Rural Photo Art

My recent travels to Kentucky and Ohio yielded some wonderful rural landscapes.  I enjoy the time driving through the country.  You never know what you'll see.  There are surprises around every corner.

 Ohio Landscapes

 Kentucky Landscapes

Heading Home

On the second leg of my little get-away, I went HOME.  You know, the place that no matter how long you're gone or how far away you are, it's always HOME.  I drove up from Kentucky to Ohio.  I took my time, even took a little side trip through some countryside.  I couldn't believe I saw two eagles.  The one was sitting in a field and as I slowed down, it flew up into the trees. 

 

 I spent a couple days at my in-laws.  Here I rested, watched the falling snow and the birds, enjoyed the company of my second mom.  Then I went to stay with mom.

We enjoyed just being together, antique shopping, going to lunch, and a movie with my sisters where we laughed until we cried.  We discovered a few new antique shops downtown where I bought a vintage camera.

We had dinner with a few of my aunts and cousins and I spent the day with my Aunt Bonnie where we talked photography for hours.  Her 4 year old granddaughter played model for us...what a cutie.  Spent the day with my newest nephew and fell in love, He's the sweetest little guy I know.

Before I knew it, it was time to head home, but I really was ready.  I'd been blessed by all the beautiful women in my life...loved on, listened to, hugged.  They filled up my empty cup and reminded me that I'm not alone even though I'm far away.  Thank you all for a great trip!

 

White as Snow

We had all hoped for a white Christmas this year. But instead of snowing on Christmas, it showed up a day late.  I woke up on the 26th and everything was coated in white.  It was beautiful and I decided to take a walk through the woods around my in-laws home.  What is it about a fresh snow?  It's like it calls my name and whispers, "Come spend time with me."  I bundled up with coat, gloves, scarf and boots and made my way through this winter wonderland.  I was in a world of white lace...every branch was lined with snow.

As I walked the path through the trees, there was a hush all around, it was so peaceful, quiet, and clean.  Except for a few animal prints in the snow, there was nothing marring the snow.

It was a reminder of yet another of God's promises...the gift of grace.  He will remove our sins and make them as white as snow.  Christmas time is over, people are taking down the decorations.  However, let's not forget that Christ came not for a day or a season, but forever.  To all who believe, like the snow blankets the earth, His grace covers us making us white as the snow, pure and clean. 

This big guy lives across the street.  I went over to try to get some pictures, but, as you can see above, he was way across the field.  I crossed the street to head back, stopped to take a couple pics.  He started mooing at me and when I looked over, he was half way across the field.  I knew he was calling me so I went back across the street and he practically ran over to the fence to greet me.  What a sweet ole guy!

Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together," says the Lord, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Love,
    ~Aimee

Fair Days

It has been years since I've been to a county fair. Going to the Wood County Fair with my parents this year, took me back to my childhood days of 4-H, spending days showing off my little dog's obedience skills. The sights and sounds brought a flood of memories. We indulged ourselves on popcorn, sno cones, elephant ears, and chocolate covered frozen strawberries. Wished I'd gotten a picture of that one! We strolled through the animal barns, reminded how awful the pigs smelled. We watched the animal show where the cutest little jack russell terriors performed some pretty impressive tricks.

Graduation

It seems life is forging ahead as much as I try to hold it back.  These past two months have been a bit of a blur.  Beki's graduation ceremony was May 19th.  I'm a bit behind, but no surprise with everything that's been going on.  The ceremony itself wasn't too terribly long considering there were 605 graduates!  Beki graduated 10th in her class.  That's pretty impressive and we are very proud of her.  I did well getting through the day.  I thought for sure I'd be an emotional mess watching my last graduate, but I held it together.  It's a strange feeling realizing the grade school days are over.  Grandma Betty came out for the ceremony.  It was great having her here for a visit.  We did some fun things, keeping her pretty busy.

Beki and I drove to Toledo and stayed 9 days.  We celebrated with a party in Ohio with our family and friends and again later had a small party for her here in Illinois.  She invited some friends over and they got the firepit going.  Ari and Anthony came to visit then too. 

After our trip home to Ohio, we went to Missouri State University for SOAR, student registration.  She got a great schedule worked out.  It was a whirlwind of seminars for her and for us.  We took Ari and Anthony out for dinner to Lambert's Restaurant.  It's always a fun place to go and this time the wait wasn't 2 hours!!  She's officially a college student now!