Three Years

Tomorrow will mark the third anniversary of sharing my life with a pug named Grace.  In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I bought her first leash and collar in a brilliant bright green. 

She has certainly been a challenge at times - but so very worth it.  I really can’t imagine my life without her flat nose getting into everything that smells like food.  People tell me that pug stands for “part pig/part slug.”  I’d have to agree.  What they don’t tell you is how much you will grow to love the little creature that sheds on all your furniture and who puts absolutely everything she can find on the floor into her mouth. 

Despite her flaws, she has taught me much about life, a few lessons about God, and a ton about photography (hey, you try to properly expose that black face with that light tan colored body!) 

She’s my girl and I love her.  Happy St. Paddy’s Day / Anniversary, Miss Grace.

Saying Goodbye to Winter

I was cleaning up outside this evening and found a plastic tub that had fallen just beneath the deck.  I pulled it out and found a clump of ice with some dead leaves stuck to it.  Well, you know me - I had to run inside and get the camera because everyone who sees a clump of ice with a bunch of dead leaves stuck to it knows this is a prime photo opportunity, right?! 

(Okay, so I’m alone on this.)

But, considering it was the last sign of cold weather left in my yard, I grabbed the opportunity and shot off a few frames.  This was my favorite of the bunch…

Easy Being Green

I’ve had a shamrock plant for close to eight years now.  I find it to be a pretty happy plant - keep it from getting thirsty and it will grace your kitchen window with its sun-seeking leaves and frilly white flowers.

To me, it represents part of my heritage, but it also reminds me of a place faraway that I one day hope to visit.  In my mind, the rolling hills of Ireland are as green as the leaves on my shamrock plant.  I cannot wait to see those hills in person one day!

For now, though, the green of the shamrock will have to tide me over…

Oh, in case you’re interested, I’ve just opened a new blog here at WordPress where I can write to my heart’s content.  Anyone who’s interested, you can also find me at “Late to Life” in the very near future.

A Touch of Spring

Enough of photos full of brown leaves, icy patches and snow, snow, snow!  I need spring!  I need flowers!  I need green grass and bright sun and I need it now!

Dinner Out

Will that be a table for one?

Hip To Be Square

It’s freezing again (literally) so I had to find something to photograph INSIDE again tonight.  I pulled out the new 100mm macro lens and headed down the hall to shoot the colorful squares my mom pieced together to make my quilted wall-hanging. 

I ended up setting the lens to “bulb” and then dragging the camera across several of the squares, going from color to color and pattern to pattern.  Several of the shots turned out pretty interesting but this one was far and away my favorite.  If you look closely, you can see the lines where the squares meet up in rows… 

St. Paddy’s Preview

I have a shamrock plant that sits on my kitchen counter that came into bloom right as my birthday rolled around so I used it to get in some more practice with my new macro lens. 

I cropped it in PSE, added a “Paint with Light” action and then did a little smudging and blurring around the edges.

El Numero Uno

Here it is…my first macro shot with the new camera and the new EF 100mm f/4L macro lens.  Want to know why I’m so excited?  Because I shot this indoors at night with no flash and just an overhead light for illumination.   And look at those colors!  Okay, must get back to practicing!

   

Blinded By the Light

 Last year I bought some new curtains for my master bedroom.  They are a spicy crimson color and have a silky feel to them.  When I go in on the weekends to take an afternoon nap I am greeted by the different patterns that shine through from the mini-blinds beneath.

Last weekend I finally took a moment and shot some of the different patterns before hopping between the covers and taking that much coveted Saturday afternoon catnap.

Pug Is Short For…

I have a friend who also has a pug and her husband swears that the word stands for “part pig / part slug.”  All I can say about that is the man knows his dogs…

These are my two pugs, Gracie and Petee.  Gracie I raised since she was first weened and I fell so in love with her that a year later I called up my local Midwest Pug Rescue and got myself another. 

Yes, I know they are just dogs.  Yes, I try not to pretend they are my stand-in children.  But, yes, I have been known to talk baby-talk and spoil them to the point of obnoxiousness. 

And what do I get in return?  Three solid years of laughter, kisses and love.  It’s a win/win situation.