Keeping With The Times

living, learning, and keeping with the times

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Sunday Sundries Features

October 12, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada and I’ll share more about that after my Sunday Sundries feature … so many gorgeous images to choose from and I’m so grateful and humbled by the people who share. Thank you all so much!

So please help me celebrate the work of these four talented artists! I was captivated by the colours, textures, and light in these beautiful images:

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

TL: @donnamilburnphotography TR: @beverlylcazzell_lavenderbleu BL: @catharina.linkenbach BR: @idreaminflowers

To see more, please check #sunday_sundries … you won’t be disappointed!

Last week I was dazzled by our colourful autumn display, but this week, not so much. A wind of ginormous proportions visited our area and blew leaves off trees like rain. Today it’s calm, but we’re staring at bare branches. Bare grey branches that we’re going to be staring at for almost 8 months. But you know what? I still see beauty. Sunrise cast a reddish golden glow over the lake this morning and I was able to see more of it because of the very absence of those leaves (talk about being positive, right?) But really, I mean it.

There’s a coziness in the air. Last night we listened to geese honking, coyotes yipping, and grasses rustling (as we ate our yummy Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.)

What else am I celebrating?

  • My family. Even though our daughters (and families) weren’t here this Thanksgiving, they were definitely here in (our) hearts.
  • Being outside, cleaning up the yard, cutting grass, and washing windows on a very warm autumn day.
  • The sweet smell of wood smoke drifting through the air as people burn trimmed branches and fallen trees.
  • The quietness, the stillness, that falls over the lake in October.
  • A comforting turkey dinner.
  • Pumpkin pie.
  • All of you who visit, read, comment, and encourage me on my blogging adventures. I appreciate everyone so much – thank you!

Pumpkin Pie, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank pumpkin_pie_barbbrookbank

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries October 4

October 4, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

I truly hope you’ve had a wonderful week, and am honoured that you’ve stopped by my blog today.

I tell you I have such a hard time choosing only four images to feature from my hashtag #sunday_sundries … oh. my. there is some seriously gorgeous stuff in there, and I’m so grateful to all who share!

Please help me celebrate the beautiful images of these four talented artists:

Sunday Sundries, October 4, Keeping With the Times

TL: @ehpyle TR: @mozsas BL: @annld60 BR: @aalmadr

From vintage photos to dancing scissors to dried flowers in enamelware to October literally spelled out … I love! Love! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful art @ehpyle @mozsas @annld60 @aalmadr and thank you to everyone who tagged their images! I am so honoured that you do!

So what else am I celebrating this week?

  • Our healthcare system … I’m so glad it’s there for us.
  • Our house in the city, and our house in the country.
  • Supportive bloggers.
  • A dentist who fixes what needs to be fixed in a confident and quick manner, and who doesn’t overcharge.
  • A hubby who spends a Sunday helping clean up my garden, and organizes a compost system.
  • Beautiful, stunning autumn days … beyond description, really.
  • Our little store in the country, and the lovely owners who take the time to chat.
  • A cute grey sweater and scarf set (found at said store.)
  • Inspirational books.
  • Receiving photos of grandchildren.

So that’s it for me today. I hope you had many moments to celebrate this past week!

 

 

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries September 27

September 27, 2015 by Barb 6 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

I truly hope you’ve had a wonderful week, and am honoured that you’ve stopped by my blog today.

The past week for me was a.ma.zing, but there’s so much I have to think about before writing anything. I just returned from 5 days in Rivers, Manitoba, Canada where I attended Finding Stillness 2015 with Kim Klassen in her new studio. Xanthe Berkeley joined Kim to help host the 3-day retreat focused on styling, shooting, and editing still lifes. If you care to have a peek at the goings on, check out #findingstillness2015 on IG.

Today, I want to share four images from my own hashtag #sunday_sundries in which I invite people to share their everyday celebrations. I have such a difficult time choosing only four to feature because they are all pure gorgeousness. However, it must be done, and here they are! Please help me celebrate the light-filled, and autumnal images of these amazing artists:

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

TL: thediariesofdi TR: carolhartseattle BL: renukostyle BR: soulaperture

So what else am I celebrating this week?

  • Having the privilege of attending Finding Stillness.
  • The 10 beautiful souls with whom I was able to share that most amazing experience.
  • Returning home to find our trees are at the peak of their autumn glory … I was a bit worried the show would be over … because that’s how fast it goes here.
  • The fact that I just have so much to celebrate!

amur_maple_barbbrookbank

Have a wonderful day!

 

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries September 20, 2015

September 20, 2015 by Barb 10 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week. Mine was beautiful, with one little bump :( which I’ll get to later … .

But first, some amazing art from four talented IG’rs. I’m choosing solely from IG, as explained in my last Sunday Sundries.

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

TL: @lunaa80 TR: @aalmadr BL: @louiseindevon BR: @beverlylcazzell

Other things I’m celebrating are:

  • Confirmation that I am going to be published in the upcoming winter issue of Artful Blogging! Honest-to-goodness, could I be any more thrilled? I think not.
  • Autumn leaves.
  • An orchard full of apples literally falling into my bucket!
  • A bit of rain. Warm temperatures. Sunshine.
  • Silence. Stillness.
  • A stylest that cuts my hair just the way I want it.
  • Finding casual, comfy, flattering clothes at a reasonable price.

One of the things I treasure most is silence. I’ve always known this, and sometimes it’s to the dismay of my poor husband who has to either keep the TV volume down or wear headphones when watching his shows. I just cannot take noise. I even have the most silent fridge on the market.

So imagine my dismay when some people (who I don’t know) set up what must have been gigantic speakers on a lot nearby and proceeded to pound out some very strange music for hours and hours … from 4:00pm to 3:00am. But wait … it started up again the next day at noon and slowly got louder and louder until 11:00pm at which time I think they turned it down a bit. I don’t know … hubby went to bed with earplugs, and I went to the basement … arghh.

