Weekly Header Challenge -- Far Far Away

It's time for the Weekly Header Challenge!

"Headbanger" Participants

Fishing Guy 

Kathy 

Imac 

Lew

I'm joining in the group above for this weekly challenge.

Click on the other participants' blogs to see

what they've come up with!

Theme ~ Far Far Away

Chosen by Kathy.

After a two-week break for us headbangers, we're back with a new year and a new theme.  My first thought upon seeing the theme was Paris, but I've used lots of photos from there, and it was also a while ago.  The most recent "far away" place I've been is California, so I thought I'd feature this image, which was taken at sunset at my sister-in-law's home.  In silhouette, with the palm tree branches gently swaying, it looks like an exotic place far away from wintry Chicago.

You may remember from a few weeks ago my header image from Huntington Beach, California; here is a "re-post" sunset image from that far-away locale.

While in far-away California, we had the chance to visit and connect with many family members.

The hibiscus flower is definitely not from around here; another "far far away" flower!

Here is our "far far away" family, with a photo of my aunt held by her granddaughter, and many family members in front of her home.

That's it from far far away!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Weekly Header Challenge -- Last Week's Sky

It's time for the Weekly Header Challenge!

"Headbanger" Participants

Fishing Guy 

Kathy 

Imac 

Lew

I'm joining in the group above for this weekly challenge.

Click on the other participants' blogs to see

what they've come up with!

Theme ~ Last Week's Sky

Chosen by Lew.

This was almost last week's sky.  I haven't had time to pick up my camera the past week or so, but I definitely brought it on our unexpected trip to California for a family member's funeral.  On our one free afternoon, Fernando decided to head to Huntington Beach; it was in the 70s and sunny, a perfect afternoon for a nap.  And, a perfect evening for a beautiful sunset, complete with surfer silhouettes!  Here is my header, uncropped:

And, for your sky-viewing enjoyment, here are the other pictures I took that afternoon as the sun made its way down.

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Weekly Header Challenge -- Silhouette

It's time for the Weekly Header Challenge!

"Headbanger" Participants

Fishing Guy 

Kathy 

Imac 

Lew

I'm joining in the group above for this weekly challenge.

Click on the other participants' blogs to see

what they've come up with!

Theme ~ Silhouette

Chosen by Kathy.

Silhouette, different from shadow:  The dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background.  Here is the image I chose for my header:

I took this shot purposefully; I was compiling a photo book for my parents' 50th anniversary, to be presented to them at Christmas, and I wanted an image that would decorate the back cover, and also be featured in the book.  While up at Lake Bonaparte on vacation, and while shooting the sunset (as I typically do every night up there!), I asked them to pose for me, just for fun.  There's a little bit of chromatic aberration (the purple haze around my mom's head) due to shooting into the light source, but otherwise it's a beautiful image and looks amazing in their photo book.

Below are a few more images for this week's theme of silhouette.

At my friend's son's Wisconsin farmhouse.

Palm trees in Vero Beach, Florida.

I took this last one for a photography class in which we were assigned to shoot in front light, side light, and back light.  Jacob and Thomas trekked along with me to shoot in back light, and while they goofed off in front of the setting sun, I snapped this image.  They were laughing and having a good time, and this image is a great portrayal their camaraderie and brotherhood.

That's it for this week!


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Weekly Header Challenge - All Things New

It's time for the Weekly Header Challenge!

"Headbanger" Participants

Craver VII 

Fishing Guy 

Katney 

Imac 

Lew 

I'm joining in the group above for this weekly challenge.

Feel free to click on the other participants' blogs

to see what they've come up with!

Theme ~ All Things New

Since it's New Year's Day (meaning wintertime), and since it snowed all day yesterday, and since I'm cold, I'm thinking about snow.  Tie that in with this week's header theme, and you get The First New Snowfall.  You just have to go out and walk in it, catch some snowflakes on your tongue, and marvel at how a blanket of snow can seem to make everything look new--or at least you're looking at things in a new way!

A sunrise is definitely new every morning (just like the mercies of the Lord, according to Psalms)!

And, just like a snowfall makes things look "new," spring flowers bring the promise of warmth and green and all things new!

With all things new, here are some of the new things I'm personally looking forward to this year:

Fernando learning new things (here he is fixing the car after learning

via YouTube videos).  He passed the CDL (commercial driver's license)

test and got his permit yesterday and will soon be in a new job, learning the

ropes as a satellite truck operator!  (Goodbye, unemployment!!)

For Joseph, our autistic son, I hope this new year is filled

with opportunities for him to grow, learn, and develop

into a fruitful participant in life.  (In this image, he got up

with me on our 2011 Florida vacation to catch the last

sunrise of our trip.)

For Thomas and Jacob:  Thomas will graduate our homeschool high school,

and move on to bigger and better things!  Jacob will graduate from WIU and

begin his career in law enforcement with an eye toward the FBI or U.S.

Marshals (watch out, world!).

New beginnings!  There are already three weddings on the horizon this year,

with the promise of a few more for us to attend.

Lastly, for my business, I hope to capture more moments like the above

(holding baby sister for the very first time).  I hope to hone my skills and

shoot better and better!

Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Joanna's Wedding Shower | Chicagoland Event Photographer

I had the wonderful privilege of attending and shooting this very special wedding shower, held for a beautiful young southern lady.  Although I would've loved to have traveled south to shoot the shower there, she visited up north.  Because she and her family have so many friends here where they used to live, a wedding shower was held for her here.  Enjoy some highlights and favorites from this very special afternoon.

I'm constantly in awe of people who can decorate--whether it's signs, tables, or food.  I just don't have the knack.  I can, however, take a beautiful picture of all that.  :)

These flower decorations were created with sewing patterns.  Aren't they gorgeous?

All showers must involve a silly game--I think it's a rule.  This one featured a "create-a-gown" game where teams had to make a gown from special "fabric" (that would be toilet paper).

Little helper.

Seriously, these toilet paper gowns were so beautiful you could almost walk down the aisle in one!

The beautiful bride-to-be.

Gifts for the littler ladies.

Look at that sweet expression of warmth and joy!  Such a wonderful young lady, who is so very excited to be getting married just after the New Year.  I'm just as excited for her.  :)


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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Project 2012 -- Week 37

Project 2012 -- Week 37

September 9-15

Welcome to my Project 2012 weekly post!  This is my time for looking back over the past week, choosing my seven favorites images, and sharing them here with you.  If you have a project you're working on, please leave a comment so I can visit your blog and see what you're up to!

Phew!  I finished editing images from our special trip.  If you aren't my friend on Facebook (why ever not?), these photos will serve as clues for you to figure out where we went.  You will definitely see more specific photos as I have time to post.  Time for a game of Where Did We Go?

[253] Waiting for our plane

[254] A special lunch

[255] A typical scene

[256] Flower vendor at the market

[257] Looking up into steel and sky

[258] In homage

[259] Twenty-five years together

Yes, this trip was just for Fernando and me, for our 25th anniversary.  Silver!  I can still hardly believe it.  I'm married to my sweetheart and best friend.  :)


Treasuring life's moments,
Christine

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