FOL14 - Week 10 - The BIG Picture

It's week 10 for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and Sally over at The Studio Sublime has given us the theme of

"Checking Out" for the month of March.

 

 

 

This week's prompt is:

 

The BIG Picture

 

"As for this week, we are expanding what we are 'checking out' and looking at the BIG picture!"

 

I have a hard time with getting these types of pics to turn out the way the I want them to.
 

 





Click to enlarge - you'll be happy you did! :-)

 

 



 

These photos might not have been exactly what Sally meant with her prompt, but I did try a few different things this week, including trying to read the online manual for both my cameras.  (grrr,.....)

 

Well, after not having much success with that whole thing, I grabbed my phone and snapped the beauty around us while we were on a little walk about the neighborhood the other night.

 

 

 

 

 

I also captured this sunrise one morning with the 'panorama' setting on my phone.

 

 

click to enlarge

 

I'm a bit obsessed with sunrises and sunsets - as you can see.

I'm sure you're getting bored with them lately,....especially if you follow me on Facebook or over on Instagram.

But hey, I'm having fun and enjoying each moment I capture!

 

 

 

I looked. I focused.
I held my breath.
I clicked.

I captured what I found beautiful.

 

 

This one I used an edit on and then put a frame on it - but it still looks pretty much
the way the sunrise did. Except for the green glowing houses across the lake. :-)

 

 

I never thought in a million years that I'd say this but,...

I think my phone camera might be a better camera than either of my actual cameras.

 

Well, except for the macro shots I get w/my Lumix.

Those can be pretty awesome. 

 

So, I wonder what 'big' pictures everyone else captured this week?

 

Let's have a look, shall we?

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Getting the Big Picture!

Cheers,

~Shel~

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Focus on Life 2014: Week 7 - Collage of LOVE

It's week 7 for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and Sally over at the Studio Sublime has given us the theme of "Cabin Fever" for the month of February and our prompt this week is:

 

 

 

Collage of Love

 

 

"One of the best ways to beat the feeling of cabin fever is to feel the L❤VE!  It may be as simple as that warm and oh so  inviting cup of coffee, the cold nose of your four legged family member or the smell of a certain flower!  This week l❤ve is everywhere and it's your job to capture it, no bow and arrow needed, just a camera! "

 

It's been a very packed week this week, so I cheated on my collage and grabbed pics I had already taken.  But, they are things I love and it was a good thing I looked for some photos because I found there's tons missing on my computer and they're not on the back up hard drive either.

 

Were'd they go?  Your guess is as good as mine.

 

But, we are in the middle of retrograde, so this is not a surprising discovery.

Disappointing yes, unexpected no.  

 

I even searched some of the sub-folders thinking I'd dropped them in to the wrong place by accident. Nope. No luck. So, I spent a good portion of time searching and backing up newer things.

 

Back to this week's prompt,...

 

I snagged a silly shot of my boys awhile back and although it's blurry, I still love it.

 

I love them!

 

I love Pearls (ya, think?!!)

 

I love where I live.

 

And I love Coco and Kiki. (Crazy Lovebirds!!)

 

 

 

 

On Valentine's Day, Arizona celebrated its 102nd birthday.

 

On Valentines Day 20 years ago, Mike proposed.

 

On Valentine's Day 6 years ago, Iron Man (aka-Mike) got a 'defib' put in his chest that they now say he doesn't need (figures, right?!) but that we have been thankful for.

 

Valentine's Day is a good day!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace and LOVE!

Cheers,

~Shel~

 

Please check out all the other participants this weekend and see what they LOVE!!

 

 

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

FOL2014 - Week 3 - Black and White Self Portrait

 

 

 

 

It's week 3 for the Focus on Life 2014 weekly photo challenge and we're sticking with the minimalist's way of thinking.  As Sally put it, this week we're going to "use the minimum to get the most" and capture a "beautiful black and white photo of ourselves".

 

Man, Sally knows just how to get all of us where it hurts! 

 

Self Portraits.
(Every one's favorite, right?!!)

 

I do have to give her credit though.

At least with the black and white minimalistic approach, you can't see as many of my wrinkles and all those icky blotches and scars on my skin from too many years of poisoning myself with the sun's rays aren't so harsh!
 

 

So, here I was figuring out how the heck to use the 'reverse' photo thing on my phone,...