But in the midst of it all, I found relief here and there. One moment occurred when I gathered together some apples, my big wooden vintage bowl, a journal, a pen, and the latest issue of Bella Grace. After I had photographed my little scene, I sat down and read an article by Misa Terral of wanderwonderdiscover.com which really spoke to me. She said “silence has a gift in its stillness, the willingness to amplify the immeasurable things.”

I ask you, in the midst of heart pounding noise and distraction, how can you appreciate the perfect light falling softly on the flowers lingering in your autumnal garden? How can you process the heady scent of apples ripening in a bowl on your kitchen table?

Truly … I can’t, and I think a soft breeze must have blown the offensive noise in another direction as I composed this still, because at this moment I was feeling quite peaceful.

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank, Bella Grace
It’s quiet now, and hopefully will stay that way … thank you so much for dropping by!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries September 13

September 13, 2015 by Barb 7 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. It all began with My Word for 2015, and it has served me so well this year, I may take it into 2016.

When I started Sunday Sundries, I envisioned people linking blog posts, or IG photos, or Flickr photos here on my blog … but that hasn’t happened.

Ninety-nine percent use Instagram only … so I’ve decided to go with it. Blogging (for me) is about learning, and growing, and seeing where it takes me … however, I will have to say that lately I’ve felt a bit more challenged with the changes, but I’m working on it … oh, have you signed up for Blogging Bits and Bytes? It’s a free course where I hope to inspire you to love blogging as much as I do. It starts September 29th.

It’s extremely hard to choose four images to feature, but I realized it was something I had to do … people were expecting it! So here are four favourites posted to #sunday_sundries … I think I’m trying to hold on to summer … please help me celebrate the work of these four talented artists:

Sunday Sundries September 13, Keeping With the Times

TL: @claireb_photography, TR: @traceyc1968 BL: @delaneygates BR: @idreaminflowers

So what else am I celebrating?

Well, last week as I was sipping my coffee and slowly reading (savouring) my Bella Grace Magazine, I thought to myself what if I turned a page and found one of my own photos? It was just a thought … a dream-filled thought … but imagine my shock when I did see one!

Sunday Sundries, Bella Grace Magazine, Barb Brookbanki, Keeping With the Times

Photo of The Photo!

I swear this is the absolute truth, I did not know it was there. Last summer I tagged a photo of my peonies to #bellagracemagazine @bellagracemagazine and then forgot about it … but anyway, now I’m bursting … bursting … and I plan to submit more to this amazing magazine. I also encourage you to dream your own dream and follow it! It may sound cliche … but it works!

I’m also celebrating:

  • Our amazing, memorable trip through the Canadian Rockies. I’ve written two posts about it and there’s more to come.
  • Emerald Lake Lodge … ’nuff said.
  • Arriving back home to find we had received 2 inches of rain.
  • The fresh new blooms in my garden as a result of that rain.
  • Autumn is around the corner, and our trees are turning colour.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful week!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries, September 6

September 7, 2015 by Barb 6 Comments

Welcome to Sunday Sundries!! I’m a day late since we’re on a bit of a holiday travelling though the Canadian Rocky Mountains and it’s a most amazing and beautiful thing … however, along with it comes very sporadic cell, and internet service … .

Today I’m featuring images posted to the hashtag #sunday_sundries on Instagram. Please help me celebrate the art of these talented people!
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With theTimes
TL: @mozsas TR: @lynn_palazzo BL: @aalmadr BR: @laihamre

I’m celebrating rustic goodness … fresh mountain air, wildlife, lakes, and remote and peaceful lodges.

Thank you so much for dropping by!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries

August 29, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

This is the last Sunday Sundries for August! I can hardly believe we’re heading into September … but I seem to be saying something similar at the end of each month … “I can hardly believe it’s such and such …”

Today I’m featuring four images posted to the hashtag #sunday_sundries on Instagram. Please help me celebrate the art of these talented people!

Sunday Sundries, Features, Keeping With the Times

TL: @lynn_palazzo TR: @louiseindevon BL: @mikefanfulli BR: @personallyandrea

I would love for you to play along! You don’t have to be on Instagram (altho it’s a ton-o-fun). Link images from your blog, Flickr, or simply leave a comment as to what you’re celebrating from the past week.

I have so much to celebrate this week! Even though I hurt my back (again), and spent a few days in pain, I continually thought about all the amazing things in my life. So … I’m celebrating:

  • I had some prescription pain meds left over from the last time I hurt my back (two years ago) and it worked beautifully. It made the difference between being bed-ridden and sitting up on the sofa working on my computer.
  • My new glasses … I started wearing progressives 4 years ago and I basically hated them … but now I have new and improved progressives. I’ve been wearing them non-stop for 4 days … and I can see! It takes some getting used to, but I’m determined this time.
  • Discovering Steller Stories (thanks Kim Klassen!) Oh, and my username is BBrookbank, if you care to have a look at my latest story.
  • Dolgo crabapples.
  • Chokecherries.
  • Abyssinian Gladiolus … a most beautiful autumn-blooming treasure.
  • The amazing response to “Blogging Bits and Bytes” … if you’re a blogger, or are thinking about starting a blog, you might want to take a peek!

So what are you celebrating? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries

August 23, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

As the last part of August is upon us, I’m loving the quiet foggy mornings, the warm sunny days, and the cool evenings.

There’s a hint of (you know what) in the air, and yet everything is still green, except for some of the wayside wildflowers …

… for some reason I adore this plant (although I don’t know what it is.) Growing sparsely in ditches, it reminds me of a tumbleweed, although I’ve never seen one tumbling around. For now, it’s a mystery left for me to solve … or not.

Sunday Sundries, Vintage Colander, Wildflowers, Keeping With the Times
Next … the beautiful and abundant tansy, another wayside find:
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

Today has been so slow … we had a late night last night, and I’ve basically been putting one foot in front of the other today … waiting for bedtime … I think I’ll simply celebrate a good sleep tonight!

Are you celebrating anything?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries on Monday

August 17, 2015 by Barb 6 Comments

Good morning … Sunday Sundries on Monday? What’s that? Well, it boils down to some poor planning on my part. Oh, I could blame it on the fact that there was no internet, or that we were out of town visiting family, or that I felt downright deflated last night (and I still do).

