The Creative Exchange, March 12th - 16th

What a fantastic week I had with my son home last week!  Lots of long talks, time spent together, and lots of laughs, as he is so good at getting me to do.  I have seen him change so much just in the several months he’s been away at school.  He was always quite mature for his age, and still is, but with this I have seen him develop a real sense of self that I feel is so important.  He is beginning to very carefully weigh decisions which he feels will be important to his future and ultimate career plans, and seems willing to accept the sacrifices and changes that come with these plans.  In all, life is very good for him right now; he is in a good place, and therefore so am I!!

I feel there is one thing in life that we can be very sure of, and that is change.  Life is definitely not static; it is dynamic.  With this in mind I have some news to share with you, and it does not come without reservations, and yes, quite a few tears.

I have found myself in a very unexpected position whereby I have to take on additional responsibilities at least until the end of the semester, and possibly beyond.  Yes, I am sure you know what’s coming here.  Some things have to give, and although it makes me sadder than I can tell you, one of those things will be The Creative Exchange.  This will be the last week.

Although I would very much like to tell you that this is a hiatus, I am simply not sure, and to be honest with you is most important to me.  I will be continuing with my photography site, because this is one of the things I do just for me.  I have added a link from the site to a blog (nothing there yet though), as my photography site has very few, if any words, and I still want to be able to “talk” to you. 

Above all, please know just how very important each of you are to me in your own unique, creative, and special ways, and that I am truly sorry to have to make this decision.  I do hope you can understand.

Okay, enough sad.  Now go out there and make it a good week!!!  :-)

The Creative Exchange, March 5th - 9th

Happy Monday to you!

We finally got our first real snowstorm last week.  Unfortunately, it was about 6 inches of the real heavy wet stuff.  I think I shoveled more water and slush than snow.  Not very pretty for sure, and it's almost gone now.

Great week ahead for me, as my son is home for a school break.  I am actually taking a day off from work to have some extra time with him.  Unfortunately our semester breaks don't coincide, as mine begins on the 17th of this month.

I have to tell you just how wonderful it is to be seeing all of your beautiful change of season images.  It does feel like everyone is ahead of NY though!  I saw lots of magnolia photographs last week, and if you've been here for a while you do know just how much I love those!  Ours are doing okay, but I think it's going to be some time before we see flowers.

Speaking of flowers, the paper whites I forced indoors are doing beautifully, and I am sure I owe it to one thing and one thing only.  Vodka!  Okay, now hear me out.  I have tried countless times over the years to force bulbs.  Paper whites are my favorites (although I really dislike their fragrance!).  The same thing always happens.  They get all long and lanky, fall over, and die before the flowers bloom.  I've tried all kinds of light, and anything else I could think of but still the same result.  It just so happened that my husband read something about putting vodka in their water, soooooooo... 2 capfuls to a cup of water.  They are only about half the height they would normally grow; they are standing straight and blooming beautifully!

Finally for today, I recently stumbled upon a wonderful site, and want to share it with you.  It is difficult to describe the theme, but to say it is from the heart is truly an understatement.  The name of the site is "Dear Photograph."  All posts are by submission to the owner of the site, who then selects what will appear.  In short, it is a photograph of a photograph accompanied by a few words, and it is truly a wonderful place to spend time.  If you'd like to take a look, you can visit by clicking here.

Have a fantastic start to your week!