Naked Trees - Week 40 Photo of the Week

Week 40 of 52

Location:  Somewhere along the Natchez Trace in Tennessee
Subject:  Naked Trees

That's all we got around here.  Naked trees.  Or tree skeleton's.  This is definitely not my favorite time of year.  Everything is just, well, blah!  All the leaves are gone, the air is cold, but no snow.  What good is cold if you don't have snow?  Next week we will be in Arizona.  Hopefully by the time we get back there will be snow.  The kids will be so happy.  They are so afraid we won't have any snow this year.  Silly kids, it will be here soon enough and then they will be tired of it and begging for spring.

Photo of the Week - Week 39 - Flowers

Week 39 of 52

Location:  Mecosta, MI
Subject:  Flower

I know, I know, technically this is supposed to be week 40.  But I skipped out last week and I really am just in no mood to make it up to you all.  So we will just say this is week 39 and we shall all be happy.  I declare it and so it shall be!

I really did not have my camera out much these last couple of weeks.  I did a little mini photo shoot with A. and her buddy but there was snow on the ground, it was freezing, and well just in general it was not a good day so I haven't gotten around to having them "approve" any of them so I can post for you all to see.

Today we were all grumbling that it is cold but there is no snow to have fun in to go along with that cold.  So we are back-tracking a little to at least bring you this happy little summer flower all sprinkled with a little summer rain.  I miss the flowers!

Let the List Making Begin!

Are you a list maker?  I am, like a crazy, mad woman, I totally am.  So in light of all the crazy that has now become normal around here, I have lists.  Everywhere. 

Arizona trip is officially two weeks away.  YIKES and YEAY all at the same time.  But that also means more lists.  List of clothes for children to pack, list of don't forgets, list of items that can go in the car, list of items that must stay in the trunk, list of things to get done before we go, list of what we want to do when we get there, list of important people to visit while we are there.  See what I mean - lists!  Ugh!  On a side note, when I began the list making for the AZ trip I almost put "Michigan Trip".  So weird that I am doing things in reverse now.  So totally weird.

And with winter now here (although kids are complaining because we are into December and still do not have mentionable snow) that means work has slowed down a little for Cameron so that means work begins again on our house.  So that means another list.  Two actually.  One for items that need to be finished up and another for work that needs to begin.  Oh wait, three, I also have a list started for materials we need to do all said work.

Lists, lists, lists, story of my life.  I have always been a list maker.  Helps me stay focused on what I need to do and also helps me feel like I accomplished something when I see all those items crossed off.  You know when you have those days when you do a thousand little things but then at the end of the day it feels like you haven't really accomplished much?  Write them down, cross them off, then you can look back and say "Whew, look at all those things I did today!"

It used to drive Cameron nuts that I made lists.  Until he found them beneficial.  Until he decided one guy trip to tell me not to make him a list.  Then came back stating all the stuff that he forgot.  Now Cameron is a list maker too.  Well more like a list dictator.  He dictates and I make the list.  The kids caught the bug too.  When I am cleaning I find little lists all over the place.  A whole family of list making monsters I have created!

Happily my list today is steadily being checked off, but I needed a break, so I came to check up on blog land and see what was happening in the big wide world.  And now I am off to get back to those lists.  Can not wait to see you all in a couple of weeks.

Photo of the Week - Week 38 - Farm Fresh Eggs

Week 38 of 52

Location:  Mecosta, MI
Subject:  Farm Eggs

Just a sampling of the eggs we have been getting from the chickens.  They are delicious!  I will admit though that getting used to cracking the extra hard shell took some getting used to.  And then when you plop said cracked egg into the pan or a bowl and see a somewhat orange yolk instead of the bright yellow you are used to, well that took some getting used to also.  But always having plenty of fresh eggs on hand, nope, that is not hard to get used to at all.

Actually this fall it has been great to go to the freezer or the pantry and pull out something that was either grown here in our yard, Reuben and Aubrei's yard, or close-by our house has been pretty much awesome.  Awesome and delicious.  Want to sample some for yourself?  Well then, I guess you will just have to come and visit!!

Photo of the Week - Week 37 - For the Love of Horses

Week 37 of 52

Location:  Mecosta, MI
Subject:  For the Love of Horses

Before the fall colors disappeared we headed out on a fall color hunt with our cameras.  There is a little farm right outside of the little town of Mecosta that had some new little colts (wow - that is a lot of littles).  That was one of my first destinations.  There are so cute.  And of course are always closer and more photographable (is that a word?) when I do not have my camera with me.  And no it does not help to always have it with me because after they first arrived I carried my camera with me every time I left the house and they were never out.  I finally gave up and took the camera out of the truck and Whamo! there they are all close to the fence.  *sigh*  I guess it should just never come out of the truck.

And just because.  Coco was extremely happy that day because we let her ride along.  So she got her picture taken too.

Felt Flower Frenzy

This weekend we tried a new craft.  We went over to a sisters house and we all tried out making felted flowers.  So. Much. Fun!  And, surprise, surprise, A. said she finally found a craft that she WANTS to do.  You do not even understand how much I hope this works out.  This girl NEEDS something to do in her spare time.  And we have tried many, many different crafts.  Drawing, quilling, jewelry making, sewing, pastels, etc., etc., etc.  Hopefully she loves this one.

We scoured the internet and found a plethera of tutorials.  We loved Mrs. Priss' tutorials the best and she is hilarious.  So without further ado, here are our flowers:

A's flowers:

Rachel's Flowers:

and mine:

Rach had this genious idea of creating a "pocket" in the back so you can use one clip with multiple flowers.  Genious!

There they are in all their glory.  Lots of fun to make.  And the pink and cream flower designs may be coming to a tutorial near you soon.

Photo of the Week - Week 36 - My Girl

So after using my daughter as a model this week, I snuck in a couple shots while she thought I was photographing the jewelry around her neck.

Week 36 of 52

Location:  Mecosta, MI
Subject:  My Girl

We were playing around with textures and overlays and she fell in love with this one.