texture tuesday free and easy || it's the small things

it's so good to be back with you all and joining in again with kim's cafe this week!
i'm also giving a shout out and sending congratulations to my friend beverly from lavender bleu.
she is guest hosting this week and did an amazing job ...
and her images of those fresh pepper berries on the white backdrop ...
oh my, simply beautiful!!

as for my image this week ...
a little lone leaf had blown onto our porch recently.

how i love to watch the colorful leaves drop off the trees
and dance in the wind every year.

i wanted to capture this little one ...
to remember how special the small things in life really are.

~ the recipe ~
kk_trust
multiplied @ 50% opacity
lowered saturation
and brushed the texture from the leaf

it's been a beautiful season this fall but, they say winter is making an early appearance this week.
hope you all stay warm and cozy and remember to think on the small things in life ...
we are all so very blessed and have much to be grateful for!

~ deborah xo

texture tuesday || softly summer free and easy

i've missed a few weeks of posting with you all over at
texture tuesday ...

a bit of an update first:
back in august i shared with you the story of my nephew here in this post.
i want to thank those of you who thought of him and prayed.

early on a beautiful sunday morning, september 7th,
just before we were to make our trip to visit him,
God called our TJ home.
quietly and in his sleep, he left the pain behind.

much has transpired since then.
a sadness prevails in our family ...
and there will always be a void in our hearts.
but hope indeed reigns.



i'm sharing this image with kim's cafe.
i love roses, but have never grown them.
this particular one is called 'grandma's blessing' ...
it's one that our neighbors planted for us before they moved.
this just bloomed recently and I wanted to share it's loveliness.
it truly has been a 'blessing' to watch it grow.

sad to think that summer has come to an end ...
but we can know for sure that beauty can be found in any season!

my free and easy recipe:
kk_violet
multiplied @ 40% opacity

click the link's above to join in!
{ i've tried uploading the TT button from kim's site a few times,
but as you can see below, it's broken. has anyone else had the same problem? }

hope you all are enjoying a wonderful week weather wise.
fall seems to be making an early appearance with much cooler temperatures,
along with wind and rain that are on the way for the weekend.
even with the past few days of indian summer warmth,
the leaves are beginning to turn and fall.
hoping the weekend weather has a change of heart ...
i'd love to capture more fall colors to share.

blessings to you,
- deborah xo

texture tuesday free and easy || out of the mist

i love the changing of the seasons

the warm days of summer are beginning to wind down around here ...
you can feel it in the air.
storms are brewing west of us and should be arriving wednesday,
bringing lots and lots of rain and ushering in much cooler temperatures for the rest of the week.
looking forward to that, although the early frost they are predicting would not be good.

we have new neighbors now ...
you may remember when i shared that we lost
our landscapers last month when, sadly, they moved away.
well, this time we have a young family.
he is a mechanic (filing that info away for future reference),
and i believe she is a stay-at-home momma of two small boys.
saw them both playing out in the backyard today ...
in the mounds of topsoil and mulch where the newly planted bushes are.
not sure they'll keep the yard as nice as the previous renters,
but they seem to enjoy the fruits of his labor ...
that is what remained of the tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers.
he told us we could help ourselves, as well.
looking forward to getting to know them better.
i do enjoy meeting new friends!



linking up with kim's cafe again this week.
just click if you would like to join in.

i missed last tuesday due to the passing of a dear family friend.
it is never easy ... grief.
he will be greatly missed, but we know he is home now, and at rest.

this image of a wild flower is one i captured along the side of a country road.
the depth of field along with the added texture makes it seem as if it's reaching out of the mist.
grief can feel like that, but experience tells me that time lessens the pain.
we lost my husband's parents four years ago this month, too.
a touching story i may share sometime, but for now,
we are so very grateful for all the cherished memories we hold in our hearts.

i used kim's providence multiplied at 100% for this image.
hope you all enjoy a beautiful week making lots of memories with those you love!

