Block

I have to tell you ... I don't have anything. I think I am going through a Blog-Block. I got nuthin!

Here's what I do have ... in no particular order.

Julianna's first birthday is less than a week away (next Monday 5/23). It still hasn't fully hit me that my baby girl will be ONE year old. I feel like I am losing my baby... she is turning into such a big girl already.

I am trying to put together the final plans for her party on 5/30. I still have yet to hear from half the people whether or not they are coming. This weekend coming up will be hectic as we need to go do all the party shopping (That ought to be a big bill lol!).

We grew "Painted Lady" butterflies in our house (through a kit by InsectLore)... and they hatched from their Chrysalis's early and are fluttering around their pop-up cage as I type. Their life span is 2-4 weeks. So with the party being 2 weeks away, I am asking begging them to stay alive until 5/30 so we can release them at the party. Selfish? Sure it is. But hey, I need them to not kick the bucket before then. Please pretty little butterflies - hang in there!!

I am also trying to really go full force & learn my camera... some days I get some fabulous shots... other days I get crappy dark grainy stuff. But that's all part of the learning curve. My husband doesn't understand why I don't just shoot on "Auto" mode... LOL - He doesn't fully get what I am trying to accomplish. I have been explaining to him about exposure and different shutter speeds, etc.... I explained to him about the different lenses I want to get eventually and he is starting to understand my craziness {I think}. If I wanted a point & shoot, I would have stuck with my nifty little Nikon that fits in my jeans pocket. Don't get me wrong, those little point & shoots serve their purpose too! But I just love my DSLR.

I learned something neat from this great photo blog (Click it Up a Notch) - called BBF "Back Button Focus". What a neat concept & it does work sooo well once you practice! So I was practicing that this week too! I love learning new stuff! On the same Photo blog, check out this article on how to take a sharp photo. Great stuff. Had to share it. Enjoy.

I signed up for a free class over at Kim Klassen Cafe (blog) and going to take another at Faith Simplicity in July. I also found a free workshop at the local library that meets once a month. It's held by a local photographer and he has different guest speakers every month. I'm going to the first one tomorrow night if this Sinus infection allows me to.

Julianna has her One Year (12 months) check up next Tuesday. I am so curious to see how much she has grown in the past 3 months! She is getting too big for her 12 month clothes but not ready for her 18 month yet. I guess she will be wearing some big 18 month clothes for a month or so.. haha!

OK so I guess I do have some things going on afterall...

Here are some pictures from my deck...  I was practicing taking close-ups and wishing I had a macro lens of some sort. But will have to do with the macro setting on my camera for now :)   I am also learning Blending Options and some other tweaks in Photoshop as well. Slowly but surely! My problem is I want it all. I need to take baby steps and learn the basics first Skye!!!