Cool drinks and private thoughts . . .

Sometimes, the best book you ever read was the best book you ever wrote ~ Me

I love writing.  But even more than that, I love reading what I wrote so many years ago.  Reliving the thoughts that I long forgot.  Seeing the person you've grown from become the person you've grown into.  I used this particular journal for three years.  The cover is a bit worn from the constant handling.  It definitely makes for some good reading . . .

Manual ~ ISO 1600 ~ f8 ~ 1/8

This post is submitted as part of Debduty's This or That Thursday.  Join in!

You did what . . .

So, I joined The Biggest Loser Challenge at work today . . .

>> insert look of utter disbelief <<

I know right. . . I had to weigh in . . . in front a man . . . who is my co-worker . . . and now knows what I weigh.  Because I refuse to go through this misery can't keep the joy to myself, I begged forced invited a girlfriend of mine to come along for the journey (#skinnypact).  In addition to the treadmill, mini trampoline, hand weights (I also have a shake-a-weight which proves I will buy anything) and stationary bicycle I have in the basement, these are my weapons of "mass destruction."

Manual ~ ISO 1600 ~ f7.1 ~ 1/8

So distracted . . .

I can't believe I'm already using an old pic, but I've been so distracted today.  I've been cruise hunting!  We have a cruise that my husband and I will be going on in T minus 3 weeks and 3 days.  I also have a cruise that my friends and I will be going in April of 2013.  I'm so addicted to cruising that I'm looking for another one to sail on with my husband for February 2013.  So I'll just share this pic from last February's cruise.  This was at Fort Fincastle in Nassau.  The dog REFUSED to look at me (and I stood there for a while).  I guess he preferred his profile.

Submitted as part of Kimberly of A Fresh Perspective's Wild & Wonderful Wednesday.

Rediscovering Pinky . . .

I have a (pink) Canon PowerShot SD1100 that I bought in 2008 (Black Friday shopping!!)  I've always shot it in auto (kind of like I did with my Rebel T2i for the first year).  Since I've been dabbling in shooting in manual with my T2i, I thought I would pull out Pinky and try her in manual.  With this point and shoot, the shutter speed and aperture are auto selected, even in manual mode, but white balance and ISO (along with some other functions) can be adjusted in manual mode.

My verdict . . . not bad. ~ Manual ISO 200 ~ f2.8 ~ 1"

This photo is submitted as part of Sweet Shot Tuesday by Darcy of My 3boybarians

See what I found . . .

I'm participating in the photo scavenger hunt by Ashley of Ramblings and Photos.  The prompts are as follows:

1.  Stacked up ~ Some pears in a bowl in my kitchen

2. Winter Wonderland ~ Taken on the 9th; only snow of the winter so far

3. Sweet ~ My favorite candle, such a sweet aroma

4. Hole ~ A picture of my lens (technically the opening is a hole), which was focused on my bracelet

5.  Frozen ~ One of my dogs' favorite snacks

The view from under here . . .

I tried my hand at shooting a picture of my dog from under the living room chair.  So I got on the floor, stuck my camera and part of my head under the chair and snapped.  It amazes me that in a dark room (the light was on in the dinning room/one room over) and without flash, by just altering the settings on the camera, the picture is bright and visible. 

Manual ~ ISO 6400 ~ f5.6 ~ 1/8

Made with love . . .

I was born in the '80s (1980 to be exact). Born again in the '90s.  But I was MADE with love on December 7, 1997 when I crossed the burning sands into my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Today is my sorority's Founders Day.  99 years ago, 22 young college women decided to create an organization of which I am so proud to be a member.  In the photo is my scrapbook that was made (with love) by my mother who has now passed on.  On the inside of the cover, you can catch a glimpse of my welcome letter to the sorority.

Happy Founders Day my sweet, sweet Sorors!!!!  Oo-oop!!

This blog post is submitted for the P52 Challenge by My 3 Boybarians. 

Howl at the moon . . .

