Hello! I'm Back!!

It's been quiet in this little corner for a few days! I've been busy, I've been out of town and the Christmas decorations had to come down!!  I've missed being here. I've also missed visiting the blogs of my friends. I have a lot of catching up to do!!

I've jumped into a new year of photography with both feet!!  I've been thinking about what I want to be involved with this year. I want to enjoy my photography, but be challenged.

If you look on the left sidebar you'll also see another badge "Photo-Heart Connection" with Kat Eye View. We'll be doing a post each month where we share a photo and what it means to us. It doesn't have to be a beautiful or perfect photo, just one that touches our heart; one that we feel a connection with. I'll be posting when we begin linking our photos.

I've begun my 365+1 for 2012.  Yes, this is a leap year with 366 days. I did this last year, only missed one day taking a photo. I'm looking forward to documenting my life again this year.

I may try to post with 52 Photos Project again. I really haven't decided on this. I enjoyed doing this part of last year, so we'll see. I don't want to get too much going at once.

I've decided to join Urban Muser's {in the picture}. It's a challenge to get out from behind the camera and take self portraits. I don't like my picture taken, so I hide behind the camera!  I remember several years ago, I was looking for a picture of me and one of my children. There were very few choices!  I wonder, will they remember what I looked like!! So, this year I'm challenging myself to a self portrait once a week.  If that's too stressful, because believe me it's stressful to me, I'll drop to one a month. It doesn't have to be full face. It can be anything, hands, feet; just something of me! She does give prompts for the week, but they don't have to be followed. They're just a suggestion if we need inspiration. This week's prompt was...a piece of you. OK, so here's my first one.

I "hope" this gets easier!! The pretty charm I'm wearing, I won from Mortal Muses Christmas giveaway.  Is that not awesome!! I never win anything!

I'm also participating in Picture Winter. This was the first class I took last year with Big Picture Classes. I decided to retake it!  It is easier the second time around. I loved how the prompts got me outside last year, even in below freezing weather.

Day 1 - A Day Of Rest

Usually the first day of the year is a day of resting and reflection. Not for us!  We spent the day with my daughter's family. We had the best time!  Played outside, had a wonderful meal, and then went for a long walk in the woods behind her house. It's pretty tiring keeping up with three boys!  The only rest I had was on the drive home. I watched the most incredible sunset!  What a glorious way to end a very special first day of the year!!

Day 2 - A Breath Of Fresh Air

Getting outside, getting a breath of fresh air, revitalizing...that's what we needed today. I walked around and found this bush with a leaf bud basking in the sun. Our weather has been so crazy here. It's been unseasonably warm and our plants don't know what to do.  In fact, today I saw a daffodil blooming at my Mom's house!!  That is just not right!!  It's winter!!

Day 3 - All The Possibilities

We were looking for things with possibilities. Oh, the designs that are possible when I doodle!!  I've been trying my hand at simple Zentangles. Zentangles are doodling inside lines that flow across a square or shape. You ought to Google Zentangle images, they can be very intricate and amazing!! 

I want to be more creative this year. The possibilities are endless! I want to get back to scrapbooking, which went on the back burner while I was so obsessed with photography! I want to dust off my pencils and pens and scissors and papers and create again!!

Day 4 - A Little Sunshine

Sometimes the days of winter are dark and dreary. We were to look for a bright bit of sunshine in our homes. A bright spot of yellow, red, or orange. Something that reminds us of the sun. My husband got these candies for Christmas...I really thing they'd make me happy and sunny if I ate one!!

Day 5 - Intended For Everyday Use

I made these calendars for several family members for Christmas. I've never made anything using my photos, so this was very exciting.  I hope they enjoy them as they use them each day!

You know, I'm so glad I don't work. So glad that I have all the time I want to spend on photography.

So what do you think? Can I keep up?  Time will only tell!  And, one good thing, none of this is mandatory!!  I can stop at any time! And, sometimes I can use a picture for more than one group. That makes it a little easier!

If you're still here and read through this long post, I'm going to work on posting more often so these post don't get so incredibly long!!  Sorry!!  You're very sweet for sticking with me!!  Thank you!!