Wild Rice River in Winter January 27, 2010

Wild Rice River in Winter, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Another sunshiny day here in North Dakota and quite cold. I took a run to town and on my way home I stopped to shoot this beautiful barn: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9199449@N08/4309902879/ I also took some of the Wild Rice River that the farmstead sits next to. As I was going thru the photos and playing with the black and white on some I got to thinking about how the river and the barn would look in spring. That thought led to planning to shoot both in each season. There are other ordinary spots, fantastic trees,old barns, buildings, parks and so on that could be photographed each season. I'm going to start a list and if I need inspiration for my pic one day I can just check my list.

This pic a day project has been great so far, early into it yet I know. I always have my camera and both lenses with me. If I hadn't today, I would not have driven back to the old barn and the river bank. It's a peaceful, quaint spot to visit and today, just what I needed. Shooting in manual has become much more comfortable. I even figured out the little meter in the viewfinder and I can change my settings without taking my eye away from the viewfinder! I have much to learn and for me doing is the best teacher.

Blessings~

Little Red Shed January 19, 2010

Little Red Shed, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Another frosty day in the neighbor hood! Usually the frost we have in the am is gone by noon. About 4pm this afternoon, I went for a drive in the country just looking for things to photograph. I had fun and got quite a few fun winter pics. I found an old house hidden amidst the frost laden trees. My favorite ancient cottonwood tree that stands guard over the prairie was covered with the heavy frost. Our little country road on the way to church was lined with trees whose branches were heavy with the frost. Beauty everywhere I looked, maybe because I was looking for it.

To some, this old weathered shed and its rundown peers is an eyesore. Something outdated, useless and ugly that should be removed, perhaps replaced. Without the contrast of the red of the little shed, this scene would be far less interesting. I'm glad it's still there, hope it stays there for a long time so that I can photograph it again and again as the seasons change.

If you'd like to see some of my other winter pics you can find them on Flickr

Blessings!

Frost strings January 18, 2010

Frost strings, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Job 37:10
By the breath of God frost is given (KJV)

I don't quite know what it is about frost but it is such a delight to me to see. I love how it's beauty covers everything, how it sparkles in the sunlight, how it pops against a bright blue sky, how it falls from the trees and dusts the ground beneath. God's breath covering everything. He has been here, this close to me decorating my world for a brief moment knowing it delights me! He is always here, near me, with me. His breath whispering "I Love You, Child".

He's whispering to you too, in the sunrise, a flower, the giggle of a child, a breeze, a snowflake, the call of a bird, the rustling of the grass, the smile of a stranger, the touch of a friend, the waves of the ocean, the stars, a sunset, some delight, big or small He whispers and He thunders "I Love YOU child".

Blessings~

Drip drip Drip January 17, 2010

Drip drip Drip, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

We have been a little warmer the last few days and what a treat! Temps in the 30's and some sunshine on your face can make you feel great! I took my camera out and stood in the sun next to the house waiting for a Sparrow or Chickadee to find my feeders. I heard this noise and it was annoying at first. I looked for the source and found that the snow on my roof was melting and the water had found it's way to the gutters. It was just enough to drip, drip, drip from the pipe.

This turned out to be a good opportunity to experiment with aperture and shutter speed. I wanted a fast shutter speed to catch the droplets and have them fairly in focus. I left the aperture fairly big to allow more light in. I've read several sources trying to understand the two and how they work. For me the best way to learn something is by doing it. Sometimes I have to do it over and over to get the hang of it. I guess that's called practice! And they say that practice makes prefect. I may never be perfect but I will be the best that I can be!

Blessings~

The table is Set~January 16, 2010

The table is Set~, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Last week I shoveled a path thru two feet of snow to my bird feeders out back. I wanted to bring them to the front of the house hoping to entice some of my feathered friends back to my yard. I rescued my best feeders and filled them, hung them in the tree out front and waited. And waited. The feeders are still full after several days. Not even a squirrel has ventured near. I will continue to wait, to hope that the birds will slowly find their way to the feeders.

I can be like the birds at times. There is a banquet set for me. Psalm 23 says God prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies! Yet I am too busy, too comfortable or too proud to come and feast at the Kings table. The Lord has promised to provide for my every need. We ask Him for our daily bread and then break our back trying to provide for our selves. We live in loneliness, fear, despair, grief, poverty and defeat when God has fellowship, peace, hope, joy, abundance and victory waiting for us. His table is set, would that I go to His table, to His Word, to Him for all that I need this day, everyday.

Blessings~

Just Before Dawn January 15, 2010

before daylight, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

This morning when I got up and looked out I could see that we had another frosty morning. Trouble was I had to be to work before daylight again. It was kinda bugging me as I tromped off to work. I had my camera with me just in case I could sneak out for a few minutes after the sun came up. I could always photograph the trees along the street. As I walked toward work my eyes were drawn to the church. The light was shining on the snow that had accumulated on the roof and the frost on the trees caught some of the light as well. I tried a couple different settings hoping one would turn out. Later I did sneak out and took a few of the trees and the church. The heavy hoarfrost was beautiful. What a delightful surprise the Lord sent. Not only did He allow me to see and enjoy a beautiful morning I was also able to capture it with my camera. I can return to these beautiful surprises anytime I choose as often as I wish. Feel free to join me anytime!

Blessings~

Abstact branches with frost

Abstact branches with frost, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Yesterdays fog became this mornings frost. I had to go to work before daylight and was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to photograph the frost. I took my camera with me and took a couple under the street lights. it was a little too dark, I didn't have my tripod so a long exposure was out. After adding some fill light, auto contrast and auto color then cropping severely this was the result. Sometimes photography is about creating an image. Today I created an abstract image. One that I like.
Blessings~

Fog Magic January 13, 2010

Fog Settles January 13, 2010, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

When I was in elementary school (a very long time ago!) I read a book called Fog Magic. It was a story of a girl who would walk into the fog and find herself in history. She was befriended by a family and learned about their way of life, the joys and struggles of a pilgrim family. I have
since loved the fog. It is mysterious, beautiful, magic!

