Friday, November 4, 2011

Life is beautiful

It’s Friday evening and I’ve just had one of the best days I’ve had in awhile. I started back to work full-time today, and although I would rather be home spending time with my husband, being away all day (and being productive) feels like things are getting back to normal.


My husband is feeling better, too, and getting stronger every day. Click {here} if you’ve been away from this blog for awhile to read what I’m talking about.


We just enjoyed an excellent take-out dinner, so that means no dishes. And today, although it was a bit windy, was really a beautiful fall day. One of the parents stopped by early this morning to say that she and a friend were going food shopping over in South Philly all day and asked if I wanted anything. She ended up bringing sweets from a wonderful bakery for the office staff. I’ll share them with you later.


What I mean is, that I’ll share the photographs of the treats with you.


Ain’t nobody gettin' my fruit tart.



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While I’ve been home, I’ve been taking a few photos here and there, then editing them to get them just right.

Here are a few I’ll share with you today.



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I love fall and all its colors.



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And the lacy leaves.


And the way the light plays on the grass.


: : :


I’m not usually a big fan of floral photography in black & white, but while at Talbots last Saturday, I was stunned by two incredibly striking framed prints in the hallway by the dressing room. They were florals in sepia tones, framed perfectly. I was inspired, so I played around with some of my own.



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A sunflower in the early morning, after a light rain. I used Kevin Kubota’s chocolate syrup action on this one which gives it a rich sepia tone. Then I layered it with a texture from Kim Klassen.


For the photos below, I used a cappuccino action, then layered it with a lightly colored texture from Florabella called ‘Seaside’, which I thought looked interesting.



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I hope you like. And hey, even if you don’t – I like.



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Life surely isn’t easy street right now, but I’ve got a husband who is still with me, and who is so incredibly thankful for everything I have done for him.


(Either that, or it’s the drugs talking . . .)


: : :


So tell me, because inquiring minds want to know . . .

What are your plans for this weekend?


Until later, my friends . . .
123 Signature

42 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Oh Kate - what a GREAT post :)
I can feel your happiness shining thru!!
My weekend plans - son coming up from Fort Bragg - he's turning 21 next week so we're taking him out for a birthday lunch on Sunday :) That will be the highlight of my weekend :)

Gail said...

Glad things are going well.

Your photos are magical.

Anonymous said...

You sound happy and content just to be home with your husband and your photography..

I really like black and white photos and sepia shaded photos of flowers. Sometimes much more so than brightly colored ones.

No plans for the week-end other than my regular errands and perhaps a trip to a girly store.

Caroline said...

So glad that things are getting back to normal! Sounds like a great day today too.

OK...those calla lilies...OMG!!! Totally gorgeous...fine art print worthy for sure!

Not much planning this weekend...kinda going with the flow. I do need to start getting back into photography...so maybe I will shoot some more. Thanks for the link to the scarf too! Just beautiful.

xo

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

I think the photos are lovely. And you sound very happy and relaxed tonight. We only have today anyway, so it's good to fill it with loved ones, pretty flowers, and TAKEOUT!!

msdewberry said...

Mmmmnnn, yummy photos! I love the sepia/ black and white treatment of flowers. The waterdrops really caught my eye!
My weekend plans include sleeping in and coffee in PJ's! Its supposed to be nice tomorrow so must catch a bit of the fall foliage as well. My neighbour moves into their new home tomorrow so plan on going to see the new abode. And pulled pork for dinner. That is about it!!
I love my weekends!

Cloudia said...

L O V E
that opening line. I felt it run through me like butterscotch pleasure!

Glad himself is mending (how could he not with your nursing?)

I actually feel that I shared your day. Hmmm dreaming of south Philly and Melrose Diner.

Fond Aloha my friend
from Honolulu

Comfort Spiral

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Michelle said...

So glad things are progressing well (even if you don't share your fruit tart). (-;

This weekend is a DRESSAGE weekend! Saturday night is our state association's 40th anniversary banquet, and Sunday is a clinic/symposium with Olympian Steffen Peters. My guys are staying at home, so I don't have to be "mom" there, either.

Country Gal said...

Kate these photos are fantastic well done I love them. I am soo happy to hear all is going well for you and your hubby. I am sure it isnt the drugs talking. This weekend Papa, Miggy and I are just puttering around enjoying the nice cool sunny fall weather ! have a wonderful evening.

