Winter Dreary

The weather was so gorgeous the other day my little guy and I played outside for more than two hours! (And if you don't think that's a long time to do one thing, you haven't met my toddler.) Anyway, I grabbed some great shots, even with the dreary winter background. Thought I'd share some ideas with you.

For several shots I used an old shed on our property as background. It's prettier than dead trees, that's for sure. For other shots I put the camera almost on the ground (he's short...) and took the shots at an upward angle. Although people often look more flattering from an above angle, the outside light gives him great color, and hey, what can I say, he's just a good-looking kid, no matter which way I look at him : ). This angle gives me sky as background, which again, in nicer than the grass in this season!

In this shot I kept the shed as the background, but changed the camera's angle so you just don't notice all the leaves and such. Sure, they are there, but the focus in on my subject-- where it should be.

Well, there you have it. My two cents on taking pictures in February! I'll wish you great success with yours, but hurry. They are calling for snow.

Confetti!

Last week I posted a blog (I am a Scrapbooker) in which I published a 250 word reply to a writing challenge. Yesterday I discovered, to my own surprise, I won! My attempt at creative writing is now posted at Something She Wrote, along with some very thoughtful comments from Janna's usual readers.

All of which is somewhat ironic to me, because on the same day I wrote this response I also took a quiz posted on another of my favorite blogs, A Classic Housewife. I was unsurprised to learn that I am a very left brained person. (I scored 14 for left brain, 4 for right.) I love order, structure, routine, and guidelines. In fact, when there are no guidelines, I often create them for myself.

So what in the world am I doing in the middle of not one, but two, very creative fields? Scrapbooking and fictional writing?

Ya got me.

But at least you know I'll have your projects finished for you on time!

What Do You Say?

My grandfather passed away Thursday; today is his funeral. I wanted to make a card for Eunice, my step-grandma. She and Grandpa married after both lost their first spouses. What do you say to a person who must bury a second husband?

I don't know if any of these could convey what they are meant to express, but for lack of better words, here are some sympathy quotes I like best.


Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. ~John Taylor

Life is eternal, and love is immortal,and death is only a horizon;and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. ~Rossiter Worthington Raymond

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. ~William Penn

When he shall die
Take him and cut him out in little stars
And he will make the face of heav'n so fine
That all the world will be in love with night
And pay no worship to the garish sun.
~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

If the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time. ~Beth Mende Conny

You don't get over it, you just get through it. Your don't get by it, because you can't get around it. It doesn't 'get better'; it just gets different. Everyday... Grief puts on a new face.... ~Wendy Feireisen

know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love. ~Leo Buscaglia

They say love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. ~William Penn

Preserving Everything

I'm actually doing it. A project I've meant to start for over two years now. I'm scrapbooking my childhood.

Obviously this is a BIG project. My basement stairs are covered in photo albums, sorority composites, grade cards, and hand-written stories from 5th grade. I keep finding more things in the depths of the space that is "under the stairs" and piling them up in overflowing mounds, just asking to be tripped over. I purchased the largest D-ring binder (think 3-ring) available, but I'm just not sure it's going to do the job.

I ran out of adhesive Wednesday, so I'm going to Hobby Lobby today to get more. At the rate I'm going I'll have over $50 worth of adhesive invested in this album. And so far I'm up to second grade...

But it will be worth it. The grand picture I have in my head is of something less "artistic" and more about preserving, well, everything. I'm using mostly 12x12 pages, with 8 1/2 x 11 page protectors for things like awards and drawings of people with no bodies. Scattered here and there are a few 8x8s and 6x6s tossed in to hold stuff like birthday cards and second grade journals.

I can't wait to show it to you!

I am a Scrapbooker...

not a writer. Just to be clear. But this, well, I just couldn't pass it up. My friend Janna posted a writing challenge on her blog, Something She Wrote. You'll need to check it out before going on or this won't make any sense. (Not that that would be unusual...)

So, as you can see, Janna has a 70 year old envelope addressed to Father Flanagan of Boys Town. And she has asked for a small story to accompany the letter. Like I said, I'm a scrapper, not a writer, but this project calls to the scrapper in me. It asks for a story to be preserved. And you know how I feel about that! So here goes.



