{My} Perspective

As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.

~Terri Guillemets

Congrats ladies! Feel free to grab your button!

Quotography | Giving Thanks

2011-11-21T00:15:00.002-05:00

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. ~Seneca

My husband found this the day we went to the beach a few weeks back. A sand dollar in a horse shoe marking left behind from a horse... how lucky is that? After I snapped this picture we tucked the sand dollar safely away and smiled, hoping that luck would bring us good things in the near future.

This year has been a tough year for us emotionally and I am so thankful for my family and friends and the support they have given us when really need it.

Remember, this is the last Quotography until the first of the year!

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Wednesday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email {keepinitinperspective at gmail dot com} their choice to me by Thursday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.
7. Top 3 will be posted on Friday

Quotography Top 3 | B&W

2011-11-18T07:34:00.000-05:00

The ones selected by last week's winners are:

Crinkle Photography

A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.

Ingrid Bergman

My Photography in Focus

Tropical Nature Photos

Thank you for linking up and feel free to grab your button!

Favorite Photo Friday

2011-11-18T05:45:00.000-05:00

I'm still sharing pictures from our beach trip with Daisy. The only editing I did to this was WB, color tone, and sharpening. I just love the footprints in the sand, the waves coming through, the sun shining off the water, and blue sky!

Loves of my Life

2011-11-17T05:36:00.001-05:00

The three loves of my life: Husband, Daisy, Beach.

Wandering the World with Zander

2011-11-16T04:16:00.001-05:00

When I read about this project back in May I knew right away that I wanted to be a part of it. Zander, this sock monkey, has a big heart full of love for special needs children and this project is going to be a way to raise money for a foundation that supports children with needs. Visit Struttin' My Stuff to read more on this project.

I received Zander at the beginning of October... and I am finally just getting around to posting about it. We had a wonderful few days together before I shipped him off to Kentucky!

Daisy really loved Zander... but in a different kind of way. You see, she thinks sock monkeys are toys because she has one of her own named Stripes. She loves Stripes!

See, I had to remind her that Zander was a visitor, not a toy!

Zander enjoyed having another sock monkey to play around with. Here they are climbing across the clothes line.

I love monkey butts... poor Stripes lost her tail one day when Daisy got carried away.

Zander is so handsome!

Zander came to work with me one day and got to sit at the teacher desk!

While I corrected some papers he read a book.

Then he sat on the students desks. He felt special because the students aren't allowed to do that.

One day Zander came on a picnic with me and some special people.

Towards the end of his stay it was raining and Zander was sad. So was Daisy.

I really enjoyed this project! I hope you enjoyed seeing our time together!

Favorite Tree

2011-11-15T06:24:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking about my favorite tree on the road that we live on and the fact that it has been cut down. I am surprised by how sad I feel about it, but I can't help it. I just LOVED seeing this tree through all seasons.

Here is a photo of this tree from May when it first started blooming this past year. I'll miss this in the spring!

Quotography | Black and White

2011-11-14T00:15:00.001-05:00

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.”

--Isak Dinesen

How it works:

Daisy's first trip to the beach...

2011-11-13T14:22:00.002-05:00

Around here in New England you aren't supposed to have your dogs on state beaches during the summer, but once the off season comes it is ok to do so. I can't believe it took us 4 years to bring Daisy to the beach, but we finally did and boy oh boy, did she LOVE it! I love the beach so much and to see my furbaby enjoy it, too, put a huge smile on my face and created a day I'll always remember!

Here she is setting her paws on the soft sand for the very first time. She was waiting for me to get down there, too!

After some walking on a popular New Hampshire beach we headed down the coast to a smaller, more private, closed off beach where we'd be able let Daisy off her leash and roam free.

She enjoyed digging and chasing the foam in the waves.

And she loved running around chasing the seagulls.
We played on this beach for quite some time and she really didn't want to leave.
I don't blame her.
I didn't want to leave either, but our stomachs told us it was time for lunch!

I love her sandy face in this picture <3

I'll be sharing more beach photos this week!

Quotography Top 3 | Favorite Photo From Oct

2011-11-11T20:02:00.001-05:00

Thank you to every who linked up this week! There were some gorgeous entries! I am thankful I only had to choose two this week, but even doing that was hard!

Life According to Jan and Jer

"The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back.

That's the real glory. That's the essence of it." - Vince Lombardi

Photos by LeAnne

The following has been added because I received an email from one of the top 3 from last week that she emailed me her selection, but I never got it! Sooo... here it is! :-) Sorry about taht!

Photography by Colleen Goldhorn

Feel free to grab your button from the side bar and be ready to make a choice of your top entry next week!

Ruby in Still Life

2011-11-08T17:59:00.001-05:00

I took this one of the days we were without power. I had recently bought that new plum colored blanket that is oh, so soft! Our cat Ruby finds it no matter where I put it and she makes herself comfortable! I love the color of the blanket with the color of her eyes.

Quotography | Favorite photo from October

2011-11-07T00:15:00.001-05:00

"Courage does not always roar.

Sometimes it's the quiet voice at the end of the day saying,

"I will try again, tomorrow."

-Mary Anne Radmacher

How it works:

7.1 miles... now what?

2011-11-06T17:17:00.001-05:00

This morning I woke up with excitement in the pit of my stomach. The excitement was joined by a nervous feeling, but a good kind of nervous. The kind of nervous that reminds you that you're about to do something awesome.

Today was a local city's marathon and half marathon. I ran on a relay team with three other girls. Together we did a full marathon. I ran leg 2 which was 7.1 miles and what an amazing 7.1 miles it was!

I spent some quality time preparing for this race as it was on hills and I typically don't do my runs on hills. It is also the longest distance I have ever ran! A week after I committed to this I honestly didn't know what I got myself into. After driving the course in my car I was definitely doubting myself.

