I am always surprised at how fast time really does fly!  2018 is no exception. From January to Steve being laid off in February, to a trip visiting family around the country in March, to a new grandson in April, to allergies and a new job for Steve in May, I have barely been able to turn the pages of the calendar.  Spring normally has me thinking and shooting(photography) pageants, graduations, and award ceremonies.  This year, my only concern is surviving allergy season.  May is almost over and I can barely see the coming of the end of allergy season.

January gave us snow and fun as we bounced into the new year.

February gave us a pink slip, time to work on projects around the house, and apprehension to see what God had in store for us.  The company that Steve worked for closed their doors.  With time on our hands, we planned a trip to Washington State to see Jamie and Christina.

After three weeks out west, we came home to celebrate Darcy's third birthday.

                                   

April 12th, gave us Oliver James Woodroof.  Three and a half years ago, my friends wished me farewell. I was to be a grandmother.  All of my friends knew how much time I would invest in my new role, being a grandmother!  Darcy's brother, Oliver arrived two weeks after her third birthday.  TIME HAS FLOWN.

                     

This year, we handled allergies differently.  I usually load up and head to Florida to avoid bronchitis.  Instead of Florida, I stayed locked indoors in Huntsville with the Woodroofs for three weeks. Then transferred to Jon's house in Oxford.  I am now at home trying to overcome the last hints of the season.  Between 6 meds and AC, I hope June will be filled with fresh air and clear lungs.

 

Bear Finds A Home

   It was the Christmas of 2016 and the place was over the hills and through the woods.  The little girl was just shy of her second birthday.  The small pile of presents had come to an end with one more gift for her to open.  As she tore one end of the wrapping, There was no mistaking the delight as she grabbed the head of her new bear friend and freed him from his cage of paper. She immediately tucked him under her arm and headed for the tree with all the pretty things.  In an attempt to help her look at the bear, someone reached out to help her and touched the bear.  She had been slow to verbalize with words but the look of her face when someone else dared to touch HER bear was unmistakable. Her serious glare was a clear, "NO! You did not just touch MY bear."
   She clutched her bear tighter and continued on to the tree.  Not sure what her intentions, we just watched.  She moved the suitcase from under the tree to create a small bench.  She struggled to get her bear situated right on the edge of the case and facing the tree.  Once she was sitting right next to her friend, she pointed at the tree and said, "Bough bough."
   She took ornaments one by one off of the tree and put them in bear's face, obviously telling him the stories of each memory.  We all sat there captivated by her interaction with her bear.  No one else existed. Just her and "bear."

Daddy and A Broken Heart

Daddy gets practice with wisdom! 

   The other day, I was at a pageant.  As adults, we know there will be winners and losers. It is a lesson of life.  Tender hearts are crushed while others are validated and celebrated. 

   With my camera in hand, I watched the extraordinary moment. Of course, you have some say, "Suck it up, Buttercup."  "Better luck next time." "You are a winner." But not this dad!!!

She went out with a goal in her heart, and she came back crushed.

He held her softly and sheltered her feelings the best he could.

He just listened to her words with no verbal response.

He wiped her tears and spoke to her heart.

 Then he let her cry all over again as she hunted for understanding.

 As I watched this man, I thought of all the tender moments he will have to shape and mold this tiny heart to follow after the Father's heart.  To know that HE is there for her whatever she faces.

 I prayed for this man to have wisdom as she grows.  We all know that life gives us a great deal more to cry about, to understand, to take hold, to conquer, to be disappointed.

It doesn't matter what the world tells us with all their accolades and accusations; it matters what the FATHER thinks and says about us!

Talking Football Buddies

This story is about two little football players who were minding their own conversation while trying to keep up with the team.  They really had no intentions of keeping up with the team because they are just walking and talking.  It is half time, and the team moved to the north end goal post.  The talking buddies just figured they would make their way going behind the opponents cheerleaders so they would not get in their way.  But as they approached, their own cheerleaders filed in behind the other cheerleaders, blocking their passage.  Regardless of how much the coach coaxed them to move over to where he is and walk with him, they were lost.  Like a couple of mice that discovered they are surrounded by a room of sleeping cats, they froze.  Startled and scared, they stood there not even go backwards.  Stopping all words, they understand immediately, there is trouble.  The coach takes a few steps back and over to them to bring them to safety.  I could not help think of these little fellows coming face to face with life.  They will be walking along, minding their own business and then they will scramble through their mind's file for any info to help them figure this out. 

Estate Shopping

Every morning, my hubby and I talk about the goals for the day.   I had three goals for this day.  The top goal was to go to an estate sale and get the green, vintage, industrial lamp   I am excited to say CHECK that box, that goal is done!  Second and third on the list is to clean out the two cars that I have filled with things from Jonathan's house and yard sales along the way.    

I can hardly wait to clean up that lamp.  What I thought was rust is a small piece of glue putty that has no business being there.  The shade is 16 inches across and will be amazing in my rustic kitchen.

I need to go work on the rest of the goals.  Happy shopping friends!

Finding order and more goodies

Today, I needed to go pick up and drop off some things at my son's house.  On my way, I went by Sears to exchange a broken shovel and do a few other errands.

