fall colors

1. september night, 2. ~ Fall Colour~, 3. breathe in october sunshine, 4. Red Onions, 5. painting fall, 6. Baby pumpkins

Maybe it's because we do not have celebrations like Halloween or Thanksgiving to look forward to where I live, maybe it's the rapid change in light, or my kitchen countertop that is slowly turning into a pharmacy shelf, but the transition from summer into winter has not been easy for me this year. And the only thing that helps me get through the darker days, besides blowing on a warm cup of tea and thumbing through favorite books, is to pay attention to the beautiful colors around me. The warmer shades of yellow and orange, the wine and roast-colored hues. They all remind me to look beyond the circumstances of life, and delight in the beauty of the simple things.

Today show us your fall colors.

Photos from our Shutter Sisters Flickr Group.

fall inspiration

As the days get darker I've been trying to find comfort and inspiration in the little things of the world: homemade granola, stripes, books from the local library, beautiful scarves, lighbulbs and scented candles, craft ideas, a favorite talk, a great cause.

What has been inspiring you these days?

some wonderful alignment of events

"I often think of that rare fulfilling joy, when I am in the presence of some wonderful alignment of events. Where the light, the colour, the shapes and the balance all interlock so beautifully that I feel truly overwhelmed by the wonder of it." - Charlie Waite

It may not be your best shot, nor a technically perfect one. But you knew when you saw it. The wonderful alignment of events.

Today share it with us.

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We are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September to one of YOU! All you have to do is share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day's random drawing. And be sure to keep shooting your own stories and adding them to the OWP Pool on Flickr where you have a second chance at winning one of those $100 Paper Coterie giveaways.

first day of school

Whether they just turned 4 and are starting preschool, or are young adolescents about to experience emotional and physical transitions, the first day of school is always a special moment for children and parents. Documenting this day every year helps me let go of all feelings of anxiety and fear, and just bask in gratitude, hope and pride.

How about you? Do you capture the first day of school of your kids? If yes, share your image with us today. And if you're not a parent, please share a story of one of your first days of school in the comment section below. (On my first day of school, I forgot my bag at home. Almost 30 years later, I still wake up in sheer panic in the middle of the night the day before school starts!)

We are giving away one $100 Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September! Share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day's random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots.

ten years ago

I was two months pregnant with my twin sons and getting some rest at home. I turned the television on and stared in utter shock and fear like millions of other people in the rest of the world. I called my husband who was working at his office and begged him to come home as soon as he could. "Why? What's going on?" he asked. "Something terrible has just happened. I'm scared. Please come home" was all I could tell him.

When he finally opened the door 30 minutes later I ran to him in tears. We hold each other and our unborn children for a long moment, praying that they grow up in a safer world.

As we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy today, please share with us an image that celebrates life, and your stories and memories from ten years ago.

We are giving away one $100  Paper Coterie gift card EVERY SINGLE DAY of September. Share a comment each day before midnight EST for your chance to win that day's random drawing. Be sure to leave links to your story shots.