You Can Open Your Gift Now!

Quotes
"Everyone is gifted, but some people never open their package."~unknown~
Loving quotes the way I do I signed up for a "quote of the day," thru http://www.finestquotes.com, on Wednesday of this week. Don't remember how I found this site, but am so glad that I did. 
Great minds have so much to say and what better way to condense thoughts than thru a quote.
Volumes can be understood thru just a few short words or phrases. 
I spend a great deal of time searching for the right quote to tie into a photo. Sometimes they come easy and sometimes it takes me quite a while. I received my first scheduled quote of the day yesterday from Finest Quotes and it just so happened to be the insightful words above. 
Hope I get lucky again today, if not I will continue to search, their is so much wisdom to be found and so much wisdom to live by! A few short words can make such an impact!
Have a wonderful day and go ahead and open your gift now! Imagine what could be inside!

The Process!

Barely There

The Process
"Learning is the beginning of wealth. Learning is the beginning of health. Learning is the beginning of spirituality. Searching and learning is where the miracle process all begins."~Jim Rohn~ 
How much milage can I get out of these roses is the question? For three days now I have been enamored with this simple bucket of roses, just can't seem to get enough of them. Textures are working like magic inspiring me to learn more and more. I can tell you that I used a Kim Klassen's texture on the above photos but I really can't give you a recipe for the end result. 
I just start playing with the artistic filters and somehow loose myself in time, not always with the greatest results, but a learning experience none the less. 
The first photo may seem like a bucket of mush to some but I loved that it is barely there in a washed out sort of way. The second photo more defined trying for a watercolor effect, I used the paint daubs filter on this one adjusting the brushes several times. Also used the impressionistic brush tool on the background. 
Loooove those impressionists!!!
Miracles every day no matter how small. 
Find a bucket full yourself, now don't step in it, who knows where the learning experience will bring you!

Can You Hear The Music?

Unity
"Do not follow the ideas of others, but learn to listen to the voice within yourself. Your body and mind will become clear and you will realize the unity of all things."~Dogen~
A pretty powerful quote and I am just in love with this photo. I especially love that these flowers are each an individual gift of God, grouped together in unity, creating a harmonious environment for all that observe. 
What I get from this quote is that we are all individuals and we must listen to the song that beats deep within our soul. Dance to this song creating your own steps, become the unique performance for your own being to applaud. The steps will flow, your being will unite, your next performance more grand than the last! 
God, I wish I knew where all this stuff comes from??? Guess I must be listening to the melodious tune that plays constant to my spirit, some days the tune just seems to be right on key! 

In The Moment!

In The Moment
"One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today."~Dale Carnegie~
Roses sitting in a bucket of water waiting to be placed into a floral arrangement. Loved that they draped over the side looking ever so beautiful, begging to be photographed.
I am by no means a florist but love to arrange flowers, their color, texture and smell, sing sweet whispers to my senses enhancing my creative spirit. These are precious moments uninterrupted by anything other than the immediate task at hand. Truly living in the moment, taking time to smell the roses, so to speak. 
Have a wonderful day, take a peek at your window box maybe it could use some water!
This photo is enhanced by Kim Klassen's, magic textures, created for Texture Tuseday.

Posted to: Lisa Gordon's Creative Exchange: http://www.lgordonphotography.com/

The Shower!

Bridal Shower
Yesterday a bridal shower was held for Allicyn, my brand new, soon to be daughter-in-law. There were 52 guests and a delicious brunch was held at a local restaurant. Allicyn arrived on time with her mom and two year old niece, Elsie. She opened gifts for about two hours and the entire bridal registry was filled except for several items. 
The nice thing about being this age is that I simply showed up, my only job was to do the floral arrangements, fun, fun, fun for me. My daughter Kathy, the groom's sister and Amanda the bride's sister, planned the entire event. An event that was extremely well done!
Except for some roses, the flowers were courtesy of my daughter's yard, (above photo) an added bonus and the best bargain in town. To create freely without the added expense, expect for a few insect bites, is a small price to pay. 
Another day filled with gratitude, was enjoyed by all. How fortunate we are to have such wonderful friends, relatives and a beautiful new daughter-in-law, adding joy and beauty to our family! 
You can see more shower pictures by clicking on the link below. 
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1916062186619&set=a.1916061746608.2094937.1393907008&type=1&theater
Have a wonderful day!

Point Of View!

