Showing posts with label Focus on Life: 52 Photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Focus on Life: 52 Photos. Show all posts

Focusing On Life: 52 Photos - Week 25

This week's prompt for Sally over at The Studio Sublime is unquestionably the hardest one yet - for me, anyway!
 
Sally's prompt for Week 25 of Focusing on Life: 52 Photos was to complete this sentence:
 
"You are,......."
 
We were instructed to "give yourself the positive reinforcement you deserve. Take a moment to think about who YOU are, what makes you a wonderful person."
 
This is such a great prompt, but boy did it have me stumped!
 
Lately I've been thinking, mostly because my son keeps reminding me, that the time he has left at home with us before he graduates high school and goes 'off into the world' is very limited. It's something like 750 some odd days,....he's got it counted out to the day he turns 18, which will be a month after he graduates high school. 
 
 I keep ignoring the number because I don't want to think about not having him at home all the time.
 
He's unsure exactly what it is that he wants to do when he 'grows up'. He has wanted to be in the Military (a Marine to be specific) since he was just a tiny thing and could barely say the word. He would play 'army' all the time and he's watched the military and history channels so much that even I can tell you what type of ammo goes with what type of gun or what missile what tank or aircraft is armed with and for which war or operation we've used it in. 
 
He's now mentioning college; saying maybe it would be better (pay wise, etc.) to enter the Marines after college, even though he's unclear on what he wants to get a degree in.
 
We don't push him hard in either direction (maybe that's not such a good thing at times), but instead tell him to follow his heart and his dreams, to reach inside and find who he is and do what he needs to do for himself - not for anyone else.  We're there for him and talk to him about planning for his future, even though it scares the daylights out of both Mike and me, knowing so many of the things he's going to face out in 'the real world'.
 
But, you have to let them go.
Let them be who they're going to be.
 
 
 
 
 
You always wonder if you're giving your children the guidance they need. The guidance they want. The guidance they deserve. You wonder if you've done all the basic things like teach them good manners, show them how to clean their rooms/bathrooms, do their laundry, cook (Logan does all but the cooking thing - he still likes Mom to do that!), keep track of their money and be wise with their purchases, be considerate of others, be respectful. And the list goes on,.....
 
This week's prompt had me complete stumped until last night when we were sitting at dinner with some friends up here in the mountains (where we spend as much time each summer as we can) and the conversation between myself and my friend Mary went something like this:
 
Shelly:  So Mary, are you ready to get rid of your 'extra' child? Is Logan ever going to come home or are you adopting him? (he's spent every night over at Mary's - which is just about a mile down the road - w/her kids since we arrived this past Tuesday )
 
Mary: (as she laughs at my comment) Oh, Shelly, I just have to tell you how wonderful it is to have Logan with us. He's such a joy.  Out of all the kids, when I tell them to do work for me out at the barn or around the house, he's the first one to get up and get the other kids doing what I've told them - it's working out really good!  And, he's always polite and he helps keep the sibling jabs and quarrels down to a minimum too. Which has been really nice lately - trust me! 
 
So, as we were all getting up to leave Tal Wi Wi Lodge (yes, it really is called Tal Wi Wi - you can follow the link, here!) Logan walks over and puts his arm around my shoulder and hugs me and says;
 
"Mama, I love you. Thanks for ordering us guys our food when we went back to the cabin to pick up Dad.  My onion rings were great! Oh, and I'm riding with Phillip and Will cause I'm staying at Mary's again tonight, okay?"
 
And right there I thought, "You are,....a good Mom!" 
 
At least I felt like a good Mama, with his arm around me and his cute face with that silly little grin looking down upon me!
 
 
 
 
I was in Mama heaven! 
 
I'm soooo gonna miss my 'baby' in two more years.
Or 738 days,...to be exact.
 
 
 
Please take some time to hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what everyone else 'got to snappin' for this week's prompt!
 
And, thank you Sally. Each week of this photo challenge is an exploration of the world around me,...not to mention an exploration of me personally!  It's an incredible journey and I'm glad I'm along for the ride!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Being a Good Mom!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus On Life: Week 22 - Foodie!

*If you're looking for the Reveal for the Anklet Blog Hop
 
 
 
 
Sally's prompt for week 22 of the
 
FOODIE
 
"Did you know that the photos most taken and uploaded to Instagram are food? I'm not kidding!  Everyone looks at food differently, but we must admit that we all have some type of connection to food. What seems little a simple plate of food can turn out to be so much more. Food can brings us together, affect are well being and bring us comfort when sad.
So this week I ask you to capture a photo of:
"What ya eatin'?"
 
 
Well, one of my favorites is a pretty simple little salad.
 
Sauteed spinach with sliced tomatoes and Gorgonzola cheese.
 
 
 
Yummy!!
 
Don't tell anyone, cause it's kinda weird, but I have this for breakfast a lot.
 
A LOT!
 
What are you eatin'?
 
Hop on over to The Studio Sublime and catch a glimpse of all the yummy food that everyone else is munchin' on, won't you?
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Yummy Tastes!!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 20 - Looking Up!

