Nurture Self 365

Craft & Vision e-Books 33% off till Midnight tonight

August 29, 2012 in e-Books, Education, Photography | Tags: Recommendations | Leave a comment

My * Five Star Recommendation:

David duChemin is a world renown Photographer, and fellow Canadian . . . whom I have been following since I “discovered” him about a year ago. Over the past three years he has put together a very talented team of Photographers who have helped him create and publish a library of e-books on photography related subjects – all aimed at helping you to improve your craft. I’ve learned so much about focusing, lighting situations, how to see things from different perspectives, and continue to read, absorb, and put in to practice the wealth of information.

David has just put out a new e-book simply called Finding Focus. This is just one more of his amazing publications, and at $5 each you can’t go wrong! Please – click the link here and check it out. You really have nothing to lose! And to top it off – he’s advertising 33% off until midnight tonight to celebrate 3 years since his first e-book launched. You must purchase a minimum of 10 to get the discount, but I say it’s very, very worth it! And yes – I do get a small referral fee if you purchase through this link here . . . so it’s a win/win all the way around right? I greatly appreciate the support of all my readers, and hope that you find the same value as I do from Craft & Vision’s products.

I will only advertise/recommend products that I truly feel provide great value.

365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Eight

August 28, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: blueberry, Blueberry Jam, jam, pop | Leave a comment

Blueberries are a wonderful fruit full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Its health benefits are amazingly beneficial in reducing fats, chomping down on free radicals, combating negative metabolic issues, promoting improved insulin levels, supporting ocular health and warding off diseases and cancers. I told you it was amazing! Read below to see what I have found. I’ll even cite the studies and links for you. – MissOlive

It’s been a pretty good season for blueberries here in BC. I cooked up enough to do 18 half pints, and two pint jars. I used a recipe by Paula Deen that uses fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice. I cut the sugar down by about a third after reading some of the comments . . . and it turned out really good! My favorite part of the whole process though is that wonderful sound of the jars sealing as they cool on the counter. The sign of a job well done!

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Seven

August 27, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: autumn, cooling, ending, Spring, summer, temperature | Leave a comment

“When summer gathers up her robes of glory,
And, like a dream, glides away.”
~ Sarah Helen Whitman

It’s a bit sad to be taking the pool down . . . a sure sign that the warm days of summer are over. I’m already noticing a few leaves turning on some of the trees in the neighborhood – which seems awfully early to me. We’re still getting temps from 18-25 degrees Celsius, but it cools down quite a bit at night so that the water in the pool is not holding the heat. The Little’s were in it the other day, and were chilled within minutes. Will have to look in to getting a cover that retains the heat for next year. Anyway – for now pool season is over. Ahhh Summer . . . it’s been fun while it lasted!! Oh well . . . here comes Autumn – my second favorite season. (Don’t let Summer hear this but Spring is my favorite!!)

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Six

August 26, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: father, Life, love, partner, self portrait, son, strength, strong | Leave a comment

“We need to ditch the idea that there is any value in the strong and silent man being in any way attractive. Being silent isn’t being strong, it’s being a victim.” Jane Powell

Reading this quote made me think about what a strong man I am married to/partnered with. He’s no victim! Yeah, I know – he’s digging that ditch with a back-hoe attachment on the John Deer tractor. But that’s the thing . . . he’s dug a few ditches in his lifetime so he knows the value of using the proper tools to get the job done. And now that he can afford the tools, why not use them?? I am continually amazed at his strength in all kinds of situations . . .not just ditch-digging. He fixes things, builds things, designs things, sells things, thinks big and lives large. I guess you can say I’m a huge fan of his! He keeps his cool in some pretty difficult business situations . . . when projects seem to be heading off the rails he manages to rally the troops and get things back on track. He doesn’t lose his head, he doesn’t lose his cool. He’s an amazing father who helps his boys when they need him, but at the same time enables them to make decisions and learn from their mistakes. He’s an absolutely giddy and silly Grandpa . . . completely in love with the little ones. He’s about the best son a mother could ever want . . . being there for his 93 year old mother no matter what. And most of all, he is my rock, my best friend, my confidant and life partner. Every day is not perfect . . . and guess what . . . his farts do stink . . . but I love him no matter what! We are traversing whatever ditches and mountains we encounter in life . . . hand in hand, side by side, together.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Five

August 25, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: beauty, dahlia, Flora and Fauna, flowers, fresh, Garden, tubers | Leave a comment

“Earth laughs in flowers.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

I picked out some dahlia tubers at the local nursery in the spring, and planted them in a nice sunny spot. They seemed to start off slowly, but suddenly I look out and here is this massive flower on one of the plants! It’s just gorgeous . . . I just love it when my garden surprises me like this . . .

