Catching Up: Self-Portrait, Comfort, Dream, and Tradition

So I just joined this week and already I'm behind. I told Rachel that I probably won't be able to do all of the challenges in a timely manner, but I'll try my best to keep up. I had to cheat just a little bit. I took all of the pictures, but I didn't take them all this week. Some of the pictures are taken with my Nikon S3 (the best point and shoot) and others with the Nikon D90 (that my husband got me for Christmas and I am still trying to figure it out). Here goes:

Self Portrait



This was such a hard picture for me to take. Not just because I don't like pictures of myself, but also because it is really hard to take a picture of yourself. I ended up taking it with a self-timer on my point and shoot. Can I just say that I felt like a psycho sitting in my back yard smiling at a camera with no else around? The lighting was horrible.

My Comfort

This is my kittie Ani. She is the cuddliest little cat and before my husband moved in, she was my constant companion. Even now, when Rod is away for work, she comes and cuddles with me. It is a huge comfort. I like this picture because the red ribbon around Ani ties in with the red flowers behind her. I also like that you can see the detail in her whiskers.

Day Dreaming

My dream is to spend my days traveling. Because I didn't have any trips this week, you will have to settle for a picture from one of my last trips. I like this photo (even though it is a little dark), because the the fog lifting and the overcast sky add mystery to an already mysterious location.

(Non) Traditional

Most of my traditions center around holidays and annual parties, none of which were happening this week. Instead, I took a picture of my husband's latest meal (mussels and oysters). Growing up my family was very set in traditional gender roles. The women (me and my stepmom) cooked and cleaned, and the men (my dad and brothers) took out the trash and mowed the lawn. I always hated that my mom, who also worked full time, had to come home and make everyone dinner too. It didn't seem fair. So when I met Rod, I was amazed that he not only knows how to cook (really well), but he enjoys it. He also doesn't mind doing the dishes or cleaning. Again, this picture is not the best, but as you can see in the background, everyone was waiting to eat.

DREAM - Sunny & Warm

Ok, so better late than never!! I had some technical difficulties with my computer/camera not wanting to work together and upload my pictures - but I DID have my picture taken and ready on time! :)

So this has been my dream the last few months - ok, longer than that - but REALLY the last few months. I want to get away SO bad and get away someplace that is warm and sunny (I live it UT - it's cold and snowy and I am tired of it! I HATE being cold!) and this picture (a pic taken of a pic from a calendar!) has it all - nice sandy beach, gorgeous blue water, and sun, sun, sun! For now it is just that - a DREAM, and though I know that it will not be reality for us any time this year, I will keep on dreaming of the day that it is!

Dream of Peace

When I was little all I wanted to do was be heroic, and do amazing things. Now I think maybe my son thinks the same thing when he puts on his super hero cape and zooms around the house saving his sisters! And how convenient that he was wearing his daddy's hat in this. Who I Dream of coming home safely, every time he leaves for his heroic duty!
I still have yet to do a self portrait, but I'm afraid its going to have to wait till after lunch time!

Portraits and Dreams

Hi, I'm Jenny, here in today's "self portrait," taken to display the scarf I just knitted. In a nutshell, I am an artist and a stay-at-home-soon-to-be-mother. I recently aquired a Nikon D-40 (thanks hubbie!), and would love to use this blog as a means for better understanding my camera and refining my photography skills (photography being a lifelong hobby of mine). I look forward to taking on these Mission 24 challenges and getting some feedback on my pictures!

And as it seems that "Dreams" is the latest challenge, I'll explain how this picture covers that as well. My biggest dream in life is to be a successful wife and mother, and in this picture I am 1 1/2 years happily married and 6 months pregnant, and thus am in the beginning stages of my dream journey. And with that, my mission on this blog has begun!

I'm still dreaming......

This photo represents a few dreams wrapped up in one.
1) I have a small apartment. My "scrapbooking room" is actually my dining area. Yep... This monster shelf is parked right next to my kitchen table. We usually don't eat at the kitchen table because it's always full of 'scrap-crap'. My dream is to get a nice big house with a room dedicated to my many hobbies.
2) My mother and I have talked for a quite a few years about opening a scrapbooking store/quilting store. My mom would do the quilting side and I would do the scrapbooking side. People with the passion of both hobbies will LOVE it! The only problem: She's in Idaho, I'm in Ohio. Some day it will happen. Just not today.
3) I dream of having un-interupted scrapbooking time. No kids, No husband. Just me, paper, and a nice book on tape (or friends would substitute nicely!).

