Saturday, February 5, 2011

The gray looks lovely on you, my dear

I awoke to a gray, drizzly day here in Maryland, complete with some lovely ice. For a few seconds, I entertained the thought of heading outside to take some photos, but quickly came to my senses.

It’s been an hour since I woke, and the ice has begun to melt a little. I’m still thinking of heading out, mainly because I haven’t walked the property for three entire days and since it’s the only exercise I get, I’m way behind.

But I did shoot a couple photos from my porch.

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A view of the front yard this morning.

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And another view from the garage.

I have a sister who loves days like this and I’ve always envied her ability to embrace the gray. I’m going to try to do it today, and know it could be worse out there. When it melts a little more, I’m going to head to the supermarket to get some apples for a pie.

These photos were processed using the Velvet Sage action from Red Leaf Studios.

Red Leaf Studios

I also added two new textures that I received from Kim Klassen this morning. Kim sent a little ‘February Magic’ to everyone on her e-mail list. The textures look black, but the trick to applying them is using the screen blend mode, and it seemed to work on these lovely gray day photos of mine. To get on her list, visit her here:

Kim Klassen Cafe

Hoping your weekend is everything you want it to be.

123 Signature

PS ~ George’s fur is frizzy today.

40 comments:

Gail said...

"embrace the gray", I like that!

RottenMom said...

Frizzy fur+George = sweetness!

I wanted to let you know that I got the Card Set that I ordered from your Etsy Store. They are beautiful and everything I expected them to be. I am very happy with my purchase!

Mental P Mama said...

I think I'll haul myself to the gym. Them I'll be down for some pie;)

The Weaver of Grass said...

We have grey days here too and I hate them - it is amazing what a little sunshine can do.

TexWisGirl said...

Love the pink tones to these. Happy bad hair day to George!

Ellen said...

Love that name "Velvet Sage." And the photos are beautiful in spite of their dreary nature. And they remind me of Mel Torme - the "Velvet Fog."

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Georgeous photos. I would ordinarily dislike days like this if it's a day I have to work. But for a Saturday in February I embrace the gray and the rain because it's Mother Nature's way of telling us to stay inside and relax.

Who am I to argue with Mother Nature?

Mary said...

Maybe George needs some Morrocan Oil? ;)

You have made gray look beautiful! I love those Red Leaf Actions. and I have to go open my mail to get the Kim Klassen texture, so I can play this afternoon.

should be cleaning, but Dan is working from home so must not disturb him... Too bad, I really wanted to vacuum.

Not.
Xoxox

beth said...

i tend to embrace the gray by spelling it grey and only after i've had lots of sunshiney days before it :)

i'm a dork :)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Gorgeous, somber pictures!
I love George. He is just so handsome. We have a border collie as well. His name is Scooter. And while I love every dog we've had, Scooter is hands down The Best dog we've ever had. We adopted him from a rescue, and he just loves the farm life :-)

mrs mediocrity said...

poor george :) love what you did with these photos. it's white and grey here. i miss my garden. i think i can smell apple pie from here, though...

Dawn said...

How'd you make all that grey and white look so lovely? Can you come do that here?:(

Lovely captures...and hope you get a beautiful walk in!

nancy in ks said...

Those winter gray photos are pure art.

I working on learning PS, and so at this point, I have no idea how you choose which action would look good on a photo. You do know, though.

Your work just gets better and better.

Anonymous said...

Grey, foggy and rainy here as well. Love the texture from Red Leaf by the way.

DI

JC said...

Maddy Jean's fur is all wet today only it's from our rain.

Country Girl said...

Nancy, I just keep fiddling until I find something. Sometimes I know, sometimes not. The Red Leaf actions were a purchase, but there are so many wonderful free ones out there.

I am self-taught in PS. Bought a book by Scott Kelby which was really helpful and looked at online tutorials and did them. Good luck in your journey.

