Tag: family
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2019 The Year of Sunshine, Soft Colors and Decatur Island: Week 3

Sometimes a look back at soft, summer pastels is a nice way to pass through the dark days of January. Our warm winter continues but by this time of year the short days start to wear on me and I dream of long evenings outside until 10:00 pm enjoying the…
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2019 The Year of a New Daily Photo Project: Week 1

Will 2019 be my year of living dangerously? No that’s not it… a year of self-control, or reckoning, discovery, relaxation? Sigh, I’m terrible with resolutions. Honestly whenever I try to think of a theme or title for the new year all I come up with are overused movie quotes and…
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Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas filled with love, light and happy memories. John, Ryan, Finn and I are enjoying the surprise snow and lighting candles. Presents are wrapped, dinner is cooking and Santa is on his way…🎅🏼 🎁
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My Year In Pictures: January Week 2

If we say a New Year shows it’s colors in the first weeks of January I hope my 2017 is filled with shades of a pastel rainbow. Fingers crossed that these photos start a positive trend leading to more time with family, more time in the outdoors and a chance to…
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My Year In Pictures: January Week 1

Hello 2017! In Kennedy family tradition our year began on the beach and as you can see we’ve been trapped in a cold but beautiful weather pattern all week. I’m a native Pacific Northwesterner so I don’t let a little cold (or wet) weather keep me from enjoying the great…
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My Year In Pictures: October Week 1

October is here, the weather is changing and my thoughts are turning to late garden color, cozy accessories, movies and spooky lights. My week in a nutshell! After ignoring our yard for much of the summer I had fun at some end-of-season plant sales and shipped my first warm scarf of the…
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My Year In Pictures: June Week 4

Strawberries, flowers, sail boats and lazy days at the lake – this week’s set of photos is all about summer memories new and old. The week started with this pretty shot from my parent’s garden followed by one of our tiny wild strawberry plants caught in the middle of an evening sunbeam.…
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My Year In Photos: June Week 3

What a week! The third week of June flew by in a flash only slowing to note Father’s Day, the first day of summer, the last day of school and the start of Ryan’s trip to spend some quality time with his Grandparents. We enjoyed a quiet Father’s Day and loved…
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My Year In Pictures: May Week 2

We’ve turned the corner into the middle of May and as spring fades to summer our family focus has been on growth and new beginnings. A quick scroll through this set of seven images really highlights what’s captured my attention: pretty, soft colors, natural science and good health. We’ve enjoyed fresh…
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My Year In Pictures: April Week 4

Looking at Ryan’s 1000 piece puzzle spread out on the desk is a lot like searching through my photo files filled with tiny images that tell the story of our lives. It takes 1000 little pieces to show every known atom in the universe and at the end of this year I’ll have 1096…
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My Year In Pictures: April Week 3

My last set of photos was really a random, disconnected glimpse into our mid-April but this week I’m seeing a definite trend toward happiness and good wishes. Not only did I stop to appreciate a sign announcing “I’m in the pursuit of happiness” but we had the good fortune to enjoy plenty of…
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My Year In Pictures: February Week 4

We’re almost at the end of the first month in my new year-long challenge and after 27 days of daily photos I am happy to report that it is still fun. 🙂 I’m enjoying the freedom to try some new things after spending a year exploring the random settings in Hipstamatic…
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My Year in Pictures: February Week 3

I’m so happy February has an extra day this year! Really, I’ll need more than one day to catch up but I’ll make the most of what I get. 🙂 The third week of February started on a sweet note with Valentines day falling on a Sunday. We celebrated with…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up January With Hipstamatic (week 2)

I know I started this random photo a day project as a way to acknowledge the good in every day but there are some weeks when I just want them to hurry up and be gone. This week was definitely one of those and while nothing terrible happened sometimes a series of complications…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Circle (Goodbye 2015 and Hello 2016)

