The Joy Of {Love}, Day 25

25 when you love them the most

What really makes you tick about your loved one?  What do they do to go out of their way to make sure you are happy and that you have a GREAT day?

My husband doesn't do 'romantic' things, ever.  Something though that he does do is basically anything I ask of him.  If I asked him to help me fold laundry, he would.  If I asked him to get me a drink of water at 3:00 am, he would.  Not every wife has that!  Back to the 'doesn't do romantic' thing.  I don't expect flowers, a preplanned evening out, anything.  But I got quite the surprise this Valentine's.  He bought four roses, one from each of the kids and they came up behind me and said 'Happy Valentine's Day Mommy'.  I turn around and here they are all holding a rose!  I started to cry!  So unexpected.  I love him for the everyday things and for the complete and total unexpected.  Getting these flowers sure tops out for this assignment.

 

i heart faces | Photo Challenge | Anything But A Face!

Today's weekly challenge is 'Anything But A Face'.

On February 4 I talked my daughter into heading outside for some fun {and colorful} shots.  She had a blast and so did I.  I love shots that don't include a face or with something else in focus other than the face. 

Here is my submission for this weeks challenge:

Thanks for looking.  I'd love some feedback, please leave a comment.

Project Life Layout, February 19 - 25 {Week 8}

February 19 - We made a trip to Minot today and on the way picked up my Amazon order.  So very happy.  I purchased a new lens {that is shipping seperately}, my 'entry level' external flash, and three awesome books. 

February 20 - At church today, one of my daughters best friends invited her for a sleep over.  She was so excited to pack her over night bag!  There were going to be 4 girls at this sleep over - I can only imagine the giggles that were going on before they fell asleep!  Don't you remember sleep overs as a kid?  I do, that was the night to stay up late, eat junk food, tell stories, laugh, play, get up early and do it all over again. 

February 21 - I was reading another blog the other day and she posted a picture on sunflares.  I follow the Pioneer Woman's photography blog (I also follow her homeschooling blog) and there is a tutorial there.  Click here for the tutorial.  Try it, it is EASY.  If I can do it, anyone can.  Using my kit 18-55 mm lens set on 18 mm, I set the ISO at 160, SS 1/250 and F/22.  I used full manual mode on my camera.  This is another thing that has been so great about The Joy Of Love challenge that I am doing, I have been strictly using manual settings in the past three weeks and am starting to get the hang of it - really starting to figure out my camera!

February 22 - Confession, this is totally staged!  I seen this idea at Freckle Photo under her February 15 blog post, Ready For Spring.  As soon I seen it I knew I wanted to do it too!  FYI, I am using a Nikon D3000, kit lens (18-55 mm) at 18mm, ISO 800 (my camera can go to ISO 3200, but it starts to get grainy at 800), SS 1/50, f/3.5, full manual, no flash. My daughter was reluctant at first, but she is such a good sport and had alot of fun in the end blowing bubbles when it was -20 Celsius.  I am glad that I do have good sports to go along with me as I try any idea that comes to mind. 

February 23 - It has been a very long time since we had chocolate milk in the house, but daddy brought home a treat yesterday!  I remember doing this very thing when I was a kid.  If I had a straw, I would always blow bubbles, my kids are no different this way.

February 24 - We have had the Wii for more than two years, but we haven't really used at all until this winter.  I had given my husband Dangerous Hunts 2009 way back when this system was first given to us, but playing it with those little Wii remotes proved to be frustrating.  Last weekend on our little shopping trip we picked up this 'necessary' accessory to play this hunting game.  Ever since it was unpacked,  it has become a bit addicting for my husband.  Tonight after supper we all sat and watched him and I can see why it could be addicting, I was only watching and I was getting into it.

February 25 - Last night at 8:07 pm, I became an auntie all over again.  My nephew Brett Wesley Hull was born, weighing 7 lbs 5 oz.  What a precious gem.  I am glad that I got to see him today! 

That is what I call a sweet way to end {Week 8}.

Project 64, {Week 8} Lavender

Lavender is the chosen color for {Week 8} of this fun challenge!  I did not find an exact match.

My girls spray bottle for their hair.  The actual spray nozzle is too dark but I thought that the opacity of the bottle made it close.

My daughter's wallet. 

My daughter's piggy bank.

Some craft supplies.

Click here to join in on this 64 week color challenge.  You will find yourself looking everywhere for the chosen color of the week, and see your world a little differently.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 24

24 where

Where did you FIRST meet your loved one? Or where did you first fall in love with your loved one?  Was it love at first sight?  Do you remember WHERE your heart became his?  If you don’t remember, perhaps you can revisit WHERE you were married?  Or WHERE you gave birth if you are focusing on your child?

