Random 5...

...Friday

I'm very excited that Nancy from A Rural Journal is back and hosting the meme R5F again.

Here are my random 5 in no particular order.

 :I managed to capture the city center of old Pompeii with no people!

: Did you know there is such a thing as Post Vacation Blues? I thought it was all in my head but after about a week and half of not wanting to do anything creative I started googling and found my problem-I feel like the fog is lifting.

: My 2 year old grandson just got over a staph infection from a spider bite-that was scary.

: Only 6 more Fridays til summer vacation!

: The gas leak in our little city of Porter Ranch has been capped and I haven't had to use my inhaler...Hmmm-kind of scary to think what we've been breathing for months on end.

http://aruraljournal.blogspot.com/p/random-5-friday.html

Happy (random) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Did you miss yesterday's post?

Friday finds...

...with Kim Klassen

I am so excited to share my find with you this week~not just because it's right up my alley AND it was on sale but now there's a story behind it. 

Those are the best finds-the ones that have a personal story attached.

Kim Stevens...

...hold on to your hat for this one...

I was shopping at Pier 1 yesterday looking for unique decorations for a Mother's Day BBQ we're throwing Sunday. I found this beautiful butterfly wind chime.

I'm a sucker for metals and blown glass. The cashiers were saying how they love butterflies...and...well? I'm thinkin' this was my invitation to tell them my connection to the Monarchs & raising them. Like a proud mama, I pulled out my phone, showed them my pictures as I was answering their questions. There was a sweet elderly woman that heard our conversation & asked if she might look at the photos too. Proudly, I showed her the difference between the male & female and as the cashier was wrapping my wind chime the sweet woman said she'd like to share a story with me If I'd care to listen.

"Of course" I said. The story goes like this:

This woman's father collected butterflies that she didn't know about. After he passed, the siblings were cleaning out his house and found his collection. But by then, most of his prized butterflies had pretty much disintegrated. His wishes for his ashes to be thrown out at sea for some reason could not be honored so this woman took a ferry out to Catalina Island and placed her father's urn up on a hill facing the ocean & the casino.

Upon one of her visits, she placed a painting she'd done of a monarch beside the urn.

On a separate visit, her son and daughter-in-law went to visit this man's resting place and had snapped photos of a butterfly that was flitting about and landing on the urn. When the woman's son had told her about the butterfly she had asked what kind it was.

It was a Monarch.
Mysteriously, the Monarch never appeared in any of the photos the son had taken.

I choked back tears and got the chills. 

She had told this beautiful story to a complete stranger who took the time to listen. It almost seemed cathartic for her to share it. We exchanged pleasantries and I thanked her, finished my transaction and left the store with this feeling I can't even put into words.

Never underestimate the power of a butterfly...

...or strangers.

Happy (find your bliss) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Hi

Shop my Etsy

App happy...

...Wednesday

Hi!

So happy you popped in on this fun new meme that Barb over at keepingwiththetimes hosts.

It's funny, I started with one idea and it kept evolving to something so 180 of what I was going to do-but having an open mind to explore new possibilities is like opening an unexpected present.

For today-

I ran this photo through VSCOcam's LEGACY filter to give it a sort of flat vintage-y feel. VSCO is tricky to me-not every photo can just willy-nilly be used with it. The app adds a very distinct feel to your photos. If you follow them on IG-you'll know what I'm talking about. People are posting some really amazing photos using VASCOcam & I'd love play with it more.

Next, I added one of my favorite quotes using PHONTO. I love this text app. You can cut and paste words from another site, in your choice of...well...I was going to count the fonts...well it got late-but trust me...there is a plethora of fonts from A-Z sure to please you. A recent upgrade added filters to play around with. You can manage the size, the tilt, and the colors of the font-both the background and the actual font with sliders. It's user friendly too.

The last app I used was CLEAR WATERMARK

I was really good at marking my photos then I got busy, lazy and stopped and I really should protect my work. The app takes some getting use to but once mastered-it's really quick & easy & worth looking into. 

On a side note-I always use my i-phone's home camera and not the app's camera when shooting

 unless it's another type of camera app.

