Scripture Art Challenge

Sometimes I just need a break from thinking, so when my friend Sherre invited me to participate in a five day challenge, I accepted readily.

Day 1

Spring!

Well, promising anyway.

Photo- mine: vintage linen (L for Loomis), antique sugar bowl (Noritake), hyacinth, daffodil, and lavender from my garden.

Overlays by Kim Klassen and Go Media

Saturday Morning Art

With my schedule, art has taken a back seat. This morning, mostly caught up on school and related activities, I chose to spend a couple of hours playing in Photoshop Elements. I took the pictures last weekend up at Amicalola Falls and played with them a little--basic editing--but I wanted to have some fun today. Here are my favorites:

Most of the editing is my own manipulations, but I did play around with some actions by Greater Than Gatsby's Three Nails Collection.

Sunset in North Georgia

Disappointment is part of life. But now and then, I capture a sunset and remember that it really isn't about me or what I want. It's how I respond to whatever God allows for me. That's the important thing.

I'm learning.

#walkmyworld on a winter day

Two doors, three views, one world.

http://bit.ly/walk2015LE1

Identity

2015 looks to be a significant year in my life. I turn 50 in February. I complete my M.Ed. in May. I will hopefully find a job at a community college and begin work on a Ph.D. I will continue to sing with the Georgia Symphony Choir, will craft and create as time allows, and improve my skills as a photographer. I will continue to run and lift weights to keep me healthy and strong. Daughter #2 will graduate and be on her own. Daughter #3 will continue her studies on the KSU campus. Daughter #1 and her husband will celebrate their third anniversary, and who knows whether they will decide to begin having children of their own?

I intend, as last year's word stated, to be a better friend, a better wife, and a better human being.

All that said, this year really does represent a new identity for myself, and I'm not yet sure what that looks like.

As a student and researcher, I thrive on discovery and innovation. As a parent, I release my children to their own lives, hoping they will find their way home again. As an employee? I don't know, since that teaching position still eludes me. Grandparent? I can't even imagine, especially since Daughter #1 lives five hours away. Friend? I hope to find that balance of companionship and support without falling into my usual habit of pushing away out of fear of rejection. Seems silly to fear rejection at 50, but I do.  I'll keep working on it.

So, in this new season of my life, who am I? What do I want to be when I grow up? This year, 2015, I hope to figure that out. It is a time of change in every possible way. Who will I be a year from now?

We shall see.

Grandma's Pattern

For years this pattern has evoked childhood memories of visiting my Grandpa and Grandma Cook. It wasn't a pattern I would choose for my own everyday dishware, but Grandma loved it and Grandpa made sure she always had a full set.

When Grandma died just before Thanksgiving, I knew the only memento I would ever need was one piece of Franciscan Desert Rose. I learned about back-stamping and the history of the pattern before looking for a piece. Grandma started her collection in the 1950s, and probably hadn't gotten replacements since the 1990s, so I knew I wanted to find something within that time frame. It turns out the company started it in the 1940s in California, going through a couple of company changes before being sold to Wedgwood in the mid 1980s. Manufacturing moved to England until 2003, when Wedgwood sold and manufacturing relocated to China.

As with most vintage items, the older pieces are the most valuable. I was able to collect cups and saucers dating from the 1950s to 1980s. Each daughter received a cup and saucer. I kept eight so I could have a full set. I found serving bowls from the 1960s from my brother who had a special relationship with Grandma. I received the 1958-1965 range sugar bowl and creamer for Christmas. The teapot was a fabulous find. It is in great condition, but is obviously well-loved by a previous owner. It is dated March, 1947.

Now on my counter top, the tea set always reminds me of my Grandma whose love language was acts of service, whose refrigerator was always stocked with Pepsi, and whose pantry always had a few of my favorite cookies tucked away.

Very best

Christmas Cactus

My Christmas Cactus is glorious this year, but I wanted to get a shot that was a little different. I took this picture near the Christmas tree (okay, one of the 27 trees) and used a slow shutter speed with a wide open aperture to get the back-lit bokeh effect. I then used a Kim Klassen overlay to create texture and a vignette action from Greater than Gatsby.

Merry Christmas