If I had to make a list of favorite ways to welcome the New Year visiting a beach would be right up at the top. John and Ryan have bravely joined me for some of cold, wet and windy walks along the shore followed by a quick photo to mark our presence…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up December With Hipstamatic (week 4 – the Christmas edition)

In the few hours left before our New Year’s Eve countdown I’m here online to recap a 7 day stretch that was filled with Christmas. We spent last full week of the month surrounded by festive displays, holiday decorations, good food, and family. Next week will bring a fresh start and end of the…
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2015 in review
Here it is – my WP year in review. 🙂 It was sweet to see that my busiest day of 2015 was on my Grandma Emma’s 97th Birthday and her “round the world virtual birthday card” was the third most read post of the year. My #1 was one of…
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A Surprise Everyday: Shaking Up December With Hipstamatic (week 3)

Now that our shopping is finished, the house is almost clean and I have a few minutes of quiet before cooking Christmas Eve dinner this set of photos from mid-month is a reminder of what it took to get us here. All in all we had a good week and…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up December With Hipstamatic (week 1)

Hello everyone! I didn’t plan to be away for so long and don’t think I’ve ever gone 10 days without a post but sometimes life just gets in the way… One thing I didn’t let go though was my daily photo habit and even though this set of 7 images…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up November With Hipstamatic (week 4)

I’m still shaking my head at the fact that as I write this there are only a few hours left in the month of November. Our wintry weather, family activities, busy work days and holiday decorations are all telling me the end of the year is almost here but I swear it we…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Trio

A happy family is but an earlier heaven. George Bernard Shaw A trail-side “selfie” of John, Ryan and I illustrating everything that makes me happy and grateful as we celebrate Thanksgiving here in our sunny pacific northwest corner of the United States. Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Trio.
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up November With Hipstamatic (week 3)

“Wow what a week” is all I can say as I after seeing this set of 7 photos together in a gallery waiting for my post. It’s been another non-stop whirlwind of activity broken up by a major wind storm, a night without power and some chilly days. Brr…winter is coming.…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up November With Hipstamatic (week 2)

If I had to pick one word summarizing the past week I think I’d choose “stormy.” Our surprising Pacific Northwest drought is coming to an end as a series of “Pineapple Express” weather systems have delivered more rain in the past 10 days than we usually see in the whole month of November with plenty more…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up November With Hipstamatic ( week 1)

As I sit in front of my computer tonight, three days after the day I wanted to finish this post I’m reminded one more time why this random image, daily photo project is important. It’s so easy to get lost in our busy days. I rush from work to evening events, the laundry room…
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Happy Halloween 2015!

To all my Halloween celebrating friends I hope you have a happy, spooky and safe Saturday night! We’ve got plans for a relaxing evening filled with good food, scary movies and lots of candy to share. You’ll see several more holiday themed pictures in my next “Shake It Up” post but…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up September With Hipstamatic (week 2)

I’ve erased dozens of opening sentences tonight trying to sum up my experiences from this past week and finally decided to just start with a few thoughts about the process. It’s hard to find your balance when every day is extreme in its peaks and valleys but in the end,…
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Sally D’s Mobile Photography Challenge: Nature (Freedom on the Beach)
Kids + Beach = Freedom to Run Put two kids on the beach together and they naturally fall in step, running toward the open water, sunshine and surf. Ryan and his cousin Sophia were my inspiration for this week’s “nature” challenge at Lens and Pen by Sally.
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up August With Hipstamatic (week 1)

Well, it’s Monday morning and our staycation week is over but sorting through my new photos to find one image from each day has been a fun trip back through our latest adventures. Our goal was to visit at least one mountain, island, river, beach and city while trying new things…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up July With Hipstamatic (week 4)

This week’s set of seven photos perfectly illustrate why I love summers in the Pacific Northwest. The temperatures are generally mild, flowers are in full bloom, gardens are at their peak and the beaches are wide open. I’m a day later than usual with this recap because Ryan and I just got home from long weekend…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Symbol (Summer Smiles)