blessings,
deborah xo

texture tuesday free and easy || country summer

a country summer and memories of the little things ...

the coolness of the grass beneath my bare feet.

drinking in the shade of a tree on a quilted blanket

as i watch as the flowers drink in the sunshine.

the bounty of garden ripe vegetables overflowing from a basket.

the cranking of the old ice cream maker as we wait with eager anticipation.

cold water from the garden hose quenching a summer thirst.

beads of sweat on the brow of a child after playing in the sun.

a welcome breeze through the open doors of the barn.

a hazy blue sky graced with puffy white clouds.

in the air is the smell of the tall field corn down a country road.

thunder ...

a late afternoon storm brews bringing big drops of warm rain.

seeing a rainbow appear as the sun returns.

the crickets coming together in song near the end of the day,

and those juicy sweet slices of watermelon as we watch the sunset.

it's in those moments when you realize that
summer is almost over

and, my heart is grateful for the memory of days like this ...

driving along a country road we happened upon this old barn ...
it brought back long ago memories of summer when i was a young girl.

joining in again over at kim's cafe for texture tuesday this week.
as i was working on this image
i ended up layering it using 3 of her textures
and would love your thoughts.
i'm just not sure i've done this barn quite the justice it deserves!
thank you for dropping in, and enjoy your week!

blessings,
deborah xo

kk_yesteryear . multiplied @ 80%
kk_flow . multiplied @ 50%
and to give it a more 'aged' effect i added
kk_edward . overlay @ 66%

texture tuesday || sweet shot tuesday

i really didn't like missing the entry date for last week's texture tuesday,
i am sorry i didn't get around to at least see what you all had shared.
i have no doubt that i missed some very beautiful images,
but, we've had some news of family illness that has kept me away.

many of you know that sometimes in life, there are detour signs ...
taking us off the beaten path of comfort and ease.
well, this one has taken someone we dearly love completely off the road.
it's been difficult for our family and we are praying for my dear nephew, thomas,
who we lovingly call TJ, as well as for his wife and their young son.

it's been a long road since the day of his one and only seizure in september of '09.
then the surgery to remove the tumor they discovered.
with treatment and as time passed he began improving ... life became 'normal' again.
that is until two months ago when they again discovered another tumor had been growing.
since then, they've had him on oral chemotherapy which has had some uncomfortable side effects.
TJ went back for another exam this past week ... the tumor had grown even more.
surgery at this point, is considered inoperable due to the location in his brain -
much too risky, they say.

so now, we are all taking one day at a time, not knowing what each one holds,
focusing on life, walking by faith, and holding on to one another in love, breathing prayers ...
 reaching up, trusting with hope in the One who holds us all in His arms.

if you breathe a prayer for him .... we thank you!



before i go,  i'll share quickly here my recipe for this week ...
these sweet little flowers came in a bouquet my husband brought me.
i took a few of them out into the natural light to get this image
and then used two of kim's layers.

kk_reentry . soft light . 100% opacity
kk_cora . overlay . 27% opacity

when i look at this image, the word HOPE comes to mind.
i want to thank you so much for dropping by ...
your visits and comments are so very encouraging.

blessings to each of you,
deborah xo

'faith gives us new eyes
and nothing looks the same to us anymore,
for within our faith we have eyes of hope'.

also linking up this week with kent for
sweet shot tuesday

texture tuesday || free and easy

i suppose i could call this the 'coffee edition' ...
i love coffee,
{with a touch of organic maple syrup and cream}
and, yes, vintage coffee cans.
after our morning cup, hubby and i went browsing at our local antique shop.
i'm always keeping my eyes peeled for them,
checking all the corners, cupboards, nooks, and crannies,
and i came across these old tins high on a shelf.
{just think of all the things we miss when we don't look up!}
i have to say, they were both a bit scratched up as you can see,
but still i thought they would be a good 'specimen' for
the weekly link-up with kim's
texture tuesday.

