Monday, August 12, 2013

Friendship....A Beautiful Thing

I think maybe, just maybe, my life is going to slow down to at least the speed limit now.  These last few weeks have been crazy with activities....new fence, clean out (major big deal) office, have said office painted and new furniture purchased, computer crash and purchase of new computer along with all the re-loading that goes along with that, have the ladies from Focusing On Life here for a whirl-wind first annual gathering, along with various other activities along the way and now, can you hear it....a big huge sigh.  

I have about a zillion pictures that I have taken in these last few days/weeks that I have not posted or even edited for that matter...so posting all of them would be ridiculous, I mean really ridiculous. When the computer crashed and I had to re-load all of my software, I decided to load Elements 11 which I have had for awhile but never jumped in to use it.  Felt so comfortable using Elements 9 and had all of my actions loaded into that, that I just kept putting off diving into 11 or for that matter, Lightroom.  So along with all of the above happening, I have been easing into Elements 11 and Lightroom....phew.  Almost too much for this tiny, over-loaded brain to handle.  I really think in order to make room for learning all of these new processes, something has to spill out....just hoping it is not something really major that I should remember. Don't you feel like that sometimes, when that learning curve gets stretched to the limit??  But I do so believe that an active mind is a healthy mind.  

One of the ladies from Focusing On Life, Kelly, sat down with me one evening and very slowly and carefully (I need that slow and careful) began to teach me a little about Lightroom.  So I have been doing some of my editing in Lightroom.  I wish Kelly lived next door, there is a lot more to learn, but at least I have my big toe in the proverbial water.  May have to do a conference call soon. 

On Tuesday evening I picked Kim up from her Mother's home after her visit with family to bring her to my house so we could spend some girlfriend time together prior to the other 4 that arrived on Thursday afternoon.  Wednesday I took Kim to the Morton Arboretum that was filled with blooming flowers and blue skies.  I love my Arboretum and I love sharing it with others.  


Along with all of the gorgeous views...it also has some pretty spectacular flowers in bloom right now, along with a huge collection of crawling critters....




Kim always has an amazing way with nature, she managed to coax this critter on to her and I was able to catch this shot just as he was descending onto her hand...


And how about this?? Hello you...


Then she spotted this guy....


I am just glad we didn't find any snakes or she would have them crawling on her too....yipes

Everyone arrived on Thursday evening and then the fun began....We had such a good time together, spending time on the back porch....trekking out to the country to get some barn shots, taking them to the Riverwalk and going into the city of Chicago for some all-day fun.  We packed alot into that brief time together.  The next time we agreed it had to be for a longer stay, we needed more hang time. 


A little country church we found along our country travels and I decided to try b&w on the stained glass windows....I like the effect.


And Saturday was Chicago day.  It was beautiful and almost perfect weather.  Carol had booked a room at the University Club via her sister who lives here and we were allowed to go on the 12th floor balcony and take these shots.



After this we grabbed a couple of taxis and we were off to Navy Pier....


While there we took the Architectural Boat Tour which is always such a fun way to see Chicago...


After lunch on Navy Pier we hopped on a water taxi to take us to the Museum area in order to take more shots of the Chicago skyline...


Arriving at the Museum area, the crowds began to grow with young girls walking around with shirts on saying "we will never, ever forget this night"....then we realized Taylor Swift was in town for a concert at Soldier Field....!!!  YIKES.  But we stayed long enough to get some shots of the skyline, then it was time to grab a taxi to head for the train and back home again.


Just a wonderful time with some truly wonderful women.  Ya just never know when you can develop a sweet relationship with a group of women that all share a common passion, photography.   It is a beautiful thing.

Until next time......

41 comments:

  1. sometimes our days are frantic, the days roll into weeks. You're finally bringing your head up out of water Deanna and having some good times again. Enjoy your photos and your new learning curves. I haven't ventured into new photo-editing programmes in umpteen years. Like you it's the whole big learning curve thing ...and precious time. I commend you for taking it on; great that you have a tutor nearby

    ReplyDelete
  2. IMPRESSIVE photos! I am totally challenged with these photo programs, I begin, I stop, I remain frustrated and would love a tutor close at hand-

    ReplyDelete
  3. I wish I had a group like you have, it would be so fun to enjoy photographing together. Pictures are so gorgeous, what beautiful flowers (my favorites always but you know that already:)

    ReplyDelete
  4. HI Yes that is what I also would need.a tutor next door. You photos are very impressive, as Lynn has said. You all seem to have had a whale of a time together. great shots as memories.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Gorgeous!! So fun to get to spend time with these fun ladies! I loved seeing Kim's snippets on instagram!

    ReplyDelete
  6. i can't pick a fav. i love the creature close-ups. looks like a great day. so fun! ( :

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a fabulous time spent with friends! :)
    Lovely photos of Chicago and stunning close ups of the critters!

