Best Shot Monday- Big Blue Eyes

Happy Labor Day everyone. We had a family reunion at my parent's house today and here are a couple of shots of my nephew. Once again, I am glad to have a subject that will not run away from me. My nephew is 7 months old and has the sweetest smile. His whole face lights up when he looks at you. I am so glad there is going to be another boy around for my little guy to play with. It seems like no matter where we go he is always surrounded by girls.

I am choosing the one above as my best shot. I love that he is looking at me and those eyes just get me every time.

I had to throw this one in there too. So sweet. Head over to Tracy's and check out some more great shots.

Theme Thursday- A Fairy Round Up

Today's theme for Theme Thursday is Round Up. I had so many ideas for this week. I wanted to do a collage of all my favorite photos from this summer. I am not sure what happened or what motivated me to try Stacy's tutorial on creating a fairy picture, but that is what I did instead. I played around with this for so long this is all I have for today. I am not 100% pleased with it. I definitely want to play around with it some more and try a couple of different techniques. At least I used some photos from a hike we took this summer. I actually merged 3 different photos, one of each of the kids and then the background. Photoshop is an awesome tool!! I am becoming more and more comfortable with it and can see how addicting it can become.

Why don't you swoop on over to The Land of K.A. to see what everyone else came up with today.

I am Crystal Confident For Sure

Do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I was rambling on about my lean mean green hygiene? Well, I decided to take the plunge and try the Crystal deoderant stick. I was apprehensive at first, but have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised. It works much better than the Almay one I was using. I have even converted my husband. There is no residue, no scent, and it works. A note of warning- you will still sweat, which is normal. Everyone sweats, right? Maybe, it is easier for me to say since I am not especially sweaty.

Time magazine just had an article on deoderants. Like everything else, nothing is conclusive, but it makes you think. If I can use something that still works and does not contain harmful chemicals, why not?

Completely Refashioned Skirt

I finished my first refashion. I have been collecting materials and finally had enough to make a skirt for my little girl. My loving and very thoughtful husband took the kids to the park Saturday so I could have a couple of hours of uninterrupted sewing. I cut all the pieces on Friday afternoon. I used instructions I found online (which I now can not find for some reason) and a McCall's pattern to come up with my measurements, so that I had 4 tiers instead of 3.

For the top layer (floral) I used a shirt that I found at Goodwill. The orange fabric is a freecycle find. The plaid layer is one of my brother's old shirts. The last layer is from a sheet I found at Goodwill. I even used elastic from an old sports bra for the waistband. Not bad, huh? It was a little tricky since the size of the fabric was limited. As you can see at the very top I had to piece together some of the fabric to make it wide enough. Overall, I am happy with the way it turned out. What do you think?

Best Shot Monday- Oh My Goodness

I have a new subject to photograph. My precious 2 week old niece. She sleeps a lot (at least when I am around her), she makes the sweetest faces, doesn't run away from me, and oh my goodness what a sweet little mouth.

I could take pictures of her all day. When I saw this photo, I knew this was my Best Shot Monday. Head on over to Tracey's and check out some more great photos.

Check out this outfit

This is what my son was wearing when I picked him up from school on Wednesday.

Ok, before you think I am an awful mother. He had a change of clothes in his cubby. His teachers said they did not know, but I think they really wanted to put this outfit on him for a good laugh. Ok, obviously we have not updated his change of clothes in a very long time. Well, at least it provided a good laugh.

I couldn't resist including this picture (eventhough it is pretty blurry) because it looks like he is giving me the finger. He has started telling me to put my camera up when I start taking pictures of him. I have tried to back off a little bit, but this outfit warranted a photo session.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Theme Thursday- Wonder

I have been meaning to post more pictures of our trip to the Fair, but just have not gotten around to it. When Stacy announced the theme for Thursday as Wonder I knew these pictures would be perfect. It was so fun to see the kids explore the rides and see the animals. I mean where else can you......

ride a dragon

see a camel this close

milk a pretend cow

ride a caterpillar roller coaster

pet a big eared rabbit

and see a Ferris Wheel

all in one night? Well, only at the Fair.

