Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Photo challenge: the end

The end of February is at hand, and I have so much to blog about!  It's been one busy month, full of many exciting adventures, memories, friends, and family.  I am reminded just how blessed I am.  More to come, but here are the final pictures of February's photo challenge.

19. Feet: These 4 pairs of feet were residing with us for a couple of weeks this month.  (More about them later!)
20. Peace: I may never be so calmed as when I look out the window and remember that I live among rocks and trees.  Not a house or street are to be seen, and I am at peace because I am surrounded by God's own creation.
21. Funny: Judah was eating pop rocks, and he enjoyed hearing the loud crackles on his tongue.  Is there a funnier candy than pop rocks?
22. An act of kindness: One morning Sarah brought in wood for me (usually my job).  It is not a job I long to do each morning, so I am always grateful when someone else steps in for a day.
On another morning, Judah washed some of our very dirty windows without complaining.  He's a good little servant!


23. This is where I relax
24. Half: Although half of Emma's face is quite lovely, I'd really rather see both sides at once!
25. Cut
26. Light
 27. My view today: We're still getting snow!  Most of it is at the top of the nearby mountains, but we've had some flakes down here, too.
28. Reflection: The Bible gives more than enough to reflect on: God's goodness, love, mercy, forgiveness, and I could go on.  Oh, to be more like Him.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Photo challenge: week 3

12. Out-and-about: If going as far as Brinnon counts as "out-and-about"...
13. Perfect: a bar of dark chocolate is basically the very symbol of perfection.
 14. Heart
 15. My drink of choice: Lemon juice is not exactly my drink of choice in general.  But I recently discovered that drinking straight lemon juice before bed is supposed to help one sleep better.  It is still a theory, but maybe someday it will be proven.
 16. Create
17. Vegetable
 18. Magic: clouds + mountains + rain = a magically calming combination.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Surprise! (oops)

Once upon a time I stated that my snowy blog days were over for a long time.  I think I may have gone so far as to say that the last snow blog was going to be the last for this winter.  Oops.  I thought I was writing the truth.  After all, Washington doesn't get snow, really.  But then we had it for a month this winter.  Wouldn't it be too much to ask for it again, all in one winter?  
However, I once again woke up to the surprise of snow weighing down every tree branch and power line.  The white wonder had returned, though for a much shorter time.  
Seeing that I already blogged about the snow several times lately, I tried not to go too far with pictures this time.  But I really couldn't resist getting out with the camera just a little.












This time, I make no promises!  More snowy blog posts may be yet to come before this winter ends.  (But, for now, this snowfall has melted away.)

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Photo challenge: week 2

Last week I started a February photo challenge, and I've actually kept up surprisingly well! (With a few exceptions, of course.  After all, no one's keeping track of me on this one.)  I love getting the day's prompt, looking around the house, and thinking "what on earth will I use for this one?"  

5. Square: Yes, I know that these envelopes aren't exactly square.  But the stamps are!  (I think...)  Sunday, which happened to be the "square" day, is also often our day to chill at home and write letters to friends near and far.  One of my favorite hobbies, to be sure!
6. C is for...cookie dough!  I like to keep a cookie dough bar (or 2) in stock in the freezer in case of emergencies.  Frozen cookie dough is a remedy for nearly anything.
7. Utensil: We were recently given this rice spoon by some missionary friends.  I seriously never would've guessed that a specified rice spoon could be so magical.  It is now one of my favorite kitchen utensils.  If you don't have one, I would highly recommend flying to Thailand as soon as possible to secure one for yourself...or else becoming fast friends with someone living there!
8. Water: More on this later!
9. Details: As someone who loves to color (what else will keep me young in my old age?), I was excited to be given my first adult coloring book (forget what I said about staying young. This thing is for adults.).  Goodness, these things are full of details!
 10. I am...Tired!  Add to that "I am studying," "I am driving" (yesterday and today), and "I am cold."  I'm sure other phrases would also apply accurately.

 11. Mistake: Studying until midnight the night before testing!  I hate tests, studying, and anything to do with math.  Obviously the whole thing was just a mistake.  Haha!
I was also practicing osmosis by putting this book under my pillow and sleeping on it.  I had high hopes that all of the information would filter into my brain over night.  Apparently this was also a mistake because it seemed to do me no good.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Let the challenge begin

January has already come and gone.  I am getting the feeling that 2017 will fly by even more quickly than years of the past.

Back in December I got to do a Christmas photo challenge with a friend.  It was really fun sharing pictures and getting creative with the challenge prompt.  Nothing got me forced to try something new or get an interesting shot like when I had to get my picture for the day.  With that inspiration, I decided to go for a February photo challenge!  Although I don't have a friend to join me this time, I still need inspiration and motivation to propel me forward in photography.

Here are pictures for the first week of the new challenge:

1. You (ugh.  Why do photo challenges always have to involve this?  I'm behind the camera for a reason.)
2. Favorite: need I say more.  
3. Something orange (I know your mouth is watering in envy.)
4. Childhood: nothing says "childhood" like Playmobils.  As a kid, I wanted to spend every waking hour with these things.