LeAnn's Dream

This picture was taken on auto mode, and I took a bunch of different angles. They all looked like just snap shots. In this one I zoomed in to make it look a bit more visually pleasing. Not the best shot but it represents my dream.
This can actually represent 3 dreams that I have.
1. Procrastination.... I took this picture this morning. I wish all the time that I wasn't a procrastinator. Better late than never though. Right???
2. A new fence..... Oh, how I wish we could put in a new fence!!! I dream of a cinder block privacy one. But to be realistic, I live on a DOUBLE, CORNER lot. It's just way to much money for us right now. This fence is in shambles the trampoline has blow through it a couple of times, and has been nailed back together by my handyman of a husband. But it keeps the kids, and the dog in, and people out.
3. A garden....This is where I was suppose to plant my garden for the past 3 years, but the procrastination in to play. This year though, this year, I will make my dream come true!!!!
CC

Dream of the Future

OK, I'll be honest. I don't really want my child to grow up to be a doctor- Med school is HARD! And the hours are awful. I'd rather he become a dentist, great pay, great hours, less school. Regardless, I do dream of him being successful and happy. I dream that he will grow up to be a good man, just like his dad.

Sorry it's late, Sundays get crazy over here.

CC

Tina's dream

I love to make bags, and honestly I dream about them. So my dream is to become better and better at it! My other dream is to make my daughter a Easter dress and a cute bag to match! (to bad my daughter is only 15 months, she really wont appreciate the bag!)
Every time I create something out of fabric it makes me smile!

Sorry its late, I made this bag Saturday night instead of taking a picture of my dream I was creating it!

Shanda's Dream

Ok, so I have been sick and haven't had time to get out and take a picture, so I will have to do with one I took last week for my photo class. It's a night shot done with a Nikon N64 film camera (Hence the bad copy here...had to scan it into my computer, then add my signature) I took it at 10 at night, exposed it for 15 minutes, at F8 with a cable release.

I like how it turned out. I LOVE trains, because to me they signify GOING somewhere, and my dream is to someday travel the world. I love to travel. But I really want to go to Europe and take the train around from place to place...visit Ireland, Scotland, France, everywhere in Europe.

I am ALWAYS open to constructive criticism. The good and the bad. Always helps me be better.

A Wish Your Heart Makes

I had fun playing with this photo. I cropped it a bit and played around with the angles. These scriptures are the ones I had before I got married and I set my wedding ring on top of it. My husband and I are going through a really rough time right now and my dream is that things will manage to work themselves out. I've been counseled in various ways that I need to rely on the scriptures and to focus on having the Spirit.

I used my little Kodak point and shoot, no flash, dark room with just the lamp shining down. CC.

Dreaming of Spring

I am dreaming of Spring. I miss the warmth. So sorry this pic is blurry. I am trying to push myself into taking photos in manual mode and it is challenging for me. I took so many picture today and after all was said and done, I didn't like any of them. Anyway, I only chose this one because we have been in an inversion and haven't seen the sun for day and days. Tonight we had a nice little sunset. I think it would look so much better if the grass and trees were green though. Someday, I do want to be a photographer! Ultimately that is my dream!

My "dream big"

This is my son. He is my dream. I am always dreaming about how he will grow, what he'll do when he's older, what he is going to do next to make me laugh. I dream for the day when he will sleep through the night (ha, ha). I dream of the type of "big brother" he is going to be. I look at him and wonder what he will experience in life, and how much harder it may be for him then it was for me. I wonder what is in store for him and how he will handle those situations that may arise and confront him. He is my dream. There is a great song called Dream Big, and there is a line that says.... "Dream big, as big as the ocean. If you dream it will come true.... Dream Big!" How I dream that when he is older and can start carrying those dreams of his own that they will come true. Dream Big, my son!!!

Green Portals & Strokes

I've been behind on the topics, so this is a dual-purpose post.

I find both of these subjects (self-portrait and dream) to be very difficult. This is what I came up with tonight:



These are my eyes, and they are my most favorite feature. They are a green that is very different, and I love having something that is really just ME.