Share your smile with the world. It’s a symbol of friendship and peace. Christie Brinkley This morning I’m remembering our 2014 Lopez Island adventure and dreaming about planning a return trip. One year ago today we hiked to the top of Iceberg Point and Ryan’s smile shone brightly from morning to night. Sharing friendship and…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up July With Hipstamatic (week 2)

I think I’ve mentioned before that some weeks I’m surprised by a theme weaving through the photos when I sit down to write my recap. There are plenty of weeks that feature random yet interesting moments but every once in a while I see a trend in my choice of subjects that wasn’t apparent…
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A Surprise Everyday: Shaking up July With Hipstamatic (week 1)

I have a quick little recap today since we just got home from a weekend away with family celebrating the 4th of July. Ryan is spending the next 5 days with his Grandparents and John and I are on our way to pick up some take out for dinner so we can…
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Telling Stories Through Black and White Photography: Waiting For Food and Fun

Every week Paula of Lost in Translation hosts a fun Black & White Sunday challenge and this week she’s welcomed guest host Allan Hamilton to share his expertise on the subject of narrative black and white photography. Allan’s guest post is full of great tips for creating engaging images that provoke thought without the…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up June With Hipstamatic (week 4)

The fourth week of June was a fun one that began and ended with family time and was filled with what’s turning out to be a stretch of warmer than usual summer days. Since we don’t have air conditioning we’re doing what we can to keep cool and I’m using the high…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Muse And The Spirit of Our Inner Child

“The most potent muse of all is our own inner child.” Stephen Nachmanovitch When I saw “muse” was the theme of the latest Weekly Photo Challenge I knew the days ahead were going to be full of beautiful photos and posts as bloggers around the world let us peek behind their creative curtains while…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up June With Hipstamatic (week 3)

Hello everyone! I’m back from a whirlwind week of end of the school year activities, annual appointments, a work trip to New York City and preparations for Father’s Day so the dads in my life can take some time off to relax and be reminded of how special they are…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up June With Hipstamatic (week 2)

Sometimes these weekly recaps highlight random, un-linked moments from my days and sometimes an unexpected theme emerges. Flowers, flowers and more flowers filled the second week of June. We filled our empty deck planters Sunday afternoon and before they were finished I snapped a photo of a few of the bright colors…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up June With Hipstamatic (week 1)

I don’t know why the month of May always ends with everyone in our house sick but once again we’ve spent the last 7 days suffering through a cold that simply will. not. end. Sick or not life must go on and our week was full of some nice weather, end…
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A Surprise Everyday: Shaking Up May With Hipstamatic (week 3)

It’s been a quiet week here filled with normal life and unpredictable spring weather – just the way I like it. Sunday was Mother’s Day and the boys treated me to flowers, a relaxing afternoon and dinner at home. Ryan and I stopped at Starbucks for Frappuccino’s before walking to the beach while…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up May With Hipstamatic (week 2)

Today’s recap is a quick one while I wait for Ryan to finish his math so we can start our Mother’s Day walk to the beach. It was another beautiful spring week here in the Pacific Northwest filled with plenty sun and very little rain. We are all a little concerned about a dry…
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iPhoneography Thursday: Black and White Tiki and Happy Birthday Wishes

Each spring two Robin families make themselves at home below our decks and build these lovely nests raise their babies. Last fall John moved the old ones up to the back porch and they’ve weathered the winter protected from the worst of our wind and rain. This nest has a new resident reminding us…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up April with Hipstamatic (week 3)

Another busy week has come and gone but over all it’s been a good one here in our little corner of the Pacific Northwest. While my days fly by in a blur of work, family, driving and if I’m lucky a little bit of blogging I’ve been trying very hard to recognize those quiet moments…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up March With Hipstamatic (week 3)

Just when we thought this strange, sun filled winter would last forever spring arrived and brought some much needed rain to the Pacific Northwest. This week was exactly how March should feel in Washington with lots of fresh green growth, wet petals on the ground and flashes of bright sunlight. Sunday…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking Up February With Hipstamatic (week 4)