Last week I got a chance to practice run the first two miles of the leg I did today and it felt like a piece of cake after all the training I had done! I was pumped and ready to go! I kept that practice run in my mind all week long and I visualized the entire course, imagining where I would be and how it feel.

The first mile and a half was a bit weird. I felt full as I had recently had some almonds because I thought I had more time before the girl who was running leg 1 would be in... I didn't have as much as I thought so I felt my insides flopping around as I started my leg. I finally made the mental decision to stop paying attention to it and I slowly found my groove. By mile 3 I felt good, focused, and was having fun!

It was SO cold this morning. I'm talking 20 degrees when I woke up at 6:45. By 10 am it was around 35 degrees or so. I had my cold weather running gear on and by mile 3 I was getting hot! The sun was getting high in the sky and the temperature was slowly climbing.

I saw a friend from work on the sideline with her two kid cheering me on! It put a huge smile on my face and I was able to ditch my warmer clothes with her. Seeing so many smiling faces of complete strangers clapping and cheering the runners on was amazing and definitely gave me a boost when I needed it.

Mile by mile I kept on going and then I reached the final long stretch of road that would lead me to relay leg number 3. I got to the peak of the road and I could see the entire city before me. I felt so happy and proud of myself because I had not stopped once, despite the hilly terrain, and the long distance.

When I get to the final turn and I see my husband, my mom and a few of my close friends standing there waiting to cheer for me! It was such an amazing moment.... I thought I just might cry.

I keep replaying the whole morning over and over in my mind, not only because it was so much fun, but because I pushed myself to do something that I had always wanted to do but just never did. I am so thankful to have so many friends and family who are there to support and root me on! Talk about love.

This is by far my favorite race day.

Now that is over I don't know what I am going to do. I currently have no races lined up... I feel lost!

Quotography Top 3 | Anything

2011-11-06T17:01:00.000-05:00

In no particular order...

Gossamer Flashes

Life is not so much about beginnings and endings as it is about going on and on and on.

It is about muddling through the middle.
~Anna Quindlen

The Greatest of These is LOVE

A Fresh Perspective

Thanks for joining in and feel free to grab your button!

76 hours without power...

2011-11-03T14:16:00.000-04:00

This was around 3:45 or so. It just started snowing.

This was around 5:20 or so.

You can already see the trees bending with the weight of the wet snow.

We lost power around 10pm Saturday night.

We woke up to the trees in our driveway looking like this...

The ones on the right closest to the camera got cut down. They wouldn't stand up right after that and the branches were snapped anyway.

A tree down our road that I just LOVE in the spring had to be completely cut down. I'm so sad about that.

Cleaning the cars off and shoveling the driveway took some time. The snow was heavy and wet and with all the leaves on the tree it is no wonder there was so much damage.

After we got cleaned up and had some breakfast on the grill we took off for a drive to assess the damage in our town and those nearby. It was unbelieveable.

Power lines down everywhere.

Trees across the raods.

Branches resting on houses and other trees.

We knew it would be a long time before we got our power back.

While in the past when there has been a storm we've been lucky enough to only lose power for 4 hours when others lost it for 9 or 10 days. This Snowtober {as they are calling it} storm decided it was our time to lose power for longer than that..... just to remind us who was in control.

76 hours of no flushing the toilet, no water flowing from the sink faucet, no heat, a constant fire in the place and sleeping down stairs only to wake every few hours to poke and add wood to the fire. It was an adventure for the first 48 hours and then it got old. FAST.

76 hours later and only one shower in between for myself and no shower for my husband we got our power back. 2 am Wednesday morning. I was so happy for the hum of the electronics and I'll never forget how I felt like a little girl on the night before Christmas. It is amazing how much you take for granted.

There are still so many people around us without power and we've had family over since we've restored our power. I hope they get power back soon so they can be warm and live comfortably in their houses.

I really hope this is not a sign of what is to come this winter.

Quotography | Anything

2011-11-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

No quote from me this week. I am currently seeking warmth, tv, and internet at my friend Beth's. I wanted to take a minute to pop on here to say thank you for the thoughts you left on my post the other day! I was able to get into blogger on my phone and I couldn't write in the subject line... as soon as I clicked on the body part it would just turn all green and I couldn't type. It was annoying so I didn't try for long! Anyway, you got the idea.

We are still without power. The area around me is terrible. Tress down everywhere and there is power restoration happening little by little, but we had over 300,000 people without power Sunday morning and now the numbers are somewhere in the 120,000... my house being one of them.

The thing that makes it even worse is that we have a water well so we can't even use our water. We have been using bottled water to wash our hands and brush our teeth. We can't even flush our toilets unless we melted snow and poured in the tank, and even then, without the electricity for the power of suction, it doesn't do that great of a job. I went to my gym which happens to be Planet Fitness for a workout and then a shower. They opened their doors to the public for showers, which I thought was great. When I got there the showers were packed! After my workout though I was able to get right in and man, it felt so great!

Thank goodness for our fireplace! It has been getting down to the 20s at night and our house has been 60 or so with the heat from the fireplace. Lots of layers and warm blankets are getting us through the night. Finding out if we have school is a day to day thing. Most places didn't have school yesterday or day and I imagine many more won't have it tomorrow.

Anyway, the link up will go until Friday. I hope you're all doing well!

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Friday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email {keepinitinperspective at gmail dot com} their choice to me by Thursday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.
7. Top 3 will be posted on Sunday

No power = one cold house... blogging from cell = fail.

2011-10-31T09:09:00.000-04:00

Quotography Top 3 | Texture

2011-10-28T19:13:00.000-04:00

The top three winners this week are...

Through the Lens

The Pondering Pony

Carole's Creative Corner

Congrats ladies! Feel free to grab your button, and next week you can choose your top choices!

Natural Beauty

2011-10-26T18:31:00.001-04:00

I love all the seasons for the special and beautiful things they all bring. I love the way Fall paints our world with gorgeous colors, even on a gray day, the leaves seem so bright and make me think that sun is out even though it's not.

