Spring at Last!

Things are finally starting to green up here in northern Minnesota. It's actually been in the 80s the last few days. It's glorious, but I'm glad that I don't have to work out in the heat (thank you Reuben for slaving away at construction).

When does spring come where you live?

Tulips

The flowers were on clearance at Wal-Mart the day after Valentine's Day. I couldn't help myself. I was hoping that these tulips would open nicely, and I was not disappointed. 

The first photo was taken with my awesome iPhone 5S, and it's kinda my favorite of these pictures. I should do a post about my favorite editing apps. 

Also, I took the second to last photo at ISO 1000 so I could stop down the shutter and have a larger depth of field. I should remember to not be afraid of a higher ISO when I have good lighting.

What are your favorite kinds of flowers?

My Year in Photos 2012 Part 1

And so 2012 has come and gone. It all seems a bit of a blur in my mind. Every year I’m so glad that I took the time to document little parts of our days with photographs. They help me to remember moments that would otherwise be completely lost.

Here are some of my favorites from 2012:

January

New haircut! That was the shortest I’d had it for quite a while. It was fun for a change, but I’m growing it back out now.

We took several ski trips. This is Reuben, being awesome. The norm.

You can watch a short video of us skiing here and here.

February

I hosted a tea party at our house. So. much. pretty. hair.

Since our uncle was traveling to Indonesia, we decided to have a Rijstaffel (Rice Table) for him, a traditional Dutch/Indonesia feast.

Grandpa’s lilies. Frosty tree. Handsome husband. My Valentines Day orchids. American flag. Pretty sister.

Various captures.

March

I can’t believe how much younger Reuben looks without his “affectation” (what we call his beard).

We did some rustic camping. You can see more photos and read the story here.

I did a mini session for my pretty sister, Amanda.

My adorable niece and nephew, Judah & Elinor.

New skirt.

April

Snow in April!

First sign that spring is truly here: the hepaticas, or Mayflowers as we used to call them.

With the warmer weather comes volleyball!

May

I love fixing little Elinor’s hair.

New addition to the family: baby Susan. Watch a film and read more about it here.

I got very sick. Kind of a scary time of my life.

Springtime. See more photos and a short film here.

My kitchen garden. See more photos here.

June

Corn coming up.

Enjoying the warm weather by traipsing around the yard barefoot.

For our first anniversary we took a trip to the cities. I got to try out some new lenses and settled on a 28mm.

For supper one night we ate at Black Sheep Coal Fired Pizza. It was delicious and different from anything you can get at a chain, but the service was (much) less than spectacular.

Tuesday, June 19: I learned that I was pregnant!

STAY TUNED FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR…

4 Responses to My Year in Photos 2012 Part 1

1. Caitlyn 
   January 1st, 2013 at 2:07 pm
   Gorgeous pictures, Erica!
2. Elizabeth 
   January 2nd, 2013 at 12:16 pm
   I have been in love with your blog since I found it a couple years ago. What a lovely life you have. Thank you for sharing. Happy New Year. Feel Good!!!!!
3. Kathryn Grace 
   January 5th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
   I really enjoy your captures of your everyday life! Those purple flowers are just too pretty… I remember you posting that picture the first time.
4. Abbie 
   January 7th, 2013 at 5:18 am
   So lovely to see these glimpses of your year – look forward to seeing the rest of them too! :)

My Life in Snapshot + Photo-a-Day Update

Hello again!

Here’s a bit of my life as captured by my little iPod Touch (and a few by Reuben’s Droid).

1. Latte art by my bro-in-law, Justin. | 2. I roasted up some veggies to take camping. | 3. Heading out for said camping trip. | 4. A sunny, breezy Memorial Day.

1. I recently got my hair cut. Had Mom put more layers in it. | 2. Reuben bought me supper at one of my favorite places. | 3. My father-in-law built me this awesome “kitchen” garden. | 4. Postcard from France from a friend.

1. Browned butter cinnamon roll + fried egg. | 2. Ellie had to have a pink drink at the coffee shop. | 3. The crabapple trees were beautiful in bloom. | 4. I tried making an Arnold Palmer. It was delicious and refreshing.

1. Afternoon cuppa + malted milk cookies. | 2. Cornbread cooked in a skillet. | 3. I made myself a mini 7-layer dip for lunch. | 4. Possible new addiction: frozen espresso + cream + milk + maple syrup + vanilla extract.

1. Back when Reuben had a “beard.” Waaaah! He still looks awesome without it, but there’s a bit of nostalgia associated with it. :) | 2. Homemade butter (from Jersey cows) is awesome. | 3. A yummy treat: oranges drizzled with olive oil & sprinkled with black pepper. | 4. I was sick for nearly two weeks. No fun.

So, I’ve been a very good girl with the photo-a-day challenges. I’ve only missed one day! Which means I’ve taken a photo practically every day since February. Yay!

In June, I might join in this fun-sounding photo challenge.

Are any of you participating in a photo-a-day challenge or a Project 366/52?

Have an awesome day!

