Photo Challenge: Macro

I often take pictures of my cooking and baking for my recipe blog, and last Saturday was no exception. Though I had just finished breakfast, looking at the photos made me hungry all over again. This was a new creation: Cranberry Orange Scones. Yes, they were as good as they look!

For the most part, I found this macro challenge to be extremely difficult. I think my old point and shoot, which died nearly a year ago, took better up-close shots than my new camera.



I think the dandelion would have been better in different lighting. It was much too bright outside.

Chester kindly volunteered to be my model for several poses. I thanked him profusely since he generally turns away when he sees the camera.



He let me focus on his eyes.


And his nose.


I love the colors in the above photo if nothing else.


As I was walking around the yard looking for miniature things to capture with my lens, I spied several of these glistening egg masses on the peach tree. I have no idea what they are, but they're really beautiful in the sunlight.





Yesterday afternoon Collin brought me a daisy. I immediately thought of the macro challenge, but the camera wouldn't focus very well on the center. I then tried magnifying it, which worked fairly well, as long as I held the magnifying glass to the end of the camera lens rather than in front of the object.

This challenge was difficult, but more fun than I thought it would be. For more macro pictures, join us at Rebecca's house.

Her Best Birthday. Ever.

I started baking her cake yesterday afternoon, but when I turned it out of the pans, the middle of one whole cake fell out onto the cooling rack. I had checked it for doneness, but the toothpick lied. Thankfully, I had baked six cupcakes, too. I was having a good cry when Abigail put her arms around me and said, "Mom, the cake doesn't matter. All I want is to spend my birthday with my family."

But it mattered to me. I replied, "Well, maybe I can shove a cupcake into the hole!"

We giggled, and the stress left my shoulders.

Abigail went to bed and I set out to make her a special cake. I had a picture in my mind. All she had requested was bright pink, but I know my girl and how much she adores argyle. I wanted to try marshmallow fondant, and found a recipe. I was glad I did. It was easy to work with, and much tastier than traditional fondant.

Even after the cake flopped, the end result was just what I had pictured. Abigail was thrilled when I showed it to her first thing this morning. She had never even thought to ask for argyle.

Just after breakfast Collin and I set to work on the table. A lime green table cloth, my grandma's china, and candles were in order for the special day. It was fun to glance at the table all day long and anticipate our evening meal.

Jon brought Autumn down for the day, and games were played and a video was watched.

In our family, the birthday person gets to request whatever they want for dinner. Abigail requested Randi's Gyros, and homemade pitas.

My new (vintage) pink vegetable tray was perfect for serving the toppings.

And my divided (vintage) vegetable bowl was perfect for holding the pitas. There were touches of pink everywhere, including the hot pink vintage suitcase (above) that we gifted her.

She squealed with delight and declared this was her best birthday. Ever.

Eggs in a Basket

I'm so pleased to have found a local source for free range eggs. First use? Spinach salad. Yummy!

Soft Glow

I love the way it looks in the evening when the rest of the house is dark just as much as I love reading in bed by its light.

Seventeen

This was just a little cupcake for the lunch celebration. Her bigger cake came after dinner.

Happy 17th Birthday, Autumn, my daughter, my friend!

Photo Challenge: Leaves

This week's challenge wasn't difficult for me to get into at all, as evidenced by the many photos included in the post.

Autumn is definitely my favorite time of year, and I enjoy taking in the leaves and all their splendor. I was afraid that too many of the leaves had dropped when I first saw the challenge, but it wasn't really so.

Almost every day this week was dark and rainy as you can see. It made for terrific outdoor lighting, though!

The above is my least favorite, but I still felt compelled to share it.

Our Cleveland pear tree is just now turning a brilliant red.

Inside things should be as beautiful as the outside, and when my husband mentioned he was hungry for apple pie, I replaced a solid top crust with leaves and acorns.

It was almost too beautiful to eat. Almost!

On a side note, my very own Autumn is coming to visit me today and we're celebrating her 17th birthday.

Join Rebecca for more beautiful leaf pictures.

Singing Songs

Nearly a week after seeing Dierks Bentley in concert (with Michelle Branch, who was really good!), I'm still singing his tunes all day long.

♪ ♫ "Got a guitar

got a guitar on my back

And I'm standin' on this lonesome railroad track

Train's a comin'

It'll be here 'fore too long

But I don't think I can stop it with a song..." ♫ ♪