JaneK said...

love what you are doing with those shots! they look great as always... glad there seems to be some sunshine that way both literally and figuratively.... as for the weekend..... NO PLANS :)

Low Tide High Style said...

I'm beyond happy for both you and your husband, and I hope life continues to move forward in the best possible way! Your images are gorgeous!!! And sometimes I find it a little scary that we post the same sorts of subject matter on the same day. And I swear I had no clue what pics you were using, my webcam inside your house died a long time ago! ;-)

Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. We are off to visit my in-laws and some old high school friends of my husbands, so it should be fun. Our son, the house sitter/pet sitter may not think it's so fun though! Nah, he'll have friends over and he'll be happy we are out of his hair for a few days!

Kat :)

P.S. you won.

Corny said...

Great things are getting better.

Liz said...

So glad that everything is on the improve Kate..
This weekend is the first of the season that will topple over the 30c mark, so I've been out in the garden taking shots of the amazing colour we have this month, tomorrow I might just go somewhere else around the town and take some more photographs because...well just because I can..!
Lizzie
xxx

RURAL said...

I am just thrilled that things are even keeled for you right now. What a stunning sunflower pic, I am so partial to them....

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Another Sister said...

OMG to the calla pics. XO

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hi Kate, I'm happy to hear that things are looking up. So, you didn't tell us what you had for take-out tonight!

How nice of that parent to stop by and see if you needed/wanted anything. It's the simple gestures that make us appreciate people, isn't it.

Your photos are beautiful! I love the play with the color techniques!

This weekend hubby and I are doing a few things around the house inside and outside which includes some last minute planting, and storm cleanup, especially around "Duke's tree." That's the tree that my dog like to hang out under!

Then on Sunday I'm meeting my nephew's daughter for the 1st time! I've seen photo's, she's a beauty! I bought 7 beautiful bibs at a Farmer's Market in Maine for her!

All this and a little shopping, a little cleaning and some lesson planning! Gee, I'm exhausted just thinking about it! LOL!!!

Hope you and your hubby have a relaxing weekend!

Carolynn Anctil said...

I really like your sepia flower photos. I'm such a novice with textures. Glad to hear things are on the upswing at your place.

This weekend, will continue much like the past week - we're settling into our new place and making it home. I'd like to set some time aside to work on a calendar project I've been wanting to complete for a year now (!) and my wedding book.

GailO said...

I hope every day is as good as today Kate! Part of it is your wonderful outlook on life...looking for the good in everything and everyone...

I love the sepia processing on the flowers! Just before I stopped by here I was playing with a sepia treatment on a photo of my grandson for OXOXO....not my usual thing either but it was fun to play...all I used was Picasa:)

Have a wonderful weekend! A quiet one here except for faucet shopping and dinner with friends...
xoxo

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Chocolate syrup and cappuccino...You're making me hungry! I love the images (as usual). You have such a great "eye".

Glad to hear you're back to work and DH is doing better.

Hugs from FL.
xoxo
Donna

Girl Tornado said...

Ohmigoodness Kate, it's been so long since I've visited... and I've missed a lot I see. I am so very glad to hear your husband is doing better ~ sending another prayer your way, even though I'm sure you had hundreds sent your way several weeks ago. I'm glad things are starting to settle down a tad for you.

Your photos, as always, are gorgeous and stunning. I love your floral sepias - I have always loved flowers done in sepia. With your textures and actions, you take them a step higher to perfection. Beautiful.

I have a weekend filled with my 2nd job, and maybe some more photo organization since I also got Lightroom a few months ago. That task will take me forever I fear....

Take care, sending lots of virtual hugs your way!!!

~Suz

Sweetpea said...

CG, I'm picking my jaw up from the floor after viewing these sepia florals... you.must.do.more.

You are a testament to following inspiration when it finds you.

Gayle said...

It is especially fine to know that your husband is doing so well. Also, that you are doing so well, too. Heartwarming. Continued good healing wishes.

Love your photos/words/sharing.

My weekend: choosing wild and crazy colors for all rooms in home to be painted.......like one wall cranberry with pale lemon chiffon on the other three walls.......vibrant crimson/magenta (one wall) the other three pale sage green....you get the idea. No MORE Navajo White for me! Heh!
Enjoy your weekend.

Deb said...

so happy to hear things are returning to normal....or as normal as can be.......

Jeannelle said...

