April 30 - Santa Fe

We are in Santa Fe, New Mexico!
After snow and sunshine at the same time, we had a beautiful sunset!

ISO 100
Shutter speed: 1/30
Aperture: f/8

April 29 - Heny in bed

I was almost going to bed when I remembered I still needed to take my picture of the day. Henry, the cat, was in bed, matching the comforter.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 0.6 seconds
Aperture: f/4

April 28 - Mami and me

We cooked together, mami and me, today. We had lasanha made with our home made pancakes, or crapes, as they say it here.
In the end of the dinner, we did a self portrait.
we are tired, but that was fun :)

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/9

April 27 - Birthday cards

I put some cards on the cork board and took my picture of the day.
Want to re-do that with a wide angle. Maybe tomorrow.

ISO 1600
Shutter speed:1/50
Aperture: f/2

April 26 - Kalanchoi

Today I was just too tired...didn't feel like taking pictures but did it anyway because my flowers don't care.
I know this flower by Kalanchoi, a plant that grows pretty wild where I am from.

ISO 1600
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture:f/2

April 25 - Mami and Edison

Today we went to a park and I took a picture of them in this bridge.

ISO 125
Shutter speed:1/125
Aperture:f/5.6

April 24 - Tulips

We had a long diner, sitting at the table, talking a lot, like we always do.
When I was getting ready for sleep, I realized I had not posted my image of the day yet.The tulips saved the day.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/80
Aperture: f/4

April 23 - My birthday

What a great day!
I woke up at 5 am for my birthday snow.
Went out for breakfast with my beloved one and my parents and met lots of friends and got a birthday cake with candles and all and lots of love.
Took parents out for snow tour while it lasted.
Got my hair done by my step dad. Went out for playing pool with friends and celebrate my birthday. Lovely, beautiful, emotional day. Welcome 40's!

April 22 - Hail

Today we were all cooking at home again and it started hailing really strong.
We went to the porch and the ground was covered in tiny little ice balls.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/13
Aperture: f/2.8

April 21 - Family in Palmer Park

Today we took mom and Edison to see Palmer Park.
We drove around in the end of the day and stopped by the overlook so they cold see how wide spread the city is.
I took a picture of them with my beloved one with the mountain behind them.

ISO 400
Shutter speed: 1/250
Aperture: f/11

April 20 - Mom is back

After 2 years without her, I finally have her in my home.
Mom arrived today with my beloved step dad and we are having a wonderful time together.
I gave her yellow flowers to celebrate.

ISO 1600
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.5

April 19 - Basil

Tired after a long day and volunteer work...got home and took a picture of my basil plant.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/4.5

April 18 - Welcome home

My mom and step dad will arrive on Tuesday, April 20, for my 40th birthday on Friday.
I wanted to throw away the old door mat so I found a new one that does not say welcome, but says "Live life simply" to be at the front door. My house is ready for spring, open to receive them.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/2.5

April 17 - Banana Bread

Today we had a full day. Left home around 9 in the morning and spent the entire day running errands for the house, getting stuff done. By the time it was 5 pm I felt like it was midnight. But in the slow down time, I baked banana bread with chocolate chips and took picture when it was ready. Yummy!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/4

April 16 - Flowers again

Spring is making me look more for flowers as a subject, although I should be trying more macros.
This just had a punch of orange and purple like I have not seen before!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/4.5

April 15 - Couch surf cat

We went to a meeting of couchsurfers tonight and this cat was very friendly, just like the people in the group.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/60
Aperture: f/2.5

April 14 - Tree

I photographed the tree and its shadow on a building among so many other places this afternoon. I like the high contrast and how my eyes go to the tree and then immediately to the reflections on the glass where the tree casts its shadows.

ISO 500
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/18

April 13 - Flower

I saw this flower at work today and could not resist to take a picture.

ISO 640
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/4.5

April 12 - Walking season

I took a one hour walk this morning before going to work. tonight I went to get a pedometer. I will start to track how I will be doing :)

ISO 3200
Shutter speed:1/60
Aperture: f/3.5

April 11 - Taxes are done!

I spent the day doing taxes, but they are finally done!
After a headache that last for days, it feels good to get this out of the way!
I didn't go out to take pictures, so the only thing new was the cactus plant I bought this week. I was told it is not technically a cactus, but it belongs to the family. It represents the hardness of a day doing taxes!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2.8

April 10 - Shrimp and grits

After watching some food network, we tried to cook Bobby Flay's shrimp and grits.
This is how it turned out.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/200
Aperture: f/2.8

April 9 - Tulips for Stefania

Sometimes flowers just amaze me. They are stronger and have a life of their own, surprising with the colors, the textures, the beauty.
A week ago I gave little closed tulips to Stefania, and today, when I came back, they were tall, happy, and colorful.
I couldn't help but to think that they are like people, with stirred emotions and phases in their lives, sometimes closed, sometimes open to the happenings around them.
Flowers for Stefania were blooming happiness today.

ISO 320
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/2.8

April 8 - Bedroom

Getting ready for my mom and step dad arrival, we got a futon that makes it easier than an air mattress.

ISO 3200
Shutter Speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/4

April 7 - Red flower

Not all days I am inspired or exposed to interesting subjects, so today I photographed the flowers in the bedroom.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/40
Aperture: f/2.8

April 6 - Sunset

Getting home today and looking through the window...beautiful gold light in the horizon.
It was there for a minute or two and then the light was gone.
I heard it is going to snow but it is hard to believe after this sunset.

ISO 800
Shutter speed: 1/160
Aperture: f/9

April 5 - New trees

Part of my new routine is a bunch of trees on the way to work. They are old and tall and rest peacefully in a park.

ISO 800
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/11

April 4 - Easter

Finally, a rest day that feels like a rest day. Sleeping in, real breakfast at the table, going out for a hike, no phone calls, and visiting a friend for Easter egg hunt.
Among the pictures of the day, I really loved the cake and its bright colors.

ISO 800
Shutter speed: 1/125
Aperture: f/2.8

April 3 - Hyena

This dog looks like a gremlin, and her name is Hyena.
She barks and moves the tail all happy, very funny with personality.
She likes to play and her look is human.

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/50
Aperture: f/2

April 2 - Jelly beans!

Things I like...I guess everyday I can find one to name :)
But today is Friday and I got orange flavored jelly beans.
When I was a child, my grandma would often come to visit us and she would bring jelly beans. I remember digging into the package to find the orange ones.
I big package of jelly beans make me happy!

ISO 3200
Shutter speed: 1/30
Aperture: f/7.1
Lens: Canon EF 100mm F2.8 USM macro lens

April 1 - Chef salad

I had lunch with a friend, today, and I prepared a quick, delicious salad.
For me, it tasted better than a chef's salad, because I made it, and because I made it to my friend :)

ISO 1000
Shutter speed: 1/100
Aperture: f/4