Matthew 11:25-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

 (A quilt made for the Ohio State fair - artist unknown.)

I love the design of this quilt, it's curves and lines unique but repeating.  It reminds me that we are all connected in different ways and that our lives overlap each other.  Some days all of that color and energy needs to be set aside, while we appreciate what we are given and rest to enjoy it.

M.E.

Linking with:

Up and Down SOOC Sunday

 These are a few straight out of the camera shots working on perspective.  This is pretty much an ordinary shot, taken from a standing position, headed south toward the building.  I do like that if you look closely, you can see one of my classmates on the corner of the library walls taking shots down the wall.



Walking inside, you come to the center of the building and you can look up into the stacks of books for about the first 6 floors of the library.  The reflection in this shot is from the atrium in the middle.  There is glass on all four sides of the inside here, really impressive in person.

Here we are looking down the rows of books and down the hall in the reading room.  The reading room has old fashioned table lights and beautiful solid wood tables.  The floors are marble and the ceiling has a sculptured arced ceiling with large rosettes.

From the 11th floor, you can see all around the campus and into the city downtown.  This is the honors and scholars house, tucked in amongst the trees.  The stairs on the back side (which is the side we see here) are part of an outdoor stage.  It was once the President's residence, before the president moved off campus.  It's a lovely building inside as well.

Then, after all my time in the library, I caught one more lovely sight, up in the hundred year old tree.

Off to take some more photos for my assignment.  It isn't that long of an assignment, just very specific and a bit task-y so I wasn't able to take them all at once.  For more SOOC photos, visit Murrieta 365.

M.E.

SOOC Roses

This is part of the rose park I visited earlier this week.  In the middle is a fountain, and you can see a few other folks strolling through the paths, enjoying the multitude of rose varieties.

I think peach and orange are my favorite color of rose, although really, they are all so beautiful in their own way.

 

Some buds/blossoms were individual, while others bloomed in bunches.  I really liked the contrast of the pink against the bright blue sky.

Several of them were two toned, this was 2 layers of purple, while the ones below were red on one side of the petal and white on the other.

Throughout the park, there are labels for each type of rose and for whom it was named.  

All of these photos are straight out of the camera (a bit of cropping, and 1 watermark on this last one).

M.E.

A BIG birthday

I'm not normally one to go out of my way for birthday events, but this year I decided to celebrate through the weekend.  I was planning on traveling, but the place I intended to go is currently battling some flooding, so I improvised.

Friday my work buddies were super cool and we all went out for lunch.  Sunday, I'll be joining my brother and his family for a combo birthday/Mother's day (for my SIL) dinner.

Saturday (my birthday), my friend Angie and I went for a Victoria Tea.  This was new to her and a favorite event for me.  In the spirit of celebrating, and last week's wedding, and this week's Kentucky Derby - I sported a fun new headband with ribbons, lace, and bling. 

They had handmade quilts on each table.  They were all different colors and patterns.  The wallpaper was cream based, with tiny flowers.  There was a hand painted mural on one wall.  I would have taken a photo, but I didn't want to interrupt the laddies at the table in front of it.

The bottom tier had finger sandwiches, which were so delicious I forgot to take a photo of them before we ate them all.  YUM.

The second tier had these scones, fruit, and smoked cheese.  Of course on the table we also had jam and cream for the scones.  This was a particular favorite of Angie's.

The top tier had lemon walnut cookie bars with a glaze, angel food cake with cream and cherries, and dark chocolate fudge wedges. 

Of course we ate this with assorted samplings of tea.  (And no, none of this is on my gluten free plan - but it was my birthday).



The tea house is located in a small suburban town, in an original coach house.  This location is very near a river, with railroads not far as well.  The building was built about 1830 (I think), but was added on a bit to fit in a few more tables.  The tea house has been running for about 26 years, which is quite long in the US.  They are only open lunch hours, but do serve other items off a menu, if the High Tea isn't your style.  We did have to take a few of the sweets home to finish later.  I will definitely be back!

M.E.

More Straight out of the Camera photos, click the camera.

Hydrangea SOOC

I am looking forward to spring for so many reasons, but one is certainly flowers.

I was able to kick start my flower photos at the home and garden show.  

Here is a straight out of the camera shot of Hydrangea flowers.

I have not been overly successful in trying to grow these bushes.  

I never seem to get the acidity balance or pruning correct to keep them flowering so beautifully. 

I do appreciate anyone who can!  

When I was at Lancaster University (northwest England), I came across this huge hydrangea:

I actually walked by it a couple days before I realized what it was, and then I was stunned by it's size.  The continuous rain and more moderate temperatures that summer might have been worth it for this beauty alone.  I also really liked that they hadn't over landscaped anything, but just let the area grow.  It was nice to have a snack outside here on occasion.

More fun SOOC photos visit Murrietta 365.

I hope you're having a good weekend.

M.E.

Sunday Creative and SOOC

Well, it's already dinner time and I am just now getting to my Sunday photo and post.  

