Pictures of a Beautiful Day

The house is really beginning to come along, the weather is beautiful, the water is low but calm, and the fish are biting.  We also had a visit from good friends today.  Doesn't get much better than that!

Recital Day

I love recital days!

I love piano, I love classical music, and I love this girl.  I know I'm partial when it comes to my nieces and nephews, but you have to admit... She's good.  Did I mention she's 9?  I am constantly amazed.

Please enjoy the talented Jenna Robinson's rendition of "Beauty and the Beast" with the accompaniment of her instructor, Mr. Hicks (who also deserves special recognition, as all of his students are great).  

Here's the video:

And a few photos, to boot!

Beautiful (inside and out)!

Jenna and Mr. Hicks

Janie, Jenna, and Abie, who also did a great job!  

And while we're on the subject of this sweet thing, I'd like to include a little flashback. I present to you the 4-year-old Jenna singing "I Said the Sheep." 

A Fresh Outlook

Every once in a while, I reach into the vault and find old photos to retouch and try new techniques.  It helps to look on things with a fresh mind.  These are a few of my gorgeous niece.  We took these for her sweet 16.  Seriously, how did I get blessed with such a beautiful family?!

And her little brother hanging in the tree for good measure... :)

Happy Friday!

A Beautiful Life

Sometimes, when my heart aches, it is easy to forget the big picture, but I am so very blessed.  I have a good life, a loving home, a wonderful family, and a front row seat to displays like these that remind me how small I am and how big my God is.    

Redeeming Photo Quality

After my heartfelt post yesterday about a photo that means so much to me, I noticed something that really irked me...  The quality of my image had been destroyed upon uploading it to Blogger.  This was a hatred I had previously reserved only for Facebook's photo uploader.  How did it follow me here?  How had I not noticed before?!!  I checked the html code; nothing seemed amiss there, so I did some Google detective work, and after a few articles, I had my, "AHAAA!!!" moment.

Apparently, Google+ is involved in the filtration of photos for Blogger accounts.  It has an "Auto Enhance" feature that is automatically selected unless you go uncheck this abomination.

How to correct the problem:

• Go to your Google+ home page.  (As long as you're logged in to Google, you should be able to find a link to your account from Google.com, in case you are unfamiliar/don't use it often, like most of us.)
• Hover over the "Home" button on the top left and select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
• Scroll down and find "Photos and Videos." Under this is where you'll find the Auto Enhance option.  Uncheck it, and all will be right in the world again.

The painful part is that you will need to re-upload the photos that were improperly enhanced and swap them out on your blog.  The disclaimer below this option says it is easy to revert enhanced photos, but this must be solely on Google+ as I can't find a way to make it apply the changes automatically to my blog uploads.  

My before and after example is below.  Notice, the color is off, and she has a strange, blue area around her mouth.  No bueno.

Alas, in all of my time using Blogger, this has been my only real hiccup, so I am satisfied to have found a favorable outcome.  Hope this helps you out!  Happy blogging! 

The Joy of Being Grand

I love photography, but between traveling, school, starting a new business, and building a house, I find myself unable to squeeze in time to go out and take new shots.  Many of my pictures lately are out of function or to capture a simple moment that makes me smile before it passes by.  Often, that means I'm not getting out my fancy-schmancy Canon but, instead, snapping away with my iPhone.  Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't trade my iPhone, but taking the time to get out my gear has a way of making me more thoughtful of what I'm about to photograph, something I'm pretty sure my iPhone will never inspire.  Since I miss my old hobby, I took the time to peruse some of the photos I've taken in the past.  The pictures I love most are the ones that take me back, reflecting the true nature of the people in them.  I don't have many, but maybe that's what makes the ones I have special.  Today, I entered one of those special photos in a photo contest.  One of the companies I've ordered prints from sent out an email about a Fall photo contest, and I knew I had one that would be perfect.  I don't often do things like this, but for once, I swallowed up my fear of failure and went with it.  Is it technically the best photo in the contest?  Not by a long shot...  Will it win the contest?   Probably not...  But, I wanted to let go of the perfectionist in me, and share a moment with others that might make them smile in the same way that I do every time I see it.  The photo in question is one of my dad, holding my great niece.  We were all fancied up for my sister's wedding.  It was a beautiful fall day, and the church where the ceremony was held was on a quaint little street in the old, downtown area of Summerville, GA.  The air was crisp; the leaves were falling, and my little niece, who had just arrived, spotted her grandaddy!  (He is pretty grand... but then again, so is she!)