kim has another gorgeous 'free' texture to try this week as well.
unfortunately, i had edited this image with another one of her creations before i saw it,
but, i will definitely be trying it soon!

after capturing this in the natural light coming through the window,
i kept it 'free and easy' for these two different edits:

kk_marabella
multiplied @ 85%

i then took out the color of that same textured image
and gave it a soft tone for the second edit.
which one do you like?
i'm still undecided!

it sure is good to be back two weeks in a row.
i so appreciate those who stopped in for a visit, too.
i'm looking forward to seeing more of you this week.

we had an emotional weekend ...
our dear neighbors moved away and it may be awhile before we see them again.
before they left, he planted quite a few beautiful flowers
and bushes in our back yard ... for us to remember him by.
he is a very gifted landscaper and we had so hoped he would find work here.
he found a better offer in maine and we waved good-bye saturday morning.
it's so sad to look over the fence and no longer see him working in his beautiful yard.
we're feeling the loss and know it will get better with each passing day,
but we will greatly miss their 'back-door' friendship.
we're praying for neighbors who will take care of
what he so lovingly cared for ... over the fence.

on a happier note ...
two dear sweet friends were married later that same day ...
the wedding was simply beautiful.

and now, come visit the 'cafe'.
click below and browse this week's entries with me.
hope your day is blessed!

deborah xo

texture tuesday || free and easy

oh my, it's been far too long since i spent time sharing here,
but i haven't forgotten any of you just as i said in my 'last-long-ago' post!

i could go into all the details of my absence,
but for now i'll keep it short and simple to say that after a long cold winter,
as well as life's sometimes difficult journey with those we love along the way,
and gratefully watching as spring turned into summer,
it's good to be back!

i needed some time away to give my attention to some on-going family issues
but now, i can no longer put off continuing on with this passion of mine ...
i've missed it so!

for my 'welcome back' post i'm starting with a weekly favorite ...
kim's texture tuesday.

now mind you, it's been a little while since i've taken time to sit and create so i'm a bit rusty.
these lovely corn flowers were growing in the garden at our church.
after editing this image to the tone i preferred
i actually layered it with kim's 'anna' two times as follows ...

the first layer 
multiply . 60% opacity
the second layer .
screen . 25% opacity

there, you have it ... and i hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
i plan on seeing you next tuesday, and maybe even before. :)
in the meantime, we're enjoying some 'fall-like' weather here ...
it's early for these temperatures, but we're so grateful for the break from the humidity.

i'm heading over to the 'the cafe' now to see more textured images
and catch up with some old friends ...
just click the button below to come along and join me!

blessings,
- deborah
xoxo

... silent night

“our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred,
and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit,
become a child again at Christmas-time.”

- laura ingalls wilder -

*sharing the above image with:
kim's texture tuesday
... the Christmas Eve-edition
{texture used: wake - multiplied @ 80%}

thought i would add a little something extra to this image,
minus the texture, and then make it our family Christmas card.

with this i'm wishing you all a very joyful, and peaceful,
  Christmas season with all those special ones that you hold dear.

*it's good to be posting here once again,
although i have posted, on occasion, over on my worpress photography site.
my heart is to post more often, but life has just been a bit challenging
with some health issues concerning my dear husband,
and i've been on an emotional roller coaster.
needless to say, i haven't forgotten you ...
i've missed you all and hope to be catching up with you very soon!

in the meantime,
may your new year be exceedingly happy,
healthy, and abundantly blessed!