Quotography | Texture

2011-10-24T00:15:00.000-04:00

I took this photo Saturday after an afternoon photo session. I then adjusted color levels, sharpness and added a layer of bokeh texture. I am really happy with the way it turned out!

I hope you are all doing well and I wish you a wonderful last full week of October!

How it works:

Quotography Top 3 | Organic

2011-10-21T17:56:00.001-04:00

I've changed the days back to the original Monday to Weds and post the top three on Friday. It just seems so long even though it's only one day.

Top three this week:

Naptime Momtog

“One generation plants the trees, and another gets the shade” – Chinese Proverb

Maria's Space

Congrats you three!

If you want to select your top 2 or 3 choices next week and send me an email by Friday morning that would be fantastic!

Feel free to grab your button!

Thursday Thoughts

2011-10-20T20:11:00.000-04:00

Hey Friends! I've been keeping busy.

Running! I ran a 5k last Saturday and it was good, but kind of hard since I hadn't been running for almost two weeks because I was sick with Strep. I'll be running a 5k on Oct 30 called a SuperHero 5k. That's right... I'll be dressed as a superhero! SUPER GIRL! I can't wait! I am also running as part of marathon relay team. There are 4 legs and my leg is 7.1 miles. That is far for me as I typically do 3.5 miles. On top of that there are mega hills! Yikes!
Photography- I've had photo sessions just about every weekend since after Labor Day. It has been great and I am really enjoying it!
Reading- I am currently reading The Pilot's Wife- I love this book! SO good!

If you could swing by Faith's blog Simplicity and vote for my photo I'd be so grateful to you!

Quotography | Organic

2011-10-17T00:15:00.000-04:00

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Wednesday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email their choice to me by Thursday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.
7. Top 3 will be posted on Friday

Quotography Top 3 | Autumn

2011-10-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay! Here are the top 3 I selected:

Best Loved

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~Carol Bishop Hipps

Beyond Wandering

Congrats you three! Next week you can pick your top 3 and email them to me by Friday night.
Thanks for participating!
Feel free to grab your button!

Tomorrow is Organic!

Fallen Leaves

2011-10-13T05:52:00.000-04:00

QT with my camera

2011-10-11T19:49:00.000-04:00

Like everyone else I know, I've been super busy and life has been passing me by.

I've been stressed, emotional, and longing for some peace and quiet.

I am so thankful that I was able to find some peace and quiet, even if only for 20 minutes during a solo photo walk.

Communal Global

I can't get the html code for this off the blog, so if anyone has it- I'd love it!

I am grateful for quiet moments.
I am grateful for a change in season because even though I love summer there is something wonderful about a new season. A fresh beginning.
I am grateful for my family and friends.

With the rain we've had lately there have been SO many mushrooms.

I think they are interesting to look at but overall pretty gross!

Quotography | Autumn

2011-10-10T00:15:00.000-04:00

"A few days ago I walked along the edge of the lake and was treated to the crunch and rustle of leaves with each step I made. The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air."

Eric Sloane

As you can see, we don't have much color change happening here in New England, which is weird because by now nature typically looks like it's on fire! I couldn't get the quote above positioned just so on the photo, so this will have to do!

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Thursday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email their choice to me by Friday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.
7. Top 3 will be posted on Saturday

Giving Back

2011-10-09T19:12:00.001-04:00

Two of my friends and I decided last year that we would grow our hair out long enough so that we could get it cut and donate it together. We were supposed to all go together to get it done, but it didn't work out that way. The two of them were able to go together this morning and I went later on today. Regardless of how it happened the three of us have lots of hair to send to Pantene Beautiful Lengths so that someone can have beautiful hair again! An added bonus was that a local salon and spa was hosting a charity event to raise money for Families in Transition. You pay 10 bucks for salon services {hair cut, mani, pedi, brow waxing, massage} and the money goes right to the charity. They were also putting any tips earned that day towards the charity as well.

BEFORE

All pictures taken with my Droid.

AFTER

I still can't believe all my hair is gone! Shampooing my hair is going to be a real shocker tomorrow morning! I am thankful for the change and look forward to shipping off this hair!

Quotography Top 3 | Anything

2011-10-08T17:49:00.000-04:00

Wow. You guys rock. Like, really, really, rock!

It was so hard for me to decide this week...

which I had to do since I didn't hear from any of the winners from last week {no worries ladies!}.

In random order:

Meli Faif Life

Leslie Ann Photography

Congrats ladies! Feel free to grab your button and be ready to give me your top choices next week!

Favorites.

2011-10-06T19:23:00.000-04:00

Favorite color: Turquoise

Favorite things to photograph: Dogs and flowers

Favorite food: pizza, burritos, french fries, salads

Favorite candy: Gummy bears

Favorite thing to do besides taking pics, blogging & tweeting: running, reading, singing out of key and dancing

Favorite things to blog about: Pictures-DUH!

What makes me smile.

2011-10-04T18:24:00.001-04:00

What makes me smile?

Bubble gum.

Sunshine.

My Husband.

Flip flops.

A cold beer.

Singing and dancing with friends.

My family.

My sister's laugh.

Daisy.

Pizza.

Shopping.

Flowers.

Daisy. {repeated on purpose!}

But most of all: Photography

I got out of my car today after a long day and even though the skies were gloomy and gray the rain drops on the flowers outside caught my attention and brought a smile to my face as I grabbed my camera and went towards my peaceful moment.

I love spending a few minutes behind the lens because I don't have to worry about anything other than what is before me.

I also love playing around in LR3.

A Whole Lotta Daisy

2011-10-03T18:42:00.001-04:00

July

This was one hot night when Jarod and I decided to go get some ice cream. Daisy came with us for the car ride and of course, got some ice cream of her own! On the way back the sky was gorgeous and Daisy had her head sticking out the window, as she always does. I love how her ear is flapping in the wind behind, even though you can't see it.

