Filled With Gratitude

 by Cathy

The day begins.

I hear the birds sweetly singing their morning songs . . . I smile.

I work through my morning routine of breakfast, bathing, and dressing . . . I smile.

I read inspiring words, write, and play the piano . . . I smile.

I go for a walk my feet keeping a steady beat on the crunchy leaves . . . I smile.

I have chores to do. I hear the rhythm of the washing machine . . . I smile.

The clock strikes noon. I eat a chicken salad sandwich with craisens, pecans, and apple pieces . . . I smile.

I read a few blogs, check to see what’s happening on Facebook and look at friends’ pictures on Flickr . . . I smile.

I prepare our evening meal . . . I smile

My husband arrives home from work . . . I smile.

I head to bed . . . I smile.

Why do I smile?

Because when I look at my life with open eyes, I see much to be grateful for.

• the ability to hear
• scented soap and cinnamon toothpaste
• piano lessons as a child
• sun rays streaming through the trees
• a washer that does the work for me
• a shared recipe
• online friends who inspire, especially the ones here at FOL
• an abundance of tasty food
• love
• crisp sheets and cozy quilts

I have become happy, hopeful, and content because my heart overflows with gratitude.

“The eyes of my eyes are opened.”

~ E. E. Cummings

I wish each of you a peaceful Thanksgiving season.

My Favorite Season

by Carol

Alright Ms. Hubman - you have inspired me to join you in making lists. And the first one just has to be:

 WHY I LOVE FALL.....

1.  No more New Jersey humidity - Oh my gosh, I can breath again!

2.  Sleeping with the windows open and the blankets piled on.

3.  Complimentary colors in my back yard that literally change every day

4.  Halloween Memories - My daughter was born Nov. 2 - lots of Halloween parties at our house!

5.  Crunchy walks, red fox sightings, leaves moving around me.

6.  Sweaters, sweatpants, warm socks, flannel

7.  Slippers

8.  The first fire of the year - no better smell.

9.  Thanksgiving - no pressure, no presents, just good food, good football, and a family in sweatpants.

10. Boots, Duck shoes and Uggs

11. Stew and soup

12. Wreaths

13. Berries

14. Apple Crumble, Turkey and stuffing

15. Pumpkin Bread, pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin carving, PUMPKINS!

16. New TV season (and the end of election coverage!)

17. Afghans on the couches.

18. Geese flying in formation-  honk honking as they pass

19. My golden retriever looks even more beautiful in the fall. (It helps human redheads too)

20. The light in my kitchen.

21. Hot apple cider

22. Candles that smell like cinnamon

23. Apple picking, eating, baking

24. Roasted cashews on NYC streets

25. The photography is off-the-charts gorgeous and abundant

I could keep this up all night......

How about you?

Autumn Reflections

by Leigh

What comes to mind when you think of Fall?  changing leaves, cooler days, and pumpkin spice everything! There's a cozy feeling and it's not just my oversized sweater and uggs.  As the days get shorter we put on our layers, grab a warm drink and curl up with our loved ones.  Fall always seems to go by quickly.  It seems like a week after we see Halloween costumes in the stores we start seeing Christmas decorations.  This always frustrates me because the rush?  I want to savor fall...enjoy fall...mull around with it for awhile.  

Autumn is a time to become your best self.  There are many things the fall equinox symbolizes...balance, preparation and reflection.  As we leave the warm days of summer behind and head into darker, colder days we will need these three things to get us through until spring returns. 

BALANCE

Balance is a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or propers amount of importance.  Balance eases the mind and creates a sense of control.  Balance is comforting.

PREPARATION

Preparation is the action of making ready or being made ready for use or consideration.  In this case, we must mentally prepare ourselves for the darker and shorter days ahead.  Creating positive routines now will help to keep us healthy, strong and happy.

REFLECTION

Reflection is serious thought of consideration. As the hustle and bustle of the holidays is upon us, it's easy to fall into a trap of superficial things.  Now is a time to look back over the year and be proud of what we've accomplished and how we can better ourselves.  It's not a time to focus on what we lack, but build on what we have and be grateful.

Enjoy this beautiful season of Autumn and see how it affects you.

