Pastel Wedding Roses with Gemstones

More Spring Flowers - You Should SEE the Yard :)

The magnolia in the evening spring rain is probably my favorite out of this bunch. But the lilac is smelling awfully wonderful. And I really like the delicateness and perfection of the bleeding hearts. Someone actually used the phlox photo for a button on their website. You can see that here

It's down at the bottom. I think they did a great job with it.

The yard is starting to look like a garden, despite the fact that I haven't been out there to rake all the deadness from the fall out. I love this time of year :)

SO SORRY

I can't even believe it has been so long since I posted here. I have been in my own little world with spring break and all. Sorry about that folks!

These are some pictures of my Jane Magnolia that is just beginning to bloom. It's one of my favorite plants but it is so unusual in that it blooms before it ever gets leaves. The color is just absolutely tremendous - it looks so romantic. And I love the two tone of the petals - dark on outside and light on the inside.

Photo of the Month Contest

I just found a neat little website. It is a monthly photography contest. You are only allowed one upload for each month. Each month has its own theme (and I am all about themes!) and the picture uploaded has to be geared to that theme.

This sounds like fun :)

Check it out

http://www.proudphotography.com/forum/showthread.php?p=15591#post15591 (this is the list of themes for each month)

Why Photography is the BEST Hobby

This fall/winter my mom started a new hobby. She is now spinning her own yarn. No, not telling long stories. Really spinning yarn, as in "Baaaahhhh." She loves it. And from my meager opinion (and from knowing how she is) she is good at it.

My family has always been crafty. I say that but then I think about my poor sister (lol :). Okay, so my mom, dad, and I have always been crafty. My grandma was crafty. My great grandma was crafty. Between us, there are probably but a handful of crafts we have never at least tried.

So I'm chatting with mom on my way home tonight. She's talking about the house and all this craft stuff she needs that is strewn all over. My comment? "That's one reason why I LOVE my new hobby!" (photography)

With digital cameras, it has to be one of the neatest, least messy hobbies that exists. I do everything with a little bitty camera, a little bitty disk, and a laptop.

I can do my hobby just about anywhere (and people might even think I am working!! :)

I can have someone over at a moments notice and not have to worry about having stuff drawn out all over the house.

There is minimal physical storage (laptop and camera). Not like the Rubbermaid tubs of material for quilting, the giant file cabinets for counted cross stitch patterns, the large tubs full of paint, or the endless tackle boxes filled with beads.

I can put 150 GB into the palm of my hand for storing my hobby.

And boy, once you get past the initial purchases, it is pretty dog gone cheap.

This has to be one of the best all time hobbies ever.

Extra Weight is Worth It

You would have thought (or at least I would have thought) that I had learned my lesson. But clearly, I haven't.

We went to dinner last night and it was cold and I really didn't even want to bring a purse, but I ended up just switching to something lighter and easier to carry.

As I was switching over I thought, "I don't need my camera do I? We are going to be inside a restaurant. That would be silly taking pictures."

It wasn't but 4 minutes out the door when I wished I had had it. The sun was going down and the drive offered a perfect view of a beautiful sky with hills and barren trees silhouetted in the distance. And when we got there, there were quaint little buildings (which I knew but had forgotten about) that are in the Swiss Alp style.

There were even Mardi Gras Parade goers walking about with their heavy laden beads.

And kids running in shorts and swimming suits through the plaza on a fierce cold night, headed toward the pool at the hotel.

Lots to see. Interesting things to see. But that is all I did. See them. Because the camera was at home.

I know better! Let's hope this reminds you that you do too :)

Picture Protection

I'm ready for spring. I'm ready for green. I'm ready for my yard to look better.

In past years I have taken hundreds of photos in my garden (my neighbors affectionately call it the neighborhood Botanical Garden). I took them not for their beauty but for documentation of the growing garden and to make a scrap book of the different varieties and species I have.

Sadly, this project came to a quick end. My computer died.

How are they connected??? I had ALL my pictures on my computer. As of now, they are still irretrievable. Years of work and documentation down the drain. All because I hadn't put the pictures on disks or an external hard drive.

I also lost first baby pictures, 2 separate graduations, birthdays and holidays. Needless to say, I learned my lesson.

I bought an external hard drive. And I use it regularly to back things up. It's my most favorite thing I have ever bought (well, aside from my beloved vaccuum - but that's a whole 'nother post).

So why am I posting this story?? Just to caution you all who don't have those precious photos anywhere but on your computer. It can happen. You can't go back in time and make the baby be born again. You can't stage a graduation ceremony. Etc. Etc.

External hard drives have really come down in price. You can also find places online for storage, but I don't know how private they are. Although Shutterfly is private and I like the enhancements they have.

Don't wait. Do something about it now. :)

New Morguefile is FABULOUS and Full of Free Pictures!

If you are looking for free pictures, you need to check out morguefile.com

They have tons of new uploads and the photos are spectacular! Some are of exotic places, some are great for photoshopping or adding to your blog!

Here is a another list of websites that have been using my pictures! A big thanks to all of those at Suite 101 for using my pictures so much!!! Keep using them :)

http://essay-writing.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_a_response_paper

http://reducing-waste.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_buy_green_engagement_rings

http://pregnancychildbirth.suite101.com/article.cfm/foods_to_avoid_in_pregnancy

http://www.bestlibrary.org/home/2009/01/child-development-assignment.html

http://academicwriting.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_academic_language

http://modern-us-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/voter_participation_in_america_18761920

http://oral-health.suite101.com/article.cfm/uv_rays_used_in_tooth_whitening_can_cause_damage

http://www.acreativejournal.com/some-upcoming-journal-courses/

http://essay-writing.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_write_custom_essays (mine is down at the bottom)

http://classroom-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_decode_assignment_sheets_for_papers

http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com/article.cfm/nontraditional_creative_journaling

http://academicwriting.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_avoid_plagiarism_in_essays

http://www.labspaces.net/95303/Divorce__antidepressants__or_weight_gain_loss_can_add_years_to_your_face

http://psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/7_ways_to_make_them_like_you

http://www.ehow.com/how_4714386_place-value-playing-whos-greatest.html

http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/george_the_140yearold_lobster

http://www.bestlibrary.org/home2/2009/01/growing-years-series----months-11-and-12---pdf-for-printing---html-for-browsingcdc-child-development--positive-par.html

I think that's it for now. :)

MORGUEFILE is NOW OPEN - FREE PHOTOS

YEAH!!!!