But truthfully, if I had just been a little more organized, I could have had it posted. So for that, I apologize.

I debated whether to simply leave it until next week … but I decided that by counting my blessings today, perhaps I could salvage this beautiful August Monday morning … and perhaps the whole week would follow suit. After all, that’s what this is all about. So here goes …

This week I’m celebrating Globe Thistle (echinops) which is growing in abundance in my garden. What more could you ask of a plant than it grow in full sun/part shade with well-drained/light, dry, moist, sandy soil!

I’ve always loved the spiky, steel blue/grey balls that appear in August. Each spike produces a tiny blue flower at the tip, which is absolutely irresistible to bees. When in full bloom, the plant is humming with them. This will continue until dusk, at which time a few will curl themselves up, and literally stick to the flower overnight.

Bee on Echinops

Echinops

But of course I do pick a few blooms to play with …

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Echinops, Globe Thistle

“let’s dance”

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Echinops, Globe Thistle

“larry, curly, and moe”

Echinops

“larry, up close”

Once the flowers have died, I harvest stems for winter flower arrangements.

Using gloves I snip a stem, strip the lower leaves, and pull the spent flowers out of the tip of the spikes. After tying into a bunch, they need to be hung upside down to dry, or some of the heads will droop.

Echinops

What else am I celebrating from this past week?

  • Still being “young enough” to accomplish some of my dreams.
  • Finding a perfect new/old table to play with.
  • Making salsa … an August ritual.
  • Sitting down for a “moment” on the sofa, and drifting off while listening to the whispering of aspen leaves as a light breeze moves through them.
  • Cooler temperatures in the evening, bringing relief from hot dry days.

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries and the August Break

August 8, 2015 by Barb 6 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

Here are a few random shots I posted for The August Break with Susannah Conway …

How could I not celebrate my globe flowers …. aren’t they amazing? Trollius is a genus of about 30 species of plants in the family Ranunculaceae, closely related to Ranunculus. The common name of some species is globeflower or globe flower (Wikipedia). Here in Canada we die to get our hands on ranunculus and I have a cousin growing in my garden!

Sunday Sundries and the August Break 2015, Keeping With the Times

kk_Hazed

Fresh cherries …

Sunday Sundries and the August Break 2015

kk_Hazed

Lemon yogourt and lemon thyme …

Sunday Sundries and the August Break 2015

kk_Hazed

What else am I celebrating?

  • We’ve had the busiest summer ever … lots of family time.
  • My family … my family’s health.
  • Beautiful weather. Amazing weather really … .
  • Working on a project with the hubs … we’ll be painting and cleaning up our front verandah which has been in a bit of disrepair lately. It may inspire me to paint the deck chairs, wash the siding, and perhaps put a new wreath on the door. I love a tidy, clean home.
  • Receiving a gift of spices, and papers, and shells from an online IG friend @dawnsmithdesigns … thank you Dawn … I cannot wait to try the spice! Dawn is also celebrating everyday moments and included a list of things to celebrate … I taped it to my desk … it’s lovely.
  • I’m not cooking dinner for the next two weeks … I have so many leftovers frozen into “dinners for two” (from the past few weeks of company) … let me tell you that is worth celebrating! Woot!

So what are you celebrating?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries … Summertime

August 2, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

This week I’m celebrating summer … I want to hold on to it  … it’s flying by so fast …Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Summertime

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Summertime
I’m also celebrating:

  • My family … and having summer get-togethers at our lake home.
  • Trying new recipes.
  • Fresh juicy apricots for breakfast.
  • Picking Saskatoon berries from my own back yard, making pies and jams with them, and sharing with my family.
  • An abundance of flowers in my garden.
  • Early morning thunderstorms and soaking rains.
  • The beginning of August … a most beautiful month.

This month I’m participating in The August Break with Susannah Conway, and I’m posting my images on Instagram … it’s a bit of a challenge so I hope I can keep up. The prompt today is “air”. How the heck do you shoot “air” … I think I have an idea … .

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, still life

Sunday Sundries Thyme

July 26, 2015 by Barb 10 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

This week I’m celebrating thyme … or time …

This little pot of herbs has given me so much inspiration at a time when I don’t have time for creating still life images … although I don’t know if it’s actually time, or if it’s a mental thing.

Life gets busy, and when I get pulled in too many directions, I find it hard to think … or perhaps focus is a better word. So my whole series “on the enamel table top” has been my saving grace. Last week it was Saskatoon berries, this week it’s thyme … and/or how to find time to create …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the TimesThe day I found a whole enamel table top at the (the dump) recycle depot I was stunned. It’s hard to believe, but it is in almost pristine condition. Why would someone throw it out? Actually, they threw out the whole Hoosier … I gasped when I saw it … but more on that story another day … .

So, very early in the morning, I quietly slip out the dining room door and onto our covered deck. I lay down the tabletop (it’s propped against the house), and get to work.

As I set up my scene I try to include the edges of the table, making sure to catch the chip in the lower right corner. That little chip not only adds character, it draws the eye around the photo.
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the TimesI wish you could have smelled this as I clipped the sprigs for drying … it was intoxicating …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

What else am I celebrating this week?

  • Having internet after several days without, due to a lightning strike on one of the towers that serves our rural area.
  • Rain! we finally received some wonderful soaking rains …
  • Lovely summer days.
  • Shopping and junquing with my grandchildren.
  • Finding the perfect ladder … I have an amazing story to share … coming soon …
  • Being featured on IG by Bella Grace! Such an honour!
  • Finding thyme to create.

So what are celebrating this week?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries and the Creative Drive

July 18, 2015 by Barb 10 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries … today I want to share some thoughts on the creative drive … personally, I can’t seem to stop it …

Last week I mentioned there had been some unhappy events in our family’s life … but I’m pleased to report things have improved greatly, and that is certainly the #1 thing I’m celebrating this week. One of our grandsons had been hurt in “boot camp” and received a concussion. I’m ever so thankful now that he’s doing fine … what a little trooper …

As well, my parents-in-law were in a devastating car accident, and although it’s been a life-altering event for them, they are progressing better than expected and we are all beyond grateful.

