color therapy

"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer."  -A. Camus

February is here,  the light is returning to the days ever so slowly. This is when winter seems to begin to drag a bit for me.  Others in warmer climates are already digging in the earth, planning gardens, seeing signs of spring bursting out around them while here I shovel inches upon inches of fresh fallen snow.  It is true that has a beauty all its own of course, but some days I need a distraction from the cold and white, so when my grocery store gets the first deliveries of lovely yellow daffodils I am powerless to resist.  I scoop them up in my basket almost giddy with glee.  I bring them home and lovingly arrange them on our dining table.  The rebel in me is saying,  'there winter, take that!'  Then I proceed to photograph them endlessly it seems.  The color almost takes on a life of its own.  I call it my winter therapy.  A girl has to have her coping skills, yes?!? 

So today, show me your therapy when winter has gotten the better of you.  Find some happy color or warm light and lets melt away those winter blues.

sun soaked

Every sunny moment is a gift these days, and we're all soaking up the rays when possible. My cat Roxy especially loves snuggling up in a sun-drenched spot and sleeping the day away. And I have to admit that a bright, sunny day inspires me to pick up my camera and start using all the natural light to my advantage. It's refreshing to set the ISO a bit lower and up the shutter speed without worrying about exposure issues. I'm hoping to continue to utilize these rare sunny days to keep my camera warmed up until spring returns.

Are you focusing on sunny spots too? Share them with us and brighten our day!

extra light

I am keenly aware that the days are getting longer now and each extra moment of sunlight in the evening matters to me. But in case I forget to take note of the extra light, mother nature has been reminding me with beautiful sunsets this week. Now that we've gotten over the hump and are moving into a new year, I feel like I can start the count down to spring (nothing against you winter, but I am not a big fan of yours). I'm getting my hopes up that warmer days are just around the corner. A girl can dream.

What's bringing you hope right now? Share your images with us.

lighting the way

 "Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened.  Happiness never decreases by being shared."  - Buddha

As 2011 fast approaches I find myself reflecting on this past year.  Taking a mental inventory of what i am ready to leave behind and what i want to carry forward into the new year. Do you find yourself doing the same? A new year always feels full of hope to me.  The endless possibilities of the unknown. 

2010 proved a tough year for so many, yet through our photography we shared, we hoped, we loved. We cried, we grieved, we celebrated, we got small, and bore witness. We honored the everyday, were brave, had faith, captured connections and found new friends.  In doing so we came together in our oneness. 

Today lets celebrate hopefulness together.  I lit this candle for all of us, to celebrate the sisterhood and all we openly shared here in 2010.  What beauty awaits us all in 2011?  Share an image of hope and possibility in the comments here today.  Let's make our way into the new year full of light and love. 

aglow

No matter what holiday you and your family may celebrate, this is the season of lights! Between radiant candle light, festive Christmas trees, and the glowing embers burning in the fireplace, there is nothing we need more right now than to bask in the glow of the season.

What lights your holiday fire?

Illuminate us! Share today your glow.