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Four

August 24, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: acceptance, crab apple tree, love, Maya Angelou, respect, summer | Leave a comment

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou

Summer is quickly coming to an end . . . one of the signs is the crab apple tree dropping it’s ripe bounty everywhere. My Great Nephew actually likes eating the little sour bites . . . they aren’t much bigger than a big cherry. I found him “snacking” under the crab apple tree and so I had to snap a picture with him. He’s such a sweet little soul with an amazing imagination and sensitive heart. I love spending time with him . . . as I love spending time with my Grand-kids and impacting them in a way that they will always associate their Grandma with love, respect, and acceptance.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Three

August 23, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: California, energry, labor day, Oregon, Vancouver Island, west coast | 1 comment

“Feeling sorry for yourself, and your present condition, is not only a waste of energy but the worst habit you could possibly have.” Dale Carnegie

I’ve been a bit tired the last few days . . . I think the busy summer is catching up with me. It’s been a pretty awesome summer starting back in June with the arrival of my Grandson from Maryland, then a trip to the Interior, sharing some of our Canadian sights and culture. July found us in Oregon and California visiting West Coast family. Since arriving home from that trip, I’ve been to Vancouver Island for a Wedding Celebration, and up to the Interior again to the Lake for a short respite. We’re headed back to Oregon for Labor Day weekend to visit my Son who has just moved in to his new home. I think I just need some down time to fill up the energy tanks.

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty Two

August 22, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: appreciation, cleaning, Jack Kevorkian, lysol, scrubbing, Toilet | Leave a comment

“I’d find it demeaning to be cleaning toilets.” Jack Kevorkian

I don’t know why that particular quote struck my funny bone when I read it. Jack Kevorkian . . . really?? Also I guess because I think cleaning toilets is just a part of life. If more people had to, or were required to clean toilets, maybe there’d be a bit more appreciation for the people who have to clean up the messes that those who DON’T clean toilets leave behind?? It’s not a fun job, but it’s a necessary job and just one amoungst many dirty jobs that go under-appreciated by many! OK . . . I’m coming off my soap box now and going to go finish cleaning the toilets . . . lol!

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty One

August 21, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: cleaning, cleaning day, conquer, dirty floors, floor, love, mop, mopping | Leave a comment

“Love is the thing that enables a woman to sing while she mops up the floor after her husband has walked across it in his barn boots.” Hoosier Farmer Quotes

Hee hee! That quote really struck me . . . not that my husband walked across the floor in his barn boots . . . but . . . he had been working out in the yard on the tractor digging trenches. AFTER I had mopped all the floors, I was walking along bare-foot and stepped in dirt that he had tracked in on his sandals. Urg!!! He’s supposed to take his shoes off at the door anyway! Oh well, out came the broom to clean up that mess. Love DOES conquer all . . .

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365 Self Portrait Challenge: Day Two Hundred Twenty

August 20, 2012 in ma365, Photo Challenge, Photography, Self-Portrait | Tags: BC, Bubble Guppies, Fraser Canyon, Interior, lunchtime, Skihist Provincial Park | Leave a comment

“What time is it? What time is it? What time is it? It’s lunch time! What’s for lunch!” Bubble Guppies

We’re on our way back home from the Lake with MIL (she has a Drs appointment in Vancouver that can’t be delayed). We love to stop at Skihist Provincial Park on our way down through the Fraser Canyon. Today was a gorgeous day, not too hot and just a slight breeze. We had packed a picnic lunch so enjoyed a break from the 6 hour drive home. I’ve been traveling this canyon since I was far too young to remember and continue to be awed by it’s beauty.