An Old Gem....

This lovely barn has seen better days, but it is still standing and is full of charm and character!  I especially love the blue pan that was probably used to hold feed or water for the animals that were once kept inside. 

This picture was taken on a partly cloudy day.   The sky and foreground are both washed out.  Other than applying a texture - anything else I tried did not satisfy me.   Feel free to shout out any editing tips!

I definitely prefer the aged/grungy look the texture gives this beautiful old place.

Be sure to visit Barn Charm for more great barns.  Also, be sure to visit here for midweek blues.

**Lisa Gordon hosts The Creative Exchange each week but I forgot to link up before I posted last night.   This place holds a special place in my heart and I loved spending time there this past weekend taking photos and remembering good times from my childhood.  

For those who are wondering - those are collard greens planted in front.   Years ago it was fenced in and was used to hold cows. 

I hope you are having a lovely week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

     

Pretty In Pink...

This is SOOC shot of a morning glory taken back in the summer.    This week the theme is PINK for Shoot and Edit with Jill and Ashley.   Be sure to check it out as they both are great photographers and offer awesome tips and tutorials!   I will be editing it this week and you can see the final product on Thursday.

I am also submitting this to Macro Monday over at Lisa's Chaos.  It is always a fun way to get the week started!

 

      

Have a wonderful week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Snapshot and Scripture

I took this photo today while outside enjoying the beautiful, bright sunshine and warm weather that we are having.  I really thought I was imaging this little creature as he was quite far up in our red maple tree, but sure enough he was there!  I am not sure if its a butterfly or moth of some sort, but its good to see them out and about.   Spring surely cannot be too far away here in our corner of the South!

Be sure to link up with Katie for more inspiring Snapshot and Scriptures.  


Have a blessed Sunday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!   It has been a crazy week, and I am looking forward to enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend.  I am going to visit my daddy and am very excited about that.  I love going home!

Violas have such cheery little faces and bright colors.   These were on my neighbor's front porch. They always have such pretty flowers year round, and lucky for me they don't mind me using their yard as my photography playground.   Thanks Marvin and Lynda!  


Have a fantastic weekend and enjoy the warmer weather that most of us on the east coast are having.   Today's forecasted high is 77 and I am loving it!   For more great macros, be sure to visit Blogging from Bolivia.

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Frosted and Textured Basil...

I took this photo back during our snow/ice event.   My poor basil plant is past dead, but it made for an interesting subject.

I am experimenting with layers and masks.  AUGH....   Ashley has a great tutorial this week and she inspires me to keep trying!    After playing around with the high pass filter and adding Pioneer Woman's define and sharpen action, I decided to add a Kim Klassen texture to finish it off.

Happy Friday and I hope you have an absolutely wonderful weekend!   We are supposed to have temps in the mid 60s and I feel a barn search/road trip coming on....   :)

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Bird on a Wire

I really need a larger zoom lens, but this shot will have to do.   This pretty little bird was hanging out in the middle of a field on Sunday.   It was a beautiful blue-sky day without a cloud in sight and the temps were in the low 60s. 

He/she seemed to be looking out over the field searching for something to eat.  Suprisingly, the forecast is for snow late Wednesday night/early Thursday morning.   1 inch of snow is nothing to my other blogging friends, but it is a big deal here in the South!   However, I really am ready for warmer weather and more sun-filled days. 

I hope you are all having a fabulous week!  Be sure to visit here for more great Midweek Blues.

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Field - Scripture and a Shapsot

We left town yesterday to celebrate my huband's birthday and spent the night with one of my most favorite people on earth - my beloved SIL Karen.   I am so blessed to have her in my life; she is truly one of my very best friends and I love her dearly!!

This particular picture was taken at a good family friend's farm.  It is so peaceful there and I think this scripture fits the pic perfectly.   Over the years when feeling down and out, I have always clung to this particular scripture and have reminded myself over and over - just have faith the size of a mustard seed. 

Be sure to visit Katie for a great blog hop and more beautiful photos and scripture. 






xoxo,
SouthernSass

To Brighten Your Day....

I found this cheery little thing in my archives today.   I thought would share it with you and hopefully brighten your day a bit!

I am so tired of gray skies.   It has been cold and raining all day, and the same is in the forecast for tomorrow.    I am off now to enjoy a glass of wine in front of the fireplace! 

Be sure to visit here for more Saturday flowers.  Have a wonderful weekend my friends!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Place....

This building sits in back of my daughter's and son-in-law's house.     I love old places like this - I bet they have wonderful stories to tell!

I normally use MCP Actions texture application (its free) and I like it a lot.  However,Kim Klassen is offering a free Texture in 10 course and I highly recommend it!!   I learned a lot and I really enjoy using her textures.   Also, be sure to sign up for her weekly texture freebies.

Happy Thursday!  I hope my blogging buddies in the midwest and up north are starting to thaw out some. 

xoxo,
SouthernSass

An Old Pen...

While this does not necessarily meet the definition of a barn, it was used to house chickens and other small farm animals at one time. 

   
Although it has seen better days, I love the character of this patched up little pen.   Looks like a great spot for hide and seek!