Nellie sat against the wall, feeling the icy wind whistle through the cracks and seep under her worn sweater. In front of her were two girls, sisters, playing with a scrap of a doll. The oldest sister tied a handkerchief around the cloth body, hiding the many imperfections. Nellie lowered her eyes into her arms. She wasn’t old enough to know the words, but her heart knew it was hard to watch this small family.

Downstairs the front door hit the wall. A small commotion followed and then silence.

A moment, an hour later--time meant so little here--a woman walked through the girls’ dormitory. She held out a hand to Nellie and the girl took it silently. With soft footsteps the two made their way to Father Flanagan’s office.

Perched on the edge of a chair, hands clasped tightly in her lap, Nellie waited.

“Nellie,” Father said. “These are for you.” In his outstretched hand Nellie saw three small packages. Shyly, Nellie reached forward and took the candy. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You may go back and play now,” Father told her gently.

Nellie slid down till her toes touched the floor and scooted quickly from the room. Back inside the office the woman looked to Father Flanagan. “The letter?” she questioned. Father shook his head. “They cannot take her, poor dear.” The woman’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Will you tell her?”

“Later,” Father replied. “For now, let her enjoy the chocolate.”

To Be or Not To Be?

I love scrapbooking. That much should be obvious. But some of you may not know I also love teaching. Anything really. I loved teaching kindergarten before my son was born. I love teaching classes at junior high church camp. I love teaching music to the preschoolers during Sunday School. Which brings me to the question:

Should I teach scrapbooking?

Several of you have asked if I do classes. Up till now the answer has always been no. But I'm thinking.

If you did take a scrapbooking class, what would you expect? Would you want to bring your own materials, or purchase them as part of the class? Would you want one long session, or a series of shorter classes? Are week nights better, or would weekends work for you?

I can't wait to hear from you!

Crunch Time

If it hasn't already occurred to you that the most romantic day of the year is only a week away, it will soon. The grocery store I frequent even has a countdown on a chalkboard right as you walk in. So it is officially "crunch time." And while cards and pictures are taken care of, there is still... THE GIFT. And ladies, what do you get a guy?

The radio has been full of commericals for things I'd love-- tulips or roses, earrings, even silky pj's that come in a hat box. One channel keeps giving away $150 good towards a maid service.

But there has not been one advertisement I am aware of with a good idea for what to get your guy.

So, here, complied from various websites, are my favorite ideas. And please-- tell me yours! It's so crunch time!

• Electronic accessories, i tunes gift certificate, or car charger
• Fav guy movies through the ages-- the Godfather, James Bond, ya know
• Upgrade his cable package with a sports network
• Personalized M&Ms
• Thoughtful notes tucked into his briefcase, coat pocket, desk drawer, driver's seat etc.
• Gift certificate for an experience he's always wanted like driving a NASCAR, ride in a rodeo, or attend master BBQ school
• Hide chocolate in small packages all over the house
• Create a music video with pictures of you together
• Cookie Bouquet

What are you doing?

Quotes

Since we've been on this subject (or at least I have been) today I'm posting quotes you might be able to use in a Valentine's Day card, scrapbook page, or note in your husband's coat pocket. Whatever works for you.



To live without loving is to not really live. ~ Moliere



Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. ~ Aristotle



If music be the food of love, play on. ~ William Shakespeare



A temporary insanity curable by marriage. ~ Ambrose Bierce



The love we give away is the only love we keep. ~Elbert Hubbard



To love is nothing.... to be loved is something... to love, and be loved is everything. ~Unknown



Life, the gift of nature

Love, the gift of life

A Kiss, the gift of Love. ~ Unknown



Love conquers all things; let us too surrender to love. ~Virgil



I love you more now....than when you beganto read this card



You're nothing short......of my everything



I love being loved by you



Happiness is being married to my best friend



When I count my blessings I count you twice

February

February! The month of truly exciting holidays like... Ground hog's Day! And great weather too. It might get, well... cool instead of cold!

Seriously, the best part it that it's only 28 days long!

So to add some cheer to my otherwise non-interesting morning, I'm putting all the Valentine's items on sale over at Designs of Mine.

Now that is something to be excited about!