- hugs,
deborah xo

summer's end ....

so good to be back with kim at 'the cafe',
nancy at tuesday muse,
and kent at sweet shot tuesday!
yes, i am covering the basis this week, and anxious to be visiting again!



seems just days ago that spring had sprung, and now, summer days are winding down.
oh yes, i'm sure we'll have a few more days of hot balmy breezes left, but still,
things are taking on that look around town, in my yard, and in the country.

it was a beautiful summer day when hubby and i took a drive along
the back roads and happened upon this old barn.

i do love old barns!

it brought back memories of my childhood-summers
when we would stay with friends who had a farm.
such fun we had on those long ago lazy summer days ...
wearing over-sized cowboy boots, riding bikes on the dusty, dirt path,
chickens squawking around the yard, collecting eggs, running from the family cow,
and that one-of-a-kind-and-only-in-the-country smell of corn ripened fields,
fresh vegetables from the yard garden, and yes,
the hay loft where we spent hours on end with the farm cats and kittens
watching the shadows grow longer as the day came to a close.

wish i could turn back the clock ...
but no, we can only do that in our memories.

time moves on, and today my grown-up summer is coming to a close,
the shadows are growing longer, the fields are getting riper,
and i, for one, am going to enjoy every moment we have left of these warm and wonderful days,
even if i don't have a hayloft!

and now, here is the old barn we saw, still standing strong, solitary,
smack dab in the middle of a soybean field.
oh how i wanted to explore behind those weathered boards ...
i might have heard the whisperings of other long ago childhood summer memories.



i worked for awhile on this image and had a recipe when i added the texture,
but as i was reminiscing, i got a bit lost in it all and missed recording a few of the steps ...
i even went back to try to recapture the process, but alas,
what i came up with looked quite different from this!

please, do tell me that i am not the only one this has happened to!!

i do recall the easier steps of cleaning up the image, color, contrast, etc.,
then layering it, twice, with kim's kk_love texture, but that is all.

i may try again to see if i can redo what i did to achieve this effect.
in the meantime, do come on over to join in here, here, and here:

texture tuesday

tuesday muse

sweet shot tuesday . week 32

hope to see you there, there, and there ...
have a blessed week! :)

deborah
xoxo

... the moment when you realize
summer is almost over.

a rose and a prayer for oklahoma

- a rose for oklahoma -

my thoughts and prayers, as i am sure are most of yours,
have been with all those affected by the tornado this week.

i am holding my family, and loved ones, much closer these days,
and being mindful of never taking anyone, or anything, for granted!

i wanted to share this image in remembrance
of the dear and precious lives that were lost in this
unbelievable and heartbreaking tragedy!

*please, join me in remembering them all in prayer, for their broken hearts to have peace and begin to mend,
and for the strength they will need, as they begin the arduous journey of putting their lives together again.



this week i'm sharing with the following link-ups ...
come and see some of the beautiful entries,
and, you are more than welcome to join in.

blessings,
- deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday || free & easy eDition
texture used on this image as follows:
kk_providence . multiplied . 51%

tuesday muse

floral love

texture tuesday || black and white ... perhaps a touch of colour

it's a black-and-white theme over at 'the cafe' this week ...
with perhaps a wee bit of colour, for good measure!

speaking of which, i'm a 'wee bit' late getting this in,
and it was difficult to choose an image for some reason.
  well, i decided to give the flowers some time off,
and settled on my sister's seriously moody cat ... lovingly known as, miss november!
have to say, this is one of my very favorite images of her, too!

and, i'll tell you, this cat's got attitude, as you can see!
well, she didn't much like the camera in her face,
and sure let me know by that awesome expression!
i've been wanting to put a clever caption to this image, so if anyone has one,
please, do share it in the comment section below!
would love to see what you all would come up with! :)

i've shared three versions of the image for this theme,
but the first one has my simple recipe for kim's texture as follows:

to the b/w image i added a slight touch of color to her eyes then used
marabella . multiplied . 63%

the last image is miss november in full colour ...
and just so you know, she really is a sweet natured little thing!

click on over to kim's site and see more from this week's
texture tuesday's black and white theme!

thank you for dropping in again this week!
i had also shared a post prior to this one ... about mother's day.
hope you all had as beautiful day as i did!

blessings,
deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday || pOp eDition

this week's theme over at kim's cafe is ...

pOp!

now, we all know that could be portrayed in a variety of ways.
so i began to think of a few things i could photograph that would fit that description ...
here's my list of words containing 'pOp',
as well as things that actually do go 'pOp' ...

