This is it... at least for 2012!!!

Week 52 was yet another self portrait. I hate doing self portraits..... But, it was not my choice as this was a group of photographers doing the same challenge! I must say I had a blast doing this challenge and I am so excited I made it the whole year!!! I am so looking forward to next years, I can't wait to find out what challenges lay ahead!
Anyway, on to this weeks photo. I did one inside first, due to it raining outside. Then I did another one two days later after it snowed! I like the one outside better!

 

It has been a pretty good year for me, and I hope next year is just as good, if not better! I hope you all have enjoyed this journey with me this year, and join me again in 2013! Happy New Year!

Week 51

Week 51: A Street.
One more week to go for this year. Wow, It has been a great journey. I really look forward to the next years challenge.

Anyway, for this week I have a shot of my little man out for a walk during the first snow of the season.

Next week is the last week for 2012. It wraps up with another self portrait! See you then!

Week 50!

Oh my goodness, there are only two weeks left! This week was on the shelf. I know Elf on The Shelf is big right now. Even though we do have an elf that hangs around here, I wanted something different. We some other regular winter visitors. There are five snowmen that come out and hang on the mantel every winter. There is one for each of my family members, Mom, Dad, and three kids.

Next week is a street. I hope that I can get a street with snow!!! See you later!

Week 49: Orange

OK, so our trip up to the mountains for a polar express ride didn't go as I planned. At least as far as getting pictures. The weather wasn't cooperating for outdoor nature photos. I am super paranoid about my camera getting wet in the rain/snow. Anyway, I do have a week 49 photo for you! This week was orange. My first though was an orange. But that is probably everyone elses first thought too. So, I tried for something a little less expected.

Orange writing utensils!

Next week is on the shelf. See you then!

Week 48: Smile

Hello, can you believe there are only 4 more weeks left! I am so proud of myself for making it the whole year! I know, it isn't over just yet, but this will be the first year I complete, unless I get really sick or something, which I hope doesn't happen!

So, anyway, this week's challenge was smile. I have three kids, and I know I would use one. I choose my oldest because he is at the age he is losing teeth! He already got his two bottom front teeth in, but the top front are missing. Right now it is perfect timing. It reminds me of the song "All I Want for Christmas, is my Two Front Teeth"!!!!    ;)

We are headed out for a ride on the Polar Express this weekend, so in next weeks post, I hope to have some pictures of that to share. Next week's challenge is orange. Wonder if there will be any orange on the Polar Express!!!!

Week 47: Chocolate

Hello! So, I have had a busy week this week. Not only is it Thanksgiving week here in the U.S., but all my kids (and husband) have birthdays this month! Not only that, Yule (Christmas, Hanukkah, the rest of the Winter holidays...) is right around the corner. This is the time of year my head starts to spin!!! But, It is exciting all at the same time!

Anyway, on to the photos! Week 47 inspired my to experiment. I love baking almost as much as I love photography. That being said, I wanted to make something new using chocolate. I made fudge for the first time a week ago for my husbands birthday. This week I found a recipe for mousse! So, last night, the kids and I made chocolate mousse for the first time. I thought it was a failure, but after some problem solving, I got it! I do wish I had some fancy serving bowls for this picture though. It may not look beautiful, but it sure tasted great!

Next week is a smile. Hope everyone celebrating Thanksgiving has a great one!!

Weeks 44, 45 and 46

Hello there, sorry it has been a while. I have for you, three weekly challenge photos. It has been pretty crazy around here lately, as it always is this time of year! With four birthdays this month, Thanksgiving coming up, the passing of my beloved feline friend, etc..... That all being said, I have lacked creativity on these two weeks. But, I did not want to give up on the challenge!

Week 44 was couples. I had this brilliant idea of using two of my kids for this. I pictured in my head a black and white of a boy and girl holding hands, outside, and from the back. Didn't happen..... instead, being Halloween week and all, this was what I got!

I did get another cute photo of a kid "couple" This girl, C, lives in our neighborhood. She comes over here, along with other neighborhood kids, to play with my oldest. This day, I happened to be out with the little kids the same time the big kids were here. C gladly invited Adrian in on their game of Hide and Seek. Or coarse, Adrian loved this, and followed C around the whole time she was here. Here they are counting together!!!

  

Week 45 was lace. this was tough, since I really don't have anything lace. These two photos are of the only two lace things in my home. The first is actually from my wedding. Can you guess what it is?

 The second is a close up of a curtain in my kitchen.

Lastly, week 46. This week was red, white and blue. And what better way to show that, then a photo of "Old Glory"

Next week is Chocolate. This one, I will put more effort into! Then, I will have fun eating it after!!!!! See you then!

Week 42 and 43

Ok, so week 42 was "biggest fear". My biggest fear would be something bad happening to my children. So, since, thankfully, all my children are happy and healthy, I have a photograph to represent this fear.

 

So, the above is an old grave, and hard to read. But what I can make out is that this girl, Martha, died in 1865 at age 2 years 2 months old. That is quite young, and very scary!

I have one more for biggest fear week. I hate insects of any kind. They all just freak me out. But, no, I am not one of those women who turn and run screaming! So, anyway, to show that fear, here is a creepy spider.....

 

 Lastly, week 43 was landscape. I really don't like landscapes. I have a really hard time capturing a landscape that meets the right criteria for a good landscape photograph. A good landscape would tell a story, and capture the interest of the viewer. It is tough for me to get that using a wide shot. That said, I know my "landscape" may not be that at all, because there is a boat in it..... So, it may not be "land" but hey, the rest of my landscape photos for this week really don't compare.... :)

Next week is couples! See you then!

Week 41: Kiss

I really wanted to do something different for this. The first thing most people may think of when they here kiss, is a couple kissing, or maybe a parent kissing a baby. Anyway, a majority would include people kissing each other. But, not my picture!