I also had to run this photo through Florabella's Honey Haze (which is NOT an app. but should be!) to tone down some of the pink after uploading & viewing the photo. 

Hope this helps and introduces you to something you haven't heard of or have heard of and not quite sure about. 

Not sure if you want to play yet? Just pop over to Barb's with me and check out what other peeps are using.

Happy (app) snapping!

xo

Kelly

shop my Etsy

"App" Happy...

...Wednesday

I'm joining Barb over at Keeping with the times for a new linky meme. 

Today I'm going to share a photo I posted over on IG as part of a month long challenge I took with the  #Waterlogue app, which I adore. 

Frankie was making Moussaka for dinner Monday night & had 3 beautiful eggplants which

 I quickly snagged and snapped a few pics before he cut into them.

 The original i-phone photo above is really nothing special~I cleaned the image up in PicTapGo by brightening up the shadows a bit and then added crispity to sharpen the image so that much of the lines would be better defined when I "painted" it. 

Once I run an image through Waterlogue-I don't like to edit the final image. 

They are pretty perfect as is.

Here...

...is the final image.

I used "Color Bloom" with the #8 brush size, normal light, and no border.

I adore how it came out.

I used the Lo-Mob app and the "superslide" frame for this image-

Lo-Mob is a great app to put a vintage spin on your images...and who doesn't love a little vintage?!

Ok...I'm off to go visit and get inspired from other app users...care to join me?

Happy (app) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Random 5...

Friday Finds...

I'm two timing today and linking up with Nancy & Kim for random fun-facts and great finds.

Saturday, Frankie and I went hiking up on Oat Mountain-found and explored an old Nike missile site back among the rolling hills of Chatsworth. I learned that this was one of 16 sites from the Cold War Era that protected the valley from a possible enemy attack. We climbed up a small hill and slipped through a hole that was cut out of the chain link fence.

 I searched for photos of the original buildings of the once bustling base, but Frankie reminded me that the sites were top secret so I wouldn't find any.

before...

 ...after

Today, it looks a bit post apocalyptic with several burnt out busses...

...and hollowed out buildings.

I find that I'm becoming increasingly interested in "Urban Art".

Some say the old base is used as a training ground for the LAPD and SWAT teams.

Bullet holes riddle everything.

The above photo is an underground bunker that would have housed a nuclear war head missile like the ones below. 

I was creeped out and didn't want to find anything...I dunno...dead? I was surprised at how many other hikers we ran into. They must like trespassing, snooping, exploring too!

My random facts this week couldn't be more random if I tried!

Strange but true-I have a 4 inch burn mark on my upper outer  thigh from my i-phone. Yup-came home from the grocery store, stuck my phone in my pocket while I grabbed my 3 shopping bags. Went to set the groceries down-felt a shock then a burning sensation. I couldn't believe what appeared when I went to see what was so painful. The phone wasn't in use, it wasn't hot & I can't think of one reason why that happened. I'm scared it will happen again.

We have a 3 day weekend! (happy dance)

Dusting and putting laundry away are my least favorite chores. Grocery shopping is my favorite.

My shoe size is 7

I'm a HUGE Survivor fan. I love everything about the game and have only missed 1 of 28 seasons. The kids and I have always told Frankie he should be on the show. He'd be so awesome to watch.


Ok my friends-I'm off to go see other great finds and Friday facts!
Happy (enjoy your weekend) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Random 5...

...Friday

is here! As always, I'm playing over at Nancy's 
Can I say...

...if the weeks come & go as fast as this week flew by, then summer vacation will be here before I blink!

Speaking of summer vacation-

I really did go back to my pixie cut. I couldn't be happier. As much winter as some of you have had and it wore thin on your nerves? Well, believe me, I'll be doing my fair share of bitchin' and moanin' from the heat soon enough~blah

BUT...at least I don't have a lot of hair to deal with!

I did NOT want to love this French series on Netflix. No I did not. It intrigued me from the get go. I had NO idea what it was about. But OMG-if you like subtitles, and creepy stuff, this just might be up your alley. It surprised me how much I liked this as I don't do scary or creepy!

