Field Trip!

Recently, I posted about the ups and downs of homeschooling which was really only the 'downs' that day so I better make up for it and post something about the 'ups'.  The local library offers a free pass for up to 6 people to tour the Center for History which includes a free tour of the Copshaholm mansion on the same grounds.  

The girls and I went to the Center for History to see a World War I exhibit not knowing about the option of having the tour of the mansion.  The woman told us about it but it normally takes 1.5 hours and I had to get to work in that time.  We were the only ones there so we not only had the whole exhibit to ourselves but we got to see this incredible mansion via a private tour tailored to our time frame - which worked out the best anyway because I don't think 1.5 hours would have held the girls' attention!

We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the mansion - it is so beautiful.  The family donated it completely intact, furniture, clothes, books, kitchen equipment, etc., etc.  

Boy Scout Dinner

Josh had a dinner Sunday with his Boy Scout troop and their families.  He is new to this troop having joined just a few months ago.  I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to take in the waist of his pants and fix the hem!  I need to sew more often.  They boys put on skits for our entertainment and we got to see the sleds they built a few weeks ago.  

Josh received a new patch (I don't remember what for) and he was asked to attend the Junior Leadership Training camp this coming weekend.  

Texture Tuesday, Volume 10

It's almost too late, but I'm still linking up with Kim for Texture Tuesday.  I just posted this picture recently, but I had to use it again because of the theme this week...light. 

Someone pointed out the face in the reflection and I hadn't noticed it before then...how do I not see these things?!

edited with Kim's kk_steelmagic

Happy Tuesday!

Macro photography photo shoot

As part of the local photography group I joined, we were able to use a professional rental studio including some awesome equipment...like, backdrops, lenses, lights, tripods, etc.  It was great fun especially since Sarah came with me.  We took so many pictures, it's funny to post only 5...maybe Sarah will allow me to post some of hers...

Mid-winter Dance 2014

Sarah went with some friends to a mid-winter dance Saturday night.  My sister took her to get her nails done and then she had her hair done (it took two hours for all that hair!).  How nice to be pampered...She got ready with some of her girlfriends and then they met at another friend's house for a lovely dinner.  They even remembered to pray without an adult reminding them :) 

It's really comforting to see our daughter hanging out with such a pleasant group of teenagers...

Scholastic Art Awards

Sarah is on her way to becoming a great photographer!  She saved up money from her pool job this summer and bought a Nikon D3200 and has been producing inspiring stuff ever since.  She has taken a couple of photography classes at school and eight of her pictures were submitted to the Scholastic Art Awards contest.  She won two Honorable Mentions!  What a great accomplishment considering 2500 items are submitted and these were her first submissions. 

Marian was well represented.

Can't see this one...her picture is on the bottom.  It is a photo of Meredith's silver shoes and she's standing on the cement lid of our well pit.

                                                

Also tough to see this one.  Hers is the top one.  It is of her friend, Abbey, and she has a feathery mask on.

This is cool!

We all agreed that it is amazing that all of these things are made by junior and senior high school students.  So much talent!  We all also agreed that art is tough to judge because some of the things we saw were (in our opinion) very disturbing and still won awards!

Congratulations, Sarah!

Texture Tuesday, Volume 9

Hello!

Joining up with Kim for...

I used three textures here and one was kk_violet in 'Lighten' blending mode at 20% opacity.  

I am looking forward to a photography shoot this week at a local studio using macro lenses.  I hope the local grocery stores will have a good selection of flowers!

Have a great week!

Texture Tuesday, Volume 8

Linking up with Kim for Texture Tuesday.

I don't know the name of this flower, but I shot it at the Greenhouse I visited Saturday.  It is edited with Kim's kk_0411. 

Greenhouse visit

I went to a local greenhouse today with the photography group.  Only four of us showed up - the ones desperate enough to get out in this weather I guess.  I had to get groceries anyway so I decided that doing something fun beforehand would make that task much more worthwhile.  Not a lot of blooming flowers obviously, but still fun.  I used some of the macro filters on some - here's a few...