52 weeks Saying Good Bye

Saying Good Bye to 2013 with Sally's Focusing on Life Photo Challenge. But have no fear, Sally has big plans for next year and I quickly signed up for the 2014 challenge.

Our last assignment is to say good bye.

Wishing you HOPE

And JOY

And to see the world like a child with wild-eyed wonderment.

Blessings to you during the holidays,

and a Happy New Year!

52 Weeks Together

Our assignment this week is Togetherness

A small act that lifts our spirits and brings us together.

 

Our daughter came home from North Carolina and our son came home from Denver.  My husband and I were thrilled they could be here if even for a short time and our youngest daughter was happy to see them as well.  We did lots of things like making cookies, eating, visiting grandparents, cousins, aunts an uncles and watching TV and the youngest play basketball while they were here.

Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of any of this because I was simply enjoying these moments before they ended.  And they did end much too soon.

So I'm sharing photos from our summer trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway which includes all three of our kiddos.

 

 

 

We love to travel as you may have guessed from previous posts, and I love that we are together enjoying each other and this great big beautiful country.

 

 

52 Weeks A Pop of Red

It stands to reason that our assignment this week is to find a pop of red. After all December has lots of potential for finding red.  So here is my pop of red.

 

Us girls each got one of these Santa mugs when we were young.  I remember drinking hot chocolate or milk out of these mugs, and sometimes even Pepsi--my mom's favorite drink.

I'm so glad these mugs were kept and later passed on to us.  They bring back lots of fond memories.

 

 

Beautiful books about Christmas, all in red.

 

 

And a book from my childhood. It still has some flocking on the red parts but as I took photos I noticed the book is falling apart. I remember reading this book over and over as a child and later reading it to our own young children.

 

I love the whimsical art and the bright cheery vintage colors.

 

 

As I write this post I have to wonder if the children today will cherish such things from their youth.  New toys and electronic gadgets are being spewed out into the market so fast, and in the blink of the eye they are already old news.  E-readers are taking the place of books, and Christmas cards are sent electronically. What memories will our children remember as they grow older......what possessions will they cherish?

 

 

And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 

Blessings to you through the Christmas Season!

 

52 Weeks A Little Sparkle

I can't believe it's week 49 in our year long photo challenge!

This week our assignment is to add a little sparkle.
I am a sucker for all the things Christmas, especially the ones I remember from when I was young; vintage ornaments, Santa mugs, and those woodland elves that are up there in my blog header.

 Long ago my dad, (who keeps everything) got rid of the vintage ornaments we used to have on our silver tree, which made me sad. 

So this year I began hunting for similar ornaments in antique shops and etsy and found quite a few. Also I purchased a small tree to display these ornaments, which is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door.

So here are just a few of the vintage ornaments I purchased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

And  of course a topper!

 

"For unto us  a child is born. To us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace."

 

 

 

 



 





 

 

 

 

52 Weeks Reflect

Week 46, can you believe it?  

As Sally indicated in her email, the holiday season is coming quickly, whether we are ready or not. Our assignment is to take a moment and reflect on all the joy, peace and happiness and love before the hustle and bustle is upon us.

I love the season of Advent almost as much as I love celebrating Christmas. 

Advent is as much reflecting as it is looking forward.

This is a  "Li Bien" Ornament from Pier One.  I have been purchasing them for several years now, for keepsakes for our kids, for myself and also as a gift to my Sunday School teachers who sacrifice their time to teach our little ones.

The art of Li Bien-or 'inside painting originated in China during the Qing Dynasty-a respected art for over 200 years. These ornaments are blown and hand painted by a master artist. Every year Pier One offers a variety of ornaments which are all lovely.  This one is for our own tree.

I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:  to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

and on earth peace among those whom he favors!

~Luke 11

52 Weeks Industrial

Our assignment this week is to try our hand at Industrial Photography.

Living in a very tiny town does not afford much in the way of industrial shots but here goes.

Industrial from another era.

A fire starter for our grill. I love the rust,

Inside the fire starter.

As Always, thanks for stopping by.

52 Weeks Shadows

This week is all about shadows.

To get a shadow one must first have light.

Visible light spreads out in waves as it leaves its source. These waves travel in straight lines through the air until they hit an object. The object will absorb some of the waves and reflect some back into the air. Behind any object that has stopped the light waves is a dark spot, or shadow, which is simply a space where no light is.

Information from Answers.com

My husband painted a movie screen on a wall in our basement so we could watch movies, play games etc. with our projector. It was well worth the cost of the projector and we have used it more times than I can count. Surround sound gives us an 'at the movie experience'. 

This is me taking  a photo of my own shadow against the painted screen.

In order to get it completely dark we put up black curtains on the windows.

I like how the light makes a pattern on the curtain.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

52 Weeks Best Shot

This week's challenge is to share our best shot so I thought I'd share a couple photos from our summer vacation in August.

The Blue Ridge Parkway - Such a beautiful place. Words can not describe it.

One of the many trails we took.  I ruined a pair of shoes on this trip but it was worth it!

I think we walked nearly nine miles over streams, giant boulders, fallen trees, through mud and moss, and slippery trails in just two days.

If you are looking to travel the Blue Ridge Parkway is it!

One of these days I will share more photos of the parkway and the East Coast.

Check out Sally's blog to see more 'Best Shots'

52 Weeks In Motion

Our assignment for this week is all about motion.

Our kids at the beach, each standing on something, maybe rocks or wood--maybe left from an old pier or dock...

This summer we took a trip to the East Coast.  This photo was taken at Wrightsville Beach near the city of Wilmington North Carolina.  Being from Kansas it's not often that we get a chance to dig our toes in the sand while the surf comes rolling in, then back out.  Oh the water was delightful! A perfect day!

The falling wave,
arch of identity, shattering feathers,
is only spume when it clears, 
and returns to its source, unconsumed.

~a verse from 'The Wide Ocean', a poem by Pablo Neruda

52 Weeks By Twos

This week we are to focus on twos.

I'm a twin and that was the obvious choice for me. But my sister lives in another city so that was out.

And then my mind went blank (crickets chirping).

Later my husband and I went on a walk and I took my camera along. And wouldn't you know there were lots of things that come in twos!

and my very favorite:

Minions made out of propane tanks!  Aren't they darling?! The neighbor around the corner has several of these in their yard.

Thanks for stopping by!!! Please check Sally's blog for more things that come in twos.