.: 365 Days of Shaniblue :.

Finally... the new blog.

2011-02-16T14:49:00.000-08:00

I have begun a new 365 project. I started on my birthday, which was the beginning of this month. If you followed before and would like to continue, here's the link to my 2011 project. { Picture Window }

It is a 365 with no rules, so sometimes I'll post a picture for every day, sometimes more. And sometimes, when I'm struggling with my creativity or just time, there will be images that represent a span of time.

I had so much fun growing in my photography last year that I want to see what I can do in 2011.

So...
on we go!

Just a Few to Wrap Up the Year…

2011-01-05T12:51:00.001-08:00

Day… THREE HUNDRED SIXTY FIVE!!!!

2011-01-05T12:44:00.001-08:00

Part of me, deep inside, seriously doubted that I would stick with this project.

I am, to be honest, stunned that I have.

I thought, also, that I would be relieved to finish and take a break for a few weeks.

So I found myself very surprised just now to tear up as I typed the title for this, my final post of 365 Days of Shaniblue.

If you’re looking to grow as a photographer and as a person, I highly recommend this project 365. You don’t need a lot of rules. Just stick with it.

So gratifying. I’m beginning a new one in one month- on my birthday.

I’ll post a link as soon as it’s up and running.

Thanks for looking!

Some of my biggest fans...

Day Three Hundred Sixty Four

2011-01-05T12:33:00.001-08:00

Some of my favorite gifts...

my Bible

My daughter ‘s art

My new favorite mug

My favorite hippo. From Kinder. He’s delicious.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Three

2011-01-05T12:21:00.001-08:00

I spent a few days in a Christmas fog and hadn’t realized that my auto-focus lens wasn’t necessarily auto-focusing.

Good memories are just as good fuzzy.

It’s a good thing, because there’ll be more fuzz.

Day Three Hundred Sixty Two

2011-01-05T12:17:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Sixty One

2011-01-05T12:14:00.001-08:00

Um… really?

Day Three Hundred Sixty

2011-01-05T12:08:00.001-08:00

Where Dreams Begin...

Day Three Hundred Fifty Nine

2011-01-05T11:58:00.001-08:00

It’s Christmas!!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight

2011-01-05T11:54:00.001-08:00

Christmas Eve!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven

2011-01-05T11:49:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Cheesecake...

So lovely. So tempting.

It was seriously one of the foulest things I’ve ever made!

My Sparkpeople friends will be glad to hear that.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six

2011-01-05T11:43:00.001-08:00

Finally Decorated

Day Three Hundred Fifty Five

2011-01-05T11:41:00.001-08:00

Yeah. I’m pretty much buried in it.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four

2010-12-21T09:16:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Fifty Three

2010-12-21T09:13:00.001-08:00

Shh…

They’re his present!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Two

2010-12-21T09:10:00.001-08:00

We’re all snowed in and gettin’ lazy!

Day Three Hundred Fifty One

2010-12-21T09:07:00.001-08:00

Sometimes it’s all there is.

Day Three Hundred Fifty

2010-12-21T09:01:00.001-08:00

Tickles...

Technically terrible. The mom in me is in love!

Day Three Hundred Forty Nine

2010-12-21T08:56:00.001-08:00

Isn’t he handsome?

We were on a Christmas shopping date. Together. No kids.

Of course we grabbed a burger at Dandy’s Drive In. I took his picture.

The terrible people in the car across from us laughed...

Day Three Hundred Forty Eight

2010-12-14T14:09:00.001-08:00

Irish Crème Hershey’s Kisses. ‘Nuff said!

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven

2010-12-14T14:07:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Forty Six

2010-12-14T14:04:00.001-08:00

I woke up way too early on this Sunday Morning, but the sight of the freshly decorated tree always takes my breath away. So, like any born photographer would, I grabbed my camera sometime just after 12:30 and tried to keep the memory forever.

Day Three Hundred Forty Five

2010-12-14T13:59:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Forty Four

2010-12-14T13:55:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Forty Three

2010-12-14T13:52:00.001-08:00

Charlie Brown’s Tree...