I have waited so patiently! And now they are allowing uploads again and are settled in with their new server.

Check out the new site here www.morguefile.com
for FREE PHOTOS!

I am jdurham at that site :) See what's new in my section! And everyone's!

Unknown Soldier Grave Markers

There were so many unknown soldier tombstones at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. This post is for them.

Wow! I made it!

Over 1500 downloads! In just over 2 months! (on site on November 16, 2008)

http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1109104

sure wish I knew where they all went to and what they were used for :)

Looking for Something?

So the one free photo site I belong (jdurham123 with sxc.com) has a forum. There are several categories. One is picture requests. I looked through and there wasn't much I could help with. But one I could. Someone is looking for free pics of contacts, putting them in, etc.

Now, that isn't to say that there haven't been a lot submitted. But that particular free photo site is pretty specific about what they accept. They are just about as bad as the photo sell sites.

Anyway, I emailed the lady through sxc mail and let her know my email address so she could contact me directly.

And it got me to thinking today that I could do the same for lots of people. Well, I can try. If I have what you are looking for (item), etc.

So if you can't find something, drop me a line. Let me know what you are looking for. If I can't do it, I'll hook you up with the great photographers at morguefile if I can. We just like to help others with their need for pics. :)

But wait! How am I gonna take contact pictures? I won't be able to see :)

Food Fotos Phood Photos

I have been on a kick lately of photographing food before I eat it. (Like it is gonna make it taste good longer??) I'm just so hungry in the winter and the food looks SO good!

I think it started with Thanksgiving. My turkey was so pretty!

Winter Garden

Hurry! Hurry! If you got snow yesterday, get outside with that camera! You will find your whole garden is in bloom. Well, the blooms are all white. But they are such pretty flowers! SNOW flowers!

Snowy Wedding Dress

The other day I searched all over till I found my wedding dress. I wanted to take some pictures.

Today we are in the midst of a fabulous winter storm. Lots of snow and ice.

So I headed outside to take pictures. Of my dress. In the snow.

I am sure the neighbors thought I was insane (see my everything daisy blog for that whole run down).

I had lots of problems even seeing the dress when I was outside. And then there was the whole issue of footprints in the snow to detract. I needed to put the dress on some strings to drag it around and position it but I wasn't about to go to all that trouble when it is 19* out.

What I found out after downloading them from the camera was that the ones that contained other things, like a bush or tree, in them looked better because they provided some contrast in the pictures.

Some of the more closeup ones of the dress detail turned out nice against the fence and the metal arbor. I need to remember that contrast is important.

My List

I go through my day and think countless times, "I should take pictures of this/that." Yet somehow I always forget what I want to take pictures of when I am feeling in the mood/mode.

Really this post isn't for the readers. It's for me. It's my list of things I want to take pictures of.

green glass, fabrics, wedding dress, jewelry, bathroom fixtures, flooring, corks, shells, tools, furniture, wallpaper, little green things, country stuff, boxes, shoes, old stove, yarn, hands, bubls, beads, watches, jewelry drawers, green purse, lemonade pitcher, cabinets, buttons, legs, feet, toes, ears, scuba equipment, diving helmet, cross stitch

That's enough for now. Make your own list :) You might be surprised what you can come up with. :) As always, have fun!

a Few More Free Headers

Once again, please note that these are free for private, non-commercial, personal use and are not to be sold. I would like credit to Photo Daisy :) Rustic Stars

St. Louis Scenes

Old Building Edge

Time to Change the Header!

If you didn't like any of the free ones from before, check back over the weekend. I will be working on my own tonight to reflect the season.

Yes, for me there is a change of season between January and February. February is so much more, well, loving and warm. I love Valentine's Day. And it ISN'T just for couples. I always have my students write notes to ALL their classmates telling them what they like about them. (We work on getting a variety of adjectives and verbs into our vocabulary).

It's mostly about showing someone you love or admire them. Which is perfect for us picture takers! We get to SHOW we care. So go be creative! Show your mom how much you love her by getting that special perfect picture framed. Make a collage of things your dad has made for you. Look for symbolism to share your bond with your sister or brother.

It's a holiday just made for photos!

What I Came Up With

I'll tell ya. Simple and elegant is hard for me. I like busy and loud. I like a lot of input. A LOT.

When we go somewhere new, my husband always teases me and says, "Oh, I forgot. Your inputting," when I am gawking around all big eyed. I am like that robot on that old movie with Dan somebody and the character "Stephanie." (Been a while since I have seen it - it's from the 80's.)

It's hard to find an empty wall in my house. I just like a lot of stuff to see.

So I am guessing that is why simple is hard for me. I feel like something is missing. I will keep working on it but this is what I came up with last night. Not quite there yet.

What they need and want

So I just spent some time looking at the photo sell sites.

Trying to figure out what they want. What they need. What sells. And who is buying.

I'm off to the "drawing board."

I'm going to work on abstract background designs that can be used for business. Simple and elegant. (so not me) Wish me luck ;)