Challenge #1: Joyful

Sunday, June 26, 2011

First challenged completed today! Our theme for this week was joyful. We realized after we were more than halfway in that one could interpret the emotion joyful in many different ways... I chose this image of the third half of my family... ;) Soul sister, surrogate grandma, and almost mother. Oh, and who could forget Kuper, the faithful companion? We were on a lovely hike and everyone was laughing and having fun, thus I believe this image is quite joyful. Kuper's tail was wagging the whole time and our smiles were broad.

"The world is extremely interesting to a joyful soul."
~ Alexandra Stoddard

Check out Island Fever's post for our first theme on her blog:
http://islandfever44.blogspot.com/2011/06/challenge-1-joyful.html

New Challenge...

Hey everyone! Thanks for keeping up with this blog for a whole year of stories, pictures, and quotes! I'm starting a new theme this year with my friend from www.islandfever44.blogspot.com. She and I are going to have a themed photography challenge each week. Ex: water, fire, anger, dog, etc. We will have a week to take a picture of said theme and then post our best shots, where we'll compare. :) It's going to be great fun! We'll be posting on Sundays and the challenges start Monday - so today's the first day! I'll try to post a quote with each weekly post...not necessarily relevant to the picture, just something fun I've encountered. I'm looking forward to Sunday, hope you are too!

Mission Accomplished!

Sunday, June 12, 2011
Today is the 365th post on my blog! Hooray! I've done it for a year...I may have missed a few days here and there, but they're all accounted for and I've had such a blast doing this blog, even if it meant some stressful nights... I'll be doing a different theme with a photographer friend, though I'm not sure how that will alter the structure of this blog...I'll see when we get started. 365 days...a whole year. Wow!

Quote Of The Day:

"A year from now you may wish you had started today."

~ Karen Lamb

50 Word Story:

To Sum it Up

A year. A year of memories, of laughter, of joy, of pain. A year of being outside, of making new friends, of taking new leaps, of capturing new pictures. A year of writing new thoughts and quoting new people. A year of fun, a year of inspiration. A good year.

Embers

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Like I said before, I love fire.... We had a fire down on the beach today and it was a lot of fun... very relaxing and very warm. :)

Quote Of The Day:

"Abruptly the poker of memory stirs the ashes of recollection and uncovers a forgotten ember, still smoldering down there, still hot, still glowing, still red as red." ~ William Manchester

50 Word Story:

Smoldering

The blazing tongues of flame had lone gone out and the beach was illuminated only by the coals of the fire. Small sparks stirred by the poker drifted into the air. The embers of the fire lay smoldering, not yet ready to give up the fight to the cold air.

A Walk on the Dock

Friday, June 10, 2011

Okay, I'm all caught up on everything this blog needed catching up on...All the stories done, all days accounted for, and a new poll. Phew! My friend and I walked the docks before dinner today. This is one of my favorite activities. The first two shots are of the beautiful boats that are docked in the harbor. The last shot reminded me of what we always used to do...

Quote Of The Day:

"If Columbus had an advisory committee he would probably still be at the dock." ~ Arthur J. Goldberg

50 Word Story:

Dock Days

The soft swish of waves and the distant sounds of sailing fill the dock atmosphere. From beautiful, wooden sailboats to large, powerhouse yachts, the dock is a spectacle. It's beautifully calming and walking on the dock could be considered therapeutic. The boards creak underfoot and the tide lazily washes out.

I'm Back...Home ;)

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Self portrait! :) I love the tripod I got for Christmas...it's been great. I'm back on San Juan Island and loving it! I can't think of a better place...The ferry ride and long drive is worth it... I'm in total bliss and happiness.

Quote Of The Day:

"Home is the place where it feels right to walk around without shoes." ~ Author Unknown

50 Word Story:

Welcome Back to the Island

The familiar crash of waves on the beach greets the ear. Salty sea air and wind in the hair refresh the traveler. The view is as breathtaking as ever. The water is clear and blue, the deck is sun warmed. This is what it feels like to be home.

Off and Away!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

It's officially Summer! Hooray! This summer is bittersweet...People are going different ways for high school and some of my really great friends are leaving. I'll miss everyone so much, but it's been a great year! I know that we'll keep in touch and I'm so lucky to have had so many wonderful experiences with all these girls... Disclaimer: I did not take this picture, my friend's mom did...

Quote Of The Day:

"Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to great places! You're off and away!" ~ Dr. Seuss

50 Word Story:

I'll See You Again

Summer comes in a bittersweet tone. We're now all high school students, each going her own way in life. Some are leaving our tight-knit community and tears are shed, as well as promises to keep in touch. Something tells me that we'll remember each other, that we're impossible to forget.

