Recent Winter Photos

Earlier this week, we had a couple of days of ice fog, which made for a rather dreary setting. Two days ago, however, the skies were clear and bright blue -- and the trees were glistening white and fluffy with ice crystals! The following 18 photos were taken that day; the final 14 at Mirror Lake recreational park in Peters Creek, Alaska.

I was so moved and humbled and honored that GOD would choose to share His majesty and beauty with me that day. These photos demonstrate that even in our times of stark coldness and winter darkness, His love, mercy, grace and faithfulness shine through and give us beauty and hope and joy.

I hope these photos will bless your spirit as much as they have my own...

"Sunlight & Shadow on Poppy Lane" ~ Eagle River

"Cruising North on the Glenn Highway"

"Sunlight on the Trail" ~ Peters Creek

"Mirror Lake Recreational Park" ~ Peters Creek

"Winter Crocs Keep My Tootsies Warm!"

TFL ~ klb

Hi There...Remember Me?!

It's been a loooooong time since I've posted anything and for those of you faithful friends and family members who've been checking, I do apologize and thank you for your patience!

Since my last posting, I have entered the world of Photshop and - as my sis-in-law, Linda, puts it - I think I've "found my calling!" Most of you know that I cannot and will not share any photos which I have not first "tweaked" in some way. That still holds true, but now, because of the things I've been learning in the Photoshop lessons I've been taking (http://www.jessicasprague.com/), the photos I choose to share are more creative than ever before. Yes, there are still those pics I just make small adjustments to without all the "decoration" - I use those for my layouts - and I will share those here on this blog as well.

For now, though, here are three of my favorites - all done within the last month or so. Info and credits below each photo.

TFL ~ klb

Credits: pattern paper: Christine Nash; brushes: Brusheezy.com; fonts: Papyrus, Honey Script ("Remember" and "Memories") and Century Gothic (place and date). Photo taken by me, July 4, 2008

Credits: Fonts: Century Gothic (Scripture verse and reference) and Dali (place and date). Photo taken by me at the Alaska Zoo, June 5, 2008

Credits: Brush: Katie Pertiet; fonts: French Script (Scripture verse) and Century Gothic (reference). Photo taken by me - detail of the apple blossoms on our tree, June 2008

Jan 16, 2008 ~ P*S*B/Photography 101 (Group 2) - PORTRAIT MODE

Well, these photos are kind of the opposite of what was listed for lesson 2 (sharp subject/blurred background), but these were both taken in portrait mode nonetheless.

I took these from my bedroom window; zoomed in on the birds through the snow-covered branches of our apple tree. Details listed under each photo.

TFL - kimB

Bohemian Waxwings in Flight

F4.9, Portrait Mode, ISO 200, 1/159 sec

Bohemian Waxwings in our Mountain Ash Tree

F4.9, Portrait Mode, ISO 200, 1/189 sec

P*S*B ~ My Town

I'm a bit late with last week's challenge - My Town - and I don't have a lot of "town" type of shots to post... However, I do have a lot of scenics (surprise, surprise) taken in our community, along with several shots of the interior of the Chugiak Senior Center which, although 9 miles away from us here in Eagle River, is still part of our community. The photos have captions, but I don't have the technical details handy; if you have a question about the settings or what-not of any of the photos, just ask and I'll look it up for you :)

TFL - kimB

"Mountains in the Mist"

Actually, this is fog, but "mist" sounded better - took this while riding through Eagle River in my friend's car on our way to the Chugiak Senior Center.

Inside the Christmas section at the Eagle River Fred Meyer

Eagle River Fred Meyer Christmas section

"Christmas Stocking Quilt"

Chugiak Senior Center

"Tony, the Tour Guide"

One of our friends and paper-crafting "students," Tony, took us on a little tour of the assisted living part of the center. He wanted us to see all the various Christmas decorations put up by the residents.

Residents' Stockings hanging in the Hallway

A happy Tony, posing with the cards he made during our paper-crafting session

The decorated door of the Day-Service unit (where we hold our paper-crafting sessions)

Close up of the Day Service's Christmas Tree

Rhonda and several of our paper-crafters working on Christmas cards

"Elf - Robert"

He was actually pretty happy this day, even though you can't tell it by this photo!

Majestic Eagle, taken in - guess where? - Eagle River!

"Lone Eagle on Eagle River Road"

Nativity scene outside the First Baptist Church of Eagle River

Sign outside the First Baptist Church of Eagle River

Decorated pavilion at the Eagle River Town Square. I didn't adjust the color - the yellow tint comes from the surrounding streetlight.

Eagle River Town Square and the "People Mover" bus stop in the background

"Moonrise over the Alaska Range"

Taken from Beach Lake Rd in Chugiak

"Beach Lake"

"Moose Tracks"

Beach Lake, Chugiak

"Sunset Glow on the Alaska Range"

Beach Lake, Chugiak

Chanukah Arts Festival Family Expo ~ Dec 9, 2007

Last Sunday, I attended my first ever Chanukah celebration with my friend, Rhonda. It was held in Anchorage at the Egan Convention Center and was open to the public. Rhonda had never attended one of these festivals before either, but had wanted to for a long time, so she called me up and we went together.

I admit that at times, I felt like a party-crasher, as everything was foreign to me and other than Rhonda, I knew no one else there. However, no one made us feel unwelcomed and we were even able to share a table with a Hebrew family. The event was free, but food, games and activities took tickets ($1 per ticket) and I spent $10 on refreshments for Rhonda and myself. We both had potato latkes with applesauce - my first time - and they were very tasty!

Hope you enjoy these photos -- kimB

One of many antique menorahs on display - some were hundreds of years old!

Display table of Antique Menorahs

Giant dreidel pinata and a net full of balloons. The pinata was broken at the end of the event (we left before then) and the balloons were dropped at the end of a skit put on by the children

"Jerusalem of Gold" - menorah under glass

Cups, Mugs & Goblets under glass

Menorahs for sale - there was such a wide variety!

Dude!

Groovy little VW Menorah for sale! Faaaaar Out :) ! Shalom, y'all!

" Synogogues of the World"

Egan Center ballroom - all decked out for Festival & Family Expo

Food Line

Hebrew Youth Club, Gan Yeladim Preshool and Toddler Program students at the end of the Chanukah Light Parade

Jack and Jordan Green give the Menorah Blessings (yes, in Hebrew!)

Rabbi Yosef Greenberg and Jerry Green (father of the two little boys) kindle the Ice Menorah

Larry Tallman and David Grashin light the antique menorah - it's more than 400 years old! - as Rabbi Greenberg looks on

~ Basking in the Light of GOD's Love ~

This beautiful young lady was one of our table mates, along with her family, who kept speaking to one another in - I think, Yiddish. Lovely :)

Musical performance by Alex Zlatovski and Jack & Jordan Green

A portion of the menorah on our table.

Love the glow from this - was surprised it turned out so well! I used macro mode; no flash

The menorah at our table was crafted by children at the festival

A Reflection of the Lord's Provision

"My Giant Birthday Latke" - a theatrical performance by the Talmud Torah After-School students. Very cute play :)

Yarmulkes and programs on our table at the festival

Carved Ice Menorah - This was sooooo much prettier IRL!

Ice Menorah Detail

The original of this photo had a yellowish tinge, so I added the "cool 1" filter to give it a more natural appearance.

Native Alaskan artwork in the lobby of the Egan Convention Center in Anchorage