Totally forgotten....

It seems I've forgotten about this blog.  I'm guessing the business of life and an especially exhausting day at school has really shown me where my priorities lie.  I really wish I had more energy to devote to shooting and blogging but right now it's just not the case. And I have to be okay with that.  At least for the time being.  For today I'll take you back to some beautiful fall weather and a day spent at Longwood Gardens.  It'll take my mind off how cold and blustery it is outside today.  I'm not complaining because day's snow has given me a snow day and time to do come catching up! 

Memorial Day 2016

Memorial Day is a sacred holiday in this family.  It's a day we remember those who "gave all"  so that we may enjoy the freedoms we've come to know.  Our traditions started with Boys Scouts and now Dan continues as part of the military firing squad.  The vets begin at Brandywine Battle Field, continue onto Elam UMC and then finally to Siloam UMC.  These are just a few of the images I captured.  

Photography Camp at Longwood

Friends of mine started a kids summer camp this year and asked me to help out as an instructor for a  few days.  All I can say is "Wow, what I great experience for the kids!"  

The material was well thought out and age appropriate.  I was amazed at how much the kids absorbed in only a few days. I was even more amazed at their creativity when told to "go shoot!"  

When they received a dozen or so printed images on the last day, I couldn't believe how many images they took that I had no idea were taken at Longwood Gardens or that I never "saw" before.  Part of what we tried to teach was to "see" the image before taking it.  Kids as young as 8 took some shots that blew me out of the water! They also motivated me to go back into Longwood, both with my Nikon and my cellphone!  Here are the few of the images that the kids inspired me to take! 

  

Sunrise....

...at the beach!

My body clock loves the morning and the rest of me doesn't mind getting up so early when I'm blessed to witness the beauty of simple sunrise!  

Taken on the beach of Wildwood Crest with my iPhone!  

They are laughing at me....

...the deer that is!  

Almost every night the deer come into the yard to eat the apples that have fallen from the trees, or sometimes corn that we leave out, but either way it's a joy to witness the same deer year after year and to watch the new fawns venture out from the woods for the first time.  

A few nights ago I was determined to capture them through the open window of my porch.  My patience paid off when a doe made her appearance.  She meandered around avoiding the camera but when she finally got close enough for me to get a clear shot, I was rewarded with attitude! 

Then a couple of nights later a different doe came to visit and I got a little attitude from her and then she laughed at me!  

Summer Flowers

Just  a few from the gardens here at the house.

Fireworks!!

Pop! Pop! Bang! Bang!

The noise.  The lights. The anticipation.  I love it all!

This year's display comes for my local township.  We usually trek all the out to Nottingham where the Herr's company sponsors a fantastic show, but this year we had a puppy to consider so we stayed local.  I have to tell you I was pleasantly surprised at what a nice show Bethel Twp. put on.  After arriving early and listening to some music this is some of what I saw!

Snowflakes!

President's Day, a day off from school, and a snowstorm

were the perfect reasons to try to capture some snowflakes. 

Sub-frozen fun!

The highs yesterday were in the teens and it was windy. The stubborn Irish in me wanted to give frozen bubbles another try.  Dressed in layers, I went outside to find a location somewhat protected from the wind.  I was semi-successful and even tried again this morning with slushy bubbles (that's what happens when you leave them in the unheated porch) and managed to get a couple of shots of a bubble imploding on itself!

These would only stick on the hot tub cover-

These stuck to a black blanket-