A Month in Photos [January 2015]

The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden 

because of their simplicity and familiarity.

Ludwig Wittgenstein

One of the reasons I continue snapping these daily photos is to notice these moments in everyday life ... Moments with smiles and laughter, with lightness and flow, as well as moments with sorrow and despair, with pain and struggle - and moments, that just are soaking with repetition and routines.

That's what life is all about ... In one sense, all we have, is the moment at hand. It may not often times be as glorious and untroubled as we would like it to be - Yet, it is the moment, we're given. This moment. 

In another sense I believe that our existence continues in one form or another after death, in the sense of eternity -That our core, the soul, will keep on existing as it is written in the Scriptures ('the gift of God is eternal life in Christ' Romans 6:23). Yet, eternity, as far as my limited understanding of time goes, will unfold one moment at a time?

Time itself is a bit of a mystery - I like the way C.S. Lewis puts it:

Perpetuity is only the attainment of an endless series of moments, each lost as soon as it is attained. Eternity is the actual and timeless fruition of illimitable life. Time is... a hopeless attempt to compensate for the transitoriness of its 'presents' by infinitely multiplying them.

Anyway, I was doubting in December whether I should go on for another year of taking daily pictures, that is, 365 pictures a year. I really didn't make any decisions - I left it hanging in the air, seeing how it would be ... And I found myself grabbing my iPhone and taking one picture - 'just today' - and adding it to my "diary" in the Collect photo App, to go with the daily note. And I went on - from one day to another. 

I wrote a few tips on taking daily photos - Project 365 Success Tips for Smartphone Users  - where I describe the Collect Photo App in detail. The video below is made also with the Collect Photo App. 

January 2015 Photo a Day from Nina Jensen on Vimeo.

The pretty template for my January photos is a gift from Mona's Pictoresque. Mona is hosting a monthly blog hop: "Month in Photos" - Come and share your favourite photos from January, following the link below.

... Until next time,

Nina 

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A Month in Photos by Mona's Pictoresque

Stray Thoughts and Snapshots

iPhone 5S: Camera+, VSCOcam, Mextures, Stackables, PicFx, DistressedFx

Joy does not simply happen to us.

We must choose joy and

keep choosing it every day.

Henri J.M. Nouwen

iPhone 5S: Camera+, Snapseed, VSCOcam, RhonnaDesigns - Textures by FrenchKiss & Coppercurls Designs

Goodwill is reciprocal.

The good thoughts you send out to others

will return to you multiplied.

Grenville Kleiser

A dear and inspiring friend, Amanda from the Wildly Simple -blog, wrote about her 10 Goals for 2015. One of her goals is to send a handwritten note so someone each week -  Ins't it right that one of the best surprises is to open your mailbox and see a handwritten card or an envelope from a friend! I was inspired by Amanda's goal and will also be sending a weekly card or a note ... In the good, old fashioned way: Handwritten and in an envelope. 

iPhone 5S: Camera+, Snapseed, ClassicVintagePhotoApp, ImageBlender

This sweet fellow above keeps me company at my office. I found this furry buddy in the bottom of a box in flee market - and I was sold that very moment!

iPhone 5S: Snapseed, Glaze, Stackables, DistressedFx - Textures by FrenchKiss & Coppercurls Designs

A dream, strayed into daylight.

C.S.Lewis

The weather has been sunny, cloudy, rainy ... It's been windy and still, and we've gotten a few snow flakes as well. 

It is lovely to notice that the days are getting longer - it is not completely dark anymore, when I'm biking to work in the mornings...

Waking up this morning, I smile. 

Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. 

I vow to live fully in each moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh

... Weekend greetings,

Nina

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Add a Warm Vintage Glow with Photo Veils [Photo Recipe]

Printing my photos - using them as post cards or greetings for birthdays - is something I plan to do more often this year. And to start with, I will make a series of Still Life photos with simple motives, that will convey a warm and peaceful feeling. 

