Change

Change... That is my word for 2013. Things need to change... In a big way. I had a dream the other day where I missed out on a huge opportunity. I really can't get it out of my mind. In the dream, I was on an art retreat with amazing people and I missed out because I wasn't ready. Things need to change. Like the phoenix rises from the ashes, I need to rise as well.

All is Calm

This week's prompt at52 Photos Project is, "All is Calm."  That is exactly how I feel after a beautiful snow storm, especially when I don't have to travel.  It's not often that we have a White Christmas in this part of the world.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 25

Beef Wellington- Christmas tradition

25 Days of Christmas- Day 24

Nothing to say

25 Days of Christmas - Day 23

Silliness

Me and Mom

25 Days of Christmas - Day 22

Trompe l'oeil at my fav restaurant

25 Days of Christmas - Day 21

I'm sitting and watching the tree... Feeling very alone

25 Days of Christmas - Day 20

Listening to music and watching the tree

25 Days of Christmas - Day 19

We have the biggest tree on our block but at Christmas I like to make it a mini-tree

My skip tree

The Roads I Travel

The prompt this week at 52 Photos project is "Roads I Travel"  As Bella said it will be different for all of us.

The first thing I thought of when I saw the prompt was the little road I take at the end of my journey home.  It starts out residential but then has at twisty-turney section of trees and a drop off to the creek.  When I get to this curve, I can already feel how good it is to be home.

Two years ago, we had a blizzard and we weren't able to get out for two days.

The Road into Town

Yes. that is a road, somewhere in the middle.

This is looking in the other direction.

The Balloon

This is the same view as above.  I was coming home this past summer and this is what I saw as soon as I went around the curve.  Yes, it is about to touch the treetops.  Fortunately it landed safely and everyone was ok. 

Who knows what I will find next on my road home.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 18

Chris Mouse and the cheese tree

What's Cooking??

The prompt this week at 52 Photos Project is "What's Cooking?" 

Since we got a great loaf of bread Saturday in South Philly, I decided to make eggs in a hole for breakfast yesterday along with some grilled tomatoes.

I also picked up a bag of Risotto with Truffles to make for dinner.  It was the easiest risotto that I ever made.  Here it is absorbing a glass of wine before I add hot water.

The risotto was so good, I forgot to take a picture of it when it was finished!

25 Days of Christmas - Day 16

Baccala in South Philly

25 days of Christmas - Day 15

Music tonight

25 days of Christmas - Day 14

25 Days of Christmas-Day 13

Holiday Party at work before the crowd

25 Days of Christmas - Day 12

My pointsettia

25 Days of Christmas - Day 11

Pink glitter Ball

25 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Christmas parade is coming

Morning/Evening

Morning



This week at "52 Photos Project" brings the prompt Morning/Evening.  I decided to take my pictures on Saturday in order to highlight one of my favorite events.  Every year in early December, our town hosts "the burning of the Phoenix."  It's a little festival with music, crafts and fire dancers culminating in a giant bonfire.  This year's bird was an especially impressive design.

Evening



25 Days of Christmas - Day 9

Rockin' the vintage 70's tree plate

25 Days of Christmas - day 8

My buddy Brody

25 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Waiting for the parade

25 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Deck lights

25 Days of Christmas - Day 5

We're Baaaack

25 Days of Christmas - Day 4

The tree is done

25 Days of Christmas - Day 3

Angel Christmas lights

25 Days of Christmas - Day 2

The porch under the witches hat at the Angel of the Sea, Cape May, NJ

25 Days of Christmas - Day 1

I can't believe it's that time of year again, but it's time for the 25 Days of Christmas photos

The skies above

Haena, Kauai, HI

I was so excited when I saw the theme for this week's 52 Photos Project.  One of my favorite things to photograph is the sky.  There are so many emotions that can be seen in the changing weather from peaceful tranquility to turbulent storms to amber magnificence.

Phoenixville, PA

I have taken so many more sky photos than ever since I got my iPhone.  I think I am addicted.

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA

Pine Island, OBX, NC

King of Prussia, PA

Phoenixville, PA

The Closed Window

This week's photo prompt at the 52 Photos Project is called The Closed Window.   Leonie said, "They say, “Eyes are the window to the soul”. Well, how about making photographs with this window closed? The body language of a person can say a great deal about that person - how they are feeling in a particular moment. "

Try a portrait without showing the face of your subject. And with this, try to show the expressions, emotions, feelings and the personality of the moment."   

 I brought my Mom to our house on Wednesday to stay with us for Thanksgiving.  After braving the Mall for Black Friday and then taking a little nap, we went to our favorite local restaurant for dinner.  Michael and I prefer to eat at the bar because the conversation is great.  We finally got Mom used to sitting there and now she really likes it. 

 Friday night they had live entertainment as usual,but with Mom, we would usually leave before it began because she doesn't like loud music.  (She is 90) On this night they had a singer guitarist who was wonderful!  He wasn't overly loud so we decided to stay a little while.  Well, Mom just LOVED it!  she was tapping the bar and tapping her feet.  She was totally intriguedwith him.  It was really fun to watch. 

 I took her picture from behind.  I hope it really conveys how happy she was.  

Illuminate

This week's prompt at 52 Photos Project is illuminate. Bella said,  "Light from an electronic device can create a dramatic photo. Most of us own at least one electronic gadget! Practice this illumination technique and share what you capture here on Wednesday. Alternate light sources: candle light, low lamp light, fireplace, or string lights."

I chose to play with my favorite kitchen tea lights.  I love the way that the flame is reflected in the countertop.  Michael even decided to get in the game and took one of me.  

Holding

The theme for this week's 52 Photos project is Holding.  Bella wrote, "Go out and hold something.  Long enough to appreciate that special moment."  I started writing this post and it ended up going in a completely different direction than I had planned, so I kept the original as a draft and I am using a journal post that I wrote while I was at Pine Island.



"Squam by the Sea is an amazing place.  The smell of the Russian Olive bushes scents the air with beauty.  The sound of the crashing waves is heavenly music.  As much as I hate being alone, this is just what I need right now.  I need time to reorder, re-prioritize my life. (Where I work) is not my number one priority.  It is not the meaning of my life.  I do not belong there."

"As I listen to the waves breaking, I feel like they are breaking down the walls inside me, the things that are holding me back.  I am so much a better me than I have been acting."

"As I was walking the beach today, I was drawn to pick up broken bits of shells, and put them in my pockets.  I walked past two homes that were devastated by fire, a total loss for two families"
But as the saying goes, "Out of the ashes, rises the phoenix"

"And so will I.  My life has been ashes lately, a burned out shell.  I think that is why I was drawn to the broken shells, just as I was in kauai.  This time is filling the holes in my soul, just like the shells filled my pockets."

"I will be going home with full pockets"

Celebrate!

The theme at 52 Photos this week is Celebrate! and that's what this weekend was about.  We went to one of my favorite restaurants Saturday night for my early birthday dinner...

Sunday I made one of my favorite comfort foods, Pot Roast!!

And yesterday I celebrated with a day off from work, Yippee!! And I was surprised with roses!

Happy Birthday to me :)