It’s hard to believe February is over but seeing as this is March 1st it must be true! The last week of the month flew by in a blur of work and events but the simple task of looking for one new thing to photograph and share has really helped me…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking up February With Hipstamatic (week 2)

Even though it’s hard to believe February is half over I have a new group of 7 random images to share marking the passage of each day in this little month. My “shake to randomize” Hipstamatic project is turning out to be more fun than I expected and not only…
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A Surprise Every Day: Shaking up February With Hipstamatic

February is a strange little month. The big family holidays are over, our days are short and wet, someone is usually sick and I’m running on empty when it comes to creative thoughts. I shouldn’t be surprised as the same things happen every year but once again we hit the end…
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Wishing My Beautiful Grandma Emma a Happy 97th Birthday!

One year ago today I thought it would be fun to write my Grandma Emma a happy birthday post in honor of her 96th birthday. I hoped she would enjoy seeing her photo and name in my blog and smile at the thought of this unique birthday card created just for her. One year…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Depth and Compassion

Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind. Albert Schweitzer As John, Ryan and I work through the challenges and rewards of living with our newest family member Finn, compassion…
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iPhoneography Monday: A Light in the Dark

Finding a well-lit macro subject inside my house on a dark January afternoon is a challenge but yesterday I spent some time studying an old ship’s lantern on our mantel. The brass and glass light above is one of a set of three from my father-in-law who spent his working years sailing the world,…
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Goodbye 2014 and Hello 2015!

I’m back for a brief visit during my internet vacation to wish everyone a safe and happy New Year’s Eve! Regular posting resumes in a few days but I want to close the year with this fun collage of 1st day photos along with some exciting news about my participation in a…
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Phoneography and Digital Photo Challenge: Portraiture (Ryan and Finn)

“Never work with kids or pets” is a show business saying frequently attributed to W.C. Fields and while I’m pretty sure it refers to the fact that audiences ignore adult actors when cute kids and/or animals are around it should also serve as a warning to not attempt taking Christmas…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Yellow

The middle of the road is for yellow lines and dead armadillos. Jim Hightower I’m glad John and Ryan chose the side of the road for their summer walk. Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Yellow.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Converge

Converge: to come together and have one interest, purpose, or goal. Thanksgiving in my family is a logistical puzzle but any of us who can be in the same place come together for a meal and between our various groups we share phone calls and goofy texted photos of turkey dinners and happy tables. This year…
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Phoneography and Non-SLR Digital Photo Challenge: Portraiture (Ryan in the Hoh Rainforest)

While this isn’t a traditional forward-facing portrait I think it captures Ryan’s sense of adventure and his belief that nature is full of magic. If he has his hat, camera and a stick he’s prepared for anything and from my second-in-line trail place I’m ready to document our travels. This moment is…
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1 Day 1 World Project: 24 Hour Review

When I wrote my first post in the 1 Day 1 World Project series I hoped I wasn’t promising something I wouldn’t be able to deliver. Could I really write 24 posts documenting 24 real-life hours and still publish content that was interesting or worse, would it be like hosting the dreaded…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Signs

The test of an adventure is that when you’re in the middle of it, you say to yourself, “Oh, now I’ve got myself into an awful mess; I wish I were sitting quietly at home.” And the sign that something’s wrong with you is when you sit quietly at home…
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iPhoneography Monday: 9-29-14

Two Lucky Duck cousins ready to play for prizes at the county fair. Photo taken with iPhone 5 and edited in Oggl using the Lowy Lens and DC Film combination. Posted as part of Lens and Pen by Sally’s Phoneography and Non-SLR Digital Photo Challenge: Editing and Processing.
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1 Day 1 World Project: 7:00 am – 8:00 am

In my 6:00 am post I mentioned one of the busiest parts of my week was planning John’s 50th Birthday party. I felt pretty good about finishing the shopping and cleaning by the night before but that meant all the cooking had to happen the morning of the party which is…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity

My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Desmond Tutu Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Humanity.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure

