Day 182/365 Half way home

Well, I've made it half way of 365 days. I've seen improvement and it has been fun. HOWEVER, it is getting more difficult to come up with what to take a picture of, so if you have any ideas, please leave a comment and if appropriate, I'll see what I can do.

I found this little character to be odd, but I loved the background.

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Metadata: 50mm, ISO160, 1/500, f2.5

Day 181/365 The path

Textures, stones, clay, flowers. So many great things to photograph, I just can't help myself by posting another. I added a texture to the pic, not sure if it works. What do you think.
Here's SOOC and with fabric texture. Which do you like?

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Metadata: 50mm, ISO800, 1/320, f8

Day 180/365 Succulent

If you know me, you know that I kill just about any inside plant I try to keep within my home. I naturally have a black thumb, not a green one. While looking around the greenhouse, I was surprised to see all these succulent plants (Defn: Succulent: A plant adapted to arid conditions and characterized by fleshy water-storing tissues that act as water reservoirs) living and thriving in Michigan. Maybe I'll go back and get one of these cute plants for my home and give it another shot. I forgot to write down what type of plants these are, but they caught my eye.

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Metadata: 50mm, f1.8, 1/1600, ISO160 (green)
potted plant with purple -105mm, 1/200, ISO320, f4

Day 179/365 In the jungle

As I walked through the greenhouse, this little deer caught my eye and I thought it looked like he was hiding in the jungle.

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Metadata:50mm, ISO160, 1/500, f2.5

Day 178/365 Something Old...

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Metadata: 30mm, ISO160, 1/100, f5.6

Day 177/365 Lines and Textures

As I strolled through the greenhouse at "The Weed Lady", my eyes saw numerous textures and lines. These clay plates caught my attention.

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Metadata: 28mm, ISO160, f3.5, 1/200

Day 176/365 The Weed Lady

To most people, a name like "The Weed Lady" would be confusing. UNLESS, you live in my town. The place consists of a greenhouse and a beautiful gift shop. I took my mom there b/c it contains many things she enjoys. This is the gift shop building. I will be posting other photos from this visit - there are many textures here and a photographer's dream. I'm happy to report that the owner will allow me to bring clients here and I can hardly wait for someone to book a session.

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Metadata: 22mm, ISO160, 1/320, f9

Day 175/365 Off to the races

A peer in the 365 challenge took a shot of their dog running so I thought I'd give it a shot also. The setup - my mom had Zoe on a leash at one side of our yard while I laid down at the other side with a pocket of roast beef for incentive. It worked and BONUS! It wore her out after she had already had a 1.6 mile walk for the day. They aren't the sharpest in focus, so I might give this another shot a different time. Not bad for the 1st attempt.

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Metadata: 105mm, ISO1000, 1/500, f10

Day 174/365 Funny things

When we were at my in-laws' house for Easter, the men went fishing while the "girls" went out to lunch and antiquing. In one of the shops, the girls saw and "old" phone. Boy, do I feel ancient. I had to show them how to use it and explain that if you messed up while dialing, you had to hang up the receiver and start over. They got a kick out of it, and really, so did I. Priceless moments of teaching.

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NO metadata - phone camera

Day 173/365 Appreciate the little things

While we were gone for Easter, our pooch stayed at my favorite boarding/grooming place in town. Paw-Palace. While I don't pamper my pooch, I do appreciate her company and her great demeanor. I recently changed her food flavor and she has been eating it ravenously as though she had never tasted something so delicious. Anyway, its the little things that make her happy.

Before feeding your dog ANY food, make sure you are responsible and do the background check on it.

Glad to have her home. Playing with low-lighting. SOOC

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Metadata: 105mm, ISO640, 1/160, f5

Day 172/365 Easter

Although the real reason for Easter is to celebrate Jesus' resurrection, my family still likes to enjoy the "easter basket" fun. Since our family enjoys geocaching, for the past 3 years, we have created an "Easter Cache". First, the girls decorate/color a box. Then, we put candy in it. Next, the box is taped up and hidden somewhere in town. On the map app, a pin is dropped and then each girl gets to find her own basket. This year my hubby had very creative hiding spots and we all had a blast as they searched for the prize.

In this picture includes the girls' boxes along with the cups they used for the dye as they colored their eggs. (see previous entry for photos of eggs)

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Metadata: 35mm, ISO200, 1/1600, f7.1

Day 171/365 Colorful egg fun

Coloring eggs with color gel, we found out that after adding the egg to the cup, if you add more gel, it made a tie dye effect on the egg. What a great oops! The girls loved seeing how they were going to come out next!

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Metadata:35mm, ISO200, 1/2500, f4

Day 170/365 Nitey Nite

If your child is like mine... they like a night light somewhere in the room or in the hall so its not pitch dark. I thought I'd take off the cover and see what it would be like to take a pic of the actual electrical elements. (Note: the walls are yellow)

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Metadata: 50mm, ISO400, 1/1250, F3.2

Day 169/365 Antique

These flowers have a place in my mother-in-law's home, in a room with antique furniture,lovely light colored flowers and cheery yellow walls. The quilt was handmade.

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Day 168/365 Back to Sun

Our weather here in Michigan is crazy. It snowed yesterday and today, it's pretty much all gone (with a few patches of snow here and there). Glad to have the sun shining again and can't understand why ANYONE would EVER complain about the warmth it provides. I just can't get enough of this cute little crocus.

