It's Finally Feeling Spring-ish // April Photo Challenge

Cherry Blossoms!

This last week has been the most gorgeous weather you ever did see. Crisp, clear blue skies~ and a gentle breeze. We even saw some temperatures in the 80's, which I really enjoyed! Of course, with all the buds waking up and blooming, I'm pretty shutter happy! ;) All of us have been practically living outside, hence my slight absence from my blog. Cuz really, who needs a blog when the world is so beautiful? :)

Anyhow, with the weather we've been having, the lighting is absolutely delicious, especially golden hour! It's so nice to be able to shoot with such a low ISO, and then a high shutter speed as well, because of how much light there is. It makes such a wonderfully crisp photo! So I've swamped myself with tons of beautiful pictures~ which is why I took the leap and finally decided to have a photography blog...all my own! It is a private blog for now, as I don't feel I'm ready to share my photos with the world yet. (there's a few of them already on pinterest *winks*) But I would be honored to add my photography friends, or anyone who is interested to my readers list. ;) Just leave a comment, and I'll be sure to add you!
 

This is one of my favorite shots!

One question: how is everyone recovering from the absence of picnik? I'm beginning not to miss it~ picmonkey just seems so much better! I like it a whole lot more.... :)

Lucia's April Photo Challenge~

I missed last month's challenge (night photography), but I shall not miss this month's~ Sunlit Portraits. Beautiful topic no?

I can't really remember why I got my camera out, but I ended up taking some awesome pics. of Ezra and LeAnn, and while I was at it, I tried my hand at some sunlit portraits, in the hopes that I might get a really nice one. I have a few I can chose from, and I think I finally decided which I like best. So without further ado:

Can anyone say 'cutie'? :D

I *think* that one is my fave.

I love those eyes!

Daawwww!

^^More of this photo shoot on my photography blog!^^

Random thought of the day: I have totally fallen in love with this violin piece, and will be hopefully playing it at my next recital. Sad and haunting, this. It's gorgeous!

So have a lovely weekend peeps!

~Dani Marie

Guest Posting | Beloved Star

Nela, at Beloved Star, has honored me by asking if I might be willing to write a guest post on her blog today. And so, I have. It's short and sweet, but it expresses my true heart. :) Let me know what you think of my first-ever guest post!

My Guest Post 

If Not For Christ

Photo Source

  In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh, Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day, Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory, Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

If not for Christ, where would we be today? Praise His Holy name for His loving sacrifice!!!

Happy Resurrection Day!

Tagged

I have had the joy of being tagged by Lizzy! I've seen a lot of bloggers doing these fun posts, so I'm all for it! I'm not sure who I'll tag back, because most of the blogs I read have already been tagged. So if you're like me, just waiting to be tagged, speak up and I'll tag you. :)

Rules of the game:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post 11 random things about yourself. (Though this can be optional.)
3. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you ask to answer.
5. Go to their blog and let them know you've tagged them. 

11 Random Things About Me:

1. One of my pet peeves is to have to read and decipher horrible grammar and spelling on fb, etc. Example:  how r u to day

 (For those of you who type in lowercase letters as a style on your blog, I'm not talking about you. In fact, I like that!)

2. I stepped on a rusty nail this week.

3. I like my coffee super strong and sweet. Italian Roast, bring it on.

4. I wear flip flops and short sleeves all year round. (How can I help it?)

5. My favorite skirts are worn over and over until they literally fall apart. 

6. I cannot stand the taste of artificial grape, orange, blueberry, or watermelon.  Any product (suckers, Jolly Ranchers, popsicles, etc.) made of those flavors are terrible!

7. I'm on a mission to shoot only in the Manual mode on my camera. I also shoot in RAW + Jpeg. Results~

After the rain...

Jenna

8. As of right now, my favorite two music albums are: In Christ Alone, Keith & Kristyn Getty and Breaking of The Dawn, Fernando Ortega. I lovelovelove Fernando O. His music is just so good~ like the hymns.

9. I love books. They're my friends. What more do I say?

10. Getting up earlier in the morning will help you to feel a whole ton better than getting up late. Proven fact.

11. My new favorite scents from Bath & Body Works are Twilight Woods, and Paris Amour. If you don't have them, get them.


1. What's your favorite music, genre/artist?

 Well, ^^^# 8 ^^^.

2. What do you like on your pizza?

Oh anything. I like pizza! Truth is, I'm not a picky eater when it comes to real food.

3. Do you like subtitled/foreign films/dramas? If so, which ones are your favorites?

O.o I've never seen a foreign film. For drama, I guess I would have to say Pilgrim's Progress: Journey To Heaven and Pendragon. I have not seen Courageous or October Baby yet, but I think those will rank among  my top faves once I do.

4. What is your favorite cartoon character from film or comic book?

Wow, I'd have to say Perpetua. I admire her strong Christian character and tenacity in the face of death. Love that short film!

5. What's your #1 fave fictional book?

Lizzy! How could you! :S M-m-maybe 'The Lost Baron'?!?

6. When you find yourself  liking a character, does it generally tend to be the all-righteous hero, or the bad-turned-good guy?

Ha! The All-Righteous Hero! Annnddd, maybe on occasion the bad good guy.

7. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

You mean, where do I wish to see myself in 5-10 yrs. lol. Well I wish to see myself happily married, with a few kids by then, and living wherever that may be with my true love. Teaching my children all the wonderful things I have learned about God and his creation every day. Kissing their baby hands. Cooking for my husband~ and serving him in any & every way. Loving him with all of my heart~ Full of beautiful LIFE!

8. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you travel/live and what would you do?

I would go to Ireland, hands down. It's just such a beautiful place, and I don't think I could ever get board of the quaint villages, heather, authentic Irish fiddling (they play it in the streets all the time!) and refreshing rain. It's one of my dreams. :) But I think I'd be torn between living there, and missing the mountains and forests.

9. Do YOU like rice pudding? If so, what's wrong with you?! *cough*

Hahaha, um, I don't believe I've ever had rice pudding, that I can think of. Should I try it, do you think? :D

10. Do you often skip boring parts in books simply because, well, they're boring?

Yeah. I confess, a lot of times I'll skip over boring conversations and long, drawn-out, seemingly unnecessary parts. Though, I haven't read many books that have much of that. Sometimes too, I'll speed read, especially if the book is particularly interesting and adventurous!

11. Do you like guns?

:D Yeah, so so. 

 Okay, so here are my questions: (I'm gonna try and think of some really good ones...) :D

1. Do you like photography? If so, what aspects do you like about it?
2. Can you whistle a merry tune? :)
3. If you like to cook, what meal do you least like to prepare?
4. Rattle Snake, or Calamari?
5.  Do heights bother you?
6. What 5 things (that you think are essential) would you wish to have with you if stranded on a forgotten island?
7. Have you ever received a trophy/medal/ribbon for an accomplishment before? If so, what was it?
8. Do you like to draw, paint, play and instrument, or write stories/poetry?
9. Do you like to sing?
10. For those of you who are fashion oriented, what do you think about scarves?
11. What are some of your favorite things to do to amuse yourself on long road trips?

How's that? :)