Cancer Sucks

"Though sorrow may impede my heart, it is of great love to have known you." 

 

Another brave and gentle soul gone too soon from this awful disease. 😔

So It Begins.......

   

We could not hold out for much longer as December has finally arrived. The much anticipated (ahem dreaded) arrival of the elf on the shelf is upon us. Yes, the little elf with the questionable smile.  It's as if he knows the mixed emotions that he brings. 24 days of morning excitement with the little people wondering where he will be and what mischief he may have gotten himself into. 24 days of hope that good behavior is reported to Santa and he is allowed to return to continue to observe. 

But look at him. Just look at him! That Mona Lisa smile and glaring eyes. He knows what the next 24 days will really be like. 24 daily bits of stress......a slow daily pinch of torture all for the sake of pulling off the elf on the shelf tradition without a hitch. If only it was that easy. 

 
The annual debate.... "Do we unstitch the hands for the sake of executing a unique posture or placement?"  I have to admit, his hands have been restitched a few times. However with each stitching I almost experience a crude elf voodoo doll form of enjoyment.

The never ending battle with the stiff legs. The legs that will not bend! For an elf who is supposed to sit, he sucks at it! Not only will his legs not bend, but he constantly has to be propped and held up into a sitting position. The frequent checking on him in the evening and during the day to ensure he has stayed in his place before and after he has been found. 

It's as if he has this disproportionate extensor tone that continuously battles against any seated position.  It's almost spiteful. Just like a strong willed toddler, at any given moment stretching himself out into full extension hoping that someone will catch him in his rebellion against staying still.

 And the nightly dilemma of where to put the stinkin' thing. Brainstorming for either a location that he has not already been in or a mischievous pickle that has not been caught doing. This year we have to be more creative and limit his whereabouts for the chance that he may get eaten by the family pet as a midnight snack. A thought that does not necessarily make me shudder. 

The thought of the overall process, staying creative and remembering the nightly placement of the elf often seems daunting and tiring.  I know. ......First world problems. I get it. 

Yes, it is tiring, but being a parent is also tiring. Yet it is something we lovingly do everyday for a much, much longer time span. All for the love of our children and for the love of the cherished memories and traditions that it will bring. Along with the funny stories that will be told when they are grown. 

And so it begins..........another year and another season with the return of the "star" cast member to our home in the countdown to Christmas. The Elf on the Shelf. 

 

How is your countdown going? Enjoy the next 24 days everyone! 

~Lisa

http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-49-2/

A sign of Thanksgiving

First Thanksgiving Bloom

Just in time for the holiday.

Comfy Spot

"Comfy Spot"

 "COZY DREAM"

Toasty fire, comfy socks and hot cup of tea.......Feels like a "dream."

"Love"...a Black and White Blog Circle

Fours weeks sure did go by fast! I can not believe it is already time for the February installment of the B&W blog circle.  This month's theme was Love. A very appropriate theme for the month of February I thought. So the goal was to capture Love in Black and White.....ok, not as easy of a task as I thought.  I kept seeing things in "color" vs black and white. Aside from looking for opportunities to photograph people expressing love to each other, I found it challenging.  So I tried to think outside my own box and this is what I came up with. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts.

 I took these photos........

For the love of doing what you enjoy.

Yes, I took a photo very similar to this one before. So why not repeat what you love doing?

For all the "sweet" little reminders of love that are everywhere during this time of the year.

For the love of a good cup of tea in the quiet early morning hours before everyone wakes up. 

For the love of a good piece of chocolate.  Mmmmmmmm.....

For the love of reading and a well written story.

For the love of her own sense of style. <3

For the love of his eyelashes, freckles and his inability to resist giggling and smiling.

 Especially when told not to do so.<3

For the genuine reminders that I am loved. <3

For the love and commitment that these two rings represent.  Thirteen years of marriage and counting.....<3

I hope you enjoyed my interpretation of this months theme and felt the love!  Continue on with this blog circle and view some amazing black and white photography by some pretty talented people. You can do so beginning with Rebecca over at Rebecca Wyatt Photography and see her monthly captures of "Love."  You can find her by clicking HERE.

See you next month!

~ Lisa 

"In the Kitchen"...... a Black and White Blog Circle

While I love color photos and I often drool over the ones that just seem to have the right amount of color and color scheme, black and white photos are my favorite. To me, black and whites tell the story and capture your attention by eliminating distracting backgrounds or colors and draws you in to the details or emotions captured in the photo. Very recently I was provided the opportunity to participate in a blog circle. A small gathering of photographers, given a theme/prompt for their interpretation to be captured and share at least 5 photos on the 15th of each month. This blog circle is all about Black and White photos! So I am excited for this opportunity and to give it a try. The first theme/prompt given is "In the Kitchen."
 My goal from this day forward is to share photos recently taken. However, I hopped on board to this blog circle only 2 short days ago so in this first post I have also included some older photos. Here is my interpretation of "In the Kitchen."

First and foremost, I thought to myself.... if I am to show you what is "in my kitchen" then I should show you what it looks like.  Well, here it is......pretty simple, functional, nothing fancy and usually not this organized. LOL. There is usually more evidence of life around here because this room is really the heart of this house.

Along with what seems like endless dishes, usually there is always some form of cookware ready to go on the stove top. I have steadily acquired several pieces of antique and new cast iron cookware, which I absolutely love! They are great to cook with and the rustic look and feel to them are just up my alley.

Majority of our everyday family life and interactions occur seated at our kitchen island. 

Oddly, our kitchen table tends to be used more as a collection space for mail, backpacks, toys or as you can see.... a temporary music stand more than it does a dinner table.

    

 Aside from evening meals together, our kitchen island is a place for spending time with family and enjoying a sweet treat.....

for homework......

for celebrations.......

  for impromptu and unconventional family pictures...

  as well as a spot to quietly capture the makings of a late night snack......

Next you will see that we have a new addition to our family located IN our kitchen.  Despite all the technology, communications, linked and synced electronic calendars, keeping our schedules straight is always a challenge.

 Enter what we call........drum roll please......The Mother Board.

 

We hope that this "Mother Board" will help keep our busy schedules running smoothly. Yes it is a bit old school, I am always open to simpler old school ways, but it is big.  I mean it is 4 ft x 6 ft IN YOUR FACE BIG! The photo may not do it justice. However, with this thing staring at us in the face day in, day out, on the way in and out of the kitchen, it is bound to keep us on track.  No more excuses! 

There you have it, my interpretation of "In the Kitchen."  Till next time! I am excited to be a part of this group and am eager to see what next month will bring.

You can follow along the blog circle and view more black and white photos and other talented people by visiting Dina Farmer at Blueberries and Bokeh. Check out what is in her kitchen.

~Lisa