Working on the Challenge...

This weeks photo challenge is a bit of a challenge for me...it is Zen photograpy! Today I took 100's of photos trying to figure out Zen photography...These are NOT my challenge photos but just photos that I took that I liked...I used my 50mm lens today too!

Skipper butterfly on Boganvilla bloom

I had a helper today ~ Ralph our barn cat.

Longtailed Skipper butterfly on Wild Mum bloom.

He's a beetle but not sure what, as he isn't in any of my books, lol.

A 2 for one shot, lol...(skipper butterflies)

A buzy beee.....

It's an Ant!

A skipper butterfly with it's wings open to the sun...

If you would like to see what the photo challenge is this week you can click here.

My evening in photos...

For one it rained again today, Yea!! I was told by someone who watches the weather that it was a tropical wave coming in and that is why we are finally getting some rain...YeeHaw!

On Wednesday evenings a friend teaches the youth group at her church and Michael and I go to it. For some reason I decided to take my camera tonight and glad I did....

Michael and I spotted a rainbow as we were driving down the driveway...Not to big or bright but still pretty with the Oak trees.

Upon arriving at the church we spotted these huge thunderheads, I thought they were worth a photo...Beautiful as those clouds mean rain!! and lightning too but no photos of that tonight!

My boy!! See Erin I do take photos of him! He even has clothes on too & a cheesy grin to boot!

Ashley and Michael playing "I am the vine and you are the branch"

Uh Oh Kaden is getting the look from Ashley, and Michael is thinking "Dude you are in big trouble!" lol....Ashley is 4 and already has the boys trying to hold her hand! But with that look I think she can stand her ground!! Ashley finally gave in and let both boys hold her hand.

We had a really good time tonight! Michael was exhausted! It makes for a very long day!

Scrapbook layout ~ Paper ~ Welcome home Jake!

Another October 2007 layout done!

And just who do you want running this Country....

Wake up America!

Here is a video at JohnMcCain's site click on the link below

Barack Obama and Acorn

I'm sorry but Barack Obama just scares me...do we really know him?

I don't!

It rained today...

For about 10 minutes!

We received 1/10th of an inch of rain...Not much but better than none!

Before a storm, Julie always comes up to the front yard gate and stands...She knows!

Beautiful rain...

I was attempting photos of raindrops but those things are fast, lol...

Layouts ~ paper & digital ~ First day of school

Paper is from Scenic Route designed by Sarah Milne
Buttons are from Ki memories ~ School days
Cricut cartridges used ~ Locker talk & Learning curve

I wanted to do Michael's 'first day of school' layouts before I got old and forgetful, lol. I kept notes during his first week of school to add to a layout (below).

Digital kit ~ O'scraps ~ School is cool

Notebook paper ~ Scrappony ~ journal papers

Cluster frames ~ Mariala France ~ Photo template

What's in the Mums this evening...

I was trying to stay awake this evening as it was too late for a nap...so I decided to go outside and see what type of critters I could find in the mums in the yard...I ended up running back inside and grabbing the camera and putting the 55mm lens on to see what kind of photos I could get...

This is what made me go grab the camera...

This spider had captured a bee and was feasting on it...Not too great of a photo but you get the idea...it was pretty cool and even Fred said it was Cool...not a grunt but actually a word, lol...

Then I spotted this spider working on her nest of eggs....I took quiet a few photos of her...

And along came a bee and I had fun trying to get a photo of the busy little worker...

The grasshoppers are still enjoying any and all plants in the yard, chomp, chomp!! I loved the colors on this one...

Yes another Mum bloom, I just can't help myself...I'm sure you are wondering how many photos of Mums can this woman take, lol...the answer: As many as I want! It's one of the only spots of color in the yard...

And another grasshopper...this one was on my Fica (sp.) tree enjoying his dinner, grrr....

I was experimenting with the lens too...Seeing which one I like better for Macro photos...With the 55 mm lens I can get in closer but the clarity and crispness of the photos is lacking...So it's still a toss up...do I give up the crispness of the photos to get in closer or do I go with the 28-105 mm lens and have to crop everything...hmmm...or do I keep my fingers crossed that a Macro lens is in my future, lol...Never Ever give up HOPE!!