Your b&w flower work is gorgeous! I love the lacy leaf, too!

Savannah, Chloe, & Tyler said...

It's wonderful to hear some happiness in your voice again Kate. Love your photos as usual. I really like the sepia tones as well. There is something so antiqued and restful in theme that just attracts me. No special plans for the weekend other than homework and rest. Comfy pj's and books.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I'm smiling, Kate. What a nice post, made my day.

LOVE the photography, especially the floral black/white/cream tones... beautiful.

You're not a tart-sharing woman, huh? I'll remember that :-)

Donna S. said...

I will take normal (& boring) anytime.

You are so talented with your photos. You really have the "eye". And I appreciate it.

My hubby had an infected wisdom tooth out yesterday. He is a pretty easy bleeder so that is always the problem he has with this stuff. Plus, the older you are the harder these things are on you. So we will just be taking it easy. Hopefully I can get some Christmas crafting done. Going to make a couple of quilted tree skirts for my kids for Christmas.

Devon said...

While I always love your photography... today everything was just exceptional! Made me smile all the way out in California!

spindrift,maine said...

Kate, I am so very glad you could write about your beautiful day! It seems as if the beauty was mostly about all those simple things--so much that was missing in your last weeks of difficulty. When those simple things return, they are such blessings. Bless you both with all of them. The weekend? Being STILL for the most part, to make up for my last two weekends of too much travel. A little get-together with friends, a ride in the country, and knitting or maybe sewing. (More simple things.) As for the fruit tart? Go ahead, eat it all. Nobody is going to get their mitts on my Cherry Garcia Fro-Yo, either! xo

Mental P Mama said...

I don't think it's the drugs. It's you. And you are awesome. Love....

Mary Lou said...

My plans are to make a photo using your techniques as shown in this post, pray for your husband and be thankful for mine plus I will turn 63 tomorrow. Life is good.

sharon said...

So glad things are looking up for you! It must be something in the air, this week was good. Absolutely LOVE the sunflower picture! Now you have me wondering if I can do that with some of my pics. I need to find some fall pics to place around the house. /thanks for the ideas!

Mary said...

Oh, I'm so happy that you had a good day! And can I just tell you that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those last two images? Wow, gorgeous! Hope your weekend is happy, my friend. xoxo

Gretchen said...

Love, love, love these pictures. You're so right about the effect of B&W. Very dreamy-looking.

Glad to hear your happy comments again!

We're putting the garden to bed here in the Blue Ridge Mountains

beth said...

i think you should frame your prints and ask talbots to use yours instead. just saying. cause that's how gorgeous they are. seriously, they a beautiful !!

and to have your life, even feeling back to normal, is a gift for both of you......

xoxo

Lili said...

So good to hear things are progressing nicely for you and your husband Kate. Seeing your sunflower in sepia makes me want to find a sunflower in that shade for growing...it is gorgeous. Since the weekend is nearly done and I am just now reading this, my weekend was filled with spending time with my Mom and some friends and I actually got my Target fix in...hadn't been there in at least a year! Hope Monday is just as happy for you as Friday was! xoxo ~Lili

Unknown said...

It's wonderful to hear you had a nice Friday at work and with your husband! Hopefully your weekend was wonderful too. The pictures shared above are lovely. I always enjoy seeing images of flowers :) Thanks for sharing!

A New England Life said...

You are so good at adding textures. Something I always struggle with. I'm never sure if I have enough texture or too much.

Glad things are getting back to normal somewhat. Your husband must be too!

Except for a new sofa and chair it was a boring week-end here. I did go to the beach yesterday though and take some photos. Definitely a highlight : )

Georgianna said...

Dear Kate, I am so happy to hear you had a great day and that your husband is doing so much better. I'm back in the States now and catching up. You deserve all the fruit tarts you can get. And those sepia photos are stunning! – g

Jan's camera said...

That sunflower photo is so lovely. And I love the lacy leave. I remember picking one up off the ground to photograph later and put it in my trunk. Wonder if it is still there?

The JR said...

We setup in our town square with some other folks and all did a community wide garage sale. I'm in a cleanup and downsizing mood.

mrs mediocrity said...

These are all so beautiful... love the sepia tones.

I spent my weekend getting ready for two jewelry shows the next two weekends! whew.

I can't wait til Thanksgiving.

Glad to her things are looking up for you both. xoxo