Not So SAHM

Capitol Dome, Inside Out

I mentioned yesterday that my family loves history. We also love (to a certain extent) politics and the way that governments work. You could probably already tell that by the different State House pictures I’ve taken.

We took a tour of the US Capitol when we lived in the DC area. FASCINATING and beautiful! So much detail was paid to every square inch. Here is the inside of the dome. So gorgeous.

The inside of the US Capitol dome is much prettier than it's new exterior. Not So SAHM — Capitol Dome, Inside Out – ProjectEdit365 – 04 Jan

I was curious as to what my camera settings were when I took this because everything seems to be in good focus. Click over to Project Edit 365 to see what camera I used and to see what edits I made to the original! Thanks so much!

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Exhaustion

I love street photography. I’d love to do more of it, but that means that I have to get out into the streets and take pictures. My normal life sort of precludes that since I’m homeschooling much of the day and we don’t live very close to great street action. It’s something that I hope to work on though in 2017 – forcing myself to get out there.

In June of last year I was able to go to NYC for a street photography workshop held by Lynford Morton who leads Shutterbug Life. We went to several different areas of the city and he coached us on everything from tips on how to shoot to going up and talking to people. It was a rush for me, someone who doesn’t like confrontation or having people be mad at me. I loved it!

As I was processing my images, I could see a common trait on the faces and in the body language of the people in my pictures. As humans we tend to run ourselves ragged: body and mind. Both our bodies and brains need rest in order to rejuvenate and perform optimally. I think we’re all guilty of neglecting ourselves to some degree or another. Here are some of the shots of exhaustion that I captured.

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Onward

New year

New plans

New perspective

New resolve

Go get it!

An arrow on the street points the way. Not So SAHM — Onward – ProjectEdit365 – 03 Jan

I took this photo with my Lensbaby Spark. I love that lens! It’s so fun to play around with and the look always ends up being catchy. The original needed some depth and texture though. Head over to my blog that details the Project Edit 365 and see what edits I made. Thanks!

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End of the War

The ratification of the Treaty of Paris at the Maryland State House in January of 1784 officially ended the Revolutionary War and established the United States as an independent nation.

My family loves history and visiting sites like this. It wasn’t until I was an adult and moved to Germany that history really became fascinating for me though. We think things are old here in America. In Europe, 1784 isn’t that long ago in relation to all the recorded history they’ve experienced. We visited castles that were older than America. Sites that were around before America was even “discovered”. Being able to put time periods into perspective like that, and being able to see things first-hand, helped me appreciate all that has happened before 2017.

Back in America, we continue to try to visit places where historical events occurred – to see the site first-hand is so much better than to read about it in a book. And this is where homeschooling and roadschooling come into play. . .

The Maryland State House is the location where the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1784 to end the Revolutionary War. Not So SAHM — End of the War – ProjectEdit365 – 02 Jan

The original was dark and angled. You’ll have to visit Project Edit 365 to see just how dark and angled it was. There’s an explanation as well as to what my Project is all about. Thanks!

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Walking in George’s Footsteps

This was taken during a previous January – one that was much colder than it is now in Miami. We were in Annapolis, MD touring the State House. This is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, dating back to 1772. In it is the room where George Washington resigned his military commission in 1783 after the Revolutionary War, to become a private citizen (only for a little while though — the country still had great need of him).

I don’t know how many layers she’s wearing, but she sure is bundled up!

Girl leans against a brick wall - Not So SAHM — Walking in George’s Footsteps – ProjectEdit365 – 01 Jan

The original was cute but needed a bit of oomph. Head over to Project Edit 365 to see the original and how I edited it! Thanks!

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So long, 2016!

We slayed 2016 and now it’s on to conquer 2017! . . . ugly Christmas sweaters and all!

Here’s wishing all my friends out there a safe and prosperous new year.

Learn from the past.

Aim for better in the future.

Rely on God for the big and small things.

Ugly Christmas sweaters in front of the Christmas tree. Not So SAHM — So long, 2016 – ProjectEdit365 – 31 Dec

Also, this IS NOT QUITE THE END of my Project Edit 365! I didn’t start the project until February, 2016, so I still have one more month of edits. December has been SO LONG. It’s been hard for me to find pictures that I’ve wanted to work on. That says something about me, though. I need to release those creative juices! I hope that I’ve taken lots of pictures in previous Januaries so I have a deep well of images to choose from.

Head over to the blog I created for this project, Project Edit 365, to see the original picture. Thanks!

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