Category: Photography

Happy Easter; doves

Aynaria 4 Comments

Dove 1 04 08 12

Say hello to this friendly dove, actually there was another one close by, but because of the branches — I couldn’t get them both in the picture. This pair has been here for a few years, and have set up their home near our home.

This morning, while walking Mr. Bentley — our Shih Tzu,  the doves made an appearance. They usually ‘come to say hello, if I’m outside. Today, they curiously watched me snapping photos of them. I’ve never done that before.

Funny, since I love taking pictures with my Nikon… but for some reason when they’re out, I don’t have my camera. So it made Easter more special. The doves are no longer afraid of us. They watch us while we walk close to them.  Only flying away, when bored, or have other things to do?

Happy Easter

I always enjoy the services at my Lutheran church, and it was made special today by the reenactment of the resurrection scene. Our church has an amazing drama ministry; professional group of folks doing sharing God’s message through acting.

Over the years, I’ve been to many plays and I can honestly say the drama ministry, at my Lutheran church, is just as good as any ‘regular acting group’.

 

Matthew 28

1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter, Jesus has risen.

First day of Spring; Peach blossoms

Aynaria 4 Comments

Peach Blossom 1

This morning, I took above picture. Our peach tree has only been in bloom for a few days. It makes a lovely photo, right?

Spring is officially here! This past winter we received only a dusting of snow, but we had plenty of wet and cold weather, and so our large wood pile came in handy.  Can you believe, that wood pile is even bigger now?

Although I’ve plenty to do outside, today I most likely will try and rest before the little princess comes home from school. Yesterday, she wasn’t feeling well, and I had to pick her up from school early. Although I don’t require too much sleep; four to five hours nightly, any more and I actually feel cranky and lethargic, I didn’t get that much sleep last night… or the night before, so perhaps I’ll try to take a nap, since my clients project is complete.

 

Morning adventures; photography and breakfast

Aynaria 10 Comments

Sunrise 03 09 12

I’m an early riser (usually awake by 3:30) because of this, I’m able to see some beautiful sunrises, this is what I saw this morning, and so I wasn’t disappointed. While my daughter slept, we took some time and watched as the world became lighter. I took plenty of photos, but am only sharing two.

Mr. Bentley (our Shih Tzu) is usually my companion on my brief adventures. I have to take him out to do his early morning constitutional. Afterwards, he usually pads along beside me, tongue lolling out of his mouth…

Stella dora lily

This is one of our stella dora lillies. As much as I want to hold on to winter a bit longer (and get that snow that never made an appearance) it looks like Spring is just around the corner. Our garden has been prepped; soil raked, stakes pulled, and ground tilled in preparation for the planting season.

Breakfast stir fry

Breakfast was made, and was eaten by my daughter a few moments ago. She said it was great. The meal was simples… pink beans and stir fry vegetables; cauliflower, potato, carrots, garlic, herbs, and other seasonings. Simple, nutritious, and delicious.

Photography: No frost but…

Aynaria 4 Comments

Yesterday morning, I noticed our outside world was blanketed with frost. It was breathtaking, and I paused for a few moments to soak in its beauty.

In my mind I thought about the photos I’d take after I dropped my daughter off at school. Upon my return home, I became sidetracked with a variety of household chores, and so by the time I did venture outside the frost was gone.

Autumn Clematis 1

Autumn Clematis

I did console myself by taking a picture of the Autumn Clematis you see above. This is how it looks during it’s dormant season. I actually prefer this over it’s flowering stage. It’s gorgeous! Additionally I snapped a shot of the rose you see below.

 

Rose 1 12 14 11

Rose

Mr. Bentley, our Shih Tzu, eagerly joined me on my outside adventure. While I was snapping photos, Mr. B was marking his territory on various objects throughout our yard.

Mr Bently 1 11 13 11

Mr. Bentley, sniffing out trouble

I didn’t manage to get the photos of frost, but there will be other days to capture those pictures. I still was happy with some of the pictures I managed to take.

I don’t need photos to remind me how beautiful the world where I live is, however having them makes it easier to share portions of my world with others.

