spring's spark

Coming fresh off of Easter weekend, I am feeling ignited by a surge of spring's spark. From blossoms to blooms, sweet treats to Easter eggs, family to festivities, it seems that everyone was savoring a little piece of this season.

Although I captured a number of pictures this past week, for my Best Shot Monday, I have chosen to share something that spoke of tenderness, courage and hope. Capturing the intimate intricacies of something like this tiny peach blossom with my new Olloclip (which has a macro option for my iPhone) makes me swoon. I do believe I have found yet another creative muse!

Now it's your turn to share your Best Shot today. We can't wait to see what captured your spirit (and your lens) this week.

warmth

As my camera and I come out of a winter hibernation and make our way outdoors, the warmth of the sun is like a magnet for my lens. I find my self ooohing and aaahing over the sparkly light of the golden hour right before sunset. It's so refreshing to get out with my camera these days and explore the new life and growth that spring has to offer. I get such a burst of creative energy each spring and I'm excited to see where it might take me this time around.

What's got you feeling energized these days?

sparkle and shine

Happy April everyone! Is it me or does the energy of the season seem palpable? I love this time of year and from what I can tell from the spring buzz, everyone else does too. Because we, along with Mother Nature are bursting at the seams with excitement, beauty, hope, color, growth ( I could go on and on) we've chosen to celebrate with two words for our One Word Project this month; sparkle and shine.

Whether you find your inspiration from the light of the sun, spring showers, morning dew, bursts of bokeh or fantastic flair, for all of April we encourage you to join us as we seek out everything that sparkles and all that shines.

I for one, will be singing this little ditty from Steve Earle all month long.

Help us celebrate spring and all the sparkle and shine you can find today for our OWP (and Best Shot Monday if you're so inclined) here in the comments...and all month long in what will be a very shimmering OWP Flickr pool. Your sparkle and shine just might be featured here! Fun!

equal day. equal night.

It's official: today is the first day of spring! The equinox, a day of equal length to night. And what a welcome day that is here in New England. Right now we are knee deep (literally at times) in mud season. And although there's still snow on the ground around these woods, the sun is shining more each day. What's it look like in your neck of the woods?

Lately, we've been finding ourselves outside more, happy for the sunshine and season. We perform circus acts in the yard with hula hoops and big straw hats. We laugh and capture the flag from unknowing opponents. Cats go adventuring into wooded fairyland and we follow along behind, eager for the after school adventure.

How will you spend your time today? Be mindful of light and dark as you move throughout your day, and please pop in here to share your images. We'd love to see what the spring equinox looks like to you!

Season of Renewal

Spring is life
Spring is hope
So is love and
happiness.
Spring renews.
Without spring,
life is forlorn.
Spring is nostalgia
after a bitter storm.
Put spring in your heart.

 -Spring, by Archie Greenidge

Spring , in all it's tangible newness, has always held a sense of renewal to me.  I can hear it in the way the birds sing their melodies with the rising sun and see it in the new growth that is starting to show on my favorite tree.  With the passing of my best friend at summer's end last year, the fall and winter were especially long for me.  It was a choice I made, choosing to cocoon myself with my family and a few close friends but it's time to shed the winter and let the spring do it's healing magic.  So bring on the sunshine and do your thing, springtime.  I'm ready for you. 

Today, rejoice in the new season and share a little of your springtime with us.