My mom has a bunch of old bottles, she has gotten from a friend of hers, whose mom was a pharmacist. The memories from my childhood - seeing these bottles filled with flowers - inspired me to compose the image above. To create a touch of vintage, I used a coffee-toned cloth, together with a brown masonite board as a back drop. I photographed the image beside our kitchen window, where the light is best in the afternoon. My camera settings were following: 1/60 sec, f/3.5, ISO 800.

Photo recipe:

1. I checked the cropping of the image, to secure, that my motive is in the middle of the frame, and adjusted the brightness and contrast.
2. I added the Rosy Glow Veil from the Illumination Collection blending mode soft light, 70% opacity. This veil creates a mild and warm glow to the photo.
3. In order to underline the light, that comes from the upper lift corner, I added the Sunshine 2 top left vertical photo veil from the Illumination Collection, with blending mode soft light, opacity 36%.
4. To create a natural vignette, I added the Medium spotlight top photo veil, also from Illumination Collection, with blending mode soft light 100%.
5. Finally, I added the Privet photo veil from the Botanical Collection to create a touch of vividness and depth, with blending mode softlight 29%.

"Say it with flowers"-works fine with photography cards  as well... Receiving a card via Snail Mail makes one happy today, when a great deal of our communication and greetings takes place via via e-mails and social media.

I hope this photo recipe has inspired you to create and fine tune the mood and feeling in your photos, you wish to convey with them. 
Let's keep on clicking our cameras - and let us not forget to make use of the images we capture!

...Until next time,

Nina

Seasoning God-Flavors

Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the 

God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? 

Matthew 5:13 The Message

Tim Hughes - May the Words of My Mouth

:   :   :

Blessings to your week,

Nina 

Here's a printable

of Matthew 5:13
for you 

Sharing with: 

Give Me Grace, Scripture & Snapshot, 
Sunday Stillness

Dreamy images and playful tones

My Monday started with migraine ... In the late afternoon, as I was feeling better, I took a snapshot with my iPhone and edited it in Snapseed, Afterlight, Mextures & VSCOcam apps - Trying to convey the mismatch in the body and thoughts, migraine can cause: The state of between being awake and in sleep, trying to avoid light as much as possible, yet not being able to see in the dark ... and the gaps and cracks in thoughts and in the state of awareness. 

Hipstamatic: Vincent-lens & BlackKeys ExtraFine film, blurry effect in Focal Lab.

Where words fail, music speaks.

Hans Christian Andersen

I enjoy the moments listening our son as he plays piano - Especially the melodies he is making up him self.

An old cross-stitch work, I found from a flee market two years ago, is hanging beside our main door. Every now and then, the moving air is making the tiny bell hanging on it, to ring ... This tiny sound has become a cozy melody of it's own, telling someone has arrived or is about to leave.

I took the photo with Camera+, then edited it in Snapseed (Retrolux). I added an Antiqued-texture in Photo Toaster, and some texture layers in Stackables app.

:   :   :

Chicken Miso Soup has become one of our the favourite soups - Our boys like it so much that I cook it two -three times a month! Having prepared it so many times, I know the recipe by heart now - It takes just a half an hour to make it, and tastes great! (The original recipe recommends Ramen noodles, but I am using thin rice noodles instead, since they are without gluten).

The gluten free diet has had a very positive effect on my thyroid values - they are back in the normal range now - so I am trying a bunch of new recipes at the moment. I have found a recipe for a delicious, dark bread - and some recipes for sweet taste as well.

What is your favourite thing to cook at the moment - new inspiration to kitchen is always welcome, ain't it!

...Have a great weekend,

Nina

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To all who call

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 New Living Translation

Healing is in your hand by Christy Nockels

:   :   :

Blessings to your week, 

Nina

Here's a printable

of Psalm 145:18
for you 

Sharing with: 

Give Me Grace, Scripture & Snapshot, 
Sunday Stillness

Photo: iPhone 5S, Camera+, Snapseed - Texture Scratchedmagic by Kim Klassen

Highlights of my week

The tube scarf has been in the making a few months now - it is so cozy to knit in the evenings. I like these soft colors, the woolen yarn and the recipe for the scarf is a present from a friend of mine from her travels.

Cherishing the moments in the kitchen, as our boys are making sandwiches or helping around, like emptying the dish washer ... The saying "Kitchen is the heart of a home" makes sense with the pulsing life it contains.

