Pumpkin Patch Time

"Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile." ~William Cullen Bryant

I really do love Fall.  The cold crisp mornings, and the beautiful sunny afternoons.  What a delight.
 

We had the honor of getting up to the pumpkin patch TWICE this year.  Once for a fun fall birthday party, and once with her class from school.  Both days were fabulously perfect. 

 

Both times were filled with friends and fun.






Gotta love the silly faces.






Picking the perfect pumpkin can be such a challenge for a seven year old.







But both times she was successful. The first day she found "Pum", and the second day she found "Kin". They are a perfect match.

 

 

 

One of the sweetest parts to see this year was the day that the second grade class was there, the morning was rather chilly. While standing in line, I noticed several of the girls had paired up for some snuggles. It was lovely to see that they are so very fond of each other.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm not sure this guy provided any warmth, though.

 

 

 

 

 

We are so very blessed. Life is good!

 

 

Week 104

One Hundred and FOUR weeks of the "My Week" collages.  How on earth did that happen?  seriously, time does fly.  I've been doing some sort of 365 photo challenge now for 3 years.  It has changed my life.  I know that sounds totally corny, but it it true.  

I was sitting in a seminar about dealing with Stress in our personal and work lives today, and the presenter was talking about how important it is to focus on the GOOD, the AMAZING, the BEAUTIFUL of our days, and spend less time on the BAD stuff.  Naturally, humans spend 97% of their time thinking about, and dwelling on the things wrong in their lives.  I have fallen in this trap many times. 

The 365 photo challenge has helped me find the beauty in each and every single day.  I find myself looking at my life.....my world differently than I did before.  I search for the perfect moment each day.  This helps me focus on the AWESOME, and it helps me love my life. 

While I will not be continuing with the "my week" collages, I will be continuing to take photos each and every day.  I have been sharing my photos over at Blipfoto for a 84 days now.  You can see my photos HERE. 

I will likely be sharing my daily photos here as well, in some fashion, but I'm not sure yet what that will be.  My blog has taken a backseat for many many months.  I don't want to let this place go, but I am certainly not as active as I used to be.  Someday, I hope to get back to writing more about my life, my thoughts, and my feelings. 

So....here is the final week of collage:

 

 

 

September 24th. I have no idea what is causing these amazing morning sun colors, but I am loving it. This photo doesn't even do this justice. The sun was amazing this morning. So orange, and perfect. I was on the way to drop my girl at the bus, and only had a quick moment to pull over and grab this shot.

It started my day off FABULOUS. Great day at work....and Sugar had fun at school and Tap class. Life is good.

 

 

 

September 25th was a pretty normal day for us. The highlight was a yummy brunch with a friend. I need to do that more often.

After I picked up my Sugar from the bus, we trucked on over to the pet store to grab some "food" for our snake. (sigh) As we were leaving, Sugar snagged a sighting of the bridge, and asked, "Is that the bridge we go over to get to my school?" It is so rare that we see the bridge from this view. I took a few snaps, and was about to put the camera away when Sugar said, "Take another one! There is a bird in the picture now!" I love that she sees life as a "picture" just like her mama.

September 26th was a turning point for me at work. I'm feeling like there are so many wonderful things waiting to happen. I love that feeling. I found myself watching this flag blow in the breeze this evening at my daughter's after school program, and I couldn't help but smile and think, "I feel so free!"



September 27th I had a super great day at work, and Sugar Bear had fun at school. She even had a play date in the afternoon, so she was feeling really pleased. We got home early enough to enjoy some time outside with the bunnies, the dog, and the swing set. (Not all together, mind you.)

Then I set my girl to doing her homework outside at our picnic table. What a fun treat. However, I think the paparazzi was not welcome. What do you think?



September 28th was a lovely fall day. Cold and crisp in the morning, but fabulously warm and sunny in the afternoon. I love it. It was a great day at work, and we had time to enjoy the sun when we got home. 

September 29th was a great day for the Sugar Bear. She first had a morning play date with a friend she doesn't get to see very often. Then we headed on out to the local pottery place for a birthday party of a friend she rarely gets a chance to see. It was delightful to see them together.