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Metadata:105mm, ISO160, 1/100, F13

Day 167/365 Is this April?

It's April people. APRIL! We got snow last night, not 6 inches, but any at this point is too much. Thought I'd get proof for those of you who live in the warmer parts of the earth.

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Metadata: Pine Cone - ISO125 1/1600, 50mm, F3.2
Weeds - ISO 125, 1/4000, 50mm, F2.2

Day 166/365 Free lensing

I had never heard of "Free Lensing" until this 365 day challenge. After reading a few links and help from my peers in the challenge, I decided to have a go at it. Time to clear out the garden for new buds to appear. The 2nd one isn't perfectly focused, but I think I like the dreamy appearance. Both are SOOC

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Metadata: FREE LENSING with 50mm, ISO250, 1/1250

Day 165/365 Camp Copneconic

This weekend, my youngest and I went to Mother/Daughter camp at Camp Copneconic. If you haven't been there and are in the area, I HIGHLY recommend it. The staff is friendly and there are many adventures to have. Check out their website by clicking on the link. They have day camps, over-night camps, Mother/Daughter camps and Mother/Son, Father/Daughter and Father/Son camps.

One of our favorite things we did this weekend was disc golf. They have a mini-course and was really fun tromping through the woods as we played.

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No Metadata -phone camera

Day 164/365 Games

My girls love playing games with us. Most recently, my youngest has chosen checkers. She has given me a run for my money lately, so thought it appropriate to take a pic.

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Metadata: 35mm, ISO160, 1/125, F2.8 (external flash)

Day 163/365 Flower card

While I was taking photos of flowers, I decided to make one into what I would use as a card. I think this would be lovely for thank you notes or get well cards. What do you think?

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Metadata: 105mm, ISO1250, f3.2, 1/100

Day 162/365 Opening

The gorgeous little flowers are opening and enjoying the sun we've had for 4 straight days! UNBELIEVEABLE! I think this is a record!
One of my favs - the colors seem to really pop.

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Metadata: 105mm, ISO160, 1/1600, f4.5

Day 161/365 Has Spring finally sprung?

This patch of flowers caught my eye as the first little bursts of color, not even in my own yard. As I was taking photos of the pretty little things, a couple little bees started collecting the pollen from each one. I love how you can see the pollen on the legs as well as the tiny little hairs on the body of the bee.


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Metadata: 105mm, ISO160, 1/125, F11

Day 160/365 Cursive and kids

My youngest is learning cursive in school these days. She LOVES to practice it whenever she can and today is no exception. Today, just happens to be a sunny, mild, wonderful day where they can play outside. Bring out the chalk! Here she has just doodled "mom". I love it. I just can't decide if I like vertical or horizontal. Which do you prefer?

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Metadata: 35mm, ISO125, 1/1600, F7.1

Day 159/365 Snack time!

After lots of play...its time for a snack.

External flash
Metadata: 35mm, ISO160, 1/125, f4

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Day 158/365 Outside Play

We FINALLY have a beautiful day! My girls and I took the dog for a walk and didn't have coats! This is a fantastic day! After our walk, the girls decided to play on their scooters and I thought this would be a great time to get an action shot. However, I was unsuccessful to get the blurred background, gave up and did this instead. I think if I was in a mood other than the one I'm in and had a little patience, I probably would have achieved the look I was going for. Oh well, maybe another day.

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Metadata:35mm, F4, 1/1600, ISO320

Day 157/365 Football

Even with the theme of exercise, I am having trouble coming up with a creative way to take photos. Today, we finally have sun, so I thought I'd take the photo by adding a little burst and flare into the picture. I don't really care for football, but I do know how to throw one properly. That's my tidbit for the day :)

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Metadata:17mm, ISO200, F18, 1/160

Day 156/365 1st Love

My first love in the exercise/sports world is volleyball. I played in Jr. High, High School, Club and then finally College. After graduating, I thought my volleyball days were over. Then, I found a YMCA league and its like I didn't take any time off. We moved, the YMCA was gone and I have finally found the world of volleyball once again in my current area. I'm looking forward to the end of the month when the sand league starts (I sure hope it warms up first). I've never played sand, but I'm looking forward to the new challenge. This is an outdoor volleyball. Big hands come in handy for this sport. SOOC

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Metadata: 50mm, ISO500, 1/125, f3.2

Day 155/365 New Theme -Exercise

I'm not sure why I hadn't thought of this before. Exercise and sports have played a big part of my life and who I am today. (thanks Dad) Whether to work hard, push through the pain, or perseverance there are lessons to be learned from it. I workout 5 days a week (unless I'm sick or on vacation). Its a part of me.

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Metadata: Off camera flash, 50mm, ISO160, 1/125, F1.8

Day 154/365 Cuteness

I couldn't decide what was photo worthy today. Didn't think you'd want a picture of the cloudless blue sky. Here's a new angle of my cute dog instead. I just gave her the 1st haircut of the year. I love it that she looks like a puppy. She wouldn't cooperate, so this one I took a couple days ago.

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metadata: 105mm, iso2000, 1/100, f7.1

Day 153/365 Loveliness gone

So the rose finally died. I tried to make it look as pathetic as I could, including processing. What do you think?

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Metadata: 50mm, ISO500, f4, 1/125