Summer Vacation 2014

This year we went to visit family in Morro Bay, CA.

If you're not familiar with Morro Bay, it's kind of famous for the big "rock" which is at the entrance of Morro Bay Harbor.  I captured the fog rolling in so you can't really see how tall it is.

I miss the ocean, growing up not to far from Galveston, TX.  I love just sitting on the beach watching the waves crash up on the sand, seagulls running around and kids building sand castles.

I like to play in the sand too...lol.  Personally, the water is a bit chilly for me, but I did eventually put my feet in it.

Ok, maybe just my toes.

There were these really weird, but kind of cool looking jelly fish that washed up on the beach.  Here's Charlie writing a message out of them to his cousin (that's who we're visiting).  They don't sting, so no worries there.  Here's a better photo of what they look like (top and bottom)

We had a great time just relaxing and hanging out with family.

I love the beach!

Capture Life!

Photo Art Friday

This weeks challenge is the word "hardware" definition: the mechanical equipment necessary for conducting an activity,         usually distinguished from the theory and design that make the activity possible.  Or you can post any photo art of your choice.

I used Pixel Dust Photo Art's texture "Age it" and Kim Klassen's "Wonderful Magic Screen" then I used blending mode "difference" at 100%.

Head over to Pixel Dust Photo Art blog to see more amazing photo art or to learn more about Photo Art Friday!

Capture Life!

Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen

The Outside eDition

Our challenge is to use a photo that we took outside and at least one of Kim Klassen's texture.

I took this on my trip to Lake Tahoe, CA.  We were walking around town and came across a little shop that rented bicycles.  They looked really cool all lined up and thought I should take a shot.

I used Kim's texture "Wonderful Magic" on blending mode Screen at 100%.  I also used a Cross Process on this photo.

Please be sure stop by and check out all the other photos or if you're interested in Texture Tuesday click here.

Capture Life!

A few vacation pics...

Here are some random photos from our family vacation.

Topaz Lake, NV

Far end of Topaz Lake, NV

Lake Tahoe, CA from Harrah's Hotel

Lake Tahoe, CA

Old paddle boat on Lake Tahoe...(was closed for repairs).

Capture Life!

My son

My son hates for me to take his picture.  So....I have to sneak shots in when I can or really beg.  

Here's one of the two of us on our vacation.  On our way up to Lake Tahoe, there was some roadwork, we had to wait, so we decided to jump out of the truck and take some photos.

That's Topaz Lake behind us...beautiful day.  You can see how thrilled he is...lol.

Playing in PicMonkey.

I'll be adding more pictures from our trip to Lake Tahoe and Morro Bay.

Red is the Word for...

...this weeks Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen.   We have to have "red" in our photo and use at least one of Kim's wonderful textures.

This picture was taken during my visit to the "Niner" Winery in California over the summer.  This is a really gorgeous winery and if you're ever in that part of California, I highly recommend you stop in for a little wine tasting.  I present to you my glass with "red" wine in it...well a wee bit of red wine left in it.

  Roll mouse over to see original

The process I did was duplicated the photo.  Cropped just a little bit to cut someone standing off to the side out.  I then layered it with Kim's February Magic, blending mode Overlay at 65% and Pourvous Overlay at 100%.

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous photos for this weeks challenge and even the past, just click here.

Things I've been working on

I've been playing in Elements 9, due to the part of a "free" SkinnyMini ECourse on it.  You can find the button on my side bar to Kim Klassen's blog page chocked full of photography tips, tricks and so much more.  She is fantastic!  I'm totally addicted to her blog, for photography is a true passion of mine.  Anyway, this course was about "Textures", so I just wanted to share some of my photo editing skills with you...keep in mind, I'm a newbie...:D

Desert Wild Flower (daisy family)

I love taking photos of flowers or pretty much anything with nature, as you will see in the next couple of pictures.

African Moon Daisy

Daisy

(Ok, so Daisies are my favorite flowers)

This one was taken on our trip to San Francisco.

I'm still learning and playing with different options and textures, but I hope you've enjoyed these.

Bright blessings!

I've been Published!

A few weeks ago, I received an email asking my permission to "possibly" use one of my photos in the 8th Annual Schmap San Diego Guide (an online publication which is down loadable) from a trip that we went on to the San Diego Wild Animal Park. They have a panel that chooses which pictures will be used. I was absolutely shocked and thrilled and of course said "Yes"!

So the other day I received another email announcing they did choose my photo, along with others, for their publication. Yea! Wooo....hooo....Yippeeee! O.k., so I'm a little excited, but mostly very honored to have one of my photos chosen.

Here is the photo they are using and the link too. The Wild Animal Park is so worth going to as well.

There are a lot of talented photographers whose pictures were chosen. To see them just click on my picture and it will take you to the guide.

Happy Summer!

EtsyBloggers Team Blog Carnival......

Plans for the Summertime!

My son is officially out of school now and he's already complaining about being bored....LOL. I told him there's a big list of chores coming his way, so there is no way he'll be bored. He didn't seem to like that much...LOL. But he has a few things he needs to pay off!

On a better note...we have a few trips planned this summer. First we will be heading over to Morro Bay, CA. for our cousin's son's High school graduation party! Congrats Garrett! I can't wait for this trip...I love going to the ocean. I miss the ocean. It's also a lot cooler this time of year around there.

A beach close to Morro Bay!

Then we'll be heading to Bass Lake, CA. which has always been a tradition for us. We try to make it there every year if not every other year. The boys went last year, but this year it will just be us up there! It's so relaxing and the lake is very refreshing too. Our dog Leggs loves to swim in the lake. He tries to chase the ducks...it's pretty funny to watch.

Our final trip will be to Santa Cruz, CA. We'll be meeting up with some friends and hanging out at a beach house...well technically it's not exactly on the beach, but within walking distance to the beach (private at that). This will be nice too! I love to shop in new places...LOl!

In between all the vacations I will be creating new apothecary bottles and "monster" boxes for our etsy store and hopefully doing a few shows here and there.

I wish all a happy, fun and safe Summer!