Happy New Year

Merry Christmas

Bad Photo

Sooooo....I didn't have a lot of time today to take a photo to use with Kim Klassen's  texture, Rejoice. Nope, it was a rushed affair.  I've been taking a photo everyday rather than delve into my stash. Anyhow...the photo turned out bad and it didn't fit with the texture at all. No matter which way I tried to spin it I had problems getting the look I wanted.

Bad photo, that's what it is.

So what to do... hide it in the trash, tell everyone a stranger grabbed my camera and shot this hideous photo, or go ahead and stick it on the blog saying to the world....  Hey I'm not perfect!  I chose the latter.

So without further adieu let me introduce to you the Charlie Brown Christmas tree of photos...

Eeeeewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww......

Now if you want to see photos that really make Kim's textures pop head to her website blog.



 

PS You will not find this photo on my flickr photostream.

Christmas Greens

The fresh smell of pine wafts through the house when the tree is brought in to be decorated.  It was an exciting time when we went off to find the Christmas, whether it was cut-fresh from a tree farm or selected from a local Christmas tree vendor it's what I imagine the bringing in of the yule log must have been like from the Christmases of long, long ago.  The stories of ancient Christmas traditions fascinates me.  I prefer to use fresh greens over artificial.  Fresh white pine that reminds of me of spidery fireworks in shades of green creates a base.  The legendary holly bearing plump red berries is so lovely to set upon window sills and add to garlands, wreaths, and in arrangements.  And then, English ivy, the little evergreen with so much spunk that it will grow up stone and brick walls.
  


So I gathered a few greens and those bright berries that wink at me outside my window. Placed in an English trug the greens and berries could be from the Christmases of Eleanor of Aquitaine or Anne Boleyn.  I love that about Christmas...the tradition, the legends, the lore, the memories.

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The textures used on the photo are Kim Klassen's new one for today, Providence layered twice, and then Edward to add a timeless look.  You'll find more tantalizing textured treasures at....

Make a Joyful Noise

Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Around the age of 7 or 8 I taught myself to play the piano.  I was gifted with the ability to play the piano by ear. My sister, B, started taking piano lessons.  She came home, sat at the old upright and practiced scales and songs.  I listened closely and waited with anxious anticipation for her to be finished.  Now it was my turn to pick out the notes through trial and error that she'd just played. It wasn't long until side-by-side we sat at the piano, B showing  and teaching me how to read music.  I never learned correct fingering, but I learned to play the piano well enough without ever taking a lesson from a teacher besides my sister. 
I played trumpet and French horn in the band, but it was always the piano that enchanted me. Then one day I had a little girl of my own. She learned to play the piano through the instruction of several area pianists, but  she wanted to play the flute.

 And boy...could she play the flute.  Her sound was rich with lush bravado.  To this day I love the sound of the flute, the violin, and the piano, my three favorite instruments.

When I think back music enriched my life from the deep baritone of my dad's voice to the sweet lilting notes of my daughter's flute.  My sister went on to get her degree in music and teach.  I went on to play the piano in the solitary confines of the parlor, and my daughter...once in a great while she picks up her flute and makes a joyful noise that this mama adores.

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Oh that Kim Klassen!  She's done it again with yet another lovely texture titled, Lola.  The flute photo is layered with Lola and also Kim's Wonderful Magic Stars.  Search for more textured beauties here...

More Texturizing

I'm collecting each of Kim Klassen's textures, but I've not had time to put them into action so I'm behind.  Here's a couple photos I with a couple of her textures.
 
The first one, Snow Globe, has been textured with first storm and then more magic scratches.


The second photo has a layer of storm also and then a layer of wonderful magic scripted, another charming texture created by Kim Klassen. 


I hope each of you are making merry as the holidays approach on a fast sleigh of time. 

Day 3 & 4: Ribbons & Bows

There's just so much to do: gifts to wrap, cards to finish (yes, I'm late), gingerbread men to create, and more baking.  With all this busy, I missed yesterday's 12 Days of Textures, but I'm using the two textures Kim offered on today's photos.  I'm all about ribbons and bows.  I've said it before: I love ribbons of all colors and kinds. One can never have too many ribbons. 


