photography Archives |

Photos from Around the Homestead – May, June, July 2015

July 9, 2015 By Laura 6 Comments

*Hello Friends! First, there are a whole bunch of photos to this post here, so you really need to NOT scroll, and just let them load for a minute. Therefore, you might as well just read this brief intro, if you are one who usually just looks at the pictures. 😉

About the title: I always use the term ‘homestead’. So just so you know, yes, we do understand that we do not technically live on a true homestead, by definition. But we still have taken to the word. We are simply referring to our home and the little tiny property we live on. We’re going to keep using it, because it works for us.

Lastly, it’s been quite an unusual spring and early summer for us all. Kind of tough, but it’s all good. I am finally starting to get around on my own two feet, following my wicked broken ankle and torn ligaments in mid-April. That kept any usual projects and activity off the table. But God has taught me much through it all, as I knew He would. Things like patience, Psalm 46:10, and all of that good and hard stuff. I didn’t realize how much transforming I had to do but, um….I see it in full color now!

Anyway, the photos are probably loaded now. Just some brief descriptions from here on out. Hope you enjoy……
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Flock Photography Fun! | Chickens

November 16, 2014 By Laura 3 Comments

Hello, Friends! Welcome.
We’ll have something more….helpful, for you later this week. But we thought we’d start your week off light, and just share some recent photos I’ve taken of our rooster and hens. A little flock photography fun, if you will! Thought you might enjoy them.

There are many, so please let them all load, before scrolling!

Sweet ‘Kingston’, our Buff Orpington. She’s Michael’s baby.

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Mother’s Day | A Social ShareIt

May 11, 2013 By Laura 2 Comments

One night a week or two ago (have I told you how bad I am with time frames, yet?, lol) . . . Michael and I were having a casual conversation. So very casual in fact, that we were both in the bathroom, getting ready for bed, come to think of it. Anyway, I don’t remember (either) exactly what the conversation was originally about, but it was on the topic of Mother’s Day being around the bend. And the course of that conversation led me to state how “Mother’s Day was a way bigger deal to me, than my birthday”.

For some reason, that statement seemed to get Michael’s attention in such a way, that it got my attention, because it got his, so much. It was the surprise in his voice, and the tone of his sudden and very real curiosity, of how he said, “It does? WHY?!”.
Like he really didn’t get how Mother’s Day could trump my birthday. Which, to me, was just silly to wonder. I couldn’t believe I had to explain that.
But it was such an easy explanation. And so the answer flowed like honey, from my heart and soul:

“Mother’s Day means more to me than my birthday. Because while my birthday is a celebration of the day I was born, Mother’s Day, to me, feels like a celebration of the reason why.”

And then, after I said it so matter of factly, and maybe because it was late and I was tired, all of the power behind the sincerity of those words, that came so easily from the most sacred part of my heart, hit me. So I actually had to go into the other room for a minute, to just have a a little quiet cry with myself.
It was not a sad cry. It was a cry that just came from that overwhelming sense of love in the sincerity of the words I had just spoken, and knowing how truly blessed I am, with my children.
Truly.

I know we all are. All of us who are mothers, however we came to be one, and to whatever children God placed in our care.
We are all blessed to have this role, whether we know it or not. I know many really do.
I know I really do.

Someday, maybe I will share with you all the story of my children, and how God really did grant me their earthly lives, in a very special understanding between me and Him. Especially with the triplets; and the part their big sister played in their lives before we were even expecting them. It’s a quite deep and emotional story; so much so that it would take a lot for me to tell it all. And I know it would be a long post, and an emotional event to type. It’s another reason I’ve yet to tell it. But I can tell you this; Despite the hopeless odds and statistics, in one situation after another from the moment we learned of their conception, through the weeks following their birth, our trio are still here on earth because God heard my daily, sometimes hour-long prayers, from the 6+ month bed-rest I was prescribed to. He is the Ultimate Physician. Scientific odds and statistics are completely irrelevant, where His hand is involved. These children I have, are all here on His Creation of this earth, because it was HIS will for them to be.
And for as long as He intends them to be, He has named me; their mother.