(and remember, your loved one can be ANYONE or any pet...and you don’t have to photograph the same person for each assignment)

I wasn't really sure how I was going to accomplish this assignment.  Where we got married - too far to drive, where we had our children.....lucky me, I had to go there today!  My sister in law had her fourth child last night - Feb. 24, so this was a perfect opportunity for me to get some 'real time' shots of where we had our children.

This is the front entry into our local hospital.  We are so very lucky to have this place to deliver babies, the next closest place is 2 1/2 hours away.  For some people, this isn't close enough, my sister delivered her baby in the front seat of my mom's car 5 years ago!  She has her babies way too fast. 

Out of the five rooms down this corridor, I have been in all but one {I have had 4 babies, and stayed in a different room every time}.  Unfortunately, this photo isn't as sharp as I thought it was on my screen.

I have had c-sections with all four of my children so I don't head down to the regular delivery room, I am wheeled through these doors and prepped for delivery here.

A cute little nursery for all the newborns.  This is a shot through the glass {obviously, no one is allowed in here unless you have a baby in there}.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 20

20 when they're home

What is the energy in the home when he is home?  What makes it special having him home? What physical differences are there when he is home?  What about the non-physical differences?  Your loved one does not have to be in the frame to fully capture this feeling.

(and remember, your loved one can be ANYONE or any pet...and you don’t have to photograph the same person for each assignment)

I am lucky, I am married to someone who takes an active part with our children.  Some I know, aren`t so lucky.  I thank God everyday for the blessings he has bestowed me.  This was taken at the end of January on a Sunday afternoon after our worship meeting and bible study were over.  Let`s just say, the kids LOVE it when daddy saddles up one of our horses and takes them for an 'old fashioned' sleigh ride!

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 23

23 facebook

JUST DO IT!  You know you have some awesome facebook photos of your loved one.  Pick your favorite, copy it (save it) and print it to have forever!  If your loved one is NOT on facebook or you are NOT on facebook, then go through old photo albums, find an old forgotten favorite and frame it.

(and remember, your loved one can be ANYONE or any pet...and you don’t have to photograph the same person for each assignment)

My sister in law took this with her point and shoot camera in October 2010.  From left to right is myself, my husband, a friend of ours then my brother in law (married to the one taking this picture).  The four of us were getting ready to round up some cattle for a 7 mile cattle drive.  I took this off of facebook tonight to use for this assignment.

Shutter Sisters...Skulking

Until today, I have never heard the term skulking before.  This is what was on Shutter Sisters blog today :

'Show me photographer-as-skulk-artist. Show me what you peeked at'. 

What is skulking?  My take on it is, what did you sneak up on or what did you wait ever so patiently to take a photo of.

This photo was not taken today, it was on January 13.  My two daughters share a room, one on the top bunk, one on the bottom.  Well, the 'bottom' girl couldn't sleep, so the 'top' girl invited her sister up to her bunk and she would read her a story.  I snuck up to their bedroom door and very quietly positioned myself so I could get this photo.  I had to be so steady {I don't have a tripod}.  ISO 400 (could have bumped it up alot), SS .6 sec, f/4.0.  Really, I don't know how I was able to get this shot without blurr being the SS was so slow.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 16

16 together (self-portrait)

When was the last time you were photographed together?  Get our your tripod, learn where the self-timer mode is on your camera and get close to your loved one!  Yes, you HAVE to be in this photo.

Well, trying to take something current seems, well, hard...so I will take from my archives.  We used our point and shoot for this one and I did use the self timer.  Settings were ISO 125, SS 1/250, f/ 3.5, flash was fired.  We were in full shade.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 22

22 face (a portrait)

Your task today is to just capture your loved one’s portrait.  A head and shoulders shot.  Simplify the background (find a neutral wall in the home) so that the focus is truly on them and their beauty.

Just so happens that a couple of weeks ago I took three of my kiddos outside and did this very assignment.  All of these shots were outside on an overcast day.

The above two shots was taken at ISO 200, SS 1/800, f/5.6, no flash.

This shot above was taken with an ISO 250, SS 1/500, f/5.6, no flash.

The above shot is ISO 200, SS 1/500, f/5.6, no flash.

This first shot of my son is ISO 200, SS 1/640, f/5.6, no flash.

The last shot of my son is ISO 200, SS 1/640, f/5.3, no flash.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 21

21 hands

You love those hands.  What do those hands do that you love????  Document the hands.  It can be a close up macro shot of his hands.  It can be with him using his hands to do something, or hold something.

 

This shot was taken in November 2009.  It is of my son and his daddy.  I love it.  Shot with a Nikon D60, outside, on an overcast day, ISO 400, SS 1/160, F/5.3.

 

Click here to join in on the 28 day challenge, The Joy Of Love.

