Some Simple Pleasures

Books - I've been reading the last book by Jamie Langston Turner in her Derby series titled Sometimes a Light Surprises. I highly recommend these books. My favorite of hers is Some Wildflower in My Heart.

Window seats with kitties sitting in them - Hunkering down with pillows, a blanket, a book or two, and a pretty window are nice but when your kitty jumps up there it's a perfect picture.

Music -  We have been listening to Rich Mullins' album Songs in the truck while running errands, etc. This is one of my favorites but the rest of the album is full of gems too. If you like the song below, you might want to listen to another one of my favorites, "Sing Your Praise to the Lord" which starts out with Bach's "Fugue No. 2 in C Minor".  

*** To turn off my mixpod to listen to this song, scroll down to the bottom of

the page. There you will see my player and click the Play/Pause button.

 Strawberry pie - Found via this pin on Pinterest, we have made it several times. It is really easy to make and a perfect way to use up some of those strawberries coming out of the garden.

Entering this picture in Week Four of the Photographers Collaboration hosted by Lily. The theme this week is Food Photography.



What are some of your simple pleasures?

A Photography Quote

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams

Photo Shoot {Part 2}

Some silly faces, some silliness, and a few helpers all made the second part of the photo shoot a great success. Maddie and Owen decided that they wanted to be next, so yesterday we got the camera out, the kids in their good clothes, and headed out to snap some pictures.

Owen decided that he wanted to be first. He started out with a few fake smiles but once he got into it he had a ball! He is quite the actor and very photogenic.

We would come up with a place to go and he would take off with it. Notice the one of him on the porch swing in the collage below. I asked him if he could recline a little bit and he ended up looking like that.

And of course, you can't have a photo shoot of a boy and not make a silly face or two.

Then we moved onto Maddie. She is like Owen. She was a bit slow to get into it but after she got comfortable she was very photogenic.

She was such a good subject.

And be sure to notice her toe nail polish matches her outfit.

I was very happy to get this shot. This is such a Maddie face that we see a lot.

And now, comes Ken (you know, as in Barbie and Ken). He has been in quite a number of jokes in our family. We joke with the girls that Ken gets into a lot of things...including Maddie's photo shoot!

Ken helped us a lot with making Maddie smile. And she got into it, too! She made sure Ken jumped on the trampoline with her and sat on the swing with her. She even helped for him to participate by holding some flowers. (She said that he was planning on giving them to Barbie.)

I think everyone (including Ken) had a fun time with the Photo Shoot {Part 2}. And I'm looking forward to doing the third and final part of the photo shoot. Now if only the boys were looking as forward to it...

 

Did you miss {Part 1}? Find it ~here~.

This is My Father's World

This is my Father's World
words by Maltbie Babcock

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.

This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.

This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

* * *

The world is Mine, and all that is in it. ~Psalm 50:12

Photo Friday: Florida Sandhill Crane

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Before the Throne of God Above

"Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free."

~ 1 Peter 2:24 ~

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins,

should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

***To turn off the music on my mixpod, scroll down to the bottom of my blog where you will find my music player. There will be a play/pause button. Click that and your all set.

Peek-a-boo!

Another one from Alaine's photo shoot...

Lainey (as she calls herself) was peeking through the fence at me, her young aunt Bekah, and her sister Maddie. She couldn't understand why we could be on the other side of the fence but she wasn't able to join us. :)

Photo Shoot {Part 2} hasn't been forgotten! On Mother's Day we changed locations from our house to my sister Kristin's house since our kitchen had no sink due to the kitchen remodel. And this past weekend things were a bit different because the kids were here for the whole weekend! Hopefully next week we'll get back to routine and shoot {Part 2}.

And week three of the Photographer's Collaboration is here.

Guinevere of The Owlery is the host for this week's theme, Framing...

More About Jesus

More About Jesus
words by Eliza Hewitt

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus; in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.

More about Jesus; on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.

Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love Who died for me.

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.  ~1 Chronicles 16:10

Photo Friday: Duck Feet

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Light

Week two of the Photographer's Collaboration.

This week Mary Ann at Shutter Happy is hosting. The theme is light.

 Mary Ann asked that we take three pictures of the same thing and take note of  the light in each one.


My bedroom window at nine o'clock in the morning...
 

 

At four o'clock in the afternoon, sun comes streaming in from this west-facing window. (Making a kitty content with a rather large sun-patch on the floor.)

Ten o'clock comes and the light is coming from the other side of the window. Artificial light makes picture seem so much more harsh, don't you think?




Note Card Party ~ May

 

For this month I am taking pictures I've put on my blog of four of my nieces and nephews.

Who wouldn't want to get a card with one of these adorable kids? (I think I'm a bit biased.)

Baking With Memories

My grandmother, Mommom as she is affectionately called, is a wonderful woman. She loves the Lord. She loved her husband of sixty-six years and still loves him even though he has left her to be with his Lord and Savior.