~ C.G.

sharon said...

you have such a great landscape to work with. I try to find the beauty in my back yard, but it's awful hard when there are houses everywhere. Thanks for a touch of Heaven!

Unknown said...

Gray here in South Florida today too. I love how it makes the greens of the trees and plants pop...a beautiful day. (And, yes most people here think I'm crazy for loving the gray days. Oh well!)

Ashley Sisk said...

Both of these shots look incredible. Love your processing and use of texture.

Andi said...

Kudos to your sister. Gray is NOT my color. I am so tired of this monochromatic world!

Bluebird49 said...

Like lemons in to lemonade--turning gray into pink makes the day good for you,doesn't it! It did for me!

Hope you got the apples--maybe an apple pie photo would cheer us up!

Cloudia said...

Yeah, walking is about it for me too honestly...

Love the shots and the 'weather report' on G's fur :)


Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

><}}(°>

Deb said...

stunning...but aren't ya just kinda tired of all the snow?

becky up the hill said...

I think the fact that you are 'thinking' of taking a walk is lovely. Enchanted April or The Secret Garden may be a diversion or make it all worst. I know not. Summer is my hard time, when it's hot and dry. I tend to hang out with English movies, where damp, wet and green sooth my soul.

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

hi kate...i haven't been in a blogging mood for days...don't know why either...but came by to visit you...love the photographs...looks so different there...beautiful...

apple pie sounds so good...this might seem strange...but we are having strawberry shortcake tonight..it is warm...BUT...rain is on the way soon....

we are having a lawn put in for Teddy to play on. He LOVES lawn...moving our raised vegetable beds to another area...the sprinkler system goes in Monday morning...yeah Teddy !!!!

HAPPY to visit here today
give George a scratch behind those cute ears...

kary and teddy
xxx

Chrissykat said...

I am like your sister. I can be at one with the gray no problem. Lovely photos as always. I bet George is pretty cute all fuzzed out. :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful images...hello to george and your family...smiles.

Anonymous said...

I adore your blog! How did the apple pie turn out?

Debbie from Illinois

Jeanne Walker said...

I am like Sharon...surrounded by houses! Not exactly photo worthy!
So I guess that's why I enjoy your postings so much...seeing God's beautiful creation through your eyes...whether it's bright blue or velvet gray! Happy Sunday!

A New England Life said...

I had a cat who always had fuzzy fur when it was humid. Oh how I miss him. Best cat ever.

Your rain is upon us. The roads are supposed to be very icy so we're staying in this evening. Hopefully tomorrow will be better weather for us both!

GailO said...

I can embrace the grey when I look at these:) Gorgeous! I haven't had a chance to play with those textures yet...I am finally getting the hang of it:)

Kim Klassen said...

so lovely... as are you.. my friend...

thank you so very much...
I'm about bursting for spring.... 'sigh'

your photos are so lovely... like images from the page of a book...

xxo, Kim

Kim Klassen said...

so lovely... as are you.. my friend...

thank you so very much...
I'm about bursting for spring.... 'sigh'

your photos are so lovely... like images from the page of a book...

xxo, Kim

Jill of All Trades said...

No I can't embrace the gray but your photos make it much easier. Lovely, just lovely.

Kerri Farley said...

OH I LOVE gray days. I don't ever seem to get any good shots but I love the atmosphere of fog. Your images are amazing as always.

Sorry George is having a "bad fur" day :)

Lili said...

Oh that is so much more beautiful than the ice we got last night. Now how about that pie?! xo ~Lili

The JR said...

Looks like a snuggle day to me.

Daryl said...

If I had been there I'd have dragged you out and then helped peel the apples

Gail Dixon said...

These photos are amazing! Also, thanks for the tip on Kim's black textures because I didn't know how to work with them!

Jan's camera said...

I love these photos. Beautiful. Can't wait to try Kim's textures. Hmmm, why is George's fur frizzy?