Mello Yellow and Macro

I thought I could use a little pop of color to start the week.  What's not to love about yellow and roses?  I took the two photos on different days, but both were lovely and sunny, which brightened up the roses even more.

M.E.

For more Monday fun, click on the boxes below:

Sunshine for your mouth

I realize this scripture meant more spiritual filling than food, but in this time of farmer's market perfection, I'm reminded that God provides for us in all kinds of ways.  The rain for the crops, the fruit for our bellies, the kindness of strangers making friends, supporting local growers and developing community at the market.

Linking to Scripture and A Snapshot and Macro Monday.
More inspiration to be found if you click the links.

M.E.

A morning macro

I was up early enough to catch the dew still on the grass one morning this week.  Although, to be honest, this is actually a weed that has sprouted in the garden at work.  I couldn't resist catching those perfect little drops shining in the bright morning sun.  I guess this is a reminder that God doesn't make mistakes, because even the weeds are beautiful.

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you,

that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.  (1 John 1:5)

M.E.

We Remember

There is a flag display in a nearby town.  There are hundreds, maybe thousands of flags.  Each has a tag attached honoring a current service member or remembering one lost in war.  I took many photos, but for today I just wanted to share a few important ones.

I don't know who these folks were, but I do know how important it is to remember them and their families.

This display is put together by several community groups.  They hand place every flag on Friday and pick them each up on Monday afternoon, to be returned to the sponsoring families.  They have volunteers standing by to help you find a specific flag or just to answer questions, around the clock.

There are flood lights for night viewing and to see the 9-11 display, also new for this year.


It was very important to these groups that every single flag had a Made in the USA label.  There is a flag store nearby that makes them for each event.

Live a life worth dying for...

 M.E.

Macro mint blooms

With all the rain and occasional sun, my mint is thriving.  I took advantage of the nice day and went out to look around the garden.  It was breezy, so the macros were a challenge.

I had to trim back the plant, so I put some of the cuttings in a little cup inside.  Then I tried to get a closer shot of the adorable little purple blooms.  My cat was far more interested in the new smell of the plant leaves than my success with the camera.

Incidentally, this is catmint - not to be confused with catnip.  While animals like to smell it, they don't seem to eat it.  This kind of mint can be used in teas and to preserve meat.  It can also me made into a spray as an organic pest control. 

Visit Lisa for more Macro Monday.

M.E.

More than enough

I am reminded daily of the great things God brings into my life.  Beautiful flowers, wonderful family, gorgeous and smart friends, and more than enough to get through my day.  The new blooms popping all around are visual reminders of the glorious gifts.

Some other Scripture and a Snapshot 

and

Macro Monday photos.

M.E.

Playing with my food

While cutting celery the other day for dinner (and leftovers for my lunch the next day), I noticed the cross section of the celery bunch was quite pretty.  So first a took a few regular focus shots, then additional ones that were progressively more out of focus.  What I created were some really neat textures to use in the future.  

Huh, who knew you could make art by playing with your food?!

F 5.6  1/30   ISO:200 

I used the macro shot SOOC, then duplicated the layer a couple times, added the "bokeh" version of the same celery over top, then brushed away the center to see the details again.  

I will definitely be using the blurred version for future texture use.  Love the soft colors.

M.E.

More Macro fun here:

Welcome Spring!

Hallelujah - It's finally spring!

(Did anyone else wonder if winter was going to take over this season too?)

Let the sunshine commence!

More Macro Monday at Lisa's Chaos.

M.E.

Magnolia Macro Monday

We are still gray and brown here, so I had to seek out some flowers and loveliness for this Macro Monday.  I went with a friend to the home and garden show and just seeing all those flowers and bushes made my week.  The low and filtered lighting inside the huge building, however I did not love so much. 

These are straight out of the camera.  The nice lady siting nearby and hand painting flowers on  greeting cards told us it was a form of Magnolia. I liked the delicate flowers on the bush.

M.E.

Macro Monday - Happy Monday

These are some mini candles I pulled out the other day during the last storm.  Luckily, my power only blinked off briefly, unlike some other folks around town.  I pulled out all my candles and put on the fireplace, just in case.  I have to tell you, the house did smell good with the scented candles going!

Also wanted to join with Allie Photography today.  Her prompt this week is Black and White.  I thought I would use a favorite from my archives - one that was from a mostly white day!

M.E.

Delicate Macro Monday

I knew when I saw the fuzzy buds on this bush that it would look lovely with snow.

When the storm hit full force the other day, I walked out back with my camera to try and catch some delicate snowflakes.  

I have been so jealous of people's perfect flakes and had to try.

I was happy to get a few very distinct flakes!

Happy Monday; to those of you in the deep freeze, stay warm.  

To those of you in warm climates -send sun!

M.E.

Macro Monday

This is Molly's ear.  She spends a lot of time laying on my blanket this time of year!
She is a lap cat, when she wants to be. Don't even think you are going to go pick her up.

She held still for a bit, so I snap a few close ups.

More Macro Monday:

M.E.

Macro Monday -Is it spring yet?

My tree out front is without snow - for the moment. 

It has itty bitty buds, as if to say "I'm getting ready for spring!"

Yes, I know it's months off, I'm optimistic.

For more macro fun, join Lisa's Chaos for Macro Monday

M.E.

Monday berries

 

There are these lovely berries on the tree outside my office window.  I wanted a photo with the snow perched on top, and although it has snowed 23 of the first 25 days in December, it didn't snow this day.  So, to make the macro a little more interesting, I added Pioneer Woman boost action and Kim Klassen texture (Silent Night 2, I think).  Then I brushed away some of the texture to emphasized the berries again. 

Not bad for a first try.  I may also play some more and add some text to make a card or two out of it. That is my cold weather project this week.

For more fun Macro Monday, please visit Lisa:

M.E.

Macro Monday Poinsettia

I purchased a few multi-toned poinsettia plants for my mantle this year.  I couldn't resist a few snaps of the undersides and little bud leaves in the middle of the plant.

I hope you are finding some time to enjoy the simply 

lovely things in your home during this crazy week.

More Monday Macro Here:

M.E.

Macro Monday-Snow and leaves

It snowed for about a minute and a half today.  Not enough for the lovely snow covered tree photos I long for, but just enough to get a macro of the bushes out front.  We have months of snow ahead, I probably shouldn't push the season too soon!

For more lovely Macro Monday, you can visit Lisa and friends.

M.E.

Macro Monday - Beading

I have only owned a few formal gowns as an adult.  This is one of my favorites - silver silk with silver and clear beading.  It is a relatively simple design, but looks so beautiful on.

For more lovely macro photos, visit Lisa at Macro Monday.


M.E.

Macro Monday

I was in an ice cream shop and saw these bottles lined up against a wall.  The rows and rows of shiny tops just grabbed my eye.

Go see Lisa and friends for more Macro Monday!

M.E.

Macro Monday - 100 things

Today is Lisa's Chaos 100th Macro Monday.  The challenge was 100 things in the photo.

I went with 100 holes in the webbed area of my Nike's.

Thanks for stopping by.

Travel story time tomorrow...

M.E.

Macro Monday

Here is a shot of a chain link fence, really close. :)

I was out in the woods when I came upon a path to a ball field. It was late evening and the field was empty. It gave me a chance to get angles and shots I would have otherwise missed. It was complete luck, but I really like how it looks B&W.


For more photos, click on the Macro Monday button and see the skill out there.


M.E.