January 30

Rev your engines! Our Awana Grand Prix is on Saturday. N is painting his car. I'll post final photos after the race.

January 29

What else do you do outside in Maine with all this snow when it's 36 degrees out? Well, ride your bike of course!!! Don't you?? ::grin::

January 28

We had a "buggy" day today. I bought a really great Charlotte Mason styled Nature Study/Art Study kit from Hearts & Trees blog a few months ago. She is out of her Winter Kits right now, but they came with some great little things. (She is selling a great looking sewing kit though!) One item included was some Sculpey clay to make bug thumbtacks (complete with instructions, toothpick to use to draw on the bugs, clay and tacks!). I'm working on getting more hands-on school with my oldest son as he loves it a lot. He chose not to make his little bugs in to thumbtacks, but did make these four little buggys today. Don't they look darling?

January 26

January 25

Today warranted a multi-photo post. I took 17 photos today & there were three that just had to be shared on this blog.

The first is yet another deer photo. Two days in a row!!! This photo was actually taken right in our driveway. We were leaving this afternoon to go visit my mom & niece & this deer was walking off to the left of us. I stopped thinking it would run off but it stopped to look back & check us out. I was able to snap four photos with my zoom all the way out again. I like how it came out.

Then we arrived at my parents house & they had a small belated party for my youngest. He's got this candle blowing thing down pat now! Check out those cheeks!

Finally, my Mom & I headed to this really neat store in the next town over. It's an old-fashioned hardware store - at least I think so. They stock everything from gift items to organic food, to grains & feed for animals. I wanted to browse some but I was also looking for a gift for my older sister whose birthday was four days ago. (I found one btw.)

I took this photo of one of the store cats. It was laying on this burlap sack in front of a nice cozy fire. They were both very friendly & I missed the chance to take of photo of the first cat I came across so I made sure to grab my camera out for this one.
I've been very pleased in the last few days that I have been remembering to bring my camera with me.

January 24

We have lived here almost four years. I've tried & tried to get a good photo of deer as there is a herd that hangs out around our house. They always take off at the slightest noise so it's been hard. Today as I headed out to errands - around 9 am no less - I saw some about to cross the road. I slowed down & grabbed my camera (thank goodness I had it with me!!!). They ended up stopping & looking back at me so I was able to get this photo with my zoom all the way out. I'm SO happy with this photo!!!!

January 23

My dog's oh so subtle way of telling me she wants to be fed.

Need more ideas?

I saw this in one of my scrapbooking e-newsletters today & thought I'd share.

It's a 30-day photography challenge - to take shots of the everyday stuff. Want to read more? Click on this link here.

January 22

My two little boys love trains. They made this track early this morning. It took up the entire living room & most of their Geo-Trax set.

January 21

The photo below is one I have been wanting to take for quite some time. I just find it neat (a bit ironic?) that every day at sunset this shows up - well, at least while the sun is out & shining.


Then we were back home & my son came inside to tell me about how bright & big the moon was tonight. He noticed it while filling the wood box. After fifteen minutes (and some mighty chilly fingers!), I ended up with this photo. I thought it was neat & pretty cool with my little point & shoot digital!

January 20

Haircuts at Grammy's house today. Here is J before......


And this is J after!

January 19

MOPS Moms Night Out. Guess what we did? It had been 15 years since I went bowling. Yikes! It was fun though.

January 17

I went & rinsed off my truck today at the car wash. Don't you just want to shiver looking at this sign? It's covered in a thin layer of ice. Brrrrrrrr!!!!!!

January 16

The MOPS craft for this week. If you'd like directions on how to do this super easy project, then click here.

Another Photo Idea

I receive a newlsetter from Making Memories (scrapbooking magazine). One thing that caught my eye today was "Winter Photography Challenge." It went to their forums & linked up to this blog - On My Way Home.

The author, Rita, went out & took photos using a piece of black cardboard for a back drop. I had a hard time picturing what it looked like until I saw her photos. STUNNING in a word. Definitely check this out. Even if you don't have snow - any nature photos would look amazing I'm sure.

January 13

I'm this many!

Two days early but we had his party today. Needless to say, he's pretty excited!

January 12

We had a mix of sleet & freezing rain with a bit of snow thrown in for good measure last night. I took this photo on my way to my sister's to spend the day scrapbooking.

January 11

J was walking around the house today saying, "I'm going hunting with Dad!" He had his hat on & his gun (a wooden rifle my dad made him last Christmas). He was even generous in saying that Daddy could shoot the first deer & then he would go last. ;-)

January 9

This was the MOPS craft I did today at our group. What to see the inside & how I made it? Click here to go see.

January 8

Sunset over the lake near where I live.

I actually stopped in the road at the top of a hill.

We have VERY little traffic.

January 7

As promised, here is a snowman picture for your viewing pleasure. Made by my 11 year old son.

January 5

I took a bunch of photos today (over 60!). I liked this one since I tried out a different angle to shoot it. If you'd like to see more sledding photos, click here to go to my family blog.

January 4

I hadn't planned on this being my entry today. However, this is the ONLY photo I took today. ::hanging head in shame:: However, this set of tapes goes along with the really fun history program I use. Diana Waring is a lot of fun to listen to. She makes history engaging & enjoyable. You can tell it's her passion to share her knowledge.

January 3

My oldest son received a bunch of Legos in the mail today. The results of a Lego.com gift certificate he received for Christmas. He spent the afternoon putting all of his new sets together.

January 2

The joy after the snow storm.

January 1

This if a view of my road after a big snowstorm yesterday & before the new snow starts today.