December Photo-a-Day 2013: Days 14, 15 + 16

Hello friends!

Did you have a good weekend? I thought my sister was going to have her baby yesterday, but it all came to naught.

The last photo is a bit of a cheat – Reuben offered to take a picture of my hair when he saw me struggling to get a shot in the bathroom.

Morning Cuppa

I have always admired steam photos – the wispy curls look so magical. But it always alluded me as to how to capture that beauty. The other day I discovered how by accident.

As I was pottering about, still drowsy, fixing breakfast, I noticed how striking the steam from my cup of tea was. I grabbed my camera and snapped away. Then I realized what created the distinct steam – the morning light pouring through the window.

The steam must be backlit for it to show up! Eureka!

Have you discovered any new photography tricks/tips lately?

8 Responses to Morning Cuppa

1. Annie 
   August 30th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
   This is such a beautiful picture! Great tip — I’m going to have to try it sometime! :)
2. Sara 
   August 31st, 2013 at 5:42 pm
   This is lovely! That cup is so cute, did you make it? I’ll have to remember this trick :)
3. Teresa Frei 
   September 5th, 2013 at 4:24 pm
   I have always wondered that myself. Great tip, I’ll have to try it sometime. Love the picture! Is there any possible way I can get a copy of it? It would fit perfectly in my kitchen. Thanks!
4. Erica Lea 
   September 5th, 2013 at 5:38 pm
   Teresa: Thank you! Yes, I’d be happy to set up an Etsy listing for this print. What size do you need?
5. Teresa Frei 
   September 9th, 2013 at 9:05 am
   That would be great! Thank you! I would love to have 11×14 inches if possible and it would be shipped to Germany. I just sent emailed you a message. Thanks again!
6. Shea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:18 pm
   Hi Erica! I came across this gorgeous picture and am thrilled for the tip on photographing steam. I was also wondering where the gorgeous cup came from in the photo? I am a ceramics nerd as well and I love it — Keep up the great photos!
7. Erica Lea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:36 pm
   Shea: I got it as a set from David’s Tea, but they no longer sell them. You can get is from Terrain for $10 + shipping. I should really do a giveaway since everyone loves these cups. :)
8. Shea 
   October 16th, 2013 at 12:38 pm
   Thanks!!

Lovely Things in the Mail

Posted by Erica Lea on January 15th, 2013 . Filed under: around the house .

Yesterday my order from David’s Tea arrived.

I am beyond excited for these mugs. I have been wanting some earthenware cups like this for a while, and I found them for a really good deal over at David’s.

Along with each order they include three free samples of tea. The Chai they sent was absolutely lovely.

Beautiful steam.

I had Reuben help me capture a cream-pouring shot and turned it into a gif.

What sorts of lovely things have you got in the mail lately?

8 Responses to Lovely Things in the Mail

1. Megan 
   January 15th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
   Love the cups!! :)
2. Samantha 
   January 15th, 2013 at 8:12 pm
   Those mugs are gorgeous!
3. Rebecca Lately 
   January 16th, 2013 at 9:31 am
   Absolutely gorgeous! If my cupboard wasn’t already brimming with mugs, I would purchase those right away.
   Love the gif :)
4. Peggy 
   January 16th, 2013 at 11:11 am
   Simply beautiful! I think I’ll have to keep checking on them since they are currently out of stock. We have a son who will be moving out on his own soon and these fit his personality and tastes perfectly.
   I recently received a BUNCH of different types of labels for canning jars and the cookbook “Food in Jars”… all of which were won on giveaways! I was so tickled felt like Christmas (or early birthday) all over again! :)
5. Lorraine 
   January 17th, 2013 at 1:14 pm
   I love those cups, but I didn’t see them on that website. What exactly am I supposed to click on?
6. Erica Lea 
   January 17th, 2013 at 1:43 pm
   Lorraine: Hummm…they must be out of stock right now. From what I can tell they are made by the Miya Company, but you can get them at Terrain as well. I got them for a MUCH better deal on David’s Tea – $19.50 for 4. Maybe they’ll get them back in stock!
7. Anna H. 
   January 25th, 2013 at 11:05 am
   I was not able to find these mugs on the website you linked to? Could you help with a link?
8. Aiza 
   October 26th, 2013 at 2:22 pm
   Those mugs are so amazing. Gosh. And that gif is a job well done!

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! :)

First Snow!

Minnesota weather is so fickle. Just last Sunday I was miserably hot and wearing capris and sandals.

Today, we got our first snow.

It’s amazing to see the fall colors being covered by a dusting of white.

Reuben obligingly snapped some photos of me with my red brelly.

I slipped in the wet snow.

Inside, I lit a candle and brewed some tea. As I typed this, I spotted a deer outside my window.

It’s a perfect day, in my estimation.

7 Responses to First Snow!

1. Debbie 
   October 4th, 2012 at 11:28 pm Moderate
   You have some beautiful pictures.
2. Emily O. 
   October 5th, 2012 at 9:10 am Moderate
   What! I’m so jealous. :)
3. Annie 
   October 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm Moderate
   Beautiful pictures, Erica! I love how the first one has both colorful leaves and snow. =) Hope you’re staying warm ‘n cozy!
4. Kathryn Grace 
   October 5th, 2012 at 12:50 pm Moderate
   Wow! We are shivering because this morning it was 42 degrees. :-) The only things falling around here are leaves! I love snow but I’m hoping for at least a month until it hits! Lovely photos though! :-)
5. Michelle 
   October 6th, 2012 at 5:05 pm Moderate
   Oh how lovely! I love snow :) I can’t wait until it snows in Ohio!
6. Anna 
   October 9th, 2012 at 2:25 am Moderate
   Lovely pictures! ( Peter’s been admiring them too :) I wish we will have some snow this year in Denmark too, unfortunately it a sight not too often seen.
7. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com 
   October 9th, 2012 at 7:53 pm Moderate
   Beautiful photos, and you look so radiant! I’m so jealous of all the snow. Send some to FL, please? :D

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!

My Project 365, Week Five

January 29 – February 4

Don’t forget to add your own photo from last week for a chance to win! Make sure to read the rules first:

Rules:

• Only one photo per person per week is allowed.
• The photo must be from the previous week.
• Only those committed to doing a 365 or 52 project are allowed to enter. It’s okay if you miss a day or so in your project, but you must have decided on a 365 or 52 project to be eligible to enter.
• Winner will be announced on the first Saturday of each month.
• Spread the word! You must include a link to this post in your photo post.

If you’d like, you can add a button to your post. Find it here.

Go ahead: Enter!

1 Response to My Project 365, Week Five

1. Marilyn 
   February 4th, 2011 at 9:47 pm Moderate
   I’m definitely not skilled enough to participate, but I’ve been learning a lot by watching the project unfold. It has also inspired me to take more photos daily. Thanks for the encouragement, Erica.