He's All 'Smiles' :o)

They're all 'smiles' over at 'i heart faces', in this week's photo challenge! Oh, but, how was I ever going to choose ... every smile is special!  Well, after scouring my files, I had narrowed it down to three, and, the final decision wasn't hard, at all! I wanted to take this opportunity to honor my dear father-in-law in this photo below.  We call him O.P., and, he is a precious man. I met, and fell in love with him, (so to speak) before I met my husband!  Now, as he nears the end of his life, each photo I take of him brings tears to my eyes, and a smile to my heart. I love you, Dad!

Smiles are special ... but, even more so, are those who share them!

A smile costs nothing but gives much.  It enriches those who receive without making poorer those who give.  It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.  None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.  Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen, for it is something that is of no value to anyone until it is given away.  Some people are too tired to give you a smile.  Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give.    ~Author Unknown

So, if you need a smile to brighten your day, or, if you want to enter one of your own, be sure to visit 'i heart faces' website @ http://iheartfaces.blogspot.com! You can also click on their logo, below .... and, smile! :o) 

. floral inspiration .

Wow! I was so very blessed to have this photo of mine featured,
along side many other beautiful images,
and, I might add, by some extremely gifted photogs,
over on I HEART FACES!


I also had a second one featured, there, as well.
As you can see, it's much like the one in my previous post,
but, I changed it up a bit, with a darker, linen look texture.
Let me know which one you like better! =)

There is such a great community of photographers,
both amateurs and professionals, over there ...
so, if you are one, or, aspiring to be one,
or, just love the art of photography,
I highly recommend joining ... it's free!
If interested, you can read more about it here !

I've met so many wonderful people, and, learned quite a bit,
just from the short time I've been a member.
It's been very encouraging for me to have this network of friends
who love doing what I love doing! =)

Finally, if you want to get some extra 'floral inspiration',
and see the rest of the fantastic featured photos,
just click this link ...
I can guarantee, you won't be sorry!

Blessings ~ Deborah

. spring texture .

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose,
I would always greet it in a garden".
~ Ruth Stout ~

I've been working on adding texture to some of my images,
and I absolutely love using them!
This is one I did in honor of spring.
I found the texture I used, over on Flickr.
Paul Grand has some free sets, to download and use.
He requires a link back, and, he would like to see your results.
This one is from his 'Grand Textures' set.
His photos are stunning!
It's worth the trip over to see them!
It's amazing what texture can do for an image!

I'm not up on all the names of my flowers,
so, if someone would be so kind as to share the name of this one
with me, I would so appreciate it!
Hope you're all enjoying some nice spring weather where you are.
We've sure been blessed with beautiful days, here, this week!