This photo was layered with Look-Up first, followed by Edward, yesterday's texture.



I cross-processed With Love and then added today's texture gift: Zuzu.  Kim does an amazing job creating these lovelies that adds to the story of each photo with depth and pattern.  I'm so lovin' this 12 days of textures that I've challenged myself to complete.  Wanna see more texture love?  Click below...



I hope you find time to savor the moments leading up to Christmas with a cup of tea, a hint of serenity, and a heaping helping of love. 

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Now a Rant and a Plea

For the last couple weeks I've been having problems viewing the blogs of others.  Some of the images come through, but then others do not.  I have no idea why I'm having this problem.  It's frustrating to no end.  I've researched the problem, followed the instructions all for naught...nothing changed.  Anyone have any ideas why there are red X's in the corners where images should appear?  Any solutions? 

Also, I'm having problems commenting on some blogs.  For some reason, I keep getting sent back to change my Google ID.  After re-typing the information all ready there, I'm sent back again. I can't give different information because there's only the one.   Any suggestions or ideas would be so appreciated.

Day 3: Of Inspiration & Red Berries

Inspiration is all around, often in the most obscure places and things.  The red berries that I see outside my window have been a source of inspiration and beauty through fall and still they cling to the branch as winter fast approaches.  It's the color red, like a shiny object, that draws me in. 

This is day three of Kim Klassen's 12 Days of Textures.  I used two of the textures for today's photo.  The first, Lily, was multiplied on to the photo and faded a tad.  The  new texture for today, Cosmos, was overlayed on top and faded to 42%.  Do you see that light in the distance?  That's the light coming from creative souls you can find at .....

Day 2: Mom's Recipe Box

One of the happiest holiday memories I hold deep in my soul is baking with my mom and siblings. What fun we had frosting cookies and each other.  Oh my the glorious smells that wafted through the house during the holidays...sugar cookies, gingerbread men, peanut butter blossoms, and many more.  She was a passionate candy maker, too.  Chocolate fudge, peanut butter fudge, penuche fudge, divinity, peanut brittle, buckeyes, caramels and taffy filled tins. 

As we grew up and moved on with our own lives, we still came together to make candy. By the time each of us arrived the recipe box was open with a stack of recipes at the ready.  We got busy kneading, mixing, dipping, and creating.  Sisters and sister-in-laws came and went as life sent us in various directions, but the tradition continued for those who could make it until my mom became too ill to open her recipe box.

Now when I hold those recipes in my hands and admire the lovely handwriting that was my mom's I can hear the music of her kitchen; the deep, rich sounds of Bing Crosby singing White Christmas, the laughter of the ladies in my life, and for a moment she is right here once again.

*Blowing a kiss to the heavens above*

This is day two of Kim Klassen's 12 Days of Textures.  Each day she's sharing a texture that can be downloaded for free.  Here's your chance to give textures a try on your photography.  Follow the cookie crumb trail here.

Celebrate Them Home

I've not done so well capturing 25 days in December, but maybe I can get in Kim Klassen's Twleve Days of Texture.  She's giving away a texture each day for the next 12 days.  It's amazing how a texture tells a different photographic story. 

The ornament hangs on my friend MJ's tree.  It's one of those lovely retro ornaments that we hold dear and inspires to recall Christmas past. Each year as I decorate I am reminded how I got this ornament, where that Santa came from, and mostly of those that are no longer near by. Oh how I wish I could celebrate them home. 


I fell in love with today's texture, Lily, by Kim Klassen.  Find more texture love here.

Of Buckeyes & Holidays

Here in Ohio we're all about buckeyes. Yep, we gather buckeyes, the nuts from an indigenous tree, and add them to our fall decor.  My family cheers the Buckeyes on every fall Saturday, even through tough times.  And when the holidays roll around...it's time to make... 


It's a tradition in my family to spend a couple hours mixing the creamy peanut butter center, shaping into balls,and then dipping in chocolate leaving a circle on top.  The end result looks just like a buckeye.  

