Night Sky | Day 365 of 365

Good old Orion makes the last photo for the 365 challenge of 2014.

I have definitely enjoyed it, but if I'm honest, I must also admit that I'm relieved to have it over. I take lots of pictures just living life, but to be under the constant pressure of needing to take one to post was almost more of a challenge than I bargained for! This has been a very full year for me - in many areas of my life - and with everything going on, there were many days when my best photo of the day was very poor quality.
But overall it was a good learning experience, and I am glad I did it.

Fruit 'Tree' | Day 364 of 365

50+ Books in a Year | Day 363 of 365

One of my New Year's resolutions for 2014 was to read fifty books and, surprisingly, I was able to meet - and exceed - my goal. Some were books that had been on my 'To Read' list for months, some were old favorites, some were new introductions. Many were mine, many were borrowed. It was a great learning experience.
But I think it will be several years before I do it again.

Thanks to the friends and the libraries that loaned me material!

Old College Buddies | Day 362 of 365

When I was in college, there were several college-age young people in the church I attend, and we became pretty close. There are only a couple of us still in college now, and our group is scattered all over the country - some in universities in other states, some married and raising families, and some in mission work.
This week, the majority of us were back in town for Christmas, and Sunday night after church we got together (there were almost twenty of us, including a couple of new faces) at the home of one of the married couples for snacks and games, and to try to catch up a little bit on each other's lives. It was so good to be together again, even for just a little while.

Rain Boots | Day 361 of 365

W. M. | Day 360 of 365

Playtime | Day 359 of 365

Christmas Eve Party | Day 358 of 365

Stormy Skies | Day 357 of 365

Mother and Daughter | Day 356 of 365

Gift Collection | Day 355 of 365

One of the funnest things about gift-giving is when the opportunity comes to give a gift to someone who is not expecting it.
I've had so much fun putting this little collection together for a friend of mine who gives and gives of herself unselfishly to others. Christmas is a great 'excuse' to give a little something back.

Snowflake Earrings | Day 354 of 365

A pair of snowflake earrings I made for a friend this year.

Class Party | Day 353 of 365

Today was a very festive day at school. The students finished exams in the morning, and the afternoon was spent in class parties. It was cold and pouring rain outside, but that just seemed to increase the excitement and warmth inside.
I'm going to miss these kids for the next two weeks, but I plan to enjoy my break just as much as they do!

Gifting Granola | Day 352 of 365

I love to give, and receive, gifts like this. My boss found out that my family makes our own granola and wanted to try it. So I'm taking her a jar of it 'for Christmas'.

Wrapped With Love | Day 351 of 365

A tradition our family began several years ago was to make our own gift bags from fabric and ribbon. We don't strictly use these bags, but it is a bit more personal and adds a little more love to a gift.

Jesus Is the Reason | Day 350 of 365

Rudolf {and a photobomber} | Day 349 of 365

B. S. | Day 348 of 365

Christmas Greens | Day 347 of 365

Wrappings | Day 346 of 365

We had our Christmas party with the extended family this evening. It's so enjoyable to get together - we make a big crowd, and for a family of sociable people, it's always fun.

Christmas Cards | Day 345 of 365

J. J. | Day 344 of 365

L. R. | Day 343 of 365

Big and Little | Day 342 of 365

Miniatures fascinate me, and the miniature storage building on the front stoop of this storage building factory made me smile.
Another 'drive-by' photo.

Christmas Village | Day 341 of 365

Old Country | Day 340 of 365

White-berry Tree | Day 339 of 365

There is a beautiful bare tree by the highway on my way to and from work. It has nothing on it, save these clusters of three small, pure-white berries.
I have no idea what kind of tree it is, but I do know that I want one for my yard.

Silver Bow Ring | Day 338 of 365

Last year I stumbled across this little ring right before Christmas. I'm not really a jewelry person, but something about the fun, festive, plucky spirit of this little thing just caught me. It was cheap too; added bonus.

