playful pause

September's One Word Project brought so much joy to my weary heart throughout the month. Like so many women I know, I have piled so much on my plate lately I am overwhelmed. So much of it's good good stuff and yet, it still means work. And navigation. Concentration and so much emotional and even physical energy. I'm too busy. Too tired. Overextended.

When I get like this, it's images like this one from E Whitaker Photo that remind me of what's important. Slow down, it gently urges me. Remember how fast time passes and how you can miss it if you don't take some time to observe and appreciate it.

My girls are much older than the two children above and perhaps that is why it breaks my heart. And yet, I am delighted in the same breath as I am reminded of life's playful simplicities. So grateful that I took time out tonight, after bedtime, to let my oldest daughter soak in a warm tub to ease her body and mind after a long day of middle school. I sat there on the bathroom floor with her and just listened and we laughed together and just were. Like these two. Slow, simple, easy.

It's the levity of the simple moments we all need. The easy play time. The lightheartedness of being in our own world and also of being with others. I will miss the word play. It's been exactly what I've needed. On this last day, please share a playful moment. Anything goes. Make me laugh. Make me cry. Take me away.

Tomorrow we wll announce the new word for October. Don't miss it. It will be equally as wonderful I'm sure of it.

It's time to Play

It's that time again and we are giddy to share September's word for the One Word Project. With our super-fun sponsor Peek...Aren't You Curious we figured what better word than the word play? Sure it's back to school season but that doesn't mean the play has to stop. As a matter of fact, this is the perfect time of year to break out of the norm and really get into doing what makes you happy.

The folks behind the kids clothing store Peek...Aren't You Curious couldn't agree more. They believe in playing in a big way. Yes, they actually want kids to read books and ride bikes IN their stores while moms shop. I know. A dream store! But above and beyond the store was built on the concept that childhood is a joyful experience still open to parents. You heard us! Play is not just kid stuff! No way.

You know how we roll on this point. The One Word Project is all yours to interpret however you'd like through your unique and inspired images. All you have to do is add them to our OWP Flickr Pool. Then, each day we feature one here on our site on the OWP page. We can't wait to see what kind of fun you'll cook up along the way this September!

Without further adieu, let the play begin.

home sweet home

Just like the butterfly of Charlane G's lovely haiku and diptych, summer has quickly disappeared. But what joy it's been, while it lasted, as we've gotten so many glimpses into your home with the August One Word Project sponsored by Aaron Brothers and the Show Us Your America Contest. The images were intimate and heartfelt, sweet and stirring. Thank you all for yet another stellar month of images!

We will be announcing our new word for September tomorrow so come on back then. We are going to have some kind of fun! I promise.

In the meantime, pop over the contest site for Show Us Your America and submit something. The contest deadline isn't until Sept 15 so you still have time to enter. If you've already entered, let us know so we can vote for you! I for one would love a shopping spree at Aaron Brothers. I seriously love that store! And speaking of contests and creativity, there is a kid's art contesthappening over there too. We know a lot of you know some pretty talented little shutterbugs!

Thanks again everyone for all the shots of home you shared with us this past month. If you'd like to share your favorite with us today, you can leave a link in the comments. There's no place like home.

Home is Where the Heart is

There's no place like home. - Dorothy

Home is where we hang our hats. It’s where we gather around the dinner with family and friends. Home is a warm cozy blanket in the winter and the breeze blowing through and open window in the summer. It’s is sun-ripened fruit in the fruit bowl and hot soup in the kettle. Home is popcorn and ice cream sundaes. Home is children, pets, and partners. Home is a good book and a vase of fresh flowers. And on a great day, home is nice natural light flooding in for the perfect portraits of the people we love and place we love to be.

Home is where we feel as ease; where we let down our guards, where we love without reservation, and hope without limits. Home is where we choose to live and perhaps even more, home is where we come from, where we’re rooted, where we grow.

Us Shutter Sisters as well as the fine folks of Aaron Brothers are eager to see your interpretations of this month’s One Word Project’s theme home. They are holding a photography and art contest that begs the question Show Us Your America which for many of us is home so it just seemed like a perfect fit. Although the contest is specifically about Your America*, we hope the word home will open your hearts and minds to infinite possibilities. The theme is up for interpretation. Enlighten us.

They say home is where the heart is. And I know it’s where my heart is. I’m sure the same goes for many of you too. It’s reflected in the many sincere and sacred images you have been willing to share with us in our Flickr Pool. Offering us a glimpse into your life says a lot about this community and I for one feel at home here, with all of you.

We’re looking so forward to celebrating August with a word as rich and meaningful as home. I can only imagine what kind of delights will await us over in the One Word Project Flickr Pool. And like months past, we have a special place here to feature some of the photos that are shared so be sure to visit to OWP blog daily to see some of them showcased.

*For US sisters, please read the rule of eligibility carefully to be sure you’re in one of the eligible states for the contest. For those of you international sisters, don’t fret, join us in the OWP and show us your home in our Flickr pool too, no matter the continent or the miles between us, home is home and we want you to share it.

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A special thanks to Aaron Bros and the Show Us Your America contest for sponsoring this months OWP. For more about what fantastic products and services Aaron Brothers’ stores provide, check out their website or better yet, pop into one of their many stores. You will LOVE it, I promise.

And for Show Us Your America Photography and Art Contest information, go visit the website and pick a shot from your arsenal that creatively shows them your America...your home.

the spirit of summer

The end of July means we’re slowly creeping close to the end of summer. But, there’s no need to rush it just yet. Many of us have quite a bit of lovely weather left to enjoy. This means there will be no shortage of sun-kissed skin, bare feet, picnic blankets and wild flowers. The gorgeous capture we’re featuring today by Hilde (Hilwegner) sings of the spirit of summer and is a poetic translation of our word summer for the month. We have featured many others on the One Word Project page, not to mention all the shots that grace our flickr group. Take some time today to dip your foot into the OWP flickr pool. It’s full to the brim with refreshing and fun seasonal shots.

We are excited to announce our new word for August and will kick it off on Aug 2^nd so be sure to pop over then for all the warm and wonderful details. It's going to be such a great month to look forward to!

In the meantime, we wind down this month and we ask that you share the best of the best today; something that just melts your carefree summer heart.