Weekend With Friends

I should caution you that this post is pretty lengthy.  In fact, several of the next few posts will all probably be lengthy and picture-heavy, but I have some catching up to do.

Several weekends ago, Ron and I spent the weekend with Valine and Kirk.  Way back in the spring, Ron and I had discovered Chicot State Park during a visit with Dan and decided that it would a great place to return to with friends.  After making out reservation months ago, we were all excited to meet up and enjoy a relaxing time together--it really was the first time we've all taken a trip together.  

The cabin we picked was set over the water and featured floor to ceiling windows in the living/dining area (although they badly needed to be cleaned).

Saturday morning, we slept in and then sat back and relaxed while our personal chef prepared a country breakfast.

After breakfast, we showered and headed out for a hike on the trails around the lake.

We took our time, enjoying the cool weather and changing colors of the massive cypress trees.

There were French mulberries everywhere, as well as lots of interesting leaves and other berries, so there was plenty of this going on.

Near the lake, we took a few photos of ourselves.  It looks like a group prayer,

but, they were really preparing for this.

We even set up props for one of the photos! ;-)

We ended up hiking about 4.5 miles, but on the way back, we ran across a couple of people that were training for an upcoming trail run---3 laps around the lake for a total of 62 miles!!!  I cannot even fathom that!!!

Who else but Valine would run across someone she knew out in the woods!

After the hike, we stopped by the Arboretum, which was really nice!

Back at the cabin, we brought out the chips and dip while Valine's soup simmered on the stove.

Shortly after, the boys could be found watching football in the living room.  Ummmmm, make that snoozing through a football game.

Meanwhile, Valine and I spread out our scrapbook supplies on the table and set to work.  She finished up her Week In The Life scrapbook, while I put together all the base pages for my December Daily Album.

The table was still pretty messy at dinner time, so after Kirk grilled some delicious steaks, we  enjoyed them on the coffee table by firelight.

Sunday morning, brought rain and a haze that settled over the lake as we packed up and loaded the cars.  

We had an awesome time together and have decided this needs to be an annual tradition!!

Being in a beautiful place with your best friends?!?!?  It just doesn't get much better than that!!

December Details 2014 - Day 2 - BUNDLED UP

When I made the list of prompts, there was no way to predict what kind of weather we'd be having today.  And even when I wrote this post, the forecast was not calling for any sort of weather that we'd need to be BUNDLED UP for.  However, winter is approaching and warm clothes are some of my favorites.  I love a warm sweater, fluffy scarf and boots!  Last year, we had a couple of days with a bit of snow on the ground and it was the perfect time to spend the day BUNDLED UP in my snuggly pj's and warmest boots.  Not the kind of fashion statement you want to wear out in public, but it was just right for a day at home in the snow.

How is the weather in your part of the world?   Is it the kind of day that you can get all BUNDLED UP or do you dream of warm, snuggly clothes and the weather to go with them?

Making A List

December Details 2014 - Day 1 - MAKING A LIST

It hardly seems possible that today is the first day of December!  2014 has really flown by and the Christmas season is now quickly approaching.   There is so much to do this time of year and I don't know about you, but I will never get through it all without MAKING at least one LIST, although it's likely that there will be lots more.  I generally buy gifts all year long---if I see something that is perfect for someone, I just go ahead and get it and stash it away with Christmas in mind.  This year, however, I'm attempting to simplify my  gift-giving this year a little bit by using the "Four Gifts for Christmas" idea with my family.  (You can click here for more information about this idea)

I have already done some gift-stashing, for sure.  But I have tried to think even those purchases through a little more carefully rather than just being overwhelmed with too many things that get lost in the shuffle of opening gifts.  None of us need tons of "things", and this way, I can narrow down my selections to the things that will mean the most.  I only have one grandchild at this point (and he is way too little to even care right now), but I am going to begin this with him as well.  

What LISTS are you making this year?  Do you LISTS at work?  To Do lists at home?  Be sure to tag your photos with the prompt itself (I usually put that in all caps) and the hashtag #DecemberDetails2014 so that we can all enjoy your pictures and be inspired to think about things in a new way.

