Team-Up Thursday~ Night

It was my turn to choose a theme, and knowing that I was going to the big city for some nights out on the town with some friends, I chose the theme......NIGHT. Then I proceeded to take seriously boring and sucky shots in a hurry. sigh....I just couldn't find inspiration. That's okay though......it was a great weekend, and the enjoyed the beautiful city nights even though my photos don't show it.

Now Berta's shot, on the other hand.....stunning! This lamp makes her happy....and I can totally see why. It makes me happy just looking at a picture of it. If I had a lamp like that....the winter evening would be a little less dreary.

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ Money

Berta made a quick pick of the theme MONEY! What a fun, and interesting theme. I had coincidentily taken a photo of a penny on the ground a few days before, so it was perfect.

Berta's shot is fabulous, and so unexpected. What a creative way to send someone a gift of money. ♥

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ SMALL

It was my week to choose a theme and I simply had no idea what would inspire me. Looking back through some of the other Team-Up Thursday participant's diptychs I saw that many of them did "SMALL" a few weeks back. I emailed Berta the theme...then proceeded to let it slip from my mind. I had intended on really trying to think outside the box...or at least force myself to take a photo of something I have never aimed my camera at before. Great intentions.....not so great follow through.

Yesterday it dawned on me that I hadn't taken a SMALL shot, and I needed to get something edited and sent to Berta right away. However, as I drove home from my long day at the office all I could think about was getting home and checking on our baby bunnies. You see.....we have 7 one week old baby bunnies at home and they are so very fragile....and well......needy. Their eyes aren't even open yet. Our weather has been nuts lately, hitting lows of 36 degrees in the morning and highs of 76 degrees in the late afternoon. These poor little creatures don't know what to think. I'm anxious that they will not survive, so they are in my thoughts nearly non-stop.

Once home, I proceeded to gently remove each sweet baby bunny from the fur lined nest to check for full tummies, and growth. Sugar bear sat holding a few squirmy babies, as I kept saying over and over again, "Soft and gentle....fragile like an egg." to remind her of their delicate state. Once I completed my task, I finally turned to retrieve the last two from Sugar's loving hands, and realized just how SMALL these little honeys are. I ran for my camera, calling over my shoulder, "soft and gentle.....fragile like an egg." I returned to grab this shot....my sweet Sugar's SMALL hands holding our SMALL precious babies. It just melts my heart. I'm grateful for this wonderful life experience.

When I first saw Berta's shot, I literally GASPED! I mean seriously...look at it. it is breathtaking. I'm not sure if all the texture in that shot is strictly in camera bokeh or if she applied a post processing texture, but OH.MY.WORD what a photo. Please take the time to go over to her site and tell her how awesome she is.

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ FALL

As each year goes by, I forget how much I love the FALL season. Then, when it comes around the loop, I'm always surprised all that is wonderful this time of year.

Berta's shot perfectly defines all that I love about FALL indoors. Nothing better than harvest decor......a yummy smelling candle....and some candy corn. sigh.....I could climb right in that picture and be happy for a long....long....long.....time.

My photo defines all that I love of FALL season outside. oooooooo the colors. I really wish I lived somewhere with more deciduous trees. There is nothing better than fabulously FALL leaves. The crisp cool air....the sunny days. It is just all so wonderful.

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ ROCKS

Several weeks ago....and I do mean SEVERAL, I threw out the idea of doing "ROCKS" for our Team-Up Thursday theme. Berta was game and we went for it. THEN....I broke some horrible Internet rule and was banned from the Internet for 3 weeks. Then I just couldn't get my life in order enough to edit my shot and get it to sweet Berta in time to play along. So here we are finally sharing our results. Berta deserves a special present for being ever so patient with me. Love her! ♥

Berta's shot is so beautiful, and I adore the use of a fun tilt. I love the natural colors, and the water drops on the glass.


