I still can't believe I found these, all of them, today at a thrift store for $38 TOTAL!!!!  I felt like I was stealing them!  I am NEVER this lucky!  Do you think any of them work!?  I hope so!

I learned of the Young Living Farms last year.  They were having a fall festival and we drove right down.  It was a beautiful spot in the middle of Mona, UT.  When I learned of the lavender fields, which at that time were harvested and with out bloom...I dreamed of the day I could see those rows of lavender in person.  We went last night---and it did not disappoint!

Jump in your car...and head to Mona!!!!!  You wont be sorry!!!  But remember your bug spray...Dede has 62 mosquito bites and counting!

I have canceled quite a few photo sessions due to inclement weather.  June's workshop was something I couldn't cancel.  I just hoped throughout the day that the rain would stop for our photosession at the end of the workshop.  Well....it didn't.  So with umbrellas in hand we all headed outside.  Our models were great sports and looked wonderful with umbrellas, my camera stayed dry...and if you look closely you can see raindrops falling around these girls.

THANK YOU H. family...YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!

If it wasn't for this month's challenge...I would NOT have taken as many pictures as I did last night!  I have attempted firework pictures before....but they were never anything I loved.  Last night I tried again!  I will share what I did---nothing too scientific---maybe you can try some new things tonight!  If you have already had success with firework pictures---please share your tricks we would love to hear them!!!

All of these shot were taken on my Canon 5d, 24-70mm 2.8L @ f 9.0 and ISO 1600.  I used "B Mode" or bulb mode.  Bulb mode allows you to have full shutter speed control.  **Bulb mode is found in most SLR cameras.  If you don't see it with your regular mode settings slow your shutter down until you see a B or BULB!** The shutter triggers and releases as long as you hold down the shutter button. 

These first two were taken with a 1 second shutter (which really is holding down and releasing):

These last two were taken with a 4 second shutter (which feels like forever when you are holding it down):

I loved the sillouettes of people on these and the glow of the low light all around.  There was a man next to us who had a tripod set up hours before the sun went down.  I was introspectively making fun of his photog nerdiness...BUT as you can see by the moon blur I had a lot of hand movement...so the tripod would have eliminated that and the people would be less blurry.  Next time I might bring a tripod- but sneak it out after the sun goes down so nobody is making fun of me...at least for my photog nerdiness ;)

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am currently reading 1776 by David McCullough- which has put President George Washington to the forefront of my mind. July is a perfect month to remember all things patriotic here in the United States of America. SO...patriotism it is!!!! For July the challenge capture patriotism all around you! I can't wait for the opportunities. I hope I will seek more out because of the challenge!

(Cherries came to mind as I thought of George Washington. I went to the internet to search out the story I remember from my childhood...and learned that it is a legend and most likely fiction! WHAT!!!!? I liked this answer to whether it is fact or fiction- "The answer lies is in the heart, which does not always distinguish between fact and fiction but always knows what it cherishes.")

Read more: http://americanhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/washingtonscherrytree#ixzz0K4SJjWT2&C)

Enjoy a wonderful and safe Independence Day!!!!!!!