Today's fog came midday, unusual for us. It didn't take long to accumulate on the trees in delicate frost After running a few errands, I grabbed my camera and went for a little drive. I had an old barn and this cemetery with the adjacent church in mind. I had fun this afternoon running around in the fog, snapping pictures and capturing some of that Fog Magic!

I'll have more fog magic pics on my flickr page

Blessings~

Pink Glass January 9, 2010

Pink Glass, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Something a little different today. A piece of my antique pink depression glass. I have many pieces of the pink, a few of the green, a couple of gold and two of the deep blue. I remember my grandmothers having and using the pretty bowls and plates. We would have sauce in the little green bowls. Sweet salad was presented in the pretty pink bowl. They were used only for special occasions and handled very carefully.

I have a couple pieces that had belonged to my grandmothers, the rest I have purchased or received as gifts. I use them whenever I can, I so enjoy them! We all have treasures. Some things may be valuable in dollars but if we never use them, look at them, enjoy them, that's a shame! I hope your treasures bring you pleasure!

Blessings~

Sun Kissed Birch January 8, 2010

Sun Kissed Birch January 8, 2010, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

I love the white of the birch tree. Especially against the blue of the winter sky. We had a glorious sunset tonight but I live in the city limits and there are houses that obstruct my view and it was toooo cold to go hiking to the edge of town. I started looking around to see where the light was landing. Not much right by the house, too many houses and trees across the street. I looked up at my mother in laws birch tree and those beautiful white trunks were sunset kissed. They seem to be reaching toward the sun, soaking up and savoring the suns rays.

Even tho I was unable to enjoy the entire sunset due to the clutter between me and the sun, I still got a glimpse of it. This image, the trees touched by the light of the sun had a lesson for me today.

I can't see all of heaven, there is too much clutter between me and my heavenly home. There are the distractions of life, of living, of making a living and the constant pull of the world for my time and attention. But every now and then I get a glimpse of heaven, a reminder of all that is waiting for me. It may be in the smile of a friend, the helping had of a neighbor or the kind words of a loved one. The words of a song lift my heart to heaven or a passage of scripture take me to the heart of my Heavenly Father. All around there are glimpses of heaven, reminders that I am undeniably, indescribably, unconditionally loved. One day I will not only see; I will experience heaven. For today a glimpse is enough.

Blessings~

broadway, Abercrombie January 6, 2010

broadway, Abercrombie, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Well today is a typical winter day in ND. The snow was falling when I got up, and it is still snowing at 4 in the afternoon. The wind is going to pick up and then we will really have a mess on our hands! Good day to stay close to home. I love watching the snow fall. It brings a blanket of new to everything. I took a little walk thru town to get a few pics and two things stood out to me. First, the blanket of snow that covers over the old. It is fresh, white, untouched. Reminds me of what Jesus has done for me. He loved me, died in my place, paid my debt, forgave me and made me His child. All the old of me has been covered in the newness of Him. Bible says I am a new creation! My scarlet stains have been made white as snow.

The second thing that struck me was where kids (big and small) had played in the new snow. Run thru it, kicked it, even rolled in it. Reminds me to take each new day I am given and really live in it, whatever the day may hold. And occasionally we may even get the chance to frolic in it!

One thing I want to do this year is learn to use the manual setting on my camera. The pics I took today turned out a little grey. I hit the auto contrast on this one, neither is exactly how the day looks. You can see more of the weather around Abercrombie on Flickr.

Blessings~

Rug Warp January 5, 2010

Rug Warp, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

I recently "warped the beam" on my Union 36 rug loom. The loom had belonged to my grandmother and a few years ago I got it after it had been stored for several years. In the last couple years I have learned how to warp the beam, thread the heddles and the reed. I have had to make a few minor repairs and replace a few parts. All in all things have gone well. I have learned how to weave rugs that my mom said "Grandma would have been proud"! Most of this by trial and error. By making a mistake, having to redo something and trying again.

I do remember Grandma making rugs but she died in 1977. I was in my first year of Bible College. When I was younger, I would go to her house and she would let me sew the strips together on her old treadle sewing machine. There is a right way and a wrong way you know.... She tried to teach me to wind the sewn strips into balls. Hers were tight and nice and round or shaped like a football. Mine still are soft and somewhere between round and a football. She always said you have to weave them tight. I remember mom looking at homemade rugs and saying "Nope, they're not tight, they won't last." So, my goal was to get them good and tight. And they are. Again by trial and error. But Grandma would be proud!

That's how I'm learning photography as well, by trial and error. I try something and it may work, if not, try again. When all else fails i guess I could read a book!

Blessings

Bowl full of Sugar January 4, 2010

Bowl full of Sugar, originally uploaded by picturethepromises.

Here in ND we had another cloudy dreary day. That makes shooting outdoors hard. The snow looks gray, the sky is gray, trees, roads even houses are gray. So what to find to shoot inside without the wonderful sunlight I had yesterday. I don't like to use my flash so how do I get enough light? I wanted a little more than the ceiling lights will give me and I don't have a soft box. However, I do have an Ott-Light.. I have not tried this before but I think it worked ok. I set the bowl of leftover candy under the light and used the manual setting on my camera. I like the result. That's the point of this project. To learn, learn, learn!

It is the middle of winter, there will be plenty of dreary days, I will probably do this again!
Blessings~