My photo wasn't what I originally thought of capturing for this theme, but when I found myself in the moment, it just seemed like the perfect idea. Capturing that idea was not easy, nor do I think I was particularly successful. You see.....I get motion sick doing something as simply as playing ring around the rosey. Just thinking about the ocean bobbing up and down makes me down right ill. The Hubby, on the other hand, nearly lives on the sea. He has been a commercial fisherman for 20+ years, and on the ocean since he was 5. We decided it was high time to find out if Sugar takes after her mama or her daddy in this particular area, so we headed out to sea. I took motion sickness medicines and still had to work hard at staying well. Taking pictures was NOT a good idea, but I risked it a few times. Sugar loved it, and spent a good deal of time standing in the center of the boat "surfing" the waves. she loved trying to keep her balance as the boat rocked and rocked. I am so pleased to announce that she is her daddy's daughter and handled it like a champ. The boat ROCKS....and so does she!

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team Up Thursday~ My Week

Ooooooo... My girl Berta had a rockin' suggestion....and we went with it. Rather than do a diptych featuring one photo from me and one photo from her, we each made a mosaic of our week. We had to choose one photo from each day of the week.

I don't know about Berta, but I loved pulling my mosaic together. One thing really screamed out at me.

"I am so very blessed!"

The first portion of my week, Sugar Bear was not home. She was at Grandpa and Grandma's house, so I had some adventures of my own.

Monday, I went photo scouting with a new photography friend looking for fun places to do portraits. We were lucky to catch the beach near sunset, and watch this guy fly his kite.

Tuesday, I spent the entire day in our new fire station attending a work training in their community conference room. We got a tour of the station, and I had fun photographing an old steam fire engine.

Wednesday, I got the privilege of feeding some darling baby bunnies for a friend. I have to admit I spent a great deal of time just snuggling these little cuties. sigh....it's official. I love baby bunnies.

Thursday, I once again joined my new photography friend. I snapped this shot of a local bridge while she was happily capturing portraits for a client of hers. It was a beautiful night.

Friday, after work, I picked up my little love, and she had a wonderful smile for me. She lost her first tooth while she was away.

Saturday was our special day....just me and my girl. We stayed in our jammies all day, and went out into our yard in the early evening for some fun. This shot of her on the swing just melts my heart. I don't want her to ever grow up.

Sunday we found a way to mix some fun in with our chores. Sitting in the grass, watching Sugar Bear do some balance work on her glider bike was a treasured moment. It is good to be a mom.

Next, we have Berta's mosaic. It takes my breath away.

Please take the time to head over to Berta's blog to see what she has to say about her week. For me....this just says so much....I adore her photography logo....and it certainly pulls the whole thing together....it really is LIFE. She captures LIFE so very well. I have to giggle at her makeup brushes though....she says that she is envious that men don't have to bother with such things. Well....either do I. Maybe I should....but I don't. I use a makeup brush about once a year...if that. I'm just too lazy, I think.

I am so grateful for this project. Seeing all these pictures together......one can't help but admit that.....LIFE IS GOOD!

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ Nature

Hey Folks! I'm lacking in words this week. I know that last week, I mentioned wanting to use my words on this blog more, but today isn't the day. I only have time to drop this bad boy on the ol' blog and run.

Berta set us to thinking about NATURE this week. While I took the very literal sense of the word with a photo of my neighbor's beautiful hydrangea. Berta did some rockin' "out of the box" thinking this week with her shot of a little lady whose NATURE is to be girly. I love it.

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ Words

This week, I chose the theme of WORDS for Berta and I to capture. My mind has been on the fact that my blog used to be as much about WORDS as it was pictures. I'm not sure I have written anything of substance or interest in a year now. I simply don't seem to find the time to put my WORDS down anymore. I'm lucky if I find the time to post pictures. This makes me sad. I enjoy the process of getting my thoughts out of my head, and onto the paper (or screen). I miss it. It seems like I can't FOCUS on the meaning in my life anymore, and spend too much time going from this to that...and back to this. I want to reflect more.....acknowledge more.....share more. I just need to FOCUS.

Berta's shot makes me want to see the rest of the book. Not only does it have cool photography...it has words...........interesting words....and I like that. I'm curious about life, too. Aren't you?

