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This is the extent of my Christmas decorating this year, well and the wreath on my front door. I made the decision to forego the tree and lights, the bells and whistles, the glitter and the sparkle. Don’t get me wrong; I am not being a Scrooge, and I am not in a ba-hum-bug mood. Actually, it is the exact opposite. In recent years, after going back to work full time, I found the stress of having to decorate, shop, wrap, and bake bring about less holiday enjoyment. By the time Christmas day arrived I would be frazzled to the point of simply wishing the day was over. This year, I made the decision to just enjoy the holiday season for what it is, a chance to dream of the day there may be peace on earth and begin by having peace in my heart and in my house.

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 the sweet sound of Christmas Carols fill the air ~

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Finding new ways to reuse ~ this beaded necklace is made from strips of recycled magazines.

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If every winter day could be as summer like as today, I wouldn’t mind it. The sun was bright and the air unseasonably warm. B and I were enjoying the last of our Thanksgiving vacation days. And since we’re not crazy enough to go shopping on this Black Friday, we went to the beach.

Yesterday’s topic for the flickr group I joined was white on white. I found this little starfish against the crushed seashell to be the perfect subject. I liked the photo enough to share it here also.

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When a Phriend (I wouldn’t mention names) posted a photo, on her facebook page, of lightly fried apples dipped in pancake batter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, I knew, with all the apples I have from my recent picking, I wanted to try these. They have become my newest obsession, breakfast, lunch and dinner ~ they are yummy anytime of the day!

* I really need to close down my aperture when taking marco shots.

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It's a Autumn pumpkin Macro Monday ~

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Ordinary everyday objects look so totally different when seen in a marco shot.

This just some beach sand.

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Just in case you're not keeping track, I am. We now officially half way through Project 365!
 Congratulations everyone who has made it this far.

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~ just having some mimosa marco fun ~

I have always liked marco photography and back at the beginning of the month I took the leap and purchased a 60mm, f/2 marco. I love, sleep with it under my pillow, really like it! I wanted a f/2 to allow for the fabulous blurred background. Only problem is when I open up to f/2 and get inches away from my subject, the result is a pinhole size focal point and many photos looking completely out of focus.

The other night, I happened upon the neon pink, soft feather like blooms of a mimosa tree. I switched to the new marco lens and in force of habit opened up to f/2. When I reviewed my photos I was very disappointed, all the shots, while looking quite interesting, were a blurred mess. So last evening after work I went back to the scene of the crime. I closed down to f/9 and like magic I captured the effect I had in my mind.

So this month I Clicked it Up a Notch by closing it down!

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I just love his fuzzy little jacket.

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Admittedly, I am not certain what kind of flower this is. It was growing along the 8 mile roadside path at the Refuge. I really liked it and I thought it looked like pink pearls.

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just another day at the beach!!

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It's a crabby Marco Monday, a Jersey blue claw to be exact.

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I have been obsessing over wanting a marco lens for awhile now, probably two years. Just ask anyone I know. After looking around, I narrowed it down to the Tamron 60mm, f/2. Monday evening I have had the opportunity to play around with one and knew it had to be mine. Today I made the purchase and ventured over to my favorite place.

I had a little run in with some barnacles last year and I can tell you it is not a battle any human or living creature is likely to win. They are razor sharp and cut you up like a paper shredder. Here’s a closer look at these little, seemingly harmless, beasts from the sea.

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Last evening Phriend and I had the opportunity to take a portrait class. It was instructed by a photographer  who has over 200 magazine covers to his credit. We spent time inside while he explained a few important facts to keep in mind while adjusting white balance and advice on preventing shadowing. We headed over to the beach with two barely dressed young ladies, who were professional models. We were shown how to set flash for use in the bright sunlight, how to angle the subject, and practiced the techniques for setting white balance. It was informative, but the best part was the Tamron reprehensive who was there lending out (yes free of charge) any and all lenses for use during the shoot.

I have been pining over their 60mm, f/2, marco for awhile now and could not wait to get my hands on one.  It was a beautiful thing.  I found I was having more fun taking marco shots of all things around me. In fact I wandered off in search of subjects and ended up taking only a few photos of the young ladies.

I am purchasing the lens by the end of the week.