Wander over to the Land of K.A. to experience more wonder.

Wordless Wednesday- It's Still Summer

Click here for more Wordless Wednesday photos.

My First Baby Blanket

This is the last project I finished. It is a baby blanket for my sweet niece. My mom had given me the purple minkee fabric and this gave me a perfect excuse to use it. When I first started the blanket, I thought how hard can it be? Well, let me tell you I am now an expert seam ripper. I eventually said the heck with it and decided there was no way I was going to make it look perfect. There is definitely no mistaking it is handmade, which is a good thing, right?

I have been thinking about sewing a lot lately, but not actually sewing. I have been collecting materials from the Goodwill and also putting aside some of our worn out clothing. I want to make several things using reclaimed fabric. Hopefully, I will have something to post soon.

Oh, and here is a photo of my new niece. She is so precious.

*I am having major computer problems at home (probably because of the thousands of pictures I have saved). We are in the process of moving everything off our laptop to an external hard drive. If I disappear for a couple of days, don't worry. I will be back, hopefully.

Best Shot Monday- Butterfly Weekend

We went to the zoo again on Saturday. We are really trying to take advantage of that membership. The big huge playgroud was closed for renovations, which was a little disappointing. I did not take too many photos because I felt like I had already taken so many in our previous visits. There was a farm and garden that we had not seen before and I took a couple of shots there. There were butterflies everywhere and for some reason I love taking pictures of them. When I first looked at the photo below I thought it was okay and then I looked closer and noticed the proboscis (butterfly "tongue") all curled up.

On Sunday I was outside with kids and I saw a couple of huge butterflies. They were the biggest butterflies I had ever seen. I was able to get really close to them. The photo below was not cropped at all and I took it with my 18-55 mm lens. That's how close I was to it.

I just love the colors in this one. So I am choosing it as my Best Shot Monday. Head on over to Tracey's and see the other great images captured last week.

Yippeee!!! I am a finalist.

I am one of the Finalists in the 5 Minutes for Mom Photo Contest. Yeah!!! Whoever gets the most votes wins. So I need your help. Go vote (preferably for me) right here. I am # 6 New Green Mama. (Just in case you were unsure). There are so many great photos. So I am truly honored to be a finalist. In case you forgot, go vote. Oh yeah, for me. Thanks!!!

Theme Thursday- Antique

Today's theme is Antique. I took a couple of laps around the house searching for something that resembled an antique that would also make a cool photograph. As I was glancing around I saw the old string instrument hanging on the wall that we bought at a flea market. I took it off the wall to get a better photo. The kids immediately flocked to it. They would not keep their hands off the thing. I am not exactly sure what it is, but I think it is a Zither or Autoharp.

I really wish I knew the history behind this instrument. I would love to be able to share a story or tell you it came from my great great grandfather. Truth is, we just thought it would look cool hanging on the wall. I guess we will just have to leave the story to our imaginations.

See what everyone else came up with over at The Land of K.A.

Wordless Wednesday- Meet Big Dog

Click here or here for more Wordless Wednesday shots.

Friday Finds- I Have Been Thrifting

I racked up on some more good stuff at Goodwill on Friday. Our local Goodwill store is huge and always has tons of great deals. You have to be patient and dig through lots of stuff, but it is so worth it.

In the picture above, are curtains on the left, a purple satin nightgown, a navy velvet dress, and 4 books. I liked the material of the curtains and thought I could possibly make a skirt out of it. My daughter has not wanted to take off the navy dress eventhough it is 90 degrees outside.

I thought these two dresses would be perfect for dress up.

The blue and black top is for me. I loved the material of the other shirt. I thought it would make a cute purse. I might be getting a little ahead of myself, but that is okay. And are you ready for the grand total? Under $12. Yep, that's right. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

I have been thinking about joining Wardrobe Refashion, but I am just not sure. If I really knew how to sew maybe. I still love looking at what other people come up with. If you get a chance, you should check it out.

