Goals 2013 Monthly Update February

→read a book every month-I finished How To Treat Different Church Members by Jack Hyles for school but can only recommend everyone to read it. It was very interesting and inspiring....inspiring to have a heart for others.
 
→create something once a month (digital, crafting, sewing)-A crafted a few cards, I created 4 tutorials, I created a photo calendar and a new blog design....which included creating my own clip art png's.
 
→1 guest post/month- Betsy Gettis gave us 5 great tips on taking better pictures- Go check it out!
→1 vlog/ month- "What I learned last night"


→practice one song a month together- The last part of the month got a bit hectic but we still are working on it and want to to sing it in church when we are ready.
→continue monthly date night -Ofcourse, with Valentines day...what did you think?

March Desktop Background- Green Bird

Felt like making something a while back and thought I would make a desktop background for March. 

Just >right-click< and either >save picture as< or >set as desktop background<.

Enjoy!

May I introduce...My Birds!

Name: Sky
Age: 6 years
Mine for: 6 years
Gender: male

What you should know:

• He is the first bird I bought.
• He used to be more blue (that is why I called him sky) and later turned more turquois
• He LOVES me taking pictures of him...oh and videos! 
• He sometimes sits on my head. 
• When he's in the cage he will sit on my finger 
• He's skinny
• He's the leader of the group
• He loves to sing.
• He loves showing off
• His favorite place to sit is on the bird playground and talk to the wood beam
• He loves to share

Name: Summer

Age: over a 1 year

Mine for: 1 year

Gender: female

What you should know:

• She loves her cage
• She loves to bite wood
• She can't stand it if I change something in the cage...."its gotta go"
• She is really quite
• She is an Albino...I know she's yellow...but she is.**(see comments)
• When she does come out of the cage she flies around like crazy and gets everyone riled up
• She was NEVER shy and scared...she acts like a queen
• She only sleeps on a swing....whichever one she chooses that night...even if someone is already sitting on it

Name: Lake
Age: ?
Mine for: 1 year
Gender: Male

You should know:

• He likes to get my attention be it throwing food on the floor or flying over my head so close that he touches me...
• He loves to hear himself through skype call
• He sings the most
• He has an affair with the bird in the mirror
• If I don't open the cage in the morning in time he will leave through the food bowl hole
• He loves swinging himself...to cute to watch.
• He's shy
• When he sits he looks perfect...so straight and proud
• When your hand is in the cage he will hang on the side of the cage in a corner and hope you don't see him

Name: Meadow

Age:  4 years

Mine for: 1 year

Gender: female

What you should know:

• She has a outgoing personality
• Can't fly really good but is SLOWLY getting better.
• She runs around on the floor
• She is super curious
• She loves to eat
• Is kinda...well...uh...fat
• Loves to visit my room
• Loves looking at herself in the mirror...in my room
• Loves taking baths and getting wet
• Hates it when I push her on the swing

___________________________________________

My bird history started with this bird bellow. My rabbit Samantha had just died and she was really close to me. My Pastor's wife had taken over her cousin's birds when they moved but she really couldn't keep it because she had a cat and one of the birds already flew away because it got scared. I thought birds were boring but it was better than having this empty spot in my room.

On June 14th....a few days before my birthday Snowy came to live with me. She was already 9 years old, was fit as ever but looked so sad...so on the 16th I bought Sky.

Name: Snowy
Age: 1998- 2012
Mine for: 5 years
Gender: female

Soon after she died I bought Summer and put Lake and Meadow together with Sky. They were given to us by a lady who moved back to the States...my grandma didn't want them....and birds think: "The more the merrier!"

Now You have met my four little kids! They bring me what me so much joy and make me laugh. They are full of personality.

5 Photography Tips // Guest Post

Hello readers of The Blue Birdhouse!  I'm Betsy, and I blog over at Heavens to Betsy, where I write about life, love, photography, DIY projects, and Jesus.  When Iris asked me to write a post that was photography-related, I was delighted!  I've been a photographer for a few years now, and I run a little photography business when I'm not busy teaching.  I mostly do portraits, engagements, and family photography, but I've branched out into weddings and live music as well.



Anyway, enough about me!  I thought that I'd share with you what I think are the 5 big things every photographer should think about, particularly about snapping photos of people, because that's what I do.