The mountains are calling and I must go. John Muir “Mom, this is the best day ever!” Ryan’s first steps on the Klahhane Ridge Trail in the Olympic National Park. Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge: Adventure.
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1 Day 1 World Project: 6:00 am – 7:00 am

What do you do with a favorite red wagon when your kid outgrows pull toys and spends his time with electronics and sports? Turn it into a planter. 🙂 This week has flown by in a blur of first week of school activities, a new home re-decorating project and big plans for my husband’s 50th Birthday…
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1 Day 1 World Project: 5:00 am – 6:00 am

We’ve reached the daylight hours again, I’m feeling more like myself and Ryan is home from his late summer week with my parents. Put all these events together and it means another trip to the beach! This time John stayed home to get ready for an early morning at work…
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Travel Theme: Edge

There are several reasons I chose this photo for Alisa’s travel theme “Edge” but my favorite element is the line of Gulls patiently waiting their turn to stretch their wings and fly away.
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1 Day 1 World Project: 3:00 am – 4:00 am

I’ve been worried about this 3:00 am week since the beginning of the 1 Day 1 World Project and as of last Saturday didn’t have a single good idea for what to do but Mother Nature came to my rescue with the rare, simultaneous occurrence of a Super Moon and the…
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1 Day 1 World Project: 2:00 am – 3:00 am

I thought it was pretty quiet around here after 2:00 am but look who I found hanging out with popcorn and late night TV… If you have a photo or story to share about your 2:00 am hour I’d love to see it! Please tag your post 1 Day 1 World Project…
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1 Day 1 World Project: 1:00 am – 2:00 am

It’s 1:00 am, do you know where your kids are? Saturday night found Ryan sitting on my lap insisting on a selfie to capture the rare moment when Mom is up after midnight. 🙂 The low light of one lamp behind us left some shadows under my eyes that I’m not…
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iPhoneography Monday: 7-28-14

Today I’m taking Sally’s 4th Monday Challenger’s Choice prompt literally and posting a goofy family vacation shot as part of the Street Photography category. Walking back from a lazy summer afternoon at the pool can be just as much fun as playing in the water if you get to…
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1 Day 1 World Project 12:00 am – 1:00 am

How many of us have late night Diner stories ready to share with just a bit of prompting? John and I each have some fun memories of long hours spent with friends in the red vinyl booths of a neighborhood Denny’s. From High School study sessions to after bar closing time in college most…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Summer Lovin’

When I was a kid three activities ruled my summers: Root Beer popsicles, great books, and riding my bike as fast as possible. I’m a little afraid to try Root Beer popcicles today for fear they won’t live up to my memories but I always have a book to read and…
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Weekly Travel Theme: Purple

My sweet niece, Sophia checking out the amazing flowers on this Butterfly Bush. July 4th, 2014. Posted as part of Alisa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Purple.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Containers

From “Don’t judge a book by its cover” to “Don’t look at the jug, but at what it contains” (an old Rabbinic saying), we’re constantly taught that the contents of things are more important than the vessels, wrappers, and boxes that hold them in place. This week, let’s give outer shells their due…
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The Virtual Blog Tour and NW Frame of Mind

Last week I received a lovely message from Sally at Lens and Pen by Sally extending an invitation to participate in this Virtual Blog Tour. The purpose of the tour is to introduce bloggers to a wider audience by answering a series of four simple questions related to their…
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1 Day 1 World Project: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

For the 1:00 pm entry in my new 1 Day 1 World Project I have this stormy view of Seattle taken from our Sky City table at the top of the Space Needle. The restaurant makes a complete 360 degree rotation every 47 minutes and John, Ryan and I recently spent a fantastic 2…
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A Word A Week: Contrast
Ryan has a habit of picking up what ever electronic device is left lying around and secretly leaving his mark. I never know what to expect when I realize I haven’t seen my phone for a few hours but usually I discover new voice recordings, fun messages on my fitbit…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
So much of life happens inside something. A house, a car, a sleeping bag, a UFO… The Yard in Seattle’s Greenwood neighborhood is our favorite place to relax on a wet Northwest afternoon while Ryan attends a new debate workshop at the fantastic writing school, 826 Seattle. The school is a…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Three

