tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5290872088240693742024-03-13T05:15:43.987-07:00More Than Wordsjust as words create an image in one's heart and mind ~
a picture paints a thousand words in one's soul.Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-83624211364878801052011-01-18T19:35:00.000-08:002011-01-18T19:50:04.528-08:00With You<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/TTZdmq7kBGI/AAAAAAAAAo4/iuj7AUwquQg/s1600/Winter0111%2B003B.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563737308603352162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/TTZdmq7kBGI/AAAAAAAAAo4/iuj7AUwquQg/s400/Winter0111%2B003B.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;">With You</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">With you</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">I am me</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Without question </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Your steps </span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Are my own</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Unyielding and unafraid</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">Forward</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">I journey</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;font-size:130%;color:#993399;">With you<br /></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-85383325446699764252010-05-24T18:36:00.000-07:002010-05-24T18:44:36.108-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/S_srSFmjekI/AAAAAAAAAok/0wEsimPSO6c/s1600/River+Road,+Norwich,+VT+010B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475017361740495426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 572px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 444px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/S_srSFmjekI/AAAAAAAAAok/0wEsimPSO6c/s400/River+Road,+Norwich,+VT+010B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#333399;"><em><span style="color:#6666cc;">"Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon, like a magician, extended his golden wand o'er the landscape;Twinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together."</span> </em></span><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="color:#333399;"></span></em><span style="color:#ff6666;">Henry Wadsworth Longfellow</span> </div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-23119998234100058342009-05-30T18:58:00.000-07:002009-05-30T19:22:55.016-07:00Floral Frenzy<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmF2c4vVI/AAAAAAAAATM/W3rpPsNziIQ/s1600-h/CastleintheClouds08+182.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341803621228526930" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmF2c4vVI/AAAAAAAAATM/W3rpPsNziIQ/s400/CastleintheClouds08+182.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff99ff;">Flowers... are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson<br /></span><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmFoU0GOI/AAAAAAAAATE/XuQFWRF6FME/s1600-h/brooknflowers+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341803617436571874" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmFoU0GOI/AAAAAAAAATE/XuQFWRF6FME/s400/brooknflowers+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">Flowers seem intended for the solace of ordinary humanity. ~John Ruskin</span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmFRMAe2I/AAAAAAAAAS8/WqXhK_C2gZM/s1600-h/ElizabethPark08+239.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341803611225619298" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmFRMAe2I/AAAAAAAAAS8/WqXhK_C2gZM/s400/ElizabethPark08+239.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#9999ff;">Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers where I can walk undisturbed. ~Walt Whitman<br /></span><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmE1WacGI/AAAAAAAAASs/gJCxTUwzrdI/s1600-h/MyOneAndOnly+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341803603753070690" style="WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SiHmE1WacGI/AAAAAAAAASs/gJCxTUwzrdI/s400/MyOneAndOnly+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning. ~Lydia M. Child<br /></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;font-size:85%;color:#333333;"></span></div></div></div></div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-51121850713304168972009-05-29T18:24:00.000-07:002009-05-29T18:59:27.919-07:00Fuschia Delight<div align="left"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Blogger's Community Photo Challenge last challenge until September is </span><a href="http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2009/05/community-photo-challenge-flowers.html">FLOWERS</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">I took a few shots of the Fuschia I have hanging outside my front door this evening ~ playing around a bit with light settings and such, and found that this one taken in automatic using flash gave me the look I appreciated the most.<br /></span><br /></span><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=FuschiaDelight001.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 563px; HEIGHT: 578px" height="705" alt="Fuschia Delight" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/FuschiaDelight001.jpg" width="603" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I hope everyone is enjoying the spring months and wish you all a summer filled with warm breezes and days of fun and adventure (or, even better - a little R and R!)<br /><br />ENJOY!</span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-22193833267558411212009-05-28T09:56:00.000-07:002009-05-28T10:35:39.359-07:00Garden's First<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/Sh7CbN4Q5kI/AAAAAAAAASc/ywRlngDHtPw/s1600-h/20090526_29.JPG"></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=20090526_29.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 485px; HEIGHT: 728px" height="755" alt="Garden's First" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/20090526_29.jpg" width="445" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><strong>Garden's First</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>Her delicate petals</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>cast lightly over </em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>rays of gold</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330099;">outstretched</span></em><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>blue and silver folds</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>cupping the warmth</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>as she waits patiently...