"Photography, alone of the arts, seems perfected to serve the desire humans have for a moment - this very moment, to stay." - Sam Abell

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Something to Brighten the Day


My love brought me these beautiful sunflowers today. He said I needed something bright to counteract the rainy weather. He's just awesome like that. I'm such a lucky girl. So they are now sitting on my window sill and will be the first thing I see when I wake up, which will make me very happy indeed. =) =)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Golden Eyes



After the crazy storm we had here this afternoon I went outside. And, I found Mr. Frog on our front porch. He appeared to be quite anxious...probably from me trying to get so close to his face :) He was so cute and I love his little golden eyes. But he calmed down after a few shots and I think he rather enjoyed having his picture taken. ;)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Wherever You Are



Every photographer has gotta try this picture at least once, right? ;) Today was a very revealing and awakening day that just left me in awe of my Father. I've been shown today that I don't need to go anywhere far to have God use me in the area of missions I long to work in. God has brought it to me, right in my backyard. I serve such an amazing God. I have to say I'm feeling quite loved right now =)

Monday, March 28, 2011

Rainy Day



So today was a VERY rainy day. A perfect day to be at work indoors :) Days like this make me want to just cuddle up with a good book or finish up old projects. I was going through some stuff in my room today (my attempt to clean) and saw my drawing book. I would really like to draw more. Love the setting sun in this picture :).

Sunday, March 27, 2011

"Be Still"



"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

I love this verse. I find so much comfort in it, especially on crazy days like today. Sometimes I just feel like God just wants me to slow down for a few seconds to realize there are some things I simply cannot change, there are things that I cannot handle, things I shouldn't worry about and things that will simply happen in His timing. After that moment, the day isn't so worrisome or crazy. It's a breath of fresh air.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Lazy Day


Today ended up being a pretty lazy day, filled with catching up on things, spending time with Luke, and taking a family bike ride. Shane and mom have been re-doing the plants around the pool and getting the pool ready for the summer. And, I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the royal delphiniums. =D

Friday, March 25, 2011

Night Sky


I took this picture tonight of the stars and got the big dipper in there perfectly :). This was all after a wonderful night of dancing and icecream ;). Couldn't have been a more perfect day.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Silhouetting



Spent most of the day today at Luke's house. I've always found the dock at their house to be so relaxing. I had wanted to try a silhouette picture today but I wasn't able to get a good location for that. So I ended up just taking a picture of Luke on the dock. Though, you can't see his face too well in this picture. And, I have to say I was not feeling very creative today.
He's so handsome :)Hopefully, he doesn't ever get tired of me taking pictures of him =).

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Mommy's Treasures



Mom has some of the coolest looking jewelry and heirlooms. Her stuff is from all over the world. Lots of neat, little treasures. Ever since I was a little girl I've had a fascination with her jewelry box. I always notice something different. =D

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A Marble Tomb



Second day of work went quite well today and I felt a lot less overwhelmed. Got my haircut and found myself squeezing lemons when I got home to lighten my hair, which didn't work so well. Time to go for the chamomile. Then, this evening Luke and I went for a drive in Howey and took this picture. I've taken pictures here (at the Howey Mansion "tomb")before but this was the first time with my new camera. This link shows the whole thing www.flickr.com/photos/blackdoll/3779191646/

Monday, March 21, 2011

A Lonely Swing



I woke up bright and early this morning... but had a good first day at work. It was slightly overwhelming learning about the systems and such. But I'm sure I'll get the hang of it. The rest of the day was just strange and frustrating. I'm very glad the day is coming to a close and that it's almost time to snuggle up in bed. This swing reminded me of how I felt today for some odd reason. =D

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Take a Minute


I really hope none of you are getting bored with flower pictures :/ I just feel the need to take advantage of all the pretties and all the new life I'm seeing. Plus, it makes me happy. :) At least there's always a different type of flower, right? =D I was able to take a walk downtown today by myself and just explore, take pictures, unwind, think, and pray. It was so very nice to slow down before the week starts again. So here's to a wonderful Sunday. Tomorrow I start my new job! ^.^

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Supermoon



Yes, the moon was beautiful tonight! Tonight it was the closest it's been in 18 years and at it's fullest. I was at Luke's house this evening and got to see its light reflecting off of the lake. It was amazing! I didn't have a tripod with me, so the picture is a bit blurry.

Friday, March 18, 2011

The Most Magical Place on Earth



My family and a couple friends spent the whole day at Disney today. I wasn't able to bring my camera :( but Shane brought his and got this shot at Animal Kingdom on the safari ride. I think this lion was my favorite part of the day. He was so majestic! However the elephants were pretty cool too! =)

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Balloons and Fun




Had a little fun today with some yellow balloons =) I headed out early this morning to run some errands and picked them up. Eventually I found time to take the pictures this afternoon and my sweet brother, Caleb helped with the actual picture taking. I've definitely "hired" him as my assistant. Sometimes I wish I also had a sister to put in cute outfits so I could be taking them. I don't suppose Caleb would have looked very good in a dress.... :D But he's very enjoyable to work with and always so patient.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

To the Ladies



Just thought you needed to be reminded because it's very true. After all, we were the Master's finishing touch on Creation. The heart God gave you is an image of Himself. You're captivating, don't let fears and insecurities hide it from a world that desperately needs to see Him. Let go of all that and just be you! Because that's exactly who you were created to be! =)

Beauty is dangerous - Gerard Hopkins

You belong among the wildflowers
You belong in a boat out at sea
You belong with your love on your arm
You belong somewhere you feel free - Tom Petty

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

1..2..3...smile!