Decorations | Day 337 of 365

The high school students used their afternoon break to put up the school's Christmas tree today. The whole process was definitely entertaining, if not down right amusing, to watch. They certainly had fun getting it done!

{Note: The only editing done on this photo was the removal of the school's name from the ornament, for privacy reasons.}

Pink Bauble | Day 336 of 365

The whole school went on a Christmas field trip today, and the display included a pink-and-white Christmas tree. It was pretty, but I'm a little old-fashioned, I guess - I like the old green-and-red combo best.

C. N. | Day 333 of 365

One of my precious little after-school kids, hurrying off to some adventure.

Quilted With Love | Day 332 of 365

My aunt made this quilt for my grandparents for their 60th anniversary in 2007. My grandmother is gone now, but my grandfather sleeps with it on the foot of his bed every night.

In the Bedroom Window | Day 331 of 365

Settlers of Catan | Day 330 of 365

One of my cousins introduced the family to a new (new to us anyway) game over Thanksgiving. We love games in our family. This one is called "Settlers of Catan". It's pretty fun.

Thanksgiving Warmth | Day 329 of 365

It was a great Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally, as much of the family as is able congregates at the grandparents' house (my mom's parents) for the day, and sometimes for several days.
This year, two of my mom's brothers and their families who are missionaries overseas are in the U.S. and are here, as well as several of the married cousins and their families. We have quite a large and merry crowd!
After our time of Thanksgiving this evening, my cousin's husband lit a fire in the fire pit they brought, and several of us sat around it to enjoy the cozy luxury of a warm fire on a chilly night.

Murphy | Day 328 of 365

He doesn't usually look so evil. I guess he wasn't in the mood to have his picture taken.

Thanksgiving Composition | Day 327 of 365

Baking Cookies | Day 326 of 365

One of my aunts developed a delicious sugar cookie recipe that my family loves to make during the holidays. I saw a little cookie-decorating idea online that I wanted to attempt for Thanksgiving, so tonight I stayed up late making her cookies to try it out on.

After-Church Snack | Day 325 of 365

Sunday nights are always full, so instead of supper we usually have a light snack before church and a light snack after church.

Sunset Reflection | Day 324 of 365

Tiny Turtles | Day 323 of 365

These two little guys spent the day on my desk. Their young owners are going on a trip, and a friend is going to pick them up this afternoon and 'turtle-sit' them while the kids are gone.

Fall Photo | Day 322 of 365

Yesterday was our Thanksgiving meal at the school where I work, and parents and grandparents were invited to come eat with their students. One of the moms set up this nice fall backdrop for me to take pictures of the families.

Evening in Gold | Day 321 of 365

These golden November evenings just seem like food for the soul.

Rainbow Swirls | Day 320 of 365

We have a crazy fascinating little 'lava lamp' night light in one of the bathrooms that fades and changes colors every two or three seconds. I decided to have some aperture fun with it tonight. This is what I came up with.

Smoothing Out the Wrinkles | Day 319 of 365

Sometimes I wish the wrinkles in life could be ironed out as easily as my sister smoothes the creases from her school clothes.

Sick Day | Day 318 of 365

This was literally my view all day. I missed church, in bed running a temperature of 102.6.

Ruffle Scarf - Completed | Day 317 of 365

One of the ruffle scarves I made to sell at the school. Thanks to my sister for modeling.

{11/25 Note: I have several still available in various colors - they make great gifts! If anyone is interested, leave a comment and I can get back to you.}

Best Friends | Day 316 of 365

I realize there is a huge gap between my last post and this one. I do have photos that fit in that gap - life's just been going so fast lately that I haven't gotten time to pick and/or edit them. Hopefully over Thanksgiving Break I can catch this thing up!
Meanwhile, I couldn't wait to go ahead and post this picture of two best friends. One of these girls I've known all her life. The other one, I met three days ago. Our time together was short, but as we were getting ready to part, I grabbed them to take a few 'best friends' pictures. The lighting (noon and dappled shade) wasn't ideal, but over-all, I'm pleased.

Waiting Music | Day 315 of 365