 
For Week 20 of the
hosted by Sally over at the Studio Sublime,
our prompt was:
 
Look Up!
 
Sally told us:  "This week, let's change our perspective and look up!  There is a whole world above us that we sometimes miss seeing because we simply forget to look up!"
 
I took this prompt literally this week and saw tons of cobwebs that needed dusting away in the corners of each room of my house.
 
Thanks Sally! ;-)
 
But, instead of showing you how I'm decorating early for Halloween (hey, that's my story!), I decided to go outside and LOOK UP!
 
I saw nothing but blue skies,...beautiful blue skies!  So I went and stood under the neighbor's palm tree! 
 
I love standing under trees and looking up into them (hence some other pics you've seen on this blog!).  
 
Palm trees are a favorite of mine and I love how they look here, in the sun, and also how they look at night, with the moon rising over them (sorry to not have a great pic of that scene!).
 
 
 
Simply Beautiful!!  
 
Thanks for making me "Look Up" this week Sally, it was a pleasant change of pace from seeing the dust bunnies on the floor,...chasing me!  At least the cobwebs don't move and the Palm Trees don't need dusting!!
 
Head on over to the Studio Sublime and see what everyone else saw when they stopped for a moment to "Look Up", won't you?! 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Looking Up!!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 

Focus on Life - Week 19: HOPE


Our prompt for week 19 of the 
 
HOPE
 
 
This week my mind kept turning to today.
 
 Today's an anniversary. Not the good kind.
 
Tears were there many times before I could stop them; so they just fell. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You're thought of every day sweetie,....by more people than you could probably ever imagine. 
 
 
Wade - Thanksgiving 2009 - Hindman Cabin, Nutrioso, AZ.
 
 
Your selfless actions and those of your fellow Marines are appreciated beyond what many of us can express.
 
 
Today's a reminder that because of the actions of others I have HOPE in my life for a Peaceful tomorrow.
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and HOPE
 
~Shel~
 
 

Focus on Life: Week 18 - Abstract

This week's prompt from Sally over at
the Studio Sublime for Week 18 of
 
 
 
 
"Abstract: the use of a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.
All things have form, color, and lines; we just need to step back and step away from the literal image you see through the lens. Take into account the lines, color or form and look for a more figurative composition.  
 
Take this week and step out of reality and change your view of things!"
 
 
I adore these weekly challenges because they really get inside my head.
 
I realized this week that I might be slightly obsessed smitten with abstract.
 
I love looking at abstract photography - it's some serious business, let me tell you!
 
I came to realize that I 'see' things in abstract form most of the time.
 
I see lines, colors, forms, shapes, images within images and things of this nature with out even trying.
 
This is just the 'norm' for me.
 
Case in point.
In Rome last fall with my sister, while other people were snapping 'normal' pics of the Colosseum, I was capturing these: 
 

 
 
 
Lines, Textures, Form, Shapes, Angles, Colors, Light Play, Images within Images.
 
 
 
 
"Designs", if you will.
 
 
 
 
I love how this line meets that line or how the blue of the sky is shaped in a particular way because of the outline of the stone walls.
 
 
 
 
 
How the clouds have 'soft' lines while the stones have 'hard' lines. 
 
 
 
Or how it seems you're looking through a "key hole", viewing an ancient secret.
 
 
 
 
And even with my flowers,....I love capturing the abstract of my roses.
 
 
 
 
There always seems to be some super cool and interesting shape to photograph.
 
 
 Black dirt from by boys' gold panning trip last weekend. The sand is
surrounding a round magnet and it's making the dirt all wonky!
Cool, eh?!
 
And then, the other morning, as I was ready to get out of the shower, I saw these:
 
 
Can you see what looks almost like 'butterfly wings' in the water droplets?
 
I grabbed my camera and captured what I thought were some totally awesome ABSTRACT water droplets.
 
See how there's shapes within the shapes?
 Lines, forms, colors!
It's a whole other world in there!
 
 
Special Effects with Pixlr - Too Much Abstract Fun!!
 
 
Then, some voice inside my head said:
 
"Sometimes, I worry about you!"
 
I looked up to catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror.
 
There I was, in all my glory, naked in the shower, sopping wet, with my camera in hand, snapping pictures of water droplets as they rolled down the shower window!
 
"OMG!!!"
 
I am so lucky my hubby didn't walk in to see that sight because it would have given him just the right amount of ammo to have me committed to the 'Looney Bin" for sure!!
 
LOL!!
 
Someone please, PLEASE, tell me that you've gone to such crazy lengths to capture a photo with out even realizing it?!
 
 
 
Colorful Abstract!
 
 
Be sure to pop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what
perspective everyone else has this week on ABSTRACT!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Over the Moon for Abstract!
Cheers,
~Shel~
 

Focus on Life: 52 Photos - COLOR!