1.  Composition

Composition is what makes your photo pleasing to the eye.  Any photographer you talk to will tell you about the rule of thirds.  Imagine breaking your frame into thirds and position the subject of your photo in one of the outermost thirds.  There are times when it's appropriate to put your subject dead center, but often, the most interesting photos are when your subject is positioned to the left or right.  Also be aware of where your light source is and pay attention to the lighting in your frame!

2.  Focus

Its SO important, when photographing people, to make sure your focus is in the right place.  Keep the focus of the photo tack-sharp on the eyes...that's what draws the viewer into the photo!  I love these photos of Kathy and Amanda because the background in both photos is blurred...they have great depth of field, and the focus is sharp on their eyes and face.

3.  Details

Its easy, when shooting portraits, to make sure you get good shots of your subject's face.  But what about all of the other details that make up the shoot?  The thing is, your subject has probably put a lot of thought into their outfit.  If you're doing an engagement shoot, there's a ring involved.  Some of my favorite photos from shoots don't even include the face of the subject!  I love how coordinated Nora and Brad were for their military-inspired shoot, and the way Brad folded Nora's hands into his was just precious...this photo communicates their love for one another without even showing their faces!

4.  Subject

Who is the subject of your photos?  If you're doing a shoot with just one person, the answer is obvious.  When you're doing engagement, couple, or family shoots, you have the ability to switch things up.  Often with engagement shoots, the bride-to-be is featured (and she should be!), but I like to make sure I also get a few shots where I focus on the groom-to-be.  These two photos from my cousin's engagement shoot show examples of featuring both the bride and groom simply by varying who is looking at the camera.

5.  Keep it Fun!

Any time you're taking photos of people, there's the potential for them to be stiff or nervous, and those emotions will come through in their photos!  Look for ways to keep it fun and loose, especially when you're working with kids.  I did a family shoot this fall, and we took advantage of the fall leaves and incorporated them into the shoot!  Sure, we also took serious, posed family shots, but having spent time playing and loosening up at the beginning of the shoot made everyone more comfortable, and made the entire experience fun and exciting!



So those are some of my tips.  I'm definitely still learning and growing as a photographer, but these tips are just some of the things I've learned over the past few years.



If you like my work, I'd invite you to stop by my personal blog, photography website, or Facebook page!  And if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at betsy.gettis@gmail.com!


-Betsy

 _________________________________

Thank you so much Betsy for visiting  my blog and giving us this great advice.  I don't remeber how I found Betsy's blog but its such a joy to read her posts and she has been my sponser....for a few months now and i am really enjoying getting to know her.

If you've learned something new...comment and tell us...and go visit her blog and say hello! ☺

Love,
Iris

Practice Teaching & another one of those weeks

Practice Teaching

So for some of my teaching classes I always have to do two Lessons (15-20 minutes) and actually do what I learned! This past Sunday I did some basic Theory "introducing" the notes. It was a lot of fun....though I am always nervous. Sorry for the grainy pictures but they are pics made from a video. ☺

The Black Gloves

So God is so awesome! A week or two ago Patrick lost one of his gloves....he though while walking the dog. He check....I looked.....never found anything. Poor Patrick, in that icy snowy weather, riding the bike without gloves gets really really cold. 

The beginning of this week I lost my glove too! I had both but the next time I wanted to go put them on....there was only one in my pocket! I told Patrick and we bother laughed at how stupid it was. I guess we just have to do "everything together". ☺

Wednesday, on the way to church we are walking to the streetcar station and guess what I see!? My glove laying on the neighbors wall!!! I took my gloves and stuck it in my pocket. The next day I went to walk Paxton. Let Paxton go at the grassy area....and what do I see?! Patrick's glove sticking in the fence. Someone put it there (along with a coffee cup) so the owner can see it.

I won my first Giveaway!

I won an e book on 31 days to hospitality....its great just because I finally won!

My Knight in shining coated armor on his big black horse a bike

So I had it all planned. I would print everything at church Thursday, take it home, color and cut it out and finish my Poster for Sundays lesson.......except I forgot the papers at church. Patrick my hero went to get them for me!

Doesn't look like a hero on that bike....its a borrowed bike. His bike is way more manly!

______________________

OK, you know what's awkward? An ant walking over your screen while your typing your post...in bed. Where did it come from?

Oh, and next week...I will finally officially introduce you to all my birdies!!! I am loving the set up of the post!

