You Capture - Depth of Field

I love participating in "You Capture" and this weeks assignment was a lot of fun. If only I had a better camera. You see, I shut all my pictures with a Kodak Easy Shot Z1015 IS.

My daughter has the fancy one's. She began with the Canon Power Shot 5S and recently got herself a Canon Rebel XTI. I have used her Power Shot many times and love the pictures I have captured. I have yet to play with her Rebel. I hope to soon but for now I just use my little ole Kodak.

So here are my pictures of Depth of Field (DOF). 

This one was taken when we went and visited the ostrich the other day. I saw the goats and their babies and after taking a picture through the fence I wanted to try the DOF by focusing on just the fence.

The rest our from my yard.

Peeking through the banana tree at our Abby girl.

A picture of a rope the kids have tied to a tree to swing with.

And Button's goggles perched on the fence around the pool.

Here is one of our passion fruit, shutting toward the beach (our version of a sandbox) patio and another shutting one above the fence that shows our neighbors pasture and trees. 

A grandma's house isn't complete without bubbles (yes we have cookies too) and we love taking pictures of them being blown. This one wasn't taken this week but fit the assignment.

My last one is of our 'Grand' Day Monday when Bug was building his tower on the kitchen island.

I had a lot of fun with this assignment. Next week will be SKY and if you know me, and for those who are getting to know me, I love sunrise's and sunsets, and cloud formations. I already have a few picked out to share and will go out and about capturing other's.

If you want to see more pictures of DOF or join in on the fun, just head on over to I Should Be Folding Laundry (which I really should be doing myself) and see all the wonderful photo's others have captured.

You Capture - Yellow

We Had The Most Wonderful Mother's Day

The day began with my tables being set and ready for the family to arrive. Usually having a dinner at home for such an occasion would mean using one of my many china's but today we were BBQing rib's, chicken, hamburger's, and hotdog's, so I opt to use paper plates. I didn't want any of my placemats soiled with sauce's so I used the same wrapping paper as the gifts, cut them into placemat size and wala, disposable placemats. When my hubby came home with flowers for me, the colors matched the table perfectly. I wanted to add some ribbon runners for more color, I just didn't have any wide ribbon in my drawer of spools. Reminder to self, stock up with some wider assortments of colors for such an occasion.

We decided to go the second church service since hubby has been going to the doctor for the last 3 days getting an IV antibiotics for the pneumonia. Yep, even on Sunday the office opened. It saved us so much money by doing it this way so he wouldn't have to be hospitalized. We left for church shortly after he got home. It was going to be a memorable service as our 'Grand' Bug and Button had decided this last week they wanted to be baptized. With all the family there to witness their choice to except Jesus as their Savior, made it extra special. I took picture but with my daughters camera, so will have to get copies after she uploads them. This is where I can tell you I love Flickr...it makes it so easy for us to share photos. Being  working mom and also having computer problems, she won't get to it till Thursday after it is fixed. Once they are available I will post them all for you to see. They were so darn cute. When we all got back to the house, the 'Grands' opened their special gift...Button received a cross neckless with the word Faith engraved on it and Bug received a medallion with a my special bible verse to him, "With God all things are possible".

I opened my gifts from the kids. I got this lovely clock and a photo of the 'Grands'. Buttons made her card for me while at a scrapbook class with her mom. Inside she drew a picture of her, her mom and me to represent 3 generations. The card was made with pockets that had a tab to pull out and in one was a picture she drew of her and her mom and the other her and me.  

First the 'Grands played on the beach helping Bella work on a great big hole she had started.

While we the feast was prepared, the 'Grands' did some swimming until the winds, and I mean COLD winds, began to blow. They spent most of their time before and after dinner on the beach. Even Bella got into the burying of feet.

After dinner the 'Grands' went back out to continue playing. Climbing trees, swinging from a rope and eventually jumping the rope and a brief game of limbo that Bella had to get involved with also.

We ended our wonderful day with desert of strawberry short cake and chocolate cream pie.

We also did our family pictures. My camera was not doing the job so they grabbed my daughters camera that takes better photo's. I will just have to wait to see how hers came out but until then, this is what I have and as I always do, I accept what I get and be thankful.

As you can tell, we had the most wonderful Mother's Day!

Six Word Saturday

Hail, Hail, The Gangs All Here!