Please do head over to Megan's to find all the Team-up Thursday participants.

Team-Up Thursday~ Classic

When Berta suggested the theme of CLASSIC....I have to admit I was totally stumped, but I just let the week play out. Nothing really stood out to me until late one night when I was editing pictures I took at a recent wedding. While working with the "cake" shots, I kept giggling and thinking...that is just CLASSIC. The bride was being all nice, and then the groom starts shoving it in her face. sigh.......boys will be boys. While it isn't the most obvious meaning of CLASSIC, it goes with the following meaning of CLASSIC: "Of a well-known type; typical."

Berta's shot is amazing. I am in love with the rich colors she gets in her shots. I don't know how she does it....but I admire her so much. This shot is truly CLASSIC. You rock, Berta!

Be sure to visit Megan's site, the home of Team-up Thursday!

Team-Up Thursday~ Excited

The theme for this week is EXCITED! What fun! I have to admit that it isn't hard to find shots to fit this theme when you are around kids, because kids tend to often be very EXCITED, right?

I took my shot when we were camping with the cousins. The oldest young lady was soooooooooo great at getting the littles soooooooooooooooooooooo EXCITED! She loved to do anything she wanted to do. Jumping into the river was sooooooo very EXCITING for all of them.

Berta's shot is just priceless. I adore Berta's photography. She has such a way of getting the perfect shot. Her processing is so rich and colorful. Her photos actually get me pretty EXCITED when I see them. I'm such a lucky lady, to have a partner like Berta! ♥

Be sure to visit Megan's site, the home of Team-up Thursday!

Team-Up Thursday~ Sassy

Berta threw a real whooper of an idea at me this week, and I have to say....I was a bit stumped. SASSY....hmmmm.....what does the word SASSY really, truely mean? It might come as a surprise to you that I didn't actually look up the definition. I know...I know....I'm failing at "being Corey" these days. I just sat back...and waited for something to strike me.

Monday, I was having a little chat with The Hubby, in our livingroom, while Sugar Bear was outside driving around our property in her Jeep. My husband glaced out the window, and started to snicker. I took a look as well, and said outloud, "Oh my she thinks she is SASSY!" Then my mouth dropped open, and I ran for my camera. The SASSY moment had arrived.

Even better, when I showed up outside to take the picture, Sugar Bear said, "nope....shows over!" tee hee......good thing I snapped this shot before she noticed me. What a SASSY girl!

Now Berta's shot......WHOA DOGGY....is that not the most beautiful photo in the whole wide world? Seriously.....I can't stop lookin' at it. What a stunning shot of a sassy woman. LOVE IT! Everything about it is fabulous. Well done Berta!

Be sure to visit Megan's site, the home of Team-up Thursday!

Team-Up Thursday~ White

This week, I suggested the theme of WHITE. I wasn't entirely sure Berta's back was going to let her be very adventuresome. White is something you can find just about anywhere. As I went about my week, I was on the hunt. While, crossing the creek on my parents place, I imediately saw some small WHITE water, and knew it was going to be my choice for the theme. I love the look of running water splashing over rocks.

Berta's shot makes me smile, as Petunias are a flower that reminds me of home. My mom always planted lots of pretty petunias around the house each year.

Be sure to visit Megan's site, the home of Team-up Thursday!

If you are a Team-up Thursday participant, please link up. There are so many great teams!

Team-Up Thursday~ Dessert

Who doesn't LOVE dessert? Berta and I had a busy busy week, so we didn't really connect until Monday. Berta suggested the idea of DESSERT, and I couldn't have been happier. I had taken a great DESSERT shot the day before. I was all set. It's cool when that when that happens. For the 4th of July, I had made a super yummy brownie fruit pizza. I could have eaten the whole thing myself, as it wasn't overly sweet. What a fun DESSERT....and soooooo pretty to boot!

Berta's shot is soooooooo breathtaking. I want to dive right in. I love love love cheesecake. YUM! I think it's so cool that our pics have the same color palette. They go so well together. How SWEET!

Be sure to visit Megan's site, the home of Team-up Thursday!

