Poetic Winter Photography Challenge

Bouncing about the Web gives ample opportunity to find inspiration.  I stumbled upon a photo challenge that piqued my interest, Poetic Winter Challenge. A team of creative photographers: Rebecca of Bumbles and Light, Faith of Sweet Violet, Kristi of Love and Live Out Loud, and Project Alicia have laid down the gauntlet asking photographers to join them in pursuit of winter beauty.  Each Friday in February a word for the week provides inspiration. This week solitude fueled the creative juices.

Winter hasn't spread her glistening white gown over nw Ohio much this year, but winter is still about.  I took a walk outside this morning hoping to capture the sun rising in the east reaching pink, orange, or gold fingers out toward furrowed fields, instead fog swirled about a tree firmly entrenched in a hedgerow and I thought...this is solitude.

You'll discover how others view solitude at....

Texture Tuesday: Sweet Simplicity

There's a sweetness about simplicity,whether it's a photo, a cookie recipe, the song of a robin, or a project.

It's been a couple weeks since I participated in any photo challenges and my but it feels good to join Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  The one criteria for this weeks photo challenge:  use at least one layer of Kim's texture, simplicity.  So here's my one layer-textured photo.

  

Yesterday I tried a new cookie recipe, Chewy Chocolate Chip and Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies. Oh man...they're a bit healthier, simple to make, but full of flavor.  Check them out on the Delish website. 

One morning last week I thought I heard a robin singing.  I looked out the window to find robins perched in trees, hopping on the ground, and singing to their heart's content as if it was a spring day in May.  I opened the door and listened to the sweet, simple melodies that I adore.  Surely, I thought, these red-breasted fliers must be on their way to a warmer  place.  Yesterday, I glanced out the window and the berries still clinging to the shrubs across the street were being devoured by robins. 

No, no it's too soon...fly to the south and be warm.

  The little cookie bags make sweet, inexpensive party favors or gifts. 

 I cut out wax paper and folded it over leaving extra at the top.  A quick sew up on each side created the bag. Hearts were cut from copies of my mother's handwritten recipes or red paper and then glued to the flap. I added a baker's twine bow.  Use double sided tape to hold the flap down and there you have it...a simple bag for a cookie treat. 

There's more layers of texture and beauty at....

Have a wonderful day!