SilverBluePearl

Moving On

2010-07-15T12:03:00.002-04:00

I am now blogging over at An Independent Guinevere. Please come visit. I miss you . . .

Southern Flowers

2010-05-31T12:14:00.003-04:00

Magnolia - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

How I would love to have dahlias and peonies growing in my yard. Alas, Florida is not a friendly place for such blooms. But since Mother Nature is quite fair, she lets me have magnolias and gardenias, instead.

Gardenia - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Weekly Challenge - I've Got The Blues

2010-05-30T09:28:00.003-04:00

Blue Water - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Blue is my favorite color. That's saying a lot, considering my all-consuming love for colors of every shade. For blue to make it to the top is pretty impressive. And there is no blue I love more than the color of the Gulf of Mexico. It's actually a range of shades, from turquoise to cerulean.

I could stare at it forever. Often times, I do.

Go on over to Inspiration Avenue and check out the other amazing submissions.

My Guru

2010-05-28T12:48:00.005-04:00

One of My Favorites - Sony Cybershot

Since my current location is at sea-level, I am unable to shout my new discovery from the mountaintops. I actually can't even see any mountaintops from here. So the internet is going to have to be my mountaintop as I shout to the world that I have found my guru. I have found someone amazing and brilliant that I think everyone should know about.

Ashley Ambirge from The Middle Finger Project is not just writing about a fearless, original life, she's living it. And she makes us all believe we can do it, too. Her posts are funny, wise, realistic and heart-felt. Ashley really wants us to find our own potential. She knows the secret: that when people are happy and productive, the world is a better place.

When I first started reading her blog a week or two ago I just kept thinking, over and over, "Yes! She gets it!" She has this incredible ability to make her readers feel as though she's talking directly to them.

I could go on and on, but I wouldn't do it justice. Just head over to her site and start reading. I'm tellin' you, it'll change your life. It's changed mine.

Weekly Challenge - Melange

2010-05-23T08:45:00.004-04:00

Melange - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

I love this challenge because it takes me out of my comfort zone. I prefer not jumble things up, but that's exactly what was called for. At first, I didn't like this flower combination. But the longer I sit with it, the more I come around.

Click over to Inspiration Avenue and check out the other submissions.

Lists: Music Lyrics

2010-05-18T07:33:00.004-04:00

Purple Hydrangea - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

I love music. I could spend days explaining why and how much I love music. To list all my favorite lyrics would probably break the internet, so I'll just put up a few here. And they are not in any particular order.

Guinevere by Eli Young Band: written by Mike Eli, James Young and Scooter Caruso

For as much as she's stumbled, she's runnin'

For as much as she runs she's still here

Always hoping to find something quicker than heaven

To make the damage of her days disappear

It's In The Way That You Use It by Eric Clapton: written by Eric Clapton and Robbie Robertson

Nobody's right until somebody's wrong

Nobody's weak until somebody's strong

No one gets lucky till luck comes along

Nobody's lonely till somebody's gone

Half My Mistakes by Gary Allan: written by Radney Foster and Bobby Houck

Half my mistakes I made because I was moving too quickly

Half them were made because my heart was moving too slow

Nobody can tell you a damn thing if you ain't listening

Oh and half my mistakes I've made cause I couldn't let go

The Old Days Are Gone by Gary Jules: written by Gary Jules

In the old days we had it all figured out

The old days are gone, hallelujah . . .

In the old days your somewheres were chosen for you

The old days are gone, hallelujah

I Believe In Something by Mark Aaron Canty written by Mark Aaron Canty

I believe in something

But I don't know what it is

Never much on miracles

But I've never needed one like this

The only life I'll ever live

Has been more take than it's been give

Weekly Challenge - Architecture

2010-05-16T08:50:00.003-04:00

Ringling Museum Courtyard - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

One of my most very favorite buildings in the world. I first saw it when I was seventeen years old. And now, seventeen years later, I still visit it once a year. And I am still in awe.

Head on over to Inspiration Avenue and check out all the fantastic submissions.

Where Have I Been? Alas, Nowhere Special. . .

2010-05-15T12:23:00.008-04:00

Gulf of Mexico, May 15, 2010 - Sony Cybershot

Did you all know SilverBluePearl is my third blog? The first two didn't turn out so hot and, when I couldn't post consistently, I just deleted them. The classic "if I can't do it perfectly why bother at all" attitude. Well, I finally learned my lesson. No more deleting blogs just because I can't post to them. Life gets crazy and some times we can't get to our blogs. That's okay. I always come back eventually. Sometimes with pretty pictures.

Sorry I've been gone so long, friends. I'll try to pop in more frequently from now on.

**Note: I took the photo above about twenty minutes ago. Where I am is far from the oil spill, but our beautiful Gulf is hurting. Click this link to see how you can help: http://www.seabirdsanctuary.com/ (Link via my friend Toni)

It's A Blog Party!

2010-05-01T10:00:00.004-04:00

Pink 'n White - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

We're having a party over at Inspiration Avenue! Tutorials is our theme, and the only thing I can write that makes any sense is recipes. I'm more of a hands-on, right-there-with-you kind of teacher. But recipes, now those I can write. So here is one of my absolute favorites: Tuesday Pasta.

Invariably, I always end up making this pasta on Tuesday nights, though I never actually plan it that way. It is easy, delicious and even good for you. How's that for a yummy weeknight dinner?

Tuesday Night Pasta

Ingredients

1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, rinsed and dried

1 tub of fresh mozzarella balls (small size)- (I like Bel Gioioso Ciliegine) at room temperature

4 cloves of garlic

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/2 lb small pasta (farfalle, rotini, penne, etc.)

handful fresh basil, torn or chopped

sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Start the sauce when you add the pasta to the boiling water.

2. Pour oil into large saucepan over medium heat.

3. Chop garlic and add to pan. Keep an eye on oil so it sizzles nicely but does not smoke and garlic does not burn. Cook for two minutes.

4. Add whole tomatoes, basil and salt and pepper to pan. Cook just until the tomato skins start to split.

5. Toss sauce, pasta and mozzarella in serving dish. Serve immediately.

Serves 2 generously.

Notes:

- Don't use fridge-cold mozzarella: it won't melt into the sauce if it is too cold.

- All measurements are approximate. Some prefer less garlic or more cheese (me! me!). Adjust to your taste.

- I like the pasta to be roughly the same size as the tomatoes and mozzarella, but this is also delicious with spaghetti or angel hair.

- If you can't find fresh mozzarella balls you can use a large hunk, just chop it into pieces roughly the size of the tomatoes.

I hope you try this recipe; I think you'll love it! If you have any questions I'll answer them in the comments! Now come on over to the party!

Lists: Things That Make Me Happy

2010-03-30T14:50:00.006-04:00

Soft Hydrangea - Sony Cybershot

This regular posting thing is going well, don't you think?

Life is chaos right now, again, so here goes a simple list.

Things That Make Me Happy

1. Chocolate in almost any form.

2. Colors - all of them.

3. Music - everything from jazz to country to hard rock.

4. Natural light - the best light for taking photographs.

5. Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico.