Michelle’s latest photo challenge asks us to use a three picture posting style to tell a story through images. This is a technique I’ve enjoyed in the past and when you have a son with a flair for the dramatic composing a visual story is a fun way to pass the time. Today, with three images,…
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Black & White Tuesday: 2-18-14
I have another summer beach photo for this mid-February entry in my Black and White Tuesday series. Ryan spent an hour filling his pockets with rocks for sling-shot ammunition while I relaxed on driftwood logs snapping pictures of the day.
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Weekly Travel Theme: Romance
As part of Alisa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Romance I’m sharing a well-loved photo my husband’s Grandparents as a young, engaged couple in the early 1920’s. They married soon after and had four children starting with my father-in-law and followed soon after by three beautiful sisters. I’m sorry I never got a chance to meet Joe and Bess but…
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Sunday Stills: Graffiti
I always enjoy reading posts linked to Ed’s Sunday Stills challenges and today’s prompt fit perfectly with a fall photo I’ve wanted to share. My dad is focusing on an urban waterfall while Ryan snaps a picture of him and I am behind both of them watching their choices. With graffiti on the…
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Wishing my beautiful Grandma Emma a happy 96th birthday.

Last year my entire family and several hundred good friends gathered in Eastern Washington to celebrate Grandma’s 95th birthday and today I am thrilled to say we can wish her a happy 96. Her feisty spirit, good heart and caring personality have carried her through a life full of twists and turns with…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Family
What is family? For some, family is defined by genetics. For others, it is simply those with whom you share a bond of love. Or maybe it is nothing less than an expression of the universality of human experience… Josh R. – The Daily Post I don’t know about you but…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Joy
Whether or not you celebrate a winter holiday, the years’ end is a perfect time to look back at the year-that-was and happily forward to the year-that-will-be. A time of renewal, celebration, and joy. This week, let’s set ourselves up for a happy new year: share a photo that shows…
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The Little Things
Ryan is an enthusiastic collector of little, quirky things and his hands are never far from tiny objects ready for a quick touch during the day. This habit and the inevitable pile of stuff on every flat surface in his room causes more than a few arguments when it comes…
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A Word A Week: Track
Even though Ryan growing up before my eyes he is still small enough to enjoy bringing out his Polar Express Train Set. The tree lights up and bells chime when the train pulls into the station and last night Santa took his important place on top of the present car. Posted as part of Sue’s…
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Black & White Tuesday: 12-3-13
My Dad and Ryan walking together Thanksgiving afternoon talking about fishing and photography…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light
Take a look around you. Choose one of the light sources you see, and make it the focus of your challenge entry. Ben – The Daily Post This week Ben asks us to focus on a point of light and feature it in a post for the Weekly Photo Challenge. …
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Travel Theme: Short
As a mom who doesn’t ride motorcycles I can’t help but feel relieved that Ryan is still too short to ride my cousin’s Harley Davidson but this smile in Jake’s driveway tells me loud and clear he’s going to find a way… Posted as part of Alisa’s weekly Travel Theme: Short
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Travel Theme: Connections
Walking with my brother’s dog Heidi, my son Ryan and his new friend from school this morning I was thinking about connections and how lucky we are to have a great community of friends and family around us. Of course I couldn’t help taking a few pictures along the way and once…
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Travel Theme: Brown
Growing up in Bellingham, WA a trip to Tony’s Coffee in the Fairhaven District was a huge treat. My favorite thing on the menu was hot chocolate and if we were lucky Mom also ordered a dinner plate sized cinnamon roll for everyone to split. By High School my mug of hot chocolate switched…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: The Hue of You
For this challenge, we want to keep it simple: share a photograph with a prominent color (or assortment of colors) that reveals more about you. It could be a symbolic, meaningful shade; a color that expresses how you currently feel; or a combination of colors that excites you and tells…
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Travel Theme: Deep
Seven year old boys are so much fun, everything is an adventure and anything goes when it comes to work, play and clothing choices. Raking leaves at our old house was a huge job but Ryan was always ready to step up and help. This cold afternoon he dressed himself in…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Good Morning!
This week, show us a photo that says “Good morning!” It could be a shot taken during your morning walk, the morning vista out your kitchen window, your cat doing a pre-breakfast stretch, or a textured close-up of your oatmeal bubbling away at the stove. I’m excited to see how…
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Phoneography Monday: 9-23-13
I recently realized that even though both my About page and widget mention we love to cook, I haven’t posted a single recipe or even a photo of something from our kitchen. You’ll need to wait a little longer for my first recipe post but since this is the fourth Monday of the month…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside
I don’t know what it is about small spaces that pulls children inside, ready to play, hide or even relax. I was one of those kids who didn’t like being squished into someplace small but as you can see, Ryan and his cousin Emma have been doing it for years.…
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Speed