For the Bead Soup Blog Party 3rd Reveal Post
Click HERE!
_________

 
For Week 17 of the photo challenge,
our host, Sally with The Studio Sublime,
gave us this prompt:
 
Color / Colour
 
 
 
"Did you ever notice the way color can effect our mood and perception of the environment around us?
Colors can elevate our mood or change our perception of an object.  Whether photographing a full shot of amazing colors or small pops of color against a muted background, this week break out your camera and capture some color. Think about how the colors of the shot effect your mood, feelings, perception of your surroundings! Focus on how the colors impact your decision to take a particular shot."
 
Each week these challenges capture my attention and make me think about and focus upon something that I normally take for granted or am in too much of a hurry with 'life' to slow down and appreciate on a daily basis the way I should.
 
So this week's prompt of "Color" allowed me to actually
'Feel' the colors and how they affect my moods; how they excite, how they mellow, how they make me smile!
 
Just take a look at the colors in these beads.
 
 
 
 
Rather rustic and muted in appearance, yet vibrant compared to the black and white photo of the same beads below.
 
 
 
 
Think of how different our world would be with out all the amazing colors we have around us!
 
Pretty heavy thought there, isn't it?!

I love that we have COLOR in our lives!!
 
Oh, and here's some pink and green.
 
 
 
These colors just make me happy!!
 
Now, go check out what colors everyone else over at
The Studio Sublime is capturing today!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Colors, Baby!!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: 52 Photos - Take a Walk

 
It's week 16 over at the Studio Sublime's
and Sally's prompt for this week was:
 
 
"Grab your camera, open the door and step outside into the fresh air. Take a walk! Whether you walk to your favorite chair on the porch, walk a few miles down a rural road or a busy city street;  take a moment to be aware of the beauty of the world and let its grandeur energize your soul, inspire your mind and jump start your creativity. Step back and look at the wide world around you and capture a shot of the landscape in front of you!"
 


Greenbelt area with some pretty trees near my home where I walk.
Sure doesn't look like the middle of the desert, does it?! ;-)  


 It was the perfect weather this week for walks here, too - temperature wise.
 
 
Lakes in my neighborhood along my walking 'path' (sidewalk!)
 
It was a bit windy for several days with gusts from 40-60 miles per hour one day and on Wednesday we had a micro-burst come through the neighborhood sending the trash bins rolling down the street - but other than that it was perfect spring weather in the desert. 


 
 
 Here's what I snapped on a couple of walks around the neighborhood. 

We have some green belts in our neighborhood and a few lakes (duck poo ponds, as we call them!) and some really pretty trees too, so it makes for some lovely walks.
 
 
 

 
So, get up, and go for a walk over at the Studio Sublime today and see where everyone else's walk will take you!!

 
 
Evening Walk with the Sunset Over the Lake
One thing's certain; Arizona truly has some gorgeous sunsets!
 
 
**Thanks to you all who have been leaving such wonderful comments each week on here - your posts and comments always make me so happy - Thank you!!  Last week I was trying to 'reply' to all of them, but when I hit the reply button on blogger here in the comments section it just 'spun' and spun,....loading,...loading,...and never loaded. Not sure what the deal was but I wanted you all to know that I wasn't trying to be rude - it just wasn't letting me 'play nicely'  last/this week. I haven't been able to comment for several days and although I think it's okay now, I talked w/a few of my other blogger friends and a couple of them had the same problem for a day or two, so I don't feel like such an idiot!! LOL!!   So, please accept my apologies for not responding to your replies here in the comments section this last time, hopefully this week I'll be able to read them and respond.**
 
Everyone have a great week!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Lovely Walks!!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 14 - Up Close

*I'm in Sedona this Friday/Saturday with out internet service, so please forgive me for posting late over at the Studio Sublime this weekend.  I'll be hopping to everyone's blogs that I can on Sunday/Monday!!*

Sally's prompt for Week 14 of
 
 
 
Up Close
 
  
"Macro Shots - How Close Can You Get?"
 
I LOVE me some Macro!
 
 
Taken w/my Canon. I had to hold the flower still because it was windy!
 
I cannot seem to get as close with my new
Canon Powershot XS 160 that I just got as I can
with my Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH5 camera.

I've had 3 Lumix and I love them!
The one I use most has 'macro zoom'.
(translation: super-duper macro!)


This one was taken w/my Lumix. Click to enlarge any of the pics.

 
 
The Canon's got a feature that lets you'zoom' while doing video. I know, so does an actual video camera, but a still shot camera seemed more up my alley so I decided to try it. 

I'll let you know what I think after I use it a bit. 
So far I'm rather pleased with the still shots.

 Of course, if I'd ever save up the $$ for a 'big daddy camera' (the kind where the lens costs more than the camera itself), I'm sure my pics could be even better.  And closer!



Spring has Sprung! Captured with the Canon.

 
 
But until then, here's some "Macro Love" for you!

Comparing the different photos,...what do you think?



Off Center because of the wind - but still rather close w/the Lumix.


Jump on over to The Studio Sublime and see what the other participants have captured Up Close today!
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Getting Up Close!
Cheers,
~Shel~