I was about to catch a common cold with sore throat, headache, running nose ... I drank pots of green tea with thinly sliced fresh ginger and honey, and slept a lot after work - I cannot say which helped most - I'm grateful for not getting really sick.

Glaze and Brushstroke apps, and a texture Tableaux Old Style from French Kiss Studio Textures

We had the pleasure of having the sun peeking out Friday afternoon - Sunlight does make a great difference after a foggy and rainy week. The bluish and turquoise shades and the glimpses of sunlight playing on the water ... Yes, the time seemed to stand still, as we admired the vast sea, the far horizon and the open sky.

The scent of paper and Earl Grey ... Simple pleasures on Saturday mornings. 

... Is there a moment from this week that is still lingering in the back of your mind - what made it so special to you?

Wishing you a peaceful weekend,

Nina

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Beyond our hopes

 Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.

Ephesians 3:20 Living Bible

Fall Afresh by Jeremy Riddle

:   :   :

Blessings to your week, 

Nina

Here's a printable

of Ephesians 3:20
for you 

Sharing with: 

Give Me Grace, Scripture & Snapshot

Photo: iPhone 5S, Hipstamatic: Wonder-lens & Hackney-film, Texture 281 by Anna J. Lenabem

Create a Frosty Window-effect with Classic Vintage Photo Editor

Classic Vintage Photo Editor is one of my favourite mobile photo applications in creating silky and frosty effects to my iPhone photos. I will here show you can create a Frosty Window effect using Classic Vintage Photo Editor and Image Blender iPhone applications.

This is the original image, which I have taken with iPhone 5S, using the external Olloclip macro lens, that I attached to my iPhone for taking this close-up photo.

Tutorial: 9 Steps to Create a frosty Window-Effect

Open the photo you wish to edit in the Classic Vintage Photo Editor. You will see that the app will automatically apply random effect layers on your photo - You need to start with setting the effect of these layers to 0% opacity: 

1. As shown below, choose the Sepia effect, and adjust it to 0% opacity.

2. Then, in the same way, choose the Border effect, and adjust it to 0% opacity.

3. Now choose the Crackle effect, and choose the Nevada layer from the right (shown below - number 8 from the top), and adjust the opacity of the layer to 50%. 

4. Do the same with the Paper layer - Choose the Nevada-effect shown to the right, that is, number 2 from the top, and set it also to 50% opacity. 

5. That was easy, wasn't it! Now you have finished editing your photo in the Classic Vintage Photo app, and it is time to save the photo on your camera roll: 
Choose Share, and photo library - now your image is saved in the camera roll of your iPhone.

I wanted to remove the frosty effect from the middle of my photo - to get the sharpness and clarity of my original image to the center point - and I used Image Blender app for this. 

So from now on, we proceed in the Image Blender app:

6. Open first your original image in the Image Blender app, by clicking the icon in the lower left corner - your camera roll opens, and you can now choose your original image.

7. Then click the lower right icon, and choose the Frosty Window from your camera roll.

8. Choose the Mask option, and remove the Frosty Window effect from the desired area of your photo. Click the Save option in the upper right order. 

9. Then set the opacity continuum all the way to the right, so you can see the Frosty Effect photo, now with a clear and sharp (your original image) being visible in the middle - and save your image to your camera roll.

And, that's it - 9 easy steps to create a beautiful, winter image ... Like looking through a Frosty Window. This is my favourite combination at the moment in Classic Vintage Photo Editor.

What are your favourite apps at the moment? 

Come and link your recent mobile photos to App Happy Wednesday hosted by Barb at Keeping With The Times.

... With App-Happy greetings,

Nina

Classic Vintage Photo Editor is at the moment free in the App Store. Image Blender is available in App Store for $ 2,99. 

Simplify [One Word]

Instead of making New year's resolutions, I have chosen one word, that will be my point of focus throughout 2015. My earlier post shows glimpses of the impact of my word for 2014 - Unhurried - had on my life.

