Happy Halloween

Since my son is no longer little and our neighbourhood has only one or two small children, we're boycotting Halloween this year.  It's never been my favourite holiday anyway and my son is more of a Christmas nut.  He's loves everything about the Christmas season - so we decorate for that.  These pumpkins are the closest I will come to decorating for Halloween this year. 

 

Photo from Jennifer MacNeill Photography

 

 

A New Attempt

I decided to give the flowers a rest and pick a new subject matter.  This ring I bought shortly after my mother died. We both had amethyst as our birthstone and my mom had a ring similar to this for many years... just pearls instead of white sapphires - turns out pearl rings chip easily when you wear them all the time... but you get the idea.

My Muse is Getting a Workout

These poor tulips have been moved all over the place as I use them to practice trying out all the new settings on my camera. 

 

 

I think I have a new inspiration for my blog.  Just getting started so I will have to see how long this lasts.  I will try to post more often now that I have more of my own contact that I can post.

 

Fresh flowers for a fresh start.



It's been a year....

It's been a year since my dad died and I bought these flowers for me. 

When I turned 50 I promised myself that my 50's would be the best time of my life.  It started out well, I started this blog and without trying lost 25 lbs. just by trying new recipes as I dived into the blogger world.  It ended quickly.  My parent's were in a car accident when they were rear-ended by another person totalling off their car completely.  Luckily no one was hurt... or so it seemed.  Little did we know that day that my parents lives would unravel so quickly.  My mom's heart condition suddenly became serious - so serious that professionals refused to operate as she would die on the table.  We had just lined up a specialist willing to see her and she died the day they called to confirm her appointment.  My father was diagnosed with ALS that same week.  We had sold their house and we moved him 5 times as he went downhill quickly.  He finally settled in my home as the best place for him when he realized that no matter where he was living he would be a burden and that he needed his family around him.  Renovations took place to accommodate his special needs as his health would only continue to deteriorate.  Homecare workers coming and going from my house became the norm and I lost track of everything I owned as things were moved all over the house to make room for special equipment.  The costs were astronomical and cut into his savings quickly and my own expenses skyrocketed as I stopped keeping track of what I was spending money on and whether it was his money or mine.  I didn't care as long as he was comfortable and felt at home.  I'm proud to say he was and we were assured by the specialist's that came to see him that he was receiving better care than he would ever get in any nursing home or hospital.  I worked full time and became a night nurse - meaning a lot of stress and very little sleep at night.  His last wish was to die in my home and again the doctors assured us he was better here than anywhere else.  When my dad finally passed I figured that was the end of the nightmare - it wasn't.  I was suffering from complete physical exhaustion and I'm amazed what that does to your body.  It's not something you can bounce back from with a good nights sleep and one year later I'm still feeling the effects.  This past harsh winter hasn't helped and the after effects have left their mark.  I'm pushing myself despite the exhaustion to put my house back into order.  Not easy when you consider how much damage was done and the enormous expense involved. 

Today though I'm determined to turn over a new leaf.  Literally.  I've been told by many that I need to get a hobby.  Oh did I mention that my son is also preparing a plan to fly the coup and I may soon become an empty nester?  Necessary but after all that I've been through it's difficult.  So back to the hobby.  Photography is the one I've chosen and I purchased a new camera today to begin. 

 

I've been meaning to purchase a camera for awhile but just didn't have the time.  I debated about getting the T5i but given the price difference and my beginner status I decided this was the way to start.  By the way the images above were taken right out of the box.  I still need to read the book of words and begin experimenting with lighting before I expect to get the quality I'm looking for.  Still it's a start.

 

So I'm hoping to upload more original material from my life.  Hopefully more upbeat than this.

 



 



Profile - Irene Suchocki

Such beautiful shots.  I would love to take such amazing images.  Capturing such raw power is a talent I seem to lack.

 

 

Check out her portfolio online.  It's amazing. 

