Tuesday's Treasures

Lest you start to think that Sunflower is my only child, I have a sweet shot for the three oldest today.

Sunflower:

SnapDragon:

Huckleberry:

Soon we will have treasure number four, but for now some flowers will have to do:

I tried to use some textures on this so I could submit it for Texture Tuesday, but nothing was working for me.  I think the background already had enough texture and color in it.  So then I used a different picture for Texture Tuesday.  I love how textures can totally change an image.

I used several different layers today. On the bottom one layer of Kim Klassen's Annabelle at 100% soft-light.  Then on layer of Not too Shabby at 38% soft-light.  Then a final top layer of Not Too Shabby at 17% Hard Light.

I hope you have a most excellent Tuesday!

 

Sweet Shot Tuesday

It was a lovely, lovely Easter!

 

I just need some more time for looking at all the pictures...

 

My Three Kids and a Seagull

Their expressions...so them...

Huckleberry

SnapDragon

Sunflower

Sometimes I spend more time looking for an acceptable quote than blending textures.  There are no Bible verses about seagulls that I could find, but wings always make me think about freedom.  I cannot fly, but I can stand firm in my freedom in Christ.

This week's Texture Tuesday theme was white and I knew I wanted to see all the gorgeous white images people would be creating, so I pulled this Seagull out of my archives.  But my usual favorite textures and blending modes didn't work on a completely white background.  I finally hit on Granny's Cupboard on Multiply.  Then it wasn't really white anymore, so I lowered the opacity to 50% and masked it off of the bird some.  Now even more than ever I cannot wait to see the other creations.

 

Happiness is...

The constantly running song in a child's heart...

Kim Klassen's Annabelle 85% Soft Light Masked off Face and hands

And working on a paper lantern with your Daddy...

Well, chewing on the string that holds the paper cup lantern.

I do really have a very sweet life.

 

Some Photos

A few shots from my photo walk with friends on Saturday.

I can't wait to go back to that location!

 

Tuesday Again

This week's theme for Tuesday Texture is story.  So many different directions this could go.  But I thought this photo told the story of last week, especially when you add Kim Klassen's Texture "More Magic"  (Once on Screen 100%, and once on Soft Light partially masked off in varying degrees.)

The snow did get deeper than it is in this photo and we had a lot of love, joy, laugh, peace...as we all stayed home together.

If I liked textures more on people, I might have chose this picture to represent our week.

Instead I'll use it for Tones on Tuesday :) 

On Saturday we were finally able to escape the house.  We got home just in time for me to meet a friend for dinner...and for me to drag Huckleberry into the spot of sun for 10 minutes of photos.  He was not terribly pleased, and I did not get the exact shot I wanted, but still I think it is pretty sweet.

We cut his hair after I saw these pictures. 

I hope you have a fabulous Tuesday.  I actually have plans so I won't be sitting around home obsessing about paperwork and things I can do nothing about so I expect it to be a great day for me -- playdate with friends and photography class in the evening.  The snow was fun and being with my family was great, but doing things...that is good!
 

Snow

I always think that an extra day with everyone home means more stuff accomplished...I'm always wrong.  We did have a nice day which included some Wii, some snow, and some shopping.  I only took pictures of the snow.

 This is a lot of snow for us...and they are expecting more.  So far school is still on for tomorrow.

The Holiday meant Huckleberry was actually home in the light...but SnapDragon was at a friend's house.

Let's clear the snow off of the roof...you don't want the play structure collapsing...or it is just fun.

Linking this with Tones for Tuesday.

Different hat and gloves for the after lunch trip outside.  Me, I stayed inside second time, so this is through the window, but I still think she looks sweet.

Embrace Joy...?

In an effort to at least feel like things are back to normal, I decided to participate in my most longstanding Tuesday photo links.  These are the links I first found and have experienced much joy in.

First...Texture Tuesday:

This week's challenge was to use Kim Klassen's new texture, Embrace.  I took this picture at the zoo today...fabulous time with a friend and our daughters.  Our zoo always has the most interesting plants though winter created slim pickings.  This is one layer of Embrace at Soft Light 100% partially masked off of the flower.  Also, one layer of the photo again on top at Soft Light 44%. 

Something we have been trying to help our middle son do is choose to focus on the positive rather than the negative.  The easiest way to teach him this will be if we embrace joy ourselves.

Now no matter how sweet my little Sunflower appears...

...she doesn't always embrace joy...

...but she certainly embraces life with a passion!  You would think she'd look a little more pleased after Mommy spent $3 on a crazy critters juice and put food in front of her.  She'd been claiming she was hungry every 5 minutes since she finished her last snack only a little more than an hour earlier.

Tuesday's Photos

It was such a fun and busy week.  We got to spend some time with my sister-in-law as she was decorating for Christmas.

We got to spend time watching my oldest son compete in his lego robotics competition...and celebrate with him for his team's trophy in "Gracious Professionalism."

Kim Klassen's Dream Texture, Multiply mode, Masked off his hands, face, and shirt

We got to spend some time enjoying the cold, winter sun at the park while waiting for Huckleberry to be done.

Such gorgeous later afternoon sun, though it threw me off color wise, but I was still able to capture a few sweet shots (including my ducks from Sunday's Scavenger Hunt).  Any tips on white balance settings for that golden hour?

But nothing beats 45 minutes to photograph the  beauty of winter frost, sun, and some scrumptious frost bokeh...

Balancing my home life and photography can be tricky at times, but when I'm photographing nature, I spend time with God.  My heart swells with worship for my God who can create beauty out of the ugliest things.

And if sometimes I forget to honor God with this gift of photography, He gives me a photo that just screams for a verse to remind me.