I like this picture very much for some reason, even though it's not very flattering on anyone. I don't think Luke knows this picture was going on here either =)Tonight we all went to eat a special dinner at a friend's house, plus Flint. He didn't make the picture. :) Good day, however this time change has messed me up. I'm ready to go to bed!

Monday, March 14, 2011

First Fruits



It took me great courage to go out to the garden to get this shot, after this mornings encounter with mr. snake. But Dad's been working hard in the garden and I wanted to get a shot of the first fruits. I love how broccoli leaves hold water droplets like this. Not too long from now we'll be eating fresh vegetables! =D

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Little Ones



I cannot think of one predominant thing I did today, because I did so many things and this picture really doesn't have to do with any of them. I just like old looking lights like this :). I did realize one thing today while I was in Awana's. There was a little 5 year old girl sitting next to me that told me she was going to be a missionary and she was very passionate about it too. As I asked her questions about it, her answers were so simple and yet they were so trusting and so full of faith, it made me want to cry. Children are so precious. They are full of dreams and joy. And, their innocence is like a breath of fresh air. It's like a glimpse of Christ to me.

"Let the little children come to Me,and do not forbid them;for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:13-14

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Inspiration Time



I was feeling a bit creative this morning and decided to take one of my old books and get a macro shot with it and a flower (of course =D ). I was out there for quite awhile when Luke came over and we decided to go on a bike ride and check out Pig on the Pond. It was much too crowded in my opinion but it was a wonderfully fun day :) :)

Friday, March 11, 2011

A Light in the Darkness


I went outside later today to get some shots of our beautiful, yellow, Tabebuia tree (that we're having to pull up because the roots are beginning to go under our pool foundation). But it ended up that my favorite shot was this one. I know you can't see many flowers, but I love how the light is shining through the leaves. Standing outside as the sun was slowly sinking on the horizon, I couldn't help but think of how peaceful it was and how strange it is to think that half way around the world right now there is so much hurt and devastation going on. My flesh would say how blessed we are to live in safety (and I am grateful for it), but I believe where there is devastation there is real, living faith and that is where you can unabatedly see my Savior moving. It gives me goosebumps thinking about it. It's in the darkest most hurting places that Christ's light is the brightest.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Wok Night


Tonight was wok night here at the house. Everyone makes there own Chinese dish. We started doing this about 3 months ago and have continued doing it every now and then. It actually quite fun! And, I think it tastes better than any chinese pickup :P

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Grad Pictures



I finished up Shane's graduation pictures today and started editing them in my new editing program! I think this picture is my favorite so far =)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Day Trip


My family and I went to a friend's house for the day to ride horses. It's always such a treat to go out there and take a break from everything else. The flower in this picture is from the flowers that were growing on the side of the road out there. Can you tell I like flowers yet? =D

Monday, March 7, 2011

Down the Street



Caleb and I went on a run and a bicycle ride (on my new bike!) this afternoon. The weather has been so beautiful lately we couldn't resist. Everything is coming alive again and the colors are so vibrant around here. :) This shot was taken on our way back. I like fences a lot...

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Baby Bro



This is Jordan, my cute, baby brother. He was very upset that Caleb got to be featured in my blog the other day with the guitar and not him... So I promised he could get his picture taken too. This is after Awana's tonight so he still has his uniform on and book in hand. :)

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Too Tired



Summary of the day: school, Luke's house, and downtown Disney. =)I'm too tired to say anything else for today....sorry it's not too interesting. I'm going to bed. =D

Friday, March 4, 2011

Bicycles for the both of Us


For a couple months now, Luke has been looking for bikes for him and I. He found a couple today at a pawn shop and came over to pick me up so we could go look at them together. We both ended up really liking them, so he got them =) Now, we can go bike riding together =D He's the best <3

Thursday, March 3, 2011

The Little Things



I had lunch today with a sweet friend and did lots and lots of talking :)I love talking with my friends, they inspire me so much! After that I rushed to get my piano student for the day. When I picked her up she handed me these flowers and said "I picked these for you!" So sweet! It made my day.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

My Duet Buddy



I was looking through some of my music today and I found my mom's Carole King song book. I LOVE the song "So Far Away" and have tried playing it a few times from the book but the way it was written frustrates me! The book also has chords in it for guitar, soo today I decided I'd rather play it that way =D. I called Caleb in and we played it together and sang for a long while! My fingers hurt now but it was lots of fun =)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Red on Yellow, Kill a Fellow



Yes, this is not the sweetest picture I will admit and Shane actually took it. But I thought it was pretty neat. He found it today while he was raking outside. I don't think we've ever found a coral snake on our property before. Good thing he wasn't in the dirt with his hands next to his guy. Also, disregard the fact that his head is missing :D. The highlight of the day however, was sailing tonight with some awesome friends! Wish I could have gotten a picture of that but it was too dark =).