Backwards

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

This was taken at one of my favorite restaurants. They have the best fish and chips and fish tacos...It's a small little hole-in-the-wall type of place, but oh so tasty! I was sitting inside and realized the shot would look cool with the name backwards. :)

Quote Of The Day:

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." ~ Soren Kierkegaard

50 Word Story:

Rewinding Memories

One must only go forward. It is not possible to turn around and head back in life. What happens, happens. One foot in front of the other. It may be confusing, but looking back, the puzzle pieces fall into place. You just have to be willing to to walk blindly on.

Bird Buddies

Monday, June 6, 2011

We saw these little birdies chilling out on the fence by the horses where I live. They were pretty cute and the one on the left has great feather coloring...I've always been taken by little birds like this...

Quote Of The Day:

"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked."
~ Bernard Meltzer

50 Word Story:

Sing with Me

The soft sound of small wings fluttering fills the nearly silent air. A small bird lands on the fence below a birdhouse. He preens his brown wings and fluffs his belly proudly. There's a whirring twitter and another bird bounces down next to the first. The two chirp happily together.

Bubbles

Sunday, June 5, 2011

I love bubbles. They're so pretty in the sunlight and they never cease to entertain me. I needed a blog picture and, to my surprise and joy, found some bubbles. I love bubbles, but they're hard to capture...

Quote Of The Day:

"No bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by the successful teacher." ~ William Osler

50 Word Story:

Something Magical

The sunlight catches the soft soap bubbles, causing colors to swirl in the orbs. They float gently over the grass, their colors standing out against the blue sky. The young blower watches them, mesmerized by their magic. A wind picks the bubbles up, guiding them quickly along. Bobbing, bobbing, pop.

Book of the Year

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Yesterday was yearbook day, always a day full of excitement and hurried autographs. Each year we have a different theme to our yearbook. In the years that I've been at my school the themes have been magazine, road trip, and this year's: space. The yearbook staff always does such a great job...It's so much fun.

Quote Of The Day:

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same." ~ Flavia Weedn

50 Word Story:

A Year's Summary

The long awaited day has at last come...the revelation of this year's yearbook. Colorful pages, pictures of each individual, as well as pages featuring sports teams, theatre casts, and just average, fun days at school are bound under one central theme. Always well done, the book is an absolute joy.

Jazz Band

Friday, June 3, 2011

Today was the final music concert at my friend's school. In addition to being in his grade level band, he's also in a jazz band. We went to support him and it was absolutely fantastic. There were three choirs and four bands that performed. My friend ended up winning an award, as well! It was a really fun night.

Quote Of The Day:

"Jazz is an intensified feeling of nonchalance."

~ Francoise Sagan

50 Word Story:

Edge of Music

A sea of instruments catches the light in the gym, the soft rustle of sheet music and impatient feet echo. The conductor comes to the front of the room and raises his baton. All instruments are lifted silently, ready to be played The sounds of sweet, powerful jazz flow freely.

Mudball

Thursday, June 2, 2011

In case you didn't know, my dog is the son of a champion show dog. This dog, however, is far from show dog material. He's much too curly, he's got too many freckles, and he'd rather be playing in the mud than running around the ring. We call him Dirtball.

Quote Of The Day:

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."
~ E. E. Cummings

50 Word Story:

Bloodlines...

The son of an award winning show dog. He's been groomed to the fullest; his ears fluffed, his tail detangled, his curly hair tamed. He sniffs about the place he's currently in and his little black nose picks out mud. Wriggling away, he goes from white to brown in seconds.

Why Golf is a Dangerous Sport

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Happy June! I saw this sign near the one on yesterday's post and couldn't resist a shot of it. I've never been a fan of golf, though I'm happy for those who enjoy it. I find this sign to be very true...especially in a driving range.

Quote Of The Day:

"Golf is deceptively simple and endlessly complicated."
~ Arnold Palmer

50 Word Story:

Hole in One

The green is flecked by sunlight and warm weather. Sand traps litter the area and a large, sparkling lake is to be found in the center of the course. Golfers walk around, carrying their clubs from tee to tee, having a great time with friends. Another day at the course.

Where? Here!

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I love great signs...This would be one of them. Sorry for the weird crop job - there was a very unappealing sign to the side of this one that read: BEER.

Quote Of The Day:

"Never assume the obvious is true." ~ William Safire

50 Word Story:

Deception

The much awaited item in question sits in the middle of the counter under a giant sign that grants the viewers its name. As the table is crowded around, the box is opened to reveal nothing but emptiness. The wild goose chase is on again. Don't always trust the obvious.