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~

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~

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~

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~

June 6, 2010 A Little Texture

Hen and Chicks we saw in a flower bed in Custer SD converted to Black and White

Blessings!

June 4, 2010 Honey~

After a long drive we needed to stop and stretch so we decided to check out Keystone SD. It was kinda raining so we walked from to shop to shop there were some older buildings and an historic train ( we only say the tracks and the depot was a shop). These pretty columbine or honeysuckle as we called them as kids were growing outside the depot. I had never seen one in these colors, they were so big and beautiful! Hope you enjoy it!

Blessings~

June 3, 2010 Bleeding Hearts

Not only did we see beautiful butterflies and exotic tropical plants, we saw beautiful flowers too. These caught my eye with the red contrasting against the white. I was not familiar with these but the sign said Bleeding Hearts. Not like the ones I buy at the greenhouse. They were so lovely and delicate. How wonderful to visit environments different than the ones we live in day to day!

Blessings~

June 1, 2010 Butterfly Kisses

My sis in law and I stopped to see my son in Sioux Falls SD and we all went to the Sertoma Butterfly House. We spent several hours enjoying the butterflies from all over the world and pursuing them with our cameras! Well Barb and I did, the kids walked thru and then had to wait for us! Several times they would flit past and I could feel their wings brush against my cheek. Butterfly kisses for me! Great place to visit if you are ever in Sioux Falls!

Blessings~

May 29, 2010 Gazer

A new addition to my flower bed this year the Stargazer Lily. So beautiful, so fragrant! I will enjoy these for years to come! Blessings~

May 28, 2010 Petals

I love my flower gardens and although I don't spend a lot of time weeding and tending I am blessed with blossoms thru out the summer. The beautiful gerba daisy I plant every spring and their bright petals smile at me all summer! I probably spend more time taking pictures than I do weeding but... oh well!

Blessings~

May 25, 2010 Blooming Where I'm Planted

I've been growing succulents for years. The reason, I tend to neglect watering and care and they are hard to kill! They rarely bloom for me, only twice before have I had blooms and they were tall spikey things with tiny little flowers. When I walked into the living room I couldn't believe my eyes! This poor neglected plant ( you can see that it is missing leaves along the stem by the planter) was blooming! In spite of difficult circumstances it flowered. Perhaps because of the circumstances! Reminds me of the little saying "Bloom where you're planted". And then I am challenged....do I bloom where I'm planted or wish I was somewhere else, different job, different house, different financial situation, different location, city or state, different body, different talents and on and on....... I have been given so much, beautiful home, wonderful family, a job where I have summers off, a love of creativity, beautiful sunsets, health, freedom, salvation. With a heart that recognizes and is thankful for the blessings I can thrive and blo0m where I'm planted. So can you!

April 29, 2010 Pink

I always check the grocery store for bargins on their fresh flowers. Today I hit the jackpot! I got a huge bundle of these pretty pinks for just $2. I'm glad I can share them with you!
Blessings~

April 26, 2010 Opened My Eyes

These Maple trees just fascinate me. I've walked by these trees for at least two springs and never noticed the blooms that come before the leaves. I love spring, everything is new, fresh, vibrant. The new leaves in spring tend to have a blush, they are so pretty! I think carrying my camera everywhere, thinking about what my pic today should be has opened my eyes to see more of the things that were there all the time!
Blessings~

April 25, 2010 I'm Waiting!

This time of year is one filled with anticipation! Waiting for all the snow to finally be gone. Waiting for the grass to turn green, waiting for the trees to get leaves, perennials to poke their way thru the earth, flowers and trees to bloom, school to be out, migrating birds to stop at my feeders and summer. In the waiting, I've learned not to be so focused on what I'm waiting for that I miss the glory and wonder of today. I take time each day to actively look for the special gifts only this day will hold. I encourage you to try and do the same. You never know what you might find waiting for you!
Blessings~

April 22, 2010 Backlight~

I couldn't help but return to the Apricot trees. The blossoms smell so sweet and are here for such a short time. The bright sun was shining on the blossoms and those that were backlit caught my eye. The petals become somewhat translucent they seem almost to glow! Since this photo was taken time and the rain have removed all the blossoms from the tree. A reminder to stop and embrace, enjoy and immerse yourself in the joys of today. Each day brings something we can delight in if we look for it. I believe this is true even in the midst of trial. Have you found yours for today? I hope so! Blessings~

April 21, 2010 Contrasts

More spring blossoms today. A few days and the flowering crab apple trees will be blooming. They have lots of buds. I love the contrast of the red leaves and the blue sky. Blessings~

April 20, 2010 Apricot Blossoms

Finally it really feels, looks and smells like spring. The apricot trees in my mother in laws yard are blooming. They are the first trees to fill the air with sweet smelling dainty blooms. We don't always get apricots but it is so fun to see the flowers! They only last a shot while. Next to come, the chokecherries, crab apples and I see the beginnings of blooms on my lilac bushes. Sweetness in the air! I'll post pics for you as they bloom.... Blessings~

April 19, 2010 Bloomer

I walk past a neighbors yard every day. Last fall I so enjoyed the beautiful leaves on her two little maple trees. This spring when I walked by I noticed something I missed last spring. The little trees had tiny little flowers on them. As I've watched I have learned that before the leaves come the little maple trees bloom! Carrying my camera with me everywhere everyday has helped me open my eyes to the wonder that is around me all the time. My pic a day project has not only helped me learn more about my camera and about photography (composition, lighting, and so forth), it has taught me to be more aware of the world around me and to see things in greater detail, to not just look but to really see. This is a project I would recommend to anyone, photog or not! You could try it for just a month or even a week, I know it will have an impact. Blessings~

April 13, 2010 Petals

I have always loved roses! My grandmother and my mother both had rose bushes. Grandma Ida had a yellow climbing rose with the prettiest, most fragrant roses. A friend, Pearl had one with beautiful light pink roses. Mom's wasn't a climbing rose, just a bush with vibrant deep pink flowers. I got a shoot from her years ago, NOTHING smells as wonderful as those old fashioned roses. I often scour the clearance areas of stores to see if they have fresh flowers on sale. Often they do and I usually get some and enjoy them while they last. When I look at the way the petals are folded together it is amazing. The creator has caused the bush to form a bud with dozens of petals each carefully folded and tucked tightly in place til the time comes to slowly and gently open to reveal it's secrets. Were you or I to try with our hands to carefully tuck all those petals into such a small tight space we just couldn't do it with the precision of the creator. God put so much creativity into the rose, so many colors, varieties, scents and sizes. All that for something that is here today and gone tomorrow. The bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Examine your fingerprint, it's one of a kind, study your own eyes, the colors and flecks, consider all the knowledge you have gained and is stored in your mind. As wonderful and fascinating as the rose is, it does not compare with God's most precious creation, you and I.
Blessings~

April 3, 2010 New Life!

Finally, some wonderful color! Just in time for Easter. After a long winter, buried in the ground the flowers poke their way thru the soil to bring us these beautiful yellow blooms. Christ died to pay for my sin, to pay for yours too. He then was buried in a cold tomb. When His work was finished, his death paying the penalty for my sin and defeating death and hell he rose early one Sunday morning. My Lord has conquered, sin, death and hell, I'll walk hand in hand with Him trusting in his care. It is my prayer that you know and experience the real reason for this season. I'm thankful for the sacrificial death of Christ on my behalf and I rejoice in the resurrection and the hope and promise of eternity with Him.
Blessings