 Sadly season 2 doesn't start till later this year.

Oh...and if you want to fall MADLY & DEEPLY in love with a series from Britain...

Call the Midwife

Also available on Netflix. 

It is an amazing & brilliant story about midwifery in the late 1950's. Conditions where the midwives worked to deliver babies & help the decrepit were deplorable. You will cry, you will laugh you will be glued to your seat. Each episode is better than the last.

One thing I LOVE about this blogging world, is the vast amounts of fun, interesting, inspirational and useful tidbits of information you read about. This week I tried something new that my girl D mentioned on her blog a few days ago.

Chia seeds!

I seriously LOVE them. 

These little seeds pack a wallop of health benefits including healthy omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, a host of antioxidants plus so much more to your diet. I add them to anything and everything. I even dip cheese sticks in them!

Go crazy!

Earthquakes are scary...

I was home alone.

 Creepy. 

Well,

that's 5! I could go on...but I release you! (snort)

Happy (try something new) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Random 5...

...Friday

I adore the WATERLOGUE app

Good morning! It's 5:36 and I didn't think I was even going to post today. But I really do love playing over at Nancy's and I can't sleep anyhow so I'm throwing total randomness at you. 

READY?

CATCH!

My big girl camera needs a good dusting off. I didn't take any new photos week-& only 2 photos for IG-that's just how my week rolled-so busy. 

But...

...I'm leaving at 1:35 to go see Jamie and Erik today! By 2:30 I'll be breathing in that fountain of youth! I am BEYOND excited to wrap my arms around my babies!

I got a haircut...I mean a HAIRCUT...like PIXIE short! I took the issue to my peeps on IG, they spoke, I listened! I liked the "IDEA" of having longer hair but it had become so unhealthy. I'm guessing a combo of my ever changing hormones, blowdrying with a brush, then being out in the hot dry winds was just too much. I don't even have a picture to share. 

The gross hair did get me thinking that maybe I wasn't getting enough out of my vitamins so I bought HAIR, SKIN & NAILS vitamins w/loads of Biotin. I'm curious if it'll help.

P.S. I'm happy to have short hair again!

I'm slowly getting used to the time change. Mornings are a bit rough around the edges, powering through wanting to take a little doze in the afternoons (no time anyhow) & then finally loving that extra time in the evening. I just feel so much more productive.

 Last Friday I posted a photo that never made it my blog for one reason or another. I like that idea so much that I just might make it a regular thing.

So this week:

Palace Versailles

Taken in France on my surprise 50th birthday back in Jan. 

I can't imagine being a young Marie Antoinette living in such opulence while the rest of her countrymen were starving and living in such bleak conditions. Wandering through this fairy tale palace, you couldn't help wonder about the secrets held within all the nooks and crannies.

 THAT'S when I wished walls could talk!

Alrighty then, I need to go start my day. 

I WILL be by to visit and get caught up with you all.

Happy (longer days) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Random 5...

...Friday

Playing over at
 Nancy's today

I'm gonna just jump right in!

I suppose when you feed a wild, stray cat that there will be times when they just won't show up. Which is strange to me because I'm pretty sure we're Ms Kitty's only food source-unless she's honed her hunting skills. A few weeks ago she didn't show up for breakfast & we thought the worst. (coyotes & all) Well today, Ms Kitty showed up after being AWOL for 3 days. Frankie and I were sick and quite sad & thought she was done for.

We contacted a local, non profit/no kill shelter and a sweet couple came out with a trap for our girl so we can get her to the vet and hopefully into a good home.

Welcome home Ms. Kitty 

(insert happy heart)

Eight more sleeps till I fly up to see Jamie, Brian and Erik.
I hope next week flies by as fast as this week.

Speaking of Erik...

Look what my gal Diane over HERE knitted for that little man!

How ridiculously adorable is this Fedora?

Her husband, Tom, suggested the feather...Good man! I can not wait to see that little one in this hat. Oh...and maybe go visit D and encourage her to make these and sell them!
Momma's LOVE adornments for baby photo shoots!

Ok...
THIS never gets old!
Woke up Thursday morning to another sale from Karen, an IG friend.
Thank you Karen!

