Fog + Frost = Magic

"Feathered with hoarfrost,

skeletal trees loom closer;

fog shrouded arches."

~ Paul Brown ~

When ordinary cobwebs become silver garlands,

and weeds are dusted with sugar.

The Company Of Children

"Were I a philosopher, I should write a philosophy of toys, showing that nothing else in life need be taken seriously, and that

Christmas Day in the company of children

is one of the few occasions on which men become entirely alive."

~ Robert Lynd (1892-1970)~

"It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart."

~ Marjorie Holmes, American writer~

So let's rejoice in the art of giving and soak in the good feeling that comes from the simple, beautiful act of giving away.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart...filled it, too, with melody that would last forever."

~ Bess Streeter Aldrich (1881-1954), American author, 'Song of Years'.

Keeping Christmas

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

~ Bob Hope~

" I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

~ Charles Dickens~

From 'A Christmas Carol'.

Pets at i heart faces

This is my entry for this week's Pet Challenge at i heart faces. They are changing things up a bit with an animals only week.
This is Misty on a very, very foggy morning.

There will be many beautiful animal photos at...

Carousel Workshop

To continue with a little more about our visit to the carousel workshop...

Ilex and Drake helped me take Luke and Levi on a short field trip to the Albany museum (which I did not get pictures of, for some reason).
This stop, at the carousel workshop, was just a lucky afterthought.

The photos from yesterday's post, of Levi in his reverie, were my favorites, because they're just so Levi.=)

Fortunately the workshop also had a completed frog (set up as the only moving animal). Luke immensely enjoyed his ride, but in a more staightforward 'Lukie' sort of way.

This is really a remarkable project that the city of Albany is undertaking... To quote from their website~

"Albany's Brass Ring carousel studio is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to building a traditional Victorian carousel in Albany's downtown historical district. This project is funded through donations, grants and fundraising activities."

Volunteers are hand carving and painting a wonderful menagerie of animals to eventually be assembled on the donated and refurbished Dentzel mechanism.

The Horse And His Boy

"We've got to get there first. Do you know the way?"

"I know my way to Tashbaan." Bree answered , "After that comes the desert. Oh, we'll manage the desert somehow, never fear.

Why, we'll be in sight of the Northern mountains then. Think of it! To Narnia and the North! Nothing will stop us then."

On our short visit to the Carousel workshop we had a quick look around, and they fortunately have a few completed, beautifully carved and painted animals the kids can get on. It takes Levi exactly 2 seconds to get into the zone. He is "one with his steed", and reliving a bit of Narnia I think. That's what we all love about Levi. He has no barrier between his reality and his imagination-none whatsoever. He moves in and out, in a heartbeat. He never said a word, but the look on his face..well..it says it all.

Riding The Steam Locomotive

We were privileged to go on this outing with Holly and her family; Casey, Ilex, Drake and Ivy, also including Casey's folks, Stan and Carol. What an experience to feel the raw power that can only be felt by being near a live steam engine.

We enjoyed the 40 min. ride along the historic Portland Traction line viewing the river on one side of the train and a wild-life refuge on the other. The day was exquisite. (and extremely cold, I might add!)

Portland is fortunate to have a couple of the most powerful operating steam locomotives in the world.

"Stretchest Out The Heavens"

Winter~Out The Back Door

Photography~ Just Out The Front Door

Just reminding myself~I needn't go to far flung places in order to get interesting photos.
Today just a short walk out my front door yields an abundance of subjects for the camera!
I'm trying to look at things differently, change my perspective, capture a mood.

Home School Sharing Night

This has become an annual tradition, timed for when Great Grandma and Grandpa Pietsch are in town for Thanksgiving. We all gather at Holly and Casey's beautiful home for an evening of recited poems, Latin readings, geography and science fact demonstrations, and music recitals! We are truly impressed with the range of learning and knowledge which Holly and Christina {Jake's Mom and the preschool teacher} are imparting.

Craft projects included an ocean diorama and indian costumes for the preschoolers Jake and Ivy, a telegraph machine by Drake, and a charming advent swag.