So here you go...  I titled it, "The Joy of Being Grand."  If you have a moment, please follow the link and give it a vote.  

http://woobox.com/ia6sry/vote/for/4907433

In case the link doesn't show the picture, here it is :)

I almost forgot...  The company holding the contest is Fracture.  Their specialty is printing photos on glass.  The quality is great, and it's a very sleek, unique style that also preserves and protects your image.  Here's a link: https://www.fractureme.com  

Don't worry, this is an unbiased opinion. I'm not getting paid! :)

The Plight of the NEW Lake House Fortress

Today, I feel like chronicling the current status of our new house and land from the point of view of the Lake House Fortress.  So, I give to you, The Plight of the NEW Lake House Fortress.  It most certainly is a plight, at the moment...  For those who missed Part 1, this should straighten it out: The Plight of the Lake House Fortress 

My dearest home base ally, 

I know it has been some time since my last contact.  Much has happened.  I regret to inform you that our Lake House Fortress was overtaken.  I take full responsibility for our loss.  I was wooed by the cunning alpha male with promises of shiny, new things.  Alas, the things are neither shiny or new.  My current stronghold is one of meager protection from the elements, although, it's wheels are encouraging, as this could make for a quick escape from future enemies.  Another redeeming quality includes a built-in drying station for articles of cloth.  This technology is inferior to the drying units of the past, but I cannot deny its merit.  You will also be pleased to know the temporary stronghold has a parking garage, although the height of this shelter is not optimal for traditional modes of transportation. 

I cannot lie.  It has not all been so easy.  The canine beasts have had to make their own adjustments.  Droplets from the heavens have proven to be more stressful for the fattest beast within the trailer of tin, and medications affect him in a way that I can only describe as a hangover.  (He sleeps when he should pee...)  I must say, his habits have improved.  Apparently, neither he nor I wish to drug him in this manner again. 

The laziest of the beasts seems less affected.  She roosts upon higher seating areas, surveying the lands and plotting her next move.  She has, however, become more demanding and vocalizes her discontentment at whim.  Still, she returns to her resting state.  The demands of her throne must me exhausting and stressful.

I am monitoring the situation closely, as the laziness seems to be contagious... 

Canine beasts aside, the location is quite nice.  The views are stunning and will prove to be distracting, I believe, to any enemy combatants that might impose upon us.  It is here where our new fortress will be constructed. 

The housing for water-propelled devices is nearly complete.  This feature was key in the selection of our new fortress location.  I can almost taste the victory.  

 Celebration may be premature at this point, but I cannot help myself.  Even the alpha male can appreciate this excitement, although, I am sure he was mocking me from ashore. 

I have also come across new spies in the form of Felis catus.  They are nosey.  Some would describe it as curiosity, but I am not fooled.  Additionally, their cuteness is unnerving but also a nice distraction from the mess, as the excavation has begun.  Must... not... submit...  Ah, I can't help it.  I like them.  They must be fed...

But back to the fortress...  The alpha male oversees the construction.  I concede that this is helpful, but I must maintain final authority.  I will enforce creative opinions as we near the end.  Until then, I will allow the illusion of control to rest in his hands.  Also, there is much dirt.  Dirt is everywhere.  

  And motorized machinery... Everywhere...  Wielded closely to the trailer of tin...  

I have charged the larger of the two canine beasts with overseeing this overindulgence of equipment.  He is especially perplexed by the armed apparatus that bears the name "CAT."  Could this be related to our Felis catus visitors?  Coincidence?  Maybe to the less observant.  

I must go for now.  The mound promises to overtake the trailer of tin if I continue to neglect its existence.  It even creeps within its borders by foot.  I will not sanction this mode of entry any longer.   

Good luck my ally, and enjoy the beauty of the makings of the rest of our new Lake House Fortress and the views of its surroundings and inhabitants.

P.S. Tell the wild-haired one we have internet.