Weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons

On December 9, 2012 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life48 Comments

I know it should be more winter(ish) in our neck of the woods, but it hasn’t been…

Yet.

We finally hit the peak of our Fall season with the gorgeous harvest colors, and tons of falling leaves. Luckily, I have a great park nearby to witness this season in all its glory. I grab my puppy Fred and off with go with my camera strapped to my back.

I think of so many things when I see the gentle caress of our sublime autumn.

I think of the completeness of it.

Fall ends. Winter begins.

I think of the magic. A host of brilliant colors, with (mostly) mild temperatures, and cool breezes.

I celebrate the changing season with a most grateful heart.

Stunned by the vibrant year-end filled with sorrow, grace, and tremendous victories.

A beautiful reflection of hushed joy.

Because, really? What can you do, but be in awe of another year’s radical termination?

This is a beloved time. I enjoy it in every way possible.

Please click on a photo to display a larger gallery slide show.

Surprised Squirrel.

Fall flowers blooming by the creek.

My favorite urban goose.

A trail I “Fall” for.

Fall Flight

Peek-a-boo squirrel.

Embarrassed to eat in front of me squirrel.

Creeper squirrel.

Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile. -William Cullen Bryant

I’d like to thank some inspirational nature bloggers for fostering this love of our land and creatures. Thank-you to amazing wildlife photographer Phil Lanoue Photography. Because of you, I watch the birds with a new appreciation (and a I know their names). And thanks to A Window into the Woods for your wonderful squirrel photography. Suzanne gives these funny animals amazing personalities. I love how both of them make nature, not just heart-felt, but fun too.

For more images from changing seasons, please visit The Daily Post at WordPress.com.

When a Blog Dies

On March 12, 2012 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life76 Comments

Does anyone attend its funeral?

Is there a wake?

Does it whither like a flower?

Fading…..Fading…..Fading…..

Or does it have one last bloom, one burst of color, before it ends?

I’m not sure how a blog dies. Or a friendship. Or anything else.

I supposed it just happens….

Fast. Slow. Weak. Strong. In a BURST……or a BLINK.

It’s just gone.

And life goes on.

Because really? There is a time for everything. For every purpose. For every moment.

To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
a time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.
-Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Ascribed to King Solomon (King James Version, 1611)

This blog is in one of these times and I am wondering if it’s season has passed.

I am wondering ~~if it’s me?~~ if it has lost its momentum.

I have blogged almost three years.

I gave my heart and soul to this blog, and I accomplished what I set out to do. MORE than, I thought I could do, or would do.

My heart is FULL. It is not sad. I am so proud of what I have done here and the memories I have created.

It’s been an amazing journey and I don’t want to drag it out. I want its end to be as amazing as its beginning.

I will miss blogging. I will miss it like missing a heartbeat. But I know I will treasure these documented moments. The good, the bad, and the always.

Thank-you so much for your generous comments, fabulous awards, and for sharing your soul with me.

I wish you a life full of blessings, and a heart full of laughter.

How does a blog die? One word at a time…….

The End.

A totally-not-so-boring start to summer.

On June 16, 2011June 16, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, Life is what you make it., Wee Wee Wee all the way home!22 Comments

Riding an elephant!

Huzzah!!!

That is worth at least 20 THRILL points!

Yeah, we totally rocked the Judy Moody movie – Not so Bummer Summer – like genuine-and-for-real.

Okay, so maybe I liked it a little more than the kids (kinda), but it is such a fun movie. Judy Moody is adorable. I love the idea of thrill points; or going beyond your comfort zone. Learning new things (and being a little scared to try), but mostly, just the trying part. All it takes is getting out there.

Doing. Being. Becoming. Experiencing.

Why yes, I think I do have a thing for -ings. It must come from my be-ing. Heh.

Our family adventured to the Renaissance festival Memorial Day Weekend. It was HOT. Hotter than hot. Like we should have gone a month ago too hot. But, we made the most of our fun and I have sooooo many pictures from our start-to-summer weekend (and good-bye for a month to Sydney). I hope to be sharing more stories from that day with you.

The elephant ride shots really captured my attention and took me back to that day. From the four-year old in the front to the eighteen-year old in the back, with the seven and seventeen-year old in between – all of them – LOVED riding the elephant. Considering it was a miserable wait for a short ride, not to mention a little pricey, it was worth every penny just to see their faces.

Memories like these make me glad I get to be a photographer, I just love their expressions, even the elephant.

I tried to narrow down the choices to post, but I couldn’t. You’ll just have to ride along with them. My camera battery almost died. I was so lucky to get these.

Annnnnnd they’re off!

“Hi!” You are ON an elephant!!

I bet Brandon got some fun video.

My fav!

And that was it.

The ride ended. But it totally made the summer not a bummer!

RARE!

Now, I’ll have to come up with plan to keep those thrill points coming. 🙂 We wouldn’t want to have a boring summer end and starting in July the little girls will be with us for the entire month.

If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.
Dr. Seuss

Never Fear Spring is Here!

On March 9, 2011 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life, In the lives of children23 Comments

Well…almost….maybe not quite spring, but definitely spring fever.

I am trying to convince myself the next heat wave will stick around for good. The Bradford Pear Trees are blooming. And we have had a few really nice weekends. It is a bit on the chilly side this week for all of us southern lightweights, but not really (not if you are from the north). This time of year is brief and fleeting. Brief – because spring lasts about a month. Fleeting – because if you blink, you will miss it.

Next month we will be in the 90’s, which will be a cold front in the summer, but I digress. Let’s not jump ahead.

For now, let’s enjoy our brief (almost official) spring where the kids can play outside without UV pollution.