Where Does the Time Go?

It's hard to believe that the first month of 2011 is almost history!  I've heard some people say that the month just 'flew by'.  Country Boy & I were saying the other day that it seems to have been a particularly long month and it has been rather nice.  The days and weeks did not fly by as they normally do, for some reason.  We have no idea what that reason is, but, we're hoping that February will feel just as long even though there are only 28 days in the month.

I thought today would be a perfect day to 'recap' the month...

First & foremost, would be the renewal of my passion for photography.  Had dinner with a photographer friend earlier in the month and as we began talking about photography, the sparks started flying and before long I was 'hit' with them and I just had to start taking pictures again!  It's been a LONG time since I looked at the world through a camera lens.  So far, I have managed to get outside almost everyday and take some photos.

Starting to blog was another big event in January.  My photog friend introduced me to blogging and after checking out several blogs I was hooked and had to try one of my own, so... here it is!

Country Boy & I have had to get serious with our health & diet.  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves during the Holidays *smile* and as a result, we gained too many pounds *frown*.  We have gone back to eating wholesome, natural foods, less of it and walking several time a week.  So far so good... Country Boy has lost five lbs. and I have lost three.  Ever so slowly the pounds are disappearing.

I started reburbishing an old milk can that Country Boy & I found up in Arkansas a couple of years ago.  It didn't look all that great, with its peeling, blue paint, so it was pretty cheap.  I've managed to get several layers of paint off but then my sander broke.  Literally.  When I turned it on, I heard an awful, loud snapping sound and then a piece of plastic flew out of it, *sigh*.  So, this project is on hold until I can get a new sander.... Unfortunately, I don't have a before picture, but, here's a photo of the progress so far.

Country Boy planted some radish & beet seeds in the small garden.  We're still waiting for them to show their leafy heads.

Are you still with me?

I did some cleaning, decluttering and reorganizing in our master closet and the pantry.  Getting items ready for a yard sale in early Spring.  Never mind the guestroom which is a disaster because all the yard sale items are being stored in there.  Not sure what I'll do if we have guests between now and the yard sale!

Cleaned and reorganized 'Cat Town'.  It's much more practical now and the kitty residents are sure to like it!  Here are some pics....

Sleeping Quarters

Mess Hall

 

Cat Town Church

That's it in a nutshell.  I hope that you had enough time last month to do something you enjoy;  whether it's reading a good book or just taking some time for yourself.  Don't let the time fly by... stop and smell the roses; does a body good!  And here's to a Fabulous February!

Till next time,

Gone Country

A Fantastic Weekend

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!  I know I sure did!  Country Boy & I enjoyed a short but nice visit with family on Saturday evening.  Good food, great company!  I served BBQ Pulled Pork sandwiches (Paula Dean's yummy recipe!), a Southwest Pasta Salad (of which the family were guinea pigs since I had never made it before but it sounded good!), cole slaw, baked beans and chips.  Had a sinful Apple Crisp with Vanilla Ice Cream for dessert.   MMMmmmm!  Time flew by and before we all knew it, it was time to say goodbye.

Enjoyed a fantastic sermon Sunday morning and a delicious lunch with neighbors.  It was such a beautiful day that I called another neighbor and we walked to yet another neighbors' and visited with their horses.  I took lots of pictures of horses, dogs and birds.  Even got some pics of the ever elusive squirrels right outside my office window!  It was such fantastic day for photography!

I'm going to save the animal pics for another post because it was such a gorgeous day I thought I would share some of the trees & sky pics I took today.  Enjoy!

Enjoy what's left of the weekend folks!  Make it fantastic!

Till next time,

Gone Country

Motivation

Some days I have an over-abundance of the stuff and other days it seems to elude me.  And then, there are those days where I have no choice but to get some from somewhere!  Like today, for instance...

Family is coming to visit Country Boy & I tomorrow, sooooo, there is much to be done in preparation.  I have to decide on a menu, make a grocery list, go get the groceries, clean the house, pay some bills (since it is payday, yay!) and then MAYBE I'll have some time to do the fun things that I enjoy!  Like, taking pictures, posting on my blog, cross-stitching or reading.

Speaking of reading, I just finished  a great book last night by Lori Wick, entitled Where the Wild Rose Blooms.  It's an inspirational love story about a girl learning to overcome a tragedy with God's help.  She learned to find things to be thankful for amid the difficulty.  It's a good reminder to us all that we should be thankful in everything!  Difficult to achieve at times but something we should strive towards.

I haven't had time to take any pictures today, plus my battery was dead (note to self, must purchase spare battery ASAP!) but I will share a couple more of my favorites.... hope you like them too!

Rabbits Foot Fern

I was checking on my plants in the greenhouse the other day and I saw this leaf dangling out of the hanging basket and I had to see what it looked like through my camera lens.  I love these ferns (actually, any type of fern! but these especially!)!  They are so delicate and soft looking.

Ferns on Tree

After a nice rain, these ferns come to life on our trees.  Such beauty!

Well, as much fun as I've had sharing this with y'all, I must get motivated now to do the things I have to do!  Time to Git-r-Done folks!

I hope that you will get motivated today to do something that you have been WANTING to do for a while... Go for it and have a great day!

Gone Country

Renewing a Passion

My very first post!

I have always loved taking pictures for as long as I can remember!  I received a Minolta XG 1 SLR  for my 16th birthday (more than a few years ago)... it was AWESOME!  I had so much fun taking pictures... the worst part was waiting for the film to get developed!  They didn't have one hour photo labs back then and I couldn't stand the wait!  In todays digital age, I don't have to wait and I can see my image immediately... I LOVE it!  It makes photography that much more exciting to me!  I am a little rusty but I hope you will enjoy some of my favorites!
 

Pine Tree
















I love the bursts of color in this photo!  You wouldn't even think it was the middle of winter!

Fungus



I took this photo on a cloudy day right after the rain had stopped.  The colors of the fungus were gorgeous!  I went back the next day when the sun was shining to capture another shot and the fungus was all dried up and white.  Glad I got this one when I did! 

Closeup of my pond's waterfall

Had fun trying to get this shot!  I was squatting on the edge of the pond and since I took several various shots of the waterfall my thighs were starting to cramp.  Getting up was difficult!  Made me realize I am no longer in my teens & twenties!  The things you don't even think about at that age!!!  I'm just thankful that I took this image BEFORE I decided to pressure wash the house yesterday...



Water Pump
















This pump caught my eye as I was meandering around the property yesterday taking pictures.  It's a decorative piece in my garden.  My husband bought it at a flea market with the intention of hooking it up (or whatever it is you do with it!) if we ever dug a new well.  Needless to say, that hasn't happened yet, soooo.... I'm putting it to good use!

I hope you enjoyed my first post and a few of my first pictures!  I'm looking forward to improving my photos and this blog so any and all comments would be welcomed!

Gone Country