6. Shopping - and oh, how my wallet wishes it didn't.

7. My nephew's giggles.

8. Flowers in abundance.

9. Making lists of things that make me happy.

There are many more, of course, but I'll keep it short and sweet for now.

What makes you happy?

Inspiration Avenue: My Town

2010-03-21T09:43:00.005-04:00

Ringling House, Sarasota, FL - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

My town is Sarasota, Florida. There are a thousand reasons why I love this town so much. One of them is the proximity to art and history. Above is the John and Mabel Ringling house, built in the 1920s. It is gorgeous and well-preserved and was a gift to the city of Sarasota from the Ringling estate. I try to go at least once a year just to soak up all that history. I love that my town makes preserving this beautiful old mansion a priority.

What do you love about your town?

Lists: Oscar Moments

2010-03-09T09:45:00.006-05:00

Mom's Orchid - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Oscar mania! Here are my 5 favorite moments from Sunday's Oscars. And yes, I stayed up to watch the WHOLE thing. I probably should have just DVR'd it and zipped through the entire telecast in an hour.

1. Sandra Bullock: It's about damn time! I have long been a fan of Sandra, especially her dramatic roles. Her acceptance speech was perfection: gracious, funny and quick.

2. Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin: Come on, they were funny. If we can't have Billy Crystal, these two are the next best thing.

3. Neil Patrick Harris: The magic of NPH is his subtle facial expressions and he used them beautifully in that opening number.

4. Kathryn Bigelow: Twice, in two different speeches, she made a point of thanking the troops. She's awesome forever in my book.

5. Meryl Streep: Classy, cool and gorgeous. Elegance in the face of many jokes. And God love her, not an ounce of Botox anywhere. That is how women should age. I'm lookin' at you, Nicole Kidman.

So who watched, and what did you think?

Art Auction for Angel Faces Charity

2010-03-07T09:07:00.000-05:00

(click image for larger view)

Roses, roses, roses. Shakespeare really knew what he was talking about. I am offering the fine art print above as part of the Inspiration Avenue art auction for the Angel Faces Retreats. The auction begins Sunday March 7 and wraps up Sunday March 14.

This 8x10 fine art print is just the right size for that little nook or small spot of bare wall. Professionally printed with metallic finish. If you love roses you must have this print!

Bidding starts at $5.00 dollars, all bids in whole dollars, $1.00 increments. Only bids in US dollars will be counted. You must leave an email address in order to receive a PayPal invoice. The winner will be notified Sunday March 14th via email and will have 72 hours to make payment. If payment is not made within 72 hours the next highest bidder will be notified. Make your bid at the Inspiration Avenue site.

This print will be sent without watermark in a protective sleeve and rigid mailer via First Class US Postal Mail.

Please head to Inspiration Avenue to see all the other beautiful offerings from the team. Lovely art for a very worthy cause. Come on. You know you want to.

Inspiration Avenue Charity Art Auction

2010-03-03T19:02:00.007-05:00

(click for larger version)

Inspiration Avenue is having a Charity Auction on March 7, 2010. We're hoping to raise money for Angel Faces, a truly magical project.

Please stop by Inspiration Avenue on Sunday to see all the gorgeous goodies we will have listed. I know you'll find something lovely, and you'll be helping a very worth cause. What's better than that?

The poster above was created by the amazing Maggie. Go check out her site, it's incredible.

Lists: Favorite Words

2010-03-02T10:19:00.004-05:00

Blue Sky and Palm Trees - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Last week was a mess, so there was no list post. This week's list is totally random. Some of these words I like because of their meaning, others because the sound nice or look pretty. Like I said, random. Here goes (in no particular order):

:: Hypotenuse

:: Serendipity

:: Believe

:: Hope

:: Cherish

:: Lavender

:: Awesome

:: Bodacious

:: Lugubrious

:: Zaftig

:: Create

:: Wisdom

:: Stupendous

:: Fantastic

:: Wily

:: Moxie

:: Breadth

:: Azure

:: Seraphim

:: Tangent

:: Quicksilver

:: Aubergine

:: Esoteric

:: The 'F' word (sorry, but it really is one of my favorite words - I use it often)

:: Phenomenal

:: Solemnity

:: Ghost

:: Fortitude

:: Power

What are your favorite words?

Weekly Challenge - Purple

2010-02-27T17:42:00.002-05:00

Purple Orchid - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Well, I missed this week's list post on Tuesday, but at least I finally did a challenge. Woohoo for mediocre blog posting! Sorry, guys. Real life gets in the way of my online life. My online life is way more fun.

Lists: Desserts

2010-02-16T07:01:00.000-05:00

Cheesecake Cups - Sony Cybershot

Here is one of my favorite lists of all time. Because I'm a girl who loves her sweets.

1. Brownies: Nothing better than Ghirardelli double chocolate brownies. These are best right out of the oven, so the chocolate chips are still melty.

2. Homemade chocolate chip cookies: I recently switched to Alice's recipe, after using the Toll House one for twenty years. This new one blows Toll House away. Warm chocolate chip cookies are a basic food group in my house.

3. Apple crisp: Must be made with Pink Lady apples, and Ina Garten's recipe. Will not last more than two days, even though it's huge. Trust me.

4. Blackberry cobbler: I use jarred blackberries from Cracker Barrel and a simple, almost plain topping I found online fifteen years ago. Heaven.

5. Cheesecake cups: Simple and delicious. See the photo above. I use jarred cherries from Cracker Barrel. Their country store has some awesome foodstuffs. And the key to the lightness of the cheesecake here is to beat the cream cheese and egg mixture for at least five minutes.

So what sort of sugarplum sweet dance in your dreams?

Lists: Guitar Gods

2010-02-09T05:43:00.004-05:00

Look At That Blue - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

I am a music lover. I can't play an instrument or sing to save my life, but I've got good ears and I love a blistering guitar solo. So here's my list of Guitar Gods, in order of worship.

1. Eric Clapton - The greatest guitar player ever. His solo on the original version of "Layla" pretty much says it all. Slowhand is a virtuoso, made even more interesting my his willingness to try new styles, while always paying tribute to the blues he loves most.

Favorite song: It's In The Way That You Use It

2. Eddie Van Halen - Come on, I was an impressionable little music fan in the 80's. Of course I am going to pick him! The things he can do with a guitar will blow your mind.

Favorite song: Jump

3. Vince Gill - If you're not a fan of country music you might not even recognize this artist. If you are I don't need to tell you why he's amazing. I have all his CDs (from back when we still bought CDs). What he does with a guitar is complex, but he makes it look so easy.

Favorite Song: Tryin' To Get Over You

4. Jimi Hendrix - He may not have invented the electric guitar, but he showed everybody else how to play it. He was the original innovator. Who knows what he would have done, had his demons not conquered him.

Favorite Song: All Along The Watchtower

5. Pete Townsend - I certainly don't like every song The Who ever recorded. But the guitar in "Baba O'Reilly" (better known as "Teenage Wasteland") is practically supernatural. Add in Keith Moon's lunatic drums and you've got a virtually perfect rock song.

Favorite Song: Baba O'Riley

6. Stevie Ray Vaughn - I am no expert on Texas boogie-rock, but I love damn near everything this man recorded in his short career. "The House Is Rockin" might be the single most fun song I've ever heard.