Thru The Ropes
Aboard The Tall Ship Eagle, I shot this photo of it's rope ladder, loving that I could also capture the town of Fairhaven, across the harbor. Except for cropping it is SOOC, (straight out of the camera). 
It was a gray overcast day, warm and muggy, the air still and heavy, just an all around great day to tour and photograph. Hope you enjoy this photo as much as I do. Lots to do today!
Have a wonderful day!

The Tall Ship Eagle!

Barque Eagle
"USCGC Eagle is the sixth U.S. Coast Guard cutter to bear the name in a proud line dating back to 1792. The ship was built in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, and commissioned as Horst Wessel.
Originally operated by Nazi Germany to train cadets for the German Navy, the ship was taken by the United States as a war prize after World War II. In 1946, a U.S. Coast Guard crew, aided by the German crew still on board, sailed the tall ship from Bremerhaven to its new homeport in New London, Connecticut."~google search~
We had lunch yesterday at a restaurant we were checking out for rehearsal dinner. It is located in downtown New Bedford, Massachusetts in the Historic Waterfront District. It was a bonus day as the Tall Ship Eagle was docked in the harbor, manned by cadets in training for the USCG. Touring the ship was very interesting and the day just perfect for photographing. 
My husband and I were both born in New Bedford, I was raised in Fairhaven across the bridge and he in the southend of New Bedford. Sights and sounds we are very familiar with, yet we enjoyed it all as any tourist would. The history here is very rich in fact and folklore and I will share with you more photos someday soon.
Have a wonderful day!

Blog Tutorial!

Just a Couple of Things To Share
I created the photo above by using the antique effect in IPHOTO a Mac program. I then transfered it to photoshop for, cropping, borders. sizing and saving for the web. KInd of looks like I used several textures, something new and easy. 
A couple of things I would like to share with my blogging friends who may already know these google features but for those who don't, enjoy. 
1. Playing around the other day on the design page of my blog, I noticed the Favicon box above the navbar, top left. I uploaded a photo just to see where it would publish. An error came up and said that it was not square. So I sized a photo square, low and behold I now have my own initials before my blog url in the address bar, instead of the blogger, orange B. Not such a big deal but just a little personal touch and easy to do. 
2. Click on the Title top left of my photo (Blog Tutorial!), see where this brings you!!! I find this feature very exciting and a whole new way to view my posts. Type /view after your url, eg. 
http://www.rosemaryaubut.blogspot.com/view, place your url in the link box under your title when creating your post. Finally figured out what this link box does. Actually you can place any link here to any site you wish.
If it does not work go to, new post>settings>formatting and click yes on, Enable Dynamic Views, this may be a default setting already in place for you. Next click on Site Feed near Settings tab, make sure Allow Blog Feeds, says Full. Again this could be a default setting. I love this feature and you can enjoy your blog as a sidebar along with several other options located in the teal drop down box. 
Thanks, Mr. google you will always keep me on my toes, so much more to learn!

Armed With A Smile!

Astilbe
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God."
~author unknown~
My friend Judy sent me an email the other day called "Ever Seen A Lavender Farm," some of you may have seen it. The most gorgeous photographs of fields of lavender you can possibly imagine and if that wasn't enough the above quote finished it off. Now I wish I had  a photo of lavender to share with you, but astilbe will just have to do.
Sometimes a few simple words in the right combination can make all the difference in our understanding of the human journey. The quote above has been written before in different ways but there was something about the battle part that really resonated with me. "Everyone one you meet is fighting some kind of battle." I will definitely give that phrase more thought  the next time I start to take something personal. If someone is in a mood or a snit I will simply arm myself with a smile, unless otherwise asked. Sounds like a plan to me! 

Have a wonderful day!

Flowers For St. Anne!

The Pilgrimage
 Yesterday was the Feast of St. Anne, my friend Mary and I made our yearly pilgrimage to her shrine, only a half hour ride. I fully intended to bring you a photo, however, my photos did not translate in a way that would do St. Anne, justice. 
St. Anne is the mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the grandmother of Jesus. 
St. Anne is also the patron saint of mothers and grand-mother's. Mary calls her, "her go to girl." I can truly understand her devotion to this great lady. St. Anne, is perfect to pray to and ask protection for one's children and grand-children.
I am always humbled by the opulence that this magnificent house of worship displays, we lit candles and made our requests. The statue of St. Anne, is flanked on either side by St. Jude and St. Theresa. A powerful trio for sure.
St. Jude, was petitioned to watch over an ill friend and St. Theresa to shower my friend with love and roses. 
Mary, sat us in a pew strategically where one could see the statues of St. Anne, the Blessed Mother and Jesus on the alter. She calls this her triangle of power. Only my friend Mary, could possibly come up with this prayerful advantage. Thankful for her friendship I have learned much from her. I wish for everyone to have such a friend. 
She encouraged me to start this blog to display my talents, a gift for which I am eternally grateful. 
Angels, do truly walk among us, I am convinced of that! Have a wonderful day!