Erica

9 Responses to My Life in Snapshot + Photo-a-Day Update

1. Rachel 
   May 30th, 2012 at 11:45 am Moderate
   Fun photos! :)
2. Shawntae 
   May 30th, 2012 at 12:07 pm Moderate
   Awesome! :) Love every photo!
3. Rebecca in NC 
   May 30th, 2012 at 12:50 pm Moderate
   I love all your photos! I am doing Fat Mum Slim’s photo-a-day challenge, too, for May and will be doing June as well. I post my photos on instagram, though.
4. Erica Lea 
   May 30th, 2012 at 1:12 pm Moderate
   Rebecca: Thank you so much! I post on Instagram as well (my username is ericaleaphotos). What’s your username for Instagram?
5. Kathryn Grace 
   May 30th, 2012 at 3:34 pm Moderate
   It amazes me how you and others can achieve such nice photos with a PHONE! I played with my dad’s camera phone last weekend and it just didn’t cut it. Maybe I’m too used to the control of my DSLR or something, or maybe it’s an app?? Anyway, love the photos – especially the 4th set.
6. Erica Lea 
   May 30th, 2012 at 11:43 pm Moderate
   Kathryn: Aw…thanks! :) I use a few apps – Instagram (free), Pic Stitch (also free) and VSCO cam (99 cents, but totally worth every penny). Being able to adjust the color balance really helps phone photos to look better, IMO. Especially if you’re stuck using an iPod most of the time. :)
7. Miss Hatcher 
   June 2nd, 2012 at 6:21 pm Moderate
   aaawww…you and your husband make such a cute couple!
   Your photography is gorgeous! I was wondering…how old were you when you started to really get into photography?
   *blessings*
8. Erica Lea 
   June 2nd, 2012 at 6:35 pm Moderate
   Thank you! Back in late 2006, my dad bought our first DSLR. I soon became very interested in photography. I started my first blog in 2008, and I was addicted. So I was about 17 when I first really started to get interested in photography. :)
9. Amanda 
   June 15th, 2012 at 1:49 pm Moderate
   love your pictures! you are a great photographer!

Springtime

It’s officially springtime here in northern Minnesota. Everything is green and blooming and the days are growing longer and warmer.

Enjoy the short film I made:

** If video won’t load, view here: {link} **

4

6 Responses to Springtime

1. Melanie 
   May 22nd, 2012 at 12:58 am Moderate
   So beautiful, Erica.
2. Diane | An Extraordinary Day 
   May 22nd, 2012 at 7:54 am Moderate
   Thanks for the springtime stroll. What is there about Spring? She stirs my heart and fills me with joy.
3. Rachel 
   May 22nd, 2012 at 9:42 am Moderate
   Lovely!
4. Moriah Mari 
   May 23rd, 2012 at 7:22 am Moderate
   Erica, I love the processing on these and the children photos are great!
5. Sara 
   May 23rd, 2012 at 8:48 pm Moderate
   These are sooo absolutely gorgeous. I can’t even handle it.
6. Lizzy 
   May 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm Moderate
   Wow! What gorgeous photos! Those blossoms are unreal. Mmm….SO pretty.
   Lizzy

Spring is Here

I know, technically spring began over a month ago. But here in Norther Minnesota, the signs of it are just starting to pop up.

In these northern climes, spring doesn’t burst forth suddenly; it creeps up on us slowly. Because of that, we can enjoy spring more deeply. Every new growth is appreciated.

My favorite spring flowers are hepaticas (shown above). They mean warmer weather and rains have finally put winter to rest. Of course we could have another freak snowstorm, but spring seems a little more final when they bloom.

What do you enjoy most about spring? What are your favorite spring flowers?

xoxo

Erica Lea

4 Responses to Spring is Here

1. Shawntae 
   April 25th, 2012 at 2:39 pm Moderate
   Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous.
   I’m so thankful Spring is here too. I don’t have a favorite flower I don’t guess, I equally love them all. :) Although I do find myself very drawn to anything blue or purple!
2. Sereina 
   April 25th, 2012 at 6:49 pm Moderate
   Those flowers are so beautiful! They’re such a pretty color.
3. Sara 
   April 25th, 2012 at 7:43 pm Moderate
   These are SO gorgeous! Lovelove the brown and blues in the first photo!
4. Kathryn Grace 
   April 28th, 2012 at 4:03 pm Moderate
   Ahhh! I love that first photo. Those flowers look just perfect all clustered together. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that flower before!
   My favorites are probably lilacs… they make me happy. :-)

My Year in Photos: 2011 Part 1

January:

By January 1st, we had quite a bit of snow – a far cry from this year!

We went skiing many times last year. My favorite place to ski: Giants Ridge. Photo credit: Albert Berge.

I experimented with artificial portraiture lighting for the first time. Katelyn makes such a lovely subject.

February:

Grandma taught us how to make Spaetzle. So good. Photo credit: Katelyn B.

On Saturday, February 12, Reuben and I started our romantic relationship. :)

I went on my first date ever on February 14. Photo credit: Katelyn B.

March

More skiing at Giants Ridge. This is my brother-in-law, Justin, with his wicked beard hat.

Reuben sent me these gorgeous roses.

We gathered and boiled down sap for maple syrup.

April

April 2, we got engaged! Photo credit: Janna B.

My beautiful ring.

Watched Reuben play golf with friends.

May

Much of May was spent preparing for our wedding.

June

On June 11 we were married. Photo credit: Anders Keller

We went on a 2-week long honeymoon out west.

More photos to come later!