flowers ... 12/365

flowers 
/ˈflaʊərz/, noun
the blossoms of a plant.

... too pretty to pass by without a portrait ... vibrant ... not outside or even remotely from here ...

pink ... 11/365

pink

/pɪŋk/, adjective, -er, -est.
a color varying from light crimson to pale reddish purple.

... pink flamingo ... hey ... i could have captured a photo of the pink dryer lint that overwhelms our dryer from the girly-girl clothing ... but i didn't feel much like doing laundry that day ...

hand ... 10/365

hand 
/hænd/ , noun
the terminal, prehensile part of the upper limb in humans and other primates, consisting of the wrist, metacarpal area, fingers, and thumb.

... a little hand ... resting against a daddy's back ... is there really anything more comforting or sweet than that??

go fish! ... 9/365

go fish!

/goʊ fɪʃ/

encouragment of any of the various cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates, having gills, commonly fins, and typically an elongated body covered with scales.

... determined little bugger ... i think you can see it in his eyes ... i just want to be his personal cheerleader ... but without the whole cheerleader get-up ... but maybe the pom-poms ... 'cause i was so totally and completely never a cheerleader in high school ... but i think i could rock the pom-poms.

feathered ... 8/365

feathered

/ˈfɛðərd/, adjective

clothed, covered, or fitted with (or as with) feathers or wings

... the rainbow of colors was scarcely visible ... it was only with the camera that we were able to see the multitudes of color upon this bird ... don't ask ... i have no idea what type of bird this is ... beautiful, though ... huh?

blue ... 7/365

blue 
/blu/, adjective
the pure color of a clear sky; the primary color between green and violet in the visible spectrum, an effect of light with a wavelength between 450 and 500 nm.

... i haven't been much into tweaking color and such for this challenge ... but as soon as i saw the tweak on this one ... i couldn't turn back ... it emphasized the swirl of tone on tone color upon this dolphin's back ... and i was in love with it ... as is my cora ... she could watch these things for HOURS.

oops ... 6/365

oops
/ʊps, ups/, interjection

used to express acknowledgement of a minor accident, blunder, or mistake.

... oops ... wrong feet ... oops ... wrong shoes ... oops ... wrong occupant of said shoes ... oops ... cute picture taking opportunity ... and even more precious memory.

baked goods ... 5/365

baked goods

/beɪkt gʊdz/, noun

foods (like breads and cakes and pastries) that are cooked in an oven

... the girly-girls begged for a chance to bake cupcakes on saturday night ... well ... one of them begged ... the other agreed with whatever big sister said ... in the end ... it was decided ... strawberry cupcakes with pink and purple frosting ... because those are the colors of my girls ... really? ... i'm the only person in the world that color codes my children? ... pink and purple ... which totally saves me from having to eat ANY of them ... i despise frosting ... especially colored frosting.

button ... 4/365

(belly)button 
/ˈbɛliˌbʌtn/, noun informal.
the navel.

... in our house ... buttons are most often referred to in this sense ... cora went through quite the phase in which there was much reciprocal bellybutton exposure ... she would show you hers ... and then expect that you would display yours as well ... proudly, of course ...

red ... 3/365

red
/rɛd/, adjective
of a color at the end of the color spectrum (next to orange); resembling the color of blood or cherries or tomatoes or rubies

not a bright red ... but a red panda ... i think i would cuddle with him if he would let me ... ah ... to be that comfortable and relaxed ... someday ... though not on a tree branch.

snow ... 2/365

snow(y)
/ˈsnoʊi/, adjective
abounding with snow; covered with snow.

... in our house ... this is what we call a snowy skye ... our dog, skye, after a romp - a twist - and a roll in the snowy backyard ... she primarily does it when it's below zero ... go figure.

photographer ... 1/365

photographer

/fəˈtɒgrəfər/, noun

one who practices, or is skilled in, photography.

... what i hope to be (a little more of) by the end of this project. if a photographer is one who takes pictures ... then i guess i already am. professionally, though? only if the journey takes me there ... i'm not striving for that recognition ... just hoping to be a better me.

the down low ... yo.

i found a challenge! yippee! a group ... see - over there - on the left ...

the guidelines are ...

1. photos are to be taken in 2009
2. post your own work only
3. post a photo to match each theme
4. “make your own theme” up to 52 times during the year
5. images may be edited or unedited - your choice
6. keep your images, text, and comment appropriate for all ages
7. support your fellow participants with comments and feedback
8. have fun and learn something

i think i can ... i think i can ... i think i can ...

so ... also ... over there on the left you will find the running list o' themes. i will cross off a theme whenever i complete it.

i'm kinda thinking about having my little one, stella, join in on the fun - when she feels like it. she just got a camera for christmas this year ... and she might really enjoy the project too. i'll let you know if she decides to join in.

for now ...

a welcome.

shhh ... this is kind of a (not-so) secret little place where i am hoping to work on a 365 challenge.

my 365 challenge?

to get better at taking pictures.

without using the automatic mode crutch on my new camera.
and by using less of my flash.
and capturing moments.
and finding beauty around myself ... on a somewhat daily basis.
really just ... taking pictures ... to get better ... at taking pictures.

that's all. thanks for stumbling on through. feel free to come back and check on us.

oh yeah ... and the title?? not sure. i just know i'm breaking down a little - stressed, fatigued, frustrated. isn't that what happens to us mommies on a regular basis?

and i thought i should look for the beauty in it NOW ... before i get too caught up in the breaking down part.