Dad & Mom 125/365

I've been wanting to do natural lighting on both sets of parents but they were over today in the evening time so studio lighting it is. My dads health has continued to decline in the last two years. He is currently having issues with his eyes.

What do you think? Does the conversion work?


Mom NEVER EVER EVER likes her pictures taken. She gave up without a fight this time. I guess she figures I'm gonna take it one way or the other - she might as well cooperate because the "other" isn't very pretty - LOL

Flowers from mom 124/365

The ideals which have lighted me on my way and time after time given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.
Albert Einstein

The first one is so you can forgive my transgressions of blurry flowers - LOL
The other 2 images are "water color painted" in photoshot. Gotta love my backdrop!
It's scrapbooking paper.

Yawn . . . 123/365

Didn't know what to take a picture of, so I asked Elli for a suggestion. She said, "how about something you cannot live without?" Ha?
I worked late today, cleaned house, cooked dinner, put laundry away - what can I "Not live without?" besides air?

So I went to my bedroom and just so happen to see my nice fluffy bed, all made up pretty and all and though aha! but that's boring righ? So, (DON'T TELL DAVE, cause we never allow the dogs on the bed but for the sake of my photography I was willing to sacrifice LOL) I plopped one dog at a time up there just for the picture.

Twix is the youngest, She's 4 and has grey hair because she's a dapple.
Reesee, is the neurotic one, my poor baby, she's 6. I miss having a really big dog, but I love these girls - they are so much fun.

My day and a hat and an attitude 122/365

Dave & I went to the zoo today, my choice, and I took a lot of nice images. Some of these were shot through the glass - I think they turned out pretty nice.

Here is the Chicago Sky Line & Dave


Except for the wire it might look like a Painting


I thought this Pigmy Hippo was pretty interesting, both above the water and submerged in it.





and last but definately not least my little monkey Isabella
She has a bit of an attitude today. LOL
But still so darn cute!

Self Portrait Banner 121/365

Yes it is all about me! Tomorrow is my birthday and I treated myself today to a new hairstyle and color. YAY - I like it.

I did some self portraits in the bathroom mirror, Khalila photoshop it into a banner.

So I'll return to my Quotes:

Aging is not 'lost youth' but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
Betty Friedan (1921 - 2006)

This one's for Eric . . .thanks alot 120/365

Eric has been taking some awesome images and experimenting with off camera flashes. He has myself and Elli trying to keep up with him. Well, we are trying to keep up with him on our own - LOL
Not that I could keep up with this technology savvy young man but I like to keep learning.
So here is my frustrating try at off camera flash. I like sun light much better thank you. I have a long way to go before I get the hang of this little flash.
By the way - pardon the dust on her - she's a garden statue I brought in from the green house just to photograph. She doesn't look so good here but in the garden she's simply amazing! She has a partner and was a gift from my Mother-in-law.


HOWEVER, I don't think he can beat me in the kitchen or beat Dave for that matter.
Again, Off camera flash, the picture doesn't do it justice but this is one of the best meals we've made in awhile.
While researching more photography stuff I came across The Pioneer Woman site. What an amazing site. Lots of "everyday" stuff. I read most of her photography stuff then came across some recipes that looked delicious. Including something called "Crash Potatoes" so I tried them tonight. Yes, the were delicious. See Here: Broccoli and Dave made the steak and gravy. Yummy!

It's Really cold! 119/365

I was decieved today! The sun was shinning bright for most of the day and it looked nice out. Until I ventured out this afternoon to take picturs. Burr! It must have been 20 degrees!

I did manage to capture these interesting ice cube flower things.