Week 31 - Memories

My 30th school reunion is coming up in September and so I have been trawling through some old school photos to put up in our Facebook Group.  It is amazing what memories these bring back - both good and bad.  Once I had posted them on my own page, a whole load more memories were released with comments from other people. "Do you remember when . . . ?"  I even discovered that a friend I have now was in my Primary 2/1 composite class in 1970 but neither of us realised until the photo was posted!  Names came flooding back that I hadn't uttered in years!

I know there are a few people who don't want to remember their school days but for me they hold a lot of happy memories and they are all wrapped up in these photos  . . . oh, and the strict uniform we had to wear including the little beret that now sits in my dining room on top of Tigger's head!

I'll report back after the Reunion on 8 September and let you know how it went.

Dot

Week 17: Technology

Hubby and I were on holiday to Nashville for a few days so I'm a bit late in posting this but glad I held off as I took these photos when we were away at Hatch Show Print.  Famous the world over for it's letterpress printing and a style that I absolutely love.  Every print is run through by hand (often a number of times if there is more than one colour).  Fascinating to watch and an excellent example of 15th Century technology.

Next week's pic is ready to post already and the theme is Music.  (Couldn't really be anything else when we've had a trip to Nashville).

Til then,
Dot

Week 17's theme is Technology and obviously, without my computer, I would not be able to do my job:).

Cheers!

Sammee

Week 16: Leaves

Leaves was the theme for this week and I decided to do something a little different from capturing a beautiful spring leaf on a branch.  I have been feeling really tired and decided to have a go at adding some superfood to my diet to see if it would perk me up.  Spinach was the food of choice quite simply because it is easy to get a hold of and I tweaked a Smoothie recipe I got from Vol. 25 Blog  http://vol25.typepad.com/vol25/2012/02/i-love-spinach.html   Everyone else in the house is going YUCK!  But you know what?  It was delicious!  As for being less tired. . . . I'll let you know how I get on.

Til next theme.

Dot

I must apologize, I have been crazy busy between my day job and the opening of my friend's new Acting Academy that I am blessed enough to be a part of. I PROMISE that I will not fall this far behind again, pinkie swear! :)

Cheers!

Sammee

Week 15: Wood

I'm sorry, I'm sorry....this week has been so crazy I finally found the time to post my Week 15 shot. The theme was Wood and I knew exactly what I was going to photograph. This is the back door of my garage, I LOVE this door. It is worn from the weather and the elements and the fact that this door is the SAME door that was hung when the garage was added to the house in the 70's. It is old, it is wise, it has stood the test of time and as a photographer, there isn't a better back drop for me. I can't count the number of subjects I have placed in front of this door for their head shots. This door represents me, that after all these years and all the health issues of mine that have sprung up, I am still standing....a little worse for wear but I am still here. I hope you all have been having a great week and I will see you on the flip side:).

Cheers!

Sammee

I often look at natural wood on new buildings, when it is fresh and newly varnished, and think how wonderful it looks.  Wood is so beautiful.  But how quickly it changes and fades especially in the Scottish wind and rain.  Unlike Sammee's garage door which has taken on character as it gets older and the paint peels slightly, some of these buildings just look drab and unkempt!

This is how is feel about our natural wood fence and yet the paint to spruce it up has lain in our garage for nearly 2 years now.  Time to get those brushes out and change it for the better.  Well . . . maybe next week.

Cheers,

Dot

Next week Week 16: Leaves

Week 14: Smile

Week 14's theme was Smile.....what does smiling mean to you and what is the definition? Is it someone who smiles like this picture I took of my daughter or is it images that when you see them, they make you smile, like the shot of my daughter goofing off in the corn field? If you ask anyone that knows me, the most ridiculous things make me smile and I am ok with that, because I would rather have a smile on my face then a frown:). Week 15's theme is.....dun dun dun....WOOD! :)

Cheers!

Sammee

A TIP FROM DOT:

How not to smile for a photo shoot?  Like this!

If you are a parent taking your young child to a photo session for a natural, relaxed shot please, please, please can I give you one BIG tip?  Don't shout at them from behind the photographer telling them to smile.  It does make a great dental record but not necessarily a great photo.  Believe in the professional you have hired to do the job and let the photographer control the session even regards smiles.

