Snow Day!

I know some of my friends in colder climates are suffering a bit of cabin fever along with other inconveniences because of the brutal winter weather.  I am sure they would probably scoff at the mere eight inches of snow that fell on the Tennessee Valley a couple of nights ago, but, for me, the two “snow days” provided much needed respite.  I actually had time to do some fun things–besides play in the snow! 

Of course, I captured shots as the snow started falling, at various times during the daylight hours, and late into the night.

"First Snow," February 2015.

“First Snow,” February 2015.

It was a treat to watch this little guy riding his bike through the snow.

"Snow Ride...Take It Easy," February 2015.

“Snow Ride…Take It Easy,” February 2015.

I forced myself out of bed at 6:30 a.m. the next morning to catch a view of the neighborhood before people started stirring about.

"Early Morning: Snow Blanket," February 2015.

“Early Morning: Snow Blanket,” February 2015.

I love this scene.  The neighborhood was so soft and serene. The quiet was almost sacred.  

Although I nabbed several (dozen) shots “for the record”–memory keeping and such–none of my shots compare to the winter shots my penfriend Dee sent to me earlier this month.

Canada by dee

“Winter Sunset at the Beach,” Harrison Lake, British Columbia. Photo Card by Dee

These were captured January 2014 at Harrison Hotsprings Resort in British Columbia.  The two cards here show the beach where she and her husband go many times throughout the year.

Canada

“Winter Sunset at the Beach,” Harrison Lake, British Columbia. Photo Card by Dee.

The area usually doesn’t get snow, and when they arrived the day these photos were taken, they were shocked to see that snow had just begun.  In true photographer fashion, Dee took advantage and shot these a few hours later.  She wrote that this was the first time she had seen snow at Harrison Lake in all the decades her family had gone there.  Hundreds of photos of the same area, she exclaimed, that only show the sandy beach all year long.

How exciting it must have been to be there for this rare treat!

Stay warm!

Leaves and Hearts

I realize Valentine’s Day was last weekend, but I was busy pouting because my family couldn’t  visit as we had planned. Winter weather–my enemy–prevented the visit. Sure, I appreciate delayed starts to the workday, but really this cold weather has.to.go.now!

I made V-day cards, as usual, and did not send them out on time, as usual. Who are we kidding? I still haven’t sent most of them out. But I know who I am so I designed the card to be given anytime.

Spread Love Postcard

See? No pink or flaming red hearts.

In case you can’t tell, the “hearts” are actually a leaf I was fortunate to find waiting in a puddle for me when I returned home from an errand. I almost stepped on the poor thing. It was raining, and I didn’t want to take my camera out, so I used my iPhone to snap a few shots. I altered the hearts with various apps. I can’t tell you which because I really don’t remember and I’m sure one or two of them went through more than one “process.” The individual hearts are “just okay” alone, but together they make more of an impact–in my opinion.

I like that I typically don’t get V-day cards delivered “on time.”  Perhaps, when they land in mailboxes “late,” they serve as a reminder that we should express love and appreciation every day, not just Valentine’s Day.

Hugs and hearts to you!

“Bearing” the Cross: Just for Laughs

A few days ago, I was “playing” around with an iPhone teddy bear photo and a cross photo I’d taken while the family and I walked a “new” trail just the day before (more on that later).  This is one result:

2015/02/img_2232.jpg

Hubby said “Weird.”  One friend said, “Different”–she was being kind.  Another said, “Creepy.”  Yet another friend missed the teddy bear completely. She saw the Virgin Mary with the Christ child.  She thought the message of the image was “From the Cradle to the Cross.”  Hilarious!

Since I was having so much fun, I sent it to Cakers and Dee, my wonderful swapping photog friends.  They missed the “LOL” at the end of my message and took it so seriously.  Cakers even suggested ways for improvement.  Maybe, I’ll try her tips and see if we can make something of this!

For the record, my little one liked it. 🙂