Then we jetted off to yet another birthday party for a school/dance friend. This was an outdoor jungle themed party. All the kiddos got these great hats, and there were plenty of jungle stuffed animals to snuggle. I think my girl simply fell in love with this hippo one. What do you think?

 

September 30th.  Okay....so please don't be afraid. This little guy is teeny tiny, and he doesn't want to hurt you. I mean look at his innocent little face. ?

I got a lot of things done today. I'm slowly working my way through my house deep cleaning and de-cluttering. It's way past time. I worked in the bathroom today. I then rewarded myself with some outside time.

I found this little spider in a white bucket, and he provided me a wonderful opportunity to work on my bug macro skills. It appears that I still needed to bump up my aperture to get him entirely in focus. Next time.

 

52 Weeks of Me 2012~week 39

The theme/prompt of the week was: NATURE

 

After really feeling DONE last week, I rallied and tried to pull some creativity into my shot this week. I came up with an idea of using fall leaves. I like how it turned out. I really love fall. It is my favorite season. We have been having perfect fall weather around here. Cold,crisp mornings with awesomely sunny afternoons. Love it.

 

 

 

 

The theme/prompt for next week is:  CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT

 

 

Week 103

September 17th felt like such a hectic day for me, but really.......it wasn't that bad. The fact that it FELT horrible tells me I need to regroup. Me thinks I need an attitude adjustment. Later in the day, I walked out to my truck to see this beautiful young buck hanging out near our new building. He is so hungry, and all the new bushes we planted are feeding him well. It makes me sad to see that we invaded his home, and he is suffering. He had very little fear of me, and I'm sure that does not bode well for him. I did enjoy snapping some shots of him though. What a brilliant creature. It brought a little peace to my day.

 

 

 

 

September 18th was a busy day at work, where I finally got an opportunity to start unpacking my office more. It has been a pile of boxes for two weeks now. I'm so ready to get it all cleaned up and organized. I spent part of my morning taking some head shots of the staff at a local insurance agency. I like that type of work. Quick in and out, and easy editing. I don't do it very often, but I do like it.

 

I wanted to get a good shot of my sweet girl Ivy, so I told her to SIT, STAY.......and.....QUACK! I think she was confused. I like to keep her on her toes.

 

 

 

September 19th was a great day at work. I had tons of things to do......but I didn't let it overwhelm me like I've been doing lately. I continued to unpack, and straighten out my space. I'm getting it all set, so I can get it decorated a bit to personalize it.

In the late afternoon, I heard something that made me start to feel bad....hurt my feelings........but I soon realized I needed to let it go.

On my drive home, I stopped the truck so that my husband could show our daughter how to use a range finder. While they worked on that.....I nabbed this simple shot of grass. Looking at it now reminds me to just "keep it simple". Often things.....or people......are more than what they seem. We just need to open our hearts.

 

 

 

 

September 20th was........well......I can't really think of much to say about it. I worked. Sugar went to school. I had lunch with a friend (so great to see her), and we got home early enough to be outside together for awhile. Dinner was yummy, and there were giggles during story time, and happy cuddles. 

 

 

 

September 21st......it isn't often that I have time to take photos in the morning, but today I was scheduled to be in a town further south all day. I sent Sugar off to school with a friend, and had a bit of extra time on the way to my destination. I was really soaking up all the beautiful low lying fog, and the sun rising. It was such a stunning morning.

My work day was pleasant, and Sugar enjoyed her day at school and some time with her cousins in the late afternoon.

 

 

 

 

September 22nd I busied myself with chores today, which often sends Sugar Bear running for cover as to not get roped into my shenanigans. Being an "only" can be hard. There is no one to play with if Mom and Dad are busy.

While I baked two different types of Zucchini Muffins, Sugar Bear took her trusty BOX out into the yard for some playtime. I love to watch a child work their imagination. 

September 23rd We had a nice quiet day. It was exactly what I needed. In the early afternoon, we head outside to get some fresh air.  Sugar Bear has been working on mastering the "toe spread".  Her dad does it, and she wanted to be able to do it, too.  She is so proud of herself.  I can't do this.  Can you?