Day Three Hundred Forty Two

2010-12-14T13:49:00.001-08:00

My guy’s best buddies...

Day Three Hundred Forty One

2010-12-14T13:48:00.001-08:00

My D7000 Fund.

(I’m going to need a bigger jar, I think)

Day Three Hundred Forty

2010-12-14T13:45:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Thirty Nine

2010-12-14T13:43:00.001-08:00

The first Christmas gift has appeared in our home,

from one sister to the other.

I’d fill you in on the secret, but that would ruin the surprise.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight

2010-12-14T13:38:00.001-08:00

In recognition of our annual “Civil War”

University of Oregon vs. Oregon State University

Ducks won! 37-20...

Good day to be a Duck!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Seven

2010-12-14T13:32:00.001-08:00

I spent yesterday super sick.

Today, I recover. This is part of that master plan:

Day Three Hundred Thirty Six

2010-12-14T13:29:00.001-08:00

Lights

Day Three Hundred Thirty Five

2010-12-14T13:25:00.001-08:00

Counting Down...

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four

2010-12-14T13:23:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Thirty Three

2010-12-14T13:21:00.001-08:00

Today I received a Christmas card… with images from a practice session I did a few weeks ago.

Kinda cool to see it in print.

Day Three Hundred Thirty One

2010-11-30T15:25:00.001-08:00

She’s going back to school. He seems to know this. She’s ready for Christmas break. I’m so dead for posting this. It looks like when she was four.

Day Three Hundred Thirty

2010-11-30T15:21:00.001-08:00

I found him like this, watching “Old Yeller”,

In Thanksgiving weekend afterglow.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Nine

2010-11-30T15:18:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Twenty Eight

2010-11-30T15:10:00.001-08:00

I want to remember this day.

I woke up at four a.m. and sat in the big chair, thinking about how absolutely sweet it is to take time to be thankful in the dark with my college daughter, healthy family, and our priceless friends sleeping under our roof.

In the light of the loneliness and uncertainty (and, yes, blessing) of the past two years, this moment and this day were amazingly... mmm!

Dinner!

Day Three Hundred Twenty Seven

2010-11-30T15:00:00.001-08:00

Another cheat because today was much to busy preparing for Thanksgiving dinner and the arrival of my daughter and our life-long friends to take any pictures. SO!

These are from tomorrow...

Day Three Hundred Twenty Six

2010-11-30T14:56:00.001-08:00

Just some from my session a little more than a week ago...

It’s what I’m doing!

If your name is Lois, look away!

Day Three Hundred Twenty Five

2010-11-30T14:45:00.001-08:00

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four

2010-11-30T14:43:00.001-08:00

The first Christmas decorations...

Okay. I’m officially in the mood for this!

Day Three Hundred Twenty Three

2010-11-30T14:37:00.001-08:00

Decorating...

(yes, already)

Day Three Hundred Twenty Two

2010-11-30T14:34:00.001-08:00

As we head into next week where the smell of freshly baked rolls, turkey and cranberries meet with exhaustion, resulting in the loss of all common sense, I want to remind myself that I love these shorts and that my goal is to wear them comfortably next Summer...

Day Three Hundred Twenty One

2010-11-30T14:30:00.001-08:00

Scrambling to fill my quota as I prepare for out of town guests for Thanksgiving…

I can’t WAIT!

Day Three Hundred Twenty

2010-11-30T14:17:00.001-08:00

There’s not much that two buddies who are homeschooled would rather do than have a sleepover. Good times.

Day Three Hundred Nineteen

2010-11-30T14:14:00.001-08:00

If you’ve ever transferred all your photo files from your computer’s drive to one of these, particularly if good organization of these files came to you late in the game…

Then you know what this day has been like for me.

Day Three Hundred Eighteen

2010-11-30T14:10:00.001-08:00

I did a practice session this weekend. I had fun shooting my own kids and some scenery while we waited for the “clients” to show up.

