What better way to follow up my series “With a Grateful Heart” than by taking a moment to pause in gratitude on American Thanksgiving. I thought I would approach this a bit differently. Instead of expressing gratitude in poetry or prose. I’d like to express my gratitude in photographs, so what follows are pictures I’ve taken since Thanksgiving 2021 - cherished moments, moments where the natural world, family, and love in all its forms whispered, “Capture that!”
November 2021
I had to take a picture of our newest family member, Chai Pumpkin.
As a proud mama, I wanted to capture this picture of Alec’s first role in a musical. He nailed his part as Rapunzel’s Prince in Into the Woods.
December
My husband and I are grateful when the cardinals visit us. Is this a subtle visit from a loved one?
A photo shout-out to my Grandma Hill who always baked Norwegian kringla for the holidays.
January 2022
Snow while, flowing creek, naked trees against a blue sky in the morning - I just couldn’t resist taking this photo!
While on retreat in Cancun I became obsessed with all of the beautiful birds at the resort. This is one of many bird photos there.
Here I captured for posterity the moment Alec read he had been accepted to his first choice school, UW-LaCrosse.
February
Winter cold and nature’s beautiful color contrasts made me smile for this selfie.
March
During a garage sale at my folks’ house in SW Wisconsin, the local Amish visited and parked in Dad’s driveway. I just had to get this one!
I received a Bible from my parents dating back to the late 1800’s. Who placed these 4-leaf clovers there? And WHEN?
April
At times I become engrossed in the small things like fungi on a tree, and something whispers, “Capture that!”
As a world traveler, I was drawn to this image on the St. Norbert Campus, in DePere, WI.
May
While visiting Vancouver with Adam, I was struck by the beauty of the house boats for the Naval cadets. Water, sky, plants, houseboats, reflections!
Also in Vancouver, the colors, textures, and contrasts in nature were irresistible.
A HUGE surprise visit to one of Brent’s performances from a good friend from our Hong Kong days was one of the highlights of the year. I loved capturing this moment of joy.
Ah, nature! I had to get this photo to continue appreciating GREEN at a future date.
June
“Again with the trees?” Yes! Yes, again! Here I loved the moss as the perspective demonstrating the grandeur of the tree.
Alec’s high school graduation day included this surprise humungous ice cream treat from his aunt; a blast to past great memories.
July
Capturing a quiet moment on a lady’s retreat/gathering in the Wisconsin Dells. The moon, the still water. (and an orb) -love it!
Joyful moments are to be cherished! This one was in Vancouver with Adam as he enjoyed a vegan latte.
Sometimes things just make you chuckle.
August
While beaching on Lake Michigan these two cuties entertained us as they made their installation art from found natural objects. I asked if I could take a photo to capture the moment. They were so proud!
Sometimes you just gotta look up. And then the beauty of the sky says, “This is photo worthy!”
September
A cat. A flowering plant. And a little cone flower that just appeared out of nowhere. Perfect.
The vibrant color contrasts captured my attention while touring a Botanical Gardens with my sister and a friend.
A Whimsical scene: willow huts and sky created by an installation artist at a Botanical Gardens in Minnesota.
October
This little acorn just caught my attention in his sea of green.
Veins? Tree branches! And lovely fall colors! I spent hours taking so many photos of the autumn colors during this photo shoot at an abandoned golf course in Rockford, IL.
A momentous occasion! Alec’s first college choir concert. Parents and GRANDPARENTS in attendance (a big deal since we had been abroad for so long).
November
A color-rich, texture-rich, water photo at the Japanese Garden in Rockford. This was another photo shoot opportunity in nature I absolutely loved.
Christian Outreach volunteers packaging Thanksgiving meals for nearly 3000 people in the Green Bay Area. I was a first-year volunteer. Loved every minute of my time with these kind people.
It’s only Thanksgiving, but the Christmas decorating has been underway. Thank you, Brent, fro “sprucing up” the place.
And Now
Sometimes it’s the little moments or the smallest detail, like moss on a tree, that deserves our attention and gratitude. Sometimes it’s the big occasion, like high school graduation, that we wish to honor and remember. In any case, these are moments that bring joy to my heart and simply longed to be captured in photos. I hope you enjoyed them.
Thank you, readers and subscribers, for letting me share my ideas, creations, photographs, and heart with you each week. May you have a warm and blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Won’t you share a favorite story or photo of gratitude with me? It’s easy. Just click on the comment button.
I loved these photos of you and your family almost as much as I enjoy your writing and that is a lot.
You have a great eye for photography, Brenda! I thoroughly enjoyed each image....textures, colors, vibration! Keep writing! Happy Holidays!