August

This was from our anniversary trip. We went hiking and she was such a mountain dog that day, it was hilarious and awesome all at the same time!

September
I got my new lens in the mail and just had to test it out! Who else was I going to test it on?
I upgraded my 50mm 1.8 to 1.4 and it is fantastic! I am in love and wish I could spend the day taking pictures. All day. Every day.

September

Checking out the yard.

Everything appears in order.

September
This one is probably my favorites out of the bunch because it is a reflection of Daisy in our front door.
If you look close enough you can see the tile lines of our kitchen floor! I just think it is really neat!

Quotography | Anything

2011-10-03T00:15:00.000-04:00

This was one of the first photos I took with my new lens. I upgraded my 50mm from 1.8 to 1.4 and I am in love!

Amy from Kaleidoscope Eyes had the quote I used above in her signature for her email. When I first read it I loved it and just had to add it to my quote document in Word. So when pondering which quote to use this week this one kept calling out to me. So, Amy, thanks for having a great quote attached to your email! It made made me smile!

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Thursday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Top 3 will be posted on Saturday
7. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email their choice to me by Friday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.

Quotography Top 3 | Time

2011-10-01T16:50:00.002-04:00

Happy October my friends! I can't believe it. September just disappeared before my eyes. My sister came home from Texas with her boyfriend Thursday night. Last night we celebrated my father's 50th birthday. It was a fabulous time with some dancing, some games, some food and some drinks with great family and friends. Which is why I am just getting to this now.

There were so many wonderful entries this week, the top 3 from last week had their work cut out for them, but alas, a decision was made.

The Road Goes Ever On

Knit One Max Too

Congratulations!

Feel free to grab your button and be ready for next for week because you'll get to select the top 3!

Chrysanthemum Love.

2011-09-29T17:34:00.001-04:00

LEM Photo Challenge | Orchard/Tree

2011-09-28T05:25:00.001-04:00

I have yet to make it to the apple orchards to go apple picking so I had to settle with this one from when I was at the beach a couple of weekends ago.

One sad little crab apple-or cherry-not sure which! hanging on a tree.

Black and White.

2011-09-27T05:30:00.001-04:00

Snap and Share

I Heart Faces | Best Face Photo from Summer 2011

2011-09-26T19:58:00.001-04:00

Visit I Heart Faces to enter your best face from this summer!

Quotography | Time

2011-09-26T00:15:00.000-04:00

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here until Thursday at 11:59 EST
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Top 3 will be posted on Saturday
7. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email their choice to me by Friday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.

Have a fabulous week my friends!

Peaceful Moments

2011-09-25T07:59:00.001-04:00

I can't believe we are at the end of September! I really can't. This past month has been a complete blur and I've been quite overwhelmed with life. Work is pretty much taking over my mind right now so blogging and taking pictures for fun has unfortunately taken a back seat.

I have had several photo sessions recently and have a bunch more coming up, which means that I will get some time with my camera before the photo session. I like to arrive about 20 minutes early so I can take some "warm" up pictures and just relax before I begin my work with my client.

I love this couple in the picture above, sitting in their chairs together, watching the little boy play.

Last Saturday I met a mom and her baby boy who was turning one the very next day for a photo session at this beach. He had never been to the beach before and seeing the look on his face was priceless.

Despite the craziness I've felt in my professional life I am thankful for work, thankful that my photography business is keeping busy and thankful for moments when I do get peace and quiet. Like, when I edit.

Yesterday I finally got a chance to go through the baby boy's photos and when I saw these ones, of the place that brings me peace, a smile came across my face and I knew life would eventually settle down. It always does.

Quotography Top 3 |Sunrise/Sunset

2011-09-24T00:33:00.000-04:00

It is really fun to have the top 3 pick their favorites! I love seeing what stands out to others!

Here are this week's top 3, in random order:

Living Life in PA

Psychemage Photography

Congrats ladies you three get to select the top three next week!

Feel free to grab your button:

Flower and Bokeh

2011-09-22T17:27:00.002-04:00

Quotography | Sunrise/Sunset

2011-09-19T00:15:00.000-04:00

This picture is from my Droid, hence the fact that it could only focus on the windshield, and not what was beyond it! Regardless, I like the sun-flare and the colors are pretty! I can't get enough of sunsets and the colors that the sky is painted during that time. I am always taking pictures of the sky because it is amazing to me.

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here
5. Take a moment to view other entries
6. Top 3 will be posted on Saturday
7. Posts selected as top 3 the week before can pick their top entry of the week and email their choice to me by Friday afternoon. I will select a post for anyone who doesn't get in touch with me.

Quotography Top 3 | Reflections

2011-09-17T07:15:00.000-04:00

So this was the first week where the top 3 from the previous week each selected one to be in the top 3 this week. I'm loving this because it changes the perspective up! So, here are the top 3 for this week. Thank you ladies for your selections!

Photography by Colleen Goldhorn

Artistically Amy

Feel free to grab your button and be ready to select your top choice next week!

Monday is sunrise/sunset

Happy Weekend!

Fenway Park

2011-09-16T07:29:00.001-04:00

I'm not much of a baseball girl any more... I used to be. I used to love it, but I've since moved to football and hockey. However, when my Great Uncle sent tickets to my mom and my mom asked if I was interested in going, how could I say no!? It was a GREAT game, a wonderful time with my mom and my friend Beth and of course the food was great too! ;-)

Here are just a few pictures from that night.

After one of the many home runs!

The moon was AMAZING!

Where in the world was I....?

2011-09-14T17:48:00.000-04:00

If you follow me on Twitter, then you may know where I was last night.

If you didn't know, can you guess?

Quotography | Reflections

2011-09-12T00:15:00.000-04:00

How it works:

I'd like to try something NEW!