Mmmmmm....buckeye love!

Even if you don't live in Ohio you can give these tasty little treats a try.  They're easy to make and oh my....it's melt-in-your-mouth, peanut butter goodness.

B u c k e y e s

1/2 cup of crunchy or creamy peanut butter

1/4 lb. of butter

3/4 lb (2 2/3 cups) confectioner's sugar

12 ounces of Nestle chocolate chips

A bit less than a 1/4 bar of paraffin

To a large bowl add peanut butter, butter, and confectioner's sugar.  Mix ingredients with your hands until the mixture becomes well blended and creamy, but firm.  Refrigerate for an hour or so. Roll into 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch balls and refrigerate until firm.   

Pour chocolate chips into the top of a double boiler and shave paraffin using a vegetable peeler on top.  Melt chocolate and paraffin until all is smooth.  Using toothpicks dip each ball into the chocolate leaving a circle of the peanut butter middle showing on top. Place buckeyes on parchment or waxed paper and let set until chocolate is no longer sticky to touch.  Do not place in 'fridge to set.

Enjoy! 

PS There IS a difference between horse chestnuts and buckeyes. 

Texture Tuesday: Celebrate Light

When I think about the word celebrate a multitude of images comes to mind.  Delicious foods shared with family and friends, shouts of Happy Birthday and Congratulations, laughter, witty banter, and light...yes light.  So many celebrations bring out the candles from birthday cakes to  romantic dinner tables to mantles dressed up for the holidays.  For a romantic like me, candles say it all.  



I used two different textures created by Kim Klassen.  The first layer, added after cropping, was Look-Up.  I faded it a bit.  The last layer, Pour Vous, was also faded.  The photo was taken in my light box. I picked up poster board and cut it to size for the background and what a difference it makes. Definitely smoother. 

Kim Klassen hosts Textured Tuesday each week where a bounty of photographers add their textured beauties.  Click the box belong and be swept away...

Holiday Shopping & Stuff

There's something going on around here. Little shops are springing up and it's exciting! Last Saturday, MJ and I galivanted about Williams County visiting shops. To give you a bit of background...Williams county lies in the very northwest corner of Ohio bordered by Indiana to the west and Michigan to the north. With a population of less than 38,000 you just know there's room to stretch. The county was hit hard by the economic woes the country faces and as of October 2011 the unemployment rate continues in double digits at 10%. 

So what's a rural area that relied on Detroit to do?

Get creative!  Set up shop! And oh how imaginative entrepeneurs are grabbing on to the possibilities and making them work...

Our first stop was at a holiday shop in West Unity.  You'll hear more about that shop in a later post, so let's travel down the road to Stryker, Ohio and...

The Green Awning

Yep, I've given you a bit of insight into the Green Awning in a previous post,but let me tell you...Kathy & Tom Short do it up right for the holidays.  Everything was bright, cheerful, and beautiful from antiques & old stuff in the window...

to the clove-studded oranges beneath an old stove...

After catching up with old friends and laughing at Kathy's Christmas hat, with a wave we were on way to Bryan and the...

East Mulberry Gift Cottage

What vintage love is found within the whimsical vignettes of Sharon & Gary Gyurnek's shop.  Birds in purses, perched on iron farm implement seats and everywhere creates a natural ambiance that pulls browsers and buyers into Sharon's world.  Look up....

  to find teacups hanging from twiggy branches on soft, silken ribbons.

Look down...

and there it is... a vintage suitcase just waiting to come home with me and be filled with dreams of far away places and crazy adventures.

Across the square sits Special Ocassions,one of my favorite stores in the area.  I'm saving this little gem for another post, so let's hurry out of town and to...

Fox Farms Christmas in the Barn

A clutch of hens and roosters greeted us as we walked toward the big barn.  Just outside the barn, a whimsical arrangement bid welcome and enter

Within the barn everlastings hung in huge bundles, ready to be crafted into wreaths, swags, garlands, and more. 

A loft circled with tiny white lights held more drieds

Karin Fox takes the everlastings and fashions one- of-a-kind-wreaths-and-designs. The Barn is open every Saturday through December 10th.

