Winter Color

I'm really behind on my January photos post.  Retirement has kept me happily busy but I was able to stick to my photography goal of taking a picture most everyday last month.  Not all of my photos turned out but I believe the ultimate goal was to improve and sometimes we need to learn from our mistakes.

Here are some of my favorites. 

 

 

 

 

Who said winter is dull and drab?  If you know where to look, it can be as colorful as Spring.

I didn't take many pictures of snow because we haven't had much this winter.  I'm sure that trend won't last, but for now I'm enjoying the colors I find around my world. 

Where are you finding beautiful winter color?

Linking to:

 

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

A Year to GROW

Happy 2015!  We've been enjoying the holidays, although a cold and tummy bug were among the visitors to our home.  :/

We hosted my family's Christmas Day festivities with 26 in attendance!!  After a dreary and cloudy month, Christmas Day was sunny and dry!  Perfect weather to drive out to the country.  We had a wonderful day visiting, eating and sharing!

Wonderful Hubby's side was hosted by my sweet MIL.  Santa was even able to stop by for awhile! 

Now that the New Year is here, I've joined a photo group called Project 365.  (See the link posted on the sidebar.)  The goal is to take at least one photo each day this year.  Hopefully, my photography will improve and I'll have some great photos to journal.  Although I'm not going to post photos each day, I'll try to share my weekly favorites.  Wish me luck!!  (Just in case this project is too difficult, I've also joined the companion project that encourages us to take a photo just once a week!  :)  )

Another new focus I'm giving a try is choosing a word for the year.  Wonderful Hubby is planning on retiring this year and he said his theme will be "Embracing Change."  We are both excited about what our retirement years will bring and have talked about more travel, home improvements and just generally doing all those little things we didn't have the time to do before. 

I've chosen another word:  GROW.  Last year was my first year of retirement and I've enjoyed being in my gardens so much!  (and am enjoying the frozen and canned 'fruits' of my labor this winter!)   I'd like to continue learning about gardening but there are other aspects of my life I'd like to nurture.

• My faith and service to my Savior, Jesus Christ
• My relationships with my beautiful family
• My volunteerism in our community
• My creativity

Thank you for visiting now and then and leaving your kind, encouraging comments!  It really lightens my day!!

I hope you'll check in to see how I'm growing this year.  I'll leave you with the first photo of the new year. 

Welcome, 2015!

Spring Is Almost Here

In my part of the country that's sometimes a tricky thing to predict.  Just 2 weeks ago, we had 12 inches of snow.  And last week, we enjoyed temperatures in the 70's.  I've been out and about in my yard this weekend trying to find tangible signs of the new season and  I may have just captured a few bits of evidence.

  

Daffodils (or Jonquils, as my mother used to call them) are blooming behind our shed. You have to know they're there to enjoy them!

 

Pansies from Precious Daughter.  I think there are a few violets peeking through, too.

Grape Hyacinths around the old pin oak in the front yard. 

  

The crab apple is starting to leaf out.  And look at that beautiful blue sky!

I've even found a little spring inside!   

Hoping you're finding a little spring in your backyard soon, too.

 

 

 

Linking to:

 

Seasonal Sunday



 

Life Long Learner

I've learned lots of things in my life.  As a young person, I learned how to take care of myself, drive a car, and build friendships.  During my career years, I learned how to teach young children to read, raise a family, and (relatively recently) how to cook!  While helping my elderly parents, I learned where all the doctors' offices were, the difference between assisted living and nursing home care, and how Alzheimer's Disease is harder on the family than on the patient. 

Now, as I'm getting ready to retire, I realize there are still lots more things to learn.  Things I've always wondered about but never had time to learn.  Like photography....just for fun....home decorating, and gardening (both vegetable and flowers).  I also am looking forward to reading what I want to, not what I have to.  And what exciting new places my wonderful hubby and I can visit and learn about?!

Another thing I've wanted to learn about for awhile is how to set up a photo blog.  This way, I can hold myself accountable for learning these new things and more.  I'd like to invite you check in on my new 'education' from time to time and see how I'm doing.  Your gentle comments would be appreciated! 

Let the next chapters begin!