Sunrise Series - Week 2

This week was a week filled with grey skies, gloom, and little to photograph in the way of sunrise.  Each morning, the eastern sky simply lightened up and the definition of the world became visible.  Except for one.  

January 8.

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope. 
~Bern Williams

This Is My Life 2013

I had so much fun a couple of years ago with Project 365. It encouraged me to get in the habit of carrying my camera and taking pictures. I sort of got out of that habit, and I think it's time to revisit it. So I'm going to play again. Project 365 - take a photo a day. Doesn't matter of what, just do it. At the end of a year, you'll have a documented record of one year of your life. 

Last time I played, I did my own alter to the idea and instead of scrapping one page of 7 photos each week, I took one photo from the week and scrapped that. Apparently, it was not an idea that was unique to me, because now the project has various other options. In addition to Project 365, there is a Project 52, and a Project 12.

I'm going with the Project 52 option, same as last time, only I'm committed to the photo a day.

This is my cover page layout for my Project 2013 Album. The photo was taken New Year's Day, early morning, and these three are waiting on me to feed them. That's the story of my life - somebody's always wanting something.

For the past four years, I've taken my January 1 photograph of the morning sunrise, but this year, the skies were overcast and there was only a gradual lightening of the grey gloom. I hope that doesn't say anything about the upcoming year, but I think I'll choose to focus my thoughts on the look of hope and expectancy on the faces of my three equine companions. Maybe they know something I don't.

From left to right : Buddy, Java, and Charlie

The basic design for this came from the Nuts About Sketches sketch #247.

I used several challenges at Scrapbook.com to help the thinking process flow.  The color scheme was from an old Design Seeds color palette.  Those colors really do look beautiful together, and I'm so happy that my album is off to such a beautiful start.

Hello 2013

My friend Rick has been posting some sunset photos on facebook.  Boy has he got an incredible view!  His photos are awesome, and they've inspired me to resurrect my Sunrise Series for 2013.  

Here's a little background.  

Every morning I go outside and sit on The Church Of The Back Porch And A Cup Of Coffee.  My backyard faces east, towards the sunrise, and I find it peaceful and calming to start the day watching the dawn colors creep across the horizon and gradually spill across the sky.  It warms my soul and encourages my meditation time with my Creator.  There's just something about the fresh and new potential of the new day which spreads out before you full of hope and endless possibilities.   

Not every sunrise is spectacular, and not every morning has one.  This new year dawned covered in clouds and fog and gloom at my house.  But I have created the habit of taking a photo of each and every morning at my house.  And those photos are archived on my photo disks by month, day, and year.  

For 2013, I'd like to invite you to join my Sunrise Seires Meditation time.  I'll pick a sunrise of the week for each week and post it to share with you.  Eventually, these will end up in a scrapbook album somewhere I'm sure.  

Here's the thought I usually find myself meditating about...  The next time a sunrise or sunset steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way.  Say nothing, and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it?  I did it just for you."  

That's just overwhelming, that the God and Creator of the entire universe cares enough about ME to paint my world with beautiful color in the morning, just so I'll be encouraged to start my day with happiness and hope.  

Here's Sunrise #1.  Taken Sunday morning.  New Year's Eve.