</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>silent</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330099;"><em>and alone.</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330099;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330099;"></span></em>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-45148574298766671252009-04-23T20:49:00.000-07:002009-04-23T21:10:01.384-07:00<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SfE3QE3hDCI/AAAAAAAAASM/dvLWDyVgvlw/s1600-h/20090419_352.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328100583480036386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 444px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 362px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SfE3QE3hDCI/AAAAAAAAASM/dvLWDyVgvlw/s400/20090419_352.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Naked Bubbles<br />and A Box of Chocolates<br /></strong></span></div><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong><div align="center"><br /></strong>Lost for a moment...<br /><br />a whirlwind of scraped skies<br />and busy streets<br />How sudden!<br /><br />Then<br /><br />The warmth of her smile<br />With open arms to greet me<br />Casting aside the wretched nerve<br /><br />My friend<br /><br />Oh, how could she have known<br />of forces yet untold?<br />Memories to share and to be made<br />in the quiet presence<br />of another<br />were unexpected and, of course,<br />moving<br /><br />Like the daffodils we chased.<br /><br />Gathering color, dance and smile<br />Timed by hand<br />Both hers<br />and ours<br />How thoughtful<br />To have been given a day<br /><br />of sparkling Naked Bubbles<br />and A Box of Chocolates</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;">chelle b.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em>april 2009</em></span></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-50358390123376074932009-03-12T13:20:00.000-07:002009-03-12T17:59:22.545-07:00Birdhouses<span style="color:#3366ff;">This week's theme at Blogger's Community Photo Challenge is Birdhouses.</span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Please click </span><a href="http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2009/03/community-photo-challenge-birdhouses.html"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Here</span></a><span style="color:#3366ff;"> to play along!<br /><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#6633ff;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">Originally, I had planned on taking time to drive around town in search of the most creative or eye-catching man made habitat for our feathered friends. When time had simply not presented itself, I decided to look closer to home... Right outside my kitchen door.<br /><br />In warmer months, I tend to hang brightly colored petunias or fuschia. I thrive on those colors and delight in the sweet scent every time I open my window or walk out the door. Hummingbirds love them as well. So, one year I saw a tiny decorative birdhouse that I thought would look cute hanging next to the flowers for the hummingbirds, and bought it just for fun... It's also a wind chime, so I enjoy leaving it hanging year round. This photo doesn't accurately portray it's dimensions, though.... It's only about 2 inches tall!<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></span><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=birdhouse002.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 314px; HEIGHT: 603px" height="770" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/birdhouse002.jpg" width="363" border="0" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-74943159859257981702009-02-22T20:42:00.000-08:002009-02-23T19:52:02.868-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SaIqxbNRxfI/AAAAAAAAASE/5OGLgTgtX6Y/s1600-h/winter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305850339601270258" style="WIDTH: 484px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 137px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SaIqxbNRxfI/AAAAAAAAASE/5OGLgTgtX6Y/s400/winter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/”http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2009/02/bloggers-community-photo-challenge_19.html”"><b>Blogger's Community Photo Challenge- WINTER</b></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#3366ff;">Okay, so I have taken my camera out a total of two times this winter... Of all the photos I've captured, this one is my favorite. Taken on the way HOME from an afternoon of shooting wintery scenes, to me, this happy-go-lucky snowman says it all.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=winter09057.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 491px; HEIGHT: 648px" height="741" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/winter09057.jpg" width="541" border="0" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-64575682094725289042009-01-21T18:26:00.000-08:002009-01-21T18:54:21.911-08:00<a name="4584491373442133362"></a><br /><a href="http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2009/01/fun-bloggers-community-photo-challenge.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">FUN: Blogger's Community Photo Challenge-HEARTS!</span></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">From my heart to yours.....</span><br /><a name="4584491373442133362"></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SXfbzbS8JcI/AAAAAAAAARs/8L97lzE30z8/s1600-h/Heart+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293941563544315330" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SXfbzbS8JcI/AAAAAAAAARs/8L97lzE30z8/s200/Heart+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"><em>Heart In Bloom</em> mmb 2009</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">And while we're at it, I thought I would share another painting I finished a short time ago which sort of fits the theme of hearts and love and so forth and so on. I haven't been posting much these days, so when the mood strikes....