Springtime in Maine

Is it wrong of me to have the phone turned off and to pretend my real life doesn't exist? For just a few days, that's all I want to do.
It's spring in Maine and the weather is a welcome relief from the heat back home in Maryland. These little wild blueberry blossoms were found at the top of Great Head, along the Great Head Trail in Acadia National Park. More later on the Chronicles blog.

Honeysuckle love

There are vines of honeysuckle growing all over the edges of the property. Sometimes we cut them, bringing them inside to put in vases that, scattered all around the house, makes it smell heavenly.

Early spring morning

My husband and I are on our way to visit friends in the south but we're making a detour to visit a place we've never before been. I won't be posting for at least a week on this blog, but will try to update on the Chronicles blog. Wish us luck!

Little lilac bud

I thought the lilac bush was a goner after a tree fell on it last fall. It broke my heart to see it. There's only half a bush now but it's budding. And this makes me glad.
SkeletalMess texture applied, soft light at around 50% opacity.

Pansy after the rain

This was my final submission for Pioneer Woman's 'Shallow Depth-of-Field' photo assignment. It wasn't chosen as one of the finalists but I have no qualms about that. At all! The submissions she chose are absolutely breathtaking.
I'm taking a few days off and will be back after the weekend. Have a good one, all!

Remembrance of spring

Something new I've been working on ~ it's hand-coloring of a black & white photo. I posted about it today on [my other blog] with a tutorial that shows one way of achieving this. I'm still trying to figure it all out . . .

Pink pink pink

The azalea out front is completely finished blooming, but this one on the west side of the house is still going strong. And the color is a little darker than the other one out front.

Gentle beast

A lovely horse is always an experience....
It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words.
~Beryl Markham

There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.
~Winston Churchill

He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always knows when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown

Do you remember blowing wishes?

There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter,
the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.

~Elizabeth Lawrence

Baby birds

First off, I did NOT take this photo. It was taken by my friend, Tracey. I wanted to post it because it's not too often that one gets to see baby birds in their nest, waiting for their mother to come and feed them.
Great job, Tracey! And she climbed a tree to get this one, mind you.

Little sunshine

Don't judge a book by its cover. This is a little weed. But it sure is pretty, isn't it?

Bright spot in my day

I love tulips. Especially when they are delivered to me at work and they're from my sons. SheIsPrettyStock texture applied.

Naughty bird

A red-winged blackbird takes a little break from all its spring shenanigans. I don't know what he was up to, but everyone was all a-twitter.

Joy St. Claire texture overlay.

Goldie looks

Loving the marigolds. These are from my files. I took them last May.

The Fly

Starring Jeff Goldblum.

Photo by my husband.

Holly branch

Taken by my husband after all the rain we've had. I added Super Fun Happy, an action available from Totally Rad Actions. Somebody needs some happy.

Next, please

Another one from the files. Although it isn't the best quality, it has always made me smile.
I took this last April. I'd come home, parked in the driveway and noticed all these birds in a line along the fence. So I ran inside to get the camera, putting the zoom lens on and was surprised to see they were all still there. It was really windy that day and the walnut tree (it's to the right) was blocking the force.

Almost gone

Spent dandelion on a gently raining morning in May.

Let the rain kiss you.
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.
Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

~Langston Hughes

Sweet rain

Raindrops on a grape leaf, taken during a morning walk. Hope your day is a lovely one.

True colors

But I see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them
show your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

~Cyndi Lauper