Camera fund!

My sweet husband has started a new camera fund for me! Isn't he wonderful? We're saving up for the next step in my camera evolution. I've been working with a DSLR-ish Fujifilm camera for quite a while, but have been salivating . . . err . . . I mean, uh, dreaming of the next step toward my dream camera. I'm looking at Nikons and Canons, but am open to other brands. I'd love to hear what you all use or recommend. I am definitely going to want something with a telephoto lens and possibly a macro lens (if the camera itself doesn't have a great macro setting), and OODLES of megapixels! :o)

What are your suggestions or tips? Since I'm such a bargain shopper, I'd be interested in how to do all of this as cheaply as possible, too!

I'm so excited! I'll keep you all posted.

I love the holidays!

I'm taking a short break until after the New Year. More photos to come!

Empire Bluffs Trail—Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

View of Lake Michigan from the Empire Bluffs Trail
in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Merry Christmas!

South Haven Pier Light

South Haven Pier Light
South Haven, MI

My husband and I took a weekend to getaway in South Haven, MI, several years ago. While we were there, we took the opportunity to do a bit of snowshoeing and sight-seeing. The snow was just beautiful. The South Haven Pier Lighthouse was covered in ice and snow, and I had to stop and take some pictures. I took a lot of them! This is definitely one of my favorites. I had to snap them really quickly, because the wind off Lake Michigan was extremely cold, and I had to duck out of it after a few pictures to get feeling back in my hands.

Point Betsie Foghorn in Winter

Point Betsie Fog Signal Building in Winter

This fog horn is located in one of my favorite areas in Michigan—Benzie County. The day I took this photo was a beautiful, crisp, winter day. It was the kind of day where you see your breath, and you bundle up before going outside. After being out for a while, you love the thought of getting into the warm car and going home for a nice warm cup of hot cocoa. Ahhh . . . I love winter!

According to www.pointbetsie.org, "Renovation of the Fog Signal Building, which sits immediately north of the lighthouse, is also complete. It, too, was returned to a look not seen in many decades. It’s exterior siding replicates the original iron needed to house the steam boilers that powered the fog signal in pre-electricity times. The exterior and metal interior walls were restored in 2008, enabling the building to house the lighthouse's Sesquicentennial exhibition of juried works of art inspired by Point Betsie's structures and surroundings."

On the Empire Bluffs Trail

Empire Bluffs trail

Earlier this Fall, my mother-in-law and I went on a short hike on the Empire Bluffs trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It's a hilly, 1.5 mile (round trip) hike through beech-maple forest, fields, and dune plants. The day was perfect—blue sky, mild temperatures, light breeze, and blue, blue water. We had such a good time being outdoors, and taking in the wonderful fresh air. This was the only sunny day during our week-long visit.

Happy 1st Birthday!

It's my daughter's first birthday, today! She's been out of my belly for a whole year, and I just can't believe it. She has brought such joy to our lives. So, happy birthday to my sweet little girl!

Grass

"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?"

—Matthew 6:30

I can't remember where I took this picture, and I actually didn't like the original that much. But, after I played with it in Photoshop a bit, I was happier with it. The grasses were really pretty with the stream, but it just didn't seem to come through in the original picture. I hate it when I see something beautiful that inspires me, and I just can't seem to capture it the right way.