Day Three Hundred Seventeen

2010-11-13T19:29:00.000-08:00

This is a re-edit.

It's important to me that I find my own style, and when I processed this before, I had other voices in my head.

I know that I would like the lighting to be less flat, but I wanted to recompose this back to how I originally had it...and trust myself to do it my way.

(wow... he's much more pale here than in Lightroom. Good to know)

Day Three Hundred Sixteen

2010-11-13T19:25:00.000-08:00

I'm not lazy. I'm conserving my energy for dinner!

Day Three Hundred Fifteen

2010-11-13T19:24:00.000-08:00

November Skies

These were all taken within five minutes of each other on my morning walk...

Day Three Hundred Fourteen

2010-11-13T19:22:00.000-08:00

Day Three Hundred Thirteen

2010-11-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

Focus...

Day Three Hundred Twelve

2010-11-13T19:19:00.000-08:00

Day Three Hundred Eleven

2010-11-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Girl...

Day Three Hundred Ten

2010-11-13T19:14:00.000-08:00

Have you had a Kinder bar?

You should. They're from Germany.

When I was 19, I found these when I visited Germany.

My oldest daughter found them when a friend of hers brought some back from a trip to Germany.

Last year, we found them at World Market.

My son was promised this one upon completion of his daily school work.

I assured him that it was safe until then. I had some help protecting it...

Day Three Hundred Nine

2010-11-13T19:10:00.000-08:00

Skittles War

It's simple, really.

Two candies, under pressure. The last one standing (uncrushed) moves on to the next round...

She can't think of a better way to eat a bag of Skittles.

Day Three Hundred Eight

2010-11-13T19:00:00.001-08:00

I tried a new recipe...

I'm not sure he's convinced!

Day Three Hundred Seven

2010-11-13T18:59:00.000-08:00

I think it would be fun to do a full-on "alphabet project" but for now, I am just getting them when I see something that looks like an "unintentional" letter.

Then I'll make the different images into our name.

These are "c"s...

I haven't decided which I like better.

Day Three Hundred Six

2010-11-13T18:54:00.000-08:00

So... it's after Halloween and there is still a bunch of candy around the hose.

Bruno's hoping to get a nibble (gulp) of B's "after lunch Tootsie Roll"

Day Three Hundred Five

2010-11-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

This just about sums it up...

Day Three Hundred Four

2010-11-01T13:04:00.001-07:00

Buzz (as in LIGHTYEAR)

and

Penelope(as in GARCIA from Criminal Minds)

I love the way he’s looking at her...

Day Three Hundred Three

2010-11-01T12:59:00.001-07:00

We miss her, so there’s a care package with candy, caramel apples, and pumpkin bites on its way to my college girl!

Day Three Hundred Two

2010-11-01T12:55:00.001-07:00

Day Three Hundred One

2010-10-29T12:07:00.001-07:00

She has new bangs. They’re cute and I wanted a picture.

I will admit here and now that I really didn’t need ten or so pictures, insisting with the last two that she show me her eyes. My bad.

She’s still cute, though, and almost scary enough for Halloween!

Day (wait for it…) THREE HUNDRED!

2010-10-29T12:02:00.001-07:00

By far, this is my favorite part of homeschooling B...

The walking

and the talking

Day Two Hundred Ninety Nine...

2010-10-29T11:59:00.001-07:00

Seriously, one of the hairiest rides to Bend in my recent history.

We passed six cars that had not only slid off of the road, but had flipped onto their sides or tops. The reports are that everyone was okay.

But the scenery was stunning as the sun came out and the skies were blue.

These shots are all out of the car window as we drove...

Day Two Hundred Ninety Eight

2010-10-29T11:49:00.001-07:00

It Starts...

Day Two Hundred Ninety Seven

2010-10-29T11:47:00.001-07:00

Romans 5...

So I don’t forget why or how.

Day Two Hundred Ninety Six

2010-10-29T11:44:00.001-07:00

When I was a kid, I would read for entire days. Even after I became a mom, when my kids were napping, I’d get lost in a book and maybe forget for awhile that I had other responsibilities.

