Lonesome Poppy

I don't have much to say about these, so I'll let them do the talking








 

Blushing of Autumn

This is actually a photo from spring.
It has been sitting in a folder waiting to be processed...I just couldn't get the right feel for it until a few days ago.

I'm really happy with how it turned out and the fact that I had enough patience to wait three months to edit it!


 



And just for fun, here it is using my Vintage Polaroid set.
{you can get the free download HERE}

Country Living

I have so many things to share with y'all!!!

* First, be sure you visit Mountain Mama to enter her giveaway for any 8x10 print from my Etsy shop!

* Second, if you have any desire to get to know me a little better go to Yours Truly to read the interview I had with Jess!

* Third, if you haven't yet participated in the June Quarterly Top 5 link-up you have only one day left to do so...and then you'll have a chance of winning an 11x14 print from my shop or one of two other fab prizes!

* Fourth, did you notice my new watermark?! It took me a while to get around to it, but I'm pretty happy with the look.

*And fifth, if you participate in Sweet Shot Tuesday and read what Darcy writes did you notice anything really super cool last week? Like, I totally won the awesome shop credit to Paint the Moon?!?!?! I'm still a bit giddy. I got the Moxie Set and you can rest assured that you will get to see all 26 gorgeous actions in...well, action.

Oh, and I have to tell you this funny story...so, while I was looking through the before/after gallery trying to pick out which set I'd get, my husband came over, looked over my shoulder and asked why I'd want to win pictures of other people...oh yes, he was serious. Anything photography related is completely lost on him...I'm sure he feels the same way about me and sports.

...there's also one more totally exciting thing going on, but I'll wait to share that info until it's done...

*****

We spent the holiday weekend with my husband's family. His parents live in a small town and his brother and family live on the farm. We spent a good part of Saturday at the farm: harvesting several acres of wheat that Grandpa set aside especially for the kids (shots to come), swimming, cooking out, shooting off some fireworks and once the kids had gone home with grandma and grandpa, my husband, BIL, SIL and I played Rock Band! Talk about unexpected fun...we had a blast! It's weekends like this that make me wish we still lived close to them. God certainly blessed me with amazing in-laws and I am so grateful for that...I know too many people who can not boast this same thing.

This is about the extent of the fireworks shots that I got. We didn't watch any 'real' fireworks shows....next year, by golly, I am going to a big show...by myself or not! 

We did watch the huge and amazing fireworks spectacular that was aired from NYC. Talk about breath taking! While we were watching, my son told me that I should go get my camera. LOL!

(for the record, I almost did.)

 



And here's one for Touch Up Tuesday.
I love country views and old red barns!


Before:



After:


My edit reminds me a bit of The Wizard of Oz...but, I am in Kansas after all!




Step 1. Splice in a blue sky photo - the original sky wasn't doing it for me.
Step 2. Run Paint the Moon's Tilt action.
Step 3. Run Paint the Moon's Heart and Soul action.
Step 4. Add a rainbow using this tutorial.
Step 5. Straighten image.

Me, My Girl & Iris

...did anyone get that title?!
It was supposed to be a spoof off of the movie title "Me, Myself and Irene".
Anyway, on to the photos!!



This was taken by my 5 year old son with my dslr.
I think I did a pretty good job hiding my nervousness!
;)







And here are the irises.
Normally I have such difficulty photographing these particular flowers, but for whatever reason this day was a good one!

 



Before & After:


I wanted to brighten up this shot and give it a touch of seventies.

Jelly Beans

Short and sweet.
:)

It's Kinda Girly...

These two end of season coneflowers were swaying in the wind with not a care in the world.
I loved how those dainty petals were moving - just like a ballerina!

Bubbles always remind me of summer and I also wanted to capture the haze and humidity associated with summer, so I kept this shot slightly out of focus.

I usually take a trip to the arboretum about once a month - sometimes more.
These lovely hydrangeas were new on my last visit!

 

Summer is Here!

Summer break is upon us and that means lots of time outdoors...

riding bikes,




peek-a-boo through the "cheese holes" at the park,







and swinging with careless abandon!