Blessings

Thanksgiving is the holiday of peace, the celebration of work and the simple life... a true folk-festival that speaks the poetry of the turn of the seasons, the beauty of seedtime and harvest, the ripe product of the year - and the deep, deep connection of all these things with God.

~Ray Stannard Baker (David Grayson)

With Greatgrandparents in Town

to appreciate the activity, playing in the back yard is way more fun. Tree climbing, teeter-totter, slides and swings. They all have more charm with a fresh audience.

I Heart Faces~Sun Flare

This week at *I Heart Faces* the theme is Sun Flare~that capture of sun in the lens that creates interesting spots and flares of light on the photo. {It reminds me somehow, of skipping stones on water.}
Once I realized that it was OK to face your camera directly into the sun! all manner of interesting, cool effects were possible! I'm still learning :) !!

Check out other lovely SUN FLAIR photos this week.

Living Lovely--Savor Slow Food~Late

I think I'm over a week late on the living lovely challenge from Heidi at Mt. Hope Academy {savor slow food} but I needed Heidi's and my trip to Bob's Red Mill to get some ingredients for this Gluten Free cranberry bread. {That's my lame excuse anyway.}

I'm happy with the way it turned out, though it may not be quite as moist as the wheat version that I used to make. {see the recipe Heidi posted last week.} This cranberry bread is made from the recipe on the back of the GF Biscuit and Baking Mix package. In addition I added 1/4 cup more sugar, some grated orange peel and 1/2 cup nuts to make it a little more like the original recipe.



{Bob's Red Mill is a wonderful source for gluten free grains and mixes of all kinds as well as regular wheat and whole grains, spices, and all manner of yummy stuff!}

Our Fall Photo Shoot

from last week, when Ilex and I went exploring and looking for Fall beauty, resulted in some fun and exciting photos. {I'm trying to get out of my box, when it comes to settings and backgrounds. Can you tell?} Ilex is a great sport! {and a beautiful model, I might add.}

This train trestle makes for a little drama and I tried some different edits on one of my favorites.

This one has a couple of actions in Photo Shop then just sizing, frame and sharpening in picnik.

This one starts the same as above then 'Ambrotype' at 50% in curves (picnik)

This one has 'Faded Daguerreotype' at 50% (also picnik-curves)

The Little Things-Sunday Citar

Check out freshmommyblog.com for more beautiful photos and quotes.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back

and realize they were the big things.

~Robert Brault~

Fall Beauty-at I Heart Faces

Most of the leaves are off the trees now, and on the ground, most yards have been raked and the piles hauled away. This spot however, that Ilex and I found down by the river the other day, has been left in it's more natural state, and there were plenty of leaves, at least on the ground. She could hardly shake any more loose. It was a stunning place to enjoy the afternoon.

This is my entry for *I Heart Faces* photo contest this week. The theme is fall beauty.

Teach Me Your Paths

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

Psalm 25:4

Courage

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

~Cynthia Ozick~

Gratitude

I'm joining freshmommyblog.com this week in her

*sunday citar*

with this autumn collage

and a favorite quote for the season.

Go on over to enjoy some of the other fine photos and quotes.

His Lovingkindness

Ilex~Take Two

Ilex is our sweet 13 year old

who loves to;

sketch birds,

write poetry and short stories,

care for small children,

Read,

volunteer at the animal shelter,

spend time with her grandparents,(yay)

and doesn't own a cell phone.(three cheers!)

She's a little bit dreamy...

(her mother would say her head is sometime in the clouds :))

Vintage Trucks~ Make Great Backdrops

Time with the grand kids doesn't ALWAYS turn into a Photo shoot-honestly.

But I thought we'd take a little time out yesterday, after the history lesson Ilex and I usually do on Wednesdays, and also from the work Drake came over to do with Poppy.


Drake would much rather be doing this...

Than this! :-)

But isn't he handsome, though?

Ilex, on the other hand, seems to enjoy 'modeling' for me and it gives me much needed photography practice!! The result is that I get WAY more pictures of her. (sorry Drake!)

We took full advantage of Poppy's vintage trucks. ('Future projects', you know, but hey we kind of like them like this!)

I'll be posting a few more later.