Favorite Song: Pride and Joy

So tell me I'm wrong, or tell me I'm right. Let's talk about music, kids.

(Click the Favorite Song titles to hear some of the greatest guitar ever played.)

Things I Love

2010-02-04T17:54:00.003-05:00

Rubens Gallery, Ringling Museum - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Oh how I love an art museum. The wood, the art, the quiet, the cool - did I mention the art? This is the Peter Paul Ruebens gallery at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, FL. Those paintings on the wall are gigantic. And 500 years old. How does something that large survive that long? I really can't wrap my head around it.

List: Things On My Desk

2010-02-02T05:39:00.000-05:00

Colorful Roses - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

I have to confess, I secretly love reading about or seeing things on people's desks. I like to see how others create their space, what they use to inspire them, if they are totally utilitarian or incorporate more whimsy. I think I'm a little of both. So here is what's on my desk (In no particular order):

1. Cordless keyboard and mouse, 24" monitor, HP printer, Altec Lansing computer speakers.

2. Bright pink and blue sticky notes, lined index cards, pink, blue and purple binder clips.

3. Two retractable ball point pens and teal, fuchsia and lavender Sharpies.

4. Blue iPod Nano.

5. Alarm clock, Aveeno lotion, bottle of water (my desk is right next to my bed, so it also functions as a nightstand).

6. Calculator, double-sided tape, stapler.

7. A 2GB flash drive and a card-reader for my camera memory cards.

7. "Balance", my word of the year, handwritten on an index card.

8. A small metal sign that says CREATE.

So who wants to share what's on their desk?

Sunshine Award

2010-01-29T08:01:00.002-05:00

Birthday Roses - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Sharon from Mana Moon is at it again! She has awarded me the delightful Sunshine Award. And then a few hours later I got a note from Shel of Pics by Shel that she also named me in her award. I don't know what I did to be so lucky to be awarded twice, but I hope I can live up to it!

I can't tell you how much I love getting emails about these awards. It's the little things that count, people.

So here's my list for the Sunshine Award.

1. Mana Moon Studios

2. Ink on My Fingers

3. Pimp & Paint

4. Bluepoppy

5. A Cup of Jo

6. Chocolate and Zucchini

7. Oh Joy!

8. Unruly Things

9. This is Glamorous

10. From Me To You

11. Hula Seventy

12. Orangette

Gone To The Birds

2010-01-28T14:42:00.006-05:00

Breakfast with the Pelicans - Sony Cybershot

Since the pelicans are still hanging around, I thought I'd post more photos. Because what's more fun than pelicans?

Apparently the water is so cold the fish are basically stunned motionless, so the pelicans just sit on the surface scooping them up. Then don't even need to dive for them, like they usually do. Lazy pelicans. Soon to be fat pelicans at the rate they're going.

Sushi for Breakfast - Sony Cybershot

If you click on the photos to enlarge you can seem them gobbling up the fish. Funny birds.

List-Making

2010-01-26T01:31:00.003-05:00

Glowing Orchid - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

I am shamelessly borrowing an idea from Hula Seventy wherein I will make a list every week until January 2011. Because I love to make lists. Not useful to-do lists, but things like Top 5 All-Time Guitar Gods. (Being a music fan, you'll see that list soon.) These lists may be funny, or serious, or silly, or anything in between. This is going to be fun.

I'll start things off with something simple: Favorite Colors (because I love color like a baby loves her mama.) In no particular order:

1. Intense magenta: regal and noble.

2. Shimmery pale pink: the perfect shade of eyeshadow.

3. Chocolate: excellent home decorating shade

4. Eggplant purple: a little goes a long way

5. Bright White: it makes all colors look better (I know white isn't technically a color, but hey, it's my list)

6. Metallic candy-apple red: nothing sexier.

7. Deep midnight blue: the color of secrets.

Look for my lists every Tuesday!

Inspiration Avenue: Mystique

2010-01-24T10:05:00.000-05:00

Foggy Pelicans, January 22, 2009 - Sony Cybershot

Here on the west coast of Florida we rarely get fog during the day. But due to the current cold water, warm air circumstance, a giant bank of sea fog rolled in off the Gulf yesterday. These pelicans didn't seem to mind, though.

Don't you think Foggy Pelican sounds like the name of a great old British pub? Maybe I watch too many movies.

Please stop by Inspiration Avenue and see the amazing work being submitted for the Weekly Challenge.

Quote of the Day

2010-01-22T18:46:00.001-05:00

Winter Palms - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

"Where ever you go, go with all your heart."

~Confucius

Inspiration Avenue: Pocket Full of Sunshine

2010-01-17T10:51:00.000-05:00

Sunshine Bench - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

I love sunshine. I live in Florida, so it's kind of a requirement. Naturally, I was very excited for this week's challenge. One of my favorite things about natural light is the way it filters through trees. I especially like the "pockets" on the ferns behind this bench, under that banyan tree.

Head on over to Inspiration Avenue and check out those fantastic submissions.

Amazing Friends: Plumrose Lane

2010-01-13T18:22:00.000-05:00

"Remembrance" blog background from Plumrose Lane

My incredible, magical, talented friend Sharon (of Mana Moon Studios) has a new venture and I am so excited to tell you about it. You already know she creates some of the most gorgeous jewelry around. Now she's taking that creativity to the world of graphic design. Just look at that extraordinary blog background up there! Her new project is Plumrose Lane. (I love that name!) There's a blog here and an Etsy shop here.

This is "Rose Garden", my personal favorite.

So please go visit Plumrose Lane. Not only is Sharon an amazing artist, she's also one of the nicest people I've ever known. And if that's not reason enough to go buy some blog banners, I don't know what is!

Inspiration Avenue Weekly Challenge: Wonderland

2010-01-10T09:05:00.000-05:00

Ancient Pier, Gulf of Mexico - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Since I don't have an underwater camera, I can't show you a photo of my wonderland. But I can get close. The Gulf of Mexico is a magical wonderland. I have lived near its coast all my life. In the spring and summer my idea of a perfect day is grabbing my mask and heading to the beach. I don't snorkel, I just hold my breath and dive for shells, sand dollars and to watch the fish. On occasion, there might even be a curious manatee about.

I am not one for sunbathing, too passive. I like to be swimming, feeling that warm, silky water, the gentle waves, watching dolphins far in the distance, too far out for me to reach. But that's okay. Often times the dolphins are not far from sharks, and I'm not that adventurous. But I do love to watch the dolphins jump high out of the water, racing after their elusive lunch. The Gulf of Mexico is quite a wonderland, indeed.

* * * * *

Please visit Inspiration Avenue to see the beautiful submissions.

A New Year

2010-01-04T20:52:00.000-05:00

Mabel's Rose Garden, 12/2009 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Here we are at the beginning of a new year and I feel like "putting a few things down on paper", something I used to say before blogs entered the world.