    ReplyDelete
  8. GREAT SHOTS Deanna, and so glad that all of you had such a wonderful time together! How much fun! All of your shots are lovely! Morton's arboretum!! Have been there, but so many years ago. Think I will have to try to stop there the next time I am in Illinois!!! You have reminded me. So are we still on for Italy?? Have not heard from you, and sounds as if you have been so busy it is no wonder. I am leaving for Montana tomorrow evening, so as soon as I get home lets "get together" for planning this. Will still give us 6 or 7 weeks. Talk to you soon! Again, glad you had such a great time this past week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. sounds like a wonderful whirl-wind you've had. i liked the shots from the 12th floor. not sure i've ever seen the bean from the air.

    i really like the praying mantis stepping so gingerly onto her hand!!! and the opening photo was just dreamy.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What beauty in photos and friends, pea green here and it is my complexion, How fun your last few days must have been totally awesome in so many ways. Loved all the images, beautiful just like you. Great choice on the b/w that one is so over the top in my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  11. A fantastic whirlwind of fun! I love the praying mantis shot- that is awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What fun you all must have had--I can only imagine! Your photos are stunning, Deanna.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fabulous images. I like the stained glass in black and white.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, wow!it looks like you had one fabulous time!! I just loved looking at all your photos - outstanding - especially the critters!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Amazing shots! I have fun seeing all of the great Chicago sights so you must have had fun taking those. I've only been there once for work. That bug on the hand is the best though. Nice macro!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks like you had a beautiful time together... awesome photos. I would love to visit Chicago one day!

    ReplyDelete
  17. oh wow beautiful photos!! I used to like the praying mantis too until i heard they can kill hummingbirds. i don't know if this is true or not, but who knows? anyway all of the photos are just stunning! so glad you had a fabulous time!

    ReplyDelete
  18. It's always great, to spend time with friends who have the same interests as you.

    Glad you had such a good time. And, glad things are settling down a bit, for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What an amazing time you all had...their is nothing like sharing a passion together with like minded ladies.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hi Deanna, This looks like such a fun outing to Chicago. I've only been once and it was for business so I didn't get a lot of time to explore. And I've always wanted to visit the Morton Arboretum. I will have to plan a trip!

    Hope this week is calmer for you. I'm so glad to hear you are learning Lightroom. It's an indispensable part of my work flow, even more for cataloguing and organizing than editing, although it's a great time saver in that regard, too. Let me know if you have any questions!

    G

    ReplyDelete
  21. oh deanna...how i wished we lived closer too. and not just so that we could share photography and processing tips. just so enjoyed your hospitality and company this past weekend. enjoyed so much seeing your neck of the woods (and yes! wasn't that amazing getting to see downtown from the hotel!!). sigh...so many wonderful memories. so glad we have our photos to always remember. xoxxo

    ReplyDelete
  22. Welcome Back!
    Love that shot of the Praying Mantis and the other little guy. What a face he has!
    Looks like you had a wonderful time!
    A need a mini vacation after reading all you've done these past weeks. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yay for you and the FOL Girls, Deanna! I am so glad you gals had a great time sight seeing and spending time together. Priceless!

    Love the colors you captured in your flower pictures. The B&W Stain Glass window turned out fabulous.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Glad you are back; I have missed you....One thing is for sure from the looks on your faces you girls were having a ball. I would expect that all of you are tired this week from having so much fun and clicking photographs at warp speed. I am looking forward to seeing more pictures of your adventures....

    ReplyDelete
  25. Deanna, so glad you had such a wonderful time with your friends! Your photos are great! That praying mantis shot where he's looking right at you is AMAZING. You have a gift, no doubt about it. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Sounds like a great time! I absolutely LOVE those shots of the mantis. And every shot of Chicago as well.

    ReplyDelete
  27. What a fabulous post, and what a fabulous time you all must have had. Makes me eager to be back in Chicago and to visit with you. Wishes for a great and relaxed rest of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  28. It looks as though you all had a fabulous time!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow Deanna, what a wonderful time you all must have had! I keep thinking I need to explore Lightroom too, but then I think there s sooooo much about Photoshop that I do t yet know! I always seem to be behind everyone when it comes to this stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  30. It looks like you all had such a great time! You sure came away with a great group of photos. I've been thinking of getting Lightroom, but then I think about learning how to use it and it feels a little overwhelming :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. So fun! Love all the photos and the lovely ladies! The city is beautiful and that water shot is amazing - the color of the water is so pretty! Glad you had a wonderful time. xo

    ReplyDelete
  32. It sounds like you had a wonderful, fun-filled time in Chicago! Your photos are all so beautiful, Deanna. I think my favorite has to be the praying mantis.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Too bad you didn't go to the concert....y'all would've had a blast watching all the teens and tweens and cheering along with them for Taylor! She puts on the BEST concert EVER! I have been to see her twice and would have already gone a third time had I been able to get tickets!

    Love all your photos, of course! So happy for you that you have such wonderful friends to spend time with...and that help you with computer programs! That really IS a friend!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi Deanna, i have a friend who just took a three day seminar on Lightroom. Learning i.s (luckily) never-ending, isn't it? You ladies look like you're having way to much fun! I really can't remember a busier summer for myself either. We're in Denver overnight - our 47th anniversary. Love the softness of your flower photos.

    ReplyDelete
  35. You certainly have been busy, Deanna! Hope things do slow down for you just so you can catch your breath! Glad you had a lovely time with your friends. Gorgeous photos ... love the flowers, the bugs not so much. :) You'll love Lightroom! Takes a bit to catch on but once you do, there'll be no stopping you! xo

    ReplyDelete
  36. I really enjoyed this post. It was fun seeing all of you guys together. I just know you guys had a blast together.. Awesome photos my friend.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  37. Those balcony and water shots are spectacular! Only a tiny bit envious! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh, and I almost forgot--I also bought Lightroom recently. I love it so much more than Photoshop, but I am having a horrible time giving up iPhoto. There are some really great tutorials on YouTube if you haven't already checked them out.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for leaving a comment, I read and cherish them all. I will do my best to return the favor.