Keep smiling til next week,

Dot

Next week theme is Week 15: Wood

Week 13: Animals

Oh no, falling behind.  Eek!  It has been another busy week for me and I just haven't had a chance to venture out to the countryside where I was hoping to catch some lambs in the fields.  Instead you have a storyboard of the animals I have taken previously for my 365/366 Projects.  They are all beautiful but I think Pinkie the Piglet is my fave :-)
Enjoy.

Dot

Week 13 has come and gone and I just can't believe we are into April already. It's time to get the horses out and go for regular rides again. There is nothing more beautiful or calming then spending time with these serene beings. Do I spend most of my free time photographing horses.....yes, I absolutely do. Until next week:).

Cheers!

Sammee

The theme for next week, Week 14: Smile 

Week 12: Sport

Ha, Ha! I beat Dot this week, she has been so busy working with the amazing Naked Inspirations that I don't think she will hold it against me. This weeks theme was Sport and I am sure you are looking at my image and laughing but let me ask you this, when was the last time you went bowling? My family and I love it, we don't get to do it as often as we would like but when we do, we have a blast and I am always exhausted by the time we get home. The first time my son bowled without having to use the bumpers he got so excited that a couple of bowling leagues that were playing around us gave him a standing ovation. He was grinning from ear to ear and I can honestly say he was hooked. He is definitely the sportsman in the family, he roller blades everywhere he goes, if he isn't on his roller blades then he is on his skateboard, his wave board or his scooter. He likes Football but loves Soccer and this fall he will be playing La Cross for the first time. Not going to lie, I am a tad bit scared about him playing La Cross because from what I have heard it is up there with Football in the injury department. But I am not going to stop him, I love that he likes to try out all different types of sports to see if he truly likes them and I love that he would rather be outside playing then inside in front of the television or playing video games. I hope everyone had a great week, next weeks theme is ANIMALS.

Cheers!

Sammee

Well done Sammee!  And I definately don't hold it against you.  My image was ready and I was just waiting on permission to post it from the parent of the girl in the shot (which I now have) and I'll explain why I wanted this.  I believe that as photographers we have the duty to consider whether or not the content of a shot is appropriate or inappropriate.  The sport I am involved in is Gymnastics (as a coach, not a gymnast) and am glad to say that Scottish Gymnastics Child Protection Policy gives very clear guidance on images we post and, whether we like it or not, we as coaches have to abide by it regarding the sharing of images taken of the gymnasts.  This straddle shot would be deemed inappropriate had the gymnast been in a leaotard only but because she is also wearing shorts the photo is okay to publish.  Me?  I just like to double-check where possible and hence I asked the parent's permission.  It is a fine line we tread.

That aside, this is a fantastic shot of one of our gymnasts on our new inflatable Tumble Run.  What an asset it is, giving the kids confidence to try and perfect moves they are hesitant to do on a matted floor.  And it is even in our Club colours of black and pink!!

Hope you'll pop over next week to see Week 13.

Dot

Theme for Week 13: Animals

Week 11: Flowers

This week's theme is Flowers and my image is in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care http://www.mariecurie.org.uk   It was an easy theme for me but one with LOTS of meaning and memories.  During my childhood my family had  fruit, veg and flower shops in Edinburgh (oh, and one sweetie shop!)  It meant really, really busy times of year like Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.  For those of you who don't know it, today 18 March 2012, is Mother's Day in the UK and I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my kids.  I adore them (Thanks, you two xxx).  Yesterday I received a beautiful bunch of flowers from my friend as a Thank You and the day before I had photographed these beautiful daffodils in the local park.  It has been a busy week for flowers!  I never tire of them, I wish I was given them more often and I love the things they remind me of - both happy and sad.

I think you should buy someone some flowers - even if that someone is you.

Until next week,
Dot

Spring has sprung....although in Utah Spring and Old Man Winter go hand in hand. What happened the 1st day of Spring? It snowed, that is about par for the course here. Yesterday I was walking the dog and saw three Robins hoping from branch to branch in my neighbor's yard. Yep, Spring is here, I love cold weather but I am definitely looking forward to a bit of a warm up.

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 12: Sport 

Week 10: Gratitude

I Support People Affected By Breast Cancer.  This is for Rosie.

