Sunday, October 4, 2009

Life is what you make it. Plain and simple.

Today, after accomplishing my very low Saturday cleaning goals, I went shopping at the local Kohl’s and picked up an assortment of candles for the fireplace in the living room. When we moved here last October, we had hoped that the fireplace would be usable, but it turned out that it needs too much work.

Ah, well.

Last night at a co-workers house, I noticed candles in the their fireplace and liked how it looked. So today, I swept out and cleaned up the fireplace. If this is too exciting for you, I apologize.

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I spent a couple of hours reading on the back porch and took a few photos.

My husband had taken chicken out for dinner and he was in the kitchen chopping onions. And when I came in, the house smelled heavenly, with the scent of onion and garlic wafting through the rooms and was that tomato and basil I smelled? My husband seems to enjoy cooking and tonight we’re eating early because it’s a chemo night for him.

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Life ain’t so bad.

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Tonight I sat down to rotini pasta covered with a chicken marinana that had a kick to it that made me raise my eyebrows. My husband noticed it too and admitted he put something in there he shouldn’t have, but he couldn’t remember what it was. Although it was a bit hot, I loved it!

 

Thanks to everyone who visits this site, especially to those that follow my blog and who leave comments. You make it all worth it. Two years ago my husband gave me a Nikon D80 for my birthday and then my son downloaded Photoshop into my laptop and I found a passion that I’d thought I had lost.

I have always loved photography. Maybe now it’s time to learn a bit more about a subject that fascinates me so.

Until tomorrow then, my friends . . .

44 comments:

Kay said...

I love reading your post and your photography is so beautiful.
My best wishes to your husband as he goes thru his treatments.
I have a penpal in Baltimore and also a daughter of a long time friend...
I live in Oregon, on the coast.
Keep up your good work. Kay Voth
freetoyak400@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

...and thanks for giving me something to look forward to each day, and a lot of inspiration to learn Photoshop! : )
Be well ~Andrea~

Linda said...

I love your photos and when you use effects on them they always seem to be the perfect choice. I have PS Elements and really need to learn more about what it can do. Thanks for the inspiration.

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

I noticed the book you're reading. I read it a couple of years ago and it was one of my favorites. Hope you enjoy it.

Blessings to you and your family.

JC said...

I love your photos. Have learned a bit about taking them from you.

Sorry your husband is on chemo. My sil take oral for her brain tumor.

And the book you are reading, it's own my shelf of 'to be read'.

Jeanne Walker said...

How blessed you are to have a husband who enjoys cooking and is actually quite good at it from what I've read!

Prayers are with y'all as he undergoes his treatments.

Don't have to say, but will, how much I enjoy your photographs. You definitely have the eye for the shot and the applications that you use to enhance the photos are incredible. Your hubby isn't bad at it either!

And last, but not least, you have the most handsome puppy to brighten your day and to give you all that unconditional love and sugars!

Enjoy your Sunday...and pray that this next week holds lots of laughs and thrills! Jeanne

Gail said...

Sounds like the perfect day...good food, good company and good times.

May tomorrow be as equally romantic.

I am looking for a photo program, what do you think of photoshop and which one.

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

The way you have captured your day is beautiful. Your first photo could be on the cover of a magazine. (It may well be, except I don't read anymore.)

While I know there is always more to the story, the part that you share here is wonderful and beautiful, and very much appreciated by those of us who read.

Here's to having another today, tomorrow.

RURAL said...

Stunning shots today, not that all of yours aren't gorgeous. There is something that pulls us in, visual, and perfect to get lost inside of.

I love the soft textures that you used today. Thanks for the inspiration, I have been working on my PS skills, there is so much to learn. Maybe one day I will get to textures.

Jen

Caroline said...

Stunning photos Kate! I love the composition of the bottom one! Just gorgeous!

Country Girl said...

I'm glad anything I publish here can inspire someone. Thanks to each and every one of you for your thoughtful comments.

Have a beautiful day, all.

~ C.G.

Anonymous said...

I know how you feel about loving photography. You are light years ahead of me in your learning about it. I have not picked up one book yet... sighs... perhaps tomorrow.

Chicken with a kick to it sounds alright to me!!

Di

Anonymous said...

The last photograph - The favourite.
Keep clicking. Keep writing.
Because we are reading & watching.
cheers !!!

Jeanne Frances Klaver said...

I understand what you must be going through with your husband; mine has kidney cancer. Read TTW. Great book! Photoshop is on my list of things to learn. Your posts inspire me so I think I'll look into getting it. Thanks for sharing.

MaggieGem said...

Always inspiring, never sappy Kate!

Good luck to hubby, hope all goes well with his treatments. Thoughts and prayers of your followers, I'm sure are with you!

abb said...

Without really reading anything in depth, I just have to tell you - you must come see us/me in CT. Know it's a trip, but but REALLY! Ahem...here NOW!!

Sugar Creek Beads said...

Your photos are so stunning. You see the world through a very special eye and I am so glad you share your visions with us every day. I simply am crazy about the third photo with the pink flowers. I would love to see it framed and hanging in my bedroom. Lovely! Jeanne

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Love reading "you." And the photos make me envious. I need to get off my duff and learn more about photography. C

Kerri Farley said...