What I Learned In 2009

:: I learned, actually I remembered, that I should always trust myself. Somewhere along the way I stopped trusting my opinion and my judgement. I was looking to others I deemed smarter or more experienced for answers, ideas, opinions. I stopped thinking my opinions and feelings had worth because surely someone else must know more than I do. I'm just a small-town girl from nowhere. What do I know? But, I figured out that every time I listened to my own inner voice, not only was the decision better for me and felt more like my own truth, but situations and problems worked out better. Which leads into my next lesson. . .

:: I have to live my life for myself, according to my own plans and dreams. There is no shortage of people in my life (and I'm sure this is the same for most of you) telling me what to do. Most of them mean well, and I appreciate sound advice as much as the next girl. But this is my journey. I have to do what makes sense for me, and what speaks to my values and ideals, not anyone else's. This was a very hard lesson to learn because I am a good daughter, friend, employee, and I like to make people happy. But when I started sacrificing my own identity, I knew it had to stop.

:: I also learned that if someone is rude, nasty, mean, arrogant, spiteful, argumentative or negative, it really has nothing to do with me. I once thought that I had done something to trigger this behavior, or that it was incumbent upon me to change their attitude. Both are wrong. People behave as they do for a thousand reasons, and while I try to be compassionate for whatever that individual is going through, I don't have to pick it up and carry it. It's their load, not mine.

:: Eight hours of sleep per night is mandatory. Whatever else in the world has to wait, it can wait. Eight hours makes such a difference in my energy, mood, health.

What I Hope For 2010

:: I hope to be a bit lighter. I tend to take things far too seriously and sink into deep, heavy thoughts, often times getting lost. I'd like to laugh more.

:: I would like to finally start a yoga/meditation practice. I think it would make such a difference in my chaotic, racing-90 mph-mind. I crave calm.

:: I hope I can leave everyone I meet with a smile. It seems like such a small thing, but I appreciate when someone does it for me. I'd like to do that for others.

:: I hope that I can give up the food guilt and just eat what I love and love what I eat. Food and I have a complicated relationship going back ages (me and every other woman, it seems). But at almost 34 years old I'm just tired of it all. Eating fresh, good-quality food and paying attention to what I eat seems to be the answer. I want to give that a try.

I am borrowing this quote my friend Tee posted which seems to sum it up for me: "There will always be people who don't, won't get it - what you're doing, what you're saying, what you're believing in. Politely push those throngs to the side and make room for the ones who do. Waste no more time on wishing."

Venetian Gothic

2009-12-30T18:07:00.000-05:00

Ca d'Zan, Sarasota, FL - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Inspiration Avenue: Believe

2009-12-27T09:47:00.001-05:00

Believe - art collage - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

For this week's challenge I decided to go outside my comfort zone and create a collage, of sorts, with scrapbooking materials. It is a little known fact that I love to art journal, but I never post anything because it's mostly hideous. But, in the spirit of a coming new year and new challenges, I decided to go for it. I am kind of happy with the way this one turned out. And I really believe The Time Is Now, for many things.

Please head over to Inspiration Avenue and view the other submissions.

Quote of the Day

"Why, sometimes I believed in as many as six impossible things before breakfast."

~ The White Queen from Through The Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Seasons Greetings

2009-12-24T21:20:00.000-05:00

Outake, December 24, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." (Gotta go with the classics.)

Inspiration Avenue: Hidden

2009-12-20T09:06:00.000-05:00

Hidden - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

My submission for the Inspiration Avenue challenge. This mama Mockingbird hid her nest inside our gardenia bush. I love the color of the eggs, a bright blue with brown speckles.

Please visit Inspiration Avenue to see the other submissions.

Rainy Day

2009-12-18T08:59:00.001-05:00

Pink Gas Pump, February 2008 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

I have been on vacation for the past four days and it has been lovely. I did not travel. I just relaxed. I have accomplished a few small projects which had been on my to-do list for far too long. I have allowed myself the luxury of not going and doing 24/7. I have replenished the batteries. I am not back to work until next week, but already I feel so much better than I did before. For a thousand reasons I kept telling myself I didn't have time to take time off. Always working hard to be all things to all people. But now that I am chilling out, I notice how vital this time off has been. The lesson here (I'm always looking for the lessons) is to take the time before I get frantic and anxious.

Taking care of myself, allowing myself a chance to rest and recharge, is not selfish. It makes me better able to take care of others. That is the best thing I can do for the people in my life.

I hope you all, even in this most hectic of seasons, can take a few hours at least to look after yourselves. I promise you, it's worth it.

Inspiration Avenue: Imagine/Imagination

2009-12-13T09:41:00.000-05:00

Skyward, December 12, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

I can imagine anything when I'm looking toward the sky. It is as though all limitation slips away when contemplating something so immense. Words fail. But I try anyway.

Please head on over to Inspiration Avenue and enjoy everyone's submissions.

Excitement

2009-12-11T18:14:00.000-05:00

I am very excited to tell you that Inspiration Avenue has selected me to be a member of their team!

I first heard about the Inspiration Avenue team from Sharon at Mana Moon Studios. She invited me to participate in their weekly challenges, which have been so much fun. Everyone there is very friendly and excited about the pieces being submitted. I was impressed by how genuinely supportive they are of all the participants.

After I opened my Etsy shop Sharon invited me to fill out the membership application for the team. Even the application was fun! I knew this was something I wanted to be involved in. So I filled out the form, crossed my fingers and hit the send button.

And they said yes! Everyone has been welcoming and kind and I am probably going to start babbling here soon. So, to borrow a line from Shel: "The fun begins . . . now!"

Backyard Cafe

2009-12-07T11:40:00.001-05:00

Hungry Squirrel - Nikon D40 with telephoto lens

I'm sitting at my desk, the windows open because the weather is gorgeous, and I hear a sound like someone is tossing pebbles. Now, our yard is covered with fallen pine needles because we are surrounded by eighty-foot pine trees and we've had three days of storms to blow everything across the lawn. So, there's a nice carpet of pine needles onto which something is tossing pinecone shards. I look up to see one of the two squirrels who live in our trees sitting about forty feet up the tree, working on a pinecone like it's corn on the cob. Click on that picture and take a look at that little dude.

Leftovers, Nikon D40 with telephoto lens

And this is what's littered on the ground underneath the pine tree. He peeled every petal, or whatever, off those pinecones, ate the seed, and tossed it on the ground. Then he chucked the remnants of the pinecones, picked clean, right after them.

But do you think he'd come down and clean up after himself? Of course not. If I didn't know better, I'd think the little rascal actually pointed at me and laughed.

Inspiration Avenue: Peaches and Cream

2009-12-06T09:18:00.000-05:00

Peaches & Cream - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

(Click image for larger view)

I love this summery theme here at the beginning of winter. And winter it is. The temperature on my patio this morning was 47 degrees. That's winter in Southwest Florida, my friends. I even put on socks!

New Endeavor

2009-12-01T18:28:00.000-05:00

Scarlet, Selby Botanical Gardens, April 2008 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

I did it. I took a giant leap of faith and opened an Etsy shop to sell my photographs. This has been a big dream of mine for a while now and I am so excited. Please stop by and tell me what you think.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/chrisfinck

In other exciting news, I'm sure you've noticed the gorgeous holiday banner here on SilverBluePearl. I won the November Giveaway at Inspiration Avenue and the prize was a blog banner donated by the amazing Lulu Kellogg of Coastal Sisters. My little blog has never been so well dressed! Those Inspiration Avenue folks are sensational. Go check out the site. Go now!