It has been another busy week.  Manic in fact but loads of fun.  Just over 2 weeks ago I was asked by my friend Rosie, who had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, if I would shoot a Calendar Girls type calendar which she was putting together as a fundraiser for Breast Cancer Care Scotland.  The reply, of course, was YES!  It has now expanded into 2 calendars - one for the girls and one for the boys.  It staggers me how many people are prepared to get their kit off for their friend and a great cause.  I have therefore been photographing scantily clad  men and women all week so when it came to this week's photo I just had to do it again!!  The photo is of me and you may be wondering what this image has to do with Week 10 theme which is Gratitude. Well, I'll tell you.  I have realised this week how grateful I am.  I am grateful for my health.  I have minor ailments but I don't have breast cancer.  I'm grateful for my family.  Nobody is more special to me.  I'm grateful for my friends.  For the support they have given and continue to give me.  And I am grateful to Rosie for inviting me in to her journey because without looking in on her situation over the past fortnight I would not have taken stock of my own life and remembered what matters.


Wishing you health and happiness in your life.


Until next week.


Dot


PS If you are interested to follow Rosie's story please visit her website at http://www.nakedinspirations.co.uk/index.html or Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Naked-Inspiration/199935553439394

This weeks theme was Gratitude, I didn't realize how much I missed having a dog until we began dog sitting for my Mother-in-Law. My Mother-in-Law and her husband left on their mission to Navuoo, Illinois and didn't have anyone to take their dog Jacque. He is my Mother-in-Law's buddy and she had a really hard time leaving him. From the moment Jacque came into the house he has brought a calming effect over the entire house. My blood pressure has leveled out, I don't yell as much because he came from a quiet and calm home. He is always under my feet, following me to the door, the kitchen, the bathroom. He keeps me company when I run errands and pick the kids up from school and he cuddles at our feet when my husband and I go to sleep. I am grateful to my husband for telling his Mom that for the next 18 months we will give Jacque a loving home. I am grateful for the kisses, the cuddles and nudges with his wet nose. But most of all I am grateful for the unconditional love that he has given me, without want, without question. We are grateful for each other and I know when the 18 months is up I am going to be a snot spewing, tear soaked wreck. Next weeks theme: Flowers

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 11: Flowers

Week 9: Laughter

I laugh a lot and so do those around me but I found this theme really difficult.  Eventually I decided to revisit some of my older shoots and came across this shot.

I think Little Brother was trying hard not to laugh at Big Brother's mischievous behaviour!


Very busy week with work this week but I'm already on the case for Week 10 theme: Gratitude.


Dot

FINALLY! Week 9: Laughter is up! There is nothing funnier then when family gets together...well, there is also nothing as tragic either. Thankfully my daughter, her sister and their cousin manage to laugh their backsides off whenever they get together. I don't even remember what set them off, I just remember my daughter laughed first, then she teared up, then she kept getting closer and closer to the ground. Her giggle was so contagious that her sister and cousin joined in...oh how I love these girls :). This weeks theme is Gratitude...onward and upward!

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 10: Gratitude

Week 8: Religion

Religion, in it's traditional form, is an explosive subject and so as someone who respects other people's views and beliefs (even if I do not agree with them) I have chosen to avoid traditional religion completely in this week's blog and bow my head instead to The Mother Church of Country Music - The Ryman Auditorium.  Hubby and I are fortunate enough to be heading back to Nashville for a visit later this year and The Ryman is once again on our list of places to visit.  I will worship at that temple.

To each and every one of you, whatever your faith . . . have a good week.

Dot

This weeks theme was religion, well religion can define a lot of things. Farrier's dedicate their lives to the religion of horses. They work with horses with varied personalities and temperaments that at times can be worse then some humans. They toil away removing shoes, clipping hooves, applying new shoes, trying to keep the horses steady and sometimes getting kicked in the process. They belong to a profession that has been around for centuries, a proud and noble profession....yeah, I am a bit of a horse geek but I won't apologize for that. Have a great week and until next time.