Both Bitter and Sweet

by Kelly

Over the weekend, I was at the garden center picking up a couple of flats of pansies for my garden.  And on my way to check out, I couldn’t help but notice the bright, red berries of the bittersweet vines they had for sale.  Which of course I had to put in my basket as well.

Thank you in advance for not asking me how much I spent on this bittersweet vine.  And if you live in the northeast, thank you also for not telling me how bittersweet grows wild along the roadside.

At any rate, I was excited to get home to photograph this bunch of bittersweet.  The vermillion berries against the bright, golden seed pods are such a classic fall color combination and the berries themselves are extremely photogenic.  Not to mention the enjoyment factor from having a few minutes to “play” on Sunday.

I got curious about where bittersweet gets its name so I did a bit of research.  Bittersweet, or more specifically Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), is a climbing, perennial, woody vine that grows in northern and eastern parts of North America.  A native to Eastern Asia, it was introduced to the US in the mid-1800’s where it has spread throughout the region. Small green flowers in the spring give way to the distinctive red seeds in the fall which, along with the rest of the plant, are poisonous to humans and other animals.  In addition, Oriental bittersweet is considered an invasive species for the way its aggressive growth smothers and strangles other native, herbaceous plants, shrubs, and/or trees.

It seems to me this aggressive vine is quite aptly named…beauty with a dark side.  I mean isn’t that the basic definition of bittersweet?

I’ve been pondering this for a couple of days.  And because I am a self-described chocoholic, whenever I think of something bittersweet, I instantly think of chocolate…dark chocolate is my favorite.  Less sweet than most, bittersweet chocolate has a complex flavor with a fruity, almost earthy quality.  It is an acquired taste, for sure, but I find it to be a deep, rich, satisfying experience.

Similarly, the older I get, the more I am learning to appreciate the ‘bitter’ and complexities in my own life.  The dark and difficult days living side-by-side with the sweetness of joy and delight.  Because the dark days teach us lessons that we might not otherwise learn.  The difficult days stretch our faith and give us an opportunity to grow in wisdom.  The bitter softens our hearts and moves us to be more empathetic and compassionate.

As we move closer to November, the month traditionally set aside for gratitude, I want to keep this mind…the blessings in my life, both bitter and sweet.

Until next time,

Kelly

Lists, Lists, and More Lists

By Cathy

Ideas for a blog post can come from several different places, maybe an article that was read, an experience, thoughts, feelings, or as in this case – a suggestion. In my last post, I mentioned my Journal Of Lists. Pam, one of our faithful readers, left this comment, "The journal of lists sounds excellent. Can you do a blog post about that?" Yes, Pam I can! I would love to share a few things about my journal.

Lists are a delightful thing to me, no matter what type of list it is. I even like my grocery list and I love to mark things off on my Will Do list. I keep a Book List where I record details about books I’ve read; the title, author, main character’s names, and the year it was written. Daily I try to add something to my Blessings List. I think you get the picture! I love lists!

My Journal Of Lists is a simple, 6" x 8.5" black, spiral-bound notebook. It was rather dull looking so I put stickers on the front and tied on a few metallic ribbons to spiff it up a bit. In it I keep lists of everything: words, feelings, colors, phrases, observations, and memories.  I’ll share a few of my titles to give you an idea of what’s written on the pages.

• In A Jar
• Orange
• I Am
• Sounds AT (wherever I am)
• Favorite Scents
• Today I Celebrate
• Signs In The Library – I go to the library all the time, but have never stopped and looked at all the signs. I quickly found 20.
• Words, Words, Words – a continuing list of words I find that make me happy
• Delightful Phrases – a continuing list of phrases from books I’ve read
• Through The Binoculars – I listed ten things that I saw through my binoculars, not common things like trees, but things I would not have noticed without the use of the binoculars, like turtles on a log across the river.
• Crayon Names – This one was just for fun, because I love Crayons and love their names: granny smith apple, thistle, maize, dandelion; just to mention a few.
• Down Under – I turned over a large rock and recorded ten things I saw under it. Finding ten things was harder than I thought it would be.
• Pick One – I picked one thing, my grandmother’s crystal goblet, and recorded everything I saw in detail.
• Multiples – After collecting six rocks I listed 25 differences.