Keeping with the minimalistic approach
here I am 'sans-jewelry'

I'm using my phone because I needed the practice taking more photos with it. I no longer have my iPhone - Logan has it now - but an htc rezound and I think it takes much better pics (usually) than my iPhone ever did.

Although these, for whatever reason, are a bit more blurry than normal. Sorry about that.
 

 

Okay,...here we go.

Steady,...and snap.

 

And, here I am making faces at Sally and
'scolding" her for making us take 'selfies'!

LOL!!



 

 

It was fun playing around with the Black and White edits, but I think I like my actual camera over my cell phone when I'm going to edit photos.

I'm excited to see everyone else's photos because I know they are going to be super artistic, creative, fun and fantastic!!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Having Fun with Photos. Even Selfies!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 52 ~ Goodbye

Well, it's week 52 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge for 2013

 

Sally's last prompt for us this year was:

 

 

Goodbye

 

"Well, we are here at the end of our year long journey. It is time to say goodbye.  This week for one last time in 2013, I ask you to focus on how you would like to say farewell and then capture it in a photo(s)"

 

I'm certain that so many things went through your heads (and your hearts) for this prompt, as they did mine.

 

I thought of the Farewell song from the Sound of Music.  And, annoyingly, The Beatles song "Hello, Goodbye" has been a constant (I am not really a big Beatles fan!) in my head all week long.

 

I thought of Shakespeare's, "Parting is such sweet sorrow,...." and Chaucer's "All good things must come to an end" and of course, the various fashions of the famous one liner in so many movies, "I bid you adieu".  

 

 I thought of how to capture a wave goodbye, some one walking alone down a road, boarding an airplane or leaving in a car,...all sorts of photographic ways of saying 'farewell'.

 

My thoughts were of saying 'Goodbye' and how I would wish you all well and much success and happiness in the coming year.

 

I was saddened to see this journey come to an end.

But happy that it happened and better off for it, too!

 

Then last week when Sally sent out the invitations for the 2014 Focus on Life: 52 Photo challenge, I was not so blue or sad about this last post of the year. 

 

I thought of the seasons that have come and gone only to come and go again and of how it can be bitter sweet to see things come to and end. 

Yet with the passing of the seasons, the days and the months, there's the endless cycle of hope.

 

Of renewal, of birth, of life. Of hello.

 

 

 

I'm excited to continue this journey and look forward to seeing what those of you who continue will be 'snappin' in 2014.  And, even if you don't pop in to share each week with photos, I will be sure to see you 'around' here online.

 

At least that is my hope.

 

So, I will end with this:

 

"May you fare well in these last few days of 2013 my friends.

I look forward to seeing you in the New Year!"

 

And in the famous words of Dr. Seuss,...

 

 

"Don't cry because it's over.

Smile because it happened!"

~Dr. Seuss~

 

Until Next Time, (I don't say goodbye well at all!)

Peace and Love!

Cheers,

~Shel~

*To sign up/register for the FOL: 52 Photos 2014*
Click HERE!

 

 

Focus on Life: Week 51 - Togetherness

This is week 51 of the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge and Sally over at The Studio Sublime gave us this post for the next to last weekend of the year:

 

 

 

Togetherness

 

"This week focus on wrapping yourself in the warmth of togetherness"

 

So, here's us,...together in front of the fire place, sharing some 'togetherness'.
 

 

 

 

Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas this coming Wednesday and may you have some 'togetherness' with those you love!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Celebrating the Warmth

of Togetherness!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Please click the links below to see
how every one else captured some
"Togetherness"

 

 

 

 

Focus On Life: Week 50 - A Pop of Red

It's week 50 for the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos

weekly photography challenge and

Sally over at The Studio Sublime

gave us this prompt:

 

 

 

A Pop of Red!

 

"Red is such a visually striking color.  Pops of red grab your attention and add such interest to a photo.  This week, focus on your surroundings and keep an eye out for a Pop of Red!"

 

I LOVE red and my surroundings always have pops of this beautiful color!

There's decoration that have to be placed about,...

 

But, during the holiday season, it has a bit more than a little, "Pop of Red".

And the house to be readied for guests,....

  

Please click the links below to see
where every one else found
"A Pop of Red"

And candles to be lit,....

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and RED!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Even Mother Nature gives us Pops of Red for our Holiday Celebrations!

 

Focusing on Life - Week 48: Giving Thanks!

