BSM: Thanksgiving Walk

We had a lovely Thanksgiving up in Washington with family. The kids got a couple of days with the cousins, and we all ate way too much food. Seriously, we had enough for twice as many people as were at the table.

The weather was gorgeous on Friday, so we were able to go over to Bainbridge Island and play on the beach. The kids loved all the logs and driftwood; I loved the fabulous rocks, shells, and beach glass. I could have stayed hunting treasure in the sand until evening.

I took lots of family shots, but this one seemed to capture the spirit of the afternoon:

Theme for the Week: Gratitude

Since those of us in the States just celebrated Thanksgiving, I thought that "gratitude" might be a nice theme for the coming week. Whip out the family-filled photos you snapped over the holiday, or photograph anything else you might be feeling grateful for right now.

I've got three somebodies right here:



Come back on Thursday and show us what you've got.

No Theme: Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy Thanksgiving with a day off of Theme Thursday -- but gear up for the following week!

Theme Thursday: Hot/Cold

This was not how I envisioned this theme going for me, but I'll embrace the unexpected.

Out with the (c)old:



In with the new:



Yes, we got a new fridge! And yes, those are the world's worst photos. I was not expecting a new fridge when I came up with this week's theme. But we found a great deal, and we now have a fridge that has an operational ice/water dispenser and a freezer that doesn't encrust with ice every time we open it. I can now buy an ice cream birthday cake, and I won't have to shove it in sideways. I can actually store a frozen pizza instead of cooking it right when I get home from the store. I won't have yucky-tasting ice. These are life's simple pleasures.

The downside of this project was cleaning out the old fridge. I couldn't count the number of bottles/jars of condiments, sauces, and dressings I had to get out of there. There were so many, I had to rinse them all out rather than throw them away. I was afraid the garbage can would be too heavy.

I am such a domestic goddess.

What do you have to show today?

By Popular Demand...

the eye poke:



You see? Nothing says "Christmas card" like a good jab in the eye.

BSM: One Moment, Please

The backstory of this photo involves me secretly stashing shirts in my car and making the boys put them on after a photoshoot downtown. I know. That's just the kind of mom I am.

I was doing a senior shoot for a friend, and since the kids had to come with me (James was working), I figured I'd take advantage of the opportunity. Can you blame me? The problem was that I had to wait until after I was done with the senior, and by then, the novelty of roaming around the warehouses near OMSI had worn off. Also, Owen had to go to the bathroom, so there's that, too. Let's just say I didn't get anything "card worthy," if you know what I mean.

I did think this one was cute and genuine, though.



I have another "genuine" one with Owen trying to poke Harrison's eye out, but I'll save that for a special occasion.

Theme for the Week: Hot and Cold

I'm off to Harrison's last soccer game in 33 degree weather. Ouch. Let's make our theme this week something from both sides: hot and cold.

Come back and play on Thursday!

Theme Thursday: Everyday

I have to admit: I failed at my own assignment this week. The "shooting from the hip" thing just didn't happen. My excuses are as follows: Harrison was home sick and the weather was dreary. Put together, these factors did not inspire me in my photographic journey. I know, I should have taken something anyway, but I didn't.

Until we saw this driving home today:



Maybe not representative of the "everyday," but it sure made our day!

What did you capture this week?

P.S. If anyone noticed a crazy lady waving her camera out the window while driving on TV Highway on Wednesday afternoon, trying to aim it at the sky and see the road at the same time? It totally wasn't me.

BSM: Reading

I didn't suggest they do this. I just came up and there they were. Really.

Theme for the Week: Everyday

This week, think about capturing glimpses of your everyday life: at the breakfast table, doing laundry, playing games. I'm going to try NOT to plan my photograph, instead I'm hoping to keep my camera close and snap without thinking as the week goes on. We'll see how it pans out.

Here's one I snapped last year, during a war of army men on the family room floor:



Come back Thursday, and show us your everyday life, in all its messy, chaotic joy.

Theme Thursday: Imagine

Imagine you want to go shopping, but you can't leave the house; what do you do?

Stop in at Harrison's Emporium. Harrison decided to turn his room into a store today, and voila, Harrison's Emporium was born. He affixed price tags to toys, books, pillows, you name it. Then Owen and I were invited in to browse and buy.







Of course, there was also a large sign posted on the end of the bed saying "You Cannot Keep." I guess I don't have to worry about buyer's remorse. Imagine that.

BSM: Halloween

Of course I have to post the kids in their costumes today. But believe me, it was not without a struggle. First up, Harrison:



He was a ninja, and I got a bunch of cute ones with him doing all these poses with his weapons. This is definitely the last year he'll be able to wear a kids' size costume. Even this one was almost too short.

Next up, Owen. What can I say? Let's just leave it at "ugly." Yes, it got ugly with me trying to get him outside to take his picture. I'll spare you the details, but this photo certainly speaks to his enthusiasm for the whole experience:



Jango Fett here was one ill-tempered bounty hunter. So was his mother.