Woodworking loveliness

My dad asked me to take pictures of the two pieces of furniture he has made me over the years for a portfolio of his woodworking projects. These are the pics I took this morning of my headboard and hope chest. They really are beautiful (the furniture, not necessarily the photos).

Our headboard was a wedding present. Its solid cherry, which makes it very heavy and kind of awkward, but its so lovely its worth it.

 This hope chest was high school graduation present. I use it to keep all of our extra linen (read: one set of extra sheets) and our beach towels. I don't think that would constitute a dowry, but I've already got my man.

 The inlay on the front is too pretty to not get a close up.

Blackwater Canoe Trip II

Blackwater canoe trip

This series of pics documents the way that David had to get Max into the canoe every time he got out. It was absolutely hilarious. 

Around Mobile

Here are some shots from downtown Mobile from a couple of weekends ago. I meant to post them last week. But its finals time and I am forgetting almost everything.

Statue outside a little art gallery by Cathedral square.

Mobile has some cool street art, not that I would really call this street art, but its interesting nonetheless. 

 Bienville Square is beautiful, but on this gorgeous spring saturday nobody was there enjoying its beauty (except a few homeless people that looked like they had made a home here). It made me sad and really miss Denver and the people's love for the outdoors. 

Cathedral square is also beautiful and enjoyed by more people. The farmer's market (starting in a couple of weeks, Yea!) is held here and there are some good restaurants and such around it. 

Spring and Fstops

These days I have to work really hard to find beauty around me. School is kicking my booty and I am having to study like crazy. But I am trying. Its been fun the last couple of weeks to see all of the flowers blooming in our backyard. We moved into this house in July last year so all of the flowers were gone. There have been so many. Here's one that is incredibly beautiful just outside the back door. I decided to play with different aperture settings.

Lately, the lower the f number the better. But I am realizing that it might not always be the best setting. The one above is F2.8. I like it, but the edges of the flower are really sharp. The following picture is F5.6 and overall, its a lot better. The edges on the flower are a lot shaper. I still like the drama of the strong small focal field and the blurred background.

In other news, there might be redemption for my birthday. We are planning on going on an overnight canoeing trip this weekend. We are going to leave on Saturday afternoon and camp somewhere along the river. It sounds like so much fun and very much needed. I am SO tired and burnt out from school. Our friends Jennifer and David are coming too so even better. Hopefully, we will get some cool shots.

Worst Birthday Ever

So yesterday was my 26th birthday. I knew it wasn't going to be exciting mostly because I had 6 hours of class and I have a test on Friday, but I was hoping for something unexpected. My parents and in-laws sent me birthday money which is great but impersonal. My friends posted on FB and my sisters and brother all texted but these things don't really make anyone feel special. Then Stephen didn't do anything. I had asked for several things and didn't get anything. I know I sound like a whiny baby, but I haven't had the best semester and this just adds insult to injury.

Ok there I have said it and its out so I can move on. There's always next year.