I still love to read, but my time is never open-ended like that anymore.

My children have loved books as much as I do. So on a snowy Saturday with no plans, they are likely found (even the college one) on a bed, fully involved in a story.

This one looks interesting. I loved the other one written by Markus Zusak (The Book Thief). I might have to check it out… AFTER I finish Harry Potter’s last adventure.

Day Two Hundred Ninety Five

2010-10-29T11:35:00.001-07:00

Day Two Hundred Ninety Four

2010-10-22T11:17:00.001-07:00

We needed school pictures for our son. We needed to get out of the house.

I desperately needed to prove to myself that I am capable of taking a sharp photo… ever.

The day could not have been more perfectly “Autumn”.

sun… cool breeze… falling leaves… a gift

and a son who asked to flex his own creativity. The tree shots are great... Even if there is dappled sun light. I’ll love these forever!

The gift…

Day Two Hundred Ninety Three

2010-10-22T11:00:00.001-07:00

She assured me that, next time, she’ll be a bit more cooperative.

I hope so. But this time, as payback, I have evidence of her funky mood.

Day Two Hundred Ninety Two

2010-10-22T10:48:00.001-07:00

He’s so happy about school now. I love having back my joyful son.

He’s so enthusiastic that, instead of whining when I reminded him to brush his teeth, he returned and asked me to inspect “my cleanest teeth ever!”

Day Two Hundred Ninety One

2010-10-22T10:43:00.001-07:00

We’re Homeschooling...

Which means we finish early...

...and we don’t necessarily brush our hair before the morning walk!

Day Two Hundred Ninety

2010-10-22T10:36:00.001-07:00

Day Two Hundred Eighty Nine

2010-10-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

First High School Dance...

a snapshot is a snapshot., but what gorgeous girls!

Day Two Hundred Eighty Eight

2010-10-18T12:55:00.001-07:00

High Heels...

Homecoming is tomorrow, and her big sister handed these down to her.

Day Two Hundred Eighty Seven

2010-10-15T17:29:00.001-07:00

Career Day At School...

And guess what she wants to be.

A photographer!

She’s good, too. Look!

(self-portrait)

Day Two Hundred Eighty Six

2010-10-15T17:21:00.001-07:00

I’ve focused so much on photography since last year that I’ve found myself neglecting the other part of me...

MUSIC!

The dust on the keys seems appropriate.

As soon as I can sing again, I’ll spend time with this piano.

And I’ll teach my son.

Day Two Hundred Eighty Five

2010-10-15T17:17:00.001-07:00

I was sick, but we cleaned the room anyway.

The kid on the bed might look a bit like an uncared for feral boy, but you should know that he cleans up well.

I couldn’t get the gum off of the floor by the bed, however...

Day Two Hundred Eighty Four

2010-10-15T17:10:00.001-07:00

Okay, Okay...

You should know before you go browsing through this blog that I began this Project 365 just so I would (hopefully) develop the discipline of shooting- even when things weren’t going well and even if I wasn’t crazy about how it turned out. I had no idea that anyone would ever see it, but a few have. So, now, I’m anxious when I have an off- season and I know that it’s possible that a pro will stumble upon this blog and scoff. Just know that I’m aware, okay?

I’m writing all of this because I’ve had a VERY “off” week. But, in the spirit of learning and growing, I will post anyway.

Feel FREE to skip right over these next few... please!

In my defense, I’ve been crazy-dizzy from a head cold and I can’t seem to shoot a sharp photo to save my life. What you see is the best there is. Truly. I only hope that one of those amazing spurts of competency will follow soon.

Today was “College Day” for my daughter’s homecoming week. Her first. She totally showed up with a Oregon Duck football jersey, hat, beads, facepaint, etc.

This is what I ended up with...

Day Two Hundred Eighty Three

2010-10-11T19:14:00.001-07:00

While in Eugene visiting our daughter, we stayed with friends.

We said “goodbye” at our favorite- Track Town Pizza.

The place is a tribute to the University of Oregon’s rich tradition of athletics, including the Ducks’ football team and Steve Prefontaine.