Best Shot Monday- Mama's White Skirt

I wore a long white skirt to work last week. I don't wear skirts often so when I do my daughter is the first to smother me in compliments. "Oh, mommy what a pretty outfit. You look beautiful." As I was undressing after work, my daughter immediately capitalized on the opportunity to seize my skirt. I could see her little mind reeling. "Can I wear it mommy?" she said. Followed by, "This could be my wedding dress." I fashioned it on her the best I could and she was off. Ready for the ball.

Lucky for me she was bouncing around the room and landed in the chair right by the window. The lighting was perfect and she was kind of still for a minute.

I am choosing this one as my best shot.

Head on over to Tracey's to see some more great shots.

Summer Fun Photo Contest

I have been wanting to enter the Summer Fun Photo Contest at 5 Minutes for Mom, but just didn't have a picture that said Summer Fun to me. Well, until this weekend. We went to the County Fair and I took this photo of my niece. I decided I have to enter now. So here it is.

All the kids were screaming, especially my niece. She was cracking us up. She screamed with joy for the entire ride. I mean look at that face. Now that is some good Summer Fun!!

It's All About the Eyes

Oh, the elusive eyes.

How I long to see them looking directly at me.

Please.
Please look at me.
Right at me.
No not over there.
Right here.
You don't even have to smile.

Those eyes get me every time.

No don't run away.

Please come back.

Do you have to cover your eyes?

Is it really that bad?


Oh, gotcha! See you have such beautiful eyes.


I have to admit this week's theme might be my favorite so far. I struggle with this one all the time. I managed to get a couple of shots with eyes, maybe next time I can even catch a smile.

Have a look at what everyone else captured over at The Land of K.A.

Harvesting Some Basil

Look at all that basil. I have been meaning to harvest my basil for the last couple of weeks. I wanted to catch it before it flowered. So I finally found the time last night. The problem wasn't cutting it back. It was deciding what to do with it. Kalyn had a very timely post explaining how to freeze fresh basil. So that's what I did. Maybe next go around I will dry some.

The purple basil had already begun to flower so I clipped those back as well and I am hoping to dry the seeds to plant for next year.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with all my parsley and dill.

Say Goodbye to the Seven Year Itch

Well, I actually never got the seven year itch, but I thought it made for a more interesting blog title. I have been married to my husband for 8 years today. I really can't believe it. In some aspects I feel like we have been together forever. But when I really think about it the time has flown by. I can't imagine sharing my life with anyone else. Happy Anniversary!

Oh, and here's a little present for you. I took a picture of your Voodoo lily. Isn't it cool looking? Maybe one day it will bloom, but even if it doesn't it is still fun to say we have Voodoo lilies.

Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down

After reading so many blogs and looking at so many photos taken with a 50mm lens, I have been itching to try one out for myself. Well, since I have a D60 and the Nikon 50mm will not auto focus with my camera I have been a bit bummed. I know I could use the 50mm on my camera, but I would have to manually focus. So this got me thinking. If I have to manual focus anyways, why not try to find an older lens and save a little money. I went on ebay and ended up buying a Nikon EM with a 50 mm f/1.8 E Series lens. This camera was made in 1979. I thought it was worth a shot (pun intended). I received my camera and lens in the mail yesterday and immediately attached the lens to my D60. When I use this lens I have to shoot in manual mode. Plus I have to manually focus, which I am discovering is rather challenging. Here is one of the first shots taken with my new (old) lens.

I had the camera sitting on the floor and was just clicking away. It was interesting to see the various objects that crossed in front of my lens. Like this one for example.

It was easier to focus with the camera resting on the floor. The verdict is still out on whether this was a good purchase. I am getting better at focusing, but I feel like the photos are pretty grainy. I am not sure if it is the settings I am choosing or just the lens. Regardless, I have had fun and am on my way to shooting manual all the time. As you can tell, I am doing better with objects that are not moving at supersonic speeds.

I love the bokeh on this one. The white streaks in the upper right and corner are actually a spider web. Well, I am choosing the first one as my Best Shot Monday. There's just something about it that makes me keep looking at it over and over again.

Head on over to Tracey's for some more great shots.