You can find more goodies
ON MY ETSY !

I decided to post a random photo that never made it to my blog for one reason or another. I took this on my little field trip to Leonis Adobe and it's for

 Nancy and Tammy

Now, I don't know too much about roosters, but I'm thinking he's pretty handsome. He must have thought so too because he saw me with my camera and he strutted over to me like nobody's business! Not only was he strutting, he didn't want me to have anything to do with the hens in his coop! It was really quite comical.

That's it for me today-why not hop on over to a rural journal and see what other fun and randomness there is!

Happy (good for your soul) snapping!
xo
Kelly

Random 5...

...Friday

with Friday's Finds

I'm 2 timing today! 

I'm playing over at Kim's Cafe and Nancy's a rural journal

I discovered this place Saturday.

Oh it was a dream.

A hidden gem in the valley. Now I want to discover more little nuggets.

 In fact, that's all I want to do anymore, travel, shoot...repeat.

Speaking of travel, I booked my airfare to go see Jamie and my sweet baby boy, Erik in a few weeks. I've been reading up on newborn photo shoots and I'm going to give it a go...

...because...

I'm just not going to put any pressure on myself and try to have fun-it sucks when you are a perfectionist at heart. 

I don't eat a lot of potato chips but when I do...

...I go for the doubled, curled up ones! They taste better! 

I swear...they do!

I've been trying to eat healthier. 

It really isn't that hard to do once you put your mind to it. Two major changes I've made is I've learned to like chicken breast so I've been eating that on my salad every night. I switched from my favorite, but very fattening Chipotle Ranch dressing to a honey mustard dressing-YUM! 

It sure adds a lot of zing to the greens.

 Now...I realize that the above random fact on potato chips is hypocritical to this eating healthy fact!

 But I seriously don't eat chips often.

I bought some Mums yesterday. They make me happy.

I'll be inside all weekend, we're finally getting some much needed rain. It's a beautiful thing.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Happy (finding your gems) snapping!

xo

Kelly

Random 5...

...Friday

T.G.I.F. and how-even though we had Monday off, I'm really glad it's the weekend. 

I'm spending my morning with

Nancy over at A Rural Journal

I've got tons of randomness going on in my head this week-

now that my cold is gone and I can think clearly.

I'm going to my first photography expo in beautiful Pasadena come April. (ahem Nicki!) I'm really excited. It runs for 4 days but I'm only going for one...now...to decide which day!

A few weeks ago I was saying how the coyotes are back in the neighborhood. Monday, I walked out to get my paper at 6:15 a.m. and I saw a flash of gray scurry before me. I ran down the driveway, in between our cars, & there in the middle of the road was a coyote. We stared at each other for a few seconds and she trotted on. I bent down to pick up the paper, not taking my eyes of her. She stopped again, looked over her shoulder at me for a few more seconds, then scampered off.  Apparently there are several dens through out the golf course in the community where we live. Our house is one street above the 10th hole and that's where Frankie and I  hear them whooping at night after a kill. I won't go into too much detail, but I have to plug my ears REAL TIGHT and I find a song to sing so I don't hear what's going on. We've warned all our neighbors with small pets to keep them in at night.

So here Ms Kitty's food sits...right where I poured it this morning before I left for work, except at this very moment a skunk is eating it. (apparently skunks love cat food)

Frankie put up 30 signs around the neighborhood last week hoping the owner would see her and call us. I hope she's safe and just nervous to come out. 

My Dad's Dr. has finally said the words that I've dreaded to hear..."late stage Alzheimer's." I'm not ready and that's all I'm going to say about that.

I do want to close on a couple of good notes-

The Vintage Faire is this Sunday and I can't wait to go shopping, hunting or is it

hunting, shopping?

Here are a few new card designs that will soon be available on my

ETSY

store

They're designed to be "Technical"

except for the last one.

It's Technical New York

It's technical The Louvre

It's Technical Cadillac

It's technical The Eiffel Tower

Postcards from Paris

Hope you all have a great weekend. 

Happy (TGIF) snapping.

xo

Kelly