This is week 48 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge and our prompt from Sally over at

The Studio Sublime was:

 

 

 

Giving Thanks!

 

What are you thankful for?

 

 

I do know that I am thankful for this journey through life that Sally has 'prompted' us to take this year and I'm so very thankful for all of you.

 

Every one's been saying how they're sad this photo challenge is coming to a close and they are hoping Sally (or someone) will keep things going on some level or in some capacity.  I'm hopeful of that too, and would take on that challenge if my life didn't seem to be headed in what I believe to be a totally different direction next year.

 

Right now I'm thankful for hot tea, soft blankets, the warm fire and the festive way the cabin is decorated by my sister for Thanksgiving!

 

I'm thankful for the various stringed instruments that have been played by my nephew, my brother-in-law and my son and the joy I get from hearing their music!

 

I'm thankful my hubby's restocking the wood pile and keeping the fires lit! 

 

I'm thankful I have a good, loving and fun family!

 

 

click photo collage to enlarge

 

 

I guess most of all, I'm thankful for the life I have been blessed with and for those in it.  

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace, Love and Giving Thanks!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~

Giving Dad Bunny-Ears!



 Be sure to stop by and see what everyone else is 'Giving Thanks' for this weekend!

Focus on LifeL Week 43 - In the Shadows

This week's prompt from Sally over at The Studio Sublime for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly challenge was this:

Week 43 - In The Shadows

 

 

"For this week we will be focusing on Light and Shadow!  Capture what you find intriguing about light and shadows." 

 

What an appropriate prompt with Autumn upon us and Halloween coming up this week.

 

Although I wasn't able to capture any photos of ghostly shadows or light orbs or anything like that, I did capture these two photos of some shadows.
 

 

 

 

Shadows produced from light shining through glass objects - always cool!

 

 

 

 

Hop around today and see what 'shadows' every one else caught a glimpse of, won't you?!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Shadows of Light!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 41 - Connections

This is week 41 (wow, can you believe it?!)

and Sally's prompt for the

Focusing on Life: 52 Weeks Photo Challenge was:


 

Connections

Sally told us, " We have, make and witness connections everyday.  Connecting to one another makes us feel that we are a part of something more, something great!  This week focus on the connections you make, the connections that naturally occur, a connection of things, your connection to your environment, craft or faith."

Wow, how timely.  Again!  I swear, Sally has this uncanny way of honing in on what we're all going through. It's like she has this little crystal ball that has all of our lives on 'speed dial'.

 

Or maybe, it's because we really are all connected to each other.

Jewelry-world related I've been rather unconnected for the last month or so.  However, business-wise with our environmental business and personally with those around me, I've been more deeply connected.

Aside from answering phones, fielding questions and taking care of the front office work for RespirCare (the company my husband built that we own and run together) I'm becoming educated and trained in the microbial science behind our business and taking a more active role in the strategic marketing and growth aspect of our company. 

 

This week, I sat in on a two day, hands on training class that my hubby taught.

 

Mike Teaching one of the sampling courses

 

It's interesting, but far removed from the likes of pearls, jewelry or the craft world.  However, the links between the two industries are more 'connected' than I imagined.  

I enjoy seeing the light bulb go off in someone when they grasp a concept that was alluding them, or they are able to thoroughly understand a portion of the science behind the business and see how their new found knowledge can further assist them with not only helping their customers, but actually help them to build upon their own business.  

 

Mike with RespirCare Associate,  Don - Our Canadian "Connection"

 

 

It's rather similar to when I'm teaching and I experience a student learn a jewelry technique and how their brain starts seeing all the exciting ways they can incorporate their newly acquired skill and add to their repertoire of designs.

So, these last few weeks have been spent connecting a bit more in-depth with my hubby; with our business, our family, our clients, customers and ourselves. These connections have brought us closer as a family to our future goals, to each other and to those we interact with.

 

I have to admit though, it's quite challenging to step out of my comfort zone and stretch my knowledge and skill set.  It's cozy, warm and comfy in my comfort zone. I like cozy, warm and comfy,....kinda like some fungi I know.

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist!! LOL!! ;-)

 

So, who or what are YOU connecting with these days?  Please connect with all of us this weekend over at The Studio Sublime. You never know where your connections will lead,.....

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Forming and Fostering Connections!

Cheers,

~Shel~