It’s been a busy week. We have 3 grandchildren visiting, which means lots of time spent boating and swimming, playing in the pool in the yard, and taking little road trips to country stores. We tend to do the same things every summer but it never gets old …

But here’s the thing. Even though I’ve been so busy, I couldn’t stop creating. Since I’m up early, and I made the most of that quiet time before the munchkins made their way upstairs looking for juice, and cereal, and toast.

A simple prompt of “white” on Instagram inspired me to gather up my chippy white enamelware, and before I knew it I was celebrating this charming kitchen staple of the past …

Sunday Sundries, Creative Drive, Keeping With the Times, enamelwareand then I noticed the Saskatoon berries were ready … oh my word … at least a week early (maybe two) … but time waits for no one and they had to be picked …

Sunday Sundries, Creative Drive, Keeping With the Times, enamelware… and cooked …
Sunday Sundries, Creative Drive, Keeping With the Times, enamelware… and made into pies …

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, enamelwareI’m pretty amazed at how much I accomplished this past week. In fact, I’d have to say I went into a creative “overdrive”. I couldn’t not do it. As long as I was able to pick something, arrange something, and make something, everything else fell into place. I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m tired. Most of the time my house is in a very creative mess, supper is sometimes late, and the laundry piles up.

Last night hubby was trying to wash something in the sink in the pantry, and I heard what I thought might be enamelware clattering to the floor (there’s barely room to move in there) and not a word was muttered by anyone. I heard him picking it up and next thing I knew he was back in the kitchen trying to help me get supper on the table. For all of this, and more … I celebrate.

Now I must wrap up this post (it’s almost 7:00am), and I’m quite sure I’ll soon be hearing small feet running up the stairs … small feet and and empty tummies …

So what are you celebrating? Do you have to create? I’d love to hear!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries: Celebrating

July 11, 2015 by Barb 12 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life.

Today I must acknowledge the past week has delivered some life events that are definitely not worth celebrating. It’s been a stark reminder to me to not only cherish the people I love, but to tell them how much I cherish them … and to tell them often.

When I chose my word this year, I knew there would be times like this. In order to make it work, I refer to a quote by Tom Peters “celebrate what you want to see more of”. I can do that. And yes, there are many things to celebrate during this trying time … some small, some huge, and I’m thankful for that.
Sunday Sundries: Celebrating, Blackberries, Summer, Keeping With the Times
Today, I’m celebrating the people who link up to Sunday Sundries … here and on Instagram:

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times
(TL) @britt_throndson (TR) @idreaminflowers (BL) @orangerinka (BR) @amstrate3

Aren’t they all so gorgeous!? I must point out the image by @orangerinka … it’s a painting of my yellow teapot! How fabulous is that!? Thank you so much @orangerinka!

Vintage Yellow Teapot, Keeping With the Times, Sunday Sundries

So what are you celebrating this week? I’d love to hear – it brightens my day!

[inlinkz_linkup id=544379 mode=1]

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, instagram feature

Sunday Sundries is on Instagram

July 4, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. Today I’m celebrating the beauty of a fading peony. I was trying to think why people are so gaga over these flowers … as a northerner, I can tell you. We have a very short growing season and extremely cold winters. The fact that such an exotic flower not only grows here, but actually thrives is nothing short of a miracle. I could not have explained it better than Canadian Gardening:

Herbaceous garden peonies boast all the attributes Canadian gardeners value: large, plentiful and easy to grow, many have sweetly fragrant flowers and are deer-resistant, drought-resistant and cast-iron hardy (to Zone 2). The plants are also substantial enough to be used on their own as a low hedge, with foliage that stays attractive for months (and makes great camouflage for ripening spring bulbs). Peonies are tremendously long-lived. Many a gardener can point to a treasured unnamed specimen passed along from the garden of a parent, grandparent or friend. Perhaps the only fault one can find with this paragon of perennials—besides the tendency for unstaked double-flower types to flop over in June thunderstorms—is that plants bloom just once a year, in early summer.

While I’m sad to say goodbye to these beauties, it’s OK … it’s time to move on … ( but it helps that I have preserved a few buds in the refrigerator to bring out later … tee hee).

Sunday Sundries, Peonies, Fading Beauty

kk_SoftLight

Sunday Sundries, Peonies, Fading Beauty

kk_OLight

Sunday Sundries, Peonies, Fading Beauty

kk_OLight

Sunday Sundries is on Instagram. If you want to play along, simply use #sunday_sundries (don’t forget the underscore) and tag me @keepingwiththetimes. The following image has been embedded right from my IG account. To embed a post from Instagram on your blog:

  1. Go to Instagram.com and log into your account.
  2. Click the photo you want to embed.
  3. Click on the three little dots in the lower left corner and choose Embed.
  4. Copy the code and paste it into your blog post making sure to use the “text” or “html” editing window.
  5. Here you can see my actual interactive IG photo complete with “likes” “comments” and you can even “follow” from here :)

Another day, another peony … joining #ByArrangement with @sarahnotes

A photo posted by Barb Brookbank (@keepingwiththetimes) on Jul 2, 2015 at 9:09am PDT

What else am I celebrating?

  • Sleeping in … I slept in 3 days in a row (granted I was sick from a couple of hornet stings) but I’m still celebrating a great comfy bed, and a good healing sleep.
  • My hubby who protected me from many more bites two days later when we discovered a hornet nest on our boat … I hid under a beach towel, shrieking my head off while he defended me with HALF a fly swatter … bwahaha … it’s true! My hubby my Hero! :)
  • Rain … I will always celebrate rain.
  • My country home, my country garden, and my country lifestyle. I’m never so happy as when I’m home.
  • A laugh. A good laugh.

So what are you celebrating this week? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries and a Free Download

June 27, 2015 by Barb 22 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. I started this practice as a result of “My Word for 2015” and it has had such a positive influence on the way I’ve lived my life this year. One word.

Earlier this week I published a newsletter which included the link to download a Photoshop template. If you received it, and tried the template, I’d love to see your creation (link up below). Also, today I’ve included a link to some word art (which you’ll find at the end of this post.)

