December 31 My word for 2017 is-

   Hello!

This is my word for 2017!  Why!? 

I want to greet each day like a new friend. Hello!

I want to greet old friends the same. Hello!

I want to walk in the world with wide open eyes

looking at everything as if it was the first time. Hello!

When unhappy thoughts or circumstances occur, I want

to acknowledge them and then make the best of the situation.  Hello!

 Waking each day with hope and faith and love!  Hello!

Have a wonderful 2017!

This was the wonderful sunrise on New Year's Eve 2016!

Hello! 

December 29 Thank you for..

Thank you for...

This prompt is not a good one for me.  Not that I don't give thanks daily but who is You?  So I am making You be Me.

Thanking myself for picking up a camera and discovering a creative side to myself that I never knew was there.  Thanking myself for not letting fear or trepidation stop me from sharing this creativity on social media where I found people just like me who are now a part of the whole creative process.   Thanking myself for not judging or labeling what I see as good, bad, ugly or pretty.  

Giving thanks for this gift I gave to myself.

December 29 My wish for 2017

   My wish is for others---

                           joy and happiness,

                                 health and wellness,

                                       faith and hope,

                                            friends and family,

                                                work and prosperity.

                                                 

                                                               Peace for all. 

            We all have a new beginning each morning as the sun arises.  

             My wish for myself is to live each day fully, 

                               spreading love and light 

  

                                         to all that I meet.

                     

December 28 Quiet Moment

My sons together at the edge of a pond.  Still and quiet.   Just being brothers.

They don't see each other often enough.  Both are busy with their lives in different states.

But one thing I think about in my quiet moments.  They know what love is.

December 27 My smile

Usually I am behind the camera so not too many photos of me are ever taken but occasionally I find a rock or post that I can place the camera and use the self timer or someone will grab the camera and take a photo of me. 

I really don't like selfies on the phone as they show all my wrinkles and bags and things like that which I am trying to deny. 

So don't look hard at these photos of my smile.

December 26 Nourish

                        Nourish is not just about supplying the

                body with things that keep it alive.

                                    

                          Nourish is about feeding the soul!

                                    Here are some things that nourish my spirit.

           Mountains!   The feeling of being a tiny part of this incredible world.

Hiking, being outdoors with my mate and dog!

Leaves in fall colors!

Rivers, lakes and streams

 and water falling over rocks.

Watching the passing of the seasons.

Autumn and Winter are my favorites!

Unexpected beauty.

The sky with all its wonderful light and colors.

Feeling the nourishment of life all around me.

December 25 Today is....

Today is all about the love.

There is nothing greater!

December 24 Traditions

  Christmas is about traditions.  

Celebrating the birth the Jesus, spending time with family, 

Christmas music, spreading love and good wishes. 

  Families have traditions that include the food we prepare, 

the dishes were use, the way we celebrate being together.  

  Items and recipes that are passed down from previous 

generations fill our hearts with memories of loved ones.    

Pretty glasses and serving dishes 

belonging to our Mother's family.

A Christmas cactus blooming that was 

started from a sprig from my Mother's plant.

Decorations passed down from generations for the tree.

Keeping traditions alive for future generations.

December 23 Sparkle

  Tonight I tried to take photos of Christmas lights while we were driving back from a day trip to the mountains.  It was not easy out the car window and I really did not get any shots that were exactly what I saw. 

 But I did get these sparkly abstracts!

So when I got home I decided to try some intentional camera movement on my Christmas tree photo.

It is just a mess!

But sometimes sparkly means being a mess!

December 22 This year was...

     This year was  a year of travel.

 Seeing some new sights and some old but with new eyes.

     Enjoying the places and meeting new people.

    Taking a gazillion photos to record the memories.

                                

      East to the Atlantic where the sunsets are glowing, 

                             

and the moon hangs over a palmetto tree

 as it rises from the ocean.

To the mountains in the near west in north Georgia where waterfalls were seen.

Along with a rare little flower known as the Oconee Belle.

South to Florida for a different view of the beach.

Right here at home a couple hours away,

 the spider lilies bloomed in the middle of the river.

To Atlanta for an art museum visit.  The architecture intrigued me as much as the exhibits.

At home in the garden,  a new journey for me, growing vegetables.

Then to eastern Canada, where the water is their life.

Exploring the bay on a sailing ship 

was a new way to travel for me.

Then to the far west in Colorado, 

home to mountains that grab my heart.

On to Utah where with 

mountains and rocks that were otherwordly.

And seeing the rivers and creeks that speak to my soul.

Then to the mountains again in North Carolina,

 home of the people that I love the most.

Traveling is exciting and fun and it something I love

 but coming home is the best part!

December 21 Winter Solstice

                       

           Today was the first day of winter.

          Instead of a bright rising sun,

       the sky was filled with dense fog.

                                               

As the day got lighter, the fog crept upward.

At mid-morning the sky was still gray.

The afternoon brought blue skies with a few clouds 

just before sunset.

The solstice sunset was a soft orange glow 

warming the night as it settled over me.

December 20 Snuggle

My Momma loved to sew quilts.   During her sewing years, she made a quilt for all of us, myself, my sons and granddaughers,  my brother, my nieces and nephews,  others who were special to her.  I think she probably made over 30 quilts..mostly sewn on a sewing machine.   

Since I have always been more hot natured, I had her to make  a couple blankets instead of quilts.  She did this by using the quilt pattern but not any "quilting" between the top and bottom which made it very much lighter in weight.

This is a favorite little blanket that she made, a lap robe sort of blanket.   I found this material patterned with wolves and owls in the cloth shop, so she used it for the top and did a patchwork quilt for the bottom.  There are actually two smaller ones and then a larger one.  I used the two smaller blankets for the grandgirls when they would stay with me as we all snuggled together on the couch.   Now I use a smaller one for myself when I sit and read or watch TV.  I will hold on to these to give to the girls when they have their own home.

Snuggled under a Mother's love.  

December 19 Something I Love

I love these girls who are now almost grown.  

I love this photo where they are wearing wedding dresses sewn by my Mom.

When she made the dresses she made the statement that she probably would not live long enough to see them when they did get married.  And she is not here with us.

 The girls remember their Granny Apple making these dresses and other princess dresses.

 They remember the love.