The Green Awning Gallery

Tom & Kathy Short

106 Defiance Street

Stryker, Ohio  43557

(419) 682-7432

E. Mulberry Gift Cottage

Sharon & Gary Gyurnek

847 E Mulberry Street

Bryan, Ohio  43506

(419) 630-0100

Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10-6  Saturday 10-4

Fox Farms

Jerry & Karin Fox

09 319 Rd 750

Edon, Ohio  43518

(419) 272-2278

Open every Saturday through December 10th 10-4

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A December Photo Challenge: 25 photos in 25 days

 December 1 Berries & Bokeh

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I'm not quite finished.  Don't forget about the Holiday Planner under the Gift for You page. You're welcome to download, copy it, print it, and share it anyway and anywhere you like. 

Have a delightful December Day!

Texture Tuesday: Gratitude

November is coming to a close and this is my last gratitude post, so I'm once again joining the talented photographers that submit photos to Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.  The inspiration behind this weeks' photos was gratitude.  If you've never journaled your gratitude, you really should give it a go.  Before you nod off for a night's rest, jot down five things that you're grateful for.  There's a sense of well-being when we're thankful for the little things that make a life: the beauty of rain on a petal, the silly knock-knock joke your 8 year told you, the pretty ribbon found in the bottom of a box. 

 I took the photo in my homemade light box, but it's just not quite big enough, so I'll be constructing a bigger, better one soon.  The photo was a little over-exposed and I left it alone.  I typed in the text and faded it out some. I added Kim Klassen's texture, music lovin', and faded it a bit, too.

Now dash over to Kim's Cafe for more texture photos and become inspired. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Another great vintage image from The Graphics Fairy



Gratitude & a Gift

 I found memories and creation dreams left behind in a box that remained closed for nearly 15 years. Tucked inside were mounds of fabric, lace, ribbon, and  of all things jingle bells.  The luxurious sheen of a pastel brocade, the sweet fleurs on a French ribbon, and the delicate beauty of cream lace made my heart delight in simple things.  I'm thankful that I found that box filled with such lovely textiles, but I'm even more grateful to be on this journey of finding those things I left behind, rediscovered, and still they bring so much joy. 

This photo, taken in my homemade lightbox, has two textures adding a bit more vintage and age. I used Kim Klassen's Portrait & And then Some textures on the photo after using a sepia tone, faded a bit to bring out the color.  If texture is your thing, check out more textured photos at Kim Klassen's cafe. 


 

What's a Light Box?

If you're as curious as I was after reading this post at You'll Shoot Your Eye Out, then go ahead and follow the trail to Leavesnbloom Photography and just when you think you're there...follow me down the rabbit hole to Ramblings and Photos   Enjoy the journey! 

A Gift for You

I love messing about on the computer and I also love planners.  So I came up with the idea to create a Holiday Planner.  Time is flying and getting organized for the holidays just makes sense. So...you can download the entire planner in pdf form.  Pick up a folder with pockets and voila! You'll have everything at your fingertips from gift list to menu planner to a calendar. You'll also find the websites of angels who offer some wonderful free images and recipe cards. I've included a sugar cookie recipe that is a family heirloom.  These are the best sugar cookies ever!  Just click on the Gift for You page and you'll  find the planner.  

Happy Holidays! 

Gratitiude

 SOOC on a Frosty Morning

I've been struggling with my gratitude post this week.  Not because I have nothing to be grateful for, but because I have so many blessings that I can't decide which ones to write about. So I'm doing a free thought writing exercise...from head to fingers to blog.

Early in the week I received marvelous news from a friend that the health scare he had a few weeks ago isn't so scary after all because a broken elbow is much easier to mend than a broken heart.  My heart sings for CP and gratitude overflows for both the good news and the friendship we share.

If I had to describe my friend MJ in two words it would be this...loving heart.  She is the most generous, loving person I know.  I thank my lucky stars that we became friends those many years ago and have stood steadfast by each other. 