I was thinking that I would like the people who were selected for the top 3 last week to help in selecting the top 3 for this week. If each of you could select one entry from this weeks theme and get it to me by Friday, I can post the top 3 for Saturday.
If you aren't interested or can't for some reason, then I'll select the remaining entries.
This would then continue for the weeks to come.

So, if any of the top three winners from this past Friday would like to email with their top pick from the week by this Friday 6pm EST that would be fabulous! :-)

Never Forget | 9.11.01

2011-09-11T15:07:00.000-04:00

I will never forget where I was when I first heard the news-

In the hallway of my High School. It was my Senior year

I will never forget the horror I felt when I got home from school that day watched the events replay from the morning.... the things I saw forever etched in my mind.

Planes crashing. Fire. Smoke.

People jumping out of buildings. Ash. Buildings crumbling.

Papers flying around. People running in the streets.

Fire trucks. Firemen. Police cars. Policemen.

Crying.

Terror.

Fear.

Unity.

I'll never forget the quiet skies in the days that followed as no planes were allowed to fly.

I'll never forget the deep sadness I felt for the loss of many loved ones. In fact, that is a feeling that will never go away.

I'll never forget how scared I was to fly on a plane to Texas months later.

I'll always remember the American flags that flew high after this immense tragedy.

I'll always remember how people came together so quickly and had vigils and memorials and the goosebumps I got on my arms when I said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Red. White. Blue

Those are the colors that unite us.

I'll never forget many things that happened on that day but I'll always remember how proud I felt to be an American in the moments that followed.

Quotography Top 3 | Anything

2011-09-09T19:29:00.000-04:00

I will evenutally get my act together but for now I'm just barely making it day by day. It is amazing to me how much energy it takes to get back into your work routine. I've been nothing but exhausted and the fact that I'm sleeping like crap doesn't help! I am happy though that we had a sunny day and it looks like our weekend will be the same. This is wonderful news after a week of heavy rain and dark skies. I hope you are having a lovely Friday!

Living Life in PA

Boomer & Buggy

Figuring Out the Plot

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent.

It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the the opposite direction."

Feel free to grab your button!

Connections

2011-09-07T06:43:00.010-04:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about the connections we make with people. Some connections are felt the moment you meet someone while others grow over time. I think I am most blown away by the number of online connections I have made over the past few years.

It all started when we were planning our wedding. I went onto the website The Knot and instantly became hooked. So hooked in fact that my fiance {now husband!} used to call me Mrs. Knot because I spent so much time chatting it up with the ladies I met on the wedding month club board. We eventually moved off that board and onto a forum in which we actually still post on almost 4 years later and we still talk and keep up with each others lives. I call them my FIFs {Freaky Internet Friends} Many of them I have actually met in real life. Pretty cool if you ask me!

Shortly after joining The Knot I started blogging. I was then swept into the amazing blogosphere and was shocked at the amazing stories I read written by these amazingly strong women. I've since shifted into a couple different blogging communities until I settled comfortably into the photo blogging community that I am now a part of. The stories shared through images just blows my mind. The amount of information people are willing to share with strangers to record their story help remind us that we are not alone in feeling a certain way or thinking a certain thought.

Blogging is now such a huge part of my life that I honestly feel lost when I can't go through my Google Reader for a few days. I feel like I'm missing out on my the updates in my friends' lives. However, I have my own life to live and in order to be able to share that and document it, I must live it! Now we have facebook and twitter and so many other medias in which we can chat with each other quickly, so that helps!

And now, as my husband and I struggle with fertility issues despite our deep longing to bring a child into this world, I have been able to make connections on fertility message boards and find support from women who are living exactly what we are. As much as I like to share information and bits about how I'm feeling with my closest friends and family, if they haven't been through it they really don't get it.... so, it is wonderful to have the ability to talk with women who do.

I don't know what we did before the internet. {Of course I do! We spent face time with people and lived our lives more instead of being behind a screen but...} How else would we have the ability to meet someone across the country and talk with them?

No matter what is going on in your life your family and friends will be there for you, but if you aren't able to share something because they might not understand what you're going through there is a huge place out there where you are bound to find a small group of people who do get you. I love that we're all there for each other to support, congratulate, and offer cyber hug or keep each other in our thoughts.

"If you see something that you feel is familiar it gives you an important kind of emotional connection". -Marc Newson

Quotography | Anything

2011-09-05T00:15:00.000-04:00

I hope you're all having a fabulous long weekend! This picture is from our Anniversary trip that we took at the beginning of August. I went for a darker edit with this photo. Something about it just felt right to me.

I know that we've all faced things that we never thought we would and I just remind to you that you are a strong, wonderful person and you can get through anything! Sometimes we just need a little help from our friends. So please, if there is ever anything you want to chat, vent, cry about, don't hesitate to contact me either on facebook twitter or shoot me an email {keepinitinperspective at gmail.com}

Have a fabulous week!

Sunday Best | Baby Belly-Not mine!

2011-09-04T04:43:00.000-04:00

Here is a 30 week baby belly that I can't get enough of! This woman was so cute!

LEM | Animals

2011-09-02T19:23:00.000-04:00

I LOVE photographing pets!
This is Callie and she had previously gone for a swim.
Here she was hanging out- tired from swimming and playing fetch.

It is one of my favorite things to do! Feel free to check out the pet photo session.

First Two Days of School Down and I'm Exhausted!

2011-09-01T18:59:00.000-04:00

The beginning of the school year is like the beginning of Spring. Everything seems so fresh and bright but it takes a lot of work to clear away the winter yucks, in my case the summer cobwebs, but once things get going and the routine sets in things run almost seamlessly.

My legs ache from standing all day and I am sure the cute sandals I've been wearing aren't helping anything but I can't help but feel like I must have been a bum all summer if my legs hurt so badly! Truth is, I wasn't a bum in every sense of the word I just didn't stand up for 7 hours straight!