Shades of Grey and Silver

Thank goodness January is over.  I don't believe we're done with this brutal winter but at least it's one month down.  Between frozen pipes, a wonky furnace, a car that wouldn't start, taxi fares, and then the flu, I'm done in.  Then the Super Bowl fiasco yesterday and well grey suited my mood today.   I'm onto one of my busier times of the year so I'm going to load up on visual inspiration for the next little while just to keep myself putting one foot in front of the other as I trudge through this knee deep snow this winter. 

 

 

Profile - Karen Knorr

This women has incredible talent, not to mention patience.  You know what they saying about working with animals - can you image birds too?

 

 

Photography by Karen Knorr of London

 

This is just a small sample of her work.  Check out her site online - you won't be disappointed.

 

Gas Lantern Magic

Love this type of photography.  Flickering gas lantern.  So serene and inviting.  Don't you feel like you could just walk up those stairs into a beautiful and elegant home? 

Dreaming My Way Through Winter

Don't these images just feel like you're in the dream world?

 

I love this image.  It's one of my all time favourites.

 

I'm hungry.

 

 

My next vacation will look like this. 

  

 

What dream would be complete without Paris.  Throw in some fireworks - why not.

Photography School with Camille Styles

I've been really bad keeping up with my photography lessons that I've been following from Camille Styles.  So here is the last one along with links to the other four.

Photography School #5 :: Which lens do I use?!

Photography School #4 :: Candidly Speaking 

Photography School #3 :: Filling the Frame

Photography School #2 :: Ambient Light

Ahhhhh - So Cute

Yes I'm in a super sweet, cute, sugary kind of mood today.  So I'm upping the Ahhh factor today with some of my favourite animal shots by Photographer Mark Taylor.  From his studio in Southeast England he takes some adorable pictures of animals that only someone with a natural photographic eye (and a way with animals) could possibly capture.  He comes by it naturally - his mother was Jane Burton.

Seriously - doesn't this bring out your warm and fuzzy side?

Photography Lessons with Camille Styles

Camille Styles has included a new series to her blog teaching the basics of photography.  This is definitely something I'm interested in because I've been eyeing a new digital camera for a really long time now.  It's the expense of the all lenses that stops me so finding out what works and what you can do with it would be beneficial for someone like me.

Image - Camille Styles

The first lesson is on aperture so if you're interested - take a look.

Time for a New Camera

I'm in serious need of a new camera, so I'm constantly checking out blogs for ideas or suggestions on what other's use.  Feel free to touch base me on your preferences.

This is the one I'm currently eyeing. 

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

I found a great post from Bower Power and have found it recommended by others as well.  If you know of any negative aspects for this camera let me know.

Thanks



An Interesting Side Note

While looking for an image to use for the Clinique post earlier.  I discovered a great photographer and that led to other great photographers.  Doesn't this look delicious?

Photo for Clinique by Richard Pearce

Richard is a talented photographer who has done a lot of product shots for Clinique along with others.  He is represented by Cornelia Adams, which is an agency that represents great photographers whose work appears as editorials in magazines.  I've seen a number of these images over the years but never really gave much thought to the photographer behind it until I began showcasing so much of it on my blog.  After viewing this site, I have a new appreciation for the skill level of really talented photographers.

Photo for Clinique by Richard Pearce

Robin Wright photographed by Daniel Gabbay

Photo by David Meredith

Photo by David Meredith

Photo by Alexandre Weinberger

Photo by Alexandre Weinberger

There are so many great photographers out there and I felt that I should pay a tribute to those who put so much work into making products look great.  Models too for that matter.  Your efforts bring beauty and style into the homes of many and I for one appreciate it.

For those amateur photographers - keep up the good work.  I've seen some amazing images from people that only shoot a camera when they're struck with something that they want to capture.  These moments make a life time and inspire others.  So thank you for allowing me to inspire and find serenity in your images.