Shutterbugs and photography-lovin’ friends, welcome to The World Through My Lens, 03.2020. The photos below were taken during March for the 2 photography challenges I have been participating in this year. One challenge is the Sunday Stills series hosted by Terri at Second Wind Leisure Perspectives. And the other is #belonglifestyle with my friend Dani and the gals at The Belong Life Style on Instagram and their blogs. The #belonglifestyle photo challenge concluded in February but I was lacking a few days of the challenge in last month’s World Through My Lens post.
The World Through My Lens 03.2020
Here are some of the images I captured for the World Through My Lens o3.2020.
Just a reminder: Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After occasionally uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link provided I may receive a very small commission. Thank you for your support.
The WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 9
SUNDAY STILLS, 03.01.2020: Near and Far
You have probably at least seen one of my poppy photos by now. I have sprinkled all of my social media accounts with poppy pics. Especially now days since I can’t see my babies to snap and share shots of them.
This year’s crop of poppies were spectacular. And very uplifting for me. So please permit me to share a few more poppy pics.
Near.
And far.
The WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 10
SUNDAY STILLS, 03.08.2020: National or State Symbol
Somewhere I have lovely photos of the bluebonnets that grow wild in the hill country of central Texas. They are the state flower of Texas. But I couldn’t find them on my laptop photo files anywhere. Waited for a bald eagle to fly by or to run into the Liberty Bell somehow but that didn’t happen either.
As an alternative national symbol thought I could snap a photo of the McD.’s golden arches. But quarantine. So I am borrowing this image. You can read a little about my precious Texas in a recent post I wrote for Where Bloggers Live.
[source]
The WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 11
SUNDAY STILLS, 03.15.2020: Green Macro or Close Up
One minute our flowering trees were winter bare and the next minute they were lush with springtime blossoms. This is our Japanese cherry tree. I once had a car wreck that involved a Japanese cherry tree.
The WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 12
SUNDAY STILLS, 03.22.2020: Favorite Place
When the girls were young, our favorite restaurant was Casita Linda. We were regulars and felt very at home there. It was the place we celebrated many milestones. We were last there with Lauren and family, right before the coronavirus took off. This is the table where we sat. Casita Linda is definitely a favorite place.
The WORLD THROUGH MY LENS WEEK 13
SUNDAY STILLS, 03.291.2020: No Challenge
#BelongLifeStyle February Photo Challenge
Favorite Outfit Selfie
This is not exactly a favorite outfit as much as it was a surprise outfit. I was about to purge this blouse and skirt but decided to wear it to church. Decided I still really like it and probably need to wear a little more red.
Stripe Style
Spring capsule wardrobe challenge day 3 outfit. Striped tee, olive joggers, denim jacket, white tennies. And poppies.
Family Tradition
Easter eggs. Of all sorts. Dyed, decoupaged, painted. So sad that we won’t be having the babies around for an Easter egg hunt this year.
I Woke Up Like This
Well, not quite like this. I used the Gothic filter available through the Prisma app on my phone to make things a bit more interesting.
Missing This
It had been about 3 weeks since I had gotten a snuggle from these babies. Finally, on Thursday last week, I dropped off dinner for the kids and was able to hold my grands for just a few minutes.
This little one and I have been doing fourth grade math together – long division – and reading the book Frankie Sparks Class Pet.
Pop of Color
My new Alison&Aubrey bead bracelet adds a pop of color to my spring outfits.
Makes Me Smile
Each time we walked down the corridor of the hospital on the way to my mom’s room, we passed this lovely stained glass window. When I felt exhausted or worried or angry, seeing it made me smile. So I took a picture of it. Taking a photo was kind of like capturing a smile for a future rainy day.
Relax
This is Axel Rose. He belongs to my brother’s girlfriend LeeAnn. And this boy knows how to relax.
He gave me a lesson in relaxing. I was pretty quick to catch on, if I do say so myself.
YOUR TURN
Did you snap some favorite photos this past month? I spent parts of 3 days photographing and playing in the poppies. They just have this hypnotic affect on me. Even broke out my Sony DSL for a few shots.
What do you use, a phone camera or something grander? I have been trying to take a photography class for over a year now with no luck. A friend recently shared classes being offered on Tuesdays by local photographer Monica Lozano. But pickleball lessons interfered and now COVID-19. Will I ever learn how to use my DSL well??
Would you like to join the Sunday Stills challenge? Here are the prompts for April, and the month is early!
04.05.2020 Fantastic Florals
04.12.2020 Lifted Spirits
04.19.2020 Mother Earth
04.26.2020 Dog Day Afternoon
Grab your cameras and have some fun!
Hope you are finding interesting diversions to fill these stay-at-home days. I am trying to balance between chores and hobbies. So far, so good. Stay well, darling friends.
Hugs and kisses,
Donna Connolly
Great shots, Leslie. I especially love the pics of Axel Rose. I agree tht dogs are wonderful in teaching us how to relax!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Isn’t Axel Rose adorable? Makes me miss my own pups. Someday would like to have another one. Thank you.
Nancy
What a funny name for that cute dog! Haha, the owner does have humor! That gothic art is fun! I am glad you got to see your grandchildren for a little time!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
It was wonderful seeing my grandbabies. But it has been another week now without them. And today has to be the longest day EVER!!! Hope you are staying well, my friend.
Deb
How lucky to sneak a few cuddles in with your gorgeous girlies!
