Saint Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City is incredibly beautiful and stands majestically amongst the tall skyscrapers.   It was hard to get a decent shot of the exterior due to renovations currently underway.

This one was taken at night.  The streets were packed with tourists and last minute shoppers, as well as those rushing in to attend mass. 

The ceilings are incredibly tall and have the same architectural style as St. Thomas church posted yesterday. 

We were only allowed to take photos from the side aisles as mass was about to begin.  These pictures do not do it justice - it is truly a beautiful sight!

The manger scene was incredible.  Baby Jesus was not in the manger.  I am assuming he would have been placed there on Christmas Eve.  

Candle stations were placed throughout the side halls and entrances.   We lit a candle in memory of several loved ones.  My husband's two older aunts were devout catholics and would have been thrilled to have been able to visit this cathedral.   We miss them very much. 

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve - what are your plans?  We will be sitting by the fire enjoying a glass of wine, good food and later shooting fireworks with our neighbors.   

Take care!

xoxo,
SouthernSass



St. Thomas Church and Midweek Blues

While visiting New York City last week, we toured St. Thomas Church.  I am a little bummed that the pics did not come out exactly as I wanted, but I am on a learning curve with the new camera (and photography).

The architecture is simply amazing.  The church was built in 1913. 

The interior is breathtaking and the stonework blew me away!  How did they do it back then? 

The blue stained glass windows were my favorite!  It was so peaceful inside this beautiful church - relatively empty compared to St. Patrick's cathedral, which I will share with you tomorrow. 

Be sure to visit the Dusty Cellar for more Midweek Blues.   I can't believe New Years Eve is only a couple of days away!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

SouthernSass

Same Barn - Different View

I shared this barn some time back, but wanted to show you how it looked in the snow and from the other side.  This barn is located adjacent to one of our local city parks.   I wanted to get some shots of the snow, but by that time it was mostly melted.   However, as I was leaving the snow started back up and we got another 1/4 inch.   By that time it was getting dark and windy - time to sit by the fire!

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Ice Crown

I am soooo happy that we got snow today!!   It was an inch or less that accumulated, but nonetheless very exciting for us Southern folks that do not get to see it very often.    My youngest is still outside playing with his buddy and does not want to give it up - even though he is probably close to becoming a popsicle right about now.

  
This dried flower looked like it was wearing an ice crown.   I hope to get out in the morning and find some more icy macro shots.  

For more great macros, but sure to visit Lisa.  Its a fun way to start the week! 

Have a happy Monday!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Merry Christmas!

Can you guess where I have been this week?  New York City!! 

The sites were amazing and the city was very festive.

The Cartier store was especially beautifully decorated! 

And the Christmas Spectacular was really spectacular!

The tree at Rockefeller Center was breathtaking, but the crowds were a little overwhelming.

I have tons of catching up to do and the cookies for Santa have to be baked.   I wish you and your family a very BLESSED holiday! 

Merry Christmas!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Provision - Scripture and a Snapshot

The squirrels have been enjoying the acorns in the back yard. They love to sit along the ledge of the fence and eat their fill leaving behind their "scraps."

I am joining in with Katie Lloyd for Scripture and a Snapshot.  

It is going to be a busy week so I may not be posting as much.  However, I will be catching up with all of you soon!   

Have a blessed Sunday!!

xoxo,

SouthernSass

Waving Bee...

I have been so swamped this week that I have not been posting or visiting with my blogging buddies.  I'll be catching up with you here soon!

This picture was snapped back in the summer.  He seems to be waving at me!  I really do miss the bees, butterflies and other summer critters! 

The picture still seems a little dull to me.  Please feel free to shout out any suggestions for PS Elements. 

Have a great Friday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Virginia Barn

I happened across this photo when I was looking back over our summer vacation.   We were in Williamsburg, Virginia and I snapped this inside the car on our way to visit the Jamestown Settlement. 

I wish I had been more interested in photography then - I definitely would have made my hubby pull over to get better pics.

Be sure to visit Tricia to see more great barns!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Monday - Reach...

This new flower seems to be reaching towards the camera.  The new petals look like long, slim fingers to me!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.   Mine was awesome since my hubby surprised me with my Christmas gift early!   I finally am the owner of a DSLR camera!   After much debate and talking with many different camera owners, I decided on the Canon EOS 60D.   I am very excited!!

And, to top off a great weekend we got snow flurries last night.  They were tiny in size and did not last long, but hey - snow is snow here in the South! 

Happy Monday everyone!  Be sure to visit Lisa for more great macros. 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Scripture & A Snapshot

This is my first time participating in Katie Lloyd's Scripture & A Snapshot.  It truly is an inspirational way to share the beauty of this world as seen through our eyes, as well as share His word!

Have a blessed Sunday! 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Friday - Mustang

The song "Mustang Sally" is running through my head right about now.   It is a classic by  Wilson Pickett that many Southern folks like to shag (its a dance) to. 

I snapped this over Thanksgiving.  My brother-in-law is a Ford sports car collector and has a few classics.  When the weather warms a bit again we are going to do a shoot of his cars and I cannot wait to share them with you! 