I leave you with my new favorite quote: "Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country." ~~ Anais Nin

Turkey Day

2009-11-26T16:48:00.001-05:00

Sunflower, November 26,2009 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Today I am grateful for so many things, especially my family, the fact that we're all healthy, that we're safe and that we are together. I wish you all a happy, delicious Thanksgiving!

Inspiration Avenue: Romance

2009-11-22T10:51:00.000-05:00

Romance - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

For me, the first thing that comes to mind when someone says romance is roses.

Inspiration Avenue: Rust/Cinnamon

2009-11-15T11:19:00.001-05:00

Rust, November 15, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

My contribution to the Inspiration Avenue topic "Rust/Cinnamon".

Naturally, when I wanted to stumble across one of those beautiful rusted pieces of metal I could not find one to save my life. So I go back to what I know best: flowers.

Took A Little Break

2009-11-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

Beach View, November 11, 2009 - Sony Cybershot

I took a few impromptu days off from the computer. I had a migraine last week that left me a little drained, and the last thing I wanted to do was squint at a computer screen. But I am better now and snapped these shots from my office this morning. Hope all of you are doing well and enjoying fall, in whatever form it might take where you are.

Palms, November 11, 2009 - Sony Cybershot

Suburban Jungle

2009-11-03T18:01:00.001-05:00

Bromeliad, Sarasota, FL, April 2008 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Inspiration Avenue: Ghostly

2009-11-01T08:23:00.001-05:00

Two Hundred Year Old Grave, Savannah, October 2007 - Sony Cybershot

Ancient graveyards are like church to me. A place to be silent and reverential. This graveyard is over three hundred years old and many of the tombstones I could not read, as wind and weather had worn smooth their surfaces. But this one stopped me. A child's grave.

Ghostly, indeed.

Spooky

2009-10-31T17:42:00.001-04:00

Crow Tree, Chattanooga, TN, October 2005 - Sony Cybershot

May you have more treats than tricks!

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-10-28T19:46:00.000-04:00

Savannah Park, October 2007 - Sony Cybershot

It's award time. Sharon has once again bestowed upon me an awesome blog award. She's cool like that.

The rules are:

1. Thank the person who gave this to you.

2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog.

3. Link the person who nominated you.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.

5. Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers'

6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate

7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them

So here goes!

1. Thank you, Sharon! You are such an awesome friend, inspiration and your encouragement has meant more to me than I can say.

2. See above.

3. Mana Moon Studios. Go there now and check out all the pretty. Go on. I'll wait.

4. 7 Things, eh? Okay: (1) I love art. I could spend all day in almost any museum you could think of. (2) I have a secret crush on Gabriel Byrne. Can't explain it. (3) I have an enormous CD collection, from back in the days before music downloads. (4) I will watch my favorite scenes from a movie over and over again. Thank goodness for DVD scene skipping. (5) Some of these movies are embarrassing (like Electra or Transformers). (6) I don't like sausage. My father considers this a most unforgivable character flaw. (7) I own over fifteen computer keyboards. I am obsessed with the clicky sounds of the keys.

5. Nominations:

- Mana Moon Studios - cause she's just that great.

- Penelope Illustrations - incredible artist and new mom

- Amalah - because she cracks me up every time

- Ink on My Fingers - gorgeous polaroids, amazing writer

- design is mine - beautiful inspiration

- simply breakfast - her photos are gorgeous, and it inspires me to make creative breakfasts

- A Cup of Jo - chic, urban site with lots of inspiration

6. See above.

7. Will do!

Inspiration Avenue: Travel

2009-10-24T20:33:00.001-04:00

Train Tracks, October 2005 - Sony Cybershot

A thousand things occur to me when someone says the word travel, but the first one is always trains. I love trains and all things train-related. It's genetic; I get it from my father. It's not technically new material, as I took it on a trip to Chattanooga four years ago, but I processed it today. You think that counts?

Patience

2009-10-23T18:43:00.000-04:00

Wild Rose, January 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55 mm lens

Inspiration Avenue: Pink

2009-10-17T22:09:00.001-04:00

October Pink, October 15, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Something That Resonates

2009-10-14T15:07:00.000-04:00

Secret Spot, November 2008 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

"And the answer that you're seeking

For the questions that you found

Drives you further to confusion

As you lose your sense of ground

So don't forget to breathe

Don't forget to breathe

Your whole life is here

No eleventh hour reprieve

So don't forget to breathe."

Breathe by Alexi Murdoch

Inspiration Avenue: Shimmer

2009-10-11T10:31:00.001-04:00

Shimmer, October 11, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Light on water is my favorite kind of shimmer.

This is my first post for Inspiration Avenue.

Light

2009-10-04T08:53:00.001-04:00

Backyard, October 1, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

If Not For The Power Lines

2009-10-01T20:37:00.001-04:00

Highway Sunset, September 30, 2009 - Sony Cybershot

In the interest of full disclosure, I did tweak this shot a bit. But I probably didn't need to tell you that, since it looks like a post-nuclear sunset. Complete with Burger King in the left corner.

Autumn

2009-09-29T07:01:00.000-04:00

Backyard, June 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

This may be as close as I get to fall colors this year.

Tennessee

2009-09-23T07:06:00.001-04:00

Tennessee River, October 2005 - Sony Cybershot

Autumn

2009-09-17T06:54:00.001-04:00

Fall Colors in Chattanooga, October 2005 - Sony Cybershot

I might like the idea of fall more than the reality of it. I'm not sure; we don't have fall in Florida. If I lived in a northern climate, where I had to rake up all those gorgeous, colored leaves, maybe I wouldn't idealize it. I still think I would love the cool, crisp days, the crystalline sunlight, the smell of apples and cinnamon. Yeah. Sign me up.

New Award

2009-09-11T06:59:00.000-04:00

Roses, May 2007 - Sony Cybershot

Sharon at Mana Moon has given me an award! Thank you, Sharon! So here goes:

7 Things About Me:

1. I love girly makeup. No, seriously, I freaking adore makeup. I have drawers and boxes full of lip gloss and eyeshadow and blush. I am constantly trying new formulas and colors. I read blogs and magazines about makeup. Makeup makes me very happy.

2. My favorite guilty-pleasure TV show is Supernatural. Yes, I have been a fan of spooky TV and movies since I was about eleven. But the cute boys are the main reason I've seen every single episode, some more than once. And before you ask, I am a Deangirl, without a doubt.

3. I believe in karma. Big time. It informs my decisions and how I treat others.

4. I spend a little too much time wanting to fix things - fix my hair, fix my spending habits, fix my CD-ROM drive, fix my friends' problems. I'm a fixer.

5. I can only use pink, purple or blue sticky notes. The yellow and greens ones make me queasy.

6. I will never ever forget what today means. If I live to be a hundred, I will still start September 11th, every year, with a prayer.

7. I eat one egg, over-easy, with cheese grits every morning. I vary the cheese some times. Today it was parmigiano reggiano. Yesterday it was extra sharp cheddar.