She loves her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She has an excellent memory!...

To read the rest of this story, stop by the blog Essence of Eve where Eve kindly let me guest post today...

My Savior First of All

My Savior First of All
words by Fanny Crosby


When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.

Oh, the soul thrilling rapture when I view His blessèd face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye;
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace,
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.

Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come,
And our parting at the river I recall;
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white,
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall;
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight;
But I long to meet my Savior first of all.

Refrain:
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.

* * *

When I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness. --Psalm 17:15

Photo Friday: Red Admiral

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Photo Shoot {Part 1}

What happens when you have eight (five that are close) nieces and nephews who are growing up too fast? Why, you take photos of them!

Last week, Kristin and I emailed back and forth about having photo shoots of the kids. I was reinspired with this post I wrote about some tips and tricks I have learned.

Sunday was the day to start the sessions. The first part of the session was devoted to siblings. We had a few enthusiasts and a few...that were not as enthusiastic. Photographing five kids at a time is a challenge but in the end as long as there are a few shots where it doesn't look like anyone is crying.

After some giggling, and bunny ears, and a melt-down by one of the subjects, we moved on to the second part of the session, Alaine.

Alaine was a happy girl on Sunday and she didn't mind us telling her to sit, stand, and look at the flowers one bit. She had a great time holding some little yellow wildflowers. She didn't put them down the whole time. :)

This one's my very favorite one.

Entering this last one here...

Be on the lookout for more photo shoots in the weeks to come!

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I love to learn the background of an old hymn. I was recently told the background of the hymn I Have Decided to Follow Jesus by my friend Kate. I looked it up of wikipedia since she told me that is where she found out about this story...


"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary.

Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus."

In response to threats to his family, he continued, "Though no one joins me, still I will follow."

His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, "The cross before me, the world behind me."

This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief and others in the village.

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

Tho' none go with me, I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me I still will follow,
Tho' none go with me, I still will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.

My cross I'll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus,
My cross I'll carry till I see Jesus;
No turning back, No turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me,
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Photo Friday: Azaleas

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10 Tips and Tricks to Photographing Children

Last week I had the honor of guest posting for Jessica who blogs at Diary of a Beautiful Soul. Thank you Jessica! Since Jessica and I don't have too many mutual followers I thought it would be nice to publish the post I wrote for my guest post here too.

~ ~ ~

Photographing children is tough to master. I have been taking pictures of kids for several years. With a little sister and eight nieces and nephews, I have many opportunities to experiment. I have found a few tips and tricks that I find very helpful.

1. Take at least two of the same shot. Who knows if they blinked or made a face. You can go back and delete those that didn't turn out, but at least you have extras.

2. Make silly faces and say silly things. Have some jokes ready or a funny line or noise. I've even been known to put sticks in my hair to look like I have antennae! It got many giggles.

3. Stay calm. If the toddler wants to get up and move around, gently and calmly take her back to the place she is supposed to be. If you get frustrated then it will only make children frustrated. You need to make the child/children feel at ease.

4. Have patience, even if it takes longer than you thought it would. Go with the flow. Kids don't stay still so if they move or talk or cry just take a minute to regroup or change positions.

5. Have fun! Let the kids make a silly face or sit/stand the way they want. It renews their interest in the session and gives a fresh perspective.

6. Let them choose a background. If they pick a place to pose, then it usually speaks to them. Sometimes they'll find a place you hadn't even thought of.

7. Take candids. Those are some of the best pictures I've gotten. As they are getting into postition during a photo shoot or while playing with their toys or smiling at their daddy...

8. Think about the right place to pose. If photographing boys, try having them lie in the grass or sit in a tree. But if you are having a photo shoot with a girl, then maybe the park bench or beside the pretty flowers would be the better backgrounds. Get a feel for the personality of the child and pose accordingly. It will be a more natural picture.

9. Allow for short breaks. If you have a bit of a break in between, then the kids come back refreshed and ready to start again.

10. Check where the sun is shining. Even the slightest angle might make the picture turn out much better. If the sun is shining in their faces, then they will have to squint. If you want the sun behind them, then try out different angles and see which is better or achieves the look you want.

Of course, sometimes these tricks don't apply. Say you just have few minutes. Then you won't need a break. If the child is baby or toddler, he can't choose a background that he likes. Little kids won't need jokes or funnies, but they will respond better to their name being called or a noise that's different to them.

Remember, practice makes (almost) perfect. The more you try the better you will get. I still have a lot to learn, but I find that after each session I have improved, even if it's just a slight bit.

Added after published:

Being inspired by this post, I have done photo shoots of each of my nieces and nephews that live close. You can find them here:

Photo Shoot {Part 1}

Photo Shoot {Part 2} 

Photo Shoot {Part 3}