when the water is warm

On this day a ball ran away, first with intention and then with current, and I dove into the ocean after it fully clothed, up to my neck in the salt of July. For the rest of the day and until we sailed home I festered in the sun, my shirt crispening and stinking of seaweed, but oh, the rightness. There's something rare and delicious about being wet and dressed.

Tonight, the land is tucked in for winter along with the sailboat and the beach, and the sea is a determined grey, and thanks to your encouragement I am set to keep my photo-mojo from going into hibernation.

Can I tell you something? You're all glorious, a kick in the pants in the most excellent way. I visit the flickr pool and see this and this and this and think my god, how can I presume to post in company like this? You are teacher, mentor, muse.

Thanks for being here, shutter sisters. Thanks for being that runaway ball for me, for each other, for saying jump the heck in.

++++

 

In grand celebration of our sisterhood here, we are giving away a coveted Flash Bulb Necklace (as seen above) to a lucky reader.  You must comment on this post today to be included in the random drawing. It seemed like the perfect way to jump start the December festivities here at Shutter Sisters. What December festivities you ask? We thought you'd never ask. All month long we are hosting A Giveaway a Day and just as the name promises, each and every day this month we will be giving something fabulous away to one of you. It's just a little way to show our gratitude. Click over and comment each day for your chance to win something wonderful just in time for the holidays. Be sure to invite your friends! The more the merrier we like to say.

Updated 12/2...and the winner is Lilia (aka Pumpkinoodle)at Babymoon Photography. Thanks everyone for your comments! 

Comments

[Jess]

I love coming here every day for tremendous photo inspiration!
Thanks for being here.

[camerashymomma]

i'm just posting to say YAY! what a fantastic idea, a giveaway a day from shutter sisters. brilliant. and those photos along with your beautiful neckline? awesome. i'm feeling the sisterhood these days and it's so very good and inspiring.

[sandi]

Ohh I love that necklace and have been drooling over it ever since I saw it.
Happy December!

[Karyn]

Yeah! Happy December! I can't wait to see all the holiday inspired pics this month!

[Karen]

The photos in the pool intimidate me, but if you get me to come here every day, I might just get over my intimidation and take photos until I have something I feel confident enough to contribute. If not that, there's always the pretty necklace....

[krista]

i LOVE that necklace....and this site!! ;)

[margie]

laughing at your photo. my daughter recently moved to sackville. she is the smallest 30 year old around. she has been complaining to me about the maritime wind, MOM, it's so hard for me to walk against the wind, why did you make me so small. did i mention she is 30 and complaining to me??? i love your photo. and the ocean.

[CarrieJ]

Ohhhh, I LOVE THE FLASHBULB NECKLACE! My granddaddy was a shutter brother, and it makes me think of him. All old cameras make me think of him. :) Right now I have a case of his old cameras beside me.

[Lu]

Honestly, that picture is downright killer! As always, I love the message in the post.

[Jenna]

Oh, I've been drooling over that. It's so simple, but the meaning for me is profound. I LOVE photography... and shutter sisters.

[Katy]

Really nice post... I think we're all jumping in together...

Enjoy December!

[Janine]

I just love this necklace!

[Tracy]

Beautiful photo and inspiration filled post. Thank you!

[Carla]

Just found your website through Ali's blog... how amazing!!! Just signed up to follow you, sisters!! Tks for the giveaway, so beautiful!!!

[divrchk]

Happy December! I think the necklace is amazing.

[nikkole!]

december 1 + it s snowing
i love coming here everyday
i am nowhere near as good as most you girls
but here i never feel bad about being a beginner, a learner.

much love for ss

[Aileen]

I'm in!

Thanks.

[Becky]

Wearing that necklace would be a great inspiration to shoot daily!

[Heather]

Oooo... I'd love a necklace!

[Linda Woods]

Happy December!

[Kelley]

I love the necklace!

[Leslie]

Yay for giveaways!

[Erin]

Beautiful picture! And all the links are stunning too!

[Bunny]

Oh I just love the flashbulb necklace. It is beautiful and a wonderful symbol of the shutter sisterhood.

[killlashandra]

What a wonderful way to celebrate December. I like the flash bulb idea too for a necklace. Very pretty.

[Chris]

Ooh....I'd LOVE to have one of these! And that post? How beautiful is THAT?

[dr lyn]

Love that flash bulb necklace! I bought one as a gift for my mom when they were available before. It's so pretty! Thanks for the great post!

[The other Jen]

I would love to be included- what's better than photography and jewlery!

[Angie]

Love the necklace!

I look forward to the family time and parties with friends. Now that I have 3 little ones, the holiday gift shopping has taken a back seat - and I kinda like it that way. Helps me focus more on celebrating the true things about the season - celebrating Jesus, and celebrating my love for my family and friends. :)

[Jen]

I would love to win the necklace. Thanks!

[~ kristina ~]

How fun! Happy December!

[Patty]

Woo Hoo!! It is a coveted necklace, and I'd be thrilled to win! Thanks!

[Jessica]

I love giveaways (and that necklace)!

[Amy]

How fun fun!! I am so excited for December myself.... I love ALL the tastes of the season... it all just brings my heart such joy :)

Hugs.. Amy

[megan]

how exciting -- a giveaway a day!

[Irene Lenihan]

What a grand giveaway. And now I have another excuse to make sure I check out this site every day.

[Kizz]

I miss being crusted in salt from beach days. Beach days as a grown seem to involve too much planning.

[carey]

what a lovely photo and wonderful words to accompany it !

[rachael]

i love this necklace! adore it! and i love shutter sisters too :)

[ange]

love it - great for a cloudy day in MN
I love the necklace
everyone would be totally jealous!

[anita]

Hi am in my own hibernation not imposed by weather since Denver has barely seen snow this year but from a creative cold snap that has me chilled to the bone. I even forgot to take pictures of the Thanksgiving feast until it was almost done and a stunned friend said "where's your camera." A flashbulb necklace would be a great reminder to take that camera with me.

[lora]

whooo-hooo. a give-away a day!!! how fun for us. Thanks so much Shutter Sisters. =)

[Mandy]

The post was beautiful as is the picture! What a great giveaway! (fingers crossed!!!)

[Tracy]

Happy December!

[Diane Schuller]

Kate, so glad you're not in hibernation! Way up here in the north we're experiencing weather extremes and instead of it being continually 20 and 30 below zero ... one or two days we get the frigid weather and then it turns around to strong winds and rain!! We never get rain in winter up here in the north -- just goes to show that even Mother Nature comes out of hibernation.

Diane

[Allison]

What a beautiful necklace. I love this blog - it inspires me very much. I have tried new things because of this blog. Keep it coming. :)

[Rachelle]

I'll play. As they say with the lotto, you can't win if you don't play!

[Lila]

This site has been such an inspiration...I am in awe of the creative geniuses who gather here as "sisters" and I feel honored to have been a part of this wonderful group of talented women. Keep up the good work, all...and may the new year bring us all the peace we long for.

I would love to have the necklace...thanks for the giveaways!

[Loran]

Love this site and all the beautiful pictures. If I win something, then even better!

[Lesley]

Love the necklace...love this site!!!