I Am Running Out of Titles

2009-09-08T20:51:00.000-04:00

Backyard, August 25, 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

Experiment

2009-09-05T17:11:00.000-04:00

Lemon Bay Park, April 2009 - Nikon D40 with 55mm lens

I was messing around with the editing buttons again. I added noise to this one, and I kind of like the washed out look. The more pictures I take the more I appreciate imperfection.

Clouds

2009-09-02T18:25:00.000-04:00

Coming Storm - Camera Phone

I just realized that is two cloud pictures in a row. Oops. Summer reruns!

That is not a bad picture for my little camera phone.

Skybound

2009-08-30T08:35:00.000-04:00

Spring Sky - Nikon D40

Pretty

2009-08-25T20:18:00.001-04:00

Pentas - Nikon D40

Pink!

2009-08-23T17:15:00.001-04:00

Okay, Fuschia - Nikon D40

Lakewater

2009-08-21T18:28:00.003-04:00

Cypress - Nikon D40

Lavender

2009-08-18T20:33:00.001-04:00

Purple - Sony Cybershot

The landscapers where I work told me this plant was called a Mexican Petunia. I think that sounds more like a frozen cocktail than a flower. Anyway, I just really like the color.

No Connectivity

2009-08-14T17:27:00.001-04:00

My internet is out. I'm not sure what it says about me that I rely on the internet so much that I feel cut off from the world when it's down. Probably nothing good.

My friend is generous enough to let me borrow some wifi, so here I am with my laptop. Of course all my photos are on my desktop, which I can't exactly break down and reassemble at my friend's house. (Although she's such a great friend she probably wouldn't mind.) So, unfortunately, today's post has no photo. I don't like it. It looks like I forget something. And yes, I could transfer a photo or two onto a thumb drive and then upload it to my laptop, but I don't have that much time today. I'm not a lady of leisure, you know. Oh, but I would love to be, yes I would.

If I was a lady of leisure my days would be filled with photo safaris, cooking all those meals I never have time for, and stopping to smell as many roses as I could.

Coastline

2009-08-10T19:21:00.000-04:00

Atlantic - Nikon D40

Without Words

2009-08-08T13:17:00.001-04:00

Stormy Weather

2009-08-05T23:23:00.000-04:00

Storm Clouds - Nikon D40

This image happened by accident when I was editing a rather bland shot of thunderheads. I hit the automatic adjust command and got the photo above. It inensified the blues and made the edges gradually darker. I love the moody feeling it creates.

Usually I don't like the results of auto-adjust in photo editing programs. They look wrong to my eye. But this one I liked instantly.

Things

2009-08-03T19:52:00.001-04:00

Rose - Nikon D40

Things I am loving right now:

- My new Logitech Cordless Desktop Wave keyboard and mouse combo. I love keyboards. I do a lot of writing, so the feel and sound of the keys is something I fixate on. This just in: I might be a nerd.

- Chocolate chip cookie cheesecake bars. That is a cheesecake sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies. Yes, it is as decadent as it sounds. No, I will not share.

- Norse mythology. What, might you ask, sparked an interest in such an arcane topic? The movie Max Payne. That's right, a movie based on a video game about vengeance made me want to learn more about Valkyries and Ragnarok and Valhalla. My interest in culture and history is not limited to my own. Please, see above where I mention I am a nerd.

What are you loving right now?

Attempts

2009-08-01T18:45:00.000-04:00

Beach (with texture) - Nikon D40

In the past I have not posted my attempts to work with textures on my photos. I only wanted to put what I thought was my best work up here. And if I wasn't quite sure about something, it did not get posted. It didn't matter that someone else's eyes might see something I didn't. Or that, though it's not my style, someone else might like it.

But in this new age, where I post more frequently and write about things more personal, I am showcasing photos I'm not quite sure about. Because I think the attempt is as worthy as the final product. It says something about courage and hope.

Or maybe I'm just a little sentimental today. What do you think?

Rededicating

2009-07-31T17:51:00.000-04:00

Orchids - Nikon D40 (click photo for larger version)

I have written previously about how my inspiration for this blog comes in fits and starts. I'll post regularly for a while, then not for weeks. I had a thousand excuses why this is, but no good reasons to change. Until now.

I was reading the blog of a jewelry designer in Scotland, Abigail A. Percy, who makes gorgeous gold and silver jewelry. I can't afford her work, but I enjoy reading about it. In her most recent post she writes about how she lost track of updating her blog and when it was brought to her attention, she realized that posting gave her a daily sense of accomplishment. This, in turn, helped her to feel more organized and less chaotic, even if a blog post was all she got around to on a given day.

This hit me like a cool, bracing wind, energizing and inspiring me. Often times I feel as though I get nothing worthwhile completed in a day's time, but I always love the feeling of posting to my blog. As many smart people have said, I was "allowing the urgent to crowd out the important".

So, as the title of this post suggests, I am returning to blogging with a new understanding of what has motivated me all along. In today's hectic, harried, stressful world, a sense of accomplishment, no matter how minor, is no small thing at all.

Georgia on My Mind

2009-07-24T06:57:00.001-04:00

Secret Garden - Sony Cybershot - November 2007

Oh, Savannah, how I miss you so.

Dappled Sunlight - Sony Cybershot - November 2007

Premio Meme

2009-07-15T13:16:00.000-04:00

Red - Nikon D40

Sharon at Mana Moon has given me another award. (Now I'm blushing, y'all.) She's just too sweet, she really is. So here goes! 7 Facts About Me:

1. I am a sixth generation Floridian. I have lived my whole life here. In July I wonder why (when it's 96 degrees and the sun is like a blow torch) and then in January I remember (72 degrees, breezy and gorgeous).

2. I love history, especially American History from 1740 through 1870. I have studied it since I was a kid. Should have gone to college and gotten a PhD. I might still be broke, but at least I'd be doing something I love.

3. Writing and photography are my two passions. No matter how bad my day has been, if I can spend even a little time writing or taking/editing photos, I am a happy camper.

4. I believe in ghosts. I've never encountered one myself, but I've believe they exist.

5. I love puppies. Some day I will own a home in the country, with acreage, and several Labs and Huskies running all over the place.

6. I have a database-like brain when it comes to movies and television. I can recall actors, movies, dates, plot lines, you name it. I used to work at Blockbuster and people would come in asking about "that guy in the movie about the thing" and everyone would ask me what movie they wanted. And I usually knew.

7. I love handwriting. I change mine depending on my mood and my patience level.

And now I tag:

Swirly Girl
Ink on my Fingers
Bella Wish
Tara Ariano
Crazy Aunt Purl
Grow Wings
Mana Moon (even though I know she already did it, I just think she deserves another award!)

Frequency

2009-07-04T10:02:00.000-04:00

Yellow - Nikon D40

I always wanted to be one of those bloggers who posted every day or two. I mean, I love clicking on my favorite sites and having something new to see or read.

But I just can't seem to do that. I'll go for a week or two with consistent posts, then life will get in the way. I won't have time, or inspiration, for several weeks, as you can plainly see.

I won't give up on the goal of being a regular poster. But I think I have to admit that, at least right now, it might not happen.

