70 degrees??

In Chicago, in November?? Say what!!! Yep, that is exactly what I am saying! We have been blessed to be enjoying some really beautiful weather here these past few days. Temps in the high 60's to low 70's with tons of sunshine and blue skies (although today it's a bit more cloudy out there but who's complaining...not me!). These last few days (I'm sure) of wonderful weather have put me into such a good mood! I've been inspired to be more active and have found a little bit of the creativity I seemed to have lost awhile back! Ah, life is good! In a perfect world, or rather, my perfect world, I would have temps like this year round..well, one season of hot temps and then the rest of the year could be like this! I've even been able to wear my flip flops again for a couple days..sure will miss that when winter shows her very unwelcome face here in Illinois!

There have been a few things around my area that everytime I drive past them (and I'm talking years worth of driving past) I've wanted to photograph. Not that I'm a great photographer or anything, more of a snap shot kind of girl, but I try. I have always been to afraid to pull my car off to the side of the road and snap away. Well, no more. This past year I've learned that in order to enjoy my life more fully, I needed to embrace whatever it is that scares me, to take it on in the face and beat it. Now, it might seem silly to you that someone would be afraid or embarrassed or whatever to simply pull off the road and get out of a car to snap a picture, but I always felt weird about doing it. Today I faced that fear! Being that the weather was so nice, my house is clean, the laundry is done and I had nothing pressing on my schedule, I decided today would be the day I took those pictures. If for nothing else, to prove that it isn't any big deal to do it! I have to say, it was a success! I even, if you can believe, stood in the middle of one road (where traffic flies at 55 mph) to get a picture (of course no one was heading down the road at the time..LOL). After it was all said and done, I hit Starbucks, enjoyed my latte and came home to load them onto the computer and see what I got!

Here is just one. I'll be playing with the others and posting as I go. This is the cutest, dang little General Store! It totally reminds me of days gone by...horses pulling wagons, penny candies and gingham...I know..sappy! I'm not too sure what it really is now, it is located at the end of a road in a historical area close to my home. I have, on occasion, seen doors open and people inside but I'm not all together sure it's actually a General Store...might just be a museum of sorts. Anyway, be prepared for the pictures...I took one...and then I played in Photoshop (another of my goals, to learn PS better!). I'll start with the photo directly out of camera:

See, like I said, just a basic snap shot. Colors not terrific, looks crooked, stuff like stop lights and wires that I didn't like..so, I fixed it:

then I decided to have some fun with actions. I love actions! I love how I can take a picture and totally change it's look with just the click of a button! All of the actions I used with the exception of one are from Totally Rad Actions. Which one do you like best???

Action = Faded (least favorite of mine I think)...

Action = Old Skool (kinda fun!)...
Action = Rusty Cage (really like this one!)...

Action = Vintage (I love old photos!)...
Action = Vintage + Blur (love this!)...

For me, it's a cross between Rusty Cage and Vintage + Blur..and, what surprises me even more??? that I didn't do a black and white one! I mean, most of my pics I turn into black and white..just love that look so much..another day I guess!

So, that is how I spent my day, thoroughly enjoyed it and that makes me happy, I mean, life should be enjoyed right? and I am trying harder not to forget that! Thanks for looking if you made it this far!

Until next time,
Blessings!