When I go to town, I try to always drop in a thrift store or two.  It is a bit like therapy or an addiction.
Either way, today I found this beautiful doll bed that I cannot wait to use for another photo shoot with my Darcy girl.

It is made of oak and has rockers on the bottom.  

Another find was this laundry organizer that I figured to use in a future flea market booth to hang clothes to sell.  When I got home and thought of my own laundry room, I changed my mind.

BEFORE 

 AFTER

While I was at the store, we joked about the this cover that was tucked down inside which I thought was a zippered enclosure that allowed you to hide all the laundry in one big cover bag.  I WAS WRONG.  I pulled it out and found three things down inside the hanging bags.

This is what I thought was the organizer cover.

It is a canopy cover that says Georgia Tech on 4 sides.  

Under that, I found a Christmas wreath, new with tags.

Under the wreath, there was a cool book bag, new with tons of pockets.  

I did joke about not pulling everything out at the store because you never know when you will find $20.  Honestly, April, I had no clue.  No money, but definitely some treasures.

Log Shaving

And we begin the cleaning of the logs with our draw knife.  I love decorative pieces that I can just pull off the wall and use.

Log furniture

About two weeks ago, I started the process of my first piece of log furniture.  I said, "Honey, this is what I want."

So began the wall unit that will be built for our living room.  Custom, rustic, and what should have been built a long time ago.  

Today, we cut the logs out of our own woods and put the on the porch to dry.  It will be a couple of months for the drying to happen.  Meanwhile, we will shave the bark off and design the piece.

Framed White Burlap

Once again, I see a project and love the idea.  Implementation is another story.  I would rather take pictures and dream than put the FINALity to an item.  

When I stopped by a thrift store, on my way home, I spotted some white burlap pieces, silver play cups, napkins, table cloth, and tulle ribbon stuff.

I have been sitting on these awesome canvas stretchers and knew the white burlap would have a purpose.

Another one of my projects is painting the two frames white with interior chalkboard paint.

What makes a good image?

Often, my attention is directed towards a photo and I am asked, "Do you think this is good?"

My number one, first response is, "What is the purpose of the image, what do you hope to accomplish with the image?"

Photography really is about purpose.

Example:  Photo 1 could be used several ways.  Focus on the plant while maintaining a morning soft feel.  Photo 1 has no value if the purpose was to get details of the farm.

Photo 1

Photo 2 is only valuable if this is the only picture of the farm that exists.  It would be remarkably better if I had moved over two feet and avoided the blurred plant blocking the view of the farm.

Photo 2

Focus plays a major role in developing purpose.  I took both of these images on purpose to demonstrate how focus helps to see your purpose and accomplish your own intentions next time you are out shooting.

Color Preference?

Sometimes, I capture an image that strikes me so well I dare to play with several edits.  Photographers are constantly pulled between color and black and white.  We live in a world of fun, creative ideas to enhance our lives.  One lesson in my photography class was to examine the work of others and find out what we like,  what part of the image speaks to us, what does it say, why do you see that, and do you like it?  Below are some examples of edits that may or may not do anything for you.   The image was taken on an early morning bike ride in Georgia (U.S.).  I love the color

And thought immediately of this scripture and edited below.

Just for my own curiosity, I used a black and white filter.

LOVE!!!

Then, I thought of different purposes and ideas which brought on the below edits.

I love them all.

Even the green!!!   

All images are the property of Sharon Brewer.  I hope you enjoy this post.

More on the Photo Shed

This week, I have been trying to focus on my photo storage shed.  My photo props need a home, and the Gracious Oaks need a storage area for wedding decor.  Last month, maybe the month before, I turned one corner of recovering the outside of the shed.  I am using gray pressure treated fencing that I bought from a friend's leftovers.

Today, I turned the other corner.  Steve watches the project from afar, being careful to let me make my mistakes.  After all, this is not his project.  Today, my arm was really wanting some muscles to hammer in the nails on the siding, but I managed.  The exercise is good for me, and the shed is coming right along.

I have so many projects going on that I feel that I never get anything done.  But I do.  I tell myself that anyway.  Sometimes, I complete a small project on purpose to prove to myself that I can finish something.  

Last weekend, I was able to see little Darcy again.  Two weekends in a row.  She is growing so fast.  She tries to talk and communicate with me but the second I turn on the video she is MUMS THE WORD!  Steve was able to sneak in last week and get some conversation with her.

Guntersville Has Art!

If there is an outdoor store anywhere around, my oldest daughter can feel it in her bones.  Christina  loves the outdoors and all the wonderful accessories that go with looking great while you hike, ski, bike, or boat.  Recently, my daughter and I were traveling from Huntsville to Gadsden and had to stop at Guntersville Outfitters. 

We shopped, tried on some clothes, and took our time before we paid for our selections.  We spoke with Dylan about summertime fun and her art projects.  She directed our attention to the display of wonderful art that she had for sale and smiled.  You could tell she loved each piece,  Artists are like parents; each work is a part of themselves. 

 

I loved the artist's sweet personality the moment I spoke to her.  The prices were amazing, and my daughter has artwork in her home that will always take her back to this time and place.

Dylan, it was a joy to meet you! Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to have you in our lives always.