And I think I'm okay with that. I mean, life is crazy enough right now, for all of us. Putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves, especially on things that are supposed to be fun, is ridiculous.

So, here's to irregular posts - I'm aiming for quality over quantity.

Sweet Surprises

2009-06-17T18:52:00.000-04:00

Savannah Garden - Sony Cybershot

Today I received an award! Actually, my blog did, from the ever-awesome Sharon at Mana Moon Studios. She bestowed upon me the "One Lovely Blog" award. My first award!

I started this blog as a place to post pictures and occasional ramblings. Just to put a bit of myself out into the universe. And, as many have said, the universe returns the favor. I have discovered amazing inspiration and cool new friends from this little blog of mine.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

Now it's my turn to honor some blogs (in no specific order):

Bella Wish
An Indian Summer
Ink on My Fingers
Jen Gray
A Girl & Her Journal
3191 Miles Apart
Chookooloonks
The Pioneer Woman
Bread and Honey
Adventure Journalist

Here's to inspiration and admiration!

Out For a Stroll

2009-06-11T07:55:00.000-04:00

Sahara - Nikon D40 (click photo for larger view)

Look who took a stroll through my yard last night? I took this through my bedroom window, without a telephoto lens. She lives in the woods that border our property and we see her late evening and early morning, more in the spring and summer than the rest of the year. I named her Sahara.

Some Days Are Hard

2009-06-10T07:09:00.000-04:00

Hydrangea - Nikon D40

So yesterday was not a good day. I'm not sure if today will be any better. But I'll put my faith in the hope that it might be and the patience to ride it out if it's not.

Girl Plans, Mother Nature Laughs

2009-06-07T17:27:00.001-04:00

Wet Orchid - Nikon D40

So the purple dendrobium orchid I gave to my mom for Mother's Day is finally in full bloom. All thirteen blossoms opened. I planned on taking it out into mid-morning sunshine, which I like best for my flower shots, this morning.

First the battery in my camera was dead. Then it started raining. The sun has yet to reappear. But I managed to get the photo above.

5 Questions

2009-06-05T19:04:00.000-04:00

Nice Hat - Nikon D40

Susannah at Ink On My Fingers put up a neat post answering five questions, then offered to give anyone who wanted them five questions of their own. Me please! I love answering questions. Here goes:

1. If you had to be stuck in an elevator with someone, who would you choose? Sir Winston Churchill. Hands down the greatest leader in human history. He stared Hitler in the face and said, "Not on my watch." In school I wrote papers on him every chance I got. I would ask him a thousand questions and beg for a thousand stories.

2. You have been gifted with one hour with a lost loved one - who do you spend your hour with? My paternal grandfather. He died the year I was born, so I never knew him, but my father tells great stories of him. One hour would not be enough time, but I'd take what I could get.

3. Do you have a signature scent? No, I crave variety far too much to stick with just one. Right now I am loving Island Micheal Kors Hawaii by Micheal Kors and Stella by Stella McCartney. I love a great fragrance, but it is essential to be subtle. One spritz is all it takes. The mornings I am in a rush and forget to put on scent, I notice a difference in my attitude. I'm not quite as happy as the days when I wear it.

4. London, Paris or Rome? Oh that's easy. I am a huge anglophile and my big dream is to one day live in London. I don't actually have a plan for that yet, just the dream. The dream is the worthier part, though, or so I believe.

5. What are you most proud of? My family. They are quite simply the best people I know, and that is no small thing. They always do what is right, even if it's not what is easy. They learn from their mistakes and laugh as much as they can. I am constantly amazed by how damn cool my family is. And I never forget how lucky I am to come from them.

8 Things

2009-06-04T07:31:00.001-04:00

Orange Orchid - Nikon D40

The totally awesome Sharon over at Mana Moon (who makes the most gorgeous jewelry - go take a look!) tagged me. Here goes!

8 Things I'm looking forward to:

1. Winter, when it arrives here in about six months.
2. Seeing my adorable nephew in a few weeks.
3. More time for photography.
4. Buying more supplies for my newest love: art journaling.
5. A trip to my favorite city (Sarasota) for some good food and culture.
6. Swimming in the pool after work today.
7. Daughtry's new CD, when it hits July 14th.
8. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen - Hey, I was a kid in the 80's. I love Transformers.

8 Things I did yesterday:

1. Worked the day job.
2. Squeezed in a few hours of writing.
3. Went to the library to replace my lost library card.
4. Found out it has been years since I was there - and I have $27 in late fees.
5. Made BLT's for dinner.
6. Researched the possibility of selling my photographs.
7. Went for a swim. (I would swim all day, every day, if I could. Should have been a fish.)
8. Took a moment to be grateful for my blessings.

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Move things with my mind. Telekinesis rocks (Sylar!)
2. Plan my meals, so I don't eat junk food on the run.
3. Budget! I could plan a peaceful takeover of an entire country before I could plan my spending for one month.
4. Talk to old friends I've lost touch with.
5. Spend a year in Tuscany.
6. Then spend a year in Provence.
7. Meet my grandfathers, both of whom died the year I was born.
8. An uneven bars routine like Nastia Liukin. Girl is amazing!

8 Things or shows I've watched lately:

1. Heroes - I *heart* Sylar.
2. Firefly - for the eleventy-millionth time.
3. Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 9-0 - go Rays!
4. The number on my scale not move one bit - dammit.
5. An absolutely gorgeous lightning storm late one night.
6. In Plain Sight - Makes me wonder about Albuquerque.
7. A baby black snake slither across the road.
8. Paranormal State - My new favorite show. Ghosts!

8 of my Favorite Blogs

1. Mana Moon
2. Adventure Journalist
3. Swirly Girl
4. Ink on My Fingers
5. 3191 Miles Apart
6. Orangette
7. Kelly Rae Roberts
8. Superhero Journal

Thank you to Sharon for tagging me. This was so much fun!

Pretty

2009-06-02T10:01:00.000-04:00

Hibiscus and Oleander - Sony Cybershot

This weekend was all about the geek TV marathon. I watched all of Heroes season three on Hulu. This season was a little weak, but so long as Sylar's around, I'm in. Can't wait to see how bad things get next season, what with Angela's terrible idea to **SPOILER** make Sylar think he's Nathan.

Then I pulled out my DVD of Firefly and watched those. Finished it off with a viewing of Serenity last night. I've seen those shows a hundred times and I still laugh out loud at the funny episodes ("Jaynestown" & "Our Mrs. Reynolds").

And yes, I am still bitter that Firefly never got a whole season while Dollhouse got picked up for a second. Fox is trying to make amends for screwing one show by giving an unearned pass to the other. I like Dollhouse well enough, but it doesn't come close to Firefly. Browncoats forever!

Hot

2009-05-27T18:52:00.000-04:00

Tulips and Irises - Nikon D40

Ninety-three degrees and super humid today. Summer has arrived. Brain fried. Won't make it to August. Send help. And ice cream.

Remembrance

2009-05-25T10:56:00.000-04:00

Photo of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier courtesy of Google Images

"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day who sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother."
~ from "Band of Brothers"and Shakespeare's "Henry V"

May God keep the men and women of the United States military safe from harm. You have the thanks of a grateful nation. Now and for all time.