In case you're wondering where I get my ideas for lists, I have a list of list ideas. Although some of the ideas or mine, I did search Google and found hundreds of list ideas.

Keeping a journal of lists is a simple thing, but the benefits are huge. Lists can be a short way of journaling, where I list where I am, what I’m doing, what I see, hear, and taste.  I can look back on the list and recall a fun day or activity. It’s also a valuable tool for strengthening and training my eye for photography and challenging my senses. For instance, one of my most recent lists was, Observations From The Hammock, where I wrote down what I saw above me, below me, to the left, to the right, and what I heard. Lists can be short or long, although I do try to always list at least ten things.

I hope I’ve inspired you to start list making. It can be a fun activity. Lists get right to the point and they're easy to write. You could get a really cute notebook and use different colored pens. You could sketch, doodle, or paste pictures along with your words. The possibilities are endless.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that today is officially the first day FALL. This is the start of FALL in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. Today, the length of night and day is approximately the same. In celebration I will take my Journal of Lists outside and record my observations of this first FALL day. Even if you’re not a list maker, take a few moments today and celebrate FALL. You might even want to share a FIRST DAY OF FALL picture in our Flickr photostream.

It is the summer’s great last heat,

It is the fall’s first chill.

They meet.

~ Sarah Morgan Bryan Piatt

Time Marches On

by Leigh

Now more than ever I'm starting to realize how quickly time passes.  It seems as though seasons change just when I feel myself getting wrapped up in the joy of it.  In springtime we are surrounded by the vitality of everything…..as the grass begins to green up, tulips start blooming, everything comes to life all at once.  We feel rejuvenated, full of hope and well…just plain happy!

And then just as quickly as it all started summer creeps in bringing the heat. But we adjust and soak in all the fun that summer has to offer after all it is the time for play and fun. But before you know it Back to School ads pop up on television and school supply lists come in the mail.  Just like that summer is done with.  And then fall….my favorite season of them all arrives in all it's colorful glory. The crispness in the air and the jewel toned colors around make me bring a familiarity that is cozy and comfortable. 

Just as the foliage colors hit their peak the cold mornings and freeze warnings pop up on the forecast.   We go into hibernation mode and even get a bit grumpy as daylight savings time comes to an end and our outdoor evenings are cut short.  There's no hiding from what's coming next. Soon winter will be here and even though it's sad to say farewell to autumn for another year,  I know that soon the tree silhouettes will peak my interest and the sights of the holidays become my photographic focus.  

I guess it's just the seasons of life and I'm noticing how quickly it all goes by.  Perhaps it was turning 40 this year or maybe it's the upcoming 13th birthday of my first born this weekend.  (Excuse me for a second there must be something in my eye)….I guess it's hitting me all at once now more than ever that it's the time to soak it all in and enjoy every minute.  Or maybe it's just hormones, but I am a weepy mess these days!  Maybe that's why photography is so much a part of who I am.  It's the only way I can stop time for a moment and for that I am grateful.

The Apples Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree

by Leigh

We had a family birthday party this weekend for my incredibly energetic (and ornery), hilarious and adorable nephew (see above photo and see if you can handle the cuteness!) At any and all family gatherings I am always the one with the camera.  In fact, my sister doesn't even own a camera anymore because she knows that I will be there with mine.  My kids along with my niece and nephew are pretty used to having a camera in their face all the time so it's always fun for me.  Every once in awhile my nine year old daughter will ask if she can take photos and as you can imagine handing over my big girl camera to my little girl is not something I want to do, but she can be very persistent.  This evening she asked and I said yes.  You should have seen the look on her face when she got an answer she wasn't expecting!  I switched over from manual to automatic and got her familiar with back button focusing.  As you well know handing over a DSLR to someone who doesn't know how to use it usually results in very blurry photos which is what I expected with Molly's photos.

She insisted on downloading the photos as soon as we got home.  She was so excited to see how her shots turned out so how could I resist.  This was her first photo.  Nice exposure, good composition….hm…..not too bad for a first timer.