Remember When!

Remember When
"Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookn' back it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when"
~Alan Jackson, Lyrics~
"Sometimes a photo just sings a song!"~RA~
Have a wonderful day!



Texture, Dream, by: Kim Klassen

The Grand Painter!

Sunshine
"As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life."~John Lubbock~
Trying to live up to this quote by introducing you to yet another coneflower along with several filters and textures creating an artistic feel. Digital art is my medium of choice and the possibilities are endless.
I can't imagine my life without flowers, nor can I imagine my life without art in any medium. 
When I can bring flowers into permanent fruition thru my creative skills in any form, it is truly a marriage made in heaven. 
So please Mr. Sun, continue to color the flowers so that we may enjoy, bringing art to all those who choose to view what you have truly mastered! 
Have a wonderful day!


Posted to: http://www.lgordonphotography.com

Health, Healing, Inspiration!

Symbolism
"Yarrow flowers are often thought to represent health, healing and inspiration. Many people give these blossoms as gifts to symbolize their concern for the recipient’s well-being, or to help them find joy and illumination in their lives."~google search~
Walking the beach with my husband and camera in hand the other evening we came upon these lovely yarrow flowers. I had cultivated them for many years in my garden in shades of yellow and pink. Tall and lanky they grew, sometimes several feet high. Always generous with bloom lending interesting texture and color to the garden. 
Considered an herb with medicinal qualities there is also a great deal of Greek folklore attached to them. Google yarrow, you will be amazed.
Never noticing them in the wild before especially on the beach amongst the grasses, beach plum, with their feet in sand. Mother Nature, herself, keeps on lending me the ability to really see all that I have missed. There is so much more to discover thru the lens of my camera! 
I send to you a kind bouquet of their symbolism, Health, Healing and Inspiration. 
Have a wonderful day my friends!

Hazy Hot & Humid!

East Beach, Westport, MA

East Beach, yes those are rocks!

Allen's Pond, view from East Beach

Gooseberry Neck Beach, over looking Buzzards Bay

Westport River,  Last Light
The summertime's famous three H's, forecast, Hazy, Hot and Humid, 95 degrees and climbing. The humidity was so heavy yesterday you could see it, cut it with a knife and eat it with a spoon. Every pore releasing fluid at a rapid rate with no relief in site anytime soon. Yes, we are in the dead heat of summer folks. 
These photos were taken last evening between 7:00 and 8:30 PM, within a two mile radius. The beaches were still crowded with people seeking relief, not everyone here has air conditioning. Boston reached a high of 103 and Providence recorded 101. Not much sympathy from my southern friends for sure, however, this is the northeast after all. 
I could not decide which photo to share with you today, so I chose five out of the one hundred and nine captured. Hazy, textures and filters provided by Mother Nature, herself. 
Try to have a wonderful cool day today, maybe I'll just stay inside!

Mode Of Transportation!

Explore. Dream. Discover.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disppointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."~Mark Twain~
There were many boats in the harbor to photograph, somehow something very special about this little dinghy caught my eye. I loved the bright blue color in contrast with the sand and rocky shore so typical of the New England coastline. Not so sure I would sail away in this little guy, but I loved the quote and adored this photo. So there you have it folks!
Explore, Dream, Discover, before it's to late is the important message here, no matter your mode of transportation. 
Have a wonderful day!

Right Versus Left!

Ascending Stages

"I firmly believe that all human beings have access to extraordinary energies and powers. Judging from accounts of mystical experience, heightened creativity, or exceptional performance by athletes and artists, we harbor a greater life than we know." ~Jean Houston~ 
Reading a magazine recently, there was an article about connecting the right brain with the left brain. The right side known to be creative and the left analytical. The exercise seemed simple and promised to heighten one's creativity. Feeling a little low on creative energy, I would give it a try. Amazing the things one will attempt when retired and thirty seconds to kill. 
Sit quietly and look side to side in a rapid horizontal motion for thirty seconds. Feeling a bit dizzy afterwards it was a excellent suggestion to sit first. 
Above is the end result, not sure if the two hemispheres connected or not, if the title of the photo came from the right or left, no bells or whistles, risking all the while my eyes get stuck never to see forward again.
"Just a spiritual being in the ascending stages of the human experience climbing towards the pinnacle one step at a time!" Wow, is that a mystical statement or what!!! 
Have a wonderful day!

