LDS APRIL CONFERENCE - 12 QUOTES FROM SATURDAYS SESSION

On The Banks of the Idaho Falls LDS Temple

President Packer

"The family, the fundamental organization in time and eternity, is under attack from forces seen and unseen. The adversary is about. His objective is to cause injury. If he can weaken and destroy the family, he will have succeeded."

 Bishop Davies

"By anchoring our lives to Jesus Christ and his Atonement … we will be strengthened; we will experience real personal growth and a lasting conversion; we will be better prepared to successfully withstand the storms and calamities of life; we will experience the joy and happiness promised; and we will have the confidence that our lives have been built upon a sure foundation: a foundation that will never fall."

Sister Dalton

"What would the world be like if virtue … were reinstated in our society as a most highly prized value? If immorality, pornography and abuse decreased, would there be fewer broken marriages, broken lives and broken hearts? Would media ennoble and enable rather than objectify and degrade God's precious daughters? If all humanity really understood the importance of the statement, 'We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,' how would women be regarded and treated?"

 Elder Cardon

"By exercising faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the enabling power of his Atonement strengthens us in our moment of need, and His redeeming power sanctifies us as we 'put off the natural man.'"

Elder Ballard

"In our Heavenly Father's great priesthood endowed plan, men have the unique responsibility to administer the priesthood, but they are not the priesthood. Men and women have different but equally valued roles. Just as a woman cannot conceive a child without a man, so a man cannot fully exercise the power of the priesthood to establish an eternal family without a woman. In other words, in the eternal perspective, both the procreative power and the priesthood power are shared by a husband and wife."

President Eyring

"We are under covenant both to lift up those in need and to be witnesses of the Savior as long as we live. We will only be able to do it without fail as we feel love for the Savior and His love for us. As we are faithful to the promises we have made, we will feel our love for Him. It will increase because we will feel His power and drawing near to us in His service."

 Elder Scott

"If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need."

Elder Cook

"Peace is not just safety or lack of war, violence, conflict and contention. Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are, knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life's devastating trials and tragedies."

Elder Ellis

"Again I witness the Lord has the way! Our Heavenly Father knows us, loves us and wants to help. He knows best how to help. We are not spiritual orphans!"

 Elder Dickson

"The gospel in Africa is going to a happy people, very unencumbered by the trappings that affect the lives of many in the West. They are not concerned about having endless material possessions. It has been said of Africans that 'they have very little of that which matters least and a great deal of that which matters most.'"

Elder Bednar

"From the Atonement of the Savior flows the soothing salve that can heal our spiritual wounds and remove guilt. However, this salve can only be applied through the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance and constant obedience. ... I promise that obedience to the law of chastity will increase our happiness in mortality and make possible our progress in eternity."

Elder Nelson

"More of you young men and women will catch this wave as you strive to be worthy of mission calls. You see this as a wave of truth and righteousness. You see your opportunity to be on the crest of that wave."

Blogs, Comments and Google+

Have to get this out in the open first thing.  I am not an expert in the are of Google+ by any means.  The information that I have found I've gained via Google searches.

Recently I received an email asking me how I connected my blog account to Google+ .  How did I get my blog post to show up on My Google+ page? 

I had to do some hard thinking on that one as I couldn't recall what I had done when Google offered up the Google+ accounts.

After doing a Google search I found the answer.  I am sharing it here for those that haven't yet connected their blog and their Google+ account.

You can find all the answers and the how to by visiting the Connect to Google+ page  or you can just do the following.  I know that these steps work for blogger faced blogs, not so sure about the other blog hosting sites.

1.  Click on Design on the top upper right hand corner of your blog.
2.  Click on Settings
3.  Click on Posts and Comments
4.  Right under the Post header you should see the 4th option Share To Google+
5.  Click Yes if you want to share your post on Google+ or leave on No if you would rather not.

This is what the Blogger Post and Comments page looks like.  I've highlighted the area that you will want to change. 

You can find Me On Google+.  If you want to add me into one of your circles I would be honored.

While you're at it why not change your Word Verification to NO,  just makes leaving comments to your blog a little more hassle free.

Hope this helps clear up the Blogger/Google+ confusion.
Enjoy

Reviewing March 2011

I believe that while my memory is adequate, it is far from amazing.  For me, there is a trick to Remembering things.  It all begins with Reviewing.