Blessed, am I.

He gave them to me to care for, and raise, according to His will. As He did any mother who has been given a child or children, in any way they’ve been given to them. There are days I feel so very unworthy of His trust. But there are never days I don’t know what a gift it is. And so I count these 4 blessings daily, and do the best I can, with all of the love and gratitude I have, to fulfill my promises and His trust in me. I know there are days He is more pleased with me, than others. I know there are days much easier, for me, than others.
But if I pay attention, there are also days I feel Him right beside me; and the power of my role spills from a place beyond my comprehension.
We parents, we are not alone in this sometimes daunting, but always rewarding, task. Our Heavenly Father; the Father of us all, is with us every step of the way.

The journey that led to the day I held my first child in my arms, and the next chapters that led to our trio coming into this world, has shown me a conviction, of which no one can convince me otherwise:

Motherhood, is meant to be a vocation.

And it is surely mine.

Blessed, am I.
Blessed are you, mothers.
Happy Mother’s Day.

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On Facebook, you can share this creation, if you feel the same about “Motherhood”, or any other ShareIts we have so far, from our Facebook Page’s ‘Social ShareIt’ Album.
On Pinterest, you can repin from our ‘House Of Joyful Noise Social ShareIts’ Board, or you’re welcome to just pin it right from this post.

Let us know what you think of this new ‘Social ShareIt’ below, and thanks so much for swinging by!

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Ferris Wheel Photography

October 22, 2012 By Laura 12 Comments

Ever since I can remember, I have been captivated by the vision of ferris wheels. In my adult years as a photographer, it has been a little heart’s desire of mine to get an amazing shot, of a ferris wheel.

So, in the third week of September when the kids and I were driving along the highway towards Buzzards Bay one beautiful day, and spotted a grand ferris wheel over the trees, we went on a mission to find our way to it! And that we did. As it turns out, they were setting up for the annual Scallop Festival that weekend. We hadn’t been in years, so we promptly put that on our agenda! Come that Sunday after church, it was another beautiful day, and a wonderful family time together. Not only is this (annual) Festival an event in and of itself, it’s on Main Street, which is lined with a multitude of antique shops. The owners put many of their items out on the sidewalk in front of their stores too, so it’s fun to stroll by, and pop in one or six. Added to this particular weekend on that street, was also a huge church craft fair going on. It’s just a charming area to walk around anyway, and certainly the place to be on that weekend. However, in the midst of all of the wonderful things to enjoy, there was one thing I was most excited about:
photographing the grand ferris wheel.

As we walked around with the kids, I kept looking for another angle that was better than the last.
In the end, I’m not sure I got that one amazing shot I’ve been after for years, but I’ll take them for now, because I do love the ones I did get. And it sure was fun taking them, and editing them with my own flair, as well.

I think this last one after dark fell, is my favorite . . . . . .(although I really love the first one as well…..)

Which one is your favorite?
Please tell me in the comments.
. . . . . . .
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Farmers’ Markets and Photography

July 29, 2012 By Laura 16 Comments

There is just so very much, that I love about this time of the year. One of those things for sure, is going to the farmer’s markets! We have them at a few different locations here in our hometown of Plymouth (MA), and they run from June through October, on Thursdays and Saturdays of every week. One of the original ones has made a new home starting this year, at the Plimoth Plantation.

To begin with, it matters to our family, to support our local farmers and the small business people in our community. We are small business people ourselves, and knowing these vendors have families they are trying to support just like we are, makes us truly appreciate all they are trying to do. Though our specific businesses may be different, we understand the hard work involved in marketing one’s self, producing high quality work, feeling love for what you create, and having little dreams for the success of it all.

And what’s not to love, about fresh and locally grown organic food, and handmade goods anyway?