If you are a Team-up Thursday participant, please link up. There are so many great teams!

Team-Up Thursday~ UNDER

It was my turn to choose a theme, so I randomly threw out the idea of UNDER. Not only did I have zero idea what I would choose to shoot, I had to email Berta 2 days later and ask her what exactly was the theme I had chosen. I only wish I was kidding. tee hee.....I am such a scatter brain.

Once I had the theme written down and taped to my computer monitor, I continued to have NO idea what to shoot. Then, on Monday, while watching my little Sugar Bear during her Swimming lesson....when suddenly, something AMAZING happened. Sugar Bear went willingly UNDER water! This is BIG for her. I mean HUGE for her. She has been not very cooperative about the face in the water for several years now. Two previous summer sessions of lessons had made zero impact on this issue. Suddenly, this week...she is doing it....of her own accord! I am thrilled for her. I was so excited to grab this shot of her UNDER the water.

Berta's shot is so very intriguing. I love that the fast shutter speed captured the water as if it were solid. Morgie is standing UNDER a water bucket at the local water park. How fun is that? We don't have one of these around here. I love that we both ended up with water shots this week. I mean...the possibilities are truly endless, and yet....we chose the same thing. How funny! Thanks for being such a great partner, Berta! ♥

There are so many wonderful folks participating in this little game. Please link up so people can see your team's Diptych this week! :)

Tell Me Thursday~ Kitty and Haba's Summer Adventures

Something you might not know about me, is the fact that I have a little project going. Well, not quite such a little project anymore, but a project none the less. You see, on September 1st, 2009, I started taking a photo a day of my little friend Kitty. It was only going to be a month long experience, but I didn't feel quite done when the month was over, so I decided to keep going until I felt done. Each day, the photo must be different than any other I've taken. Interestingly enough, this project has given me MUCH MUCH MUCH more than I ever expected. My hope had been that it would challenge my photography skills, and inspire me to take chances, and try new things. It has, indeed, done all those things. Above and beyond ALLLLLL THAT, a surprising outcome emerged. Each day, I find Kitty lingering in the back of my thoughts, and as I view my world, I think about when and where I want to capture that day's photo. It has forced me to think about my life, and choose a defining moment in each day. This simple project is somehow helping me own up to my feelings, be more present in my life, and truly see that each day is it's own, even when it feels like you are going no where.

Somewhere along the way, I inspired the fabulous BERTA, to take on a project of her own. She adopted a little friend, Haba, and her posts that feature Haba are definitely some of my favorites. She couldn't have picked a cuter subject. Berta has skills, people. I haven't seen a picture of Haba that bored me. She really has a way with him. ♥

This week, Berta suggested involving our little friends in our Team-Up with the theme of SUMMER ADVENTURES. Lucky for me, I actually had some summer adventures this past week. I had the opportunity to stop by the seashore all BY MYSELF. sigh.....it was fabulous. I guess technically, I wasn't ALL by myself, as Kitty was there. My constant companion for 300 or so days now.

Berta's shot this week of Haba, just yells, "take time to smell the flowers!" and THAT is what summer should be about. We need to take the time to enjoy the gifts this world has given us. The flower seems to have made him really happy, and I understand that sentiment.

If you are a Team-Up Thursday participant, please feel free to link up, so that I can check out your post.

Team-Up Thursday~ Bokeh

When Berta suggested "BOKEH" for this week's theme, I did a little dance. I just knew I could get a GREAT shot for the theme. While I admit I didn't KNOW KNOW exactly what bokeh was, I definitely had heard it referred to a lot, and I knew exactly what I was looking for.

Then.....my week happened. It was a CRAZY busy week, with NO daycare, Tons of meetings and stuff at work, Dance Recital, and rain, rain rain.......sigh.

So while Berta got the shot I was hoping for....I did not.

So What EXACTLY is this crazy thing called BOKEH? After spending a bit of quality time googling, I found this definition to be most common:

A Japanese term for the subjective aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of a photographic image. To be pronounced "bo" as in bone, and "ke" as in Kenneth.