 

My Week 98

August 13th was my first day back to work after my summer break, and I had the pleasure of spending it in a small seaside town. It was GREAT. I had fish and chips for lunch, and we got out of our meeting a bit early, so I headed for the beach. However.....the wind was blowing like 90 miles per hour, and I could hardly hold my camera still. Twice I was almost blown over. It was wild. I braved the wind....and the blowing sand because it isn't often that I'm at the beach by myself. I took tons of photos but decided to share this one of two seagulls arguing over some food.   

 

 

August 14th was work and then in the evening, I was allllll alone. and I.LIKED.IT. Now I love my family, but sometimes I really dig being alone. I used to spend the majority of my time alone before I had my daughter. My husband's job takes him away from home a lot. I got quite used to it, and sometimes I still crave my "me time".

I got home from work. Ate a little dinner, held the baby bunnies for a bit, and went for a walk with my sweet dog, Ivy and then headed out for a walk in the golden hour. There was so many  pretty photograph. 

 

 

August 15th while I ate lunch, I sat in my truck under this beautiful tree. I always adore the way the leaves look when the sun is shining through them. I took a bunch of shots, and had a hard time choosing which photo I like best.  This one was nice.  There was a bit of a breeze, and I fell in love with how the weeping branches swayed. It is so relaxing and peaceful

 

 

 

 

August 16th was a glorious morning. One of those where the sunlight is a slight golden color. As I drove up our road heading to work, I just had to stop and snap a few quick shots around our neighborhood.  I rather like shot of my neighbor's old barn. There is just something about barns that draws my eye. 

 

I really really started missing my Sugar Bear about now.  She was having fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house though.

 

 

 

 

August 17th I had a busy day at work, and nearly forgot to stop by the library to pick up some books for my mother that I had put on hold for her. Good thing I drive right by it on the way home, and it jogged my memory. I'm usually in a hurry, but today I had time to snap a few shots of some flowering shrubs in the Library parking lot. They are small and delicate flowers. I got several shots that I really like. 

 

 

 

August 18th I treated my mom, and my daughter to a performance in a small town near where we live.  It was just a hoot. This is the 46th year of live melodrama performances at the theatre, and it is such a fun experience. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We all giggled a lot together throughout the show.  Good times.

The character of Dorfius Dingling (the fellow in the tan outfit) stole the show in my opinion. This was his first year performing, and man oh man.....he was so great! He has the physical comedy thing down.

 

 

 

August 19th was a lazy day at home...and mean L A Z Y. I'm pretty sure I got next to nothing done today. It was GREAT to have my daughter back home. 6 nights is just tooooooo long to be apart.

I nearly forgot to grab a shot of my feet for a different project that I do, so we quickly took this one with my remote shutter. My feet look sooooo old next to my Sugar's sweet little feet. 

 

My Week 98

August 6th my little honey wasn't up to her best. She had a summer cold. I helped her find a quiet project to do while I spent the afternoon sewing. Here she is making a friendship bracelet. She is using a contraption she got for Christmas made especially to hold the threads while she makes the knots.

I have been at my sewing machine in months and months and months, but today was the day to "get'er done!"

In one afternoon, I:

-Mended one dress, two pairs of jeans, two shirts, and a pair of pajama bottoms.

I then:

-made THREE hooded towels

-refashioned a shirt into a tunic

 

-refashioned a shirt into a shrug

and

- made two pairs of the cutest underwear I have ever seen out of old t-shirts.

Yes...my kid is the one wearing homemade underwear. tee hee

August 7th I just couldn't let the day pass without taking a photo of the underwear I made.  Aren't they adorable?  Other than that....I have no idea what I did this day.  NO IDEA.

 

 

August 8th we headed into town for some errands, and then spent part of the afternoon at the park with friends.  I had a great time chatting with the adults, and Sugar Bear enjoyed her time with some kiddos.  After the others left, we walked around the park, and she picked a "lamb's ear" leaf, and spend the rest of the day rubbing it on her face.  :)

 

 

August 9th was a daycare/work day for us girls.  After a long day, we dropped by our shop and picked up The Hubby to head home.  Every time I drive by the boat ramp by the slough, I see these flowers in the evening light.  I usually don't take the time to stop, but that night I did.  I loved trying to get the perfect angle to get the bokeh circles from the glimmering water of the slough, and the sun coming through the petals of the flowers, and the cool "Shadow effect" the WIDE OPEN setting of my lens created.  I love it when it all comes together.