I love those poppy photos, it’s unusual to see a field of yellow poppies, over here we mostly have red ones. A friend gave me a cutting of a miniature yellow poppy that I had admired in her garden a few years ago. She handed it over with the comment ‘you may not be thanking me in five years time’ and now I know why. That baby spreads EVERYWHERE! It is honestly all over our garden, and even grows up through cracks in the patio.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Wow, your mini yellow poppy sounds like a real hearty specie. These yellow poppies just grow volunteer. Some years better than others. Some folks have them coming up in their yards but I think they tend to take over, too. My mother-in-law gave me a flowering yellow plant a few years ago and it went just wild. We pulled it out because it was completely out of control. I felt bad about ‘killing’ it but was about to get worried it would envelop the house!
Joanne
I have a couple of cameras plus my phone and will use whatever is handiest. You captured some great shots this month.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Joanne. I am always enamored of your beautiful hiking photography.
Dara
That’s a very cute dog. Love that you’re doing distance learning!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I don’t feel very qualified to do much teaching but I can at least hold Cady’s hand while she does her long division. We have enjoyed reading books together and that is more up my alley.
Kellyann Rohr
Great photos – I would need a heavy duty app if I took a picture of myself when I first woke up and planned to publish it anywhere! Eeek! I love your little granddaughter and that baby goodness! I’m glad you got to see those sweet girls and how special that you and your oldest granddaughter are doing some work and reading together. I hope someday I can spend time with my grandchildren like that – those are the things they’ll never forget!
xo,
Kellyann
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Kellyann. I hope my grands will think back on the times we Facetimed and played with fondness. I am missing that Camila. She is growing by leaps and bounds…now over 3 months old and I feel like I have missed so much of her life. Ready to get my hands on her and give her some good, in-person loving.
Ruth Josey
First of all, Happy Birthday, Leslie! What a crummy way to have to spend it, though. I know you’d like to be cuddling with your little ones. But at least you got to snuggle with them once during all of this and hopefully it’ll be over before too many more weeks. It’s great that you can at least Skype homework and book time. I just love your take on the different photography subjects and that Axel Rose (the furry one) was your inspiration for one of them! The poppy field is gorgeous and I love that you wore a yellow cardigan for the photos – great composition! I love that red outfit on you! Definitely it’s time to figure out more ways you can wear it. And I love your new bracelet, too! What a fun filter! Pretty sure that’s the only way anybody is seeing me first thing in the morning 😛 I hope you have something fun planned for tonight and are saving up for a big celebration when the restrictions are lifted.
Ruth
ruthj@voguefauxreal.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, sweet friend. I am looking forward to having a real birthday celebration and real Easter once the restrictions are lifted. I did sneak in a few peeks at my granddaughters yesterday. And Lucia, the 4 year old, and I played a quick round of hide and seek keeping with social distancing!!
Terri Webster Schrandt
Fabulous images of your world, Leslie! Oh, the poppies! No fields like that around here, although a few neighbors’ yards have quite a few! I like what you did with that Prizma app…I just posted yesterday about using apps to make cool images for the Fantastic FLorals post. I have to say I really love the picture of Axel Rose relaxing. Such a cool angle!! Hope you are all staying safe and sane during these times. Thanks for the shout to to Sunday Stills!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I am so glad to continue doing Sunday Stills with you. Need to check out your post about using apps for the fantastic florals post. I am sure
you will teach this old dog a new trick!! Thank you for supporting my interest in photography and providing prompts that make me put on my
thinking cap!
Liz Klebba
No particular order or smooth segues: I just use my phone camera… Someday I may invest in a “big girl” camera, but there are so many other learning curves to tackle! I miss our grands terribly, too! It would be easier if they lived farther away, but I know I am beyond blessed to have all of them in our city. Your poppy pictures make me wistful for fields of flowers; they are simply gorgeous!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! You totally get it. My daughter and her family have been in our city for less than a year. I would easily go months without seeing them when they lived away but now, knowing they are just across the mountain, makes it so much harder!! Thank you for the sweet words about my poppy pics. I really loved this year’s bounty.
Daenel T.
I didn’t know poppies came in yellow… I’ve only seen the red. So very pretty and happy.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
The poppies are so happy. And just made the few days of quarantine less unpleasant. Now we aren’t allowed to be out in the poppies either. But they are beyond their prime anyway.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
Nathan and I have been going on daily walks to get out of the house and we’ve seen so many beautiful Spring blooms! I’ve taken some photos with the portrait mode on my iPhone and they’ve turned out nicely! I love your photo of the bloom and those poppy photos, too!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, sweet friend. Today we walked just out into the desert and it was alive with beautiful wildflowers. Need to try the portrait mode for taking photos of them. Pulled a couple out by the root to plant here at home. Surely if they can grow in the desert with no water, they can grow in our garden!!
April
I enjoyed all these happy photos. Isn’t it funny what the world through our lens now looks like? Here is our sofa. Here is our t.v. Haha! Oh well, we might as well enjoy the rest.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha! Got a kick out of your comment. Thank you for coming by and thank you for the giggle. You are right, my photos this month might feature a whole lot of my house!! I miss being able to go to the outlet mall and hug my grandbabies but otherwise I am kind of enjoying this ‘down time.’ Thank you for stopping by!
Debbie Harris
I so enjoyed a visit to you through your photos Leslie! Those poppies are so beautiful and you match them in your yellow jacket! I enjoy Sunday Stills as a focus for the week 🙂
Iris
Love the poppy field. Of course, yellow is my favorite color. I’m glad you got some good photos. And, that red outfit looks great – I’m glad you decided to keep it, it’s very becoming.
I was “in to” photography back in the day – it was a pretty expensive hobby when film and developing were involved. Now it’s just my camera phone – but my current one takes really good photos – if the one behind the lenses does the right things.
Grace & Peace,Iris
http://www.IrisOriginalsRamblings.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
I hear ya about the one behind the lens knowing what to do when snapping pictures. Had my DSL somewhat figured out and then stopped using it for a time. Now I need to relearn everything.