fifty two / 52

fifty two / 52 looking into the future*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* (is in a bit of a slump) on Flickr.

looking into the future*

№ 26 | The Day After

26 | The Day After, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 26

Time to clean up the Christmas ribbons and wrappings.

All is quiet today... The hustle and bustle of Christmas came to a complete halt when I hit my head on the pillow last night.
Early this morning the kids went with Grandparents on a trip to visit my brother and his family in New York. Missing them; my kids, my brother and his wife, especially his adorable little girls.

№ 24 | Enchantment

24 | Enchantment, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 24
I realize that I have many dog/kitten photos for this project. With my kiddos almost grown up, I find that they are they easiest subject to shoot.
The kitten was enchanted with the lights, the tree and the bows on the gifts that were put out on Christmas Eve. My pup was enchanted with the new kitten.

№ 22 | You Are Getting Sleepy

22 | You Are Getting Sleepy, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 22

It's a pajama day today. While the goodies were baking in the oven, Milo and I sat down to take a little break.

№ 21 | Attitude Adjustment | fifty one / 52

21 | Attitude Adjustment, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 21

A little nostalgia... remembering the joy of the season, the childhood magic, and the warmth of yester-years.
Thinking back to when Christmas was fun, not that it isn't now. The anticipation and excitement was much different when I was 8 than 38.
Things like this little Santa from when I was a child helps me adjust my attitude.

№ 19 | Make A List (And Check It Twice)

Make A List (And Check It Twice), a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 19

I hate to admit this, but I haven't bought one single gift yet. I have not had the chance yet. (Sorry midnight shopping is not something I do.) Thank goodness that I have this week off of work.

№ 18 | Recharge

18 | Recharge, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

An Earl Gray Tea Latte and some reading.

Picture The Holidays : Day 18

fifty / 52

fifty / 52 what is it*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

what is it*

Emily's new kitten checking out the spray bottle.
I know, a far stretch for this week's theme.

№ 17 | WarmGlow

17 | WarmGlow, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

candles and bokeh

Picture The Holidays : Day 17

№ 13 | Simply Divine

Day 13 | Simply Divine, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born.




One of my favorite Christmas Hymns. 

As soon as I got the prompt this morning, knew what I was shooting... my beloved Nativity... I was shooting this in the early morning. I had a super slow shutter, no tripod, holding my breath. Into the frame, walks my dog. lol! I kind of like the "haze" he created. haha!

Picture The Holidays : Day 13

№ 12 | A Whole Lot of Happy

Day 12 | A Whole Lot of Happy, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 12

This little kitten has brought a whole lot of happy to my daughter. She insisted on bringing it home. I insisted she didn't. She is persistent I tell ya. I told her to ask her dad. She didn't. So I did. That didn't help! He said what ever makes her happy. Well she is. Milo pup is not. I hope they learn to get along! lol

№ 11 | Shaping Up

11 | Shaping Up, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 11

Pipe Cleaners, beads, glitter, glue, popscicle sticks. . . these are just a few items that I found today while decorating the tree. This little snowflake was made by one of my kids when they were little. There is a wreath and candy cane just like this. My home is starting to "shape up" for Christmas.

forty nine / 52

forty nine / 52 less is more*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

less is more*

Less on the focusing... more on the feeling.
The feeling of Christmas is slowing entering me. I am putting the tree up and decorating this weekend. There is less focus of chores this weekend... more focus on Christmas. (Chores can wait.)
I shot this yesterday with no intention of using it for my weekly shot... however, time slipped away and I did not get to shooting the shot I intended.

№ 10 | Twinkle Twinkle

Twinkle Twinkle, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 10
Milo was admiring the tree as we were putting it up today. I'm afraid to put the ornaments on it. He will think they are toys. This was taken in seconds, no time for focus and composition with him. Just as I tried to get a better focus he took off.

№ 8 | Reflecting on the Season

8 | ReflectingontheSeason, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 8

My daughter, her kitten Lilla (Leelah) and I reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas, Christ the Saviour is born!

№ 7 | Express Yourself

Express Yourself, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 7

Ugh! This is so "in your face" it's scary. I didn't have much time to do this. I should have changed my lens. I probably should have skipped the SP part of the project. I am probably going to do this over but am posting it to post. :-\

№ 6 | Every Little Thing

Every Little Thing, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 6

The tiny "gem" details of Christmas cards that I enjoy writing out.

№ 5 | The View From Here

The View From Here, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 5

This isn't a typical landscape shot for me. Normally I'd seek out a picturesque scene at the Park. Since today is my son's birthday, I decided to take a photo of the store that his gift came from. He's 18 today. It's a bittersweet day for me.

forty eight / 52

forty eight / 52 portrait*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

portrait*

My daughter met her "cousin" Mocha from San Diego for the first time yesterday. It was love at first sight.

№ 4 | You Hold The Key

You Hold The Key, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 4
The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making your dreams come true." Anonymous

It's so easy for me to get overwhelmed and stressed out during this time of year. Part of that has a lot to do with the lack of planning ahead. If I acknowledge my "dreams" for this Holiday, perhaps more happiness will come about, not stress.

