I Heart Macro: All the Trimmings

After altering my calendar this week, I was taken with the little pile of ribbon clippings I was about to sweep into the trash. Before I could toss it out, I had to snap a shot of them.

Pretty right!? Maybe it's just me. . .

There's more I Heart Macro at Studio Waterstone.

I Heart Macro: Warm Winter Wishes

I felt pretty ashamed last week. Lori at Studio Waterstone started I Heart Macro Sunday back up and I failed to participate. (hanging my head) I wasn't going to let that happen this week. It didn't matter how busy my weekend looks (and it's pretty busy). So, I'm actually writing this on Friday and scheduling it to post on Sunday. I also didn't get any Macro shots taken this week. (Wow.  .am I full of FAIL or what!?) Fortunately, I've got some photos stockpiled on my computer.

Without further ado, here are some beachy macros to heat up your winter.

A string of buoys in a seaside restaurant

Flotsam washed up on the beach

The tiniest crab EVAH! Those grains of sand are as fine as sugar. THAT'S how tiny he is.

I hope these photos have given you the warm fuzzies. I know I'm ready to hit the beach. Of course, as I write this on Friday it's almost 80 degrees here in Southern Alabama and I probably could. I'm not rubbing it in, really. The water's still too cold to swim in. . .

There's more Macro Sunday at Lori's blog!

Take the Time (I Heart Macro)

A few mornings ago, I stepped out the door fairly early to run an errand and a glimmer caught my eye. I could have let it go and hurried on my way, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the sparkle that existed in that moment.

As I paced around on my front walk snapping pictures, I could already see the dewdrops beginning to meld with one another. The moment was already starting to slip away from me.

Yesterday, I lost a very special friend and a sister (of sorts). She was a shining example of love, faith, kindness, and so much more. I have no words. My heart aches not just for myself but for the family she leaves behind.

Me (left) and Kathy (right) July 1994

Don't let those moments that sparkle fade away without taking the time to appreciate them and don't let the shining stars in your life become just a twinkle of a memory. Take the time to revel their light and hold it close to you forever. I know I will.

I'm linking this up to I Heart Macro Sunday at Studio Waterstone.

I may reflect on this more later, but right now I'm still in a state. I know she would appreciate your prayers of comfort for her husband, three children, and the rest of her family. No comments are necessary.

Riverside Macro

Toward the beginning of the summer, we took an excursion to one of the local rivers with some friends. There was cooking out, lounging on the bank, and Frisbee-tossing in the shallow water. I always like to keep my eye out for interesting textures and items.

This tree root amazes me since it looks so much like some sort of lizard skin. Doesn't it?

We found this OLD beer can. I adore the patina on it and the pull tab opening.

Am I the only one whose always got her eyes peeled for a neat photo?

Pshaw. . .I know that's not true. You should check out the whole list of people who have captured and shared some awesome Macro shots over at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro Sunday.

While I'm here, let me go ahead and let you know that two items in the shop just got marked down by 15%. Yup, they're on sale!!

Live What You Love Necklace

Wet Grass Bracelet

It's well past time for me to figure out our adventure(s) for the day, so I best be getting off the computer. How's your weekend going?

I Heart Macro: Margarita Friday

At the end of each work week, Pat and I have a bit of a tradition. We're not sure when we started it or how long we'll keep it up, but each Friday is affectionately referred to as Margarita Friday.

Each week I look forward to

Salt-rimmed margaritas

Crispy tortilla chips

Savory salsa

And, of course the amazing company of my husband! (not pictured)

There's more I Heart Macro Sunday at Studio Waterstone.

(Please excuse the fact that there are really iPhone photos. I wanted to see what I could make it do!)

I Heart Macro Sunday (finally!)

It's been WAY too long since I've posted some macro shots. I need to hop back on that wagon. Since I didn't actually take any macro shots this week, here's some I took during Spring Break that I hadn't shared yet.

Rope wrapped around a piling out on the dock

Little lizard peeking out from the outdoor shower

I just love the layers and layers to pine bark

Tiny mushroom nuzzled next to the water hose

Here's hoping this post has me back in the groove of Macro Sunday once again since I've definitely missed it!!

Make sure to head over to Studio Waterstone for more I Heart Macro!!

I Heart Macro: D'Olive Cemetery

It's be a WHILE since I've be able to shoot out a I Heart Macro post. I didn't even gather any shots this week. Never fear! In my Macro folder, there are piles of shots that I just haven't gotten to share yet. So I figured I'll just go with some of those.

The set today comes from a hike Pat and I took quite a few weeks back. The area is a little bay front park that used to be owned by the D'Olive family in Daphne, AL. While not much remains of them on the property, the family cemetery is still there to this day. That's where I directed my lens.

This marble carving is at the top of one of the headstones. It's the most elaborate headstone in the tiny cemetery.

At the base of one of the headstones, the cement is beginning to crack away revealing the brick infrastructure below.

This line of moss caught my eye.

Fascinating huh?

Check out more ultra close pictures with I Heart Macro Sunday hosted by Lori of Studio Waterstone.

