Nurture Self 365

“The eye of a human being is a microscope, which makes the world seem bigger than it really is.” Kahlil Gibran

Today I started reading this amazing e-book by Evan Sharboneau from PhotoExtremist.com.  Oh my freaking goodness . . . I’m trying to wrap my head around half the stuff he does!  Look for my take on his many and varied techniques  . . .  Today though – I downloaded a new app to my iPad – Snapseed.  So this is the result of me playing around with it.  I snapped this pic of me with only the light from the iPad in a dark room and then fiddled with the special effects in Snapseed . . . 

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day Twenty Five

“When two friends understand each other totally, the words are soft and strong like an orchid’s perfume.” Martin Luther King Jr.

This gorgeous Orchid was given to my MIL by a close friend.  They are such beautiful delicate flowers.  A pink orchid conveys pure affection, which is very evident these past two weeks in the outpouring of love towards MIL.  I couldn’t help but notice the similarity in color to the main stone (my birthstone Garnet)  in my wedding ring.  I did process this photo a little bit in Lightroom and Photoshop.

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day TwentyFour

“Every man’s work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or anything else, is always a portrait of himself, and the more he tries to conceal himself the more clearly will his character appear in spite of him.” Samuel Butler

Decided to take a “shot” at really showing myself in my self portrait today.  Think it turned out not so bad.

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day Twenty Three

“Ideas are like pizza dough, made to be tossed around.” Anna Quindlen

We don’t eat pizza much, as we really try to watch the fat and carbs.  Tonight was just one of those nights when it was necessary to make the call!  And a yummy call it was!  We have a local little Mom’n Pop place that makes the best Pizza and they deliver it so fresh and hot.  I’m just sayin’ . . . sometimes a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do . . . 

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day Twenty Two

“Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships.”
Charles Simic

I was sitting in my office at my desk working and found myself staring in the mirror opposite me . . . at the photo I had taken this past November of Kilauea Lighthouse from Secret Beach on Kauai.  Such a serene, beautiful island.  On this day, the surf was quite high and powerful.  I am a huge fan of lighthouses, and have a small collection of them.  I suppose it’s the beacon that lights the way that attracts me . . . no matter how dark the night . . . it’s always there to guide one to safety.  There’s also something about the power of the ocean that is so calming and relaxing.  I can sit mesmerized for hours watching the waves and the birds and feel the power of Mother Nature in all her beauty.  I believe that we each carry that beauty within us to share in our own special way – we each are beacons that can shine as brightly as we allow, to inspire others around us to shine also.  

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day Twenty One

“Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity.”  ~Kay Redfield Jamison

Today was a shorter day at hospital with MIL as she was busy with physio in the morning.  I had my 3.5yr old Great Nephew with me also, with added an element of fun – I always love spending time with him.  He’s full of energy and imagination . . . I took him outside at one point to burn off some of that energy.  He saw me taking pictures (as I’m constantly looking for that 365 Self Portrait opportunity!) and raced up to the door, stopped dead in his tracks and said “Take a picture of me now!!” So I did!  Perfect!  And so here is my Day Twenty!

365 Self Portrait Challenge Day Twenty