If you post on Instagram, use the hashtag #sunday_sundries, tag me at @keepingwiththetimes, and list one or more things you’re celebrating – I’d love to see!

OK, onward! How about celebrating a beautiful herb garden!?

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template Download

kk_QuietDreams

… and peonies … oh my … I have a bumper crop this year …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template DownloadFrom the moment they started to pop …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template Downloadto the first blossom …Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template DownloadI’ve practically been wallowing in them …Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template Downloada little Bella Grace love …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template Downloadand summer love …
Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times, Photoshop Template DownloadSo what else am I celebrating this week?

  • Summer days.
  • Hot hot hot summer days.
  • Huge thunderstorms that roll through at midnight, causing no damage (just a lot of blinding light and house-shaking noise.)
  • Seeing a bright moon at the edge of said thunderstorm … it was a wild night … .
  • The rain that followed … watering my garden and once again filling my rain barrels.
  • Reaching over 2,000 followers on Instagram! I’m so in love with that community, and all the inspiration it provides.
  • Becoming an affiliate with Digital Scrapper – truly, I’d promote their products and services – affiliate or not.

Keeping With the Times, free word art, for personal use only

If you like the word art I created, you can download it here (for personal use only).

Thank you so much for dropping by!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: freebie, gratitude, quotes, word art

Sunday Sundries June 21, 2015

June 20, 2015 by Barb 7 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small (and large) extraordinary moments in my life. I started this practice as a result of “My Word for 2015” and it has had such a positive influence on the way I’ve lived my life this year. One word.

I’m celebrating the Summer Solstice (June Solstice) which occurs in my part of the world on Sunday, June 21 at 10:39 am … now what’s not to celebrate about that!? 17:02:47 hours of daylight … how very amazing.

I took this photo on Friday afternoon. My second wave of lilacs are blooming (and oh yes! Amy reminded me that a second wave of lilacs is something to celebrate, thank you Amy), so I set a bouquet on the deck and sat back and waited. It wasn’t long until Mr. Swallowtail paid me a visit.

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times
Now, I didn’t say sunlight … I said daylight … I took the following shot around 8:00 Friday night during a rainstorm … I used my 40mm fixed lens, 1/80s, f5.6, ISO 400.

But more importantly, how about that gorgeous little yellow teapot I found at One Man’s Treasure!? I tried to walk away, truly I did, but as usual I am ever so happy I didn’t! It reminds me of a yellow raincoat … or yellow rubber boots.
Vintage Yellow Teapot, Keeping With the Times, Sunday Sundries

So what am I celebrating this week?

  • Finding a bright yellow teapot and bringing it home.
  • Lupines from a friend’s garden.
  • A rainy night which immediately reminded me of that song from way back in 1975 “I Love a Rainy Night” by Eddie Rabbitt.
  • I had the pleasure of being a guest blogger at Canadian Scrapbooker.
  • All the fabulous opportunities that have come my way this year, the connections, the collaborations … I’m so blessed.
  • A July and August with no big commitments … sigh … I just wanna play, ya know?
  • Great new updates with Creative Cloud (yeah … geeky!)

Thank you so much for dropping by!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries June 14

June 14, 2015 by Barb 15 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries!

I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small extraordinary moments. Please feel free to share your moments, either in the comments or add a link from your blog, or IG, or Flickr account.

When I write this post, I’m forced to sit and really think about what’s been going on in my life.

While I’m grateful for every little blessing, it’s easy to forget them … like these wild Alberta roses blooming throughout our yard. We’re surrounded by trees and bush, and I watch through the windows as the seasons party on. Right now, the Belle of the Ball is Spring …

Sunday Sundries, Alberta Rose, Keeping With the Times

What else am I celebrating this week?

  • a nap followed by a cup of tea
  • rain without the storm part
  • a day at the spa … as a gift
  • I did something that scared me
  • a long-awaited package arrived from across the ocean
  • Alberta sunsets
  • a 65th wedding anniversary and a family reunion
  • a garden full of peonies ready to pop

Sunday Sundries, Alberta Rose, Keeping With the Times

Sunday Sundries, Alberta Rose, Keeping With the Times

Sunday Sundries, Alberta Rose, Keeping With the Times

Are you celebrating anything this week? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries June 7

June 6, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries (a rather unadvertised little linky party).

I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small extraordinary moments. Please feel free to share your moments, either in the comments or add a link from your blog, or IG, or Flickr account.

Sunday Sundries June 7, Keeping With the Times, Lilacs, Still LifeThe past couple of weeks I’ve been busily capturing all the beauty around me, from lilacs to pansies, to lavender, and everything in between …

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries (a rather unadvertised little linky party). I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me to be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small extraordinary moments.

… and recording and sharing it here … in my happy space …

Sunday Sundries June 7, Keeping With the Times, Lilacs, Still Life

What else am I celebrating this week?

  • a road trip with hubby
  • a steady gentle rain that helps to fill the lake, that brings life to the trees, lawns, and gardens, and fills my rain barrels to overflowing
  • checking off projects one-by-one … so fulfilling
  • working in a garden surrounded by lush green trees
  • a new outdoor area carpet for the deck which instantly transformed it – such a simple thing …
  • being featured on IG by several accounts
  • even that robin that starts up around 3:30 am and doesn’t shut down until 9:30 pm … I think they have a new nest with babies …

So what are you celebrating? Are you starting your summer activities? Travel? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries May 23

May 24, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

Hello, and Happy Sunday! Welcome to Sunday Sundries (a rather unadvertised little linky party).

I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me to be grateful and to “celebrate” all the small extraordinary moments.

This week I’m celebrating these beautiful tulips. Several years ago I planted and few bulbs, but only one ever came up. This year there were three blooms, three giant blooms (as big as my hand) and I seriously do not remember them being this delicious colour. How does that even happen?

