Best of 2009: Rush

I think there can only be one thing here. My photography.

This year I have discovered a new hobby, something that I enjoy so so much and something that gives pleasure to others. I have discovered that I can get a huge rush by taking photographs, by getting home and editing them and by seeing peoples reactions to them.

At the weekend we went out to Heaton Park with my family. The sunlight was perfect and it was a really crisp winters day. Wonderful! I was totally taken by the beauty of the trees against the winter sky and when I got home I began to edit the photographs I had taken. When I opened one particular photograph to edit I actually said “Wow!!!”. My sister in law asked me what was wrong lol. The rush I got was amazing. A photograph that I had taken was so stunning that it made me gasp! I had to remind myself that it was my photograph and not one from a book.

Yes. Learning photography has definitely given me the rush of 2009!

Here is that photograph:

This post is part of  Gwen Bell’s Best of 2009 blog challenge

What has made me happy today?

Right, I need to get back to blogging. Yes. I will try my very best, starting now.

In a day that is easy to remember negatives I need to jot down a few positives. The things that have made me happy today are:

• Getting an email back from the local newspaper to say they are considering using one of my photographs from an event in town at the weekend.
• Spending time with my 11yr old nephew and teaching him how to use my camera. Seeing his excitement as he took some lovely photographs.
• Hearing Katies portage worker tell me I am a good mum despite Katie being difficult.
• Spending time with my mum, dad and sister. I am lucky to have them.
• My husband being so unbelievably thoughtful and sensitive.
• The lovely cuddle I got from Robyn.

For now I will forget the tears I have shed today. They are gone. Tomorrow is a new day.

My favourite things

On my photography course this week I am asked to take two pictures of someone, somewhere or something that you really like. This has really got me thinking. I have been trying hard to think which two things are worthy of being at the top of that list and of course which two things are good to photograph.

I thought I’d make a list here in no particular order:

• My husband. He is my best friend, my soul mate, my rock. I struggle to imagine life without him.
• My children. I am so proud of them and I am so thankful that I have had the chance to be a mother.
• My laptop. It is my link to the “outside world” and through it I can keep in touch with my friends and family.
• My camera. Lately my new hobby of photography has given me a new lease of life. Getting outside and taking photographs has opened my eyes and I notice things in a new way. A simple, boring wall can be beautiful when you take its photograph and notice the textures and light shades.
• Where I live. I am lucky to live in a truly beautiful place. Living here makes me happy.
• My church. Maybe here I’m not actually talking about the physical building (although it is beautiful) or even the people in it. My faith is what I perhaps mean.
• My bed! I love the feeling of getting into my own bed after I’ve been away for even one night. Nothing better!
• Café Modo. It is the place that has given my husband his new lease of life. He has his spark back and watching him cook, prepare menus and make plans for the future is wonderful. The mochas arent bad either!

There are more favourite things but these are the ones I could think of straight away. Look out to see which ones I photograph!

My new toy

So after thinking I’d never get the DSLR that I was dreaming of before my OU course starts I am so chuffed to announce that I have got a Sony a200!

It has been made possible by my wonderful, supportive family. I am so grateful to them!

I’ve already been out taking pictures and I am loving it already. All the limitations that I struggled with on my compact camera are now lifted and I am learning so much. It is giving me the motivation to get up and go outside. Yesterday we went blackberry picking and this morning we went to the park (OK, so it resulted in Katie’s bump but it was good up until then!).

Here is a mosaic of some of the pictures I have taken with my new toy. Thankyou again to my friends Mel & Becks for their help, advice & encouragement. Also thanks of course to my wonderful family, without them I wouldnt be making this post now!

Ten on Tuesday

I’ve seen many blogs doing “Ten on Tuesday” so thought I’d join in… looks fun!

This week’s list of 10 is “Inventions that have made life easier”. Here goes!!

1. The Internet. I have no idea what I would do without the Internet now! In many ways the net is my lifeline. It makes keeping in touch with family & friends much easier and I can get information about so many things in a few clicks! If it wasn’t for the Internet I wouldn’t have met my fabulous husband!
2. Microwaves. Ours gets used all the time and it certainly makes my life much easier.
3. Digital Cameras. Not so long ago getting photos developed was such a faff. Now I can have prints of my photos in seconds and not have to spend loads of money on camera films only to realise that half the pictures were rubbish when they were developed. I love being able to check how good a photo is and simply pressing delete if its no good!
4. Modern transport, be it cars, buses, trains etc. Imagine having to walk everywhere!
5. TV. It definitely makes my life easier! Sometimes Cbeebies is a godsend!
6. Washing machine/dryer. I lived without a washing machine for 18mths when I was single and living in my tiny flat… it was hard! When I finally got one I was so grateful!
7. Electric sterilisers for baby! 8 minutes and bottles are done! So much easier than waiting ages for them to sterilise in cold water!
8. Telephones. Being able to communicate with someone in an instant… fab!
9. Teabags. I couldn’t be doing with making tea with loose tealeaves all the time! Teabags are a genius invention!
10. “Anyway up cups”. We would have lots of spilt juice in this house if it wasn’t for these!! Every toddler should have one!