This morning I took a walk in the yard soaking up the frost, in the air and on the ground.  The yard was lovely, leaves clinging to branches reminded me of the gentle Fall of Freddie the Leaf,

and the little rose that's still budding and blooming spoke of the courage to keep on even when the odds are against you.  For nature's subtle reminders I am grateful. 

Have a lovely day!  

Texture Tuesday: Who's Got the Button?

Remember the rainy day game button, button...who's got the button?  I do! I found these colorful bits of yesterday at The Green Awning in Stryker, Ohio.   I may use them in a project, but before I do I just had to photograph them.

On second thought...I may just keep the little pretties in a jar. 

You guessed it!  This photo has one of Kim Klassen's amazing textures.  This week it's all about Phoebe.  I used the Phoebe texture twice after cropping, softening just a tad, and adding a bit of cross processing.  Take a look at more textured sweetness, just follow the button below...
  

Homegrown & Handmade

Off to a farm we went on Saturday morning.

There were sheep, alpacas, and smiling llamas

And the people who love and care for them...

Baskets filled with colorful skeins of spun alpaca yarn caught the eye..

What a journey...from alpaca to stylish hat

I hope readers join me in supoort of local growers & producers everywhere. Check out what's in your area and then stop in.  You just might discover something delightful.

I realized that I forgot to include the information about the vendors and hosts of the farm fair.

Evening Star Farm

Diane & Terry Perkins

04917 County Road 22.75

Stryker, Ohio   43557

(419) 682-9137

One of the other farms showing their animals and goods was Winding Creek Alpacas and Llamas, please check out their website  or blog for more information

November Gratitude

Like the November rose I photographed on Sunday, I'm a bit ragged at times and bruised by life's hard edges, but I'm ever so thankful for joys and simple blessings. 

   
 I'm going to take Sarah Ban Breathnach's advice and share five things I'm thankful today...today when gray skies opened and rain falls on the chilled November ground.

1. I am thankful for family.  They are the foundation that continually holds me up.

Photograph of my daughter and grandson by Nicole Lovins

2. There are two men who came into my life 8 years ago.  One delights me every day with his brown eyes and silly antics.  The other has encouraged and supported me through good & bad decisions. For these two special people I give thanks.  

3. It's the small, unexpected blessings that are often overlooked, like the fact that I forgot to turn off the coffee maker before I left the house this morning.  My negligence provided a hot cup of coffee when I  came home chilled and damp and boy did it taste good. 

4. Cloves, cinnamon, & nutmeg.  Oh yes, I'm thankful for those three spices that add a layer of delicious to cookies, pies, apples, and my home.   

5. I got my mojo back and oh how I thankful I am that I'm writing with passionate fervor once again.

So what are you grateful for today?  Anything in particular?  Wanna share? 

Have a grand day!

 



Simple Gifts & Gratitude

This fall I have experienced a renewing of my spirit through simple gifts that nature has bestowed upon me. 

I've watched trees don brilliant gowns of orange, red, and yellow.  Though rain fell heavy and the wind blew hard I found pleasure in watching leaves soar high before finding peace on the soft earth. There's been backyard hot dog roasting over an open fire and sticky s'more eating.   Then for one evening the world turned magical as children came a knocking for treats.

I found myself lost in writing, once again, as I continue working on my first fiction novel determined to submit it to be published...somewhere...somehow.

How easy it is to take for granted the simple gift of walking until a knee is injured and walking from one room to the next brings tears of pain  and frustration. And what elation when that knee bends with only a twinge of discomfort.   

 I am grateful for these small gifts and like diamonds on a leaf each one holds a treasure trove of wonder and possibilities.  

Throughout November I'm planning gratitude posts much like the gratitude journal suggested by Sara Ban Breathnach in her book Peace and Plenty. She says, "The gratitude journal is a polite, daily thank you note to the Universe."  Although I won't be posting daily gratitude thoughts, I will at least once a week. 

Have a wonderful fall day and a may you find grace in your November days!

Texture Tuesday

Today is Texture Tuesday over at Kim Klassen's Cafe.

I used two of Kim's fabulous textures: Cracker Jack first, the second layer is And Then...

In the mood for more textured eye candy?  Just click on the button below...