Goals 2013 // Week Eight

→Be more efficient with my time- Some good days....some bad 
→A glass of water every day- I did pretty good...not every day but on a few days I had more than one glass 
→Play piano 4x a week- Yes, but only a little bit 
→Play violin once a week- I sat down and practiced 3x this week! 
→Exercise 15 minutes- I did my T-Tapp again today! 
→Pass out a tract- Yes!!!!




Woohoo! I did all of my hard ones this week!

Short Term Snow

Here are some pictures I took Friday. So snowy in the morning...by night everything gone (and really muddy)!

Jacket & Scarf Change Things Up

This out fit is from a long time ago but I never did post it. I thought it fit nicely for February....soft pink and green. With today's outfit I show two different ways you can wear it just by one time wearing a jean coat and the other time wearing a pink scarf. I love making new outfits by changing up just a little bit.

So what do you think? Which style did you like better Jacket or Scarf?

What I Learned Last Night // Vlog

So I was walking the dog with my mom one more time last night....it was dark....no flashlight....so we looked up and saw the stars....and here is what I learned. 

 (only 95 seconds long this time ☺)

Literary Heroine Blog Party- 2013

One of my favorite blogs is having a party....and I just love parties but I must add that the theme of the party is new to me. I pretty much read all Janette Oke books but ....don't kill me.....I have never read any of Jane Austen books. I did not grow up on any classics of literature....I read Anne of Green Gables twice in English and three time in German but that was 6 years ago.  So here we go.....

1.) Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random! 

 I love birds & rabbits. I am crazy about the color blue and falling for the color red, I enjoy reading, I am studying to be a teacher, I am scared of large bodies of water, I love decorating, I am freaked out by bugs....even little moths, I am horrible at writing, I am known for making animal sounds...

2.) What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? 

A woman that stays strong in a horrible situation.

3.) Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.  

Arianna from "The Gown of Spanish Lace" -Janette Oke

4.) Five of your favorite historical novels?  

The Gown of Spanish Lace, Anne of Green Gables Series, Elsie Dinsmore Series, Canadian West Series, Little House on the Prairie

5.) Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why? 

Arianna....a simple teacher gets kidnapped and held hostage....during this time she learns to make due with what she has, memorizes large parts of the Scriptures and stays strong.

6.) Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

Hmmmmm...maybe Elsie Dinsmore? I love her loving and giving spirit. Though the character can seem a little to perfect at time....that is her fault in the book but makes me want to strive to be a more loving and giving person.

7.) If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? 

There are so many places I want to see but my top dream is Alaska. I want to stay in a log cabin, listen to the wolves at night, I want to hike and be in awe of creation. I want to go dog mushing & sleep in front of a log fire....*sigh*

8.) What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 

Moving west....Canada or US....I love the rugged....I like the simple life....I like the Indians. I can see me in that life more than any the Victorian English time....other than being the servant girl. ☺

9.) You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of? 

Playing piano or probably flute and having Patrick accompany me on the guitar....beautiful.

10.) If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? 

Don't know but in this case I want to be someone from the Victorian times so I can wear a big puffy dress. ☺

11.) What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate? 

Once hated it....now I love it. All afternoon I was craving chocolate...and never got any.

12.) Favorite author(s)?

Janette Oke

13.) Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

Camera!!! And lots of memory cards!

14.) In which century were most of the books you read written? 

In the 1800s

15.) In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

The good person bringing justice.

16.) Describe your ideal dwelling place. 

A simple home, either log style or brick style, somewhere in the middle of lots of green grass and close to woods. The windows need to be big and the inside bright. The furniture and style needs to be rustic yet soft and homey.

17.) Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. 

Feminine yet comfortable.

18.) Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name? 

Only if I read a book first in one language (English) and then read it in the other language (German) and the change they names! #what'sthatfor

19.) In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... 

Don't know.

20.) Three favorite Non-fiction books? 

OK...this might take awhile...I don't like non-fiction books: The Hiding Place, Light from Heaven, ....ummmm....hmmmm...uhhhhh....can't think of another one on the top of my head.

21.) Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? 

Reading, taking pictures while walking the dog, working on the computer.

22.)Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. 

I have to chose one? A wide woven straw hat with a colorful band around it and lovely flowers on one side of the rim.

23.) Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. 

Starting this blog, starting my Junior year, traveling to the US again, going to the Opry & Rymond.

24.)Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

The Lord has spoken to me through his word and given me many verses this past year but this verse sums them all up in a way....

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. Psalm 62: 5

I had a lot of fun in this party and wonder what else it will bring!