Picture of the Day ~ March 31, 2011

I was doing my timeline for fb and remembered I had this picture and used it for my cover picture. Since the weather hasn't been all that great for a while now I have been longing for the warmth of Florida. I love the way the splash is captured in this picture. I was just fooling around with taking pictures one morning on the beach. 

Picture of the Day ~ March 30, 2012

Waking up to snow this morning made me miss Florida. This was our favorite beach while down there and we spent many hours here enjoying the sun, surf and sand. Doesn't this make you want to escape the north and get down there as fast as you can? This is exactly what I would like to do.

Picture of the Day ~ March 29, 2012

While my mom was here she cooked her special linguine and mussels for our family. Last November in Florida she made the same dish. The guys in the house were excited to be having this meal once again. Amy on the other hand wasn't as happy, but she did eat some with out complaint. Brandon enjoys cooking and learning how to cook different food.  He asked my mom to teach him how to cook this particular dinner. The two of them worked together in the kitchen. Brandon did a great job making the meal, he had a great teacher. 

Gramma and Brandon cooking together 

 The mussels. The smelled delicious and tasted wonderful. Don't they look great?

 The finished product. This was my rice pasta dish. 

Picture of the Day ~ March 28, 2012

Sorry about not posting yesterday. Our internet was out all night due a storm we were having. This past week we had the pleasure of having my mom come and visit. We took her down one of our favorite places in Minnesota. Unfortunately, the weather was cold, windy and cloudy and my mom wasn't able to see the beautiful drive along Lake Superior. We had fun visiting the different stores, sampling the coffee and we had lunch, than drove home. We were all tired from our day out! 

The whole gang with Brandon being silly! 

Gramma & Brandon

Picture of the Day ~ March 26, 2012

Like most people, I have enjoy watching a river snake along it's path in all season's.  Spring break up brings out a different type of beauty as the river starts to flow freely breaking free from winter's hold. This river close to my home is no exception. 

Free flowing ice chunks 

Picture of the Day ~ March 24, 2012

The two pictures for today are from the red tack shed. I am not sure as to why, but the window captured my eye from the outside and the inside. I think it is the way the horse ropes are hanging in the window that I found fascinating. It could be the weathered look of the paint or even the dirt on the windows. 

I made it in the picture! 

 When I was inside the tack shed, I found the light coming in through the window interesting. I also loved the dark look of these worn horse ropes and to top it off, the way the back ground is slightly blurred made it the picture of the day for me. 

See you on Monday and have a great Sunday. 

Picture of the Day ~ March 23, 2012

It has been raining A. LOT. today. Keith was walking home from work when he passed some pine trees. He noticed the needles where covered in raindrops. He suggested I go out and take some picture of the raindrops on the edge of the needles. It made for some interesting picture taking and as usual a learning curve with trying to focus on drops of water.

The Camera

Since I have been taking pictures, I thought you all might be interested to know what type of camera and lenses I use.

Two years ago, my wonderful husband surprised me with a digital SLR for our 17th Anniversary. I have been asking for this type of camera for about 10 years, but not expecting I would ever get one. When I was in high school I took several photography classes where we would use SLR's with film. The digital camera is a lot easier to use and more fun. I don't use the camera to it's full potential, which is frustrating for me, but I hope to learn more as I go. Who knows, my future may hold a digital photography class where I cam learn how to push the camera.

The Camera 

This is my portrait lens. I don't like it all that much and I rarely use it. I don't like the 'feel' and I find it doesn't take sharp images. This is a plastic lens and I think that has to do with the quality of the picture. I have found I prefer glass lenses. 

This is the lens that I have used the most. It is the 'kit' lens. Overall I like the lens, however, I find I am using it less and I have started to notice a difference, since getting my new lens for Christmas. 

This is my new lens and I use it the most. I don't have anything techie to say, since I'm just learning about the lens, quality and the ability each has. I'll just say, I love this lens.

There you have it. The camera and my thoughts on different lenses. I thought I wouldn't 'need' any other lenses, than my kit lens, however, I have been bitten by the lens bug. I now think a wide-angle would be great for when I want to take scenic pictures or large group shots. I have also thought some day it would be nice to up grade to 'L' series of lenses, but that will have to wait a number of years. 

Picture of the Day March 22, 2012

Lately, it has been quite foggy around here. I think it has to do with the bay still being somewhat frozen, yet the air has warmed up considerably. Fog can make for some great pictures. I don't think this one is great, but I liked the way you see the three trees. 

Picture of the Day ~ Ethan's Birthday, March 21, 2012

Today is Ethan's birthday and I have  two pictures for the day. Actually, I do have more, but those will have to wait until a later date when I write about Ethan's day. 

All the yummy toppings for Ice Cream Sundae's ~ Ethan's request 

Ethan and Amy 

Fun Florida Facts

I still have blogging to do about Florida. It will get done. I was thinking of some of the facts of our trip and thought I would share them with you.

1. Traveled over 13,000km with safety.

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2.  Keith biked approximately 800 Miles (not km's)

3. 250 + hours spent at the beach, aw the serotonin and vitamin D

4. We stayed 137 days

 

5. Brandon went to 6 NHL games

6. Keith, Brandon & Amy went to Busch Garden's 6 times

7. The family went to 5 NHL games

 

8. The whole family went to Busch Garden's  5 times

9. Kelly had 5 Pedicures - an important part of relaxing

10. One Family that has come together!

Picture of the Day~ March 20, 2012

In honor of Ethan's 12th birthday tomorrow. Do you see he is listening to his ipod? Yes, he is a tween, but with two older sibling who are teenagers he has learned a lot from them. 