It is still too early for me to really decide what kind of year this may or may not be and that is OK with me. Just taking it day by day and waiting to work my magic! One thing I can tell you is that I am SO glad tomorrow is Friday and that we have a three day weekend because I am BEAT!

Summer has come to an end.

2011-08-29T10:11:00.001-04:00

9 weeks goes by in the blink of an eye. At the beginning of the summer when the excitement is high I have many things I hope I can do during the break.

This summer I did not work. Typically I tutor or do summer school work but this summer I just wanted a break and I wanted to be able to focus on my photography. I had a wonderful break, though my wallet is hurting right now, but in a few weeks it will be all good!

This summer I went to two weddings. 1 in June and 1 in August

This summer I ran two 5ks in July. I have 3 lined up for October.. I can't wait for the cooler temps!

This summer, instead of camping with my group of friends, we went to Boston for an afternoon/evening. It was so much fun!

One of the top things on my list every summer is to make it to the beach more! Every summer, I fail. I think I went 3 times. :(

This summer I got to spend my birthday week with my sister. This was probably my favorite week.

This summer I got a tattoo. A Daisy, for my Daisy (my dog!)

I need to get you a better picture, one of now, where it is healed.

This summer, for our wedding anniversary, we did not head to the beach. Instead we went to the mountains and hiked all day long and then camped out together. It was perfect. <3

This summer I got to take a limo down to Boston for my Book Club's annual girls night out. We had a tasty dinner and got to watch an ab aching comedy improv show.

This summer many of my friends had their babies.

This summer I had lots of photo sessions and that made me so happy!

This summer I got to read a couple books. Not as many as I would have liked, but it works.

This summer I went to two different work related workshops- out of state- and I learned so much.

This summer I got a break from the every day work routine.

A routine that I am actually ready to get back into.

Ready or not, the kids come Wednesday!

Favorite August Photo and Bokeh

2011-08-26T17:20:00.001-04:00

It's time to link up to the Still Life Standouts for August. I took this photo before I had a photo session at the beginning of the month. I love getting to my photo location 10 or 15 minutes early so I can take some photos and get rid of the jitters! :-)

Quotography Top 3 | Dreaming/Dreamy

2011-08-26T16:53:00.000-04:00

This week was a difficult theme for me and I saw others that said the same thing. However, we pulled through and made it work and I am very impressed/inspired by what I saw. I have some things going on in my personal life that prevented me from getting this post ready earlier for you. I do want to share some things with you that are going on in my life but I'm not ready yet. School is starting back up for me next week so I'm going to skip next week's Quotography because I don't know what things the week will bring... so take the extra time to come up with something fabulous for the following week, which is anything!

Now, on to the top 3 of the week, in random order:

Michelle Renee Photography

Shutter Happy Moments

Feel free to grab your button!

Furry Friends

2011-08-23T06:32:00.001-04:00

iheartfaces

Quotography | Daydream/Dreaming

2011-08-22T00:15:00.000-04:00

How it works:

Silent Sunday

2011-08-21T09:29:00.000-04:00

"We could all use some peace and quite, every now and again.

What better way than to let a picture tell your story for you." For the love of blogs

Quotography Top 3 | Colorful

2011-08-19T09:39:00.000-04:00

Totally thought today was Thursday. Man, I hate when I am off on my weeks, though I suppose I'd rather be a day behind than a day ahead in mind.

Leslie Ann Photography

Danelle M Photography

Feel free to grab your button:

So much to celebrate

2011-08-17T15:06:00.000-04:00

I love weddings and parties because they celebrate monumental things with the people you care about.

I love raising my glass to honor a person or some people. The smile on their face as you take a moment to listen to or share a toast, the lump I get in my throat when I hear the toast and feel the moment, and the sound of clinking glasses, laughter and clapping make a celebration special.

So many people in my life have big things to celebrate... from a new job, a marriage, an engagement, a promotion, the birth of a child, to accomplishing a personal goal... there is so much to be happy and proud about!

"Success will come to you in direct proportion to the number of times you are willing to risk failure."

~EDGE Keynote

Quotography | Colorful

2011-08-15T00:15:00.001-04:00

"If you're quiet, you're not living. You've got to be noisy and colorful and lively" Mel Brooks

I took this photo at a wedding a couple of weekends ago, you can see the bride {third one in from the left} and her group of work friends living it up on the dance floor. I love weddings!

How it works:

Meet n' Greet {19} | Ana from Wonderland

2011-08-15T00:00:00.003-04:00

I have the blog of a very sweet woman to share with you today!

Name and Blog Title
My name is Ana Eugénio, I'm Portuguese but I've a blog written in English named 'wonderland'

How long have you been blogging? What made you start up a blog?
I'm a blogger since 2004. I've started my first blog to share all the amazing things I was living back then, that blog is inactive now but it was updated until 2009 (I started teaching holistic therapies during that time). I've a few blogs but they're in portuguese, since I live in Portugal. I started 'wonderland' in english last June to share
my photos and creativity (but already have more than one hundred posts). I'm having so much fun writing it in english. It's a real challenge.

What are 3 of your favorite posts?
A Week In The Life :a photographic documentary of my week between July 25th-July 31st.
Who is God? - my humble perspective.
30 Days Blog Challenge - Day 1:- where I share 15 interesting facts about myself.

How long have you been interested in photography? Are you a hobbyist, amateur, or professional photographer?
I've a Degree in Social Communication and I was a Journalist for 12 years, so I studied Photography at the University but I'm still a hobbyist. It's an old passion. I bought my first DSLR a month ago.

Team Canon or Nikon?
Nikon D90. But I like Canons too. The Nikon was just cheaper.

What is your favorite lens to use?
I only have the 18-105mm that came with the camera.

What do you love most about being behind the lens?
To capture the little moments story and to be able to inspire others.

What inspires you?
The light and the colors.