№ 3 | All You Need Is Love

All You Need Is Love, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture The Holidays : Day 3
I John 4:10-11 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

№ 2 | Reframing The Season

Reframing The Season, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 2
"The frenzy of the holiday season can get the best of us!" This season I will remember to slow down, take a break. I will remember that I don't have to do 'everything', simply enjoy what the season has to offer.

№ 1 | Holding Onto Gratitude

Holding Onto Gratitude, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

Picture the Holidays : Day 1
One of the things that I am grateful for is my camera. Photography has been a passion of mine since I can remember. It is a creative outlet. I love creating images and seeing the final outcome. My emotions and feelings often come through my images. Like a poet expresses feelings, I express my feelings through my camera.
I also am grateful for the many memories that I have captured of my kids growing up and the family trips, etc.
My little Holiday Flash is a "find" and some day I will learn how to use it. Until then she lets me photograph her.

forty seven / 52

forty seven / 52 waiting*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

waiting*

My great-nephew was eating cotton candy while he waited for the parade to start.
*Bunny ears are included. ;-)

forty six / 52

forty six / 52 mostly white*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

mostly one color*
I was very uninspired this week and took this photo for the sake of saying that I took a photo.
I love my itty-bitty Starbucks ornament, tho!

forty five / 52

forty five / 52 before and after*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

before and after*

This week the theme was "before and after". We were to show a photo before any processing was done to it. I hope I don't bore you with all this... Well, I know I will. So if you keep on reading I will give you a little update on my family.
I processed the RAW file in Canon's Digital Photo Professional by adjusting curves and reducing noise. I sharpened it up a bit as well. Once I converted it to JPEG, I opened the image in Gimp. I rotated it slightly to straighten it up and cropped it. Then I ran a vintage script. I lowered the yellow, blue and magenta. The script also ran a bleach bypass. I adjusted that. I then added three of Kim Klassen's textures. I used "Phoebe", "Warm Sun" and "Canvas Magic". I changed each of them to overlay or screen and adjusted the opacity. And of course, I added a watermark / logo .
I like adding a slight texture to my photos lately. I don't like the texture to be too obvious. I hope that is true.

The before shot:

There it is... Thank you for looking... So now time to bore you on what's going on with us. :-D

So you know by now that David is in his senior year. It's been lots of visits with different universities. We have not gone to them, but they have come to his school. He's looking at getting into Ball State in Indiana (for some reason). So far he's been accepted to University of Michigan- Dearborn and Wayne State. We are waiting on Michigan State. He's looking to go into architecture. That is really where Ball State comes into play. He's still waiting to hear from them, too. There is always Lawrence Tech. He would go to community college to get the basics taken and they'd transfer over.
I've been stressing out BIG TIME about graduation party, senior pictures, announcements, you name it. I can't shake it.
Emily is begging us to get her license and a car. Driving is not something I am looking forward to her doing at the moment. We can't afford to get her a car, not to mention insuring four vehicles. Um... yeah.
So there you have it. A little bit of what's going on. Soon Christmas will be here. I think I should start playing the lottery now.

forty four / 52

forty four / 52 food*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

food*

They are putting these codes on everything, even bananas?! This one is for a contest. lol
I took this photo the other day while I was making the kids' lunches. Yes, I still make their lunches. I was procrastinating and taking pictures with my phone and the mytubo app for Android.

forty three / 52

forty three / 52 macro*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

macro*

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."
~Emily Bronte

forty two / 52

forty two / 52 words*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

words*

quote by ~Amelia Earhart

forty one / 52

forty one / 52 abstract*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

abstract*

Welcome. The Witch is in!


I'm not so sure on the "abstractness" of this shot... I don't think the socks are quite enough. hmmm... :o)

forty / 52

forty / 52 a variety of colors*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

a variety of colors*



Still picking them in October.

I'm not a good gardener.

I don't even like tomatoes.

thirty nine / 52

thirty nine / 52 in her shoes*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

In Her Shoes*

...inspired by a book or movie.
This was actually both a book and a movie. Of course, the book was so much better.

These shoes were one of two pair that we got for Emily's homecoming. We really liked these glittery pumps, but didn't know for sure if they'd match her dress. The second pair are are pair of silver strappy heels. The dress has silver beading and rhinestones so *I* wasn't sure that the gold ones would match. I let her decide what she thought would match. These gold shoes stayed home. ;o) They are going back to the store today.

thirty eight / 52

thirty eight / 52 . At seventeen, I knew the end of a dream... I would never be a schoolboy again*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

At seventeen, I knew the end of a dream… I would never be a schoolboy again*

I haven’t been keeping up with my photo-a-week project. This week was to be a “low key” shot. Instead… I’ve got another shot of David. This was taken at Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI.

Senior!