The word SIMPLIFY has been growing in my mind the past few weeks. Simplify was the theme in our church in November - since then, it has echoed in my mind and called for my attention. I look forward of having Simplify as my companion in 2015 - being curious of what kinds of fruit it will bring along the way.

Why Simplify?
I hope it will help me to focus to the essential - cutting the unnecessary away.
Less is more - practically as well as mentally. 
Not alone to achieve a simpler life - but also a process, in me.
It is sometimes the little things, that end up making a big difference - so let's see...

Quoting E. F. Schumacher, Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.  Well, since I am no genius, I must posses a whole lot of courage :-)

What are you hopes and wishes for 2015?

Until next time...
Nina

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Photo: iPhone5S, Olloclip-lens, Camera+ & VSCOcam Texture: Kim Klassen

Safe pasture

Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

Psalm 37:3

Kutless - What Faith Can Do (Official Music Video)

:   :   :

Blessings to your week, 

Nina

Here's a printable

of  Psalm 37:3
for you 

Sharing with: 

Give Me Grace, Scripture & Snapshot

Photo: iPhone 5S, VSCOcam, Mextures Textures: 2 Lil' Owls Studio

My Unhurried 2014 [One Word]

JANUARY

iPhone 5S, VSCOcam preset S3

Snow falling soundlessly in the middle of the night will always fill my heart with sweet clarity.

Novala Takemoto

FEBRUARY

iPhone 5S, VSCOcam preset X4

Creative moments inside, when it's cold outside.

MARCH

iPhone 5S, VSCOcam preset S5, Glaze

Father & Son - Just a walk

APRIL

iPhone 5S, Camera+, Fuzel Collage

Visiting my auntie in Paris together with mom - we had a lovely week together!

MAY

iPhone 5S, Camera+, VSCOcam preset S3

Whenever there is stillness there is the still small voice, 
God speaking from the whirlwind, nature's old song, and dance ...

Annie Dillard

JUNE

iPhone 5S, Camera+, VSCOcam preset S1

To part is the lot of mankind. The world is a scene of constant leave-taking, 
and the hands that grasp in cordial greeting today, 
are doomed ere long to unite for the last time, 
when the quivering lips pronounce the word - 'Farewell'.

R.M. Ballantyne

My last day at my former work place: Saying good bye to dear colleagues through the last 5 years - 
the last walk on the path along the field ... 
and reorientating towards starting at my new work.

JULY

iPhone 5S, Camera+

Summer holidays :)

AUGUST

iPhone 5S, Hipstamatic: Lowy-lens, Robusta-film

Until you spread your wings you'll have no idea how far you can fly.

Ray Bradbury

SEPTEMBER

iPhone 5S, Camera+, texture Privet from the  mobile collection by Love That Shot

Sit with me in the shade of these green trees, 
which have no weightier thought than 
the withering of their leaves when autumn arrives, 
or the stretching of their many stiff fingers 
into the cold sky of the passing winter. 

Fernando Pessoa

OCTOBER

iPhone 5S, Camera+, Stackables

Time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life.

Brian Andrews

NOVEMBER

iPhone 5S, Lensbaby LM-10 Sweet Spot Lens for Mobile, VSCOcam preset B4

Learn from yesterday, live for today,
look to tomorrow, rest this afternoon.

Charles M. Schultz

DECEMBER

iPhone 5S, Camera+, VSCOcam preset S1

From time to time, to remind ourselves to relax and be peaceful, we may wish to set aside some time for a retreat, a day of mindfulness, when we can walk slowly, smile, drink tea with a friend, enjoy being together as if we are the happiest people on Earth.

Thich Nhat Hahn


:   :   :

My One Word for 2014, Unhurried, has been a wonderful companion throughout this year. It has taken me to places of rest and quietness. It has helped me to slow down, and to focus on the things that matter most. 

I am grateful for all the moments, people, places, challenges, surprises ... in my daily life and here in blogging fellowships. I am thankful for each of my friends here on blog space, for having travelled along - sharing, inspiring and popping by ... 

Thank you for having been a part of my year - It wouldn't have been the same without you!

As we already have entered into 215, 

I am wishing you a Happy New Year -

With new adventures and moments to unfold!

Nina