So not only is it referring to the out of focus portion of a photography, it is also referring to the QUALITY of that blurry portion. This is where it all goes confusing. The BEST quality of bokeh is a very disputed thing around the photography world. It is subjective. Good bokeh is pleasing to the eye. It does not distract from the subject of the photo.

It seems to me that there is two kinds of bokeh, then. The "hollywood style", and the "cream cheese style". Berta's shot is the hollywood style. It is flashy bokeh. The beautiful circles of light. This type of bokeh is just as much the subject of the shot as the flower in focus. It is a stunner.

My photo is more the "cream cheese style". The background is completely blurred in a smooth gradient. The purpose of the bokeh is to keep your eye on the subject in focus. It does not distract at all.

All in all, I walked away from this week just a tad more confused about what BOKEH really, truly is....but for a better appreciate for all sort of blur. It all serves a purpose, and makes photography such an interesting hobby.

Be sure to sign up, if you are a Team-up Thursday participant. I want to stop by your place, and see what you have been up to this week.

Team-Up Thursday~ Down Low

This week, I excitedly chose the theme of DOWN LOW! I had all sorts of visions for this theme. For much of the week, the weather did not make laying down low to get my shot very easy, but Sunday pull through for me, and got a shot that I love. Sugar Bear's toes are my favorite toes in the whole wide world. ♥ I just love her little stinky feet, with the peeling skin. tee hee...you just don't read a sentence like THAT everyday, now do you?

Berta's shot is sooooooooooo pretty. It is totally my type of shot. I adore the selective focus on the smooth silver beads. The reflections are amazing. It is just so sparkly, and elegant.

If you are participating, be sure to link up. I enjoy coming by to see your diptych, and I know others do, too.

Team-Up Thursday~ Hair

I have to admit that when Berta mentioned the idea of doing the theme "HAIR" this week, I was a bit hesitant, but the more I thought about it, the more is became perfectly clear what I should photograph. I am a SUCKER for the sweet spot at the nap of Sugar Bear's neck where the hairs are fine and tickle my face, as I bury my face there. Sugar Bear was a bald little honey for a long long long time. I waited so long for her hair to come in. Not only do I love the sweet nape of her neck....I adore her ponytail. Her HAIR, in general, is a very sentimental thing for me.

Berta's shot is so cute! I love the expression on his face. She tells me that he became a BOY that day. His sweet baby curls had to be removed due to an extremely unfortunate gum incident. :( It really is amazing how much a haircut can change someone's entire look.

Head on over to Megan's blog to see more Team-up Thursday participants, and sign up here if you are participating yourself.

If you are participating, Please link up here, so others can come by and visit. :)

Team-Up Thursday~ SLEEP

This week, I suggested the idea of SLEEP! I'm fairly certain it had a little something to do with the fact that I was craving SLEEP at the time. As it turns out, it was a fun theme that had me using my tripod for the first time in half a year.

For my shot, I waited until Sugar Bear was sound asleep. I snuck into her room with my tripod and camera. I let the light from the hallway fall on her face. I set my shutter speed on .60 of a second,and snapped a few shots. I wanted to just have her face lit up, so I stood in between the light in the hallway and Sugar Bear with my arms shaping an "O" above my head. This created a shadow that surrounded her face, and gave it a perfect frame.

Berta's shot melts my heart. I miss those days of holding a sleeping child. There really is nothing as sweet as holding a little one in your arms as they travel through dream land. sigh.....

Head on over to Megan's blog to see more Team-up Thursday participants, and sign up here if you are participating yourself.

Team-Up Thursday~ SIDE BY SIDE

I am short on words tonight.....I think I have a fever, and must go to bed.

Berta chose the theme of "Side by Side" this week. I had all sorts of ideas of different objects side by side, but when I saw Sugar Bear giving her beloved dog a hug the other day the thought that ran through my mind was, "awww...they are always at each other's side!" Then the light bulb went off, and I had my shot.

Berta's shot is FABULOUS! It just doesn't get any sweeter than THAT, in my opinion.

I'm out of here...my bed is calling me.