 

 

August 10th we took a walk today as a family. It has been AGES and AGES since we have done that. We all do it....pretty often, just sort of in mixed groups. This time we were all together. Even stuffed kitty came along. :)

I got several good shots, but I was drawn to this one. My husband isn't fond of me taking photos of him. Actually....he rarely allows it, so this one is pretty special.

 

 

August 11th we attended a family reunion at the river on Saturday. It was so beautiful down by the water, and I caught my girl just standing back and taking in all the wonder around us. We can't let these sorts of things go unnoticed.

 

 

August 12th Today was such a fantastic day. It was family picnic day for my 20th High School reunion. I so enjoyed hanging out with old friends and getting all caught up. I didn't really take any pictures of the event. I was more about the chit chatting.  Believe it or not....we had a pretty good turn out.  This is half of our entire class.  :)  Gotta love small towns.

We are used to 50-70 degree weather, and it was 96 today, so it was hot hot HOT for us. When we got back to my parent's house following the reunion, I let my little Sugar play in the sprinkler to get cooled off. She is such a goof ball, and wanted to put her goggles on. 

 

My Week 89

June 11th was a day we'd been waiting for allllllllllll year long.  The Butterfly Pavillion fieldtrip.  WAHOOOOO!  The First and Seventh graders raised some butterflies from catepillars, and we headed northeast to a great place to release them.  It was super duper fun, and I was so glad to be able to tag along.  I love having my summers off from work.  :)  Here is Sugar Bear and her 7th grade book buddy studying some deceased butterflies.

June 12th was the LAST day of school!  I simply can not believe that my little Sugar is NOW a second grader.  I know people say it all time, so it feels cheesy to say it, but since when has that ever stopped me?  I mean seriously folks....have you read the stuff I used to write on this hear blog.  CHEESE doesn't even cover it.  Sometimes I wonder if I'm like a bit over the top too much in love with this special little person, but then I remind myself that everyone deserves to have someone who always thinks the BEST of them.  Someone who loves them for doing nothing at all.  Someone who thinks they are smarter......funnier.........cuter.........sweeter........than any one else.  Everyone deserves that, right?  So I'm her someone!  She worked hard this year, and I am so proud of her.  Here she is on her last day of First grade wearing the same outfit she wore on day one.  She is hold the "Thank you" gift for her teacher.

June 13th was quite nearly the AWESOMEST!  At least that's what Sugar Bear thought.  It was the "ALL School Pool Party!"  What's not to love about that?  She had such a fun time playing with all her school friends in the pool.  I had so much fun watching her mingle.  She really got around.  I loved that.  I was able to see how much growth she has had this year.  My girl is still shy, but BY GEORGE.....she made lots of friends this year.  I love it!

June 14th was the first offical day of summer vacation for Sugar Bear and we made the most of it.  We had a little fun with a fan.....and an air compressor.  tee hee......Sugar had been wanting to cut her hair short.  I told her that if she waited until after the Dance Recital we would cut enough for Locks Of Love.  She was quite interested.  However, recently she decided that she wants to hold on to her long hair for awhile longer.  We had to much fun with her long, long hair. 

June 15th sadly brought sickness to our home.  Sugar started out the day soooooooooooooo very excited to spend the day at her old daycare, so that mama could attend a meeting at work.  Not long into the meeting, I got a call saying that Sugar was vomiting.  :(  boo hiss.....what a horrible way to start the summer.

 

June 16th we just stayed home letting Sugar Bear recover.  She didn't have much energy, and the vomiting lasted about 24 hours.  Poor sweet girl.  Later in the afternoon, we spent a bit of time outdoors enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.  The freshair did Sugar a bit of good and perked her up a bit. 

June 17th found Sugar still feeling like she had to lay low, so we just hung out and played in her room most of the day.  This is one of her favorite little toys, duckie, riding a little while pony.  Sugar has never been much about playing pretend by herself, and I'm not much good at it.  Lately, however, Sugar is getting better about playing on her own, and this is fabulous.  :)