*Sigh*

Here it is...June 30th...last day of the month and last day of the photo challenge. When did that happen?!? (It's true what they say, you know; that the older you get, the faster life passes by.) I am so glad I stumbled across this challenge. Some of the themes forced me outside of my comfort zone...and some were just plain fun.

The closing photo is one of those that challenged me, because it requires me to be in front of the camera. True, I have put the timer to work and shown up in a few of my other shots over the past month, but today I figured it was time to be vulnerable and place myself front and center. It's so much easier being behind the lens, but what's the point of a challenge if you aren't willing to take risks and grow?!?

June 30th - Self Portrait

An extra shout-out to Kimberly for moderating and taking the time to collect/post photos every day!

And thanks to everyone who came along with me for the ride :)

I don't know...

I have no idea what was up with Blogger yesterday, but I tried for over three hours last night to get this posted...to no avail! I'm just going to echo my earlier statement about technology - I love it, when it WORKS!!!

Anyhow, here's my post that should have gone up yesterday.

(I'll post today's - the last photo challenge *gasp* - this evening)

I love black and white photos.

There are times when color is essential to a photograph; but so often I find that if you remove the color, you reveal the heart of the story that is being captured. No distractions, just the moment (or the subject) pure and simple. It somehow feels raw and honest to me.

I am inspired by photographs that make the ‘every day’ beautiful and memorable. So it has been my goal throughout this entire photo challenge to take photos right here at home; with flowers from my own yard, people in my family living our day-to-day life, and actual events. Today is no different; it was all about cousin play-dates and projects around the yard. Hope you enjoy!

June 29th - Black and White

To Bee Or Not To Bee

That is the question.

I can't decided.

I'm sure this comes as a shock to those of you who know me :)

So I'm going to leave it to you, reader, to make up your own mind.

Today's theme is 'flowers'. Which would you choose?

And here's a bonus photo, taken by our 8 year old son, who wanted to take a picture of the day like mom :)

Only Three Left?

There are only three photo challenges left (not counting this one). Where did the month go?!?

Today was a bit more challenging for me. Some may argue that my photo is a loose interpretation of the theme, but it's what came to mind, so I'm gonna go with my gut :)

June 27th - From A Distance

Up Close and Personal

Today's photo op came early, thanks to the morning dew...

June 26th - Close-Up

 

My husband even found an awesome close-up just a couple hours later; here's his:

It was a good day.

Fellowship, lunch out, farmer's market, and a stroll by the river. 

June is passing way too fast!

You'll Have To Take My Word For It

June 25th - Something Pink

I guess I had my white balance set wrong on this one, because BOTH this shirt and the lip gloss are pink...promise! Cross my heart and hope to die:)

 By the time I got it in the computer and realized it appears orange, I didn't have the time to fix it. Forgive me???

Furry Friends

June 24th - Animal

And some other honorable mentions/out-takes from today's shoot:



Thwarted Again!

Apparently living in the Northwest and photo challenges that have to do with the weather are not MFEO (ah, good ol' Sleepless In Seattle).

First it was the Cloud challenge...

then the Sunset challenge...

and now today's, which requires direct sun, something that has not shown up for even a moment. We've had clouds with patches of blue, but never a good view of Mr. Sun and his rays. I know each day's theme is supposed to be represented by a photo taken that day, but I cannot seem to muster up enough creative juices to satisfy the challenge. So I guess I'll have to live with submitting one of my photos taken last summer:

June 23rd - Sun Flare

Tomorrow's theme has nothing to do with the weather, so I'm sure to be found [happily] behind my camera, snapping away.

June 22nd - Hands

This lovely bouquet was waiting for me on our porch when I got home from berry picking...no note, no card. What a delightful surprise!!!  I only wish I knew who I could thank.

Summer So Far...(photo catch-up)

We've only been on summer vacation for six days, but they have been full and fun...

The weather may not be exceedingly warm for this time of year, but the calender says it's summer , so there's no keeping our boy out of the water!

We've enjoyed walking/riding on local trails...

baking and reading...

as well as put-put golf, gardening, and board games. (sorry no pictures of those!)

I can't wait to see what the days and weeks ahead hold!

Welcome Summer!

Today was the first official day of summer, and the kids and I welcomed it in with strawberries fresh from the farm. The sun was shining, the strawberries were plump and red, and the air smelled of wonderfully sweet, ripe fruit. We picked for just over an hour and came away with 13 pounds of berry deliciousness!

Then it was back home, where we promptly scooped up some vanilla ice cream to cover with our fresh strawberries. (We have our priorities!) When the last creamy drips of dessert had been cleaned from our bowls, the kids scattered to play, and I headed to the kitchen to put those berries to use.

Fast forward to tonight...

I am one tired mama, but happy to report that berries were shared, frozen, and turned into 16 jars of jam - with just enough left over to make a pie tomorrow. Hello summer!

June 21st - Faceless Self-Portrait



Special Delivery

June 20th - Bokeh

Delivering a Tonka truck load of golden bokeh for today's photo challenge :)

Orange

Today's photo challenge is orange, and I have to confess that I was sorely tempted to open this post with a cheesy, old-school knock knock joke. I even started to type it, and then my good sense got the better of me and I quickly hit the delete button.

Orange you glad I spared you???

Hahahahahahahaa! I know...I'm a dork!! Sorry. I simply couldn't resist.  

June 19th - Something Orange

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there!

Unlikely Inspiration

I can hardly believe our son was zipping down the new slip-n-slide yesterday (thanks to Grandma!), and we were all wearing shorts, eating BBQ. Because the view from my window today...looks like this:

That's June in the Northwest for you! I have a feeling today is going to be a reading, baking, getting-caught-up-on-laundry sort of day.

Anyhow, today's photo theme is shoes. I have been feeling like the last two days' photos were sub-par, and less creative than I wanted to be posting. I wasn't sure how I was going to change that today...and then inspiration came in an unlikely form.

My dog.

Who got out of the yard and ran down the street.

While my head filled with all sorts of unkind thoughts toward my pooch, I threw my messy, slept on hair in a bun, grabbed my boots and umbrella, and set out down our road to look for him. After two embarrassing encounters with neighbors, my daughter and I finally found him. He was promptly returned home with scolding and put in his kennel for a 'time out'! Naughty dog! I was sloshing around outside, making certain both of the gates were secured, when it occurred to me which shoes I should use for today's photo. The ones I was already wearing!

June 18th - Your Shoes

My daughter came out to see what I was doing. There I was, smiling and stomping around in puddles like a little kid. She looked at me like I was crazy, shook her head, and went back inside. But it WAS fun. And it relieved my grumpiness from chasing my trouble-maker dog down the street.

What a way to start the day :)

I love it...when it works!

It was a fun filled, summer vacation type of day that I'd love to share about...but we are getting ready to have some family over and BBQ, so it's straight to business for me!

June 17th - Technology

Who Doesn't Love A Little Candle Light Graffiti?!?

June 16th - Long Exposure

Whew! This one was tricky for me!



Dog Days

Today was the last day of school for the kids! We went to the library, got signed up for the summer reading program, and even were blessed with a sun-break this evening to run around and play outside. There were bikes, laughs, scrapes, band-aids and silly dogs to help initiate the first official afternoon of summer vacation. 

And today's photo challenge:

June 15th - Silhouette