</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SXfdqodRHBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1syKhkpFYhc/s1600-h/TheKiss2+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293943611481725970" style="WIDTH: 311px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SXfdqodRHBI/AAAAAAAAAR0/1syKhkpFYhc/s400/TheKiss2+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc9933;"><em>The Kiss</em> mmb 2008</span><br /></div><br /><div><a name="4584491373442133362"></a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SXfZjTDjbHI/AAAAAAAAARc/S6zhSHLp6Ss/s1600-h/Heart+014.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-70230677984203548942009-01-07T13:01:00.000-08:002009-01-07T13:27:10.519-08:00<a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=winterwalk026.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 652px; HEIGHT: 475px" height="493" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/winterwalk026.jpg" width="712" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><em></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em><strong>THE HALF MOON SHOWS</strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#3333ff;"><em><strong> A FACE OF PLAINTIVE SWEETNESS </strong></em></span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The half moon shows a face of plaintive sweetness </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Ready and poised to wax or wane;</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A fire of pale desire in incompleteness, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Tending to pleasure or to pain:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lo, while we gaze she rolleth on in fleetness </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To perfect loss or perfect gain.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Half bitterness we know, we know half sweetness; </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">This world is all on wax, on wane:</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When shall completeness round time's incompleteness, </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Fulfilling joy, fulfilling pain?</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lo, while we ask, life rolleth on in fleetness </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">To finished loss or finished gain. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">By Christina Rossetti </span></span><br /></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-20500390770973322802009-01-05T19:29:00.001-08:002009-01-05T19:54:07.002-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SWLVvHbGkOI/AAAAAAAAARU/pRJLMwIHXxI/s1600-h/winterwalk+039.jpg"></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;color:#cc0000;"><em>The One Left Behind....</em></span><br /><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=winterwalk039.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 558px; HEIGHT: 348px" height="465" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/winterwalk039.jpg" width="683" border="0" /></a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-81409881244106711212008-12-24T19:17:00.000-08:002008-12-24T19:45:57.427-08:00<a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=ChristmasEve08010.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 434px; HEIGHT: 552px" height="666" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/ChristmasEve08010.jpg" width="490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#cc0000;">No doubt about it ~ the Christmas season has always been my favorite time of year. Everything, from the soft, peaceful music to the bright, colorful lights... The gathering of family and friends to the quiet, soulful nights... The laughter of children to the faces filled with silent wonder... Even the long lines and miles of traffic! Call me crazy!</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">This year, Christmas has been a complete mixture of sheer happiness, warmth and peace ~ blended with a little bit of worry and frustration. I never thought that what was waiting under the tree Christmas morning ~ or what wasn't ~ would have such a huge impact on whether or not I felt the Christmas spirit in my heart. I guess when that worry isn't there, it's easy to say it isn't about "things". </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">My faith and spirits were restored however, as blessing upon blessing came my way throughout the season. Family... friends... even STRANGERS, have come into my life and given me reason to give thanks. Love is all around me. Warmth is in my heart. </span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">There is no greater gift, than this.</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">~ Merry Christmas ~</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-9022452095396988182008-12-14T12:59:00.000-08:002008-12-14T13:54:19.640-08:00Christmas Ornaments<div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SUV1KYEf4BI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/uXQWI2fJyrM/s1600-h/Ornaments.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279754959282233362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 82px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SUV1KYEf4BI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/uXQWI2fJyrM/s400/Ornaments.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=OurTree08007.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#009900;">This week's challenge is Christmas Ornaments. I am looking for square photos, if you can, with either your favorite Christmas ornament or just an ornament. If you are not able to submit a square, I will crop to make it one <span style="color:#ff0000;">(sorry ~ forgot this minor detail!).</span> Like the last 2 challenges I will do a collage of all entries. Please post your entry between now & 12/18 no later than 9 PM EST, to be included in the Christmas Ornament collage. If you don't celebrate Christmas & would like to join in, you may include a decoration that would represent your holiday.</span> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SUWACT7VnzI/AAAAAAAAARE/3vNUj7llUls/s1600-h/OurTree08+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279766915359022898" style="WIDTH: 329px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 414px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SUWACT7VnzI/AAAAAAAAARE/3vNUj7llUls/s400/OurTree08+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#009900;"></span><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=OurTree08006.jpg" target="_blank"></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">We finally put our tree up today. It was our first "real" tree in three years. I was really pushing for the fake one again ~ it's nice enough and saves money (even though secretly I would MUCH prefer a real one!). But the girls kept on insisting until I finally agreed. It was a gift from their father, actually, which I know made it even more special for them.