Sammee

Week 7: Something Old

Living in Scotland should make getting a photo of Something Old really easy.  It would be hard to find something older than Edinburgh Castle, or better still St Margaret's Chapel within Edinburgh Castle.  The Chapel was built in 1153 AD.  Even lots of the buildings on our High Street and the Royal Mile are older than the United States of America itself!  So it was my plan to head on into town and photograph a beautiful old building for you this week.   But, if your life is anything like mine, you will be aware that things never quite go to plan and as I was driving northwards to the city centre I passed a little antique shop that has been there for years and years, and a little lightbulb went on in my head.  I spun the car around, parked up and there was my setting for this week's theme, Something Old.  I really must venture into this shop one day as I'm sure there are great things to use as photo props . . . . that's if I can get in the door!

Hope you are all enjoying the Blog.

See you next week,

Dot

This lamp is at my Aunt Lisa's in Boise, Idaho. I absolutely fell in love with it when I first saw it and have been on the hunt to find an old candlestick phone of my own to turn into a lamp. It is so neat, when you lift the receiver off of the hook, the lamp comes on and then turns off when you return it. My Aunt Lisa's is full of antiques that bring a quaint and charming warmth to her home. I have to admit, I have always had a slight obsession with candlestick phones, there is something so real about them. The feel of the receiver in one hand and the base in the other positively transports you back in time. Well, until next week when the theme will be Religion.

Cheers!

Sammee

Theme for Week 7: Religion

Week 6: Transportation

Okay, I have to confess that I have had to cheat this week and have re-edited an image I took some time ago. Who'd have thought it would be so hard some weeks to get just one suitable image . . . and I even picked the theme?  This is, however, a favourite of mine so I don't mind sharing it again.  Hope you like it.

I'm on holiday for most of this week and plan to get out and about no matter what the weather so I promise to work harder at next week's theme.

Until then,
Dot

Sammee is having 'puter troubles and will post when she can.

Hi all, as you have heard, I have been having computer issues. Between the wonky computer and my daughter participating in her first musical at school, I was so crazy and didn't have 5 minutes to myself. So, like Dot, I dipped back into my stash of favorite prints. Transportation, old time transportation, the chug chug of the engine, the woosh woosh of the wheels, sssshhhh ssshhhh of the steam from the smoke stack. I often feel like I was born in the wrong century, to travel by train was to travel with oneself. To gaze out at the beautiful landscapes, to marvel at the peaks and valleys as the train whistles through a mountain pass. Yes, I love trains.

Until Sunday,

Sammee

Next week's theme is Something Old

Week 5: Dance

I've been at a real loss this week as to what do for my Week 5 photo and eventually took this simple photo of my daughter's ballet shoes.  She is not a ballerina but would dance her way through the day from morning to night if she had the chance.  When I was pregnant with her she never stopped moving and is just the same 13 years on!

Can't wait to see Sammee's photo for this week as she is away at a Feis today and should have some great shots!

On to Week 6 and hopefully a more inspiring shot.

Cheers,

Dot

Greetings,

   Week 5 has come and gone and all I can say is HOLY CRAP! As you can tell, this weeks theme is dance. My daughter is an Irish dancer and this weekend I was playing Feis mom to an overly hormonal 12 year old (she's going to kill me for saying that). Irish dance has positively consumed our lives and no matter how crazy it gets between INSANE dresses, new hard and soft shoes (because her feet won't quit growing), tanning her legs (seriously, who thought this up? I want to smother them with self tanner!) and hours upon hours of practice (when she isn't having a "moment") we love it. She has managed to make and maintain friendships with dancers from other schools (which I have noticed doesn't happen very often as Irish dance is highly competitive and schools don't necessarily promote fuzzy feelings between each other). Even when she has a bad Feis, there is always a friend from her school or another to give her a hug and tell her that it's just one Feis and not to stress out over it. In the three years (has it been that long already?) that she has been dancing (the first year ended up with her dance school, which shall remain nameless since I still harbor ill will towards the owner, shut the school down with only a months notice....just dropped every girl that had been busting their butts for her) I have seen her blossom into this amazing young lady. And even with every freak out over "Why won't this stupid wig stay where it is supposed to go?!" and "OMG! These stupid bobby pins, I hate them! (insert sound of bobby pins being thrown onto the hardwood floor "PING!") I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love this crazy sister/brotherhood that we have become members of and one day, her work will pay off and she will make it to Worlds. Until then I am going to enjoy the ride.

