Feel the Brown, Hope for the Spring

“It's spring fever.... You don't quite know what it is you DO want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" - Mark Twain

We have had bright sunny days here and warm-ish temps for the past few days. The 40's!! I had to shed my coat yesterday when I went on a walk if that tells you anything. The snow is beginning to melt revealing the brownish-ness underneath.

When the sun comes out, the brown can be actually quite beautiful!

On my walk, I heard a rushing stream which came from the melting snow.

And then, to top it all off, I saw a neighbor who told me proudly of her daffodils sprouting through the earth. I wanted to see it for myself.

Sunshine on the Deck Makes Me High

Sunshine, sparkling snow, slanted shadows... what's not to love?

Celebrating 4 Years of Blogging

Some of the highlights lately...

This past February 17 was the 4th anniversary of Kingdom Jewels and this is post 1334. When I look back to first post, I remember having no idea where it would lead, but soon it became a photo blog. I love having a place to share my photography and even more, I love meeting people from all over. Thanks for the comments, it's fun hearing from you!!!

Advice from Einstein

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow."

Wonder Years

Edward, November 2009

We usually only see Edward on Sunday downtown at church and sometimes afterwards when he comes home for a quick lunch, and you know, he only lives on the Calvin campus about 25 minutes away. Yet, whenever I see him, I feel the need to get my camera out. Pictures for me are a way of holding on to memories and I feel if I have one, I will never forget. What I've had on my mind lately is that Ed will be taking off in about 5 days for Amsterdam and I won't be able to shoot these simple photos. I'm going to miss that. I expect we'll keep in pretty good touch through Facebook, Skype, e-mail, etc. but it will be the longest time in over 20 years I have ever had to go without taking his photograph. Will I make it?

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~The Wonder Years

Love Thursday

"Except for the point, the still point, There would be no dance, and there is only the dance"
— T.S. Eliot

I love bokeh.

January Antidote, Part 3 - Reflections, Warmth and Colour!

When our fingers had reached the freezing point, we decided to head over to Calvin College. We found a warm cozy place in the Prince Conference Center complete with 2 roaring stone fireplaces, a grand piano and some dried flower arrangements, aka the colour we sought.

It was a good, good day!

January Antidote, Part 2 - Rushing Water

After brekkie, we headed from Eastown to downtown GR after a brief stop at Deirdre's home in East Grand Rapids to pick up our camera equipment. We are amassing a fairly large arsenal though Deirdre's backpack is now bigger than mine! :)

Our first stop was near the 6th street dam across the river from the fish ladder. Above is a view from the south of the infamous Sixth Street Bridge which I usually picture from the north. We took photos of the water rushing over the dam and it did feel good to listen to it flowing by.

Looking south on the river into Grand Rapids, I saw these bridges which reminded me of the bridges over the canals in Amsterdam for a second.

As I look again at these photos of the icy cold water rushing underneath me, I am recalling with gratitude Deirdre's warning to me to be careful.

Later that afternoon in my own bedroom, I tripped over a cord and bit the dust on the soft carpeting and that was bad enough!

An Antidote for January

Liquid energy

When the deep cold and grayness of the Michigan January settles in, truly one of the best remedies is to meet a friend for a combined breakfast and photo shoot. This past weekend, my friend Deirdre and I headed out on a quest for colour after a wonderful breakfast at the cozy Brandywine Restaurant.

Deirdre ordered the Eggs Timothy, and I thought of how the Queen Mother would enjoy it because of its corned beef hash and the english muffin toast on the side.

I had the Greek god Omelette which was also very amazing. We impersonated Japanese tourists and photographed our food, while the chef looked on from the kitchen with approval.

To my astonishment, I ate the whole omelette without getting a stomach ache which was a good thing as we headed into parts 2 & 3 of our photo journey. To be continued...

January Thaw

I love it when we get a reprieve from the cold snowy bitter harsh winter. Today, we are thawing out a bit.



I used this opportunity as I always do to clean and hose out the garage of the oily gray slush that collects on the floor. So not worthy of a picture! I took a nice long walk instead and found this with my camera.



And when I zoom in it looks like a painting.


I feel better now!

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Weekend Rest

When the weather outside is frightful...

A Big Post Counting Down to 2010!

This morning since it is the last day of the year, I thought back to some of my favorite images that I've taken this year. I thought of 3 or 4 that stood out to me and then I decided to try to come up with my favorite for each month of the year. This was hard! In some cases, I had to choose more than one. One thing that's true is I always remember times the best when they are preserved like this.

January: the beautiful skies of Rehoboth, New Mexico



February: Leo, my cat, always around even when it's ugly outside



March: Edward, Maria & Bridget in a booth



April: Rejoicing at sunset, Panama City Beach



May: Magnolia Blossoms and Tulips





June: Cousins jumping at the beach and our family walking in the sand





July: Marcus & Stella's wedding/Barkley & Diana's wedding







August: Maria's Senior Photos





September: Chris & Lindsay's wedding on Kelleys Island and John fishing







October: Autumn on the Flat River and a nearby stream





November: Fall finery









December: My neighbor's new grandaughter





Wishing you a blessed and happy 2010 filled with many beautiful images!