Looking back, standing still, moving forward ...

Hello, my friends!

In any given year there are challenges and joy. Our job is to focus on the joy and figure out how to make it through the challenges so we can find pleasure in the things we do, the people we meet, and the dreams that guide us.

I definitely had my difficulties this past year, both professionally and personally, but one thing I know is if I hadn't, I would not have rediscovered my love of photography. I would not have published The Stroll every week for an entire year! I would not have found Kim Klassen who so gently helped me learn Photoshop and find the love to continue playing and experimenting with it.

I can credit those who challenged me because they gave me cause to find something to ground myself, to believe in, to use as a creative outlet. So looking back, I have shot thousands of images, processed many with textures. I have made new friends through the Flickr community and I have pursued getting some of my images in a local gallery/gift shop. Recently, have set up an Etsy shop where I will make some of my images and greeting cards available. I will continue to add items, so do check in from time to time to see what's new.

This is one of my prized images that I took while on a stroll with my Flickr friend, Juli earlier this week along Clear Creek in Golden, Colorado. I can't even begin to compare my talent to Ansel Adams, but I like to think this is a shade of his style. As I stand still and reflect I realize while taking the time to practice, shoot whenever the muse takes my hand, and receive wonderful feedback from my friends, I am getting better. Looking through a lens has helped me look at life differently. There is beauty in everything, even the dying flowers, brush, and trees of winter. Unpleasant things can help us move in a different direction, a direction that is likely more appropriate.

As I look forward I chose to view the horizon full of possibilities. I'm confident I will find a new job, one that I can be happy and fulfilled in for a while. Photography will remain my spiritual grounding process. And I will continue to learn new things along the way. I've already begun watching the Adobe Illustrator tutorials on lynda.com. I will begin the new year in two inspiring classes: Kim Klassen's Beyond Layers and Ali Edwards' One Little Word 2012. My word is ABUNDANCE. Abundance comes in many shapes and sizes. I know this already, but I'm looking forward to discovering more. More friends, more money, more joy! It can't get much better than that!

With these thoughts, I will leave you with a couple images I caught yesterday on my evening walk with Kobi. Closing the year with the beauty of the waning sun and winterscapes.

What do you see when you look back? What reflections when you stand still? And what will you look forward to as you ring in the new year?

Happy New Year to all!
laf

White on White: Fun in the Snow!

It wasn't a particularly productive day, although I did get my resume updated for a particular job and I'll be submitting soon. Otherwise, I watched a movie, cleaned the kitchen, and made some homemade rolls. Mmmmm, at least the house smells delicious.

Then I took Kobi for a walk. The following is our adventure. First, he excitedly ran through the snow that came up to his shoulders. It flew into his face as he ran.

He laid in his, "I'm watching you and waiting" position as two other dogs approached.

The Spaniel was definitely ready to play! And Kobi was quite happy to accommodate.

As we moved on and the other dogs and their owners went their way, Kobi went into one of his crazy spells and ran and ran in circles. I managed to get him in motion. This is my favorite!

And he found a stick! I've never seen him pick up a stick and carry it before. So glad I captured this.

He continues to keep me amused, which helps keep my spirits up. Of course, after playing in the cold, he is sound asleep now on his chair. As they say, a tired dog is a good dog.

Texture thanks to Parée Erica: Cream Bokeh Swirls on all.

To all my friends and family - Happy Holidays!

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This morning it occurred to me that it is not my job to go looking for the perfect picture. It is my job to be ready when the image appears.

It was then I noticed the sun glistening on the icicle hanging from the porch overhang outside my front window. It's also up to me to decide if the image would benefit from enhancement or if I want it to stand alone. In this case, it made a beautiful night time snowy holiday greeting when I added Paree's texture.

So, this my friends, is my Christmas/Holiday wish for you—be ready when the image appears. Translate: be ready when your dream presents itself. If you're not noticing the good when it comes, you might miss it—in a flash.

I am so grateful for all of you who have been there for me over this past year. I'm thrilled to have met new friends on Flickr who have encouraged me to try new effects and keep taking pictures. I am paying attention that sometimes I must reach out to bridge the gap with those I love. And of course, I may miss opportunities if I don't pay attention.

May you all recognize the good in your lives and tell those who are important to you that you love them.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Frohe Weinachten! Joyeux Noël! Happy Hannukah!

Parée Erica’s Xmas 2011 Challenge
Texture thanks to Parée Erica: Snow Room

Many Muses Musing - JOY

Linked to Many Muses Musing. Today's theme is JOY. Also linked to Kim Klassen's 12 Days of Textures and Lisa Gordon's Creative Exchange.

I created this photo of glass candle globes at Baylear on Pearl a couple weeks ago with Juli (Catgirl007). It was fun to see that Kim's textures turned red to green, then I brushed out the texture color on one of them to create quite the festive image.



It was quite a joyful day today! I chose to enjoy my "vacation" from a full-time job. ;->

Started out meeting my friend, Diana, for coffee. We both decided to brave the snow ladened roads and we both experienced a challenge getting out of our own neighborhoods. Now, what is more important than meeting a friend for coffee(!!) that even snow won't keep us from cancelling. We had a wonderful time. Thanks Diana for treating!