Welcome to December Details 2014

Welcome to "December Details 2014", an Instagram photo challenge among friends that begins tomorrow.  I'm writing this in the car as we drive to Atlanta, and am not quite sure why the colors above are so "neon", but perhaps it is just an optical illusion.  Who knows.   Anyways . . . .It's easy and fun and I hope you'll join us in a month of documenting the daily details that make up the month of December.  It really can be "the most wonderful time of the year!"

There really aren't any rules for this challenge, and the procedure is quite easy:   Each morning (hopefully), you will receive an email prompt of something to be thankful for.  As you go about your daily activities, keep your eyes open for opportunities to interpret the prompt with your camera.  I personally use only my phone camera for these challenges, but of course, you are welcome to use whatever you wish. Sometimes, I will give you an example to get you thinking, while other times, I may just list the prompt as a reminder.  Feel free to use "throwback photos" as well if they fit your interpretation---this is a time to appreciate the holiday season.  I plan to post the prompt here on the blog each morning, so if for some reason the email fails us, just check here.

I know that sometimes life gets way too busy and other things are much more important than an Instagram post, so if that happens, don't despair.  It's fine!   You can catch up later, or not at all.  Like I said, there really aren't any rules.

Please be sure to tag your posts with the hashtag #DecemberDetails2014.  On my posts, I generally try to list the prompt itself in ALL CAPS in the caption, along with the hashtag, so that it is easy to see which prompt I'm capturing (just in case the photo itself doesn't make it obvious).  Many of you already know each other, but others live in other parts of the country or are "friends of friends".  But, we now all have something in common---this challenge--so click on the hashtag from time to time and see how others are interpreting the prompts.  You might even find a new friend to follow! (There are several people that I follow and have never actually met) If you are new to my blog, and want to join us, leave your email address in the comments section below and I will add you to our daily email prompt list.  (don't worry, I only use it for this challenge).

And for those of you that like to know what is coming up so you can plan ahead, here is a list of the prompts for December.   I usually write the emails and posts so far ahead time that I can't remember when they are going to actually be posted, so each morning is a surprise to me as well!  I will also send it by email in PDF format so that you can print it out, if you'd like.

Love

30 Days Of Thankful 2014 - Day 30 - LOVE

LOVE, in any form that it takes is one of God's greatest creations.  What does it mean to you today?   What scene will capture it best for you?

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

-1 Corinthians 13:13-

This is the last prompt in this series.  Tomorrow begins the new December Details 2014 Instagram challenge.  You can check back here for the list of prompts later tonight.  If you are new to the challenge, leave me your email in the comment section and I will add you to the list for daily email prompts (that helps me stay on track).  As always, there are no rules---post when you are able with the hashtag #DecemberDetails2014, and don't stress about it when you can't.  Hope you'll join me!

Self

30 Days of Thankful 2014 - Day 29 - SELF

Today, instead of focusing on the pounds we put on at the feast or the wrinkles that have slowly crept onto our faces, let's get in front of the camera (or in the mirror) and capture ourSELVES, just as we are today.

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.

-Golda Meir-

Joy

30 Days of Thankful 2014 - Day 28 - JOY

As a teenager, I was very shy.  Painfully so, at times.  I had several close friends and lots of acquaintances, but I seldom went to parties or even dated much.  Although I acted like it didn't matter much to me I secretly longed to have a date for Homecoming or the Prom, but it never happened.  On one such occasion, I remember my mother quietly passing me a note with the following scripture on it:  "Though weeping may last for  a night, in the morning, there is JOY."  Psalm 30: 5b   I never really acknowledged it to her, I don't think, but it stuck with me for a lifetime.  It spoke to me then and many times since then.  I'm so thankful for JOY and for the healing it provides when your heart seems to be broken.   And I'm thankful for my mother, whose heart was most likely breaking for me, as well, and for the JOYful example she set for me.

Where will you find JOY today?   How will you capture it?

November is coming to a close, but I'm planning to continue with prompts through the end of the year.  I will be participating in the December Daily Project, as well, so I am hoping that the prompts I've chosen will help me to complete that album as well.   If you'd like to be taken off of the email prompt list, just send me a quick email to let me know----otherwise, I will continue to send out daily prompts as well as posts on this blog.  If you know someone who would like to join us, give them my email address or send theirs to me.