end of year reflections...

2007 has ended, and with it my 365 photo-blog project. It was a great year. I truly feel as though I've learned to look at my life differently as I've looked through the lens of several different cameras.

I began the year using my dh's camera, which in theory was "ours" -- but when he traveled to different countries (as often happens with his work) it would be difficult for me to take a picture every day! So the search for a solution began.

Living in Senegal, it's not so simple to go out and buy a new camera! Everything has to be ordered from the States, and then the waiting begins! When dh left for several weeks on a jaunt to East Asia, I worked for a few days days with a "keychain camera"-- challenging! but it got me through until my "own" new camera arrived. Actually one of my favorite photo sets was taken with the keychain camera--I would have been so bummed out if I hadn't had some kind of camera to capture this moment!

I think this picture (from this post) is the first picture I took with my kodak easy-share, and it's a favorite because I loved that kitty! I was so sad when he died in June.

This year I've learned to notice beauty and detail and line and shape more than ever before. The challenge of doing a photo each day pushed me, and I'm happy that in the end I was able to follow-through and post a photo for every day!

It became more fun when I was able to use birthday money to get my current camera -- which I am loving, and with which I'm looking forward to learning more and growing in my photography skills in the days ahead.

I'm still thinking about what's ahead for this blog. I think it will continue... and continue to be a photo blog... but maybe not a photo per day! And please let me know whether or not you'd like to be linked in my sidebar as a photo-blogging friend!

Thank you to all who have been a part of my life through being a part of this project. You may not realize it, but you (and this project) have been a real blessing to me! Happy New Year, and may God bless with His very best for you.

December 30: support team meeting

We love our time with our support team-- eating, praying and playing together!

December 29: at the airport

Goodbye for now to two very dear young ladies! We will miss you!

December 28: snow-battle!

snow-battle!, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Our guys are so much fun! They had forts, rules, turns, and a full-scale battle which included strategy, skill and endurance! I love the way they have so much fun together, with simple things like snow!

December 27: macaroni and CHEESE

macaroni and CHEESE, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Say CHEESE! ( I love this cute little face!!)

December 26 bonus: Christmas cake

December 26: enjoying the snow

It's fun to see these Miami girls (who have never experienced snow before) enjoying it to the fullest! (With the help of our son, a transplant to Miami who misses the snow!)

December 25: Christmas sights

December 24: Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

So wonderful to be all together for these special days!

December 23: kitchen sight

kitchen sight, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

It was fun to watch the crew work together as a team to quickly clean up the kitchen before the Vikings game!

December 22: two sights

I enjoyed time listening to my niece at her violin recital today!





















And this is not a great photo but I couldn't get the camera still enough. We were driving downtown just at the right time when the sunset was reflected in the buildings... so very cool! Someday I'd like to be there with a tripod, and not in a moving car!

December 21; Holidazzle sights!

I'm not sure which was more fun to watch-- the parade, or the sight of two special little girls becoming friends!

December 20: first snow!

The sight of a little girl who has never seen snow, enjoying it so much, was tons of fun for us today!

December 19: beautiful sights

The trees were frosted this morning, and it lasted all through the day! Frost usually melts when the sun comes out, but for whatever reason (the fog? the right temperature?) it stayed.













I was invited to a tea in downtown St. Paul this afternoon, and loved the way the Landmark center looked across the street.



















The tea was delicious and elegant, and we enjoyed the performance of a radio-drama version of It's A Wonderful Life as well!

December 18: in the Christmas room

in the Christmas room, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

One of my friends transforms a room in her house into "the Christmas room"-- and welcomes friends and family to sit, relax, and share coffee, tea and time together. What a joy to be together in a special, pretty, Christmas-y place!

December 17: holiday treats

holiday treats, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Fun to make, fun to eat, fun to share!

December 16: neighborhood lights

It's been fun to see some of the amazing set-ups of lights and Christmas displays in the neighborhoods around here-- some fun, some pretty, some kinda ... tacky! (Bummer, I cut off the head of the reindeer on the second photo!)

December 15: snow fort beginnings

Brothers together on a project, working with the heavy snow remaining on the ground in our area. None of us have been in this much snow for the past four years... so they are finding many ways to enjoy it!

December 14: smoky sight

smoky sight, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

On the way to the airport, this caught my eye. I know it can't be good that all that smoke is going up... but it looked very cool against the sky.

December 13: angel telling the story

angel telling the story, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

This advent scene was a gift from our son from his trip to N. Ireland, last May. It's fitting that it's posted today, as we wait from him to arrive home from his semester in N. Ireland! (He was supposed to arrive tonight but is snowed in in New Jersey!)

December 12: colors at Christmas

colors at Christmas, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

I'm enjoying the different patterns and colors of these special Christmas decorations!

December 11: warming the house

warming the house, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

I love being able to open our boxes and find Christmas decorations that we store here... we only use them every few years when we are not in Africa and it feels very special when it's time to enjoy them.

December 10: tracks in sunshine and shadow

tracks in sunshine and shadow, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

In the backyard, the patterns are different but I love the way the light and shadows look on the snow!

December 9: tracks in the snow

tracks in the snow, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

It's funny finding these tracks outside the window, rabbits, birds and I'm not sure what else! I don't think any of these belong to humans...

December 8: father of the bride

father of the bride, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

I thought I was going to take lots of pictures today at the wedding of two very special young people, but I was way too emotional. It was an amazing day. This photo of the father of the bride was my favorite of the few I did take-- as he tried to get the niece of the groom to smile for the family photo! I love the contrast of the formalwear with the giraffe...

December 7: bridal brunch

bridal brunch, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Cranberry scones, candles, Christmas china and tea... a lovely bridal lunch for a wonderful bride-to-be!

December 6: contrasts

contrasts, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

This season of advent is full of contrasts. Snowy cold and warmth of lights. Smooth candles and prickly pine branches. Darkness gives way to light.

I'm thankful today for the life of my friend Mare L., who has left life on earth for home in heaven. Joy, and sorrow.

December 5: shadows and snow

shadows and snow, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

A slightly different look. It was my favorite shot today.

December 4: snowy shelter

snowy shelter, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

This bird is so SHY. He seems to know when the camera is pointed at him. But I got him, and this is our world today!

December 3: shadows on snow

shadows on snow, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

Enjoying the shadows which reveal more of the tree than the picture allows. And then, messing with the colors, found that black and white version looked almost no different than the actual shot. (This is the b and w.)

December 2: sky light

sky light, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

The sky over the bare branches and snowy evergreens looked like a painting for a few moments before it faded to gray.

December 1: cranberry candles

cranberry candles, originally uploaded by MaryD SN-MN.

At the Christmas luncheon at our church today, I saw this centerpiece and thought it was so pretty and creative! I like the way the croissants look through the glass as well...