november giveaways: more sundays at home

Today marks the end of Daylight Savings Time for 2008, which in these Midwestern parts signals the inevital gloom of a dark, cold winter.  Yes, I know that calendarwise, we're only in the middle of autumn, but here in Chicago, autumn usually last six weeks while winter lasts six months.  And believe me, I definitely felt a chill in my bones today.  The end of DST also means we natural-light junkie shutterbugs suddenly lose an hour of shooting time each day.  For a working gal like myself who gets on the train before 7am, spends an entire day in a windowless office and doesn't return home until close to 5:30 in the evening, it means I can say goodbye to the sun until spring.  Anyone else feel my pain?

Before I depress myself TOO much, I guess I can look on the bright side of the imminent darkness and chill of winter.  Here are some things I'm looking forward to: getting cozy in the warmth of home, sipping hot tea with a book and nowhere to go, making popcorn and watching movies as a family, turning inward and reflecting on the past year, spending time with loved ones and catching up on our busy lives during the holidays.

Here's something else to cheer us up: we are designating another month of Sunday Giveaways on Shutter Sisters!  Remember how we partnered with the folks behind the book America At Home during the month of June to give away FIVE of these amazing books with CUSTOM covers?  Well, we're giving away FIVE MORE this month, one on each Sunday in November!  If you haven't already taken advantage of the 25% discount offered by Rick Smolan to get this treasure of a book, here's your chance to win one.

So as the days get shorter and colder, start capturing the warmth and simple pleasures of your hearth and home.  Even if you live down below the equator and can't imagine a cold, dark November, show some empathy for those of us in the extreme North by sharing your photos At Home as well.  To be included in the random drawing, just leave a comment below with a link to your photo of hearth and home between now and Monday at midnight EST.  For inspiration, be sure to check out these great photos At Home by jodyangel, pumpkinoodle, and simple sparrow.

And speaking of great photos of hearth and home, Sheri at CafeMom's Home & Garden Buzz is celebrating the simple moments at home as well.  Share your photos of home on her Show & Tell post by November 30, and your home could be featured in a "Show & Tell" Home Tour on CafeMom like the one she did with SouleMama.  Totally cool.

Comments

[Chris]

Ooh! I'll take one of those books! We don't have a true 'fall season' here in Southern California and the month of October has been the driest, hottest since 1853! Average temps in the high 80s/low 90s. Sigh...but I still will miss the extra hour of light, that's for sure.

[lora]

It's getting COLD here in WI and I have been trying to make the most of my days spent mostly indoors.I
have been enjoying a motivational project called 30 Days of Art. It's something I came up with to inspire myself to make time everyday for creating art. This adorable little corner of my living room (painted pillow and wall hung art) have come as a result, and I love it! =)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2979914974/in/set-72157608361243998/

[Marcie]

Now that the clock has changed...it is definitely feeling like winter is upon us. Here is one of my recent shots at home:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=568

[amanda]

I understand your pain as I've just gone through it for half the year.
Luckily for me, we have finally said hello to the sun again, although at the moment in the bottom of the world, its rain, rain, raining.

I often feel that I have this bond with the sun that others don't. We photographers share that bond with the sun and light that other people don't even realise they are missing out on. I've always loved the sun anyway, but its so hard to not have him around day in and day out.

[brittany]

nothing like staying in with a new little one. it is not that cold here in florida, but it is definitely colder. i am certainly looking forward to some time in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sivyerfamily/2981474485/

[cindy k]

my sundays@home today is about the modest view i have out my front window, which has been cut off by scaffolding. there is the sweetest neighbor who lives in the house next door and now i can't see him.
http://flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/2651071352/in/set-72157600090044083/

[shelli]

Sarah, I feel your pain! I've worked in an office, and it was always dreadful to come home in the dark.