Sunday Sundries, Tulips, Lightroom Preset, Keeping With the Times

kk_DayDreamingLightRight

The day I decided to pick them it had been raining, so those water droplets are for real … perfection …

Sunday Sundries, Tulips, Lightroom Preset, Keeping With the Times

kk_DayDreamingLightRight

Now they’ve completely fallen apart, and are laying in frilly little bits on the cabinet, and on the floor … I’ve just been walking by … not bothering to pick anything up because I hate to see them go … .

Other things/moments I’m celebrating:

  • Walking with friends.
  • A weekend that’s wide open … leaving me free to do whatever I like.
  • The amazing warm, sunny weather we’re having, and are apparently going to have for quite a few more days.
  • The explosion of growth around here: tiny flowers, the promise of bigger flowers, fresh new leaves on the trees, and green grass.
  • Greenhouses! and all the amazing treasures they have. I have all my pots out and even some annuals planted in the garden.
  • A day spent with hubby doing yard work and getting everything into tip-top shape.
  • Spending a relaxing couple of hours out on the lake.

So, what are you celebrating this week? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Fabulous Friday Finds

May 15, 2015 by Barb 21 Comments

Good morning! Another week has flown by and I have some fabulous Friday Finds to tell you about.

What an amazing week! I’ll start with my second best find—a chippy little green door … to.die.for. but I think I say that about every treasure I drag home … look at that chippy goodness, the dirt, the scratches, the colour … swooning here … and it’s small and light, which makes it easy for me to pick up and carry around.Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times

When I walked into One Man’s Treasure, there it was … the sun was hitting it, and I think I heard angels (just kidding). But those people that own that store can see me coming, and they set these treasures right at the front, in a very prominent position, and I’m a lost cause … .

It was just what I needed to set beside my new chippy potting bench from the Carvel General Store …

Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times, green chippy door, potting bench

… so let the fun begin, it’s green door party time! Notice that little door knob … I wonder how many people get excited about door knobs … adore …

Fabulous Friday Finds, Keeping With the Times, green chippy door, potting bench

So, now, here’s my best Friday Find this week: Carolyn! When I first “met” Carolyn in The Studio, I knew right away she was a lovely, lively, sweet lady. She’d made some comments that made me laugh out loud, and I knew she was for real. Then, much to my surprise (because I am hopelessly reserved, and an introvert as well), Carolyn contacted me and asked if I would like to meet her for lunch. She only lives about an hour away … amazing … why hadn’t I thought of that! Um, because I am hopelessly reserved and … well you know.

Anyway, long story short—we met, we hugged, we laughed, we talked—we connected. A kindred soul who shares a passion for food, photography, and life, (hey … that’s part of my blog by-line!)

We met for lunch at 12:00 noon and didn’t leave the restaurant until 2:30, and that was only because we had some serious shopping to do.

Fabulous Friday Finds

shaky iPhone shot …

I could go on, gushing and gushing, but I’ll finish by saying how amazing it is to be a part of The Studio Online. So much goodness in there … and not just still life, but real life. On-line friends, and “irl” friends. What more could you ask for? I am already looking forward to seeing Carolyn again, she has the biggest heart (truly).

So, have a wonderful weekend everyone! We’re heading into our first long weekend of the year. The dock is in, the boat is (almost) in, and the s’mores supplies are ready.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

Filed Under: LIFE Tagged With: flower, flowers, friday finds, gratitude, kim klassen, lightroom, still life

Sunday Sundries

May 10, 2015 by Barb 9 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! A little informal link-up where I share what I’m celebrating this week, and invite you to share what you are celebrating.

Today I’m celebrating Mother’s Day, and I’d like to wish all Moms a Happy Day! Please enjoy my rose from Arizona …

Sunday Sundries, Pink Rose, Botanical, Keeping With the Times

Sunday Sundries, Pink Rose, Botanical, Keeping With the Times

Sunday Sundries, Pink Rose, Botanical, Keeping With the Times

Now we’re back home, and in full-on spring mode … this weekend we’ve been putting out the dock (mostly hubby), and gardening (mostly me). When I noticed some of my perennials were already starting to bloom, I had no choice but to weed the flower beds! Gah it happens fast!!

What else am I celebrating?

  • Greenhouses! It’s the most exciting thing to walk into a greenhouse after a long winter.
  • The abundance of beautiful plants and flowers … oh my …
  • Planting herbs. There is nothing I love more than going to my little herb garden and snipping fragrant sprigs and leaves to add to dishes … it’s heavenly, actually.
  • A freshly weeded flower bed.
  • A hubby who will drop everything and rototill my garden.
  • My daughters.
  • Phone calls, and cards, and gifts on Mother’s day.

So, what are you celebrating this week?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

April 12, 2015 by Barb 5 Comments

Hello, and welcome to Sunday Sundries! A little informal link-up where I share what I’m celebrating this week and invite you to share what you are celebrating.

Yesterday we went on a little excursion to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park near Payson, AZ.

To quote the brochure:

Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has been in the making for thousands of years. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.

A tiny creek flows over the top of the bridge …

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

… and water runs along between the rocks at the bottom—creating a cool and refreshing area to sit and take in the beautiful surroundings.

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday SundriesTonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

Tonto Natural Bridge, Sunday Sundries, Keeping With the Times

I can’t tell how much I enjoyed this road trip, even though there were a couple glitches … I mean, who forgets their running shoes when heading out, knowing full well there is going to be a bit of a hike involved? Perhaps the same person who’s been sick with a cold all week and has decided to blame her forgetfulness on a stuffy head?

Arghh … I’m celebrating the fact that my hubby decided to not get too irritated, and was really quite attentive. I did manage to take the entire the walk; flip-flops, headache, and sneezy nose aside … .

After a yummy lunch at Macky’s Grill in Payson we headed back home for a relaxing evening.

Today I’m not much worse for the wear, but I must get going … I have a pedicure I desperately need to get to!

So, are you celebrating anything this week?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

April 5, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Sundries! A place where I share what I’m celebrating this week, and then invite you to share what you’re celebrating.

Of course most people will be celebrating Easter this weekend, and to all of you “Happy Easter” from me!

I had a most wonderful week last week at home, enjoying the sights and sounds of spring (let’s just forget that one blizzard we had … OK?)