pOpcorn
bubble gum
ballOOns
pOp tarts
bubble wrap
push pOps
firecrackers
pOpeye
ears that pOp,
and even knuckles can pOp ...
{ooooh, I cringe just thinking of that one!!}

other things pOp, like the colours in an image,
and then there's pOp culture.

i'm thinking most of you will use colours that pOp for this theme,
but still, i'm looking forward to seeing your ideas as well!

however; the word 'burst' might best describe my version ... these huge blackberries!
all i know is when you bite into them, their juicy flavor literally does pOp in your mouth!
they're also a tasty source of vitamins, antioxidants & fiber,
and so good in smoothies, too!

well, that's enough fun for now!
my recipe, using kim's lovely textures for this image, was very simple ...

anna . screen . 30%
xanthe . multiply . 52%

be sure to click on over to 'the cafe' to see what's pOppin!
i'm on my way there, now!

enjoy your week!

- deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday muse || wise words eDition

words to the wise are also words that make one wise ...
yes, i do love reading quotes full of wisdom for the soul!

this week i'm sharing a word of wisdom on a very simple image ...
wasn't sure how this would even turn out, and i would love your thoughts.
i took this while looking out a window of an old historical home
at our living history museum ... conner prairie.

i might add, if you're ever in indiana, it's a must-see for the whole family.
we really enjoy spending time there, and are looking forward to visiting again, soon!
and, without a doubt, it's the perfect place for photo opportunities!

this week i'm linking up with both
kim's cafe for texture tuesday,
and nancy's tuesday muse.

my texture recipe:
kim's  'anna'
blend mode to multiply at 45%
eraser tool used for clarifying curtain pattern

click on over to kim's cafe for more 'wise words',
she also has a give-away going on this week ...
and nancy's rural journal for some amazing photo inspiration!

want to thank you all, again, for taking the time to drop in ...
i so enjoy reading your comments and coming round to your sites.
i'm looking forward to seeing what you share this week, as well.

now, go make your day count!
blessings to you,
deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday || another free and easy eDition

another lovely week over at 'the cafe' ...
i was so sorry that i missed all your lovely images in the 'celebration' challenge last week at kim's,
but, i had good reason ... which i won't go into here now, but soon.

here is my offering for this week ...

the beauty of these blossoms never ceases to amaze me each year, but unfortunately, they do not last long.
i just can't seem to get enough of them!  this particular image is sooc, {straight out of the camera}
and i really liked the airy and light look it had, so i did no editing, other than to add one of kim's textures:

i call this 'subtly sybil' - and here is my simple recipe:

kk_sybil . multiplied . 35%
eraser tool used lightly on the petals of the main blossom
"easy-peasy"

if you have some time, do click on over to kim's place to see her amazing image,
along with all the other beautiful textured entries that you can find through the links at the bottom of her page.

have a beautiful day!

deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday || the times two eDition

tulips ... don't ya just love 'em?!
my dear husband brought these home to me,
so i thought i would get creative with them,
however;
i was trying to think of an artful sounding label for them ...

tulip tears
weeping tulips
tulip drops
three tulips weep

hmmm, if you have any thoughts,
by all means, do share! :)

and yes, it's time, again, for a trip to 'the cafe'.
do we ever tire of this .... NO!!

{want to give a little 'shout out' to all who have commented on my images ...
it has so encouraged me, and i want to thank you here, again!}

well, this week kim has asked us to use two of her lovely textures.
my recipe here is done with a light touch, as you can see.

sybil . softlight . 60%
then i flattened the layers and
added the second texture layer
daisy . softlight . 50%

after adding each texture layer i used the eraser tool
on the petals and stems to keep those colors
light and bright.

and the finishing touch ...
the quote by daniella kessler

i'm going on over to kim's site to see what beautiful textured images
there are waiting to tiptoe through!
please, come join me!

have a lovely and blessed week!