The Joy Of {Love}, Day 19

19 when they're gone

What is the overall feeling in the home when he is gone?  What is different?  Is the home cleaner, louder, messier, quieter, lonely?
(and remember, your loved one can be ANYONE or any pet...and you don’t have to photograph the same person for each assignment)

I am lucky, my husband is usually home in the evenings.  On the chance that he is called out on an alarm or something, then I get to pick something to watch on tv myself, no wrestling for the remote.

Settings for this shot were ISO 200, SS 1/80, f/5.6, about 8 ft from a west window on a bright sunny day.

Click on the icon below to find out more on this Joy Of Love challenge.

Project Life Layout, February 12 - 18 {Week 7}

February 12 - We surprised our kids with their first trip of the year to the Bottineau Ski Hill today.  The weather was perfect, and it wasn't so crowded that you couldn't enjoy yourself.  I didn't ski so that I could look after our youngest, but the other three kids and my husband all took to the slopes.  This being only the third time on skis in their short little lives, they did so awesome.  Over and over again - Thank you mom and dad, this was one of the best days ever!  I just love that.

February 13 - Besides all of the snow that we have had to deal with, today, winds were forecasted to be 90 km/hr, and with that, rain.  I don't think the wind topped out at those speeds, but we certainly got the rain.  Rain mixed with alot of snow meant some very heavy slush to shovel off the driveway.  Once my husband got home from work he had to clean it all off the driveway and sidewalk or face a skating rink in the morning.

February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day!  My husband I got married in September 1999, but it was Valentine's Day of that same year that it all started for us.  12 years ago on this very day, God introduced me to the man I would love, marry and have children with.  I can't hardly believe that it has been 12 years already.  So much has happened in 12 years, I wonder what the next 12 years will bring...

So that picture WAS going to be my POTD (above, the rings...).  As evening approached, and supper was ready, things changed.  I had called everyone for supper twice, no response.  As I was finishing setting the table I can hear everyone coming up from downstairs.  I hear Happy Valentine's Day from 4 teeny voices and I turn around and each one of my little kiddos has a red rose to give me, courtesy of their daddy.  Well, the tears flowed.  You see, my hubby isn't what you would call a 'romantic' of sorts, I have received roses twice in 12 years together.  He rarely remembers a card for birthday's or Christmas, so I was not expecting anything today.  WOW!  I did not see that coming at all.  Oh, how I love my family, my life; I really am so very blessed!  Here is my new POTD...4 perfect little roses.



February 15 - The past few days have been very very mild here.  With the rain we got on Sunday and the mild temperatures, alot of snow has melted and made things, slushy and 'fun'!  Yesterday and today the kids got their bikes out of the barn and biked through the snow.

February 16 - We were all sitting here at the dining room table doing school work when I heard a noise and knew exactly what it was.  Sure enough, I looked outside and there were two cock-pheasants!  They look very close to the Mongolian Ring-Neck Pheasant.  There are so few around that I quickly grabbed my camera and realized I needed to change to my 55-200 mm lens fast and I would have to take it through the window.  It was very bright outside - my first two shots were extremely over exposed.  I was fumbling so quickly to get the shot as they were heading out the end of our lane.  In the end there were only two shots that were in focus and good exposure.  There as a third but was too far behind to fit into the frame.  They are such gorgeous birds!  We do have a female the lives on the East side of our acreage and she has nested there the last two springs.  I hope she does again this year.

February 17 - Today I was working on Day 15's assignment for the 28 day challenge, The Joy Of Love.  The topic was 'KISS'.  PERFECT!  My son's response, eewwwwwwhhh!  He wasn't too thrilled about it, but he did do it.  I think it turned out nice.  Check out my day 15 post here.

February 18 - I don't remember the last time I bought a loaf of bread.  I use my bread machine and I make a fresh loaf {or two} every single day.  Here is the recipe {So far, it is the best recipe I have found, and I have been using it for over a year}.

Layer the first seven ingredients in order listed in your bread machine pan.

1 1/4 c water + 1 tbsp water

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp liquid honey

1 2/3 c white flour

1 2/3 c whole wheat flour

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

yeast {I always dissolve 2 tsp of traditional yeast in 1/4 c of warm water mixed with 1 tsp of granulated sugar.  I let that sit in a bowl and double in size, anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes.  I then dump that right on top of the above ingredients.  If you are using quick rise or special bread machine yeast, you can skip the 10 - 15 minutes.  A friend of mine uses 1/2 tsp less of yeast, so you can play a bit with how much yeast you use.}

Here ends {Week 7}.  Hope you all had a great week!

Project 64, {Week 7} Indigo

Week 7 has been assigned the color Indigo.

This is one of my (and my husband's) favorite mugs!  It holds alot of coffee or a nice big cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter's night!

When I scribbled on paper, the rim of this plate was really really close to the indigo color.  It is hard to make a perfect match, but I think this runs pretty close.

I love this dress of my daughters. 

My son's leapster explorer case.

Click here to join in on this creative fun called Project 64!