OK, So, I did get one other picture this week. This is my middle baby blowing me a kiss!

Next week is "Biggest Fear". I think I will have a few for that!

Week 40: Wild Yellow

Hello again! I am so excited. It has become my favorite season, autumn. I love the weather cooling down, and the beautiful colors of the leaves. This time of year is also when some of my favorite special events occur. That being Halloween, all my boys birthdays, and thanksgiving!!
I really loved that this week was yellow. It is one of the main colors for the fall season. I thing my photos this week will showcase that!

Next week is kiss, see you then!!

Weeks 38 and 39

Sorry I am late. But, hey, better late then never!!!!
Week 38 was balloons. There was a birthday party at a near by park. The mom was nice enough to let Ian play with the balloons. Perfect since week 38's challenge was balloons! Thanks random mom at the park!

Week 39 was vintage. The following photo is not my best or most creative. But, it is a photo of something meaningful to me. I just lost my Nana in the spring. She was my last living grandparent. She was there throughout my childhood, and she was even there for my wedding, and to welcome her first three great-grandchildren, courtesy of me! (she did get a forth great-grandchild before parting this life too, from my cousin) This china set was given to me by her (in her will). I was lucky enough to finally get the set in my possession this week. And what a perfect way to share something vintage that is so close to my heart. 

Next week is Wild Yellow! See you then!

Week 37: Sensual

I guess most people think of sexy poses when they hear sensual photography. I thought of arousing the five senses. I thought of things that would stimulate all the senses individually.

There were many other ideas I had as usual, but just didn't get to.I wanted to use chocolate for taste, roses for smell, a CD for sound, etc. Here, I choose a photo that represents touch (satin), sight and smell (scented candle).

Next week is Balloons

Week 36 - Movement

So, I went out last weekend and tried all kinds of things for this. But using a long exposure time with no tripod (mine broke already, even though I bought it in June) proved to be an impossible task. Of all the photos I tried, only this one looked have decent. And I still had to edit out a telephone pole and a street sign. The following is just a random car driving down route one, while I waited in my car in a parking lot. I really need to find a good tripod. I feel so defeated without one....

Next week is Sensual, not sure where I go with that one......

Week 35: Glass

So, I was slightly lazy this week. It was my oldest son's first week back at school, and I spend two days just lazing around the house. So, I used some of my own things that are glass. My choice for this week is below.

My Princess house glass jar set. I love these, the sit proudly on my kitchen counter all year.

Next week is movement. I plan to have some fum with that!!!

The Zoo!

My family and I took a trip to a nearby zoo this week. I had my camera in hand! I got a ton of photos there! I would love to share some of my favorites with you! Enjoy!

Week 34: Water

So, I loved that this was the challenge on the last week of the summer, before school starts Monday. We make weekly visits to my Dad's pool over the summer. So, when I realized water was the topic for the last week of summer vacation, I knew exactly what I wanted to do! Below is my oldest son just after hitting the water while doing a "Cannon Ball". What a perfect photo to end his summer vacation!

Next week is Glass. See you then!

Week 33: Favorite Outfit

So, I really wanted to try and get myself in an outfit, but since my new tripod managed to break on me already, I couldn't do that....
For this week, I thought over this for a while. I thought about making up a fancy outfit. But, that would not be my favorite. My favorite outfits consist of dark wash jeans, bermuda shorts, layering tops, sweaters or in the summer, a sundress. That would be my favorite because, it would still be comfy, but put together in a way that looks nice.
I have only taken one photo for this week. this represents my favorite type of outfit.There is a nice pair of dark wash, flared jeans; a fitted, cotton layering tank top; a lightweight, button front shirt; and a pair of classic, black flats. I believe this is a classic, casual look that is well put together and comfortable too! That is why this is my favorite!

Next week is Water.

Week 32: Trees

This week is trees. My choice for this week was actually taken last week in Bar Harbor. But, I just loved the shot, so I am using it for this week. I actually took this one just using a point and shoot camera too!!! I did get another neat photo for this week too. I will share them both!

My pick for this week: A white Birch on the shore of Bar Harbor, ME.

My second photo for this week, A maple that starts as one trunk, and splits into four!

Next week: favorite outfit

Week 31: Books

Sorry I am a few days late with this challenge, as I was away all last week! This challenge was books. I have only one photo for this challenge. As you can see in my post from my trip, i was busy with nature last week!!!

Later this week, Trees!

Acadia National Park

So I have just returned from a week long stay in Bar Harbor, Maine. My family and I had a wonderful time. We spent a lot of time in Acadia National Park. All this is located on Mount Desert Island. What a beautiful island it is, too!

Some of the things we did included hiking and biking, roaming the coast line, visiting downtown, and eating Maine lobster! We even visited a wonderful ice cream shop called Ben and Bill's. Their ice cream was amazing. I loved that they had a wide variety of flavors, which included lobster (only in Maine!!!)! We had to try a sample of the lobster ice cream, not the best I have ever had, but is was a great experience!

While there, I of coarse had a camera with me most of the time! So I would now like to share some photographs I captured along my journey in Bar Harbor.

Above is one of the Gate Houses built for the Acadia Carriage Roads. There are two all together. They were built to compliment the natural surroundings of the park. I loved them both!

  "Bald Eagle"

 Bass Harbor Head Light House

 First Bridge built in the Acadia Carriage road system. It is the only one of 17 made entirely of cobblestone!

 Sunset on Echo Lake, Southwest Harbor, Maine

 View of downtown Bar Harbor as seen from the top of Cadillac Mountain

 Inverted rock, created by the tides!

Old rusty bridge near Fort Knox, Prospect, Maine.