It’s just enjoyable to walk around with my kids and see what freshness is available week to week, to purchase and bring home for some good old fashioned home cooked, healthy meals. There is always great music to listen to as we stroll around, some handmade goods here and there to check out, and tasty samples offered from various vendors, hoping you’ll buy from them. We love every bit of all of it.

Then for me, is also the opportunity to just have fun, photographing all of the beauty and interest that farmers’ markets display. I often have with me my classic Canon 5D, with my 24-70 mm 1:2.8 L lens. Just loving taking photos of everything and anything, is one of the things that has encouraged me to keep on blogging! It’s an outlet to share some of my favorite photos I’ve taken, for no reason or need for them, other than the joy it brings me just taking them. And so here in this post, is some I took from our last couple of farmers’ market trips. I like to think (and sure hope!), that our readers enjoy the photos of posts as much a I do, when visiting other blogs. Whether it be for the sake of being interested in photography, or for a sense of visualization to the stories being shared.

A dozen organic eggs. Have I told you I want chickens, this week?

I want chickens. This week.

This farmers’ big white truck was parked right behind his stand on the street there. It was the perfect backdrop for my shot.

But I did buy some produce from him, such as corn on the cob, the dozen eggs . . . . . .

. . . . . . and a quart of these blueberries.

How pretty are these mixed arrangements?

A pink cosmo.
Honestly, I think this shot was taken in my own garden, in between farmers’ market trips. But I knew you woudn’t know the difference.

Especially if I’m not even sure.

I can’t tell you how much fresh, locally grown corn on the cob we eat in the summer. We lo-oooove it. And, we’ve been cooking it a whole new and easy way, lately!

I’m going to share that with you all just how, very soon, in an upcoming post.

Sunflowers. Gorgeousness.

I really wanted to buy some. But it wasn’t a need, it was a want. And I need to not buy things we don’t need, right now. Even though I want to.

Olivia is growing a great big tall one in her garden right now anyway. We can’t wait until it blooms.

This young girl, is a talented violinist. Her mom and dad are back-up musicians for her. Her dad was playing guitar, and her mom was playing some kind of drum thing, I believe. The kids and I talked to her for awhile. She goes to college right near where I grew up, and comes home on weekends. Watching her made my son, who plays piano, want to play violin now too.

This guy was firing pizza, and selling it to buyers right there on the green. I bet you anything, he and his family made this clay oven. I thought it was pretty cool to be making pizza right there. Also a little crazy, for the hottest of days.

Homemade beeswax candles. *Matches included!

; ) I don’t know why I thought that was kind of funny marketing.

Edamame.

No, it’s not the same as sugar snap peas, or snow peas.

Carrots.

I’ve never eaten a carrot, that wasn’t orange. Have you? Do they taste the same?

This guy . . . . . this guy’s name is Ray Papile. He has such a great sound, such a great style about him, he sings a great choice of songs, and I just love his voice. Easy listening, for sure. Made me wish I brought a blanket, and a big bottle of wine. I was driving one of my boys crazy, because I was so lost in his music as we strolled around, and I guess I kept saying out loud, “Oh my gosh, I love this guy!” I was having a hard time leaving the market when we were done, because of Ray, here. Can’t wait to here him again. Think I’ll be sure to have that blanket, and bottle of wine next time. Do you think the other market visitors would mind walking around me much?

Yup, farmers’ markets just ring my bell, but good. OH! That’s another thing I love about these markets! They open with the ring of a cowbell! Anyway, it must be the real country girl in me. The one who loves country fairs, and such. I grew up around a lot of this kind of thing. I have so many flash memories of being a kid and running around barefoot at fiddle and banjo, bluegrass kind of festivals. Farmers’ Markets have that kind of feel to me, when there there is some good music playing too. There’s just something about them, that makes me feel right at home.

Thanks for swinging by, listening to me chat, and looking at my photos. It’s nice to have someone to show them to, at least.

Are there any farmers’ markets in your neck of the woods? Do you go to them much, and what are your favorite things to pick up? I’d love to hear all about what yours are like, and what you love most about them.

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