30 April 2011

blossom.me.spring

Soooooo get ready for an overload of spring purtiness!lovliness!marvelousness!gorgeousness!beautifulness!{simply some take-your-breath-away blossoms designed by the Creator himself.}*sigh*. I love Him.


A spring garden
is a painter's artwork
a poet's words
and a lover's heart.
A spring garden
dances in the rain,
while umbrellas open up
like flowers.

Gardens shimmer in dewy mornings
and whisper sweet nothings in the afternoon
The earth is painted with cheer and colors sing their songs.

Butterflies kiss the petals as eyes meet under the open sky.
Dandelions & daffodils parade in the sun.
Painters, poets, and lovers see magic come alive

A spring garden is a daydream,
It's majestic & melodious,
and blooms in our hearts.

It pulls at heartstrings
and makes the world smile at the sun.


See more images by clicking here
{Images: {Em}ily- yes. that means me:)}
{Poem pulled from Ruche's spring lookbook. Author unknown}

29 April 2011

::A visit from Kels::

{If you didn't see my preliminary post about Kelsey's visit, you might want to read that *here* before you scroll through these images:)  }
Kels and I did have a lovely visit and were able to sneak away several times {amidst my hectic and rather stressful schedule that couldn't be put off last minute} to explore some places together. I was so thankful that Mama and Daddy allowed us to do that even though at times, I could almost see them listing in their minds the amount of things I'd have to catch up with the next week!!  Kelsey was a huge help when we pulled off Mama's Birthday Surprise and I'm so thankful for her willingness to serve and to also allow me to spend time knocking out h/w and such while she was visiting. And I think that gave her a good amount of time to relax amongst the whirlwind of everything! 
Loads of photos were taken and even more memories made:)
{Thank you Jesus for everything you orchestrate. I am continually amazed by your attention to detail!}



 ain't she so purty?!
 our exploring crew

We were *super* excited to find these vinyls!! Kels: The Sopranos and I forget the other two (sorry!) Me: Frank Sinatra and the Pirates of Penzance soundtrack {that one was especially exciting since I'm in a play production of it currently!!}

 picnics are *the* best  {Eleanna came in town for the last two days of Kelsey's visit!!}
 love this shot of Ellyn<3
 bee-yew-tiful ladies!
 Eleanna, Kels and I
 El doing what she does best on a piano that was in the 3rd floor ball room at the Prop
 Kelsey's first time going to tea!
 at the Prop tea room
<3

24 April 2011

Film Cameras: Nikon N50

{I'd like to introduce my 2 film cameras- in two separate posts}

Film cameras are what first got me interested in the world of shutter speeds, ISO numbers, exposure, DOF, etc. Needless to say, I knew *nothing* about those things when I owned my first film camera-- nor would it be until many years later that I would first discover their uses... but just being able to capture a smidgen of life as it flew by me was enough to pull me into photography! Ever since leaving those days of film {when all I knew to do was press the shutter and replace the roll of film} for digital, I've wanted to go back. To use film more as a hobby but develope my knowledge of it nonetheless. Here's a look at the two cameras which will help to get me started down that road.
{what happened to the camera that got me interested in the first place, you ask? Sadly, after much use, it took it's last picture for me while on a trip out West in '05}
This last fall at a cousins wedding, I ran into a great-aunt of mine. She had seen me carrying my camera around all night and started asking me about my photography. As I mentioned how I would love to dabble in film someday she interrupted and said excitedly, "you *really* want to?!" and as I said yes she replied, "I used to be in photography years ago but my camera has sat in the closet for so long and I'm never going to use it again- would you like it?! It has at least one or two lenses with it and is in great condition!" 

I was just about speechless! Of course I said yes... are you kidding me?! But I had never expected someone to just hand their camera off to me like that!  True to her word, my aunt sent it only a week later-- and it was like Christmas in September! 

Now comes my horrible confession: it has sat in my closet all.winter.long because it needed cleaning and I've not had a moment to take it and get it cleaned! gah!! So. my spring goal is to go get the darling cleaned and start using it!  {p.s. Did I mention it's a Nikon. I'm now a tainted Canon shooter;) teehee}
Stay tuned for an introduction to my *other* film shooter!

