December 31, 2015

Garden Lights

My husband and I walked through the Naples Botanical Garden last night to catch the light show.  It was spectacular.

All photos taken with i-phone 6s.











December 26, 2015

Oh Christmas Tree...

Someone had fun celebrating Christmas on the beach.  I discovered this sweet little tree as the sun was coming up today.


December 19, 2015

The artist's palette...

We were invited to an open house last night hosted by water color artist Jane Huggins and her husband Rick.  It was fun to meet new neighbors.  I looked in Jane's studio and lusted after her many art supplies.  Her palette was out and I couldn't resist taking a quick photo!


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sARTurday

December 7, 2015

catching up...

Getting ready for the holidays has kept me from blogging, editing photos and the like.  Finally, the gifts have been made/purchased, wrapped and sent - yippee - time to get back and work on photos once again.

My original photos taken with my i-phone 6s.

A cairn found on the walk up to Sanson Peak, Banff, Alberta, Canada.

Night view of a vine growing on the side wall of our hotel in Banff.  I particularly like this photo!

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November 28, 2015

Winter in Naples

This morning, my husband and I took a quick trip down to the Naples Pier to see how it looks now that it's been updated.  It's beautiful!

People watching is one of my favorite things to do.  We have tons of visitors this time of year enjoying the winter sunshine.


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November 11, 2015

Hazy Day

I recently upgraded to Photoshop Elements 14.  There is a great deal going on at Costco - $40 off the regular price of the software!

There are a number of new features that I'm experimenting with - one of which is haze removal.  My original photograph taken in Banff, Alberta, Canada.

original photo with haze

 hazed removed

I think the software did a pretty good job removing the haze.


November 2, 2015

Hot off the press...

I just received my complimentary copy of the December/January 2016 issue of "Quilters Newsletter" magazine.  My art quilt "Affirmations" was featured in the Photo Finish section of the magazine.


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October 29, 2015

3 Pears

Pears are one of my favorite fruits.  I especially love making salads with the red pears - so beautiful and tasty too.  Tonight one of these sweet things will be served with our dinner :-)




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October 27, 2015

home again

We had a lovely trip to Banff.  I can hardly believe we've been home one week already.  Tackling the process of culling through what seems like a thousand photos has been a challenge.  I've got many hours ahead of me deleting the "what was I thinking" photos; categorizing, editing...you get the idea.

We flew into Calgary and rented a car to drive to Banff.  Banff is a small town.  It's surrounded by glorious mountains, lakes, rivers - everywhere one turns there is something beautiful to see.

A view from one of the numerous hiking trails

I don't know what kind of a tree this is - the berries are a glorious red and against a blue and white sky - oh my!

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October 18, 2015

1A and more...

A cool, cloudy morning with a hint of rain - we decided to drive up Rte. A1 for a look see. 

Baker Creek

Back in Banff to visit Cave and Basin National Historic site.

Cave and one of several hot springs

 Lower boardwalk along marsh land

marshland

Glaciers and more...

We had a wonderful adventure in Jasper National Park.

Vehicle which took us to Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier

Glacier Skywalk - amazing views all around


Glorious blue waters of Peyto Lake

While looking for a parking space on the street, we found this bull elk grazing on the grass in a churchyard right behind our hotel in Banff!

October 16, 2015

Up, Up and Away

We rode the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain - walking up tons of stairways to Sanson Peak, the highest point on the mountain.  The views were absolutely spectacular.  We were blessed with relatively warm morning - in the 40s when we reached the top.  By the time we got to the base again, it was closer to the high 50s.

Banff Gondola

 Stairways leading to summit

View from the top


Picnic lunch at Lake Minnewanka

We finally saw some wildlife and they mooned us!


October 15, 2015

Banff and Lake Louise

Enjoying this trip so much.   The weather could not be better!   We walked the Bow Falls Trail this morning.

Wildlife on the trail :-)

Bow Falls

We drove up to Lake Louise - plan to return another day when we have more time to hike.

October 14, 2015

Banff, Alberta, Canada

After a day of travel, we arrived a the international airport at Calgary.  We rented a car and drove toBanff.  The weather is glorious - cold, but clear skies and a light breeze.

We hiked the Tunnel Mountain Trail this morning.  Lunch in town.  Walked over the Bow River Bridge where Banff Avenue ends.  Here are views from each side of the bridge.



Needless to say, we're having a great time.


September 24, 2015

City Lights...

It's time to take a break from sewing.  I spent some time this afternoon playing with photos in Lightroom.

City lights on a cloudy day in Chicago.


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September 11, 2015

In the zone...

When working on a new art quilt, I find it hard to keep up with my blogs, photography, etc.  The art of the quilt is very time consuming.  It's my passion.

Some of my tools

 Quilting process (I took the photo with my Apple watch!)

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August 31, 2015

Indian Maiden of Bonita Springs

I had the occasion to visit the Shangri La Spa in Bonita Springs last week.  It's a lovely place.

The natural mineral water spring for which the town Bonita Springs is named is located on the grounds and flows into Oak Creek.  There is also a spring-fed pool complete with a statue, “the Indian Maiden of the Springs."



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August 25, 2015

What's on Your Palette?

The oil colors on the palette are beautiful.  I wonder what the artist created with them.  Unfortunately, I didn't hang around long enough to find out.

Original photo taken in Charleston.