I should have been much more prepared for the fact that today was my husband’s birthday, but I somehow had it in my head that we would be celebrating both him and Ellie next week rather than this week. However, Grandma was prepared, and when we went to her place after church to pick up Ellie and Efrain who were there for the weekend, I could smell what she was cooking through the open patio door well before I rounded the corner of the house. Paul’s favorite family heirloom recipe, the ham/rice/onion/sauerkraut dish we call “hullupches” was in the oven simmering away.
Paul decided it would be prudent to also order some pizza for those kids who don’t have the German tastebuds, so we had quite a delicious and eclectic spread, including the German dish, Italian pizza, a tossed salad with apples and strawberries, and a yummy ice-cream birthday cake for dessert.
Ellie took my camera outside to try to take some pictures of flowers, but it was too bright and most of them did not turn out, except one lovely shot of the purple flower bush.
During the lull before dinner was served, I sat at the table trying to figure out my camera settings, and got myself into a terrible state when it seemed all was lost and I would never ever EVER understand what I was doing. My goodness, sometimes I am so emotional. What would I do without my rock of a husband…. I can always count on him to encourage me. I was out of my funk by lunch time and had a wonderful time thereafter. And when I got home, I almost immediately figured out what had been eluding me earlier. What a relief!
Now, I had to try to use my newfound knowledge, so I took Lyss and Ruben outside in the front yard and tried to take some photos. I can honestly say that I don’t think I achieved what I wanted to achieve, yet… but I don’t hate the images I got, either! I managed to capture some fun stuff. First, this sequence of Ruben and Lyss throwing rocks/leaves/debris in the air grows increasingly hilarious as the unforeseen consequences unfold…
Next, I had Lyss and Ruben hang out on the fence while I sat right in front of them on the sidewalk. Honestly their interactions are gold.
I have lots of practice to do to refine my settings and get my images where I want them. But I’m happy that I am learning, and taking photos even if they’re not perfect. I went for so long last year – more than a year – hardly touching my camera, depressed about how unhealthy I felt and how little I am capable of doing. But things are getting better, little by little, not least with my mental state. I am grateful.