I came home to finish shoveling my driveway. Since we got about a foot of snow last night, I opted to help my elder neighbors out by shoveling their driveway. I am always concerned when we get this much of that white stuff that if they have an emergency they need to be able to get out quickly. While I was out there, another neighbor was also shoveling out. Pierre's dogs, Spirit and Seled, were out enjoying the stuff. But what caught my eye was that Spirit was just sitting in the snow! In fact, I couldn't pass up the photo op. By the time I got back to the house, grabbed my camera, Spirit was still sitting there. It was wonderful!



After I clicked a couple of times he started running toward me and I capture the most wonderful in-motion as he plowed through the snow! I'm really jazzed this the one below. This is pure JOY! I wish I could bottle that!



Okay, now it's time for some hot cocoa, a bit of TV (not just as background noise), and dinner. Oh, I guess I should eat! I don't think I got lunch. Ha!

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen and her 12 Days of Textures: wonderfulmagicstars and inspiredmanifesto (Spirit running); annabelle (Spirit sitting in snow); and providence and wonderfulmagicscripted (candles).

An evening of Christmas cheer

This is a lengthier post than usual, but there is a treat at the end if you love a great sugar cookie! There is nothing like SHARING sweets at during the holidays! Linked to Many Muses Musing.

My youngest son, Scott, came over last night to decorate the Christmas tree. I surprised him with one of his favorite meals--creamed turkey on toast. He was thrilled. But before we got to the tree, he fell asleep on the couch. I wondered if we'd actually get to decorating, but when he woke up he asked why I let him sleep. Well, one reason is he can be a bit grumpy when I wake him. This way he got is rest from a full day fixing cars and I didn't get blamed for disturbing him.

It all worked out. He went down memory lane with the ornaments and I made sugar cookies. Yummy! See recipe at the end of this post.

 

Then I took some close-ups and pics of him which was a challenge as he continually dodges the eye of the lens. What is it with my family? My mother hated to have her picture taken, hence there are very few flattering images in the archives. First, a beautiful ornament--one of my favorites on the tree even though I bought lots of Hallmark ornament for the kids over the years. Then one that I brought back from Germany when I visited my birth-brother many years ago.

Well, I just can't resist posting a picture of Scott. I'll have to take it up with him later, but I love him and just gotta give him at least a microsecond in comparison to the furry four-legged I post all the time. But, as you can see, I got him in there too. I don't think he's too happy about having a new earring!! But Scott is definitely amused. ;->

Sugar Cookies (thanks to my friend, Jerry)

2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 c butter
1 c vegetable oil
1 c white sugar
1 c powdered sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 c flour

Step 1: Beat eggs and vanilla in mixing container, add butter and oil; mix well.
Step 2: Add soda and cream of tartar, mix; add regular and powdered sugar, mix
well.
Step 3: Add flour and mix well.
Step 4: (suggested, but not necessary)
I like to make my own refrigerator rolls like Pillsbury makes by rolling logs in wax paper, then slice and back. Best if frozen at least a couple of hours.
You can roll into balls, place on baking sheet, and press with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.
Step 5: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Don't let the bottom brown too much.

Many Muses Musing - PEACE

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Linked to Many Muses Musing. I haven't been very good at keeping up with the wonderful prompts, but made time today for PEACE. Textures thanks to Kim Klassen and her 12 Days of Textures: storm and providence

I took this picture of Kobi at bedtime last night. He looked so sweet, but then he always looks sweet and especially when he's sleeping. I don't love him too much, do I? Well, truth be told he does bring me peace and also much amusement.

I added the Christmas ornament, clipped from one of my Pearl Street Mall images taken a couple of weeks ago.

I hope this Holiday Season brings much peace to all of you.
Thanks for stopping by.
laf

Merry Wooden Shoes

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I finally got bitten by the Christmas Spirit bug this afternoon when I saw at King Soopers that Christmas trees were on sale for $14.95. After buying my groceries, I stopped by the golf course where Phillip works to see if he could help me get the tree home. He said "yes." For those of you who know the story behind recent times with him, you know this is quite a step forward—for both of us. It brought tears to my eyes. And he helped me get the tree in the stand as well.

I haven't had a real tree for several years. There are so many reasons and most of them seem unreasonable now. Anyway, I called Scott to see if he'd come to help me decorate, but he didn't have room in his schedule this evening for that kind of spontaneity. Neverthelss, he said he could come tomorrow. Well, if I don't get impatient, that will be really nice to do together. I know, I know, I should wait. It will be a real treat to decorate with him.

In the meantime, I pulled the tree skirt out that I made when the kids were little and placed the wooden shoes. There is quite a story there. When I was little I had wooden shoes from a visit to Holland. I was born and adopted in Stuttgart, Germany. I have a picture of me when I was about three standing beside my dad, but only his legs and shoes are in the picture. If I can locate it, I'll post in the next day or two.

Now these red hand-painted wooden shoes are not the same shoes I wore then. My original ones were not painted. These were given to me by my birth-brother when I met him many years later. I told him my wooden shoes had been given away and he kindly replaced them with these.

Today was a day of giving, receiving, and remembering kindness. When I take time to remember, I realize I am truly blessed. What helps you remember that you are blessed?

Textures thanks to Kim Klassen and posted to her 12 Days of Textures: annabelle and lola.

Also linked to Lisa Gordon's Creative Exchange.

Don't miss my One Little Word 2012 post. Fun info there on how to manifest goodness in the New Year!