Sunday Sundries, Easter, Dinner Plate Art, Keeping With the Times

I prefer to remember the warm, bright, sunny days; gathering pusssywillows, making wreaths, cleaning up flower pots, and getting the deck set up and ready for the new season.

I thoroughly enjoyed creating my spring vignette, baking a poppyseed chiffon cake (more on that later), and setting a pretty table with my grandmother’s china. I also received some wonderful news about a project I’m working on, and I’m so grateful about that.

Now we’re back to our little condo in sunny Arizona and I’m preparing to enjoy an Easter brunch with our new friends in Fountain Hills.

So please, share what you’re celebrating this week. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sunday Sundries, rabbit, Easter

 

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

March 29, 2015 by Barb 11 Comments

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Sundries! A little informal link-up where I share what I’m celebrating this week and invite you to share what you are celebrating.

We just got home from Arizona and I’m in transition … ummm … there’s a snowbank in my front yard … and OK, in my back yard as well …

But not to worry! It’s spring, and that snow is melting fast. The geese are standing on the lake (yes, I said standing) honking and jostling for position; going through that eternal spring ritual of mating and building nests. It’s really quite wonderful and worthy of celebration.

I haven’t had time to get any new shots together so I thought I’d share my scrapbook layout which I made whilst still in Arizona. I used the beautiful Desert Globemallow and a page from Flow magazine. I then photographed it, took it into Photoshop and added a photo of myself (taken 5 years ago).

I’m totally fascinated with the dimension in this layout. I’m a scrapper from a long ways back, and mostly digital, and while digital shadows seek to add dimension, they don’t come close to the real thing. I also edited this with kk_dreamlike:

Sunday Sundries

So what else am I celebrating?

How about a beautiful package from Cristina Colli arriving all the way from the United Kingdom?!

I entered one of my dinner plate art images to her #12monthsofhappystills on Instagram and she picked it for her February’s favourite happy still (I’m still pretty chuffed about that :)).

I’ll be sharing more of this later …

Sunday Sundries

So, are you celebrating anything this week? Please share!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

March 22, 2015 by Barb 3 Comments

Good morning and welcome to Sunday Sundries! Another week has flown by and I have much to celebrate.

It’s wildflower season in Arizona and one of my favourite flowers here is the Desert Marigold.

Growing abundantly along roadsides and in vacant, gravelly lots, they sway in the breeze and beckon with their bright open faces.

As I was carefully picking a handful of blooms, a lady in a car stopped and warned me to not walk further into the lot because it would be filled with snakes! LOTS of snakes, apparently … eek … .

Sunday Sundries

Alrighty then … I won’t go there …

Do you not just love that beautiful artwork hanging in the background? It’s by Emily Winfield Martin and was included in a Flow Magazine (love that publication) and it’s a special treat when I find one.

Here’s what else I’m celebrating from last week:

  • I reached 1000 followers on Instagram … I don’t know why that’s important, but its fun! and gah! there is so much inspiration to be found there …
  • Having lunch with the hubs at Zinc Bistro in Kierland Common.
  • Shopping at Anthropologie and finding a wonderful little cookbook with fascinating photography and an overload of inspiration.
  • As I laid in bed that night I was visualizing a woman walking around that beautiful outdoor shopping centre, being with her husband, enjoying lunch on a patio, warm weather, browzing amazing upscale shops, and I felt so very grateful as I drifted off. That woman is truly blessed.
  • Mornings at Mountainview coffee.
  • Going to garage sales and finding treasures for peanuts. Hubby spied a tripod in a dusty corner of one garage. It turned out to be a Davis and Sanford, heavy-duty, professional style unit that rolls around on wheels! It’s the sturdiest tripod I’ve ever had and I love it.
  • And last (but definitely not least) I’m celebrating my kind, caring friends at Digital Scrapper. It’s a long story, but for quite some time I’ve been struggling with writing tutorials. When I finally let them know my situation, and that I needed to bow out, I was greeted with nothing but empathy and support and I am now completely relieved of my obligations (at no small inconvenience to them I might add.) I could write a whole blog post about this and maybe I will, but not today.

I could continue, but I’m going to stop now! If you’re still here – thank you – and please feel free to share what you’re celebrating this week!

sunday sundries

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries: a Collage

March 15, 2015 by Barb 19 Comments

Welcome to Sunday Sundries! I have much to celebrate this week and I’m so happy you stopped by. If you have something to share, please feel free to add it to the link-up at the end of this post.

Today, I present my botanical collage. I recently discovered a beautiful IG feed by sarah_notes_._._._ in which she posts her most amazing and intricate collages filled with real flowers and all types of ephemera.

The first time I saw her work, I was smitten. They are not just paper collages, but 3D collages of paper, with artfully placed objects.

I was so inspired, I decided to try my hand at this fascinating art form. I think it struck the collector/scrapper chord within me. It makes me think of  a scrapbook page somehow brought to life, and I believe this will be the beginning of many collage creation adventures.

I processed this image with kk_melancholy which adds a pink/mauve tone to images, and I like it with the tones in the paper, the flower petals, and the bulbs.

Sunday Sundries, Collage, Keeping With the Times

I believe my Gift from a Friend fits this collage category beautifully as well don’t you?

So what am I celebrating this week (other than my new-found love of 3D collage?)

Well, I’m living a creative life. That thought popped into my head the other morning and it was kind of like a revelation! No big expectations … I’m simply living a creative life …

  • I create something every.single.day.
  • The online community that has embraced, inspired, and encouraged me.
  • Spring is on it’s way in my part of the world.
  • I picked a bouquet of pussywillows.
  • Spring bulbs, and the promise they hold.
  • Light-filled days (and evenings).

kk_lightly

Sunday Sundries

Now, what are you celebrating?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

February 28, 2015 by Barb 12 Comments

Welcome to Sunday Sundries!

I’ve been watching one of my succulents since early February as it began to send out a flower stalk. This week it started blooming, and surely that is something to celebrate wouldn’t you say?

Of course it speaks to me of spring, but I won’t be putting any plants out until May … the middle of May … OK, maybe late May. But, not to worry, I brought my wooden side table in from the deck, set it by the window in the kitchen/dining room and filled it with plants. The sun was pouring in and it was a beautiful sight.