Thank you so much for your kind comments - Thursday was a blah day for some reason. 

Happy Friday -  I am off to do some Christmas shopping with the best daughter in the world!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Lazy post....

Today I feel so overwhelmed!  I know its just this time of year and I will get through it and everything will be fine.  But gosh, some days I feel like crawling back into bed and just staying put all day long! 

I was too lazy to edit the photos that I wanted to post today - so you ended up with this textured rose. The texture is from Shadowhouse Creations.  He has some awesome free textures and you can visit his blog  by clicking here.   

Have a great day!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Midweek Blues - Blue Tarp

This house is owned by my brother-in-law and is near 100 years old.   It has electricity but no indoor plumbing.   It is rented to a gentleman who lives there by himself.  The main source of heat is the fireplace, but hopefully he has a second heat source as well.

The blue tarp on the porch caught my eye.  It looks like the wood is rotten in spots.  I also love the old bench car seat that serves as a place to sit and watch the world go by.  

Be sure to visit The Dusty Cellar for other midweek "blues."

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Back of the Barn

I posted the front of this barn a few weeks ago and wanted you to see the back of it as well.  It is a large horse barn but I have yet to actually see a horse in there yet.

And of course I added a texture!  :)  This one is by Kim Klassen and is called grunge.    Be sure to visit Tricia to see more great barns.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Tattered....

I snapped this guy back in September.  His wings look a little tattered to me.  

For more great macros - be sure to visit Lisa for a fun way to start your week!   I am hoping this week will be far less busy for me and that I can catch up with all of you!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Fall Foliage

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago at a local park.   And yes, I am still playing with textures.    I am going to start noting which particular texture I use so that I can share it with you. 

I highly recommend the free download for applying textures at MCP Actions.  It has made a huge difference for me and it is compatible with PhotoShop Elements. 

This has turned into a crazy busy week for me and I hope to catch up with everyone this weekend!  I hope everyone has a great one!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Ford Tractor..

This is one of several tractors that my brother-in-law has.   He is a farmer and works so hard.  I never really knew how hard these men and women worked and I am very appreciative of their efforts. 

I am still messing around with textures and this photo was a little over-exposed so I added a couple of textures to try and compensate for that.   Please be sure to visit here for more great mid-week blues! 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Shelter...

I found this old lean-to/shelter next to a cow pasture while visitng my sister-in-law on Thanksgiving.   I walked the fields and really enjoyed the wide open spaces and all of the neat "old" stuff that was nearby. 

It sat under a tree and looked like it had not been used in some time.  I love the pond in the background and the remaining foliage on the trees.   I added a texture and love the way it turned out!

Be sure to visit Tricia for more great barns; it is so much fun to see what others have found!

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Monday - Water Droplet

I am having a really hard time getting myself in gear today.  It was a busy holiday weekend and I guess I am still feeling the effects of it.  

I caught this water droplet in my daisy after I watered it the other day.   I am using  it as my submission for Macro Monday.   For more great macros visit Lisa - its a fun way to start the week!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Its About That Time...

I hope all of my blogging friends here in the U.S. had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!   We sure did and I am so very thankful for my family and friends, and all that God has blessed us with.   Now that we have gotten through Thanksgiving holiday - it is about that time....

This is a SOOC (please visit there for more great SOOC pics) shot of some our ornaments from the tree last year and tomorrow we will get our tree for this Christmas season.   I love the way a Fraser Fir Christmas tree smells; so fragant and festive!

I'll be catching up with all of you tomorrow.   Have a blessed Sunday!  

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Canoes...

We were at a local park, and I could not resist these two blue canoes sitting on the bank.  They made a great subject along with the gorgeous reflections in the water.  

This is my Midweek Blues submission.  Be sure to stop by to see other great "blues."  

I will be super busy tomorrow getting ready for our Thanksgiving holiday.   We going to visit with my sister-in-law and her husband and I hope to bring back lots of rural "Southern" shots to share with you!

I wish all of you here in the United States a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving holiday, and my other friends a peaceful and happy day as well!  Let's all remember to take time out (no matter where we live) to appreciate our family, friends, loved ones and all that we have been given, and to remember those who are in need.

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Stables...

These stables have been such a big part of my life.  Growing up we played in them; hide and seek, made them our clubhouses, and whatever else tickled our fancy while the horses or donkey were out.  I can remember my grandfather milking the cow in those stables and drinking the warm milk from a cup fresh out of the stainless steel bucket when he brought it in the house.   There is nothing better than warm milk on a cold morning in a house heated only by a wood stove!

These stables are still standing and are in good shape.   My daddy is unsure of their age, but he is in his mid 60s and they have been there since he was a child.  

I added a texture just for kicks.  I like "old" things better with added texture.  That is, unless you are shooting HDR and my camera is not equipped for that.   Hopefully Santa will bring me a new one!  For a great HDR shot of these stables, please check out my friend and mentor Steve's blog.  He has a wide-angled lens and got the barns in the shot too.  His photos are PHENOMENAL!   **SIGH**  He and his wife are such great people and I am so lucky to have them in my life!