Do you host a photo challenge? If so, tell us about it.
Yes. It's called 'Earth Wonders', starts every Wednesday and each week there is a theme. You're free to choose the subject as long as it fits your 'wonders' list.

What is your favorite food?
I'm like kids: it's cheese! and therefore pizza.

What is your favorite thing to do (besides taking pictures)?
Honestly? Taking a nap after lunch.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Lisbon (our capital). I was born there but I live 190 miles away so, every time I can, I go there to recharge my soul with it's light and history.

Top 3 Quotography | Anything

2011-08-14T15:52:00.001-04:00

I'm back from Syracuse, NY and ready to blog!

I went to a teacher institute on professional learning communities and let me tell you, that is some pretty powerful, inspiring, and smart stuff! I had a great time with the 5 other teachers I was with but I am exhausted! It took about 6 hours to drive one way. We had our fun at night time, not going to bed until midnight and then waking up at 6am to be ready to leave by 7, so we could eat breakfast and find a seat for the 8am session... each day, for three days. I am one tired lady!

I'm going to share the top 3 today so that tomorrow we can get right into the next theme, which is color. Did you like having longer to link up? I'm thinking I might extend it until Friday instead of Wednesday... we'll see.

On to the top 3 from this week:

My Reflection of Something

A Rural Journey

One Day at a Time.

2011-08-12T09:02:00.000-04:00

The month of August is still young but I'm already wishing it away.

August brings anxious feelings because the school year is right around the bend and my mind {which just settled two weeks ago} is already reeling with things to do and what's to come.

I keep reminding myself to take it one day at a time but that only lasts for so long.

I think it's time to schedule a spa day!

Too cute for words

2011-08-10T06:53:00.005-04:00

Morning Light

2011-08-09T06:49:00.003-04:00

I just love reflections in the water! This was early in the morning and the light was just gorgeous.

Oh and Happy Birthday to my Grandma and to my Godson!

Quotography | Anything -Extended to Saturday this week!

2011-08-08T00:15:00.001-04:00

"Running is the great metaphor for life because you get out of it what you put into it" Oprah

This photo is from our Anniversary Trip.

Due to some things I have going on this week I won't be able to post the top 3 until next Monday which means I'm extending this week's quotography until Saturday instead of Wednesday!

How it works:

1. Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
2. Give credit to the quote when possible
3. Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
4. Link up here
5. Take a moment to view other entries

Check out the new button!

Quotography Top 3 | Love, Weddings, Anniversaries

2011-08-05T04:49:00.000-04:00

Psychemage Photography

Live Every Moment

Piece of Heaven by Linda

Feel free to snab my new top 3 button!

Next week's theme is anything you want! :-) Have a fabulous weekend my friends!

A Hike and A Campout with My Loves

2011-08-04T06:35:00.004-04:00

First, I want to thank all of you for the sweet Anniversary wishes you left this week! I really appreciate that! :-) Now, I'm going to share with you what we did for our 3rd wedding anniversary.

My husband woke me up around 7:30 am Sunday morning. He was excited to get on the road and I'm sorry to say that at that time in the morning, I was more excited to continue sleeping my bed. I didn't get home until 12:30 the night before because I had the extreme privilege to photograph the birth of a baby. So, needless today I could barely part my eye-lids when my husband pounced on the bed and told me it was time to go!

I groggily packed my stuff up {didn't have time the night before} and got into the truck thinking I'd have 2 hours to catch up on some sleep. However, my body had a different plan- I was awake the whole time and didn't feel so tired! Hooray!

Daisy was so excited in the backseat with her head out the window. She loves car rides and she loves it even more when she sees us packing up the truck and she gets to come with us. She knew we were in for an adventure that day and man did she rise to the occasion!

We got to our destination about 2 hours later and after spraying ourselves with bug spray, checking the back pack and my camera bag over one last time, and getting Daisy in her harness, we were off to hike!

We started off with the scenic route, which of course, I loved! I stopped a few times to snap some photos but before I knew it I had to securely store my camera in my bag because I would need both hands to climb the rock and root walls before us.

I was so nervous that Daisy wouldn't be able to make it up there, it looked really steep and I was worried she would fall and hurt herself. Jarod went to check things out and as soon as he got pretty high up Daisy was beside herself! She was trying to figure out any way to get up there with him! She was whining and crying and then all of a sudden she started to drag {literally} me up the side.

And, so, we made it through 3 different patches of steep, scary, heart racing sections with our Super Dog!

We finally came to the main pathway which was SO much easier than where we came from. We hiked another mile or so. The air began to feel cooler and the sound of the waterfall grew louder. I became so excited once we rounded the corner and saw this:

That was our end goal and we made it! Daisy played in the water {which was another surprise to us because she hates going for a walk in the rain because of the puddles! Seriously, we had Super Dog with us!} and we found a spot to relax and enjoy some lunch. I don't know how long we were there for but we had cooled down and enjoyed the time together. Eventually we worked our way back down the mountain and headed to our campsite.

We got a site near a beaver dam {which I didn't even take a picture of-silly me!}. Check out the view from our site.

Daisy was so happy to hang out and relax at our site. She loves being outside and apparently wants to live in the wild!

We grilled up some dinner, played a few games, enjoyed some beers by the campfire and I soaked up every loving minute with my man. He had planned out and packed for this entire trip and I've never felt more loved or taken care of.

Eventually the sun went down and the rest of the night and the next day are moments that will remain all our own. It was an amazing anniversary trip- one I'm sure I'll always remember!

Summer Flowers

2011-08-03T08:35:00.000-04:00

Quotography | Weddings, Anniversaries, Marriage, = LOVE

2011-08-01T00:15:00.000-04:00

Today is our 3 year wedding anniversary.

I can recall our wedding day as if it just happened yesterday.

I remember the look on his face when he first saw me and the tremble of his chin while saying our vows.

