Something New

I have some exciting news.

I'm starting a new adventure.

For four years I've been following a very special blog, Focusing On Life. It's a group of eight women that collaborate together "to create a caring community for people who are passionate about photography and life." They want their blog to "be a place that will inspire, teach, nurture, support and accept one another." I'm quoting from their blog, because they say it perfectly. They are passionate, They are inspiring. They teach. They nurture and support.

Now, here's my news. I've been asked to join this wonderful group of women. I am beyond thrilled. I hope you'll hop over to their blog today where I'm posting for the first time. It's exciting and a little scary. My intent is to share my thoughts and photography just like I do here.

Go check it our right here and let me know what you think!

Storytime

UPDATE:  The ending of my story has now been posted here!

Let me begin this post by introducing you to a beautiful group of ladies who have joined together to create one of the best blogs I visit Focusing On Life. 

 

I think they describe their blog so well I will just use their words!

 

"Focusing on Life is a Blog Collaboration of 10 friends. Women who found one another by following their heart's passion on, of all places, the internet and became genuine friends!"

 

They usually post five days a week, sometimes they post special things on the weekend. If you're looking for a blog filled with inspiration and photography, this is the blog for you!  Their musings lift my spirit each morning!! (Can you tell I really like them???)  They also have a photography "Theme of the Month."  Then each week they post a selected photo from their Flickr pool. I've been honored to have some of my photos chosen. Let me throw this in...the theme this month is barns. If you love old barns you need to check their Flickr pool out!! It's filled with beautiful old barns!  You might even see a barn you'd like to capture and add to the pool! 

 

What, you say, does that have to do with the title of this post?? In Sunday's blog here we were given the beginning of a short story.

"The sun rose slowly, as if it wasn't sure it was worth the effort. Morning is wonderful. The only drawback is it comes at such an inconvenient time of day. Well, at least it's a new day with no mistakes in it yet. So she slowly stood up because you're never fully awake till you stand up."

Our assignment was to take a picture that would tell what happened next. Today, we're linking our photos to Focusing On Life. Just the photo, not the story yet! We'll be looking at each others photos and guessing what happened next. So here's my photo. I went back through my pictures this week and then back a little further. I kept going back to this one, it has a story that I wanted to share.

 

 

I know it looks simple, but there is much more to this story. Come back on Sunday and I'll tell you the rest!   I can't wait!

Delightful Spring

Spring is a delightful time of the year! I like the word "delightful", doesn't it just seem springy? After the starkness of winter it's such a delight to see springs colors and to listen to the brooks running swiftly from the spring rains.  It seems our spring came very early this year. Most of my blooming trees, shrubs, and flowers are already gone. I did post about them here if you'd like to see them.

In the past I've gone through spring looking at the beautiful trees and bushes enjoying their beauty. This year I kept my eyes on the ground and focused on the tiny delights. I've never seen this little wildflower and had to Google it to find out that it is Wood Sorrell. I'm amazed at the beauty of God's world now that I "see" through photographer's eyes! 

(I've posted this photo on my blog already! I hope you don't mind the repeat, but I just love these little flowers!)

I was still able to find some color in my yard. My azaleas are blooming rather nicely. Seems they really like the milder winter. Isn't this a delightful color? It's my favorite!

My wisteria always delights me with its shades of purple, especially when it shimmers in the morning dew.

In my shade garden, the hostas have begun to push their way out of the soil in just the last few days. They are such a delightful shade of green!

Spring blooms and blossoms don't seem to last long enough! Along with the blooms come the spring rains that cause the delicate petals to fall to the ground. We've had so many rainy days that getting outside to capture the spring beauty has been difficult. I found this quote that expresses how I feel.

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush. ~Doug Larson

I'm linking this post to a wonderful blog created by several of my online photography friends called Focusing On Life.  Please drop by and visit them. They always have beautiful photography and such thought provoking musings! Just click on their name above and prepare to be inspired!!

Wishing you a Delightful Spring!!