Reviewing an experience is different that Remembering.  In fact, Reviewing is an important process that actually precedes Remembering.  Reviewing is something that must be done while the experience is still fresh in your mind and in your heart.  

Some people Review their experiences by keeping a journal.  They Record events in detail almost as soon as they transpire. 

My journal keeping  involves my camera.  I gather and save images that will Remind me of experiences, special places and memorial events. 

I enjoy going back in my photo files Reviewing, Remember and Recalling.  Today was just such a day, a day for Remembering.  Where was I a year ago, what was I doing?  Who was I with, where did we go?

The weather here in Idaho was just starting to break for spring.  There wasn't any leaves, buds or flowers out as the snow, in places was still piled.  Last winter was a very good snow year.

Unlike this year, calving season was just getting started.  The horses were in search for anything green to feed on. As for snow-maching, I was just finishing up my last ride for the season.  This season snow-machining really sucked.

I found some of my favorite photos from last March, some that I had forgotten all about.
It's good to look back to remember where you've been.

There were so so many peacocks last year. This year, no so many as the coyotes thinned them out.  They thinned out the turkeys and geese as well.  I am hoping for a good spring hatch to replace those that are missing.

YES I am proud to say that I live on a working cattle ranch.  I can't think of any better way or place to spend my days.  I do however get a little tired of the spring mud that creeps into the back porch....

It so hard to get the girls to pose for a photo when there's feeders full of green alpha hay to get eaten.

 Tobbie

 Baxter

 Ted

Pete
“In my world, everyone's a pony and they all eat rainbows and poop butterflies!”
― Dr. Seuss

Horse and mules, that's what we use to ride, heard and work with.  They get the winter off but come round-up time these guys put in a full days work plus some. It's been sometime since I've road a horse, I am more of the 4-wheeler rider now.

So like I wrote earlier it's good Remember, good to look back.  Reality check-up!  Am I better today than I was last year?  I hope so.

 “You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!”
― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places You'll Go!

*Side Note- all the above photos where taken March 30th, 2011.

Week In Review - Idaho Falls, Idaho Area

The weather finally broke enough that I was able to get outdoors and do some much needed photo therapy.  While attending the High Desert Photography Club meeting this week, my photography juices were flowing.  My desire was to be able to capture some new architecture, find some interesting lines and work on my birding skills.
Old architecture is very hard to come across in and around my area due to the fact that I live in a large farming area.  Any piece of ground that becomes vacant is either planted on or grazed.  I am totally envious of all the photographers that have at their disposal the old rustic farm houses and out building.  Someday I hope to take a road trip and find some of my own to photograph.
I've been able to come across some really great restored images of old barns thanks to Pinterest, you can check out my architecture board (which will be continually added to) if you get a chance.  Let me know when and if you drop by.

Now for the reason that you stopped by, to view what I captured this past week.
Life on the Snake Rive is my first photo share.  This time of year the river is packed to the banks with all types of winter migrating birds.  The Canadian Geese happen to be my favorite to photography for two reasons: 1.  they aren't so leery of people and 2.  there are so many of them.  Here's my practice at capturing motion.

Coming In For A Landing
Taken with my Nikon D90 f/4.5 @ 1/1000 ISO 200

Now it's on to practicing my Black and White photo conversions.  There is just something that I find so intriguing about taking the colors from a image. This process is a challenge for me as most times my images come off all muddy and soft looking.  I will have to practice a lot more to get something that has the B&W WOW factor.

  The Big Stretch

 f4.5 @ 1/1250 ISO 200

Summers Final Harvest

Nikon D90 f/11 @ 1/50 ISO 400

Bottles On The Window  f/11 @ 1/30 ISO 1250  Woops note to self ALWAYS check your ISO before shooting. LDS Temple By The River f/9 @ 1/400 ISO 200  See what I mean about B&W images looking a bit muddy when converted?  I am after the crisp definition between the blacks and whites, I want the focal point to really POP of the page.  This is still a technique in search and training. Trumpeter Swans Over The Snake River f/5.6 @ 1/1000 ISO 200 One thing that I've learned while trying to capture birds in flight is you need a very FAST shutter speed, spot metering, long lens and patience. Line Sight Sparrow Hawk f/8 @ 1/500 ISO 200