With all my children gathered, they are planning a very special day for me. Sure, I have to clean the house, do the shopping, have everything here for them, but once it begins, I can be assured I won't have to lift a finger to serve it or clean it up. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the day!

Happy Mother's Day to all mom's.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY May 4, 2010

Outside my window...has been another glorious morning. The birds continue to chirp and fly about as I sit in my chair on the patio reading my daily bible. Bella is enthralled in these birds and she thinks they are toys to play with. I must gaurd the new flyers from her so thay have at least a chance. Sometimes I am not successful and it makes me sad.


I am thinking...how things might have been instead of how they can be. I will continue to keep in pray for God's guidance on this journey. That he will show me the way we need to go and how to get there.


I am thankful for...how God has answered so many of our prayers and that he alone knows this journey better then I. I am  thankful for the faith he gives me.


From the learning rooms...that seem to be everywhere right now. Each room has a different lesson for us and sometimes we are challenged in ways we never thought we would be. Yesterday our 'Grand' Bug stated that all my kids are divorced. As I reach for God's guidance in how to answer him, I heard his words come out of my mouth and our 'Grand' accepted my explaination. It taught me what I really already knew, that kids do see, hear and feel what is going on around them even when we try our hardest to protect them. He understood that he will know more as life grows on and that we can have this conversation anytime he has a question.


From the kitchen...will be Chicken Fajitas for dinner tonight.


I am wearing...jeans and a tee.


I am creating...everlasting memories for my family. Ones that we enjoy sharing during our family dinners. That they are adding to these creations almost daily.


I am going...to finally have a housekeeping again. It has been hard these last few weeks without one. She starts next Monday and I will be going out to stock up on the supplies she will need.


I am reading...One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer


I am hoping...that things settle down so that we can remain focused on what God wants us to.


I am hearing...all about career week at the 'Grands' school. Today was sports day and the kids were to dress up abouts a sport. Bug was a Tony Stewart racefan and Buttons went as a cheerleader.


Around the house...are many items that Bella continues to drag in from outside or pull out of her toy box. Yes, we have a towy box for her and she is so cute that she actually will drop a few back in after playing. Last night I couldn't find one of my slippers. I looked all around for it and thought to check her box by chance. Sure enough, there was my slipper. I also have a lot of the sea shells from the beach  (our unique sand box) that she continuelly plays with. Each time I take them back out, she brings them back in hours later. I have decided to let her have a few so she will leave the rest alone.


One of my favorite things...right now is watching this....

Minnesota Bound Live Loon Cam

In fact I am obsessed with it right now, watching and waiting for that first egg in the nest. I have seen something similar through the San Diego Zoo...

But this Live Loon Cam is so different. It is nature in real life. I hope you check it out.


A few plans for the rest of the week: Tomorrow will be week 4 of my One in a Million Bible study group that i am so enjoying. I have thursday off from doctor's and am so excited. I might just try to do some shopping. Friday will be another 'Grand' Day arranged by the 'Grand' Bug himself. I just can't say no when they want to spend time with me or shall I say Bella. Him and Bella are becoming really good best buds. Saturday I will putt around with hubby preparing the yard and pool for Sunday. As for Mother's day, I will just enjoy what ever plans have been made for me.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Enjoying spending time with some 'Grands' on May Day.

A Bit Loony

Connie at Far Side of Fifty introduced me to this live Loon Cam.

Everyday I have watched waiting to see something besides the nest.

Well, today was that day. The two loons have been swimming around, working on their nest and even did some hanky panky. This is getting, no this has gotten my attention and I can't wait to see their my first egg in the nest.

I wish I didn't have go out this afternoon...I just might miss it.

Scraps of Our Journey

My daughter is GREAT at scrapbooking.

In my opinion...

She's PERFECT!

She makes me pages of our 'Grands'

Like the kids, she jumps right in and captures all our memories.

Even when they a Go-Carting around.

She too is paving the future.

Captures the cousins who are best friends.

Who are All American...

And enjoy everything together.

Our summer days are never forgotten.

Even from when she and her brothers were young.

From high up on the Space Needle with her kids.

To our adventures on Orcas Island.

Even to our ride on the cable cars in San Francisco.

These are just a few of her memories captured in

Our Journey Through LIFE!