28 January 2011

Good reads

There's nothing I love to do more than curl up with a few of my favourite decorating books.  My reading room is so comfortable with soft down filled cushions and a cosy throw for those chilly days.  Add a cup of tea and I'm in utter bliss!

I almost forgot to do my Project 52 this week!  It's been a busy week getting the shop opened and on top of that, my kitchen has been having a makeover.  I promise to share photos of the new look just as soon as it's all put back together.

Wishing you a lovely weekend!

21 January 2011

I see the moon

I see the moon
and the moon sees me
God bless the moon 
and God bless me!

~ nursery rhyme

Wednesday night's full moon was hidden behind clouds but I managed to snap this almost full moon a few days before.  A 52 week project is so much more manageable than a 365 one!  I'm really enjoying this and fully expect to finish the year.  If I can make it through the winter, I don't think it will be a problem.

This week I've been spending 10+ hours a day working on my website.  Thankfully, it's almost finished!  I've created a whole new gallery with larger images that I think is looking pretty good.  I'm getting excited too about getting my shop back up and running ... just one more week!  I'll be glad to get back to my regular schedule!

Have a fabulous weekend!!

14 January 2011

Through the Window

Up until this week, we've had a nice winter with only dustings of snow now and again.  Winter has decided to play hardball and the snow is now piling up quickly, with a significant snowfall on Tuesday and another expected Saturday.  This was taken from an upstairs window ... I wanted to capture the snow piled up against the window and a blurry glimpse of my garden.

Thank you so much for your comments on my last post ... they meant so much to me!  Have a lovely weekend!

7 January 2011

Hydrangea in Snow

Something new for 2011 is Project 52 - a photo a week for a year.   Winter will be my biggest challenge but I think I can manage at least ONE photo a week.  By the end of the year, I hope to have a collection of images that will reflect the year; something personal that I can look back on.  I love the texture and color of dried hydrangeas and thought they looked pretty with a dusting of snow.

Thank you for your comments on my frosty photos in my previous post.  I'm running way behind with visiting your blogs; some weeks there just aren't enough hours in the day!  This weekend I'm going to be working on my website.  I hit a bit of a wall with it before Christmas and haven't touched it since.  Wish me luck!

Have a lovely weekend!

6 January 2011

Frosty Morning

We don't often get a hoar frost but when we do, it turns the world into a winter wonderland.  The morning began with a heavy fog and when the temperatures began to fall, the mist quickly froze on everything in sight.

I've never had the chance to photograph a hoar frost before.  The frost forms little thorns on everything it touches.  Truly magical!

Unfortunately, a hoar frost doesn't last very long.  A few hours later and it was gone.  This cast iron bird sitting on the edge of a birdbath appears to have caught a few frosty spears in its beak.

3 January 2011

Welcome 2011

Can you believe that 2010 is already behind us?  Although many wonderful things happened last year, I think my creative turning point was when I set my camera to full manual mode.  Finally I was in total control of my photography!  I haven't looked back since.
 
 Now there's a fresh new year to look forward to and I have a lot of plans for 2011!  My word for this year is "grow" and I hope to do a lot of growing, personally and professionally, by the end of the year.  These are just a few of my aspirations for the year ...


Spend quality time on my photography.

Continue to simplify my home and lifestyle.

Choose vintage or handmade over purchased imported goods.

Buy local whenever possible, especially food.

Make time for creativity - keep my work table clear so that I can work on a project whenever a creative urge strikes.

Practice yoga 2-3 times a week; walk or run at least 2 days.

Eat fresh, homemade foods instead of prepared or packaged.

Lose 25 lbs by the end of 2011.  There!  I said it!  Now you can hold me accountable.  :)
 
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Have you chosen a word for 2011?  What about your aspirations for the upcoming year?  Please share!

Happy New Year!  Let's make it memorable!