Photographers, artists, poets: show us SPEED. Every September the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce hosts the Edmonds Classic Car Show filling our downtown area with hundreds of classic cars, live bands, great food and a lot of families having fun. We always stop by and Ryan and his cousins race from car to…
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The First Lost Tooth
From the moment he lost his first tooth Ryan insisted he would keep them all forever. The Tooth Fairy was kind enough to leave this first one behind, along with a shiny silver dollar… Ryan’s teeth continue to fall out but while the anticipation of a visit from The Tooth Fairy has diminished, he…
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Standing Out in a Crowd
When was the last time you really stood out in a crowd? Are you comfortable in that position, or do you wish you could fade into the woodwork? Photographers, artists, poets: show us STANDOUT. Last weekend my family definitely stood out in the crowd. Every year we come together for one…
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Black and White Weekly Challenge: Texture
For the current theme of Texture over at Sonel’s Corner I have one more image to share from my walk last week. These tree branches looked so pretty arching over a stone wall that Ryan and I both stopped in the shade to take a few pictures before continuing down the steep hill to the…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow
After catching four-year-old Ryan with his third stolen cookie of the afternoon I really needed to take a quiet walk away from our family picnic on the beach… He was ready for me to leave too and I can still hear him say “I’ve got this beach figured out mom, take a…
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Black and White Weekly Challenge: Family
Last summer we decided to stay close to home and try a touristy “staycation” in the Seattle area instead of leaving town during the best part of the year. We filled our house with family and spent a great weekend exploring Seattle, The Pike Place Market, taking a Ride the Ducks Tour and having…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: The Golden Hour
The Golden Hour. In photography, the “golden hour” is the first and last hour of sunlight of the day. Cheri Lucas Rowlands on July 12, 2013 The Golden Hour is my favorite time of day here in the Pacific Northwest. I love how everything (and everyone) around me glows with…
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A Perfect Day for Paddle Boarding
Last Sunday we filled our backpacks with swim suits, towels and sunscreen and walked down the hill to the Edmonds – Kingston Ferry for a day of fun on the water. I tried and failed many times to photograph a pod of Orca whales so you will just have to take my word for…
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Travel Theme: Motion
Ryan never stops moving …especially on the soccer field. Posted as part of Alisa’s weekly Travel Theme: Motion.
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A Word A Week Challenge: Boat