UNW, Cheers!

Sammee

Onwards and upwards to Week 6: Transportation

Week 4: Sun

The end of Week 4 of 2012 already . . . it'll soon be Christmas!!

I often complain about the weather in Scotland.  Not necessarily about the cold, dreich days we can have but about the unpredictability of it.  One day can be damp and lifeless and the next can be cold, crisp and sunny.  I love those sunny days - even on bitter winter days - because they produce the most beautiful skies with such a variety of colours.  I wasn't fortunate enough to see the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights, which were visible in the sky near Edinburgh this week but I caught this fantastic sunrise on my way to work.  It was mesmerising.  Love it!  Enjoy.


'Til next week, Cheers,
Dot

Hello All,


   I had a crazy week and was under the weather (again) so I procrastinated with my picture. However, tonight I caught the sun as it was going down behind the mountains. I ran in the house and grabbed my camera. By time I got back outside I had missed the beautiful last rays of the sun going down and instead captured this beautiful sunset. I owe you one, I will get my sun picture this week but still wanted to share this gorgeous sky with you. I love only having to sharpen the image up and not having to do more then that. There are times when I get irritated with the power lines and telephone lines that run through my neighborhood, I keep picturing how much more beautiful this would be without them in the shot also.


UNNT,
Sammee


The theme for Week 5: Dance.

Week 3: Hands

Hiya,

Since I'm 7 hours ahead of Sammee in Utah I thought I'd try to post my Project 52 ahead of her today (haven't managed the past 2 weeks!).  It has been a busy, busy week with editing frustrations and I didn't shoot my Week 3: Hands images until today but I'd had a vision of it in my head all week and I'm pleased to say it turned out exactly as I'd hoped.    Not sure if ASL letters are the same as BSL but you'll get the gist even if they are not.


Hope you like it.

Until next week, 
Dot

Hello All,

  Well it has been one crazy week for me. I caught a cold that has been relentless and has turned me into a mucous making machine, wound up back at the hospital due to me mistaking certain events as part of my ongoing illness and then back to the E.R. again last night. I had dropped my daughter off at a friends for a sleepover and their Bull Dog got so excited when he saw her that he bit her....right through her fingernail. She tried to be a trooper and managed to stay at the sleepover for an hour and a half but then I got the call to come get her. Luckily they didn't have to remove the fingernail but she has to keep it clean and bandaged up until the wound fully heals. She was asleep on the couch and I was looking at her hands, these beautiful hands with elegantly long fingers. These sweet, slender hands that used to grasp my hand when they were small and chubby. I refuse to let go of her yet.....who am I kidding....I will never let go.....not when it matters. Dot is in charge of choosing this weeks theme, hug your friends, kiss your loved ones and enjoy every minute....catch you on the flip side:).

Cheers!

Sammee

See you next weekend for Week 4: Sun

x

Week 2: Something New

Cheers! It's the end of Week 2, this weeks theme was Something New. I received this wall hanging as a gift for Christmas. A girlfriend of mine just started quilting and I was thrilled to receive one of her first projects. My kitchen has Roosters in it so this fits in quite nicely. 

Sammee

I've decided that taking part in Project 52 is scary as it reminds me of how quickly time is passing by!!  It is end of Week 2 already and my Something New is my Hubby's most recent acquisition, a Danelectro Dano Pro in tangerine.  I love the colour of it!

Dot

See you next Saturday for Week 3: Hands

Week 1: B&W

Hi, this is Sammee and YAY, the end of Week 1 is here. I have been chomping at the bit to share my photo for this week. At least I was, then I woke up this morning and it had FINALLY snowed, which totally put the picture I had on the back burner. This was taken today on my Sony A500 with an 18-55 lense, edited with Bitchen B&W, Brightness 11, Contrast -16.

Hiya, Dot here with my photo for Project 52 Week 1: Black & White.  Couldn't resist a play on the words with this one.  Taken with my new Nikon D7000 and 50mm lens.  Edited with one of my favourite actions Coffee Shop Splendor B&W (with the Purple and Brownish Tint turned off). 

How many of you remember Boggle?  How many words can you find?

See you next Saturday for Week 2: Something New