Cloudy with a Chance of Awesome

2009-05-24T12:43:00.000-04:00

Afternoon Storm- camera phone

Daily thunderstorm season has returned. I love winter here in Florida because the air is cooler and drier - but I always miss my summer thunderstorms. I guess I'm weird, because watching the sky darken and rumble makes me ridiculously happy.

The Local Park

2009-05-11T20:11:00.001-04:00

Oyster Creek Bridge - taken with camera phone

Oyster Creek - taken with camera phone

Appreciation

2009-04-24T13:51:00.001-04:00

Flowers - Taken with camera phone

I work in an office with three bosses and one co-worker. She's not my boss, but I do a lot of work for her, to help her out. She is the only person who remembered Wednesday was Administrative Professional's Day. None of my three bosses remembered. She gave me this bright, cheerful little bouquet you see above. Isn't she awesome?

Plans and Laughter

2009-04-22T07:27:00.000-04:00

Desert Island Blue - Nikon D40

After my whirlwind March, I planned on getting right back to regular posting. You've probably heard the old line, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans"? I really know what that means. My mom had emergency surgery two weeks ago and I have been taking care of her, plus doing all the things she usually does, which, let me tell you, is a lot. By the end of the day, there's just no time or energy for posting.

But, I am making the time right now. One of the {many} lessons I've learned in the past few weeks is that I need to really prioritize my days; do the things that absolutely have to be done, and the things that are good for my health and my soul, and let everything else go. So I'm letting a lot of things go these days, like the mind-numbing time-wasters, and focusing on the things that I should be doing. In so doing, I've learned a pretty startling truth about myself: it is my nature to be rather lazy (though I would tell most people I'm just laid back-heh) until circumstances force me to be otherwise. I would love to think that I am always up at dawn, doing all the things that need doing, making my life run like clockwork - but that just ain't how it goes. But, when life puts motivation in my path I amaze even myself with how quickly and capably I can jump to. So what's the lesson here? That on some things I shouldn't wait for a medical emergency to get my act together. That while it is my tendency to slack off, it's not necessarily my pre-ordained fate. That it's not such a big thing if the laundry gets done before the email gets checked. That I can do all the things I must, and still have fun and (most importantly) be fun to live with.

So, even in the midst of something that kind of sucked, some good things have come. Some lessons have been learned. Mom is on the mend and I am more aware of myself. I'd say that's pretty awesome.

Long Time

2009-04-06T08:23:00.001-04:00

Yellow - Nikon D40

I was never very good at managing time and getting lots of things done at the same time. So when I bought a new car and picked up some extra shifts and got sick again, well, this little blog kind of got left behind for a bit.

How are you all doing?

Quiet

2009-03-20T20:27:00.000-04:00

Banyan - Nikon D40

No words today.

Today Is Enough

2009-03-13T13:18:00.001-04:00

Blue/Blue - Sony Cybershot

I've been trying to change my expectations a little, and my mindset a lot. Somewhere along the way, in the midst of working to get ahead and paying the bills and creating a life, I forgot to live it. I stopped smelling the roses. I stopped going with the flow. And, worst of all, I stopped going to the beach. I live in a beach community, where I'm ten minutes from the water at any given time, and I don't even see it any more. How did this happen? How did I get so wrapped up in the mechanics of life that I stopped seeing the art and the beauty of it?

So my challenge now is to change what have become habits and tendencies. And for me this is a challenge because I am a very strong, willful person, so changing my own characteristics is difficult. But I never used to be like this, so perhaps merely finding the girl I once was will be easier than if she was never there at all.

Serendipity

2009-03-08T10:11:00.000-04:00

Caspian Tide - Nikon D40

A few weeks ago I was checking out my favorite blogs, one of which is Mana Moon Studios. Sharon had just posted photos of her newest piece, Caspian Tide. I gasped and stared at it for what had to be five minutes. How could she have made the most perfect necklace for me, without even knowing it? I emailed her as fast as I could, asking if it was still available - you see she makes only one of a kind pieces - and how could I buy it. She immediately sent me back a link to the necklace, and I was crestfallen to see that it was too short for me. Now, here's where things really start to get magical. Sharon offered to lengthen the necklace for me at no extra charge! Isn't she amazing?

So then I come down with bronchitis and I'm feeling really pathetic, and what arrives in the mail but my gorgeous Caspian Tide - customized for me. And let me tell you it fits perfectly! I think that made me feel even better than the medicine my doctor gave me!

So I have started my Mana Moon jewelry collection - and cannot wait to add to it! Head on over there and check it out for yourself. I know you'll fall in love with their pieces just like I have.

Assignment

2009-03-04T18:31:00.000-05:00

Apricot Hibiscus - Nikon D40

Susannah at Ink On My Fingers recently posted an exercise about favorite words. Then she assigned those interested with a letter and instructed us to list our favorite words starting with that letter. Here's what I came up with.

- Contradiction: I like it best when pronounced with a Spanish accent. Watch this trailer for Vicky Christina Barcelona and you'll know what I mean. It probably doesn't hurt that it's Javier Bardem saying it.

- Chrysalis: such a gorgeous sounding word - the sharp C with the double S's - I could say it for no reason at all, just to hear it.

- Create: one of the most important words I know; the heart of every day, to create something, anything.

- Coast: my favorite place in the world to be, by the water.

- Constellation: I always love looking up at the stars.

Placeholder

2009-03-01T09:41:00.000-05:00

Easter Lily - Nikon D40

Still sick. Bronchitis. Arggh! I really can't express how much I hate being sick, and this year has been a doozy. Hopefully, I'm on the mend and will have a real post up soon.

Random Beach

2009-02-20T07:04:00.001-05:00

Gulf of Mexico - Nikon D40

I have another cold. I guess this is my year to catch them in multiples. Why is it that we can do all these amazing things as a race, yet we can't find a cure for the common cold? Nevermind me, I'm just cranky. I am not good about being sick. I am impatient to be well so I can get back to going and doing.

I hope you all are having more fun this weekend. Tell me all about it. Let me live vicariously.

Life Gets In The Way

2009-02-16T16:07:00.000-05:00

Tropicana Rose - Nikon D40

Well, doesn't it just suck when reality screws with your plans to create? My day job has been so stressful and ridiculous lately, I haven't had any energy to work in the evenings when I get home.

Making a living from my art is a dream I will probably never realize, and I'm okay with that. It doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying for it, far from it. But just the process, the joy I get from sitting down to write or picking up the camera, is enough for me. I am grateful for it, and if I never make a penny from it, that's fine.

So, if you'll excuse me, it's my day off and I need to get outside with my Nikon before I lose my light.

Morning Sky

2009-02-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

Intercoastal Sunrise - Sony Cybershot

Lily of the Incas

2009-02-02T09:29:00.000-05:00

Alstroemeria - Nikon D40

Hectic

2009-01-30T20:17:00.000-05:00

Park Bench - Nikon D40

This week has been so busy that I am writing this post to say I am too busy to write a proper post. My creativity is stunning, isn't it? I'm going to call it a day and go watch Battlestar Galactica. Be back soon with real content. Promise!