Camera: Nikon N50     Lens(s): Nikon AF 28-80mm 3.5-5.6f  | Tamron AF 70-300mm 4-5.6f


{all images belong to me. please ask before using or re-posting | image *of* me taken by Johann}

23 April 2011

Resurrection Sunday

Isaiah 53

 1 Who has believed our message
   and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
   and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
   nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
   a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
   he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
 4 Surely he took up our pain
   and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
   stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
   he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
   and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
   each of us has turned to our own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
   the iniquity of us all.
 7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
   yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
   and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
   so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression[a] and judgment he was taken away.
   Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
   for the transgression of my people he was punished.[b]
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
   and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
   nor was any deceit in his mouth.
 10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
   and though the LORD makes[c] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
   and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After he has suffered,
   he will see the light of life[d] and be satisfied[e];
by his knowledge[f] my righteous servant will justify many,
   and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,[g]
   and he will divide the spoils with the strong,[h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
   and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
   and made intercession for the transgressors.
Jesus Has Risen!!
 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”
 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
{Matthew 28:1-8}

Events: Surprise Party for Mama

In celebration of Mama's 46th birthday, Ellyn wanted to take Mama "on a walk down memory lane". So we collaborated and while Ellyn came up with all the great ideas, I helped her to bring those ideas to life. 
Last Friday we had Mama's best friend from college come in town with her family as a surprise then Saturday morning we gave those two a gift card to go out to breakfast while everyone at home worked busier than bees to prep the house and food the luncheon that would bring together some of Mama's dearest friends. {yes, this was the other surprise!}. 
Enjoy the snapshots!



 A fruit appetizer with Strawberry Greek Yogurt dip and Passion Tea Lemonade to drink {the centerpiece is a grouping of potted pansies in mini-milk jars for the ladies to take home}
Ellyn and I were so thankful for all of the kitchen help!!

A mixture of fresh spinach and greens topped with Craisins, feta cheese and apples and served with chopped pecans and Raspberry Vinaigrette on the side.
 Surprise!!

 A marvelous group of ladies!
 Lovely daffodils provided by Mrs. Scheurich
 More Passion Iced Tea Lemonade  {we also made Wild Sweet Orange Lemonade which was delish!}
 The ladies enjoying their lunch! {Amidst everything going on "behind the scenes", I missed snapping a picture of the main course which was Chicken Salad Croissants and Creamy Broccoli Potato soup served with Gorgonzola crackers}
 Desert! Lemon Raspberry Sorbet served with Chocolate Biscotti and garnished with fresh lemon leaves


Relaxing and enjoying the chatter now that most of the clean up is finished!
                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The people we couldn't have done without: 
Mrs. Malek- who let Ellyn, Kels and I crash her house on Friday to get some of the food prep out of the way
Mrs. Johnson- Mama's friend from college- who was in on the whole thing and kept Mama out long enough Saturday morning and then pushed Mama home at the right time...
The rest of the Johnson family- all those extra hands and muscles for moving furniture and prepping were a huge bonus!
Kelsey- who did so many of the small but definitely very significant jobs the whole weekend... like chopping chicken breasts, ironing tablecloths and potting small plants... not to mention  giving up what could have been a weekend of resting while she was in town!
The Johnson and Gluntz guys- for moving all the furniture and transforming the family room into a lovelier room
Mrs Scheurich- for last minute providing the daffodils!
Anna, Katy & Emily M.- for having huge servants hearts and giving time out of their very busy schedules to help Ellyn, Kelsey and I make and serve the luncheon.
Susan, Lauri, Marla, Eva, Ginny, Jacque, Margaret, Georgia, Karen and Cassie- these ladies kept it a secret and then came and blessed our Mama with their time, smiles, hugs, conversation and tokens of love.
And last but far from least- Ellyn: who had the whole idea in the first place.

{Miss Jacque featured this event on her blog *here*}

{all images are mine. please ask before using or reposting}

15 April 2011

Fresh and Clean

This lil 'ole blog 'o mine was in desperate need of a spring makeover but those kind of things take time. Time I don't have. Since it was really starting to bug me, (it was just so dreary-- why would anyone want to visit it when I myself didn't even want to?!) I took a break from h/w to see what I could do. What I discovered was that blogger finally add interesting fonts to the line up! So in the 15 minutes I had, I switched everything to a clean, white layout, threw in some dynamic fonts, tweaked a little color here and there and viola! An incredibly simple blog layout for the present but something that is way better than what was there before! In the future when I really have time I'll tweak it and make it a bit more personal and interesting:)

{I'm loving this script! except in previous posts I had done a lot of side notes in a smaller size font and now with this font, they are too small to read! oops!}
Often times it's the little things that jump out and make your day unique:)
~Em

Ballet Silhouettes

We were at the Dayton Air Force Museum a few weeks ago and I could help but notice the gorgeous clear light while touring the Presidential hangar. Elisabeth was my "buddy" that day and since she has always loved ballet, we shot some silhouette images of her poses. I would have loved more time to work with the silhouettes and tweak some things but 10 minutes was all we had so I'm happy with what I ended up with:) Oh and just a week or two prior to this, I had the idea to begin taking & collecting silhouettes {of people,places,things} so it was really fun to be able to start off with these images! Too bad I don't have access to this hangar all the time!!














{all images are mine-- please ask before using elsewhere}