Skywatch Friday

A winter sky lighting up the snow covered field.  Does it get any better than this?  More skies:

 

M.E.

Icanhascheezburger.com

This is from the website I can has Cheezburger? or LolCats.  It prompts folks to upload photos of their cats and others to then add captions.  It never fails to make me laugh and brighten my day.  This photo is from that site and one of my favorites from the holiday season. 

Because some days you just need a good laugh!

Some other nice photos that make people happy can be found at Carlotta's place on Wednesday:

(Pardon my dust as I play with the layout and settings over the next couple days...Thanks!)

M.E.

Monday berries

 

There are these lovely berries on the tree outside my office window.  I wanted a photo with the snow perched on top, and although it has snowed 23 of the first 25 days in December, it didn't snow this day.  So, to make the macro a little more interesting, I added Pioneer Woman boost action and Kim Klassen texture (Silent Night 2, I think).  Then I brushed away some of the texture to emphasized the berries again. 

Not bad for a first try.  I may also play some more and add some text to make a card or two out of it. That is my cold weather project this week.

For more fun Macro Monday, please visit Lisa:

M.E.

Merry Christmas!

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb.

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

(-Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene)

Merry Christmas !!

M.E.

Christmas Shoes

These are some flashy shoes I bought for 2 of my nieces this year.  Don't worry, they won't see this blog or the photo before it's time to open the boxes!  I wanted to post them because they reminded me of the song, Christmas shoes.  I like hearing it each year because it reminds me about the importance of sharing and helping those who may need a little bit.

Sadly, it also reminds me of my Aunt who met Jesus one Christmas much earlier than any of us expected.  So this year, these shoes are a little sign for all of those folks who have a very personal Angel watching over their Christmas season.

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas Aunt Jane, we know you are with us.


M.E.

Officially winter

No lunar eclipse photos to share with you, 

 it has been cloudy and snowy for days.  

So no moon or sun to be seen.  

Winter has definitely arrived, and now the calendar agrees.

For many years I worked a night shift. In 2004 Christmas Eve this is what winter brought us:

It was surprisingly quiet that night, and just stunning as I drove around with 

a camera snapping all the landscape encased in ice.

(That is an outdoor hockey rink).

While beautiful, I'm hoping for a little less dramatic weather this eve.  

A few inches of fluffy white stuff will do nicely I think!

Happy Winter Solstice to you and yours.

M.E.

Macro Monday Poinsettia

I purchased a few multi-toned poinsettia plants for my mantle this year.  I couldn't resist a few snaps of the undersides and little bud leaves in the middle of the plant.

I hope you are finding some time to enjoy the simply 

lovely things in your home during this crazy week.

More Monday Macro Here:

M.E.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!  As I spend the day running around trying to catch up on everything I should have done weeks ago, at least I get to see a sky like this.  I took this while sitting in traffic (again).  What great timing to catch this view.

For more lovely skies please visit :

M.E.

Office holiday potluck

You know what's great about this time of year - there is food every where!  Every year we try to have lunch potluck to celebrate surviving the year. 

 

This year we were able to get all the food in one room.  We try to do it every year, but sometimes the room is needed at the last minute and we scramble to find a place for all the crockpots.  So the office hallways look like this...

There seemed to be an attempt at more healthy food and less desserts, but we still had a few.

 

And what kind of fun would it be without a visit from this fine fella?

 

There are times of the year where we spend a great deal of time together, share meals together, and deal with drama on a regular basis.  Once in a while it's nice to just do something normal that every other office in town does during the holidays...well, minus the booze, it was lunchtime after all!

Here's to your happy end of the year celebrations!

M.E.

Where are you Christmas?

Where are you Christmas
Why can't I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the laughter
You used to bring me
Why can't I hear music play 

My world is changing
I'm rearranging
Does that mean Christmas changes too 

Where are you Christmas
Do you remember
The one you used to know
I'm not the same one
See what the time's done
Is that why you have let me go
 
 

If there is love in your heart and your mind
You will feel like Christmas all the time 

 
I feel you Christmas
I know I've found you
You never fade away
The joy of Christmas
Stays here inside us

Fills each and every heart with love

Where are you Christmas
Fill your heart with love

(Faith Hill lyrics-originally written by Mariah Carey, James Horner, Will Jennings)

			M.E.

 

And so it arrives...

The first winter storm has arrived.

 I'll admit, I love beautiful snowy days...from the warmth of my cozy house!

 

Even the cat is interested.  Ok, there is also a bird feeder 

out there, but I'm pretty sure she likes the snow too.

 

The second shot is SOOC from my iPhone.  If I took the time to grab 

my Nikon, I'm sure I would have missed the moment.

For more SOOC photos:

M.E.

Beauty blending in...

