MI Mighty Mac

I've entered my image in a photo comtest and would love any and all votes I might receive.

http://contest.wacom.com/entry/218584

Thanks everyone!

I'm Being Published

I am super excited. My image is going to be published in the Great Lakes Bay Region Official Travel Guide. I can't wait to see my image in print.

Double Rainbow

This is an image that I merged together to get the full rainbow. On the right side you can see a faint double rainbow. This was such a weird day. I left the store and saw the double rainbow. I stopped took pictures then moved to a better location for shots. My cousin, who was with me, and I watched the rainbows fade. We started to head home and BAM! the rainbows appeared again. I frantically tried to figure out where I could safely pull off the road and take more pictures. Found a place and the image above is the result from this little endeavor. And to think I almost waited to go to the store at a later date.


Info from Wiki about double rainbows:

"In a double rainbow, a second arc may be seen above and outside the primary arc, and has the order of its colours reversed (red faces inward toward the other rainbow, in both rainbows). This second rainbow is caused by light reflecting twice inside water droplets. The region between a double rainbow is dark, and is known as "Alexander's band" or "Alexander's dark band". The reason for this dark band is that, while light below the primary rainbow comes from droplet reflection, and light above the upper (secondary) rainbow also comes from droplet reflection, there is no mechanism for the region between a double rainbow to show any light reflected from water drops."

MI Lighthouses

For our family vacation this summer, we took a small tour of North Western Michigan. In three days, we enjoyed visiting 5 of the many lighthouses found in MI. Above are three of my favorite images that I took.

High Flying Flag

We took the boys to see all the antique fire trucks on display Saturday in Frankenmuth.

The boys loved it, as did my hubby and I. We walked around and then had a picnic lunch; it was such a nice relaxed day, despite the heat.

The above image is actually a composite of two images I shot that day.

Bleeding Heart

We took one of my nieces and a nephew with us to the zoo the other day. The flowers were really starting to bloom. I don't know why I'm always drawn to this flower but it is among my favorites.

The past two weeks this image seems to be very fitting of. We have been put through the emotional rollercoaster. On June 14th we celebrated the graduation of my niece from high school. June 15th brought sorrow to the family with the passing of my husbands grandmother, she was 89. June 17th, I had a fun photo shoot with the kids in the mud. Later that evening, I learned of the passing of a dear family friend, she was 82. June 19th we had a graduation open house for my niece. The 20th and 21st were spent at the funeral home for Grandma. The funeral was on the 21st. I didn't have much time to rest as I had to get shopping done for a family reunion with my mom's family that took place this past Saturday. In the meantime between shopping trips I learned of two high school friends who both lost their mothers this past week. Saturday was an enjoyable day with the family. Sunday I suffered from a terrible migraine. Today I had a wonderful 9month old to shoot pictures of followed by the funeral for our family friend. So needless to say, I am really hoping and praying for a peaceful few days to get caught up on the things I have to do and maybe work on a few things that I'd like to do.

Frankenmuth Hot Air Balloon Festival - Friday

Memorial Weekend we went up to Frankenmuth to see the Hot Air Balloon Races and to see the Glows. I am so glad we went Friday. We were able to catch one race (the only race out of seven that was able to be completed.) This was also the only night that they had a full glow in the evening.

This is one of the fiesta flyers after take off.


One of the competitive flyers as it floated directly overhead.


The Friday evening balloon glow.


Such a fun day and we went back Saturday and Sunday. These days were not as exciting but still a lot of fun. Looking forward to next year's festival.

March's Super Moon

Here it is rising over the horizon and trees.

While killing time between shots, I noticed the reflection of the bus garage in my side view mirror and thought why not so I took a pic. I was sitting in the parking lot of my local high school taking images.

I made my first attempt at astrophotography. Not bad for a first attempt, I'm hoping to do more when the weather is warmer.

And finally, an image of the Super Moon.

I was a little disappointed. I had built it up in my mind with all the media coverage and all. It really didn't appear all that different to me but I'm still glad I shot the images no matter what as it allowed more practice in Manual mode.

Almost a Month

Wow I know I've slowed down on my posting but usually no more than a week or two between posts. I have definitely hit a busy season in my life and this past month has been full of the not so ordinary events. We have been to several doctors appointments for my youngest, I just recently finished serving as a juror on a murder trial, and have been babysitting a, now, six month old for the past couple of months, on top of the normal mothering/housewife duties. Oh and I've been trying to get my photography business going as well. Now that the weather is starting to be nicer outside, I'm hoping to get out more and shoot some pics.

My Valentine

Ready for Spring

So all of the snow has pretty much melted around here. The big news is that we are supposed to be getting 4-8 inches by 8am Monday. I am so ready for spring. I want to be able to go for long walks again. I love the snow but I'm ready to be done until next winter. Let's hope the SPRING really is only another 28 days away.

"God Gave Us the World" Book Review

God Gave Us the World is very cute and a quick read for bedtime or other times. It is a great way to introduce your children to other cultures. I know many families who focus on specific countries and the missionaries they know in those countries as way of studying those countries. This is a great way to help with introducing this concept to the elementary aged student. I did receive a complimentary copy of the book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for review purposes.

A couple of weeks ago, I attended the Zehnder's Snowfest in Frankenmuth, MI. It was so fun walking around looking at all of the competitive sculptures. The only problem was that it was super overcast that day. So, I convinced my husband to go back a few days later, the day after a "blizzard" hit the area to be precise, when the sun was shining and just gorgeous outside.

"Radical" Book Review

I recently finished reading the book “Radical” by David Platt, a complimentary book that was provided to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for review purposes. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was thought provoking as well as spiritually convicting. While I would have liked to have seen a few more scripture references listed within the reading, the book is scripturally sound and something every one of us needs to think about and act upon. My views have changed immensely and still I have a long way to go in changing my thoughts and actions in order to truly fulfill the request of Christ in my life. In the book, we are reminded that “the gospel is the revelation of who God is, who we are, and how we can be reconciled to him.” (28) This really hit home. While I knew mentally that we are to be reconciled to God, reconciliation to God is not how I always live my life. I realize that all too often I am trying to make God fit into my mold instead of trying to make myself fit into God’s mold. Platt also states that the “Biblical proclamation of the gospel…demands and enables us to turn from our sin, to take up our cross, to die to ourselves, and to follow Jesus…Jesus is no longer one to be accepted or invited in but one who is infinitely worthy of our immediate and total surrender.” (39) Oh how this statement rang true in my ears. We need to surrender our lives to Jesus and live for Him. Mere acceptance just simply isn’t enough. It is this “total surrender” that He needs from us. Granted it is not easy to surrender and something each of us do daily and most often fail miserably daily but the key is in surrendering daily. Platt has given an excellent challenge to today’s church. I would completely recommend this book to others and have actually already referred to ideas found in the book in my everyday conversations.

Blue Jay in Pine Tree

I snapped this guys picture back on January 22 during a snowfall. I love how brilliant his colors were. I did enhance the photo by desaturating the scenery and leaving him at full color.

Feed the Birds

Water-Kissed Sand

Not sure which image I like better the color or the black and white but I do know that I would like some warmer weather. Don't get me wrong I love the snow but just wish it accompanied warmer weather.

Happy NEW Year!

Hope that everyone's New Year is filled with lots of little blessings.