For more great barns be sure to visit Tricia.    The sky was so clear and blue that particular day and this photo will also be my submission to Midweek Blues.  
 

Scripture and a Snapshot..

I took this photo over Thanksgiving when we visited my SIL.   They have a beautiful farm and a pond that sits at the edge of a field.  It is so peaceful, one could sit there for hours.

I immediately knew what I wanted to do with this photo, and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.   Truly, we need to more like Christ and be fishers of men.

Have a blessed Sunday!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

A little rusty....

I love this old tractor's headlight; at least one of them is still intact!

I miss the country more than ever for some reason right now.   Home is not far away - I just do not make the time like I should to go back very often.   I think I need to fix that!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Blue Morning Glory

Even though here in the South we are not getting hammered with snow, we have had a much colder winter than usual and a lot of the days have been overcast and gloomy.   Today is another of those days and its pretty windy.    

I found this sweet Morning Glory while going through some old pics and thought I would share it with you. 

This was taken last spring.   I am counting down the days; I miss the sunshine, pretty flowers and walking barefoot in the grass. 

Happy Wednesday!!   To all my blogging friends up North - stay warm and be safe!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Bloggers Block and a Barn

I have had what I will call "bloggers block" for a few days now.   My "get up and go" has gone and I can't seem to find it.   Hopefully, I will be back to myself here soon!  

This barn and tractor belonged to my daddy's best friend's father.  I had a wonderful time a few weeks back taking pictures, and remembering lots of good times spent playing on that farm as a child.   I have several more barns that I will be sharing and lots of pictures of great old stuff! 

I hope you are all doing well and I will be catching up with everyone soon!  For more great barns - be sure to visit Tricia.    Have a great Tuesday!



xoxo,
SouthernSass

Before and After - Frozen Drop

This is my SOOC shot on Monday.   

And this is my edited version.  

I cropped it a little, ran Pioneer Woman's Sharpen and Define action x 2, played with the highlights and contrast, and then ran it through Topaz Adjust and to lower the noise.   I was still not happy so I added a layer and chose Pin Light.  I really have no clue what I am doing with layers yet!

Be sure to visit Ashley for more great editing tips and tutorials.  She really rocks! 

Happy Thursday everyone!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Barn Charm and Midweek Blues

Tuesday is almost gone and Wednesday is almost here, so I am combining this post for Barn Charm and Midweek Blues.  

I used Charlene McCoy's Vintage texture (her textures are great!!) and ran Pioneer Woman's Boost and Warmer actions.   The light was fading fast and the shots I took of the front did not turn out well.  I plan on going back when the weather cooperates to get more shots.  

I hope you are all having a great week!

xoxo,
SouthernSass
                   

SOOC and Macro Monday

This frozen drop is straight out of the camera and yep, it was taken during our big snow and ice event.   I took it during the morning before it melted, so hopefully that counts for this week's theme "Good Morning."

There is a little reflection of some red berries in it at the very bottom.   Hopefully, when I edit it they will be more visible.  So, be sure to check back on Thursday for the edited version.  


 

Also, be sure to visit Lisa for more great macros.  It is always a fun way to start the week!

Happy Monday!!

xoxo,
SouthernSass

Strength....

This one little leaf was standing up straight in our front yard in the snow/ice.    Can you imagine the strength it took for it to stand upright in the snow, ice and wind?  

May you all have a very blessed Sunday!   Be sure to visit Katie for more great Scripture and a Snapshot.



xoxo,
SouthernSass

Frozen Parsley....

I'm teaming up with Ashley for Shoot and Edit.   I missed the SOOC link up on Monday, but have displayed it below. 

SOOC.  This flower pot sits on my front porch but the wind blew the snow and ice in on top of it.

My edit:  Opened in PS Elements 8.  Cropped.   Under "Enhance" I lightened the shadows at 27%, darkened highlights at 3% and boosted the midtone contrast to 33%.   I then adjusted the brightness up to 15 and increased contrast to 26.    I used Pioneer Woman's Define and Sharpen action x 2 and then used Florabella Rain action.  I adjusted the layers to suit my taste and then ran it through Topaz Adjust (GREAT product!) to decrease the noise.    I am not sure this is my favorite edit for this pic - but I am learning.  

Thanks Ashley - and I look forward to learning more about layers and masks!    I am also linking up with Macro Friday with Blogging from Bolivia.

Have a safe and blessed weekend!

xoxo,
SouthernSass






 

Southern Snow/Ice

These are just a few random pics from our snow/ice event.   We had at least 2 to 3 inches of snow, but then the sleet and freezing rain came through coating everything with an icy finish. 

My empty tricycle planter was frozen in place. 

The back yard was a sheet of ice.  My poor dog Rascal did not like it one bit - poor thing slid around just trying to find the "right" spot to do his business. 

 
My garden girl had a basket full of puppies covered in ice.

And this is my little guy's take on snowboarding - he did it with his Yo-Baby plastic skateboard!  He and his buddy had fun playing ice hockey in the front yard. 

Happy Thursday - I hope you have a great one!

xoxo,
SouthernSass