If a picture paints a thousand words

This blog is a place for me to work on my photography. My goal is to submit a new picture every day and to get better as the moments go by. I take all pictures with my digital camera. I worked for years with a 35 mm minolta, and this is a learning experience for me. I am afraid that I got lazy and allowed the camera to choose most of the settings for me. This is my journey of learning how to shoot a camera that is not in a program mode. It is harder than I ever imagined. That makes this challenge both a new experience and a joy for me.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Winter Storm - Day 118

The roads are all closed.  We are snowed in.  I have to admit that is is beautiful, even if my truck did get stuck trying to drive to work this morning.  Oh well.  It takes great pictures.  Hope your New Year's Eve is all you want it to be!






Thursday, December 30, 2010

Eensy Weensy - Day 117

We had to laugh at the antics of this one.  She as a character to lighten any heart and bring a smile to any lips.  She is a sunshine and a joy.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Mine, mine, mine! - Day 116

Our little dog, discovered his very own Christmas gift on the tree.


He saw it!

He wanted it!


He just couldn't, quite, reach it!


Finally, someone took pity on him and let him have it!  
He is still carrying it around today!  It has become a favorite chew toy!
Who would have thought that a stuffless animal could be so much fun!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas Morning - Day 115



There is nothing quite like Christmas morning with children in the house.  We couldn't help enjoying ourselves.  You never know what they are going to say or do.  


There is just something about the wonder in their faces as they open the gifts around the tree.


And the wonder as they watch others open their own gifts.  Each child has a sense of anticipation and excitement no matter who the gift is for.


And no matter what it is.  Somehow, even the ordinary things become special Christmas morning.


And the extra ordinary things become amazing.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Christmas dress - Day 114

I spent the past three weeks sewing every night to make the gifts for my children and grand-children.  I loved every minute of it and was very happy with the way they turned out.  This is one of my many projects and I posted a picture of the material several weeks ago.  I made five of these little skirts.  Each was just a little bit different, but all using the same material, so they went together without being exactly matching.


There is nothing quite like a child's smile to show it off!!

Brother (and Uncle) love - Day 113

These three are closely related.  One is the big brother, one the little sister, and one the niece.  You really can't tell how much they love being together, can you!



There is nothing quite like family to warm your heart on the coldest winter night.  


And nothing feels so good to me as when my family comes home.  

Best Friends - Day 112

This is my daughter and my grand-daughter.  
They adore each other and love every bit of time 
they get to spend together.  



Family
Hearts knit together in love
Holding fast,
Hugging tight,
Hanging on.
No matter the distance,
Our hearts know exactly
What Love really means.
And they know
That when we are together
We are home at last.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Piano Recital - Day 111

The girls had a piano recital where they each picked three or four songs to showcase.  They did an amazing job and really enjoyed it.  I had a hard time with these pictures because I was far away and the lighting wasn't the best for them.  I did try to fix, but I have decided it is much easier to take good ones in the first place!



Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Lunar Eclipse - Day 110

I am participating in Wordless Wednesday over at MMB.  Hope to see you there.

These are all pictures from the other night's lunar eclipse.  I was up until 2:00 in the morning to shot these.  I think they came out pretty cool.








Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dance Recital - Day 109

My two younger girls have been having dance lessons this year and they love it.  They have a good time with their friends, they get to have physical activity, and they even get to show off to mom every once in a while.  Kayla had a great recital.  She loved it all but really had the most fun with the Snowman Song.  


I love that their costumes are simple and that the focus is on the girls.  

Monday, December 20, 2010

Her name in lights! - Day 108

My daughter's name is Mikayla Joy.  She loves her name and is very proud of it.  We drove to the valley and to my son's home where we saw this as we got out of the car.  Mikayla was so excited!!  I have a feeling we are going to be spreading a little "Joy" of our own with a few lights.  I never knew a child could get so excited just by seeing thier name in lights!


Sunday, December 19, 2010

Oooo, pretty! - Day 107

One of the things I love most about the season is all the pretty lights.  As you can see, my grand-daughter loves them too!




Saturday, December 18, 2010

Helping Mama! - Day 106

This is my youngest grand-daughter.  She is a real sweetie!  As you can see, she is extremely helpful in the kitchen!  (As long as you move the forks and knives first!)




Friday, December 17, 2010

Friendly, neighborhood, sock monkey! - Day 105

Today is Macro Friday again, and I decided there is nothing like an ornament for this season.  I took this picture on the tree.  He is only a couple of inches big, but he reminds me of the one I had many, many years ago.  You can link up Here with Blogging from Bolivia.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

The Nativity - Day 104

So simple and tiny.  I love it.  It is only about four inches across.  Currently, it holds a place of honor on our Christmas tree.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Dead Wood - Day 103

Today, I am linking up with MMB for their Wordless Wednesday.
Hope to see you there!
I love this picture.  
There is just something so real about reaching toward the heavens.  

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Post Office Holiday - Day 102


This was a Christmas gift to me a couple of years ago.  I love all things postal (of course!) and so this was one of my favorite gifts.  It is fun for me to think of the Post Office in a jolly way.  It helps a lot during this season if I can simply remain rather "jolly" myself.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Toad Hall - Day 101

Twice each week, on our way to Choir practice, we drive by this house on Toad Road.  I love it and just had to get a picture to share it with the rest of you!

Must Be Christmas - Day 100

This week, we will be digging out our favorite Christmas movies to get into the spirit of the Season.  My husbands favorite is "The Christmas Story".  I don't know what mine is, there are so many choices.  I think I will need to watch them all before I decide.  What is yours??

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Favorite Tradition - Day 99

This is one of our most favorite traditions fo the holiday season.  We read the book and watch the movie.  We make hot chocolate (the mexican version with cinnamon in it) and we devote an entire evening to relaxing and having fun as a family. 



"Christmas, my child, is love in action. 
Everytime we love, every time we give,
it's Christmas".  
Dale Evans Rogers.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Macro Friday - Day 98

Today is Macro Friday and I am linking up with Blogging From Bolivia.   This is material that I just bought to make the three girls Christmas Skirts.  We can't find any dresses that are long enough to be modest.  So, I am getting out my sewing machine this week and hopefully making my own.  Each skirt will be one of theses three colors with ruffles from the other two colors.  Simple, easy, and sewn to just below the knee.  Hopefully, I can get them done this weekend.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Tree in Blue - Day 97

Sometimes, I get lucky.  These shots are straight out of the Camera, no frills.  I loved how blue the sky looked with the autumn leaves so yellow.