day 3 - neighborhood

L - iphone / T - iphone

I think she's right, some photos don't lend themselves to being cropped so narrow. But what do you think - which format is best?

Notice the Bradford Pear trees are in bloom already. Last week the highs were in the mid 70s, tomorrow we're supposed to have a freeze warning - I think it's only the second one we've had this winter.

to stay warm / snuggle

L - iphone / T - Nikon

Seems the only photos we have lately is either knitting, skies, dogs, or cats. That's sad. We need to get out more.
I was excited that this year I finally learned how to knit. I can make myself cute scarves and hats to stay warm - and I made several. Yet, I never even got a chance to wear them. I even made a scarf and hat for Keith's birthday in March. Maybe we'll still find a place visit in the snow before winter truly turns to spring.
I love this photo Taylor took of Daisy and Bunny. She is so happy that they like to snuggle in the same bed. It's so cute to see them both sleeping there together.

(did I ever even tell you my fiance's name? - it's Keith ;)

not rain / not snow

L- Nikon / T iphone

It's not the snow and it's not the rain that has kept us away. In fact, we've had an absolutely gorgeous Autumn season here in the south. The leaves are just at their peak this week and it's so frustrating to me that I don't have anything to show of it's beauty. I take in it's the gorgeous display of color in mind's eye every single day and it astounds me with it's beauty - blazing in the morning light and glowing in the evening light. I have an incredible 360 view from my office on the 18th floor and I'm amazed daily at the changing mosaic of color in the landscape. Believe me, there have been many clicks in my mind, fingers framing in the photo, eyes zooming in to details yet I have nothing to show - I wish I did. I wish I did.

thankful / relieved

L - iphone / T - Nikon

This past week was crazy busy - two very late nights at work - working til midnight. But Wednesday night was especially bad. Not only were we having to work late but the weather was bad. We were hearing stories of how dangerous the roads were getting due to dropping temperatures on top of an earlier rain - the roadways were covered with black ice. So many accidents that the police had reported they would not respond unless there were injuries. But we stayed - we had to get the work done. When I went out after midnight to get in my car it was frozen solid and I couldn't get in no matter how I tried. My dad had to come pick me up. But I sure am thankful - I'm in my 50s and my dad is still watching out after me. There were a lot of stories the next day about the problems people had getting home - ending up in ditches and curbs; abandoned cars; having to ride marta; 2 hour drives; many detours, etc but at least everyone arrived safely. I like the winter but sometimes the weather can bring dangerous conditions. I hope you will all be safe out there this season. / "really, bunny? i go away for ten minutes to make coffee and you've already assumed your typical inconvenient position on top of whatever i'm doing? you look so proud of yourself too.." my finals are finally over and i'm so relieved. athens is so odd, but very peaceful, with everyone gone for the holidays. most people have skipped town the second their exams are over, but i'm taking some time to myself to get some christmas shopping finished and read at the very not-crowded coffee shops. but i won't lie- i'm excited to come home for the holidays.

a sprinkle of color / a scatter of rain

solo post - L, Nikon

This is what our autumn is like so far... mixed of rain and sun, balmy and brisk, summer green and autumn yellow... no wooly sweaters or warm fires burning, no hot cider or chili on the stove. But I know the time is coming and I am so ready.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~Stanley Horowitz

adoption update: Copper seems to have adjusted real well to his new life in Birmingham so far. I believe my brother has made him one happy dog.

autumn breeze / fall color

L - iphone / T - phone pic

Last night we had a bad storm - hail, strong winds and power outage. But was beautiful today - today was the first day it really felt like fall. I came home - on time for a change - and enjoyed a swing in the hammock. In fact, I do this every evening, just for a few minutes, just until the hammock stops swinging, and then I go inside and feed the animals. Tonight I smelled autumn in the air - I was happy. / there was a coolness to the air this morning as i walked to class. i hope it's here to stay for a while – i am so not a "summer" girl. (above photo taken in the grocery store, at the last minute, for mom)

sparkle / glow

solo post - L, iphone

We are having a warming trend like the weather men said we would. The morning started out chilly but warmed up to a balmy 50º - warm enough to eat lunch outdoors. And I sure did need some time in the sun. On drive home the sky was awash with amazing colors. So pretty I was taking a photo at almost every stop light, then I had to stop by the Trader Joes. When I stepped out of the store the sky looked like it was on fire.
It will be near 60 tomorrow! I plan to be outside planting flowers? Just kidding. Hope you have an incredible weekend.

scooting / making room

solo post - L, iphone/Nikon

This Thanksgiving has been very relaxing – no stress, no shopping, no worries. And here it is coming to a close. Taylor has to get back to school and my brother has to go back to B'ham. But before he left he took me on a scooter ride. It was a most glorious day and we scooted all around the neighborhoods, the wind in our faces, smelling the autumn leaves and the fires burning. We went into neighborhoods that we don't bother to drive through in our cars. People were out decorating their homes, hanging the wreaths and placing the lights. We saw amazing homes - some so elegantly decorated and others more classic in their approach. Ever since I was a child I loved driving around looking at decorations. One the scooter it was even more fun - so much fun that we lost track of time and ended up being gone for over an hour. It was my first ride, and to my own surprise, I loved it.
As I'm sure is true for many of you, it is tradition for us to get the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, and to start making room for Christmas decorations inside and outside the house. The wreaths were hung outside and candles placed in the windows, the nutcrackers come out and the garland is hung on the mantel, childhood Christmas photos are set here and there and a winter wonderland is created with the snowbabies figurines. But something we always pick out together is the tree. And this year T and I did it in record time - I mean literally seconds - the very first tree T pulled out looked about as good as we've ever had so we went with it, not even looking at any others. I was shocked. I can't believe we went with the first one.