Photo edit with kk_warmyhaze:

Sunday Sundries, succulent, Keeping With the Times

So what else am I celebrating?

  • The memory of a good friend and neighbour. A gentle, honest, soul. Loved and respected by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
  • Receiving a gift in the mail from an online friend. Such a wonderful and inspiring surprise.
  • Getting lots more hours of daylight (I’ll be celebrating that for a few more weeks).

Photo edit with kk_dreamlike:

Sunday Sundries, succulent, Keeping With the Times

 

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude, succulents

Sunday Sundries

February 22, 2015 by Barb 14 Comments

Welcome to Sunday Sundries! I have so much to celebrate this week and I’m so happy you stopped by!

Another busy and fulfilling (couple of weeks) have passed by and I’m forever grateful for all of it.

I finally got my postcards printed and ready to mail. I’m joining Kat Sloma and the Liberate Your Art postcard exchange this year.

Oh my … what a production … first of all I couldn’t decide where to get my images printed, and then I left it so late I finally had to print them myself. I adhered card stock to the back (as per the instructions on Kat’s blog) and I’m quite thrilled with the results.

This is where I thank hubby (thank you dear) for helping me get them printed … arghh … we just bought a new printer and it’s finicky and complicated and I could not get it to pull heavier paper through the feeder. I’ll spare you the boring details, but w(he) figured out a workaround for the time being. Next stop: post office (package expedited of course.)

I shot this image with VSCO, posted it on Instagram and tagged #liberateyourart @katsloma (lots of good stuff in there!)

Sunday Sundries, Processed with VSCOcam with s1 preset, Liberate Your Art, Keeping With the Times

What else am I celebrating?

  • My birthday! I was showered with love, good wishes, gifts, dinners, and good times. Our whole family spent the weekend together. We went out for dinner for the big day – it was amazing and I have so very much to be grateful for.
  • Everyone arrived safely despite terrible weather, which arrived at the worst possible moment. Freezing rain, fog, and snow blanketed our area at just the time they were on the road. Our youngest daughter and family had to pull over and spent the night in a hotel … we were sad but grateful at the same time … they were safe and it was all that mattered. My oldest daughter and her family got here just in time, although not without some harrowing moments.
  • I wrapped up my tutorial for Digital Scrapper! Wooooot! is all I’m going to say …
  • It’s late February, March is around the corner, and that brings thoughts of spring.
  • We’re receiving over 10 hours of light/day now, which is really something to celebrate up here! We’re coming out of the dark …
  • I have lots to look forward to – projects, classes, new opportunities … all good stuff.

Here’s a little selfie at my birthday party … lol!!

birthdayselfie

Lastly I just want to mention, if you are into iPhoneography, please join us for “app” happy wednesday, a weekly linky I host here on my blog. It’s lots of fun, easy, no pressure, and I always learn some new tidbit. Thank you to all of you who continue to participate.

So, what have you celebrated this week?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries: Orchids

February 1, 2015 by Barb 14 Comments

Welcome to Sunday Sundries! I have so much to celebrate this week and I’m so happy you stopped by! If you have something to share, please feel free to add it to the link-up at the end of this post!

A favourite place to visit whist on holidays in Arizona is Trader Joes. The flower selections are amazing and that’s what draws me in. After I make the difficult choice as to which one I’m going to take home with me, I head to the fruit and vegetable section (but more on that later).

There were so many orchids to choose from, the variety was endless! I picked this tiny white beauty, it stands no more than 18 inches tall, the smallest size and at only $7.00 I couldn’t pass it up.

Sunday Sundries, Orchid, Keeping With the Times, Lightroom

There’s something so stately and pure about them. I would say they are the epitome of simplicity, but really they are probably anything but … .

They are complex plants, and it can take up to 5 years for a seedling to produce a flower (according to wikiHow). So today I celebrate the miracle that is an orchid.

Sunday Sundries, Orchid, Keeping With the Times, Lightroom

I took this shot with my Nikon and edited in Lightroom. After the usual lens corrections and exposure adjustments I applied the preset kk_within to the first image. Then I copied all the settings (excluding the crop) and applied it to the second image – voila! Perfect match!

So, what else am I celebrating this week? Small things …

  • Finding the perfect pair of running shoes; last ones in my size, on sale, and inexpensive to begin with.
  • Discovering a great thrift store … a perpetual garage sale!
  • Finding the perfectly imperfect, wabi sabi, cutting board and knife for under $4.00!
  • The farmers market where I found fresh, just-picked vegetables.
  • Having my Linzer Cookies images accepted by Food Gawker. Every time one of my images is accepted, I do a little victory dance!
  • My iPhone which I use to capture every day moments so that I don’t forget them.

If you are into iPhoneography, please join us for “app” happy wednesday, a weekly linky I host here on my blog. This week I’m going to be talking about VSCO … it will just be a bit because I’ve just started exploring … and I have a plan …

So, what have you celebrated this week?

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

Sunday Sundries

January 25, 2015 by Barb 8 Comments

Good Sunday Morning! Welcome to Sunday Sundries #2.

I’m here to ramble on about my week, it helps me to be grateful and to “celebrate” the small extraordinary moments …

So, yes … those aren’t evergreens in the following photo … we’re at our little Arizona get-away enjoying some warmer temps, and I was amazed at the wispy clouds that were painted across the sky. How beautiful!

Arizona Skies, Sunday Sundries

  • It’s been a busy week, with trips to Montreal and Phoenix kind of overlapping … whoa … travel wears me out, yesterday I felt pretty yucky, but I think I’m back on my feet today (and for that I’m grateful).
  • I’ve found a good book … love that! It seems when we’re south of the border we have more time to do such things. At night the TV does not get turned on and we sit quietly and read …
  • Today is just beginning, the hubs and I are on our second pot of coffee … talk about a lazy morning … I see a trip to Target in our future and a barbeque later … it’s all good!

So what little things have you celebrated this week? I’d love to know!

Filed Under: SUNDAY SUNDRIES Tagged With: gratitude

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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