Belated

Errrr. . . Happy New Year!

I took these pictures bright and early on New Year's morning. (Well, not so bright as you can see.)  It was a beautiful, grey, misty dawn--one of my most favorite settings to photograph.

My favorite way to start off a new year is to wake up very early and get out on a trail somewhere.

This particular trail was perfect and it being super early on New Year's day, Lexi and I had the place almost to ourselves.  I had time to wander and think.  To think about the past year. The mistakes (quite a few), the blessings (way more than I could ever deserve), the plans that worked out and the ones that didn't.  The chances I took and the fears that kept me from taking the chances I should have.

I had time to think about the year to come. The things I want to be different and the things I hope remain constant.  The person I want to become.  The ways I'm going to push myself towards my dreams and goals for my future.

It was a good walk and the most me way to start off a year.

And this post being 4 months late in the posting is sadly, very me too.  : )

The Road Home

Looking More Like a Fox than a Foxhound

A Perfect Summer Day

Perfect weather.

Beautiful water.

Cool breezes.

Good food.

Great friends.

::there were some huge, fancy, mansionish houses on the lake, but this was my favorite.

It looked so cozy and inviting tucked into the woods at the edge of the water.::



By the light of the moon

Sometimes, no, most of the time I can hardly believe that I am living in the setting I've always (or at least for as long as I can remember) dreamed of living in.

It was always one of those dreams that in my mind I thought would be nice, but I couldn't ever bring myself to believe it would come true. 

Now, here I am and I am still finding it hard to believe.

It's something I thank God for daily on my morning wanderings with Lexi.

In fact that's what I was doing when we walked back up to the house the morning I took this picture.

The moon through the trees looking like it wasn't about to give up it's place to the sun.

The warm lights glowing through the windows seeming to beam back the glow I feel in my chest every time I come back home.

My very favorite kind of morning

Waking up early.

The sweetness of the morning air, holding on briefly to the cool of the night.

A dog's smiling face in my rear view mirror.

Her joyous leap out of the truck, ready to take in all the new scents of a place yet to be explored.

The golden light of early morning transforming dew drops into a field of glittering diamonds.

The appreciation for rising early--for just a short while later it is just a field of damp grass again.

The sound my feet make on the gravel path.

The deep resonance of bird song through the woods.

The flash of sunlight on a cardinal's wing as it flits across the path.

The thought that for this cardinal this morning is the normal.

The hope held deep in my heart that someday, this will be my normal too.

A quiet prayer.

A grateful heart.

My very favorite kind of morning.



A Gift

This sweet little pendant was a birthday gift.  My sister-in-law, Diana, found it in Asheville and thought of me and my home.   I love it~it was such a thoughtful gift.

Over the past few months, I've been thinking about what other components to add to it to make a necklace for myself.  I knew I wanted to use the beautiful moss opal beads that I have been hoarding for quite some time.  I think they are gorgeous.  They remind me of the woods behind my house.
I added in some golden freshwater pearls, a small piece of brass chain and a leather connector that I made with some deerskin suede and a little antiqued brass wire.

For a final touch, I added this lampworked glass leaf headpin made by talented glass artist Nikki Thornburg-Lanigan and a 'Hope' charm.
I knew I couldn't make a necklace that represented my home without adding a reminder of Hope
I can hardly believe my sweet pup has been gone for almost a year. I miss her.

Treasure Found

This past weekend, I had the most wonderful surprise.  I tried to use my old camera--I had removed the card for the new camera but knew I could get a few shots with just the internal memory.
To my surprise I got the "memory full" message.
When I looked to see what was on there, I was thrilled to find these pictures of Hope from 6 years ago.

That last picture looks like "goodbye" to me.

It's strange how something can make you feel so happy and sad at the same time.

I still miss her so much.

A Last Glimpse

of Summer.

I didn't spend a whole lot of time appreciating the joys of summer this year--my mind and heart were consumed with things that were much more important to me.
I did manage to snap a few pictures though.  It's funny, looking through my pictures, I don't really even remember taking these, but I'm glad I did.

I'm looking forward to Autumn and I'm already enjoying seeing the very beginning of the leaves starting to change.  But I did want to take a quick look back at some of summer's beauty.

One in a Million

Hope

January 23, 1999~August 17, 2011

 

She liked to be tucked in under her fleece blanket on winter nights.

The girl loved her toys. . .

A LOT

She also liked to watch TV. . .

A LOT

Mmmmm, cheeseballs

When I recovered my kitchen chairs, after I scotch guarded them, I set them out on the deck to dry.

I looked out a few minutes later and saw this

She cracked me up.  Such a silly, quirky dog.

Resting after a strenuous morning of opening Christmas presents.  Resting, yet making sure no one takes the one she saved for last.

This is how I will always picture Hope in my heart~sleeping with her toy in her mouth.

Well, we may not have had 25 years, but we had a good run.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.