Thursday, July 29, 2010

July 29, 2010 Wings and Nectar


A Strange Little Bug...., originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

One of the bugs we saw on our hike in Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota was this interesting little guy. We thought at first perhaps it was a bee but I'm not so sure! If you have any idea what this little guy is called I would love your input!

Blessings~

July 28, 2010 A Bit Seedy


A Bit Seedy, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

We found a perfect "puffball", a flower gone to seed, kind of like a dandelion. This is a somewhat cropped version, a bit of the abstract.

Blessings~

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

July 27, 2010 A Walk in the Park


A walk in the Park, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

A path in the woods, we don't know for sure where it leads. We can see just a little bit ahead but that's all. Our lives are like that, we are on our life path and we can see a little bit down the path but we don't know what lies around the bend. This path was mapped out for us and as we hiked we would check our map. At times we would have to choose right or left and with our map, we knew that eventually we would come back to where we began. We stayed on our path and had an enjoyable afternoon. In life we can stay on the path but for some of us it is much more satisfying to make our own path. I would have loved to cut thru the woods and explored a little more the things others had not seen. I'm like that in life a little bit too! Which ever way you walk your path, enjoy!

Blessings~

I'm thinking this would make a great spot to do some of my sons senior portraits. The trick will be to get him there! This is in Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

July 26, 2010 Ready for Harvest


Ready for Harvest, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Most of the small grain I see in the fields in this area is wheat. When I saw the 2 fields of oats I had to stop and get some photos. This looks to be nearly ready for the harvest. As a farmer daughter, a field of beautiful grain ready for harvest is a thrilling sight!

Blessing~

Sunday, July 25, 2010

July 25, 2010 Tree Seeds


Tree Seeds, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Found these pretty seeds on a tree when we visited the zoo. They look nice when they are on the tree but when they fall off and into your flower bed and little trees start growing they are really a pain!

Blessings~

July 24, 2010 Birdie Baby


Birdie Baby, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

On our hike in Buffalo River State Park in MN we came upon the Science Center. While reading the signs the barn swallows began swooping at us, I didn't think too much about it til we went to the other side of the sign. There was quite a mess at the bottom and on the ground. When we looked up we found this wonderful surprise! There were at least 4 little ones in the nest! We quickly left after I took this photo to give the parent birds a little peace of mind!

Blessings~

Saturday, July 24, 2010

July 23, 2010 Along a Country Road


Along a Country Road, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Took a little road trip to Minnesota. We headed toward Rollag with some rugs for a customer then took a few gravel roads to see what we could see. There were some beautiful country scenes. Growing up a Minnesota farm girl it was like driving the back roads of my childhood!
Later we checked out Buffalo River State Park and did a little hiking. Will post a pic or two in the days to come!

Blessings~

July 22, 2010 Zoo Lily


Zoo Lily, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

In addition to all the wonderful animals at the zoo there is some gorgeous vegetation as well. Several flower beds full of coneflowers, lilies, daisies and more. This is an example of some of that beauty!

Blessings~

Thursday, July 22, 2010

July 21, 2010 Say What?


, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Spent the evening at the Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton, ND. Crazy day special- free admission! We were there 3 hours, saw everything and had a blast! I loved the free ranging birds, ducks, geese, a black swan and these crazy Guinea Hens. Boy can they make a ruckus! Love their polka dot dress and red accessories! If you have not visited a zoo lately you should, you're never to old to talk to the animals!

Blessings~

July 20, 2010 The Old Home Place


The Old Home Place, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Took a road trip to meet my son in Watertown SD. Took the backroads home and found this beautiful old house and pickup truck. Would have loved to stomp around, get a little closer, still a bit shy about potentially invading someones privacy or trespassing. A grand home in it's day, so sad to see it looking quite lonesome!

Blessings~

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

July 19, 2010 Posing for Me!


Posing for Me!, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

There were several Canada Geese near Cataract Lake in Maplewood State Park, MN. They didn't seem to concerned about us. This one stood like this for several minutes. I didn't move and neither did he. I just kept snapping pics! Great fun!

Blessings~

Monday, July 19, 2010

July 18, Quick, be Quick!


Quick, be Quick!, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Spent our Sunday in Maplewood State Park in Minnesota. Beautiful place. We hiked thru the woods, thru the meadow and even along the road. So many beautiful things to see, green leaves on the trees, mushrooms along the wooded path, beautiful lakes and lovely water lilies. There were also bugs, biting bugs like skeeters and sand flies, bees and horseflies. We also saw lots of Monarch butterflies, Red Admirals and smaller yellow and white ones. There were lots of Dragonflies too. I don't usually have the patience or the quick finger to capture them but today I did, I was very pleased with my self! :D

Blessings~

July 17, 2010 Opening


Opening, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.


My volunteer Sunflowers in the front flower bed are beginning to open. I love how the green sepals or calyx look to be protecting the more delicate petals. (If I am using the wrong terms for the flower parts, please correct me!) Reminds me that my Heavenly Father has his gentle yet strong arms around me, protecting me, guideing me, helping me be the best I can be, all that I he created me to be!

