BSM: Spring Break & A Fun Surprise

What's the first thing I did when we arrived home from vacation this evening?  Yep, uploaded all my photos just so that I could have a post ready for BSM.   As you can see, we went to Southern California to bask in the rays, hit the theme parks, and most important, hang out with family.  We had a blast.  I wouldn't say I had one "best shot" to show, but I love the memories (and warm sun) emanating from all the photos.

What's the surprise, you ask?  (C'mon, I know you're curious.)  We were in line at a ride at Legoland, and who should I run into but Tracey Clark!  Yes, she and her family are even cuter in person, and she was even gracious enough to give me the benefit of the doubt when I told her I wasn't a cyber stalker :).   It was an unexpected vacation treat  -- what a truly small world it is!

Say What?

What's that you say?

You're kidding, right?

We're going to Disneyland?  Yippee!!!! 

Theme Thursday: Self-Portrait

Glamour shot, it is not.  It is, however, following this week's challenge for a self-portrait.  This is a mirror shot (in case you'd missed the backwards NIKON) and I'm only hiding behind the camera just a little :).  

Looking forward to seeing everyone's creative self-portraits this Theme Thursday!

BSM: Ode to the Younger Sib

Being a younger sibling definitely has its drawbacks, one of which is sitting through endless hours of an older brother's sporting events.  It's not so fun for parents either, who have to keep track of the game as well as entertain the younger one(s).  Hallelujah for the ipod and its ability to provide quiet entertainment!  I took this shot of Owen at Harrison's last basketball game of the season on Saturday.  

Did I mention we start baseball practice on Monday?

Theme Thursday: Change

One of the great things about photography is that it can freeze time.  A photographer can capture an event, an expression, a moment that can never be repeated.  In many ways, photography is about subverting change, grabbing a piece of life before it morphs into something new.  However, the opposite is also true.  Once the photograph is captured on film or digital card, it is the embodiment of change; it can be turned into so many things.  Even in the early days of photography, artists could change the look of their photographs in the darkroom.  Now, in the world of computers, it is even easier to create change after the picture has been taken.  

Early last year, when it was still in beta, I discovered Picnik.  I used it regularly and thrilled every time they added a new feature.  Alas for cheap-o me, they launched officially this past Autumn and all the cool editing features went under the "Premium" heading: you had to pay for them.  Needless to say, I bid adieu to Picnik.  

Imagine my delight this past week when I discovered they have launched an ad-supported Picnik with all the cool tools for FREE again -- whoo-hoo!  Yes, I do have PS Elements, but on Picnik, the cool Lomo, Holga, and cross-processing tools (to name a few) are one stop shopping...and did I mention that they are once again FREE?  

For those of you who have never ventured there, I've posted samples above of a few of the cool processing tools you can use.

Who said change is bad?  

BSM: Aliens Attack!

OK, so the title of my post might be a bit deceiving.  I was fascinated by the sunlight on my succulent in my kitchen window, so I played around a bit.  The texture on the underside of the leaves just calls out to be photographed, don't you think?  Very outer-spacey :)...

Theme Thursday: Spirited

Since I offered up Owen's arms for BSM in my last post, I thought it was only fair to showcase Harrison's legs for Theme Thursday.  It's all about equal opportunity, my friends :)...

BSM: Music Maker

I am so used to capturing the faces of my children that I almost missed this shot.  I'm glad I didn't.