SNAPSHOT SATURDAY {cooling off}

I saw this picture on a blog I stop in on every so often. Doesn't it look glorious?
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I don't think it would have had such a huge impact on me if my house wasn't so BLASTED HOT right now. Idaho doesn't believe in air conditioning.

Imagining an Ocean Swim,
Rachel

SILHOUETTES

I was up early on a Saturday morning when I walked by the kitchen window and saw our tree full to the brim with fluffy little birds.

There was something about their silhouettes against the lightening horizon that captured my creative fancy...

...their feathers puffed up in an attempt at warmth in the bitter, Idaho cold.

I spent the next hour sitting cross-legged on the dining room table, aiming my camera at the pretty things.

I couldn't get enough of the ever-changing colors of the morning sky.

I did a delighted dance after capturing the light through those wings in flight. Rather dramatic don't you think?

Spring is on the rise, my friends.

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE DITCH

Since we are on the tail end of winter, I thought I should post these snowy pictures I took a few months ago before they become completely out of date.

They are all taken from the rugged, natural beauty of the nearby irrigation ditch. Just goes to show that beauty can be found almost anywhere!

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--the mashed potata'

Found this picture on a blog I like to stop in on every once in awhile. C. Jane is a clever, entertaining writer from Provo, Utah. You can read her full post HERE.

But enough about her. Look at her daughter!

Little Ever Jane was granted the privilege of having her way with a blob of mashed potatoes. Who knew that smooshing potatoes in your hair could bring such pure joy? I didn't until I saw this snapshot.

But now I'm a believer.

Next time I have a bad day, I'm going to roll around in my own blob of mashed potatoes. If for anything, just to see Andrew's reaction when he happens upon me, my potato encrusted hands resting on my head, my face making that same joy-filled expression.

Let me show you Ever Jane again, just so you can picture it.

Okay, I'm finished now. Just hoping that photograph brings as much happiness to your heart, as it did to mine. Ciao.

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--that's the spirit

I couldn't resist taking this shot one December afternoon. After reading the sign, take note of what the family behind it is up to. Ha! 

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--Nieces

I took some pictures of my nieces at Brad and Erin's wedding that I am particularly proud of.

But I have to say that it helps when your nieces look like models to begin with.

Lovely blue-eyed Nicole

Whitney with her flawless, graceful features.

That picture had such a classic, vintage look to it that I played around on the computer to give it burnt edges and an old photo quality. Just for fun.

I'm just IN LOVE with this shot.

Rachel, take our picture!

Here's another niece. She's the sweetest thing since...who knows what. When I expressed to Andrew my desire to EAT her, Andrew just told me I was weird.

Her back was to me when I wanted a picture. When I called out:

Adelle! Look at me!

This is what I got--that precious gal calmly holding her pose for a good 5-10 seconds. Andrew and I almost died at her cuteness.

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--in the news

This was a couple of months ago, but Wal-Mart gave every teacher a one hundred dollar gift card, and our town newspaper deemed it as newsworthy material. So, here I am in the Standard Journal looking about fifteen years old among my co-workers in the school cafeteria.

I'm a celebrity.

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--All you need is love

So, this picture is from an expedition we took a few weeks ago. We drove 2 hours to nowhere in particular, got out of the car, and took a walk with camera in hand. It was lovely. 

I wanted a picture with both of us, but there wasn't anyone on hand to help out. Instead, I took one of each us on this fence and used GIMP on my computer to combine the two pictures into one. Wa-lah! We're BOTH on the fence! 

It's was my first time attempting such a feat, and pretty pleased with myself...until I noticed a few important body parts that had completely disappeared in the process. Ha! Oh well. You wouldn't have noticed unless I told you, right? And who needs hands and feet as long as you get to be with the one you love?

SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--Andrew's Kill

I got a text message yesterday with this picture and a note:

"Not bad for my first buck!"


I am so happy that Andrew is so happy!
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As long as he doesn't ask me to help skin it, that is. I'd prefer not to see the poor animal until it's neatly packaged in my freezer.
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Congrats, hon!
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SNAPSHOT SATURDAY--Underwater Wedding

This is NOT my picture.

I wish.

This shot was taken by ashlee aubach. Isn't it incredible?! The lighting, the colors, the shapes...

I follow many photography blogs and hers happens to be one of them. This particular post took my breath away. And apparently, this is just a pre-view, and there is MORE TO COME! I can't wait! Check out the original post HERE on her blog. It's bigger and better there. 

MY PEACE I GIVE UNTO YOU

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One of National Geographic's Best 100 photos. I love the srength and steadiness with which the lion walks into the wind.

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I've noticed a trend lately. My friends, family, and acquaintances are teeming with big, scary changes in their lives...looming unknowns that have to be taken on in faith. I sympathize, and I have to be honest: I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one! It gives me hope somehow.
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We are currently working on some changes that could possibly alter our life in every possible way. I'm trying not to freak out completely. And whether or not it works out the way we planned, it is going to take a toll on our finances. We are not in a place to share much about it just yet (aren't I cruel?), but I wanted to to record my feelings in this blog journal. (No offense my friends, but I keep this Internet record more for my sanity than for your entertainment.)
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In times such as these, when I am overwhelmed by worry, doubt and fear about making ends meet and everything turning out (I think way too much)...I turn to this scripture. It's my balm in Gilead. It puts this mortal life back into perspective. I mean, the Lord has guided and cared for me in miraculous ways in the past! Why would He stop now?
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...Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

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Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

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And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;

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And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one of these.

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Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.

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Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

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For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

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But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

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Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof.

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3 Nephi 13: 25-34

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SHMORES

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Andrew and I were frantically trying to get out of the house on time for our Tuesday night meetings, when I walked in on him making himself some dinner.
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Marshmallow...on a fork...over the stove...ha! =)
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And I just love that look he's giving me: "Don't you dare judge me."
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SNAPSHOTS OF HOME

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Another rustic barn that HAD to be photographed.

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A horse. In the parking lot.
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Little planes from the little airport in town.
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Yep. Gone Fishing.

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Silos. Have the need to photograph them almost as often as rustic barns.

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LDS temple on the hill.

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It is an actual house, built to look like an actual boat.

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A dog awaits another car to chase down his country road.
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Red barn, in white snow, behind yellow buses.

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Melting snow.

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Charming old houses.
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Holy wildflowers! (Nearby mountains)

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Rexburg's spray park: A happenin' place in the summer.
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Farmer's Market.
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Sand dunes.

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Not sure who Tom is...but love his meadow.

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Harvest time.
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. Spuds!
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Mater himself.
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Snake River Valley
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Rustic Charm.
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Now that's classy...

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And getting classier. =)

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Only ten minutes from my house.
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And spacious skies.

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