I really want to call you Katy! I feel like part of the family or a long time friend...you are so open and honest in your posts...like you are talking to a friend. So I want to call you Katy! And I must admit, your blogs, this one and the Pic a Day, are the first ones I look at every day. There is something so comforting about reading your blogs and seeing your wonderful pics. I know I don't always comment....bad me...but I do look each and every day.

LOVE what you've done with these shots. And I really want to see that fireplace with the candles in it!

Unknown said...

Love your book!! One of my absolute favs! I read it two years ago and cried more than anything!

I consider your blogs one of my most favorite and peaceful places to come each day...even when you don't post, I still love to come here and be serene.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

Katy- we like plain and simple around here too!
<><

Skogkjerring said...

Gorgeous photos Kate, you really have a unique talent...your description of dinner made my mouth start watering..garlic and onions are two of my favourite things to add to any dinner..YUM. You really don't have to thank us for following your blog, speaking for myself it's such a pleasure to come in here and see what's new and your title today really drew me- I totally 110% believe what you wrote..Life is what you make it..plain and simple..BRAVO my friend!!!

Jeanne Walker said...

Kate, what is the name of that flower in the beautiful little vase?

Debbie said...

Beautiful photos.....I would have never thought a photo of an open book could be so lovely.

I have seen candles in old fireplaces....very nice. You will have to give us a peek of it after you have finished.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos, as always.. would love to know the finish you put on these to give them the antique effect.. and..sorry to hear your husband has chemo nights.. Hopefully you can put that in the past soon and get on with enjoying life...you two know how to spend a good evening... the meal sounds awesome too! ...

You could make a coffee table book about your time in the "Manor House" ..all these wonderful photos..and life with your beautiful canine companion.

Country Girl said...

Rileigh's Lolli, that is a cosmos in the vase.
Karen, I used Florabella textures, different ones for each of the photos. Often I use two or three on the same photo. I really need to keep a journal of what I do to each of the pictures. Your comment has inspired me to address this right away!
Florabella Textures can be found here: http://florabellacollection.blogspot.com/
My new addiction is Flypaper Textures, which can be found here:
http://flypapertextures.blogspot.com/ (the silo picture on my other blog today incorporates Flypaper Textures).

Thanks again, all. I always wanted a place where people could come and feel at peace.

~ C.G.

CarlaHR said...

Kate, your blog is usually the first one I look at in the morning. I thoroughly enjoy your text and the accompanying photos. I too enjoy taking pictures and then working in Photoshop with them. The only problem is that there are only 24 hours in the day and so many things that I want (would like) to do.
Thanks for your inspirations.

Daryl said...

Maybe too much garlic ... hot is good ... xoxo

Swetha said...

you had the perfect day:) i like to know more about you... keep posting:)

Mary said...

You have the magic touch with textures, Kate! Gorgeous images, all of them. I hope everything is well... thinking about you this lovely Sunday morning... :)

The Weaver of Grass said...

Your post did make me laugh Kate - they always say that the UK and US are two nations divided bya common language. When I read that your husband took a chicken out for dinner I just imagined them arm in arm walking into a restaurant!
I really enjoy your blog - both the words and the pictures - so keep them coming. Best wishes to you and to that cook/husband of yours who is having to endure chemo.

noble pig said...

Well Happy Birthday miss! Your photos are always so beautiful and so are your words. Your beauty as a person also transcends here.

~JarieLyn~ said...

Ditto on re-discovering a passion for photography. I love your photos. I have not tried photo shop yet, but I will venture into that one of these days.

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a perfect afternoon. I'm reading the same book and I like the way it looks with a glass of wine next to it ; )

Country Girl said...

Oh, it's not my birthday. I am so vague sometimes. About two years ago (in November 2007) my husband bought me my first digital SLR, a Nikon D80 which I still use. My birthday is around Thanksgiving.

Krista, I think a lot of things look good with a glass of wine next to them. Ha!

~ C.G.

emily said...

How are you enjoying The Time Traveler's Wife?

Barbara/myth maker said...

Love those photos, especially the first one.... sets the mood perfectly for that particular novel, I think.

GailO said...

I do love these soft, dreamy photos Kate...love the atmosphere of them...makes it seem like your life is but a dream with reading novels, drinking wine, and having pasta and chicken served to them...I know it's not all true but it is nice to dream!

Betty said...

I love that last picture. your dinner sounds wonderful.I like food with a kick.

Char said...

live is good, even with diablo sauce on the pasta. it's a beautiful reminder that even in the roughest of times, we can find peace and solstice if we look for it.

Deb said...

your blog is becoming so popular, Kate. I feel left out!

I purchased candles this weekend from Yankee Candle store, myself! My favorite scent is Harvest. Combine that fragrance with the long shadows of fall and i am in heaven!!!

Sharon said...

I love reading your blog and I think about your husband a lot. I wish him the best.

ELK said...

i am always glad to "join" you here my friend..

The JR said...

I'm sorry your husband is sick. I hope he's getting well and am sorry that your family is having to go thru this.

I love your photos.

Ramona