I seem to have far more things to do than weekend to do them this time around.  I know you can relate.  

So today I am going to use a photo I took on Wednesday afternoon while waiting to meet up with my Ladies Night dinner folks.  It is near a local college and sets up on a hill.  I was trying to catch the sun, just before it set and as I came around the corner, I was able to catch this view.

It is straight out of the camera (with the watermark added of course).  More SOOC at Murrieta 365.

I am also joining The Sunday Creative this week at Madeline Bea.  This week's creative prompt is Ritual.  I have unconsciously started a ritual of looking for sunrises and sunsets to capture.  The potentially boring commutes are so much better when there is a chance I will see a stunning sunrise.  Also, even in the grayest of days - and we've had months of them by now - there is always a chance of a beautiful sunset.  If I catch one, I am a much happier person to be around.

As a side note, how much would you love this view at the end of every day?  Wow, great little neighborhood with really unique houses.  I had never been there before, but may go back to get a closer look in brighter light. 

I'll share my findings, of course!

M.E.

New Scotland Yard

This is a photo from my 2005 trip in London.  Sure, I hit the usual tourist places and some lesser known haunts, but going to Scotland Yard was kind of a kick for me.  As you can see, it was a bright warm day - not your average weather.  I love the reflection of the city off the glass building and barriers.  There is also a slight reflection of the rotating sign off the granite wall to the right.  This is a straight out of the camera shot.

M.E.

For more reflections:

For more SOOC on Sunday:

Stepping into time

This is a whole new challenge for me this week.  The Red Dress Club hosts a weekly 'red writing hood' prompt and then you write a short story.  This week's prompt asked you to begin your piece with the words, "I could never have imagined" and end it with "Then the whole world shifted."

I could have never imagined I would voluntarily be boarding a train at 7am on a Saturday.  But there I was, bag slung across my body, hopping on and seeking out a seat with a table.  The train from Lancaster to Glasgow runs frequently, but I didn't want to have to fight the crowds later in the morning.  I had brought a book and an iPod, but wasn't too interested in either so early.  My camera stayed stowed for the time being.  This portion of the journey was more about observation than documentation.

About 20 minutes into the trip, a man about my own age boarded and sat across and diagonal from me. He had a messenger bag and seemed to be quickly involved in some academic endeavor or other.  I recognized that look, the ability to immediately zone out of your surroundings and cram all the necessary information into your brain before your final destination.

We arrived in Glasgow and I was struck by the contradictions throughout the city.  As I traveled by bus and on foot, the periods of historic growth and decline were undeniable.  There were industrial areas, with tenement housing and barely recognizable shipyards.  The end of continuous decades of war had left scars in the way of significant loss of industry, jobs and support of families.  I walked on passed the centuries old churchyard on the hill and into the streets lined with Georgian-era stone houses and mansions now developed into office buildings.  I turned the corner and was transported into the Victorian times, where the people really learned how to spend money.  I visited the People's Palace and with eyes to the dark sky, headed toward the 'newest area' of the city, the section the leaders and local economists hoped would revitalize the city.

As I strolled within the pedestrian walkways, I was shocked by the crush of people trying to get to the high end stores, the variety of street entertainers, and the tourists trying to see every last thing.  I saw how the influence of the 21st century had all but erased the stunning history of the city, and the whole world shifted.

 

M.E.

Also linking up today to Jan and Straight out of the camera Sunday.  See more SOOC photos here.

American Hero

When I started this blog it was to share the things I do, the pictures I take and the places I go.  

Most of the time I get to go to fun places and do entertaining things.

This week, however, I had to take a difficult trip and thought it was important to share it with you.

On January first, late in the morning, Deputy Suzanne Hopper became the first police officer in the US killed in the line of duty for 2011.  January first, not even past the first day of the year, not even lunch time and we lost a peace officer to violence.  The trip on Friday was with thousands of others to celebrate her life and show her family how important their daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend was to everyone.  (News story here.)

There were almost 1000 police vehicles from across the country, Maryland to California 

and all points in between.  The procession of cars was 4 miles long.

The cars met early, but due to the large number, it took extra time to get into the church and cemetery. 

They used the largest church in the county, 2 overflow rooms (gym, school) and 

could not fit in everyone who showed up to celebrate her life.

Along the route were signs, lowered flags, and many community members 

who stood in the cold for hours to show their support and thanks.

(These are SOOC and from a moving vehicle, sorry for the blur).

It was very cold and at one point snowing, bless them for staying out there.

Outside the church, no matter where you looked there was a cruiser, fire truck, or medic parked there.  I did not take photos during the portions of the service itself, out of respect for the family.  Just picture people standing elbow to elbow in every space available, using every chair they could find, and crowding around the doors to hear what was being said.

"Suzanne heard another call...our Angel with a Badge."

Scripture and a Snapshot - Katie Lloyd Photography








Straight out of the Camera - Murrieta 365






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.

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.