xoxo
deborah

free and easy eDition || ... in anticipation of april blooms

it's texture tuesday, and time for a visit to kim's cafe!

this week's theme is 'free and easy'
and we're to share an image with at least one of her lovely texture layers.

here is my "easy peasy" recipe on an image i pulled from the archives
... hence the title of this post.

kk_reentry . multiply . 70%
eraser tool used over main flower for clarity

i thought these tulips were some of the prettiest i had seen at the museum of art.
all the flowers there are so lovely during the spring,
unfortunately, not this spring ... yet!

please, come join in at 'the cafe' and
share one of your beautiful creations with us!



hope you're enjoying much more spring-like weather than we are!
it's still quite cool here, and i can't believe it's april!
i'm just so grateful that the sun has been shining, adding a little warmth to the air.
i hear tell a weekend warm-up is on the way,
and maybe we'll begin to see some flowers very soon!

hoping you all have a blessed week!

deborah
xoxo

texture tuesday || flower power eDition

we have just been through an early spring snow,
and i must say, it was absolutely beautiful!

things are beginning to warm now, and the melting has begun,
but spring has yet to blossom here ...
still my heart is so very grateful for all the blessings we do have!

since there are no flowers peeking through just yet,
i pulled one of my favorites out of the photo archives.
this is the same image that i used in my banner at the top of this page,
only, to this one, i added two of kim's gorgeous textures:

cherish . soft light . 100%
edith . multiply . 50%

i also used the eraser tool over a few of the petals
to add softness and to lighten them up just a bit.

jump on over to 'the cafe' and take look at more 'flower power'!
it just might help to get rid of those winter blues ...
and come join in if you have some flowers to share!



have a blessed week,
and, spring or not,
i hope you'll have the sunshine to enjoy!

xoxo
deborah

texture tuesday || the word eDition

welcome to another inspirational week at the 'cafe'!
this week is dedicated to a 'word of wisdom' ...
i haven't been out much with my camera lately
so i am using one from this past summer.

there is such a beautiful water fountain at our local mall,
and i always enjoy taking a break during my shopping to just sit and listen to it.
there's something about the sound of water that is so comforting.

i'm looking forward to it again ... if we ever get warmer weather, that is.
actually, this is the first day of spring,
but it seems winter is holding on around here,
not wanting to let go, just yet!
they say to expect more snow this week!

well, have a wonderful week,
and i hope for a warmer and happy spring, to you all!!

havana - multiply - 60%
reentry - multiply - 40%

for more words of wisdom,
do click on over to kim's cafe!

xoxo

texture tuesday || anything goes eDition

a little late this week but i wanted to share

a little focus on the happiness this little word can bring into our lives ...

gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
it turns what we have into enough, and more.
it can turn a meal into a feast,
a house into a home,
a stranger into a friend.

- melody beattie -



linking up with kim for more texture love!
my hubby brought me these gorgeous sunflowers (my favorite)
and i'm ever so grateful when he does ... they simply brighten my day!

also, very grateful for kim's textures!

kk_1301 - multiplied @ 70%
kk_xanthe - multiplied @ 15%

click over to the 'cafe' for more inspiration!

have a blessed and grateful week!
xoxo

texture tuesday || free and easy

winter will not let go, or so it seems ...

so many are wondering if spring will ever get here,

and now with a new winter storm marching across our part of the country,

unlike many of you, i am hoping that maybe,

... just maybe

we will have one final and beautiful snow fall.

spring will be here soon enough and for those of you who are

anxiously awaiting the warmer days, take heart

... there's no need to doubt!

well, it's time again for another creative week at kim's cafe for texture tuesday ...

i could spend hours driving in the country and photographing barns of all shapes and sizes.

i chose this for the week's challenge.

first i converted the image to black and white, tweaked the contrast, and lighting,

after which i applied Kim's texture 'subtly yours' ...

set on overlay at 100% ...

it was easy peasy ... just as kim had asked for!

hope you'll come join us ...