October 2014 - 30 Day Photo Challenge - DAY 10:BLUE

 I am feeling blue today.  

I am missing the scenery on the shores of Lake Superior.  The calming waters and serene surroundings gave me such great inspiration.   

The subtle placement of the Adirondack chairs on the beach and the happy accident of a rock placed just right on a smooth-grained log make the photo enthusiast's job extra enjoyable.

I long for the soothing sound of the waves crashing on the shore.  It seems like an oxymoron to say a crashing sound can be soothing, but that is the result.  

In the chaos that is my life's schedule right now, I could use a little soothing crash right now.

October 2014 - 30 Day Photo Challenge - DAY 4:WATER

I completely envy those people who have an RV and can camp by a lake or river...especially on sunny fall days like we had today.









These images were captured on my iPhone at the Otranto Park in Mitchell County Iowa.

Another one of my favorite bodies of water is Clear Lake.  The sunsets are spectacular and a constant source of incredible beauty.

Big Round Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin holds some amazing memories for me...relaxing with family and enjoying some excellent cuisine by this fantastic body of water.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 15:WHAT I ATE

"Follow your passion.  It will lead you to your purpose." ~ Oprah Winfrey
   [quote on my Starbucks cup this morning]

Not that I don't consume interesting food while at home, but this was a fun photo challenge to execute on the road!

Starbucks in Owatonna was our first stop...a petite vanilla scone and grande caramel macchiato broke my fast as we kept rolling down the interstate.

(image created using Picfx and Pic Stitch iPhone apps)

We picked up a hitchhiker (and by hitchhiker, I mean my brother-in-law--BIL), and made our way to Prior Lake where we added two more to our traveling party.

Next stop...Lindstrom to look at some lake side property.  I've always wanted to reside on the shores of a lake, and figure it's time to start searching now to find the best spot to stake my claim and permanently erect my camera's tripod for my retirement years!

After checking out a couple different homes, we discussed the prospects and whether or not to make any offers over lunch in Forest Lake at Norman Quack's.  Who wouldn't want to eat at a place with a name like that?!  The decor included waders, a fishing pole collection suspended from the ceiling, stacks and stacks of books, metal die-cut fish, and a hand-printed quote from Abraham Lincoln taped to the mirrored wall.

Starting with fresh bread and a "Quackitizer" of Giant Pontoon Skins, we then moved on to the next course of homemade walleye chowder.  The hubby and I split the special which was a trio of walleye, swordfish, and tuna with a side of garlic smashed potatoes.  My BIL offered me one of his onion rings, which of course I couldn't resist...it was quite tasty!

(collage designed and edited in Pic Stitch iPhone app)

On our way back to Prior Lake, we stopped at the DQ for dessert.  I had my favorite BLIZZARD...a Mini Midnight Truffle...and after we dropped off the BIL at his car, I was feeling a might peckish again and grabbed my favorite double J sandwich--the #6 (vegetarian).  I ate it so freaky fast that I forgot to take a picture, so I snapped a shot of the empty crumpled up wrapper :)

Traveling and looking at lake properties clearly made me more hungry than usual.  I finished off the night with a cup of decaf coffee and a scotcheroo...okay, a scotcheroo and a half.

Good thing I was only documenting what I ate in pictures and not keeping track of points today!!


"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." ~ Abraham Lincoln
   [quote on the wall at Norman Quack's]

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9:SILHOUETTE

 sil~hou~ette
Defined as a dark shape and outline of someone or something visible against a lighter background, especially in dim light.

Before going out on my photo assignment for today, I did an image search for silhouettes.  I found some breathtaking photos--most of which were obviously manipulated for the desired effect.

I have mixed emotions about current technology and all that can be done to raw images using Photoshop and other photo editing tools.  It seems like cheating somehow...like ANYONE can be a photographer!

However, I have been guilty on several occasions lately of utilizing the features to enhance the color or change the contrast since it is so readily available.

That being said, I was rather pleased with myself that the cemetery pictures I took last night were not retouched at all--I just couldn't decide whether I preferred the black and white or the color version. The sun was just right in the sky to produce the long shadows and give the silhouetted effect I was looking for with the headstones.  On a side note, this image was taken through the car window as the mosquitoes were so thick that I decided not to get out and risk losing a pint of blood.

The solar sun light in my meditation garden provided a striking silhouette against the bright sky yesterday; and the abundance of farms and flatland where I live, allowed a perfect opportunity to photograph the silhouetted silo during the evening sunset last night.

The last two silhouette sunset images are a couple of my favorites that I pulled from my personal stock of images and, I admit, were manipulated slightly to enhance the color and contrast.