 

Photography: Autumn

Aynaria 13 Comments

Woods 1

Have you ever had one of those days where things don’t go as planned? I’m guessing most of us have had those type of days. Yesterday, it was my turn to experience that. Uhm, yippee? I had lots of plans but the majority of them weren’t completed.

I was struck with waves of nausea throughout the morning. Raking the leaves wasn’t a pleasant experience, since I had to frequently take breaks, however the job was completed. I’d planned on visiting our stream with my daughter, but since I wasn’t feeling well — after finishing the leaves I headed inside. The above photo was taken in our back yard, near our woods.

I did manage to prepare an extremely delicious soup, and so I’ll be posting the recipe on the blog. Yes, I actually managed to measure the ingredients. However, if I want to take pictures, I’ll have to make more since my daughter and I consumed it all.

In the afternoon, I did something I haven’t done in a while, I pampered myself. Because I have a full life; Being a mom, work, volunteering, etc., at times I forget that I need to take care of me. However yesterday I took notice, and it felt great!

I drew a super hot bath, using some of the all natural bath products (that I make) on myself. I gave myself the full treatment. A few drops of essential oil was added to my bath water; Lavender, rose geranium, and peppermint. All three are effective at combating nausea. Additionally, I applied a clay facial mask. Those are great for skin tightening, removing impurities, and toning the skin. A sugar scrub was applied to my body, and after that round of pampering I applied a nice moisturizer. One of my body butters to which I’d added essential oils rose and lavender.

After some body pampering, I started feeling like my old self again. I’d like to believe that the soup I prepared specifically for that occasion helped, along with my stubborn resolve that I wasn’t going to become sick, and the pampering was good too.

Whatever it was, it was a nice wake up call that even though I live a busy life that now and again I need to relax and take care of myself too. Here’s hoping you all do the same.

Photography; Clouds

Aynaria 10 Comments

Clouds 1

This morning, while taking our Shih Tzu (Mr. Bentley) for one of his morning walks, I noticed the clouds. After he’d done his business, I immediately ran inside, grabbed my camera and started taking pictures with my Nikon D80.

A few of my lens have been temporarily displaced, so I’m using the lens that came with my Nikon D80. Although not the shots I wanted to take, it’s still a great view of what I saw in the sky this morning.

Clouds 2

My daughter is used to me snapping up my camera and running outside, the majority of the time she joins me. However since she was sitting at the table eating the breakfast I’d prepared; Veggie scramble, banana pancakes, pineapple/strawberry, & kiwi smoothie (all made by myself). She wasn’t moving. She asked me, “What did you see mommy?” “Clouds”, I said while streaking out the door. “Oh!”, she said, turning her attention back to her breakfast.

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud. I enjoy my alone time, but I haven’t felt lonely in a long time. Anyway, the poem is one of my favorites by William Wadsworth, and so I’ve decided to include it below. Perhaps, you’ll enjoy it as much as I?

Because of the season, I don’t have any daffodils to show you. However if you stop by Celebrate Life this coming spring, I’ll have plenty of gardening photos to share.

I Wandered Lonely As A Cloud

I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed–and gazed–but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

William Wadsworth 1804

 

 

 

 

A bit of fog

Aynaria 23 Comments

 

Fog 1

I enjoy foggy weather. Well, I don’t like driving in it, but the fog sets the perfect backdrop for some nice pictures, and wandering around in the haze.

Just don’t think about Stephen Kings’ book, The Mist. You never know what might be lurking in the haze.

Fog 2

These pictures were taken out back, overlooking our garden.

Most of our crops have been harvested. We still have some leeks, pumpkins, and the occasional tomato. However, everything else has been gathered, some of it has been given to loved ones, naturally some of the produce used in our meals, and the rest has been frozen to be used at a later time.

I enjoy gardening. the entire process excites me; planting the seeds, watching them grow, taking care of the crops, gathering, etc, We tend to share our crops with the wildlife; birds, deers, rabbits, and squirrels, etc., There’s plenty to share.

During the warmer months, you’ll usually see me gardening without gloves or shoes. I love the feel of the soil on my bare skin.(It doesn’t take much to make me happy). A simple pleasure yes, but it’s something I enjoy immensely.

Simple pleasures… I suspect we all have and enjoy them. What are some of yours?