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Happy Birthday, E! We love you more than you know. 

Picture of the Day ~ March 19, 2011

On the property we have this old tack building. Long ago, Dorion Bible Camp had a horsemanship program and this is what is left of that program. Well, I find the building fascinating with the paint chipping away, being a rustic red, and the dirty windows. The building oozes character.  I couldn't resist snapping some pictures!

Picture of the Day ~ March 17, 2012

Today's picture was taken on my deck. We have a lot of chickadee's that hang around eating the sunflower seeds. Now that spring is upon us the chickadee's will be leaving until next season when they come back looking for the sunflower seeds we feed them.

 

Picture of the Day ~ March 16, 2012

I love today's picture because it show true joy on my son's face! This spring break he has been making these small explosions with baking soda and vinegar. He pours the vinegar into a film canister (remember those), fills the cap with baking soda, than puts the cap on. Once the cap is on the reactions happens and pop goes the top with the contents spraying up and all over the place. It is fun to watch and Ethan loves doing this. I have to watch the amount of vinegar he uses and baking soda because he could easily use all of my stuff before I would even know it was gone! I'm not sure the last time I had a picture taken where I showed this much joy, but it is good to see the joy in him.

Ethan doing what he loves, easy science experiments! 

Picture of the Day ~ March 15, 2012

Today I had to choose between two pictures. I decided on this one because I love the clarity and detail you can see in the squirrel. Those of you not from the north this is a red squirrel and it is fully grown.  

 

Happenings at Home

Ethan, Brandon, & Amy ~ Celebrating Brandon's Birthday

We haven't been all that active since getting back, but we have done a few things. The first big event was Brandon's 15th birthday on February 26th. We celebrated with a small family party. Brandon had requested steak and goat cheese salad for his dinner, then we had angle food cake with whipped cream and strawberries for dessert. We had a lot of fun sitting around the table and talking.  One of the family traditions we have on birthdays and other special occusions is to let the person who is being celebrated know what we appriciate about them. It was fun to listen to what Ethan and Amy had to say. They have started to say more meaningful things and not always being silly. Being siblings and kids they do continue to say funny things to get a reaction out of all of us. It is fun to watch.

We couldn't get the '15' in the cake without the whipping cream. We did our best.

The cake with whipping cream and strawberries. 

Brandon with one of his gifts. He also received Xbox live and a new study Bible

 

Brandon & Me ~ I rarely have my picture taken with the birthday person

In other happenings, the kids have all started back to school. Brandon didn't attend the first week, but he is now back full time.(Actually, the kids are on spring break this week, Amy and Ethan had 8 days of school and Brandon five). They have adjusted well to being back in school and with their friends. Keith started back to work full time on March 1. He had a lot of things to get caught up on, phone calls to make, emails to return, camper registrations, meetings, the list, as usual, is endless with camp work. I have been getting the house re-organized and settled after being gone for 5 months. I have also gone into to town for weekly grocery shopping and visiting with a few friends. Town is always a combined trip and I'm usually wiped out by the time I get home. Keith and I have had a few visits with friends, which has been nice. Otherwise we haven't been too active. It is enough and soon it will be busy with getting ready for the camping season. 

Picture of the Day ~ March 14, 2012

I have been thinking lately that there are two things I need work on. One would be blogging a bit more consistently  and two taking better pictures. I thought, 'Why not put the two together!' and the idea was born. I am going to try and post a new picture a day with the exception of Sunday's. I usually take Sunday's to 'unplug'. I'm going to give it a try for a month and see how it goes. Hopefully, I will have more posts to read and hopefully, my picture will be interesting enough to keep you all coming back to see what I have for the day.

Winston looking rather fuzzy! He came with us on our last snowshoe for the season this past Saturday.

We're Back

Once again this poor blog has been neglected! Several different things came up during our last month in Florida and the time went much to fast. To be honest I was wanted to enjoy every ounce of time I had and not be concerned about posting something. I will get back to our time. I have a few things to blog about and write about the adventures we did have.

We arrived home two weeks ago! It is hard to believe we have been home for that long. It was nice to be around my stuff again and to see our most loved pets. We missed our cat and dog like crazy and getting to be with them was wonderful. Our travels home were uneventful and we had the pleasure of visiting with family and our friends. The five of us were relishing the last drops of our time before the reality of coming home would bring. We had fun being with each other at the hotels just relaxing and enjoying each other's company.

Leaving Florida was hard on all five of us. Florida was a special time for our family. It was a time of healing in our relationships with each other. It was time to play and play we did. It was time to try something new. It was time to see God's goodness to us each and every day. It was time to meet some incredible people and develop lasting friendships. It was a time try a new church and find  great Sunday School groups for all five of us. It was a time to learn about many new cultures through our missionary friends. It was a time to see life differently and have new experiences. Indeed, Florida was a an exceptional time in our lives.

Saying good-bye to goofy friends

Saying good-bye to friends that have become dear to us! 

 Friends we wish we had more time to get to know! 

 Friends who were instrumental in helping our family become healthy! 

 Unexpected friendship and people we miss everyday! 

Yes, Florida was a fantastic experience for our family and one we soon won't forget. We are thankful for our time down there and to God for more than meeting our expectations. He exceeded them! Eph. 3:20