Blessings~

Saturday, July 17, 2010

July 16, 2010 A little different


A little different, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.



If you choose to stand out as a creative, anticipate hardship, misunderstanding, doubt & the rewards reserved only for those who stay true. Dane Sanders


Sometimes you can feel like you are the odd man out, the one who is out of the loop, the "weird" or "crazy" one. I feel like that a lot. I have to remind myself that the qualities or characteristics, gifts or talents that may make me seem a little different are really the difference between being ordinary or being unique. I choose unique! There is no one else just like me, I am one of a kind. So are you, embrace what makes you you, develop it let it make you stand out in a crowd, let it make you shine!

Blessings~

Thursday, July 15, 2010

July 15, 2010 Coneflower




I decided to play a little with the black and white. I did this and a lily. They turn out so soft, calming I think. What do you think. I like black and white but need to play with it more... Fun!
Blessings~
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

July 14, 2010 Waiting for the Sun


I had a few volunteer sunflowers in my flower bed this spring. This one is at eye level for my 5'3" frame. How fun to watch it change from day to day!
Posted by Picasa

July 13, 2010 Iris



This is a pic from a couple years ago. My Irises after an early morning rain. I used a little nikon 3 megapixel point and shoot and then cropped it. Still one of my favorite pics.
Blessings~
Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

July 12, 2010 Dancers


In moms flower bed I found these pretty yellow daisies. There was a bit of a breeze and so the daisies seemed to dance about. The movement of the leaves and and flowers created the dreamy background.
Blessings~
Posted by Picasa

July 11, 2010 Floating on Air


I got to spend a little time with my mom and dad when I traveled "up north" for the family reunion. Mom has this wonderful yard that is really woods they have cleaned up. There are wonderful wildflowers (mom calls them weeds) that grow mixed in with the things she has planted. When they bought the little farm these lillies were growing everywhere! They dug up some but there are still lilies along the house and another shed and in the center of the yard. This spring she sent a box full home with me so next summer I'll have them in several spots too.
As always you can find more photos on my flickr and Facebook fan pages

Blessings~




Posted by Picasa

Monday, July 12, 2010

July 10, 2010 Middle River


On Sunday July 10, 2010 the descendants of Ed and Ida Hanson met together in the Old Mill State Park in northern Minnesota. They were my grand parents, my mom's parents. We missed you the two cousins who were unable to attend but so enjoyed seeing faces we had not seen in many years. It was fun to catch up a little. I had not been to the park in many years and even tho some things had changed, they were yet familiar. Just like the sweet precious faces...changed yet so very dear and familiar.

Blessings~

Posted by Picasa

Thursday, July 8, 2010

July 8, 2010 Pincushions...

From my little flower bed, two little pincushions smiling at the sun!

Find something to smile about today!

Blessings~

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

July 7, 2010 A lite snack!


A lite snack!, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

A couple days ago I posted a pic of a bowl of gooseberries I had picked. Today I made some yummy jam. Just threw them in my Healthmaster Juicer and then cooked them up. It is very sweet but oh so yummy! Really good with the salty club cracker. Hope your day is full of sweet things!

Blessings~

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

July 6, 2010 My Day Lily


My Day Lily, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

Another one of my day lilies, This one grows on the shady side of the house and has a pretty mauve hue. Photo taken in the shade.

Blessings~a

Monday, July 5, 2010

July 5, 2010 Bowl of Berries


Bowl of Berries, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

I have three little gooseberry bushes in my back yard and I love to spend a sunny afternoon picking and cleaning the berries in my backyard. This small bowl is just the beginning and perhaps this year my birds will enjoy more of them then I will, we'll have to see! I remember my grandma Mabel had gooseberries and I believe she made pies, I've only made jam. Tastes pretty good on toast come winter! They are good raw and just tonight I put some in my fruit smoothie, yum!

Blessings~

Friday, July 2, 2010

June 13, 2010 Moss Rose



Moss Rose, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

This little beauty is in a hanging basket in my front flower bed. Love Moss Roses and the bright pinks are my favorites. A summer pic! Tried it in the Black and White just to see what it would look like. I still like the pink! What do you think?

Blessings as you enjoy your summer!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

June 12, 2010 Barn and Silo


Barn and Silo, originally uploaded by pictureapromise.

We stopped in a couple little towns in SD between Huron and DeSmet. This great old barn and beautiful Silo were just on the edge of town. Loved the little red tractor peeking out the door!

Blessings

June 11, 2010 A Bakers Dozen


We walked all around the lake near the Capitol building, we saw the governors mansion, took pics of the capitol from across the lake, enjoyed gardens and sculpture but most of all we enjoyed the ducks! The lake is fed by a warm sulphurous artesian well. We could really smell the sulphur near the fountain at the memorial site. The ducks and geese stay all winter. There were only a few on this day but photos showed hundreds of birds on the warm open waters with snow all around. Kinda cool!

Blessings~

June 10, 2010 Pink Rose

Near the grounds of the Capitol Building in Pierre was a small lake and Veteran's Memorial. We found these beautiful roses in the landscaping. I love roses....and this pretty pink.....

Blessings~