Country Lane f/10 @ 1/60 ISO 200 White On White f/8 @ 1/1000 ISO 200 +2/3 EV

And Now for my persona favorite out all this weeks photos- Birds On A Wire f/10 @ 1/200 ISO 2100 I was shooting with pure luck having my shutter speed so slow, good thing these guys never attempted to make a move.  I am really liking the brown on brown effect of the Dove against the fall foliage. Well that does it for this weeks photo review.  I still have lots to learn and don't mind sharing what I've learned in the process of photo practice.  If you have a photo question, ask away and I'll go out and pratice the photo concept and come back with the answer. Thanks for dropping by and your comments are always appreciated. Note to self - CHECK YOU ISO before shooting!

Morning Rituals

Morning ritual, traditions or habit whatever you want to call something that you do everyday to start the day off.  What's yours?  Do you have to making sure that the bed is made right after you get up?  Do you brush your teeth before you eat breakfast?  Sound weird but I know some people do this.  Do you have to turn the TV on to check on the morning news to help you get your daily start?

My morning ritual is BREAKFAST!!  I can't have a good day unless I have eaten something and it can't be sugar loaded.  My personal favorite is EGGS, I can eat them any way shape or in any form.

Several years ago I had a little neighbor boy that would stop by the farm on his way to the dairy with goose eggs in tow.  Could never bring myself around to trying one of those huge, hard shelled things.  DP (that's my hubby) informed me that they wouldn't kill me, in fact they are said to be quite tasty.  Still can't seem to stomach one. 

Eggs -

It’s hardly enough for breakfast.
    It isn’t enough when you bake.
It isn’t sufficient to a make meringue,
    or cookies, or even cake.
It doesn’t go far in a salad, though
    you devil it, slice it or chop it.
But it covers the floor from wall to wall
    if ever you should drop it.

I have linked the above image to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesdays photo challenge.  If you haven't found Kim's site, I encourage you to stop by.  She is a whiz at textures and her photography is amazing as well.
This week theme is open and the image must be centered around the weekly prompt/theme and contain at least one layer of any of Kin's textures.

I've used Kim's Sand Blasted Texture along with a light brown color over lay.
Broken Brown Eggs is also available for purchase from My Etsy Shop.

It Takes Courage
by Author Unknown

It takes strength to be firm,
It takes courage to be gentle.

It takes strength to conquer,
It takes courage to surrender.

It takes strength to be certain,
It takes courage to have doubt.

It takes strength to fit in,
It takes courage to stand out.

It takes strength to feel a friend's pain,
It takes courage to feel your own pain.

It takes strength to endure abuse,
It takes courage to stop it.

It takes strength to stand alone,
It takes courage to lean on another.

It takes strength to love,
It takes courage to be loved.

It takes strength to survive,
It takes courage to live.

Seeing Double

While searching the web yesterday, no really I was just reading through Pioneer Woman's Blog,  I came across what I thought looked vaguely familiar. There from one of her followers was a post about a dog named George.  This blogger must really love George as she has given him his own blogspot.

I couldn't help but shoot of an email to the Country Girl and inquire about her dog and let her know that I have his sister, MAX (short for Maxine).

Much to my delight, Country Girl contacted me this morning wanting information on MAX.  Country Girl wanted to see photos, she wanted proof to back of my claim of a dog look alike.
Did I have any photos of my beloved cow dog?  Had I posted about Mas before?  I'm sure that I had but where was it, where were her photos.  After some time doing a thorough photo search, just another reason to use tags in Lightroom, I finally came across one photo.  It's not the greatest, I recall the Max is very, very camera shy.  In fact whenever she see me with my camera she runs and hides.  What's up with that?

Any way, you decide if I don't have George's twin.  Check out Mas and then head over to George's page and compare.  The only noticeable difference that I can see is George is a whole lot cleaner.

Note to self:  Get Max to the dog wash and get Max and her BFF Bear their own blog page.

LDS Ward Christmas Party Photos

Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple

_Barb Phillips_DSC_2402_007, a photo by Barb Phillips on Flickr.

I tried waiting out the fog bug I got very impatient. I wanted a new LDS Temple photo.
Water was almost glassy calm, Canadian Geese were flying about and I was excited.
I must have taken over 100 shot trying to get the lighting perfect. Shooting white against fog is a challenge.