While driving home, I saw the moon in the sky and it looked so beautiful.  When I got home, I ran in and grabbed my camera hoping to get some great shots using my telephoto lens (55-250mm).  Although I'm going to post it, this photo session was a flop.  I couldn't figure out a good setting.  I have really no clue how to focus my telephoto lens (when I took it out to maximum zoom, it was just a blurry mess).  I tried to capture clouds with the moon, but the moon would lose it's detail and just look a ball of light with the clouds nearby.  This will be a challenge I revisit once I read up on shooting the sky at night.

Shot in Manual ~ ISO 6400 ~ f32 ~ 1/200

Why I need a macro lens . . .

My shots for the 10th and the 11th are combined because I got home really late on Tuesday. Both of my shots display why I really need a macro lens. So, it will be my next photography purchase.

January 10th ~ Blind men now see ~ I have really been enjoying taking pictures these past few days. It is a blessing to even have the sight I have to take these pictures. Matthew 20: 29-34 tells the story Jesus and two blind men who asked that their eyes be opened. In a way, this challenge has opened my eyes too.

January 11th ~ A Gift of Love ~ This is my engagement ring, which will be three years old next month. The shots started with Life Savers candy, but I ate them all before I could get a good picture. :) Try as I may, I could not get my 18-55mm kit lens to focus on the center of the ring. (However, my lucky bamboo leaves are perfectly in focus *sigh*)

Do you have a sweet shot you would like to share?  Participate in Sweet Shot Tuesdays with Darcy and My 3 Boybarians.

Let it snow

Today we have our first snowfall of the winter.  As pretty as it was, I can do without snow since its always accompanied by cold (which I despise).  I was able to snap a couple nice shots.

#1 Manual ~ ISO 6400 ~ f4.0 ~ 1/50

 


 #2 Manual ~ ISO 6400 ~ f4.5 ~ 1/200 

\

Weekend Wrap-up

Unfortunately, we lost my husband's father on New Years Day (what a way to start the year).  So, we were in North Carolina for his funeral.  I was not updating photos, but I was taking photos.  Here are the pics for 1/5 - 1/8.

January 5 ~ On the ride down I-95 South to NC, I caught this photo of the sunset.







 January 6 ~ My father-in-law served in the Army so he was given a full military service.  The flag in the foreground is the flag that was presented to his wife.



 
 January 7 ~ While waiting for my husband to get out of Best Buy (I was in the car with my dog), I saw the reflection of the sky in my phone (this photo was taken with my iPhone 4)




January 8 ~ My mischievous cat in her favorite location (in the dinning room, on the chair)



I am participating in the P52 Photo challenge.  This week's challenge is "Resolution."  I intend for all my future P52 submissions to be a single picture, but without even trying, all my pictures are connected to my 2012 resolution. ~ I resolve to enjoy the simple things ~ Whether a sunset, the presence of friends and relatives, a clear blue sky or my cat just sitting around, life has so many moments that we just take for granted.  I hope to capture loads of them in this photo blog. 

It's so quiet at the table

This is my dining room table.

It's always set. 

I change out the color scheme and dishes, but it's always set.

Why, because we don't use it. 

Ever. 

Well, actually, we do. 

Once a year.

We have dinner by candle light for our anniversary.  Our candles are our wedding unity candles.  That's our little tradition. 

Oh well, I guess it's good for something. 

And that something is pretty good!

Dinner of Champions . . .

After getting off work at 7 pm.  Once  home, removing the skin and cleaning a whole chicken to freeze for later.  Then cleaning and prepping another set of chicken for the crockpot tonight.  This was all I could muster for my dinner.  Thank goodness there were leftovers so my husband could have a real dinner.

Submitted as part of Sweet Shot Tuesday

I wonder what she's thinking . . .

 She's probably thinking, "Mommy please, not another picture."

Perfect nightcap . . .

Best way to end the day.  Happy New Year!

*I figure, I can only get better at this point.  I honestly have no clue what to take pictures of.*

 
This post was submitted as part of the Simple As That Blog Simple Things Sunday