Saturday, December 31, 2011

I have never had a spectacular New Years Eve.

No champagne.
No party with streamers and horns.
No hat.

Perhaps a kiss.

I am old enough to not let this bother me.
I use to think that everyone else was having so much more fun than I was.
I'm over that.

For me the New Year represents another year of blogging.
I started on Jan. 1, 2004.

I have blogged nearly every day for eight years and I still love it.

In Jan of 2004 I shared some quotes I found in a small resource book;
Writer's Inc. was very encouraging.

"There is one type of writing, however, that may have more to offer than most movies. It is called personal writing, or writing that comes from within, carried out because you have a personal need to explore or share your experiences."

"Once you get into personal writing, you'll soon realize your thoughts and experiences are no more than starting points. You'll begin to turn these initial ideas inside out and see them in new ways. This might sound like heady stuff, but it really isn't. Personal writing is simply an effective way to examine your world."

"Journal writing works best when it is done on a regular basis....The important point is to get into a writing routine."

"In the best of all worlds, journal writing will become a very important part of your life, right up there with good friends and good food. But we will settle for something far more practical and down to earth: That through journal writing you will begin to feel more comfortable with the physical act of writing and more confident in your ability to express yourself."


"Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it,...and, above all. accurately so they will be guided by its light."
-Joseph Pulitzer



*****

Just this morning I stumbled upon an artist named Abbott Henderson Thayer.



How gorgeous.


***

Two years ago.


First day with my big girl camera.
Little Katie. 2006.


There, how's that for a discombobulated post?
Ah well.


Happy New Year!!


Encourage one another,
Donna

Friday, December 30, 2011

Rounding the bend on 2011



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8-31-11

Asher is one!
Along with a birthday party, Asher was dedicated by his Grandpa on this gorgeous weekend.

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Mathew was 14 when Katie was born. I always wondered what her relationships with her older siblings would be like.
She has a unique life. It's special in it's own ways.


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The Packers started the season with a bang.

9-8-11


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9-23-11


Katie and I met sisters Cindy and Nancy in Minocqua for the Rump Roast Run. It was Beef-a-rama weekend! woo.

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I found Tammy! She is a wonderful person.


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Nancy gave me this picture of our parents and her in-laws.
I treasure it.


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10-1-11

Justembrace had it's wonderful successful kick off at the beginning of October.

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10-5-11

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10-8-11


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10-15-11

Sunny and windy and beautiful!


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10-27-11

A fantastic meet up with Stephanie and Carol and Dorothy and Donna.
Utter delight.


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10-2-11

Prayers were prayed.


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11-11-11

Yes. The nuttier you look on 11-11-11, the better your fortune will be.

NOT.

I was selling raffle tickets.
My ring looks gigantic.
Sweet blur.


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11-12-11

We met Ginny Potter Glyman Boucher and her mommy.


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11-14-11

Emma and I went to the Packer's game....you know, the one that I forgot the tickets for.


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11-24-11

Thanksgiving was super fun with Asher and his parents here. He is such a nice boy.

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11-26-11

Oh yeah!
We know how to live!


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11-27-11

Christmas picture time.

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12-5-11

The Easy Chef emerges.



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12-23-11


Ginny Potter Glyman Boucher steals our hearts.

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A year of beauty and joy and love thru my eyes...


Wishing you beauty and joy and love.
It doesn't have to be big and fancy.

It can be quiet and ordinary.

And magical.

Love you.
Donna

Thursday, December 29, 2011

The warmer and sunnier months of 2011



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It was almost May when Katie and I flew to Maryland for the workshop at Angie's home.
What a trip!!

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Cheryl came to the workshop. She picked me up at the airport.
She got to know the real me, super fast.
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I think she still likes me.


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5-14-11

Graduation day!
What a crazy trip! The weather was horrendous.

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5-15-11

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The tulips didn't seem to mind.


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5-21-11

I gave a workshop to a group of really wonderful women in May here in Wisconsin.


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I pinned and pinned and baked and pinned.

6-1-11


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Katie helped me experiment with lens lengths and facial distortion.

6-5-11

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Asher found his voice...in the middle of a wedding where daddy was standing up.
Matthew, who never wants to offend or displease anyone, was horrified by his noisy baby.
Grandpa took him to the nursery.


6-10-11

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I took Emily's Senior pictures in July.
She was just accepted to Wheaton and is super happy about that!
Her mom is AmyJ from the comments!!

6-29-11

A gorgeous visit to Chicago to see Emma in her new home and to go to the rescheduled Cubs game.

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kathyb and I met and barely watched the game.

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7-13-11

I started using the Instagram app on my phone.
And I went swimming.


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Sue's son Kurt married Marysa. It was lovely. And hot.

7-16-11

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7-21-11

It was 100 degrees out.


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7-27-11

The tutu made a summer appearance.


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Asher had a rough summer of many illnesses.

Katie and I jumped in the car on the spur of the moment for a visit to cuddle
the ailing tot.

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8-1-11


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8-14-11

August showed off.


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8-20-11

Uncle Mel's birthday party in Wheaton at cousin Paul's house.
A great time of celebration and laughter and reminiscing.


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8-25-11

family portraits with little boys with beautiful eyes.


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8-31-11


and the most beautiful mom and daughter


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A special trip to the hair salon for pretty back to school hair.

What a glorious summer it was.
Family. Sun. New friends.
Rich with memories.

Much to be thankful for.
Donna