Tuesday....around the world.

I think there are two different kind of people in the world.

Those who "hate" black flowers

and those who love them! 

One guess which side I'm on. Oh, come on....do you think so?

And a few other colors too but true black flowers fascinate me. The black petunia above has almost no purple in it...it truly is black. I was like a kid in a candy shop when I found it....bought 2 boxes and mixed them with white geraniums and some green.



My little garden fairy, watches over my garden as she has for many years.

I'm happy to say I finally spent a Saturday tending to my garden that was being threatened by every weed known to man. The girls were pretty handy with their garden chores - each one trying to win points as to who was the best garden assistant.

Of course, they both thought they were and I wasn't about to contradict them. Garden help is garden help...rewarded with fudgicles and running through the sprinkler.

These pictures were all taken around 7:00 PM when the sun was it's most delicious. 50mm 1:4 lens - opened wide.

 

Happy Tuesday.....around the world!

Favorite Photo Friday

What with all the work lately (and playing around with fancy equipment), I just took a few shots of some roses the other day.


With my trusty Nikon D300....which I still love....even though I had a quick and steamy affair with the D4!!

And what with the mound of editing still in front of me, to save some time I thought I'd try out some Florabella actions on these roses. I used the Luxe, soft pink and from the Classic Collection, the soft haze. 

A bit of a departure from my usual "in your face already" style but I like it!

Do visit Lisa's blog and check out some amazing photography. Just oogle or join in - always a great way to learn.

This will be the first Saturday in awhile that I'm not working so the family is hitting the yard and garden. My flowers are now shouting at me...."hey...remember us?". So this week-end I will.

Happy Week-end!

xoxo

Tuesday......Around the World.

A few days ago, I got my hot little hands on the new Nikon D4. Which is the equivalent of "nirvana" to a photographer.

So, I had to try it out....Dahlia had the day off from school and though the clouds were rolling in....we headed to our little park around the corner.

You might think that I direct her, suggest props and coax her into these poses....but I really don't. I just have one mantra. "Relax your mouth". That's all I ever say....the rest is pure Dahlia.


I laugh every time I remember how she used to growl at me as a toddler, whenever I would bring out my camera. I really had to work hard to get a decent picture.




Yes.....that would be me in the garden globe. I little souvenir of working with such an amazing camera.

My goal this year is to get the new Nikon D800 but after getting to play around with the D4.......well....it's like a Ferrari. Anything less is.......just less.



However.....I'll still work for the D800. And be very grateful when I get it. (My motto has always been - never own anything you can't afford to replace.)

So...back to Dahlia. She can look so mature and serious one minute and then becomes my crazy little girl the next.


I just love all the different sides that make up my Dahlia Grace.

Join in the fun and tour the world this Tuesday.

Happy Day!
xo

Favorite Photo Friday

Just one more horse picture....promise! For this week, anyway.

This would have to be my favorite picture of the week because it really speaks to how far this little munchkin has come.  

 From clinging to my legs for over a year, after we returned from China.....Milana has evolved into this curious, courageous, adventurous, fun, happy little person.

She is beckoning this large beast to come hither so she can rub it's nose. If I hadn't stopped her, she would have crawled through the fence to get at the horse.

This one's my carpe diem kid. I never would have thought so.

Joining with my friend Lisa today. Click the button to see all the beautiful photography that is shared each Friday.

Happy Week-end!

xoxo 

 

Tuesday.....Around the World

We just had another beautiful week-end with horses in it.

Only this time they weren't tethered ponies....but the real deal. 

Beautiful thoroughbred horses.

I had a family photo shoot on Sunday, on location - out in the country and thought we should make it a family thing at the same time. 

So we stopped somewhere for a brunch and then they dropped me off at my shoot and went exploring. They spied some horses behind a fence when the owner spotted them and invited them in. (Really nice guy!) He gave them a tour of his grounds and stables and invited them to watch as a few of his horses were having a practice jump with their trainer in a little while. I arrived just as they were headed in the field with their horses.

What a treat!

 The girls wished we could have stayed all day and were less than thrilled to have to pile into the car and leave. They both had been getting up their nerve to ask for a ride but we quickly explained that these horses weren't the same as last weeks. (But that kind of logic went right over their heads.)

Me thinks there will be more horses in our future. 

 

Tuesday - Around the world.

Are you like me?

Do you like "firsts"?

I remember when Dahlia first got on a horses back....how frightened, yet excited she was. Her feelings were only surpassed by....mine. "My baby is so high....what if she falls off....what if the horse kicks me as I walk beside it...just in case she does fall and I have to catch her...." .

Click here to see some pics of Dahlia's first time on a horse (not a thethered pony).

Well, it was Milana's turn this time......and she showed no fear.


And you know what? Neither did I!!!

And......she LOVED it!

Ok...so,the horses were really ponies and they were tethered but nonetheless...I still felt a little pride that my "baby" has so much confidence.

I'm happy to say both my girls have some of the same mindset as I do. "Feel the fear....but do it anyway!" 

That's what's happening in my little corner of the world.

Check out some other places below.

 Happy Tuesday