Captivated!

Spellbound
"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever."~Jacques Cousteau~
Walking along an unfamiliar beach we came upon a rustic little seafood restaurant. Shack like with panoramic water views, just our kind of place. Hungry, we thought it the perfect choice for dinner. There is something special about dining on the water, especially if one loves seafood. The ocean holds us captive each and every time we visit. I think that we shall never tire of it's wonder.
Leaving the restaurant, camera in hand, I had to capture this shot. Just loved the fishnet thrown haphazardly over the wooden fence flanked by a weathered lobster pot to complete the scene. What a view, the danger, keep out sign placed strategically to add a little mystery and charm, I am sure. 
The ocean has cast a spell upon us once again, a spell we wish never to break! 
Enjoy and have a wonderful day!

Summer Raindrops!

Summer Rains
"I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness."~Adeline Knapp~
Driving home from our favorite restaurant last evening it began to rain quite hard. 
One of those high speed windshield wiper kind of summer storms. 
Almost home, the sun was trying to break thru, droplets still falling. I could not wait to grab my camera and take a few shots. It was 7:30, mostly cloudy with no sun to cast shadows, perfect for photographing. 
There is always something special about a summer rain, watering all your flowers, a drenching like no other. Everything smells so fresh, a real scrubbing behind the ears from Mother Nature, herself. The temperature always seems to drop a little making the outside bearable once again. 
Out of fifty three photos the above hydrangea leaf spoke to me the loudest. Kind of looks like it could be waterproof! 
 Love the summertime, yes I love summertime!  Hope you enjoy!

Chasing Rainbows!

Peek Thru
"Your attitude is like a box of crayons that color your world. Constantly color your picture gray, and your picture will always be bleak. Try adding some bright colors to the picture by including humor, and your picture begins to lighten up."~Allen Klein~
Mostly just a pretty picture today and a quote to ponder. These hydrangeas were cut from my daughter's garden, their scrumptious hues just had to come inside and color my world. Where would they have the most impact, I thought? The small table in the bright yellow bathroom would be perfect. A pop of new color so unlike the yellow, an unlikely place to add refreshing color, even if only, for a short while. Enhanced with several textures to add a little drama to the overall feel. 
Sometimes a bleak and gray day can be colored brightly, if you let rainbows filter thru dense drama wanting to rob laughter from your soul. Cut thru the tightly woven textures of confinement, peak thru, find humor to brighten your day. 
Trusting, that you will be color co-ordinated from head to toe with a guaranteed smile as the ultimate accessory! 
Now run thru the fog, run like the wind, find some sunshine in the most unlikely places, it's all there for you to experience. Come on, lighten up, I know you can!!!!!!!!
Posted to: http://www.lgordonphotography.com, The Creative Exchange.

More On History!

Round Hill  

"Edward Howland Robinson Green, August 22, 1868 – June 8, 1936, known as "Colonel" Ned Green, the only son of the renowned female tycoon and miser, Hetty Green, built his home on Round Hill, South Dartmouth, MA, after his mother's death in 1916 she left him with a fortune of between $100 and $200 million. The mansion was designed by architect Alfred C. Bossom and completed in 1921 at a cost of $1.5 million dollars. In 1948, twelve years after the Colonel's death, his sister and heir donated the entire property to MIT, which used the 240-acre estate for educational and military purposes. 

Hetty Green, nicknamed "The Witch of Wall Street", November 21, 1834 – July 3, 1916, was an American businesswoman, remarkable for her frugality during the Gilded Age, as well as for being the first American woman to make a substantial impact on Wall Street."
~google search~
Today the entire estate is subdivided into a gated community, there are 93 homes and condos scattered about the oceanside property. It is an absolutely beautiful place to visit.

I thought I would share some of Round Hill’s beauty and history with you today. Day They Shook The Plum Tree, by Arthur H. Lewis, makes for very interesting reading about this remarkable family. Required reading for me in high school, I will have to read it once again to refresh my memory. Enjoy!