In honor of our 4th of July holiday and in response to Sue’s A Word A Week Challenge: Boat I have four photos from a family boat trip celebrating the 4th of July, 2002. These images are scans from old film prints and I like the scratchy texture and vibrant colors from…
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Black and White Weekly Photo Challenge: Bridges
The third week of Sonel’s black and white challenge asks us to show the word “Bridge”. For more unique interpretations of bridge please visit Sonel’s Corner and her Black and White Challenge: Bridge.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Companionable
Companion – A person who is frequently in the company of, associates with, or accompanies another. Share a picture of a COMPANION and explain why you chose that picture. Michelle – The Daily Post I have been thinking a lot about companions today. I am definitely a creature of habit and…
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Daily Prompt: Everyday
Is being “normal” — whatever that means to you — a good thing, or a bad thing? Neither? Photographers, artists, poets: show us EVERYDAY. The Daily Prompt – Michelle W. After seven years our “Everyday” is about to change. This playground at Edmonds Elementary is where my son’s school day has…
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Travel Theme: Peaceful
A quiet moment at Lake Wilderness on the 4th of July. We enjoyed a few peaceful hours swimming and kayaking before the fantastic, celebratory firework show started at dusk. For more images of Peace please visit Alisa at Where’s My Backpack and the new Travel Theme: Peaceful
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting
I’ve been thinking a lot about the fleeting moments in our days, and in our lives. The quiet, precious moments between the ones we love. Cheri – The Daily Post In a new post created specifically for this challenge, share a moment that means Fleeting to you. May in the…
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Travel Theme: Costume

Halloween is a huge holiday in our family. It’s my husbands favorite time of year and he really enjoys planning new, spooky decorations for the house and costumes for Ryan. I don’t usually take photos of people in costume but looking through my photos reminded me we have plenty of…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign Says…Family Fun

Signs. Funny, poignant, symbolic, incorrect, informative, foreshadowing…there are so many signs in the world. Sara Rosso – The Daily Post I am unpacking and trying to catch up with my reader after a work trip to Phoenix but couldn’t resist taking a break to answer the latest Weekly Photo Challenge: The Sign…
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Journey
Photographers, show us JOURNEY – The Daily Post Spring Break 2012: Four beach front Island cabins filled with 9 adults, 7 kids and 4 dogs. Boat access only, no grocery stores , plenty of warm clothes, hiking, exploring and great memories.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Background
In the Background: The places that we pass through day after day, or even once in a lifetime, leave in their small way, echoes and traces of themselves upon us. But so often when taking self portraits or pictures of friends, the places themselves become a soft blurred mush of…
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A Word A Week: Face
This week Sue’s dictionary has opened to the word FACE and I have two faces to post from a memorable trip to Santa Fe, NM. This first “face” was a spooky surprise in the rocks during a visit to Bandelier National Monument. We were the only people on the trail at dusk as a…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape
This was a long day spent trying to escape from our escape… They call it Shallow Bay for a reason! For more great tales of escape and adventure please visit the Weekly Photo Challenge: Escape.
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Pattern
“Pattern. Patterns are everywhere. Patterns are sometimes intentional and sometimes accidental. They can be decorative or merely a result of repetition, and often patterns can be in the eye of the beholder to discover them.” – Weekly Photo Challenge: Pattern Today I made an effort to slow down and look…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: A Day in my Life
The new Weekly Photo Challenge is all about documenting a day in your life. I hope you enjoy this quick view of my Friday!
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Travel Theme: Smoke and Mirrors

Today Alisa has selected Smoke and Mirrors as her fun weekly travel theme challenge. I had no idea that March 29th was Smoke and Mirrors day but what a great way to showcase some spooky photos that wouldn’t have a home in a more traditional post. Some of you may remember this photo of…
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Travel Theme: International Women’s Day
This week my mind is filled with memories of my two beautiful Grandmothers. I quietly observed the 18th anniversary of my maternal Grandmothers death a few days ago and had the great fortune to attend my paternal Grandmother’s 95th Birthday party in February. In celebration of International Women’s Day and Alisa’s…
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Forward
In response to today’s Weekly Photo Challenge I have two pictures of a great friendship moving forward through 11 years. When my son was one he found a new friend at daycare. It didn’t matter to them that they were boy and girl and happily, 11 years later, this still isn’t a factor in their…
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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
This week my choice for a great first line is from The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. “The man billed as Prospero the Enchanter receives a fair amount of correspondence via the theater office, but this is the first envelope addressed to him that contains a suicide note, and it is also…