For more great barn photos please visit  Tricia - you will enjoy it!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Beetle Bug

I absolutely love the colors in this beetle.    He was determined to get where he was going and it was hard to keep him still on this leaf, but I love the shot I got. 

Its Macro Monday over at Lisa's Chaos so be sure to stop by for more great macros.  And for those of you traveling this week - I wish you a safe trip!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Fall Mantle - Just for fun and SOOC

Karen over at What Karen Sees is trying something new and I agreed to post a pic of my fall mantle on Friday, but have been slack this weekend and am just getting it posted. 

You can post any favorite pic - I just chose the mantle because it is also SOOC and I have not posted there today.   I did my laundry but not much cleaning - too busy with basketball games, early Thanksgiving gatherings, etc.    There is always stuff to be done around the house, but none of it is nearly as much fun as blogging with my friends!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Have a seat....

I snapped this bench at a local park and thought it looked so lonely - just waiting for someone to come by and have a seat...

Today I will be doing mountains of laundry and cleaning.  AUGH.   I hope you are doing something fun!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Friday - Leaf

As we were leaving a local park this past weekend I picked up this large leaf.  The afternoon sun was quite bright so I held it up and snapped the pic just for fun. 

I love the color and texure, and the way the sun is peaking through the small hole.  There is such beauty in nature - even a leaf that is just lying on the ground.

I zoomed in and came up with this macro for today's post over at Blogging from Bolivia. 

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Make a Wish...

Wouldn't life be more simple/easier if we could just pick a dandelion, make a wish and have it come true?

Have a great Thursday!  

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Burst of Sunlight....

My friend and mentor Steve taught me this technique.   Set your f stop to 22 and focus on the sun through a tree branch or other object.   The result is a really neat burst of sunlight!  Please check out his blog and flickr page - you will not be disappointed! 

Pretty cool, huh?   The blue sky was really vivid, so I am using this as my Midweek Blues submission.

Hope you are having a great week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Horse Barn

Horse barns are pretty plentiful in our area.  I have decided to get out and start photographing the ones that I can easily gain access to.  

I adjusted the colors and added this texture to give it more of an old feel.   For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia! 

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Macro Monday - Green

I found this guy a couple of weeks ago on my front porch.  Not sure what type of catepillar he is - but he was a pretty shade of green with orange dots.

For more great macros be sure to visit Lisa.   Happy Monday ya'll!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

SOOC Sunday - Cotton Bokeh

I snapped this cotton bloom a few months ago in the early morning.  The sun was just coming up and I caught some great bokeh in the background - a very nice surprise when I pulled it up on the computer!  

This is SOOC other than a little bit of a crop.    Go visit Jan for more great SOOC shots at Murrieta 365.

Have a blessed Sunday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Happy Friday...

Wow - it has been a crazy busy week and I am so happy it is Friday and that the weekend is here! 

I love the way this macro shot of a daisy turned out.   For more great macros be sure to visit Blogging from Bolivia.

Have a terrific weekend my friends!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Veterans Day

We visited Washington, DC this past summer and Arlington Cemetary was a "must visit" for us.   I cannot describe my feelings as I looked out over the sea of headstones.  

I am so thankful to all who have served, and continue to serve - those who put their lives on the line EVERY day for us.

And, so many brave men and women have paid the ultimate price.   Let us never forget that. 

God bless the USA and all of our brave men and women who serve this great Country!  Thank you!

Dragonfly in Color

I posted this dragonfly last week in black and white.   This is the color version with another Kim Klassen texture (lyrical) added.  I love her textures!!

I like it equally well in black and white, as well as in color.  I love the beautiful blue color of its body. 

Its Wednesday and time for midweek blues so be sure to stop by and check it out!  I hope you all are having a great week.  The weather is warm here - 78 degrees today.  I hope to find some time to get out with my camera, even its just in my backyard. 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Textured Barn

This barn stands tucked back amongst some trees and has overgrown bushes in front of it.   It overlooks a beautiful cotton field in full bloom.  

This barn belongs to my son-in-law's family and part of it is still in use.  I plan to go back and take some more pictures of the barn and cotton field.  Hopefully some of the overgrown stuff will be gone if my sweet son-in-law will take it down for me!  

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia.  

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Reflection in a Raindrop...

I was so focused on catching the "raindrop" from the daisy petal that I did not notice the "reflection" in the raindrop until I pulled it up on my computer.   Funny how life can be that way - we are so focused on certain aspects of life that we miss the beautiful details.

This is a great time of year for reflection - looking at our lives and being thankful for all that we have been given and remembering those who are less fortunate; as well as assessing where "we" are and where "we" want to be and what it will take to get there!  

Happy Monday folks!  Please visit Lisa for Macro Monday - such a fun way to start the week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

SOOC Sunday - Acorn

We are finallly having some fall weather.  Actually tonight is more like winter and we are having our first fire in the fireplace.   Loving it!!

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!   Be sure to visit Jan for more great SOOC shots!

Have a Blessed Sunday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass