Day 117: Mmmm, Mmmm, Fresh!!!

This past week my mom brought me a little bag of goodies.  Home grown lettuce, tomato, and zucchini.  I couldn't wait to eat it!!  Tuesday after work I grilled up the zucchini, made me a great salad and had a delicious meal!

Thank you Mom!!  You are pretty amazing to me and I thank God for you and dad on a daily basis!!!  Watching you guys farm and stand beside of us all the year...amazing and thankful!!!

Day 116: Oh KoKo!!

Let's talk about my parent's dog...

Now, don't get me wrong he makes me smile and is just a cutie!  But he isn't a camper...AT ALL!  Last weekend it rained a lot and well, KoKo, doesn't like getting wet feet.  He also would get to cold so he needed a towel to wrap up in.  Oh, you think that is bad.  See that red chair that he is in...yep that is Koko's chair.  If we are sitting around the fire he wants to sit around the fire.  If we are eating in our chairs you will find him nicely sitting in his.

But the best moment is in the morning when he realised that I was sleeping on the pull out couch and he gets so excited and just needs a good pet!!

Day 115: Butterfly

Most of you know I love butterflies.  I love them so much I have one tattooed on my ankle.  I think it is so cool that they change into something so beautiful.  This little guy was at our camp site last week.  It even let me go real close to snap this picture.

Day 114: Made New

There is just something about this picture...Let me break it down for you.  The first thing one notices is the old tree stump.  A tree that had a great life but got blown down or knocked down for some sort of reason.  The second thing one would notice is that there is a healthy tree growing with the help of the old tree stump.  Yes, it is growing on top of the old tree.

I equate this picture a lot like our lives.  Our walk with God.  We go along in our life, building it and living it the best we can, of course with God's help.  And sometimes life happens to us.  Maybe it is losing the love of our life or watching someone we know hurt in some way.  God never promised us all happiness.  Many times there are blessings in the rain drops.  And much like this tree, it feels like our life may have taken a knock but God allows ups to continue growing.  Fresh.  New.  Forgiven.  Redeemed.  We still have our roots grounded in God and are about to continue growing due to His love and grace!

Day 113: Summer + Campfire = Wonderful

This past weekend my parents were camping out at Hommy Park.  This park is a small, quiet place between Beaverlodge and Hythe.  It was a perfect place for my parents to have a little weekend away.

On the Sunday we were able to join mom and dad for some supper.  And I was really happy because I got to see my brother in law and sister after they had been off on vacation for 3 weeks.  (Don't tell them but I kinda missed them)

Some of my favourite (and not so favourite) memories for that day:
1. Sitting around the campfire catching up and eating fresh cherries
2.  My bro in law making mimicking me spiting the pits of the cherries.
3.  For supper sitting in between my sis and her hubby.  What can I say...I missed them...makes it easier to bug both of them!!
4.  Forgot how much elbowroom my bro-in-law uses when eating (mental note, don't sit between them again)
5.  Watching my parents dog get his own chair for around the fire...probably the best seat!!
6.  Just being able to catch up...I do know that my bro in law just missed me and that is why he was picking on me!!

Day 112: Whom Shall I Fear?

Psalm 27

 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

When the wicked came against me

To eat up my flesh,

My enemies and foes,

They stumbled and fell.

 

Though an army may encamp against me,

My heart shall not fear;

Though war may rise against me,

In this I will be confident.

One thing I have desired of the Lord,

That will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord

All the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the Lord,

And to inquire in His temple.

 

For in the time of trouble

He shall hide me in His pavilion;

In the secret place of His tabernacle

He shall hide me;

He shall set me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me;

Therefore I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!

Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

 

When You said, “Seek My face,”

My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

 

Do not hide Your face from me;

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not leave me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation.

 

When my father and my mother forsake me,

Then the Lord will take care of me.

Teach me Your way, O Lord,

And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

 

Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;

For false witnesses have risen against me,

And such as breathe out violence.

 

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed

That I would see the goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Day 111: Stamp Falls

This weekend I was able to catch up on my editing.  I got my trip all finished and even have the pictures getting developed.  I am now thinking it is time to put some on facebook to show what I all did!

This picture, I would say, is hands down one of my favourite!!  And thanks to my auntie holding some trees so I can could lean over and get this amazing photo!!

Now I eagerly await my photo's getting developed.  I can't wait to pick them up.  And Monday I have a scrapbook get together with some of my peeps.  My plan, a four page spread from my trip!!!

Day 110: ONE already!!

Well, little Miss. K turned one last month!  It has been amazing watching her grow up.  And I feel so special and honoured to be a honorary 'Auntie' to this amazing, beautiful and loving one year old.

I will be getting back to some travelling posts but thought I should add this one.  One of the reasons I came back from BC sooner then I needed to was because I couldn't miss K's birthday.  Especially her first birthday!  

I was able to spend the afternoon with the birthday girl and her mom.  Helping getting cupcakes made, occupying little Miss K so her mom could get a few things done, and helping get supper ready and cleaned up.  I couldn't think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon.

Little Miss K just has had a way to put a smile on my face.  Right from the day she was born and I just needed some cuddle/ non thinking time to this day when she lets me help feed her or hold her.  I love that kid!!!  And I thank her parents for allowing me to be a part of her life!

Day 109: A Little Water, Anyone??

When we were visiting the old Mill site there was this water tower.  I just loved it.  And even though we didn't need any more water due to the raining!!  It made a cool photo.

Day 108: Sand Dollar

While I was in BC I got to to to the Ocean!!  It was great.  I actually remembered the first beach area we went to from when I was way younger.  The tide was way out there.  One could just keep walking and walking.  There were little pools of water throughout the walk.  We came across many little crabs, shells, and sand dollars.  And by the time we got to the water the tide started to come in so we had to high tail it out.  Because when that tide comes in, in comes in fast!!

Day 107: The Old Truck Unedited

I won't do this often but here is what I call a 'naked' picture.  Here is the unedited picture that I edited on Day 106.  I had many comments made to me with where people thought I made the changes.   Did you guess right?

Being into photography isn't only about finding a good subject.  It is angles, lighting, and placement.  Then it is about weeding through the many, many photos.  Figuring out which ones to keep and which ones are maybe just a little blurry and need to go.  Then it comes to editing them.  Sharping the image, making the colour more saturated, and at times editing something in or out!

It is a great hobby and I find it a great way to pass time.  My little get away from the crazy day to day grind that sometimes happens.

Day 106: An Oldie!!!

While in BC I was able to go walk around an old mill.  At this old mill there was a old truck parked in along the side.  As one can see, this truck isn't really go anywhere anytime soon.  I just thought it looked cool and I loved the writing on the side of the door.  I could just picture this truck in its prime!

I have to admit, this was the first picture I actually edited something out of it.  I think I did an okay job.  Not perfect but I doubt most people would notice the difference.  Can you spot it???

Day 105: Oh Canada!!

I just got back from my trip to BC.  I started downloading my pictures and realised I took close to 1,000 pictures!  I think my Israel trip should be interesting if five days in BC resulted in 1,000 pictures how many will Israel result in.  Anyone care to take some guesses??

We went and checked out a fish hatchery that my Uncle is a big part of on day one of my trip.  And while we went and were walking around there was a little stream.  I seen this leaf and to me it was so beautiful.  I just had to have a picture of it!!  Plus, it made me decided what time of year my next trip is going to be.  Yep...fall time!  I think those pictures would just be amazing.  I am just glad I stumbled upon the leaf!

Plus, how fitting that we just had Canada Day!

Day 104: Fireworks!!!!

I'M BACK!!

I had a great holiday at my Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins place in BC.  It was exactly what I needed.  Rather hard to believe that I will be back at work tomorrow morning.  I had been looking for to this time off and it is couldn't come at a better time in my life.  Although, back to the routine again...which I kind of miss!!

I was able to come home a little early and have some days to relax at home.  And celebrate a very special 1 year old birthday.  As well I was able to hang out with various friends from near and far. 

Last night I was able to take in the Canada Day fireworks.  It was nice and well done.  Other then the mosquitoes being horrible we were able to enjoy a beautiful summer night.  All that was missing was a campfire.