I remember when he asked me to be his girlfriend in the mall parking lot in 1999

And his breath in my ear when he proposed in 2006 in Key West, FL

My hand fits perfectly in his and our laughter sounds like music together.

There is no other man I can imagine spending the rest of my life with.

Always and forever, my love.

Happy 3 years and many, many more!

White in the Sunlight

2011-07-30T04:07:00.002-04:00

I seriously cannot get enough of the evening sunlight. I just can't!

Quotography Top 3 | Families

2011-07-29T09:32:00.000-04:00

Blueberry Craft and Hobby Time

Living Life in Pennsylvania

Feel free to grab your button!

Still Life Standouts from July

2011-07-29T08:47:00.002-04:00

This is my favorite still life shot from the the month of July. Check out this new monthly challenge!

Oh and I want to share a blog that has about 400 different blog hops listed. From weekly, monthly, to quarterly. They vary from photography, cooking, coupons, arts and crafts and more.

Check out The Bz House That Love Built

Show {off} your shot

2011-07-28T04:02:00.002-04:00

Sweet Summertime

2011-07-27T15:59:00.002-04:00

Daisy would love to ride around in a car all day long if she could.

Young

I had two Poppy plants that took awhile to bloom. I honestly thought they were going to die... and then one day this is what I saw! I am so happy I snapped this picture because when I came back from running errands it was gone... some critter ate off all the beautiful petals! :(

Old

Some random dead leaf in our yard.

Enjoying the summer sun and the warm evening air.

Quotography | Family

2011-07-25T00:15:00.001-04:00

I hope you have all had wonderful weekend! I was able to get a lot of things done that I didn't get to over the week last week so I feel like I am in a good spot as far as this week is concerned! I have a date with my camera to get some new shots and to try some new things so I can have some new material to share with you lovelies!

My mom, My sister, My Grandmother <3

"When you look at your life the greatest happiness are family happinesses." Dr. Joyce Brothers

How it works:

Find a picture, or a quote and then pair it with a quote or a picture. Picture MUST be taken by you.
Give credit to the quote when possible
Put a link or the button in your post so others know what you're joining in on
Link up here
Take a moment to view other enteries

If you have any suggestions on future themes please feel free to let me know in a comment or send an email to keepinitinperspective at gmail dot com

Have a great week! :-)

Delicate flower

2011-07-23T05:32:00.003-04:00

Quotography Top 3 | Birthdays

2011-07-22T14:24:00.000-04:00

So, there were several entries that used the same quotes and I not only loved the words but the photos you put with them so I've selected more than 3 people this week!

Psychemage Photography

Figuring Out the Plot

Living Life in Pennsylvania

Shutter Happy Moments

The Road Goes Ever On

Feel free to take your button!

I hope to see the rest of you on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday with your family photo and quote!

Have a wonderful weekend and keep cool!

Letting Go...

2011-07-21T21:13:00.004-04:00

I left Sunday afternoon to attend a two day study. I was on panel 1 of 2 for a teacher test called the Praxis. It was quite an interesting experience and one I am happy to have had. My husband's hours vary a lot so I find myself home alone quite often but somehow I found being alone, in a hotel room, out of my comfort zone, much needed. I had time to collect my thoughts in a place of little distraction. I had time to read a book that I am loving and finding very inspirational. I had time to think about my life, how its going and how I'd like live it.

Today I feel at a loss. The weather is hot, I am not sleeping well {despite the wonderful AC we have in our bedroom} and I'm feeling cranky. I have many things I can do but I don't want to do a damn thing. It could be because I went to a two day workshop and had to use my brain more than I have in the past month... or it could be that I am just trying to figure out where to go from here.... or that I am just plain lazy. You decide, because I can't!

It shouldn't be so hard to just snap your fingers and make changes to your life, but somehow I am finding it to be that way simply because there are so many things I cannot control. So many things that are out of my hands. I feel like I am at the beginning of a long hike up a mountain with three very different paths set out before me.

How do I decide which one to take?

Of course you think about the ease of the climb, the view, the amount of time it might take and how you're feeling that day, but once you pick a path, your on it and have to deal with the outcome.

I know which path I'd like to take but it isn't even an option on the mountain before me and I fear I don't have enough strength packed in my bag for the path that will be chosen for me.

If I've learned anything over the past year I should know by now that you can't plan for anything and that you need to learn to go with the flow.

"We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."
E.M. Forster

Quotography | Birthday

2011-07-18T00:15:00.007-04:00

As you know, or maybe you don't, last week was my birthday! I had an amazing birthday with my sister and my husband and then later on the rest of my family. This was the gift bag my sister gave me. She gave some really pretty clothing items to add to my wardrobe! Wahoo!

How it works:

* ANYONE can join in!
*Please link to your blog post and not just your blog url
* You can link up until Wednesday at 11:59pm EST
* Be sure that the photo is taken by you AND that you give credit to the author of the quote when you can.
* Your entry should have a link or the quotography button that let's others know what you're joining in on
* I ask that you take a moment to visit 3-5 other entries.
*I'll be posting some on my Facebook page as the days go on... yours might be shared!
*By Friday I'll post the 3 that were most inspiring

LEM | Anything

2011-07-16T07:16:00.002-04:00

Oh how I wish I lived upon the edge of the ocean so I could hear the waves slapping the shore or the rocks. I would love to sit and read a book and feel the salty air tousle my hair. I would love to watch the sunset from one of these sail boats as my husband and I drink our beer and marvel over how wonderful our steak dinner tasted. Oh how I wish I had a house on a body of water be it lake or ocean.

Quotography Top 3 | Anything

2011-07-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

I find it interesting how there is usually a theme to the 'anything' weeks. This week I noticed a lot of quotes that had to do with growth of some kind- personal, academic, emotional. Kind of cool how that happens.

Anyway, here are the top 3 from this week:

ShutterHappyMoments

The Pondering Pony