I think this is my favorite indoor shot that I've taken:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spabis/2901878482/in/set-72157608273193770/

[renee @ FIMBY]

Our home and hearth these days....

http://fimby.tougas.net/Can-Do-Robots

as usual crafts and more crafts

[Alissa]

One of the BEST ways to spend cold, lazy winter evenings...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alissaspics/2611389169/in/set-72157594264194846/

[Heather]

Joe and Jackson have a wrestling/snuggling match every morning on our goose down comforter. It's warm, and fun...and the early morning sun invigorates me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/strawberrygoldie/2995645538/

[Martha]

Shorter days, ... a great reason to light some candles.
http://flickr.com/photos/14756941@N08/2452963579/

[melody is slurping life]

I look forward to turning "inward". I love the little simple, little things around our home...

http://flickr.com/photos/melsphotophun/2690849125/

[Jodyangel]

I've been going thru my old photo's..PRE cool camera days lol. Here is our home in 2004 and now!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodyangel/2995422667/

[laura]

I recently took a photo which kind of serves as a daily reminder of what's important...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/29156425@N06/2995600893

[Puna]

As the days get shorter, I get an urge to light candles. The warmth of non-electric light is so comforting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifesignatures/2995747533/

Puna

[Christina]

This photo is from a couple months ago, but it's the ultimate image of warmth at home - my husband and daughter snuggling by firelight.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/christinator/2843240663/

[Jamie]

Ah, lazy Sunday's at home....

http://umbrellablog.com/uncategorized/lazy-sunday/

[Shawna]

Thanks for starting another giveaway!

Little moments warming up my rainy day:

http://tumblieweed.blogspot.com/2008/11/sunday-at-home.html

[Emilyt]

I lvoe digging through the pantry for stuff to bake this time of year. Here's our very real food cupboard.
http://i539.photobucket.com/albums/ff352/emgirl954/100_1388.jpg

[Lindy]

I dread this time of year and can't wait until the sun (cough) shines again in Manchester.
http://chroniclesofsquidgyboo.co.uk/2008/11/02/show-tell-home-tour/

[Jody]

ooooo and I forgot to Thank you for using my photo of the light in my kitchen. Quite an honor =)

[spread your wings]

i personally like this time of year. I love the warmth of sun light and fire light. But it's still not quite cold enough for a fire here.

http://autumnsun08.blogspot.com/2008/11/warmth-of-home.html

[Brandy C.]

It has just started cooling down here. Cool enough for long sleeves, jeans with bare feet and our fav' warm snack- popcorn for late morning sunny snack !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brandychristian/2997231627/

[ELK]

I enjoyed your post Sarah ~ thanks for the giveaway chance

this is a beautiful time of the year and it is getting cool enough to enjoy a rocking chair and a light quilt with some freshly made apple bread:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2997323823/

[Elaine]

I caught this shot of my 3yo reading to her grandmother's dog last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerlane/2996081576/

We rarely have to turn on lights in our bright home but as the weather starts to shift, I notice the kids (and animals) spending more time by the windows. I love how all living things bend towards the light.

[Sebrina]

Great post Sarah! Here is a picture I took of my son amazed by all the candle light http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunmamma/2979160019/

[Julie Alvarez]

Oh, how I would love to see this book!

[Traci]

wonderful post and yummy, i would love a copy of that book! :)

http://flickr.com/photos/tracimeyer/2901105948/in/set-72157606943305298/

[Jeanine]

I hear ya sister. I live in Montreal, left work at 5pm today and it was ALREADY dark outside. I am subletting an apartment until July so I haven't done much in terms of turning this place into home, but here is a literal photo of home.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/15607464@N03/3000838831/

Sure would love to win that book... keeping my fingers crossed.

[JustHay]

Well it's *almost* summer here, but spring is playing head games with some truly awful weather. Lucky we have supplies to get us through.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hippyhappyhay/3001654737/in/photostream/

[Gail]

I love this time of year....love to feel cozy while looking out the window....Here are pictures of my sister's new windows put in before the winter winds get harsh so she and I can stay cozy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22733432@N08/3004237816/

[Tami]

I'd love a copy of this book.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25363163@N08/3040471193/

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