When I grow up, he said, I want to be just like you, except for the hairs in your ears & nose. That's too gross, he explained. ~StoryPeople, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

David is a senior. I find it so very hard to believe this time has come.

thirty seven / 52*

last days of summer*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

last days of summer*
The white blooms of my peegee hydrangea turn pink as the days grow shorter and the temperatures cool.

thirty six / 52

thirty six / 52 bokeh*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

bokeh*

I love shooting a shallow dof. This week was easy.
I didn't photograph last week's theme: stairs

Vegan French Toast

Vegan French Toast

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

2 cups vanilla nondairy milk (I use soy)
4 to 5 tablespoons flour
3 teaspoons vegan sugar
dash cinnamon
4 bread slices
nonstick spray
powdered sugar, to taste

Directions:

1. In a bowl, mix together nondairy milk, flour, sugar, and cinnamon to form a batter.

2. Dip bread in batter and fry in lightly greased pan until golden brown.

3. Serve sprinkled with vegan powdered sugar.

Makes: 4 servings, Preparation time: 15 minutes, Cooking time: 10 minutes

thirty four / 52

thirty four / 52 old & new*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

old & new*


For the theme this week I decided to make this collage of old and new amusement park swings.
The photo on the right shows the older Swing ride that rises 16 feet into the air in your swing that's attached to a rotating, rising tower.
The photo on the left shows the new WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall, nothing-below-your-chair-but-air thrill ride experience!
Both are from Cedar Point Amusement Park.

thirty three / 52

33/52 geometry*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

geometry*

Part of the conservatory at Heritage Park in Taylor.

thirty two / 52

thirty two / 52 into the light*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

into the light*

thirty one / 52

thirty one / 52 seeing double*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

seeing double*

Emily baked these vegan cupcakes for her friends. They requested her yummy raspberry buttercream frosted vanilla cupcakes. The recipe makes a dozen cupcakes. That is never enough cupcakes so she doubled the recipe.
These are fun to make. Better than opening a box and adding oil and eggs. First of all there aren't eggs... but instead soy milk with a splash of apple cider vinegar replace the eggs. And nope! You can't taste the vinegar at all.

thirty / 52

thirty / 52 walking empty streets*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

walking empty streets*

well.... riding empty streets.
We were able to spend quite a bit of time taking photos in front of our house yesterday. It was quiet on our street.
My daughter and I got new bikes yesterday. She out grew her a few years ago and was riding mine. Then a "someone" took mine one day in the woods and mistakenly used it as a bmx bike. I didn't think spending $110 to have it fixed was worth it.
It's fun riding... in fact, we're headed out soon to ride. We should have left earlier... it's going to be hot!

I just realized she was in my last weeks shot.

twenty nine / 52

thirty / 52 music to my ears*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

music to my ears*

Emily has played the flute since she was 11. She's now playing in the marching band at school. She'll be a junior in high school this year so it's going to be a fun football season for us. David will be playing his senior year of football and her first year in the marching band.
She's been practicing a lot this summer and it's always a pleasant sound.... Music to my ears.

twenty eight / 52

(oops! I forgot to take a) black & white*

There is a creepy looking man that looks over my garden. After posting this, I realize that perhaps this is the reason I can't grow things. Maybe, he's scaring the flowers??? 

twenty seven / 52

twenty seven / 52 things that look like a letter of the alphabet*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* (while on vacation) on Flickr.

things that look like a letter of the alphabet*


today's photo is brought to you by the letter "J"

...found on a bench

twenty six / 52

twenty six / 52 pop of color*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* (while on vacation) on Flickr.

pop of color*

Emily and Milo in the pool. Milo loves the water. It's really funny. He sat in the pool with us for quite some time. We even put him on the sea-monster raft.
Emily wants to take him tubing down the river when we go later this week.

twenty five / 52

twenty five / 52 windows & doors*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

windows & doors*
This home never had an owner... these condos were built a few years ago and the builder never sold them all. What a shame.

swimming*

swimming* a video by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

twenty four / 52

twenty four / 52 happy*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

happy*

A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. ~Phyllis Diller


.... from tonight's walk. Seeing these daisies made me smile and feel happy. They are growing all over the place in a field that was set to be new condos.
:
:
School is over and the kids are happy to have the summer off. Of course, having football skills camp and marching band practice every day really isn't having the summer off. At least they don't have to be up until 8 am. ;-)

twenty three / 52

twenty three / 52 long exposure*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

long exposure*

Once again, I didn't have much time to take a shot for this theme. I was on my way home from Meijer when I decided I was going to stop at the park and get my shot for the week taken. I had milk in the car, so I only stayed for a minute or two.
I haven't done much shooting long exposures. I'm not sure it's my kind of photography. BUT.... I did it. lol Not sure if it was done right though. I had my aperture as small as it would go but the shutter speed wasn't that slow. anyhow.
The guys in the background were fishing and just caught a really big fish. Shouts could be heard around the pond. It was the mack-daddy of the fish swimming in this pond.  
The kids are finishing up school this week. They have finals on Monday and Tuesday and then they are done! It's going to be weird saying that I have a junior and senior. Oh my! Where did the time go?

twenty two / 52

twenty Two / 52 hot, hot, hot*, a photo by .Jen likes to snap pics* on Flickr.

hot, hot, hot*

not much to say this week.... until next time. ♥