This is a quiet chapel on the BGSU campus.  I took these photos when I was there last week.  

From inside an adjacent building (across a parking lot) a friend of mine pointed out this beautiful bird.  How she saw it from where we were is beyond me!  After a few moments, I saw him too.

 Just hanging out in the rain looking around,

So very unexpected, like so many good things in life.  

Sometimes we have to stop looking for what we want to see the gifts around us.

M.E.

Skywatch Friday

This winter seems to be barreling full force with wind, extreme cold, snow and gray skies.

So I was very happy to see this sunset burst through at the end of the day.

Life’s not the breaths you take

The breathing in and out
That gets you through the day
Ain’t what it’s all about
Ya just might miss the point
If ya don’t slow down the pace
Life’s not the breaths you take
But the moments that take your breath away


-George Strait

You can find other beautiful skies At Skywatch Friday.

Happy Weekend!!

M.E.

Blue Bokeh

There is a memorial tree for Police Officers in an office building.  I couldn't resist playing a little with the lights, reflections, and all that shiny blue.

 

 

M.E.

Living out loud

I got to hang out with my sister and her family a couple weeks ago.  They live in this adorable community with tons of houses, a lake, and community events.  Some of the neighbors decorate for all kinds of holidays. 

So I should not have been so surprised when I turned the corner into their cul-de-sac and saw this:

Take a minute to take that all in.  The photos are a bit fuzzy because it was pouring rain, I was still in my car, and I didn't take a ton of time with the settings...and I was laughing!

Holy cow, look at the size of those snowflake lights! 

Just to give you some perspective, here's a shot from in front of the house.  You can compare the size of the light ornaments outside with the windows and Christmas tree inside. 

You would have to be a serious Grinch to not smile when you come across this house.  These folks know how to live out loud.  Oh, and yes, it does light up half the street!

Linking today with Pastor's Girl's Ponderings (on Wednesday).

M.E.

Macro Monday-Snow and leaves

It snowed for about a minute and a half today.  Not enough for the lovely snow covered tree photos I long for, but just enough to get a macro of the bushes out front.  We have months of snow ahead, I probably shouldn't push the season too soon!

For more lovely Macro Monday, you can visit Lisa and friends.

M.E.

Looking for Christmas spirit

I've been lacking in Christmas spirit so far this season.  I usually jump right into the fray, but I've been a bit bogged down with life demands.  So, in an effort to kick-start my spirit, I went with some friends to a church in a nearby town.  The members act out portions of the Nativity, with costumes, songs, and even animals.

Some of the story took place outside.  It was cold, but the members were sticking it out.

There were shepherds with their flocks by night...

(and those little white white blobs are snowflakes).

 

 And angels singing.... 

Then in the manger was the holy family...   (my SOOC entry this week)

Luke 2:8-14

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, 

keeping watch over their flock by night.

And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord 

shone round about them: and they were terrified.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you 

good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped

in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the

heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

       
                             Katie Lloyd Photography                   Murrieta 365
                        

Kudos to everyone involved in this production for their time, effort, and commitment to helping us all remember the reason for the season.  You can find more Sunday scripture and straight out of the camera photos if you click on the links above.  I hope you have a great day.

M.E.

History in the making

Earlier this week I was lucky enough to travel and celebrate a special event - 

and a little history in the making.

This is a friend of mine and the new, first female Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety for BGSU, in Bowling Green Ohio.  We met almost 15 years ago when we were very young, finishing college, getting our first jobs, and having no idea where the years would take us.

We had different jobs back then and they overlapped on occasion.  We understood that 1) we had a lot to learn, 2) working together and sharing our trials and errors made it easier, and 3) that maybe sometime in the future we would be the ones blazing new trails.

While I am impressed by her continued success in a very demanding field, as well as her education and training credentials, it's her spirit of not giving up that has propelled her to this point. You see, shortly after we met, she was involved in a winter car accident on the way to finishing her last course requirement for her BA degree.  She was working full time, so she squeezed in the last classes on Saturday mornings, when the roads had not yet been completely treated.


Her injuries were extensive and Humpty Dumpty had nothing on her.  After weeks in the hospital and months of rehab, she fought back, beat the odds and got back to her patrol job.  She knew she had things to do then and she is ready for a new challenge now.

Here she is talking with the press, something anyone in law enforcement will tell you is a special challenge all it's own.  She will get used to it eventually!

I have many more photos of this event, but for personal safety to the officers in attendance I am choosing not to post them.  I cannot know what types of assignments or work the officers from around the state are doing, and I would not want to inadvertently cause a danger. 

The large turnout for Chief Monica's swearing-in ceremony is a testament to her skills, professionalism, and just being a darn nice gal!  The university is lucky to have her around...
and so am I.


M.E.