I think we're heading out for a bike ride down to the local Earth Day celebrations in a bit, so I ought to get myself cleaned up and ready to go! What are your plans to close out this weekend?

Macro Sunday: Fort Pickens

Pat and I got out of the house yesterday for an adventure. We wound up on Pensacola Beach at Fort Pickens. Neither of us has ever visited that particular fort before and we had a blast exploring it. I was able to find a a lot of beautiful photo opps. Here are the macro ones I captured just to share today for I Heart Macro Sunday.

These bushes were all over the fort. I really loved them and was calling them pom-pom trees.

I mean seriously, look how cool!

The fort is almost 200 years old and there are all kinds of signs of Mother nature threatening to take it over, like this fern popping out of a brick wall.

And just so you know I was actually at a fort, here's the opening to a cannon. Yup, that says 15,940 lbs. And, that wasn't even the biggest cannon there!

 

Find more I Heart Macro eye candy at Studio Waterstone.

Macro Sunday: Cheesy Noodles

I did make a Mock Bead Soup piece if you want to see it. I'm kinda proud of it!

Anyway. . .With Pat playing all weekend, I got to thinking (very dangerous)

Do you have a comfort meal? You know what I mean. One of those meals/foods that you make when you’re all alone and you just want to throw something together that makes YOU happy. It may not be good for you, but it sure does taste good. Well, I do. We just call it “cheesy noodle.”  It’s a very flexible recipe and I tend to just use whatever I have on hand.

Mouth watering, right!?

Here’s how I do it:

Ingredients (again. . .very flexible)

Pasta - whatever you have on hand

Cheese - again, whatever. I veer toward Parmesan and then a little cheddar. But whatever works too

Vegetable - I usually go with frozen peas because I can throw them in at the end of the pasta boiling, but sometimes I’ll steam some broccoli real quick or something.

Meat - most often bacon, but if I don’t have any I’ll use ham, turkey, leftover chicken, or just leave it out all vegetarian-like

Butter - a tablespoon or two

Milk, cream, or half & half - just enough to wet the noodles

Salt, Pepper, Granulated garlic - to taste

Directions

It’s easy. . . I boil the pasta (throwing in the peas toward the end) and then drain when it’s done. I return the pasta (and peas) to the hot pot and toss in the cheese to get it melting. Once it starts to be gooey, I add a little butter and let it start to melt and then add some liquid (milk, cream, or half and half). I stir it up until well combined then add the meat, vegetables (if other than peas), and seasonings. Stir then NOM away!

So good!

 I usually can't get enough of it! Mmmmmm cheesy noodles.

Since I got these yummy closeups of it the other night I decided I'd share it for I Heart Macro Sunday. Head over to Lori's blog, Studio Waterstone, for more cool macro shots. Though, I can't guarantee they'll make your tummy rumble like mine does! ;)

So what's your comfort recipe? Feel free to share yours in the comments!

Macro Sunday: Disc Golf Course

**Go here for my 7000 Bracelets of Hope reveal.**

Pat and I talked all morning yesterday about getting out of the house and doing something in the fresh air. When we finally decided on disc golf I knew that hiking through the course would be the perfect opportunity to snap some shots for I Heart Macro Sunday!

Stupid azaleas already think it's Spring

This pine root has been rubbed smooth from being trod on.

A gnarly knot of thorny vines was a little scary.

These tiny mushrooms climbing up a sapling caught my eye.

The disc golf course rungs along the local baseball fields. There are always lost balls along the trail. I love the frayed stitches of this one.

The peeling bark of what I think is a cypress tree is just so cool.

So those were my favorites from our exercise yesterday. Join up some of your own shots over at Studio Waterstone for I Heart Macro Sunday.

I'll be revealing the piece I made for the Chinook Blog Partners Design Team tomorrow (the post is already scheduled) so make sure to come by and check it out!!

Macro Sunday: Inside Your Closet

Another Macro Sunday is upon us.

Since I was out of town the past two days, I really hadn't thought much about my macro shot(s) for today. Oops!!  Since the February Photo-a-day prompt for today is "Inside Your Closet", I went with that.

These are all sections of a pretty little purse I have hanging in my closet.

There's more I Heart Macro Sunday over at Studio Waterstone!

Macro Nature Walk

In our attempt to be more active and healthy, Pat and I went on a nature walk/hike this afternoon. Since I didn't have any pictures ready yet for I Heart Macro Sunday, I decided it would be the perfect opportunity to capture some. (They'll be toward the end of the post. . .sorry)

We went to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge on Fort Morgan Road in Gulf Shores.

Trail Sign

 It was really cool how the trail varied so much from one area to the next.

Shaded by oaks

Open up to the lagoon

Thick with Foliage

There was so much going on, it wasn't hard to find some great textures and subjects for macro shots.

Mexican Heather

A fallen palm log

Palm leaves

Cool twigs and berries

After four miles, we were pooped out and hungry. However, we were definitely pleased with ourselves and I was happy to have gotten some pictures to share with y'all.

Check out all the other I Heart Macro coolness over at Studio Waterstone.

How was your Sunday? Shoot...how was the whole darn weekend?