day 9 - red

L - iphone/ T- iphone

Do you think I might like red just a little?
Taylor had to go stand out on the corner in a full body dog suit to bring business in to Petland. I think she sort of enjoyed being in disguise for a time.

filled / empty

L - Nikon / T - iphone

This pairing excites me like the ones we used to post.
We've fallen short lately and can't seem to get back on track with the blogging. But we certainly can't quit now. We have to at least carry on until she graduates. Our follow-through has been poor and it's a little disappointing, but I'm glad we created this blog 4 years ago when she went off to college. Several years from now we will enjoy looking back at the photos and few words -memories of what our life held during those years. But one of the best things about it has been the friendships I have made here in blogging land. There's a hand full of you that have stuck by - who encourage me to continue - and I appreciate you.
Anyway, I for one am excited to see this pairing.

We have had such a strange winter so far. Mild and very wet. I decided to pretend it was cold and snowy outside instead of 60 and rainy. So I made a fire and baked some pumpkin bread. / dreary wet monday morning on the way to class

rested / ready

L - iphone / L - iphone

A nap before the party and then making fancy. I feel more myself wearing boots and jeans, but I guess every once it's nice to be elegant. The annual company Christmas party is about the only time I pull out the jewels and show a little skin. Now I'm ready to be wined and dined and maybe even be twirled around a bit.
I hope your holiday festivities are fun this year.

porky / pig

solo post - L, Canon Powershot

I took a little road trip on Saturday looking for snow. Silly me - soon found out it was a wild goose chase. But it wasn't all a waste. I stopped for the best BBQ around. This place is a little piece of roadside Americana - seriously it's internationally recognized. Poole's Bar-B-Q , in Ellijay, GA, is a must stop if you happen to be in the area. Tasty BBQ and the Pig Hill of Fame.

Christmas gift / Christmas presents

L- Nikon / T - Nikon

listening to: Rockin Around the Christmas Tree

drink / eat

solo post - L, Nikon

I took my camera to work today hoping that I would get a chance to go out at lunch and take some photos of the fall leaves before they were cleaned up by the crew with their mighty blowers. The blowers were at work before I knew it. So much for that. But I did snap a few pictures at my desk. See. I'm trying to drink more water throughout the day and, when that mid-afternoon sweet-tooth is begging for some chocolate, I'm trying to eat something healthy instead. I can tell you I don't always stay strictly to my rules.

random / planned

L - iphone / T - Nikon

"Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds. Fall is the artist." 
- Takayuki Ikkaku

This morning there was autumn magic on the lawn – the winds and rain carrying the russet, amber and tangerine-orange leaves down to blanket the ground in a mosaic of color – a work of art really. By this afternoon there will be a thick carpet of color atop the emerald grass and the soft pine straw beds. I will feel a strong desire to rake them up and jump in them – taking me back to childhood. But... I'm too old and besides, it's raining. I'll be satisfied to rustle my feet through them and kick them in the air. / this past weekend we had perfect weather - it got me in the mood for carving a pumpkin. i had the idea all in my head and even sketched it out before i started. i can't say it turned out exactly like i planned but it looks great all lit up. i'll show you that later. : )

little lamb / young girl

L - Nikon 200mm / T - Nikon Sigma 30mm

It was such a joy to visit the little lambs each morning and in the evening before bed, to hear their little baa-baas, to watch them play and feed and feel their soft wool. They lived right outside our dwelling place – that's what the homes where called there at Shaker Village. The reunion was such a success. We had 29 out of 36 of our family members attending - the children played ball while the senior adults sat in the cool air (temperatures not exceeding 70) and told stories, the young adults like myself (actually I can't really call us that anymore I suppose) went off together, hiking and shooting photos, touring the grounds, etc. . We ate together and talked in the evenings with our cups of coffee and homemade desserts, then walked the steps to our humble sleeping quarters. And on the last day we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways once again - til next year. The last day is always frustrating to me – there is always someone I regret not spending enough time with or things I didn't get to see and do. I realize that I spent too much time taking photos of scenery instead of the people that mean the most. Thankfully my brother took photos of family and sent a slide show of his images soon after I returned home. It really was a nice time. Aren't photos the best – you can once again hear the children's laughter, you can remember his wise words... you can feel the warmth of family. And isn't all that more important than trying to capture a field of haystacks at sunset? / i took over 100 photos of her. i taped tree branch "antlers" to her back and photographed her in an old river cabin. you may have seen the ones i took of her last year in a wildflower field with a bunny mask on - she is a true sport, so willing to please - a great little model.

all aglow

"Just before the death of flowers,
And before they are buried in snow,
There comes a festival season
When nature is all aglow."
- Author Unknown

I feel sure these leaves will have all fallen to the ground by this weekend so I had to make sure I got a picture of the beauty before it was gone. The color is amazing - the leaves on the trees, with the sun shinning through, gives a warm red glow to everything around - like a big red canopy. One can't help but be astounded by the beauty of autumn color. / sorry for the lack contribution from my daughter - guess she's got other priorities tonight.

nature's carpet

Hopefully my photograph will redeem me from the lack of words tonight. I really have no energy for words or thoughts tonight. This is not a good way to start off the month of November.

notes / memories

click on image to read better

Ok so I'm the one coming up short tonight, so I took this photo. This is what I see right beside my computer. As you can tell, I love accents of red - my favorite little red pen, a big red heart, tiny red berries, bold red books (just because they look good on the shelf) - and there's more red all around the room. The quote that is sitting there is something I wrote on a post over 10 years ago and it's been around ever since. "Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." - St. Frances de Sales. That's a good motto don't you think? / "she carries a lot of suitcases but all of them are empty because she's expecting to completely fill them with life by the end of this trip & then she'll come home & sort everything out & do it all again"- story people
mom surprised me by ordering this for me from a vintage etsy shop. my friends were with me when i got it and we all took guesses as to what was inside the big bubble wrapped package. we were right. i'm going to fill mine with college memories. (and there will be some epic photo shoots to come using this bright orange suitcase.)