This was her favorite shot (of my niece) and when I asked her why she responded with "because it turned out exactly like I planned!  See her reflection in the table!" Hm….pretty mature for a nine year old…..actually thinking before she took the photo….planning her shot…..something I need to do more often.

She even included a nature shot just for me!  Nice focus….and again the composition is good….hm….I'm starting to think she has a good eye. 

And like any good photographer she included a self portrait.  I feel like I'm looking at a much younger version of myself!  

The next day she presented me with her "new and improved" Christmas list which included a "camera just like yours!"  Anyone have a suggestion for something above a point and shoot that won't break the bank?  It's become evident now that the apple did not fall far from the tree!

Leaf Love

by Leigh

"Autumn….the year's last, loveliest smile." ~William Cullen Bryant

The cool crisp mornings.  The magnificent oranges and reds in the evening sunset.  The sweet smells of pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pie….pumpkin everything! Ghouls, ghosts and goblins swaying in the breeze.  Candy corn and all of it's sweetness.  And how could I forget the amazing foliage colors.  

Every autumn we are bedazzled by the beauty of fall colors.  The deep reds, vibrant yellows and oranges and who could forget the purples.  But did you know that these colors are in the leaves all year long?  We just don't see them because in spring and summer the cells in the leaves contain chlorophyll which gives the leaves their green color.  Chlorophyll absorbs from sunlight the energy it needs to transform carbon dioxide and water carbohydrates.  The reds, yellow, oranges and purples are hidden by the great amounts of green chlorophyll.  But in the fall the days get shorter and without as much daylight, not as much chlorophyll is produced as the leaves stop their food making process.  The green begins to disappear allowing the other colors to shine through.  And did you know that when the leaf falls from the tree the tree seals the cut so that when the leaf is finally blown off it leaves behind a leaf scar.  Weather conditions such as temperature, light and water supply influences the amount and length of the fall color.  So that's why the color intensity differs from year to year.  There is your botany lesson for the year :) The beautiful fall leaves are nature's last gift to us before the dormancy of winter so be sure and take the time to enjoy them!

September's Rose

by Kelly

It's just one of the many things I love about September....this second wind in my garden.  Most especially it seems is my rose bush.

This particular variety, 'Kimberlina', is a floribunda type rose.  Floribunda roses are actually hybrids that were bred to for the beauty and color of hybrid tea roses but the prolific blooms of polyantha roses.

What I love about this variety is the pale pink petals.  But don't let its delicate color fool you...this rose bush is one tough cookie surviving the worst of Oklahoma summers.

Besides the lovely petals, I also find the plump little rose 'hips' utterly delightful.  Harbingers of Autumn...a sign of things to come.

This rose is the epitome of September - the hanging on, the letting go. Its beauty rivaled only by its fortitude.

So as we say goodbye to Summer and move into Autumn, I just wanted wanted to take this one last opportunity to express my gratitude for all of the gifts that September has shared with me.

Thank you for letting me share it with you.

Until next time,  Kelly

When Autumn and Winter Collide

by Kelly

Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning, and under every deep a lower deep opens.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am happy to report that today the high temperature in my neck of the woods is finally going to get above freezing.

No you're reading this right...this isn't a blog post from February.  We're still in November.  Smack-dab in the middle of Autumn.  But apparently ol' man winter didn't get the memo.

We didn't get the massive amounts of snow that some folks did out west.  But still...snow in November?  That's pretty rare in these parts.

Sunday afternoon I bundled up and took my camera for a little walk around the neighborhood. Because the truth of the matter is that I wasn't particularly excited about the snow.  Actually, I've never really been huge fan of Winter to begin with.

What I needed was an attitude adjustment.  No!  A GRATITUDE adjustment.

And as usual, seeing life through the lens changed my whole perspective...nature never fails to inspire.  And the seasons teach me so much about rhythm of life.

For me, gratitude is often linked with acceptance.  A conscious softening or openness to present circumstances.  And in the case of a frigid, snowy day in November, gratitude fell like soft little snowflakes in my heart...a gentle reminder of this beautiful, unpredictable, and dynamic world.

What about you?  I would love for you to share with all of us how the practice of gratitude has changed the way you see something.  How has gratitude brought you joy or peace?

Until next time.  Kelly