A Picture A Day

Spring Flowers

2010-05-06T23:59:00.000-07:00

Two incredibly beautiful boquets of flowers that I receive from my husband and parents for my birthday.
May 5, 2010

Seattle Characters

2010-05-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

Characters in Seattle
Downtown Seattle, May 2010

Closed Doors

2010-05-05T05:16:00.000-07:00

I tend to wonder at the mystery of what's behind closed doors...

Reflection

2010-04-03T04:00:00.000-07:00

Reflecting and Remembering
Vietnam Memorial, Washington DC

Jump For Joy

2010-04-02T04:00:00.000-07:00

Kids will jump for joy anywhere....

On the beach at Yorktown, Virginia

In front of the Washington Monument, Washington DC

The Dome

2010-04-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

The Dome of the Rotunda
Captiol Building, Washington DC

Old Church at Jamestown

2010-03-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

The first church at Jamestown, Virginia (Old Fort)
Landing site of Captiain John Smith, 1607

Dream Home

2010-03-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Living beneath a view of Mt. Bachelor

Early Morning Mountain

2010-03-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Cascade Mountains and Bend, Oregon
(L-R: Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister)

Mt. Bachelor

Broken Top, South Sister

Middle Sister, North Sister

Mountain Meadow

2010-02-26T04:00:00.000-08:00

Clear skies...

How Many?

2010-02-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

How many geese can you find in the picture?

Fishing for Trout

2010-02-24T04:00:00.000-08:00

Fly fishing on the Deschutes River

Log Jam

2010-02-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

An incredibly beautiful winter day hike along the Deschutes River.
February, 2010

Together

2010-02-22T04:00:00.000-08:00

Facing the rapids is always better when there is another to face them with you.

Benham Falls
February, 2010

Standing at Attention

2010-02-17T06:19:00.000-08:00

Veteran's Memorial Bridge
President's Day 2010
Bend, Oregon

A Gift From My Valentine

2010-02-15T06:14:00.000-08:00

Sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful...

Winter Canopy

2010-02-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hiking along the Deschutes River
February 2010

History Lesson

2010-02-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Logging and the Deschutes River

What is left of the railroad loading dock.

Leftover logs that have formed a log jam.

The Beauty of the Trail

2010-02-08T04:00:00.000-08:00

I grew up surrounded by the forest, mountains, lakes and a river that flows through the town I call home. I always loved spending time out in the wilderness and the older I get the more I feel drawn to the winding trails and the solitude of what I consider one of the most peaceful places I know.

This time of year there are very few people on the trail and the stillness that surrounds me is incredibly comforting. The only sounds I hear are the faint jingle of Boz's collar, the occasional chattering of a squirrel that was most likely disturbed by said dog, the wind rustling through the trees and the sound of my footsteps as I make my way along the trail that is covered with fallen pine needles and Aspen leaves.

The leaves from the Aspens fall all around me as if they are being dropped from the heavens, and for a few hours, I watch the lazy river flow by, breathe in the crisp air and enjoy the colors of fall as if they were put there especially for me.

Yesterday, I made my way around one corner of the trail and I saw a flash of incredible color that went from red to orange, to gold and green. As I inspected it more closely, I realized that it was a part of an aspen tree that was in full fall color and had fallen. Recently.

Curiosity got the better of me and so I made my way down the steep rocky slope to get a better view. The moment I laid eyes on the base of the tree a smile crept over my face and two words escaped my lips as I looked down at Boz. "Dang beaver."

It's a shame to see this aspen lying on the ground, knowing that it is the last time it's going to produce such beauty, and all because some beaver thinks he's going to dam the Deschutes. But that is nature and I would never have enjoyed being so close to these brilliant colors had the tree still been standing.

I could walk this trail a hundred times an see it a thousand different ways. All because God instilled in me a passion for the outdoors.

As I walked and drank in the surroundings I thought about how this trail is a lot like my life. There are uphills and downhills, mountains and valleys, calm waters and rapids, twist and turns, rocky paths and clear paths, dark places and places full of light. I see the trail in black and white and astounding color. I can think I've got it all figured out, turn a corner and see the trail from a different angle and realize I'm seeing something I didn't notice before. I can find beauty in all of it because I know that God was the creator of this incredible place and He gave me a passion, a deep desire to be out on this trail enjoying his creation.

And that is how I should see my life. No matter what mountain I'm on or valley I'm in, or how dark the day may be, or what twists and turns I'm facing I should be able to see the beauty in the trail God is leading me down because that is the plan He has for my life. I should walk down the path with my eyes wide open, so as not to miss what it is I have to see while embracing life in color and the contrast of black and white. The rocky path needs to be faced with a spirit of determination and the dark places maneuvered by His light on the path.

I believe we find incredible beauty in whatever we are passionate about. Our lives, no matter what the situation should be lived with the same passion for fear we'll miss what's around the next turn in the trail.

Stumped

2010-02-03T06:23:00.000-08:00

Winter River

2010-02-02T05:34:00.000-08:00

The river rocks make an appearance once the river lowers in the winter.
Deschutes River, January 2010

Catch Landing

2010-02-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

A pine cone that was 'caught' in the branches...

Waking Up To Snow

2010-01-30T08:03:00.000-08:00

Even the birds are scarce this morning..

Tombstone Pass

2010-01-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Tombstone Pass after a winter storm.

*Photo taken by my DH, Jon.

The Cascade Mountain Range

2010-01-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

Mt. Bachelor,
Just as the clouds are moving in.