</span><br /></div><div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">We have many beautiful ornaments. Some from Christmas <em>long</em> since past, and others that we've collected or been given over the years. One family friend has been bringing the girls special ornaments every year, beginning with their very first Christmas. Memorable little treasures to be passed on for what I hope will be generations.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><div><span style="color:#ff0000;">From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=OurTree08009.jpg" target="_blank"></a></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-10871697068667325472008-11-26T16:13:00.000-08:002008-11-26T16:39:14.760-08:00<a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=vermont044.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 577px; HEIGHT: 416px" height="563" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/vermont044.jpg" width="745" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Life is filled with reasons to be thankful if we allow ourselves to be still enough to recognize them. And we should, every day. Several times a day, in fact. I know I don't do it often enough. Some blessings are more obvious than others: A hand to hold, a home filled with warmth, the kindness of others, food on the table. Things easily taken for granted that can be swiped away without a moment's notice if we aren't careful, and sometimes ~ even if we are. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">My Thanksgiving prayer, is that even when the bills pile up, responsibilites seem endless and things aren't going right for one reason or another, I will find the strength to look deeper, see clearer and understand and appreciate better, all the blessings I've been given. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">And that is my Thanksgiving prayer for all of you as well. </span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Wishing you and those you hold dear, a Thanksgiving Day to remember. May your hearts be light, your stomachs full and your blessings endless.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;">Every day of every year.</span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span><br /><span style="color:#ff6666;"></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-41505088398228591502008-10-26T10:05:00.000-07:002008-10-26T10:07:06.268-07:00<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;color:#cc33cc;"><em>"The Gift"</em></span><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/?action=view&current=LaSalette085.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="WIDTH: 498px; HEIGHT: 683px" height="661" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l60/inafrnz247/LaSalette085.jpg" width="453" border="0" /></a>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-69468165887862855302008-10-18T08:51:00.000-07:002008-10-18T21:07:49.175-07:00Spoooooky....<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPoHt3zxk1I/AAAAAAAAAPY/_bqfscJYvt4/s1600-h/Oct2107+056.jpg"></a><span style="color:#ff9900;"></span><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Martha suggested our next Blogger's Community Photo </span><a href="http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2008/10/bloggers-community-photo.html"><span style="color:#ffcc66;">Challenge</span></a><span style="color:#ffcc66;"> be Spooky! It Could be something to do with Halloween, or something dramatic, haunting, mysterious, mysteriously strange, or eerie.</span> </div><div><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPqyd0GZeTI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7u8PVw7fpVU/s1600-h/Oct2107_056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258711740179904818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPqyd0GZeTI/AAAAAAAAAQI/7u8PVw7fpVU/s400/Oct2107_056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPoHYkIJ_LI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/RG9tqvsOips/s1600-h/Oct2107+056.jpg"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPqxPDEVshI/AAAAAAAAAQA/rFiWsFv7wzI/s1600-h/Oct2107_056.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pyf-lJhvKqU/SPqxPDEVshI/AAAAAAAAAQA/rFiWsFv7wzI/s1600-h/Oct2107_056.jpg"></a><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;">"Fear is that little darkroom, where negatives are developed....." </span><br /><span style="color:#ffcc33;">Michael Pritchard<br /><br /></span><br /><br /></div><div></div>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-529087208824069374.post-5176168845790914322008-10-01T19:38:00.000-07:002008-10-01T20:18:14.048-07:00<span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#993399;">Now, don't get me wrong.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">I am as much a lover of words as the next person to post a blog entry. I have no intention of dismissing the beauty of a written (or typed) word here. On the contrary, i have more respect for someone who can draw me in with words alone than (almost) anything else. </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">But as most of us can know and appreciate ~ there's more.</span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Sometimes, it truly IS the image, that depicts the story or inspires the feelings and emotions of our hearts. </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">Thank you, to everyone over at <a href="http://communityphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html">CommunityPhotoChallenge,</a> for continuing to keep things running as smoothly as possible. Things are really looking great over there, and I'm truly looking forward to seeing everyone come together to keep CPC alive and kicking in this new forum. </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">::sigh:: </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;">goodbye, "Reflections". </span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span><br /><span style="color:#993399;"></span>Michellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14175288567791117304noreply@blogger.com14