!

#2~ Our Peculiar Lives

Boy, do I wish he and I could switch places. I can practically taste that big juicy bite!

To participate in Foto Friday, you need only to share a favorite snapshot of the week and link up here each Friday. But because some have asked and enjoy weekly challenges, I include a weekly photo challenge as well, for the really brave.

Next week is......

FRESH FRUIT

Foto Friday

One of my favorite days of the week~ it is time to share your favorite photo of the week!

It could be any photo of any subject that you would like, but each week I offer an optional challenge for those who are in need of some inspiration.

Last week, the challenge was High Angle.

Once again, I found a few moments this morning to try the challenge out but I wish I would have taken time out this week to do a better job. It would have been a fun challenge to actually take my time on, especially since I tend to shoot from low vantage points. Probably because I am afraid of heights. Or falling from heights, more specifically.

And btw, I am really going to try to have these Foto Friday posts up earlier in the day for you from now on. Thank you for your patience.

Here are a few high angle shots:






Now let's see what favorites you all had!





And my favorites from last week:

Winner #1: Terri @ Hearts in Service

It can be a REAL challenge to capture winged creatures, let alone one with four wings (!) yet this picture is crisply focused. And I *love* the light shimmering in the wings. What a capture!

Winner #2: Miranda @ Memories by Miranda

Boys will be boys and this shot speaks volumes about them. The light is great, the composition is great and the skunk trap is great ;-)

To participate in Foto Friday, you need only to share a favorite snapshot of the week and link up here each Friday. But because some have asked and enjoy weekly challenges, I include a weekly photo challenge as well.

Next week is......

Sunset

We'll see how it goes!

Foto Friday~ books

One of my favorite days of the week~ it is time to share your favorite photo of the week!

It could be any photo of any subject that you would like, but each week I offer an optional challenge for those who are in need of some inspiration.

Last week, the challenge was BOOKS.

Miraculously, I had time to try the challenge (this morning, cough cough.) Since BOOKS was a challenge from last year (wow! FotoFriday is hanging on!), I wanted to be sure to come up with something new for it.

Here are my contributions:

~rainbow books~

I discovered Picnik had free space textures thanks to the final space shuttle flight; they worked PERFECTLY for this photo and the message I was trying to create through it. I have always wanted to try using textures, but since I don't have photoshop~ this is the first time I have. Very cool.

And in case you want a gander at my current reads, here they are:

Now, it is YOUR turn!

Remember to link up to your direct blog post and not your site domain! Looking forward to seeing everyone's contributions!


And last weeks' winners were:

Winner #1: Christine @ Day to Day for a Normal Girl and Friends

If I remember correctly, Christine just got herself a new camera! She doesn't take long in learning how it works! This photo is breathtaking! I love the golden light, the backlight, even the sunspot. And those children? I want them for my own.


Winner #2: Cafe Mirecki

Who knew breakfast could be so PRETTY!?!? What a great shot!

See you next week~ same time, same place!

If you are in need of some inspiration~ the challenge is...... HIGH ANGLE.

REALLY looking forward to this one! :-)