(L-R) Broken Top, South Sister, Middle Sister, North Sister

Splash

2010-01-26T04:02:00.000-08:00

Snow melting off of the roof.

Rocking Chair

2010-01-25T04:00:00.000-08:00

To most it is just an old rocking chair of faded wood that is scratched and worn with time.

To me, it's a memory from my childhood. The creaking sound it made while I sat on my mother's lap as she rocked me back and forth, my head on her shoulders and her arms wrapped around me.

Winter Colors

2010-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

A Manzanita bush with it's winter colors.

Pond Skating

2010-01-19T05:45:00.000-08:00

Boz trying his 'feet' at ice skating.

Mother & Daughter

2010-01-13T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hiking in the snow with my mom.

The Passenger

2010-01-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

Boz looks a little worried while driving in the snow...

Winter Freeze

2010-01-11T04:00:00.000-08:00

Drake Park
Bend, Oregon

Love Out of the Box

2009-12-29T00:05:00.000-08:00

Please stop by my other blog, Buzz By Annie's to see how I define love through photographs.

Tracks in the Snow

2009-12-28T04:00:00.000-08:00

Winter Berries

2009-12-27T05:15:00.000-08:00

The Frost

2009-12-26T17:12:00.000-08:00

Along the Deschutes River
Bend, Oregon

Going Somewhere

2009-12-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sea of Cattails

2009-12-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Late Catch

2009-12-16T05:00:00.000-08:00

Twin Lakes, Oregon
2009

Christmas Mantel

2009-12-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Determined

2009-12-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Three Finger Jack

2009-12-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

Three Finger Jack, Oregon
December 2009

The Long Road Home

2009-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

Santiam Pass at Lost Lake
December 2009

Standing Still

2009-12-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mt. Washington

2009-12-08T05:00:00.000-08:00

Mt. Washington, Oregon
December 2009

HooDoo Ski Area

2009-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

Fly By

2009-12-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

Covering

2009-12-04T08:53:00.000-08:00

Mt. Washington at Dusk

2009-12-02T19:43:00.000-08:00

Snow Angel

2009-12-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Waiting...

2009-12-01T05:00:00.000-08:00

Waiting at the mountain stop to pick up my boy...

Reflecting

2009-11-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

Deschutes River
November 2009

Snowy River

2009-11-29T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tracks

2009-11-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Thankful

2009-11-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

Boz, thankful for his blanket and bone.

Snow Dog

2009-11-25T06:00:00.000-08:00

Boz Dog
2009

2009-11-23T06:00:00.000-08:00

Snowy River

2009-11-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Deschutes River
November 2009

Fall's Last Color

2009-11-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

2009-11-19T06:00:00.000-08:00

Eggs with Black Bean Salsa

Cleo

2009-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

East Lake Resort, Oregon
May 2009

Morning Catch

2009-11-17T06:14:00.001-08:00

Paulina Lake
May 2009

Old Mennonite Hymnal

2009-11-14T06:00:00.000-08:00

Allgemeine Lieder Sammlung
Circa 1887

>

Footprint In The Snow

2009-11-13T06:00:00.000-08:00

Tulum Ruins

2009-11-12T06:00:00.000-08:00

The snow is starting to stick and I wish I was back in Tulum...
Tulum, MX

Old Stone

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

November 2009

Sun Peeking Through

2009-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

November 2009

Broken Glass

2009-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

Along the trail...
November 2009

Water Drops

2009-11-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

November 2009

And In Color

2009-11-07T06:00:00.000-08:00

Rushing By

2009-11-06T05:27:00.000-08:00

October 2009

The Window

2009-11-05T06:00:00.000-08:00

Fall's Aspens

2009-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Fall's Aspens

The Suns First Light

2009-11-03T04:00:00.000-08:00

Hanging Out

2009-11-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Winding Trail

2009-11-01T04:00:00.000-08:00

The Brilliance of Fall

2009-10-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Summer....and Fall

2009-10-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

Aspen Trail, 2009

Summer...

Fall...

Mossy Tree

2009-10-29T04:00:00.000-07:00

Fall's Treasure

2009-10-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Off The Beaten Path

2009-10-27T07:38:00.000-07:00

Beaver 'Tracks'

2009-10-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Fallen Aspen

2009-10-25T19:25:00.000-07:00

Purple Passion

2009-10-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Purple Passion

Morning Moon

2009-10-16T20:03:00.000-07:00

Morning Moon

Fall Berries

2009-10-14T03:30:00.000-07:00

Fall Berries
October 2009

The Old Fence

2009-10-13T03:30:00.000-07:00

The Old Fence
October 2009

2009-10-12T02:57:00.000-07:00

The Rapids
October 2009

'Pumpkin' Plant

2009-10-10T14:52:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin plant
October 2009

The First Snow

2009-10-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

The first snow of the season.
October 3, 2009

Dirty Dog

2009-09-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

A Sea Of Cattails

2009-09-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

Puffs

2009-09-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Falls First Color

2009-09-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

Rushing Waters

2009-09-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Deschutes River, September 2009

Hidden Treasure

2009-08-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hidden Treasure...
Augus 2009

Reflection From A Sunset

2009-08-09T17:31:00.000-07:00

Reflection from a sunset...
August 2009

Zucchini Flower

2009-08-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Zucchini flower
August 2009

Sunset

2009-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

The sunset before the lightning storm.
August 2, 2009

Summer Lavender

2009-07-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Summer Lavender
July 2009