When I used the flash I looked VERY scary, so this picture is what I settled for tonight. (Anyone have any ideas for shaping eyebrows? I've never been confident in that area at all, and obviously need some work!) (And.... this is without any makeup. Sorta scary.)

I am a mother of two boys (2 1/2 years, 8 months), I work part-time, I love being in charge of things, I am have recently taken to exploring allrecipes.com to create different things for dinner, I am gearing up to move (dreading that!), and we are trying to make it with my husband laid off and finishing his last class in school before he gets his Horticulture degree. I feel like this great big hodge-podge of things, and I am excited for contributing to this blog.

And, this is my DREAM category picture:

I have a hard time quantifying my dreams. I just really don't do it. And I've never really had a problem with not dreaming much. Believe me, my husband does it enough for both of us. However, there are parts of me that want to reach out and LEARN or DO, and this is one of those things.

My grandmother was an accomplished oil painter, as were many of her relatives. She produced art that continues to amaze me. I have never felt very talented in this area, but I have never tried. When I was younger I found her painting kit and asked my Mom if I could try, and she got very upset at me. I don't think she realized I was serious, but it still really hurt my feelings. So, my dream is to take an oil painting class.

I hate to admit it, but these brushes are from a make-up kit. I don't even own a real paint brush.

I'm not really looking for criticism on these because I took them in all of, seriously, one minute, so it's just more FYI this time. Thanks for the previous comments, though!

Dream Big

My husband is a country boy, through and through, and he dreams of owning his own ranch someday. He even has smaller dreams... owning a horse, having a little bit of land, space... I dream of seeing him every single day looking like this, and being happy. We went for a drive yesterday, to get out of the city. We got out of the car for awhile, and Brandon stood there, listening to the silence... the silence we never hear anymore, living in the "city". (It's a little city, but it's a city, nonetheless!) Keep dreaming, love... don't give up. We'll get there someday.

CC

Dream machine

My sewing skills are meager--really. But to me, I absolutely LOVE to listen to the whir of the machine and feel the pedal beneath my foot. I love the piles of fabric, colors all mixed together...I feel so at peace.

Oh how I dream to be a talented seamstress...to have stacks of fabric and endless time to work on projects!

Star Light, Star Bright...

I dream of the day when my children can grow up in the country, as I did, and not a subdivision with covenants to follow. I look forward to the day when we will be able to move back to Texas and own not just a house like everyone else's, but our dream home in the country with acreage.

(This picture was taken on this last Wednesday after the Ice Storm passed. It is of the dairy farm in our little town. Don't you feel so sorry for the cows?)

Keep Dreaming...

My dream is to have my OWN washer and dryer and not have to go down into our ghetto apartment's basement to use the coin-op. That's all I want out of life right now... ha.

This is not at all how I intended the picture to come out. I scouted out the lighting yesterday to find the perfect time of day when the sun beams were shining through the window. And then it was over-cast today, so the lighting was completely different than I'd planned. Grrrr... oh, well.

(CC)

When I Grow Up....

I took this picture this week before my daughter's dance recital and she was so excited. She was looking out the window and I loved the way the light was hitting her face. I have a little sample photo editor that came with my camera and I played with it a bit to make the pink pop....what do you think?

CC

Sweet Dreams, Little One

My precious little child, dreaming his precious little dreams. Sleep on, little Thomas.



This one was a toss-up between Thomas sleeping, or a beautiful old house. I totally dream of having my own house, but thought it might weird someone out to look outside and see a total stranger taking multiple pictures of their house. So I went with the baby sleeping. p.s. Yeah, Janelle, I agree it is a bit cliche. But he was just so cute!! :-)

CC

Dream: Happily ever after

I had a hard time with this one. My initial idea was to take a picture of my daughter sleeping -- "sweet dreams." Too cliché. Then I thought I'd take a picture of my husband -- "dreamy." Too cheesy (plus he hates getting his picture taken). After that I was stuck. How could I take a picture of something I dream of when I obviously don't have it? I thought about taking a drive in the historical district and finding a big "dream house." My small clothes would be a "dream" to fit into again. My mom's quilt represents "sweet dreams" as well as my "dream" to become as good a quilter as my mom is.

I finally had some inspiration. I also actually like it. This sign hangs in my living room above the passage into the dining room. There's not normally a rose sitting on top of it, but it was really boring without it.

So my "dream" is that I can live "happily ever after."

CC