I’ve been going there, on and off, for 25 years.

Day Two Hundred Eighty Two

2010-10-11T19:04:00.001-07:00

The Rose Garden In Eugene.

We dated here. We read together and studied together here.

We took our lunch breaks together here.

It was time for a visit.

My daughter being a photographer...

This tree is enormous. The surrounding rosebushes are taller than me, to put it in perspective.

I want to climb it.

I came with a mission to take a picture of “our bench”.

It overlooks the Willamette River and he proposed to me there.

I’ve been so eager to take a photo of it for this project.

I wasn’t counting on the gentleman sitting there, reading a book with unmistakable contentedness on his face and in his demeanor.

So I did something I wouldn’t normally do. I stole a shot of him.

After all, he was on OUR bench and I’m sure he wouldn’t have appreciated my asking him to move. It’s just a bit weird to me that anyone else has ever enjoyed that particular spot. It honestly had never occurred to me.

Day Two Hundred Eighty One

2010-10-11T18:32:00.001-07:00

Back to Hendrick’s Park...

Day Two Hundred Eighty

2010-10-11T18:25:00.001-07:00

Aunt Lois’ Park

Day Two Hundred Seventy Nine

2010-10-11T18:19:00.001-07:00

Proof of Fall

and... I Dig Purple Trees

Day Two Hundred Seventy Eight

2010-10-11T18:16:00.001-07:00

Back to Homeschool...

The decision was made three weeks into the school year that the best decision for our family at this time would be to homeschool our son for his Fourth Grade year.

So I broke out the painting I’ve displayed in the past when I’ve homeschooled the girls. It’s always been up, but I re-absorbed it as I made lesson plans for the week. The artist is my Brother-in-Law. He’s become quite a sought-after artist. Rumor is that he didn’t much like this one. But I chose it for the dappled light on the roof of the schoolhouse.

I really like it.

(…looks like my watermark is across the actual painting. A crazy illusion, is all!)

Day Two Hundred Seventy Seven

2010-10-11T18:15:00.001-07:00

Almost Every Morning. Cheerios Rock.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Six

2010-10-11T18:12:00.001-07:00

Day Two Hundred Seventy Five

2010-10-11T18:09:00.001-07:00

Fall Practice Session...

A big bunch of them!

Day Two Hundred Seventy Four

2010-10-02T09:53:00.001-07:00

I guess, when you’re in High School, Fridays after school are the perfect time for a floor nap...

Day Two Hundred Seventy Three

2010-10-02T09:50:00.001-07:00

I made the dress for a practice session I’m doing Saturday.

It’s blue. A bit out of focus. And, apparently from the picture, linty.

Day Two Hundred Seventy Two

2010-10-02T09:44:00.001-07:00

I began today walking in the fog with my son and the Bruno...

Before it was over, I had made a dress. I miss sewing!

Day Two Hundred Seventy One

2010-10-02T09:39:00.001-07:00

I lost a lot of the momentum I had gained from my Summer walking routine.

This day and this image represents me,

Doing what I don’t feel like doing...

Sometimes, that’s all a day needs to accomplish!

Day Two Hundred Seventy

2010-10-02T09:35:00.001-07:00

I did a super-fun session yesterday with family.

I’m taking my time processing it since I’m learning and I want to do it right.

But I ended up with some “outtakes”. Here are a couple...

Day Two Hundred Sixty Nine

2010-09-27T12:16:00.001-07:00

My biggest practice session yet...

I can’t wait to process the rest!

Day Two Hundred Sixty Eight

2010-09-27T11:54:00.001-07:00

Go Ducks!!

Oregon won! I can’t find the score, but it’s true.

B (in silly glasses) and Dad waiting to “Quack Out Loud”... guy’s night in.

Day Two Hundred Sixty Seven

2010-09-27T11:46:00.001-07:00

From the other day (but processed today)...

She wanted an edgy “Sweeny Todd” sort of shot...

It’s hard to look fierce when a kitty snuggles you.