151/365 . . . memory

151/365 . . . memory, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

In gratitude to the members of the armed services and their families for their sacrifices.

150/365 . . . The most wasted of all days is one without laughter

150/365 . . . The most wasted of all days is one without laughter, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

149/365 . . . dining al fresco

149/365 . . . dining al fresco, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

One of my favorite things about warm weather is eating outside. There is something so wonderful about enjoying a meal in the open air. Hooray for summer!

147/365

147/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

It has been an unseasonably cold May for us but it seems like it if finally, gloriously Spring. Blue skies, warm air, and a three day weekend! Hope everyone has a great one!

146/365 . . . birdhouse in your soul

146/365 . . . birdhouse in your soul, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Not to put too fine a point on it
Say I'm the only bee in your bonnet
Make a little birdhouse in your soul

146/365

146/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Kind of an uninspired day. Just some of the many chickens that grace my kitchen.

145/365 . . . rainy day

145/365 . . . rainy day, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

There is something about rainy days in the city that makes want to try out of focus shots. I was going for something more out of focus here but I am always paranoid about shooting strangers.

Do you want to go to boot camp?

Creativity boot camp!  I came across this fabulous idea organized by photographer Madeline Bea.  I am consistently inspired by her beautiful work on Flickr.  The e-course is from June 6th to 18th and she provides a daily inspirational assignment.  The best part, it's totally free! 




I hope you'll join in!

144/365

144/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

One of those days with literally no time to shoot. This poor guy is the only one who can't say no - LOL.

143/365 . . . water play

143/365 . . . water play, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all."
— Emily Dickinson

It was a nice warm day on Sunday and the kids had a blast with their bathing suits and the spigot for the house. Good childhood fun.

This week is yellow week at I Heart Faces. And just in time because yellow screams summer to me and I am ready for warm summer days! I went back and forth between two photos for this week but landed on this one.







Find a yellow shot and join in the fun or just check out the other awesome entries at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/.

142/365 - One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse tosoar

142/365 - One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Shot for the worm's eye view Sunday group on Flickr. It's such a fun perspective to shoot from.

141/365 . . .almost party time

141/365 . . .almost party time, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

This is part of the reason I've been MIA. We had a birthday party for my daughter today. The theme was Alice in Wonderland and I found these cute teacup planters to use as decorations and party favors. This is them all lined up last night.

140/365

140/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

139/365

139/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

It was my daughter's open house at school on Wednesday. The students each had a book with photos and work from throughout the year. The I am most proud of me line made me smile. As a parent, I think if my kids leave the nest someday with a healthy dose of self-respect and self-esteem they'll probably do okay out there.

138/365

138/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Sorry to dump and run. Busy week. Will be back in the morning to catch up on everyone's blogs. I need a good dose of inspiration.

I Heart Faces - Flowers and Faces

This week's theme at I Heart Faces is flowers and faces so I am entering this picture due to its abundance of flowers (albeit fake ones ;) ).



Check all of this week's entries at www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com and enter your own!

137/365 . . . little orange car

137/365 . . . little orange car, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

I first saw this car during macaroni and cheese week with the sixty-four colors group. I thought it was delightfully macaroni and cheesy so I drove around the block 3 times looking for a parking spot or a clear shot to no avail. But today, there it was again! Isn't it just the cutest little car?

136/365

136/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

135/365

135/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

133/365 . . . birthday

133/365 . . . birthday, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Thursday was my middle child's birthday so we celebrated with her favorite cupcakes. She's a chocolate/cohoclate girl, just like her mother.

132/365

132/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

At the end of the year I should tally up how many of my 365 shots were shot in a pinch out my car window. Not an insignfiicant number. Some days it's all I've got in me.

131/365

131/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

We went to a ballgame of Tuesday night and there were these Carnival drummers there playing these increible beats. Very cool but very loud!

130/365

130/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

A few more pictures

I've had several late nights after work this week and all my 365 shots for this week are still on my card. These are just a few more shots from this weekend. Today is my younger daughter's birthday so these were some birthday shots.
















"I am completely happy. My sister is here, and because my sister is here I am somehow more me."
— Phyllis Moore

129/365

129/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

For Mother's Day I should have gotten a picture of all of my kids or even a picture with me actually in it. Alas, that's probably too much to ask of my husband or my skills with a tripod and a remote. My kids were so sweet and took "me" to the zoo.

128/365

I took the girls out for a little photo shoot this weekend. The light was beautiful and the kids were in a good mood - a magical combination! I will share some more after I finish editing them.

127/365

127/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Is there anything sweeter than a Mother's Day gift from a preschooler? The notes says, "I love my mom because she makes me breakfast." Luckily the bar isn't set real high around here.

126/365

126/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

I wish I could have gotten a better shot of this bike but I saw it while I was in my car. There was a pink knit cover over all the metal.

125/365

125/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

124/365

124/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

It was a crazy week and I got ridiculously behind in my uploads. Sorry for the dump as I try to catch up.

123/365 . . . hydrangea

123/365 . . . hydrangea, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Probably my favorite flower. Maybe because they remind my of my wedding bouquet.

122/365

122/365, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

Just a snap of my guy from a lazy Sunday. Harsh light, finger chop but a sweet face. :)

121/365 . . . touring the gardens

121/365 . . . touring the gardens, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

I went on a garden tour on Sunday. It was so lovely to stroll through people's yards and see all the wonderful, creative ideas to make a space magnificent. I was particularly enchanted with one garden and am feeling inspired to spruce up our space a bit. I would love a delightful potting bench like this one.

120/365 . . . chalk dust

120/365 . . . chalk dust, originally uploaded by murpheyblue.

I don't know if "chalk dust" is a term of art but that's what my daughter calls what she gets when she rubs a piece of chalk into oblivion.